ESP Report for the 2005 Season
By Mary Mulcahy, ESP Coordinator
Endangered Species Program had a rough summer this year.
The Least terns fared quite well with Breakwater Beach in Mattituck once again hosting about 80 breeding pairs. A little over 20 chicks fledged at the end of the season. The Piping plovers, however, did not do as well. Arriving somewhat earlier than the Terns, they fell victim to a very late nor'easter type storm at the end of May and wiped out all of the nests. Some pairs re-nested, primarily at Breakwater, with about 6 chicks fledging at that site. Hopefully, the weather will be more cooperative next season.
I'd like to thank the many volunteers and supporters of NFAS's ESP. The Moore Charitable Trust has been and continues to be a long-time financial supporter of this program. Their contributions help fund the supplies required to protect these valuable nesting sites. Thank you for your support. And many thanks to the tireless volunteers: Tim Bohen, Dan Catullo, Rick and Linda Kedenberg, Steve and Eddie Kelner, Ginny Lammers, Bev Prentice, Jennifer Raymond, Carol Taylor, Diana VanBuren and Joe and Juanita Wetherell. We start in April, when the weather is still cool and damp and we finish in late summer in the heat and humidity. Nobody said it was glamorous, but everybody pitched in contributing their particular expertise or just plain muscle power. I hope to see you all again next season!