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.