4/28/2023
5/3/2023
5/10/2023
5/16/2023
5/23/2023
6/7/2023
Dead Neck Sampson’s Island Report
As of 8/2/2022
Monitors: Clare SantaColoma, Sophia Valiulis and Cecilia Twining
PIPL Activity
There have been 19 pairs of Piping Plovers on the island. There are no active unfledged broods on the island. There are no active nests on the island. The last two broods have fledged this week.
Tern Activity
There is one Least Tern colony on the west tip and one on the east tip. Approximately 30 LETE have been seen on west tip and 50 have been seen on east tip this week. Fledglings have been observed mostly on east tip this week, as well as multiple active nests that are still being incubated on east.
AMOY Activity
The American Oystercatcher brood that fledged with 3 chicks is still seen sporadically on the island.
Fencing Maintenance
It is suspected that coyotes chewed a hole through a section of e-fencing, requiring CWP staff to replace the entire panel on the east tip restoration area. A new battery was also connected at this time. No new signs have been added to the island.
Predator Observations
Coyote activity has remained high this week on both east and west tips. Tracks were also observed on west tip ocean side, middle ocean side and east bay side- all outside of and running parallel to symbolic fencing. Dog tracks were also observed this week on west ocean side but did not enter fencing.
Human Activity
Human and boater activity was heavy this weekend. The vast majority of boater and beachgoer interactions have been positive and compliant.
Maps of DNSI Nesting Sites
6/13/2023
Dead Neck Sampson’s Island Report
As of 8/9/2022
Monitors: Clare SantaColoma and Sophia Valiulis
PIPL Activity
There have been 19 pairs of Piping Plovers on the island this season. There are no active unfledged broods on the island anymore. There are no more active nests on the island.
Tern Activity
There is one Least Tern colony on the west tip and one on the east tip. Approximately 25 LETE have been seen on west tip and 50 have been seen on east tip this week. Fledglings have been observed on east and west tips this week, with 1 downy chick seen on west tip. At least 100 Common Terns were observed staging this week on east tip ocean side.
AMOY Activity
The fledged brood of American Oystercatcher is still seen sporadically on island.
Fencing Maintenance
CWP staff fixed small sections of electric fencing on the east tip restoration area this week. No new signs have been added to the island.
Predator Observations
Coyote activity has remained high this week on both east and west tips. Tracks were observed on west tip and west-middle ocean side running outside of fencing. Dog and owl tracks (from a Great Horned Owl) were also observed this week on west tip inside fencing.
Human Activity
Human and boater activity was heavy this weekend. A small portion of boaters refused to leave closed areas, but the vast majority of boaters and beachgoers were cooperative.
6/21/2023
Dead Neck Sampson’s Island Report
As of 8/17/2022
Monitors: Clare SantaColoma and Sophia Valiulis
PIPL Activity
There have been 19 pairs of Piping Plovers on the island this season. There are no active unfledged broods on the island anymore. There are no more active nests on the island.
Tern Activity
There is one Least Tern colony on the west tip and one on the east tip. Approximately 16 LETE have been seen on west tip and 25 have been seen on east tip this week. Fledglings have been observed on east and west tips this week, and 3 downy chicks were seen on west tip.
AMOY Activity
The American Oystercatcher pair on west tip with 3 chicks have all fledged and left the island.
Fencing Maintenance
CWP staff fixed small sections of electric fencing on the east tip restoration area this week. Despite coyotes continuing to chew through electric fencing, it remains electrified. No new signs have been added to the island.
Predator Observations
Coyote activity has remained high this week, mostly on east tip. Tracks were observed on east tip restoration area and coyotes chewed through more sections of electric fencing panels. Despite this, the fence remains electrified.
Human Activity
Human and boater activity was heavy this weekend. Individuals refused to leave closed areas of the island on east tip and CWP staff monitored their behavior during these instances and continued to record boater information.
Maps of DNSI Nesting Sites
