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TRANSCRIPT
2012 Spring Avian SurveyWilton IV Wind Energy Center
2012 Spring Avian Survey
Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Burleigh County North Dakota
Prepared for
August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Tetra Tech EC Inc (Tetra Tech) was contracted by Wilton IV Wind LLC (Wilton IV)) to
undertake spring avian use surveys for the proposed Wilton IV Wind Energy Center (Project) in
Burleigh County North Dakota The Project is located on private lands and is tentatively
designed to have a nameplate capacity of 99 megawatts (MW) consisting of 62 GE 16 MW xle
wind turbine generators The studies were conducted to identify potential avian impacts
associated with building and operating the wind conversion facility Birds have been identified as
a group potentially at risk because of collisions with wind turbines and power lines and
displacement due to the presence of the associated structures Weekly surveys were performed at
the Project from March 16 to June 15 2012 which included the spring migratory and early
summer seasons Fixed point count surveys (800-meter [m] radius) were conducted at 7 points
distributed throughout the Wilton IV Project area
A total of 5376 birds from 52 species including 653 that could not be identified to species were
observed within the Project area Overall mean bird use within the Project area was 5486
birds20 minutes (min) and ranged from 0 to 603 birds20 min
Recent studies suggest that pre-construction avian use rates do not necessarily correlate with
post-construction fatality Thus the mean-use rates at the Wilton IV Wind Power Project do not
necessarily predict the risk of collision with turbines Factors such as speciesrsquo behavioral
characteristics and weather events factors not quantified in this survey can also influence
collision risk
The non-raptor species with the highest mean use came from four different species groups
Songbirds Waterfowl CranesRails and GullsTerns and included the Canada goose (1437
birds20 min) sandhill crane (1102 birds20 min) unidentified sparrow (665 birds20 min) red-
winged blackbird (559 birds20 min) and Franklinrsquos gull (283 birds20 min) Species with a
high frequency of detection during the surveys but with a low mean use included ring-necked
pheasant (observed in 745 percent of all surveys) horned lark (observed in 612 percent of all
surveys) and western meadowlark (observed in 480 percent of all surveys) Of these species the
Canada goose sandhill crane unidentified sparrow and Franklinrsquos gull had encounter rates
above 100 birds flying at the height of the RSA20 min Canada geese are found as fatalities at
other wind facilities but in low numbers (less than 6) Sandhill cranes have demonstrated turbine
avoidance and to date there are no public records of turbine-related fatalities for the sandhill
crane suggesting minimal risk of turbine-related fatalities for this species at the Project
Franklinrsquos gulls have not been recorded as fatalities at windfarms with publicly available data
suggesting minimal risk of turbine-related fatalities at the Project The red-winged blackbird
horned lark western meadowlark and ring-necked pheasant are commonly found as turbineshy
ES-1 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
related fatalities but any fatalities of these species at the Project are not likely to have
population-level impacts
Raptor mean use at the Project was low relative to projects with publically available use data
Red-tailed hawks and northern harriers had the highest mean use among raptors (both 016
birds20 min) These species had encounter rates of 013 and 000 birds flying at the RSA
height20 min respectively Northern harriers are considered to have a low risk flight behavior
for collisions whereas red-tailed hawks have been observed engaging in high-risk flight
behaviors at operational wind facilities Results from post-construction fatality monitoring
studies indicate that red-tailed hawks are frequently found as turbine-related fatalities however
few fatalities are expected within the Project area based on low frequency of observation for this
species Additional raptor species observed during surveys included Swainsonrsquos hawk
American kestrel peregrine falcon and great-horned owl Swainsonrsquos hawk and American
kestrel have been recorded as fatalities at other wind facilities Peregrine falcon and great-horned
owl have no recorded fatalities observed at wind farms with publicly available data All four
species are likely to have low risk for turbine collisions at the Project due to low mean-use rates
Additionally 2 active red-tailed hawk 1 active Swainsonrsquos hawk and 2 unknown inactive raptor
nests were detected within the Project area and a 1-mile buffer around the Project The raptor
nesting activity is considered to be low but may present an additional increased risk for turbine
collisions when any young of the year raptors begin to fledge (ie leave the nest)
LISTED AND SENSITIVE SPECIES
No federally listed threatened or endangered species were detected as an incidental observation
during avian point count raptor or lek surveys One adult golden eagle was detected as an
incidental observation The golden eagle is protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle
Protection Act A total of 9 sharp-tailed grouse leks were located within the Project area and 1shy
mile buffer during the grouse lek surveys Four of the leks are within the Project area indicating
a moderate use of the Project area by the species No state listed species with regulatory
implications were detected during surveys However all native migratory avian species are
protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 To date the US Fish and Wildlife Service
has not initiated any law enforcement action against any wind development company based on
avian fatalities
ES-2 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Table ES-1 Spring Avian Use Summary
Variable Result Details
Non-raptors
Mean use 5449 birds20 min
Moderate risk (Section 31)
Federally listed1 species observed within the Project area No
State-listed species2
within the Project area 8 Section 35
Grouse leks observed within the Project area Yes 4 sharp tailed grouse leks (Section 34)
Grouse leks observed within 1 mile of the Project area Yes 5 sharp tailed grouse leks (Section 34)
Raptors
Mean use 037 birds20 min Low risk (Section 31)
Eagles observed within the Project area Yes Golden eagle (Section 35)
Federally1
listed species observed within the Project area No
State-listed2 species within the Project area 4 Section 35
Habitat
Native habitat likely to be affected by development Yes Native prairie
Lakes (waterfowl and crane attractant) Yes Small cattle ponds
Wetlands (attractant for cranes waterfowl and other water-based species)
Yes Low areas and along Apple Creek
Cliffs (raptor nesting and traveling) None
River (permanent water source migration corridor) Yes West branch of Apple Creek
Known refuges or habitat features that may funnel migrants None 1Federally listed species include species listed as endangered threatened or candidate under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) 2The North Dakota Game and Fish Department maintains a list of Species of Conservation Priority (Hagen et al 2005) but are not afforded any formal protection by the state and there are no permitting requirements for these listed species
ES-3 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ES-I
10 INTRODUCTION 1
11 WIND ENERGY AND BIRDS 1 12 STUDY DESCRIPTION 2
20 METHODS 3
21 AVIAN SURVEYS 3 211 Fixed-point Surveys 3 212 Raptor Nest Surveys 4 213 Lek Location Surveys 5 214 Incidental Observations 5 215 Listed Species Information 5 216 Data Quality AssuranceQuality Control 6
22 ANALYSIS 6 221 Species Groupings 6 222 Avian Use 7 223 Flight Behavior 7 224 Encounter Rate 7 225 Fatality Risk 8
30 RESULTS 8
31 AVIAN USE AND FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE 8 32 FLIGHT HEIGHT AND ENCOUNTER RATE 10 33 RAPTOR NEST SURVEYS 10 34 LEK SURVEYS 10 35 INCIDENTAL OBSERVATIONS 11 36 LISTED SPECIES 11
40 DISCUSSION 11
41 NON-RAPTOR USE AND COLLISION RISK 12 42 RAPTOR USE AND COLLISION RISK 13 43 LISTED SPECIES 14 44 CONCLUSIONS 14
50 REFERENCES 15
ES-4 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1 Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Vicinity map
Figure 2 Wilton IV Wind Energy Center point count location map
Figure 3 Non-raptor mean use by survey date in Spring 2012 at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Figure 4 Non-raptor mean use by point count location map (Spring 2012)
Figure 5 Raptor mean use by survey date in Spring 2012 at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Figure 6 Raptor mean use by point count location map (Spring 2012)
Figure 7 Raptor nest and lek location map (Spring 2012)
LIST OF TABLES
Table ES-1 Spring Avian Use Summary
Table 1 Spring 2012 point count survey dates at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Table 4 Summary of avian flight heights in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA) during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA) during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Table 6 Incidental observations of birds during Spring 2012 point counts at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
List of Appendices
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Appendix 3 Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
ES-5 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
10 INTRODUCTION
11 WIND ENERGY AND BIRDS
Wind energy provides a clean renewable energy source As wind power has become more
common the need to address potential environmental impacts has increased Birds have been
identified as a group potentially at risk because of collisions with wind turbines and power lines
and displacement due to the presence of the associated structures (Erickson et al 2005 Drewitt
and Langston 2006 Arnett et al 2007) Specifically migrant passerines (eg songbirds) are
found more often in post-construction fatality monitoring compared to other groups of birds
(Arnett et al 2007) In fact at newer generation wind energy facilities outside of California
approximately 80 percent of documented fatalities have been songbirds of which 50 percent are
often nocturnal migrants (Erickson et al 2001 Johnson et al 2002 Drewitt and Langston 2006
Strickland and Morrison 2008) Locally breeding songbirds may experience lower fatality rates
than migrants because many of these species tend not to fly at turbine heights during the
breeding season However some breeding songbird species have behaviors that increase the risk
of collisions with turbines For example horned larks have been commonly found as fatalities at
wind farms that may be partially attributed to the breeding flight displays within the rotor swept
area (Pickwell 1931 Johnson and Erickson 2011)
Despite the observation that most wind farm fatalities are songbirds raptor fatality historically
has received the most attention due to high fatality rates at the Altamont Wind Project in
California (Thelander et al 2003) Raptor fatalities at newer generation wind projects has been
low relative to previous generation wind farms although there is substantial regional variation
(Johnson et al 2002 Erickson et al 2002 2004 Kerns and Kerlinger 2004 Jain et al 2007)
Although raptor fatality is reduced at newer generation facilities raptors remain the avian species
group considered most susceptible to collisions with turbines (Strickland et al 2011) Therefore
local micro-siting and site evaluation efforts are still necessary to minimize potential project-
related impacts to raptors
In addition to fatality associated with wind farms there is potential for bird species to avoid
areas near turbines or experience habitat displacement after the wind farm is in operation
(Drewitt and Langston 2006) To date evidence of this potential impact to birds does not
demonstrate a distinct trend some studies have found a decreased density or abundance of birds
near turbines (eg grassland songbirds Leddy et al 1999 Erickson et al 2004 Shaffer and
Johnson 2009) while others have found no evidence of declines near turbines (Devereux et al
2008 Shaffer and Johnson 2009 Pearce-Higgins et al 2012) However Pearce-Higgins et al
(2012) detected disturbance-related effects during construction indicating that disturbance
effects may occur on a short-term basis
1 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Particular concern over avoidance issues has been raised by agencies and non-governmental
groups with respect to grouse species (Manville 2004 USFWS 2012a) However the existing
information on avoidance by grouse species is limited to observational studies with results
varying by grouse species and source of disturbance (roads oil and gas wells vertical structures
transmission lines) Studies of grouse and anthropogenic features have reported that some
species of grouse avoid transmission lines improved roads buildings oil and gas wells and
communication towers (Pitman et al 2005 Pruett et al 2009 and Johnson et al 2011) But other
studies have found no evidence of avoidance of transmission lines or of wind facilities (Johnson
et al 2011 Johnson et al 2012) The only published research on operational wind facilities and
grouse suggest long-term data sets are needed to adequately assess impacts (Johnson et al 2012)
Finally most native migratory birds are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA)
of 1918 Under the MBTA it is unlawful to take (ie kill) any migratory bird including nests
and nest contents Currently there are no permits for incidental take of migratory birds
(Beveridge 2005) However the USFWS does not usually take action if good faith efforts have
been made to minimize impacts To date no wind development company has been charged for
violations of the MBTA Additionally The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA)
prohibit the take of any bald or golden eagle alive or dead including any part nest or egg
Currently applications for incidental take under BGEPA for golden eagles are currently being
considered by USFWS west of 100 degrees west longitude (USFWS 2009) which would include
this Project
12 STUDY DESCRIPTION
Wilton Wind IV LLC (Wilton Wind IV) a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources LLC is
planning to develop the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center (Project) in Burleigh County North
Dakota (Figure 1) located entirely on private lands Wilton Wind IV is committed to
environmental due diligence and has contracted Tetra Tech EC Inc (Tetra Tech) to conduct
spring avian surveys at the Project to quantify local avian use in the area and to evaluate the
potential impacts of the Project to birds detected during the survey The objectives meet the
requirements recommended under the Tier 3 of the USFWS Land-Based Wind Energy
Guidelines (USFWS 2012a)
The Project covers 15752 acres and is mostly located in the Northwestern Glaciated Plains
Ecoregion with western portions of the Project located in the Northwestern Great Plains
Ecoregion (Bryce et al 1996) This semiarid region of North Dakota includes level to rolling
plains topography with isolated sandstone buttes or badlands formations Historically much of
the landscape was a mix of western mixed-grass prairie and short-grass prairie with associated
wetlands of the Missouri Slope and River Breaks subregions (Bryce et al 1996) Today native
grasslands still persist mostly in areas of steep or broken topography and have been largely
2 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
replaced by agriculture in level areas Agriculture in the area is predominantly dry-land farming
of barley sunflowers corn spring and winter wheat interspersed with cattle grazing
North Dakota has 365 documented bird species (Faanes and Stewart 1982) and is situated within
the Central Flyway one of the main bird migratory routes in North America (USFWS 2011b)
The Central Flyway runs through the central portion of the US and as a consequence the
Project Area During spring migration most birds that move along the Central Flyway travel
from the tropics of South America via the Gulf of Mexico through the central states eventually
reaching breeding grounds as far away as Alaska and northern Canada (USFWS 2011b)
20 METHODS
To evaluate avian risk at wind energy facilities standardized protocols for pre-construction point
counts have been established and were used in this study This protocol is designed to be
responsive to the level of effort recommended in the National Wind Coordinating Committeersquos
Comprehensive Guide to Studying Wind EnergyWildlife Interactions (Strickland et al 2011)
and the US Fish and Wildlife Service Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines (USFWS 2012a)
Data collected from these counts are used to identify species or species groups that may be at
risk from Project development and may provide additional information for micro-siting wind
facilities to minimize impacts to birds Results in this report are presented in terms of species
groups and highlight any federal and state-listed protected species
21 AVIAN SURVEYS
211 Fixed-point Surveys
An experienced field biologist conducted 20-minute (min) point count surveys at 7 locations
within Project area to evaluate avian use behavior and species (Figure 2) The biologist
conducted 14 weekly surveys from March 16 through June 15 2012 (Table 1) thereby
encompassing the spring migration and summer breeding seasons Tetra Tech distributed the
survey locations throughout the Project area and chose locations that maximized the 360-degree
sight distance for the observer and covered a diversity of habitats
The field biologist collected data on all birds observed within an 800-m radius of the point count
location Surveys at each point lasted for 20 minutes during which time the biologist
continuously recorded any visual or auditory observations The biologist recorded the following
data species number of individuals time of observation height aboveground and behavior The
biologist estimated flight heights and distances using existing reference points such as
meteorological towers and local transmission lines as well as landscape contours shown on
topographic maps Flight direction was recorded for individuals making directional flights
through the Project area but was not recorded for individuals making localized movements
3 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
The survey protocol used in this study is designed to collect data on all bird species and to
provide results that are comparable with other studies at wind farms rather than to target specific
taxa The benefit of using this protocol is that it estimates avian use throughout the day and
captures activity by a variety of bird species During the breeding season and to a lesser extent
in the fall and winter songbirds are most active in the morning and can be difficult to detect
during the afternoon In contrast raptors become active as the sunlight heats the air and creates
thermals which many individuals use for soaring (Ballam 1984) Thus raptors are more readily
detected several hours after sunrise Therefore this protocol is appropriate for characterizing the
entire bird community using the Project It should be noted however that this survey protocol
can only detect nocturnal migrants should they be local breeders within the Project area or if they
utilize the Project as stopover habitat
Tetra Tech chose 20-minute survey periods because they provide adequate time to detect both
raptors and non-raptors However time periods of 20 minutes may lead to double-counting of
songbirds (ie counting the same individual more than once) because individuals may appear
and disappear from view For example if a horned lark is detected perched on a fence then
disappears from view and 6 minutes later a horned lark is seen flying these birds are recorded
as separate observations because it is not possible to distinguish individuals Double-counting of
birds is not problematic for this type of survey because the objective is to document use in terms
of number of birds noted per 20-minute survey not number of distinct individual birds
Detectability varies among species and potentially not all individuals within the 800-m radius
were counted This variation in detectability results in an overestimate of mean use for
conspicuous species and an underestimate of mean use for reclusive species (Thompson 2002)
Birds not easily identifiable such as those seen under low light conditions or small birds seen at
a distance were identified to the lowest taxonomic level possible Hence unidentified birds are
included in the results
212 Raptor Nest Surveys
The purpose of raptor nest surveys is to estimate the number of active and inactive raptor nests in
the Project area A biologist conducted the raptor nest survey across the Project area before trees
began to leaf out to increase visibility of raptor nests Where possible biologists also surveyed
an approximately 1-mile radius buffer around the Project area Once a nest was located the
biologist returned during the raptor breeding season to collect data on species location and
activity status Nests were classified as active if they had presence of an adult or young active
territory defense by an individual or the presence of feathers egg shells or droppings underneath
the nest otherwise they were classified as inactive In addition biologists determined the nest
condition and substrate Biologists visited nests a minimum of two times once to determine the
location of the nest and once to determine if the nest was active This second check also allowed
4 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
biologists to detect late-nesting species such as Swainsonrsquos hawks Raptor nest surveys provide
an estimate of the number and species of raptors that use stick nests in the area Ground-nesting
raptor species such as northern harriers were not surveyed
213 Lek Location Surveys
The USFWS along with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department (NDGFD) have expressed
concern regarding residential sharp-tailed grouse as a species of habitat fragmentation concern as
outlined in the USFWS published Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines (USFWS 2012a) A
biologist from Wenck Associates Inc (Wenck) conducted grouse lek surveys to identify areas of
use by breeding prairie grouse within the Project and surrounding area Surveys were completed
from April 10th to May 1st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise to two hours after sunrise within the
one-mile of the Project A detailed report on the methods and results are presented in a separate
report in Appendix 3
214 Incidental Observations
Incidental observations included observations that occurred 1) during travel between points 2)
before or after the official 20-min survey period 3) outside of the 800-m radius circular plot and
4) during raptor nest and grouse lek surveys Biologists recorded these observations on separate
data sheets and these data were not used in the formal analysis however a summary of
incidental birds is presented to provide additional information about species found in the local
area
215 Listed Species Information
The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA) prohibits the take of any bald or golden
eagle alive or dead including any part nest or egg ldquoTakerdquo is defined as ldquopursue shoot shoot
at poison wound kill capture trap collect molest or disturbrdquo a bald or golden eagle ldquoDisturbrdquo
means to agitate or bother an eagle to a degree that causes or is likely to cause 1) injury to an
eagle 2) a decrease in its productivity by substantially interfering with normal breeding
feeding or sheltering behavior or 3) nest abandonment by substantially interfering with normal
breeding feeding or sheltering behavior Applications for incidental take under BGEPA for
golden eagles are currently being considered by USFWS west of 100 degrees west longitude
which includes this Project (USFWS 2009)
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) as administered by the USFWS mandates protection of
species federally listed as threatened or endangered and their associated habitats The ESA
makes it unlawful to ldquotakerdquo a listed species Take is defined as ldquoto harass harm pursue hunt
shoot wound kill trap capture or collect or attempt to engage in any such conductrdquo (USFWS
2011b) A list of endangered threatened and candidate species for Burleigh County can be found
at httpecosfwsgovtess_publiccountySearchspeciesByCountyReportactionfips=38015
5 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
The State of North Dakota does not have a state endangered or threatened species list Only those
species listed by the ESA are considered threatened or endangered in North Dakota However the
NDGFD have identified 100 Species of Conservation Priority within North Dakota These
species are ranked in three priority levels based on such factors as known status funding
availability and presence of breeding habitat within North Dakota (Hagen et al 2005) The
definitions of each rank are listed below
Level I A species having a high level of conservation priority because of declining status either in North Dakota or across their range or a high rate of occurrence in North Dakota constituting the core of the speciesrsquo breeding range but are at-risk range wide and non-State Wildlife Grants funding is not readily available to them
Level II Species having a moderate level of conservation priority or a high level of conservation priority but a substantial amount of non-State Wildlife Grant funding is available to them
Level III North Dakotarsquos species having a moderate level of conservation priority but are believed to be peripheral or do not breed in North Dakota
Species that are listed under the 100 Species of Conservation Priority are not afforded any formal
protection by the state or require special take permits Additional information on North Dakota
Species of Conservation Priority can be found at httpwwwgfndgovconservation-nongameshy
wildlifespecies-conservation-priority
216 Data Quality AssuranceQuality Control
Tetra Tech implemented quality assurance and quality control measures during all stages of data
collection analysis and report preparation To ensure legibility and completeness of data sheets
each biologist reviewed all data sheets providing clarification as needed before data entry into a
FileMaker Protrade relational database for data storage and analysis Prior to analysis an
independent reviewer conducted a 100-percent quality review of the data entries Any questions
that arose at this time were directed toward and answered by the field biologist
22 ANALYSIS
221 Species Groupings
Tetra Tech considered two primary groups of interest raptors and non-raptors Tetra Tech
defined raptors as vultures hawks eagles falcons and owls All other species groups are
defined as non-raptors
6 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
222 Avian Use
Tetra Tech derived avian use (mean use) of the Project by calculating the average number of
birds observed per 20-min survey at each point To evaluate the diversity and composition of
avian species using the Project area Tetra Tech summarized the number of individuals (birds20
min) and species Tetra Tech also calculated a measure of variability (90 percent confidence
intervals) for all mean use values In addition the number of observations is also presented
where an observation can be either an individual bird or a discrete flock of birds This
information helps evaluate whether high mean use is driven by a single event (eg a large flock
of birds moving through the Project area on migration) Because individual birds are not
uniquely marked and identified actual population size or abundance cannot be determined One
individual may be counted multiple times during a survey period or across survey periods
Although mean use of a given species does not equate to abundance it does provide an index
that is likely proportional to abundance and activity within the Project
223 Flight Behavior
Tetra Tech evaluated flight behavior by calculating the proportion of flying birds observed
below within or above the height of the anticipated turbine rotor swept area (RSA) Wilton IV
plans to develop the Project using General Electric 16 Megawatt (MW) turbines These turbines
have a hub height of 80 meters and rotor diameter of 100 meters With these specifications the
estimated RSA was between 30 and 130 m above ground Tetra Tech considered a bird to have
flown within the height range of the anticipated RSA if any of its recorded heights fell within the
upper or lower limits of the anticipated RSA
224 Encounter Rate
To estimate the rate at which a species flew at the height of the anticipated RSA Tetra Tech
applied the following equation to every species observed in the Project area
Encounter Rate = APfPt
A is the mean number of birds20 min for a given species Pf is the proportion of all activity
observations for a given species that were flying and Pt is the proportion flying observations that
were within the height range of a turbine RSA for a given species The encounter rate provides
information on the rate at which a species may move at a height that is consistent with the RSA
of the proposed turbines This information is an important component in evaluating risk of
collisions however this number alone does not indicate project-related impact to a species
Species with a high encounter rate are at a higher risk of collision than species with a low
encounter rate but it does not mean that turbine-related fatalities are certain Other factors such
as turbine location or a speciesrsquo ability to detect turbine blades flight maneuverability and
7 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
habitat selection also influence fatality (Orloff and Flannery 1992 Drewitt and Langston 2008
Martin 2011) Encounter values are sensitive to large flocks of birds flying within the RSA
height that is a species will have a high encounter rate even if only seen once in the RSA in a
large flying flock
225 Fatality Risk
The highly regional nature of avian mean use across North America and the scarce data on avian
fatalities at wind farms in many parts of the continent combined with other risk influences such
as individual species behavior and weather contribute to uncertainty in predicting fatality rates
(Arnett et al 2007 Strickland et al 2011) A recent meta-analysis suggests that pre-construction
studies provide poor indicators of post-construction fatality (Ferrer et al 2012) WEST (2011)
suggests that the most accurate predictors of fatality at a wind project are records of species-
specific fatalities detected at nearby wind projects As a result of uncertainty in predicting
fatality rates Tetra Tech did not attempt to derive fatality estimates from mean use data but will
highlight those species or groups with high use values that may experience Project-related
fatalities or whose regional population could be impacted by development Additionally Tetra
Tech will highlight species with high frequencies of observation high encounter rates and those
with records of turbine-related fatality at other wind projects as these variables may also indicate
potential collision risk at the Project
30 RESULTS
31 AVIAN USE AND FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE
Biologists surveyed 3476 acres of the Project area during point count surveys covering 22
percent of the Project arearsquos total area (15752 acres) The 7 point count locations were surveyed
14 times resulting in 98 total 20-min surveys A total of 5376 birds from 52 species and 653
that could not be identified to species (all unidentified sparrows) were recorded within the
Project area during the fixed-point count surveys (Table 2) Overall mean bird use for the Wilton
IV Wind Energy Center was 5486 birds20 min and ranged from 0 to 603 birds20 min
Overall mean use by non-raptors was 5449 birds20 min Songbirds Waterfowl and
CranesRails comprised 387 300 and 201 percent of all species observed respectively and
were distributed throughout the Project area Among species groups mean use was highest for
songbirds (2126 birds20 min Table 2) and songbirds were observed in 949 percent of all
surveys The non-raptor species with the highest mean use came from four different species
groups Songbirds Waterfowl CranesRails and GullsTerns and included the Canada goose
(1437 birds20 min observed in 133 percent of all surveys) sandhill crane (1102 birds20 min
observed in 122 percent of all surveys) unidentified sparrow (665 birds20 min 41 percent of
all surveys) red-winged blackbird (559 birds20 min observed in 378 percent of all surveys)
8 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
and Franklinrsquos gull (283 birds20 min observed in 31 percent of all surveys Table 2) Other
species with a high frequency of detection during the surveys but with a low mean use included
ring-necked pheasant (151 birds20 min observed in 745 percent of all surveys) horned lark
(177 birds20 min 612 percent of all surveys) and western meadowlark (082 birds20 min
480 percent of all surveys Table 2) Each other non-raptor species had a mean use of less than
190 birds20 min or was detected in less than 48 percent of all surveys Other non-raptor species
groups observed during the surveys included Gamebirds PigeonsDoves Waterbirds and
Woodpeckers (Table 2)
Non-raptor mean use was highest on March 16 (24743 birds20 min) April 20 (19914 birds20
min) and March 26 (12571 birds20 min Figure 3) Observations on March 16 were comprised
of mostly Canada geese (1138 individuals observed in 17 flocks ranging in size from 20 to 140
individuals 77 of all observations) The primary contributors to the high mean use on April 20
were unidentified sparrows (645 individuals observed in 6 distinct flocks and ranging from 25 to
250 individuals) red-winged blackbird (392 individuals) and Franklinrsquos gull (277 individuals)
On March 26 the primary contributor to the high mean use was the sandhill crane (772
individuals distributed between 8 flocks ranging from 15 to 275 individuals) Mean use for nonshy
raptors was highest at point count location 3 (10314 birds20 min Figure 4) Species
contributing to the high mean use at this point included sandhill crane (621 individuals) Canada
goose (523 individuals) and Franklinrsquos gull (100 individuals Table 3) The habitat at point 3
consists of row crops (wheat) and short-grass prairie possibly enrolled in the Conservation
Reserve Program (CRP) The habitat at this point is not unique within the Project area However
most of the birds observed at point 3 were flying through the Project area in flocks of 15 to 275
individuals and not stopping in the immediate vicinity of the Project
Raptors are a group of special interest because of their propensity to fly at heights similar to a
turbine RSA Overall mean use for raptors was 037 birds20 min (Table 2) raptors were not
among the most frequently observed species groups during the spring surveys The raptor species
with the highest mean use was the red-tailed hawk (016 birds20 min observed in 122 percent
of all surveys) and northern harrier (016 birds20 min observed in 143 percent of all surveys)
Other raptor species detected included the Swainsonrsquos hawk and peregrine falcon great-horned
owl and American kestrel each with mean use value of 001 birds20 min with each observed in
10 percent of all surveys (Table 2)
Mean use by raptors was highest on March 26 (129 birds20 min) and May 3 (100 birds20 min
Figure 5) Observations on March 26 included red-tailed hawk (5 individuals) northern harrier
(3 individuals) and American kestrel (1 individual) Observations on May 26 included 4 red-
tailed hawks 2 northern harriers and 1 peregrine falcon Mean use for raptors was less than 058
birds20 min for all other survey dates Mean use for raptors was highest at point count locations
4 1 and 3 (064 064 and 057 birds20 min respectively Figure 6) Species contributing to the
9 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
mean use at these points were mostly red-tailed hawks and northern harriers (Table 3) In
addition to red-tailed hawks and northern harriers point count location 1 had one American
kestrel and one Peregrine falcon Raptor mean use was equal to or less than 029 birds20 min at
all other points Point count locations 4 1 and 3 each encompass short-grass prairie and
agricultural (mostly wheat) fields both of which provide foraging opportunities for raptors
These features are not unique to these point count locations or within the Project area
32 FLIGHT HEIGHT AND ENCOUNTER RATE
During spring avian use surveys biologists collected behavioral data for 986 percent of all birds
observed during point count surveys of which 834 percent were observed flying The biologist
collected flight height data for 999 percent and flight direction for 835 percent of those
observations (ie most individuals were observed making directional flights) Of non-raptor
species observed flying 372 percent flew above the height of the anticipated RSA 455 percent
flew at the height of the anticipated RSA and 173 percent flew below the height of the
anticipated RSA (Table 4) Of raptor species observed flying 91 percent flew above the height
of the anticipated RSA 394 percent flew at the height of the anticipated RSA and 515 percent
flew above the height of the anticipated RSA Data on flight direction are located in Appendix 1
Most birds observed making direct flight over the Project were moving in a northerly direction
(803 percent of all direct flights) In combination with the timing of flights (Figure 3) these data
suggest that much of the non-raptor use observed at the Project area is due to migratory
movements
Canada goose had the highest encounter rate (654 birds flying at RSA height20 min Table 5)
followed by unidentified sparrow (632 birds flying at RSA height20 min) sandhill crane (368
birds flying at RSA height20 min) and Franklinrsquos gull (283 birds flying at RSA height20 min)
Each other species had an encounter rate below 083 birds flying at RSA height20 min
33 RAPTOR NEST SURVEYS
Raptor nests detected within the Project area or 1-mile buffer included 2 red-tailed hawks 2 unknown nests and 1 Swainsonrsquos hawk (Figure 7) The red-tailed hawk nests were found on April 5 and May 9 with each remaining active during the survey period The Swainsonrsquos hawk nest was detected on May 19th within the 1-mile buffer around the Project area The two unknown nests were found on April 15 and April 25 Both unknown nests appeared to never be active during the survey period
34 LEK SURVEYS
During grouse lek surveys conducted within the Project area and a surrounding 1-mile buffer
from April 10th to May 1st a total of 9 sharp-tailed grouse leks were found within the Project area
and 1-mile buffer (Figure 7 WENK 2012) Four of the leks were within the Project area (Figure
7) Each lek had a minimum of 4 individuals (includes males and females) observed with the
10 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
maximum number of grouse observed at one lek being 21 individuals (lek 8) A full report on the
grouse lek surveys is presented in Appendix 3
35 INCIDENTAL OBSERVATIONS
The biologist documented 17 species as incidental observations (Table 6) Of these species 4
(golden eagle lesser scaup merlin wild turkey) were not detected during spring point count
surveys
36 LISTED SPECIES
No federal threatened or endangered species were observed during avian point count raptor or
lek surveys or as an incidental observation One adult golden eagle was observed incidentally
near survey point 7 on March 26th in flight within the anticipated RSA The golden eagle is
protected by the BGEPA (Section 215)
Four Level I (Franklinrsquos gull Swainsonrsquos hawk upland sandpiper and grasshopper sparrow)
seven Level II (bobolink dickcissel redhead sharp-tailed grouse northern harrier golden eagle
and northern pintail) and one Level III (peregrine falcon) state-listed Species of Conservation
Priority were observed during point counts raptor nest lek surveys or as incidental observations
within the Project Area
40 DISCUSSION
The avian community detected within the Project area during spring surveys was characterized
by species associated with typical mid-western agricultural lands and short-grass prairie
vegetation The majority of the Project area and vicinity has been developed for agricultural use
specifically crops such as wheat sunflower and corn with additional developed lands devoted to
pastureland for cattle Within disturbed habitats such as these the greatest potential impact of
wind facilities to avian species is risk of collisions with turbines Mean avian fatality rates
estimated from wind facilities in the Midwest (NE WI MN and IA) range from 044 to 1183
birdsturbineyear (049 ndash 717 birdsMWyear Tetra Tech 2012) Project-related bird fatalities
are expected to fall within this range
In areas mostly dominated by native short-grass prairie additional loss of habitat from
developing these areas may impact resident and migratory avian species The presence of native
grassland habitats within the Project area suggests that additional disturbance and habitat loss
caused by construction and operation of the Project may cause birds to avoid the Project area
and may alter the current use of habitat by bird species within the Project area (Tetra Tech 2011)
The greatest potential for habitat loss would be for sharp-tailed grouse Current research suggests
that certain grouse species may avoid anthropogenic structures (USFWS 2012a Hagen et al
11 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
2011) however long-term data sets are still needed to best assess wind energy impacts (Johnson
et al 2012)
41 NON-RAPTOR USE AND COLLISION RISK
The Canada goose sandhill crane red-winged blackbird and Franklinrsquos gull were species with
the highest mean use within the Project area and were among the species most frequently
detected Additionally unidentified sparrows which probably represent a group of similar
species had high mean use Three of these species Canada goose Franklinrsquos gull and sandhill
crane are migratory with most individuals moving through the region (and the Project area) to
breeding grounds further north as indicated by their flight direction and large flock size Three
species had a high frequency of detection but a low mean use at the Project ring-necked
pheasant horned lark and western meadowlark These eight species are local residential and
migratory species commonly associated with the open pastureland short-grass prairie and row-
crop agriculture habitats found throughout the Project area These species are widely distributed
across the country and can be expected to occur where suitable habitat is present
The red-winged blackbird horned lark western meadowlark and ring-necked pheasant are
commonly found as turbine-related fatalities (more than 20 records of post-construction fatality
from 27 studies Tetra Tech 2012 Johnson et al 2000 Howe et al 2002 Derby et al 2007 TRC
Environmental 2008 Gruver et al 2009 BHE Environmental 2010 Jain et al 2011 Grodsky
and Drake 2011) particularly horned larks which exhibit breeding flight displays that may bring
them into the height of the RSA (Johnson and Erickson 2011) Thus risk of turbine-related
fatalities exists for each of these species at the Project However Project-related fatalities of red-
winged blackbird horned lark western meadowlark and ring-necked pheasant should they
occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts because collision fatalities appears to have
little effect North American landbird populations (Arnold and Zink 2011)
Species with high mean use but that are considered to have low risk for fatalities include sandhill
crane Franklinrsquos gull and Canada goose Although flying at the height of the RSA represents a
collision risk sandhill cranes have been documented altering flight direction in response to
turbines at wind facility in South Dakota (Nagy et al 2011) and multiple studies have
documented sandhill cranes gradually climbing as they approach marked power lines (Morkill
and Anderson 1991 Murphy et al 2009) The avoidance behavior observed at other studies and
lack of documented turbine-related fatalities of the sandhill crane suggests a low risk of Project-
related fatality for this species While no studies have documented avoidance behavior by
Franklinrsquos gulls similar to sandhill cranes the lack of documented fatalities at wind facilities
with publicly available data within the breeding range and migratory pathway of Franklinrsquos gulls
indicate a low risk of fatalities to occur at the Project (20 studies Tetra Tech 2012)
12 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Additionally Canada goose has a low number of fatality observations (less than 6 records of
post-construction fatalities from 27 studies Tetra Tech 2012)
The remaining non-raptor species detected during spring surveys have low risk for turbine
collisions at the Project due to a combination of relatively low mean-use rates infrequent flight
within the height of the RSA andor few or no records of fatalities at other wind facilities with
publically available results of fatality data
42 RAPTOR USE AND COLLISION RISK
High raptor use (greater than 20 birds20 min) has been associated with high raptor fatality at
wind farms (Strickland et al 2011) Conversely raptor fatality appears to be low when raptor use
is low (less than 10 birds20 min Strickland et al 2011) which is the case for raptor use at the
Project A factor contributing to the low raptor use of the Project area may be the number of
active raptor nests detected during nests surveys Because raptor activity is typically higher near
active nests than areas without active nests and raptors may have increased potential for
collision as they repeatedly fly within the Project area during nesting activities
Red-tailed hawks and northern harriers were the raptor species with the highest mean use and
were also among the most frequently detected raptor species at the Project Both species are
commonly associated with agricultural and grassland habitats which provide opportunities for
foraging an activity associated with susceptibility to turbine-collisions (Thelander et al 2003)
In a recent study of raptor response to wind farms northern harriers were identified as having a
low risk flight behavior for collisions whereas red-tailed hawks were observed engaging in high-
risk flight behaviors at operational wind facilities (Garvin et al 2011) Risks of collision for
northern harriers are believed to be low because the majority of foraging flights occur below
typical RSA heights (Whitfield and Madders 2006) Thus risk of turbine-related fatalities at the
Project is expected to be low given the low level of use As a result Project-related fatalities of
northern harrier should they occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts because
northern harriers are common nationwide (Sauer et al 2011) Results from post-construction
fatality monitoring studies indicate that red-tailed hawks are frequently found as turbine-related
fatalities (228 records of red-tailed hawk from 27 studies - Tetra Tech 2012 Jain 2005 Grodsky
and Drake 2011 Johnson and Erickson 2011) However Garvin et al (2011) documented that
red-tailed hawks despite high-risk flight behavior also demonstrated collision avoidance
behavior (Garvin et al 2011) Thus risk of turbine-related fatalities at the Project exists for red-
tailed hawks but turbine-related fatalities would be expected to be low given the low level of use
and low number of nests detected within the Project area and 1-mile buffer Project-related
fatalities of red-tailed hawk should they occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts
because red-tailed hawks are common nationwide (Sauer et al 2011)
13 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Two other raptor species detected during spring surveys (Swainsonrsquos hawk and American
kestrel) have been recorded as fatalities at other wind facilities (Derby 2007 Gritski et al 2008
Johnson and Erickson 2011) Peregrine falcon and great-horned owl have not been recorded as
fatalities observed at wind farms with publicly available fatality data All are likely have low risk
for turbine collisions at the Project due to the relatively very low mean-use rates
43 LISTED SPECIES
No federal listed threatened or endangered species were detected incidentally during avian point
count raptor or lek surveys One adult golden eagle was detected as an incidental observation
The golden eagle is protected under the BGEPA Although applications for incidental take
permits are available none have been issued to date Projects that are applying for permits have
are those with a perceived high risk of eagle fatality or have an additional permitting requirement
based on land ownership Consultation with the USFWS would provide further information on
local interpretation of the Draft Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance (USFWS 2011c)
No state listed designated species with regulatory implications were detected during surveys
However all native migratory avian species are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of
1918
44 CONCLUSIONS
Results of the 2012 spring avian surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center suggest an overall
low impact of the Project on the local avian community The high mean-use rate at the Project by
non-raptors is primarily driven by a few common residents and migratory species not commonly
reported as fatalities at wind energy facilities with results from post-construction fatality
monitoring Raptor use was relatively low for each raptor species detected Although there is
potential for turbine-related fatalities of Canada goose sandhill crane horned lark western
meadowlark red-winged blackbird red-tailed hawk and Franklinrsquos gull at the Project fatalities
are not expected to have population-level impacts If avian fatality rates are similar to other wind
facilities within the region we would expect them to fall between 044 ndash 1183 birdsturbineyear
(049 ndash 717 birdsMWyear) Additionally the potential for turbine-related fatalities exists for
nocturnal migrant species not identifiable by the methods of this study
No federally listed threatened or endangered species were detected incidentally during avian
point count raptor or lek surveys One adult golden eagle was detected as an incidental
observation The golden eagle is protected under the BGEPA A total of 9 sharp-tailed grouse
leks were located within the Project area and 1-mile buffer Four of the leks are within the
Project area indicating a moderate use of the Project area by the species No state listed
designated species with regulatory implications were detected during surveys However all
native migratory avian species are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918
14 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
50 REFERENCES
Arnold TW and RM Zink 2011 Collision mortality has no discernible effect on population trends of North American Birds PLoS ONE 6 e24708 doi101371journalpone0024708
Arnett EB DB Inkley DH Johnson RP Larkin S Manes AM Manville JR Mason ML Morrison MD Strickland and R Thresher 2007 Impacts of wind energy facilities on wildlife and wildlife habitat Wildlife Society Technical Review 07-2 The Wildlife Society Bethesda MA
Ballam JM 1984 The use of soaring by the red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) Auk 3519shy524
Beveridge L J 2005 The Migratory Bird Treaty Act and wind development North American Wind Power September36-38
BHE Environmental Inc 2010 Post-Construction Bird and Bat Mortality Study Cedar Ridge Wind Farm Fond Du Lac County Wisconsin Interim Report prepared for Wisconsin Power and Light Madison Wisconsin Prepared by BHE Environmental Inc Cincinnati Ohio February 2010
Bryce SA JM Omernik DA Pater M Ulmer J Schaar J Freeouf R Johnson P Kuck and SH Azevedo 1996 Ecoregions of North Dakota and South Dakota (color poster with map descriptive text summary tables and photographs) Reston Virginia US Geological Survey (map scale 11500000)
Devereux CL MJH Denny and MJ Whittingham 2008 Minimal effects of wind turbines on the distribution of wintering farmland birds Journal of Applied Ecology 451689shy1694
Drewitt AL and RHW Langston 2008 Collision effects of wind-power generators and other obstacles on birds Pages 233-266 in R S Ostfeld and W H Schlesinger editors Year in Ecology and Conservation Biology 2008 Blackwell Publishing Oxford
Drewitt AL and RHW Langston 2006 Assessing the impacts of wind farms on birds Ibis 14829-42
Derby C A Dahl W Erickson K Bay and J Hoban 2007 Post-Construction Monitoring Report for Avian and Bat Mortality at the NPPD Ainsworth Wind Farm Prepared for Nebraska Public Power District Columbus NE 24 pgs
Erickson WP GD Johnson and DP Young Jr 2005 A summary and comparison of bird mortality from anthropogenic causes with an emphasis on collisions USDA Forest Service Gen Tech Rep PSW-GTR-191
Erickson WP GD Johnson MD Strickland DP Young Jr KJ Sernka and R E Good 2001 Avian collisions with wind turbines a summary of existing studies and comparisons to other sources of avian collision mortality in the United States National Wind Coordinating Committee Washington DC Accessed at httpwwwnationalwindorgassetsarchiveAvian_Collisions_with_Wind_Turbines_shy_A_Summary_of_Existing_Studies_and_Comparisons_to_Other_Sources_of_Avian_Col lision_Mortality_in_the_United_States__2001_pdf
15 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Faanes CA and RE Stewart 1982 Revised checklist of North Dakota birds Version 16JUL97 The Prairie Naturalist 14(3)81-92 Jamestown ND Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Online Available online at httpwwwnpwrcusgsgovresourcebirdschndbirdindexhtm Accessed July 2012
Ferrer M M de Lucas GFE Janss E Casado AR Muntildeoz MJ Bechard and CP Calabuig 2012 Weak relationship between risk assessment studies and recorded mortality in wind farms Journal of Applied Ecology 49(1) 38-46 Available online at httponlinelibrarywileycomdoi101111j1365-2664201102054xpdf
Garvin J C Jennelle C S Drake D and Grodsky S M (2011) Response of raptors to a windfarm Journal of Applied Ecology 48 199ndash209
Gritski B S Downes K Kronner 2008 White Creek Wind I Wildlife Monitoring Annual Summary Winter 2007-2008 through Fall 2008 Prepared for White Creek Wind I LLC Roosevelt WA 25 pgs
Grodsky SM and D Drake 2011 Assessing Bird and Bat Mortality at the Forward Energy Center Final Report Public Service Commission (PSC) of Wisconsin PSC REF152052 Prepared for Forward Energy LLC Prepared by Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison Wisconsin August 2011
Gruver J M Sonnenburg K Bay and W Erickson 2009 Post-Construction Bat and Bird Fatality Study at the Blue Sky Green Field Wind Energy Center Fond Du Lac County Wisconsin July 21 - October 31 2008 and March 15 - June 4 2009 Unpublished report prepared by Western EcoSystems Technology Inc (WEST) Cheyenne Wyoming December 17 2009
Hagen CA JC Pitman TM Loughin BK Sandercock and RJ Robel 2011 Impacts of anthropogenic features on lesser prairie-chicken habitat use Studies in Avian Biology 39 63-75
Hagen SK PT Isakson and SR Dyke 2005 North Dakota Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy North Dakota Game and Fish Department Bismarck ND
Howe RW W Evans and AT Wolf 2002 Effects of Wind Turbines on Birds and Bats in Northeastern Wisconsin Prepared by University of Wisconsin-Green Bay for Wisconsin Public Service Corporation and Madison Gas and Electric Company Madison Wisconsin November 21 2002 104 pp
Jain AA RR Koford AW Hancockand GG Zenner 2011 Bat Mortality and Activity at a Northern Iowa Wind Resource Area Am Mid Natur 165 185-200
Jain A P Kerlinger R Curry and L Slobodnik 2007 Annual report for the Maple Ridge wind power project post-construction bird and bat fatality studymdash2006 Prepared by Curry and Kerlinger LLC for PPM Energy Horizon Energy and Technical Advisory Committee for the Maple Ridge Project
Jain AA 2005 Bird and Bat Behavior and Mortality at a Northern Iowa Windfarm Thesis submitted to Iowa State University Ames IA 113 pgs
16 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Johnson GD C LeBeau R Neilsen T Rintz and J Eddy 2012 Greater Sage-Grouse Habitat Use and Population Demographics at the Simpson Ridge Wind Resource Area Carbon County Wyoming Final Report prepared for EBP Renewables Houston Texas
Johnson GD and WP Erickson 2011 Avian Bat and Habitat Cumulative Impacts Associated with Wind Energy Development in the Columbia Plateau Ecoregion of Eastern Washington and Oregon Prepared by West Inc for Klickitat County Washington
Johnson DH MJ Holloran JW Connelly SE Hanser CL Amundson and ST Knick 2011 Influences of Environmental and Anthropogenic Features on Greater Sage-grouse Populations 1997-2007 Pages 407-450 in ST Knick and JW Connelly Greater Sage-Grouse ecology and conservation of a landscape species and its habitat Studies in Avian Biology 38 University of California Press Berkeley CA
Johnson GD WP Erickson MD Strickland MF Shepherd DA Shepherd and SA Sarappo 2002 Collision mortality of local and migrant birds at a large-scale wind power development on Buffalo Ridge Minnesota Wildlife Society Bulletin 30879-887
Johnson GD WP Erickson MD Strickland MF Shepherd and DA Shepherd 2000 Avian Monitoring Studies at the Buffalo Ridge Wind Resource Area Minnesota Results of a 4-Year Study Final report prepared for Northern States Power Company Minneapolis Minnesota by Western EcoSystems Technology Inc (WEST) Cheyenne Wyoming September 22 2000 212 pp httpwwwwest-inccom
Kerns J and P Kerlinger 2004 A study of bird and bat collision fatalities at the Mountaineer Wind Energy Center Tucker County West Virginia Annual report for 2003 Technical report prepared by Curry and Kerlinger LLC for FPL Energy and Mountaineer Wind Energy Center Technical Review Committee
Leddy KL KF Higgins and DE Naugle 1999 Effects of wind turbines on upland nesting birds in CRP grasslands Wilson Bulletin 111100-104
Manville AM II 2004 Prairie grouse leks and wind turbines US Fish and Wildlife Service justification for a 5-mile buffer from leks additional grassland songbird recommendations Division of Migratory Bird Management USFWS Arlington VA peer-reviewed briefing paper
Martin GR 2011 Understanding bird collisions with man-made objects a sensory ecology approach Ibis 153(2)239-254
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Nagy L B Gibson K L Kosciuch J Jones and J Taylor 2011 Whooping and Sandhill Crane Behavior at an Operating Wind Farm Poster presented at American Wind Energy Association Annual Meeting Pasadena CA
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2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
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USFWS 2011c Draft Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance Released January 2011
USFWS 2009 Eagle Permits Take Necessary to Protect Interests in Particular Localities Final Rules 50 CFR Parts 13 and 22
WEST (Western EcoSystems Technology Inc) 2011 Presentation at the Northwest Wind Energy and Wildlife Workshop June 7-8 2011 Portland Oregon
Wenck Associates Inc (Wenck) 2012 Wilton IV spring sharp-tailed grouse lek survey Report submitted to Tetra Tech EC Inc May 2012
Whitfield DP and M Madders 2006 Flight height in the hen harrier Circus cyaneus and its incorporation in wind turbine collision risk modeling Natural Research Information Note 2 Natural Research Ltd Banchory UK
People who contributed to the writing of this report
Jim Kowalsky July 17 2012
Report Author Date
Jennifer Taylor July 19 2012
Peer Review 1 Date
Chris Farmer August 3 2012
Peer Review 2 Date
Anne-Marie Griger August 9 2012
Deputy Project Manager Date
Robert Friedel July 13 2012
GIS Date
19 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
FIGURES
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ation
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ast S
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723
2012
O 155000 NAD 1983 UTM 14 0 05 1 2 3 4 5 Miles
TETRA TECH ECINC
Figure 3 Non-raptor mean use by survey date in Spring at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center M
ean
Use
(bir
ds2
0 m
in)
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
00
Survey Date
316 321 326 44 410 420 427 53 512 519 526 62 69 615
NAD 1983 UTM 14
240th Ave Ne240th Ave Ne
158th
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253Rd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
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80Th
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201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE 279Th Ave NE
119T
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292Nd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
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145T
h St N
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41St
St NE
145T
h St N
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66Th
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171S
t St N
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132N
d St N
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52Nd
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41St
St NE
66Th
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80Th
St N
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93Rd
St N
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292Nd Ave NE
106T
h St N
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171S
t St N
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227Th Ave NE
93Rd
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St N
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PC 01
PC 02
PC 03
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PC 05 PC 06
PC 07
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TETR A TECH EC INC
Figure 4Non-raptor mean use by point count location (Spring 2012)
Non-r aptor s p e r 20 m in u te s 00 1 - 25 0 0 25 01 - 5 0 00 50 01 - 7 5 00
75 01 - 1 0 00 0
10 00 1 - 1 25 00
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
A Pro po sed tu rbin e (9 -21 -20 11 )Lo ca l Ro a d
Mean use value PC Point count number
Burleigh County ND
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
Last modified 7-10-2012
NEXTENERGY RESOURCES
Figure 5 Raptor mean use by survey date in Spring 2012 at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Mea
n U
se (b
irds
20
min
)
140
120
100
080
060
040
020
000
Survey Date
316 321 326 44 410 420 427 53 512 519 526 62 69 615
NAD 1983 UTM 14
240th Ave Ne240th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
253Rd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
227Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE 279Th Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
145T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
145T
h St N
E
66Th
St N
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171S
t St N
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52Nd
St N
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41St
St NE
66Th
St N
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80Th
St N
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93Rd
St N
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292Nd Ave NE
106T
h St N
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171S
t St N
E
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
93Rd
St N
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86Th
St N
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184T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
PC 01
PC 02
PC 03
PC 04
PC 05 PC 06
PC 07
064
014
057
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021 007
029
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Last
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TETR A TECH EC INC
Figure 6Raptor mean use by point
count location (Spring 2012)
Rapto r s p e r 2 0 m in u te s 00 1- 01 6 01 7 - 0 32 03 3 - 0 48
04 9 - 0 64
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
A Pro po sed tu rbin e (9 -21 -20 11 )Lo ca l Ro a d
Mean use value PC Point count number
Burleigh County ND
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
Last modified 7-10-2012
NEXTENERGY RESOURCES
240th Ave Ne 240th Ave Ne
240th Ave Ne
266th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
279Th Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE
292Nd Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
52Nd
St N
E
197T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
66Th
St N
E
188Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
106T
h St N
E
253Rd Ave NE
292Nd Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
132N
d St N
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26Th
St N
E
266Th Ave NE
253Rd Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
93Rd
St N
E
145T
h St N
E 14
5Th S
t NE
132N
d St N
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41St
St NE
210T
h St N
E
119T
h St N
E
106T
h St N
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171S
t St N
E 17
1St S
t NE
188Th Ave NE
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE 227Th Ave NE
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
201St Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
Figure 7 Raptor nest and lek location
map (Spring 2012)NEXTENERGY
RESOURCES
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
5 Burleigh County ND
Last modified 7-10-2012 A A
A A
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
AAA A A A A A
A A
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66T h
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TETR A TECH EC INC
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
TABLES
21 August 2012
Table 1 Spring 2012 point count survey dates at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Date(s)Survey number
1 316 2 321 3 326 4 44 5 410 6 420 7 427 8 53 9 512 10 519 11 526 12 62 13 69 14 615
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Songbirds
unidentified sparrow 652 7 665 (000-1339) 41 313 121 red-winged blackbird 548 52 559 (036-1082) 378 263 102 horned lark 173 83 177 (136-218) 612 83 32 American crow 159 22 162 (027-297) 204 76 30 common grackle 91 33 093 (035-151) 245 44 17 western meadowlark 80 62 082 (065-099) 480 38 15 European starling 80 1 082 (000-216) 10 38 15 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 082 (029-135) 82 38 15 barn swallow 44 21 045 (028-062) 204 21 08 bobolink 36 28 037 (022-052) 194 17 07 American goldfinch 26 23 027 (018-036) 214 12 05 vesper sparrow 23 21 023 (013-033) 184 11 04 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 019 (010-028) 143 09 04 American robin 19 19 019 (011-027) 143 09 04 house sparrow 15 5 015 (000-030) 51 07 03 American tree sparrow 8 2 008 (000-018) 20 04 01 song sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 savannah sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 dickcissel 5 4 005 (000-010) 31 02 01 western kingbird 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 01 01 pine siskin 3 1 003 (000-008) 10 01 01 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 eastern kingbird 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 yellow warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 unidentified warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 house wren 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 Group Total 2083 430 2126 (1259-2993) 949 387
Waterfowl
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations
Canada goose 1408 24 1437 (435-2439) 133 874 262 snow goose 184 2 188 (000-490) 20 114 34 mallard 12 6 012 (004-020) 61 07 02 northern pintail 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 blue-winged teal 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 American wigeon 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 redhead 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 01 00 Group Total 1611 36 1644 (561-2727) 184 300
CranesRails sandhill crane 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 1000 201 Group Total 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 201
GullsTerns Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 283 (013-553) 31 986 52 ring-billed gull 4 3 004 (000-008) 31 14 01 Group Total 281 7 287 (017-557) 61 52
Gamebirds ring-necked pheasant 148 134 151 (128-174) 745 967 28 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 20 01 gray partridge 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 13 00 Group Total 153 138 156 (132-180) 755 28
PigeonsDoves rock pigeon 40 6 041 (009-073) 61 513 07 mourning dove 38 25 039 (019-059) 184 487 07 Group Total 78 31 080 (041-119) 224 15
Waterbirds killdeer 28 22 029 (017-041) 214 538 05 upland sandpiper 8 8 008 (003-013) 71 154 01 common snipe 8 8 008 (002-014) 61 154 01 Wilsons snipe 4 4 004 (000-008) 31 77 01 American coot 4 1 004 (000-011) 10 77 01 Group Total 52 43 053 (037-069) 357 10
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Raptors
red-tailed hawk 16 12 016 (008-024) 122 444 03 northern harrier 16 14 016 (009-023) 143 444 03 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 peregrine falcon 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 great horned owl 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 American kestrel 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 Group Total 36 30 037 (025-049) 276 07
Woodpeckers northern flicker 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 1000 00 Group Total 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 00 Grand Total 5376 735 5486 (3771-7200)
1 A ranking of 1 indicates highest mean use
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Canada goose 1408 24 210 80 523 140 210 135 110 sandhill crane 1080 18 94 18 621 15 187 145 0 unidentified sparrow 652 7 0 0 0 0 330 210 112 red-winged blackbird 548 52 0 84 49 386 14 11 4 Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 107 0 100 70 0 0 0 snow goose 184 2 0 180 4 0 0 0 0 horned lark 173 83 23 24 17 12 19 32 46 American crow 159 22 6 4 13 11 1 123 1 ring-necked pheasant 148 134 21 14 21 18 25 22 27 common grackle 91 33 6 35 7 2 8 33 0 western meadowlark 80 62 8 10 17 3 11 19 12 European starling 80 1 0 0 0 80 0 0 0 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 0 63 17 0 0 0 0 barn swallow 44 21 3 12 6 10 7 1 5 rock pigeon 40 6 0 14 0 0 0 23 3 mourning dove 38 25 4 17 1 1 1 11 3 bobolink 36 28 10 0 14 8 0 0 4 killdeer 28 22 3 3 4 5 10 0 3 American goldfinch 26 23 4 9 3 3 4 2 1 vesper sparrow 23 21 1 7 1 2 9 1 2 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 2 4 2 0 6 4 1 American robin 19 19 1 13 0 1 3 0 1 red-tailed hawk 16 12 4 0 4 5 0 1 2 northern harrier 16 14 3 1 4 4 2 0 2 house sparrow 15 5 2 13 0 0 0 0 0 mallard 12 6 0 0 6 6 0 0 0 upland sandpiper 8 8 0 0 1 0 3 2 2 common snipe 8 8 0 2 6 0 0 0 0 American tree sparrow 8 2 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 song sparrow 5 5 1 1 1 0 2 0 0 savannah sparrow 5 5 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 dickcissel 5 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 Wilsons snipe 4 4 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 ring-billed gull 4 3 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 American coot 4 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 western kingbird 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 pine siskin 3 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 northern pintail 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
northern flicker 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 gray partridge 2 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 eastern kingbird 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 blue-winged teal 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 American wigeon 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 yellow warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 unidentified warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 redhead 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 peregrine falcon 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 house wren 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 great horned owl 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 American kestrel 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Grand Total 5376 735 526 620 1452 794 859 776 349
Table 4 Summary of avian flight heights1 in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)2 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Birds
Number Percentage
Non-raptors
Raptors
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
1656 372
2023 455
767 173
3 91
13 394
17 515 1 Includes only flying birds with flight height data2These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
Canada goose 654 (435 - 2439) 1437 997 537 457 06 unidentified sparrow 632 (000 - 1339) 665 1000 00 951 49 sandhill crane 368 (083 - 2121) 1102 999 665 335 00 Franklinrsquos gull 283 (013 - 553) 283 1000 00 1000 00 European starling 082 (000 - 216) 082 1000 00 1000 00 American crow 024 (027 - 297) 162 943 00 160 840 red-tailed hawk 013 (008 - 024) 016 938 133 867 00 brown-headed cowbird 008 (029 - 135) 082 125 00 800 200 red-winged blackbird 005 (036 - 1082) 559 261 00 35 965 Wilsons snipe 002 (000 - 008) 004 500 00 1000 00 blue-winged teal 002 (000 - 005) 002 1000 00 1000 00 mallard 002 (004 - 020) 012 500 00 333 667 ring-billed gull 001 (000 - 008) 004 1000 00 250 750 yellow warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 yellow-headed blackbird 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 western meadowlark 000 (065 - 099) 082 338 00 00 1000 western kingbird 000 (000 - 007) 003 1000 00 00 1000 vesper sparrow 000 (013 - 033) 023 130 00 00 1000 upland sandpiper 000 (003 - 013) 008 250 00 00 1000 unidentified warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 Swainsonrsquos hawk 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 sharp-tailed grouse 000 (000 - 007) 003 667 00 00 1000 song sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 snow goose 000 (000 - 490) 188 1000 1000 00 00 savannah sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 rock pigeon 000 (009 - 073) 041 825 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
ring-necked pheasant 000 (128 - 174) 151 07 00 00 1000 redhead 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 pine siskin 000 (000 - 008) 003 1000 00 00 1000 peregrine falcon 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 1000 00 00 northern pintail 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 northern harrier 000 (009 - 023) 016 1000 00 00 1000 northern flicker 000 (000 - 004) 002 500 00 00 1000 mourning dove 000 (019 - 059) 039 684 00 00 1000 killdeer 000 (017 - 041) 029 607 00 00 1000 house wren 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 house sparrow 000 (000 - 030) 015 67 00 00 1000 horned lark 000 (136 - 218) 177 740 00 00 1000 grasshopper sparrow 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 gray partridge 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 great horned owl 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 eastern kingbird 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 dickcissel 000 (000 - 010) 005 00 00 00 00 common snipe 000 (002 - 014) 008 00 00 00 00 common grackle 000 (035 - 151) 093 945 00 00 1000 clay-colored sparrow 000 (010 - 028) 019 158 00 00 1000 bobolink 000 (022 - 052) 037 917 00 00 1000 barn swallow 000 (028 - 062) 045 1000 00 00 1000 American tree sparrow 000 (000 - 018) 008 1000 00 00 1000 American wigeon 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 American robin 000 (011 - 027) 019 421 00 00 1000 American kestrel 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
