-39- 



large enough quantities to be of commercial value. The striped 

 bass is of course a highly regarded sport fish as well. The 

 importance of small tributary streams as breeding areas and their 

 attendant marshes as nurseries for the subsequent fry has been 

 considered in assessing natural area value. 



Wood duck nesting concentrations have been noted (in the 

 study's computer print-out) where information was available. 

 This species, considered endangered 30-40 years ago, has made an 

 astonishing come-back. The wood duck (Aix sponsa ) declined as the 

 old trees which had proper nesting cavities were logged off and 

 younger trees cut before reaching proper size. Artificial nesting 

 sites have helped the wood duck to become relatively common again. 

 Since the male is one of the most beautifully marked birds in 

 North American, nesting data was included in the natural areas 

 evaluations. 



Heronries are present in the Bay region, mostly of the great 

 blue heron (Ardea herodias ) but other types of heronries are found 

 too — green heron ( Butorides virescens ) , black-crowned night heron 

 ( Nyctocorax nycticorax ) , and American egret ( Casmerodius albus ) . 

 At the present about 30 active heronries have been plotted on Map 2, 

 although others probably exist. 



Migratory stopovers . Certain areas such as peninsulas and 

 islands are utilized by shorebirds, birds of prey, and passerines 

 passing north or south during migrations. The birds pause to feed 

 and rest for a few days before resuming their migratory flights. 



