Nature Walk in Stratford: Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge Great Meadows Unit

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If you’ve driven very much around the town of Stratford, you’ve probably noticed a large marshy area that’s undeveloped—a stark contrast to the industry and development of the area. A haven for birds, much of this salt marsh is protected as a national wildlife refuge. While driving along Lordship Boulevard over the marsh is beautiful, it doesn’t have any convenient stopping points.

However, tucked away amongst Amazon and Fedex warehouses on the opposite side of the marsh, there is a walking trail that feels like you’re being transported to a secret little hideaway for birds and other wildlife.

Keep reading for details about this short nature trail in Stratford.

About Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge—Great Meadows

The Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge has over 1,000 acres of protected land along the Connecticut shoreline, containing 10 units across 70 miles. The Great Meadows Unit, located in Stratford, is made up of 421 acres of salt marsh and upland habitats. 

Great Meadows is designated as a globally important bird area, and it provides a habitat for over 270 bird species throughout the year. 

A number of partner organizations just completed the main portion of restoration of Great Meadows, including removal of invasive plants, reintroducing native plants, and restoring 34 acres of salt marsh and coastal habitat. The total marshland here is now half the size it once was, so it’s incredibly important that it is restored and protected. 

Visiting the Great Meadows Unit (Stewart B. McKinney NWR)

Finding the trails at the Great Meadows Unit is a little tricky if you rely only on Google Maps. I did some reading on the website to identify where to park, and then added the trail parking to Google Maps myself once I located it. 

Head here to park at the small parking area on Long Beach Boulevard. You can’t miss the signs or the small lot.

Once you’re there, you should know that the walking trail location isn’t the most obvious, and it doesn’t match where the trail appears to be on Google Maps. However, it’s not hard to find or navigate once you know where you’re looking.

Next to the parking lot, there is an informational sign with background information about the refuge system and the Great Meadows Unit specifically.

This sign also has a small map, which is how I figured out that the longer trail (Marsh Trail) runs next to the railroad tracks. The shorter “trail” (Pond Trail) is what seems like the most obvious place to walk from the parking lot.

You can walk just a few feet from the parking lot on the Pond Trail to an observation blind looking out over the freshwater pond to do a little birdwatching, but if you’re here to take a walk, you’ll want to read below for details on the Marsh Trail. 

Please note: dogs are not allowed here since it is a wildlife refuge and important bird area. Even if your dog is well-behaved, birds view them as predators. It’s incredibly important to respect this rule because there are a number of reasons it can be harmful to bring dogs into these areas. 

Marsh Trail at Great Meadows in Stratford

This easy trail is one mile round trip (out and back) and provides nice views of the marsh and plenty of birding opportunities.

To access the Marsh Trail, walk approximately 1/10 mile down the road to the tracks. You’ll see by all the overgrowth, these train tracks are not active. Just past them on the right (between the tracks and a warehouse parking lot), you will see an unmarked but fairly wide path. There are some boulders in the pathway to prevent motorized vehicles from accessing it.

Head about 1/10 mile down the path, and you’ll reach the official trailhead and sign. 

After you pass the trail sign, things start to gradually open up on each side. There’s still very tall grass next to the trail, but you start to get a few glimpses into the marsh. 

About 1/3 mile in, the marsh on your left opens up, and it’s a stark contrast to its commercial background of Fedex trucks—a reminder of why protected places like this are so vital. Even with the surrounding development, you start to see and hear birds all around. The railroad tracks, barely distinguishable under all the brush, continue on your right.

Just before the trail makes a sharp right turn, there is a small observation deck to your left. It is overgrown (I almost missed it) but still accessible. You don’t get any additional scenic views, but it may be nice for birders who want to take their time observing. 

At the informational sign, the trail turns right, and it feels like you are really walking into a nature refuge at this point as the development and city life falls away behind you. This part of the path out to the observation deck is only one- or two-tenths of a mile long, but it’s really beautiful. In late summer, some of the grass is overgrown on the path, but there are nice views of the marsh to your left. 

Take some time along this part of the path and at the observation deck to notice all the birds and listen for their calls. Even if you’re not a birder (I’m not), it’s so evident how much of a sanctuary this protected land is. 

The Marsh Trail at Great Meadows is an easy one-mile walk. In that short distance I saw American Yellow Warblers, a Great Egret, several Ospreys, a rabbit, and hundreds of fiddler crabs. I also heard Marsh Wrens, Northern Cardinals, and more. I’m sure I saw and heard more that I didn’t identify. 

As I read about the Stewart B. McKinney NWR system and visited the Great Meadors Unit, I was struck by the contrast—almost a tug-of-war for my senses—between nature and man-made. I’m not a birder by any means, but I noticed different and more diverse calls than I’m used to in my daily life in Bridgeport. There were moments that all I heard was the rustling of the grass and fluttering of birds. Then I’d see a Fedex truck or notice the railroad tracks almost entirely swallowed up by nature or hear an airplane, and remember how much development I was surrounded by.

One thing I know for sure: commercial development would have long swallowed this place up if not for the foresight and advocacy of those who have come before. Birds are thriving here and wildlife has a safe haven. And as humans, we get to (respectfully) enjoy a small portion of their habitat on the Marsh Trail.