CONNECTICUT: Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge

Site Location & Description:

In 1984, the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) was established to protect migratory bird habitat, and refuge consists of eight units along the Connecticut coast. Its habitats include, salt marsh, forest, field, shrubland, and extremely productive shoreline and mudflats. These habitats support significant populations of herons, egrets, terns, and other shore and wading birds.

Ecological Values:

Located on the Atlantic flyway, the refuge provides habitat for more than 250 species of Neotropical migratory birds, as well as shorebirds, wading birds, and waterfowl. Long Beach, which is included within the refuge acquisition boundaries, is the largest remaining undeveloped barrier beach in Connecticut. The proposed acquisition area is 27+ acres and is 3600 linear feet in length, and is part of a 131-acre barrier beach system that shelters the 497-acre tidal marsh system of the Stratford-Great Meadows refuge. Long Beach has been accepted as an Audubon Important Bird Area, along with the adjacent marshes of Stratford-Great Meadows Unit of Stewart B. McKinney NWR and the complex of sites around the marsh is likely one of the five most important areas for birds in the state. The nesting populations of Piping Plovers, Least Terns, American Black Ducks and Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrows make the area likely to meet the criteria of a continentally or globally important bird area. Long Beach is the most important habitat for the federally and state threatened Piping Plover in Connecticut, with as many as 13 pairs having nested there (1992). The population of this species has declined at this location in recent years, perhaps due to increased human disturbance and predator threats, but Long Beach is still the most significant nesting area for Piping Plovers in Connecticut.

Public Use & Benefit to the Community:

The primary purpose of the McKinney National Wildlife Refuge is to provide environmental education and research opportunities. Recreational opportunities at McKinney include wildlife observation and photography, hiking, and fishing. Inclusion of Long Beach within the Stewart B. McKinney NWR would allow improved habitat management and allow significant educational and nature viewing opportunities and allow for the Refuge to have greatly increased capacity to serve the greater Bridgeport metropolitan area.

Threats:

Undeveloped shoreline property is quite rare in Connecticut, particularly undeveloped islands. The real estate market in Coastal Connecticut is under the influence of New York City and development is occurring at an unprecedented pace. It is estimated that 97 percent of Connecticut’s coastline is already developed, making an undeveloped and protected Long Beach extremely valuable natural resources, both in terms of habitat values and allowing public access to Long Island Sound. Disturbance is a key issue at Long Beach, and without proper planning, recreational pressures will overwhelm the nesting species of Long Beach, such as Piping Plover and Least Tern. Management by the USFWS could effectively balance the need for recreational access and the need to protect nesting birds and offering improvement in both areas.

Acquisition Status:

The refuge currently consists of 947 acres, with a total acquisition goal of 1,561 acres. Current acquisition priorities focus on additions that would enhance environmental education and scientific research on the refuge. A $1.8 million allocation for FY ’05 is needed to purchase Long Beach, which would provide excellent research, public access and environmental education opportunities. There has been and continues to be tremendous public support for the expansion of the McKinney NWR.

Public Support:

The Stewart B. McKinney NWR has an active Friends group for each of its units along the coast of Connecticut. Groups with an active interest in the Refuge include: Audubon Connecticut, Audubon Greenwich, Central Connecticut State University, Clean Sound, inc., the Connecticut Audubon Society, The Connecticut Ornithological Association, the Connecticut Waterfowl Association, the Hartford Audubon Society, The Nature Conservancy, the New Haven Bird Club, the Potapaug Audubon Society, The Menunkatuck Audubon Society, the Saugatuck Valley Audubon Society, the Darien Audubon Society, the Trust for Public Land, and Save The Sound.

Habitat

Tidal Marsh, coastal prairie, barrier beach.

Species

Home to the Federally threatened species: The area has historically been the most important home for federally threatened Piping Plovers in Connecticut.

Home to State-listed species: The area is home for Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow, Seaside Sparrow, Short-eared Owl, American Bittern, Snowy Egret, Great Egret, Willet, Piping Plover, Northern Harrier, Snowy Egret, Horned Lark, Peregrine Falcon, American Kestrel, American Oystercatcher, Yellow-crowned Night Heron, Savannah Sparrow, Ipswich Sparrow, Least Tern, Common Tern, and several species of state-listed plants. It is among the most important areas for the state-threatened Least Terns in Connecticut.

Home to Audubon WatchList species: American Black Duck, ‘Atlantic’ Brant, Piping Plover, American Golden Plover, American Oystercatcher, Red Knot, Short-billed Dowitcher, Whimbrel, Short-eared Owl, Seaside Sparrow, Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow and Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrow.

And other species: Migrant landbird stopover, migrant shorebird stopover, waterfowl migratory stopover and wintering area.