Survey Protocol for the Mardon Skipper(Polites mardon)

Version 1.1 – March 26, 2007

Photo by Tom Kogut, USFS

USDA Forest Service Region 6, Oregon and WashingtonUSDI Bureau of Land Management, Oregon and Washington

AuthorsRUBY SEITZ is a wildlife biologist, US Forest Service, 57600 McKenzie Hwy, McKenzie

Bridge OR, 97413ANN POTTER is a wildlife biologist, Washington Dept. of Fish & Wildlife, 600 Capitol Way N,

Olympia WA, 98501KELLI VAN NORMAN is an inventory coordinator, US Bureau of Land Management, PO Box

2965, Portland OR, 97208NORM BARRETT is a wildlife biologist, US Forest Service, 47201 Hwy 62, Prospect OR,

97536MITCH WAINWRIGHT is a wildlife biologist, US Forest Service, 42218 NE Yale Bridge Rd,

Amboy WA, 98601

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION..........................................................................................................................................................3

BACKGROUND...........................................................................................................................................................3

ASPECTS OF MARDON SKIPPER NATURAL HISTORY RELATED TO SURVEY METHODOLOGY.. .3

MARDON SKIPPER DESCRIPTION................................................................................................................................3ANNUAL CYCLE..........................................................................................................................................................4ACTIVITY PATTERN AND MOVEMENT........................................................................................................................4FOOD HABITS.............................................................................................................................................................5HABITAT DESCRIPTION...............................................................................................................................................5

SURVEY METHODS...................................................................................................................................................6

SURVEYOR QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING.............................................................................................................7SAFETY.......................................................................................................................................................................8SITE SELECTION..........................................................................................................................................................8SEARCH METHODS.....................................................................................................................................................8CONDUCTING AN ESTIMATE OF ABUNDANCE SURVEY............................................................................................10SURVEY CONDITIONS & TIME OF DAY....................................................................................................................10NUMBER OF ANNUAL VISITS & TIMING...................................................................................................................11

Mardon skipper surveys at known sites and within 30 miles..............................................................................11SURVEYING IN THE OREGON MARDON SKIPPER DISTRIBUTION GAP......................................................................13EQUIPMENT...............................................................................................................................................................13DATA MANAGEMENT...............................................................................................................................................14VERIFICATION PROCESS...........................................................................................................................................15PERMITS....................................................................................................................................................................16

REFERENCES............................................................................................................................................................17

APPENDIX A..............................................................................................................................................................19

PHOTOGRAPHIC GUIDE TO MARDON SKIPPER AND SIMILAR SPECIES.....................................................................19

APPENDIX B..............................................................................................................................................................23

BUTTERFLY RESOURCES...........................................................................................................................................23

APPENDIX C..............................................................................................................................................................25

DRAFT MARDON SKIPPER ADULT HABITAT SUITABILITY MODEL FOR SOUTHERN OREGON.....................................25

APPENDIX D..............................................................................................................................................................25

BLM GeoBOB Fauna Survey and Observation Form.............................................................................................25

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Introduction

The objective of this Mardon skipper survey protocol is to present methods to:

1) Conduct surveys to detect adult Mardon skipper presence in potential habitat with a reasonable level of confidence.

2) Conduct surveys to estimate relative abundance of adult Mardon skipper at a site. 3) Document survey effort and occupied sites covered during surveys.

These methods establish standards for consistently collecting and reporting field data. The survey protocol is adapted from a Mardon skipper survey methods document developed for Washington State by Ann Potter from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)(Potter et al. 2002). The methodology is based upon standardized butterfly survey methods (Pollard and Yates 1993). Significant additions have been made to the original Washington survey protocol. This document is intended for use by the Region 6 Forest Service (R6FS) and Oregon/Washington Bureau of Land Management (BLM). As we learn more about surveying for Mardon skipper, we expect this survey protocol to be updated. The survey methods provided here, alone, are not appropriate for monitoring effects of management or other actions and are not intended for such use.

A compilation of Mardon skipper biology, ecology, threats, management considerations, and research/inventory/monitoring opportunities will be available from the US Forest Service Region 6 and US Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington in 2007. In addition see the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Candidate Notice of Review (USDI 2005) and the Washington State Status Report for the Mardon Skipper (Potter et al. 1999) for further information.

BackgroundThe Mardon skipper (Polites mardon W.H. Edwards) was designated a Federal Candidate Species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 1999. It is a candidate species in the OR/WA BLM Special Status Species program and a sensitive species in the R6 FS Sensitive Species program. In Washington, it is listed as a state endangered species by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission (WAC 232-12-014). In addition, the Mardon skipper was petitioned for listing under the ESA by The Xerces Society and other environmental groups (Black et al. 2002).

Aspects of Mardon Skipper Natural History Related to Survey Methodology

Mardon Skipper Description The Mardon skipper is a small (20-24 mm wingspread; <1 in), tawny-orange butterfly with a stout, hairy body (Potter et al. 1999). The upper surface of forewings and hindwings is tawny-

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orange with broad dark borders. The wings from below are light tan-orange with a distinctive hindwing discal band pattern of light-yellow to white rectangular spots. Females are larger than males and have a more distinct ventral hindwing pattern. Males have a small, slender and branched, dark brown marking (stigma) on the upper surface of the forewing.

Like most members of the Hesperiinae (grass-feeding skippers), adult Mardon skippers have a fast, skipping flight, often described as a stone skipping across water. Also like most Hesperiinae, they have bent antennae clubs and a characteristic basking posture in which the forewings are held at a 45-degree angle and the hindwings are fully spread (Potter et al.1999). Mardon skippers typically fly low, usually less than 1 meter from the ground.

The Mardon skipper is difficult to distinguish from many other Hesperiinae species. In the southern Washington Cascades portion of their range, potential Mardon skipper look-alikes that may be present during the Mardon skipper flight period include Juba skipper (Hesperia juba), western branded skipper (Hesperia colorado harpalus = Hesperia comma harpalus), Nevada skipper (Hesperia nevada), Sonora skipper (Polites sonora), woodland skipper (Ochlodes sylvanoides), and sachem (Atalopedes campestris). In the southern Oregon Cascades, all of the Washington look-alike species occur, as well as two additional hesperids that Mardon may be confused with: Columbian skipper (Hesperia columbia), and Lindsey’s skipper (Hesperia lindseyi). Each of these species has slightly different wing patterns; detailed identifying features for these skippers are found in standard field guides (e.g., Pyle 2002; Glassberg 2001). Taxa most closely resembling Mardon skipper are pictured in Appendix A.

Annual Cycle Mardon skippers are univoltine, completing one life cycle annually. In the Cascade Mountain Range, adults typically emerge in June or July, and are present for two weeks to one month, with individuals living between five to ten days. Adults do not all emerge on the same date, so flight period duration at any given site varies depending on the number of skippers present. In large populations, the flight period may extend for over a month, while small populations may have adults present for only ten or fewer days. Emergence dates vary with elevation, generally occurring earlier at lower elevations. Weather influences emergence and flight period duration, with wet or cold conditions delaying emergence; conversely, warm, dry conditions promote earlier emergence, and both may affect flight period (Potter et al. 2002).

