The Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection is closing down two state-owned island and instilling new conservation measures on beaches in order to protect six species of coastal birds.
The closing of Charles Island in Milford and Duck Island in Westbrook, both natural area preserves, is meant to protect the threatened species great egrets, concerned species little blue herons, the glossy ibis, and snowy egrets. The closures are meant to protect nesting birds, as nearby disturbances can cause young birds to fall out of their nests.
In addition, DEEP is putting up fencing and yellow warning signs along the shoreline to prevent beachcombers, sunbathers, and boaters from disturbing the nests of the piping plover and the least tern, both of which are threatened species.
