AAfCW 2013 Volunteer Update #21

This is the twenty-first 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 12 through 4:00 p.m. on August 19 with sightings of birds by volunteers and staff spanning that period.

Informational updates:

A huge thanks to everyone who joined us at Long Beach for string fencing removal or Sandy/Morse Points cleanup last week! We have two more fencing removal dates from CT DEEP left to go:

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 those days if you have not already, thank you!

Survey and monitoring updates:

Piping Plover
4 juveniles at Long Beach on 8/12
2 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/14
1 hatchling at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/14
3 juveniles at Milford Point on 8/14
3 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/14
5 juveniles at Bluff Point on 8/14
1 fledgling at Long Beach on 8/16
1 juvenile at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/17

American Oystercatcher
2 adults at Griswold Point on 8/12
1 adult at Shore Rock on 8/12
1 pair at Chaffinch Island Guilford on 8/12
2 pairs, 2 juveniles at Milford Point on 8/12
3 pairs, 1 fledgling, 1 juvenile at Menunketesuck Island on 8/14
1 adult at Duck Island on 8/14
1 pair, 1 juvenile at Salt Island on 8/14
1 pair at Griswold Point on 8/14
1 pair at Thimble Islands on 8/14
1 pair at Griswold Point on 8/14
1 adult at Milford Point on 8/14
1 pair at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/14
4 adults at Milford Point on 8/15
1 pair at Horse Island Guilford on 8/16
1 pair, 1 adult at Milford Point on 8/16
2 pairs, 1 adult at Thimble Islands on 8/16
2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/17
1 adult at Griswold Point on 8/18

Least Tern
2 adults, 3 fledglings at Harkness Memorial State Park on 8/12
2 pairs, 8 adults, 4 hatchlings, 5 fledglings, 4 juveniles at Milford Point on 8/12
1 adult at Russian Beach on 8/12
2 adults at Long Beach on 8/12
1 adult, 2 juveniles at Griswold Point on 8/14
1 adult, 1 hatchling at Milford Point on 8/14
3 adults at Milford Point on 8/15
2 adults at Milford Point on 8/16

Common Tern
5 adults, 1 juvenile at Harkness Memorial State Park on 8/12
1 adult, 1 juvenile at Milford Point on 8/12
2 adults at Long Beach on 8/12
1 adult at Griswold Pt on 8/14
2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/14
1 adult at Milford Point on 8/16

This concludes update #21 through 8/19/13 as of 4:30 p.m.


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