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Birds of Blaine County,
Riparian Point Count Surveys

2005

Prepared for:

Bureau of Land Management

Havre Field Station

Havre, Montana

By:
Susan Lenard

Montana Natural Heritage Program

Natural Resource Information System

Montana State Library

January 2006

MONTANA

Natural Heritage
Pix^^ram

Birds of Blaine County,
Riparian Point Count Surveys

2005

Prepared for:

Bureau of Land Management

Havre Field Station

Havre, Montana

Agreement Number:
ESA010009-#16

By:
Susan Lenard

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This document should be cited as follows:

Lenard, S. 2006. Birds of Blaine County, Riparian Point Count Surveys 2005. Report to the Bureau of
Land Management, Havre Field Station, Havre, Montana. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Helena,
MT. 16 pp. plus appendices.

Executive Summary

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands
encompass diverse habitats across Montana with the
potential to provide important habitat for many species
of conservation concern. The Havre Office of the
BLM is currently developing a Resource Management
Plan for lands under its jurisdiction and requested
information on the presence of bird species in Blaine
County in order to improve the planning process.
Much of the land under consideration is mixed-grass
prairie bisected by small tributary streams of the Milk
and Missouri Rivers.

In June 2005, fifty-eight point count surveys were
conducted on BLM lands in Blaine County, Montana
by zoology staff of the Montana Natural Heritage
Program. The purpose of the project was to survey
riparian habitat on BLM lands for the presence of
riparian-associated birds. The survey was designed
to generate a complete list of species to be considered
in management planning. Seventy-one species of
birds were recorded during the point counts, of which
11 species are state Species of Concern: American
White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos),
Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni). Long-billed
Curlew (Numenius americanus). Common Tern
{Sterna hirundo), Forster's Tern (Sterna forsteri).
Black Tern (Chlidonias niger), Loggerhead Shrike
{Lanius ludovicianus), Sprague's Pipit (Anthus
spragueii). Lark Bunting (Calamospiza
melanocorys), Baird's Sparrow (Ammodramus
bairdii), and Chestnut-collared Longspur (Calcarius
ornatus) (MTNHP 2004). Six additional species
recorded on BLM lands during the field visits, but not
during the formal counts, are recognized as state
Species of Concern: Ferruginous Hawk {Buteo
regalis), Franklin's Gull (Larus pipixcan), Burrowing
Owl (Athene cunicularia), Brewer's Sparrow
(Spizella breweri), McCown's Longspur (Calcarius
mccownii) and Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus),
while two Species of Potential Concern, Great Blue
Heron (Ardea herodias) and Baltimore Oriole
(Icterus galbula) were also documented in Blaine
County during the project, but not during the point
count surveys. Finally, an additional two Species of
Concern and one Species of Potential Concern have
been previously documented in the region by others;

Caspian Tern (Sterna caspia). Grasshopper Sparrow
(Ammodramus savannarum), and Short-eared Owl
(Asio flammeus) and should be considered in
resource management plans.

Riparian vegetation accounts for less than one percent
of the landscape of the western U.S., yet provides
habitat to more species of birds, both migratory and
resident species, than all other vegetation types
combined (Knopf etal. 1988). Riparian areas provide
critical food and cover for a host of wildlife species,
with species diversity highly dependent on the
complexity and availability of riparian habitat (Scott
et al. 2003). Riparian zones in the project area were
generally dominated by herbaceous vegetation, with
little-to-no shrub or tree component. Although a few
riparian-associated species were recorded, the
majority of the birds observed represent associations
with the adjacent upland vegetation communities. The
species documented reflect the limited abundance of
complex riparian habitat on BLM lands in Blaine
County. Many streams in the more northerly portions
of the county are slower flowing streams and are
likely to have herbaceous-dominant riparian plant
communities (P. Hansen, personal communication
2006). Faster flowing streams in the project area
are associated with greater topographic relief, and
are more likely to support the growth of shrubs and
trees. Although cottonwood recruitment may have
been sporadic in Blaine County historically, many of
the sites surveyed in a recent study revealed relictual
stands of plains cottonwood, suggesting a recent
history of tree cover (Jones 2003). The combination
of irrigation diversions, small dams, and livestock
grazing on these small streams will make future tree
recruitment even less likely (Jones 2003).

The primary conservation need for riparian bird
species identified as a result of this project is to survey
all stream systems in Blaine County to 1) classify the
vegetation cover potential, 2) identify actions
necessary to restore natural disturbance regimes (i.e.
flooding, fire, grazing), and 3) implement appropriate
actions needed to conserve these riparian corridors.

Acknowledgments

This project was made possible by funding from the
Bureau of Land Management under Challenge Cost
Share Agreement No. ESA010009-#16 between the
BLM and The Nature Conservancy's Montana
Natural Heritage Program. We specifically thank
Jody Peters and Craig Miller of the Havre Office of
the BLM for their support of this project. Coburn
Currier, Project Biologist with the Montana Natural
Heritage Program, contributed immensely to the bird
survey work. Bryce Maxell, Paul Hendricks, Phil
Johnson, Coburn Currier and Kathy Lloyd reviewed
and improved this document.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Study Area 2

Methods 3

Project Design and Survey Point Selection 3

Point Count Methodology 3

Results and Discussion 4

Habitat Observations 4

Species Observations 4

Species Abundance and Distribution 8

Breeding Evidence 9

Documented Species of Concern 10

Additional Species of Concern Observed on BLM Lands During the Project Visit 11

Species of Potential Concern 12

Conclusions and Recommendations 13

References Cited 14

Appendix A. Global/State Rank Definitions

Appendix B. Sample Photos of Characteristic Site Vegetation

Appendix C. Survey Sites with Point Count Locations

Appendix D . Mapped Point Count Locations

Appendix E. Habitat Association Table for State Species of Concern

Appendix F. Bird List for Each Survey Location

Appendix G. List of Birds for QLL's Covering Project Area in Blaine County

List of Figures

Figure 1. Overview of Project Area Located in Blaine County 2

List of Tables

Table 1 . List of Bird Species Observed in Blaine County and Their Associated

Conservation Status 5

Table 2. Species Listed in Order of Overall Abundance 8

Introduction

Riparian habitat is recognized as one of the five most
important vegetation types for conservation of
Montana's bird species by Montana Partners in Flight
(Casey 2000). Numerous bird species associated with
riparian habitats are listed as species in need of
conservation by state and federal agencies, as well
as, by non-government entities. Eleven state bird
Species of Concern or Species of Potential Concern
are riparian-dependent (MTNHP 2004). Twenty-
seven species dependent on riparian habitat are
identified in need of conservation action in the
Montana Bird Conservation Plan (Casey 2000). Three
riparian-associated species are listed on the Montana/
Dakotas BLM Sensitive Species 2004 List (ELM
2004). One species is listed as a federally threatened
species under the Endangered Species Act and one
riparian-dependent species, proposed as a candidate
for listing under the Act, was found warranted but
precluded from listing (USFWS 2005).

The diversity of bird species in a riparian area is
directly related to the presence of a combination of a

canopy, shrub, and herbaceous understory, and the
width of the riparian zone (Scott et al. 2003). In
northcentral Montana, riparian tree species generally
encountered include cottonwood (Populus spp.), green
ash {Fraxinus pennsylvanica), and box elder (Acer
negundo). The associated shrub species may include
common chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), snowberry
{Symphoricarpos albus), wood's rose (Rosa woodsii),
buffaloberry (Shepherdia canadensis), willow (Salix
spp.), and silver sagebrush (Artemisia cana). The
herbaceous component is typically dominated by
various native and introduced grasses, along with
American licorice (Glycyrrhiza lepidota) and Canada
goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) (Hansen et al. 1988).

In 2005, the BLM contracted the Montana Natural
Heritage Program to conduct avian point counts in
riparian habitats on BLM lands in Blaine County to
provide information for the Resource Management
Plan under preparation. The purpose of the project
was to survey for the presence of riparian-associated
bird species on BLM parcels north of the Milk River.

Study Area

Blaine County, located in northcentral Montana, is
bounded by Saskatchewan, Canada to the north,
Phillips and Hill Counties to the east and west,
respectively, and the Missouri River to the south.
Major landscape features include two isolated
mountain ranges (the Little Rockies and the Bears
Paw), an area of glacial outwash known as the "Big
Flat," the glaciated plains, and the Milk River, which
bisects the northcentral section of the county (SCS
1986). The main tributaries of the Milk River, which
contribute runoff from approximately the northern
two-thirds of the county, include Lodge, Battle, Thirty-
mile, Woody Island, Savoy, Wayne, and Fifteenmile
Creeks. Project survey sites were limited to riparian
habitats on BLM lands within the Milk River
watershed (Figure 1).

Blaine County's principal plant community is mid-
and shortgrass prairie. The dominant species present
in the northern portion of the county include western
wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), green needlegrass
{Nassella viridula), needle-and-thread (Stipa comata),
prairie junegrass (Koeleria macrantha), blue grama
(Bouteloua gracilis), winterfat {Krascheninnikovia
lanata), and silver sagebrush (Artemisia carta). The
local economic base is supported by both ranching
and farming. Hence, irrigation is important for hay
and grain crop production. In dry years agricultural
irrigation may result in water being entirely diverted
from streams otherwise considered perennial (SCS
1986).

