I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Status Report on Boreal Owl Surveys in Southwestern Montana, 1989 . by P. D. Mullen for the Montana Natural Heritage Program 1515 East Sixth Avenue Helena, MT 59620 and USDA Forest Service Beaverhead and Bitterroot National Forests Box 238 Wisdom, MT 59761 March 15, 1990 I I I I I 9 I I I I I I I I I I I I TABLE OF CONTENTS Page List of Tables '. iii List of Figures iii Summary i Introduction 1 Study Area 2 Methods , 4 Results 7 Discussion 12 Literature Cited 15 Acknowledgements 16 Appendix I 17 Appendix II 18 Appendix III 19 XI I LIST OF TABLES Page Table 1 . Owl survey routes by Forest District and length 6 Table 2. Macro-habitat characteristics of Boreal Owl calling sites 9 Table 3. Micro-habitat characteristics of Boreal Owl calling sites 10 Table 4. Types of forest openings nearest Boreal Owl calling sites, 1989 11 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1 . Map of the study area in Southwestern Montana 3 Figure 2. Owl survey routes within the study area, 1989 5 111 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I SUMMARY Song-playback surveys conducted in forested habitats of southwestern Montana during the winter of 1989 yielded 29 owl responses . Nine boreal owl responses were heard, representing eight different owls, during seven of the thirty surveys. Boreal owls were heard in either Picea englemanii , Abies lasiocarpa , Pseudotsuga menziesii , or Pinus contorta forest types between 6,000 and 7,800 ft elevation. Five and three owls were heard on the west and east sides of the Continental Divide respectively. Owl calling sites were between 12 and 120 ft from forest openings and within 300 ft of water. Suggestions are made for future research on boreal owls to comply with monitoring and management regulations defined in the National Forest Management Act of 1976. Analysis of stand structure at primary calling sites indicated number of canopy levels ranging from one to four with canopy closure estimates from 40 to 80 percent. All stands contained from 2 to 10 snags per acre. Ages of dominant trees ranged from 80 to 200 years, with DBH values between 11 and 2k inches and heights from 54 to 90 feet. INTRODUCTION The boreal owl (Aegolius funereus ) is a small, nocturnal owl found in coniferous forests of northern North America and Eurasia (AOU 1983 x Clark et. al. 1987). Although generally secretive, the male boreal owl is often vocal during the early breeding season (Feb.- May), and can be located using nocturnal surveys (Palmer 1987) . Previous studies indicate that only potentially breeding males call ( Hayward et al. 1987)1 implying that owl calling activity indicates the presence of breeding populations. The status of the boreal owl in southwestern Montana is poorly known, though its presence has been established on a regional basis by confirmed nesting studies in Colorado (Palmer and Ryder 1984) and Idaho (Hayward and Garton 1983) • I n southwestern Montana during the winter of 1984 four singing males were heard in the Big Hole Valley during a coordinated survey effort (Hayward et al. 1987). Holt (1986) located boreal owls in west-central Montana along the Idaho border. No nests have been found to date. Survey results in the Rocky Mountain Region indicate that boreal owls in Montana occur in mature spruce (Picea englemanii ) -fir ( Abies spp.) forest types greater than 5.000 ft elevation, which at times may be associated with lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta ) /wet meadow complexes (Holt and Hillis 1987). The Region 1 of the United States Forest Service (U.S.F.S) lists the boreal owl as a Sensitive Species, and thus is required to monitor their status and population trends on forest lands under the National Forest Management Act (NFMA) of 1976 (16 U.S.C. 1600). Additionally, NFMA requires that suitable habitat be maintained to support viable boreal owl populations throughout their range on Forest Service Lands. During the winter of 1989 a cooperative study of the boreal owl was initiated between the Beaverhead and Bitterroot National Forests and the Montana Natural Heritage Program. Primary objectives of this study were to develop a better understanding of the distribution, habitat requirements, and population status of the boreal owl in southwestern 'Montana. This project is the first of four years, ^designed to gather sufficient baseline data on boreal owls. These data will subsequently be used in population monitoring, viability assessment, and forest planning. This report is a summary of the efforts during 1989 to document the occurrence of boreal owls in southwestern Montana on portions of the Beaverhead and Bitterroot National Forests. STUDY AREA The study area consists of portions of Beaverhead, Deerlodge, Silverbow, and Ravalli Counties along the Continental Divide (Fig. 1). Elevations in the area range from about 4,500 ft to 8,500 ft with a variety of forest cover types, aspects, and slopes. Lower elevation sites on the west slope of the Continental Divide in Ravalli County are dominated by ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa ) and Douglas fir ( Pseudotsuga menziesii ) . Subalpine fir ( Abies