Great Bay Reserve, New Hampshire

Endangered Species

Two successful osprey nests are within the reserve boundaries. Common loons and pied-billed grebes forage in the Bay during migration. Common terns have nested on Nannie Island and the Footman Islands, as well as on several islands in Little Bay. Migrating Northern harriers use the salt marshes and agricultural land for foraging. Sedge wrens and Henslow's sparrows occasionally occur in short grass habitats around the bay.

Adams Point is home to robust knotweed, hairy brome grass and lined bulrush, all rare in the state. Crommet Creek has prolific knotweed, salt marsh gerardia, dwarf glasswort, four-toed salamanders and hog-nosed snakes; all rare species in the state. The Lubberland Creek/Moody Point Component has marsh elder and large salt marsh aster, both rare to the state as well.

The Squamscott River Wetlands Component boasts four rare plants: the marsh elder, the stout bulrush, the small spike-rush and the exserted knotweed. Finally, the Wilcox Point shoreline is critical to the wintering of the American bald eagle. The estuary supports the largest winter population of bald eagles in New England and is one of the best documented wintering sites for these birds in the region. Up to 19 bald eagles spend their winter months feeding on waterfowl and roosting within the reserve

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