American Oystercatcher Brochures

Here are a few quick photos of our freshly-printed American Oystercatcher brochures! They look wonderful in person, and our staff will soon have some to pass on to you if we see you on the beach.

Later this month they will be ready for distribution at Stratford Point, 1207 Prospect Drive in Stratford, during typical business hours. We will let you know when they are available. Don't forget you can also download them here: http://rtpi.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/American-Oyster-Catcher-Brochure.pdf

AAfCW 2015 Volunteer Update #4

This is the fourth weekly update by the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds (AAfCW) for the 2015 season. Today's update includes reports of Piping Plover and American Oystercatcher from April 20 through 4:00 p.m. on April 27 with sightings of birds by volunteers and staff spanning that period.

Informational updates:

We have been repairing a lot of the fencing knocked over by the recent strong storm and high tides, and thank you to all who have reported downed fencing or helped put it back up. We are glad this severe event happened before any of our birds were nesting.

The weather has definitely made monitoring difficult, interrupting surveys and preventing us from going out or finding birds, and this week still may have cool mornings that we must be mindful of as Piping Plovers are beginning to nest. We do not want to keep them off any eggs during these poor conditions while monitoring. Please report any new nests to us as well as CT DEEP's Laura Saucier (laura.saucier@ct.gov) and Rebecca Foster (rsuzf@hotmail.com) as soon as possible.

By next week we should have our first tern report or two, as Common and Least Terns both return to Connecticut annually right around May 1. These species will be arriving and passing through for a while, and nesting should not take place for at least a few weeks.

Survey and monitoring updates:

Piping Plover
4 pairs, 3 adults, 1 nest at Milford Point on 4/21
1 pair at Short Beach on 4/21
6 pairs at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/21
1 pair, 1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/21
8 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/22
5 pairs at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/22
1 pair at Milford Point on 4/23
5 pairs, 5 adults at Griswold Point on 4/23
1 pair at Long Beach on 4/23
5 pairs, 8 adults, 1 nest at Griswold Point on 4/24
3 pairs, 1 nest at Milford Point on 4/24
8 pairs, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/24
2 pairs, 5 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/25
9 adults at Milford Point on 4/25
1 pair at Short Beach on 4/26
1 adult at Long Beach on 4/26
4 pairs, 1 nest at Milford Point on 4/26
1 pair, 1 adult at Long Beach on 4/26
4 adults at Bluff Point on 4/26
1 pair, 2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/26
2 pairs, 1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/27

American Oystercatcher
2 pairs at Falkner Island on 4/21
1 pair, 1 nest at Quinnipeag Rock on 4/21
3 pairs at Milford Point on 4/21
2 pairs at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/21
2 pairs, 1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/21
2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/22
2 adults at Stratford Point on 4/22
2 pairs at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/22
3 adults at Milford Point on 4/23
3 pairs at Milford Point on 4/24
2 pairs at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/24
2 pairs, 1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/25
2 adults at Milford Point on 4/25
2 adults at Russian Beach on 4/26
3 pairs at Milford Point on 4/26
1 pair at Long Beach on 4/26
1 pair at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/26
2 pairs at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/27

This concludes update #4 through 4/27/15 as of 5:00 p.m.

Unintentional Disturbances Threaten Waterbirds

There are a number of activities that can unintentionally scare, disturb or even threaten the survival of our waterbirds throughout the spring and summer seasons. Even a person with good intentions can fail to realize how sensitive a bird like the Piping Plover is, feeling threatened by dogs on the leash as they still see them as a predator invading their territory, making birds more prone to abandoning the area, wasting valuable energy or separating them from eggs or young, increasing mortality.

Most beaches in Connecticut ban all dogs during the warm seasons in consideration of public health and human safety, and this also benefits our birds. Activities like kiteboarding or kitesurfing may also seem innocuous when in the water, but surfers moving on and off of the beach can easily crush or kill extremely hard to see eggs or chicks, also flushing adults frequently right out of their preferred habitat. Please try to kindly educate all the beachgoers and friends you can this year as we continue to do all that we can to help our waterbirds survive and prosper.

