PIPL

PIPL

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Fireworks Assistance & Fourth of July Weekend

This Friday, July 1, will be the fireworks night for several municipalities. CT DEEP and AAfCW staff will be covering various sites but we are asking for volunteer assistance at Sandy/Morse Points in West Haven where the event is scheduled to begin at 9:00 Friday night. CT DEEP's Rebecca Foster will be on hand to coordinate monitoring coverage. We would like several volunteers to join us and help. Please arrive by 6:30 to serve as educators and as an extra set of eyes and ears for the police officer who should be enforcing the closure of Sandy Point to protect the birds. The area should be cordoned off as it usually is and once the event starts these volunteers can probably go home since spectators focus on the fireworks and then depart. Please email ctwaterbirds@gmail.com and rsuzf@hotmail.com if you can assist this Friday night in West Haven, and thank you!

Any extra monitoring that you can do at Bluff Point, Milford beaches, Long Beach, and Sandy/Morse Points on the Fourth of July holiday weekend would be a tremendous help. You do not need to schedule this monitoring and can go when available. CT DEEP is particularly interested in receiving chick counts of the number of young birds you see when monitoring. Chick survival during the holiday weekend is problematic given all the beach parties and crowds. An additional presence on the beach educating people about the birds and getting us information on chick survival would be wonderful.

If the worst case happens and you find a dead chick that did not die from apparent natural causes...

Step 1. DON'T DISTURB THE SITE - only if the person who stepped on the chick is present and belligerent so that you feel unsafe - CALL 911 - otherwise

Step 2. Call Law Enforcement - DEEP 24hr Emergency Dispatcher 860-424-3333, USFWS Agent Tom Ricardi cell 860-280-4894 or USFWS Officer Doug Beaudreau cell 401-354-9329 (or all three if you get no response).

Step 3. Take a breath and fill out the Incident Observation Report. There are a lot of things to look around at to report on for this form, so take your time as it may be needed for the future. Try to keep other beachgoers away from the area if law enforcement is coming so that the scene remains as you found it. If you have a camera take photos. If law enforcement is NOT coming ask them how you should proceed, especially if there is a dead chick, otherwise DON'T TOUCH or PICK UP the chick - and don't let others touch it.

Please let Laura, Rebecca and us know about such incidents only after all of the above steps have been taken. We are the last people to contact because we do not have law enforcement powers.
Thank you again for all your help!

Monday, June 27, 2016

AAfCW 2016 Volunteer Update #14

This is the fourteenth weekly update by the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds (AAfCW) for the 2016 season. Today's update includes reports of Piping Plover, American Oystercatcher, Least Tern and Common Tern from June 20 through 12:00 p.m. on June 27 with sightings of birds by volunteers and staff.

Informational updates:

Apart from a chance of thunderstorms on a couple of days we should once again have average temperatures and frequent sunshine making for great monitoring conditions. We continue to face a number of challenges with disturbances this year. Please keep reporting any that you observe to CT DEEP immediately, or CT DEEP EnCon Police if the threat or the observation is of a "take" level.

Please also remember that DEEP Wildlife Division is requesting that volunteer Piping Plover monitors assigned to Milford Point NOT monitor the extreme tip of the sand bar as of June 24th. Please see the attached image. Rebecca Foster (DEEP Shorebird Technician) reported that walking out to the extreme end of the sandbar had to be done very careful to avoid stepping on newly hatched Least Tern chicks. There were a minimum of 7 newly hatched Least Tern chicks and 2 broods of Piping Plovers with hatchlings outside of the string fence on the narrow tip. This area is unfortunately not feasible to fence given the tides.

Because we are limited as to what we can do to protect vulnerable chicks out at the end of the sandbar, we will minimize some of the traffic by limiting our presence even though it means we get less data. At this crucial time in development, minimizing disturbance will benefit the birds more than our monitoring/education efforts. This is a temporary measure that we will lift after the chicks get a bit older. We will keep you posted and let you know when conditions there change. Thank you for your cooperation!

