Snowy Owl

What's going on at our beaches in December? While our endangered nesting waterbirds have long gone south for the winter, birds like this Snowy Owl take their place at the shore. I safely and distantly filmed this bird while it scratched, preened, stretched, and coughed up a pellet before taking off for the night.

It is hard to imagine that in three short months our birds will be back to set up territory. For now, enjoy that Snowy Owl action as it hopefully helps to clean the beach of rodents, too - at least when it is not going after waterfowl.

Scott Kruitbosch
AAfCW Volunteer Coordinator

Beach-nesting Birds Season Recap 2021

In case you missed it or want to see it again, check out the results of our 2021 Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds season!

Volunteer Timesheets

Good afternoon all,

Here's a reminder to please submit your signed volunteer timesheets from 2021 AAfCW monitoring for CT DEEP Wildlife. Please sign and mail the forms to: 

Laura Saucier
DEEP Wildlife Division
PO Box 1550
Burlington, CT 06013

If you do not have a timesheet handy, a copy is available by clicking here to download and print. Thanks so much!

Scott Kruitbosch
AAfCW Volunteer Coordinator

AAfCW 2021 Season Recap Webinar

Good afternoon, all!

Thank you to our volunteers for your help monitoring and stewarding our beach-nesting birds this year. AAfCW and CT DEEP Wildlife Division are planning for a webinar on November 4th from 6:00-7:30pm as a recap of the beach-nesting birds season. We will share details from some of our most important sites, including Milford Point and Sandy/Morse Points in West Haven, and reveal the final numbers for American Oystercatchers, Least Terns, and Piping Plovers. Our staff will be available for questions as well. Please RSVP to ctwaterbirds@gmail.com and you will be provided the Zoom/call information which was also directly emailed to all volunteers. We look forward to seeing you on the 4th!

Best,
Scott Kruitbosch
AAfCW Volunteer Coordinator

eBird Checklist Sharing

If you could, please share any eBird checklists that include shorebirds, terns, herons or egrets with the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds at ctwaterbirds@gmail.com whenever you can. We have requested this help in previous years, and please keep them coming in 2021!

Sanderlings

There is a button on eBird to share in the upper left when viewing checklists, and if you click that and enter ctwaterbirds@gmail.com you can easily do so with applicable checklists. Even old checklists can be sent if you have any from earlier in the year. This helps us record the staging and nesting areas for these birds - those that we do not monitor every pair in Connecticut as we do for Piping Plovers and American Oystercatchers - and also helps us track volunteer hours for folks who are recording waterbird activity. Please be sure these checklists contain your time spent in the field in the reports to help track level of effort.

This is a huge help in 2021 when we have once again experienced a very difficult year for AAfCW and CT DEEP due to COVID-19. The more information, data and time from the field, the better. Your assistance is greatly appreciated. If you are not an “official” monitor, we still would love your time and data, thanks!

Scott Kruitbosch
AAfCW Volunteer Coordinator

Unlawful Landings

One of the most prevalent illegal activities we see in Connecticut during our work all spring and summer are people trespassing or landing on private or restricted properties. In this case, one of our staff, Natalie, took a photo of an illegal landing and subsequent trespassing - with a loose dog, as well - earlier this summer.

We are all very aware of the legality of the median high tide line in Connecticut, as below it is public property. However, that does not grant someone complete immunity from any laws whatsoever, nor does it permit landing and wandering onto various lands to do anything one pleases. Griswold Point in Old Lyme, owned by The Nature Conservancy, is a terrific example. It is routinely violated by people on all sorts of watercraft who then disembark and wander the property, treating it as a personal beach, holding wedding ceremonies, taking tours with commercial companies, and much more, all a complete violation of numerous laws - not to mention completely disrupting any and all bird nesting activity. 

AAfCW and its partners are continually working with landowners, advocacy groups, and law enforcement on protecting lands, people, and wildlife from trespassers, and your education and reports of these violators is always appreciated, too.

Scott Kruitbosch
AAfCW Volunteer Coordinator

AAfCW 2021 Field Update #11

Good afternoon! 

Volunteer monitoring officially ends today. It has been an extremely busy month to conclude our field season. Thankfully for Connecticut, Hurricane Henri came ashore in Rhode Island at a good tide with a patchy and weakened wind field, and its impacts were less severe than anticipated. Nevertheless, we hurriedly removed a great deal of fencing and signage wherever possible, and some beaches saw some higher waters.

As mentioned last week, we have started to note higher than average mortality for terns in Connecticut in the past month. CT DEEP Wildlife continues to collect numerous specimens for testing and necropsies to determine the cause of these losses. As previously mentioned, species listed on Connecticut’s Endangered Species Act - including our Least Tern, Common Tern, American Oystercatcher, and Piping Plover - can only be collected by authorized personnel. Please do not attempt to recover any bird, living or dead, on the beaches. Sick and deceased birds have been collected at an even higher rate by staff over the past week.

While monitoring is officially ending, your observations on your own time are always appreciated. CT DEEP Wildlife needs to be notified of dead or dying birds as soon as possible so they can collect them. Staff will assess where the bird was discovered, prepare it for transport or preservation, and continue to catalog all data and information. Once again, all of this needs to be done in person by CT DEEP and AAfCW staff. If you find a dead or dying bird, please notify CT DEEP (Laura.Saucier@ct.gov and rsuzf@hotmail.com) and us at AAfCW (ctwaterbirds@gmail.com). Do not take any physical action on your own. Photos - safely, and staying outside of any remaining fenced areas - data, information, and notifications are all superb.

The following data is through August 31. Thank you! Be well and stay safe.

Piping Plover:

3 fledglings at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/7

1 fledgling, 10 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/7

1 fledgling at Milford Point on 8/9

10 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/10

1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/10

2 pairs at Griswold Point on 8/11

3 juveniles at Bluff Point on 8/13

2 fledglings, 2 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/13

1 juvenile at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/14

1 adult, 2 fledglings, 14 juveniles at Milford Point on 8/15

4 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/15

1 juvenile at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/16

1 pair, 3 adults, 15 hatchlings, 7 fledglings at Milford Point on 8/16

8 juveniles at Milford Point on 8/17

7 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/17

1 juvenile at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/18

2 adults, 3 fledglings at Milford Point on 8/20

2 fledglings, 6 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/20

3 juveniles at Bluff Point on 8/20

6 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/21

2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/24

3 adults at Bluff Point on 8/25

7 adults at Bluff Point on 8/25

2 fledglings, 2 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/26

5 juveniles at Milford Point on 8/29

American Oystercatcher:
1 pair at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/7

1 pair at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/10

1 pair at Bluff Point on 8/13

2 pairs at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/14

2 pairs, 1 fledgling at Milford Point on 8/15

5 adults at Milford Point on 8/20

1 pair at Bluff Point on 8/20

1 pair at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/24

2 adults at Bluff Point on 8/25

1 adult, 2 juveniles at Bluff Point on 8/27

1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/28

20 adults at Milford Point on 8/29

34 birds at Milford Point on 8/29

Least Tern:

100 adults, 5 hatchlings, 4 fledglings, 1 juvenile at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/7

50 adults, 2 hatchlings, 15 juveniles, 5 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/7

100 adults, 12 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/10

12 adults, 8 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/10

132 adults, 2 hatchlings, 1 fledgling, 12 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/13

2 pairs, 60 adults, 2 hatchlings, 1 fledgling, 7 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/14

10 adults, 1 hatchling, 1 fledgling, 2 juveniles at Milford Point on 8/15

6 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/16

3 adults at Milford Point on 8/17

3 adults, 2 fledglings at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/17

2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/18

4 adults at Milford Point on 8/20

14 adults, 7 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/20

2 adults, 3 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/21

1 pair, 186 adults, 2 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/26

3 adults, 6 juveniles at Milford Point on 8/29

Common Tern:

40 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/10

1 pair, 4 adults, 4 fledglings at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/15

1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/17

12 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/24

500 birds at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/28

--

Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds

http://ctwaterbirds.blogspot.com

Tern Mortality

In the past month, we have started to note higher than average mortality for terns in Connecticut. There is an unknown issue behind these losses, and CT DEEP Wildlife has collected numerous specimens for testing and necropsies. We wanted to remind everyone that species listed on Connecticut’s Endangered Species Act - including our Least Tern, Common Tern, American Oystercatcher, and Piping Plover - can only be collected by authorized personnel. Birds cannot be picked up, alive or dead. 

