Fish & Wildlife Populations
Introduction
The Lower Green Bay and Fox River Area of Concern (LGBFR AOC) consists of 22 priority populations that were identified as critical components to the LGBFR AOC ecosystem based on discussions with local experts and stakeholders and because they were identified in the original Remedial Action Plan. These priority populations have demonstrated sensitivity to toxins, economic importance, aquatic dependence, keystone species characteristics, conservation status, and/or the potential to be impacted by work conducted in the LGBFR AOC. Conditions of these priority populations are assessed after restoration and enhancement projects are completed and then used to evaluate the “degradation of fish and wildlife populations” beneficial use impairment (BUI).
American Mink (Neovison vison)
The American mink is a semi-aquatic mammal and is a member of the weasel family. They have long bodies with short, thick fur that is dark brown in color with occasional white patches. They can be found near bodies of water or wetlands and feed on muskrats, fish, reptiles, amphibians, waterfowl, eggs, and mice.[1] American minks reside throughout North America except for the southwestern United States.[2]
Current threats to American minks include hunting for their fur, habitat degradation due to development, and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) pollution.[2]
Status:[3]
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (LC)
Global: Secure (G5)
United States: Secure (N5)
United States Endangered Species Act: Not Listed
Wisconsin: Secure (S5)
Distribution in the Lower Green Bay and Fox River Area of Concern:[4]
American minks have officially been recorded at Point au Sable and the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay’s campus though they likely occur throughout most of the Lower Green Bay and Fox River Area of Concern.
Links:
IUCN assessment information and population trends: http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/41661/0
WDNR overview and species description: http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/WildlifeHabitat/furbearers.html
Natural history and geographic distribution: http://explorer.natureserve.org/servlet/NatureServe?loadTemplate=tabular_report.wmt&paging=home&save=all&sourceTemplate=reviewMiddle.wmt
Lower Green Bay and Fox River Area of Concern information: https://www.epa.gov/great-lakes-aocs/lower-green-bayfox-river-aoc
[1] WDNR. “Furbearers”: http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/WildlifeHabitat/furbearers.html (February 2017).
[2] IUCN. “Neovison vison”: http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/41661/0 (February 2017).
[3] NatureServe. NatureServe Explorer. “Neovison vison American Mink”
http://explorer.natureserve.org/servlet/NatureServe?loadTemplate=tabular_report.wmt&paging=home&save=all&sourceTemplate=reviewMiddle.wmt (February 2017).
[4] Latest LGB&FR AOC Biota Database file dated 17 February 2017.
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
The Bald Eagle is a large bird of prey with bright yellow bill and legs, white head, and overall brown body. They typically forage on fish but also eat mammals, birds (e.g., ducks), and carrion (e.g., dead deer). Bald Eagles occur throughout North America near inland and coastal bodies of water and wetlands, such as along the Atlantic coast, Great Lakes region, and Canada[1]
Pesticide poisoning from dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT) and hunting caused population declines in Bald Eagles, after which conservationists listed them on the Endangered Species Act in 1978. These protections coupled with the ban on DDT use has allowed Bald Eagle populations to increase significantly over the years. In 2007, Bald Eagles were delisted from the Endangered Species Act.[1]
Status:[2]
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (LC)
Global: Secure (G5)
United States: Secure (N5)
United States Endangered Species Act: Not Listed
Wisconsin: Apparently Secure (S4)
Wisconsin All-Bird Conservation Plan:[3] Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN)
Distribution in the Lower Green Bay and Fox River Area of Concern:[4]
Bald Eagles have been recorded in Atkinson Marsh, L. H. Barkhausen Waterfowl Preserve, Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary, Dead Horse Bay, the mouth of the Fox River, islands within Green Bay, Long Tail Point, Point au Sable, Fox River, and the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay’s campus. During the winter, they congregate near open bodies of water (e.g., mouth of the Fox River) foraging on fish and ducks.
Links:
IUCN assessment information and population trends: http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/22695144/0
WDNR overview and state status: http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/EndangeredResources/Animals.asp?mode=detail&SpecCode=ABNKC10010
Natural history and geographic distribution: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Bald_Eagle/lifehistory
Lower Green Bay and Fox River Area of Concern information: https://www.epa.gov/green-bay-fox-river-aoc
[1] The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. All About Birds. “Bald Eagle”: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Bald_Eagle/id (January 2017).
[2] NatureServe. NatureServe Explorer. “Haliaeetus leucocephalus Bald Eagle”: http://explorer.natureserve.org/servlet/NatureServe?sourceTemplate=species_RptComprehensive.wmt&loadTemplate=tabular_report.wmt&paging=home&elKey=104470&save=false&page=1 (February 2017).
