species of greatest conservation need in the champlain valley biophysical region 8-2006

8/7/2019 Species of Greatest Conservation Need in the Champlain Valley Biophysical Region 8-2006

1/23

Champlain Valley Occurrence of Species of Greatest Conservation Need & Habitats

Common Name Scientific Name

State

Rank

Global

Rank SPROT FPROT

State

Trend

Champlain

Valley DistSummary

Cooper's Hawk Accipiter cooperii S2S3B G5 SC Unknown Certain

Distribution info from VT Breeding Bird Atlas -

sightings reported in all biophysical regions

except the Northeastern Highlands, but only 1 of14 sightings was confirmed to be breeding

(Laughlin & Kibbe 1985). Expert opinion is that

Cooper's Hawks are now

Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis S3S4B G5 Unknown Certain

Distribution info from VT Breeding Bird Atlas

(Laughlin & Kibbe 1985). NOGOs found in all

regions of the state, with 7 confirmed breeding

pairs in the central and southeastern part of the

state, and 1 in the lower Champlain Valley. Most

sightings were in

Lake Sturgeon

Acipenser

fulvescens S1 G3G4 E Unknown Certain

Lake sturgeon has a wide distribution occurring

from the St. Lawrence River to Hudson Bay, westto the Saskatchewan River in Alberta, south

through Lake Champlain, the Mississippi River to

the Tennessee River in Alabama and in northern

Mississippi; from l

Elktoe

Alasmidonta

marginata S1 G4 SC Unknown Certain

Known only from a single stretch of the Lamoille

River, from the Fairfax Falls dam downstream to

the head of Arrowhead Mountain Lake. Surveys in

similar sections of the Missisquoi and Winooski

rivers have not turned up additional populations.

Frequent sur

Moose Alces alces S5 G5 NA Unknown

Blueback Herring

(CT River only)

Alosa aestivalis (CT

River only) SU G5 Declining Certain

The blueback herring reaches its northern limit in

Canadian waters and occurs along the eastern

North American seaboard from Cape Breton,

Nova Scotia south to northern Florida (Scott and

Crossman 1973). Landlocked populations are

also known to occur, incl

American Shad Alosa sapidissima S4 G5 Declining Unknown

American shad inhabit waters along the Atlantic

Coast from Newfoundland south to Florida; it has

also been introduced to the Pacific Coast of North

America (Scott and Crossman 1973). In Vermont,

it is restricted to the Connecticut River from the

Massachus


2/23

Rock Bass

Ambloplites

rupestris S5 G5 Certain

Jefferson

Salamander

Ambystoma

jeffersonianum S2 G4 SC Unknown Certain

The distribution of this rare woodland species is

widespread but scattered in Vermont.

Blue-spotted

Salamander Ambystoma laterale S3 G5 SC Unknown Certain

Well distributed in Vermont except for higher

elevations so may be rare or absent form Green

Mountains

Spotted

Salamander

Ambystoma

maculatum S5 G5 Certain

The Spotted Salamander is distributed widely in

the state of Vermont, including the Green

Mountains.

Yellow Bullhead Ameiurus natalis S4 G5 Stable Certain

Brown Bullhead

Ameiurus

nebulosus S5 G5 Stable Certain

Bowfin Amia calva S4 G5 Stable Certain

Eastern Sand

Darter

Ammocrypta

pellucida S1 G3 T Unknown Certain

Eastern sand darters range from the St. Lawrence

River drainage, southern Quebec, Vermont and

New York; through the Great lakes and Ohio

River basins from western New York to eastern

Illinois; and south to Kentucky (Page and Burr

1991). In Vermont, popula

Henslow's Sparrow

Ammodramus

henslowii S1B G4 E Declining Unknown

Currently no breeding pairs in Vermont. Historical

nesting records were from the southern half of the

state.

Grasshopper

Sparrow

Ammodramus

savannarum S2B G5 T Declining Certain

Blue-winged Teal Anas discors S4B,S4N G5 Declining Certain

American Black

Duck Anas rubripes S5B,S5N G5 Declining Certain

American Eel Anguilla rostrata S3 G5 SC Declining Certain

The American eel occurs from Greenlandthroughout much of eastern Canada, south

through most of eastern United States to the Gulf

coast, along the eastern seaboard of Mexico to

the Yucatan Peninsula, the West Indies and

Bermuda to the Gulf of Mexico, Pana

Spiny Softshell

(Turtle) Apalone spinifera S1 G5 T Declining Certain

The Softshell is currently restricted to Missisquoi

Bay and surrounding areas of shore and lower

reaches of rivers and creeks from Pike River to

St. Alban's Bay and a smaller subpopulation is

associated with the lower Lamoille River and

surrounding lake.


3/23

Freshwater Drum

Aplodinotus

grunniens S4 G5 Stable Certain

Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias

S2S3B,S5

N G5 Stable Certain

Widely distributed with the largest colonies

located in Champlain Valley. Smaller colonies

located throughout state.

Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus S1B,S2N G5 SC Unknown Possible


(Laughlin & Kibbe 1985). Two confirmed nestingsfound in Champlain Valley. Other sightings in

Northern Green Mts, and Southern & Northern VT

Piedmont - all single sightings. Significant

wintering concentration

Long-eared Owl Asio otus S2B,S2N G5 SC Unknown Certain


(Laughlin & Kibbe 1985). Fifteen adults were

recorded from 1973-1983 in various parts of the

state, including Northern Green Mts, Northern VT

Piedmont, Southern Green Mts, and possibly the

northern part of the

Upland Sandpiper

Bartramia

longicauda

S2S3B,S3

N G5 E Declining Certain

Currently found in the Champlain Valley with

highest concentrations in Addison and Alburg.

Bog/fen/swamp/mar

shy pond Odonates

Group

Bog/fen/swamp/mar

shy pond Odonates

Group Unknown Certain

County distributions for bog/fen/swamp/marshy

pond odonates:

Southern Spreadwing (Lestes disjunctus

australis) ?