Flagged Bahamas Piping Plover Found

We are thrilled to report that our friend Joel Stocker found, photographed and submitted this Bahamas flagged Piping Plover on April 18, 2015 at Harkness Memorial State Park's Strand Beach!

 
The Waterford location is not on our monitoring list this year, as it is being independently cared for by CT DEEP. Nevertheless, there are definitely birds of interest there, as we can see. This pink flag has a "95" on it, and we will let you know what the banding report says.

Please see this notice via Audubon about the birds banded in The Bahamas this winter in PDF form: http://rtpi.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Bahamas-Banded-PIPLs.pdf

Also please see this post on all flagged and banded Piping Plovers so that you can be aware of what we are looking for and where some of these wonderful birds may have come from, plus how you can report them to the proper group. Thank you, and thanks again to Joel!

Bluff Point Fencing Rescheduled 4/27

Fencing and signage erection at Bluff Point in Groton has been rescheduled for Monday, April 27 at 10 a.m. We will meet in the parking area and DEEP will shuttle people out to the beach.

Remember that any and all volunteers are welcome including those who are not monitors. The date is rain or shine. Volunteers should bring: work gloves, water, a snack, appropriate footwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, hats and whatever else you may need avoid too much sun. It 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 can make it, and thank you!

AAfCW 2015 Volunteer Update #3

This is the third weekly update by the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds (AAfCW) for the 2015 season. Today's update includes reports of Piping Plover and American Oystercatcher from April 13 through 4:00 p.m. on April 20 with sightings of birds by volunteers and staff spanning that period.

Informational updates:

Thank you again to all of the volunteers who have assisted us with fencing, and we apologize for the sudden cancellation at Bluff Point. If there is a public fencing and signage date rescheduled by DEEP we will let you know as soon as possible.

AAfCW is proud to present this new American Oystercatcher brochure! It is available for download in PDF form here: http://rtpi.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/American-Oyster-Catcher-Brochure.pdf

Please use this brochure as you use the Piping Plover brochure for education on and off of our beaches. We are printing thousands of copies that will be available to you to pick up from staff members you may see on the beach or by visiting Stratford Point, 1207 Prospect Drive in Stratford, during regular weekday business hours, from mid-May onward after they are printed.

Weather will be up and down for the upcoming week, so please try to avoid visiting the beach on rainy, particularly windy, or cold days with temperatures well below 50. Be sure to check our blog for photos of our focal species, information on education and outreach we conduct, and helpful documents in the right-hand column including some with more information on our birds all the way to dog laws and reporting phone numbers in various towns.

Survey and monitoring updates:

Piping Plover
8 adults at Griswold Point on 4/13
2 pairs at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/13
1 pair at Short Beach on 4/14
1 adult at Long Beach on 4/14
3 pairs, 2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/14
1 pair at Long Beach on 4/14
3 pairs at Milford Point on 4/15
1 pair at Short Beach on 4/15
2 pairs at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/15
1 pair, 3 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/16
7 pairs at Milford Point on 4/16
2 pairs, 8 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/16
6 pairs, 1 adult at Milford Point on 4/16
2 pairs at Long Beach on 4/16
1 pair, 1 adult at Long Beach on 4/16
3 pairs, 1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/18
3 pairs, 4 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/18
1 pair at Long Beach on 4/18
1 pair at Long Beach on 4/18
3 pairs, 1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/18
1 pair at Short Beach on 4/19
1 adult at Stratford Point on 4/19
1 pair at East Broadway Milford on 4/19
4 pairs, 1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/19
4 adults at Long Beach on 4/19
1 pair, 3 adults at Bluff Point on 4/19

American Oystercatcher
1 pair at Griswold Point on 4/13
1 pair, 1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/13
1 pair at Short Beach on 4/14
1 pair, 1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/14
2 adults at Long Beach on 4/14
4 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/15
2 pairs, 1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/15
3 pairs at Milford Point on 4/15
1 pair, 3 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/16
3 pairs at Milford Point on 4/16
2 pairs, 1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/16
3 pairs at Milford Point on 4/16
2 pairs at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/18
2 pairs at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/18
2 pairs, 1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/18
1 pair at Short Beach on 4/19
1 pair at Stratford Point on 4/19
1 pair, 1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/19
4 adults at Long Beach on 4/19
1 pair at Bluff Point on 4/19

This concludes update #3 through 4/20/15 as of 5:00 p.m.

