Connoquenessing Creek Watershed Conservation Plan - Western ...

Connoquenessing Creek Watershed Conservation PlanChapter 4. Biological ResourcesA sampling of some of the wildlife resources that can be found throughout the watershed arehighlighted in this section. While some of these species may actually occupy neighboring watersheds,such as the Slippery Rock Creek subwatershed, they still depend on the high quality habitats of theConnoquenessing to support their population and allow for expansion of their range.BirdsBald EagleOnce, bald eagle populations were ravaged by the secondary effects of excessive hunting andpesticide pollution in the environment; now bald eagles are on the rebound. In the 1980s, breeding pairsin Pennsylvania had dwindled to three pairs. Reintroductions of juveniles and protection through theEndangered Species Act led to a steady increase in populations. As a result, the bald eagle’s status wasdowngraded from endangered to threatened. Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC 4 ) manages thisimportant bird species in the state.As a symbol of our nation, this regal creature is a top predator on its food chain, and it is one of thelargest birds of prey, weighing up to 17 pounds with a wingspan of seven feet (PGC 4 ). Bald eaglesprimarily feed upon fish, other birds, and small mammals, but they have often been observed stealingprey from other birds. As of 2002, two successful sites were confirmed in Butler County slightly north ofthe watershed (PGC 4 ). At least one unconfirmed nest sighting has been reported in the Connoquenessingwatershed (Kemp, personal communication). Several sightings of adult and juvenile bald eagles visitingthe watershed have also been reported.The greatest threat to the continued successful recovery of bald eagle populations in the state ishuman disturbance. Over-use of recreational waters, which bald eagles heavily rely on for food sources,hinders their ability to thrive. In addition, too much human disturbance may lead to nest abandonment anddecreased reproductive success (PGC 4 ).OspreyThe osprey, also known as the “fish hawk,” has greatly recoveredin the state since 1979, when they were thought to be extirpated(locally extinct in the state of Pennsylvania). Like the bald eagle,osprey populations were reduced by the effects of pesticides, such asDDT, and habitat destruction. In 1986, there was believed to be onenesting pair, and in 2004, 65 pairs were found to be nesting throughoutthe state. This astounding recovery was due in large part to amanagement program initiated in 1980 that continued for 16 years,reintroducing nestlings throughout the state, including a reintroductionprogram at Moraine State Park, which borders the Connoquenessingwatershed to the north (PGC 5 ).Ospreys nest near large bodies of water, and they prey primarilyon fish. They build large stick nests atop large trees or other tallstructures. Migratory in nature, they fly to South America and otherpoints south for the winter, and return to nest in Pennsylvania in thespring. The osprey is currently listed as threatened in Pennsylvania.Osprey nest at Moraine StatePark adjacent to theConnoquenessing CreekwatershedShort-eared OwlThe short-eared owl is listed as endangered in Pennsylvania. Some owls have tufts of feathers ontheir heads that are commonly referred to as “ears.” The short-eared owl lacks these tufts upon its head,hence the name. Short-eared owls are migratory, and spend most of their time in Pennsylvania during4-9