Two popular islands will be closed to the public this Memorial Day Weekend until September to protect endangered wildlife.
Charles Island in Milford and Duck Island in Westbrook will be closed to the public until Sept. 8 to prevent disturbances to nesting birds, the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection announced on Friday. DEEP has designated the two islands as Natural Area Preserves because they are nesting habitats for several state-listed birds.
DEEP has designated Charles and Duck islands as Natural Area Preserves, primarily due to their importance as nesting habitats for several state-listed birds, including the piping plover.
Credit Paul J. Fusco/DEEP-Wildlife Division
Some of the birds that nest on the islands include snowy egrets and great egrets, which are on the state’s list of threatened species; glossy ibis; and little blue herons, which are listed as special concern.
“Each year, Charles and Duck Islands are closed during the nesting season to protect various bird species. Fencing also is erected at beach nesting areas along Connecticut’s shoreline to safeguard piping plovers and least terns,” said Jenny Dickson, DEEP Wildlife Division director. “Closing the islands and enlisting the public’s help and cooperation are simple but effective ways to protect these birds.”
Aside from the closings, DEEP is asking residents on the Connecticut shoreline to respect fencing and yellow warning signs that indicate piping plover. The piping plover is a small sandy-colored shorebird that is a protected under both the Endangered Species Act and the Connecticut Endangered and Threatened Species list.
Great egrets, which nest in limited numbers on offshore islands along Connecticut’s coast, are on the state’s listing of threatened species.
Credit Paul J. Fusco/DEEP-Wildlife Division“Protecting wildlife and their habitat is one of DEEP’s most critical functions,” DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes said in a news release. “We coordinate closely with conservation organizations and work to educate the public about the importance of preserving these bird populations here in Connecticut.”
The DEEP Wildlife Division provides advice to protect nesting shorebirds:
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Walk near the water on the lower beach so birds can rest and nest on the upper beach. There are signs to alert guests to those areas.
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Don’t walk dogs or allow house cats to roam freely on beaches during nesting season.
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In area where dogs are allowed, keep them on a leash while remembering that even leashed dogs have the potential to step on nests and young. Dogs also may harass sensitive shorebirds by chasing them.
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Keep your distance when photographing or bird-watching,
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Remove trash and food scraps, which attract animals that could attack endangered birds.
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Do not feed animals or wildlife around the beach area.
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Do not “rescue” small (young) birds by removing them from the beach area and bringing them home. The adult birds remain nearby and return to their young once intruder leaves.
