Protecting Cockenoe Island

Today our staff helped the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to fence off Cockenoe Island in Westport. This critical waterbird nesting habitat currently supports three pairs of American Oystercatchers with at least four chicks. During our visit a gull attacked one of those chicks that escaped by entering the water and swimming away! It was able to make its way back to shore just in time as it grew tired quickly and began to struggle.

Here's a shot of a couple of our crew hard at work.

There were also 75 to 90 Common Terns in the area with about 50 chicks on Cockenoe among the many nests. Take a look at all of them in the air!

And here you can see those chicks.

Hopefully this work by USFWS and the AAfCW work will help protect the island and the nesting colony throughout the busy summer as boats enter the water and activity rises in Long Island Sound, especially around the 4th of July. Additional signage will be going up to help educate people that pass by about the birds nesting there.


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 #13

This is the thirteenth 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 June 17 through 4:00 p.m. on June 24 with sightings of birds by volunteers and staff spanning that period.

Informational updates:

Piping Plovers are now beginning to transition from hatchlings to fledglings as young birds age and gain the ability to fly and function more independently. American Oystercatchers are at the same point in many areas. In the last week we have also seen the first hatched Least Terns of 2013. They are primarily concentrated on the sand spit at Milford Point. An official and methodical staff survey on 6/20 found approximately 700 Least Terns with 325 nests present on the spit. A couple dozen individuals were still courting. We will all do our very best in order to protect them from foot traffic and other disturbances so this colony can be as successful as possible.

Fireworks displays are coming up soon. We will be looking for help at Milford Point on the evening of July 3 during the Stratford display. We will also be looking for help at Sandy/Morse Points on July 3 and July 4 for the West Haven and New Haven displays, respectively. Please email us at ctwaterbirds@gmail.com if you would like to join AAfCW and CT DEEP staff in monitoring and outreach at these locations from around 9PM on those nights until the shows have concluded.

Survey and monitoring updates:

Piping Plover
1 pair, 3 hatchlings at Shell Avenue Milford on 6/17
7 pairs, 6 hatchlings at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/17
7 pairs, 11 hatchlings, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/17
1 pair, 1 nest at Long Beach on 6/17
2 pairs, 2 nests at Long Beach on 6/17
2 pairs, 2 nests at Long Beach on 6/18
7 pairs, 11 hatchlings, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/18
6 pairs, 11 hatchlings at Milford Point on 6/18
6 adults, 7 hatchlings at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/18
3 adults at Long Beach on 6/19
9 adults, 6 hatchlings at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/19
7 pairs, 15 hatchlings at Milford Point on 6/19
2 pairs, 2 nests at Long Beach on 6/19
3 pairs, 3 adults, 6 hatchlings at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/19
6 pairs, 2 adults, 10 hatchlings, 2 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/19
12 adults, 10 hatchlings at Milford Point on 6/20
9 pairs, 14 hatchlings, 4 fledglings, 1 nest at Milford Point on 6/20
4 pairs, 12 hatchlings at Milford Point on 6/20
3 adults, 4 hatchlings at Harkness Memorial State Park on 6/20
6 adults, 5 hatchlings at Bluff Point on 6/20
9 adults, 7 hatchlings at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/20
5 pairs, 2 adults, 7 hatchlings, 2 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/20
3 pairs, 1 nest at Long Beach on 6/20
1 pair at Sandy Point Stonington on 6/20
3 pairs, 2 adults, 9 hatchlings at Griswold Point on 6/21
1 pair, 1 adult, 1 nest at Long Beach on 6/21
2 pairs, 2 adults, 4 hatchlings, 1 nest at Milford Point on 6/21
1 pair, 4 adults, 2 hatchlings at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/21
1 pair, 3 hatchlings at Shell Avenue Milford on 6/22
4 adults at Long Beach on 6/22
12 adults, 6 hatchlings at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/22
7 adults, 8 hatchlings, 1 nest at Milford Point on 6/22
5 pairs, 1 adult, 11 hatchlings, 3 fledglings, 1 nest at Milford Point on 6/22
2 adults at Long Beach on 6/22
4 pairs, 5 hatchlings at Bluff Point on 6/23
12 adults, 12 hatchlings at Milford Point on 6/23

