Bird activity limits vehicle access on Cape Hatteras beaches

BUXTON, N.C.

More off-road vehicle access has been cut in Cape Hatteras National Seashore at popular Cape Point in Buxton because of bird activity.

Cyndy Holda, spokeswoman for the National Park Service Outer Banks Group, said that Ramp 44 was closed Thursday afternoon after a pair of American oystercatchers were seen scraping, a breeding behavior.

Access had been closed earlier between Ramp 43 and Ramp 44 after the oystercatchers were spotted. The same birds moved, Holda said, forcing 2/10 of a mile to be closed at Ramp 44.

“We have to close until they settle down,” she said.

Holda said that ORVs can still go out Ramp 43 and go 2/10 of a mile south or 4/10 of a mile north. Ramp 44 remains open to pedestrians, she said.