Arrival and weight gain of Red Knot Calidris canutus, Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpresand Sanderling Calidris alba staging in Delaware Bay in spring

Delaware Bay is an important spring staging area for shorebirds migrating north along the easternAmerican coast, with birds relying heavily on Horseshoe Crab Limulus polyphemus eggs duringtheir stay. While many species use the Bay, three species are of particular interest: Red KnotCalidris canutus, Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres and Sanderling Calidris alba.

R.A. Robinson, P.W. Atkinson & N.A. Clark, BTO Research Report No.307, February 2003