Subarctic Bluest (Coenagrion interrogatum)

Essex

Citrine Fork tail (Ischnura hastata) Windham

Comet darner (Anax longipes) Windsor

Mott

Ruffed Grouse Bonasa umbellus S5B G5 Declining CertainDistributed statewide where acceptable habitatcomponents are present.

American Bittern

Botaurus

lentiginosus S3B,S3N G4 Unknown Certain

From first VT Breeding Bird Atlas, confirmed

breeding in large wetland complexes in

Champlain Valley, also in West Rutland Marsh,

sites in lower Connecticut River Valley, and two

sites in north-central VT. Probably breeds in other

larger wetland complexes


4/23

Fowler's Toad Bufo fowleri S1 G5 SC Unknown Unknown

The Fowler's Toad is primarily a species of the

Atlantic Coastal Plain, its distribution in Vermont is

limited to the lower Connecticut River valley, with

populations documented at one site each in

Vernon and White River Junction (Andrews 2001,

Barker and

Red-shouldered

Hawk Buteo lineatus S3S4B G5 Unknown Certain


(Laughlin & Kibbe 1985). Reported in all

biophysical regions, with most confirmed breeding

in south central and western parts of the state.

Wolf Canis sp? SX G4 Unknown

Presumed

extirpated

Whip-poor-will

Caprimulgus

vociferus S2B G5 SC Declining Certain Statewide.

Carabid Beetles

Group

Carabid Beetles

Group Unknown Possible

Information is needed to determine the probable

extent of distribution of these species. Existing

collection records and habitat information needs

to be reviewed to assess the status of our current

knowledge of these species.

Goldfish Carassius auratus SNA G5 Unknown

Quillback Carpiodes cyprinus S1 G5 SC Unknown Certain

This North American species occurs east from the

St. Lawrence River south along the eastern

seaboard to the Roanoke River in Virginia; west of

the Appalachian Mountains through New York

south to Alabama, west to Oklahoma, through

eastern Kansas and the Da

Bicknell's Thrush Catharus bicknelli S3B G4 SC UnknownNo historicalrecords

Distributed throughout high elevation montaneforests of VT

Veery

Catharus

fuscescens S5B G5 Declining Certain fairly common in all biophysical regions of VT

Longnose Sucker

Catostomus

catostomus S4 G5 Stable Certain

White Sucker

Catostomus

commersoni S5 G5 Stable Certain

Chimney Swift Chaetura pelagica S5B G5 Declining Certain


5/23

Black Tern Chlidonias niger S2B,S2N G4 T Certain

Black Terns are currently only found at one

location, Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge on

northern Lake Champlain. Nesting occurred

regularly in Lake Memphremagog South Bay

throughout the 1990's.

Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor S2S3B G5 SC Declining CertainCobblestone Tiger

Beetle

Cicindela

marginipennis S1 G2G3 T Unknown

No historical

records

Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus

S2B,S3S4

N G5 SC Unknown Certain Data from Ellison (1985).

Sedge Wren

Cistothorus

platensis S1B G5 E Unknown Possible Data from Kibbe (1985).

Spotted Turtle Clemmys guttata S1 G5 E Declining Unknown

One known population in SE Vermont. Possible in

Shaftsbury/Arlington based on one female

documented, but cannot rule out

released/escaped captive

Wood Turtle Clemmys insculpta S3 G4 SC Declining Certain

The Wood Turtle is well distributed throughout

Vermont, but not at very high elevations or

apparently at the lowest levels of the Champlain

Valley. A suitable medium gradient river or large

creek is required.

Black-billed Cuckoo

Coccyzus

erythropthalmus S5B G5 Declining Certain

Distributed statewide, although less common in

northeastern quarter of the state.

Eastern Racer Coluber constrictor S1 G5 SC Unknown

The currently known distribution of the Eastern

Racer is a small area of SE Vermont. Its

distribution prior to 1985 was somewhat more

widespread but still fairly localized in southern

Vermont.

Olive-sidedFlycatcher Contopus cooperi S4B G4 Declining Possible Based on Fichtel (1985).

Cisco or Lake

Herring Coregonus artedi S4 G5 Unknown Certain

This species is the most widely distributed of the

14 species of the genus Coregonus occurring in

North America. It is found from eastern Quebec to

the Hudson Bay, through the Great Lakes system,

Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta,

north into the


6/23

Lake Whitefish

Coregonus

clupeaformis S4? G5 Unknown Certain

Lake whitefish is a widely distributed North

American species. Its range includes virtually all

of Canada and Alaska, the Great Lakes, the St.

Lawrence River including northern New York,

Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine (Scott and

Crossman 1973). In Vermo

American Crow Corvusbrachyrhynchos S5B,S5N G5 Unknown

Mottled Sculpin Cottus bairdi S2 G5 Unknown Certain

The mottled sculpin has a wide but discontinuous

distribution in North America with the more

eastern range encompassing northern Quebec

and Labrador, and the drainages of the Great

Lakes, Hudson and James bays. Western

populations are largely limited to t

Slimy Sculpin Cottus cognatus S5 G5 Stable Certain

Lake Chub Couesius plumbeus S4 G5 Stable Certain

Timber Rattlesnake Crotalus horridus S1 G4 E Certain

Extant populations of Timber Rattlesnake are

restricted to areas near the southern portion of

Lake Champlain in western Rutland County.

Populations in other parts of the state have been

lost.