American goldfinch 000 027 (018 - 036) 923 00 00 1000American coot 000 004 (000 - 011) 00 00 00 001These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 6 Incidental observations of birds during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species
American crow American kestrel American robin Canada goose great horned owl golden eagle gray partridge lesser scaup mallard merlin northern harrier rock pigeon red-tailed hawk red-winged blackbird sandhill crane sharp-tailed grouse wild turkey
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
APPENDICES
22 August 2012
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number of Birds1
Number of
Observations Species
Percentage of Flights
N NE E SE S SW W NW Variable
Canada goose 1398 21 867 00 00 00 02 00 17 114 00
sandhill crane 1079 17 878 52 00 00 00 00 00 70 00
unidentified sparrow 565 5 00 00 00 788 212 00 00 00 00
Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
snow goose 184 2 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
European starling 80 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
American crow 69 11 768 58 58 00 14 43 00 14 43
red-winged blackbird 15 6 533 00 00 200 267 00 00 00 00
red-tailed hawk 14 10 500 143 00 71 00 71 00 71 143
rock pigeon 11 2 00 00 00 00 273 727 00 00 00
northern harrier 9 8 111 00 00 333 00 222 00 111 222
mourning dove 9 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
common grackle 9 6 111 00 00 111 00 222 556 00 00
brown-headed cowbird 8 1 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
horned lark 6 3 833 00 00 167 00 00 00 00 00
ring-billed gull 4 3 250 00 00 00 00 750 00 00 00
Wilsons snipe 2 2 500 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 500
vesper sparrow 2 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
mallard 2 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
blue-winged teal 2 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
peregrine falcon 1 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
killdeer 1 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
Grand Total 3747 108 722 17 04 121 36 05 30 64 02 1 Includes only flying birds with flight directions
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Nest Number Species Substrate
Nest ConditionStatusDates
Surveyed Nest
Height (m) 2012 - 1 452012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good
5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 4 592012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good 5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 5 5192012 Swainsonrsquos hawk Active Siberian Elm 7 Good
NA means not applicable
Wenck Associates Inc 301 1
st St NE Suite 202
Mandan ND 58554
Phone 701-751-3370 Email jaskimwenckcom
May 7 2012
Tracey M Dubuque PE Senior Project Manager
Tetra Tech EC
160 Federal Street Third Floor
Boston MA 02110
Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Dear Tracey
Introduction
Male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) congregate at historicalcommunal leks in the spring
to compete for breeding opportunities Both sexes return to their natal breeding grounds yearly for their
entire life Leks are typically found in areas with low-growing vegetation on a hill knoll or other point of
high visibility Fidelity to these locations is extremely high for sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse
require nesting habitat within close proximity the lek comprised of dense or residual vegetative cover to
conceal and protect their nest from predators (Vodehnal and Haufler 2007)
Disturbance of nesting prairie grouse may occur from the construction of the turbine andor access road
construction noise and physical movement of equipment Loss of habitat and fragmentation related to
energy exploration may affect local prairie grouse populations by decreasing the area of habitat available
for nesting and brood-rearing and by increasing predation (Pittman et al 2005) Therefore federal and
state wildlife agencies are concerned about the placement of turbines in areas with known prairie grouse
populations Turbine setbacks from leks and minimizing grouse habitat disturbance may reduce the direct
and indirect effects of energy development on grouse
Methods
Sharp-tailed grouse surveys were completed from April 10th to May 1
st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise
to two hours after sunrise within the one-mile analysis area (Figure 1) Peak attendance by females on leks
typically occurs from April 15 to 25 but these dates vary by up to a week depending on weather conditions
(Schroeder and Robb 1993) Peak attendance potentially occurred earlier this year due to the early spring
A habitat assessment analysis was conducted prior to the field survey to determine suitable lekkingnesting
habitat within the analysis area (Figure 2) Listening stops were made within a one-mile analysis area
surrounding the proposed project area to identify lek locations (Figure 3) Sharp-tailed grouse males may
be heard at a distance of up to 050 mile Listening stops were not conducted if winds exceeded 10 miles
per hour (mph) or during precipitation events After a lek was located the birds were observed and the
number of males and females were counted Lek locations were documented using Global Positioning
System (GPS) Given the sensitive nature of this species and the fact that females may be nesting near the
lek disturbance to breeding prairie grouse was kept to a minimum
Results
Nine (9) sharp-tailed grouse leks were located during the surveys conducted from April 10th to May 1
st
2012 (Figure 4) Date time sex number of birds present wind conditions air temperature and GPS
coordinates were recorded once a lek was located (Tables 1 and 2) Two of the leks observed were
located outside of the analysis area Due to Lek 1rsquos close proximity to Lek 4 Lek 1 shouldbe classified
as a satellite lek No visual confirmation of Lek 6 was made due to access and topography
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Tetra Tech EC Inc (Tetra Tech) was contracted by Wilton IV Wind LLC (Wilton IV)) to
undertake spring avian use surveys for the proposed Wilton IV Wind Energy Center (Project) in
Burleigh County North Dakota The Project is located on private lands and is tentatively
designed to have a nameplate capacity of 99 megawatts (MW) consisting of 62 GE 16 MW xle
wind turbine generators The studies were conducted to identify potential avian impacts
associated with building and operating the wind conversion facility Birds have been identified as
a group potentially at risk because of collisions with wind turbines and power lines and
displacement due to the presence of the associated structures Weekly surveys were performed at
the Project from March 16 to June 15 2012 which included the spring migratory and early
summer seasons Fixed point count surveys (800-meter [m] radius) were conducted at 7 points
distributed throughout the Wilton IV Project area
A total of 5376 birds from 52 species including 653 that could not be identified to species were
observed within the Project area Overall mean bird use within the Project area was 5486
birds20 minutes (min) and ranged from 0 to 603 birds20 min
Recent studies suggest that pre-construction avian use rates do not necessarily correlate with
post-construction fatality Thus the mean-use rates at the Wilton IV Wind Power Project do not
necessarily predict the risk of collision with turbines Factors such as speciesrsquo behavioral
characteristics and weather events factors not quantified in this survey can also influence
collision risk
The non-raptor species with the highest mean use came from four different species groups
Songbirds Waterfowl CranesRails and GullsTerns and included the Canada goose (1437
birds20 min) sandhill crane (1102 birds20 min) unidentified sparrow (665 birds20 min) red-
winged blackbird (559 birds20 min) and Franklinrsquos gull (283 birds20 min) Species with a
high frequency of detection during the surveys but with a low mean use included ring-necked
pheasant (observed in 745 percent of all surveys) horned lark (observed in 612 percent of all
surveys) and western meadowlark (observed in 480 percent of all surveys) Of these species the
Canada goose sandhill crane unidentified sparrow and Franklinrsquos gull had encounter rates
above 100 birds flying at the height of the RSA20 min Canada geese are found as fatalities at
other wind facilities but in low numbers (less than 6) Sandhill cranes have demonstrated turbine
avoidance and to date there are no public records of turbine-related fatalities for the sandhill
crane suggesting minimal risk of turbine-related fatalities for this species at the Project
Franklinrsquos gulls have not been recorded as fatalities at windfarms with publicly available data
suggesting minimal risk of turbine-related fatalities at the Project The red-winged blackbird
horned lark western meadowlark and ring-necked pheasant are commonly found as turbineshy
ES-1 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
related fatalities but any fatalities of these species at the Project are not likely to have
population-level impacts
Raptor mean use at the Project was low relative to projects with publically available use data
Red-tailed hawks and northern harriers had the highest mean use among raptors (both 016
birds20 min) These species had encounter rates of 013 and 000 birds flying at the RSA
height20 min respectively Northern harriers are considered to have a low risk flight behavior
for collisions whereas red-tailed hawks have been observed engaging in high-risk flight
behaviors at operational wind facilities Results from post-construction fatality monitoring
studies indicate that red-tailed hawks are frequently found as turbine-related fatalities however
few fatalities are expected within the Project area based on low frequency of observation for this
species Additional raptor species observed during surveys included Swainsonrsquos hawk
American kestrel peregrine falcon and great-horned owl Swainsonrsquos hawk and American
kestrel have been recorded as fatalities at other wind facilities Peregrine falcon and great-horned
owl have no recorded fatalities observed at wind farms with publicly available data All four
species are likely to have low risk for turbine collisions at the Project due to low mean-use rates
Additionally 2 active red-tailed hawk 1 active Swainsonrsquos hawk and 2 unknown inactive raptor
nests were detected within the Project area and a 1-mile buffer around the Project The raptor
nesting activity is considered to be low but may present an additional increased risk for turbine
collisions when any young of the year raptors begin to fledge (ie leave the nest)
LISTED AND SENSITIVE SPECIES
No federally listed threatened or endangered species were detected as an incidental observation
during avian point count raptor or lek surveys One adult golden eagle was detected as an
incidental observation The golden eagle is protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle
Protection Act A total of 9 sharp-tailed grouse leks were located within the Project area and 1shy
mile buffer during the grouse lek surveys Four of the leks are within the Project area indicating
a moderate use of the Project area by the species No state listed species with regulatory
implications were detected during surveys However all native migratory avian species are
protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 To date the US Fish and Wildlife Service
has not initiated any law enforcement action against any wind development company based on
avian fatalities
ES-2 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Table ES-1 Spring Avian Use Summary
Variable Result Details
Non-raptors
Mean use 5449 birds20 min
Moderate risk (Section 31)
Federally listed1 species observed within the Project area No
State-listed species2
within the Project area 8 Section 35
Grouse leks observed within the Project area Yes 4 sharp tailed grouse leks (Section 34)
Grouse leks observed within 1 mile of the Project area Yes 5 sharp tailed grouse leks (Section 34)
Raptors
Mean use 037 birds20 min Low risk (Section 31)
Eagles observed within the Project area Yes Golden eagle (Section 35)
Federally1
listed species observed within the Project area No
State-listed2 species within the Project area 4 Section 35
Habitat
Native habitat likely to be affected by development Yes Native prairie
Lakes (waterfowl and crane attractant) Yes Small cattle ponds
Wetlands (attractant for cranes waterfowl and other water-based species)
Yes Low areas and along Apple Creek
Cliffs (raptor nesting and traveling) None
River (permanent water source migration corridor) Yes West branch of Apple Creek
Known refuges or habitat features that may funnel migrants None 1Federally listed species include species listed as endangered threatened or candidate under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) 2The North Dakota Game and Fish Department maintains a list of Species of Conservation Priority (Hagen et al 2005) but are not afforded any formal protection by the state and there are no permitting requirements for these listed species
ES-3 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ES-I
10 INTRODUCTION 1
11 WIND ENERGY AND BIRDS 1 12 STUDY DESCRIPTION 2
20 METHODS 3
21 AVIAN SURVEYS 3 211 Fixed-point Surveys 3 212 Raptor Nest Surveys 4 213 Lek Location Surveys 5 214 Incidental Observations 5 215 Listed Species Information 5 216 Data Quality AssuranceQuality Control 6
22 ANALYSIS 6 221 Species Groupings 6 222 Avian Use 7 223 Flight Behavior 7 224 Encounter Rate 7 225 Fatality Risk 8
30 RESULTS 8
31 AVIAN USE AND FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE 8 32 FLIGHT HEIGHT AND ENCOUNTER RATE 10 33 RAPTOR NEST SURVEYS 10 34 LEK SURVEYS 10 35 INCIDENTAL OBSERVATIONS 11 36 LISTED SPECIES 11
40 DISCUSSION 11
41 NON-RAPTOR USE AND COLLISION RISK 12 42 RAPTOR USE AND COLLISION RISK 13 43 LISTED SPECIES 14 44 CONCLUSIONS 14
50 REFERENCES 15
ES-4 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1 Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Vicinity map
Figure 2 Wilton IV Wind Energy Center point count location map
Figure 3 Non-raptor mean use by survey date in Spring 2012 at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Figure 4 Non-raptor mean use by point count location map (Spring 2012)
Figure 5 Raptor mean use by survey date in Spring 2012 at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Figure 6 Raptor mean use by point count location map (Spring 2012)
Figure 7 Raptor nest and lek location map (Spring 2012)
LIST OF TABLES
Table ES-1 Spring Avian Use Summary
Table 1 Spring 2012 point count survey dates at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Table 4 Summary of avian flight heights in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA) during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA) during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Table 6 Incidental observations of birds during Spring 2012 point counts at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
List of Appendices
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Appendix 3 Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
ES-5 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
10 INTRODUCTION
11 WIND ENERGY AND BIRDS
Wind energy provides a clean renewable energy source As wind power has become more
common the need to address potential environmental impacts has increased Birds have been
identified as a group potentially at risk because of collisions with wind turbines and power lines
and displacement due to the presence of the associated structures (Erickson et al 2005 Drewitt
and Langston 2006 Arnett et al 2007) Specifically migrant passerines (eg songbirds) are
found more often in post-construction fatality monitoring compared to other groups of birds
(Arnett et al 2007) In fact at newer generation wind energy facilities outside of California
approximately 80 percent of documented fatalities have been songbirds of which 50 percent are
often nocturnal migrants (Erickson et al 2001 Johnson et al 2002 Drewitt and Langston 2006
Strickland and Morrison 2008) Locally breeding songbirds may experience lower fatality rates
than migrants because many of these species tend not to fly at turbine heights during the
breeding season However some breeding songbird species have behaviors that increase the risk
of collisions with turbines For example horned larks have been commonly found as fatalities at
wind farms that may be partially attributed to the breeding flight displays within the rotor swept
area (Pickwell 1931 Johnson and Erickson 2011)
Despite the observation that most wind farm fatalities are songbirds raptor fatality historically
has received the most attention due to high fatality rates at the Altamont Wind Project in
California (Thelander et al 2003) Raptor fatalities at newer generation wind projects has been
low relative to previous generation wind farms although there is substantial regional variation
(Johnson et al 2002 Erickson et al 2002 2004 Kerns and Kerlinger 2004 Jain et al 2007)
Although raptor fatality is reduced at newer generation facilities raptors remain the avian species
group considered most susceptible to collisions with turbines (Strickland et al 2011) Therefore
local micro-siting and site evaluation efforts are still necessary to minimize potential project-
related impacts to raptors
In addition to fatality associated with wind farms there is potential for bird species to avoid
areas near turbines or experience habitat displacement after the wind farm is in operation
(Drewitt and Langston 2006) To date evidence of this potential impact to birds does not
demonstrate a distinct trend some studies have found a decreased density or abundance of birds
near turbines (eg grassland songbirds Leddy et al 1999 Erickson et al 2004 Shaffer and
Johnson 2009) while others have found no evidence of declines near turbines (Devereux et al
2008 Shaffer and Johnson 2009 Pearce-Higgins et al 2012) However Pearce-Higgins et al
(2012) detected disturbance-related effects during construction indicating that disturbance
effects may occur on a short-term basis
1 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Particular concern over avoidance issues has been raised by agencies and non-governmental
groups with respect to grouse species (Manville 2004 USFWS 2012a) However the existing
information on avoidance by grouse species is limited to observational studies with results
varying by grouse species and source of disturbance (roads oil and gas wells vertical structures
transmission lines) Studies of grouse and anthropogenic features have reported that some
species of grouse avoid transmission lines improved roads buildings oil and gas wells and
communication towers (Pitman et al 2005 Pruett et al 2009 and Johnson et al 2011) But other
studies have found no evidence of avoidance of transmission lines or of wind facilities (Johnson
et al 2011 Johnson et al 2012) The only published research on operational wind facilities and
grouse suggest long-term data sets are needed to adequately assess impacts (Johnson et al 2012)
Finally most native migratory birds are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA)
of 1918 Under the MBTA it is unlawful to take (ie kill) any migratory bird including nests
and nest contents Currently there are no permits for incidental take of migratory birds
(Beveridge 2005) However the USFWS does not usually take action if good faith efforts have
been made to minimize impacts To date no wind development company has been charged for
violations of the MBTA Additionally The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA)
prohibit the take of any bald or golden eagle alive or dead including any part nest or egg
Currently applications for incidental take under BGEPA for golden eagles are currently being
considered by USFWS west of 100 degrees west longitude (USFWS 2009) which would include
this Project
12 STUDY DESCRIPTION
Wilton Wind IV LLC (Wilton Wind IV) a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources LLC is
planning to develop the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center (Project) in Burleigh County North
Dakota (Figure 1) located entirely on private lands Wilton Wind IV is committed to
environmental due diligence and has contracted Tetra Tech EC Inc (Tetra Tech) to conduct
spring avian surveys at the Project to quantify local avian use in the area and to evaluate the
potential impacts of the Project to birds detected during the survey The objectives meet the
requirements recommended under the Tier 3 of the USFWS Land-Based Wind Energy
Guidelines (USFWS 2012a)
The Project covers 15752 acres and is mostly located in the Northwestern Glaciated Plains
Ecoregion with western portions of the Project located in the Northwestern Great Plains
Ecoregion (Bryce et al 1996) This semiarid region of North Dakota includes level to rolling
plains topography with isolated sandstone buttes or badlands formations Historically much of
the landscape was a mix of western mixed-grass prairie and short-grass prairie with associated
wetlands of the Missouri Slope and River Breaks subregions (Bryce et al 1996) Today native
grasslands still persist mostly in areas of steep or broken topography and have been largely
2 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
replaced by agriculture in level areas Agriculture in the area is predominantly dry-land farming
of barley sunflowers corn spring and winter wheat interspersed with cattle grazing
North Dakota has 365 documented bird species (Faanes and Stewart 1982) and is situated within
the Central Flyway one of the main bird migratory routes in North America (USFWS 2011b)
The Central Flyway runs through the central portion of the US and as a consequence the
Project Area During spring migration most birds that move along the Central Flyway travel
from the tropics of South America via the Gulf of Mexico through the central states eventually
reaching breeding grounds as far away as Alaska and northern Canada (USFWS 2011b)
20 METHODS
To evaluate avian risk at wind energy facilities standardized protocols for pre-construction point
counts have been established and were used in this study This protocol is designed to be
responsive to the level of effort recommended in the National Wind Coordinating Committeersquos
Comprehensive Guide to Studying Wind EnergyWildlife Interactions (Strickland et al 2011)
and the US Fish and Wildlife Service Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines (USFWS 2012a)
Data collected from these counts are used to identify species or species groups that may be at
risk from Project development and may provide additional information for micro-siting wind
facilities to minimize impacts to birds Results in this report are presented in terms of species
groups and highlight any federal and state-listed protected species
21 AVIAN SURVEYS
211 Fixed-point Surveys
An experienced field biologist conducted 20-minute (min) point count surveys at 7 locations
within Project area to evaluate avian use behavior and species (Figure 2) The biologist
conducted 14 weekly surveys from March 16 through June 15 2012 (Table 1) thereby
encompassing the spring migration and summer breeding seasons Tetra Tech distributed the
survey locations throughout the Project area and chose locations that maximized the 360-degree
sight distance for the observer and covered a diversity of habitats
The field biologist collected data on all birds observed within an 800-m radius of the point count
location Surveys at each point lasted for 20 minutes during which time the biologist
continuously recorded any visual or auditory observations The biologist recorded the following
data species number of individuals time of observation height aboveground and behavior The
biologist estimated flight heights and distances using existing reference points such as
meteorological towers and local transmission lines as well as landscape contours shown on
topographic maps Flight direction was recorded for individuals making directional flights
through the Project area but was not recorded for individuals making localized movements
3 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
The survey protocol used in this study is designed to collect data on all bird species and to
provide results that are comparable with other studies at wind farms rather than to target specific
taxa The benefit of using this protocol is that it estimates avian use throughout the day and
captures activity by a variety of bird species During the breeding season and to a lesser extent
in the fall and winter songbirds are most active in the morning and can be difficult to detect
during the afternoon In contrast raptors become active as the sunlight heats the air and creates
thermals which many individuals use for soaring (Ballam 1984) Thus raptors are more readily
detected several hours after sunrise Therefore this protocol is appropriate for characterizing the
entire bird community using the Project It should be noted however that this survey protocol
can only detect nocturnal migrants should they be local breeders within the Project area or if they
utilize the Project as stopover habitat
Tetra Tech chose 20-minute survey periods because they provide adequate time to detect both
raptors and non-raptors However time periods of 20 minutes may lead to double-counting of
songbirds (ie counting the same individual more than once) because individuals may appear
and disappear from view For example if a horned lark is detected perched on a fence then
disappears from view and 6 minutes later a horned lark is seen flying these birds are recorded
as separate observations because it is not possible to distinguish individuals Double-counting of
birds is not problematic for this type of survey because the objective is to document use in terms
of number of birds noted per 20-minute survey not number of distinct individual birds
Detectability varies among species and potentially not all individuals within the 800-m radius
were counted This variation in detectability results in an overestimate of mean use for
conspicuous species and an underestimate of mean use for reclusive species (Thompson 2002)
Birds not easily identifiable such as those seen under low light conditions or small birds seen at
a distance were identified to the lowest taxonomic level possible Hence unidentified birds are
included in the results
212 Raptor Nest Surveys
The purpose of raptor nest surveys is to estimate the number of active and inactive raptor nests in
the Project area A biologist conducted the raptor nest survey across the Project area before trees
began to leaf out to increase visibility of raptor nests Where possible biologists also surveyed
an approximately 1-mile radius buffer around the Project area Once a nest was located the
biologist returned during the raptor breeding season to collect data on species location and
activity status Nests were classified as active if they had presence of an adult or young active
territory defense by an individual or the presence of feathers egg shells or droppings underneath
the nest otherwise they were classified as inactive In addition biologists determined the nest
condition and substrate Biologists visited nests a minimum of two times once to determine the
location of the nest and once to determine if the nest was active This second check also allowed
4 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
biologists to detect late-nesting species such as Swainsonrsquos hawks Raptor nest surveys provide
an estimate of the number and species of raptors that use stick nests in the area Ground-nesting
raptor species such as northern harriers were not surveyed
213 Lek Location Surveys
The USFWS along with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department (NDGFD) have expressed
concern regarding residential sharp-tailed grouse as a species of habitat fragmentation concern as
outlined in the USFWS published Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines (USFWS 2012a) A
biologist from Wenck Associates Inc (Wenck) conducted grouse lek surveys to identify areas of
use by breeding prairie grouse within the Project and surrounding area Surveys were completed
from April 10th to May 1st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise to two hours after sunrise within the
one-mile of the Project A detailed report on the methods and results are presented in a separate
report in Appendix 3
214 Incidental Observations
Incidental observations included observations that occurred 1) during travel between points 2)
before or after the official 20-min survey period 3) outside of the 800-m radius circular plot and
4) during raptor nest and grouse lek surveys Biologists recorded these observations on separate
data sheets and these data were not used in the formal analysis however a summary of
incidental birds is presented to provide additional information about species found in the local
area
215 Listed Species Information
The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA) prohibits the take of any bald or golden
eagle alive or dead including any part nest or egg ldquoTakerdquo is defined as ldquopursue shoot shoot
at poison wound kill capture trap collect molest or disturbrdquo a bald or golden eagle ldquoDisturbrdquo
means to agitate or bother an eagle to a degree that causes or is likely to cause 1) injury to an
eagle 2) a decrease in its productivity by substantially interfering with normal breeding
feeding or sheltering behavior or 3) nest abandonment by substantially interfering with normal
breeding feeding or sheltering behavior Applications for incidental take under BGEPA for
golden eagles are currently being considered by USFWS west of 100 degrees west longitude
which includes this Project (USFWS 2009)
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) as administered by the USFWS mandates protection of
species federally listed as threatened or endangered and their associated habitats The ESA
makes it unlawful to ldquotakerdquo a listed species Take is defined as ldquoto harass harm pursue hunt
shoot wound kill trap capture or collect or attempt to engage in any such conductrdquo (USFWS
2011b) A list of endangered threatened and candidate species for Burleigh County can be found
at httpecosfwsgovtess_publiccountySearchspeciesByCountyReportactionfips=38015
5 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
The State of North Dakota does not have a state endangered or threatened species list Only those
species listed by the ESA are considered threatened or endangered in North Dakota However the
NDGFD have identified 100 Species of Conservation Priority within North Dakota These
species are ranked in three priority levels based on such factors as known status funding
availability and presence of breeding habitat within North Dakota (Hagen et al 2005) The
definitions of each rank are listed below
Level I A species having a high level of conservation priority because of declining status either in North Dakota or across their range or a high rate of occurrence in North Dakota constituting the core of the speciesrsquo breeding range but are at-risk range wide and non-State Wildlife Grants funding is not readily available to them
Level II Species having a moderate level of conservation priority or a high level of conservation priority but a substantial amount of non-State Wildlife Grant funding is available to them
Level III North Dakotarsquos species having a moderate level of conservation priority but are believed to be peripheral or do not breed in North Dakota
Species that are listed under the 100 Species of Conservation Priority are not afforded any formal
protection by the state or require special take permits Additional information on North Dakota
Species of Conservation Priority can be found at httpwwwgfndgovconservation-nongameshy
wildlifespecies-conservation-priority
216 Data Quality AssuranceQuality Control
Tetra Tech implemented quality assurance and quality control measures during all stages of data
collection analysis and report preparation To ensure legibility and completeness of data sheets
each biologist reviewed all data sheets providing clarification as needed before data entry into a
FileMaker Protrade relational database for data storage and analysis Prior to analysis an
independent reviewer conducted a 100-percent quality review of the data entries Any questions
that arose at this time were directed toward and answered by the field biologist
22 ANALYSIS
221 Species Groupings
Tetra Tech considered two primary groups of interest raptors and non-raptors Tetra Tech
defined raptors as vultures hawks eagles falcons and owls All other species groups are
defined as non-raptors
6 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
222 Avian Use
Tetra Tech derived avian use (mean use) of the Project by calculating the average number of
birds observed per 20-min survey at each point To evaluate the diversity and composition of
avian species using the Project area Tetra Tech summarized the number of individuals (birds20
min) and species Tetra Tech also calculated a measure of variability (90 percent confidence
intervals) for all mean use values In addition the number of observations is also presented
where an observation can be either an individual bird or a discrete flock of birds This
information helps evaluate whether high mean use is driven by a single event (eg a large flock
of birds moving through the Project area on migration) Because individual birds are not
uniquely marked and identified actual population size or abundance cannot be determined One
individual may be counted multiple times during a survey period or across survey periods
Although mean use of a given species does not equate to abundance it does provide an index
that is likely proportional to abundance and activity within the Project
223 Flight Behavior
Tetra Tech evaluated flight behavior by calculating the proportion of flying birds observed
below within or above the height of the anticipated turbine rotor swept area (RSA) Wilton IV
plans to develop the Project using General Electric 16 Megawatt (MW) turbines These turbines
have a hub height of 80 meters and rotor diameter of 100 meters With these specifications the
estimated RSA was between 30 and 130 m above ground Tetra Tech considered a bird to have
flown within the height range of the anticipated RSA if any of its recorded heights fell within the
upper or lower limits of the anticipated RSA
224 Encounter Rate
To estimate the rate at which a species flew at the height of the anticipated RSA Tetra Tech
applied the following equation to every species observed in the Project area
Encounter Rate = APfPt
A is the mean number of birds20 min for a given species Pf is the proportion of all activity
observations for a given species that were flying and Pt is the proportion flying observations that
were within the height range of a turbine RSA for a given species The encounter rate provides
information on the rate at which a species may move at a height that is consistent with the RSA
of the proposed turbines This information is an important component in evaluating risk of
collisions however this number alone does not indicate project-related impact to a species
Species with a high encounter rate are at a higher risk of collision than species with a low
encounter rate but it does not mean that turbine-related fatalities are certain Other factors such
as turbine location or a speciesrsquo ability to detect turbine blades flight maneuverability and
7 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
habitat selection also influence fatality (Orloff and Flannery 1992 Drewitt and Langston 2008
Martin 2011) Encounter values are sensitive to large flocks of birds flying within the RSA
height that is a species will have a high encounter rate even if only seen once in the RSA in a
large flying flock
225 Fatality Risk
The highly regional nature of avian mean use across North America and the scarce data on avian
fatalities at wind farms in many parts of the continent combined with other risk influences such
as individual species behavior and weather contribute to uncertainty in predicting fatality rates
(Arnett et al 2007 Strickland et al 2011) A recent meta-analysis suggests that pre-construction
studies provide poor indicators of post-construction fatality (Ferrer et al 2012) WEST (2011)
suggests that the most accurate predictors of fatality at a wind project are records of species-
specific fatalities detected at nearby wind projects As a result of uncertainty in predicting
fatality rates Tetra Tech did not attempt to derive fatality estimates from mean use data but will
highlight those species or groups with high use values that may experience Project-related
fatalities or whose regional population could be impacted by development Additionally Tetra
Tech will highlight species with high frequencies of observation high encounter rates and those
with records of turbine-related fatality at other wind projects as these variables may also indicate
potential collision risk at the Project
30 RESULTS
31 AVIAN USE AND FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE
Biologists surveyed 3476 acres of the Project area during point count surveys covering 22
percent of the Project arearsquos total area (15752 acres) The 7 point count locations were surveyed
14 times resulting in 98 total 20-min surveys A total of 5376 birds from 52 species and 653
that could not be identified to species (all unidentified sparrows) were recorded within the
Project area during the fixed-point count surveys (Table 2) Overall mean bird use for the Wilton
IV Wind Energy Center was 5486 birds20 min and ranged from 0 to 603 birds20 min
Overall mean use by non-raptors was 5449 birds20 min Songbirds Waterfowl and
CranesRails comprised 387 300 and 201 percent of all species observed respectively and
were distributed throughout the Project area Among species groups mean use was highest for
songbirds (2126 birds20 min Table 2) and songbirds were observed in 949 percent of all
surveys The non-raptor species with the highest mean use came from four different species
groups Songbirds Waterfowl CranesRails and GullsTerns and included the Canada goose
(1437 birds20 min observed in 133 percent of all surveys) sandhill crane (1102 birds20 min
observed in 122 percent of all surveys) unidentified sparrow (665 birds20 min 41 percent of
all surveys) red-winged blackbird (559 birds20 min observed in 378 percent of all surveys)
8 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
and Franklinrsquos gull (283 birds20 min observed in 31 percent of all surveys Table 2) Other
species with a high frequency of detection during the surveys but with a low mean use included
ring-necked pheasant (151 birds20 min observed in 745 percent of all surveys) horned lark
(177 birds20 min 612 percent of all surveys) and western meadowlark (082 birds20 min
480 percent of all surveys Table 2) Each other non-raptor species had a mean use of less than
190 birds20 min or was detected in less than 48 percent of all surveys Other non-raptor species
groups observed during the surveys included Gamebirds PigeonsDoves Waterbirds and
Woodpeckers (Table 2)
Non-raptor mean use was highest on March 16 (24743 birds20 min) April 20 (19914 birds20
min) and March 26 (12571 birds20 min Figure 3) Observations on March 16 were comprised
of mostly Canada geese (1138 individuals observed in 17 flocks ranging in size from 20 to 140
individuals 77 of all observations) The primary contributors to the high mean use on April 20
were unidentified sparrows (645 individuals observed in 6 distinct flocks and ranging from 25 to
250 individuals) red-winged blackbird (392 individuals) and Franklinrsquos gull (277 individuals)
On March 26 the primary contributor to the high mean use was the sandhill crane (772
individuals distributed between 8 flocks ranging from 15 to 275 individuals) Mean use for nonshy
raptors was highest at point count location 3 (10314 birds20 min Figure 4) Species
contributing to the high mean use at this point included sandhill crane (621 individuals) Canada
goose (523 individuals) and Franklinrsquos gull (100 individuals Table 3) The habitat at point 3
consists of row crops (wheat) and short-grass prairie possibly enrolled in the Conservation
Reserve Program (CRP) The habitat at this point is not unique within the Project area However
most of the birds observed at point 3 were flying through the Project area in flocks of 15 to 275
individuals and not stopping in the immediate vicinity of the Project
Raptors are a group of special interest because of their propensity to fly at heights similar to a
turbine RSA Overall mean use for raptors was 037 birds20 min (Table 2) raptors were not
among the most frequently observed species groups during the spring surveys The raptor species
with the highest mean use was the red-tailed hawk (016 birds20 min observed in 122 percent
of all surveys) and northern harrier (016 birds20 min observed in 143 percent of all surveys)
Other raptor species detected included the Swainsonrsquos hawk and peregrine falcon great-horned
owl and American kestrel each with mean use value of 001 birds20 min with each observed in
10 percent of all surveys (Table 2)
Mean use by raptors was highest on March 26 (129 birds20 min) and May 3 (100 birds20 min
Figure 5) Observations on March 26 included red-tailed hawk (5 individuals) northern harrier
(3 individuals) and American kestrel (1 individual) Observations on May 26 included 4 red-
tailed hawks 2 northern harriers and 1 peregrine falcon Mean use for raptors was less than 058
birds20 min for all other survey dates Mean use for raptors was highest at point count locations
4 1 and 3 (064 064 and 057 birds20 min respectively Figure 6) Species contributing to the
9 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
mean use at these points were mostly red-tailed hawks and northern harriers (Table 3) In
addition to red-tailed hawks and northern harriers point count location 1 had one American
kestrel and one Peregrine falcon Raptor mean use was equal to or less than 029 birds20 min at
all other points Point count locations 4 1 and 3 each encompass short-grass prairie and
agricultural (mostly wheat) fields both of which provide foraging opportunities for raptors
These features are not unique to these point count locations or within the Project area
32 FLIGHT HEIGHT AND ENCOUNTER RATE
During spring avian use surveys biologists collected behavioral data for 986 percent of all birds
observed during point count surveys of which 834 percent were observed flying The biologist
collected flight height data for 999 percent and flight direction for 835 percent of those
observations (ie most individuals were observed making directional flights) Of non-raptor
species observed flying 372 percent flew above the height of the anticipated RSA 455 percent
flew at the height of the anticipated RSA and 173 percent flew below the height of the
anticipated RSA (Table 4) Of raptor species observed flying 91 percent flew above the height
of the anticipated RSA 394 percent flew at the height of the anticipated RSA and 515 percent
flew above the height of the anticipated RSA Data on flight direction are located in Appendix 1
Most birds observed making direct flight over the Project were moving in a northerly direction
(803 percent of all direct flights) In combination with the timing of flights (Figure 3) these data
suggest that much of the non-raptor use observed at the Project area is due to migratory
movements
Canada goose had the highest encounter rate (654 birds flying at RSA height20 min Table 5)
followed by unidentified sparrow (632 birds flying at RSA height20 min) sandhill crane (368
birds flying at RSA height20 min) and Franklinrsquos gull (283 birds flying at RSA height20 min)
Each other species had an encounter rate below 083 birds flying at RSA height20 min
33 RAPTOR NEST SURVEYS
Raptor nests detected within the Project area or 1-mile buffer included 2 red-tailed hawks 2 unknown nests and 1 Swainsonrsquos hawk (Figure 7) The red-tailed hawk nests were found on April 5 and May 9 with each remaining active during the survey period The Swainsonrsquos hawk nest was detected on May 19th within the 1-mile buffer around the Project area The two unknown nests were found on April 15 and April 25 Both unknown nests appeared to never be active during the survey period
34 LEK SURVEYS
During grouse lek surveys conducted within the Project area and a surrounding 1-mile buffer
from April 10th to May 1st a total of 9 sharp-tailed grouse leks were found within the Project area
and 1-mile buffer (Figure 7 WENK 2012) Four of the leks were within the Project area (Figure
7) Each lek had a minimum of 4 individuals (includes males and females) observed with the
10 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
maximum number of grouse observed at one lek being 21 individuals (lek 8) A full report on the
grouse lek surveys is presented in Appendix 3
35 INCIDENTAL OBSERVATIONS
The biologist documented 17 species as incidental observations (Table 6) Of these species 4
(golden eagle lesser scaup merlin wild turkey) were not detected during spring point count
surveys
36 LISTED SPECIES
No federal threatened or endangered species were observed during avian point count raptor or
lek surveys or as an incidental observation One adult golden eagle was observed incidentally
near survey point 7 on March 26th in flight within the anticipated RSA The golden eagle is
protected by the BGEPA (Section 215)
Four Level I (Franklinrsquos gull Swainsonrsquos hawk upland sandpiper and grasshopper sparrow)
seven Level II (bobolink dickcissel redhead sharp-tailed grouse northern harrier golden eagle
and northern pintail) and one Level III (peregrine falcon) state-listed Species of Conservation
Priority were observed during point counts raptor nest lek surveys or as incidental observations
within the Project Area
40 DISCUSSION
The avian community detected within the Project area during spring surveys was characterized
by species associated with typical mid-western agricultural lands and short-grass prairie
vegetation The majority of the Project area and vicinity has been developed for agricultural use
specifically crops such as wheat sunflower and corn with additional developed lands devoted to
pastureland for cattle Within disturbed habitats such as these the greatest potential impact of
wind facilities to avian species is risk of collisions with turbines Mean avian fatality rates
estimated from wind facilities in the Midwest (NE WI MN and IA) range from 044 to 1183
birdsturbineyear (049 ndash 717 birdsMWyear Tetra Tech 2012) Project-related bird fatalities
are expected to fall within this range
In areas mostly dominated by native short-grass prairie additional loss of habitat from
developing these areas may impact resident and migratory avian species The presence of native
grassland habitats within the Project area suggests that additional disturbance and habitat loss
caused by construction and operation of the Project may cause birds to avoid the Project area
and may alter the current use of habitat by bird species within the Project area (Tetra Tech 2011)
The greatest potential for habitat loss would be for sharp-tailed grouse Current research suggests
that certain grouse species may avoid anthropogenic structures (USFWS 2012a Hagen et al
11 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
2011) however long-term data sets are still needed to best assess wind energy impacts (Johnson
et al 2012)
41 NON-RAPTOR USE AND COLLISION RISK
The Canada goose sandhill crane red-winged blackbird and Franklinrsquos gull were species with
the highest mean use within the Project area and were among the species most frequently
detected Additionally unidentified sparrows which probably represent a group of similar
species had high mean use Three of these species Canada goose Franklinrsquos gull and sandhill
crane are migratory with most individuals moving through the region (and the Project area) to
breeding grounds further north as indicated by their flight direction and large flock size Three
species had a high frequency of detection but a low mean use at the Project ring-necked
pheasant horned lark and western meadowlark These eight species are local residential and
migratory species commonly associated with the open pastureland short-grass prairie and row-
crop agriculture habitats found throughout the Project area These species are widely distributed
across the country and can be expected to occur where suitable habitat is present
The red-winged blackbird horned lark western meadowlark and ring-necked pheasant are
commonly found as turbine-related fatalities (more than 20 records of post-construction fatality
from 27 studies Tetra Tech 2012 Johnson et al 2000 Howe et al 2002 Derby et al 2007 TRC
Environmental 2008 Gruver et al 2009 BHE Environmental 2010 Jain et al 2011 Grodsky
and Drake 2011) particularly horned larks which exhibit breeding flight displays that may bring
them into the height of the RSA (Johnson and Erickson 2011) Thus risk of turbine-related
fatalities exists for each of these species at the Project However Project-related fatalities of red-
winged blackbird horned lark western meadowlark and ring-necked pheasant should they
occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts because collision fatalities appears to have
little effect North American landbird populations (Arnold and Zink 2011)
Species with high mean use but that are considered to have low risk for fatalities include sandhill
crane Franklinrsquos gull and Canada goose Although flying at the height of the RSA represents a
collision risk sandhill cranes have been documented altering flight direction in response to
turbines at wind facility in South Dakota (Nagy et al 2011) and multiple studies have
documented sandhill cranes gradually climbing as they approach marked power lines (Morkill
and Anderson 1991 Murphy et al 2009) The avoidance behavior observed at other studies and
lack of documented turbine-related fatalities of the sandhill crane suggests a low risk of Project-
related fatality for this species While no studies have documented avoidance behavior by
Franklinrsquos gulls similar to sandhill cranes the lack of documented fatalities at wind facilities
with publicly available data within the breeding range and migratory pathway of Franklinrsquos gulls
indicate a low risk of fatalities to occur at the Project (20 studies Tetra Tech 2012)
12 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Additionally Canada goose has a low number of fatality observations (less than 6 records of
post-construction fatalities from 27 studies Tetra Tech 2012)
The remaining non-raptor species detected during spring surveys have low risk for turbine
collisions at the Project due to a combination of relatively low mean-use rates infrequent flight
within the height of the RSA andor few or no records of fatalities at other wind facilities with
publically available results of fatality data
42 RAPTOR USE AND COLLISION RISK
High raptor use (greater than 20 birds20 min) has been associated with high raptor fatality at
wind farms (Strickland et al 2011) Conversely raptor fatality appears to be low when raptor use
is low (less than 10 birds20 min Strickland et al 2011) which is the case for raptor use at the
Project A factor contributing to the low raptor use of the Project area may be the number of
active raptor nests detected during nests surveys Because raptor activity is typically higher near
active nests than areas without active nests and raptors may have increased potential for
collision as they repeatedly fly within the Project area during nesting activities
Red-tailed hawks and northern harriers were the raptor species with the highest mean use and
were also among the most frequently detected raptor species at the Project Both species are
commonly associated with agricultural and grassland habitats which provide opportunities for
foraging an activity associated with susceptibility to turbine-collisions (Thelander et al 2003)
In a recent study of raptor response to wind farms northern harriers were identified as having a
low risk flight behavior for collisions whereas red-tailed hawks were observed engaging in high-
risk flight behaviors at operational wind facilities (Garvin et al 2011) Risks of collision for
northern harriers are believed to be low because the majority of foraging flights occur below
typical RSA heights (Whitfield and Madders 2006) Thus risk of turbine-related fatalities at the
Project is expected to be low given the low level of use As a result Project-related fatalities of
northern harrier should they occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts because
northern harriers are common nationwide (Sauer et al 2011) Results from post-construction
fatality monitoring studies indicate that red-tailed hawks are frequently found as turbine-related
fatalities (228 records of red-tailed hawk from 27 studies - Tetra Tech 2012 Jain 2005 Grodsky
and Drake 2011 Johnson and Erickson 2011) However Garvin et al (2011) documented that
red-tailed hawks despite high-risk flight behavior also demonstrated collision avoidance
behavior (Garvin et al 2011) Thus risk of turbine-related fatalities at the Project exists for red-
tailed hawks but turbine-related fatalities would be expected to be low given the low level of use
and low number of nests detected within the Project area and 1-mile buffer Project-related
fatalities of red-tailed hawk should they occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts
because red-tailed hawks are common nationwide (Sauer et al 2011)
13 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Two other raptor species detected during spring surveys (Swainsonrsquos hawk and American
kestrel) have been recorded as fatalities at other wind facilities (Derby 2007 Gritski et al 2008
Johnson and Erickson 2011) Peregrine falcon and great-horned owl have not been recorded as
fatalities observed at wind farms with publicly available fatality data All are likely have low risk
for turbine collisions at the Project due to the relatively very low mean-use rates
43 LISTED SPECIES
No federal listed threatened or endangered species were detected incidentally during avian point
count raptor or lek surveys One adult golden eagle was detected as an incidental observation
The golden eagle is protected under the BGEPA Although applications for incidental take
permits are available none have been issued to date Projects that are applying for permits have
are those with a perceived high risk of eagle fatality or have an additional permitting requirement
based on land ownership Consultation with the USFWS would provide further information on
local interpretation of the Draft Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance (USFWS 2011c)
No state listed designated species with regulatory implications were detected during surveys
However all native migratory avian species are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of
1918
44 CONCLUSIONS
Results of the 2012 spring avian surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center suggest an overall
low impact of the Project on the local avian community The high mean-use rate at the Project by
non-raptors is primarily driven by a few common residents and migratory species not commonly
reported as fatalities at wind energy facilities with results from post-construction fatality
monitoring Raptor use was relatively low for each raptor species detected Although there is
potential for turbine-related fatalities of Canada goose sandhill crane horned lark western
meadowlark red-winged blackbird red-tailed hawk and Franklinrsquos gull at the Project fatalities
are not expected to have population-level impacts If avian fatality rates are similar to other wind
facilities within the region we would expect them to fall between 044 ndash 1183 birdsturbineyear
(049 ndash 717 birdsMWyear) Additionally the potential for turbine-related fatalities exists for
nocturnal migrant species not identifiable by the methods of this study
No federally listed threatened or endangered species were detected incidentally during avian
point count raptor or lek surveys One adult golden eagle was detected as an incidental
observation The golden eagle is protected under the BGEPA A total of 9 sharp-tailed grouse
leks were located within the Project area and 1-mile buffer Four of the leks are within the
Project area indicating a moderate use of the Project area by the species No state listed
designated species with regulatory implications were detected during surveys However all
native migratory avian species are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918
14 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
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People who contributed to the writing of this report
Jim Kowalsky July 17 2012
Report Author Date
Jennifer Taylor July 19 2012
Peer Review 1 Date
Chris Farmer August 3 2012
Peer Review 2 Date
Anne-Marie Griger August 9 2012
Deputy Project Manager Date
Robert Friedel July 13 2012
GIS Date
19 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
FIGURES
20 August 2012
B
Knife River
James River
Random Creek
Pipestem Creek
Heart River Long Lake Creek
Rocky Run
Otter Creek
Turtle Cr eek
West Branch Apple Creek
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Figure 2 Point
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Wilton IVWind Energy Center
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Figure 5 Raptor mean use by survey date in Spring 2012 at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
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Figure 6Raptor mean use by point
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Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
A Pro po sed tu rbin e (9 -21 -20 11 )Lo ca l Ro a d
Mean use value PC Point count number
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Wilton IVWind Energy Center
Last modified 7-10-2012
NEXTENERGY RESOURCES
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Figure 7 Raptor nest and lek location
map (Spring 2012)NEXTENERGY
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Wilton IVWind Energy Center
5 Burleigh County ND
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2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
TABLES
21 August 2012
Table 1 Spring 2012 point count survey dates at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Date(s)Survey number
1 316 2 321 3 326 4 44 5 410 6 420 7 427 8 53 9 512 10 519 11 526 12 62 13 69 14 615
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Songbirds
unidentified sparrow 652 7 665 (000-1339) 41 313 121 red-winged blackbird 548 52 559 (036-1082) 378 263 102 horned lark 173 83 177 (136-218) 612 83 32 American crow 159 22 162 (027-297) 204 76 30 common grackle 91 33 093 (035-151) 245 44 17 western meadowlark 80 62 082 (065-099) 480 38 15 European starling 80 1 082 (000-216) 10 38 15 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 082 (029-135) 82 38 15 barn swallow 44 21 045 (028-062) 204 21 08 bobolink 36 28 037 (022-052) 194 17 07 American goldfinch 26 23 027 (018-036) 214 12 05 vesper sparrow 23 21 023 (013-033) 184 11 04 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 019 (010-028) 143 09 04 American robin 19 19 019 (011-027) 143 09 04 house sparrow 15 5 015 (000-030) 51 07 03 American tree sparrow 8 2 008 (000-018) 20 04 01 song sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 savannah sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 dickcissel 5 4 005 (000-010) 31 02 01 western kingbird 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 01 01 pine siskin 3 1 003 (000-008) 10 01 01 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 eastern kingbird 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 yellow warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 unidentified warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 house wren 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 Group Total 2083 430 2126 (1259-2993) 949 387
Waterfowl
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations
Canada goose 1408 24 1437 (435-2439) 133 874 262 snow goose 184 2 188 (000-490) 20 114 34 mallard 12 6 012 (004-020) 61 07 02 northern pintail 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 blue-winged teal 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 American wigeon 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 redhead 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 01 00 Group Total 1611 36 1644 (561-2727) 184 300
CranesRails sandhill crane 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 1000 201 Group Total 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 201
GullsTerns Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 283 (013-553) 31 986 52 ring-billed gull 4 3 004 (000-008) 31 14 01 Group Total 281 7 287 (017-557) 61 52
Gamebirds ring-necked pheasant 148 134 151 (128-174) 745 967 28 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 20 01 gray partridge 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 13 00 Group Total 153 138 156 (132-180) 755 28
PigeonsDoves rock pigeon 40 6 041 (009-073) 61 513 07 mourning dove 38 25 039 (019-059) 184 487 07 Group Total 78 31 080 (041-119) 224 15
Waterbirds killdeer 28 22 029 (017-041) 214 538 05 upland sandpiper 8 8 008 (003-013) 71 154 01 common snipe 8 8 008 (002-014) 61 154 01 Wilsons snipe 4 4 004 (000-008) 31 77 01 American coot 4 1 004 (000-011) 10 77 01 Group Total 52 43 053 (037-069) 357 10
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Raptors
red-tailed hawk 16 12 016 (008-024) 122 444 03 northern harrier 16 14 016 (009-023) 143 444 03 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 peregrine falcon 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 great horned owl 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 American kestrel 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 Group Total 36 30 037 (025-049) 276 07
Woodpeckers northern flicker 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 1000 00 Group Total 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 00 Grand Total 5376 735 5486 (3771-7200)
1 A ranking of 1 indicates highest mean use
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Canada goose 1408 24 210 80 523 140 210 135 110 sandhill crane 1080 18 94 18 621 15 187 145 0 unidentified sparrow 652 7 0 0 0 0 330 210 112 red-winged blackbird 548 52 0 84 49 386 14 11 4 Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 107 0 100 70 0 0 0 snow goose 184 2 0 180 4 0 0 0 0 horned lark 173 83 23 24 17 12 19 32 46 American crow 159 22 6 4 13 11 1 123 1 ring-necked pheasant 148 134 21 14 21 18 25 22 27 common grackle 91 33 6 35 7 2 8 33 0 western meadowlark 80 62 8 10 17 3 11 19 12 European starling 80 1 0 0 0 80 0 0 0 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 0 63 17 0 0 0 0 barn swallow 44 21 3 12 6 10 7 1 5 rock pigeon 40 6 0 14 0 0 0 23 3 mourning dove 38 25 4 17 1 1 1 11 3 bobolink 36 28 10 0 14 8 0 0 4 killdeer 28 22 3 3 4 5 10 0 3 American goldfinch 26 23 4 9 3 3 4 2 1 vesper sparrow 23 21 1 7 1 2 9 1 2 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 2 4 2 0 6 4 1 American robin 19 19 1 13 0 1 3 0 1 red-tailed hawk 16 12 4 0 4 5 0 1 2 northern harrier 16 14 3 1 4 4 2 0 2 house sparrow 15 5 2 13 0 0 0 0 0 mallard 12 6 0 0 6 6 0 0 0 upland sandpiper 8 8 0 0 1 0 3 2 2 common snipe 8 8 0 2 6 0 0 0 0 American tree sparrow 8 2 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 song sparrow 5 5 1 1 1 0 2 0 0 savannah sparrow 5 5 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 dickcissel 5 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 Wilsons snipe 4 4 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 ring-billed gull 4 3 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 American coot 4 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 western kingbird 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 pine siskin 3 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 northern pintail 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
northern flicker 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 gray partridge 2 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 eastern kingbird 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 blue-winged teal 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 American wigeon 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 yellow warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 unidentified warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 redhead 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 peregrine falcon 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 house wren 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 great horned owl 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 American kestrel 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Grand Total 5376 735 526 620 1452 794 859 776 349
Table 4 Summary of avian flight heights1 in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)2 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Birds
Number Percentage
Non-raptors
Raptors
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
1656 372
2023 455
767 173
3 91
13 394
17 515 1 Includes only flying birds with flight height data2These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
Canada goose 654 (435 - 2439) 1437 997 537 457 06 unidentified sparrow 632 (000 - 1339) 665 1000 00 951 49 sandhill crane 368 (083 - 2121) 1102 999 665 335 00 Franklinrsquos gull 283 (013 - 553) 283 1000 00 1000 00 European starling 082 (000 - 216) 082 1000 00 1000 00 American crow 024 (027 - 297) 162 943 00 160 840 red-tailed hawk 013 (008 - 024) 016 938 133 867 00 brown-headed cowbird 008 (029 - 135) 082 125 00 800 200 red-winged blackbird 005 (036 - 1082) 559 261 00 35 965 Wilsons snipe 002 (000 - 008) 004 500 00 1000 00 blue-winged teal 002 (000 - 005) 002 1000 00 1000 00 mallard 002 (004 - 020) 012 500 00 333 667 ring-billed gull 001 (000 - 008) 004 1000 00 250 750 yellow warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 yellow-headed blackbird 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 western meadowlark 000 (065 - 099) 082 338 00 00 1000 western kingbird 000 (000 - 007) 003 1000 00 00 1000 vesper sparrow 000 (013 - 033) 023 130 00 00 1000 upland sandpiper 000 (003 - 013) 008 250 00 00 1000 unidentified warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 Swainsonrsquos hawk 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 sharp-tailed grouse 000 (000 - 007) 003 667 00 00 1000 song sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 snow goose 000 (000 - 490) 188 1000 1000 00 00 savannah sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 rock pigeon 000 (009 - 073) 041 825 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
ring-necked pheasant 000 (128 - 174) 151 07 00 00 1000 redhead 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 pine siskin 000 (000 - 008) 003 1000 00 00 1000 peregrine falcon 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 1000 00 00 northern pintail 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 northern harrier 000 (009 - 023) 016 1000 00 00 1000 northern flicker 000 (000 - 004) 002 500 00 00 1000 mourning dove 000 (019 - 059) 039 684 00 00 1000 killdeer 000 (017 - 041) 029 607 00 00 1000 house wren 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 house sparrow 000 (000 - 030) 015 67 00 00 1000 horned lark 000 (136 - 218) 177 740 00 00 1000 grasshopper sparrow 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 gray partridge 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 great horned owl 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 eastern kingbird 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 dickcissel 000 (000 - 010) 005 00 00 00 00 common snipe 000 (002 - 014) 008 00 00 00 00 common grackle 000 (035 - 151) 093 945 00 00 1000 clay-colored sparrow 000 (010 - 028) 019 158 00 00 1000 bobolink 000 (022 - 052) 037 917 00 00 1000 barn swallow 000 (028 - 062) 045 1000 00 00 1000 American tree sparrow 000 (000 - 018) 008 1000 00 00 1000 American wigeon 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 American robin 000 (011 - 027) 019 421 00 00 1000 American kestrel 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
American goldfinch 000 027 (018 - 036) 923 00 00 1000American coot 000 004 (000 - 011) 00 00 00 001These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 6 Incidental observations of birds during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species
American crow American kestrel American robin Canada goose great horned owl golden eagle gray partridge lesser scaup mallard merlin northern harrier rock pigeon red-tailed hawk red-winged blackbird sandhill crane sharp-tailed grouse wild turkey
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
APPENDICES
22 August 2012
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number of Birds1
Number of
Observations Species
Percentage of Flights
N NE E SE S SW W NW Variable
Canada goose 1398 21 867 00 00 00 02 00 17 114 00
sandhill crane 1079 17 878 52 00 00 00 00 00 70 00
unidentified sparrow 565 5 00 00 00 788 212 00 00 00 00
Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
snow goose 184 2 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
European starling 80 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
American crow 69 11 768 58 58 00 14 43 00 14 43
red-winged blackbird 15 6 533 00 00 200 267 00 00 00 00
red-tailed hawk 14 10 500 143 00 71 00 71 00 71 143
rock pigeon 11 2 00 00 00 00 273 727 00 00 00
northern harrier 9 8 111 00 00 333 00 222 00 111 222
mourning dove 9 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
common grackle 9 6 111 00 00 111 00 222 556 00 00
brown-headed cowbird 8 1 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
horned lark 6 3 833 00 00 167 00 00 00 00 00
ring-billed gull 4 3 250 00 00 00 00 750 00 00 00
Wilsons snipe 2 2 500 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 500
vesper sparrow 2 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
mallard 2 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
blue-winged teal 2 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
peregrine falcon 1 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
killdeer 1 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
Grand Total 3747 108 722 17 04 121 36 05 30 64 02 1 Includes only flying birds with flight directions
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Nest Number Species Substrate
Nest ConditionStatusDates
Surveyed Nest
Height (m) 2012 - 1 452012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good
5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 4 592012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good 5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 5 5192012 Swainsonrsquos hawk Active Siberian Elm 7 Good
NA means not applicable
Wenck Associates Inc 301 1
st St NE Suite 202
Mandan ND 58554
Phone 701-751-3370 Email jaskimwenckcom
May 7 2012
Tracey M Dubuque PE Senior Project Manager
Tetra Tech EC
160 Federal Street Third Floor
Boston MA 02110
Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Dear Tracey
Introduction
Male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) congregate at historicalcommunal leks in the spring
to compete for breeding opportunities Both sexes return to their natal breeding grounds yearly for their
entire life Leks are typically found in areas with low-growing vegetation on a hill knoll or other point of
high visibility Fidelity to these locations is extremely high for sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse
require nesting habitat within close proximity the lek comprised of dense or residual vegetative cover to
conceal and protect their nest from predators (Vodehnal and Haufler 2007)
Disturbance of nesting prairie grouse may occur from the construction of the turbine andor access road
construction noise and physical movement of equipment Loss of habitat and fragmentation related to
energy exploration may affect local prairie grouse populations by decreasing the area of habitat available
for nesting and brood-rearing and by increasing predation (Pittman et al 2005) Therefore federal and
state wildlife agencies are concerned about the placement of turbines in areas with known prairie grouse
populations Turbine setbacks from leks and minimizing grouse habitat disturbance may reduce the direct
and indirect effects of energy development on grouse
Methods
Sharp-tailed grouse surveys were completed from April 10th to May 1
st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise
to two hours after sunrise within the one-mile analysis area (Figure 1) Peak attendance by females on leks
typically occurs from April 15 to 25 but these dates vary by up to a week depending on weather conditions
(Schroeder and Robb 1993) Peak attendance potentially occurred earlier this year due to the early spring
A habitat assessment analysis was conducted prior to the field survey to determine suitable lekkingnesting
habitat within the analysis area (Figure 2) Listening stops were made within a one-mile analysis area
surrounding the proposed project area to identify lek locations (Figure 3) Sharp-tailed grouse males may
be heard at a distance of up to 050 mile Listening stops were not conducted if winds exceeded 10 miles
per hour (mph) or during precipitation events After a lek was located the birds were observed and the
number of males and females were counted Lek locations were documented using Global Positioning
System (GPS) Given the sensitive nature of this species and the fact that females may be nesting near the
lek disturbance to breeding prairie grouse was kept to a minimum
Results
Nine (9) sharp-tailed grouse leks were located during the surveys conducted from April 10th to May 1
st
2012 (Figure 4) Date time sex number of birds present wind conditions air temperature and GPS
coordinates were recorded once a lek was located (Tables 1 and 2) Two of the leks observed were
located outside of the analysis area Due to Lek 1rsquos close proximity to Lek 4 Lek 1 shouldbe classified
as a satellite lek No visual confirmation of Lek 6 was made due to access and topography
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
related fatalities but any fatalities of these species at the Project are not likely to have
population-level impacts
Raptor mean use at the Project was low relative to projects with publically available use data
Red-tailed hawks and northern harriers had the highest mean use among raptors (both 016
birds20 min) These species had encounter rates of 013 and 000 birds flying at the RSA
height20 min respectively Northern harriers are considered to have a low risk flight behavior
for collisions whereas red-tailed hawks have been observed engaging in high-risk flight
behaviors at operational wind facilities Results from post-construction fatality monitoring
studies indicate that red-tailed hawks are frequently found as turbine-related fatalities however
few fatalities are expected within the Project area based on low frequency of observation for this
species Additional raptor species observed during surveys included Swainsonrsquos hawk
