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33-462: The islands are used for several different types of recreational activities, including camping, boating, kayaking, swimming, bird watching. Ownership of the islands varies, with about a half dozen held in private hands, some owned by the governments of Norwalk or Westport and some are part of the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge . Various laws protect the islands, including town ordinances,

66-459: A 274-acre (110.9 ha) refuge. As the state became more and more populated, coastal areas and islands were being developed at an alarming rate. Citizens began to worry that the long legged wading birds and other shorebirds that use Connecticut's Islands and Coast would soon be without important nesting and feeding habitat. With the help of non-profit groups like The Connecticut Audubon Society, The Nature Conservancy , Trust for Public Land , and

99-529: A July 2007 article in Darien, New Canaan & Rowayton magazine, Cockenoe island is now the largest home for birds, who have been in decline on the other islands. Sheffield Island, according to the planning agency brochure, has a "considerable nesting potential" for osprey, herons and other migratory species. Many wading birds, shore birds, songbirds and terns live on the island, including the roseate tern. Brant, scoters, black duck and other waterfowl can be found in

132-415: A brochure for kayakers describing a "Norwalk Islands Canoe and Kayak Trail" showing full-day and half-day loops. Guided tours are also available by kayak. Striped bass, bluefish, fluke, flounder, false albacore, bonito, trout, and dogfish can be caught off the islands. Some clamming beds off the islands are seeded. In duck-hunting season, hunters may hunt below the mean high-tide line. Deer can be hunted on

165-570: A draft plan which is expected to be available in March, 2012. Download coordinates as: Cockenoe Cockenoe (also known as Cockeno , Cockenow , Chachaneu , Cheekanoo, Cockenoe, Chickino, Chekkonnow, Cockoo ) (born before 1630 and died after 1687) was an early Native American translator from Long Island in New York where he was a member of the Montaukett . He helped to translate

198-481: A more difficult place to approach by boat. Shea Island is at 41°03′34″N 73°24′07″W  /  41.0595°N 73.402°W  / 41.0595; -73.402  ( Shea/Ram Island ) . At 51 acres (21 ha), Sheffield is the second largest island in the group, and the most southerly, located about 1,500 yards (1,400 m) from the Norwalk coast and just southwest of Shea Island. The entire shoreline

231-776: A servant in Callicot's household in Dorchester. Similarly, Cockenoe became an early American translator and interpreter, and one of the first people who mastered English and several Algonquian languages , including the Massachusett language . Cockenoe helped translate the Eliot Indian Bible , the first Bible printed in America. John Eliot stated that Cockenoe assisted Eliot in translating "the Commandments,

264-405: A variety of habitats from grassy upland, to tidal salt marsh . Native wildlife populations have diverse habitat requirements. Each species, from roseate terns to American black ducks, has very different needs for food, water, shelter and space. The refuge units along Connecticut's coast fill these needs by providing habitats that are forested, marshy, sandy and secluded island habitats. Salt Meadow

297-445: A whisky distillery, which the federal government raided in 1870. In the 1960s, The United Illuminating Company planned to build a nuclear power plant on Cockenoe. Due to concerned local residents and the threat of eminent domain , Westport bought the island for $ 200,000 in 1967. Once called "Ram Island", the 45 acres (18 ha) isle was renamed after Daniel Shea , a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient from Norwalk who died in

330-415: Is at 41°05′06″N 73°21′18″W  /  41.085°N 73.355°W  / 41.085; -73.355  ( Cockenoe Island ) . It is named after the prominent Indian translator, Cockenoe . An early rumor about the island was that William Kidd buried a treasure there. In the 19th century, the island was a working farm with a farmhouse, barn, and livestock. The business eventually turned into

363-562: Is now possible because the town last year won its decade-long legal battle to evict the last of 45 cottage owners who once rented property on the peninsula when the state Supreme Court upheld a lower court decision in favor of the town. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is required by the National Wildlife System Refuge Improvement Act of 1997 to create 15-year comprehensive conservation plans (CCPs) for each of its refuges. A CCP, describes

