3.3 Birds
monitor Red Knot distribution and abundance in North Carolina. Further, although it is known that Red Knots specialize in foraging on small clams such as Donax spp. found in the intertidal zone, impacts of continued beach nourishment (fll) projects and beach driving along the North Carolina coast on the forage base for Red Knots has not been studied (Cohen et al. 2010; Sturbois et al. 2015) .
Te decline of nesting populations of Snowy Egret, Tricolored Heron, Little Blue Heron, and Glossy Ibis in North Carolina has not been examined to elucidate threats and causes. Recent surveys of colonial water- birds in Virginia also detected declines in these nesting populations (Watts and Paxton 2014) . Better management of regional data for migratory colonial waterbirds will
allow better assessment of populations at the fyway scale. Currently, however, it is unknown what factors are bringing about declines in these small, colonially nesting wading birds.
Great Blue Heron (Melissa McGaw, NCWRC)
Each shorebird and colonially nesting waterbird species of concern in North Carolina is dependent on coastal estuaries and beaches. Modeling studies of potential sea level rise and climate change indicate change and loss of these habitats (Morris et al. 2002; FitzGerald et al. 2008). Te challenges these species will face, especially given areas of hardened structures on the coast (e.g., commercial and residential buildings, roads, groins, jetties), are not fully understood. Data for modeling studies are available and additional data can be obtained to populate informative, predictive models. Secretive marsh birds (e.g., Black Rail) will also beneft from informative models and increased monitoring eforts. Among raptors, there is need for further study of Barn Owl, American Kestrel, and Peregrine Falcon’s post-fedging dispersal, adult and juvenile survival, migratory habits, and vulnerability to contaminants. Very little is known about the abundance and distri- bution of several of North Carolina’s raptor species. Tere is a need for further study of the Barn Owl, American Kestrel, and Northern Saw-whet Owl’s use of habitat and population trends and of Golden Eagle winter abundance and distribution. While it is assumed that habitats throughout North Carolina are likely to be signifcant to species that migrate through, the importance of these habitats has yet to be deter- mined, making prioritization of habitat conservation, especially in the rapidly urbaniz- ing Piedmont, difcult. Furthermore, the impact of lighting on buildings and other tall
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2015 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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