AAfCW 2015 Volunteer Update #21

This is the twenty-first 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 17 through 2:00 p.m. on August 24 with sightings of birds by volunteers and staff spanning that period.

Informational updates:

Thank you to all who joined us last week for fencing removal at Sandy/Morse Points. Bluff Point State Park's fencing removal will take place on Tuesday, September 1, at 10:00AM and will be the final date for the season. We need all the volunteers we can get!

Please remember that taking down fencing 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

Bluff Point is a tremendous fall migration area, and it should be a lot of fun birding with our crew. Please email us at ctwaterbirds@gmail.com if you can join us for it, and thank you!

We are now in the last week of monitoring for 2015. 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. Next week's update will come midweek instead of the usual Monday and will be the final regular data and informational update of the year.

Survey and monitoring updates:

Piping Plover
3 fledglings at Long Beach on 8/17
1 juvenile at Milford Point on 8/18
4 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/18
3 adults/juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/19
5 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/19
3 adults/juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/22

American Oystercatcher
28 adults/juveniles at Short Beach on 8/17
1 pair, 3 adults, 3 fledglings at Hammonasset on 8/17
4 adults, 1 juvenile at Milford Point on 8/18
1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/18
1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/19
6 adults, 3 juveniles at Mouth of Oyster River on 8/19
3 adults at Branford Harbor on 8/19
1 pair, 1 fledgling at Darrow Rocks on 8/19

Least Tern
7 pairs at Milford Point on 8/18
30 adults/juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/19
1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/20

Common Tern
600 adults/juveniles at Short Beach on 8/17
60 adults/juveniles at Hammonasset on 8/17
30 adults at Milford Point on 8/18
280 adults, 150 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/18
300 adults/juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/18
150 adults/juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/19
35 adults, 19 juveniles at Umbrella Island on 8/19
217 adults at Darrow Rocks on 8/19

300 Least/Common Terns at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/22

This concludes update #21 through 8/24/15 as of 5:00 p.m.