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. 

AAfCW 2013 Volunteer Update #15

This is the fifteenth 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 1 through 4:00 p.m. on July 8 with sightings of birds by volunteers and staff spanning that period.

Informational updates:

A huge thank you to everyone who volunteered their time to cover some of the fireworks displays with AAfCW and CT DEEP staff! Your extra effort was much appreciated and the birds seem to have come through the nights that we were present very well while we educated even more beachgoers. Please keep in mind to be safe yourselves during this heat wave and try to be on the beach only in the early morning or late evening when the temperatures are cooler and sun is low in the sky. This protects you, the growing birds, and any eggs on the beach. Stay hydrated and stay cool!

Survey and monitoring updates:

Piping Plover
6 pairs, 5 adults, 3 hatchlings, 9 fledglings, 1 nest at Griswold Point on 7/1
2 pairs, 9 adults, 4 fledglings at Bluff Point on 7/1
3 pairs, 4 hatchlings, 5 fledglings at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/1
1 pair, 3 fledglings at Shell Avenue Milford on 7/2
1 pair, 2 hatchlings at Long Beach on 7/2
1 pair, 2 fledglings at Shell Avenue Milford on 7/2
2 adults, 2 hatchlings at Long Beach on 7/2
8 pairs, 7 hatchlings, 10 fledglings, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/2
6 pairs, 1 adult, 4 hatchlings, 6 fledglings, 1 nest at Milford Point on 7/2
1 pair, 2 hatchlings at Long Beach on 7/2
3 pairs, 4 adults, 3 hatchlings, 5 fledglings at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/3
1 pair, 1 adult, 2 hatchlings at Long Beach on 7/3
1 pair, 3 adults, 5 hatchlings, 6 fledglings at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/3
7 pairs, 1 adult, 6 fledglings, 1 nest at Milford Point on 7/3
2 pairs, 2 adults, 2 hatchlings, 1 nest at Long Beach on 7/3
14 adults, 3 hatchlings, 6 fledglings at Griswold Point on 7/4
6 adults at Bluff Point on 7/4
2 pairs, 2 adults, 2 hatchlings, 1 nest at Long Beach on 7/4
5 adults, 6 fledglings, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/5
3 pairs, 3 fledglings at Bluff Point on 7/5
1 adult at Milford Point on 7/6
2 pairs, 1 adult, 2 hatchlings, 2 fledglings, 1 nest at Long Beach on 7/7
6 adults, 6 fledglings at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/8
10 adults, 10 fledglings at Milford Point on 7/8

American Oystercatcher
1 pair at Griswold Point on 7/1
1 pair at Bluff Point on 7/1
1 pair, 1 fledgling at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/1
1 pair at Shell Avenue Milford on 7/2
3 pairs, 3 adults, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/2
2 pairs, 2 adults, 2 fledgling at Milford Point on 7/2
4 pairs, 2 adults, 4 fledglings at Cockenoe Island on 7/2
3 adults, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/3
1 adult at Long Beach on 7/3
5 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/3
1 pair at Griswold Point on 7/4
1 adult at Bluff Point on 7/4
1 pair at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/4
2 pairs, 2 adults, 2 fledglings at Milford Point on 7/4
1 adult at Horse Island on 7/4
1 pair, 1 fledgling at Umbrella Island on 7/5
1 pair, 1 fledgling at Pages Cove on 7/5
1 pair at Kelsey Island on 7/5
4 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/5
1 pair, 1 fledgling at Salt Island on 7/6
3 pairs at Menunketesuck Island on 7/6
2 pairs, 2 fledglings at Duck Island on 7/6
3 adults at Milford Point on 7/6
2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/8
2 pairs, 1 fledgling at Milford Point on 7/8