CT DEEP Wildlife needs to be notified of sick or dead birds as soon as possible. Apart from legality, it can be unsafe to handle these birds. Additionally, CT DEEP needs to see where the bird was found, transport it to a proper destination, and continue to catalog all data and information - all without the bird being touched. All of this will be done in person by CT DEEP and AAfCW staff. If you find a dead or dying bird, please notify CT DEEP (Laura.Saucier@ct.gov and rsuzf@hotmail.com) and us at AAfCW (ctwaterbirds@gmail.com). Do not take any physical action on your own. Photos - safely, and staying outside of fenced areas - data, information, and notifications are all superb. Thank you!

Scott Kruitbosch
AAfCW Volunteer Coordinator

Hurricane Henri

Good afternoon all!

By now everyone is undoubtedly aware of tropical storm/hurricane Henri inbound to Connecticut for Sunday. Unfortunately for us as people, our state looks to get the brunt of the storm surge, rain, and wind. Thankfully for our birds, we have remaining young fledged and hopefully capable of hunkering down through the period and making it out of the storm in decent shape. Henri seems to have slowed a bit and may not impact Connecticut at the worst high tides, but it will still be a tough time this weekend. Please stay home, stay safe, and only return to monitoring next week when it is advisable to do so. Beaches and coastal areas may have power line, tree, tidal and more damage that prevents us from visiting, or otherwise complicates clean-up or relief efforts. 

If we are to look for a positive it is that tropical cyclones are vital to the health of our beaches. They often enhance and create new habitat for shorebirds and terns, especially for nesting. Perhaps 2022 will feature a strong year for our birds. 

Thanks and best,
Scott Kruitbosch
AAfCW Volunteer Coordinator 

Poor Photography

This is a great example of what not to do as a photographer spending time around nesting birds on the beach or in any habitat.

I can tell you that I find this sort of nonsense, which happens almost daily across Connecticut, disturbing both as a professional photographer and a conservationist. One of our staff, Natalie, took the photo weeks ago after these people said conservation staff and volunteers working every day to protect endangered nesting waterbirds were more of a disturbance than they were in this moment.

In actuality, CT DEEP, Wildlife Division, all the trained employees of the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds, and all of our fabulous volunteers do more to protect and aid these species 24/7 than can ever be adequately summarized. Our sharing the shore philosophy is what allows everyone to still visit these beaches as other states close down entire locations to prevent anyone from entering. I hope it is self-evident that encroaching on fencing like this for prolonged periods is extremely detrimental to the birds and our mission. We are doing our best to educate and change these mindsets.

Scott Kruitbosch
AAfCW Volunteer Coordinator

AAfCW 2021 Field Update #10

Good morning! 

We are continuing all monitoring for our waterbirds across the Connecticut coast as we move into August. As always, please keep your safety in mind at all times. Stay home in very hot and humid conditions, or when thunderstorms are occurring. Various breeding conditions continue across Connecticut with young birds still working to fledge and migrants moving through. Our staff will be slowly removing fencing and signage at sites based on when the birds have completed nesting and all young have fledged. We once again anticipate all of this work will be completed by staff due to COVID-19.

It's very important to collect negative data and know that birds are not present, too, whether it is nesting or now migrating. 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 that had a tough year, or may have no birds at the end of July, can be a spot where others pass through in migration from nearby locations in Connecticut and even other states.

Some of these birds on the move may be flagged or banded, too - an always exciting sight! That goes for Piping Plover, Least Tern, American Oystercatcher, and Common Tern. Please record and report this whenever possible. 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. The following data is through midnight on August 9.

Thank you! Be well and stay safe.

Piping Plover:

11 adults, 5 fledglings, 5 juveniles at Milford Point on 7/26

1 adult, 1 hatchling at Milford Point on 7/27

3 adults, 6 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/27

1 adult at Bluff Point on 7/27

2 pairs, 1 adult, 2 juveniles at Griswold Point on 7/27

3 adults, 3 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/28

5 adults, 3 fledglings at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/28

3 adults, 8 hatchlings at Milford Point on 7/29

7 juveniles at Bluff Point on 7/29

2 adults, 1 hatchling, 5 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/30

3 adults, 5 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/30

2 adults, 9 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/31

4 adults, 4 hatchlings, 2 fledglings, 9 juveniles at Milford Point on 8/1

2 adults, 4 hatchlings, 1 fledgling at Milford Point on 8/2

1 adult at Griswold Point on 8/2

7 adults at Milford Point on 8/2

9 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/3

6 fledglings at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/3

1 fledgling at Long Beach on 8/4

4 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/4

1 adult, 3 hatchlings at Bluff Point on 8/6

1 hatchling, 2 fledglings at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/6

3 adults, 2 fledglings at Milford Point on 8/7

3 fledglings at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/7

American Oystercatcher:
26 adults, 1 juvenile at Milford Point on 7/26

2 pairs, 1 hatchling at Bluff Point on 7/27

1 pair at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/28

2 pairs at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/28

3 adults, 2 hatchlings at Milford Point on 7/29

1 pair, 1 nest at Bluff Point on 7/29

1 pair, 1 adult at Bluff Point on 7/30

2 pairs at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/30

2 pairs, 1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/31

3 adults at Long Beach on 8/1

1 pair, 1 adult, 1 hatchling at Milford Point on 8/1

31 adults, 1 juvenile at Milford Point on 8/2

1 pair at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/3

1 pair at Milford Point on 8/3

2 pairs at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/4

1 adult at Long Beach on 8/5

1 pair at Bluff Point on 8/6

1 pair at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/7

Least Tern:

130 adults, 1 hatchling, 8 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/27

6 adults at Griswold Point on 7/27

100 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/28

150 adults, 6 hatchlings, 4 fledglings at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/28

150 adults, 2 juveniles at Milford Point on 7/29

48 adults, 8 hatchlings, 9 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/30

45 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/30

50 adults, 1 hatchling, 4 juveniles, 7 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/31

30 adults, 8 nests at Milford Point on 8/1

100 adults, 6 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/3

50 adults, 1 hatchling at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/3

100 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/4

1 pair, 86 adults, 5 hatchlings, 2 fledglings, 8 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/6

100 adults, 5 hatchlings, 4 fledglings, 1 juvenile at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/7

Common Tern:

227 adults at Milford Point on 7/26

100 adults at Griswold Point on 7/27

4 adults at Milford Point on 7/29

1 adult at Bluff Point on 7/30

2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/30

31 adults, 1 juvenile at Milford Point on 8/2

4 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/3

20 adults, 4 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/4

1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/6

Thank you!

