The Binocular Site
Lighthouse Point Park, Connecticut
Lighthouse Point Park, in New Haven, Connecticut, is an 82-acre park on Long Island Sound. The park is named for the New Haven Lighthouse, which is located at the eastern point of New Haven Harbor. For 73 years, from 1804 to 1870, it guided ships safely into the harbor until the Southwest Ledge light was built on a Long Island Sound breakwater, and the lighthouse was decommissioned. Today, it still greets ships as they enter the harbor, and is a spot frequently visited by tourists.
Swimming is allowed at the harbor beach, and lifeguards are on duty during the summer, during specified hours. A ranger station at the park opened in 1985, and manages the East Shore Ranger program. The programs offer education about seashore and marine ecology, the history of the area, and broader maritime history.
The ranger station is home to a salt water “touch tank,” where visitors can hold small aquatic animals like hermit crabs. There are also several smaller aquarium tanks that are home to other species of fish and shellfish. East Shore Rangers also lead tours to the top of the New Haven Lighthouse. Tours are offered to groups, and are conducted on a reservations only basis. Canoeing and kayaking are also offered via programs managed by the ranger station.
Lighthouse Point Park is one of the most popular birdwatching spots on the east coast. It is located on the Atlantic flyway, so several species of birds can be seen passing through in spring and fall. The ranger station offers bird migration programs for visitors, and every September, the park hosts a migration festival. Visitors can see hundreds of birds, including the sharp-shinned hawk, American kestrel, red-bellied woodpecker, European starling, and the bald eagle.
The state bird of Connecticut is the American Robin and you can find a checklist for birding activities in Connecticut here.
Photo credit to versageek, used with permission under the creative commons license. You can learn more about Lighthouse Point Park park by visting the official website here.
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