PLEASE RETU Circle West Wildlife Monitoring Study S,,,E OOCOMENTS COaECT^OH FCB2 3 1981 MONTANA STATE UBRARY 930 E Lyndale Ave_^ Helena, Montana 59601 First Annual Report For the Period March 1, 1978 - March 7, 1979 CO Circle West Technical Report No. 4 m Prepared by Larry S. Thompson Biological Sciences Coordinator Facility Siting Division Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation 32 South Ewing Helena, Montana 59601 December, 1979 Montana State Library 3 0864 1004 6898 5 TT-' # TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES ii LIST OF TABLES i i i L 1ST OF APPENDICES V INTRODUCTION 1 METHODS 2 General Ground and Aeri al Surveys 3 Waterfowl Survey and Census 3 Monitoring of Raptor Nests and Leks 3 Roadside Wildl ife Survey 4 Breeding Bird Census 4 Small Mammal Trapping 4 Lagomorph Survey 4 WEATHER 5 VEGETATION AND HABITATS 7 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 9 Wildlife Species Parameters 9 Tabular Summary 9 Narrative Accounts for Selected Species 9 Bird Community Parameters 35 Waterfowl Communities 35 Breeding Bird Census 44 Roadside Wildlife Survey 44 Small Mammal Community Parameters 49 ERRATUM 51 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 52 LITERATURE CITED 53 APPENDICES .■ 54 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. Mule deer observations. Spring 1978 29 Figure 2. Mule deer observations, Summer 1978 30 Figure 3. Mule deer observations. Fall 1978 31 Figure 4. Mule deer observations. Winter 1978- '79 (through March 7, 1979) 32 Figure 5. Pronghorn observations. Spring 1978 36 Figure 6. Pronghorn observations. Summer 1978 37 Figure 7. Pronghorn observations. Fall 1978 38 Figure 8. Percent species composition of all recorded 1978 waterfowl observations, Circle West Study Area 40 Figure 9. Two-dimensional ordination of selected species along factors I and II showing 1977-1978 changes 48 1 1 LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Summary of climate and weather data. Circle West Area 6 Table 2. Summary of inventory data for reptiles and amphi- bians seen in the Circle West Study Area, June 1976- February, 1979 10 Table 3. Summary of inventory data for bird species observed in the Circle West Study Area, June, 1976- February 1979 11 Table 4. Summary of inventory data for mammal species observed in the Circle West Study Area, June 1976- February 1979 21 Table 5. Summary of cumulative numbers of species observed in the Circle West Study Area 23 Table 6. Results of 1978 Lagomorph survey 26 Table 7. Classification summary for mule deer observed in the Circle West Area, March 1978-March 1979 27 Table 8. Deer and antelope aerial census data. Circle West Area , March 1978-March 1979 28 Table 9. Classification summary for white-tailed deer observed in the Circle West Area, March 1978- March 1979 33 Table 10. Classification summary for pronghorn observed in the Circle West Area, March 1978-March 1979 34 Table 11. Species composition of all recorded waterfowl and large water bird observations made during May-July, 1978 in the Circle West Mine Study Area 39 Table 12. Summary of waterfowl breeding season census data for stockponds in the Circle West Mine Study Area, 1978 41 Table 13. Waterfowl production data for the Circle West Area (1978) and several other areas of the Northern Great Plains 42 m List of Tables (continued) Table 14. Average sizes of waterfowl broods recorded in the Mine Study Area during 1978 43 Table 15. Summary of 1977-1978 breeding bird census data. Circle West Study 45 Table 16. Summary of cumulative numbers of species observed during May through July roadisde counts. Circle West Study 46 Table 17. Summary of 1977-78 changes in May-June sample abundances of selected species sampled by five roadside survey routes. Circle West Area 47 Table 18. Summary of small mammal snap-trap data, May-October, 1978 50 IV LIST OF APPENDICES Appendix A. Letter from Dreyer Brothers, Inc, authorizing monitoring study 54 Appendix B. Letter from Montana Department of State Lands approving wildlife monitoring study plan 55 Appendix C. Breeding bird census results, 1978 56 Appendix D. Summary of data for 1978 Roadside Wi Idlife Survey 51 INTRODUCTION In March of 1978, the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) entered into an agreement with Dreyer Brothers, Inc. to conduct a long-term wildlife monitoring study of the Circle West area, McCone County, Montana (Appendix A). This monitoring study is essentially a continuation of the Circle West Wildlife Baseline Study (WBS), 1978 (Circle West Technical Report No. 2). However, where the baseline study was intended to provide data required by the DNRC relative to siting and evaluation of a coal conversion facility, as well as data required by the Montana Department of State Lands (DSL) pursuant to the Strip Mine Siting and Strip Mine Reclamation Acts and pertaining to the actual coal mine, the monitoring study was designed solely to meet the requirements of DSL. „Field effort was, therefore, limited primarily to the 174.3 km^ (99 mi^) Mine Study Area (referred to here- after simply as "the study area") described in the WBS; the only data gathered outside this area were obtained on the roadside wildlife survey control routes and incidentally during travel to and from the study area. The wildlife baseline study was designed to provide a description of the wildlife resource of the study area as it exists before mining, and to allow a priori prediction of the impact which may result from the proposed mine. The long-term monitoring study was designed pri- marily to document the nature and magnitude of actual impact and to allow determination of the success of reclamation efforts in restoring pre-mining conditions. Also, since wildlife populations fluctuate dra- matically from year to year, and the one-year baseline study cannot measure the magnitude and periodicity of such fluctuations as weather-related changes and natural population cycles, the long-term monitoring study provides an essential continuation and refinement of the baseline study. In order to document impacts, the monitoring study must be capable of discriminating those changes attributable to the proposed develop- ment from those reflecting natural variation; that is, it must be capable of detecting a "signal" against the background "noise" of biological systems. This may be done by measuring and comparing long-term changes in species and community parameters for control (undisturbed) and exper- imental (disturbed) areas. It is assumed that natural variations will affect both types of sites similarly. Should experimental plots show a significantly different long-term pattern of variation following dis- turbance, that difference should be attributable to the disturbance. The plan of study for the monitoring program was approved by DSL in March of 1978 (Appendix B) . It