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######## 

######## U.S. Shorebird 

######## Conservation Plan

Northern Atlantic

Regional Shorebird Plan

Version 1.0

[Prepared by:]{.underline}

Kathleen E. Clark

Lawrence J. Niles

Endangered and Nongame Species Program

NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife

2201 Route 631, Woodbine, NJ 08270

and

Members of the Northern Atlantic Shorebird Habitat Working Group

#### Table of Contents

[Executive Summary 1](#executive-summary)

[1. Description of the Region 2](#description-of-the-region)

[2. Shorebird Species Occurrence and Regional Species Priorities
3](#shorebird-species-occurrence-and-regional-species-priorities)

[3. Regional Goals 3](#regional-goals)

[4. Habitat Goals, Objectives and Management Needs
4](#habitat-goals-objectives-and-management-needs)

[A) Habitat Objectives: 4](#a-habitat-objectives)

[B) Management Objectives: 5](#b-management-objectives)

[5. Management Coordination and Monitoring Needs
5](#management-coordination-and-monitoring-needs)

[6. Research Goals 8](#research-goals)

[7. Education Goals 8](#education-goals)

[8. Funding Needs for Regional Goals (by State and Area)
8](#funding-needs-for-regional-goals-by-state-and-area)

[9. Recognition of individuals and organizations who contributed to the
regional report.
9](#recognition-of-individuals-and-organizations-who-contributed-to-the-regional-report.)

[Appendix A. Maps of two BCRs found in the North Atlantic region.
19](#appendix-a.-maps-of-two-bcrs-found-in-the-north-atlantic-region.)

[Appendix B. Estimated costs for monitoring, management and research
needs by area.
23](#appendix-b.-estimated-costs-for-monitoring-management-and-research-needs-by-area.)

# Executive Summary

The North Atlantic planning region is one of the most heavily populated
areas in the U.S. Many wetland habitats have been affected by
development, causing wetlands loss, pollution, and increased human
access leading to disturbance. The Atlantic coast beaches and bays,
however still have high quality habitats that have become more essential
to shorebirds than ever before. The region is critical to the survival
of hemispheric populations of some species (e.g., Red Knots, Piping
Plovers, Whimbrels), which would be decimated by continued habitat
degradation or catastrophic chemical or petroleum spills.

The North Atlantic region has a number of inherent strengths supporting
effective shorebird protection: 1) a huge constituency with reasonably
good access to shorebird viewing opportunities: 2) large portions of
habitat in public ownership (averaging 60%-95% in most states); and 3)
strong state land use regulations that affect actions on private land.

The potent threats in the region are almost the flip side of the
strengths. Large human population centers create a substantial threat
from development and disturbance, and cause a significant potential for
resource conflicts. Further, the northeast Atlantic Coast is always
under the threat of catastrophic oil spills and consequent damage to
shorebird habitat or shorebirds themselves. The major weaknesses in
existing protection center on inadequate funding for management and
surveys, thus leading to an insufficient database on population,
distribution, and habitats.

Combining these strengths, weaknesses and threats, our group developed a
number of opportunities that may be unique to the North Atlantic region:
First, strong state agencies create the potential for creative intra-
and interstate shorebird projects; second, the large human population
and easy access to important shorebird sites create a significant
opportunity for improving recreational use of shorebirds with small
increases in funding for developing access; and third, strong agency
interest exists for developing interspecies management and protection.

The group considered the regional strengths and threats, and suggested
the following high priority project:

1.  Begin region-wide coastal surveys conducted by individual state
    agencies and coordinated by the USFWS throughout the region.

2.  Work on-site at known important areas to reduce disturbance,
    identify and protect critical food resources, and control predation.

3.  Significantly improve impoundment management, also coordinated
    throughout the region.

4.  Create a strong emphasis on volunteer banding and wardening, as
    methods to increase awareness.

5.  Develop coordinated state and federal satellite habitat mapping,
    delineating all important shorebird habitats.

6.  Establish a number of \"all bird\" Joint Venture projects.

7.  Improve spill prevention and emergency response.

# 1. Description of the Region

The North Atlantic planning region is within the Atlantic Flyway, and
encompasses all or part of the following states: Virginia (VA), Maryland
(MD), Delaware (DE), New Jersey (NJ), Pennsylvania (PA), New York (NY),
Connecticut (CT), Rhode Island (RI), Massachusetts (MA), Vermont (VT),
New Hampshire (NH), and Maine (ME). Habitats range from rocky shorelines
to sandy bay beaches to tidal mudflats. The major habitat types are: 1)
beach front, including high-energy beaches, sandy deltas, rock and
gravel shorelines, and high beach/dune; 2) intertidal mudflats lacking
vegetation (mudflats and muddy creek banks); 3) vegetated intertidal
marshes (dominated by Spartina cordgrass); 4) managed impoundments, both
brackish and freshwater; 5) inland habitats (such as forested wetlands
and peninsulas that concentrate migrants), as well as managed uplands
(airports and pastures).

The North Atlantic region is extremely important for transient
shorebirds during both northbound and southbound migrations. The region
is critical for the Western Hemisphere population of Red Knots
(*Calidris canutus rufa*), which is extremely concentrated in Delaware
Bay each spring. It also supports most of the Atlantic Flyway\'s
breeding Piping Plover (*Charadrius melodus*), a federally threatened
species. Shorebirds in this region face potential impacts from: 1)
recreational disturbances to foraging and nesting birds, 2) oil spills,
3) extraction of resources affecting shorebird food supplies (e.g.,
horseshoe crabs), 4) habitat loss due to development, 5) predators, 6)
contaminants, and 7) habitat management that lacks integration with
shorebird needs.

The North Atlantic region includes two Bird Conservation Regions, the
North Atlantic Coastal Plain and the Atlantic Northern Forests (Appendix
A). Descriptions of these follow, taken from \"A Proposed Framework for
Delineating Ecologically-based Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation
Units for Cooperative Bird Conservation in the U.S.\"

*North Atlantic Coastal Plain* --- This BCR has the densest human
population of any region in the country. Much land that was formerly
cleared for agriculture is now either in forest or residential use. The
highest priority birds are in coastal wetland and beach habitats. These
include the Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrows and Nelson's Sharp-tailed
Sparrows, Seaside Sparrows, Piping Plover, American Oystercatchers,
wintering Black Ducks, and Black Rails. The region includes critical
migration sites for Red Knot, and key staging areas for Ruddy
Turnstones, Sanderlings, Semipalmated Sandpipers, and Dunlin. Most of
the continental population of the endangered Roseate Terns nests on
islands off NY and the southern New England states. Other terns, and
gulls nest in large numbers and large mixed colonies of herons, egrets,
and ibis may form on islands in the Delaware and Chesapeake Bay regions
and Long Island. Estuarine complexes in this region are extremely
important to wintering and migrating waterfowl, including Great Bay
(NH), Long Island Sound, Peconic and Great South bays (NY), Delaware
Bay, Chesapeake Bay, and embayments created behind barrier beaches.
Approximately 65% of the total wintering Black Duck population can be
found in coastal areas between Long Island and North Carolina.
Exploitation and pollution of Chesapeake Bay and Absecon Bay (NJ), and
the accompanying loss of submerged aquatic vegetation, have
significantly reduced their value to waterfowl.

*Atlantic Northern Forests* --- The nutrient-poor soils of northernmost
New England and the Adirondack Mountains support spruce-fir forests on
more northerly and higher sites and northern hardwoods elsewhere.
Virtually all of the world's Bicknells's Thrush breed on mountaintops in
this region. Other important forest birds include the Canada Warbler and
Bay-breasted Warbler. Coastal wetlands are inhabited by Nelson's
Sharp-tailed Sparrows, rocky intertidal areas are important for
wintering Purple Sandpipers, and muddy intertidal habitats are critical
as Semipalmated Sandpiper staging sites. Common Eiders and Black
Guillemots breed in coastal habitats, while Leach's Storm-Petrels,
gulls, terns, and the southernmost populations of breeding alcids nest
on offshore islands. Beaver ponds and shores of undisturbed lakes and
ponds provide excellent waterfowl breeding habitat, particularly for
American Black Ducks, Hooded and Common Mergansers, and Common
Goldeneyes. The Hudson and Connecticut river valleys are important
migration corridors for ducks and geese. Because inland wetlands freeze,
coastal wetlands in Maine are used extensively by dabbling ducks, sea
ducks and geese during winter and migration. Coastal wetlands in Maine
(including Merrymeeting Bay and Cobscook Bay) are important wintering
sites for waterfowl.

