AAfCW 2017 Volunteer Update #19

This is the nineteenth weekly update by the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds (AAfCW) for the 2017 season. Today's update includes reports of Piping Plover, American Oystercatcher, Least Tern, and Common Tern through 12:00 p.m. on August 15 with sightings of birds by volunteers and staff since the previous update on August 9.

Informational updates:

We now have our first string fencing removal date set by CT DEEP. The Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds would appreciate any volunteers who could help us out on:

Thursday, August 24th at 10 a.m. at Bluff Point. Rain date, Monday August 28th at 10 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, and thank you!

Survey and monitoring updates:

Piping Plover

1 adult, 2 fledglings at Silver Sands State Park on 8/9

1 adult, 1 fledgling at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/9
1 adult, 1 hatchling, 3 fledglings at Milford Point on 8/9
1 adult, 1 hatchling, 3 fledglings at Milford Point on 8/10
1 adult, 1 fledgling at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/10
1 adult, 2 hatchlings at Mumford Cove on 8/10
1 adult, 1 hatchling, 2 fledglings at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/10
1 adult, 1 fledgling, 8 juveniles at Hammonasset on 8/10
1 adult, 1 hatchling, 2 fledglings, 1 juvenile at Milford Point on 8/11
1 adult, 1 hatchling at Long Beach/Pleasure Beach on 8/11

3 adults, 2 juveniles at Long Beach on 8/11
2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/12
1 adult, 1 hatchling, 2 fledglings, 1 juvenile at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/12
7 fledglings at Hammonasset on 8/12

1 adult, 2 fledglings at Silver Sands State Park on 8/13

1 adult, 1 hatchling at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/13

7 fledglings at Hammonasset on 8/13
3 juveniles at Milford Point on 8/13
2 juveniles at Milford Point on 8/13

American Oystercatcher

1 pair at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/9

1 pair at Branford Harbor Channel Marker on 8/9

1 pair, 3 juveniles at Umbrella Island on 8/9
1 pair, 3 juveniles at Green Island on 8/9
2 pairs at Kelsey Island on 8/9
49 adults at Milford Point on 8/9
1 pair, 1 juvenile at Bluff Point on 8/10
1 adult at Griswold Point on 8/10
1 pair at Hammonasset on 8/10
1 pair, 1 fledgling at Salt Island on 8/10
2 pairs, 8 adults, 2 fledglings, 2 juveniles at Menunketesuck Island on 8/10
58 adults at Milford Point on 8/10
7 adults, 5 juveniles at Sandy Point Island on 8/11
3 adults at Bluff Point on 8/11
1 pair at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/12
1 pair at Hammonasset on 8/12
1 pair at Hammonasset on 8/13
2 adults at Silver Sands State Park on 8/13
55 adults at Milford Point on 8/13

Least Tern

12 adults at Harkness Memorial State Park on 8/10
30 adults, 5 hatchlings, 8 fledglings at Mumford Cove on 8/10
5 adults at Bluff Point on 8/10
2 adults, 1 fledgling at Hammonasset on 8/10
8 adults at Menunketesuck on 8/10

Common Tern

3 adults at Griswold Point on 8/9
200 adults/juveniles at Milford Point on 8/9
6 adults at Mumford Cove on 8/10
17 adults, 4 juveniles at Bluff Point on 8/10
300 adults at Griswold Point on 8/10
8 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/10
71 adults, 11 juveniles at Hammonasset on 8/10
189 adults at Menunketesuck on 8/10
90 adults/juveniles at Milford Point on 8/10
1 adult, 1 fledgling at Salt Island on 8/10
4 adults at Bluff Point on 8/11
275 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/12
34 adults at Hammonasset on 8/12

30 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/12

150 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/13

This concludes update #19 through 8/15/17 as of 5:00 p.m.