Wellfleet Bay's Conservation Work
Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary is actively involved with a variety of research projects that relate to wildlife monitoring, research, restoration, and conservation on the Outer Cape. Many of the projects focus on endangered or threatened species, or those that have declining populations. Current, on-going projects include:
- Protecting terns and plovers in the Coastal Waterbird Program
- Monitoring diamondback terrapins
- Surveying horseshoe crabs
- Mapping Osprey nests
- Banding songbirds
- Rescuing sea turtles
While we have dedicated science staff, the efforts of community science volunteers provide critical support to our science department, as well as to the wildlife themselves.
Wellfleet is home to the most northerly population of the Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin). Through our conservation work, we hope to protect this enigmatic species and the salt marshes it calls home. Learn More >
Done consistently and over many years, bird banding allows scientists to track significant changes in bird populations, such as species distribution and abundance. Learn More >
Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary is working to help stranded sea turtles on Cape Cod. You can also help by reporting strandings. Learn More >
Horseshoe crabs have been crawling ashore on Cape Cod to mate on full moon nights for about 350 million years, and Mass Audubon seeks to ensure this ancient rite of spring continues. But increased harvesting of these fascinating animals threatens their population. Please volunteer today to help preserve these very special creatures. Learn More >
Field Notes: Citizen Science at Wellfleet Bay
Spring is always exciting as colorful and charismatic birds move north for a new breeding season. But April 2022 has been especially birdy at the sanctuary, including visits by a couple of unexpected species. Birds Making News First, a lovely male Indigo Bunting sporting his eye-popping blue breeding plumage was spotted for several days, somewhat […]