HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE BILL NO. 189

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE STATE MIGRATORY BIRD.

WHEREAS, Red Knots are a sandpiper with an unmistakable red plumage on its chest; and

WHEREAS, Red Knots are migratory birds, traveling up to 9000 miles per year; and

WHEREAS, the Delaware bays are a critical stop on the annual migration of Red Knots; and

WHEREAS, up to 90 percent of the Red Knot subspecies Rufa can be found along the Delaware bays in a single day during the spring migration; and

WHEREAS, horseshoe crab eggs are an important food source for Red Knots; and

WHEREAS, the Red Knots are synonymous with Delaware’s bays and wetlands during the Spring; and

WHEREAS, Red Knots are an important part of Delaware’s history and ecology.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend Chapter 3, Title 29 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 334. State migratory bird.

The Red Knot is the official migratory bird of Delaware.

SYNOPSIS

This Act designates the Red Knot as the State migratory bird.