Horseshoe Crab Volunteer Information
Photo: NYC Audubon
***Please note that volunteer registration for the 2022 horseshoe crab monitoring season has now closed. If you'd like to be notified for the 2023 season, make sure to sign up for the eGret eNewsletter.***
INFORMATION FOR REGISTERED VOLUNTEERS
REVIEW THE MONITORING PROTOCOL
Need a refresher before your volunteer shift? Watch our online training video.
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:
| Monitoring Date | Monitoring Start Time (highest high tide) |
|---|---|
| Saturday, May 14, 2022 | 7:24pm |
| Monday, May 16, 2022 | 8:56pm |
| Wednesday, May 18, 2022 | 10:41pm |
| Saturday, May 28, 2022 | 7.32pm |
| Monday, May 30, 2022 | 8:47pm |
| Wednesday, June 1, 2022 | 9:59pm |
| Sunday, June 12, 2022 | 6:57pm |
| Tuesday, June 14, 2022 | 8:39pm |
| Thursday, June 16, 2022 | 10:29pm |
| Sunday, June 26, 2022 | 7:04pm |
| Tuesday, June 28, 2022 | 8:23pm |
| Thursday, June 30, 2022 | 9:37pm |
| Monday, July 11, 2022* | 6:36pm |
| Wednesday, July 13, 2022 | 8:26pm |
| Friday, July 15, 2022 | 10:14pm |
*Please Note: July sample dates may not be necessary if the spawning season ends in June
Please note that volunteers should meet on the beach between 30-60 minutes prior to monitoring start time. Site coordinators will send detailed instructions, including specific meeting times.
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: B, Q subway to Sheepshead Bay, and then car/taxi to Plumb Beach parking lot (approx 2 miles).
2) Plumb Beach West, Brooklyn
Site Coordinator: Nancy Liang (nancy.h.liang@gmail.com / cell 917.434.8121)
Monitoring Dates and Times:
| Monitoring Date | Monitoring Start Time (highest high tide) |
|---|---|
| Saturday, May 14, 2022 | 7:24pm |
| Monday, May 16, 2022 | 8:56pm |
| Wednesday, May 18, 2022 | 10:41pm |
| Saturday, May 28, 2022 | 7.32pm |
| Monday, May 30, 2022 | 8:47pm |
| Wednesday, June 1, 2022 | 9:59pm |
| Sunday, June 12, 2022 | 6:57pm |
| Tuesday, June 14, 2022 | 8:39pm |
| Thursday, June 16, 2022 | 10:29pm |
| Sunday, June 26, 2022 | 7:04pm |
| Tuesday, June 28, 2022 | 8:23pm |
| Thursday, June 30, 2022 | 9:37pm |
| Monday, July 11, 2022* | 6:36pm |
| Wednesday, July 13, 2022 | 8:26pm |
| Friday, July 15, 2022 | 10:14pm |
*Please Note: July sample dates may not be necessary if the spawning season ends in June
Please note that volunteers should meet on the beach between 30-60 minutes prior to monitoring start time. Site coordinators will send detailed instructions, including specific meeting times.
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: B, Q subway to Sheepshead Bay, and then car/taxi to Plumb Beach parking lot (approx 2 miles).
3) Big Egg Marsh, Queens
Site Coordinator: Dottie Werkmeister (dottski@aol.com / cell 646.734.6768)
Monitoring Dates and Times:
| Monitoring Date | Monitoring Start Time (highest high tide) |
|---|---|
| Saturday, May 14, 2022 | 7:59pm |
| Monday, May 16, 2022 | 9:31pm |
| Wednesday, May 18, 2022 | 11:16pm |
| Saturday, May 28, 2022 | 8:07pm |
| Monday, May 30, 2022 | 9:22pm |
| Wednesday, June 1, 2022 | 10:34pm |
| Sunday, June 12, 2022 | 7:32pm |
| Tuesday, June 14, 2022 | 9:14pm |
| Thursday, June 16, 2022 | 11:04pm |
| Sunday, June 26, 2022 | 7:39pm |
| Tuesday, June 28, 2022 | 8:58pm |
| Thursday, June 30, 2022 | 10:12pm |
| Monday, July 11, 2022* | 7:11pm |
| Wednesday, July 13, 2022 | 9:01pm |
| Friday, July 15, 2022 | 10:49pm |
*Please Note: July sample dates may not be necessary if the spawning season ends in June
Please note that volunteers should meet on the beach between 30-60 minutes prior to monitoring start time. Site coordinators will send detailed instructions, including specific meeting times.
Directions to Big Egg Marsh
- Map of monitoring sites
- Meeting point: Big Egg parking lot, at W 22nd Road Queens, NY, 11693
- 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 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 get the Q53 bus.
From the parking lot, the group will walk through the baseball field down to the beach.
QUESTIONS?
Contact Ann Seligman, Horseshoe Crab Monitoring Volunteer Coordinator.
