June 2, 2010
Vol. 40, No. 182

For more information, contact Matthew Bailey, Wildlife Biologist, Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, 302-382-4151, or Beth Shockley, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Stretch of beach at Cape Henlopen closed to safeguard nesting plovers

The first piping plover nest at Gordon’s Pond Beach in Cape Henlopen State Park has a full clutch of eggs, with the parents-to-be defending their area, DNREC Wildlife Biologist Matthew Bailey announced late yesterday.

To minimize disturbances to the tiny endangered shorebirds, a half-mile stretch of beach between the Observation Towers and the Herring Point crossover was closed to the public today with signs, twine and PVC posts to mark the area.

“Closing off plover nesting areas is an established protocol every year at Cape Henlopen, and this closing is in the typical area that beachgoers are accustomed to,” said Bailey, who serves as coordinator of the Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Piping Plover Protection Program. “This area will remain closed until the last of our plover chicks are fledged, usually in late August or early September,” he added.

For more information on piping plovers and volunteer plover monitor training, please contact Matt Bailey at 302-382-4151 or email matthew.bailey@state.de.us.