High Tide Troubles

This is a phone photo at high tide at Sandy/Morse Points in West Haven earlier this summer. You can get a sense of the trouble our birds have when the tide is high on some of our narrow beaches and sand spits as people come up against or enter string fenced areas. Fencing is typically erected as an absolute bare minimum - for example, any lower and the tides would routinely destroy it. 

Unlike other states, Connecticut does not close its beaches for nesting birds. The Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds and Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Wildlife Division, work hard so that we can share the shore. However, we all have to do our best - especially as conservationists and environmental enthusiasts - to minimize disturbances and negative impacts. This includes giving as much space as possible to our birds, viewing them from afar with binoculars and spotting scopes, photographing outside of the nesting season, and visiting beaches at lower tides.

Scott Kruitbosch
AAfCW Volunteer Coordinator

AAfCW 2021 Field Update #9

After mentioning that the 2021 Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds season has been an extremely difficult one in the last update, we received more difficult weather and tidal conditions in the past couple of weeks. High tides have even been pushing people further up the beach, close and into fenced areas, as they have disturbed and harmed birds at some locations. Busy summer beach days also mean continued high traffic, fires, loose dogs, and more. 

The upcoming 14 or so days do look to feature some of the best weather of the season. This should allow more monitoring and more safety for our birds. For the most part, we are nearing the end of nesting. Young of our four focal species are all at different ages thanks to a lot of re-nesting this year, with some already on their way south and other hatchlings still unable to fly and relying on parents.

This update period, through midnight of July 26, had some volunteer surveys skipped due to inclement conditions. We continue to record disturbances as a staff across the Connecticut coast - natural and from or influenced by humans. There is no way to adequately summarize all our staff has seen or documented throughout the year, but we will do so at the conclusion of the season. We encourage you to please continue to report your observations, including negative data and disturbances, documenting as much as you can with every trip to the beach. Every little bit helps piece together an enormous puzzle. 

Piping Plover:

14 adults, 2 fledglings at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/12

1 pair, 4 adults, 3 hatchlings, 1 nest at Milford Point on 7/13

1 pair, 1 nest at Long Beach on 7/13

2 adults, 1 hatchling at Long Beach on 7/13

2 pairs, 1 adult, 2 nests at Griswold Point on 7/13

1 pair, 8 adults, 3 hatchlings, 1 nest at Milford Point on 7/14

6 adults, 4 hatchlings, 1 nest at Milford Point on 7/14

1 pair, 25 adults, 8 hatchlings, 15 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/14

7 adults, 3 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/15

1 pair, 2 adults, 4 hatchlings, 1 juvenile at Mile Creek on 7/16

1 pair, 2 adults, 4 hatchlings at Mile Creek on 7/16

2 pairs, 3 adults, 3 hatchlings, 3 fledglings at Milford Point on 7/19

15 adults, 4 fledglings, 1 juvenile at Milford Point on 7/19

1 adult, 8 juveniles at Milford Point on 7/19

1 pair, 8 adults, 6 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/19

1 pair, 1 adult, 1 nest at Long Beach on 7/20

1 pair, 13 adults, 4 hatchlings, 6 fledglings, 1 juvenile at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/20

1 adult at Long Beach on 7/22

5 adults, 13 hatchlings at Milford Point on 7/22

7 adults, 12 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/22

2 pairs, 4 hatchlings at Bluff Point on 7/23

1 pair, 3 adults, 3 hatchlings at Milford Point on 7/23

1 adult, 3 hatchlings at Mile Creek on 7/23

1 adult at Griswold Point on 7/24

1 adult, 4 hatchlings, 1 nest at Mile Creek on 7/24

2 pairs, 4 adults, 5 hatchlings, 4 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/24

11 adults, 3 hatchlings, 5 juveniles at Milford Point on 7/25

American Oystercatcher:
2 pairs at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/12

1 pair, 3 adults at Long Beach on 7/13

1 pair, 1 adult, 1 hatchling at Milford Point on 7/14

1 pair, 1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/14

4 adults, 1 hatchling at Milford Point on 7/14

14 adults, 1 fledgling at Milford Point on 7/19

1 adult, 1 nest at Milford Point on 7/19

1 pair at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/19

1 pair, 1 juvenile at Long Beach on 7/20

2 pairs at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/20

3 adults at Milford Point on 7/22

2 pairs at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/22

1 adult at Bluff Point on 7/23

2 pairs at Milford Point on 7/23

1 pair, 2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/24

1 pair, 2 adults, 1 juvenile at Milford Point on 7/25

Least Tern:

150 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/12

22 adults at Griswold Point on 7/13

150 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/14

50 adults at Milford Point on 7/14

100 adults, 1 fledgling, 1 juvenile at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/15

15 adults at Milford Point on 7/19

150 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/19

100 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/20

8 adults at Milford Point on 7/22

100 adults, 7 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/22

60 adults at Griswold Point on 7/24

75 adults, 6 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/24

600 adults, 10 juveniles at Milford Point on 7/25

Common Tern:

4 adults at Long Beach on 7/13

51 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/14

2 adults at Milford Point on 7/14

107 adults at Milford Point on 7/19

2 pairs, 1 nest at Milford Point on 7/19

35 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/19

1 pair at Long Beach on 7/20

2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/20

4 adults at Milford Point on 7/22

Thank you so much for all your efforts.

Olympic Sports?

It may be time for the Summer Olympics, but beach-nesting birds are not meant to be a spectator sport. This photo is from one our staff, Sam, and shows how unfortunately some people cannot respect private property or basic conservation guidelines as they felt this was the perfect spot to set up for the day.

Our beaches are not free for alls or zoos. Those that are open to the public all have clearly defined rules and ordinances from the municipality and/or state. In this case, this was a private beach with trespassers disobeying posted guidelines. Shorebirds and terns need space and respect in order to be successful. Even as monitors we only move in and out of the area, and do not set up camp on top of them for hours on end. These wild animals are given a small amount of space as a bare minimum, and we have to remember that they move in and out of exclosures and string fencing, too. It does not take much kindness to share the shore and be respectful at all times.

Scott Kruitbosch
AAfCW Volunteer Coordinator

AAfCW 2021 Field Update #8

The 2021 Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds season has been an extremely difficult one - perhaps the toughest in our decade of work. All of you know the logistical difficulties we've experienced with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The avian devastation from the Memorial Day weekend storm may have been the worst single event in our recent history. As we enter summer increasing numbers of people flocking to the beach, with COVID in decline, has meant a staggering rise in illegal activity that hurts birds - dogs, fires, trespassing, trashing, violating fencing, fireworks, and outright aggression to wildlife. 

Mixing in heat waves, the usual wind and rain, and last week's Tropical Storm Elsa, it is a wonder any species have been successful on the shore in 2021. Thankfully, Elsa was kind to certain locations even while impacting some others, though none catastrophically. On the whole, the north winds from the left-front quadrant of the storm seemed to keep tidal damage relatively minimal to moderate for most sites despite several inches of rain in 24 hours. The stronger winds stayed to the east, and there was more good news than bad. We now move on with repairs and regular monitoring while still dodging inclement weather nearly every day.

This update period, through midnight of July 13, had numerous volunteer surveys skipped due to inclement conditions. Please keep the weather in mind as you head to the shore, and stay home if it is going to rain, there's a high chance of thunderstorms, extreme heat is in place, or it's very windy or even chilly. Don't forget to review the Important Documents in our blog (http://ctwaterbirds.blogspot.com) in the right-hand column for everything from shorebird identification to dog laws to how to interact with and educate beachgoers. Thank you all for the very valuable negative reports and detailed information as well, especially regarding disturbances.