Eggs are laid on or near grasses and hatch after 6 or 7 days (Newcomber 1966), or 13 days (Dave Nunnallee pers. comm.). Larvae feed on grass for approximately 2-3 months (Newcomer 1966; Dave Nunnallee pers comm.). Mardon skippers pupate in a loose cocoon in the grass; it is believed that they over winter as pupae (Newcomer 1966, Dornfeld 1980), though summer and fall larval surveys at one site on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest indicate that Mardon skippers likely over-winter there as 3rd or 4th instar larvae (Beyer and Black 2007).

Activity Pattern and MovementThe Mardon skipper is thought to spend its entire life cycle in one location: it does not migrate. Individuals may move to nearby grasslands or water sources, but preliminary results from an

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Oregon mark-recapture study found that most Mardon skippers appeared to show little movement from their natal meadows (Runquist 2004). Males have been found “puddling” (a method for obtaining fluids and minerals) some distance from females (Ann Potter, personal communication); Runquist (2004) observed males approximately 1 mile downhill from their natal site.

As described in the Mardon skipper description, the flight pattern of skippers is a diagnostic fast, skipping flight. Mardon skippers tend to fly less than 1 meter above the ground among the grasses, except during courtship or territorial displays.

Food Habits Adults feed on flower nectar from a variety of sources. Primary nectar plants documented include: early blue violet (Viola adunca), common vetch, (Vicia sativa), and other Vicia species, sego lily (Calochortus spp.) wallflower (Erysimum capitatum), penstemon (Penstemon spp.), common camas (Camassia quamash), fine-leaved desert parsley (Lomatium utriculatum), and spreading phlox (Phlox diffusa) (Newcomer 1966; Pyle 1989; Hays et al. 2000; Haggard 2003; Potter and Fleckenstein 2001). A nectar plant selection study for one Puget Sound population compared use versus availability and found that Mardon skippers avoided Scot’s broom (Cytisus scoparius), shepard’s cress (Teesdalia nudicualis), slender sandwort (Arenaria stricta) and small-flowering lotus (Lotus micranthus), and in separate years, preferred Viola adunca or Vicia sativa (Hays et al. 2000). Beyer and Black (2007) observed nectaring in their two Washington sites mainly on vetch (Vicia species ), strawberry (Fragaria virginiana), clover (Trifolium longipes), wandering fleabane (Erigeron peregrinus), and yarrow (Achillea millefolium) and at their two Oregon sites mainly on cinquefoil (Potentilla diversifolia), narrow-leaved mule’s-ears (Wyethia angustifolia), small-flowered penstemon (Penstemon procerus), rosy plectritis (Plectritis congesta), and vetch (Vicia species).

Most butterfly larvae have specific requirements for food plants. Mardon skipper larvae have generally been thought to feed on Festuca bunchgrasses (Newcomer 1966; Dornfeld 1980; Pyle 2002; Potter and Fleckenstein 2001). In Washington, Mardon skipper oviposition in the wild has been observed on Roemer’s fescue (Festuca roemeri), Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis), and red fescue (Festuca rubra) (Ann Potter pers comm). Oviposition on Festuca bunchgrass has been documented on a coastal California site (Runquist 2004a). In addition to Festuca, recent work by Beyer and Black (2007) has confirmed Mardon skipper oviposition on California oatgrass (Danthonia californica) as well some use of tufted hairgrass (Deschampsia caespitosa) and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) in southern Oregon and Carex species in the Washington Cascades along with some use of California brome (Bromus carinatus) and western needlegrass (Stipa occidentalis).

Habitat Description

A small, grassland-dependent butterfly, the Mardon skipper appears to have a remarkably disjunct range, with populations in:

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Low elevation south Puget Sound prairies of western Washington. Grassy meadows and forest openings, between 1800 and 5600 feet, near Mount Adams, in

the Cascade Mountain Range in Washington (Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Conboy National Wildlife Refuge, and state and private lands).

Grasslands between 4000 and 5500 feet in the southern Cascades, near Ashland, Oregon (Medford District BLM and Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest).

Grasslands in coastal northern California (Six Rivers National Forest and Redwood National Park) (and an historic record from near Gold Beach in Curry County, Oregon).

In the Puget Sound lowlands, Mardon skipper is found on glacial outwash grasslands, often referred to as prairies. In a study of habitat quality at one south Puget Sound prairie site (Hays et al. 2000), adult Mardon skippers used open grasslands with abundant Roemer’s fescue (Festuca roemeri) interspersed with (Viola adunca). Adult Mardon skippers selected for short, open, native Festuca grasslands, which allowed access to nectar and oviposition plants. They selected areas with only limited cover of the invasive shrub Scot’s broom (Cytisus scoparius).

In the southern Washington Cascades, Mardon skipper is found in open, grassland sites within the grand fir (Abies grandis) zone (Topik 1989) and Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) savanna/woodlands, at elevations ranging from 1,800 to 5,500 feet. Occupied sites to date have been found within 35 miles of Mt. Adams. Sites with grassland vegetation, including meadows, grassy forest openings, roadside meadows, and grass-dominated tree plantations support Mardon skipper populations. South Cascade sites vary in size from small, 1 acre or less, to large grassland complexes. Site conditions range from dry, open ridgetops to grasslands associated with wetlands, springs, or riparian habitat.

Southern Oregon Cascades’ Mardon skipper sites are grasslands between 4300 and 5300 feet elevation, that typically include some type of water feature (i.e. spring, riparian, or wet meadow habitat) (Scott Black pers comm.). Runquist (2004) states that Oregon populations are found in short stature, semi-wet meadows in mixed-conifer forest, closely associated with Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis) and California oatgrass (Danthonia californica).

In coastal northern California, Imper (2004) classified the vegetation within Mardon skipper grasslands as a Jeffrey pine (Pinus jeffreyi) and Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis) association, a component of the Jeffrey pine/grassland subseries within the Jeffrey pine series (USDA 1995). California sites have been found on serpentine soils with marine weather influence, within 10 miles of the ocean, from approximately 1400 to 2000 feet in elevation (Haggard 2003, Imper 2004).

Survey Methods

Mardon skipper surveys are conducted for the adult life stage: surveys for other life stages are impractical and potentially harmful because eggs are laid singly in or near grass clumps, and larvae and pupae are located within silk and grass nests. Adult occurrence is highly temporal and spatially specific: flight periods for any given site may be as short as two weeks and Mardon skippers often inhabit only a portion of a meadow or grassland complex.

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Adherence to the survey guidelines below should result in a high likelihood of detecting Mardon skipper if they are present. However, due to their limited sightability (low, erratic flight pattern) and varying flight period dates and duration, it is possible for Mardon skippers to be present at a site, yet not detected. Failure to detect Mardon skippers using this methodology does not demonstrate their absence. The exact probability of species absence is unknown and depends on the detectability of the species and other survey conditions.

