Menunketesuck Island facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Menunketesuck Island
Menunketesuck Island Location in Connecticut
Country	United States
State	Connecticut
County	Middlesex
Town	Westbrook
Elevation	3 ft (1 m)
Population
• Total	0

Menunketesuck Island, also known as Menunketesuck Point, is a small island located in Long Island Sound. It belongs to the town of Westbrook in Middlesex County, Connecticut. This special island is an important home for many kinds of birds.

Island Geography: How Tides Change the Island

Menunketesuck Island is about 4.6 acres in size. However, its actual size changes quite a bit depending on the ocean's tides. When the tide is low, the island gets bigger!

The middle of the island is about 8 to 10 feet high. But around its edges, there are many flat areas, shallow spots, and sandbars. These parts are covered by water when the tide is high. They become dry land when the tide is low.

Island Dimensions: Length and Width

When the tide is high, the island is about 2,100 feet long and 170 feet wide. That's like seven football fields end-to-end!

When the tide is low, the island stretches out even more. It can become about 2,700 feet long. Some parts also get wider, up to 270 feet across.

Connecting to the Mainland: Walking to the Island

At high tide, the northern end of the island is about 700 feet from the mainland. That's a little over two football fields away. The water between the island and the shore can be 5 to 8 feet deep.

But when the tide is low, the distance shrinks to only 100 to 200 feet. This is because large sandbars and tidal flats appear. The water becomes very shallow, so you can easily walk to the island!

Conservation Efforts: Protecting Menunketesuck Island Birds

Menunketesuck Island is a very important place for birds. It is part of the Salt Meadow Unit of the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge. The National Audubon Society has even called it an "Important Bird Area".

Bird Species: Who Lives Here?

Over the past few summers, many water birds have nested on the island. These include the Least tern, American oystercatcher, Great Egret, Glossy ibis, Black-crowned night heron, and different kinds of gulls.

• Ground-nesting birds: Birds like terns and oystercatchers make their nests right on the sand and rocks of the island's shore. Their nests are very delicate and can be easily disturbed.
• Tree-nesting birds: Long-legged wading birds, such as egrets and ibises, use the island's trees to build their nests and raise their young.

The waters, mudflats, and nearby marshes around the island are a perfect home for these birds. They find plenty of food, shelter, and space to live and raise their families.

Island Rules: Keeping Birds Safe

Because Menunketesuck Island is a National Wildlife Refuge, it is closed to visitors. This helps protect the birds, especially those that nest on the ground.

To keep the birds safe, certain things are strictly not allowed:

• Dogs
• Kites
• Drone flights

These rules help make sure the birds can nest and raise their young without being disturbed.