A temporary beach closure will be in place this weekend at Point Reyes National Seashore to protect nesting snowy plovers/NPS

While the upcoming holiday weekend no doubt will have crowds descending on Point Reyes National Seashore in California, a short stretch of one beach will be closed to protect nesting snowy plovers.

The closure on Great Beach will run from this Friday through Sunday. It will range from the North Beach parking lot to the mouth of Abbotts Lagoon. Temporarily closing a portion of the Great Beach will minimize disturbance to nests, chicks and breeding adults during this critical time, park officials say.

"The closure during the busy holiday weekend will help chicks stay warm, have enough food and stay hidden from predators," a park release said. "The federally-threatened western snowy plover nesting season is underway. Nesting inconspicuously between the tidal zone and upper reaches of coastal beaches, snowy plovers on the West Coast are faced with habitat loss, disturbance and predation, all of which have taken a toll on this species."

According to park officials, the seashore is "one of the few remaining nesting grounds for this rare bird. Each nesting season between 15-30 breeding plovers take advantage of the habitat on the seashore for nesting.

In partnership with the Point Reyes National Seashore Association and Point Blue Conservation Science (formerly PRBO Conservation Science), the snowy plover population has been monitored annually since 1995.

“Following a significant low point in 2012, the number of plovers coming to Point Reyes to nest is slowly increasing. However, we still have big gains to make in actual nesting success,” said park ecologist David Press. “We appreciate everyone’s support for these temporary closures to ensure a successful 2015 nesting season.”

Along with the July 4 weekend closure, the portion of the Great Beach from the intersection of Kehoe Beach trail and Kehoe Beach to the North Beach parking lot (as signed) is closed annually to dogs from March 1 through September 30. As alternatives for park visitors with dogs, other popular beaches such as east Limantour Beach (to the left as you approach the beach) and Kehoe Beach remain open. All dogs in the park are required to be on a leash no longer than six feet.