iiirM^^Mffw MONIiOKIN<; STTTBY FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT Technical Report No. 10 mOMTAMA OEPARTMEMT OF NATURAL RESOURCES « CONSERVATION ENERGY DIVISION SEPTEMBER 1982 DNRC MONTANA STATE LIBRARY S 333 95 E29cwa 1 979- 1 982 c. 1 Circle west wildlife monitoring study an 3 0864 00043233 9 CIRCLE WEST WILDLIFE MONITORING STUDY Fourth Annual Report For the Period March 1, 1981 - May 31, 1982 Circle West Technical Report No. 10 Prepared by Larry S. Thompson Biological Sciences Coordinator and Pat Nichols Energy Division Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation 32 South Ewing Helena, Montana 59620 September 1982 TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES ii LIST OF TABLES iv LIST OF APPENDICES vi INTRODUCTION 1 Study Areas and Objectives 1 METHODS. - 2 General Aerial and Ground Surveys 2 Waterfowl Survey and Census 2 Monitoring of Raptor Nests and Grouse Leks 2 Roadside Wildlife Survey 2 Small Mammal Trapping 3 Lagomorph Survey 3 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 4 Wildlife Species Parameters 4 Tabular Summary 4 Narrative Accounts for Selected Species 23 Bird Community Parameters 33 Waterfowl Communities 33 Roadside Wildlife Survey 33 Small Mammal Community Parameters 44 LITERATURE CITED 48 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 49 APPENDICES 50 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. Year-to-year changes in June sample abundance of ring-necked pheasant along five roadside wildlife survey routes, Circle West area 27 Figure 2. Year-to-year changes in lagomorph density indices, Circle West study area 27 Figure 3. Year-to-year changes in mule deer production ratios. Circle West study areas (based on September-October ground and aerial survey data) 30 Figure 4. Year-to-year changes in the mule deer winter density index for the Circle West study areas (based on the month of the largest census obtained for the Mine Study Area during the winter season) 30 Figure 5. Year-to-year changes in pronghorn production ratios, Circle West study areas (based on July- October ground and aerial survey data) 35 Figure 6. Year-to-year changes in pronghorn summer and winter density indices for the Circle West study areas (based on the largest aerial censuses obtained for the Mine Study Area during July- October and December-February respectively). . ..35 Figure 7. Percent species composition of all recorded 1981 waterfowl observations, Circle West study area (1977-1981 changes also shown) 38 Figure 8. Year-to-year changes in waterfowl production, Circle West study areas 38 Figure 9. Year-to-year changes in numbers of species and numbers of registrations of water birds recorded on June runs of five roadside wildlife survey routes. Circle West study area 41 Figure 10. Year-to-year changes in June breeding bird species richness for five roadside wildlife survey routes. Circle West study area 41 il Figure 11. Year-to-year changes in June breeding bird community sigma for five roadside wildlife survey routes, Circle West study area 45 Figure 12. Year-to-year changes in June breeding bird species number (exclusive of summer visitors and water birds) for five roadside wildlife survey routes, Circle West study area 45 Figure 13. Year-to-year changes in small mammal biomass for six habitats sampled in the Circle West study area (control and experimental data are averaged for combined spring-fall data for each habitat) 47 Figure 14. Year-to-year changes in spring-fall small mammal biomass change for six habitats sampled in the Circle West study area (control and experimental data are averaged for each habitat) 47 HI LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Summary of inventory data for bird species observed in the Circle West study area, June 1976 - May 1982 5 Table 2. Summary of inventory data for amphibian, reptile, and mammal species observed in the Circle West study area, June 1976 - May 1982 19 Table 3. Summary of cumulative numbers of species observed in the Circle West study areas through May 1982 24 Table 4. Results of 1981 lagomorph survey. Circle West study area. .28 Table 5. Classification summary for mule deer observed in the Circle West area, March 1981 - May 1982 29 Table 6. Deer and pronghorn aerial census data. Circle West area, March 1981 - January 1982 31 Table 7. Classification summary for white-tailed deer observed in the Circle West area, March 1981 - May 1982 32 Table 8. Classification summary for pronghorn observed in the Circle West area, March 1981 - May 1982 34 Table 9. Summary of July 1981 pronghorn aerial census. Hunting District 650 36 Table 10. Species composition of all recorded waterfowl and large water bird observations in the 113-section Mine Study Area during the breeding season, May-July 1980-1982, and during May 1982 37 Table 11. Summary of waterfowl breeding season census data for stockponds in the Circle West Mine Study Area, 1981. ... 