This tracker shows the typical arrival and departure windows for Piping Plovers, Least Terns, and Common Terns on Cape Cod beaches.
🐤 Piping Plovers (Charadrius melodus)
Arrival Late March to early April
Nesting April through July
Chicks Late May through July
Departure Mid‑August to early September
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Notes: Plovers nest on open sand. ORV restrictions apply on Nauset, Chatham, and Wellfleet beaches during chick season (June–July).
🐦 Least Terns (Sternula antillarum)
Arrival Late April to early May
Nesting May through July
Chicks June and July
Departure Late August to early September
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Notes: Least terns nest in colonies. They often nest with plovers in protected zones.
🕊️ Common Terns (Sterna hirundo)
Arrival Late April
Nesting May through July
Chicks June–July
Departure August–October
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Notes: Large colonies found on protected islands or sandspits. Chicks fledge later than plovers and least terns.
Summary Chart
| Species | Arrive | Peak Nesting | Departure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piping Plover | Late Mar–Early Apr | Apr–Jul | Mid‑Aug–Sep |
| Least Tern | Late Apr–Early May | May–Jul | Late Aug–Early Sep |
| Common Tern | Late Apr | May–Jul | Aug–Oct |
Beach Impact Summary
- April–May: Protective fencing and symbolic stringing begins.
- May–July: Strictest ORV and dog restrictions due to active nesting.
- June–July: Highest number of closures (chicks on the move).
- August: Many restrictions begin lifting as chicks fledge.
- September–October: Terns migrate; plover management ends.