was designed to make maximum use of the data collected during the baseline wildlife study and the methods and techniques developed during this study. The approach taken involves long-term sampling, both of areas on the proposed mining area (experimental sites) and outside this area (control sites) in order that mine-related changes may be distinguished from natural region-wide biological fluctuations, While administrative authority for the Circle West study has been transferred from DNRC to DSL, DNRC is continuing to coordinate the wild- life and vegetation monitoring studies. J 14 « METHODS Field techniques and analytical methods followed those described in the WBS. Six biologists worked in the study area at various times during the study period, which extended from March 1, 1978 to March 7, 1979. A brief summary of methods employed for individual study segments follows. General Ground and Aerial Surveys Monthly aerial flights were made over the mine study area through October; two flights were made during January and one during February. All observations (both ground and aerial) of large mammals, upland game birds, and raptors were recorded on the same data sheets and maps used during the- baseline study, and identified in the "level" column as to area, using the revised code shown in Appendix B of WBS. Locations of all recorded observations within the mine study area were plotted on 7.5' maps. All data (including data sheets and maps) are on file with DNRC. Waterfowl Survey and Census All waterfowl observations were recorded on the waterfowl data sheets used in the baseline study. In addition, censuses were taken of bodies of water in the mine study area three or more times during the study period. Censuses were taken at least once between May 10 and May 22, to census early nesters such as mallards and pintails; once between 2 June and 20 June to census other species; and once between 15 July and 30 July to census broods as suggested by Brewster et al . (1976), Stewart and Kantrud (1973) and Hammond (1969: 247-248) were recorded separately. The minimum number of indicated pairs for each species and for each water body was assumed to equal the number of broods observed plus the smallest of the census estimates for each species during the appropriate time period (if greater than the number of broods). These data were used to determine year-to-year, weather-related changes in waterfowl use and density in the area. Monitoring of Raptor Nests and Leks Raptor nests located in the mine study area during 1977 were visited in June to determine productivity. Leks located in the mine study area during 1977 were visited in April to determine the number of birds in attendance. Roadside Wildlife Survey Each of the five roadside wildlife survey routes were run in May, June, and July, 1978, using methods outlined in the WBS and follow- ing the 1977 dates as closely as possible. The theoretical total number of species (St) was determined for cumulative sample abundance distributions as breeding-season (May-July) data were pooled for (1) each route, and (2) the five routes combined. The average sample abundances of each indicator species were plotted in order to graphically portray the nature and magnitude of year to year fluctuations. Factor analysis (principal component analysis) was used to analyze between-year (and, in some cases, between-month) differences in breeding season habitat use for selected species. May-July sample abundance data for each of the 250 roadside wildlife survey stops, as well as habitat descriptions for each stop, provide the data base. Habitat descriptions included in the analysis included elevation and the percentages of the following habitat categories: grassland, cultivated, saltgrass, blue- bunch wheatgrass. Rocky Mountain juniper, little bluestem, badlands, big sagebrush, badlands plus big sagebrush, silver sagebrush, big sage- brush plus silver sagebrush, horizontal juniper, wild hayland, buildings, snowberry/rose, cattail marsh, alfalfa, tall shrubs, trees, and tall shrubs plus trees. Breeding Bird Census In 1978, the five breeding bird census grids established in the baseline study were censused using standard methods. Small Mammal Trapping Eight small mammal traplines (numbers 15, 17, 18, 20, 33, 34, 35, and 44) were snap-trapped for three consecutive nights in May and again for three consecutive nights in October using methods outlined in the WBS. Lagomorph Survey The two lagomorph survey routes were run consecutively on each of three mornings (October 6-8) beginning with the mining area route at 4:00 A.M. WEATHER Table 1 summarizes \911-1Q changes in certain weather parameters at the Circle and Fort Peck recording stations. The weather pattern during 1978 had a marked effect on vegetation, which in turn affected wildlife populations. The winters of 1977-78 and 1978-79 were "severe" in comparison to the "moderate" winter of 1976-1977 (Table 1). The National Weather Service at Glasgow recorded only eight days with at least 13 cm (5 in) of snow on the ground during December and January of 1976-1977, compared to 50 such days during December and January of 1977-1978. The average temperature in January 1977 was -16°C (3°F), (which is 3 C°(6 F°) below the norm), while the average in January 1978 was -19°C (-2°F), (which is 6 C° (11°F ) below the norm). April-July precipitation in 1978 was nearly twice that recorded in 1977 for both the Circle and Fort Peck stations. Precipitation at Circle during the spring and summer months (April through July) was 33.43 cm (13.16 in), or 10.16 cm (4.00 in) above normal. Thus, 1977 was an ab- normally dry year following a mild winter; 1978 was a wet year follow- ing a severe winter. Table 1. Summary of climate and weather data. Circle West Area. Norm 1977 1978 Annual Precipitation Circle 31.67 cm (12.47 in) 37.13 cm (14.62 in) 50.11 cm (19.73 in) Ft. Peck 29.26 cm (11.52 in) 24.92 cm (9.81 in) 50.44 cm (19.86 in) April -July Precipitation Circle 13.13 cm (5.17 in) 15.57 cm ( 6.13 in) 32.79 cm (12.91 in) Ft. Peck 13.51 cm (5.32 in) 9.40 cm ( 3.70 in) 30.96 cm (12.19 in) Average January Temp. Circle -10.67°C (12.8°F) -15.72°C ( 3.7°F) -17.33°C (0.8''F) Ft. Peck -ll.irc (12.0°F) -14.61°C ( 5.7°F) -16.39°C (2.5°F) Average July Temp. Circle 20.83°C (69.5°F) 21.72°C (71.1°F) 19.94°C (67.9°F) Ft. Peck 22.06°C (71.7°F) 22.50°C (72.5°F) 21.06"C (69.9°F) No. of days in Jan. with >_ 13 cm (5 in) Snow on the Ground Circle NA ]_/ 28 31 Ft. Peck NA NA NA V NA=not available VEGETATION AND HABITATS The relatively cold, wet spring and high soil moisture had a marked effect on vegetation and habitats of the study area in 1978. Plant phenology was at least one week behind that of 1977; this was especially noticable in the case of silver buffaloberry (Shepherdia argentea), which was only beginning to leaf out in mid-May. Grasshopper