Surveyor Qualifications and Training

The Mardon skipper is a small, fast-moving, dull-colored insect from a family that many people do not even see or recognize as butterflies, and few can reliably identify. Each surveyor should have sufficient knowledge and experience to demonstrate skills in executing these survey methods and in finding and recognizing Mardon skippers. Personnel who will be doing these surveys will need to display an ability to identify Mardon skippers and distinguish it from look-alike skippers.

Characteristics of a successful Mardon skipper surveyor also include:

Ability to see minute details Very long attention span

Training Objectives:

1) Prepare surveyors to detect and identify skippers and specifically, Mardon skipper. 2) Prepare surveyors to distinguish Mardon skipper from Sonora skipper and other common

look-alike skippers. 3) Prepare surveyors to recognize members of the different butterfly families, and

commonly occurring local species that are present during the Mardon skipper flight period.

4) Review the survey protocol and train surveyors to conduct a butterfly survey.5) Preparation and handling of voucher specimens.6) Prepare surveyors to identify Festuca species, Danthonia californica, Deschampsia

caespitosa, other bunchgrasses, and Carex species as a group, as well as key nectar plants.

Training should include a classroom day for instruction in identifying Mardon and Sonora skipper, recognizing butterfly families, survey methods, butterfly/skipper handling, and specimen collection and care. This should be followed by a minimum of two days of field training in survey methods and practical experience in recognizing butterfly families, and identifying Mardon skipper and bunchgrasses and Carex plants. It is recommended that within 5-10 days, instructors follow-up this training by further working with surveyors.

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Several species that resemble the Mardon skipper are discussed in the Mardon Skipper Description section (above). Confirmation of the identification of a Mardon skipper should be done by an expert (see Verification Process).

SafetyThese safety considerations are not meant to be an inclusive list of hazards expected to be encountered while doing this protocol survey method. They are simply some important ideas to keep in mind. Each field unit must follow their agency safety policies and procedures.

Some survey areas, particularly further south may also be prime habitats for rattlesnakes, black widow spiders, scorpions and other venomous species as well as poison-oak. Heavy, high-topped boots should always be worn in areas where rattlesnakes can be expected.

Mardon skipper surveys require focusing on butterflies in the immediate area, but be sure to assess the entire meadow before beginning surveys for possible hazards such as snags along edges and to be on the look-out for potential hazards during the survey. For example, surveyors should remain alert for nests of wasps and hornets, which may be disturbed while accessing or traversing survey areas.

Site Selection Begin Mardon skipper surveys by identifying areas of potentially suitable habitat using maps (GIS layers), aerial photos, and local knowledge. If potentially suitable habitat is identified in, or near, a project area, survey all contiguous grass and forb dominated vegetation in the survey area, as Mardon skippers may use different areas during the flight season or over a period of years. Grassy areas interspersed with trees or shrubs should also be included in the survey area.

Projects that may potentially impact Mardon skippers include any activity that impacts grasslands from large grassland complexes to smaller roadside-edge grasslands. For a complete list of threats to Mardon skipper, refer to the the USFWS proposed listing document (Black et al. 2002). A list of threats is also being compiled by the US Forest Service Region 6 and US Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington.

Tentative survey routes should be planned to safely traverse through the defined survey areas using the maps and photos. However, since aerial photos may not reveal the best habitat, field reconnaissance of the survey area may be necessary in order to identify the best survey route. Survey routes should be located to pass through a representative sample of grassland microhabitat types, focusing on areas that have concentrations of the key habitat features identified for Mardon skipper.

Search Methods Once skipper identification skills and a search image have been developed, a systematic survey should be conducted across all potentially suitable habitat. Systematically and slowly walk all

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grass and forb dominated areas visually searching for the distinctive skipper perch profile, or fast, skipping, flight pattern.

Searches should include all areas of grassland vegetation, especially patches dominated by Festuca, Danthonia, or Carex; puddle edges and recently wet open ground; adult feeding areas (nectar sources described above and any additional nectar sources available at the site); and microhabitats of short vegetation with patchy open ground, including trails and vehicle tracks. It is important to limit observation and identification of non-Hesperiine butterflies, in order to focus search efforts on locating Mardon skipper.

Use close-focus binoculars when butterflies are perched to view wing patterns for identification. Experienced surveyors may want to capture unknown skippers or suspected Mardon skippers with an insect net and transfer to a viewing jar for closer observation and species confirmation. Such capture should be attempted only by individuals well-experienced or trained in such techniques to minimize accidental mortality of the butterfly. Photographs of skippers for identification purposes should include a clear view of the ventral hindwing.

Survey approximately one hour for every 10 acres. Note that this timeframe does not include periods outside the survey conditions described below, i.e. if a 40 acre grassland is being surveyed and it becomes overcast for one hour, the overcast period does not contribute to the recommended 4 hour survey period. A survey plan should include additional time in case of inappropriate weather conditions.

A minimum of 30 minutes should be spent at each survey site regardless of size.

If multiple observers are systematically searching, they should be spaced 10-15 meters (33-50 feet) apart. Communicate with co-observers walking adjacent transects to avoid double-counting individuals

Surveys should be done with at least one butterfly survey or Mardon skipper-specific expert present. An expert is defined here as a person who is able to definitively identify Mardon skipper.

Non-expert surveyors should be paired with experts, and during a survey, there should be no more than 3 non-expert surveyors with any expert. This will increase survey efficiency and reduce trampling effects.

Limit the number of surveyors participating in searches of small sites (<3 acres) to no more than 3 people per visit to reduce trampling effects.

A voucher (one male) should be collected at any new site greater than 2 miles from the nearest previously documented site or a good photo clearly showing the ventral hindwing (see Verification Process section).

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Conducting an Estimate of Abundance SurveyIf Mardon skipper is detected, an estimate of abundance survey should be conducted, preferably during the same visit. Begin by exploring the area thoroughly, determining the extent of the butterflies (adult Mardon skipper occupied area). If the site is small, plan to conduct a count across all of it. Then begin a systematic count of Mardon skippers with surveyors spaced approximately 5 meters (16.5 feet) apart walking parallel transects at the same pace across the survey area. Begin at one side – or end – of the Mardon-occupied area and when a transect line has been completed across the area, move 5 meters over and continue covering the area and counting. Continue this until the entire Mardon skipper occupied area has been systematically walked and Mardon skippers within counted. This is a modified Pollard and Yates (1993) transect method. If possible, determine the gender of the Mardon skippers, but only so far as it does not slow the survey pace. Do not count Mardon skippers that enter the transect behind you.

Walking parallel transects at the same pace allows for communication between surveyors and reduces potential for double-counting Mardon skippers. Estimate of abundance counts should be conducted during the peak Mardon skipper flight period, or at least two times during the same year within the overall flight period window. This survey protocol is designed to determine species presence, but if Mardon skippers are found, multiple counts of individuals encountered can give a rough index of population abundance for that year. This abundance survey is a sample of the site, but not a statistical sample, and it is not a full site census. It is also not a density estimate that could be applied to an entire grassland because Mardon skippers often congregate in core areas, which may vary from year to year.

