American Oystercatcher
The American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) is one of our focal species in the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds. Many are now pairing off across Connecticut, finding the right place to start a nest next month. Last year our work helped the species make history! The 2015 population, consisting of 161 individuals that included 52 breeding pairs and 57 non-breeding individuals, was spread out over 31 different sites including barrier beaches and offshore islands. The breeding pairs successfully fledged an astronomical total of 64 chicks resulting in 1.23 (chicks/breeding pair)...
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.
Read MoreAmerican Oystercatchers Returning
It’s that time! The American Oystercatchers are returning to the Northeast, and today in Connecticut we had our first bird in Westbrook. This is three or four weeks later than the first Oystercatcher sighting occurs in some years, with the historic cold keeping migrants at bay until now. Other species are also arriving more slowly than expected. Now it is all systems go for the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds as the threatened shorebird species is one of our focal birds. If you are going to be in Connecticut this spring and summer please email ctwaterbirds@gmail.com to sign up...
Read MoreBanded American Oystercatcher Discovered
Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History President Twan Leenders recently returned from Bradenton, Florida where he was attending RTPI board meetings. In between sessions he made sure to find an hour or two for some bird surveys, especially targeting species relevant to active RTPI conservation projects. Our work as a partner in the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds has us focused on the terns, long-legged waders and threatened shorebirds like the American Oystercatcher seen here. Did you happen to notice the silver federal band on the bird’s right leg? This would be very...
Read MoreA naturalist in a new setting
I recently moved from the coastline of Connecticut to an inland location. I had moved in a little bit too late in the evening to explore my new surroundings but was eager to poke around the next day. My first night as I was trying to sleep I started hearing Gray Treefrogs (Hyla versicolor) calling. This was a pleasant surprise after spending the last two years listening to American Oystercatchers (Haematopus palliatus) and other migrating shorebirds flying over. The next morning I set out to find one of the aforementioned calling frogs. It didn’t take long till I saw ideal real estate for...
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