Piping Plover:

2 pairs at Griswold Point on 6/21

14 adults, 3 hatchlings at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/24

2 pairs, 2 nests at Griswold Point on 6/25

1 pair, 3 adults, 3 nests at Bluff Point on 6/25

1 pair, 8 adults, 1 hatchling at Bluff Point on 6/25

1 pair, 4 hatchlings, 4 juveniles, 6 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/26

1 pair, 3 adults, 3 nests at Bluff Point on 6/26

1 adult at Long Beach on 6/27

5 pairs, 9 adults, 10 hatchlings, 3 fledglings, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/27

1 pair, 8 adults, 2 hatchlings, 1 fledgling, 3 nests at Bluff Point on 6/27

3 pairs, 9 adults, 1 hatchling, 2 fledglings, 5 nests at Milford Point on 6/27

3 pairs, 7 adults, 5 nests at Milford Point on 6/28

1 pair, 3 adults at Milford Point on 6/28

16 adults, 7 nests, 3 juveniles at Milford Point on 6/28

2 pairs, 15 adults, 3 hatchlings, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/28

2 adults, 2 nests at Griswold Point on 6/28

2 pairs, 10 adults, 7 nests at Milford Point on 6/29

2 pairs, 2 nests, 1 fledgling at Griswold Point on 7/1

1 pair, 13 adults, 4 hatchlings, 7 fledglings at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/1

4 pairs, 1 nest at Long Beach on 7/1

2 pairs, 6 adults, 1 hatchling, 1 fledgling, 2 nests at Bluff Point on 7/2

2 pairs, 2 nests at Long Beach on 7/2

1 pair, 1 adult at Long Beach on 7/4

2 pairs, 23 adults, 7 hatchlings, 6 fledglings, 4 juveniles, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/4

1 pair at Long Beach on 7/4

1 pair, 3 adults at Griswold Point on 7/5

3 pairs, 8 adults, 2 hatchlings, 5 nests at Milford Point on 7/6

13 pairs, 14 adults, 5 hatchlings at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/7

8 pairs, 10 adults, 11 hatchlings, 6 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/10

1 pair, 2 hatchlings, 1 nest at Mile Creek on 7/10

1 pair, 2 adults, 1 hatchling, 1 nest at Long Beach on 7/11

3 pairs, 6 adults, 1 hatchling, 1 nest at Long Beach on 7/11

4 pairs, 9 adults, 6 hatchlings, 3 juveniles, 2 nests at Milford Point on 7/11

2 pairs, 2 hatchlings at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/12

American Oystercatcher:
1 pair at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/24

1 adult, 2 hatchlings at Bluff Point on 6/25

1 pair, 8 adults, 3 fledglings at Bluff Point on 6/25

2 pairs, 2 juveniles at Bluff Point on 6/26

1 adult at Long Beach on 6/27

1 pair, 1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/27

5 adults, 2 fledglings, 1 nest at Bluff Point on 6/27

1 pair, 8 adults, 2 nests at Milford Point on 6/27

1 pair, 2 adults, 1 nest at Milford Point on 6/28

2 pairs, 2 adults, 2 nests at Milford Point on 6/28

2 pairs, 2 adults, 1 nest at Milford Point on 6/29

1 pair at Griswold Point on 7/1

2 pairs, 2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/1

1 adult at Long Beach on 7/1

1 pair, 6 adults, 2 fledglings at Bluff Point on 7/2

1 pair at Long Beach on 7/4

3 pairs, 2 adults, 2 hatchlings at Milford Point on 7/6

1 pair, 1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/7

1 adult at Long Beach on 7/11

6 pairs, 1 nest at Milford Point on 7/11

Least Tern:
150 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/24

5 pairs, 22 adults, 4 nests at Griswold Point on 6/25

50 pairs, 50 adults, 24 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/27

100 adults, 5 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/28

16 adults at Griswold Point on 6/28

2 pairs, 11 adults, 2 nests at Griswold Point on 7/1

150 adults, 10 hatchlings at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/1

2 pairs at Bluff Point on 7/2

75 adults, 50 nests, 7 hatchlings at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/4

16 adults at Griswold Point on 7/5

100 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/7

75 adults, 8 hatchlings, 3 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/10

Common Tern:
14 adults at Griswold Point on 6/21

2 adults at Bluff Point on 6/25

1 pair, 15 adults, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/27

2 adults at Bluff Point on 6/27

1 pair, 1 adult at Milford Point on 6/28

7 adults at Griswold Point on 7/1

5 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/1

9 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 7/7

Thanks for all your efforts!

Severe Weather - Tropical Storm Elsa

The 2021 Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds season has been an extremely difficult one - perhaps the toughest in our decade of work. We started our year off where we left it in 2020 with the COVID-19 pandemic, once again not having in-person training sessions, remaining out of offices, and practicing all safe mask, social distancing, and hygiene standards in the field. A Memorial Day weekend storm wiped out an untold number of nests and chicks across Connecticut, right at the most critical time for young birds. It was one of the most devastating single events in recent memory.

People flocking to the beach and restarting group recreational activity in high numbers with declining COVID-19 rates and restrictions, while fantastic, has meant an staggering increase in illegal activity that hurts birds - dogs, fires, trespassing, trashing, violating fencing, fireworks, and outright aggression to wildlife. Mixing in heat waves, the usual wind and rain, and now high tides again with Tropical Storm Elsa, it is a wonder any species have been successful on the shore in 2021. Here's a video I compiled last night of another evening of natural fireworks with thunderstorms firing across western and central Connecticut thanks to a stalled cold front and a developing low to mid level jet.

I suspect Elsa, closing rapidly from South Carolina at the time, already started influencing our weather and enhanced the activity. Most storms seen here are 8-15 miles away. Note the unedited colors of the lightning - purple, pink, blue, orange, yellow, red, white, all depending on location, precipitation, intensity, and more. These are the natural perils our birds have to face before we even begin talking about fireworks and other human activity.

Elsa will bear down on the region and raise tides yet again while bringing severe wind and rain. It is so hard to see this happen to our birds, but they have to take care of themselves as best they can for now. All we can do is our part to monitor and educate when it's safe. One thing we try to keep in mind is that even without humans, the birds were meant to go through these situations. For example, hurricanes, tropical storms, and large systems like that on Memorial Day help reshape and even repair beach habitats for nesting. Even when it's a short-term “ugh!” it can be a long term benefit, and while it's so tough to see that in the moment, it can help us get by mentally.

Thanks again for all your hard work, and stay safe!

Watch Your Step

Please keep an eye out on the shore for all our little friends. This is an adult Piping Plover, and look how difficult it is to see even zoomed in and focused on it as the subject of the photo.

These birds are startled and their nests and young threatened when people unknowingly walk the shoreline around sensitive nesting areas. If visitors set up against or venture into fenced areas? Drive ATVs on the beach? Crash into the sand with kite boards? It is a wonder any survive. Please ensure you do your best to share the shore, and let others you meet know to do the same.

Scott Kruitbosch
AAfCW Volunteer Coordinator

Balloons Blow Far

One of our volunteer Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds monitors, Andrea Kerin, picked up these balloons in West Haven last weekend. The waste was at our busiest nesting site in the state along with a large amount of other trash and more balloons, any of which could harm or kill Least Terns, Piping Plovers, and other birds.

Where is Carey High School? All the way down in the central part of western Long Island!

That is a far flight to go to the shores of West Haven. Again, we all know what balloons can do to wildlife, and this deadly trash should never be allowed to float away. Please be careful and advise others to do the same, especially when it comes to intentional releases that should never be permitted.

