AAfCW 2014 Volunteer Update #21

This is the twenty-first weekly update by the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds (AAfCW) for the 2014 season. Today's update includes reports of Piping Plover, American Oystercatcher, Least Tern and Common Tern from August 18 through 3:00 p.m. on August 25 with sightings of birds by volunteers and staff spanning that period.

Informational updates:

Thank you to all who joined us for fencing and signage removal last week. We have one more removal date tomorrow:

Tuesday, August 26th at 10:00AM - Harkness Memorial State Park in Waterford

We will meet in the main parking area. Please email ctwaterbirds@gmail.com to join. Remember that taking down fencing in August can be physically demanding because of the potential heat/humidity and to:

-wear sunscreen
-drink plenty of water or sports drink
-do not attempt to carry too many stakes, there are enough volunteers and staff members 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

We are now in the last week of monitoring for 2014! Thank you to everyone for their contributions throughout the season and please send in any data or information if you have not yet submitted it this year.

Survey and monitoring updates:

Piping Plover

1 adult, 2 juveniles Long Beach on 8/18
1 juvenile at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/20
1 juvenile at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/20

1 fledgling at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/20

1 fledgling at Harkness Memorial State Park on 8/24

American Oystercatcher

4 adults at Milford Point on 8/20

1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/20

4 pairs, 1 adult, 1 juvenile at Menunketesuck Island on 8/22
4 pairs at Duck Island on 8/22
2 pairs, 1 adult, 1 fledgling at Tuxis Island on 8/22
13 adults at Short Beach on 8/23
1 adult at Long Beach on 8/23

24 adults at Short Beach on 8/24

Least Tern

3 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/20

6 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/20

6 adults, 9 juveniles at Griswold Point on 8/24

Common Tern

60 adults at Short Beach on 8/18
50 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/20
10 adults at Milford Point on 8/20
65 adults, 1 juvenile at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/20
14 adults, 9 juveniles at Sandy Point Stonington on 8/20

100 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/20

350 adults at Menunketesuck Island on 8/22
170 adults at Short Beach on 8/23

This concludes update #21 through 8/25/14 as of 4:00 p.m.

Pleasure Beach Piping Plovers

Here are some recent photos of the proud father of two successfully fledged Piping Plovers now at the juvenile stage from Audubon Connecticut's Director of Bird Conservation, Patrick Comins. These birds are from the nest on Pleasure Beach!

Juvenile

Juvenile

Adult male

Juvenile and adult male

Our thanks to all of our terrific monitors for helping these birds make it through a busy beach season and avoid predation. The Bridgeport WildLife Guards and the City of Bridgeport also played a big part in assisting the family throughout the past few months, educating beachgoers and letting everyone share the beach successfully with the birds. We look forward to expanding on this success in 2015!

AAfCW 2014 Volunteer Update #20

This is the twentieth weekly update by the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds (AAfCW) for the 2014 season. Today's update includes reports of Piping Plover, American Oystercatcher, Least Tern and Common Tern from August 11 through 4:00 p.m. on August 18 with sightings of birds by volunteers and staff spanning that period.

Informational updates:

With around two more weeks left in the monitoring season we have some important things happening! Thank you to all who joined us today for fencing and signage removal at Long Beach. There are two more removal dates coming:

Wednesday, August 20th at 10:00AM - Sandy/Morse Points in West Haven
Tuesday, August 26th at 10:00AM - Harkness Memorial State Park in Waterford

Please email ctwaterbirds@gmail.com to join. Remember that taking down fencing in August can be physically demanding because of the potential heat/humidity and to:

-wear sunscreen
-drink plenty of water or sports drink
-do not attempt to carry too many stakes, there are enough volunteers and staff members 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

Lastly, please send us any observations of Red Knots, Diamondback Terrapins and disturbances involving kite-boarding and kite-surfing if you have not already. CT DEEP has requested this information and we will pass it on to them. Thank you all - on all counts!