# 2. Shorebird Species Occurrence and Regional Species Priorities 

Species of highest priority in this region include Piping Plover,
American Oystercatcher (*Haematopus palliatus*), Red Knot, Whimbrel
(*Numenius phaeopus*), American Woodcock (*Scolopax minor*), and Eskimo
Curlew (*Numenius borealis*). The regional and national priority
rankings are included in Table 1. Regional ranks of species may change
as more information on their abundance and distribution (or
concentration areas) is collected. The seasonal occurrence and guild
category of significant shorebird species in this region are listed in
Table 2.

Shorebird populations have been surveyed to varying degrees by states
and non-governmental organizations in the North Atlantic region.
Shorebird numbers fluctuate widely across seasons and habitats, however,
making survey techniques difficult to apply broadly in the region. The
group provided limited data on shorebird counts, and related those
counts to estimated hemispheric populations (Table 3), to estimate
importance of regional habitats. For many species, however, data on
seasonal shorebird populations in the region are not available.

Populations of two high priority species, breeding Piping Plovers and
migrating Red Knots, are known with some confidence. Piping plovers
nesting in the region numbered 1,135 pairs in 1997, the majority (81%)
of the Atlantic Coast population. An estimated 80% (and possibly more)
of the New World populations of Red Knots and Whimbrels migrates through
the region each spring, making the region critical to these species\'
survival.

We used the regional prioritization of species, combined with the
importance of seasonal use in the region, to re-list the species by
habitat types (Table 4). This table more clearly catalogues the highest
priority species according to habitat, and suggests habitat and
management objectives that follow.

# 3. Regional Goals 

*Population Goals and Objectives: Maintain or enhance current or
historic population levels and diversity of shorebirds throughout the
North Atlantic Region through cooperation and partnership with state,
federal, private, and non-governmental conservation organizations.*

Objectives:

a\) Estimate current or historic population levels, using the best
available data subject to analysis and revision (e.g., area surveys,
International Shorebird Survey, CBC data).

b)  Maintain or enhance shorebird populations, both abundance and
    species diversity, and monitor populations through reliable and
    cost-effective techniques.

c)  Develop and implement research priorities to create management and
    protection strategies.

# 4. Habitat Goals, Objectives and Management Needs

*Habitat Goal: Protect and manage sufficient area of high priority
habitats to support current populations of breeding, migrating, and
wintering shorebirds.*

## A) Habitat Objectives:

[Highest priority]{.underline}

-   Identify and manage sufficient breeding habitat (beachfront) for
    PIPL, AMOY. Requires strict protection of known sites, as well as
    enhancement/restoration of other sites.

-   Identify and manage foraging and roosting habitat (intertidal-mud)
    for WHIM, HUGO, REKN, SESA to maintain migration stopover integrity,
    by protecting and managing key concentration areas.

-   Provide foraging and roosting habitat (intertidal-marsh) for WHIM
    through protection and management at key sites.

-   Identify and manage sufficient foraging and roosting habitat
    (intertidal complexes and impoundments) to maintain and enhance
    regional populations important in the region, for species with
    overlapping requirements (RUTU, SESA, SBDO, SAND, DUNL, BBPL, WRSA).

[High Priority]{.underline}

-   Identify and manage breeding and foraging habitat (intertidal-marsh)
    for WILL throughout the region.

-   Identify and manage inland habitats for UPSA, BBSA, and AMWO.

-   Protect and enhance inland and migratory concentration areas for
    AMWO.

-   Identify and protect offshore staging sites for RNPH.

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-   Acquire land through partnerships to protect and manage habitat that
    benefits shorebirds, rare species, waterfowl and migrant land birds.

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-   Identify and protect sufficient winter habitat for PUSA, including
    rock jetties and shorelines.

[Moderate Priority]{.underline}

-   Identify and manage sufficient breeding habitat (beachfront) for
    WIPL. Requires strict protection of known sites, as well as
    enhancement/restoration of other sites.

We categorized habitats used by shorebirds into five main types, listed
below, and specified the major uses of each of these habitats by
shorebirds (breeding=B, foraging=F, and roosting=R). How shorebirds use
these habitats will help define management approaches and priorities.

Habitat types used by shorebirds in the N.A. region:

[Beach Front]{.underline}

> High energy beach fronts (F,B)
>
> Sandy flats (*e.g.*, inlet interfaces at low tide) (F)
>
> Rock jetties and groins (F,R)
>
> High beach and dunes (B,F,R)

[Intertidal \-- non-vegetated]{.underline}

> Muddy flats (F)
>
> Muddy banks (F)

[Intertidal \-- vegetated]{.underline}

> Brackish and saline marshes (F,R)
>
> Salt pannes (B,F,R)

[Managed wetlands]{.underline}

> Impoundments (B,F,R)
>
> Dredged material (B,F,R)

[Inland habitats]{.underline}

> Airports, sod farms, pastures, agricultural fields (B,F,R)
>
> Forested wetlands and peninsulas (F,R)
>
> Riparian, floodplain and lake shoreline (F)

We identified significant areas for shorebirds in the region (Table 5),
known to support significant numbers of shorebirds in breeding,
migrating, or foraging/roosting periods.

For purposes of this planning document we estimated habitat acreage,
condition (and/or management issues) and ownership for each habitat type
(Tables 6 and 7). However, many state biologists expressed concern with
their estimates (or did not make them at all) because they lack a
sufficient foundation of data. For many participants in the working
group meetings, habitat delineation and assessing condition and
ownership were high priority research needs. Thus, goals specific to
acreage for habitat acquisition or management will not be available
until an adequate inventory of habitats is conducted.

## B) Management Objectives:

[Highest priority]{.underline}

-   Protect food resources by a) identifying food sources and habitat
    requirements, b) developing better understanding of invertebrate
    management, c) ranking habitats.

-   Control disturbance through a) landowner outreach, b) visitor
    management \[education, controlling access, providing viewing
    platforms, etc.\], c) controlling recreational disturbance \[from
    PWC, ATV, beachgoers, dogs, etc.\] by regulations and area
    closures, d) new regulations where necessary.

-   Reduce predation by a) habitat manipulation, b) predator control
    (fox, raccoon, crows, gulls, etc.) on a site-specific basis where
    needed.

-   Work with regulatory agencies, researchers, and commissions to
    establish and maintain adequate and ecologically healthy population
    levels of horseshoe crabs in the mid-Atlantic region.

[High priority]{.underline}

-   Plan for oil spill response: a) do planning and simulations, b)
    monitor/quantify habitat and food resources prior to spill as
    preparation for quantifying the direct and indirect effects of
    spills, c) post-spill surveys to accurately quantify spill damages.

-   Coordinate management among public lands, especially management of
    impoundments among states/refuges.

[Moderate priority]{.underline}

-   Influence dredged material management: a) placement and quality of
    dredged material, b) management of dredged material and water, c)
    reduce availability of contaminants at dredged material habitats.

-   Identify key areas for Phragmites control in the region and target
    priority areas.

-   Train land managers to manage habitat for shorebirds by increasing
    the number of Manomet habitat management workshops.

# 5. Management Coordination and Monitoring Needs 

We determined there are significant needs in this area. Specifically,
the region needs coordinated monitoring protocol that will help measure
current population levels, and set the basis for population trend
analysis. Monitoring procedures should make the best use of existing
survey efforts wherever they occur, such as spring surveys and banding
in Delaware Bay.

***Goal**: Establish regional protocol for monitoring shorebird
populations that is adaptable for continuing long-term monitoring.*

> Existing monitoring includes: Delaware Bay spring migration, ISS
> (spring and fall), Delaware Bay banding, Breeding Bird Surveys
> (uplands), Breeding Bird Atlases (breeding species), Refuge surveys.
>
> [Currently recommended monitoring:]{.underline}
>
> a\. Spring migration aerial surveys at all important areas, including
> beach and marsh, along specific survey routes to provide an index
> measure. Fall surveys focusing on marsh use. All surveys should be
> designed to be statistically robust.
>
> b\. Surveys of impoundments - spring and fall, ground-based.

c.  Either a new winter beach survey (aerial) or use of Christmas Bird
    Count (CBC) data for analysis of trends of wintering populations.