[3] Wisconsin All-Bird Conservation Plan. “Priority Species”: http://www.wisconsinbirds.org/plan/species/priority.htm (February 2017).
[4] Latest LGB&FR AOC Biota Database file dated 17 February 2017.
Black Tern (Chlidonias niger)
Black Terns are relatively small water birds with dark bodies and gray wings that feed on insects and small fish. Black Terns reside in Canada and the northern United States during the summer and South America during the winter. Black Terns migrate throughout the southern United States, Central America, and the Caribbean. They nest on floating mats of vegetation in large, shallow marshes adjacent to open water in Canada and the northern United States.[1]
Current threats to Black Terns include disturbance by human activities, habitat loss, and habitat degradation.[2]
Status:[3]
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (LC)
Global: Apparently Secure (G4)
United States: Apparently Secure Breeding (N4B)
United States Endangered Species Act: Not Listed
Wisconsin: Endangered, Imperiled Breeding Population (S2B)
Wisconsin All-Bird Conservation Plan:[4] Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN), Upper Mississippi River/Great Lakes Waterbird Conservation Plan (WBIRD)
Distribution in the Lower Green Bay and Fox River Area of Concern:[5],[6]
Although Black Terns historically bred in the Lower Green Bay and Fox River Area of Concern (LGB&FR AOC),[7] recently, no one has officially documented Black Terns breeding successfully in the LGB&FR AOC.5 In recent years, Black Terns have been recorded using the small islands in the Bay of Green Bay, Duck Creek, Dead Horse Bay, Long Tail Point, and the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay’s campus during migration or late summer.
Links:
IUCN assessment information and population trends: http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/22694787/0
NatureServe Explorer global and national rank: http://explorer.natureserve.org/servlet/NatureServe?loadTemplate=tabular_report.wmt&paging=home&save=all&sourceTemplate=reviewMiddle.wmt
Lower Green Bay and Fox River Area of Concern information: https://www.epa.gov/green-bay-fox-river-aoc
[1] The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. All About Birds. “Black Tern”: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black_Tern/id (January 2017).
2 WDNR. “Black Tern (Chlidonias niger)”
http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/EndangeredResources/Animals.asp?mode=detail&SpecCode=ABNNM10020 (January 2017).
[3] NatureServe. NatureServe Explorer. “Chlidonias niger Black Tern”
http://explorer.natureserve.org/servlet/NatureServe?loadTemplate=tabular_report.wmt&paging=home&save=all&sourceTemplate=reviewMiddle.wmt (January 2017).
[4] Wisconsin All-Bird Conservation Plan. “Priority Species”: http://www.wisconsinbirds.org/plan/species/priority.htm (February 2017).
[5] Latest LGB&FR AOC Biota Database file dated 17 February 2017.
[6] Wisconsin Breeding Bird Atlas II. “Species Map” of Black Tern: http://ebird.org/ebird/atlaswi/map?zh=true (February 2017).
[7] Thomas Erdman. Unpublished report.
Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia)
The Caspian Tern is the largest tern species in the world and has a thick red bill, black head, and large white body. This species typically inhabits coastal areas, including barrier islands, freshwater lakes, river islands, and salt marshes. They breed on island or isolated beaches and create a nest on the ground with a small indentation or “scrape.”[1]
Current threats to Caspian Tern breeding grounds include disturbance and predation especially along beaches, though relatively undisturbed artificial structures (e.g., dikes, dredge spoil islands) have provided additional nesting habitat that was not otherwise available.[1] ,[2]
Status:[3]
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (LC)
Global: Secure (G5)
United States: Apparently Secure Nonbreeding Population, Secure Breeding Population (N4N5B)
United States Endangered Species Act: Not Listed
Wisconsin: Critically Imperiled (S1)
Wisconsin All-Bird Conservation Plan:[4] Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN)
Distribution in Lower Green Bay and Fox River Area of Concern:
In recent years, Caspian Terns have been recorded at Atkinson Marsh, Bay Beach, L. H. Barkhausen Waterfowl Preserve, Dead Horse Bay, mouth of the Fox River, islands within Green Bay, Long Tail Point, Point au Sable, Fox River, and the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay’s campus likely foraging habitat during migration and the summer.[5] They are relatively uncommon in Wisconsin because their breeding grounds are subject to human disturbance and a lack of habitat.2 Exposure to polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs) and other chemicals has also negatively affected this species in the Lower Green Bay and Fox River Area of Concern (LGB&FR AOC) in terms of their reproductive success.2,[6] Nevertheless, Caspian Terns successfully bred on Renard Island in 19972 and the Cat Island Causeway in 2016.[7]
Links:
Wisconsin All-Bird Conservation Plan - Caspian Tern: http://www.wisconsinbirds.org/plan/species/cate.htm
Wisconsin DNR Great Lakes Topic (pages 15-16): http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/greatlakes/documents/LGBFRAOCRAP2015.pdf
The State of the Bay of Green Bay/Lake Michigan (page 138): http://aqua.wisc.edu/publications/pdfs/StateOfTheBayReport-TheConditionOfTheBayOfGreenBay-LakeMichigan-2013.pdf
Lower Green Bay and Fox River Area of Concern information: https://www.epa.gov/green-bay-fox-river-aoc
[1] The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. All About Birds. Caspian Tern.