Survey and monitoring updates:

Piping Plover
4 pairs, 2 adults, 3 fledglings, 2 nests at Long Beach on 6/20
1 pair, 1 nest at Short Beach on 6/20
7 pairs, 6 fledglings, 5 nests at Bluff Point on 6/21
3 pairs, 5 adults, 3 hatchlings, 9 fledglings, 2 nests at Long Beach on 6/21
5 pairs, 1 adult, 4 hatchlings, 4 nests at Griswold Point on 6/21
2 pairs, 6 adults, 3 hatchlings, 4 fledglings, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/21
6 adults, 2 fledglings, 1 nest at Long Beach on 6/22
1 adult, 1 nest at Silver Sands State Park on 6/22
9 pairs, 11 hatchlings, 6 nests at Milford Point on 6/22
18 adults, 5 hatchlings, 9 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/22
15 adults, 4 hatchlings at Griswold Point on 6/22
4 pairs, 6 adults, 4 hatchlings, 4 fledglings at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/22
3 pairs, 2 adults, 7 hatchlings at Hammonasset on 6/23
13 adults, 3 hatchlings, 3 nests at Milford Point on 6/23
12 adults, 6 hatchlings, 2 fledglings at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/23
6 pairs, 4 adults, 11 hatchlings, 3 nests at Milford Point on 6/24
5 pairs, 8 adults, 2 nests at Long Beach on 6/24
5 pairs, 6 adults, 3 hatchlings, 9 fledglings at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/25
1 pair, 3 hatchlings at Silver Sands State Park on 6/26
1 pair, 15 adults, 4 hatchlings, 7 fledglings at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/26
5 pairs, 3 adults, 10 hatchlings, 2 nests at Long Beach on 6/26
1 pair, 1 hatchling at Pleasure Beach on 6/27

American Oystercatcher

3 adults at Long Beach on 6/20
1 pair at Long Beach on 6/20
3 pairs, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/21
1 adult, 1 hatchling at Bluff Point on 6/21   
1 pair, 2 adults, 1 nest at Griswold Point on 6/21
3 adults at Long Beach on 6/21
1 adult, 1 nest at Compo Beach on 6/22
4 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/22
2 adults at Griswold Point on 6/22
4 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/22
4 adults at Hammonasset on 6/23
1 pair, 5 adults, 1 fledgling at Milford Point on 6/23
1 pair at Pleasure Beach on 6/23
9 adults at Long Beach on 6/23
6 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/23
2 pairs, 1 nest at Hammonasset on 6/24
5 adults at Milford Point on 6/24
3 pairs, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/24
1 pair, 1 adult, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/25
3 pairs, 1 adult, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/26

Least Tern
6 pairs, 3 adults, 7 nests at Long Beach on 6/20
11 pairs, 8 nests at Long Beach on 6/20
3 pairs, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/21
28 pairs, 9 hatchlings, 23 nests at Bluff Point on 6/21
30 pairs, 16 adults at Griswold Point on 6/21
15 pairs at Long Beach on 6/21
1 adult at Compo Beach on 6/22
12 pairs, 11 adults, 6 hatchlings, 5 nests at Milford Point on 6/22
2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/22
48 adults at Griswold Point on 6/22
50 adults, 2 hatchlings, 6 nests at Milford Point on 6/23
1 pair at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/23
70 adults at Milford Point on 6/24
9 pairs, 8 adults, 6 nests at Hammonasset on 6/24
3 pairs, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/24
11 adults at Long Beach on 6/24
2 pairs, 2 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/25
1 pair, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/26
16 pairs, 1 fledgling, 2 nests at Long Beach on 6/26

Common Tern
2 adults at Bluff Point on 6/21
24 adults at Compo Beach on 6/22
4 adults at Griswold Point on 6/22
7 adults at Hammonasset on 6/23
3 adults at Milford Point on 6/23
3 adults at Hammonasset on 6/24
1 pair at Milford Point on 6/24

This concludes update #14 through 06/27/16 as of 4:00 p.m.

Saturday, June 25, 2016

Piping Plover Help

Our work to protect Piping Plovers like this one and other endangered coastal waterbirds like the American Oystercatcher, Least Tern, and Common Tern continues through the end of the summer with the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds. This has been a very challenging year with some unfortunate incidents which underlines the need for your help more than ever. If you would like to join us on the beach in Connecticut this summer and for years to come please email us at ctwaterbirds@gmail.com to sign up.



