January 29, 2024.

Great Meadows. This unit has ginormous Fed Ex and Amazon complexes right next to it, so driving to the trailhead felt odd. The meadow itself was recently restored and is a migratory stop for over 270 bird species. It’s also the only remaining place in CT where one can find wild saltmarsh pink. There are two short trails here (less than a mile total) that lead to marsh viewpoints. I was surprised to see a deer wandering about; this area is tucked tightly between the ocean and an industrial complex.

Milford Point. The locals seem to want to keep this one to themselves. It is at the end of a private road (no trespassing on the road itself, signs abound). One has to park at the nearby Audubon center, walk to the beach, and hike along the shore..going right by the backs of the houses…one would think those folks would rather have people walk on their road then almost through their backyards. Anyway, once I got to the wildlife refuge part, there were tons of refuge signs telling me to keep away as it was an active nesting area. A nearby lookout enabled me to see into the area a bit.

Salt Meadow. Two Manhattan ladies bought this property in the late 1920s and used it as an escape-from-the-city home. They loved the giant meadow and ended up building two adjacent homes here. Gorgeous buildings. About a mile and a half of wooded trails lead to the meadow/marsh behind the homes.