Survey and monitoring updates: 

Piping Plover

1 pair at Long Beach on 8/12
1 adult, 1 juvenile at Griswold Point on 8/12
1 adult, 1 fledgling at Harkness Memorial State Park on 8/12
1 adult, 1 hatchling, 2 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/12

1 juvenile at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/12

1 juvenile at Long Beach on 8/12

1 adult, 2 fledglings at Long Beach on 8/14

1 adult, 1 hatchling at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/14

3 fledglings at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/14

2 juveniles at Sandy Point Stonington on 8/15
1 adult, 3 fledglings at Griswold Point on 8/15
1 adult, 1 fledgling, 1 juvenile at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/16
4 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/17
1 pair, 3 fledglings, 1 juvenile at Griswold Point on 8/17
1 adult, 2 fledglings at Harkness Memorial State Park on 8/17

1 adult, 2 juveniles at Long Beach on 8/17

2 fledglings at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/18

American Oystercatcher

1 pair, 4 adults, 1 juvenile at Griswold Point on 8/12
1 adult at Harkness Memorial State Park on 8/12
1 pair at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/12

1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/12

6 adults, 1 juvenile at Milford Point on 8/14

1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/14

2 juveniles at Umbrella Rocks on 8/15
1 adult, 2 juveniles at Branford Harbor Channel Marker on 8/15
2 pairs, 4 adults, 2 juveniles at Sandy Point Stonington on 8/15

4 adults, 1 juvenile at Griswold Point on 8/15

1 pair, 2 adults, 1 juvenile at Griswold Point on 8/17

20 adults at Short Beach on 8/17
1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/18

Least Tern
22 adults at Long Beach on 8/12
50 adults at Griswold Point on 8/12
34 adults, 2 hatchlings, 12 juveniles at Harkness Memorial State Park on 8/12
1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/12

2 adults at Long Beach on 8/12

4 adults at Milford Point on 8/14

1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/14
6 adults at Long Beach on 8/14

11 adults, 17 fledglings at Griswold Point on 8/15

10 adults, 1 fledgling, 7 juveniles at Griswold Point on 8/17
1 pair, 1 fledgling at Hatchetts Point on 8/17
9 adults, 18 juveniles at Harkness Memorial State Park on 8/17

Common Tern

1 adult at Long Beach on 8/12
85 adults at Griswold Point on 8/12
300 adults at Griswold Point on 8/12
116 adults at Harkness Memorial State Park on 8/12
110 adults, 66 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/12

30 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/12

2 adults at Long Beach on 8/14

250 adults at Milford Point on 8/14

100 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/14

39 adults, 16 juveniles at Sandy Point Stonington on 8/15
110 adults, 54 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/16
3 adults at Griswold Point on 8/17
80 adults, 40 juveniles at Hatchetts Point on 8/17
33 adults at Bluff Point on 8/17
12 adults at Short Beach on 8/17

30 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/18
52 adults, 3 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/18

This concludes update #20 through 8/18/14 as of 4:00 p.m.

Disturbances, Red Knots and Diamondback Terrapins

We have a few requests for information from CT DEEP as they would like the following from seasonal monitoring observations and data:

1) DEEP is attempting to determine the 2014 kite-boarding activity and disturbances across the state. Did you observe any kite boarder activity? We are looking for the beach name, date of occurrence, how many boarders were present and any other details you may have - specific location of kite boarding in water, location of equipment on beach, any board/kite encounter with birds, and so on.

2) Please let us know if you saw any Red Knots during the season with what date, beach, number of individuals and their activity (resting, feeding, etc.) if possible.

3) Please let us know if you saw any Diamondback Terrapin turtles during the season with what date, beach, number of individuals and their activity (basking, nesting, etc.) if possible.

If you have already emailed any or all of this information with your regular reports there is no need to again and we have it. Otherwise please send it to ctwaterbirds@gmail.com and we will compile it then pass it on. Thank you all so much for any help!