Least Tern
63 pairs, 1 hatchling, 63 nests at Griswold Point on 7/1
16 pairs, 16 nests at Bluff Point on 7/1
2 pairs, 3 adults, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/1
3 adults at Russian Beach on 7/2
1 pair, 4 adults at Long Beach on 7/2
3 pairs, 29 adults, 2 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/2
10 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/3
4 adults at Long Beach on 7/3
2 pairs, 34 adults at Long Beach on 7/3
20 pairs, 20 adults, 20 nests, 2 hatchlings at Griswold Point on 7/3
79 adults at Griswold Point on 7/4
1 adult at Silver Sands State Park on 7/4
14 adults at Stratford Point on 7/4
16 adults at Bluff Point on 7/4
30 adults at Long Beach on 7/4
1 pair, 5 adults, 1 nest at Pleasure Beach on 7/4
7 adults, 3 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/5
5 pairs, 5 adults, 5 nests at Bluff Point on 7/5
50 adults at Milford Point on 7/6
2 adults at Russian Beach on 7/7
18 adults at Long Beach on 7/7
5 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/8

Common Tern
4 adults at Griswold Point on 7/1
3 adults at Sherwood Island State Park on 7/2
1 pair, 3 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/2
30 adults at Milford Point on 7/2
11 adults at Griswold Point on 7/3
3 adults at Griswold Point on 7/4
3 adults at Stratford Point on 7/4
2 adults at Long Beach on 7/4
2 adults at Sherwood Island State Park on 7/7
1 adult at Russian Beach on 7/7
20 adults at Milford Point on 7/8

This concludes update #15 through 7/8/13 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 safety

We have a very hot stretch of weather occurring right now in Connecticut that should go nearly all the way through next weekend. Please keep in mind how this can affect both you and the birds and put your safety first when it comes to being on the beach. It is really not a good time to be outside at all in the next few days aside from the very early morning or late evening. Thunderstorms chances will be increasing as well from isolated to scattered, and you do not want to be on the beach with a storm anywhere in the vicinity. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.

We always ask everyone to be mindful of the birds in cold temperatures, but this magnitude of heat plus the sun on eggs or very young birds can be fatal. The less traffic we have out there the better so that the adults can tend to nests without being disturbed in the slightest. This goes for all of our birds - Piping Plovers, American Oystercatchers, Least Terns, and Common Terns. Please feel free to disregard any surveys and take a well deserved rest.

Our thanks to you all again for the successful year we have had thus far. We have a couple of months to go and hopefully by the middle of September we will have seen many Least Terns in particular hatch and fledge.


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

The future of Pleasure Beach

Bridgeport's plan to reopen Pleasure Beach is actually well thought out.  The City hired Stantec, a consulting firm with offices in Hamden, and worked with CT Wildlife Division staff in the developing the Pleasure Beach Master Plan (the Plan): (http://www.scribd.com/doc/102970109/Pleasure-Beach-Master-Plan-06-27-12) and associated Threatened and Endangered Species Management Plan (TESMP).  The City also held a public meeting to seek input on the Plan.

The final Plan leaves the vast majority of beach-nesting bird habitat undeveloped and restricts access to these areas.  The TESMP requires the City to monitor threatened and endangered species during plan implementation and once the park is open to the public.  It also requires fencing to be erected around nests, prohibits dogs within the park, and includes a carry in-carry out trash policy.

This summer, as the first phase of the Plan is being implemented, the City has contracted with the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds through Stantec to conduct weekly surveys of Pleasure Beach. String fencing is in place around sensitive habitat and we are monitoring there regularly.   The City is also a partner, along with Audubon and the Student Conservation Association, on the WildLife Guards Program, which trains and employs Bridgeport High School students as coastal stewards.  The WildLife Guards (WLG) and their crew leaders will be out at Long Beach and Pleasure Beach monitoring beach nesting bird species and encouraging a "share the shore" philosophy among beachgoers, starting next week.   The Guards have already provided mentoring and bird oriented educational activities to 177 Bridgeport elementary school students through the City-run afterschool Lighthouse Program. By engaging students through the Lighthouse Program and their new WLG website (www.bridgeportwildlifeguards.org), through interactions with family and peers, and outreach to beachgoers, the Guards are working to change attitudes toward natural resources amongst their local community.

I encourage you to take a look at the Pleasure Beach Master Plan to learn more about the City's goals for area and please feel free to visit the WildLife Guards website or facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/BridgeportWildlifeGuards) over the course of the summer for updates on the program.  Also, if you would like to volunteer for the Audubon Alliance, WLG program or have other questions or suggestions, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Most sincerely,
Corrie Folsom-O'Keefe


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 #14

This is the fourteenth 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 24 through 4:00 p.m. on July 1 with sightings of birds by volunteers and staff spanning that period.

