Aspen Park Consulting - Nature Conservancy of Canada

Transcription

Aspen Park Consulting
4898 Spurraway Road
Kamloops BC V2H 1M6
Early Summer Birds
Of the
Tatlayoko Lake Area
2008
prepared
by
Rick Howie RP Bio
April
2009
Tel. (250) 578-7542
Cell (250) 371-2551
Fax (250) 578-7543
environmental services for sustainable development
E-mail: r.howie@shaw.ca
Page - 2
Executive Summary
During the period 15-20 June, 2008 replicable bird surveys were conducted on properties owned by
the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) in the Tatlayoko Valley area of the western Chilcotin.
These surveys complement less formal observations made during the spring and early summer of
2006 and the same repeatable surveys conducted in 2007. They also supplement the fall migration
banding studies undertaken by Steve Ogle and volunteers at the Tatlayoko Ranch banding station. In
2008, 100 species and 1567 individual birds were detected, which compares to 99 species and 1333
individuals detected in 2007. In 2008, 94 species were detected within properties owned by the
Nature Conservancy. Surveys were intentionally focused on these status properties but an additional
6 species were observed randomly in the general area during travels to and from survey points and
some additional explorations in the West Branch Valley.
The annual Breeding Bird Survey was continued as a linear transect along the Homathko drainage
with most observation points along that route being outside of NCC properties. This year marked
the 19th occasion that this 40 kilometre long survey has been conducted, forming a useful long-term
data set that is a valuable reference to further work that may be focused within NCC properties.
From 2006 - 2008, 128 species were recorded during the late spring and early summer in the
Tatlayoko area. Seven new species added for this period during 2008 were gadwall, American coot,
red-breasted sapsucker, willow flycatcher, rose-breasted grosbeak, black-headed grosbeak and
yellow-headed blackbird. This information has been combined with the fall migration data, records
from local residents and literature searches in the creation of a draft checklist of birds for the area.
This will be completed in 2009.
The Tatlayoko Valley is proving to be as interesting from an ornithological perspective as had been
hoped when conservation initiatives were first undertaken in the area. In addition to the species that
one would expect given the habitats present, there seems to be an array of species whose occurrence
is near some geographical limits in the Tatlayoko area. Their abundance and habitat requirements
there are not well understood and further data will be of interest. Species such as lazuli bunting,
Lewis’s woodpecker, least flycatcher, Nashville warbler, black-headed grosbeak, Cassin’s finch,
purple finch, western kingbird and eastern kingbird are some species of interest along with the niche
separation between alder and willow flycatcher. The breeding status of sandhill crane is also of
interest. Species such as rose-breasted grosbeak may be vagrants but searches in appropriate habitat
should continue lest a disjunct population occurs in the area.
Page - 3
Page - 4
Table of Contents
Executive Summary ..........................................................................................................3
Foreword.............................................................................................................................8
1.0 Description of Study Area........................................................................................8
2.0 Weather and Climate Data .................................................................................... 12
3.0 Terms and Abbreviations ...................................................................................... 13
4.0 Toponymy.............................................................................................................. 15
5.0 Methods.................................................................................................................. 21
6.0 Results .................................................................................................................... 24
7.0 Discussion .............................................................................................................. 94
8.0 Conclusions and Recommendations................................................................... 104
9.0 Acknowledgements ............................................................................................. 106
References and Citations...................................................................................... 106
List of Tables
Table 1
Table 2
Table 3
Table 4
Table 5
Table 6
Table 7
Table 8
Table 9
Table 10
Table 11
Table 12
Table 13
Table 14
Table 15
Table 16
Table 17
Table 18
Line Transect Parameters ............................................................................... 24
Tatlayoko Ranch Transect ............................................................................. 26
Tatlayoko Ranch Transect Summary ............................................................ 28
Lincoln Ranch Transect.................................................................................. 31
Lincoln Creek Ranch Transect Summary ..................................................... 32
Skinner Meadows Transect............................................................................ 34
Skinner Meadows Transect Summary........................................................... 35
Westside Cattle Trail Transect ....................................................................... 37
Westside Cattle Trail Transect Summary...................................................... 38
Lincoln Pass 1 Transect................................................................................. 40
Lincoln Pass 1 Transect Summary ............................................................... 41
Lincoln Pass 2 Transect................................................................................. 42
Lincoln Pass 2 Transect Summary ............................................................... 43
Shannon Diversity Indices for Walking Transects ...................................... 43
Walking Transect Summaries....................................................................... 44
Walking Transect Rank Order ...................................................................... 45
Point Count Parameters................................................................................. 47
Lincoln Creek Ranch Point Count Results................................................... 48
Page - 5
Table 19
Table 20
Table 21
Table 22
Table 23
Table 24
Table 25
Table 26
Table 27
Table 28
Table 29
Table 30
Table 31
Table 32
Table 33
Tatlayoko Ranch Point Count Results......................................................... 49
Westside Cattle Trail Point Count Results .................................................. 51
Skinner Meadow East Point Count Results................................................. 52
Lincoln Pass Point Count Results................................................................ 53
Shannon Diversity Indices – Point Counts.................................................. 54
Summary – All Point Count Results............................................................ 55
Skinner Meadows Plot Survey..................................................................... 61
Skinner Creek Plot Survey ........................................................................... 62
Tatlayoko Ranch Plot Survey ...................................................................... 64
Shannon Diversity Indices for Plot Surveys................................................ 65
Tatlayoko Breeding Bird Survey Individual Species Summary 2008....... 70
Summary of Tatlayoko Breeding Bird Survey Results 1989-2008 ........... 72
Birds Observed in Tatlayoko Area 17-23 June 2007 ............................... 75
Variation in Species Detected 2007 – 2008 ................................................ 95
Walking Transects Rank Order Variation 2007 - 2008 ............................. 99
List of Figures
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7
Figure 8
Figure 9
Figure 10
General Tatlayoko Study Area ..................................................................... 12
Line Transect Configuration......................................................................... 22
Tatlayoko Ranch Circular Walking Transect .............................................. 25
Lincoln Creek Ranch Walking Transect...................................................... 30
Skinner Meadows Walking Transect ........................................................... 33
Lincoln Pass Walking Transects................................................................... 39
Skinner Meadows One Hectare Plot ............................................................ 60
Skinner Creek One Hectare Plot................................................................... 63
Tatlayoko Ranch One Hectare Plot .............................................................. 64
Tatlayoko Breeding Bird Survey Route ...................................................... 69
List of Charts
Chart 1
Chart 2
Chart 3
Chart 4
Shannon Biodiversity Indices for Walking Transects.................................. 46
Point Counts Ranked by Species Richness................................................... 57
Point Counts Ranked by Individual Birds .................................................... 58
Point Counts Ranked by Shannon Biodiversity Index................................. 59
Page - 6
Chart 5
Chart 6
Chart 7
Chart 8
Chart 9
Chart 10
Chart 11
Chart 12
Point Counts Ranked by Evenness................................................................ 59
Plot Surveys Ranked by Species Richness ................................................... 66
Plot Surveys Ranked by Individual Birds Observed.................................... 66
Plot Surveys Ranked by Shannon Diversity Index ...................................... 67
Plot Surveys Ranked by Percent Evenness................................................... 67
Number of Species Recorded on Tatalyoko BBS 1989-2008................... 73
Number of Individuals Recorded on Tatlayoko BBS 1989-2008............. 73
Regression of species detected along walking transects versus
parameters of transect length, rate of travel and total time spent
on each survey ................................................................................................ 97
Chart 13 Regression of individuals detected along walking transects versus
parameters of transect length, rate of travel and total time spent
on each survey ................................................................................................ 98
List of Photos
Photo 1
Photo 2
Photo 3
Photo 4
Photo 5
Photo 6
Photo 7
Photo 8
Tatlayoko Ranch...............................................................................................9
Looking South to Tatlayoko Ranch from Mueller property ....................... 10
Homathko River ............................................................................................ 16
Niut Range above Tatlayoko Lake ............................................................... 18
Potato Range.................................................................................................. 18
Beach at Tatlayoko Community Park .......................................................... 19
Tatlayoko Road near junction with Chilko Road ........................................ 20
Westside cattle trail........................................................................................ 21
Appendix 1
Tatlayoko Breeding Bird Survey Details by Stop - 16 June 2008.............................. 107
Appendix 2
Tatlayoko BBS Routes 1989-2008.............................................................................. 109
Page - 7
Foreword
The Nature Conservancy of Canada has purchased properties in the upper Homathko River drainage with a
goal of managing them as working ranches in a manner that protects and stewards the natural resources of the
properties. One of the initial steps is to accumulate an inventory of those resources on the properties and in
the general area in order to assist in developing future conservation goals.
During the period of 24 May - 16 June, 2006, Aspen Park Consulting conducted broad-ranging
surveys of birds in the general area in order to develop a sense of those species present (Howie,
2007). It was agreed that except for conducting a standardized breeding bird census route, the
general approach would be the exploration of a range of habitat types without conducting replicable
survey techniques. The aim was to become familiar with broad use patterns and habitats with
replicable techniques to be implemented in future years.
During the period 17-23 June, 2007, Aspen Park Consulting conducted replicable surveys largely
restricted to Nature Conservancy properties in order to establish some baseline data for future
monitoring initiatives. Specific sites, routes and techniques were selected that will enable future
researchers to conduct the same surveys in order to document evolution of the bird communities.
From 15-20 June, 2008, the surveys established in 2007 were conducted again as an on-going
assembly of data to assist in characterizing the avifauna of the area and build on the baseline data
set.
1.0
Description of Study Area
The north end of Tatlayoko Lake is 165 km southwest of Williams Lake and lies in a valley between
the Niut Mountain Range to the west and the Potato Range to the east. The drainage is in the Central
Interior Ecoprovince and is a transitional area between the Central Chilcotin Ranges ecoregion and
the Chilcotin Plateau ecoregion.
The headwaters of the Homathko River start in the north end of the Niut Range, running eastward
and then generally south for 30+ kilometres before entering the north end of Tatlayoko Lake. From
the outlet of the lake some 23 kilometres to the south, the river drains to Bute Inlet on the coast near
Johnstone Strait. Once having descended from its alpine origins, the river flows through the interior
Douglas fir dry warm (IDFdw) BEC zone which occurs in an area of rapid climatic change in
leeside areas of the coast range mountains.
Page - 8
1.1
Tatlayoko Ranch
The largest property in the area owned by the Nature Conservancy of Canada is the Tatlayoko
Ranch located at the north end of Tatlayoko Lake at the inlet of the Homathko River. The ranch
property straddles both sides of the river and consists of 380 ha. of hay lands, Douglas fir
(Pseudotsuga menzeisii) forest and riparian streamside and floodplain vegetation. Black cottonwood
(Populus balsamifera) is the dominant large deciduous species on the river floodplain at the lake
inlet. The elevation of the property is 860 metres above sea level (a.s.l.) with the centre at the
approximate zone 10 UTM coordinates of 402900E / 5723600N.
(NAD 83). It is located in the IDFdw BEC zone.
Photo 1. Tatlayoko Ranch June 2006
Page - 9
Photo 2. Looking south to Tatlayoko Ranch from Mueller property
1.2
Lincoln Creek Ranch
Located just north of the Tatlayoko Ranch, this 145 ha. property borders Lincoln Creek which
is a tributary to the Homathko River from the east. The main house is located at
402865E
/ 5125835N. It is a keystone parcel necessary to secure an east-west corridor across the head
of Tatlayoko Lake. Lincoln Creek, flows from Lincoln Pass, connecting the conservation
mosaic at the south end of the valley to the excellent wildlife habitat offered by Skinner
Meadow. Lincoln Creek Ranch contains approximately 24 ha. of old-growth interior Douglas
fir and approximately 8 ha. of riparian forest. It provides habitat for cougar (Felis concolor),
grizzly bear (Ursus arctos), black bear (Ursus americanus), mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus),
and many smaller species. It straddles important uplands adjacent to the Homathko River
system and is located in the IDFdw BEC zone.
1.3
Skinner Meadows
The meadows are located along Skinner Creek northeast of the Homathko River drainage at an
elevation of 1190 metres a.s.l. Skinner Meadows sits in an ecologically strategic location in the
Central Interior Ecoprovince in a transition zone between the Central Chilcotin Ranges ecoregion
Page - 10
and the Chilcotin Plateau ecoregion. The area is generally within the Chilcotin variant of the interior
Douglas fir dry cool (IDFdk4) BEC subzone. Four different biogeoclimatic zones occur within
about a 5-km radius of this property. The combined advantage of geography, climate and different
ecological zones contributes to the great biological diversity at this site, enabling it to support
several different ecosystem types. The property itself consists of a complex of wet meadows and
associated grasslands, moraines, small streams, and associated riparian vegetation, as well as
trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) groves, hybrid spruce (Picea glauca x engelmannii) bogs
and lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) forests. The property contains what may be the largest natural
wet meadow in the Homathko River drainage basin. Clearing forests for agriculture purposes has
also increased the size of the meadows. Forests on the property are dominated by lodgepole pine
with a hybrid spruce sub-canopy and soapberry (Sheperdia canadensis), prickly rose (Rosa
acicularis), common juniper (Juniperus communis), Saskatoon (Amelanchier alnifolia) and scrub
birch (Betula glandulosa) in the understory. Trembling aspen dominates the forest margins while a
variety native grasses predominant in the understory. This ecologically diverse property covers the
greater portion of the Skinner Creek basin. Grizzly bear and moose (Alces alces) use the property
extensively as a corridor between the Chilko Valley and the Tatlayoko Valley. The property also
provides habitat for significant numbers of wolf (Canis lupus), cougar, black bear, mule deer, and
bird species of riparian and meadow habitats. A key location on the property is the corral
development near the west end located at 406620E / 5732950N.
Page - 11
Fig 1. General Tatlayoko study area
2.0
Weather and Climate Data
The following information was obtained from Environment Canada data for the Tatlayoko Lake
weather station which was located just north of the Tatlayoko Ranch property at the Lincoln Creek
ranch.
The valley is on the lee side of the coast mountain ranges and is therefore relatively dry compared to
mountainous areas to the west. The total annual precipitation averages 43.4 cm. with an average
annual rainfall of 31.2 cm. Winter snow depths have reached 72 cm. Summer temperature
extremes have peaked at nearly 380 C and winter minimums have plunged to -430 C in decades past.
The valley is relatively narrow and conditions change rapidly with increases in elevation to the east
and west but data was not available to contrast locations such as Skinner Meadows which are
located 360 metres above the weather station. Peak elevations in the Potato Range are 2180 m. and
in the Niut Range, the peaks reach 2700 metres with the expected drop in average temperatures and
increase in precipitation over the valley floor.
Page - 12
3.0
Terms and Abbreviations
The following terms and abbreviations will be encountered throughout the text.
Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification (BEC)
At the broader regional level, vegetation, soils and topography are used to infer the regional climate
and identify geographic areas that have relatively uniform climate. These areas are referred to as
biogeoclimatic units. Areas of the landscape that have uniform areas of vegetation, soils and
topography at the local level are classified into site units.
Breeding Bird Survey (BBS)
This is a standardized survey technique whereby a pre-determined route 40 kilometres in length is
divided into 50 stops and birds are recorded in a standardized fashion at each stop as described
under the “methods” section.
UTM Coordinates
All coordinate locations in the text and in the database of sightings use NAD83 as the datum
reference.
Page - 13
Shannon Diversity Index
This index measures diversity in data and has been used to measure biodiversity amongst other
things. The characteristic of this index is that it takes into account the number of species and the
evenness of the species. The index is increased either by having additional unique species, or by
having greater species evenness where no particular species dominates in terms of numbers of
individuals. The index is maximized when all species are present in equal numbers. Different
approaches to the calculation of the index use either the natural logarithm (ln) or the log of base 2
(l2). The indices in the 2007 Tatlayoko report were calculated using ln but in the 2008 report, l2 was
used. The relative rankings will not have changed although the index numbers will be different.
Calculations were completed using an applet devised for the Mathbeans Project available online at
http://math.hws.edu/javamath/ryan/DiversityTest.html.