Crustaceans Group Crustaceans Group Unknown Certain

An amphipod (Diporeia hoyi) This species is

known in Vermont only from (1) deep water in

Lake Champlain from Crown Pt. to Rouses Pt.,

including Inner Mallets Bay and Mississquoi Bay.;

and (2) possibly Lake Memphremagog. It may

also occur in other large la

Brook Stickleback Culaea inconstans S2S3 G5 Stable Certain

Spotfin Shiner Cyprinella spiloptera S3S4 G5 Stable Certain

Common Carp Cyprinus carpio SNA G5 Unknown

Black-throated Blue

Warbler

Dendroica

caerulescens S5B G5 Stable Certain From Kibbe (1985).

Bay-breasted

Warbler Dendroica castanea S1B G5 Declining Unknown

First breeding confirmation was near Sable

Mountain, Granby (1980). Subsequently

confirmed nesting at Wenlock Wildlife

Management Area, Ferdinand (1987) and

Brighton State Park, Brighton (1995).

Cerulean Warbler Dendroica cerulea S1B G4 SC Declining Certain Data from Ellison (1985).Prairie Warbler Dendroica discolor S3B G5 Declining Unknown Rare breeded in southern Vermont.


7/23

Blackburnian

Warbler Dendroica fusca S5B G5 Declining Certain

Chestnut-sided

Warbler

Dendroica

pensylvanica S5B G5 Declining Certain

Blackpoll Warbler Dendroica striata S4S5B G5 Declining

No historical

records From Laughlin and Kibbe 1985.

Cape May Warbler Dendroica tigrina S2S3B G5 Unknown No historicalrecords

Bobolink

Dolichonyx

oryzivorus S5B G5 Declining Certain Data from Ellison (1985).

Gizzard Shad

Dorosoma

cepedianum SNA G5 Stable Certain

Eastern Rat Snake Elaphe obsoleta S2 G5 SC PT Certain

The Eastern Ratsnake is known from only two

regions of VT. One meta-population can be found

in western Rutland County and extending into

southwestern Addison County. The second

population is very localized on the border of

Monkton, Bristol, and New Haven.

Alder Flycatcher Empidonax alnorum S5B G5 No

Redfin Pickerel Esox americanus S4 G5 Unknown Certain

The redfin pickerel (Esox americanus

americanus) is the subspecies restricted to

eastern United States; the grass pickerel (E. a.

vermiculatus) is the western subspecies. Redfin

pickerel is a fish primarily associated with the

eastern coastal plain. It is

Northern Pike Esox lucius S4 G5 Stable Certain

Muskellunge Esox masquinongy S1 G5 SC PE Declining Certain

This species is restricted to eastern North

America: south from Quebec through western

Vermont (Lake Champlain), south and west of theAppalachian Mountains to Tennessee and north

through Illinois into W isconsin, Minnesota,

western Ontario, and extreme so

Chain Pickerel Esox niger S5 G5 Stable Certain

Fantail Darter

Etheostoma

flabellare S3 G5 Stable Certain

Tessellated Darter

Etheostoma

olmstedi S5 G5 Stable Certain

Five-lined Skink Eumeces fasciatus S1 G5 E Unknown Certain

The Five-lined Skink is known from three

locations in West Haven, VT.


8/23

Rusty Blackbird Euphagus carolinus S3B G5 SC Unknown Possible

"Rusty Blackbirds are local and uncommon

summer residents of the Northeast Highlands, the

North Central region, and the Green Mountains."

(Nichols 1985)

Cutlips Minnow

Exoglossum

maxillingua S3 G5 Certain

Spruce Grouse

Falcipennis

canadensis S1B G5 E Unknown

No historical

records

Spruce grouse (Falcipennis canadensis, formerlyDendragapus canadensis) inhabit the boreal

forests of North America. Although considered

common in Canada and in a few northern states,

in Vermont the species is near the southern edge

of its range. Historic

Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus S2B,S2N G4 Stable Certain

Nest sites known in all biophysical regions except

the Vermont Valley and Southern Green

Mountains. Historic nesting site(s) in the Southern

Green Mountains (Laughlin & Kibbe 1985).

American Kestrel Falco sparverius S5B G5

Fluctuatin

g Certain Based on Wil liam and El lison (1985).

Mountain Lion Felis concolor SH G5 E LE Na

Presumed

extirpated

Freshwater Mussels

Group

Freshwater Mussels

Group Declining Certain

Eastern pearlshell (Margaritifera margaritifera)

Reported from the upper Winooski River and

Lewis Creek systems of the Champlain basin, and

the Passumpsic River, West River, and Nulhegan

River systems of the Connecticut River basin.

Dwarf wedgemussel (Al

Freshwater Snails

Group

Freshwater Snails

Group Declining Certain

Fingered valvata (Valvata lewisi) Two locales

recorded: Lake St. Catherine and a vernal pool inWinooski River f loodplain (Colchester). Possibly

occurs elsewhere. Probably not in Connecticut

River basin.

Mossy valvata (Valvata sincera) Three records

only

Banded Killifish Fundulus diaphanus S4 G5 Stable Certain

Common Loon Gavia immer S2B,S4N G5 Stable Possible

Breeding concentrated in northeastern and north-

central VT, with 5 pairs in south-central and

southern VT. Breeding possible, but unconfirmed

on Lake Champlain.


9/23

Northern Flying

Squirrel Glaucomys sabrinus S4 G5 stable Unknown

Grassland

Butterflies Group

Grassland

Butterflies Group Declining Unknown

Town records:

Cobweb skipper Sunderland

Persius duskywing ?

Regal fritillary extirpated. Historic: Hartland,

Pomfret

Dusted skipper Arlington, Dummerston

Bald Eagle

Haliaeetus

leucocephalus SHB,S2N G4 E LE

Presumed

extirpated

No documented breeding records as of 2004,

although a few unsubstantiated reports from the

Connecticut River in Caledonia County in recent

years. Only known historical breeding record in

Champlain Valley.

Hardwood Forest

Butterflies Group

Hardwood Forest

Butterflies Group Unknown Certain

Town records:

West Virginia white Arlington, Shaftsbury,

Underhill, Bradford, Sandgate, Woodford.

