Summary

Description

This data set contains sensitive biological resource data for wading birds, shorebirds, waterfowl, raptors, diving birds, pelagic birds, passerine birds, gulls and terns in coastal Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey. Vector polygons in this data set represent locations of bird nesting, foraging, and rafting sites. Species specific abundance, seasonality, status, life history, and source information are stored in relational data tables (described below) designed to be used in conjunction with this spatial data layer.This data set comprises a portion of the Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) data for Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey. ESI data characterize the marine and coastal environments and wildlife by their sensitivity to spilled oil. The ESI data include information for three main components: shoreline habitats, sensitive biological resources, and human-use resources. See also the NESTS (Nest Points) data layer, part of the larger Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey ESI database, for additional bird information.