The formula is written as
In the results and discussion, the conventions used are as follows:
H1 – the Shannon Diversity Index (SDI)
H1 max – the maximum possible SDI with 100% evenness
D1 – the divergence from equiprobability or H1 max minus H1
D1 % - the percentage of H1 max represented by D1
Evenness – calculated as 100 – D1 %
“A low D1 value means H1 is close to H1max, that is, the system is nearly in a state of equiprobability
suggesting that there is a high degree of diversity present. Conversely, a high D1 value means that
H1 is small relative to H1max, that is, the system has diverged substantially from equiprobability and
is not very diverse. To take an example, if you had an H1 of 1.5 and an H1max of 2.0, the D1 value
would be 0.5. In this case 0.5 is a substantial divergence, since is represents 25% of H1max.”
(Mathbeans Project).
Page - 14
While there is some debate within the biological community about the benefits of this index versus a
simple species richness ranking, the index still has some appeal. Opponents argue that the index
reflects simply the numbers and does not provide a biological explanation for the index. Two sites
could have the same diversity index but a different assemblage of species and individuals. Indeed,
the search for a meaningful biodiversity index continues and general consensus is still elusive.
Comments on possible biological reasons for noted differences between surveys are provided in the
“discussion” section.
4.0
Toponymy
Geographic locations referred to in the text will attempt to use gazetted feature names wherever
possible, but it is necessary to refer to private property sites or other non-gazetted locations.
Banding Station
The NCC has established a bird banding station in the riparian area at the south end of the Tatlayoko
Ranch property. It is located just west of the ranch airport strip that lies along the Tatlayoko Valley
road.
Butler Creek
This is a tributary to Mosley Creek in the West Branch Valley west of the Niut Range.
Chilko (Choelquoit) Road
This is the main road from Tatla Lake that terminates at Chilko Lake. Some locals refer to it as the
Chelquoit Road named after the lake that it passes enroute to Chilko.
Cochin Lake
Located east of the Homathko River and north of the road junction to Chilko Lake at
401031E
/ 5737910N.
Eliza’s Pond
This pond is located on private land just northeast of Tatlayoko Lake. It is accessed from the
Tatlayoko Road near the south end of the Tatlayoko Ranch airstrip.
Page - 15
Harry’s Slough
This wetland is located just south of the Lincoln Creek Ranch house on private property abutting the
Nature Conservancy land.
Homathko Crossing
The main Tatlayoko Road crosses the Homathko River here at 400616E / 5731207N.
Homathko River
This is the primary drainage of the study area.
Photo 3. Homathko River
Lagoon
The “lagoon” refers to a wetland feature at the southeast corner of Tatlayoko Ranch at the head of
the lake. It is located at 403600E / 5722755N and is fed by an unnamed stream that emanates from the
Potato Range to the east.
Lincoln Creek
The headwaters of this creek originate at the northern end of the Potato Range and flow through a
series of small lakes before descending from the east to the Homathko River approximately 3
kilometres north of Tatlayoko Lake.
Page - 16
Lincoln Creek Pass Trail
This route begins as a narrow road climbing eastwards from the Tatlayoko Road. It eventually
narrows further to a trail used by hikers and equestrians to cross over Lincoln Creek pass. It is
accessible through the Lincoln Creek Ranch property.
Lincoln Creek Ranch
This 145 ha. property is situated immediately north of other NCC holdings at the head of
Tatlayoko Lake. The entrance to the headquarters is located along the Tatlayoko Road at
approximately 402900E / 5725700N.
Lot 1357
The Skinner Creek property is a 46 ha. lot identified as 1357 located to the west of the Skinner
Meadow property. The centre of the property is approximately 405200E / 5732800N.
Middle Lake
Located in the West Branch Valley west of the Niut Ranges.
Moore Lake
Located within Lot 1357 at 405050E / 5732450N.
Mosley Creek
This creek is located along the West Branch road in the next valley west of the Niut Range.
Niut Range
This is the rugged mountain range to the west of the Homathko valley.
Page - 17
Photo 4. Niut Range above Tatlayoko Lake.
Potato Range
This is a linear range of more gentle relief peaks to the east of the Homathko valley. Named after the
presence of the Indian potato plant (Claytonia lanceolata).
Photo 5. Potato Range.
Page - 18
Shaughnessy Residence
This is the new private home of Peter and Roma Shaughnessy west of the Tatlayoko Road located at
401825E
/ 5726730N. It is at a different location than the home mentioned in the 2007 and earlier reports.
Peter is the caretaker for the NCC properties.
Skinner Creek
This creek starts in the plateau country near Little Meadow Mountain (409560E / 5738560N) and flows
generally westward until joining the Homathko River about 6 kilometres north of Tatlayoko Lake
Skinner Meadows
These naturally wet meadows are located along Skinner Creek northwest of Choelquoit Lake. The
name is not gazetted but locally well known. The centre of the area is approximately 407000E / 5733300N.
The NCC own/lease 320 ha. in this vicinity.
Tatlayoko Community Park
This is the site of an old lumber milling operation that is now a local park on the east side of
Tatlayoko Lake about 2 kilometres from the north end.
Photo 6. Beach at Tatlayoko community park - 25 May, 2006
Page - 19
Tatlayoko Road
This refers to the main road along the Homathko River valley bottom from its departure from the
Chilko Road.
Photo 7. Tatlayoko Road near junction with Chilko Road.
13 June 2006
Westside Cattle Trail
This route is a non-maintained road that starts from the Mueller property and runs along a bench
above the west side of the Homathko River. It descends to Tatlayoko Lake at the north end and
parallels the lakeshore for some distance southwards. It is used to drive cattle to trailheads leading to
alpine grazing areas.
Page - 20
Photo 8. Westside cattle trail. 28 June, 2006
5.0 Methods
The area was visited during the period of 15-20 June during which time surveys were conducted by
Rick Howie with assistance from Andrew Harcombe for part of the period. Researchers stayed at
the Tatlayoko Ranch yurt owned by the Nature Conservancy of Canada.
Data collection was achieved through the use of 4 different survey techniques plus random
observations. All surveys were conducted between 0430 and 0930 hrs. Formalized surveys were
restricted to properties owned by the NCC. Random detections of birds inside or outside of NCC
properties were also noted. All geo-reference locations were obtained using a Garmin 76C hand
held GPS unit and are presented as North American Datum (NAD) 83 UTM coordinates.
5.1 Line Transects
Line transects were conducted by walking linear routes of varying lengths. All species and numbers
of birds detected within belts parallel to the walking route were recorded and grouped into two
intervals. Belts A and A1 extended from 0-30 metres and 30-100 metres respectively on the left side
of centre line. Belts B and B1 extended from 0-30 metres and 30-100 metres respectively on the
right side of centre line (Figure 2).
Page - 21
Figure 2. Line transect configuration
Due to the dense forest or brush cover in places and the difficulties in actually observing singing
individuals, birds were placed in each belt by estimating the location of the bird as opposed to
accurate measurements. Periodically, distances to birds observed in the open or distances to
landmark trees were made using Bushnell Rangefinders in order to maintain a sense of where the
belt boundaries were located and to confirm accuracy in estimating distances.
A total of six line transects were conducted on the Lincoln Ranch property, the Tatlayoko Ranch,
the Skinner Meadows property, the Lincoln Pass property and along the Westside Cattle Trail. The
Skinner Meadows transect was abbreviated due to the presence of a grizzly. Two transects were
conducted on the Lincoln Pass property.
5.2 Point Counts
Point counts were located at various locations around the properties. They were selected as being
somewhat representative of common habitats present. Counts were conducted for 7 minute periods
with all species and numbers of birds detected within 100 metres of the centres noted. Point counts
were conducted at 5 locations on the Tatlayoko Ranch, 2 locations on the Lincoln Ranch property, 3
locations along the Westside Cattle Trail, and 3 locations on the Lincoln Pass property. The point
count at the east end of the Skinner Meadows property was not conducted due to grizzly presence.
Page - 22
5.3 Plot Surveys
Plot surveys consisted of recording all species and numbers of birds detected within one hectare sized plots with each side being 100 metres in length where possible. In some cases, access
problems due to water and thick brush made it impractical to census square plots effectively, so the
dimensions were modified accordingly. The survey methodology consisted of simply walking
slowly through the plots and recording all species seen or heard. Three one-hectare plot surveys
were conducted at the Skinner Meadow corrals, the Skinner Creek property east of Moore Lake and
at the banding station on the Tatlayoko Ranch property.
5.4 Breeding Bird Survey
The Tatlayoko breeding bird survey was repeated for the 19th time since its inception in 1989. R.
Howie conducted the survey in 2006, 2007 and 2008 while all other surveys were conducted by
Charlie and Ruth Travers. The survey consisted of driving a fixed 40 km route along the Tatlayoko
Road and stopping every .8 km and recording all birds detected within 400 metres during a 3 minute
period at each stop. The starting point is fixed as are all subsequent stops. Data for the 2003 survey
were not available for the analysis and the survey may not have been undertaken that year.
5.5 Random Detections
Random detections of birds were noted while traveling between survey locations or while exploring
during non-peak hours for bird activity. Locations were noted using a hand held GPS device. These
detections included some locations outside of NCC properties and any additional species observed
that were outside of those properties are noted in the summary list in Table 30.
Page - 23
6.0 Results
6.1 Line Transects
Line transects were conducted on 15, 17, 18, 19 and 20 June. Details are provided in Table 1. The
transects are discussed in the same order established in 2007 which was in diversity from the
greatest to the least as calculated by the Shannon Index formula for biodiversity for that year.
Table 1
Line Transect Parameters
Transect
Lincoln
Ranch
Creek
Tatlayoko
Ranch
Westside Cattle
Trail
Skinner
Meadows
Lincoln Pass 1
Lincoln Pass 2
Date
18
June
15
June
20
June
17
June
19
June
19
June
Start
Point
End
Point
402876E
402933E
Start
Elev. m
End
Elev.
m
Start End Distance
Time Time
km
870
870
0640 0820
.87
860
860
0600 0945
2.5
900
860
0530 0915
2.6
1174
1177
0750 0900
0.9
1195
1150
0617 0700
0.55
1180
1240
0725 0835
0.6
5725702N 5725590N
402910E 402910E
5724425
401900E
5724425N
402180E
5724300N 5721972N
406627E 407565E
5733035N 5732990N
405615E 405170E
5727075N 5726733N
405425E 405527E
5726820N 5726305N
Page - 24
6.1.1 Tatlayoko Ranch
This transect commences at the yurt and proceeds northerly across a dry ridge to the first fence line
that crosses the field to the west. It follows this fence line westerly to the riparian community along
the Homathko River. It then follows the fence line and riparian community downstream (southerly)
to the second fence line south of the yurt and then turns easterly towards the Tatlayoko Road. Near
the road, it crosses the fence and proceeds northerly along the airport to a gate in the fence. From
there, it proceeds through the open fir forest to the large shed near the ranch entrance and from there
along the road back to the yurt.
Habitats encountered included groves of trembling aspen, stands of Douglas fir, riparian willow
(Salix sp.), red-osier dogwood (Cornus stolonifera) and alder (Alnus sp.) thickets as well as hay
pastures of domestic grasses.
Figure 3. Tatlayoko Ranch circular walking transect shown in yellow.
The Westside Cattle Trail transect is the linear yellow route.
Page - 25
Table 2
Tatlayoko Ranch Transect
Summaries Belt A1
#
Belt A
#
Belt B
#
Belt B1
#
SAVS
TRSW
WEME
NOFL
CORA
WEME
WEME
WEME
WEME
COYE
KILL
CLNU
WEME
BAEA
OSPR
AMKE
HAWO
WAVI
YEWA
SOSP
RNSA
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
2
1
1
1
DOWO
CEWA
WWPE
TRSW
WEME
HAWO
WEME
WEME
ALFL
COYE
DOWO
SAVS
SAVS
AMRO
COSN
ALFL
RNSA
AMCR
COSN
AMRO
SAVS
SAVS
AMCR
DOWO
RWBL
SOSP
AMCR
NOWA
AMRO
TRSW
AMCR
SAVS
TRSW
CHSP
RNSA
NOFL
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
DUFL
CHSP
DUGR
PIWO
SAVS
PISI
MALL
EUST
COSN
ALFL
PISI
SOSP
YEWA
SAVS
CEWA
WAVI
NOWA
SOSP
YEWA
MGWA
WAVI
AMRO
SAVS
SOSP
DOWO
YEWA
NOWA
ALFL
CEWA
ALFL
AMRO
COYE
BHGR
RUHU
COYE
ALFL
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
7
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
1
1
2
2
1
2
2
2
2
1
1
2
1
WAVI
ALFL
EUST
COSN
NOWA
WAVI
ALFL
AMCR
RTHA
AMRO
YEWA
NOWA
PIWO
DUFL
YEWA
DUFL
YEWA
NOWA
DUFL
DUGR
BCCH
COYE
SWTH
NOWA
BEKI
WAVI
SWTH
SPTO
NOFL
WAVI
VESP
AMRO
WAVI
AMRO
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Page - 26
NOFL
MOCH
RNSA
WEME
WWPE
SOSP
DUFL
RNSA
Species
Individuals
16
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
21
24
YEWA
AMRE
PISI
BCCH
RUHU
SOSP
AMRO
SWTH
WAVI
CEWA
RWBL
WWPE
EUST
WEME
CAGO
SAVS
WEME
YRWA
2
4
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
2
3
1
2
2
1
32
50
19
81
34
Page - 27
Table 3
Tatlayoko Ranch Transect
Summary
Summaries Species
#
CAGO
MALL
DUGR
OSPR
BAEA
RTHA
AMKE
KILL
COSN
RUHU
BEKI
RNSA
DOWO
HAWO
NOFL
PIWO
WWPE
ALFL
DUFL
WAVI
CLNU
AMCR
CORA
TRSW
BCCH
MOCH
SWTH
AMRO
EUST
CEWA
YEWA
YRWA
AMRE
NOWA
MGWA
1
1
2
1
1
1
2
1
4
2
1
5
5
2
5
2
3
9
5
10
1
5
1
4
2
1
3
12
3
6
11
1
4
9
1
Page - 28
COYE
SPTO
CHSP
VESP
SAVS
SOSP
LISP
BHGR
RWBL
WEME
PISI
Species
Individuals
7
1
3
1
13
7
1
1
2
17
9
46
189
6.1.2 Lincoln Creek Ranch
The Lincoln Ranch transect commences at the Tatlayoko Road and follows the property road past
the weather station in a northeasterly direction through the fence and upstream until a field is
reached. It turns easterly along the margin of the forest patch until a narrow road is reached. It
follows the road past a marsh/pond complex on the left and then swing back in a northerly direction
past an old barn. An obvious access road to the original home leads back to the Tatlayoko Road
where the route finishes quite close to the point of commencement. Habitats included groves of
trembling aspen, grassy pastures, flooded wetlands and mixed woods of aspen, likely hybrid spruce,
choke cherry (Prunus virginiana), rose, alder, willow and black twinberry (Lonicera involucrata).
Table 4 presents the detailed detections along the route. The birds are listed in the order in which
they were detected in each belt, but just because a species is listed in a parallel location in various
columns does not mean that the species were all seen in the same locations along the route. The
columns do not represent precise linear geographic distribution although birds listed near the top of
the table were seen nearer the beginning of the route and birds at the bottom of the table were seen
nearer the end of the route. Table 5 is a summary with species presented in taxonomic order.
Page - 29
Figure 4. Lincoln Creek Ranch walking transect shown in yellow.