Historic: Milton, Essex, Searsburg, Sandgate,

Somerset, FairfaxEarly hairstreak Essex, East Montpelier, Pittsfield,

Worcester. Historic: Granby, Guildhall

Four-toed

Salamander

Hemidactylium

scutatum S2 G5 SC Unknown Certain

The distribution of the Four-toed salamander

appears to be limited to low elevations of the

Champlain Valley, Taconics, and probably the

lower Connecticut River Valley.

Mooneye Hiodon tergisus SU G5 Unknown Certain

Mooneye is a North American species with a

range extending from James Bay, Ottawa River to

the Lake Champlain and St Lawrence watershed,

southwest of the Appalachian Mountains throughwestern New York and Pennsylvania to Arkansas

and Oklahoma, north throu

Brassy Minnow

Hybognathus

hankinsoni S1 G5 SC Unknown Certain

This North American species ranges from the

upper St. Lawrence River and Lake Champlain

region west through southern Ontario and

Michigan, west through the Arkansas and

Missouri rivers to Colorado, Wyoming and

Montana, north to Alberta, and in the Fraser

Eastern Silvery

Minnow Hybognathus regius S2 G5 Stable Certain

Wood ThrushHylocichlamustelina S5B G5 Declining Certain

Distributed widely throughout state in n. hardwoodforests


10/23

Northern Brook

Lamprey

Ichthyomyzon

fossor S1 G4 E Unknown Certain

Northern brook lamprey occur in the Mississippi

and Great Lakes drainages from western New

York, Quebec, Ontario, Michigan and eastern

Wisconsin; from the north shore of Lake Superior

to northern Indiana and Ohio (Scott and

Crossman 1973). Only one northe

Silver Lamprey

Ichthyomyzon

unicuspis S2? G5 Stable Certain

Silver lamprey are restricted to eastern North

America, from the St. Lawrence River as far down

as Montmagny, Quebec, west through the Great

Lakes, through the upper Mississippi valley from

Wisconsin, to eastern Manitoba; from Manitoba

tributaries of Huds

Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus S4 G5 Stable Certain

Least Bittern Ixobrychus exilis S2B,S2N G5 SC Unknown Certain Data from Kibbe (1985).

Brook Silverside

Labidesthes

sicculus SU G5 Certain

Lakes/ponds

Odonates Group

Lakes/ponds

Odonates Group Unknown Certain

Members of species group vary in distribution.

Most biophysical regions probably support one or

more members.County records for lakes/ponds odonates:

New England Bluet (Enallagma laterale)

Windham

Vernal Bluest (Enallagma vernale) Windsor,

Washington

American BrookLamprey Lampetra appendix S1 G4 T Unknown Certain

American brook lamprey is restricted to east-

central North America: on the eastern seaboard

from southeastern New Hampshire south to

Maryland; and in the St. Lawrence River and

tributaries from Montmagny southwest throughthe Great Lakes, west to southea

Silver-haired Bat

Lasionycteris

noctivagans S2 G5 Unknown Unknown

Eastern Red Bat Lasiurus borealis S3S4 G5 unknown Certain

Hoary Bat Lasiurus cinereus S3 G5 unknown Certain One historical record exists for Rutland, VT

Longnose Gar Lepisosteus osseus S4 G5 Stable Certain


11/23

Redbreast Sunfish Lepomis auritus S4 G5 Unknown Unknown

The redbreast sunfish occurs along the Atlantic

Slope from New Brunswick to Florida. It is also

found in Gulf Coast drainages in Georgia and

Florida, north into Kentucky and Arkansas. In

Vermont , redbreast sunfish are found in the

Connecticut River and l

Pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus S5 G5 Stable Certain

Bluegill

Lepomis

macrochirus S5 G5 Stable Certain

Redear Sunfish

Lepomis

microlophus SNA G5 Unknown

A slave-making ant Leptothorax n. sp. Unknown Certain

The original site where this species was

discovered in Niquette Bay State Park,

Colchester. The second and only other reported

site is described as being "about 20 km from our

VT [NBSP] site."

Smooth Green

Snake

Liochlorophis

vernalis S4 G5 Certain Primarily mid-elevational, missing from NE VT

Burbot Lota lota S3S4 G5 Stable Certain

Northern River Otter Lutra canadensis S5 G5 stable Certain

Otter are harvested in every watershed in

Vermont.

Common Shiner Luxilus cornutus S5 G5 Stable Certain

Lynx Lynx canadensis SNA G5 E Na Unknown

Killed in Windham 1928

Killed in St Albans 1968

Killed in Calais 1797

Sighting in Yellow Bogs 2003

Addision County 1937

Bobcat Lynx rufus S4 G5 Unknown Certain

Pearl Dace

Margariscus

margarita S3 G5 Unknown Unknown

American Marten Martes americana S1? G5 E Unknown

Presumed

extirpated

Mayflies/Stoneflies/

Caddisflies Group

Mayflies/Stoneflies/

Caddisflies Group Unknown Unknown

Roaring Brook mayfly (Epeorus frisoni) Known in

Vermont only from a Battenkill tributary near

Dorset. Globally, known from a single historic site

in NY and two small stream systems in ME.

Ameletus browni This species is not well

documented, but has been

Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus

dolomieu S5 G5 Certain


12/23

Largemouth Bass

Micropterus

salmoides SNA G5 Stable Certain

Rock Vole

Microtus

chrotorrhinus S2 G4 SC unknown Unknown

Woodland Vole Microtus pinetorum S3 G5 unknown Certain

White Perch Morone americana SNA G5 Stable Certain

Striped Bass Morone saxatilis SNA G5 Unknown

Moths Group Moths Group Certain

The following species:

Sthenopis thule A ghost moth Single specimen,

South Hero in '92.

