American Bittern photo by Jerry Segraves.
One of the greatest threats to the survival of many endangered or threatened bird species is the ongoing loss of critical habitat. Birds may need specific habitat types for breeding, overwintering, and migration. If any of their usual habitats are disrupted, the viability of entire communities of birds can be placed in danger. The first step in protecting these critical bird habitats is to identify them through observation and good record keeping.
The Audubon Society of New Hampshire, working in concert with the NH State Fish and Game Department, and the University of New Hampshire’s (UNH) Cooperative Extension, is currently seeking volunteers to help them identify Important Bird Areas within the state. According to the UNH Cooperative Extension’s website, the goal of the program is to find areas that meet the following criteria:
- threatened or endangered species
- high conservation priority species
- significant concentrations of birds
- representative, rare, threatened, or unique habitats
Once these areas are identified and registered, the group shares the information with landowners and encourages them to take steps to preserve the habitat, either through their own habitat management efforts or through donations of property or property easements to local land conservation organizations.
A list of potential Important Bird Areas within the state of New Hampshire can be found at the NH Bird Records website. Also on the web page you’ll find a downloadable Excel spreadsheet form that volunteers should use to record their observations. By downloading the form and spending some time making observations, you can help identify and protect some of the most critical bird habitats in New Hampshire. For complete information about New Hampshire’s Important Bird Area Program contact:
Pam Hunt
NH IBA Program Coordinator
Audubon Society of New Hampshire
3 Silk Farm Road
Concord, NH 03301
(603) 224-9909 x328
phunt@nhaudubon.org
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