American Oystercatcher
4 pairs, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/17
4 pairs, 3 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/17
2 adults at Great Captain's Island on 6/17
1 pair, 1 adult, 2 hatchlings at Fish Islands on 6/17
1 pair at Thames River on 6/17
2 adults at Long Beach on 6/18
1 adult at Cos Cob Harbor on 6/18
3 adults at Great Island on 6/18
1 pair, 3 hatchlings at Governor Island Thimble Islands on 6/18
1 pair at Joshua Cove on 6/18
1 pair, 3 hatchlings at Governor Island Thimble Islands on 6/18
2 adults at Outer Island Thimble Islands on 6/18
1 pair at Johnson Island on 6/18
2 adults at Thimble Island on 6/18
3 pairs, 2 adults, 3 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/18
1 pair, 2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/18
1 pair, 1 hatchling at Milford Point on 6/19
1 pair at Silver Sands State Park on 6/19
3 adults at Long Beach on 6/19
2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/19
1 pair, 1 adult, 1 nest at Uncus Point Guilford on 6/19
2 pairs, 6 adults at Milford Point on 6/19
3 adults at Long Beach on 6/19
9 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/19
3 pairs, 8 adults, 8 hatchlings at Cockenoe Island on 6/19
1 pair, 2 hatchlings at Long Beach Island on 6/19
1 pair, 2 hatchlings at Salt Island on 6/19
2 pairs, 1 adult at Menunketesuck Island on 6/19
2 pairs, 1 adult, 1 hatchling, 1 nest at Duck Island on 6/19
1 pair, 3 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/19
6 pairs, 1 adult, 2 hatchlings at Sandy Point Stonington on 6/20
2 adults at Milford Point on 6/20
3 pairs, 3 fledglings at Milford Point on 6/20
1 pair at Compo Beach Westport on 6/20
1 pair at Sherwood Island on 6/20
1 pair at Griswold Point on 6/20
1 adult at Bluff Point on 6/20
4 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/20
1 pair, 2 adults, 2 hatchlings at Tuxis Island on 6/21
1 pair, 1 nest at Pages Cove on 6/21
1 pair, 1 adult at Kelsey Island on 6/21
1 pair, 1 nest at Umbrella Island on 6/21
1 pair, 1 fledgling at Salt Island on 6/22
5 pairs at Menunketesuck Island on 6/22
2 pairs, 2 fledglings, 1 nest at Duck Island on 6/22
4 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/22
2 adults at Milford Point on 6/22
1 pair, 1 hatchling at Milford Point on 6/23
4 adults at Penfield Reef on 6/23

Least Tern
120 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/17
4 adults at Silver Sands State Park on 6/17
36 pairs, 35 adults, 36 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/17
4 adults at Long Beach on 6/17
8 adults at Long Beach on 6/18
32 pairs, 64 adults, 32 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/18
52 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/18
10 adults at Long Beach on 6/19
20 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/19
11 adults at Silver Sands State Park on 6/19
12 adults at Long Beach on 6/19
12 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/19
40 adults at Harkness Memorial State Park on 6/19
20 adults, 10 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/19
19 adults at Stratford Point on 6/20
700 adults, 325 nests at Milford Point on 6/20
40 adults at Bluff Point on 6/20
20 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/20
20 pairs, 60 adults, 10 nests at Griswold Point on 6/21
3 pairs, 4 adults at Long Beach on 6/21
300 adults, 43 nests at Milford Point on 6/21
5 pairs, 20 adults, 5 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/21
4 adults at Long Beach on 6/22
4 adults at Pleasure Beach on 6/22
13 adults, 4 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/22
100 adults at Milford Point on 6/22
100 pairs, 200 adults, 3 hatchlings, 100 nests at Milford Point on 6/22
15 adults at Long Beach on 6/22
16 adults at Stratford Point on 6/23
5 pairs, 30 adults, 5 nests at Bluff Point on 6/23
125 adults at Milford Point on 6/23