Upcoming fencing removal dates

We now have three string fencing removal dates set by CT DEEP. The Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds would appreciate any volunteers who could help us out at these locations and times:

Monday, August 18th at 10:30AM - Long Beach in Stratford
Wednesday, August 20th at 10:00AM - Sandy/Morse Points in West Haven
Tuesday, August 26th at 10:00AM - Harkness Memorial State Park in Waterford

Assisting not only helps AAfCW but it also greatly aids those at CT DEEP who have extremely limited time. It also limits the stress on young, feeding and migrant birds. Please remember that taking down fencing in August can be physically demanding because of the potential 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 and staff members 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

In general we look for everyone we can to help out even if you are not a past monitor or volunteer - the more the merrier. It also makes for a more pleasant morning of bird watching and discussions on the beach. Please email us at ctwaterbirds@gmail.com if you can join us on any or all days, and thank you!

AAfCW 2014 Volunteer Update #19

This is the nineteenth weekly update by the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds (AAfCW) for the 2014 season. Today's update includes reports of Piping Plover, American Oystercatcher, Least Tern and Common Tern from August 4 through 4:00 p.m. on August 11 with sightings of birds by volunteers and staff spanning that period.

Informational updates:

Piping Plovers are really on the move out of the state but we still do have some young present that require our continued attention and stewardship. The same can definitely be said for American Oystercatchers, Least Terns and Common Terns and counting adults of all these species is important as well so that we can get good data on their staging sites. Any details on how many juveniles are seen in these groups is very helpful. We will soon have dates from DEEP looking for assistance in removing fencing and signage at Long Beach, Sandy/Morse Points and Harkness Memorial State Park. We would have them set now but the timing depends on the birds and we will let you know as soon as possible.

Survey and monitoring updates:

Piping Plover

1 juvenile at Milford Point on 8/4
3 juveniles at Milford Point on 8/4
1 pair, 1 adult, 2 hatchlings at Long Beach on 8/4

1 adult, 1 hatchling at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/4

1 adult, 3 fledglings, 1 juvenile at Griswold Point on 8/5
2 adults, 1 hatchling, 1 fledgling, 1 juvenile at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/5
1 adult, 2 juveniles at Sandy Point Stonington on 8/5

1 fledgling, 1 juvenile at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/5

1 adult, 1 hatchling at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/5

5 adults, 2 fledglings at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/6
2 adults, 4 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/6

1 adult, 1 hatchling, 6 fledglings at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/6

1 hatchling at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/7

1 adult, 2 fledglings at Long Beach on 8/8
5 juveniles at Short Beach on 8/8
3 juveniles at Milford Point on 8/9
3 fledglings at Harkness Memorial State Park on 8/10
2 fledglings, 3 juveniles at Griswold Point on 8/10

American Oystercatcher

3 pairs, 1 juvenile at Milford Point on 8/4
1 adult, 1 juvenile at Greenway Island on 8/4

4 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/4

1 adult, 2 juveniles at Branford Harbor Channel Marker on 8/5
1 pair, 1 juvenile at Umbrella Rocks on 8/5
1 pair at Kelsey Island on 8/5
6 pairs, 1 adult, 5 juveniles at Sandy Point Stonington on 8/5

1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/5

1 pair, 1 fledgling at Lewis Island, Thimble Islands on 8/6
5 pairs, 3 juveniles at Cockenoe Island on 8/6

1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/6

3 pairs at Milford Point on 8/7

1 pair at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/7

1 adult at Great Captain's Island on 8/8
1 pair at Short Beach on 8/8
1 pair at Menunketesuck Island on 8/9
4 pairs, 3 juveniles at Duck Island on 8/9
1 pair, 1 juvenile at Salt Island on 8/9
1 pair, 1 adult, 1 hatchling at Tuxis Island on 8/9
2 adults at Milford Point on 8/10

21 adults at Cockenoe Island on 8/10

5 adults at Norwalk Islands on 8/10

Least Tern

5 adults at Short Beach on 8/4
1 adult, 1 juvenile at Russian Beach on 8/4
12 adults, 2 juveniles at Long Beach on 8/4
27 adults, 2 hatchlings, 1 juvenile at Milford Point on 8/4
19 adults at Long Beach on 8/4

