Piping Plover Brochure Spanish Translation

We have translated our Share the Shore brochure into Spanish to help spread information and awareness on this important species.  These brochures will be available soon alongside the English version. We would like to thank Jesus Tirado and Lil and Jeff Ward for translating services, as well as a thank you to the Long Island Sound Futures Fund, the Cross Foundation, the Dominion Foundation, the Jeniam Foundation, the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, the Horizon Foundation and Patagonia for their help with our projects.

Sandy Point "Important Bird Area" Clean Up

Sandy Point "Important Bird Area" Clean Up, West Haven

Saturday, September 21, 2013, 9:00 am to noon

The New Haven Bird Club is looking for volunteers to participate in a beach cleanup at Sandy Point IBA in West Haven as part of the Ocean Conservancy's "International Coastal Cleanup Day," captained locally by Save the Sound/Dr. Bob Marra. The cleanup will help prevent predators, attracted by trash, from becoming accustomed to visiting Sandy Point, one of the most important sites in CT for Piping Plovers and other beach-nesting bird species.

Please bring work gloves, sunscreen, and water. Meet at the Savin Rock parking lot on Beach St. (immediately east of Chick's Restaurant/ 183 Beach St., next to the skate park). Come for all or part of the time. Contact: Craig Repasz : 203-230-1697 or crepasz@hotmail.com

AAfCW 2013 Volunteer Update #23

This is the twenty-third and final weekly update by the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds (AAfCW) for the 2013 season. Today's update includes reports of Piping Plover, American Oystercatcher, and Common Tern from August 26 through 4:00 p.m. on September 2 with sightings of birds by volunteers and staff spanning that period.

Informational updates:

Our thanks to all who came out to help remove fencing and signage at Bluff Point and Griswold Point last week. We have now completed those efforts for the season. Additionally we would like to thank everyone who has participated in monitoring, surveying, and fencing operations in 2013! We could not have done any of this without you and we appreciate it very much. We hope everyone will return to monitoring in 2014.

However, if you would like to continue surveying for waterbirds through September or even later into the season, please email us if we have not already spoken about it. We welcome additional observations of late Piping Plovers, any terns and the still certainly numerous American Oystercatchers. Other shorebirds and long-legged waders will be observed and recorded by our staff for at least a couple more months, and we will be completing other work such as International Shorebird Surveys.

If you have yet to send us monitoring data please email what you have to us as soon as possible. Finally, if you have eBird checklists with applicable waterbird species you would like to share with us and have not, please do so! If you have any questions, comments, or other feedback, please feel free to email us at any time. This will be the final regular weekly update but our surveying goes on and we will be in contact with all of you again soon.

Survey and monitoring updates:

Piping Plover
1 juvenile at Milford Point on 8/27
10 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/28
1 juvenile at Milford Point on 8/28

American Oystercatcher
1 pair at Griswold Point on 8/26
1 pair at Milford Point on 8/27
3 pairs, 1 juvenile at Menunketesuck Island on 8/27
1 pair, 1 juvenile at Salt Island on 8/27
1 adult at Duck Island on 8/27
1 pair at Branford Harbor on 8/27
1 pair at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/29
1 pair at Bluff Point on 8/29
1 pair at Griswold Point on 8/30

Common Tern
2 juveniles at Branford Harbor on 8/27
1 adult at Griswold Point on 8/30

This concludes update #23 through 9/2/13 as of 5:00 p.m.


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

Bluff Point fencing removal completed

On Thursday, August 29 the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds and CT DEEP completed the string fencing removal at Bluff Point State Park with the help of always wonderful volunteers. Bluff Point has a very long stretch of beach. Even driving to the shore in CT DEEP vehicles means this is a long hike carrying very heavy equipment. This is all what makes it such great habitat for our coastal waterbirds in every season. Once again here are some photos taken by Patrick Comins in between walking and hauling stakes.

 Beautiful Bluff Point

 Quite a stretch of beach - great habitat for Piping Plovers, Least Terns, and more

 Our team beginning the long walk out

A gray day but still quite a sight - note the Piping Plover exclosure on the left

 

The crew heading back with some of the materials

You never know what you'll find on a Connecticut beach like this Special Concern species Hairy-necked Tiger Beetle, Cicindela hirticollis

That beetle just goes to show how much is out there in these rare or specialized habitats and why we need to protect them on levels even beyond our birds. Thanks to the volunteers who were able to make it out to Bluff Point to help save some walking, carrying and time. We could not do any of this work without you!


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

Joint Shorebird Identification Workshop

The Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds recently teamed up with the Connecticut Ornithological Association for a shorebird identification workshop at the Connecticut Audubon Society Coastal Center at Milford Point. It was a beautiful morning at one of the best sites in the state to see shorebirds. Apart from the many attendees there were many, many shorebirds to pick through plus dozens of long-legged waders hanging around. Here are some shots from the event by Patrick Comins.

Can you pick out all the shorebird species in the above photos? Sessions like this one really help both new and veteran birders sharpen their skills as the birds are lined up almost as they would be in a field guide. Observing them with spotting scopes is a superb way to get "up close" looks without disturbing them in the slightest. Note that everyone was on the beaches of Milford Point and did not even have to walk down to the bar and risk flushing any to enjoy their views. Our thanks to everyone who came out to learn more about these often rapidly declining species. We will keep on doing our best to help them during every season of the year.


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

AAfCW 2013 Volunteer Update #22

This is the twenty-second weekly update by the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds (AAfCW) for the 2013 season. Today's update includes reports of Piping Plover, American Oystercatcher, and Common Tern from August 19 through 4:00 p.m. on August 26 with sightings of birds by volunteers and staff spanning that period.

Informational updates:

Thank you to everyone who joined us at Sandy/Morse Points for string fencing removal last week! Two fencing removal dates are coming up this week:

Thursday, August 29th at 10:00AM - Bluff Point in Groton
Friday, August 30th at 9:30AM - Griswold Point in Old Lyme (meet at exit 70 park and ride and carpool to beach)

It will be rain or shine, but any thunderstorms will postpone them. Assisting not only helps AAfCW but it also greatly aids those at CT DEEP and The Nature Conservancy who have extremely limited time, and it limits the stress on the birds. Please remember that taking down fencing in August can be physically demanding because of the heat and humidity, and those who join us should remember a few things:
-wear sunscreen
-drink plenty of water or sports drink
-do not attempt to carry too many stakes, there are enough volunteers so that no one should overexert themselves
-anyone who needs to limit physical exertion should stick to winding up string rolls
-take as many breaks as needed

If you are planning to go and haven't told us yet please email us, thank you! Finally, as indicated above there were no sightings of Least Tern in the last week.

