The DEEP has announced that Charles Island in Milford and Duck Island in Westbrook will be closed to the public beginning today, May 24 through Sept. 9, 2013, to prevent disturbances to nesting birds. Click on this Environmental Headline for more on this story from the DEEP.

The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is asking for the public’s help in protecting birds that nest in coastal areas, especially during the very busy summer beach season. Piping plovers, least terns, herons, and egrets, whether on nests or in feeding areas, are all especially vulnerable to disturbance from kites, fireworks, and unattended cats and dogs.