BLM_GJFO_Diurnal_Raptor_Survey_Protocol_2015.pdf

BLM Grand Junction Field Office Diurnal Raptor Survey Protocol 2015

SURVEY TECHNIQUES

The primary goal of the raptor survey is to locate and map all active and inactive cliff, ground, and woodland raptor nest sites in areas potentially influenced by proposed land use. To accomplish this goal, all raptor nesting habitat within 0.25 (1/4) mile of proposed projects will be surveyed, any cliff nesting raptor habitat within 0.5 (1/2) mile of the proposed project will be surveyed for cliff nesting raptors.

Surveys are generally not required for existing roads or trails that will not be improved.

Only qualified individuals having a thorough understanding of raptor survey techniques and advanced raptor field identification skills will conduct surveys. Active raptor nests and pertinent location data are to be reported to Heidi Plank, Grand Junction Field Office wildlife biologist (hplank@blm.gov or 970-244-

3012) within 48 hours. Prompt submission of all survey results the requested survey products (see below) is recommended as spot-checking for survey accuracy and adequacy may be performed prior to final acceptance of reports. Raptor surveys will generally be valid for 1 year.

No production data or nest phenology information is required. The survey objective is to determine nest occupancy status and minimize duration and intensity of disturbance of active nests—no climbing of nest tree, photographing of nest contents, or flagging of nest sites is authorized for purposes of these surveys.

Please note: though most of the Grand Junction Field office is in Zone 12 we would like to receive spatial data in Zone 13 as this is our data standard for the office.

Pedestrian surveys: Pedestrian ground search methods will be used in woodland and forest habitats.

Because thorough detection and coverage in woodland and forested habitats does not generally allow greater than 50 m coverage on either side of observer, pedestrian survey transects should be spaced no more than 50 m from each other (Fig. 1). Nesting habitat in cliffs should be surveyed from a number of vantage points using spotting scopes.

Broadcast surveys: Broadcast techniques will be used in conjunction with pedestrian survey methods from 15 May through 15 August using the Kennedy-Stahlecker-Rinker method (see Appendix A; Fig. 1).

Between 16 August and 14 May, pedestrian surveys only will be used. Nest status confirmation: If project-related activities (e.g., construction of access roads, pipeline corridors, well pads) associated with the raptor survey(s) occur during the nesting season for woodland raptors (i.e., from April 1 to August

15), and if the applicant proposes to survey for raptor nests outside of the breeding season (i.e., from

August 16 to May 31) additional nest surveys will be required to verify the breeding season status (e.g., active, inactive, or unknown). In order to either accept or deny any exception requests to perform project-related activities within either No Surface Occupancy or seasonal Timing Limitation buffers, the breeding season status of each known woodland raptor nest that may be affected by the proposed activity will be confirmed. Activity status may be confirmed between May 15 and August 15 of the current breeding season.

SURVEY PRODUCTS

1. All nest information for active and inactive nests will be recorded on the BLM-GJFO raptor nest inventory form (see Appendix B), and the inventory form(s) will be submitted to the BLM-GJFO with a written report summarizing the project area, inventory methods used, species observed, nests found, acres of suitable nest habitat surveyed, equipment used, and any additional information relevant to the project area or survey results. In addition, photos will be included in the written report that show the nest(s) and nest stand. Topographic maps (1:24,000 scale) showing nest locations will also be included in the written report. The written report should be submitted electronically as a .pdf or Microsoft Word file to GJFO Wildlife Biologist, Heidi Plank

(see contact information below).

2. UTM coordinates collected in the UTM, NAD 83, Zone 13 geographic coordinate system will be recorded for all active and inactive nests. Similarly, all raptor detections, which may include molted feathers, and visual and/or aural detections, will be documented and UTM coordinates recorded. In addition, behavioral observations that may be used to determine nest status will be noted (e.g., female posture on nest, aggressiveness of adults to observer, etc.). The date the detection was recorded will also be provided.

3. An ArcView shapefile in the UTM, NAD83, Zone 13 geographic coordinate system that depicts nest locations, project features (e.g., roads, pipelines, well pads, etc.) if available, and survey area polygons will be provided with the written report on compact disk or via email. In addition, total acres of suitable habitat inventoried will be calculated and included in the written report and noted on the inventory form.

4. The surveyor(s) will provide general characterization of woodland habitat in the project area in terms of raptor nest habitat suitability (e.g., tree composition, stand age, presence and abundance of large woody debris, canopy cover and height, vegetative ground cover, areal extent and continuity of stand, slope position and/or topographic character, and shortest distance to the edge of the woodland stand or clearing and the nest tree). Photos of the nest stand, nest tree, and a close up photo of the nest’s position will be included in the written report.

5. Distances from existing and proposed anthropogenic and natural features (e.g., roads and trails, pipeline/fenceline corridors, well pad perimeter, etc.) pertinent to impact assessment will be recorded on the BLM raptor inventory form. If appropriate, describe intervening terrain or vegetation features that may modify aural or visual detection from the nest site.

6. Nest site details, e.g., tree species, height, trunk diameter, maturity/age based on stature/form of trunk and crown conformation; nest position (height and distance from trunk) are encouraged.

7. If possible, determine species associated with inactive sites based on material size, nest dimensions, and relative position in crown or from trunk. Description of nest (i.e., nest dimensions, material size, position in tree) will be noted on the inventory form.

Reports and/or Questions related to report submission, content or purpose should be directed to:

Heidi Plank Wildlife Biologist Grand Junction BLM 2815 H Rd.

