Some rare migratory birds will likely be forced to take flight from their favorite nesting spot.
That spot is hundreds of acres of grasslands near Rentschler Field.
It's a prime habitat for nesting birds, including upland sandpipers, grasshopper sparrows and bobolinks. However, an $84 million, 350,000-square-foot outlet shopping center is planned for the site.
Over the years, the state has purchased land--such as the Suffield Wildlife Management Area--to offer the rare birds another place to go.
"We need another really big chunk, at least one really big chunk of grassland like this, preferably in the Connecticut River watershed," Patrick Comins, of Audubon, said.
The outlet shopping center could open as early as 2016.