A Project of the Critical Trends Assessment Program VOLUME 1 STEPHENSON Jim Edgar, Governor Brent Manning, Director November 1996 ILLINOIS DEPARTM NATURAL RESOURCES DATE DUE IDNR ROCK RIVER AREA CTAP ASSESSMENT. ISSUED TO IDNR ROCK RIVER AREA CTAP ASSESSMENT. AA RR v.1,c.2 00010622 BLURS STATE WATER SURVEY LIBRARY COPY DEMCO ROCK RIVER AREA ASSESSMENT VOLUME 1 Illinois Department of Natural Resources Office of Scientific Research and Analysis Natural History Survey Division 607 East Peabody Drive Champaign, Illinois 61820-6917 in conjunction with: State Geological Survey Division November 1996 Jim Edgar, Governor State of Illinois nowry | c iT i Brent Manning, Director WIGS STALE Haine eon Illinois Department of Natural Resources 524 South Second Springfield, Illinois 62701 IDNR/EEA-96/10(1) 200/1996 Printed by the authority of the State of Illinois PROJECT COORDINATORS Natural Resources Components Anne Mankowski, Illinois Natural History Survey Humans Resources Components David Baker, Office of Realty and Environmental Planning PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS Principal Investigator Don Lumaan, Illinois State Geological Survey Co-Principal Investigator Patrick Brown, Illinois Natural History Survey AUTHORS AND CONTRIBUTORS GENERAL INTRODUCTION Authors Anne Mankowski, Illinois Natural History Survey David Baker, Office of Realty and Environmental Planning Karen Miller, Office of Realty and Environmental Planning EARTH RESOURCES Geology Author Richard Berg, Illinois State Geological Survey Geomorphology and Soil Development Author Michael Barnhardt, Illinois State Geological Survey Mineral Resources of Ogle County and Surrounding Areas Authors John M. Masters, Illinois State Geological Survey Donald G. Mikulic, Illinois State Geological Survey LIVING RESOURCES Editor Anne Mankowski, Illinois Natural History Survey Natural Communities Introductions: Author Anne Mankowski, Illinois Natural History Survey TERRESTRIAL NATURAL COMMUNITIES Introduction: Flora Authors John B. Taft, Illinois Natural History Survey Anne Mankowski, Illinois Natural History Survey Contributors Randy Nyboer, Office of Resource Conservation Allen E. Plocher, Illinois Natural History Survey Introduction: Fauna Authors Ed Heske, Illinois Natural History Survey Christopher A. Phillips, Illinois Natural History Survey Scott Robinson, Illinois Natural History Survey Characteristics of Forest Vegetation Authors John B. Taft, Illinois Natural History Survey Anne Mankowski, Illinois Natural History Survey Contributor Randy Nyboer, Office of Resource Conservation Forest Birds Author Scott Robinson, Illinois Natural History Survey Woodland Reptiles and Amphibians Author Christopher A. Phillips, Illinois Natural History Survey Woodland Mammals Author Ed Heske, Illinois Natural History Survey Characteristics of Prairie Vegetation Authors John Taft, Illinois Natural History Survey Anne Mankowski, Illinois Natural History Survey Contributors Randy Nyboer, Office of Resource Conservation Bill Kleiman, The Nature Conservancy Grassland Birds Author Scott Robinson, Illinois Natural History Survey Grassland Amphibians and Reptiles Authors Christopher A. Phillips, Illinois Natural History Survey Anne Mankowski, Illinois Natural History Survey Grassland Mammals Authors Ed Heske, Illinois Natural History Survey Anne Mankowski, Illinois Natural History Survey Characteristics of Savanna/Barrens Vegetation Author John Taft, Illinois Natural History Survey Contributor Randy Nyboer, Office of Resource Conservation Characteristics of Primary Community Vegetation Author John Taft, Illinois Natural History Survey Contributors Anne Mankowski, Illinois Natural History Survey Randy Nyboer, Office of Resource Conservation Characteristics of Wetland Vegetation Authors John Taft, Illinois Natural History Survey Allen Plocher, Illinois Natural History Survey Contributors Anne Mankowski, Illinois Natural History Survey Randy Nyboer, Office of Resource Conservation. Wetland Birds Author Scott Robinson, Illinois Natural History Survey . Wetland Reptiles and Amphibians Authors Christopher A. Phillips, Illinois Natural History Survey Anne Mankowski, Illinois Natural History Survey Wetland Mammals Authors Ed Heske, Illinois Natural History Survey Anne Mankowski, Illinois Natural History Survey Terrestrial Communities Summaries Authors John Taft, Illinois Natural History Survey Anne Mankowski, Illinois Natural History Survey AQUATIC NATURAL COMMUNITIES Introduction Authors Lawrence M. Page, Illinois Natural History Survey Kevin S. Cummings, Illinois Natural History Survey Christine A. Mayer, Illinois Natural History Survey Anne Mankowski, Illinois Natural History Survey Aquatic Fauna: Fish/Mussels/Crustaceans Authors Lawrence M. Page, Illinois Natural History Survey Kevin S. Cummings, Illinois Natural History Survey Christine A. Mayer, Illinois Natural History Survey Aquatic Insects Authors Steve Kohler, Illinois Natural History Survey Contributors Dave Philipp, Illinois Natural History Survey Dan Schneider, Illinois Natural History Survey Dan Soluk, Illinois Natural History Survey ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This report was written and produced by staff of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources: Illinois State Geological Survey, and the Illinois Natural History Survey. Names and affiliations of contributors are listed at the front of this report. Special appreciation is extended to the following contributors: Brian Anderson (Office of Realty and Environmental Planning) and Francis Harty who reviewed draft versions of the manuscript; Randy Nyboer (Office of Resource Conservation) provided technical and administrative assistance in numerous aspects of completing the report; Don McFall (Office of Resource Conservation), Kate Hunter and Liane Suloway (Illinois Natural History Survey) provided Illinois Natural Heritage Database information; Mark Joselyn (IIli- nois Natural History Survey) provided Illinois Landcover Database information; Mark Joselyn, Liane Suloway, and Charlie Warwick (Illinois Natural History Survey) produced figures 1, 2, 7, 8,9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21; Graphics staff (Illinois State Geological Survey) produced figures 3, 4, 5, and 6; and Charlie Warwick (Illinois Natural History Survey) conducted editing and final formatting of text and figures. Contents A SSesSinent: SPURS ANY x incssnsarasiussdatbanebesnsiuaavasasestescovesaaszpparauataaaienies obastebiaeldodiicadanons sonstatediiEtaeomsbiespintbenepere Related Pu DliCallOMS)-i2.csssecsesearerscesesdasdeaasacestennseoussesassveasadepenenarannades=beguer ov usessausesdigaseenesnnoe-=snaa-capeasoasaea About This Report .........c.sccsccsssssessssssssrecssensesecerscssessecesssnsscsasoresesossnsasossesensnsssssssosnsnssosesorssnsowsecossacscnsssose® arth RRESOUNCES ccicsaccccecersevsonepecccedosvesenaruscru¥ansodteret sctalanesesdkseasessenseresevescsenseetxssnvtaevessees~avsoesdcerdeustateneveremer (Gyo.o} lo) 9 pmb ace hos eerie tees Onasch kn See tec, Geet ate ee RE Physical Setting 4.1 .cAucs sehacd cess tears sovk eee ec ten catetasabatachsoocet vaca soe eMocaine, Deena arate N le idea Bedrock Topography/Drift Thickness 102. ics. ctcisstecect ect cbesesdovedessecersosctdeaetedatasasoldedvasdecestasbloenanar Bedrowls: Geo logy 3:32 20s.eecsret lessee ay aaa daar hata eeae ee eaters Les ants abl eal Quatemmany (Geology lssacaie. )l acest ck We screws cteabtrettet cxedcsnszavevsevssossencserenacnanrenans sentte inaneunvanennnnsaciavants Importance of Geology within the Rock River Assessment ATea ...........+.s:sseseesesesesesencntssssesensnes Geomorphology and Soil Development ..........::.cecesseseseeseseseeestensnssteneiesenentensasacensnensncacecessssnsseesnsasananseanens Factors of Soil Developments. tcecc-te-encta-snsneotvesosousissvaathersurevuressdvusdaat¥orierswusehdossies-asve=r-aavnazersandanes S oli @lassitiicati Om resecsetecceesorer eecerencecees as -eecee-estezcesavasceacnere’' seased saebe sae aeee eee ete os aah tvucencs nee saecseaeem Potential! rosion Haz ands srsseccce.cesctcesscctecen-cssesecacsscescnetocesatvsesastevcsassuceuatscacesdaveneossaerae-evendesnertanee Limitations and Capabilities of Soils in the Rock River Area ............:sseseseeseerereeseeesseseceseasneeeeeees Mineral Resources of Ogle County and Surrounding Areas ............cscssssscesesseedeceseeeseteeesseracerscnetaseeenaeaees Construction Sand and Gravel: Surficial Sand and Gravel Deposits .............::.s:cscesceesseeseneeeeeeenees ROCK ARIVEN VAN EY. 52-5 ccectousesse gaat ansesse-.dasselesn-secctezsapdee cones cisennvonveangesedenshaetartn2- tedden aaa NES aTRIVETAV ALLOY ie cnetrecscvestorse¥-d8-cucset acc seaccsassarssapocnorsecrs al Su cpdcuasetecguseerssee ee inete ee Roe Whee RIVE VAM CYS acct fetecnncaupsteevcucast terest ov envsosteouvedscOspeseee suse seiathShauuesdeqositneneweusceeeieaaeaai Upland Ice-Contact Deposits ..............ssccsssessssessersssseresssecnsecnsssesnencssesnensesncecnsesecsscsnsessessusseosenenens Kilbuck(@reek Outwash Plain <..-c.:.secsecsescsccvccessesevecssteess aveveetcueneeccsstasevsscactvocsuas ostocecsvneansenesberdueds PAULA UN MUP a cae sok oie dess oes secu aes asas aah cede etapa re Cat ta de bstias gcse sedan doe ave asan epolessanecnscusnsereecesntorentteeaaede IndustrialiSand2St. Peter SanGStome:...<......cecsseceiesaseoossececeectenceoneoceusconeckesnvenssencsvcenseswchendscsuundenseras G@mishediStomeRESOUNCES) :..22:l..ccececssepoovecsesseu sseugesncetemecveeottersn cease vtactscoonsssesesvaceuerocecvoradccespacueedeseee GSU pM ls auton narctruces crate encase tteovenhs vsalowaisen Sie twcelon Much Boo ea oR ao ahc oe eRe cet ae ce an eaeae Living ReSOUFCES ...........ssssssessssessssssssesensesssscnscsssescscscecensnesenenensnsessssscosnsnssasasasesosensssssacusenessnsecesensnseneneneness NaturaliGomimumities IntroductiOn:...........c..---2cr-ceecssce-scectezcenesecracsoct¢ocosevaswoczwovecedecsenctaseueecussse=euee INatuirallDavasiOmsyotplllimoiseessccc-ccceeseecnesecccoreceecsencee-cese coe sectdeatecnescsaecassesssecenssesnsetecessUnavesenneaes=es Allinors Natural Areas INVEMOLy ...<..c0. ...:saccccctsedsecsencecsvecenrv>cevonsaagen eel tnaeeeeh tone tsuagnaeveae=acvescuncuacevseaven 99 AiG nGatiCNAUINA isos 2e once eceresenieazn=Bbboocpaph ds =tasils dnfascass zoteehe ant eka tatabatltepa gpk an seoaeph spb ubgp ev erenemnmnevensan eae 99 ishes/Mussels/(CristaGeams, .ss..5.cs.se0secesscezce ere +oiecveresesessduesor-vesesacusectasuseeave- Meuteneedtevorcncearsenne==-eaeae 99 FISHES s03icsssesaspoass setoreesettesaedeece lb omeeee tune ene hh. cage haere dares tere -cewenscvection vs ovewseauenen ies 99 Mussel sjyitee8e tesersexccc3 Ga cetctewats de sctoueten comes Mae cssteebg tabs an nsnseessecsoeesncvancorenceee 103 GLUStACCANS ...cecsdescesseecesncpeccseds sours osseteeabastaesoudece tec faagesovenceeemmers = epunes snneutauenueceeer 104 Biologically Significant Streams ...............cc-scessecssssssesesssavesdavesboeescnsensentcosseseassnnenersesens 106 JAN GPIALIG INSECES sod -cennoceneseoeasecoorsrceerevorpornstscsonserevaeteussvanvncdibawededane> agian ouhededexbatatcbunanesncnssnoxtrseee 106 Mayflyvand Caddisfly Species .......:-.------cesrsansoessassessseecunasnsnnensinawealnnins dex tushcsbacbeeyegue daseyeuna coud d90 years) at the time of that inventory (mid 1970’s). Many of the remaining forests can be characterized by an abundance of grazing increas- ers such as the thorn-bearing shrubs Ribes missouriense (Missouri gooseberry), Rubus spp. (blackberry), Rosa multiflora* (multiflora rose), Zanthoxylem americanum (prickly ash), Crataegus spp. (hawthorne), Rhamnus cathartica* (common buckthorn), and trees Gleditsia triacanthos (honey locust), Robinia pseudoacacia* (black locust), and Maclura pomifera* (osage orange). Habitat suitability for Alliaria petiolata* (garlic mustard), an aggressive exotic biennial herb, appears to be enhanced with grazing since this species is often abundant in woodlands with a grazing history and it also appears to become established in relatively undisturbed woods along deer paths. Living Resources 55 The suppression of fire, originally a critically important ecological force throughout Illinois (Sauer, 1950; Anderson, 1970; McClain, 1986; Taft, et al., 1995), including the Rock River Hills Country, has resulted in the closure of what were typically much more open-canopy woodlands throughout area. This increased density of woody plants has produced shading effects which, like grazing, diminished the native species richness of the herbaceous components of most of the region. Woodland Fauna The Illinois Fish and Wildlife Information System (IFWIS-Illinois Department of Natural Resources/IIlinois Natural History Survey) lists more than 420 vertebrate species for the state (Iverson and Schwartz, 1994). Of these, 63% of the birds, 80% of the reptiles and amphibians, and 82% of the mammals require forest habitat for some portion of their life cycle (Iverson and Schwartz, 1994). Of the 198 native vertebrates reported for the RRAW, 76% of the birds, 60% of the reptiles and amphibians, and 64% of the mammals use forested habitat during part of their life cycle. Forest Birds References in italics in the following section refer to tables in Appendix B Information included in this section reflects field survey work done during May-August, 1994 (Robinson, 1995) at the following locations: Lowden-Miller State Forest, Castle Rock State Park (George B. Fell Nature Pre- serve), White Pines Forest State Park, and Franklin Creek Nature Preserve (within the Franklin Creek State Natural Area) (Figure 13). Introduction The Rock River area has the richest (largest number of species) breeding forest bird community in the state with 85 native species (Table 11) (Robinson, 1995: Table 2.5). The location of the. RRAW at the northern end of the breeding ranges of many southern species and the southern end of many northern species enriches the species list (Table 12). Northern species (e.g., Canada, mourning, and golden-winged warblers) mix with southern species (e.g., summer tanager, Kentucky, worm-eating, and hooded warblers). Similarly, the presence of pine plantations adds several species (e.g., black-throated green warbler, brown creeper, solitary vireo), as do many clearcuts that create early successional habitat in the Lowden-Miller State Forest (Robinson, 1995: Table 2.8) for species such as the white-eyed vireo, yellow-breasted chat, and blue-winged and chestnut-sided warblers. Flood- plain forests provide additional habitat for Acadian flycatchers, American redstarts, Baltimore orioles, protho- notary warblers, warbling vireos, and green herons. One of the state’s largest populations of cerulean warblers nests in the George B. Fell Nature Preserve in Castle Rock State Park (Robinson, 1995: Table 2.5). Table 11. Breeding forest birds recorded from survey locations within the Rock River Assessment Water- sheds. Source: Robinson (1995). Common names are given following the American Ornithologists’ Union (A.O.U) Checklist (6th edition, 1983 and Supplement of July 1985). See Appendix A for scientific nomen- clature. Bold type indicates a state listed species: SE = state endangered, ST = state threatened. An asterick * indicates an introduced species. Breeding status: L = likely, P = possible, CO = confirmed. Species (Status) Habitat Breeding Status Turkey vulture hab. gen. bE Cooper’s hawk SE decid. woods Co Broad-winged hawk woodland I Red-tailed hawk wood/grass/open land CO Red-shouldered hawk SE riparian woods P Wood duck forested wetland co Wild turkey woodland lis American woodcock woodland Li Mourning dove grass/gen CO Black-billed cuckoo wood/edge CO Yellow-billed cuckoo open woods CO Great horned ow] hab. gen. CO Barred owl woodland CO ‘Whip-poor-will wood/edge L Common nighthawk open woods/towns E Chimney swift hab. gen./woods LE 56 Rock River Area Assessment Stephenson Carroll B {- C Lowe enol State PArk White Pines Forest State PArk 2%) Whiteside B) 0 5 10 15. Miles Goa milly AD aD Wn TG mores Kilometers Figure 13. Terrestrial Communities: Fauna. Bird survey locations for Illinois Natural History Survey, Endangered Species Protection Board, and The Nature Conservancy staff (1990-1995). Table 11 continued Ruby-throat hummingbird Belted kingfisher Red-bellied woodpecker Red-headed woodpecker Northern flicker Downy woodpecker Hairy woodpecker Pileated woodpecker Northern flicker Eastern kingbird Eastern wood-pewee Least flycatcher Acadian flycatcher Eastern phoebe Great crested flycatcher Blue jay American crow Black-capped chickadee Tufted titmouse White-breasted nuthatch Brown creeper ST House wren Golden-crowned kinglet Blue-gray gnatcatcher Wood thrush Veery ST American robin Eastern bluebird Gray catbird Brown thrasher Cedar waxwing European starling * White-eyed vireo Yellow-throated vireo Solitary vireo Red-eyed vireo Warbling vireo Prothonotary warbler Blue-winged warbler Golden-winged warbler Black-and-white warbler Cerulean warbler Black-throat. green warbler Yellow-throated warbler Mourning warbler Kentucky warbler Canada warbler Hooded warbler Worm-eating warbler Yellow warbler Chestnut-sided warbler American redstart Ovenbird Louisiana waterthrush Common yellowthroat Yellow-breasted chat Living Resources garden/wood/edge wetland woodland/gen. open woods/bottoms open woods/gen. woodland/gen. woodland woodland open woods/gen. open lands woodland open decid./conif. woods woods/wet. wood/gen. woodlands hab. gen. hab. gen. woods/gen decid. woods/gen. woodlands wet wood/conif. thickets/gen. conif. woods woodlands wet/mixed woods moist woods/thickets hab. gen. open woods/orchards thicket/decid. wood edges thicket/wood edges open wood/thickets hab. gen. thicket/shrubland woodlands conif. woods woodland open decid. woods wet forest shrubland/acid seep shrubland woodland woodland (oak) conif./mixed woods conif./bottom woods thickets/wet woods woodland woods/acid seeps shrubby woods steep ravines/woods wet/open/shrubland shrublands wood/wet woods/floodplain woodlands wet woodlands grass/marsh thickets 57 58 Table 11 continued Rock River Area Assessment Rose-breasted grosbeak woodlands CO Northern cardinal hab. gen. (ere) Indigo bunting wood edges/shrubland CO Rufous-sided towhee open woods/streams CO Chipping sparrow grass/wood edges/conif. CO Lark sparrow grass/open wood/sandy L Song sparrow stream/thickets CO Northern oriole open woods/streams CO Scarlet tanager decid. woods CO Summer tanager mixed wood/edges IL Common grackle field/marsh/gen. CO Brown-headed cowbird open wood/farmland/gen. CO Pine siskin coniferous woods CO American goldfinch shrubby field/open woods CO Table 12. Breeding birds recorded for the Rock River Assessment Watersheds. Sources: Scott Robinson of the Illinois Natural History Survey, Jim Herkert of the Endangered Species Protection Board, Ann Haverstock of The Nature Conservancy; Illinois Natural Heritage Database, 1995. Common names are given following the American Ornithologists’ Union (A.O.U) Checklist (6th edition, 1983 and Supple- ment of July 1985). See Appendix A for scientific nomenclature. Bold type indicates a state listed species: SE = state endangered, ST = state threatened. An asterick * indicates an introduced species. Breeding status: L = likely, P = possible, CO = confirmed. Species (Status) Habitat Breeding Status Great blue heron wetland L Great egret SE wetland P Green-backed heron wetland L Canada goose wetland L Wood duck forested wetland CO Mallard wetland L Osprey ST woods along rivers CO Turkey vulture hab. gen. 1g, Northern harrier SE grassland Ik Cooper’s hawk SE decid. woods CO Broad-winged hawk woodland L Red-tailed hawk wood/grass/open land CO Red-shouldered hawk SE riparian woods P American kestrel grassland CO Ring-necked pheasant* grassland CO Wild turkey woodland if Northern bobwhite open wood/shrubland L Sandhill crane ST grassland bE ’ Killdeer grass/wetland CO Spotted sandpiper wetland P Upland sandpiper SE grassland CO American woodcock woodland L Rock dove* towns L Mourning dove grass/gen. CO Black-billed cuckoo wood/edge CO Yellow-billed cuckoo open woods CO Great horned owl hab. gen. CO Barred owl woodland CO Long-eared owl SE open woodland CO Short-eared owl SE grassland ie Common nighthawk open woods/towns L Whip-poor-will wood/edge Ie Chimney swift hab. gen./woods Iv Table 12 continued Ruby-throat. hummingbird Belted kingfisher Red-bellied woodpecker Red-headed woodpecker Yellow-bellied sapsucker Downy woodpecker Hairy woodpecker Northern flicker Eastern wood-pewee Willow flycatcher Least flycatcher Acadian flycatcher Eastern Phoebe Great crested flycatcher Eastern kingbird Horned lark Tree swallow Rough-winged swallow Barn swallow Blue jay American crow Black-capped chickadee Tufted titmouse White-breasted nuthatch Brown creeper ST House wren Sedge wren Golden-crowned kinglet Blue-gray gnatcatcher Eastern bluebird Veery ST Wood thrush American robin Gray catbird Northern mockingbird Brown thrasher Cedar waxwing Loggerhead shrike ST European starling* White-eyed vireo Bell’s vireo Yellow-throated vireo Solitary vireo Warbling vireo Red-eyed vireo Prothonotary warbler Blue-winged warbler Golden-winged warbler Black-and-white warbler Cerulean warbler Black-throat. green warbler Yellow-throated warbler Mourning warbler Kentucky warbler Canada warbler Hooded warbler Living Resources garden/wood/edge wetland woodland/gen. open woods/bottoms conif. woods woodland/gen. woodland open woods/gen. woodland stream/thickets open decid./conif. woods woods/wet. wood/gen. woodlands open lands bare ground wood/water stream/edges hab. gen./buildings hab. gen. hab. gen. woods/gen. decid. woods/gen. woodlands wet. wood/conif. thickets/gen. wet./grassland conif. woods woodlands open woods/orchards moist woods/thickets wet./mixed woods hab. gen. thicket/decid. wood edges thicket/open areas thicket/wood edges open wood/thickets grass/open shrub. hab. gen. thicket/shrubland open shrub/grass mix woodlands conif. woods open decid. woods woodland wet forest shrubland/acid seep shrubland woodland woodland (oak) conif./mixed woods conif./bottom woods thickets/wet woods woodland woods/acid seeps shrubby woods 59 60 Table 12 continued Rock River Area Assessment Worm-eating warbler steep ravines/woods L Yellow warbler wet/open shrubland CO Chestnut-sided warbler shrublands CO American redstart wood/wet wood/floodplain CO Ovenbird woodlands CO Louisiana waterthrush wet woodlands CO Common yellowthroat grass/marsh CO Yellow-breasted chat thickets CO Northern cardinal hab. gen. CO Rose-breasted grosbeak woodlands CO Indigo bunting wood edges/shrubland CO Dickcissel grassland CoO Rufous-sided towhee open woods/streams CO Chipping sparrow grass/wood edges/conif. CO Field sparrow shrubby grassland CO Vesper sparrow grassland/crops CO Lark sparrow grass/open wood/sandy L Savannah sparrow grass/marsh CO Grasshopper sparrow grasssland CO Henslow’s sparrow ST grassland P Song sparrow stream/thickets CO Swamp sparrow wet thickets/marshes CO Clay-colored sparrow shrubby field/stream thicket ip Orchard oriole shrub/grass mix CO Northern oriole open woods/streams CO Scarlet tanager decid. woods CO Summer tanager mixed wood/edges u Bobolink grassland CO Red-winged blackbird wet./marsh/field CO Eastern meadowlark grassland CO Western meadowlark dry grassland L Common grackle field/marsh/gen. CO Brown-headed cowbird open wood/farmland/gen. CO Pine siskin coniferous woods CO House finch hab. gen./human CO American goldfinch shrubby field/open woods CO House sparrow * hab. gen. CO Typical Species Typical upland oak/hickory forest species include barred owl, whip-poor-will, ruby-throated hummingbird, red- bellied woodpecker, downy and hairy woodpeckers, eastern wood-pewee, great crested flycatcher, blue jay, tufted titmouse, black-capped chickadee, white-breasted nuthatch, house wren, blue-gray gnatcatcher, wood thrush, veery, yellow-throated and red-eyed vireos, ovenbird, rose-breasted grosbeak, and scarlet tanager. All of these species nest in White Pines Forest State Park, Franklin Creek Nature Preserve, George B. Fell Nature Preserve and the adjacent Castle Rock State Park, and the Lowden-Miller State Forest. The populations of ovenbirds and veeries are the largest documented in the state. Exotics such as starlings were rare in the forests of the RRAW. Unique and Rare Species The diversity represented here by 20 breeding species of warblers is greater than any other comparably wooded area in the state, including the Shawnee National Forest (19 species). Three state listed species are found in the area. Cooper’s hawks (endangered) nest in all sites as do veeries (threatened). Brown creepers (threatened) show evidence of breeding at Lowden-Miller State Forest (Robinson, 1995: Tables 2.5, 2.7, 3.3, 3.6). Species that are rare statewide, but were found defending territories (Robinson, 1995: Table 2.7) included broad-winged hawk (Lowden-Miller), black-billed cuckoo (Lowden-Miller), least flycatcher (Lowden-Miller and Castle Rock), black- and-white warbler (Lowden-Miller and George B. Fell Nature Preserve), cerulean warbler (George B. Fell Nature Preserve: 15-25 pairs), chestnut-sided warbler (25-50 pairs in clearcuts), yellow-bellied sapsucker (Lowden- Living Resources 61 Miller), golden-winged warbler (Castle Rock and Lowden-Miller), and hooded warbler (Castle Rock and Lowden- Miller). Unusual occurrences in pines include the only known nesting population of black-throated green warblers in the state, nesting yellow-throated warblers, and territorial solitary vireos and golden-crowned kinglets (Robinson, 1995: Table 2.8). Unusual occurrences in acid seeps and other scrubby habitats include Canada and mourning warblers (Robinson, 1995: Table 2.8). Population Distribution, Abundance and Trends Tables 2.5 and 2.7 in Robinson (1995) detail the abundances and distribution of habitat use by beoealllfy birds of the four largest forest tracts in the RRAW. Population trend analysis is hampered by the lack of historical data from this region. All of these census results, however, can be used for future monitoring. Habitat Notes Suitability of present habitat Migrating birds were abundant in all sites; it is likely that these forests provide excellent breeding habitat for most migrants en route north or south. Suitability of habitat for breeding species has two components: (1) presence of breeding populations and (2) nesting success. Breeding populations of many species are extremely area-sensitive, i.e., they are absent from small forest patches even when the forests contain suitable habitat and sufficient area for many pairs to breed (Table 2.10 in Robinson, 1995). Area-sensitive species included broad- winged hawk, pileated woodpecker, cerulean warbler, Kentucky warbler and American redstart. The largest tracts had far more species than the smallest tracts (Robinson, 1995: Table 2.9, see also Robinson et al., ms.). This was true of neotropical migratory birds and for all species combined (Table 2.9). The largest tracts (Castle Rock and Lowden-Miller) contained all of the forest birds that breed in the RRAW. Species that were less abundant in large tracts included potentially harmful species such as cowbirds (Table 2.11) and species that require disturbed forests (Table 2.10). Smaller tracts such as Franklin Creek and White Pines Forest State Park contained fewer breeding species than the larger tracts (Table 2.5). _ Nesting Success Nesting success of forest birds, however, was low for many species nesting in these sites as a result of high (>50%) frequencies of cowbird brood parasitism and nest predation (Robinson 1995). Cowbird parasitism severely reduces the nesting success of host species (Tables 3.1 and 3.2), especially for small species. Foraging conditions appeared to be adequate for successful nesting (Table 3.2: most eggs that hatch and escape predation successfully produce fledglings). Species suffering the most from parasitism (Table 3.6), included the wood thrush (>70% of nests parasitized), red-eyed vireo (100%), and rufous-sided towhee. Encouragingly, however, brood parasitism levels were among the lowest I have recorded in the state for some species in Castle Rock (e.g., wood thrush, American redstart, rose-breasted grosbeak) and Lowden-Miller (e.g., wood thrush, veery, northern cardinal) (Table 3.6). In these large forested tracts, parasitism is less of a problem than in smaller tracts in other similarly wooded areas in the state (e.g., Tables 3.3, 3.4, 3.5). Parasitism levels declined significantly with area for veery, cerulean warbler, and rose-breasted grosbeak. Parasitism levels were still high enough in all sites to pose potential population-level problems. Nest predation levels were probably a greater source of problems for birds in the RRAW than cowbird parasitism (Robinson, 1995: Table 3.20). Veeries suffered very high predation rates even in the middle of the largest tracts, as did cardinals, rufous-sided towhees, and indigo buntings. Several other species, however, suffered lower predation rates in Castle Rock and Lowden-Miller than in White Pines Forest State Park (Table 3.20: wood thrush, Am. robin, n. cardinal). Positive and negative aspects of current habitat Positive aspects include the presence of sufficiently large tracts to contain all of the major forest breeding species and for parasitism and predation levels to be relatively low for at least a few species. Negative aspects include the small size and low nesting success of birds in small tracts (e.g., White Pines Forest State Park). Within the Lowden-Miller State Forest, clearcut edges had higher predation and parasitism levels for some species (Robinson, 1995: Table 3.13), roads had higher predation rates for some species in Castle Rock (Table 3.14), and recre- ational edges had higher predation and parasitism levels in White Pines State Park. All of these negative effects would: be reduced by increasing tract size and minimizing internal disturbances. 