Piping Plover numbers increase

Twan wanted to share the following article: http://worldwaders.posterous.com/plover-population-up-after-25-years-of-manage

While it centers mostly on Massachusetts, it speaks to Piping Plovers across their range on the Atlantic coast. It has been 25 years since they were listed as a federally threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. Through a lot of hard work and cooperation between government entities like the United States Fish & Wildlife Service, the Department of Environmental Protection, and independent groups like the Connecticut Audubon Society, things have improved. The article states that the Atlantic coast Piping Plover population has increased 234% since the beginning of their management. You can also see a table with their numbers per year along the Atlantic coast as well as Massachusetts. The population increase seems to have hit a wall, though. The Piping Plovers face so many threats, from high tides to predators to vehicles and beach-goers, that it is hard to point to one specific ongoing problem.

Connecticut Audubon Society works with the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service each year to monitor the Piping Plovers. We help by educating the public on the species, assisting in the training of volunteer monitors, and working with towns and municipalities on their protection when the need arises. Please be mindful of the birds as well as the string fencing and cages placed around nest sites on Connecticut beaches and islands this summer. We thank you for your consideration and if you are interested we welcome you to join in Piping Plover monitoring activities to further their success story.

Eurasian Collared-Doves in Stratford

At 4:40PM today, Frank Mantlik found two Eurasian Collared-Doves at the airport in Stratford. They were near the entrance, and after he got some digi-binned photos, they flew off towards the east out of sight. Several birders headed down to try to relocate them. I headed back to the airport just before 6:00PM after checking out our own Stratford Point and nearby areas.

By a stroke of luck, I saw them fly into a tree near the main terminal as I slowly drove around. I knew instantly that it was them by the size, color of the wings and back, tail, and collar, even before they landed. Roy Harvey was in his car behind me and saw them in the tree after I called out. I turned the car so I could snap off as many photos as I could and get some video before they moved while emailing this news out and calling others. Apart from Frank's quick distant photos, and assuming no one else saw the birds this evening, these are the only photos and the only video of them.











Here are two so-so looks at both birds:




The video shows one bird, then the other, and then both together:

Eurasian Collared-Doves from Connecticut Audubon Society.

Tina Green and our own Coastal Center Director Frank Gallo arrived in time to see them. We turned away as they parked their cars for a few seconds and the doves were gone. It was silent at the time and we did not hear them fly. We would've seen them in the air in such an open area. We suspect they went behind the buildings and to inaccessible areas of the airport. We shouldn't have broken the "never turn away from a rare bird for a second" rule, but this was quite a vanishing act. One has to think it is highly likely they will be there, if anywhere, tomorrow.


Photos © Scott Kruitbosch

Purple Martin egg update

Things are going well at Gazebo Phil's Martin Acres by the Sea. As of today the Purple Martins in the gourd with the camera have five eggs. That may not be the final number as one egg was added today. How many do you think we will end up with? Have a look at the eggs in the screen capture below.



Please follow along with all of the action regularly. We have had so much going on this spring including gourd battles to non-breeding pair confusion to difficult weather hampering their lives. Every day we learn something new about these magnificent swallows. Connecticut Audubon Society will regularly update the right column of the page with Gazebo Phil adding in his information and thoughts in the left column. We encourage to read what is there now to learn what we as an organization are doing to help the threatened Purple Martins.

Attacking Red-tailed Hawk

Connecticut Audubon Society receives thousands of calls and emails (and now tweets!) each year from Connecticut residents on a variety of topics relating to birds and the environment. These can include birds attacking windows, injured birds, questions about nests or fledglings seemingly without a mother, a fox or coyote being seen in a yard, and so forth. We get back to each inquiry as best we can. Sometimes we receive information that requires more than just a quick reply.

On Friday, I visited a private residence in Weston to see a raptor pair that had been attacking people. Every time the homeowners went out their door, they would be attacked and even literally hit by the birds. One bird struck a woman in the head and drew blood! They told us the raptors had a nest in their yard, and this made sense, as the birds would be defending it. However, this was beyond the call of parental duty, and a dangerous and unsustainable situation. We were thinking this could be a pair of Northern Goshawks. They are known to attack humans in the manner described. The area was relatively good habitat for them, and some have bred nearby in recent years.