Common Tern
4 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/17
4 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/17
1 adult at Great Captain's Island on 6/17
4 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/18
8 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/18
4 adults at Milford Point on 6/18
2 adults at Sherwood Island State Park on 6/18
8 adults at Milford Point on 6/19
42 adults at Stratford Point on 6/20
4 adults at Milford Point on 6/20
8 adults at Milford Point on 6/21
1 pair at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/21
2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/22
6 pairs, 5 adults at Milford Point on 6/22
3 adults at Sasco Hill Beach on 6/22
3 adults at Stratford Point on 6/23
12 adults at Sherwood Island State Park on 6/23
3 adults at Bluff Point on 6/23
12 adults at Penfield Reef on 6/23

This concludes update #13 through 6/24/13 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 #12

This is the twelfth 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 June 11 through 4:00 p.m. on June 17 with sightings of birds by volunteers and staff spanning that period.

Informational updates:

Common Terns are being seen less frequently as they have settled into nesting areas. Watch for them feeding in and around our monitored beaches soon and bringing young to these areas later in the summer. These will still be important sightings. American Oystercatcher and Piping Plover families are beginning to have young that have grown to the fledgling stage. Least Terns have nested in a few of our beaches in small numbers but the colony at Milford Point has had probably upwards of 600 individuals present at certain times. The best method to count large numbers of terns is from a distance with binoculars or a spotting scope counting them off by fives or tens. If you watch long enough you may see them flushed by a bird like the Peregrine Falcons at Milford Point. Not only is this a spectacular sight in itself but it allows you an easy opportunity to calculate how many birds are out there on the beach without disturbing any by walking nearby. Please keep in mind we do not want egg counts or even nest counts beyond what we can observe from a safe distance using optics.

Next week we will update everyone on plans for the fireworks coverage across Connecticut in and around Independence Day. Thank you all for your efforts!

Survey and monitoring updates:

Piping Plover
1 adult at Milford Point on 6/10
9 pairs, 6 hatchlings, 3 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/11
1 pair, 3 hatchlings at Shell Avenue Milford on 6/12
13 adults, 8 hatchlings at Griswold Point on 6/12
6 pairs, 17 hatchlings, 1 nest at Milford Point on 6/12
2 pairs, 2 nests at Long Beach on 6/12
6 pairs, 17 hatchlings at Milford Point on 6/12
2 adults, 1 nest at Long Beach on 6/12
5 adults at Long Beach on 6/12
4 pairs, 2 adults, 8 hatchlings at Griswold Point on 6/12
12 adults, 3 hatchlings at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/12
2 adults, 1 hatchling at Harkness Memorial State Park on 6/12
4 adults, 6 hatchlings at Bluff Point on 6/12
2 pairs, 5 hatchlings at Bluff Point on 6/12
4 pairs, 1 adult, 4 hatchlings, 2 fledglings, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/12
8 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/13
1 pair, 3 hatchlings at Shell Avenue Milford on 6/14
5 pairs, 5 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/15
5 adults, 3 hatchlings at Milford Point on 6/15   
4 pairs, 1 adult, 11 hatchlings at Griswold Point on 6/16
4 pairs, 1 adult, 9 hatchlings at Bluff Point on 6/16
1 pair, 2 adults, 6 hatchlings, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/16
1 pair, 3 hatchlings at Shell Avenue Milford on 6/16
2 pairs, 1 adult, 1 nest at Long Beach on 6/16
2 pairs, 3 adults, 5 hatchlings at Bluff Point on 6/16
1 pair, 5 adults, 4 hatchlings at Griswold Point on 6/16
1 pair, 3 hatchlings at Shell Avenue Milford on 6/17
6 adults, 5 hatchlings at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/17
10 adults, 8 hatchlings at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/17
2 pairs, 1 adult, 3 hatchlings at Milford Point on 6/17

American Oystercatcher
6 adults at Milford Point on 6/10
4 pairs at Milford Point on 6/11
1 pair, 1 hatchling at Governor Island Thimble Islands on 6/12
1 pair at Griswold Point on 6/12
2 pairs, 2 hatchlings at Milford Point on 6/12
2 pairs, 2 hatchlings at Milford Point on 6/12
2 adults at Long Beach on 6/12
2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/12
1 adult at Bluff Point on 6/12
3 pairs, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/12
4 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/13
1 pair, 1 hatchling at Umbrella Island on 6/15
1 pair at Kelsey Island on 6/15
1 pair at Pages Cove on 6/15
1 pair at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/15
5 adults at Milford Point on 6/15
4 adults at Sunken Island on 6/15
3 adults at Long Beach on 6/16
2 adults, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/17
2 adults, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/17