Page - 30
Table 4
Lincoln Creek Ranch Transect
Summaries Belt A1
WEME
YEWA
MGWA
LABU
VESP
CORA
WEME
RWBL
BWTE
KILL
WETA
Species
Individuals
#
Belt A
#
Belt B
#
Belt B1
#
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
1
1
1
DUFL
WAVI
SWTH
AMRO
CHSP
CHSP
AMRO
AMCR
TRSW
SOSP
COSN
PISI
AMRO
NOFL
DUFL
MOBL
CHSP
SOSP
AMKE
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
4
1
1
1
1
2
1
2
AMRO
WAVI
TRSW
YEWA
LABU
SWTH
AMRO
AMRE
NOWA
YEWA
AMRO
BHCO
WAVI
TRSW
CHSP
NOFL
AMRO
4
3
1
1
2
1
1
5
1
2
4
1
2
2
1
2
2
WAVI
NOFL
AMRO
AMRE
WETA
SWTH
1
1
2
3
1
1
10
13
13
11
26
6
35
9
Page - 31
Table 5
Lincoln Creek Ranch Transect
Summary
Summaries
Species
Individuals
Species
#
BWTE
AMKE
KILL
COSN
NOFL
DUFL
WAVI
AMCR
CORA
TRSW
MOBL
SWTH
AMRO
YEWA
AMRE
NOWA
MGWA
WETA
CHSP
VESP
SOSP
LABU
RWBL
WEME
BHCO
PISI
1
2
1
1
4
2
7
1
1
4
1
4
16
4
8
1
1
2
5
1
3
3
3
2
1
4
26
83
Page - 32
6.1.3 Skinner Meadow Transect
The Skinner Meadow Transect commences at the road crossing of the creek near the corral. The
route progresses southward to a main junction and thence eastward following the track alongside
forested habitats on the right. It bears left at a main junction and follows the track past a set of
corrals, proceeding eastward through a wet meadow to the end point. Rubber boots are advisable as
flood irrigation results in water depths up to 20 cm along the latter parts of the route. Habitats
included forests dominated by lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia) with some spruce as
well as trembling aspen patches, wet grassy meadows and sedge communities.
In 2008 the transect was terminated at about 0.8 km due to the presence of a grizzly on the survey
route.
Figure 5. Skinner Meadows walking transect shown in yellow.
Page - 33
Table 6
Skinner Meadow Transect
Summaries Belt A1 #
COYE
COSN
CAFI
WIFL
MALL
WIPH
BWTE
COSN
PBGR
YEWA
WIFL
AMRO
COSN
Species
Individuals
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
10
Belt A
#
Belt B
#
Belt B1
#
SORA
YEWA
RWBL
TRSW
MALL
WAVI
BNSW
COSN
SOSP
COSN
MAWR
HAFL
YEWA
LISP
NOHA
4
1
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
RWBL
COYE
AMRO
VIRA
MAWR
BNSW
SAVS
WIFL
SORA
SOSP
YEWA
PISI
AMRO
TRSW
AMRO
WAVI
HAFL
3
2
1
1
2
1
1
1
2
1
1
3
1
3
3
1
2
BHCO
WIPH
WIFL
BLTE
MAWR
YEWA
AMCO
NOSL
DUGR
DUGR
MGWA
HETH
3
5
2
2
1
1
1
2
1
2
1
1
13
15
15
22
11
29
22
Page - 34
Table 7
Skinner Meadow Transect
Summary
Summaries Species
#
MALL
BWTE
NOSL
DUGR
PBGR
NOHA
VIRA
SORA
AMCO
COSN
WIPH
BLTE
WIFL
HAFL
WAVI
TRSW
BNSW
MAWR
HETH
AMRO
YEWA
MGWA
COYE
SAVS
SOSP
LISP
RWBL
BHCO
CAFI
PISI
2
2
2
3
1
1
1
6
1
7
6
2
5
3
2
5
2
4
1
6
5
1
3
1
2
1
6
3
1
3
Species
Individuals
30
88
Page - 35
6.1.4 Westside Cattle Trail Transect
Access to this route is gained via a vehicle trail through the Mueller property immediately north of
the Tatlayoko Ranch. Vehicle access ends at a washout where the walking route begins (Figure 3).
A logged clearing is encountered near the head of the lake and south of this, a Russell log fence
bordering the NCC property is obvious. The route follows this fence line to its terminus at the edge
of the lake. Habitats along this route were a mix of lodgepole pine, Douglas fir, trembling aspen, and
spruce.
Page - 36
Table 8
Westside Cattle Trail Transect
Summaries Belt A1
SWTH
MGWA
NOWA
RCKI
DUGR
MOCH
AMRO
WAVI
AMRE
NOWA
Species
Individuals
#
Belt A
#
Belt B
#
Belt B1
#
3
2
2
2
1
2
1
1
1
1
WAVI
AMRE
DUFL
YRWA
SWTH
DUFL
TOWA
GRJA
CAVI
OCWA
RNSA
AMRE
WAVI
NOFL
AMRO
SWTH
DEJU
NOFL
AMRO
YRWA
OSPR
RUHU
PISI
WETA
AMRO
5
4
1
1
5
2
4
2
1
1
1
3
4
1
5
1
1
1
1
1
4
1
1
1
1
SWTH
YRWA
WAVI
SWTH
AMRE
WETA
TOWA
NOFL
AMRO
CAHU
CHSP
WAVI
DUFL
RUHU
AMRE
DEJU
SWTH
YRWA
WAVI
WETA
RNSA
RCKI
SPSA
5
1
5
5
1
3
2
2
5
1
3
5
2
1
2
2
2
3
1
2
1
1
1
SWTH
WAVI
TOWA
WAVI
NOFL
PISI
AMRO
OCWA
DEJU
DUFL
SWTH
RNSA
YRWA
5
2
2
1
1
5
2
1
2
1
4
1
1
9
17
16
17
53
11
56
28
Page - 37
Table 9
Westside Cattle Trail Transect
Summary
Summaries
Species
Individuals
Species
#
DUGR
OSPR
SPSA
CAHU
RUHU
RNSA
NOFL
DUFL
CAVI
WAVI
GRJA
MOCH
RCKI
SWTH
AMRO
OCWA
YRWA
TOWA
AMRE
NOWA
MGWA
WETA
CHSP
DEJU
PISI
1
4
1
1
2
3
5
6
1
24
2
2
3
30
15
2
7
8
11
3
2
6
3
5
6
25
153
Page - 38
6.1.5
Lincoln Pass 1 Transect
The Lincoln Pass property is reached via a narrow road starting at the Lincoln Creek Ranch house.
The transect begins at a cabin on the property and follows downstream along the north side of the
meadow. There is no formal trail there but a trail begins at the edge of the forest at the northwest end
of the meadow. This is followed downstream to the endpoint above a canyon. This route could
continue farther downstream but the forested portion is outside of the NCC property. Habitats in the
Lincoln Pass area consisted of a mix of lodgepole pine, Douglas fir, trembling aspen and wet grassy
meadows with patches of willow and rose.
Figure 6. Lincoln Pass walking transects shown in yellow.
Page - 39
Table 10
Summaries Belt A1
#
Belt A
# Belt B
#
Belt B1 #
DUFL
SWTH
NOWA
CORA
WIWR
BHCO
SOSP
1
4
3
1
1
1
1
MOBL
SAVS
PISI
WAVI
DUFL
YRWA
LISP
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
8
1
2
3
2
DUFL
WAVI
NOFL
Species
Individuals
7
7
12
YEWA
AMRO
PISI
SAVS
WAVI
CHSP
EVGR
7
9
1
2
1
3
18
4
Page - 40
Table 11
Summary
Summaries Species
#
NOFL
1
DUFL
3
WAVI
5
CORA 1
WIWR 1
MOBL 1
SWTH 4
AMRO 1
YEWA 1
YRWA 1
NOWA 3
CHSP
3
SAVS
3
SOSP
1
LISP
1
BHCO 1
PISI
10
EVGR
2
Species
Individuals
18
43
Page - 41
6.1.6 Lincoln Pass 2 Transect
The route follows a trail into the forest near the southwest end of the meadow downstream of the
cabin. There is no bridge over the creek. The trail winds southeastward uphill for several hundred
metres before terminating. Flagging tape was left to mark the route which continues uphill through
the forest to the termination atop a rocky knoll. There is no obvious track to follow along the latter
portion of the route.
Table 12
Summaries Belt A1 # Belt A
CORA 2 PSFL
SWTH 1 NOWA
MGWA
RBNU
CAVI
SWTH
Species
Individuals
2
# Belt B
#
1 WETA 1 WETA 1
1 RBNU 3 YRWA 1
1
MGWA 1
2
SWTH 2
1
2
6
3
# Belt B1
2
8
4
4
5
Page - 42
Table 13
Summary
Summaries Species
#
PSFL
CAVI
CORA
RBNU
SWTH
MGWA
YRWA
NOWA
WETA
1
1
2
5
5
2
1
1
2
Species
Individuals
9
20
Table 14
Shannon Diversity Indices H1
&
Other Parameters
For
Walking Transects
Transect
H1
Tatlayoko Ranch
Lincoln Creek Ranch
Skinner Meadows
Westside Cattle Trail
Lincoln Pass 1
Lincoln Pass 2
4.98
4.19
4.61
3.96
3.70
2.86
H1 max D1
5.52
4.70
4.90
4.64
4.16
3.16
D1 % Evenness
.54 9.77
.51 10.90
.29 5.94
.68 14.70
.46 11.04
.30 9.75
90.23
89.10
94.06
85.30
88.96
90.25
Page - 43
6.1.7 Walking Transect Summaries
Table 15 summarizes the walking transects in terms of the number of species and individuals
detected and the ratio of those totals to survey parameters such as time and distance.
Table 15
Walking Transect Summaries
Transect
Lincoln Ck. Ranch
Tatlayoko Ranch
Westside Cattle
Trail
Skinner Meadows
Lincoln Pass 1
Lincoln Pass 2
Survey
Species Individuals
Hours
Species Individs. Species Individs.
Per
Per
Per
Per
Hour
Hour
Km
Km
26
46
83
189
1.6
3.3
16.2
13.9
51.8
57.3
29.9
18.4
95.4
75.6
25
153
3.75
6.7
40.8
9.6
58.8
30
18
9
88
43
20
1.2
.75
1
25
24
9
73.3
57.3
20
37.5
32.7
15
110.0
78.2
33.3
The average number of species detected per walking transect was 25.6 (n=6) with a range of 9 - 46.
The average number of individuals detected per walking transect was 95.6 (n=6) with a range of 20
- 189. In 2007, the average number of species per transect was 23 (range 7 - 37) and the average
number of individuals was 84.8 (range 11 - 165).
6.1.8 Walking Transect Rank Order
Table 16 indicates the rank from 1 to 6 for various parameters measured for each walking transect,
with the highest score being 1 and the lowest score being 6.
Tatlayoko Ranch showed the greatest species richness and Shannon Diversity Index (SDI) ranking.
The Skinner Meadows transect showed ranked second in species richness and diversity. Skinner
Meadows also ranked the highest for the number of species detected per hour and over a given
distance and for the number of individuals detected per hour and over the same distance. This
Page - 44
indicates greater diversity over a small area compared to the other transects. The Lincoln Pass 2
transect scored lowest in most categories which reflects the relative homogeneity of habitats along
this short route.
Table 16
Walking Transect Rank Order
Transect
Lincoln
Creek Ranch
Tatlayoko
Ranch
Westside
Cattle Trail
Skinner
Meadows
Lincoln Pass 1
Lincoln Pass 2
Species
Per
km
Individuals
Per
Survey
Hour
Individuals
Per
Km
Species
Richness
Shannon
Diversity
Species per
Survey
hour
3
3
3
3
3
2
1
1
4
4
2
4
4
4
6
6
4
5
2
2
1
1
1
1
5
6
5
6
2
5
2
5
2
5
3
6
Page - 45
6
5
4.98
4.61
4.19
3.96
4
Shannon Index
3.7
2.86
3
2
1
0
Tatlayoko Ranch
Skinner Meadows
Lincoln Creek Ranch
Westside Trail
Lincoln Pass 1
Lincoln Pass 2
Chart 1. Shannon Diversity Indices for walking transects.
Page - 46
6.2 Point Counts
Thirteen point counts were conducted on 15, 18, 19 and 20 June. (see Figures 3,4,5,6 and 7 for
locations).
Table 17
Point Count Parameters
Point Count
Date
Lincoln Creek Ranch 1
18 June
Lincoln Creek Ranch 2
18 June
Tatlayoko Ranch 1
15 June
Tatlayoko Ranch 2
15 June
Tatlayoko Ranch 3
20 June
Tatlayoko Ranch 4
15 June
Tatlayoko Ranch 5
18 June
Westside Trail 1
20 June
Westside Trail 2
20 June
Westside Trail 3 (new)
20 June
Skinner Meadows East not completed
Lincoln Pass 1
19 June
Lincoln Pass 2 (new)
19 June
Lincoln Pass 3 (new)
19 June
Centre
Start Time End Time
Easting Northing
402950
403167
402911
402525
403619
403055
403005
401870
401900
401936
407775
405710
405355
405440
5725752
5725660
5724425
5724322
5722755
5724105
5723615
5723490
5723020
5723209
5733005
5727083
5726863
5726472
0640
0715
0600
0830
0445
0905
0840
0635
0745
0720
0647
0722
0607
0837
0452
0912
0847
0642
0752
0727
0609
0633
0807
0616
0640
0814
Page - 47
6.2.1 Lincoln Creek Ranch Point Counts
The centre of count 1 is located just west of the weather station along the road running eastward
through the property. Count 2 is located along a road that enters the southerly edge of the meadow
east of the weather station.
Table 18
Lincoln Creek Ranch
Point Count Results
Species
Count 1 Count 2 Totals
NOFL
DUFL
WAVI
SWTH
AMRO
AMRE
NOWA
MGWA
WEME
1
1
2
2
4
1
1
1
Total Species
Total Individuals
8
13
1
1
1
3
2
1
1
1
2
2
3
5
6
1
2
1
2
8
11
9
24
Page - 48
6.2.2 Tatlayoko Ranch Point Counts
Count 1 is located at the yurt and count 2 is located along the western edge of the pasture near the
Homathko River. Count 3 is situated at the lagoon and count 4 is 115 metres south of the caretaker’s
cabin. Count 5 is south and west of the airport.
Table 19
Tatlayoko Ranch
Point Count Results
Species
CAGO
MALL
COME
DUGR
BAEA
KILL
RNSA
RBSA
DOWO
NOFL
WWPE
ALFL
DUFL
WAVI
CLNU
AMCR
TRSW
MOCH
RCKI
SWTH
AMRO
CEWA
YEWA
AMRE
NOWA
MGWA
COYE
WETA
Count 1 Count 2 Count 3 Count 4 Count 5 Totals
2
2
11
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
2
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
1
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
11
1
1
1
1
1
1
5
4
3
2
5
2
3
3
1
1
1
5
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
Page - 49
CHSP
VESP
SAVS
SOSP
RWBL
WEME
PISI
Total Species
Total Individuals
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
10
15
13
17
10
22
8
11
1
70
1
1
1
1
3
5
70
13
83
35
148
Page - 50
6.2.3 Westside Cattle Trail Point Counts
Count 1 is located at a small creek approximately 800 metres south of the gully marking the end of
the road used to access the remaining portion of the trail. Count 2 is located in an area that has been
partially logged approximately 1300 metres south of the aforementioned gully.
Table 20
Westside Trail
Point Count Results
Species
Count 1 Count 2 Count 3 Totals
RNSA
NOFL
DUFL
CAVI
WAVI
GRJA
MOCH
RCKI
SWTH
AMRO
OCWA
AMRE
TOWA
WETA
CHSP
PISI
1
3
Total Species
Total Individuals
4
6
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
8
10
1
2
9
11
1
1
2
1
2
1
1
1
8
1
1
1
1
3
1
1
16
27
Page - 51
6.2.4 Skinner Meadows East Point Count
This count site is located east of the corral located near the easterly end of the meadows. It is in a
wet meadow area.
Table 21
Skinner Meadows East
Point Count Results
Species
Totals
not completed due to presence
of grizzly in area
Page - 52
6.2.5 Lincoln Pass Point Counts
Point count #1 is located just east of the cabin in a shrub stand. Point # 2 is located at the lower end
of the meadow just inside the tree line and point #3 is located in older fir forests along transect #2.
Table 22
Lincoln Pass
Point Count Results
Species
DUGR
DUFL
WAVI
CORA
RBNU
SWTH
AMRO
YEWA
YRWA
AMRE
MGWA
CHSP
BHCO
PISI
Total Species
Total Individuals
Count 1 Count 2 Count 3 Totals
1
2
1
2
2
2
1
1
1
2
1
3
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
9
14
5
6
4
7
14
27
Page - 53
6.2.6
Summary of All Point Counts
Table 23 provides a summary of all of the point counts conducted in 2008. A total of 43 different
species were detected during all of the counts compared to 45 species detected in 2007. The total
number of individuals detected on all counts in 2008 was 225 compared to 144 in 2007.