Survey Conditions & Time of Day Weather conditions and time of day affect the activity and resulting visibility of

butterflies. Weather parameters for butterfly surveying have been established by Pollard and Yates and are explained in their book Monitoring Butterflies for Ecology and Conservation (1993). Mardon skippers can be encountered outside of these conditions, but the survey would not meet protocol guidelines. Windy and/or cloudy conditions outside of the parameters stated below may occur during a survey. Be prepared to wait out conditions that are too cloudy and/or windy, and resume the survey when they pass. See also, first bullet in Search Methods Section.

Conduct surveys only when ambient air temperature (air temperature in the shade) is greater than 55 degrees F (13 degrees C). Warmer temperatures above 60 degrees F (16 degrees C) are preferable.

Survey between 1000 and 1600 hours.

Survey only when sunshine is sufficient to cast a distinct shadow. Do not survey during rainy weather.

Wind should be on average below 10 miles per hour or below Beaufort Scale 5 (small trees in leaf beginning to sway). Local wind conditions can vary considerably depending

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on habitat and exposure. Surveys may be conducted during strong winds when exposure at the survey area is protected.

Number of Annual Visits & Timing

To maximize the likelihood of finding Mardon skippers at a site when presence is not known, conduct surveys within a selected survey area three times a year during the recommended survey period (i.e., adult flight period), if the survey period is known for your area (Table 1), and within 30 miles of known sites. For the Oregon population gap area, time surveys based on known Oregon and Washington adult flight dates (Table 2). Visit dates should be spaced throughout the survey period, targeting, as much as possible, the beginning, middle, and end periods. When the survey objective is to detect presence, survey visits may be discontinued after initial detection. Additional visits should be conducted after Mardon skipper detection if survey objectives are to estimate abundance, learn about local habits, or determine extent/timing of flight period.

A scouting visit approximately 5 days prior to the beginning of the survey period is recommended. During this visit check for the following:

Road and access conditions Snowmelt at high elevation sites Presence of Mardon skippers Presence of flowering nectar forbs Presence of other butterflies

If Mardon skippers are detected during the scouting visit, then the survey period should begin as soon as possible.

Mardon skipper use areas have been observed to change, expand, or contract between years, in part as a response to changing habitat conditions, and as a result of fluctuations in number of individuals present. In order to begin to determine use areas, it is recommended that potential habitat be surveyed for a minimum of two seasons (two years), which may or may not be consecutive.

Mardon skipper surveys at known sites and within 30 milesThe target survey dates are intended to designate the window of time when adult Mardons are reliably present, not the entire amplitude of flight period that has been documented. In other words, Mardon skippers can be detected outside of these time periods but if present at a site, they will most reliably be found during them. These dates are likely to change over time, as we continue to collect flight date information and warm globally.

Weather factors such as heavy snow pack with late melt, a long cool spring, or early hot spells may affect timing of the Mardon skipper flight period, which varies from year to year. Reasons for surveying outside the timeframes below should be well documented.

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The survey timing recommendations below apply to Mardon skipper surveys within 30 miles of known sites.

Table 1. Recommended Mardon skipper survey periods for known areas in the Cascade Mountains and Oregon Coast Range. While Mardon skippers may be found outside of these survey periods, they have the highest probability of detecting Mardon skippers.

Geographic area Survey period

Cascades – southern Washington, Gifford Pinchot and Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forests

Mt. Adams Ranger District2500-3500’3501-4500’

>4500’

June 15 – July 1June 20 – July 5July 5 – July 15

Cowlitz Valley Ranger District4200 – 5000’

July 5 – July 15

Naches Ranger District*3,000-6,000’

June 25 – July 15

Cascades – southern Oregon

Rogue River/Siskiyou National Forest, Medford District BLM4000-5500’ June 15 – July 1

Coast Range – southern Oregon

Rogue River/Siskiyou National Forest, Coos Bay BLM

1200-2200’

May 25 – June 15

* Mardon skipper only recently discovered: elevation and survey period are 1st estimates.

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Surveying in the Oregon Mardon Skipper Distribution GapMardon skipper surveys where they have not been previously located (>30 miles from known sites)

Recent discussions between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U. S. Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management have focused on the apparent Mardon skipper distribution gap in the Cascade Mountain Range in Oregon. This “gap” is between the Columbia River and Mardon skipper sites northeast of Ashland, Oregon as well as along the southern Oregon Coast north of the northern California population. Searching large areas, such as the “gap”, that are not currently known to support Mardon skipper, creates a significant challenge in selecting the appropriate place and time for detection.

Recommended Mardon skipper survey dates for the gap were designated based on Mardon flight dates in the southern Oregon and southern Washington Cascades. The timing of butterfly flight periods in general, and Mardon skipper specifically, varies slightly from year to year. The earliest flight dates in the Washington Cascades, vary from May 20 at 1800 feet to July 8 at 5600 feet. In southern Oregon, Mardon skipper sites are found between 4300 and 5300 feet; the earliest recorded flight dates are in late-May, with adult Mardons not reliably present until early-June (June 10) (Scott Black pers. comm.).

Oregon Cascades’ “gap” sites targeted for Mardon skipper surveys, should be between 3000 and 6500 feet. Mardon skipper surveys in the Oregon Cascades between 3000 and 4500 feet should begin in early-June. Because of the potential for Mardon adults to be present for only 10 days, surveys should be conducted once a week through June at each site. Surveys should commence in mid-June at sites above 4500 feet and should continue once a week through mid-July. If Mardon skippers are encountered during a survey visit, additional visits are encouraged over the next several days to confirm presence. Additional visits are necessary and encouraged to make estimates of abundance, establish the flight period, determine Mardon skipper use areas, and collect information on other important life history parameters.

Table 2. Recommended survey periods for the Oregon Mardon skipper distribution “gap.”

Geographic area Survey period3000 - 4500’ elevation June 1 – June 30

>4500’ elevation June 15 – July 15

Equipment Materials necessary for butterfly surveys:

Close-focus binoculars (should focus to within 6-7'), and 10 power magnification is especially helpful for identifying skipper wing patterns

Fahrenheit scale thermometer

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General Survey form Field notebook Site map or aerial photo Compass Butterfly and plant identification books Butterfly field guide with Mardon skipper look-alike photographs

For catch/release or specimen collection, which is encouraged for inexperienced surveyors, the following materials are necessary:

Insect capture net Spatula bladed tweezers for handling live adults Observation container Specimen container Specimen record form

Optional equipment includes camera with close-focus lens, altimeter, GPS unit, plant press, and hand lens. Personal items should include water and sun protection (sunscreen, light-weight long-sleeved shirt, hat, etc.).

Data ManagementData collected during field surveys must be recorded and can be done on paper data forms or electronic data recorders. The advantages and disadvantages of each method vary in accordance with field conditions, technical capabilities, and personal preferences of survey teams. For these reasons we do not propose a single, standardized data collection form (see appendix D for BLM GeoBOB data forms). Rather, this section provides guidelines for creation of a data collection form by recommending elements that should be included and providing standard codes for certain data types.

