Migratory Shorebirds: Dozens of shorebird species migrate along the Atlanc Coast every spring and fall. Some beaches in Connec- cut can support thousands of shore- birds at once! Priority Species: Shorebirds at Rest: Amazing Migraons! Shorebird Fuel: Migratory shorebirds must rest to ensure they have enough energy to make it to their breeding grounds. Keeping dogs off beaches and walking around (instead of through) flocks of shorebirds helps them save energy during migraon. Due to declines in populaons, these species are of special conservaon concern. Shorebirds need to eat a lot in order to fuel their migraon. Horseshoe Crabs spawn on beaches and their eggs are a crical food source for many shorebirds. The health of Horseshoe Crab populaons influences the survival of species such as the Red Knot. Red Knot Semipalmated Sandpiper Sanderling Migratory Shorebirds Many shorebirds migrate long distances between wintering and breeding grounds. The migraon of the Red Knot is one the longest. Knots winter as far south as Tierra del Fuego and breed in the Arcc. Photo Credit: Dick Daniels Photo Credit: David B. Ledig/USFWS Photo Credit: Greg Breese/USFWS Photo Credit: Tim Boman/USFWS Photo Credit: Pos Robert/USFWS