Town of East Hampton 2010 Piping Plover & Least Tern Breeding Report

Photo by Edward McLaughlin

Planning Department Tyler Borsack and Lisa D’Andrea

September 30, 2010 The East Hampton Planning Department actively manages approximately 18 miles of ocean and bay beach for the protection of Piping Plovers, Charadrius melodus, and other various shorebirds. These 18 miles include over a dozen defined sites; some so large they are divided into several sub-sites for easier management. Particular considerations are given to individual sites in this report, as each can present different protection challenges including erosion, flooding, various human activities, dogs, and predators. Management of these sites commences in late March and early April and lasts through August. As Piping Plover pairs arrive and establish territory, fences are erected for the protection of nesting grounds from vehicles, pedestrians and pets. Throughout the season, daily monitoring and data collection help to prioritize management activities among the nesting sites. Monitoring efforts are curtailed in early July at any site without plovers or plover nesting activity. This allows the department to spend more time monitoring and protecting active sites. Starting in 1995, the Town of East Hampton Natural Resources Department managed all sites within the Town of East Hampton and the Village of East Hampton excluding Suffolk County owned land. In 2008 the New York State Parks took over endangered species management of its property. This includes Napeague State Park, Hither Hills State Park, Goff Point, Hicks Island, and Cherry Point. In 2009 the Town Planning Department assumed the responsibility for Piping Plover protection on all sites within the Town & Village excluding Federal, State and County owned lands. Overall, the 2010 nesting season proved to have the lowest productivity on record since 1995. As in years past, predation of eggs and chicks appeared to be a primary cause of lower productivity, however, this year’s predation seemed to be significantly higher than in years past. Even when nests were able to be exclosed and survived until hatching, the chicks were then predated. There were very few incidences of vandalism to fencing, but vehicles driving through or around snow fencing this season seemed to be more frequent than in previous years. Overall, with significant animal predation and some above average temperatures, the 2010 Piping Plover season proved to be disappointing with very few highlights. Building on last year’s record pair number, 2010 saw a new record total of 48 pairs, but with only 31 fledges, on Town managed sites, the productivity this year was a meager 0.65 fledges per pair. 2009 had 46 pairs and 55 fledges, 1.20 fledge rate; 2008, one of the best years, had 34 pairs with 58 fledges, 1.71 productivity; 2007 had 59 pairs and 62 fledges, 1.05 productivity; 2006 boasted 56 pairs with 94 fledges, a 1.69 productivity.

SITES: (See map for the nests managed by East Hampton Town)

Accabonac Harbor Accabonac Harbor contains two sub-sites: Louse Point and Gerard Point/Park. Both sub-sites are high traffic beaches where users fish and walk pets. Site Activity: 5 Pairs 5 Fledges Site Productivity: 1.0

Louse Point: Louse Point is a peninsula located south of the inlet of Accabonac Harbor. Louse Point is a popular “hot spot” not only for bathers but also for kayakers, boaters and fishermen. Very early in the 2010 season, Piping Plovers were beginning nesting behavior on Louse Point. The one and only nest was finished on April 27th, and was successful at fledging 3 chicks. In the late 1990s as many as three pairs bred on Louse Point. For three consecutive years (2006, 2007, 2008) no Piping Plovers had nested on Louse Point. Last year one pair nested along

1 the east side of the point on the beach, at times bringing their chicks up onto the dredge spoil. This year, however, the pair nested up on the dredge spoil and then brought their chicks down to the shoreline after they hatched. This proved to be a very good spot and we left it un-exclosed. Sub-Site Activity: 1 Pair 3 Fledges Sub-Site Productivity: 3.0

Gerard Point/Park: Gerard Point is the peninsula of beach located between Accabonac Harbor and Gardiners Bay north of the harbor inlet, north of Louse Point. Fishermen and dog walkers often frequent this beach. Gerard Park has a dense cover of vegetation and therefore houses a greater number of potential predators to Piping Plovers. We string fenced the dredge spoil on the south bayside of the point in early April for the Piping Plovers and the Least Tern, Sternula antillarum, colony that historically nested here, but has not for the last few years. Of the four pairs that nested on Gerard, only one pair succeeded to hatch and fledge chicks on their first nesting attempt. None of the nests were exclosed because of their locations on the narrow rocky beach. Exclosures would have brought attention to the well camouflaged nests. One pair lost its first nest to high tides. Their renest seemed to be in a much better location but it was predated before hatching. Two pairs hatched their nests but no chicks survived to fledge. The only successful pair was the first pair to establish a nest (May 6th). That pair fledged 2 chicks. Sub-Site Activity: 4 Pairs 2 Fledges Sub-Site Productivity: 0.5

Lionhead Beach Lionhead Beach consists of three sub-sites including Lionhead Beach, Kings Point (Clearwater), and Maidstone Beach. Site Activity: 3 Pairs 5 Fledges Site Productivity: 1.67

Lionhead Beach: The Lionhead Beach Association owns Lionhead Beach. Almost all of the users of this beach belong to the association. Some members are active in plover protection efforts, helping with monitoring. There was evidence of a pair with nesting behavior early on and a volunteer, Joann Dittmer, witnessed possible mating but no nest was ever found and the pair was never seen again. We believe that there may have been an egg or two laid, but the nest was predated before we found it and the pair never renested. Sub-Site Activity: 0 Pairs 0 Fledges Sub-Site Productivity: 0

Kings Point Beach: Kings Point beach also has a homeowners’ group, the Clearwater Beach Association. Nearly all of the beachgoers here are members as well. The nesting area for both plovers and Least Terns is between two lifeguard stations on a small strip of beach. Early on there was evidence of a single pair of Piping Plovers on this beach. A volunteer, Ed McLaughlin, photographed on April 28th what looked like an adult sitting on a nest, but when we surveyed the site the pair or nest could not be found. We assumed that probably there was a nest but it was predated before we could positively document it. The pair disappeared for quite awhile. Then one day Ed McLaughlin reported to us that he was seeing a single plover feeding on the beach. We began to suspect that there was a nest that we failed to locate. Indeed there was a nest