Itame ribearia Currant spanworm Collected

Bakersfield, '91 (Franklin Co). Formerly

widespread, now rare through much of range.

Eacles imperialis pini Imperial mot

Silver RedhorseMoxostomaanisurum SU G5 SC Unknown Certain

A North American species which occurs east from

the St. Lawrence River, south through central

New York, southwest through the western half of

the coastal states to northern Alabama, northwest

through eastern Arkansas and Missouri, norththrough North Dako

Shorthead

Redhorse

Moxostoma

macrolepidotum SU G5 Unknown Certain

The shorthead redhorse is the most widely

distributed of the redhorse species in North

America. It occurs from the upper St. Lawrence

River, south into the Lake Champlain drainage to

the coast in New York, east of the Appalachian

Mountains to South Caroli

Greater Redhorse

Moxostoma

valenciennesi SU G4 SC Unknown Certain

The greater redhorse is generally distributed in

central and eastern North America primarily in the

upper Mississippi and Great Lakes-St. Lawrence

systems (Scott and Crossman 1979). Thisspecies has been recorded from northern Lake

Champlain and the lower

Long-tailed Weasel Mustela frenata S3S4 G5 unknown Possible

Mink Mustela vison S5 G5 Unknown Certain

Small-footed Bat Myotis leibii S1 G3 T unknown Certain

Little Brown Myotis Myotis lucifugus S5 G5 Declining Certain

Indiana Bat Myotis sodalis S1 G2 E LE Stable Certain

Hibernacula: Brandon Silver Mine. Owned by

TNC. Dorset Cave: Gated, owned by TNC.

Skinner Hollow (private ownership. No protection

for this property. Nickwackett gated, privately

owned. Roost Trees/Maternity colonies:Champlain Valley


13/23

Common Mudpuppy

Necturus

maculosus S2 G5 SC Certain

Primarily Lake Champlain and lower reaches of

tributaries and Connecticut River. One record

from Missisquoi River tributary well above falls

line in Town of Fairfield.

Northern Water

Snake Nerodia sipedon S3 G5 Certain

Watersnake is known from the Champlain Valley,

Shaftsbury, and Vernon.

Golden Shiner

Notemigonus

crysoleucas S5 G5 Stable Certain

Emerald Shiner

Notropis

atherinoides S5? G5 Stable Certain

Bridle Shiner Notropis bifrenatus S1? G5 SC Unknown Certain

This North American species occurs in the

Atlantic drainage from southern Maine to Virginia,

west through Lake Champlain to New York and

the Lake Ontario basin (Scott and Crossman

1973). In Vermont, bridle shiner are found in Lake

Champlain, several other

Blackchin Shiner Notropis heterodon S1 G5 SC Unknown Certain

This North American species occurs only in the

Great Lakes basin, the upper Mississippi River

drainage, and downstream through the St.Lawrence River drainage into western Quebec

(Scott and Crossman 1973). In Vermont, the

species on the eastern edge of it

Blacknose Shiner Notropis heterolepis S1 G4 Unknown Certain

The blacknose shiner is a widely distributed

species occurring from the Hudson Bay drainage

to the New England states west to Iowa (Scott

and Crossman 1973). In Vermont, it appear to be

most frequently encountered in the Lake

Champlain watershed, albeit t

Spottail Shiner Notropis hudsonius S5 G5 Certain

Rosyface Shiner Notropis rubellus S2S3 G5 Stable Certain

Sand Shiner Notropis stramineus S4 G5 Stable Certain

Mimic Shiner Notropis volucellus S5 G5 Stable Certain

Stonecat Noturus flavus S1 G5 E Declining Certain

This is a North American species with a

distribution described by Scott and Crossman

(1973) as the St. Lawrence River and tributaries

in Quebec, south in the Hudson, Allegheny and

Mohawk systems in New York, west to the

Appalachian Mountains, to western N


14/23

Black-crowned

Night-heron

Nycticorax

nycticorax S1B,S2N G5 Unknown

Has nested at 2 sites along Lake Champlain with

the largest being Young Island on the northern

part of the lake. Nesting has not been

documented in the state since the mid 1990's.

Rainbow Trout

Oncorhynchus

mykiss SNA G5 Unknown

Muskrat Ondatra zibethicus S5 G5 declining Certain

Cliffs and Talus Open talus Certain Patch Size: Small

Rainbow Smelt Osmerus mordax S5 G5 Stable Certain

Osprey Pandion haliaetus S2B,S4N G5 Increasing Certain

Hairy-tailed Mole Parascalops breweri S3S4 G5 unknown Certain

Yellow Perch Perca flavescens S5 G5 Stable Certain

Logperch Percina caprodes S4 G5 Stable Certain

Channel Darter Percina copelandi S1 G4 E Unknown Certain

This is a wide ranging species but is highly

localized in the St. Lawrence, Great Lakes and

Mississippi River drainages from southern

Quebec and Vermont, south to northernLouisiana; along the Gulf Slope in Mobile,

Pascagoula and Pearl River drainages (Pa

Gray Jay

Perisoreus

canadensis

S1S2B,S1

S2N G5 SC Unknown

No historical

records

Distribution limited to largest boreal forest patches

of northeastern Vermont. Strongholds include the

Victory, Nulhegan and Coaticook River Basins.

Also occurs at high elevation coniferous forest.

Sea Lamprey (CT

river only)

Petromyzonmarinus (CT river

only) S4S5 G5 Stable Certain

Sea lamprey are common on both sides of the

Atlantic Ocean; in the west, from southwestern

Greenland and the Grand Banks, the Gulf of St.

Lawrence, and as far up the St. Lawrence Riverand its tributaries as Sorel, Quebec, and south to

northeastern Florid

Northern Redbelly

Dace Phoxinus eos S4 G5 Stable Certain

Finescale Dace Phoxinus neogaeus S3 G5 Stable Certain

Black-backed

Woodpecker Picoides arcticus S2B,S2N G5 SC Unknown

No historical

records

Most nesting records concentrated in Northeast

Highlands. Thirty successful nests were

documented by Weinhagen (1998) in 1996-97.

