n addition to the 20 imperiled species, 62 species recognized as rare by the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program are known to exist on Grandfather Mountain. Among the rare and endangered animals are the Virginia Big-Eared Bat and the North Carolina Flying Squirrel.

During the summer of 1995, Appalachian State University researchers found the first naturally occurring Saw-whet Owl nest south of Pennsylvania, in a cavity in a large yellow birch in Grandfather's backcountry. The Saw-whet is currently listed as "a bird of special concern." (Other Saw-whets known to nest in the Southern Appalachians have been found using nest boxes set out for flying squirrels.)

--EH