2 because on June 28 when the site was monitored, a pair with three chicks was found. This pair was able to raise two of the chicks to fledge. Sub-Site Activity: 1 Pair 2 Fledges Sub-Site Productivity: 2.0

Maidstone Beach: Maidstone Park Beach is bordered by Three Mile Harbor and Gardiners Bay. Maidstone Park Beach, from Flaggy Hole Road to the Three Mile Harbor inlet, is in the Town Code as a non-driving beach year round. Several years ago steps were made to post signs and fence the area to educate people that driving is prohibited year-round, not just seasonally when the Piping Plovers are breeding. Gradually, early vandalism of the signs and fencing has diminished and the number of vehicles that drive this stretch is reduced. Now, it seems a popular spot to gather with vehicles etc. is on the harbor side of the inlet where driving is permitted. This area takes a lot of pressure off of the Gardiner’s Bay strip of Maidstone Park beach where the Piping Plovers nest. This year there were two pairs that nested on this beach. Several types of users visit this beach heavily. It is a popular beach for dog walking and particularly large numbers of people come here to watch the Three Mile Harbor fireworks display. Fortunately the Piping Plovers had fledged their chicks at this site before the fireworks event on July 17th. It is also a popular beach for swimming as well as fishing. Two pairs of plovers nested here this year, one down by the inlet just as in 2007, 2008, and 2009, and a second nested further east halfway between the point and Flaggy Hole Road. In 2009 both pairs successfully fledged chicks but this year the pair that nested between the point and Flaggy Hole Rd failed to fledge any chicks. Crows seem to be the most likely predator at Maidstone. On numerous occasions we tried scaring them away when they were near the exclosures and they would only move a few feet. Sub-Site Activity: 2 Pair 3 Fledge Sub-Site Productivity: 1.5

Sammy’s Beach: Sammy’s Beach is located on the western side of Three Mile Harbor and bordered on the north by Gardiners Bay. The pedestrian traffic is moderate during weekdays but is heavy during the weekends and especially during the Three Mile Harbor fireworks. People generally respected the rules of no dogs and driving, with no major incidents this year. No pairs nested on the dredge spoil area that was designated to remain unvegetated specifically to attract terns and plovers. This “tern colony” was to be devegetated yearly to remain attractive to the plovers and terns. Some efforts have been made to keep the vegetation down but because of budget and staffing restraints the colony area is becoming increasingly more vegetated. No plovers or terns have nested up on the colony area since 2007. In 2006 a plover nest was almost stepped on by a deer; another late nest was predated. Examining the colony area we also found that in July predators were digging up turtle nests. Perhaps the presence of deer passing through nightly and other predation pressures have deterred the plovers and terns from nesting up there. Instead they returned to nesting on the bay beach near the toe of the dune in 2007. A Least Tern colony was established on the bay beach in 2008. After a chick was run over by an ORV in 2001 the main road leading out to the inlet was closed until chicks fledged. Since 2001, Piping Plovers are no longer nesting up on the spoil because it is so densely vegetated and the pairs have no reason to bring their chicks across the main road. The main road going out to the inlet no longer needs to be closed to protect chicks when they hatch.

3 This year’s breeding was not very successful on Sammy’s Beach. The season started off well, the earliest nest of the season (April 25th) was able to fledge 3 chicks. This nest was located on the sand flat adjacent to the inlet, a popular fishing spot. Had it not been such an early nest it might not have succeeded. The chicks were hatched and away from the heavily trafficked inlet and on the move before Memorial Weekend. Other than the first nest, no other pairs were able to fledge any chicks. Three other pairs each nested twice. One pair lost both nests before hatching- the first to high tides. One pair hatched their second attempt and the chicks survived for about two weeks. The pair with the latest nest may or may not have hatched. On the day it was due to hatch the nest was empty and no chicks were ever found. We believe the predator(s) responsible for the heavy predation at this site were possibly fox and/or feral cats. Site Activity: 4 Pairs 3 Fledges Site Productivity: 0.75

Napeague Beach: Napeague Beach is one of the sites where management responsibilities have changed with New York State taking responsibility of its property. This area is now divided into three separate sections by East Hampton Town: Napeague West starts from the Atlantic Beach access eastward to the western boundary of Napeague State Park; Napeague East is the area lying just east of Napeague State park to the westernmost boundary of Hither Hills State Park; and Montauk Beach, which starts at the easternmost boundary of Hither Hills State Park and extends eastward to the “downtown” section of Montauk. This change roughly cut the management area in half. Site Activity: 7 pairs 4 Fledges Site Productivity: 0.57

Napeague West: Napeague West stretches from Atlantic Beach in Amagansett to the western border of Napeague State Park. This strip of beach, also known as Beach Hampton because of the subdivision community name, is a popular driving beach during the weekends. There were two nest attempts this year; one at the eastern side of the site and another in the middle. The first nest was near the State Park boundary at the end of Marine Boulevard, this attempt ended up being abandoned after a big storm covered the nest with sand; no other nest attempts were made in this area and it remained open to driving for the first time in several years. The second pair was located further to the west in front of Jacqueline Drive. This was the first year that any plovers nested in the “Beach Hampton” area of this site. Despite the heavy human use and the presence of dogs running on the beach, the pair managed to fledge two chicks. This is an area with high house density and many beach accesses. Sub-Site Activity: 2 Pairs 1 Fledge Sub-Site Productivity: 0.5

Napeague East: Napeague East lies in between Napeague State Park and Hither Hills State Park. It has historically supported several pairs each year with varying success. This site has several oceanfront condos and resorts that may possibly play a role in the number of predators and subsequently the survival of the nests and chicks. Three pairs attempted to breed in Napeague East. A total of 5 nests were found at this site this year, three of which hatched. Only one pair fledged a single chick. While not an impressive productivity it is the first pair in several years to fledge any chicks at this site. For several years we knew that predators were responsible