Least Tern
580 adults at Milford Point on 6/10
3 pairs, 81 adults, 14 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/11
125 adults, 25 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/11
12 adults at Stratford Point on 6/11
77 adults at Griswold Point on 6/12
200 adults, 70 nests at Milford Point on 6/12
4 adults at Russian Beach on 6/12
540 adults, 120 nests at Milford Point on 6/12
150 adults at Milford Point on 6/12
6 adults at Long Beach on 6/12
1 adult at Long Beach on 6/12
13 adults at Sherwood Island State Park on 6/12
6 adults at Silver Sands State Park on 6/12
23 pairs, 14 adults, 22 nests at Griswold Point on 6/12
20 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/12
30 adults at Harkness Memorial State Park on 6/12
4 pairs, 13 adults, 4 nests at Bluff Point on 6/12
6 pairs, 10 adults, 6 nests at Bluff Point on 6/12
20 adults, 10 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/12
30 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/13
14 adults at Stratford Point on 6/14
19 adults at Stratford Point on 6/15
16 adults at Umbrella Island on 6/15
150 adults at Milford Point on 6/15
21 adults at Stratford Point on 6/15
29 pairs, 70 adults, 29 nests at Griswold Point on 6/16
8 pairs, 18 adults, 8 nests at Bluff Point on 6/16
1 adult at Long Beach on 6/16
20 pairs, 45 adults, 20 nests at Griswold Point on 6/16
30 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/17

Common Tern
7 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/11
2 adults at Milford Point on 6/12
75 adults at Umbrella Island on 6/15
4 adults at Stratford Point on 6/15
3 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/17
30 adults at Milford Point on 6/17

This concludes update #12 through 6/17/13 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.

How to count birds

That title may seem to be strange but it is more of an oversimplification of a concept - let me elaborate! We request reports from our monitors and staff about our focal species and any information on other waterbirds they wish to provide. Those focal species are the Piping Plover, American Oystercatcher, Least Tern and Common Tern. It is relatively easy to count Piping Plovers since they occur in numbers often no greater than several here or there. It gets a little tricky with young birds hatching all at once on some of our busier beaches (Milford Point this year with several pairs of adults and nearly 20 chicks at times) but with some patience, caution, and experience you can accurately count them or get very close to the real number. American Oystercatchers are easy - they're bigger, brighter, louder, and in most cases, less in number.

However, it gets tricky with the terns, especially Least Terns as they tend to be more common on our monitored beaches. The best strategy for counting and their safety is to remain some distance away and use your binoculars. If you can see them all on the beach or hovering over it pick one of the groups (in the air or on the ground) and count them off left to right. Are there more than a few dozen? Then you may want to move on to counting by fives. Are there more than one hundred? Then do the same by tens.

This is how we were able to get a few counts of 540-580 Least Terns at Milford Point on various days in the last week. If you use this group counting method you will come close to what is reality. It helps if they are all flushed in the air and in one general group to do so but of course we do not want you to flush them! If you wait long enough at Milford Point you may see them all come up at once because of another bird whether it is an annoying Great Black-backed Gull or one of the local Peregrine Falcons. The latter species has "helped" us count there quite a bit this 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 #11

This is the eleventh 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 June 3 through 4:00 p.m. on June 11 with sightings of birds by volunteers and staff spanning that period.

Informational updates:

Beach traffic is increasing with sunbathers, fishermen, swimmers, and many more types of people visiting the Connecticut shoreline. This is the best time of the year to educate the public about our birds while young Piping Plovers run through the sand and Least Terns set up on hundreds of nests. If we talk to these people about the birds and let them know that we can share the beach with these beautiful species they will hopefully grow to appreciate and respect them all the more. Let us know if you need any additional brochures as we will have new up to date copies printed very soon.