Elementary School Students Saving Birds

Last year the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds helped to teach elementary school children about some of Connecticut's most imperiled avian species, ensuring that they learn about why it is so important to share the shore with these conservation-priority waterbirds. Respecting wildlife is a fundamental aspect of our species stewardship of the Earth - at least if we want to survive on it! These students gave back to their world by creating wonderful, unique art to teach and inspire beachgoers as they flock to the shore for the summer. You can see some of these signs focused on the Piping Plover and the American Oystercatcher below.

During string fencing and signage erection we include some of these signs at some of our busier beaches as a more heartwarming and novel form of outreach. The art definitely stands out against the sand, water, and sometimes the cityscapes of our very developed shoreline.

They also make much more of an impact on the average beachgoer, and we find vandalism and damage to these signs is less than what occurs to standard "NO DOG" or "STAY AWAY" signage.

In short, our work is a win, win, win scenario for art, education and conservation, for children, adults, and anyone who can share the shore with our endangered bird neighbors. Please email us at ctwaterbirds@gmail.com if you have a large group of children who would like to complete a similar project, or if you want to contribute to the effort in some other way - as a monitor, a donor, or a helping hand.

American Oystercatcher Brochure

The Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds is proud to present this new American Oystercatcher brochure! It is available for download in PDF form here: http://rtpi.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/American-Oyster-Catcher-Brochure.pdf

In it you will find detailed information about various aspects of the biology of the species including how and where they nest, threats to breeding success, and a number of tips on how to help keep them safe.

Please use this brochure as you use the Piping Plover brochure for education on and off of our beaches. We are printing thousands of copies that will be available to you to pick up from staff members you may see on the beach or by visiting Stratford Point, 1207 Prospect Drive in Stratford, during regular weekday business hours, from mid-May onward after they are printed.

Piping Plovers in the Sand

This warm week has jump started breeding as Piping Plover pairs are getting much more focused on nesting, making scrapes and exhibiting soon to be parents behavior on some Connecticut beaches.

 
Our Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds crew is wrapping up helping the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection in placing string/psychological fencing and signage on major beaches and busy breeding areas.

We will soon be assisting them in placing exclosures over Piping Plover nests to protect the precious eggs from predators on the ground (cats, raccoons, foxes and coyotes) and in the air (various gulls, corvids, and even Black-crowned Night-Herons). Beach camouflage is the best!

CANCELED - today's Bluff Point fencing

Good morning all,

Fencing is canceled today, so please don't go to Bluff Point if you haven't yet and were planning on it! Thanks so much but Rebecca Foster of DEEP just arrived and found that the road and parking lot are being regraded, so we cannot bring materials down there and the hike would be way too far with all that we need to carry in vehicles. We will let you know if there's a rescheduled date and time.

Thanks again and sorry about the late cancellation!

American Oystercatchers Relaxing

American Oystercatchers have been pairing off across Connecticut, and a few sites and birds have been reported as copulating. However, like the Piping Plover, we still have no confirmed nests likely because of the continuing cold conditions at times. With the warm-up of the last few days and late April coming there will be eggs soon. Until then these birds were relaxing on the beach out of the wind and tucking in their bills for a midday nap.

AAfCW 2015 Volunteer Update #2

This is the second weekly update by the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds (AAfCW) for the 2015 season. Today's update includes reports of Piping Plover and American Oystercatcher from April 6 through 4:00 p.m. on April 13 with sightings of birds by volunteers and staff spanning that period.

Informational updates:

A huge thank you to all of the volunteers who have assisted us with fencing thus far at Long Beach, Sandy/Morse Points, and Griswold Point. Please remember we have one more main fencing operation:

April 16th, 11:00 Bluff Point, Groton
Meet in the parking area and CT DEEP will shuttle people out to the beach.

Remember that any and all volunteers are welcome including those who are not monitors. The date is rain or shine, and the weather looks to be lovely. Volunteers should bring: work gloves, water, a snack, appropriate footwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, hats and whatever else you may need avoid too much sun. It 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 can make it.

