Colonial Nesting Bird Survey on the Bureau of Land Management Lewistown District; 1996 A Report to: Bureau of Land Management Lewistown District 80 Airport Road Lewistown, MT 59457 Submitted by: H. Peter Feigley March 1997 Montana Natural Heritage Program 1515 East Sixth Avenue P.O, Box 201800 Helena, MT 59620-1800 8 1998 Montana Natural Heritage Program This document should be cited as follows: Feighley, H, P. 1 998. Colonial nesting bird survey on the Bureau of Land Management Lewistown District: 1996, Montana Natural Heritage Program. Helena, MT. 27 pp. ABSTRACT A total of 1 32 lakes, reservoirs, and ponds were surveyed on the Lev^istown District of the Bureau of Land Management, Surveys v^ere conducted by one or tv^o individuals between 3 June and 25 July 1996. The duration of the surveys ranged between 1-180 person-minutes and consisted of a search of the wetland with binoculars and/or spotting scope for adult birds or nests. If adults were seen, an effort was made to determine 1) numbers present; and 2) breeding status. Nine species of colonial nesting shore- and waterbird were detected: American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos). Black-crowned Night-Heron {Nyclicorax nycitorax). Double- crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus). Black Tern {Chlidonias niger). Common Tern (Sterna hinindo), Forster's Tern {Sterna forsteri), California Gull {Larits californicus\ Franklin's Gull {Larits pipixcan ), and Ring-billed Gull {Larus detawarensis). All, but American White Pelican and Franklin's Gull, were documented as breeding or probable breeding at one or more sites. Verified or probable nesting by 1 or more species of colonial waterbird was identified at 19 (14%) sites. Breeding colonies of Double Crested Cormorant, Black -crowned Night-Heron and California Gull were found at only one site each. Breeding or probable breeding colonies at multiple sites were recorded for Ring-billed Gull (4 sites), Common Tern (7 sites), Forster's Tern (5 sites) and Black Tern (5 sites). Most (68%) occupied sites were larger than 100 acres, with only one less than 30 acres. Pooled 1995 and 1996 survey data indicated that colonial nesters tended to be associated with larger sites (>40 acres). Seventy-eight percent of occupied sites had emergent vegetation along more than 25 % of the shoreline and permanent bodies of water accounted for 83% of the occupied sites. Other TES or "watch-list" bird species encountered during the surveys were Common Loon (Gavia immer). Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianiis), Baird's Sparrow {Ammodramiis bairdii) and Peregrine Falcon {Falco peregrinus). In addition, four amphibian and three reptile species were observed: tiger salamander {Ambysioma tigrinum), western chorus frog {Pseudacris triseriata), northern leopard frog (Rana pipiens), plains spadefoot {Scaphiopus bombifrons)^ painted turtle {Chrysemys picta), western terrestrial garter snake {Thamnophis elegans) and plains garter snake {Thamnophis radix). lU TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iv INTRODUCTION METHODS RESULTS AND DISCUSSION RECOMMENDATIONS 12 LITERATURE CITED 14 APPENDIX \. Characteristics of wetland sites surveyed for colonial nesting birds 15 APPENDIX 2. Maps of observations of TES colonial nesting birds ( una va ila ble) ... 23 IV ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Financial support for this project came from the Lewistown District of the Bureau of Land Management and the Montana Natural Heritage Program (Montana State Library, Natural Resource Information System and The Nature Conservancy), Field surveys were conducted by Paul Hendricks and the late Jim ReicheL Jim Reichel had performed the initial synthesis of the data. Cedron Jones, John Hinshaw, Martin Miller and Janice Miller assisted with data entry/management and Map preparation. This report is dedicated to the memory of Jim Reichel, whose expertise, enthusiasm and dedication greatly advanced our knowledge of birds in Montana. INTRODUCTION Due to the aggregation of nests in relatively small areas, colonial nesting birds are particularly sensitive to disturbance. Disease or man-made and natural disturbances resulting in habitat alterations can devastate colonies of nesting birds. Some species of colonial nesting birds have experienced population declines and/or range reductions {Dunn and Argo 1995, Burger and Gochfeld 1994, Knopf 1994, Evans and Knopf 1993). Because of their sensitivity, many colonial nesting shore- and waterbirds are considered species of special concern by various agencies and programs. The Montana Natural Heritage Program lists Clarke's Grebe (Aechmophorus clarkii), American White Pelican {Pelecanus erythrorhynchos). White-faced Ibis [Plegadis chihi), Black-crowned Night-Heron {Nycticorax nycitorax). Piping Plover (Charadrius meloclus). Black-necked Stilt {Himantopiis mexicanus), Franklin's Gull (Larus pipixcan)^ Caspian Tern (Sterna caspia), Common Tern {Sterna hirundo), Forster's Tern {Sterna forsteri). Least Tern {Sterna antUlarum), and Black Tern (Cklidonias niger) as species of special concern in the state. Within the Montana portion of their range the U,S, Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has listed the Piping Plover as Threatened and the Least Tern as Endangered, both of which are loosely colonial nesters. The White-faced Ibis and Black Tern were formerly listed by the USFWS as candidate (C2) species. All of these species are known to, or potentially occur on the Lewistown District of the BLM (LD-BLM), During 1995 MTNHP surveyed 165 lakes, reservoirs, ponds and river reaches on 10 USGS quads and several miscellaneous larger wetlands on BLM lands on the Lewistown District (Reichel 1996). Black Terns were only found at two locations, both larger wetland areas; i.e., Freezeout Lake {> 1 000 ac) and "Fifteen-mile Reservoir" (ca, 60 ac). None of the known Black Tern sites