Even if you cannot regularly monitor a beach you may be able to assist in outreach or education, lend a hand at string fencing and signage parties, or survey for other waterbird species. We usually have at least 200, and sometimes 300 or 400, dedicated, caring volunteers each year, and we would love to have you become one of them. Thank you!

Friday, June 24, 2016

Milford Point CT DEEP Request

DEEP Wildlife Division is requesting that volunteer Piping Plover monitors assigned to Milford Point NOT monitor the extreme tip of the sand bar as of June 24th. Please see the below image. Rebecca Foster (DEEP Shorebird Technician) reported that walking out to the extreme end of the sandbar had to be done very careful to avoid stepping on newly hatched Least Tern chicks. There were a minimum of 7 newly hatched Least Tern chicks and 2 broods of Piping Plovers with hatchlings outside of the string fence on the narrow tip. This area is unfortunately not feasible to fence given the tides.


Because we are limited as to what we can do to protect vulnerable chicks out at the end of the sandbar, we will minimize some of the traffic by limiting our presence even though it means we get less data. At this crucial time in development, minimizing disturbance will benefit the birds more than our monitoring/education efforts. This is a temporary measure that we will lift after the chicks get a bit older. We will keep you posted and let you know when conditions there change. Thank you for your cooperation!

Monday, June 20, 2016

AAfCW 2016 Volunteer Update #13

This is the thirteenth weekly update by the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds (AAfCW) for the 2016 season. Today's update includes reports of Piping Plover, American Oystercatcher, Least Tern and Common Tern from June 13 through 12:00 p.m. on June 20 with sightings of birds by volunteers and staff.

Informational updates:

Yet again this upcoming week should feature average temperatures and frequent sunshine making for great monitoring conditions. Please be mindful of possible thunderstorms Tuesday and Thursday. Another recurring theme is that we still have a multitude of birds of all four of our focal species across our beaches and islands at various stages of life - some about to fledge, many hatchlings, nests about to hatch, and more nests being found. High tidal departures this week may impact more nests. Please keep educating all the beachgoers you can during this very busy coastal season as we enter summer and see more people, students to tourists, visiting our shore.

Survey and monitoring updates:

Piping Plover
1 pair, 1 nest at Short Beach on 6/13
7 pairs, 9 hatchlings, 3 nests at Long Beach on 6/13
21 adults, 9 hatchlings, 2 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/14
4 pairs, 2 adults, 9 hatchlings, 2 nests at Long Beach on 6/14
24 adults, 8 hatchlings, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/14
20 adults, 2 hatchlings, 2 nests at Long Beach on 6/14
4 pairs, 2 adults, 7 hatchlings, 1 fledgling at Hammonasset on 6/15
2 pairs, 5 adults, 8 hatchlings, 3 nests at Long Beach on 6/15
5 pairs, 2 adults, 4 hatchlings, 4 nests at Griswold Point on 6/15
7 pairs, 2 adults, 6 hatchlings, 6 nests at Bluff Point on 6/15
16 adults, 14 hatchlings, 2 nests at Long Beach on 6/15
6 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/15
19 adults, 4 hatchlings at Long Beach on 6/15
5 pairs, 4 nests at Milford Point on 6/16
1 pair, 1 nest at Silver Sands State Park on 6/16
10 adults, 3 hatchlings, 5 fledglings at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/16
6 pairs, 2 adults, 3 hatchlings, 7 fledglings, 3 nests at Long Beach on 6/16
12 pairs, 7 hatchlings, 8 nests at Milford Point on 6/17
4 pairs, 2 adults, 8 hatchlings at Hammonasset on 6/17
4 pairs, 7 adults, 8 hatchlings, 10 fledglings at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/17
5 pairs, 4 nests at Milford Point on 6/17
1 pair, 11 adults, 3 fledglings, 2 nests at Long Beach on 6/17
10 adults, 2 hatchlings at Griswold Point on 6/18
4 pairs, 1 adult, 8 hatchlings, 1 nest at Hammonasset on 6/18
1 pair, 1 nest at Silver Sands State Park on 6/19
7 pairs, 10 hatchlings, 4 nests at Milford Point on 6/19
1 pair, 1 nest at Silver Sands State Park on 6/19
3 pairs, 2 adults, 1 hatchling, 2 nests at Long Beach on 6/19
2 pairs, 10 adults, 13 hatchlings, 2 fledglings, 2 nests at Long Beach on 6/19
6 pairs, 12 adults, 13 hatchlings, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/19
11 adults, 10 hatchlings at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/20