4 for the heavy losses of chicks and eggs. This year, however, there was clear evidence that a fox dug under an exclosure to get at chicks the day they were hatching. The high number of vacationers here, we believe, could also be an attractant to other predators as well. The predators that prey on plover eggs and chicks are animals that thrive around people and the garbage and general debris they generate. Signs and sightings of fox and crows were seen at this site which could explain the low productivity of the site for the last few years. The pair that did fledge chicks included a plover that was banded over the winter in the Bahamas for a survey being conducted by Environment Canada. This bird was banded on January 26th, 2010 at Discovery Beach, Grand Bahama Island and was one of two banded birds that we were able to report seeing this year. Sub-Site Activity: 3 Pairs 1 Fledge Sub-Site Productivity: 0.34

Montauk Beach: Most of Montauk beach is not suitable for plover nesting. The majority of the site is a narrow beach with steep bluffs above the high water mark. Much of the suitable habitat is heavily used by beachgoers. The only two sections of beach that the Piping Plovers have found suitable in recent years are the stretch of beach that lies west of Gurneys and east of Hither Hills State Park boundary and a stretch of beach just east of Gurneys. Several pairs have nested in these sites over the past few years. This year there was one pair that nested near Gurneys. It was very close to the rainwater dry well and was abandoned after a storm. The same pair nested again further to the west which was taken by high tides. This pair then moved much further west near the other plovers and tern colony and it was also taken by high tides. Of the other two pairs, both nested near the Hither Hills State Park. Both pairs were able to hatch chicks, but only pair one was able to fledge one chick. The 2010 summer, in general, was a very hot and humid one. It brought record numbers of people to the beaches. In particular, Hither Hills State Park was very crowded with people as well as the other resort beachfronts at this site. This limited the foraging area for the plovers during the day. Sub-Site Activity: 3 Pairs 1 Fledge Sub-Site Productivity: 0.34

Atlantic Double Dunes: Atlantic Double Dunes (ADD) begins at Wyborg Beach at the end of Highway Behind the Pond in East Hampton Village and extends east to Atlantic Avenue in Amagansett. This site is split into four different sub-sites for our convenience: Wyborg, Egypt, Two Mile Hollow, and ADD. There is a small section that is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife at the eastern most end of the site by Atlantic Avenue Beach in Amagansett. Several village and town parking lots are located along the Double Dunes beach to provide parking for the public bathing beaches. We used these parking areas to define the sub-sites. Lifeguards man the public bathing beaches during the summer season. The beach immediately east and west of these accesses can be quite crowded with users on fair weather days, especially on weekends. Plovers do not normally nest near these crowded areas. From 1997- 2002 no pairs nested in the Atlantic Double Dunes site. In 2003 one pair nested in ADD. Since 2004 the numbers of pairs on this large site have continued to rise. In 2008 there were thirteen nesting pairs, eighteen pairs in 2009, and fourteen in 2010. The decline in pair numbers from 2009 was most likely because of the severe beach erosion on much of the site. Only four pairs produced any fledges across this site. There were a surprising number of predations on this site this season. With 24 nests and only 14 pairs there were 10 renests. Of the 24 nests laid, eight were predated before they could hatch; of the 9 nests that hatched, 5 lost all chicks either to the elements or predation. Several of

5 these sites had issues with crows this year, at one point we arrived on Wyborg Beach to erect an exclosure and witnessed a crow in the process of eating the eggs we were about to exclose. Site Activity: 14 Pairs 6 Fledges Site Productivity: 0.43

Atlantic Double Dunes (sub-site): ADD is the sub site that begins on the western boundary of the USFWS site and runs west to the East Hampton Town and Village line. It is split in the middle by Indian Wells Beach access. Of the 6 pairs on Atlantic Double Dunes sub site only two pairs were able to fledge 1 chick each. Early on in the season this site, along with many other sites as well, had problems with nests being predated by crows. Some of these nests were tucked up in the dunes in dense vegetation and were not exclosed because they seemed to be well hidden. The crows managed to find them. Others were predated before they could be exclosed. Of the six pairs, only two pairs managed to fledge two chicks. Sub-Site Activity: 6 Pairs 2 Fledges Sub-Site Productivity: 0.34

Two Mile Hollow: Two Mile Hollow begins at the eastern boundary of the East Hampton Village line and extends west to Egypt Beach access. All three pairs were able to hatch chicks, but only one pair managed to fledge 2 chicks. The other two pairs more than likely had their chicks predated by crows. Often when monitoring, we would see up to 8 crows in a group foraging the beach for available food. If we tried to chase them away, they flew only a short distance away from us. Sub-Site Activity: 3 Pairs 2 Fledges Sub-Site Productivity: 0.67

Egypt Beach: This sub-site begins at the Two Mile Hollow Beach access and extends west to the Egypt Beach access. One pair attempted to nest here this year right between the Maidstone Club access and the Egypt Beach vehicle access near the beach grass. Egypt beach, in general, was not ideal nesting habitat this year. Erosion made the beach steep and narrow. This was a poor location for a nest and either the nest was abandoned due to the beach activity or predators being drawn in by the numbers of people, found the eggs. Sub-Site Activity: 1 Pairs 0 Fledges Sub-Site Productivity: 0

Wyborg Beach: Wyborg Beach sub-site is located west of the Egypt Beach access to the Main Beach Wyborg groin/jetty. Wyborg is a relatively small stretch of beach but attracted four pairs of plovers to nest. In the end, it had low productivity. In mid-May five of eight nests were established within a 15 day period of time. Many of the losses of chicks and eggs we attribute to crows which were frequently seen on the site while monitoring. Out of the 8 nest attempts only 2 hatched. Only one pair (its second nest attempt) was able to fledge 2 chicks. Sub-Site Activity: 4 Pairs 2 Fledges Sub-Site Productivity: 0.5

East Hampton Beach: This site includes four sub-sites all within East Hampton Village: Main Beach, Lily Pond Beach, Georgica Beach, and Hook Pond which was added last year. All of

6 these sites have had some success over the past few years. This year had mixed results with moderate productivity at some sub-sites and very poor productivity at others. Site Activity: 11 Pairs 8 Fledges Site Productivity: 0.73

