Press Release
For Immediate Release
From Citizens United to Protect the Maurice River and Its Tributaries, Inc.
Contact Jane Morton Galetto
CU, PO Box 474
Millville, NJ 08332
Office: 856-327-1161
Cell: 609-774-5853
Hosting the Shorebird Scientists
June 1, 2007
Donations to Citizens United to Protect the Maurice River and Its Tributaries, Inc. World Series of Birding Team went, in part, toward filling a different sort of birding need: feeding the shorebird scientists who come from all over the world to observe the NJ / Delaware Bayshore migrants.
For the past 10 years the scientists who visit our coastline have represented New Zealand, Australia, United Kingdom, Chile, Argentina, Canada, Mexico, Japan, and naturally the United States. The Delaware Bay's shores are a critical stopover area for six species of migrating birds. In late May the birds' arrival coincides with the spawning of horseshoe crabs, a world-renowned anatural phenomenon. Famished birds from the Southern Hemisphere feast upon crab eggs, enabling them to refuel and continue their journey to Arctic breeding grounds. Since 1991, a severe decline in the horseshoe crab population has accompanied a decline in shorebird numbers - so much so that one species, the red knot, is projected to be extinct by the year 2010 — unless conservation measures thwart this dire prediction.
The Division of Fish and Wildlife and the non-profit Conserve Wildlife have invested considerable resources in studying the birds here in NJ as well as in Delaware, Chile and the Arctic. NJ Fish and Wildlife has established numerous shorebird reserve beach areas. Many conservation organizations have attempted to assist in reversing the decline. The Nature Conservancy has undertaken crab censuses. NJ Audubon has provided volunteer docents for tourists who come to view the shorebird spectacle, as well as undertaking scientific studies. NJ Conservation Foundation has provided literature on the event. Volunteers help to patrol the beach to minimize disturbance to the birds. These and other groups too numerous to mention have all played major advocacy roles in protective measures, such as encouraging horseshoe crab harvest moratoriums and mounting petitions for federal endangered species listing of the red knot.
This year Citizens United to Protect the Maurice River and Its Tributaries, Inc. decided to play a new role. It turns out that the scientists who follow the birds also pack an appetite, and in order to do their round-the-clock monitoring a little local hospitality was in order. Citizens United determined to help the scientists see a little more of our region and to make sure they didn't go hungry. The Natural Lands Trust escorted CU members and foreign visitors into Bear Swamp, where CU Associate Director Renée Scagnelli shared her knowledge of plants, Dale Schweitzer his knowledge of moths and butterflies, Tony Klock his birding talents and NLT lands manager Steve Eisenhauer told the story of the primeval forest. CU President Jane Galetto hosted the visitors at the Army Airfield Museum's Airshow. There Australian Clive Minton, PhD., saw warbirds that he had watched in actual use as a child in his native UK. And a young Mexican scientist saw jet fighters which heretofore were simply viewed via Hollywood films and documentaries. Other trips in store for members of the team are Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center, to try their hand at glass making, and a botanist-led trip in the Pinelands Reserve.
Feeding the scientists has been a group undertaking. They have had sloppy joes, vegetarian chili, chicken, eggs from local free-range hens, US grade filet, fish, cake, cookies, lots of BBQ specials, and strawberries galore. This year local restaurateur/chef Harry Whitelam of Port of Call provided a delicious meal of his famous lasagna, and Winfield's of Millville stepped up to the plate as well.
This weekend their culinary adventures will culminate in a truly authentic USA traditional- Thanksgiving style dinner. "I have to break the habit of saying All American Dinner; the South Americans and Canadians give me ‘the look,’" joked CU President Jane Morton Galetto. "In all honesty, we have had a ball getting to know our foreign visitors better. Our members have helped band the birds, toured our forests, and cooked with great dedication. They even treated the gang to a sail aboard the Bayshore Discovery Project's AJ Meerwald- NJ's Tallship. On board, CU treasurer Tony Klock led a birding tour and recorded a record 52 different species! This year over 30 members participated in some fashion. Next year I think even more CU volunteers will get involved. Our members put in thousands of hours each year filling a niche in local resource protection. I couldn't be prouder." If people would like to join CU or contribute to "Feed the Scientists" or other programs write to CU, PO Box 474, Millville, NJ 08332.
