Thursday, April 4, 2013

Piping Plovers and American Oystercatchers at Milford Point

Here are some photos I took of Piping Plovers and American Oystercatchers at Milford Point this past weekend.
 







American Oystercatchers have been returning across the state, with pairs being noted and territorial disputes well underway. These birds were loudly chatting with another pair on the other side of the spit. After I saw a pair of Piping Plovers mere days ago we are now up to at least five pairs in the area! I could not find the Piping Plover pair for a while but finally came upon them about halfway down the spit as they foraged.

When I first spotted them I was close to their position as they blend in so very well with their environment and had eluded me. These birds were silent, acting casually, feeding and relaxing, not stressed whatsoever by my presence or anything else. That is the way we want it to always be. Within the next week or two all of the birds will be getting to breeding and nests will be on the way. At that point our caution, distance, and respect for the birds will be paramount so that we as caring individuals trying to help them do not end up hindering them in any way.


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

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