39 Table 12. Summary of 1981 waterfowl production data. Circle West study area 40 Table 13. Average sizes of waterfowl broods recorded in the Mine Study Area during 1981 40 IV Table 14. Summary of cumulative numbers of species observed during May through July roadside counts, Circle West study area 42 Table 15. Summary of 1980-81 changes in May-July sample abundances of selected species sampled by five roadside survey routes, Circle West study area 43 Table 16. Summary of small mammal trapping data, Circle West study area, May-October 1981 46 LIST OF APPENDICES Appendix A. Schedule of March 1981 - May 1982 field work. ,50 Appendix B. Wildlife habitat categories, Circle West Baseline Wildlife Study 51 Appendix C. Summary of bird community parameters for five roadside survey routes 52 Appendix D. Density indices for mule deer and pronghorn antelope by section 56 VI INTRODUCTION This report describes results of the fourth and final year of the Circle West wildlife monitoring study, coordinated by the Montana Depart- ment of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), as described in the Circle West Wildlife Baseline Study Final Report (DNRC 1978) and the first, second, and third wildlife monitoring reports (DNRC 1979, 1980, 1981). The report period extended from March 1, 1981, through May 31, 1982. The monitoring studies were terminated by Meridian Land and Minerals Co. in May 1982. STUDY AREAS AND OBJECTIVES Study efforts during this period were primarily limited to the 113-section Mine Study Area, as described in the second monitoring report (DNRC 1980). Within this area, the most intensive study occurred in the 31.5-section Permit Area, defined on January 23, 1980. This Permit Area includes the original 11.5-section Proposed Mining Area, plus additional areas to the northeast and southwest that are being considered for coal strip mining or associated development (see Figure 1 in DNRC 1980). Some work was conducted in the Reconnaissance Study Area (see Map 1 in DNRC 1978), which includes most of McCone County. Results of the concurrent vegetation monitoring study have been presented by Prodgers (1982). In order to provide data on big game distribution in the area surrounding the Mine Study Area, the area to be covered by the aerial surveys was expanded in 1982 to include roughly the southern half of McCone County. -1- METHODS Field techniques and analytical methods for this fourth year of monitoring followed those described in the wildlife baseline study final report (DNRC 1978). A brief summary of methods employed for individual study segments follows: GENERAL AERIAL AND GROUND SURVEYS With the exception of November and December 1981, monthly aerial surveys were made of the Mine Study Area from March 1981 through January 1982. Ground surveys were conducted in all months except November and December 1981 and March 1982. All observations (both ground and aerial) of large mammals, upland game birds, and raptors were recorded on the type of data sheets and maps used during the original baseline study (DNRC 1978). Locations of all recorded observations within the Mine Study Area were plotted on maps at a scale of 1:24,000. All data (including data sheets and field maps) are on file with DNRC. WATERFOWL SURVEY AND CENSUS All waterfowl observations were recorded on waterfowl data sheets similar to those 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, using methods described in the first monitoring report (DNRC 1979). MONITORING OF RAPTOR NESTS AND GROUSE LEKS Raptor nests located in the Mine Study Area were visited in May, June, and July to determine if eggs or young were present. Also, leks in the Mine Study Area were visited in March and April to determine the number of grouse present. ROADSIDE WILDLIFE SURVEY Each of the five roadside wildlife survey routes was run in May and June of 1981, using methods outlined in the baseline study. A new route, the Waller Route (DNRC 1981:56), was established and run in June and July 1981. The Dreyer Ranch route was also run in July 1981. Surveys were run on dates which corresponded closely with the 1977 survey dates. A number of diversity measures and other community parameters were determined for these routes. The average sample abundance of each indicator species, as well as various community parameters, were plotted to graphically portray the nature and magnitude of year-to-year fluctuations. -2- SMALL MAMMAL TRAPPING The 12 small mammal traplines sampled in 1979 (numbers 15, 17, 18, 20, 33, 34, 35, 44, and 46-49) were snap-trapped for three consecutive nights in May 1981 and again for three consecutive nights in October 1981. Methods followed those outlined in the baseline study. LAGOMORPH SURVEY The two lagomorph survey routes were run consecutively on each of three mornings (November 10-12, 1981) beginning with the mining area route at 0400. -3- RESULTS AND DISCUSSION WILDLIFE SPECIES PARAMETERS Tabular Summary Two-hundred and eleven species of vertebrates have been observed in the study areas since the studies began in 1976 (5 amphibians, 7 reptiles, 169 birds, and 30 mammals). Data on these vertebrates are summarized in Tables 1 and 2. The types of data included and the abbrevia- tions used in these tables are as follows: Habitat in Which Observed. Abbreviations correspond to habitat categories defined in Appendix B. The major habitats in which animals were observed during this study are listed in approximate order of decreasing use or indicated preference. Habitats merely crossed by birds in flight or transient mammals are not listed. "Various" indicates use of many different habitats without a clear preference. Distribution. Numbers correspond to the three study areas described in the text: 1 indicates the Permit Area; 2, the Mine Study Area (ex- cluding the Permit Area); and 3, the Reconnaissance Study Area (excluding the Mine Study Area). A number in this column indicates a sighting in the corresponding study area. Classification. In its 1973 Red Book, the U.S. D.I. Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife identified certain species of animals as endangered (E), threatened (T), or status-undetermined (U). Although the classifica- tions reported in the Red Book have been supplanted by the Endangered Species Act of 1973, they still provide a good index of vulnerability to extinction and are listed here. In addition, the Montana Department of Fish and Game (1977), now the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks (DFWP), has classified wildlife species as game species (G), nongame species (N), furbearers (F), and migratory game birds (M) , and the National Audubon Society has listed in its "Blue List" (Tate 1981) certain species of birds that are experiencing regionwide or continentwide noncyclic population declines (B). Classifications under each system are indicated by the appropriate letter abbreviations. Evidence. Acceptable evidence for including a species in this table, in order of decreasing reliability, is as follows: S indicates specimen(s) taken (number of specimens, or "P" if partial specimen, is given in parentheses); P, photograph taken; V, visual (sight) record; A, auditory (sound) record; B, reported by biologist(s) other than those directly involved in this study; R, reported by local residents. 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E O CD to T3 3 0) 0) — » _< ■f- ■,- co a ■u u 1 o 0) T3 4-> o en c c: < o — -22- Guild (Birds Only). Breeding-season guilds (or nonbreeding-season guilds for winter residents and migrants) are indicated by a four-digit code. The first digit indicates major food source or feeding habits: 1 indicates seeds and vegetation (73% of diet); 2, invertebrates; 3, omnivorous (25-757o plant material); 4, vertebrates; 5, carrion. The second digit indicates foraging stratum: 1 indicates bark or bole; 2, ground, grass, and low shrubs; 3, tall shrubs or low forest canopy; 4, mid-to-high forest canopy or tall trees; 5, air; 6, water. The third digit indicates foraging strategy: 1 indicates bark or bole drilling; 2, bark or bole gleaning; 3, ground and brush foraging; 4, tree foliage foraging; 5, sallying; 6, raptorial; 7, dabbling or stalking in water; 8, diving in water; 9, mud probing; 0, soaring or swooping. The fourth digit indicates preferred nest site: 1 indicates cattails or bulrush; 2, shore, marsh, or water; 3, cliffs, caves, rims, badlands, buildings; 4, ground, grassland; 5, low shrub (less than 1 m or 3 ft); &, tall shrub (1 m - 3 m or 3 ft-10 ft); 7, tree branch (greater than 3 m or 10 ft); 8, tree cavity; 9, underground burrow; 0, nonbreeding in study area. Status (Birds Only). First letter denotes indicated status in the study area: M indicates spring and fall migrant only; R, permanent resident; S, summer resident; V, summer visitor (nonbreeding); W, winter resident. For permanent and summer residents, evidence for breeding is given in parentheses using a modification of Binford's (1973) categories which are, in order of decreasing conclusiveness; PJ indicates prejuvenal young observed; NY, nest with young; NE, nest with eggs; AN, active nest completed, contents unknown; NC, active nest completed but empty; UC, nest under construction; UN, active nest, condition unknown; AF, adult carrying food; AC, adult carrying nest material; CO, copulation observed; D, courtship display observed; TO, territoriality observed; RH, range, habitat, an>d dates; SS, observed in area outside breeding season (for sedentary or permanent resident species only). Only the most conclusive evidence obtained during this study is listed in the table. 1 Ilonthly Occurrence. The letter "B" indicates observations made during the baseline study period (DNRC 1978); the letter "T" indicates observations made during other years. Table 3 summarizes the cumulative numbers of species observed in the study areas during the baseline study and through the first, second, third, and fourth monitoring periods. This table shows that two new vertebrate species were added to the species list as a result of the fourth year's monitoring; these are the bushy-tailed woodrat and house mouse . Narrative Accounts for Selected Species Data in addition to that in Tables 1 and 2 were obtained for certain key species, and are summarized in the following species accounts. Information presented here, limited for the most part to nesting raptors, upland game birds, and ungulates, primarily assesses changes that have occurred in the Mine Study Area since the baseline study. Additional data on all species are on file with DNRC. -23- •i B a > o 3 CO ^ s £ 0) (4- U ■H OC^^ Oi ■H 00 X V- ejN < 00 o ^ w 3 u £ O -H >, t- c ra £ o £ ■< j: ki CM u 0) 00 u 0. CJ- u 3 w o fiC OS b. c • •H CO j: ^ CM < 6C O 3 4J y O •H J) Vj C 01 e5 o t. < z ^ CL. (N )- _4 CO •o 41 CO o\ w CU CJs O •H -^ w ^. S 60 c pi CS •H oo' S j: U CM < j: 3 O .§ tm O •H J3 3 u c U 2 e i b. < X u 09 •o CD o 01 •H u •a b o a c O CO 0 PL, <3\ U >> u -g •o o u 3 en c 4J -w ON (0 £ u CM < tie 0 to 4J 3 4.J • S 0) O •H XI 01 U C 01 S S i ■— a. M o- 4-> u r^ CJ tn CL. o^ u Ui a: •H oc pL. c •H r^ < GO 0 j: g 3 4-* o O •H u o g z Pj •o U CJ 3 JO w u OJ b: CO b 01 j: 00 < c 60 r^ ^ •H 3 ON (-H O -■ (U W« tn J2 - rf to u 00 PQ — (S B. \Ci 0^ — t *n CO — < tN r^ i-H \0 OS ^ 3- -H p^ vO OS ^ VD >X> CO -3- a^ m in n r^ fn 00 m .