AAfCW 2015 Volunteer Update #20

This is the twentieth weekly update by the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds (AAfCW) for the 2015 season. Today's update includes reports of Piping Plover, American Oystercatcher, Least Tern and Common Tern from August 10 through 2:00 p.m. on August 17 with sightings of birds by volunteers and staff spanning that period.

Informational updates:

Thank you to those of you who joined us for fencing removal help at Long Beach in Stratford last week! We really need more assistance this Thursday, August 20th at 10:00AM at Sandy/Morse Points in West Haven. Any and all volunteers are greatly appreciated! It is one of the best sites in the entire state for birds in August, and you can expect to see a lot of wonderful shorebirds, terns and other migrants while we are there.

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

Attending a string fencing party is a great excuse to get out and do some birding! You can also talk to AAfCW and CT DEEP experts about our birds, insects, habitats and other beach topics. Please email us at ctwaterbirds@gmail.com if you can join us this Thursday - thank you!

Survey and monitoring updates:

Piping Plover
2 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/10
1 adult, 1 hatchling, 3 fledglings at Griswold Point on 8/10
2 juveniles at Milford Point on 8/12
3 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/12
4 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/12
1 pair, 2 adults, 6 fledglings/juveniles at Long Beach on 8/12
5 adults/juveniles, 2 fledglings at Long Beach on 8/13
5 adults/juveniles, 2 fledglings at Long Beach on 8/13
3 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/13
6 adults/juveniles, 3 fledglings at Long Beach on 8/13
1 adult at Long Beach on 8/13
1 adult, 3 fledglings, 2 juveniles at Long Beach on 8/14
1 juvenile at Milford Point on 8/14
1 juvenile at Milford Point on 8/14
6 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/16
1 juvenile at Milford Point on 8/16

American Oystercatcher
1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/10
2 adults at Griswold Point on 8/10
1 pair, 3 hatchlings at Bluff Point on 8/10
1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/12
2 pairs, 2 adults at Milford Point on 8/12
9 adults at Griswold Point on 8/13
15 adults, 5 juveniles at Mouth of Oyster River West Haven/Milford on 8/13
1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/13
2 pairs at Milford Point on 8/13
15 adults at Short Beach on 8/13
2 pairs, 9 adults at Milford Point on 8/14
1 pair, 10 adults at Milford Point on 8/14
1 pair, 2 adults, 1 fledgling at Bluff Point on 8/16
2 adults, 4 juveniles at Mouth of Oyster River West Haven/Milford on 8/16
6 adults at Milford Point on 8/16

Least Tern
1 adult, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/10
5 pairs, 30 adults, 3 hatchlings, 2 fledglings, 5 juveniles at Bluff Point on 8/10
6 pairs, 18 adults, 5 hatchlings, 1 fledgling, 8 juveniles, 1 nest at Milford Point on 8/12
6 pairs, 5 hatchlings, 3 juveniles, 1 nest at Milford Point on 8/13
6 pairs, 10 adults, 5 hatchlings, 1 fledgling, 6 juveniles, 1 nest at Milford Point on 8/14
33 adults, 17 juveniles at Milford Point on 8/14
2 pairs, 17 adults, 3 fledglings at Bluff Point on 8/16
6 pairs, 8 hatchlings, 2 juveniles at Milford Point on 8/16

Common Tern
120 adults, 50 juveniles at Griswold Point on 8/10
6 adults at Bluff Point on 8/10
100 adults at Short Beach on 8/12
60 adults at Milford Point on 8/14
1,050 adults/juveniles at Milford Point on 8/14
300 adults, 150 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/16

This concludes update #20 through 8/17/15 as of 3:30 p.m.