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Caspian_Tern/id (December 2016).
[2] Cutright, N.J., B.R. Harriman, and R.W. Howe. 2006. Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Wisconsin. Wisconsin Society for Ornithology. Waukesha, Wisconsin.
[3] NatureServe. NatureServe Explorer. “Hydroprogne caspia Caspian Tern”:
http://explorer.natureserve.org/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Hydroprogne+caspia (November 2016).
[4] Wisconsin All-Bird Conservation Plan. “Priority Species”: http://www.wisconsinbirds.org/plan/species/priority.htm (February 2017).
[5] Latest LGB&FR AOC Biota Database file dated 17 February 2017.
[6] Wisconsin DNR Great Lakes Topic (pages 15-16):
http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/greatlakes/documents/LGBFRAOCRAP2015.pdf (November 2016).
[7] Wisconsin Breeding Bird Atlas II. “Species Map” of Caspian Tern: http://ebird.org/ebird/atlaswi/map?zh=true (February 2017).
Common Tern (Sterna hirundo)
The Common Tern is a medium-sized waterbird commonly found throughout North America near rivers, lakes, and oceans. They are white with a black cap and a reddish-colored bill. Common Terns feed on small fish and nest on the ground. They breed in the northern United States and Canada during the summer and overwinter in the Caribbean and South America.[1]
Current threats to Common Terns include human disturbance, habitat loss, displacement by other waterbird species (e.g., Ring-billed Gull), nest predation by wild and domestic animals, and severe weather.[2],3
Status:[3]
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (LC)
Global: Secure (G5)
United States: Breeding Population Secure (N5B)
United States Endangered Species Act: Not Listed
Wisconsin: Endangered, Critically Imperiled Breeding Population & Imperiled Nonbreeding Population (S1B, S2N)
Wisconsin All-Bird Conservation Plan:[4] Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN), Upper Mississippi River/Great Lakes Waterbird Conservation Plan (WBIRD)
Distribution in the Lower Green Bay and Fox River Area of Concern:[5]
In recent years, Common Terns have been recorded at Atkinson Marsh, L. H. Barkhausen Waterfowl Preserve, Dead Horse Bay, Duck Creek, mouth of the Fox River, Long Tail Point, islands within Green Bay, Point au Sable, Fox River, and the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay’s campus foraging during migration and summer. Common Terns successfully bred on Renard Island in 1997 and on artificial nesting platforms close to the westernmost dredge cell of the Cat Island Causeway in 2015-2016.
Links:
IUCN assessment information and population trends: http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/22694623/0
Natural history and geographic distribution: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Tern/id
Lower Green Bay and Fox River Area of Concern information: https://www.epa.gov/green-bay-fox-river-aoc
[1] The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. All About Birds. “Common Tern”
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Tern/id (January 2017).
[2] Cutright, N.J., B.R. Harriman, and R.W. Howe. 2006. Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Wisconsin. Wisconsin Society for Ornithology. Waukesha, Wisconsin.
3 WDNR. “Common Tern (Sterna hirundo)”
http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/EndangeredResources/Animals.asp?mode=detail&SpecCode=ABNNM08070 (January 2017).
[3] NatureServe. NatureServe Explorer. “Sterna hirundo Common Tern” http://explorer.natureserve.org/servlet/NatureServe?loadTemplate=tabular_report.wmt&paging=home&save=all&sourceTemplate=reviewMiddle.wmt (January 2017).
[4] Wisconsin All-Bird Conservation Plan. “Priority Species”: http://www.wisconsinbirds.org/plan/species/priority.htm (February 2017).
[5] Latest LGB&FR AOC Biota Database file dated 17 February 2017.