Spring Shorebird and Horseshoe Crab Festival

The Wetlands Institute is pleased to announce our Shorebird and Horseshoe Crab Celebration Days.

Located between the Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, the Cape May Peninsula plays host to one of the world’s greatest natural spectacles. Moving to the pulse of ancient rhythms, tens of thousands of shorebirds leave their winter homes in South America and fly north, dropping down onto the beaches of Delaware Bay just as horseshoe crabs climb out of the water to lay millions of eggs in the sand. For a few weeks, the hungry shorebirds feed on these energy-packed eggs, doubling their weight before making their last migratory push north to breeding grounds on the Arctic tundra. Our shores host the largest concentration of spawning horseshoe crabs in the world, and the shorebird migration – nearly 10,000 miles end to end – is one of Nature’s most epic journeys. This is the only place on Earth to witness this incredible drama.

Come join The Wetlands Institute for a celebration of this great wonder – the shorebird migration and horseshoe crab spawning season. Proceeds help support our critical research, conservation, and education programs focused on shorebirds and horseshoe crabs.

Festival Tickets

Member: $20 Adult, $15 Child
Non-Member: $25 Adult, $20 Child

Purchase Tickets

Ticket prices include your choice of two special programs* plus general admission to The Wetlands Institute on both weekends, May 11 & 12 and May 18 & 19.

* Please note: Skimmer birding cruises are not included in the festival ticket price.

Shorebird and Horseshoe Crab Celebration Days Programs

Join us from Saturday, May 11 to Sunday, May 19, for special programs occurring around Seven Mile Island and on the Delaware Bayshore that highlight the natural wonder of the spring shorebird migration and horseshoe crab spawning. All programs are guided by The Wetlands Institute’s staff or volunteers and are open to all ages.

Pre-registration is required for all Shorebird and Horseshoe Crab Celebration Days Programs. Some programs are limited.

