AAfCW 2016 Volunteer Update #9

This is the ninth weekly update by the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds (AAfCW) for the 2016 season. Today's update includes reports of Piping Plover, American Oystercatcher, Least Tern and Common Tern from May 16 through 11:00 a.m. on May 23 with sightings of birds by volunteers and staff.

Informational updates:

We have our first American Oystercatcher chicks hatching now in multiple locations during what seems to be a strong season for the species, and we will have hatchling Piping Plovers this week as well. It has been a difficult year so far for our Piping Plovers as more nests were lost last week due to tides and/or abandonment in some cases. Once again please remember from training in March that CT DEEP is selectively exclosing Piping Plover nests this year while participating in a regional study evaluating exclosure success. Therefore there will be complete, four-egg nests that we are aware of and that CT DEEP has already recorded that do not get a metal exclosure placed over them. Please do report nests that you believe are "new" to CT DEEP and us as usual, or any nests that are washed out or otherwise appear to be abandoned.

Please remember that this upcoming weekend is Memorial Day. The holiday will mean busier beaches with a lot more traffic, especially if the weather is cooperative as it appears it will largely be. Many of these visitors will not know about our birds or why they're important and need to be educated on what is happening on the beach. If you have any extra time to monitor outside of your usual shifts please try to visit any of our beaches next Saturday, Sunday and Monday during this critical nesting time at the unofficial beginning of summer. Temperatures all week should be warm and more beachgoers than usual may be present from Wednesday onward. Thank you in advance! The next update will likely come next Tuesday after we wrap up a busy weekend.

Survey and monitoring updates:

Piping Plover
6 pairs, 1 adult, 6 nests at Long Beach on 5/16
6 pairs, 3 nests at Hammonasset on 5/17
6 adults, 2 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/17
10 adults at Long Beach on 5/17
15 adults, 2 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/18

3 pairs, 3 adults, 1 nest at Long Beach on 5/18

1 pair, 5 adults, 1 nest at Milford Point on 5/18

3 pairs, 6 adults, 5 nests at Milford Point on 5/18
4 pairs, 4 nests at Harkness Memorial State Park on 5/18
6 pairs, 1 adult, 5 nests at Griswold Point on 5/18
1 pair, 1 nest at Pleasure Beach on 5/19

3 pairs, 8 adults, 2 nests at Milford Point on 5/19

2 adults at Long Beach on 5/20

2 pairs, 3 adults at Long Beach on 5/20
1 pair, 3 adults at Long Beach on 5/20

2 pairs, 2 adults, 2 nests at Bluff Point on 5/20

4 pairs, 3 adults, 2 nests at Milford Point on 5/20

6 pairs, 1 adult, 3 nests at Hammonasset on 5/20
8 pairs, 2 adults, 4 nests at Milford Point on 5/20
6 pairs, 1 adult, 6 nests at Long Beach on 5/20

8 pairs, 4 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/21
6 pair, 1 adult, 3 nests at Hammonasset on 5/22

American Oystercatcher
1 pair at Long Beach on 5/16
2 pairs at Hammonasset on 5/17
1 pair, 1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/17
1 pair, 2 hatchlings at Lewis Island, Thimbles on 5/17
1 pair, 1 nest at Thimble Island # 18 on 5/17
1 pair, 2 hatchlings at Govenor Island, Thimbles on 5/17
1 pair, 1 nest at Griswold Point on 5/17
1 pair, 1 nest at Griswold Point on 5/18
3 pair, 2 hatchlings, 1 nest at Milford Point on 5/18
2 adults at East Broadway Milford on 5/18

1 pair at Long Beach on 5/18

4 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/18

2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/18

1 pair, 5 adults, 3 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/18

10 pairs, 1 adult, 7 hatchlings, 3 nests at Sandy Point Island on 5/18

1 adult at Stratford Point on 5/19
4 pairs, 2 hatchlings at Milford Point on 5/19
1 pair, 1 nest at Channel Marker, Branford Harbor on 5/19
1 pair, 2 hatchlings at Green Island on 5/19
1 pair, 1 nest at Darrow Rocks, Kelsey Island on 5/19
1 pair at Pleasure Beach on 5/19
3 pairs, 2 hatchlings, 1 nest at Milford Point on 5/20
1 pair at Long Beach on 5/20
1 pair at Long Beach on 5/20
1 pair at Long Beach on 5/20

1 adult at Bluff Point on 5/20

1 pair, 2 hatchlings at Milford Point on 5/20
1 pair, 1 adult at Mason Island on 5/20
1 pair at Hammonasset on 5/20

