Animals

Birds

One hundred and eighty-seven species of birds have been identified within the boundaries of the park making Gettysburg NMP a great place for birdwatchers and nature lovers alike.  The park contains many acres of open grasslands, wet meadows, hay fields, and pasture lands which provide homes to birds such as the Eastern bluebird or Northern bobwhite.  Because the grasslands provide critical habitat to a variety of bird species, a western portion of the park has been designated an Important Bird Area by the state.  This designation is important because it protects some of the vanishing grassland habitat in Pennsylvania while also protecting the species of birds that reside there including the state-endangered Loggerhead shrike and Short-eared owl.

Other bird species that rely on grassland habitat for survival include many songbirds, which can by found in the park through the different seasons. With a careful ear one will be able to detect the cheerful tunes of the American robin or Yellow warbler. Also, a visitor may cross paths with such game birds as the ring-necked pheasant or wild turkey, although hunting is strictly prohibited within the park.

Within the forested canopy layers, bird species range from the gregarious Red-headed woodpecker to the inconspicuous Ruby-crowned kinglet. On forest edges visitors can observe a Red-tailed hawk or a Cooper's hawk keeping a watchful eye on the field below for prey of the park's large small-mammal population.

Streams in the park provide habitat to waterfowl such as ring-necked ducks and Canada geese. One may also be fortunate enough to catch sight of a majestic great blue heron walking slowly through one of the park's streams or tributaries while hunting for fish.

Many species of endangered and threatened birds are also migrants or visitors to the park. Of significance is the recent observation of Peregrine falcon within the park. The species is endangered within Pennsylvania but its population has been slowly growing since the early 1990's due to state reintroduction efforts.

Amphibians

Inventory and monitoring surveys in 2000 and 2001 identified fifteen species of amphibians in Gettysburg NMP.  Of these fifteen species, eight were frogs, four were salamanders, two were toads, and one newt.  Most of these species occupy wetland and pond habitat within the park.

One can not mistake the low "a-ruumm a-ruumm" call of the bullfrog on a late summer afternoon. These calls and the sound of splashes as they plunk into the water are distinctive identifications of the presence of the large green frogs. Park visitors may also recognize the swift "peep peep peep" of the spring peeper's chorus on a warm evening.

The silent salamanders of the park are not as easy to find. They are typically inactive during the day so it is not common for visitors to come upon them. But the lifting of a log may reveal a moist home abundant with the smooth-skinned, lizard-like creatures.

An amphibian survey is planned for the summer of 2004 to identify and record breeding frogs within the park. Wood frog and spotted salamander egg mass count projects are also planned for the summer of 2004 to determine available habitat.

Animals

Gettysburg NMP is more than just battlefields and monuments.  Its large size and variety of habitats allow many species of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians to call the park home.  While walking through the 1,900 acres of maturing woodlands and woodlots visitors have the potential to observe a variety of species ranging from the common white-tailed deer to the less prominent black-throated blue warbler.

The 2,300 acres of pasturelands and farmlands provide an open-upland habitat.  The open landscapes host many of the same species found in the forested areas, however the open fields provide a specialized niche for many birds and insects.  Visitors may observe a red-winged blackbird resting on a fence post or butterflies such as the monarch and the painted lady drifting from flower to flower feeding on nectar plants.  While maintaining the speed limit it is also possible to observe a red fox in the open fields.

Through studies conducted in cooperation with the Pennsylvania State University, a complete inventory of amphibian and reptile species has been documented.  If patient a visitor may have the opportunity to observe a northern two-lined salamander in one of the riparian areas or a spotted turtle in the shallow areas of one of the park’s streams.

Gettysburg NMP is also a home or stopover point for several federally and state-listed endangered, threatened, or candidate species.  Threatened bird species such as ospreys and federally endangered bald eagles have been observed soaring in the skies over the battlefields.  National Park Service staff mist netting has confirmed the presence of a candidate species of bat, Northern myotis, within the park.

Reptiles

Seventeen species of reptiles including nine snakes, six turtles and two skinks are found within Gettysburg National Military Park.  Visitors touring some of the parks wetland habitat may often spot wetland turtle species such as the painted turtle basking on a log or the head of a snapping turtle peeking up through some water grasses.  It is also common to cross paths with the slow-moving terrestrial Eastern box turtle.

The large population of small mammals in the park provides adequate prey for the nine species of snakes within the park. Most of the snakes such as the common garter snake and black rat snake are nonvenomous, however the park does contain two species of venomous snakes, the copperhead and timber rattlesnake. The Northern water snake is not venomous and is common in the streams of the park. Its dark color and stout body often cause it to be mistakenly identified with the venomous water moccasin, which is not found in the park.

Mammals

Invertebrates are the most numerous and diverse animals on Earth of whose species comprise about 98 percent of the animals in the animal kingdom. Invertebrates occupy important places in the food web as primary and secondary consumers and also decomposers. Invertebrates also have value ranging from the role of earthworms in the fertilizing and aerating of soil to the task of pollinating flowers undertaken by honeybees, butterflies, and moths. Considering all these facts, it is hard to understand why such insects and spiders are so underrated and feared by many people.

In 1999, butterfly and arthropod inventories at Gettysburg NMP were conducted in cooperation with Penn State University. For butterfly collection, suitable habitat was determined and collection sites were based on the availability of nectar sources and shelter. The park provides important habitat to butterflies in the form of mixed farmland and forest landscape. Butterfly specimens were collected and identified by taxonomists who identified a total of 38 butterfly species in the park. On a warm day, visitors to the park will be able to observe some of these species such as tiger swallowtails, spring azures, or monarchs drifting among the flowers and grasses.

For the 1999 study, terrestrial arthropods were collected at wooded sites of Big Round Top, Plum Run area, and Codori-Trostle Thicket. Samples contained much insect biodiversity but flies, ants, bees, mites, and beetles were the most prominent specimens. Through the study seven new species known to science and at least one new genus of Diptera (flies) were also discovered.