Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds update #4

This is the fourth update by the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds (AAfCW) for the 2012 season. It includes reports of Piping Plover and American Oystercatcher received from April 2 through 12:00 p.m. on April 9 with sightings of birds spanning March 28 through April 8 by our staff and volunteers.

Survey and monitoring updates:

Piping Plover
Volunteer and staff surveys:
1 pair, 2 adults at Milford Point on 4/2
4 pairs, 2 adults at Sandy Point in West Haven on 4/3
2 pairs, 1 adult at Milford Point on 4/3
2 pairs, 1 adult at Harkness Memorial State Park on 4/3
1 pair at Bluff Point on 4/3
5 pairs at Bluff Point on 4/4
4 pairs, 2 adults at Sandy Point in West Haven on 4/5
2 pairs, 1 adult at Milford Point on 4/5
1 pair at Cedar Beach in Milford on 4/5
5 pairs at Bluff Point on 4/5
1 pair at East Broadway in Milford on 4/6
1 adult at Sandy Point in Stonington on 4/6
2 adults at Long Beach on 4/7 in the AM
4 pair, 1 adult at Long Beach on 4/7 in PM
4 pairs at Bluff Point on 4/7

No PIPL have been confirmed as even being seen, let alone nesting, at Silver Sands State Park or at Pleasure Beach as of yet despite a multitude of surveys at each location.


American Oystercatcher
Volunteer and staff surveys:
1 pair, 1 adult at Greenwich Cove on 3/28
2 pairs at Cockenoe Island on 3/29
2 adults at Calf Pasture Island on 3/29
1 pair at Bluff Point on 3/29
4 adults at Milford Point on 4/1
1 pair at Pelican Island on 4/1
1 adult on Greenwich Land Trust property on 4/1
1 pair, 1 adult at Greenwich Cove on 4/3
4 adults at Sandy/Morse Points in West Haven on 4/3
2 pairs at Milford Point on 4/3
1 adult at Harkness Memorial State Park on 4/3
1 adult at Stratford Point on 4/4
1 pair at Bluff Point on 4/4
1 pair at Milford Point on 4/4
1 pair at Vincent Island on 4/4
2 pair at Fish Islands on 4/4
2 pair, 4 adults at Cockenoe Island on 4/5
1 pair at Calf Pasture Island on 4/5
1 pair at Beach Island on 4/5
1 pair at Bluff Point on 4/5
1 pair at Sandy Point in Stonington on 4/6
1 pair at Long Beach on 4/7 in the AM
1 pair at Long Beach on 4/7 in the PM
1 pair at Bluff Point 4/7

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

A week full of strong and sometimes gusty northerly winds likely slowed the arrival of some of the long-legged waders. Snowy 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. However, no Little Blue Heron were noted in the state whatsoever, and Glossy Ibis sightings were limited to one at Hammonnaset State Park on 4/2 and 4/7, three at Plum Bank Marsh on 4/6, and one at Rocky Neck State Park on 4/6. More of both species should hopefully arrive in the next week.

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron continue to be noted in Milford and Stratford in expected breeding locations in low to moderate numbers. One was seen at South Pine Creek in Fairfield on 4/6 as well. Black-crowned Night-Heron are now established across Connecticut and updates of sightings will cease apart from breeding information and notable observations.

This concludes update #4 through 4/9/12 as of 12:00PM.


Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds, Audubon Connecticut and the Connecticut Audubon Society partnering to improve conditions for coastal waterbirds in Connecticut.