Piping Plovers
Amazingly there were still pairs of Piping Plovers coming into Connecticut through the end of April. New arrivals hit the breeding grounds as other birds were beginning to nest, and finally we look to be really into “go time” for our soon to be parents. After a lot of cool weather and wind we are into May where we should have a safe buffer from the freezing mark. Let us hope we have conducive incubation conditions and stable weather for our continuing efforts in the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds.
Read MoreUnintentional Disturbances Threaten Waterbirds
There are a number of activities that can unintentionally scare, disturb or even threaten the survival of our waterbirds throughout the spring and summer seasons. Even a person with good intentions can fail to realize how sensitive a bird like the Piping Plover is, feeling threatened by dogs on the leash as they still see them as a predator invading their territory, making birds more prone to abandoning the area, wasting valuable energy or separating them from eggs or young, increasing mortality. Most beaches in Connecticut ban all dogs during the warm seasons in consideration of public...
Read MoreElementary School Students Saving Birds
Last year the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds helped to teach elementary school children about some of Connecticut’s most imperiled avian species, ensuring that they learn about why it is so important to share the shore with these conservation-priority waterbirds. Respecting wildlife is a fundamental aspect of our species stewardship of the Earth – at least if we want to survive on it! These students gave back to their world by creating wonderful, unique art to teach and inspire beachgoers as they flock to the shore for the summer. You can see some of these signs focused...
Read MorePiping Plovers in the Sand
This warm week has jump started breeding as Piping Plover pairs are getting much more focused on nesting, making scrapes and exhibiting soon to be parents behavior on some Connecticut beaches. Our Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds crew is wrapping up helping the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection in placing string/psychological fencing and signage on major beaches and busy breeding areas. We will soon be assisting them in placing exclosures over Piping Plover nests to protect the precious eggs from predators on the ground (cats, raccoons, foxes and coyotes)...
Read MoreAmerican Oystercatchers Relaxing
American Oystercatchers have been pairing off across Connecticut, and a few sites and birds have been reported as copulating. However, like the Piping Plover, we still have no confirmed nests likely because of the continuing cold conditions at times. With the warm-up of the last few days and late April coming there will be eggs soon. Until then these birds were relaxing on the beach out of the wind and tucking in their bills for a midday nap.
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