American 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 MoreWillets in Waves
These Willets were enjoying the warm waters of Florida’s western shore, resting and preening when Twan photographed them. The birds certainly must be pleased to be in the Gulf of Mexico as opposed to say, the Gulf of Maine right now, but they will be back here soon.
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 MoreSanderlings on the Beach
I took these Sanderling photos earlier this season before the Atlantic coast of New England was battered by repeated nor’easters and major winter storms, leaving snow and ice coating much of the shoreline. Watching them feed in the tide, darting back and forth with the water and running through the sand, is such a pleasant and relaxing diversion on a bright winter day. Shorebirds will soon be on the move back to the north, and we at the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds are ready! Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreShare Connecticut eBird Checklists!
Do you live in Connecticut or have you visited the Nutmeg state to bird thus far in 2015? If you entered your sightings into eBird and they included ANY shorebirds, terns, or long-legged waders like this Snowy Egret please share your eBird checklists with us at the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds using the eBird share function and our email address: ctwaterbirds@gmail.com. This will allow us to learn more about our various target species in multiple ways including habitat and site selection, abundance, distribution, migratory, wintering, and breeding ecology and more. These...
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