populations were markedly down from summer 1977 levels, probably as a result of winter kill; they were rate until mid-July, by which time they were common but not nearly as abundant as in 1977. This combination of increased soil moisture and reduced grasshopped grazing pressure resulted in luxuriant grassland dev- elopment which was truly remarkable in comparison to the 1977 condition. Where most blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis)/needle-and-thread (Stipa comata) grasslands averaged only 2-15 cm high in 1977, the same areas in 1978 supported vigorous grasses nearly 1 m in height. Needle-and-thread development was most spectacular, and the needle-and-thread/blue grama grassland breeding bird census plot resembled a mature wheatfield from a distance. Stockponds in the area were full or nearly full throughout the 1978 season, and supported much higher densities of waterfowl than in 1977. A quantitative description of 1977-1978 changes in vegetation, as well as photographs of representative grassland types, has been presented in the 1978 vegetation monitoring study annual report (DNRC 1979). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION WILDLIFE SPECIES PARAMETERS Tabular Summary Data obtained for the 199 species of vertebrates observed through the monitoring period (5 species of amphibians, 7 of reptiles, 160 of birds, and 27 of mammals) are summarized in Tables 2, 3 and 4. The types of data included and the abbreviations used are as described on pp. 41 and 56 of the WBS. Note that any additions or changes to the baseline data resulting from the first year's monitoring study are printed in italics. Table 5 summarizes the cumulative numbers of species encountered in the study areas during the baseline study and through the first monitoring period. It can be seen from this table that 23 new ver- tebrate species were added to the species list as a result of the mon- itoring effort; these include 1 species of amphibian, 21 of birds, and 1 mammal. Most of the new species added (14, or 61% of the 23 new species) were migrant birds. Narrative Accounts for Selected Species Data in addition to that present in Tables 2 through 4 were obtained for certain species, and are summarized in the following species accounts. In general, information presented here is limited to nesting raptors, upland game birds, and ungulates, and is primarily an assessment of changes occurring in the mine study area since the baseline study. Red-Tailed Hawl^. The nest located on the proposed mining area in 1977 was active in 1978 as well, and produced at least two young. The other nest in the mine study area was not visited in 1978. Swainson's Hawk. Swainson's hawks were frequently seen in the mine study area, but no active nests were located. A pair was observed building a nest in a cottonwood near the end of the Circle Route on May 20, 1978, but the nest was abandoned by June 20. Ferruginous Hawk. A pair was seen repeatedly calling overhead near the location of the 1977 active nest, but the nest was empty in iy/8. It IS believed the pair nested at another nearby site in 1978 Table 2. Summary of Inventory Data for Reptiles and Amphibians seen in the Circle West Study Area, June 1976 - February, 1979. 1/ Species Habitats In Which Observed Distribu tion Major Food CI Sources ca assif i- tion % Evidence Amphibians Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) RD, AF -, 2, - Worms, slugs, insects N P Great Plains Toad (Bufo cognatus) SR, GR, SA 1, 2, - Insects N s(i) Woodhouse 's Toad (Bufo woodhousei) SC, GR, SR 1,2,- Insects N V Leopard Frog (Rana pi pi ens) SM, PG 1, 2, 3 Insects N s(i) Boreal Chorus Frog (Pseudacris triseriata) PG 1, 2, 3 Insects N s(i) Reptiles Painted Turtle (Chrysemys pi eta) PG, PM, SM, RD 1, 2, 3 Aquatic plants & invertebrates N V i Short-horned Lizard (Phrynosoma douglassi) BA 1, -, - Insects N V Western Hognose Snake (Heterodon nasicus) GR,54 -, 2, - Rodents, frogs, young birds, insects N p Racer (Coluber constrictor) GR,5C 1,2, - Rodents, frogs, young birds, insects N V Gopher Snake (Pituophis catenifer) SA, BA, AF 1, 2, 3 Rodents , rabbits, birds, eggs N p Plains Garter Snake (Thamnophis radix) SM, GR 1, 2, 3 Frogs, insects, mice, earth- worms N V Prairie Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis) GR, SG, SS, SC 1, 2, 3 Rodents, frogs, birds N • p { -' See WBS for explanation of abbreviations. 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O ■o 0) g c 1_ O Q_ -a 3 -o r- -^ C3 O O 13 CL C E Q- O — - (/I 3 O Ol to to >1 3 E O o E J- OJ S- Q_ :;! rt3 "D 1. <~ 21 CQ CO 1 u^ c/i oo CO CD CO oo CQ CO CQ on CD CQ on oo CQ CQ tn wi CO CQ CQ CQ I tn 03 CQ t/1 I CQ CQ CQ an O CD (U r- J3 M- -r- S- S- -o S- o E " • - n3 --Q s- Ul 1/1 U1 t/) i>1 o W +-» 4J +-> 4-> * 1 — t/> * fO c -.- o •> -.- t/) <— -o -c E OJ -O Qj en XJ -M 13 S- to E X) ^ en ^ C E ■-- •f- (O o m C en TO cu Ul JD LJ_ E cc s- .—. a; cr: -o < — OO f— OO I — oo ns a) -o !- X m cnt~\ QJ Cl CL OJ — s: o — il fTJ C TO u t- 0» (IJ Q. F O TO 0> rn -t-} s- c n. er TO tJ c- O o .,— f- 4-) CT c- c -i o o 22 Table 5. Summary of cumulative numbers of species observed in the Circle West study areas. Baseline Study Through First (through February Monitoring Period 28, 1978) (March 7, 1979) PMA MSA REci/ PMA MSA REC AMPHIBIANS Total number of Species REPTILES Total number of Species BIRDS Total number of species(T) Summer Residents(S) Permanent Residents (R) Non-breeding Summer Vis.(V) Migrants(M) Winter Residents(W) Total Breeding Species(S&R) 68 MAMMALS Total number of Species 19 26 26 20 27 27 TOTAL VERTEBRATE SPECIES 106 146 176 131 171 199 79 109 139 101 132 160 56 68 85 66 75 9? 12 16 17 13 16 17 2 2 3 3 5 5 5 16 24 15 29 36 4 / 10 4 7 10 68 84 102 79 91 109 _/ PMA=Proposed Mining Area; MSA=Mine Study Area (including PMA); REC= Reconnaissance Study Area (including MSA) 23 Golden Eagle. The nest located on the proposed mining area in 1977 fledged two young in 1978, Marsh Hawk. The nest located on the silver sagebrush breeding census plot fledged 6 young in 1978. Although territorial pairs were observed elsewhere on the mine study area, no additional nests were discovered. Prairie Falcon. Adults were seen in 1978 near the 1977 nest site and elsewhere on the mine study area, but the nest site itself was not visited. Peregrine Falcon. A possible but unverified sighting was made May 18, 1978 near the cottonwood grove in the southern quarter of the proposed mining area. Sharp-Tailed Grouse. Attendance at grounds Nos. 6 and 7 (WBS) was 10 and 5, respectively, on April 20, 1978. Eight additional birds were seen at a possible lek roughly 0.8 km (0.5 mi) northeast of lek No. 6 on this same date. Sage Grouse. No sage grouse were observed in the mine study area in 1978, and no indications of breeding were noted, although lek No. 4 (WBS) was not visited. Ring-Necked