American Oystercatchers Nesting

It has been a very slow start to the 2018 Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds season thanks to our unusually cold and wet weather pattern. While I write this we are expecting yet more rain tomorrow after a rainy yesterday. April started off with multiple days of snow, making life very difficult for returning shorebirds looking for a home on the beach. Piping Plovers are only now beginning to display some breeding activities, but we have yet to locate a nest (don't worry, they will come fast soon).

American Oystercatchers started a little faster and our staff has recently found nests at offshore islands. Here are some recent photos I took during one of our string fencing and signage dates...

Do you know what this pair was doing in the second photo? Apart from likely commenting on the continuously cruel Connecticut climate, they were eyeing a passing plane. Predators come in all shapes and sizes, so you can imagine what these birds think of loose dogs, drones, kites, parasailing, and many other human activities. Your dedicated stewardship efforts as monitors and volunteers make a tremendous difference in ensuring our focal species have a successful nesting season, and we thank you! Keep an eye on our blog and social media pages all spring and summer for more photos of our friends.

Scott Kruitbosch

AAfCW Volunteer Coordinator

RTPI Conservation & Outreach Coordinator