Scott Kruitbosch
AAfCW Volunteer Coordinator

Monitoring Weather & Holiday Reminders

We wanted to remind all of our terrific monitors to put your safety first when it comes to being on the beach. This week's extreme heat may have the heat index near 100 or even 105 in some locations as the temperature hits the mid 90s. We ask all monitors to stay home during temperatures above 90 - or when it is raining/there's a high possibility of thunderstorms, which may be the case for the latter half of the week. We definitely want to keep an eye on our birds, but their safety is a consideration, too. Pulling them off nests or away from young during monitoring in these temperatures in the full sun can be fatal. 

When the weather does shift as we near the holiday weekend we can get back to regular monitoring. If you can spend more time monitoring during the July 4th weekend and surrounding busy beach days in acceptable conditions, please do so, even if it is outside of your regularly scheduled monitoring. Please be aware that Milford Point will be closed from the afternoon of July 1 through the morning of July 6. Do not go to Milford Point to monitor during that time period as the parking lot will be gated shut with no access. Staff will be on site throughout this period to keep an eye on everything. 

Thanks again and stay cool!

AAfCW 2021 Field Update #7

Good afternoon!

We are already looking forward to July 4th and preparing for the holiday at the beach. Independence Day weekend typically sees a tremendous number of beachgoers descending on the Connecticut shore. While some may be local residents, there are also other visitors from out of state, plus folks who do not know anything about our birds or local regulations. Undoubtedly we will see people in and around string fenced areas, bringing dogs or fireworks to the shore, running around birds, and so forth. 

If you can spend more time monitoring during the July 4th weekend and surrounding busy beach days please do so, even if it is outside of your regularly scheduled monitoring. Please be aware that Milford Point will be closed from the afternoon of July 1 through the morning of July 6. Do not go to Milford Point to monitor during that time period as the parking lot will be gated shut with no access. Staff will be on site throughout this period to keep an eye on everything.

At all times our beach education and stewardship should be positive, kind, understanding, caring, and acknowledging the fact that the past 15 or so months have been very difficult for most. Walking away and wishing people well when they are agitated and upset is definitely the way to go. When situations warrant, as outlined in our training sessions, calling local animal control or police can be best. Please refer back to the monitoring program documents for guidelines to being a good witness, local dog regulations, phone numbers, and much more: http://www.scottkruitbosch.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/2021-Piping-Plover-monitoring-program.pdf

We want to be aware of all sorts of disturbances, from predators to people to weather, and continue to note details for each species in data entry. Please always keep monitoring near the wet sand and water line, ideally at lower tides, and making sure we are not contributing to any disturbances. Moving through beaches slowly and carefully while not lingering too long in any one area - prioritizing safety for all above data - is most important. As always, please email AAfCW and CT DEEP directly with important information about nests or significant disturbances. Email us at ctwaterbirds@gmail.com with any typical questions.

The vast majority of birds hatched so far this year are still hatchlings, though we do have our first few fledglings. No birds are juveniles yet. Corrections were made in the data below if birds were reported as fledged/juvenile but had not attained those ages. For example, fledged birds are likely at least four weeks old, capable of flight, and able to be more independent. Below are observations on our beaches as submitted from June 14 through 12:00am today, Saturday, June 26. Thanks again!

Piping Plover:

3 pairs, 9 adults, 9 hatchlings at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/12

3 pairs, 12 adults, 5 hatchlings, 2 fledglings, 1 nest at Milford Point on 6/13

3 pairs, 5 adults, 2 hatchlings, 1 nest at Bluff Point on 6/13

3 adults, 4 hatchlings at Milford Point on 6/14

2 pairs at Griswold Point on 6/14

5 pairs, 8 adults, 10 hatchlings, 2 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/15

1 adult at Long Beach on 6/15

14 adults, 4 hatchlings, 1 nest at Milford Point on 6/15

1 pair, 1 adult at Long Beach on 6/16

5 adults, 4 nests at Bluff Point on 6/16

1 adult at Milford Point on 6/16

2 pairs, 6 adults, 3 hatchlings at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/16

10 adults, 6 hatchlings at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/16

1 pair, 7 adults, 1 hatchling at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/16

5 pairs, 5 adults, 5 hatchlings, 3 fledglings, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/16

2 pairs, 1 adult, 2 nests at Long Beach on 6/17

1 adult at Long Beach on 6/17

3 pairs, 15 adults, 7 hatchlings, 5 fledglings, 2 nests at Milford Point on 6/17

6 adults, 4 fledglings at Bluff Point on 6/18

2 pairs, 17 adults, 4 hatchlings, 1 fledgling at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/19

2 pairs at Long Beach on 6/20

4 pairs, 8 adults, 1 hatchling, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/20

5 pairs, 4 adults, 10 hatchlings, 4 nests at Milford Point on 6/21

6 adults, 2 nests at Long Beach on 6/21

4 adults at Milford Point on 6/21

9 adults, 7 hatchlings/fledglings, 4 nests at Milford Point on 6/21

2 pairs at Griswold Point on 6/21

8 pairs, 4 adults, 1 hatchling, 4 nests at Milford Point on 6/22

3 adults at Long Beach on 6/23

12 adults, 2 hatchlings at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/23

9 adults, 1 hatchling, 1 fledgling, 5 nests at Milford Point on 6/23

14 adults, 3 hatchlings at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/24

2 pairs, 2 adults at Long Beach on 6/24

3 pairs, 4 adults, 3 nests at Milford Point on 6/24

2 pairs, 2 nests at Griswold Point on 6/25

American Oystercatcher:

7 adults at Milford Point on 6/13

2 pairs, 2 hatchlings, 1 nest at Bluff Point on 6/13

1 pair at Griswold Point on 6/14

2 pairs, 2 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/15

1 pair, 1 nest at Long Beach on 6/15

7 adults, 3 nests at Milford Point on 6/15

1 pair, 2 adults, 2 nests at Milford Point on 6/16

1 pair at Long Beach on 6/16

2 pairs, 1 adult, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/16

2 pairs at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/16

2 pairs, 1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/16

2 pairs, 2 fledglings at Bluff Point on 6/16

1 pair, 1 adult at Bluff Point on 6/17

3 pairs, 6 adults, 3 nests at Milford Point on 6/17

1 pair, 1 nest at Long Beach on 6/17

1 pair at Long Beach on 6/17

1 adult at Bluff Point on 6/18

2 pairs, 1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/19

2 adults at Silver Sands State Park on 6/20

2 pairs, 1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/20

1 pair, 1 adult at Long Beach on 6/20

1 pair, 1 nest at Long Beach on 6/21

2 pairs, 3 adults, 2 nests at Milford Point on 6/21

2 pairs, 1 nest at Milford Point on 6/21

3 pairs, 3 nests at Milford Point on 6/22

1 adult at Long Beach on 6/23

2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/23

9 adults, 2 nests at Milford Point on 6/23

1 pair at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/24

2 pairs at Long Beach on 6/24

1 pair at Milford Point on 6/24

1 pair at Griswold Point on 6/25

Least Tern:

100 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/12

21 adults at Griswold Point on 6/14

99 pairs, 100 adults, 99 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/15

2 adults at Milford Point on 6/15

3 adults at Milford Point on 6/16

200 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/16

69 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/16

90 pairs, 65 adults, 50 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/16

100 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/16

2 adults at Bluff Point on 6/17

3 adults at Milford Point on 6/17

1 adult at Bluff Point on 6/18

100 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/19

10 pairs, 280 adults, 10 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/20

18 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/21

130 adults, 35 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/23

150 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/24

5 pairs, 22 adults, 4 nests at Griswold Point on 6/25

Common Tern:

5 pairs, 15 adults, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/15

1 adult at Milford Point on 6/15

2 adults at Milford Point on 6/16

2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/16

5 pairs, 20 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/16

2 adults at Milford Point on 6/17

3 adults at Bluff Point on 6/17

3 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/19

2 pairs, 8 adults, 2 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/20

14 adults at Griswold Point on 6/21

2 pairs, 1 nest at Milford Point on 6/22

Thanks again!

