Report from the Beach

Piping Plover Update

So far this season, there are over 50 pairs of piping plovers at Long Beach. Nests are located over nearly the entire length of the beach, with most north of the Crossover. Currently, all but 2 nests have hatched, and the chicks that hatched earliest in the season are beginning to fly.

There are typically 4 eggs in each plover nest, which is a small depression in the sand. Plover chicks are precocial, which means they are mobile and able to feed themselves when they hatch. After the exhausting process of hatching, the chicks will rest for a few hours in the nest, and then they will leave the nest and begin foraging along the beach, from the dunes all the way down to the tidal flats. Once they leave, they don’t return to the nest again. Vehicle restrictions are put in place to protect the chicks until they can fly, which can take up to 35 days.

Crossover Vehicle Access

The Crossover is closed for vehicle access, and is expected to remain closed through mid-July. There are two broods of piping plover chicks that are near the Crossover. There are currently no least tern nests in this area, but they have nested near the Crossover in past seasons, and could still move into the area. The Crossover is expected to open when both sets of plover chicks near the Crossover are able to fly, however, least tern nesting activity could impact vehicle access. The Natural Resources staff monitors the status of shorebird activity daily and will open vehicle access as soon as restrictions to protect plover and tern breeding activity can be lifted. Check the Long Beach Information page for updates on vehicle access.

Ryder Way Access

In addition to the nesting activity over the Crossover, there are several areas where plovers and least terns are nesting along Ryder Way. Under normal circumstances, the state and federal guidelines for piping plovers and least terns would require that the road close to vehicles in the areas where unfledged chicks are present. However, the Town participates in the Massachusetts Habitat Conservation Plan for Piping Plover, which allows some flexibility for vehicle access along the road when chicks are present. Because of this permit, beachgoers are able to access the whole length of the road, parking lots and roadside parking areas, but with reduced hours. The Natural Resources staff monitors the location of the chicks and manages traffic if they approach or cross the road or parking areas.

There are currently unfledged piping plover chicks present along the road between the first cottage on the beach all the way up to the Crossover. Several of the broods of plover chicks will be able to fly within about a week, however, there are chicks that are about a week old just north of the Fishermen's Turnaround, as well as young chicks just north of the Day Parking Area. There are least tern chicks in the colony along the road south of the Crossover, and hatching is expected any day in the colony near the Day Parking Area. The plover chicks near the Day Parking Area have been crossing Ryder Way to access foraging habitat on both the harbor and beach sides of the road, and least tern nests very close to the road in the same area will soon begin hatching, so please drive cautiously in these areas. In addition to the 6 plover nests that have already hatched along the road, there is another nest between the Day Parking Area and the Crossover that is expected to hatch around July 7.

When traveling through signed areas, be alert to the possible presence of chicks and adult plovers in the road and stop to let them pass. If you do see chicks in or near the road, please notify the staff. If a take occurs (e.g., a chick is killed), the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife may suspend use of the road and vehicle access will be limited to areas south of where the chicks are located, so please be cautious when driving through these areas. The Natural Resources staff will be monitoring these chicks and managing traffic as necessary, so there may be delays if chicks are in or near the road.

Due to the presence of unfledged plover chicks, the road and parking areas past the first cottage on the beach close to vehicles at 7:00pm, including for fishing access. This restriction will move to northward to around the Fishermen's Turnaround when the southernmost plover chicks are able to fly, which is expected by July 7. Check the Long Beach Information page for updates on vehicle access.

July 4th Holiday Information

Long Beach will close at 7:00pm prior to the fireworks display on Thursday, July 4th. All areas of Plymouth Long Beach beyond the main parking lot (Manter’s Point) will be closed to both vehicles and boats. All vehicles and boats already on the beach will be required to leave by 7:00pm. This closure does not apply to property owners and their guests with appropriate passes, provided all vehicles belonging to owners and their guests are parked on private property. Please help us have a safe holiday weekend by following the rules and regulations found in the Plymouth Long Beach Rules & Regulations pamphlet.

Atlantic White Sharks

Atlantic white sharks can be present in our waters year-round, but as the water warms up in late summer into fall, white shark activity typically increases. Swimmers and paddlers should always be cautious whenever they enter the marine environment but should be especially vigilant during this time of the year. White sharks spend most of their lives submerged in the water and rarely surface, which can make it difficult to know when they are present. Some recommendations that can reduce the risk of an encounter with a white shark include: avoid swimming or paddling around dawn or dusk, avoid seals, limit splashing, and do not wear shiny jewelry. Check out the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy's website for some great information about white sharks in our area.

A flag system is in place at Plymouth Long Beach, Whitehorse Beach and the state boat ramp to alert the public of shark sightings. If an unconfirmed report is received, a yellow flag is raised, and swimmers should exit the water or use extreme caution if swimming. With a confirmed shark sighting, a red flag is used to indicate that beaches are closed to swimming. Follow the instructions of lifeguards and other Town staff. If you see a shark, report it immediately to Town beach staff, the Harbormaster Office at (508)830-4182 or 911.

More Information

More information about the Crossover and Long Beach can be found on the Long Beach Information page.

Information about other Town beaches and ponds can be found on the Beach & Pond Information page.