Terrapin Watch
About Terrapin Watch
Terrapin Watch is a community science project that engages Long Islanders in an effort to monitor and record the distribution of diamondback terrapins in our region. Participants are simply asked to report any diamondback terrapin sightings through our data collection system. Reports can be submitted through the data form below or on a mobile device through the free Survey 1-2-3 app.
Please contact Terrence Benefield at tbenefield@seatuck.org with any questions regarding the survey.
Accessing the Survey 1-2-3 Mobile Field App
- First, you must download the free Survey 123 mobile app on your mobile device
- Scan the QR code on the left using your phone’s camera. If you are currently on your mobile device, click here to download the Terrapin Watch survey and proceed with steps 4 & 5
- After scanning the QR code, click the top banner notification to open ArcGIS
- Choose “Open in the Survey 123 field app”, and “Open this page in Survey 123”
- Choose “Continue without signing in”
Help Us Find Terrapins from the Air
Seatuck is now using drones to survey diamondback terrapin habitat along Long Island's south shore. You can help us analyze the footage right from your computer. Watch short clips of marsh and mudflat habitat and mark any terrapins you spot. No experience needed, just a good eye and a few minutes to spare.
Get Started on ZooniverseTerrapin Watch Survey Map
Please Note: Clickable data points (shown in red) do not reflect confirmed sightings of wildlife. Each red dot indicates a survey submission.
Related Information
Open Space Protection
Plum Island, an 843-acre, federally-owned island off the tip of Long Island’s North Fork, has been proposed for sale by the federal government. In addition to historical importance, Plum Island has great ecological and environmental significance. It contains the largest seal haul-out site in southern New England and provides habitat to 216 migratory, overwintering, and breeding birds (one-fourth the North American total of avifauna).
Protecting Birds Copy
In September 2019, in a widely reported article appearing in Science magazine, researchers documented a significant decline in the overall abundance of birds in North America. Studies showed a 29% reduction birds since 1970, totaling approximately 3 billion birds. Some bird groups – such as grassland birds – have declined even more precipitously, dropping by more than half.
Other Streams
In addition to our work at Penataquit Creek, Bellmore Creek and West Brook, Seatuck has been involved in connectivity and restoration efforts across Long Island over the past decade as part of the River Revival Project. The following are some examples highlight the extent of this work.