Great Places
Slaughter Beach, an official horseshoe crab sanctuary
38°54'49.04"N 75°18'15.75"W
Slaughter Beach, DE 19963
Slaughter Beach is an ERDG Backyard Stewardship™ community horseshoe crab sanctuary. This is the state marine animal of Delaware and a "signature species" of the Delaware Bay estuary. The National Wildlife Federation even certified the town as an official Community Wildlife Habitat.
Visitors are welcome to watch as these harmless animals swarm the beach while spawning in May and June. All we ask is that you maintain a safe distance from all wildlife to ensure they are not disturbed; that is, unless you see a horseshoe crab stranded on its back. If that's the case, we ask that you please Just flip ‘em!™, an ERDG program, and check out their music video to see how: http://bit.ly/1oxbPIL.
Don't forget to bring your binoculars, camera, or spotting scope if you visit. Anytime horseshoe crabs spawn they attract a variety of shorebirds seeking to eat their eggs.
Photo by the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary
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