2007 End of Season Endangered Species Program Report

The North Fork Audubon Society contracted with the Towns of Riverhead and Southold to monitor 22 sites along the Bay and the Sound to identify and protect those sites which were used for nesting by endangered species of shore birds, specifically Piping Plover and Least Tern.  The goal of this project was frequent monitoring of potential nesting sites to determine which were productive, and to provide accurate counts of adults, chicks and fledglings.. All sites were surveyed by NFAS observers, and a plan for regular visitation was established for each of the other sites, based on whether nesting birds were discovered, or apparent availability of appropriate habitat. Visits at inactive sites ( those with no nesting Piping Plover) ranged from 25 at Goldsmith Inlet to 4 at Paradise Point. Active sites (those with nesting Piping Plovers) were visited between 8 times (Conkling Point ) and 22 times (Mattituck Inlet, the most frequently visited site). A total of 302 visits were made, 190 to active sites.

ELEVEN pair of Piping Plover were monitored on seven different sites, and nine nests were protected by string fencing or wire exclosures. Thirty-four chicks were hatched from 39 eggs, with 18 confirmed fledged.

Least Terns nested in significant colonies on at least four sites. The colony at Mattituck numbered over two hundred individuals at its peak, including  some 65 chicks and juveniles.

The following sites were considered inactive, with no Piping Plover nests or nesting behavior observed on the beach. The number following the site name is the number of visits made to the site by volunteer observers. There were 112 visits to these inactive sites. Angel Shores was the only site visited less than four times between April and July. Each site was visited at least twice in June as part of two DEC population surveys.

ACTIVE SITES

The following sites were active, with Piping Plover nests or nesting behavior observed on the beach

Least Terns were seen at almost every site, at least in small numbers feeding. Four sites attracted nesting colonies, some relatively large. Little Creek had five to ten pair nesting within the area fenced for Piping Plover, and Conklin Point had 50-60. Mattituck Inlet had over 200 Least Terns at its peak, with a one-day high of 225 adults and juveniles. Gull Pond West and Meadow Beach had large numbers of Least Terns (100 and 60, respectively) nesting at the beginning of June. Both sites were abandoned after an extremely high tide on 6/14 flooded the nesting area. No renesting was observed at either site. The same tide displaced at least one pair of Piping Plovers who were beginning nesting at Gull Pond.

Mattituck Inlet was a difficult site for Piping Plovers. The first pair, nesting near the lighthouse, had a three egg clutch, and hatched only two chicks. Both, however, survived to fledging. The second pair was discovered with a four egg nest toward the western end of the site, on the beach in front of the first private residence, in the early evening. DEC staff were able to erect string fencing the following day. They returned the second day to erect an exclosure, but were unable to locate the nest site or any eggs. Although no specific evidence was found, there was a strong suspicion among observers that human action was the cause of this nest loss

Little Creek was the site of the first nest of the season, a four egg nest which was fenced and exclosed by DEC staff within three hours of its discovery by NFAS, setting a standard for cooperation between the two organizations which was a major goal of the project. Pair three was seen only three times after appearing abruptly with 4 chicks approximately one week old early in July on the south shore of the inlet. No nest had been discovered in the area. All six birds disappeared as suddenly as they had appeared: none were seen after 7/3.

The Conklin Point pairs also produced two families of four chicks each where no nests had been found. Seven of the chicks fledged. At least one other pair were observed on the peninsula apparently involved in nesting behavior, including “broken wing” and other distractive techniques, but no nest was found.

Least Terns nested in a small colony on the sand spit at Port of Egypt, with six to eight chicks observed, despite the presence of Greater Black-backed Gulls hatching their own chicks on this very cramped site.

Three pair of Piping Plover were monitored on two sites in Riverhead, and the nest sites protected by string fencing and wire exclosures erected by DEC. NFAS volunteers made a total of 28 visits to each of the two sites, the most of any NFAS monitored sites. This was the result of dedicated observation by two energetic volunteers, Jim Romansky and Beverly Prentice.

Two Piping Plover pairs nested at Jamesport Town Beach. Each pair hatched four chicks, and all eight chicks were lost before fledging. The chicks disappeared one by one over a period of two weeks, presumably to predation. Greater Black-backed Gulls were observed at or near the site almost daily, and were considered a likely source of predation. Both pairs of adults remained in the area, but no renesting was observed. No plovers were observed after 7/11.

Least Terns nested in a colony on the fenced site, and a number of chicks were observed, including up to 15 of which fledged.

One Piping Plover pair nested on private land, at Miamogue Point, with cooperation by the landowner for fencing. All four eggs were hatched, and three of the chicks were fledged. No plovers were observed on site after 7/6.

Least Terns nested in a small colony on the fenced site, but no chicks were observed.

Consistent, accurate monitoring of a highly mobile population of birds across a widely scattered area required a large number of observers. To meet this need, NFAS recruited local volunteers to assume responsibility for monitoring specific sites. Along with the volunteers in Riverhead,teams of volunteers, or individuals monitored sites at Matttituck, Cutchogue Harbor, Richmond Creek, Corey Creek, Goldsmith Inlet and Gull Pond. Among those who were particularly active were Ruth Levine, Doug Kalunas, and Rick and Linda Kedenburg, as well as Jody Levin, Carolyn Spilman and Steve Kelner.This project could not happen without them and their contributions.

NFAS hosted a one-day training workshop at the Red House on 6/4 on Piping Plover conservation, presented by the Nature Conservancy and U.S. Fish and Wildlife. Topics included identification of nest sites and appropriate technique to ensure consistent, accurate data collection. The workshop is usually presented at Jones Beach, and having it on the East End allowed many potential and active volunteers to attend, including some from other conservation organizations

One of the major goals of this project was to ensure a consistent and productive partnership with NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, the state agency responsible for monitoring endangered species. NFAS participated in surveys and census reporting conducted by DEC, and DEC assumed responsibility for erecting protective fencing. The support and contributions of DEC staff was invaluable.