Main Beach: Main Beach is the small section of beach that begins at the groin between Main and Wyborg beaches and extends to just west of the Main Beach pavilion. This sub-site had two pairs nest here this year. Both nests were exclosed, hatched and were able to fledge one chick each. A third pair nested here later but the nest was a renest attempt of the pair from Hook Pond. (This pair will be recorded for the Hook Pond sub-site). Even though this is one of the most heavily used bathing beaches in East Hampton for the past few years at least one pair has chosen to nest here. The area that the plovers choose to nest is east of where the majority of people congregate. Sub-Site Activity: 2 Pair 2 Fledges Sub-Site Productivity: 1.0

Hook Pond: This site was added last year because a pair nested in a cleared sandy area adjacent to Hook Pond. It was never really considered to be a site where Piping Plovers would nest, so it had never been monitored. The pair was discovered in the area and was added to the survey sites for the beginning of this year. The 2010 pair nested early in May. We did not exclose because we did not want to draw attention to the nest. This strategy worked last year but not this year. Just days before hatching the eggs were either taken by a predator or accidentally crushed by a deer. This pair chose not to renest at this site and moved to the Main Beach ocean site. That renest was over washed by a spring high tide. Sub-Site Activity: 1 Pair 0 Fledges Sub-Site Productivity: 0.0

Lily Pond: Lily Pond’s boundary begins at East Hampton Village’s Main Beach pavilion and extends west to the Georgica Beach access off Lily Pond Lane. Main Beach and Georgica Beach are busy public beaches with lifeguards. However, the stretch of beach between these high volume areas has been historically ideal for Piping Plover nesting as there is reduced human traffic. This area has had good productivity over the past few years; however, over the winter of 2009/2010 severe storms eroded the dune and greatly changed the size and shape of the beach. The habitat was not attractive to the plovers or the terns this year. This is the first year in quite awhile that plovers and terns have not nested in this location. Sub-Site Activity: 0 Pairs 0 Fledges Sub-Site Productivity: 0.0

Georgica Beach: Georgica Beach begins at the Georgica Beach parking lot and extends westward to the westernmost boundary of East Hampton Village. While Georgica is a very busy beach during the summer, the area between the groins is generally less crowded. Pedestrians usually walk through this area instead of staying to sunbath. This year the beach was much wider between the 1st and 2nd groins and both plovers and terns chose to nest here. Three pairs nested between the 1st and 2nd groin. All three nests were laid within two weeks of each other and all hatched. None of the nests were exclosed because they were located within a vibrant Least Tern colony. However, not a single plover chick survived. It is very likely that crows predated the

7 plover chicks when they dispersed to feed along the beach. The terns kept their own chicks within the colony area and must have successfully fended off the crows by harassing and dive- bombing them. This was one of the most productive Least Tern sites this year. Sub-Site Activity: 3 Pairs 0 Fledges Sub-Site Productivity: 0.0

Georgica Pond: The Georgica Pond site begins at the western end of East Hampton Village on Georgica Pond and extends west to the boundary of East Hampton Town and the Town of Southampton. The East Hampton Town Trustees open Georgica Pond every spring well before the breeding season. Generally the pond closes naturally by April-May. Because of the unusually heavy rainfall on March 30th (10 inches in two days) the water table remained very high. Water from the Georgica Pond watershed continued to drain into the pond and consequently the pond never closed throughout the season. A large peninsula formed at the gut of the inlet and hosted five pairs of plovers as well as a colony of over 150 terns. The first three plover nests all hatched and fledged 6 chicks between them. One of the other nests was abandoned, we believe, because the Least Tern pairs nesting near to the plover nest harassed the plover pair to the extent that they did not allow them to incubate. The final nest was an unknown loss. It may have been predated or it may have been abandoned like the other nest just mentioned because other tern nests in its vicinity continued to be incubated. This site proved to be a valuable stop-over for other migrating shorebirds this year. The daily tidal draining of the pond exposed mudflats that provided good foraging habitat. When the pond is closed there are no tidal pond fluctuations. As mentioned above, the pond is usually closed during the breeding season. The species observed were not unusual but their numbers were surprising. Species that we personally witnessed included; Least Terns, Common Terns, Roseate Terns, Piping Plovers, Semipalmated Plovers, Black-bellied Plovers, Short/Long-billed Dowitchers, Sanderlings, Least Sandpipers, Dunlin, White-rumped Sandpipers, Greater/Lesser Yellowlegs, and a few other unidentified shorebirds. The residents around Georgica Pond may not have appreciated the pond being open so long, but the birds found it great foraging habitat. Site Activity: 5 Pairs 6 Fledges Site Productivity: 1.2

Gardiners Point Island, Cartwright Shoal: Cartwright Island, also known as Cartwright Shoals, is the southernmost extension of Gardiners Island situated in East Hampton Town in Gardiners Bay. It is protected with a twenty year conservation easement that gives management responsibilities of the breeding bird colony to East Hampton Town. Since the Town of East Hampton took over management of Cartwright Shoals in 2005 Piping Plovers have nested within the tern colony located on the shoal. This year, however, the shoal all but disappeared with the late winter storms and what was left was over washed regularly during spring high tide events all summer. Simply put, the habitat was not suitable for any plovers or terns to nest. Site Activity: 0 Pair 0 Fledges Site Productivity: 0.0