Bluntnose Minnow Pimephales notatus S4S5 G5 Stable Certain


15/23

Fathead Minnow

Pimephales

promelas S4 G5 Stable Certain

Rufous-sided

Towhee

Pipilo

erythrophthalmus S5B G5 Declining Certain

Eastern Pipistrelle

Pipistrellus

subflavus S2S3 G5 Unknown Certain

Oak-Pine NH

Pitch pine - oak -

heath rocky summit

There are 2 known occurrences, likely 5-6 more.

Patch Size: Small

Open Peatlands

Pitch pine woodland

bog Certain

There is only 1 known occurrence. Patch Size:

Small

Pied-billed Grebe

Podilymbus

podiceps S2B,S3N G5 SC Unknown Certain

Black Crappie

Pomoxis

nigromaculatus S4 G5 Stable Certain

Vesper Sparrow

Pooecetes

gramineus S3B G5 SC Declining Certain Data from Ellison (1985).

Open Peatlands Poor fen Certain Patch Size: Small

Sora Porzana carolinaS2S3B,S3N G5 SC Unknown Certain

Has been located primarily in the ChamplainValley as well as Lake Memphremagog.

Purple Martin Progne subis S3S4B G5 Declining Certain

Round Whitefish

Prosopium

cylindraceum S1 G5 SC Unknown Unknown

In Vermont, round whitefish is found in lakes

Seymour, Willoughby and in Beaver Pond in

Holland. A historic record of "lake whitefish" in

Holland Pond (located near Beaver Pond in

Holland) is believed actually to have been a round

whitefish.

Western (Striped)

Chorus Frog Pseudacris triseriata S1 G5 E Declining Certain

Mink FrogRanaseptentrionalis S4 G5 Certain

Blacknose Dace

Rhinichthys

atratulus S5 G5 Stable Certain

Longnose Dace

Rhinichthys

cataractae S5 G5 Stable Certain


16/23

River/stream

Odonates Group

River/stream

Odonates Group Unknown Certain

County records for river/stream odonates:

American Rubyspot (Hetaerina americana)

Addison, Grand Isle

Blue-fronted Dancer (Argia apicalis) Rutland

Rainbow Bluet (Enallagma antennatum) Rutland

Spine-crowned Clubtail (Gomphus abbreviatus)

Windham

Rap

Upland shores Riverside outcrop Certain Patch Size: Small

Atlantic Salmon

(anadromous)

Salmo salar

(anadromous) S4 G5 Unknown

Presumed

extirpated

Anadromous Atlantic salmon historically were

native to the Connecticut River Basin. In Vermont

they ranged from the Massachusetts state line

upstream to the Canadian border near Beechers

Falls. Whether or not sea-run salmon were native

to Lake Champlain

Atlantic Salmon

(landlocked)

Salmo salar

(landlocked) S4 G5 Unknown

Presumed

extirpated

Landlocked populations of Atlantic salmon occur

principally in Newfoundland, Labrador andQuebec (Scott and Crossman 1973). Natural

populations were also located in Maine and

presumably in Vermont, i.e. lakes Champlain and

Memphremagog. Scarola (1973) rep

Brown Trout Salmo trutta SNA G5 Unknown

Arctic Char or

Sunapee Trout

Salvelinus alpinus

oquassa SX G5T2Q Unknown Unknown

The species has a circumpolar distribution

inhabiting inshore marine waters, lakes, and

rivers of the northern hemisphere (Scott and

Crossman 1973). In Vermont, arctic char have

been reported only from Great and Little Averill

Lakes in Essex County. Popul

Brook Trout

(naturally

reproducing

populations)

Salvelinus fontinalis

(naturally

reproducing pops) S5 G5 Unknown Certain

The brook trout is native to most of eastern

Canada from Newfoundland to west of Hudson

Bay; south in the Atlantic, Great lakes and

Mississippi River basins to Minnesota and through

the Appalachian Mountains to Georgia ( Page and

Burr 1991). It has been i

Lake Trout

(naturally

reproducingpopulations)

Salvelinus

namaycush

(naturallyreproducing pop) S4 G5 Stable Presumedextirpated

The natural occurrence of lake trout is limited to

North America. Its natural range closely aligns

with the limits of the Pleistocene glaciation. In

Vermont, the species has been stocked

extensively throughout the state; however, withperhaps very few exc


17/23

Upland shores Sand dune Certain

There are 3 known occurrences. Auburg, S. Hero,

North Beach. Patch Size: Small

Sauger Sander canadense S4S5 G5 Unknown Certain

The distribution of sauger in North America is

from the St. Lawrence-Lake Champlain system

south, west of the Appalachian Mountains to

Tennessee River in Alabama, southwest to

northern Louisiana, northwest through eastern

Oklahoma to central Montana and c

Walleye Sander vitreum S5 G5 Certain

American

Woodcock Scolopax minor S5B G5 Declining Certain

American woodcock are present statewide where

acceptable habitat exists. During migration,

woodcock numbers increase and birds can often

be found less optimal habitat. While distributed

across all Vermont biophysical regions, the

relative scarcity of crit

Marshes and Sedge

Meadows Sedge meadow Certain Patch Size: Small

Seeps and Pools Seep Certain Patch Size: Small

Seep/rivuletOdonates Group

Seep/rivuletOdonates Group Unknown Unknown

Gray petaltail (Tachopteryx thoreyi) Reported onlyfrom Windham County.

Creek Chub

Semotilus

atromaculatus S5 G5 Stable Certain

Fallfish Semotilus corporalis S5 G5 Stable Certain

Cinereus or Masked

Shrew Sorex cinereus S5 G5 Unknown Certain Considered rare though broadly distributed.

