Stewart B. Mc Kinney National Wildlife Refuge - Units, Wildlife, and Facilities

Units, Wildlife, and Facilities

The refuge consists of ten separate land units. From east to west they are:

• Salt Meadow Unit - Oldest unit of the refuge, the Salt Meadow unit is the location of the refuge headquarters in Westbrook, Connecticut. Salt Meadow is used by over 280 species of migrating neotropical birds during the spring and fall migrations. Thus, this unit has been designated an "Important Bird Area" by the National Audubon Society. The 2.5 miles (4.0 km) of trails at Salt Meadow wind through grassland, forest, and marsh habitats. The 9 acres (3.6 ha) of fields support woodcock, bluebirds, tree swallows, wild turkeys and numerous species of butterflies and dragonflies. Birdwatchers can expect to see great egrets, glossy ibis, snowy egrets, belted kingfishers, osprey, red tailed hawk, and many other species. Mammal species include red fox and coyote. In partnership with Potopaug Audubon Society, the refuge hosts many wildlife events at Salt Meadow Unit throughout the year. These events have included owl walks, waterfowl walks, woodcock walks, bird banding demonstrations, and a presentation on live birds of prey. This unit is at 41°17′21″N 72°28′18″W / 41.289231°N 72.47178°W / 41.289231; -72.47178 (Salt Meadow).
• Outer Island Unit - This unit is located on Outer Island in the Thimble Island Chain off the coast of Branford, Connecticut. It must be accessed by ferry from Stony Creek, Connecticut or by private vessel. The pink granite which dominates the geology of Outer Island provides spectacular photography opportunities. While on the island, it is also likely that you will see common terns and roseate terns feeding off shore, green herons (these birds nest on the island), great egrets and snowy egrets feeding below the shoreline. This unit is at 41°14′31″N 72°45′38″W / 41.2420°N 72.7605°W / 41.2420; -72.7605 (Outer Island).
• Falkner Island Unit - Falkner Island is located three miles (5 km) off the shore of Guilford, Connecticut. It must be accessed by private vessel and is closed to public visitation except during the open house. Falkner Island Unit is home to over 124 pairs of nesting roseate terns (a federally listed endangered species) and over 3000 nesting pairs of common terns. Thus, this unit has been designated an "Important Bird Area" by the National Audubon Society. The Falkner Island unit is closed to public visitation throughout the year due the fragile status of the roseate terns that nest there. However, the refuge does open the island for a two day open house each September. During the open house, visitors have an opportunity to visit an actual research camp and an historic lighthouse that was originally commissioned in 1802. The lighthouse, research facility, and the natural beauty of the island allow for many photographic opportunities. This unit is at 41°12′39″N 72°39′11″W / 41.210880°N 72.653190°W / 41.210880; -72.653190 (Falkner Island)
• Milford Point Unit - This unit is located near Milford, Connecticut and features an observation deck along the boardwalk. The overlook at Milford Point allows visitors the opportunity to view the 9-acre (3.6 ha) barrier beach. Shorebirds such as sandpipers, oystercatchers, least terns and even the federally threatened piping plover may be seen from the platform. To decrease disturbance to this fragile area, wildlife viewing must be accomplished from the observation deck or the very tip of the peninsula. Fishermen and visitors may walk to the tip of the peninsula by way of a marked fishing access trail, but are discouraged from stopping along the way. This unit is at 41°10′33″N 73°06′05″W / 41.1757°N 73.1015°W / 41.1757; -73.1015 (Milford Point).
• Great Meadows Unit - This unit is located in Stratford, Connecticut. There are no nature trails at this time, however from the surrounding roadways, there are opportunities to see northern harriers, red-breasted mergansers, black ducks, pied billed grebe, great blue herons, and numerous other bird species. This unit is at 41°09′36″N 73°08′06″W / 41.160°N 73.135°W / 41.160; -73.135 (Great Meadows).
• Chimon Island Unit, Sheffield Island Unit, Goose Island Unit, and Peach Island Unit - These islands among the Norwalk Islands group are located off the shore of Norwalk, Connecticut, approximately 40 miles (60 km) east of New York City. A ferry to Sheffield Island leaves from Hope Dock, located near the Maritime Aquarium in South Norwalk. A private vessel must be used to reach Chimon Island Unit. The Goose Island and Peach Island units are closed to public visits. The trail at Sheffield Island allows visitors to view a tidal salt water pond which is utilized by egrets and belted kingfishers. The island is also heavily used by white-tailed deer. Adjacent to the refuge on Sheffield Island, the Norwalk Seaport Association maintains an historic stone lighthouse and keepers quarters. Tours are given of the lighthouse by the Norwalk Seaport Association for a nominal charge. These units are at: Chimon 41°03′54″N 73°23′24″W / 41.065°N 73.39°W / 41.065; -73.39 (Chimon Island), Sheffield 41°03′07″N 73°24′54″W / 41.052°N 73.415°W / 41.052; -73.415 (Sheffield Island), Goose 41°04′16″N 73°22′19″W / 41.071°N 73.372°W / 41.071; -73.372 (Goose Island), and Peach 41°04′59″N 73°24′20″W / 41.083°N 73.4055°W / 41.083; -73.4055 (Peach Island).
• Calf Island Unit - Calf Island in Greenwich is a 29 acres (12 ha) island that is 3,000 feet (910 m) from shore, and has been a part of the McKinney wildlife refuge since 2003. This unit is at 40°59′35″N 73°38′22″W / 40.993°N 73.6395°W / 40.993; -73.6395 (Calf Island).