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396-466: Is strewn with rocks and boulders. Many bird species nest on the island. Sheffield is also one of the best places to see seals. The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk organizes boat trips circling the islands, including a cruise to see the fall foliage and a winter cruise to see harbor seals and waterfowl (see Wildlife section for more information). Part of the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge,

429-862: The Coastal Barrier Resources Act , the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 , and the Endangered Species Act . On a clear day, Manhattan's skyscrapers are visible. Geologists generally consider the islands to be terminal moraines —material left by glaciers—deposited about 17,500 years ago as the ice cap paused in its retreat northward. Above water, the moraines are characterized by various rocks, gravel, sand, silt and clay, sometimes sorted out by waves. The Captain islands in Greenwich to

462-502: The Vietnam War . Owned by Norwalk city government, the island is just northeast of Sheffield Island and about 4,000 yards (3,700 m) south of Manressa Island. Along with Grassy Island, Shea is open to the public from May through Columbus Day, and campers with a permit can stay overnight. Two solar-powered restrooms are available in season, and there are 16 campsites. The entire shoreline is strewn with rocks and boulders, making it

495-568: The Westbrook Land Trust , Sheffield, Chimon, and Goose Islands near Norwalk and Milford Point in Milford were acquired by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In 1984, these Islands were added to Salt Meadow National Wildlife Refuge and the name was changed to Connecticut's Coastal National Wildlife Refuge . In 1987, the name of the refuge was again changed to honor US Congressman Stewart B. McKinney , who had an integral role in

528-679: The Lords Prayer, and many Texts of Scripture: also I compiled both exhortations and prayers by his help." At some point between 1646 and 1649, shortly after Eliot began preaching, Cockenoe returned to the Long Island area where he served as an interpreter for many land transactions between local tribes and colonists. In 1667 he married "“Sunksquaw” of the Shinnecock ; "a female Sachem, the sister of Nowedonah" or possibly " Wyandanch ." Cockenoe died after 1687 when his name last appears in

561-636: The desired future conditions of a refuge or planning unit; provides long-range guidance and management direction to achieve the purposes of the refuge; helps fulfill the mission of the Refuge System; maintains and, where appropriate, restores the ecological integrity of each refuge and the Refuge System; helps achieve the goals of the National Wilderness Preservation System; and meets other mandates. The planning process for Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge

594-517: The earliest parts of the Eliot Indian Bible , the first Bible published in America. In 1637 Cockenoe was captured during the Pequot War by a Massachusetts militia unit. After being captured and brought back to Massachusetts, Cockenoe became a servant to Richard Callicot , a fur trader, in Dorchester, Massachusetts . John Sassamon , a prominent Native American translator, also grew up as

627-652: The endangered roseate tern . Adjacent waters serve as wintering habitat for brant , scoters , American black duck , and other waterfowl. Overall, the refuge encompasses over 900 acres (364.2 ha) of barrier beach , intertidal wetland and fragile island habitats. Originally named the Salt Meadow National Wildlife Refuge, the refuge was renamed in 1987 after Stewart B. McKinney , a congressman from Connecticut. The refuge consists of ten separate land units. From east to west they are: The ten units of Stewart B. McKinney NWR include

660-560: The group: Download coordinates as: Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge The Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge is a 950-acre (384.5 ha) National Wildlife Refuge in ten units across the U.S. state of Connecticut . Located in the Atlantic Flyway , the refuge spans 70 miles (110 km) of Connecticut coastline and provides important resting, feeding, and nesting habitat for many species of wading birds, shorebirds, songbirds and terns, including

693-434: The island (Pronounced "koh-KEE-nee" or "kuh-KEE-nee") has almost all the bird rookeries in the chain. Herons, egrets, black cormorants can be seen on Cockenoe. The cormorants' guano, which leaves some of the rocks white, is toxic to the trees and kills them off after the birds nest in a spot for less than a year. Overnight camping is allowed by the town Conservation Department, but for only four parties per night. Cockenoe Island

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726-564: The island is controlled by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service , which closes it to the public most of the year in order to protect the bird nesting areas, The public is usually restricted to the 3.5 acres (1.4 ha) around the Sheffield Island Light , which the Norwalk Seaport Association maintains, although a 2,000-yard (1,800 m) trail has been created to allow the public controlled access. In