Protecting Fragile Dunes

Please remember that when we visit the beach as Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds shorebird monitors, or general volunteers, birders, photographers, and so on, we have to do our best to protect both fauna and flora. We want to keep ourselves out of the fragile dunes and stay near the wet sand and water line, ideally at lower tides. Nearing or entering dunes will impact wildlife while potentially harming or destroying dune vegetation.

These dune systems are an ecosystem onto themselves. They are the backbone of our beaches, and they also protect all the habitats beyond - including human. We do not want to be walking through these fragile grasses that can succumb even to our footsteps. Additionally, these are often places where we can pick up more ticks, and increase the likelihood of disturbing the nesting focal species we are meant to monitor and help protect. Thank you for being considerate of all of the life on our beaches.

Scott Kruitbosch
AAfCW Volunteer Coordinator

AAfCW 2021 Field Update #6

The remarkable Memorial Day weekend storm washed away many or all nests on our beaches and took numerous hatchlings with coastal flooding and high tides. String fencing and exclosures were damaged or destroyed in multiple locations. Staff worked hard all weekend and throughout the last two weeks to not only monitor as usual but also remove and/or repair all of the exclosures and fencing.

Now, our birds have been renesting in several locations. This means our staff has had to shift or extend string fencing for birds like American Oystercatchers and Least Terns. CT DEEP and AAfCW have also had to find new Piping Plover nests and exclose them when necessary. We are slowly building back our nests, and if all goes well, these nests and new hatchlings will be all over our beaches for the July 4th weekend. In short, we anticipate a very busy couple of months across Connecticut.

Please always keep monitoring near the wet sand and water line, ideally at lower tides. Nearing or entering dunes will disturb any birds, other wildlife, or trample the very important dune and its vegetation. We do not want to be walking through these grasses or other dune vegetation with how fragile it is, how often ticks can be found here, and because we do not want to harm any birds or nests.

Remaining monitor badges were sent out personally by Laura Saucier. CT DEEP Wildlife had sent them to Hartford where problems were encountered in the state mailing process. Lanyards proved to be extremely difficult to mail as well, so for now, the ID cards have been sent. For those of you new to the program, all physical materials are typically provided after completing in-person monitor training in March. COVID-19 has complicated numerous aspects of our efforts, and we are hopeful that next year the usual in-person components will be able to happen safely. Thank you for your patience in all of the extraordinary circumstances.

All birds hatched so far this year are still hatchlings. A few are near fledging, and none are juveniles. Below are observations on our beaches as submitted from noon on May 31 through 12:00am today, Monday, June 14. Reports of data and information prior to May 31 were received but are excluded from listing below. Thanks again!

Piping Plover:

2 pairs, 1 adult at Long Beach on 6/1

2 pairs, 2 adults, 3 hatchlings at Milford Point on 6/1

2 pairs, 2 adults at Long Beach on 6/1

4 pairs, 9 adults, 3 hatchlings, 2 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/1

11 adults, 6 hatchlings, 2 nests at Milford Point on 6/1

1 pair, 6 adults, 2 nests at Bluff Point on 6/1

1 pair, 1 adult at Griswold Point on 6/1

3 pairs, 20 adults, 8 hatchlings at Milford Point on 6/2

1 pair, 11 adults, 1 hatchling, 4 nests at Bluff Point on 6/2

1 pair, 1 nest at Griswold Point on 6/2

2 adults at Long Beach on 6/2

1 pair, 14 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/2

3 pairs, 12 adults, 5 hatchlings at Milford Point on 6/3

3 pairs, 4 adults, 2 hatchlings at Bluff Point on 6/4

4 pairs, 1 adult, 1 hatchling, 1 nest at Bluff Point on 6/4

7 pairs, 18 adults, 11 hatchlings at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/5

3 pairs, 9 adults, 1 nest at Long Beach on 6/6

4 pairs, 2 adults at Long Beach on 6/6

5 pairs, 5 adults, 1 nest at Milford Point on 6/7

1 adult at Long Beach on 6/8

2 pairs, 4 adults, 2 hatchlings at Milford Point on 6/8

3 adults at Long Beach on 6/8

15 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/8

3 pairs, 8 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/9

6 adults, 1 hatchling at Milford Point on 6/9

2 pairs, 3 adults, 1 hatchling, 1 nest at Bluff Point on 6/9

2 adults at Long Beach on 6/10

10 adults, 5 hatchlings, 1 nest at Milford Point on 6/10

14 adults, 4 hatchlings, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/10

1 pair, 1 adult at Griswold Point on 6/10

3 pairs, 4 adults, 2 hatchlings at Bluff Point on 6/11

2 pairs, 1 adult, 2 nests at Bluff Point on 6/11

5 pairs, 5 nests at Long Beach on 6/13

1 pair, 4 adults, 1 hatchling at Long Beach on 6/13

1 pair, 5 adults, 1 hatchling, 1 nest at Bluff Point on 6/13

American Oystercatcher:

1 pair, 2 hatchlings at Long Beach on 6/1

5 adults at Milford Point on 6/1

1 pair, 2 hatchlings at Long Beach on 6/1

1 pair, 1 adult, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/1

12 adults at Milford Point on 6/1

1 pair at Griswold Point on 6/1

3 adults at Bluff Point on 6/1

2 adults at Milford Point on 6/2

2 pairs, 1 adult at Bluff Point on 6/2

3 pairs, 4 adults, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/2

3 pairs, 4 adults at Milford Point on 6/3

2 pairs, 2 hatchlings, 1 nest at Bluff Point on 6/4

2 pairs, 3 hatchlings at Bluff Point on 6/4

1 pair, 1 nest at Griswold Point on 6/5

5 pairs, 11 adults, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/5

2 pairs at Milford Point on 6/8

1 pair at Long Beach on 6/8

3 pairs at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/9

1 pair at Milford Point on 6/9

2 pairs, 1 adult, 3 hatchlings at Bluff Point on 6/9

9 adults, 2 nests at Milford Point on 6/10

2 pairs, 2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/10

1 pair, 2 adults, 1 hatchling at Bluff Point on 6/11

1 pair, 2 hatchlings at Bluff Point on 6/11

1 pair at Long Beach on 6/13

Least Tern:

1 pair at Long Beach on 6/1

2 pairs, 24 adults at Long Beach on 6/1

3 pairs, 15 adults, 3 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/1

12 adults, 2 nests at Milford Point on 6/1

4 adults at Bluff Point on 6/1

18 adults at Griswold Point on 6/1

43 adults at Milford Point on 6/2

1 pair at Bluff Point on 6/2

6 pairs, 18 adults, 3 nests at Griswold Point on 6/2

41 adults at Long Beach on 6/2

30 adults, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/2

1 pair, 4 adults at Milford Point on 6/3

2 pairs, 1 adult at Bluff Point on 6/4

2 adults at Bluff Point on 6/4

2 pairs, 3 adults, 2 nests at Griswold Point on 6/5

2 adults at Long Beach on 6/5

1 adult at Long Beach on 6/6

80 adults, 15 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/8

87 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/9

6 adults at Milford Point on 6/10

200 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/10

22 adults at Griswold Point on 6/10

1 adult at Long Beach on 6/13

Common Tern:

3 adults at Long Beach on 6/1

1 pair, 3 adults at Long Beach on 6/1

8 adults at Milford Point on 6/2

1 pair, 3 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/2

4 adults at Milford Point on 6/3

6 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/5

22 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/9

4 adults at Milford Point on 6/9

1 adult at Bluff Point on 6/9

2 adults at Milford Point on 6/10

12 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 6/10

Thanks again!

