Duxbury Beach Access Update
Duxbury Beach Access Update
June 28, 2019
Contact: Duxbury Police Department Beach Operations
(781) 934-5656 Ext. 1126
The Town of Duxbury provides periodic updates on the status of nesting pairs of Piping Plovers currently inhabiting the Duxbury Beach and the potential impacts their presence may have on beach patrons. Since beach stickers are non-refundable, we provide this information to the public as soon as it becomes available so that individuals may plan accordingly in terms of whether or not they decide to make a purchase. This information is being provided by the Endangered Species Officer in conjunction with the Duxbury Harbormaster’s office.
Beach Status
As of June 28, 2019, there are 21 plover pairs on Duxbury Beach. It is important to understand that additional plovers may continue to arrive to the beach. Plovers are still considered a Threatened Species (the level just below Endangered) by Federal and State Fish and Wildlife, and their protection is mandated by both State and Federal laws.
Beach Access
As mandated when restrictions occur, the maximum ORV (Off Road Vehicle) limits may be reduced (below 250 Resident and 250 Non-Resident max ORVs allowed when no restrictions are in place) on the front beach to maintain compliance with the Duxbury Beach Management and Conservation Plan, and to maintain public safety and order.
Currently, only the First Crossover is available for ORV access with an ORV capacity of 100 total vehicles (50 Resident and 50 Non-Resident). The Second Crossover is closed and all ORV permitted vehicles should not pass the First Crossover on the back road.
Additionally, there are nesting least terns in close proximity to the First Crossover. Once any tern nest hatches within 100 meters of the First Crossover, the crossover will need to be closed. This means the road south of the bridge will be closed to non-essential traffic as there will be no recreational opportunities south of the bridge. The exact hatch dates for least tern nests are unknown but may be immediate and could prohibit beach access during the week of July 1st and numerous days thereafter.
It is important to note that these are wild animals and therefore are unpredictable and susceptible to tidal over wash, predation, and mortality from exposure to severe weather, as well as unpredictable movements throughout their habitat on the beach. ORV and Pedestrian restrictions for plover chicks last until they are able to fly for 50’ feet, continuously (which can be more than 35 days), meaning these restrictions may or may not be incrementally altered. Also important to note is that many of these restricted areas may overlap to an extent in both space (area) and timing (time until chicks can fly) and may change based on movement of the chicks.
Where to Find Updated Information
Please continue to check for the latest updates as conditions and circumstances can change with little or no advance notice based on activities of wild animals. This information will be updated if conditions change or as new information becomes available. For further information about Duxbury Beach conditions, please visit the Town of Duxbury Police Department Beach Operations Division website at:
https://www.duxburypolice.org/beach-operations
The most up-to-date information pertaining to beach conditions including restrictions and access limitations may be found by following the Duxbury Police Department Beach Operation's Twitter feed at:
https://twitter.com/DPD_Beach_Ops
Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we continue to maintain as much pedestrian and ORV access as possible while managing protected species.