For the summer 2007 field season, the Lower Great Lakes Fishery Resources Office (LGLFRO), in collaboration with the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station (NFARS), is inventorying threatened and endangered species living on the approximate 985 acres of NFARS property in the Towns of Niagara and Wheatfield, Niagara County, New York. NFARS has 237 acres of semi-improved land (periodic mowing) and 361 acres of unimproved lands (vegetative cover) which are utilized by wildlife. There are extensive grassland areas as well as aquatic habitat. Cayuga Creek is the primary waterway that runs through the airbase. There are also several wetlands throughout the property.
The following are target species for the threatened and endangered species inventory:
(These species may or may not be present at the airbase)
REPTILES
Queen Snake – State Listed as Endangered
CRUSTACEANS
Devil Crayfish – NYS Species of Greatest Conservation Need, S2 Ranking
MAMMALS
Indiana Bat – Federally and State listed as Endangered
Small-footed Bat – State listed as Special Concern
BIRDS
Various bird species have been identified at the airbase. Some were only seen during migration in May and June. Others have stayed for the summer and have nested in the grassland and riparian habitat. Current list of birds observed throughout the airbase:
American Crow
American Goldfinch
American Robin
American Kestrel
American Woodcock
Baltimore Oriole
Barn Swallow
Belted Kingfisher
Black-capped Chickadee
Black-crowned Night Heron
Blue Jay
Bobolink
Brown-headed Cowbird
Cedar Waxwings
Common Grackle
Common Yellowthroat
Eastern Meadowlark
Eastern Towhee
Grasshopper Sparrow – State Listed as Special Concern
Gray Catbird
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Green Heron
Horned Lark – State Listed as Special Concern
House Sparrow
House Wren
Mourning Dove
Northern Cardinal
Northern Flicker
Northern Harrier – State Listed as Threatened
Northern Mockingbird
Osprey – State Listed as Special Concern
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-winged Blackbird
Ring-billed Gull
Rock Pigeons
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Warbling Vireo
Willow Flycatcher
Yellow Warbler