The average number of species detected per point count was 8.4 (n=13) with a range of
4 - 13. The average number of individuals detected per point count was 17.3 (n=13) with a range of
5 - 83. In 2007 where n=11 counts, the average number of species was 4.1 (range 3 - 16) and the
average number of individuals was 13.1 (range 7 - 16).
Table 24 presents the Shannon Diversity Index for all of the point counts along with related
parameters of divergence and evenness.
Table 23
&
Other Parameters
For
Point Counts
Point Count
LCR1
LCR2
TR1
TR2
TR3
TR4
TR5
WT1
WT2
WT3
LP1
LP2
LP3
H1
H1 max
2.77
2.84
3.24
3.61
2.54
2.91
1.18
1.80
2.84
3.09
3.09
2.58
1.84
3.0
3.0
3.32
3.70
3.32
3.0
3.70
2.0
3.0
3.17
3.17
2.58
2.0
D1
D1 % Evenness
.22
7.4
.15 5.15
.08 2.45
.08 2.25
.77 23.30
.09 2.86
2.52 68.06
.20 10.37
.15 5.12
.08 2.34
.08 2.34
0
0
.16 7.88
92.6
94.85
97.55
97.75
76.70
97.14
31.93
89.63
94.88
97.66
97.66
100
92.12
Page - 54
Table 24
Summary
All Point Count Results
Species
CAGO
MALL
COME
DUGR
BAEA
KILL
RNSA
RBSA
DOWO
NOFL
WWPE
ALFL
DUFL
CAVI
WAVI
GRJA
CLNU
AMCR
CORA
TRSW
MOCH
RBNU
RCKI
SWTH
AMRO
LCR 1 LCR 2 TR 1 TR 2 TR 3 TR 4 TR 5 WT 1 WT 2 WT 3 LP 1 LP 2 LP 3 Totals
2
2
11
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
4
3
2
2
1
1
1
3
1
1
3
1
Page - 55
2
2
2
1
1
3
2
2
11
2
1
1
2
1
1
8
4
3
8
1
12
1
2
3
2
3
2
1
2
20
15
CEWA
OCWA
YEWA
YRWA
TOWA
AMRE
NOWA
MGWA
COYE
WETA
CHSP
VESP
SAVS
SOSP
RWBL
WEME
BHCO
PISI
Total Species
Total Individuals
2
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
8
11
10
15
13
17
10
22
8
11
1
1
70
8
13
2
13
83
1
4
6
8
10
9
11
Page - 56
2
1
1
9
14
5
5
4
7
2
1
4
1
1
5
3
4
1
4
3
1
1
1
3
6
1
76
43
225
6.2.7 Ranking of Point Counts
The following charts indicate the ranking of the various point counts by species richness and the
number of individuals detected. Each count is depicted by a unique colour so that the shift in
ranking can be detected more easily.
The point counts were also ranked by the Shannon Diversity Index as shown in
Chart 4.
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
TR2
TR5
TR3
TR1
LP1
WT3
WT2
LCR1
LCR2
TR4
LP2
LP3
WT1
Chart 2. Point counts ranked by species richness.
Page - 57
90
83
80
70
60
50
40
30
22
20
17
15
14
13
11
11
11
10
10
7
6
6
LP3
LP2
WT1
0
TR5
TR3
TR2
TR1
LP1
LCR1
LCR2
WT3
TR4
WT2
Chart 3. Point counts ranked by number of individual birds
Page - 58
4
3.61
3.5
3.24
3.09
3.09
2.91
3
2.84
2.84
2.77
2.58
2.54
2.5
2
1.84
1.8
1.5
1.18
1
0.5
0
TR2
TR1
WT3
LP1
TR4
LCR2
WT2
LCR1
LP2
TR3
LP3
WT1
TR5
Chart 4. Point counts ranked by Shannon Diversity Index.
120
100
100
97.75
97.66
97.66
97.55
97.14
94.88
94.85
92.6
92.12
89.63
percent evenness
80
76.7
60
40
31.93
20
0
LP2
TR2
LP1
WT3
TR1
TR4
WT2
LCR2
LCR1
LP3
WT1
TR3
Chart 5. Point counts ranked by percent evenness.
Page - 59
TR5
6.3 Plot Surveys
6.3.1 Skinner Meadows
A one - hectare plot survey was conducted at the main corrals at Skinner Meadows on 21 June. The
northeast corner of the plot was located at UTM coordinates, NAD 83 406680E, 5733130N and the
sides were100m laid out on north-south east-west axes. The survey was conducted from 0610 0710 hours on 17 June, 2008.
Figure 7. Skinner Meadows one - hectare plot shown at beginning of transect survey
(yellow line) with point count shown at the end of the transect.
Page - 60
Table 25
Skinner Meadows Plot Survey
Species
Individuals
BWTE
NOHA
VIRA
SORA
KILL
GRYE
COSN
WIPH
BLTE
WIFL
CORA
TRSW
BNSW
MOCH
MAWR
AMRO
EUST
YEWA
NOWA
COYE
VESP
SAVS
SOSP
WCSP
RWBL
WEME
YHBL
BRBL
BHCO
CAFI
PISI
4
1
2
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
1
3
2
1
3
3
1
1
1
2
2
1
2
1
6
1
1
2
4
2
2
Total Species
Total Individuals
31
59
Page - 61
6.3.2 Skinner Creek
This plot was also laid out with 100m sides on north-south east-west axes. The southeast corner was
located at the gate to Ryan Gustafson’s property at the creek crossing. Its location is UTM, NAD 83
405225E, 5732383N. Habitats consisted of trembling aspen along the creek, an open grass field and
a small amount of lodgepole pine.
The survey was conducted from 1020-1135 hours on 17 June.
Table 26
Skinner Creek Plot Survey
Species
Individuals
DUGR
RNSA
NOFL
WWPE
HAFL
WAVI
CORA
TRSW
RCKI
YEWA
YRWA
AMRE
NOWA
SAVS
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
2
1
Total Species
Total Individuals
14
16
Page - 62
Figure 8. Skinner Creek one hectare plot.
6.3.3 Tatlayoko Ranch
This plot was laid out to cover the banding station. The dimensions are 50m x 200m with the long
axis paralleling the fence line along the south side of the field. The plot includes the forested area
south of the field and not the field itself. The boundaries are on north-south east west axes with the
UTM NAD83 coordinates as follows:
NE corner - 402948E, 5723422N
SE corner - 402948E, 5723372N
NW corner - 402748E, 5723422N
SW corner - 402748E, 5723372N
Habitats are a mosaic of trembling aspen, spruce, lodgepole pine, alder, red-osier dogwood, rose,
willow and grassy openings.
The survey was conducted on 18 June from 0940-1040 hours.
Page - 63
Figure 9. Tatlayoko Ranch one hectare plot located at banding station.
Table 27
Tatlayoko Ranch Plot Survey
Species
DUGR
COSN
RNSA
NOFL
WWPE
ALFL
DUFL
WAVI
AMCR
TRSW
Individuals
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
3
1
4
Page - 64
BCCH
SWTH
AMRO
YRWA
AMRE
NOWA
SOSP
PISI
3
2
3
2
2
3
3
20
Total Species
Total Individuals
18
54
Table 28
&
Other Parameters
For
Plot Surveys
Plot Survey
H1
Skinner Meadows 4.70
Skinner Creek
3.75
Tatlayoko Ranch 3.41
6.3.4
H1 max D1 D1 % Evenness
4.95
3.80
4.17
.22
.06
.75
4.44
1.5
18.0
95.56
98.5
82.0
Ranking of Plot Surveys
The average number of species per plot was 21 (n=3) with a range of 14 - 31. The average number
of individuals detected per plot was 43 (n=3) with a range of 16 - 59. The average number of species
per plot in 2007 was 17.6 (range 10 - 23) and the average number of individuals per plot in 2007
was 28.6 (range 14 - 43).
The rank order of the plots was identical when ranked by species richness and the number of
individual birds (Charts 6, 7). When ranked by the Shannon Index (Chart 8), the Skinner Creek plot
moved from third to second spot and the Tatlayoko Ranch plot ranked lowest. When ranked by
evenness, the Skinner Creek plot ranked highest followed by Skinner Meadow and Tatlayoko
Ranch (Chart 9).
Page - 65
35
31
30
25
20
18
15
14
10
5
0
Skinner Meadows
Tatlayoko Ranch
Skinner Creek
Chart 6. Plot surveys ranked by species richness
70
60
59
54
50
40
30
20
16
10
0
Skinner Meadows
Tatlayoko Ranch
Skinner Creek
Chart 7. Plot surveys ranked by the number of individual birds observed.
Page - 66
5
4.7
4.5
4
3.75
3.41
3.5
3
2.5
Series1
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
Skinner Meadows
Skinner Creek
Tatlayoko Ranch
Chart 8. Plot surveys ranked by the Shannon Diversity Index.
120
100
98.5
95.5
82
percent evenness
80
60
40
20
0
Skinner Creek
Skinner meadows
Tatlayoko Ranch
Chart 9. Plot surveys ranked by percent evenness
Page - 67
Standardized “breeding bird surveys” have been widely used throughout the United States and
Canada to monitor trends in bird numbers. The surveys are road based transect strips consisting of
point surveys located every 0.8 km apart along a pre-determined route starting along the Tatlayoko
Lake Road 1.8 km past the turnoff to the Bracewell Lodge. The UTM starting location is 403370E
5705188N.
Charlie and Ruth Travers from Cochin Lake conducted 16 surveys along the Tatlayoko Road from
1989 – 2005. Data for 2003 was not available and the survey may not have been undertaken that
year. R. Howie conducted surveys on the same route in 2006, 2007 and 2008.
A total of 95 species was recorded on all surveys with calliope hummingbird and Clark’s nutcracker
added as new species in 2008. Taxonomic and nomenclature changes resulted in the ruffed grouse
being renamed dusky grouse and Wilson’s snipe being renamed common snipe. There was an
average of 44.7 species per survey (n =19, x= 32 - 57). A total of 6137 individuals was recorded
for an average of 323 birds per survey (n = 19 x= 23 - 425). Table 29 summarizes the general
results from 1989 – 2008.
There were 57 species and 339 individuals recorded in 2008 (Table 28). This exceeds the previous
high count for species (53) recorded in 1992. The numbers of individuals detected in 2008 has
increased over previous years and was 79% of the 1992 high count of 425 individuals. Detailed
results by stop are found in Appendix 1.
Weather conditions for the 2008 survey were as follows:
Start time - 0427
Sky - partial cloud
Wind - Beaufort 0
Temp.- 50 C
Finish time - 0945
Sky - partial cloud
Wind - Beaufort 1
Temp. - 100 C
Page - 68
Figure 10. Tatlayoko Breeding Bird Survey Route shown in yellow
Page - 69
Table 29
Tatlayoko Breeding Bird Survey
16 June 2008
Individual Species Summary
Species
Canada Goose
Barrow’s Goldeneye
Dusky Grouse
Common Loon
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Killdeer
Common Snipe
Calliope Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Red-naped Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Western Wood Pewee
Alder Flycatcher
Hammond’s Flycatcher
Dusky Flycatcher
Cassin’s Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Gray Jay
Clark’s Nutcracker
American Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
Mountain Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Mountain Bluebird
Townsend’s Solitaire
Swainson’s Thrush
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Individuals
2
1
7
1
1
1
3
2
1
3
4
3
1
4
2
2
1
9
1
36
4
2
3
2
10
2
2
4
4
2
2
37
3
37
Page - 70
European Starling
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Townsend’s Warbler
American Redstart
Northern Waterthrush
MacGillivray’s Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Wilson’s Warbler
Western Tanager
Spotted Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Lazuli Bunting
Dark-eyed Junco
Redwinged Blackbird
Western Meadowlark
Brown-headed Cowbird
Red Crossbill
Pine Siskin
4
3
3
13
6
2
5
2
1
2
8
1
13
4
1
1
1
17
3
4
10
4
32
Total Species
Total Individuals
57
339
Page - 71
Table 30
Summary of Tatlayoko BBS Results
1989 – 2008
Year
Date
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
04 July
28 June
09 July
04 July
24 June
02 July
24 June
26 June
28 June
29 June
04 July
26 June
25 June
28 June
05 July
19 June
16 June
19 June
16 June
Mean Survey Date
25 June
Range (x)
Avg. # Species
Avg. species/stop
Total Individuals
Avg. Individuals
Avg. individuals/stop
Species Individuals
40
40
49
53
44
45
53
47
44
46
39
32
37
35
no data
41
45
51
52
57
32-57
44.7
0.89
373
316
348
425
270
397
296
337
312
388
302
273
312
248
274
424
233
268
339
233-425
6137
323
6.4
Page - 72
60
57
53
53
52
51
49
50
47
40
2
46
45
44
R = 0.0128
45
44
41
40
39
40
37
35
32
30
20
10
08
07
A2
0
A2
0
A2
0
06
05
04
A2
0
02
A2
0
A2
0
A2
0
01
00
99
A2
0
98
A1
9
A1
9
97
96
A1
9
A1
9
95
94
A1
9
A1
9
93
92
A1
9
A1
9
A1
9
A1
9
A1
9
89
90
91
0
Chart 10. Number of species recorded on Tatlayoko BBS 1989-2008 with trendline.
450
425
424
397
400
388
373
2
R = 0.1378
348
350
339
337
316
312
302
296
300
312
274
273
270
268
248
250
233
200
150
100
50
08
06
05
04
02
01
07
A2
0
A2
0
A2
0
A2
0
A2
0
A2
0
A2
0
99
00
A2
0
A1
9
97
98
A1
9
A1
9
95
96
A1
9
A1
9
93
94
A1
9
A1
9
92
A1
9
91
A1
9
90
A1
9
A1
9
89
0
Chart 11. Number of individuals recorded on Tatlayoko BBS 1989-2008 with
trendline.
Page - 73
6.5 Total Bird Species Detected By All Surveys - 2008
The combined survey initiatives plus all random sightings resulted in 100 species being detected in
the Tatlayoko area during the period 15-20 June 2008. Of those, 94 species were found within the
boundaries of NCC properties and 6 additional species were detected outside of those property
boundaries along the BBS route and as part of a brief trip along the West Branch road. In 2006, only
38 species were detected within NCC properties during the spring period. The total number of
species is less than the total of 113 found in 2006 because field trips were primarily limited to NCC
properties and wide-ranging exploration of other habitats was not undertaken as in 2006.
There were 926 detections of 1567 individual birds in 2008 compared to 818
(1333 individuals) in 2007 and 865 (1388 individuals) in 2006.
Page - 74
Table 31
Birds Observed in Tatlayoko Area
15 –20 June, 2008
Common Name
Latin Name
#
#
Obs.
