Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds update #3

Here are the survey and monitoring updates for March 26 through April 1. It includes sightings of Piping Plover and American Oystercatcher reported by our staff and volunteers. Both species are now essentially established across the state at a relatively early date and anecdotal reports, with the exception of significant sightings, will cease until their departure commences later in the season.

Piping Plover
Volunteer and staff surveys:
3 adults at Harkness Memorial State Park on 3/27
4 adults at Milford Point on 3/28
1 pair, 1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 3/28
2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 3/29
3 pairs at Bluff Point on 3/29
2 pairs at Harkness Memorial State Park on 3/30
5 adults at Milford Point on 4/1
3 pairs, 2 adults at Griswold Point on 4/1
3 pairs, possibly another, at Bluff Point on 4/1

No PIPL have been seen at Silver Sands State Park or at Pleasure Beach as of yet despite several surveys every week at each location. None were reported or observed this week at Long Beach in Stratford.


American Oystercatcher
Volunteer and staff surveys:
2 pairs at Fish Islands on 3/26
1 pair at Stratford Point on 3/27
1 pair, 1 adult at Milford Point on 3/27
1 pair, 1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 3/27
1 adult at Fayerweather Island on 3/27
3 adults at Milford Point on 3/28
1 pair at Bluff Point on 3/29
4 or maybe 6 adults at Milford Point on 4/1

There have been no reports of Least Tern or Common Tern thus far in 2012.

Great Egret are now established across Connecticut and updates of sightings will cease apart from breeding information and notable observations, whether it be behavior, quantity, or so forth. Snowy Egret have been seen at more locations including the Stewart B. McKinney NWR in Stratford, the Branford River, Milford Point, the Housatonic River, and Rocky Neck State Park. A significant arrival of the species is expected in the next week along with the first groups of Glossy Ibis and Little Blue Heron.

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron continue to be noted in Milford in known breeding areas and arrived back in breeding locations in Stratford this weekend, though they have not been seen elsewhere. Black-crowned Night-Heron have arrived in greater and more widespread numbers in the last week with birds being seen at 14 Acre Pond in Norwalk, Compo Beach and Green Farms Rd. in Westport, the Steward B. McKinney NWR in Stratford, Perry’s Mill Pond in Fairfield, plus Tuxis Island and Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison, and more.


This concludes update #2 through 4/1/12 as of 11:30PM.