Herring River Restoration Project

3.7 FEDERAL AND STATE-LISTED RARE, THREATENED, AND ENDANGERED SPECIES

• 3.7.1 Rufa Red Knot (Calidris Canutus Rufa) - Federally Threatened

A Biological Evaluation Form submitted to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service reported that this migratory bird is unlikely to be adversely affected by the Herring River Restoration Project.

• 3.7.2 Northern Long-Eared Bat (Myotis Septentrionalis) - Federally Threatened

A Verification letter for the Herring River Restoration submitted to the New England Ecological Services Field Office of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service reported that the Herring River Restoration Project has not determined that it will have "no effect" on the northern long-eared bat. It further reported that the project will involve tree removal but that zero "acres of forest conversion [will take place] from April 1 to October 31." This explains the newspaper account of the clear-cutting trees in the Duck Harbor basin reporting that "work at Duck Harbor began in late January and will end on April 15 when the endangered Northern long-eared bat returns to the area from winter hibernation."

• 3.7.3 American Bittern (Botaurus Lentiginosus) - State Endangered
• 3.7.4 Least Bittern (Ixobrychus Exilis) - State Endangered
• 3.7.5 Northern Harrier (Circus Cyaneus) - State Threatened
• 3.7.6 Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys Terrapin) - State Threatened

See "Turtle Protection."

• 3.7.7 Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene c. Carolina) - State Species of Special Concern

See "Turtle Protection."

• 3.7.8 Water-Willow Stem Borer (Papaipema Sulphurata) - State Threatened

3.8 TERRESTRIAL WILDLIFE

3.8.1 Birds The Seashore provides a wide diversity of freshwater, marine, and upland habitats for the roughly 370 species of birds. About 80 of these nest here during the spring and summer months, with the remainder using the Seashore for migratory stopovers or to overwinter.
3.8.2 Mammals Small mammals, such as mice, voles, and shrews are very abundant in marsh grasses around Herring River. Small mammals are an important component of Seashore fauna.
3.8.3 Reptiles and Amphibians The Seashore is an important area for reptiles and amphibians. In addition to its importance to the five species of migratory marine turtles foraging the offshore waters of Cape Cod, there are 23 species of reptiles and amphibians living their entire life at the Seashore within the Herring River project vicinity

• Excerpt related to animal species at risk (above)
• Full report