8 EGGS AND NESTS:

Table 1 and 2 provide data showing egg loss for the 2010 Piping Plover breeding season. Of the 244 eggs that were laid, 119 (48.8%) hatched successfully. The remaining 125 (51.2%) did not hatch for various reasons. The causes of egg loss are predation, abandonment, storms, or the egg itself is not viable. For the 2010 season only one nest (3.0%) was abandoned (this was not an exclosed nest); eleven nests (33.3%) were predated. Nine nests (27.3%) were lost because of either high tides or winds; eleven nests (33.3%) were lost for unknown reasons, and finally in 1 nest (3%) the eggs were not viable. This is the first nest we have seen where all four eggs failed to hatched. It is not that uncommon to have one egg in a clutch that does not hatch. This particular pair continued to incubate a week beyond the estimated hatch date. We were contemplating how to handle the situation when a spring tide over-washed the nest and released the adults from incubating a nest that would never hatch. Please note that we only documented nests as predated when we had sufficient evidence to make that conclusion. If not, we marked the cause of failure as unknown. Egg/nest loss took a dramatic shift from the continued improvement over the past few years. In 2010 (51.2%) over half of all nests laid were lost. This is the highest loss since 2002; 36.3% of nests were lost in 2009, 38.8% of nests were lost in 2008, 40% of nests were lost in 2006, 43% of nests were lost in 2005, 48.7% of nests were lost in 2003 and 51.6% of nests were lost in 2002. 2002 had similar numbers for predation (32.6%) but a much higher percentage of abandonment (37.0%). We hope to get back on track and continue to see improvements in each site next year, as we had over the past several years. Predation occurred across all sites but the sites hit the hardest by predation were Wyborg Beach (5 of 8 nests) and Napeague East (3 of 6 nests). Predator control is certainly a tricky subject to deal with and eliminating predators is unpopular. In 2009 the weather played a very large role in nest and chick survival, this year weather and spring high tides resulted in the loss of 27.3% of nests. It is difficult to predict whether the nests that were lost to spring high tides or bad weather conditions would have survived against predators if those conditions were better. Certainly a few of the nests would have been successful; however, some of the nests were very exposed and in poor locations and could very well have been predated if not for the tides and weather. These are the aspects of wildlife management that are uncontrollable and are part of what makes conservation and endangered species recovery difficult to predict and plan for. Sites with the greatest discrepancies in numbers from previous years are Napeague, Montauk, and Atlantic Double Dunes. Overall compared to 2009’s 6 renests, 2010 had a total of 20 renests; 3 pairs nested three times. Weekends seem to be especially critical, with the large influxes of people using the beaches the amount of predators will increase. We know that predators are drawn to sites with increased human activity, and available food. They then happen upon the plover nests which fall victim. The intelligence of predators such as crows and foxes enables them to learn from these chance encounters and to seek the same food again.

9 EXCLOSED AND UNEXCLOSED NESTS:

In the 2010 season we continued to leave some nests unexclosed with mixed success rates. A couple of the unexclosed nests that were lost were nests that were slated to be exclosed but were lost before we could exclose them. Generally, a nest is only exclosed when it contains four eggs. However, if a nest seems to be particularly vulnerable an exclosure is sometimes put up when the nest contains three eggs and the fourth egg is due the next day. The idea behind this procedure is to maximize the bird’s bonding to the nest before introducing the disturbance of erecting an exclosure. By mid season it was evident how intense the predation pressures were and we began exclosing three egg nests. This year we lost no exclosed nests to abandonment. Last year (2009) we lost 9 exclosed nests to abandonment. Of the thirty-two nests that hatched, fifteen (46.9%) were exclosed. Only 3 nests that were exclosed did not hatch. The decision to exclose a nest was made on a case by case basis. For example, in the beginning of the season, as in seasons past, if a nest was up in the dune area and well hidden we would likely not exclose. If an exclosure would draw attention to the nest it might be worth the risk to leave it unexclosed. This seems to work for us on the rocky beach at Gerard Point. Historically, nests that are exclosed at Gerard tend to be abandoned for reasons unknown. Another reason not to exclose a nest is if a Piping Plover establishes a nest within an active Least Tern colony. (These are often renests as the Least Terns come north later and start to nest several weeks after the first Piping Plover nests of the season). The Least Terns could abandon their nests if we intruded to exclose. Also, the Least Terns offer some protection for the Piping Plover for they alert the plovers to and dive bomb potential predators. This year we had moderate hatching success at the unexclosed nests. Of the 47 nests that were left unexclosed, 17 hatched. It is a gamble, though, between leaving a nest vulnerable to predation and causing nest abandonment by exclosure installation. Results for unexclosed nests on the ocean and the bay were similar.

CHICKS:

In the 2010 season the number of chicks and fledges was much lower, in percentage, than in years past. Of the 119 chicks that hatched, only 31 (26.1%) survived to fledge. The East Hampton Beach site had the lowest chick survival percentage this year, 11.76%. This site hatched 17 but fledged only 2. Georgica Beach had 11 chicks with 0 fledges, Main Beach hatched 6 and fledged 2. Atlantic Double Dunes was next with 17.14% survival. Even with 24 nest attempts by 14 pairs ADD hatched just 35 chicks and only fledged 6. This site seemed to be hit the hardest by predation early on and the predation pressures remained high throughout the season. Napeague Beach was in the middle with 19 chicks and 4 fledges, 21.1%. Each of the sub- sites; Nap. West, Nap. East, and Montauk, had only one successful pair raise chicks to fledge. Accabonac Harbor produced 16 chicks and 5 fledges, a 31.25% survival. Gerard, which is a subsite of Accabonac Harbor, had 4 pairs that hatched 12 chicks with 2 fledges, Louse Point, the other subsite of Accabonac Harbor, had 1 pair that hatched 4 chicks and successfully fledged three. Sammy’s Beach had a better survival rate, only because most of the nests never hatched. Sammy’s hatched 8 chicks from 7 nest attempts and fledged just 3, 37.5%.

10 Lionhead Beach came in second with 41.7% survival. This site produced 12 chicks and fledged 5. The subsite Maidstone had three fledges and the other 2 fledges were from Kings Point. The highest chick survival was on Georgica Pond, which hatched 12 chicks and fledged 6 for a 50% survival.

PRODUCTIVITY COMPARISONS:

Table 3 and Figure 3 show 16 years of Piping Plover productivity in East Hampton Town and include the sites managed by Suffolk County Parks and Recreation as well as the sites managed by New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historical Preservation (OPRHP) up to 2008. The productivity for 2009 and 2010 interrupted the steady increase that had occurred over the past several years; from 1.64 in 2005, to 1.68 in 2006, and up to 1.71 in 2008, excluding 1.05 in 2007. 2009 dropped that number down to 1.20 and continue to fall to this year’s all time low of 0.65. Because of the already mentioned division between the Town and State owned lands in 2008, the numbers of pairs and fledges are different from 2008 to present. This year, East Hampton Town managed sites had 48 pairs with 31 fledges. East Hampton Town’s productivity dropped this year, but the number of pairs continued to rise. The number of pairs is almost equal to the numbers that existed before OPRHP split off to manage their own lands. The State and Town started separate management in 2008, so 2008 and 2009 are the best years to make comparisons. 2008 saw an increase of 14 pairs across East Hampton over 2008, but a significant decrease in fledges. This is most easily attributed to the amount of predation that we had this year. Another important factor, especially for the ocean sites was the amount of erosion that had taken place during the 2009-2010 winter and early spring which greatly limited good habitat for nesting.