lasiocarpa ) and lodgepole pine occur at higher elevations along the Divide. Engelmann spruce is found in cool moist sites, primarily along creeks and draws in the subalpine zone throughout the area. Douglas fir stands also occur along dry foothills in the eastern portion of the study area, east of the Continental Divide, while lodgepole/subalpine fir dominate the higher elevation sites. The remainder of the study area is primarily lodgepole/subalpine fir cover types with spruce/subalpine fir occurring in wet areas, draws, and around wet meadow complexes. Aspen ( Populus tremuloides ) and willow (Salix spp.) are present in isolated patches throughout the area as riparian or paloustrian species Figure 1. Map of the study area in Southwestern Montana. I I METHODS Owls were surveyed using the song playback technique (Fuller and Mosher 1981) from vehicle and snowmobile along survey routes from 24 February to k May, 1989. Survey routes were selected to include a variety of forest types and elevations. See Figure 2 for route delineations and Table 1 for a list of routes by District. There were twenty- five survey routes which included areas of three Ranger Districts on two National Forests. Wise River and Wisdom Ranger Districts were included on the Beaverhead National Forest, and Sula Ranger District on the Bitterroot National Forest. Surveys started one half hour after dusk and lasted approximately four to five hours or until 2300 or 2400 hours. Routes were selected to be eight to ten miles long with playback stations between one half and one mile apart depending on topographic and/or habitat variation. At each station I listened for calling owls for two to three minutes, played one species' call for two to three minutes, and listened again for two to three minutes. This was repeated three times per station. Boreal calls were played most often, but occassionally great gray (Strix nebulosa ) or saw-whet owl ( Aegolius acadicus ) calls were played at alternating stations. Survey report forms were completed for each survey attempt, and owl observation forms filled out for routes where owls were heard. See Appendix I for sample report and observation forms. Approximate locations of owl responses were mapped on U.S.G.S. Topographic maps (7.5 min.). These sites were then visited for habitat analysis during the summer months of 1989- I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I RIVER TRAIL PASS t' ^ V.. ■s^j* WISDOM KS> <£> 1 JACKSON Figure 2. Owl survey routes within the study area, 1989- , I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Table 1. Owl survey routes by Forest District and length, 1989. ROUTE NAME DISTRICT LENGTH (mi) N TOTAL SURVEYED ( mi ) . Lost Trail Meadow Cr. Lick Cr. Andrews Cr. Gibbon Trail Howell Cr. Chief Joseph Doolittle Steel-Fox Johnson Cr. Upper Johnson Big Hole Pass Miner Lake Squaw Cr. Skinner Meadow Wise River Trapper Cr. Triangle Bryant Cr. East LaMarche Fishtrap Divide Cr. Quartz Hill Jerry Cr. Highway 43 TOTAL N = Number of Sula 8 Sula 13 Sula 7 Sula 7 Sula 8 Wisdom 10 Wisdom 15 Wisdom 8 Wisdom 9 Wisdom 10 Wisdom 6 Wisdom 8 Wisdom 8 Wisdom 7 Wisdom 6 Wise River 15 Wise River 9 Wise River 11 Wise River 10 Wise River 8 Wise River 8 Wise River 8 Wise River 8 Wise River 6 Wise River 8 trips 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 16 13 7 7 8 20 15 8 9 10 6 8 8 7 6 30 27 11 10 8 8 6 8 281 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 1 HABITAT ANALYSIS Habitat analysis consisted of a site description of the area around each owl response site. Macro-habitat parameters recorded at each site_.were: elevation, aspect, slope percent, distance to nearest opening (clearcut, meadow, or park >1 acre), distance to water, distance to nearest disturbance source (e.g. road, highway, recreation area). Micro-habitat parameters recorded included forest type, number of canopy levels, percent canopy closure, number of snags per acre, basal area of dominant tree species, age, mean diameter at breast height (DBH) , and mean height of dominant tree species. In an attempt to compensate for possible owl location error, a second adjacent stand was chosen at each site in a direct line with the listening point from the primary location for identical analysis. Though this method did not increase the accuracy of the habitat analysis, it did serve to broaden the potential habitat types in which owls may have been calling. In subsequent survey years, attempts should be made to locate singing males to precise stands, thereby increasing the validity of the data. Calculations of basal area, number of snags per acre, and percent canopy closure were based on estimates concurrent with standard U.S.F.S. stand examination procedures. Median value and range for each habitat parameter were calculated for primary, secondary, and total stands analyzed. RESULTS Thirty surveys were conducted during the period, covering 272 miles. Approximately 51 miles were covered on the Sula District, 97 on the Wisdom District, and 124 on the Wise River District (Table 1). I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Twenty-nine owl responses were heard of which nine were boreals. The remaining species and numbers heard were