Project Limulus Update

Since my last blog post, so much has transpired. Thanks to the article in the Guilford Courier and a most enjoyable and informative presentation about Project Limulus by Professor Mark Beekey of Sacred Heart University, our team now has 34 new members!

We conducted our survey on Guilford's Indian Cove beaches, twice a day on May 11th, May 13th, and May 15th. This survey period coincided with the new moon. We met just before the high tide; during the day and again at night. Although we didn't see any crabs on the first two days, the volunteers were wonderfully enthusiastic, and interested in learning the survey protocol.

On the third day, Saturday, May 15th, we met at 12:30 in the afternoon. It was a beautiful day at the beach but there were still no crabs to be seen! Then on Saturday night, at about 1:00 a.m., a group of 9 "night owls" gathered on the dark, moonless beach, and there were the crabs! They were serenely doing what nature had programed them to do every spring for over 400 million years. We tagged 7 crabs and counted 16 altogether.

Our next survey session begins on May 25th, during the full moon. We're hoping for good weather and many more close encounters of the "crabby" kind.

Purple Martins at Hammonasset Beach State Park

Menunkatuck's Purple Martin Project at Hammonasset Beach State Park is the subject of John Picard's article in the Spring 2010 Edition of Purple Martin Update, the publication of the Purple Martin Conservation Association. The four-page lead article describes the progress made since the old wooden houses were replaced in 2005.

Well done, John.

Judy Knowles in Guilford Courier

Here's the link to the article about Judy Knowles and Project Limulus.