2 pairs, 1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/21
2 pairs, 3 adults at Hammonasset on 5/22

Least Tern
8 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/18

8 adults at Long Beach on 5/18

6 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/18

1 pair, 28 adults at Milford Point on 5/18
2 pairs, 1 adult at Harkness Memorial State Park on 5/18
15 pairs, 10 adults at Griswold Point on 5/18

6 adults at Stratford Point on 5/19
60 adults at Milford Point on 5/19
9 adults at Long Beach on 5/20

8 adults at Long Beach on 5/20

10 adults at Bluff Point on 5/20

30 adults at Milford Point on 5/20

13 pairs, 2 adults at Hammonasset on 5/20

1 pair at East Broadway on 5/20
1 pair, 4 adults at Silver Sands State Park on 5/20
10 pairs, 20 adults at Milford Point on 5/20
3 pairs, 4 adults at Long Beach on 5/20
6 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/21
12 pairs, 12 adults at Hammonasset on 5/22

Common Tern
6 adults at Lewis Island, Thimbles on 5/17
3 adults at Governor Island, Thimbles on 5/17
2 adults at East Broadway Milford on 5/18

3 adults at Milford Point on 5/18

8 adults at Sandy Point Island on 5/18
2 adults at Peck Ave West Haven on 5/18
2 adults at Harkness Memorial State Park on 5/18
3 pairs at Griswold Point on 5/18

4 adults at Stratford Point on 5/19
5 adults at Milford Point on 5/19
4 pairs at Umbrella Island on 5/19
10 pairs at Green Island on 5/19
6 pairs at Darrow Rocks, Kelsey Island on 5/19
4 adults at Long Beach on 5/20

30 adults at Long Beach on 5/20

2 adults at Milford Point on 5/20
2 pairs at Mason Island on 5/20
3 pairs, 3 adults at Hammonasset on 5/20
1 pair, 1 adult at East Broadway Milford on 5/20
2 adults at Silver Sands State Park on 5/20
2 pairs, 1 adult at Milford Point on 5/20   
2 pairs at Long Beach on 5/20
4 pairs, 2 adults at Hammonasset on 5/22

This concludes update #9 through 05/23/16 as of 12:00 p.m.

Least Terns Return

The terns have returned! Here we have a pair of Least Terns photographed off Stratford Point early this morning.

Both Least and Common Terns, two of the focal species in the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds, are back in Connecticut and we will be monitoring them as we do Piping Plovers and American Oystercatchers. Other terns, such as Forster's and Caspian, have returned as well. Also keep an eye out for Roseate, Royal and even more rare terns like Gull-billed. We hope the birds will cooperate and Least Terns colonies will set up in Stratford, Milford, West Haven, Westbrook and elsewhere.

AAfCW 2016 Volunteer Update #8

This is the eighth weekly update by the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds (AAfCW) for the 2016 season. Today's update includes reports of Piping Plover, American Oystercatcher, Least Tern and Common Tern from May 9 through 11:00 a.m. on May 16 with sightings of birds by volunteers and staff.

Informational updates:

This week may once again feature more inclement weather days where it is best to skip monitoring due to cool temperatures, strong wind or rain - especially with many nests now on our beaches. As you may recall from training in March, CT DEEP is selectively exclosing Piping Plover nests this year while participating in a regional study evaluating exclosure success. Therefore there will be complete, four-egg nests that we are aware of and that CT DEEP has already recorded that do not get a metal exclosure placed over them. Please do report nests that you believe are "new" to CT DEEP and us as usual, or any nests that are washed out or otherwise appear to be abandoned.

Common and Least Terns have arrived and are being seen across the state. Please watch for both species and report them to us as you would Piping Plovers and American Oystercatchers. Thank you all for your efforts!

Survey and monitoring updates:

Piping Plover

5 pairs, 1 nest at Hammonasset on 5/8
3 pairs, 1 adult at Long Beach on 5/9
4 pairs, 2 adults, 3 nests at Bluff Point on 5/9
5 pairs, 2 nests at Griswold Point on 5/9

5 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/9

5 pairs, 2 adults, 3 nests at Hammonasset on 5/10
10 pairs, 6 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/10
4 pairs, 2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/10

2 pairs, 3 adults at Long Beach on 5/10
1 pair, 5 adults, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/10

2 pairs, 3 adults, 2 nests at Hammonasset on 5/11
6 adults, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/11
6 pairs, 1 adult, 5 nests at Bluff Point on 5/11