saw-whet (6), great gray (2), and great horned owls ( Bubo virginianus ) (12). The nine boreal responses were heard in seven different locations (Appendix II). Results suggest that of the nine boreals heard, eight were different owls (See owl observation forms in Appendix III) . Of the eight different boreal owls heard, five were located on three survey routes on the Sula District. Two were heard on the Meadow Creek route, two on the Lost Trail Pass route, and one on the Gibbon Trail route. Two were heard on the Wisdom District: one on the Skinner Meadows route and one on the Chief Joseph Pass route. The one boreal located on the Wise River District was heard on the Bryant Creek route. Seven of the nine total responses were elicited by song playback, while the remaining two owls were calling prior to any taped playback. Specific responses are described on owl observation forms found in Appendix III. An estimate of boreal responses per mile of survey effort yields approximately one boreal owl response per 34 mi of survey. As an estimate of survey effort by forest district, the data yield approximately one response per 10 mi for the Sula District routes, one response per 48 mi for the Wisdom routes, and one response per 124 mi for the Wise River routes. Habitat Characteristics Boreal owl calling sites located during the survey occured between 6,000 ft and 7,800 ft elevation. All sites were found to be in spruce/subalpine fir, lodgepole/subalpine fir, Douglas fir/lodgepole, or lodgepole/spruce forest types. Primary sites were within 120 ft of forest openings and within 320 ft Table 2. Macro-habitat characteristics of Boreal Owl calling sites, 1989. , DISTANCE DISTANCE ^DISTANCEE SITE NAME ELEVATION ASPECT SLOPED) OPENING WATER DISTURBANCE Skinner 1 7000 210 10 160 950 950 Meadows 2 7000 180 10 35 150 3100 Meadow 1 65OO 120 45 320 320 320 Creek 2 6600 90 50 250 380 250 Mink 1 6000 90 20 95 35 95 Creek 2 6000 90 30 95 160 95 Lost 1 6800 70 60 250 65 250 Trail 2 6800 70 50 330 250 330 Joseph 1 7100 200 20 35 95 480 Creek 2 7100 90 20 65 125 330 Bryant 1 78OO 60 30 65 95 3200 Creek 2 7800 10 30 125 160 3200 Ski Hill 1 7100 95 95 65 160 2 7100 90 125 65 160 Median 6800 110 30 175 500 1700 ( range ) (6000-7800) (10-210) (0-60) (35-330) (35-950) (95-3200) 1 6800 135 30 175 500 1700 (6000-7800) (60-210) (0-60) (35-330) (35-950) (95-3200) 2 6800 95 25 175 220 1700 ( 6000-7800 ) (10-180) (0-50) (35-330) (65-380) (95-3200) I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Table 3. Micro-habitat characteristics of Boreal Owl calling sites, 1989. SITE NAME FOREST TYPE CANOPY LEVELS ^CANOPY CLOSURE BASAL SNAGS/AC AREA/AC AGE DBH (IN.) HEIGHT (FT.) Skinner Meadows 1 2 LP/SAF LP/SP 1 3 40 60 2 4 140 160 80 150 11 22 54 65 Meadow Creek 1 2 LP/DF LP/SAF 2 1 40 50 5 2 30 111 200 70 24 8 85 55 Mink Creek 1 2 SAF/SP SAF/DF 4 2 80 60 4 2 150 44 110 90 18 12 80 70 Lost Trail 1 2 DF/SP DF/SAF/LP 4 2 70 60 5 2 85 125 200 130 20 12 90 70 Joseph Creek 1 2 LP/SAF/SP LP/SAF 3 2 70 50 3 2 125 44 110 120 12 12 60 60 Bryant Creek 1 2 SP/SAF LP/SAF 3 2 70 50 5 2 33 40 140 110 12 8 75 55 Ski Hill 1 2 SP/SAF LP/SAF/SP 2 2 40 50 10 4 80 125 200 150 20 12 60 60 Median (range) 2.5 (1-4) 60 (40-80) 6 (2-10) 95 135 16 72 (30-160) (70-200) (8-24) (54-90) Primary- 1 2.5 (1-4) 60 (40-80) 6 90 140 17.5 72 (2-10) (30-150) (80-200) (11-24) (54-90) Secondary 2 2 (1-3) 55 (50-60) 3 (2-4) 100 110 15 62.5 (40-160) (70-150) (8-22) (55-70) LP-Lodgepole pine. SAF-Subalpine fir. DF-Douglas 1 fir. SP-Engleman spruce. 10 Table k. Types of forest openings nearest Boreal Owl calling sites, 1989. Skinner Meadows 1 2 Dry Park Mesic Meadow Meadow Creek 1 2 Clearcut/road Clearcut/road Mink Creek 1 2 Road Road Lost Trail 1 2 Road Road Joseph Creek 1 2 Mesic Meadow Mesic Meadow Bryant Creek 1 2 Clearcut Clearcut Ski Hill 1 2 Wet Meadow/Ski Hill Wet Meadow/Ski Hill 11 I I I of water or wet meadow areas. Slopes ranged from zero to 60 percent for primary sites with aspects from 60 to 210 degrees. Distances from potential human disturbance ranged from 100 ft to just under 1 mile (Tables 2,3)- Types of forest openings nearest calling sites included clearcuts, parks, meadows, and roads (Table 4). Analysis of stand structure at primary sites indicated number of canopy levels ranging from one to four with canopy closure estimates from 40 to 80 percent. All stands contained from 2 to 10 snags (> 8") per acre. Ages of dominant trees ranged from 80 to 200 years, with DBH values between 11 and 24 inches and heights from 54 to 90 feet (Table 3). DISCUSSION The presence of boreal owls in the study area during the breeding season is an indication that, though no nests were found, boreals are present in southwestern Montana as potential nesters, and can be monitored as such in the future. Data from this survey should be considered as evidence of boreal activity, and not as a basis for owl density calculations or population levels within the study area. Boreal owls were heard in primarily high elevation (6,000-7,800 ft) spruce/ subalpine fir, subalpine fir/lodgepole, and Douglas fir/subalpine fir forest types. This is consistent with findings in the Bitterroot Divide (Holt and Hillis 1987) and central Idaho (Hayward et al. 1984). Though surveys covered additional forest types, including ponderosa pine and Douglas fir/ juniper ( Juniperus spp.) at lower elevations, no responses were heard in these forest types. Forest openings nearest boreal calling sites were man-made at five of the seven sites (Table 4). G. Hayward (Pers. commun.) suggested that man-made 12 openings (i.e. clearcuts) may in some cases be "beneficial" to boreals because they create edge habitat which the owls use for hunting. It should be noted however,- that man-made openings are often accompanied by the potential for human disturbance such as road traffic or firewood cutting, which may not benefit the owls. The potential also exists for the invasion/colonization of these openings by competing owl species such as Great horned, saw-whet, or barred owls ( Strix varia) . Such invasions may have a negative effect on boreal owl management goals. Additional research is needed to clarify the relationship between owl habitat use and forest management. Regional variation of both calling activity of male boreals and breeding success of nesting pairs has been noted (Hayward et al. 1986) . These variations are apparently a direct result of fluctuations of prey populations and/or availability. These findings are particularly significant in their application to the design and duration of owl surveys and monitoring. Short term (one- two years) preliminary surveys cannot take into account yearly fluctuations in calling activity, which could influence management activities in the area with potentially drastic results. Additionally, as this study shows, an apparent regional difference in owl densities exists between the east and west sides of the Continental Divide. If management were directed solely by this one year study, without taking into account the possibility of regional variation in calling rates, very little management for boreal owls would take place on the eastern Districts due to few or no owls found there. Additional survey years may result in very different results, and should serve to assemble the necessary data describing boreal owl distribution and abundance 1 over the study area. As a suggestion for further research, boreal owl surveys should be continued in southwestern Montana with initial emphasis on nest location 13 I attempts. In addition to new survey routes, repeat surveys should be made in I spruce/fir forest types using routes covered by this study. Nest location and I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I nest site analysis are important so that management guidelines for_. these areas can incorporate boreal habitat requirements for NFMA compliance. Site specific data on seasonal and yearly boreal habitat requirements are needed on a long term basis to ensure a viable boreal population on forest lands in the region. 14 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I LITERATURE CITED American Ornithologists Union. 1983- The checklist of North American Birds, 6th Edition. 877 PP. Clark, R.J. , D.G. Smith, and L. Kelso. 1987. Distributional status and literature of northern forest owls, pages 47~55- In '• R.W. Nero, R.J. Clark, R.J. Knap ton, and R.H. Hamre, eds. Biology and conser- vation of northern forest owls: symposium proceedings. Gen. Tech. Rep. RM-142. Fort Collins, CO. U.S. Dept. Agric, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Exp. Stat., 309P- Fuller, M.R. and J. A. Mosher. I98I. Methods for detecting and counting raptors: a review, p. 235-246. In C.J. Ralph and Jim Scott (eds). Estimating the number of terrestrial birds. Stud. Avian Biol. 6. Hayward, G.D. and E.O. Gar ton. 1983- First nesting record for the boreal owl in Idaho. The Condor 85:501. Hayward, G.D., E.O. Garton, and P.H. Hayward. 1984. Habitat requirements of the boreal owl in central Idaho. A progress report to the North American Bluebird Society, 15 p. Hayward, G.D., P.H. Hayward, and E.O. Garton. 1986. Habitat requirements and distribution of the boreal owl in central Idaho. Annual progress report, Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Resources, College of Forestry, Wildlife and Range Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, l6p. Hayward, G.D., P.H. Hayward, E.O. Garton, and R. Escano. 1987. Revised breeding distribution of the boreal owl in the northern Rocky Mountains. The Condor 89:431-432. Holt, D.W. I986. 1986 boreal owl survey results on the Lolo National Forest, Missoula, Montana. U.S. Forest Service Intermountain Range and Exp. Sta. Rep., Missoula, Montana, 4p. Holt, D.W. and J.M. Hillis. 1987. Current status and habitat associations of forest owls in Montana, pages 281-288. In : R.W. Nero, R.J. Clark, R.J. Knapton, and R.H. Hamre, eds. Biology and conservation of northern forest owls: symposium proceedings. Gen. Tech. Rep. RM-142. Fort Collins, CO. U.S. Dept. Agric, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Exp. Stat., 309 P- Palmer, D.A. 1987. Annual, seasonal, and nightly variation in calling activ- ity of boreal and northern saw-whet owls, pages 162-168. In : R.W. Nero, R.J. Clark, R.J. Knapton, and R.H. Hamre, eds. Biology and conservation of northern forest owls: symposium proceedings. Gen. Tech. Rep. RM-142. Fort Collins, CO. U.S. Dept. Agric, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Exp. Stat., 309 P- Palmer, D.A. and R.A. Ryder. 