Pheasant. A nest with 17 eggs was discovered on the silver buffaloberry - silver sagebrush breeding bird census grid on the proposed mining area. General observation indicated that populations had declined markedly from 1977, probably due to the severe winter weather and to heavy snowfall during the winter of 1977-78. This ob- servation was supported by roadside survey data, which indicated a sig- nificant (p < .01) decline from 1977. Great Horned Owl . A nest with three young was discovered in a silver buffaloberry shrub in the proposed mining area near the eastern boundary. Another nest with two young was found along the Prairie Elk Route at the Flying V Creek crossing; the same nest had been used by a red-tailed hawk pair in 1977. Burrowing Owl . At least six active nests were found in the reconnaissance area; however, none were found in the mine study area. 24 Desert Cottontai 1 . Results of the 1978 lagomorph survey are pre- sented in Table 6 ; the number of cottontails observed does not differ significantly from the 1977 data (p > .50). White-Tailed Jackrabbit. Results of the 1978 lagomorph survey are presented in Table 6 ; the number of jackrabbits observed was signifi- cantly lower (t-test, p < .05) in 1978 than in 1977. Black-Tailed Prairie Dog. The large prairie dog town within the mine study area (WBS Figure 25) was completely poisoned out with strich- nine-baited grain during the report period. Mule Deer. A summary of data collected on mule deer observed during the study period is presented in Table 7. Fall production ratios of 96.8 fawns/100 females and 66.7 fawns/100 adults were obtained in 1978; this is comparable to 1977 data and is rated as "good" by MDFWP standards. Aerial census data are presented in Table 8. It should be emphasized that the low number of deer seen during summer reflect decreased obser- vability, and do not necessarily indicate a corresponding decrease in actual abundance. Based on these data, it can be assumed that at some time during the study period the mine study area supported at least 0.7 deer/ km'^ (1.9/mi^) (soring 1973) and the proposed mining area supported at least 0.7 deer/km^ (1.8 mi^) (winter 1978-79). Distribution in the mine study area was generally similar to that observed in 1977-78; use of both the mine study area and proposed mining area was heaviest in winter and spring, and coulees and badlands in the northwest and southwest portions of the mine study area received the heaviest use at all seasons (Figures 1-4). White-Tailed Deer. Only seventeen observations of white-tailed deer were recorded during the report period (Table 9). In the mine study area, white-tailed deer were seen only near the silver sagebrush breed- ing bird census plot in the southern portion of the proposed mining area. Pronghorn. A summary of data collected on pronghorn observed during the study period is presented in Table 10. Summer-Fall production ratios range from 63.8 - 80.6 fawns/100 females and 42.5 - 49.7 fawns/100 adults. This is somewhat lower than 1977 production estimates. Aerial census data are presented in Table 8; it can be seen that pronghorn do not use the study areas in winter, as was the case in 1977. Based on these data, it can be assumed that at some time during the study period, the mine study area supported at least 0.8 pronghorn/km^ (2.0/mi^) (fall 1978), and that the proposed mining area supported at least 1.0 prong- horn/km^ (2.6/mi^) (fall 1978). 25 Table 6. Results of 1978 lagomorph survey. Desert Cottontail Date White-tailed Jackrabbit Control Experimental Control Exp lerimental Route Route Route Route 3 0 4 1 1 1 1 2 1 0 7 2 October 6, 1978 October 7, 1978 October 8, 1978 Mean 1.6 0.3 4.0 1.6 26 r— tJ3 \ E c Li- ,_ l- fO OJ 4-1 (/) o JD 1- o 01 .o e 27 Table 8. Deer and antelope aerial census data. Circle West area, March 1978- March 1979. Observer Mine 1/ Studv Area — Proposed Mininq Area Date Pronghorn Mule Whi Ite-tailed Pronghorn Mule White-tailed Deer Deer Deer Deer 3-2-78 Blanchard - 186 - - - - 4-19-78 Martin 196 140 - 13 13 - 5-21-78 Martin 248 67 3 15 4 - 6-12-78?-/ Martin 422/ 7 2/ - si/ - - 7-13-78 Martin 72 4 - - - - 8-19-78 Martin 141 18 - 14 - - 9-17-78 DeSimone 169 45- - 30 3 - 10-30-78 DeSimone 194 45 - 3 - - 1-10-79^/ Stoneberg - 74 - - 6 - 1-23-79 Stoneberg - 133 - - 8 - 2-9-79 Stoneberg 3 151 - - 19 - 3-7-79 Stoneberg ~ 112 - - 21 - -' Including proposed mining area -' Incomplete due to tape recorder malfunction 3/ -' Area flown at faster speed than desired 28 R 44 E R 45 E. «»- oV ■^. — ^ FIGURE I. MULE DEER OBSERVATIONS. SPRING 1978 AERIAL O.I A, 2-5 n,6-IO GROUND O.^io •,l A, 2-5 ■,6-10 + AlO 29 R. 44 E. R. 4S E. ^Mmy-^ ^3 1 V FIGURE 2. MULE DEER OBSERVATIONS, SUMMER 1978 AERIAL o,i A, 2-5 n,6-IO GROUND O.^io •.1 ▲ ,2-5 H.e-io + AIO 30 R. 44 E R 45 E z o <;- "V ( / CAMP ■■ l^-i^. 3v-^^ v^-.^ ^r ( -: r ^' o' ■4 -'• *''"jr;V^;>o . v:;i •i/\^..T^^>^ -,i^/^] ^S'^f .v^^'l;. :^ z ' /• Ji'-~ li ^^-^^^fe^L:. t. u im^:i^ '-■ ^. FIGURE 3. MULE DEER OBSERVATIONS, FALL 1978 . AERIAL o,i A, 2-5 n,6-IO GROUND O,^io •>> A, 2-5 B.e-io + .i.lO 31 R. 4h c R 43 P *-:4V.->-*a -_--_^ r->— .A-V' .-^'L- I II «'■■■ I Ml I II 1 II l| "■- ■< i ^ . ^ ?rO*"^ --'^^ '^57' V it.- .t^ T-t^ — f-- •.-\ 4- .- I', i- '^-^""■M:;^^ ^Sc I W -.1 ^ a\ > i/v s: u, in - o • — in ■fj > , — ---^ n c cn-O c c <: 3 w O CD a =- O c L (j: cn c "C 3 a o 4- >- lyl (-J +-> 3 fO -O E et OJ 3 Li- Li_ +J t/1 n- OJ 3 1 — -a fo . — i- (tJ QJ -•-> (/I o ^ t- o CL QJ 23 cn O M- O (/I t. Q. OJ 3 JD O E S- 3 O Z -o o u OJ Q. I— O cri r>* -cr in 34 Pronghorn were widely distributed throughout the mine study area during the spring through fall period with areas of heaviest use in the north- central and southwestern portions. The southern and central portions of the proposed mining area apparently receive the most use (Figures 5-7). BIRD COMMUNITY PARAMETERS Waterfowl Communities While 1977 was abnormally dry, and waterfowl habitat quality in the study area was relatively poor, 1978 was a wet year (Table 1), and water- fowl use and production was consequently much higher in 1978. Many stock- ponds which were dry in the spring and early summer of 1977 were full or nearly full throughout 1978, providing nearly optimal breeding conditions in the study area. Breeding season species composition of all recorded waterfowl and water bird observations is presented in Table 11. Monthly changes in waterfowl species composition, as well as 1977 - 1978 changes, are port- rayed graphically in Figure 8. It is evident that the mallard is the predominant waterfowl species, although it constituted a relatively smaller proportion of the total waterfowl community in 1978. During both years, the mallard, American wigeon, and blue-winged teal, northern shoveler, gadwall, pintail, and lesser scaup showed an increase in 1978. Species composition in 1978 was similar to that reported by Rundquist (1973) in a Phillips County, Montana study. Waterfowl breeding season census data for the proposed mining area and mine study area are summarized in Table 12. These data are converted to production and density estimates in Table 13. It can be seen that the densities of pairs and broods on the mine study area are lower than estim- ates reported for similar habitats by Bue et al . (1952), Gjersing (1971), Lokemoen (1973), and Brewster et al . (1976). The proposed mining area, however, supported breeding waterfowl densities roughly twice those of the mine study area; these densities are near the low end of the range for the other studies mentioned above. In terms of density per unit water area, the proposed mining and mine study area compare favorably to estim- ates reported for other areas. Data on broods observed during 1978 are presented in Table 14. 