American Oystercatcher
 1 pair, 1 nest at Long Beach on 6/13
1 pair at Pleasure Beach on 6/13
1 pair at Great Captain's Island on 6/13
1 pair at Charles Island on 6/14
3 pairs at Milford Point on 6/14
3 pairs at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/14
1 pair at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/14
2 pairs at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/14
1 adult at Long Beach on 6/14
2 pairs, 1 nest at Hammonasset on 6/15
1 adult, 1 nest at Griswold Point on 6/15
1 pair, 1 hatchling at Bluff Point on 6/15
3 pairs at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/15
1 adult at Long Beach on 6/15
1 adult at Long Beach on 6/15
3 pairs, 1 hatchling at Milford Point on 6/16
1 pair, 1 nest at Compo Beach on 6/16
12 pairs, 3 adults, 4 hatchlings, 3 fledglings, 6 nests at Cockenoe Island on 6/16
2 pairs at Salt Island on 6/17
5 pairs, 2 fledglings, 3 nests at Menunketsuck on 6/17
1 pair at Duck Island on 6/17
2 pairs at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/17
1 pair at Great Captain's Island on 6/18
1 pair at Griswold Point on 6/18
3 pairs, 1 hatchling at Milford Point on 6/19
2 adults at Long Beach on 6/19
1 pair at Long Beach on 6/19
2 pairs, 1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/19
4 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/20

Least Tern
12 pairs, 10 adults, 6 nests at Milford Point on 6/14
4 pairs, 2 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/14
4 adults, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/14
30 adults at Long Beach on 6/14
17 adults at Long Beach on 6/14
75 adults at Griswold Point on 6/15
18 pairs, 8 adults, 18 nests at Bluff Point on 6/15
3 pairs, 2 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/15
1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/15
13 adults at Long Beach on 6/15
16 adults, 1 nest at Long Beach on 6/15
4 pairs, 2 nests at Long Beach on 6/15
45 adults, 5 nests at Milford Point on 6/16
6 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/16
14 pairs, 14 nests at Menunketsuck on 6/17
6 adults, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/17
1 pair, 10 adults at Long Beach on 6/17
60 pairs, 10 nests at Milford Point on 6/19
4 pairs, 4 nests at Long Beach on 6/19
22 adults, 2 hatchlings, 6 nests at Long Beach on 6/19
1 pair, 6 adults, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/19
5 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/20

Common Tern
5 adults at Long Beach on 6/14
2 pairs at Hammonasset on 6/15
4 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/16
300 adults, 150 nests at Cockenoe Island on 6/16
1 pair, 1 nest at Hammonasset on 6/17
6 pairs, 6 nests at Menunketsuck on 6/17
1 pair, 1 nest at Hammonasset on 6/18

This concludes update #13 through 06/20/16 as of 2:00 p.m.

Monday, June 13, 2016

AAfCW 2016 Volunteer Update #12

This is the twelfth weekly update by the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds (AAfCW) for the 2016 season. Today's update includes reports of Piping Plover, American Oystercatcher, Least Tern and Common Tern from June 6 through 12:00 p.m. on June 13 with sightings of birds by volunteers and staff.

Informational updates:

The upcoming week should feature average temperatures and frequent sunshine making for great monitoring conditions. Given that this has been a difficult year for Piping Plover and sometimes American Oystercatcher nests, often due to tides, we still have re-nesting birds of both species plus all of the hatchlings and other birds nearing their fledge dates. Please keep reporting any signs of predators that you observe along with other beach observations such as human activities or potential disturbances.