1 pair, 4 adults, 3 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/11
4 pairs, 7 adults, 5 nests at Milford Point on 5/11

7 adults, 2 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/11

3 pairs, 2 adults at Long Beach on 5/11

4 pairs, 8 adults, 3 nests at Milford Point on 5/12
6 pairs, 2 adults, 3 nests at Bluff Point on 5/12
3 pairs, 1 adult, 2 nests at Long Beach on 5/12
11 pairs, 9 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/12
7 pairs, 1 adult, 6 nests at Long Beach on 5/13
1 pair, 1 nest at Pleasure Beach on 5/13
9 adults, 1 nest at Griswold Point on 5/13

3 pairs, 10 adults, 2 nests at Milford Point on 5/13

5 pairs, 4 adults, 3 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/13

3 pairs, 5 adults, 2 nests at Long Beach on 5/14

4 pairs, 2 adults, 2 nests at Hammonasset on 5/15
1 pair at Long Beach on 5/15

7 pairs, 1 adult, 2 nests at Long Beach on 5/15

1 pair at Silver Sands State Park on 5/15

5 pairs, 4 adults, 2 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/15

American Oystercatcher
2 pairs, 2 nests at Hammonasset on 5/8
1 pair at Long Beach on 5/9
1 pair, 1 nest at Bluff Point on 5/9
1 pair at Griswold Point on 5/9

3 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/9

2 pairs, 1 adult, 2 nests at Hammonasset on 5/10
2 pairs at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/10

2 pairs at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/10
1 pair at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/10

1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/11
2 pairs, 1 nest at Bluff Point on 5/11
2 pairs, 1 nest at Hammonasset on 5/11
1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/11
3 pairs, 1 adult, 1 nest at Milford Point on 5/11

2 pairs, 1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/11

1 pair, 3 adults at Long Beach on 5/11

1 adult at Stratford Point on 5/12
3 pairs, 3 nests at Milford Point on 5/12
2 pairs, 1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/12
1 pair at Bluff Point on 5/12
1 pair at Long Beach on 5/12
1 pair at Compo Beach on 5/12
12 pairs, 9 nests at Cockenoe Island on 5/12

1 adult at Stratford Point on 5/13
1 pair at Long Beach on 5/13
1 pair, 1 nest at Pleasure Beach on 5/13
1 adult at Griswold Point on 5/13

1 pair, 1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/13

1 pair at Long Beach on 5/14

2 pairs, 1 nest at Hammonasset on 5/15

2 pairs, 1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/15

Least Tern
10 adults at Hammonasset on 5/10
6 adults at Long Beach on 5/10
6 adults at Bluff Point on 5/11
9 adults at Hammonasset on 5/11

50 adults at Milford Point on 5/11

1 adult at Long Beach on 5/11

2 adults at Short Beach on 5/12
12 adults at Cockenoe Island on 5/12
20 adults at Milford Point on 5/12
7 adults at Long Beach on 5/12
2 adults at Stratford Point on 5/13
4 adults at Long Beach on 5/13
2 adults at Pleasure Beach on 5/13
11 adults at Hammonasset on 5/13

20 adults at Long Beach on 5/15

Common Tern
12 adults at Hammonasset on 5/10
2 adults at Hammonasset on 5/11
3 adults at Stratford Point on 5/12
6 adults at Milford Point on 5/12
90 adults at Cockenoe Island on 5/12
4 adults at Stratford Point on 5/13

10 adults at Griswold Point on 5/13

6 adults at Hammonasset on 5/15

This concludes update #8 through 05/16/16 as of 12:00 p.m.

AAfCW 2016 Volunteer Update #7

This is the seventh weekly update by the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds (AAfCW) for the 2016 season. Today's update includes reports of Piping Plover and American Oystercatcher from May 2 through 12:00 p.m. on May 9 with sightings of birds by volunteers and staff.

Informational updates:

Last week was a very difficult one for both Piping Plovers and American Oystercatchers at our beaches as a multitude of nests were washed out by high tides. Fencing damage occurred across the state due to these tides as well, and even more nests may have been harmed by cool temperatures and frequent rain. Please report any new nests, washed out nests, and damage to signs or fencing to us as well as CT DEEP's Laura Saucier (laura.saucier@ct.gov) and Rebecca Foster (rsuzf@hotmail.com) as soon as possible. Thankfully this week looks ideal for monitoring and for our birds, and we hope you enjoy getting back out to the beach.

