Entire Parker River National Refuge Beach Is Closed
From Ranger Matt Poole:
“Effective sunset on June 4th, the ENTIRE refuge beach will be closed to all public access until further notice. Why the change you ask? Some piping plover chicks, hatched from a nest immediately north of the refuge’s north boundary, will more than likely be moving back and forth between the refuge beach and non-refuge beach in that vicinity. So, needless to say, our job is to err on the side of caution to protect the plovers.”
Yesterday, my husband,Ken, and myself saw 40 piping plover at Sandy Point Beach. They were flying in a large flock and walking near the waves running quickly away from them as the water approached them. They also walked very quickly across the sand and gathered into a large flock.They were not eating anything just enjoying each other’s company. We were so glad to see so many of them.
Thank you, Louise! It is great to see an endangered species thriving!