[SEMCO] Trip to Monomoy NWR Highlights Horseshoe Crabs

[Melissa Lowe]

For Immediate Release: May 22, 2003
Contact: Melissa Lowe, Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary - 508-349-2615

MASS AUDUBON SPONSORS TRIP TO MONOMOY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE TO HIGHLIGHT
HORSESHOE CRAB RESEARCH

South Wellfleet, MA. - In Delaware Bay, shorebirds time their spring
migration to take advantage of egg-laying horseshoe crabs. Consuming
thousands and thousands of these small, green eggs, shorebirds gain the
much-needed fuel to complete their long journey north to their breeding
grounds. Here in the northeast it is undetermined as to whether or not
shorebirds rely exlusively on horseshoe crabs as they do in the mid-Atlantic
states. To answer this question, organizations such as Mass Audubon and the
US Fish & Wildlife Service have been conducting research on Monomoy National
Wildlife Refuge. The goal of these projects is to determine the horseshoe
crab and shorebird connection here on Cape Cod.

Mass Audubon's Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary has organized a field trip
to North Monomoy island on Saturday, May 31 from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. to
learn about the research the US Fish & Wildlife Service is conducting on the
refuge.  Refuge Manager Sharon Fish Marino will be leading the tour and
providing an overview the island and their projects. Egg-laying horseshoe
crabs may be plentiful as this trip is timed to coincide with the spawning
season. A Mass Audubon naturalist will also accompany the group to help with
interpretation of the island and bird identification.

The cost to attend this field trip is $30 for Mass Audubon members and $35
for non-members. Registration is required and reservations can be made by
calling the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary at 508-349-2615. Participants
should be prepared to spend considerable time in ankle to knee-deep cold
water. Bring knee-high boots or waders and dress warmly.

****************************************
Melissa Lowe
Education Coordinator
Massachusetts Audubon Society
Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
PO Box 236, South Wellfleet, MA 02663
Phone: 508-349-2615  Fax: 349-2632
mlowe@wellfleetbay.org