Survey and monitoring updates:

Piping Plover
2 fledglings at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/17
1 fledgling at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/19
1 juvenile at Bluff Point on 8/20
2 fledglings at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/20
3 juveniles at Milford Point on 8/21
3 juveniles at Milford Point on 8/21
3 juveniles at Milford Point on 8/21
1 juvenile at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/24
7 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/26

American Oystercatcher
1 pair, 1 juvenile at Salt Island on 8/19
3 pairs, 1 juvenile at Menunketesuck Island on 8/19
1 pair, 1 adult, 1 juvenile at Duck Island on 8/19
2 pairs, 2 juveniles at Milford Point on 8/19
1 adult at Griswold Point on 8/19
2 adults at Bluff Point on 8/20
5 adults at Sixpenny Island on 8/20
1 adult at Griswold Point on 8/20
1 pair at Umbrella Island on 8/21
1 pair at Kelsey Island on 8/21
1 pair at Green Island Branford on 8/21
2 adults at Milford Point on 8/21
1 pair at Milford Point on 8/21
1 pair at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/25
1 pair at Griswold Point on 8/25

Common Tern
1 adult at Griswold Point on 8/18

This concludes update #22 through 8/26/13 as of 4:00 p.m.


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

Fencing removal completed at Sandy/Morse Points

Our thanks to the latest volunteer crew who teamed up with staff to remove string fencing and exclosures from Sandy/Morse Points in West Haven last week. As always the extra hands make the work get done all the quicker. This allows for less disturbances on any lingering target species and for any migrants who have made their way to Connecticut. It also helps CT DEEP and their dedicated and tremendous but taxed staff save time for more work on Connecticut's wildlife.

If you can help out next week for fencing removal at Bluff Point on 8/29 at 10:00AM or Griswold Point on 8/30 at 9:30AM please email us to let us know. Thanks again to all!


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

Griswold Point fencing removal

Would you like to help out The Nature Conservancy in removing string fencing and signage from Griswold Point? The Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds is looking for any volunteers to assist our combined field staffs in this work at Griswold Point on Friday, August 30. We will be meeting at 9:30AM on the I-95 exit 70 park and ride and carpooling down to the shore from there.

Please remember that taking down fencing in August can be physically demanding because of the heat and humidity, and those who join us should remember a few things:
-wear sunscreen
-drink plenty of water or sports drink
-do not attempt to carry too many stakes, there are enough volunteers so that no one should overexert themselves
-anyone who needs to limit physical exertion should stick to winding up string rolls
-take as many breaks as needed

Please email us if you can make it at ctwaterbirds@gmail.com, thank you!


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

Flagged Semipalmated Sandpipers found

Cynthia Ehlinger sent us the following information about a great recent sighting and then a terrific second one:

"Aug 10, 2013  10:40 - 10:50 am, near low tide
Yellow Flag PA7 Semipalmated Sandpiper feeding in a small flock of 1 Least and 2 additional Semipalmated Sandpipers at Greenwich Point Park "

Take a look!

Cynthia had already reported the banded bird and we asked her to send us the information she received back on it. During this wait she saw the bird a couple more times:

"Aug 13, 2013  3:50 - 4:20 pm, high tide
Semipalmated Sandpiper -.Yellow Flag  PA7 on upper right;  metal band on upper left feeding in a flock of 1 Least, 3 Semipalmated Plover, 3 Ruddy Turnstone, 53 Semipalmated Sandpipers at Greenwich Point Park"

Cynthia also found another tagged bird before even hearing back the banding information about the first one!

"While looking for Semipalmated Sandpiper PA7 ( which I did not find), I discovered another tagged shorebird at Greenwich Point Park today, 8/18 about 11:00 am. Semipalmated Sandpiper feeding with flock of about 36 SESA  plus 2 Ruddy Turnstone and 2 Semipalmated Plover. Band on upper left leg was dark blue band over yellow flag tag LYM. Metal band on right leg."

When Cynthia heard back on the band returns she found out that the Semipalmated Sandpiper with flag PA7 was banded this past spring on April 26 at Warappakreek study site, Commewijne District, Suriname. The second bird was banded in French Guiana in January 2010.

Our thanks to Cynthia for all of the hard work from the observations to the photos to the reporting, all while keeping us in the loop. Please be on the lookout for birds like hers and let us know if you see any!


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

Sandy Point IBA cleanup a success!

280 lbs. of Trash Removed from Sandy Point Important Bird Area, West Haven, CT
By Corrie Folsom-O’Keefe, Important Bird Area Program Coordinator, Audubon Connecticut

Saturday August 17th was the perfect day to visit the beach at Sandy Point Important Bird Area in West Haven, CT.  At 2pm, approximately 20 people, bird watchers and members of the local community assembled at Sandy Point. But these folks did not come for a swim or to relax along the shore, instead they came to participate in a beach clean-up.   Over the course of three hours, participants did an amazing job, removing a whopping 17 bags of trash, weighing a total of 280 lbs., from the beach.  Commonly collect items included food wrappers, cigarette butts and packaging, and small pieces of plastic.  Others items picked up in large quantities included plastic bags, beverage bottles, and caps. The most unusual item collect was what appeared to be a car muffler.   

The clean-up was sponsored by the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds with assistance from the City of West Haven.  Trash, especially food waste, attracts predators to beaches. Carry-in/carry-out trash policies and periodic clean-ups helps prevent predators from visiting places like Sandy Point, that are important breeding sites for the federally threatened piping plovers and other beach nesting bird species.


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

AAfCW 2013 Volunteer Update #21

This is the twenty-first weekly update by the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds (AAfCW) for the 2013 season. Today's update includes reports of Piping Plover, American Oystercatcher, Least Tern and Common Tern from August 12 through 4:00 p.m. on August 19 with sightings of birds by volunteers and staff spanning that period.

Informational updates:

A huge thanks to everyone who joined us at Long Beach for string fencing removal or Sandy/Morse Points cleanup last week! We have two more fencing removal dates from CT DEEP left to go:

Tuesday, August 20th at 10:00AM - Sandy/Morse Points in West Haven
Thursday, August 29th at 10:00AM - Bluff Point in Groton

Those dates are rain or shine, but any thunderstorms will postpone them. Assisting not only helps AAfCW but it also greatly aids those at CT DEEP who have extremely limited time, and it limits the stress on the birds. Please remember that taking down fencing in August can be physically demanding because of the heat and humidity, and those who join us should remember a few things:
-wear sunscreen
-drink plenty of water or sports drink
-do not attempt to carry too many stakes, there are enough volunteers so that no one should overexert themselves
-anyone who needs to limit physical exertion should stick to winding up string rolls
-take as many breaks as needed

Please email us if you can join us on those days if you have not already, thank you!