2010 TERN BREEDING SEASON:

Common and Least Terns are listed as threatened species by the State of New York. The Roseate Tern is both state and federally listed as endangered. All three species breed on Cartwright Shoals and Gardiners Island. The Least Tern is the only species of these three that breeds on East Hampton’s ocean and bay beaches. In 2000, East Hampton saw a dramatic increase in breeding pairs and productivity of Least Terns. This increase coincided with the crash of the red fox populations in the winter of 1999 because of mange. This year, in comparison with years past, the Least Tern population did about average. Excluding State parks, East Hampton had approximately 250 breeding pairs with 47 fledges across 9 active sites, see Table 4. Georgica Beach was the most successful site with 34 pairs and 14 fledges. The site was also mostly undisturbed. Georgica Pond had an interesting Least Tern season. As mentioned previously, the pond was open for longer than usual and the peninsula that formed as a result of this condition attracted a significant number of Least Tern pairs to breed. However, the peninsula eroded as the tides came in and out so that many of these nests never had the chance to hatch. At times upwards of 300 Least Terns were seen in the area of Georgica Pond. They were not all nesting, but the habitat attracted them for fishing. The high number of nesting pairs on Georgica Pond

11 helped boost the site productivity and overall productivity for the Town. However, it was difficult to ascertain how many pairs were successful. As the season progressed there was an influx of Least Tern fledges from other areas. They congregated on the pond and made it difficult to distinguish between the Georgica Pond fledges and fledges from other sites; so it is possible that there may have been more fledges here then were recorded. Across the rest of the Town numbers remained moderate with highlights at Montauk Beach and Kings Point. In recent history, Cartwright Island, also known as Cartwright Shoals, has been an island since about 1997 with terns and other shorebirds nesting there. Between 1997 and 1999 about 200 pairs of Common Terns bred here, in 2000 Roseate Terns joined the Common Terns. In 2008 Cartwright hosted about 500 pairs of Common Terns, 20 pairs of Roseate Terns, a few pairs of Least Terns, one pair of Piping Plovers, two American Oystercatcher pairs and about 30 pairs of Black Skimmers. The numbers of Roseate Terns has fallen over the past several years. The number of Common Terns also has declined. Cartwright has been receding over the past few years. In 2008 it was less than half the size it was in 2004, and it continues to get smaller. Over this past winter the shoal was lashed by numerous storms and the amount of shoal exposed at low tide was greatly reduced. Any storm event during the breeding season is likely to have over washed the shoal. Consequently it was unable to accommodate any birds this year. Cartwright Shoals is a dynamic feature and it could continue to recede or it could build up again depending on weather conditions and current in the bay. Overall Least Tern productivity was moderately successful this year for terns across East Hampton. Least Tern productivity was estimated to be about 0.19. As seen in Table 5, we had an increase in pairs over the past two years, but a decrease in productivity. Even with the slight drop in productivity we have had fairly steady numbers of fledges. 43 fledged in 2008, 58 in 2009, and 47 in 2010. 2007 had a productivity of 0.28 with 53 fledges, 2006 had a productivity of 0.20 with 29 fledges and 2005 had a productivity of 0.18 with 25 fledges. We hope to see increasing numbers in coming years with more and more birds returning to breed. East Hampton Town’s management goal to create attractive and safe breeding areas for the Least Terns appears to be succeeding.

COSTS AND EXPENDITURES:

Last year we improved our records and book keeping to document exactly what the program costs, in order to better increase efficiency in the program’s budget. In total, approximately 583 man hours were spent on the Endangered Species Management Program this season, totaling $21,138.04 in cost, see Table 6. Along with time spent, an additional $612.62 was spent on equipment, supplies, and fuel during the 2010 Piping Plover season. The total cost for the 2010 season was $21,750.66, see Table 8. The biggest expense is employee salaries comprising approximately 97.2% of the total cost of the program. As far as other expenditures go, the most money spent in 2010 was for fuel for the season. This was 65% of the supplies budget for the year. However, it should be noted that fuel use was down this year from 231.8 gallons ($463.60) to just 200.5 gallons ($401.00). We had to dispose of many fence posts this year that were in poor condition and will most likely have to purchase 300 posts in 2011 as we did in 2009. We also purchased other supplies for fencing at the beginning of the year, such as flagging, zip ties, twine, and rope, which are items that are purchased on a yearly or biyearly basis has they are one time use or

12 degrade over time. Next year we expect to require another 25 rolls of snow fence to replace damaged ones that we have used for several years and can no longer be used, see Table 9.

Since this is the second year that costs have been monitored this closely, we can now offer comparisons to previous years. 2010 saw an overall decrease in spending of $2,953.91. Some of these savings can be attributed to the help of our volunteer Ed McLaughlin who helped us with putting up fences and exclosures. Without his volunteer help, this work would have required the hours of a third paid employee. Ed put in over 50 hours with us this year and his help was greatly appreciated. In addition to his abilities in the field, Ed is also a talented wildlife photographer and educator. He took the picture that is featured on the cover of this year’s report and produced a YouTube video about the piping plover nesting season http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9Y8RbbN-Do

ACKNOWLDEGEMENTS:

We at the East Hampton Town Planning Department would like to thank the Town Trustees, Town Supervisor William Wilkinson, Town Councilwoman Theresa Quigley and the rest of the East Hampton Town Board for their continued support. Town Harbormaster Ed Michaels and staff, East Hampton Town Police, Officer Michael Tracey and the East Hampton Village Police staff for their help in patrolling and keeping the beaches safe as well as their communication throughout the season. We would like to thank East Hampton Village Administrator Larry Cantwell and the Village of East Hampton for their help, support, and constant communication throughout the season that made coordination easier. We would finally like to thank our 2010 volunteers, Edward McLaughlin and Joanne Dittmer who helped to make the 2010 season a success.