Click for a full schedule of activities

Saturday, May 11
Time	Activity	Location
12:30 – 1:30pm	Party on the Beach! The Horseshoe Crab and Shorebird Connection Every spring the Delaware Bay transforms from a quiet space to a raucous gathering as thousands of Horseshoe Crabs come ashore to lay their eggs, followed by shorebirds ready to join the party! In this presentation, we’ll introduce the Horseshoe Crabs and shorebirds you can find along the beaches, and dive into why exactly these animals come together in a phenomenon only found in our backyard.	Wetlands Institute
Sunday, May 12
Time	Activity	Location
2:30 – 4:30pm	Shorebird Viewing at Cooks Beach View the masses of migrating shorebirds from one the best spots on Delaware Bay. There will be so much to see, and hear, and learn, with guides available to assist. Bring your binoculars, scopes, and cameras! Staff will also have spotting scopes to enhance your experience. This is an open event, so come and go as you please!	Cooks Beach
Monday, May 13
Time	Activity	Location
3 – 4:30pm	reTURN the Favor: Horseshoe Crab Talk and Walk Join Research and Conservation staff on the Delaware Bay for an introduction to the phenomenon of horseshoe crab spawning, and contribute to horseshoe crab conservation through the reTURN the Favor program by helping to rescue horseshoe crabs that have become stranded during spawning. Participants will also learn about Delaware Bay ecology and the shorebirds that depend on horseshoe crab eggs. The walk will cover 1 km of beach (walked in both directions, for 2 km of walking total) and will require walking in sand and shallow water. Limited to 12 participants	Villas Beach
4 – 6pm	Wading Birds at the Ocean City Welcome Center Located on the bridge into Ocean City, the Welcome Center is the unlikely site of an extraordinary natural spectacle. Each spring, thousands of wading birds gather here at a massive rookery to nest and raise their young. While we’re here, we’ll enjoy spectacular views of several species of these long-legged (and long-necked!) waders – including White Ibis, which nested in the state for the first time right here in 2020. Meet at the Welcome Center, 300 W 9th St, Ocean City.	Ocean City Welcome Center
Tuesday, May 14
Time	Activity	Location
8:30 – 10am	Stone Harbor Point Migratory Bird Walk Enjoy our feathered friends? Love a good walk on a beautiful beach? Join our guide for an enjoyable morning exploring the wonders of Stone Harbor Point, and learn why beaches like it are so important. The Point offers the chance to see shorebirds, songbirds, and other migrants. You never know what you’ll see, but you’ll be glad you went.	Stone Harbor Point
2 – 3pm	Shorebird Workshop at The Wetlands Institute Shorebirds are amazing: their spectacular migrations are one of the longest on Earth. As the name suggests, they are found along shorelines, but they are uniquely adapted to a variety of habitats, and can be found from Arctic tundra to saline lakes in the desert. Learn more about the adaptations that allow shorebirds to fly for thousands of miles and the technology that helps us track them through their migration. Limited to 25 participants	Wetlands Institute
Wednesday, May 15
Time	Activity	Location
8 – 9am	Morning Birding at The Wetlands Institute Join our guide for an easy morning exploration right here on the grounds of The Wetlands Institute. We’ll have a chance to see a good mix of seasonal migrants and summer residents – from warblers to waders and shorebirds to swallows. Whether you’re a beginning birder or an experienced enthusiast, there’s something for everyone – and with a property list of over 250 species, you never know what surprises await! Limited to 25 participants	Wetlands Institute
11am – 12:30pm	A Focus on Three Cavity Nesters: Learn and Observe Join us at The Wetlands Institute for a presentation followed by nest checks on the property. We’ll discuss all aspects of three local cavity nesters: Eastern Bluebirds, Tree Swallows, and Purple Martins. Following the presentation, we’ll check in on our 24 gourd-shaped nesting boxes designed specifically to attract Purple Martins! Take the opportunity to witness the progress of nests, and learn some more about the appearance, life cycle, and behavior of these important bird species. Limited to 20 participants	Wetlands Institute
2 – 3pm	Horseshoe Crab Anatomy Workshop Horseshoe crabs have survived for millions of years on Earth, but what is it about this “living fossil” that makes them so resilient? Learn about horseshoe crab anatomy and their survival strategies, and get ready for a close-up examination of these incredible ocean creatures using live horseshoe crabs and molt specimens. Limited to 25 participants	Wetlands Institute
3 – 5pm	American Oystercatchers and Shorebirds Galore: Explore Stone Harbor Point Join our Research and Conservation staff to explore Stone Harbor Point and learn why it is such an important and special spot for shorebirds. We’ll spotlight American Oystercatchers on the walk, but the Point offers the chance to see shorebirds, songbirds, and other migrants so you never know what you’ll see! Bring your binoculars, scopes, and cameras; we’ll have extra binoculars and spotting scopes to enhance your experience. Limited to 20 participants	Stone Harbor Point
Thursday, May 16
Time	Activity	Location
8 – 10am	Morning Birding at Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary Join our guide for an easy morning exploration at the Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary. We’ll have a chance to see a good mix of seasonal migrants along with a few summer regulars – and there’s always a chance for a spring surprise. Whether you’re a beginning birder or an experienced enthusiast, there’s something for everyone! Meet at the Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary, 2nd Ave. entrance. Limited to 12 participants	Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary
3 – 4:30pm	Spring Lookout: Diamondback Terrapin Hatchlings Spring is emergence season for our favorite turtle of the marsh, the Diamondback Terrapin! Learn about terrapin nesting, our conservation and research projects, and how you can help terrapin hatchlings. After the presentation, you’ll help our Research and Conservation staff check nests for newly emerged hatchlings. A hatchling measurement demonstration will be included to give participants an opportunity to observe what this process would look like for a researcher in the field! Limited to 20 participants	Wetlands Institute
Friday, May 17
Time	Activity	Location
8 – 9am	Morning Birding at The Wetlands Institute Join our guide for an easy morning exploration right here on the grounds of The Wetlands Institute. We’ll have a chance to see a good mix of seasonal migrants and summer residents – from warblers to waders and shorebirds to swallows. Whether you’re a beginning birder or an experienced enthusiast, there’s something for everyone – and with a property list of over 250 species, you never know what surprises await! Limited to 25 participants	Wetlands Institute
9 – 10:30am	reTURN the Favor: Horseshoe Crab Talk and Walk Join Research and Conservation staff on the Delaware Bay for an introduction to the phenomenon of horseshoe crab spawning, and contribute to horseshoe crab conservation through the reTURN the Favor program by helping to rescue horseshoe crabs that have become stranded during spawning. Participants will also learn about Delaware Bay ecology and the shorebirds that depend on horseshoe crab eggs. The walk will cover 1 km of beach (walked in both directions, for 2 km of walking total) and will require walking in sand and shallow water. Limited to 12 participants	Villas Beach
1 – 3pm	Shorebird Viewing at Cooks Beach View the masses of migrating shorebirds from one of the best spots on Delaware Bay. There will be so much to see, and hear, and learn, with guides available to assist. Bring your binoculars, scopes, and cameras! Staff will also have spotting scopes to enhance your experience. This is an open event, so come and go as you please!	Cooks Beach
Saturday, May 18
Time	Activity	Location
1 – 3pm	Shorebird Viewing at Cooks Beach View the masses of migrating shorebirds from one of the best spots on Delaware Bay. There will be so much to see, and hear, and learn, with guides available to assist. Bring your binoculars, scopes, and cameras! Staff will also have spotting scopes to enhance your experience. This is an open event, so come and go as you please!	Cooks Beach
Sunday, May 19
Time	Activity	Location
10:30am – 12pm	Stone Harbor Point Migratory Bird Walk Enjoy our feathered friends? Love a good walk on a beautiful beach? Join our guide for an enjoyable morning exploring the wonders of Stone Harbor Point, and learn why beaches like it are so important. The Point offers the chance to see shorebirds, songbirds, and other migrants. You never know what you’ll see, but you’ll be glad you went.	Stone Harbor Point
2 – 4pm	Shorebird Viewing at Cooks Beach View the masses of migrating shorebirds from one of the best spots on Delaware Bay. There will be so much to see, and hear, and learn, with guides available to assist. Bring your binoculars, scopes, and cameras! Staff will also have spotting scopes to enhance your experience. This is an open event, so come and go as you please!	Cooks Beach