Grand Junction, CO 81506 Phone: (970) 244-3012 Email: hplank@blm.gov

Attachment:

1. Appendix A: BLM-GJFO WOODLAND RAPTOR BROADCAST SURVEY PROTOCOL

2. Appendix B: BLM-GJFO RAPTOR NEST STRUCTURE AND EYRIE INVENTORY FORM

3. Figure 1. Example figure that shows broadcast and pedestrian transects spacing, and spacing of broadcast stations.

Appendix A

BLM-GJFO WOODLAND RAPTOR BROADCAST SURVEY PROTOCOL

IDENTIFING SURVEY AREAS

It is preferable to pre-define potential nest habitat using aerial photographs (e.g., NAIP imagery) and terrain information (e.g., Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data), where tree density, canopy cover, and the influence of slope and aspect can be assessed to design more efficient and thorough woodland raptor inventory projects. The area surveyed will extend a minimum ¼ mile from the edge of disturbance (i.e., outside margins of cut and fill slopes on roads and pads, and outside edges of construction right-of-way width on utility corridors). Survey transects will be oriented to bisect as much potential nesting habitat as possible.

TIMING

Broadcast techniques will be used from 15 May through 15 August.

SPACING OF BROADCAST STATIONS AND TRANSECTS

1. Transects will be spaced 250 meters from each other, and survey stations will be separated by a distance of 200 meters.

2. A great horned owl call or coopers hawk alarm call will be used at all broadcast stations.

3. At each calling station, broadcast at 60 degrees from the transect line for 10 seconds, then listen and watch for 30 seconds. Repeat this sequence two more times, rotating 120 degrees from the last broadcast. Repeat the three-call sequence again. After the last sequence, move to the next station. Move (walk) between stations at an easy pace, listening and watching carefully for raptor calls and signs. The majority of time will be spent walking between stations, so it is important to be alert for raptors approaching, often silently, to investigate the surveyor. Do not survey from vehicles or use vehicles to move between stations. Use of two observers will likely enhance the probability of visual detections of woodland raptors; however, experienced surveyors may conduct surveys singly.

4. Effective coverage of a survey area depends on the surveyor’s ability to broadcast sound that can be detected at least 200 meters from the source. The equipment used to broadcast the call should produce 100-110 dB output at one meter from the source. Regardless of the type of equipment used, broadcast calls should be audible at least 200 meters from the calling station.

5. Surveys can begin ½ hour before sunrise and can cease ½ hour before sunset.

6. To avoid misidentifying broadcasts of coworkers, simultaneous surveys should be conducted no closer than two transect widths apart.

7. Surveys should not be conducted in high winds (i.e., wind speed ≥ 15 mph) or in heavy rain.

DETERMINING ACTIVITY STATUS OF NESTS

All nest structures will be viewed from at least three angles using binoculars or spotting scope, if available. The observer will note the condition of the nest, and will document signs of activity (e.g., one or both adult birds present, nestling or fledgling observed in nest or in nest area, fresh greenery in nest, down on perimeter of nest or in branches adjacent to nest). In addition, behavioral observations that may be used to determine nest status will be noted (e.g., female posture on nest, aggressiveness of adults to observer(s), etc.). If there is enough information to conclusively determine if a nest is active (see above), the observer will record the necessary information and leave the area as soon as practicable to reduce stress to adults and/or juvenile birds. The surveyor will not flag the area, nest tree or route to the nest. Moreover, the nest tree will not be climbed to assess number of eggs laid, number of young hatched, number of young depredated, etc.

RECORDING PROCEDURES FOR ACTIVE/INACTIVE NESTS

If a raptor is heard or seen, the surveyor will cease broadcasting and record the bearing of the observed raptor. The surveyor will also mentally note the approximate distance the bird was either seen or heard.

The surveyor will then move in the direction of the call and GPS the approximate location where the call originated. This area will be intensively surveyed for active and/or alternate nests. A Raptor Inventory

Form will be completed for all nest structures or eyries found during surveys, and a separate form will be completed for each nest or eyrie. The observer will record UTM coordinates for each nest using the

NAD83, Zone 13 datum. The observer will also take pictures of the nest and nest area. Ideally, the observer will take: 1. one close-up photo of his or her GPS with UTM coordinates clearly readable; 2. one photo of the nest tree with the nest in the frame; 3. close-up photo of the nest; and 4. one representative photo of the nest area.

REFERENCES

Kennedy, P.L. and D.W. Stahlecker. 1993. Responsiveness of nesting northern goshawks to taped broadcasts of 3 conspecific calls. Journal of Wildlife Management 57: 249-257.

Geissler, P.H. and M.R. Fuller. 1986. Estimation of the proportion of an area occupied by an animal species. Survey Research Methods Section, pages 533 - 537 in Proc. Amer. Statistical Assoc.

Iverson, G.C. and M.R. Fuller. 1991. Woodland nesting raptor survey techniques. Pp. 118 - 124 in Proc.

Midwest Raptor Management Symposium and Workshop. National Wildlife Federation, Washington D.C.

Mosher, J.A., M.R. Fuller, and M. Kopeny. 1990. Surveying woodland raptors by broadcast of conspecific vocalizations. J. Field Ornithol. 61:453 - 461. Mosher, J.A. and M.R. Fuller. 1996. Surveying woodland hawks with broadcasts of great horned owl vocalization. Wildl. Soc. Bull. 24:531-536.

McLeod, M.A. and D.E. Andersen. 1998. Red-shouldered hawk broadcast surveys: factors affecting detection of responses and population trends. Journal of Wildlife Management 62:1384-1396.

Figure 1. Generalized figure that shows broadcast and pedestrian transect spacing, and spacing of broadcast stations. Broadcast survey stations are spaced at 200 m intervals, and broadcast transects are separated by 250 m. Pedestrian transects should be separated by 50 m to ensure adequate coverage.