1984. The first documented breeding of the boreal owl in Colorado. The Condor 86:215-217. 15 I I ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Many people assisted me at various times during the course of -this project. John Promozic accompanied me as a volunteer during most of the night surveys. L. Mullen, J. and G. Easley, P. Olsen, J. Jones, D. McKnight.D. Genter, and T. Holland each assisted with one or more night surveys and helped push and/or pull non-cooperative snowmobiles as needed. L. Mullen helped during the habitat analysis at owl calling sites. D. Genter, J. Jones, and L. Mullen edited various drafts of the report. The Wise River, Wisdom, and Sula Ranger Districts of the U.S. Forest Service made available vehicles and snowmobiles with which to conduct the surveys. The personnel of the Wise River Ranger District, especially D. Smith and G. Kostelecky, made their time and computer available for the writing of the final report. 16 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I APPENDIX I Sample Survey Report and Owl Observation data forms, 17 SURVEY REPORT FORM Id Party Members Date h - '$ ?A Route Name County &ixrh Route location: County t^MjaAk^ Forest b c t u'c / u& * ' Drainage iPAf'ff ^ n , Elevation ' ' ^rl W District U)la,o tfws er Repeat Visit ? - Y ^ N Route Description /MfpK-/L. Ore/, jl a ^£: (..l^ij Distance: Means of travel: \/ch<'ir (auto, ski, etc.) Weather (at end of survey) Temperature: V > Cloud cover: '^n'/" 1 Snow depth: p - H* ' Start time: ( f ^O Finish time: ~iZ<~'-} Precipitation (describe) : A'f-Vf Wind: '/ K/L -/ ^H'Ti^f Species encountered (if any, use Owl Observation Form) species # MTNHP 1515 E. 6th Ave., Helena, MT 59620 SURVEY REPORT FORM &n Party Members ft utiJU- L,|H, <* !«-. Route location: Date V erf.- £' Route Name County r^ r '''' ,J , Target Species (if any) \0f. Distance: -' !••' U r ^ Means of travel: jv v u) ( /|Utxtt.< (auto, ski, etc.) Start time: ~- j O '5 ^ Finish time: Q\')''.o Weather (at end of survey) - -i -> • > Temperature: r < ' Cloud cover: pl'"it i Snow depth: i , i ] Precipitation (describe) : / Wind: / < ? / f ?V/- Species encountered (if any, use Owl Observation Form) species •■ . if # I I MTNHP 1515 E. 6th Ave., Helena, HT 59620 I 10 SURVEY REPORT FORM Party Members Date y~d6~&\ Route Name Target Species (if" any) Route location: County 5/Laa fc.^ Forest flpcuJ t X^S) - |W aCo^|^ Drainage \\vah> Gv Elevation feCDQ -"7/'-p pftpiatrict LJlap £ t y. ,Mvi\^ Means of travel: ^^^ A^ttW (auto, ski, etc.) Start time: Qu^H^ Finish time : ^ 3 / *S~" Weather (at end of survey) Temperature: ex-- 5 Cloud cover: flow* Snow depth: O -U C4- Precipitation (describe) ^^ Wind: g^.f 4, SO^ Species encountered (if any, use Owl Observation Form) species # I I MTNHP 1515 E. 6th Ave., Helena, MT 59620 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I •^ '•'I Party Members SURVEY REPORT FORM Date 4-^7-A^ Route Name iQi^p Yw.^ ko rr£0£f£ Wind: Ujiif ■-+■ &jrUb Species encountered (if any, use Owl Observation Form) species # wh & V\f£ r'y**- &>k U*rfk|uii). I I MTNHP 1515 E. 6th Ave., Helena, HT 59620 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I zz. SURVEY REPORT FORM Party Members Date i / ti hl Route Name ^flmuo (La Target Species (if any) E*rr*J JP a*'?** 1 ? Route location: County Z^SHMSS^ Forest iS^Karf^ Drainage JIukuS Elevation 65&> bistrict O^gWy 3? Repeat Visit ? Route Description Y ~~W 7 Distance: "7^1 Means of travel: SrVxJ* MdM< (auto, ski, etc.) Weather Temperature: 3o Cloud cover: Mm^ Snow depth: 3*fc.5 £ ?oftV7 A/ Slope ZQ-Wfe Aspect &//& ) County: % AV-H~ fkk>^ Forest: fteafadi&l 1 Drainage: dtj^vjr &7 District: Cd/sc/Pj^r^ Describe Observations: (bark, territorial call, sighting, etc.) Describe Location: 5/wv|( p lc ( (> t „ p^\ to j3/\ c4->li*.r*L Mill iae^L {\KykoJ 5V D Route Description Target Species (if any) Forest tftfcnvai* ~ District iiuM ^l^iln -t>/<\ ^)„, cr» , //-.Art <-/ Distance: jAf . Means of travel: /f* 1 (auto, ski, etc.) Start time: ZOSTy* Finish time: -p"f ?Q Weather (at end of survey) Temperature: ~^>0° Cloud cover: dlifV'-v Snow depth: £ f , W ' Precipitation (describe) : Wind: / ( rr£rf i / fl* *U? I I I I I Species encountered (if any, use Owl Observation Form) species .. # HTNHP 1515 E. 6th Ave., Helena, HT 59620 SURVEY REPORT FORM ys Party Members Date M/nl&T Route Name Target Species (if any) Route location: County llcv/cuKcx. Si Forest T\ge»Q District lOtsm^n^ gA Repeat Visit ? Y ciD ^e^* 5 Route Description i V*w f/^y L I3 - 6 ^\U -J, Distance: Means of travel: (auto, ski, etc.) Start time: Finish time: Weather (at end of survey) Temperature: Q S e ~" Cloud cover: /Y^/i wind: .jui \ MTNHP 1515 E. 6th Ave., Helena, HT 59620 *7 VOJ OWL OBSERVATION FORM Party Members \&t*- pi&Lhci^ Date Wl?