Schedule is subject to change

General Admission Schedule

Join us at The Wetlands Institute anytime Saturday and Sunday between 9:30-4:30 to enjoy our elevated walkway, exhibit space, and naturalist-led visitor programs.

General admission is included in the festival ticket price, so feel free to join us as frequently as you like throughout the weekend.

Click for a full schedule of activities

Saturday, May 11 & Saturday, May 18
Time	Activity	Location
10am – 4pm	Seasonal Science Activities Each month we will offer a new self-guided science activity related to seasonal changes in nature. We provide the supplies and you create the learning!	Wetlands Institute
11am – 12pm	Aquarium Feeding Help us feed the local marine life! We will open up feeding each week so you can see the burrfish eating crabs and the horseshoe crab gobbling shrimp. Not all animals are fed every day.	Wetlands Institute
2 – 3pm	Creature Feature and Craft During this live animal presentation, get up close with turtles, fish, crabs, sea stars and urchins, mollusks, horseshoe crabs or the popular animals from Finding Nemo. After the presentation, create your very own take-home craft!	Wetlands Institute
Sunday, May 12 & Sunday, May 19
Time	Activity	Location
10am – 4pm	Seasonal Science Activities Each month we will offer a new self-guided science activity related to seasonal changes in nature. We provide the supplies and you create the learning!	Wetlands Institute
11am – 12pm	Aquarium Teaching and Touch Tank There is no better way to learn about the local creatures found in the salty waters of the ocean or New Jersey back-bays than to experience them firsthand! Come join a Wetlands Institute educator for a unique, interactive learning experience as they teach about whelk, skates, sea urchins, sea stars, mud snails, and more!	Wetlands Institute
2 – 3pm	Science Feature Each Sunday we will focus on a different conservation issue including Bat Conservation, Marine Debris, Osprey Conservation, Dredging, Climate Change, Sustainable Energy, Horseshoe Crab Conservation, Terrapin Conservation and the world of Plankton. (Presentation recommended for ages 8 and up, but younger children are welcome to attend.)	Wetlands Institute

Special Birding Cruises on the Back Bay

Skimmer Tours again offers their highly acclaimed eco-cruises on board The Skimmer to view wildlife in the beautiful back bays of Stone Harbor. Highlights include birds and wildlife of the salt marsh and marine life touch tanks. Trips depart from The Wetlands Institute.

Pre-registration and an additional program fee are required. Call 609-884-3100 or visit skimmer.com for reservations.

Click for Skimmer schedule

Saturday, May 11	Sunday, May 12	Tuesday, May 14	Wednesday, May 15	Thursday, May 16	Saturday, May 18	Sunday, May 19
10am – 12pm	10am – 12pm	10am – 12pm	6 – 8pm	10am – 12pm	10am – 12pm	10am – 12pm