-t \o m O vD ^ ir\ a^ r^ »-< ri in r- rg vo -^ 3 1^ CJN o CM ON c *"* n r^ (U -i '"' < o ■o CM r-» 3 CO c >o NO CM r- CO <: *"• !:^ vO NO « 60 CM -a- OJ C E 3 C r-< CO 15 UJ 4^ ►J O *-* H H o C ■H U5 c OO i*-t c: c 0) to ^-N (V c o tiJ •w CO Wi -o OJ oc> ^-^ T3 •H H s m (U •H CE^ c ^-^ E ■H •o u s CO Xi to tH n 01 QJ ■O -H B 0) 4J T3 CO 01 01 6 CO 01 to 3 DC c o u en cc: h 3 u 0) C C OJ ■H ■H O ^' o H II II H t/J cu z s: 3 H i H < CJ O B. c: £ H -^ g^ -24- Red-tailed Hawk. Only two red-tailed hawk nests were known to be active in the Mine Study Area in 1981. The nest located 2.5 mi WSW of the Dreyer ranch house again fledged two young; the nest near stock pond MClO (3.5 mi WNW of the Dreyer ranch house) contained at least two young. In May 1982 a pair were observed at the nest near MClO and another pair were observed at the nest at NC31. Swainson's Hawk. Only one Swainson's hawk nest was known to be active in 1981. This was a new nest located about 1 mi NE of the Waller ranch house. It fledged two young. A Swainson's hawk was observed in the area in Mav 1982. A pair were observed on the nest near lek #7 on Nelson Creek in May 1982. Ferruginous Hawk. Three ferruginous hawk nests were known to be active in 1981. One, located near the 1979 nest site about 2 mi NNW of the Dreyer ranch house, fledged two young in 1981. Another, located near the 1977 nest site about 2 mi NW of the Waller ranch house, fledged one young bird. A third nest, newly occupied in 1981, was located about 2 mi SW of the Dreyer ranch house and fledged one young bird. A nest about 4 mi WSW of the Dreyer ranch house, which was active in 1979, was again unoccupied in 1981. Golden Eagle. Neither of the two known golden eagle nest sites were active in 1981, although adults were seen near the 1977 nest site. Marsh Hawk. Although territorial pairs were observed in many places within the Mine Study Area, only one nest is known to have fledged young in 1981. This nest site' was located about 2.5 mi N of the Waller ranch house, and fledged at least one young bird. Prairie Falcon. The 1977 nest site contained three young on June 20, 1981. At least one young bird was fledged. American Kestrel. No active Kestrel nests were found in 1981. Sharp-tailed Grouse. Spring 1981 counts of sharp-tailed grouse at known leks within the Mine Study Area were as follows: lek No. 6, six birds on March 25; No. 7, three birds on April 15; No. 13, 14 birds on March 25; No. 14, seven birds on March 25; and No. 15, seven birds on March 25. A new lek. No. 16, was discovered in the southeastern corner of Sll, T20N, R45E; four birds were counted there on April 15, 1981. April-May 1982 counts of sharp-tailed grouse were as follows: lek No. 5, eight males and two females; lek No. 6, 15 males; lek No. 7, seven males, two females; lek No. 14, eight males; lek No. 15, six unidentified birds; lek No. 16, 16 unidentified birds. No count was made at lek No. 17 (T20N, R45E, S34, SWt;) in 1982. Four new leks were discovered in 1982. These are: lek No. 18, T20N, R45E, S20, SE^, eight males; lek No. 19, T20N, R45E, S7, NE^, eight males; lek No. 20, T20N , R45E, S7, SW^, five males; lek No. 21, T21N, R45E, S31, northcentral portion, five males. Birds were seen from the air in T19N, R45E, S24, but no count was made. -25- Sage Grouse. On April 15, 1981, 11 males were observed displaying at lek No. 4 (DNRC 1978). Five males were seen there in 1982, and 25 displaying males were also seen at lek No. 6, about 1 mile west-northwest of lek No. 4. Ring-necked Pheasant. Figure 1 shows year-to-year changes in June sample abundances of ring-necked pheasants as sampled in five roadside wildlife surveys. Sample abundances did not differ significantly (t-test, p > .20) between 1980 and 1981. Great Horned Owl. None of the previously used nest sites were known to be active in 1981. Desert Cottontail. Results of the 1981 lagomorph survey are presented in Table 4 (see also Figure 2). White-tailed Jackrabbit. The number of jackrabbits observed during the 1980 lagomorph survey (Table 4) does not differ significantly from the number observed in 1979 (t-test, p>.20) (Figure 2). Mule Deer. A summary of mule deer observations during the study period is presented in Table 5. Production ratios obtained during the period 1977-1980 are shown in Figure 3. These were based on September-October data since summer foliage limits pre-September observations of fawns and since hunting mortality directly influences age structure in November populations. Aerial census data are presented in Table 6. It should be emphasized that the low numbers of deer observed during the summer reflect decreased observability at this season and do not necessarily indicate a corresponding decrease in abundance. Since observability is highest in winter, both density and distribution estimates are based on the winter aerial census. Figure 4 shows winter density indices obtained since 1976. Since the census data in Table 6 represent the minimum number known to be present, the density indices shown in Figure 4 may be somewhat lower than true densities. Monthly mule deer winter density indices obtained during aerial censuses were averaged for each of the 114 sections in the Mine Study Area for the winter of 1981-1982 and for all winters since 1976. These data were not used to create density index isopleths, as was done in previous years, but are presented in tabular form in Appendix D. White-tailed Deer. A summary of white-tailed deer observations made during the study period is presented in Table 7. -26- 250-1 200 — Total • — — Circle ♦•■• ••• Flowing Well A- — Missouri River o— — Proirie Elk • — ■— Dreyer Ranch o UJ oc O tc UJ m s 150- 100 Figure 1. Year-to-year changes in June Sample abundance of ring-necked pheasant along five roadside wildlife survey routes, Circle West area. CONTROL EXPERIMENTAL ROUTE ROUTE • ■ WHITE-TAILED JACKRABBIT o o DESERT COTTONTAIL 12 10 9- ^« to 7- UJ cc 0. 