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.