Long-tailed or Rock

Shrew Sorex dispar S2 G4 SC unknown Unknown

Found in the Mendon-Wallingford area of the

Southern Green Mountains

Smoky Shrew Sorex fumeus S4 G5 unknown Unknown

Certain everywhere but CV and VV where it is

unknownPygmy Shrew Sorex hoyi S2 G5 PE Unknown Certain

Water Shrew Sorex palustris S3 G5 unknown Certain

55 specimens have been taken in Vermont since

1915.

Field Sparrow Spizella pusilla S5B G5 Declining Certain Data from Ellison (1985).

Common Tern Sterna hirundo

S1S2B,S2

N G5 E Stable Certain

Nests on 4-5 small islands in the NE arm of Lake

Champlain. Can be observed throughout the

northern part of the lake.

Common Musk

Turtle (Stinkpot)

Sternotherus

odoratus S2 G5 SC Certain

Musk turtle reports are clustered in Colchester-

Milton-Grand Isle, Ferrisburgh, and West Haven,

Benson, Orwell, Castleton, Hubbarton, Sudbury


18/23

Brown Snake Storeria dekayi S4 G5 Unknown Certain

The Brown Snake is primarily found in the

Champlain Valley, Taconics, and a few scattered

records from the southern CT River Valley. It is

widespread and more common in southern New

England (Klemens 1993).

Eastern

Meadowlark Sturnella magna S5B G5 Declining Certain

Fairly well distributed throughout the state with

concentrations in the Champlain Valley

New England

Cottontail

Sylvilagus

transitionalis SU G4 SC Unknown

Presumed

extirpated

Northern bog

lemming

Synaptomys

borealis SU G4 Unknown

No historical

records

Southern Bog

Lemming Synaptomys cooperi S3 G5

Fluctuatin

g Unknown

Eastern Ribbon

Snake

Thamnophis

sauritus S2 G5 SC Unknown Possible

It is currently documented from only six locations

in Vermont: five in western Rutland County and

one along the southern Connecticut River valley.

A handful of historic records and sightings come

from further north in the Lake Champlain basin

and the Conn

Tiger Beetles Group Tiger Beetles Group Declining Certain

C. patruela Champlain valley. One historical site

(Burlington).

C. ancocisconensis West River (Jamaica) and

White River. Southern Green Mtns and possibly

Southern Vermont Piedmont.

C. puritana Historically along lower portion of

Connecticut River. Hartl

Brown Thrasher Toxostoma rufum S5B G5 Declining Certain Statewide

Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes S4S5N G5 Unknown Certain

Barn Owl Tyto alba S1B,S1N G5 SC Unknown Possible

Records from VT Breeding Bird Atlas show 4confirmed nestings in the Champlain Valley from

1976-1981. Only one pair was still breeding in

1983 (Laughlin & Kibbe 1985). There have been

no recent records of nesting barn owls.

Central Mudminnow Umbra limi S3S4 G5 Stable Certain

Common Gray Fox

Urocyon

cinereoargenteus S5 G5 Stable Certain

Black Bear Ursus americanus S5 G5 Stable Certain

Distribution is statewide. Higher densities are

found along the Green Mountains and in theNortheast Highlands and Northern VT Piedmont.


19/23

Golden-winged

Warbler

Vermivora

chrysoptera S2S3B G4 Declining Certain

Data from Clark (1985). Species presumably

occurs in other areas as migrant.

Blue-winged

Warbler Vermivora pinus S2S3B G5 Declining Certain

Data from Clark (1985). Likely occurs in other

regions in migration.

Vernal pool

Odonates Group

Vernal pool

Odonates Group Unknown Unknown

County records:

Comet darner (Anax longipes) Windsor

Painted skimmer (Libellula semifasciata) Windsor

Wetland Butterflies

Group

Wetland Butterflies

Group Possible

Town records:

Bog copper Franklin, Pownal, Woodbury. Historic:

Swanton, Franklin, Wells, Ferdinand, Woodbury

Jutta arctic Ferdinand, Lewis

Dion skipper Bennington, Grande Isle, Pownal,

Shaftsbury. Historic: Colchester, Danby

Two-spotted skipper Grand

Canada Warbler

Wilsonia

canadensis S5B G5 Declining Certain Widespread in Vermont.Shrub Swamps Alder swamp Certain Patch Size: Large

Shrub Swamps

Alluvial shrub

swamp Certain Patch Size: Large

Outcrops and Alpine Alpine meadow

There are 3 known occurrences in Vermont.

Patch Size: Small

Open Peatlands Alpine peatland Patch Size: Small

Softwood Swamps

Black spruce

swamp Certain Patch Size: Small

Open Peatlands

Black spruce

woodland bog Certain Patch Size: Small

Cliffs and Talus Boreal acidic cliff Patch Size: Small

Cliffs and Talus

Boreal calcareous

cliff Patch Size: Small

Outcrops and Alpine Boreal outcrop Patch Size: Small

Spruce Fir NH

Boreal talus

woodland Patch Size: Small

Shrub Swamps Buttonbush swamp Certain Patch Size: Small

Hardwood Swamps

Calcareous red

maple - tamarack

swamp Certain Patch Size: Small

Wet Shores Calcareousriverside seep Certain Patch Size: Small


20/23

Marshes and Sedge

Meadows Cattail marsh Certain Patch Size: Small to Large

Spruce Fir NH

Cold-air talus

woodland

There are 4 known occurrences in Vermont.

