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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016 Mid Season Report Shorebird Nesting: Mid-Late-Season Active Site Summary As of July 12, 2016 In total, there were 13 piping plover nest attempts, eight hatched and one is still being incubated. Unfortunately, four nests were predated. Little Creek, Cutchogue: This site was pre-fenced in early April. Towards the end of May, two piping plovers had been observed foraging and on 5/26/16, one egg was found. On 6/1/16, the clutch (1A) was complete and exclosed. On 6/7/16, a second piping plover nest (2A) was located having one egg, and eventually four eggs on 6/14/16 when it was exclosed. Both 1A and 2A hatched and there are currently seven chicks onsite. Eight least tern nests were found, with a total of six chicks. During the busy weekends, least tern chicks are seen running in and out of the plover exclosures. This is the first year that piping plovers successfully nested at the site since 2012. It is possible that these are the pairs that previously nested at the private or north side of Little Creek or at Corey Creek beach to the northeast. During the season, our shorebird stewards had many positive encounters with the public. Aside from multiple people disobeying the “No Dogs Allowed” sign clearly posted at the beach entrances, many people seemed genuinely interested in learning about the birds. This is noteworthy because the beach experiences high visitation, particularly on the weekends. People often sit very close to the string fence so it is wonderful that we have the opportunity to educate those willing to listen. A family was interested in seeing and learning about the birds, so one of our stewards organized a time to meet with them. Lastly, a firework show took place during 4th of July weekend, but fortunately our chicks stayed on the southern portion of the beach. However, at the end of the weekend the garbage cans were overflowing and a lot of firework debris was found on the beach. Goose Creek, Southold: On 5/26/16, two least tern adults were seen courting by the shore. When visited again on 5/28/16, there were two eggs in the upper beach. The area was immediately posted and fenced. The two eggs hatched on 6/23/16 and the chicks should fledge the week of 7/11/16. This is another beach that is heavily visited by beachgoers, especially teenagers. Some people have been sitting very close to the fence, and others have been asked to put their dogs on a leash. Only the single least tern pair nested here, but if fenced early in the season next year, it is possible the colony will grow. No piping plovers have been observed to date. Gull Pond, Greenport: It is believed that only two piping plover pairs nested at this site, with five total attempts. The first attempt was found on 4/25/16 with 1 egg. When revisited the following day, the egg was gone, most likely predated. There was very little activity due to cool temperatures up until 5/6/16 when 2 plover eggs were discovered. Since three adults were observed on this day, it is unclear if 1A or 2B. The adults from this nest laid 4 eggs, but it was not exclosed because it was surrounded by vegetation. Unfortunately, this nest was predated on 5/19/16. A new 2-egg piping plover nest was found on 5/12/16, but was predated on 5/14/16. These second and third nest attempts were laid far in the upper beach and away from the heavy flooding events that occur. A fourth nest was discovered on 5/23/16 with two eggs. This nest was exclosed and all 4 eggs hatched on 6/19/16. The fifth complete plover nest was found on 5/14/16, it was later exclosed and 3 of the 4 eggs hatched on 6/21/16. The fourth and fifth nest attempts were laid very close to the high tide mark and fortunately there are 7 piping plover chicks at this site. Approximately 45 least tern pairs nested here and 15 chicks are running around. Common terns have been loafing on shore but not nesting. Historically, we have fenced a majority of the beach just east of the jetty because this is where least terns tend to nest. However, this year the property owner informed us that he would not like to participate in the program. Least terns continue to nest on his property but we tried to be less intrusive by erecting the fence as we found nests. Most, but not all, of the nests were protected. On one occasion, a bay constable saw one of the Group’s stewards in the string fenced area and confronted her to ask what she was doing. This was good to hear as it demonstrated enforcement. However, one of our stewards had an issue with a different bay constable. She witnessed two women with unleashed dogs and approached them to politely ask if they would put their dog on a leash. Being that they were at a Town of Southold beach with signs stating the leash law, she figured she would talk to the bay constable who was sitting in his vehicle in the parking lot. She asked the constable how well this “law” was enforced. The constable replied, “well, they are on state property so we can’t do anything and we don’t usually give people a hard time until at least July 4th weekend.” May and June are the most critical months for shorebirds because it is when they mate, lay eggs, and incubate. Our steward asked “state property?” They are on the public side of the beach, and even if they are on the private portion of the beach, below mean high tide is public which the law still applies”. The constable remained in his truck, doing nothing, and our steward drove away confused asking herself “why is it a law if nobody acts upon