Interested in taking action to protect horseshoe crabs in Massachusetts? Migrating shorebirds depend on their eggs for critical migration fuel and there are multiple ways you can get involved as a concerned citizen:

Take action today!
– Share comments on a current proposal to list the Horseshoe Crab as a Species of Special Concern
Comments are due by April 23rd at 5pm and may be sent via email to susan.sacco@mass.gov to the attention of the Fisheries and Wildlife Board
– Participate in the proposal to close Plymouth, Kingston, and Duxbury Bays to the Horseshoe Crab Take
Contact the Southeastern Massachusetts Pine Barrens Alliance (contact: Sharl Heller)

Ways to get involved:

– Massachusetts Horseshoe Crab Collaborative
Visit their website to learn more and join over 2,000 Massachusetts residents who have gone on record as wanting an end to taking horseshoe crabs for bait, even as they come ashore to spawn. Also visit their facebook page or contact Sharl Heller at the Southeastern Massachusetts Pine Barrens Alliance.
– Manomet
See their website and examples of their critical work with horseshoe crabs. Volunteer, make a donation, and more.
– Horseshoe Crab Recovery Coalition
Visit their website to learn more and take action.

Resources to learn more: (curated by the MA Horseshoe Crab Collaborative)
– When the Horseshoe Crabs are Gone, We’ll Be in Trouble. Deborah Cramer, The New York Times.
– Horseshoe crabs have roamed the planet for 450 million years, but they could be running out of time, Renée Loth, Boston Globe.​
– The Horseshoe Crab Saved Us. Can We Save the Horseshoe Crab? I am BIO Podcast.
– Connecticut’s 2023 elimination of horseshoe crab commercial harvests and Governor Lamont’s call for neighboring states “to join this growing coalition and enact similar laws to protect the population in their waters.”
– Fishermen capturing spawning horseshoe crabs—Horseshoe Crab Capture: Video by Raymond MacDonald.​

Member Webinar September 16: Birds at Rest: The Behavior and Ecology of Avian Sleep with Roger Pasquier

Member Webinar September 16: Birds at Rest: The Behavior and Ecology of Avian Sleep with Roger Pasquier Everybody enjoys watching birds during the daytime, but what do they do at night, when they seem to [...]

Member Webinar September 16: Birds at Rest: The Behavior and Ecology of Avian Sleep with Roger Pasquier

Member Webinar September 16: Birds at Rest: The Behavior and Ecology of Avian Sleep with Roger Pasquier Everybody enjoys watching birds during the daytime, but what do they do at night, when they seem to [...]

Member Webinar September 16: Birds at Rest: The Behavior and Ecology of Avian Sleep with Roger Pasquier

Member Webinar September 16: Birds at Rest: The Behavior and Ecology of Avian Sleep with Roger Pasquier Everybody enjoys watching birds during the daytime, but what do they do at night, when they seem to [...]

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Upcoming Field Trips

  • Cumberland Farms Fields River St. Entrance

    Halifax - Cumberland Farms - River St 10 River St, Halifax, MA, United States

    We will walk about 1.5 miles on gravel paths in search of late fall sparrows. This is usually a good spot for Lincoln’s and Clay-colored Sparrows. We never know what else might show up. I will arrive early to listen for Great Horned Owls.

  • Captain John’s Half-Day Pealgic

    Plymouth - Captain John's Whale Watching Tour Company 10 Town Wharf, Plymouth, MA, United States

    The BBC has chartered a private pelagic trip from Plymouth out to deep waters off Stellwagen Bank and beyond. This trip is cosponsored with the South Shore Bird Club and the Cape Cod Bird Club.

  • Bear Creek Sanctuary (on behalf of Soheil Zendeh and WINWaste)

    Saugus - Bear Creek Sanctuary (WINWaste) 100 Salem Turnpike, Saugus, MA, United States

    Bear Creek is an upland sanctuary built on the WINWaste (formerly Wheelabrator) landfill at the northeast corner of Rumney Marsh in Saugus and Revere. Access information is below. Wear waterproof walking shoes and be prepared to hike 3 – 4 miles. The property is mostly very open, so be prepared for sun, wind and weather. [...]

  • Horn Pond

    Woburn - Horn Pond - Sturgis St 98 Sturgis St, Woburn, MA, United States

    Horn Pond is always a great place to bird. We’ll explore the main trails and ponds and the adjacent community garden.

  • Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge

    Mount Auburn Cemetery 536 Mt Auburn St, Cambridge, MA, United States

    Late fall is often a time of year for fall lingerers, early winter arrivals, and a surprise or two. Join us for a 2-mile walk around Mount Auburn over rolling terrain. Restrooms available. Cosponsored with Menotomy Bird club.

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