We are currently at the peak of activity for Connecticut’s waterbirds with terns, shorebirds and long-legged waders raising young across the state. The shoreline and its beaches, marshes and other waterways are full of activity with birds foraging, carrying food back to hatchlings or mates, defending territories and protecting eggs…there is something to look at everywhere!
RTPI Affiliate Sean Graesser and I have been hard at work on our Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds project and spent some time surveying this week collecting these photos along the way. Bear in mind when looking at these photos and others by Sean that we have big zoom lenses and are much further from the birds than it may appear (that’s why they’re calmly standing still).
Least Tern (Sternula antillarum)
Great Egret (Ardea alba)
Great Egret (Ardea alba)
Least Tern (Sternula antillarum) hatchling
Least Tern (Sternula antillarum) hatchling
Least Tern (Sternula antillarum)
Stratford, CT from Milford, CT and Long Island Sound
Milford Point sand spit
Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus)
Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus)
Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus)
Sunset over the marsh
Up next for our crew will be assisting CT DEEP and USFWS with fireworks celebrations all weekend that were postponed thanks to rain aided by Hurricane Arthur. There is never a dull moment on the Atlantic coast these days…
Scott Kruitbosch
Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
