AAfCW 2023 Field Update #10

This is the tenth field update for the AAfCW in 2023 with data provided from volunteer monitors spanning August 1 through August 13. Below are our string fencing removal dates!

• Bluff Point 8/18 @10 AM. We will meet at the gate and we'll transport folks out to the beach.
• Long Beach (B1-3) 8/31 @10 AM. We will meet at the west end of the parking area and tell the booth folks you're with DEEP.
• Sandy Point 9/13 @10 AM. We will meet at the south end of Morse Ave.

The late date for West Haven will allow more time for our birds to remain in safe areas of the beach, and for everyone to stay cool on a hopefully lovely September day for the extra walking involved this year. Assisting helps AAfCW and aids CT DEEP staff and their busy schedules. It also limits the stress on our birds. Those who join us should remember a few things:

-wear sunscreen and a hat
-drink plenty of water or sports drink and bring a snack
-do not attempt to carry too many stakes as there will be enough volunteers and staff members so that no one should overexert themselves
-take a break when needed

In general we look for everyone we can to help out even if you are not a regular AAfCW monitor or volunteer - the more the merrier. It also makes for a more pleasant morning of bird watching and discussions on the beach. Please RSVP to ctwaterbirds@gmail.com if you will be joining us at any or all dates, thanks!

We are now beginning to see more of our birds heading south for the wintering grounds. Piping Plovers in particular are now absent from a lot of our beaches. However, it is all the more important to record this negative data, so please report when you do not see any of them - or any American Oystercatchers, Least Terns, or Common Terns. Also keep in mind we can see migratory birds from out of state, and we especially wanted to record any that are banded and flagged. Thanks so much!

Species	Date	Location	Pairs	Adults	Nests	Hatchlings	Fledglings	Juveniles
PIPL	August 1	Milford Point	2	4				1
AMOY	August 1	Milford Point	1					2
AMOY	August 1	Bluff Point	1			1
PIPL	August 1	Bluff Point		1				1
COTE	August 1	Bluff Point		1
LETE	August 1	Milford Point		50	1
AMOY	August 1	Milford Point	1					1
PIPL	August 1	Milford Point		1				1
COTE	August 1	Milford Point		20				3
LETE	August 1	Milford Point	1	17	1	1
AMOY	August 2	Long Beach	1			1
PIPL	August 2	Long Beach						1
LETE	August 2	Long Beach		15		1	1
AMOY	August 2	Long Beach	1
LETE	August 2	Long Beach		10
PIPL	August 2	Long Beach		4
AMOY	August 3	Sandy/Morse Points	1
PIPL	August 3	Sandy/Morse Points		1
COTE	August 3	Sandy/Morse Points		45
AMOY	August 3	Griswold Point	1
PIPL	August 4	Milford Point		7				8
LETE	August 4	Milford Point		46	1
COTE	August 4	Milford Point		16
AMOY	August 4	Milford Point		7
AMOY	August 6	Long Beach	1					1
LETE	August 6	Long Beach	1				1
COTE	August 6	Sandy/Morse Points		8
PIPL	August 7	Bluff Point	3	1		1		1
LETE	August 8	Long Beach		11
PIPL	August 8	Milford Point		3				4
LETE	August 8	Milford Point		4		2
PIPL	August 8	Long Beach		5				3
LETE	August 8	Long Beach		15
LETE	August 9	Long Beach	1
PIPL	August 9	Long Beach	2
AMOY	August 9	Sandy/Morse Points	1				3
COTE	August 9	Sandy/Morse Points		6
COTE	August 10	Hammonassett State Park		4
AMOY	August 10	Griswold Point		1	1
COTE	August 10	Griswold Point		7
AMOY	August 11	Milford Point		1
AMOY	August 11	Milford Point		1
LETE	August 11	Milford Point		2			1	1