> d\. Breeding shorebird surveys. Assess adequacy of Breeding Bird
> Survey (BBS) and/or Breeding Bird Atlases (BBA). We recommend that
> this be done on a national level, with regional results.
>
> e\. Develop and implement monitoring of significant prey populations
> in selected areas.

***Goal:** Coordinate management of impounded wetlands in the region to
accommodate maximum use by migrating shorebirds, waterfowl and wading
birds, through appropriate water management.*

> a\. Create management partnerships among different agencies and groups
> to enhance habitat and improve management.
>
> b\. Coordinate management among public lands: a) establish unified
> timing for management, and b) coordinate management of impoundments
> among states/refuges.
>
> c\. Train land managers to manage habitat for shorebirds by increasing
> the number of Manomet habitat management workshops, and training
> managers to identify and survey shorebirds and control disturbance.

[Coordinating personnel, by area and state (preliminary):]{.underline}

> Delaware Bay, NJ and DE: Niles, Clark, Doolittle
>
> Virginia Coastal Marshes and Barrier Islands (including Assateague):
> D. Schwab
>
> Plymouth Beach, MA: S. Melvin
>
> Plum Island/Merrimac River, MA: C. Hayes
>
> Crane Beach, MA: S. Melvin
>
> Third Cliff (Scituate), MA: S. Melvin
>
> Sandy Neck (Barnstable), MA: S. Melvin
>
> Monomoy NWR/South Beach, MA: S. Melvin, Refuge staff
>
> Nauset Marsh (Eastham), MA: S. Melvin
>
> Norton Point Beach (Edgartown), MA: S. Melvin
>
> Smith Point (Nantucket), MA: S. Melvin
>
> Long Island Atlantic Coast (and Jamaica Bay): B. Miller, H. Knoch,
> Refuge staff
>
> Ripley Neck, ME: L. Tudor
>
> Forsythe NWR, Brigantine, NJ: Refuge staff
>
> Craney Island, VA: D. Schwab
>
> Mainland Coastal VA: D. Schwab
>
> Atlantic Coastal Salt Marshes (Northeastern MA south to VA): State and
> USFWS staff
>
> Southern Maine coastal marshes (L. Tudor)
>
> Cape May Peninsula (see Woodcock plan): C. Hayes, L. Niles, NJ State
> staff
>
> Delmarva Peninsula uplands (see Woodcock plan): C. Hayes, DE State
> staff
>
> Block Island (see Woodcock plan): C. Hayes, C. Raithel
>
> Moosehorn NWR (see Woodcock plan): C. Hayes, ME State staff
>
> Short grasslands (UPSA \[B\], BBSA \[M\]): State staff, private
> landowners
>
> Atlantic Coastal Beaches (PIPL \[B\], SAND \[M,W\]): Defer to PIPL
> Recovery Plan
>
> Lake Champlain, Lake Memphemagog, VT (J. Gobeille)
>
> Connecticut River, VT (J. Gobeille)

# 6. Research Goals

Research is needed to effectively carry out the objectives of habitat
protection and management in the region:

-   Identify prey resources in significant shorebird areas such as
    stopovers and staging areas, and determine optimal management
    techniques to promote these resources;

-   Determine the effects of environmental contaminants on shorebirds
    and their prey;

-   Determine prey resources in impoundments, and optimal management for
    both prey populations and shorebird/waterbird management;

-   Determine the effects of disturbance and minimum protection buffers
    to maintain and enhance shorebird habitat use of foraging and
    roosting areas;

-   Determine the effects of aquaculture (lobster pounds, salmon pens,
    hard clam, etc.) on shorebird foraging habitats and shorebird
    habitat use, and identify needs for regulatory restrictions on these
    developments if necessary.

-   Determine length of stay (turnover rates) at stopovers areas to
    allow population estimations.

-   Determine limiting factors for priority shorebirds on breeding,
    migrating or wintering areas.

-   Determine energetic and nutritional requirements of shorebirds.

# 7. Education Goals 

The WASA (Western Atlantic Shorebird Association) initiative,
coordinated by NOAA and USFWS, may meet region-wide education goals
beyond on-site outreach needs. WASA includes a web site for
shorebird-based education interests on the Atlantic Coast
(www.vex.net/\~hopscotc/shorebirds/). The web site allows tracking of
migration routes of priority shorebirds such as Red Knot, Ruddy
Turnstones and Sanderlings in the hemisphere, which can be accessed by
students. Researchers and selected individuals can contribute data on
flocks and banded birds. The web site would allow for multiple
educational uses that involve students, classrooms, refuge managers and
researchers, and may prove useful for a central point of data
accessibility. There should be full coordination of efforts with the
Sister Schools (sponsored by USFWS in the Pacific Flyway) and other
educational initiatives.

On-site outreach is necessary at shorebird concentration areas (both
migratory and breeding sites), to minimize impacts of wildlife watchers
and recreational visitors. Sites where disturbance is an issue are prime
areas for outreach and education efforts.

# 8. Funding Needs for Regional Goals (by State and Area)

Within each significant area, management and habitat needs and
priorities were identified that are known needs in those areas. Each
area representative estimated costs to accomplish those tasks on an
annual or task basis. *More areas will be included as they are
considered necessary by group members or reviewers.* The table of
\"significant areas\" and costs is included in Appendix B.

# 9. Recognition of individuals and organizations who contributed to the regional report.

Stephen Brown, Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences, Manomet, MA

Kathleen Clark, NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife, Endangered Species
Program, Woodbine, NJ

Jim Corven, Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences, Manomet, MA

Steve Eisenhauer, Natural Lands Trust, Fortescue, NJ

Lisa Gelvin-Innvaer (formerly with) DE Division of Fish and Wildlife,
Dover, DE

John Gobeille, VT Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, Pittsford, VT

Chuck Hayes, Atlantic Coast Joint Venture, Charlestown, RI

John Kanter, NH Fish and Game

Scott Melvin, MA Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Westborough, MA.

Bob Miller, NY Dept. of Environmental Conservation

Larry Niles, NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife, Endangered Species
Program, Trenton, NJ

Chris Raithel, RI Division of Fish and Wildlife, West Kingston, RI

Ken Rosenberg, Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY

Dan Rosenblatt, NY Dept. of Environmental Conservation (Stony Brook)

Don Schwab, VA Dept of Game and Inland Fisheries, Suffolk, VA

Barry Truitt, The Nature Conservancy, Nassawadox, VA

Lindsay Tudor, ME Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Bangor, ME

Joan Walsh, NJ Audubon Society, Cape May Court House, NJ

Table 1. Species priority list based on national scoring, and priority
in the Northern Atlantic.

  ------------------ ------------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------------- ---------------- ------------ -- --
                     **National                                                 **National**   **Atlantic**     **Flyway**      
                     Scores**^a^                                                                                                

  **Species**        **PT**        **RA**   **TB**   **TN**   **BD**   **ND**   **Priority**   **N.             **Reg.          
                                                                                               Atlantic.**^b^   Pr.**^c^        

  Piping Plover      5             5        5        4        4        4        5              m,**B**                          

  Eskimo Curlew      5             5        3        4        5        5        5              **M**                            

  American           3             5        4        4        3        4        4              **B**            5               
  Oystercatcher                                                                                                                 

  Whimbrel           5             4        2        2        3        2        4              **M**            5               

  Red Knot           5             2        2        4        3        3        4              **M**            5               

  American Woodcock  5             1        4        3        2        3        4              **M,**W**,B**    5               

  American           4             3        2        4        2        3        4              m                                
  Golden-Plover                                                                                                                 

  Wilson\'s Plover   3             4        4        4        4        3        4              b                                

  Hudsonian Godwit   3             4        3        4        4        4        4              M                                

  Marbled Godwit     4             3        4        4        3        3        4              m                                

  Ruddy Turnstone    4             3        2        4        2        2        4              **M**,w                          

  Sanderling         5             2        2        4        2        1        4              **M**,w                          

  Buff-breasted      4             4        3        4        3        4        4              M                                
  Sandpiper                                                                                                                     

  Upland Sandpiper   2(5)          2        2        4        2        3        2              m,b              4               

  Greater Yellowlegs 3             4        2        2        2        1        3              M                4               

  Willet             3             3        3        3        3        3        3              M,**B**,w        4               

  Semipalmated       5             1        2        3        3        3        3              **M**            4               
  Sandpiper                                                                                                                     

