Horseshoe Crab Monitoring 2023
Photo: NYC Audubon
VOLUNTEER AS A HORSESHOE CRAB MONITOR
JOIN US ON THE BEACH
Horseshoe crab monitoring registration for 2023 is now closed. To receive email notifications about opportunities in 2024, subscribe to our eGret newsletter.
REVIEW THE MONITORING PROTOCOL
Need a refresher before your volunteer shift? Watch the recorded information session from April 10, 2023:
IMPORTANT NOTES
GROUPS AND FAMILIES WELCOME!
Kids are welcome, but we require that minors under 18 years old are accompanied by a parent or guardian. Please note that it will be dark by the end of the shift, and there will be some wading in the water.
ACCESSIBILITY
Participation in this project requires walking about a mile on the beach and other uneven terrain, including wading through water of up to 10” deep. Note that it will be dark by the end of the shift, and while no specialized equipment is needed, you will need to bring water shoes/shoes that can get wet, and a headlamp.
TRANSPORTATION
Volunteers are responsible for their own transportation to the monitoring sites. Public transportation by bus and subway is limited, so be sure to carefully check availability or arrange your own way there. NYC Audubon does not arrange carpools, but may be able to facilitate connections with other volunteers. Once you are assigned to a shift date and location, feel free to contact your fellow volunteers to share transportation.
GEAR AND CLOTHING
For your volunteer shifts, you’ll need to bring with you:
- Clothing that you don't mind getting wet
- Water shoes, old sneakers, or tall rubber rain boots
- Warm layer and windbreaker (it’s always a little cooler at the beach)
- Foul-weather gear in case of rain
- Change of pants, socks, and shoes
- Water bottle to rinse off your shoes
- Headlights with extra batteries (you’ll need your hands, so bring a headlamp, not a flashlight)
- Insect repellent
MONITORING SITES
1) PLUMB BEACH EAST, BROOKLYN
Site Coordinator: Ann Seligman (aseligman@nycaudubon.org / cell 917.327.9210)
Monitoring Dates and Times:
| Day of Week | Monitoring Date | Monitoring Start Time (highest high tide) |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday | May 3, 2023 | 7:21pm |
| Friday | May 5, 2023 | 8:34pm |
| Sunday | May 7, 2023 | 9:56pm |
| Wednesday | May 17, 2023 | 7:12pm |
| Friday | May 19, 2023 | 8:37pm |
| Sunday | May 21, 2023 | 9:59pm |
| Thursday | June 1, 2023 | 6:42pm |
| Saturday | June 3, 2023 | 8:08pm |
| Monday | June 5, 2023 | 9:43pm |
| Friday | June 16, 2023 | 7:33pm |
| Sunday | June 18, 2023 | 8:55pm |
| Tuesday | June 20, 2023 | 10:17pm |
Please note that volunteers should meet on the beach between 45-60 minutes prior to the monitoring start time. Site coordinators will send detailed instructions, including specific meeting times, a few days before the monitoring date.
Directions to Plumb Beach East
- Map of monitoring sites
- Meeting point: Plumb Beach parking lot
- Driving directions: Take eastbound Belt Parkway. It’s marked as a rest area, just after Exit 9 (Knapp St.). Note that it is not accessible from the westbound side.
- Public transportation: Take the B or Q subway to Sheepshead Bay, and then (1) car/taxi approx. 2 miles to the Plumb Beach parking lot or (2) take the B4 bus to Shore Pkwy/Brigham St and walk approx. 0.8 miles to the Plumb Beach parking lot. Be sure to check the MTA bus schedules.
2) PLUMB BEACH WEST, BROOKLYN
Site Coordinator: Nancy Liang (nancy.h.liang@gmail.com / cell 917.434.8121)
Monitoring Dates and Times:
| Day of Week | Monitoring Date | Monitoring Start Time (highest high tide) |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday | May 3, 2023 | 7:21pm |
| Friday | May 5, 2023 | 8:34pm |
| Sunday | May 7, 2023 | 9:56pm |
| Wednesday | May 17, 2023 | 7:12pm |
| Friday | May 19, 2023 | 8:37pm |
| Sunday | May 21, 2023 | 9:59pm |
| Thursday | June 1, 2023 | 6:42pm |
| Saturday | June 3, 2023 | 8:08pm |
| Monday | June 5, 2023 | 9:43pm |
| Friday | June 16, 2023 | 7:33pm |
| Sunday | June 18, 2023 | 8:55pm |
| Tuesday | June 20, 2023 | 10:17pm |
Please note that volunteers should meet on the beach between 45-60 minutes prior to the monitoring start time. Site coordinators will send detailed instructions, including specific meeting times, a few days before the monitoring date.
Directions to Plumb Beach West
- Map of monitoring sites
- Meeting point: Plumb Beach parking lot
- Driving directions: Take eastbound Belt Parkway. It’s marked as a rest area, just after Exit 9 (Knapp St.). Note that it is not accessible from the westbound side.
- Public transportation: Take the B or Q subway to Sheepshead Bay, and then (1) car/taxi approx. 2 miles to the Plumb Beach parking lot or (2) take the B4 bus to Shore Pkwy/Brigham St and walk approx. 0.8 miles to the Plumb Beach parking lot. Be sure to check the MTA bus schedules.
3) BIG EGG MARSH, QUEENS
Site Coordinator: Dottie Werkmeister (dottski@aol.com / cell 646.734.6768)
Monitoring Dates and Times:
| Day of Week | Monitoring Date | Monitoring Start Time (highest high tide) |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday | May 3, 2023 | 7:56pm |
| Friday | May 5, 2023 | 9:09pm |
| Sunday | May 7, 2023 | 10:31pm |
| Wednesday | May 17, 2023 | 7:47pm |
| Friday | May 19, 2023 | 9:12pm |
| Sunday | May 21, 2023 | 10:34pm |
| Thursday | June 1, 2023 | 7:17pm |
| Saturday | June 3, 2023 | 8:43pm |
| Monday | June 5, 2023 | 10:18pm |
| Friday | June 16, 2023 | 8:08pm |
| Sunday | June 18, 2023 | 9:30pm |
| Tuesday | June 20, 2023 | 10:52pm |
Please note that volunteers should meet on the beach between 45-60 minutes prior to the monitoring start time. Site coordinators will send detailed instructions, including specific meeting times, a few days before the monitoring date.
Directions to Big Egg Marsh
- Map of monitoring sites
- Meeting point: Big Egg parking lot, at W 22nd Road Queens, NY, 11693. From the parking lot, the group will walk through the baseball field down to the beach.
- Driving directions: W 22nd Road is the last right turn before the toll booth, just after the traffic light at W 20th Road.
- Public transportation:
- Arrival at the beach: Take the Q52/53 bus to the Cross Bay Blvd/W. 15th Rd stop. You can either get picked up from here or walk 0.4 miles to the parking lot. Be sure to check the MTA bus schedules.
- Departure from the beach: Walk 0.4 miles or get dropped off at the Cross Bay Blvd/W. 16th Rd stop to catch the Q53 bus. Be sure to check the MTA bus schedules.
QUESTIONS?
Contact Katherine Chen, Community Science & Outreach Manager, or Ann Seligman, Horseshoe Crab Monitoring Volunteer Coordinator.
