Vehicle access over the Crossover at Long Beach will increase to approximately 120 vehicles beginning August 17. The last brood of piping plover chicks can now fly, and the vehicle restriction has been moved northward. There are still several areas along the beach where unfledged least tern chicks are present, so vehicle access will remain at this level until the tern chicks are able to fly.
Least terns are protected by the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (MESA). Tern chicks are considered semi-precocial because, like piping plover chicks, they can walk and leave the nest within hours of hatching, but they are fed fish by their parents rather than finding their own food as plover chicks do. Because they are quite mobile, a vehicle-free buffer of at least 100 yards is required until they are capable of sustained flight.
The Natural Resources staff will be monitoring least tern activity daily and will increase vehicle access as allowed. Check the Long Beach Information page for updates on vehicle access.