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Sandbar Wildlife Management Area
Location: Milton, Chittenden County
Bird Conservation Region: BCR 13
Size: 1151 Acres
Latitude: 44:37
Longitude: 73:13
IBA Criteria:
- Vermont Endangered and Threatened Species (Criteria 1)
- Vermont High Conservation Priority Species (Criteria 2)
- Rare, Unique or Representative Habitat (Criteria 3)
- Concentration Site for Birds(Criteria 4b and 4f)
- Long-term Monitoring and/or Research(Criteria 5)
Land Ownership:State
Habitats:Marsh, Floodplain and Hardwood Forest, Fields
Land Use: Wildlife conservation
Threats: Invasive species, water pollution
Site Description
Sandbar Wildlife Management Areas is located at the confluence of the Lamoille River and Lake Champlain in Milton. Sandbar is composed of river delta and associated upland forest habitats and is influenced by fluctuating lake levels. Vermont Natural Community types include Lakeside and Silver Maple-Ostrich Fern Riverine floodplain forests, and Shallow Emergent, Cattail, Deep Broadleaf and Wild Rice marshes.
Birds
Sandbar WMA is considered the second most productive waterfowl site in the state with its marshes supporting a number of breeding waterfowl species including Black Duck, Wood Duck, Mallard Hooded Merganser and Common Goldeneye. Its location along Lake Champlain makes it an ideal migratory stopover for thousands of waterfowl in the spring and fall. Other priority species include Osprey, Pied-billed Grebe (S2), Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (S3), Pine Warbler (S3) and American Bittern (S3). Sandbar WMA has also been a breeding site for Cerulean Warbler, a species currently being considered for federal listing. Large numbers of Great Blue Herons from colonies to the north and west also use Sandbar as a primary feeding site.
Conservation
Sandbar WMA is owned and managed by the state of Vermont. Public access is not permitted on a vast majority of the site. Current management and research activities include the Vermont Forest Bird Monitoring Project and Marshbird Monitoring Project as
well as activities conducted by the state to enhance waterfowl and osprey productivity. Threats include invasive species, water pollution from the Lamiolle River and the intrusion of Route 2 into the area which results in high annual road mortality.
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