Leader: Mark Garland Cape May explodes with vernal vibrance during May, especially in the few days around the new and full moons, when the most extreme tidal fluctuations occur. This is when thousands of horseshoe crabs crawl onto the Delaware Bay beaches to spawn, with huge flocks of shorebirds gathered to feast on the eggs. The new moon occurs on May 16 this year, so our visit comes right afterwards, when food should be most abundant and shorebird activity should be at peak. Additionally, this is a season when beach nesting birds are active, some songbirds are setting up territories while others are passing through in migration, frogs are in full song, and on sunny days a good variety of butterflies may be seen. During breaks, the town of Cape May has great appeal, as it’s been designated a National Historic Landmark for its many restored Victorian buildings. Program cost covers field activities only; we’ll share information about lodging options to all registrants.