35 ^r K. 4 -1 E R 1 «, F .^Vrr N_ A ,Yr^^- : ^^j^2-< !A f<*C\ ^1, o*«^ =7' .M^.- -7— A ---a -^ ^ii_- p J .,— A- .-a -^ — ^W-^- -.\x— ..IrJr ."-'1-'^^ \ \ ■■.■ /' .'1' ■ aa-a- ! A J., ^ WALtCR - A ^O O . >^;» -^ • ~- - -— — - • -r- I D D. OU^,/r,o [i;,. i, , ^:.-v^(^^- i;...- ---o D .:.r^^ A . t-. a ' A --A^KT^ ^A^ n A > -- -f ' XL j:i. ^.-. J FIGURES. PRONGHORN OBSERVATIONS, SPRING 1978 AERIAL O.i A, 2-5 0,6-20 GROUND O,A20 •,l A, 2- 5 n,6-20 + ,^20 36 ( $ CiMP t^.-?. A . A. -.^■■■^'n A. A -A i^n -• 'A^ L OA. • ,i J;^.^ 5 a^°aS/^ A^ j;. V 4 \^^ • >■• ^c: FIGURE 6. PRONGHORN OBSERVATIONS, SUMMER 1978 AERIAL O.I A, 2-5 n,6-20 GROUND O.^zo ?•' A, 2-5 ■,6-20 + ,A20 37 R. 44 E R, 4? E ii^S n ■V ^'i, tv^wY ■ ^li'if' :l ^^^'^ S^ o -I '\v---H- .?/ S, I I (£ liJ CO CD O Q UJ a cc o o UJ < b. O ui o a: UJ 1500-1 1250- 1000- 750- 500- 250- MALLARD 100- MAY JUNE M0NTH(I978) JULY 650 MALLARD •KrtAM'WrwS!; • *G/iovr ^Gwte' TOTAL TOTAL MAY-JULY MAY-JULY 1977 1978 Figure 8. Percent species composition of all recorded 1978 waterfowl observations. Circle West Study Area (1977-78 changes also shown). 40 Table 12. Summary of waterfowl breeding season census data for stockponds in the Circle West Mine Study Area, 19 78. Species Proposed Mining AreaV Mine Study Area 2/ 3/ ANATIDAE Mallard Gadwal 1 Pintail Green-winged Teal Blue-winged Teal American Wigeon Northern Shovel er Redhead Ring-necked Duck Lesser Scaup Ruddy Duck Unidentified Duck TOTAL ANATIDAE 10(5,30)-/ 2(0,0) 2(0,0) 2(1,2) 6(5,26) 10(6,53) 2(0,0) 1(0,0) 2(2,5) 37(19,116) 27(15,84) 8(3,27) 4(0,0) 3(1,2) 21(12,62) 25(17,114) 7(2,15) 2(0,0) 1(0,0) 7(0,0) 2(0,0) 4(4,12) 111(53,316) OTHER LARGE WATER BIRDS Eared Grebe Pied-bil led Grebe Unknown Grebe American Coot 2(0,0) 1(1,2) 1(1,5) 2(1,2) 1/ Includes stockponds Nos. MAOl-MAlO and MAFW J Includes proposed mining area Zj Not all of mine study area was censused in 1978--only ponds MC05-7, MC09, NCOl-6, NC08-15 were censused. _/ Minimum number of indicated pairs (number of broods, minimum number of young known present) 41 CO a: en •1- CT. r^ en.— o r^ o c o . — ■*-> o -^ *-» E •.- QJ t/> lA OJ X l/l J- QJ ^ OJ ex QJ 5 O QJ 3 ■'- ■.'-' ^- C\J f— .— I CM I ro. 42 Table 14. Average sizes of waterfowl broods recorded in the mine study area during 1978. Mallard 5.60 (2-9,n=15)-/ Gadwall 9.00 (7-12, n=3) Green-winged Teal 2.00 (n=l) Blue-winged Teal 5.17 (3-7,n=12) American Wigeon 6.71 (3-12, n=17) Northern Shoveler 7.50 (7-8, n=2) -' range and sample size in parentheses 43 Breeding Bird Census Table 15 summarizes 1977 and 1978 results for the five breeding bird census plots. A more complete account of 1978 results is given in Appendix C, and plot descriptions can be found in Appendix F of the WBS. The spectacular increase in grass production in 1978 was reflected by changes in breeding bird densities on the grassland plots. Lark buntings established breeding territories on the grassland plots for the first time in 1978, and chestnut-collared longspur densities increased markedly above 1977 densities. Total number of territories, total density, and total biomass showed a sizable increase on both grassland plots in 1978, while single and two-species dominance decreased. Total species number and species diversity remained unchanged for the five plots combined, and species and cummunity parameters for the shrub-dominated plots were similar both years. Roadside Wildlife Survey Data obtained during the fifteen 1978 roadside survey runs are presented in Appendix D. The cumulative numbers of species for all May- July runs (1977-1978) are presented in Table 16. Species number, richness, and species diversity showed a general increase in 1978, probably related to moister conditions and increased diversity of water birds. (The number of species and individuals of anatidae and other large water birds showed a marked increase in 1978). The relative sequence of routes with respect to community parameters was similar to that observed in 1977, with the exception of the Circle route, which showed a disproportionately large increase in diversity. Table 17 summarizes 1977-78 changes in May-July sample abundances of selected species, based on data obtained during runs of the five road- side survey routes. The ring-necked pheasant, mourning dove, and black- billed magpie showed highly significant decreases in sample abundances from 1977 to 1978 (p <'.0l), while Baird's sparrow and chestnut-collared longspur showed significant increases (.01

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— ■/> r- ■•- 1 Ol rtJ o ^ — 4-» :. O 1- I -o -t- cr- ^ ra TS C OJ Qj i- o oj E Q. -J Q .— Qj 50 ERRATUM to Wildlife Baseline Study Page Correction 19 In the upper right of the map, NC09 should be MC09. Near the botton of the map, NCIO should be NC17. 21 Line 4. "Comples" should be "Complex." 39 Line 10. Change "species; and species" to "species i and species j." 44 Change "Sharp-skinned Hawk" to "Sharp-shinned Hawk." 47 Change "Bank Sqallow" to "Bank Swallow." 49 Change "Warbling Viveo" to "Warbling Vireo." 143 Right-hand Column, "19(1)" should be moved one column to the left. 145 Numbers in columns indicate percentage of total observations. 151 Total density for plot 1 is 506.5, not 484. Footnote d, Change equals sign between parentheses to plus sign. 154 Table 34, Column 3, change "Morning Dove" to "Mourning Dove." 169 Last sentence should read "...which equals the amount of variation in the dependent variables which is att- ributable to the independent variables, is given..." 193 Line 4. Change "Watering" to "Wintering." 212 Reference 6. Change "Walcheek" to "Walcheck." 