Survey and monitoring updates:

Piping Plover
4 juveniles at Long Beach on 8/12
2 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/14
1 hatchling at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/14
3 juveniles at Milford Point on 8/14
3 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/14
5 juveniles at Bluff Point on 8/14
1 fledgling at Long Beach on 8/16
1 juvenile at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/17

American Oystercatcher
2 adults at Griswold Point on 8/12
1 adult at Shore Rock on 8/12
1 pair at Chaffinch Island Guilford on 8/12
2 pairs, 2 juveniles at Milford Point on 8/12
3 pairs, 1 fledgling, 1 juvenile at Menunketesuck Island on 8/14
1 adult at Duck Island on 8/14
1 pair, 1 juvenile at Salt Island on 8/14
1 pair at Griswold Point on 8/14
1 pair at Thimble Islands on 8/14
1 pair at Griswold Point on 8/14
1 adult at Milford Point on 8/14
1 pair at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/14
4 adults at Milford Point on 8/15
1 pair at Horse Island Guilford on 8/16
1 pair, 1 adult at Milford Point on 8/16
2 pairs, 1 adult at Thimble Islands on 8/16
2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/17
1 adult at Griswold Point on 8/18

Least Tern
2 adults, 3 fledglings at Harkness Memorial State Park on 8/12
2 pairs, 8 adults, 4 hatchlings, 5 fledglings, 4 juveniles at Milford Point on 8/12
1 adult at Russian Beach on 8/12
2 adults at Long Beach on 8/12
1 adult, 2 juveniles at Griswold Point on 8/14
1 adult, 1 hatchling at Milford Point on 8/14
3 adults at Milford Point on 8/15
2 adults at Milford Point on 8/16

Common Tern
5 adults, 1 juvenile at Harkness Memorial State Park on 8/12
1 adult, 1 juvenile at Milford Point on 8/12
2 adults at Long Beach on 8/12
1 adult at Griswold Pt on 8/14
2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/14
1 adult at Milford Point on 8/16

This concludes update #21 through 8/19/13 as of 4:30 p.m.


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

Coastal Waterbird Training for Municipal Officials

Last week Audubon Connecticut's coastal waterbird training for municipal officials took place in Milford. It was made possible by a grant from the Long Island Sound Futures Fund and Toyota Together Green. It was a beautiful day made better by a trip out to the beaches and marshes of the Connecticut Audubon Society Coastal Center at Milford Point at the conclusion of the indoor portion of the training session. Here are a bunch of photos of the event from Patrick Comins.

Our thanks to everyone who was able to attend! The crowded session was a big success and we will continue to engage our neighbors about coastal waterbirds year-round.


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

Long Beach de-fencing party

A big thanks to all of the volunteers who came out to help take down the fencing at Long Beach yesterday! Extra hands really make the work a lot easier. We would love to have anyone who can come help out at Sandy/Morse Points in West Haven on August 20th at 10:00AM and Bluff Point on August 29th at 10:00AM join us then. You can find more information in this blog post.

Here are some photos from the Long Beach operation...

Our thanks again to everyone and we will see you in the field soon!

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

AAfCW 2013 Volunteer Update #20

This is the twentieth weekly update by the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds (AAfCW) for the 2013 season. Today's update includes reports of Piping Plover, American Oystercatcher, Least Tern and Common Tern from August 5 through 4:00 p.m. on August 12 with sightings of birds by volunteers and staff spanning that period.

Informational updates:

We have received three string fencing removal dates from CT DEEP, and AAfCW would appreciate any volunteers who could help us out at these locations:

Thursday, August 15th at 10:00AM - Long Beach in Stratford
Tuesday, August 20th at 10:00AM - Sandy/Morse Points in West Haven
Thursday, August 29th at 10:00AM - Bluff Point in Groton

Those dates are rain or shine, but any thunderstorms will postpone them. Assisting not only helps AAfCW but it also greatly aids those at CT DEEP who have extremely limited time, and it limits the stress on the birds. Please remember that taking down fencing in August can be physically demanding because of the heat and humidity, and those who join us should remember a few things:
-wear sunscreen
-drink plenty of water or sports drink
-do not attempt to carry too many stakes, there are enough volunteers so that no one should overexert themselves
-anyone who needs to limit physical exertion should stick to winding up string rolls
-take as many breaks as needed

Please email us if you can join us on any or all days, thank you!

Additionally, due to tomorrow’s forecast of rain and possible thunderstorms, we are re-scheduling the Shorebird Workshop for Municipal Officials to the rain date of Friday, August 16th. See more information here in our blog: http://ctwaterbirds.blogspot.com/2013/08/sharing-our-shores-managing-municipal.html

Survey and monitoring updates:

Piping Plover
1 adult, 2 hatchlings at Long Beach on 8/4
1 adult, 2 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/5
2 adults, 1 fledgling, 6 juveniles at Milford Point on 8/5
1 adult, 2 hatchlings, 3 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/5
1 juvenile at Griswold Point on 8/5
1 juvenile at Milford Point on 8/5
10 adults at Hatch Rock Guilford on 8/6
1 adult, 2 fledglings at Long Beach on 8/6
5 juveniles at Milford Point on 8/6
1 adult, 2 fledglings at Milford Point on 8/6
2 hatchlings, 1 juvenile at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/7
3 juveniles at Milford Point on 8/7
2 adults, 2 hatchlings, 3 fledglings, 2 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/7
8 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/7
2 juveniles at Long Beach on 8/11
4 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/12
4 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/12

American Oystercatcher
1 pair, 1 juvenile at Salt Island on 8/5
5 pairs, 1 juvenile at Menunketesuck Island on 8/5
1 pair, 1 fledgling at Duck Island on 8/5
3 pairs, 6 adults, 3 juveniles at Milford Point on 8/5
1 pair at Griswold Point on 8/5
1 pair at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/6
1 pair at Hatch Rock Guilford on 8/6
2 pairs, 2 juveniles at Milford Point on 8/6
3 pairs, 2 juveniles at Milford Point on 8/6
4 pairs, 2 fledglings at Cockenoe Island on 8/6
1 pair at Chimon Island on 8/6
1 adult at Betts Island on 8/6
1 pair at Long Beach Island on 8/6
3 adults at Sheffield/Shea Island on 8/6
1 pair at Goose Island on 8/6
2 adults at Griswold Point on 8/7
2 pairs at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/7
2 pairs, 2 juveniles at Milford Point on 8/7
3 pairs at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/7
4 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/7
1 pair at Branford Harbor on 8/7
1 pair, 1 juvenile at Umbrella Island on 8/7
1 pair at Kelsey Island on 8/7
1 pair, 1 juvenile at Green Island Branford on 8/7
2 pairs, 2 juveniles at Milford Point on 8/7
3 pairs at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/7
1 pair, 1 juvenile at Salt Island on 8/8
3 pairs, 2 hatchlings, 1 juvenile at Menunketesuck Island on 8/8
1 pair, 1 fledgling at Duck Island on 8/8
1 pair at Lobster Rock Guilford on 8/8
4 adults at Cops Island on 8/8
1 pair, 3 juveniles at Governor Island Thimble Islands on 8/9
2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/12
1 pair at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/12

Least Tern
7 adults, 1 juvenile at Long Beach on 8/4
3 juveniles at Griswold Pt on 8/5
3 pairs, 4 adults, 4 hatchlings at Milford Point on 8/5
1 pair, 10 adults, 1 juvenile at Milford Point on 8/5
2 adults, 1 juvenile at Long Beach on 8/6
3 adults, 2 juveniles at Long Beach on 8/6
3 pairs, 10 adults, 2 hatchlings, 2 fledglings, 4 juveniles at Milford Point on 8/6
4 pairs, 10 adults, 5 hatchlings, 7 fledglings, 1 juvenile at Milford Point on 8/6
4 pairs, 8 adults, 2 hatchlings, 2 fledglings, 3 juveniles at Milford Point on 8/7
2 adults at Silver Sands on 8/7
1 adult at Griswold Point on 8/10
3 adults at Long Beach on 8/11

Common Tern
1 adult, 1 juvenile at Long Beach on 8/4
1 adult at Silver Sands State Park on 8/5
4 adults at Pleasure Beach on 8/6
7 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/7
7 adults at Milford Point on 8/7
1 adult at Sherwood Island State Park on 8/7
5 adults, 2 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/7
1 adult at Silver Sands State Park on 8/7
5 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/7
95 adults, 30 juveniles at Menunketesuck Island on 8/8

This concludes update #20 through 8/12/13 as of 4:00 p.m.


