AAfCW 2013 Volunteer Update #22

This is the twenty-second weekly update by the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds (AAfCW) for the 2013 season. Today's update includes reports of Piping Plover, American Oystercatcher, and Common Tern from August 19 through 4:00 p.m. on August 26 with sightings of birds by volunteers and staff spanning that period.

Informational updates:

Thank you to everyone who joined us at Sandy/Morse Points for string fencing removal last week! Two fencing removal dates are coming up this week:

Thursday, August 29th at 10:00AM - Bluff Point in Groton
Friday, August 30th at 9:30AM - Griswold Point in Old Lyme (meet at exit 70 park and ride and carpool to beach)

It will be rain or shine, but any thunderstorms will postpone them. Assisting not only helps AAfCW but it also greatly aids those at CT DEEP and The Nature Conservancy 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

If you are planning to go and haven't told us yet please email us, thank you! Finally, as indicated above there were no sightings of Least Tern in the last week.

Survey and monitoring updates:

Piping Plover
2 fledglings at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/17
1 fledgling at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/19
1 juvenile at Bluff Point on 8/20
2 fledglings at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/20
3 juveniles at Milford Point on 8/21
3 juveniles at Milford Point on 8/21
3 juveniles at Milford Point on 8/21
1 juvenile at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/24
7 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/26

American Oystercatcher
1 pair, 1 juvenile at Salt Island on 8/19
3 pairs, 1 juvenile at Menunketesuck Island on 8/19
1 pair, 1 adult, 1 juvenile at Duck Island on 8/19
2 pairs, 2 juveniles at Milford Point on 8/19
1 adult at Griswold Point on 8/19
2 adults at Bluff Point on 8/20
5 adults at Sixpenny Island on 8/20
1 adult at Griswold Point on 8/20
1 pair at Umbrella Island on 8/21
1 pair at Kelsey Island on 8/21
1 pair at Green Island Branford on 8/21
2 adults at Milford Point on 8/21
1 pair at Milford Point on 8/21
1 pair at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/25
1 pair at Griswold Point on 8/25

Common Tern
1 adult at Griswold Point on 8/18

This concludes update #22 through 8/26/13 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.