Document Type

Annual Report

Publication Date

9-30-2007

Publisher

Public Lands Institute

Publisher Location

Las Vegas (Nev.)

First page number:

1

Last page number:

19

Abstract

Project 1. Relict Leopard Frog Monitoring, Management, and Research

  • Diurnal and nocturnal surveys completed at all natural and translocation sites during the spring – the most striking finding was the lack of frogs observed at Rogers Springs and lower Blue Point despite repeated survey efforts.
  • Relict leopard frog annual translocation effort completed – a total of 1365 late stage tadpoles and 592 post-metamorphic frogs from the head-start facilities were released at existing translocation sites.
  • Mark-recapture effort at Rogers Spring abandoned because of the lack of frogs; assistance provided for a mark-recapture study at upper Blue Point Spring.
  • Potential translocation sites within Gold Butte assessed during site visits; one site targeted for potential attempt in 2008.
  • Coordination and assistance provided to UNLV research efforts on habitat improvements at Blue Point and Rogers Springs, and with proposed US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) actions to construct a tadpole rearing facility and artificial habitat at the Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery.
  • Relict Leopard Frog Conservation Team meeting held and support provided.
  • Annual report for efforts in 2006 produced and accepted by National Park Service (NPS).

Project 2. Bald Eagle Winter Monitoring and Evaluation

  • Formal guidelines and field protocols document produced and accepted by NPS.
  • Bald eagle count completed using new protocols. Totals were: 87 bald eagles (30 adults and 57 immature), one immature golden eagle, and four unidentified eagles.
  • Annual report was produced and accepted by NPS.

Project 3. Peregrine Falcon Monitoring and Evaluation

  • Conducted 146 active and passive surveys at 39 peregrine falcon sites.
  • Breeding behavior seen at 21 peregrine territories (13 along Lake Mead and 8 along Lake Mohave) and an additional 4 sites contained single adults.
  • A total of 44 adults and 22 successful young were detected.
  • A total of 36 exploratory survey sessions at 17 sites resulted in the detection of 4 previously undocumented sites (1 on Lake Mead and 3 on Lake Mohave).
  • Draft annual report summarizing activity on this project submitted to NPS.

Project 4. Assessment of Six Covered and Three Evaluation Bird Species

  • Conducted 19 point count surveys during spring of 2007.
  • Field component of a pilot project completed to assess double observer method for point count surveys.
  • Completed data management and summary from point count surveys performed in 2006.
  • Conducted surveys for southwest willow flycatchers at two sites on Lake Mohave – no breeding pairs detected.
  • Finished field data collection for research to determine regional distribution and habitat selection by cryptic thrasher species – 52 randomly distributed points and additional 11 incidental sightings in the past year.
  • Began analysis of habitat selection for regional populations of thrasher species.
  • Draft annual report summarizing activity on this project submitted to NPS.
  • Technical requirements of the Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Project (MSHCP) to be initiated later this year will require substantial modifications of methodology and associated products.

Project 5. Desert Tortoise Monitoring and Management

  • Eleven construction projects monitored for compliance actions, none incurred illegal work zone violations.
  • All 11 projects received inspections of equipment and vehicles, with 74 vehicles inspected and 17 initial failures (later passed after washing).
  • Surveys for rare plants were conducted on 4 projects.
  • Tortoise clearance surveys were performed for 5 projects.
  • Twenty tortoise education classes were given to 59 contract workers.
  • Three active tortoise monitors were coordinated for work on the Northshore Road reconstruction project, and active monitoring also occurred on 4 other projects.
  • Twenty-one days were spent supervising topsoil procedures on a 15-acre-restoration area associated with the Northshore Road reconstruction, and direction and oversight given for the placement and treatment of several hundred boulders.
  • Draft report summarizing soil and boulder placement protocols for LMNRA submitted to NPS.

Project 6. Shorebird Monitoring on Lakes Mead and Mohave

  • A total of 86 monthly surveys were conducted at 7 intensively monitored sites on Lakes Mead and Mohave, as well as numerous incidental sightings recorded.
  • An additional 10 surveys conducted at 2 exploratory sites on Lake Mohave during the winter months.
  • A total of 60,037 individual aquatic birds, shorebirds, and raptors tallied this year (51,277 on Lake Mead and 8,760 on Lake Mohave), with 11 new species documented.
  • Discovered and monitored two successful breeding colonies of snowy plovers on the Overton Arm.
  • Draft annual report summarizing activity on this project submitted to NPS.

Project 7. Desert Bighorn Sheep Habitat Use Monitoring in Relation to Highway Development.

  • Approximately 2275 data locations processed.
  • Tabular and illustrative products produced for use by NPS, Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
  • Ongoing problems with malfunctioning satellite collars identified.

Student Participation and Professional Hiring

  • High school intern hired to work part-time.
  • Undergraduate assistant hired and completed term this year.
  • Ph.D. student hired part-time to assist with Relict Leopard Frog surveys.
  • Professional bird expert hired and completed 3-month-term assisting with bird surveys.
  • Research assistant hired on field aspects of Relict Leopard Frog conservation.
  • Compliance actions under this task agreement completed; term completed for research assistant on compliance monitoring.

Controlled Subject

Bald eagle; Birds--Geographical distribution; Bighorn sheep--Behavior; Desert tortoise--Protection; Peregrine falcon; Desert tortoise; Habitat conservation; Peregrine falcon habitat; Southwestern willow flycatcher; Lake Mead National Recreation Area; Wildlife monitoring

Disciplines

Desert Ecology | Ecology and Evolutionary Biology | Environmental Indicators and Impact Assessment | Environmental Monitoring | Environmental Sciences | Life Sciences | Physical Sciences and Mathematics

File Format

pdf

File Size

393 KB

Language

English

Comments

Cooperative Agreement Number: H8R07060001

Task Agreement Number: J8R07060012

Signatures have been redacted for privacy and security measures.

Rights

IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

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