There are three general categories of information that are collected during FS/BLM wildlife surveys: general information about the survey (i.e., general surveys), spatial data describing the exact location of the survey area, and target species detections. All general survey, spatial, and detection data including collection and verification must be entered in a timely manner into the NRIS FAUNA database for FS surveys and into the GeoBOB database for BLM surveys. Negative survey information of areas surveyed and Mardon skippers not found is critical for knowing where and when areas have been searched and for determining habitat selection, so always enter all general surveys into the corporate databases.

1) General Survey Information: This information serves to describe the type of survey and conditions encountered during the survey. At a minimum, these fields should include survey date, survey objective, survey type,

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start and stop times, weather conditions, and the names and experience categories of the observers conducting the survey. Record observations of other Hesperiine skippers, site conditions, potential plant nectar sources, and presence of fescue grasses. The visit number (first, second, third visit) should be clearly denoted on the form.

In particular, there may be a habitat association between Mardon and Sonora skipper and thus, it is important to also document presence of Sonora skipper.

Always record and enter the survey information into the corporate databases even if Mardon skippers were not detected. Negative survey data is critical for determining habitat selection.

2) Spatial Information: A map depicting survey area boundaries should be associated with each general survey area. These maps may be easily created in a GIS environment, incorporating features such as topography, vegetation, and roads that facilitate orientation of observers in the field and accurate plotting of Mardon skipper detections.

Spatial data recorded in the field should include location (UTM or TRS), elevation, and a description of access from a known road intersection or other geographic point. This will verify the accuracy of the GIS data or GPS location data.

3) Detection Information:Record number of adult Mardon skippers encountered, Mardon skipper nectar species use, adult behavior, and when possible, gender. GPS or map areas where Mardon skippers were found. Collect or photograph voucher specimens.

Verification Process Confirmation of the identification of a Mardon skipper should be done by an expert and may require revisiting the site, photographing, or collecting a butterfly. Surveys should be conducted with an expert present who can definitively identify Mardon skipper and rule out look-alikes. However, individual Mardon skippers (or their look-alikes) may be especially worn or unusually marked, or may be encountered when an expert is not present.

If a skipper is encountered that cannot be identified and appears to be a Mardon skipper, then, depending upon the proximity of an expert, the surveyor should:

1) Return to the site with an expert, or2) Collect a single male, hold temporarily (<48hrs. in a cooler or refrigerator), deliver to an

expert for identification, and then return it to the site, or 3) Collect a single male and freeze (which will kill it). 4) Collect a clear, close-up photograph(s) of a live male specimen that includes the ventral

hindwing.a. Take photos with a camera capable of focusing to within 4 inches or closer,b. At least one photo must include a side view showing the ventral hindwing pattern

of spots,

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c. Use a digital camera to ensure that a clear, crisp photo has been obtained prior to release of the specimen,

d. To photograph the specimen, place the specimen in a container with a clear, flat surface to shoot through and avoid distortion. The container should be of glass, if possible. If plastic is used, the side should be free of dust and scratches.

i. The smaller the container, the easier it is to focus on the butterfly and the less likely it is to move in or out of focus

ii. Place a layer of something on the bottom of the container to raise the animal above the curvature at the base of the container that might result in distortion

Mardon skipper specimens may be sent to the regional Interagency Special Status/Sensitive Species Program inventory coordinator who will consult with a species expert for identification. Skipper identification may also be possible with good quality photographs that clearly show the ventral hindwing pattern.

In addition to collection for identification purposes (#3 above), collecting voucher specimens is a standard entomological method for verifying species identification and documenting a new population. At a minimum, a voucher (one male) should be collected at any new site greater than 2 miles from the nearest previously documented site.

Permits

The Mardon skipper is a Washington State endangered species. Capturing or holding an individual for identification, photography, or collection requires a permit from Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW). Scientific Collection Permits are available from the WDFW Licensing Program, and will limit collection to a small number of individuals in specified areas. Coordination with WDFW prior to submitting a permit application is recommended. Several people can collect under the same Collection Permit: all names must be listed as sub-permittees. A $12.00 permit fee is charged. Up to 45 days may be required for a collection permit to be issued in Washington.

Oregon does not currently require a collecting permit for butterflies.

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References

Beyer, L. and S. H. Black. 2007. Site utilization by adults and larvae of Mardon skipper butterfly (Polites mardon) at four sites in Washington and Oregon: Final report to the Forest Service and BLM from the Xerces Society, January 2007. Unpublished report. USDI Bureau of Land Management, Portland, OR. 72 pp.

Black, S. H. 2005. Personal communication. Executive director, The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, 4828 SE Hawthorne Blvd., Portland, OR 97215.

Black, S. H., K. Hitt, and M. Vaughan. 2002. Petition to List the Mardon Skipper Butterfly (Polites Mardon) as an Endangered Species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. The Xerces Society, Gifford Pinchot Task Force, The Northwest Environmental Defense Center, Center for Biological Diversity, Oregon Natural Resources Council, Friends of the San Juans, and Northwest Ecosystem Alliance. 25 pp.

Dornfeld, E. J. 1980. The Butterflies of Oregon. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon. 276 pp.

Glassberg, J. 2001. Butterflies through binoculars: the West: a field guide to the butterflies of western north America. Oxford University Press, New York, New York. 242 pp.

Guppy, C. S. and J. H. Shepard. 2001. Butterflies of British Columbia. UBC Press. 414 pp.

Haggard, J. 2003. 2003 Status Report: Mardon Skipper in Del Norte County, California. Haggard Wildlife Consulting. Fieldbrook, CA. Report submitted to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Arcata, CA. 7 pp.

Hays, D.W. and P. Johnson. 1998. Oregon silverspot butterfly habitat restoration: annual report. Wildlife Management Program, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia. 162pp.

Hays, D. W., A. E. Potter, C. W. Thompson, and P. V. Dunn. 2000. Critical habitat components for four rare south Puget Sound grassland butterflies. Final Report. Washington Dept of Fish and Wildlife. Submitted to The Nature Conservancy. Olympia. 62 pp.

Imper, D. 2003. Vegetation characterization: High Divide Site, Del Norte County, CA. Appendix within 2003 Status Report: Mardon Skipper in Del Norte County, California (Haggard 2003). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Arcata, CA.

Newcomer, E. J. 1966. Life histories of three western species of Polites. . Journal of Research on the Lepidoptera. 5:243-247.

Nunnallee, D. Personal communication.

Pollard, E. and T.J. Yates. 1993. Monitoring butterflies for ecology and conservation: the British

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butterfly monitoring scheme. Chapman & Hall. London. 274 pp.

Potter, A. August 2005. Personal communication. Wildlife biologist, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, 600 Capitol Way N, Olympia, WA 98501.

Potter, A., J. Fleckenstein, and J. Feen. 2002. Mardon Skipper Range and Distribution in Washington in Relation to State and Federal Highways with a Habitat Description and Survey Method Guidelines, a report to the Washington Department of Transportation.

Potter, A. and J. Fleckenstein. 2001. South Cascade surveys for the Mardon skipper: Summary Year 2000. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and Washington Department of Natural Resources, Olympia, Washington.

Potter A., J. Fleckenstein, S. Richardson, and D. Hays. 1999. Washington State Status Report for the Mardon Skipper. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia. 39pp.

