AAfCW 2025 Field Update #7

Just a short and sweet update this week:

There are birds fledging all across the shoreline, and other shorebird species are on the move through Connecticut as they embark on their southbound migrations!

You may begin to see string fencing and signage removed from areas that did not have any shorebird nesting activity this season. Other times, fencing and signage will remain in place until the fall in order to allow birds to access shoreline habitat at certain vital locations. As a reminder, if you are currently monitoring at a beach that does not have any activity from our four focal species, you are welcome to continue monitoring there through the end of August, or you may switch to a beach that still has nesting activity. Please send an email to ctwaterbirds@gmail.com if you would like to switch to a different site for the remainder of the season. Additionally, we will have string fencing removal days in August at some of our major sites, and we will ask for volunteer assistance during those events once the dates and times are set. Keep an eye out for email updates from me over the next few weeks. 

Stay cool out there!

Latest Monitoring Data

Here is a summary of all volunteer-collected data submitted between July 12th and July 24th, 2025.

• Number of volunteer reports submitted: 62
• Total volunteer monitoring hours: 98
• Number of beachgoers engaged in conversations about birds/conservation: 79

Piping Plover. Photo: Angela Previte/Audubon Photography Awards

Piping Plover Data Summary

Piping Plover Pair Observations

There were Piping Plover pairs observed at Long Beach, Milford Point, Silver Sands, Sandy Point, Griswold Point, and Bluff Point between July 12th and July 24th.

Sites with Piping Plover nests:

Site	Piping Plover Nests
Sherwood Island - Westport	0
Long Beach - Stratford	1
Russian Beach - Stratford	0
Short Beach - Stratford	0
Milford Point - Milford	1
Silver Sands State Park - Milford	0
Sandy Point Bird Sanctuary - West Haven	0
Griswold Point - Old Lyme	0
Waterford Town Beach - Waterford	0
Bluff Point - Groton	0

American Oystercatcher. Photo: Wayne Atkinson/Audubon Photography Awards

American Oystercatcher Data Summary

American Oystercatcher Pair Observations

There were American Oystercatcher pairs observed at Long Beach, Milford Point, Silver Sands, Sandy Point, Griswold Point, and Bluff Point between July 12th and July 24th.

Sites with American Oystercatcher nests:

Site	American Oystercatcher Nests
Sherwood Island - Westport	0
Long Beach - Stratford	0
Russian Beach - Stratford	0
Short Beach - Stratford	0
Milford Point - Milford	2
Silver Sands State Park - Milford	0
Sandy Point Bird Sanctuary - West Haven	0
Griswold Point - Old Lyme	0
Waterford Town Beach - Waterford	0
Bluff Point - Groton	0

Common Tern. Photo: Luke Franke/Audubon

Common Tern Data Summary

Adult Common Tern Observations

There were Common Terns observed at Long Beach, Russian Beach, Short Beach, Milford Point, Silver Sands, Sandy Point, Griswold Point, and Waterford Town Beach between July 12th and July 24th.

Least Tern. Photo: Sean Medina/Audubon Photography Awards

Least Tern Data Summary

Adult Least Tern Observations

There were Least Terns observed at Sherwood Island, Long Beach, Russian Beach, Milford Point, Silver Sands, Sandy Point, Griswold Point, and Bluff Point between July 12th and July 24th.

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Thank you all for your time and dedication towards protecting our shorebirds! 

Marissa

Audubon CT Volunteer Coordinator

**All photos are licensed for use through the National Audubon Society. Audubon Connecticut is a state office of the National Audubon Society**