6 o o: . UJ 5 01 Z z I.I *' 2-1 I 0 # ~ ■\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ _ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ V /' / --\ \ ~ *^ \ - \ \ ^m" \ "-■ \ \ ^ ^ \ . _ ^ _ °~><^ \ V ^ja \ cr ~~'a — -^ ^ ^"^ 1 1 ^r^ 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 Figure 2. Year-to-year clianges in lagomorpli density indices, Circle 'West studv area. -27- Table 4. Results of 1981 lagomorph survey, Circle West study area. Date Desert Control Route Cottontail Experimental Route T'Jhite- Contrc Route ■tails .1 2d Jackrabbit Experimental Route November 10, 1981 0 2 4 4 November 11, 1981 0 0 0 2 November 12, 1981 0 1 3 3 Mean 0.0 1.0 2.3 3.0 -28- u C e _< on t-i ON o ' ' j= & u u m m S o .. tn ffl (U d i-i o •n 60 lij en 03 o 50 X bJ O z 40 >- H v> ^o z bl O IE ?0 111 » 10- 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 Figure 4. Year-to-year changes in the mule deer winter density index for the Circle West study areas (based on the month of the largest census obtained for the Mine Study Area during the winter season). -30- o ^ H is o O . •a o O «I o o o u z u z a" £1 XI c o tr O' c CP IT V4 u Ij M U (U X (1) 01 a XI X3 XI X) a 01 01 lU 01 d) CO o a 0 u a, 3 c o M-l 0 U •H 01 4-) > 3 C tn -H D> 3 C -O -H u a 3 T3 , ~ 0) (N oj rvi 4J (0 -H v CO n >, a\ 3 f-* fH tr 3 3 •-) < 6 rsi CM 0} 3 8 m c ff\ O CO 01 0 (N ro r- u z rH CN m ^ l/l -31- m S n H ^ II] j3 -a B HI 3 vH U CO o ^ H O 3 M 2 O .-« -H rg ^ n ^- C^J ^ ^ 00 -32- Pronghorn. A summary of pronghorn observations made during the study period is presented in Table 8. Production ratios for the Mine Study Area from 1977-1980 (based on all July through October observations of fully classified groups) are shown in Figure 5. Results of the July 1981 pronghorn aerial census of Hunting District 650 are presented in Table 9. Aerial census data for the Mine Study Area are presented in Table 6. Winter density indices (as described under Mule Deer, above) and summer-fall density indices (based on the largest aerial census figures obtained during a single flight in the period from July-October) are shown in Figure 6 for 1977-1981. Monthly pronghorn summer and winter density indices obtained during aerial censuses were averaged for each section in the Mine Study Area for the report period as well as for all years since 1976 combined. These data were not used to create density index isopleths, as was done in previous years, but are presented in tabular form in Appendix D. BIRD COMMUNITY PARAMETERS Waterfowl Communities Breeding season species composition of all waterfowl and other large water birds observed in the Mine Study Area is presented in Table 10. Year-to- year changes in waterfowl species composition are portrayed graphically in Figure 7. Species composition was remarkably similar to that noted in 1979, with the mallard again being the predominant breeding waterfowl species. Waterfowl breeding season census data for stockponds in the study area are summarized in Table 11. These data are converted to production and density estimates in Table 12. Production is shown graphically in Figure 8. Note that breeding pair censuses are not a reliable indicator of production as shown by Figure 8. In 1980, the number of pairs was comparable to the number censused in 1979, but actual production dropped sharply, due to a decrease in residual grass cover. The 1979 peak in production was probably related to the excellent residual nesting cover following the extremely wet year of 1978. Waterfowl data obtained during the roadside surveys are shown in Figure 9. Data on broods observed during 1981 are presented in Table 13. Roadside Wildlife Survey Data obtained during the 11 roadside surveys conducted in 1981 are presented in Appendix C. The cumulative numbers of species observed during all May-July runs (1977-1981) are presented in Table 14. Table 15 summarizes 1980-1981 changes in May-July sample abundances of selected species, based on data obtained during runs of five roadside survey routes. Figure 1, which shows year-to-year changes in sample abundances of ring-necked pheasants, exhibits the type of graphs that were prepared to monitor individual species. -33- tn rsj XI CO o C7N i 'x 0 ^ c 1 o u & 00 CO en Qi •H S •H (U CO r-f w o n) >-■ (0 H (0 CO 0) c ra 3 O B o o a > — fc <- m M 4-> c rH 3 O 3 O O •o >-, rf < 3 6 3 .H 31 u 3 O -o H < O -H (0 m 4J to 0 .H ^2 M o (1) u ON — W •o ^. 6C c 0) C 3 4-> •H O c M l-< •H a 00 3 w « -34- — MINE STUDY AREA -- HUNTING DISTRICT 650 150 o 100 a o o z I 50 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 Figure 5. Year-to-year changes in pronghorn production ratios, Circle West study areas (based on July-October ground and aerial survey data). 100-1 WINTER SUMMER-FALL • • MINE STUDY AREA (INCL. PERMIT AREA) ■ ■ PERMIT AREA 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 Figure 6. Year-to-year changes in pronghorn summer and winter density indices for the Circle West study areas (based on the largest aerial censuses obtained for the Mine Study Area during July-October and December-February respectively). -3 5- c o •H U 4J CO c C •H § CO 3 01 c (U o r~- in a-- r~- ON vO (7n CO o 00 c c in C3^ CM o en 00 CTn vC o CM VO CX3 00 OA 0^ a^ o 0^ CN 0^ in VD en CO CN CSI 3 6C o D- •c 13 •H rC 3 tu (U s C/3 to ^ •H 61. o -i C •H JZ (U (U >. OJ w QJ M 4-1 jn tn •T3 "C < 3 9i 1- -c tn ■c •H « 1—1 ^ o 0) H) 3 C I-i PQ 2 &:: hJ PS ^ H § ^ H O H CM c (U » to -a- (U CM V4 p. M CO o «\ c t— 1 .i«; r-i or v> c tn 3 I— 1 1 O CO r- 1 14J o «v l—t !-i i-H (U r> B o 3 1— ( c u z a 00 o in o 1 u A S to o & • • o c/o CO u g 3 iH .c a >4-, -a o c CO to Q) u u / \ IaJ / \ 3 30- / \ UJ a. .. 