  Wilson\'s          4             1        3        4        2        5        4              m                3               
  Phalarope                                                                                                                     

  Black-bellied      5             3        2        2        2        1        3              **M**,w                          
  Plover                                                                                                                        

  American Avocet    3             2        3        4        2        3        3              m                                

  Solitary Sandpiper 3             3        4        2        3        2        3              M                                

  Spotted Sandpiper  3             2        2        2        1        1        3              M,B                              

  Least Sandpiper    5             2        2        2        2        2        3              M                                

  Dunlin             5             1        2        3        2        3        3              **M**,W                          

  Stilt Sandpiper    3             3        3        4        3        3        3              m                                

  Short-billed       5             2        2        3        3        2        3              **M**                            
  Dowitcher                                                                                                                     

  Common Snipe       5             1        2        2        1        2        3              M,w,B                            

  Red-necked         4             1        2        3        1        3        3              **M**                            
  Phalarope                                                                                                                     

  Red Phalarope      4             1        2        3        2        1        3              M                                

  Purple Sandpiper   2             5        2        3        3        3        2              **W**            3               

  White-rumped       3             2        2        2        3        3        2              **M**            3               
  Sandpiper                                                                                                                     

  Killdeer           5             1        3        3        1        2        3              m,w,B            2               

  Western Sandpiper  3             1        2        4        4        2        3              M                2               

  Semipalmated       3             3        2        2        1        1        2              **M**                            
  Plover                                                                                                                        

  Lesser Yellowlegs  3             2        2        3        2        1        2              M                                

  Baird\'s Sandpiper 3             2        2        2        3        3        2              m                                

  Pectoral Sandpiper 3             2        2        2        2        3        2              m                                

  Long-billed        2             2        2        3        4        3        2              m                                
  Dowitcher                                                                                                                     

  ^a^ Nat. Priority                                                                                                             
  Variables: PT=Pop                                                                                                             
  Trend; RA=Relative                                                                                                            
  Abundance;                                                                                                                    
  TB=Threats in                                                                                                                 
  Breeding season;                                                                                                              
  TN=Threats in                                                                                                                 
  Non-breeding                                                                                                                  
  season;                                                                                                                       
  BD=Breeding                                                                                                                   
  Distribution;                                                                                                                 
  ND=Non-breeding                                                                                                               
  Distribution                                                                                                                  

  ^b^ Code: B =                                                                                                                 
  breeding, M =                                                                                                                 
  migration, and W =                                                                                                            
  wintering.                                                                                                                    
  **B,M,W** = high                                                                                                              
  concentrations,                                                                                                               
  region extremely                                                                                                              
  important to the                                                                                                              
  species relative                                                                                                              
  to the majority of                                                                                                            
  other regions.                                                                                                                
  B,M,W = common or                                                                                                             
  locally abundant,                                                                                                             
  region important                                                                                                              
  to the species.                                                                                                               
  b,m,w = uncommon                                                                                                              
  to fairly common,                                                                                                             
  region within                                                                                                                 
  species range but                                                                                                             
  occurs in low                                                                                                                 
  relative abundance                                                                                                            
  relative to other                                                                                                             
  regions.                                                                                                                      

  ^c^ Reg. Pr. =                                                                                                                
  Regional Priority,                                                                                                            
  if different from                                                                                                             
  national.                                                                                                                     
  ------------------ ------------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------------- ---------------- ------------ -- --

Table 2. Preliminary list of priority species by guild-group, for the
North Atlantic planning region.

> SPECIES (and Seasons of Occurrence^b^)

  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  PRIORITY        TERR/AQUA   TERR/AQUA         AQUA/TERR   AQUA      AQUA GLEANERS AQUA        PROBERS/
  LEVEL^a^        GLEANERS    GLEANERS/ PROBERS PROBERS/    PROBERS                 GLEANERS/   PRIERS
                                                GLEANERS                            SWEEPERS    
  --------------- ----------- ----------------- ----------- --------- ------------- ----------- ----------
  High (5)        PIPL        ESCU (**M**)      REKN                                            AMOY (B)
                  (**B,** m)                    (**M**)                                         

                              WHIM (**M**)                                                      

                              AMWO                                                              
                              (**B**,W,**M**)                                                   

                                                                                                

  Moderate-High   WIPL (b)    RUTU (**M**,w)                MAGO (m)  GRYE (M)                  
  (4)                                                                                           

                  AGPL (m)    UPSA (m,b)        SAND                  WILL                      
                                                (**M**, w)            (m,w,**B**)               

                              HUGO (M)          BBSA (m)                                        

                                                                                                

  Moderate (3)    BBPL        SPSA (M,B)        SESA                  SOSA (M)      AMAV (m)    
                  (**M**,w)                     (**M**)                                         

                  KILL        PUSA (**W**)      SBDO                                RNPH        
                  (m,w,B)                       (**M**)                             (**M**)     

                                                WRSA                                REPH (M)    
                                                (**M**)                                         

                                                LESA (M)                            WIPH (m)    

                                                DUNL                                            
                                                (**M**,W)                                       

                                                STSA (m)                                        

                                                COSN                                            
                                                (M,w,B)                                         

                                                                                                

  Moderate-Low    SEPL                          WESA (m)              LEYE (M)                  
  (2)             (**M**)                                                                       

                                                BASA (m)                                        

                                                PESA (m)                                        

                                                LBDO (m)                                        
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

^a^ See Table 1 for actual scores for priority criteria.

^b^ B=breeding, W=winter, M=migration; when bold considered very
important to species, lower case present but not in high numbers.

[Species codes as follows]{.underline}:

BBPL=Black-bellied Plover LBCU=Long-billed Curlew PESA=Pectoral
Sandpiper HUGO=Hudsonian Godwit PUSA=Purple Sandpiper

AMGP=American Golden Plover SAND=Sanderling STSA=Stilt Sandpiper
MAGO=Marbled Godwit AMAV=American Avocet

WIPL=Wilson's Plover SESP=Semipalmated Sandpiper DUNL=Dunlin
GRYE=Greater Yellowlegs WIPH=Wilson's Phalarope

SEPL=Semipalmated Plover WESA=Western Sandpiper SBDO=Short-billed
Dowitcher LEYE=Lesser Yellowlegs RNPH=Red-necked Phalarope

PIPL=Piping Plover LESA=Least Sandpiper LBDO=Long-billed Dowitcher
SOSA=Solitary Sandpiper REPH=Red Phalarope

KILL=Killdeer WRSA=White-rumped Sandpiper COSN=Common Snipe WILL=Willet
AMOY=Am. Oystercatcher

WHIM=Whimbrel BASA=Baird's Sandpiper BBSA=Buff-breasted Sandpiper
RUTU=Ruddy Turnstone AMWO=Am. Woodcock REKN=Red Knot UPSA=Upland
Sandpiper SPSA=Spotted Sandpiper

Table 3. Estimated shorebird numbers (and % of Hemispheric population)
in the North Atlantic region, from peak counts and survey data.