American kestrel peregrine falcon and great-horned owl Swainsonrsquos hawk and American
kestrel have been recorded as fatalities at other wind facilities Peregrine falcon and great-horned
owl have no recorded fatalities observed at wind farms with publicly available data All four
species are likely to have low risk for turbine collisions at the Project due to low mean-use rates
Additionally 2 active red-tailed hawk 1 active Swainsonrsquos hawk and 2 unknown inactive raptor
nests were detected within the Project area and a 1-mile buffer around the Project The raptor
nesting activity is considered to be low but may present an additional increased risk for turbine
collisions when any young of the year raptors begin to fledge (ie leave the nest)
LISTED AND SENSITIVE SPECIES
No federally listed threatened or endangered species were detected as an incidental observation
during avian point count raptor or lek surveys One adult golden eagle was detected as an
incidental observation The golden eagle is protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle
Protection Act A total of 9 sharp-tailed grouse leks were located within the Project area and 1shy
mile buffer during the grouse lek surveys Four of the leks are within the Project area indicating
a moderate use of the Project area by the species No state listed species with regulatory
implications were detected during surveys However all native migratory avian species are
protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 To date the US Fish and Wildlife Service
has not initiated any law enforcement action against any wind development company based on
avian fatalities
ES-2 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Table ES-1 Spring Avian Use Summary
Variable Result Details
Non-raptors
Mean use 5449 birds20 min
Moderate risk (Section 31)
Federally listed1 species observed within the Project area No
State-listed species2
within the Project area 8 Section 35
Grouse leks observed within the Project area Yes 4 sharp tailed grouse leks (Section 34)
Grouse leks observed within 1 mile of the Project area Yes 5 sharp tailed grouse leks (Section 34)
Raptors
Mean use 037 birds20 min Low risk (Section 31)
Eagles observed within the Project area Yes Golden eagle (Section 35)
Federally1
listed species observed within the Project area No
State-listed2 species within the Project area 4 Section 35
Habitat
Native habitat likely to be affected by development Yes Native prairie
Lakes (waterfowl and crane attractant) Yes Small cattle ponds
Wetlands (attractant for cranes waterfowl and other water-based species)
Yes Low areas and along Apple Creek
Cliffs (raptor nesting and traveling) None
River (permanent water source migration corridor) Yes West branch of Apple Creek
Known refuges or habitat features that may funnel migrants None 1Federally listed species include species listed as endangered threatened or candidate under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) 2The North Dakota Game and Fish Department maintains a list of Species of Conservation Priority (Hagen et al 2005) but are not afforded any formal protection by the state and there are no permitting requirements for these listed species
ES-3 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ES-I
10 INTRODUCTION 1
11 WIND ENERGY AND BIRDS 1 12 STUDY DESCRIPTION 2
20 METHODS 3
21 AVIAN SURVEYS 3 211 Fixed-point Surveys 3 212 Raptor Nest Surveys 4 213 Lek Location Surveys 5 214 Incidental Observations 5 215 Listed Species Information 5 216 Data Quality AssuranceQuality Control 6
22 ANALYSIS 6 221 Species Groupings 6 222 Avian Use 7 223 Flight Behavior 7 224 Encounter Rate 7 225 Fatality Risk 8
30 RESULTS 8
31 AVIAN USE AND FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE 8 32 FLIGHT HEIGHT AND ENCOUNTER RATE 10 33 RAPTOR NEST SURVEYS 10 34 LEK SURVEYS 10 35 INCIDENTAL OBSERVATIONS 11 36 LISTED SPECIES 11
40 DISCUSSION 11
41 NON-RAPTOR USE AND COLLISION RISK 12 42 RAPTOR USE AND COLLISION RISK 13 43 LISTED SPECIES 14 44 CONCLUSIONS 14
50 REFERENCES 15
ES-4 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1 Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Vicinity map
Figure 2 Wilton IV Wind Energy Center point count location map
Figure 3 Non-raptor mean use by survey date in Spring 2012 at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Figure 4 Non-raptor mean use by point count location map (Spring 2012)
Figure 5 Raptor mean use by survey date in Spring 2012 at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Figure 6 Raptor mean use by point count location map (Spring 2012)
Figure 7 Raptor nest and lek location map (Spring 2012)
LIST OF TABLES
Table ES-1 Spring Avian Use Summary
Table 1 Spring 2012 point count survey dates at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Table 4 Summary of avian flight heights in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA) during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA) during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Table 6 Incidental observations of birds during Spring 2012 point counts at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
List of Appendices
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Appendix 3 Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
ES-5 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
10 INTRODUCTION
11 WIND ENERGY AND BIRDS
Wind energy provides a clean renewable energy source As wind power has become more
common the need to address potential environmental impacts has increased Birds have been
identified as a group potentially at risk because of collisions with wind turbines and power lines
and displacement due to the presence of the associated structures (Erickson et al 2005 Drewitt
and Langston 2006 Arnett et al 2007) Specifically migrant passerines (eg songbirds) are
found more often in post-construction fatality monitoring compared to other groups of birds
(Arnett et al 2007) In fact at newer generation wind energy facilities outside of California
approximately 80 percent of documented fatalities have been songbirds of which 50 percent are
often nocturnal migrants (Erickson et al 2001 Johnson et al 2002 Drewitt and Langston 2006
Strickland and Morrison 2008) Locally breeding songbirds may experience lower fatality rates
than migrants because many of these species tend not to fly at turbine heights during the
breeding season However some breeding songbird species have behaviors that increase the risk
of collisions with turbines For example horned larks have been commonly found as fatalities at
wind farms that may be partially attributed to the breeding flight displays within the rotor swept
area (Pickwell 1931 Johnson and Erickson 2011)
Despite the observation that most wind farm fatalities are songbirds raptor fatality historically
has received the most attention due to high fatality rates at the Altamont Wind Project in
California (Thelander et al 2003) Raptor fatalities at newer generation wind projects has been
low relative to previous generation wind farms although there is substantial regional variation
(Johnson et al 2002 Erickson et al 2002 2004 Kerns and Kerlinger 2004 Jain et al 2007)
Although raptor fatality is reduced at newer generation facilities raptors remain the avian species
group considered most susceptible to collisions with turbines (Strickland et al 2011) Therefore
local micro-siting and site evaluation efforts are still necessary to minimize potential project-
related impacts to raptors
In addition to fatality associated with wind farms there is potential for bird species to avoid
areas near turbines or experience habitat displacement after the wind farm is in operation
(Drewitt and Langston 2006) To date evidence of this potential impact to birds does not
demonstrate a distinct trend some studies have found a decreased density or abundance of birds
near turbines (eg grassland songbirds Leddy et al 1999 Erickson et al 2004 Shaffer and
Johnson 2009) while others have found no evidence of declines near turbines (Devereux et al
2008 Shaffer and Johnson 2009 Pearce-Higgins et al 2012) However Pearce-Higgins et al
(2012) detected disturbance-related effects during construction indicating that disturbance
effects may occur on a short-term basis
1 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Particular concern over avoidance issues has been raised by agencies and non-governmental
groups with respect to grouse species (Manville 2004 USFWS 2012a) However the existing
information on avoidance by grouse species is limited to observational studies with results
varying by grouse species and source of disturbance (roads oil and gas wells vertical structures
transmission lines) Studies of grouse and anthropogenic features have reported that some
species of grouse avoid transmission lines improved roads buildings oil and gas wells and
communication towers (Pitman et al 2005 Pruett et al 2009 and Johnson et al 2011) But other
studies have found no evidence of avoidance of transmission lines or of wind facilities (Johnson
et al 2011 Johnson et al 2012) The only published research on operational wind facilities and
grouse suggest long-term data sets are needed to adequately assess impacts (Johnson et al 2012)
Finally most native migratory birds are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA)
of 1918 Under the MBTA it is unlawful to take (ie kill) any migratory bird including nests
and nest contents Currently there are no permits for incidental take of migratory birds
(Beveridge 2005) However the USFWS does not usually take action if good faith efforts have
been made to minimize impacts To date no wind development company has been charged for
violations of the MBTA Additionally The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA)
prohibit the take of any bald or golden eagle alive or dead including any part nest or egg
Currently applications for incidental take under BGEPA for golden eagles are currently being
considered by USFWS west of 100 degrees west longitude (USFWS 2009) which would include
this Project
12 STUDY DESCRIPTION
Wilton Wind IV LLC (Wilton Wind IV) a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources LLC is
planning to develop the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center (Project) in Burleigh County North
Dakota (Figure 1) located entirely on private lands Wilton Wind IV is committed to
environmental due diligence and has contracted Tetra Tech EC Inc (Tetra Tech) to conduct
spring avian surveys at the Project to quantify local avian use in the area and to evaluate the
potential impacts of the Project to birds detected during the survey The objectives meet the
requirements recommended under the Tier 3 of the USFWS Land-Based Wind Energy
Guidelines (USFWS 2012a)
The Project covers 15752 acres and is mostly located in the Northwestern Glaciated Plains
Ecoregion with western portions of the Project located in the Northwestern Great Plains
Ecoregion (Bryce et al 1996) This semiarid region of North Dakota includes level to rolling
plains topography with isolated sandstone buttes or badlands formations Historically much of
the landscape was a mix of western mixed-grass prairie and short-grass prairie with associated
wetlands of the Missouri Slope and River Breaks subregions (Bryce et al 1996) Today native
grasslands still persist mostly in areas of steep or broken topography and have been largely
2 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
replaced by agriculture in level areas Agriculture in the area is predominantly dry-land farming
of barley sunflowers corn spring and winter wheat interspersed with cattle grazing
North Dakota has 365 documented bird species (Faanes and Stewart 1982) and is situated within
the Central Flyway one of the main bird migratory routes in North America (USFWS 2011b)
The Central Flyway runs through the central portion of the US and as a consequence the
Project Area During spring migration most birds that move along the Central Flyway travel
from the tropics of South America via the Gulf of Mexico through the central states eventually
reaching breeding grounds as far away as Alaska and northern Canada (USFWS 2011b)
20 METHODS
To evaluate avian risk at wind energy facilities standardized protocols for pre-construction point
counts have been established and were used in this study This protocol is designed to be
responsive to the level of effort recommended in the National Wind Coordinating Committeersquos
Comprehensive Guide to Studying Wind EnergyWildlife Interactions (Strickland et al 2011)
and the US Fish and Wildlife Service Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines (USFWS 2012a)
Data collected from these counts are used to identify species or species groups that may be at
risk from Project development and may provide additional information for micro-siting wind
facilities to minimize impacts to birds Results in this report are presented in terms of species
groups and highlight any federal and state-listed protected species
21 AVIAN SURVEYS
211 Fixed-point Surveys
An experienced field biologist conducted 20-minute (min) point count surveys at 7 locations
within Project area to evaluate avian use behavior and species (Figure 2) The biologist
conducted 14 weekly surveys from March 16 through June 15 2012 (Table 1) thereby
encompassing the spring migration and summer breeding seasons Tetra Tech distributed the
survey locations throughout the Project area and chose locations that maximized the 360-degree
sight distance for the observer and covered a diversity of habitats
The field biologist collected data on all birds observed within an 800-m radius of the point count
location Surveys at each point lasted for 20 minutes during which time the biologist
continuously recorded any visual or auditory observations The biologist recorded the following
data species number of individuals time of observation height aboveground and behavior The
biologist estimated flight heights and distances using existing reference points such as
meteorological towers and local transmission lines as well as landscape contours shown on
topographic maps Flight direction was recorded for individuals making directional flights
through the Project area but was not recorded for individuals making localized movements
3 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
The survey protocol used in this study is designed to collect data on all bird species and to
provide results that are comparable with other studies at wind farms rather than to target specific
taxa The benefit of using this protocol is that it estimates avian use throughout the day and
captures activity by a variety of bird species During the breeding season and to a lesser extent
in the fall and winter songbirds are most active in the morning and can be difficult to detect
during the afternoon In contrast raptors become active as the sunlight heats the air and creates
thermals which many individuals use for soaring (Ballam 1984) Thus raptors are more readily
detected several hours after sunrise Therefore this protocol is appropriate for characterizing the
entire bird community using the Project It should be noted however that this survey protocol
can only detect nocturnal migrants should they be local breeders within the Project area or if they
utilize the Project as stopover habitat
Tetra Tech chose 20-minute survey periods because they provide adequate time to detect both
raptors and non-raptors However time periods of 20 minutes may lead to double-counting of
songbirds (ie counting the same individual more than once) because individuals may appear
and disappear from view For example if a horned lark is detected perched on a fence then
disappears from view and 6 minutes later a horned lark is seen flying these birds are recorded
as separate observations because it is not possible to distinguish individuals Double-counting of
birds is not problematic for this type of survey because the objective is to document use in terms
of number of birds noted per 20-minute survey not number of distinct individual birds
Detectability varies among species and potentially not all individuals within the 800-m radius
were counted This variation in detectability results in an overestimate of mean use for
conspicuous species and an underestimate of mean use for reclusive species (Thompson 2002)
Birds not easily identifiable such as those seen under low light conditions or small birds seen at
a distance were identified to the lowest taxonomic level possible Hence unidentified birds are
included in the results
212 Raptor Nest Surveys
The purpose of raptor nest surveys is to estimate the number of active and inactive raptor nests in
the Project area A biologist conducted the raptor nest survey across the Project area before trees
began to leaf out to increase visibility of raptor nests Where possible biologists also surveyed
an approximately 1-mile radius buffer around the Project area Once a nest was located the
biologist returned during the raptor breeding season to collect data on species location and
activity status Nests were classified as active if they had presence of an adult or young active
territory defense by an individual or the presence of feathers egg shells or droppings underneath
the nest otherwise they were classified as inactive In addition biologists determined the nest
condition and substrate Biologists visited nests a minimum of two times once to determine the
location of the nest and once to determine if the nest was active This second check also allowed
4 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
biologists to detect late-nesting species such as Swainsonrsquos hawks Raptor nest surveys provide
an estimate of the number and species of raptors that use stick nests in the area Ground-nesting
raptor species such as northern harriers were not surveyed
213 Lek Location Surveys
The USFWS along with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department (NDGFD) have expressed
concern regarding residential sharp-tailed grouse as a species of habitat fragmentation concern as
outlined in the USFWS published Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines (USFWS 2012a) A
biologist from Wenck Associates Inc (Wenck) conducted grouse lek surveys to identify areas of
use by breeding prairie grouse within the Project and surrounding area Surveys were completed
from April 10th to May 1st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise to two hours after sunrise within the
one-mile of the Project A detailed report on the methods and results are presented in a separate
report in Appendix 3
214 Incidental Observations
Incidental observations included observations that occurred 1) during travel between points 2)
before or after the official 20-min survey period 3) outside of the 800-m radius circular plot and
4) during raptor nest and grouse lek surveys Biologists recorded these observations on separate
data sheets and these data were not used in the formal analysis however a summary of
incidental birds is presented to provide additional information about species found in the local
area
215 Listed Species Information
The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA) prohibits the take of any bald or golden
eagle alive or dead including any part nest or egg ldquoTakerdquo is defined as ldquopursue shoot shoot
at poison wound kill capture trap collect molest or disturbrdquo a bald or golden eagle ldquoDisturbrdquo
means to agitate or bother an eagle to a degree that causes or is likely to cause 1) injury to an
eagle 2) a decrease in its productivity by substantially interfering with normal breeding
feeding or sheltering behavior or 3) nest abandonment by substantially interfering with normal
breeding feeding or sheltering behavior Applications for incidental take under BGEPA for
golden eagles are currently being considered by USFWS west of 100 degrees west longitude
which includes this Project (USFWS 2009)
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) as administered by the USFWS mandates protection of
species federally listed as threatened or endangered and their associated habitats The ESA
makes it unlawful to ldquotakerdquo a listed species Take is defined as ldquoto harass harm pursue hunt
shoot wound kill trap capture or collect or attempt to engage in any such conductrdquo (USFWS
2011b) A list of endangered threatened and candidate species for Burleigh County can be found
at httpecosfwsgovtess_publiccountySearchspeciesByCountyReportactionfips=38015
5 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
The State of North Dakota does not have a state endangered or threatened species list Only those
species listed by the ESA are considered threatened or endangered in North Dakota However the
NDGFD have identified 100 Species of Conservation Priority within North Dakota These
species are ranked in three priority levels based on such factors as known status funding
availability and presence of breeding habitat within North Dakota (Hagen et al 2005) The
definitions of each rank are listed below
Level I A species having a high level of conservation priority because of declining status either in North Dakota or across their range or a high rate of occurrence in North Dakota constituting the core of the speciesrsquo breeding range but are at-risk range wide and non-State Wildlife Grants funding is not readily available to them
Level II Species having a moderate level of conservation priority or a high level of conservation priority but a substantial amount of non-State Wildlife Grant funding is available to them
Level III North Dakotarsquos species having a moderate level of conservation priority but are believed to be peripheral or do not breed in North Dakota
Species that are listed under the 100 Species of Conservation Priority are not afforded any formal
protection by the state or require special take permits Additional information on North Dakota
Species of Conservation Priority can be found at httpwwwgfndgovconservation-nongameshy
wildlifespecies-conservation-priority
216 Data Quality AssuranceQuality Control
Tetra Tech implemented quality assurance and quality control measures during all stages of data
collection analysis and report preparation To ensure legibility and completeness of data sheets
each biologist reviewed all data sheets providing clarification as needed before data entry into a
FileMaker Protrade relational database for data storage and analysis Prior to analysis an
independent reviewer conducted a 100-percent quality review of the data entries Any questions
that arose at this time were directed toward and answered by the field biologist
22 ANALYSIS
221 Species Groupings
Tetra Tech considered two primary groups of interest raptors and non-raptors Tetra Tech
defined raptors as vultures hawks eagles falcons and owls All other species groups are
defined as non-raptors
6 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
222 Avian Use
Tetra Tech derived avian use (mean use) of the Project by calculating the average number of
birds observed per 20-min survey at each point To evaluate the diversity and composition of
avian species using the Project area Tetra Tech summarized the number of individuals (birds20
min) and species Tetra Tech also calculated a measure of variability (90 percent confidence
intervals) for all mean use values In addition the number of observations is also presented
where an observation can be either an individual bird or a discrete flock of birds This
information helps evaluate whether high mean use is driven by a single event (eg a large flock
of birds moving through the Project area on migration) Because individual birds are not
uniquely marked and identified actual population size or abundance cannot be determined One
individual may be counted multiple times during a survey period or across survey periods
Although mean use of a given species does not equate to abundance it does provide an index
that is likely proportional to abundance and activity within the Project
223 Flight Behavior
Tetra Tech evaluated flight behavior by calculating the proportion of flying birds observed
below within or above the height of the anticipated turbine rotor swept area (RSA) Wilton IV
plans to develop the Project using General Electric 16 Megawatt (MW) turbines These turbines
have a hub height of 80 meters and rotor diameter of 100 meters With these specifications the
estimated RSA was between 30 and 130 m above ground Tetra Tech considered a bird to have
flown within the height range of the anticipated RSA if any of its recorded heights fell within the
upper or lower limits of the anticipated RSA
224 Encounter Rate
To estimate the rate at which a species flew at the height of the anticipated RSA Tetra Tech
applied the following equation to every species observed in the Project area
Encounter Rate = APfPt
A is the mean number of birds20 min for a given species Pf is the proportion of all activity
observations for a given species that were flying and Pt is the proportion flying observations that
were within the height range of a turbine RSA for a given species The encounter rate provides
information on the rate at which a species may move at a height that is consistent with the RSA
of the proposed turbines This information is an important component in evaluating risk of
collisions however this number alone does not indicate project-related impact to a species
Species with a high encounter rate are at a higher risk of collision than species with a low
encounter rate but it does not mean that turbine-related fatalities are certain Other factors such
as turbine location or a speciesrsquo ability to detect turbine blades flight maneuverability and
7 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
habitat selection also influence fatality (Orloff and Flannery 1992 Drewitt and Langston 2008
Martin 2011) Encounter values are sensitive to large flocks of birds flying within the RSA
height that is a species will have a high encounter rate even if only seen once in the RSA in a
large flying flock
225 Fatality Risk
The highly regional nature of avian mean use across North America and the scarce data on avian
fatalities at wind farms in many parts of the continent combined with other risk influences such
as individual species behavior and weather contribute to uncertainty in predicting fatality rates
(Arnett et al 2007 Strickland et al 2011) A recent meta-analysis suggests that pre-construction
studies provide poor indicators of post-construction fatality (Ferrer et al 2012) WEST (2011)
suggests that the most accurate predictors of fatality at a wind project are records of species-
specific fatalities detected at nearby wind projects As a result of uncertainty in predicting
fatality rates Tetra Tech did not attempt to derive fatality estimates from mean use data but will
highlight those species or groups with high use values that may experience Project-related
fatalities or whose regional population could be impacted by development Additionally Tetra
Tech will highlight species with high frequencies of observation high encounter rates and those
with records of turbine-related fatality at other wind projects as these variables may also indicate
potential collision risk at the Project
30 RESULTS
31 AVIAN USE AND FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE
Biologists surveyed 3476 acres of the Project area during point count surveys covering 22
percent of the Project arearsquos total area (15752 acres) The 7 point count locations were surveyed
14 times resulting in 98 total 20-min surveys A total of 5376 birds from 52 species and 653
that could not be identified to species (all unidentified sparrows) were recorded within the
Project area during the fixed-point count surveys (Table 2) Overall mean bird use for the Wilton
IV Wind Energy Center was 5486 birds20 min and ranged from 0 to 603 birds20 min
Overall mean use by non-raptors was 5449 birds20 min Songbirds Waterfowl and
CranesRails comprised 387 300 and 201 percent of all species observed respectively and
were distributed throughout the Project area Among species groups mean use was highest for
songbirds (2126 birds20 min Table 2) and songbirds were observed in 949 percent of all
surveys The non-raptor species with the highest mean use came from four different species
groups Songbirds Waterfowl CranesRails and GullsTerns and included the Canada goose
(1437 birds20 min observed in 133 percent of all surveys) sandhill crane (1102 birds20 min
observed in 122 percent of all surveys) unidentified sparrow (665 birds20 min 41 percent of
all surveys) red-winged blackbird (559 birds20 min observed in 378 percent of all surveys)
8 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
and Franklinrsquos gull (283 birds20 min observed in 31 percent of all surveys Table 2) Other
species with a high frequency of detection during the surveys but with a low mean use included
ring-necked pheasant (151 birds20 min observed in 745 percent of all surveys) horned lark
(177 birds20 min 612 percent of all surveys) and western meadowlark (082 birds20 min
480 percent of all surveys Table 2) Each other non-raptor species had a mean use of less than
190 birds20 min or was detected in less than 48 percent of all surveys Other non-raptor species
groups observed during the surveys included Gamebirds PigeonsDoves Waterbirds and
Woodpeckers (Table 2)
Non-raptor mean use was highest on March 16 (24743 birds20 min) April 20 (19914 birds20
min) and March 26 (12571 birds20 min Figure 3) Observations on March 16 were comprised
of mostly Canada geese (1138 individuals observed in 17 flocks ranging in size from 20 to 140
individuals 77 of all observations) The primary contributors to the high mean use on April 20
were unidentified sparrows (645 individuals observed in 6 distinct flocks and ranging from 25 to
250 individuals) red-winged blackbird (392 individuals) and Franklinrsquos gull (277 individuals)
On March 26 the primary contributor to the high mean use was the sandhill crane (772
individuals distributed between 8 flocks ranging from 15 to 275 individuals) Mean use for nonshy
raptors was highest at point count location 3 (10314 birds20 min Figure 4) Species
contributing to the high mean use at this point included sandhill crane (621 individuals) Canada
goose (523 individuals) and Franklinrsquos gull (100 individuals Table 3) The habitat at point 3
consists of row crops (wheat) and short-grass prairie possibly enrolled in the Conservation
Reserve Program (CRP) The habitat at this point is not unique within the Project area However
most of the birds observed at point 3 were flying through the Project area in flocks of 15 to 275
individuals and not stopping in the immediate vicinity of the Project
Raptors are a group of special interest because of their propensity to fly at heights similar to a
turbine RSA Overall mean use for raptors was 037 birds20 min (Table 2) raptors were not
among the most frequently observed species groups during the spring surveys The raptor species
with the highest mean use was the red-tailed hawk (016 birds20 min observed in 122 percent
of all surveys) and northern harrier (016 birds20 min observed in 143 percent of all surveys)
Other raptor species detected included the Swainsonrsquos hawk and peregrine falcon great-horned
owl and American kestrel each with mean use value of 001 birds20 min with each observed in
10 percent of all surveys (Table 2)
Mean use by raptors was highest on March 26 (129 birds20 min) and May 3 (100 birds20 min
Figure 5) Observations on March 26 included red-tailed hawk (5 individuals) northern harrier
(3 individuals) and American kestrel (1 individual) Observations on May 26 included 4 red-
tailed hawks 2 northern harriers and 1 peregrine falcon Mean use for raptors was less than 058
birds20 min for all other survey dates Mean use for raptors was highest at point count locations
4 1 and 3 (064 064 and 057 birds20 min respectively Figure 6) Species contributing to the
9 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
mean use at these points were mostly red-tailed hawks and northern harriers (Table 3) In
addition to red-tailed hawks and northern harriers point count location 1 had one American
kestrel and one Peregrine falcon Raptor mean use was equal to or less than 029 birds20 min at
all other points Point count locations 4 1 and 3 each encompass short-grass prairie and
agricultural (mostly wheat) fields both of which provide foraging opportunities for raptors
These features are not unique to these point count locations or within the Project area
32 FLIGHT HEIGHT AND ENCOUNTER RATE
During spring avian use surveys biologists collected behavioral data for 986 percent of all birds
observed during point count surveys of which 834 percent were observed flying The biologist
collected flight height data for 999 percent and flight direction for 835 percent of those
observations (ie most individuals were observed making directional flights) Of non-raptor
species observed flying 372 percent flew above the height of the anticipated RSA 455 percent
flew at the height of the anticipated RSA and 173 percent flew below the height of the
anticipated RSA (Table 4) Of raptor species observed flying 91 percent flew above the height
of the anticipated RSA 394 percent flew at the height of the anticipated RSA and 515 percent
flew above the height of the anticipated RSA Data on flight direction are located in Appendix 1
Most birds observed making direct flight over the Project were moving in a northerly direction
(803 percent of all direct flights) In combination with the timing of flights (Figure 3) these data
suggest that much of the non-raptor use observed at the Project area is due to migratory
movements
Canada goose had the highest encounter rate (654 birds flying at RSA height20 min Table 5)
followed by unidentified sparrow (632 birds flying at RSA height20 min) sandhill crane (368
birds flying at RSA height20 min) and Franklinrsquos gull (283 birds flying at RSA height20 min)
Each other species had an encounter rate below 083 birds flying at RSA height20 min
33 RAPTOR NEST SURVEYS
Raptor nests detected within the Project area or 1-mile buffer included 2 red-tailed hawks 2 unknown nests and 1 Swainsonrsquos hawk (Figure 7) The red-tailed hawk nests were found on April 5 and May 9 with each remaining active during the survey period The Swainsonrsquos hawk nest was detected on May 19th within the 1-mile buffer around the Project area The two unknown nests were found on April 15 and April 25 Both unknown nests appeared to never be active during the survey period
34 LEK SURVEYS
During grouse lek surveys conducted within the Project area and a surrounding 1-mile buffer
from April 10th to May 1st a total of 9 sharp-tailed grouse leks were found within the Project area
and 1-mile buffer (Figure 7 WENK 2012) Four of the leks were within the Project area (Figure
7) Each lek had a minimum of 4 individuals (includes males and females) observed with the
10 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
maximum number of grouse observed at one lek being 21 individuals (lek 8) A full report on the
grouse lek surveys is presented in Appendix 3
35 INCIDENTAL OBSERVATIONS
The biologist documented 17 species as incidental observations (Table 6) Of these species 4
(golden eagle lesser scaup merlin wild turkey) were not detected during spring point count
surveys
36 LISTED SPECIES
No federal threatened or endangered species were observed during avian point count raptor or
lek surveys or as an incidental observation One adult golden eagle was observed incidentally
near survey point 7 on March 26th in flight within the anticipated RSA The golden eagle is
protected by the BGEPA (Section 215)
Four Level I (Franklinrsquos gull Swainsonrsquos hawk upland sandpiper and grasshopper sparrow)
seven Level II (bobolink dickcissel redhead sharp-tailed grouse northern harrier golden eagle
and northern pintail) and one Level III (peregrine falcon) state-listed Species of Conservation
Priority were observed during point counts raptor nest lek surveys or as incidental observations
within the Project Area
40 DISCUSSION
The avian community detected within the Project area during spring surveys was characterized
by species associated with typical mid-western agricultural lands and short-grass prairie
vegetation The majority of the Project area and vicinity has been developed for agricultural use
specifically crops such as wheat sunflower and corn with additional developed lands devoted to
pastureland for cattle Within disturbed habitats such as these the greatest potential impact of
wind facilities to avian species is risk of collisions with turbines Mean avian fatality rates
estimated from wind facilities in the Midwest (NE WI MN and IA) range from 044 to 1183
birdsturbineyear (049 ndash 717 birdsMWyear Tetra Tech 2012) Project-related bird fatalities
are expected to fall within this range
In areas mostly dominated by native short-grass prairie additional loss of habitat from
developing these areas may impact resident and migratory avian species The presence of native
grassland habitats within the Project area suggests that additional disturbance and habitat loss
caused by construction and operation of the Project may cause birds to avoid the Project area
and may alter the current use of habitat by bird species within the Project area (Tetra Tech 2011)
The greatest potential for habitat loss would be for sharp-tailed grouse Current research suggests
that certain grouse species may avoid anthropogenic structures (USFWS 2012a Hagen et al
11 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
2011) however long-term data sets are still needed to best assess wind energy impacts (Johnson
et al 2012)
41 NON-RAPTOR USE AND COLLISION RISK
The Canada goose sandhill crane red-winged blackbird and Franklinrsquos gull were species with
the highest mean use within the Project area and were among the species most frequently
detected Additionally unidentified sparrows which probably represent a group of similar
species had high mean use Three of these species Canada goose Franklinrsquos gull and sandhill
crane are migratory with most individuals moving through the region (and the Project area) to
breeding grounds further north as indicated by their flight direction and large flock size Three
species had a high frequency of detection but a low mean use at the Project ring-necked
pheasant horned lark and western meadowlark These eight species are local residential and
migratory species commonly associated with the open pastureland short-grass prairie and row-
crop agriculture habitats found throughout the Project area These species are widely distributed
across the country and can be expected to occur where suitable habitat is present
The red-winged blackbird horned lark western meadowlark and ring-necked pheasant are
commonly found as turbine-related fatalities (more than 20 records of post-construction fatality
from 27 studies Tetra Tech 2012 Johnson et al 2000 Howe et al 2002 Derby et al 2007 TRC
Environmental 2008 Gruver et al 2009 BHE Environmental 2010 Jain et al 2011 Grodsky
and Drake 2011) particularly horned larks which exhibit breeding flight displays that may bring
them into the height of the RSA (Johnson and Erickson 2011) Thus risk of turbine-related
fatalities exists for each of these species at the Project However Project-related fatalities of red-
winged blackbird horned lark western meadowlark and ring-necked pheasant should they
occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts because collision fatalities appears to have
little effect North American landbird populations (Arnold and Zink 2011)
Species with high mean use but that are considered to have low risk for fatalities include sandhill
crane Franklinrsquos gull and Canada goose Although flying at the height of the RSA represents a
collision risk sandhill cranes have been documented altering flight direction in response to
turbines at wind facility in South Dakota (Nagy et al 2011) and multiple studies have
documented sandhill cranes gradually climbing as they approach marked power lines (Morkill
and Anderson 1991 Murphy et al 2009) The avoidance behavior observed at other studies and
lack of documented turbine-related fatalities of the sandhill crane suggests a low risk of Project-
related fatality for this species While no studies have documented avoidance behavior by
Franklinrsquos gulls similar to sandhill cranes the lack of documented fatalities at wind facilities
with publicly available data within the breeding range and migratory pathway of Franklinrsquos gulls
indicate a low risk of fatalities to occur at the Project (20 studies Tetra Tech 2012)
12 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Additionally Canada goose has a low number of fatality observations (less than 6 records of
post-construction fatalities from 27 studies Tetra Tech 2012)
The remaining non-raptor species detected during spring surveys have low risk for turbine
collisions at the Project due to a combination of relatively low mean-use rates infrequent flight
within the height of the RSA andor few or no records of fatalities at other wind facilities with
publically available results of fatality data
42 RAPTOR USE AND COLLISION RISK
High raptor use (greater than 20 birds20 min) has been associated with high raptor fatality at
wind farms (Strickland et al 2011) Conversely raptor fatality appears to be low when raptor use
is low (less than 10 birds20 min Strickland et al 2011) which is the case for raptor use at the
Project A factor contributing to the low raptor use of the Project area may be the number of
active raptor nests detected during nests surveys Because raptor activity is typically higher near
active nests than areas without active nests and raptors may have increased potential for
collision as they repeatedly fly within the Project area during nesting activities
Red-tailed hawks and northern harriers were the raptor species with the highest mean use and
were also among the most frequently detected raptor species at the Project Both species are
commonly associated with agricultural and grassland habitats which provide opportunities for
foraging an activity associated with susceptibility to turbine-collisions (Thelander et al 2003)
In a recent study of raptor response to wind farms northern harriers were identified as having a
low risk flight behavior for collisions whereas red-tailed hawks were observed engaging in high-
risk flight behaviors at operational wind facilities (Garvin et al 2011) Risks of collision for
northern harriers are believed to be low because the majority of foraging flights occur below
typical RSA heights (Whitfield and Madders 2006) Thus risk of turbine-related fatalities at the
Project is expected to be low given the low level of use As a result Project-related fatalities of
northern harrier should they occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts because
northern harriers are common nationwide (Sauer et al 2011) Results from post-construction
fatality monitoring studies indicate that red-tailed hawks are frequently found as turbine-related
fatalities (228 records of red-tailed hawk from 27 studies - Tetra Tech 2012 Jain 2005 Grodsky
and Drake 2011 Johnson and Erickson 2011) However Garvin et al (2011) documented that
red-tailed hawks despite high-risk flight behavior also demonstrated collision avoidance
behavior (Garvin et al 2011) Thus risk of turbine-related fatalities at the Project exists for red-
tailed hawks but turbine-related fatalities would be expected to be low given the low level of use
and low number of nests detected within the Project area and 1-mile buffer Project-related
fatalities of red-tailed hawk should they occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts
because red-tailed hawks are common nationwide (Sauer et al 2011)
13 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Two other raptor species detected during spring surveys (Swainsonrsquos hawk and American
kestrel) have been recorded as fatalities at other wind facilities (Derby 2007 Gritski et al 2008
Johnson and Erickson 2011) Peregrine falcon and great-horned owl have not been recorded as
fatalities observed at wind farms with publicly available fatality data All are likely have low risk
for turbine collisions at the Project due to the relatively very low mean-use rates
43 LISTED SPECIES
No federal listed threatened or endangered species were detected incidentally during avian point
count raptor or lek surveys One adult golden eagle was detected as an incidental observation
The golden eagle is protected under the BGEPA Although applications for incidental take
permits are available none have been issued to date Projects that are applying for permits have
are those with a perceived high risk of eagle fatality or have an additional permitting requirement
based on land ownership Consultation with the USFWS would provide further information on
local interpretation of the Draft Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance (USFWS 2011c)
No state listed designated species with regulatory implications were detected during surveys
However all native migratory avian species are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of
1918
44 CONCLUSIONS
Results of the 2012 spring avian surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center suggest an overall
low impact of the Project on the local avian community The high mean-use rate at the Project by
non-raptors is primarily driven by a few common residents and migratory species not commonly
reported as fatalities at wind energy facilities with results from post-construction fatality
monitoring Raptor use was relatively low for each raptor species detected Although there is
potential for turbine-related fatalities of Canada goose sandhill crane horned lark western
meadowlark red-winged blackbird red-tailed hawk and Franklinrsquos gull at the Project fatalities
are not expected to have population-level impacts If avian fatality rates are similar to other wind
facilities within the region we would expect them to fall between 044 ndash 1183 birdsturbineyear
(049 ndash 717 birdsMWyear) Additionally the potential for turbine-related fatalities exists for
nocturnal migrant species not identifiable by the methods of this study
No federally listed threatened or endangered species were detected incidentally during avian
point count raptor or lek surveys One adult golden eagle was detected as an incidental
observation The golden eagle is protected under the BGEPA A total of 9 sharp-tailed grouse
leks were located within the Project area and 1-mile buffer Four of the leks are within the
Project area indicating a moderate use of the Project area by the species No state listed
designated species with regulatory implications were detected during surveys However all
native migratory avian species are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918
14 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
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Strickland D and ML Morrison 2008 A summary of avianwind facility interactions in the US Federal Guidelines Committee for Wind Siting Guidelines February 26 2008 Washington DC
Tetra Tech 2012 Database of publicly available post-construction fatality rates and records of bird and bat fatality at North American wind projects Unpublished report
Tetra Tech 2011 Native Prairie Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Burleigh County North Dakota Submitted to Wilton IV Wind Energy Center October 2011
Thelander CG KS Smallwood and L Rugge 2003 Bird Risk Behaviors and Fatalities at the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area Period of Performance March 1998-December 2000
Thompson WL 2002 Towards reliable bird surveys accounting for individuals present but not detected Auk 11918-25
TRC Environmental Corporation 2008 Post-Construction Avian and Bat Fatality Monitoring and Grassland Bird Displacement Surveys at the Judith Gap Wind Energy Project
18 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Wheatland County Montana Prepared for Judith Gap Energy LLC Chicago Illinois TRC Environmental Corporation Laramie Wyoming TRC Project 51883-01 (112416) January 2008 httpwwwnewwestnetpdfsAvianBatFatalityMonitoringpdf
USFWS (United States Fish and Wildlife Service) 2012 US Fish and Wildlife Service Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines Available from httpwwwfwsgovwindenergydocsWEG_finalpdf
USFWS 2011a Flyways Retrieved from httpflywaysusflywaysinfo Accessed June 25 2012
USFWS 2011b ESA Basics More Than 30 Years of Conserving Endangered Species Retrieved from httpwwwfwsgovendangeredesa-librarypdfESA_basicspdf
USFWS 2011c Draft Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance Released January 2011
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WEST (Western EcoSystems Technology Inc) 2011 Presentation at the Northwest Wind Energy and Wildlife Workshop June 7-8 2011 Portland Oregon
Wenck Associates Inc (Wenck) 2012 Wilton IV spring sharp-tailed grouse lek survey Report submitted to Tetra Tech EC Inc May 2012
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People who contributed to the writing of this report
Jim Kowalsky July 17 2012
Report Author Date
Jennifer Taylor July 19 2012
Peer Review 1 Date
Chris Farmer August 3 2012
Peer Review 2 Date
Anne-Marie Griger August 9 2012
Deputy Project Manager Date
Robert Friedel July 13 2012
GIS Date
19 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
FIGURES
20 August 2012
B
Knife River
James River
Random Creek
Pipestem Creek
Heart River Long Lake Creek
Rocky Run
Otter Creek
Turtle Cr eek
West Branch Apple Creek
Little Heart River
Big Muddy Creek
Ea st Br an ch Ap pl e C re ek
Apple
Creek
Painte Woods Creek
Sweetbrier Creek
Square Butte Creek
B
LakeAudubon Figure 1Lake NettieLakeSakakawea ty MapVicini
Turtle BlueLake Lakeerson
Lake NEXTENERGYPetUV7
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V41 RESOURCES
Wilton IVMcLeanWind Energy Center
Burleigh County ND
Las modified 7-10-2012
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Urban area WillowOBrienLongLake lkaliA14 HelenTwi Interstate Highway
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Figure 2 Point
(Spr t location mapcoun
ing 2012)NEXTENERGY
RESOURCES
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
AA
A A
Burleigh County ND
Last modified 7-10-2012A AA
AA AA A A A
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Figure 3 Non-raptor mean use by survey date in Spring at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center M
ean
Use
(bir
ds2
0 m
in)
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
00
Survey Date
316 321 326 44 410 420 427 53 512 519 526 62 69 615
NAD 1983 UTM 14
240th Ave Ne240th Ave Ne
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184T
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80Th
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214Th Ave NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE 279Th Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
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145T
h St N
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41St
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145T
h St N
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66Th
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171S
t St N
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d St N
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52Nd
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41St
St NE
66Th
St N
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80Th
St N
E
93Rd
St N
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292Nd Ave NE
106T
h St N
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171S
t St N
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214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
93Rd
St N
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86Th
St N
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184T
h St N
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PC 01
PC 02
PC 03
PC 04
PC 05 PC 06
PC 07
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TETR A TECH EC INC
Figure 4Non-raptor mean use by point count location (Spring 2012)
Non-r aptor s p e r 20 m in u te s 00 1 - 25 0 0 25 01 - 5 0 00 50 01 - 7 5 00
75 01 - 1 0 00 0
10 00 1 - 1 25 00
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
A Pro po sed tu rbin e (9 -21 -20 11 )Lo ca l Ro a d
Mean use value PC Point count number
Burleigh County ND
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
Last modified 7-10-2012
NEXTENERGY RESOURCES
Figure 5 Raptor mean use by survey date in Spring 2012 at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Mea
n U
se (b
irds
20
min
)
140
120
100
080
060
040
020
000
Survey Date
316 321 326 44 410 420 427 53 512 519 526 62 69 615
NAD 1983 UTM 14
240th Ave Ne240th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
253Rd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
227Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE 279Th Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
145T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
145T
h St N
E
66Th
St N
E
171S
t St N
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132N
d St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
41St
St NE
66Th
St N
E
80Th
St N
E
93Rd
St N
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292Nd Ave NE
106T
h St N
E
171S
t St N
E
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
93Rd
St N
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86Th
St N
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184T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
PC 01
PC 02
PC 03
PC 04
PC 05 PC 06
PC 07
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TETR A TECH EC INC
Figure 6Raptor mean use by point
count location (Spring 2012)
Rapto r s p e r 2 0 m in u te s 00 1- 01 6 01 7 - 0 32 03 3 - 0 48
04 9 - 0 64
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
A Pro po sed tu rbin e (9 -21 -20 11 )Lo ca l Ro a d
Mean use value PC Point count number
Burleigh County ND
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
Last modified 7-10-2012
NEXTENERGY RESOURCES
240th Ave Ne 240th Ave Ne
240th Ave Ne
266th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
279Th Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE
292Nd Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
52Nd
St N
E
197T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
66Th
St N
E
188Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
106T
h St N
E
253Rd Ave NE
292Nd Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
132N
d St N
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26Th
St N
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266Th Ave NE
253Rd Ave NE
CR 18
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201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
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93Rd
St N
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145T
h St N
E 14
5Th S
t NE
132N
d St N
E
41St
St NE
210T
h St N
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119T
h St N
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106T
h St N
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171S
t St N
E 17
1St S
t NE
188Th Ave NE
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE 227Th Ave NE
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
201St Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
Figure 7 Raptor nest and lek location
map (Spring 2012)NEXTENERGY
RESOURCES
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
5 Burleigh County ND
Last modified 7-10-2012 A A
A A
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
AAA A A A A A
A A
Pro po sed tu rbi(9 -21 -20 11 )
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2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
TABLES
21 August 2012
Table 1 Spring 2012 point count survey dates at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Date(s)Survey number
1 316 2 321 3 326 4 44 5 410 6 420 7 427 8 53 9 512 10 519 11 526 12 62 13 69 14 615
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Songbirds
unidentified sparrow 652 7 665 (000-1339) 41 313 121 red-winged blackbird 548 52 559 (036-1082) 378 263 102 horned lark 173 83 177 (136-218) 612 83 32 American crow 159 22 162 (027-297) 204 76 30 common grackle 91 33 093 (035-151) 245 44 17 western meadowlark 80 62 082 (065-099) 480 38 15 European starling 80 1 082 (000-216) 10 38 15 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 082 (029-135) 82 38 15 barn swallow 44 21 045 (028-062) 204 21 08 bobolink 36 28 037 (022-052) 194 17 07 American goldfinch 26 23 027 (018-036) 214 12 05 vesper sparrow 23 21 023 (013-033) 184 11 04 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 019 (010-028) 143 09 04 American robin 19 19 019 (011-027) 143 09 04 house sparrow 15 5 015 (000-030) 51 07 03 American tree sparrow 8 2 008 (000-018) 20 04 01 song sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 savannah sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 dickcissel 5 4 005 (000-010) 31 02 01 western kingbird 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 01 01 pine siskin 3 1 003 (000-008) 10 01 01 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 eastern kingbird 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 yellow warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 unidentified warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 house wren 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 Group Total 2083 430 2126 (1259-2993) 949 387
Waterfowl
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations
Canada goose 1408 24 1437 (435-2439) 133 874 262 snow goose 184 2 188 (000-490) 20 114 34 mallard 12 6 012 (004-020) 61 07 02 northern pintail 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 blue-winged teal 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 American wigeon 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 redhead 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 01 00 Group Total 1611 36 1644 (561-2727) 184 300
CranesRails sandhill crane 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 1000 201 Group Total 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 201
GullsTerns Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 283 (013-553) 31 986 52 ring-billed gull 4 3 004 (000-008) 31 14 01 Group Total 281 7 287 (017-557) 61 52
Gamebirds ring-necked pheasant 148 134 151 (128-174) 745 967 28 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 20 01 gray partridge 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 13 00 Group Total 153 138 156 (132-180) 755 28
PigeonsDoves rock pigeon 40 6 041 (009-073) 61 513 07 mourning dove 38 25 039 (019-059) 184 487 07 Group Total 78 31 080 (041-119) 224 15
Waterbirds killdeer 28 22 029 (017-041) 214 538 05 upland sandpiper 8 8 008 (003-013) 71 154 01 common snipe 8 8 008 (002-014) 61 154 01 Wilsons snipe 4 4 004 (000-008) 31 77 01 American coot 4 1 004 (000-011) 10 77 01 Group Total 52 43 053 (037-069) 357 10
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Raptors
red-tailed hawk 16 12 016 (008-024) 122 444 03 northern harrier 16 14 016 (009-023) 143 444 03 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 peregrine falcon 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 great horned owl 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 American kestrel 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 Group Total 36 30 037 (025-049) 276 07
Woodpeckers northern flicker 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 1000 00 Group Total 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 00 Grand Total 5376 735 5486 (3771-7200)
1 A ranking of 1 indicates highest mean use
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Canada goose 1408 24 210 80 523 140 210 135 110 sandhill crane 1080 18 94 18 621 15 187 145 0 unidentified sparrow 652 7 0 0 0 0 330 210 112 red-winged blackbird 548 52 0 84 49 386 14 11 4 Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 107 0 100 70 0 0 0 snow goose 184 2 0 180 4 0 0 0 0 horned lark 173 83 23 24 17 12 19 32 46 American crow 159 22 6 4 13 11 1 123 1 ring-necked pheasant 148 134 21 14 21 18 25 22 27 common grackle 91 33 6 35 7 2 8 33 0 western meadowlark 80 62 8 10 17 3 11 19 12 European starling 80 1 0 0 0 80 0 0 0 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 0 63 17 0 0 0 0 barn swallow 44 21 3 12 6 10 7 1 5 rock pigeon 40 6 0 14 0 0 0 23 3 mourning dove 38 25 4 17 1 1 1 11 3 bobolink 36 28 10 0 14 8 0 0 4 killdeer 28 22 3 3 4 5 10 0 3 American goldfinch 26 23 4 9 3 3 4 2 1 vesper sparrow 23 21 1 7 1 2 9 1 2 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 2 4 2 0 6 4 1 American robin 19 19 1 13 0 1 3 0 1 red-tailed hawk 16 12 4 0 4 5 0 1 2 northern harrier 16 14 3 1 4 4 2 0 2 house sparrow 15 5 2 13 0 0 0 0 0 mallard 12 6 0 0 6 6 0 0 0 upland sandpiper 8 8 0 0 1 0 3 2 2 common snipe 8 8 0 2 6 0 0 0 0 American tree sparrow 8 2 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 song sparrow 5 5 1 1 1 0 2 0 0 savannah sparrow 5 5 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 dickcissel 5 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 Wilsons snipe 4 4 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 ring-billed gull 4 3 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 American coot 4 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 western kingbird 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 pine siskin 3 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 northern pintail 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
northern flicker 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 gray partridge 2 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 eastern kingbird 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 blue-winged teal 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 American wigeon 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 yellow warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 unidentified warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 redhead 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 peregrine falcon 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 house wren 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 great horned owl 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 American kestrel 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Grand Total 5376 735 526 620 1452 794 859 776 349
Table 4 Summary of avian flight heights1 in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)2 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Birds
Number Percentage
Non-raptors
Raptors
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
1656 372
2023 455
767 173
3 91
13 394
17 515 1 Includes only flying birds with flight height data2These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
Canada goose 654 (435 - 2439) 1437 997 537 457 06 unidentified sparrow 632 (000 - 1339) 665 1000 00 951 49 sandhill crane 368 (083 - 2121) 1102 999 665 335 00 Franklinrsquos gull 283 (013 - 553) 283 1000 00 1000 00 European starling 082 (000 - 216) 082 1000 00 1000 00 American crow 024 (027 - 297) 162 943 00 160 840 red-tailed hawk 013 (008 - 024) 016 938 133 867 00 brown-headed cowbird 008 (029 - 135) 082 125 00 800 200 red-winged blackbird 005 (036 - 1082) 559 261 00 35 965 Wilsons snipe 002 (000 - 008) 004 500 00 1000 00 blue-winged teal 002 (000 - 005) 002 1000 00 1000 00 mallard 002 (004 - 020) 012 500 00 333 667 ring-billed gull 001 (000 - 008) 004 1000 00 250 750 yellow warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 yellow-headed blackbird 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 western meadowlark 000 (065 - 099) 082 338 00 00 1000 western kingbird 000 (000 - 007) 003 1000 00 00 1000 vesper sparrow 000 (013 - 033) 023 130 00 00 1000 upland sandpiper 000 (003 - 013) 008 250 00 00 1000 unidentified warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 Swainsonrsquos hawk 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 sharp-tailed grouse 000 (000 - 007) 003 667 00 00 1000 song sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 snow goose 000 (000 - 490) 188 1000 1000 00 00 savannah sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 rock pigeon 000 (009 - 073) 041 825 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
ring-necked pheasant 000 (128 - 174) 151 07 00 00 1000 redhead 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 pine siskin 000 (000 - 008) 003 1000 00 00 1000 peregrine falcon 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 1000 00 00 northern pintail 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 northern harrier 000 (009 - 023) 016 1000 00 00 1000 northern flicker 000 (000 - 004) 002 500 00 00 1000 mourning dove 000 (019 - 059) 039 684 00 00 1000 killdeer 000 (017 - 041) 029 607 00 00 1000 house wren 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 house sparrow 000 (000 - 030) 015 67 00 00 1000 horned lark 000 (136 - 218) 177 740 00 00 1000 grasshopper sparrow 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 gray partridge 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 great horned owl 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 eastern kingbird 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 dickcissel 000 (000 - 010) 005 00 00 00 00 common snipe 000 (002 - 014) 008 00 00 00 00 common grackle 000 (035 - 151) 093 945 00 00 1000 clay-colored sparrow 000 (010 - 028) 019 158 00 00 1000 bobolink 000 (022 - 052) 037 917 00 00 1000 barn swallow 000 (028 - 062) 045 1000 00 00 1000 American tree sparrow 000 (000 - 018) 008 1000 00 00 1000 American wigeon 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 American robin 000 (011 - 027) 019 421 00 00 1000 American kestrel 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
American goldfinch 000 027 (018 - 036) 923 00 00 1000American coot 000 004 (000 - 011) 00 00 00 001These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 6 Incidental observations of birds during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species
American crow American kestrel American robin Canada goose great horned owl golden eagle gray partridge lesser scaup mallard merlin northern harrier rock pigeon red-tailed hawk red-winged blackbird sandhill crane sharp-tailed grouse wild turkey
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
APPENDICES
22 August 2012
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number of Birds1
Number of
Observations Species
Percentage of Flights
N NE E SE S SW W NW Variable
Canada goose 1398 21 867 00 00 00 02 00 17 114 00
sandhill crane 1079 17 878 52 00 00 00 00 00 70 00
unidentified sparrow 565 5 00 00 00 788 212 00 00 00 00
Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
snow goose 184 2 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
European starling 80 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
American crow 69 11 768 58 58 00 14 43 00 14 43
red-winged blackbird 15 6 533 00 00 200 267 00 00 00 00
red-tailed hawk 14 10 500 143 00 71 00 71 00 71 143
rock pigeon 11 2 00 00 00 00 273 727 00 00 00
northern harrier 9 8 111 00 00 333 00 222 00 111 222
mourning dove 9 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
common grackle 9 6 111 00 00 111 00 222 556 00 00
brown-headed cowbird 8 1 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
horned lark 6 3 833 00 00 167 00 00 00 00 00
ring-billed gull 4 3 250 00 00 00 00 750 00 00 00
Wilsons snipe 2 2 500 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 500
vesper sparrow 2 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
mallard 2 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
blue-winged teal 2 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
peregrine falcon 1 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
killdeer 1 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
Grand Total 3747 108 722 17 04 121 36 05 30 64 02 1 Includes only flying birds with flight directions
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Nest Number Species Substrate
Nest ConditionStatusDates
Surveyed Nest
Height (m) 2012 - 1 452012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good
5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 4 592012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good 5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 5 5192012 Swainsonrsquos hawk Active Siberian Elm 7 Good
NA means not applicable
Wenck Associates Inc 301 1
st St NE Suite 202
Mandan ND 58554
Phone 701-751-3370 Email jaskimwenckcom
May 7 2012
Tracey M Dubuque PE Senior Project Manager
Tetra Tech EC
160 Federal Street Third Floor
Boston MA 02110
Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Dear Tracey
Introduction
Male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) congregate at historicalcommunal leks in the spring
to compete for breeding opportunities Both sexes return to their natal breeding grounds yearly for their
entire life Leks are typically found in areas with low-growing vegetation on a hill knoll or other point of
high visibility Fidelity to these locations is extremely high for sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse
require nesting habitat within close proximity the lek comprised of dense or residual vegetative cover to
conceal and protect their nest from predators (Vodehnal and Haufler 2007)
Disturbance of nesting prairie grouse may occur from the construction of the turbine andor access road
construction noise and physical movement of equipment Loss of habitat and fragmentation related to
energy exploration may affect local prairie grouse populations by decreasing the area of habitat available
for nesting and brood-rearing and by increasing predation (Pittman et al 2005) Therefore federal and
state wildlife agencies are concerned about the placement of turbines in areas with known prairie grouse
populations Turbine setbacks from leks and minimizing grouse habitat disturbance may reduce the direct
and indirect effects of energy development on grouse
Methods
Sharp-tailed grouse surveys were completed from April 10th to May 1
st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise
to two hours after sunrise within the one-mile analysis area (Figure 1) Peak attendance by females on leks
typically occurs from April 15 to 25 but these dates vary by up to a week depending on weather conditions
(Schroeder and Robb 1993) Peak attendance potentially occurred earlier this year due to the early spring
A habitat assessment analysis was conducted prior to the field survey to determine suitable lekkingnesting
habitat within the analysis area (Figure 2) Listening stops were made within a one-mile analysis area
surrounding the proposed project area to identify lek locations (Figure 3) Sharp-tailed grouse males may
be heard at a distance of up to 050 mile Listening stops were not conducted if winds exceeded 10 miles
per hour (mph) or during precipitation events After a lek was located the birds were observed and the
number of males and females were counted Lek locations were documented using Global Positioning
System (GPS) Given the sensitive nature of this species and the fact that females may be nesting near the
lek disturbance to breeding prairie grouse was kept to a minimum
Results
Nine (9) sharp-tailed grouse leks were located during the surveys conducted from April 10th to May 1
st
2012 (Figure 4) Date time sex number of birds present wind conditions air temperature and GPS
coordinates were recorded once a lek was located (Tables 1 and 2) Two of the leks observed were
located outside of the analysis area Due to Lek 1rsquos close proximity to Lek 4 Lek 1 shouldbe classified
as a satellite lek No visual confirmation of Lek 6 was made due to access and topography
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Table ES-1 Spring Avian Use Summary
Variable Result Details
Non-raptors
Mean use 5449 birds20 min
Moderate risk (Section 31)
Federally listed1 species observed within the Project area No
State-listed species2
within the Project area 8 Section 35
Grouse leks observed within the Project area Yes 4 sharp tailed grouse leks (Section 34)
Grouse leks observed within 1 mile of the Project area Yes 5 sharp tailed grouse leks (Section 34)
Raptors
Mean use 037 birds20 min Low risk (Section 31)
Eagles observed within the Project area Yes Golden eagle (Section 35)
Federally1
listed species observed within the Project area No
State-listed2 species within the Project area 4 Section 35
Habitat
Native habitat likely to be affected by development Yes Native prairie
Lakes (waterfowl and crane attractant) Yes Small cattle ponds
Wetlands (attractant for cranes waterfowl and other water-based species)
Yes Low areas and along Apple Creek
Cliffs (raptor nesting and traveling) None
River (permanent water source migration corridor) Yes West branch of Apple Creek
Known refuges or habitat features that may funnel migrants None 1Federally listed species include species listed as endangered threatened or candidate under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) 2The North Dakota Game and Fish Department maintains a list of Species of Conservation Priority (Hagen et al 2005) but are not afforded any formal protection by the state and there are no permitting requirements for these listed species
ES-3 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ES-I
10 INTRODUCTION 1
11 WIND ENERGY AND BIRDS 1 12 STUDY DESCRIPTION 2
20 METHODS 3
21 AVIAN SURVEYS 3 211 Fixed-point Surveys 3 212 Raptor Nest Surveys 4 213 Lek Location Surveys 5 214 Incidental Observations 5 215 Listed Species Information 5 216 Data Quality AssuranceQuality Control 6
22 ANALYSIS 6 221 Species Groupings 6 222 Avian Use 7 223 Flight Behavior 7 224 Encounter Rate 7 225 Fatality Risk 8
30 RESULTS 8
31 AVIAN USE AND FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE 8 32 FLIGHT HEIGHT AND ENCOUNTER RATE 10 33 RAPTOR NEST SURVEYS 10 34 LEK SURVEYS 10 35 INCIDENTAL OBSERVATIONS 11 36 LISTED SPECIES 11
40 DISCUSSION 11
41 NON-RAPTOR USE AND COLLISION RISK 12 42 RAPTOR USE AND COLLISION RISK 13 43 LISTED SPECIES 14 44 CONCLUSIONS 14
50 REFERENCES 15
ES-4 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1 Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Vicinity map
Figure 2 Wilton IV Wind Energy Center point count location map
Figure 3 Non-raptor mean use by survey date in Spring 2012 at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Figure 4 Non-raptor mean use by point count location map (Spring 2012)
Figure 5 Raptor mean use by survey date in Spring 2012 at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Figure 6 Raptor mean use by point count location map (Spring 2012)
Figure 7 Raptor nest and lek location map (Spring 2012)
LIST OF TABLES
Table ES-1 Spring Avian Use Summary
Table 1 Spring 2012 point count survey dates at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Table 4 Summary of avian flight heights in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA) during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA) during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Table 6 Incidental observations of birds during Spring 2012 point counts at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
List of Appendices
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Appendix 3 Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
ES-5 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
10 INTRODUCTION
11 WIND ENERGY AND BIRDS
Wind energy provides a clean renewable energy source As wind power has become more
common the need to address potential environmental impacts has increased Birds have been