Informational updates:

If you would like to help CT DEEP and AAfCW monitor on the night of fireworks displays at Milford Point on the evening of July 3 and Sandy Morse Points on either July 3 or 4 please email us. We can give you the details of when staff will be in place at each site. Our birds continue to grow and still more are hatching. Any time you can be out monitoring on July 4 at your beach or beaches would be helpful if it is "beach weather" and there are large crowds heading to the shore. We have a few very critical weeks left and heading out to monitor during these busy times in particular is very important. Thank you for your efforts thus far and we hope they will have contributed to what could be a very successful season!

Survey and monitoring updates:

Piping Plover
5 pairs, 7 hatchlings, 2 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/24
2 pairs, 12 adults, 3 hatchlings at Griswold Point on 6/24
3 pairs, 3 adults, 4 hatchlings, 1 fledgling at Bluff Point on 6/24
5 pairs, 2 adults, 4 hatchlings, 9 fledglings at Griswold Point on 6/24
1 pair, 1 adult, 4 hatchlings at Harkness Memorial State Park on 6/24
2 pairs, 2 adults, 6 hatchlings at Bluff Point on 6/24
7 pairs, 10 hatchlings, 6 fledglings, 1 nest at Milford Point on 6/24
4 pairs, 2 adults, 4 hatchlings, 1 nest at Long Beach on 6/24
4 pairs, 3 hatchlings, 2 fledglings, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/24
5 pairs, 1 adult, 3 hatchlings, 2 fledglings, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/25
2 pairs, 2 adults, 4 hatchlings, 1 nest at Long Beach on 6/25
4 pairs, 14 adults, 3 hatchlings, 7 fledglings at Griswold Point on 6/25
3 pairs, 2 adults, 9 hatchlings, 3 fledglings at Milford Point on 6/25
1 pair, 3 hatchlings at Shell Avenue Milford on 6/25
2 pairs, 2 adults, 1 nest at Long Beach on 6/25
2 pairs, 4 adults, 3 hatchlings, 3 fledglings, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/25
1 pair, 3 hatchlings at Shell Avenue Milford on 6/26
1 pair, 3 adults, 2 hatchlings, 1 nest at Long Beach on 6/26
3 pairs, 4 hatchlings, 1 nest at Long Beach on 6/26
3 pairs, 2 adults, 3 fledglings, 2 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/26
2 pairs, 1 adult, 4 hatchlings, 1 nest at Long Beach on 6/26
7 pairs, 10 hatchlings, 6 fledglings, 1 nest at Milford Point on 6/26
2 pairs, 1 adult, 4 hatchlings, 1 nest at Long Beach on 6/27
5 pairs, 2 adults, 3 hatchlings, 3 fledglings, 2 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/27
1 pair, 2 adults, 4 hatchlings at Long Beach on 6/27
7 pairs, 4 hatchlings, 12 fledglings, 1 nest at Milford Point on 6/27
8 pairs, 14 fledglings at Milford Point on 6/27
3 pairs, 7 adults, 3 hatchlings, 6 fledglings at Griswold Point on 6/28
3 pairs, 10 adults, 2 hatchlings, 8 fledglings, 1 nest at Milford Point on 6/28
4 adults, 3 hatchlings at Long Beach on 6/28
1 pair, 2 adults, 4 hatchlings at Long Beach on 6/29
1 pair, 3 hatchlings at Shell Avenue Milford on 6/29
15 adults, 6 hatchlings, 5 fledglings at Griswold Point on 6/29
6 adults, 4 hatchlings, 3 fledglings at Milford Point on 6/29
3 pairs, 4 adults, 3 hatchlings, 1 fledgling at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/29
2 pairs, 1 adult, 3 hatchlings, 1 nest at Long Beach on 6/30
4 adults, 4 fledglings at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/30
6 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/30