+----------+-------+--------+-----+-------+--------------+-----------+
| **S      | *     | **     | **% | **Sea | **Site**     | **        |
| pecies** | *Esti | Region | in  | son** |              | Habitat** |
|          | mated | Peak   | Re  |       |              |           |
|          | Hemis | Co     | gio |       |              |           |
|          | phere | unts** | n** |       |              |           |
|          | Popul |        |     |       |              |           |
|          | ation |        |     |       |              |           |
|          | ^a^** |        |     |       |              |           |
+==========+=======+========+=====+=======+==============+===========+
| Piping   | 6,000 | 2,270  | 38% | Bre   | Coastal ME   | Beach     |
| Plover   |       |        |     | eding | to no. VA    |           |
+----------+-------+--------+-----+-------+--------------+-----------+
| Eskimo   | ?     |        |     |       |              |           |
| Curlew   |       |        |     |       |              |           |
+----------+-------+--------+-----+-------+--------------+-----------+
| American | 15    | 500    | \   | Fall  | NY           | Inland    |
| Golden   | 0,000 | (1970) | <1% |       |              |           |
| Plover   |       |        |     |       |              |           |
+----------+-------+--------+-----+-------+--------------+-----------+
| W        | 3     |        |     |       |              |           |
| ilson\'s | 0,000 |        |     |       |              |           |
| Plover   |       |        |     |       |              |           |
+----------+-------+--------+-----+-------+--------------+-----------+
| American | 3,200 |        |     |       |              |           |
| Oyste    |       |        |     |       |              |           |
| rcatcher |       |        |     |       |              |           |
+----------+-------+--------+-----+-------+--------------+-----------+
| Whimbrel | 5     | 41,000 | 82% | S     | VA Barrier   | Mudflat   |
|          | 0,000 | (1995) |     | pring | Islands ^e^  |           |
+----------+-------+--------+-----+-------+--------------+-----------+
| H        | 45,5  |        |     |       |              |           |
| udsonian | 00^b^ |        |     |       |              |           |
| Godwit   |       |        |     |       |              |           |
+----------+-------+--------+-----+-------+--------------+-----------+
| Marbled  | 16    |        |     |       |              |           |
| Godwit   | 0,000 |        |     |       |              |           |
+----------+-------+--------+-----+-------+--------------+-----------+
| Ruddy    | 23    | 1      | 54% | S     | Delaware Bay | Beach     |
| T        | 5,000 | 27,600 |     | pring | (NJ & DE)    |           |
| urnstone |       | (1999) |     |       | ^d^          |           |
+----------+-------+--------+-----+-------+--------------+-----------+
| Red Knot | 85,0  | 94,460 | 1   | S     | Delaware Bay | Beach     |
|          | 00^c^ | (1989) | 00% | pring | (NJ & DE)    |           |
|          |       |        |     |       |              | Beach     |
|          |       | 8,955  | 11% | S     | VA Barrier   |           |
|          |       | (1996) |     | pring | Islands ^e^  |           |
+----------+-------+--------+-----+-------+--------------+-----------+
| Sa       | 20    | 33,800 | 17% | S     | Delaware Bay | Beach     |
| nderling | 0,000 | (1986) |     | pring | (NJ & DE)    |           |
|          |       |        | 2%  |       |              | Beach     |
|          |       | 3,971  |     | S     | VA Barrier   |           |
|          |       | (1995) |     | pring | Islands      |           |
+----------+-------+--------+-----+-------+--------------+-----------+
| Buff-    | 2     | 89     | \   | Fall  | NJ           |           |
| breasted | 5,000 | (1995) | <1% |       |              |           |
| S        |       |        |     |       |              |           |
| andpiper |       |        |     |       |              |           |
+----------+-------+--------+-----+-------+--------------+-----------+
| American |       |        |     |       |              |           |
| Woodcock |       |        |     |       |              |           |
+----------+-------+--------+-----+-------+--------------+-----------+
| W        | 1,50  |        |     |       |              |           |
| ilson\'s | 0,000 |        |     |       |              |           |
| P        |       |        |     |       |              |           |
| halarope |       |        |     |       |              |           |
+----------+-------+--------+-----+-------+--------------+-----------+
| Black    | 12    | 25,000 | 21% | S     | VA Barrier   | Mudflat   |
| -bellied | 0,000 | (1994) |     | pring | Islands ^e^  |           |
| Plover   |       |        |     |       |              |           |
+----------+-------+--------+-----+-------+--------------+-----------+
| Killdeer | 2,00  |        |     |       |              |           |
|          | 0,000 |        |     |       |              |           |
|          | ^f^   |        |     |       |              |           |
+----------+-------+--------+-----+-------+--------------+-----------+
| American | 45    |        |     |       |              |           |
| Avocet   | 0,000 |        |     |       |              |           |
+----------+-------+--------+-----+-------+--------------+-----------+
| Greater  | 12    | 3000   | 2%  | Fall  | Forsythe NWR | Mudflat   |
| Ye       | 4,000 | (1997) |     |       | (NJ)         |           |
| llowlegs |       |        |     |       |              |           |
+----------+-------+--------+-----+-------+--------------+-----------+
| Solitary | 18    |        |     |       |              |           |
| S        | 4,000 |        |     |       |              |           |
| andpiper | ^f^   |        |     |       |              |           |
+----------+-------+--------+-----+-------+--------------+-----------+
| Willet   | 25    | 1000   | \   | Fall  | Forsythe NWR | Beach     |
|          | 0,000 | (1979) | <1% |       | (NJ)         |           |
+----------+-------+--------+-----+-------+--------------+-----------+
| Spotted  | 65    |        |     |       |              |           |
| S        | 0,000 |        |     |       |              |           |
| andpiper | ^f^   |        |     |       |              |           |
+----------+-------+--------+-----+-------+--------------+-----------+
| Semi     | 1,    | 2      | 17% | S     | Delaware Bay | Beach     |
| palmated | 600,0 | 67,300 |     | pring | (NJ & DE)    |           |
| S        | 00^b^ | (1986) | 3%  |       |              | I         |
| andpiper |       |        |     | Fall  | ME Coast     | ntertidal |
|          |       | 53950  | 3%  |       |              |           |
|          |       | (1994) |     | S     | VA Barrier   | Mudflat   |
|          |       |        |     | pring | Islands      |           |
|          |       | 49,000 |     |       |              |           |
|          |       | (1994) |     |       |              |           |
+----------+-------+--------+-----+-------+--------------+-----------+
| Western  | 4,00  | 2,500  | \   | Fall  | Forsythe NWR | Mudflat   |
| S        | 0,000 | (1975) | <1% |       | (NJ)         |           |
| andpiper |       |        |     |       |              |           |
+----------+-------+--------+-----+-------+--------------+-----------+
| Least    | 60    | 6,000  | 1%  | Fall  | Forsythe NWR | Mudflat   |
| S        | 0,000 | (1992) |     |       | (NJ)         |           |
| andpiper |       |        |     |       |              |           |
+----------+-------+--------+-----+-------+--------------+-----------+
| Dunlin   | 1,00  | 31,350 | 3%  | S     | Delaware Bay | Beach     |
|          | 0,000 | (1999) |     | pring | (NJ & DE)    |           |
|          |       |        | 8%  |       |              | Mudflat   |
|          |       | 83,000 |     | S     | VA Barrier   |           |
|          |       | (1994) |     | pring | Islands      |           |
+----------+-------+--------+-----+-------+--------------+-----------+
| Stilt    | 20    | 465    | \   | Fall  | Forsythe NWR |           |
| S        | 0,000 | (1981) | <1% |       | (NJ)         |           |
| andpiper |       |        |     |       |              |           |
+----------+-------+--------+-----+-------+--------------+-----------+
| Shor     | 30    | 11,400 | 4%  | S     | Delaware Bay | Beach     |
| t-billed | 0,000 | (1999) |     | pring | (NJ & DE)    |           |
| D        |       |        | 16% |       |              | Mudflat   |
| owitcher |       | 48,000 |     | S     | VA Barrier   |           |
|          |       | (1994) |     | pring | Islands      |           |
+----------+-------+--------+-----+-------+--------------+-----------+
| Common   | 1,40  |        |     |       |              |           |
| Snipe    | 0,000 |        |     |       |              |           |
+----------+-------+--------+-----+-------+--------------+-----------+
| Re       | 2,50  | 10,000 | \   | Fall  | MA Coast     | Offshore  |
| d-necked | 0,000 | (1963) | <1% |       |              |           |
| P        |       |        |     | Fall  | ME Coast     | Offshore  |
| halarope |       | \      | \   |       | (early       |           |
|          |       | <2,000 | <1% |       | accounts of  |           |
|          |       | (1990) |     |       | \>1,000,000) |           |
+----------+-------+--------+-----+-------+--------------+-----------+
| Red      | 1,00  |        |     |       |              |           |
| P        | 0,000 |        |     |       |              |           |
| halarope |       |        |     |       |              |           |
+----------+-------+--------+-----+-------+--------------+-----------+
| Semi     | 15    | 8,082  | 5%  | Fall  | ME Coast     | Beach     |
| palmated | 0,000 | (1994) |     |       |              |           |
| Plover   |       |        |     |       |              |           |
+----------+-------+--------+-----+-------+--------------+-----------+
| Lesser   | 74    | 4,000  | \   | Fall  | MA Coast     | Beach     |
| Ye       | 4,000 | (1947) | <1% |       |              |           |
| llowlegs |       |        |     | Fall  | ME Coast     | Beach     |
|          |       | 1,500  | \   |       |              |           |
|          |       | (1994) | <1% |       |              |           |
+----------+-------+--------+-----+-------+--------------+-----------+
| Upland   | 40    | 300    | 2%  | Bre   | ME           | Agr       |
| S        | 0,000 | (1998) |     | eding |              | icultural |
| andpiper | ^f^   |        |     |       |              | fields    |
+----------+-------+--------+-----+-------+--------------+-----------+
| Whit     | 50    | 1,115  | \   | Fall  | ME Coast     | Beach     |
| e-rumped | 0,000 | (1994) | <1% |       |              |           |
| S        |       |        |     | Fall  | Long Island, | Beach     |
| andpiper |       | 1,000  | \   |       | NY Coast     |           |
|          |       | (1990) | <1% |       |              |           |
+----------+-------+--------+-----+-------+--------------+-----------+
| Baird\'s | 30    |        |     |       |              |           |
| S        | 0,000 |        |     |       |              |           |
| andpiper |       |        |     |       |              |           |
+----------+-------+--------+-----+-------+--------------+-----------+
| Pectoral | 45    | 620    | \   | S     | Inland NJ    | Marsh     |
| S        | 0,000 | (1986) | <1% | pring |              |           |
| andpiper |       |        |     |       |              |           |
+----------+-------+--------+-----+-------+--------------+-----------+
| Purple   | 1     |        |     |       |              |           |
| S        | 6,000 |        |     |       |              |           |
| andpiper |       |        |     |       |              |           |
+----------+-------+--------+-----+-------+--------------+-----------+
| Lon      | 50    | 1,000  | \   | Fall  | Forsythe NWR | Mudflat   |
| g-billed | 0,000 | (1993) | <1% |       | (NJ)         |           |
| D        |       |        |     |       |              |           |
| owitcher |       |        |     |       |              |           |
+----------+-------+--------+-----+-------+--------------+-----------+