/^ Route Name gU^fx lU { Repeat Observation ? Y CnJ> Species tzn~c> t^J-haTf Number present _[_ Time 3-3-3Q to ^V<3 Elev ($000 Location: Township IS Range \ 0L) Section 30 1/4 ^-^ UTM (Optional) 353/0£ Sofc^M hf Slope (ffio Aspect U County: fe-^tio^KocL Forest: B^v/tfv-kfltX 1 Drainage: Q t ^L & District: i^iSc Ai/or Describe Observations: (bark, territorial call, sighting, etc.) Describe Location: * rlH * {{ * ^ a^X U\ *u>^ a^u[ M(w/^ Y o * ,yv iW cdc JLaJk 4j^ Ci^icJ^'M. Describe Habitat: (canopy cover, coram, type, stand age, etc.) Describe Land use/management: Comments: vy/p»A/i &i**r AA\\ Means of travel: f-liAz) (auto, ski, etc.) Weather (at end of survey) Temperature: ^cT Cloud cover: 3^1^ Snow depth: £ Start time: <^0& Precipitation (describe) : /^ V( 6 Wind: 1>\. ' . ■ J J SURVEY REPORT FORM 1R Party Members P. n/uJU 'Jt/v. Route location: Drainage P^i \\p\e Repeat Visit ? Y Date Sl&tfe' Route Name jl&Sh { County fcgii^cy wc*d i Elevation hjCD Target Species (if any) Forest ^g<4^g/ W* V District lJliclH^i*^ N Route Description fft^ f^UlW j^Vci M llu*A L/"i fo ^^43, 4l- "guy HflC Wr IcaU'l'K B?wci^ Distance: g> ^, Means of travel: /'^-Mt^ (auto, ski, etc.) Start time: £2 2° Finish time: p3 4© Weather (at end of survey) Temperature: 3>0 Cloud cover: £jjc?--v Snow depth: 2. - "{ Precipitation (describe) : fj°^< Wind: ^^ r '\0 /d,*pL I I I Species encountered (if any, use Owl Observation Form) species # r \ &>> G/v>h ) ( i^cc ke^AS \/t Sum - JJ^ va\l"v ^j MTNHP 1515 E. 6th Ave., Helena, HT 59620 ■um i i " »«ij". h i """ ■ hhihbii, 'n"». »■ ?"»"■" ' ■ ' ■* '■■"■mffWjei iwwuitmfm-w v" ■ w j mi' i m i itMmnwnmi. i '■ ■twjm.w, "■ ■ -t , | i , J^"". ' W>l F t""*- l .fti»~" 'i-w- .gn>. ■ i , » i f.'i ' u»m TOp»ffgwawtwfpp: I I I I I OWL OBSERVATION FORM I I g Party Members Date ^ /o tJPA Route Name \72*tavo r \,o cA; Forest: Ihc&Mo A^g*.«V | Drainage: fo,y //o /< District: [^if /Q ^a£ ■Describe Observations: (bark, territorial call, sighting, etc.) ■ >*5 ^ Describe Location: , Describe Habitat: (canopy cover, comm. type, stand age, etc.) ■ rhp^w /uj>((\^o Sl^vi^ (>v Spit* .j?wU *f (&*&- Describe, Land use/management: Comments: QvcVu M"l/(i $u4 b(l4U£U£ HTNHP 1515 E. 6th Ave., Helena, HT 59620 I I I I Party Members SURVEY REPORT FORM Date s^y/V i Route Name Upp? f Ib^A-frs. Route location: County IWlt-A a* i Drainage Ju. v i\ f ,/v\ ka . Elevation Repeat Visit ? (D $D w Target Species (if any) Gr Cr^-f Forest li.gVtki?/^-g'. C/ District lA/tbiVW Route Description Fit i?co$ fl Distance: [o /\ (»(. U Number present L Time sz Location: Township /S Range l c iQ Section 3~7 1/4 3.-£~ Elev _C UTM (Optional) 'l r |1>'lC 5c67,g|Q slope 5?^% Aspec County: £<=* Ifo./// Forest: ^--dr* •vr-.o-f Drainage: C*uua dt'-et-t- r District: Scj^U Describe Observations: (bark, territorial call, sighting «*L Describe Location: hi\ou> \lot^ 3/?/^ -{rr^ %-it 77lA\LpcSS ^ ^ a U Describe Habitat: (canopy cover, comm. type, stand age, Describe Land use/management: *Jm Comments: Lovr \\t- Alt Vks ^AkfcAdjfc" HTHHP 1515 E. 6th Ave., Helena, HT 59620 SURVEY REPORT FORM Party Members Date . I &t\UPr AtBMML '~i - j H- 9> c \ Target Species (if any) sw4 — _ — — Crfiem ttnrKfd l gin - County flpAKffApgj. Forest ftorxyjA Ko/> *P Route Name Route location: Drainage TRiA Mfclc Elevation 5&Q -7rt r«n District lA,^ [?hA >il Repeat Visit ? ® Route Description ^_ ~vP7~ fWb, Y^r ft^KvA K.^bkk. IVMjo Distance: f{fp (l)Y jl M , Means of travel: ^^ ^^ (auto, ski, etc.) Weather (at end of survey) Temperature: 3° Cloud cover: &G^b Snow depth : V- 6 -fh Start time: (^40 Finish time: 3*33 O .^i Precipitation (describe) : £«,' Wind: V^riA-tW ^ 'S~*y»L Species encountered (if any, use Owl Observation Form) species # I MTNHP 1515 E. 6th Ave., Helena, HT 59620 SURVEY REPORT FORM 2- Party Members Route location: Date ^kiM\ Route Name County 5?/l^g-ig/>og ^ Drainage IhtoMp&Kfiji . Elevation hS&D' Repeat Visit ? Y Target Species (if any) RwpaL Forest &^ci.yj?r-ks^ V W (auto, ski, etc.) Start time: /<9SO Finish time: ,^0^ Wind: '-Vj^ * Vo^\<4)|^ Species encountered (if any, use Owl Observation Form) species # A M£h£. I HTNHP 1515 E. 6th Ave., Helena, HT 59620 tiJ I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I SURVEY REPORT FORM Party Members Date 3 4-3q Route Name Target Species (if any) County %Skx\ior\*aA k> Forest StiM/gr-kocA Route location: Drainage Piis j?v^ Elevation to> - T < SZ»0 District l4ko £\^ i- Repeat Visit ? Y £jf> Route Description ox--ya. Distance: /S^/iVd^ Means of travel: Sivxo A>UU (auto, ski, etc.) Weather (at end of survey) Temperature: ^o" Cloud cover: £0% Snow depth: <+-&' Start time: /^3 S Finish time: 2.330 Precipitation (describe) : \J^^ Wind: 617M NA^txvbU. Species encountered (if any, use Owl Observation Form) species # HTNHP 1515 E, 6th Ave., Helena, HT 59620 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I SURVEY REPORT FORM Party Members ^ ,, , , ^ Route location: Drainage "\l lhppnz. Date *>/eGl&\. Route Name County Sc^-v«a/l«^ Target Species (if any) dxJL Forest JS^y^SPetX Elevation HSDP^S &o District Wi^o pwjiL Repeat Visit ? dp n Route Description FiZotw QUn^VIl^ T^ HQdH lA(W-e AftE*\ ciO JfcApP^rt- Distance: ^\/AaL£^ Means of travel: ^^^^ (auto, ski, etc.) Weather (at end of survey) Temperature: ^S^ F Cloud cover: die^r' Snow depth: u-<— r/l Start time: / Route Description . Distance: (^ ^\\C^b> Means of travel: <>?Vd^3 Mo(>\U (auto, ski, etc.) Weather (at end of survey) Temperature: ■— ( L>°(- Cloud cover: dWr Snow depth: q,<- JDi Start time: Finish time: ffj^-O^ (* Precipitation (describe) : )jud£ Wind: fjoDE Species encountered (if any, use Owl Observation Form) species # *< *Y&> &>**> fop- SArer 1 ? . HTNHP 1515 E. 6th Ave., Helena, HT 59620 I SURVEY REPORT FORM I Party Members Date .Vl^gl Route Name County VahUxtya Route location: u t „_ t ^_. Drainage |AhcL& Elevation bl£o Repeat Visit ? y -tip Target Species (if any) Forest *V^M' $ QiV & L UL District kiss ft iWA Route Description &*A 3><£ *A^»s -{to fel f^-fc." (^AW4 C!