Gordons Pond beach to reopen after plover protection closure

CAPE HENLOPEN (August 7, 2012) – Piping plovers have finished nesting at Gordons Pond in Cape Henlopen State Park, and as a result, the ocean beach at Gordons Pond will be opened to vehicular and foot traffic on Saturday, Aug. 11. 

Nearly two-thirds of a mile of beach at Gordons Pond had been closed to protect nesting piping plovers and other threatened and endangered beach nesting and migratory shorebirds. Although the ocean beach will be open, the dunes and overwash areas at Gordons Pond will remain closed to protect sensitive habitat areas.

On the Point, plover nesting and fledging activity is continuing. In that part of the park, a three-quarter mile stretch of ocean beach and dunes plus a half mile along the bay shoreline have been closed since March. The ocean side will reopen on Sept. 1, while the bayside will remain closed until Oct. 1.

For more information on beachnesters, please contact Wildlife Biologist Matthew Bailey at 302-382-4151 or email matthew.bailey@state.de.us.

Vol. 42, No. 297