Officials close reservoir beaches to protect birds

Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials are closing areas around reservoir beaches at John Martin, Adobe Creek and Nee Gronda to protect two rare shorebirds that nest there.

Wildlife officials say the closures are needed to protect piping plovers and least terns. The closures, which may be several acres in size, will run from early April through mid-August.

The least tern is the smallest of the North American terns. The piping plover is a tiny shorebird that usually nests on sandy lakeshore beaches and rely on their plumage to protect them from predators. Both birds are protected by the state and federal government.