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.