it?” The point is that on all of the beaches Group for the East End monitors, including [Mattituck and Causeway Beach] Park Districts, our stewards do not see the leash law and/or the “No Dogs Allowed” rules enforced. Meadow Beach (TNC Preserve), Cutchogue: This site was pre-fenced on 4/8/16 as requested by The Nature Conservancy. On 5/23/16, an American oystercatcher pair was observed sitting on two eggs. A least tern pair also nested at the peninsula. Unfortunately, either a red fox or raccoon on 6/18/16 predated both nests, as holes were dug in the area surrounding the nests. On one site visit, a fox was observed at the private beach entrance. No piping plovers were observed attempting to nest at the site to date. Goldsmith’s Inlet (McCabe’s & Kenney’s Beaches), Southold: Three piping plover pairs nested on the private upper beach between McCabe’s and Kenney’s beaches. The first nest (1A) was discovered on 5/6/16 with four eggs, exclosed that day, hatched 29 days later but all chicks were absent from the site within eight days of hatching. Likely reasons are predation (crows, gulls), weather events (heavy rain, wind), and high water, also related to weather events. A second plover pair completed a four-egg nest (2A) on 5/17/15. It was exclosed and hatched on 6/12/16. This pair also fledged no young, and was likely due to the same reasons as nest 1A. The third piping plover pair laid 4 eggs and on 5/17/16, the area was fenced, but not exclosed because the nest (3A) was within a modestly vegetated section. This nest failed due to predation (missing eggs), and the pair has not been observed attempting to re-nest. Last year, three plovers fledged, and to date none have been successful. No least terns nested to date. Mattituck Inlet, Mattituck: There have been three piping plover pairs observed nesting at this site (two on the public/park side, and one on the private side). The first plover nest (1A) was located on 5/2/16 having four eggs, exclosed the same day, and 28 days later only one egg hatched. The chick has since fledged. The second four egg plover nest (2A) was found and exclosed in the eastern quadrant on 5/24/16. On 6/5/16, the four eggs hatched and all are slated to fledge within the week. The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) had originally agreed to monitor the private side, but our stewards had observed nesting behavior and no fencing had been erected. Therefore, in cooperation with the private homeowners, and in agreement with the DEC, we began monitoring. Soon after it was noticed a piping plover nest (3A) and several least terns were nesting on a single property. The homeowner allowed us to fence the entire property and the neighboring property as well. Nest 3A is currently being incubated. Approximately 30 least tern nests on the public side have been located and currently there are at least eleven chicks. Due to multiple acts of vandalism in past years, video surveillance signs were posted at both the park district and town beach entrances. However, people continue to indirectly disturb the birds; feeding the gulls, walking unleashed dogs (there is a large sign at the park district entrance stating “No Domestic Animals, $250 penalty), ATV use on the public beach, large bonfires close to the string fence, vast amounts of garbage (broken glass beer and liquor bottles), and the removal of three metal string fence posts. In short, there is a lack of law enforcement at this site. Stewards have asked the lifeguards to tell ATV users and/or unleashed dog owners that they are not allowed on the public beach. In an effort to educate beachgoers about the beach-nesting birds and to encourage them to share the beach, shorebird stewards held a tabling event during 4th of July weekend. Most people were receptive and took the “Be A Good Egg” pledge which taught people to never enter the fenced areas, follow the “take in, take out” rule, and to respect local [dog] leash laws. Later that day, ATV’s were observed and Southold Police was called. An officer stopped by to speak with the owners of the ATV. The officer was asked, “Who enforces the ‘No Dogs Allowed’ law on the park district side?” The officer did not know and remarked that he would “look into it”. Our lead steward met with the Captain Kidd’s Homeowners Association at the end of June to discuss the shorebird-monitoring program. The group would like to get more involved in the future monitoring efforts. Port Of Egypt, Greenport: This is a major great black-backed gull nest site. About 60 nests were located on site with at least 70 young. One pair of American oystercatchers nested successfully and fledged two young. Least tern numbers have increased dramatically with approximately 70 birds in total yielding 35 nests. To date there are at least five chicks. Two common tern pairs nested (at each end of the island) and three young have been seen foraging. Corey Creek West (South Harbor Beach), Southold: A piping plover pair was observed on each visit starting in early April. The area where the birds have historically nested was subsequently fenced. This pair was observed mating and making nest scrapes within the fencing, however no nests were located. The last time a piping plover was seen was on 5/25/16. At this time, there were many people using the beach with access from both the public and private side. Other disturbances included a bonfire that was made directly outside the fence, and on another occasion people were blasting loud music and lounging within a few feet from the fence. Also, unleashed dogs continue to be an issue.