Connecticut Audbon Society

A guide to keeping shorebirds on the Milford Point sandbar safe when you visit in August

A flock of roosting shorebirds. Birds rest during migration to build up energy for the long migration south. Photograph by Patrick Comins.

In the Sanctuaries …
Try to plan your visit the sandbar
from roughly four hours before low tide until three hours after.

August 14, 2021 — Shorebirds gathering now on the sandbar at Milford Point need to rest without disturbance in order to have the energy to complete their migration to Central and South America.

Visitors who get too close while walking, photographing, or viewing will scatter the flocks and deprive them of that rest.

But there’s a span of time each day during which you can visit the Milford Point sandbar and still keep the disturbance to a minimum.

That time span is from roughly four hours before low tide until three hours after.

The table below can help you plan your visits to the sandbar through the end of August. Times are approximate and based on tide charts for the Milford Point area.

Even during these hours, please walk carefully. Don’t linger for too long. If you notice birds flying away as you approach, that’s a signal you’ve gotten too close.

If a Coastal Ranger or other Connecticut Audubon staff or volunteer asks you to move a bit farther from the birds, please heed the request.

The gates of the Milford Point Coastal Center are open from dawn to dusk. You can visit other parts of the Coastal Center at any time without disturbing the birds.

This table will give you an idea of when to try to time your visit. The hours are approximate and based on tide charts for the Milford Point area.

Day
Date
Low tide
Safe hours for viewing
Sunday
August 29
11:00 AM
From 7 am until 2 pm
Monday
August 30
11:53 AM
From 7:53 am until 2:53 pm
Tuesday
August 31
12:44 PM
From 8:44 am until 3:44 pm

 

 

 

 

 

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