If you could not make it to yesterday's field training or have not already matched up with a master monitor and still would like help on the beach, please email us. These more temperate and typical weather conditions should make for perfect monitoring this week. Please enjoy your monitoring and remember to report all the breeding information and details you can about Piping Plovers and American Oystercatchers from their behavior to any human disturbances, if they are paired off or defending territory, potential predators or whatever else you feel is relevant. The more information we have the better.

Please also keep in mind that both Least and Common Terns will return right at May 1. If you have any questions on any topic feel free to email us anytime. Thank you, and good luck!

Survey and monitoring updates:

Piping Plover
1 pair, 2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/6
1 adult at Long Beach on 4/8
1 pair, 1 adult at Long Beach on 4/8
3 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/8
5 pairs at Milford Point on 4/9
1 pair at Shell Avenue Milford on 4/9
4 pairs, 2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/10
1 adult at Long Beach on 4/10
3 pairs, 1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/12
1 pair at Short Beach on 4/12
1 pair at Shell Avenue Milford on 4/12
1 pair at Shell Beach Milford on 4/12
1 pair at Long Beach on 4/12
2 pairs at Bluff Point on 4/12
2 pairs at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/13

American Oystercatcher
1 pair, 1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/6
1 adult at Stratford Point on 4/6
1 adult at Stratford Point on 4/7
1 pair at Long Beach on 4/8
2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/8
3 pairs at Milford Point on 4/9
2 pairs at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/10
2 pairs, 1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/12
1 pair at Long Beach on 4/12
1 pair, 1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/13

This concludes update #2 through 4/13/15 as of 5:00 p.m.

Slow Piping Plovers

This year has been rather cold – talk about news you did not need to know, huh? Even though temperatures have been much closer to average in recent days there is still not a lot of action on the breeding birds front, with these distant looks at Piping Plovers feeding in the middle of a marsh on a chilly, windy morning yesterday showing they are not nesting yet.

Nights with lows near freezing will keep eggs at bay for the moment, but we at the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds continue to be extremely busy putting up fencing and signage, reporting migrants, recording pairs and breeding behaviors, and educating the public at beaches across Connecticut.

Field Training & Fencing

On Sunday, April 12 CT DEEP and AAfCW will hold a beach/field training session geared for new volunteers on how to monitor and collect data for Piping Plovers and Least Terns from 10AM until 12PM at Sandy/Morse Points in West Haven. The group will meet at the parking lot before venturing out to the beach. Follow this link for driving directions and additional information on the site: http://www.lisrc.uconn.edu/coastalaccess/site.asp?siteid=383

Everyone should dress for walking the beach and remember appropriate footwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, hats, a jacket and whatever else you may need avoid too much sun and stay warm on what can be a windy and chilly beach in April. You should also bring a snack, water, binoculars and a spotting scope if you have one.

Please volunteer to help us at the following string fencing and signage dates!

April 10th, 11:00 Sandy Point, West Haven
Meet in the parking lot.

April 13th, 9:30 Griswold Point, Old Lyme
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.

April 16th, 11:00 Bluff Point, Groton
Meet in the parking area and CT DEEP will shuttle people out to the beach.

Thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday at Long Beach where we also saw 1 pair of American Oystercatcher, 1 pair and 1 adult Piping Plover. Please email us at ctwaterbirds@gmail.com if you will be joining us for fencing if you have not already.

AAfCW 2015 Volunteer Update #1

This is the first weekly update by the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds (AAfCW) for the 2015 season. Today's update includes reports of Piping Plover and American Oystercatcher from March 17 through 4:00 p.m. on April 6 with sightings of birds by volunteers and staff spanning that period.

Informational updates:

On Sunday, April 12 CT DEEP and AAfCW will hold a beach/field training session geared for new volunteers on how to monitor and collect data for Piping Plovers and Least Terns from 10AM until 12PM at Sandy/Morse Points in West Haven. The group will meet at the parking lot before venturing out to the beach. Follow this link for driving directions and additional information on the site: http://www.lisrc.uconn.edu/coastalaccess/site.asp?siteid=383

Everyone should dress for walking the beach and remember appropriate footwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, hats, a jacket and whatever else you may need avoid too much sun and stay warm on what can be a windy and chilly beach in April. You should also bring a snack, water, binoculars and a spotting scope if you have one.

