The Atlantic Flyway

As birds continue their migration along the Atlantic Flyway from their northern breeding grounds to their wintering areas in the Caribbean, and Central and South America, Audubon Connecticut’s Director of Bird Conservation Patrick Comins reminds us about the value documenting where shorebirds gather to feed and rest.

It would be helpful to document migrant shorebird usage in the state. Many of our shorebirds continue to decline at disturbing levels and the better we understand stopover foraging areas, high tide roosts, and other habitats that may be essential for them in migration, the better we can protect the places that are important to them. There is a easy way you can help, simply eBird your sightings and share them with ctwaterbirds@gmail.com.

It is important to track big concentrations areas for any migrants, but of particular concern are Lesser Yellowlegs, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, and of course the few Red Knots that find themselves on the habitat limited coast of Connecticut and any concentrations of migrant Piping Plovers.

Dunlin - Terry Shaw

This only covers the globally threatened and candidate species, but American Oystercatcher, Solitary Sandpiper, Upland Sandpiper, Whimbrel, both godwits, Purple Sandpiper, Dunlin and Short-billed Dowitcher are all considered “Birds of Conservation Concern” by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Please keep in mind that these birds are on a tight energy budget and are of serious conservation concern, so please take care to avoid flushing them in the course of counts, and thank you for your help!

(From the September 2013 newsletter)