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

Upcoming Sandy/Morse Points cleanup

AAfCW will host a beach cleanup at Sandy/Morse Points Important Bird Area in West Haven on Saturday, August 17, from 2-5PM. The cleanup will help prevent predators, attracted by trash, from visiting Sandy/Morse Points, one of the most important sites for Piping Plovers and other beach nesting bird species in the state of CT. We are looking for volunteers to help with the clean-up and also to keep an eye on the birds. Latex and leather work gloves will be provided and ice water will be available. Please bring sunscreen and a water bottle. Park in the Sandy Point parking lot on Beach St. Come for all or part of the time. Contact: Corrie Folsom-O’Keefe, 203-233-0535, cfolsom-okeefe@audubon.org if you would like to participate.


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

Sharing our Shores: Managing Municipal Coastal Resources for Birds and People

Edited update:

RE-SCHEDULED - AUGUST 16TH!

Sharing our Shores:  Managing Municipal Coastal Resources for Birds and People

Due to tomorrow’s forecast of rain and possible thunderstorms, we are re-scheduling the Shorebird Workshop for Municipal Officials to the rain date of Friday, August 16th.  A revised invitation follows. It is not too late to sign up! We look forward to seeing you Friday in Milford.

=============

The Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds, in cooperation with Connecticut DEEP Wildlife Division, is pleased to offer a free half day workshop for municipal officials and interested board and commission members facing the challenge of managing coastal resources for birds and people. The workshop is designed to increase understanding and expertise regarding beach nesting birds such as the Piping Plover and other coastal species; explain local responsibilities for protecting these birds; share strategies and best management practices with shoreline colleagues; and finish the day with a guided tour of beautiful Milford Point, an area that provides habitat for several species of protected shorebirds and numerous other species.

The workshop is free and includes a morning classroom session followed by lunch (provided) and an afternoon guided beach walk at Milford Point. We hope that you will join us to learn more about our coastal waterbirds and how your community can help them thrive.

WHAT: Shorebird Workshop for Municipal Officials
WHEN:  Friday August 16th 11:00 – 3:00 PM
WHERE: Margaret Eagan Center, 35 Matthew Street, Milford, CT 06460 Milford, CT & Guided walk at Milford Point

RSVP and questions, please contact: Sandy Breslin at sbreslin@audubon.org or (203) 264-5098 x306.

The Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds is a joint project of Audubon Connecticut and the Connecticut Audubon Society in cooperation with CT DEEP and USFWS. Learn more about our partnership and activities at: http://ctwaterbirds.blogspot.com/

This workshop is made possible through the generous support of the Long Island Sound Study and Toyota TogetherGreen.

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

AAfCW 2013 Volunteer Update #19

This is the nineteenth weekly update by the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds (AAfCW) for the 2013 season. Today's update includes reports of Piping Plover, American Oystercatcher, Least Tern and Common Tern from July 29 through 4:00 p.m. on August 5 with sightings of birds by volunteers and staff spanning that period.

Informational updates:

As we enter migration season please keep an eye out for any banded or flagged birds! Piping Plover and American Oystercatcher are color banded and flagged in our area. Least, Common, and Roseate Terns are also frequently seen with bands in Connecticut. You can find more information on some recent Piping Plover banding projects here in our blog and what to do if you see one: http://ctwaterbirds.blogspot.com/2013/07/watch-for-flagged-piping-plovers.html

Please remember all of our beaches may have higher numbers of birds passing through, including species not seen yet this year, because of migration. Let's see how many we can tally in the next month along with our breeding birds! All of this is important data and we thank you for the continual efforts.

Survey and monitoring updates:

Piping Plover
1 adult at Harkness Memorial State Park on 7/29
9 juveniles at Griswold Point on 7/29
1 pair, 1 adult, 2 hatchlings, 3 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/29
5 juveniles at Griswold Point on 7/30
2 adults, 5 fledglings, 2 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/30
1 pair, 1 adult, 4 fledglings, 1 juvenile at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/30
1 adult at Long Beach on 7/30
1 adult, 1 fledgling, 1 juvenile at Long Beach on 7/31
4 juveniles at Milford Point on 7/31
8 juveniles at Griswold Point on 8/1
2 adults, 7 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/1
1 hatchling, 10 juveniles at Milford Point on 8/1
5 adults, 2 fledglings, 1 juvenile at Milford Point on 8/1
1 adult, 2 hatchlings at Long Beach on 8/1
10 adults, 3 juveniles at Griswold Point on 8/2
3 fledglings at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/2
2 adults, 8 juveniles at Milford Point on 8/3
5 juveniles at Griswold Point on 8/3
2 hatchlings, 3 fledglings at Milford Point on 8/4
8 juveniles at Griswold Point on 8/4

American Oystercatcher
1 adult at Griswold Point on 7/29
1 adult at Shore Rock on 7/29
2 adults at Griswold Point on 7/29
1 pair at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/29
1 adult at Griswold Point on 7/30
1 pair at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/30
1 pair, 3 juveniles at Governor Island Thimble Islands on 7/30
1 adult at Red Point Rocks Thimble Islands on 7/30
1 pair at Thimble Island on 7/30
1 pair, 1 juvenile at Salt Island on 7/30
5 pairs, 1 juvenile at Menunketesuck Island on 7/30
4 pairs, 2 fledglings at Cockenoe Island on 7/31
1 pair, 1 fledgling at Chimon Island on 7/31
1 adult at Betts Island on 7/31
1 pair, 1 fledgling at Long Beach Island on 7/31
3 adults at Sheffield/Shea Island on 7/31
1 adult at Calf Pasture Island on 7/31
1 pair at Goose Island on 7/31
1 pair, 1 juvenile at Milford Point on 7/31
1 adult at Griswold Point on 7/31
1 pair, 1 adult, 1 juvenile at Duck Island on 7/31
1 pair at Branford Harbor on 7/31
1 pair at Kelsey Island on 7/31
1 pair, 1 juvenile at Umbrella Island on 7/31
2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/31
2 pairs, 2 juveniles at Milford Point on 8/1
1 pair, 3 juveniles at Governor Island Thimble Islands on 8/1
2 pairs, 2 juveniles at Milford Point on 8/1
1 adult at Jordan Cove on 8/1
1 adult at Inner White Top Guilford on 8/2
4 pairs, 1 adult at Menunketesuck Island on 8/2
3 pairs at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/2
13 adults at Milford Point on 8/3
2 adults at Griswold Point on 8/3
4 adults, 1 juvenile at Milford Point on 8/4