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Figure 1. Overview of Project Area Located in Blaine County.

Methods

Project Design and Survey Point
Selection

Potential survey sites were identified by geographic
location (Township, Range, Section) and local water
features by BLM biologists and supplied to Heritage
zoology staff. Vegetation characteristics for each site
were previously surveyed and identified by BLM
personnel. Since bird species diversity is positively
related to structural complexity, specific sites were
chosen for survey based on the degree of structural
diversity of available riparian vegetation. Thus, sites
with a more complex riparian vegetation community
were a higher survey priority than sites consisting only
of herbaceous riparian plant communities (see
Appendix B for photos). Travel was restricted to
existing roads and two-tracks; no travel, other than
by foot, occurred cross-country. Vehicle under-
carriages were pressure-washed prior to survey work
to remove any weed seeds present.

Point Count Methodology

At each selected survey location, three points were
evenly spaced along the general boundaries of the
riparian zone. The first point count at each survey
location was placed in the most structurally diverse
vegetation present on the site. The second and third
points were each located on the ground by field
personnel walking no less than 300 meters from the
previous point. This resulted in a 3-point survey of
the site within an area spanning approximately 600
meters. Where creeks were surveyed at more than one

location, the point counts were separated by no less
than the minimal 300 meter distance required for
standard point count methodology (see Appendix C
for a list of site and point locations). Coordinates
were recorded using GPS units at each of the three
points. The survey points were established along the
edge of the water body to keep all points within the
available riparian habitat and/or along the waterway.
The riparian vegetation was so limited at a few
locations that one of the three points fell in an area
with little-to-no riparian vegetation.

Point count transects were established at 20 different
locations. Of those, two locations were limited to
two survey points due to limited size of the available
(riparian/water) habitat, and the minimal distance
required between point counts (see Appendix D for
maps of point locations). Point counts were ten
minutes in duration with birds recorded during time
intervals of zero to three minutes, three to five minutes,
and five to ten minutes. All birds detected visually
and/or aurally within a 100 meter radius circle from
the fixed survey point were documented using the
appropriate 4-letter American Ornithologists' Union
code. Casual observations of species outside the 100
meter count circle, or at times other than during point
counts, were recorded for inclusion in the bird list for
the county. Counts were not conducted during
continuous rain or high winds. However, given the
frequency of rain during the field season in 2005, a
few points were surveyed during light rain showers.

Results and Discussion

Habitat Observations

Riparian habitat varied greatly in plant composition
across the project area. Most riparian zones were
dominated by herbaceous vegetation, with little-to-
no shrub/tree component. The majority of the sites
containing more structural diversity than an
herbaceous plant community were generally limited
to decadent trees, single trees with no shrub understory,
or limited shrub cover. At best, most of the riparian
vegetation was sparse and showed signs of grazing
and inadequate hydrology to support a diverse riparian
community.

A few selected drainages containing limited to no
riparian vegetation (upland grass to the water's edge)
were not surveyed while other stream systems were
surveyed at more than one location. At least one
location with an herbaceous-dominated riparian
system was surveyed (Woody Island Coulee), in part
because of its location in relationship to the rest of
the project sites. The stream was located considerably
northeast of the other locations and was contiguous
with an extensive block of BLM land that abuts the
border with Canada. We presumed since it was closer
to the headwaters and lay adjacent to a large block of
BLM land, it was less likely to be de watered for
irrigation and might support a diverse assemblage of
bird species. We also felt it beneficial to survey the
site as there was considerable time invested to access
it. Had this location been more accessible, it probably
would have been surveyed at one location along its
length, rather than three.

Since most of the sites surveyed lacked structurally
complex vegetation communities, the majority of the
bird species documented on this project was not
specifically riparian-associated birds but, instead,
represented adjacent land-cover types, including
mixed-grass prairie, open water/wetlands and/or
sagebrush. However, trees and shrubs were not
entirely lacking within the study area and a few birds
documented are considered riparian-dependent
species. One site of the twenty surveyed possessed a
complex riparian vegetation assemblage of herbaceous
groundcover, shrub understory, and mature trees.
Predictably, this site contained the largest number of
riparian-associated bird species (as well as provided

direct evidence of breeding for the Great Homed Owl
and Vesper Sparrow). This parcel is located on Lodge
Creek and is a piece of Bankhead- Jones Lands (BLM
Edition 1986 Surface Management Status map for
Havre, Montana - Saskatchewan). We did not
determine why this site contained such a complex
assemblage of riparian vegetation compared to other
sites surveyed. Many private land parcels in north
Blaine County contained mature, dense cottonwood
gallery forests, yet the area surveyed on Lodge Creek
was the only BLM parcel containing similar habitat.
Given the nature of land acquisition in Blaine County,
we anticipate that private lands would contain better
water resources and vegetation communities as private
landowners claimed higher quality available lands and
left marginal lands in the hands of public land
managers.

Although herbaceous cover may represent the climax
vegetation community on some of these prairie
streams, current and historic water diversion and
grazing are likely contributing to the current plant
species composition (P. Hansen, personal
communication 2006). Jones (2003) agrees with our
observations of limited trees on most of the Milk River
tributaries, indicating that cottonwood regeneration
is now largely non-existent on these streams. Although
cottonwood recruitment in north Blaine County may
have been sporadic historically, many of the sites
surveyed in Jones (2003) study revealed relictual
stands of plains cottonwood, suggesting a recent
history of areas with tree cover. The combination of
irrigation diversions, small dams, and livestock
grazing on these small streams will make future tree
recruitment even less likely (Jones 2003).

Species Observations

A total of 71 species of birds was recorded during
riparian point count work (see Table 1). Eleven of
the 71 species of birds documented during the surveys
are state Species of Concern (SOC): American White
Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos), Swainson's
Hawk (Buteo swainsoni). Long-billed Curlew
(Numenius americanus). Common Tern {Sterna
hirundo), Forster's Tern {Sterna for steri). Black Tern
{Chlidonias niger). Loggerhead Shrike {Lanius

ludovicianus), Sprague's Pipit (Anthus spragueii).
Lark Bunting (Calamospiza melanocorys), Baird's
Sparrow (Ammodramus bairdii), and Chestnut-
collared Longspur (Calcarius ornatus) (MTNHP
2004). Additionally, 16 are identified as Sensitive
Species by the Montana/Dakotas BLM and 30 are
recognized by Montana Partners in Flight as in need
of conservation action (I), in need of monitoring (II),
or of local concern (III) (Table 1) (Casey 2000).
Eighteen additional species were observed and
documented on the BLM lands during the field visit,
but outside of the formal point counts. Six of these
species are recognized as state Species of Concern
and include Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis),
Franklin's Gull {Larus pipixcan). Burrowing Owl
{Athene cunicularia). Brewer's Sparrow (Spizella
breweri), McCown's Longspur {Calcarius mccownii)
and Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus); two additional
species, identified as Species of Potential Concern,
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) and Great Blue
Heron (Ardea herodias), were also observed on BLM
lands during this project (MTNHP 2004). Four
species were new to the quarter latilongs* covering
the project area and include: Baltimore Oriole {Icterus

galbula) (previously named the Northern Oriole and
recently split into the Baltimore Oriole and Bullock's
Oriole {Icterus bullockii) species). Great Homed Owl
{Bubo virginianus). Rock Wren {Salpinctes
obsoletus), and Virginia Rail {Rallus limicola) (MBD
2005). Of the seventeen Montana Species of Concern
recorded in Blaine County during the project work,
four are known to utilize riparian habitat during the
breeding season. None of these species were abundant.
[*Latilong is a combination of the words latitude and
longitude and represents the area formed by the
intersection of those imaginary mapping lines. Quarter
latilongs are created by evenly dividing each latilong
unit into four quarters (Lenard et al. 2003)].

Of the 36 species identified as Montana State Species
of Concern, BLM Sensitive Species, or Partners in
Flight species of conservation priority, 13 are wetland/
prairie-pothole associated species, 12 are associated
with grassland habitat, six species are associated with
riparian habitat, four are sagebrush-shrubsteppe
species, and one is a species with a preference for
breeding in hardwood draws (Johnsgard 1986, Ehrlich
et al. 1988, Casey 2000) (see Appendix E).

Table 1. List of Bird Species

Observed in Blaine County and

Their Associated Conservation Status.