4 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/4

60 adults, 5 juveniles at Griswold Point on 8/5
5 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/5

10 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/5

100 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/6

20 adults, 2 hatchlings at Milford Point on 8/7

25 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/7

4 adults at Short Beach on 8/8
15 adults, 2 hatchlings, 1 juvenile at Milford Point on 8/9

30 adults, 4 juveniles at Menunketesuck Island on 8/9

28 adults, 2 fledglings, 21 juveniles at Harkness Memorial State Park on 8/10
20 adults, 2 fledglings at Griswold Point on 8/10
20 adults at Milford Point on 8/10

Common Tern

170 adults at Short Beach on 8/4
98 adults, 15 juveniles at Long Beach on 8/4
40 adults at Milford Point on 8/4

100 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/4

5 adults, 1 hatchling at Great Captain's Island on 8/4

110 adults, 8 juveniles at Griswold Point on 8/5
9 adults at Barn Island on 8/5
37 adults, 12 juveniles at Sandy Point Stonington on 8/5
200 adults, 70 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Point on 8/5

50 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/5

200 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/5

7 adults at Griswold Island on 8/6
50 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/6
20 pairs, 10 juveniles at Cockenoe Island on 8/6
140 adults at Milford Point on 8/7
100 adults at Short Beach on 8/8
150 adults at Milford Point on 8/9
21 adults, 12 juveniles at Harkness Memorial State Park on 8/10
14 adults at Griswold Point on 8/10
20 adults at Milford Point on 8/10

This concludes update #19 through 8/11/14 as of 4:00 p.m.

AAfCW 2014 Volunteer Update #18

This is the eighteenth weekly update by the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds (AAfCW) for the 2014 season. Today's update includes reports of Piping Plover, American Oystercatcher, Least Tern and Common Tern from July 27 through 4:00 p.m. on August 4 with sightings of birds by volunteers and staff spanning that period.

Informational updates:

Please keep monitoring as scheduled throughout August as we still have hatchlings on our beaches along with fledglings, juveniles and adults, all of which we want to keep recording and working to protect via our stewardship efforts. Even if you see fencing and signage removed this only means actual nesting has ended - we still need your help as monitors! We have done incredibly well with fledging Piping Plover chicks and let's ensure the later individuals all make it to the juvenile stage.

Have you been out birding or surveying apart from your monitoring time or earlier in the year? Do you have eBird checklists that include ANY species of terns, shorebirds or long-legged waders? If you could please share these with us at ctwaterbirds@gmail.com via the eBird share function we would greatly appreciate all the data and visits you have made to see any species of those families of birds at any time in 2014. It helps our year-round effort to conserve and protect Connecticut's waterbirds. Thank you!

Survey and monitoring updates:

Piping Plover

1 adult, 3 hatchlings, 4 juveniles at Griswold Point on 7/28
10 juveniles at Milford Point on 7/28
1 juvenile at Shell Avenue Milford on 7/28
1 adult, 3 juveniles at Griswold Point on 7/29
1 adult, 2 hatchlings, 4 fledglings at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/29
2 adults, 2 hatchlings, 2 fledglings at Long Beach on 7/29
1 juvenile at East Broadway Milford on 7/30
1 adult, 1 juvenile Sandy/Morse Points on 7/30
1 adult, 1 hatchling at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/30

3 adults, 2 hatchlings at Long Beach on 7/30

3 adults, 1 hatchling, 1 fledgling at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/30

3 juveniles at Milford Point on 7/31
1 pair, 1 adult, 2 hatchlings, 1 juvenile at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/31
2 pairs, 2 hatchlings, 4 fledglings at Hatchetts Point on 7/31
1 adult, 2 hatchlings, 1 juvenile at Griswold Point on 7/31

5 adults, 1 hatchling, 1 juvenile at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/31