Least Tern
24 adults, 2 juveniles at Griswold Point on 7/29
5 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/29
12 adults, 6 fledglings, 2 juveniles, 2 nests at Harkness Memorial State Park on 7/29
36 adults, 2 juveniles at Griswold Point on 7/30
3 adults, 3 juveniles at Long Beach on 7/30
6 adults, 1 fledgling at Long Beach on 7/31
2 pairs, 8 adults, 2 hatchlings, 4 juveniles at Milford Point on 7/31
2 adults, 2 juveniles at Long Beach on 7/31
1 adult at Silver Sands State Park on 7/31
26 adults at Griswold Point on 7/31
6 adults, 2 fledglings at Bluff Point on 7/31
1 adult at Silver Sands State Park on 8/1
4 pairs, 6 adults, 2 hatchlings, 2 fledglings at Milford Point on 8/1
12 adults, 10 hatchlings, 2 fledglings at Harkness Memorial State Park on 8/2
6 adults, 2 fledglings at Bluff Point on 8/2
12 adults at Griswold Point on 8/2
15 adults, 5 fledglings at Menunketesuck Island on 8/2
1 juvenile at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/2
3 adults at Long Beach on 8/3
20 adults, 3 juveniles at Griswold Point on 8/3
1 pair, 3 juveniles at Bluff Point on 8/4
1 pair, 14 adults, 8 fledglings at Griswold Point on 8/4
6 adults, 3 fledglings at Bluff Point on 8/4

Common Tern
85 adults, 25 juveniles at Griswold Point on 7/29
3 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/29
22 adults at Harkness Memorial State Park on 7/30
15 adults, 4 juveniles at Griswold Point on 7/30
2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/30
100 adults, 35 fledglings at Cockenoe Island on 7/31
1 adult at Long Beach on 7/31
62 adults, 12 juveniles at Milford Point on 7/31
1 adult Silver Sands State Park on 7/31
14 adults, 1 fledgling Griswold Point on 7/31
1 juvenile at Silver Sands State Park on 7/31
6 adults Silver Sands State Park on 8/1
18 adults, 2 juveniles Milford Point on 8/1
3 adults, 1 juvenile Griswold Point on 8/2
1 adult at Sherwood Island State Park on 8/2
30 adults, 4 fledglings at Menunketesuck Island on 8/2    
12 adults, 2 fledglings at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/2
1 adult at Long Beach on 8/3
3 adults at Griswold Point on 8/3
6 adults, 1 fledgling at Griswold Point on 8/4

This concludes update #19 through 8/5/13 as of 5:00 p.m.


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

Watch for flagged Piping Plovers

Below is a message passed along to us by Environment Canada, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. You can report banded or flagged Piping Plovers following the directions below but please also include us at ctwaterbirds@gmail.com in any email chain. Alternatively if you would like we can take care of reporting them for you entirely. Thank you!

With the help of local Piping Plover monitors in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, researchers from Environment Canada captured 28 adult plovers on nest (14 males and 14 females) in June 2013, uniquely marking them with a metal band on the left upper leg and a coded black or white flag on the other upper leg.  Codes are 2 characters, of letters and/or numbers, on the flag tab.  (Flags are colour bands with a tab sticking out slightly from the leg – see attached photo).

The code is unlikely to be read without the use of a telescope or telephoto lens.  If you see one of these birds and are able to read the flag (or take a photo of the flag), please report the sighting to Dr. Cheri Gratto-Trevor at cheri.gratto-trevor@ec.gc.ca or 306-975-6128.  Please note the flag colour and behaviour and location of the bird, as well as the date.  The work in 2013 was intended to test the effectiveness of the flags on Piping Plovers, for a potential future study aimed at determining why Eastern Canada plover numbers are still declining, even though productivity is usually high.

Additionally, please be on the lookout for other Piping Plovers bearing coded flags. 

Per the message above, coded white and black flags (with alphanumerics) were applied in New Brunswick and should be reported to Cheri Gratto-Trevor (cheri.gratto-trevor@ec.gc.ca).

Sightings of Piping Plovers with green flags should be reported to Virginia Tech.  Some of the green flags are also coded, so all green flag sightings (both with and without lower leg bands) should be sent to  vt.plover@gmail.com(regardless of whether the flag is readable or not).  The green coded flags have 2 characters (white on green). 

Observations of Piping Plovers with color bands on only the upper legs (some of these have one band on each upper leg, some have two bands per upper leg) and no flags should be reported to both Virginia Tech (vt.plover@gmail.com) and to Michelle Avis at State University of NY (mlavis@syr.edu).

Please provide a detailed description of the bands and flags (their colors and positions on the legs), the location where the bird was sighted (latitude and longitude are the best) and the date of the sighting.   Photos of the bird are always the best documentation of the band combination.  Please report sightings of Piping Plovers that you believe carry coded flags, even if you are unable to read the alphanumerics, as that information may help us assess the utility of this marking system.


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

AAfCW 2013 Volunteer Update #18

This is the eighteenth weekly update by the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds (AAfCW) for the 2013 season. Today's update includes reports of Piping Plover, American Oystercatcher, Least Tern and Common Tern from July 22 through 4:00 p.m. on July 29 with sightings of birds by volunteers and staff spanning that period.

Informational updates:

AAfCW will host a beach cleanup at Sandy/Morse Points Important Bird Area in West Haven on Saturday, August 17, from 2-5PM. The cleanup will help prevent predators, attracted by trash, from visiting Sandy/Morse Points, one of the most important sites for Piping Plovers and other beach nesting bird species in the state of CT. We are looking for volunteers to help with the clean-up and also to keep an eye on the birds. Latex and leather work gloves will be provided and ice water will be available. Please bring sunscreen and a water bottle. Park in the Sandy Point parking lot on Beach St. Come for all or part of the time. Contact: Corrie Folsom-O’Keefe, 203-233-0535, cfolsom-okeefe@audubon.org if you would like to participate.

Survey and monitoring updates:

Piping Plover
1 adult, 1 hatchling at Bluff Point on 7/22
2 pairs, 2 adults, 1 fledgling at Griswold Point on 7/22
1 pair, 1 adult, 4 fledglings, 3 juveniles at Milford Point on 7/22
2 pairs, 4 hatchlings at Long Beach on 7/22
1 pair, 4 adults, 4 fledglings, 3 juveniles at Griswold Point on 7/22
1 pair, 7 adults, 4 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/23
2 adults, 1 fledgling at Harkness Memorial State Park on 7/23
2 pairs, 2 adults, 4 hatchlings, 3 juveniles at Long Beach on 7/23
2 juveniles at Milford Point on 7/23
6 adults, 2 hatchlings, 6 fledglings at Long Beach on 7/24
2 pairs, 1 adult, 6 hatchlings, 5 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/24
4 adults, 6 juveniles at Long Beach on 7/24
1 adult, 1 fledgling at Bluff Point on 7/24
7 adults, 1 hatchling, 14 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/24
6 adults, 2 hatchlings, 4 fledglings at Long Beach on 7/24
1 adult, 1 hatchling at Bluff Point on 7/24
1 pair, 1 adult, 10 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/24
6 adults at Sandy Point Stonington on 7/25
2 pairs, 4 hatchlings, 2 juveniles at Long Beach on 7/25
4 adults, 2 juveniles at Griswold Point on 7/26
1 adult, 2 fledglings at Milford Point on 7/27
1 adult, 2 hatchlings, 4 juveniles at Long Beach on 7/28
2 adults, 2 hatchlings, 2 fledglings at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/29