Species Common Name

Scientific Name

State (SOC)
Rank
Status

BLM

Sensitive
Species

MTPIF
Rank

American Avocet

Recurvirostra americana

American Bittern

Botaurus lentiginosus

III

American Goldfinch*

Carduelis tristis

American Kestrel*

Falco sparverius

American Robin

Turdus migratorius

American White Pelican

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

S3B

III

American Wigeon

Anas americana

Baird's Sparrow

Ammodramus bairdii

S2B

Baltimore Oriole*

Icterus galbula

S3S4B

Barn Swallow

Hirundo rustica

Black Tern

Chlidonias niger

S3B

Black-billed Magpie

Pica hudsonia

Blue- winged Teal

Anas discors

Bobolink*

Dolichonyx oryzivorus

S2B

III

Brewer's Blackbird

Euphagus cyanocephalus

III

Brewer's Sparrow*

Spizella breweri

S2B

Brown Thrasher

Toxostomarufum

Brown-headed Cowbird

Molothrus ater

Burrowing Owl*

Athene cunicularia

S2B

Table 1. Continued

Species Common Name

Scientific Name

State (SOC)
Rank
Status

BLM

Sensitive
Species

MTPIF
Rank

California Gull

Larus califomicus

Canada Goose*

Branta canadensis

Chestnut-collared Longspur

Calcarius omatus

S3B

Cinnamon Teal

Anas cyanoptera

Clay-colored Sparrow

Spizella pallida

III

Cliff Swallow

Petrochelidon pyrrhonota

Common Nighthawk

Chordeiles minor

Common Tern

Sterna hirundo

S3B

Common Yellowthroat

Geothlypis trichas

Double-crested Cormorant

Phalacrocorax auritus

Eared Grebe

Podiceps nigricollis

Eastern Kingbird

Tyrannus tyrannus

European Starling

Stumus vulgaris

Franklin's Gull*

Larus pipixcan

S3B

Forster'sTern

Sterna forsteri

S2B

Ferruginous Hawk*

Buteo regalis

S2B

Gadwall

Anas strepera

Gray Catbird

Dumetella carolinensis

III

Gray Partridge*

Perdixperdix

Great Blue Heron*

Ardea herodias

S3S4

Great Horned Owl

Bubo virginianus

Green- winged Teal

Anas crecca

Horned Lark

Eremophila alpestris

KiUdeer

Charadrius vociferus

III

Lark Bunting

Calamospiza melanocorys

S3B

Lark Sparrow

Chondestes grammacus

III

Least Flycatcher*

Empidonax minimus

III

Lesser Scaup

Aythya qffinis

Lesser Yellowlegs

Tringa flavipes

Loggerhead Shrike

Lanius ludovicianus

S3B

Long-billed Curlew

Numenius americanus

S2B

Long-billed Dowitcher

Limnodromus scolopaceus

Mallard

Anas platyrhynchos

Marbled Godwit

Limosafedoa

Marsh Wren

Cistothorus palustris

McCown's Longspur*

Calcarius mccownii

S2B

Mourning Dove

Zenaida macroura

Northern Flicker

Colaptes auratus

Northern Harrier

Circus cyaneus

III

Northern Pintail

Anas acuta

Northern Shoveler

Anas clypeata

Palm Warbler*

Dendroica palmarum

Prairie Falcon

Falco mexicanus

Redhead*

Aythya americana

Red- winged Blackbird

Agelaius phoeniceus

III

Table 1. Continued

Species Common Name

Scientific Name

State (SOC)
Rank
Status

BLM

Sensitive
Species

MTPIF
Rank

Ring-billed Gull

Lams delawarensis

Ring-necked Pheasant

Phasianus colchicus

Rock Pigeon*

Columba livia

Rock Wren*

Salpinctes obsoletus

Ruddy Duck

Oxyura jamaicensis

Savannah Sparrow

Passerculus sandwichensis

Sharp-tailed Grouse

Tympanuchus phasianellus

Song Sparrow

Melospiza melodia

III

Sora

Porzana Carolina

Spotted Sandpiper

Actitis macularia

Spotted Towhee

Pipilo maculatus

Sprague's Pipit

Anthus spragueii

S2B

Swainson's Hawk

Buteo swainsoni

S3B

III

Tree Swallow*

Tachycineta bicolor

Upland Sandpiper

Bartramia longicauda

Vesper Sparrow

Pooecetes gramineus

Virginia Rail

Rallus limicola

Western Grebe

Aechmophorus occidentalis

Western Kingbird

Tyrannus verticalis

Western Meadowlark

Stumella neglecta

WiUet

Catoptrophorus semipalmatus

III

Wilson's Phalarope

Phalaropus tricolor

III

Wilson's Snipe

Gallinago delicata

Yellow Warbler

Dendroica petechia

Yellow-headed Blackbird

Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus

III

* species recorded on BLM lands in Blaine County, but not during point counts

Montana Animal Species of Concern

(S = state rank status)

51 - At high risk because of extremely limited and/or rapidly declining populations, range, and/or

habitat, making the species highly vulnerable to global extinction or extirpation in the state.

52 - At risk because of very limited and/or declining populations, range, and/or habitat, making it

vulnerable to global extinction or extirpation in the state.

53 - Potentially at risk because of limited and/or declining populations, range, and/or habitat, even

though it may be abundant in some areas.

54 - Uncommon but not rare (although it may be rare in parts of its range), and usually widespread.

Apparently not vulnerable in most of its range, but possibly cause for long-term concern.
B - State rank modifier indicating the breeding status for a migratory species.

Montana Partners in Flight Priority Levels

I Conservation Action: These are species for which Montana has clear obligations to implement
conservation.

II Monitoring Species: Montana has a high responsibility to monitor the status of these species, and
or to design conservation actions.

III Local Concern: Presence of these species may serve as added criteria in the design and selection of
conservation or monitoring strategies (Casey 2000).

Species Abundance and
Distribution

The Western Meadowlark was the most abundant
species across all counts (112 individuals), followed
by the Red-winged Blackbird (106 individuals), and

the Lark Bunting (83 individuals). Similarly, the
Western Meadowlark, Red-winged Blackbird and
Lark Bunting were the most broadly distributed,
present in 52, 36, and 26 of the 58 counts, respectively
(see Table 2). For a list of species recorded during
the point counts for each individual site, see Appendix
F.

Table 2. Species Listed in Order of Overall Abundance.

CommonName

OveraU
Abundance

Total Number of Point Counts
Where Detected (n=58)

Western Meadowlark

112

Red- winged Blackbird

106

Lark Bunting

Yellow-headed Blackbird

Blue- winged Teal

Eastern Kingbird

Wilson's Phalarope

Chestnut-collared Longspur

Marbled Godwit

Horned Lark

KiUdeer

Brewer's Blackbird

Lesser Scaup

Mallard

American Wigeon

Willet

Brown-headed Cowbird

Barn Swallow

Sprague's Pipit

Baird's Sparrow

Mourning Dove

Savannah Sparrow

Northern Shoveler

Yellow Warbler

L(^erhead Shrike

Ring-necked Pheasant

Brown Thrasher

Common Nighthawk

Double-crested Cormorant

Common Tern

Gadwall

California Gull

European Starling

Forster's Tern

Wilson's Snipe

Eared Grebe

Table 2. Continued

CommonName

Overall
Abundance

Total Number of Point Counts
Where Detected (n=58)

Long-billed Curlew

Spotted Sandpiper

Cliff Swallow

Lark Sparrow

Vesper Sparrow

Western Kingbird

American Robin

Black Tern

Northern Harrier

Northern Pintail

Ruddy Duck

Swainson's Hawk

Black-billed Magpie

Northern Flicker

Ring-billed GuU

American Avocet

American White Pelican

Clay-colored Sparrow

Common Yellowthroat

Marsh Wren

Prairie Falcon

Sharp-tailed Grouse

Sora

Spotted Towhee

Western Grebe

American Bittern

Cinnamon Teal

Gray Catbird

Great Horned Owl

Green- winged Teal

Lesser Yellowlegs

Long-billed Dowitcher

Song Sparrow

Upland Sandpiper

Virginia Rail

Species in bold are Montana Species of Concern.

Breeding Evidence

Direct evidence of breeding (nests w^ith eggs or
nestlings, or recently fledged dependent young) w^as
confirmed for Canada Goose, Mallard, Cinnamon
Teal, Northern Pintail, Swainson's Hawk, Killdeer,
Great Homed Owl, Loggerhead Shrike, American
Robin, Vesper Sparrow, and Western Meadowlark.
Behavior observed for Forster's Tern at an island at
Reser Reservoir (feeding and noisy raucous calling)

strongly indicated breeding in the area (McNichoU et
al. 2001), although no observations were made of eggs
or young in or out of the nest. Breeding is presumed
for other species recorded during the point counts
because the field inventory occurred during the
breeding season and observations included singing
males and territorial displays in appropriate breeding
habitat. Information from the Montana Bird
Distribution database confirms breeding or indicates

indirect evidence of breeding for the project area in
Blaine County for most of the species observed during
this project (see Appendix G).

Documented Species of Concern

Seventeen species of concern were documented in
Blaine County (see Table 1); eleven were observed
during the formal point count surveys. Listed in
decreasing order of abundance they include Lark
Bunting, Chestnut-collared Longspur, Sprague's Pipit,
Baird's Sparrow, Loggerhead Shrike, Common Tern,
Forster's Tern, Long-billed Curlew, Black Tern,
Swainson's Hawk, and American White Pelican. Two
species, although not dependent on riparian areas, may
utilize this habitat during the breeding season. The
Swainson's Hawk is more closely associated with
habitat present in hardwood draws, but may nest in
riparian vegetation. Likewise, the Loggerhead Shrike,
considered a sagebrush/shmbsteppe species, will take
advantage of shrubs present along riparian corridors
for nesting.

Although the American White Pelican is broadly
distributed across the state, only four locations are
active breeding sites. Bowdoin National Wildlife
Refuge, located in Phillips County, is the closest
location to Blaine County with a confirmed breeding
colony (MBD 2005). This species generally forages
by surface feeding on lakes and large rivers and may
travel distances greater than 50 km from nesting
locations for suitable foraging sites (Johnsgard 1986,
Evans and Knopf 1993). The American White Pelican
does not reach sexual maturity until the age of three,
but may breed every year thereafter (Evans and Knopf
1993).