3 fledglings at Griswold Point on 8/1

1 adult, 4 juveniles at Harkness Memorial State Park on 8/1

1 juvenile at East Broadway Milford on 8/1

2 adults at Long Beach on 8/2

2 adults, 2 hatchlings at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/3

5 adults, 1 fledgling at Griswold Point on 8/3

1 adult, 2 fledglings at Griswold Point on 8/4

2 adults, 1 fledgling at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/4

American Oystercatcher

1 pair, 2 hatchlings at Tuxis Island on 7/28
2 adults at Bluff Point on 7/28
1 pair, 5 adults, 1 juvenile at Milford Point on 7/28
5 pairs, 4 juveniles at Cockenoe Island on 7/29
1 pair at Griswold Point on 7/29
2 pairs, 2 juveniles at Harkness Memorial State Park on 7/29
1 pair at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/30
2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/30
1 pair at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/30
1 pair at Silver Sands State Park on 7/31
4 pairs, 1 hatchling, 3 juveniles at Menunketesuck Island on 7/31

1 pair, 1 juvenile at Salt Island on 7/31
1 pair, 3 adults, 1 juvenile at Milford Point on 7/31
2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/31
3 pairs, 1 juvenile at Menunketesuck Island on 7/31

1 pair at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/31
2 adults at Long Beach on 8/2

2 adults at Silver Sands State Park on 8/3

2 adults at Griswold Point on 8/3

1 pair at Griswold Point on 8/4

1 pair, 1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/4

Least Tern

6 adults, 1 fledgling at Short Beach on 7/27
12 adults, 2 fledglings at Hammonasset State Park on 7/28
2 adults, 1 juvenile at Bluff Point on 7/28
20 pairs, 20 adults, 7 hatchlings, 18 juveniles, 2 nests at Griswold Point on 7/28
37 adults, 3 juveniles at Milford Point on 7/28
60 adults, 4 juveniles at Griswold Point on 7/29
4 adults at Long Beach on 7/29

12 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/29

7 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/30

4 adults at Long Beach on 7/30

13 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/30

50 adults, 2 hatchlings, 1 fledgling, 3 juveniles at Menunketesuck Island on 7/31
42 adults, 5 hatchlings, 3 juveniles at Milford Point on 7/31
9 adults, 1 juvenile at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/31
1 pair, 2 hatchlings at Hatchetts Point on 7/31
5 pairs, 35 adults, 4 hatchlings, 10 juveniles, 2 nests at Griswold Point on 7/31
63 adults at Menunketesuck Island on 7/31

6 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/31

45 adults, 10 juveniles at Griswold Point on 8/1

58 adults, 2 hatchlings, 12 juveniles at Harkness Memorial State Park on 8/1

8 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/3

22 adults, 3 fledglings at Griswold Point on 8/3

75 adults, 2 fledglings, 8 juveniles at Griswold Point on 8/4

4 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/4

Common Tern

5 adults at Short Beach on 7/27
15 adults at Hammonasset State Park on 7/28
14 adults at Bluff Point on 7/28
17 adults, 2 juveniles at Griswold Point on 7/28
20 adults at Milford Point on 7/28
12 adults, 2 juveniles at Griswold Point on 7/29

4 adults at Long Beach on 7/29

13 adults at Pleasure Beach on 7/30

2 adults at Long Beach on 7/30

121 adults at Menunketesuck Island on 7/31
15 adults at Milford Point on 7/31
139 adults, 12 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/31
3 adults, 1 juvenile at Hatchetts Point on 7/31
16 adults, 4 juveniles at Griswold Point on 7/31
70 adults at Menunketesuck Island on 7/31

5 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/31

36 adults, 4 juveniles at Griswold Point on 8/1

6 adults at Harkness Memorial State Park on 8/1

5 adults at Long Beach on 8/2

219 adults, 31 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/3

60 adults at Griswold Point on 8/4

100 adults, 1 juvenile at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/4

This concludes update #18 through 8/4/14 as of 5:00 p.m.