62 Rock River Area Assessment White Pine plantations in Lowden-Miller create an unusual habitat that attracts many birds that are not characteristic of Illinois. The pines, however, do create a good surrogate habitat for many forest birds (Table 2.7 in Robinson, 1995). The acid seeps contain “native” populations of birds that are otherwise restricted to logged areas (e.g., Canada, blue-winged, and golden-winged warblers). Woodland Reptiles and Amphibians Information presented in this section represents field survey work conducted by Phil Smith, herpetologist and ichthyologist at INHS from 1942 to 1979 and more recently, surveys conducted from 1980 to 1995 by Randy Nyboer, Natural Heritage biologist and regional administrator for DNR (Figure 14). Typical Species Species characteristic of the Western Forest Division include: four-toed salamander, northern leopard frog, green frog, gray treefrog, milk snake, and the common garter snake (Table 13). Due to the high sand content of many of the soils within the RRAW, several Sand Area associates are found in the sandy areas of woodlands. The eastern hognose snake is associated with sandy habitat of open woodland and forest edges typical of the Castle Rock State Park/Lowden-Miller State Forest area. Additional species typically found in woodlands are the habitat generalists listed in Table 14. Table 13. Amphibians and reptiles characteristic of each of the three Herpetofaunal Divisions (Smith, 1961) occurring in the Rock River Assessment Watersheds. Nomenclature follows Collins (1990). Bold type indicates an Illinois threatened species (ST). Other species from Table 14 can be considered habitat generalists. Sand Areas Terrapene ornata Ornate box turtle Ophisaurus attenuatus Slender glass lizard Heterodon platirhinos Eastern hognose snake Heterodon nasicus Western hognose snake ST Pituophis catenifer Bullsnake Prairie Ambystoma tigrinum Tiger salamander Opheodrys vernalis - Smooth green snake Elaphe vulpina Fox snake Thamnophis radix Plains garter snake Western Forest Division Hemidactylium scutatum Four-toed salamander ST Rana pipiens Northern leopard frog Rana clamitans Green frog Hyla versicolor Gray treefrog Lampropeltis triangulum Milk snake Thamnophis sirtalis Common garter snake Living Resources 63 a~t ws, Winnebago Stephenson Carroll Ls €& Lowden Memorial State PArk White Pines Forest State PArk cg 9) w a FP) ee State Natygal Area 5 0 j 10 15. Miles a ee ee ae Figure 14. Terrestrial Communities: Fauna. Amphibian and reptile locations for Illinois Natural History Survey and Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Division of Natural Heritage staff (1953-1995). 64 Rock River Area Assessment Table 14. Amphibians and reptiles known or thought to occur in the Rock River Assessment Watersheds. Sources: Smith, 1961; Illinois Natural Heritage Database, 1995. Nomenclature follows Collins (1990). Bold type indicates an Illinois threatened (ST) or watch list species (SW). Amphibians Ambystoma tigrinum Tiger salamander Notophthalmus viridescens Eastern newt Hemidactylium scutatum Four-toed salamander ST Necturus maculosus Mudpuppy Bufo americanus American toad Acris crepitans Cricket frog Pseudacris triseriata Chorus frog Pseudacris crucifer Spring peeper Hyla versicolor/chrysocelis Gray treefrog complex Rana catesbeiana Bullfrog Rana clamitans Green frog Rana pipiens Northern leopard frog Rana palustris Pickerel frog Reptiles Chelydra serpentina Snapping turtle Chrysemys picta Painted turtle Emydoidea blandingii Blanding’s turtle SW Graptemys geographica © Map turtle Graptemys pseudogeographica False map turtle Apalone spinifer Spiny softshell turtle Terrapene ornata Ornate box turtle Ophisaurus attenuatus Slender glass lizard Cnemidophorus sexlineatus sexlineatus Six-lined racerunner Heterodon platirhinos Eastern hognose snake Heterodon nasicus Western hognose snake ST Coluber constrictor Racer Opheodrys vernalis Smooth green snake Pituophis catenifer Bullsnake Elaphe vulpina Fox snake Lampropeltis triangulum Milk snake Thamnophis proximus Western ribbon snake Thamnophis radix Plains garter snake Thamnophis sirtalis Common garter snake Storeria dekayi Brown snake Regina septemvittata Queen snake Nerodia sipedon Northern water snake Unique or Rare Species Two Illinois threatened species, the four-toed salamander and the western hognose snake, and one state watch list species, the Blanding’s turtle, are associated with the forest habitat types present in the RRAW. Habitat requirements for these species are described below. Habitat Requirements & Historical Records For Listed Species Historical records for the three listed species were taken from the following sources: 1) specimens from mu- seum, university, and private collections (referred to as vouchered records), 2) unvouchered records from the literature, 3) unvouchered records taken from reliable biologists and naturalists, and 4) the Illinois Natural Heritage Database (1995). Living Resources 65 Four-toed salamander (ST)--This primarily terrestrial salamander is associated with undisturbed forests con- taining seeps or bogs. .Recently, however, Illinois specimens have been taken in wooded ravines near rocky, spring-fed creeks. In the RRAW, three specimens are known from the Castle Rock State Park. This population was discovered by John Lynch in 1964 but repeated efforts by Ron Brandon and Randy Nyboer (Brandon & Ballard, 1991; Nyboer, pers. com.) have failed to document its continued presence in the area. However, based on the suitability of the habitat, both Brandon and Nyboer (pers. com.) believe that this population still exists. This population is in a protected area. Western hognose snake (ST)-- This slow moving snake is restricted to sand areas and adjacent woodlots. The IDNR Natural Heritage Database lists two occurrences in the RRAW; near Lowden-Miller State Forest (1987), and near Castle Rock State Park (1995). Both records are believed valid. Both populations are in protected areas. These occurrences are unique because they represent the eastern limit to this species’ distribution. Blanding’s Turtle (SW)— Prairie marshes and floodplain sloughs of larger rivers are the primary habitat of this semi-aquatic turtle. They are most commonly found in shallow (10-20 cm) open water areas of cattail marshes, sloughs, ponds, and flooded ditches, although they have been reported from small streams in southeast Minne- sota. There are two sight records for Blanding’s turtle in the RRAW by Randy Nyboer; near a creek in the vicinity of Lowden-Miller State Forest (1982) and in the area of the Nachusa Grassland INAI site (1987). Unique Occurrences/Distributions In addition to the species discussed above, one forest associated species can be considered unique because of its relict or disjunct distribution. The slender glass lizard occurs in highly fragmented populations whose distribu- tions are determined, to a large degree, by the presence of sandy soils. Like the western hognose snake, this species may be found in the sandy soils of dry, open woodlands. The sandstone-derived soils of the Oregon Section of the Rock River Hill Country Natural Division provide isolated pockets of habitat for both species. The isolated populations of this species represent relicts of formerly more widespread ranges during the warmer, drier, Hypsithermal Interval, from about 5,000 to 8,000 years before present. Woodland Mammals Species information in this section has been compiled from range maps and known records aEooidh 1989, re- ported in Hoffmeister (1989) and Illinois Natural Heritage Database records (1980-1995) (Figure 15). Typical Species Typical species for the RRAW are listed in Table 15. Species restricted to forested habitats include: the pine vole, bobcat, red bat, hoary bat, eastern chipmunk, gray squirrel, fox squirrel, southern flying squirrel, and gray fox. Other species that primarily use woodland habitat in addition to select other habitats include: the little brown bat, Keen’s bat, silver-haired bat, eastern pipistrelle, big brown bat, raccoon, and white-footed mouse. An unpublished survey conducted by Division of Natural Heritage staff also reported captures of the meadow jump- ing mouse, short-tailed shrew, and masked shrew from the forest of Castle Rock State Park (R.W. Nyboer, pers. comm.). Many species also require wooded habitat seasonally or specialize in forest edges, such as woodchuck, eastern cottontail, and white-tailed deer. Additional habitat generalists are also listed in Table 15. 66 Rock River Area Assessment Stephenson | Boone mt + is | Dekalb oF; Creek State Natural Area 5 0 5 10 15 Miles CO 5 0 5 10 15 20 Kilometers Figure 15. Terrestrial Communities: Fauna. Mammal survey record locations for Illinois Natural History Survey staff and Illinois Natural Heritage Database occurrences (1985-1995). Living Resources 67 Table 15. Compiled list of mammal species for Rock River Assessment Watersheds (compiled from range maps and known records reported in Hoffmeister, 1989; Illinois Natural Heritage Database, 1995) Bold type indicates an Illinois endangered (SE) or threatened (ST) species. Notes: [ ]= species that might occur in Rock River RRA, but for which there are no records within the past decade; + = species that is prob- ably extirpated from Illinois. Habitats: W = wetland, G = grassland or prairie, F = forest Species name Didelphimorphia Didelphis virginiana Insectivora Sorex cinereus Blarina brevicauda Cryptotis parva Scalopus aquaticus Chiroptera Myotis lucifugus [ Myotis sodalis Myotis keenii Lasionycteris noctivagans Pipistrellus subflavus Eptesicus fuscus Lasiurus borealis Lasiurus cinereus [Nycticeius humeralis Lagomorpha Sylvilagus floridanus [Lepus townsendii] Rodentia Tamias striatus Marmota monax Spermophilus tridecemlineatus Spermophilus franklinii Sciurus carolinensis Sciurus niger Glaucomys volans Castor canadensis Reithrodontomys megalotis * Peromyscus maniculatus Peromyscus leucopus Microtus pennsylvanicus Microtus ochrogaster [ Microtus pinetorum Ondatra zibethicus [ Synaptomys cooperi Rattus norvegicus Mus musculus Zapus hudsonius Carnivora Canis latrans Vulpes vulpes Urocyon cinereoargenteus Procyon lotor Mustela nivalis Mustela frenata Mustela vison Taxidea taxus mmon name Marsupials Virginia opossum Insectivores Masked shrew Northern short-tailed shrew Least shrew Eastern mole Bats Little brown bat Indiana bat SE] Keen’s bat Silver-haired bat Eastern pipistrelle Big brown bat Red bat Hoary bat Evening bat] Rabbits Eastern cottontail White-tailed jackrabbit SE+] Rodent Eastern chipmunk Woodchuck Thirteen-lined ground squirrel Franklin’s ground squirrel Gray squirrel Fox squirrel Southern flying squirrel Beaver Western harvest mouse Deer mouse White-footed mouse Meadow vole Prairie vole Pine vole] Muskrat Southern bog lemming] Norway rat * House mouse * Meadow jumping mouse Carnivores Coyote Red fox gray fox raccoon least weasel long-tailed weasel mink badger Habitat W, G, F W, G, F (mesic) G G, F F, caves, buildings F, caves F, caves, buildings F, caves F, caves, buildings F, caves, buildings F F F, buildings G, F Q) ara , F (edges) , F (mostly F) aa G buildings buildings we HSS S7M9OSZ SOO STMITAO . zz > , = 'T . oS St) = , > G G G G G G (mostly W) . ALO 68 Rock River Area Assessment Table 15 continued Mephitis mephitis striped skunk W, G,F Lutra canadensis river otter SE WwW [ Felis rufus bobcat ST] F Artiodactyla Even-toed ungulates Odocoileus virginianus white-tailed deer W, G, F * The house mouse and Norway rat are the only known exotic mammal species in the area. Norway rats, in particular, will be primarily associated with human structures. House mice also occur in many natural habitats, however. Both species can be found in woodlots in close proximity to human structures, but are not generally forest species. These species are now so widespread that they are part of the mammalian fauna across the United States. There is not much that can be done to rectify this situation, and it is not one for concern. Unique and Rare Species There are two recent records (Illinois Natural Heritage Database, 1995) of the state endangered river otter re- ported for this area, one along the Rock River and one on a tributary, Leaf Creek. Additional occurrences have been reported along the Rock in the last few years, but have not been recorded into the Natural Heritage Data- base (Randy Nyboer, pers. comm.). Although the river otter is a riverine species, it also utilizes the habitat provided by floodplain forests and associated wetlands. There are no confirmed records of Indiana bats for this area, but RRAW is within the geographic range of this species and more thorough surveys could find it. Bobcats occurred in the Rock River area historically, and specimens were recorded from there as recently as 20 years ago. Bobcat may still occur in the area, and protection of forested habitat could promote recovery of this species. The area of the RRAW could also provide important habitat for river otters and bobcats, which no longer can occur statewide because of loss of habitat or human disturbance. COMMUNITY DESCRIPTIONS: PRAIRIE Characteristics of Prairie Vegetation Introduction As with forests, prairies occurred on all parent material types in the region. The remaining prairie vegetation is primarily on sites that are not conducive to most agricultural activities because of topographic or moisture limitations. Most commonly represented now is sand prairie, which is found locally in the region where the St. Peter sandstone is weathered into a sandy residuum and/or some wind-blown deposits. Approximately 19 ha. (48 acres) of INAI Category I, Grades A and B prairie remain in the RRAW (White, 1978; Natural Heritage Database, 1995). This includes acreage of sand, gravel, dolomite, and loess prairie. Of additional significance is the approximately 324 ha. (partly INAI Category II, Grade C) Nachusa Grassland restoration and reconstruc- tion owned by The Nature Conservancy. This parcel is part of the larger Nachusa Grasslands INAI site (see #685, Figure 9). Eight threatened and endangered plants are known from this INAI site (Castilleja sessiliflora [downy yellow painted cup], Aster furcatus [forked aster], Cirsium hillii [Hill’s thistle], Besseya bullii [kitten tails], Lespedeza leptostachya [prairie bush clover], Nothocalais cuspidata [prairie dandelion], and Woodsia ilvensis [rusty woodsia] see Table 7 for species status notes). The sum of these INAI remnants suggests that about 0.05% of the land area of the RRAW is currently prairie. Not included in this figure are additional small remnants of somewhat degraded prairie on loess, glacial drift, gravel deposits, and dolomite, within the RRAW that are also important examples of these community types. Characteristic species are listed for each community type are listed in the following descriptions. The Land Cover Database of Illinois (IDNR [CTAP] , 1995) reports that 59,262 ha. (146,438 acres [23%]) of the RRAW is in grassland cover (grassland, pastureland, prairie, rights-of-way, and strip mine reclamations). Very little of this classification resembles the vegetational characteristics (species composition and structure) of native prairie. However, from a wildlife perspective, the structure of these communities can provide suitable nesting and cover habitat for a variety of species. According to the Illinois Plant Information Network (ILPIN), 29% of the native vascular flora of the state are prairie associates (Robertson and Schwartz, 1994). Of the 795 native taxa recorded for the area, approximately 44% are prairie/grassland-associated species. Living Resources 69 Wet to Wet-Mesic Prairie Wet prairie areas have been mostly eliminated from the region. A small, somewhat disturbed wet-mesic sand prairie occurs at Pine Rock Nature Preserve, but no descriptive information is available. Mesic Prairie Included in Table 16 are species on loamy soils derived from loess /and or outwash materials. Table 16. Compiled list of vascular plant species of mesic prairie within the Rock River Assessment Watersheds. Botanical nomenclature follows Mohlenbrock (1986). Species in bold are listed by the Illi- nois Endangered Species Protection Board as threatened, endangered, or watch-list species (ST, SE, or SW). Asterisks (*) denote alien species, (#) denote dominant species,(+) denote characteristic species. Andropogon gerardii #+ Big bluestem Apocynum androsaemifolium Spreading dogbane Aster laevis Smooth blue aster Carex brevior Sedge Carex stipata Prickly sedge Desmodium illinoense Tick trefoil Dichanthelium oligosanthes Panic grass Echinacea pallida Pale purple coneflower Euphorbia corollata Flowering spurge Helianthus grosseserratus Sawtooth sunflower Heliopsis helianthoides False sunflower Lespedeza capitata Round-headed bush clover. Liatris aspera + Rough blazing star Liatris pycnostachya + Gay feather Monarda fistulosa Bergamont Poa pratensis * Kentucky bluegrass Ratibida pinnata + Gray-headed coneflower Rosa carolina Carolina rose Silphium integrifolium + Rosin weed Solidago missouriensis Goldenrod Solidago rigida + Stiff goldenrod Sorghastrum nutans + Indian grass Tradescantia ohiensis Spiderwort Dry to Dry-Mesic Prairies The drier prairie communities occur on soils derived from sandstone, dolomite, gravelly glacial till, and glacial drift. Some overlap exists among dominant species on these different prairies. However, comprehensive species lists reveal their distinction. Sand Prairie The most extensive examples of sand prairie and dry sand prairie are found within The Nature Conservancy’s Nachusa Grassland portion of the Nachusa Grassland INAI site. 70 Rock River Area Assessment Table 17. Compiled list of vascular plant species of sand prairie within the Rock River Assessment Water- sheds. Botanical nomenclature follows Mohlenbrock (1986). Species in bold are listed by the Dlinois Endangered Species Protection Board as threatened, endangered, or watch-list species (ST, SE, or SW). Asterisks (*) denote alien species, (#) denote dominant species, (+) denote characteristic species. Dominant species include Schizachyrium scoparium (little bluestem), Carex pensylvanica (Pennsylvania sedge), C. muhlenbergii (sand sedge), Cyperus filiculmis (fern flatsedge), Tephrosia virginiana (goat’s rue), Amorpha canescens (lead plant), and Lithospermum caroliniense (hairy puccoon) Characteristic species include Selaginella rupestris (sand club moss) and Talinum rugospermum (prairie fame- flower) Other species: Achillea millefolia* Agrostis scabra Ambrosia artemisiifolia Amelanchier laevis Amorpha canescens # Andropogon gerardii Anemone cylindrica Anemone virginiana Antennaria plantaginifolia Aronia melanocarpa Artemisia campestris Asclepias amplexicaulis + Asclepias tuberosa , Asclepias verticillata Aster linariifolius+ Brickellia eupatorioides Callirhoé triangulata+ Calystegia spithamaea Campanula rotundifolia Carex cephaloidea Carex meadia Carex muhlenbergii #+ Carex pensylvanica # Comandra umbellata Conyza canadensis Coreopsis palmata Coreopsis tripteris Cyperus filiculmis #+ Cyperus schweinitzii + Dalea candida Dalea purpurea Danthonia spicata Dasistoma macrophylla Desmodium glutinosum Desmodium sessilifolia Dichanthelium acuminatum var. linheimeri Dichanthelium depauperatum Dichanthelium oligosanthes Dichanthelium villosissimum Dodecatheon meadia Echinacea pallida Equisetum fluviatile Equisetum laevigatum Erigeron strigosus Euphorbia corollata Yarrow Tckle grass Common ragweed Shadbush Lead plant Big bluestem Thimbleweed Tall anemone Plantainleaf pussytoes Black chokecherry Beach wormwood Sand milkweed Butterfly weed Whorled milkweed Stiff-leaved aster False boneset Poppy mallow Dwarf bindweed Harebell Sedge Sedge Sand sedge Pennsylvania sedge False toadflax Dwarf fleabane Tickseed Tall tickseed Fern flatsedge Schweinitz sedge White prairie-clover Purple prairie-clover Poverty oat grass Mullein foxglove Pointed tick trefoil Tick trefoil Panic grass Starved panic grass Panic grass Hairy panic grass Shooting star Pale purple coneflower Water horsetail Smooth scouring rush Whitetop fleabane Flowering spurge Table 17 continued Fragaria virginiana Gaylussacia baccata Gnaphalium obtusifolium Goodyera pubescens Hedeoma hispida Helianthemum bicknellii+ Helianthus divaricatus Helianthus hirsuta Hieracium longipilum Hieracium scabrum Hypericum punctatum Hypoxis hirsuta Juniperus virginiana Koeleria macrantha Krigia virginica Lechea tenuifolia + Lechea villosa+ Lespedeza capitata Liatris aspera Liatris cylindracea Linaria canadensis+ Lithospermum canescens Lithospermum caroliniense #+ Lithospermum incisum Lobelia inflata Lupinus perennis+ Luzula multiflora var. echinata Monarda fistulosa Oenothera rhombipetala+ Oxalis violacea Panicum capillare Panicum virgatum Paronychia canadensis Paspalum ciliatifolium+ Penstemon pallidus Physalis virginiana Plantago aristata ; Plantago lanceolata* Poa compressa* Poa pratensis* Polygala polygama Polygonum tenue Polypodium virginianum Potentilla recta* Potentilla simplex Pteridium aquilinum Ranunculus fascicularis Ratibida pinnata Rosa carolina Rubus flagellaris Rubus pensylvanicus Rudbeckia hirta Ruellia humilis Rumex acetosella* Schizachyrium scoparium # Scutellaria leonardii Living Resources 71 Wild strawberry Huckleberry Sweet everlasting Rattlesnake plantain Rough pennyroyal Rock rose Woodland sunflower Oblong sunflower Long-bearded hawkweed Rough hawkweed Spotted St. Johns-wort Yellow star-grass Red cedar June grass False dandelion Narrow-leaved pinweed Hairy pinweed Round-headed clover Rough blazing star Blazing star Blue toadflax Hoary puccoon Hairy puccoon Yellow puccoon Indian tobacco Wild lupine Wood rush Bergamont Sand primrose Violet wood sorrel Witch grass Prairie switchgrass Forked chickweed Hairy lens grass Pale beardstongue Ground cherry Bracted plantain English plantain Canadian bluegrass Kentucky bluegrass Purple milkwort Slender knotweed Common polypody Sulphur cinquefoil Common cinquefoil Bracken fern Early buttercup Gray-headed coneflower Wild rose Dewberry Blackberry Black-eyed Susan Wild petunia Sour dock Little bluestem Small skullcap 72 Table 17 continued Selaginella rupestris Senecio plattensis Silphium integrifolium Sisyrinchium campestre Solidago nemoralis Solidago speciosa var. jujunifolia + Specularia perfoliata Sporobolus asper Sporobolus heterolepis Stipa spartea * Talinum rugospermum Tephrosia virginiana #+ Tradescantia ohiensis Tradescantia virginiana Viola pedata+ Vitis riparia Vulpia octoflora Woodsia obtusa Gravel Prairie Rock River Area Assessment Sand club moss Prairie ragwort Rosinweed Prairie blue-eyed grass Old-field goldenrod Showy goldenrod Venus’ looking-glass Dropseed Prairie dropseed Porcupine grass Prairie fame-flower SW Goat’s rue Spiderwort Spiderwort Birdfoot violet Riverbank grape Six-weeks fescue Common woodsia Gravel prairies form where gravelly glacial outwash or till are exposed, usually on slopes. Gravels are usually of limestone or dolomite materials and thus impart a calcareous quality to the soils. Table 18 lists species typical of gravel prairie in the RRAW. Statewide, about one-third (11 acres) of all the gravel prairie (Category I, grade A or B) recognized by the INAI occurs at the Douglas E. Wade Nature Preserve within the RRAW; six other dry to dry-mesic gravel prairies (called dry or dry-mesic prairie on some INAI forms) are present within the RRAW (see Table 5). In some areas, pockets of aeolian sand provide habitat for species more typical of sand prairies. Table 18. Compiled list of vascular plant species of gravel prairie within the Rock River Assessment Watersheds. Botanical nomenclature follows Mohlenbrock (1986). Species in bold are listed by the Ili- nois Endangered Species Protection Board as threatened, endangered, or watch-list species (ST, SE, or SW). Asterisks (*) denote alien species, (#) denote dominant species, (+) denote characteristic species. Characteristic plant species include: Schizachyrium scoparium (little bluestem), Sporobolus heterolepis (prairie dropseed), Stipa spartea (needle grass), Bouteloua curtipendula (sideoats grama), Anemone patens (pasque flower), Aster ptarmicoides (stiff aster), and Scutellaria leonardii (small skullcap). Other species: Achillea millefolium* Agrostis hyemalis Agrostis scabra Ambrosia artemisiifolia Amorpha canescens Andropogon gerardii Anemone canadensis Anemone cylindracea Anemone patens + Antennaria neglecta Antennaria plantaginifolia Apocynum cannabinum Arenaria stricta + Artemesia campestris Asclepias amplexicaulis Asclepias hirtella Asclepias ontarioides + Asclepias syriaca Asclepias verticillata Asclepias viridiflora + Yarrow Winter bent grass Tickle grass Common ragweed Lead plant Big bluestem Canada anemone Thimbleweed Pasque flower Pussytoes Plantainleaf pussytoes Indian hemp Sandwort Beach wormwood Sand milkweed Green milkweed Wooly milkweed SE Common milkweed Whorled milkweed Short green milkweed Table 18 continued Aster azureus + Aster ericoides Aster laevis Aster linariifolius Aster oblongifolius Aster sericeus Baptisia leucophaea Bouteloua curtipendula # Brickellia eupatorioides Campanula rotundifolia Castilleja sessiliflora + Ceanothus americanus Ceonothus herbaceous Circium discolor Cirsium hillii Comandra umbellata Coreopsis palmata Dalea candida Dalea purpurea Desmodium canadense Desmodium illinoense Dichanthelium acuminatum var. lindheimeri Dichanthelium leibergii Dichanthelium oligosanthes var. scribner Dodecatheon meadia Echinacea pallida Elymus canadensis Equisetum arvense Eragrostis spectabilis Erigeron strigosus Eryngium yuccifolium Eupatorium altissimum Euphorbia corollata Euthamia graminifolia Fragaria virginiana Gaura biennis Gentiana puberula Geum triflorum + Hedeoma hispida Hedyotis longifolia Helianthemum canadense Helianthus occidentalis + Heliopsis helianthoides Heuchera richardsonii Hieracium longipilum Hypoxis hirsuta Koeleria macrantha Krigia biflora Krigia virginica Lespedeza capitata Lespedeza leptostachya + Liatris aspera Liatris cylindracea Linum sulcatum Lithospermum canescens Lithospermum caroliniense Lithospermum incisum + Living Resources 73 Sky-blue aster Heath aster Smooth blue aster Stiff-leaved aster Aromatic aster Silky aster Cream wild indigo Sideoats grama False boneset Harebell : Downy yellow painted cup ST New Jersey tea Redroot SE Pasture thistle Hill’s thistle ST False toadflax Tickseed White prairie-clover Purple prairie-clover Showy tick trefoil Tick trefoil Panic grass Panic grass Panic grass Shooting star Pale purple coneflower Canada wild rye Field horsetail Purple love grass Whitetop fleabane Rattlesnake master Tall boneset Flowering spurge Grass-leaved goldenrod Wild strawberry Gaura Downy gentian Prairie smoke Rough pennyroyal -Long-leaved bluets Rock rose Western sunflower False sunflower Prairie alum root Long-bearded hawkweed Yellow star-grass June grass False dandelion False dandelion Round-headed clover Prairie bush clover SE Rough blazing star Blazing star Grooved yellow flax Hoary puccoon Hairy puccoon Yellow puccoon 74 Table 18 continued Monarda fistulosa Muhlenbergia cuspidata + Muhlenbergia racemosa Nothocalais cuspidata + Oenothera biennis Onosmodium hispidissium Oxalis violacea Panicum virgatum Parthenium integrifolium Pedicularis canadensis Penstemon pallidus Phlox pilosa Physalis virginiana Polygala sanguinea Potentilla arguta Prenanthes aspera Pycnanthemum tenuifolium Ratibida pinnata Ruellia humilus Salix humilus Schizachyrium-scoparium # Scutellaria leonardii + Senecio plattensis Silphium integrifolium Silphium laciniatum Sisyrinchium albidum Solidago juncea Solidago missouriensis Solidago nemoralis Solidago ptarmicoides Solidago rigida Solidago speciosa Sorghastrum nutans Sporobolus asper Sporobolus heterolepis # Stipa spartea # Tephrosia virginiana Tradescantia ohiensis Trichostema brachiatum + Verbena stricta Viola pedatifida Zizia aptera + Dolomite Prairie Rock River Area Assessment Bergamont Prairie satin grass° Green muhly Prairie dandelion SE Evening primrose Marbleseed Violet wood sorrel Prairie switchgrass Wild quinine Wood betony Pale beardstongue Prairie phlox Ground cherry Field milkwort Prairie cinquefoil Rough white lettuce Slender mountain mint Gray-headed coneflower Wild petunia Prairie ‘willow Little bluestem Small skullcap Prairie ragwort Rosinweed Prickly lettuce Blue-eyed grass Early goldenrod Missouri goldenrod Old-field goldenrod Stiff aster Stiff goldenrod Showy goldenrod Indian grass Dropseed Prairie dropseed Porcupine grass Goat’s rue Spiderwort False pennyroyal Hoary vervain Prairie violet Heart-leaved meadow parsnip Dolomite prairies form where dolomite bedrock is at or near the surface and strongly influences soil chemistry, permeability, and drainage. Dolomite prairie is local in the RRAW and associated with dry to dry-mesic gravel prairies. The INAI documented a three-acre, high-quality dry dolomite prairie within the RRAW (White, 1978; Illinois Natural Heritage Database, 1995). Numerous calciphiles are typically present including some of the threatened and endangered species from gravel prairie. Table 19 lists species typical of dolomite prairie in the RRAW. Living Resources 75 Table 19. Compiled list of vascular plant species of dolomite prairie within the Rock River Assessment Watersheds. Botanical nomenclature follows Mohlenbrock (1986). Species in bold are listed by the II- linois Endangered Species Protection Board as threatened, endangered, or watch-list species (ST, SE, or SW). Asterisks (*) denote alien species, (#) denote dominant species, (+) denote characteristic species. Amorpha canescens Andropogon gerardii Anemone cylindracea Anemone patens + Antennaria neglecta Antennaria plantaginifolia Arenaria stricta + Asclepias ontarioides + Asclepias syriaca Asclepias tuberosa Asclepias verticillata Asclepias viridiflora Aster azureus + Aster ericoides Aster laevis Aster oblongifolius Aster sericeus Baptisia leucophaea Brickellia eupatorioides Carex meadia Castilleja sessiliflora + Ceonothus americanus Cirsium discolor Comandra umbellata Coreopsis palmata Dalea candida Dalea purpurea Desmodium canadensis Desmodium illinoiense Dichanthelium leibergii Dichanthelium oligosanthes var. scrib. Dodecatheon meadia Echinacea pallida Elymus canadensis Equisetum arvense Eryngium yuccifolium Eupatorium altissimum Euphorbia corollata Fragaria virginiana Gentiana puberula Geum triflorum + Helianthus occidentalis Helianthus rigidus Heliopsis helianthoides Heuchera richardsonii Hypoxis hirsuta Lespedeza capitata Liatris aspera Liatris cylindracea + Lithospermum canescens Lithospermum incisum Monarda fistulosa Lead plant Big bluestem