Generally a species of a grassland or shrubland
landscapes, the Swainson's Hawk typically nests in
trees scattered within this matrix. If trees are not
present, then willow {Salix spp.) along riparian areas
may also be utilized for nesting sites (England et al.
1997). In addition to foraging in native grasslands,
agricultural crops may be used for foraging if prey is
present and the crop height does not exceed that of
native grasses (England et al. 1997).

The Long-billed Curlew prefers moderate to heavily
grazed short to mixed grassland (Samson and Knopf

1996, Dugger and Dugger 2002). In general, the
Long-billed Curlew will select nesting sites in open,
sparsely vegetated prairie, while sites with taller,
denser grass are preferred for brood rearing (Dugger
and Dugger 2002).

The Common Tern is a colonial ground nesting
species, usually lining a scrape of a nest with pebbles
or other loose material found around the nest site.
Colonies may consist of tens of pairs to thousands of
individuals (Ehrlich et al. 1988). If available, the
Common Tern usually nests on islands that often aid
in the protection of young from predators. Some of
the most common features of nest site selection include
close proximity to water, a sandy or gravelly substrate,
and an area with scattered vegetation for chicks to
use as protective shelter (Nisbet 2002). The main
source of food for this species is small fish (Ehrlich
etal. 1988, Nisbet 2002).

The Forster's Tern generally breeds in open water
wetlands. One of the key features of suitable nesting
habitat are vegetated islands or floating vegetation
within open water that mimic islands (McNichoU et
al. 2001). The primary item in this tern's diet is small
fish, with the balance comprised of insects and aquatic
invertebrates (Ehrlich et al. 1988). In Montana, the
Forster's Tern is restricted to scattered breeding
locations east of the Continental Divide and generally
north of the Missouri River (Lenard et al. 2003).

The Black Tern is a semicolonial nesting species,
generally building a floating nest among emergent
wetland vegetation in freshwater marshes. The choice
of nest site selection appears more dependent upon
the availability of nesting substrate and density of
emergent vegetation than water depth or specific plant
species presence (Dunn and Agro 1995). Unlike other
terns, the Black Tern will supplement its fish diet with
insects, and forages low over land as well as water.

The Loggerhead Shrike breeds in isolated trees or
large shrubs found within grassland landscapes (Yosef
1996). Suitable perching sites (shrubs, low trees, and
fences) surrounded by grassland habitat provide an
ideal foraging environment. Also known as the
"Butcherbird" this species hunts a wide variety of
smaller organisms (e.g. invertebrates, amphibians,
reptiles, birds) which it may impale on barbed wire

fences or branches with suitable thorn-like appendages
in order to tear up the prey into bite-sized pieces.

Breeding habitat for Sprague's Pipit is restricted to
appropriate mixed-grass habitat primarily in three
states (Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota)
and three provinces (Alberta, Saskatchewan, and
Manitoba) (Samson and Knopf 1996, Johnsgard
2001). This pipit's breeding habitat, like that of the
Baird's Sparrow, is one of the most limited for
grassland endemics (Johnsgard 2001). Sprague's
Pipits are far more abundant in native grasslands than
in haylands or croplands, and may be fully absent in
pastures dominated by non-native species (Robbins
and Dale 1999, Johnsgard 2001). Grasslands of
intermediate height and density with moderate litter
depths are preferred (Robbins and Dale 1999). The
Sprague's Pipit tends to favor grasslands with
moderate to no grazing.

A Great Plains prairie endemic species, the Lark
Bunting prefers areas of light to moderately heavy
grazing (Samson and Knopf 1996). Breeding
generally takes place in large, open grasslands of low
to moderate height with limited open ground and the
presence of some scattered shrubs, such as sagebrush
(Johnsgard 2001). Timing of grazing may play a large
role in the suitability of breeding sites; heavy summer
grazing has been found to be detrimental (Shane
2000). The Lark Bunting was the most abundant
Species of Concern recorded during this project.

The Baird's Sparrow is an endemic prairie species
confined to the northern Great Plains. This migratory
songbird prefers mixed-grass and fescue prairie with
a scattering of low shrubs and residual vegetation
(Green et al. 2002). This species prefers large blocks
of lightly grazed to ungrazed mid-grass prairie, and
is described as "not extremely abundant anywhere in
its range" (Johnsgard 2001).

The Chestnut-collared Longspur (along with the
Sprague's Pipit, Baird's Sparrow, Lark Bunting, and
McCown's Longspur) is identified as one of the
primary (endemic) passerine species of the Great
Plains (Samson and Knopf 1996). Historically, the
Chestnut-collared Longspur is known to have bred in
sites recently grazed by bison (Bison bison) or
disturbed by fire (Hill and Gould 1997). This species

is currently known to occupy habitat exposed to a
range of grazing pressure, from none to moderately
heavy (Samson and Knopf 1996).

Additional Species of Concern
Observed on BLM Lands During
the Project Visit

Six Species of Concern were observed on BLM lands
during the field visit to the project sites, but not during
the formal point count surveys: Ferruginous Hawk,
Franklin's Gull, Burrowing Owl, Brewer's Sparrow,
McCown's Longspur, and Bobolink.

In eastern Montana, the Ferruginous Hawk is a

prairie raptor with a diet primarily limited to black-
tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) and
Richardson's ground squirrels (Spermophilus
richardsonii) (Bechard and Schmutz 1995, Foresman
2001). Nesting can take place on cliff/rock edges,
conifers and, occasionally, man-made structures
(Johnsgard 1986).

Nesting on water, the Franklin's Gull builds a floating
mat or utilizes floating debris or muskrat houses as a
platform for a nest site. Rarely will the species nest
in flooded meadows (Burge and Gochfeld 1994). Only
a few nesting locations have been documented in
Montana; Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge in
Phillips County is the nearest recorded nesting location
to the project area (MBD 2005).

The Burrowing Owl is a species of short and mixed
grass prairies, generally found in association with
prairie dogs and other burrowing mammals. As this
owl does not excavate its own burrow, the presence
of available nesting sites may limit this species during
the breeding season (Haug et al. 1993). The primary
foods for the Burrowing Owl are invertebrates,
rodents, lizards, and birds (Ehrlich et al. 1988).

The Brewer's Sparrow is a Species of Concern
closely associated with a big sagebrush {Artemisia
tridentata) dominated landscapes rather than short
or mid-grass prairie (Rotenberry et al. 1999). This
sparrow generally prefers shrubby habitat with low
shrub species diversity, limited amounts of grass,
greater forb presence, and significant bare ground
(Johnsgard 2001).

McCown's Longspur generally prefers a heavily
grazed landscape for nesting and can be found in areas
of moderate to very heavy grazing pressure (With
1994, Samson and Knopf 1996). Distribution of this
species is primarily restricted to sparsely vegetated
and open, semi-arid shortgrass habitat, or overgrazed
pastures generally comprised of shortgrass species
mixed with limited cover of mid-grass species, shrubs,
and cactus (With 1994). Breeding of the McCown's
Longspur may occur in the same general location as
that of the Chestnut-collared Longspur, but rarely will
they breed in the same pasture unless a mosaic of
both short and mid-grasses are present (With 1994).

Originally a species of tall and mixed- grass prairie of
the Midwest, the distribution of the Bobolink changed
as land within historic breeding areas was altered by
intensive agricultural activities (Martin and Gavin
1995). In Montana, this species is generally found in
moist, relatively dense grasslands with little to no
woody vegetation (Casey 2000). Bobolinks prefer
large blocks of habitat and may not be present in areas
smaller than 40 hectares (Casey 2000).

Species of Potential Concern

Two additional species, the Baltimore Oriole and Great
Blue Heron, identified as Species of Potential Concern,

were also observed on BLM lands during this project
(MTNHP 2004). Species are given the status of
'Species of Potential Concern' when the state rank
attributed to the species is below the S3 cutoff (e.g.
S3S4). Both of the following species fall into the
S3S4 rank category (see Appendix A).

Generally a fish eater, the Great Blue Heron hunts
by wading along shorelines of rivers and open- water
wetlands. Rodents found in upland areas may
supplement their diet, especially in winter (Butler
1992). The Great Blue Heron is a colonial tree nesting
species with breeding opportunities limited by
available mature deciduous trees for nest sites (Ehrlich
et al. 1988, Butler 1992). The nesting behavior of
this heron makes it particularly vulnerable during the
breeding season, supporting attention focused on the
conservation of the species.

Once lumped with the Bullock's Oriole under the name
Northern Oriole, the Baltimore Oriole is a species
of deciduous riparian woodlands. Broadly distributed
east of the Rocky Mountains, this species prefers
larger, taller, and more openly spaced trees than some
other oriole species (Rising and Flood 1998).

Conclusions and Recommendations

Although much of the prime riparian habitat in Blaine
County is currently under private ownership, many
BLM parcels may have the potential to provide
important riparian habitat to an array of wildlife
species, including those of conservation concern.
Many streams in the more northerly portions of the
county, in areas with slower flowing streams (and
hence less aerobic conditions), are more likely to be
herbaceous-dominant riparian systems (P. Hansen,
personal communication 2006). Faster flowing
streams in the project area are associated with greater
topographic relief, and are more likely to support
vegetation communities with shrubs and trees. On
some streams it is more likely that dewatering and
alterations to the natural flood cycle have had the
greatest impact on the quality of available riparian
vegetation (P. Hansen, personal communication 2006).

