[CT Birds] Bridgeport Directions

[Dennis Varza]

Hi Folks

I received a number of requests for more detailed information on  
birding the Bridgeport shore. So, here are some directions. First of  
all I suggest the first time you go, take a map with you. The area is  
a collection of small spots, roads don’t meet at right angles all the  
time and to give precise directions would make this too long. Also, I  
will not give advice on where to look or what to look for, I assume  
reasonable birding skill will tell you that. The route can be done in  
reverse with a few modifications, this is just the way I do it.

Dennis Varza
Fairfield

Start at the intersection of Courtland and Fairfield Ave. It is about  
half way between exit 23 and 24 and there is no direct way from  
either. Follow Courtalnd Ave to the stop sigh and make a right onto  
Old Gillman St. Old Gillman St. follows the east shore of Ash Creek.  
Technically one can not stop on the road, but if you’re careful and  
don’t stay long  you shouldn’t have a problem.

Old Gilman St. eventually turns into Grovers Ave when it reaches the  
open sound. Parking is allowed in this area and is called St. Mary’s  
By The Sea. (not to be confused with St. John’s in West Haven). Past  
the flag poll one starts turning inland. Now you are looking at the  
mouth of Bridgeport harbor. Once you start inland there is a little  
pond on your right. Continue past Courtalnd Ave. and make a right  
onto Beacon St. At the end of the St. is a view of the lower  
Bridgeport Harbor.

 From Beacon St make a left onto Seabright Ave.and continue to the  
end where you will be facing a park. Make a left and right around the  
park onto Ellsworth St. From Ellsworth St. make a right onto Prescott  
St. At the end of the street make a left and right onto Yacht St. At  
the end you enter Captain’s Cove Seaport. The seaport is supposed to  
be a tourist stop. In the summer there is a restaurant and little  
gift shops. There used to be a replica of the sailing ship the Rose.  
Within the Seaport, just past the gate pull off to the side and  
checkout  out Burr Creek (Captain’s Cove) where there is a boat  
lift.  Continue beyond the little shops and park and walk out to get  
a view of the docks (a lot of gulls roost there). Continue past the  
Ice House with the half painted fish on it. and park is a little  
alcove that has a shelter and stairs to some docks. On the right of  
the stairs is the outflow of the sewage treatment plant. Anything can  
be found here. Also check the trees across the way for hawks.

Leave the seaport by the sewage treatment plant and you will come out  
onto Bostwick Ave. Follow Bostwick Ave. north and make a right onto  
Pine St. (just before the turnpike bridge). Follow Pine St. pas the  
entrance to the Turnpike (Exit 26) and it becomes a one way street.  
At the end of the street make a left onto Admiral St. At the end make  
a right onto Iranistan Ave. into Seaside Park.

In Seaside Park I work may way west to Fayerweather Island then  
slowly work the beaches east to the pond then around to the Harbor  
Breakwaters and back north into Bridgeport.

There is construction in the area making it tricky to get out. As you  
head north try and work your way to the left two streets (Lafayette  
St.) before you reach the railroad tracks. Continue north on  
Lafayette St. and you have 3 choices. 1) you can get on the turnpike  
and go home. ) you can get onto the Rt. 8-25 connector and go home or  
go to Beardsley Park. 3) you can check out the Peregrine Falcon Nest.  
Don’t worry, this nest site is secure from all human activities. As a  
matter of fact the make is rather tolerant of people. I’ve had it  
perch within 20 ft. of me.

Peregrine Falcon Nest:
 From Lafayette St. instead of making a right onto the turnpike you  
make a right onto frontage road to Water St. On Water St pass the bus  
station and train station and make a right onto Stratford Ave. Follow  
the road under the turnpike and just past, there is a pull off, park  
there. and on the bridge over the harbor there is a nesting box. on  
the shoulder of one of the pilings. With a scope you can peer into  
the box and see if the birds are incubating eggs. Continuing on  
Stratford Ave. you can follow the signs onto the turnpike.