AAfCW 2015 Volunteer Update #19

This is the nineteenth weekly update by the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds (AAfCW) for the 2015 season. Today's update includes reports of Piping Plover, American Oystercatcher, Least Tern and Common Tern from August 3 through 4:00 p.m. on August 10 with sightings of birds by volunteers and staff spanning that period.

Informational updates:

We now have two string fencing removal dates set by CT DEEP. The Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds would appreciate any volunteers who could help us out at these locations and times:

Friday, August 14th at 10:30AM - Long Beach in Stratford
Thursday, August 20th at 10:00AM - Sandy/Morse Points in West Haven

Bluff Point's fencing removal date will be announced soon, pending Least Tern chick departure. Assisting not only helps AAfCW but it also greatly aids those at CT DEEP who have extremely limited time. It also limits the stress on young, feeding and migrant birds. Please remember that taking down fencing in August can be physically demanding because of the potential heat and humidity, and those who join us should remember a few things:
-wear sunscreen
-drink plenty of water or sports drink
-do not attempt to carry too many stakes, there are enough volunteers and staff members so that no one should overexert themselves
-anyone who needs to limit physical exertion should stick to winding up string rolls
-take as many breaks as needed

In general we look for everyone we can to help out even if you are not a past monitor or volunteer - the more the merrier. It also makes for a more pleasant morning of bird watching and discussions on the beach. Please email us at ctwaterbirds@gmail.com if you can join us on one or both days, and thank you!

In the past week there have been multiple reports of Roseate Terns, Forster's Terns and even Black Terns from some of our beaches in Connecticut. There are also Red Knots moving through the state, a species we request all reports of now that they have been added to the federal endangered species list. You may find uncommon shorebirds like the "Western" subspecies of Willet or the White-rumped Sandpiper. That is all in addition to potential banded or flagged American Oystercatchers and Piping Plovers, plus masses of our Least and Common Terns. It is an exciting time of year to be at the shore watching all of this action and speaking to beachgoers about our birds, and we encourage you to go enjoy some monitoring! After a wet Tuesday it should be a lovely week and perfect beach and birding weather. Good luck to you!

Survey and monitoring updates:

Piping Plover
3 fledglings, 3 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/3
5 juveniles at Hammonasset on 8/4
1 adult, 1 juvenile at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/5
2 adults, 5 juveniles at Milford Point on 8/4
5 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/4
1 adult, 5 juveniles at Milford Point on 8/5
1 adult, 3 hatchlings at Long Beach on 8/5
3 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/5
4 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/6
1 adult, 5 fledglings, 2 juveniles at Milford Point on 8/6
2 adults/juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/6
1 juvenile at Short Beach on 8/7
1 adult, 3 fledglings at Long Beach on 8/7
1 fledgling, 1 juvenile at Milford Point on 8/7
3 pairs at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/8
5 adults/juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/8
2 juveniles at Griswold Point on 8/9

American Oystercatcher
1 pair, 3 adults, 1 juvenile at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/3
2 pairs, 1 hatchling at Milford Point on 8/4
1 pair, 10 adults at Hammonasset on 8/4
3 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/4
1 pair, 1 hatchling at Milford Point on 8/5
3 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/5
2 pairs at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/6
18 adults, 5 juveniles at Baybrook Beach West Haven on 8/6
2 pairs at Milford Point on 8/6
2 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/6
3 adults at Short Beach on 8/7
2 pairs at Milford Point on 8/7
1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/8
1 pair at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/8
4 adults at Griswold Point on 8/9

Least Tern
65 adults/juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/4
1 adult at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/5
1 pair, 1 nest at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/6
8 pairs, 15 adults, 1 hatchling, 1 fledgling, 5 nests at Milford Point on 8/6
3 adults at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/8

Common Tern
112 adults, 59 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/3
54 adults, 7 juveniles at Milford Point on 8/4
50 adults, 20 juveniles at Hammonasset on 8/4
55 adults/juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/4
170 adults, 2 fledglings, 18 juveniles at Milford Point on 8/5
400 adults/juveniles at Short Beach on 8/5
100 adults/juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/5
200 adults, 70 juveniles at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/6
450 adults at Short Beach on 8/7
1 pair at Sandy/Morse Points on 8/8

This concludes update #19 through 8/10/15 as of 5:00 p.m.

Posted by Unknown

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