Spotted Sandpiper

It's not too often you get such a good chance to photograph a Spotted Sandpiper. They are very wary of being approached. They like to fly off a short distance when anyone is near with their distinctive and extremely rapid flap-glide flight. They're usually present at Stratford Point in low numbers for a few months of the year, with more being seen in fall migration (as it is prolonged with young of the year coming through, too). 

This one had the remains of...what do you think? It looks like it may be part of a horseshoe crab. Many of our shorebird species feed on horseshoe crab eggs with hundreds of thousands of individuals or potentially millions relying on that meal in migration on the Atlantic seaboard. Perhaps this bird was lucky to find more than eggs.

Scott Kruitbosch
AAfCW Volunteer Coordinator
RTPI Manager of Connecticut Programs

Stilt Sandpiper

Here is an uncommonly great look at a Stilt Sandpiper from this past weekend. They are seen somewhat rarely in Connecticut during migration, and are more common in central parts of the U.S. This juvenile bird was actually in a pool of freshwater in the roadway at an airport along with Least Sandpipers. I did my best to make it seem it was somewhere more attractive.

The airport visitors driving by and others like me taking its picture were probably among the first humans it has ever seen, at least up close, considering it was born in the arctic, and many shorebirds take a rapid journey south. Thanks for stopping by and being such a good friend!

Scott Kruitbosch
AAfCW Volunteer Coordinator
RTPI Manager of Connecticut Programs

Piping Plover Chick - Nap Time

Now that we have shared the shore all spring and summer it is time to safely share some more of the content. We are currently moving into the fall migratory season with nearly all of our Piping Plovers out of Connecticut and on their way to wintering grounds. I made this short video of a Piping Plover chick that was only several hours old on a lovely May afternoon. It was taken well outside of a fenced area with a 500mm lens on a full-frame DSLR filming 4K that I cropped substantially in editing. In short, I was extremely far away.

Look at that! This fresh bird wanted to find a comfortable place to nap, and it shows why vegetation on the beach is so important. Whether they want to hide from the sun, to evade people or predators, or feel safe for a snooze, our waterbirds need pristine and natural beach habitats that are not manicured and continually groomed for people. As it relaxed and closed its eyes it blended in perfectly with the shells and sand, all the more reason we need to stay out of and away from the areas around nests. No one would ever realize they were about to stop on this little one...

Scott Kruitbosch
AAfCW Volunteer Coordinator
RTPI Manager of Connecticut Programs

Shorebird Presentation

Brad Winn is Manomet’s Director of Shorebird Habitat Management. Brad discusses shorebird migration through Connecticut in this one hour presentation with the Connecticut Audubon Society and the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds as recorded on August 20, 2020.  

Please feel free to share and pass it on to all the shorebird lovers in your life!

Piping Plovers on Crowded Beaches

This was an extremely difficult nesting season for our Piping Plovers. They faced tremendous pressure on Connecticut beaches with increasing activity and far fewer staff and volunteers due to COVID-19. They are a “threatened” species in the Connecticut Endangered Species Act, and federally listed as an endangered species as well. Their nests and chicks fall victim to rising tides, storms and tropical cyclones, boating, fishing, loose dogs, stray cats, an increase in predators due to humans, discarded fishing line and nets, garbage, hotter than normal temperatures, bonfires and parties, overzealous photographers, recreational group activities, aggressive birders, on and on.

Look at that tiny adult on a beach with potentially deadly disturbances and mammalian attackers circulating in and out 24 hours a day. It’s a wonder any survive, ever - young especially! A huge thanks to all the volunteers who have done their best in this unpredictable and all the more tough year.

Scott Kruitbosch
AAfCW Volunteer Coordinator
RTPI Manager of Connecticut Programs

American Oystercatchers on Reef Balls

Here are a couple of American Oystercatchers on the reef balls at Stratford Point earlier this summer. 

That boat going by them in the background is a good reminder of how much boating and offshore human recreation and related activities can impact this species in particular. While we have some oystercatchers nesting on our beaches, the majority of the Connecticut population makes itself home on our offshore islands. It is difficult to find and track all of them across the state, but our amazing field staff does just that annually! 2020 added in some complications, to be sure, and we will be continuing to track them over the next few months as they stage and begin to migrate, with additional individuals already coming into the state on their way south. Fall migration is upon us!

Monitoring Continues

As we move into August we are continuing our monitoring for our endangered waterbirds across the Connecticut coast. As always, please keep your safety in mind at all times. We have had very hot and humid conditions, dangerous for humans, often in the past several weeks. Today we are on our second tropical storm of the season, too! There are often times where we want to postpone or cancel monitoring due to weather like this, and that is perfectly fine.

Our varied breeding conditions continue across Connecticut with young birds and migrants moving through. We are also peaking shorebird migration for the arctic nesting species. We are slowly removing fencing and signage at various sites, and all of it will be completed by staff this year due to COVID-19.

Severe thunderstorms passing by Stratford Point in July - our birds face various threats 24 hours a day

It's very important to collect negative data and know that birds are not present and not nesting in some cases. We always want to keep an eye on any birds there that have nested or attempted to. As mentioned, we are at the time of year where some young are dispersing, and other adults are already heading south. We want to make sure we see these birds at all locations if they show up. Quieter beaches can be a spot where they pass through in migration from Connecticut and even other states.

Some may be flagged or banded, too, an always exciting sight. That goes for Piping Plover, Least Tern, American Oystercatcher, and Common Tern. We want to keep tracking all that happens at the beach with people, especially in such a busy year for the outdoors. In short, all of your observations are vital, and please keep submitting them through the end of August at your beaches. Even if you have no sightings - negative data - it is important to know and record this.

Thank you! Be well and stay safe.

Scott Kruitbosch
AAfCW Volunteer Coordinator
RTPI Manager of Connecticut Programs