Community Science at Felix Neck

At Felix Neck, we are focused on assessing the populations of Osprey, Atlantic Horseshoe Crabs, and breeding shorebirds.

Osprey Monitoring

Ospreys are nesting all around the Island. Each year, we have more than 50 volunteers monitoring nests on a bi-weekly basis to collect important data on these birds. Nest monitors and interested persons should watch—from a safe viewing distance—for little heads popping up in the nest over the next few weeks. Once they have hatched, osprey chicks take around six weeks to fledge, which is the stage in their lives where they first learn to fly. As late July approaches, you’ll see the chicks "helicoptering" as they hover over of the nest, beating their wings to help them learn to fly.

Horseshoe Crab Surveys

We need volunteers to count these crabs as they come onto beaches to spawn during the new and full moons of April, May, and June at high tide. Volunteers head to the beach to search for mating pairs, tracks, and nests formed by these ancient marine animals. The data collected during these surveys is submitted to the Division of Marine Fisheries, which uses the data to determine best conservation and management practices for horseshoe crabs and the horseshoe crab fishery.

Coastal Waterbird Monitoring

We're looking for volunteer shorebird monitors! If you have a few hours a week, you can help us protect and monitor threatened shorebirds such as Piping Plovers, terns, and American Oystercatchers. You'll learn about the seasonal birds that call our beaches home while contributing to one of our important citizen science programs. Training and equipment are provided.