identified as a group potentially at risk because of collisions with wind turbines and power lines
and displacement due to the presence of the associated structures (Erickson et al 2005 Drewitt
and Langston 2006 Arnett et al 2007) Specifically migrant passerines (eg songbirds) are
found more often in post-construction fatality monitoring compared to other groups of birds
(Arnett et al 2007) In fact at newer generation wind energy facilities outside of California
approximately 80 percent of documented fatalities have been songbirds of which 50 percent are
often nocturnal migrants (Erickson et al 2001 Johnson et al 2002 Drewitt and Langston 2006
Strickland and Morrison 2008) Locally breeding songbirds may experience lower fatality rates
than migrants because many of these species tend not to fly at turbine heights during the
breeding season However some breeding songbird species have behaviors that increase the risk
of collisions with turbines For example horned larks have been commonly found as fatalities at
wind farms that may be partially attributed to the breeding flight displays within the rotor swept
area (Pickwell 1931 Johnson and Erickson 2011)
Despite the observation that most wind farm fatalities are songbirds raptor fatality historically
has received the most attention due to high fatality rates at the Altamont Wind Project in
California (Thelander et al 2003) Raptor fatalities at newer generation wind projects has been
low relative to previous generation wind farms although there is substantial regional variation
(Johnson et al 2002 Erickson et al 2002 2004 Kerns and Kerlinger 2004 Jain et al 2007)
Although raptor fatality is reduced at newer generation facilities raptors remain the avian species
group considered most susceptible to collisions with turbines (Strickland et al 2011) Therefore
local micro-siting and site evaluation efforts are still necessary to minimize potential project-
related impacts to raptors
In addition to fatality associated with wind farms there is potential for bird species to avoid
areas near turbines or experience habitat displacement after the wind farm is in operation
(Drewitt and Langston 2006) To date evidence of this potential impact to birds does not
demonstrate a distinct trend some studies have found a decreased density or abundance of birds
near turbines (eg grassland songbirds Leddy et al 1999 Erickson et al 2004 Shaffer and
Johnson 2009) while others have found no evidence of declines near turbines (Devereux et al
2008 Shaffer and Johnson 2009 Pearce-Higgins et al 2012) However Pearce-Higgins et al
(2012) detected disturbance-related effects during construction indicating that disturbance
effects may occur on a short-term basis
1 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Particular concern over avoidance issues has been raised by agencies and non-governmental
groups with respect to grouse species (Manville 2004 USFWS 2012a) However the existing
information on avoidance by grouse species is limited to observational studies with results
varying by grouse species and source of disturbance (roads oil and gas wells vertical structures
transmission lines) Studies of grouse and anthropogenic features have reported that some
species of grouse avoid transmission lines improved roads buildings oil and gas wells and
communication towers (Pitman et al 2005 Pruett et al 2009 and Johnson et al 2011) But other
studies have found no evidence of avoidance of transmission lines or of wind facilities (Johnson
et al 2011 Johnson et al 2012) The only published research on operational wind facilities and
grouse suggest long-term data sets are needed to adequately assess impacts (Johnson et al 2012)
Finally most native migratory birds are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA)
of 1918 Under the MBTA it is unlawful to take (ie kill) any migratory bird including nests
and nest contents Currently there are no permits for incidental take of migratory birds
(Beveridge 2005) However the USFWS does not usually take action if good faith efforts have
been made to minimize impacts To date no wind development company has been charged for
violations of the MBTA Additionally The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA)
prohibit the take of any bald or golden eagle alive or dead including any part nest or egg
Currently applications for incidental take under BGEPA for golden eagles are currently being
considered by USFWS west of 100 degrees west longitude (USFWS 2009) which would include
this Project
12 STUDY DESCRIPTION
Wilton Wind IV LLC (Wilton Wind IV) a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources LLC is
planning to develop the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center (Project) in Burleigh County North
Dakota (Figure 1) located entirely on private lands Wilton Wind IV is committed to
environmental due diligence and has contracted Tetra Tech EC Inc (Tetra Tech) to conduct
spring avian surveys at the Project to quantify local avian use in the area and to evaluate the
potential impacts of the Project to birds detected during the survey The objectives meet the
requirements recommended under the Tier 3 of the USFWS Land-Based Wind Energy
Guidelines (USFWS 2012a)
The Project covers 15752 acres and is mostly located in the Northwestern Glaciated Plains
Ecoregion with western portions of the Project located in the Northwestern Great Plains
Ecoregion (Bryce et al 1996) This semiarid region of North Dakota includes level to rolling
plains topography with isolated sandstone buttes or badlands formations Historically much of
the landscape was a mix of western mixed-grass prairie and short-grass prairie with associated
wetlands of the Missouri Slope and River Breaks subregions (Bryce et al 1996) Today native
grasslands still persist mostly in areas of steep or broken topography and have been largely
2 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
replaced by agriculture in level areas Agriculture in the area is predominantly dry-land farming
of barley sunflowers corn spring and winter wheat interspersed with cattle grazing
North Dakota has 365 documented bird species (Faanes and Stewart 1982) and is situated within
the Central Flyway one of the main bird migratory routes in North America (USFWS 2011b)
The Central Flyway runs through the central portion of the US and as a consequence the
Project Area During spring migration most birds that move along the Central Flyway travel
from the tropics of South America via the Gulf of Mexico through the central states eventually
reaching breeding grounds as far away as Alaska and northern Canada (USFWS 2011b)
20 METHODS
To evaluate avian risk at wind energy facilities standardized protocols for pre-construction point
counts have been established and were used in this study This protocol is designed to be
responsive to the level of effort recommended in the National Wind Coordinating Committeersquos
Comprehensive Guide to Studying Wind EnergyWildlife Interactions (Strickland et al 2011)
and the US Fish and Wildlife Service Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines (USFWS 2012a)
Data collected from these counts are used to identify species or species groups that may be at
risk from Project development and may provide additional information for micro-siting wind
facilities to minimize impacts to birds Results in this report are presented in terms of species
groups and highlight any federal and state-listed protected species
21 AVIAN SURVEYS
211 Fixed-point Surveys
An experienced field biologist conducted 20-minute (min) point count surveys at 7 locations
within Project area to evaluate avian use behavior and species (Figure 2) The biologist
conducted 14 weekly surveys from March 16 through June 15 2012 (Table 1) thereby
encompassing the spring migration and summer breeding seasons Tetra Tech distributed the
survey locations throughout the Project area and chose locations that maximized the 360-degree
sight distance for the observer and covered a diversity of habitats
The field biologist collected data on all birds observed within an 800-m radius of the point count
location Surveys at each point lasted for 20 minutes during which time the biologist
continuously recorded any visual or auditory observations The biologist recorded the following
data species number of individuals time of observation height aboveground and behavior The
biologist estimated flight heights and distances using existing reference points such as
meteorological towers and local transmission lines as well as landscape contours shown on
topographic maps Flight direction was recorded for individuals making directional flights
through the Project area but was not recorded for individuals making localized movements
3 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
The survey protocol used in this study is designed to collect data on all bird species and to
provide results that are comparable with other studies at wind farms rather than to target specific
taxa The benefit of using this protocol is that it estimates avian use throughout the day and
captures activity by a variety of bird species During the breeding season and to a lesser extent
in the fall and winter songbirds are most active in the morning and can be difficult to detect
during the afternoon In contrast raptors become active as the sunlight heats the air and creates
thermals which many individuals use for soaring (Ballam 1984) Thus raptors are more readily
detected several hours after sunrise Therefore this protocol is appropriate for characterizing the
entire bird community using the Project It should be noted however that this survey protocol
can only detect nocturnal migrants should they be local breeders within the Project area or if they
utilize the Project as stopover habitat
Tetra Tech chose 20-minute survey periods because they provide adequate time to detect both
raptors and non-raptors However time periods of 20 minutes may lead to double-counting of
songbirds (ie counting the same individual more than once) because individuals may appear
and disappear from view For example if a horned lark is detected perched on a fence then
disappears from view and 6 minutes later a horned lark is seen flying these birds are recorded
as separate observations because it is not possible to distinguish individuals Double-counting of
birds is not problematic for this type of survey because the objective is to document use in terms
of number of birds noted per 20-minute survey not number of distinct individual birds
Detectability varies among species and potentially not all individuals within the 800-m radius
were counted This variation in detectability results in an overestimate of mean use for
conspicuous species and an underestimate of mean use for reclusive species (Thompson 2002)
Birds not easily identifiable such as those seen under low light conditions or small birds seen at
a distance were identified to the lowest taxonomic level possible Hence unidentified birds are
included in the results
212 Raptor Nest Surveys
The purpose of raptor nest surveys is to estimate the number of active and inactive raptor nests in
the Project area A biologist conducted the raptor nest survey across the Project area before trees
began to leaf out to increase visibility of raptor nests Where possible biologists also surveyed
an approximately 1-mile radius buffer around the Project area Once a nest was located the
biologist returned during the raptor breeding season to collect data on species location and
activity status Nests were classified as active if they had presence of an adult or young active
territory defense by an individual or the presence of feathers egg shells or droppings underneath
the nest otherwise they were classified as inactive In addition biologists determined the nest
condition and substrate Biologists visited nests a minimum of two times once to determine the
location of the nest and once to determine if the nest was active This second check also allowed
4 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
biologists to detect late-nesting species such as Swainsonrsquos hawks Raptor nest surveys provide
an estimate of the number and species of raptors that use stick nests in the area Ground-nesting
raptor species such as northern harriers were not surveyed
213 Lek Location Surveys
The USFWS along with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department (NDGFD) have expressed
concern regarding residential sharp-tailed grouse as a species of habitat fragmentation concern as
outlined in the USFWS published Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines (USFWS 2012a) A
biologist from Wenck Associates Inc (Wenck) conducted grouse lek surveys to identify areas of
use by breeding prairie grouse within the Project and surrounding area Surveys were completed
from April 10th to May 1st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise to two hours after sunrise within the
one-mile of the Project A detailed report on the methods and results are presented in a separate
report in Appendix 3
214 Incidental Observations
Incidental observations included observations that occurred 1) during travel between points 2)
before or after the official 20-min survey period 3) outside of the 800-m radius circular plot and
4) during raptor nest and grouse lek surveys Biologists recorded these observations on separate
data sheets and these data were not used in the formal analysis however a summary of
incidental birds is presented to provide additional information about species found in the local
area
215 Listed Species Information
The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA) prohibits the take of any bald or golden
eagle alive or dead including any part nest or egg ldquoTakerdquo is defined as ldquopursue shoot shoot
at poison wound kill capture trap collect molest or disturbrdquo a bald or golden eagle ldquoDisturbrdquo
means to agitate or bother an eagle to a degree that causes or is likely to cause 1) injury to an
eagle 2) a decrease in its productivity by substantially interfering with normal breeding
feeding or sheltering behavior or 3) nest abandonment by substantially interfering with normal
breeding feeding or sheltering behavior Applications for incidental take under BGEPA for
golden eagles are currently being considered by USFWS west of 100 degrees west longitude
which includes this Project (USFWS 2009)
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) as administered by the USFWS mandates protection of
species federally listed as threatened or endangered and their associated habitats The ESA
makes it unlawful to ldquotakerdquo a listed species Take is defined as ldquoto harass harm pursue hunt
shoot wound kill trap capture or collect or attempt to engage in any such conductrdquo (USFWS
2011b) A list of endangered threatened and candidate species for Burleigh County can be found
at httpecosfwsgovtess_publiccountySearchspeciesByCountyReportactionfips=38015
5 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
The State of North Dakota does not have a state endangered or threatened species list Only those
species listed by the ESA are considered threatened or endangered in North Dakota However the
NDGFD have identified 100 Species of Conservation Priority within North Dakota These
species are ranked in three priority levels based on such factors as known status funding
availability and presence of breeding habitat within North Dakota (Hagen et al 2005) The
definitions of each rank are listed below
Level I A species having a high level of conservation priority because of declining status either in North Dakota or across their range or a high rate of occurrence in North Dakota constituting the core of the speciesrsquo breeding range but are at-risk range wide and non-State Wildlife Grants funding is not readily available to them
Level II Species having a moderate level of conservation priority or a high level of conservation priority but a substantial amount of non-State Wildlife Grant funding is available to them
Level III North Dakotarsquos species having a moderate level of conservation priority but are believed to be peripheral or do not breed in North Dakota
Species that are listed under the 100 Species of Conservation Priority are not afforded any formal
protection by the state or require special take permits Additional information on North Dakota
Species of Conservation Priority can be found at httpwwwgfndgovconservation-nongameshy
wildlifespecies-conservation-priority
216 Data Quality AssuranceQuality Control
Tetra Tech implemented quality assurance and quality control measures during all stages of data
collection analysis and report preparation To ensure legibility and completeness of data sheets
each biologist reviewed all data sheets providing clarification as needed before data entry into a
FileMaker Protrade relational database for data storage and analysis Prior to analysis an
independent reviewer conducted a 100-percent quality review of the data entries Any questions
that arose at this time were directed toward and answered by the field biologist
22 ANALYSIS
221 Species Groupings
Tetra Tech considered two primary groups of interest raptors and non-raptors Tetra Tech
defined raptors as vultures hawks eagles falcons and owls All other species groups are
defined as non-raptors
6 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
222 Avian Use
Tetra Tech derived avian use (mean use) of the Project by calculating the average number of
birds observed per 20-min survey at each point To evaluate the diversity and composition of
avian species using the Project area Tetra Tech summarized the number of individuals (birds20
min) and species Tetra Tech also calculated a measure of variability (90 percent confidence
intervals) for all mean use values In addition the number of observations is also presented
where an observation can be either an individual bird or a discrete flock of birds This
information helps evaluate whether high mean use is driven by a single event (eg a large flock
of birds moving through the Project area on migration) Because individual birds are not
uniquely marked and identified actual population size or abundance cannot be determined One
individual may be counted multiple times during a survey period or across survey periods
Although mean use of a given species does not equate to abundance it does provide an index
that is likely proportional to abundance and activity within the Project
223 Flight Behavior
Tetra Tech evaluated flight behavior by calculating the proportion of flying birds observed
below within or above the height of the anticipated turbine rotor swept area (RSA) Wilton IV
plans to develop the Project using General Electric 16 Megawatt (MW) turbines These turbines
have a hub height of 80 meters and rotor diameter of 100 meters With these specifications the
estimated RSA was between 30 and 130 m above ground Tetra Tech considered a bird to have
flown within the height range of the anticipated RSA if any of its recorded heights fell within the
upper or lower limits of the anticipated RSA
224 Encounter Rate
To estimate the rate at which a species flew at the height of the anticipated RSA Tetra Tech
applied the following equation to every species observed in the Project area
Encounter Rate = APfPt
A is the mean number of birds20 min for a given species Pf is the proportion of all activity
observations for a given species that were flying and Pt is the proportion flying observations that
were within the height range of a turbine RSA for a given species The encounter rate provides
information on the rate at which a species may move at a height that is consistent with the RSA
of the proposed turbines This information is an important component in evaluating risk of
collisions however this number alone does not indicate project-related impact to a species
Species with a high encounter rate are at a higher risk of collision than species with a low
encounter rate but it does not mean that turbine-related fatalities are certain Other factors such
as turbine location or a speciesrsquo ability to detect turbine blades flight maneuverability and
7 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
habitat selection also influence fatality (Orloff and Flannery 1992 Drewitt and Langston 2008
Martin 2011) Encounter values are sensitive to large flocks of birds flying within the RSA
height that is a species will have a high encounter rate even if only seen once in the RSA in a
large flying flock
225 Fatality Risk
The highly regional nature of avian mean use across North America and the scarce data on avian
fatalities at wind farms in many parts of the continent combined with other risk influences such
as individual species behavior and weather contribute to uncertainty in predicting fatality rates
(Arnett et al 2007 Strickland et al 2011) A recent meta-analysis suggests that pre-construction
studies provide poor indicators of post-construction fatality (Ferrer et al 2012) WEST (2011)
suggests that the most accurate predictors of fatality at a wind project are records of species-
specific fatalities detected at nearby wind projects As a result of uncertainty in predicting
fatality rates Tetra Tech did not attempt to derive fatality estimates from mean use data but will
highlight those species or groups with high use values that may experience Project-related
fatalities or whose regional population could be impacted by development Additionally Tetra
Tech will highlight species with high frequencies of observation high encounter rates and those
with records of turbine-related fatality at other wind projects as these variables may also indicate
potential collision risk at the Project
30 RESULTS
31 AVIAN USE AND FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE
Biologists surveyed 3476 acres of the Project area during point count surveys covering 22
percent of the Project arearsquos total area (15752 acres) The 7 point count locations were surveyed
14 times resulting in 98 total 20-min surveys A total of 5376 birds from 52 species and 653
that could not be identified to species (all unidentified sparrows) were recorded within the
Project area during the fixed-point count surveys (Table 2) Overall mean bird use for the Wilton
IV Wind Energy Center was 5486 birds20 min and ranged from 0 to 603 birds20 min
Overall mean use by non-raptors was 5449 birds20 min Songbirds Waterfowl and
CranesRails comprised 387 300 and 201 percent of all species observed respectively and
were distributed throughout the Project area Among species groups mean use was highest for
songbirds (2126 birds20 min Table 2) and songbirds were observed in 949 percent of all
surveys The non-raptor species with the highest mean use came from four different species
groups Songbirds Waterfowl CranesRails and GullsTerns and included the Canada goose
(1437 birds20 min observed in 133 percent of all surveys) sandhill crane (1102 birds20 min
observed in 122 percent of all surveys) unidentified sparrow (665 birds20 min 41 percent of
all surveys) red-winged blackbird (559 birds20 min observed in 378 percent of all surveys)
8 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
and Franklinrsquos gull (283 birds20 min observed in 31 percent of all surveys Table 2) Other
species with a high frequency of detection during the surveys but with a low mean use included
ring-necked pheasant (151 birds20 min observed in 745 percent of all surveys) horned lark
(177 birds20 min 612 percent of all surveys) and western meadowlark (082 birds20 min
480 percent of all surveys Table 2) Each other non-raptor species had a mean use of less than
190 birds20 min or was detected in less than 48 percent of all surveys Other non-raptor species
groups observed during the surveys included Gamebirds PigeonsDoves Waterbirds and
Woodpeckers (Table 2)
Non-raptor mean use was highest on March 16 (24743 birds20 min) April 20 (19914 birds20
min) and March 26 (12571 birds20 min Figure 3) Observations on March 16 were comprised
of mostly Canada geese (1138 individuals observed in 17 flocks ranging in size from 20 to 140
individuals 77 of all observations) The primary contributors to the high mean use on April 20
were unidentified sparrows (645 individuals observed in 6 distinct flocks and ranging from 25 to
250 individuals) red-winged blackbird (392 individuals) and Franklinrsquos gull (277 individuals)
On March 26 the primary contributor to the high mean use was the sandhill crane (772
individuals distributed between 8 flocks ranging from 15 to 275 individuals) Mean use for nonshy
raptors was highest at point count location 3 (10314 birds20 min Figure 4) Species
contributing to the high mean use at this point included sandhill crane (621 individuals) Canada
goose (523 individuals) and Franklinrsquos gull (100 individuals Table 3) The habitat at point 3
consists of row crops (wheat) and short-grass prairie possibly enrolled in the Conservation
Reserve Program (CRP) The habitat at this point is not unique within the Project area However
most of the birds observed at point 3 were flying through the Project area in flocks of 15 to 275
individuals and not stopping in the immediate vicinity of the Project
Raptors are a group of special interest because of their propensity to fly at heights similar to a
turbine RSA Overall mean use for raptors was 037 birds20 min (Table 2) raptors were not
among the most frequently observed species groups during the spring surveys The raptor species
with the highest mean use was the red-tailed hawk (016 birds20 min observed in 122 percent
of all surveys) and northern harrier (016 birds20 min observed in 143 percent of all surveys)
Other raptor species detected included the Swainsonrsquos hawk and peregrine falcon great-horned
owl and American kestrel each with mean use value of 001 birds20 min with each observed in
10 percent of all surveys (Table 2)
Mean use by raptors was highest on March 26 (129 birds20 min) and May 3 (100 birds20 min
Figure 5) Observations on March 26 included red-tailed hawk (5 individuals) northern harrier
(3 individuals) and American kestrel (1 individual) Observations on May 26 included 4 red-
tailed hawks 2 northern harriers and 1 peregrine falcon Mean use for raptors was less than 058
birds20 min for all other survey dates Mean use for raptors was highest at point count locations
4 1 and 3 (064 064 and 057 birds20 min respectively Figure 6) Species contributing to the
9 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
mean use at these points were mostly red-tailed hawks and northern harriers (Table 3) In
addition to red-tailed hawks and northern harriers point count location 1 had one American
kestrel and one Peregrine falcon Raptor mean use was equal to or less than 029 birds20 min at
all other points Point count locations 4 1 and 3 each encompass short-grass prairie and
agricultural (mostly wheat) fields both of which provide foraging opportunities for raptors
These features are not unique to these point count locations or within the Project area
32 FLIGHT HEIGHT AND ENCOUNTER RATE
During spring avian use surveys biologists collected behavioral data for 986 percent of all birds
observed during point count surveys of which 834 percent were observed flying The biologist
collected flight height data for 999 percent and flight direction for 835 percent of those
observations (ie most individuals were observed making directional flights) Of non-raptor
species observed flying 372 percent flew above the height of the anticipated RSA 455 percent
flew at the height of the anticipated RSA and 173 percent flew below the height of the
anticipated RSA (Table 4) Of raptor species observed flying 91 percent flew above the height
of the anticipated RSA 394 percent flew at the height of the anticipated RSA and 515 percent
flew above the height of the anticipated RSA Data on flight direction are located in Appendix 1
Most birds observed making direct flight over the Project were moving in a northerly direction
(803 percent of all direct flights) In combination with the timing of flights (Figure 3) these data
suggest that much of the non-raptor use observed at the Project area is due to migratory
movements
Canada goose had the highest encounter rate (654 birds flying at RSA height20 min Table 5)
followed by unidentified sparrow (632 birds flying at RSA height20 min) sandhill crane (368
birds flying at RSA height20 min) and Franklinrsquos gull (283 birds flying at RSA height20 min)
Each other species had an encounter rate below 083 birds flying at RSA height20 min
33 RAPTOR NEST SURVEYS
Raptor nests detected within the Project area or 1-mile buffer included 2 red-tailed hawks 2 unknown nests and 1 Swainsonrsquos hawk (Figure 7) The red-tailed hawk nests were found on April 5 and May 9 with each remaining active during the survey period The Swainsonrsquos hawk nest was detected on May 19th within the 1-mile buffer around the Project area The two unknown nests were found on April 15 and April 25 Both unknown nests appeared to never be active during the survey period
34 LEK SURVEYS
During grouse lek surveys conducted within the Project area and a surrounding 1-mile buffer
from April 10th to May 1st a total of 9 sharp-tailed grouse leks were found within the Project area
and 1-mile buffer (Figure 7 WENK 2012) Four of the leks were within the Project area (Figure
7) Each lek had a minimum of 4 individuals (includes males and females) observed with the
10 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
maximum number of grouse observed at one lek being 21 individuals (lek 8) A full report on the
grouse lek surveys is presented in Appendix 3
35 INCIDENTAL OBSERVATIONS
The biologist documented 17 species as incidental observations (Table 6) Of these species 4
(golden eagle lesser scaup merlin wild turkey) were not detected during spring point count
surveys
36 LISTED SPECIES
No federal threatened or endangered species were observed during avian point count raptor or
lek surveys or as an incidental observation One adult golden eagle was observed incidentally
near survey point 7 on March 26th in flight within the anticipated RSA The golden eagle is
protected by the BGEPA (Section 215)
Four Level I (Franklinrsquos gull Swainsonrsquos hawk upland sandpiper and grasshopper sparrow)
seven Level II (bobolink dickcissel redhead sharp-tailed grouse northern harrier golden eagle
and northern pintail) and one Level III (peregrine falcon) state-listed Species of Conservation
Priority were observed during point counts raptor nest lek surveys or as incidental observations
within the Project Area
40 DISCUSSION
The avian community detected within the Project area during spring surveys was characterized
by species associated with typical mid-western agricultural lands and short-grass prairie
vegetation The majority of the Project area and vicinity has been developed for agricultural use
specifically crops such as wheat sunflower and corn with additional developed lands devoted to
pastureland for cattle Within disturbed habitats such as these the greatest potential impact of
wind facilities to avian species is risk of collisions with turbines Mean avian fatality rates
estimated from wind facilities in the Midwest (NE WI MN and IA) range from 044 to 1183
birdsturbineyear (049 ndash 717 birdsMWyear Tetra Tech 2012) Project-related bird fatalities
are expected to fall within this range
In areas mostly dominated by native short-grass prairie additional loss of habitat from
developing these areas may impact resident and migratory avian species The presence of native
grassland habitats within the Project area suggests that additional disturbance and habitat loss
caused by construction and operation of the Project may cause birds to avoid the Project area
and may alter the current use of habitat by bird species within the Project area (Tetra Tech 2011)
The greatest potential for habitat loss would be for sharp-tailed grouse Current research suggests
that certain grouse species may avoid anthropogenic structures (USFWS 2012a Hagen et al
11 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
2011) however long-term data sets are still needed to best assess wind energy impacts (Johnson
et al 2012)
41 NON-RAPTOR USE AND COLLISION RISK
The Canada goose sandhill crane red-winged blackbird and Franklinrsquos gull were species with
the highest mean use within the Project area and were among the species most frequently
detected Additionally unidentified sparrows which probably represent a group of similar
species had high mean use Three of these species Canada goose Franklinrsquos gull and sandhill
crane are migratory with most individuals moving through the region (and the Project area) to
breeding grounds further north as indicated by their flight direction and large flock size Three
species had a high frequency of detection but a low mean use at the Project ring-necked
pheasant horned lark and western meadowlark These eight species are local residential and
migratory species commonly associated with the open pastureland short-grass prairie and row-
crop agriculture habitats found throughout the Project area These species are widely distributed
across the country and can be expected to occur where suitable habitat is present
The red-winged blackbird horned lark western meadowlark and ring-necked pheasant are
commonly found as turbine-related fatalities (more than 20 records of post-construction fatality
from 27 studies Tetra Tech 2012 Johnson et al 2000 Howe et al 2002 Derby et al 2007 TRC
Environmental 2008 Gruver et al 2009 BHE Environmental 2010 Jain et al 2011 Grodsky
and Drake 2011) particularly horned larks which exhibit breeding flight displays that may bring
them into the height of the RSA (Johnson and Erickson 2011) Thus risk of turbine-related
fatalities exists for each of these species at the Project However Project-related fatalities of red-
winged blackbird horned lark western meadowlark and ring-necked pheasant should they
occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts because collision fatalities appears to have
little effect North American landbird populations (Arnold and Zink 2011)
Species with high mean use but that are considered to have low risk for fatalities include sandhill
crane Franklinrsquos gull and Canada goose Although flying at the height of the RSA represents a
collision risk sandhill cranes have been documented altering flight direction in response to
turbines at wind facility in South Dakota (Nagy et al 2011) and multiple studies have
documented sandhill cranes gradually climbing as they approach marked power lines (Morkill
and Anderson 1991 Murphy et al 2009) The avoidance behavior observed at other studies and
lack of documented turbine-related fatalities of the sandhill crane suggests a low risk of Project-
related fatality for this species While no studies have documented avoidance behavior by
Franklinrsquos gulls similar to sandhill cranes the lack of documented fatalities at wind facilities
with publicly available data within the breeding range and migratory pathway of Franklinrsquos gulls
indicate a low risk of fatalities to occur at the Project (20 studies Tetra Tech 2012)
12 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Additionally Canada goose has a low number of fatality observations (less than 6 records of
post-construction fatalities from 27 studies Tetra Tech 2012)
The remaining non-raptor species detected during spring surveys have low risk for turbine
collisions at the Project due to a combination of relatively low mean-use rates infrequent flight
within the height of the RSA andor few or no records of fatalities at other wind facilities with
publically available results of fatality data
42 RAPTOR USE AND COLLISION RISK
High raptor use (greater than 20 birds20 min) has been associated with high raptor fatality at
wind farms (Strickland et al 2011) Conversely raptor fatality appears to be low when raptor use
is low (less than 10 birds20 min Strickland et al 2011) which is the case for raptor use at the
Project A factor contributing to the low raptor use of the Project area may be the number of
active raptor nests detected during nests surveys Because raptor activity is typically higher near
active nests than areas without active nests and raptors may have increased potential for
collision as they repeatedly fly within the Project area during nesting activities
Red-tailed hawks and northern harriers were the raptor species with the highest mean use and
were also among the most frequently detected raptor species at the Project Both species are
commonly associated with agricultural and grassland habitats which provide opportunities for
foraging an activity associated with susceptibility to turbine-collisions (Thelander et al 2003)
In a recent study of raptor response to wind farms northern harriers were identified as having a
low risk flight behavior for collisions whereas red-tailed hawks were observed engaging in high-
risk flight behaviors at operational wind facilities (Garvin et al 2011) Risks of collision for
northern harriers are believed to be low because the majority of foraging flights occur below
typical RSA heights (Whitfield and Madders 2006) Thus risk of turbine-related fatalities at the
Project is expected to be low given the low level of use As a result Project-related fatalities of
northern harrier should they occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts because
northern harriers are common nationwide (Sauer et al 2011) Results from post-construction
fatality monitoring studies indicate that red-tailed hawks are frequently found as turbine-related
fatalities (228 records of red-tailed hawk from 27 studies - Tetra Tech 2012 Jain 2005 Grodsky
and Drake 2011 Johnson and Erickson 2011) However Garvin et al (2011) documented that
red-tailed hawks despite high-risk flight behavior also demonstrated collision avoidance
behavior (Garvin et al 2011) Thus risk of turbine-related fatalities at the Project exists for red-
tailed hawks but turbine-related fatalities would be expected to be low given the low level of use
and low number of nests detected within the Project area and 1-mile buffer Project-related
fatalities of red-tailed hawk should they occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts
because red-tailed hawks are common nationwide (Sauer et al 2011)
13 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Two other raptor species detected during spring surveys (Swainsonrsquos hawk and American
kestrel) have been recorded as fatalities at other wind facilities (Derby 2007 Gritski et al 2008
Johnson and Erickson 2011) Peregrine falcon and great-horned owl have not been recorded as
fatalities observed at wind farms with publicly available fatality data All are likely have low risk
for turbine collisions at the Project due to the relatively very low mean-use rates
43 LISTED SPECIES
No federal listed threatened or endangered species were detected incidentally during avian point
count raptor or lek surveys One adult golden eagle was detected as an incidental observation
The golden eagle is protected under the BGEPA Although applications for incidental take
permits are available none have been issued to date Projects that are applying for permits have
are those with a perceived high risk of eagle fatality or have an additional permitting requirement
based on land ownership Consultation with the USFWS would provide further information on
local interpretation of the Draft Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance (USFWS 2011c)
No state listed designated species with regulatory implications were detected during surveys
However all native migratory avian species are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of
1918
44 CONCLUSIONS
Results of the 2012 spring avian surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center suggest an overall
low impact of the Project on the local avian community The high mean-use rate at the Project by
non-raptors is primarily driven by a few common residents and migratory species not commonly
reported as fatalities at wind energy facilities with results from post-construction fatality
monitoring Raptor use was relatively low for each raptor species detected Although there is
potential for turbine-related fatalities of Canada goose sandhill crane horned lark western
meadowlark red-winged blackbird red-tailed hawk and Franklinrsquos gull at the Project fatalities
are not expected to have population-level impacts If avian fatality rates are similar to other wind
facilities within the region we would expect them to fall between 044 ndash 1183 birdsturbineyear
(049 ndash 717 birdsMWyear) Additionally the potential for turbine-related fatalities exists for
nocturnal migrant species not identifiable by the methods of this study
No federally listed threatened or endangered species were detected incidentally during avian
point count raptor or lek surveys One adult golden eagle was detected as an incidental
observation The golden eagle is protected under the BGEPA A total of 9 sharp-tailed grouse
leks were located within the Project area and 1-mile buffer Four of the leks are within the
Project area indicating a moderate use of the Project area by the species No state listed
designated species with regulatory implications were detected during surveys However all
native migratory avian species are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918
14 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
50 REFERENCES
Arnold TW and RM Zink 2011 Collision mortality has no discernible effect on population trends of North American Birds PLoS ONE 6 e24708 doi101371journalpone0024708
Arnett EB DB Inkley DH Johnson RP Larkin S Manes AM Manville JR Mason ML Morrison MD Strickland and R Thresher 2007 Impacts of wind energy facilities on wildlife and wildlife habitat Wildlife Society Technical Review 07-2 The Wildlife Society Bethesda MA
Ballam JM 1984 The use of soaring by the red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) Auk 3519shy524
Beveridge L J 2005 The Migratory Bird Treaty Act and wind development North American Wind Power September36-38
BHE Environmental Inc 2010 Post-Construction Bird and Bat Mortality Study Cedar Ridge Wind Farm Fond Du Lac County Wisconsin Interim Report prepared for Wisconsin Power and Light Madison Wisconsin Prepared by BHE Environmental Inc Cincinnati Ohio February 2010
Bryce SA JM Omernik DA Pater M Ulmer J Schaar J Freeouf R Johnson P Kuck and SH Azevedo 1996 Ecoregions of North Dakota and South Dakota (color poster with map descriptive text summary tables and photographs) Reston Virginia US Geological Survey (map scale 11500000)
Devereux CL MJH Denny and MJ Whittingham 2008 Minimal effects of wind turbines on the distribution of wintering farmland birds Journal of Applied Ecology 451689shy1694
Drewitt AL and RHW Langston 2008 Collision effects of wind-power generators and other obstacles on birds Pages 233-266 in R S Ostfeld and W H Schlesinger editors Year in Ecology and Conservation Biology 2008 Blackwell Publishing Oxford
Drewitt AL and RHW Langston 2006 Assessing the impacts of wind farms on birds Ibis 14829-42
Derby C A Dahl W Erickson K Bay and J Hoban 2007 Post-Construction Monitoring Report for Avian and Bat Mortality at the NPPD Ainsworth Wind Farm Prepared for Nebraska Public Power District Columbus NE 24 pgs
Erickson WP GD Johnson and DP Young Jr 2005 A summary and comparison of bird mortality from anthropogenic causes with an emphasis on collisions USDA Forest Service Gen Tech Rep PSW-GTR-191
Erickson WP GD Johnson MD Strickland DP Young Jr KJ Sernka and R E Good 2001 Avian collisions with wind turbines a summary of existing studies and comparisons to other sources of avian collision mortality in the United States National Wind Coordinating Committee Washington DC Accessed at httpwwwnationalwindorgassetsarchiveAvian_Collisions_with_Wind_Turbines_shy_A_Summary_of_Existing_Studies_and_Comparisons_to_Other_Sources_of_Avian_Col lision_Mortality_in_the_United_States__2001_pdf
15 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Faanes CA and RE Stewart 1982 Revised checklist of North Dakota birds Version 16JUL97 The Prairie Naturalist 14(3)81-92 Jamestown ND Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Online Available online at httpwwwnpwrcusgsgovresourcebirdschndbirdindexhtm Accessed July 2012
Ferrer M M de Lucas GFE Janss E Casado AR Muntildeoz MJ Bechard and CP Calabuig 2012 Weak relationship between risk assessment studies and recorded mortality in wind farms Journal of Applied Ecology 49(1) 38-46 Available online at httponlinelibrarywileycomdoi101111j1365-2664201102054xpdf
Garvin J C Jennelle C S Drake D and Grodsky S M (2011) Response of raptors to a windfarm Journal of Applied Ecology 48 199ndash209
Gritski B S Downes K Kronner 2008 White Creek Wind I Wildlife Monitoring Annual Summary Winter 2007-2008 through Fall 2008 Prepared for White Creek Wind I LLC Roosevelt WA 25 pgs
Grodsky SM and D Drake 2011 Assessing Bird and Bat Mortality at the Forward Energy Center Final Report Public Service Commission (PSC) of Wisconsin PSC REF152052 Prepared for Forward Energy LLC Prepared by Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison Wisconsin August 2011
Gruver J M Sonnenburg K Bay and W Erickson 2009 Post-Construction Bat and Bird Fatality Study at the Blue Sky Green Field Wind Energy Center Fond Du Lac County Wisconsin July 21 - October 31 2008 and March 15 - June 4 2009 Unpublished report prepared by Western EcoSystems Technology Inc (WEST) Cheyenne Wyoming December 17 2009
Hagen CA JC Pitman TM Loughin BK Sandercock and RJ Robel 2011 Impacts of anthropogenic features on lesser prairie-chicken habitat use Studies in Avian Biology 39 63-75
Hagen SK PT Isakson and SR Dyke 2005 North Dakota Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy North Dakota Game and Fish Department Bismarck ND
Howe RW W Evans and AT Wolf 2002 Effects of Wind Turbines on Birds and Bats in Northeastern Wisconsin Prepared by University of Wisconsin-Green Bay for Wisconsin Public Service Corporation and Madison Gas and Electric Company Madison Wisconsin November 21 2002 104 pp
Jain AA RR Koford AW Hancockand GG Zenner 2011 Bat Mortality and Activity at a Northern Iowa Wind Resource Area Am Mid Natur 165 185-200
Jain A P Kerlinger R Curry and L Slobodnik 2007 Annual report for the Maple Ridge wind power project post-construction bird and bat fatality studymdash2006 Prepared by Curry and Kerlinger LLC for PPM Energy Horizon Energy and Technical Advisory Committee for the Maple Ridge Project
Jain AA 2005 Bird and Bat Behavior and Mortality at a Northern Iowa Windfarm Thesis submitted to Iowa State University Ames IA 113 pgs
16 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Johnson GD C LeBeau R Neilsen T Rintz and J Eddy 2012 Greater Sage-Grouse Habitat Use and Population Demographics at the Simpson Ridge Wind Resource Area Carbon County Wyoming Final Report prepared for EBP Renewables Houston Texas
Johnson GD and WP Erickson 2011 Avian Bat and Habitat Cumulative Impacts Associated with Wind Energy Development in the Columbia Plateau Ecoregion of Eastern Washington and Oregon Prepared by West Inc for Klickitat County Washington
Johnson DH MJ Holloran JW Connelly SE Hanser CL Amundson and ST Knick 2011 Influences of Environmental and Anthropogenic Features on Greater Sage-grouse Populations 1997-2007 Pages 407-450 in ST Knick and JW Connelly Greater Sage-Grouse ecology and conservation of a landscape species and its habitat Studies in Avian Biology 38 University of California Press Berkeley CA
Johnson GD WP Erickson MD Strickland MF Shepherd DA Shepherd and SA Sarappo 2002 Collision mortality of local and migrant birds at a large-scale wind power development on Buffalo Ridge Minnesota Wildlife Society Bulletin 30879-887
Johnson GD WP Erickson MD Strickland MF Shepherd and DA Shepherd 2000 Avian Monitoring Studies at the Buffalo Ridge Wind Resource Area Minnesota Results of a 4-Year Study Final report prepared for Northern States Power Company Minneapolis Minnesota by Western EcoSystems Technology Inc (WEST) Cheyenne Wyoming September 22 2000 212 pp httpwwwwest-inccom
Kerns J and P Kerlinger 2004 A study of bird and bat collision fatalities at the Mountaineer Wind Energy Center Tucker County West Virginia Annual report for 2003 Technical report prepared by Curry and Kerlinger LLC for FPL Energy and Mountaineer Wind Energy Center Technical Review Committee
Leddy KL KF Higgins and DE Naugle 1999 Effects of wind turbines on upland nesting birds in CRP grasslands Wilson Bulletin 111100-104
Manville AM II 2004 Prairie grouse leks and wind turbines US Fish and Wildlife Service justification for a 5-mile buffer from leks additional grassland songbird recommendations Division of Migratory Bird Management USFWS Arlington VA peer-reviewed briefing paper
Martin GR 2011 Understanding bird collisions with man-made objects a sensory ecology approach Ibis 153(2)239-254
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17 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
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2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
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People who contributed to the writing of this report
Jim Kowalsky July 17 2012
Report Author Date
Jennifer Taylor July 19 2012
Peer Review 1 Date
Chris Farmer August 3 2012
Peer Review 2 Date
Anne-Marie Griger August 9 2012
Deputy Project Manager Date
Robert Friedel July 13 2012
GIS Date
19 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
FIGURES
20 August 2012
B
Knife River
James River
Random Creek
Pipestem Creek
Heart River Long Lake Creek
Rocky Run
Otter Creek
Turtle Cr eek
West Branch Apple Creek
Little Heart River
Big Muddy Creek
Ea st Br an ch Ap pl e C re ek
Apple
Creek
Painte Woods Creek
Sweetbrier Creek
Square Butte Creek
B
LakeAudubon Figure 1Lake NettieLakeSakakawea ty MapVicini
Turtle BlueLake Lakeerson
Lake NEXTENERGYPetUV7
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V41 RESOURCES
Wilton IVMcLeanWind Energy Center
Burleigh County ND
Las modified 7-10-2012
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Urban area WillowOBrienLongLake lkaliA14 HelenTwi Interstate Highway
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240th Ave Ne 240th Ave Ne
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5Th S
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106T
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214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
93Rd
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86Th
St N
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184T
h St N
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52Nd
St N
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Figure 2 Point
(Spr t location mapcoun
ing 2012)NEXTENERGY
RESOURCES
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
AA
A A
Burleigh County ND
Last modified 7-10-2012A AA
AA AA A A A
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TETRA TECH ECINC
Figure 3 Non-raptor mean use by survey date in Spring at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center M
ean
Use
(bir
ds2
0 m
in)
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
00
Survey Date
316 321 326 44 410 420 427 53 512 519 526 62 69 615
NAD 1983 UTM 14
240th Ave Ne240th Ave Ne
158th
St N
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253Rd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
227Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE 279Th Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
145T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
145T
h St N
E
66Th
St N
E
171S
t St N
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132N
d St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
41St
St NE
66Th
St N
E
80Th
St N
E
93Rd
St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
106T
h St N
E
171S
t St N
E
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
86Th
St N
E
184T
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52Nd
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PC 01
PC 02
PC 03
PC 04
PC 05 PC 06
PC 07
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TETR A TECH EC INC
Figure 4Non-raptor mean use by point count location (Spring 2012)
Non-r aptor s p e r 20 m in u te s 00 1 - 25 0 0 25 01 - 5 0 00 50 01 - 7 5 00
75 01 - 1 0 00 0
10 00 1 - 1 25 00
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
A Pro po sed tu rbin e (9 -21 -20 11 )Lo ca l Ro a d
Mean use value PC Point count number
Burleigh County ND
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
Last modified 7-10-2012
NEXTENERGY RESOURCES
Figure 5 Raptor mean use by survey date in Spring 2012 at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Mea
n U
se (b
irds
20
min
)
140
120
100
080
060
040
020
000
Survey Date
316 321 326 44 410 420 427 53 512 519 526 62 69 615
NAD 1983 UTM 14
240th Ave Ne240th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
253Rd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
227Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE 279Th Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
145T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
145T
h St N
E
66Th
St N
E
171S
t St N
E
132N
d St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
41St
St NE
66Th
St N
E
80Th
St N
E
93Rd
St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
106T
h St N
E
171S
t St N
E
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
PC 01
PC 02
PC 03
PC 04
PC 05 PC 06
PC 07
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TETR A TECH EC INC
Figure 6Raptor mean use by point
count location (Spring 2012)
Rapto r s p e r 2 0 m in u te s 00 1- 01 6 01 7 - 0 32 03 3 - 0 48
04 9 - 0 64
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
A Pro po sed tu rbin e (9 -21 -20 11 )Lo ca l Ro a d
Mean use value PC Point count number
Burleigh County ND
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
Last modified 7-10-2012
NEXTENERGY RESOURCES
240th Ave Ne 240th Ave Ne
240th Ave Ne
266th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
279Th Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE
292Nd Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
52Nd
St N
E
197T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
66Th
St N
E
188Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
106T
h St N
E
253Rd Ave NE
292Nd Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
132N
d St N
E
26Th
St N
E
266Th Ave NE
253Rd Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
93Rd
St N
E
145T
h St N
E 14
5Th S
t NE
132N
d St N
E
41St
St NE
210T
h St N
E
119T
h St N
E
106T
h St N
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171S
t St N
E 17
1St S
t NE
188Th Ave NE
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE 227Th Ave NE
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
201St Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
Figure 7 Raptor nest and lek location
map (Spring 2012)NEXTENERGY
RESOURCES
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
5 Burleigh County ND
Last modified 7-10-2012 A A
A A
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
AAA A A A A A
A A
Pro po sed tu rbi(9 -21 -20 11 )
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Raptor nest s pecies Re d-taile d h a wk
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2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
TABLES
21 August 2012
Table 1 Spring 2012 point count survey dates at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Date(s)Survey number
1 316 2 321 3 326 4 44 5 410 6 420 7 427 8 53 9 512 10 519 11 526 12 62 13 69 14 615
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Songbirds
unidentified sparrow 652 7 665 (000-1339) 41 313 121 red-winged blackbird 548 52 559 (036-1082) 378 263 102 horned lark 173 83 177 (136-218) 612 83 32 American crow 159 22 162 (027-297) 204 76 30 common grackle 91 33 093 (035-151) 245 44 17 western meadowlark 80 62 082 (065-099) 480 38 15 European starling 80 1 082 (000-216) 10 38 15 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 082 (029-135) 82 38 15 barn swallow 44 21 045 (028-062) 204 21 08 bobolink 36 28 037 (022-052) 194 17 07 American goldfinch 26 23 027 (018-036) 214 12 05 vesper sparrow 23 21 023 (013-033) 184 11 04 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 019 (010-028) 143 09 04 American robin 19 19 019 (011-027) 143 09 04 house sparrow 15 5 015 (000-030) 51 07 03 American tree sparrow 8 2 008 (000-018) 20 04 01 song sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 savannah sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 dickcissel 5 4 005 (000-010) 31 02 01 western kingbird 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 01 01 pine siskin 3 1 003 (000-008) 10 01 01 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 eastern kingbird 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 yellow warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 unidentified warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 house wren 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 Group Total 2083 430 2126 (1259-2993) 949 387
Waterfowl
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations
Canada goose 1408 24 1437 (435-2439) 133 874 262 snow goose 184 2 188 (000-490) 20 114 34 mallard 12 6 012 (004-020) 61 07 02 northern pintail 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 blue-winged teal 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 American wigeon 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 redhead 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 01 00 Group Total 1611 36 1644 (561-2727) 184 300
CranesRails sandhill crane 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 1000 201 Group Total 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 201
GullsTerns Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 283 (013-553) 31 986 52 ring-billed gull 4 3 004 (000-008) 31 14 01 Group Total 281 7 287 (017-557) 61 52
Gamebirds ring-necked pheasant 148 134 151 (128-174) 745 967 28 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 20 01 gray partridge 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 13 00 Group Total 153 138 156 (132-180) 755 28
PigeonsDoves rock pigeon 40 6 041 (009-073) 61 513 07 mourning dove 38 25 039 (019-059) 184 487 07 Group Total 78 31 080 (041-119) 224 15
Waterbirds killdeer 28 22 029 (017-041) 214 538 05 upland sandpiper 8 8 008 (003-013) 71 154 01 common snipe 8 8 008 (002-014) 61 154 01 Wilsons snipe 4 4 004 (000-008) 31 77 01 American coot 4 1 004 (000-011) 10 77 01 Group Total 52 43 053 (037-069) 357 10
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Raptors
red-tailed hawk 16 12 016 (008-024) 122 444 03 northern harrier 16 14 016 (009-023) 143 444 03 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 peregrine falcon 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 great horned owl 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 American kestrel 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 Group Total 36 30 037 (025-049) 276 07
Woodpeckers northern flicker 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 1000 00 Group Total 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 00 Grand Total 5376 735 5486 (3771-7200)
1 A ranking of 1 indicates highest mean use
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Canada goose 1408 24 210 80 523 140 210 135 110 sandhill crane 1080 18 94 18 621 15 187 145 0 unidentified sparrow 652 7 0 0 0 0 330 210 112 red-winged blackbird 548 52 0 84 49 386 14 11 4 Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 107 0 100 70 0 0 0 snow goose 184 2 0 180 4 0 0 0 0 horned lark 173 83 23 24 17 12 19 32 46 American crow 159 22 6 4 13 11 1 123 1 ring-necked pheasant 148 134 21 14 21 18 25 22 27 common grackle 91 33 6 35 7 2 8 33 0 western meadowlark 80 62 8 10 17 3 11 19 12 European starling 80 1 0 0 0 80 0 0 0 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 0 63 17 0 0 0 0 barn swallow 44 21 3 12 6 10 7 1 5 rock pigeon 40 6 0 14 0 0 0 23 3 mourning dove 38 25 4 17 1 1 1 11 3 bobolink 36 28 10 0 14 8 0 0 4 killdeer 28 22 3 3 4 5 10 0 3 American goldfinch 26 23 4 9 3 3 4 2 1 vesper sparrow 23 21 1 7 1 2 9 1 2 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 2 4 2 0 6 4 1 American robin 19 19 1 13 0 1 3 0 1 red-tailed hawk 16 12 4 0 4 5 0 1 2 northern harrier 16 14 3 1 4 4 2 0 2 house sparrow 15 5 2 13 0 0 0 0 0 mallard 12 6 0 0 6 6 0 0 0 upland sandpiper 8 8 0 0 1 0 3 2 2 common snipe 8 8 0 2 6 0 0 0 0 American tree sparrow 8 2 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 song sparrow 5 5 1 1 1 0 2 0 0 savannah sparrow 5 5 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 dickcissel 5 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 Wilsons snipe 4 4 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 ring-billed gull 4 3 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 American coot 4 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 western kingbird 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 pine siskin 3 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 northern pintail 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
northern flicker 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 gray partridge 2 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 eastern kingbird 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 blue-winged teal 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 American wigeon 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 yellow warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 unidentified warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 redhead 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 peregrine falcon 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 house wren 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 great horned owl 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 American kestrel 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Grand Total 5376 735 526 620 1452 794 859 776 349
Table 4 Summary of avian flight heights1 in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)2 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Birds
Number Percentage
Non-raptors
Raptors
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
1656 372
2023 455
767 173
3 91
13 394
17 515 1 Includes only flying birds with flight height data2These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
Canada goose 654 (435 - 2439) 1437 997 537 457 06 unidentified sparrow 632 (000 - 1339) 665 1000 00 951 49 sandhill crane 368 (083 - 2121) 1102 999 665 335 00 Franklinrsquos gull 283 (013 - 553) 283 1000 00 1000 00 European starling 082 (000 - 216) 082 1000 00 1000 00 American crow 024 (027 - 297) 162 943 00 160 840 red-tailed hawk 013 (008 - 024) 016 938 133 867 00 brown-headed cowbird 008 (029 - 135) 082 125 00 800 200 red-winged blackbird 005 (036 - 1082) 559 261 00 35 965 Wilsons snipe 002 (000 - 008) 004 500 00 1000 00 blue-winged teal 002 (000 - 005) 002 1000 00 1000 00 mallard 002 (004 - 020) 012 500 00 333 667 ring-billed gull 001 (000 - 008) 004 1000 00 250 750 yellow warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 yellow-headed blackbird 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 western meadowlark 000 (065 - 099) 082 338 00 00 1000 western kingbird 000 (000 - 007) 003 1000 00 00 1000 vesper sparrow 000 (013 - 033) 023 130 00 00 1000 upland sandpiper 000 (003 - 013) 008 250 00 00 1000 unidentified warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 Swainsonrsquos hawk 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 sharp-tailed grouse 000 (000 - 007) 003 667 00 00 1000 song sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 snow goose 000 (000 - 490) 188 1000 1000 00 00 savannah sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 rock pigeon 000 (009 - 073) 041 825 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
ring-necked pheasant 000 (128 - 174) 151 07 00 00 1000 redhead 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 pine siskin 000 (000 - 008) 003 1000 00 00 1000 peregrine falcon 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 1000 00 00 northern pintail 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 northern harrier 000 (009 - 023) 016 1000 00 00 1000 northern flicker 000 (000 - 004) 002 500 00 00 1000 mourning dove 000 (019 - 059) 039 684 00 00 1000 killdeer 000 (017 - 041) 029 607 00 00 1000 house wren 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 house sparrow 000 (000 - 030) 015 67 00 00 1000 horned lark 000 (136 - 218) 177 740 00 00 1000 grasshopper sparrow 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 gray partridge 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 great horned owl 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 eastern kingbird 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 dickcissel 000 (000 - 010) 005 00 00 00 00 common snipe 000 (002 - 014) 008 00 00 00 00 common grackle 000 (035 - 151) 093 945 00 00 1000 clay-colored sparrow 000 (010 - 028) 019 158 00 00 1000 bobolink 000 (022 - 052) 037 917 00 00 1000 barn swallow 000 (028 - 062) 045 1000 00 00 1000 American tree sparrow 000 (000 - 018) 008 1000 00 00 1000 American wigeon 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 American robin 000 (011 - 027) 019 421 00 00 1000 American kestrel 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
American goldfinch 000 027 (018 - 036) 923 00 00 1000American coot 000 004 (000 - 011) 00 00 00 001These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 6 Incidental observations of birds during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species
American crow American kestrel American robin Canada goose great horned owl golden eagle gray partridge lesser scaup mallard merlin northern harrier rock pigeon red-tailed hawk red-winged blackbird sandhill crane sharp-tailed grouse wild turkey
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
APPENDICES
22 August 2012
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number of Birds1
Number of
Observations Species
Percentage of Flights
N NE E SE S SW W NW Variable
Canada goose 1398 21 867 00 00 00 02 00 17 114 00
sandhill crane 1079 17 878 52 00 00 00 00 00 70 00
unidentified sparrow 565 5 00 00 00 788 212 00 00 00 00
Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
snow goose 184 2 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
European starling 80 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
American crow 69 11 768 58 58 00 14 43 00 14 43
red-winged blackbird 15 6 533 00 00 200 267 00 00 00 00
red-tailed hawk 14 10 500 143 00 71 00 71 00 71 143
rock pigeon 11 2 00 00 00 00 273 727 00 00 00
northern harrier 9 8 111 00 00 333 00 222 00 111 222
mourning dove 9 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
common grackle 9 6 111 00 00 111 00 222 556 00 00
brown-headed cowbird 8 1 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
horned lark 6 3 833 00 00 167 00 00 00 00 00
ring-billed gull 4 3 250 00 00 00 00 750 00 00 00
Wilsons snipe 2 2 500 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 500
vesper sparrow 2 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
mallard 2 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
blue-winged teal 2 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
peregrine falcon 1 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
killdeer 1 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
Grand Total 3747 108 722 17 04 121 36 05 30 64 02 1 Includes only flying birds with flight directions
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Nest Number Species Substrate
Nest ConditionStatusDates
Surveyed Nest
Height (m) 2012 - 1 452012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good
5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 4 592012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good 5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 5 5192012 Swainsonrsquos hawk Active Siberian Elm 7 Good
NA means not applicable
Wenck Associates Inc 301 1
st St NE Suite 202
Mandan ND 58554
Phone 701-751-3370 Email jaskimwenckcom
May 7 2012
Tracey M Dubuque PE Senior Project Manager
Tetra Tech EC
160 Federal Street Third Floor
Boston MA 02110
Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Dear Tracey
Introduction
Male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) congregate at historicalcommunal leks in the spring
to compete for breeding opportunities Both sexes return to their natal breeding grounds yearly for their
entire life Leks are typically found in areas with low-growing vegetation on a hill knoll or other point of
high visibility Fidelity to these locations is extremely high for sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse
require nesting habitat within close proximity the lek comprised of dense or residual vegetative cover to
conceal and protect their nest from predators (Vodehnal and Haufler 2007)
Disturbance of nesting prairie grouse may occur from the construction of the turbine andor access road
construction noise and physical movement of equipment Loss of habitat and fragmentation related to
energy exploration may affect local prairie grouse populations by decreasing the area of habitat available
for nesting and brood-rearing and by increasing predation (Pittman et al 2005) Therefore federal and
state wildlife agencies are concerned about the placement of turbines in areas with known prairie grouse
populations Turbine setbacks from leks and minimizing grouse habitat disturbance may reduce the direct
and indirect effects of energy development on grouse
Methods
Sharp-tailed grouse surveys were completed from April 10th to May 1
st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise
to two hours after sunrise within the one-mile analysis area (Figure 1) Peak attendance by females on leks
typically occurs from April 15 to 25 but these dates vary by up to a week depending on weather conditions
(Schroeder and Robb 1993) Peak attendance potentially occurred earlier this year due to the early spring
A habitat assessment analysis was conducted prior to the field survey to determine suitable lekkingnesting
habitat within the analysis area (Figure 2) Listening stops were made within a one-mile analysis area
surrounding the proposed project area to identify lek locations (Figure 3) Sharp-tailed grouse males may
be heard at a distance of up to 050 mile Listening stops were not conducted if winds exceeded 10 miles
per hour (mph) or during precipitation events After a lek was located the birds were observed and the
number of males and females were counted Lek locations were documented using Global Positioning
System (GPS) Given the sensitive nature of this species and the fact that females may be nesting near the
lek disturbance to breeding prairie grouse was kept to a minimum
Results
Nine (9) sharp-tailed grouse leks were located during the surveys conducted from April 10th to May 1
st
2012 (Figure 4) Date time sex number of birds present wind conditions air temperature and GPS
coordinates were recorded once a lek was located (Tables 1 and 2) Two of the leks observed were
located outside of the analysis area Due to Lek 1rsquos close proximity to Lek 4 Lek 1 shouldbe classified
as a satellite lek No visual confirmation of Lek 6 was made due to access and topography
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ES-I
10 INTRODUCTION 1
11 WIND ENERGY AND BIRDS 1 12 STUDY DESCRIPTION 2
20 METHODS 3
21 AVIAN SURVEYS 3 211 Fixed-point Surveys 3 212 Raptor Nest Surveys 4 213 Lek Location Surveys 5 214 Incidental Observations 5 215 Listed Species Information 5 216 Data Quality AssuranceQuality Control 6
22 ANALYSIS 6 221 Species Groupings 6 222 Avian Use 7 223 Flight Behavior 7 224 Encounter Rate 7 225 Fatality Risk 8
30 RESULTS 8
31 AVIAN USE AND FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE 8 32 FLIGHT HEIGHT AND ENCOUNTER RATE 10 33 RAPTOR NEST SURVEYS 10 34 LEK SURVEYS 10 35 INCIDENTAL OBSERVATIONS 11 36 LISTED SPECIES 11
40 DISCUSSION 11
41 NON-RAPTOR USE AND COLLISION RISK 12 42 RAPTOR USE AND COLLISION RISK 13 43 LISTED SPECIES 14 44 CONCLUSIONS 14
50 REFERENCES 15
ES-4 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1 Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Vicinity map
Figure 2 Wilton IV Wind Energy Center point count location map
Figure 3 Non-raptor mean use by survey date in Spring 2012 at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Figure 4 Non-raptor mean use by point count location map (Spring 2012)
Figure 5 Raptor mean use by survey date in Spring 2012 at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Figure 6 Raptor mean use by point count location map (Spring 2012)
Figure 7 Raptor nest and lek location map (Spring 2012)
LIST OF TABLES
Table ES-1 Spring Avian Use Summary
Table 1 Spring 2012 point count survey dates at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Table 4 Summary of avian flight heights in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA) during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA) during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Table 6 Incidental observations of birds during Spring 2012 point counts at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
List of Appendices
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Appendix 3 Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
ES-5 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
10 INTRODUCTION
11 WIND ENERGY AND BIRDS
Wind energy provides a clean renewable energy source As wind power has become more
common the need to address potential environmental impacts has increased Birds have been
identified as a group potentially at risk because of collisions with wind turbines and power lines
and displacement due to the presence of the associated structures (Erickson et al 2005 Drewitt
and Langston 2006 Arnett et al 2007) Specifically migrant passerines (eg songbirds) are
found more often in post-construction fatality monitoring compared to other groups of birds
(Arnett et al 2007) In fact at newer generation wind energy facilities outside of California
approximately 80 percent of documented fatalities have been songbirds of which 50 percent are
often nocturnal migrants (Erickson et al 2001 Johnson et al 2002 Drewitt and Langston 2006
Strickland and Morrison 2008) Locally breeding songbirds may experience lower fatality rates
than migrants because many of these species tend not to fly at turbine heights during the
breeding season However some breeding songbird species have behaviors that increase the risk
of collisions with turbines For example horned larks have been commonly found as fatalities at
wind farms that may be partially attributed to the breeding flight displays within the rotor swept
area (Pickwell 1931 Johnson and Erickson 2011)
Despite the observation that most wind farm fatalities are songbirds raptor fatality historically
has received the most attention due to high fatality rates at the Altamont Wind Project in
California (Thelander et al 2003) Raptor fatalities at newer generation wind projects has been
low relative to previous generation wind farms although there is substantial regional variation
(Johnson et al 2002 Erickson et al 2002 2004 Kerns and Kerlinger 2004 Jain et al 2007)
Although raptor fatality is reduced at newer generation facilities raptors remain the avian species
group considered most susceptible to collisions with turbines (Strickland et al 2011) Therefore
local micro-siting and site evaluation efforts are still necessary to minimize potential project-
related impacts to raptors
In addition to fatality associated with wind farms there is potential for bird species to avoid