Please volunteer to help us at the following string fencing and signage dates!

April 8th, 11:00 Long Beach, Stratford
Meet at the far west parking area.

April 10th, 11:00 Sandy Point, West Haven
Meet in the parking lot.

April 13th, 9:30 Griswold Point, Old Lyme
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.

April 16th, 11:00 Bluff Point, Groton
Meet in the parking area and CT DEEP will shuttle people out to the beach.

April 20th, Cockenoe Island, Westport. Only a few volunteers can be taken. Please email USFWS Wildlife Biologist Kristina Vagos at kristina_vagos@fws.gov for more details and to sign up.

Remember that any and all volunteers are welcome including those who are not monitors. These dates are rain or shine, but snow or thunderstorms will postpone them. 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 can make it to any of those first four dates.

Lastly, please schedule your monitoring now if you have not already. Thank you, and good luck on the beaches!

Survey and monitoring updates:

Piping Plover
1 adult at Milford Point on 3/17
4 adults at Milford Point on 3/19
9 adults at Milford Point on 3/22
2 adults at Griswold Point on 3/22
2 pairs, 9 adults at Milford Point on 3/27
2 adults at Bluff Point on 3/27
4 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 3/28
2 adults at Bluff Point on 3/29
1 pair, 10 adults at Milford Point on 3/29
12 adults at Griswold Point on 3/29
1 adult at Bluff Point on 3/29
3 pairs at Milford Point on 3/31
3 pairs at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/2
6 pairs, 1 adult at Milford Point on 4/2
1 pair, 4 adults at Bluff Point on 4/2
2 pairs at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/4
4 adults at Long Beach on 4/4
2 adults at Long Beach on 4/4
1 pair at Milford Point on 4/4
1 pair at Long Beach on 4/5
2 pairs, 5 adults at Milford Point on 4/5

American Oystercatcher
1 pair at Milford Point on 3/22
1 pair at Milford Point on 3/27
2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 3/28
1 adult at Bluff Point on 3/29
1 pair at Bluff Point on 3/29
2 adults at Silver Sands State Park on 3/30
4 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 3/30
2 pairs at Milford Point on 3/31
1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/2
2 pairs at Milford Point on 4/2
1 pair at Trumbull Avenue Beach on 4/2
2 adults at Bluff Point on 4/2
1 pair, 1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/4
2 pairs at Long Beach on 4/4
2 pairs at Milford Point on 4/4
2 pairs at Milford Point on 4/5

This concludes update #1 through 4/6/15 as of 5:00 p.m.

Fencing Dates & Monitoring Begins!

String fencing and signage erection dates for Connecticut beaches in spring 2015 are as follows and we need all the volunteers we can get!

April 8th, 11:00 Long Beach, Stratford

Meet at the far west parking area.

April 10th, 11:00 Sandy Point, West Haven

Meet in the parking lot.

April 13th, 9:30 Griswold Point, Old Lyme

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.

April 16th, 11:00 Bluff Point, Groton

Meet in the parking area and CT DEEP will shuttle people out to the beach.

April 20th, Cockenoe Island. Only a few volunteers can be taken. Please email USFWS Wildlife Biologist Kristina Vagos at kristina_vagos@fws.gov for more details and to sign up.

Remember that any and all volunteers are welcome including those who are not monitors. These dates are rain or shine, but snow or thunderstorms will postpone them.

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 can make it to any of those first four dates.

Thank you all very much and enjoy the beginning of field season which kicks off today. Thanks again to those of you who have submitted your schedule for this spring and summer, and if you have not already please send it to ctwaterbirds@gmail.com as soon as you can. We plan to hold a field training session that will be especially helpful for new monitors, and it will likely be on April 11 or 12 at Sandy/Morse Points in West Haven. Final details will follow in the next few days. A few monitors have been hitting the beaches already, reporting occasional pairs of American Oystercatchers and a slowing growing population of Piping Plovers. The cold weather and snow is delaying them so far this year, but territories are being created at locations like Milford Point with pairs being seen. We will send out the first report of data and observations next Monday.