Pyle, R. M. 1989. Washington butterfly conservation status report and plan. Report Submitted to the Nongame Program, Washington Dept of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia. 217 pp.

Pyle, R. M. 2002. The Butterflies of Cascadia. Seattle Audubon Society. Seattle, WA. 420 pp.

Runquist, E. 2004. Workshop on the Ecology and Status of the Mardon Skipper: an unusual Pacific Northwest butterfly. Ashland, Oregon. Unpublished report. 8 pp.

Runquist, E. 2004a. 2004 Line transect sampling and surveys for Mardon skipper in Del Norte County, CA. University of California, Davis. Report submitted to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Arcata, CA.

Tilden, J.W. and A.C. Smith. 1986. Peterson field guides: Western butterflies. Houghton-Mifflin, Boston. 370pp.

Topik, C. 1989. Plant association and management for the grand fir zone. Gifford Pinchot National Forest. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region. R6-ECOL-TP-006-88. Portland, Oregon. 110 pp.

U.S. Department of Agriculture. 1995. A Field Guide to Serpentine Plant Associations and Sensitive Plants in Northwestern California. Pacific Southwest Region, Publication R5-ECOL-TP-006. California.

U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. 2005. 50 CFR Part 17, Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Review of Native Species that are Candidates or Proposed for Listing as Endangered or Threatened; Annual Notice of Findings on Resubmitted Petitions; Annual Description of Progress on Listing Actions; Proposed Rule. Federal Register Vol. 70, No. 90. May 11, 2005.

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Appendix A

Photographic Guide to Mardon Skipper and Similar Species

The following photographs and text are from the Butterflies and Skippers of North America web page: http://www.nearctica.com/butter/index.htm

Paul A. Opler, Ray E. Stanford, Harry Pavulaan, and the staff of Neartica.com, Inc., and USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center.

AtalopedesSachemAtalopedes campestris

Male forewing with a very large, well-defined stigma* with a bluish center; female forewing above with well defined light spots.

*Stigma: a dense patch of male pheromone-producing scales on the wing (stigmata, singular).

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PolitesMardon SkipperPolites mardon

Wings short and rounded; stigma of male forewing small and not elongate; maculation (spot pattern) of hindwing below formed from rectangular cells that form an L shape.

Sonora SkipperPolites sonora

Both male and female above and below a rich dark orange; hindwing below orange and light markings with small, square cells. Forewings pointed.

OchlodesWoodland SkipperOchlodes sylvanoides

Male forewing above with dark outer margin well defined; female without white spots; hindwing below with distinct.

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HesperiaThe species of the genus Hesperia can be very difficult to identify. Some species can be reliably separated only by dissection of the male and female genitalia. Ventral hind wing cell patterns are white/silver.

Juba SkipperHesperia juba

Forewings elongated and pointed; brown marginal band of forewing with projections extending inward; hindwing below greenish brown with distinct white patches.

Western Branded SkipperHesperia colorado

Part of the “comma” species group, which are best separated by geographic range. Hindwing below with spots distinct and white.

Columbian SkipperHesperia columbia

Hindwing coloration green-brown.

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Hesperia continuedLindsey's SkipperHesperia lindseyi

The nearly immaculate upperside in the male, the light yellow-orange female coloration, the yellow-orange coloration of the hindwing below, and the black spots on the outer margin of the hindwing below are distinctive.

Nevada SkipperHesperia nevada

Antennae upperside is reddish orange with diffuse dark borders and some large pale spots. Male forewing has black felt inside the stigma. Underside of the hindwing of both sexes is golden-green to gray-green with an irregular band of white spots; the basal spot may be offset inward.

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Appendix B

Butterfly Resources

Survey equipment

Bio-Quip: Located in California. www.bioquip.com – Telephone # 310-324-0620. Nets, capture jars, etc.

Carolina Biological Supply Company. www.carolina.com – Telephone # 1-800-334-5551. Nets, field guides, capture jars, collection cases, etc.

Eagle Optics: Located in Wisconsin. www.eagleoptics.com – Telephone # 1-800-289-1132. Specializing in close-focus binoculars

Books A number of excellent recent resources exist to support the study of butterflies in Oregon and Washington. When cross-referencing, be aware that common and scientific names often do not correspond between resources.

Dornfeld, E. J. 1980. The butterflies of Oregon. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon. 276 pp.The classic text for Oregon butterflies.

Guppy, C. S. and J. H. Shepard. 2001. Butterflies of British Columbia. UBC Press. 414 pp. A large, hard-bound, excellent resource text with species accounts for most Washington taxa, excluding Mardon skipper.

Hinchliff , J. 1996. An atlas of Washington butterflies: the distribution of the butterflies of Washington. The Oregon State Univ. Bookstore. 162 pp. Range maps by township for distribution of Washington butterflies.

Hinchliff, J. 1994. An atlas of Oregon butterflies: the distribution of butterflies of Oregon. The Oregon State Univ. Bookstore. 176 pp. Range maps by township for distribution of Oregon butterflies.

Makaruska, M. 2005. Butterflies of Lane County. A pocket guide to the 85 regularly occurring species of Lane County, Oregon. Eugene-Springfield NABA. 106 pp.

Pyle, R. M., 2002. The butterflies of Cascadia; A field guide to all the species of Washington, Oregon, and surrounding territories. Seattle Audubon Society, Washington.

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420 pp.

Scott, J. A. 1986. The butterflies of North America: A natural history and field guide. Stanford Univ Press.

Warren, A. D. 2005. Lepidoptera of North America 6: Butterflies of Oregon their taxonomy, distribution, and biology. C.P. Gillette Museum of Arthropod Diversity, Colorado State Univ. 408pp

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Appendix C

Draft Mardon skipper adult habitat suitability model for southern Oregon

Bayesian belief network model – last updated by Bruce Marcot 1/31/2006

Appendix D

BLM GeoBOB Fauna Survey and Observation Form The following forms are used for all BLM wildlife data collection and are not specific to butterfly data collection, but can be modified for BLM and Forest Service use.

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OR / WA BLM GeoBOB Flora/Fauna Survey Form, pg 1.(Circle appropriate option when a list is provided, Bold items are required fields, * indicates cheat sheet provided.)