in Montana were smaller than 40 ac, though in other areas nesting Black Terns can occur in wetland areas of one or two acres. Other colonial nesters (i.e., Black-Crowned Night Heron, Black -necked Stilts, Franklin's Gull, Caspian Tern, Common Tern, Forster's Tern, Least Tern, and Black Tern) were found nesting only at the Freezeout Lake complex (a large wetland area). Since most of the sites sampled in 1 995 were small, the following survey was conducted on the LD-BLM, focusing on wetland areas larger than 40 acres. The objective of this follow-up survey was to assess the distribution of colonial nesting birds on LD-BLM lands, with emphasis on Montana state species of special concern. Also, the survey results would provide information for decisions on a BLM list of Sensitive Species. Species that are known or likely to occur on the LD-BLM are: Clarke's Grebe, American White Pelican, White-faced Ibis, Black-crowned Night- Heron, Black-necked Stilt, Franklin's Gull, Caspian Tern, Common Tern, Forster's Tem, Least Tern, and Black Tem. METHODS Statewide 1:100,000 scale digital hydrology and land ownership coverages were available at the Montana Natural Resource Information Service (NRIS), The hydrology coverage included all bodies of water down to approximately 10 acres. A geographical information system (CIS) was used to queiy digital hydrology and land ownership for the LD-BLM and select all wetlands > 40 acres and occurring on BLM lands. A subset of sites consisting of the largest 20 unsurveyed wetlands and a minimum of 10 sites from each of the five Resource Areas { Great Falls, Havre, Judith, Phillips and Valley Resource Areas) comprising the LD-BLM was developed. Counties involved in the survey included Blaine, Chouteau, Fergus, Hill, Petroleum, Phillips, Teton, Toole, and Valley, Visual surveys for colonial nesting waterbirds were conducted between 3 June and 25 July 1996, Length of the survey varied by the size of the site and ranged from 1 - 1 80 minutes. Locations, behavior suggesting breeding, numbers, and stage of development of young were recorded. For American White Pelicans, Great Blue Herons, Caspian Terns, Common Terns, and Forster*s Terns the colony nesting locations were relatively easily observed and populations readily determined from a distance using binoculars/spotting scope to minimize disturbance. For Clark's Grebe, White-faced Ibis, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Franklin's Gull, and Black Tern, the nests were often hidden in dense vegetation. When these species were suspected to be nesting, searches for nests were conducted for up to 1 houn If a nest was found, breeding was verified and the search ceased; if no nest was found, behavioral clues {defensive behaviors, canying food or nesting material, etc) were used to determine probable nesting. Numbers were estimated by observation of adults; if a Black -crowned Night-Heron rookery was suspected, observations resumed at dusk to count adults leaving to feed. Black-necked Stilts, Least Terns, and Piping Plovers have ciyptic nests and are sensitive to disturbance; if behavioral clues suggested nesting, then searches for nests were conducted for 30 minutes. If a nest was found, breeding was considered verified and the search ceased; if no nest was found, behavioral clues were used to determine probable nesting. Numbers were estimated by observation of adults. Habitat of all TES species located was recorded; for marsh/pond/lake locations habitat was recorded for all surveyed locations whether TES species were located or not. Vegetative habitat was recorded on a basic level, such as cattail marsh, bulrush, willow thicket, or sedge meadow, and percent of shoreline with emergent vegetation. Physical factors such as size of wetland, permanence of the water body and origin (natural/ man-made) were documented. Other non- target colonial nesters, or other TES species encountered, were recorded and mapped. Amphibians and reptiles observed during the surveys were recorded. Detailed species accounts for TES colonial nesting shore- and waterbirds breeding, or potentially breeding, on the Lewistown District were provided in a previous report (Reichel 1996). These accounts will not be duplicated in this report. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION A total of 1 32 lakes, reservoirs, and ponds were surveyed on the Lev^istown District of the Bureau of Land Management between 3 June and 25 July 1996 (Figure 1 and Appendix 1), This is in addition to the 165 sites surveyed in 1995. Sixty survey sites were on the Phillips Resource Area, while 17 were on Great Falls, 18on Havre, 16 on Judith and 21 on Valley Resource Areas. Approximate sizes of the surveyed sites ranged from (i,e,, dry sites) to 3207 acres. Half of the sui"vey sites (66) were larger than 40 acres, while 23 of the sites were dry. Temporary bodies of water accounted for 1 16 sites, while 16 sites were permanent. Nine species of colonial nesting shore- and waterbird were detected: American White Pelican, Black -crowned Night-Heron, Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus). Black Tern, Common Tern, Forster's Tern, California Gull {Lams californicus), Franklin's Gull, and Ring- billed Gull (Larus delawarensis). All, but American White Pelican and Franklin's Gull, were documented as breeding or probable breeding at one or more sites (Tables 1 and 2). Verified or probable nesting by 1 or more species of colonial waterbird was identified at 19 (14%) sites. Breeding colonies of Double Crested Cormorant, Black-crowned Night-Heron and California Gull were found at only one site each. Breeding or probable breeding colonies at multiple sites were recorded for Ring-billed Gull (4 sites), Common Tern (7 sites), Forster's Tern (5 sites) and Black Tern (5 sites). (See Appendix 2 for maps of locations of TES colonial shore- and waterbirds observed during the 1996 field surveys,) All, but one occupied site (7 acres), were larger than 30 acres. Thirteen (68%) of occupied sites were 1 00 acres or larger. These data were consistent with the 1 995 survey, where no colonial nesters were found on bodies of water smaller than 40 acres (Reichel 1 996), Other TES or "watch-list" bird species encountered during the surveys were Common Loon (Gavia immer). Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludoviciamis)^ Baird's Sparrow {Ammodramiis bairdii) and Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) (Table 1). In addition, four amphibian and three reptile species were observed: tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum), western chorus frog (Psendacris triseriata), northern leopard frog (Rana pipiens), plains spadefoot {Scaphiopiis bombifrons), painted turtle (Chrysemys picta), western terrestrial garter snake {Thamnophis elegans) and plains garter snake {Thamnophis radix) (Appendix 1 ), General Habitat Relationships In an effort to evaluate general habitat relationships for TES colonial nesting shore- and water birds the following variables were examined: number of sites surveyed and occupied, site size (area of water body/ wetland), percent of shoreline with emergent vegetation for sites larger than 5 acres and permanence of the water body for sites larger than 5 acres. Data for TES colonial nesting birds were pooled from the 1995 and 1996 field surveys (Tables 3 - 5). (Note that no additional Black-necked Stilt colonies were identified during the 1996 field surveys.) Since 8 sites were repeats from 1995 and Missouri River reaches were not included, the total number of pooled sites was 269, There were 127 sites larger than 5 acres for which lake permanence had Figure 1. Map of survey locations for colonial nesting birds^ Lewistown District, BLM, 1995 and 1996 Surveys for colonial nesting birds, Lewistown District, BLM ^ 1996 surveys -^ 1995 surveys Montana Natural Heritage Program, May 07, 1 997 Table 1. Breeding status of 8 species of colonial nesting bird and three other species on the Lewistown District, BLM, June 3 - July 25, 1997. Year Month Day SpecEes Location Township/ Range Section Breeding Status 199G — 7 17 AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN War Horse Reservoir TieNR25E 29 Transient isg6 24 AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN Wild Horse Reservoir T27NR27E 2 1 Transient 1996 7 24 AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN Nelson Reservoir T27NR30E 32 Transient 1996 7 25 AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN Reservoir no. 161 T28NR28E 22 Transient 1996 6 5 BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON Pond ca. 2 mi SE of Shaver Ranch T28NR27E 2 Breeding 1996 6 ^ BLACK-TERN Ca. 2.5 mi East of Oilmont T35NR02W 31 Transient 1996 7 22 BLACK TERN Pond off NW side Pishkin Reservoir T22NR07W 3 Breeding 1996 7 11 'BLACK TERN Unnamed reservoir on Fifleenmile Creek T34NR21E 18 Probable Probable 1996 7 24 BLACK TERN Wild Horse Reservoir T27NR27E 2 1996 7 24 BLACK TERN Lower Wild Horse Reservoir T27NR27E 1 Probable 1996 7 25 BLACK TERN Milk River WMA T32NR33E 30 Probable 1996 6 4 CALIFORNIA GULL North Chinook Reservoir T35NR18E 24 Breeding 1996 6 4 CALIFORNIA GULL" 1 Ca.20mileNE of Havre T35NR17E 10 Transient 1996 7 25iCOMMGN TERN Mud Lake T31NR31E 13 Breeding 1996 7 24 COMMON TERN Wild Horse Reservoir T27NR27E 2 Probable 1996 7 24 COMMON TERN Lower Wild Horse Reservoir T27NR27E 1 Probable 1996 6 18 COMMON TERN Lewis Reservoir TieNR24E 20 Probable 1996 7 24 COMMON TERN Ward Reservoir T34NR39E 28 Probable 1996 7 23 COMMON TERN 1 Two Forks Reservoir T24NR37E 12 Probable 1996 7 24 COMMON TERN VR-2 Reservoir T28NR36E 23 Probable 1996 6 1 COMMON TERN Lake 1.5 mi NNE of Sunburst T3eNR02W 5 Transient 1996 6 17 DOUBLE CRESTED CORMORANT War Horse Reservoir TieNR25E 29 Transient 1996 1996 ~1996 6 18 DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT Lewis Reservoir T16NR24E T32NR15E T35NR18E 20 Breeding 14 Breeding 3 FORSTER'S TERN FORSTER'S TERN Halfway Lake WPA [also call Sands WPA) North Chinook Reservoir 6 4 24 Probable 1996 6 4 FORSTERSTERN C,i.20mileNE of Havre T35NR17E 10 'Transient 1996 6 5 FORSTER'S TERN Pond N of Tressler Coulee T28NR27E 9 Breeding 1996 6 IS FORSTERSTERN Little Bear Lake T16NR26E 31 Breeding Table 1 (cont.)^ Breeding status of 8 species of colonial nesting bird and three other species on the Lewistown District, BLM, June 3 -July 25, 1997. Year Month Day Species Location Township/ Range Section Breeding Status 199G 7 11 FORSTERSTERN Tule Lake T34NR20E T34NR20E 24 Breeding 1Sg6 7 11 FORSTERSTERN Unnamned Reservoir on Fifteen Mile Cred^ 24 Transient 1996 7 11 FORSTERSTERN Unnamed Reservoir T33NR2eE 13 Transient 1996 7 24 FORSTERSTERN Nelson Reservoir T27NR30E 32 'Transient 1996 6 4 FORSTERSTERN North Chinook Reservoir T35NR18E 24 Probable 1996 6 1 FRANKLIN'S GULL Temporary pond 3 mi. E.. 2.4 mi. N. of Kevin T35NR02W 20 Transient 1996 6 4 FRANKLINS GULL Ca. 20 mile NE of Havre T35NR17E 10 Transient 1996 6 19 FRANKLINS GULL Unnamed Reservoir 1 .5 mi WNW of Hofland Reservoir T20NR26E 17 Transient 1996 7 11 FRANKLINS GULL Unnamed reservoir on Fifteenmile Creek T34NR21E 18 Transient 1996 6 4 RING-BILLED GULL North Chinook Reservoir T35NR18E 24 Breeding 1996 6 2 RING-BILLED GULL Middle Chain -of -Lakes merged with Weet Chain -of-Lakea T33NR13E 5 Breeding 1996 6 4 RING-BILLED GULL Cii.20mi]eNE of Havre T35NR17E 10 Transient 1996 6 17 RING-BILLED GULL War Horse Reservoir TieNR25E 29 Transient 1996 7 12 RING-BILLED GULL Whitewater Lake T36NR31E 35 Breeding 1996 7 24 RING-BILLED GULL Pea Lake T37NR31E 35 Probable 1996 6 1 RING-BILLED GULL Temporary pond 3 mL E„ 2.4 mi. N. of Kevin T35NR02W 20|Transient 1996 7 22 RING-BILLED GULL Bynum Reservoir T25NR0eW 6 'Transient 1996 7 25 RING-BILLED GULL Reservoir no. 161 T28NR28E 22 Transient 1996 7 11 BAIRD'S SPARROW Unnamed Reservoir T33NR2eE 13 Probable 1996 7 22 COMMON LOON Pishkin Reservoir T22NR07W 3 Transient 1996 7 25 LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE McChesney Reservoir T32NR34E 12 Breeding 1996 7 22 PEREGRINE FALCON Pond off NW side Pishkin Reservoir T22NR07W 3 Transient Table 2, Numbers of pairs of colonial nesting birds seen on the Lewistown District during 1996, Location DCCO BCNH CAGU RBGU COIL FOTE BLTE Comments GREAT FALLS R.A. Pishkin Res (pond off NE side) 3 saw Peregrine hunting HAVRE R.A. N Chinook Res. 100 100 2 prob Halfway Lake 20 Middle Chain of Lakes 4 Tule Lake 6-10 Fifteen Mile Res. 2 prob JUDITH R.A. Little Bear Lake 3 Lewis Res. 5 1 prob DCCO = Double -cresled Cormoranl, BCNH = Black-crowned Nighl-Heraii, CAGU = California Gull, RBGU = Ring-billed Gull, COTE = Common Tern, FOTE = Forsler's Tern, BLTE = Black Tern. Table 2 (cont.)