Charles Tirreno has lived in Westport for 30 years, and is a licensed massage therapist.
He grew up on the Saugatuck River, and cleans and weeds the parks and shorelines within walking and biking distance.
He has spent over 20 years rescuing and rehabilitating wild birds under the supervision of Fairfield Veterinary Hospital. He worked with Deborah Detmer of Westport’s Parks & Recreation Department to install fishing line recycle boxes at parks in town. The project was born of his love for the Saugatuck birds, as 3 cormorants died one summer from fishing line injuries. Charles writes:
A pair of bald eagles make their home for months at a time on a small grove of very old, giant oak trees on the Saugatuck River, between #125 and #137 Riverside Avenue.
For decades, the land on either side of this property line have been privately preserved by their respective homeowners. In fact, the property line was delineated decades ago in order to avoid a smaller parcel between, which would threaten more building and erase wildlife habitat.
This little oak grove is a vital point in the eagles’ migration, where they can safely fish and reside for months at a time. Residents of Westport have enjoyed watching and photographing them for 10 years in this habitat.
Eagle in flight over the Saugatuck River. (Photo courtesy of Charlie Tirreno)
Now a developer is floating (in my opinion) vague and misleading plans to build a giant house abutting and cutting into this grove of oaks, and making empty promises about preserving the (not officially registered, but still) historic Coley house.
There is a Planning & Zoning Commission meeting tomorrow (Monday, February 12). They’ll consider a text amendment that would allow subdivision of the property. Click here (for Text Amendment 1) and click here for details.
I encourage all residents who wish to speak up on behalf of the bald eagles to attend this meeting. Statements and support could make a big impact on their future.
If anyone has questions, they can email me: charlie.tirreno@gmail.com.