Sen. Carper asked for help for horseshoe crab buyout

Senator Tom Carper and the Delaware’s wildlife advocates at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center.

On September 12-13, Delaware Audubon joined wildlife activists from 13 states to mark the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act.  The 70+ activists participated in 27 meetings with Congressional staff and members to promote continued support of the landmark legislation which provides protection for nearly 2,370 species which currently face varying risks of extinction.

The species of greatest concern in Delaware is the red knot, which was listed as Threatened in 2014 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  Since that time, the number of red knots observed stopping in Delaware during their spring migration has continued to decline. The number observed in 2023 was the lowest on record. Although red knots face numerous threats, the lack of horseshoe crab eggs on Delaware Bay beaches during the spring stopover has a significant impact.

Unlike the states of New Jersey and Connecticut, Delaware continues to allow a harvest of horseshoe crabs, despite the red knot's listing under the Endangered Species Act. The effort to enact moratorium legislation in Delaware is at a stalemate because of opposition from the part-time fishermen who remove horseshoe crabs from the beach while they are spawning.

In the face of this stalemate, an approach to consider is to simply buy the crabbers out. Congress can help by allocating federal ESA funding for this red knot recovery effort. Senator Tom Carper, who has demonstrated interest in protecting the red knot, can help by supporting the spending request that we made during a meeting in his office.  That help is essential to recover the red knot, conserve the horseshoe crab and ensure fair compensation for the impacted fishermen.

As Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Senator Carper has the means to find a way to protect Delaware's iconic red knot. Doing so will seal his legacy as a defender of Delaware's valuable natural heritage.

Wildlife advocates from 13 states on the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act.

Climate Bill Signing at Lums Pond

Standing, left to right: Rep. Krista Griffith, Sen. Sarah McBride, Rep. Debra Hefferman, Rep. Edward Osienski, Rep. Sophie Phillips, DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin, Sen. Stephanie Hansen, Rep. Eric Morrison, Dustyn Thompson of the Sierra Club. Seated: Governor John Carney.

On Thursday, August 3, Delaware took a critical step toward reducing carbon emissions and creating a more sustainable future as Governor John Carney signed several environmentally-focused bills that House Democrats researched, introduced and championed earlier this year.

Audubon’s Survival by Degrees report shows how climate change is affecting the places that birds need to survive. Two thirds of North American bird species could face extinction if we fail to slow the rate of global climate change. Audubon supports common sense solutions to reducing carbon emissions. Delaware’s new climate measures play a small but important role in achieving a sustainable future for birds and people.

In May,  Delaware Audubon participated in the Climate Action Rally in Dover in support of House Bill 99, the Climate Solutions Act of 2023, organized by the Delaware Nature Society.  Representatives of our chapter were also in attendance of the August 3 bill signing at Lums Pond.

Collectively, these bills drive the First State toward a more sustainable future by reducing the state’s carbon footprint, cutting emissions, offering incentives to residents, and ensuring businesses are prepared to utilize renewable energy.

The bills signed include:

  • House Bill 99 (Reps. Debra Heffernan and Sophie Phillips and Sen Stephanie Hansen): Lays out targets to reduce net emissions by 50% by 2030 and 100% by 2050.

  • House Bill 10 (Rep. Heffernan): Sets targets for purchasing electric school buses.

  • House Bill 11 (Rep. Krista Griffith): Ensures large commercial buildings are equipped for solar installation.

  • House Bill 12 (Rep. Phillips): Expands the Electric Vehicle Rebate Program

  • SS 1 for Senate Bill 103 (Sen. Sarah McBride and Rep. Griffith): Amends Delaware code to make it easier to bring EV chargers into residential areas.

  • Senate Bill 170 (Sen. Hansen and Rep. Osienski): Commitment to study offshore wind with neighboring states and PJM.

  • SS 1 for Senate Bill 7 (Sen. Hansen and Rep. Heffernan): Expands the Delaware State Energy Office.


Delaware Audubon Awards Conservation Grants to 4 Research Projects at 2 Delaware Universities

The mission of Delaware Audubon is to protect birds and their habitats through education, appreciation, and conservation. As part of that mission, in 2023 our chapter initiated a conservation grant program to help grassroots efforts that align with our mission. Individuals or groups wishing to conduct local scientific research, habitat improvement, or environmental education or outreach were invited to submit grant applications.

Three grant applications that were submitted were approved and are listed below.

Researcher: Blake Struthers

Advisor: Dr. Christopher Williams, University of Delaware

Title of project: Evaluation of Wood Duck nesting ecology in inland forested wetlands and coastal open marshes

Researcher: Claire Bernard

Advisor: Dr. Jeffrey Buler, University of Delaware

Title of project: Identifying Purple Martin diet and its effect on nestling development


Researcher: Emma Jonas

Advisor: Dr. Douglas Tallamy, University of Delaware

Title of project: The impact of ground cover on the subsurface pupation of Lepidoptera

Researcher: Tahira Mohyuddin

Advisor: Dr. Christopher Heckscher, Delaware State University

Title of project: Quantifying the Ecological Importance of Delaware Bay Coastal Barrier Islands and Near-shore Habitats to Transient Songbirds during Fall Migration

Black Birders Week bird walk at Curtis Mill Park in Newark

The first Black Birders Week bird walk in Delaware was held on May 31, 2023 at Curtis Mill Park in Newark. The event was organized by Tracey Duffy (standing, in yellow shirt) of Outdoor Afro Delaware. Troy Bynum of Audubon Wyncote (kneeling, in center) and Steve Cottrell of Delaware Audubon (kneeling, on right) helped guide the walk. Herb White (standing, on far right), Superintendent of Newark Parks, helped to explain the vegetation in the park. Also participating were Robin Roberts, Rae Whatley, Gayle Jones, and Sidney Williamson with her two children.

35 bird species were found during the late afternoon field trip. Highlighs included Great Egret, Green Heron, Baltimore Oriole, Warbling Vireo, Killdeer, and two Red-tailed Hawks. Over 120 nesting Purple Martins were observed flying to and from the Delaware Audubon-managed colony there, the largest in New Castle County.

The walk was part of the fourth annual Black Birders Week, a series of events nationwide from May 28 to June 3 aimed at highlighting Black nature enthusiasts and increasing the visibility of Black birders, who face unique challenges and risks when engaging in outdoor activities. This was the first held in Delaware, and it represents the start of an annual tradition.

Purple Martin at Curtis Mill Park colony. Photo by Troy Bynum.