SURVEY:

Survey ID: _________ Admin Unit: _______________ Sub Admin: ______________________________ Project Name: _________________________Project Unit: ______________________________________________ Start Date: ________ End Date: ___________ *Location Accuracy: ____________________________________Survey area (ac):________________________________________ USGS Quad: __________________________UTM _________________________E ______________________N Zone ______________ Datum _____________Legal Description: T __________R __________ S _______¼_______ 1/16______ 1/64________ Meridian: W H DNotes: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

VISITS:

Visit ID: ______________________ Survey Type: Monitoring, Project Clearance, Purposive, Research, Unspecified*Survey Method: __________________________ Actual Survey Area: Visit Date: _________ Date Accuracy: Day, Exact, Hour, Month, Previous Year, Year.Military Start Time (HHMM): Military End Time (HHMM): Protocol Name: ________________________________________________________________________________Observers: ___________________________________________________________________________________Notes:

TARGET SPECIES:

List all species that are the focus of the survey.Species Code Scientific Name Found (Y/N)

HABITAT/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

Slope (%):_______ Aspect (deg) ________ Elevation (ft):_________ *Landform: ________________________Stand Age: Stand Structure: Multiple Canopies, One Canopy, Two Canopies, UnspecifiedSeral Stage: Pioneer, Early (20-39yrs), Mid (40-79yrs), Late (80-200yrs), Climax ~Fire Presence: Absent, Burned, Complete Burned, High Scorched, Mod Scorched. Part Scorch, Very High ScorchAir Temp. (F): _______ Rel. Humidity (%): _______Soil Temp. (F): _______ Soil Moisture: Dry, Moist, WetLight Index: Full Shade, Full Sun, Part Shade Precipitation: Notes:_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

~If fire was present within the last 5 yearsPLEASE ATTACH MAPS of Observation or Site when helpful.

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OR / WA BLM GeoBOB Flora/Fauna Survey Form, pg 2.(Circle appropriate option when a list is provided, Bold items are required fields, * indicates cheat sheet provided.)

INVENTORY OBSERVATONS:

Create a list below of species (other than those on the target list) found during the survey. Indicate percent cover, abundance for each species, and the quantity.

Species Code

Scientific Name % Cover *Abundance Quantity

OR / WA BLM GeoBOB OBSERVATION FORM – FAUNA, pg 1.(Circle appropriate option when a list is provided, Bold items are required fields, * indicates cheat sheet provided.)

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OBSERVATION:

OBS ID: _____________________. SPECIES NAME: ______________________. SPECIES CODE: ________.OBSERVATION TYPE: Aural, Photo, Capture, Excrement, Carcass, Telemetry, Track, Visual, Sign, Other ( ). DATE: __________. DATE ACCURACY: Day, Exact, Hour, Month, Previous Year, YearOBSERV. TIME: __________. OBSERVERS:_______________________________________________________. RELIABILTY: Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor, Unknown. *LOCATION ACCURACY: ________.TOTAL QUANTITY: ___________. QUANTITY ESTIMATED Y / N ? COVER %: __________. ABUNDANCE: Unknown, Abundant, Common, Uncommon, Rare.UTM: _____________________E ___________________N. ZONE: _____________. DATUM: ______________.LAT: _____ _____ ______ W, LONG: ______ _____ _____N. GPS Unit used: ___________________________.NOTES: ________ __ ______________

DETAIL OBS:

QUANTITY: ____. GENDER: Female, Male, Neuter, Hermaph, Unknown. *AGE: __________. *ACTIVITY: ______________ . CONDITION: Dead, Excellent, Fair, Good, Injured, Live, Poor, Sick, Unk. REPRODUCTIVE STATUS: Non-repro, Repro, Unknown, N/A.NOTES: __ __ _____

HABITAT / ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

SLOPE (%): ________. ASPECT (deg): _______. ELEV. (ft): _______. *LANDFORM: ____________________.STAND AGE: _____________. STAND STRUCTURE: Multiple Canopies, Single Canopy, Two Canopies, Unspec.SERAL STAGE: Pioneer, Early (20-39yrs), Mid (40-79yrs), Late (80-200yrs), Climax. PERCENT COVER: 1) OVERSTORY: _________, 2) UNDERSTORY: _________.~ FIRE PRESENCE: Absent, Burned, Complete Burned, V. High Scorch, High Scorch, Mod. Scorch, Part Scorch. AIR TEMP (F): _______________. RELATIVE HUMIDITY (%): _________. SOIL TEMP (F): ___________.SOIL MOISTURE: Dry, Moist, Wet LIGHT INDEX: Full Shade, Full Sun, Part Shade.PRECIPITATION: ___________. WIND MEASUREMENTS: ________________________.NOTES: __ _______

COLLECTIONS:

COLLECTION OR TAG #: ____________________________________. DATE: _______________________. COLLECTION TYPE: Voucher, Museum, Commercial, Photo, ID Tag, None, Other.COLLECTOR: _________________________________. REPOSITORY: _______________________________.IDENTIFIER: __________________________________. VERIFIER: __________________________________. VERIFICATION DATE: ________________________. SPECIES CODE: __________________________________.PHOTO ID: ______ NOTES: _

FEATURES:

FEATURE ID: ___________________________. *FEATURE TYPE: ____________________________________.FEATURE STATUS: In Use, Not In Use, Unknown, Potential Use, Assumed Occupancy. FEATURE USE: ______________________. * LOCATION ACCURACY: _________. SPECIES: __________. FEATURE CONDITION: N/A, Unknown, Unusable, Usable. *DECAY CLASS: _________.FEATURE LENGTH: _ _ __. FEATURE DIAMETER: ___ ____ . FEATURE DEPTH: ____________.NOTES: _____________________________________________________________________________________

SITES:

SITE ID: ________________________________ SITE NAME: __ .*LOCATION ACCURACY: _________________. TOTAL QUANTITY: ________SPECIES CODE:____________. NOTES: ______________ ~ If fire was present within the last 5 years.

PLEASE ATTACH MAPS of Observation or Site when helpful.

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OR / WA BLM GeoBOB OBSERVATION FORM – FAUNA, pg 2.(Circle appropriate option when a list is provided, Bold items are required fields, * indicates cheat sheet provided.)

ASSOCIATED OBS:

Below, list non-target species found in the same geographic location as the observation species. If needed, indicate percent cover, abundance and / or quantity for each species.

Species Code

Scientific Name % Cover *Abundance Quantity

ADDITIONAL OBSERVATION LOCATIONS:

If more than one observation species is found in the survey area and is within the survey site, record the location, Obs ID, and notes here. If specifics about the additional observation need to be recorded (feature, detail observation, or collection information), complete a separate Obs form.

Latitude/UTM E Longitude/UTM N Obs ID Notes

PLEASE ATTACH MAPS of Observation or Site when helpful.

CHEAT SHEET for GeoBOB Field Forms

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Location Accuracy:1) GENERATED – Generated by GeoBOB 9) MAP5- Mapped d to w/n 1/2 mile of actual location 2) GPS1-Precision w/n 3ft or less 10) MAP6-Precision of mapped location cannot be determined3) GPS2-Precision w/n 30ft or less 11) TR10-Legal description to the 1/64 section (w/n 10 acres)4) GPS3-Precision w/n 300ft or less 12) TR40-Legal description to the 1/16 section (w/n 40 acres)5) MAP1-Mapped to w/n 150ft of actual location 13) TR160-Legal description to the ¼ section (w/n 160 acres)6) MAP2- Mapped to w/n 300ft of actual location 14) TR320-Legal description to the ½ section (w/n 320 acres)7) MAP3- Mapped to w/n 1/8 mile of actual location 15) TR640-Legal description to the section (w/n 640 acres) 8) MAP4- Mapped to w/n 1/4 mile of actual location 16) VAGUE-Observation documented in vague descriptions

