Nesting Birds Are Easily Disturbed

Every spring, the Wildlife Division tries to spread several important messages about people’s interactions with wildlife [and include] respecting nesting areas used by shorebirds and waterbirds along the Connecticut coastline. We realize it is difficult to get the message out to everybody. But, as hard as we try to spread the word, each year we document several instances of people harming wildlife, usually unintentionally. Either out of a desire to help or just general curiosity, people often, by their very actions, end up hurting wildlife.
Maybe the yearly warnings, reminders and signs telling people what they should or should not do when they encounter wildlife is not enough. People tend to learn best by example and experience. Therefore, the intent of this article is to go beyond the “do’s and do not’s” and explain what happens when people disregard warnings and/or do not use common sense.

Duck Island, just off the coast of Westbrook, is a special place during summer. It is special not simply because it is a quaint little island in Long Island Sound, but because it serves as a summer home to several members of the heron family, such as great and snowy egrets. It is here that these birds build nests and raise their young. Duck Island is so important to these long-legged wading birds that it was recently designated a Connecticut Natural Area Preserve. For several years, the DEP Wildlife Division has worked with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to cooperatively protect the nesting colony. The interior portion of the island is closed for the season and fenced off from the beach. Nesting area closure signs and a large educational sign explain to visitors why the island is closed and why it is important.

For several years, the birds and island visitors have shared Duck Island without incident. Unfortunately, that is no longer the case. During the 2002 nesting season, the birds had returned as usual and began the task of building nests and laying eggs. Early in the nesting season, human visitors to the island decided it was an ideal spot to build a bonfire. The bonfire was built outside the fence; ironically, right in front of the educational sign detailing the importance of the island to herons and egrets. The resulting smoke and disturbance caused the majority of great and snowy egrets, glossy ibis, little blue herons and others to abandon the rookery entirely. A handful of birds did eventually return to try again, only to be confronted a month later with people off-loading cookout supplies, grills and their canine companions from their boat. The end result for the birds of Duck Island? A lack of common sense and a blatant disregard for this Natural Area turned a peaceful nesting site into a place unfit for raising young birds. Only time will tell if the birds that abandoned Duck Island abandoned it forever.

Heron and egret rookeries on Charles Island in Milford and Duck Island in Westbrook have received a tremendous amount of human disturbance during the 2002 nesting season. To prevent total abandonment of these rookeries by the birds, both islands [were] completely closed to the public until September 9 [2002].

Hopefully, by describing actual examples, we can spread the word and prevent future incidents. You can also help by contacting the Wildlife Division or the TIP hotline (1-800-842-HELP) to report any violations or concerns.

Condensed from an article in the July/August 2002 issue of Connecticut Wildlife.

Menunkatuck Audubon asks its members to help spread the word this spring and summer while out on the waters of Long Island Sound. Happy (responsible) birding!

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Last updated 18 September, 2004 .