AAfCW 2018 Volunteer Update #1

This is the first regular weekly update by the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds (AAfCW) for the 2018 season. Today's update includes reports of Piping Plover and American Oystercatcher starting from April 23 through 12:00pm on April 30 with sightings of birds by volunteers and staff spanning the period.

Informational updates:

If you provided data and information prior to April 23 please be aware that we did receive it, and it is simply not listed in this report. Please also note that negative data is not included below. This very slow season is now about to become much more active as the weather is turning for spring and birds are beginning to nest. Please continue to provide your data and information to us, including negative data, on Piping Plovers, American Oystercatchers, and once they return in the next week or so, Least and Common Terns. Please also report new nests directly to rsuzf@hotmail.com and Laura.Saucier@ct.gov.

String fencing and signage is just about complete and repaired now after damage from storms and high tides. We are nearly done with all schedules and please contact us if you are not. We will also be pairing up new monitors in need of training with our staff beginning this week so you will be all set in the field.

West Haven monitors should be aware that the City has informed us they printed the passes, and hopefully they will be received by you - and all of our staff - soon. We apologize for the delay and are waiting as well. Please remember monitoring should be done when the temperature is between 50 and 90 degrees, with no rain or thunderstorms, and not on very windy days. Thank you all for your efforts! We look forward to many more reports of active birds and nests soon.

Survey and monitoring updates:

Piping Plover
4 pairs, 1 adult at Milford Point on 4/23
1 pair at Long Beach on 4/24
10 pairs at Long Beach on 4/24
3 pairs, 4 adults at Bluff Point on 4/27
2 pairs, 2 adults, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/28
4 pairs at Bluff Point on 4/28
8 pairs at Long Beach on 4/28
11 adults at Milford Point on 4/28
4 pairs, 18 adults at Long Beach on 4/28
1 adult at Silver Sands State Park on 4/28
3 pairs, 1 adult at Milford Point on 4/29
8 adults at Milford Point on 4/29

American Oystercatcher
3 pairs at Milford Point on 4/23
3 pairs, 2 nests at Falkner Island on 4/23
1 pair, 1 adult at Grass Island on 4/23
2 pairs at Long Beach on 4/24
3 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/26
2 pairs at Hammonasset on 4/26
1 pair, 4 adults, 1 nest at Bluff Point on 4/27
1 pair at Long Beach on 4/28
3 pairs at Milford Point on 4/28
2 pairs, 1 adult, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/28
1 pair at Bluff Point on 4/28
4 adults at Long Beach on 4/28
3 pairs, 1 nest at Milford Point on 4/29
3 pairs at Milford Point on 4/29

This concludes update #1 through 4/30/18 as of 3:30 p.m.