^L Distance: ft^(U<, Means of travel: $ACfca> MpuJmm. (auto, ski, etc.) Start time: tf2& ' Finish time: &9-D<^ Weather Temperature: QtJ Cloud cover: \'co fi ^ Snow depth: 3 -^ ,f-f Precipitation: SaaO Wind: /fsb^y species encountered (if any, use Owl Observation Form) species # j MTNHP 1515 E. 6th Ave., Helena, MT 59620 '• ; ~!s^ l ^f^l ^!^^?^S^^W^S^^ B^ SURVEY REPORT FORM Party Members Party Me Date 3// 6M — r^ — 2-- jri»WtC Route Name Route locations Drainage Fi4vygf) 6) ■ Repeat Visit ? y lS> County tbQAUMt Elevation 6/fc)Q Target Species (if any) Forest b9c»K0AMtfA> District l//sa/2ivCa Route Description /"/?Vw /ft y' KoJ^v j ***<*> bo MoJJ 61^ /M 7^3 hsfi-ft*} Distance: ^J/U^c Means of travel: 5*^3 MAiL? (auto, ski, etc.) Weather Temperature: Q2>° Cloud cover: Idtf^ Snow depth: 3.5-J^- Start time: /?BWs HTNHP 1515 E. 6th Ave., Helena, HT 59620 1 mmmmmmmz® ,jmmsi » mm^m^MW HiKmsm mi m ii i ■iwmbwwpwij. mmm • SURVEY REPORT FORM H Date t, - 2Q-&T Route Name Target Species (if any) Party Members Route location: County 'R^.i/^hiai J Forest da^xu/flft^ Drainage i U^W/k &> • Elevation LlfiD-Ts oo District /J/^^V^ Repeat Visit ? Y Uj) Distance: ^kaiUs Means of travel: $, |Jb*^> J^l » U (auto, ski, etc.) Start time: 1 4^9 Finish time: .^L^yS" Weather (at end of survey) Temperature: po" Cloud cover: G.l£«M. Snow depth: cj ^ Precipitation (describe) Wind: LwU\- Species encountered (if any, use Owl Observation Form) species # Re*/* QtyMVfcK{& » iQ. £o^ >(V- T^-ci '2^^'/ (/cv ru)l) j^vW- lij-x&^Wk ^ t'^i MTNHP 1515 E. 6th Ave., Helena, MT 59620 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 17 SURVEY REPORT FORM Party Members X ?r District ( 6-ted (Ml &«* Distance: C\ ^(^ Means of travel: Sad^ |UpLl (auto, ski, etc.) Weather Temperature: SO° Cloud cover: £WrV Snow depth: O^H-CL Start time: {\ZC> Finish time: J^&Q Precipitation: fJaAJL Wind: Q^L Species encountered (if any, use Owl Observation Form) species # j MTMHP 1515 E. 6th Ave., Helena, NT 59620 i I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 14 Party Members liirtXtdW SURVEY REPORT FORM Date JLzlM^I Route Name HL*4) (k>L Target Species (if any) Route location i County ^MsMdlm^ Forest B^lAzA^hS Drainage , Vfaje(| flflfr Elevation /, %JP -p Q District \J Cloud cover: J^"z Snow depth: re- start time: (f$& Finish time: 2_2 30 Precipitation: j[pu^ Wind: lIpjUl. Species encountered (if any, use Owl Observation Form) species $ HTHHP 1515 E. 6th Ave., Helena, HT 59620 I I I c l,nj OWL OBSERVATION FORM Party Members Date S/SH /M Route Name \WUJCKI tL f^ ^ t AUaAW^V Repeat Observation ? Y cfO Species S*u,o lOkc-T Number present 4— - Time }~j &LO to iqsiD Location: Township lf^ Range l^^ section C? 1/4 ^^ Elev 6^ UTM (Optional) jOl^Sf) y>Si1 £ Slope \0% Aspect V/O County: S^^W^ Forest: &fcuWi^I| Drainage: TcAgf Ybfiklh^kc^ t, District: U/^&a*-. Describe Observations: (bark, territorial call, sighting, etc.) Describe Location: , , , , •> v~-rs . /Tl (Wc^ s-io-k *W TUwps^^^ 7 * ^p $D ^ L Describe Habitat: (canopy cover, comm. type, stand age f etc.) Describe Land use/management: Comments: ^ssccjbr^t. La«^ ^v^&Qi/mtu~ HTNHP 1515 E. 6th Ave., Helena, HT 59620 SURVEY REPORT FORM /$ Party Members ..1. \t Q^\X> 7 I c _ Date 3/^ im Route Name 3- J^s-m^ g] Cj/U&s toute location: County /^avjlJwx J" Forest Target Species (if any) ? Route location: County ^AWuhikx ^' Forest *3\rc-.\/ to p L a V Drainage <>,,^m% . ., Elevation C? C#>-T ->d c District Uiif S b <9 /t-f Repeat Visit ? Y C^ 7 Route Description n?' s »v ( /.•>'?.■■ zv L-^bv 1 6K % AVa'L^s ^ /< Temperature: TV Cloud cover: {P /^ Snow depth: L /l Precipitation (describe): AJ £*j£ Wind: ^/ vn Lr|',- Onc;!^ f; >;T \./ Species encountered (if any, use Owl Observation Form) species # HTHHP 1515 E. 6th Ave., Helena, MT 59620 I I SURVEY REPORT FORM Party Members Route location: Drainage Repeat Visit ? Target Species (if any) Drainage L \ c L b\ t Date ' 3- c) 1 9 1 (if any)/ Route Name f^o >'?' <-> / / - ••■■ ■■ ■ 'I cf' f'.. : -t- i'l/^rk / "~ County iA'>V/^ /h Forest ' f W/rv ffi&f Elevation J> - ', fty District 6^1 A- Y N- Route Description I:\ ■;.•.*. <■ i' dvr^''- ' -, h <-* <^ : f', Distance: '/, s |V\ Means of travel: •■'., f) ,, (auto, ski, etc.) AU <-v'< Start time: l*f£>0 Finish time: $\ l {tJ Weather (at end of survey) Temperature: J S Cloud cover: C -)C> Jr* Snow depth: u ' Precipitation (describe) : yk.t\i6u/. Wind : L * -7V ^ 3 in. dia.) litter and duff. Litter includes freshly-fallen leaves, needles, twigs, bark, fruits; duff is fermentation layer and humus layer. wood (downed fragments > 1/4 in. dia.) moss. Also includes Lycopodium and Selaainella . basal vegetation. This is the area occupied by root crowns and stems, not canopy cover. Values rarely exceed 3 0% and are usually lower. other. Use when an additional category is needed. Iden- tify the "other" item (e.g., lichen; water). Use the following cover classes and codes: Code Class Midpoint 0% 0% 1 < 1% 0.5% 3 1% to 4.9% 3% 10 5% to 14.9% 10% 20 15% to 24.9% 20% 30 25% to 34.9% 30% 40 35% to 44.9% 40% 50 45% to 54.9% 50% 60 55% to 64.9% 60% 70 65% to 74.9% 70% 80 75% to 84.9% 80% 90 85% to 94.9% ..90% 98 95% to 100% 97.5% T = -fer V^ Small colons (?