13 Table 1: Total Piping Plover breeding activity for 2010 season in Town of East Hampton managed lands Approx. # of Cause of Expected Hatch Chicks Chicks Fledge Site Name Nest Attempt Exclosure Fledges Nest Date Eggs Loss Hatch Date Date Hatched Lost Date Gerard Point 1A 11-May 4 No Crow 7-Jun 8-Jun 4 4 0 Gerard Point 2A 6-May 4 No 2-Jun 2-Jun 4 2 2 27-Jun Gerard Point 3A 13-May 4 No Storm Tide 9-Jun 0 Gerard Point 3B 1-Jun 4 No Pred. Crow 28-Jun 0 Accabonac Harbor Gerard Point 4A 9-Jun 4 No No Fledge 6-Jul 6-Jul 4 4 0 Louse Point 1A 27-Apr 4 No 24-May 24-May 4 1 3 Totals 6 24 16 11 5 Maidstone Beach 1A 27-Apr 4 Yes 24-May 25-May 4 1 3 19-Jun Maidstone Beach 2A 8-May 4 Yes No Fledge 4-Jun 4-Jun 4 4 0 Lionhead Beach Kings Point 1A 31-May 4 No 27-Jun 27-Jun 4 2 2 Totals 3 12 12 7 5 Sammy's Beach 1A 25-Apr 4 No 22-May 23-May 4 1 3 17-Jun Sammy's Beach 2A 14-May 4 No Storm Tide 10-Jun 0 Sammy's Beach 2B 2-Jun 4 No Pred. Crow 29-Jun 0 Sammy's Beach 3A 25-May 4 No Unkown 21-Jun 0 Sammy's Beach Sammys Beach 3B 20-Jun 4 No No Fledge 17-Jul 17-Jul 4 4 0 Sammy's Beach 4A 27-May 4 No Unknown 23-Jun 0 Sammys Beach 4B 24-Jun 3 No Unknown 21-Jul 0 Totals 7 27 8 5 3 Montauk Beach 1A 1-May 2 No Storm Tide 28-May 0 Montauk Beach 1B 20-Jun 4 No No Fledge 17-Jul 17-Jul 1 1 0 Montauk Beach 2A 14-May 4 No Unknown 10-Jun 0 Montauk Beach 2B 28-May 4 No High Tide 24-Jun 0 Montauk Beach 2C 2-Jul 4 No High Tide 29-Jul 0 Montauk Beach 3A 7-Jun 4 No 4-Jul 4-Jul 4 3 1 29-Jul Napeague East 1A 3-May 4 Yes Fox 30-May 30-May 4 4 0 Napeague East 1B 17-Jun 2 No No Fledge 14-Jul 14-Jul 2 2 0 Napeague Beach Napeague East 2A 14-May 4 Yes Fox 10-Jun 0 Napeague East 2B 28-Jun 4 No Fox 25-Jul 0 Napeague East 3A 28-May 4 Yes 24-Jun 23-Jun 4 3 1 18-Jul Napeague West 1A 1-May 4 No Wind 28-May 0 Napeague West 2A 18-May 4 No 14-Jun 14-Jun 4 2 2 9-Jul

Nest Attempt: The number is the pair # for each site, the letter is nest attempt (A is 1st, B is 2nd...) E.H.T.P.D. Grey highlights denote failed attempts Table 1: Total Piping Plover breeding activity for 2010 season in Town of East Hampton managed lands Approx. # of Cause of Expected Hatch Chicks Chicks Fledge Site Name Nest Attempt Exclosure Fledges Nest Date Eggs Loss Hatch Date Date Hatched Lost Date Totals 13 48 19 15 4 Atlantic Double Dunes 1A 1-May 4 No Pred. Crow 28-May 0 Atlantic Double Dunes 1B 22-May 1 No Storm Tide 18-Jun 0 Atlantic Double Dunes 1C 6-Jun 4 Yes 3-Jul 3-Jul 4 3 1 28-Jul Accabonac Harbor Atlantic Double Dunes 2A 10-May 2 No Wind 6-Jun 0 Atlantic Double Dunes 2B 7-Jun 4 Yes No Fledge 4-Jul 4-Jul 4 4 0 Atlantic Double Dunes 3A 16-May 4 No Predated 12-Jun 0 Atlantic Double Dunes 3B 11-Jun 3 Yes 8-Jul 8-Jul 4 3 1 2-Aug Atlantic Double Dunes 4A 20-May 4 No Unkown 16-Jun 0 Atlantic Double Dunes Atlantic Double Dunes 4B 23-Jun 4 No Unknown 20-Jul 0 Atlantic Double Dunes 5A 22-May 4 No Unknown 18-Jun 0 Atlantic Double Dunes 6A 15-Jun 4 Yes No Fledge 12-Jul 12-Jul 4 4 0 Two Mile Hollow 1A 8-May 3 Yes No Fledge 4-Jun 2-Jun 3 3 0 Two Mile Hollow 2A 17-May 4 Yes 13-Jun 13-Jun 4 2 2 8-Jul Two Mile Hollow 3A 23-May 4 No Unknown 19-Jun 0 Two Mile Hollow 3B 11-Jun 4 Yes No Fledge 8-Jul 8-Jul 4 4 0 Egypt Beach 1A 25-May 4 No Unknown 21-Jun 0 Wyborg Beach 1A 13-May 4 No Pred. Crow 9-Jun 0 Wyborg Beach 1B 25-May 4 Yes 21-Jun 21-Jun 4 2 2 16-Jul Wyborg Beach 2A 18-May 2 No Pred. Crow 14-Jun 0 Wyborg Beach 2B 22-May 4 No Pred. Crow 18-Jun 0 Atlantic Double Dunes Wyborg Beach 2C 4-Jun 4 No Pred. Crow 1-Jul 0 Wyborg Beach 3A 10-May 4 No Crow 6-Jun 6-Jun 4 4 0 Wyborg Beach 3B 20-Jun 4 No Pred. Crow 17-Jul 0 Wyborg Beach 4A 7-Jun 3 Yes Unchatched 4-Jul 0 Totals 24 86 35 29 6 Main Beach 1A 1-May 4 Yes 28-May 29-May 3 2 1 23-Jun Main Beach 2A 25-May 4 Yes 21-Jun 21-Jun 3 2 1 16-Jul Hook Pond 1A 10-May 4 No Unknown 6-Jun 0 Hook Pond 1B 19-Jun 3 Yes High Tide 16-Jul 0 Georgica Beach 1A 2-Jun 4 No No Fledge 29-Jun 29-Jun 4 4 0 East Hampton Beach Georgica Beach 2A 10-Jun 4 No No Fledge 7-Jul 7-Jul 3 3 0

