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Portions of Cape Henlopen to close for migratory birds

Gary Cooke
Piping plover and chick

A portion of Cape Henlopen State Park are closed until the fall to give threatened and endangered birds the space nest.

Closures of  a half mile stretch of Delaware Bay shoreline and an area jetting out into the bay and Atlantic Ocean, known as The Point, gives the state’s beloved piping plovers, red knots, oystercatchers and least terns plenty of refuge.

Since the early 90s, the state’s parks department has worked with other state agencies build up beachnester and migratory shorebird populations.

During last year’s closure, 13 piping plover chicks reached adolescence.

Nesting habitat on the ocean side will reopen Sept. 1. The bayside beach opens Oct. 1.