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.