Indiv
5
1
2
32
9
2
10
1
8
11
50
(inc yng)
1
2
1
8
6
3
2
6
3
9
1
2
7
4
1
17
8
1
20
1
2
Code
Canada Goose
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Mallard
Blue-winged Teal
Northern Shoveler
Ring-necked Duck
Bufflehead
Common Merganser
Branta canadensis
Anas strepera
Anas americana
Anas platyrhynchos
Anas discors
Anas clypeata
Aythya collaris
Bucephala albeola
Bucephala islandica
Mergus merganser
CAGO
GADW
AMWI
MALL
BWTE
NOSL
RNDU
BUFF
BAGO
COME
3
1
1
7
5
1
1
1
3
1
Ruffed Grouse
Bonassa umbellus
DUGR
22
Common Loon
Pied-billed Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
Virginia Rail
Sora
American Coot
Sandhill Crane
Killdeer
Spotted Sandpiper
Greater Yellowlegs
Common Snipe
Wilson’s Phalarope
Herring Gull
Black Tern
Black Swift
Gavia immer
Podilymbus podiceps
Podiceps grisegena
Pandion haliaetus
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Circus cyaneus
Buteo jamaicensis
Falco sparverius
Rallis limicola
Porzana carolina
Fulica americana
Grus Canadensis
Charadrius vociferous
Actitis macularius
Tringa melanoleuca
Gallinago delicate
Phalaropus tricolor
Larus argentatus
Chlidonias niger
Cypseloides niger
Stellula calliope
COLO
PBGR
RNGR
OSPR
BAEA
NOHA
RTHA
AMKE
VIRA
SORA
AMCO
SACR
KILL
SPSA
GRYE
COSN
WIPH
HEGU
BLTE
BLSW
CAHU
1
2
1
5
6
3
2
4
2
4
1
1
5
3
1
15
3
1
3
1
2
Page - 75
Rufous Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Red-naped Sapsucker
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Western Wood Pewee
Alder Flycatcher
Willow Flycatcher
Dusky Flycatcher
Pacific - slope
Flycatcher
Cassin’s Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Gray Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
N. Rough-winged
Swallow
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Mountain Chickadee
Winter Wren
Marsh Wren
Mountain Bluebird
Swainson’s Thrush
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Yellow Warbler
American Redstart
RUHU
BEKI
RNSA
RBSA
DOWO
HAWO
NOFL
PIWO
WWPE
ALFL
WIFL
HAFL
DUFL
7
1
20
2
8
3
30
2
10
13
6
4
32
8
1
22
2
9
3
35
2
11
14
8
5
41
PSFL
1
1
Vireo cassinii
Vireo gilvus
Vireo olivaceous
Perisoreus canadensis
Nucifraga columbiana
Corvus brachyrhynchos
Corvus corax
Tachycineta bicolor
Tachycineta thalassina
CAVI
WAVI
REVI
GRJA
CLNU
AMCR
CORA
TRSW
VGSW
4
73
1
5
3
12
11
26
1
4
113
1
7
4
13
12
46
1
Stelgidopteryx serripennis
NRSW
1
3
Hirundo rustica
Poecile atricapilla
Poecile gambeli
Sitta canadensis
Troglodytes troglodytes
Cistothorus palustris
Regulus calendula
Sialia currucoides
Myadestes townsendi
Catharus ustulatus
Catharus guttatus
Turdus migratorius
Sturnus vulgaris
Bombycilla cedrorum
Vermivora celata
Dendroica petechia
Dendroica coronata
Dendroica townsendi
Setophaga ruticilla
Seiurus noveboracensis
BNSW
BCCH
MOCH
RBNU
WIWR
MAWR
RCKI
MOBL
TOSO
SWTH
HETH
AMRO
EUST
CEWA
OCWA
YEWA
YRWA
TOWA
AMRE
NOWA
7
4
8
11
1
4
8
7
2
53
4
70
6
4
6
30
26
8
18
23
10
7
10
17
1
7
10
8
2
106
5
116
11
6
6
39
30
15
36
30
Selasphorous rufus
Ceryle alcyon
Sphyrapicus nuchalis
Sphyrapicus ruber
Picoides pubescens
Picoides villosus
Colaptes auratus
Dryocopus pileatus
Contopus sordidulus
Empidonax alnorum
Empidonax traillii
Empidonax hammondii
Empidonax oberholseri
Empidonax difficilis
Page - 76
Common Yellowthroat
Wilson’s Warbler
Western Tanager
Spotted Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Black-headed Grosbeak
Lazuli Bunting
Red-winged Blackbird
Western Meadowlark
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Brewer’s Blackbird
Cassin’s Finch
Red Crossbill
Pine Siskin
Evening Grosbeak
Oporornis tolmei
Geothlypis trichas
Wilsonia pusilla
Piranga ludoviciana
Pipilo maculatus
Spizella passerina
Pooecetes gramineus
Passerculus sandwichensis
Melospiza melodia
Melospiza lincolnii
Zonotrichia leucophrys
Junco hyemalis
Pheucticus ludovicianus
Pheucticus melanocephalus
Passerina amoena
Agelaius phoeniceus
Sturnella neglecta
Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus
Euphagus cyanocephalus
Molothrus ater
Carpodacus cassinii
Loxia curvirostra
Carduelis pinus
Coccothraustes vespertinus
MGWA
COYE
WIWA
WETA
SPTO
CHSP
VESP
SAVS
SOSP
LISP
WCSP
DEJU
RBGR
BHGR
LABU
RWBL
WEME
YHBL
BRBL
BHCO
CAFI
RECR
PISI
EVGR
Total Species
Total Individuals
15
12
2
21
4
25
5
19
18
4
2
16
1
2
4
11
25
1
2
10
3
4
29
2
16
16
2
25
4
36
6
25
23
4
2
22
1
2
5
28
32
1
5
25
6
8
187
12
100
1567
Note: 7 species in shaded cells were seen outside of any NCC properties.
Page - 77
6.6 Annotated Species Accounts
The following accounts provide some additional background for those species detected during the
field work.
Canada Goose
1 was observed on the Tatlayoko Ranch transect on 15 June, 2 were seen at stop 26 of the BBS
route on 16 June and 2 were at Tatlayoko lagoon on 20 June.
Gadwall
A female flushed from a nest at Skinner Meadows on 17 June. The nest containing 4 eggs was
located at the base of a lodgepole pine tree in grass about 20 m from the edge of water. The location
was 406649E / 5732835N and 1177m a.s.l.
American Wigeon
2 adults were on Moore Lake on 17 June.
Mallard
2 birds were seen flying near the Tatlayoko Ranch yurt on 15 June. 12 birds were on Moore Lake on
17 June. On 18 June, 2 broods with 6 chicks each were observed accompanied by single adult
females on Eliza’s Pond. 2 adults were observed on the Tatlayoko Ranch point count #3 at the
lagoon on 20 June.
Blue-winged Teal
4 adults were noted on the Skinner Meadows plot survey on 17 June and in the same area, 2 females
were flushed from 2 nests containing 6 eggs each. 2 adults were noted on Moore Lake on 17 June
and a single bird was on Harry’s Slough on 18 June.
Northern Shoveler
2 birds were on Skinner Meadows on 17 June.
Ring-necked Duck
A flock of 9 males and 1 female were on Eliza’s Pond on 18 June.
Page - 78
Bufflehead
A single bird was on Moore Lake on 17 June.
A single female was observed on the Tatlayoko lagoon on 15 June. On 16 June, 1 female was in
flight near stop # 20 on the BBS route. A female with 2 chicks plus 3 additional females were on
Eliza’s Pond on 18 June.
Common Merganser
11 males were noted in the lagoon area on 20 June.
Ruffed Grouse
Birds were encountered frequently during the survey period. A single male was heard near the
Tatlayoko Ranch yurt on 15 June and a second bird was heard along the transect route.
7 drumming males were heard at various locations along the BBS route on 16 June and
3 males were heard on the Skinner Meadows transect on 17 June. An aggressive female with an
undetermined number of chicks was encountered on the Skinner Creek plot the same day and two
additional females with broods were observed along the Skinner Creek Road. The young scattered
before a complete count could be obtained. Those broods were at
402675E
/ 5730260N and 401963E / 5729657N respectively. A single bird was heard on the Tatlayoko Ranch
hectare plot on 18 June and a female with at least 3 chicks was observed on the ranch at 403080E /
5723480N. On 19 June, one bird was heard on Point Count #1 in the Lincoln Pass area and a female
with chicks was located in the large aspen stand east of the Lincoln Pass cabin at 405760E / 5727075N. A
single bird was heard on the Westside Trail transect on 20 June and a female with chicks was found
along the lakeshore trail at 402145E / 5723258N.
In total, there were at least 22 observations of 50 birds including chicks, but most broods were
undercounted as the young birds scattered into the underbrush.
Common Loon
One bird was heard at stop # 20 of the BBS route. It may have been on or flying over Tatlayoko
Lake.
Pied-billed Grebe
On 17 June, there were single birds on Moore Lake and Skinner Meadows.
Page - 79
Red-necked Grebe
One bird was found on Moore Lake on 17 June.
Osprey
8 birds were observed on 5 occasions but some sightings may have been repeat observations of the
same birds. On 15 June, a single bird was seen over the Tatlayoko Ranch. One bird was observed at
stop #41 on the BBS route along the Tatlayoko Valley road. On 18 June, a bird was sitting on the
nest at the northwest end of Tatlayoko Lake and 4 birds were observed along the Westside Trail
transect on 20 June.
Bald Eagle
There were 6 observations of 6 adult birds during the survey period. Single birds near the south end
of the Tatlayoko Ranch and lagoon area on 15, 18 and 20 June may have all been the same bird. On
16 June, single birds were seen near the King residence in the Mossley Creek drainage and near
Butler Creek, both of which are in the West Branch Valley. On the same day, one bird was observed
at stop # 26 of the BBS route which could have been one of the birds seen later in the week near
Tatlayoko Ranch.
Northern Harrier
A single male was seen over Skinner Meadows on 17 June and a male was observed at the
Tatlayoko Ranch banding station on 18 and 19 June.
Red-tailed Hawk
A single bird was observed over the Tatlayoko Ranch on 15 June
American Kestrel
Two birds were observed on the Tatlayoko Ranch transect on 15 June and 2 were on the Lincoln
Creek Ranch transect on 18 June. On 20 June, a single male was observed along the lakeside trail at
the northwest corner of Tatlayoko Lake.
Virginia Rail
3 birds were detected at Skinner Meadows on 17 June.
Page - 80
Sora
7 birds were found at Skinner Meadows and 2 were at Moore Lake on 17 June.
American Coot
A single bird was observed at Skinner Meadows on 17 June.
Sandhill Crane
Two birds were feeding on the drier field at Skinner Meadows on 17 June.
Killdeer
A single bird was detected on the Tatlayoko Ranch transect on 15 June and 3 birds were seen at stop
#30 on the BBS route. One bird was at Skinner Meadows on 17 June and 1 was heard on the
Lincoln Creek Ranch transect on 18 June. On 20 June, 1 bird was at the lagoon.
Spotted Sandpiper
Two birds were at the lagoon on 15 June and 1 was at Eliza’s Pond on 18 June. A fourth bird was
heard near the south end of the Westside Trail transect on 20 June.
Greater Yellowlegs
A single bird was observed at Skinner Meadows on 17 June.
Common Snipe
In previous reports, this species was referred to as Wilson’s Snipe but recent nomenclature changes
favour the name Common Snipe. At least 17 birds were seen or heard on 15 occasions at many
locations where suitable habitat exists such as Skinner Meadows, Tatlayoko Ranch, Tatlayoko
Lagoon and Lincoln Creek Ranch. One bird was observed nest building on the Tatlayoko Ranch at
402492E
/ 5724121N. A nest with 4 eggs was found on Skinner Meadows at 406752E / 5732749N.
Wilson’s Phalarope
All 8 individuals were observed in the Skinner Meadows area on 17 June. A nest with 4 eggs was
found on the ground there at 406619E / 5732972N and approximately 1172 metres a.s.l.
Herring Gull
A single adult flew over the Tatlayoko Ranch banding station near the north end of Tatlayoko Lake
on 19 June.
Page - 81
Black Tern
From 2 - 4 individuals were found at Skinner meadows on 17 June and 16 were present on Moore
Lake the same day. Some individuals there were copulating.
Black Swift
One flew over the Tatlayoko Banding Station on 20 June.
One bird was observed at stop #31 on the BBS route and a second bird was found along the
Westside Trail on 20 June.
Rufous Hummingbird
This is a common species with a wide distribution in the area. 8 birds were seen on 7 occasions
which is on par with the 2007 survey if one eliminates the 6 individuals observed at one feeder that
year. No feeders were studied in 2008. Singles were seen at various locations such as the Tatlayoko
Ranch , the BBS route, the Westside Trail and at Eliza’s Pond.
Belted Kingfisher
A single bird was observed on the Tatlayoko Ranch near the Homathko River on 15 June.
Red-naped Sapsucker
This is a ubiquitous woodpecker found in many locations with mixed coniferous/deciduous forests.
22 birds were observed on 20 occasions in locations such as the Westside Trail, the southern end of
the Tatlayoko Ranch, along the Tatlayoko Valley Road, Lincoln Creek Ranch, Skinner Meadows
and the Skinner Creek property. One bird was attending a nest in an aspen tree at the Skinner Creek
property and an adult was observed carrying food near the banding station on Tatlayoko Ranch.
Adults were feeding young in a nest in an aspen near the entrance to the Tatlayoko ranch on 18 June
at 403104E / 5724345N. A nest was also observed in a dead aspen near Eliza’s Pond on 18 June at
403836E
/ 5723475N.
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Sightings of single males were made on 18 June at Point Count #5 on the Tatlayoko Ranch and on
20 June near the banding station at 402837E / 5723425N. This species is decidedly less common than the
Red-naped Sapsucker but its status in the area is not clear.
Page - 82
Downy Woodpecker
This species was observed on 8 occasions for a total of 9 birds. Three were detected along the BBS
route and the others were found on Tatlayoko Ranch near the yurt and in the riparian area along the
Homathko River.
Hairy Woodpecker
Three birds were found on 3 occasions. One was on the BBS route, 1 was near the Tatlayoko Ranch
headquarters on 15 June and 1 was along the Homathko River on the same day.
Northern Flicker
Flickers were widespread, fairly common and seen daily in the Tatlayoko area during the 2008
survey period. Birds were found along the Homathko River valley in places such as the Tatlayoko
Ranch, the Westside Cattle Trail, the Lincoln Creek Ranch, Skinner Creek and various locations
along the main road. Birds were also noted in the forests surrounding Skinner Meadows. 35
individuals were detected on 30 occasions. Only 4 birds were found along the BBS route. Two birds
were attending a nest on the Lincoln Creek Ranch on 18 June at 402974E / 5725700N. The cavity was
about 5 metres above ground in a live aspen tree. The same day, a single bird was at a nest hole in a
veteran Douglas fir near Point Count #5 on the Tatlayoko Ranch
Pileated Woodpecker
Two birds were observed in different locations on the Tatlayoko Ranch on 15 June.
Western Wood Pewee
Pewees were only found on 10 occasions for a total of 11 birds in various locations. Only 2 were
found on the BBS route. Other locations included the Tatlayoko Ranch on 15 &18 June and the
Skinner Creek property on 17 June,
Alder Flycatcher
This species was the dominant Empidonax flycatcher in the wet shrub meadows in the Homathko
drainage. Fourteen individuals were detected on 13 occasions. They were frequently heard or seen
in the alder patches along the Homathko River on 15 June and near the banding station on 18 June
and the lagoon on 20 June.
Page - 83
Willow Flycatcher
In contrast to past years, 8 Willow Flycatchers were seen on 6 occasions. Few or none were found in
previous years although they have been netted at the banding station during the fall period. At least
4 birds were found in the Skinner Meadows area on 17 June in areas where alder flycatchers were
found previously. There have been suggestions that in other areas of the Chilcotin, willow and alder
flycatchers may change their relative numbers in areas where their ranges overlap (P. Ranson, pers
com). Whether this has occurred at Skinner meadows or the previous detections of alders were
incorrect is now moot, although R. Howie is experienced at detecting the differences in song.
Careful attention should be paid to these 2 species in future years. A single willow flycatcher was
also found in the Lincoln Pass area on 18 June.
This species appears to be mostly associated with upper elevation forests as opposed to valley
bottom conifer stands. On 16 June, one bird was found at stop # 49 on the BBS route along the
Chelquoit Road. 3 birds were found in the Skinner Meadows area and a single at the Skinner Creek
property on 17 June.
Dusky Flycatcher
Dusky Flycatchers are widely distributed in dry, lower elevation fir or mixed wood forests
throughout the study area. 41 birds were detected on 32 occasions including 9 along the BBS route.
Typical locations included the Tatlayoko Ranch, Lincoln Creek Ranch, near the banding station,
Eliza’s Pond, Lincoln Pass and the Westside Cattle Trail.
Pacific - slope Flycatcher
A single bird was found along Lincoln Creek at the start of Lincoln Pass transect #2 on
18 June.
Cassin’s Vireo
Of the three vireos which occur in the area, this was detected infrequently. This partially reflects its
true status as well as less time being spent in appropriate habitat. Four birds were found on 4
occasions. One was at stop #7 on the BBS route on 16 June and 1 was found along Transect 2 in the
Lincoln Pass area on 19 June. On 20 June, 2 birds were detected along the Westside Cattle Trail.