Survey and monitoring updates:

Piping Plover
5 pairs, 11 hatchlings at Milford Point on 6/3
2 adults at Long Beach on 6/3
1 pair, 3 adults, 3 hatchlings at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/3
1 pair, 5 adults, 3 hatchlings, 2 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/3
3 adults, 1 hatchling, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/4
4 pairs, 4 adults, 8 hatchlings, 2 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/4
4 pairs, 2 adults, 10 hatchlings, 2 nests at Griswold Point on 6/4
3 pairs, 2 adults, 11 hatchlings, 1 nest at Bluff Point on 6/4
1 pair, 4 hatchlings at Shell Avenue Milford on 6/5
2 pairs, 2 nests at Long Beach on 6/5
1 pair, 4 hatchlings at Shell Avenue Milford on 6/5
6 pairs, 15 hatchlings at Milford Point on 6/5
10 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/5
3 pairs, 6 adults, 4 chicks, 2 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/5
7 pairs, 17 hatchlings at Milford Point on 6/5
2 adults at Long Beach on 6/5
3 pairs, 5 adults, 5 hatchlings, 2 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/5
2 adults, 2 hatchlings at Harkness Memorial State Park on 6/6
2 pairs, 1 adult, 8 hatchlings at Bluff Point on 6/6
3 pairs, 2 nests at Long Beach on 6/6
1 pair, 3 hatchlings at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/6
6 pairs, 16 hatchlings at Milford Point on 6/6
7 adults, 2 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/6
1 pair, 3 hatchlings at Shell Avenue Milford on 6/8
8 adults, 3 hatchlings at Milford Point on 6/8
1 pair, 3 hatchlings at Shell Avenue Milford on 6/8
7 pairs, 1 adult, 5 hatchlings at Bluff Point on 6/8
6 pairs, 3 adults, 14 hatchlings at Milford Point on 6/9
1 pair, 3 hatchlings at Shell Avenue Milford on 6/9
7 adults, 11 hatchlings at Milford Point on 6/9
2 pairs, 2 adults, 2 nests at Long Beach on 6/9
1 adult at Westbrook Town Beach on 6/10
1 pair, 3 hatchlings at Shell Avenue Milford on 6/10
3 pairs, 1 adult, 2 nests at Long Beach on 6/10
6 pairs, 12 hatchlings, 1 nest at Milford Point on 6/10
6 adults, 2 hatchlings at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/10
1 pair, 1 adult, 5 hatchlings at Milford Point on 6/11

American Oystercatcher
1 pair, 1 adult at Long Beach on 6/3
3 pairs, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/3
5 pairs at Milford Point on 6/3
4 adults, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/3
1 adult, 1 pair, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/4
1 adult at Uncus Point Guilford on 6/4
1 adult at Tuxis Island on 6/4
3 pairs, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/4
1 pair at Griswold Point on 6/4
1 pair at Bluff Point on 6/4
1 pair, 1 nest at Ram Island on 6/5
1 pair at Whale Rock on 6/5
7 adults at Sixpenny Island on 6/5
1 pair at Vincent Island on 6/5
1 pair, 2 hatchlings at Fish Islands on 6/5
1 pair, 2 hatchlings at Salt Island on 6/5
4 pairs at Menunketesuck Island on 6/5
1 pair, 3 hatchlings at Governor Island Thimble Islands on 6/5
1 pair at Outer Island Thimble Islands on 6/5
1 pair, 1 adult at East Stooping Bush Island Thimble Islands on 6/5
2 pairs, 2 hatchlings from Milford Point at 6/5
3 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/5
5 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/5
3 pairs, 3 hatchlings at Milford Point on 6/5
1 adult at Long Beach on 6/5
1 pair, 2 adults, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/5
1 pair, 1 nest at Branford Harbor on 6/6
1 pair, 1 hatchling at Green Island on 6/6
1 pair, 1 nest at Kelsey Island on 6/6
1 pair, 1 hatchling at Umbrella Island on 6/6
1 adult at Harkness Memorial State Park on 6/6
1 adult at Shore Rock on 6/6
1 pair, 1 adult at Bluff Point on 6/6
3 pairs, 2 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/6
5 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/6
5 adults at Milford Point on 6/8
1 pair at Bluff Point on 6/8
2 pairs, 2 hatchlings at Milford Point on 6/9
2 adults at Silver Sands State Park on 6/9
3 adults, 1 hatchling at Milford Point on 6/9
1 pair, 3 adults at Menunketesuck Island on 6/10
2 pairs, 1 adult at Duck Island on 6/10
1 adult at Horse Island on 6/10
1 pair, 1 adult at Hatch Rock Guilford on 6/10
1 adult, 1 nest at Uncus Point Guilford on 6/10
1 adult at Jacob's Beach Point Guilford on 6/10
1 pair at Griswold Point on 6/10
5 adults at Long Beach on 6/10
4 pairs, 2 hatchlings at Milford Point on 6/10
2 adults, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/10
2 pairs, 2 hatchlings at Milford Point on 6/11
1 pair at Charles Island on 6/11

