Wildlife

Analysis of Significant Wildlife Species on Site 8

Our site had multiple cover types, meaning that it fits a diverse range of requirements for wildlife in Vermont. To summarize wildlife habitat criteria, we evaluated the site for a number of different characteristics, as listed below:

Habitat Features in Pine-Oak-Maple Forest on Top of Hill and Birch-Beech Forest on Hillside
high exposed perches: very apparent
low exposed perches: minimal
canopy closure: ~70%
tree cavities: < 6 inches
midstory: deciduous
shrub layer: deciduous
overstory: mixed deciduous/coniferous
ground vegetation: < 30% 
dead and downed wood: very apparent
vernal pools/wetland vegetation: minimal
water body: none
miscellaneous: game trail, and several large pines are split ~20 ft above ground, probably by pine weevils

Habitat Features in Riparian Low Area
high exposed perches: very apparent
low exposed perches: very apparent
canopy closure: 16-30%
tree cavities: < 6 inches
midstory: deciduous
shrub layer: deciduous
overstory: deciduous
ground vegetation: > 75% 
dead and downed wood: very apparent
vernal pools/wetland vegetation: very apparent
water body: stream
miscellaneous: bridge, trail intersection
 
While there are many species for which our site can be habitat for, we will focus on several species of interest and analyze their ability to thrive in our site, or why the species would be unable to thrive here.

This analysis is based off of a list created by the software program NEWild. A table of all the potential wildlife species produced by inputting wildlife habitat features into the program can be found at the bottom of this page.
 

Invertebrates

European Earthworm-In the course of our field studies, we found European Earthworms while digging soil pits. This oft considered invasive species aerates the soil, however it also consumes essential nutrients. It may be partially responsible for the low nutrient levels in the soils in at our site.

Emerald Ash-Borer- The emerald ash-borer is an invasive beetle which burrows into and kills ash trees in its larval stage. As there are no ash trees on our site, there is no reason to suspect that there would be emerald ash borer there.

Birds

Barred Owl-    The Barred Owl’s habitat typically consists of low wet woods and swampy forests. The riparian area of our site would be perfect habitat for the Barred Owl.  Niquette Bay is well within the Barred Owl’s habitat. The owl feeds on rodents and frogs, two things which there are plenty of on our site.

Pileated Woodpecker- One of the reasons we may not have Pileated Woodpecker on our site is the amount and size of snags. Many of our snags weren’t very large, and the Pileated Woodpecker is a rather large bird requiring a large snag to nest in. We did have a hairy woodpecker on our site though.

Scarlet Tanager-Scarlet Tanager’s habitat chiefly consists of mature woodlands. This insectivore feeds primarily on bees and wasps, and is a often a sign of a healthy forest. The Scarlet Tanager prefers oak and pine forests, which is characteristic of our site.

Chestnut Sided Warbler-The chestnut sided Warbler, once rather rare, is found in open second growth forest and scrub. Our riparian area is rather scrubby and open, providing habitat and nesting for the Chestnut Sided Warbler Our wooded area is not quite secondary forest, but it is in a state of transition suitable to this warbler.

Wild Turkey- According to NEWild, Wild Turkey is found solely in the riparian area of our habitat, and not in the wooded slopes and higher areas. According to the Audubon Field Guide to New England However, the wild turkey is found in broadleaf forests. This would place it in all areas of our habitat, both woodland and riparian growth. This large bird was hunted out of most of its native range, and is being successfully introduced to reforested areas.

Mammals

Porcupine- Porcupine can be found in both areas of our site according to NEWild. According to the Audubon Field Guide to New England, the Porcupine’s habitat is “woods”. The porcupine eats vegetation, from leaves to bark.

Fisher- A laerge member of the weasel family, the fisher is a skilled hunter. Its habitat consists of coniferous and mixed woods, fitting our habitat requirements. It is known for successfully hunting porcupines, also on our site, and the porcupine is one of the main components of the fisher’s diet.

White Tailed Deer- The White-Tailed Deer prefer broadleaf mixed wood forests, edges, fields and watersides, placing them into both habitat zones on our site. They feed on understory vegetation. It may be likely that Niquette Bay is too often disturbed by dog-walkers  for deer to be found there.

Reptiles and Amphibians

Red Backed Salamander-We found a specimen of red backed salamander burrowing in a log in the riparian zone of our site. Our site has downed logs and moist soil which is great for the red backed salamander. The red back salamander also forages in leaf litter, of which there is plenty in our site.

Brown Snake- The brown snake is found in both areas of our site. Its habitat includes woods, and fresh and saltwater marshes. It also can live in towns. It feeds primarily on earthworms and slugs (both of which were found on site), but will also eat small frogs.

Total Wildlife Species on Site 8 (source:NEWILD)
Upper Woodland Area Reptiles, Amphibians and Mammals
 

Upper Area Birds

Lower (Riparian) Area Reptiles, Amphibians and Mammals

Lower Area (Riparian) Birds