A piping plover nest located near the Day Parking Area hatched the afternoon of May 26, and a 7:00pm closure of the Day Parking Area and the areas beyond has been implemented. The Day Parking Area and the roadway beyond will close to vehicles at 7:00pm, including for fishing, but the roadway and parking areas south of Day Parking will remain open until 9:00pm as usual. This night-time closure is necessary to comply with the requirements of the Massachusetts Habitat Conservation Plan for Piping Plover (HCP). The HCP is a permit that allows the Town to keep access to the road open during the day when it would normally need to close once the chicks hatch to comply with state and federal requirements for plovers and terns protected by the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Without this permit in place, the road would remain closed to vehicles during the day as well as at night. The Natural Resources staff monitors chicks located along road intensively to reduce the risk of "take" as defined by the state and federal ESAs. Please be alert and drive slowly in areas where chicks are present. These areas are marked with signage. If you do see a plover chick or adult in the road, stop to let them pass and alert staff.
Another plover nest along the road south of the Fishermen's Turnaround is expected to hatch around June 1. When this nest hatches, the night-time restriction on the road will be moved southward to the first cottage on the beach.
Check the Long Beach Information page for updates on vehicle access.
