"Snowy" Plovers

It has been a very difficult start to the 2018 Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds season all due to the weather as snow, cold temperatures, and strong winds continue into April after a rough March. Piping Plovers started arriving back on the Connecticut shoreline a few weeks ago. However, these conditions will push the start of the nesting season back a bit, and they continue to keep our volunteer monitors and staff off of the beaches and islands.

This is the seventh season of AAfCW, and I have been wondering when we would get to see some Piping Plovers in the snow. Here is a bird on the beach the day after a snowfall during more tolerable weather for everyone involved.

With that said, we would much rather have poor conditions now while adults are pairing up instead of frequent inclement weather later as eggs and chicks are on our beaches. Fingers crossed for a calm, temperate and beautiful rest of the spring.

Scott Kruitbosch

AAfCW Volunteer Coordinator

RTPI Conservation & Outreach Coordinator