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