- Numbers of pairs of colonial nesting birds seen on tiie Lewistown District during 1 996, Location DCCO BCNH CACU RBGU COTE FOTE BLTE Comments 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 PHILLIPS R.A. Whitewater Lake 30 Pea Lake 3 prob Wild Horse Res. 10 1 prob Lower Wild Horse Res. 5 prob 2 prob Milk River WMA 10 prob Mud Lake 2 pond T28N R27E S2 NE ("Hoss Reservoir") 5-8 pond T28N R27E S9 W 1 VALLEY R.A. Ward Res. 6 prob Two Forks Res. 1 prob VR-2 Res. 4 prob DCCO = Double-creMedCormoraiinBCNH = Black-crowned Nighl-Heioii. CAGU = California Gull, RBGU = Ring-billed Gull, COTE = Common Tern, FOTE = Forsler^s Tern, BLTE = Black Tern. Table 3, Relationship of lake size to occupancy by TES colonial nesting waterbirds, Lewistown District, BLM', Size (acres) Survey sites Black-crowned Night-Heron Black- necked Stilt Common Tern Forster's Tern Black Tern (dryy 44 .1 - 10 116 1 11 -40 38 2 1 41 - 100 36 1 1 101 - 1000 28 4 4 3 >1000 7 1 1 1 1 2 Total 269 2 1 8 1 6 6 Data were pooled from 1995 and I 996 field surveys. Lakes were selected for surveying by being >40 acres in the Montana lOOk GIS coverage and on or adjacent to BLM lands; however they were dry at the time of survey. Table 4. Relationship of shoreline emergent vegetation to occupancy by colonial nesting waterbirds in wetlands > 5 acres, Lewistown District, BLM'. % of shoreline w/ emergent veg Survey sites Black-crowned Night-Heron Black- necked Stilt- Common Tern Forster's Tern Black Tern 9 2 1 1 -25 20 1 1 1 26-50 18 1 1 1 51 - 100 74 1 3 6 3 5 Total 121 2 6 8 5 6 Data were pooled from 1995 and I 996 field surveys. Table 5. Relationship of lake permanence to occupancy by colonial nesting waterbirds in wetlands > 5 acres, Lewistown District, BLM , Permanence Survey sites Black-crowned Night-Heron Black- necked Stilt Common Tern Forster's Tern Black Tern Permanent 65 1 1 7 4 6 Temporary 62 1 1 2 Total 127 ■) 1 S 6 6 Data were pooled from 1995 and I 996 field surveys. 10 been recorded, and 1 16 sites larger than 5 acres, for which the percent of shorehne with emergent vegetation had been recorded. Because of the large size of Freezeout Lake and numerous Black- necked Stilt breeding locations (n = 6), percent of shoreline with emergent vegetation was recorded independently for six sites. Therefore, the number of sites examined for relationships between site occupancy and emergent vegetation was 122. Lake sizes were grouped into 6 size classes {Table 3), With the exception of one Black-crowned Night-Heron colony on a site of 7 acres, occupied sites surveyed in 1995 and 1996 were larger than 10 acres. The majority (83%) of occupied sites were 40 acres or larger. The association of three species of colonial nesting shore- and water birds with larger wetlands/ wetland complexes was demonstrated in Iowa by Brown and Dinsmore (1986), where Black Tern, Forster's Tern and Black-crowned Night-Heron tended to be associated with marshes that were larger than 45 acres. Data on percent of shoreline with emergent vegetation were grouped into four classes (Table 4), Seventy-eight percent of occupied sites had emergent vegetation along more than 25 percent of the shoreline. Three occupied sites (11%) had no emergent vegetation, two for Black-necked Stilts and one for common tern. These two species frequently nest in open areas (Reichel 1996, Johnsgard 1979). Eighty-three percent of the occupied sites were on permanent bodies of water (Table 5). It is likely that the temporary bodies of water that were occupied will hold water through the breeding season. None of the dry sites were occupied by colonial nesting birds. Similarly, in the prairie pothole region of North Dakota Kantrud and Stewart (1984) found semipermanent wetlands supported substantially more breeding shore- and waterbirds. Black-crowned Night-Heron In North America, inland colonies of Black-crowned Night-Heron tend to be located in large wetland complexes with substantial emergent vegetation (Brown and Dinsmore 1986, Davis 1993). Only two occupied sites were found during the 1995 and 1996 surveys, Freezeout Lake (4,000 acres) and "Hoss Reservoir" (7 acres). "Hoss Reservoir" is a temporary body of water with only sparse emergent vegetation. There are a number of temporary and permanent bodies of water in the vicinity of ''Hoss Reservoir*', which may contribute the maintenance of a colony at this site. Black-necked Stilt Only one survey site, Freezeout Lake, visited in 1995 contained nesting Black-necked Stilts. Black-necked Stilts nest in medium to large wetland complexes in Montana (Reichel 1996). Freezeout Lake is one of 5 reported breeding locations in Montana. Common Tern In the Great Plains most Common Tern nesting occurs on islands in large lakes or reservoirs in sparsely vegetated areas, but near vegetation (Johnsgard 1979), However, in Canada, Common 11 Terns occasionally nest in marshes (Godfry 1986), On the Lewistown District 8 sites, all larger than 30 acres, were occupied by Common Terns and all, but one site, had emergent vegetation along more than 25% of the shoreline. One occupied site had no emergent vegetation