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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015 Mid Season Report Shorebird Nesting: Mid-Late-Season Active Site Summary July 2015 In total, there were 13 piping plover nest attempts, seven of which hatched. Four nests were predated and two were vandalized. Little Creek, Cutchogue: In early-mid May, two piping plovers had been observed foraging on a few occasions. They were seen along the shore on both the north and south sides of Little Creek. No signs of nesting. Site was pre-fenced in April. Two pairs of least terns nested successfully on the south side of the site in July. This site continues to experience heavy erosion and very limited breeding habitat. Gull Pond, Greenport: Two pairs of piping plovers nested at this site, with three total attempts. The first nest attempt of the season was found on 4/30/15 with 2 eggs. When the nest was complete with 4 eggs, we did not exclose because it was surrounded by vegetation. Unfortunately, this nest was predated on 5/13/15, most likely by crows or deer. A second nest was discovered on 5/13/15 with four eggs. This nest was exclosed and all 4 eggs hatched with only 1 bird fledging. The third complete plover nest was found on 6/4/15 and left unexclosed as it was laid within a large patch of beach grass. Two of the four eggs hatched on 6/30/15, fledging one chick. Approximately 20 least tern pairs have nested and at this point there are approximately 10 young. Common terns have been seen loafing on shore but no signs of nesting. Unlike previous years, roseate terns were not encountered at this site in migration or as “loafers”. Meadow Beach (TNC Preserve), Cutchogue: This site was fenced on 4/1/15. On 5/20/14, a piping plover pair was observed sitting on 1 egg. The nest was complete on 5/27/15 and exclosed. The 4 eggs hatched 6/26/15 but only 2 chicks were seen with the adults foraging on the southern shore. When this site was visited again on 6/29/15, there were 0 chicks and 0 adults. Approximately 10 least terns were seen sitting on eggs within the string fencing on the peninsula. However, raccoons predated the tern nests within the first few days. An American Oystercatcher pair was seen regularly at the site but no nesting activity was confirmed. Goldsmith’s Inlet (McCabe’s & Kenney’s Beaches), Southold: Four piping plover pairs nested on the private upper beach between McCabe’s and Kenney’s beaches. The first nest was discovered on 5/4/15 with 2 eggs, exclosed on 5/5/15, and complete with 4 eggs on 5/8/15. The nest hatched on 6/9/15 or 6/10/15 and eventually fledged 1 bird. The second piping plover pair’s complete 4egg nest was discovered on 5/13/15, exclosed, and hatched on 6/12/15. This pair fledged 2 young. The third piping plover pair laid 1 egg on 5/18/15 and was complete by 5/22/15 with 4 eggs. This nest was exclosed but the eggs within disappeared within the first week. The last nest was laid close to the third nest and exclosed on 7/2/15. Again, three of the four eggs within disappeared in a matter of days. A total of eight of the sixteen eggs hatched with a total of 3 chicks fledged. No least terns nested most likely because homeowners did not want them around. There have been multiple encounters with homeowners based on their concern with the symbolic string fencing taking up their beach space. Goldsmith’s Inlet (west of the inlet), Southold: While piping plovers and least terns were not encountered visiting or nesting at this site, a killdeer was observed laying a full nest of four eggs. Hatching occurred on our about July 22. No further encounters with the adults or young have occurred. Mattituck Inlet, Mattituck: Due to vandalism (stolen eggs) and resistance from homeowners on the private portion of Breakwater Beach (west of the split rail fence), the NYS DEC decided to take over this section. We are continuing to monitor the public side. On 5/15/15, a four-egg nest was discovered within the string fencing and was exclosed later that day. On the 6/1/15 site visit, this exclosure was vandalized. Similar to last year, rocks were tossed on top of the exlosure, crashing on top of the four eggs. All four eggs were damaged and the adult was nowhere in site. A dead American crow was on the inside of the exclosure. This crow most likely flew in once it saw an opening into the exclosure, and could not find its way out. The second complete four-egg nest, most likely a different pair, was found on 6/8/15. This nest was laid below the vegetation, and was not exclosed to prevent being seen as a target for vandalism to occur. Two of the four eggs hatched around 7/8/15 and have not yet fledged. Approximately 30 least tern nests have been located on this site but no known young to date. Heavy ATV-use at this site on private and public beaches, both above and below the mean high tide, continue to act as a major disturbance. Port of Egypt, Greenport: This is a major great black-backed gull-nesting site. About 60 nests were located on site with about 75 young. One pair of American oystercatchers nested and successfully raised three young. Least tern numbers have increased dramatically to approximately 35 seen sitting. To date there are 10 chicks. Two common tern pairs nested (one at each end of the island) and two 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. There were a total of two nest attempts most likely by two separate pairs. The first four-egg nest was found on 5/4/15, but was predated when re-visited the following day. A second nest was found nearby (about 20 feet east) on 5/19/15 with 2 eggs, and exclosed on 5/20/15. When this nest was exclosed it only had two eggs for this was a preventative measure against predation. The pair laid four eggs over the next few days and continued to incubate until all 4 eggs hatched on 6/18/15. One chick was seen from 6/26/15 until it fledged mid July. Unleashed dogs continue to be an issue at this beach.