I think this will be of widespread interest.

Paul Zucker
President, MOS

Dear Maryland Ornithological Society:

Please help us track the spring migration of red knots.

Recent data from Delaware Bay and Tierra del Fuego suggest that in 2003 red
knots, and possibly ruddy turnstones, altered their typical migration
pattern.
Because of the nearly-complete failure of horseshoe crab spawning in May
2003, a
large proportion of red knots did not stop on the Delaware Bay or stayed for
a
shorter period.  If this trend continues in 2004, we would expect to see
knots
at other stopover sites, particularly in mid-Atlantic, New England states.
However, because we have not observed this phenomenon in the recent past, we
are
requesting assistance from observers along the entire east coast of the US
and
James Bay, Canada

Observers can assist our efforts by reporting any and all red knot
sightings,
particularly during May and early June.  Estimates of flock size and
composition
are appreciated as well as color-band combinations from marked red knots.
Please
also provide a detailed description of the sighting location.  Please note
that
in 2003 we began using a lime green flag with engraved alpha-numeric
characters
(2 characters for 2003, 3 characters for 2004).

Please report any sightings of individuals and flocks of red knots to:

Mike Shanahan   
OR
Mandy Dey       

We sincerely appreciate your assistance.

Mike Shanahan           Amanda Dey
Assistant Biologist     Senior Biologist

Endangered and Nongame Species Program
New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife
Tuckahoe Wildlife Management Area
2201 County Route 231
Woodbine, NJ  08270
609-628-2103
609-628-2734 (Fax)

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