Temporary Vehicle Closure To Protect Threatened Shorebird

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News Release Date: May 8, 2006
Contact: Jeff Cordes, 252-728-2250 ext. 3013

About 2/3 of the nesting piping plovers in North Carolina are found at Cape Lookout National Seashore. The area on the north end of South Core Banks has the greatest concentration of piping plover nests and is the single most important site for the survival of this bird in North Carolina.

A temporary vehicle closure on the ocean beach north of Ramp 24 will begin May 12, 2006. Five piping plover nests in this area are expected to hatch over a one week period. The closure will only be in place from the time nests hatch until the chicks are able to fly. Pedestrians and fishing will still be allowed on the ocean beach in this area.

The park currently manages threats to this bird by closing nesting areas to people, vehicles and pets and protecting nests from predators with fence and bird netting. After nests hatch, piping plover chicks can travel over ¼ mile from nesting areas seeking areas to feed. Chicks moving to the ocean beach are in danger of being run over by off-road vehicles and have difficulty moving through deep ruts in the sand created by vehicles.

Updated information about closures will be posted at the vehicle ferry landings and can be obtained by calling park headquarters at [phone].

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