1977 1978 — I 1979 1 1980 1981 Figure 10. Year-to-year changes in June breeding bird species richness for five roadside wildlife survey routes, Circle West study area. -41- tso B i-H th m j: 1- c 4-J 01 3 t-i P- M D 01 O M w 01 U. C CO u -H CT- 0 j: 1- ^ o Of O 1 )-< 3 4-1 r^ O T-t r^ Q) Vj C 0^ > e ^c •H t- c •o OJ 3 u d. K •H m S GOC 0) C 00 4J ■T-I C7^ 3 j: U -< O CiC O 1 ki 3 4.) r^. O •H r^ 01 l-i C o% > S ■H S '*-' fe ■O IJ E B n stz CJ tn OJ U (J\ Q) on C 1^ 4J •H CT\ 71 ^ t-J ^ O u: O 1 1-1 3 4-t r- n •H r^ <1) V' C CT\ > ^ 0 •-« •H X ^ tb •o - 0 ^ •H m u c 4J m 3 cn Pl< u M Oi •H MOO CD b- B f^ u •H ON 3 j: >- ^ O ot O I U 3 4-j r^ o ■H r^ 0) u E ON > x: o ^ •H P S -^ fc 4J ^-* tn en CO (U (0 —' -H PQ ^ [1- o o v© ^ ,_, r- 00 y^ O o . 00 O •'J vD -^ • f* »0 Cn CT' vC Cvi O O^ r- ro tn -J ■-< c X /-s o o • 00 o ^r o vD • ■-< so 0> On U*t CN O CTi rH fn in ^ t— I o \o *— » 00 o • ON i-H ^r o in . t-H \o ON a> >^ cvj c cTi o o 00 n "— ' o o /—» r^ m r»> cN m /--* /-^ m . . . . o O • \£) c r-^ Q> (0 XI B p c 00 c 4J o 3 OJ o -H •H O H tn &. Z £ 3 H H s CO H 3 o M Q ^ e 3 z 01 -42- Table 15. Summary of 1980-81 changes in May-Julv sample abundances of selected species sampled by five roadside survey routes. Circle West study area.l Species 1980-81 Change^ Sharp-tailed Grouse Ring-necked Pheasant Killdeer Mourning Dove Common Nighthawk Eastern Kingbird Horned Lark Black-billed Magpie Rock Wren Brown Thrasher Sprague's Pipit Loggerhead Shrike Yellow Warbler Common Yellowthroat House Sparrow Western Meadowlark Red-winged Blackbird Rufous-sided Towhee Lark Bunting Savannah Sparrow Grasshopper Sparrow Baird's Sparrow Vesper Sparrow Brewer's Sparrow Chestnut-collared Longspur NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS I* NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS I* NS NS NS Information for all 5 routes for May and June only; Dreyer route only for July. 2 NS=no significant change; D=significant decrease: I=significant increase *.01, 3 U O (1) iH 3 ^- 2 rH M •H n 1 c « 1 r-( •o •a c (U CO 0) rH z CO 1 CO ra 10 g u (D ti l-i 60 1=1 CO a IV 3 u £ CO 4J o ^ o CO o^ O O — ■ O — m in m en m cN en tn o C rH >3- O -^ cn cn m o o o fo o fT) o c» o a^ > i-t CO c S o £ C 01 DO 0) c 3 -46- 400 300 A Toll Coulee Shrub • Silver Sagebrush •— Scirpus Marsh A* •• •• Grosslond O Coulee Trunk O- Scorio o o — 200- < S o 100- 1977 1978 1979 _|J Fall tropping only 1981 Figure 13. Year-to-year changes in small inaminal biomass for six habitats sampled in the Circle West study area (control and experimental data are averaged for combined spring- fall data for each habitat). 400-1 300- o o t. 200- 4 z o m 100- X u 0- -100 A Toll Coulee Shrub #— — — Silver Sogebrush W—-— Scirpus Marsh ^"^ -A A' Grosslond O Coulee Trunk D— Scoria 1978 — I 1979 1980 1981 Figure 14. Year-to-year changes in spring-fall small mammal biomass change for six habitats sampled in the Circle West study area (control and experimental data are averaged for each habitat). -47- LITERATURE CITED Binford, L.C. 1973. A short tnethod for treating avian breeding data in regional accounts. U'ilson Bull. 85:244-246. Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. 1978. Circle West wildlife baseline study. Final report. Circle West Tech. Report No. 2, Helena, MT. . 1979. Circle VJest wildlife monitoring study. First annual report. Circle West Tech. Report No. 4, Helena, HT. . 1980. Circle West wildlife monitoring study. Second annual report. Circle West Tech. Report No. 6, Helena, MT. . 1981. Circle West wildlife monitoring study. Third annual report. Circle West Tech. Report No. 7, Helena, MT. Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. 1977. Montana Fish and Game Laws, 1977. Helena, MT. Prodgers, R. 1982. Circle West vegetation monitoring study: third annual report. Circle West Tech. Report No. 8. Mont. Dept. Nat. Res. Cons., Helena, MT. Tate, J., Jr. 1981. The Blue List for 1981. Amer. Birds 35:3-10. -48- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS During the 1980-81 monitoring period, data were gathered by: John Bevins of OEA Research (small mammal trapping, waterfowl census, and general ground survey); Ron Stoneberg, MDFWP (aerial big game census, upland game bird lek counts); Larry Thompson, DNRC (project coordination, roadside wildlife surveys, waterfowl census, and general ground surveys); and Pat Nichols, DNRC (ground surveys and waterfowl censuses). George Cawlfield, Chris Raver, Pat Nichols, and Larry Thompson of DNRC performed the data analysis. Joanne Brown typed the manuscript, and June Virag and Dan Nelson produced the graphics. Don Howard of DNRC's Cartography Bureau prepared the front cover illustration. This report was prepared by Larry Thompson and Pat Nichols of DNRC and was funded by Meridian Land and Minerals Co. The report was edited by William Phippen, DNRC. Special thanks are extended to the Mike McKeever family for help in the field. -49- APPENDIX A. Schedule of March 1981-May 1982 field work (exclusive of aerial surveys), Circle West Wildlife Monitoring Study (NOTE: See Table 6 for schedule of aerial surveys). Date Observer(s) Type of Field Work Approximate No. Person- Days March 24-27 JB Ground surveys, lek counts 5 April 14-16 JB,LT(1 day) Ground surveys, lek counts 5 May 21-26 LT(6 days) Ground surveys, waterfowl census raptor nest census, roadside wildlife survey, lek counts 6 May 14-20 JB Ground surveys, waterfowl census, raptor nest census, small mammal trapping 8 June 25-30 LT Ground surveys, waterfowl census, raptor nest census, roadside wildlife survey 6 June 18-22 JB Waterfowl census 6 July 20-23 LT,JB Ground surveys, waterfowl census, raptor nest census, roadside wildlife survey 8 August 25-27 JB Ground surveys, waterfowl census, raptor nest census, roadside wildlife survey 4 Sept 27-Oct 2 JB Ground surveys, small mammal trapping 7 Ground surveys, lagomorph survey 4 Ground surveys, coulee transects, coulee snow depths 10 Ground surveys, coulee transects 4 Ground surveys, coulee transects, waterfowl census 4 TOTAL 77 JB=John Sevens, LT=Larry Thompson, PN=Pat Nichols -50- Nov 10-12 JB Jan 29-Feb 2 LT,PN Apr 6-8 PN May 22-24 PN 3 o E ea 01 3 X i-t 01 I. w o (X 0. • < t. o o> •O T3 C 11 O -J I— O I-.