areas near turbines or experience habitat displacement after the wind farm is in operation
(Drewitt and Langston 2006) To date evidence of this potential impact to birds does not
demonstrate a distinct trend some studies have found a decreased density or abundance of birds
near turbines (eg grassland songbirds Leddy et al 1999 Erickson et al 2004 Shaffer and
Johnson 2009) while others have found no evidence of declines near turbines (Devereux et al
2008 Shaffer and Johnson 2009 Pearce-Higgins et al 2012) However Pearce-Higgins et al
(2012) detected disturbance-related effects during construction indicating that disturbance
effects may occur on a short-term basis
1 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Particular concern over avoidance issues has been raised by agencies and non-governmental
groups with respect to grouse species (Manville 2004 USFWS 2012a) However the existing
information on avoidance by grouse species is limited to observational studies with results
varying by grouse species and source of disturbance (roads oil and gas wells vertical structures
transmission lines) Studies of grouse and anthropogenic features have reported that some
species of grouse avoid transmission lines improved roads buildings oil and gas wells and
communication towers (Pitman et al 2005 Pruett et al 2009 and Johnson et al 2011) But other
studies have found no evidence of avoidance of transmission lines or of wind facilities (Johnson
et al 2011 Johnson et al 2012) The only published research on operational wind facilities and
grouse suggest long-term data sets are needed to adequately assess impacts (Johnson et al 2012)
Finally most native migratory birds are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA)
of 1918 Under the MBTA it is unlawful to take (ie kill) any migratory bird including nests
and nest contents Currently there are no permits for incidental take of migratory birds
(Beveridge 2005) However the USFWS does not usually take action if good faith efforts have
been made to minimize impacts To date no wind development company has been charged for
violations of the MBTA Additionally The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA)
prohibit the take of any bald or golden eagle alive or dead including any part nest or egg
Currently applications for incidental take under BGEPA for golden eagles are currently being
considered by USFWS west of 100 degrees west longitude (USFWS 2009) which would include
this Project
12 STUDY DESCRIPTION
Wilton Wind IV LLC (Wilton Wind IV) a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources LLC is
planning to develop the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center (Project) in Burleigh County North
Dakota (Figure 1) located entirely on private lands Wilton Wind IV is committed to
environmental due diligence and has contracted Tetra Tech EC Inc (Tetra Tech) to conduct
spring avian surveys at the Project to quantify local avian use in the area and to evaluate the
potential impacts of the Project to birds detected during the survey The objectives meet the
requirements recommended under the Tier 3 of the USFWS Land-Based Wind Energy
Guidelines (USFWS 2012a)
The Project covers 15752 acres and is mostly located in the Northwestern Glaciated Plains
Ecoregion with western portions of the Project located in the Northwestern Great Plains
Ecoregion (Bryce et al 1996) This semiarid region of North Dakota includes level to rolling
plains topography with isolated sandstone buttes or badlands formations Historically much of
the landscape was a mix of western mixed-grass prairie and short-grass prairie with associated
wetlands of the Missouri Slope and River Breaks subregions (Bryce et al 1996) Today native
grasslands still persist mostly in areas of steep or broken topography and have been largely
2 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
replaced by agriculture in level areas Agriculture in the area is predominantly dry-land farming
of barley sunflowers corn spring and winter wheat interspersed with cattle grazing
North Dakota has 365 documented bird species (Faanes and Stewart 1982) and is situated within
the Central Flyway one of the main bird migratory routes in North America (USFWS 2011b)
The Central Flyway runs through the central portion of the US and as a consequence the
Project Area During spring migration most birds that move along the Central Flyway travel
from the tropics of South America via the Gulf of Mexico through the central states eventually
reaching breeding grounds as far away as Alaska and northern Canada (USFWS 2011b)
20 METHODS
To evaluate avian risk at wind energy facilities standardized protocols for pre-construction point
counts have been established and were used in this study This protocol is designed to be
responsive to the level of effort recommended in the National Wind Coordinating Committeersquos
Comprehensive Guide to Studying Wind EnergyWildlife Interactions (Strickland et al 2011)
and the US Fish and Wildlife Service Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines (USFWS 2012a)
Data collected from these counts are used to identify species or species groups that may be at
risk from Project development and may provide additional information for micro-siting wind
facilities to minimize impacts to birds Results in this report are presented in terms of species
groups and highlight any federal and state-listed protected species
21 AVIAN SURVEYS
211 Fixed-point Surveys
An experienced field biologist conducted 20-minute (min) point count surveys at 7 locations
within Project area to evaluate avian use behavior and species (Figure 2) The biologist
conducted 14 weekly surveys from March 16 through June 15 2012 (Table 1) thereby
encompassing the spring migration and summer breeding seasons Tetra Tech distributed the
survey locations throughout the Project area and chose locations that maximized the 360-degree
sight distance for the observer and covered a diversity of habitats
The field biologist collected data on all birds observed within an 800-m radius of the point count
location Surveys at each point lasted for 20 minutes during which time the biologist
continuously recorded any visual or auditory observations The biologist recorded the following
data species number of individuals time of observation height aboveground and behavior The
biologist estimated flight heights and distances using existing reference points such as
meteorological towers and local transmission lines as well as landscape contours shown on
topographic maps Flight direction was recorded for individuals making directional flights
through the Project area but was not recorded for individuals making localized movements
3 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
The survey protocol used in this study is designed to collect data on all bird species and to
provide results that are comparable with other studies at wind farms rather than to target specific
taxa The benefit of using this protocol is that it estimates avian use throughout the day and
captures activity by a variety of bird species During the breeding season and to a lesser extent
in the fall and winter songbirds are most active in the morning and can be difficult to detect
during the afternoon In contrast raptors become active as the sunlight heats the air and creates
thermals which many individuals use for soaring (Ballam 1984) Thus raptors are more readily
detected several hours after sunrise Therefore this protocol is appropriate for characterizing the
entire bird community using the Project It should be noted however that this survey protocol
can only detect nocturnal migrants should they be local breeders within the Project area or if they
utilize the Project as stopover habitat
Tetra Tech chose 20-minute survey periods because they provide adequate time to detect both
raptors and non-raptors However time periods of 20 minutes may lead to double-counting of
songbirds (ie counting the same individual more than once) because individuals may appear
and disappear from view For example if a horned lark is detected perched on a fence then
disappears from view and 6 minutes later a horned lark is seen flying these birds are recorded
as separate observations because it is not possible to distinguish individuals Double-counting of
birds is not problematic for this type of survey because the objective is to document use in terms
of number of birds noted per 20-minute survey not number of distinct individual birds
Detectability varies among species and potentially not all individuals within the 800-m radius
were counted This variation in detectability results in an overestimate of mean use for
conspicuous species and an underestimate of mean use for reclusive species (Thompson 2002)
Birds not easily identifiable such as those seen under low light conditions or small birds seen at
a distance were identified to the lowest taxonomic level possible Hence unidentified birds are
included in the results
212 Raptor Nest Surveys
The purpose of raptor nest surveys is to estimate the number of active and inactive raptor nests in
the Project area A biologist conducted the raptor nest survey across the Project area before trees
began to leaf out to increase visibility of raptor nests Where possible biologists also surveyed
an approximately 1-mile radius buffer around the Project area Once a nest was located the
biologist returned during the raptor breeding season to collect data on species location and
activity status Nests were classified as active if they had presence of an adult or young active
territory defense by an individual or the presence of feathers egg shells or droppings underneath
the nest otherwise they were classified as inactive In addition biologists determined the nest
condition and substrate Biologists visited nests a minimum of two times once to determine the
location of the nest and once to determine if the nest was active This second check also allowed
4 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
biologists to detect late-nesting species such as Swainsonrsquos hawks Raptor nest surveys provide
an estimate of the number and species of raptors that use stick nests in the area Ground-nesting
raptor species such as northern harriers were not surveyed
213 Lek Location Surveys
The USFWS along with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department (NDGFD) have expressed
concern regarding residential sharp-tailed grouse as a species of habitat fragmentation concern as
outlined in the USFWS published Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines (USFWS 2012a) A
biologist from Wenck Associates Inc (Wenck) conducted grouse lek surveys to identify areas of
use by breeding prairie grouse within the Project and surrounding area Surveys were completed
from April 10th to May 1st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise to two hours after sunrise within the
one-mile of the Project A detailed report on the methods and results are presented in a separate
report in Appendix 3
214 Incidental Observations
Incidental observations included observations that occurred 1) during travel between points 2)
before or after the official 20-min survey period 3) outside of the 800-m radius circular plot and
4) during raptor nest and grouse lek surveys Biologists recorded these observations on separate
data sheets and these data were not used in the formal analysis however a summary of
incidental birds is presented to provide additional information about species found in the local
area
215 Listed Species Information
The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA) prohibits the take of any bald or golden
eagle alive or dead including any part nest or egg ldquoTakerdquo is defined as ldquopursue shoot shoot
at poison wound kill capture trap collect molest or disturbrdquo a bald or golden eagle ldquoDisturbrdquo
means to agitate or bother an eagle to a degree that causes or is likely to cause 1) injury to an
eagle 2) a decrease in its productivity by substantially interfering with normal breeding
feeding or sheltering behavior or 3) nest abandonment by substantially interfering with normal
breeding feeding or sheltering behavior Applications for incidental take under BGEPA for
golden eagles are currently being considered by USFWS west of 100 degrees west longitude
which includes this Project (USFWS 2009)
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) as administered by the USFWS mandates protection of
species federally listed as threatened or endangered and their associated habitats The ESA
makes it unlawful to ldquotakerdquo a listed species Take is defined as ldquoto harass harm pursue hunt
shoot wound kill trap capture or collect or attempt to engage in any such conductrdquo (USFWS
2011b) A list of endangered threatened and candidate species for Burleigh County can be found
at httpecosfwsgovtess_publiccountySearchspeciesByCountyReportactionfips=38015
5 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
The State of North Dakota does not have a state endangered or threatened species list Only those
species listed by the ESA are considered threatened or endangered in North Dakota However the
NDGFD have identified 100 Species of Conservation Priority within North Dakota These
species are ranked in three priority levels based on such factors as known status funding
availability and presence of breeding habitat within North Dakota (Hagen et al 2005) The
definitions of each rank are listed below
Level I A species having a high level of conservation priority because of declining status either in North Dakota or across their range or a high rate of occurrence in North Dakota constituting the core of the speciesrsquo breeding range but are at-risk range wide and non-State Wildlife Grants funding is not readily available to them
Level II Species having a moderate level of conservation priority or a high level of conservation priority but a substantial amount of non-State Wildlife Grant funding is available to them
Level III North Dakotarsquos species having a moderate level of conservation priority but are believed to be peripheral or do not breed in North Dakota
Species that are listed under the 100 Species of Conservation Priority are not afforded any formal
protection by the state or require special take permits Additional information on North Dakota
Species of Conservation Priority can be found at httpwwwgfndgovconservation-nongameshy
wildlifespecies-conservation-priority
216 Data Quality AssuranceQuality Control
Tetra Tech implemented quality assurance and quality control measures during all stages of data
collection analysis and report preparation To ensure legibility and completeness of data sheets
each biologist reviewed all data sheets providing clarification as needed before data entry into a
FileMaker Protrade relational database for data storage and analysis Prior to analysis an
independent reviewer conducted a 100-percent quality review of the data entries Any questions
that arose at this time were directed toward and answered by the field biologist
22 ANALYSIS
221 Species Groupings
Tetra Tech considered two primary groups of interest raptors and non-raptors Tetra Tech
defined raptors as vultures hawks eagles falcons and owls All other species groups are
defined as non-raptors
6 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
222 Avian Use
Tetra Tech derived avian use (mean use) of the Project by calculating the average number of
birds observed per 20-min survey at each point To evaluate the diversity and composition of
avian species using the Project area Tetra Tech summarized the number of individuals (birds20
min) and species Tetra Tech also calculated a measure of variability (90 percent confidence
intervals) for all mean use values In addition the number of observations is also presented
where an observation can be either an individual bird or a discrete flock of birds This
information helps evaluate whether high mean use is driven by a single event (eg a large flock
of birds moving through the Project area on migration) Because individual birds are not
uniquely marked and identified actual population size or abundance cannot be determined One
individual may be counted multiple times during a survey period or across survey periods
Although mean use of a given species does not equate to abundance it does provide an index
that is likely proportional to abundance and activity within the Project
223 Flight Behavior
Tetra Tech evaluated flight behavior by calculating the proportion of flying birds observed
below within or above the height of the anticipated turbine rotor swept area (RSA) Wilton IV
plans to develop the Project using General Electric 16 Megawatt (MW) turbines These turbines
have a hub height of 80 meters and rotor diameter of 100 meters With these specifications the
estimated RSA was between 30 and 130 m above ground Tetra Tech considered a bird to have
flown within the height range of the anticipated RSA if any of its recorded heights fell within the
upper or lower limits of the anticipated RSA
224 Encounter Rate
To estimate the rate at which a species flew at the height of the anticipated RSA Tetra Tech
applied the following equation to every species observed in the Project area
Encounter Rate = APfPt
A is the mean number of birds20 min for a given species Pf is the proportion of all activity
observations for a given species that were flying and Pt is the proportion flying observations that
were within the height range of a turbine RSA for a given species The encounter rate provides
information on the rate at which a species may move at a height that is consistent with the RSA
of the proposed turbines This information is an important component in evaluating risk of
collisions however this number alone does not indicate project-related impact to a species
Species with a high encounter rate are at a higher risk of collision than species with a low
encounter rate but it does not mean that turbine-related fatalities are certain Other factors such
as turbine location or a speciesrsquo ability to detect turbine blades flight maneuverability and
7 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
habitat selection also influence fatality (Orloff and Flannery 1992 Drewitt and Langston 2008
Martin 2011) Encounter values are sensitive to large flocks of birds flying within the RSA
height that is a species will have a high encounter rate even if only seen once in the RSA in a
large flying flock
225 Fatality Risk
The highly regional nature of avian mean use across North America and the scarce data on avian
fatalities at wind farms in many parts of the continent combined with other risk influences such
as individual species behavior and weather contribute to uncertainty in predicting fatality rates
(Arnett et al 2007 Strickland et al 2011) A recent meta-analysis suggests that pre-construction
studies provide poor indicators of post-construction fatality (Ferrer et al 2012) WEST (2011)
suggests that the most accurate predictors of fatality at a wind project are records of species-
specific fatalities detected at nearby wind projects As a result of uncertainty in predicting
fatality rates Tetra Tech did not attempt to derive fatality estimates from mean use data but will
highlight those species or groups with high use values that may experience Project-related
fatalities or whose regional population could be impacted by development Additionally Tetra
Tech will highlight species with high frequencies of observation high encounter rates and those
with records of turbine-related fatality at other wind projects as these variables may also indicate
potential collision risk at the Project
30 RESULTS
31 AVIAN USE AND FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE
Biologists surveyed 3476 acres of the Project area during point count surveys covering 22
percent of the Project arearsquos total area (15752 acres) The 7 point count locations were surveyed
14 times resulting in 98 total 20-min surveys A total of 5376 birds from 52 species and 653
that could not be identified to species (all unidentified sparrows) were recorded within the
Project area during the fixed-point count surveys (Table 2) Overall mean bird use for the Wilton
IV Wind Energy Center was 5486 birds20 min and ranged from 0 to 603 birds20 min
Overall mean use by non-raptors was 5449 birds20 min Songbirds Waterfowl and
CranesRails comprised 387 300 and 201 percent of all species observed respectively and
were distributed throughout the Project area Among species groups mean use was highest for
songbirds (2126 birds20 min Table 2) and songbirds were observed in 949 percent of all
surveys The non-raptor species with the highest mean use came from four different species
groups Songbirds Waterfowl CranesRails and GullsTerns and included the Canada goose
(1437 birds20 min observed in 133 percent of all surveys) sandhill crane (1102 birds20 min
observed in 122 percent of all surveys) unidentified sparrow (665 birds20 min 41 percent of
all surveys) red-winged blackbird (559 birds20 min observed in 378 percent of all surveys)
8 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
and Franklinrsquos gull (283 birds20 min observed in 31 percent of all surveys Table 2) Other
species with a high frequency of detection during the surveys but with a low mean use included
ring-necked pheasant (151 birds20 min observed in 745 percent of all surveys) horned lark
(177 birds20 min 612 percent of all surveys) and western meadowlark (082 birds20 min
480 percent of all surveys Table 2) Each other non-raptor species had a mean use of less than
190 birds20 min or was detected in less than 48 percent of all surveys Other non-raptor species
groups observed during the surveys included Gamebirds PigeonsDoves Waterbirds and
Woodpeckers (Table 2)
Non-raptor mean use was highest on March 16 (24743 birds20 min) April 20 (19914 birds20
min) and March 26 (12571 birds20 min Figure 3) Observations on March 16 were comprised
of mostly Canada geese (1138 individuals observed in 17 flocks ranging in size from 20 to 140
individuals 77 of all observations) The primary contributors to the high mean use on April 20
were unidentified sparrows (645 individuals observed in 6 distinct flocks and ranging from 25 to
250 individuals) red-winged blackbird (392 individuals) and Franklinrsquos gull (277 individuals)
On March 26 the primary contributor to the high mean use was the sandhill crane (772
individuals distributed between 8 flocks ranging from 15 to 275 individuals) Mean use for nonshy
raptors was highest at point count location 3 (10314 birds20 min Figure 4) Species
contributing to the high mean use at this point included sandhill crane (621 individuals) Canada
goose (523 individuals) and Franklinrsquos gull (100 individuals Table 3) The habitat at point 3
consists of row crops (wheat) and short-grass prairie possibly enrolled in the Conservation
Reserve Program (CRP) The habitat at this point is not unique within the Project area However
most of the birds observed at point 3 were flying through the Project area in flocks of 15 to 275
individuals and not stopping in the immediate vicinity of the Project
Raptors are a group of special interest because of their propensity to fly at heights similar to a
turbine RSA Overall mean use for raptors was 037 birds20 min (Table 2) raptors were not
among the most frequently observed species groups during the spring surveys The raptor species
with the highest mean use was the red-tailed hawk (016 birds20 min observed in 122 percent
of all surveys) and northern harrier (016 birds20 min observed in 143 percent of all surveys)
Other raptor species detected included the Swainsonrsquos hawk and peregrine falcon great-horned
owl and American kestrel each with mean use value of 001 birds20 min with each observed in
10 percent of all surveys (Table 2)
Mean use by raptors was highest on March 26 (129 birds20 min) and May 3 (100 birds20 min
Figure 5) Observations on March 26 included red-tailed hawk (5 individuals) northern harrier
(3 individuals) and American kestrel (1 individual) Observations on May 26 included 4 red-
tailed hawks 2 northern harriers and 1 peregrine falcon Mean use for raptors was less than 058
birds20 min for all other survey dates Mean use for raptors was highest at point count locations
4 1 and 3 (064 064 and 057 birds20 min respectively Figure 6) Species contributing to the
9 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
mean use at these points were mostly red-tailed hawks and northern harriers (Table 3) In
addition to red-tailed hawks and northern harriers point count location 1 had one American
kestrel and one Peregrine falcon Raptor mean use was equal to or less than 029 birds20 min at
all other points Point count locations 4 1 and 3 each encompass short-grass prairie and
agricultural (mostly wheat) fields both of which provide foraging opportunities for raptors
These features are not unique to these point count locations or within the Project area
32 FLIGHT HEIGHT AND ENCOUNTER RATE
During spring avian use surveys biologists collected behavioral data for 986 percent of all birds
observed during point count surveys of which 834 percent were observed flying The biologist
collected flight height data for 999 percent and flight direction for 835 percent of those
observations (ie most individuals were observed making directional flights) Of non-raptor
species observed flying 372 percent flew above the height of the anticipated RSA 455 percent
flew at the height of the anticipated RSA and 173 percent flew below the height of the
anticipated RSA (Table 4) Of raptor species observed flying 91 percent flew above the height
of the anticipated RSA 394 percent flew at the height of the anticipated RSA and 515 percent
flew above the height of the anticipated RSA Data on flight direction are located in Appendix 1
Most birds observed making direct flight over the Project were moving in a northerly direction
(803 percent of all direct flights) In combination with the timing of flights (Figure 3) these data
suggest that much of the non-raptor use observed at the Project area is due to migratory
movements
Canada goose had the highest encounter rate (654 birds flying at RSA height20 min Table 5)
followed by unidentified sparrow (632 birds flying at RSA height20 min) sandhill crane (368
birds flying at RSA height20 min) and Franklinrsquos gull (283 birds flying at RSA height20 min)
Each other species had an encounter rate below 083 birds flying at RSA height20 min
33 RAPTOR NEST SURVEYS
Raptor nests detected within the Project area or 1-mile buffer included 2 red-tailed hawks 2 unknown nests and 1 Swainsonrsquos hawk (Figure 7) The red-tailed hawk nests were found on April 5 and May 9 with each remaining active during the survey period The Swainsonrsquos hawk nest was detected on May 19th within the 1-mile buffer around the Project area The two unknown nests were found on April 15 and April 25 Both unknown nests appeared to never be active during the survey period
34 LEK SURVEYS
During grouse lek surveys conducted within the Project area and a surrounding 1-mile buffer
from April 10th to May 1st a total of 9 sharp-tailed grouse leks were found within the Project area
and 1-mile buffer (Figure 7 WENK 2012) Four of the leks were within the Project area (Figure
7) Each lek had a minimum of 4 individuals (includes males and females) observed with the
10 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
maximum number of grouse observed at one lek being 21 individuals (lek 8) A full report on the
grouse lek surveys is presented in Appendix 3
35 INCIDENTAL OBSERVATIONS
The biologist documented 17 species as incidental observations (Table 6) Of these species 4
(golden eagle lesser scaup merlin wild turkey) were not detected during spring point count
surveys
36 LISTED SPECIES
No federal threatened or endangered species were observed during avian point count raptor or
lek surveys or as an incidental observation One adult golden eagle was observed incidentally
near survey point 7 on March 26th in flight within the anticipated RSA The golden eagle is
protected by the BGEPA (Section 215)
Four Level I (Franklinrsquos gull Swainsonrsquos hawk upland sandpiper and grasshopper sparrow)
seven Level II (bobolink dickcissel redhead sharp-tailed grouse northern harrier golden eagle
and northern pintail) and one Level III (peregrine falcon) state-listed Species of Conservation
Priority were observed during point counts raptor nest lek surveys or as incidental observations
within the Project Area
40 DISCUSSION
The avian community detected within the Project area during spring surveys was characterized
by species associated with typical mid-western agricultural lands and short-grass prairie
vegetation The majority of the Project area and vicinity has been developed for agricultural use
specifically crops such as wheat sunflower and corn with additional developed lands devoted to
pastureland for cattle Within disturbed habitats such as these the greatest potential impact of
wind facilities to avian species is risk of collisions with turbines Mean avian fatality rates
estimated from wind facilities in the Midwest (NE WI MN and IA) range from 044 to 1183
birdsturbineyear (049 ndash 717 birdsMWyear Tetra Tech 2012) Project-related bird fatalities
are expected to fall within this range
In areas mostly dominated by native short-grass prairie additional loss of habitat from
developing these areas may impact resident and migratory avian species The presence of native
grassland habitats within the Project area suggests that additional disturbance and habitat loss
caused by construction and operation of the Project may cause birds to avoid the Project area
and may alter the current use of habitat by bird species within the Project area (Tetra Tech 2011)
The greatest potential for habitat loss would be for sharp-tailed grouse Current research suggests
that certain grouse species may avoid anthropogenic structures (USFWS 2012a Hagen et al
11 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
2011) however long-term data sets are still needed to best assess wind energy impacts (Johnson
et al 2012)
41 NON-RAPTOR USE AND COLLISION RISK
The Canada goose sandhill crane red-winged blackbird and Franklinrsquos gull were species with
the highest mean use within the Project area and were among the species most frequently
detected Additionally unidentified sparrows which probably represent a group of similar
species had high mean use Three of these species Canada goose Franklinrsquos gull and sandhill
crane are migratory with most individuals moving through the region (and the Project area) to
breeding grounds further north as indicated by their flight direction and large flock size Three
species had a high frequency of detection but a low mean use at the Project ring-necked
pheasant horned lark and western meadowlark These eight species are local residential and
migratory species commonly associated with the open pastureland short-grass prairie and row-
crop agriculture habitats found throughout the Project area These species are widely distributed
across the country and can be expected to occur where suitable habitat is present
The red-winged blackbird horned lark western meadowlark and ring-necked pheasant are
commonly found as turbine-related fatalities (more than 20 records of post-construction fatality
from 27 studies Tetra Tech 2012 Johnson et al 2000 Howe et al 2002 Derby et al 2007 TRC
Environmental 2008 Gruver et al 2009 BHE Environmental 2010 Jain et al 2011 Grodsky
and Drake 2011) particularly horned larks which exhibit breeding flight displays that may bring
them into the height of the RSA (Johnson and Erickson 2011) Thus risk of turbine-related
fatalities exists for each of these species at the Project However Project-related fatalities of red-
winged blackbird horned lark western meadowlark and ring-necked pheasant should they
occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts because collision fatalities appears to have
little effect North American landbird populations (Arnold and Zink 2011)
Species with high mean use but that are considered to have low risk for fatalities include sandhill
crane Franklinrsquos gull and Canada goose Although flying at the height of the RSA represents a
collision risk sandhill cranes have been documented altering flight direction in response to
turbines at wind facility in South Dakota (Nagy et al 2011) and multiple studies have
documented sandhill cranes gradually climbing as they approach marked power lines (Morkill
and Anderson 1991 Murphy et al 2009) The avoidance behavior observed at other studies and
lack of documented turbine-related fatalities of the sandhill crane suggests a low risk of Project-
related fatality for this species While no studies have documented avoidance behavior by
Franklinrsquos gulls similar to sandhill cranes the lack of documented fatalities at wind facilities
with publicly available data within the breeding range and migratory pathway of Franklinrsquos gulls
indicate a low risk of fatalities to occur at the Project (20 studies Tetra Tech 2012)
12 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Additionally Canada goose has a low number of fatality observations (less than 6 records of
post-construction fatalities from 27 studies Tetra Tech 2012)
The remaining non-raptor species detected during spring surveys have low risk for turbine
collisions at the Project due to a combination of relatively low mean-use rates infrequent flight
within the height of the RSA andor few or no records of fatalities at other wind facilities with
publically available results of fatality data
42 RAPTOR USE AND COLLISION RISK
High raptor use (greater than 20 birds20 min) has been associated with high raptor fatality at
wind farms (Strickland et al 2011) Conversely raptor fatality appears to be low when raptor use
is low (less than 10 birds20 min Strickland et al 2011) which is the case for raptor use at the
Project A factor contributing to the low raptor use of the Project area may be the number of
active raptor nests detected during nests surveys Because raptor activity is typically higher near
active nests than areas without active nests and raptors may have increased potential for
collision as they repeatedly fly within the Project area during nesting activities
Red-tailed hawks and northern harriers were the raptor species with the highest mean use and
were also among the most frequently detected raptor species at the Project Both species are
commonly associated with agricultural and grassland habitats which provide opportunities for
foraging an activity associated with susceptibility to turbine-collisions (Thelander et al 2003)
In a recent study of raptor response to wind farms northern harriers were identified as having a
low risk flight behavior for collisions whereas red-tailed hawks were observed engaging in high-
risk flight behaviors at operational wind facilities (Garvin et al 2011) Risks of collision for
northern harriers are believed to be low because the majority of foraging flights occur below
typical RSA heights (Whitfield and Madders 2006) Thus risk of turbine-related fatalities at the
Project is expected to be low given the low level of use As a result Project-related fatalities of
northern harrier should they occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts because
northern harriers are common nationwide (Sauer et al 2011) Results from post-construction
fatality monitoring studies indicate that red-tailed hawks are frequently found as turbine-related
fatalities (228 records of red-tailed hawk from 27 studies - Tetra Tech 2012 Jain 2005 Grodsky
and Drake 2011 Johnson and Erickson 2011) However Garvin et al (2011) documented that
red-tailed hawks despite high-risk flight behavior also demonstrated collision avoidance
behavior (Garvin et al 2011) Thus risk of turbine-related fatalities at the Project exists for red-
tailed hawks but turbine-related fatalities would be expected to be low given the low level of use
and low number of nests detected within the Project area and 1-mile buffer Project-related
fatalities of red-tailed hawk should they occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts
because red-tailed hawks are common nationwide (Sauer et al 2011)
13 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Two other raptor species detected during spring surveys (Swainsonrsquos hawk and American
kestrel) have been recorded as fatalities at other wind facilities (Derby 2007 Gritski et al 2008
Johnson and Erickson 2011) Peregrine falcon and great-horned owl have not been recorded as
fatalities observed at wind farms with publicly available fatality data All are likely have low risk
for turbine collisions at the Project due to the relatively very low mean-use rates
43 LISTED SPECIES
No federal listed threatened or endangered species were detected incidentally during avian point
count raptor or lek surveys One adult golden eagle was detected as an incidental observation
The golden eagle is protected under the BGEPA Although applications for incidental take
permits are available none have been issued to date Projects that are applying for permits have
are those with a perceived high risk of eagle fatality or have an additional permitting requirement
based on land ownership Consultation with the USFWS would provide further information on
local interpretation of the Draft Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance (USFWS 2011c)
No state listed designated species with regulatory implications were detected during surveys
However all native migratory avian species are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of
1918
44 CONCLUSIONS
Results of the 2012 spring avian surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center suggest an overall
low impact of the Project on the local avian community The high mean-use rate at the Project by
non-raptors is primarily driven by a few common residents and migratory species not commonly
reported as fatalities at wind energy facilities with results from post-construction fatality
monitoring Raptor use was relatively low for each raptor species detected Although there is
potential for turbine-related fatalities of Canada goose sandhill crane horned lark western
meadowlark red-winged blackbird red-tailed hawk and Franklinrsquos gull at the Project fatalities
are not expected to have population-level impacts If avian fatality rates are similar to other wind
facilities within the region we would expect them to fall between 044 ndash 1183 birdsturbineyear
(049 ndash 717 birdsMWyear) Additionally the potential for turbine-related fatalities exists for
nocturnal migrant species not identifiable by the methods of this study
No federally listed threatened or endangered species were detected incidentally during avian
point count raptor or lek surveys One adult golden eagle was detected as an incidental
observation The golden eagle is protected under the BGEPA A total of 9 sharp-tailed grouse
leks were located within the Project area and 1-mile buffer Four of the leks are within the
Project area indicating a moderate use of the Project area by the species No state listed
designated species with regulatory implications were detected during surveys However all
native migratory avian species are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918
14 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
50 REFERENCES
Arnold TW and RM Zink 2011 Collision mortality has no discernible effect on population trends of North American Birds PLoS ONE 6 e24708 doi101371journalpone0024708
Arnett EB DB Inkley DH Johnson RP Larkin S Manes AM Manville JR Mason ML Morrison MD Strickland and R Thresher 2007 Impacts of wind energy facilities on wildlife and wildlife habitat Wildlife Society Technical Review 07-2 The Wildlife Society Bethesda MA
Ballam JM 1984 The use of soaring by the red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) Auk 3519shy524
Beveridge L J 2005 The Migratory Bird Treaty Act and wind development North American Wind Power September36-38
BHE Environmental Inc 2010 Post-Construction Bird and Bat Mortality Study Cedar Ridge Wind Farm Fond Du Lac County Wisconsin Interim Report prepared for Wisconsin Power and Light Madison Wisconsin Prepared by BHE Environmental Inc Cincinnati Ohio February 2010
Bryce SA JM Omernik DA Pater M Ulmer J Schaar J Freeouf R Johnson P Kuck and SH Azevedo 1996 Ecoregions of North Dakota and South Dakota (color poster with map descriptive text summary tables and photographs) Reston Virginia US Geological Survey (map scale 11500000)
Devereux CL MJH Denny and MJ Whittingham 2008 Minimal effects of wind turbines on the distribution of wintering farmland birds Journal of Applied Ecology 451689shy1694
Drewitt AL and RHW Langston 2008 Collision effects of wind-power generators and other obstacles on birds Pages 233-266 in R S Ostfeld and W H Schlesinger editors Year in Ecology and Conservation Biology 2008 Blackwell Publishing Oxford
Drewitt AL and RHW Langston 2006 Assessing the impacts of wind farms on birds Ibis 14829-42
Derby C A Dahl W Erickson K Bay and J Hoban 2007 Post-Construction Monitoring Report for Avian and Bat Mortality at the NPPD Ainsworth Wind Farm Prepared for Nebraska Public Power District Columbus NE 24 pgs
Erickson WP GD Johnson and DP Young Jr 2005 A summary and comparison of bird mortality from anthropogenic causes with an emphasis on collisions USDA Forest Service Gen Tech Rep PSW-GTR-191
Erickson WP GD Johnson MD Strickland DP Young Jr KJ Sernka and R E Good 2001 Avian collisions with wind turbines a summary of existing studies and comparisons to other sources of avian collision mortality in the United States National Wind Coordinating Committee Washington DC Accessed at httpwwwnationalwindorgassetsarchiveAvian_Collisions_with_Wind_Turbines_shy_A_Summary_of_Existing_Studies_and_Comparisons_to_Other_Sources_of_Avian_Col lision_Mortality_in_the_United_States__2001_pdf
15 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Faanes CA and RE Stewart 1982 Revised checklist of North Dakota birds Version 16JUL97 The Prairie Naturalist 14(3)81-92 Jamestown ND Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Online Available online at httpwwwnpwrcusgsgovresourcebirdschndbirdindexhtm Accessed July 2012
Ferrer M M de Lucas GFE Janss E Casado AR Muntildeoz MJ Bechard and CP Calabuig 2012 Weak relationship between risk assessment studies and recorded mortality in wind farms Journal of Applied Ecology 49(1) 38-46 Available online at httponlinelibrarywileycomdoi101111j1365-2664201102054xpdf
Garvin J C Jennelle C S Drake D and Grodsky S M (2011) Response of raptors to a windfarm Journal of Applied Ecology 48 199ndash209
Gritski B S Downes K Kronner 2008 White Creek Wind I Wildlife Monitoring Annual Summary Winter 2007-2008 through Fall 2008 Prepared for White Creek Wind I LLC Roosevelt WA 25 pgs
Grodsky SM and D Drake 2011 Assessing Bird and Bat Mortality at the Forward Energy Center Final Report Public Service Commission (PSC) of Wisconsin PSC REF152052 Prepared for Forward Energy LLC Prepared by Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison Wisconsin August 2011
Gruver J M Sonnenburg K Bay and W Erickson 2009 Post-Construction Bat and Bird Fatality Study at the Blue Sky Green Field Wind Energy Center Fond Du Lac County Wisconsin July 21 - October 31 2008 and March 15 - June 4 2009 Unpublished report prepared by Western EcoSystems Technology Inc (WEST) Cheyenne Wyoming December 17 2009
Hagen CA JC Pitman TM Loughin BK Sandercock and RJ Robel 2011 Impacts of anthropogenic features on lesser prairie-chicken habitat use Studies in Avian Biology 39 63-75
Hagen SK PT Isakson and SR Dyke 2005 North Dakota Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy North Dakota Game and Fish Department Bismarck ND
Howe RW W Evans and AT Wolf 2002 Effects of Wind Turbines on Birds and Bats in Northeastern Wisconsin Prepared by University of Wisconsin-Green Bay for Wisconsin Public Service Corporation and Madison Gas and Electric Company Madison Wisconsin November 21 2002 104 pp
Jain AA RR Koford AW Hancockand GG Zenner 2011 Bat Mortality and Activity at a Northern Iowa Wind Resource Area Am Mid Natur 165 185-200
Jain A P Kerlinger R Curry and L Slobodnik 2007 Annual report for the Maple Ridge wind power project post-construction bird and bat fatality studymdash2006 Prepared by Curry and Kerlinger LLC for PPM Energy Horizon Energy and Technical Advisory Committee for the Maple Ridge Project
Jain AA 2005 Bird and Bat Behavior and Mortality at a Northern Iowa Windfarm Thesis submitted to Iowa State University Ames IA 113 pgs
16 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Johnson GD C LeBeau R Neilsen T Rintz and J Eddy 2012 Greater Sage-Grouse Habitat Use and Population Demographics at the Simpson Ridge Wind Resource Area Carbon County Wyoming Final Report prepared for EBP Renewables Houston Texas
Johnson GD and WP Erickson 2011 Avian Bat and Habitat Cumulative Impacts Associated with Wind Energy Development in the Columbia Plateau Ecoregion of Eastern Washington and Oregon Prepared by West Inc for Klickitat County Washington
Johnson DH MJ Holloran JW Connelly SE Hanser CL Amundson and ST Knick 2011 Influences of Environmental and Anthropogenic Features on Greater Sage-grouse Populations 1997-2007 Pages 407-450 in ST Knick and JW Connelly Greater Sage-Grouse ecology and conservation of a landscape species and its habitat Studies in Avian Biology 38 University of California Press Berkeley CA
Johnson GD WP Erickson MD Strickland MF Shepherd DA Shepherd and SA Sarappo 2002 Collision mortality of local and migrant birds at a large-scale wind power development on Buffalo Ridge Minnesota Wildlife Society Bulletin 30879-887
Johnson GD WP Erickson MD Strickland MF Shepherd and DA Shepherd 2000 Avian Monitoring Studies at the Buffalo Ridge Wind Resource Area Minnesota Results of a 4-Year Study Final report prepared for Northern States Power Company Minneapolis Minnesota by Western EcoSystems Technology Inc (WEST) Cheyenne Wyoming September 22 2000 212 pp httpwwwwest-inccom
Kerns J and P Kerlinger 2004 A study of bird and bat collision fatalities at the Mountaineer Wind Energy Center Tucker County West Virginia Annual report for 2003 Technical report prepared by Curry and Kerlinger LLC for FPL Energy and Mountaineer Wind Energy Center Technical Review Committee
Leddy KL KF Higgins and DE Naugle 1999 Effects of wind turbines on upland nesting birds in CRP grasslands Wilson Bulletin 111100-104
Manville AM II 2004 Prairie grouse leks and wind turbines US Fish and Wildlife Service justification for a 5-mile buffer from leks additional grassland songbird recommendations Division of Migratory Bird Management USFWS Arlington VA peer-reviewed briefing paper
Martin GR 2011 Understanding bird collisions with man-made objects a sensory ecology approach Ibis 153(2)239-254
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17 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
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Pearce-Higgins JW L Stephen A Douse and RHW Langston 2012 Greater impacts of wind farms on bird populations during construction than subsequent operation results of a multi-site and multi-species analysis Journal of Applied Ecology 49 386-394
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People who contributed to the writing of this report
Jim Kowalsky July 17 2012
Report Author Date
Jennifer Taylor July 19 2012
Peer Review 1 Date
Chris Farmer August 3 2012
Peer Review 2 Date
Anne-Marie Griger August 9 2012
Deputy Project Manager Date
Robert Friedel July 13 2012
GIS Date
19 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
FIGURES
20 August 2012
B
Knife River
James River
Random Creek
Pipestem Creek
Heart River Long Lake Creek
Rocky Run
Otter Creek
Turtle Cr eek
West Branch Apple Creek
Little Heart River
Big Muddy Creek
Ea st Br an ch Ap pl e C re ek
Apple
Creek
Painte Woods Creek
Sweetbrier Creek
Square Butte Creek
B
LakeAudubon Figure 1Lake NettieLakeSakakawea ty MapVicini
Turtle BlueLake Lakeerson
Lake NEXTENERGYPetUV7
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V41 RESOURCES
Wilton IVMcLeanWind Energy Center
Burleigh County ND
Las modified 7-10-2012
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Urban area WillowOBrienLongLake lkaliA14 HelenTwi Interstate Highway
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227Th Ave NE
93Rd
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Figure 2 Point
(Spr t location mapcoun
ing 2012)NEXTENERGY
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Wilton IVWind Energy Center
AA
A A
Burleigh County ND
Last modified 7-10-2012A AA
AA AA A A A
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Figure 3 Non-raptor mean use by survey date in Spring at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center M
ean
Use
(bir
ds2
0 m
in)
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
00
Survey Date
316 321 326 44 410 420 427 53 512 519 526 62 69 615
NAD 1983 UTM 14
240th Ave Ne240th Ave Ne
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253Rd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
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227Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
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214Th Ave NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE 279Th Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
145T
h St N
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41St
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145T
h St N
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66Th
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171S
t St N
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132N
d St N
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52Nd
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41St
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66Th
St N
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80Th
St N
E
93Rd
St N
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292Nd Ave NE
106T
h St N
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171S
t St N
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214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
93Rd
St N
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86Th
St N
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184T
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PC 01
PC 02
PC 03
PC 04
PC 05 PC 06
PC 07
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TETR A TECH EC INC
Figure 4Non-raptor mean use by point count location (Spring 2012)
Non-r aptor s p e r 20 m in u te s 00 1 - 25 0 0 25 01 - 5 0 00 50 01 - 7 5 00
75 01 - 1 0 00 0
10 00 1 - 1 25 00
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
A Pro po sed tu rbin e (9 -21 -20 11 )Lo ca l Ro a d
Mean use value PC Point count number
Burleigh County ND
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
Last modified 7-10-2012
NEXTENERGY RESOURCES
Figure 5 Raptor mean use by survey date in Spring 2012 at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Mea
n U
se (b
irds
20
min
)
140
120
100
080
060
040
020
000
Survey Date
316 321 326 44 410 420 427 53 512 519 526 62 69 615
NAD 1983 UTM 14
240th Ave Ne240th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
253Rd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
227Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE 279Th Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
145T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
145T
h St N
E
66Th
St N
E
171S
t St N
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132N
d St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
41St
St NE
66Th
St N
E
80Th
St N
E
93Rd
St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
106T
h St N
E
171S
t St N
E
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
93Rd
St N
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86Th
St N
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184T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
PC 01
PC 02
PC 03
PC 04
PC 05 PC 06
PC 07
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TETR A TECH EC INC
Figure 6Raptor mean use by point
count location (Spring 2012)
Rapto r s p e r 2 0 m in u te s 00 1- 01 6 01 7 - 0 32 03 3 - 0 48
04 9 - 0 64
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
A Pro po sed tu rbin e (9 -21 -20 11 )Lo ca l Ro a d
Mean use value PC Point count number
Burleigh County ND
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
Last modified 7-10-2012
NEXTENERGY RESOURCES
240th Ave Ne 240th Ave Ne
240th Ave Ne
266th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
279Th Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE
292Nd Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
52Nd
St N
E
197T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
66Th
St N
E
188Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
106T
h St N
E
253Rd Ave NE
292Nd Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
132N
d St N
E
26Th
St N
E
266Th Ave NE
253Rd Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
93Rd
St N
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145T
h St N
E 14
5Th S
t NE
132N
d St N
E
41St
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210T
h St N
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119T
h St N
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106T
h St N
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171S
t St N
E 17
1St S
t NE
188Th Ave NE
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE 227Th Ave NE
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
201St Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
Figure 7 Raptor nest and lek location
map (Spring 2012)NEXTENERGY
RESOURCES
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
5 Burleigh County ND
Last modified 7-10-2012 A A
A A
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
AAA A A A A A
A A
Pro po sed tu rbi(9 -21 -20 11 )
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2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
TABLES
21 August 2012
Table 1 Spring 2012 point count survey dates at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Date(s)Survey number
1 316 2 321 3 326 4 44 5 410 6 420 7 427 8 53 9 512 10 519 11 526 12 62 13 69 14 615
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Songbirds
unidentified sparrow 652 7 665 (000-1339) 41 313 121 red-winged blackbird 548 52 559 (036-1082) 378 263 102 horned lark 173 83 177 (136-218) 612 83 32 American crow 159 22 162 (027-297) 204 76 30 common grackle 91 33 093 (035-151) 245 44 17 western meadowlark 80 62 082 (065-099) 480 38 15 European starling 80 1 082 (000-216) 10 38 15 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 082 (029-135) 82 38 15 barn swallow 44 21 045 (028-062) 204 21 08 bobolink 36 28 037 (022-052) 194 17 07 American goldfinch 26 23 027 (018-036) 214 12 05 vesper sparrow 23 21 023 (013-033) 184 11 04 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 019 (010-028) 143 09 04 American robin 19 19 019 (011-027) 143 09 04 house sparrow 15 5 015 (000-030) 51 07 03 American tree sparrow 8 2 008 (000-018) 20 04 01 song sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 savannah sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 dickcissel 5 4 005 (000-010) 31 02 01 western kingbird 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 01 01 pine siskin 3 1 003 (000-008) 10 01 01 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 eastern kingbird 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 yellow warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 unidentified warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 house wren 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 Group Total 2083 430 2126 (1259-2993) 949 387
Waterfowl
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations
Canada goose 1408 24 1437 (435-2439) 133 874 262 snow goose 184 2 188 (000-490) 20 114 34 mallard 12 6 012 (004-020) 61 07 02 northern pintail 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 blue-winged teal 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 American wigeon 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 redhead 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 01 00 Group Total 1611 36 1644 (561-2727) 184 300
CranesRails sandhill crane 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 1000 201 Group Total 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 201
GullsTerns Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 283 (013-553) 31 986 52 ring-billed gull 4 3 004 (000-008) 31 14 01 Group Total 281 7 287 (017-557) 61 52
Gamebirds ring-necked pheasant 148 134 151 (128-174) 745 967 28 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 20 01 gray partridge 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 13 00 Group Total 153 138 156 (132-180) 755 28
PigeonsDoves rock pigeon 40 6 041 (009-073) 61 513 07 mourning dove 38 25 039 (019-059) 184 487 07 Group Total 78 31 080 (041-119) 224 15
Waterbirds killdeer 28 22 029 (017-041) 214 538 05 upland sandpiper 8 8 008 (003-013) 71 154 01 common snipe 8 8 008 (002-014) 61 154 01 Wilsons snipe 4 4 004 (000-008) 31 77 01 American coot 4 1 004 (000-011) 10 77 01 Group Total 52 43 053 (037-069) 357 10
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Raptors
red-tailed hawk 16 12 016 (008-024) 122 444 03 northern harrier 16 14 016 (009-023) 143 444 03 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 peregrine falcon 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 great horned owl 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 American kestrel 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 Group Total 36 30 037 (025-049) 276 07
Woodpeckers northern flicker 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 1000 00 Group Total 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 00 Grand Total 5376 735 5486 (3771-7200)
1 A ranking of 1 indicates highest mean use
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Canada goose 1408 24 210 80 523 140 210 135 110 sandhill crane 1080 18 94 18 621 15 187 145 0 unidentified sparrow 652 7 0 0 0 0 330 210 112 red-winged blackbird 548 52 0 84 49 386 14 11 4 Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 107 0 100 70 0 0 0 snow goose 184 2 0 180 4 0 0 0 0 horned lark 173 83 23 24 17 12 19 32 46 American crow 159 22 6 4 13 11 1 123 1 ring-necked pheasant 148 134 21 14 21 18 25 22 27 common grackle 91 33 6 35 7 2 8 33 0 western meadowlark 80 62 8 10 17 3 11 19 12 European starling 80 1 0 0 0 80 0 0 0 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 0 63 17 0 0 0 0 barn swallow 44 21 3 12 6 10 7 1 5 rock pigeon 40 6 0 14 0 0 0 23 3 mourning dove 38 25 4 17 1 1 1 11 3 bobolink 36 28 10 0 14 8 0 0 4 killdeer 28 22 3 3 4 5 10 0 3 American goldfinch 26 23 4 9 3 3 4 2 1 vesper sparrow 23 21 1 7 1 2 9 1 2 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 2 4 2 0 6 4 1 American robin 19 19 1 13 0 1 3 0 1 red-tailed hawk 16 12 4 0 4 5 0 1 2 northern harrier 16 14 3 1 4 4 2 0 2 house sparrow 15 5 2 13 0 0 0 0 0 mallard 12 6 0 0 6 6 0 0 0 upland sandpiper 8 8 0 0 1 0 3 2 2 common snipe 8 8 0 2 6 0 0 0 0 American tree sparrow 8 2 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 song sparrow 5 5 1 1 1 0 2 0 0 savannah sparrow 5 5 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 dickcissel 5 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 Wilsons snipe 4 4 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 ring-billed gull 4 3 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 American coot 4 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 western kingbird 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 pine siskin 3 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 northern pintail 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
northern flicker 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 gray partridge 2 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 eastern kingbird 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 blue-winged teal 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 American wigeon 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 yellow warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 unidentified warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 redhead 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 peregrine falcon 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 house wren 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 great horned owl 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 American kestrel 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Grand Total 5376 735 526 620 1452 794 859 776 349
Table 4 Summary of avian flight heights1 in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)2 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Birds
Number Percentage
Non-raptors
Raptors
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
1656 372
2023 455
767 173
3 91
13 394
17 515 1 Includes only flying birds with flight height data2These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
Canada goose 654 (435 - 2439) 1437 997 537 457 06 unidentified sparrow 632 (000 - 1339) 665 1000 00 951 49 sandhill crane 368 (083 - 2121) 1102 999 665 335 00 Franklinrsquos gull 283 (013 - 553) 283 1000 00 1000 00 European starling 082 (000 - 216) 082 1000 00 1000 00 American crow 024 (027 - 297) 162 943 00 160 840 red-tailed hawk 013 (008 - 024) 016 938 133 867 00 brown-headed cowbird 008 (029 - 135) 082 125 00 800 200 red-winged blackbird 005 (036 - 1082) 559 261 00 35 965 Wilsons snipe 002 (000 - 008) 004 500 00 1000 00 blue-winged teal 002 (000 - 005) 002 1000 00 1000 00 mallard 002 (004 - 020) 012 500 00 333 667 ring-billed gull 001 (000 - 008) 004 1000 00 250 750 yellow warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 yellow-headed blackbird 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 western meadowlark 000 (065 - 099) 082 338 00 00 1000 western kingbird 000 (000 - 007) 003 1000 00 00 1000 vesper sparrow 000 (013 - 033) 023 130 00 00 1000 upland sandpiper 000 (003 - 013) 008 250 00 00 1000 unidentified warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 Swainsonrsquos hawk 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 sharp-tailed grouse 000 (000 - 007) 003 667 00 00 1000 song sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 snow goose 000 (000 - 490) 188 1000 1000 00 00 savannah sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 rock pigeon 000 (009 - 073) 041 825 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
ring-necked pheasant 000 (128 - 174) 151 07 00 00 1000 redhead 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 pine siskin 000 (000 - 008) 003 1000 00 00 1000 peregrine falcon 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 1000 00 00 northern pintail 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 northern harrier 000 (009 - 023) 016 1000 00 00 1000 northern flicker 000 (000 - 004) 002 500 00 00 1000 mourning dove 000 (019 - 059) 039 684 00 00 1000 killdeer 000 (017 - 041) 029 607 00 00 1000 house wren 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 house sparrow 000 (000 - 030) 015 67 00 00 1000 horned lark 000 (136 - 218) 177 740 00 00 1000 grasshopper sparrow 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 gray partridge 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 great horned owl 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 eastern kingbird 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 dickcissel 000 (000 - 010) 005 00 00 00 00 common snipe 000 (002 - 014) 008 00 00 00 00 common grackle 000 (035 - 151) 093 945 00 00 1000 clay-colored sparrow 000 (010 - 028) 019 158 00 00 1000 bobolink 000 (022 - 052) 037 917 00 00 1000 barn swallow 000 (028 - 062) 045 1000 00 00 1000 American tree sparrow 000 (000 - 018) 008 1000 00 00 1000 American wigeon 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 American robin 000 (011 - 027) 019 421 00 00 1000 American kestrel 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
American goldfinch 000 027 (018 - 036) 923 00 00 1000American coot 000 004 (000 - 011) 00 00 00 001These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 6 Incidental observations of birds during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species
American crow American kestrel American robin Canada goose great horned owl golden eagle gray partridge lesser scaup mallard merlin northern harrier rock pigeon red-tailed hawk red-winged blackbird sandhill crane sharp-tailed grouse wild turkey
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
APPENDICES
22 August 2012
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number of Birds1
Number of
Observations Species
Percentage of Flights
N NE E SE S SW W NW Variable
Canada goose 1398 21 867 00 00 00 02 00 17 114 00
sandhill crane 1079 17 878 52 00 00 00 00 00 70 00
unidentified sparrow 565 5 00 00 00 788 212 00 00 00 00
Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
snow goose 184 2 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
European starling 80 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
American crow 69 11 768 58 58 00 14 43 00 14 43
red-winged blackbird 15 6 533 00 00 200 267 00 00 00 00
red-tailed hawk 14 10 500 143 00 71 00 71 00 71 143
rock pigeon 11 2 00 00 00 00 273 727 00 00 00
northern harrier 9 8 111 00 00 333 00 222 00 111 222
mourning dove 9 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
common grackle 9 6 111 00 00 111 00 222 556 00 00
brown-headed cowbird 8 1 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
horned lark 6 3 833 00 00 167 00 00 00 00 00
ring-billed gull 4 3 250 00 00 00 00 750 00 00 00
Wilsons snipe 2 2 500 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 500
vesper sparrow 2 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
mallard 2 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
blue-winged teal 2 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
peregrine falcon 1 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
killdeer 1 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
Grand Total 3747 108 722 17 04 121 36 05 30 64 02 1 Includes only flying birds with flight directions
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Nest Number Species Substrate
Nest ConditionStatusDates
Surveyed Nest
Height (m) 2012 - 1 452012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good
5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 4 592012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good 5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 5 5192012 Swainsonrsquos hawk Active Siberian Elm 7 Good
NA means not applicable
Wenck Associates Inc 301 1
st St NE Suite 202
Mandan ND 58554
Phone 701-751-3370 Email jaskimwenckcom
May 7 2012
Tracey M Dubuque PE Senior Project Manager
Tetra Tech EC
160 Federal Street Third Floor
Boston MA 02110
Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Dear Tracey
Introduction
Male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) congregate at historicalcommunal leks in the spring
to compete for breeding opportunities Both sexes return to their natal breeding grounds yearly for their
entire life Leks are typically found in areas with low-growing vegetation on a hill knoll or other point of
high visibility Fidelity to these locations is extremely high for sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse
require nesting habitat within close proximity the lek comprised of dense or residual vegetative cover to
conceal and protect their nest from predators (Vodehnal and Haufler 2007)
Disturbance of nesting prairie grouse may occur from the construction of the turbine andor access road
construction noise and physical movement of equipment Loss of habitat and fragmentation related to
energy exploration may affect local prairie grouse populations by decreasing the area of habitat available
for nesting and brood-rearing and by increasing predation (Pittman et al 2005) Therefore federal and
state wildlife agencies are concerned about the placement of turbines in areas with known prairie grouse
populations Turbine setbacks from leks and minimizing grouse habitat disturbance may reduce the direct
and indirect effects of energy development on grouse
Methods
Sharp-tailed grouse surveys were completed from April 10th to May 1
st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise
to two hours after sunrise within the one-mile analysis area (Figure 1) Peak attendance by females on leks
typically occurs from April 15 to 25 but these dates vary by up to a week depending on weather conditions
(Schroeder and Robb 1993) Peak attendance potentially occurred earlier this year due to the early spring
A habitat assessment analysis was conducted prior to the field survey to determine suitable lekkingnesting
habitat within the analysis area (Figure 2) Listening stops were made within a one-mile analysis area
surrounding the proposed project area to identify lek locations (Figure 3) Sharp-tailed grouse males may
be heard at a distance of up to 050 mile Listening stops were not conducted if winds exceeded 10 miles
per hour (mph) or during precipitation events After a lek was located the birds were observed and the
number of males and females were counted Lek locations were documented using Global Positioning
System (GPS) Given the sensitive nature of this species and the fact that females may be nesting near the
lek disturbance to breeding prairie grouse was kept to a minimum
Results
Nine (9) sharp-tailed grouse leks were located during the surveys conducted from April 10th to May 1
st
2012 (Figure 4) Date time sex number of birds present wind conditions air temperature and GPS
coordinates were recorded once a lek was located (Tables 1 and 2) Two of the leks observed were
located outside of the analysis area Due to Lek 1rsquos close proximity to Lek 4 Lek 1 shouldbe classified
as a satellite lek No visual confirmation of Lek 6 was made due to access and topography
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1 Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Vicinity map
Figure 2 Wilton IV Wind Energy Center point count location map
Figure 3 Non-raptor mean use by survey date in Spring 2012 at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Figure 4 Non-raptor mean use by point count location map (Spring 2012)
Figure 5 Raptor mean use by survey date in Spring 2012 at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Figure 6 Raptor mean use by point count location map (Spring 2012)
Figure 7 Raptor nest and lek location map (Spring 2012)
LIST OF TABLES
Table ES-1 Spring Avian Use Summary
Table 1 Spring 2012 point count survey dates at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Table 4 Summary of avian flight heights in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA) during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA) during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Table 6 Incidental observations of birds during Spring 2012 point counts at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
List of Appendices
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Appendix 3 Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
ES-5 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
10 INTRODUCTION
11 WIND ENERGY AND BIRDS
Wind energy provides a clean renewable energy source As wind power has become more
common the need to address potential environmental impacts has increased Birds have been
identified as a group potentially at risk because of collisions with wind turbines and power lines
and displacement due to the presence of the associated structures (Erickson et al 2005 Drewitt
and Langston 2006 Arnett et al 2007) Specifically migrant passerines (eg songbirds) are
found more often in post-construction fatality monitoring compared to other groups of birds
(Arnett et al 2007) In fact at newer generation wind energy facilities outside of California
approximately 80 percent of documented fatalities have been songbirds of which 50 percent are
often nocturnal migrants (Erickson et al 2001 Johnson et al 2002 Drewitt and Langston 2006
Strickland and Morrison 2008) Locally breeding songbirds may experience lower fatality rates
than migrants because many of these species tend not to fly at turbine heights during the
breeding season However some breeding songbird species have behaviors that increase the risk
of collisions with turbines For example horned larks have been commonly found as fatalities at
wind farms that may be partially attributed to the breeding flight displays within the rotor swept
area (Pickwell 1931 Johnson and Erickson 2011)
Despite the observation that most wind farm fatalities are songbirds raptor fatality historically
has received the most attention due to high fatality rates at the Altamont Wind Project in
California (Thelander et al 2003) Raptor fatalities at newer generation wind projects has been
low relative to previous generation wind farms although there is substantial regional variation
(Johnson et al 2002 Erickson et al 2002 2004 Kerns and Kerlinger 2004 Jain et al 2007)
Although raptor fatality is reduced at newer generation facilities raptors remain the avian species
group considered most susceptible to collisions with turbines (Strickland et al 2011) Therefore
local micro-siting and site evaluation efforts are still necessary to minimize potential project-
related impacts to raptors
In addition to fatality associated with wind farms there is potential for bird species to avoid
areas near turbines or experience habitat displacement after the wind farm is in operation
(Drewitt and Langston 2006) To date evidence of this potential impact to birds does not
demonstrate a distinct trend some studies have found a decreased density or abundance of birds
near turbines (eg grassland songbirds Leddy et al 1999 Erickson et al 2004 Shaffer and
Johnson 2009) while others have found no evidence of declines near turbines (Devereux et al
2008 Shaffer and Johnson 2009 Pearce-Higgins et al 2012) However Pearce-Higgins et al
(2012) detected disturbance-related effects during construction indicating that disturbance
effects may occur on a short-term basis
1 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Particular concern over avoidance issues has been raised by agencies and non-governmental
groups with respect to grouse species (Manville 2004 USFWS 2012a) However the existing
information on avoidance by grouse species is limited to observational studies with results
varying by grouse species and source of disturbance (roads oil and gas wells vertical structures
transmission lines) Studies of grouse and anthropogenic features have reported that some
species of grouse avoid transmission lines improved roads buildings oil and gas wells and
communication towers (Pitman et al 2005 Pruett et al 2009 and Johnson et al 2011) But other
studies have found no evidence of avoidance of transmission lines or of wind facilities (Johnson
et al 2011 Johnson et al 2012) The only published research on operational wind facilities and
grouse suggest long-term data sets are needed to adequately assess impacts (Johnson et al 2012)
Finally most native migratory birds are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA)
of 1918 Under the MBTA it is unlawful to take (ie kill) any migratory bird including nests
and nest contents Currently there are no permits for incidental take of migratory birds
(Beveridge 2005) However the USFWS does not usually take action if good faith efforts have
been made to minimize impacts To date no wind development company has been charged for
violations of the MBTA Additionally The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA)