Common and Least Terns will be arriving in the state this week, so please watch for both species and report them to us as you would Piping Plovers and American Oystercatchers. Thank you all and good birding!

Survey and monitoring updates:

Piping Plover
6 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/2
8 pairs, 2 adults, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/3
1 adult, 1 nest at Peck Ave/Beach St, West Haven on 5/3
4 pairs, 1 adult at Hammonasset on 5/3
9 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/4
2 pairs, 3 adults, 1 nest at Long Beach on 5/4
7 pairs, 4 nests at Milford Point on 5/5
8 pairs, 6 nests at Milford Point on 5/5
5 pairs, 1 nest at Hammonasset on 5/5
2 pairs, 7 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/5
6 pairs, 5 nests at Milford Point on 5/6
8 pairs, 5 nests at Milford Point on 5/7
2 pairs, 2 adults, 4 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/7
8 pairs, 2 adults, 3 nests at Milford Point on 5/8
1 adult, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/8

American Oystercatcher
6 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/2
2 pairs, 2 nests at Hammonasset on 5/3
2 pairs at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/3
2 adults at Oyster River Mouth, West Haven/Woodmont on 5/3
2 adults at Peck Ave, West Haven on 5/4
3 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/4
1 pair at Long Beach on 5/4
3 pairs at Milford Point on 5/5
2 adults at Peck Ave, West Haven on 5/5
2 adults, 2 pairs, 2 nests at Hammonasset on 5/5
1 pair, 2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/5
3 pairs, 2 nests at Milford Point on 5/6
1 pair, 1 nest at Long Beach on 5/7
1 adult at Pleasure Beach on 5/7
2 pairs at Sandy/Morse Points on 5/7
1 pair, 1 adult, 1 nest at Milford Point on 5/8

This concludes update #7 through 05/09/16 as of 1:00 p.m.

AAfCW 2016 Volunteer Update #6

This is the sixth weekly update by the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds (AAfCW) for the 2016 season. Today's update includes reports of Piping Plover and American Oystercatcher from April 25 through 11:00 a.m. on May 2 with sightings of birds by volunteers and staff.

Informational updates:

We are finding new nests for both Piping Plovers and American Oystercatchers at our beaches every day. Please report any new nests to us as well as CT DEEP's Laura Saucier (laura.saucier@ct.gov) and Rebecca Foster (rsuzf@hotmail.com) as soon as possible. Yesterday was a good example of weather conditions that we do not want to go out and monitor in as even our approach could flush birds off nests and be a threat to the safety of their eggs. There is a chance of rain every day this week so keep an eye on the forecast and prioritize the safety of our birds.

Common and Least Terns should be arriving in the state this week, so please watch for both species and report them to us as you would Piping Plovers and American Oystercatchers. Thank you all and good birding!

Survey and monitoring updates:

Piping Plover
2 pairs at Long Beach on 4/25
2 pairs, 6 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/25
6 adults at Griswold Point on 4/25
1 adult at Silver Sands State Park on 4/27
4 pairs, 1 nest at Long Beach on 4/27
2 pairs, 2 nests at Sandy Point Island on 4/27
2 pairs, 5 adults, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/27
1 pair, 4 adults, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/27
1 adult at Long Beach on 4/27
1 pair, 3 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/28
6 pairs, 3 adults, 2 nests at Milford Point on 4/28
4 pairs, 1 adult, 1 nest at Long Beach on 4/28
3 pairs, 4 adults at Hammonasset on 4/28
4 pairs, 2 adults at Griswold Point on 4/29
2 pairs, 2 nests at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/29
2 pairs, 1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/29
1 adult at Peck Ave/Beach St, West Haven on 4/29
3 pairs, 6 adults at Milford Point on 4/29

American Oystercatcher
2 adults at Long Beach on 4/25
1 adult at Sixpenny Island on 4/25
1 adult at Ram Island on 4/25
1 pair, 2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/25
1 pair at Long Beach on 4/27
10 pairs, 7 nests at Sandy Point Island on 4/27
3 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/27
3 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/27
1 pair at Long Beach on 4/27
3 pairs, 2 nests at Milford Point on 4/28
1 pair at Long Beach on 4/28
2 pairs, 2 nests at Hammonasset on 4/28
1 pair, 1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/28
1 pair at Long Beach on 4/28
1 pair at Griswold Point on 4/29
1 pair at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/29
2 pairs, 1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 4/29
1 adult at Long Rock on 4/29
2 adults at Bluff Point on 4/29

This concludes update #6 through 05/02/16 as of 12:00 p.m.