Stratford, CT Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)

Stratford protects birds through its parks and recreational areas chapter, Chapter 152 of the Town Code. Section 152-10 is titled Injury to property or wildlife. Subsection B, Injury to birds, reads: no person shall at any time molest or disturb birds, birds' eggs, birds' nests or any other wildlife. The wording reaches the birds themselves, their eggs and their nests, and it is not limited to a species list or season. It sits in Article II, where § 152-6 defines recreational areas as all Town parks, beaches, ponds, forests and other areas used for recreational purposes, including playgrounds, ballfields and docks, plus adjacent vehicle parking facilities.

The companion rules in § 152-10 protect the habitat. Subsection A bars anyone from defacing, removing, destroying or otherwise injuring any structure, building, tree, flower, shrub, fern, moss or ornamental lawn within a recreational area, and subsection C bars driving nails, ice picks, knives or other foreign objects into trees or buildings.

Section 152-3, in Article I, covers taking game. No person shall do any hunting or trapping of any game birds or animals, discharge any firearms of any kind whatsoever, set any traps or use any bows or other devices for the taking of any birds or animals within the bounds and limits of Roosevelt Forest or any public park located in the Town of Stratford. Section 152-14(A) adds that no person shall hunt, fish or trap in any recreational area except at such places and at such times as the Town designates, and § 152-13 bars carrying or discharging any firearm, air rifle, slingshot, bow and arrow or crossbow in a recreational area except under a valid permit issued by the governmental authority having jurisdiction.

The Roosevelt Forest Commission, created by § 152-2, develops rules for the use of Roosevelt Forest, and those rules are approved by the Town Council.