Patch Size: Small

Marshes and Sedge

Meadows

Deep broadleaf

marsh Certain Patch Size: Small

Marshes and Sedge

Meadows Deep bulrush marsh Certain Patch Size: Small to Large

Oak-Pine NH

Dry oak - hickory -

hophornbeam forest Certain Patch Size: Small to Large

Oak-Pine NH Dry oak forest Certain Patch Size: Small

Oak-Pine NH Dry oak woodland Certain Patch Size: Small

Open Peatlands Dwarf shrub bog Certain Patch Size: Small

Upland shores Erosional river bluff Certain Patch Size: Small

Northern HardwoodHemlock - northernhardwood forest Certain

Hemlock-Northern hardwood forest habitat occurs

in matrix size blocks only in SVP and possibly TM.

If there are matrix-sized forests in those regions

consider protection at the matrix level. Patch Size:Large to Matrix

Northern Hardwood Hemlock forest Certain Patch Size: Small

Softwood Swamps Hemlock swamp Certain Patch Size: Small

Open Peatlands Intermediate fen Certain Patch Size: Small

Upland shores Lake sand beach Certain Patch Size: Small

Upland shores

Lake shale or

cobble beach Certain Patch Size: Small

Wet Shores

Lakeshore

grassland Certain Patch Size: Small

Floodplain Forests

Lakeside floodplain

forest Certain Patch Size: Small

Oak-Pine NH

Limestone bluff

cedar - pine forest Certain

Northern white cedar at edge of range. Patch

Size: Small

Spruce Fir NH

Lowland spruce - fir

forest

Matrix in northeast highlands only. Patch size:

Large to Matrix

Oak-Pine NH

Mesic maple - ash -

hickory - oak forest Certain

Matrix only in CV and possibly SVP and Taconics

too. Patch size: Large to Matrix

Northern Hardwood

Mesic red oak -

northern hardwood

forest Certain

One of the most wide spread oak communities.

Patch size: Large

Spruce Fir NH

Montane spruce - fir

forest Unknown

Matrix habitat only in Northern Green and

Southern Green Mountains.


21/23

Spruce Fir NH

Montane yellow

birch - red spruce

forest

Matrix only in NEH, NGM, and SGM. Patch size:

Large to Matrix

Northern Hardwood

Northern hardwood

forest Certain

Matrix forest in 75% of Vermont. It is unclear if

this is a matrix forest in the Vermont Valley. Patch

size: Matrix

Northern Hardwood

Northern hardwood

talus woodland Certain Patch Size: Small

Softwood Swamps

Northern white

cedar swamp Certain

Rare in the SVP, SGM, and TM. Patch Size:

Small

Wet Shores

Outwash plain

pondshore There is only one occurrence. Patch Size: Small

Oak-Pine NH

Pine - oak - heath

sandplain forest Certain Patch Size: Large

Oak-Pine NH

Red cedar

woodland Certain Patch Size: Small

Hardwood Swamps

Red maple - black

gum swamp Certain Patch Size: Small

Hardwood Swamps

Red maple -northern white

cedar swamp Certain Patch Size: Large

Hardwood Swamps

Red maple - white

pine - huckleberry

swamp Certain There are 3 known examples. Patch Size: Small

Hardwood Swamps

Red maple black

ash seepage

swamp Certain

Red Maple-Black Ash Seepage Swamps occur in

all biophysical regions, although they are least

common in the Northeastern Highlands and in the

Green Mountains. Patch Size: Small to Large.

Hardwood Swamps

Red maple

sphagnum acid

basin swamp Certain

Red Maple-Sphagnum Acidic Basin Swamps

occur throughout the state, although no examples

are known from the Vermont Valley. Patch Size:

Small (Thompson and Sorenson 2000)

Hardwood Swamps

Red or silver maple -

green ash swamp Certain Patch Size: Large

Oak-Pine NH

Red pine forest or

woodland Certain Patch Size: Small

Spruce Fir NH

Red spruce -

northern hardwood

forest Patch Size: MatrixOpen Peatlands Rich fen possible


22/23

Northern Hardwood

Rich northern

hardwood forest Certain Matrix only in TM

Wet Shores River cobble shore Certain Patch Size: Small

Wet Shores River mud shore Certain Patch Size: Small

Wet Shores

River sand or gravel

shore Certain Patch Size: Small

Outcrops and Alpine Serpentine outcrop Patch Size: Small

Marshes and Sedge

Meadows

Shallow emergent

marsh Certain Patch Size: Small

Floodplain Forests

Silver maple -

ostrich fern riverine

floodplain forest Certain

Floodplain Forests

Silver maple -

sensitive fern

riverine floodplain

forest Certain

Softwood Swamps

Spruce - fir -

tamarack swamp Certain Patch Size: Large

Floodplain Forests

Sugar maple -

ostrich fern riverine

floodplain forest Certain

Shrub Swamps

Sweet gale

shoreline swamp Certain Patch Size: Small

Cliffs and Talus

Temperate acidic

cliff Certain Patch Size: Small

Outcrops and Alpine

Temperate acidic

outcrop Certain Patch Size: Small

Cliffs and Talus

Temperate

calcareous cliff Certain Patch Size: Small

Outcrops and Alpine

Temperate

calcareous outcrop Certain Patch Size: Small

Spruce Fir NH

Subalpine

krummholz S1 Unknown

There are 5-10 occurrences of Subalpine

Krummholz habitat statewide.

Oak-Pine NH

Transition hardwood

talus woodland Certain Patch Size: Small

Oak-Pine NH

Valley clayplain

forest Certain

Once matrix forest in the Champlain Valley and

possibly in the Taconic Mountains. There are no

remaining matrix occurrences. Patch Size: Matrix


23/23

Seeps and Pools Vernal pool Certain

These small communities are hard to identify at

some times of year and many may be lost

inadvertently. Patch Size: Small

Oak-Pine NH

White pine - red oak

- black oak forest Certain

Red Mountain in Arlington. Sandy soils, really dry,

in Champlain Valley and lower Connecticut Valley.

Patch Size: Large

Marshes and Sedge

Meadows Wild rice marsh Certain Patch Size: Small

species of greatest conservation need in the champlain valley biophysical region 8-2006

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