Thimbleweed Pasque flower Pussytoes Plantainleaf pussytoes Sandwort Wooly milkweed SE Common milkweed Butterfly weed Whorled milkweed Short green milkweed Sky-blue aster Heath aster Smooth blue aster Aromatic aster Silky aster Cream wild indigo False boneset Mead sedge Downy yellow painted cup ST New Jersey tea Field thistle False toadflax Tickseed White prairie-clover Purple prairie-clover Showy tick trefoil Tick trefoil Panic grass Panic grass Shooting star Pale purple coneflower Canada wild rye Field horsetail Rattlesnake master Tall boneset Flowering spurge Wild strawberry Downy gentian Bedstraw Western sunflower Stiff sunflower False sunflower Prairie alum root Yellow star grass Round-headed clover Rough blazing star Blazing star Hoary puccoon Yellow puccoon Bergamont 76 Table 19 continued Nothocalais cuspidata Oxalis violacea Panicum virgatum Parthenium integrifolium Pastinaca sativa * Pedicularis canadensis Penstemon hirsutus + Phlox pilosa + Potentilla arguta Ratibida pinnata Rosa carolina Rudbeckia hirta Ruellia humilis Schizachyrium scoparium # Silphium integrifolium Silphium laciniatum Sisyrinchium albidum Solidago juncea Solidago nemoralis Solidago ptarmicoides Solidago rigida Solidago speciosa Sorghastrum nutans Sporobolus asper Sporobolus heterolepis # Stipa spartea Tradescantia ohiensis Triosteum perfoliatum Verbena stricta Viola pedata Viola pedatifida + Zizia aptera + Glacial Drift Hill Prairie Rock River Area Assessment Prairie dandelion SE Violet wood sorrel Prairie switchgrass Wild quinine Wild parsnip Wood betony Hairy beardstongue Prairie phlox Prairie cinquefoil Gray-headed coneflower Wild rose Black-eyed Susan Wild petunia Little bluestem Rosinweed Prickly lettuce Blue-eyed grass Early goldenrod Old-field goldenrod Stiff aster Stiff goldenmrod Showy goldenrod Indian grass Dropseed Prairie dropseed Porcupine grass Spiderwort Horse-gentian Hoary vervain Birdfoot violet Prairie violet Heart-leaved meadow parsnip This prairie type typically occurs in south and southwest exposed openings of forested slopes over a substrate of eroded glacial drift. Hill prairies were often spared from agricultural conversion due to their inaccessibility. These are usually very well drained sites along major river valleys and ravines, and those of their tributaries. The INAI recognized 0.12 ha (0.3 acres) category I, grade A (White, 1978; Illinois Natural Heritage Database, 1995) from a single site within the RRAW where the Rock River has cut through the edge of a Wisconsinan-aged moraine (Fell and Fell, 1956; Willman, et al., 1975). Plant species typical of glacial drift hill prairie in the RRAW< are listed in Table 20. Table 20. Compiled list of vascular plant species of glacial drift hill prairie within the Rock River Assess- ment Watersheds. Botanical nomenclature follows Mohlenbrock (1986). Species in bold are listed by the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board as threatened, endangered, or watch-list species (ST, SE, or SW). Asterisks (*) denote alien species, (#) denote dominant species, (+) denote characteristic species. Amorpha canescens Andropogon gerardii Anemone cylindracea Anemone patens + Anemone virginiana Apocynum androsaemifolium Asclepias verticillata Aster azureus Aster ericoides Aster oblongifolius Lead plant Big bluestem Thimbleweed Pasque flower Tall anenome Spreading dogbane Whorled milkweed Sky-blue aster Heath aster Aromatic aster Table 20 continued Aster sericeus + Bouteloua curtipendula # Brickellia eupatorioides Cacalia atriplicifolia Carex meadia Coreopsis palmata Dalea purpurea # Desmodium nudiflorum Dichanthelium oligosanthes var. scrib. Echinacea pallida # Erigeron strigosus Euphorbia corollata Helianthus divaricatus Helianthus occidentalis Liatris aspera Linum sulcatum Lithospermum canescens Lithospermum incisum + Lobelia spicata Poa compressa * Polygala verticillata Potentilla arguta Quercus macrocarpa Quercus velutina Rhus glabra Rosa carolina Ruellia humilis Schizachyrium scoparium # Scutellaria leonardii Sisyrinchium albidium Solidago nemoralis Sorghastrum nutans Sporobolus heterolepis # Tradescantia ohiensis Nachusa Grasslands Living Resources Silky aster Sideoats grama False boneset Pale Indian plantain Sedge Tickseed Purple prairie-clover Bare-stemmed tick trefoil Panic grass Pale purple coneflower Whitetop fleabane Flowering spurge Woodland sunflower Western sunflower Rough blazing star Grooved yellow flax Hoary puccoon Yellow puccoon Lobelia Canadian bluegrass Whorled milkwort Prairie cinquefoil Bur oak Black oak Smooth sumac Wild rose Wild petunia Little bluestem Small skullcap Blue-eyed grass Old-field goldenrod Indian grass Prairie dropseed Spiderwort Td, The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC) Nachusa Grassland Preserve is located in the southern part of the RRAW (almost entirely within the Franklin Creek watershed). The 413 ha. (1,020 acre) TNC site was incorporated as part of the recently designated 635 ha. (1,569.46 acre) Nachusa Grassland Illinois Natural Areas Inventory site, which also included 3 existing INAI sites. This new INAI site contains high quality (Category I, Grade B) examples of a marsh and seep, within a complex of forest, grassland, wetland, and stream/riparian communities that have suffered varying levels of past disturbance. The Nature Conservancy’s parcel is 60% grassland, 30% woodland, and 10% wetland/stream habitat, and although most of this was similarly degraded, it has been man- aged under a restoration program for nearly a decade. As discussed in the following Grassland Birds section, this management appears to have had positive effects for avifaunal habitat. The TNC site represents examples of degraded and restored dry-mesic sand, mesic sand, and gravel prairies and is designated as a protected natural area. The habitats present in the entire INAI complex support eight state endangered and threatened plant species, three state listed bird species, and one-each federal candidate plant and reptile species. Grassland Fauna The Illinois Fish and Wildlife Information System (IFWIS-IIlinois Department of Natural Resources/IIlinois Natural History Survey) lists more than 420 vertebrate species for the state (Iverson and Schwartz, 1994). Of these, 35% of the birds (J. Herkert, Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board, pers. com.), 10.0% of the reptiles and amphibians (C. Phillips, Illinois Natural History Survey, pers. com), and 47% of the mammals (E. Heske, Illinois Natural History Survey, pers. com.) require grassland habitat for some portion of their life cycle. “78 Rock River Area Assessment Of the 198 native vertebrates reported for the RRAW, 29% of the birds, 63% of the reptiles and amphibians, and 61% of the mammals use grassland habitat during part of their life cycle. Grassland Birds References in italics in the following section refer to tables in Appendices C and D. The following information represents data collected from the field surveys: Ann Haverstock of The Nature Conservancy, approximately 10 visits/year for 5 years; Scott Robinson of the Natural History Survey and Jim Herkert of the Endangered Species Protection Board, censuses conducted on 19 June 1995 and additional census visits on 10 June and 5 July 1995; additional full-time nest searches from 5 June to 26 July 1995 (work super- vised by Scott Robinson and Jim Herkert) (see Figure 13). Introduction Currently, the Rock River Assessment Watersheds contain only one significant grassland habitat for avifauna, The Nature Conservancy’s Nachusa Grassland, plus a scattering of pastures and hayfields on private land. The Nachusa Grassland itself is of particular interest because the extensive efforts to restore grasslands appear to be working for birds. Typical Species Table 12 lists breeding bird species known for the area. Habitat associations are indicated for each spécies; typical grassland/prairie and adjacent shrubland species are noted. Other than a few European starlings and house sparrows, the only significant exotic is the ring-necked pheasant, which is abundant in all grassland sites. ' Typical species for several grassland associated habitats within the Rock River Assessment Watersheds are also listed below, in Table 21. Table 21. Typical grassland and shrub associated bird species in the Rock River Assessment Watersheds. Nomenclature follows the American Ornithologists’ Union (A.O.U.) Checklist (6th edition, 1983 and Supple- ment of July, 1985). Species in bold are listed by the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board as threatened, endangered, or watch-list species (ST, SE, or SW). Typical grassland species include: Upland Sandpiper (SE), ring-necked pheasant, red-tailed hawk, northern harrier (SE), American kestrel, great horned owl, horned lark, sedge wren, common yellowthroat, dickcissel, lark sparrow, grasshopper sparrow, vesper sparrow, savannah sparrow, bobolink and eastern meadowlark. Species typical of shrub thickets that invade unburned and unmowed grassland include: bobwhite, mourn- ing dove, black-billed cuckoo, northern flicker, willow flycatcher, eastern kingbird, black-capped chickadee, house wren, eastern bluebird, American robin, gray catbird, northern mockingbird, brown thrasher, cedar waxwing, loggerhead shrike (ST), white-eyed vireo, Bell’s vireo, blue-winged warbler, yellow warbler, yellow-breasted chat, indigo bunting, rufous-sided towhee, chipping sparrow, field sparrow, song sparrow, orchard oriole, Baltimore oriole, and American oldfinch. Agricultural land in the RRAW typically has horned larks, vesper sparrows, eastern and western meadow- larks and a few savannah sparrows, grasshopper sparrows, and bobolinks. Unique or Rare Species Illinois endangered upland sandpipers and northern harriers nest on or near Nachusa. Cooper’s hawks nest in the pines and, possibly, adjacent forests. Veeries (ST) nest in adjacent forests. Loggerhead shrikes (ST) nest in shrubby areas. Henslow’s sparrows (ST) and short-eared qwls (SE) are not known to breed. The nesting popu- lation of Bell’s vireo in shrubs is one of the only ones in the region. Clay colored sparrows have been present during some summers, but have not been confirmed as breeders. Population Distribution, Abundances, and Trends Appendix C lists the relative abundances of species recorded on 39 census points in the grassland habitats of Nachusa. Abundances of several species are among the highest yet recorded in the state, including grasshopper sparrow, willow flycatcher and Bell’s vireo. Because the latter two species depend upon shrubs, and shrubs are gradually being removed, their populations will undoubtedly begin to decline. Grasshopper sparrows, on the other hand, respond very well to the little bluestem restoration and burns; their population will likely increase. Many other shrub-dependent species, however, will also likely decrease, including house wrens, blue jays, and gray catbirds, which often depredate the nests of other birds, bobwhite, mourning doves, black-billed cuckoos, red-bellied and downy woodpeckers, willow flycatchers, eastern kingbirds, black-capped chickadees, eastern Living Resources 79 bluebirds, robins, brown thrashers, cedar waxwings, yellow warblers, warbling vireos, cardinals, indigo bun- tings, rufous-sided towhees, and chipping and field sparrows. Further restoration should enhance populations of bobolinks, sedge wrens, meadowlarks, savannah sparrows, yellowthroats, and upland sandpipers. Restoration may also attract Henslow’s sparrows (ST), short-eared owls (SE), and northern harriers (SE). Habitat Notes Suitability for Breeding Requirements Nesting success of all but a few species on Nachusa was low, largely as a result of high rates of nest predation (Appendix D). Cowbird parasitism was only a problem for a few shrub-nesting species, all of which were represented by only a small sample of nests. Overall, only 8.2% of 97 nests were parasitized. This is consistent with data from other grassland habitats in Illinois (J. Herkert and S.K. Robinson, unpubl. data). Notably, cow- birds were regularly recorded in the Nachusa Grasslands (Appendix C), which implies that grassland birds may escape parasitism through superior defenses against parasitism. Nest predation rates were especially severe for the shrub-nesting species that use the woody vegetation that invades unburned and unmowed fields. gray catbirds, brown thrashers, northern cardinals, rufous-sided towhees, indigo buntings, field sparrows, song sparrows, lark sparrows, and American goldfinches all lost essentially all of their nests to predators. Among the shrub nesters, only the eastern kingbird, American robin, and willow flycatcher had predation rates low enough to allow some reproduction. All of these species defend their nests aggressively against predators. Losing the shrubby vegetation therefore will only be reducing productive populations of a few of the many shrub species that have invaded the grassland. Grassland birds generally suffered much lower predation rates than shrub-nesting birds. red-winged blackbirds and dickcissels suffered high predation rates, but many dickcissel nests fledged young, which suggest that predation estimates may be too high. Grasshopper sparrow predation rates were high (76%), but with renesting, most grasshopper sparrows probably fledged young. Vesper sparrows and eastern. meadow- larks both had low enough predation rates that they may be nesting successfully. Positive and Negative Aspects of Habitat The breeding bird community of the Nachusa Grasslands already contains most of the typical grassland species found in the RRAW. Restoration efforts have been successful in attracting several key species and populations of most (or all) will increase substantially as more and more fields are acquired. Currently, there are too many shrubs mixed with the grasses, which enables predators to search for nests in the grasslands. Removal of shrubby hedgerows, snags, and isolated trees (this removal is proceeding now) should benefit grassland species. Most of the shrubland species are nesting so unsuccessfully that their popula- tion declines may actually benefit local populations of grassland birds. Retention of a few shrubby areas, how- ever, would benefit Bell’s vireo and willow flycatcher, which are species of special concern. Grassland Amphibians and Reptiles The following information reflects field survey work conducted by Phil Smith, herpetologist and ichthyologist at INHS from 1953 to 1983 and more recently, surveys conducted from 1980 to 1995 by Randy Nyboer, Natural Heritage biologist and regional administrator for the DNR (see Figure 14). Typical Species Some of the grassland species are characteristic of more western associations, and these northern Illinois popu- lations represent relictual ranges from several thousand (4,000-8,000) years ago. Table 14 lists the reptile and amphibian species that are known or thought to occur in the Rock River Assessment Watersheds. There are museum or literature records of the RRAW for all but one of these species, the false map turtle. The amphibians and reptiles restricted to the Prairie Division include: tiger salamander, smooth green snake, fox snake, and plains garter snake. The ornate box turtle, slender glass lizard, six-lined racerunner, racer, and bullsnake are found in portions of the Sand Areas Division prairie/grassland areas (Table 13). The six-lined racerunner and slender glass lizard can may also be found in hill prairie remnants. Additional species typical of grasslands are the habitat generalists are also listed in Table 14. No exotic amphibians or reptiles are known from the RRAW at the present time. 80 Rock River Area Assessment Unique or Rare Species As discussed in the previous section, several species can be considered unique because of their relictual or disjunct distribution. The ornate box turtle, six-lined racerunner, and slender glass lizard occur in highly frag- mented populations whose distribution is determined to a large degree by the presence of sandy soils. In addi- tion, the ornate box turtle is unique because it reaches the eastern limits of its distribution in the RRAW and other Sand Areas of Illinois. The state threatened western hognose snake is known from the sandy grassland/prairie remnants of the area. Grassland Mammals Species information in this section has been compiled from range maps and known records through 1989, re- ported in Hoffmeister (1989) and Illinois Natural Heritage Database records (1980-1995) (see Figure 15). Introduction Most of the grassland species discussed below are not restricted to “native” or undisturbed habitat. Rather, the structure of rights-of-way buffers, small-grain fields and other agricultural field edges, and other similarly con- structed or disturbed sites provides suitable habitat for many of these species. While the small size of most of these habitats may restrict their suitability for species that have large home ranges (ie. white-tailed jackrabbit [SE] and badger), they often act as travel corridors for these and numerous other species. Typical Species Typical species for the RRAW are listed in Table 15. Species restricted to grassland habitat include: least shrew, thirteen-lined ground squirrel, Franklin’s ground squirrel, western harvest mouse, deer mouse, prairie vole, least weasel, and badger. Other species primarily associated with or that reach their greatest densities in grasslands include northern short-tailed shrew, eastern cottontail; meadow vole, meadow jumping mouse, and southern bog lemming (the latter two especially in mesic grasslands). Additional species include the habitat generalists are also listed in Table 15. The exotic species Mus musculus, house mouse, can be found in and around grassland associated buildings. Unique or Rare Species The white-tailed jackrabbit [SE] once occurred in this area, but no recent sightings have been confirmed and it may be extinct in Illinois. Protection of the area and habitat restoration could allow recolonization from the north or west, or make reintroduction feasible. The Savanna Army Depot, in extreme northwestern Illinois, is the area of its last known occurrence in the state (Herkert, 1991b). The RRAW would be the only other part of the state where reestablishment of white-tailed jackrabbit could occur (assuming it is actually extirpated from Illinois). Living Resources 8] COMMUNITY DESCRIPTIONS: SAVANNA/BARRENS Characteristics of Savanna/Barrens Vegetation Structural changes due to fire absence throughout the RRAW, grazing, and habitat destruction have eliminated most savannalike communities, particularly mesic sites. However, features in the surface geology that have promoted the persistence of savanna/barrenslike habitats are localized throughout the region. Droughtlike con- ditions found where bedrock is near the surface have slowed vegetational changes characterized on more mesic sites by the encroachment of woody vegetation in the absence of fire. These local openings with scattered, open- grown oaks usually occur within a complex of dry upland forest, sandstone cliff communities, and even sand prairies and thus have somewhat similar floristic composition (Table 22). Species on sandstone cliffs are in- cluded in the following section on Primary Communities. Some of these remnants have been degraded but not destroyed by cattle grazing. Table 22. Compiled list of vascular plant species of savanna/barrens within the Rock River Assessment Watersheds. Botanical nomenclature follows Mohlenbrock (1986). Species in bold are listed by the Il- linois Endangered Species Protection Board as threatened, endangered, or watch-list species (ST, SE, or SW). Asterisks (*) denote alien species, (#) denote dominant species, (+) denote characteristic species. canopy dominants - Quercus velutina (black oak), Q. alba (white oak) subcanopy - Juniperus virginiana (red cedar) shrubs - Vaccinium myrtilloides W (Canada blueberry), Gaylussacia baccata (huckleberry), Amorpha canescens (lead plant) nd cover - Andropogon gerardii Anemone virginica Antennaria plantaginifolia Aquilegia canadensis Astragalus canadensis + Besseya bullii + Bouteloua curtipendula Campanula rotundifolia + Carex pensylvanica+ Comandra umbellata Cyperus filiculmis Cystopteris protrusa Danthonia spicata Daucus carota* Dichanthelium oligosanthes Dichanthelium villosissimum Dodecatheon meadia Erigeron strigosus Gaylussacia baccata Helianthemum canadense Heuchera americana Juniperus virginiana Krigia biflora Lathyrus ochroleucus + Liatris aspera Liatris cylindracea Lupinus perennis + Maianthemum canadense Monarda fistulosa Onosmodium hispidissimum Big bluestem Tall anemone: Plantainleaf pussytoes Columbine Milk vetch Kitten tails ST Sideoats grama Harebell Pennsylvania sedge Bastard toadflax Fern flatsedge Fragile fern Poverty oat grass Queen Anne’s lace Panic grass Panic grass Shooting star Whitetop fleabane Huckleberry Rock rose Tall alum root Red cedar False dandelion Pale vetchling ST Rough blazing star Blazing star Wild lupine Wild lily-of-the-valley Bergamont Marbleseed 82 table 22 continued Paronychia canadensis+ Penstemon calycosus Penstemon hirsutus Poa compressa* Pteridium aquilinum + Rumex acetosella* Schizachyrium scoparium + Selaginella rupestris Sporobolus asper Talinum rugospermum W+ Tephrosia virginiana Tradescantia ohiensis Vicia villosa Rock River Area Assessment Forked chickweed Smooth beard-tongue Hairy beard-tongue Canadian bluegrass Bracken fern Sour dock Little bluestem Sand club moss Drop seed Prairie fame-flower Goat’s rue Spiderwort Vetch Vulpia octoflora Six-weeks fescue Savanna/Barrens Fauna There are no faunal species restricted to any of the savanna/barrens community habitats discussed. Because these communities occur within the forest/prairie transition, many woodland and grassland species may by considered occasional associates. COMMUNITY DESCRIPTIONS: PRIMARY Characteristics of Primary Community Vegetation Primary communities are formed on bedrock outcroppings. Sandstone and dolomite are the two basic types of bedrock exposed within the RRAW. Sandstone Cliff The extent of sandstone bedrock outcrops in the Oregon Section of the Rock River Hill Country Natural Divi- sion makes this unique community type especially important to the biologic integrity of the RRAW. As noted previously, outcroppings of St. Peter sandstone provide habitat for numerous rare plant species under a variety of environmental conditions (eg., exposed xeric sites and more moderate mesic canyon walls and north facing sites). Particularly noteworthy examples of sandstone cliff communities occur at Castle Rock State Park, includ- ing the Castle Rock itself. Other outcroppings with high quality plant communities occur in the following INAI natural areas (see also Table 5): Rock River Yellow Birch Stand, Grand Detour Yellow Birch Site, Lowden- Miller, Little Tract at Castle Rock, and Nachusa Grasslands. Species found on sandstone include the following list. Table 23. Compiled list of vascular plant species of sandstone cliff communities within the Rock River Assessment Watersheds. Botanical nomenclature follows Mohlenbrock (1986). Species in bold are listed by the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board as threatened, endangered, or watch-list spe- cies (ST, TE, or SW). Asterisks (*) denote alien species, (#) denote dominant species, (+) denote character- istic species. Achillea millefolium* Yarrow Alliaria petiolata* Garlic mustard Amelanchier laevis Shadbush Antennaria plantaginifolia Plantainleaf pussytoes Aralia nudicaulis Wild sarsaparilla Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Bearberry ST Aronia melanocarpa Black chokecherry Artemesia campestris+ Beach wormwood Aster azureus Sky-blue aster Besseya bullii Kitten tails ST Betula allegheniense Yellow birch SE Campanula rotundifolia+ Harebell Table 23 continued Carex pensylvanica Comandra umbellata Cornus canadensis Corydalis sempervirens Corylus americanus Cyperus filiculmis Cystopteris protrusa + Danthonia spicata Dichanthelium villosissimum Diervilla lonicera Dryopteris marginalis Dryopteris carthusiana Eragrostis spectabilis Euphorbia corollata Gaylussacia baccata+ Goodyera pubescens+ Gymnocarpium dryopteris Hamamelis virginiana Helianthemum canadense+ Hedyotis caerulea Hypericum gentianoides+ Koeleria macrantha Krigia biflora Lechea tenuifolia+ Lespedeza capitata Liatris aspera Liatris cylindracea+ Linaria canadensis + Lycopodium dendroideum Maianthemum canadense + Osmunda claytonii+ Osmunda cinnamomea+ Penstemon hirsutus Phegopteris connectilis Pinus strobus Poa compressa* Poa pratensis* Polypodium virginianum+ Populus grandidentata Ptelea trifoliata Pteridium aquilinum+ Quercus velutina Rhus glabra Rumex acetosella* Schizachyrium scoparium Selaginella rupestris + Solidago hispida Solidago nemoralis Solidago speciosa Sorbus americanus Talinum rugospermum + Taxus canadensis Tephrosia virginiana ‘Trientalis borealis Living Resources Pennsylvania sedge Bastard toadflax Bunchberry SE Pink corydalis SE Hazelnut Fern flatsedge Fragile fern Poverty oat grass Panic grass Bush honeysuckle Leather fern Spinulose woodfern Purple love grass fFowering spurge Huckleberry Rattlesnake plantain Oak fern SE Witch-hazel Rock rose Bluets Orange grass June grass False dandelion Narrow-leaved pinweed Round-headed bush clover Rough blazing star Blazing star Blue toadflax Ground pine SE Wild lily-of-the-valley Interrupted fern Cinnamon fern Hairy beard-tongue Long beech fern SE White pine Canadian bluegrass Kentucky bluegrass Common polypody Big-tooth aspen Wafer ash Bracken fern Black oak Smooth sumac sour dock Little bluestem Sand club moss Hispid goldenrod Old-field goldenrod Showy goldenrod American mountain ash SE Prairie fame-flower SW Canada yew .