prohibit the take of any bald or golden eagle alive or dead including any part nest or egg
Currently applications for incidental take under BGEPA for golden eagles are currently being
considered by USFWS west of 100 degrees west longitude (USFWS 2009) which would include
this Project
12 STUDY DESCRIPTION
Wilton Wind IV LLC (Wilton Wind IV) a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources LLC is
planning to develop the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center (Project) in Burleigh County North
Dakota (Figure 1) located entirely on private lands Wilton Wind IV is committed to
environmental due diligence and has contracted Tetra Tech EC Inc (Tetra Tech) to conduct
spring avian surveys at the Project to quantify local avian use in the area and to evaluate the
potential impacts of the Project to birds detected during the survey The objectives meet the
requirements recommended under the Tier 3 of the USFWS Land-Based Wind Energy
Guidelines (USFWS 2012a)
The Project covers 15752 acres and is mostly located in the Northwestern Glaciated Plains
Ecoregion with western portions of the Project located in the Northwestern Great Plains
Ecoregion (Bryce et al 1996) This semiarid region of North Dakota includes level to rolling
plains topography with isolated sandstone buttes or badlands formations Historically much of
the landscape was a mix of western mixed-grass prairie and short-grass prairie with associated
wetlands of the Missouri Slope and River Breaks subregions (Bryce et al 1996) Today native
grasslands still persist mostly in areas of steep or broken topography and have been largely
2 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
replaced by agriculture in level areas Agriculture in the area is predominantly dry-land farming
of barley sunflowers corn spring and winter wheat interspersed with cattle grazing
North Dakota has 365 documented bird species (Faanes and Stewart 1982) and is situated within
the Central Flyway one of the main bird migratory routes in North America (USFWS 2011b)
The Central Flyway runs through the central portion of the US and as a consequence the
Project Area During spring migration most birds that move along the Central Flyway travel
from the tropics of South America via the Gulf of Mexico through the central states eventually
reaching breeding grounds as far away as Alaska and northern Canada (USFWS 2011b)
20 METHODS
To evaluate avian risk at wind energy facilities standardized protocols for pre-construction point
counts have been established and were used in this study This protocol is designed to be
responsive to the level of effort recommended in the National Wind Coordinating Committeersquos
Comprehensive Guide to Studying Wind EnergyWildlife Interactions (Strickland et al 2011)
and the US Fish and Wildlife Service Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines (USFWS 2012a)
Data collected from these counts are used to identify species or species groups that may be at
risk from Project development and may provide additional information for micro-siting wind
facilities to minimize impacts to birds Results in this report are presented in terms of species
groups and highlight any federal and state-listed protected species
21 AVIAN SURVEYS
211 Fixed-point Surveys
An experienced field biologist conducted 20-minute (min) point count surveys at 7 locations
within Project area to evaluate avian use behavior and species (Figure 2) The biologist
conducted 14 weekly surveys from March 16 through June 15 2012 (Table 1) thereby
encompassing the spring migration and summer breeding seasons Tetra Tech distributed the
survey locations throughout the Project area and chose locations that maximized the 360-degree
sight distance for the observer and covered a diversity of habitats
The field biologist collected data on all birds observed within an 800-m radius of the point count
location Surveys at each point lasted for 20 minutes during which time the biologist
continuously recorded any visual or auditory observations The biologist recorded the following
data species number of individuals time of observation height aboveground and behavior The
biologist estimated flight heights and distances using existing reference points such as
meteorological towers and local transmission lines as well as landscape contours shown on
topographic maps Flight direction was recorded for individuals making directional flights
through the Project area but was not recorded for individuals making localized movements
3 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
The survey protocol used in this study is designed to collect data on all bird species and to
provide results that are comparable with other studies at wind farms rather than to target specific
taxa The benefit of using this protocol is that it estimates avian use throughout the day and
captures activity by a variety of bird species During the breeding season and to a lesser extent
in the fall and winter songbirds are most active in the morning and can be difficult to detect
during the afternoon In contrast raptors become active as the sunlight heats the air and creates
thermals which many individuals use for soaring (Ballam 1984) Thus raptors are more readily
detected several hours after sunrise Therefore this protocol is appropriate for characterizing the
entire bird community using the Project It should be noted however that this survey protocol
can only detect nocturnal migrants should they be local breeders within the Project area or if they
utilize the Project as stopover habitat
Tetra Tech chose 20-minute survey periods because they provide adequate time to detect both
raptors and non-raptors However time periods of 20 minutes may lead to double-counting of
songbirds (ie counting the same individual more than once) because individuals may appear
and disappear from view For example if a horned lark is detected perched on a fence then
disappears from view and 6 minutes later a horned lark is seen flying these birds are recorded
as separate observations because it is not possible to distinguish individuals Double-counting of
birds is not problematic for this type of survey because the objective is to document use in terms
of number of birds noted per 20-minute survey not number of distinct individual birds
Detectability varies among species and potentially not all individuals within the 800-m radius
were counted This variation in detectability results in an overestimate of mean use for
conspicuous species and an underestimate of mean use for reclusive species (Thompson 2002)
Birds not easily identifiable such as those seen under low light conditions or small birds seen at
a distance were identified to the lowest taxonomic level possible Hence unidentified birds are
included in the results
212 Raptor Nest Surveys
The purpose of raptor nest surveys is to estimate the number of active and inactive raptor nests in
the Project area A biologist conducted the raptor nest survey across the Project area before trees
began to leaf out to increase visibility of raptor nests Where possible biologists also surveyed
an approximately 1-mile radius buffer around the Project area Once a nest was located the
biologist returned during the raptor breeding season to collect data on species location and
activity status Nests were classified as active if they had presence of an adult or young active
territory defense by an individual or the presence of feathers egg shells or droppings underneath
the nest otherwise they were classified as inactive In addition biologists determined the nest
condition and substrate Biologists visited nests a minimum of two times once to determine the
location of the nest and once to determine if the nest was active This second check also allowed
4 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
biologists to detect late-nesting species such as Swainsonrsquos hawks Raptor nest surveys provide
an estimate of the number and species of raptors that use stick nests in the area Ground-nesting
raptor species such as northern harriers were not surveyed
213 Lek Location Surveys
The USFWS along with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department (NDGFD) have expressed
concern regarding residential sharp-tailed grouse as a species of habitat fragmentation concern as
outlined in the USFWS published Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines (USFWS 2012a) A
biologist from Wenck Associates Inc (Wenck) conducted grouse lek surveys to identify areas of
use by breeding prairie grouse within the Project and surrounding area Surveys were completed
from April 10th to May 1st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise to two hours after sunrise within the
one-mile of the Project A detailed report on the methods and results are presented in a separate
report in Appendix 3
214 Incidental Observations
Incidental observations included observations that occurred 1) during travel between points 2)
before or after the official 20-min survey period 3) outside of the 800-m radius circular plot and
4) during raptor nest and grouse lek surveys Biologists recorded these observations on separate
data sheets and these data were not used in the formal analysis however a summary of
incidental birds is presented to provide additional information about species found in the local
area
215 Listed Species Information
The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA) prohibits the take of any bald or golden
eagle alive or dead including any part nest or egg ldquoTakerdquo is defined as ldquopursue shoot shoot
at poison wound kill capture trap collect molest or disturbrdquo a bald or golden eagle ldquoDisturbrdquo
means to agitate or bother an eagle to a degree that causes or is likely to cause 1) injury to an
eagle 2) a decrease in its productivity by substantially interfering with normal breeding
feeding or sheltering behavior or 3) nest abandonment by substantially interfering with normal
breeding feeding or sheltering behavior Applications for incidental take under BGEPA for
golden eagles are currently being considered by USFWS west of 100 degrees west longitude
which includes this Project (USFWS 2009)
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) as administered by the USFWS mandates protection of
species federally listed as threatened or endangered and their associated habitats The ESA
makes it unlawful to ldquotakerdquo a listed species Take is defined as ldquoto harass harm pursue hunt
shoot wound kill trap capture or collect or attempt to engage in any such conductrdquo (USFWS
2011b) A list of endangered threatened and candidate species for Burleigh County can be found
at httpecosfwsgovtess_publiccountySearchspeciesByCountyReportactionfips=38015
5 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
The State of North Dakota does not have a state endangered or threatened species list Only those
species listed by the ESA are considered threatened or endangered in North Dakota However the
NDGFD have identified 100 Species of Conservation Priority within North Dakota These
species are ranked in three priority levels based on such factors as known status funding
availability and presence of breeding habitat within North Dakota (Hagen et al 2005) The
definitions of each rank are listed below
Level I A species having a high level of conservation priority because of declining status either in North Dakota or across their range or a high rate of occurrence in North Dakota constituting the core of the speciesrsquo breeding range but are at-risk range wide and non-State Wildlife Grants funding is not readily available to them
Level II Species having a moderate level of conservation priority or a high level of conservation priority but a substantial amount of non-State Wildlife Grant funding is available to them
Level III North Dakotarsquos species having a moderate level of conservation priority but are believed to be peripheral or do not breed in North Dakota
Species that are listed under the 100 Species of Conservation Priority are not afforded any formal
protection by the state or require special take permits Additional information on North Dakota
Species of Conservation Priority can be found at httpwwwgfndgovconservation-nongameshy
wildlifespecies-conservation-priority
216 Data Quality AssuranceQuality Control
Tetra Tech implemented quality assurance and quality control measures during all stages of data
collection analysis and report preparation To ensure legibility and completeness of data sheets
each biologist reviewed all data sheets providing clarification as needed before data entry into a
FileMaker Protrade relational database for data storage and analysis Prior to analysis an
independent reviewer conducted a 100-percent quality review of the data entries Any questions
that arose at this time were directed toward and answered by the field biologist
22 ANALYSIS
221 Species Groupings
Tetra Tech considered two primary groups of interest raptors and non-raptors Tetra Tech
defined raptors as vultures hawks eagles falcons and owls All other species groups are
defined as non-raptors
6 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
222 Avian Use
Tetra Tech derived avian use (mean use) of the Project by calculating the average number of
birds observed per 20-min survey at each point To evaluate the diversity and composition of
avian species using the Project area Tetra Tech summarized the number of individuals (birds20
min) and species Tetra Tech also calculated a measure of variability (90 percent confidence
intervals) for all mean use values In addition the number of observations is also presented
where an observation can be either an individual bird or a discrete flock of birds This
information helps evaluate whether high mean use is driven by a single event (eg a large flock
of birds moving through the Project area on migration) Because individual birds are not
uniquely marked and identified actual population size or abundance cannot be determined One
individual may be counted multiple times during a survey period or across survey periods
Although mean use of a given species does not equate to abundance it does provide an index
that is likely proportional to abundance and activity within the Project
223 Flight Behavior
Tetra Tech evaluated flight behavior by calculating the proportion of flying birds observed
below within or above the height of the anticipated turbine rotor swept area (RSA) Wilton IV
plans to develop the Project using General Electric 16 Megawatt (MW) turbines These turbines
have a hub height of 80 meters and rotor diameter of 100 meters With these specifications the
estimated RSA was between 30 and 130 m above ground Tetra Tech considered a bird to have
flown within the height range of the anticipated RSA if any of its recorded heights fell within the
upper or lower limits of the anticipated RSA
224 Encounter Rate
To estimate the rate at which a species flew at the height of the anticipated RSA Tetra Tech
applied the following equation to every species observed in the Project area
Encounter Rate = APfPt
A is the mean number of birds20 min for a given species Pf is the proportion of all activity
observations for a given species that were flying and Pt is the proportion flying observations that
were within the height range of a turbine RSA for a given species The encounter rate provides
information on the rate at which a species may move at a height that is consistent with the RSA
of the proposed turbines This information is an important component in evaluating risk of
collisions however this number alone does not indicate project-related impact to a species
Species with a high encounter rate are at a higher risk of collision than species with a low
encounter rate but it does not mean that turbine-related fatalities are certain Other factors such
as turbine location or a speciesrsquo ability to detect turbine blades flight maneuverability and
7 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
habitat selection also influence fatality (Orloff and Flannery 1992 Drewitt and Langston 2008
Martin 2011) Encounter values are sensitive to large flocks of birds flying within the RSA
height that is a species will have a high encounter rate even if only seen once in the RSA in a
large flying flock
225 Fatality Risk
The highly regional nature of avian mean use across North America and the scarce data on avian
fatalities at wind farms in many parts of the continent combined with other risk influences such
as individual species behavior and weather contribute to uncertainty in predicting fatality rates
(Arnett et al 2007 Strickland et al 2011) A recent meta-analysis suggests that pre-construction
studies provide poor indicators of post-construction fatality (Ferrer et al 2012) WEST (2011)
suggests that the most accurate predictors of fatality at a wind project are records of species-
specific fatalities detected at nearby wind projects As a result of uncertainty in predicting
fatality rates Tetra Tech did not attempt to derive fatality estimates from mean use data but will
highlight those species or groups with high use values that may experience Project-related
fatalities or whose regional population could be impacted by development Additionally Tetra
Tech will highlight species with high frequencies of observation high encounter rates and those
with records of turbine-related fatality at other wind projects as these variables may also indicate
potential collision risk at the Project
30 RESULTS
31 AVIAN USE AND FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE
Biologists surveyed 3476 acres of the Project area during point count surveys covering 22
percent of the Project arearsquos total area (15752 acres) The 7 point count locations were surveyed
14 times resulting in 98 total 20-min surveys A total of 5376 birds from 52 species and 653
that could not be identified to species (all unidentified sparrows) were recorded within the
Project area during the fixed-point count surveys (Table 2) Overall mean bird use for the Wilton
IV Wind Energy Center was 5486 birds20 min and ranged from 0 to 603 birds20 min
Overall mean use by non-raptors was 5449 birds20 min Songbirds Waterfowl and
CranesRails comprised 387 300 and 201 percent of all species observed respectively and
were distributed throughout the Project area Among species groups mean use was highest for
songbirds (2126 birds20 min Table 2) and songbirds were observed in 949 percent of all
surveys The non-raptor species with the highest mean use came from four different species
groups Songbirds Waterfowl CranesRails and GullsTerns and included the Canada goose
(1437 birds20 min observed in 133 percent of all surveys) sandhill crane (1102 birds20 min
observed in 122 percent of all surveys) unidentified sparrow (665 birds20 min 41 percent of
all surveys) red-winged blackbird (559 birds20 min observed in 378 percent of all surveys)
8 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
and Franklinrsquos gull (283 birds20 min observed in 31 percent of all surveys Table 2) Other
species with a high frequency of detection during the surveys but with a low mean use included
ring-necked pheasant (151 birds20 min observed in 745 percent of all surveys) horned lark
(177 birds20 min 612 percent of all surveys) and western meadowlark (082 birds20 min
480 percent of all surveys Table 2) Each other non-raptor species had a mean use of less than
190 birds20 min or was detected in less than 48 percent of all surveys Other non-raptor species
groups observed during the surveys included Gamebirds PigeonsDoves Waterbirds and
Woodpeckers (Table 2)
Non-raptor mean use was highest on March 16 (24743 birds20 min) April 20 (19914 birds20
min) and March 26 (12571 birds20 min Figure 3) Observations on March 16 were comprised
of mostly Canada geese (1138 individuals observed in 17 flocks ranging in size from 20 to 140
individuals 77 of all observations) The primary contributors to the high mean use on April 20
were unidentified sparrows (645 individuals observed in 6 distinct flocks and ranging from 25 to
250 individuals) red-winged blackbird (392 individuals) and Franklinrsquos gull (277 individuals)
On March 26 the primary contributor to the high mean use was the sandhill crane (772
individuals distributed between 8 flocks ranging from 15 to 275 individuals) Mean use for nonshy
raptors was highest at point count location 3 (10314 birds20 min Figure 4) Species
contributing to the high mean use at this point included sandhill crane (621 individuals) Canada
goose (523 individuals) and Franklinrsquos gull (100 individuals Table 3) The habitat at point 3
consists of row crops (wheat) and short-grass prairie possibly enrolled in the Conservation
Reserve Program (CRP) The habitat at this point is not unique within the Project area However
most of the birds observed at point 3 were flying through the Project area in flocks of 15 to 275
individuals and not stopping in the immediate vicinity of the Project
Raptors are a group of special interest because of their propensity to fly at heights similar to a
turbine RSA Overall mean use for raptors was 037 birds20 min (Table 2) raptors were not
among the most frequently observed species groups during the spring surveys The raptor species
with the highest mean use was the red-tailed hawk (016 birds20 min observed in 122 percent
of all surveys) and northern harrier (016 birds20 min observed in 143 percent of all surveys)
Other raptor species detected included the Swainsonrsquos hawk and peregrine falcon great-horned
owl and American kestrel each with mean use value of 001 birds20 min with each observed in
10 percent of all surveys (Table 2)
Mean use by raptors was highest on March 26 (129 birds20 min) and May 3 (100 birds20 min
Figure 5) Observations on March 26 included red-tailed hawk (5 individuals) northern harrier
(3 individuals) and American kestrel (1 individual) Observations on May 26 included 4 red-
tailed hawks 2 northern harriers and 1 peregrine falcon Mean use for raptors was less than 058
birds20 min for all other survey dates Mean use for raptors was highest at point count locations
4 1 and 3 (064 064 and 057 birds20 min respectively Figure 6) Species contributing to the
9 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
mean use at these points were mostly red-tailed hawks and northern harriers (Table 3) In
addition to red-tailed hawks and northern harriers point count location 1 had one American
kestrel and one Peregrine falcon Raptor mean use was equal to or less than 029 birds20 min at
all other points Point count locations 4 1 and 3 each encompass short-grass prairie and
agricultural (mostly wheat) fields both of which provide foraging opportunities for raptors
These features are not unique to these point count locations or within the Project area
32 FLIGHT HEIGHT AND ENCOUNTER RATE
During spring avian use surveys biologists collected behavioral data for 986 percent of all birds
observed during point count surveys of which 834 percent were observed flying The biologist
collected flight height data for 999 percent and flight direction for 835 percent of those
observations (ie most individuals were observed making directional flights) Of non-raptor
species observed flying 372 percent flew above the height of the anticipated RSA 455 percent
flew at the height of the anticipated RSA and 173 percent flew below the height of the
anticipated RSA (Table 4) Of raptor species observed flying 91 percent flew above the height
of the anticipated RSA 394 percent flew at the height of the anticipated RSA and 515 percent
flew above the height of the anticipated RSA Data on flight direction are located in Appendix 1
Most birds observed making direct flight over the Project were moving in a northerly direction
(803 percent of all direct flights) In combination with the timing of flights (Figure 3) these data
suggest that much of the non-raptor use observed at the Project area is due to migratory
movements
Canada goose had the highest encounter rate (654 birds flying at RSA height20 min Table 5)
followed by unidentified sparrow (632 birds flying at RSA height20 min) sandhill crane (368
birds flying at RSA height20 min) and Franklinrsquos gull (283 birds flying at RSA height20 min)
Each other species had an encounter rate below 083 birds flying at RSA height20 min
33 RAPTOR NEST SURVEYS
Raptor nests detected within the Project area or 1-mile buffer included 2 red-tailed hawks 2 unknown nests and 1 Swainsonrsquos hawk (Figure 7) The red-tailed hawk nests were found on April 5 and May 9 with each remaining active during the survey period The Swainsonrsquos hawk nest was detected on May 19th within the 1-mile buffer around the Project area The two unknown nests were found on April 15 and April 25 Both unknown nests appeared to never be active during the survey period
34 LEK SURVEYS
During grouse lek surveys conducted within the Project area and a surrounding 1-mile buffer
from April 10th to May 1st a total of 9 sharp-tailed grouse leks were found within the Project area
and 1-mile buffer (Figure 7 WENK 2012) Four of the leks were within the Project area (Figure
7) Each lek had a minimum of 4 individuals (includes males and females) observed with the
10 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
maximum number of grouse observed at one lek being 21 individuals (lek 8) A full report on the
grouse lek surveys is presented in Appendix 3
35 INCIDENTAL OBSERVATIONS
The biologist documented 17 species as incidental observations (Table 6) Of these species 4
(golden eagle lesser scaup merlin wild turkey) were not detected during spring point count
surveys
36 LISTED SPECIES
No federal threatened or endangered species were observed during avian point count raptor or
lek surveys or as an incidental observation One adult golden eagle was observed incidentally
near survey point 7 on March 26th in flight within the anticipated RSA The golden eagle is
protected by the BGEPA (Section 215)
Four Level I (Franklinrsquos gull Swainsonrsquos hawk upland sandpiper and grasshopper sparrow)
seven Level II (bobolink dickcissel redhead sharp-tailed grouse northern harrier golden eagle
and northern pintail) and one Level III (peregrine falcon) state-listed Species of Conservation
Priority were observed during point counts raptor nest lek surveys or as incidental observations
within the Project Area
40 DISCUSSION
The avian community detected within the Project area during spring surveys was characterized
by species associated with typical mid-western agricultural lands and short-grass prairie
vegetation The majority of the Project area and vicinity has been developed for agricultural use
specifically crops such as wheat sunflower and corn with additional developed lands devoted to
pastureland for cattle Within disturbed habitats such as these the greatest potential impact of
wind facilities to avian species is risk of collisions with turbines Mean avian fatality rates
estimated from wind facilities in the Midwest (NE WI MN and IA) range from 044 to 1183
birdsturbineyear (049 ndash 717 birdsMWyear Tetra Tech 2012) Project-related bird fatalities
are expected to fall within this range
In areas mostly dominated by native short-grass prairie additional loss of habitat from
developing these areas may impact resident and migratory avian species The presence of native
grassland habitats within the Project area suggests that additional disturbance and habitat loss
caused by construction and operation of the Project may cause birds to avoid the Project area
and may alter the current use of habitat by bird species within the Project area (Tetra Tech 2011)
The greatest potential for habitat loss would be for sharp-tailed grouse Current research suggests
that certain grouse species may avoid anthropogenic structures (USFWS 2012a Hagen et al
11 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
2011) however long-term data sets are still needed to best assess wind energy impacts (Johnson
et al 2012)
41 NON-RAPTOR USE AND COLLISION RISK
The Canada goose sandhill crane red-winged blackbird and Franklinrsquos gull were species with
the highest mean use within the Project area and were among the species most frequently
detected Additionally unidentified sparrows which probably represent a group of similar
species had high mean use Three of these species Canada goose Franklinrsquos gull and sandhill
crane are migratory with most individuals moving through the region (and the Project area) to
breeding grounds further north as indicated by their flight direction and large flock size Three
species had a high frequency of detection but a low mean use at the Project ring-necked
pheasant horned lark and western meadowlark These eight species are local residential and
migratory species commonly associated with the open pastureland short-grass prairie and row-
crop agriculture habitats found throughout the Project area These species are widely distributed
across the country and can be expected to occur where suitable habitat is present
The red-winged blackbird horned lark western meadowlark and ring-necked pheasant are
commonly found as turbine-related fatalities (more than 20 records of post-construction fatality
from 27 studies Tetra Tech 2012 Johnson et al 2000 Howe et al 2002 Derby et al 2007 TRC
Environmental 2008 Gruver et al 2009 BHE Environmental 2010 Jain et al 2011 Grodsky
and Drake 2011) particularly horned larks which exhibit breeding flight displays that may bring
them into the height of the RSA (Johnson and Erickson 2011) Thus risk of turbine-related
fatalities exists for each of these species at the Project However Project-related fatalities of red-
winged blackbird horned lark western meadowlark and ring-necked pheasant should they
occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts because collision fatalities appears to have
little effect North American landbird populations (Arnold and Zink 2011)
Species with high mean use but that are considered to have low risk for fatalities include sandhill
crane Franklinrsquos gull and Canada goose Although flying at the height of the RSA represents a
collision risk sandhill cranes have been documented altering flight direction in response to
turbines at wind facility in South Dakota (Nagy et al 2011) and multiple studies have
documented sandhill cranes gradually climbing as they approach marked power lines (Morkill
and Anderson 1991 Murphy et al 2009) The avoidance behavior observed at other studies and
lack of documented turbine-related fatalities of the sandhill crane suggests a low risk of Project-
related fatality for this species While no studies have documented avoidance behavior by
Franklinrsquos gulls similar to sandhill cranes the lack of documented fatalities at wind facilities
with publicly available data within the breeding range and migratory pathway of Franklinrsquos gulls
indicate a low risk of fatalities to occur at the Project (20 studies Tetra Tech 2012)
12 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Additionally Canada goose has a low number of fatality observations (less than 6 records of
post-construction fatalities from 27 studies Tetra Tech 2012)
The remaining non-raptor species detected during spring surveys have low risk for turbine
collisions at the Project due to a combination of relatively low mean-use rates infrequent flight
within the height of the RSA andor few or no records of fatalities at other wind facilities with
publically available results of fatality data
42 RAPTOR USE AND COLLISION RISK
High raptor use (greater than 20 birds20 min) has been associated with high raptor fatality at
wind farms (Strickland et al 2011) Conversely raptor fatality appears to be low when raptor use
is low (less than 10 birds20 min Strickland et al 2011) which is the case for raptor use at the
Project A factor contributing to the low raptor use of the Project area may be the number of
active raptor nests detected during nests surveys Because raptor activity is typically higher near
active nests than areas without active nests and raptors may have increased potential for
collision as they repeatedly fly within the Project area during nesting activities
Red-tailed hawks and northern harriers were the raptor species with the highest mean use and
were also among the most frequently detected raptor species at the Project Both species are
commonly associated with agricultural and grassland habitats which provide opportunities for
foraging an activity associated with susceptibility to turbine-collisions (Thelander et al 2003)
In a recent study of raptor response to wind farms northern harriers were identified as having a
low risk flight behavior for collisions whereas red-tailed hawks were observed engaging in high-
risk flight behaviors at operational wind facilities (Garvin et al 2011) Risks of collision for
northern harriers are believed to be low because the majority of foraging flights occur below
typical RSA heights (Whitfield and Madders 2006) Thus risk of turbine-related fatalities at the
Project is expected to be low given the low level of use As a result Project-related fatalities of
northern harrier should they occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts because
northern harriers are common nationwide (Sauer et al 2011) Results from post-construction
fatality monitoring studies indicate that red-tailed hawks are frequently found as turbine-related
fatalities (228 records of red-tailed hawk from 27 studies - Tetra Tech 2012 Jain 2005 Grodsky
and Drake 2011 Johnson and Erickson 2011) However Garvin et al (2011) documented that
red-tailed hawks despite high-risk flight behavior also demonstrated collision avoidance
behavior (Garvin et al 2011) Thus risk of turbine-related fatalities at the Project exists for red-
tailed hawks but turbine-related fatalities would be expected to be low given the low level of use
and low number of nests detected within the Project area and 1-mile buffer Project-related
fatalities of red-tailed hawk should they occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts
because red-tailed hawks are common nationwide (Sauer et al 2011)
13 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Two other raptor species detected during spring surveys (Swainsonrsquos hawk and American
kestrel) have been recorded as fatalities at other wind facilities (Derby 2007 Gritski et al 2008
Johnson and Erickson 2011) Peregrine falcon and great-horned owl have not been recorded as
fatalities observed at wind farms with publicly available fatality data All are likely have low risk
for turbine collisions at the Project due to the relatively very low mean-use rates
43 LISTED SPECIES
No federal listed threatened or endangered species were detected incidentally during avian point
count raptor or lek surveys One adult golden eagle was detected as an incidental observation
The golden eagle is protected under the BGEPA Although applications for incidental take
permits are available none have been issued to date Projects that are applying for permits have
are those with a perceived high risk of eagle fatality or have an additional permitting requirement
based on land ownership Consultation with the USFWS would provide further information on
local interpretation of the Draft Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance (USFWS 2011c)
No state listed designated species with regulatory implications were detected during surveys
However all native migratory avian species are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of
1918
44 CONCLUSIONS
Results of the 2012 spring avian surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center suggest an overall
low impact of the Project on the local avian community The high mean-use rate at the Project by
non-raptors is primarily driven by a few common residents and migratory species not commonly
reported as fatalities at wind energy facilities with results from post-construction fatality
monitoring Raptor use was relatively low for each raptor species detected Although there is
potential for turbine-related fatalities of Canada goose sandhill crane horned lark western
meadowlark red-winged blackbird red-tailed hawk and Franklinrsquos gull at the Project fatalities
are not expected to have population-level impacts If avian fatality rates are similar to other wind
facilities within the region we would expect them to fall between 044 ndash 1183 birdsturbineyear
(049 ndash 717 birdsMWyear) Additionally the potential for turbine-related fatalities exists for
nocturnal migrant species not identifiable by the methods of this study
No federally listed threatened or endangered species were detected incidentally during avian
point count raptor or lek surveys One adult golden eagle was detected as an incidental
observation The golden eagle is protected under the BGEPA A total of 9 sharp-tailed grouse
leks were located within the Project area and 1-mile buffer Four of the leks are within the
Project area indicating a moderate use of the Project area by the species No state listed
designated species with regulatory implications were detected during surveys However all
native migratory avian species are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918
14 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
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Ballam JM 1984 The use of soaring by the red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) Auk 3519shy524
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15 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
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16 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
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Orloff S and A Flannery 1992 Wind turbine effects on avian activity habitat use and mortality in Altamont Pass and Solano County Wind Resource Areas 1989-1991 Final
17 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
report prepared by Biosystems Analysis Inc for Alameda Contra Costa and Solano Counties and the California Energy Commission
Pearce-Higgins JW L Stephen A Douse and RHW Langston 2012 Greater impacts of wind farms on bird populations during construction than subsequent operation results of a multi-site and multi-species analysis Journal of Applied Ecology 49 386-394
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Shaffer JA and DH Johnson 2009 Displacement effects of wind developments on grassland birds in the northern Great Plains NWCC Wind Wildlife Conference [Presentation] October 2008 Milwaukee WI Prepared for NWCC by SS Schwartz and Published 2009 Available online at httpswwwnationalwindorgassetsresearch_meetingsResearch_Meeting_VII_Shaffer pdf
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Thompson WL 2002 Towards reliable bird surveys accounting for individuals present but not detected Auk 11918-25
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2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
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People who contributed to the writing of this report
Jim Kowalsky July 17 2012
Report Author Date
Jennifer Taylor July 19 2012
Peer Review 1 Date
Chris Farmer August 3 2012
Peer Review 2 Date
Anne-Marie Griger August 9 2012
Deputy Project Manager Date
Robert Friedel July 13 2012
GIS Date
19 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
FIGURES
20 August 2012
B
Knife River
James River
Random Creek
Pipestem Creek
Heart River Long Lake Creek
Rocky Run
Otter Creek
Turtle Cr eek
West Branch Apple Creek
Little Heart River
Big Muddy Creek
Ea st Br an ch Ap pl e C re ek
Apple
Creek
Painte Woods Creek
Sweetbrier Creek
Square Butte Creek
B
LakeAudubon Figure 1Lake NettieLakeSakakawea ty MapVicini
Turtle BlueLake Lakeerson
Lake NEXTENERGYPetUV7
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V41 RESOURCES
Wilton IVMcLeanWind Energy Center
Burleigh County ND
Las modified 7-10-2012
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Figure 2 Point
(Spr t location mapcoun
ing 2012)NEXTENERGY
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Wilton IVWind Energy Center
AA
A A
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Last modified 7-10-2012A AA
AA AA A A A
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Figure 3 Non-raptor mean use by survey date in Spring at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center M
ean
Use
(bir
ds2
0 m
in)
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
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Survey Date
316 321 326 44 410 420 427 53 512 519 526 62 69 615
NAD 1983 UTM 14
240th Ave Ne240th Ave Ne
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184T
h St N
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80Th
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214Th Ave NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE 279Th Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
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145T
h St N
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41St
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145T
h St N
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66Th
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171S
t St N
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d St N
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52Nd
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41St
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66Th
St N
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80Th
St N
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93Rd
St N
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292Nd Ave NE
106T
h St N
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171S
t St N
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214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
93Rd
St N
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86Th
St N
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184T
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PC 01
PC 02
PC 03
PC 04
PC 05 PC 06
PC 07
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TETR A TECH EC INC
Figure 4Non-raptor mean use by point count location (Spring 2012)
Non-r aptor s p e r 20 m in u te s 00 1 - 25 0 0 25 01 - 5 0 00 50 01 - 7 5 00
75 01 - 1 0 00 0
10 00 1 - 1 25 00
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
A Pro po sed tu rbin e (9 -21 -20 11 )Lo ca l Ro a d
Mean use value PC Point count number
Burleigh County ND
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
Last modified 7-10-2012
NEXTENERGY RESOURCES
Figure 5 Raptor mean use by survey date in Spring 2012 at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Mea
n U
se (b
irds
20
min
)
140
120
100
080
060
040
020
000
Survey Date
316 321 326 44 410 420 427 53 512 519 526 62 69 615
NAD 1983 UTM 14
240th Ave Ne240th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
253Rd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
227Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE 279Th Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
145T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
145T
h St N
E
66Th
St N
E
171S
t St N
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132N
d St N
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52Nd
St N
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41St
St NE
66Th
St N
E
80Th
St N
E
93Rd
St N
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292Nd Ave NE
106T
h St N
E
171S
t St N
E
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
93Rd
St N
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86Th
St N
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184T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
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PC 01
PC 02
PC 03
PC 04
PC 05 PC 06
PC 07
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TETR A TECH EC INC
Figure 6Raptor mean use by point
count location (Spring 2012)
Rapto r s p e r 2 0 m in u te s 00 1- 01 6 01 7 - 0 32 03 3 - 0 48
04 9 - 0 64
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
A Pro po sed tu rbin e (9 -21 -20 11 )Lo ca l Ro a d
Mean use value PC Point count number
Burleigh County ND
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
Last modified 7-10-2012
NEXTENERGY RESOURCES
240th Ave Ne 240th Ave Ne
240th Ave Ne
266th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
279Th Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE
292Nd Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
52Nd
St N
E
197T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
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214Th Ave NE
66Th
St N
E
188Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
106T
h St N
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253Rd Ave NE
292Nd Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
132N
d St N
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26Th
St N
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266Th Ave NE
253Rd Ave NE
CR 18
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119T
h St N
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93Rd
St N
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h St N
E 14
5Th S
t NE
132N
d St N
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41St
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210T
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106T
h St N
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171S
t St N
E 17
1St S
t NE
188Th Ave NE
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE 227Th Ave NE
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
201St Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
Figure 7 Raptor nest and lek location
map (Spring 2012)NEXTENERGY
RESOURCES
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
5 Burleigh County ND
Last modified 7-10-2012 A A
A A
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
AAA A A A A A
A A
Pro po sed tu rbi(9 -21 -20 11 )
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2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
TABLES
21 August 2012
Table 1 Spring 2012 point count survey dates at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Date(s)Survey number
1 316 2 321 3 326 4 44 5 410 6 420 7 427 8 53 9 512 10 519 11 526 12 62 13 69 14 615
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Songbirds
unidentified sparrow 652 7 665 (000-1339) 41 313 121 red-winged blackbird 548 52 559 (036-1082) 378 263 102 horned lark 173 83 177 (136-218) 612 83 32 American crow 159 22 162 (027-297) 204 76 30 common grackle 91 33 093 (035-151) 245 44 17 western meadowlark 80 62 082 (065-099) 480 38 15 European starling 80 1 082 (000-216) 10 38 15 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 082 (029-135) 82 38 15 barn swallow 44 21 045 (028-062) 204 21 08 bobolink 36 28 037 (022-052) 194 17 07 American goldfinch 26 23 027 (018-036) 214 12 05 vesper sparrow 23 21 023 (013-033) 184 11 04 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 019 (010-028) 143 09 04 American robin 19 19 019 (011-027) 143 09 04 house sparrow 15 5 015 (000-030) 51 07 03 American tree sparrow 8 2 008 (000-018) 20 04 01 song sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 savannah sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 dickcissel 5 4 005 (000-010) 31 02 01 western kingbird 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 01 01 pine siskin 3 1 003 (000-008) 10 01 01 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 eastern kingbird 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 yellow warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 unidentified warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 house wren 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 Group Total 2083 430 2126 (1259-2993) 949 387
Waterfowl
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations
Canada goose 1408 24 1437 (435-2439) 133 874 262 snow goose 184 2 188 (000-490) 20 114 34 mallard 12 6 012 (004-020) 61 07 02 northern pintail 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 blue-winged teal 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 American wigeon 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 redhead 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 01 00 Group Total 1611 36 1644 (561-2727) 184 300
CranesRails sandhill crane 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 1000 201 Group Total 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 201
GullsTerns Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 283 (013-553) 31 986 52 ring-billed gull 4 3 004 (000-008) 31 14 01 Group Total 281 7 287 (017-557) 61 52
Gamebirds ring-necked pheasant 148 134 151 (128-174) 745 967 28 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 20 01 gray partridge 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 13 00 Group Total 153 138 156 (132-180) 755 28
PigeonsDoves rock pigeon 40 6 041 (009-073) 61 513 07 mourning dove 38 25 039 (019-059) 184 487 07 Group Total 78 31 080 (041-119) 224 15
Waterbirds killdeer 28 22 029 (017-041) 214 538 05 upland sandpiper 8 8 008 (003-013) 71 154 01 common snipe 8 8 008 (002-014) 61 154 01 Wilsons snipe 4 4 004 (000-008) 31 77 01 American coot 4 1 004 (000-011) 10 77 01 Group Total 52 43 053 (037-069) 357 10
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Raptors
red-tailed hawk 16 12 016 (008-024) 122 444 03 northern harrier 16 14 016 (009-023) 143 444 03 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 peregrine falcon 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 great horned owl 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 American kestrel 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 Group Total 36 30 037 (025-049) 276 07
Woodpeckers northern flicker 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 1000 00 Group Total 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 00 Grand Total 5376 735 5486 (3771-7200)
1 A ranking of 1 indicates highest mean use
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Canada goose 1408 24 210 80 523 140 210 135 110 sandhill crane 1080 18 94 18 621 15 187 145 0 unidentified sparrow 652 7 0 0 0 0 330 210 112 red-winged blackbird 548 52 0 84 49 386 14 11 4 Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 107 0 100 70 0 0 0 snow goose 184 2 0 180 4 0 0 0 0 horned lark 173 83 23 24 17 12 19 32 46 American crow 159 22 6 4 13 11 1 123 1 ring-necked pheasant 148 134 21 14 21 18 25 22 27 common grackle 91 33 6 35 7 2 8 33 0 western meadowlark 80 62 8 10 17 3 11 19 12 European starling 80 1 0 0 0 80 0 0 0 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 0 63 17 0 0 0 0 barn swallow 44 21 3 12 6 10 7 1 5 rock pigeon 40 6 0 14 0 0 0 23 3 mourning dove 38 25 4 17 1 1 1 11 3 bobolink 36 28 10 0 14 8 0 0 4 killdeer 28 22 3 3 4 5 10 0 3 American goldfinch 26 23 4 9 3 3 4 2 1 vesper sparrow 23 21 1 7 1 2 9 1 2 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 2 4 2 0 6 4 1 American robin 19 19 1 13 0 1 3 0 1 red-tailed hawk 16 12 4 0 4 5 0 1 2 northern harrier 16 14 3 1 4 4 2 0 2 house sparrow 15 5 2 13 0 0 0 0 0 mallard 12 6 0 0 6 6 0 0 0 upland sandpiper 8 8 0 0 1 0 3 2 2 common snipe 8 8 0 2 6 0 0 0 0 American tree sparrow 8 2 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 song sparrow 5 5 1 1 1 0 2 0 0 savannah sparrow 5 5 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 dickcissel 5 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 Wilsons snipe 4 4 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 ring-billed gull 4 3 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 American coot 4 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 western kingbird 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 pine siskin 3 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 northern pintail 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
northern flicker 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 gray partridge 2 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 eastern kingbird 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 blue-winged teal 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 American wigeon 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 yellow warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 unidentified warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 redhead 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 peregrine falcon 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 house wren 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 great horned owl 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 American kestrel 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Grand Total 5376 735 526 620 1452 794 859 776 349
Table 4 Summary of avian flight heights1 in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)2 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Birds
Number Percentage
Non-raptors
Raptors
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
1656 372
2023 455
767 173
3 91
13 394
17 515 1 Includes only flying birds with flight height data2These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
Canada goose 654 (435 - 2439) 1437 997 537 457 06 unidentified sparrow 632 (000 - 1339) 665 1000 00 951 49 sandhill crane 368 (083 - 2121) 1102 999 665 335 00 Franklinrsquos gull 283 (013 - 553) 283 1000 00 1000 00 European starling 082 (000 - 216) 082 1000 00 1000 00 American crow 024 (027 - 297) 162 943 00 160 840 red-tailed hawk 013 (008 - 024) 016 938 133 867 00 brown-headed cowbird 008 (029 - 135) 082 125 00 800 200 red-winged blackbird 005 (036 - 1082) 559 261 00 35 965 Wilsons snipe 002 (000 - 008) 004 500 00 1000 00 blue-winged teal 002 (000 - 005) 002 1000 00 1000 00 mallard 002 (004 - 020) 012 500 00 333 667 ring-billed gull 001 (000 - 008) 004 1000 00 250 750 yellow warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 yellow-headed blackbird 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 western meadowlark 000 (065 - 099) 082 338 00 00 1000 western kingbird 000 (000 - 007) 003 1000 00 00 1000 vesper sparrow 000 (013 - 033) 023 130 00 00 1000 upland sandpiper 000 (003 - 013) 008 250 00 00 1000 unidentified warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 Swainsonrsquos hawk 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 sharp-tailed grouse 000 (000 - 007) 003 667 00 00 1000 song sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 snow goose 000 (000 - 490) 188 1000 1000 00 00 savannah sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 rock pigeon 000 (009 - 073) 041 825 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
ring-necked pheasant 000 (128 - 174) 151 07 00 00 1000 redhead 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 pine siskin 000 (000 - 008) 003 1000 00 00 1000 peregrine falcon 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 1000 00 00 northern pintail 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 northern harrier 000 (009 - 023) 016 1000 00 00 1000 northern flicker 000 (000 - 004) 002 500 00 00 1000 mourning dove 000 (019 - 059) 039 684 00 00 1000 killdeer 000 (017 - 041) 029 607 00 00 1000 house wren 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 house sparrow 000 (000 - 030) 015 67 00 00 1000 horned lark 000 (136 - 218) 177 740 00 00 1000 grasshopper sparrow 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 gray partridge 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 great horned owl 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 eastern kingbird 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 dickcissel 000 (000 - 010) 005 00 00 00 00 common snipe 000 (002 - 014) 008 00 00 00 00 common grackle 000 (035 - 151) 093 945 00 00 1000 clay-colored sparrow 000 (010 - 028) 019 158 00 00 1000 bobolink 000 (022 - 052) 037 917 00 00 1000 barn swallow 000 (028 - 062) 045 1000 00 00 1000 American tree sparrow 000 (000 - 018) 008 1000 00 00 1000 American wigeon 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 American robin 000 (011 - 027) 019 421 00 00 1000 American kestrel 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
American goldfinch 000 027 (018 - 036) 923 00 00 1000American coot 000 004 (000 - 011) 00 00 00 001These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 6 Incidental observations of birds during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species
American crow American kestrel American robin Canada goose great horned owl golden eagle gray partridge lesser scaup mallard merlin northern harrier rock pigeon red-tailed hawk red-winged blackbird sandhill crane sharp-tailed grouse wild turkey
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
APPENDICES
22 August 2012
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number of Birds1
Number of
Observations Species
Percentage of Flights
N NE E SE S SW W NW Variable
Canada goose 1398 21 867 00 00 00 02 00 17 114 00
sandhill crane 1079 17 878 52 00 00 00 00 00 70 00
unidentified sparrow 565 5 00 00 00 788 212 00 00 00 00
Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
snow goose 184 2 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
European starling 80 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
American crow 69 11 768 58 58 00 14 43 00 14 43
red-winged blackbird 15 6 533 00 00 200 267 00 00 00 00
red-tailed hawk 14 10 500 143 00 71 00 71 00 71 143
rock pigeon 11 2 00 00 00 00 273 727 00 00 00
northern harrier 9 8 111 00 00 333 00 222 00 111 222
mourning dove 9 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
common grackle 9 6 111 00 00 111 00 222 556 00 00
brown-headed cowbird 8 1 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
horned lark 6 3 833 00 00 167 00 00 00 00 00
ring-billed gull 4 3 250 00 00 00 00 750 00 00 00
Wilsons snipe 2 2 500 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 500
vesper sparrow 2 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
mallard 2 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
blue-winged teal 2 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
peregrine falcon 1 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
killdeer 1 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
Grand Total 3747 108 722 17 04 121 36 05 30 64 02 1 Includes only flying birds with flight directions
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Nest Number Species Substrate
Nest ConditionStatusDates
Surveyed Nest
Height (m) 2012 - 1 452012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good
5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 4 592012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good 5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 5 5192012 Swainsonrsquos hawk Active Siberian Elm 7 Good
NA means not applicable
Wenck Associates Inc 301 1
st St NE Suite 202
Mandan ND 58554
Phone 701-751-3370 Email jaskimwenckcom
May 7 2012
Tracey M Dubuque PE Senior Project Manager
Tetra Tech EC
160 Federal Street Third Floor
Boston MA 02110
Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Dear Tracey
Introduction
Male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) congregate at historicalcommunal leks in the spring
to compete for breeding opportunities Both sexes return to their natal breeding grounds yearly for their
entire life Leks are typically found in areas with low-growing vegetation on a hill knoll or other point of
high visibility Fidelity to these locations is extremely high for sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse
require nesting habitat within close proximity the lek comprised of dense or residual vegetative cover to
conceal and protect their nest from predators (Vodehnal and Haufler 2007)
Disturbance of nesting prairie grouse may occur from the construction of the turbine andor access road
construction noise and physical movement of equipment Loss of habitat and fragmentation related to
energy exploration may affect local prairie grouse populations by decreasing the area of habitat available
for nesting and brood-rearing and by increasing predation (Pittman et al 2005) Therefore federal and
state wildlife agencies are concerned about the placement of turbines in areas with known prairie grouse
populations Turbine setbacks from leks and minimizing grouse habitat disturbance may reduce the direct
and indirect effects of energy development on grouse
Methods
Sharp-tailed grouse surveys were completed from April 10th to May 1
st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise
to two hours after sunrise within the one-mile analysis area (Figure 1) Peak attendance by females on leks
typically occurs from April 15 to 25 but these dates vary by up to a week depending on weather conditions
(Schroeder and Robb 1993) Peak attendance potentially occurred earlier this year due to the early spring
A habitat assessment analysis was conducted prior to the field survey to determine suitable lekkingnesting
habitat within the analysis area (Figure 2) Listening stops were made within a one-mile analysis area
surrounding the proposed project area to identify lek locations (Figure 3) Sharp-tailed grouse males may
be heard at a distance of up to 050 mile Listening stops were not conducted if winds exceeded 10 miles
per hour (mph) or during precipitation events After a lek was located the birds were observed and the
number of males and females were counted Lek locations were documented using Global Positioning
System (GPS) Given the sensitive nature of this species and the fact that females may be nesting near the
lek disturbance to breeding prairie grouse was kept to a minimum
Results
Nine (9) sharp-tailed grouse leks were located during the surveys conducted from April 10th to May 1
st
2012 (Figure 4) Date time sex number of birds present wind conditions air temperature and GPS
coordinates were recorded once a lek was located (Tables 1 and 2) Two of the leks observed were
located outside of the analysis area Due to Lek 1rsquos close proximity to Lek 4 Lek 1 shouldbe classified
as a satellite lek No visual confirmation of Lek 6 was made due to access and topography
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
10 INTRODUCTION
11 WIND ENERGY AND BIRDS
Wind energy provides a clean renewable energy source As wind power has become more
common the need to address potential environmental impacts has increased Birds have been
identified as a group potentially at risk because of collisions with wind turbines and power lines
and displacement due to the presence of the associated structures (Erickson et al 2005 Drewitt
and Langston 2006 Arnett et al 2007) Specifically migrant passerines (eg songbirds) are
found more often in post-construction fatality monitoring compared to other groups of birds
(Arnett et al 2007) In fact at newer generation wind energy facilities outside of California
approximately 80 percent of documented fatalities have been songbirds of which 50 percent are
often nocturnal migrants (Erickson et al 2001 Johnson et al 2002 Drewitt and Langston 2006
Strickland and Morrison 2008) Locally breeding songbirds may experience lower fatality rates
than migrants because many of these species tend not to fly at turbine heights during the
breeding season However some breeding songbird species have behaviors that increase the risk
of collisions with turbines For example horned larks have been commonly found as fatalities at
wind farms that may be partially attributed to the breeding flight displays within the rotor swept
area (Pickwell 1931 Johnson and Erickson 2011)
Despite the observation that most wind farm fatalities are songbirds raptor fatality historically
has received the most attention due to high fatality rates at the Altamont Wind Project in
California (Thelander et al 2003) Raptor fatalities at newer generation wind projects has been
low relative to previous generation wind farms although there is substantial regional variation
(Johnson et al 2002 Erickson et al 2002 2004 Kerns and Kerlinger 2004 Jain et al 2007)
Although raptor fatality is reduced at newer generation facilities raptors remain the avian species
group considered most susceptible to collisions with turbines (Strickland et al 2011) Therefore
local micro-siting and site evaluation efforts are still necessary to minimize potential project-
related impacts to raptors
In addition to fatality associated with wind farms there is potential for bird species to avoid
areas near turbines or experience habitat displacement after the wind farm is in operation
(Drewitt and Langston 2006) To date evidence of this potential impact to birds does not
demonstrate a distinct trend some studies have found a decreased density or abundance of birds
near turbines (eg grassland songbirds Leddy et al 1999 Erickson et al 2004 Shaffer and
Johnson 2009) while others have found no evidence of declines near turbines (Devereux et al
2008 Shaffer and Johnson 2009 Pearce-Higgins et al 2012) However Pearce-Higgins et al
(2012) detected disturbance-related effects during construction indicating that disturbance
effects may occur on a short-term basis
1 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Particular concern over avoidance issues has been raised by agencies and non-governmental
groups with respect to grouse species (Manville 2004 USFWS 2012a) However the existing
information on avoidance by grouse species is limited to observational studies with results
varying by grouse species and source of disturbance (roads oil and gas wells vertical structures
transmission lines) Studies of grouse and anthropogenic features have reported that some
species of grouse avoid transmission lines improved roads buildings oil and gas wells and
communication towers (Pitman et al 2005 Pruett et al 2009 and Johnson et al 2011) But other
studies have found no evidence of avoidance of transmission lines or of wind facilities (Johnson
et al 2011 Johnson et al 2012) The only published research on operational wind facilities and
grouse suggest long-term data sets are needed to adequately assess impacts (Johnson et al 2012)
Finally most native migratory birds are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA)
of 1918 Under the MBTA it is unlawful to take (ie kill) any migratory bird including nests
and nest contents Currently there are no permits for incidental take of migratory birds
(Beveridge 2005) However the USFWS does not usually take action if good faith efforts have
been made to minimize impacts To date no wind development company has been charged for
violations of the MBTA Additionally The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA)
prohibit the take of any bald or golden eagle alive or dead including any part nest or egg
Currently applications for incidental take under BGEPA for golden eagles are currently being
considered by USFWS west of 100 degrees west longitude (USFWS 2009) which would include
this Project
12 STUDY DESCRIPTION
Wilton Wind IV LLC (Wilton Wind IV) a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources LLC is
planning to develop the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center (Project) in Burleigh County North
Dakota (Figure 1) located entirely on private lands Wilton Wind IV is committed to
environmental due diligence and has contracted Tetra Tech EC Inc (Tetra Tech) to conduct
spring avian surveys at the Project to quantify local avian use in the area and to evaluate the
potential impacts of the Project to birds detected during the survey The objectives meet the
requirements recommended under the Tier 3 of the USFWS Land-Based Wind Energy
Guidelines (USFWS 2012a)
The Project covers 15752 acres and is mostly located in the Northwestern Glaciated Plains
Ecoregion with western portions of the Project located in the Northwestern Great Plains
Ecoregion (Bryce et al 1996) This semiarid region of North Dakota includes level to rolling
plains topography with isolated sandstone buttes or badlands formations Historically much of
the landscape was a mix of western mixed-grass prairie and short-grass prairie with associated
wetlands of the Missouri Slope and River Breaks subregions (Bryce et al 1996) Today native
grasslands still persist mostly in areas of steep or broken topography and have been largely
2 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
replaced by agriculture in level areas Agriculture in the area is predominantly dry-land farming
of barley sunflowers corn spring and winter wheat interspersed with cattle grazing
North Dakota has 365 documented bird species (Faanes and Stewart 1982) and is situated within
the Central Flyway one of the main bird migratory routes in North America (USFWS 2011b)
The Central Flyway runs through the central portion of the US and as a consequence the
Project Area During spring migration most birds that move along the Central Flyway travel
from the tropics of South America via the Gulf of Mexico through the central states eventually
reaching breeding grounds as far away as Alaska and northern Canada (USFWS 2011b)
20 METHODS
To evaluate avian risk at wind energy facilities standardized protocols for pre-construction point
counts have been established and were used in this study This protocol is designed to be
responsive to the level of effort recommended in the National Wind Coordinating Committeersquos
Comprehensive Guide to Studying Wind EnergyWildlife Interactions (Strickland et al 2011)
and the US Fish and Wildlife Service Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines (USFWS 2012a)
Data collected from these counts are used to identify species or species groups that may be at
risk from Project development and may provide additional information for micro-siting wind
facilities to minimize impacts to birds Results in this report are presented in terms of species
groups and highlight any federal and state-listed protected species
21 AVIAN SURVEYS
211 Fixed-point Surveys
An experienced field biologist conducted 20-minute (min) point count surveys at 7 locations
within Project area to evaluate avian use behavior and species (Figure 2) The biologist
conducted 14 weekly surveys from March 16 through June 15 2012 (Table 1) thereby
encompassing the spring migration and summer breeding seasons Tetra Tech distributed the
survey locations throughout the Project area and chose locations that maximized the 360-degree
sight distance for the observer and covered a diversity of habitats
The field biologist collected data on all birds observed within an 800-m radius of the point count
location Surveys at each point lasted for 20 minutes during which time the biologist
continuously recorded any visual or auditory observations The biologist recorded the following
data species number of individuals time of observation height aboveground and behavior The
biologist estimated flight heights and distances using existing reference points such as
meteorological towers and local transmission lines as well as landscape contours shown on
topographic maps Flight direction was recorded for individuals making directional flights
through the Project area but was not recorded for individuals making localized movements
3 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
The survey protocol used in this study is designed to collect data on all bird species and to
provide results that are comparable with other studies at wind farms rather than to target specific
taxa The benefit of using this protocol is that it estimates avian use throughout the day and
captures activity by a variety of bird species During the breeding season and to a lesser extent
in the fall and winter songbirds are most active in the morning and can be difficult to detect
during the afternoon In contrast raptors become active as the sunlight heats the air and creates
thermals which many individuals use for soaring (Ballam 1984) Thus raptors are more readily
detected several hours after sunrise Therefore this protocol is appropriate for characterizing the
entire bird community using the Project It should be noted however that this survey protocol
can only detect nocturnal migrants should they be local breeders within the Project area or if they
utilize the Project as stopover habitat
Tetra Tech chose 20-minute survey periods because they provide adequate time to detect both
raptors and non-raptors However time periods of 20 minutes may lead to double-counting of
songbirds (ie counting the same individual more than once) because individuals may appear
and disappear from view For example if a horned lark is detected perched on a fence then
disappears from view and 6 minutes later a horned lark is seen flying these birds are recorded
as separate observations because it is not possible to distinguish individuals Double-counting of
birds is not problematic for this type of survey because the objective is to document use in terms
of number of birds noted per 20-minute survey not number of distinct individual birds
Detectability varies among species and potentially not all individuals within the 800-m radius
were counted This variation in detectability results in an overestimate of mean use for
conspicuous species and an underestimate of mean use for reclusive species (Thompson 2002)
Birds not easily identifiable such as those seen under low light conditions or small birds seen at
a distance were identified to the lowest taxonomic level possible Hence unidentified birds are
included in the results
212 Raptor Nest Surveys
The purpose of raptor nest surveys is to estimate the number of active and inactive raptor nests in
the Project area A biologist conducted the raptor nest survey across the Project area before trees
began to leaf out to increase visibility of raptor nests Where possible biologists also surveyed
an approximately 1-mile radius buffer around the Project area Once a nest was located the
biologist returned during the raptor breeding season to collect data on species location and
activity status Nests were classified as active if they had presence of an adult or young active
territory defense by an individual or the presence of feathers egg shells or droppings underneath
the nest otherwise they were classified as inactive In addition biologists determined the nest
condition and substrate Biologists visited nests a minimum of two times once to determine the
location of the nest and once to determine if the nest was active This second check also allowed
4 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
biologists to detect late-nesting species such as Swainsonrsquos hawks Raptor nest surveys provide
an estimate of the number and species of raptors that use stick nests in the area Ground-nesting
raptor species such as northern harriers were not surveyed
213 Lek Location Surveys
The USFWS along with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department (NDGFD) have expressed
concern regarding residential sharp-tailed grouse as a species of habitat fragmentation concern as
outlined in the USFWS published Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines (USFWS 2012a) A
biologist from Wenck Associates Inc (Wenck) conducted grouse lek surveys to identify areas of
use by breeding prairie grouse within the Project and surrounding area Surveys were completed
from April 10th to May 1st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise to two hours after sunrise within the
one-mile of the Project A detailed report on the methods and results are presented in a separate
report in Appendix 3
214 Incidental Observations
Incidental observations included observations that occurred 1) during travel between points 2)
before or after the official 20-min survey period 3) outside of the 800-m radius circular plot and
4) during raptor nest and grouse lek surveys Biologists recorded these observations on separate
data sheets and these data were not used in the formal analysis however a summary of