Page - 84
Warbling Vireo
With its preference for a range of deciduous and mixed coniferous/deciduous habitats, this vireo was
encountered very frequently on every day of the survey period. 73 encounters representing 113
individuals indicate that this is likely one of the most common passerines in the valley during the
early breeding season. This was a slight increase in numbers over the 2007 survey period when 104
individuals were found. Birds were detected every day in locations such as the Lincoln Creek
Ranch, Tatlayoko Ranch, the Westside Trail, Lincoln Pass property, Skinner Meadows and
numerous places along most of the BBS route. Birds seem to be less common in upper elevation
lodgepole/spruce forests or pure Douglas fir forests but even the smallest patch of aspens in such
circumstances is sufficient to attract this species.
Two birds were building a nest in an alder near the lagoon at 403656E / 5722611N on 15 June.
Red-eyed Vireo
The only individual encountered this year was a single bird near the banding station on 19 June.
This was a surprising drop from the 12 birds found in 2007.
Gray Jay
This species was found at both upper and lower elevations. Four were found on the BBS route,
mostly at stops 44 & 47 near or along the Chelquoit Road on 16 June and 3 were detected along the
Westside Cattle Trail on 20 June.
Two birds were located along the Tatlayoko Ranch transect on 15 June and 2 birds were found at
stop #22 along the BBS route on 16 June.
American Crow
Crows were seen almost daily during the survey period and were well-distributed in the Homathko
Valley. None were seen at the mid - higher elevations such as in Lincoln Pass or the Skinner
Meadows area. Twelve observations of 13 individuals were made.
Page - 85
Common Raven
Ravens are well-distributed permanent residents in the Tatlayoko area. Individuals were seen daily
in places like the Tatlayoko Ranch, Lincoln Creek Ranch, along the Tatlayoko Road and at various
spots along the BBS route. There were 11 observations of 12 individuals made which was equal to
the numbers seen in 2007 minus the aggregation of 30 birds at the Cochin Lake landfill which was
not surveyed in 2008. Two birds heard along Transect 2 in the Lincoln Pass area sounded like large
juveniles possibly on a nest on 19 June.
Tree Swallow
Tree Swallows were observed in widely scattered areas in numbers comparable to those seen in
2007. 46 birds were seen on 26 occasions at various places along the Tatlayoko Road and on the
Tatlayoko Ranch and Lincoln Creek Ranch properties. Birds were also seen at Skinner Meadows
and at the Skinner Creek property. The lagoon attracted Tree Swallows as well. On 17 June at
Skinner Meadows, a female was found on a nest in a depression in the top of a tree stub at 406669E /
5733108N. The top of the tree was broken off and the nest was exposed to the sky which is unusual for
this cavity - nesting species. On 18 June, a bird was entering a nest cavity in an aspen near the
banding station and one was attending a cavity near Eliza’s Pond on the same day at 403796E / 5723507N.
Violet - green Swallow
The only bird found was a single individual on the Lincoln Creek property on 15 June.
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Three birds were observed at the nesting colony near the Homathko River bridge crossing on 20
June. It is likely that there were more individuals present than noted at the time.
Barn Swallow
Barn Swallows were observed on 7 occasions totaling 10 individual birds. From 2 - 4 birds were
observed at Skinner Meadows on 17 June and one was at a nest at the Lincoln Creek Ranch on 18
June. It was nesting on a shed at 402830E /5725757N. On the same day, 2 birds were at Eliza’s Pond.
Black-capped Chickadee
The only birds observed were 7 individuals on 4 occasions. On 15 June, 2 were attending a nest
cavity in an aspen near the lagoon at 403577E / 5722846N. Three birds were located on the Tatlayoko
Ranch one - hectare plot near the banding station on 18 June.
Page - 86
Mountain Chickadee
This species was seen only slightly more frequently than Black - capped Chickadees with 10 birds
being observed on 8 occasions. One adult was feeding young in an aspen cavity near the Tatlayoko
Ranch yurt at 402931E / 5724416N on 15 June. Only 2 were detected along the BBS route on 16 June.
One bird was at Skinner Meadows on 17 June. A single bird was observed at Point Count #5 on the
Tatlayoko Ranch on 18 June and in the same area, an adult was bringing food to a nest cavity in an
aspen at 403081E/5723580N . One bird was found in the Mosley Creek drainage on 16 June.
This species was not infrequently encountered in coniferous forests throughout the area.
17 birds were found on 11 occasions with 4 being detected on the BBS route on 16 June. Two adults
were observed carrying food near the lagoon on 15 June. On 17 June, 2 adults were attending a nest
in a stub near Moore Lake at 404948E/5732296N. Three birds were noted in the Mosley Creek drainage
on 16 June and 5 individuals were encountered on the Lincoln Pass surveys on 19 June.
Winter Wren
On 19 June, a single individual was detected on Transect #1 in the Lincoln Pass area.
Marsh Wren
All of the 7 Marsh Wrens were found in wetlands at higher elevations in the Skinner Meadows area
on 17 June.
This species was fairly – widely distributed from lower to upper plateau elevations. Ten individuals
were found on 8 occasions with 4 being scattered along the BBS route. Other birds were found at
the Skinner Creek property on 17 June and the Westside Trail on 20 June.
Mountain Bluebird
Eight individuals were observed on 7 occasions throughout the area. One female was in a nest
cavity in the Mosley Creek drainage on 16 June at 379375E/5732520N. One bird was noted on the
Lincoln Creek Ranch on 18 June and 2 females were bringing food to 2 different nests in aspens
near the airport on the Tatlayoko Ranch on the same day. One of those nests was located at
403042E
/5723483N.
Page - 87
Two birds detected at 2 stops along the BBS route on 16 June were the only ones found during the
survey period.
Swainson’s Thrush
This thrush was commonly detected at many locations in the Homathko River drainage and in the
Lincoln Pass area. They were detected on 53 occasions for a total of 106 birds. The BBS route
provided 35% of the total individuals recorded and the Westside Trail transect produced an
additional 28%.
Hermit Thrush
Five birds were found on 4 occasions, with 3 of those birds detected in middle elevation lodgepole
pine forests at the start and end of the BBS route on 16 June. A single bird was found in the Skinner
Meadows area on 17 June.
American Robin
Robins were ubiquitous with 70 observations of 116 birds on every day during the survey period.
This was close to the frequency and numbers of 76 / 125 observed in 2007. Detections were made
on the Tatlayoko and Lincoln Creek Ranch properties, along the Westside Trail, throughout the
length of the BBS route, in the Lincoln Pass area and at the Skinner Meadows and Skinner Creek
properties. Adults were carrying food at the Lincoln Creek Ranch on 18 June and another in
Lincoln Pass on 19 June.
European Starling
Only 11 starlings were observed during the course of the surveys. Three were found on the
Tatlayoko Ranch transect on 15 June and 4 were scattered along the BBS route on 16 June. A single
bird was feeding young in a nest in the Mosley Creek drainage on 16 June at 378662E/5731920N in an
aspen cavity. One bird was at Skinner Meadows on 17 June.
Cedar Waxwing
Birds were observed 4 times for a total of 6 individuals. None were seen on the BBS route. All 6
were observed along the Tatlayoko Ranch transect on 15 June and 2 were carrying nest material in
the riparian area along the Homathko River.
Page - 88
Three of the 6 birds detected were found along the BBS route on 16 June. Three birds were found
along the Westside Trail on 20 June.
Yellow Warbler
Yellow warblers were quite common and widespread with 30 observations of 39 birds made in
suitable shrubby riparian habitats. Eleven birds were found along the Homathko River during the
Tatlayoko Ranch transect on 15 June. Four birds were in the Skinner Meadows area on 17 June and
4 on Lincoln Creek Ranch on 18 June. A female was sitting on a nest with 4 eggs in Lincoln Pass on
19 June in a willow shrub at 405694E/5727114N. There were at least 4 birds in the general area.
This species was encountered on 26 occasions for a total of 30 individuals in most areas of the
surveys. On 18 June, a female was building a nest near the Tatlayoko Ranch airport in a fir tree at
403033E
/5723604N. It was on the outer tip of a branch just 2.2 metres above ground. Of all of the
individuals, 43% of them were detected on the BBS route on 16 June where they occurred on 26%
of all stops.
Fifteen individuals were detected on 8 occasions. Six (40%) were found along the BBS route in
areas where larger Douglas firs were more common. The largest numbers and concentration were
found along the Westside Trail where 8 (53%) of all individuals were found within about a 1 km
section.
American Redstart
Over twice as many individuals were found in 2008 (36) as in 2007 (17) but this species was not
encountered significantly more often. Only 2 were found along the BBS route on 16 June. The
highest numbers (11) were found along the Westside Trail on 20 June and the Lincoln Creek Ranch
(9) on 18 June. Other locations included Skinner Creek property and the Tatlayoko Ranch.
This warbler was encountered on 23 occasions and 30 individuals were tallied. It was widespread
but 30% of the individuals were found along the Homathko River riparian area on the Tatlayoko
Ranch on 15 June. On 17 June, a defensive and territorial bird was found at the Skinner Creek
property suggesting the possibility of a nearby nest. Three birds were on the Lincoln Creek Ranch
Page - 89
on 18 June and 3 were in the vicinity of the Tatlayoko banding station on the same day. Four birds
were found in the Lincoln Pass area on 19 June. On 20 June, 3 birds were detected along the
Westside Trail.
Nearly twice as many MacGillivray’s warblers (16) were detected in 2008 as in 2007 (9). Locations
included the Homathko River riparian area on 15 June, the Skinner Meadows area on 17 June,
Lincoln Creek Ranch on 18 June and Lincoln Pass on 19 June. Birds were also encountered in the
riparian area at the head of Tatlayoko Lake and along the Westside trail.
Common Yellowthroat
Yellowthroats were found in similar numbers to MacGillivray’s warblers. Three birds were found
along the Homathko River riparian area on 15 June and one was near the lagoon on the same day.
Four birds were at Skinner Meadows on 17 June and one was near the banding station on 19 June.
Wilson’s Warbler
Single birds were noted at stops #2 and #7 along the BBS route on 16 June.
Western Tanager
Tanagers were fairly widespread with 8 (32%) occurring along the BBS route on 16 June and a
single bird at Middle lake on the same day. Birds were also found on the Lincoln Creek Ranch and
Eliza’s Pond areas on 18 June and in the Lincoln Pass area on 19 June. Birds were noted in areas of
drier fir forests along Transect 2 of the Lincoln Pass area. Most birds (9) were detected along the
Westside Trail transect on 20 June.
Spotted Towhee
A single towhee was found at stop # 13 of the BBS route on 16 June. Singles were also noted on the
Tatlayoko Ranch on 15 June and at the King residence near Mosley Creek on 16 June.
Chipping Sparrow
Of the 36 individuals detected, 13 (36%) were found along the BBS route on 16 June. Birds were
also found on the Tatlayoko Ranch, Lincoln Creek Ranch, at Eliza’s Pond and in the Lincoln Pass
area. Three birds were found along the Westside Trail on 20 June.
Vesper Sparrow
Six individuals were found in widespread locations such as the Tatlayoko Ranch on 15 & 18 June, 2
at Skinner meadows on 17 June and 1 on Lincoln Creek Ranch on 18 June.
Page - 90
Savannah Sparrow
Savannah Sparrows were well-distributed in natural and agricultural meadow/grassland complexes.
Twenty-five individuals were recorded with 13 (52%) found on the hayfields of the Tatlayoko
Ranch on 15 June. Four were found along the BBS route on 16 June and 2 at Skinner Meadows and
1 at Skinner Creek plot on 17 June. On 19 June, 3 birds were found in Lincoln Pass.
Song Sparrow
Song Sparrows were fairly widespread with 23 individuals detected on 18 occasions. Only 1 was
found on the BBS route but 7 were found on the Tatlayoko Ranch on 15 June. Four were in the
Lincoln Pass area on 17 June and 3 were on the Lincoln Creek Ranch and 1 was near Eliza’s Pond
on 18 June. Three birds were in Lincoln Pass on 19 June and one was very agitated as if a nest were
nearby at 405681E/5727006N.
Lincoln’s Sparrow
On 15 June, a single bird was found on the Tatlayoko Ranch and 1 was at Skinner Meadows on 17
June. On 18 June, a single bird was detected near the banding station and 1 bird was in Lincoln Pass
on 19 June.
One bird was found at stop # 38 of the BBS on 16 June and one bird was at Skinner Meadows on 17
June.
Dark-eyed Junco
Twenty-two juncos were detected over the survey period with 17 (77%) being found along the BBS
route where they were recorded at 13 (26%) of the stops. The remaining 5 birds were found along
the Westside Trail on 20 June.
Rose - breasted Grosbeak
This is a rare species away from its normal breeding area in the Peace River district of the province.
A single male was observed and photographed at a feeder at the King residence in the Mosley Creek
drainage on 16 June. It was attending the feeder with evening grosbeaks, a black - headed grosbeak,
pine siskins and Cassin’s finches. The location was within 15 metres of 379375E/5732520N at the King
family home. This was one of 6 new species added to the list of birds observed during the survey
periods since 2006.
Page - 91
Black - headed Grosbeak
The status of this species is uncertain in the area but 2 birds were observed at 2 widely-separated
locations. A single male was found on the Tatlayoko ranch transect on 15 June at 402492E/5724120N. The
second male was at the King feeder in Mosley Creek as noted above. The species may be a scarce
but regular summer visitor. This was one of 6 new species added to the list of birds observed during
the survey periods since 2006.
Lazuli Bunting
Most of the lazuli bunting observations were obtained on the Lincoln Creek Ranch in the vicinity of
the main valley road on 18 June. This seems to be a nucleus for the valley population which is not
well - documented. The single bird observed on the BBS route at stop #30 on 16 June is likely part
of this local population.
Redwinged Blackbird
Twenty-eight individuals were found on 11 occasions. Only 3 were detected on the BBS route on 16
June. At least 12 birds were present at Skinner Meadows on 17 June. Adults were feeding a fledged
young there at 406618E/5732878N and 1177 metres a.s.l. Three birds were at Harry’s Slough near the
Lincoln Creek Ranch and 2 were at Eliza’s Pond on 18 June.
Western Meadowlark
Of the 32 individuals observed, 17 (53%) were found on the Tatlayoko Ranch transect on 15 June.
Four birds were found on the BBS route on 16 June. A single bird at Skinner Meadows on 17 June
was at a higher elevation (1177 metres a.s.l) than has been recorded in the study area in the past but
meadowlarks have been reported breeding at Tatla Lake which is over 900 metres elevation
(Campbell et al. 2001).
Yellow - headed Blackbird
A single male was seen at Skinner Meadows on 17 June. This was one of 6 new species added to
the list of birds observed during the survey periods since 2006.
Two birds were found at Skinner Meadows on 17 June. Care should be taken to ensure that Rusty
Blackbirds and Brewer’s Blackbirds are not misidentified as both seem likely in this area. Three
were also seen near Eliza’s Pond on 18 June.
Page - 92
Observations of 25 individual birds were widely-scattered from the Homathko drainage up to
Skinner Meadows and the Lincoln Pass property. Ten birds were found on the BBS route on 16
June and 4 birds were seen in the Mosley Creek drainage at the King residence. From 4 - 7 birds
were in the Skinner Meadows area on 17 June and 1 recently - fledged young was observed there.
One bird was on the Lincoln Creek Ranch on 18 June and 2 were in Lincoln Pass on 19 June.
Cassin’s Finch
On 17 June, 3 Cassin’s finches were located in the Skinner Meadows area near the corrals. Three
were attending a feeder at the King residence in the Mosley Creek drainage on 16 June.
Red Crossbill
Four birds were detected at stops # 22 & 37 on the BBS route on 16 June and 4 were near the
banding station on 19 June.
Pine Siskin
Siskins were observed on 29 occasions totaling 187 individuals. Nine were observed on the
Tatlayoko Ranch transect on 15 June. Thirty-two (17%) were recorded along the BBS route on 16
June. Fifteen were at the King residence near Mosley Creek on 16 June. Five birds were at Skinner
Meadows on 17 June and at least 75 flew over the southern part of Tatlayoko Ranch on 18 June.
Twenty were near the banding station on the same date and a few were near Eliza’s Pond. On 19
June, 13 birds were recorded in Lincoln Pass and 7 were found along the Westside Trail on 20 June.
