Bird breeding season over at NC Outer Banks

MANTEO, N.C. — The National Park Service says the breeding season has ended for endangered shore birds and the nesting season for endangered turtles also is coming to a close.

The park service said 113 turtle nests have been documented in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and 81 of the nests have been removed or their eggs hatched.

Although the nesting season is waning, the park service said some beach closures will be needed to protect turtle hatchlings.

Under an out-of-court settlement between environmentalists and the National Park Service, three beaches along Cape Hatteras National Seashore were temporarily closed to beach drivers and pedestrians. Beach driving in some areas was maintained.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)