■$■) <:./%) RIPARIAN FEATURES If the plot is within the riparian zone record the following information (indicate units of measurement as appropriate) : Channel Width (up to three-digit number) - if valley contains multiple channels, give width of channel nearest to the plot. Channel Entrenchment (up to three-digit number) - depth to which channel has cut into valley floor. Surface Water (two-digit code) - estimate of maximum ground cover of surface water on plot during the year (use cover classes listed above under "Ground Cover"). 17 h St!" I Height Above Water (up to three-digit number) - height of plot above stream or pond surface when water is at bank- full stage (water at bank- full stage reaches lower limit of terrestrial, vegetation) . Distance from Water (up to three-digit number) - distance from water at bank- full stage to nearest plot edge. GENERAL SITE DESCRIPTION Description (a "word picture") of the place where the sampled community occurs. (Any specific information about the plot itself should be written into the "Comments" field following the "Ocular Plant Species Data") . Consider the setting of the community occurrence in the surrounding landscape (including landscape features and adjacent community types) . OCULAR PLANT SPECIES DATA This portion of the form is used for recording plant species data by lifeform class, i.e., "Trees", "Shrubs", "Graminoids" , and "Forbs". For all cover estimates, use the codes from the following cover class table: Code Class Midpoint 1 < 1% 0.5% 3 1% to 4.9% 3% 10 5% to 14.9% 10% 20 15% to 24.9% 20% 30 25% to 34.9% 30% 40 35% to 44.9% 40% 50 45% to 54.9% 50% 60 55% to 64.9% 60% 70 65% to 74.9% 70% 80 75% to 84.9% 80% 90 85% to 94.9% 90% 98 95% to 100% 97.5% T =• -p^r Ue/y SnOa.ll cojo/v C €,c ?v ^~-^ ^°s PltlDL (two-digit code) Plant Identification Level - enter the two-digit number that represents the percent of canopy cover equal to or greater than which all plants are to be identified. For example, "5" indicates that all plant species having 5% canopy cover or greater would be recorded; "0" indicates all plant species have been recorded. 18 I I IP 1 1 Hi Med Cv (two-digit code) m ■■ Low Cv (two-digit code) n i i |§§ji§|H Tot Cv (two-digit code) Total Cover - • estimate the percent canopy cover for the respective lifeform. This estimate is not the _ sum of all species in the lifeform and does not count overlap. It is the horizontal percent cover of the vertical projection of the lifeform. Tal Cv (two-digit code) Tall Height Cover - estimate "Total Cover" (as described above) by life form for individuals taller than 5 m (16.4 ft) . Medium Height Cover - estimate "Total Cover" (as described above) by life form for individuals between 0.5 and 5 m tall fl.6 - 16.4 ft) . Low Height Cover - estimate "Total Cover" (as described above) by life form for individuals between 0.05 and 0.5m tall (0.2 - 1.6 ft) . Grd Cv (two-digit code) Ground Height Cover - estimate "Total Cover" (as described above) by life form for individuals shorter than 0.05 m (0.2 ft) . MHt (three-digit code) Mean Height - estimate the mean height of the dominant size class within the respective lifeform. Indicate units of measurement. CC (two-digit code) Canopy Cover - enter the appropriate canopy cover code listed above for each species in each lifeform. 19 I I I I APPENDIX II Boreal Owl Response Site maps, 18 * Boreal Owl Response Site. '3 miles ' Site map for Lost Trail Pass, Meadow Creek, and Gibbons Pass survey routes. I I 5 miles Site map for Skinner Meadows survey route. Highway 43 * — Boreal Owl Response Site 5 miles ' Site map for Bryant Creek survey route. I I I I I * - Boreal Owl Response Site 5 miles Site map for Chief Joseph Pass survey Route. I I ( SALMON .19W. R.18W R.17W. !9 000m £ r K 45' * U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: ' s'00 *• U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: I I I I I I I I I I I I APPENDIX III Completed Survey Report and Owl Observation Forms, 19 7 tWJJi) OWL OBSERVATION FORM Party Members Date 3"^"B^{ Route Name Lick- Cle et Lh Ut&j — ~y. YiZQjW?'^ Repeat Observation ? Y Qj Species j^c^^uj>haT Number present .X- Time pi f^ 2 ^ to ^/3Q Location: Township "2iL Range )7lJ Section /£? 1/4 J>£l> Elev &%)Q UTM (Optional) Slope & Aspect ^ County: fc^^ll'l Forest: £ ( 4er7r-twf Drainage: UuJc- Ca£-e^__ District: S>o«-(q Describe Observations: (bark, territorial call, sighting, etc.) Describe Location: /• /7 ^£" /fep^x, "^t^ >imU* B^^L^L (keek S^ddk ^J ;zx.vs «.Lw £Apz. (s*Mfe. co^4sc- /W> ^ ^^^Y (3 Describe Habitat: (cahopy cover, comm. type, stand age, etc.) . Describe Land use/management: Comments : l\ck C9tv\L QuAh ? HTNHP 1515 E. 6th Ave., Helena, MT 59620