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

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

Purchase Tickets

Ticket prices include your choice of two special programs* plus general admission to The Wetlands Institute on both Saturday and Sunday.

* 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 13 to Sunday, May 21, for special Celebration Days 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.

Pre-registration is required for all Shorebird and Horseshoe Crab Celebration Days Programs. Registration for the reTURN the Favor walk is limited.

Click for a full schedule of activities

Saturday, May 13
Time	Activity	Location
12:30pm – 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 14
Time	Activity	Location
11am – 1pm	Shorebird Viewing at Cooks Beach View the masses of migrating shorebirds from one of the best spots on the 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 15
Time	Activity	Location
9:30am – 11am Full and closed	reTURN the Favor Walk and Training Opportunity Spend a morning on the Delaware Bay to learn about the ecology of the Bay and the connection between horseshoe crabs and migratory shorebirds. You’ll also have the opportunity to rescue horseshoe crabs that have become stranded during spawning as you learn about reTURN the Favor, a volunteer-based program focused on horseshoe crab rescue and conservation. The walk will cover 1 km of beach (walked in both directions for a total of 2 km) Limited to 12 participants	Villas Beach
Tuesday, May 16
Time	Activity	Location
8:30am – 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
11am – 12:30pm	We Put a Ring On It! American Oystercatcher Conservation and Management Join this interactive presentation to learn about one of the region’s most charismatic shorebird species, the American Oystercatcher! In this presentation, you will discover why the American Oystercatcher is such a unique and important species within our coastal habitats and learn about some of the research efforts being conducted to understand populations in New Jersey. Join us following the presentation for a special banding demonstration that will give you an idea what this process would look like for a researcher in the field!	Wetlands Institute
Wednesday, May 17
Time	Activity	Location
8am – 9am	Morning Birding 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 nearly 250 species, you never know what surprises await!	Wetlands Institute
2pm – 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. 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
7:45pm (appx. 3 hours) Full and closed	Horseshoe Crab Survey and reTURN the Favor Walk Spend an evening on the Delaware Bay to see firsthand the phenomenon of horseshoe crab spawning and contribute to horseshoe crab conservation. Join us as we conduct a spawning survey, collecting valuable data on horseshoe crab populations. After the survey, our group will rescue horseshoe crabs that have become stranded during spawning. The survey will cover 1 km of beach (walked in both directions, for 2 km of walking total) and will require walking in sand and water up to knee height. Limited to 8 participants per survey.	Villas Beach
Thursday, May 18
Time	Activity	Location
8am – 9am	Morning Birding 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 nearly 250 species, you never know what surprises await!	Wetlands Institute
Friday, May 19
Time	Activity	Location
8am – 9am	Morning Birding 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 nearly 250 species, you never know what surprises await!	Wetlands Institute
2pm – 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
9:15pm (appx. 3 hours) Full and closed	Horseshoe Crab Survey and reTURN the Favor Walk Spend an evening on the Delaware Bay to see firsthand the phenomenon of horseshoe crab spawning and contribute to horseshoe crab conservation. Join us as we conduct a spawning survey, collecting valuable data on horseshoe crab populations. After the survey, our group will rescue horseshoe crabs that have become stranded during spawning. The survey will cover 1 km of beach (walked in both directions, for 2 km of walking total) and will require walking in sand and water up to knee height. Limited to 8 participants per survey.	Villas Beach
Saturday, May 20
Time	Activity	Location
2:30pm – 4:30pm	Shorebird Viewing at Cooks Beach – Canceled due to weather 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 21
Time	Activity	Location
1pm – 2:30pm	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
3:30pm – 5:30pm	Shorebird Viewing at Cooks Beach – Just added! 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 13
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
10am – 10:30am	Celebration Days Story Time Bring a special young person and sit back and relax for a reading of High Tide for Horseshoe Crabs by Lisa Kahn Schnell, illustrated by Alan Marks, a special book about the connections between horseshoe crabs and shorebirds on the Delaware Bay.	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
2pm – 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 14
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
1pm – 1:30pm	Mother’s Day Story Time Celebrate Mother’s Day with a reading of You Nest Here With Me by Jane Yolan and Heidi E.Y. Stemple, illustrated by Melissa Sweet, a special book about the parental bonds of our feathered friends.	Wetlands Institute
2pm – 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
Saturday, May 20
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
10am – 10:30am	Celebration Days Story Time Bring a special young person and sit back and relax for a reading of High Tide for Horseshoe Crabs by Lisa Kahn Schnell, illustrated by Alan Marks, a special book about the connections between horseshoe crabs and shorebirds on the Delaware Bay.	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
2pm – 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 21
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
2pm – 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 13	Sunday, May 14	Monday, May 15	Tuesday, May 16	Wednesday, May 17	Saturday, May 20	Sunday, May 21
10am – 12pm	10am – 12pm	6pm – 8pm	6pm – 8pm	6pm – 8p	10am – 12pm	10am – 12pm
2pm – 4pm	2pm – 4pm				2pm – 4pm	2pm – 4pm