Nesting Shorebirds Close Access Point To Cape Cod Beach

PROVINCETOWN, MA — It's been a long time since a specific breed of shorebirds have nested at one access point to a Cape Cod beach, but they've returned.

Cape Cod National Seashore officials said a pair of piping plovers are nesting at the beach access point on Snail Road in Provincetown.

In response, park officials have closed beach access at the end of Snail Road to all pedestrian and foot traffic.

"Visitors may walk the trail from Route 6, but will need to turn around when they reach the closure," officials said.

There are alternatives to accessing the shore, though.

"As an alternative, consider visiting Herring Cove Beach, Race Point Beach, or Head of the Meadow Beach. These beaches also offer dunescapes and ocean access," officials said.

Snail Road is not an official park trail, but gets heavy usage during the summer season due to the popularity of the dune landscape, officials said.

Snail Road begins at Route 6 in Provincetown and goes through the dunes for about a mile until it exits at the beach.