Least Tern
17 adults at Griswold Point on 6/3
7 adults at Long Beach on 6/3
51 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/3
80 adults, 22 nests at Milford Point on 6/3
20 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/4
100 adults, 27 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/4
24 pairs, 48 adults, 24 nests at Griswold Point on 6/4
10 pairs, 6 adults, 10 nests at Bluff Point on 6/4
5 adults at Silver Sands State Park on 6/5
3 pairs at Long Beach on 6/5
1 adult at Silver Sands State Park on 6/5
22 adults at Menunketesuck Island on 6/5
100 adults at Milford Point on 6/5
50 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/5
50 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/5
250 adults, 30 nests at Milford Point on 6/5
3 adults, 1 nest at Long Beach on 6/5
20 adults, 6 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/5
11 adults at Harkness Memorial State Park on 6/6
30 adults at Bluff Point on 6/6
3 pairs, 1 nest at Long Beach on 6/6
26 pairs, 20 adults, 26 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/6
100 adults at Milford Point on 6/6
35 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/6
120 adults at Milford Point on 6/8
5 pairs at Bluff Point on 6/8
60 pairs, 120 adults, 56 nests at Milford Point on 6/9
200 adults at Milford Point on 6/9
6 adults at Long Beach on 6/9
33 adults at Griswold Point on 6/10
6 adults at Long Beach on 6/10
200 adults at Milford Point on 6/10
20 adults, 2 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/10
175 adults at Milford Point on 6/11

Common Tern
8 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/3
3 pairs, 2 adults at Milford Point on 6/3
1 pair at Horse Island Guilford on 6/4
16 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/4
1 adult at Griswold Point on 6/4
2 adults at Silver Sands State Park on 6/5
3 adults at Silver Sands State Park on 6/5
1 pair at Salt Island on 6/5
4 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/5
6 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/5
2 pairs at Branford Harbor on 6/6
2 pairs at Green Island on 6/6
17 adults at Umbrella Island on 6/6
5 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/6
2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/6
4 adults at Hatch Rock Guilford on 6/10
10 adults at Milford Point on 6/11

This concludes update #11 through 6/11/13 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.

Land Trust of West Haven presentation

I wanted to pass along this press release by the The Land Trust of West Haven as it contains a presentation by the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds. Hope you can join us!

CONNECTICUT COASTAL BIRDS & CLIMATE CHANGE, JUNE 12th WEST HAVEN LAND TRUST SPONSORS 2ND PROGRAM FOR 2013
Hear From the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds & “The Climate Reality Project”

WEST HAVEN, CT – Hear Scott Kruitbosch, Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds, talk about the shorebirds of the Connecticut coastline, with a particular focus on the health of the coastal birds that make West Haven their home. Following refreshments, Peter Libre, MD, will speak on behalf of “The Climate Reality Project,” an organization dedicated to educating the public about the scientific realities of climate change and actions we can take to minimize our impact. Dr. Libre will focus on the science behind climate change and the connection between our actions (particularly the consumption of fossil fuels) and the climate. He will also share his experiences in adopting a low-carbon lifestyle, and offer concrete examples of simple things we in West Haven can do to shrink our own ecological footprints. Join us on June 12th, 7:00PM at Saint John Vianney Church Hall, 300 Captain Thomas Blvd., West Haven, CT.

This is the second of four programs being hosted by the Land Trust of West Haven in 2013. “We are pleased to have Scott Kruitbosch speaking about shorebirds, a signature of the West Haven landscape, followed by Dr. Libre, who will share his expertise on climate change,” said Land Trust President, Barbara Barry. “Anyone interested in these issues is welcome to attend and we encourage everyone to bring their questions and concerns.”