^a^ Estimates taken from Hunter et al., 1999, Southeastern Region
Shorebird Habitat Plan, unless otherwise noted.

^b^ Morrison and Ross (1989).

^c^ Baker (unpubl. data)

^d^ Clark and Niles (unpubl. data)

^e^ Watts and Truitt (unpubl. data)

^f^ Rosenberg (BBS data)

Table 4. Priority 5, 4, and 3 shorebirds by habitat, with national and
regional scoring and type of habitat use, in the North Atlantic region.
Boldface indicates \"focal species\" for the habitat type.

  ------------------ ---------------------- ------------ ------------ --------------- -----------
  **Habitat**        **Species**            **National   **No.        **Season**      **Habitat
                                            Priority**   Atlantic                     Use**
                                                         Regional                     
                                                         Priority**                   
                                                         (if                          
                                                         different)                   

  Beachfront         **Piping Plover**      5                         m,**B**         B

                     **American             4            5            **B**           B
                     Oystercatcher**                                                  

                     **Red Knot**           4            5            **M**           F,R

                     Wilson\'s Plover       4                         b               B

                     Ruddy Turnstone        4                         **M**,w         F,R

                     **Sanderling**         4                         **M**,w         F,R,W

                     **Purple Sandpiper**   2            3            **W**           F,W
                     (rocky beach)                                                    

  Intertidal-Mud     **Whimbrel**           4            5            **M**           F

                     Eskimo Curlew          5                         **M**           F

                     Red Knot               4            5            **M**           F,R

                     **Hudsonian Godwit**   4                         M               F,R

                     American Golden-Plover 4                         m               F

                     Marbled Godwit         4                         m               F

                     Greater Yellowlegs     3            4            M               F

                     **Semipalmated         3            4            **M**           F,R
                     Sandpiper**                                                      

                     Black-bellied Plover   3                         **M**,w         F,W

                     Least Sandpiper        3                         M               F

                     Dunlin                 3                         **M**,W         F,W

                     Stilt Sandpiper        3                         m               F

                     Short-billed Dowitcher 3                         **M**           F

                     White-rumped Sandpiper 2            3            **M**           F

  Intertidal-Marsh   **Whimbrel**           4            5            **M**           F,R

                     Greater Yellowlegs     3            4            M               F,R

                     **Willet**             3            4            M,**B**,w       B,F,R

                     Black-bellied Plover   3                         **M**,w         F,R,W

                     American Avocet        3                         m               F

                     Common Snipe           3                         M,w,B           F,B

  Inland             **American Woodcock**  4            5            **B**,W,**M**   B,F,R

                     American Golden-Plover 4                         m               F,R

                     **Buff-breasted        4                         M               F,R
                     Sandpiper**                                                      

                     **Upland Sandpiper**   2            4            m,b             F,R

                     Wilson\'s Phalarope    4            3            m               F,R

                     Solitary Sandpiper     3                         M               F

                     Spotted Sandpiper      3                         M,B             F,B

  Offshore-Pelagic   **Red-necked           3                         **M**           F
                     Phalarope**                                                      

                     Red Phalarope          3                         M               F
  ------------------ ---------------------- ------------ ------------ --------------- -----------

Table 5. Significant areas for shorebirds within the Northern Atlantic
region.

[Virginia]{.underline}

Virginia Coastal Marshes and Mudflats

Virginia Barrier Islands (including Assateague)

Craney Island, VA

Mainland Coastal VA

\*Delmarva Peninsula (uplands)

[Maryland]{.underline}

Atlantic Coastal Salt Marshes

Atlantic Coastal Beaches

\*Delmarva Peninsula (uplands)

[Delaware]{.underline}

Delaware Bay

Atlantic Coastal Salt Marshes

Atlantic Coastal Beaches

\*Delmarva Peninsula (uplands)

[New Jersey]{.underline}

Delaware Bay

Forsythe NWR, Brigantine, NJ

Atlantic Coastal Salt Marshes

Atlantic Coastal Beaches

\*Cape May Peninsula (uplands)

[Pennsylvania]{.underline}

[New York]{.underline}

Long Island Atlantic Coast (and Jamaica Bay)

Atlantic Coastal Salt Marshes

Atlantic Coastal Beaches

[Connecticut]{.underline}

Atlantic Coastal Salt Marshes

Atlantic Coastal Beaches

[Rhode Island]{.underline}

Atlantic Coastal Salt Marshes

Atlantic Coastal Beaches

\*Block Island (uplands)

[Vermont]{.underline}

Lakes Champlain and Memphremagog

Connecticut River

[New Hampshire]{.underline}

Gulf of Maine Coastal Marshes

Great Bay Estuary

Isles of Shoals

Inland impoundments; Inland airports, sod farms, pastures

Atlantic Coastal Beaches

[Massachusetts]{.underline}

Plymouth Beach / Monomoy, MA

Plum Island, MA

Atlantic Coastal Salt Marshes

Atlantic Coastal Beaches

[Maine]{.underline}

Down East Intertidal Mudflats

Gulf of Maine coastal marshes

Atlantic Coastal Beaches

\*Moosehorn NWR (uplands)

\*Other plans exist for woodcock and piping plover that should be
reviewed for a) consistency of goals and priorities, b) considering
additions to benefit shorebirds, c) additional shorebird emphasis that
may attract additional funding.

Table 6. Estimated acreage of major habitat types, and condition issues,
in the North Atlantic region, by state.