However, the significant impact grazing can have on
reducing riparian habitat quality and negatively
affecting the associated bird communities is well
documented (Taylor 1985, Sedgewick and Knopf
1987, Fleischner 1994, Stanley and Knopf 2002,
Krueper et al. 2003, Scott et al. 2003). The combined
impact of these two activities, plus the construction
of small dams on many of the tributaries to the Milk
River greatly reduce the likelihood of future tree
recruitment (Jones 2003). The primary conservation
need identified for riparian bird species as a result of
this project is to survey all stream systems in Blaine
County to 1) classify the vegetation cover potential,

2) identify actions necessary to restore natural
disturbance regimes (i.e. flooding, fire, grazing), and

3) implement appropriate actions needed to conserve
these riparian corridors.

References Cited

Bechard,M. J.,andJ. K. Schmutz. 1995. Ferruginous
Hawk (Buteo regalis). In The Birds of North
America, No. 172 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The
Academy of Natural Sciences. Philadelphia, and
The American Ornithologists' Union, Washington,
D.C.

Butler, R. W. 1992. Great Blue Heron. In The Birds
of North America, No. 25 (A. Poole, P. Stettenheim,
and F. Gill, eds.) Philadelphia: The Academy of
Natural Sciences; Washington, DC: The American
Ornithologists' Union.

Casey, D. 2000. Montana Partners in Flight. Draft
Conservation Plan Montana. January 2000.
Kalispell, Montana. 281 pp.

Dugger, B. D. and K. M. Dugger. 2002. Long-billed
Curlew (Numenius americanus). In The Birds of
North America, No. 628. (A. Poole and F. Gill,
eds.) The Birds of North America, Inc.,
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Dunn, E. H., and D. J. Agro. 1995. Black Tern
(Chlidonias niger). In The Birds of North America,
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of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, and The
American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C.
24 pp.

Ehrlich, P, D. Dobkin, and D. Wheye. 1988. The
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History of North American Birds. Simon and
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England, A.S., M. J. Bechard, and CS. Houston.
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Gill, eds.). The Academy of Natural Sciences,
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Evans, R. M. and F. L. Knopf. 1993. American White
Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos). In The Birds
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Sciences; Washington, D.C: The American
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Fleischner, T. L. 1994. Ecological Costs of Livestock
Grazing in Western North America. Conservation
Biology 8(3): pp. 629-644.

Foresman, K. 2001. The Wild Mammals of Montana.
The American Society of Mammalogists. Special
Publication No. 12, Lawrence, KA. 278 pp.

Green, M. T., P. E. Lowther, S. L. Jones, S. K. Davis
and B. C. Dale. 2002. Baird's Sparrow
(Ammodramus bairdii). In The Birds of North
America, No. 638 (A. Poole and F. Gill's, eds.)
The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.
20 pp.

Hansen, P. 2006. Personal communication. Dr. Paul
Hansen, Bitterroot Restoration. Corvallis, Montana.
January 9, 2006.

Hansen, P L., R. D. Pfister, K. Boggs, B. J. Cook, J.
Joy, and D. K. Hinckley. 1995. Classification and
Management of Montana's Riparian and Wetland
Sites. Montana Forest and Conservation
Experiment Station Miscellaneous Publication No.
54. School of Forestry, University of Montana,
Missoula, Montana. 646 pp.

Haug, E. A., B. A. Millsap, and M. S. Martell. 1993.
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Birds of North America, No. 61 (A. Poole and F.
Gill's, eds.) The Birds of North America, Inc.,
Philadelphia, PA. 20 pp.

Hill, D. P, and L. K. Gould. 1997. Chestnut-collared
Longspur {Calcarius ornatus). In The Birds of
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PA, and the American Ornithologists' Union,
Washington, D.C. 20 pp.

Johnsgard, P. 1986. Birds of the Rocky Mountains
with particular reference to National Parks in the
Northern Rocky Mountain Region. 1986.
University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln, NB. 504
pp.

Johnsgard, P. 2001. Prairie Birds - Fragile Splendor
in the Great Plains. University Press of Kansas,
Lawrence, KS. 331 pp.

Jones. W. M. 2003. Milk and Lower Marias River
Watersheds: Assessing and Maintaining the
Health of Wetland Communities. Report to the
Bureau of Reclamation. Montana Natural
Heritage Program, Helena. 17 pp. plus appendi-
ces.

Knopf, F. L., R. R. Johnson, T. Rich, F B. Samson
and R. C. Szaro. 1988. Conservation of Riparian
Ecosystems in the United States. Wilson Bulletin
100(2): 272-284.

Lenard, S., J. Carlson, J. Ellis, C. Jones, and C. Tilly.
2003. P.D. Skaar's Montana Bird Distribution, 6*
Edition. Montana Audubon, Helena, Montana. 144
pp.

Martin, S. G, and T. A. Gavin. 1995. Bobolink
(Dolichonyx oryzivorus). In The Birds of North
America, No. 176 (A. Poole and F Gill, eds.). The
Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, and
The American Ornithologists' Union, Washington,
D.C. 24 pp.

McNichoU, M. K., R E. Lowther, and J. A. Hall. 2001 .
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North America, No. 595. (A. Poole and F. Gill,
eds). The Birds of North America, Inc.,
Philadelphia, PA.

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Database: http://nhp.nris.mt. gov/mbd/ .

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Wildlife & Parks. Helena, Montana. 13 pp.

Nisbet, I. C. T 2002. Common Tern {Sterna hirundo).
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and F. Gill, eds.) The Birds of North America,
Inc., Philadelphia, PA. 40 pp.

Rising, J. D., and N. J. Flood. 1988. Baltimore Oriole
{Icterus galbula). In The Birds of North America,
No. 384 (A. Poole and R Gills, eds.). The Birds of
North America, Inc. Philadelphia, PA. 32 pp.

Robbins, M. B. and B. C. Dale. 1999. Sprague's Pipit
{Anthus spragueii). In The Birds of North America,
No. 439 (A. Poole and R Gill, eds.). The Birds of
North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA. 16 pp.

Rotenberry, J. T., M. A. Patten, and K. L. Preston.
1999. Brewer's Sparrow {Spizella breweri). In The
Birds of North America, No. 390 (A. Poole and F
Gills, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc.
Philadelphia, PA 24 pp.

Samson, F andF. Knopf. 1996. Prairie Conservation
- Preserving North America's Most Endangered
Ecosystem. Island Press, Washington, D.C. 339 pp.

Scott, M. L., S. K. Skagen, and M. F Merigliano.
2003. Relating Geomorphic Change and Grazing
to Avian Communities in Riparian Forests.
Conservation Biology 17 (1): 284-296.

Sedgwick, J. A. and R L. Knopf. 1987. Breeding
Bird Response to Cattle Grazing of a Cottonwood
Bottomland. Journal of Wildlife Management
51(1): 230-237.

Shane, T. G 2000. Lark Bunting {Calamospiza
melanocorys). In The Birds of North America, No.
542 (A. Poole and F Gills, eds.). The Birds of
North America, Inc. Philadelphia, PA.

Soil Conservation Service. 1986. Soil Survey of
Blaine County and part of Phillips County Montana.
USDA Dept. of Agriculture, Soil Conservation
Service and USDI, Bureau of Indian Affairs in
cooperation with the Montana Agricultural
Experiment Station, MSU, State Land and
Investments Department. 304 pp.

Stanley, T R. and F L. Knopf. 2002. Avian Responses
to Late-Season Grazing in a Shrub-Willow
Floodplain. Conservation Biology 16(1): 225-231.

Taylor, D. M. 1986. Effects of Cattle Grazing on
Passerine Birds Nesting in Riparian Habitat.
Journal of Range Management 39(3): 254-258.

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for Federally listed species under the Endangered
Species Act, plus status of candidate species for
listing, http:// www.fws.gov/ . Accessed 12
December 2005.

With K. A. 1994. McCown's Longspur (Calcarius
mccownii). In the Birds of North America, No. 96
(A. Poole and R Gills, Eds.). Philadelphia: The
Academy of Natural Sciences; Washington, D.C.:
The American Ornithologists' Union. 24 pp.

Yosef, R. 1996. Loggerhead Shrike {Lanius
ludovicianus). In the Birds of North America, No.
231 (A. Poole and R Gills, Eds.). The Academy of
Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, and The American
Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C. 28 pp.

Appendix A. Global/State Rank Definitions

Heritage Program Ranks

The international network of Natural Heritage Programs employs a standardized ranking system to denote
global (range-wide) and state status. Species are assigned numeric ranks ranging from 1 to 5, reflecting
the relative degree to which they are "at-risk". Rank definitions are given below. A number of factors are
considered in assigning ranks — the number, size and distribution of known "occurrences" or populations,
population trends (if known), habitat sensitivity, and threat. Factors in a species' life history that make it
especially vulnerable are also considered (e.g., dependence on a specific pollinator).

