AAfCW 2016 Volunteer Update #3

This is the third weekly update by the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds (AAfCW) for the 2016 season. Today's update includes reports of Piping Plover and American Oystercatcher from April 4 through 1:00 p.m. on April 11 with sightings of birds by volunteers and staff.

Informational updates:

Inclement weather continues this week with a couple days of rain and then more below-average temperatures. Once again, early in the season the temperature may be just below 50 without birds on nests or hatched young yet, and some careful monitoring can be permissible. However, please do skip monitoring this week during frigid temperatures or on very windy days. Most of this week's data comes from our staff opportunistically surveying during conducive conditions, and do not worry if you have to skip an outing due to the weather.

Thanks to all who joined us for fencing operations today in West Haven. Stratford's Long Beach fencing has been rescheduled for Monday, April 18 at 10:30AM. Please join us if you can help and email ctwaterbirds@gmail.com, thank you!

We have two more fencing dates this week:

The Nature Conservancy will be conducting its spring set up at Griswold Point on Wednesday, April 13. Low tide is about 10:30, so pedestrian access should be fine throughout the morning. They'll have a few staff and some invited members joining the work party, but any extra hands are appreciated. They will have a 9:00 AM meeting at the I-95 exit 70 park and ride in Old Lyme, and a 9:15 meeting down at the Point itself.

Friday, April 15th, 10:00 - 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. 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 or all of these dates. Thank you!

Survey and monitoring updates:

Piping Plover
1 pair at Peck Ave, West Haven on 4/6
5 pairs, 4 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/6
4 pairs, 5 adults at Milford Point on 4/7
14 adults at Milford Point on 4/7
1 pair, 1 adult at Long Beach on 4/8
1 pair at Long Beach on 4/8
4 pairs at Hammonasset on 4/9
6 pairs, 3 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/9
2 pairs, 1 adult at Long Beach on 4/10
1 pair at Pleasure Beach on 4/10
1 adult at East Broadway Milford on 4/10

American Oystercatcher
 2 pairs at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/6
3 pairs, 3 adults at Milford Point on 4/7
1 pair at Silver Sands State Park on 4/7
3 pairs at Milford Point on 4/7
1 adult at Long Beach on 4/8
2 pairs at Hammonasset on 4/9
2 pairs, 1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/9
1 adult at Long Beach on 4/10

This concludes update #3 through 04/11/16 as of 2:30 p.m.