Cats Harass Wildlife

Cats are often harassing or harming wildlife even if they are not intending to or successful in making a kill. Here we see a cat local to one of our beaches chasing and attacking a vole, as photographed last fall.

Cats are not a part of "nature", and they are a non-native, invasive species that plays no role in our ecosystem. They are not a part of the food web, and serve no purpose but to destroy. Cats have caused the extinction of numerous species throughout the world while greatly impacting others. Native snakes, birds of prey, and other mammalian predators are not comparable to introduced domestic cats. If we are to let nature be nature, then we must keep cats indoors where they are also safe from harm. Vehicles, ticks and diseases, poisons and toxins from chemicals and plants, larger predators, vile humans, weather and the elements - cats left to wander alone outdoors face countless threats and a have a dramatically shorter, more perilous life. I love cats, and I once again hope that you keep your family members safe in your home while protecting our environment.

Scott Kruitbosch
AAfCW Volunteer Coordinator

Cats Kill Wildlife

People love to argue with me that their beloved animals never harm birds. If a house cat can do this with a cottontail, what do you think they would do to hatchling American Oystercatcher, or a Piping Plover on a nest? 

I've had cats my entire life and love them dearly, and for their own safety as well as that of the environment, they should be indoors at all times. They cannot help that they are predators, but you can help them and our wildlife survive.

Scott Kruitbosch
AAfCW Volunteer Coordinator

Piping Plover Food

This photo of a Piping Plover along the wrack line in Connecticut was taken in April 2020 before any nesting was occurring. Most of the media I take for our focal species tends to come primarily outside of any nesting period, and not when the birds are running around with hatchlings and fledglings. Even we as caring monitors and staff with years or decades of experience are still a disturbance, and we ask everyone to please keep this in mind.

What I wanted to focus on here was the food in the air! Piping Plovers devour all sorts of invertebrates along the shore. In this case you can see it targeting flies - the same flies humans often complain about. We should be grateful to these great little shorebirds, and we should leave the wrack in place as we share the shore with our helpful friends.

Scott Kruitbosch
AAfCW Volunteer Coordinator

What's wrong with this picture?

It's time to play "what's wrong with this picture?" - and one hopes the answer is rather obvious. 

Abiding by local laws meant for public health and human safety also helps protect and support wildlife and conservation while respecting our neighbors. Sadly, our volunteers have staff have so many similar photos taken in 2021.

AAfCW 2021 Field Update #5

Good morning!

It has been a tough few days. Cold, windy, and rainy beaches have been largely devoid of beachgoers this holiday weekend, but the birds that make their homes on the shore have had a difficult time due to significant coastal flooding. Numerous nests have been lost to the Long Island Sound. String fencing and exclosures have been damaged or destroyed in some locations. Staff is working to take care of these situations when it is safe. 

In some areas, agitated pairs of birds were still guarding territory or destroyed nests. We did not want to add to their stress to try to fix something that would only be damaged again as tidal flooding occurred repeatedly on May 29 and 30. Repair work and more monitoring will be completed as the weather clears today and throughout the week. Please let us and CT DEEP know directly if you see damage, have nest losses, or new nests found - especially outside of fencing.

If you do not see any of our target species (Piping Plover, American Oystercatcher, and starting in May, Least Tern and Common Tern) please submit data regardless. Your trip information, hours, lack of birds, disturbances, observations of weather or people - all of that is vital to know. This is especially true as staff starts the annual June Piping Plover census across every potential beach habitat in the state of Connecticut. Please do report all four species, not only Piping Plovers, whenever you see them - just as you would plovers.

All birds hatched so far this year are still hatchlings. None have fledged and none are juveniles. Below are observations on our beaches as submitted from noon on May 20 through 12:00am today, Monday, May 31. Reports of data and information prior to May 20 were received but are excluded from listing below. Please try to submit data and information on the same day as your monitoring, or at most a day or two later. Information received weeks after a monitoring session is far less valuable to us in our 24/7 efforts. Thank you!

Piping Plover:

4 pairs, 2 nests at Bluff Point on 5/21

1 pair, 7 adults, 2 nests at Bluff Point on 5/21

1 adult at Long Beach on 5/21

1 adult at Griswold Point on 5/22

3 pairs at Long Beach on 5/23

8 pairs, 5 adults, 8 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/23

1 pair, 1 hatchling, 1 nest at Mile Creek on 5/23

6 adults, 5 hatchlings at Milford Point on 5/24

2 adults, 2 nests at Bluff Point on 5/24

2 pairs, 2 adults at Griswold Point on 5/24

7 adults, 7 hatchlings, 5 nests at Milford Point on 5/24

4 pairs, 2 nests at Bluff Point on 5/25

16 adults, 6 hatchlings, 6 nests at Milford Point on 5/25

5 pairs, 2 adults, 3 nests at Long Beach on 5/25

4 pairs, 13 adults, 4 hatchlings at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/25

5 pairs, 4 adults, 7 hatchlings, 8 nests at Milford Point on 5/25

1 pair, 2 adults, 3 hatchlings, 1 nest at Milford Point on 5/27

2 pairs, 12 adults, 3 hatchlings, 3 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/27

4 adults, 2 nests at Bluff Point on 5/28

American Oystercatcher:

2 pairs, 1 adult at Bluff Point on 5/21

1 pair, 1 nest at Griswold Point on 5/21

2 pairs, 6 adults, 2 nests at Bluff Point on 5/21

1 pair, 2 adults at Griswold Point on 5/22

1 adult, 1 nest at Long Beach on 5/23

2 adults at Silver Sands State Park on 5/23

1 pair at Fort Trumbull on 5/23

7 adults, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/24

1 adult at Milford Point on 5/24

1 pair, 2 hatchlings, 1 nest at Bluff Point on 5/24

1 pair at Griswold Point on 5/24

1 pair, 1 adult at Milford Point on 5/24

2 pairs, 3 hatchlings at Bluff Point on 5/25

5 adults, 1 nest at Milford Point on 5/25

1 pair at Long Beach on 5/25

5 pairs, 4 adults, 2 nests at Milford Point on 5/25

3 pairs, 1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/25

5 adults, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/27

1 adult at Bluff Point on 5/28

Least Tern:

2 adults at Bluff Point on 5/21

5 pairs, 2 adults at Griswold Point on 5/21

1 pair, 25 adults at Long Beach on 5/21

26 adults at Griswold Point on 5/22

6 adults at Long Beach on 5/23

17 pairs, 14 adults, 17 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/23

24 adults, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/24

5 adults at Milford Point on 5/24

1 pair, 2 adults at Milford Point on 5/24

19 adults at Milford Point on 5/25

2 pairs, 17 adults at Long Beach on 5/25

18 pairs, 40 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/25

50 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/27

2 pairs, 8 adults at Bluff Point on 5/28

Common Tern:

1 pair, 2 adults at Bluff Point on 5/21

2 pairs, 2 adults at Milford Point on 5/24

2 adults at Milford Point on 5/25

2 pairs at Milford Point on 5/25

8 pairs, 30 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/25

1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/27

1 adult, 1 nest at Milford Point on 5/28

Thanks again!

