The Nova Scotia government is adding three birds and two plants to its list of species that are considered at risk in the province.
The birds that were added to the list Wednesday are the red knot, chimney swift and common nighthawk.
The red knot is a medium-sized shorebird whose population in Canada has declined by 70 per cent in the past 15 years – with a similar decline recorded in Nova Scotia.
The chimney swift was added to the endangered list, while the common nighthawk is classified as threatened.
The plants that were added to the list are the ram's-head lady slipper – a small orchid that grows in open forests – and the rockrose – a herb with yellow flowers.
The ram's-head lady slipper, now found in just six places in Nova Scotia, has been listed as endangered.
The rockrose is also listed as endangered.
Meanwhile, the government announced that the province's peregrine falcon population has successfully recovered, although it is remains on the vulnerable list.
The falcons are now nesting on cliffs along the Bay of Fundy. From 1955 to 1995, no nesting peregrine falcons were seen in Nova Scotia.
“I am encouraged by the interest and concern that Nova Scotians show for species at risk,” Natural Resources Minister David Morse said in a statement.
“To ensure their survival, we need to continue to work together, on both Crown land and private land. Downgrading the risk status of the peregrine falcon shows what we can accomplish together.”
A total of 41 species are now listed under the Endangered Species Act in Nova Scotia.
The peregrine falcon remains on the vulnerable list, because it is still too early to conclude that it is no longer threatened.
Federal and provincial law helps protect threatened and endangered species by prohibiting activities that could disturb or destroy the species or their habitat.
Laws includes fines for anyone caught harming species or their habitat.