and was a temporary body of water. All nesting occurred on islands. Forster's Tern Forster's tern is described as a bird that inhabits large marsh complexes (Brown and Dinsniore 1986) and tends to avoid small marshes (Johnsgard 1979), On the Lewistown District five survey sites were occupied by Forster's Tern. Five of the 6 sites were larger than 100 acres and had emergent vegetation along more than 25% of the shoreline. Two of the sites were on temporary bodies of water. Black Tern Black Terns typically nest in shallow freshwater marshes with emergent vegetation (Dunn & Argo 1995). In prairie marshes in Iowa, Black Terns preferred marshes of 50+ acres (Brown and Dinsmore 1986) and in North Dakota, 72% of nests were in semipermanent ponds (Kantrud and Stewait 1984). During the 1995 and 1996 surveys on the Lewistown District, 6 survey sites were occupied by Black Terns. All occupied sites were larger than 40 acres and 5 of the 6 sites were larger than 100 acres. Five of the 6 sites had emergent vegetation along more than 50% of the shoreline. RECOMMENDATIONS Recommendations for further work on colonial nesting shore- and waterbirds and management were provided by Reichel (1996). These recommendations are presented below with only minor modification. Survevs. Monitoring and Research 1) All incidental sightings and specific surveys of breeding or possibly breeding colonial nesting wetland birds should be recorded and maintained for future area biologist's use. Ideally, copies should be forwarded to the Natural Heritage Program, which maintains a state-wide database (BCD) on these species. These can be used for land use planning and can also provide a backup in case of loss of originals or personnel turnover. Further, the BCD provides a statewide database of locations, productivity, and general landscape associations. At a minimum, date, species, approximate numbers, precise location, and evidence of breeding should be recorded. 2) Additional surveys should be conducted, concentrating on larger wetlands and wetland complexes on the district that currently have not been surveyed. Some previously visited large sites may not have been thoroughly surveyed and should be revisited. Also, temporary sites that were dry during 1 996 surveys may hold water in other years and may be suitable for nesting birds when water is present. 12 3) Following additional surveys, a monitoring program should be initiated, with resurveying of known current and historic sites at least every 5 years, Resurveying should be done by visiting a colony twice in a single year: once in late spring to determine if breeding took place, and once in mid-summer to check if reproduction was successful. Ideal dates are species- and location- specific, and may vary with annual weather conditions and water leveL 4) Life history and ecology of the wetland colonial nesting birds in Montana is poorly known for most species. Long-term monitoring will provide information on timing of and habitat requirements needed for successful breeding, 5) It is recommended that any wetland areas over 20 acres, which are under consideration for mining, road building, grazing lease renewal, or other large-scale potentially habitat altering activities, be surveyed thoroughly for colonial nesting bird presence and breeding activity. Management With an increasing number of colonial nesting wetland bird species on the decline, it seems reasonable to pro-actively manage habitat to support them. While not all ways of preserving these species are currently known, several management activities could certainly negatively impact them. Without adequate breeding areas, these species cannot survive, and the type of wetland area used is often species-specific. a. All colonial nesting wetland birds are sensitive to disturbance during much or all of the breeding season; therefore, disturbance should be minimized during the breeding season. This is often best done by limiting access, and certainly not by improving access or by encouraging use of the area for unrelated activities. b. Cattle trampling may severely impact shore nesting species such as Black-necked Stilts or Piping Plovers. If possible, grazing use should be timed to follow the nesting season. c. Dramatic changes in water level may significantly impact reproduction. For most species a large rise in water level following nesting will destroy many nests. Conversely, a large drop in level may result in connecting nesting islands to the mainland or draining breeding marshes of such species as Franklin's Gulls and exposing the colonies to vastly increased predation. 13 LITERATURE CITED Brown, M. and J.J. Dinsmore, 1986, Implications of marsh size and isolation for marsh bird management, J, WildL Manage. 50:392-397. Davis, W, E., Jr. 1993. Black-crowned Night-Heron (NYCTICORAX NYCTICORAX). In: The Birds of North America, No. 74 (A. Poole and F. Gill, Eds,)- Philadelphia: The Academy of Natural Sciences; Washington D.C.: The American Ornithologists Union. 20 pp. Dunn, E. H., and D. J. Agro. 1995. Black Tern (CHLIDONIAS NIGER). In: The Birds of North America, No. 147 (A. Poole and F, Gill, Eds.). Philadelphia: The Academy of Natural Sciences; Washington D.C,: The American Ornithologists Union. 24 pp. Godfrey, W. E. 1986. The birds of Canada. Revised edition. Distributed for National Museum of Natural Sciences, Ottawa, by Univ. Chicago Press. 596 pp. Johnsgard, P. A. 1979, Birds of the Great Plains: breeding species and their distribution. Univ. Nebraska Press, Lincoln. 539 pp. Kantrud, H.A. and R.E. Stewart. 1984. Ecological distribution and crude density of breeding birds on prairie wetlands. J. Wildl, Manage. 