Seasonal Closures for Nesting

To create shorebird nesting sanctuaries, the south end of Assateague Island and all of Assawoman Island are closed to all access from March 15 to September 15 each year.

In our area, spring heralds the return of migratory birds such as piping plovers, American oystercatchers and least terns. Many of these birds nest on the beach or in the marshes well into the summer. Sadly, since 1970, coastal shorebirds lost more than one-third of their population. Many of these species are federally protected, such as the piping plover. You can protect these vulnerable animals by recreating away from their nurseries.