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Franklin County Airport
Location: Highgate, Franklin County
Bird Conservation Region: BCR 13
Size: 180 Acres
Latitude: 44:56
Longitude: 73:05
IBA Criteria:
- Vermont Endangered and Threatened Species (Criteria 1)
- Vermont High conservation Priority Species (Criteria 2)
- Single Species Concentrations (Criteria 4a)
- Long-term research and Monitoring (Criteria 5)
Land Ownership: State
Habitats: Grasslands
Land Use: Aviation
Threats: Early mowing of airfield, airport development
Site Description
Franklin County Airport is a single runway airport in the northwest corner of Vermont. The area around the runway provides extensive grassland habitat. The soil is sandy and dry resulting in a patchy distribution of vegetation. Annual mowing has kept trees and shrubs from becoming established. The airport is also bordered to the south by a private airport and to the southeast by the Franklin County Fairgrounds which are also maintained as grassland. As a result Franklin County Airport is part of a significantly larger grassland complex.
Birds
Franklin County Airport is one of the few sites in the state where the state threatened Grasshopper Sparrow nest in any significant numbers. It is also a probable nesting location for the state endangered Upland Sandpiper. Other grassland dependent species include Vesper Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow and Horned Lark.
Conservation
Franklin County Airport is owned by the state and managed by the Department of Transportation. Maintenance of the airfield in a grassland state provides important habitat for an array of grassland species. However early mowing negatively effects reproductive success. Audubon has successfully worked with the state to delay mowing until after the breeding period. Grassland birds are regularly monitored at this site through annual surveys. Threats include changes in the timing of mowing and development of airport facilities (i.e. hangers, aprons).
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