Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge

Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge

Parks Directory of the United States / National Wildlife Refuges

Address: 733 Old Clinton Rd
Westbrook, CT 06498
Phone: 860-399-2513;
Fax: 860-399-2515;
Web: www.fws.gov/refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=53546
Established: 1972 as Salt Meadow NWR. Redesignated as Connecticut Coastal NWR in 1984. Renamed in 1987 to honor U.S. Congressman Stewart B. McKinney, who was instrumental in establishing the refuge.
Location: Eight units along 60 miles of the Connecticut coastal shore, consisting of five islands and three coastline locations.
Facilities: Visitor contact station, viewing sites, trails, beach.
Activities: Fishing, hiking, educational programs.
Special Features: Located in the Atlantic Flyway, the refuge provides important resting, feeding, and nesting habitat for many species of wading birds, shorebirds, songbirds and terns, including the endangered roseate tern. Adjacent waters serve as wintering habitat for brant, scoters, American black duck, and other waterfowl. Salt Meadow Unit, in Westbrook, CT, and Falkner Island Unit, three miles off the coast of Guilford, CT, have both been designation as an "Important Bird Area" by the National Audubon Society.
Habitats: More than 800 acres of varied habitat including grassy upland, tidal salt marsh, forest, and barrier beach.
Access: Portions of the refuge are closed periodically to protect nesting birds; contact refuge office for specific dates.
Wild life: Wading birds, shorebirds, songbirds and terns, including the roseate tern, brant, scotes, American black duck, and piping plover.

---

See other parks in Connecticut.