We look forward to seeing many of you at next week’s beach-nesting bird monitor trainings. Just as a reminder,

The new volunteer training is on Tuesday March 25^th, 6:30-8pm

https://audubon.zoom.us/j/97129899748?pwd=Yx449sS3ykf2p2fbHGLOfAPwZGHhSB.1  

Meeting ID: 971 2989 9748 and passcode: 091299  

The returning volunteer training is Thursday March 27^th, 7-8pm 

https://audubon.zoom.us/j/96272612954?pwd=FGDnaconrvwbbrY0U3t0yJfj989ydD.1  

Meeting ID: 962 7261 2954 and passcode: 775219

 We will also be offering a field training for new volunteers on Sunday April 13^th from 1-4pm at Sandy Point Beach and Bird Sanctuary (Beach Street, West Haven).  This is a great opportunity to get firsthand training from CT DEEP Wildlife Biologist Laura Saucier and Piping Plover and Least Tern Research Assistant Rebecca Foster on beach-nesting bird biology and behavior, monitoring technique, and what data to collect.  Volunteer Coordinator Marissa Ardovino and I will also be on hand with brochures, tee-shirts, badges, etc. Bring a notebook and binoculars and dress for the weather

 There are four other opportunities in April to help beach-nesting birds.  First, in partnership with the Sandy Point Neighborhood Association and the Stewards of Sandy Point Bird Sanctuary, we will be hosting a beach clean-up at Sandy Point on April 5^th (rain date April 6^th), starting at 10am.  Trash can attract additional predators (Fish Crows, raccoons, opossums) to beaches, threatening eggs and hatchlings. The goal is to remove as much trash from Sandy Point as possible before the nesting season begins.

 We also could use your help during three string fencing events.  String fencing is set-up on beaches in the area where birds typically nest.  The fencing (wood posts, string, colorful flagging, and signs) alerts visitors to the beach that they are approaching a nesting area. There are many ways to help from carrying and putting up fence posts, to tying the string and flagging, to stapling signs to the fence posts.  These dates can double as a good time to drop off a CT DEEP liability form, pick up a badge/lanyard, and speak with staff about monitoring.

• Long Beach, Stratford - Tuesday, April 1st, 10:00am (rain date Wednesday, April 2th, 10:00am)

• Bluff Point State Park, Groton - Thursday, April 3rd, 10:00am (rain date Friday, April 4th, 10:00am)

• Sandy Point Beach and Bird Sanctuary, West Haven - Tuesday, April 8th, 10:00am (rain date Wednesday, April 9th, 10:00am)

 CT DEEP will make the final decision if there is forecasted rain, and we will let you know ASAP if a date is moved to the rain date. Griswold Point's fencing date will be provided soon, too. Fencing has been/will be placed at Milford Point, Silver Sands, Long Beach West/Pleasure Beach, and all other locations by staff only. 

 Any and all volunteers are welcome to participate in string fencing including those who are not regular trained AAfCW monitors. Volunteers should bring: work gloves, water, a snack, appropriate footwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, hats and whatever else you may need to avoid too much sun. These locations can either be quite cool or very warm depending on the day so dress for any weather. A pocket knife or multi-tool can be handy and a sledge hammer or mallet can be helpful to bring. Plan for heavy lifting and toting, but be mindful of your safety. Less intensive work includes stringing posts and putting up signs.

 Let us know if you plan to attend the field training, Sandy Point Beach Clean-up, and/or fencing events using our online form.  Thank you!

Corrie Folsom-O’Keefe, Director of Bird Conservation

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Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds

http://ctwaterbirds.blogspot.com

Volunteers Needed for Shorebird Monitoring 2025

 The Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds (AAfCW) and the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Wildlife Division, invite you to make a difference for threatened birds at the beach as an official volunteer monitor. This stewardship effort is focused on Piping Plovers, American Oystercatchers, Least Terns, and Common Terns at beaches statewide from April through August.

 Atlantic Coast populations of beach-nesting birds return to the Connecticut coast beginning in March from their wintering grounds, as far as the Caribbean. The cryptic nests of these birds are extremely susceptible to human disturbance, predation, and tidal washouts. To enhance the survival and productivity of Connecticut’s beach-nesting birds, volunteers monitor at locations across the state to observe shorebirds, record and report nesting data, and spread a “share the shore” philosophy encouraging positive actions everyone can take to help these birds successfully raise their young.

Training and orientation sessions will be held via Zoom webinars for new volunteers on March 25^th from 6:30-8:00 pm and returning volunteers on March 27^th  from 7:00 – 8:00 pm.  During the sessions, volunteers will learn about the biology of the Piping Plover, Least Tern, and American Oystercatcher, how to monitor breeding pairs and chicks, volunteer organization and logistics, and law enforcement information. Virtual attendance by everyone planning to join us for the 2025 season is important to discuss the birds. For more information on the training sessions, please email the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds at ctwaterbirds@gmail.com. 

 This training session is co-sponsored by the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds (Audubon Connecticut, the Connecticut Audubon Society, The Nature Conservancy), and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Wildlife Division.