- t c O c I 4) C 1 o 0} a: Oi w» — -^ «*- □£ >. S E — (U _l o a -^ >.-«: S •— 1 (U 3 c ♦J c >«■ , 01 *J u £ ^ c -o C C = J= c CP^ 3 J3 •fl O O C7» >t a< ■'■ 5 o 5 1. — j: — «o U- X uj 1— V) Q.QC s 5„h ^ -o C 01 — L. 3 I. a. 3 O *-» OJ -o Oi iri T3 m ^^ tu ^— 3 «*- C > ««- «-i ^ O ■D •*- -^ > — C *J 4J « •^ to 3 O C KO Ll. •< 3 = O — - 4» (— •« .J X ID 01 U- «s 3 <_) 3 I- o — a. o «.-— o I -o o o (U £ OJ 3 o >— —I ■D >a . Q. O — •- 01 -^ Z 11 01 T3 o o; *-» > *-» o O O • ss g 9 — I(NJ I -51- APPENDIX C. Summary of bird community parameters for five roadside survey routes. NOTE: Results are given for each of the five routes (indicated by the first letter of the route name as follows: C=Circle, F=Flowing Well, P=Prairie Elk, M=Missouri River, D=Dreyer Ranch, W=Waller Ranch), and for all five routes combined (including the Dreyer Ranch Route). Numbers indicate sample abundance and frequency for each species (e.g. 12/7 indicates that twelve birds were recorded at seven stops). -52- iv^A-^ y'^?! (65) (69) (72) (75) (78) (81) (84) (88) Spccici AOU RootE TOT«L IWCi.. 0 . c F V ^'^ D PI£D- BILLED GR£BE. . 006 OBL-CR. CORMORANT 120 GREAT BLUE HERON . 194 BLK-CR. NIGHT HERON 202 AM. BITTERN 190 MALLARD 132 Yi »A 5-/? iVi ^^h GADWALL 135 V^ r* PINTAIL 143 Vi V/ GREEN-WINGED TEAL 139 Vt ^/y BLUE-WINGEUTEAL . 140 'A V| V/ •"A AM. WIGEON .... 137 V\ "A /V/v N. SHOVELER 142 Vi ^/, WOOD DUCK 144 REDHEAD 146 CANVASBACK .... 147 LESSER SCAUP .... 149 RUDDY DUCK .... 167 RED-TAILED HAWK . 337 SWAINSON'S HAWK . 342 V\ !/i •// V? FERRUGINOUS HAWK . 348 y\ '// MARSH HAWK .... 331 yi. '/l V? M '/' V-^ Vr SHARP-TAIL. GROUSE 308 ^A v^ '// Vv BOBWHITE 289 RING -NECK PHEASANT 3091 'M-* Vrr W/v V? "7/75 GRAY PARTRIDGE. . . 2881 SORA 214 V/ ^H AM. COOT 221 Vi V' KILLDEER 273 Vj % *y^ '•/^ 'Vit «P^Z COMMON SNIPE ... 230 LONG- BILLED CURLEW 264 '/' L/l UPLAND SANDPIPER . 261 >r Vy Vf SPOTTED SANDPIPER. 263 WILLET 258 V\ '/i MARBLED CODWIT . . 249 AM. AVOCET .... 225 WILSON'S I'HALAROPE 224 M 'V> XD/j, RING-BILLED GULL. . 054 FRANKUN'S GULL . . 059 BLACK TERN 077 ROCK DOVE 3131 V\ 'A MOURNING DOVE. . . 316 if^lf- »«-/<; ^At? V^« ^'T'l^ <^%\ YELLOW-BIL. CUCKOO 387 BLACK-BILL CUCKOO 368 GREAT HORNED OWL 375 Vx kf Vi HURROWING OWL. . . 378 SHORT -EARED OWL . 367 COMMON NIGHTHAWK 420 CHIMNEY SWIIT ... 423 BELTED KINGFISHER . 390 COiM(\^.j rUCKER . 412 v» Vi /o//e RED-HD. WOODPECKER 406 '/» *// HAIRY WOODPECKER 393 DOWNY WOODPECKER 394 E. KINGBIRD 444 V? V2. •/7 *"/r lo/fe 2»/27 W. KINGBIRD 447 V? V\ Vi 'A GT. CREST PLYCATCHR 452 E. PHOEBE 456 Vi Vl /, 'M^ WILLOW FLYCATCHER 4664 LEAST FLYCATCHER . 467 E. WOOD PEWEE ... 461 W. WOOD reWEE . . 462 HORr>(ED LARK .... 474 i^/i ^/il ^"M 'Vf "ff^i S'^/^t TREE SWALLOW ... 614 BANK SWALLOW ... 616 UOUGH-WG. SWALLOW 617 "-/t Uf. V-» (65) (69) (72) (75) (78) (SI) (84) (8S) Speclei AOO P-ootE 1 c (^ p tA fl BARN SWALLOW ... 613 >/\ "'A. Vs V, Vs i i/,0 CUFF SWALLOW ... 612 <,1/f 5*^A >r V^ 'A '/i VV ^i^ GRAY CATBIRD. ... 704 BROWN THRASHER . . 705 Vi lA V/v ^lAi SAGE THRASHER ... 702 AM, ROBIN 761 Vr Vt V? •^/i? VEERY 756 766 E. BLUEBIRD MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD 768 SPRAGUE'S PIPIT ... 700 ^/f Vv ^'/n ^Ak CEDAR WAXWING . . 619 LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE. 622 'A ■■'■ '// Vi STARUNG 493 Vi iSfy 8/^ •f/n RED- EYED VIREO ... 624 WARBUNG VIREO. . . 627 i/i ii YELLOW WARBLER . . 662 V/ Vi 5-/1? '/i ///. COM. YELLOWTHROAT 681 Yi V? ^A Vf /v5| YELLOW-BR. CHAT. . 683 V3 fc/y 1^7 AM. REDSTART. ... 687 HOUSE SPARROW . . . 6882 ^Vfi Vi V( y? 'A W BOBOUNK 494 W. MEADOWLARK . . 5011 '^i« "'^ «^^ 1^^ 'H^o '^i i YEL-HD. BLACKBIRD. 497 *^ ^A fO/l, RED-WG. BLACKBIRD. 498 *-v^ C/V ^Vn Ht/(i 'Vf> ri^ ORCHARD ORIOLE . . 506 MOr.THtHlJ ORIOLE . 507 3/a. Vi. BREWER'S BLACKBIRD. 510 5/z 3A '/' 'Vi 1^.'' COMMON CRACKLE . 611 vy -/A it>h 'V% BROWN-HD. COWBIRD 495 n/f, ^ "/I ■2A !^ CHIPPING SPARROW. . 560 CLAY-COL. SPARROW 561 '// 'Vl 'Vf. BREWER'S SPARROW. . 562 "/fi vv U/t. •H, FIELD SPARROW. ... 563 Vi Vf /^,r 'f/f SWAMP SPARROW. . . 584 SONG SPARROW. ... 58] '/( 'A MCCOWN'S LONGSPUR 539 »/y Vi CH-COL. LONGSPUR . 538 '^ff '% •ii/tt 11^ C,HJ*M &OOSE dfifiuf '. G>k'tak '. ^/: '/} J'/s Vi Vi ) Yi >/\ Vi 'A etMC,'mhutK 'A 'A -53- 7u^L nn (65) (692 (12) (75) (78) (91 (84) (88) Species AOl Kt-jtE. . tvct. (1 F P w\ 0 \4\i PIED-BILLED GREBE. . 006 120 194 202 190 132 135 143 139 140 137 142 144 146 147 149 167 337 342 348 331 36U 308 289 3091 288J 214 221 273 230 264 261 263 258 249 225 224 054 059 077 il31 316 387 388 375 378 367 420 423 390 412 406 393 394 444 447 452 456 457 664 467 ' 461 462 " 174 r DBL-CR. CORMORANT ■/. V/ T/X GREAT BLUE HERON . '/( '^1 BLK-CR. NIGHT HERON AM. BITTERN MALLARD •/I GADWALL •f \ PINTAIL = /f V, GREEN-WINGED TEAL BLUE-WINGEU TEAL . "/l AM. WIGEON .... N. SHOVELER WOOD DUCK REDHEAD CANVASBACK .... LESSER SCAUP .... '/, '/; RUDDY DUCK .... RED-TAILED HAWK . V, 'U V( SWAINSON'S HAWK . Vi- '/. '/I '/( ■/) <»/f FERRUGINOUS HAWK. V7 Vi Vj V/r *^/7i V. V?f TVro GRAY PARTRIDGE. . . SORA '/) '// AM. COOl KILLDEER 'Y'o Vc -l-/,y 'V? 