Nest Attempt: The number is the pair # for each site, the letter is nest attempt (A is 1st, B is 2nd...) E.H.T.P.D. Grey highlights denote failed attempts Table 2: Summary of totals and averages for the 2010 Piping Plover breeding season in Town of East Hampton managed lands Total Failed Successful Number Average Total Average # Average Total Average # Chicks Total Average Productivity Nests Nests Nests of Pairs Nest Date Eggs of Eggs Hatch Date Chicks of Chicks Lost Fledges Fledge Date (per pair) 65 48 17 48 5/26/2010 244 3.75 6/21/2010 119 3.69 88 31 7/11/2010 0.65 Average # Average # of Eggs of Chicks (per pair) (per Pair) 3.90 2.48

East Hampton Town Planning Department Figure 1: Piping Plover totals, all nests, for Town of East Hampton managed sites 300

250

200

150

100

0 Piping Plover Totals Total Eggs 244 Total Chicks 119 Total Fledges 31

Figure 2: Piping Plover averages per pair of plovers for Town of East Hampton managed sites.

4.50

4.00

3.50

3.00

2.50

2.00

1.50

1.00

0.50

0.00 Piping Plover Averages Average Number of Eggs 3.90 Average Number of Chicks 2.48 Average Number of Fldeges 0.65 (productivity)

East Hampton Town Planning Department Table 3: Fifteen years of Piping Plover productivity in the Town of East Hampton Year Pairs Fledges Productivity 1995 22 36 1.64 1996 14 23 1.64 1997 21 18 0.85 1998 15 20 1.33 1999 16 30 1.87 2000 22 37 1.68 2001 27 54 2.00 2002 38 77 2.03 2003 40 38 0.95 2004 38 72 1.89 2005 44 72 1.64 2006 56 94 1.68 2007 59 62 1.05 2008* 34 58 1.71 2009* 46 55 1.20 2010* 48 31 0.65 *Excluding state and county park managed sites

Figure 3: Fifteen years of Piping Plover productivity in the Town of East Hampton

2.50

2.00 2.03 2.00 1.87 1.89 1.71 1.64 1.64 1.68 1.64 1.68

1.50 1.33 1.20 1.05 1.00 0.95 0.85

0.65

0.50

0.00 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008* 2009* 2010*

East Hampton Town Planning Department Table 4: 2010 Least Tern breeding statistics for the Town of East Hampton Number of Number of Sites Pairs Fledges Georgica Pond 75 12 Table 5: Twelve years of Least Tern Georgica Beach 34 14 productivity for Town of East Hampton Main Beach 11 2 Year Pairs Fledges Productivity Wyborg 25 2 1998 70 0 0.00 2 Mile Hollow 21 1 1999 52 1 0.02 Napeague East 24 3 2000 105 89 0.84 Montauk Beach 26 5 2001 156 107 0.68 Sammy's Beach 1 0 2002 275 142 0.52 Kings Point 25 8 2003 271 30 0.11 2004 108 35 0.32 2005 138 25 0.18 2006 143 29 0.20 2007 124 35 0.28 2008* 64 43 0.67 2009* 109 58 0.53 2010* 250 47 0.19 *Excluding state and county park managed

Figure 4: Twelve years of Least Tern productivity in the Town of East Hampton

0.90 0.84

0.80

0.70 0.68 0.67

0.60 0.52 0.53 0.50

0.40 0.32 0.30 0.28

0.20 0.19 0.20 0.18 0.11 0.10 0.02 0.00 0.00 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008* 2009* 2010*

East Hampton Town Planning Department Table 6: 2010 Piping Plover and Least Tern time expenditures Name Total Hours Worked Approxmiate Cost With Benefits (+40%) Borsack, Tyler 257.0 5,896.61 8,255.25 D'Andrea, Lisa 257.0 8,748.28 12,247.59 Gaites, Andy 14.75 453.71 635.19 Edward McLaughlin 54.5 Volunteer 0.00 Total 15,098.60 21,138.04

Table 7: 2010 Piping Plover and Least Tern equipment and supplies expenditures. Date Dollars Spent Item/s Purchased Reason for Purchase 4/1/2010 $87.75 Nylon Twine 525 Ft. Symbolic/string fencing 4/1/2010 $17.16 Fluorescent Flagging Tape Symbolic/string fencing 4/1/2010 $30.38 1/4" Polypropylene Rope Snow fence extentions 4/1/2010 $19.45 4" Cable Ties (1,000) Exclosures 4/1/2010 $56.88 11" Zip Ties (500) Signs Season $401.00 200.5 Gallons of Fuel $2.00/gallon, Travel w/Ford Ranger Total $612.62

Table 8: Historical costs of endangered species program Year Equipment Personel Total Cost 2009 $3,283.03 $21,421.54 $24,704.57 2010 $612.62 $21,138.04 $21,750.66

Table 9: Estimated equipment expenditures for 2011 Item Estimated Cost Reason Twine $88 Yearly need for string fence Rope $30 Yearly need for fencing 4" Ties $20 Yearly need for exclosures 11" Ties $57 Yearly need for signs Fuel $400 Yearly need for trans. 25 Snow Fence Rolls $930 Replace supply 300 6' "T" Posts $1,700 Replace supply Total $3,225

East Hampton Town Planning Department