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animal species and plant species listed as species of special
concern or as part of an exemplary natural community.
Mammals common to the county include raccoons, red
foxes, white-tailed deer, grey squirrels, flying squirrels,
chipmunks, woodchucks, muskrats, and opossums. Smaller
mammals, such as mice, voles, and shrews, abound. Several
species of bats are also common.
Less showy, but no less important, are the turtles and
reptiles. The snapping turtle, musk turtle, painted turtle, red
bellied turtle and bog turtle (an endangered species) are
aquatic turtles that can be found within the county. The
eastern box turtle is more commonly found in the county.
Snakes, such as the eastern garter, black rat, northern ring-
necked, northern brown, and northern water snake, are
nonvenomous species that are fairly common. The northern
copperhead, a venomous snake, is sometimes encountered
on trails and in rocky areas within the county.
Amphibians, such as frogs, toads, and salamanders, are a
vital link of the food web. The American toad, pickerel
frog, green frog, bullfrog, and spring peeper not only are
food for larger animals, but also have wildlife value for
children and adults. For many people, the chorus of peepers
and bullfrogs is an integral part of summer. Children also
enjoy hunting for northern red-backed salamanders under
logs and northern two-lined salamanders under rocks at the
water’s edge.
A variety of waterfowl are found in the county such as
Canada geese, mallards, common mergansers and wood
ducks. Vultures and hawks are often spotted circling in the
summer sky. Black vultures (Coragyps atratus) are
commonly seen circling above the Perkiomen near Spring
Mountain. Golden and bald eagles have been spotted while
migrating through the area, particularly along the Schuylkill
River and Green Lane Reservoir. The Atlantic flyway, a
significant bird migration route from Canada to the south,
passes through Montgomery County. The Green Lane
Reservoir is an important stopover in that flyway. A large
Great Blue Heron rookery exists along the Swamp Creek in
New Hanover Township.
A young fox is a common sight in many farm fields throughout the county.
Deer in many parts of the county have caused damage to
local vegetation.
The Eastern Box turtle can be found throughout the county.
Songbirds benefit from the variety of habitats found
throughout the county. Some, like the eastern meadowlark,
purple martin, eastern bluebird, and red-winged blackbird,
prefer open fields and meadows. Woodlands are important
habitat for birds such as the red-eyed vireo, black capped
chickadee, and gray catbirds as well as the more unusual
species, such as the ovenbird, blue-gray gnatcatcher, wood
thrush, and screech owl.