222 Line 11. Change "or" to "of." 51 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS During the 1978-79 monitoring period data were gathered by: B, Blanchard, MDFWP (March aerial flights); R. DeSimone, MDFWP (September and October aerial flights); P. Martin, MDFWP (April - August aerial flights and ground surveys); P. Nichols (fall small mammal trapping); R. Stoneberg, MDFWP (January - March aerial flights); D. Sullivan (spring small mammal trapping, breeding bird census, and general ground survey); and L. Thompson, DNRC (project coordinator, roadside wildlife surveys, breeding bird census, and general ground surveys). G. Cawlfield (DNRC), E. Madej, P. Nichols, and L. Thompson performed the data analyses, and Rose Ann Montgomery typed the manuscript. This report was prepared by L. Thompson of DNRC and was funded by Dreyer Brothers, Inc. Special thanks are again extended to M. McKeever and family and to the Wallers for their help in the field. 52 LITERATURE CITED Berg, P.P. 1956. A study of waterfowl broods in eastern Montana with special reference to movements and the relationship of reservoir fencing to production. J. Wildl. Manage. 20:253-262. Brewster, W.G., J.M. Gates, and L.D. Flake. 1976. Breeding waterfowl populations and their distribution in South Dakota. J. Wildl. Manage. 40:50-59. Bue, I.G., L. Blankenship, and W.H. Marshall. 1952. The relationship of grazing practices to waterfowl breeding populations and pro- duction on stock ponds in western South Dakota, trans. N. Amer, Wildl. Conf. 17:396-414. Gjersing, Frank M. 1971. A study of waterfowl production on two rest rotation grazing units in northcentral Montana. M.S. Thesis, Montana State University. 42 pp. Hammond, M.C. 1969. Notes on conducting waterfowl breeding population surveys in the north central states. Pages 238-254 vn Saskatoon Wetlands Seminar. Can. Wildl. Serv. Rep. Ser. G. Lokemoen, J.T. 1973. Waterfowl production of stock-watering ponds in the Northern Plains. J. Range Manage. 26:179-184 Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. 1978. Circle West Wildlife Baseline Study, Technical Report No. 2, Helena, Mt. Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. 1979. Circle West Vegetation Monitoring Study, Technical Report No. 3, Helena, Mt. Rundquist, V.M. 1973. Avian ecology on stock ponds in two vegetational types in northcenral Montana. Phd. Thesis, Montana State Univer- sity. 112 pp. 1973. Stewart, R.E., and H.A. Kantrud. 1973. Ecological distribution of breeding waterfowl populations in North Dakota. J. Wildl. Manage. 37:39-50. 53 APPENDIX A NORTHERN RESOURCES INC. fe"^'' 704 First Northwestern Bank Center 175 North 27th Street Billings, Montana 59101 Telephone (406) 259 4521 fv^o ^f. 'J January 26, 1979 Mr. Ted J. Doney, Director Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation 32 South Ewing Helena, Montana 59601 Dear Ted: This is in response to your letter of 15 January pertaining to continuation of maintenance of the wildlife monitering work and the monitering of the vegetation study. The budget for these services is satisfactory and you are requested to proceed with the work outlined in your letter and discussed by us in our last meeting. With regard tothe major stream crossings, we have budgeted funds for installation of culverts and will commence work on installation as soon as the weather gives us a break. I trust this will solve the access problems which your staff have encountered in the past. Kindest regards. Sincerely , ^^-c/c Richard E. Anderson President REA/dt cc: Governor Judge Leo Berry Dave Gleason 54 State Board of Land Commissioners Thomas L, Judge GOVERNOR Georgia Rice SUPT or PUBLIC INSTRUCTION Frank Murray secretary of state Mike Greely ATTORNEY GENERAL E V Sonny" Omholt AUDITOR Leo Berry Jr COM W ISSIONER \ La N MINING ^. RECLAMATION ^. APPENDIX B STATE OF MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF STATE LANDS MAILING ADDRESS; CAPITOL STATION office: 1625 11TH AVENUE HELENA 59601 (406) 449-2074 March 20, 1978 Larry Thompson Department of Natural Resources and Conservation 25 South Ewing St. John's Hospital Building Capitol Station Helena, Montana 59601 Re: Dear Larry : Circle West Project Wildlife survey I have reviewed your submittal of 3/1^/78 entitled, "Circle West Wildlife Monitoring Program". The program should provide the necessary data for the monitoring program. The number of flights/month should be adequate, but since the area is very large, it may be necessary to expand this portion of the study depending upon results achieved this year. Since waterfowl species such as geese may start nesting earlier than May, it may be wise to plan some waterfowl specific work in April. I will attempt to accompany you on a few field trips this year. Sincerely , /i^'^i ^- Vaj Richard L. Juntunen Reclamation Division Iw 55 APPENDIX C SILVER SAGEBRUSH FLAT--Locdtion: Montana; McCone County; SE quarter of Sec. 31, T20N, R45E; 47° 25' N, 106°!' W, AMS, Jordan (NL 13-1). Continuity: Established 1977; 2 consecutive years. Size: 24 ha = 59.3 acres (rectangular, 300 X 800 m, paced). Description of Plot: see AB 32:107 (1978). Coverage: May 23, 24, 26, 28; June 15, 17, 19, 20; July 20; 9 trips, 0450-2030. Total man-hours: 15.6. Census: Brewer's Sparrow, 10 (42, 17); Conmon Yel lowthroat, 6 (25, 10); Western Meadowlark, 6 (25, 10); Lark Bunting, 5 (21, 8); Grass- hopper Sparrow, 3.5 (15, 6); Sharp-tailed Grouse, 2; Eastern Kingbird, 2; Sprague's Pipit, 2; Baird's Sparrow, 1.5; Mourning Dove, 1; Loggerhead Shrike, 1; Brown-headed Cowbird, 1; Chestnut-collared Longspur, 1; Marsh Hawk, +; Horned Lark, +; Bobolink, +; Red-winged Blackbird, +. Total: 17 species; 42 territorial males or females (175/km2, 71/100 acres). Visitors: Mallard, Gadwall, Common Nighthawk, Cliff Swallow, Brown Thrasher, Brewer's Blackbird. Remarks: Three nests were found within the plot: Marsh Hawk, 1 with 6 young; Eastern Kingbird, 1 with 4 young; and Loggerhead Shrike, 1 with 6 young. Bobolink and Baird's Sparrow were not seen in the vicinity in 1977, but were quite common in 1978. The Horned Lark, Sprague's Pipit, Baird's Sparrow, and Chestnut-collared Longspur territories were all located in grassland outside the sagebrush flat, and overlapped the plot only partially. The Eastern Kingbird and Loggerhead Shrike nested in the isolated clumps of Silver Buffalo- berry near the northeastern end of the plot. Common Yel lowthroats were res- tricted to patches of Snowberry along the drainage bottom, and the Marsh Hawk nest was located in a dense Snowberry patch very near the location of last year's nest. The Sharp-tailed Grouse were seen repeatedly on the plot, and although no broods were observed, breeding is probable since a lek was located within the NE corner of the plot. Other vertebrates encountered on the plot during census runs: Prairie Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis). White-tailed Jack- rabbit (Lepus townsendi) Mule Deer,(0docoileus hemionus). White-tailed Deer (0. virginianus) Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana). 