Portions of beach at Cape Henlopen State Park closed to protect nesting Piping Plovers are open again.
The stretches of beach between Gordon's Pond and Herring Point have been off limits to protect the endangered robin-sized birds and their chicks. Beach front along the oceanside of The Point on Cape Henlopen has also been off limits.
But DNREC officials say the nesting season - which produced 13 plover fledglings this year - is now over after the last Piping Plover chick at Gordons Pond recently fledged.
That means all fencing previously put up to prevent disturbances to these birds has been removed and the areas are available for use, including fall-surf fishing.
DNREC notes the bay side of The Point will be closed until Oct. 1 to provide safety for migrating birds passing through.