Survey Method:1) Area Constrained 10) Group Belt Transect 19) Pitfall Trap2) Belt Transect 11) Hair Trap 20) Quadrat3) Call Stations 12) Incidental 21) Road Survey4) Camera 13) Individual Tree Exam 22) Snap Trap5) Casual Observation 14) Intuitive Controlled 23) Snow Track6) Continuous Calling Walk Through 15) Key Feature Sample 24) Telemetry7) Complete 16) Line Transect 25) Time Constrained8) Cursory 17) Modified Line Transect 26) Unspecified9) Fixed Stations 18) Other 27) Variable Plot

Landform:1) ALFA - Alluvial Fan 37) GLUP - Glaciated Uplands 73) SCRE – Scree2) ALLU - Alluvium 38) GULL - Gully 74) SEBO - Semi-Bolson

3) BALD - Bald 39) GULC - Gulch 75) SEEP - Seep4) ALVA - Alluvial Valley 40) HEAD - Headwall 76) SHOA - Shoal5) BALL - Ballon 41) HIGH - Highland 77) SLOU - Slough6) BASI - Basin 42) HILL - Hills 78) STTE - Stream Terrace (Undifferentiated)7) BAY - Bay 43) HUMM - Hummock 79) SWAL - Swale8) BENC - Bench 44) INBA - Intermontane Basin 80) TALU - Talus9) BLOW - Blowout 45) ISLA - Island 81) TIPL - Till Plain10) BLUF - Bluff 46) KARS - Karst 82) TREN - Trench11) BOLS - Bolson 47) KNOB/MOUD - Knob or Mound 83) TROU - Trough (Glacial Valley)

12) BOTT - Bottomland 48) LAHA - Lahar 84) VALL - Valleys13) BR – Bar 49) LAPA - Lava Plain 85) WASH - Wash14) BREA - Break 50) LAPL - Lava Plateau15) CANY - Canyon 51) LEDG - Ledge16) CHAN - Channel 52) LOWL - Lowlands17) CIRQ - Cirque 53) MORA - Moraine18) CLIF - Cliff 54) MOUN - Mountain19) COAS - Coast 55) NOTC - Notch20) COFA - Colluvial Fan 56) OTHER - Other21) COLL - Colluvium 57) PEAK - Peak22) COPL - Coastal Plain 58) PENI - Peninsula23) DELT - Delta 59) PINN - Pinnacle24) DEPR - Depression 60) PLAI - Plains25) DEST - Depositional Stream Terrace 61) PLAT - Plateau26) DIVI - Divide 62) POTH - Pot Hole27) DRAI - Drainage 63) RANG - Range28) DRAW - Draw 64) RAVI - Ravine29) DRFI - Drumlin Field 65) RIDG - Ridge 30) DUFI - Dune Field 66) RIPA - Riparian31) ESCA - Escarpment 67) RIVE - River32) FLAT - Flat 68) RTVA - Rift Valley 33) FLOO - Floor 69) SADD - Saddle 34) FLPL - Floodplain 70) SAND - Sand Hills35) FOOT - Foothills 71) SCAB - Scabland36) GAP - Gap 72) SCOU - Scour

Decay Class for logs and snags): Abundance:1) 1 – Declining or recently dead tree (snag limbs present) 1) Abundant 2) 2 – Snag with partially loose bark (small twigs absent) 2) Common3) 3 – Deteriorating snag (bole intact, trace of bark) 3) Uncommon4) 4 – Partial decomposed shag (bole loosing shape, bark absent) 4) Unknown5) 5 – Decomposed snag (snag form mostly gone) 5) Very Uncommon

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CHEAT SHEETDetail Obs (Fauna Only)

Age: Activity:1) Adult 1) Basking 13) Fleeing 22) Other2) Chick 2) Bedding 14) Flying 23) Pair Formation3) Declining 3) Begging 15) Grooming 24) Resting4) Egg/Embryo 4) Birthing 16) Hibernating 25) Respond to Call5) Egg Mass 5) Brooding/Incub 17) Hunting/Forage 26) Roosting6) Fledgling 6) Circling 18) Licking Minerals 27) Spawning7) Hatchling 7) Dead 19) Mating/Courting 28) Swimming8) Instar 8) Denning 20) Migrating 29) Territorial Behavior9) Juvenile 9) Displaying 21) Nesting 30) Unknown10) Larvae 10) Estivating 31) Vocal11) Metamorphosing 11) Feeding/Drink 32) Walking12) Nestling 12) Fighting 33) Wallowing13) Pupae14) Sub-Adult15) Tadpole16) Unknown17) Yearling18) Young

Feature Use:1) Basking/Loafing 7) Macro habitat 13) Other 19) Rub/Claw2) Breeding/Mating 8) Maternity 14) Perch 20) Scent/Marking Post3) Courtship Ritual 9) Microhabitat 15) Plucking Post 21) Seasonal4) Feeding 10) Near 16) Protection 22) Shelter5) Hibernation 11) Nesting 17) Rearing 23) Substrate6) In 12) On 18) Roost 24) Under

Feature Type:1) Agricultural Land 30) Fen 59) Moss 87) Seep2) Algal Mat 31) Fence 60) Mud 88) Serpentine3) Bank 32) Foraging 61) Needles 89) Shrub4) Bark 33) Forb 62) Nest 90) Shrub Wetland5) Bedrock 34) Fungi 63) Nest Structure 91) Silt6) Bird/Bat Box 35) Gravel 64) Opening/Cleaning 92) Snag7) Bog 36) Guzzler/Cistern 65) Other 93) Soil8) Bole 37) Herd Boundary 66) Pasture 94) Spring9) Boulder 38) Hibernaculum 67) Pebble 95) Spring-Cold10) Branch 39) Hive 68) Pit 96) Spring-Hot11) Bridge 40) Human Structure 69) Pole/Post 97) Stem12) Brush/Slash Pile 41) Ice 70) Pond 98) Stream13) Building 42) Individual Territory 71) Potential Habitat 99) Stream-Ephemeral14) Burrow 43) Lake 72) Pumice 100) Steam-Perennial15) Burrow System 44) Ledge 73) Quarry 101) Stump16) Calving/Fawning 45) Lek 74) Riparian 102) Summer Range17) Cave 46) Lichen 75) Road 103) Swamp18) Cavity 47) Lithosol 76) Rock 104) Talus19) Cliff 48) Litter 77) Rock Garden-Dry 105) Trail20) Cobble 49) Log 78) Rock Garden-Moist 106) Tree21) Crevice 50) Macrophyte 79) Rock Outcrop 107) Vernal Pool22) Critical Habitat 51) Meadow 80) Rookery 108) Wallow23) Culvert 52) Meadow-Dry 81) Rootwad 109) Waterfall24) Dead Shrub 53) Meadow-Moist 82) Sand 110) Winter Range25) Deciduous Leaves 54) Meadow-Wet 83) Sand Beach 111) Woody Debris26) Den 55) Migration Route 84) Sand Dune 112) Yearlong Range27) Ditch 56) Mine 85) Scabland28) Duff 57) Mineral Lick 86) Scrape/Rub29) Dung/Scat 58) Mineral Deposit

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