Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge

Migratory bird research and monitoring 

Refuge biologists and partners conduct annual censuses of common, least, and roseate terns, as well as piping plovers, American oystercatchers, wading birds, and gulls. They also capture, band, and re-sight many bird species to track return and survival rates, as well as deploy transmitters to assess fine-scale movements. These data allow the Service and its partners to make informed conservation decisions locally and on a flyway/hemispheric scale.  

Horseshoe crab surveys and tagging 

Each spring and early summer, staff and volunteers survey and tag individual horseshoe crabs to assess relative abundance and movements. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also keeps track of previously tagged individuals using a call-in system. The phone number (1-888-546-8587) is written on the tag itself -- but remember, never pick up a horseshoe crab by its tail, as you may injure it. Because horseshoe crabs are protected throughout Refuge lands and waters, Monomoy supports a highly productive population of this species; whose eggs are critical to migratory shorebirds. 

Gray Seals 

Monomoy NWR actively supports seal research each year to better understand seal ecology, population structure structure
Something temporarily or permanently constructed, built, or placed; and constructed of natural or manufactured parts including, but not limited to, a building, shed, cabin, porch, bridge, walkway, stair steps, sign, landing, platform, dock, rack, fence, telecommunication device, antennae, fish cleaning table, satellite dish/mount, or well head.

Learn more about structure , movement rates, and diet. 

Northeastern Beach Tiger Beetle 

The federally threatened northeastern beach tiger beetle requires undisturbed sandy habitats free of heavy foot and vehicle traffic, such as those found on Monomoy. These insects live along the Atlantic coastline from Cape Cod to New Jersey, as well as along the Chesapeake Bay. Reintroduction to South Monomoy Island. A reintroduction project began when 23 larvae from Martha’s Vineyard were transplanted to South Monomoy in May of 2000. A second transplant released 34 more larvae. This trend was continued annually until 2004. The project has been highly successful, with a current population well in excess of 8,000 individuals. As northeastern beach tiger beetles are indicators of a healthy beach community, their success is highly significant for Monomoy NWR’s ecosystem. In 2021, 50 tiger beetle specimens were collected for a reintroduction project that is taking place in New Jersey.