48:426^37, Reichel, J. D. 1996. Preliminary Colonial Nesting Bird Survey of the Bureau of Land Management Lewistown District: 1995, Montana Natural Heritage Program. Helena, MT, 97 pp. 14 APPENDIX 1 Characteristics of wetland sites surveyed for colonial nesting birds, Bureau of Land Management, Lewistown District, June - July, 1996< 15 Appendix L Characteristics of sites surveyed for colonial nesting birds, Bureau of Land Management, Lewistown District, June - July, 1996. County MO DA VEAR LOCATION T SiR SEC APPROX. ACRES ORIGIN DESCRIPTION DEPTH PH % SHORELINE w/ EMERGENT VEG. EMERGENT VEG. SPECIES SURVEY SUCCESS HERPS Blaine 6 3 1996 East Martin Lake 035N017E 34 4 temporary lake^pond N Bfaine 6 4 1996 North Chinook Reservoir 035N018E 24 520 m permanent! ake/po nd deep (>2m) 5.5 >51% sedge Y PSTR Blaine 6 4 1996 Ca. 20 mileNE of Havre 035N017E 10 54 m pe rm an ent 1 a ke/po nd deep (>2m) 5.5 >51% sedge N PSTR Blaine 7 10 1996 Akali Lake 037N023E 13 275 n permanent! ake/po nd medium (1-2m) 8 26-50% sedge N Blaine 7 11 1996 Tule Lake 034N020E 24 122 permanent lake/pond medium (1-2m) >51% sedge, rush Y Blaine 7 11 1996 Unnamed Reservoir on Fifteenmile Creek 034N021E 18 68 m temporary lake/pond medium [l-2m) >51% rush, sedge Y Blaine 7 11 1996 Unnamed Pothole. 3 mi E and 9.5 mi N of Chinook 034N020E 5 15 n temporary lake/pond medium (1-2m) 5.5 >51% sedge, rush Y Blaine 7 11 1996 Pothole ca. 12 miles northeast of Savoy 033N025E 23 50 n temporary lake/pond sha!!ovi//smal! (51% rush, sedge N Chouteau 6 1 1996 Lake just E of Lonesome Lake 029N011E 14 47 m temporary lake/pond >51% polygonum, rush, sedge N Chouteau 6 2 1996 Old oxbow 0.5 mi N. 2.5 mi. E of Loma 025N009E 3 n temporary lake.'pond N Chouteau 6 2 1996 Lonesome Lake 029N012E 19 731 n temporary lake^pond 5.5 >5 1 % polygonum, rush, sedge N PSTR Chouteau 6 3 1996 Kingsbury Lake KinqsburvWPA 021N011E 17 1376 n permanent lake/pond deep [>2m) 7.5 1 -25% juncus. polygonum N PSTR Fergus 6 17 1996 1.2 mi. NNE of Judith Gap 011N016E 20 13 m permanent lake/pond deep [>2m) 6.5 >51% rush, cattail, sedge N PSTR. PARI Fergus 6 19 1996 Unnamed Reservoir 1 .5 mi WMW of Holland Reservoir 020N026E 17 36 m pe rm an ent 1 a ke/po nd 1 -25% rush, foxtail N Fergus 6 19 1996 Holland Reservoir 020N026E 15 23 m pe r m an en 1 1 ake/po nd 1-25% rush, foxtail N Fergus 6 19 1996 Buffalo Wallovtf Reservoir 020N026E 29 24 m permanent! ake/po nd deep (>2m) 5.5 26-50% rush, sedge N SGBO Hill 6 2 1996 Middle Chain-of-Lakes merged with West Chain of Lakes 033N013E 5 105 n temporary lake/pond deep [>2m) 6.5 26-50% sedge Y PSTR Hill 6 2 1996 Lake at north end of Chain-of-Lakes Coulee 034N012E 14 43 n temporary lake^pond medium [1-2m) 7 >51% sedge N PSTR Hill 6 2 1996 Ca. 7.5 miles N of 034N012E 24 27 n temporary lake/pond shallovi/'smal! 6.5 >51% sedge N PSTR n = nulural, m = man-m^de AMTI = Tiger Sahmander {Ambyslcmii ligriririin}, CHPI = Painted Turlle [Chryseniys fik-la)^ SCBO = Pl^ini Spadefool (Scaphiopus bombifronsj, THEL = Weslern Teireslri^l Garter Snake PSTR = Weslern Chorus Fiog{Ps^ritfacris liisfritilii), RAPI =Norlhern Leopard Frog (Riiiiii pipteirs), [Thainitopius efcgiiiis) ^iid THRA = Plains Gaiter Sn^ke {Thcimnojihh radix) 16 Appendix 1 (cont,). Characteristics of sites surveyed for colonial nesting birds. Bureau of Land Management, Lewistown District, June - July, 1996. County MO DA VEAR LOCATION T 8iR SEC APPROX. ACRES ORIGIN DESCRIPTION DEPTH PH % SHORELINE w/ EMERGENT VEG. EMERGENT VEG. SPECIES SURVEY SUCCESS HERPS Kremfirn (<1m) Hill 6 2 1996 Easterrn-most Cham-of- Lakes 033N013E 4 59 n temporary lake.'pond medium (1-2m) 6.5 26-50% sedge N PSTR Hill 6 3 1996 Halfway Lake W. P. A. also called Sarnds WPA.} 032N015E 14 241 m pe r m an ent 1 ake/po nd deep [>2m) 7.5 1-25% Y PSTR Hill 6 3 1996 Lake on North side of Wild Horse Lake 037N013E 6 37 n temporary lake/pond shallovi//small (51% N PSTR Petroleum 6 17 1996 War Horse Reservoir 016N025E 29 1444 m permanent lake/pond deep (>2m) 6.5 >51% rjsh. sedge, foxtail Y PSTR. SGBO Petroleum 6 18 1996 Wild Horse Lake 016N025E 3 1595 n temporary lake.'pond medium (1-2m) >51% foxtail unkn. Forb N Petroleum 6 18 1996 Lewis Reservoir 016N024E 20 137 m pe r m an ent 1 a ke/po nd deep [>2m) 6 >51% rush, sedge Y PSTR. RAPI Petrofeum 6 18 1996 Temporary lake 6 mi. NE of Blakeslee School 017N024E 27 121 n temporary lake/pond medijm [1-2rri) rush, sedge N Petroleum 6 18 1996 Upper Duck Greek Reservoir 016N024E 4 23 m temporary lake/pond medijm [1-2m) >5 1 % rush, sedge N Petroleum 6 18 1996 Duck Creek Reservoir 016N024E 2 53 m permanent lake/pond deep (>2m) 26-50% rush, sedge grass N Petroleum 6 18 1996 Payola Reservoir 016N02eE 29 29 m pe r m an en 1 1 ake/po nd >51% rush, sedge, bulrush N Petroleum 6 18 1996 Vogel Reservoir 015N027E 6 61 m permanent! ake/po nd deep (>2m) rush bulrush N Petroleum 6 18 1996 Little Bear Lake 016N02eE 31 138 n temporary lake.'pond shalfow/small (<1m) 6 foxtail Y PSTR. RAPI Petroleum 6 19 1996 Drag Reservoir 019N028E 21 91 m permanent lake/pond 26-50% rush, bulrush, sedge N Petroleum 6 19 1996 Pornd just below Drag Reservoir 019N028E 27 3 m temporary lake/pond medijm [1-2m) 6 >51% cattail bulrush, rush N CHPI. THRA Phillips 6 4 1996 Marti rn Lake 034N017E 4 356 n temporary lake/pond shallow/small (51% sedge N PSTR Phillips 6 4 1996 Lake S of Shawrn Pari oh 029N027E 33 207 n temporary lake/pond shallow.'small (<1m) 5.5 >51% salt grass, small forb N PSTR Phillips 6 4 1996 Dodsorn Reservoir 03lN02eE 26 39 m permanent lake/pond 6 >51% cattail, sedge, rush N PSTR. RAPI Phillips 6 4 1996 Pont of Rocks Reservoir 030N027E 15 129 permanent lake/pond 26-50% cattail, bulrush N n = nalural, m = man-m^de AMTI = Tiger Sahmander {Ambyslcmii ligriririin}, CHPI = Puinled Turlle [Chryseniys fik-la)^ SCBO = Pl^ini Spadefool (Scaphiopus bombifronsj, THEL = Weslern Teireslri^l Garter Snake PSTR = Weslern Chorus Fiog{Ps^ritfacris liisfritilii), RAPI =Norlhern Leopard Frog (Riiiiii piplciis), [Thainitopius efcgaiis) Rdd THRA = Plains Gaiter Sn^ke {Thcimnojihh radix) 17 Appendix 1 (cont,). Characteristics of sites surveyed for colonial nesting birds. Bureau of Land Management, Lewistown District, June - July, 1996. County