AAfCW Field Update #9

Second to last update of the season!

After today, there will only be one more field update for the 2025 season! Although our season does not officially end until August 31st, we are already starting to compile all of this year's nesting data. Please be sure to submit all monitoring reports as soon as possible. If you have older reports that you forgot to submit earlier in the season, that is okay! Please be sure to submit those reports to us as well. Any and all data is valuable to us!

If you are interested in assisting Audubon and CT DEEP staff with fencing removal, please see below for details about upcoming fencing removal events and RSVP by emailing ctwaterbirds@gmail.com

• Sandy Point, West Haven: Tues 8/26 @ 10am (due to parking restrictions, we can only accommodate volunteers who already monitor at Sandy Point or those who are West Haven residents)
• Griswold Point, Old Lyme: Tues 9/2 @ 11am

During fencing removal, volunteer tasks include pulling wooden stakes out of the ground, wrapping spools of string, and carrying signage off of the beach. If you would like to join us, please bring sunscreen, a hat, work gloves, a pocketknife/multitool and LOTS of water (remember that it can get very hot on the beach in the middle of the day!) Do not attempt to carry too many stakes as there will be enough staff and volunteers that no one should overexert themselves. Remember to take breaks when needed. As always, please reach out to ctwaterbirds@gmail.com if you have any questions!

Volunteer Spotlight:

I would like to introduce you all to the subject of this week's volunteer spotlight, Amy Traggianese!

Where do you conduct your shorebird monitoring? 

For the last four years I have monitored the shorebirds at Milford Point. During two of those years, I also monitored Sandy/Morse Points in West Haven.

How did you learn about the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds volunteer program? 

My husband saw information about the volunteer program online. I had just retired from teaching, and was always interested in birds, Piping Plovers in particular. I had never seen one close up!  COVID19 was still a big problem at that time, so it was a great activity for me to do outside.

What is your favorite part of volunteering as a shorebird monitor?

My favorite part of shorebird monitoring is that I am doing my small part to help these threatened birds. As a bonus, I have learned a lot about the four species and nature conservation in general. I also enjoy answering questions from the public about the birds and their habitat.

One of my favorite memories of monitoring was when I actually saw my first Piping Plover on Milford Point. I was SO excited, and that little bird became my spark bird! Ever since I have been birding in my yard and anywhere else I can. I consider myself a citizen scientist and report on eBird and iNaturalist. My husband and I bird around Connecticut and when we travel. In the last four years, we have birded up and down the East coast, in Iceland, and in many National Parks.

Another great monitoring day was the time I noticed a tiny Diamondback Terrapin at Milford Point. It was about the size of a quarter! At first, I wasn’t sure if it was dead or alive… until it blinked! I was happy to add that little creature to the data I submitted that day.

Diamondback Terrapin hatchling. Photo: Amy Traggianese

What do you do outside of your volunteer work?

As a retired art educator, I’m also an artist, so when I’m not monitoring or birding, I’m creating! The last few years I have focused on collage, crochet and weaving. Cooking and baking are also some of my favorite things to do. I’m also an avid reader and enjoy non-fiction books and biographies.

Latest Monitoring Data:

Here is a summary of all volunteer-collected data submitted between August 9th and August 22nd, 2025.

• Number of volunteer reports submitted: 47
• Total volunteer monitoring hours: 68
• Number of beachgoers engaged in conversations about birds/conservation: 58

Piping Plover. Photo: Camilla Cerea/Audubon

Piping Plover Data Summary

Piping Plover Individual Adult Observations

There were individual adult Piping Plover observed at Long Beach, Milford Point, Silver Sands, Sandy Point, and Bluff Point between August 9th and August 22nd.

American Oystercatchers. Photo: Emily Hampton/Audubon Photography Awards

American Oystercatcher Data Summary

American Oystercatcher Individual Adult Observations

There were individual adult American Oystercatchers observed at Long Beach, Milford Point, and Sandy Point between August 9th and August 22nd.

Common Tern. Photo: Luke Franke/Audubon

Common Tern Data Summary

Adult Common Tern Observations

There were Common Terns observed at Long Beach, Milford Point, Sandy Point, and Waterford Town Beach between August 9th and August 22nd.

Least Tern. Photo: Steve Dimock/Audubon Photography Awards

Least Tern Data Summary

Adult Least Tern Observations

There were Least Terns observed at Long Beach, Milford Point, Sandy Point, Griswold Point, Waterford Town Beach, and Bluff Point between August 9th and August 22nd.

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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**