'Vl9 "/+ '^^7 COMMON SNIPE . . . LONG-BILLED CURLEW '/, '// Vi UPLAND SANDPIPER . •^/i V^ "//O SPOTTED SANDPIPER. V, WILLET •/, '/' Vi MARBLED GODWIT . . AM. AVOCET .... WILSON'S I'HALAROPE •*h V) ''/l RING-BILLED GULL. . V/ V/ Va V^ FRANKUN'S GULL . . BLACK TERN ROCK DOVE ; <-/) *7/ 'Vi MOURNING DOVE. . . ^y*7 '^V», ^Vii -i'Vuf ^V'» ^'/IJ "^'Al YELLOW-BIL. CUCKOO BLACK- BILL CUCKOO */. v '/H GREAT HORNED OWL Y( V/ llURROWINt. OWL. . . IV* lyi SHORT -EAULD OWL . COMMON NIGHT HAWK V? "/7 '/i V3 V? V* ^yj.3 CHIMNEY SWIHT . . . BELTED KINCHSHER . CO«\»\^,j FUCKER . 'V)f 'V,i RED-HD. WOODPECKER '/( •/) HAIRY WOODPECKER DOWNY WOODPECKER E. KINGBIRD Vh "/. '■'■/i Vii '/<7 -h ^Vii W. KINGBIRJT f/f f/% y- Vy GT. CREST FLYCATCHR E. PHOEBE SAY'S PHOEBE .... Vi Vv -'■i Vi '/i v,„ WILLOW FLYCATCHER 4 LEAST FLYCAICHEK . '^1 /: V-, E. WOOD PEWEE . . . W. WOOD ItWEE . . /( '/, HOfi.NTED LARK .... •°/^i' <./^•,^ h>^ "/k ' V-ii 'V^o H ■*«/r(] TREE SWALLOW . 314 316 ~ BANK SWALLOW . . . ROUCH-WC. SWALLOW 617 [_ Ul /. /. v^ •> /■I -54- (65) (69 (72) (75 (78 (81) (84) (8S) Speciei AOU •^--i/Tt. Tarrt C F r 'sA o ^fJ w BARN SWALLOW ... 613 Vc ' /^ Vi. V' ^J-L "■'/Iff CUFF SWALLOW ... 612 tryx 'A '"/■* 'r/. 'ir/fc. "V'1 njRPLE MARTIN ... 611 BLUE JAY 477 BLK-BILLED MAG HE . 475 •'/. ^V-¥ v/r V^ H^Ar COMMON CROW ... 488 Vi Vr. BLK-CAP.CHICKADEE 735 '^1 '/( WHITE-BR. NUTHATCH 727 HOUSE WREN 721 '/( -yj '^/.o -y;^ LONG-BIL MARSH WREN 725 SHORT-B. MARSH WREN 724 ROCK WREN 715 'V-.. V, 4/4 "t/i, •^/vi GRAY CATBIRD. ... 704 v< Vi V, BROWN THRASHER . . 705 I/) r'j V9 "/- "Vf 'V.Y SAGE THRASHER ... 702 ■/» '/^ AM. ROBIN 761 V3 5/3 v^ Vx 'V" VEERY 756 E. BLUEBIRD 766 MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD 768 Vi ■h v? V, SPRAGUE'S PIPIT ... 700 Vl V3 ^', 'V "/I, 'V'l CEDAR WAXWING . . 619 LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE. 622 "/3 ^/r '-/■i ">/fc ^/T V? 'Vx3 STARUNG 493 ^/^. ■1-^ V^ H/H Vx '^Va RED-EYED VIREO ... 624 WARBUNG VIR£0. . . 627 Vx '// V; YELLOW WARBLER . . 652 "^h ■'/u Y/. Vi "/,< COM. YELLOWTHROAT 681 y^ '"A V' "/n YELLOW-BR. CHAT. . 683 '/, (o/y "/•r AM. REDSTART. ... 687 HOUSE SPARROW . . . 6882 Wy v< V^ Vf '/) 'V,,- BOBOUNK 494 V( Vi. Vi W. MEADOWLARK . . 5011 •"y-*? .«/,^ ■^./.. i^Vht .iV.f "?A:'., SAVANNAH SPARROW 542 Vz Va Y'f GRASSHOPPER SPARROW 546 '^h> ■■'! (./,- '// 10/, 5 'V'X "Vu BAIRD'S SPARROW. , . 545 ■-/f '/I Vf '/, l*/|i VESPER SPARROW ... 540 'Vr •^'•Au i»/,i 'V? •Vn ^Vll -vl, LARK SPARROW. ... 552 -''/.H '/i Vf •/I Vx Vh CHIPPING SPARROW. . 560 CLAY -COL. SPARROW 561 'V-0 Vr. BREWER'S SPARROW. . 562 '■-''? ■Ji. ''/^ t/^ ^Vn FIELD SPARROW. . . . 56:! V- '/;, "/»3 '"/„ SWAMP SPARROW. . . 584 SONG SPARROW. ... 581 '/( '/- MCCOWN'S LONGSPUR 539 ^Vir -/,- CH-COL. LONGSPUR . 538 ""/if A '/( • ^^A/ "•'/ifr ''^1 Vi Vx *,'- A V-. '/•- /', .'^Vt, . yf-i.vit, . . '/( /, _ L 1 1 JUv.-* \'^i\ (65) (69) (72) (75) (78) (81) (84) (88) Spccici AOU r-OUttL D VA/ PIED- BILLED GREBE. . 006 DBL-CR. CORMORANT 120 GREAT BLUE HERON . 194 BLK-CR. NIGHT HERON 202 AM. BITTERN 190 MALLARD 132 y^ GADWALL 135 PINTAIL 143 GREEN-WINGED TEAL 139 BLUE-WINGEU TEAL . 140 AM. WIGEON .... 137 ^A N. SHOVELER 142 WOOD DUCK 144 REDHEAD 146 CANVASBACK .... 147 LESSER SCAUP .... 149 y\ RUDDY DUCK .... 167 RED-TAILED HAWK . 337 Vi V3 SWAINSON'S HAWK . 342 K Vi FERRUGINOUS HAWK . 348 H ^ MARSH HAWK .... 331 Vt. Vi V( SHARP-TAIL. GROUSE 308 v: BOBWHITE 289 RING-NECK PHEASANT 3091 GRAY PARTRIDGE. . . 2881 y\ SORA 214 AM. COOT 221 KILLDEER 273 ^y^p Yi COMMON SNIPE ... 230 LONG-BILLED CURLEW 264 UPLAND SANDPIPER . 261 y^ SPOTTED SANDPIPER. 263 ys y{ WILLET 258 MARBLED CODWIT . . 249 AM. AVOCET .... 225 WILSON'S PHALAROPE 224 y RING-BILLED GULL. . 054 FRANKUN'S GULL . . 059 BLACK TERN 077 ROCK DOVE 3131 MOURNING DOVE. . . 316 ''^ ^V,s YELLOW-BIL. CUCKOO 387 BLACK-BILL CUCKOO 388 GREAT HORNED OWL 375 MURROWINC. OWL. . . 378 SHOR1 -EARLD OWL . 367 COMMON NIGHTHAWK 420 'V» H CHIMNEY SWIFT ... 423 BELTED KINGFISHER . 390 CO»Mi\^.j FUCKER . 412 '/' RED-HD. WOODPECK1:R 406 HAIRY WOODPECKER 393 DOWNY WOODPECKER 394 E. KINGBIRD 444 'jA /^^ W. KINGBIRD 447 ^is "/H GT. CREST FLYCATCHR 452 E. PHOEBE 456 SAY'S PHOEBE .... 457 /. WILLOW FLYCATCHER 4664 LEAST FLYCATCHER . 467 E. WOOD PEWEE ... 461 W. WOOD reWEE . . 462 HORNTD LARK .... 474 «/„ i^% TREE SWALUIW ... 614 BANK SWALLOW ... 616 KOUGH-WG. SWALLOW 617 p/i 'A (65) (69) (72) (76) (78) (81) (841 Speciei AOU i^DTt j 1 D y ■ BARN SWALLOW ... 613 f o' o! <=> C3 <5 C3 o <=5 C3 ^ o •o O ■c:^ o a Q €3 o o t-j n^ r- 5^ 'l I ■ ■ O o o o O o C o c o o o • V) fO t> O ~^ ol^l V '-Ti vS O o 1 , • • • ■ * • c c <;> C) o >; o \- 1.^ o o c -c> •o ■^ ■^ .' o Y - C3 _ _ — — - « M« T =^ - -/^ ^ J - ^< o "J "nJ ^ cd; — 5*5 o ^3- CO o ^ \0 -~3- 'o c~~ o ^3- • ' Q O; O'O iS o o C2 o o ^5 o ^ cb) o 1^ ~<5 "a ' Ol \ Q o \ o o " o 1 C3 o — ^_. 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CJ -> ^l -^ ^ o "3- o CO Vo Ci y ~ :v _____ •Ci 0 • 4 • L^ • C2> O — — Cj o c O 5 o o §i 0 c:> tj o o o — ! o o \ - o o \ O > -- =D 1 — < — ; -^-. -^ • • f -^ I— .^^ , -i^ c -9 o o o o ^ o - ■^ d -J o o J <5: «s- i->i:toj ■=*■ ~A1 t^CKi^j- Ci — ~ Vvl x^ !S Vt) ^ s- -^ -^ w r. w ^ — ■ — - ■~. -^ —- Q •vi O -^-^ -~ -- ->• — . —I ~>. ->~ — — - -~ ~- ~- -^l— . — . - -39- mOMTAMA 0£PARTmCMT OF NATURAL RESOURCES * CONSERVATION Halana, Nlontana g,^_lLt^ ^ !; t ^ -l^y ^A^^^!^^:^ — — jlrV**-- 100 copies of this public document were published at an estimated cost of $2.78 per copy, for a total cost of $278.00, which includes $258.00 for printing and $20.00 for distribution.