Good news for Red Knots

The New York Times reported last week that the number of Red Knots stopping at critical refueling grounds on the East Coast of the United States this year was double the number seen last year.

Red Knots on the beach

Each year, Red Knots migrate over 9,000 miles during their migration from South America to their breeding grounds in the Arctic Circle. Along the way, they stop at beaches of the East Coast to feed on horseshoe crab eggs to fuel their remaining journey. Legislation protecting horseshoe crabs has probably contributed to the good number of Red Knots found this year. The population of the American subspecies of the Red Knot has been in steep decline; hopefully this year's bounty is a good sign towards recovery! The Red Knot is one of our 378 cute Birdorable birds. We have commemorated the special relationship between the knots and horseshoe crabs with two unique designs. Check them out: Crab-Knot Cycle and Horseshoe Crabs are Life. The small blue blobs making shapes in each design represent horseshoe crab eggs!

You can learn more about the Red Knot from Cornell's All About Birds website: Red Knot. Hat tip to the ABA Blog for this story.

Red Knot Gifts

Comments

Spurwing Plover on June 28, 2022 at 6:15 AM wrote:
they Migrate a long distence

Leave a comment

Comments with links or HTML will be deleted. Your comment will be published pending approval.
Your email address will not be published
You can unsubscribe from these communications at any time. For more information on how to unsubscribe, our privacy practices, and how we are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy, please review our Privacy Policy. By clicking submit below, you consent to allow Birdorable to store and process the personal information submitted above to provide you the content requested.

Meet the Long-tailed Duck: Vocal, Elegant, and Made for the Arctic

The Long-tailed Duck is a medium-sized sea duck with a distinctive appearance that changes dramatically between seasons. During the breeding season, males sport a mostly dark plumage with a striking white face and a long, slender tail that can measure up to 10 inches, accounting for about...

Oregon 2020 Bird Population Survey

Researchers in Oregon are working on a huge survey of birds in the state: Oregon 2020. Data from field observations is being compiled to determine the abundance and distribution of Oregon's bird species. The study in part uses data collected by citizen scientists who bird the state and...

Read About Lekking: What It Means And Which Birds Do It

A lek is a group of male animals, most commonly birds or insects, that gathers as part of a breeding strategy. The males perform displays in an arena-like setting in order to lure observing females into mating. Lekking in most bird species is like a big mating party where...

Feathered Fathers: Celebrating Avian Dads This Father's Day

Father's Day is a special day meant to honor the dedication, love, and hard work of fathers and father figures across the globe. While we celebrate the human dads in our lives, it's a perfect time to also recognize the incredible...