Scattered individuals were found elsewhere during the period.
Evening Grosbeak
At least 10 birds were frequenting a feeder at the King residence in the Mosley Creek drainage on
16 June. Two birds detected on Transect 1 in Lincoln Pass on 19 June were the only birds found in
the Homathko drainage.
Page - 93
7.0 Discussion
The intent of the 2007 surveys was to establish some baseline survey methodologies that could be
replicated in future years in order to determine trends and other changes in the avifauna of properties
owned by the Nature Conservancy. By establishing a preliminary dataset soon after ownership and
prior to making any significant changes to land management, it may be possible to establish
relationships between bird populations and resource management initiatives. The 2008 surveys
provide a second year of data for comparison.
7.1 Species Diversity and Number of Individuals
In 2008, there were 100 species and 1567 individual birds detected within the general study area.
Seven new species were added to the list of birds found during the surveys conducted in 2006 and
2007, bringing the total to 128 species for the survey periods. The new species added were gadwall,
American coot, red-breasted sapsucker, willow flycatcher, rose-breasted grosbeak, black-headed
grosbeak and yellow-headed blackbird. In 2007, there were 99 species detected within the same
survey areas studied in 2008. There were 17 species found in 2007 that were not encountered in
2008 and there were 16 species found in 2008 that were not found in 2007 (Table 31).
The additional 234 individuals detected in 2008 were in large part accounted for by an additional
107 pine siskins, 37 ruffed grouse (mainly young), 25 mallards, 25 dusky flycatchers, 19 black
terns, 11 red - breasted nuthatches and lesser increases in several other species. The largest
decreases in the number of individuals in 2008 over 2007 were noted for sora, black swift, alder
flycatcher, common raven, cliff swallow and red crossbill. Some of these declines may be explained
by chance alone (swifts, sora vocalizations) or by not visiting known aggregations of birds (swallow
colonies, ravens at landfill).
Page - 94
Table 32
Variation in Species Detected
2007 – 2008
Species Detected in 2007 Species Detected in 2008
But
But
Not in 2008
Not in 2007
Cinnamon Teal
Green-winged Teal
Greater Scaup
Dusky Grouse
Mourning Dove
Great Horned Owl
Common Nighthawk
Vaux’s Swift
Least Flycatcher
Western Kingbird
Eastern Kingbird
Bank Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Nashville Warbler
Rusty Blackbird
Purple Finch
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Blue-winged Teal
Northern Shoveler
Bufflehead
Red-necked Grebe
American Coot
Sandhill Crane
Greater Yellowlegs
Red-breasted sapsucker
Willow Flycatcher
Violet - green Swallow
Winter Wren
Rose - breasted Grosbeak
Black - headed Grosbeak
Evening Grosbeak
7.2 Walking Transects
All transects ranked in the same order whether viewed by species richness or by diversity index. The
2007 correlation between the two parameters was similar but not as precise. However, when one
looks at the evenness factor (Table 14), transects ranked differently. This reflected a greater range
between individuals on some transects than on others. Skinner Meadows which showed the greatest
evenness with a range of 1 - 7 individuals versus the Westside Cattle Trail with the lowest evenness
and a range of 1 - 30 individuals. The implication is that if one sees a significantly skewed
distribution in the numbers for one or a few species, the habitats may be more suited to fewer
species than if the numbers were more evenly distributed. This would imply that the area is
somehow less diverse. Without detailed biological investigations, one should be cautious about
making such statements, but the numbers are thought provoking.
Page - 95
The metrics of the walking transects varied considerably and it was of interest to examine whether
the number of species detected may relate to these variations. Chart 12 shows a regression of species
detected against various survey parameters. The amount of time spent conducting the surveys varied
from 0.75 - 3.75 hours, depending upon the distance of the survey. There was a moderate positive
correlation between the number of species detected and the time spent conducting the survey but
this was less significant than in 2007. The lengths of the surveys ranged from 0.55 - 2.6 km but
there was a less strong but positive correlation between the length of the survey route and the
number of species detected. The R2 value (R2=.42) for this correlation was identical to that in 2007.
A positive correlation is not unexpected given the potential to encounter more varied habitats over
longer distances, but of course that is not guaranteed depending upon the homogeneity of the
habitats being sampled. One could have a very long transect in a habitat with low diversity and the
species detected may not increase with survey length. It may be somewhat revealing if the transects
were all of the same length and comparisons were made between the distances walked until the
maximum number of species were detected. But such analyses are affected by variables such as
clumping of species and the distribution of habitats across the landscape. This is beyond the scope
of the surveys undertaken to date.
The rate of travel ranged from 0.5 - 0.7 km/hr. There was only a slight positive correlation between
the rate of travel and the number of species detected. It is likely that the rate of travel was generally
so slow that the range of variation was insufficient to result in a dramatic change in the number of
species detected as travel speed slowed. It is interesting to note however, that the rate of travel was
generally slower on routes where more species were detected. The data support the somewhat
apparent notion that spending more time, walking slower and covering longer distances could result
in more species being detected.
Chart 13 presents the same correlations but for the number individuals. The relationships remain
similar but with a stronger correlation between the amount of time spent on the survey and the
number of individuals detected. Again, this seems intuitively reasonable however the observers
must be cognizant of hearing more songs from the same individual birds as more time is spent
moving more slowly. The potential for multiple counting could increase.
Page - 96
4
3.5
2
R = 0.369
3
2.5
2
time
rate
length
Linear (length)
Linear (time)
Linear (rate)
R = 0.4205
2
1.5
1
2
R = 0.2369
0.5
0
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
Species
Chart 12. Regression of species detected along walking transects versus parameters
of transect length, rate of travel and total time spent on each survey.
Spending more time and walking farther on a survey is likely to result in more species being
detected but is even more likely to result in more individual birds being found even if species
numbers do not increase significantly. This could be especially true if transects support species with
relatively high densities such as Swainson’s thrushes, warbling vireos, robins versus many species
but all in low numbers.
Page - 97
4
2
R = 0.837
3.5
3
2
R = 0.869
2.5
time
rate
length
Linear (time)
Linear (length)
Linear (rate)
2
1.5
1
2
R = 0.2545
0.5
0
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
Species
Chart 13. Regression of individuals detected along walking transects versus parameters
of transect length, rate of travel and total time spent on each survey.
If one considers all of the factors in Table 16 such as species richness, diversity and the number of
species and individuals over time and distance, Skinner Meadows emerges as perhaps the most
significant location for a richness and diversity in a small area. Tatlayoko Ranch remains as an area
of greater richness and diversity but spread out over a somewhat larger area. The Lincoln Creek
Ranch seems to occupy a solid mid point in terms of richness and diversity within a relatively small
area. The Westside Trail is somewhat more homogenous in habitat variety and the extra length of
the survey does not appear to return a greater number of species for the extra effort.
There can be annual variation in the ranking order such that expectations of precise consistency
should be tempered with the realization that natural systems will demonstrate inherent variation.
Table 32 compares the ranking order for species richness and Shannon diversity as well as for
species and individuals versus time and distance between 2007 and 2008.
Page - 98
Table 33
Walking Transects Rank Order Variation
2007 – 2008
Species
Richness
2008
Species
Richness
2007
Tatlayoko
Ranch
Skinner
Meadows
Lincoln Creek
Ranch
Westside Cattle
Trail
Lincoln Pass 1
Tatlayoko
Ranch
Lincoln Creek
Ranch
Westside Cattle
Trail
Skinner
Meadows
Lincoln Pass 1
Tatlayoko
Ranch
Skinner
Meadows
Lincoln Creek
Ranch
Westside Cattle
Trail
Lincoln Pass 1
Lincoln Pass 2
Lincoln Pass 2
Lincoln Pass 2
Shannon
Diversity
2008
Shannon
Diversity
2007
Species/hour
2008
Species/hour
2007
Species/km
2008
Species/km
2007
Tatlayoko
Ranch
Lincoln Creek
Ranch
Skinner
Meadows
Westside Cattle
Trail
Lincoln Pass 1
Skinner
Meadows
Lincoln Pass 1
Lincoln Pass 1
Skinner
Meadows
Lincoln Pass 1
Lincoln Creek
Ranch
Lincoln Pass 1
Lincoln Creek
Ranch
Tatlayoko
Ranch
Lincoln Pass 2
Skinner
Meadows
Tatlayoko
Ranch
Lincoln Pass 2
Lincoln Pass 2
Westside Cattle
Trail
Westside Cattle
Trail
Westside Cattle
Trail
Lincoln Creek
Ranch
Tatlayoko
Ranch
Lincoln Pass 2
Page - 99
Skinner
Meadows
Lincoln Creek
Ranch
Tatlayoko
Ranch
Westside Cattle
Trail
Lincoln Pass 2
Individuals/hr
2008
Skinner
Meadows
Lincoln Pass 1
Tatlayoko Ranch
Lincoln Creek
Ranch
Westside Cattle
Trail
Lincoln Pass 2
Individuals/hr
2007
Lincoln Pass 1
Tatlayoko
Ranch
Westside Cattle
Trail
Lincoln Creek
Ranch
Skinner
Meadows
Lincoln Pass 2
Individuals/km
2008
Skinner
Meadows
Lincoln Creek
Ranch
Lincoln Pass 1
Tatlayoko
Ranch
Westside Cattle
Trail
Lincoln Pass 2
Individuals/km
2007
Lincoln Creek
Ranch
Lincoln Pass 1
Tatlayoko
Ranch
Westside Cattle
Trail
Skinner
Meadows
Lincoln Pass 2
While it is tempting to use the Shannon indices and the species richness ranking to value the
properties surveyed, it is important to note that neither of these indices provides a sense of diversity
in relationship to area. While it is not appropriate to calculate the number of birds detected versus
the theoretical census area along each route in order to determine densities, it is the rank order of the
number of species per kilometre implies that habitat diversity per hectare may well differ between
the properties. This fact should be considered if there is any desire to assign values to each property
based upon survey data. More sophisticated surveys should be used in order to develop species per
hectare or individuals per hectare rankings if they are desired.
Repeating the approaches used in 2007/2008 is appropriate to determine trends for each transect
individually. If there is a desire to make more direct comparisons between the various transects, it
may be desirable to fix the lengths of the transects and survey times so as to not add confounding
conditions that could influence the number of species and individuals detected.
7.3 Point Counts
In 2008, the top 6 point counts for species richness ranged from 9 - 13 and were generally associated
with a habitat mix that included both upland and riparian vegetation. The exception is TR5 which is
located in a dry upland area of Douglas fir but is adjacent to a stand of aspens and shrubby openings.
The drop in species numbers is not significant for the next 4 counts which were consistent at 8
species each. The lowest three counts ranged from 4 - 5 species and were in the Lincoln Pass and
Westside Trail areas. The Tatlayoko Ranch counts dominated all others, ranging from 8 - 13 species
(n=5) with all other counts ranging from 4 - 9 (n=8). The three Lincoln Pass counts vary
considerably with LP1 situated in a diverse area of fir forests, aspen groves, willow dominated
wetlands and a wet grassy/shrub meadow. The highest number of species (9) was detected at this
site whereas the other two sites were drier with less habitat diversity and the number of species
detected was significantly less (4 & 5). The Skinner Meadows point count was not completed this
year due to the presence of a grizzly in the area. No point counts in 2008 equaled the 16 species
detected at this count in 2007. Excluding it from comparison results in four of the five Tatlayoko
Ranch counts being ranked in the top six for species richness in 2007 as was the case in 2008.
However, TR5 replaced TR4 in 2008. The range of species for all of the counts in 2007 was 3 - 16
(n=11) whereas the range in 2008 was 4 - 13 (n=13). When ranked by the number of individual
birds, the same top 5 counts remained (range 14 - 83) but their relative rankings changed somewhat
over the ranking by species richness (Charts 2 and 3).
Page - 100
TR5 was an anomaly with 83 individuals due to the presence of a large flock of pine siskins.
Eliminating this flock would have dropped the count to 13 which would have dropped the count to
fifth place (range 13 - 22). The lower 7 counts ranged from 6 - 11 individuals. The reasons for high
total counts of individuals were either due the detection of more species with low numbers of each
or the presence of higher numbers of Swainson’s thrushes, robins or siskins. The top six counts
ranked by individual birds detected included 5 of the same counts that were in the top 6 for species
richness. WT3 was replaced by LCR1 but the latter count only exceeded WT3 by 2 individuals.
Ranking the point counts by Shannon diversity resulted in 4 of the same counts remaining in the top
six, but the rank order changed over that established by species richness or the number of
individuals. This is not surprising given that the index takes into account the number of individuals
of each species detected as well as the number of species. A wide range or lack of evenness results
in a drop in the index. TR5 dropped to last due to the abnormal numbers of pine siskins which
skewed the index and evenness ranking. TR3 dropped in the evenness ranking due to the number of
common mergansers which exceeded all other species by a wide margin. Three of the top six counts
were from the Tatlayoko Ranch area and counts from the Westside Trail, Lincoln Pass and Lincoln
Creek area moved into the higher rankings. There was little difference between the top 6 counts
ranked by evenness.
7.4 Plot Surveys
The Skinner Meadows plot (31 species) greatly exceeded the Tatlayoko Ranch (18 species) and
Skinner Creek plots (14 species) for species richness in 2008. The reasons for this are partly due to
habitat differences, especially between Skinner Creek and the other plots. But the Tatlayoko Ranch
plot is felt to be a fairly diverse one and twice as much time was spent surveying it as was spent at
Skinner Meadows. Censuses at Skinner Creek and Tatlayoko ranch were undertaken later in the
morning and this may account for some differences.
The relative ranking of all plots remained the same as in 2007. An additional 8 species were
detected at Skinner Meadows in 2008 for a 35% increase over 2007. The number of species
detected at Tatlayoko Ranch declined by 2 for a decrease of 10% in 2008. Species detections at the
Skinner Creek plot increased by 4 for a 40% improvement in 2008. Detections of individual birds
went up at all plots. Skinner Meadows increased by 16 (43%), Tatlayoko ranch increased by 25
(86%) and individuals detected at Skinner Creek increased by 2 (14%).
Page - 101
The increases at Skinner Meadows were not due to dramatically large numbers of any one species
but rather, a general increase in small numbers of new species over 2007. The largest increase in
numbers of individuals at the Tatlayoko Ranch plot was due to the numbers of pine siskins (20).
The highest Shannon diversity index was calculated for the Skinner Meadows plot. The high
number of species and relatively even distribution of numbers resulted in the higher ranking. The
Skinner Meadows plot achieved a better ranking for evenness but had significantly fewer species.
The skewed number of pine siskins was the likely reason for the lower diversity index and evenness
ranking for the Tatlayoko Ranch plot. But occurrences for flocking species like this are often
temporary and do not reflect breeding abundance, therefore their effects on the diversity rankings
should perhaps be discounted. Calculating the scores without the siskin outlier raises the diversity
index to 3.91 which is higher than the Skinner Creek plot. The evenness score improves to 95.8%
which remains just below the Skinner Creek plot. Intuitively, ranking Tatlayoko immediately below
Skinner Meadows seems to be the correct result.
57 species were detected in 2008 compared to 52 in 2007 and 53 as the all-time high in 1992 and
1995. The mean number of species detected per survey is 44.7 (n=19) which is a minor increase.
The trend in the number of species detected has been rising steadily since the low in 2000 and has
now slightly surpassed the previous high counts. Reasons for the decline over a 5 year period
followed by an increase during the last 7 surveys are not immediately clear. There does not seem to
have been any significant changes to the habitats along the route apart from an increase in age for
the various seral stages present. 339 individuals were detected in 2008 compared to 268 in 2007 and
424 as the all time high in 2005. The mean number of individuals detected per survey is 323 (n=19)
which remains virtually unchanged over the same calculation made in 2007. The number of
individuals detected in 2008 was slightly above the long term average. Charts 9 and 10 illustrate the
trends in both species and the number of individuals over the history of the Tatlayoko breeding bird
survey. There seems to be more of a cyclic variation in the number of species occurring as opposed
to a strong negative trend over time.
The number of individual birds is showing a somewhat negative trend over time. It could be
revealing to undertake a trend analysis for each individual species in order to determine if the overall
decline is due to slightly fewer numbers of most species or rather larger declines of only a few
species. This may be done after the 2009 report when 20 years of data will be available.
