The Westbrook Barrier Islands

The Westbrook Barrier Islands. Part of the Tom O'Dell Conservation and Wildlife Area. , Menunketesuck Island , Menunketesuck Island, a long sand and rock spit located at the mouth of the Menunketesuck River, was named for the Native Americans who once lived in the area. One of the most interesting episodes in its history happened in 1893 when the townspeople found a pirate camp there and put an end to the looting of harbor-side houses that had occurred that year. Today the island is owned by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and serves as important habitat for a variety of birds throughout the year including terns, herons and the colorful oystercatcher., Duck Island , Duck Island, a natural preserve owned by the State of Connecticut, once served as a hospital for smallpox victims. Today a chimney from a long-abandoned building and a set of stairs are all that remain of a human existence there. The long stone jetty on the island's west side supports its reputation as a safe harbor. Duck Island hosts a major colony of long-legged waders including egrets, herons and ibises. In the summer, the bird population is quite evident and people often observe the white plumage of great egrets and snowy egrets nesting in the treetops. Other important species, such as dunlin, appear in winter.