The Trustees of Reservations (TTOR) has closed its Cape Poge Wildlife Reservation on Chappaquiddick to nonessential vehicles to protect recently hatched piping plover chicks that are now feeding between East Beach and the narrows, the channel that connects Cape Poge Bay to Poucha pond.
Chris Kennedy, Martha’s Vineyard TTOR superintendent, said four chicks are now crossing from the beach to the inner shoreline to feed. Mr. Kennedy said state and federal environmental regulations require a shoreline to shoreline closure until the chicks are capable of flying.
Last season, similar feeding habits also necessitated a closure. It takes about four weeks for a chick to fledge. “These birds nested early so hopefully they’ll be out of here early,” Mr. Kennedy said.
Cape Poge is popular with fishermen, beach-goers, kayakers and birders.
A good potion of Leland beach between Wasque Point and Dike bridge is also closed to vehicles, however travel is allowed on an inner trail.
