Hey again all, Just want to report that the American Avocet in the impoundment at Smith Point CP out of Shirley, NY, was again seen today by my fellow Piping Plover crew members in the same spot around high tide (we hadn't been there in the last two days). Feel free to email me off-list for precise directions.The beach is still not quite opened up for driving, though it should be any day now as all of our PIPL chicks have fledged.
Speaking of those chicks- I'm extremely happy to report that 18 chicks made it this year at Smith Point and Cupsogue, compared to just 3 last year in the same 8 mile stretch, with about the same number of nesting attempts (~20) . The extended driving ban at Smith Point and significantly increased protected areas (behind symbolic fencing) at both sites has been an invaluable change this year. Unfortunately, the big "improvements" ahead for the dunes at Smith Point will likely drop our fledge rate back down again next year. Today was my last day working on fire island, and it was great to meet many of you Long Island birders! -Justin LeClaire Headed back to Vermont -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