Page - 102
Cursory analysis suggests that in latter years for example, American crow, Swainson’s thrush,
American robin, chipping sparrow and dark - eyed junco have not been detected in numbers as large
as in earlier years of the count. Over the years, there have not been large numbers of flocking or
irruptive species that could skew the results such as pine siskin or red crossbill. So the largest
reduction in the number of individuals detected may be a result of fewer detections of a relatively
small number of species that have traditionally occurred in relatively large numbers. Whether this is
a real decline or an artifact of the survey methodology is undetermined.
There is no concomitant data with which to compare the detection capabilities of the various
observers over time and to determine whether auditory acuity has decreased during the same period.
Should subsequent surveys be undertaken with younger and more sensitive ears, and should the
numbers of individual birds increase coincidently, the potential for surveyor bias must be considered
when examining trend data. Errors in counting methodology cannot be ruled out as another source
of data bias. For example, if a bird sings from 3 different singing positions and is recorded as 3
birds, the final number of individuals for the survey could be vastly over-inflated. Discussions with
the original surveyors (Charlie and Ruth Travers) suggest that they were aware of these issues and
tried to avoid this pitfall.
In 2008, the most abundant 5 species in descending order were American robin/Swainson’s thrush
(equal), warbling vireo, pine siskin, dark - eyed junco and chipping sparrow. Siskin numbers were
4x the previous high count. Apart from the pine siskins, these species have been generally the most
abundant on most counts over the years.
Page - 103
8.0 Conclusions and Recommendations
The surveys conducted in 2008 confirm previous expectations that the properties owned by the
Nature Conservancy of Canada provide valuable habitat for a wide range of bird species in the
western Chilcotin.
Walking transects, point counts and hectare plots are useful approaches to developing trend data for
the properties in the Tatlayoko area. Tatlayoko Ranch and Skinner Meadows remain as areas of
significantly diverse bird habitats along with Lincoln Creek Ranch and the Lincoln Pass areas as
somewhat less diverse but still valuable additions to the NCC holdings. The Westside Cattle Trail is
also a valued adjacent feature that traverses a good variety of avian habitats. Breeding bird surveys
provide trend information for adjacent areas and are valuable as benchmarks to assist in putting the
NCC properties in a local context. Overall, the 2008 surveys will comprise baseline data along with
results from the fall migration monitoring/banding station situated at Tatlayoko Ranch.
To better cover the properties, it would be of value to institute a plot survey in the northern portion
of the Skinner Creek property. Point counts or a second plot in the southwest corner of the
Tatlayoko Ranch property would assist in covering the habitat types in that area.
More sophisticated surveys could clarify species and habitat relationships with increased scientific
rigor or to develop bird density information for various habitats if desired. Specific surveys of
species near the margins of their range, species with uncertain distributional information or species
of conservation concern could be undertaken in order to clarify their status in the area. Owls remain
poorly sampled with the need to conduct surveys during March and April as well as during May or
June in order to maximize time spent there during the peak singing periods for various species. Off
road surveys should be conducted by two people for safety reasons due to the presence of bears and
cougars, depending upon the season.
Page - 104
Opportunities for future investigations include the following activities both on and off NCC
properties. Not all are of the same priority for conservation reasons, but they all have some
ornithological interest.
•
One-hectare plot surveys in the southwest corner of Tatlayoko Ranch
•
One-hectare plot surveys at the east end of Skinner Meadows
•
Surveys to determine if Sooty Grouse occur in the area
•
Determine nesting locations and the role of NCC properties with respect to Sandhill Cranes
in the Skinner Meadows area
•
Clarify relationships between Red-naped and Red-breasted Sapsuckers in the area
•
Clarify relationships between alder and willow flycatchers in the area
•
Determine the distribution of Least Flycatcher
•
Determine the distribution of eastern and western kingbirds
•
Determine status of veery in the valley
•
Determine distribution and status of lazuli bunting
•
Determine distribution of black-headed grosbeak
•
Determine status of rusty blackbird
•
Clarify status and relationship between Cassin’s and purple finches
•
Improve knowledge of all owl species in the area
Page - 105
9.0
Acknowledgements
Many thanks are due to Andrew Harcombe for suggesting this project and providing funding from
the Nature Conservancy of Canada. He provided orientation and guidance to enhance the project
considerably.
Peter and Roma Shaughnessy, caretakers for the NCC properties were invaluable in providing local
guidance and bird information based on years of occupancy in the valley. Dinner at their home was
superb.
Fritz Mueller, former property caretaker for NCC, was very helpful in the provision of local
knowledge, hospitality and allowing access through his property in order to facilitate surveys. Cedar
Mueller and her husband Rod were friendly hosts and freely gave of their local knowledge.
Charlie and Ruth Travers conducted breeding bird surveys along the Tatlayoko valley for 16 years
and have amassed much knowledge of birds in the area. They continue to be enthusiastic supporters.
References and Citations
American Ornithologists Union. 1957 (original publ.) Checklist of the birds of North
America. 7th ed. 45th Supplement. American Ornithologists Union.
The Auk 117: 847-858 (2000); 119:897-906 (2002); 120:923-932 (2003); 121:985-995
(2004); 122:1026-1031 (2005).
Campbell, R.W., N.K. Dawe, I. McT.-Cowan, J.M. Cooper, G.W. Kaiser, Andy Stewart
and M.C.E. McNall. 2001. The birds of British Columbia. Vol. 4. Passerines: wood
warblers through old world sparrows. Royal British Columbia Museum, Environment
Canada, Can. Wildl. Serv., and British Columbia Ministry of Environment, Lands and
Parks. UBC Press. 739pp.
Howie, R. 2007. Spring Birds of the Tatlayoko Lake area. Report to the Nature Conservancy of
Canada, Victoria, B.C.
World Wide Web References
http://www.aou.org/checklist/index.php3
Page - 106
Appendix 1
Tatlayoko Breeding Bird Survey Details by Stop
16 June 2008
Stop
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
Species and Individuals
SWTH-2 AMRO -2 HETH -2 CHSP - 1
SWTH-2 DEJU-2 AMRO -1 WIWA -1 TOWA -1 YRWA -1
DEJU-2 WAVI-1 AMRO-1 PISI -3 DUFL -1 WETA -1
SWTH-3 DEJU-2 WAVI-1 CHSP-1 MGWA -1 DUFL -1 WETA -1
SWTH-3 WAVI-1 AMRO-1 OCWA -1 DUGR -1
SWTH-1 DEJU-1 WAVI-2 AMRO-1 CHSP -1 RCKI -1 YRWA -1 DUGR -1
WAVI-1 WETA -1 SWTH -2 CAVI -1 DUFL -2 WIWA -1 AMRO -1
SWTH-2 WETA-1 WAVI-2 DUFL-1 AMRO -2 NOWA -2 COYE -1 DUGR -1
PISI -2
WAVI -3 TOSO -1 AMRO -2 SWTH -1
SWTH-2 DEJU-1 WAVI-1 AMRO -1
OCWA-1 WAVI-1 AMRO-1
SWTH-1 WAVI-3 RUHU -2 DUFL -2 CHSP -1
WETA -1 YRWA -1 NOWA -1 MOCH -2 WAVI -2 DEJU -2 SWTH -1 SPTO -1
SWTH-2 WAVI -1 TOWA -1 YRWA -1
MGWA -1 YRWA -1 WAVI -1 NOFL -1 DUGR -1 AMRE -1 YEWA -1 AMRO -1
SWTH -1 DUFL -1
WAVI -1 AMRO -1 WWPE -1 DEJU -1 DUGR -1
PISI -4 SWTH -1 YRWA -1
TOWA -1 WAVI-2 DEJU -1 OCWA -1
SWTH-4 RBNU -1 WAVI -1
TOWA -2 WETA -1 COLO -1 AMRO -1 BAGO -1
SWTH-1 GRJA -1 PISI -2 YRWA -1 DEJU -1 RBNU -1
CLNU -2 SWTH -2 RBNU -1 RNSA -1 PISI -2 RECR -2
WAVI -1 WETA -2 YRWA -1 SWTH -2 RBNU -1 BHCO -1 CHSP -1
PISI -5
RUHU -1 AMRO -3
BAEA -1 TRSW -4 SOSP -1 COSN -1 RNSA -1 ALFL -1 WAVI -1 CAGO -2
AMRO -2 DUFL -2 COSN -1 WAVI -1 TRSW -1 AMCR -1
AMRO -2 CHSP -1 RWBL -1 WEME -1
WAVI -2 DEJU -1 SWTH -1
KILL -3 RNSA -1 NOFL -1 RWBL -2 AMRO -2 LABU -2 BHCO -6
AMRE -1 YEWA -1 WAVI -1 CHSP -1 AMRO -1 CAHU -1
EUST -4 DOWO -1 AMRO -1
WEME -1 SWTH -1 AMRO -2 DOWO -1
SAVS -3 AMRO -2 WEME -1
WAVI -1 YRWA -1 AMRO -1
Page - 107
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
NOWA -1 AMCR -1 WAVI -2 TRSW -1 AMRO -1
SWTH -1 NOFL -1 PISI -1 CHSP -3 RECR -1 WAVI -1
WAVI -1 RNSA -1 NOWA -1 HAWO -1 AMCR -1 TRSW -2 YEWA -1
MOBL -2 BNSW -2 WCSP -2
AMRO -1 DEJU -1
SWTH -2 PISI -6 YRWA -1 RCKI -2 NOFL -1
ALFL -1 AMRO -1 OSPR -1
BHCO -3 CHSP -1 AMRO -1 SAVS -1 WEME -1 DEJU -1 TRSW -2
AMRO -1 CORA -1 WWPE -1 YRWA -1 DEJU -1
YRWA -1 CORA -1 TOSO -1 GRJA -2
PISI -2
PISI -1 RECR -1
GRJA -1 DUGR -1 (+8 chicks)
YRWA -1
PISI -4 WAVI -1 DUGR -1 HAFL -1 CHSP -1 DOWO -1
CHSP -1 HETH -2 RCKI -1
Page - 108
1
18
2
4
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
2
1
6
2
1
1
1
2
1
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
3
5
1
1
2
1
3
3
2
1
2
1
4
4
2
1
2
1
5
14
1
2
3
7
1
1
1
7
1
1
1
6
4
1
8
1
17
1
2
2
3
1
6
3
8
13
14
6
13
3
3
4
2
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
2
7
11
1
3
14
3
1
2
7
1
7
1
1
10
4
2
1
1
4
1
3
2
8
1
12
2
2
3
1
5
2
1
3
1
4
1
1
14
1
3
1
16
1
4
1
2
8
6
2
1
5
2
1
3
3
5
1
1
2
8
Page - 109
3
1
6
4
1
11
1
9
9
1
5
4
4
3
1
4
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
3
1997
2
1
1996
2
1995
2
1
1994
1993
1991
1992
Canada Goose
Mallard
Lesser Scaup
Dusky Grouse
Common Loon
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Sharp - shinned Hawk
Red - tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
Sora
Killdeer
Solitary Sandpiper
Spotted Sandpiper
Common Snipe
Herring Gull
Mourning Dove
Great Horned Owl
Black Swift
Rufous Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Red - naped Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
N. Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
1990
Species
1989
Appendix 2
Tatlayoko BBS Routes
1989-2008
Total
31
2
1
17
15
14
7
2
2
2
12
1
32
4
2
134
7
6
1
1
1
10
5
58
11
27
155
20
Olive - sided Flycatcher
Western Wood Pewee
Alder Flycatcher
Willow Flycatcher
Dusky Flycatcher
Pacific - slope Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
Say’s Phoebe
Cassin’s Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Red - eyed Vireo
Gray Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
N. Rough - winged Swallow
Bank Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow
Black - capped Chickadee
Mountain Chickadee
Red - breasted Nuthatch
Rock Wren
Golden - crowned Kinglet
Ruby - crowned Kinglet
Western Bluebird
Mountain Bluebird
Veery
Swainson’s Thrush
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Varied Thrush
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Orange - crowned Warbler
1
1
4
1
4
4
1
3
2
2
2
3
1
10
3
3
1
4
3
4
9
2
3
2
1
1
2
2
2
1
4
7
5
1
1
3
6
2
2
1
1
1
2
11
1
2
4
1
2
1
4
5
2
4
1
3
2
8
13
1
1
2
2
2
1
3
5
1
9
1
1
7
15
1
2
14
1
13
21
27
9
8
6
1
62
3
14
8
12
6
2
6
5
2
8
1
15
10
11
16
6
20
6
3
5
11
7
12
2
1
1
4
1
25
6
52
1
5
4
53
2
34
4
3
54
6
58
5
1
3
2
1
2
12
1
16
1
17
1
6
3
32
6
3
28
8
6
1
5
4
26
3
1
2
4
8
23
7
3
2
1
1
9
2
8
4
16
1
3
8
1
30
6
12
55
11
44
7
1
8
7
6
2
1
16
2
10
6
4
3
57
9
11
24
5
6
3
10
1
8
5
2
18
24
30
24
9
3
27
16
6
1
3
31
23
1
1
2
4
14
2
1
8
3
1
3
3
1
6
1
1
6
7
6
8
4
3
1
1
1
30
2
32
5
1
33
2
30
3
4
57
1
45
2
5
51
5
61
39
39
43
47
25
1
58
3
1
9
1
3
55
1
55
1
2
1
2
1
1
1
2
3
58
3
54
1
2
4
11
6
1
46
8
3
2
6
1
7
4
14
25
3
1
1
8
2
1
3
2
2
3
32
1
1
22
2
35
2
2
9
9
3
1
36
4
2
3
2
10
7
2
12
7
8
9
1
3
2
4
7
7
5
1
18
1
10
1
5
17
39
42
6
Page - 110
6
25
9
4
3
2
2
8
2
1
3
9
1
5
5
2
2
4
1
21
5
45
1
1
52
5
47
2
2
3
1
2
2
10
16
34
33
3
32
37
3
37
1
7
6
2
2
4
4
4
5
7
3
17
32
8
6
43
98
5
1
1
21
372
3
16
2
482
145
137
34
62
65
19
77
120
67
1
4
85
1
13
45
27
766
72
818
8
61
19
59
Nashville Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Yellow - rumped Warbler
American Redstart
Common Yellowthroat
Wilson’s Warbler
Western Tanager
Spotted Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Dark - eyed Junco
Lazuli Bunting
Red - winged Blackbird
Western Meadowlark
Rusty Blackbird
Brown - headed Cowbird
Cassins Finch
Purple Finch
Red Crossbill
White - winged Crossbill
Pine Siskin
Evening Grosbeak
3
16
17
11
4
8
3
21
1
19
2
20
2
16
1
1
20
1
8
4
8
4
11
1
6
1
7
1
1
5
1
3
7
5
6
38
1
9
2
2
1
37
1
3
15
2
3
25
2
3
43
2
4
11
4
2
1
32
7
2
6
25
3
8
10
1
16
4
23
1
12
3
16
4
19
3
2
4
5
1
1
2
2
1
2
10
2
24
3
12
11
1
7
4
7
3
2
8
2
5
3
8
1
7
26
21
2
1
2
2
1
14
6
2
15
3
4
1
1
9
17
1
4
3
1
5
2
1
4
1
12
37
12
8
8
2
1
16
1
9
4
6
11
8
5
1
1
1
10
14
19
1
3
15
7
5
5
25
1
4
3
20
1
15
11
22
2
1
3
3
1
37
4
2
1
7
1
18
2
1
3
1
1
12
1
9
1
1
2
2
1
2
1
4
1
1
1
1
2
6
1
4
2
2
1
2
4
1
7
1
1
2
14
4
1
10
3
6
7
3
4
3
13
6
2
5
2
1
2
8
1
13
4
1
1
17
1
3
4
10
1
2
2
8
5
1
1
6
11
1
2
7
3
1
21
3
1
8
2
Page - 111
1
3
4
2
8
32
3
45
294
20
24
130
25
3
23
122
4
361
19
54
24
33
319
2
16
34
10
4
28
1
6
16
5
78
10
Page - 112

Aspen Park Consulting - Nature Conservancy of Canada

Transcription

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