Fencing party dates

We need your help! Can you assist the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds in setting up string fencing and nest exclosures for Piping Plovers? We would love to have volunteers at the following locations on these dates:

Sandy Point on Wednesday 4/18 at 10:00 AM at the parking lot on Beach Street across from 3rd Ave. in West Haven.

Long Beach/Pleasure Beach on Thursday 4/19 10:00 AM at the west end of the parking lot on Oak Bluff Ave. in Stratford.

It’s tough to know what the weather will actually be like, but, if we need, our make-up days will be 4/25 and 4/26.

Volunteers should bring: Work gloves, lunch, water, sunscreen, sunglasses, hats and whatever else you may need avoid too much sun. Depending on the weather, a wind breaker might be necessary – it can be surprisingly cold on the beach. A pocket knife or multi-tool can be handy and if anyone has a 3 lb sledge hammer they can bring, that would also be helpful. Plan for heavy lifting and toting, but be mindful of your safety. We do not want any injuries.

Rebecca Foster (CT DEEP) will be leading the work crew. Meet her at the site at 10:00 am and she will give instructions.

Directions to Sandy Point, West Haven:
From the East: Take I-95 South to exit 44. Turn slight right onto Kimberly Avenue. Take a left onto First Avenue. First Avenue becomes Beach Street. Sandy Point will be on your left.

From the West: Take I-95 North to exit 44. Take the West Haven Ramp. Turn left onto Kimberly Avenue. Turn left onto First Avenue. First Avenue becomes Beach Street. Sandy Point will be on your left.

Directions to Long Beach, Stratford:
Heading south on I-95, take exit 30. Take a left at the end of the ramp on Surf Ave. Continue 1/4 mile then take a left on Lordship Boulevard.

Heading north on I-95, take exit 30 staying right at the end of the ramp onto Lordship Boulevard.

Continue for 0.7 miles on Lordship Boulevard where Great Meadows Marsh is visible on the right.

To get to Long Beach, continue to the end of Lordship Boulevard and take a right on Oak Bluff Ave. Continue 0.3 miles to Long Beach.


Thank you for your consideration, and please email us at ctwaterbirds@gmail.com if you can make it. This is also a good time to get to know the sites and talk to AAfCW staff about any relevant topic. We will also likely get to see some of our target species like Piping Plover and American Oystercatcher.


Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds, Audubon Connecticut and the Connecticut Audubon Society partnering to improve conditions for coastal waterbirds in Connecticut.