US-CT-Silver+Sands+State+Park


 * =Birding in Connecticut=

New Haven County
=Silver Sands State Park= Milford, Connecticut 06460 Silver Sands State Park web site Silver Sands State Park map

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Silver Sands SP
Coordinates: 41.2, -73.0666667 eBird links: Hotspot map View details Recent visits My eBird links: Location life list Submit data

Tips for birding Silver Sands
Silver Sands is a recently improved state park comprised of woodland edge, grassland, beach, and restored salt marsh and dune areas. Walnut Beach is a city beach adjacent to Silver Sands. A small deciduous/pine wooded area is connected to both sites. Charles Island is a state owned island connected to Silver Sands by a sandbar exposed at low tide. The island itself is rocky shore with wooded interior; also the site of ruins of prior human occupation.

This site is a very important area for both wintering and nesting birds. It is also the site of salt marsh and dune restoration conducted by the state. It also provides nesting areas that are relatively isolated from human interference. Charles Island is one of the three largest wading bird rookeries in Connecticut, and is well situated in relation to important wading bird foraging areas at Wheeler Marsh and Stratford Great Meadows. The habitats of Silver Sands State Park also provide foraging opportunities. The marsh and intertidal habitats of the area provide foraging areas for migrant shorebirds, and Least and Common Terns regularly feed in the area in the nesting season. Silver Sands State Park is one of the most regularly used wintering areas in Connecticut for such winter raptors as Rough-legged Hawk, Snowy and Short-eared Owls. There is a regularly used winter roost for Long-eared Owls in the vicinity. The upland habitats of the State Park provide stopover habitat for landbirds. From Connecticut Audubon Society

About Silver Sands State Park
The early history of Silver Sands focuses on Charles Island. The Island is connected to the mainland by a sand/gravel bar (tombolo) that is submerged at high tide. Captain Kidd is reputed to have buried his treasure on the island in 1699. The only remains on the island are of a Catholic retreat center from the 1920's-30's. The island's interior is closed May 1 through August 31 to protect heron and egret rookeries.

State Park acquisition, ultimately involving over 300 parcels, began after hurricane "Diane" destroyed 75 homes in 1955. Early vision of the park was to create a "Hammonasset" type sand beach backed by parking lots on filled wetlands. The present master plan seeks to return the site to its historic past of interior tidal wetlands separated from the Sound by sand dunes. In 1960 Silver Sands was designated as a state park. From Silver Sands State Park web site



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media type="custom" key="28146303" || L109158 US US-CT US-CT-009 41.2 -73.0666667 Silver Sands SP