American Oystercatcher
1 pair, 1 juvenile at Salt Island on 7/22
3 pairs at Menunketesuck Island on 7/22
1 pair, 2 adults, 1 juvenile at Duck Island on 7/22
1 pair, 1 adult at Jacob's Beach Point, Guilford on 7/22
1 adult at Inner White Top, Guilford on 7/22
1 pair at Bluff Point on 7/22
1 adult at Griswold Point on 7/22
1 pair, 1 fledgling at Milford Point on 7/22
1 pair at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/23
2 adults at Shore Rock on 7/23
1 pair at Griswold Point on 7/23
1 pair at Uncus Point Guilford on 7/23
2 pairs, 2 fledglings at Milford Point on 7/23
1 pair, 1 fledgling at Milford Point on 7/23
1 pair, 1 fledgling at Great Captain's Island on 7/24
1 pair, 1 juvenile at Salt Island on 7/24
5 pairs, 2 hatchlings, 1 fledgling, 1 juvenile at Menunketesuck Island on 7/24
2 pairs, 1 fledgling, 1 juvenile at Duck Island on 7/24
2 pairs at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/24
1 pair, 1 fledgling at Milford Point on 7/24
2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/24
3 pairs, 5 adults, 1 juvenile at Sandy Point Stonington on 7/25
1 pair, 3 juveniles at Governor Island Thimble Islands on 7/25
1 pair at Thimble Island on 7/25
1 pair, 1 juvenile at Umbrella Island on 7/26
1 pair, 1 juvenile at Pages Cove on 7/26
1 pair at Kelsey Island on 7/26
6 adults at Milford Point on 7/27
2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/29

Least Tern
15 adults, 3 hatchlings, 1 fledgling, 3 nests at Menunketesuck Island on 7/22
1 adult at Silver Sands State Park on 7/22
5 pairs, 1 adult, 4 hatchlings, 2 fledglings at Bluff Point on 7/22
8 pairs, 31 adults, 6 hatchlings, 4 fledglings, 1 nest at Griswold Point on 7/22
4 adults at Long Beach on 7/22
6 pairs, 41 adults, 8 hatchlings, 4 fledglings at Griswold Point on 7/22
8 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/23
15 adults, 16 hatchlings, 2 fledglings at Harkness Memorial State Park on 7/23
6 pairs, 37 adults, 5 hatchlings, 2 fledglings, 1 nest at Milford Point on 7/23
1 adult at Sherwood Island State Park on 7/23
26 adults, 3 juveniles at Long Beach on 7/23
11 adults, 3 fledglings at Long Beach on 7/24
1 adult at Pleasure Beach on 7/24
21 adults, 2 hatchlings, 4 fledglings at Menunketesuck Island on 7/24
1 pair, 14 adults, 2 fledglings, 1 juvenile at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/24
10 adults, 2 juveniles at Long Beach on 7/24
2 adults at Bluff Point on 7/24
5 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/24
22 adults at Long Beach on 7/24
4 adults at Stratford Point on 7/24
1 pair, 3 hatchlings, 2 fledglings at Bluff Point on 7/24
6 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/24
13 adults, 3 juveniles at Long Beach on 7/25
4 adults at Pleasure Beach on 7/25
1 adult at Russian Beach on 7/25
1 pair at Silver Sands State Park on 7/25
17 adults at Griswold Point on 7/26
1 adult at Sasco Hill Beach on 7/28
4 adults, 2 fledglings at Long Beach on 7/28
7 adults, 2 juveniles at Stratford Point on 7/28
134 adults, 52 young at Milford Point on 7/29
4 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/29

Common Tern
40 adults, 5 fledglings, 1 juvenile at Menunketesuck Island on 7/22
3 adults at Silver Sands State Park on 7/22
1 adult at Bluff Point on 7/22
3 pairs, 14 adults, 4 fledglings at Griswold Point on 7/22
3 adults at Milford Point on 7/22
2 adults at Long Beach on 7/22
4 pairs, 13 adults, 4 fledglings at Griswold Point on 7/22
1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/23
10 adults at Milford Point on 7/23
3 adults at Sherwood Island State Park on 7/23
1 adult at Long Beach on 7/23
2 adults at Russian Beach on 7/23
1 adult at Long Beach on 7/23
75 adults at Menunketesuck Island on 7/24
6 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/24
15 adults at Milford Point on 7/24
1 adult at Long Beach on 7/24
7 adults, 4 juveniles at Stratford Point on 7/24
25 adults, 2 juveniles at Sandy Point Stonington on 7/25
1 adult at Pleasure Beach on 7/25
9 adults, 9 juveniles at Griswold Point on 7/26
4 adults at Penfield Reef on 7/28
3 adults at Long Beach on 7/28
5 adults, 3 juveniles at Stratford Point on 7/28
15 adults, 3 juveniles at Milford Point on 7/29
5 adults, 1 juvenile at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/29

This concludes update #18 through 7/29/13 as of 5:00 p.m.


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

AAfCW 2013 Volunteer Update #17

This is the seventeenth weekly update by the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds (AAfCW) for the 2013 season. Today's update includes reports of Piping Plover, American Oystercatcher, Least Tern and Common Tern from July 15 through 4:00 p.m. on July 22 with sightings of birds by volunteers and staff spanning that period.

Informational updates:

This week we should see temperatures around long-term averages and much better conditions for monitoring and our birds. Please try to keep an eye on the weather and radar as we may have rain or thunderstorms nearly any day this week. Thank you all for taking a break from monitoring during the heat wave or adjusting your schedules to get out to the beach in the early morning or evening. It was very helpful, and we appreciate all the work all our volunteers have done so far this year.

Survey and monitoring updates:

Piping Plover
1 pair, 9 adults, 6 hatchlings, 10 fledglings at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/15
1 pair, 4 adults at Bluff Point on 7/15
6 pairs, 1 adult, 9 fledglings at Griswold Point on 7/15
1 pair, 1 fledgling at Bluff Point on 7/15
6 pairs, 1 adult, 9 fledglings at Griswold Point on 7/15
1 pair, 1 fledgling at Bluff Point on 7/15
4 adults at Bluff Point on 7/15
3 pairs, 1 adult, 8 hatchlings, 11 fledglings at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/16
1 pair, 3 adults, 8 hatchlings, 2 fledglings at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/16
2 adults, 3 fledglings at Milford Point on 7/16
10 adults, 11 fledglings at Griswold Point on 7/16
2 pairs, 1 adult, 4 hatchlings, 7 juveniles at Long Beach on 7/17
3 adults at Milford Point on 7/17
9 adults, 1 juvenile at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/17
3 adults, 8 juveniles at Long Beach on 7/17
4 adults, 4 fledglings, 1 juvenile at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/18
6 adults, 5 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/19
5 adults, 5 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/19
3 pairs, 5 adults, 6 hatchlings, 13 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/19
1 pair, 4 hatchlings at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/19
7 adults, 5 hatchlings at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/20
11 adults, 2 hatchlings at Long Beach on 7/20
2 adults, 3 fledglings at Milford Point on 7/20
1 adult, 9 juveniles at Griswold Point on 7/21
4 adults, 4 hatchlings, 1 fledgling at Long Beach on 7/21
4 adults, 2 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/21

