Document Type

Report

Publication Date

6-30-2007

Publisher

Public Lands Institute

Publisher Location

Las Vegas (Nev.)

First page number:

1

Last page number:

11

Abstract

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

  • Nocturnal surveys completed at all natural and translocation sites – 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 1957 tadpoles and juvenile frogs released at six translocation sites.
  • Potential translocation sites within Gold Butte assessed during site visits in late March.
  • Coordination and assistance provided to UNLV research efforts on habitat improvements at Blue Point and Rogers Springs, and with proposed 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.

Project 2. Bald Eagle Winter Monitoring and Evaluation

  • No action required this quarter.

Project 3. Peregrine Falcon Monitoring and Evaluation

  • Peregrine falcon spring monitoring activities ongoing – all known territories visited at least once for a total of 27 passive surveys. An additional 11 passive surveys conducted in undocumented areas; 44 active surveys conducted at known peregrine falcon sites.
  • Two new territories identified in Black Canyon and at the Overton Arm in addition to the territory documented on southern Lake Mohave the previous quarter. Successful breeding documented at the Overton Arm site and late-stage nestling observed at the southern Lake Mohave site.

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

  • Pilot study initiated to evaluate point-count survey methods.
  • 16 point-count surveys performed this quarter using methods compatible with Great Basin Bird Observatory (GBBO) protocol.
  • 18 call-broadcast surveys for the thrasher species preformed. Field effort for regional assessment of thrasher distribution and habitat selection completed this quarter. Emphasis is now being placed on assessment, analysis, and modeling of these data.
  • Annual surveys for Southwestern Willow Flycatchers ongoing – four surveys conducted at two sites on Lake Mohave.

Project 5. Desert Tortoise Monitoring and Management

  • Tortoise monitoring assistance planned for a NPS burn site.
  • Compliance activity ongoing.

Project 6. Shorebird Monitoring on Lakes Mead and Mohave

  • A total of 27 monthly surveys were conducted on monitored sites on Lakes Mead and Mojave as well as incidental surveys.
  • Breeding population of snowy plovers discovered on Lake Mead - counts revealed 37 adult birds breeding at the confluence of the Muddy River and an additional 10 birds on Sand Island. Chicks observed at both sites. This is the first documented case of snowy plovers breeding on Lake Mead and represents a breeding range expansion of greater than 30 miles. Snowy plovers are listed as a Nevada Species of Concern and the Pacific Coast population is federally listed as threatened.

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

  • Data management of GPS collar information from bighorn sheep ongoing.

Other Activities

  • Part-time research assistant hired to assist with point-count surveys and assessment this spring.

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

334 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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