759-438: The privately owned islands with the owner's permission. Rookeries were previously on many of the islands, but now most are on Cockenoe. Herons, egrets, black cormorants can be seen on Cockenoe. Deer swim to the islands. Harbor seals are increasingly seen at the southwest end of Sheffield Island, although authorities have asked boaters to remain at least 50 yards (46 m) from them in order not to disturb them (kayaks are about

792-401: The refuge's formation. In 2003, Calf Island in the town of Greenwich was added to the refuge. In 2005, Peach Island was added to the refuge. Through generous donations and the help of many partners the refuge now consists of ten refuge units spread across 70 miles (110 km) of Connecticut's coastline, from Westbrook to Greenwich. In 2007 and 2008 the town of Stratford debated whether

825-537: The rocks may have been used for cobblestones . No fresh water is provided at any of the islands. The islands are popular with kayakers, with some paddling all the way from New York City. Tidal currents are gentle, the mainland is always visible and the electric power plant on Manresa Island helps with navigation (although if fog hits it can cause sudden and complete disorientation). Public boat launches and beaches are nearby, and some businesses in Norwalk rent kayaks. The South Western Regional Planning Agency published

858-535: The same size as some seal predators). The Marine Mammal Protection Act prohibits harassing the animals and sets limits on how close observers may get. Flora include thorn thickets, wild blackberries, black cherry, bittersweet, sassafras, juniper and honeysuckle. Many birds are found on Sheffield Island and more than elsewhere, according to a brochure published in 2001 by the South Western Regional Planning Agency, but according to

891-438: The summer, the association arranges tours for people to visit the lighthouse and picnic there. On Thursday nights, clambakes and on Friday nights, sunset cruises are held. The lighthouse, built in 1868, was a navigational aid until about 1900. Sheffield Island is at 41°03′07″N 73°24′54″W  /  41.052°N 73.415°W  / 41.052; -73.415  ( Sheffield Island ) . These other islands are in

924-461: The three-acre beach at the northwest shore during the day, year round, access to the rest of the island is restricted from April 1 to August 15 each year (bird-nesting season). No overnight camping is allowed. Chimon Island is at 41°03′54″N 73°23′24″W  /  41.065°N 73.39°W  / 41.065; -73.39  ( Chimon Island ) . Owned by the Westport town government,

957-661: The town would sell town owned lands to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. If the property is sold, it would presumably be made part of the McKinney Refuge. From the Connecticut Post : STRATFORD — One of the former Town Council's final decisions was to direct Mayor James R. Miron in November to enter into negotiations with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in an effort to sell the 35-acre (140,000 m ) Long Beach West Peninsula for at least $ 10 million. That

990-435: The waters surrounding the island. At 59 acres (24 ha) Chimon is the largest of the islands and is located in the middle of the group and a bit less than a mile to the southeast of the entrance to Norwalk Harbor . The island is part of the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge. The north and west coasts of the island are gravelly, and boulders are strewn along the south and east coasts. Although boaters may land at

1023-599: The west are part of the same moraine (but not the Fish islands in Darien ), and submerged parts of the same moraine are located between the Norwalk Islands and Charles Island, off Milford , to the east. (That island is probably part of the Hammonasset-Ledyard Moraine.) Some historians have speculated that rocks from the islands were used as ballast for sailing ships returning to New York, where

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1056-706: Was begun in the spring of 2011. Public input is solicited by the Service via public meetings, email, and postal mail. Public scoping meetings were held in June, 2011 at the refuge headquarters in Westbrook, CT and at the Raymond Baldwin Center in Stratford, CT. The public comment period for the scoping phase of the project is open until July 20, 2011. There will be additional opportunities to comment on

1089-578: Was the country house of Elizabeth Fisher Read and Esther Lape . In 1972, after the death of Read, Lape donated over 150 acres (60.7 ha) of land in Westbrook, Connecticut , to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service . This donation became Salt Meadow National Wildlife Refuge . As neighbors donated or sold adjacent property to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Salt Meadow grew to be

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