Global Rank Definitions (NatureServe 2003)

G 1 Critically imperiled because of extreme rarity and/or other factors making it highly

vulnerable to extinction
G2 Imperiled because of rarity and/or other factors making it vulnerable to extinction

G3 Vulnerable because of rarity or restricted range and/or other factors, even though it may

be abundant at some of its locations
G4 Apparently secure, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the

periphery
G5 Demonstrably secure, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the

periphery
Tl-5 Infraspecific Taxon (trinomial) — The status of infraspecific taxa (subspecies or

varieties) are indicated by a "T-rank" following the species' global rank

State Rank Definitions

51 At high risk because of extremely limited and potentially declining numbers,
extent and/or habitat, making it highly vulnerable to extirpation in the state

52 At risk because of very limited and potentially declining numbers, extent and/or
habitat, making it vulnerable to extirpation in the state

53 Potentially at risk because of limited and potentially declining numbers, extent
and/or habitat, even though it may be abundant in some areas

54 Uncommon but not rare (although it may be rare in parts of its range), and usually
widespread. Apparently not vulnerable in most of its range, but possibly cause for
long-term concern

55 Common, widespread, and abundant (although it may be rare in parts of its
range). Not vulnerable in most of its range

Combination Ranks

G#G# or S#S# Range Rank — A numeric range rank (e.g., G2G3) used to indicate uncertainty about
the exact status of a taxon

Qualifiers

NR Not ranked

Q Questionable taxonomy that may reduce conservation priority — Distinctiveness of

this entity as a taxon at the current level is questionable; resolution of this uncertainty may
result in change from a species to a subspecies or hybrid, or inclusion of this taxon in
another taxon, with the resulting taxon having a lower-priority (numerically higher)
conservation status rank

Appendix A - 1

X Presumed Extinct — Species believed to be extinct throughout its range. Not located

despite intensive searches of historical sites and other appropriate habitat, and virtually no
likelihood that it will be rediscovered

H Possibly Extinct — Species known from only historical occurrences, but may never-the-

less still be extant; further searching needed

U Unrankable — Species currently unrankable due to lack of information or due to substan-

tially conflicting information about status or trends

HYB Hybrid — Entity not ranked because it represents an interspecific hybrid and not a species

? Inexact Numeric Rank — Denotes inexact numeric rank

C Captive or Cultivated Only — Species at present is extant only in captivity or cultivation,

or as a reintroduced population not yet established

A Accidental — Species is accidental or casual in Montana, in other words, infrequent and

outside usual range. Includes species (usually birds or butterflies) recorded once or only a
few times at a location. A few of these species may have bred on the one or two occa-
sions they were recorded

Z Zero Occurrences — Species is present but lacking practical conservation concern in

Montana because there are no definable occurrences, although the taxon is native and
appears regularly in Montana

P Potential — Potential that species occurs in Montana but no extant or historic occurrences

are accepted

R Reported — Species reported in Montana but without a basis for either accepting or

rejecting the report, or the report not yet reviewed locally. Some of these are very recent
discoveries for which the program has not yet received first-hand information; others are
old, obscure reports

SYN Synonym — Species reported as occurring in Montana, but the Montana Natural Heritage

Program does not recognize the taxon; therefore the species is not assigned a rank

* A rank has been assigned and is under review. Contact the Montana Natural Heritage

Program for assigned rank

B Breeding — Rank refers to the breeding population of the species in Montana

N Nonbreeding — Rank refers to the non-breeding population of the species in Montana

Appendix A - 2

Appendix B. Sample Photos of Characteristic Site

Vegetation

Photo 1. Example of an herbaceous-dominated riparian zone: Woody Island Coulee

Photo 2. Example of typical riparian vegetation found on the project: Tributary to East Fork Battle Creek

Appendix B - 1

Photo 3. Juvenile Great Horned Owls on the site with the most complex riparian habitat in the project:
Lodge Creek

Photo 4. Riparian zone of mature cottonwood trees: private land in Blaine County

Appendix B - 2

Appendix C. Survey Sites with Point Count Locations

LOCATION

POINT ID

LATITUDE

LONGITUDE

TOWNSHIP

RANGE

SECTION

15-MILE RESERVOIR

BLOIA

48.6994174

-109.03873

34N

21E

BLOIB

48.7020646

-109.038328

34N

21E

BLOIC

48.7050467

-109.0369887

34N

21E

15-MILE RESERVOIR

BL02A

48.7091984

-109.0398723

34N

21E

BL02B

48.7111799

-109.0426501

34N

21E

BL02C

48.7142007

-109.0457006

34N

21E

TULE LAKE

BL03A

48.6817001

-109.0500333

34N

20E

BL03B

48.6826167

-109.0550833

34N

20E

BL03C

48.6844667

-109.0582

34N

20E

SALMO RESERVOIR

BL04A

48.6190167

-109.1672833

33N

20E

BL04B

48.6169833

-109.1700833

33N

20E

BL04C

48.61995

-109.16335

33N

20E

TRIE TO EAST FORK BATTLE CREEK

BL05A

48.9027338

-109.2847842

36N

19E

BL05B

48.9056682

-109.2842879

36N

19E

BL05C

48.9084204

-109.2836341

36N

19E

EAST FORK BATTLE CREEK

BL06A

48.8845333

-109.2727

36N

19E

BL06B

48.8859501

-109.2692167

36N

19E

BL06C

48.8843

-109.2658

36N

19E

EAST FOR BATTLE CREEK

BL07A

48.8879834

-109.2649666

36N

19E

BL07B

48.8890167

-109.2615333

36N

19E

BL07C

48.8917334

-109.25795

36N

19E

BATTLE CREEK

BL08A

48.7723863

-109.2958313

35N

19E

BL08B

48.7735501

-109.3015358

35N

19E

BL08C

48.7761681

-109.3003176

35N

19E

LODGE CREEK

BL09A

48.7729184

-109.409179

35N

18E

BL09B

48.7730141

-109.4050382

35N

18E

BL09C

48.7720365

-109.3987675

35N

18E

EAST FORK BATTLE CREEK

BLIOA

48.8469016

-109.3023681

36N

19E

BLIOB

48.8416017

-109.3041283

36N

19E

BLIOC

48.8392504

-109.3020816

36N

19E

EAST FORK BATTLE CREEK

BLllA

48.9076843

-109.2284273

36N

19E

BLUB

48.9062465

-109.2320537

36N

19E

BLllC

48.9036308

-109.231027

36N

19E

BATTLE CREEK

BL12A

48.8116834

-109.31895

35N

18E

BL12B

48.8116833

-109.3232

35N

18E

BL12C

48.8090167

-109.32635

35N

18E

Appendix C - 1

LOCATION

POINT ID

LATITUDE

LONGITUDE

TOWNSHIP

RANGE

SECTION

WOODY ISLAND COULEE

BL13A

48.9486201

-108.5444123

37N

24E

BL13B

48.9472365

-108.5478814

37N

24E

BL13C

48.9449834

-108.5504833

37N

24E

WOODY ISLAND COULEE

BL14A

48.9466333

-108.5276167

37N

24E

BL14B

48.9470667

-108.53175

37N

24E

BL14C

48.9464834

-108.5357833

37N

24E

WOODY ISLAND COULEE

BL15A

48.9434983

-108.5157355

37N

24E

BL15B

48.9436035

-108.5197868

37N

24E

BL15C

48.9440191

-108.524055

37N

24E

30-MILE CREEK

BL16A

48.5831667

-108.8310833

33N

22E

BL16B

48.58455

-108.8346167

33N

22E

BL16C

48.5864

-108.8380333

33N

22E

BADGER CREEK

BL17A

48.6874667

-109.4973333

34N

17E

BL17B

48.6853667

-109.5000667

34N

17E

MUD LAKE

BL19A

48.59025

-108.6156166

33N

24E

BL19B

48.5867323

-108.6107862

33N

24E

RESERVOIR COULEE

BL20A

48.69705

-109.4267667

34N

18E

BL20B

48.6931833

-109.42335

34N

18E

BL20C

48.6909833

-109.4268833

34N

18E

RESER CREEK/RESERVOIR

BL21A

48.7181333

-109.40115

34N

18E

BL21B

48.71655

-109.3976

34N

18E

BL21C

48.7151

-109.4012

34N

18E

Appendix C - 2

Appendix D. Mapped Point Count Locations

---^\

u^a

\ . ^\i^^ \ ,'>"^Eim^'} ■ r L-g-'^- ;^ i \

Map 1. Thule Lake and 15 Mile Reservoir

Map 2. Salmo Reservoir

Appendix D - 1

Map 3. East Fork Battle Creek and Tributary to East Fork Battle Creek

Map 4. Battle Creek

Appendix D - 2

Map 5. Lodge Creek (the area surveyed is under BLM jurisdiction as Bankhead-Jones Land
although the map indicates otherwise).

r ^^^.^

S-s: i2T:^:i:

i^-r

■■■- r I^S?i "'^ft^^

M^- ■- ' -■ " ^ ^ T 5^1;: —

^.:^

;; J I

■^i>^r

"f—^

^J^^?