American Oystercatcher
2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/15
2 adults at Chimon Island on 7/15
1 pair, 1 fledgling at Ram Island on 7/16
1 adult at Whale Rocks on 7/16
2 pairs at Menunketesuck Island on 7/16
2 pairs, 1 adult, 1 hatchling, 1 fledgling at Duck Island on 7/16
1 adult at Potato Island, Thimble Islands on 7/16
1 pair at Governor Island Thimble Islands on 7/16
1 adult at High Island on 7/16
1 adult at Horse Island on 7/16
1 pair, 1 adult at Thimble Island on 7/16
1 pair at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/16
1 pair at Milford Point on 7/16
2 pairs, 2 juveniles at Milford Point on 7/17
3 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/17
1 pair at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/17
2 pairs at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/18
1 pair, 1 adult at Milford Point on 7/18
1 pair, 1 juvenile at Umbrella Island on 7/18
1 pair, 1 juvenile at Pages Cove on 7/18
1 pair at Kelsey Island on 7/18
2 pairs, 1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/18
2 pairs, 1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/19
1 pair, 3 fledglings at Governor Island Thimble Islands on 7/19
1 pair at Thimble Island on 7/19
1 pair at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/19
2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/20
1 pair, 1 juvenile at Salt Island on 7/20
4 pairs, 1 juvenile at Menunketesuck Island on 7/20
1 pair, 1 adult, 1 juvenile at Duck Island on 7/20
1 pair, 1 juvenile at Milford Point on 7/20
2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/21

Least Tern
2 pairs, 21 adults, 2 hatchlings, 3 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/15
11 pairs, 7 hatchlings at Bluff Point on 7/15
15 pairs, 48 adults, 15 nests at Griswold Point on 7/15
10 pairs, 13 adults, 7 hatchlings, 7 nests at Bluff Point on 7/15
4 pairs, 30 adults, 2 hatchlings, 2 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/16
7 adults at Long Beach on 7/16
55 pairs, 4 hatchlings, 11 nests at Milford Point on 7/16
52 adults, 4 nests at Griswold Point on 7/16
2 adults at Russian Beach on 7/17
12 adults at Long Beach on 7/17
5 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/17
3 adults at Long Beach on 7/17
10 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/17
4 adults at Stratford Point on 7/18
5 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/18
7 adults at Stratford Point on 7/19
5 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/19
1 pair, 12 adults, 2 hatchlings at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/19
5 adults at Silver Sands State Park on 7/19
5 pairs, 1 adult, 2 fledglings, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/19
3 adults at Stratford Point on 7/20
4 adults at Long Beach on 7/20
8 adults, 3 hatchlings at Bluff Point on 7/20
42 adults, 3 hatchlings at Griswold Point on 7/21
5 adults at Stratford Point on 7/21
1 adult at Long Beach on 7/21
15 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/21

Common Tern
1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/15
22 adults at Griswold Point on 7/15
4 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/16
6 adults at Milford Point on 7/16
2 adults at Russian Beach on 7/17
4 adults at Long Beach on 7/17
10 adults at Milford Point on 7/17
45 adults at Umbrella Island on 7/18
9 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/18
3 adults at Stratford Point on 7/19
26 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/19
7 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/19
3 adults at Silver Sands State Park on 7/19
1 adult at Stratford Point on 7/20
18 adults at Griswold Point on 7/21
2 adults at Stratford Point on 7/21
3 adults at Long Beach on 7/21

This concludes update #17 through 7/22/13 as of 5:00 p.m.


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

Heat wave continues

This oppressive July keeps getting worse as our latest heat wave drags on. By definition a heat wave is three days of 90 degree plus temperatures. We have already accomplished that Monday through Wednesday. It will last through Friday if not Saturday before "cooler" air moves in behind a cold front and we return to more 80s for highs and 60s for lows. Today even coastal Connecticut has a heat advisory for heat index values of 100. The National Weather Service has a good summary of what to expect and how to deal with it:

...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 8 PM EDT
THURSDAY...

* LOCATIONS...COASTAL CONNECTICUT AND LONG ISLAND.

* HAZARDS...COMBINATION OF HIGH LEVELS OF HEAT AND HUMIDITY.

* HEAT INDEX VALUES...UP TO 100.

* TIMING...HIGHEST HEAT INDEX VALUES WILL OCCUR DURING THE
  AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING HOURS.

* IMPACTS...IF NO PROTECTIVE ACTION IS TAKEN...INITIAL IMPACTS
  INCLUDE FATIGUE. SUNSTROKE...MUSCLE CRAMPS...AND/OR HEAT
  EXHAUSTION ARE ALSO POSSIBLE.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A HEAT ADVISORY IS ISSUED IF THE HEAT INDEX VALUES REACH 100 TO
104 DEGREES. DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS...STAY IN AN AIR-CONDITIONED
ROOM...STAY OUT OF THE SUN...AND CHECK UP ON RELATIVES AND
NEIGHBORS.

TO REDUCE RISK DURING OUTDOOR WORK THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND
HEALTH ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDS SCHEDULING FREQUENT REST BREAKS
IN SHADED OR AIR CONDITIONED ENVIRONMENTS. ANYONE OVERCOME BY
HEAT SHOULD BE MOVED TO A COOL AND SHADED LOCATION. HEAT STROKE
IS AN EMERGENCY...CALL 9 1 1.

Additionally there is an air quality alert for all coastal areas.

...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 11 PM EDT THURSDAY...

THE CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
HAS ISSUED AN AIR QUALITY ACTION DAY FOR THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES...

SOUTHERN FAIRFIELD...SOUTHERN MIDDLESEX...SOUTHERN NEW
HAVEN...SOUTHERN NEW LONDON.

IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 11 PM EDT THURSDAY.

AN AIR QUALITY ACTION DAY MEANS THAT GROUND LEVEL OZONE WITHIN THE
REGION MAY APPROACH OR EXCEED UNHEALTHY STANDARDS. FOR ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION...

PLEASE VISIT THE CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION WEB SITE AT HTTP://WWW.CT.GOV/DEEP/AQI

 
This is not a time to be monitoring for your own safety as well as that of all of the birds, chicks, and eggs unless you are doing so in the extremely early morning or very late evening. Please take the time off, relax, and stay cool!


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

AAfCW 2013 Volunteer Update #16

This is the sixteenth weekly update by the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds (AAfCW) for the 2013 season. Today's update includes reports of Piping Plover, American Oystercatcher, Least Tern and Common Tern from July 8 through 4:00 p.m. on July 15 with sightings of birds by volunteers and staff spanning that period.

Informational updates:

This is going to be another week of extreme heat with a dangerously high heat index occurring each day through next weekend. While it is slightly cooler at the shore it is probably best to avoid any monitoring whatsoever except during the very early morning or very late evening for your own safety. Additionally we do still have many birds with eggs or young hatchlings that need constant care in this type of weather, and even we can be a disturbance at a difficult time.