incidental birds is presented to provide additional information about species found in the local
area
215 Listed Species Information
The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA) prohibits the take of any bald or golden
eagle alive or dead including any part nest or egg ldquoTakerdquo is defined as ldquopursue shoot shoot
at poison wound kill capture trap collect molest or disturbrdquo a bald or golden eagle ldquoDisturbrdquo
means to agitate or bother an eagle to a degree that causes or is likely to cause 1) injury to an
eagle 2) a decrease in its productivity by substantially interfering with normal breeding
feeding or sheltering behavior or 3) nest abandonment by substantially interfering with normal
breeding feeding or sheltering behavior Applications for incidental take under BGEPA for
golden eagles are currently being considered by USFWS west of 100 degrees west longitude
which includes this Project (USFWS 2009)
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) as administered by the USFWS mandates protection of
species federally listed as threatened or endangered and their associated habitats The ESA
makes it unlawful to ldquotakerdquo a listed species Take is defined as ldquoto harass harm pursue hunt
shoot wound kill trap capture or collect or attempt to engage in any such conductrdquo (USFWS
2011b) A list of endangered threatened and candidate species for Burleigh County can be found
at httpecosfwsgovtess_publiccountySearchspeciesByCountyReportactionfips=38015
5 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
The State of North Dakota does not have a state endangered or threatened species list Only those
species listed by the ESA are considered threatened or endangered in North Dakota However the
NDGFD have identified 100 Species of Conservation Priority within North Dakota These
species are ranked in three priority levels based on such factors as known status funding
availability and presence of breeding habitat within North Dakota (Hagen et al 2005) The
definitions of each rank are listed below
Level I A species having a high level of conservation priority because of declining status either in North Dakota or across their range or a high rate of occurrence in North Dakota constituting the core of the speciesrsquo breeding range but are at-risk range wide and non-State Wildlife Grants funding is not readily available to them
Level II Species having a moderate level of conservation priority or a high level of conservation priority but a substantial amount of non-State Wildlife Grant funding is available to them
Level III North Dakotarsquos species having a moderate level of conservation priority but are believed to be peripheral or do not breed in North Dakota
Species that are listed under the 100 Species of Conservation Priority are not afforded any formal
protection by the state or require special take permits Additional information on North Dakota
Species of Conservation Priority can be found at httpwwwgfndgovconservation-nongameshy
wildlifespecies-conservation-priority
216 Data Quality AssuranceQuality Control
Tetra Tech implemented quality assurance and quality control measures during all stages of data
collection analysis and report preparation To ensure legibility and completeness of data sheets
each biologist reviewed all data sheets providing clarification as needed before data entry into a
FileMaker Protrade relational database for data storage and analysis Prior to analysis an
independent reviewer conducted a 100-percent quality review of the data entries Any questions
that arose at this time were directed toward and answered by the field biologist
22 ANALYSIS
221 Species Groupings
Tetra Tech considered two primary groups of interest raptors and non-raptors Tetra Tech
defined raptors as vultures hawks eagles falcons and owls All other species groups are
defined as non-raptors
6 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
222 Avian Use
Tetra Tech derived avian use (mean use) of the Project by calculating the average number of
birds observed per 20-min survey at each point To evaluate the diversity and composition of
avian species using the Project area Tetra Tech summarized the number of individuals (birds20
min) and species Tetra Tech also calculated a measure of variability (90 percent confidence
intervals) for all mean use values In addition the number of observations is also presented
where an observation can be either an individual bird or a discrete flock of birds This
information helps evaluate whether high mean use is driven by a single event (eg a large flock
of birds moving through the Project area on migration) Because individual birds are not
uniquely marked and identified actual population size or abundance cannot be determined One
individual may be counted multiple times during a survey period or across survey periods
Although mean use of a given species does not equate to abundance it does provide an index
that is likely proportional to abundance and activity within the Project
223 Flight Behavior
Tetra Tech evaluated flight behavior by calculating the proportion of flying birds observed
below within or above the height of the anticipated turbine rotor swept area (RSA) Wilton IV
plans to develop the Project using General Electric 16 Megawatt (MW) turbines These turbines
have a hub height of 80 meters and rotor diameter of 100 meters With these specifications the
estimated RSA was between 30 and 130 m above ground Tetra Tech considered a bird to have
flown within the height range of the anticipated RSA if any of its recorded heights fell within the
upper or lower limits of the anticipated RSA
224 Encounter Rate
To estimate the rate at which a species flew at the height of the anticipated RSA Tetra Tech
applied the following equation to every species observed in the Project area
Encounter Rate = APfPt
A is the mean number of birds20 min for a given species Pf is the proportion of all activity
observations for a given species that were flying and Pt is the proportion flying observations that
were within the height range of a turbine RSA for a given species The encounter rate provides
information on the rate at which a species may move at a height that is consistent with the RSA
of the proposed turbines This information is an important component in evaluating risk of
collisions however this number alone does not indicate project-related impact to a species
Species with a high encounter rate are at a higher risk of collision than species with a low
encounter rate but it does not mean that turbine-related fatalities are certain Other factors such
as turbine location or a speciesrsquo ability to detect turbine blades flight maneuverability and
7 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
habitat selection also influence fatality (Orloff and Flannery 1992 Drewitt and Langston 2008
Martin 2011) Encounter values are sensitive to large flocks of birds flying within the RSA
height that is a species will have a high encounter rate even if only seen once in the RSA in a
large flying flock
225 Fatality Risk
The highly regional nature of avian mean use across North America and the scarce data on avian
fatalities at wind farms in many parts of the continent combined with other risk influences such
as individual species behavior and weather contribute to uncertainty in predicting fatality rates
(Arnett et al 2007 Strickland et al 2011) A recent meta-analysis suggests that pre-construction
studies provide poor indicators of post-construction fatality (Ferrer et al 2012) WEST (2011)
suggests that the most accurate predictors of fatality at a wind project are records of species-
specific fatalities detected at nearby wind projects As a result of uncertainty in predicting
fatality rates Tetra Tech did not attempt to derive fatality estimates from mean use data but will
highlight those species or groups with high use values that may experience Project-related
fatalities or whose regional population could be impacted by development Additionally Tetra
Tech will highlight species with high frequencies of observation high encounter rates and those
with records of turbine-related fatality at other wind projects as these variables may also indicate
potential collision risk at the Project
30 RESULTS
31 AVIAN USE AND FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE
Biologists surveyed 3476 acres of the Project area during point count surveys covering 22
percent of the Project arearsquos total area (15752 acres) The 7 point count locations were surveyed
14 times resulting in 98 total 20-min surveys A total of 5376 birds from 52 species and 653
that could not be identified to species (all unidentified sparrows) were recorded within the
Project area during the fixed-point count surveys (Table 2) Overall mean bird use for the Wilton
IV Wind Energy Center was 5486 birds20 min and ranged from 0 to 603 birds20 min
Overall mean use by non-raptors was 5449 birds20 min Songbirds Waterfowl and
CranesRails comprised 387 300 and 201 percent of all species observed respectively and
were distributed throughout the Project area Among species groups mean use was highest for
songbirds (2126 birds20 min Table 2) and songbirds were observed in 949 percent of all
surveys The non-raptor species with the highest mean use came from four different species
groups Songbirds Waterfowl CranesRails and GullsTerns and included the Canada goose
(1437 birds20 min observed in 133 percent of all surveys) sandhill crane (1102 birds20 min
observed in 122 percent of all surveys) unidentified sparrow (665 birds20 min 41 percent of
all surveys) red-winged blackbird (559 birds20 min observed in 378 percent of all surveys)
8 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
and Franklinrsquos gull (283 birds20 min observed in 31 percent of all surveys Table 2) Other
species with a high frequency of detection during the surveys but with a low mean use included
ring-necked pheasant (151 birds20 min observed in 745 percent of all surveys) horned lark
(177 birds20 min 612 percent of all surveys) and western meadowlark (082 birds20 min
480 percent of all surveys Table 2) Each other non-raptor species had a mean use of less than
190 birds20 min or was detected in less than 48 percent of all surveys Other non-raptor species
groups observed during the surveys included Gamebirds PigeonsDoves Waterbirds and
Woodpeckers (Table 2)
Non-raptor mean use was highest on March 16 (24743 birds20 min) April 20 (19914 birds20
min) and March 26 (12571 birds20 min Figure 3) Observations on March 16 were comprised
of mostly Canada geese (1138 individuals observed in 17 flocks ranging in size from 20 to 140
individuals 77 of all observations) The primary contributors to the high mean use on April 20
were unidentified sparrows (645 individuals observed in 6 distinct flocks and ranging from 25 to
250 individuals) red-winged blackbird (392 individuals) and Franklinrsquos gull (277 individuals)
On March 26 the primary contributor to the high mean use was the sandhill crane (772
individuals distributed between 8 flocks ranging from 15 to 275 individuals) Mean use for nonshy
raptors was highest at point count location 3 (10314 birds20 min Figure 4) Species
contributing to the high mean use at this point included sandhill crane (621 individuals) Canada
goose (523 individuals) and Franklinrsquos gull (100 individuals Table 3) The habitat at point 3
consists of row crops (wheat) and short-grass prairie possibly enrolled in the Conservation
Reserve Program (CRP) The habitat at this point is not unique within the Project area However
most of the birds observed at point 3 were flying through the Project area in flocks of 15 to 275
individuals and not stopping in the immediate vicinity of the Project
Raptors are a group of special interest because of their propensity to fly at heights similar to a
turbine RSA Overall mean use for raptors was 037 birds20 min (Table 2) raptors were not
among the most frequently observed species groups during the spring surveys The raptor species
with the highest mean use was the red-tailed hawk (016 birds20 min observed in 122 percent
of all surveys) and northern harrier (016 birds20 min observed in 143 percent of all surveys)
Other raptor species detected included the Swainsonrsquos hawk and peregrine falcon great-horned
owl and American kestrel each with mean use value of 001 birds20 min with each observed in
10 percent of all surveys (Table 2)
Mean use by raptors was highest on March 26 (129 birds20 min) and May 3 (100 birds20 min
Figure 5) Observations on March 26 included red-tailed hawk (5 individuals) northern harrier
(3 individuals) and American kestrel (1 individual) Observations on May 26 included 4 red-
tailed hawks 2 northern harriers and 1 peregrine falcon Mean use for raptors was less than 058
birds20 min for all other survey dates Mean use for raptors was highest at point count locations
4 1 and 3 (064 064 and 057 birds20 min respectively Figure 6) Species contributing to the
9 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
mean use at these points were mostly red-tailed hawks and northern harriers (Table 3) In
addition to red-tailed hawks and northern harriers point count location 1 had one American
kestrel and one Peregrine falcon Raptor mean use was equal to or less than 029 birds20 min at
all other points Point count locations 4 1 and 3 each encompass short-grass prairie and
agricultural (mostly wheat) fields both of which provide foraging opportunities for raptors
These features are not unique to these point count locations or within the Project area
32 FLIGHT HEIGHT AND ENCOUNTER RATE
During spring avian use surveys biologists collected behavioral data for 986 percent of all birds
observed during point count surveys of which 834 percent were observed flying The biologist
collected flight height data for 999 percent and flight direction for 835 percent of those
observations (ie most individuals were observed making directional flights) Of non-raptor
species observed flying 372 percent flew above the height of the anticipated RSA 455 percent
flew at the height of the anticipated RSA and 173 percent flew below the height of the
anticipated RSA (Table 4) Of raptor species observed flying 91 percent flew above the height
of the anticipated RSA 394 percent flew at the height of the anticipated RSA and 515 percent
flew above the height of the anticipated RSA Data on flight direction are located in Appendix 1
Most birds observed making direct flight over the Project were moving in a northerly direction
(803 percent of all direct flights) In combination with the timing of flights (Figure 3) these data
suggest that much of the non-raptor use observed at the Project area is due to migratory
movements
Canada goose had the highest encounter rate (654 birds flying at RSA height20 min Table 5)
followed by unidentified sparrow (632 birds flying at RSA height20 min) sandhill crane (368
birds flying at RSA height20 min) and Franklinrsquos gull (283 birds flying at RSA height20 min)
Each other species had an encounter rate below 083 birds flying at RSA height20 min
33 RAPTOR NEST SURVEYS
Raptor nests detected within the Project area or 1-mile buffer included 2 red-tailed hawks 2 unknown nests and 1 Swainsonrsquos hawk (Figure 7) The red-tailed hawk nests were found on April 5 and May 9 with each remaining active during the survey period The Swainsonrsquos hawk nest was detected on May 19th within the 1-mile buffer around the Project area The two unknown nests were found on April 15 and April 25 Both unknown nests appeared to never be active during the survey period
34 LEK SURVEYS
During grouse lek surveys conducted within the Project area and a surrounding 1-mile buffer
from April 10th to May 1st a total of 9 sharp-tailed grouse leks were found within the Project area
and 1-mile buffer (Figure 7 WENK 2012) Four of the leks were within the Project area (Figure
7) Each lek had a minimum of 4 individuals (includes males and females) observed with the
10 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
maximum number of grouse observed at one lek being 21 individuals (lek 8) A full report on the
grouse lek surveys is presented in Appendix 3
35 INCIDENTAL OBSERVATIONS
The biologist documented 17 species as incidental observations (Table 6) Of these species 4
(golden eagle lesser scaup merlin wild turkey) were not detected during spring point count
surveys
36 LISTED SPECIES
No federal threatened or endangered species were observed during avian point count raptor or
lek surveys or as an incidental observation One adult golden eagle was observed incidentally
near survey point 7 on March 26th in flight within the anticipated RSA The golden eagle is
protected by the BGEPA (Section 215)
Four Level I (Franklinrsquos gull Swainsonrsquos hawk upland sandpiper and grasshopper sparrow)
seven Level II (bobolink dickcissel redhead sharp-tailed grouse northern harrier golden eagle
and northern pintail) and one Level III (peregrine falcon) state-listed Species of Conservation
Priority were observed during point counts raptor nest lek surveys or as incidental observations
within the Project Area
40 DISCUSSION
The avian community detected within the Project area during spring surveys was characterized
by species associated with typical mid-western agricultural lands and short-grass prairie
vegetation The majority of the Project area and vicinity has been developed for agricultural use
specifically crops such as wheat sunflower and corn with additional developed lands devoted to
pastureland for cattle Within disturbed habitats such as these the greatest potential impact of
wind facilities to avian species is risk of collisions with turbines Mean avian fatality rates
estimated from wind facilities in the Midwest (NE WI MN and IA) range from 044 to 1183
birdsturbineyear (049 ndash 717 birdsMWyear Tetra Tech 2012) Project-related bird fatalities
are expected to fall within this range
In areas mostly dominated by native short-grass prairie additional loss of habitat from
developing these areas may impact resident and migratory avian species The presence of native
grassland habitats within the Project area suggests that additional disturbance and habitat loss
caused by construction and operation of the Project may cause birds to avoid the Project area
and may alter the current use of habitat by bird species within the Project area (Tetra Tech 2011)
The greatest potential for habitat loss would be for sharp-tailed grouse Current research suggests
that certain grouse species may avoid anthropogenic structures (USFWS 2012a Hagen et al
11 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
2011) however long-term data sets are still needed to best assess wind energy impacts (Johnson
et al 2012)
41 NON-RAPTOR USE AND COLLISION RISK
The Canada goose sandhill crane red-winged blackbird and Franklinrsquos gull were species with
the highest mean use within the Project area and were among the species most frequently
detected Additionally unidentified sparrows which probably represent a group of similar
species had high mean use Three of these species Canada goose Franklinrsquos gull and sandhill
crane are migratory with most individuals moving through the region (and the Project area) to
breeding grounds further north as indicated by their flight direction and large flock size Three
species had a high frequency of detection but a low mean use at the Project ring-necked
pheasant horned lark and western meadowlark These eight species are local residential and
migratory species commonly associated with the open pastureland short-grass prairie and row-
crop agriculture habitats found throughout the Project area These species are widely distributed
across the country and can be expected to occur where suitable habitat is present
The red-winged blackbird horned lark western meadowlark and ring-necked pheasant are
commonly found as turbine-related fatalities (more than 20 records of post-construction fatality
from 27 studies Tetra Tech 2012 Johnson et al 2000 Howe et al 2002 Derby et al 2007 TRC
Environmental 2008 Gruver et al 2009 BHE Environmental 2010 Jain et al 2011 Grodsky
and Drake 2011) particularly horned larks which exhibit breeding flight displays that may bring
them into the height of the RSA (Johnson and Erickson 2011) Thus risk of turbine-related
fatalities exists for each of these species at the Project However Project-related fatalities of red-
winged blackbird horned lark western meadowlark and ring-necked pheasant should they
occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts because collision fatalities appears to have
little effect North American landbird populations (Arnold and Zink 2011)
Species with high mean use but that are considered to have low risk for fatalities include sandhill
crane Franklinrsquos gull and Canada goose Although flying at the height of the RSA represents a
collision risk sandhill cranes have been documented altering flight direction in response to
turbines at wind facility in South Dakota (Nagy et al 2011) and multiple studies have
documented sandhill cranes gradually climbing as they approach marked power lines (Morkill
and Anderson 1991 Murphy et al 2009) The avoidance behavior observed at other studies and
lack of documented turbine-related fatalities of the sandhill crane suggests a low risk of Project-
related fatality for this species While no studies have documented avoidance behavior by
Franklinrsquos gulls similar to sandhill cranes the lack of documented fatalities at wind facilities
with publicly available data within the breeding range and migratory pathway of Franklinrsquos gulls
indicate a low risk of fatalities to occur at the Project (20 studies Tetra Tech 2012)
12 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Additionally Canada goose has a low number of fatality observations (less than 6 records of
post-construction fatalities from 27 studies Tetra Tech 2012)
The remaining non-raptor species detected during spring surveys have low risk for turbine
collisions at the Project due to a combination of relatively low mean-use rates infrequent flight
within the height of the RSA andor few or no records of fatalities at other wind facilities with
publically available results of fatality data
42 RAPTOR USE AND COLLISION RISK
High raptor use (greater than 20 birds20 min) has been associated with high raptor fatality at
wind farms (Strickland et al 2011) Conversely raptor fatality appears to be low when raptor use
is low (less than 10 birds20 min Strickland et al 2011) which is the case for raptor use at the
Project A factor contributing to the low raptor use of the Project area may be the number of
active raptor nests detected during nests surveys Because raptor activity is typically higher near
active nests than areas without active nests and raptors may have increased potential for
collision as they repeatedly fly within the Project area during nesting activities
Red-tailed hawks and northern harriers were the raptor species with the highest mean use and
were also among the most frequently detected raptor species at the Project Both species are
commonly associated with agricultural and grassland habitats which provide opportunities for
foraging an activity associated with susceptibility to turbine-collisions (Thelander et al 2003)
In a recent study of raptor response to wind farms northern harriers were identified as having a
low risk flight behavior for collisions whereas red-tailed hawks were observed engaging in high-
risk flight behaviors at operational wind facilities (Garvin et al 2011) Risks of collision for
northern harriers are believed to be low because the majority of foraging flights occur below
typical RSA heights (Whitfield and Madders 2006) Thus risk of turbine-related fatalities at the
Project is expected to be low given the low level of use As a result Project-related fatalities of
northern harrier should they occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts because
northern harriers are common nationwide (Sauer et al 2011) Results from post-construction
fatality monitoring studies indicate that red-tailed hawks are frequently found as turbine-related
fatalities (228 records of red-tailed hawk from 27 studies - Tetra Tech 2012 Jain 2005 Grodsky
and Drake 2011 Johnson and Erickson 2011) However Garvin et al (2011) documented that
red-tailed hawks despite high-risk flight behavior also demonstrated collision avoidance
behavior (Garvin et al 2011) Thus risk of turbine-related fatalities at the Project exists for red-
tailed hawks but turbine-related fatalities would be expected to be low given the low level of use
and low number of nests detected within the Project area and 1-mile buffer Project-related
fatalities of red-tailed hawk should they occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts
because red-tailed hawks are common nationwide (Sauer et al 2011)
13 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Two other raptor species detected during spring surveys (Swainsonrsquos hawk and American
kestrel) have been recorded as fatalities at other wind facilities (Derby 2007 Gritski et al 2008
Johnson and Erickson 2011) Peregrine falcon and great-horned owl have not been recorded as
fatalities observed at wind farms with publicly available fatality data All are likely have low risk
for turbine collisions at the Project due to the relatively very low mean-use rates
43 LISTED SPECIES
No federal listed threatened or endangered species were detected incidentally during avian point
count raptor or lek surveys One adult golden eagle was detected as an incidental observation
The golden eagle is protected under the BGEPA Although applications for incidental take
permits are available none have been issued to date Projects that are applying for permits have
are those with a perceived high risk of eagle fatality or have an additional permitting requirement
based on land ownership Consultation with the USFWS would provide further information on
local interpretation of the Draft Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance (USFWS 2011c)
No state listed designated species with regulatory implications were detected during surveys
However all native migratory avian species are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of
1918
44 CONCLUSIONS
Results of the 2012 spring avian surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center suggest an overall
low impact of the Project on the local avian community The high mean-use rate at the Project by
non-raptors is primarily driven by a few common residents and migratory species not commonly
reported as fatalities at wind energy facilities with results from post-construction fatality
monitoring Raptor use was relatively low for each raptor species detected Although there is
potential for turbine-related fatalities of Canada goose sandhill crane horned lark western
meadowlark red-winged blackbird red-tailed hawk and Franklinrsquos gull at the Project fatalities
are not expected to have population-level impacts If avian fatality rates are similar to other wind
facilities within the region we would expect them to fall between 044 ndash 1183 birdsturbineyear
(049 ndash 717 birdsMWyear) Additionally the potential for turbine-related fatalities exists for
nocturnal migrant species not identifiable by the methods of this study
No federally listed threatened or endangered species were detected incidentally during avian
point count raptor or lek surveys One adult golden eagle was detected as an incidental
observation The golden eagle is protected under the BGEPA A total of 9 sharp-tailed grouse
leks were located within the Project area and 1-mile buffer Four of the leks are within the
Project area indicating a moderate use of the Project area by the species No state listed
designated species with regulatory implications were detected during surveys However all
native migratory avian species are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918
14 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
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Strickland MD EB Arnett WP Erickson DH Johnson GD Johnson ML Morrison JA Shaffer and W Warren-Hicks 2011 Comprehensive Guide to Studying Wind EnergyWildlife Interactions Prepared for the National Wind Coordinating Collaborative Washington DC httpwwwnationalwindorgassetspublicationsComprehensive_Guide_to_Studying_Wi nd_Energy_Wildlife_Interactions_2011_Updatedpdf Accessed November 2011
Strickland D and ML Morrison 2008 A summary of avianwind facility interactions in the US Federal Guidelines Committee for Wind Siting Guidelines February 26 2008 Washington DC
Tetra Tech 2012 Database of publicly available post-construction fatality rates and records of bird and bat fatality at North American wind projects Unpublished report
Tetra Tech 2011 Native Prairie Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Burleigh County North Dakota Submitted to Wilton IV Wind Energy Center October 2011
Thelander CG KS Smallwood and L Rugge 2003 Bird Risk Behaviors and Fatalities at the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area Period of Performance March 1998-December 2000
Thompson WL 2002 Towards reliable bird surveys accounting for individuals present but not detected Auk 11918-25
TRC Environmental Corporation 2008 Post-Construction Avian and Bat Fatality Monitoring and Grassland Bird Displacement Surveys at the Judith Gap Wind Energy Project
18 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Wheatland County Montana Prepared for Judith Gap Energy LLC Chicago Illinois TRC Environmental Corporation Laramie Wyoming TRC Project 51883-01 (112416) January 2008 httpwwwnewwestnetpdfsAvianBatFatalityMonitoringpdf
USFWS (United States Fish and Wildlife Service) 2012 US Fish and Wildlife Service Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines Available from httpwwwfwsgovwindenergydocsWEG_finalpdf
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USFWS 2011b ESA Basics More Than 30 Years of Conserving Endangered Species Retrieved from httpwwwfwsgovendangeredesa-librarypdfESA_basicspdf
USFWS 2011c Draft Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance Released January 2011
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Wenck Associates Inc (Wenck) 2012 Wilton IV spring sharp-tailed grouse lek survey Report submitted to Tetra Tech EC Inc May 2012
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People who contributed to the writing of this report
Jim Kowalsky July 17 2012
Report Author Date
Jennifer Taylor July 19 2012
Peer Review 1 Date
Chris Farmer August 3 2012
Peer Review 2 Date
Anne-Marie Griger August 9 2012
Deputy Project Manager Date
Robert Friedel July 13 2012
GIS Date
19 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
FIGURES
20 August 2012
B
Knife River
James River
Random Creek
Pipestem Creek
Heart River Long Lake Creek
Rocky Run
Otter Creek
Turtle Cr eek
West Branch Apple Creek
Little Heart River
Big Muddy Creek
Ea st Br an ch Ap pl e C re ek
Apple
Creek
Painte Woods Creek
Sweetbrier Creek
Square Butte Creek
B
LakeAudubon Figure 1Lake NettieLakeSakakawea ty MapVicini
Turtle BlueLake Lakeerson
Lake NEXTENERGYPetUV7
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V41 RESOURCES
Wilton IVMcLeanWind Energy Center
Burleigh County ND
Las modified 7-10-2012
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Urban area WillowOBrienLongLake lkaliA14 HelenTwi Interstate Highway
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Figure 2 Point
(Spr t location mapcoun
ing 2012)NEXTENERGY
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Wilton IVWind Energy Center
AA
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Last modified 7-10-2012A AA
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Figure 3 Non-raptor mean use by survey date in Spring at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center M
ean
Use
(bir
ds2
0 m
in)
3000
2500
2000
1500
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Survey Date
316 321 326 44 410 420 427 53 512 519 526 62 69 615
NAD 1983 UTM 14
240th Ave Ne240th Ave Ne
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80Th
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201St Ave NE
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266Th Ave NE
CR 18
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201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
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145T
h St N
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41St
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145T
h St N
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66Th
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171S
t St N
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41St
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66Th
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80Th
St N
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93Rd
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292Nd Ave NE
106T
h St N
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171S
t St N
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214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
93Rd
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86Th
St N
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184T
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PC 01
PC 02
PC 03
PC 04
PC 05 PC 06
PC 07
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TETR A TECH EC INC
Figure 4Non-raptor mean use by point count location (Spring 2012)
Non-r aptor s p e r 20 m in u te s 00 1 - 25 0 0 25 01 - 5 0 00 50 01 - 7 5 00
75 01 - 1 0 00 0
10 00 1 - 1 25 00
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
A Pro po sed tu rbin e (9 -21 -20 11 )Lo ca l Ro a d
Mean use value PC Point count number
Burleigh County ND
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
Last modified 7-10-2012
NEXTENERGY RESOURCES
Figure 5 Raptor mean use by survey date in Spring 2012 at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Mea
n U
se (b
irds
20
min
)
140
120
100
080
060
040
020
000
Survey Date
316 321 326 44 410 420 427 53 512 519 526 62 69 615
NAD 1983 UTM 14
240th Ave Ne240th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
253Rd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
227Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE 279Th Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
145T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
145T
h St N
E
66Th
St N
E
171S
t St N
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132N
d St N
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52Nd
St N
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41St
St NE
66Th
St N
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80Th
St N
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93Rd
St N
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292Nd Ave NE
106T
h St N
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171S
t St N
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214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
93Rd
St N
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86Th
St N
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184T
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St N
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PC 01
PC 02
PC 03
PC 04
PC 05 PC 06
PC 07
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TETR A TECH EC INC
Figure 6Raptor mean use by point
count location (Spring 2012)
Rapto r s p e r 2 0 m in u te s 00 1- 01 6 01 7 - 0 32 03 3 - 0 48
04 9 - 0 64
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
A Pro po sed tu rbin e (9 -21 -20 11 )Lo ca l Ro a d
Mean use value PC Point count number
Burleigh County ND
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
Last modified 7-10-2012
NEXTENERGY RESOURCES
240th Ave Ne 240th Ave Ne
240th Ave Ne
266th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
279Th Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE
292Nd Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
52Nd
St N
E
197T
h St N
E
52Nd
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214Th Ave NE
66Th
St N
E
188Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
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106T
h St N
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253Rd Ave NE
292Nd Ave NE
93Rd
St N
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132N
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26Th
St N
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253Rd Ave NE
CR 18
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119T
h St N
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93Rd
St N
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h St N
E 14
5Th S
t NE
132N
d St N
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41St
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210T
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106T
h St N
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E 17
1St S
t NE
188Th Ave NE
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE 227Th Ave NE
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
201St Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
Figure 7 Raptor nest and lek location
map (Spring 2012)NEXTENERGY
RESOURCES
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
5 Burleigh County ND
Last modified 7-10-2012 A A
A A
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
AAA A A A A A
A A
Pro po sed tu rbi(9 -21 -20 11 )
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2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
TABLES
21 August 2012
Table 1 Spring 2012 point count survey dates at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Date(s)Survey number
1 316 2 321 3 326 4 44 5 410 6 420 7 427 8 53 9 512 10 519 11 526 12 62 13 69 14 615
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Songbirds
unidentified sparrow 652 7 665 (000-1339) 41 313 121 red-winged blackbird 548 52 559 (036-1082) 378 263 102 horned lark 173 83 177 (136-218) 612 83 32 American crow 159 22 162 (027-297) 204 76 30 common grackle 91 33 093 (035-151) 245 44 17 western meadowlark 80 62 082 (065-099) 480 38 15 European starling 80 1 082 (000-216) 10 38 15 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 082 (029-135) 82 38 15 barn swallow 44 21 045 (028-062) 204 21 08 bobolink 36 28 037 (022-052) 194 17 07 American goldfinch 26 23 027 (018-036) 214 12 05 vesper sparrow 23 21 023 (013-033) 184 11 04 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 019 (010-028) 143 09 04 American robin 19 19 019 (011-027) 143 09 04 house sparrow 15 5 015 (000-030) 51 07 03 American tree sparrow 8 2 008 (000-018) 20 04 01 song sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 savannah sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 dickcissel 5 4 005 (000-010) 31 02 01 western kingbird 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 01 01 pine siskin 3 1 003 (000-008) 10 01 01 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 eastern kingbird 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 yellow warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 unidentified warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 house wren 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 Group Total 2083 430 2126 (1259-2993) 949 387
Waterfowl
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations
Canada goose 1408 24 1437 (435-2439) 133 874 262 snow goose 184 2 188 (000-490) 20 114 34 mallard 12 6 012 (004-020) 61 07 02 northern pintail 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 blue-winged teal 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 American wigeon 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 redhead 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 01 00 Group Total 1611 36 1644 (561-2727) 184 300
CranesRails sandhill crane 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 1000 201 Group Total 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 201
GullsTerns Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 283 (013-553) 31 986 52 ring-billed gull 4 3 004 (000-008) 31 14 01 Group Total 281 7 287 (017-557) 61 52
Gamebirds ring-necked pheasant 148 134 151 (128-174) 745 967 28 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 20 01 gray partridge 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 13 00 Group Total 153 138 156 (132-180) 755 28
PigeonsDoves rock pigeon 40 6 041 (009-073) 61 513 07 mourning dove 38 25 039 (019-059) 184 487 07 Group Total 78 31 080 (041-119) 224 15
Waterbirds killdeer 28 22 029 (017-041) 214 538 05 upland sandpiper 8 8 008 (003-013) 71 154 01 common snipe 8 8 008 (002-014) 61 154 01 Wilsons snipe 4 4 004 (000-008) 31 77 01 American coot 4 1 004 (000-011) 10 77 01 Group Total 52 43 053 (037-069) 357 10
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Raptors
red-tailed hawk 16 12 016 (008-024) 122 444 03 northern harrier 16 14 016 (009-023) 143 444 03 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 peregrine falcon 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 great horned owl 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 American kestrel 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 Group Total 36 30 037 (025-049) 276 07
Woodpeckers northern flicker 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 1000 00 Group Total 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 00 Grand Total 5376 735 5486 (3771-7200)
1 A ranking of 1 indicates highest mean use
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Canada goose 1408 24 210 80 523 140 210 135 110 sandhill crane 1080 18 94 18 621 15 187 145 0 unidentified sparrow 652 7 0 0 0 0 330 210 112 red-winged blackbird 548 52 0 84 49 386 14 11 4 Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 107 0 100 70 0 0 0 snow goose 184 2 0 180 4 0 0 0 0 horned lark 173 83 23 24 17 12 19 32 46 American crow 159 22 6 4 13 11 1 123 1 ring-necked pheasant 148 134 21 14 21 18 25 22 27 common grackle 91 33 6 35 7 2 8 33 0 western meadowlark 80 62 8 10 17 3 11 19 12 European starling 80 1 0 0 0 80 0 0 0 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 0 63 17 0 0 0 0 barn swallow 44 21 3 12 6 10 7 1 5 rock pigeon 40 6 0 14 0 0 0 23 3 mourning dove 38 25 4 17 1 1 1 11 3 bobolink 36 28 10 0 14 8 0 0 4 killdeer 28 22 3 3 4 5 10 0 3 American goldfinch 26 23 4 9 3 3 4 2 1 vesper sparrow 23 21 1 7 1 2 9 1 2 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 2 4 2 0 6 4 1 American robin 19 19 1 13 0 1 3 0 1 red-tailed hawk 16 12 4 0 4 5 0 1 2 northern harrier 16 14 3 1 4 4 2 0 2 house sparrow 15 5 2 13 0 0 0 0 0 mallard 12 6 0 0 6 6 0 0 0 upland sandpiper 8 8 0 0 1 0 3 2 2 common snipe 8 8 0 2 6 0 0 0 0 American tree sparrow 8 2 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 song sparrow 5 5 1 1 1 0 2 0 0 savannah sparrow 5 5 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 dickcissel 5 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 Wilsons snipe 4 4 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 ring-billed gull 4 3 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 American coot 4 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 western kingbird 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 pine siskin 3 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 northern pintail 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
northern flicker 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 gray partridge 2 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 eastern kingbird 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 blue-winged teal 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 American wigeon 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 yellow warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 unidentified warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 redhead 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 peregrine falcon 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 house wren 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 great horned owl 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 American kestrel 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Grand Total 5376 735 526 620 1452 794 859 776 349
Table 4 Summary of avian flight heights1 in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)2 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Birds
Number Percentage
Non-raptors
Raptors
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
1656 372
2023 455
767 173
3 91
13 394
17 515 1 Includes only flying birds with flight height data2These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
Canada goose 654 (435 - 2439) 1437 997 537 457 06 unidentified sparrow 632 (000 - 1339) 665 1000 00 951 49 sandhill crane 368 (083 - 2121) 1102 999 665 335 00 Franklinrsquos gull 283 (013 - 553) 283 1000 00 1000 00 European starling 082 (000 - 216) 082 1000 00 1000 00 American crow 024 (027 - 297) 162 943 00 160 840 red-tailed hawk 013 (008 - 024) 016 938 133 867 00 brown-headed cowbird 008 (029 - 135) 082 125 00 800 200 red-winged blackbird 005 (036 - 1082) 559 261 00 35 965 Wilsons snipe 002 (000 - 008) 004 500 00 1000 00 blue-winged teal 002 (000 - 005) 002 1000 00 1000 00 mallard 002 (004 - 020) 012 500 00 333 667 ring-billed gull 001 (000 - 008) 004 1000 00 250 750 yellow warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 yellow-headed blackbird 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 western meadowlark 000 (065 - 099) 082 338 00 00 1000 western kingbird 000 (000 - 007) 003 1000 00 00 1000 vesper sparrow 000 (013 - 033) 023 130 00 00 1000 upland sandpiper 000 (003 - 013) 008 250 00 00 1000 unidentified warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 Swainsonrsquos hawk 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 sharp-tailed grouse 000 (000 - 007) 003 667 00 00 1000 song sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 snow goose 000 (000 - 490) 188 1000 1000 00 00 savannah sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 rock pigeon 000 (009 - 073) 041 825 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
ring-necked pheasant 000 (128 - 174) 151 07 00 00 1000 redhead 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 pine siskin 000 (000 - 008) 003 1000 00 00 1000 peregrine falcon 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 1000 00 00 northern pintail 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 northern harrier 000 (009 - 023) 016 1000 00 00 1000 northern flicker 000 (000 - 004) 002 500 00 00 1000 mourning dove 000 (019 - 059) 039 684 00 00 1000 killdeer 000 (017 - 041) 029 607 00 00 1000 house wren 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 house sparrow 000 (000 - 030) 015 67 00 00 1000 horned lark 000 (136 - 218) 177 740 00 00 1000 grasshopper sparrow 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 gray partridge 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 great horned owl 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 eastern kingbird 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 dickcissel 000 (000 - 010) 005 00 00 00 00 common snipe 000 (002 - 014) 008 00 00 00 00 common grackle 000 (035 - 151) 093 945 00 00 1000 clay-colored sparrow 000 (010 - 028) 019 158 00 00 1000 bobolink 000 (022 - 052) 037 917 00 00 1000 barn swallow 000 (028 - 062) 045 1000 00 00 1000 American tree sparrow 000 (000 - 018) 008 1000 00 00 1000 American wigeon 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 American robin 000 (011 - 027) 019 421 00 00 1000 American kestrel 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
American goldfinch 000 027 (018 - 036) 923 00 00 1000American coot 000 004 (000 - 011) 00 00 00 001These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 6 Incidental observations of birds during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species
American crow American kestrel American robin Canada goose great horned owl golden eagle gray partridge lesser scaup mallard merlin northern harrier rock pigeon red-tailed hawk red-winged blackbird sandhill crane sharp-tailed grouse wild turkey
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
APPENDICES
22 August 2012
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number of Birds1
Number of
Observations Species
Percentage of Flights
N NE E SE S SW W NW Variable
Canada goose 1398 21 867 00 00 00 02 00 17 114 00
sandhill crane 1079 17 878 52 00 00 00 00 00 70 00
unidentified sparrow 565 5 00 00 00 788 212 00 00 00 00
Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
snow goose 184 2 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
European starling 80 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
American crow 69 11 768 58 58 00 14 43 00 14 43
red-winged blackbird 15 6 533 00 00 200 267 00 00 00 00
red-tailed hawk 14 10 500 143 00 71 00 71 00 71 143
rock pigeon 11 2 00 00 00 00 273 727 00 00 00
northern harrier 9 8 111 00 00 333 00 222 00 111 222
mourning dove 9 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
common grackle 9 6 111 00 00 111 00 222 556 00 00
brown-headed cowbird 8 1 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
horned lark 6 3 833 00 00 167 00 00 00 00 00
ring-billed gull 4 3 250 00 00 00 00 750 00 00 00
Wilsons snipe 2 2 500 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 500
vesper sparrow 2 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
mallard 2 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
blue-winged teal 2 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
peregrine falcon 1 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
killdeer 1 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
Grand Total 3747 108 722 17 04 121 36 05 30 64 02 1 Includes only flying birds with flight directions
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Nest Number Species Substrate
Nest ConditionStatusDates
Surveyed Nest
Height (m) 2012 - 1 452012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good
5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 4 592012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good 5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 5 5192012 Swainsonrsquos hawk Active Siberian Elm 7 Good
NA means not applicable
Wenck Associates Inc 301 1
st St NE Suite 202
Mandan ND 58554
Phone 701-751-3370 Email jaskimwenckcom
May 7 2012
Tracey M Dubuque PE Senior Project Manager
Tetra Tech EC
160 Federal Street Third Floor
Boston MA 02110
Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Dear Tracey
Introduction
Male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) congregate at historicalcommunal leks in the spring
to compete for breeding opportunities Both sexes return to their natal breeding grounds yearly for their
entire life Leks are typically found in areas with low-growing vegetation on a hill knoll or other point of
high visibility Fidelity to these locations is extremely high for sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse
require nesting habitat within close proximity the lek comprised of dense or residual vegetative cover to
conceal and protect their nest from predators (Vodehnal and Haufler 2007)
Disturbance of nesting prairie grouse may occur from the construction of the turbine andor access road
construction noise and physical movement of equipment Loss of habitat and fragmentation related to
energy exploration may affect local prairie grouse populations by decreasing the area of habitat available
for nesting and brood-rearing and by increasing predation (Pittman et al 2005) Therefore federal and
state wildlife agencies are concerned about the placement of turbines in areas with known prairie grouse
populations Turbine setbacks from leks and minimizing grouse habitat disturbance may reduce the direct
and indirect effects of energy development on grouse
Methods
Sharp-tailed grouse surveys were completed from April 10th to May 1
st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise
to two hours after sunrise within the one-mile analysis area (Figure 1) Peak attendance by females on leks
typically occurs from April 15 to 25 but these dates vary by up to a week depending on weather conditions
(Schroeder and Robb 1993) Peak attendance potentially occurred earlier this year due to the early spring
A habitat assessment analysis was conducted prior to the field survey to determine suitable lekkingnesting
habitat within the analysis area (Figure 2) Listening stops were made within a one-mile analysis area
surrounding the proposed project area to identify lek locations (Figure 3) Sharp-tailed grouse males may
be heard at a distance of up to 050 mile Listening stops were not conducted if winds exceeded 10 miles
per hour (mph) or during precipitation events After a lek was located the birds were observed and the
number of males and females were counted Lek locations were documented using Global Positioning
System (GPS) Given the sensitive nature of this species and the fact that females may be nesting near the
lek disturbance to breeding prairie grouse was kept to a minimum
Results
Nine (9) sharp-tailed grouse leks were located during the surveys conducted from April 10th to May 1
st
2012 (Figure 4) Date time sex number of birds present wind conditions air temperature and GPS
coordinates were recorded once a lek was located (Tables 1 and 2) Two of the leks observed were
located outside of the analysis area Due to Lek 1rsquos close proximity to Lek 4 Lek 1 shouldbe classified
as a satellite lek No visual confirmation of Lek 6 was made due to access and topography
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Particular concern over avoidance issues has been raised by agencies and non-governmental
groups with respect to grouse species (Manville 2004 USFWS 2012a) However the existing
information on avoidance by grouse species is limited to observational studies with results
varying by grouse species and source of disturbance (roads oil and gas wells vertical structures
transmission lines) Studies of grouse and anthropogenic features have reported that some
species of grouse avoid transmission lines improved roads buildings oil and gas wells and
communication towers (Pitman et al 2005 Pruett et al 2009 and Johnson et al 2011) But other
studies have found no evidence of avoidance of transmission lines or of wind facilities (Johnson
et al 2011 Johnson et al 2012) The only published research on operational wind facilities and
grouse suggest long-term data sets are needed to adequately assess impacts (Johnson et al 2012)
Finally most native migratory birds are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA)
of 1918 Under the MBTA it is unlawful to take (ie kill) any migratory bird including nests
and nest contents Currently there are no permits for incidental take of migratory birds
(Beveridge 2005) However the USFWS does not usually take action if good faith efforts have
been made to minimize impacts To date no wind development company has been charged for
violations of the MBTA Additionally The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA)
prohibit the take of any bald or golden eagle alive or dead including any part nest or egg
Currently applications for incidental take under BGEPA for golden eagles are currently being
considered by USFWS west of 100 degrees west longitude (USFWS 2009) which would include
this Project
12 STUDY DESCRIPTION
Wilton Wind IV LLC (Wilton Wind IV) a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources LLC is
planning to develop the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center (Project) in Burleigh County North
Dakota (Figure 1) located entirely on private lands Wilton Wind IV is committed to
environmental due diligence and has contracted Tetra Tech EC Inc (Tetra Tech) to conduct
spring avian surveys at the Project to quantify local avian use in the area and to evaluate the
potential impacts of the Project to birds detected during the survey The objectives meet the
requirements recommended under the Tier 3 of the USFWS Land-Based Wind Energy
Guidelines (USFWS 2012a)
The Project covers 15752 acres and is mostly located in the Northwestern Glaciated Plains
Ecoregion with western portions of the Project located in the Northwestern Great Plains
Ecoregion (Bryce et al 1996) This semiarid region of North Dakota includes level to rolling
plains topography with isolated sandstone buttes or badlands formations Historically much of
the landscape was a mix of western mixed-grass prairie and short-grass prairie with associated
wetlands of the Missouri Slope and River Breaks subregions (Bryce et al 1996) Today native
grasslands still persist mostly in areas of steep or broken topography and have been largely
2 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
replaced by agriculture in level areas Agriculture in the area is predominantly dry-land farming
of barley sunflowers corn spring and winter wheat interspersed with cattle grazing
North Dakota has 365 documented bird species (Faanes and Stewart 1982) and is situated within
the Central Flyway one of the main bird migratory routes in North America (USFWS 2011b)
The Central Flyway runs through the central portion of the US and as a consequence the
Project Area During spring migration most birds that move along the Central Flyway travel
from the tropics of South America via the Gulf of Mexico through the central states eventually
reaching breeding grounds as far away as Alaska and northern Canada (USFWS 2011b)
20 METHODS
To evaluate avian risk at wind energy facilities standardized protocols for pre-construction point
counts have been established and were used in this study This protocol is designed to be
responsive to the level of effort recommended in the National Wind Coordinating Committeersquos
Comprehensive Guide to Studying Wind EnergyWildlife Interactions (Strickland et al 2011)
and the US Fish and Wildlife Service Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines (USFWS 2012a)
Data collected from these counts are used to identify species or species groups that may be at
risk from Project development and may provide additional information for micro-siting wind
facilities to minimize impacts to birds Results in this report are presented in terms of species
groups and highlight any federal and state-listed protected species
21 AVIAN SURVEYS
211 Fixed-point Surveys
An experienced field biologist conducted 20-minute (min) point count surveys at 7 locations
within Project area to evaluate avian use behavior and species (Figure 2) The biologist
conducted 14 weekly surveys from March 16 through June 15 2012 (Table 1) thereby
encompassing the spring migration and summer breeding seasons Tetra Tech distributed the
survey locations throughout the Project area and chose locations that maximized the 360-degree
sight distance for the observer and covered a diversity of habitats
The field biologist collected data on all birds observed within an 800-m radius of the point count
location Surveys at each point lasted for 20 minutes during which time the biologist
continuously recorded any visual or auditory observations The biologist recorded the following
data species number of individuals time of observation height aboveground and behavior The
biologist estimated flight heights and distances using existing reference points such as
meteorological towers and local transmission lines as well as landscape contours shown on
topographic maps Flight direction was recorded for individuals making directional flights
through the Project area but was not recorded for individuals making localized movements
3 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
The survey protocol used in this study is designed to collect data on all bird species and to
provide results that are comparable with other studies at wind farms rather than to target specific
taxa The benefit of using this protocol is that it estimates avian use throughout the day and
captures activity by a variety of bird species During the breeding season and to a lesser extent
in the fall and winter songbirds are most active in the morning and can be difficult to detect
during the afternoon In contrast raptors become active as the sunlight heats the air and creates
thermals which many individuals use for soaring (Ballam 1984) Thus raptors are more readily
detected several hours after sunrise Therefore this protocol is appropriate for characterizing the
entire bird community using the Project It should be noted however that this survey protocol
can only detect nocturnal migrants should they be local breeders within the Project area or if they
utilize the Project as stopover habitat
Tetra Tech chose 20-minute survey periods because they provide adequate time to detect both
raptors and non-raptors However time periods of 20 minutes may lead to double-counting of
songbirds (ie counting the same individual more than once) because individuals may appear
and disappear from view For example if a horned lark is detected perched on a fence then
disappears from view and 6 minutes later a horned lark is seen flying these birds are recorded
as separate observations because it is not possible to distinguish individuals Double-counting of
birds is not problematic for this type of survey because the objective is to document use in terms
of number of birds noted per 20-minute survey not number of distinct individual birds
Detectability varies among species and potentially not all individuals within the 800-m radius
were counted This variation in detectability results in an overestimate of mean use for
conspicuous species and an underestimate of mean use for reclusive species (Thompson 2002)
Birds not easily identifiable such as those seen under low light conditions or small birds seen at
a distance were identified to the lowest taxonomic level possible Hence unidentified birds are
included in the results
212 Raptor Nest Surveys
The purpose of raptor nest surveys is to estimate the number of active and inactive raptor nests in
the Project area A biologist conducted the raptor nest survey across the Project area before trees
began to leaf out to increase visibility of raptor nests Where possible biologists also surveyed
an approximately 1-mile radius buffer around the Project area Once a nest was located the
biologist returned during the raptor breeding season to collect data on species location and
activity status Nests were classified as active if they had presence of an adult or young active
territory defense by an individual or the presence of feathers egg shells or droppings underneath
the nest otherwise they were classified as inactive In addition biologists determined the nest
condition and substrate Biologists visited nests a minimum of two times once to determine the
location of the nest and once to determine if the nest was active This second check also allowed
4 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
biologists to detect late-nesting species such as Swainsonrsquos hawks Raptor nest surveys provide
an estimate of the number and species of raptors that use stick nests in the area Ground-nesting
raptor species such as northern harriers were not surveyed
213 Lek Location Surveys
The USFWS along with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department (NDGFD) have expressed
concern regarding residential sharp-tailed grouse as a species of habitat fragmentation concern as
outlined in the USFWS published Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines (USFWS 2012a) A
biologist from Wenck Associates Inc (Wenck) conducted grouse lek surveys to identify areas of
use by breeding prairie grouse within the Project and surrounding area Surveys were completed
from April 10th to May 1st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise to two hours after sunrise within the
one-mile of the Project A detailed report on the methods and results are presented in a separate
report in Appendix 3
214 Incidental Observations
Incidental observations included observations that occurred 1) during travel between points 2)
before or after the official 20-min survey period 3) outside of the 800-m radius circular plot and
4) during raptor nest and grouse lek surveys Biologists recorded these observations on separate
data sheets and these data were not used in the formal analysis however a summary of
incidental birds is presented to provide additional information about species found in the local
area
215 Listed Species Information
The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA) prohibits the take of any bald or golden
eagle alive or dead including any part nest or egg ldquoTakerdquo is defined as ldquopursue shoot shoot
at poison wound kill capture trap collect molest or disturbrdquo a bald or golden eagle ldquoDisturbrdquo
means to agitate or bother an eagle to a degree that causes or is likely to cause 1) injury to an
eagle 2) a decrease in its productivity by substantially interfering with normal breeding
feeding or sheltering behavior or 3) nest abandonment by substantially interfering with normal
breeding feeding or sheltering behavior Applications for incidental take under BGEPA for
golden eagles are currently being considered by USFWS west of 100 degrees west longitude
which includes this Project (USFWS 2009)
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) as administered by the USFWS mandates protection of
species federally listed as threatened or endangered and their associated habitats The ESA
makes it unlawful to ldquotakerdquo a listed species Take is defined as ldquoto harass harm pursue hunt
shoot wound kill trap capture or collect or attempt to engage in any such conductrdquo (USFWS
2011b) A list of endangered threatened and candidate species for Burleigh County can be found
at httpecosfwsgovtess_publiccountySearchspeciesByCountyReportactionfips=38015
5 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
The State of North Dakota does not have a state endangered or threatened species list Only those
species listed by the ESA are considered threatened or endangered in North Dakota However the
NDGFD have identified 100 Species of Conservation Priority within North Dakota These
species are ranked in three priority levels based on such factors as known status funding
availability and presence of breeding habitat within North Dakota (Hagen et al 2005) The
definitions of each rank are listed below
Level I A species having a high level of conservation priority because of declining status either in North Dakota or across their range or a high rate of occurrence in North Dakota constituting the core of the speciesrsquo breeding range but are at-risk range wide and non-State Wildlife Grants funding is not readily available to them
Level II Species having a moderate level of conservation priority or a high level of conservation priority but a substantial amount of non-State Wildlife Grant funding is available to them
Level III North Dakotarsquos species having a moderate level of conservation priority but are believed to be peripheral or do not breed in North Dakota
Species that are listed under the 100 Species of Conservation Priority are not afforded any formal
protection by the state or require special take permits Additional information on North Dakota
Species of Conservation Priority can be found at httpwwwgfndgovconservation-nongameshy
wildlifespecies-conservation-priority
216 Data Quality AssuranceQuality Control
Tetra Tech implemented quality assurance and quality control measures during all stages of data
collection analysis and report preparation To ensure legibility and completeness of data sheets
each biologist reviewed all data sheets providing clarification as needed before data entry into a
FileMaker Protrade relational database for data storage and analysis Prior to analysis an
independent reviewer conducted a 100-percent quality review of the data entries Any questions
that arose at this time were directed toward and answered by the field biologist
22 ANALYSIS
221 Species Groupings
Tetra Tech considered two primary groups of interest raptors and non-raptors Tetra Tech
defined raptors as vultures hawks eagles falcons and owls All other species groups are
defined as non-raptors
6 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
222 Avian Use
Tetra Tech derived avian use (mean use) of the Project by calculating the average number of
birds observed per 20-min survey at each point To evaluate the diversity and composition of
avian species using the Project area Tetra Tech summarized the number of individuals (birds20
min) and species Tetra Tech also calculated a measure of variability (90 percent confidence
intervals) for all mean use values In addition the number of observations is also presented
where an observation can be either an individual bird or a discrete flock of birds This
information helps evaluate whether high mean use is driven by a single event (eg a large flock
of birds moving through the Project area on migration) Because individual birds are not
uniquely marked and identified actual population size or abundance cannot be determined One
individual may be counted multiple times during a survey period or across survey periods
Although mean use of a given species does not equate to abundance it does provide an index
that is likely proportional to abundance and activity within the Project
223 Flight Behavior
Tetra Tech evaluated flight behavior by calculating the proportion of flying birds observed
below within or above the height of the anticipated turbine rotor swept area (RSA) Wilton IV
plans to develop the Project using General Electric 16 Megawatt (MW) turbines These turbines
have a hub height of 80 meters and rotor diameter of 100 meters With these specifications the
estimated RSA was between 30 and 130 m above ground Tetra Tech considered a bird to have
flown within the height range of the anticipated RSA if any of its recorded heights fell within the
upper or lower limits of the anticipated RSA
224 Encounter Rate
To estimate the rate at which a species flew at the height of the anticipated RSA Tetra Tech
applied the following equation to every species observed in the Project area
Encounter Rate = APfPt
A is the mean number of birds20 min for a given species Pf is the proportion of all activity
observations for a given species that were flying and Pt is the proportion flying observations that
were within the height range of a turbine RSA for a given species The encounter rate provides
information on the rate at which a species may move at a height that is consistent with the RSA
of the proposed turbines This information is an important component in evaluating risk of
collisions however this number alone does not indicate project-related impact to a species
Species with a high encounter rate are at a higher risk of collision than species with a low
encounter rate but it does not mean that turbine-related fatalities are certain Other factors such
as turbine location or a speciesrsquo ability to detect turbine blades flight maneuverability and
7 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
habitat selection also influence fatality (Orloff and Flannery 1992 Drewitt and Langston 2008
Martin 2011) Encounter values are sensitive to large flocks of birds flying within the RSA
height that is a species will have a high encounter rate even if only seen once in the RSA in a
large flying flock
225 Fatality Risk
The highly regional nature of avian mean use across North America and the scarce data on avian
fatalities at wind farms in many parts of the continent combined with other risk influences such
as individual species behavior and weather contribute to uncertainty in predicting fatality rates
(Arnett et al 2007 Strickland et al 2011) A recent meta-analysis suggests that pre-construction
studies provide poor indicators of post-construction fatality (Ferrer et al 2012) WEST (2011)
suggests that the most accurate predictors of fatality at a wind project are records of species-
specific fatalities detected at nearby wind projects As a result of uncertainty in predicting
fatality rates Tetra Tech did not attempt to derive fatality estimates from mean use data but will
highlight those species or groups with high use values that may experience Project-related
fatalities or whose regional population could be impacted by development Additionally Tetra
Tech will highlight species with high frequencies of observation high encounter rates and those
with records of turbine-related fatality at other wind projects as these variables may also indicate
potential collision risk at the Project
30 RESULTS
31 AVIAN USE AND FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE
Biologists surveyed 3476 acres of the Project area during point count surveys covering 22
percent of the Project arearsquos total area (15752 acres) The 7 point count locations were surveyed
14 times resulting in 98 total 20-min surveys A total of 5376 birds from 52 species and 653
that could not be identified to species (all unidentified sparrows) were recorded within the
Project area during the fixed-point count surveys (Table 2) Overall mean bird use for the Wilton
IV Wind Energy Center was 5486 birds20 min and ranged from 0 to 603 birds20 min
Overall mean use by non-raptors was 5449 birds20 min Songbirds Waterfowl and
CranesRails comprised 387 300 and 201 percent of all species observed respectively and
were distributed throughout the Project area Among species groups mean use was highest for
songbirds (2126 birds20 min Table 2) and songbirds were observed in 949 percent of all
surveys The non-raptor species with the highest mean use came from four different species
groups Songbirds Waterfowl CranesRails and GullsTerns and included the Canada goose
(1437 birds20 min observed in 133 percent of all surveys) sandhill crane (1102 birds20 min
observed in 122 percent of all surveys) unidentified sparrow (665 birds20 min 41 percent of
all surveys) red-winged blackbird (559 birds20 min observed in 378 percent of all surveys)
8 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
and Franklinrsquos gull (283 birds20 min observed in 31 percent of all surveys Table 2) Other
species with a high frequency of detection during the surveys but with a low mean use included
ring-necked pheasant (151 birds20 min observed in 745 percent of all surveys) horned lark
(177 birds20 min 612 percent of all surveys) and western meadowlark (082 birds20 min
480 percent of all surveys Table 2) Each other non-raptor species had a mean use of less than
190 birds20 min or was detected in less than 48 percent of all surveys Other non-raptor species
groups observed during the surveys included Gamebirds PigeonsDoves Waterbirds and
Woodpeckers (Table 2)
Non-raptor mean use was highest on March 16 (24743 birds20 min) April 20 (19914 birds20
min) and March 26 (12571 birds20 min Figure 3) Observations on March 16 were comprised
of mostly Canada geese (1138 individuals observed in 17 flocks ranging in size from 20 to 140
individuals 77 of all observations) The primary contributors to the high mean use on April 20
were unidentified sparrows (645 individuals observed in 6 distinct flocks and ranging from 25 to
250 individuals) red-winged blackbird (392 individuals) and Franklinrsquos gull (277 individuals)
On March 26 the primary contributor to the high mean use was the sandhill crane (772
individuals distributed between 8 flocks ranging from 15 to 275 individuals) Mean use for nonshy
raptors was highest at point count location 3 (10314 birds20 min Figure 4) Species
contributing to the high mean use at this point included sandhill crane (621 individuals) Canada
goose (523 individuals) and Franklinrsquos gull (100 individuals Table 3) The habitat at point 3
consists of row crops (wheat) and short-grass prairie possibly enrolled in the Conservation
