Two piping plover nests have caused unusually long closures at Norton Point Beach this season, testing the patience of vacationers

The intense winter storm followed by extremely frigid temperatures caused severe tidal erosion and sent Island plumbers scrambling on frozen pipe calls over the weekend.

After a summer of tension over beach closures to vehicles to protect nesting shorebirds, Vineyard fishermen weighed in with concerns.

Norton Point has reopened to over-sand vehicle traffic after several weeks of closures during peak shorebird rearing season.

Norton Point will be closed to swimmers and vehicle traffic Wednesday to accommodate efforts to remove a dead fin whale.

Norton Point was reopened Wednesday morning after a dead fin whale was towed out to sea.

The sky above Norton Point Beach was swarming with terns on a cloudy day this week, as tiny chicks — newly hatched and full of life — raced around on the sand below.

Wasque Point, the popular fishing spot at the eastern tip of the Island has been the subject of ongoing study in recent years, as wind, waves and tides create one of the most dynamic coastal systems in the state.

The recent opening on Chappaquiddick appears to have closed again. On Saturday afternoon Edgartown artist Dana Gaines photographed the barrier beach — dry and dotted with surfcasters.

With the Norton Point breach now closed, vehicle traffic is again allowed on the barrier beach connecting Edgartown and Chappaquiddick.