Ma/7 6. Battle Creek and East Fork Battle Creek

Appendix D - 3

.■<\

•■■'-w^

. --iH»e|r'~

Ma/7 7. WboJ}^ Island Coulee

Map 8. 30-Mile Creek

Appendix D - 4

"LAA - .lg'l'i ; ^^ \ ]L "

Map 9. Badger Creek

Map 10. Mud Lake

Appendix D - 5

Map 11. Re ser Reservoir

Map 12. Reservoir Coulee

Appendix D - 6

Appendix E. Habitat Association Table for State Species of

Concern

Species Common Name

Habitat Association

State SOC
list rank

BLM sensitive
species

MTPIF
Rank

Brewer's Blackbird

Prairie/Grassland (low stature)

III

Baird's Sparrow

Mixed-grass Prairie

S2B

Burrowing Owl*

Mixed-grass Prairie

S2B

Chestnut-collared Longspur

Mixed-grass Prairie

S3B

Ferruginous Hawk*

Mixed-grass Prairie

S2B

Lark Bunting

Mixed-grass Prairie

S3B

Long-billed Curlew

Mixed-grass Prairie

S2B

McCown's Longspur*

Mixed-grass Prairie

S2B

Northern Harrier

Mixed-grass Prairie

III

Sprague's Pipit

Mixed-grass Prairie

S2B

Bobolink*

Mixed-grass Prairie (moist)

S2B

III

Prairie Falcon

Prairie/sagebrush

Black Tern

Prairie Pothole

S3B

Forster's Tern

Prairie Pothole

S2B

Franklin's Gull*

Prairie Pothole

S3B

Marbled Godwit

Prairie Pothole

Willet

Prairie Pothole

III

Wilson's Phalarope

Prairie Pothole

III

American White Pelican

Reservoir Wetland

S3B

III

American Bittern

Wetland

III

Common Tern

Wetland

S3B

Red- winged Blackbird

Wetland

III

Yellow-headed Blackbird

Wetland

III

Greater Yellowlegs

Wetland/irrigation reservoir

Lesser Yellowlegs

Wetland/irrigation reservoir

Great Blue Heron*

Cottonwood Riparian

S3S4

Baltimore Oriole*

Riparian

S3S4B

Killdeer

Riparian

III

Least Flycatcher*

Riparian

III

Gray Catbird

Riparian Shrub

III

Song Sparrow

Riparian Shrub

III

Brewer's Sparrow*

Sagebrush/shrubsteppe

S2B

Lark Sparrow

Sagebrush/shrubsteppe

III

Loggerhead Shrike

Sagebrush/shrubsteppe

S3B

Clay-colored Sparrow

Shrubland

III

Swain son's Hawk

Hardwood Draw

S3B

III

* Species observed on BLM land, but not during formal point count work.

Appendix E - 1

Appendix F. Bird List for Each Survey Location

Common Name

Abundance

Distribution

FIFTEENMTT F, RESERVOIR - South end
T34NR21E Section 18

Total number of
individuals recorded

Number of points along transect
species was detected (n=3)

American Avocet

Barn Swallow

Black Tern

Blue- winged Teal

Brewer's Blackbird

Brown-headed Cowbird

Cinnamon Teal

Common Tern

Eared Q^ebe

Eastern Kingbird

Horned Lark

KiUdeer

Lark Bunting

Lesser Scaup

Mallard

Marbled Godwit

Red- winged Blackbird

Song Sparrow

Upland Sandpiper

Western Meadowlark

WiUet

Wilson's Phalarope

Yellow Warbler

Yellow-headed Blackbird

Common Name

Abundance

Distribution

FIFTEENMILE RESERVOIR - North end
T34N R21E Sections 7 and 18

Total number of
individuals recorded

Number of points along transect
species was detected (n=3)

American Bittern

Barn Swallow

Black Tern

Blue- winged Teal

Brown-headed Cowbird

California Gull

Common Tern

Common Yellowthroat

Eastern Kingbird

KiUdeer

Lark Bunting

Lesser Scaup

Mallard

Marbled Godwit

Marsh Wren

Red- winged Blackbird

Ruddy Duck

Appendix F - 1

Common Name

Abundance

Distribution

FIFTEENMILE RESERVOIR ■ North end
T34N R21E Sections 7 and 18

Total number of
individuals recorded

Number of points along transect
species was detected (n=3)

Savannah Sparrow

Sora

Virginia Rail

Western Meadowlark

Willet

Wilson's Phalarope

Yellow-headed Blackbird

Common Name

Abundance

Distribution

TULELAKE

T34N20E Section 25

Total number of
individuals recorded

Number of points along transect
species was detected (n=3)

Bairds Sparrow

Bam Swallow

Black Tern

Blue- winged Teal

California Gull

Chestnut-collared Longspur

Horned Lark

KiUdeer

Long-billed Curlew

Marbled Godwit

Red- winged Blackbird

Savannah Sparrow

Sprague's Pipit

Western Meadowlark

Willet

Wilson's Phalarope

Common Name

Abundance

Distribution

SALMO RESERVOIR

T33N20E Section 18

Total number of
individuals recorded

Number of points along transect
species was detected (n=3)

American Robin

Bam Swallow

Brewer's Blackbird

Brown-headed Cowbird

California Gull

Cliff Swallow

Double-crested Cormorant

Eastem Kingbird

Green- winged Teal

Horned Lark

KiUdeer

Loggerhead Shrike

Marbled Godwit

Mourning Dove

Appendix F - 2

Common Name

Abundance

Distribution

SALMORFSERVOm

T33N20E Section 18

Total number of
individuals recorded

Number of points along transect
species was detected (n=3)

Northern Flicker

Red-winged Blackbird

Ring-necked Pheasant

Spotted Sandpiper

Vesper Sparrow

Western Kingbird

Western Meadowlark

Yellow Warbler

Common Name

Abundance

Distribution

Tributary of EAST FORK BATTLE CREEK
T36NR19E Section 5

Total number of
individuals recorded

Number of points along transect
species was detected (n=3)

American Wigeon

Blue- winged Teal

Brewer's Blackbird

Brown Thrasher

Brown-headed Cowbird

Eastern Kingbird

Horned Lark

Loggerhead Shrike

Mallard

Red- winged Blackbird

Sprague's Pipit

Western Meadowlark

Common Name

Abundance

Distribution

EAST FORK BATTLE CREEK
T36NR19E Section 17

Total number of
individuals recorded

Number of points along transect
species was detected (n=3)

Blue- winged Teal

Eastern Kingbird

Gadwall

Horned Lark

Lark Bunting

Lesser Scaup

Loggerhead Shrike

Mourning Dove

Red- winged Blackbird

Sprague's Pipit

Vesper Sparrow

Western Meadowlark

Common Name

Abundance

Distribution

EAST FORK BATTLE CREEK
T36NR19E Section 9

Total number of
individuals recorded

Number of points along transect
species was detected (n=3)

American Wigeon

Appendix F - 3

Common Name

Abundance

Distribution

EAST FORK BATTLE CREEK
T36NR19E Section 9

Total number of
individuals recorded

Number of points along transect
species was detected (n=3)

Brown-headed Cowbird

Double-crested Cormorant

Eastern Kingbird

Horned Lark

Lark Bunting

Red- winged Blackbird

Spotted Sandpiper

Western Meadowlark

Common Name

Abundance

Distribution

EAST FORK BATTLE CREEK
T36NR19E Section 19

Total number of
individuals recorded

Number of points along transect
species was detected (n=3)

Brewer's Blackbird

Brown Thrasher

California Gull

Clay-colored Sparrow

Eastern Kingbirds

Lark Bunting

Lark Sparrow

Prairie Falcon

Red- winged Blackbird

Spotted Towhee

Vesper Sparrow

Western Kingbird

Western Meadowlark

Yellow Warbler

Common Name

Abundance

Distribution

LODGE CREEK
T35NR18E Section 20

Total number of
individuals recorded

Number of points along transect
species was detected (n=3)

American Wigeon

Black-billed Magpie

Brown Thrasher

Brown-headed Cowbird

Clay-colored Sparrow

Common Nighthawk

Gray Catbird

Great Horned Owl

Horned Lark

KiUdeer

Lark Bunting

Lark Sparrow

Mourning Dove

Northern Harrier

Northern Shoveler

Appendix F - 4

Common Name

Abundance

Distribution

LODGE CREEK
T35NR18E Section 20

Total number of
individuals recorded

Number of points along transect
species was detected (n=3)

Red- winged Blackbird

Ring-necked Pheasant

Spotted Sandpiper

Western Meadowlark

WiUet

Yellow Warbler

Common Name

Abundance

Distribution

EAST FORKBATTLE CREEK
T36N R19E Sections 30 and 31

Total number of
individuals recorded

Number of points along transect
species was detected (n=3)

Blue- winged Teal

Brewer's Blackbird

Brown Thrasher

Cliff Swallow

Common Nighthawk

Eastern Kingbird

Horned Lark

Lark Bunting

Loggerhead Shrike

Mallard

Northern Pintail

Red- winged Blackbird

Ring-necked Pheasant

Sprague's Pipit

Western Meadowlark

Common Name

Abundance

Distribution

EAST FORKBATTLE CREEK
T36NR19E Section 3

Total number of
individuals recorded

Number of points along transect
species was detected (n=3)

American Wigeon

Bam Swallow

Black-billed Magpie

Brewer's Blackbird

Brown Thrasher

Cliff Swallow

Eastern Kingbird

Lark Bunting

Lark Sparrow

Lesser Scaup

Loggerhead Shrike

Mallard

Red- winged Blackbird

Sprague's Pipit

Western Meadowlark

Appendix F - 5

Common Name

Abundance

Distribution

BATTLE CRKKK

T35NR18E Section 12

Total number of
individuals recorded

Number of points along transect
species was detected (n=3)

