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