All programs are on a Wednesday evening and begin at 7:00 PM. We encourage and look
forward to public participation and involvement in these programs


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 #10

This is the tenth 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 May 27 through 4:00 p.m. on June 3 with sightings of birds by volunteers and staff spanning that period.

Informational updates:

We are in the middle of the most critical nesting phase of the season with Piping Plover families running around our beaches and Least Terns trying to find a good place to nest. American Oystercatchers also have young and some Common Terns may be found nesting on beaches as well. The more we can educate the public and work to keep beachgoers from entering nesting areas the better. Staying near the water is the best strategy and prioritizing bird safety over data while monitoring from a safe distance with scopes and binoculars should be continued. Thank you all for the success we have had so far. We could not have done it without you!

Next week's update will be delayed but other staff will be watching all incoming data and information and will be in the field on a constant basis.

Survey and monitoring updates:

Piping Plover
5 adults, 5 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/27
3 adults, 1 nest at Long Beach on 5/27
1 pair, 7 adults, 5 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/27
2 pairs, 2 adults, 10 hatchlings, 1 nest at Milford Point on 5/27
2 pairs, 2 adults, 2 hatchlings, 4 nests at Bluff Point on 5/27
7 pairs, 5 hatchlings, 5 nests at Milford Point on 5/27
1 pair, 5 adults, 2 hatchlings, 3 nests at Bluff Point on 5/27
7 adults, 5 hatchlings, 2 nests at Griswold Point on 5/27
1 pair, 6 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/27
3 adults at Long Beach on 5/28
7 pairs, 1 adult, 7 hatchlings, 3 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/29
6 pairs, 14 hatchlings, 2 nests at Milford Point on 5/29
14 adults, 4 hatchlings, 2 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/29
6 pairs, 14 hatchlings, 2 nests at Milford Point on 5/29
5 pairs, 1 adult, 12 hatchlings, 1 nest at Griswold Point on 5/30
4 pairs, 1 adult, 3 hatchlings, 3 nests at Bluff Point on 5/30
6 pairs, 14 hatchlings at Milford Point on 5/30
2 pairs, 6 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/30
5 adults, 3 hatchlings, 2 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/30
1 pair at Shell Avenue Milford on 5/31
1 pair, 3 adults at Long Beach on 5/31
1 pair at Sandy Point Stonington on 5/31
5 adults, 2 hatchlings at Bluff Point on 5/31
1 pair, 3 adults at Long Beach on 6/1
14 adults, 6 hatchlings, 2 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/1
2 adults at Milford Point on 6/1
4 pairs, 1 adult, 8 hatchlings at Bluff Point on 6/1
1 pair, 2 adults, 1 nest at Long Beach on 6/1
9 adults, 10 hatchlings at Milford Point on 6/2
3 adults at Long Beach on 6/2
1 pair, 3 adults, 2 nests at Long Beach on 6/2
4 pairs, 1 adult, 13 hatchlings at Milford Point on 6/2

