Scientists are studying horseshoe crabs in Collier and Lee Counties and could use your help!

Horseshoe crabs (Limulus polyphemus) can be found on many Florida beaches. You may have had the opportunity to come across these prehistoric creatures spawning during a high tide, or perhaps found one of their molts on the shore.

Horseshoe crabs along the Gulf coast of Florida are of special conservation interest because they remain unprotected from harvesting and face many threats. Horseshoe crabs and their eggs are extremely important food sources for migratory shorebirds, including red knots (Calidris canutus), a declining shorebird that has one of the longest migration paths of any bird.

RELATED STORY: Report Horseshoe Crab Sightings to Help Protect Shorebirds

Florida Horseshoe Crab Watch is offering a workshop on Aug. 22 at North Collier Regional Park to explain how you can become a citizen scientist and collect vital scientific data about horseshoe crab populations and nesting behavior in Southwest Florida.

Survey seasons are September-October and March-April. Surveys are conducted during new and full moon high tides during normal business hours.

Currently, the only beach-nesting survey location by sign-up in Lee County is Bunche Beach.

For other beaches, citizen scientists are welcome to report sightings via this online survey.  

“We are always looking to expand our survey efforts to accessible beaches that experience nesting activity,” says Mike Sipos, UF/IFAS Extension Collier County Sea Grant Agent. 

Fall surveys will start on Tuesday, Sept. 8, and end on Monday, Oct. 26, this year.

Sign up for the 9 a.m. to noon workshop on Aug. 22: Collier & Lee County Florida Horseshoe Crab Watch Training Workshop.