- Goat’s rue Star-flower ST 84 Rock River Area Assessment Table 23 continued Vaccinium myrtilloides Canada blueberry SW Viola macloskeyi ssp. pallens Smooth white violet Vulpia octoflora+ Six-weeks fescue Woodsia ilvensis Rusty woodsia SE Woodsia obtusa + Common woodsia Dolomite Cliff Outcroppings of dolomite are primarily along the Rock River bluffs on the west side of the Rock River north of Oregon, at Franklin Creek Nature Preserve, and at White Pines Forest State Park. Species found on dolomite cliff faces include those in the following list. Table 24. Compiled list of vascular plant species of dolomite cliff communities within the Rock River Assessment Watersheds. Botanical nomenclature follows Mohlenbrock (1986). Species in bold are listed by the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board as threatened, endangered, or watch-list species (ST, SE, or SW). Asterisks (*) denote alien species, (#) denote dominant species, (+) denote characteristic species. Acalypha rhomboidea Three-sided mercury Aquilegia canadensis + Columbine Arabis shortii Toothed cress Aralia racemosa + American spikenard Asplenium rhizophyllum + Walking fern Cheilanthes feei + Lip fern Cornus alternifolia Alternate-leaved dogwood Cystopteris bulbifera #+ Bulblet fern Dirca palustris + Leatherwood Dodecatheon meadia Shooting star Eupatorium rugosa White snakeroot Hydrangea arborea Wild hydrangea Hydrophyllum virginianum Virginia waterleaf Impatiens pallida Pale touch-me-not Juniperus virginiana Red cedar Lonicera prolifera + Yellow honeysuckle Oryzopsis racemosa + Black-seeded ricegrass ST Parthenocissus quinquifolia Virginia creeper Pellaea glabella + Purple cliff brake Physocarpus opulifolius + Common ninebark Pilea pumila Clearweed Pinus strobus White pine Polymnia canadense #+ Leafcup Ptelea trifoliata Wafer-ash Ribes cynbostii Prickly wild gooseberry Rubus occidentalis Black raspberry Sambucus canadensis Elderberry Scrophularia marilandica Late figwort Solidago flexicaulis Broadleaf goldenrod Staphylea trifolia Bladdernut Sullivantia renifolia + Sullivantia ST Taxus canadensis + Canada yew Primary Community Fauna There are no faunal species restricted to any of the primary communities habitats discussed. Because erase predominantly small communities typically occur within forests, many woodland faunal species are considered occasional associates. Living Resources 85 COMMUNTIY DESCRIPTIONS: WETLANDS Characteristics of Wetland Vegetation Introduction It is'estimated that Ogle county, which accounts for the majority of the RRAW, suffered a loss of between 80- 89% of its wetland habitat following European settlement (Suloway and Hubble, 1994). According to the Land Cover Database of Illinois (IDENR, 1995), wetlands (lacustrine and palustrine) currently cover 1,140 ha. (2,818 acres [0.4%]) of the RRAW land area. The inclusion of floodplain forest to wetland acreage brings the total to about 3,300 ha. (8,152 acres [1.2%]) of the land area, compared to 2.3% for Illinois overall. Also in comparison to the rest of Illinois, a greater proportion of the RRAW wetland area is wet meadow with some sedge meadow (38.4% vs. 13%) and a smaller proportion is floodplain forest (34.2% vs. 60.5%). The RRAW is most similar to the rest of Illinois in percentage of wetland area that is marsh (3.6% vs. 3.1%) (Suloway and Hubbell, 1994). See Forest descriptions for floodplain forest community description. Community classification follows White and Madany (1978) with the exception of wet meadow which is used to describe degraded wetland communities currently dominated by Phalaris arundinacea (reed canary grass). Wet Meadow Pre-European settlement vegetation of wet meadows was probably mostly wet to wet-mesic prairie and sedge meadow. Today, wet meadows are characterized by strong dominance of the exotic Phalaris arundinacea, an aggressive, disturbance-tolerant cool-season grass species that readily occupies exposed moist ground. Phalaris arundinacea has been widely recommended for planting on moist soils throughout Illinois. However, the abun- dance of P. arundinacea often serves as evidence that some widespread disturbance has occurred in the wetland, such as hydrological changes associated with beaver dams, other alterations in flooding patterns, or siltation from croplands. Flooding for prolonged periods can kill even wetland vegetation including wet prairie and sedge meadow species. Typical composition of wet meadows within the RRAW is listed below (Table 25). Table 25. Compiled list of vascular plant species of wet meadow within the Rock River Assessment Water- sheds. Botanical nomenclature follows Mohlenbrock (1986). Species in bold are listed by the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board as threatened, endangered, or watch-list species (ST, SE, or SW). Asterisks (*) denote alien species, (#) denote dominant species, (+) denote characteristic species. Agalinis tenuifolia Agrimonia parviflora Agrostis alba* Ambrosia trifida Asclepias incarnata Asclepias syriaca Aster pilosus Aster simplex Bidens cernua Bidens frondosa Boehmeria cylindrica Carex annectans Carex hystricina Carex stipata Carex tribuloides Carex trichocarpa Cerastium nutans* Cirsium altissimum Conyza canadensis Daucus carota* Echinocystis lobata Epilobium coloratum Erigeron annuus Eupatorium perfoliatum Helenium autumnale Humulus lupulus Impatiens capensis Slender false foxglove Swamp agrimony Red top Giant ragweed Swamp milweed Common milkweed Hairy aster Panicled aster Nodding bur-marigold Beggar’s-ticks False nettle Yellow fox sedge Bottlebrush sedge Prickly sedge Sedge Sedge Nodding mouse-ear chickweed Tall thistle Horseweed Queen-Anne’s-lace Wild cucumber Cinnamon willow herb Daisy fleabane Common boneset Sneezeweed Common hops Jewelweed 86 Table 25 continued Lactuca serriola* Leersia oryzoides Lobelia siphilitica Lycopus americanus Lycopus virginicus Lysimachia lanceolata Monarda fistulosa Oenothera biennis Penthorum sedoides Phalaris arundinacea #+ Polygonum hydropiperoides Polygonum lapathifolium Polygonum pensylvanicum Polygonum punctatum Polygonum sagittatum Polygonum scandens Populus deltoides Prunella vulgaris* Pycnanthemum virginianum Ranunculus septentrionalis Rumex altissimus Salix amygdaloides Salix exigua Scirpus atrovirens Scirpus tabernaemontanii Scutellaria lateriflora Solidago canadensis Solidago gigantea Solidago juncea Spiranthes cernua Typha latifolia # Verbena hastata Verbena urticifolia Sedge Meadow Rock River Area Assessment Prickly lettuce Rice cutgrass Great blue lobelia Common water horehound Bugle weed Loosestrife Bergamont Evening primrose Ditch stonecrop Reed canary grass Wild water pepper Pale smartweed Common smartweed Smartweed Arrowleaf tearthumb Climbing false buckwheat Eastern cottonwood Self heal Mountain mint Swamp buttercup Pale dock Peach-leaved willow Sandbar willow Common bulrush - Great bulrush Mad-dog skullcap Canada goldenrod Late goldenrod Early goldenrod Nodding ladies tresses Common cattail Blue vervain White vervain Sedge meadows are graminoid wetland communities generally defined by dominance of several Carex species, particularly C. stricta, the tussock sedge. Sedge meadows sometimes are associated with marsh, wet prairie, and seeps. The RRAW historically featured a relatively greater coverage of sedge meadows than Illinois overall. Due to grazing and increased sedimentation, most sedge meadows have been converted to wet meadows domi- nated by the exotic species, Phalaris arundinacea (reed canary grass). Typha latifolia (common cattail) and T. angustifolia (narrow-leaved cattail) have become more abundant. Table 26 lists species typical of sedge meadow within the RRAW. Table 26. Compiled list of vascular plant species of sedge meadow within the Rock River Assessment Watersheds. Botanical nomenclature follows Mohlenbrock (1986). Species in bold are listed by the Illi- nois Endangered Species Protection Board as threatened, endangered, or watch-list species (ST, SE, or W). Asterisks (*) denote alien species, (#) denote dominant species, (+) denote characteristic spSecies. Acer negundo Black maple Agropyron repens* Quack grass Agrostis alba* Red top Ambrosia trifida Giant ragweed Anemone canadensis Canada anemone Asclepias syriaca Common milkweed Asclepias incarnata Swamp milkweed Aster novae-angliae New England aster Aster puniceus Swamp aster Table 26 continued Aster simplex Aster umbellatus Bidens cernua Bidens frondosa Calamagrostis canadensis Caltha palustris Cardamine bulbosa Carex annectans + Carex hystricina Carex interior #+ Carex stipata Carex stricta #+ Carex trichocarpa Cicuta bulbifera Cicuta maculata Cirsium vulgare* Cornus racemosa Daucus carota* Echinocystis lobata Epilobium coloratum + Erigeron annuus Eupatorium maculatum Eupatorium perfoliatum Glyceria striata Helenium autumnale Helianthus grosseserratus Impatiens capensis Iris shrevei Juncus dudleyi + Lactuca serriola* Lathyrus palustris + Lycopus americanus Mentha arvensis Mimulus ringens Oenothera biennis Onoclea sensibilis Phalaris arundinacea Poa pratensis* Polygonum lapathifolium Polygonum pensylvanicum Polygonum punctatum Polygonum scandens Populus deltoides Pycnanthemum virginianum Rudbeckia subtomentosa Rumex crispus* Salix discolor + Salix exigua Salix nigra Scirpus atrovirens Scirpus tabernaemontanii Thalictrum dasycarpum Thelypteris palustris + Triadenum fraseri + Typha latifolia Verbena hastata Verbena urticifolia Living Resources 87 Panicled aster Flat-top aster Nodding bur-marigold Beggar’s-ticks Bluejoint grass Marsh marigold Bulbous cress Sedge Bottlebrush sedge Inland sedge Prickly sedge Tussock sedge Sedge Bulblet water hemlock Water hemlock Bull thistle Gray dogwood Queen-Anne’s-lace Wild cucumber Cinnamon willow herb Daisy fleabane Spotted joe-pye weed Common boneset Fowl meadow grass Sneezeweed Sawtooth sunflower Pale touch-me-not Wild blue iris Rush Prickly lettuce Marsh vetchling Common water horehound Wild mint Monkey flower Evening primrose Sensitive fern Need canary grass Kentucky bluegrass Pale smartweed common smartweed Smartweed Climbing false buckwheat Eastern cottonwood Mountain mint Fragrant coneflower Curly dock Pussy willow Sandbar willow Black willow Common bulrush Bulrush Meadow rue Marsh fern Fraser’s St. John’s-wort Common cattail Blue vervain White vervain 88 Rock River Area Assessment Marsh Marshes are freshwater communities that have water near or at the surface for most of the year. They are typically found in river valleys, glacial potholes, and lake plains. The INAI recognized 902 ha. (2230 acres) of high quality marsh for the state; 24 ha. (60 acres) within the Rock River Hill Country Natural Division (White, 1978). Nearly the entire 60 acres occur within the Nachusa Grasslands INAI site (Illinois Natural Heritage Database, 1995). Characteristic plant species for the community include: Polygonum amphibium (water smart- weed), Typha angustifolia (narrow-leaved cattail), Typha latifolia (common cattail), Alisma plantago-aquatica var. parviflorum (common water-plantain), Scirpus cyperinus (wool grass), and Scutellaria lateriflora (mad-dog skullcap). Marsh plant-species composition tends to intergrade with wet prairie and sedge meadow when in association. Graminoid Fen Fens are alkaline peatlands maintained by a constant flow of ground water mineralized by calcareous glacial till. Due to the constant flow of cold ground water, growth of plants exceeds the rate of decomposition and conse- quently peat accumulates. Only one small graminoid fen, found adjacent to a marsh/sedge meadow at the Nachusa Grasslands INAI site, is known in the RRAW. Fens have a unique flora composed of numerous calciphiles (Table 27). Table 27. Compiled list of vascular plant species of graminoid fen within the Rock River Assessment Watersheds. Botanical nomenclature follows Mohlenbrock (1986). Species in bold are by the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board as threatened, endangered, or watch-list species (ST, SE, or SW). Asterisks (*) denote alien species, (#) denote dominant species, (+) denote characteristic species. Andropogon gerardii Angelica atropurpurea + Aster furcatus Aster puniceus Cacalia suaveolens + Calamagrostis canadensis Caltha palustris + Cardamine bulbosa Cirsium muticum + Cornus stolonifera Eupatorium maculatum + Eupatorium perfoliatum Galium boreale Gentiana andrewsii Gentiana crinita + Tris shrevii Juncus effusus Lathyrus palustris Lilium michiganense Lobelia kalmii + Lycopus americanus Lysimachia quadriflora + Muhlenbergia glomerata + Muhlenbergia mexicana + Parnassia glauca + Pedicularis lanceolata + Polygala sanguinea Saxifraga pensylvanica Solidago ohioensis + Solidago patula + Solidago riddellii + Thelypteris palustris Veronicastrum virginicum Big bluestem Angelica Forked aster ST Swamp aster Sweet Indian plantain Bluejoint grass Marsh marigold Bulbous cress Swamp thistle Red-osier dogwood Spotted joe-pye weed Boneset Northern bedstraw Bottle gentian Fringed gentian Wild blue iris Common rush Marsh vetchling Michigan lily Bog lobelia Common water horehound Loosestrife Muhly Leaf satin grass Grass-of-Parnassus Swamp betony Field milkwort Swamp saxifrage Ohio goldenrod Rough-leaved goldenrod Goldenrod Marsh fern Culver’s root Living Resources 89 Seep (sandstone) Seeps are wetland communities sustained by a constant flow of ground water. The ground water is usually mineralized by the local bedrock. Only a few acid seeps are known for the region, one is in the George B. Fell Nature Preserve in Castle Rock State Park, another is in the Nachusa Grasslands INAI site. Acreage is usually not reported for these typically small communities. Plant species typical of sandstone seeps within the RRAW are listed in Table 28. Table 28. Compiled list of vascular plant species of sandstone seeps within the Rock River Assessment Watersheds. Botanical nomenclature follows Mohlenbrock (1986). Species in bold are listed by the Illi- nois Endangered Species Protection Board as threatened, endangered, or watch-list species (ST, SE, or SW). Asterisks (*) denote alien species, (#) denote dominant species, (+) denote characteristic species. Species characteristic of northern seeps that occur in the RRAW include: Symplocarpus foetidus (skunk cab- bage), Eupatorium maculatum (spotted joe-pye weed), Osmunda claytoniana (interrupted fern), and O. cinnamomea (cinnamon fern). Apios americana Athyrium angusta Campanula americana Carex comosa Cinna arundinacea Cornus obliqua Cornus racemosa Cryptotaenia canadensis Cypripedium acaule Dryopteris carthusiana Echinocystis lobata Epilobium coloratum Equisetum sylvaticum Impatiens capensis Laportea canadensis Leersia virginica Lobelia siphilitica Osmunda cinnamomea + Osmunda claytoniana + Osmunda regalis.+ _ Polygonum sagittatum Saxifraga pensylvanica + Scutellaria lateriflora Symplocarpus foetidus + Thalictrum dasycarpum Thelypteris palustris Trientalis borealis Verbesina alternifolia Viburnum lentago Groundnut Lady fern Tall bellflower Bristly sedge Stout woodreed Silky dogwood Gray dogwood Honewort Moccasin flower SE Spinulose woodfern Wild cucumber Cinnamon willow herb Horsetail SE Spotted touch-me-not Wood nettle White grass Great blue lobelia Cinnamon fern Interrupted fern Regal fern Arrowleaf tearthumb Swamp saxifrage Mad-dog skullcap Skunk cabbage Meadow rue Marsh fern Star-flower ST Wingstem Nannyberry Seep (calcareous to neutral) One seep community within the RRAW (just north of Oregon) is unique because it is formed near the contact zone between St. Peter sandstone and overlying dolomite bedrock. Seepage mineralized by the overlying dolo- mite in this area may become more neutral as it passes through sandstone prior to discharge, explaining a some- what weak floristic expression of alkaline seeps. Muck (highly decomposed plant material) accumulation in the wetland produces quaking ground. Four species present, Chelone glabra (white turtlehead), Campanula aparinoides (marsh bellflower), Epilobium ciliatum (northern willow herb), and Carex laevivaginata (sedge) occur in calcareous fens, but they are also found in less specialized habitats such as marshes. Other abundant to common species are listed below in Table 29. 90 Rock River Area Assessment Table 29. Compiled list of vascular plant species of calcareous to neutral seeps within the Rock River Assessment Watersheds. Botanical nomenclature follows Mohlenbrock (1986). Species in bold are listed by the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board as threatened, endangered, or watch-list species (ST, SE, or SW). Asterisks (*) denote alien species, (#) denote dominant species, (+) denote characteristic species. Apios americanus Asclepias incarnata Aster novae-angliae Aster puniceus + Boehmeria cylindrica Campanula aparinoides Cardamine bulbosa Carex hystricina Carex laevivaginata Cassia marilandica + Chelone glabra Cornus racemosa Epilobium ciliatum Equisetum arvense Equisetum fluviatile Equisetum hyemale Eupatorium maculatum + Eupatorium perfoliatum Eupatorium serotinum Galium triflorum Geum laciniatum Helenium autumnale Impatiens capensis Tris shrevei Leersia oryzoides Lobelia siphilitica Osmorhiza claytoniana Pilea pumila Poa pratensis #* Prunus americanus Pycnanthemum virginianum Rosa blanda Rosa multiflora* Rosa palustris Rudbeckia laciniata Sagittaria lateriflora Sambucus canadensis Scirpus fluviatilis Silphium integrifolium Solidago canadensis Teucrium canadense ssp. virginicum Thelypteris palustris # Typha latifolia Verbesina alternifolia Groundnut Swamp milkweed New England aster Swamp aster False nettle Marsh bellflower Bulbous cress Bottlebrush sedge Sedge Maryland senna . White turtlehead Gray dogwood Northern willow herb Common horsetail Water horsetail Scouring rush Spotted joe-pye weed Boneset Late boneset Bedstraw Rough avens Sneeze weed Spotted touch-me-not Wild iris Rice cutgrass Great blue lobelia Sweet cicely Clearweed Kentucky bluegrass Wild plum Mountain mint Early wild rose Multiflora rose Swampy rose Goldenglow Arrowhead Bloodroot River bulrush Wholeleaf rosinweed Canada goldenrod Wood sage Marsh fern Common cattail Wing stem | Living Resources 9] Wetland Fauna According to references in Havera and Suloway (1994), from a list of 434 vertebrate species for the state, 37% of the birds require or are strongly associated with wetland habitat, 83% of the reptiles and amphibians, and 78% of the mammals use wetland habitat for some portion of their life cycle. Of the 198 native vertebrates reported for the RRAW, 30% of the birds, 77% of the reptiles and amphibians, and 56% of the mammals use wetland habitat during part of their life cycle. Wetland Birds References in italics in the following section refer to tables in Appendix B. Information included in this section reflects field survey work done during May-August, 1994 (see Robinson, 1995) at the following locations: Lowden-Miller State Forest, Castle Rock State Park (George B. Fell Nature Preserve), White Pines Forest State Park, and Franklin Creek Nature Preserve (within the Franklin Creek State Natural Area) (see Figure 13). Typical Species The wetland bird resources of this area include typical riverine and stream species. Table 12 lists breeding birds species for the RRAW; species typical of wetland habitats are indicated. Robinson (1995: Table 2.5) lists some of the aquatic species that were recorded during surveys in 1994. Typical river species were great blue heron, mallard, wood duck, eastern Phoebe, house wren, northern rough-winged swallow, tree swallow, barn swallow, and song sparrow. Birds typical of forested wetlands are: wood duck, prothonotary warbler, red-headed wood- pecker, American redstart, warbling vireo, Baltimore oriole, cedar waxwing, gray catbird, common yellowthroat, and American woodcock. Oxbow lakes and other backwaters had green herons and prothonotary warblers. Table 2.7 in Robinson (1995) lists the floodplain forest species of Lowden-Miller and those typical of forest streams (e.g., Louisiana waterthrush, blue-gray gnatcatcher, Acadian flycatcher). The only exotic species re- ported in the area were starlings and house sparrows. Unique or Rare Species There are no wetland-associated state-listed bird species documented as breeding in the RRAW, although Great Egrets (threatened) were occasionally recorded feeding along the river. Population Abundance and Habitat Notes Tables 2.5 and 2.7 of Robinson (1995) provide population data. Floodplain forest communities were relatively poor for birds in comparison with upland forests. The comparative lack of natural floodplain disturbance may reduce the value of existing floodplains in Lowden-Miller State Forest. Wetland Reptiles and Amphibians Information reported in this section represents field survey work conducted by Phil Smith, herpetologist and ichthyologist at INHS from 1942 to 1979 and more recently, surveys conducted from 1980 to 1995 by Randy Nyboer, Natural Heritage biologist and regional administrator for DNR (see Figure 14). Introduction The larval stage for most amphibians requires an aquatic environment. All (13) of the amphibians reported for the RRAW require wetland habitat for some portion of their life cycle. Of the reptiles known for the RRAW, 14 (64%) are associated with wetlands. Seven of these species (50%) are predominantly riverine, while the remain- ing 50% use a variety of stream and other wetland types. Typical Species All reported amphibian species (tiger salamander, eastern newt, four-toed salamander, mudpupppy, Ameri- can toad, cricket frog, chorus frog, spring peeper, gray treefrog, bullfrog, green frog, northern ca frog, pickerel frog) may be found in a variety of wetland types. Painted turtle, milk snake, and the common garter snake may also use a variety of wetland types. Species characteristic of streams in the RRAW include: snapping turtle, Blanding’s turtle, map turtle, false map turtle, spiny softshell turtle, western ribbon snake, and queen snake. 92 Rock River Area Assessment Unique or Rare Species An Illinois threatened species, the four-toed salamander, and one state watch list species, the Blanding’s turtle, are associated with the wetland habitat types present in the RRAW. Habitat requirements for these species are described below. Habitat Requirements & Historical Records For Listed Species Historical records for the two listed species were taken from the following sources: 1) specimens from museum, university, and private collections (referred to as vouchered records), 2) unvouchered records from the literature, 3) unvouchered records taken from reliable biologists and naturalists, and 4) the Illinois Natural Heritage Data- base (1995). Four-toed salamander (ST)—This primarily terrestrial salamander is associated with undisturbed forests containing seeps or bogs. Recently, however, Illinois specimens have been taken in wooded ravines near rocky, spring-fed creeks. In the RRAW, three specimens are known from the Castle Rock State Park. This population was discovered by John Lynch in 1964 but repeated efforts by Ron Brandon and Randy Nyboer (Brandon & Ballard, 1991; Nyboer, pers. com.) have failed to document its continued presence in the area. However, based on the suitability of the habitat, both Brandon and Nyboer (pers. com.) believe that this population still exists. This population is in a protected area. Blanding’s Turtle (SW)— Prairie marshes and floodplain sloughs of larger rivers are the primary habitat of this semi-aquatic turtle. They are most commonly found in shallow (10-20 cm) open water areas of cattail marshes, sloughs, ponds, and flooded ditches, although they have been reported from small streams in southeast Minnesota. There are two sight records for Blanding’s turtle in the RRAW by Randy Nyboer; near a creek in the vicinity of Lowden-Miller State Forest (1982) and in the area of the Nachusa Grassland INAI site (1987). Wetland Mammals Species information in this section has been compiled from range maps and known records through 1989, re- ported in Hoffmeister (1989), Illinois Natural Heritage Database records (1980-1995), and undocumented Natu- ral Heritage records from R.W. Nyboer, pers. comm. (1995) (see Figure 15). Typical Species Typical species for the RRAW are listed in Table 15. Species whose life history require wetland habitats include: all species of bats (primarily as feeding areas), beavers, muskrats, minks, and river otters. Meadow voles and meadow jumping mice use wetland habitats in addition to grassland. Additional species associated with wet- lands are the habitat generalists listed in Table 15. There are no known wetland-associated exotic species for the area. Unique and Rare Species. There are two recent records (Illinois Natural Heritage Database, 1995) of the state endangered river otter re- ported for this area; one along the Rock River and one on a tributary, Leaf Creek. Additional occurrences have been reported along the Rock in the last few years, but have not been recorded into the Natural Heritage Data- base (Randy Nyboer, pers. com.). The river otter is a riverine species that also utilizes the habitat provided by floodplain forests and associated wetlands. There are no confirmed records of Indiana bats for this area, but RRAW is within the geographic range of this species and more thorough surveys could find it. Bobcats occurred in the Rock River area historically, and specimens were recorded from there as recently as 20 years ago. Living Resources 93 TERRESTRIAL COMMUNITIES SUMMARIES Flora . Although less than 1.0% of the area of the Rock River Assessment Watersheds is recognized as statewide- significant natural area by the Illinois Natural Areas Inventory, approximately 38% of the vascular plants native to Illinois (about 795 taxa) are present in this 1,608-km2 area, or about 0.39% of the state. This remarkable species richness can be attributed to the presence of a variety of a great diversity of habitats. Within the RRAW there is a unique concentration of distinct surface and bedrock geological features and available-moisture habitat conditions. Exposures of sandstone, dolomite, gravel, and glacial till and drift are present. Habitats associated with exposures of St. Peter’s sandstone, which is exposed mostly near the Rock River and associated minor drainages in the region, are particularly rich in rare species. Many areas of native vegetation exist within the RRAW that are not INAI sites but that contribute greatly to supporting this floristic diversity. Many of the habitat descriptions described in this report are from areas that are not INAI sites, or are INAI sites only because of the presence of endangered species. These somewhat disturbed remnants provide a buffer for the INAI sites against stochastic losses of species due to small population sizes. Management strategies that enhance floristic diversity and abundance throughout the RRAW, such as prescribed fire and exotic species control efforts, would be instrumental in the long-term maintenance of floristic diversity in the region. Managing the natural vegeta- tion within the RRAW with a landscape-scale approach would provide for the spatial and temporal heterogeneity required to maintain habitat and species diversity in the dynamic systems, such as the open woodlands, savannalike areas, and prairies, that are present. Fauna The area also supports a relatively high species diversity for all faunal groups due to the diversity and extent of habitat types present. The location of the RRAW at the northern end of breeding ranges for many southern species and the southern end of many northern species allows for representation of nearly 41% of the birds known for the state. Thirteen (31%) of the Illinois’ endangered and threatened bird species can be found within the RRAW, eight of which are known breeders. In addition, the large forest complex at Castle Rock State Park/ Lowden-Miller State Forest supports the richest breeding forest avifaunal assemblage in the state. A similar range/habitat overlap for amphibians and reptiles (Smith’s Herpetofaunal Divisions, 1961) results in a distribu- tion of 34% of the state’s herpetofaunal species. In particular, the sandy soils of the area allow for the unique occurrence of several western lict species. Two state-threatened and one state watch list species are known for the area. The variety of forest, grassland, and wetland/riverine habitats present also support 66% of the state’s mammal species. The RRAW is within the range for 2/3 of northern and 1/2 of western species for the state. Recent reports document occurrences of the Illinois endangered river otter from several locations along the Rock River and one of its tributaries. As discussed for the floral component, managing the natural communities of the RRAW with a landscape-scale perspective should maintain the habitat heterogeneity required to support this faunal species diversity. Also, it is important to maintain and enhance the existing large tracts of contiguous habitat that are functionally important to area sensitive species, such as many of the forest birds discussed previously. TERRESTRIAL COMMUNITIES: RESOURCE RICH WATERSHEDS Based on a combination of several terrestrial community natural features, five watersheds were identified as terrestrial community resource rich watersheds (Figure 16). The following features were compared by water- shed: % upland forest; % wetland/bottomland forest; Illinois Natural Areas Inventory acreage (White, 1978; Illinois Natural Heritage Database, 1995); and public land acreage (Table 30). Watersheds with > 10.0% forest and 2.0% wetland were selected. Five watersheds containing the largest INAI and public land acreages were selected (Figure 16). Watersheds selected for more than one feature were identified as the resource rich watersheds. These include (in order of ranking): Rock River Middle, Kishwaukee River South, Rock River North, Franklin Creek, and Pine Creek. 94 Rock River Area Assessment Table 30. Terrestrial Community Resource Rich Watersheds Forest cover > 10.0%: 1. Rock River Middle = 22.74% 2. Kishwaukee River South = 18.68% 3. Rock River North = 12.31% 4. Pine Creek = 10.19% Wetland (including bottomland forest) cover > 2.0% 1. Kishwaukee River South = 3.77% 2. Middle Creek = 2.22% 3. Rock River Middle = 2.10% 4. Stillman Creek = 2.05% Illinois Natural Areas Inventory acreage (top 5) 1. Rock River Middle = 3,282.97 2. Franklin Creek = 1,716.17 3. Kishwaukee River South = 676.36 4. Rock River North = 158.72 5. Pine Creek = 63.05 Public land acreage (top 5) (IDNR, Northern Illinois University, county and municipal agencies) 1. Rock River Middle = 4,564.0 2. Kishwaukee River South = 1,447.0 3. Rock River North = 1,179.0 4. Rock River South = 832.0 5. Franklin Creek = 520.0 Five watersheds that were selected for more than one feature (in order of ranking): 1. Rock River Middle 2. Kishwaukee River South 3. Rock River North 4. Franklin Creek 5. Pine Creek Living Resources A 5 0 5 1 Bis N 5 0 3 10 5 20 Kilometers Figure 16. Terrestrial Communities: Resource Rich Watersheds 1. Rock River North 5. Kishwaukee River South 9. Rock River Middle 12. Pine Creek 16. Franklin Creek Sane Pye oe 95 i 96 Rock River Area Assessment AQUATIC NATURAL COMMUNITIES Introduction General Description/Physical Setting The Rock River originates in Horicon Marsh in Dodge County, Wisconsin, and flows in a southerly direction until the river enters Illinois south of Beloit. It continues to flow south for approximately 45 miles, turns to the southwest at Camp Grant, swings southwest in a wide curve across the northwestern part of the state, and joins the Mississippi River at Rock Island. The watershed in Illinois comprises approximately 9.5% of the total area of the state and includes portions of 13 counties—Stephenson, Winnebago, Boone, McHenry, Kane, DeKalb, Ogle, Carroll, Whiteside, Lee, Bureau, Henry, and Rock Island. Five natural divisions are encompassed-Rock River Hill Country, Northeastern Morainal, Grand Prairie, Upper Mississippi River and Illinois River Bottom- lands, and Middle Mississippi Border (Schwegman et al., 1973). Soil types in the basin range from thick to thin loess deposits on limestone and thin silty or loamy materials on gravelly Wisconsinan outwash, to sandy or clayey deposits on the bottomlands (Iverson, 1987). The two largest urban centers in the basin are Rockford and Rock Island/Moline. The Rock River, from the Wisconsin state line at Beloit to the mouth on the Mississippi River at Rock Island, is approximately 163 miles (262 kilometers) long and drains 5,343 mi2 (8,602 km2) in Illinois. Its width varies from 500-800 feet with an average of 690 feet. The substrate is gravel interspersed with sand, rubble, and silt. ’ The preglacial Rock River flowed south into Illinois about 1.25 miles (2.01 kilometers) east of and parallel to its present course. At the southern edge of Winnebago County, however, the river continued southward to the LaSalle County line, and here it turned southwest to join the Mississippi River. It did not flow through Rock Island and Whiteside counties. The retreat of the Wisconsinan glacier left a moraine across the former path of the Rock River forcing the river to flow southwesterly through some of its former tributaries and eventually through Rock Island County to the Mississippi River (Brigham, 1978). At one time the river and surrounding area between Beloit and Dixon, with its many limestone bluffs and rocky outcrops, were designated the “Hudson of the West” (Rolfe, 1929). According to the Land Cover Database for Illinois (IDDNR [CTAP], 1995) the RRAW is 1.48% water (open water). The majority of the RRAW area lies within Ogle and, to a lesser extent, within Lee and then Winnebago counties, respectively. Small branches of the assessment watersheds extend into Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, Stephenson, and Whiteside counties. Because the largest portion of the RRAW includes three counties (Lee, Ogle, and Winnebago) the following description of surface water miles and acreages includes only figures for the entire state and for those counties. These surface water descriptions include distribution and water quality data from the Illinois Water Quality Report, 1992-1993 (Illinois Environmental Protection Agency [IEPA], 1994) and distribution data only from the Inventory of Illinois Surface Water Resources, 1993 (Illinois Department of Conservation, Division of Fisheries, 1994). Both documents provide statewide distribution data. The IEPA report also provides data at the major basin level and the IDOC report provides statistics for the county level. Data are reported for impounded water bodies; however, because the primary aquatic features of the RRAW are the natural communities of the Rock River and several of its tributaries, only streams are discussed in the following Aquatic Fauna descriptions. Impoundments The IDNR reports a total of 103,894 ha. (256,619 acres) of impounded water within the state. Within the three- county area of the RRAW there are a total of 903 ha. (2,233 acres). The distribution (number of impoundments/ total acreage) is as follows: Lee County - 410/785.9, Ogle County - 171/325.1, Winnebago County -225/1,122.3 (IDOC, 1994). Streams In a statewide inventory of all flowing waters (such as canals, creeks, and rivers), the IDNR reported a total of 26,443 miles (42,573 kilometers) of streams over 5 ft. wide (IDOC, 1994). Within the three-county area of the RRAW there are a total of 864.0 stream miles. The distribution is as follows: Lee county - 290.0 miles, Ogle - 318.0 miles, Winnebago - 256.0 miles (IDOC, 1994). Current and depth of the Rock River have been significantly altered by the construction of channel dams that have created pools throughout most of the Illinois portion of the Rock River. Seven dams are present on the Illinois portion of the river. Channelization has been most extensive in the eastern and southern areas of the Living Resources 97 basin. Principal land use bordering the Rock River is cropland and pasture: Less than 10% of the area is still forested and much of that is grazed forest. Very few of the vast wetlands that covered major portions of the basin remain. Drainage ditches and field tiles have converted them into cropland. Siltation has increased and the Rock Rivet has had a history of domestic and industrial pollution, especially below the industrial centers of Rockford and Sterling. The mainstream of the Kishwaukee River, the largest tributary of the Rock River in the RRAW, joins the Rock River three miles south of Rockford. The Kishwaukee drains approximately 1,225 mi2 (1,972 km2). The river valley is oak-prairie open country (originally savanna) with low undulating land that is farmed intensively. At one time many sloughs and marshes occupied the watershed but most have been drained for agriculture. The Rock River is the core of the RRAW. The presence and functions of the river are responsible for the existence of many of the natural communities that have been highlighted in previous sections of this report. The Rock River flows a total of 70 miles within the RRAW. The entire RRAW (approximately 999mi2/1,608 km2) sits inside the Illinois portion of its watershed (IEPA, 1992). Figure 17 illustrates streams within the RRAW. Many additional features of the river are discussed in the Aquatic Resources/Hydrology section of this report. The following natural community descriptions focus on the fauna of streams in the RRAW. Water Quality * Note on references made to the report: “Biological Stream Characterization: A Biological Assessment of Illinois Stream Quality” (Hite and Bertrand, 1989). The original report, and accompanying map, were produced in 1989. An updated (many stream classifications have changed) version of the map, but not the report, was produced in 1995. This new map information for the RRAW is reported in the Aquatic Insects section; however, information regarding the classification changes of streams is not available at this time. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) report assesess water quality based on requirements of the Federal Clean Water Act as it pertains to supporting aquatic life and recreational uses. As defined by IEPA, aquatic life use assessments are based on a combination of biotic and abiotic data acquired from IEPA monitoring programs. Biotic data consider fishery and macroinvertebrate information, evaluated using the In- dex of Biotic Integrity and the IEPA Macro-invertebrate Biotic Index. Abiotic data consider water chemistry, fish tissue analysis, sediment chemistry, and physical habitat. A “full use support” rating is the highest rating given in this assessment. The IEPA assessed 423 ha. (1,045 acres) of impoundments in the Rock River Basin. None of the impound- ments assessed received a “full use support” rating. The IEPA stream water quality assessment adheres to the same criteria described for impounded water assessments, except that it does not consider the recreational use component. A total of 1,443.4 stream miles in the Rock River Basin were assessed by the IEPA for overall use support as defined using the IEPA Streams Assessment Criteria (IEPA, 1994). Overall use (aquatic life use) was rated as full support on 888.1 stream miles. Another 45.6 full support stream miles were rated as threatened. Partial support with minor impairment occurred on 449 stream miles and 60.7 stream miles were rated as partial support with moderate impairment. There were no miles rated as nonsupport. Water quality descriptions of major streams follow and are taken from the Illinois Water Quality Report: 1992-1993 (Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, 1994). Rock River The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency rated approximately 60 miles (96.6 kilometers [37%]) of the mainstem of the Rock River as “full support” (water quality meets the needs of all designated uses protected by applicable water quality standards). The remaining 63% of stream miles were rated “partial support/minor impairment” (water quality is impaired, but only to a minor degree) (Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, 1994). Thirty-three miles (53 kilometers [55%]) of this “full support” portion of the Rock River lie within the RRAW. Phosphorus originating from municipal wastewater discharges and agricultural runoff led to the lower rating. Kishwaukee River Most stream miles (85.4%) of the Kishwaukee River sub-basin fully supported aquatic life use. Partial support/ minor impairment was found in Mokeler Creek, East Branch Killbuck Creek, in 47.0 percent of the South Branch Kishwaukee River and 37.0 percent of Lawrence Creek. Phosphorus was the major cause of less than full support in East Branch Killbuck Creek, South Branch Kishwaukee River, Mokeler Creek, and Lawrence Creek. Sources of the impacts were municipal wastewater discharges and cropland runoff. The South Branch Kishwaukee River was impacted primarily by organic enrichment from non-irrigated crop production. 98 Fock River Area Assessment yaa catonica River +« aS 4 Ne aleve Green River 35 —————————_ 5 0 5 10 15 20 Kilometers Figure 17. Streams of the Rock River Assessment Watersheds (IDNR [CTAP], 1995). Living Resources 99 Kyte River Eighty-seven percent (53.2 miles) of the Kyte River and three tributaries (Steward, Beach, Prairie and South Beach Creeks) were rated as fully supporting aquatic life use. Miscellaneous Tributaries Fifteen other tributaries of the Rock River were assessed for aquatic life use support. Eleven tributaries were in full support, and four were in partial support/minor impairment (Dry, Mill, Coal and Otter Creeks). The Biological Stream Characterization (Hite and Bertrand, 1989) rated the Kishwaukee River from the South Branch to the Rock as a “B” Stream (Highly Valued Aquatic Resource). Tributaries to the Rock River rated as “B” Streams include Stillman Creek, Franklin Creek, Three Mile Branch, Kyte River from its headwa- ters to Chana Road, and Pine Creek after White Pines State Park to its mouth. Kilbuck Creek, a tributary to the Kishwaukee, was rated as a “B” stream from where it branches to its mouth. The remaining mainstem of the Rock was rated as a “C” Stream (Moderate Aquatic Resource). Smith (1971) rated the Rock River except where it borders or passes through highly urbanized or industrialized areas as “Good” to “Excellent.” The Kishwaukee was also rated as “Good” to “Excellent.” Aquatic Fauna In addition to playing an ecologically significant role in the life history requirements of many of the terrestrial and wetland wildlife species discussed in the previous sections, the streams of the Rock River Assessment . Watersheds (RRAW) support a diverse aquatic fauna. The streams of the RRAW are known to support 80 (78 native) freshwater fish species (Table 31), 33 native mussel species (Table 32), and 11 (10 native) crustacean species (Table 33) (Page et al., this report). Statewide, these numbers represent 41% of fish species known, including 3 (10%) state-listed (endangered and threatened) species, 42% of mussel species known, including 5 (20%) state listed species, one of which is also federally listed, and an additional federal candidate species, and 25% of the crayfish species known (see Tables 12, 31, 32, 33) (United States Department of the Interior, 1994; Illinois Natural Heritage Database, 1995). Fish, mussel, and crayfish species cited within this report are also listed in Appendix A. Aquatic insects for the area include 29 mayfly and 29 caddisfly species (Table 30) and a variety of other species. Fish/Mussels/Crustaceans Information presented in the following descriptions reflects field survey data collected by Illinois Natural His- tory Survey (INHS) staff from the early 1980’s-1995, historical data from vouchered specimens collected by the INHS from the early 1900’s, and Illinois Natural Heritage Database (1995) information. Figure 18 illustrates the area of the RRAW surveyed by INHS staff. Fishes Based on data from 63 collection sites, 80 species of fishes are known from the Rock River Assessment Water- sheds (Table 31). State endangered fishes known from this region include Notropis texanus, the weed shiner, observed in 1877, and Acipenser fulvescens, the lake sturgeon, last observed in 1934. Moxostoma carinatum, the river redhorse, a state threatened species, was last observed in 1901. Erimystax x-punctatus, the gravel chub, a state watch-list species, was observed in 1992. It is doubtful that the lake sturgeon and river redhorse still exist in the region since neither has been seen since 1934. The weed shiner was last observed in the RRAW in 1877, but is known to maintain populations in the Rock River drainage system in Fairfield Ditch #1 and Fairfield Union Special Ditch in Bureau County, Coon Creek in Whiteside County, and County Ditch #1 in Whiteside County. These sites are in one of only two areas in Illinois still supporting populations of the weed shiner; the other is a region of sandy soil in Kankakee and Iroquois counties. The gravel chub maintains populations in Illinois only in Rock River, possibly in the Vermilion River in Vermilion County, and in the Wabash River. Although it has not yet been listed in Illinois as a threatened or endangered species, the gravel chub is much less common in the state than it once was and is likely to be listed in the future. 100 Rock River Area Assessment 5 0 ) 10 hy 20 Kilometers Figure 18. Aquatic Fauna: Fish, mussel, and crayfish localities for Illinois Natural History Survey collections (early 1900s - 1995). Living Resources 101 Table 31. Freshwater fishes recorded from the Rock River Assessment Watersheds. Data are from the Illinois Natural History Survey Fish Collection. Bold indicates a special status species: FC = Federal Candidate; SE = State Endangered; ST = State Threatened; WL = Watch List; * = Introduced. ACIPENSERIDAE Acipenser fulvescens LEPISOSTEIDAE Lepisosteus osseus ANGUILLIDAE Anguilla rostrata HIODONTIDAE Hiodon tergisus CLUPEIDAE Dorosoma cepedianum UMBRIDAE Umbra limi ESOCIDAE Esox americanus Esox lucius CYPRINIDAE Campostoma anomalum Campostoma oligolepis Carassius auratus * Cyprinella spiloptera Cyprinus carpio * Erimystax x-punctatus Hybognathus nuchalis Luxilus chrysocephalus Luxilus cornutus Lythrurus umbratilis Macrhybopsis storeriana Nocomis biguttatus Notemigonus crysoleucas Notropis atherinoides Notropis blennius Notropis dorsalis Notropis hudsonius Notropis ludibundus Notropis nubilus Notropis rubellus Notropis texanus Phenacobius mirabilis Phoxinus erythrogaster Pimephales notatus Pimephales promelas Pimephales vigilax Rhinichthys atratulus Semotilus atromaculatus CATOSTOMIDAE Carpiodes carpio Carpiodes cyprinus Carpiodes velifer Catostomus commersoni Hypentelium nigricans Ictiobus cyprinellus Minytrema melanops Lake sturgeon ST,FC Longnose gar American eel Mooneye Gizzard shad Central mudminnow Grass pickerel Northern pike Central stoneroller Largescale stoneroller Goldfish Spotfin shiner Common carp Gravel chub WL Mississippi silvery minnow Striped shiner Common shiner Redfin shiner Silver chub Hornyhead chub Golden shiner Emerald shiner River shiner Bigmouth shiner Spottail shiner Sand shiner Ozark minnow Rosyface shiner Weed shiner SE Suckermouth minnow Southern redbelly dace Bluntnose minnow Fathead minnow Bullhead minnow Blacknose dace Creek chub River carpsucker Quillback Highfin carpsucker White sucker Northern hog sucker Bigmouth buffalo Spotted sucker 102 Table 31 continued Moxostoma anisurum Moxostoma carinatum Moxostoma duquesnei Moxostoma erythrurum Moxostoma macrolepidotum ICTALURIDAE Ameiurus melas Ameiurus natalis Ictalurus punctatus Noturus exilis Noturus flavus Noturus gyrinus Pylodictis olivaris FUNDULIDAE Fundulus notatus ATHERINIDAE Labidesthes sicculus GASTEROSTEIDAE Culaea inconstans MORONIDAE Morone chrysops CENTRARCHIDAE Ambioplites rupestris Lepomis cyanellus Lepomis gibbosus Lepomis humilis Lepomis macrochirus Micropterus dolomieu Micropterus salmoides Pomoxis annularis Pomoxis nigromaculatus PERCIDAE Etheostoma caeruleum Etheostoma flabellare Etheostoma microperca Etheostoma nigrum Etheostoma zonale Percina caprodes Percina maculata Percina phoxocephala Stizostedion canadense Stizostedion vitreum SCIAENIDAE Aplodinotus grunniens COTTIDAE Cottus bairdi Rock River Area Assessment Silver redhorse River redhorse ST Black redhorse Golden redhorse Shorthead redhorse Black bullhead Yellow bullhead Channel catfish Slender madtom Stonecat Tadpole madtom Flathead catfish | Blackstripe topminnow Brook silverside Brook stickleback White bass Rock bass Green sunfish Pumpkinseed Orangespotted sunfish Bluegill Smallmouth bass Largemouth bass White crappie Black crappie Rainbow darter Fantail darter Least darter Johnny darter Banded darter Logperch Blackside darter Slenderhead darter Sauger Walleye Freshwater drum Mottled sculpim Total number of species = 80 (78 native, 2 introduced). Living Resources 103 Mussels Surveys for mussels in the Rock River have been sporadic and no comprehensive survey of the drainage has been done since the 1920’s (Baker, 1926; Matteson, 1961; Miller, 1972). No recent quantitative data are avail- able to allow a basin-wide assessment of stream quality based on mussel diversity. The Rock River drainage has historically supported 10 special status species including four state threatened, five state endangered species (one of which is also federally endangered), and one federal candidate species. Thirty-three species of mussels have been reported from 39 sites in the RRAW (Table 32). A summary of the six special status species known from the RRAW is given below. Alasmidonta marginata: The elktoe has been collected live at four sites in the RRAW since 1990. This species is not listed as threatened or endangered by the state of Illinois, but is listed as a candidate for federal listing by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Alasmidonta viridis (SE): Within the RRAW, the slippershell (state endangered) is known from a single record from the Kishwaukee River, Rockford, in Winnebago County (Carnegie Museum # 61.3717). No slippershells have been collected live within the RRAW since 1908 and its status in the area is uncertain. Elliptio dilatata (ST): The spike (state threatened) has been found at numerous localities within the RRAW, but no live individuals have been collected since the 1940’s. This species has undergone a dramatic decline in distribution in Illinois and is rarely found alive today. Fusconaia ebena (ST): The ebonyshell (state threatened) is known from two collections in the RRAW, both at Castle Rock. The first was collected in 1905 (Chicago Acad. Sci. uncat.) and a live individual was found in 1986. Lampsilis higginsii (SE,FE): The Higgins eye (federally endangered, state endangered) was reported from the Rock River below Como, Whiteside County in 1925 (INHS #1052). No live Higgins eye have been collected in the RRAW in over 70 years. Pléthobasus cyphyus (SE): The sheepnose (state endangered) was known from the Rock River in Whiteside and Rock Island counties. No live sheepnose have been found in the Rock River drainage since 1926 (INHS #910). No other information is available and this species may be extirpated from the drainage. Table 32. Freshwater mussels recorded from the Rock River Assessment Watersheds. Data from the Illinois Natural History Survey Mollusk Collection. Bold indicates a special status species: FC = Federal Candidate; SE = State Endangered; ST = State Threatened; WL = Watch List; * = Introduced. Actinonaias ligamentina Mucket Alasmidonta marginata Elktoe FC Alasmidonta viridis Slippershell mussel SE Amblema plicata Threeridge Anodontoides ferussacianus Cylindrical papershell Cyclonaias tuberculata Purple wartyback Elliptio dilatata Spike ST Fusconaia ebena Ebonyshell ST Fusconaia flava Wabash pigtoe Lampsilis cardium Plain pocketbook Lampsilis higginsii Higgins eye SE,FE Lampsilis siliquoidea Fatmucket Lasmigona complanata White heelsplitter Lasmigona compressa Creek heelsplitter Lasmigona costata Flutedshell Leptodea fragilis Fragile papershell Ligumia recta Black sandshell Obliquaria reflexa . Threehorn wartyback Plethobasus cyphyus Sheepnose SE Pleurobema sintoxia Round pigtoe 104 Table 32 continued Potamilus alatus Potamilus ohiensis Rock River Area Assessment Pink heelsplitter Pink papershell Pyganodon grandis Giant floater Quadrula metanevra Monkeyface Quadrula pustulosa Pimpleback Quadrula quadrula Mapleleaf Strophitus undulatus Squawfoot Toxolasma parvus Lilliput Tritogonia verrucosa Pistolgrip Truncilla donaciformis Fawnsfoot Truncilla truncata Deertoe Utterbackia imbecillis Paper pondshell Venustaconcha ellipsiformis Ellipse Total number of species = 33 Crustaceans Based on the data from 27 collecting sites, 11 species of Malacostraca are known from this region (Table 33). None is considered threatened or endangered. Table 33. Freshwater crustaceans recorded from the Rock River System. Data from the Illinois Natural History Survey Crustacean Collection. There are no special status species recorded for the area. An asterick indicates an introduced species. ISOPODA (ISOPODS) ASELLIDAE Caecidotea forbesi Caecidotea intermedia Caecidotea kendeighi AMPHIPODA (AMPHIPODS) GAMMARIDAE Gammarus pseudolimnaeus HYALELLIDAE Hyalella azteca DECAPODA (CRAYFISHES & SHRIMPS) CAMBARIDAE Cambarus diogenes Devil crawfish Orconectes immunis Calico crayfish Orconectes propinquus Northern clearwater crayfish Orconectes rusticus * Rusty crayfish Orconectes virilis Virile crayfish Procambarus acutus White river crayfish Total number of species = 11 (10 native, 1 introduced). Living Resources 105 15. Mi a ee Te N Figure 19. Biologically significant Illinois stream segments within the Rock River Assessment Watersheds (after Page et al., 1992). 106 Rock River Area Assessment Biologically Significant Streams The following Biologically Significant Stream (Page et al., 1992) segments lie within the Kishwaukee River South and Rock River Middle watersheds, respectively. 1. Kishwaukee River (Figure 19) The mainstem of the Kishwaukee River, from the confluence of the North and South branches downstream to the Rock River has been identified as a Biologically Significant Stream (Page, et al. 1992). This stretch of the Kishwaukee River is a medium-sized stream (30-70 feet in width) with a gravel, sand, and cobble substrate. Riffles, runs, and pools habitats are common. Turbidity is low and the water is clear with a moderate flow. Little vascular aquatic vegetation is present. The riparian zone is tree-lined and ranges from 20-100 feet wide. Sur- rounding land use is agricultural, residential, or forest; stream bank erosion is low. The mussel fauna of the Kishwaukee River mainstem in Winnebago County is quite diverse with 19 species present, and at one time included the following special status mussels: Alasmidonta marginata, elktoe (federal candidate), Alasmidonta viridis, slippershell (Illinois endangered), and Elliptio dilatata, spike (Illinois threatened) (United States Depart- ment of the Interior, 1994; Illinois Natural Heritage Database, 1995). 2. Rock River, from Honey Creek to Clear Creek, Ogle County (Figure 19) This Biologically Significant Stream segment of the Rock River is a moderately large stream with gravel and cobble riffles and sandy pools and runs. In some areas, the shoreline is wooded. Erimystax x-punctatus, the gravel chub, a state watch-list species, is found in the large rocky riffles and runs. Three special status mussels are known from this segment: Alasmidonta marginata, elktoe (federal candidate), Elliptio dilatata, spike (state ’ threatened), and Fusconaia ebena, ebonyshell (state threatened) (United States Department of the Interior, 1994; Illinois Natural Heritage Database, 1995). Of those three species, only the ebonyshell has been collected alive in recent years. Aquatic Insects Mayfly and Caddisfly Species The mayfly (Ephemeroptera) and caddisfly (Trichoptera) fauna of the Rock River between Rockford and Ster- ling are well known historically from work done largely between 1920 and 1950 by Survey scientists (**Figure 20**) (e.g., see Ross 1944, Burks 1953). In particular, repeated collections were made at Dixon and Oregon. More recently, these sites have been resurveyed by Kohler and Soluk, but results of their work are unavailable at this time. A total of 29 mayfly species have been collected at these locations: 22 species at Dixon, 24 species at Oregon, with 17 species common to both sites. A total of 29 caddisfly species have been collected at these sites: 17 species at Dixon, 19 species at Oregon, and only 7 at both locations. Table 34 lists mayfly and caddisfly species from the area. These numbers are best evaluated by comparison with similar data from a river(s) of similar size, location (e.g., latitude), physical conditions (e.g., geology, instream manipulations such as channelization and dam- ming), and collecting history. The Kankakee River provides a reasonable comparison, as its size (drainage area = 5150 mi? at Wilmington) is similar to that of the Rock River (drainage area = 8753 mi? at Como), it is located at a similar latitude, and it has historically received intensive study. The Kankakee River has been sampled largely at four locations: Momence, Aroma Park, Kankakee, and Wilmington. For all sites com- bined, a total of 45 mayfly and 73 caddisfly species have been described. At a single site, Momence, 27 mayflies and 56 caddisflies have been collected. Despite having fewer species, the Rock River has 11 mayfly and 7 caddisfly species that are unknown from the Kankakee River, although one of the mayflies, Pseudiron centralis, has recently been obtained in the Kankakee by Soluk and Kohler. Biological Stream Characterization (Hite and Bertrand), 1995 From an ecological perspective, the Rock River between Rockford and Sterling is rated as a Class C stream (“moderate aquatic resource”) by the Illinois Biological Stream Characterization (BSC) Workgroup (Biological Stream Characterization map, 1995). This classification is based largely on the structure and integrity (1.¢., diversity, composition, and species abundances) of the fish community present in the river, in comparison with reference streams. Classification rankings range from A (“unique aquatic resource”) to E (“restricted aquatic resource”). The Rock River shares a Class C rating with several other similarly-sized rivers in the state (e.g., Sangamon, Kaskaskia, lower Embarras, Little Wabash, most of the Fox, Big Muddy), while the Kankakee is the only large river (drainage area > 1,500 mi2) in the state to have a Class B rating. There are no large rivers in Illinois with a Class A rating (several large rivers have not been rated: the Illinois, Mississippi, Wabash, and Ohio). Living Resources 107 5 0 ) 10 15 20. Kilometers Figure 20. Aquatic Fauna: Mayfly and caddisfly survey locations for Illinois Natural History Survey staff (1914-1950). 108 Rock River Area Assessment Table 34. Mayfly and caddisfly species recorded from the Rock River Assessment Watersheds. Compiled by Steve Kohler, Illinois Natural History Survey (1995). Water Body Ghote ee ar ae See Rock River at Dixon ae aes oa log lena: "Aad Sal eta es, ABAE sy ieee Wee Mayflies (Ephemeroptera) rae RAE eRe ETE ee | Anepeorus simplex__| Rock River_| May 221925__| Thompson |] | Bactiscabajkovi___—__—| Rock River_| May 221925__| Thompson | [| Cacnishilaris | | June 271935 | DelongandRoss_ | 1925 | Heptageniadiabasia | | June 2511947 | Burks | | Heptageniaflavescens |_| June 271935 | DelongandRoss_ | | Heptageniainconspicua | | June 251947 | Burks | atight | iviexasaniainigida tT Rock Riven Wl Tae’ NM el jafseiveita rita Ramee Si SA iby Sat SPP APNEA plecverecita maculipernmata a \ SE | ihe ee No eee eee ey SPéniageniatieeray “wait A Peal Ne | SA Npiamenthuctmnns | Rock River dived oe SE oe el PPpiimantusNemieis. | RockRiver J)" a es ete “Sa| CST | Pscudironcentralis | | June 261947 | Burks | at light Stenacron interpunctatum interpunctatum | Stenonemaares | June 25 1947 | Stenonemabipunctaum | | June 271935 | DelongandRoss_ | | Standnemsimtegnim |S, be a i ee a ere, Sinead fiticimes ly nt Ul ae Sel ea ee SI em CaldieMicsteichopters) wd ena ee | (ae i = Paci oad RR ae | es ETE eee ES “a Ee ee TS i Ae a a Ci as Se ee ee "7 * eae [Eamghea mentees | Roc River Jog tie anes pent ol pee CSET Ta I ER Le RENT FRIES Ry RCAmeeMranaversue oe Ma LM a pe a i Neh Mie Bt ll NCheamatapsyehe campyla. i) bye oN Neg VE Stale Pati USS Rein Len) Petnetnnalonsyche daa | nies d Wy pertad awed ald Laine 0 ol eel beg del Chcumatopsyche speciosa. [ilo fu se | Bp ok ck Bale lets cle ie ont el inp teat Sree gal Weal Hydropsyche phalerata | RockRiver | | {Rock River ¥ [ Mayatrichiaayama | [ Nectopsyche candida | Living Resources 109 Table 34 continued July 9 1925 | Bactis intercalaris | | July 9 1925 May 25 1927 Sanderson Ephemerclla invaria May 15 1930 | Heptageniaflavescens |__| uly 13 1926 Heptagenia inconspicua iflocrtepston July 18 1927 Frison and Glasgow Hexagenia limbata Pasborinetey’ Idaely 29 toro! [bobtunt 1 Sujets wine Teatro) Hexagenia rigida penmoreiow setbses) git rhbr ol! Soap hpebarti raha we. do ici en Tie em 8 Sanderson | isonyctiasicen ei | Sayo25) | riscn” pteaerociimmactipennies | sy LL SRPERTNA TY 8) Orgore x YUpEO) Ieee RTSUSS i Re ere a a a Sepeneel wemiie Al eee ee eee | Rithrogena pellucida | | July 111929 | ison a Ie eS canadense " interpunctatum ee ar FT a eee ererr | Stenonema bipunctatum | July 91925 PTC UC ea CONE a Ee Se Oe a te A ae, Aa Pe mediopunctatum Sanderson cStem@iaemipuiehdiim obey ik BOAT! = Asoc yori ogluswaiA 5 | | Stenonematerminatum | | July 91925 | Frison | : Glasgow = ie POS Se A, oe ee a soma pes encanta LP to es Ns SS | "ta WS OGRE Se ES a WEL AE a i Glasgow | Ceracleamenticus___—__| Rock River | Pre eligi ee ee fe ee icieimaeesecnewaayia Ye eee | ichetmmiopaehagemmmin es: esourpe a Ya al ar OS OE Es aS a RN ane 2 lott = Piigingssoteeripaledhe wh polpuleve gilt s52 berststeand ay nein ve pales tales ase | ie ptiiegohe Hetbniitwe this ooiimnosy distor tee gabe syne th eyes Jace piperapenteteris Wievied senn-vrod Wher sovin att boul best zigyeyig bo ealieinl sigetl filinmecmerotiey bas wi Sofi ott duw Gaejzorce [iro vaiead seth i: bodet gi) Pyaropsyersoris © 0 SYCaatte Rock Pep ao fun oo? re afl oie Laer al Ra Re) BE | Pi eematcneit eer int epee Sooper UU CACHE Micintcl> MMW ESE cba Quel 7th Pestle aun 9 hte bmi: kala getelill Nentied aiMeneiben AD BETTS Boe spel leaders iaaieinn Datel hands lb Aoaraine ala dis Ua cia io. oe ean aided alae mlaleestthcteset in ahd Retin il doe 008 we ESE ae a a a a aries [Piilosiois semifasciata [|_| June 1930] Sauer | [Piilostomis postica «| S| May1929 | Ser | oe ae 110 Rock River Area Assessment In summary, the Rock River Assessment Area contains several important characteristics: 1) The site contains a large segment of the Rock River itself, including the main channel areas and adjacent floodplains. 2) Streams of varied orders (headwaters to main channel) are represented, covering a wide range of lotic habitats; and . 3) A portion of the Kishwaukee River and most of Killbuck Creek, both of which are “highly valued aquatic resources” in the BSC classification, are included in the proposed site. 4) The Rock River compares favorably with similarly-sized rivers in the state in terms of its aquatic fauna. AQUATIC COMMUNITIES: RESOURCE RICH WATERSHEDS Based on several aquatic community natural features, three watersheds were identified as aquatic community resource rich watersheds (Figure 21). The following features were compared by watershed: segment (miles) of Biologically Significant Illinois Stream (BSIS) (Page et al., 1992); % open water; % upland forest; and % wetland/bottomland forest (Table 35). Table 35. Aquatic Community Resource Rich Watersheds Biologically Significant Illinois Stream (miles) 1. Kishwaukee River South = 10.7% 2. Rock River Middle = 6.8% Water cover (open water) > 2.0% 1. Rock River South = 4.28% 2. Rock River Middle = 3.89% 3. Rock River North = 2.34% 4. Kishwaukee River South = 2.11% Forest cover > 10.0% 1. Rock River Middle = 22.74% 2. Kishwaukee River South = 18.68% 3. Rock River North = 12.31% 4. Pine Creek = 10.19% Wetland (including bottomland forest) cover > 2.0% 1. Kishwaukee River South = 3.77% 2. Middle Creek = 2.22% 3. Rock River Middle = 2.10% 4. Stillman Creek = 2.05% Three watersheds selected for more than one feature (in order of ranking): 1. Rock River Middle 2. Kishwaukee River South 3. Rock River North Forest cover and wetland acreage were considered for this evaluation (in addition to the terrestrial commu- nities evaluation) because the presence of significant riparian vegetation and wetlands is important to maintain- ing the hydrologic integrity of a watershed and the river itself. Forty-nine percent of the forest cover present in the RRAW is found in three basins directly associated with the Rock River and the Kishwaukee River: Rock River Middle, Kishwaukee River South, and Rock River North. These same three basins contain 32.4% of the wetlands (plus bottomland forest) in the RRAW. The only two watersheds that contain BSIS miles were selected. Watersheds with > 2.0% open water, and as with the terrestrial communities evaluation watersheds with > 10.0% forest and 2.0% wetland were selected. Watersheds that were selected for more than one feature were identified as the resource rich watersheds. These include (in order of ranking): Rock River Middle, Kishwaukee River South, and Rock River North. Living Resources 11 0 3 10 15 20. Kilometers Figure 21. Aquatic Communities: Resource Rich Watersheds 1. Rock River North 5. Kishwaukee River South 9. Rock River Middle 112 Rock River Area Assessment ‘LIST OF REFERENCES BY SECTION References for Introduction sections: Hite and Bertrand. 