<table>
<colgroup>
<col style="width: 17%" />
<col style="width: 4%" />
<col style="width: 3%" />
<col style="width: 2%" />
<col style="width: 2%" />
<col style="width: 2%" />
<col style="width: 2%" />
<col style="width: 4%" />
<col style="width: 2%" />
<col style="width: 3%" />
<col style="width: 2%" />
<col style="width: 2%" />
<col style="width: 2%" />
<col style="width: 4%" />
<col style="width: 3%" />
<col style="width: 4%" />
<col style="width: 2%" />
<col style="width: 4%" />
<col style="width: 2%" />
<col style="width: 4%" />
<col style="width: 2%" />
<col style="width: 2%" />
<col style="width: 2%" />
<col style="width: 4%" />
<col style="width: 2%" />
<col style="width: 5%" />
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr class="odd">
<td>Habitat type</td>
<td><strong>ME</strong></td>
<td>Con*</td>
<td><strong>NH</strong></td>
<td>Con</td>
<td><strong>VT</strong></td>
<td>Con</td>
<td><strong>MA</strong></td>
<td>Con</td>
<td><strong>RI</strong></td>
<td>Con</td>
<td><strong>CT</strong></td>
<td>Con</td>
<td><strong>NY</strong></td>
<td>Con</td>
<td><strong>PA</strong></td>
<td>Con</td>
<td><strong>NJ</strong></td>
<td>Con</td>
<td><strong>DE</strong></td>
<td>Con</td>
<td><strong>MD</strong></td>
<td>Con</td>
<td><strong>VA**</strong></td>
<td>Con</td>
<td>Total by Habitat</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td><p>Beach Front</p>
<p>(high/low energy,</p>
<p>sandflats,</p>
<p>rocky beach)</p></td>
<td>38400</td>
<td>1, 2</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>26000</td>
<td></td>
<td>1852</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>37200</td>
<td>1,2,3</td>
<td>0</td>
<td></td>
<td>6872</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>120</td>
<td>2</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>2050</td>
<td></td>
<td>110,642</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td><p>Intertidal--non-vegetated</p>
<p>(mudflats, mud banks)</p></td>
<td>53760</td>
<td>1</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>44000</td>
<td></td>
<td>1536</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>800000</td>
<td></td>
<td>500</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>28060</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>3800</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>166000</td>
<td></td>
<td>1,096,120</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td><p>Intertidal--vegetated</p>
<p>(salt marshes)</p></td>
<td>19840</td>
<td>1</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>47000</td>
<td></td>
<td>2176</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>25100</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>1000</td>
<td>3,4</td>
<td>250000</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>34100</td>
<td>4</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>206000</td>
<td></td>
<td>583,040</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td><p>Managed wetlands</p>
<p>(impoundments, dredge)</p></td>
<td>0</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>na</td>
<td></td>
<td>na</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>600</td>
<td></td>
<td>500</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>1500</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>1030</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>5200</td>
<td></td>
<td>8,830</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td><p>Inland habitats</p>
<p>(airports, pastures)</p></td>
<td>31360</td>
<td>2</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>135000</td>
<td></td>
<td>4160</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>10000</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>500</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>50000</td>
<td>1,2</td>
<td>2400</td>
<td>1</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>2200</td>
<td></td>
<td>231,460</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

*\* Known Condition Issues:*

1\. Development threats

2\. Human disturbance/Alternate management

3\. Degraded-pollution, etc.

4\. Exotic vegetation

\*\* Figures for VA refer to seaside of VA Eastern Shore, not Ches Bay.

Table 7. Major habitat types and estimated public ownership (%) in the
North Atlantic region, by state.

<table>
<colgroup>
<col style="width: 14%" />
<col style="width: 3%" />
<col style="width: 3%" />
<col style="width: 2%" />
<col style="width: 2%" />
<col style="width: 2%" />
<col style="width: 2%" />
<col style="width: 3%" />
<col style="width: 2%" />
<col style="width: 2%" />
<col style="width: 2%" />
<col style="width: 2%" />
<col style="width: 2%" />
<col style="width: 4%" />
<col style="width: 2%" />
<col style="width: 3%" />
<col style="width: 2%" />
<col style="width: 3%" />
<col style="width: 2%" />
<col style="width: 3%" />
<col style="width: 2%" />
<col style="width: 2%" />
<col style="width: 2%" />
<col style="width: 3%" />
<col style="width: 2%" />
<col style="width: 4%" />
<col style="width: 2%" />
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr class="odd">
<td>Habitat types</td>
<td><strong>ME</strong></td>
<td>Own*</td>
<td><strong>NH</strong></td>
<td>Own</td>
<td><strong>VT</strong></td>
<td>Own</td>
<td><strong>MA</strong></td>
<td>Own</td>
<td><strong>RI</strong></td>
<td>Own</td>
<td><strong>CT</strong></td>
<td>Own</td>
<td><strong>NY</strong></td>
<td>Own</td>
<td><strong>PA</strong></td>
<td>Own</td>
<td><strong>NJ</strong></td>
<td>Own</td>
<td><strong>DE</strong></td>
<td>Own</td>
<td><strong>MD</strong></td>
<td>Own</td>
<td><strong>VA**</strong></td>
<td>Own</td>
<td>Acres Public</td>
<td>%</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td><p>Beach Front</p>
<p>(high/low energy,</p>
<p>sandflats, rocky beach)</p></td>
<td>38400</td>
<td>5</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>26000</td>
<td>unk.</td>
<td>1852</td>
<td>80</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>37200</td>
<td>20</td>
<td>0</td>
<td></td>
<td>6872</td>
<td>80</td>
<td>120</td>
<td>40</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>2050</td>
<td>93</td>
<td>16812</td>
<td>15</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td><p>Intertidal--non-vegetated</p>
<p>(mudflats, mud banks)</p></td>
<td>53760</td>
<td>5</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>44000</td>
<td>unk.</td>
<td>1536</td>
<td>99</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>800000</td>
<td>70</td>
<td>500</td>
<td>20</td>
<td>28060</td>
<td>80</td>
<td>3800</td>
<td>60</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>166000</td>
<td>80</td>
<td>720316</td>
<td>66</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td><p>Intertidal--vegetated</p>
<p>(salt marshes)</p></td>
<td>19840</td>
<td>45</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>47000</td>
<td>unk.</td>
<td>2176</td>
<td>99</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>25100</td>
<td>70</td>
<td>1000</td>
<td>90</td>
<td>250000</td>
<td>80</td>
<td>34100</td>
<td>60</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>206000</td>
<td>40</td>
<td>330258</td>
<td>57</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td><p>Managed wetlands</p>
<p>(impoundments,etc)</p></td>
<td>0</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>unk.</td>
<td>unk.</td>
<td>na.</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>600</td>
<td>100</td>
<td>500</td>
<td>80</td>
<td>1500</td>
<td>100</td>
<td>1030</td>
<td>90</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>5200</td>
<td>95</td>
<td>8367</td>
<td>95</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td><p>Inland habitats</p>
<p>(airports, pastures)</p></td>
<td>31360</td>
<td>0</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>135000</td>
<td>unk.</td>
<td>4160</td>
<td>100</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>10000</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>500</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>50000</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>2500</td>
<td>30</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>2200</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>5800</td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

\* Ownership: Estimated % in Public or Conservation ownership

\*\* Figures for VA refer to seaside of VA Eastern Shore, not Chesapeake
Bay

# Appendix A. Maps of two BCRs found in the North Atlantic region.

![](media/image2.png){width="4.3in" height="3.0in"}

![](media/image3.png){width="4.0in" height="3.6631944444444446in"}

**Bird Conservation Region 14: New England/Mid Atlantic Coast**

![](media/image8.png){width="7.5in" height="7.5in"}

**Bird Conservation Region 30: Atlantic Northern Forest**

![](media/image9.png){width="7.545138888888889in" height="10.0in"}

# Appendix B. Estimated costs for monitoring, management and research needs by area. 

**New Jersey and Delaware: Delaware Bay Niles, Clark, Gelvin-Innvaer,
Eisenhauer**

+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Long-term, statistically robust surveys of shorebirds   | 25,000 /yr |
| (by aircraft) on bay beaches                            |            |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Annual survey of horseshoe crabs and eggs in sediment   | 70,000 /yr |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Surveys of shorebirds in marshes and impoundments       | 50,000 /yr |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Annual banding / color-marking of shorebirds and        | 30,000 /yr |
| resighting surveys                                      |            |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Food resources: Maintain HSCrab eggs at or above 1990   | 150,000    |
| levels (including research and implementation)          | /yr        |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Control disturbance through on-site outreach and law    | 100,000    |
| enforcement                                             | /yr        |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Oil spill response - implement existing plan            | 200,000    |
|                                                         | /yr        |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Coordination -                                          |            |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| \- increase state land manager focus re: impoundments   | 100,000    |
|                                                         | /yr        |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| \- ID prey preferences of shorebirds, monitor invert    | 50,000 /yr |
| pops. and manage impoundments for optimal foraging      |            |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Land manager training & developing trainers             | 25,000 /yr |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Dredged material - Develop parameters for beach         | 80,000 /yr |
| replenishment with dredge for HSCrab and shorebirds     |            |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Acquisition - Identify priority lands                   | 20,000     |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| \- Land acquisition and easements                       | ?          |
|                                                         | (o         |
|                                                         | pen-ended) |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Phragmites control -                                    | 50,000 /yr |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| \- map and identify areas and target priorities         |            |
|                                                         |            |
| \- restore priority areas                               |            |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Predator control -                                      | 20,000 /yr |
|                                                         |            |
| \- liberalize regs for states to control                |            |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+