Memorial Day Weekend - Rain and High Tides

The weather forecast was extremely accurate for this Memorial Day weekend! Cold, windy, and rainy beaches have been largely devoid of beachgoers, but the birds that make their homes on the shore have had a difficult time thanks to coastal flooding. Numerous nests have been lost to the Long Island Sound. String fencing - and exclosures - have been damaged or destroyed in some locations. Staff is working to take care of these situations when it is safe. In some areas, agitated pairs of birds are still guarding territory or destroyed nests, and we do not want to add to their stress to try to fix something that would only be damaged again. Repair work and more monitoring will be completed as the weather clears tomorrow and throughout the week. The only species enjoying these days are birds like this Yellow-crowned Night-Heron photographed while feeding midday today.

Scott Kruitbosch
AAfCW Volunteer Coordinator

Share the Shore with Nesting Birds

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection | Office of Communications 

For Information Contact: Will Healey | 860-716-0961 | Will.Healey@ct.gov 

Tony Russell | 860-966-6495 | Tony.Russell@ct.gov 

 

For May 28, 2021 

 

Share the Shore with Nesting Birds 

DEEP Announces Measures to Protect Shorebirds at Coastal Beaches and Wading Birds at Offshore Islands 

 

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced that Charles Island in Milford and Duck Island in Westbrook will be closed to the public from now through September 9, 2021, to prevent disturbances to nesting birds. Both islands have been designated by DEEP as Natural Area Preserves, primarily due to their importance as nesting habitats for several state-listed birds, including snowy egrets and great egrets (state threatened species), glossy ibis, and little blue herons (state special concern). The two islands also have been designated as Important Bird Areas by Audubon Connecticut. 

 

In addition, the DEEP is asking beach visitors and boaters along the Connecticut shoreline to respect the fencing and yellow signs warning of piping plover and least tern nesting sites. The piping plover, a small, sandy-colored shorebird about the size of a robin, is a threatened species under the federal Endangered Species Act, as well as a state threatened species in Connecticut. The small, gull-like least tern, which nests in colonies in the same beach habitat as the piping plover, also is a state threatened species. 

 

“Each year, Charles and Duck Islands are closed during the nesting season to protect various bird species. Fencing also is erected at beach nesting areas along Connecticut’s shoreline to safeguard piping plovers and least terns,” said Jenny Dickson, DEEP Wildlife Division Director. “Closing the islands and enlisting the public’s help and cooperation are simple but effective ways to protect these birds.” 

 

Background: Closing of Charles and Duck Islands 

Protecting heron and egret nesting areas on Charles and Duck Islands are important steps to prevent disturbances that can result inabandonment of the nests and possibly of the entire colony. This would have a tremendous negative effect on these declining bird populations. 

 

To protect the nesting colonies (also known as rookeries) on Charles and Duck Islands, educational signs have been erected at access points describing these rare birds and why they should not be disturbed. Additionally, the sites are posted with island closure notices; the rookeries are fenced; and signs are posted that read “Do Not Enter – Bird Nesting Area.” 

When young birds become agitated by disturbances, they often fall from the nest. Once grounded, the young birds die of starvation or predation. If disturbances continue, the adults may abandon the nesting area. Examples of disturbances to these rookeries include unleashed dogs, boat and kayak landings, people approaching fenced nesting areas, campouts, and bonfires. 

 

Signs stating the closure of Charles and Duck Islands are posted and DEEP Environmental Conservation Police Officers will be patrolling the islands. The entire island areas are completely closed. Landing of watercraft on the beaches is prohibited. The public can help to protect nesting birds by following the closure and reporting any observed violations by calling DEEP’s 24-hour Dispatch Center at 860-424-3333. 

 

Background: Protection of Piping Plovers and Least Terns 

Human disturbance at beach nesting areas may result in nest abandonment by state threatened piping plovers and least terns or the loss of eggs and chicks. In response, each year DEEP delineates nesting sites with rope and fencing to dissuade people from disturbing the birds and nests. 

 

These shorebirds need special protection throughout their April to August nesting season and especially during the increased beach activity over the long Memorial Day and Fourth-of-July weekends. By obeying the warning signs and staying away from fenced areas, beach visitors can avoid disturbing the nesting birds. 

 

Both piping plovers and least terns use a shallow depression in sand for a nest. Their sand-colored eggs and young are so well camouflaged that they are easily stepped on. When intruders approach, young piping plovers are likely to stand motionless while the adult tries to attract attention by pretending to have a broken wing or flying around the intruder. If you witness this behavior, DEEP advises you to move away from the area at once. 

 

The DEEP Wildlife Division also provides the following advice to protect nesting shorebirds: 

• Walk close to the water on the lower beach, so birds can rest and nest on the upper beach. Signs usually alert you to these areas. Follow all other guidance on signs, and respect all areas fenced or posted for protection of wildlife. 
• Refrain from walking dogs or allowing house cats to roam freely on beaches during the nesting season. Dogs are not allowed at many beach areas during the bird nesting season. These areas include, but are not limited to, Compo Beach in Westport, Long Beach and Short Beach in Stratford, Pleasure Beach in Bridgeport, Silver Sands State Park and Milford Point in Milford, Sherwood Island State Park in Westport, Sandy Point in West Haven, Bluff Point Coastal Reserve in Groton, and Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison. 
• At areas where dogs are allowed, always keep them on a leash, but remember that even leashed dogs have the potential to step on nests and young. Dogs also may harass sensitive shorebirds by chasing them. 
• Keep your distance while photographing or birdwatching so the birds feel safe to attend to their eggs and chicks. 
• Remove trash and food scraps, which attract animals that might eat piping plover eggs and chicks. 
• Do not feed animals or wildlife on or near the beach. 
• Do not attempt to “rescue” young birds that appear to be lost or too young. They should not be removed from the beach to be cared for at home. In most cases, when immature birds are found alone, the adults have been frightened away but remain nearby and will return to their young once the intruder leaves. 
  
  It is illegal to hold wildlife for rehabilitation without proper state or federal permits. In addition, shorebirds have a unique diet that people would find hard to duplicate, probably resulting in starvation of the young bird. Any violations affecting wildlife should be reported to the DEEP’s 24-hour, toll-free hot line: 1-800-842-HELP. 

Memorial Day Weekend 2021

Memorial Day weekend is traditionally the first busy beach weekend of the year, and it typically coincides with the first hatchling Piping Plovers and American Oystercatchers running around our shoreline. Additionally, Least and Common Terns are beginning to form colonies with nests reported in a multitude of locations. We need all the help we can get to monitor beaches and speak to beachgoers during this critical time. 

The weather should feature rain and clouds with cool temperatures through most of the weekend followed by some improvement and warming on Monday. If that turns out to be close to accurate there should be less traffic on the beaches than usual, but if anyone can help and put in some extra time at your location(s) with beach stewardship, especially on Memorial Day, we would greatly appreciate it! If you have your monitoring ID and your beach is closed to residents only, you can use the ID to enter if you explain you are there to monitor the shorebirds for CT DEEP.

Please do keep in mind we would still want to avoid being on the beach during any rain or when the temperature is below 50, or when it is very windy, to keep the eggs and young safe. We never want to approach or enter any fenced areas, even as monitors. We do not need to count eggs or individual tern nests. If birds are using distraction displays, dive bombing, call loudly - those are all signs to exit the area promptly with caution. We also do not want to spend time near nests or linger too long immediately around hatchling birds. Keeping an eye on all from a distance using equipment while staying near the waterline is safest. Thank you, and enjoy the weekend!