With the Fourth of July week here, a day at the beach is on many people’s calendar. But if you’re planning on going to Long Beach, be prepared for bird-related restrictions.
The town’s Department of Energy and Environment’s latest beach report says there are still about a dozen unhatched piping plover nests, prompting limited access for vehicles. (Don’t blame the messenger, please.)
The restrictions can be partly blamed on a rare May 22 nor’easter. The storm destroyed many of the birds’ nests, the department said, “including the ones near the Crossover,” which is where vehicles cross to the outermost section of the beach, known as the Point. Plover parents-to-be have rebuilt most of those nests, and they have “just begun hatching,” according to the report, “which, unfortunately, will extend the period when vehicle restrictions must be implemented to protect the chicks.”
Those restrictions will be in place until the chicks hatch and can fly, which can take up to five weeks.
As of Monday, June 30, access was cut to just 15 vehicles and will be closed entirely “around July 3.” The town recommends that you visit the Long Beach Information page for updates.
There are several areas along Ryder Way – the unpaved route to the Point “where plovers and least terns are nesting,” the town said. “Under normal circumstances, the state and federal guidelines for piping plovers and least terns would require that the road close to vehicles in the areas where unfledged chicks are present. However, the town participates in the statewide Habitat Conservation Plan for Piping Plover, which allows some flexibility for vehicle access along the road when chicks are present. Because of this permit, vehicles are able to access the whole length of the road, parking lots and roadside parking areas, but with reduced hours.”
“There are currently 5 broods of unfledged piping plover chicks and 3 colonies with unfledged least tern chicks located from south of the Fishermen’s Turnaround all the way up to the Crossover,” the town said. “There are many more least tern nests along the road that will be hatching over the next few weeks as well as another piping plover nest near the Fishermen’s Turnaround that is expected to hatch around July 15.”
Drivers should notify beach staff if they spot a plover chick along the road. If one is killed, that could force the federal Fish and Wildlife Service and the state Division of Fisheries and Wildlife to “suspend use of the road,” restricting access “to areas south of where the chicks are located.”
“Because the southernmost unfledged chicks are currently located south of the Fishermen’s Turnaround, the areas past the first cottage on the beach close to vehicles at 7:00 p.m., including for fishing access,” the report said.
On July Fourth, Long Beach will close at 7 p.m. to vehicles and boats beyond the main parking lot.
“This closure does not apply to property owners and their guests with appropriate passes, provided all vehicles belonging to owners and their guests are parked on private property,” the town said.
Mark Pothier can be reached at mark@plymouthindependent.org.