MILFORD — The Connecticut Audubon Society is asking for help watching over endangered birds that nest at Milford Point, as repeated flooding wiped away a number of nests over Memorial Day weekend.
Piping plovers, American Oystercatchers, least terns and common terns, all considered endangered, threatened or of special concern in the state, nest on the sandbar at Milford Point, officials said in a statement.
But “high tides during the full-moon period combined with a days-long storms washed away 14 nests” there in recent days and eroded chunks of the sandbar, leaving the birds with significantly less space to nest.
Nine pairs of birds have been observed trying to make new nests, “which means the nesting season might not be a total loss,” officials said. But help from the public will be required to allow their fledgling efforts to succeed.
“With a smaller area for the birds to nest on, a successful subsequent attempt will require Connecticut Audubon to increase patrols by coastal rangers,” officials said. “It also will require people who visit the sandbar to be extra careful to avoid nesting birds, and roosting migrant flocks, to obey the signs and fences, and to heed the suggestions of Connecticut Audubon staff who are patrolling the beach.”
“These birds all have small, vulnerable populations, and they’re protected by the federal and state government,” Patrick Comins, executive director of the Connecticut Audubon Society, said. “We know that everybody cares about their well-being but that still requires visitors to observe the signs and fences we’ve put up to protect the birds, and to heed the instructions of our staff on the beach to keep your distance.”
The nests of piping plovers are particularly well-camouflaged, officials said.
People walking along the beach can step on them or drive parents away from their nests, exposing the eggs to predators and the elements. The baby birds, once hatched, are also “tiny, out on their own, and vulnerable to numerous threats.”
Before the flooding, there were 13 pairs of piping plovers at Milford Point, 10 of which were nesting, along with four pairs of American Oystercatchers, officials said.
But storms and high tides left the sandbar nearly covered for three days when the water was high, according to Katerina Gillis, Connecticut Audubon’s coastal ranger at Milford Point.
“You should see what it looks like right now — the spit is almost completely level with the water. It caused a lot of erosion,” said Gillis in the release.
The piping plovers and one pair of Oystercatchers are now trying to nest again, officials said.
To give them the best chance, Connecticut Audubon will be working on a plan to increase patrols to help visitors avoid disturbing the birds.
“Connecticut Audubon asks visitors to keep their distance from nesting and roosting birds. And if one of the Coastal Rangers asks you to keep your distance, please heed their advice,” officials said.
According to Connecticut Audubon, Milford Point “is one of the most important wildlife sanctuaries in New England, and one of the best birding locations, for diversity and abundance,” with well over 300 species seen there, including more than 40 species of shorebird.
william.lambert@hearstmediact.com
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