MO DA VEAR LOCATION T 8iR SEC APPROX. ACRES ORIGIN DESCRIPTION DEPTH PH % SHORELINE w/ EMERGENT VEG. EMERGENT VEG. SPECIES SURVEY SUCCESS HERPS Phillips 6 5 199G Temporary pond 1 .3 mi. SE of Shawn Ranch 029N027E 34 28 n temporary lake/pond shallow^small (51% sedge, polygonum N Phillips 6 5 199S Pond ca 2 mi. SE of Shawn Ranch (= -Hoss Reservoir") 02eN027E 2 7 m temporary lake/pond medium [1-2m) 1-25% rush grass, bulrush Y Phillips 6 5 1996 Pond N. of Tresster Coulee 02eN027E 9 39 n temporary lake/pond medium [l-2m) >51% rush, polygonum Y PSTR Phillips 6 5 1996 N Fork Halfway Coulee Reservoir 029N028E 26 35 m pe r m an en 1 1 ake/po nd medium [l-2rri) rush, polygonum N Phillips 6 5 199S Temporary Pond N of Halfway Coulee 029N028E 13 9 temporary lake/pond medium [l-2m) >51% rush, polygonum N PSTR Phillips 6 5 199G Temporary lake in SW drainage of W. Alkali Creek 028N027E 11 49 n temporary lake/pond shallow/small (51% grass, rush H Phillips 6 20 1996 Bennett Lake 028N030E 1 71 n temporary lake^pond medium (1-2m) 5.5 >51% low bulrush, polygonum N PSTR Phillips 6 20 1996 LakePR-19 026N033E 30 67 m temporary lake/pond medium [l-2m) 5.5 >51% bulrush N CHPI. PSTR Phillips 6 20 1996 Unnamed pond 1 .5 mi. S. 2.3 mi. Wof Black Cow Reservoir 027N031E 25 22 n temporary lake/pond shallow/small (51% unknowforb. polygonum Phillips 6 20 1996 Unnamed pond 1 .4 mi. S. 1.2 mi Wof Black Cow Reservoir 027N032E 30 43 n temporary lake/pond medium (1-2m) 5.5 >51% rush, polygonum ^ PSTR Phillips 6 21 1996 Sun Prairie Flats dry lake bed 025N031E 23 N Phillips 6 21 1996 Pond 1.7 mi. E.. 2 mi. S of First Creek Community Center 024N030E 13 23 n temporary lake^pond shallow/small (51% sedge, grass N Phillips 7 10 1996 Chapman Reservoir, in Woody Island Coulee 036N027E 25 62 n temporary lake^pond medium [l-2m) 8 >51% sedge N PSTR. THRA Phillips 7 11 1996 Unnamed Reservoir on Down Reservoir Quad 033N026E 13 70 m temporary lake/pond deep [>2m) 5.5 >51% rush, sedge N Phillips 7 12 1996 Whitewater Lake 036N031E 35 665 n permanent lake/pond medium [l-2m) 6 26-50% sedge, rush Y AMTI. PSTR Phillips 7 12 1996 Martin Lake, near Lonnq 035N029E 14 252 n temporary lake/pond shallow/small (51% N Phillips 7 12 1996 Austin Lake 034N031E 10 temporary lake^pond N Phillips 7 22 1996 Unnamed Lake 025N028E 25 44 n temporary lake.'pond shallow/small (51% rush N THRA Phillips 7 22 1996 Shed Lake 025N028E 34 temporary lake/pond N Phillips 7 22 1996 Beam Lake 024N028E 2 temporary lake.'pond N Phillfps 7 22 1996 Unnamed reservoir. 0.5 mi N of Dry Fork Creek 024N027E 14 52 m temporary lake/pond medium [l-2m) 7.5 >51% rush Y RAPI Phillips 7 23 1996 Indian Lake 023N030E 22 117 n temporary lake/pond shalbw^small (51% rush, other? N THRA Phillips 7 23 1996 Unnamed Lake. ca. 2 mi S of Indian Lake 023N030E 23 42 n temporary lake/pond shalfow/small (51% rush N Phillips 7 23 1996 Dry Lake 023N030E 10 temporary lake/pond N Phillips 7 23 1996 Unnamed Lake 023N028E 13 temporary lake/pond N Phillips 7 23 1996 Unnamed reservoir SE of Whitcomb Lake 026N030E 23 temporary lake/pond N Phillips 7 23 1996 Whitcomb Lake 026N030E 22 206 n temporary lake.'pond shallow/small (51% weedy sp.. rush N Phillips 7 23 1996 Nelson Reservoir 027N030E 32 146 m temporary lake/pond medium [1-2m) 5.5 open 0% N Phillips 7 24 1996 Pea Lake 037N031E 35 494 m permanent lake/pond medium [l-2m) 5.5 >51% flowermg sp.. rush Y THRA Phillfps 7 24 1996 Wild Horse Reservoir 027N027E 2 217 m pe r m an en 1 1 ake/po nd deep (>2m) 6.5 1 -25% rush Y RAPI. THRA Phillips 7 24 1996 Lower Wild Horse 027N027E 1 222 m permanent lake/pond medium (1-2m) 8 >51% rush Y RAPI n = nalural, m = man-made AMTI = Tiger Salamander (Ambysloinn ligniium), CHPI = Painted Turlle {Chrysernys picfa)^ PSTR = Weslern Chorus ¥io^{P seitdacris liiseriain), RAPI =Norlhern Leopard Frog {Rana piptens), SCBO = Plains Spadefool (Scaphiopus bombifronsj, THEL = Weslern Terreslnal Garter Snake {Thamitopius efcgmis) and THRA = Plains Gaiter Snake {Thcimnophh radix) 19 Appendix 1 (cont,). Characteristics of sites surveyed for colonial nesting birds. Bureau of Land Management, Lewistown District, June - July, 1996. County MO DA VEAR LOCATION T 8iR SEC APPROX. ACRES ORIGIN DESCRIPTION DEPTH PH % SHORELINE w/ EMERGENT VEG. EMERGENT VEG. SPECIES SURVEY SUCCESS HERPS Reservoir Phil ips 7 24 1996 Unnamed Lake; off Hwy 1 91 . ca. 1 mile N fo Little Warm Creek 026N027E 10 n temporary lake.'pond N Phil ips 7 24 1996 Unnamed Lake 2 mi NW of Whitewater Reservoir 036N031E 20 46 n temporary lake/pond shallow/small (51% rush, flowering sp. N Phil ips 7 24 1996 Unnamed reservoir, ca 3 miles NE of Pea Lake 037N032E 29 71 m permanent! ake/po nd medium [1-2m) 5.5 >51% rush N Phil ips 7 25 1996 Unnamed lake 029N028E 20 102 n temporary lake/pond shaltow/small (51% N Phil ips 7 25 1996 reservoir 029N028E 22 36 m pe r m an ent 1 ake/po nd medijm [l-2m) 6 5 >5 1 % rush N RAPI. THRA Phil ips 7 25 1996 Reservoir no. 161 028N028E 22 84 m pe r m an ent 1 ake/po nd medijm [l-2m) 7 1 -25% rush N CHPI Phil ips 7 25 1996 Unnamed reservoir 029N028E 23 35 m temporary lake.'pond medijm [l-2m) 7 1 -25% rush N Philips 7 25 1996 Unnamed lake 027N028E 27 49 n temporary lake/pond shallow/small (51% N Phil ips 7 25 1996 Veseth Reservoir 025N028E 7 404 temporary lak expend N Phil ips 7 25 1996 Milk River WMA 032N033E 30 340 m permanent lake/pond >51% bulrush, cattail sedge N Philips 7 25 1996 Mud Lake 031N031E 13 53 m permanent lake/pond open 0% Y Phil ips 7 25 1996 McNeil Slough 032N032E 15 26 n permanent lake/pond >5 1 % cattail, willow N Phil ips 7 25 1996 Pond 2.5 mi NNW of Hewitt Lake 032N031E 2 10 m temporary lake/pond shallow.'small (51% rush, sedge grass N Phil ips 7 25 1996 McChesney Reservoir 032N034E 12 81 m permanent lake/pond >51% willow, bulrush, rush N Phil ips 7 25 1996 Pond 2 5 mi northwest of Hewitt Lake 032N031E 3 n temporary lake.'pond N Philips 7 25 1996 Big McNeil Slough 032N032E 14 42 n permanent lake/pond >51% cattail willow N n = nulural, m = man-m^de AMTI = Tiger Sahmander {Ambyslcrmi ligriririrn), CHPI = Painted Turlle iChryseniys fik-la)^ SCBO = Pl^ini Spadefool (Scaphiopus bombifronsj, THEL = Weslern Teireslri^l Garter Snake PSTR = Weslern Chorus Fiog{Ps^ritfacris liisfritilii), RAPI =Norlhern Leopard Frog (Riiiiii pipteirs), [Thainitopius efcgiim) Rdd THRA = Plains Gaiter Sn^ke {Thcimnojihh radix) 20 Appendix 1 (cont,). Characteristics of sites surveyed for colonial nesting birds. Bureau of Land Management, Lewistown District, June - July, 1996. County MO DA VEAR LOCATION T 8iR SEC APPROX. ACRES ORIGIN DESCRIPTION DEPTH PH % SHORELINE w/ EMERGENT VEG. EMERGENT VEG. SPECIES SURVEY SUCCESS HERPS Phillips 7 25 1996 McNeil Slough WPA 032N032E 15 24 n permanent lake/pond 6 >51% cattail, bulrush N CHPI. RAPI Teton 7 22 1996 Pishkin Reservoir and pond off northwest side 022N007W 3 1525 n pe r m an ent 1 a ke/po nd medium (1-2m) 6 >5 1 % bulrush Y THEL Teton 7 22 1996 Split Rock Lake 022N007W 17 167 n pe r m ar> er>t 1 ake/po nd deep [>2m) 1 -25% bulrush rush, grass N Teton 7 22 1996 Bynum Reservoir 025N006W 6 3207 m permanent lake/pond open 0% rush bulrush Y Toole 6 1996 Ca. 2 5 miles East of Oilmont 035N002W 31 23 n temporary lake^pond shalfovi/.'small (<1m) 1 -25% N PSTR Toole 6 1996 2.5 miles E. Sunburst 036N002W 15 temporary lake/pond N Too[e 6 1996 Ca. 6 miles N of Kevin 036N003W 34 79 m temporary lake/pond medium (1-2m) 6 26-50% sedge N Toole 6 1996 Ca. 5 miles N of Kevin 035N003W 3 temporary lake/pond N Toole 6 1996 Ca. 2 to 3 miles northeast of Kevin 035N003W 13 1 permanent lake/pond N Toole 6 1996 Ca. 1.5 miles NE of Kevin 035N003W 25 59 n temporary lake/pond shallow/small (<1m) 8 N PSTR Toole 6 1996 Ca. 2.5 miles NW of Oilmont 035N002W 20 6 n temporary lake/pond shalfovi/Zsmall (<1m) 26-50% N PSTR Toole 6 1996 Temporary pond 1 mt. S of Oilmont 034N002W 10 0.4 n temporary lake/pond shallovi/Zsmall (51% rush, sedge, grass Y PSTR Toole 6 1996 Temporary pond. 2.5 mi. E. 3.4 mi. N of Kevin. 035N002W 7 92 n temporary lake/pond shallovi/'small (<1m) 7 >51% grass, rush, sedge N PSTR Valley 7 23 1996 Two Forks Reservoir 024N037E 12 32 m permanent lake/pond deep [>2m) 7.5 >51% rush, bulrush Y AMTI. THRA Valley 7 23 1996 Desert Coulee Reservoir 024N03eE 10 35 m permanent lake/pond >51% sedge, bulrush, rush N AMTI n = nalural, m = man-m^de AMTI = Tiger Sahmander {Ambyslormi ligriririin}, CHPI = Painted Turlle [Chryseniys fik-la)^ SCBO = Pl^ini Spadefool (Scaphiopus bombifronsj, THEL = Western Teireslrial Garter Snake PSTR = Western Chorus Fiog{Ps^ritfacris liisfritilii), RAPI = Northern Leopard Frog (Riiiiii pipteirs), [Thainitopius efcgaiis) and THRA = Plains Gaiter Snake {Thcimnojihh radix) 21 Appendix 1 (cont,). Characteristics of sites surveyed for colonial nesting birds. Bureau of Land Management, Lewistown District, June - July, 1996. County MO DA VEAR LOCATION T 8iR SEC APPROX. ACRES ORIGIN DESCRIPTION DEPTH PH % SHORELINE w/ EMERGENT VEG. EMERGENT VEG. SPECIES SURVEY SUCCESS HERPS Valley 7 23 1996 Hard Pan Creek Reservoir 025N03eE 27 m temporary lake/pond N Valley 7 23 1996 Halfpint Reservoir 025N036E 31 34 m permanent lake/pond 7 26-50% sedge rush bulrush N PSTR Valley 7 23 1996 Triple Crossirng Reservoir 026N036E 29 m temporary lake/pond N Valley 7 23 1996 Pearsorn Deterntion Reservoir 025N038E 4 m temporary lake/pond N Valley 7 23 1996 Collirns Delentiorn Reservoir 025N037E 25 0.2 m temporary lake/pond N Valley 7 23 1996 Willow Creek Flat Reservoir 026N039E 29 m temporary lake/pond N Valley 7 23 1996 Target Detentiorn Reservoir 025N038E 11 m temporary lake/pond N Valley 7 23 1996 Bomber Detentiorn Diversion Reservoir 025N038E 15 m temporary lake/pond N Valley 7 23 1996 Lori Detention Reservoir 025N038E 21 m temporary lake/pond N Valley 7 23 1996 IJL Reservoir 025N035E 1 m temporary lake.'pond N Valley 7 23 1996 Amambde Reservoir 026N036E 1 41 m permanent lake/pond open 0% N Valley 7 23 1996 Gutshot Detention Reservoir 026N037E 34 1 m temporary lake.'pond shallovi/.'small (51% bulrush, cattail N Valley 7 24 1996 Ward Reservoir 034N039E 28 31 m permanent lake/pond deep (>2m) 6 >51% cattail, polygonum Y CHPI. RAPI Valley 7 24 1996 VR-2 Reservoir 028N03eE 23 184 m permanent lake/pond 1 -25% polygonjm N Valley 7 24 1996 Coal Bank Reservoir 028N035E 29 79 m permanent lake/pond deep (>2m) 1 -25% polygonum, grass, rush N Valley 7 24 1996 Jim Reservoir 026N036E 3 82 m permanent lake/pond deep (>2m) open 0% N Valley 7 24 1996 Grubb Reservoir 027N037E 35 229 m permanent lake/pond open 0% willow N n = nulural, m = man-m^de AMTI = Tiger Sahmander {Ambyslcrmi ligriririin}, CHPI = Puinled Turlle [Chrysernys p\i:fa\ PSTR = Weslern Cliorui Y^iia^iPsendacris liisfritilii), RAPI =Norlhern Leopard Frog (Riiiiii pipteits), SCBO = Pl^ini Spadefool (Scaphiopus bombifronsj, THEL = Weslern Terresln^l Garter Snake {Thamitopius efcgmis) ^iid THRA = Plains Gaiter Sn^ke {Thcimnophh radix) 22 APPENDIX 2 Maps of Observations of TES Colonial Nesting Birds", Bureau of Land Management, Lewistown District, June - July, 1996< !• Black-crowned Night Heron 2, Common Tern 3, Forster's Tern 4, Black Tern Since no additional Black-necked Stilt colonies were located in 1996^ a map is not provided here, (see Reichel 1996 for a map of occurrences). 23 Observations of Black-crowned Night-Heron on the Lewistown District, BLM • 1996 surveys ^ 1995 surveys Pre-1995 surveys Montana Natural Heritage Program, May 1 3, 1 997 Observations of Common Tern on the Lewistown District, BLM • 1996 surveys ® 1995 surveys Pre-1 995 surveys Montana Natural Heritage Program, May 1 3, 1 997 Observations of Black Tern on the Lewistown District, BLM • 1996 surveys ^ 1995 surveys Pre-1 995 surveys Montana Natural Heritage Program, May 13, 1997 Observations of Forster's Tern on the Lewistown District, BLM • 1996 surveys ^ 1995 surveys Pre-1 995 surveys Montana Natural Hsritage Program, May 13, 1997