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.