1989. Biological stream characterization (BSC): a biological assessment of Illinois stream quality. Illinois State Water Plan Task Force Special Report. 13: 1-42 + map. Illinois Department of Conservation. 1994. Land and water report. Illinois Department of Conservation, Divi- sion of Land Acquisition. State of Illinois. 24 pp + index. IDNR (CTAP). 1995. The changing Illinois environment: critical trends, land cover database for Illinois, 1991- 1995. IDNR, Springfield, IL. Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. 1994. Illinois water quality report, 1992-1993. State of Illinois, Environmental Protection Agency, Bureau of Water, Springfield, IL. 258 pp. Neely and Heister, compilers. 1987. The natural resources of Illinois: introduction and guide. Illinois Natural History Survey Special Publication 6. 224 pp. Page, et al. 1992. Biologically significant Illinois streams: an evaluation of the streams of Illinois based on aquatic biodiversity. Center for Biodiversity Technical Report 1992(1). 485 pp. Robertson, K.R., and M.W. Schwartz. 1994. Prairies. /n Illinois Department of Energy and Natural Resources. 1994. The changing Illinois environment: critical trends, summary report and volumes 1-7 technical report. Illinois Department of Energy and Natural Resources, Springfield, IL, ILENR/RE-EA-94/05. Suloway, L., and M. Hubbell. 1994. Wetland resources of Illinois: an analysis and atlas. Illinois Natural History Survey Special Publication 15. 88 pp. Warner, R.E., and D.W. Onstad. 1994. Agricultural lands. In the changing Illinois environment: critical trends. Summary Report and Volumes 1-7 Technical Report. Illinois Department of Energy and Natural Resources, Springfield, IL, ILKENR/RE-EA-94/05. White, J. 1978. Illinois natural areas inventory technical report: Volume 1, survey methods and results. Illinois Natural Areas Inventory, Urbana. 426 pp. References for Geology section Berg, R.C., J.P. Kempton, and A. N. Stecyk. 1984. Geology for staaitined in Boone and Winnebago counties:IIlinois State Geological Survey Circular 531, 69p. Berg, R.C., J.P. Kempton, L.R. Follmer, and D.P. McKenna. 1985. IIlinoian and Wisconsinan stratigraphy and environments in northern Illinois: the Altonian revised. Illinois State Geological Survey Guidebook 19. 177p. Follmer, L.R., R.C. Berg, and L.L. Acker. 1978. Soil geomorphology of northeastern Illinois: guidebook for a joint field conference of the Soil Society of America and the Geological Society of America. 82 Pp: Herzog, B.L., B.J. Stiff, C.A. Chenoweth, K.L. Warmer, J.B. Sieverling, and C. Avery. 1994. Buried bedrock surface of Illinois: Illinois State Geological Survey Illinois Map 5, Scale 1:500,000. Kolata, D.R., and T.C. Buschbach. 1976. Plum River Fault Zone of northwester Illinois: Illinois State Geological Survey Circular 491. 20 pp References 113 Kolata, D.R., T.C. Buschbach, and J.D. Treworgy. 1978. The Sandwich Fault Zone of northern Illinois: Illinois State Geological Survey Circular 505. 26 pp. Linéback, J.A. 1979. Quaternary deposits of Illinois. Illinois State Geological Survey map, scale 1:500,000. Mankowski, A. 1995. Natural heritage resource document for the Rock River macrosite: Lee, Ogle, and Winnebago counties, Illinois: Division of Natural Heritage, Illinois Department of Conservation. 46 pp. + appendices). Piskin K., and R.E. Bergstrom. 1975. Glacial drift in Illinois: Thickness and character: Illinois State Geological Survey Circular 490. 34 pp. Willman, H.B., and J.C. Frye. 1970. Pleistocene stratigraphy of Illinois. Illinois State Geological Survey Bulle- tin 94. 204 pp. Willman, H.B., and D.R. Kolata. 1978. The Platteville and Galena Groups in northern Illinois. Illinois: State Geological Survey Circular 502. 75 pp. Willman H.B. and others. 1967. Geologic map of Illinois: Illinois State Geological Survey map, scale 1:500,000. References for Geomorphology and Soil Development section Acker, L.L., M.S. Hodfer, G.T. Keller, and P. Rehner. 1980. Soil survey of Ogle County, Illinois. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service in cooperation with the Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station. 242 pp. Mankowski, A. 1995. Natural heritage resource document for the Rock River macrosite: Lee, Ogle, and Winnebago Counties, Illinois. Division of Natural Heritage, Illinois Department of Conservation, 46pp. (+ appendices). References for Mineral Resources section Anderson, R.C. 1967. Sand and gravel resources along the Rock River in Illinois: Illinois State Geological Survey Circular 414. 17 pp. Berg, R.C., and J.P. Kempton. 1988. Stack-unit mapping of geologic materials to a depth of 15 meters. Illinois State Geological Survey Circular 542. 23 pp. Bretz, J.H. 1923. Geology and mineral resources of the Kings Quadrangle: Illinois State Geological Survey Bulletin 23:205-304. Hunter, R.E., and J.P. Kempton. 1967. Sand and gravel resources of Boone County, Illinois. Illinois State Geo- logical Survey Circular 417. 14 pp. Lineback, J.A. 1979. Quaternary deposits of Illinois. Illinois State Geological Survey map, scale 1:500,000. Masters, J.M. 1984. Sand, gravel, and peat resources in Boone and Winnebago counties: in R.C. Berg et al., Geology for planning in Boone and Winnebago counties. Illinois State Geological Survey Circular 531:46-54. Palmer, A.R. 1983. The decade of North American geology, 1983 geologic time scale. Geological Society of America, Boulder, CO. 2 pp. Samson, LE., J.M. Masters, and D. Spindler. In preparation. Directory of Illinois mineral producers - 1995: Illinois State Geological Survey. Illinois Minerals. Treworgy, J.D. 1981. Structural features in Illinois - a compendium. Illinois State Geological Survey Circular 519. 22 pp. 114 Rock River Area Assessment Willman, H.B., and T.C. Buschbach. 1975. Ordovician system: in H.B. Willman et al., Handbook of Illinois stratigraphy. Illinois.State Geological Survey Bulletin 95:47-104. References for Natural Communities Introduction Sections Herkert, J.R. editor. 1991a. Endangered and threatened species of Illinois: status and distribution, volume 1 - plants. Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board, Springfield, Illinois. 158 pp. Herkert, J.R. editor. 1991b. Endangered and threatened species of Illinois: status and distribution, volume 2 - animals. Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board, Springfield, Illinois. 142 pp. Herkert, J.R. editor. 1994. Endangered and threatened species of Illinois: status and distribution, volume 3 - 1994 changes. Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board, Springfield, Illinois. 142 pp. IDNR (CTAP). 1994. The changing I]linois environment: critical trends, land cover database for Illinois, 1991- 1995. IDNR, Springfield, IL. Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board. 1994. Checklist of the endangered and threatened animals and plants of Illinois. Illinois Department of Conservation, Springfield, Illinois. 20 pp. Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA). 1994. Illinois water quality report (1990-91). State of Illi- nois, Environmental Protection Agency, Division of Water Pollution Control, Planning Section, Springfield, IL. 258 pp. Illinois Natural Heritage Database. 1995. Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Springfield, IL.. Luman, D. 1995. Satellite landcover data analysis for the Rock River Area. Unpublished Illinois State Geologi- cal Survey report submitted to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Springfield, IL. McFall, D., and J. Karnes, editors. 1991. A directory of Illinois nature preserves: volume 1 - northeastern Illinois. Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Division of Natural Heritage, Springfield, IL. 195 pp. McFall, D., and J. Karnes, editors. 1991. A directory of Illinois nature preserves: volume 2 - northwestern, central and southern Illinois. Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Division of Natural Heritage, Springfield, IL. 327 pp. Neely and Heister, compilers. 1987. The natural resources of Illinois: introduction and guide. Illinois Natural History Survey Special Publication 6. 224 pp. Page, et al. 1992. Biologically significant Illinois streams: an evaluation of the streams of Illinois based on aquatic biodiversity. Center for Biodiversity Technical Report 1992(1). 485 pp. Schwegman, J.E. 1973. The natural divisions of Illinois. Illinois Department of Conservation, Springfield. 32 pp. United States Department of the Interior. 1994. Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants; Animal candi- date review for listing endangered or threatened species. Federal Register volume 59(219): 58982-59028. White, J. 1978. Illinois natural areas inventory technical report: volume 1, survey methods and results. Illinois Natural Areas Inventory, Urbana. 426 pp. References for Flora Introduction Section Acker, L.L., M.S. Hodges, G.T. Keller, and R. Rehner. 1980. Soil survey of Ogle County, Illinois. United States Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service in cooperation with the Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station. 242 pp. + 108 maps. References IS Havera S.P., and L.B. Suloway. 1994. Wetlands. /n Illinois Department of Energy and Natural Resources. 1994. The changing Illinois environment: critical trends., summary report and volumes 1-7 technical report. Illinois Department of Energy and Natural Resources, Springfield, IL,ILENR/RE-EA-94/05. Iverson, L.R., M. Joselyn. 1989. Forest cover in Illinois: 1820-1980. Pull out map in Iverson, L.R.., R.L. Oliver, D.P. Tucker, P.G. Risser, C.D. Burnett, and R.G. Rayburn. 1989. The forest resources of Illinois: an atlas and analysis of spatial and temporal trends. Illinois Natural History Survey Special Publication 11. 181 pp. Jones, M.D. 1994. Flora of Lowden-Miller State Forest, Ogle County, Illinois. Report submitted to the Illinois Department of Conservation. 30 pp. (plus maps). King, J. E. 1981. Late-quaternary vegetational history of Illinois. Ecol. Monogr. 51:43-62. Mankowski, A. 1995. Natural heritage resource document for the Rock River macrosite: Lee, Ogle, and Winnebago counties, Illinois. Division of Natural Heritage, Illinois Department of Conservation, Spring- field. White, J. 1978. Illinois natural areas inventory technical report: volume |, survey methods and results. Illinois Natural Areas Inventory, Urbana. 426 pp. Willman, H. B. 1967. Geologic map of Illinois. Illinois State Geological Survey. References for Fauna Introduction Section Brandon, R.A., and S. Ballard. 1991. Inventories of amphibians and reptiles in Illinois. Illinois Department of Conservation Report. 133 pp. Hoffmeister, D. F. 1989. Mammals of Illinois. University of Illinois Press. 348 pp. Illinois Natural Heritage Database. 1995. Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Springfield, IL. Kelt, D. A. 1991. Composition and biogeography of small mammals in northwestern Illinois based on pitfall trapping. Trans. Ill. Acad. Sci.. 84:175-184. Robinson, S.K. 1995. Nesting success of forest songbirds in northwestern Illinois. Illinois Natural History Survey, Center for Wildlife Ecology, Champaign, IL. 56p. (+ tables) (Final report, project W-115-R-3) Smith, P.W. 1961. The amphibians and reptiles of Illinois. Illinois Natural History Survey Bulletin 28(1):1- 298. References for Forest Sections Introductions: Acker, L.L., M.S. Hodges, G.T. Keller, and R. Rehner. 1980. Soil survey of Ogle County, Illinois. United States Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service in cooperation with the Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station. 242 pp. + 108 maps. King, J. E. 1981. Late-quaternary vegetational history of Illinois. Ecol. Monogr. 51:43-62. Mankowski, A. 1995. Natural heritage resource document for the Rock River macrosite: Lee, Ogle, and Winnebago counties, Illinois. Division of Natural Heritage, Illinois Department of Conservation, Springfield. Robinson, S.K. 1995. Nesting success of forest songbirds in northwestern Illinois. Illinois Natural History Survey, Center for Wildlife Ecology, Champaign, IL. 56p. (+ tables) (Final report, project W-115-R-3) 116 Rock River Area Assessment Smith, P.W. 1961. The amphibians and reptiles of Illinois. Illinois Natural History Survey Bulletin 28(1):1-298. White, J. 1978. Illinois natural areas technical report: volume 1 - Ging methods and results. Illinois Natural Areas Inventory, Urbana. 426 pp. Willman, H.B. 1967. Geologic map of Illinois. Illinois State Geological Survey. Vegetation: Acker, L.L., M.S. Hodges, G.T. Keller, and R. Rehner. 1980. Soil survey of Ogle County, Illinois. United States Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service in cooperation with the Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station. 242 pp. + 108 maps. Anderson, R.C. 1970. Prairies in the prairie state. Transactions of the Illinois State Academy of Science 63(2):214- 221. Illinois natural heritage database. 1995. Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Springfield, IL. Iverson, L.R., and M.W. Schwartz. 1994. Forests. In Illinois Department of Energy and Natural Resources. 1994. The changing Illinois environment: critical trends, summary report and volumes 1-7 technical report. Illinois Department of Energy and Natural Resources, Springfield, IL, TLENR/RE-EA-94/05. Mankowski, A. 1995. Natural heritage resource document for the Rock River Macrosite: Lee, Ogle, and Winnebago counties, Illinois. Division of Natural Heritage, Illinois Department of Conservation, Springfield. McClain, W.E. 1986. Illinois prairie: past and future: a restoration ‘guide. Illinois Department of Conservation. 26 pp. Mohlenbrock, R.H. 1986. Guide to the vascular flora of IIlinois.: revised and enlarged edition. Southern Illinois University Press, Carbondale. viii + 507 pp. Sauer, C.O. 1950. Grassland, climates, fire, and man. Journal of Range Management 3:16-22. Taft, J.B. 1989a. Vegetation of FAP 742 (IL Route 2) between Dixon and Oregon, Illinois, including Castle Rock State Park, with emphasis on the state and federal candidate endangered and threatened species and natural areas. Section of Botany and Plant Pathology Technical Series No. BPP 1989-1. Report to the Illinois Department of Transportation. 14 pp. + Appendices. Taft, J.B. 1989b. Vegetation of FAP 742 (IL Route 2), Pines/ Ridge Road Alternate, with emphasis on the state and federal candidate endangered and threatened species and natural areas. Section of ' Botany and Plant Pathology, Illinois Natural History Survey. Memorandum of 16 February 1989 to the Illinois Department of Transportation. 2 pp. Taft, J.B. 1990. The noteworthy native vegetation of the FAP 742 (IL Route 2) project area from Oregon to Byron, Ogle County, Illinois. Center for Biogeographic Information, Illinois Natural History Survey. 8 pp. Report prepared for the Illinois Department of Transportation, Bureau of Location and Environment, Springfield. Taft, J.B. 1992. The noteworthy vegetation of the Unimin Corporation Scenic Easement Study Area, Ogle County, Illinois with emphasis on threatened and endangered plant species, candidate species, and natural areas. Report submitted to Unimin Corporation and the Illinois Department of Gonsema: tion. 20 pp. + figures and 7 appendices. Taft, J.B., M.W. Schwartz, and L.R. Phillippe. 1995. Vegetation ecology of flatwoods on the Illinoian tillplain. J. Veg. Sci. 6(5):647-666. References 117 Taft, J. B., and M. K. Solecki. 1986. A preliminary biological survey of the FAP 742 corridor from Oregon to Dixon, Illinois. Memorandum to the IIlinois Department of Transportation. 33 pp. Taft; J. B., and M. K. Solecki. 1990. Vascular flora of the wetland and prairie communities at Gavin Bog and Prairie Nature Preserve, Lake County, Illinois. Rhodora 92:142-165. White, J. 1978. Illinois natural areas technical report: volume 1 - survey methods and results. Illinois Natural Areas Inventory, Urbana. 426 pp. White, J. and M.H. Madany. 1978. Classification of natural communities in Illinois. Pages 310-405 (Appendix 30) in: White, J. Illinois natural areas inventory technical report: volume | - survey methods and results. Urbana. Illinois Natural Areas Inventory. Birds: Illinois natural heritage database. 1995. Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Springfield, IL. Robinson, S.K. 1995. Nesting success of forest songbirds in northwestern Illinois. Illinois Natural History Survey, Center for Wildlife Ecology, Champaign, IL. 56p. (+ tables) (Final report, project W-115-R-3). Amphibians and Reptiles: Brandon, R.A. and S. Ballard. 1991. Inventories of amphibians and reptiles in Illinois. Illinois Department of Conservation Report. 133 pp. Collins, J.T., ed. 1990. Standard common and current scientific names for North American amphibians and reptiles. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. Herpetological Circular No. 19. 41 pp. Illinois natural heritage database. 1995. Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Springfield, IL. Smith, P.W. 1961. The amphibians and reptiles of Illinois. Illinois Natural History Survey Bulletin 28(1):1-298. Mammals: Hoffmeister, D.F. 1989. Mammals of Illinois. University of Illinois Press. 348 pp. Illinois natural heritage database. 1995. Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Springfield, IL. Kelt, D.A. 1991. Composition and biogeography of small mammals in northwestem Illinois based on pitfall trapping. Trans. Ill. Acad. Sci., 84:175-184. References for Prairie/Grassland sections: Vegetation: Anderson, R.C. 1970. Prairies in the prairie state. Transactions of the Illinois State Academy of Science 63(2):214-221. Fell, E.W., G.B. Fell. 1956. The gravel-hill prairies of Rock River Valley in Illinois. Illinois Academy of Science Transactions, 49:47-58. Illinois Natural Heritage Database. 1995. Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Springfield, IL. Robertson, K.R., and M.W. Schwartz. 1994. Prairies. In Illinois Department of Energy and Natural Resources. 1994. The changing Illinois environment: critical trends, summary report and volumes 1-7 technical report. Illinois Department of Energy and Natural Resources, Springfield, IL, ILENR/RE-EA-94/05. McClain, W.E. 1986. Illinois prairie: past and future: a restoration guide. Illinois Department of Conservation. 26 pp. 118 Rock River Area Assessment Mohlenbrock, R.H. 1986. Guide to the vascular flora of Illinois, revised and ig Eg edition. Southern Illinois University Press, Carbondale. viii + 507 pp. Sauer, C.O. 1950. Grassland, climates, fire, and man. Journal of Range Management 3:16-22. Taft, J.B. 1989a. Vegetation of FAP 742 (IL Route 2) between Dixon and Oregon, Illinois, including Castle Rock State Park, with emphasis on the state and federal candidate endangered and threatened species and natural areas. Section of Botany and Plant Pathology Technical Series No. BPP 1989-1. Report to the Illinois Department of Transportation. 14 pp. + appendices. Taft, J.B. 1989b. Vegetation of FAP 742 (IL Route 2), Pines/ Ridge Road Alternate, with emphasis on the state and federal candidate endangered and threatened species and natural areas. Section of Botany and Plant Pathol- ogy, Illinois Natural History Survey. Memorandum of 16 February 1989 to the Illinois Department of Transpor- tation. 2 pp. Taft, J.B. 1990. The noteworthy native vegetation of the FAP 742 (IL Route 2) project area from Oregon to Byron, Ogle County, Illinois. Center for Biogeographic Information, Illinois Natural History Survey. 8 pp. Report prepared for the Illinois Department of Transportation, Bureau of Location and Environment, Springfield. Taft, J.B. 1992. The noteworthy vegetation of the Unimin Corporation Scenic Easement Study Area, Ogle County, Illinois with emphasis on threatened and endangered plant species, candidate ; species, and natural areas. Report submitted to Unimin Corporation and the Illinois Department of Conservation. 20 pp. + figures and 7 appendices. Taft, J.B., M.W. Schwartz, and L.R. Phillippe. 1995 (in press). Vegetation ecology of flatwoods on the Illinoian till plain. J. Veg. Sci. 6(5):647-666. Taft, J.B., and M.K. Solecki. 1986. A preliminary biological survey of the FAP 742 corridor from Oregon to Dixon, Illinois. Memorandum to the Illinois Department of Transportation. 33 pp. Taft, J.B., and M.K. Solecki. 1990. Vascular flora of the wetland and prairie communities at Gavin Bog and Prairie Nature Preserve, Lake County, Illinois. Rhodora 92:142-165. White, J. 1978. Illinois natural areas technical report, volume 1, survey methods and results. Urbana. Illinois Natural Features Inventory. Willman, H.B., E. Atherton, T.C. Buschback, C. Collinson, J.C. Frye, M.E. Hopkins, J.A. Lineback, and J.A. Simon. 1975. Handbook of Illinois stratigraphy. Illinois State Geological Survey Bulletin 95. 261 pp., 176 figs., 3 tables. Birds: Herkert, J.R., and S.K. Robinson, unpublished data. Illinois natural heritage database. 1995. Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Springfield, IL. Amphibians and Reptiles: Brandon, R.A. and S. Ballard. 1991. Inventories of amphibians and reptiles in Illinois. Illinois Department of Consrevation Report. 133 pp. Collins, J.T., ed. 1990. Standard common and current scientific names for North American amphibians and reptiles. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. Herpetological Circular No. 19. 41 pp. Illinois natural heritage database. 1995. Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Springfield, IL. Smith, P.W. 1961. The amphibians and reptiles of Illinois. Illinois Natural History Survey Bulletin 28(1):1-298. References 119 Mammals: Hoffmeister, D.F. 1989. Mammals of Illinois. University of Illinois Press. 348 pp. Illinois natural heritage database. 1995. Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Springfield, IL. Kelt, D.A. 1991. Composition and biogeography of small mammals in northwestern Illinois based on pitfall trapping. Trans. Ill. Acad. Sci. 84:175-184. References for Savanna/Barrens Section: lilinois natural heritage database. 1995. Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Springfield, IL. Mohlenbrock, RH. 1986. Guide to the vascular flora of Illinois.: revised and enlarged edition. Southern Illinois University Press, Carbondale. viii + 507 pp. Suloway, L., and M. Hubbell. 1994. Wetland resources of Illinois: an analysis and atlas. Illinois Natural History Survey Special Publication 15. 88 pp. Taft, J.B. 1989a. Vegetation of FAP 742 (IL Route 2) between Dixon and Oregon, Illinois, including Castle Rock State Park, with emphasis on the state and federal candidate endangered and threatened species and natural areas. Section of Botany and Plant Pathology Technical Series No. BPP 1989-1. Report to the Illinois Department of Transportation. 14 pp. + appendices. Taft, J.B. 1989b. Vegetation of FAP 742 (IL Route 2), Pines/ Ridge Road Alternate, with emphasis on the state and federal candidate endangered and threatened species and natural areas. Section of Botany and Plant Pathol- ogy, Illinois Natural History Survey. Memorandum of 16 February 1989 to the Illinois Department of Transpor- "tation. 2 pp. Taft, J.B. 1990. The noteworthy native vegetation of the FAP 742 (IL Route 2) project area from Oregon to Byron, Ogle County, Illinois. Center for Biogeographic Information, Illinois Natural History Survey. 8 pp. Report prepared for the Illinois Department of Transportation, Bureau of Location and Environment, Springfield. Taft, J.B. 1992. The noteworthy vegetation of the Unimin Corporation Scenic Easement Study Area, Ogle County, Illinois with emphasis on threatened and endangered plant species, candidate species, and natural areas. Report submitted to Unimin Corporation and the Illinois Department of Conservation. 20 pp. + figures and 7 appendices. Taft, J.B., M.W. Schwartz, and L.R. Phillippe. 1995. Vegetation ecology of flatwoods on the Illinoian till plain. J. Veg. Sci. 6(5):647-666. Taft, J.B., and M.K. Solecki. 1986. A preliminary biological survey of the FAP 742 corridor from Oregon to Dixon, Illinois. Memorandum to the Illinois Department of Transportation. 33 pp. Taft, J.B., and M.K. Solecki. 1990. Vascular flora of the wetland and prairie communities at Gavin Bog and Prairie Nature Preserve, Lake County, Illinois. Rhodora 92:142-165. White, J. 1978. Illinois natural aeas inventory technical report, volume |: survey methods and results. Illinois Natural Areas Inventory, Urbana. 426 pp. References for Primary Communities Section Illinois natural heritage database. 1995. Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Springfield, IL. Mohlenbrock, R.H. 1986. Guide to the vascular flora of Illinois: revised and enlarged edition. Southern Illinois University Press, Carbondale. viii + 507 pp. 120 Rock River Area Assessment Suloway, L., and M. Hubbell. 1994. Wetland resources of Illinois: an analysis and atlas. Illinois Natural History Survey Special Publication 15. 88 pp. Taft, J.B. 1989a. Vegetation of FAP 742 (IL Route 2) between Dixon and Oregon, Illinois, including Castle Rock State Park, with emphasis on the state and federal candidate endangered and threatened species and natural areas. Section of Botany and Plant Pathology Technical Series No. BPP 1989-1. Report to the Illinois Department of Transportation. 14 pp. + appendices. Taft, J.B. 1989b. Vegetation of FAP 742 (IL Route 2), Pines/ Ridge Road Alternate, with emphasis on the state and federal candidate endangered and threatened species and natural areas. Section of Botany and Plant Pathology, Illinois Natural History Survey. Memorandum of 16 February 1989 to the Illinois Department of Transportation. 2 pp. : Taft, J.B. 1990. The noteworthy native vegetation of the FAP 742 (IL Route 2) project area from Oregon to Byron, Ogle County, Illinois. Center for Biogeographic Information, Illinois Natural History Survey. 8 pp. Report prepared for the Illinois Department of Transportation, Bureau of Location and Environment, Springfield. Taft, J.B. 1992, The noteworthy vegetation of the Unimin Corporation Scenic Easement Study Area, Ogle County, Illinois with emphasis on threatened and endangered plant species, candidate species, and natural areas. Report submitted to Unimin Corporation and the Illinois Department of Conservation. 20 pp. + figures and 7 appendices. Taft, J.B., M.W. Schwartz, and L.R. Phillippe. 1995. Vegetation ecology of flatwoods on the Illinoian till plain. J. Veg. Sci. 6(5):647-666. Taft, J.B., and M.K. Solecki. 1986. A preliminary biological survey of the FAP 742 corridor from Oregon to Dixon, Illinois. Memorandum to the Illinois Department of Transportation. 33 pp. Taft, J.B., and M.K. Solecki. 1990. Vascular flora of the wetland and prairie communities at Gavin Bog and Prairie Nature Preserve, Lake County, Illinois. Rhodora 92:142-165. White, J. 1978. Illinois natural areas inventory technical report: volume 1 - survey methods and results. Illinois Natural Areas Inventory, Urbana. 426 pp. References for Wetland Section: Vegetation: Illinois natural heritage database. 1995. Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Springfield, IL. Mohlenbrock, R.H. 1986. Guide to the vascular flora of Illinois: revised and enlarged edition. Southern Illinois University Press, Carbondale. viii + 507 pp. Suloway, L., and M. Hubbell. 1994. Wetland resources of Illinois: an analysis and atlas. Illinois Natural History Survey Special Publication 15. 88 pp. Taft, J.B. 1989a. Vegetation of FAP 742 (IL Route 2) between Dixon and Oregon, Illinois, including Castle Rock State Park, with emphasis on the state and federal candidate endangered and threatened species and natural areas. Section of Botany and Plant Pathology Technical Series No. BPP 1989-1. Report to the Illinois Department of Transportation. 14 pp. + appendices. Taft, J.B. 1989b. Vegetation of FAP 742 (IL Route 2), Pines/ Ridge Road Alternate, with emphasis on the state and federal candidate endangered and threatened species and natural areas. Section of Botany and Plant Pathology, Illinois Natural History Survey. Memorandum of 16 February 1989 to the Illinois Department of Transportation. 2 pp. References 12] Taft, J.B. 1990. The noteworthy native vegetation of the FAP 742 (IL Route 2) project area from Oregon to Byron, Ogle County, Illinois. Center for Biogeographic Information, Illinois Natural History Survey. 8 pp. Report prepared for the Illinois Department of Transportation, Bureau of Location and Environment, Springfield. Taft, J.B. 1992. The noteworthy vegetation of the Unimin Corporation Scenic Easement Study Area, Ogle County, Illinois with emphasis on threatened and endangered plant species, candidate species, and natural areas. Report submitted to Unimin Corporation and the Illinois Department of Conservation. 20 pp. + figures and 7 appendices. Taft, J.B., M.W. Schwartz, and L.R. Phillippe. 1995 (in press). Vegetation ecology of flatwoods on the Illinoian till plain. J. Veg. Sci. 6(5):647-666. Taft, J.B., and M.K. Solecki. 1986. A preliminary biological survey of the FAP 742 corridor from Oregon to Dixon, Illinois. Memorandum to the Illinois Department of Transportation. 33 pp. Taft, J.B., and M.K. Solecki. 1990. Vascular flora of the wetland and prairie communities at Gavin Bog and Prairie Nature Preserve, Lake County, Illinois. Rhodora 92:142-165. White, J. 1978. Illinois natural areas inventory technical report, volume | survey methods and results. Urbana. Illinois Natural Areas Inventory. 426 pp. Birds: Illinois natural heritage database. 1995. Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Springfield, IL. Robinson, S.K. 1995. Nesting success of forest songbirds in northwestern Illinois. Illinois Natural History Survey, Center for Wildlife Ecology, Champaign, IL. 56p. (+ tables) (Final report, project W-115-R-3) Amphibians and Reptiles: Brandon, R.A. and S. Ballard. 