AAfCW 2014 Volunteer Update #1

This is the first weekly update by the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds (AAfCW) for the 2014 season. Today's update includes reports of Piping Plover and American Oystercatcher from March 21 through 4:00 p.m. on April 7 with sightings of birds by volunteers and staff spanning that period.

Informational updates:

Thank you to everyone who has scheduled their monitoring and hit the beaches! Please sign up to monitor ASAP if you have not as our field season has commenced and monitoring should be underway. Please remember to submit all data and information whether or not you find any of our birds and email us at ctwaterbirds@gmail.com whenever if you have any questions.

Two fencing dates are coming up this week:

Tuesday, April 8 at 9:30AM - Griswold Point in Old Lyme
The plan is to meet with staff from The Nature Conservancy at 9:30AM as at that time we should have good walking access down the beach. We recommend carpooling if possible which can be done at the park and ride commuter lot off exit 70 of Interstate 95 on Neck Road. The nearby businesses also have the only available restrooms. The group will meet up at the end of the private Griswold Point Lane for a 9:30AM start.

Thursday, April 10 at 10:00AM - Long Beach in Stratford. Rain date Friday April 11th at 10:00AM. Meet in the parking area.

Volunteers should bring: work gloves, water, a snack, appropriate footwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, hats and whatever else you may need avoid too much sun. These locations can either be quite cool or very warm depending on the day so dress for any weather. A pocket knife or multi-tool can be handy and a sledge hammer or mallet can be helpful to bring. Plan for heavy lifting and toting, but be mindful of your safety.

Please email us at ctwaterbirds@gmail.com if you will be joining us for fencing, and thank you!

Survey and monitoring updates:

Piping Plover
1 adult at Milford Point on 3/21
2 adults at Griswold Point on 3/21
7 adults at Milford Point on 3/24
5 adults at Milford Point on 3/27
3 adults at Milford Point on 3/31
6 adults at Milford Point on 4/1
1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/1
3 adults at Long Beach on 4/2
2 pairs, 1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/2
7 adults at Milford Point on 4/3

American Oystercatcher
2 pairs at Milford Point on 3/21
2 pairs at Milford Point on 3/24
2 pairs at Milford Point on 3/27
3 pairs at Milford Point on 3/31
2 pairs at Milford Point on 4/1
1 pair at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/1
1 pair at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/2
2 pairs at Milford Point on 4/3

This concludes update #1 through 4/7/14 as of 5:00 p.m.