Survey and monitoring updates:

Piping Plover
4 pairs, 2 adults, 3 hatchlings, 9 fledglings at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/8
2 pairs, 7 adults, 7 fledglings, 1 nest at Griswold Point on 7/8
2 pairs, 4 adults at Bluff Point on 7/8
4 pairs, 1 adult, 12 fledglings at Milford Point on 7/8
2 pairs, 1 adult, 2 hatchlings, 1 nest at Long Beach on 7/8
3 pairs, 2 adults, 5 fledglings, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/9  
1 pair, 3 adults, 2 hatchlings, 4 juveniles, 1 nest at Long Beach on 7/9
14 adults at Griswold Point on 7/9
15 adults, 5 fledglings at Milford Point on 7/9
7 pairs, 4 adults, 4 hatchlings, 6 fledglings, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/9
1 pair, 1 adult, 2 hatchlings, 1 nest at Long Beach on 7/10
1 pair, 5 adults, 4 hatchlings, 6 juveniles, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/10
2 pairs, 1 adult, 2 hatchlings, 1 nest at Long Beach on 7/10
2 adults at Harkness Memorial State Park on 7/10
5 adults, 1 fledgling at Bluff Point on 7/10
3 pairs, 2 hatchlings, 3 fledglings at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/10
6 pairs, 3 adults, 4 hatchlings, 14 fledglings, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/10
2 pairs, 1 adult, 2 hatchlings, 1 nest at Long Beach on 7/10
14 adults, 10 fledglings at Griswold Point on 7/11
3 pairs, 12 adults, 3 hatchlings, 15 fledglings, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/11
14 adults, 7 fledglings at Milford Point on 7/11
14 adults, 1 hatchling, 5 fledglings at Milford Point on 7/11
2 adults, 3 hatchlings at Long Beach on 7/12
4 adults, 4 hatchlings at Long Beach on 7/13
6 adults, 4 fledglings at Milford Point on 7/13
2 pairs, 1 adult, 4 hatchlings at Long Beach on 7/14
8 adults, 3 hatchlings, 8 fledglings at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/15

American Oystercatcher
1 pair, 3 fledglings at Governor Island Thimble Islands on 7/8
1 pair at Red Point Rocks Thimble Islands on 7/8
1 adult at East Stooping Bush Island Thimble Islands on 7/8
3 pairs at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/8
2 adults at Bluff Point on 7/8
3 pairs, 1 fledgling, 1 nest at Menunketesuck Island on 7/8
5 pairs, 2 fledglings, 1 nest at Duck Island on 7/8
2 pairs, 6 adults, 2 fledglings at Milford Point on 7/8
1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/9
1 pair, 1 fledgling at Salt Island on 7/9
5 pairs, 1 fledgling at Menunketesuck Island on 7/9
1 adult at Tuxis Island on 7/9
1 pair, 1 adult at Branford Harbor on 7/9
2 pairs, 2 fledglings at Milford Point on 7/9
1 pair, 2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/9
3 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/10
1 adult at Uncus Point Guilford on 7/10
1 pair at Griswold Point on 7/10
1 pair at Bluff Point on 7/10
3 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/10
3 pairs, 2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/10
1 pair at Charles Island on 7/11
3 pairs at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/11
3 pairs, 2 fledglings at Milford Point on 7/11
1 pair, 1 fledgling at Pages Cove on 7/12
1 pair, 1 fledgling at Umbrella Island on 7/12
1 pair at Kelsey Island on 7/12
3 pairs, 2 fledglings at Milford Point on 7/13
2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/15

Least Tern
5 pairs, 11 adults, 2 hatchlings at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/8
40 pairs, 37 adults, 1 hatchling, 40 nests at Griswold Point on 7/8
13 pairs, 8 adults, 3 hatchlings, 11 nests at Bluff Point on 7/8
35 adults at Menunketesuck Island on 7/8
2 pairs, 19 adults at Long Beach on 7/8
6 adults at Russian Beach on 7/8
7 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/9
10 adults at Long Beach on 7/9
59 adults, 2 nests at Griswold Point on 7/9
1 adult at Silver Sands State Park on 7/9
161 pairs, 28 adults, 17 hatchlings, 161 nests at Milford Point on 7/9
2 adults at Russian Beach on 7/9
8 pairs, 29 adults, 7 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/9
12 adults at Silver Sands State Park on 7/9
4 adults at Stratford Point on 7/9
9 adults at Long Beach on 7/10
9 adults at Long Beach on 7/10
5 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/10
4 adults at Shell Avenue Milford on 7/10
10 adults at Long Beach on 7/10
27 adults, 9 hatchlings at Harkness Memorial State Park on 7/10
3 pairs, 14 adults, 3 nests at Bluff Point on 7/10
6 pairs, 25 adults, 2 hatchlings, 5 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/10
1 pair, 7 adults at Long Beach on 7/10
79 adults, 2 hatchlings at Griswold Point on 7/11
1 pair, 12 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/11
7 adults at Stratford Point on 7/12
7 adults at Long Beach on 7/14
2 adults at Long Beach on 7/14
9 adults at Stratford Point on 7/14
12 adults, 2 hatchlings, 2 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/15

Common Tern
1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/8
21 adults at Griswold Point on 7/8
15 adults at Menunketesuck Island on 7/8
30 adults at Milford Point on 7/8
1 adult at Long Beach on 7/8
1 adult at Long Beach on 7/9
5 adults at Griswold Point on 7/9
21 adults at Milford Point on 7/9
1 adult at Sherwood Island State Park on 7/9
1 pair, 1 adult, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/9
4 adults at Silver Sands State Park on 7/9
1 pair, 2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/10
10 adults at Griswold Point on 7/11
12 adults at Stratford Point on 7/14
2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/15

This concludes update #16 through 7/15/13 as of 5:00 p.m.


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

Wrack Lines Magazine - Piping Plovers

Please follow this link to view the UConn Sea Grant Wrack Lines magazine spring and summer 2013 edition where you can find an article on Piping Plovers written by Connecticut Audubon Society Senior Director of Science and Conservation Milan Bull: http://seagrant.uconn.edu/publications/magazines/wracklines/sprsummer13/

You will see several PDF links on the page for both the entire magazine and selected articles. If you download it in its entirety I suggest you go to page 10! Or if you would like to save the bandwidth here is a specific link to the article: http://seagrant.uconn.edu/publications/magazines/wracklines/sprsummer13/plovers.pdf

The piece provides a stupendous summary of both the history and current status of Piping Plovers. It also mentions the disturbances all of us regularly note during monitoring and discusses some of the breeding biology of the species. Thanks to Miley for writing such a fantastic piece on one of our focal species! We are all so glad they have had productive year so far at some of our beaches, especially at Connecticut Audubon Society's Coastal Center at Milford Point. Please pass this piece on to anyone and everyone! Education is one of the cornerstones of our efforts.


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

Past two weeks in pictures

Here are some very cool photos taken by AAfCW Waterbird Technician Marc Rivadeneyra!

First the American Oystercatcher chick that was swimming to save itself at Cockenoe Island.

A Common Tern chick.

A Piping Plover chick.

A Piping Plover fledgling engaged in a variety of activities.

A pair of adult Piping Plovers.

 
Please bear in mind these photos were taken with a 50x zoom which is how we manage to prevent disturbing the birds and why they look like they have no idea someone is watching (because they don't!).


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