Survey and monitoring updates:

Piping Plover
5 pairs, 3 adults, 7 hatchlings at Long Beach on 6/6
7 pairs, 2 adults, 14 hatchlings at Long Beach on 6/6
1 pair, 2 hatchlings at Pleasure Beach on 6/6
1 pair, 1 nest at Short Beach on 6/6
1 adult, 1 nest at Silver Sands State Park on 6/6
3 pairs, 5 adults, 7 hatchlings, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/6
6 pairs, 3 adults, 11 hatchlings, 1 nest at Long Beach on 6/7
6 pairs, 2 adults, 13 hatchlings, 3 nests at Long Beach on 6/7
5 pairs, 3 adults, 11 hatchlings, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/7
7 adults, 7 hatchlings at Long Beach on 6/7
21 adults, 5 hatchlings at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/8
3 pairs, 4 adults, 1 nest at Hammonasset on 6/8
1 adult, 1 nest at Silver Sands State Park on 6/8
2 pairs, 2 adults, 2 nests at Milford Point on 6/8
4 pairs, 6 adults, 12 hatchlings, 2 nests at Long Beach on 6/8
1 adult, 1 nest at Silver Sands State Park on 6/9
4 pairs, 3 nests at Milford Point on 6/9
3 pairs, 1 adult, 3 nests at Sandy Point Island on 6/9
1 pair, 10 adults, 3 hatchlings at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/9
5 adults, 3 nests at Long Beach on 6/9
2 pairs, 5 adults, 3 fledglings, 4 nests at Long Beach on 6/10
7 adults, 11 hatchlings at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/10
5 adults, 10 hatchlings at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/10
3 pairs, 1 adult, 5 hatchlings, 1 nest at Hammonasset on 6/11
6 pairs, 5 adults, 4 hatchlings, 2 nests at Long Beach on 6/12
3 pairs, 5 hatchlings, 1 nest at Hammonasset on 6/12
1 pair, 1 nest at Silver Sands State Park on 6/12
5 pairs, 3 adults, 9 hatchlings, 2 nests at Long Beach on 6/12
5 pairs, 7 adults, 15 hatchlings, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/12
8 adults, 8 hatchlings, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/12
3 adults, 6 hatchlings at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/13

American Oystercatcher
1 pair at Long Beach on 6/6
1 pair at Long Beach on 6/6
1 pair, 1 nest at Pleasure Beach on 6/6
2 pairs, 1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/6
1 pair at Long Beach on 6/7
1 pair, 2 hatchlings at Fish Islands on 6/7
1 pair, 2 hatchlings at Crab Island on 6/7
3 pairs, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/7
1 adult at Long Beach on 6/7
1 pair at Long Beach on 6/7
2 pairs at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/8
2 pairs, 1 nest at Hammonasset on 6/8
3 pairs at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/8
1 pair, 1 hatchling at Tuxis Island on 6/8
2 pairs, 2 nests at Shore Rocks on 6/8
7 adults at Milford Point on 6/8
1 pair at Long Beach on 6/8
1 pair at Long Beach on 6/9
1 pair at Pleasure Beach on 6/9
3 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/9
7 pairs, 11 adults, 11 hatchlings, 1 nest at Sandy Point Island on 6/9
1 pair, 2 hatchlings at Fish Islands on 6/10
1 pair, 2 hatchlings at Crab Island on 6/10
2 pairs at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/10
1 pair, 2 hatchlings, 1 nest at Bluff Point on 6/10
3 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/10
2 pairs, 1 nest at Hammonasset on 6/11
3 adults at Long Beach on 6/11
2 pairs, 1 nest at Hammonasset on 6/12
1 pair, 1 nest at Compo Beach on 6/12
1 pair at Long Beach on 6/12
2 pairs, 1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/12
2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/12

Least Tern
20 pairs, 3 adults, 12 nests at Long Beach on 6/7
28 adults at Long Beach on 6/7
15 adults at Long Beach on 6/7
10 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/8
1 pair, 29 adults, 2 nests at Milford Point on 6/8
12 pairs, 6 adults, 8 nests at Long Beach on 6/8
8 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/9
25 adults, 3 nests at Long Beach on 6/9
20 adults, 2 nests at Long Beach on 6/10
6 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/10
1 pair, 4 adults, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/10
23 adults at Hammonasset on 6/11
8 pairs, 12 adults, 3 nests at Long Beach on 6/11
8 pairs, 5 adults at Hammonasset on 6/12
13 pairs, 3 adults at Long Beach on 6/12
3 pairs, 6 adults, 3 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/12
2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/12
3 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/13

Common Tern
3 pairs at Crab Island on 6/7
1 adult at Long Beach on 6/7
6 pairs at Shore Rocks on 6/8
1 adult at Long Beach on 6/9
3 pairs at Crab Island on 6/10
9 adults at Hammonasset on 6/11
8 pairs at Hammonasset on 6/12

This concludes update #12 through 06/13/16 as of 1:30 p.m.

