Red Knot
The red knot is a remarkable migratory shorebird. In the U.S., the shores of Delaware Bay provide a critical stopover area. The birds, many of which winter as far south as the southern tip of South America, arrive at the Bay to coincide with the spawning of horseshoe crabs in late May and early June, producing one of the most dramatic natural phenomena anywhere in the world. Feeding on fat-rich eggs of the horseshoe crab, the birds refuel and continue their journey to Arctic breeding grounds. At one time, more than 100,000 once stopped at the Bay. Today, that number is just over 13,000.
Video News Release on Red Knots and Horseshoe Crabs
August 2008 - Watch our video news release which explains the issue of the diminishing horseshoe crab population and the consequences for red knots.
In the Field
Scientific and monitoring efforts funded by Defenders have led to exciting discoveries such as a previously unknown southbound route east of James Bay.Read MoreManagement and Policy
Because of the overwhelming scientific data regarding the decline of the red knot, Defenders’ goal is to see this species listed under the Endangered Species Act.
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