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Point Reyes NS Announces Summer Weekend & Holiday Beach Closure For Nesting Snowy Plovers

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By Compiled From N... - May 27th, 2022
Nesting piping plovers require beach closures at Point Reyes National Seashore in California/NPS file

Nesting snowy plovers require beach closures at Point Reyes National Seashore in California/NPS file

It's time at Point Reyes National Seashore for its annual beach closure for the protection of nesting federally-threatened snowy plovers. Each year the park on the California coast closes the stretch of beach between the North Beach parking lot and the mouth of Abbotts Lagoon. This closure is in effect for each Saturday, Sunday, and holiday from Saturday, May 28, through Monday, September 5, 2022.

The closure is designed to help ensure success for the snowy plovers during the nesting season that is already well underway. Fewer visitors in this area will minimize disturbance to the nests, chicks, and breeding adults during this critical time. With fewer impacts to the nesting sites, the chicks can stay undisturbed, protected, and have enough space to forage on the beach.

"Last year we had a fledge count of 22, the highest count since 2017, and that is really something to celebrate. We had only 11 chicks in 2020," said Dave Press, the seashore's acting natural resources program lead. "We are optimistic for this year, and we appreciate public support for these weekend closures to help protect the snowy plovers."

So far, 19 nests have been found on Point Reyes beaches—five on Limantour Beach, three in the Abbotts Lagoon restoration area, and 11 between Abbotts Lagoon and North Beach parking lot. Six nests have already hatched on North Beach and Limantour Beach.

The snowy plover research team is using smaller nest exclosures for the plovers this year. Exclosures are wire fences placed around the nests that are designed to keep the birds safely inside and predators outside. They have a top but no bottom. The smaller size is less obvious to curious predators and the public. The smaller size also allows the adult plovers to move away from a predator and to take flight more easily.

For more information about snowy plovers and for general park information, visit the park website.

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