April Reminders

A huge thanks to everyone who has helped us out with string fencing and started monitoring. We are still finalizing schedules for monitors and should be completed over the next week. Please submit your desired schedule and beach(es), date(s), time(s) and all information ASAP if you have not already.

Please do not monitor in West Haven until you have a parking pass. They will ticket you and not reimburse the fines. With that said, if you want to monitor in West Haven and have not emailed us your name, mailing address, vehicle license plate, and make/model, please do so ASAP. We will be submitting them in one batch, staff included, this week.

We have two more string fencing dates as follows - PLEASE try to attend to assist!

• Sandy/Morse Points, West Haven - Wednesday, April 17th, 1:00pm, rain date April 19th. 
• Bluff Point State Park, Groton - Tuesday, April 23rd, 10:00am, rain date April 24th. 

Remember that any and all volunteers are welcome including those who are not monitors. Volunteers should bring: work gloves, water, a snack, appropriate footwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, hats and whatever else you may need 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 needed includes stringing posts and putting up signs. Please email us at ctwaterbirds@gmail.com if you can make it, and thank you!

If you still feel as if you need additional time in the field with a staff member after indoor and outdoor training sessions, please let us know. We are setting up these times whenever possible. Also remember that when you start visiting your beach to provide us with detailed information on Piping Plovers and American Oystercatchers (then Least and Common Terns, too, beginning in May) along with things like start and end times, disturbances, and so forth. Please submit your data and information as soon as you can when returning from the beach. Please also remember negative data - not seeing our species - is important and should be reported, too.

Thanks again, all!