Connecticut Projects

Coastal Bird Stewardship on Long Island Sound

Our Goals
Halting, and ultimately reversing, the decline of beach-nesting birds and protecting migratory birds in Connecticut.
What We鈥檙e Doing
Reducing threats to birds through monitoring and surveying, hands-on stewardship, and encouraging beachgoers to "share the shore."
A Piping Plover sits on a nest protected by an exclosure put up by staff and volunteers. Photo: Katherine O'Connell/探花精选

In spring and summer, Connecticut's Long Island Sound beaches and islands become a nursery for federally and state-protected birds like the Piping Plover, Least Tern, and American Oystercatcher.

They lay well-camouflaged eggs directly on the ground, usually on sand or shells. The beach is their only home, and individual birds often return to the same place year after year to raise their young. 

These birds rely on us to share the shore, because our beach season is their nesting season.

Our coastal stewardship work reduces threats to nesting shorebirds through monitoring and surveying,  and hands-on stewardship鈥攅recting fencing around nesting areas, installing predator exclosures around nests, and educating beachgoers with handouts and signage. 

Much of this work is completed by our , an innovative partnership of 探花精选 Connecticut, the Connecticut 探花精选 Society, The Nature Conservancy, the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. 

70+
Coastal and island nesting sites monitored to inform our research.
34
Sites where we are implementing hands-on stewardship, like erecting fencing around nesting areas.
86
Paid high school students, interns, and young professionals participating this year.
700
Volunteers engaged annually to help monitor and steward nesting sites.
A Pledge of Protection
  • Time your beach walks for low tide. During high tide, our birds have very few places to go and are easily disturbed by people鈥檚 presence.
  • Avoid loud or flying things near nesting areas that shorebirds may perceive as predators, such as drones, fireworks, and kites.
  • Keep the beach clean. Trash on the beach can entangle birds, be mistaken for food and ingested, and can attract predators.
  • Check local beach rules. Most beaches are off-limits to dogs, vehicles, and other activities from around April to September.

You Can Keep Shorebirds Safe! Utilize These Resources

Dogs on Beaches: State and Local Laws
Help protect nesting birds and chicks: Know your local beach laws, and visit a recommended dog-friendly park instead!
Piping Plover.
Know the Signs of Disturbance
Some species feign injuries to protect their nests from predators, like this Piping Plover performing a "broken wing display." Note: Photographers should avoid documenting this behavior, as it can be stressful for the bird and is a sign that its nest is in danger.