3.3 Birds
B; however, the overall number of birds detected and their distribution at both locations has steadily declined over the last two decades. Evidence suggests that grassland size and isolation are limiting factors for Henslow’s Sparrow and many other grassland bird species (Johnson 2001) . Te NCWRC is actively pursuing opportunities to develop a comprehensive and consistently administered management plan at VOA site A. Other Land Birds Te Red-cockaded Woodpecker is a federally listed endangered species native to Longleaf Pine habitats in the Sandhills, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain ecoregions. It also uses other natural communities such as the wet pine stands found in Dare, Tyrrell, and Hyde coun- ties, and Pond Pine–dominated pocosins found on Holly Shelter Game Land. Intense recov- ery eforts, including annual monitoring and excavation of supplemental artifcial cavities, have allowed many managed lands to meet their goals for population recovery. However, continued management of Longleaf Pine and other habitats where it is found is necessary to continue recovery of this species. Te Eastern Whip-poor-will has averaged a 2.8% annual decline since 1966 (Sauer et al. 2013) . Because of its nocturnal habits, this species is not well documented through traditional surveys, and thus little is known about its current status. In 2007, the Nightjar Survey Network (nightjars.org) began monitoring this species and other nightjars using volunteers to run survey routes. Tese data will be important to better assess the status of these cryp- tic species.
Birds of Prey Birds of prey include various species of hawks, falcons, eagles, vultures, and owls that occur in North Carolina. Since the conclusion in 1996 of North Carolina’s eforts to reintroduce the Peregrine Falcon, a subset of nests has been monitored annu- ally. Territory occupancy, nest success, and productivity remain at or below the national average. A total of 16 territories have been documented; however, a dozen territories are documented most years.
American Kestrel (Jayaretea Snaps, fickr) https://www.fickr.com/photos/jayaretea- snaps/15285883569/in/album-72157626618408956/ Used under license CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
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2015 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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