- Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge
Infobox protected area
name = Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge
iucn_category = IV
caption =
locator_x = 260
locator_y = 57
location =Connecticut , USA
nearest_city =Westbrook, Connecticut
lat_degrees = 41
lat_minutes = 17
lat_seconds = 21.2316
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 72
long_minutes = 28
long_seconds = 18.4080
long_direction = W
area = convert|825|acre|ha|1
established = 1972
visitation_num =
visitation_year =
governing_body = U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceThe Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge is a convert|825|acre|ha|1|sing=onNational Wildlife Refuge in ten units across the U.S. state ofConnecticut . Located in theAtlantic Flyway , the refuge spans convert|70|mi|km|-1 of Connecticut coastline and provides important resting, feeding, and nesting habitat for many species of wading birds, shorebirds, songbirds and terns, including the endangeredroseate tern . Adjacent waters serve as wintering habitat for brant,scoter s, American black duck, and other waterfowl. Overall, the refuge encompasses over convert|800|acre|ha|1 ofbarrier beach , tidal wetland and fragile island habitats.cite web|url=http://www.fws.gov/refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=53546|title=Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge|publisher=U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |accessdate=2008-09-09]Originally named the Salt Meadow National Wildlife Refuge, the refuge was renamed in 1987 after Stewart B. McKinney a congressman from Connecticut.
Units, wildlife, and facilities
The refuge consists of ten separate land units. From east to west they are:
*Salt Meadow Unit - Oldest unit of the refuge, the Salt Meadow unit is the location of the refuge headquarters inWestbrook, Connecticut . Salt Meadow is used by over 280 species of migrating neotropical birds during the spring and fall migrations. Thus, this unit has been designated an "Important Bird Area" by theNational Audubon Society . The convert|2.5|mi|km|1 of trails at Salt Meadow wind through grassland, forest, and marsh habitats. The convert|9|acre|ha of fields supportwoodcock ,bluebird s,tree swallow s,wild turkey s and numerous species of butterflies and dragonflies. Birdwatchers can expect to seegreat egret s,glossy ibis ,snowy egret s,belted kingfisher s,osprey ,red tailed hawk , and many other species. Mammal species includered fox andcoyote . In partnership with Potopaug Audubon Society, the refuge hosts many wildlife events at Salt Meadow Unit throughout the year. These events have included owl walks, waterfowl walks, woodcock walks, bird banding demonstrations, and a presentation on live birds of prey. This unit is at coord|41.289231|-72.47178|region:US_type:isle|display=inline|name=Salt Meadow.
*Outer Island Unit - This unit is located on Outer Island in the Thimble Island Chain off the coast ofBranford, Connecticut . It must be accessed by ferry fromStony Creek, Connecticut or by private vessel. Thepink granite (also known asschist ) which dominates the geology of Outer Island provides spectacular photography opportunities. While on the island, it is also likely that you will seecommon tern s androseate tern s feeding off shore,green heron s (these birds nest on the island),great egret s andsnowy egret s feeding below the shoreline. This unit is at coord|41.2420|-72.7605|region:US_type:isle|display=inline|name=Outer Island.
*Falkner Island Unit -Falkner Island is located three miles (5 km) off the shore ofGuilford, Connecticut . It must be accessed by private vessel and is closed to public visitation except during the open house. Falkner Island Unit is home to over 124 pairs of nestingroseate tern s (a federally listedendangered species ) and over 3000 nesting pairs ofcommon tern s. Thus, this unit has been designated an "Important Bird Area" by theNational Audubon Society . TheFalkner Island unit is closed to public visitation throughout the year due the fragile status of the roseate terns that nest there. However, the refuge does open the island for a two day open house each September. During the open house, visitors have an opportunity to visit an actual research camp and an historic lighthouse that was originally commissioned in 1802. The lighthouse, research facility, and the natural beauty of the island allow for many photographic opportunities. This unit is at coord|41.210880|-72.653190|region:US_type:isle|display=inline|name=Falkner Island
*Milford Point Unit - This unit is located nearMilford, Connecticut and features an observation deck along the boardwalk. The overlook at Milford Point allows visitors the opportunity to view the convert|9|acre|ha|sing=on barrier beach. Shorebirds such assandpiper s,oystercatcher s,least tern s and even the federally threatenedpiping plover may be seen from the platform. To decrease disturbance to this fragile area, wildlife viewing must be accomplished from the observation deck or the very tip of the peninsula. Fishermen and visitors may walk to the tip of the peninsula by way of a marked fishing access trail, but are discouraged from stopping along the way. This unit is at coord|41.1757|-73.1015|region:US_type:isle|display=inline|name=Milford Point.
*Great Meadows Unit - This unit is located inStratford, Connecticut . A new nature trail provides opportunities to seenorthern harrier s,red-breasted merganser s, black ducks,pied billed grebe ,great blue heron s, and numerous other bird species. This trail is fully accessible and even includes voice recorded messages for the visually disabled. This unit is at coord|41.160|-73.135|region:US_type:isle|display=inline|name=Great Meadows.
