AAfCW 2013 Volunteer Update #5

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

Informational updates:

We have had a few more reports of Piping Plover nests but we are still experiencing a slower than usual beginning to the 2013 nesting season. American Oystercatchers are off to a decent start with nests in a few locations. Please continue to monitor beaches that have not had Piping Plovers or American Oystercatchers reported yet as they could appear any time through May and still attempt to nest. Additionally it is likely we will have reports of Common Tern and Least Tern for the first time this year in the upcoming week. The first Common Terns of 2013 in Connecticut were seen in Hammonasset State Park this weekend. Hurricane Sandy may have modified some beaches to favor terns in many areas while simultaneously damaging valuable habitat in other locations, and once again we are expecting the unexpected when it comes to their populations. Your observations, including negative data, will help us figure everything out and are tremendously valuable.

Survey and monitoring updates:

Piping Plover
1 pair at East Broadway Milford on 4/23
1 pair at East Broadway Milford on 4/24
2 pair at Long Beach on 4/24
3 pair at Milford Point on 4/24
1 pair, 1 adult, 1 nest at Milford Point on 4/24
1 pair at Long Beach on 4/24
3 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/24
5 adults at Griswold Point on 4/24
2 pair at Bluff Point on 4/25
3 pairs, 4 adults at Milford Point on 4/25
1 pair at East Broadway Milford on 4/25
3 pairs, 8 adults, 2 nests at Griswold Point on 4/26
1 pair, 1 adult at Bluff Point on 4/26
5 adults at Griswold Point on 4/26
2 pairs, 1 adult, 2 nests at Milford Point on 4/27
3 pairs, 4 adults at Bluff Point on 4/27
2 pairs, 1 adult, 2 nests at Milford Point on 4/28
3 adults at Griswold Point on 4/28
1 pair, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/28
1 pair, 2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/28

American Oystercatcher
5 pairs at Cockenoe Island on 4/24
3 adults at Goose Island on 4/24
1 pair at Milford Point on 4/24
4 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/24
1 pair at Griswold Point on 4/24
6 adults at Bluff Point on 4/25
2 pairs at Milford Point on 4/25
2 pairs, 1 adult at Menunketesuck Island on 4/26
1 pair at Salt Island on 4/26
1 pair, 1 adult at Bluff Point on 4/26
4 adult at Milford Point on 4/27
1 pair at Bluff Point on 4/27
1 pair at Milford Point on 4/28
3 pair at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/28
3 pair, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/29
2 pair, 1 nest at Milford Point on 4/29
1 pair at Stratford Point on 4/29
2 pair at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/29

This concludes update #5 through 4/29/13 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.