WASHINGTON (09/13/06) -- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has designated the red knot, a migratory bird, as a candidate for Endangered Species Act protection.

In 2004 the Service initiated a status review for the red knot through the internal candidate assessment process, according to Marvin Moriarty, Northeast regional director for the Service.  The candidate determination also serves as a response to petitions subsequently filed requesting protection under the Act.  The Northeast Pennsylvania Audubon Society requested emergency Endangered Species Act protection for the Atlantic coast population of the red knot.  In 2005, the Service received two additional petitions - one initiated by Defenders of Wildlife, and one initiated by the Delaware Riverkeeper Network - both requesting emergency protection.  In response to the petitions, the Service found that the red knot does not warrant temporary protection under the Act's emergency provision because the threat to the bird is not imminent, although its population has experienced a significant decline. 

"The Service's decision acknowledges the need to protect the red knot, but stops short of proposing the bird for protection under the Act," Moriarty said. "We have long been concerned about the status of red knots, but we have hope for the future of the species.  The strong conservation actions initiated by the states of New Jersey and Delaware have reduced threats to red knots at their migratory stopover in Delaware Bay.  The most recent numbers of red knots there and in their South American wintering grounds remain similar to 2005 numbers, indicating that the declining population trend may have stabilized."

Protection of the red knot is warranted but precluded by other, higher priority activities.  This means the proposal for protection is deferred while the Service works on protection for other species that are at greater risk.  The finding requires subsequent annual reviews until either a listing proposal is published or a "not warranted" finding is made based on new information.

The Federal Register notice is available online.

More information about red knots is available online.