56 SILVER BUFFALOBERRY-RED OSIER DOGWOOD COULEE-- Location: Montana; McCone County; overlaps boundary of Sec. 3 and 10, T20N, R45E; 47° 31' N, 105° 58' W; AMS, Glendive (NL 13-2), Continuity: Established 1977; 2 consecutive years. Size: 25 ha = 61.8 acres (square, paced). Description of Plot: See AB 32:108 (1978). Coverage: May 21, 25, 28, 29; June 16, 17, 18, 20; July 19; 9 trips, 0450-2100. Total man-hours: 21.3. Census: Yellow Warbler, 6 (24, 10); Western Meadowlark, 6 (24, 10); Rufous-sided Towhee, 6 (24, 10); Brown Thrasher, 5.5 (22, 9); Lark Sparrow, 4.5 (18, 7); Mourning Dove, 4 (16, 6); Eastern Kingbird, 3.5 (14, 6); Rock Wren, 2.5 (10, 4); Brown-headed Cowbird, 2; Horned Lark, 1; Loggerhead Shrike, 1; Marsh Hawk, +; Ring-necked Pheasant, +; Say's Phoebe, +; Brewer's Blackbird, +. Total: 15 species, 42 territorial males or females (168/km^, 68/100 acres). Visitors: Mallard, unidentified falcon. Sharp-tailed Grouse, Great Horned Owl, Common Nighthawk, Least Flycatcher, Black-billed Magpie, Mountain Bluebird, Black-headed Grosbeak, Chipping Sparrow. Remarks: Two nests were located on the plot: Mourning Dove (1 egg), and Eastern Kingbird (3 eggs). Other vertebrates observed on the plot during census runs: Prairie Rattlesnake, Least Chipmunk (Eutamias minimus) , White-tailed Jackrabbit, Desert Cottontail (Sylvilagus auduboni). Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) , Mule Deer. 57 SILVER BUFFALOBERRY-SILVER SAGEBRUSH COULEE— Location: Montana; McCone County; overlaps border of Sec. 19 and 20, T20N, R45E; 47° 28' N, 106° 1' W, AMS, Jordan (NL 13-1). Continuity: Established 1977; 2 consecutive years. Size: 25 ha = 61.8 acres (square, paced). Description of Plot: See AB 32:108 (1978). Coverage: May 26, 27, 29; June 16, 18, 19, 20, 23; July 20; 9 trips, 0455-2030. Total man-hours: 14.8. Census: Western Meadowlark, 7.5 (30, 12); Lark Bunting, 7 (28,11); Mourning Dove, 6 (24, 10); Horned Lark, 4 (16, 6);Common Nighthawk, 3 (12, 5); Brown Thrasher, 3 (12, 5); Loggerhead Shrike, 3 (12, 5); Eastern Kingbird, 2; Brown-headed Cowbird, 2; Ring-necked Pheasant, 1; Red-tailed Hawk, +. Total: 11 species, 38.5 territorial males or females (154/km^, 62/100 acres). Visitors: Sharp-tailed Grouse, Cliff Swallow, Yellow Warbler, Brewer's Blackbird, Grasshopper Sparrow, Lark Sparrow. Remarks: Seven nests were located on the plot: Ring-necked Pheasant, 1 (17 eggs); Common Nighthawk, 1 (2 eggs); Mourning Dove, 1 (1 egg); Loggerhead Shrike, 3 (1 with 4 young, 1 with 5 young, 1 with 6 eggs); Western Meadowlark, 1 (2 young, 2 eggs, 1 Cowbird egg). In addition, an Eastern Kingbird nest (with 4 young) and another Western Meadowlark nest (with 5 eggs) were found within 10 m of the boundaries of the plot. A pair of Red-tailed Hawk nested 0.8 km (0.5 miles) from the plot. Also seen on the plot were Prairie Rattlesnakes and Mule Deer. 58 NEEDLE-AND-THREAD--BLUE GRAMA GRASSLAND— Location: Montana; McCone County; borders center of E boundary of Sec. 25, T20N, R44E; 47° 27' N, 106° 2' W; AMS, Jordan (NL 13-1). Continuity: Established 1977; 2 consecutive years. Size: 25 ha = 61.8 acres (square, surveyed). Description of Plot: See AB 32:109. Coverage: May 20, 21, 25, 27; June 15, 17, 18, 21; 8 trips, 0445- 2045. Total man-hours: 14.6. Census: Horned Lark, 12 (48, 19); Chestnut- collared Longspur, 10 (40, 16); Lark Bunting, 6.5 (26, 11); Western Meadowlark, 5.5 (22, 9); Grasshopper Sparrow, 3 (12, 5); Prairie Falcon, +. Total: 6 species, 37 territorial males or females i^^8/knr, 60/100 acres). Visitors: Marsh Hawk, Killdeer. Remarks: A Horned Lark nest (4 young) and a Chestnut- collared Longspur nest (5 eggs) were located on the plot. Grassland develop- ment on the plot was so lush the plot was scarcely recognizable from its condition during the summer of 1977. Needle-and-thread (Stipa comata) was particularly vigorous, attaining a height of nearly 1 m. Prairie Rattle- snakes and a Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis) were seen on the plot during census runs. 59 WESTERN WHEATGRASS--BLUE GRAMA PASTURE--Location: Montana; McCone County; Sec. 23, T20N, R44E; 47° 28' N, 106° 3' W; AMS, Jordan (NL 13-1). Continuity: Established 1977; 2 consecutive years. Size: 25 ha = 61.8 acres (square, paced). Description of Plot: See AB 32:109 (1978). Coverage: May 21, 27, 28; June 15, 16, 19, 21; July 19; 8 trips, 0450-2100. Total man-hours: 13. Census: Horned Lark, 10 (40, 16); Lark Bunting, 7 (28, 11); Chestnut-collared Longspur, 5.5 (22, 9); Western Meadowlark, 3.5 (14, 6); Killdeer, +. Total: 5 species, 26 territorial males or females (104/km , 42/100 acres). Visitors: Marsh Hawk, American Kestrel, Wilson's Phalarope, Mourning Dove, Cliff Swallow, Loggerhead Shrike, Red-winged Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, Grasshopper Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow. Remarks: A Horned Lark nest with 4 young was found on the plot. On July 19, a flock estimated at 700 Brewer's Blackbirds and Brown-headed Cowbirds was observed using the plot. The increase in Lark Buntings and Chestnut-collared Longspur densities over last year's census is remarkable, and is believed to be due primarily to the relatively lush grassland development. A Prairie Rattlesnake was also observed on the plot. 60 l^M lt7S APPENDIX Species AOU (lOu Tt. rcrAL EX-L, ■n.t6L V-L. c F p ^^ D PIED- BILLED GREBE. . 006 OBL-CR. CORMORANT 120 '/( 1/. '/. GREAT BUIE HERON . 194 '/, '/- '/I BLK-CR. NIGHT HFRON 202 AM. H!TTi:ilN 1'JO MALIJ^Rli 1^^ ►"^H ^/? yh 'H V3 «V.;r ^'/m GADWALL 135 V\ Vl '// V, PINTAIL 143 V/l V. •y, "V-* .J/h GRKEN-WINGED TEAI, 139 V' y' y. Vi ULIIE-WINGEI) TEAL . 140 V' '/' '/i '^A Vi Ml/,- AM. WU.EON .... 137 v ./I ■•/to y' l<-/7 N. SII0VKU-:R 142 '/l '/i Vj ,»/2- -Vr WOOD niICK 144 REDHEAD 146 CANVASBACK .... 147 X y y LESSER SCAUP .... 149 3/1 Vi RUDDY DUCK .... 167 RED-TAILED HAWK . 337 SWAINSON'S HAWK . 342 '/) '/I '/. FERRUGINOUS HAWK . 348 '/f >/i '/. MARSH HAWK .... 331 V' y^ y^ y^ AM. K£STR£L .... 360 '/( Vt V3 '// y; SHARP-TAIL. GROUSE 308 ^Vw '^t Vr J./,T M0/l>» BOUWHITE 289 RJNG-NECK PHEASANT 3091 ytfn "/m '•Vm '"/.o '"•A' '"/r; GRAY PARTRIDGE. . . 2881 V. V. y' SORA 214 y^ y- Vi AM. COOT 221 •-/, •/< KILLDEER 273 'V-j Vi '■/i> ■•/(„ "/i "/^5 ^'/•^4, COMMON SNIPE . . . 230 LONG-BILLED CURLEW 264 '/\ V7 V- y UPLAND SANDPIPER . 261 y' '7, -y. SPOTTED SANDPIPER. 263 X ■/, X i/( WILLET 258 V^ T/r MARBLED GODWIT . . 249 AM. AVOCET .... 225 WILSON'S PHALAROPE 224 Vi 'V, .,/, yi y? RING-BILLED GULL. . 054 FRANKUN'S GULL . . 059 BUCK TERN 077 ROCK DOVE 3131 V' s/i ^/. MOURNING DOVE. . . 316 "•/if ■'Vn. ^'/j, -"-A, ^/.. ^--/o? "^/j. YELLOW-BIL. CUCKOO 367 BLACK-UILL CUCKOO 388 Giy;AT HORNED OWL 375 ^A 'A •/i v^ Vm 8URR0WING OWL. . . 378 •/I •/I '/' SHORl-EARED OWL . 367 y •/. '/I '/> COMMON NIGHT HAWK 420 X y V CHIMNEY SWIFT . . . 423 BELTED KINGFISIER . 390 YEL-SHAFT FUCKER . 412 RED-SHAFT 1 UCKER . 413 '/i Vt 'A ,v. 