Back to Endangered Species

Species to be Added to New Hampshire's Endangered List

CONCORD, N.H. - Four bird species should be given greater protection status, according to conservationists and the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. The Department is proposing to move the northern harrier, roseate tern, least tern and purple martin from the state's list of threatened species to the endangered list. The proposal was recommended by a technical team of biologists from several agencies and organizations.

"While these species have their own unique challenges, they all face the real possibility of vanishing from New Hampshire if we don't take further conservation steps," said John Kanter, coordinator of Fish and Game's Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program.

The Department will hold a hearing on its proposed revisions to the list of threatened and endangered species on Sept. 6, at 7 p.m., at its Concord headquarters.

Also under the proposal:

• The hognose snake, three-toed woodpecker and grasshopper sparrow would be added to the state's threatened species list.
• The marbled salamander would be added to the state's endangered species list.
• Two bird species---the loggerhead shrike and Henslow's sparrow---would be removed from the endangered list because biologists believe they're now gone from the state.

The state's threatened and endangered species list was last readopted by rule in 1994. The list is required under the state's Endangered Species Conservation Act of 1979. Complete copies of the proposed rules are available from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, (603) 271-1139. Written comments should be received by September 25.