Contact: Patrick Cooper, Cape Henlopen State Park, phone: (302) 645-8983
or Matthew Bailey, Public Affairs, phone: (302) 653-2880

Cape Henlopen State Park’s Point Beach Reopens to Public; Shorebird Chicks Have Left Nesting Habitats

The Division of Parks and Recreation has announced the reopening of the Cape Henlopen State Park’s Point Beach beginning Friday, Sept. 1. The oceanside beach will reopen to pedestrians and surf-fishing vehicles, while the bayside beach will remain closed until Sunday, Oct. 1, for use by shorebirds migrating south for the winter.

Shorebirds, including the state and federally-threatened piping plovers, return to the Delaware coast in March and build their nests in the sand between the dunes and the water. The practice of nesting on beaches puts the eggs and young shorebirds in danger from predators, including foxes, crows, gulls, feral cats and dogs.

According to Patrick Cooper, Park Administrator with Cape Henlopen State Park, people can also degrade the habitat of shorebirds and destroy nests. “Both the eggs and the young shorebirds are so well camouflaged that they are in danger of being stepped on or otherwise disturbed by humans,” said Cooper. “It is so vital that we continue to preserve the nesting and feeding habitat for these birds,” he said.

The Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program monitors the piping plovers throughout the breeding season and erect wire cage-like structures called “exclosures” around the plover’s nests. The exclosure’s wire is small enough to restrict predators, but large enough for the plovers to enter. They place a netting material over the top of the structure to keep out avian predators. Success can be measured in this year’s numbers.

“This year, a record nine pairs of piping plovers nested at Cape Henlopen’s Point and Gordons Pond,” said Wildlife Biologist Matt Bailey, adding that the 13 chicks that fledged this year can now fly and are making their migration south for the winter.

More than 37 species of birds, amphibians, mammals, fish and insects are currently on Delaware’s endangered species list. Delaware’s Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, part of DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife, works with government agencies, private organizations, landowners, and the public to develop programs that protect endangered species in the state.

To learn more about their programs, visit DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife exhibits at this year’s Coast Day from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1 at the University of Delaware’s Hugh R. Sharp Campus/College of Marine Studies in Lewes or the website: www.dnrec.state.de.us/nhp/.
 

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