1991. Inventories of amphibians and reptiles in Illinois. Illinois Department of Conservation Report. 133 pp. Collins, J.T., ed. 1990. Standard common and current scientific names for North American amphibians and reptiles. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. Herpetological Circular No. 19. 41 pp. Illinois natural heritage database. 1995. Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Springfield, IL. Smith, P.W. 1961. ‘The amphibians and reptiles of Illinois. Illinois Natural History Survey Bulletin 28(1):1-298. Mammals: Hoffmeister, D.F. 1989. Mammals of Illinois. University of Illinois Press. 348 pp. Illinois natural heritage database. 1995. Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Springfield, IL. Kelt, D.A. 1991. Composition and biogeography of small mammals in northwestern Illinois based on pitfall trapping. Trans. Ill. Acad. Sci.. 84:175-184. References for Aquatic Resources Introduction Section: Illinois Department of Conservation. 1994. Inventory of Illinois surface water resources: 1993. Illinois Depart- ment of Conservation, Division of Fisheries. Springfield, IL. 37 pp. Illinois Department of Energy and Natural Resources. 1995. The changing Illinois environment: critical trends, ‘land cover database for Illinois: 1991-1995. Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Springfield, IL. 122 Rock River Area Assessment ‘Tllinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA). 1994. Illinois water quality report (1990-91). State of Illinois, Environmental Protection Agency, Division of Water Pollution Control, Planning Section, Springfield, IL. 258 pp. Illinois natural heritage database. 1995. Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Springfield, IL. References for Fish/Mussel/Crustacean Section: Baker, F.C. 1926. The naiad fauna of the Rock River system: A study of the law of stream distribution. Trans- actions of the Illinois State Academy of Science 1926:103-112. ; Brigham, A.R. 1978. An assessment of water quality of the Rock River Basin derived from a biological inves- tigation. Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Springfield. 175 pp. Hite, R.L., and B.A. Bertrand. 1989. Biological stream characterization (BSC): a biological assessment of Illinois stream quality. Illinois State Water Plan Task Force Special Report 13:1-42 + map. Illinois Environmental Potection Agency. 1990. Illinois water quality report (1988-89). State of Illinois, Envi- ronmental Protection Agency, Division of Water Pollution Control, Planning Section, Springfield. 351 pp. Iverson, L.R. 1987. Soils. in R.D. Neely and C.G. Heister (compilers). The natural resources of Illinois: introduction and guide. Illinois Natural History Survey Special Publication No. 6. 224 pp. Matteson, M.R. 1961. A comparative study of two unionid populations of the Lower Rock River. Transactions of the Illinois State Academy of Science 54(1):54-60. Miller, T.B. 1972. Investigation of the freshwater mussels of the Rock River, Illinois. Illinois Department of Conservation, Division of Fisheries, Special Report 43:1-12. Rolfe, D. 1929. The Rock River country of northern Illinois. Illinois State Geological Survey Educational Series No. 2. 59 pp. Schwegman, J.E., G.B. Fell, M.D. Hutchison, G. Paulson, W.M. Shephard, and J. White. 1973. Comprehensive plan for the Illinois nature preserves system., part 2, the natural divisions of Illinois. Illinois Nature Preserves Commission, Springfield, Illinois. 32 pp. Smith, P.W. 1971. Illinois streams: a classification based on their fishes and analysis of factors responsible for disappearance of native species. Illinois Natural History Survey Biological Notes No. 76. 14 pp. United States Department of the Interior. 1994. Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants; animal candi- date review for listing endangered or threatened species. Federal Register volume 59(219): 58982-59028. References for Aquatic Insects Section Biological stream characterization map. 1995. Illinois Natural History Survey, Champaign, IL. Burks, B.D. 1953. The mayflies, or Ephemeroptera, of Illinois. Bulletin of the Illinois Natural History Survey 26:1-216. Ross, H.H. 1944. The caddisflies or Trichoptera of Illinois. Bulletin of the Illinois Natural History Survey 23:1-326. Appendix A 123 Appendix A. Species cited in this technical report (scientific and common nomenclature) for the Rock River Assessment Watersheds, excluding insects (see Table 38). Bold type indicates a state endangered (SE), state threatened (ST), state watch list (WL), federally endangered (FE), federally threatened (FT), or federal candidate (FC) species (Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board, 1994; United State Department of Interior, 1994) an asterick * indicates an introduced species. Vascular plant species : Botanical nomenclature follows Mohlenbrock (1986). Total number of species = 525 (518 native, 7 introduced) Acalypha gracilens Acalypha rhomboidea Acer negundo Acer nigrum Acer saccharinum Acer saccharum Achillea millefolium* Actaea pachypoda Actaea rubra Adiantum pedatum Agalinis tenuifolia Agrimonia gryposepala Agrimonia parviflora Agropyron repens* Agrostis alba* Agrostis hyemalis Agrostis scabra Alliaria petiolata* Ambrosia artemisiifolia Ambrosia trifida Amelanchier laevis Amelanchier arborea Amorpha canescens Amphicarpa bracteata Andropogon gerardii Anemone canadensis Anemone cylindrica * Anemone patens Anemone virginiana Anemone quinquefolia Angelica atropurpurea Antennaria neglecta Antennaria plantaginifolia Apios americana Apocynum androsaemifolium Apocynum cannabinum Aquilegia canadensis Arabis canadensis Arabis laevigata Arabis shortii Aralia nudicaulis Aralia racemosa Arctostaphylos uva-ursi T Arenaria stricta Arisaema triphyllum Aronia melanocarpa Artemisia campestris Slender three-seeded mercury Three-sided mercury Box elder Black maple Silver maple Sugar maple Yarrow White baneberry Red baneberry Maidenhair fern Slender false foxglove Tall agrimony Swamp agrimony Quack grass Red top Winter bent grass Tickle grass Garlic mustard Common ragweed Giant ragweed Shadbush Shadbush Lead plant Hog peanut Big bluestem Canada anemone Thimbleweed Pasque flower Tall anemone Wood anenome Angelica Pussytoes Plantainleaf pussytoes Groundnut Spreading dogbane Indian hemp Columbine Sickle pod Smooth bank cress Toothed cress Wild sarsaparilla American spikenard Bearberry Sandwort Jack-in-the-pulpit Black chokecherry Beach wormwood 124 Plants continued Asarum canadense Asclepias amplexicaulis Asclepias hirtella Asclepias incarnata Asclepias ontarioides E Asclepias purpurescens Asclepias syriaca Asclepias tuberosa Asclepias verticillata Asclepias viridiflora Asimina triloba Asplenium platyneuron Asplenium rhizophyllum Aster azureus Aster ericoides Aster furcatus T Aster laevis Aster linariifolius Aster novae-angliae Aster oblongifolius Aster pilosus ’ Aster ptarmicoides Aster puniceus Aster sericeus Aster simplex Aster umbellatus Astragalus canadensis Athyrium angustum Aureolaria grandiflora Baptisia leucophaea Besseya bullii T Betula allegheniense E Bidens cernua Bidens frondosa Boehmeria cylindrica Botrychium dissectum var. obliquum Botrychium virginianum Bouteloua curtipendula Brickellia eupatorioides Bromus inermis* Cacalia atriplicifolia Cacalia suaveolens Calamagrostis canadensis Callirhoé triangulata Calystegia spithamaea Caltha palustris Campanula americana Campanula aparinoides Campanula rotundifolia Cardamine bulbosa Carex albursina Carex annectans Carex blanda Carex brevior Carex cephaloidea Carex comosa Carex gracillima Rock River Area Assessment Wild ginger Sand milkweed Green milkweed Swamp milweed Wooly milkweed Purple milkweed Common milkweed Butterfly weed Whorled milkweed Short green milkweed Pawpaw Ebony spleenwort Walking fern Sky-blue aster Heath aster Forked aster Smooth blue aster Stiff-leaved aster New England aster Aromatic aster Hairy aster Stiff aster Swamp aster Silky aster Panicled aster Flat-top aster Milk vetch Lady fern Yellow false foxglove Cream wild indigo Kitten tails Yellow birch Nodding bur-marigold Beggar’s-ticks False nettle Bronze fern Rattlesnake fern Sideoats grama False boneset Smooth brome Pale indian plantain Sweet Indian plantain Bluejoint grass Poppy mallow Dwarf bindweed Marsh marigold Tall bellflower Marsh bellflower Harebell Bulbous cress Sedge Yellow fox sedge Woodland sedge Sedge Sedge Bristly sedge Sedge Plants continued Carex hystricina Carex interior Carex laevivaginata Carex meadia Carex muhlenbergii Carex pensylvanica Carex rosea Carex stipata Carex stricta Carex tribuloides Carex trichocarpa Carpinus carolinianus Carya cordiformis Carya ovata Cassia marilandica Castilleja sessiliflora T Caulophyllum thalictroides Ceanothus americanus Ceanothus herbaceous E Celtis occidentalis Cerastium nutans Cheilanthes feei Chelone glabra Cicuta bulbifera Cicuta maculata Cinna arundinacea Circaea lutetiana Cirsium altissimum Cirsium discolor Cirsium hillii T Cirsium muticum Cirsium vulgare Claytonia virginica Clematis virginiana Coeloglossum viride Comandra umbellata Conyza canadensis Coreopsis palmata Coreopsis tripteris Cornus alternifolia Cornus canadensis E Cornus obliqua Cornus racemosa Cornus stolonifera Corydalis sempervirens E Corylus americana Cryptotaenia canadensis Cyperus filiculmis Cyperus schweinitzii Cypripedium acaule E Cypripedium pubescens W Cystopteris bulbifera Cystopteris protrusa Dalea candida Dalea purpurea Danthonia spicata Dasistoma macrophylla Appendix A Bottlebrush sedge Inland sedge Sedge Sedge Sand sedge Pennsylvania sedge Sedge Prickly sedge Tussock sedge Sedge Sedge American hornbeam Bitternut hickory Shagbark hickory Maryland senna Downy yellow painted cup Blue cohosh New Jersey tea Redroot Hackberry Nodding mouse-ear chickweed Lip fern White turtlehead Bulblet water hemlock Water hemlock Stout woodreed Enchanter’s nightshade Tall thistle Pasture thistle Hill’s thistle Swamp thistle Bull thistle Spring beauty Virgin’s bower Bracted green orchid Bastard toadflax Dwarf fleabane Tickseed Tall tickseed Alternate-leaved dogwood Bunchberry Silky dogwood Gray dogwood Red-osier dogwood Pink corydalis Hazelnut Honewort Fern flatsedge Schweinitz sedge Moccasin flower Yellow lady’s slipper orchid Bulblet fern Fragile fern White prairie-clover Purple prairie-clover Poverty oat grass Mullein foxglove 125 126 Plants continued Daucus carota* Dentaria laciniata Desmodium canadense ’ Desmodium glutinosum Desmodium illinoense Desmodium nudiflorum Desmodium sessilifolia Dicentra cucullaria Dichanthelium acuminatum var. linheimeri Dichanthelium depauperatum Dichanthelium leibergii Dichanthelium oligosanthes Dichanthelium villosissimum Diervilla lonicera Dioscorea villosa Dirca palustris Dodecatheon meadia Dryopteris carthusiana Dryopteris cristata Dryopteris intermedia Dryopteris marginalis Echinacea pallida Echinocystis lobata Ellisia nyctellia Elymus canadensis Elymus hystrix Elymus virginicus Epilobium ciliatum Epilobium coloratum Equisetum arvense Equisetum fluviatile Equisetum hyemale Equisetum laevigatum Equisetum pratense E Equisetum sylvaticum E Eragrostis spectabilis Erigeron annuus Erigeron strigosus Eryngium yuccifolium Erythronium albidum Euonymus obovatus Eupatorium altissimum Eupatorium maculatum Eupatorium perfoliatum Eupatorium purpureum Eupatorium rugosa Eupatorium serotinum Euphorbia corollata Euthamia graminifolia Festuca obtusa Fragaria virginiana Fraxinus americana Fraxinus pennsylvanicus Fraxinus quadrangulata Galearis spectabilis Galium aparine Galium boreale Rock River Area Assessment Queen Anne’s lace Toothwort Showy tick trefoil Pointed tick trefoil Tick trefoil Bare-stemmed tick trefoil Tick trefoil Dutchman’s breeches Panic grass Starved panic grass Panic grass panic grass Panic grass Bush honeysuckle Wild yam Leatherwood Shooting star Spinulose woodfern Crested shield fern Intermediate fern Leather fern Pale purple coneflower Wild cucumber Waterpod Canada wild rye Bottlebrush grass _ Virginia wild rye Northern willow herb Cinnamon willow herb Field horsetail Water horsetail Scouring rush Smooth scouring rush Meadow horsetail Horsetail Purple love grass Daisy fleabane Whitetop fleabane Rattlesnake master White trout lily Running strawberry bush Tall boneset Spotted joe-pye weed Common boneset Sweet joe-pye weed White snakeroot Late boneset Flowering spurge Grass-leaved goldenrod Nodding fescue Wild strawberry White ash Green ash Blue ash Showy orchis Annual bedstraw Northern bedstraw Plants continued Galium circaezans Galium triflorum Gaura biennis Gaylussacia baccata Gentiana andrewsii Gentiana crinita Gentiana puberula Geranium maculatum Geum canadense Geum laciniatum Geum triflorum Glechoma hederacea Glyceria striata Gleditsia triacanthos Gnaphalium obtusifolium Goodyera pubescens Gymnocarpium dryopteris E Hamamelis virginiana Hedeoma hispida Hedyotis caerulea Hedyotis longifolia Helenium autumnale Helianthemum bicknellii Helianthemum canadense Helianthus divaricatus Helianthus grosseserratus Helianthus hirsuta Helianthus occidentalis Helianthus rigidus Heliopsis helianthoides Hepatica nobilis var. acuta Heuchera americana Heuchera richardsonii Hieracium longipilum Hieracium scabrum Humulus lupulus Hydrangea arborea Hydrastis canadensis | Hydrophyllum appendiculatum Hydrophyllum virginianum Hypericum gentianoides Hypericum punctatum Hypoxis hirsuta Impatiens capensis Impatiens pallida Tris shrevei Isopyrum biternatum Juglans nigra Juncus dudleyi Juncus effusus Juncus tenuis Juniperus virginiana Koeleria macrantha Krigia biflora Krigia virginica ‘ Lactuca floridana Lactuca serriola Appendix A 127 Wild licorice Bedstraw Gaura Huckleberry Bottle gentian Fringed gentian Downy gentian Wild geranium White avens Rough avens Prairie smoke Ground ivy Fow] meadow grass Honey locust Sweet everlasting Rattlesnake plantain Oak fern Witch hazel Rough pennyroyal Bluets Long-leaved bluets Sneezeweed Rock rose Rock rose Woodland sunflower Sawtooth sunflower Oblong sunflower Western sunflower Stiff sunflower False sunflower Sharped-lobed hepatica Tall alum root Prairie alum root Long-bearded hawkweed Rough hawkweed Common hops Wild hydrangea Golden seal Great waterleaf Virginia waterleaf Orange grass Spotted St. Johns-wort Yellow stargrass Spotted touch-me-not Pale touch-me-not Wild blue iris False rue anemone Black walnut Rush Common rush Path rush Red cedar June grass False dandelion False dandelion Blue lettuce Prickly lettuce 128 Plants continued Laportea canadensis Lathyrus ochroleucus T Lathyrus palustris Lechea tenuifolia Lechea villosa Leersia oryzoides Leersia virginica Lespedeza capitata Lespedeza leptostachya E Liatris aspera Liatris cylindracea Liatris pycnostachya Lilium michiganense Linaria canadensis Linum sulcatum Liparis lilifolia Lithospermum canescens Lithospermum caroliniense Lithospermum incisum Lobelia inflata Lobelia kalmii Lobelia siphilitica Lobelia spicata Lonicera prolifera Lupinus perennis Luzula acuminata E Luzula multiflora var. echinata Lycopodium clavatum E Lycopodium dendroideum E Lycopodium digitatum Lycopodium lucidulum Lycopus americanus Lycopus virginicus Lysimachia lanceolata Lysimachia nummularia Lysimachia quadriflora Maclura pomifera Maianthemum canadense Menispermum canadense Mentha arvensis Mertensia virginica Mimulus ringens Mitella diphylla Monarda fistulosa Muhlenbergia cuspidata Muhlenbergia frondosa var. commutata Muhlenbergia glomerata Muhlenbergia mexicana Muhlenbergia racemosa Napaea dioica Nothocalais cuspidata E Oenothera biennis Oenothera rhombipetala Onoclea sensibilis Onosmodium hispidissium Oryzopsis racemosa T Osmorhiza claytoniana Rock River Area Assessment Wood nettle Pale vetchling Marsh vetchling Narrow-leaved pinweed Hairy pinweed Rice cutgrass White grass Round-headed bush clover Prairie bush clover Rough blazing star Blazing star Gay feather Turk’s-cap lily Blue toadflax Grooved yellow flax Purple twayblade Hoary puccoon Hairy puccoon Yellow puccoon Indian tobacco Bog lobelia Great blue lobelia Lobelia Yellow honeysuckle Wild lupine Hairy wood rush Wood rush Common club moss Ground pine Ground pine Shining clubmoss Common water horehound Bugle weed Loosestrife Moneywort Loosestrife Osage orange Wild lily-of-the-valley Moonseed Wild mint Bluebells Monkey flower Miterwort Bergamont Prairie satin grass Muhly Muhly Leaf satin grass Green muhly Glade mallow Prairie dandelion Evening primrose Sand primrose Sensitive fern Marbleseed Black-seeded ricegrass Sweet cicely Plants continued Osmunda cinnamomea Osmunda claytoniana Osmunda regalis Ostrya virginiana Oxalis violacea Panax quinquefolius Panicum capillare Panicum virgatum Parnassia glauca Paronychia canadensis Parthenium integrifolium Parthenocissus quinquefolius Paspalum ciliatifolium Pastinaca sativa * Pedicularis canadensis Pedicularis lanceolata Pellaea glabella Penstemon calycosus Penstemon hirsutus Penstemon pallidus Penthorum sedoides Phalaris arundinacea Phegopteris connectilis E Phlox divaricata Phlox pilosa Physalis virginiana Pilea pumila Physocarpus opulifolius Pinus strobus Plantago aristata Plantago lanceolata Platanus occidentalis Poa compressa Poa pratensis Podophyllum peltatum Polygala polygama Polygala sanguinea Polygala verticillata Polygonatum commutatum Polygonum amphibium Polygonum hydropiperoides Polygonum lapathifolium Polygonum pensylvanicum Polygonum punctatum Polygonum sagittatum Polygonum scandens Polygonum tenue Polymnia canadensis Polypodium virginianum Populus deltoides Populus grandidentata Potentilla arguta Potentilla recta Potentilla simplex Prenanthes aspera Prunella vulgaris Prunus americanus Appendix A 129 Cinnamon fern Interrupted fern Regal fern Eastern hophornbeam Violet wood sorrel Ginseng Witch grass Prairie switchgrass Grass-of-Parnassus Forked chickweed Wild quinine Virginia creeper Hairy lens grass Wild parsnip Wood betony Swamp betony Purple cliff brake Smooth beard-tongue Hairy beardstongue Pale beardstongue Ditch stonecrop Reed canary grass Long beech fern Blue phlox Prairie phlox Ground cherry Clearweed Ninebark White pine Bracted plantain English plantain American sycamore Canadian bluegrass Kentucky bluegrass May apple Purple milkwort Field milkwort Whorled milkwort Great Solomon’s seal Water smartweed Wild water pepper Pale smartweed Common smartweed Smartweed Arrowleaf tearthumb Climbing false buckwheat Slender knotweed Leafcup Common polypody Eastern cottonwood Big-tooth aspen Prairie cinquefoil Sulphur cinquefoil Common cinquefoil Rough white lettuce Self heal Wild plum 130 Plants continued Prunus virginiana Ptelea trifoliata Pteridium aquilinum Pycnanthemum tenuifolium Pycnanthemum virginianum Pyrola elliptica Quercus alba Quercus macrocarpa Quercus rubra Quercus prinoides var. acuminata Quercus velutina Ranunculus abortivus Ranunculus fascicularis Ranunculus hispidus Ranunculus recurvatus Ranunculus septentrionalis Ratibida pinnata Rhamnus cathartica Rhus glabra Ribes cynbostii Ribes missouriense Robinia pseudoacacia | Rosa blanda Rosa carolina Rosa multiflora Rosa palustris Rubus pensylvanicus Rubus occidentalis Rudbeckia hirta Rudbeckia laciniata Rudbeckia subtomentosa Ruellia humilis Rumex acetosella Rumex altissimus Rumex crispus Sagittaria lateriflora Salix amygdaloides Salix discolor Salix exigua Salix humilus Salix nigra Sambucus canadensis Sanguinaria canadensis Saxifraga pensylvanica Schizachyrium scoparium Scirpus atrovirens Scirpus fluviatilis Scirpus tabernaemontanii Scrophularia marilandica Scutellaria lateriflora Scutellaria leonardii Selaginella rupestris Senecio plattensis Sicyos angulatus Silene stellata Silphium integrifolium Silphium laciniatum Rock River Area Assessment Choke cherry Wafer ash Bracken fern Slender mountain mint Mountain mint Shinleaf White oak Bur oak Red oak Chinkapin oak Black oak Small-flowered buttercup Early buttercup Bristly buttercup Hooked buttercup Swamp buttercup * Gray-headed coneflower Common buckthorn Smooth sumac Prickly wild gooseberry Missouri gooseberry Black locust Early wild rose Carolina rose Multiflora rose Swampy rose Blackberry Black raspberry Black-eyed Susan Goldenglow Fragrant coneflower Wild petunia Sour dock Pale dock Curly dock Arrowhead Peach-leaved willow Pussy willow Sandbar willow Prairie willow Black willow Elderberry Bloodroot Swamp saxifrage Little bluestem Common bulrush River bulrush Great bulrush Late figwort Mad-dog skullcap Small skullcap Sand club moss Prairie ragwort Bur cucumber Starry campion Rosin weed Compass plant Plants continued Sisyrinchium albidum Sisyrinchium campestre Smilacina racemosa Smilacina stellata Smilax hispida Solidago canadensis Solidago flexicaulis Solidago gigantea Solidago hispida Solidago juncea Solidago missouriensis Solidago nemoralis Solidago ohioensis Solidago patula Solidago ptarmicoides Solidago riddellii Solidago rigida Solidago speciosa vat. jejunifolia Solidago ulmifolia Sorbus americanus E Sorghastrum nutans Specularia perfoliata Spiranthes cernua Sporobolus asper Sporobolus heterolepis Staphylea trifolia Stipa spartea Sullivantia renifolia T Symphoricarpos orbiculatus Symplocarpus foetidus Talinum rugospermum W Taxus canadensis Tephrosia virginiana Teucrium canadense ssp. virginicum Thalictrum dasycarpum Thalictrum dioicum Thalictrum thalictroides Thelypteris palustris Tilia americana Toxicodendron radicans Tradescantia ohiensis Tradescantia virginiana Triadenum fraseri Trichostema brachiatum Trientalis borealis T Trillium grandiflorum Trillium nivale Trillium recurvatum Triosteum perfoliatum Triphora trianthophora Typha angustifolia Typha latifolia Ulmus americana Ulmus rubra Urtica dioica Uvularia grandiflora Vaccinium myrtilloides W Appendix A 131 Blue-eyed grass Prairie blue-eyed grass False Solomon’s seal Starry false Solomon’s seal Green-brier Canada goldenrod Broadleaved goldenrod Late goldenrod Hispid goldenrod Early goldenrod Goldenrod Old-field goldenrod Ohio goldenrod Rough-leaved goldenrod Stiff aster Goldenrod Stiff goldenrod Showy goldenrod Elm-leaved goldenrod American mountain ash Indian grass Venus’ looking-glass Nodding ladies tresses Dropseed Prairie dropseed Bladdernut Porcupine grass Sullivantia Coralberry Skunk cabbage Prairie fame-flower Canada yew Goat’s rue Wood sage Meadow rue Early meadow rue Rue anemone Marsh fern American basswood) Poison ivy Spiderwort Spiderwort Fraser’s St. John’s-wort False pennyroyal Star-flower Large white trillium Snow trillium Red trillium Horse-gentian Nodding pogonia Narrow-leaved cattail Common cattail American elm Slippery elm- Stinging nettle Bellwort Canada blueberry 132 Rock River Area Assessment Plants continued Vaccinium pallidum Low-bush blueberry Verbena hastata . Blue vervain Verbena stricta Hoary vervain Verbena urticifolia White vervain Verbesina alternifolia Wingstem Veronicastrum virginicum Culver’s root Viburnum lentago Nannyberry Viburnum prunifolium Black haw Viburnum rafinesquianum Downy arrowwood Vicia villosa Vetch Viola macloskeyi ssp. pallens Smooth white violet Viola pedata Birdfoot violet Viola pedatifida Prairie violet Viola pubescens var. eriocarpa Smooth yellow viloet Viola sororia Hairy wood violet Viola striata Cream violet Vitis riparia riverbank grape Vulpia octoflora Six-weeks fescue Woodsia ilvensis E Rusty woodsia Woodsia obtusa Common woodsia Zanthoxylum americanum Prickly ash Zizia aptera Heart-leaved meadow parsnip Breeding birds Common names follow the American Ornithologists’ Union (A.O.U) Checklist: (6th edition, 1983 and Supple- ment of July 1985). Total number of species = 126 (122 native, 4 introduced) Ardea herodias Great blue heron Casmerodius albus Great egret (SE) Butorides striatus Green-backed heron Branta canadensis Canada goose Aix sponsa Wood duck Anas platyrhynchos Mallard Cathartes aura Turkey vulture Circus cyaneus Northern harrier (SE) Accipiter cooperit Cooper’s hawk (SE) Buteo platypterus Broad-winged hawk Buteo jamaicensis Red-tailed hawk Pandion haliaetus Osprey (SE) Falco sparverius American kestrel Phasianus colchicus Ring-necked pheasant* Meleagris gallopavo Wild turkey Colinus virginianus Northern bobwhite Grus canadensis Sandhill crane (ST) Charadrius vociferus Killdeer Actitus macularia Spotted sandpiper Bartramia longicauda Upland sandpiper (SE) Scolopax minor American woodcock Columba livia Rock dove* Zenaida macroura Mourning dove Coccyzus erythropthalmus Black-billed cuckoo Coccyzus americanus Yellow-billed cuckoo Bubo virginianus Great horned owl Strix varia Barred owl Asio otus Long-eared owl (SE) Birds continued Asio flammeus Chordeiles minor Caprimulgus vociferus Chaetura pelagica Archilochus colubris Ceryle alcyon Melanerpes carolinus Melanerpes erythrocephalus Sphyrapicus varius Picoides pubescens Picoides villosus Colaptes auratus Contopus virens Empidonax traillii Empidonax minimus Empidonax virescens Sayornis phoebe Myiarchus crinitu Tyrannus tyrannus Eremophila alepstris Tachycineata bicolor Stelgidopteryx serripennis Hirundo rustica Cyanocitta cristata Corvus brachyrnchos Parus atricapillus Parus bicolor Sitta carolinensis Certhia americana Troglodytes aedon Cistothorus platensis Polioptila caerulen Sialia sialis Catharus fuscescens Hylocichla mustelina Turdus migratorius Dumetella carolinensis ‘Mimus polyglottus Toxostoma rufum Bombycilla cedrorum Lanius ludovicianu Sturnus vulgaris Vireo griseus Vireo bellii Vireo flavifrons Vireo solitarius Vireo gilvus Vireo olivaceus Protonotaria citrea Vermivora pinus Vermivora chrysoptera Mniotilta varia Dendroica cerulea Dendroica virens Dendroica dominica Oporonis philadelphia Wilsonia canadensis Appendix A Short-eared owl (SE) Common nighthawk Whip-poor-will Chimney swift Ruby-throat. hummingbird Belted kingfisher Red-bellied woodpecker Red-headed woodpecker Yellow-bellied sapsucker Downy woodpecker Hairy woodpecker Northern flicker Eastern wood-pewee Willow flycatcher Least flycatcher Acadian flycatcher Eastern phoebe Great crested flycatchers Eastern kingbird Horned lark Tree swallow Rough-winged swallow Barn swallow Blue jay American crow Black-capped chickadee Tufted titmouse White-breasted nuthatch Brown creeper (ST) House wren Sedge wren Blue-gray gnatcatcher Eastern bluebird Veery (ST) Wood thrush American robin Gray catbird Northern mockingbird Brown thrasher Cedar waxwing Loggerhead shrike (ST)s European starling* White-eyed vireo Bell’s vireo Yellow-throated vireo Solitary vireo Warbling vireo Red-eyed vireo Prothonotary warbler Blue-winged warbler Golden-winged warbler Black-and-white warbler Cerulean warbler Black-throat. green warbler Yellow-throated warbler Mourning warbler Canada warbler 133 134 Rock River Area ASsessment Birds continued Wilsonia citrina Hooded warbler Helmitheros vermivorus Worm-eating warbler Dendroica petechi Yellow warblera Dendroica pensylvanica Chestnut-sided warbler Setophaga ruticilla American redstart Seiurus aurocapillus Ovenbird Seiurus motacilla Louisiana waterthrush Geothylpis trichas Common yellowthroat Icteria virens Yellow-breasted chat Cardinalis cardinalis Northern cardinal Pheucticus ludovicianu Rose-breasted grosbeaks Passerina cyanea Indigo bunting Spiza americana Dickcissel Pipilo erythrophthalmus Rufous-sided towhee Spizella passerina Chipping sparrow Spizella pusilla Field sparrow Pooecetes gramineus Vesper sparrow Chondestes grammacus Lark sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis Savannah sparrow Ammodramus savannarum Grasshopper sparrow Ammodramus henslowii Henslow’s sparrow (ST) ‘ Melospiza melodia Song sparrow Melospiza georgiana Swamp sparrow Spizella pallida Clay-colored sparrow Icterus spurius Orchard oriole Icterus galbula Northern oriole Piranga olivacea Scarlet tanager Piranga rubra Summer tanager Dolichonyx oryzivorus Bobolink Agelaius phoeniceus Red-winged blackbird Sturnella magna Eastern meadowlark Sturnella neglecta Western meadowlark Quiscalus quiscula Common grackle Molothrus aster Brown-headed cowbird Carduelis pinus Pine siskin Carpodacus mexicanus House finch Carduelis tristis American goldfinch Passer domesticus House sparrow* Amphibians and reptiles Nomenclature follows Collins (1990). Total number of species = 35 (no introduced species) Amphibians Ambystoma tigrinum Tiger salamander Notophthalmus viridescens Eastern newt Hemidactylium scutatum Four-toed salamander (ST) Necturus maculosus Mudpuppy Bufo americanus American toad Acris crepitans Cricket frog Pseudacris triseriata Chorus frog Pseudacris crucifer Spring peeper Hyla versicolor/chrysocelis Gray treefrog complex Rana catesbeiana Bullfrog Rana clamitans Green frog Rana pipiens Northern leopard frog Rana palustris Pickerel frog Amphibians and Reptiles continued Reptiles Chelydra serpentina Chrysemys picta Emydoidea blandingii Graptemys geographica Graptemys pseudogeographica Apalone spinifer Terrapene ornata Ophisaurus attenuatus Cnemidophorus sexlineatus sexlineatus Heterodon platirhinos Heterodon nasicus Coluber constrictor Opheodrys vernalis Pituophis catenifer Elaphe vulpina Lampropeltis triangulum Thamnophis proximus Thamnophis radix Thamnophis sirtalis Storeria dekayi Regina septemvittata Nerodia sipedon Mammals AppendixA . 