**Virginia: VA Coastal Marshes and Barrier Islands Schwab**

+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Acquisition                                             | 500,000    |
|                                                         | /yr        |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Easements and/or development rights                     | 200,000    |
|                                                         | /yr        |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Education/Outreach                                      | 30,000 /yr |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Surveys/Monitoring - Aerial survey annually             | 50,000     |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Research                                                | 260,000    |
|                                                         | /yr        |
| \- benthos / shorebird use / prey quality               |            |
|                                                         |            |
| \- breeding species                                     |            |
|                                                         |            |
| \- dredge material - disposal and use                   |            |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Disturbance                                             | 50,000 /yr |
|                                                         |            |
| \- signage                                              |            |
|                                                         |            |
| \- enforcement                                          |            |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Phragmites control                                      | 250,000/yr |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+

**Craney Island, VA Schwab**

+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Surveys / Monitoring                                    | 10,000 /yr |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Research                                                | 120,000    |
|                                                         | /yr        |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| \- contaminants                                         |            |
|                                                         |            |
| \- benthos                                              |            |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Outreach / Education                                    | 10,000 /yr |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+

**Mainland Chesapeake Bay, VA Schwab**

+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Acquisition                                             | 500,000    |
|                                                         | /yr        |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Training (60 people)                                    | 50,000     |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Education/Outreach                                      | 30,000 /yr |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Surveys/Monitoring - Aerial survey annually             | 50,000/yr  |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Research                                                | 120,000    |
|                                                         |            |
| \- benthos / inverts in impoundments                    |            |
|                                                         |            |
| \- benthos / inverts in open marsh                      |            |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Phragmites / cattail control                            | 100,000    |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Impoundment creation / enhancement / operation          | 200,000    |
|                                                         | /yr        |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Identify important sites                                | 60,000     |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+

**New York: Long Island Atlantic Coast McDougal**

+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Ecological Assessment                                   | 200,000    |
|                                                         |            |
| \- determine key shorebird areas (breeding, staging,    |            |
| etc.)                                                   |            |
|                                                         |            |
| \- assess pop. status of shorebirds (migr. and          |            |
| breeding)                                               |            |
|                                                         |            |
| \- investigate food resources, habitat, predation/other |            |
| mortality                                               |            |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Management Partnerships                                 | 50,000 /yr |
|                                                         |            |
| \- Control/manage disturbance                           |            |
|                                                         |            |
| \- Habitat management, restoration, creation at         |            |
| selected/target sites                                   |            |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Predation                                               | 30,000 /yr |
|                                                         |            |
| \- research and control, monitoring, analysis           |            |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+

**All States: Atlantic Coastal Salt Marsh** (local actions) Walsh

  --------------------------------------------------------- -------------
  Enhance habitat in areas with water control structures    200,000 /yr

  Identify areas with Phragmites that could support good    50,000 /yr
  habitat if managed                                        

  Conduct surveys of winter shorebird use                   60,000 /yr

  Conduct surveys of summer, breeding shorebird use and     30,000 /yr
  productivity (e.g., willets)                              
  --------------------------------------------------------- -------------

**Rhode Island Raithel**

+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Assessment: Assess existing data on known shorebird     |            |
| areas (breeding and migratory)                          |            |
|                                                         |            |
| Quantify migratory shorebird populations:               |            |
|                                                         |            |
| > \- Develop/implement annual survey protocols          |            |
| >                                                       |            |
| > \- Assess importance of Narragansett Bay to migratory |            |
| > shorebirds                                            |            |
| >                                                       |            |
| > \- Assess importance of south shore marshes to        |            |
| > migratory shorebirds                                  |            |
|                                                         |            |
| \- Develop and implement invertebrate monitoring in     |            |
| shorebird habitats                                      |            |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Protect migratory shorebird habitat                     |            |
|                                                         |            |
| 1.  Treat current shorebird concentration points as     |            |
|     focal areas and develop site-specific management    |            |
|     plans to maintain or enhance habitat quality for    |            |
|     migratory shorebirds.                               |            |
|                                                         |            |
| -   Protect surrounding upland habitats via acquisition |            |
|     or easement                                         |            |
|                                                         |            |
| -   Regulate, prevent, or mitigate process (e.g.,       |            |
|     dredging and shoreline stabilization) that can      |            |
|     degrade habitat. Apply Special Area Management      |            |
|     Plans (SAM) to enforce more stringent envir.        |            |
|     review, and identify all significant shorebird      |            |
|     areas in CZM regulations.                           |            |
|                                                         |            |
| -   Work to improve management of adjacent private      |            |
|     lands.                                              |            |
|                                                         |            |
| -   Mitigate risk of contaminants and other             |            |
|     degradations from ag/urban run-off, etc.            |            |
|                                                         |            |
| -   Develop private landowners guide to describe        |            |
|     effects of vegetation clearing, pesticides, failed  |            |
|     septic systems, etc.                                |            |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Management Options                                      |            |
|                                                         |            |
| -   Investigate feasibility of natural pond drawdowns   |            |
|     to create habitat during peak shorebird migration.  |            |
|                                                         |            |
| -   Restore or recover degraded coastal wetlands.       |            |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+

**New Hampshire Kanter, Palaschuk**

+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Assessment:                                             | 50,000/yr  |
|                                                         |            |
| Assess existing data on known shorebird areas (breeding |            |
| and migratory)                                          |            |
|                                                         |            |
| Conduct surveys of breeding shorebird (i.e., PIPL,      |            |
| UPSA, SPSA, WILL, COSN) populations, habitat use, and   |            |
| productivity.                                           |            |
|                                                         |            |
| Document migratory shorebird populations, feeding       |            |
| areas, and roosting sites.                              |            |
|                                                         |            |
| Develop and implement invertebrate monitoring in        |            |
| shorebird habitats.                                     |            |
|                                                         |            |
| Evaluate use of state waterfowl management areas by     |            |
| migrating shorebirds.                                   |            |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Protection:                                             | 100,000/yr |
|                                                         |            |
| Promote saltmarsh restoration efforts.                  |            |
|                                                         |            |
| Develop and implement site-specific management plans    |            |
| for Hampton-Seabrook estuary, Great Bay estuary, Little |            |
| Harbor estuary, Rye Harbor estuary, coastal beaches,    |            |
| and other identified areas of importance.               |            |
|                                                         |            |
| Protect coastal marshes and adjacent uplands via        |            |
| acquisition or easements.                               |            |
|                                                         |            |
| Develop and implement regulatory and non-regulatory     |            |
| approaches to reduce impacts from recreational          |            |
| activities.                                             |            |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+

**Massachusetts Melvin**

+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Breeding shorebirds: monitoring, protection, and        | 250,000/yr |
| habitat management                                      |            |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Migratory shorebirds: monitoring, protection, and       | 100,000/yr |
| habitat management.                                     |            |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Statewide coordination of mointoring and management,    | 150,000/yr |
| data management, technical assistance to managers and   |            |
| landowners, environmental review and permitting.        |            |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Research: Breeding shorebirds (100,000/yr)              | 300,000/yr |
|                                                         |            |
| Migratory shorebirds (200,000/yr)                       |            |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Predator monitoring, research, and control.             | 150,000/yr |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Education and outreach.                                 | 30,000/yr  |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+

**Maine: Ripley Neck Area, Maine** Tudor

  --------------------------------------------------------- -------------
  Assess existing data on shorebird staging areas to        30,000 /yr
  determine key areas on Ripley Neck and adjacent           
  intertidal flats. Develop and implement annual survey     
  protocols to quantify migratory shorebird populations     
  using the area.                                           

  Investigate / implement protection through land           ?
  acquisition, easements, and landowner agreements.         

  Develop and implement invertebrate monitoring in          10,000 /yr
  shorebird feeding habitats.                               

  Research the effects of aquaculture (lobster pounds,      20,000 /yr
  salmon pens, etc.) on or near shorebird feeding habitats. 

  Develop and implement education / outreach programs.      10,000 /yr
  --------------------------------------------------------- -------------

**Maine: Lubec Sand Bar, Maine** Tudor

  --------------------------------------------------------- -------------
  Develop and implement annual survey protocols to quantify 15,000 /yr
  migratory shorebird populations using Lubec Sand Bar.     

  Develop and implement invertebrate monitoring in          10,000 /yr
  shorebird foraging areas                                  

  Determine the effects of disturbance and establish        10,000 /yr
  necessary buffer/protection zones for roosting areas.     

  Develop and implement education / outreach programs.      10,000 /yr
  --------------------------------------------------------- -------------