American Oystercatcher
1 adult at Bluff Point on 5/27
2 pairs, 2 hatchlings, 2 nests at Milford Point on 5/27
1 pair at Bluff Point on 5/27
1 adult, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/27
1 adult at Long Beach on 5/27
2 pairs, 1 adult, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/27
1 pair, 1 hatchling at Milford Point on 5/27
1 pair, 3 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/27
1 pair at Thimble Islands Outer Island on 5/28
1 pair, 3 adults at Thimble Islands on 5/28
1 pair at Compo Beach on 5/28
1 pair at Horse Island Guilford on 5/28
1 adult at Griswold Point on 5/28
2 pairs at Grass Island Guilford on 5/29
1 pair at Salt Island on 5/29
3 pairs at Menunketesuck Island on 5/29
1 pair, 1 adult at Great Captain's Island on 5/29
1 adult at Calf Islands on 5/29
4 pairs, 4 adults, 3 hatchlings at Cockenoe Island on 5/29
1 pair, 1 adult at Chimon Island on 5/29
1 adult at Sheffield Island on 5/29
1 adult at Shea Island on 5/29
1 pair at Calf Pasture Island on 5/29
3 pairs, 2 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/29
2 pairs, 1 adult, 2 hatchlings at Milford Point on 5/29
2 adults, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/29
2 pairs, 2 hatchlings at Milford Point on 5/29
3 adults at Silver Sands State Park on 5/30
1 pair, 3 hatchlings at Governor Island Thimble Islands on 5/30
1 adult at Thimble Island 10 on 5/30
1 pair at Whalen Island Thimble Islands on 5/30
1 pair, 1 adult at Thimble Island 7 on 5/30
1 pair at Griswold Point on 5/30
2 pairs, 1 adult at Bluff Point on 5/30
1 adult at Sherwood Island State Park on 5/30
2 pairs, 1 hatchling at Milford Point on 5/30
1 pair, 2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/30
4 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/30
1 adult, 1 hatchling at Duck Island on 5/30
1 pair, 1 adult at Menunketesuck Island on 5/30
1 pair, 1 nest at Branford Harbor on 5/31
1 pair, 1 nest at Green Island Branford on 5/31
1 pair, 1 nest at Kelsey Island Branford on 5/31
1 pair, 1 hatchling at Umbrella Island Branford on 5/31
4 adults at Sandy Point Stonington on 5/31
6 pairs, 1 hatchling at Sandy Point Stonington on 5/31
3 adults at Long Beach on 6/1
2 pairs at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/1
1 adult at Stratford Point on 6/1
5 adults at Milford Point on 6/1
3 adults at Milford Point on 6/2
2 adults at Stratford Point on 6/2
14 adults, 10 hatchlings, 2 nests at Cockenoe Island on 6/2
2 adults, 1 nest at Long Beach Island on 6/2

Least Tern
3 adults at Long Beach on 5/27
25 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/27
6 adults at Long Beach on 5/27
4 adults at Silver Sands State Park on 5/27
15 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/27
20 adults at Milford Point on 5/27
7 adults, 2 nests at Bluff Point on 5/27
60 adults at Milford Point on 5/27
17 adults at Bluff Point on 5/27
20 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/27
4 adults at Compo Beach on 5/28
16 adults at Griswold Point on 5/28
7 adults at Long Beach on 5/28
4 pairs, 16 adults, 4 nests at Menunketesuck Island on 5/29
10 pairs, 40 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/29
60 adults at Milford Point on 5/29
40 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/29
70 adults at Milford Point on 5/29
35 adults at Silver Sands State Park on 5/30
8 pairs, 4 adults, 7 nests at Griswold Point on 5/30
13 adults at Stratford Point on 5/30
50 adults at Milford Point on 5/30
20 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/30
35 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/30
6 pairs, 6 adults at Long Beach on 5/31
7 adults at Bluff Point on 5/31
2 adults at Long Beach on 6/1
125 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/1
4 adults at Stratford Point on 6/1
20 adults at Milford Point on 6/1
12 adults at Bluff Point on 6/1
15 adults at Long Beach on 6/1
100 adults at Milford Point on 6/2
18 adults at Stratford Point on 6/2
3 pairs, 10 adults at Long Beach on 6/2
55 adults at Milford Point on 6/2
5 adults, 4 nests at Cockenoe Island on 6/2

Common Tern
2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/27
1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/27
12 adults at Compo Beach on 5/28
2 pairs at Horse Island Guilford on 5/28
1 adult at Long Beach on 5/28
1 pair at Grass Island Guilford on 5/29
1 pair, 1 nest at Salt Island on 5/29
3 pairs at Menunketesuck Island on 5/29
5 pairs, 25 adults, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/29
1 adult at Milford Point on 5/29
10 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/29
2 adults at Silver Sands State Park on 5/30
2 adults at Griswold Point on 5/30
27 adults at Stratford Point on 5/30
5 adults at Sherwood Island State Park on 5/30
8 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/30
11 adults at Stratford Point on 6/1
3 adults at Sasco Hill Beach on 6/1
2 adults at Long Beach on 6/1
21 adults at Stratford Point on 6/2
500 adults at Cockenoe Island on 6/2

This concludes update #10 through 6/3/13 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.