'V RED-HD. WOODPECKER 406 <.A «./h t/^ HAIRY WOODPECKER 393 DOWNY WC»DPECKER 394 i;. KINGBIRD 444 v? Vx V-j 'h 'Y'l '»/rr 'V^o W. KINGBIRD 447 V3 '/. ')^ V-1 yf GT. CREST FLYCAICHR 452 E. PHOEBE 466 Vt V? Vi V,- ly-! 'y-t WILUDW FLYCATCHER 4664 LEAST 1 LYCATC HER . 467 '// V> Vi. yi E. WOOD ITWEE ... 461 W. WOOD PEWEE . . 462 Ha^NTD URK .... 474 -Vh, w/„ ""-M •"/IH ^'Vh. "M.1 "^V.r TREE SWALLOW ... 614 BANK SWALLOW ... 616 ROUGH-WG. SWALLOW 617 ^Ji. '/l Vi Vj (65) (69) (72) (75) (78) (81) (84) (6S) Species AOU Rcv^vt •XTflL ::XC<-. )fir?A ^ f p tA t5 BARN SWALLOW ... 613 Vr yr 1 'A ^fc V. "Ai 'V.7 CUFF SWALLOW ... 612 V7 '"/■I ^/. /I J8H/,j 'y. PURPLE MARTIN ... 611 BLUE JAY 477 IILK-HILLED MAGPIE . COMMON CROW . . . 475 y- "/h ♦■/t !!A V^ 4B8 •/I •/(. -Tr •/r BLK-CAP.CHICKADEE 735 '/' '/I 'A WHITE-BR. NUTHATCH 727 HOUSE WREN 721 Vi V,v 'yv y.x LONG-BIL MARSH WREN 725 SHORT-B. MARSH WREN 724 ROCK WREN 715 •/I "Ai '/^ •/. V3 '^^Aj "A GRAY CATBIRD. ... 704 •/I '/i V^ yi BROWN THRASHER . . 705 V?. > "V;;. SAGE THRASHER ... 702 '/. yi '/i AM. ROBIN 761 '/| •// V^ Vi y?f Y? VEERY 756 766 E. BLUEBIRD MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD 768 SPRAGUE'S PIPIT ... 700 5/j Vr '/l yi ^/(, y- CEDAR WAXWING . . 619 LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE. 622 Vi Vl Vi V3 '■/^ "■/- y ^ y^ BROWN-HD. COW BIRD 495 ROSE-BR. GROSBEAK . 695 BLACK-HD. GROSBEAK 596 BLUE GROSBEAK ... 597 INDIGO BUNTTING . . 598 UZUU BUNTING . . 599 DICKCISSEL 604 AM. GOLDHNCH. . . 629 RUFOUS-SIDE TOWHEE 587 URK BUNTING. ... 605 SAVANNAH SPARROW 642 GRASSHOPPER SPARROW 546 BAIRD'S SPARROW. . . 545 VESPER SPARROW ... 540 URK SPARROW. ... 552 CHIPPING SPARROW. . 560 CUY-COL. SPARROW 561 BREWER'S SPARROW. . 562 FIELD SPARROW. ... 663 SWAMP SPARROW. . . 584 SONG SPARROW. ... 581 MCCOWN'S LONGSPUR 539 CH-COL. LONGSPUR . 638 'V,n Vif "/ii ^V.u "A 'Vn 'y^?' •/l (•/h y>- ''^^ V- '/, Vf '^/•1 'Vt "/i, ly^ ■^Vji, <"/'? '"/l(, •y. "/lO ■""Am '^1 "■/■' •Vt •y V? Vi Vi '/i "A y> •y^ V/j '/) Vf y"/ y' '/T •"■As Vt •v., 'y.r "■yr-/ '"^. '// V Vi "/'I y^ ^yn VxO Vf V' •/( y^ ■y^ V. »/f 'V„ I'A, y^r "/u "/.t '/r Vh «y?i t'Aj V V? -,rjf. .Mu^-vJ. •/l '/' '/l r.iwv-wtt>to_ .ny'j<_ »/i V y HW'J'i;-. ^PoWjw •/I •/i Vi ^tiuN ■/, '/I >/. CA«ftJ>» toaVt y- y^ y- ■y, •yT L.B. iJojlntltA! 5^/1 ^/i yi Form 3-6(1975) 61 'X'. 1./, '/. •y. <-/( <./« y) '/) v^l Vf jv)nL \'\^ Vn ^ V^ W3. /( LA^ '/. ^/-i Ih. ^^ i^ iZE V, Speclej (65) (69) (72) (75) (78) (SI) (84) (8 AOU Z] VI loy. Vi •V7 ILL v. TT VT 77 Vl 77 Vl Vl i»/3 Tt Wj V3 V/ ?7r vr TTs /. ^ VI i^ n^ '/, V, VL V/7 TTT" IZi. '/ \ "V^K W^ 'V\ 77 1 '/, '/I liii Vl ■/. -ih. VI v? '-"/jo 7 ZZI VI V7 Vl in. ^/i Wi ■^ 77 vT i± ^ ^V^ V' vr 'Vr. V7 V-'. "/^ ?7 -10 V? iJZil v-i ^^ ITj. .L^ •V,-j. V? TT V,^ vT E!2^ 21 BARN SWALLOW ... 613 CUFF SWALLOW ... 612 PURPLE MARTIN ... 611 BLUE MY 477 BLK-BILLED MAGPIE . 475 COMMON CROW ... 488 BLK-CAP.CHICKADEE 735 WHITE-BR. NUTHATCH 727 HOUSE WREN 721 LONG-BIL MARSH WREN 725 SHORT-B. MARSH WREN 724 ROCK WREN 715 GRAY CATBIRD. ... 704 BROWN THRASHER . . 705 SAGE THRASHER ... 702 AM. ROBIN 761 VEERY 756 E. BLUEBIRD 766 MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD 768 SPRAGUE'S HPIT ... 700 CEDAR WAXWING . . 619 LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE. 622 STARUNG 493 RED-EYED VIREO ... 624 WARBUNG VIREO. . . 627 YELLOW WARBLER . . 652 COM. YELLOWTHROAT 681 YELLOW-BR. CHAT. . 683 AM. REDSTART. ... 687 HOUSE SPARROW . . . 6882 BOBOLINK 494 W. MEADOWLARK . . 5011 YEL-HD. BLACKBIRD. RED-WG. BLACKBIRD. ORCHARD ORIOLE . . W BALTtMeRE ORIOLE . BULLOCK'S ORIOLE . . BREWER'S BLACKBIRD. COMMON CRACKLE . BROWN-HD. COWBIRD ROSE-BR, GROSBEAK . BLACK-HD. GROSBEAK BLUE GROSBEAK . . . INDIGO BUNTING . . LAZUU BUNTING . . DICKCISSEL 604 AM. GOLDFINCH. . . 529 RUFOUS -SIDE TOWHEE 587 LARK BUNTING .... 605 SAVANNAH SPARROW 542 GRASSHOPPER SPARROW 546 S) V5 >^/x 'hhL V7 V^ V7 77 497 498 506 507 508 510 511 495 595 596 597 598 599 Vl ^ v~ '/I Vu Va 1/t V' Vl •A J BAIRD'S SPARROW. VESPER SPARROW . . . LARK SPARROW. . . . CHIPPING SPARROW. . CLAY -COL. SPARROW BREWER'S SPARROW. . FIELD SPARROW. . . . SWAMP SPARROW. . . SONG SPARROW. . . . MCCOWN'S LONGSPUR CH-COL. LONGSPUR . USStA _iLi.LtwitVi 545 540 552 560 561 562 563 584 581 539 538 wn i/± TV V, Vl Vl Vio 7E Vf TH VT V7 V, v: Udi :V3_5'/2i Zl Vl Vi Vii X V7 '11. !Zi 77 vT H^ •/, V, vT %_ W. ^VZ 'IhiL VT Ul. V,' (./4 ■I". ■ VIZf. Vi. VL V'j- V*' VT- '/, Vio LLa. -iy'lt Vk TV ■ll± V: 77 Vl Vj Vc z: i2I l«/^l- I 'Vs- ■'-/:. '•/, V' VL Vl V7 V. 7T V lit V-. '/3 tut: Vi -A£ Vl Vi ^ 25 VT 2it Vl 1^ i^ Vl Vt T71 V.2 :v£ lAo ^77 Vl ^ ■^7^ 'V, ■^ 7^ ^77 Vl Vh vz. Vl "V'f V-i 7h -•/i. ^iix ^ 7^ Vl V/M Vl tt; 7^ Vio Vi •V,9 V-^ ^77" Vk '^ ^ 21 ^ t; v. "•^V.o Vs ■v« H/,? tt: ^ Vl v/„ ,^77 V,- V, VT ^h Vm V;,- Vi V--. Vh ■^vT ''Vt 'V, 7 ZI IZi :s TyZTT T77 Vl >H/,i iV£ ■V, vr. '2L Form 3-6(1975) 62 juu^ \'n? APPENDIX D (continue d) Species AOU r-o. ^L ,-CL. r ^ p ■ f\ 0 PIED-BILI/.D GREBE. . 006 7^ ^Vt i ''/.O GRAY CATBIRD. ... 704 V?- ya Ui BROWN THRASHER . . 705 V5 Vt •-A •V'" 'V-x SAGE THRASHER ... 702 AM. ROBIN 761 v.. Vm '^/H 1/1 •7'o 'V,. VEERY. . ^ 756 E. BLUEBIRD 766 MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD 768 .A •/I '^;l SPRAGUE'S PIPIT ... 700 '/i Vt V; "*/o v<. v.^ CEDAR WAXWING . . 619 Vi V' V) LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE. 622 '"/^ 'V,o 0/1 ,V'? "Af 'V;^ STARUNG 493 .V'- Vi -7? 'V- •V(. RED-EYED VIREO ... 624 '/I ■/I '/I WARBUNG VIREO. . . 627 YELLOW WARBLER . . 652 V'- V-- -^/H V"^ COM. YELLOWTHROAT 681 Vi, Vj ^/L V^ 'Vk T" YELLOW-BR. CHAT. . 683 Vi "■/b 'V7 "/' AM. REDSTART. ... 687 HOUSE SPARROW . . . 6882 f'A ^/'. <-/! 'Vw ^/x ^y.^ ^y,Y BOBOUNK 494 'y, '''i W. MEADOWLARK . . 5011 11 Ah 'U/h '^"^1 '"hA >i(,/.r -^y.i/ '% YEL-HD. BLACKBIRD. 497 V, V( V, "A RED-WG. BLACKBIRD. 498 ""-/ji Vt 'Vio '^V--ir ^Vyf ""An ''•^A> ORCHARD ORIOLE . . 506 507 '/. Vi V^ V-L BULLOCK'S ORIOLE. . 508 BREWER'S BLACKBIRD. 510 •/. 1/4 Vt 11/7 ■'V,„ "/.-,' ->M COMMON CRACKLE . 511 BROWN-HD. COWBIRD 495 ■7f VH Vi «Ty , •V,, ^'M ROSE-BR. GROSBEAK . 595 BUCK-HD. GROSBEAK 596 BLUE GROSBEAK ... 597 INDIGO BUNTING . . 598 LAZUU BUNTING . . 599 DICKCISSEL 604 AM. GOLDFINCH. . . 529 '/I Vi mA '^f '/i- RUFOUS-SIDE TOWHEE 587 Vi .0/7 "-Vl. ^y^ v./^.y ^'^M LARK BUNTING .... 605 »VlH '■'V11 ^1'/i V^ ^'Ar •-W/jiT '''^h SAVANNAH SPARROW 542 •V7 VI lV7 ■V? GRASSHOPPER SPARROW 546 >/o '>/n ^•-/u Vh ^V/..o 'Vvf -/w BAIRD'S SPARROW. . . 545 ■*Vifa 'V^ •-•/f ■■V,,f •■'Vjf *ViT VESPER SPARKOW ... 540 '/t> »t/t| "Ac iVi '-V.,- -V/c' -'M URK SPARROW .... 552 v Vy V5 "•Vn '/) ^v^i- "Ay CHIPPING SPARROW. . 560 '/I i/i "/c> ,0/1 Vi is/, •Vm CUY-COL. SPARROW 561 ■/ 1 '/» Vi. "-Vn '/, "'/a "-A9 BREWER'S SPARROW. . 562 «VlL >-m/o V' »'/t^ ^Vli FIELD SPARROW. . . . 563 '-/to ■^Vn ^V,i If'/i r SWAMP SPARROW. . . 584 SONG SPARROW. ... 581 MCCOWN'S LONCSPUR 539 CH-COL. LONGSPUR . 538 •■V,^ -/I • yi f^j.i '>Vi., !1V/ ' fv^ftft 'w Gcw if— V X \ X r-ji/;iji _ _