We wanted to pass along some preliminary estimates for our Piping Plovers and American Oystercatchers from the very successful 2017 season. At the moment we believe 66 pairs of Piping Plovers fledged 100 chicks, with the pair total being the most all-time for Connecticut and the chicks the fourth highest total ever. Widespread nest washouts and predators certainly had an impact on the fledge count, but being able to successfully host that many pairs is a tremendous accomplishment and speaks to your superb stewardship efforts.
American Oystercatchers did very well once again this season with 63 pairs fledging 63 chicks. Connecticut also had 63 pairs last year, and we have now tied that all-time high. The chick total is second all-time to the 2015 count of 64. Your participation in AAfCW helps them on our beaches as well as offshore islands that are not regularly monitored by volunteers because you allow our staff more time to concentrate on ensuring their success in these remote areas. Once again, these are the preliminary numbers, and later in the season CT DEEP will verify the totals and provide counts for other species such as the Least Tern. Thank you all so much for your incredible work this year!
PIPL
Friday, September 29, 2017
Saturday, September 9, 2017
Black Skimmer
Here's a different type of waterbird sighting in the form of the funky Black Skimmer. This uncommon species is even more scarce this late in the season, especially when found hanging out in a parking lot with a bunch of gulls.
The unique bird flies low over the water and opens that enormous bill to drag it under the surface to catch small fish. This young one may not be feeling as good as it should, though the bird still flies well and seems to be physically fit. We hope it heads south soon.
The unique bird flies low over the water and opens that enormous bill to drag it under the surface to catch small fish. This young one may not be feeling as good as it should, though the bird still flies well and seems to be physically fit. We hope it heads south soon.
Wednesday, September 6, 2017
Pleasure Beach Fencing Removal
Audubon Alliance staff will be headed out to Pleasure Beach on Sept. 11th to take down the string fencing that protected nesting plovers this summer. We will catch the water taxi at 10am from the dock at the intersection of Central and Seaview Ave. in Bridgeport and expect to be on the island for 2-3 hours. If you haven't yet been to Pleasure Beach, here is your chance to visit this unique stretch of shoreline.
As has been mentioned previously, 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 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
Please email us at ctwaterbirds@gmail.com if you can join us, and thank you!
Tuesday, September 5, 2017
AAfCW 2017 Volunteer Update #22
This is the twenty-second and final regular weekly update by the Audubon Alliance for
Coastal Waterbirds (AAfCW) for the 2017 season. Today's update includes
reports of Piping Plover, American Oystercatcher, and Common
Tern through 8:00 a.m. on September 5 with sightings of birds by volunteers
and staff since the previous update on August 28.
Informational updates:
Informational updates:
DATE CHANGE! Rain has moved our fencing removal date
at Sandy Point in West Haven from tomorrow to: Friday, September 8th 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!
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!
Volunteer monitoring has now ended for the 2017 season. Later this autumn we will be hosting a volunteer thank you party at Stratford Point, and we will email all of you details in coming weeks. We thank you for your assistance in helping us achieve another very successful season. We will provide you with some preliminary numbers for how our focal species did this season later in the fall as well. We hope all of you will join us again in 2018!
Survey and monitoring updates:
Piping Plover
2 fledglings at Mumford Cove on 8/29
1 adult, 1 fledgling at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/31
1 adult, 1 fledgling at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/31
1 fledgling at Sandy/Morse Points on 9/2
American Oystercatcher
5 adults at Compo Beach on 9/1
2 adults at Southport Beach on 9/1
42 adults at Milford Point on 9/1
Common Tern
100 individuals at Bradley Point on 8/31
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