135 Snapping turtle Painted turtle Blanding’s turtle (WL) Map turtle False map turtle Spiny softshell turtle Ornate box turtle Slender glass lizard Six-lined racerunner Eastern hognose snake Western hognose snake (ST) Racer Smooth green snake Bullsnake Fox snake Milk snake Western ribbon snake Plains garter snake Common garter snake Brown snake Queen snake Northern water snake (compiled from range maps and known records reported in Hoffmeister, 1989; Illinois Natural Heritage Database, 1995). Notes: [ ] = species that might occur in Rock River RRA, but for which there are no records within the past decade; + = species that is probably extirpated from Illinois. Total number of species = 41 (39 native, 2 introduced) Didelphimorphia Didelphis virginiana Insectivora Sorex cinereu Blarina brevicauda Cryptotis parva -Scalopus aquaticus Chiroptera Myotis lucifugus [Myotis sodalis Myotis keenii Lasionycteris noctivagans Pipistrellus subflavus Eptesicus fuscus Lasiurus borealis Lasiurus cinereus [Nycticeius humeralis Lagomorpha Sylvilagus floridanus [Lepus townsendii Rodentia Tamias striatus Marmota monax Spermophilus tridecemlineatus Spermophilus franklinii Sciurus carolinensis Marsupials Virginia opossum Insectivores Masked shrews Northern short-tailed shrew Least shrew Eastern mole Bats Little brown bat Indiana bat (SE)] Keen’s bat Silver-haired bat Eastern pipistrelle Big brown bat Red bat Hoary bat Evening bat] Rabbits Eastern cottontail White-tailed jackrabbit (SE)+] Rodent Eastern chipmunk Woodchuck Thirteen-lined ground squirrel Franklin’s ground squirrel Gray squirrel 136 Mammals continued Sciurus niger Glaucomys volans Castor canadensis Reithrodontomys megalotis Peromyscus maniculatus Peromyscus leucopus Microtus pennsylvanicus Microtus ochrogaster [Microtus pinetorum Ondatra zibethicus [Synaptomys cooperi Rattus norvegicus Mus musculus Zapus hudsonius Carnivora Canis latran Vulpes vulpes Urocyon cinereoargenteus Procyon lotor Mustela nivalis Mustela frenata Mustela vison Taxidea taxus Mephitis mephitis Lutra canadensis [Felis rufus Artiodactyla Odocoileus virginianus Freshwater fishes Rock River Area Assessment Fox squirrel Southern flying squirrel Beaver Western harvest mouse Deer mouse White-footed mouse Meadow vole Prairie vole Pine vole] Muskrat Southern bog lemming] Norway rat * House mouse * Meadow jumping mouse Carnivores Coyotes Red fox Gray fox Raccoon Least weasel Long-tailed weasel Mink Badger Striped skunk River otter (SE) Bobcat (ST)] Even-toed ungulates White-tailed deer Total number of species = 80 (78 native, 2 introduced). ACIPENSERIDAE Acipenser fulvescens ST,FC LEPISOSTEIDAE Lepisosteus osseus ANGUILLIDAE Anguilla rostrata HIODONTIDAE Hiodon tergisus CLUPEIDAE Dorosoma cepedianum UMBRIDAE Umbra limi ESOCIDAE Esox americanus Esox lucius CYPRINIDAE Campostoma anomalum Campostoma oligolepis Carassius auratus * Cyprinella spiloptera Cyprinus carpio * Erimystax x-punctatus W Hybognathus nuchalis Luxilus chrysocephalus Lake sturgeon Longnose gar American eel Mooneye Gizzard shad Central mudminnow Grass pickerel Northern pike Central stoneroller Largescale stoneroller Goldfish Spotfin shiner Common carp Gravel chub Mississippi silvery minnow Striped shiner Fishes continued Luxilus cornutus Lythrurus umbratilis Macrhybopsis storeriana Nocomis biguttatus Notemigonus crysoleucas Notropis atherinoides Notropis blennius Notropis dorsalis Notropis hudsonius Notropis ludibundus Notropis nubilus Notropis rubellus Notropis texanus SE Phenacobius mirabilis Phoxinus erythrogaster Pimephales notatus Pimephales promelas Pimephales vigilax Rhinichthys atratulus Semotilus atromaculatus CATOSTOMIDAE Carpiodes carpio | Carpiodes cyprinus Carpiodes velifer Catostomus commersoni Hypentelium nigricans Ictiobus cyprinellus Minytrema melanops Moxostoma anisurum Moxostoma carinatum ST Moxostoma duquesnei Moxostoma erythrurum Moxostoma macrolepidotum ICTALURIDAE Ameiurus melas Ameiurus natalis Ictalurus punctatus Noturus exilis Noturus flavus Noturus gyrinus Pylodictis olivaris CYPRINODONTIDAE Fundulus notatus ATHERINIDAE Labidesthes sicculus GASTEROSTEIDAE Culaea inconstans MORONIDAE Morone chrysops CENTRARCHIDAE Ambloplites rupestris Lepomis cyanellus Lepomis gibbosus Lepomis humilis Lepomis macrochirus Micropterus dolomieu Micropterus salmoides Appendix A 137 * Common shiner Redfin shiner Silver chub Hornyhead chub Golden shiner Emerald shiner River shiner Bigmouth shiner Spottail shiner Sand shiner Ozark minnow Rosyface shiner Weed shiner Suckermouth minnow Southern redbelly dace Bluntnose minnow Fathead minnow Bullhead minnow Blacknose dace Creek chub River carpsucker Quillback Highfin carpsucker White sucker Northern hog sucker - Bigmouth buffalo Spotted sucker Silver redhorse River redhorse Black redhorse Golden redhorse Shorthead redhorse Black bullhead Yellow bullhead Channel catfish Slender madtom Stonecat Tadpole madtom Flathead catfish Blackstripe topminnow Brook silverside Brook stickleback White bass Rock bass Green sunfish Pumpkinseed Orangespotted sunfish Bluegill Smallmouth bass Largemouth bass 138 Fishes continued Pomoxis annularis Pomoxis nigromaculatus PERCIDAE Etheostoma caeruleum Etheostoma flabellare Etheostoma microperca Etheostoma nigrum Etheostoma zonale Percina caprodes Percina maculata Percina phoxocephala Stizostedion canadense Stizostedion vitreum SCIAENIDAE Aplodinotus grunniens COTTIDAE Cottus bairdi Freshwater mussels Rock River Area Assessment White crappie Black crappie Rainbow darter Fantail darter Least darter Johnny darter Banded darter logperch Blackside darter Slenderhead darter Sauger Walleye Freshwater drum Mottled sculpim total number of species = 33 (no introduced species) Actinonaias ligamentina Alasmidonta marginata FC Alasmidonta viridis SE Amblema plicata Anodontoides ferussacianus Cyclonaias tuberculata Elliptio dilatata ST Fusconaia ebena ST Fusconaia flava Lampsilis cardium _ Lampsilis higginsii SE,FE Lampsilis siliquoidea Lasmigona complanata Lasmigona compressa Lasmigona costata Leptodea fragilis Ligumia recta Obliquaria reflexa Plethobasus cyphyus SE Pleurobema sintoxia Potamilus alatus Potamilus ohiensis Pyganodon grandis Quadrula metanevra Quadrula pustulosa Quadrula quadrula Strophitus undulatus Toxolasma parvus Tritogonia verrucosa Truncilla donaciformis Truncilla truncata Utterbackia imbecillis Venustaconcha ellipsiformis Mucket Elktoe Slippershell mussel Threeridge Cylindrical papershell Purple wartyback Spike Ebonyshell Wabash pigtoe Plain pocketbook Higgins eye Fatmucket White heelsplitter Creek heelsplitter Flutedshell Fragile papershell Black sandshell Threehorn wartyback Sheepnose Round pigtoe Pink heelsplitter Pink papershell Giant floater Monkeyface Pimpleback Mapleleaf Squawfoot Lilliput Pistolgrip Fawnsfoot Deertoe Paper pondshell Ellipse Freshwater crustaceans Appendix B 139 Total number of species‘= 11 (10 native, | introduced). ISOPODA (ISOPODS) ASELLIDAE Caecidotea forbesi Caecidotea intermedia Caecidotea kendeighi AMPHIPODA (AMPHIPODS) GAMMARIDAE Gammarus pseudolimnaeus HYALELLIDAE Hyalella azteca DECAPODA (CRAYFISHES & SHRIMPS) CAMBARIDAE Cambarus diogenes Orconectes immunis Orconectes propinquus Orconectes rusticus * Orconectes virilis Procambarus acutus Devil crawfish Calico crawfish Northern clearwater crawfish Rusty crawfish Virile crawfish White river crawfish 140 Rock River Area Assessment Appendix B Tables from: Robinson, S.K. 1995. Nesting success of forest song birds in northwest- ern Illinois. Center for Wildlife Ecology Technical Report, Project W-115-R-3. Illinois Natural History Survey, Champaign. 14] Appendix B Table 2.5. Census results from North-central study areas; hardwoods only included from Lowden-Miller State Forest, 1994. Species Turkey vulture Broad-winged hawk Cooper’s hawk Red-tailed hawk Red-shouldered hawk Wild turkey Wood duck Mourning dove Yellow-billed cuckoo Black-billed cuckoo Great horned owl Barred owl Whip-poor-will Ruby-throated hummingbird Chimney swift Belted kingfisher Red-bellied woodpecker Red-headed woodpecker Northern flicker Hairy woodpecker Downy woodpecker HMW ! ooo or ce oy SO 4.0 4.0 LHNP 2 COs SINT Or Os. OF Ss one SRA3 = CSFP 4 SREP 5 0 0) + 0) 0) 0) + + 1.7 10) 0) 0) + 0) 0) (0) 0 0) + + + + (0) 0) + + 1.7 + 0 0) + + + + + + + + + 1.4 1.4 1.7 + + + 0) 0 0) 1.4 + 0 2.9 0) + 0 1.4 My 1.4 + + 1.4 Zi 5.0 Registrations/10 points/70-m radius Continued. ECSP 6 0 WPSP 7 te Goeecoen ta Co! (Ce COL re OO) cS + + CRNP + 0 + 0.3 8 10 LMSF ? 0.3 0.3 Rock River Area Assessment 142 Table 2.5. Page 2. Pileated woodpecker Eastern kingbird Great crested flycatcher Eastern wood-pewee Eastern Phoebe Least flycatcher Acadian flycatcher Blue jay American crow Tufted titmouse Black-capped chickadee White-breasted nuthatch House wren Blue-gray gnatcatcher Wood thrush Veery American robin Gray catbird Cedar waxwing Yellow-throated vireo Red-eyed vireo Warbling vireo Prothonotary warbler Blue-winged warbler Black-and-white warbler Cerulean warbler Chestnut-sided warbler 10.0 0 0) 5.0 0 Continued. 10.8 11.5 0 1.9 1.4 SS oo. © 70 oso, + 6.9 4.1 1.6 6.5 143 Appendix B Table 2.5. Page 3. Yellow-throated warbler Yellow warbler Kentucky warbler Canada warbler Hooded warbler Worm-eating warbler Ovenbird Louisiana waterthrush Common yellowthroat American redstart Rose-breasted grosbeak Northern cardinal Indigo bunting Rufous-sided towhee Song sparrow Chipping sparrow Brown-headed cowbird (Males only) oS «9 ‘Oro 4O™0 “oe © © 0) 4.0 Brown-headed cowbird (Females only) 2.0 Common grackle Northern oriole Scarlet tanager Pine siskin American goldfinch Eur. starling 0 8.0 10.0 © 3OoV OF Omer OC Voy O7icmo oF oO OC era o% & 12-9 Oe OS OOO aac Zo Te! SS o-N So © S&S & > Continued. OF OOS) On Omar a Sono 7+ Sree Ot ONO. gi .o" Oo + oS © oO. © of oS ONS co Cc + nn oh OO GES oS WwW 4.3 4.8 0.9 0.3 8.1 0.1 0 144 Rock River Area Assessment Table 2.5. Page 4. 1 HMW = Hartley Memorial Woods Nature Preserve 2 LHNP = Laona Heights Nature Preserve 3 SRA = Sugar River Alder Forest Preserve - upland woods only 4 CSFP = Colored Sands Forest Preserve - upland, upland burned, and flood- plain 5 SRFP = Sugar River Forest Preserve - upland and floodplain 6 FCSP = Franklin Creek State Park - ravine only 7 WPSP = White Pine State Park - uplands only 8 CRNP = Castle Rock (George B. Fell) Nature Preserve - upland, ravine, and floodplain 9 LMSF = Lowden-Miller State Forest - upland, ravine, and floodplain hard- woods only - each habitat type | weighted equally 10 + = Bird heard or observed outside the 70-m fixed radius or outside of the census period 145 Appendix B Table 2.7. Estimated abundances of breeding birds in major habitats of the Lowden-Miller State Forest, 1994. Registrations/10 points/70-m radius (No./40 ha) ! Pines/ Oak/ Pines/ _Pines/Oaks/ Species Pines Oaks Oaks Ravine Floodplain Clearcut_ Clearcut Clearcut Clearcuts Green-backed heron 0 0) 0) 0) + 0 0 0) 0 Great Blue heron 0) 0 0 0 + 0) 0 0 0 Great egret 0 0) 0 0) + 0) 0 0 0 Mallard 0) (0) 0 0) + 0 0 0 0) Am. woodcock (0) 0) (0) 0.8(2.1) 0.7(1.8) 10) 0 (0) 10) Turkey vulture + + + + + + + + + Cooper’s hawk + 0.4(1.0) 0.2(0.5) 1.7(4.4) + 0 + 0) 0 Broad-winged hawk + + + + 0.7(1.8) 10) 0 0 0 Red-tailed hawk + “ + + + 0 0 0 0) Am. kestrel 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0) 0 Wild turkey + + + + + + + + + Mourning dove O7C8)2 OlS(221) + 0.8(2.1) 0 0.7(1.8) 1.4(3.6) + O:8(24) = Yellow-billed cuckoo 0) 0 0) + 0 + 0) + 0 Black-billed cuckoo ) 0.4(1.0) 0.2(0.5) 0) 0.7(1.8) 0) 0.3(0.8) + 0.8(2.1) Great horned owl + + + + + + + + + Barred owl + + + f + fe + + + Whip-poor-will + + + + + + + + + Common nighthawk + + + + + + + + + Chimney swift + + + of + | de + zt: + Ruby-throated hummingbirdO (0) 0.2(0.5) 1.7(4.4) (0) 0.3(0.8). 0 0 0.8(2.1) . Continued. Rock River Area Assessment 146 SCRE Gets SMHS Oe Species Pines Belted Kkngfisher 0) Red-bellied woodpecker 0.2(0.5) Red-headed woodpecker + Northern flicker + Pileated woodpecker 0 Yellow-bellied sapsucker 0.2(0.5) Hairy woodpecker 0.7(1.8) Downy woodpecker 1.2(3.1) Eastern kingbird 0 Great crested flycatcher 0 Eastern wood-pewee 5.4(14.0) Eastern Phoebe 0 Least flycatcher 0.5(1.3) Acadian flycatcher 0.5(1.3) Horned lark 2 (0) Tree swallow 0) Purple martin 0 N. rough-winged swallow 0) Barn swallow 0 Blue jay 5.4(14.0) American crow 0.5(1.3) Tufted titmouse 1.4(3.6) Blacked-capped chickadee 3.2(8.3) Pines/ Oaks 0 \ 1.5(3.9) 0 + + 0 + 2.7(7.0) 10) 0.8(2.1) 5.8(15.1) 0) OO OO OWS 0) 4.2(10.9) 0.4(1.0) 1.2(3.1) 3.1(8.1) Registrations/10 points/70-m radius (No./40 ha) ! Oak/ Pines/ Pines/Oaks/ Oaks Ravine Floodplain Clearcut Clearcut Clearcut Clearcuts 0 + + 0 0 0 0 1.6(4.2) 1.7(4.4) 0.7(1.8) 1.3(3.4) 0) 0) 0.8(2.1) 0 0.8(2.1) 2.1(5.5) + 1.0(2.6) 0 0.8(2.1) 0.2(0.5) + 0.7(1.8) 0.7(1.8) + + 0.8(2.1) + 0 0.7(1.8) 0 0 0) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.2(0.5) 1.7(4.4) 0.7(1.8) 1.3(3.4) 0 2.5(6.5) 0.8(2.1) 2.7(7.0) 2.5(6.5) 1.4(3.6) 2.3(6.0) 2.2(5.7) 5.0 0 0 0) 0) 0 0 0) + 2.5(6.5) 1.7(4.4) 0.7(1.8) 0.7(1.8) 0 0 0.8(2.1) 7.3(19.0) 9.2(23.9) 2.9(7.5) 4.3(11.2) 5.2(13.5) 10.0(26.0) 0.82.1) (0) 0) 0 0 + 0) 0) 0 0 0 0) 1.0(2.6) 0 0 0 0.8(2.1) 2.1(5.5) 0 (0) 0 0) 0 0) 0 0 0 0) 0) 0 0 + 0) 0 0 0) 0 0 + (0) 0) 0) 0 0 0) + 0 0 0 0) 0 0) + 0. 0) 0 0 5.5(14.3) 5.0(13.0) 4.3(11.2) 3.3(8:6)-1¢'D 9S) | 2.5065) re 2-946.5) 0.7(1.8) + + + 0.2(0.5) 0 0 2.7(7.0) 1.7(4.4) 5.0(13.0) 0.7(1.8) 0 0 0 3.2(8.3) 2.5(6.5) 5.7(14.8) 3.7(9.6) 4.1(10.7) 5.0(13.0) 2.5(6.5) Continued. 147 Appendix B Table 2.7. Page 3. Species Brown Cceeper White-breasted nuthatch House wren Golden-crowned kinglet Blue-gray gnatcatcher Eastern bluebird Wood thrush Veery American robin Gray catbird Brown thrasher Cedar waxwing White-eyed vireo Yellow-throated vireo Solitary vireo Red-eyed vireo Warbling vireo Prothonotary warbler Blue-winged warbler Golden-winged warbler Black-and-white warbler Cerulean warbler Chestnut-sided warbler Pines 0.5(1.3) 1.7(4.4) 0.5(1.3) 0.2(0.5) 0.2(0.5) 0) 3.2(8.3) 3.4(8.8) 4.4(11.4) 2.4(6.2) 0 5.6(14.6) 0.2(0.5) 0 0.2(0.5) 5.9(15.3) 0 0 0.2(0.5) 0 0.2(0.5) 0 0.2(0.5) Pines/ Oaks 0 3.8(9.9) U2(3-1) 0 1.2(3.1) 0 2.7(7.0) 5.8(15.1) 2.3(6.0) 2.7(7.0) 0 4.6(12.0) z 0) 8.5(22.1) 0 0) 0.4(1.0) 0 0 0 0 Registrations/10 points/70-m radius (No./40 ha) 1 Oak/ Pines/ Pines/Oaks/ Oaks Ravine Floodplain Clearcut Clearcut Clearcut Clearcuts 0 0 0 0) 0.3(0.8) 0 0 3.6(9.4) 3.3(8.6) 2.9(7.5) 2.3(6.0) 1.4(3.6) + 0 0.9(2.3) 3.3(8.6) 1.4(3.6) 2.7(7.0) 3.4(8.8) + 3.3(8.6) 0 0 0 0 0 . 0 1.6(4.2) 6.7(17.4) 0.7(1.8) 1.7(4.4) 0.3(0.8) 0 0 0 0 0 0 + 0) 0) 4.3(11.2) 2.5(6.5) 1.4(3.6) 4.3(11.2) 0.7(1.8) 2.5(6.5) 0.8(2.1) 3.9(10.1) 3.3(8.6) - 1.4(3.6) 6.0(15.6) 3.1(8.1) + 3.3(8.6): 5.9(15.3)10.0(26.0) 3.6(9.4) 4.0(10.4) 7.9(20.5) 5.0(13.0) 4.2(10.9) 3.0(7.8) 7.5(19.5) 3.6(9.4) 13.0(33.8) 7.6(19.8) 7.5(19.5) 11.7(30.4) 0.2(0.5) 0 0 0.7(1.8) _ 0.3(0.8) + + 1.8(4.7) 0.8(2.1) 6) 2.3(6.0) 7.6(19.8) 5.0(13.0) 1.7(4.4) 0.2(0.5) 0.8(2.1) + 0.7(1.8) + 2.5(6.5) 2.5(6.5) 0.7(1.8) + 0.7(1.8) 0 0.3(0.8) 2.5(6.5) 0 0) 0 0 0 0 0 0 8.0(20.8) 5.0(13.0) 6.4(16.6) 4.7(12.2) 1.0(2.6) 10.0(26.0) —2.5(6.0) 0 0 + 0 0 0 0 0 0 + 0 0 0 0 0.5(1.3) 0.8(2.1) 0 2.0(5.2) Z.1(5.5 Z.5(6.5) 5.8(15.1) 0 0 0/ 0.3(0.8) 0 0) 0 0 0 0 0.3(0.8) 0 + 0.8(0.8) + 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 () 5.7(14.8) 5.2(13.5) 5.0(13.0) 8.3(21.6) Continued. Rock River Area Assessment 148 Table 2.7. Page 4. Registrations/10 points/70-m radius (No./40 ha) ! Pines/ Oak/ Pines/ _Pines/Oaks/ Species Pines Oaks Oaks Ravine Floodplain Clearcut Clearcut Clearcut Clearcuts Black-throated green warbler 1.0(2.6) 1.5(3.9) 0 0 0) 0.3(0.8) 0.3(0.8) 0 6) Yellow-throated warbler 4.6(12.0) 1.5(3.9) 0 0 0.7(1.8) 0 2.8(7.3) 2.5(6.5) 0 Yellow warbler 0 0 0) 0 + 0 0.3(0.8) 0 0 Mourning warbler 0 0 0 0 0 2.0(5.2) 0.3(0.8) 2.5(6.5) 0 Kentucky warbler 0.2(0.5) 0.4(1.0) 0.5(1.3) + 0.7(1.8) 2.3(6.0) 0 0) 0 Canada warbler 0 0.4(1.0) 0.2(0.5) 0) 0 1.0(2.6) 0 0 0) Hooded warbler 0.2(0.5) 0.4(1.0) 0.2(0.5) 0) 0 0.7(1.8) 0 0 0 Worm-eating warbler (0) 0 + 0 0 0 0 0) 0 Ovenbird 14.9(38.7) 12.7(33.0) 12.7(33.0) 6.7(17.4) 1.4(3.6) 6.0(15.6) 9.0(23.4) 10.0(26.0) 5.0(13.0) Louisiana waterthrush 0 _0 0) 1.7(4.4) (0) 0 0) 0) -~ 6) Common yellowthroat (0) 0.4(1.0) 0.9(2.3) 1.7(4.4) + 3.0(7.8) + + 1.7(4.4) Yellow-breasted chat (@) (0) 0 (0) 0) + 0.7(1.8) (0) (0) American redstart (0) 0.8(2.1) 0.5(1.3) 4.2(10.9) 2.1(5.5) 3.3(8.6) 0 (0) 0 Rose-breasted grosbeak 5.4(14.0) 7.3(19.0) 7.5(19.5)11.7(30.4) 1.4(3.6) 10.3(26.8) 6.6(17.2) 2.5(6.5) 10.8(28.1) Northern cardinal 5.6(14.6) 6.2(16.1) 5.0(13.0) 6.7(17.4) 5.0(13.0) 7.0(18.2) 9.3(24.2) 7.5(19.5) 5.0(13.0) Indigo bunting 1.7(4.4) 2.3(6.0) 2.3(6.0) 5.8(15.1) 6.4(16.6) 4.3(11.2) 7.2(18.7) 5.0(13.0) 8.3(21.6) Rufous-sided towhee 4.1(10.7) = 2.7(7.0) 1.6(4.2) 3.3(8.6) 0 6.0(15.6) 10.3(26.8) 7.5(19.5) 6.7(17.4) Savannah sparrow 2 0) Orr. s (0) 0 (0) 0 0) 0) 0 Vesper sparrow 2 (0) 0 0 0) (0) 0) 0 0 0 Song sparrow 0) 0 0 0 2.1(5.5) 1.0(2.6) 1.4(3.6) 2.5(6.5) 0.8(2.1) Lark sparrow 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.3(0.8) 0 0.8(2.1) Field sparrow 0.2(0.5) 0 0.2(0.5) 0 0 0.7(1.8) 1.4(3,6) “ 2°5(6.5)'"~-2,5(6:5) Chipping sparrow 19.5(50.7) 13.1(34.1) 0.2(0.5) + 0.7(1.8) 0.3(0.8) 14.1(36.7) 7.5(19.5) 0.8(2.1) Continued. 149 Appendix B Table 2.7. Page S. Registrations/10 points/70-m radius (No./40 ha) ! Pines/ Oak/ Pines/ Pines/Oaks/ Species Pines Oaks Oaks Ravine Floodplain Clearcut Clearcut Clearcut Clearcuts Dickcissel 2 0 0) 0 0 0 0 0) 0 0 Bobolink 2 (0) 0) 0 0 0 (0) 0 0 0 Eastern meadowlark 2 0 O 0) O 0 0 0 0) 0) Red-winged blackbird 2 0) 0) (0) 0 (0) (0) (0) 0 10) Brown-headed cowbird: : : Male only 5.4(14.0) 5.0(13.0) 8.4(21.8) 5.0(13.0) 5.0(13.0) 7.0(18.2) 5.5(14.3) 7.5(19.5) 10.0(26.0) Brown-headed cowbird: Female only 4.4(11.4) 8.1(21.1) 4.1(10.7) 5.0(13.0) 1.4(3.6) 5.3(13.8) 5.9(15.3) 2.5(6.5) —-1.7(4.4) Common grackle 0 0 0.2(0.5) 0 0 10) 0 0) 0 Northern oriole 0.5(1.3) 0) 0.9(2.3) 8.3(21.6) 1.4(3.6) 0 1.0(2.6) + 2.5(6.5) Scarlet tanager 1.0(2.6) 3.1(8.1) 3.0(7.8) 2.5(6.5) 0.7(1.8) 0.7(1.8) 0.3(0.8) 0) 0 Summer tanager (0) 0 0) (0) 0) 0.3(0.8) 1.0(2.6) + 1.7(4.4) House sparrow 2 6) 0) 0 0 (0) 0 0 0) 0) Pine siskin 0.5(1.3) 0) 0 0) 0 0 0.3(0.8) 0) 0) American goldfinch 1.5(3.9) 0.8(2.1) 0 0 0 0.7(1.8) 2.8(7.3) 0 0 House finch 0.2(0.5) 0 0 0) 0 0 0 0 0 1 + =Bird was observed in this habitat, but not within 70-m of a census point or during a point count. 2= Only recorded in Christmas-tree plantation. 150 Rock River Area Assessment ‘Table 2.9. Area effects on relative abundance (No. 110 points/70-m radius and species richness of selected groups of forest-breeding birds in 15 woodlots in northern Illinois, 1992-1994). Residents plus short-distance migrants Neotropical migrants All birds Ground Nesters Cowbird Hosts High-quality Cowbird Hosts Proportion Neotropical Migrants Neotropical Migrant Species Total Species R square 0.02 0.02 0.00 0.35 0.02 0.12 0.16 0.76 0.78 Slope +1.20 -2.13 -0.92 +2.44 +1.68 +2.82 -0.02 +4.83 +7.29 F 0.22 0.30 0.025 7.15 0.21 1.60 2.43 42.11 46.08 0.643 0.60 0.876 0.019 0.657 0.230 0.143 0.00002 0.00001 Appendix B 15] Table 2.10. Area effects on relative abundance (No./10 points/70-m radius) of forest- dwelling breeding birds in 15 woodlots in northern Illinois, 1992-1994. All years combined. Regression of area on abundance Species R square Slope F P Cooper’s hawk 0.16 +0.05 2.42 0.144 Broad-winged hawk 0.41 +0.05 9.18 0.010** Yellow-billed cuckoo 0.00 +0.01 0.00 0.970 Black-billed cuckoo 0.11 +0.04 1.60 0.228 Ruby-throated hummingbird 0.14 -0.23 2.04 0.176 Red-bellied woodpecker 0.02 -0.19 0.29 0.601 Red-headed woodpecker 0.06 -0.20 0.89 0.363 Northern flicker 0:29 -0.36 5.28 0.039* Pileated woodpecker 0.41 +0.08 9.02 0.010** Yellow-bellied sapsucker 0.04 +0.004 0.49 0.496 Hairy woodpecker 0.00 -0.05 0.05 0.828 Downy woodpecker 0.10 -0.45 © 1.47 0.247 Great crested flycatcher 0.48 -1.46 ieee 0.004** Eastern wood-pewee 0.04 -0.57 0.59 0.455 Least flycatcher 0.10 +0.07 1.44 0.25 Acadian flycatcher 0.00 +0.09 0.01 0.91 Blue jay ~ 0.02 -0.26 0-32 0.58 Am. crow 0.08 -0.42 Nts 0.31 Tufted titmouse 0.24 +0.84 4.21 0.061 Black-capped chickadee 0.01 -0.19 0.16 0.70 White-breasted nuthatch 0.12 -0.68 1.85 0.20 House wren 0.20 -1.90 3.28 0.09 Blue-gray gnatcatcher 0.11 -0.54 1.66 0.22 Wood thrush 0.07 +0.52 0.97 0.34 Veery 0.09 +0.55 Ve 0.273 Am. robin 0.18 +1.07 2.81 O.11¥ Gray catbird 0.09 +0.38 © 1.30 0.275 Cedar waxwing 0.16 +0.34 Zao 0.136 Yellow-throated vireo 0.16 -0.44 2.54 0.135 | Red-eyed vireo 0.03 -0.58 0.38 0.548 Blue-winged warbler 0.55 +0.08 15.80 0.002** 152 Table 2.10. Page 2. Black-and-white warbler Cerulean warbler Chestnut-sided warbler Yellow-throated warbler Kentucky warbler Hooded warbler Worm-eating warbler Ovenbird ’ Louisiana waterthrush Common yellowthroat — Am. redstart Rose-breasted grosbeak Northern cardinal Indigo bunting Rufous-sided towhee Chipping sparrow Brown-headed cowbird - M Common grackle Northern oriole Scarlet tanager Summer tanager Am. goldfinch Carolina wren Canada warbler Eur. starling -F Rock River Area Assessment 0.00 0.02 0.10 0.04 0.21 0.04 0.03 0.20 0.07 0.34 0.21 0.10 0.10 0.27 0.43 0.00 0.27 0.27 0.09 0.02 0.05 0.14 0.01 0.00 0.22 0.05 Continued: +0.01 +0.48 +0.04 +0.02 +0.38 +0.14 +0.03 +1.33 +0.11 +0.13 +0.70 +0.90 -0.78 -1.91 +0.70 -0.06 +1.37 +1.08 +0.10 -0.23 -0.43 +0.04 -0.14 0.00 +0.023 -0.65 0.01 0.33 1.46 0.52 3.38 0.56 0.40 3.1% 0.98 6.66 3.47 1.37 1.51 4.79 9.87 0.06 4.73 4.88 1322 0.21 0.63 abe IR 0.09 0.02 off 0.76 0.917 0.573 0.248 0.485 0.089 0.465 0.540 0.098 0.341 0.023 0.085 0.262 0.241 0.047* 0.008** 0.804 0.049 0.046 0.289 0.657. 0.440 0.168 0.769 0.882 0.074 0.401 Table 2.11. Correlates of Cowbird:host ratios. Male+Female Cowbird: Host vs. Area Female Cowbird: Host vs. Area Female Cowbird: Host vs. Cowbird host abundance Male+Female Cowbird: Host vs. Cowbird host abundance Female Cowbird: Host vs. High-Quality Hosts Male+Female Cowbird: Host vs. High Quality Cowbird host abundance Appendix B R square 0.40 0.32 0.01 0.02 0.28 0.33 Slope +0.04 +0.02 +0.04 +0.09 +0.02 +0.003 0.686 0.618 0.05 0.032 153 154 Rock River Area Assessment Table 3.1. Costs of parasitism in terms of reduced clutch size and reduced fledging success from nests that fledge at least one young (i.e., that escape predation). Host Eggs Cowbird Host Fledglings Cowbird Species Unparasitized _ Parasitized Eggs Unparasitized Parasitized Fledglings’ Arcadian flycatcher 2.9 (19) 1.9 (14) 1.4 (14) les C5) 0.4 (5) 0.8 (5) Wood thrush 3.0 (31) 2.2 (129) 2.8(129) 2.5(18) 1.2 (48) 1.5 (48) Veery 3.0 in wile CIS) 42-418) 3.0 (2) 1.0 (3) 23.3) Red-eyed vireo 2.5 (2) O08 (14) 2.5 (14) Him ia 0.5 (2) 1.5; (2) Yellow-throated vireo 3.3 (3) 1.0 (i) ez OR GL) 3.0 (1) - - - - Cerulean warbler 3.0 G)n acs. (4)= plese) - - 130 (2) 1-092) Ovenbird 4.0 ©)aaikes (9) (3-29) 3.5 (2) OF ds) 3:0 (i) Louisiana waterthrush —- BT aie (ya iy eh aah 05 (2). 2.5 0a) Kentucky warbler 4.0 G)awZ0 (6) 1.8 (6) - - 0.3 (3) 1.3" (3) Hooded warbler 3.0 (1) 1.6 (7) 1.4 (7) . - - - - - - Am. redstart se (ZO) 2a (Ae oa) 3.1 (8) 0.0 (1) 1.054) Scarlet tanager - - 2.0 (5) 3.8 (5) - - 1-52 4(2) 2:0 (2) Northern cardinal 3:0) (S37) e2:4 (24) 7 AS (24) 2.8(14) 1.9 (10) 0.8 (10) Rose-breasted grosbeak 3.7 (28) 2.6 (14) 1.4 (14) 3.3(27) 2.0 (3)npes 08 0an Indigo bunting 3.6 (17) 1.6 (36) 1.5 (36) 3.3 (4) 0.8 (4) 1.0 (4) Rufous-sided towhee 3.0 (7) 2.5 (14) 2.2 (14) 2.3 (3) 1.3 20%) 11 GRD Table 3.13. Edge effects on nest predation and brood parasitism in the Lowden-Miller State Forest, 1994. * = P<0.05. Species Wood thrush Veery Am. robin Gray catbird Northern cardinal Rufous-sided towhee Indigo bunting Rose-breasted grosbeak Total 0.3 3.0 1.4 0.1 (9) 1.441.2 (6) Appendix B N Interior 1.4 0.5 0.4 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.5+0.5 (10) (6) (7) (2) (2) (4) (6) 8.0+2.7 11.1+6.0 1.241.2 5.643.1 8.543.3 10.0+6.8 16.7+8.8 3.4+1.5 8.1+4.5 Daily % Nest Predation (N) Edge Interior (100) 2.7+1.2 (185) (27) 6.0+2.9 (67) (84) 1.4+1.4 (69) (54)16.7+10.8 (12) (A): Tastes (71) (20) 3.0+2.9 (34) (18) 4.1+4.0 (24.5) (147) 3.0+2.1 (68) (8) 5.5+4.6 (8) 155 156 Rock River Area Assessment Table 3.14. Effects of proximity to edges (roads) on parasitism and predation rates in the George Fell Nature Preserve and adjacent Castle Rock State Park. Cowbird Egas/Nests (N) : Daily Pr ion + N Species Interior Edge Interior Edge Wood thrush 1.3 1.8 2.5+1.1 (202) 2.5+1.4 (119) Am. robin : : 4.442.5 (68) 6.442.8 (79) Gray catbird - - . 6.3+3.0 (64) 2.44+1.2 (165) e Am. redstart ~ 0.3 ; 0.1 6.743.7 (45) 3.0+1.1 (203) No. cardinal 0.3 0.5 4.9+3.4 (41) 6.043.4 (50) Rose-breasted grosbeak 0.3 0.3 5.0+2.8 (60) 3.642.4 (56) Table 3.2. Summary of costs of parasitism. Species Acadian flycatcher Wood thrush Veery Red-eyed vireo Yellow-throated vireo Cerulean warbler Ovenbird Louisiana waterthrush Kentucky warbler Hooded warbler Am. redstart Scarlet tanager Northern cardinal Rose-breasted cardinal Indigo bunting Rufous-sided towhee % Clutch Size Reduction -34% -27% -43% -68% -70% -23% -68% -70% -50% -47% -30% -43% -20% -30% -56% -17% Appendix B - % Eggs Fledge Unparasitized % Eggs Fledge Parasitized 21% 55% 59% 20% 43% 0% % Fledge Reduction -78% -52% -67% % Cowbird Eggs Fledge 57% 54% 96% 60% 56% 94% 66% 75% 100% 53% 53% 21% 67% 50% 157 158 Rock River Area Assessment Table 3.3. Cowbird parasitism levels of species from northwestern Illinois, 1992, all sites combined. Fledged/ Species Nest Yellow-billed cuckoo Black-billed cuckoo Eastern Phoebe Acadian flycatcher Blue jay Wood thrush Veery Gray catbird Yellow-throated vireo Blue-winged warbler Ovenbird Louisiana waterthrush Kentucky warbler Am. redstart Scarlet tanager Rose-breasted grosbeak No. cardinal Indigo bunting Rufous-sided towhee Chipping sparrow Field sparrow Song sparrow N 19 23 % Parasitized Nest Nest Cowbirds Host eggs/ Cowbird Eggs/ Host fledged/ OW GY -@ » 30 Table 3.4. Nesting success of Wood thrush in three north-western Illinois sites, 1992. X Daily predation: laying and incubation (days) % Depredated during laying and incubation X Daily predation: nestling period % Mortality in nestling period Daily predation rate whole cycle % Mortality rate: whole cycle X + SD + SE host eggs during incubation X + SD + SE cowbird eggs during incubation % Nests parasitized X No. host fledged/ successful nest X No. CB fledged/ successful nest X No. host fledged/ successful unparasitized nest X No. host fledged/ Appendix B 56 nests d V .0354 (423) 39.7 0235 (382.5) 24.8 -0298 (805.5) 54.5 2.16 + 1.114+0.16 (51) 2.39 + 1.77 + 0.25 (51) 89.1 (55) 1.204+1.12+0.25 (20) 1.23 + 0.73 + 0.16 (22) 2.5 (2) 1.18 +1.15 + 0.28 successful parasitized nest (17) 47 nests V) .0308 (422.5) 35.4 0440 (318) .0365 (740.5) 61.9 2.47 + 1.06+0.16 (43) 2.05 + 1.46 + 0.21 (43) 82.6 (46) 1.55 + 1.30 + 0.28 (22) 1.45 41.12 + 0.24 (22) 2.20 + 1.17 + 0.52 (5) 1.33 + 1.25 + 0.29 (18) 159 24 nests MISSISSIPPI .0346 (173.5) 38.9 .0414 (145) 39.8 -0377 (318.5) 63.2 2.00 + 0.94 + 0.22 (18) 4.06 + 2.53 + 0.60 (18) 95:2 (21) 1.20 + 0.75 + 0.24 (10) 1.80 + 1.17 + 0.37 (10) Rock River Area Assessment 160 Table 3.5. Brood parasitism levels at northwestern Illinois study sites, 1993. Species Acadian flycatcher 42.9 Blge-gray Gnatcatcher Wood thrush 93.8 Veery 100 Yellow-throated vireo 0 Red-eyed vireo 100 Cerulean warbler 100 Chestnut-sided warbler 0 Kentucky. warbler 100 Hooded warbler Ovenbird 0 Louisiana waterthrush 100 South Palisades % Parasitized (n) (14) (3) (1) (1) Cowbird Eggs/Nest Eggs/Nest 0.6 2.8 3.3 0.0 1.7 2.0 0.0 1.7 3.0 Host 2.1 1.6 1.0 3.0 3.5 3.0 1.3 4.0 2.0 North Palisades Cowbird Host % Parasitized (n) Eggs/Nest Eggs/Nest 25.0 (4) 03 2.5 64.7 (17) 1.2 2.6 66.7 (3) 1.7 2.0 0 (1) 0 3.0 33.3 (3) 0.7 4.0 80.0 (5) 1.2 1.8 75.0 ° (4) 1.8 1.8 Continued. % Parasitized (n) Eggs/Nest Eggs/Nest Tapley Woods Cowbird 90 (10) 100 (1) 100 (1) 100 (2) 100 (1) 0 (1) 100. (2) 0 (2) 2.1 1.0 2.0 3h) 1.0 1.5 Host 2.7 4.0 1.0 0.5 1.0 4.0 2.5 4.5 Ward's Grove Cowbird Host % Parasitized (n) Eggs/Nest Eggs/Nest 87.8 (41) 2.3 2.0 100 (2) 2.0 1.5 161 Appendix B Table 3.5. Page 2. American redstart 62.5 Rose-breasted grosbeak 0 Northern cardinal 25.0 Rufous-sided towhee Scarlet tanager 100 Indigo bunting 72.7 (8) (1) (4) (3) (1) 0.6 0.0 0.3 4.0 2.8 3.0 2:3 1.0 40 50 100 (5) 0.8 1.0 2.7 0.6 2.8 4.0 1.0 2.6 100 100 100 50 (2) (8) (1) (2) 2.0 2.0 1.0 4.0 2.4 1.0 75 50 66.7 66.7 (4) (4) (3) (6) 0.8 0.5 1.0 0.8 2.5 33 2.0 3.2 162 Rock River Area Assessment Table 3.6. Brood parasitism levels at northcentral Illinois study sites, 1994. White Pines Castle Rock Lowden-Miller Cowbird Cowbird Cowbird Species % Parasitized (N) Eggs/Nest % Parasitized (N) Eggs/Nest % Parasitized(N) Eggs/Nest Eastern wood-pewee Acadian flycatcher Wood thrush Veery Am. robin Brown thrasher Gray catbird White-eyed vireo ’ Red-eyed vireo Blue-winged warbler Ovenbird Am. redstart Red-breasted grosbeak No. cardinal Rufous-sided towhee Indigo bunting Scarlet tanager 76. 0 9 (13) (8) 1.0 1.5 50 50 5.3 22.2 33.3 60 (12) (2) (20) (1) (2) (19) (9) (6) (5) 100 0 26.7 (1) (2) (1) (14) (15) (4) Appendix C — Appendix C Table from: Herkert, J.R., and S.K. Robinson. 1995. Birds recorded within a 100-m radius of 39 grassland census points. Unpublished report. 163 164 Rock River Area Assessment Appendix C. Birds recorded within a 100-m radius of 39 grassland census points (200-300 m apart), June, 1995 by Jim Herkert and Scott Robinson in the Nachusa Grasslands. a Species X males/10 points/100m radius No. Harrier 0 Cooper's Hawk 0 Ring-necked Pheasant 2 No. Bobwhite 0 Killdeer 0 Upland Sandpiper 0 Mourning Dove 1 Black-billed Cuckoo 0 Red-bellied Woodpecker 0 Downy Woodpecker 0 No. Flicker 0 Willow Flycatcher z E. Kingbird 1 Blue Jay 0 Black-capped Chickadee 1 House Wren 2 E. Bluebird 0 Wood Thrush 0 Am. Robin 3 Gray Catbird 3 Brown Thrasher 1 Cedar Waxwing 0 White-eyed Vireo . 0 Bell's Vireo 1 Warbling Vireo 0 Yellow Warbler 4 Common Yellowthroat 3 No. Cardinal 2 Indigo Bunting lee Dickcissel 4 Rufous-sided Towhee 0 Chipping Sparrow 1 Field Sparrow 10 Vesper Sparrow 2 Lark Sparrow 0 Savannah Sparrow 3 Grasshopper Sparrow 7 Song Sparrow 2: Bobolink 0 2 v 6 0 4 0 2 —_— — Red-winged Blackbird 1 E. Meadowlark Brown-headed Cowbird Orchard Oriole Am. Goldfinch House Sparrow Common Grackle Appendix D Appendix D Table from: Herkert, J.R., and S.K. Robinson. 1995. Parasitism and predation levels on birds of the Nachusa Grasslands. Unpublished report. 165 166 Rock River Area Assessment Appendix D. Parasitism and predation levels on birds of the Nachusa Grasslands, June-July, 1995. Data gathered by Jim Herkert and Scott Robinson with the assistance of Patrick Enstrom. % Daily % Loss Species Nests % Parasitized Predation Rate (exposure days) to Predation Mourning Dove 1 hee 200+ (16) 0 Eastern Kingbird 3 Sid ea . (37.5) 76 Willow Flycatcher 7 0 (119) 0 Am. Robin 2 0 (27.5) 0 Gray Catbird 2 16.7 + 10.7 (12) 99 Brown Thrasher 4 81+3.9 (49.5) 88 Bell's Vireo 1 -- Yellow Warbler 1 0 (4.5) - Com. Yellowthroat 1 100 (1) No. Cardinal 1 13.3 413.1 (7.5) 99 Rufous-sided Towhee 1 11.8+ 11.0 (8.5) - Dickcissel 16 8.0+2.9 (87.5) 88 Indigo Bunting 1 19.0 + 12.1 (10.5) 99 Chipping Sparrow 1 66.7 (1.5) -- Field Sparrow 12 16.4 + 4.7 (61) 99 Grasshopper Sparrow 17 §8+2.5 (86.5) 76 ’ Savannah Sparrow 2 0 65+62 (15.5) 80 Song Sparrow 1 0 13.3 + 13.1 (7.5) 99 Vesper Sparrow 2 0 0 (33) 0 Lark Sparrow 1 0 50.0 (2) Red-winged Blackbird 14 0 10.7+3.0 (103) 94 E. Meadowlark 2 0 3.2 + 3.2 (31) 56 Am. Goldfinch _4 a 10.5 +57 (285) —24 All nests combined 97 8.2 7.2 + 0.9 (750.5) 85 / ] |