AAfCW 2016 Volunteer Update #21

This is the twenty-first 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 August 8 through 4:00 p.m. on August 15 with sightings of birds by volunteers and staff.

Informational updates:

Next week is our final string fencing removal date with CT DEEP. The Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds would appreciate any volunteers who could help us out at:

Long Beach in Stratford - Tuesday, August 23rd at 10:30 a.m. We will meet at the west end of the parking area, and the lot attendant will be notified that volunteers will be coming through to assist with plover work. The rain date is Thursday, August 25th at 10:30 a.m.

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 and a hat
-drink plenty of water or sports drink and bring a snack
-do not attempt to carry too many stakes as there will be 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

In general we look for everyone we can to help out even if you are not a past monitor or volunteer - the more the merrier. It also makes for a more pleasant morning of bird watching and discussions on the beach. Please email us at ctwaterbirds@gmail.com if you can join us at Long Beach, and thank you! 

Please continue to cancel visits to your beach if the temperature is in the 90s or the heat index is dangerously high. One of the good parts about monitoring through the end of August is that you have the opportunity to see some tremendous birds. These include uncommon sights like the Red Knot or Black Tern to perhaps the nearly unbelievable as an extremely rare Bridled Tern was seen this past weekend on nearby Great Gull Island. Keep your eyes open for anything and everything in this busy migratory season!

Survey and monitoring updates:

Piping Plover

3 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/8
1 adult, 1 hatchling at Long Beach on 8/8
1 adult, 1 hatchling, 1 fledgling at Long Beach on 8/8
1 fledgling at Silver Sands State Park on 8/8
3 juveniles at Milford Point on 8/10

1 adult at Milford Point on 8/10

1 adult, 1 fledgling, 2 juveniles at Griswold Point on 8/11
3 fledglings at Bluff Point on 8/11
2 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/11
1 adult, 5 fledglings at Milford Point on 8/11

2 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/15

American Oystercatcher

1 pair at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/8
2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/9
3 pairs, 30 adults, 1 juvenile at Milford Point on 8/10
2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/10
20 adults at Milford Point on 8/10
2 adults at Griswold Point on 8/11
2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/11
1 pair, 13 adults, 1 juvenile at Milford Point on 8/11

2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/15

Least Tern

2 adults at Milford Point on 8/10
6 pairs, 28 adults, 4 hatchlings, 1 fledgling, 5 juveniles at Griswold Point on 8/11
1 adult at Bluff Point on 8/11
10 adults/juveniles at Milford Point on 8/11

10 adults/juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/12

Common Tern

35 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/8
9 adults at Silver Sands State Park on 8/8
250 adults, 68 juveniles at Milford Point on 8/10
6 adults/juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/10
600 adults/juveniles/fledglings at Milford Point on 8/10
300 adults/juveniles at Milford Point on 8/11
82 adults, 94 juveniles at Griswold Point on 8/11
10 adults at Bluff Point on 8/11
32 adults, 23 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/11
250 adults/juveniles/fledglings at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/15

This concludes update #21 through 08/15/16 as of 5:00 p.m.