HARTFORD — Connecticut environmental officials are asking beach-goers to help protect nesting birds in coastal areas.
The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection says visitors are often unaware of shorebirds nesting in the sands near areas used for swimming, fishing and playing. As a result, nests accidentally get trampled, destroyed or abandoned.
Beachgoers should stay at least 50 yards from areas where large numbers of birds gather and respect areas that are roped off or marked with signs designating an area that is used by nesting birds.
State environmental officials urge visitors to not build camp fires on beaches where plovers and terns nest and to check local ordinances before bringing dogs or other pets to beaches. They are asked not to bury or leave trash, picnic leftovers and fish scraps on a beach.