American Oystercatcher
3 pairs, 2 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/24
2 adults at Great Captain's Island on 6/24
1 pair, 1 adult at Bluff Point on 6/24
3 pairs, 2 fledglings at Milford Point on 6/24
2 pairs, 2 fledglings at Milford Point on 6/25
1 pair at Long Beach on 6/25
2 pairs, 1 adult, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/25
4 pairs, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/25
2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/26
3 pairs, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/27
4 pairs, 2 hatchlings, 2 fledglings at Cockenoe Island on 6/27
2 pairs, 2 fledglings at Milford Point on 6/27
1 adult at Griswold Point on 6/28
2 pairs, 3 adults, 1 fledgling at Milford Point on 6/28
2 pairs at Menunketesuck Island on 6/28
2 pairs, 3 adults, 2 fledglings, 1 nest at Duck Island on 6/28
1 pair, 1 fledgling at Salt Island on 6/28
1 pair at Branford Harbor on 6/28
1 pair, 1 fledgling at Umbrella Island on 6/28
1 pair, 1 fledgling at Pages Cove on 6/28
2 pairs at Kelsey Island on 6/28
5 adults at Long Beach on 6/29
2 adults at Griswold Point on 6/29
5 adults at Milford Point on 6/29
1 pair, 1 fledgling at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/30
1 pair, 1 fledgling at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/30

Least Tern
3 adults at Silver Sands State Park on 6/24
5 pairs, 15 adults, 5 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/24
7 adults at Stratford Point on 6/24
18 adults at Griswold Point on 6/24
9 pairs, 17 adults, 9 nests at Bluff Point on 6/24
33 pairs, 5 adults, 33 nests at Griswold Point on 6/24
25 adults, 15 nests at Harkness Memorial State Park on 6/24
6 pairs, 3 adults, 6 nests at Bluff Point on 6/24
3 pairs, 6 adults at Long Beach on 6/24
2 pairs, 11 adults, 2 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/24
9 pairs, 38 adults, 9 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/25
28 adults at Long Beach on 6/25
2 adults at Russian Beach on 6/25
17 pairs, 60 adults, 17 nests at Griswold Point on 6/25
150 pairs, 100 adults, 150 nests at Milford Point on 6/25
5 adults at Silver Sands State Park on 6/25
1 pair, 1 adult at Long Beach on 6/25
3 adults at Pleasure Beach on 6/25
1 pair, 14 adults, 1 hatchling, 3 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/25
1 adult at Silver Sands State Park on 6/26
2 adults at Long Beach on 6/26
3 adults at Long Beach on 6/26
175 pairs, 50 adults, 175 nests at Milford Point on 6/26
5 adults at Long Beach on 6/26
3 adults at Silver Sands State Park on 6/26
8 adults at Long Beach on 6/27
6 pairs, 8 adults, 4 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/27
21 pairs, 50 adults, 21 nests at Griswold Point on 6/28
15 adults at Menunketesuck Island on 6/28
6 adults at Long Beach on 6/28
9 adults at Long Beach on 6/29
6 adults at Stratford Point on 6/29
83 adults at Griswold Point on 6/29
100 adults at Milford Point on 6/29
9 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/29
6 adults at Long Beach on 6/30
3 adults at Penfield Reef on 6/30
10 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/30
12 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/30

Common Tern
2 adults at Silver Sands State Park on 6/24
3 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/24
2 adults at Stratford Point on 6/24
1 adult at Great Captain's Island on 6/24
5 pairs, 10 adults at Milford Point on 6/24
1 pair, 1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/25
1 adult at Sherwood Island State Park on 6/25
3 pairs at Milford Point on 6/25
4 adults at Long Beach on 6/26
3 pairs, 1 nest at Milford Point on 6/26
4 pairs, 1 nest at Milford Point on 6/27
3 adults at Sherwood Island State Park on 6/27
40 pairs, 50 hatchlings at Cockenoe Island on 6/27
5 adults at Griswold Point on 6/28
4 pairs, 3 adults, 1 nest at Milford Point on 6/28
12 adults at Menunketesuck Island on 6/28
5 adults at Griswold Point on 6/29
3 adults at Long Beach on 6/30
1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/30

This concludes update #14 through 7/1/13 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.