American Robin

American Wigeon

Blue- winged Teal

Brown Thrasher

California Gull

Eastern Kingbird

European Starling

Lark Bunting

Loggerhead Shrike

Mallard

Mourning Dove

Northern Harrier

Red- winged Blackbird

Ring-necked Pheasant

Western Kingbird

Western Meadowlark

Common Name

Abundance

Distribution

WOODY ISLAND COULEE
T37N R24E Sections 22 and 23

Total number of
individuals recorded

Number of points along transect
species was detected (n=3)

American White Pelican

American Wigeon

Bairds Sparrow

Blue- winged Teal

Brown-headed Cowbird

Chestnut-collared Longspur

KiUdeer

Mallard

Marbled Godwit

Northern Pintail

Northern Shoveler

Red- winged Blackbird

Savannah Sparrow

Sprague's Pipit

Western Meadowlark

WiUet

Wilson's Phalarope

Wilson's Snipe

Yellow-headed Blackbird

Common Name

Abundance

Distribution

WOODY ISLAND COULEE
T37NR24E Section 23

Total number of
individuals recorded

Number of points along transect
species was detected (n=3)

American Wigeon

Bairds Sparrow

Appendix F - 6

Common Name

Abundance

Distribution

WOODY ISLAND COULEE
T37NR24E Section 23

Total number of
individuals recorded

Number of points along transect
species was detected (n=3)

Blue- winged Teal

Chestnut-collared Longspur

Horned Lark

Mallard

Marbled Godwit

Northern Harrier

Northern Shoveler

Red- winged Blackbird

Savannah Sparrow

Sprague's Pipit

Western Meadowlark

Willet

Wilson's Phalarope

Wilson's Snipe

Common Name

Abundance

Distribution

WOODY ISLAND COUT EE
T37N R24E Sections 23 and 24

Total number of
individuals recorded

Number of points along transect
species was detected (n=3)

American Wigeon

Baird's Sparrow

Bam Swallow

Blue- winged Teal

Brewer's Blackbird

Chestnut-collared Longspur

Double-crested Cormorant

KiUdeer

Marbled Godwit

Northern Harrier

Northern Shoveler

Red- winged Blackbird

Savannah Sparrow

Sprague's Pipit

Western Meadowlark

Willet

Wilson's Phalarope

Wilson's Snipe

Common Name

Abundance

Distribution

30-MIIE CREEK

T33N R22E Sections 27 and 34

Total number of
individuals recorded

Number of points along transect
species was detected (n=3)

Brewer's Blackbird

Brown Thrasher

Brown-headed Cowbird

European Starling

Lark Bunting

Appendix F - 7

Common Name

Abundance

Distribution

30-Mn.F CREEK

T33N R22E Sections 27 and 34

Total number of
individuals recorded

Number of points along transect
species was detected (n=3)

Lark Bunting

Loggerhead Shrike

Mourning Dove

Northern Flicker

Ring-necked Pheasant

Sharp-tailed Grouse

Spotted Towhee

Swainson's Hawk

Western Meadowlark

Yellow Warbler

Common Name

Abundance

Distribution

BADGER CREEK

T34NR17E Section 22

Total number of
individuals recorded

Number of points along transect
species was detected (n=2)

Common Mghthawk

Gadwall

KiUdeer

Lark Bunting

Lesser Scaup

Lesser Yellowlegs

Long-billed Dowitcher

Red- winged Blackbird

Vesper Sparrow

Common Name

Abundance

Distribution

MUD LAKE

T37NR24E Section 23

Total number of
individuals recorded

Number of points along transect
species was detected (n=3)

Chestnut-collared Longspur

Horned Lark

KiUdeer

Lesser Scaup

Long-billed Curlew

Marbled Godwit

Northern Pintail

Sprague's Pipit

Western Meadowlark

WiUet

Wilson's Phalarope

Common Name

Abundance

Distribution

RESERVOIR COUF EE
T34NR18E Section 19

Total number of
individuals recorded

Number of points along transect
species was detected (n=3)

American Wigeon

Bam Swallow

Blue- winged Teal

Appendix F - 8

Common Name

Abundance

Distribution

RESERVOIR com EE
T34NR18E Section 19

Total number of
individuals recorded

Number of points along transect
species was detected (n=3)

Chestnut-collared Longspur

Common Nighthawk

Gadwall

Homed Lark

KiUdeer

Lark Bunting

Lesser Scaup

Mallard

Marbled Godwit

Northern Shoveler

Swainson's Hawk

Vesper Sparrow

Western Meadowlark

YeUow Warbler

Common Name

Abundance

Distribution

RESER RESERVOIR

T34NR18E Sections 8

Total number of
individuals recorded

Number of points along transect
species was detected (n=3)

Bam Swallow

Blue- winged Teal

Brown-headed Cowbird

Double-crested Cormorant

Eared Qebe

Eastem Kingbird

Forster's Tem

Gadwall

Homed Lark

KiUdeer

Lark Bunting

Lesser Scaup

Mallard

Marbled Godwit

Northem Shoveler

Red- winged Blackbird

Ring-biUed GuU

Spotted Sandpiper

Swainson's Hawk

Western Grebe

Western Meadowlark

WiUet

Yellow-headed Blackbird

Appendix F - 9

Appendix G. List of Birds for QLL's Covering Project Area

IN Blaine County

Common Name

Highest Status

American Avocet

American Bittern

American Coot

American Crow

American Goldfinch

American Kestrel

American Redstart

American Robin

American White Pelican

American Wigeon

Baird's Sparrow

Bank Swallow

Barn Owl

Barn Swallow

Belted Kingfisher

Black Tern

Black-and-white Warbler

Black-bellied Plover

Black-billed Magpie

Black-capped Chickadee

Black-throated Green Warbler

Blue Jay

Blue -winged Teal

Bobolink

Bonaparte's Gull

Brewer's Blackbird

Brewer's Sparrow

Brown Thrasher

Brown-headed Cowbird

Bufflehead

Bullock's Oriole

Burrowing Owl

California Gull

Canada Goose

Canvasback

Caspian Tern

Cedar Waxwing

Chestnut-collared Longspur

Chipping Sparrow

Cinnamon Teal

Clay-colored Sparrow

Cliff Swallow

Common Goldeneye

Common Grackle

Appendix G - 1

Common Name

Highest Status

Common Merganser

Common Nighthawk

Common Redpoll

Common Tern

Common Yellowthroat

Dark-eyed Junco

Double-crested Cormorant

Eared Grebe

Eastern Kingbird

Eurasian Wigeon

European Starling

Evening Grosbeak

Ferruginous Hawk

Field Sparrow

Forster's Tern

Franklin 's Gull

Gadwall

Golden Eagle

Grasshopper Sparrow

Gray Catbird

Gray Partridge

Great Blue Heron

Greater Yellowlegs

Green-winged Teal

Harris's Sparrow

Hooded Merganser

Horned Lark

House Finch

House Sparrow

House Wren

Killdeer

Lark Bunting

Lark Sparrow

Lazuli Bunting

Least Flycatcher

Lesser Scaup

Lesser Yellowlegs

Loggerhead Shrike

Long-billed Curlew

MacGilHvray's Warbler

Mallard

Marbled Godwit

Marsh Wren

McCown's Longspur

Appendix G - 2

Common Name

Highest Status

Merlin

Mountain Bluebird

Mountain Chickadee

Mourning Dove

Northern Flicker

Northern Harrier

Northern Pintail

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Northern Shoveler

Northern Shrike

Orange-crowned Warbler

Palm Warbler

Pied-billed Grebe

Pine Siskin

Prairie Falcon

Red Crossbill

Red-breasted Merganser

Red-naped Sapsucker

Red-necked Grebe

Red-shafted Flicker

Red-tailed Hawk

Red-winged Blackbird

Redhead

Ring-billed Gull

Ring-necked Duck

Ring-necked Pheasant

Rock Pigeon

Rough-legged Hawk

Ruddy Duck

Sanderling

Savannah Sparrow

Say's Phoebe

Semipalmated Plover

Sharp -shinned Hawk

Sharp-tailed Grouse

Short-eared Owl

Snowy Owl

Solitary Sandpiper

Song Sparrow

Sora

Spotted Sandpiper

Spotted Towhee

Sprague's Pipit

Swains on 's Hawk

Appendix G - 3

Common Name

Highest Status

Swainson's Thrush

Townsend's Solitaire

Tree Swallow

Turkey Vulture

Upland Sandpiper

Vesper Sparrow

Violet-green Swallow

Warbling Vireo

Western Grebe

Western Kingbird

Western Meadowlark

Western Tanager

Western Wood-pewee

White-breasted Nuthatch

Willet

Wilson's Phalarope

Wilson 's Snipe

Wood Duck

Yellow Warbler

Yellow-headed Blackbird

Species in italics were observed during the 2005
field work for this project.

This list was generated for observations
documented during the breeding season (Feb 15*
through December 14* ) as defined by Montana
Bird Distribution.

B - Direct evidence of breeding, or evidence of
young. This status requires evidence that young (or
eggs) have been produced.

b - Indirect, or circumstantial evidence of breeding.
This status applies to breeding behavior without
documentation of direct evidence of the production
of young/eggs.

t - no evidence of breeding. This status represents
transients, migrants, or wide-ranging species that
exhibit no breeding behavior at the time of the
observation.

Appendix G - 4

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