*Chimon Island Unit, Sheffield Island Unit, Goose Island Unit, and Peach Island Unit - These islands among theNorwalk Islands group are located off the shore ofNorwalk, Connecticut , approximately convert|40|mi|km|-1 east ofNew York City . A ferry to Sheffield Island leaves from Hope Dock, located near the Maritime Aquarium inSouth Norwalk . A private vessel must be used to reach Chimon Island Unit. The Goose Island and Peach Island units are closed to public visits. The trail at Sheffield Island allows visitors to view a tidal salt water pond which is utilized byegret s andbelted kingfisher s. The island is also heavily used bywhite-tailed deer . Adjacent to the refuge on Sheffield Island, the Norwalk Seaport Association maintains an historic stone lighthouse and keepers quarters. Tours are given of the lighthouse by the Norwalk Seaport Association for a nominal charge. These units are at: Chimon coord|41.065|-73.39|region:US_type:isle|display=inline|name=Chimon Island, Sheffield coord|41.052|-73.415|region:US_type:isle|display=inline|name=Sheffield Island, Goose coord|41.071|-73.372|region:US_type:isle|display=inline|name=Goose Island, and Peach coord|41.083|-73.4055|region:US_type:isle|display=inline|name=Peach Island.
*Calf Island Unit - Calf Island in Greenwich is a convert|29|acre|ha island that is convert|3000|ft|m from shore, and has been a part of the McKinney wildlife refuge since 2003. This unit is at coord|40.993|-73.6395|region:US_type:isle|display=inline|name=Calf Island.Topography
The ten units of Stewart B. McKinney NWR include a variety of habitats from grassy upland, to tidal
salt marsh . Native wildlife populations have diverse habitat requirements. Each species, from Roseate terns to American black ducks, has very different needs for food, water, shelter and space. The refuge units along Connecticut's coast fill these needs by providing habitats that are forested, marshy, sandy and secluded island habitats.History
In 1972, Ester Lape donated over convert|150|acre|ha|1 of land in
Westbrook, Connecticut to theUnited States Fish and Wildlife Service . This donation became Salt Meadow National Wildlife Refuge. As neighbors donated or sold adjacent property to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Salt Meadow grew to be a convert|274|acre|ha|1|sing=on refuge.As the state became more and more populated, coastal areas and islands were being developed at an alarming rate. Citizens began to worry that the long legged wading birds and other shorebirds that use Connecticut's Islands and Coast would soon be without important nesting and feeding habitat. With the help of non-profit groups like
National Audubon Society ,Saugatuck Audubon Society ,The Nature Conservancy ,Trust for Public Lands , and theWestbrook Land Trust , Sheffield, Chimon, and Goose Islands near Norwalk and Milford Point in Milford were acquired by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.In 1984, these Islands were added to Salt Meadow National Wildlife Refuge and the name was changed to Connecticut's Coastal National Wildlife Refuge. In 1987, the name of the refuge was again changed to honor US Congressman Stewart B. McKinney, who had an integral role in the refuge's formation.
In 2003, Calf Island in the town of Greenwich was added to the refuge. In 2005, Peach Island was added to the refuge. Through generous donations and the help of many partners, Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge now consists of ten refuge units spread across convert|70|mi|km|-1 of Connecticut's coastline, from Westbrook to Greenwich.
News
In 2007 and 2008 the town of Stratford debated whether the town would sell town owned lands to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. If the property is sold, it would presumably be made part of the McKinney Refuge. From the
Connecticut Post :cite web|url=http://www.connpost.com/ci_7892883|accessdate=2008-01-06|title=Stratford|publisher=Connecticut Post ] cquote|STRATFORD — One of the former Town Council's final decisions was to direct Mayor James R. Miron in November to enter into negotiations with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in an effort to sell the 35 acre Long Beach West Peninsula for at least $10 million.That is now possible because the town last year won its decade-long legal battle to evict the last of 45 cottage owners who once rented property on the peninsula when the state Supreme Court upheld a lower court decision in favor of the town.
ee also
*
List of National Wildlife Refuges
*Pleasure Beach , is an area inBridgeport, Connecticut adjacent to the "Long Beach West" area in Stratford that is being considered for sale to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.References
External links
* [http://www.fws.gov/refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=53546 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service profile of Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge]
*cite web|url=http://www.recreation.gov/recAreaDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&recAreaId=1621&contractCode=127|title=Recreation.gov overview|accessdate=2008-09-02
*GeoGroupTemplate
* [http://www.pbase.com/garybuz/peasure_beach Pleasure Beach Photos]
* [http://www.lisrc.uconn.edu/coastalaccess/site.asp?siteid=335 CT DEP/UConn Coastal Access Guide: Long Beach, Stratford, CT]
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