It seems that the horseshoe crab conservation efforts are starting to show signs of working. It’s still a little early in the migration to be definitive, but it’s looks good so far. Read “red knots gaining weight in 2009″
This year the horseshoe crab population has shown signs of improved numbers and the red knots that depend on their eggs to give them the energy to complete their journey to their breading grounds in the Artic are getting enought eggs to bring them up to optimum weight.
Scientists in the New Jersey area are underway with their yearly census of the the red knot migratory birds and the horseshoe crabs that they depend on for life.
Scientist capture and tag many red knots and other shore birds to help keep an eye on how well the birds are doing. The last decade has been challenging to these birds due to the reduction of the horseshoe crab population along the New Jersey beaches.
The preliminary results coming in seem to indicate that the horseshoe crab population is rebounding from the over harvesting and the red knots are getting enough horseshoe crab eggs to fatten up for their continued journey to their breeding grounds.