Friday, June 10, 2016

Fish Crows

Every year in the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds brings new challenges, but the Fish Crow (Corvus ossifragus) is a persistent problem across Connecticut. These clever birds know how to find Piping Plover nests when they are exclosed or not, sometimes devouring eggs or causing it to be abandoned regardless. They patrol the coast for all sorts of young birds and eggs to eat, and while I would much prefer them to stick to European Starlings and House Sparrows, they have a taste for the susceptible endangered beach birds.


They are sometimes so aware that the chicks have hatched they will often predate the tiny birds in only a day or two. People exacerbate the problem and increase Fish Crow populations and presence by leaving tasty trash strewn about beaches, islands and marshes. Even at home our poor waste practices can have a negative impact in this way. If you go to the shore this summer please be sure you and everyone else cleans up the beach, wherever you are.

Monday, June 6, 2016

AAfCW 2016 Volunteer Update #11

This is the eleventh weekly update by the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds (AAfCW) for the 2016 season. Today's update includes reports of Piping Plover, American Oystercatcher, Least Tern and Common Tern from May 31 through 11:00 a.m. on June 6 with sightings of birds by volunteers and staff.

Informational updates:

Beaches continue to see a high amount of human traffic, though that may change soon as the June pattern should trend to cooler and wetter conditions in the next week or two. This should be the warmest day of the week. We have a good chance to have a very strong year of fledged Piping Plovers if we can all continue to monitor as much as possible while they are at this vulnerable stage of life. Thank you for all making a real difference on our beaches in picking up trash, talking to beachgoers, maintaining fencing and signage, reporting loose dogs, educating boaters, and everything all of you do every day to facilitate a successful season.

Survey and monitoring updates:

Piping Plover
1 pair, 1 nest at Silver Sands State Park on 5/31
5 pairs, 2 adults, 10 hatchlings at Long Beach on 5/31
1 pair, 8 adults, 10 hatchlings, 2 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/31
1 pair, 8 adults, 7 hatchlings, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/1
14 adults, 12 hatchlings at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/1
1 adult at Short Beach on 6/1
6 pairs, 1 adult, 10 hatchlings, 3 nests at Long Beach on 6/1
5 pairs, 2 adults, 10 hatchlings, 3 nests at Griswold Point on 6/1
3 pairs, 10 hatchlings at Long Beach on 6/1
8 adults, 2 hatchlings at Long Beach on 6/1
6 pairs, 4 nests at Milford Point on 6/2
3 pairs, 7 adults, 5 hatchlings at Long Beach on 6/2
1 pair, 1 nest at Silver Sands State Park on 6/2
3 pairs, 2 adults, 6 hatchlings, 1 nest at Hammonasset on 6/2
5 pairs, 6 adults, 7 hatchlings, 5 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/3
18 adults, 9 hatchlings at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/4
1 pair, 1 nest at Short Beach on 6/4
1 adult, 1 nest at Silver Sands State Park on 6/5
4 pairs, 9 adults, 7 hatchlings, 2 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/5

American Oystercatcher
1 pair, 1 nest at Long Beach on 5/31
1 pair, 4 adults, 2 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/31
2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/1
2 pairs, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/1
1 pair, 1 nest at Long Beach on 6/1
3 pairs, 1 adult at Milford Point on 6/2
4 adults at Sasco Hill Beach on 6/2
1 pair, 1 nest at Long Beach on 6/2
2 pairs, 1 adult, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/3
8 adults, 2 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/4
1 pair, 9 adults, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/5

Least Tern

8 pairs at Long Beach on 5/31
2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/31
2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/1
10 adults at Long Beach on 6/1
4 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/1
3 pairs at Long Beach on 6/1
75 adults at Milford Point on 6/2
16 pairs, 20 adults, 13 nests at Hammonasset on 6/2
1 adult at Silver Sands State Park on 6/2
2 adults at Sasco Hill Beach on 6/2
10 adults at Long Beach on 6/2
4 pairs at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/3
50 adults, 6 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/4
1 pair, 38 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/5

Common Tern
3 adults, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/4
5 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/5

This concludes update #11 through 06/06/16 as of 1:00 p.m.