It turns out it was the much more common Red-tailed Hawk. When I arrived, a young bird near fledgling stage was sitting on the nest. The parents were away and things were calm. In the time it took me to go back to the car to get my camera mom had returned. She was, well, not pleased that I had come to check things out. After surviving a couple of her attacks, I readied myself and my camera, taking this video as she descended upon me.

Attacking Red-tailed Hawk from Connecticut Audubon Society.

I had to hold the camera up but focus on her, not shooting, because otherwise she might have hit me. Look how fast she moves! Even in slow motion, the speed is amazing. If I did not stay low and then duck that would have hurt. After my visit, we sent along the information to the U.S. Department of Agriculture as they will visit and see what can be done. It is likely the young bird will soon leave the nest completely and all of this will be over. Birds are always a priority to us, but human safety is paramount.

Milford Point canoe tours

Here is a message from the Coastal Center Director, Frank Gallo:

Canoe tours through the Charles E. Wheeler Salt Marsh at Milford Point begin on June 4 & 5th. This is a great opportunity to get access to the remote recesses of the marsh where elusive species such as, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Marsh Wren, and Saltmarsh Sparrow breed. Every season is different. Now is good for shorebirds, herons, and egrets. Come join the fun; no experience is necessary.

Saturday, June 4 at 12:15 p.m.- 2:45 p.m.

Sunday, June 5 at 1:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 18 at 12:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m.

Saturday, July 2 at 11:15 a.m. –1:45 p.m*.

Saturday, July 16 at 11:15 a.m. –1:45 p.m*.

Saturday, July 23 at 4:15 p.m.–6:45 p.m. (evening canoe)

Saturday, July 30 at 10:15 a.m.–12:45 p.m.

Join us on a guided canoe tour of the Charles Wheeler Salt Marsh. Steeped in local history, the Marsh offers an abundance of birds and other wildlife, beautiful vistas and a chance to paddle and relax. Bring water and wear shoes that can get wet. Contact the Coastal Center for more information. Trip routes are subject to change due to weather. Wind may cause trips to be canceled, even on sunny days; please call 1-1.5 hours in advance for trip status. Advance registration required. Sign-up early for these popular tours! Inquire about tour dates in October.

(*Bring a lunch on these days)

Coastal Center Canoes

CAS Members $25/person, $65/canoe (3 people)

Non-members $35/person, $95/canoe (3 people )

Private Canoe/Kayak

$19 CAS Members, $29 Non-members

Contact Louise at 203-878-7440 x 502 to register. For a more dates see our webpage at www.ctaudubon.org and look under the Coastal Center events.

eBird milestone and the summer lull

eBird reached a terrific milestone in May as it surpassed 3 million bird observations for the month! Check out the information at this link that I copied below: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/news/May_2011_Milestone

"With your help, eBird reached a new milestone this May, gathering 3,067,344 bird observations over the course of the month! Achieving our highest monthly total isn't just a fun anecdote though, it also means more data for science and conservation, and more data to share with birders around the world. As more birders begin to use eBird, our ability to deliver real-time information to the birding community improves, and the tools that we've developed work better. As data volume increases, it helps shape the direction of future eBird development. Most importantly, continued growth improves our ability to protect birds and biodiversity by getting your data into the hands of conservationists and scientists around the world. Thanks to eBirders everywhere for making May 2011 our biggest month ever--and keep birding this summer!"

They included an image showing their bird observations since May 2007 with tremendous increases each year. What stood out to me was the classic summer lull. I outlined it in the eBird image below.


Many birders crave spring migration more than any other "event" during the year, as warblers, vireos, flycatchers, etc., return. After the exhausting month ends, birds quiet down to breed, the temperature goes up, and most birders rest and enjoy a summer vacation until September. Apart from some very cold or snowy months in the winter, the summer months are the least-birded of the year. Please make an effort to get outside and find breeding birds and early-returning migrants, as some birds will be on the way south only a month from now. If you do it goes without saying eBird could really use your sightings, especially since the new beta version has the capability of recording breeding codes.

8th Annual Let the Birdies Fly Golf Tournament

Please join us for the 8th Annual Let the Birdies Fly Golf Tournament on Monday, September 26th at the TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut. You will have the chance to play where the pros play, and while you’re at it help us raise money so we can continue with our mission to conserve Connecticut’s environment through education, advocacy and a focus on birds and their habitats. We have been doing this for more than 100 years and want to continue for the next 100 years. You’ll have a great day and we’ll all be winners. Check out our golf brochure (in PDF form) for more details and be sure to call us if you have any questions. See you at the River Highlands!