Reserve Program (CRP) The habitat at this point is not unique within the Project area However
most of the birds observed at point 3 were flying through the Project area in flocks of 15 to 275
individuals and not stopping in the immediate vicinity of the Project
Raptors are a group of special interest because of their propensity to fly at heights similar to a
turbine RSA Overall mean use for raptors was 037 birds20 min (Table 2) raptors were not
among the most frequently observed species groups during the spring surveys The raptor species
with the highest mean use was the red-tailed hawk (016 birds20 min observed in 122 percent
of all surveys) and northern harrier (016 birds20 min observed in 143 percent of all surveys)
Other raptor species detected included the Swainsonrsquos hawk and peregrine falcon great-horned
owl and American kestrel each with mean use value of 001 birds20 min with each observed in
10 percent of all surveys (Table 2)
Mean use by raptors was highest on March 26 (129 birds20 min) and May 3 (100 birds20 min
Figure 5) Observations on March 26 included red-tailed hawk (5 individuals) northern harrier
(3 individuals) and American kestrel (1 individual) Observations on May 26 included 4 red-
tailed hawks 2 northern harriers and 1 peregrine falcon Mean use for raptors was less than 058
birds20 min for all other survey dates Mean use for raptors was highest at point count locations
4 1 and 3 (064 064 and 057 birds20 min respectively Figure 6) Species contributing to the
9 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
mean use at these points were mostly red-tailed hawks and northern harriers (Table 3) In
addition to red-tailed hawks and northern harriers point count location 1 had one American
kestrel and one Peregrine falcon Raptor mean use was equal to or less than 029 birds20 min at
all other points Point count locations 4 1 and 3 each encompass short-grass prairie and
agricultural (mostly wheat) fields both of which provide foraging opportunities for raptors
These features are not unique to these point count locations or within the Project area
32 FLIGHT HEIGHT AND ENCOUNTER RATE
During spring avian use surveys biologists collected behavioral data for 986 percent of all birds
observed during point count surveys of which 834 percent were observed flying The biologist
collected flight height data for 999 percent and flight direction for 835 percent of those
observations (ie most individuals were observed making directional flights) Of non-raptor
species observed flying 372 percent flew above the height of the anticipated RSA 455 percent
flew at the height of the anticipated RSA and 173 percent flew below the height of the
anticipated RSA (Table 4) Of raptor species observed flying 91 percent flew above the height
of the anticipated RSA 394 percent flew at the height of the anticipated RSA and 515 percent
flew above the height of the anticipated RSA Data on flight direction are located in Appendix 1
Most birds observed making direct flight over the Project were moving in a northerly direction
(803 percent of all direct flights) In combination with the timing of flights (Figure 3) these data
suggest that much of the non-raptor use observed at the Project area is due to migratory
movements
Canada goose had the highest encounter rate (654 birds flying at RSA height20 min Table 5)
followed by unidentified sparrow (632 birds flying at RSA height20 min) sandhill crane (368
birds flying at RSA height20 min) and Franklinrsquos gull (283 birds flying at RSA height20 min)
Each other species had an encounter rate below 083 birds flying at RSA height20 min
33 RAPTOR NEST SURVEYS
Raptor nests detected within the Project area or 1-mile buffer included 2 red-tailed hawks 2 unknown nests and 1 Swainsonrsquos hawk (Figure 7) The red-tailed hawk nests were found on April 5 and May 9 with each remaining active during the survey period The Swainsonrsquos hawk nest was detected on May 19th within the 1-mile buffer around the Project area The two unknown nests were found on April 15 and April 25 Both unknown nests appeared to never be active during the survey period
34 LEK SURVEYS
During grouse lek surveys conducted within the Project area and a surrounding 1-mile buffer
from April 10th to May 1st a total of 9 sharp-tailed grouse leks were found within the Project area
and 1-mile buffer (Figure 7 WENK 2012) Four of the leks were within the Project area (Figure
7) Each lek had a minimum of 4 individuals (includes males and females) observed with the
10 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
maximum number of grouse observed at one lek being 21 individuals (lek 8) A full report on the
grouse lek surveys is presented in Appendix 3
35 INCIDENTAL OBSERVATIONS
The biologist documented 17 species as incidental observations (Table 6) Of these species 4
(golden eagle lesser scaup merlin wild turkey) were not detected during spring point count
surveys
36 LISTED SPECIES
No federal threatened or endangered species were observed during avian point count raptor or
lek surveys or as an incidental observation One adult golden eagle was observed incidentally
near survey point 7 on March 26th in flight within the anticipated RSA The golden eagle is
protected by the BGEPA (Section 215)
Four Level I (Franklinrsquos gull Swainsonrsquos hawk upland sandpiper and grasshopper sparrow)
seven Level II (bobolink dickcissel redhead sharp-tailed grouse northern harrier golden eagle
and northern pintail) and one Level III (peregrine falcon) state-listed Species of Conservation
Priority were observed during point counts raptor nest lek surveys or as incidental observations
within the Project Area
40 DISCUSSION
The avian community detected within the Project area during spring surveys was characterized
by species associated with typical mid-western agricultural lands and short-grass prairie
vegetation The majority of the Project area and vicinity has been developed for agricultural use
specifically crops such as wheat sunflower and corn with additional developed lands devoted to
pastureland for cattle Within disturbed habitats such as these the greatest potential impact of
wind facilities to avian species is risk of collisions with turbines Mean avian fatality rates
estimated from wind facilities in the Midwest (NE WI MN and IA) range from 044 to 1183
birdsturbineyear (049 ndash 717 birdsMWyear Tetra Tech 2012) Project-related bird fatalities
are expected to fall within this range
In areas mostly dominated by native short-grass prairie additional loss of habitat from
developing these areas may impact resident and migratory avian species The presence of native
grassland habitats within the Project area suggests that additional disturbance and habitat loss
caused by construction and operation of the Project may cause birds to avoid the Project area
and may alter the current use of habitat by bird species within the Project area (Tetra Tech 2011)
The greatest potential for habitat loss would be for sharp-tailed grouse Current research suggests
that certain grouse species may avoid anthropogenic structures (USFWS 2012a Hagen et al
11 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
2011) however long-term data sets are still needed to best assess wind energy impacts (Johnson
et al 2012)
41 NON-RAPTOR USE AND COLLISION RISK
The Canada goose sandhill crane red-winged blackbird and Franklinrsquos gull were species with
the highest mean use within the Project area and were among the species most frequently
detected Additionally unidentified sparrows which probably represent a group of similar
species had high mean use Three of these species Canada goose Franklinrsquos gull and sandhill
crane are migratory with most individuals moving through the region (and the Project area) to
breeding grounds further north as indicated by their flight direction and large flock size Three
species had a high frequency of detection but a low mean use at the Project ring-necked
pheasant horned lark and western meadowlark These eight species are local residential and
migratory species commonly associated with the open pastureland short-grass prairie and row-
crop agriculture habitats found throughout the Project area These species are widely distributed
across the country and can be expected to occur where suitable habitat is present
The red-winged blackbird horned lark western meadowlark and ring-necked pheasant are
commonly found as turbine-related fatalities (more than 20 records of post-construction fatality
from 27 studies Tetra Tech 2012 Johnson et al 2000 Howe et al 2002 Derby et al 2007 TRC
Environmental 2008 Gruver et al 2009 BHE Environmental 2010 Jain et al 2011 Grodsky
and Drake 2011) particularly horned larks which exhibit breeding flight displays that may bring
them into the height of the RSA (Johnson and Erickson 2011) Thus risk of turbine-related
fatalities exists for each of these species at the Project However Project-related fatalities of red-
winged blackbird horned lark western meadowlark and ring-necked pheasant should they
occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts because collision fatalities appears to have
little effect North American landbird populations (Arnold and Zink 2011)
Species with high mean use but that are considered to have low risk for fatalities include sandhill
crane Franklinrsquos gull and Canada goose Although flying at the height of the RSA represents a
collision risk sandhill cranes have been documented altering flight direction in response to
turbines at wind facility in South Dakota (Nagy et al 2011) and multiple studies have
documented sandhill cranes gradually climbing as they approach marked power lines (Morkill
and Anderson 1991 Murphy et al 2009) The avoidance behavior observed at other studies and
lack of documented turbine-related fatalities of the sandhill crane suggests a low risk of Project-
related fatality for this species While no studies have documented avoidance behavior by
Franklinrsquos gulls similar to sandhill cranes the lack of documented fatalities at wind facilities
with publicly available data within the breeding range and migratory pathway of Franklinrsquos gulls
indicate a low risk of fatalities to occur at the Project (20 studies Tetra Tech 2012)
12 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Additionally Canada goose has a low number of fatality observations (less than 6 records of
post-construction fatalities from 27 studies Tetra Tech 2012)
The remaining non-raptor species detected during spring surveys have low risk for turbine
collisions at the Project due to a combination of relatively low mean-use rates infrequent flight
within the height of the RSA andor few or no records of fatalities at other wind facilities with
publically available results of fatality data
42 RAPTOR USE AND COLLISION RISK
High raptor use (greater than 20 birds20 min) has been associated with high raptor fatality at
wind farms (Strickland et al 2011) Conversely raptor fatality appears to be low when raptor use
is low (less than 10 birds20 min Strickland et al 2011) which is the case for raptor use at the
Project A factor contributing to the low raptor use of the Project area may be the number of
active raptor nests detected during nests surveys Because raptor activity is typically higher near
active nests than areas without active nests and raptors may have increased potential for
collision as they repeatedly fly within the Project area during nesting activities
Red-tailed hawks and northern harriers were the raptor species with the highest mean use and
were also among the most frequently detected raptor species at the Project Both species are
commonly associated with agricultural and grassland habitats which provide opportunities for
foraging an activity associated with susceptibility to turbine-collisions (Thelander et al 2003)
In a recent study of raptor response to wind farms northern harriers were identified as having a
low risk flight behavior for collisions whereas red-tailed hawks were observed engaging in high-
risk flight behaviors at operational wind facilities (Garvin et al 2011) Risks of collision for
northern harriers are believed to be low because the majority of foraging flights occur below
typical RSA heights (Whitfield and Madders 2006) Thus risk of turbine-related fatalities at the
Project is expected to be low given the low level of use As a result Project-related fatalities of
northern harrier should they occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts because
northern harriers are common nationwide (Sauer et al 2011) Results from post-construction
fatality monitoring studies indicate that red-tailed hawks are frequently found as turbine-related
fatalities (228 records of red-tailed hawk from 27 studies - Tetra Tech 2012 Jain 2005 Grodsky
and Drake 2011 Johnson and Erickson 2011) However Garvin et al (2011) documented that
red-tailed hawks despite high-risk flight behavior also demonstrated collision avoidance
behavior (Garvin et al 2011) Thus risk of turbine-related fatalities at the Project exists for red-
tailed hawks but turbine-related fatalities would be expected to be low given the low level of use
and low number of nests detected within the Project area and 1-mile buffer Project-related
fatalities of red-tailed hawk should they occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts
because red-tailed hawks are common nationwide (Sauer et al 2011)
13 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Two other raptor species detected during spring surveys (Swainsonrsquos hawk and American
kestrel) have been recorded as fatalities at other wind facilities (Derby 2007 Gritski et al 2008
Johnson and Erickson 2011) Peregrine falcon and great-horned owl have not been recorded as
fatalities observed at wind farms with publicly available fatality data All are likely have low risk
for turbine collisions at the Project due to the relatively very low mean-use rates
43 LISTED SPECIES
No federal listed threatened or endangered species were detected incidentally during avian point
count raptor or lek surveys One adult golden eagle was detected as an incidental observation
The golden eagle is protected under the BGEPA Although applications for incidental take
permits are available none have been issued to date Projects that are applying for permits have
are those with a perceived high risk of eagle fatality or have an additional permitting requirement
based on land ownership Consultation with the USFWS would provide further information on
local interpretation of the Draft Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance (USFWS 2011c)
No state listed designated species with regulatory implications were detected during surveys
However all native migratory avian species are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of
1918
44 CONCLUSIONS
Results of the 2012 spring avian surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center suggest an overall
low impact of the Project on the local avian community The high mean-use rate at the Project by
non-raptors is primarily driven by a few common residents and migratory species not commonly
reported as fatalities at wind energy facilities with results from post-construction fatality
monitoring Raptor use was relatively low for each raptor species detected Although there is
potential for turbine-related fatalities of Canada goose sandhill crane horned lark western
meadowlark red-winged blackbird red-tailed hawk and Franklinrsquos gull at the Project fatalities
are not expected to have population-level impacts If avian fatality rates are similar to other wind
facilities within the region we would expect them to fall between 044 ndash 1183 birdsturbineyear
(049 ndash 717 birdsMWyear) Additionally the potential for turbine-related fatalities exists for
nocturnal migrant species not identifiable by the methods of this study
No federally listed threatened or endangered species were detected incidentally during avian
point count raptor or lek surveys One adult golden eagle was detected as an incidental
observation The golden eagle is protected under the BGEPA A total of 9 sharp-tailed grouse
leks were located within the Project area and 1-mile buffer Four of the leks are within the
Project area indicating a moderate use of the Project area by the species No state listed
designated species with regulatory implications were detected during surveys However all
native migratory avian species are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918
14 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
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2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
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People who contributed to the writing of this report
Jim Kowalsky July 17 2012
Report Author Date
Jennifer Taylor July 19 2012
Peer Review 1 Date
Chris Farmer August 3 2012
Peer Review 2 Date
Anne-Marie Griger August 9 2012
Deputy Project Manager Date
Robert Friedel July 13 2012
GIS Date
19 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
FIGURES
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Figure 2 Point
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Figure 3 Non-raptor mean use by survey date in Spring at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center M
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Figure 5 Raptor mean use by survey date in Spring 2012 at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
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Figure 6Raptor mean use by point
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Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
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Mean use value PC Point count number
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Figure 7 Raptor nest and lek location
map (Spring 2012)NEXTENERGY
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Wilton IVWind Energy Center
5 Burleigh County ND
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2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
TABLES
21 August 2012
Table 1 Spring 2012 point count survey dates at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Date(s)Survey number
1 316 2 321 3 326 4 44 5 410 6 420 7 427 8 53 9 512 10 519 11 526 12 62 13 69 14 615
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Songbirds
unidentified sparrow 652 7 665 (000-1339) 41 313 121 red-winged blackbird 548 52 559 (036-1082) 378 263 102 horned lark 173 83 177 (136-218) 612 83 32 American crow 159 22 162 (027-297) 204 76 30 common grackle 91 33 093 (035-151) 245 44 17 western meadowlark 80 62 082 (065-099) 480 38 15 European starling 80 1 082 (000-216) 10 38 15 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 082 (029-135) 82 38 15 barn swallow 44 21 045 (028-062) 204 21 08 bobolink 36 28 037 (022-052) 194 17 07 American goldfinch 26 23 027 (018-036) 214 12 05 vesper sparrow 23 21 023 (013-033) 184 11 04 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 019 (010-028) 143 09 04 American robin 19 19 019 (011-027) 143 09 04 house sparrow 15 5 015 (000-030) 51 07 03 American tree sparrow 8 2 008 (000-018) 20 04 01 song sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 savannah sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 dickcissel 5 4 005 (000-010) 31 02 01 western kingbird 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 01 01 pine siskin 3 1 003 (000-008) 10 01 01 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 eastern kingbird 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 yellow warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 unidentified warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 house wren 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 Group Total 2083 430 2126 (1259-2993) 949 387
Waterfowl
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations
Canada goose 1408 24 1437 (435-2439) 133 874 262 snow goose 184 2 188 (000-490) 20 114 34 mallard 12 6 012 (004-020) 61 07 02 northern pintail 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 blue-winged teal 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 American wigeon 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 redhead 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 01 00 Group Total 1611 36 1644 (561-2727) 184 300
CranesRails sandhill crane 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 1000 201 Group Total 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 201
GullsTerns Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 283 (013-553) 31 986 52 ring-billed gull 4 3 004 (000-008) 31 14 01 Group Total 281 7 287 (017-557) 61 52
Gamebirds ring-necked pheasant 148 134 151 (128-174) 745 967 28 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 20 01 gray partridge 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 13 00 Group Total 153 138 156 (132-180) 755 28
PigeonsDoves rock pigeon 40 6 041 (009-073) 61 513 07 mourning dove 38 25 039 (019-059) 184 487 07 Group Total 78 31 080 (041-119) 224 15
Waterbirds killdeer 28 22 029 (017-041) 214 538 05 upland sandpiper 8 8 008 (003-013) 71 154 01 common snipe 8 8 008 (002-014) 61 154 01 Wilsons snipe 4 4 004 (000-008) 31 77 01 American coot 4 1 004 (000-011) 10 77 01 Group Total 52 43 053 (037-069) 357 10
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Raptors
red-tailed hawk 16 12 016 (008-024) 122 444 03 northern harrier 16 14 016 (009-023) 143 444 03 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 peregrine falcon 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 great horned owl 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 American kestrel 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 Group Total 36 30 037 (025-049) 276 07
Woodpeckers northern flicker 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 1000 00 Group Total 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 00 Grand Total 5376 735 5486 (3771-7200)
1 A ranking of 1 indicates highest mean use
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Canada goose 1408 24 210 80 523 140 210 135 110 sandhill crane 1080 18 94 18 621 15 187 145 0 unidentified sparrow 652 7 0 0 0 0 330 210 112 red-winged blackbird 548 52 0 84 49 386 14 11 4 Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 107 0 100 70 0 0 0 snow goose 184 2 0 180 4 0 0 0 0 horned lark 173 83 23 24 17 12 19 32 46 American crow 159 22 6 4 13 11 1 123 1 ring-necked pheasant 148 134 21 14 21 18 25 22 27 common grackle 91 33 6 35 7 2 8 33 0 western meadowlark 80 62 8 10 17 3 11 19 12 European starling 80 1 0 0 0 80 0 0 0 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 0 63 17 0 0 0 0 barn swallow 44 21 3 12 6 10 7 1 5 rock pigeon 40 6 0 14 0 0 0 23 3 mourning dove 38 25 4 17 1 1 1 11 3 bobolink 36 28 10 0 14 8 0 0 4 killdeer 28 22 3 3 4 5 10 0 3 American goldfinch 26 23 4 9 3 3 4 2 1 vesper sparrow 23 21 1 7 1 2 9 1 2 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 2 4 2 0 6 4 1 American robin 19 19 1 13 0 1 3 0 1 red-tailed hawk 16 12 4 0 4 5 0 1 2 northern harrier 16 14 3 1 4 4 2 0 2 house sparrow 15 5 2 13 0 0 0 0 0 mallard 12 6 0 0 6 6 0 0 0 upland sandpiper 8 8 0 0 1 0 3 2 2 common snipe 8 8 0 2 6 0 0 0 0 American tree sparrow 8 2 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 song sparrow 5 5 1 1 1 0 2 0 0 savannah sparrow 5 5 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 dickcissel 5 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 Wilsons snipe 4 4 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 ring-billed gull 4 3 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 American coot 4 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 western kingbird 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 pine siskin 3 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 northern pintail 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
northern flicker 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 gray partridge 2 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 eastern kingbird 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 blue-winged teal 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 American wigeon 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 yellow warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 unidentified warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 redhead 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 peregrine falcon 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 house wren 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 great horned owl 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 American kestrel 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Grand Total 5376 735 526 620 1452 794 859 776 349
Table 4 Summary of avian flight heights1 in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)2 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Birds
Number Percentage
Non-raptors
Raptors
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
1656 372
2023 455
767 173
3 91
13 394
17 515 1 Includes only flying birds with flight height data2These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
Canada goose 654 (435 - 2439) 1437 997 537 457 06 unidentified sparrow 632 (000 - 1339) 665 1000 00 951 49 sandhill crane 368 (083 - 2121) 1102 999 665 335 00 Franklinrsquos gull 283 (013 - 553) 283 1000 00 1000 00 European starling 082 (000 - 216) 082 1000 00 1000 00 American crow 024 (027 - 297) 162 943 00 160 840 red-tailed hawk 013 (008 - 024) 016 938 133 867 00 brown-headed cowbird 008 (029 - 135) 082 125 00 800 200 red-winged blackbird 005 (036 - 1082) 559 261 00 35 965 Wilsons snipe 002 (000 - 008) 004 500 00 1000 00 blue-winged teal 002 (000 - 005) 002 1000 00 1000 00 mallard 002 (004 - 020) 012 500 00 333 667 ring-billed gull 001 (000 - 008) 004 1000 00 250 750 yellow warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 yellow-headed blackbird 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 western meadowlark 000 (065 - 099) 082 338 00 00 1000 western kingbird 000 (000 - 007) 003 1000 00 00 1000 vesper sparrow 000 (013 - 033) 023 130 00 00 1000 upland sandpiper 000 (003 - 013) 008 250 00 00 1000 unidentified warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 Swainsonrsquos hawk 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 sharp-tailed grouse 000 (000 - 007) 003 667 00 00 1000 song sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 snow goose 000 (000 - 490) 188 1000 1000 00 00 savannah sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 rock pigeon 000 (009 - 073) 041 825 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
ring-necked pheasant 000 (128 - 174) 151 07 00 00 1000 redhead 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 pine siskin 000 (000 - 008) 003 1000 00 00 1000 peregrine falcon 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 1000 00 00 northern pintail 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 northern harrier 000 (009 - 023) 016 1000 00 00 1000 northern flicker 000 (000 - 004) 002 500 00 00 1000 mourning dove 000 (019 - 059) 039 684 00 00 1000 killdeer 000 (017 - 041) 029 607 00 00 1000 house wren 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 house sparrow 000 (000 - 030) 015 67 00 00 1000 horned lark 000 (136 - 218) 177 740 00 00 1000 grasshopper sparrow 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 gray partridge 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 great horned owl 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 eastern kingbird 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 dickcissel 000 (000 - 010) 005 00 00 00 00 common snipe 000 (002 - 014) 008 00 00 00 00 common grackle 000 (035 - 151) 093 945 00 00 1000 clay-colored sparrow 000 (010 - 028) 019 158 00 00 1000 bobolink 000 (022 - 052) 037 917 00 00 1000 barn swallow 000 (028 - 062) 045 1000 00 00 1000 American tree sparrow 000 (000 - 018) 008 1000 00 00 1000 American wigeon 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 American robin 000 (011 - 027) 019 421 00 00 1000 American kestrel 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
American goldfinch 000 027 (018 - 036) 923 00 00 1000American coot 000 004 (000 - 011) 00 00 00 001These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 6 Incidental observations of birds during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species
American crow American kestrel American robin Canada goose great horned owl golden eagle gray partridge lesser scaup mallard merlin northern harrier rock pigeon red-tailed hawk red-winged blackbird sandhill crane sharp-tailed grouse wild turkey
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
APPENDICES
22 August 2012
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number of Birds1
Number of
Observations Species
Percentage of Flights
N NE E SE S SW W NW Variable
Canada goose 1398 21 867 00 00 00 02 00 17 114 00
sandhill crane 1079 17 878 52 00 00 00 00 00 70 00
unidentified sparrow 565 5 00 00 00 788 212 00 00 00 00
Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
snow goose 184 2 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
European starling 80 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
American crow 69 11 768 58 58 00 14 43 00 14 43
red-winged blackbird 15 6 533 00 00 200 267 00 00 00 00
red-tailed hawk 14 10 500 143 00 71 00 71 00 71 143
rock pigeon 11 2 00 00 00 00 273 727 00 00 00
northern harrier 9 8 111 00 00 333 00 222 00 111 222
mourning dove 9 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
common grackle 9 6 111 00 00 111 00 222 556 00 00
brown-headed cowbird 8 1 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
horned lark 6 3 833 00 00 167 00 00 00 00 00
ring-billed gull 4 3 250 00 00 00 00 750 00 00 00
Wilsons snipe 2 2 500 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 500
vesper sparrow 2 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
mallard 2 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
blue-winged teal 2 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
peregrine falcon 1 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
killdeer 1 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
Grand Total 3747 108 722 17 04 121 36 05 30 64 02 1 Includes only flying birds with flight directions
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Nest Number Species Substrate
Nest ConditionStatusDates
Surveyed Nest
Height (m) 2012 - 1 452012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good
5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 4 592012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good 5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 5 5192012 Swainsonrsquos hawk Active Siberian Elm 7 Good
NA means not applicable
Wenck Associates Inc 301 1
st St NE Suite 202
Mandan ND 58554
Phone 701-751-3370 Email jaskimwenckcom
May 7 2012
Tracey M Dubuque PE Senior Project Manager
Tetra Tech EC
160 Federal Street Third Floor
Boston MA 02110
Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Dear Tracey
Introduction
Male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) congregate at historicalcommunal leks in the spring
to compete for breeding opportunities Both sexes return to their natal breeding grounds yearly for their
entire life Leks are typically found in areas with low-growing vegetation on a hill knoll or other point of
high visibility Fidelity to these locations is extremely high for sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse
require nesting habitat within close proximity the lek comprised of dense or residual vegetative cover to
conceal and protect their nest from predators (Vodehnal and Haufler 2007)
Disturbance of nesting prairie grouse may occur from the construction of the turbine andor access road
construction noise and physical movement of equipment Loss of habitat and fragmentation related to
energy exploration may affect local prairie grouse populations by decreasing the area of habitat available
for nesting and brood-rearing and by increasing predation (Pittman et al 2005) Therefore federal and
state wildlife agencies are concerned about the placement of turbines in areas with known prairie grouse
populations Turbine setbacks from leks and minimizing grouse habitat disturbance may reduce the direct
and indirect effects of energy development on grouse
Methods
Sharp-tailed grouse surveys were completed from April 10th to May 1
st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise
to two hours after sunrise within the one-mile analysis area (Figure 1) Peak attendance by females on leks
typically occurs from April 15 to 25 but these dates vary by up to a week depending on weather conditions
(Schroeder and Robb 1993) Peak attendance potentially occurred earlier this year due to the early spring
A habitat assessment analysis was conducted prior to the field survey to determine suitable lekkingnesting
habitat within the analysis area (Figure 2) Listening stops were made within a one-mile analysis area
surrounding the proposed project area to identify lek locations (Figure 3) Sharp-tailed grouse males may
be heard at a distance of up to 050 mile Listening stops were not conducted if winds exceeded 10 miles
per hour (mph) or during precipitation events After a lek was located the birds were observed and the
number of males and females were counted Lek locations were documented using Global Positioning
System (GPS) Given the sensitive nature of this species and the fact that females may be nesting near the
lek disturbance to breeding prairie grouse was kept to a minimum
Results
Nine (9) sharp-tailed grouse leks were located during the surveys conducted from April 10th to May 1
st
2012 (Figure 4) Date time sex number of birds present wind conditions air temperature and GPS
coordinates were recorded once a lek was located (Tables 1 and 2) Two of the leks observed were
located outside of the analysis area Due to Lek 1rsquos close proximity to Lek 4 Lek 1 shouldbe classified
as a satellite lek No visual confirmation of Lek 6 was made due to access and topography
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
replaced by agriculture in level areas Agriculture in the area is predominantly dry-land farming
of barley sunflowers corn spring and winter wheat interspersed with cattle grazing
North Dakota has 365 documented bird species (Faanes and Stewart 1982) and is situated within
the Central Flyway one of the main bird migratory routes in North America (USFWS 2011b)
The Central Flyway runs through the central portion of the US and as a consequence the
Project Area During spring migration most birds that move along the Central Flyway travel
from the tropics of South America via the Gulf of Mexico through the central states eventually
reaching breeding grounds as far away as Alaska and northern Canada (USFWS 2011b)
20 METHODS
To evaluate avian risk at wind energy facilities standardized protocols for pre-construction point
counts have been established and were used in this study This protocol is designed to be
responsive to the level of effort recommended in the National Wind Coordinating Committeersquos
Comprehensive Guide to Studying Wind EnergyWildlife Interactions (Strickland et al 2011)
and the US Fish and Wildlife Service Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines (USFWS 2012a)
Data collected from these counts are used to identify species or species groups that may be at
risk from Project development and may provide additional information for micro-siting wind
facilities to minimize impacts to birds Results in this report are presented in terms of species
groups and highlight any federal and state-listed protected species
21 AVIAN SURVEYS
211 Fixed-point Surveys
An experienced field biologist conducted 20-minute (min) point count surveys at 7 locations
within Project area to evaluate avian use behavior and species (Figure 2) The biologist
conducted 14 weekly surveys from March 16 through June 15 2012 (Table 1) thereby
encompassing the spring migration and summer breeding seasons Tetra Tech distributed the
survey locations throughout the Project area and chose locations that maximized the 360-degree
sight distance for the observer and covered a diversity of habitats
The field biologist collected data on all birds observed within an 800-m radius of the point count
location Surveys at each point lasted for 20 minutes during which time the biologist
continuously recorded any visual or auditory observations The biologist recorded the following
data species number of individuals time of observation height aboveground and behavior The
biologist estimated flight heights and distances using existing reference points such as
meteorological towers and local transmission lines as well as landscape contours shown on
topographic maps Flight direction was recorded for individuals making directional flights
through the Project area but was not recorded for individuals making localized movements
3 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
The survey protocol used in this study is designed to collect data on all bird species and to
provide results that are comparable with other studies at wind farms rather than to target specific
taxa The benefit of using this protocol is that it estimates avian use throughout the day and
captures activity by a variety of bird species During the breeding season and to a lesser extent
in the fall and winter songbirds are most active in the morning and can be difficult to detect
during the afternoon In contrast raptors become active as the sunlight heats the air and creates
thermals which many individuals use for soaring (Ballam 1984) Thus raptors are more readily
detected several hours after sunrise Therefore this protocol is appropriate for characterizing the
entire bird community using the Project It should be noted however that this survey protocol
can only detect nocturnal migrants should they be local breeders within the Project area or if they
utilize the Project as stopover habitat
Tetra Tech chose 20-minute survey periods because they provide adequate time to detect both
raptors and non-raptors However time periods of 20 minutes may lead to double-counting of
songbirds (ie counting the same individual more than once) because individuals may appear
and disappear from view For example if a horned lark is detected perched on a fence then
disappears from view and 6 minutes later a horned lark is seen flying these birds are recorded
as separate observations because it is not possible to distinguish individuals Double-counting of
birds is not problematic for this type of survey because the objective is to document use in terms
of number of birds noted per 20-minute survey not number of distinct individual birds
Detectability varies among species and potentially not all individuals within the 800-m radius
were counted This variation in detectability results in an overestimate of mean use for
conspicuous species and an underestimate of mean use for reclusive species (Thompson 2002)
Birds not easily identifiable such as those seen under low light conditions or small birds seen at
a distance were identified to the lowest taxonomic level possible Hence unidentified birds are
included in the results
212 Raptor Nest Surveys
The purpose of raptor nest surveys is to estimate the number of active and inactive raptor nests in
the Project area A biologist conducted the raptor nest survey across the Project area before trees
began to leaf out to increase visibility of raptor nests Where possible biologists also surveyed
an approximately 1-mile radius buffer around the Project area Once a nest was located the
biologist returned during the raptor breeding season to collect data on species location and
activity status Nests were classified as active if they had presence of an adult or young active
territory defense by an individual or the presence of feathers egg shells or droppings underneath
the nest otherwise they were classified as inactive In addition biologists determined the nest
condition and substrate Biologists visited nests a minimum of two times once to determine the
location of the nest and once to determine if the nest was active This second check also allowed
4 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
biologists to detect late-nesting species such as Swainsonrsquos hawks Raptor nest surveys provide
an estimate of the number and species of raptors that use stick nests in the area Ground-nesting
raptor species such as northern harriers were not surveyed
213 Lek Location Surveys
The USFWS along with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department (NDGFD) have expressed
concern regarding residential sharp-tailed grouse as a species of habitat fragmentation concern as
outlined in the USFWS published Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines (USFWS 2012a) A
biologist from Wenck Associates Inc (Wenck) conducted grouse lek surveys to identify areas of
use by breeding prairie grouse within the Project and surrounding area Surveys were completed
from April 10th to May 1st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise to two hours after sunrise within the
one-mile of the Project A detailed report on the methods and results are presented in a separate
report in Appendix 3
214 Incidental Observations
Incidental observations included observations that occurred 1) during travel between points 2)
before or after the official 20-min survey period 3) outside of the 800-m radius circular plot and
4) during raptor nest and grouse lek surveys Biologists recorded these observations on separate
data sheets and these data were not used in the formal analysis however a summary of
incidental birds is presented to provide additional information about species found in the local
area
215 Listed Species Information
The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA) prohibits the take of any bald or golden
eagle alive or dead including any part nest or egg ldquoTakerdquo is defined as ldquopursue shoot shoot
at poison wound kill capture trap collect molest or disturbrdquo a bald or golden eagle ldquoDisturbrdquo
means to agitate or bother an eagle to a degree that causes or is likely to cause 1) injury to an
eagle 2) a decrease in its productivity by substantially interfering with normal breeding
feeding or sheltering behavior or 3) nest abandonment by substantially interfering with normal
breeding feeding or sheltering behavior Applications for incidental take under BGEPA for
golden eagles are currently being considered by USFWS west of 100 degrees west longitude
which includes this Project (USFWS 2009)
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) as administered by the USFWS mandates protection of
species federally listed as threatened or endangered and their associated habitats The ESA
makes it unlawful to ldquotakerdquo a listed species Take is defined as ldquoto harass harm pursue hunt
shoot wound kill trap capture or collect or attempt to engage in any such conductrdquo (USFWS
2011b) A list of endangered threatened and candidate species for Burleigh County can be found
at httpecosfwsgovtess_publiccountySearchspeciesByCountyReportactionfips=38015
5 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
The State of North Dakota does not have a state endangered or threatened species list Only those
species listed by the ESA are considered threatened or endangered in North Dakota However the
NDGFD have identified 100 Species of Conservation Priority within North Dakota These
species are ranked in three priority levels based on such factors as known status funding
availability and presence of breeding habitat within North Dakota (Hagen et al 2005) The
definitions of each rank are listed below
Level I A species having a high level of conservation priority because of declining status either in North Dakota or across their range or a high rate of occurrence in North Dakota constituting the core of the speciesrsquo breeding range but are at-risk range wide and non-State Wildlife Grants funding is not readily available to them
Level II Species having a moderate level of conservation priority or a high level of conservation priority but a substantial amount of non-State Wildlife Grant funding is available to them
Level III North Dakotarsquos species having a moderate level of conservation priority but are believed to be peripheral or do not breed in North Dakota
Species that are listed under the 100 Species of Conservation Priority are not afforded any formal
protection by the state or require special take permits Additional information on North Dakota
Species of Conservation Priority can be found at httpwwwgfndgovconservation-nongameshy
wildlifespecies-conservation-priority
216 Data Quality AssuranceQuality Control
Tetra Tech implemented quality assurance and quality control measures during all stages of data
collection analysis and report preparation To ensure legibility and completeness of data sheets
each biologist reviewed all data sheets providing clarification as needed before data entry into a
FileMaker Protrade relational database for data storage and analysis Prior to analysis an
independent reviewer conducted a 100-percent quality review of the data entries Any questions
that arose at this time were directed toward and answered by the field biologist
22 ANALYSIS
221 Species Groupings
Tetra Tech considered two primary groups of interest raptors and non-raptors Tetra Tech
defined raptors as vultures hawks eagles falcons and owls All other species groups are
defined as non-raptors
6 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
222 Avian Use
Tetra Tech derived avian use (mean use) of the Project by calculating the average number of
birds observed per 20-min survey at each point To evaluate the diversity and composition of
avian species using the Project area Tetra Tech summarized the number of individuals (birds20
min) and species Tetra Tech also calculated a measure of variability (90 percent confidence
intervals) for all mean use values In addition the number of observations is also presented
where an observation can be either an individual bird or a discrete flock of birds This
information helps evaluate whether high mean use is driven by a single event (eg a large flock
of birds moving through the Project area on migration) Because individual birds are not
uniquely marked and identified actual population size or abundance cannot be determined One
individual may be counted multiple times during a survey period or across survey periods
Although mean use of a given species does not equate to abundance it does provide an index
that is likely proportional to abundance and activity within the Project
223 Flight Behavior
Tetra Tech evaluated flight behavior by calculating the proportion of flying birds observed
below within or above the height of the anticipated turbine rotor swept area (RSA) Wilton IV
plans to develop the Project using General Electric 16 Megawatt (MW) turbines These turbines
have a hub height of 80 meters and rotor diameter of 100 meters With these specifications the
estimated RSA was between 30 and 130 m above ground Tetra Tech considered a bird to have
flown within the height range of the anticipated RSA if any of its recorded heights fell within the
upper or lower limits of the anticipated RSA
224 Encounter Rate
To estimate the rate at which a species flew at the height of the anticipated RSA Tetra Tech
applied the following equation to every species observed in the Project area
Encounter Rate = APfPt
A is the mean number of birds20 min for a given species Pf is the proportion of all activity
observations for a given species that were flying and Pt is the proportion flying observations that
were within the height range of a turbine RSA for a given species The encounter rate provides
information on the rate at which a species may move at a height that is consistent with the RSA
of the proposed turbines This information is an important component in evaluating risk of
collisions however this number alone does not indicate project-related impact to a species
Species with a high encounter rate are at a higher risk of collision than species with a low
encounter rate but it does not mean that turbine-related fatalities are certain Other factors such
as turbine location or a speciesrsquo ability to detect turbine blades flight maneuverability and
7 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
habitat selection also influence fatality (Orloff and Flannery 1992 Drewitt and Langston 2008
Martin 2011) Encounter values are sensitive to large flocks of birds flying within the RSA
height that is a species will have a high encounter rate even if only seen once in the RSA in a
large flying flock
225 Fatality Risk
The highly regional nature of avian mean use across North America and the scarce data on avian
fatalities at wind farms in many parts of the continent combined with other risk influences such
as individual species behavior and weather contribute to uncertainty in predicting fatality rates
(Arnett et al 2007 Strickland et al 2011) A recent meta-analysis suggests that pre-construction
studies provide poor indicators of post-construction fatality (Ferrer et al 2012) WEST (2011)
suggests that the most accurate predictors of fatality at a wind project are records of species-
specific fatalities detected at nearby wind projects As a result of uncertainty in predicting
fatality rates Tetra Tech did not attempt to derive fatality estimates from mean use data but will
highlight those species or groups with high use values that may experience Project-related
fatalities or whose regional population could be impacted by development Additionally Tetra
Tech will highlight species with high frequencies of observation high encounter rates and those
with records of turbine-related fatality at other wind projects as these variables may also indicate
potential collision risk at the Project
30 RESULTS
31 AVIAN USE AND FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE
Biologists surveyed 3476 acres of the Project area during point count surveys covering 22
percent of the Project arearsquos total area (15752 acres) The 7 point count locations were surveyed
14 times resulting in 98 total 20-min surveys A total of 5376 birds from 52 species and 653
that could not be identified to species (all unidentified sparrows) were recorded within the
Project area during the fixed-point count surveys (Table 2) Overall mean bird use for the Wilton
IV Wind Energy Center was 5486 birds20 min and ranged from 0 to 603 birds20 min
Overall mean use by non-raptors was 5449 birds20 min Songbirds Waterfowl and
CranesRails comprised 387 300 and 201 percent of all species observed respectively and
were distributed throughout the Project area Among species groups mean use was highest for
songbirds (2126 birds20 min Table 2) and songbirds were observed in 949 percent of all
surveys The non-raptor species with the highest mean use came from four different species
groups Songbirds Waterfowl CranesRails and GullsTerns and included the Canada goose
(1437 birds20 min observed in 133 percent of all surveys) sandhill crane (1102 birds20 min
observed in 122 percent of all surveys) unidentified sparrow (665 birds20 min 41 percent of
all surveys) red-winged blackbird (559 birds20 min observed in 378 percent of all surveys)
8 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
and Franklinrsquos gull (283 birds20 min observed in 31 percent of all surveys Table 2) Other
species with a high frequency of detection during the surveys but with a low mean use included
ring-necked pheasant (151 birds20 min observed in 745 percent of all surveys) horned lark
(177 birds20 min 612 percent of all surveys) and western meadowlark (082 birds20 min
480 percent of all surveys Table 2) Each other non-raptor species had a mean use of less than
190 birds20 min or was detected in less than 48 percent of all surveys Other non-raptor species
groups observed during the surveys included Gamebirds PigeonsDoves Waterbirds and
Woodpeckers (Table 2)
Non-raptor mean use was highest on March 16 (24743 birds20 min) April 20 (19914 birds20
min) and March 26 (12571 birds20 min Figure 3) Observations on March 16 were comprised
of mostly Canada geese (1138 individuals observed in 17 flocks ranging in size from 20 to 140
individuals 77 of all observations) The primary contributors to the high mean use on April 20
were unidentified sparrows (645 individuals observed in 6 distinct flocks and ranging from 25 to
250 individuals) red-winged blackbird (392 individuals) and Franklinrsquos gull (277 individuals)
On March 26 the primary contributor to the high mean use was the sandhill crane (772
individuals distributed between 8 flocks ranging from 15 to 275 individuals) Mean use for nonshy
raptors was highest at point count location 3 (10314 birds20 min Figure 4) Species
contributing to the high mean use at this point included sandhill crane (621 individuals) Canada
goose (523 individuals) and Franklinrsquos gull (100 individuals Table 3) The habitat at point 3
consists of row crops (wheat) and short-grass prairie possibly enrolled in the Conservation
Reserve Program (CRP) The habitat at this point is not unique within the Project area However
most of the birds observed at point 3 were flying through the Project area in flocks of 15 to 275
individuals and not stopping in the immediate vicinity of the Project
Raptors are a group of special interest because of their propensity to fly at heights similar to a
turbine RSA Overall mean use for raptors was 037 birds20 min (Table 2) raptors were not
among the most frequently observed species groups during the spring surveys The raptor species
with the highest mean use was the red-tailed hawk (016 birds20 min observed in 122 percent
of all surveys) and northern harrier (016 birds20 min observed in 143 percent of all surveys)
Other raptor species detected included the Swainsonrsquos hawk and peregrine falcon great-horned
owl and American kestrel each with mean use value of 001 birds20 min with each observed in
10 percent of all surveys (Table 2)
Mean use by raptors was highest on March 26 (129 birds20 min) and May 3 (100 birds20 min
Figure 5) Observations on March 26 included red-tailed hawk (5 individuals) northern harrier
(3 individuals) and American kestrel (1 individual) Observations on May 26 included 4 red-
tailed hawks 2 northern harriers and 1 peregrine falcon Mean use for raptors was less than 058
birds20 min for all other survey dates Mean use for raptors was highest at point count locations
4 1 and 3 (064 064 and 057 birds20 min respectively Figure 6) Species contributing to the
9 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
mean use at these points were mostly red-tailed hawks and northern harriers (Table 3) In
addition to red-tailed hawks and northern harriers point count location 1 had one American
kestrel and one Peregrine falcon Raptor mean use was equal to or less than 029 birds20 min at
all other points Point count locations 4 1 and 3 each encompass short-grass prairie and
agricultural (mostly wheat) fields both of which provide foraging opportunities for raptors
These features are not unique to these point count locations or within the Project area
32 FLIGHT HEIGHT AND ENCOUNTER RATE
During spring avian use surveys biologists collected behavioral data for 986 percent of all birds
observed during point count surveys of which 834 percent were observed flying The biologist
collected flight height data for 999 percent and flight direction for 835 percent of those
observations (ie most individuals were observed making directional flights) Of non-raptor
species observed flying 372 percent flew above the height of the anticipated RSA 455 percent
flew at the height of the anticipated RSA and 173 percent flew below the height of the
anticipated RSA (Table 4) Of raptor species observed flying 91 percent flew above the height
of the anticipated RSA 394 percent flew at the height of the anticipated RSA and 515 percent
flew above the height of the anticipated RSA Data on flight direction are located in Appendix 1
Most birds observed making direct flight over the Project were moving in a northerly direction
(803 percent of all direct flights) In combination with the timing of flights (Figure 3) these data
suggest that much of the non-raptor use observed at the Project area is due to migratory
movements
Canada goose had the highest encounter rate (654 birds flying at RSA height20 min Table 5)
followed by unidentified sparrow (632 birds flying at RSA height20 min) sandhill crane (368
birds flying at RSA height20 min) and Franklinrsquos gull (283 birds flying at RSA height20 min)
Each other species had an encounter rate below 083 birds flying at RSA height20 min
33 RAPTOR NEST SURVEYS
Raptor nests detected within the Project area or 1-mile buffer included 2 red-tailed hawks 2 unknown nests and 1 Swainsonrsquos hawk (Figure 7) The red-tailed hawk nests were found on April 5 and May 9 with each remaining active during the survey period The Swainsonrsquos hawk nest was detected on May 19th within the 1-mile buffer around the Project area The two unknown nests were found on April 15 and April 25 Both unknown nests appeared to never be active during the survey period
34 LEK SURVEYS
During grouse lek surveys conducted within the Project area and a surrounding 1-mile buffer
from April 10th to May 1st a total of 9 sharp-tailed grouse leks were found within the Project area
and 1-mile buffer (Figure 7 WENK 2012) Four of the leks were within the Project area (Figure
7) Each lek had a minimum of 4 individuals (includes males and females) observed with the
10 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
maximum number of grouse observed at one lek being 21 individuals (lek 8) A full report on the
grouse lek surveys is presented in Appendix 3
35 INCIDENTAL OBSERVATIONS
The biologist documented 17 species as incidental observations (Table 6) Of these species 4
(golden eagle lesser scaup merlin wild turkey) were not detected during spring point count
surveys
36 LISTED SPECIES
No federal threatened or endangered species were observed during avian point count raptor or
lek surveys or as an incidental observation One adult golden eagle was observed incidentally
near survey point 7 on March 26th in flight within the anticipated RSA The golden eagle is
protected by the BGEPA (Section 215)
Four Level I (Franklinrsquos gull Swainsonrsquos hawk upland sandpiper and grasshopper sparrow)
seven Level II (bobolink dickcissel redhead sharp-tailed grouse northern harrier golden eagle
and northern pintail) and one Level III (peregrine falcon) state-listed Species of Conservation
Priority were observed during point counts raptor nest lek surveys or as incidental observations
within the Project Area
40 DISCUSSION
The avian community detected within the Project area during spring surveys was characterized
by species associated with typical mid-western agricultural lands and short-grass prairie
vegetation The majority of the Project area and vicinity has been developed for agricultural use
specifically crops such as wheat sunflower and corn with additional developed lands devoted to
pastureland for cattle Within disturbed habitats such as these the greatest potential impact of
wind facilities to avian species is risk of collisions with turbines Mean avian fatality rates
estimated from wind facilities in the Midwest (NE WI MN and IA) range from 044 to 1183
birdsturbineyear (049 ndash 717 birdsMWyear Tetra Tech 2012) Project-related bird fatalities
are expected to fall within this range
In areas mostly dominated by native short-grass prairie additional loss of habitat from
developing these areas may impact resident and migratory avian species The presence of native
grassland habitats within the Project area suggests that additional disturbance and habitat loss
caused by construction and operation of the Project may cause birds to avoid the Project area
and may alter the current use of habitat by bird species within the Project area (Tetra Tech 2011)
The greatest potential for habitat loss would be for sharp-tailed grouse Current research suggests
that certain grouse species may avoid anthropogenic structures (USFWS 2012a Hagen et al
11 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
2011) however long-term data sets are still needed to best assess wind energy impacts (Johnson
et al 2012)
41 NON-RAPTOR USE AND COLLISION RISK
The Canada goose sandhill crane red-winged blackbird and Franklinrsquos gull were species with
the highest mean use within the Project area and were among the species most frequently
detected Additionally unidentified sparrows which probably represent a group of similar
species had high mean use Three of these species Canada goose Franklinrsquos gull and sandhill
crane are migratory with most individuals moving through the region (and the Project area) to
breeding grounds further north as indicated by their flight direction and large flock size Three
species had a high frequency of detection but a low mean use at the Project ring-necked
pheasant horned lark and western meadowlark These eight species are local residential and
migratory species commonly associated with the open pastureland short-grass prairie and row-
crop agriculture habitats found throughout the Project area These species are widely distributed
across the country and can be expected to occur where suitable habitat is present
The red-winged blackbird horned lark western meadowlark and ring-necked pheasant are
commonly found as turbine-related fatalities (more than 20 records of post-construction fatality
from 27 studies Tetra Tech 2012 Johnson et al 2000 Howe et al 2002 Derby et al 2007 TRC
Environmental 2008 Gruver et al 2009 BHE Environmental 2010 Jain et al 2011 Grodsky
and Drake 2011) particularly horned larks which exhibit breeding flight displays that may bring
them into the height of the RSA (Johnson and Erickson 2011) Thus risk of turbine-related
fatalities exists for each of these species at the Project However Project-related fatalities of red-
winged blackbird horned lark western meadowlark and ring-necked pheasant should they
occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts because collision fatalities appears to have
little effect North American landbird populations (Arnold and Zink 2011)
Species with high mean use but that are considered to have low risk for fatalities include sandhill
crane Franklinrsquos gull and Canada goose Although flying at the height of the RSA represents a
collision risk sandhill cranes have been documented altering flight direction in response to
turbines at wind facility in South Dakota (Nagy et al 2011) and multiple studies have
documented sandhill cranes gradually climbing as they approach marked power lines (Morkill
and Anderson 1991 Murphy et al 2009) The avoidance behavior observed at other studies and
lack of documented turbine-related fatalities of the sandhill crane suggests a low risk of Project-
related fatality for this species While no studies have documented avoidance behavior by
Franklinrsquos gulls similar to sandhill cranes the lack of documented fatalities at wind facilities
with publicly available data within the breeding range and migratory pathway of Franklinrsquos gulls
indicate a low risk of fatalities to occur at the Project (20 studies Tetra Tech 2012)
12 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Additionally Canada goose has a low number of fatality observations (less than 6 records of
post-construction fatalities from 27 studies Tetra Tech 2012)
The remaining non-raptor species detected during spring surveys have low risk for turbine
collisions at the Project due to a combination of relatively low mean-use rates infrequent flight
within the height of the RSA andor few or no records of fatalities at other wind facilities with
publically available results of fatality data
42 RAPTOR USE AND COLLISION RISK
High raptor use (greater than 20 birds20 min) has been associated with high raptor fatality at
wind farms (Strickland et al 2011) Conversely raptor fatality appears to be low when raptor use
is low (less than 10 birds20 min Strickland et al 2011) which is the case for raptor use at the
Project A factor contributing to the low raptor use of the Project area may be the number of
active raptor nests detected during nests surveys Because raptor activity is typically higher near
active nests than areas without active nests and raptors may have increased potential for
collision as they repeatedly fly within the Project area during nesting activities
Red-tailed hawks and northern harriers were the raptor species with the highest mean use and
were also among the most frequently detected raptor species at the Project Both species are
commonly associated with agricultural and grassland habitats which provide opportunities for
foraging an activity associated with susceptibility to turbine-collisions (Thelander et al 2003)
In a recent study of raptor response to wind farms northern harriers were identified as having a
low risk flight behavior for collisions whereas red-tailed hawks were observed engaging in high-
risk flight behaviors at operational wind facilities (Garvin et al 2011) Risks of collision for
northern harriers are believed to be low because the majority of foraging flights occur below
typical RSA heights (Whitfield and Madders 2006) Thus risk of turbine-related fatalities at the
Project is expected to be low given the low level of use As a result Project-related fatalities of
northern harrier should they occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts because
northern harriers are common nationwide (Sauer et al 2011) Results from post-construction
fatality monitoring studies indicate that red-tailed hawks are frequently found as turbine-related
fatalities (228 records of red-tailed hawk from 27 studies - Tetra Tech 2012 Jain 2005 Grodsky
and Drake 2011 Johnson and Erickson 2011) However Garvin et al (2011) documented that
red-tailed hawks despite high-risk flight behavior also demonstrated collision avoidance
behavior (Garvin et al 2011) Thus risk of turbine-related fatalities at the Project exists for red-
tailed hawks but turbine-related fatalities would be expected to be low given the low level of use
and low number of nests detected within the Project area and 1-mile buffer Project-related
fatalities of red-tailed hawk should they occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts
because red-tailed hawks are common nationwide (Sauer et al 2011)
13 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Two other raptor species detected during spring surveys (Swainsonrsquos hawk and American
kestrel) have been recorded as fatalities at other wind facilities (Derby 2007 Gritski et al 2008
Johnson and Erickson 2011) Peregrine falcon and great-horned owl have not been recorded as
fatalities observed at wind farms with publicly available fatality data All are likely have low risk
for turbine collisions at the Project due to the relatively very low mean-use rates
43 LISTED SPECIES
No federal listed threatened or endangered species were detected incidentally during avian point
count raptor or lek surveys One adult golden eagle was detected as an incidental observation
The golden eagle is protected under the BGEPA Although applications for incidental take
permits are available none have been issued to date Projects that are applying for permits have
are those with a perceived high risk of eagle fatality or have an additional permitting requirement
based on land ownership Consultation with the USFWS would provide further information on
local interpretation of the Draft Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance (USFWS 2011c)
No state listed designated species with regulatory implications were detected during surveys
However all native migratory avian species are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of
1918
44 CONCLUSIONS
Results of the 2012 spring avian surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center suggest an overall
low impact of the Project on the local avian community The high mean-use rate at the Project by
non-raptors is primarily driven by a few common residents and migratory species not commonly
reported as fatalities at wind energy facilities with results from post-construction fatality
monitoring Raptor use was relatively low for each raptor species detected Although there is
potential for turbine-related fatalities of Canada goose sandhill crane horned lark western
meadowlark red-winged blackbird red-tailed hawk and Franklinrsquos gull at the Project fatalities
are not expected to have population-level impacts If avian fatality rates are similar to other wind
facilities within the region we would expect them to fall between 044 ndash 1183 birdsturbineyear
(049 ndash 717 birdsMWyear) Additionally the potential for turbine-related fatalities exists for
nocturnal migrant species not identifiable by the methods of this study
No federally listed threatened or endangered species were detected incidentally during avian
point count raptor or lek surveys One adult golden eagle was detected as an incidental
observation The golden eagle is protected under the BGEPA A total of 9 sharp-tailed grouse
leks were located within the Project area and 1-mile buffer Four of the leks are within the
Project area indicating a moderate use of the Project area by the species No state listed
designated species with regulatory implications were detected during surveys However all
native migratory avian species are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918
14 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
50 REFERENCES
Arnold TW and RM Zink 2011 Collision mortality has no discernible effect on population trends of North American Birds PLoS ONE 6 e24708 doi101371journalpone0024708
Arnett EB DB Inkley DH Johnson RP Larkin S Manes AM Manville JR Mason ML Morrison MD Strickland and R Thresher 2007 Impacts of wind energy facilities on wildlife and wildlife habitat Wildlife Society Technical Review 07-2 The Wildlife Society Bethesda MA
Ballam JM 1984 The use of soaring by the red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) Auk 3519shy524
Beveridge L J 2005 The Migratory Bird Treaty Act and wind development North American Wind Power September36-38
BHE Environmental Inc 2010 Post-Construction Bird and Bat Mortality Study Cedar Ridge Wind Farm Fond Du Lac County Wisconsin Interim Report prepared for Wisconsin Power and Light Madison Wisconsin Prepared by BHE Environmental Inc Cincinnati Ohio February 2010
Bryce SA JM Omernik DA Pater M Ulmer J Schaar J Freeouf R Johnson P Kuck and SH Azevedo 1996 Ecoregions of North Dakota and South Dakota (color poster with map descriptive text summary tables and photographs) Reston Virginia US Geological Survey (map scale 11500000)
Devereux CL MJH Denny and MJ Whittingham 2008 Minimal effects of wind turbines on the distribution of wintering farmland birds Journal of Applied Ecology 451689shy1694
Drewitt AL and RHW Langston 2008 Collision effects of wind-power generators and other obstacles on birds Pages 233-266 in R S Ostfeld and W H Schlesinger editors Year in Ecology and Conservation Biology 2008 Blackwell Publishing Oxford
Drewitt AL and RHW Langston 2006 Assessing the impacts of wind farms on birds Ibis 14829-42
Derby C A Dahl W Erickson K Bay and J Hoban 2007 Post-Construction Monitoring Report for Avian and Bat Mortality at the NPPD Ainsworth Wind Farm Prepared for Nebraska Public Power District Columbus NE 24 pgs
Erickson WP GD Johnson and DP Young Jr 2005 A summary and comparison of bird mortality from anthropogenic causes with an emphasis on collisions USDA Forest Service Gen Tech Rep PSW-GTR-191
Erickson WP GD Johnson MD Strickland DP Young Jr KJ Sernka and R E Good 2001 Avian collisions with wind turbines a summary of existing studies and comparisons to other sources of avian collision mortality in the United States National Wind Coordinating Committee Washington DC Accessed at httpwwwnationalwindorgassetsarchiveAvian_Collisions_with_Wind_Turbines_shy_A_Summary_of_Existing_Studies_and_Comparisons_to_Other_Sources_of_Avian_Col lision_Mortality_in_the_United_States__2001_pdf
15 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Faanes CA and RE Stewart 1982 Revised checklist of North Dakota birds Version 16JUL97 The Prairie Naturalist 14(3)81-92 Jamestown ND Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Online Available online at httpwwwnpwrcusgsgovresourcebirdschndbirdindexhtm Accessed July 2012
Ferrer M M de Lucas GFE Janss E Casado AR Muntildeoz MJ Bechard and CP Calabuig 2012 Weak relationship between risk assessment studies and recorded mortality in wind farms Journal of Applied Ecology 49(1) 38-46 Available online at httponlinelibrarywileycomdoi101111j1365-2664201102054xpdf
Garvin J C Jennelle C S Drake D and Grodsky S M (2011) Response of raptors to a windfarm Journal of Applied Ecology 48 199ndash209
Gritski B S Downes K Kronner 2008 White Creek Wind I Wildlife Monitoring Annual Summary Winter 2007-2008 through Fall 2008 Prepared for White Creek Wind I LLC Roosevelt WA 25 pgs
Grodsky SM and D Drake 2011 Assessing Bird and Bat Mortality at the Forward Energy Center Final Report Public Service Commission (PSC) of Wisconsin PSC REF152052 Prepared for Forward Energy LLC Prepared by Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison Wisconsin August 2011
Gruver J M Sonnenburg K Bay and W Erickson 2009 Post-Construction Bat and Bird Fatality Study at the Blue Sky Green Field Wind Energy Center Fond Du Lac County Wisconsin July 21 - October 31 2008 and March 15 - June 4 2009 Unpublished report prepared by Western EcoSystems Technology Inc (WEST) Cheyenne Wyoming December 17 2009
Hagen CA JC Pitman TM Loughin BK Sandercock and RJ Robel 2011 Impacts of anthropogenic features on lesser prairie-chicken habitat use Studies in Avian Biology 39 63-75
Hagen SK PT Isakson and SR Dyke 2005 North Dakota Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy North Dakota Game and Fish Department Bismarck ND
Howe RW W Evans and AT Wolf 2002 Effects of Wind Turbines on Birds and Bats in Northeastern Wisconsin Prepared by University of Wisconsin-Green Bay for Wisconsin Public Service Corporation and Madison Gas and Electric Company Madison Wisconsin November 21 2002 104 pp
Jain AA RR Koford AW Hancockand GG Zenner 2011 Bat Mortality and Activity at a Northern Iowa Wind Resource Area Am Mid Natur 165 185-200
Jain A P Kerlinger R Curry and L Slobodnik 2007 Annual report for the Maple Ridge wind power project post-construction bird and bat fatality studymdash2006 Prepared by Curry and Kerlinger LLC for PPM Energy Horizon Energy and Technical Advisory Committee for the Maple Ridge Project
Jain AA 2005 Bird and Bat Behavior and Mortality at a Northern Iowa Windfarm Thesis submitted to Iowa State University Ames IA 113 pgs
16 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Johnson GD C LeBeau R Neilsen T Rintz and J Eddy 2012 Greater Sage-Grouse Habitat Use and Population Demographics at the Simpson Ridge Wind Resource Area Carbon County Wyoming Final Report prepared for EBP Renewables Houston Texas
Johnson GD and WP Erickson 2011 Avian Bat and Habitat Cumulative Impacts Associated with Wind Energy Development in the Columbia Plateau Ecoregion of Eastern Washington and Oregon Prepared by West Inc for Klickitat County Washington
Johnson DH MJ Holloran JW Connelly SE Hanser CL Amundson and ST Knick 2011 Influences of Environmental and Anthropogenic Features on Greater Sage-grouse Populations 1997-2007 Pages 407-450 in ST Knick and JW Connelly Greater Sage-Grouse ecology and conservation of a landscape species and its habitat Studies in Avian Biology 38 University of California Press Berkeley CA
Johnson GD WP Erickson MD Strickland MF Shepherd DA Shepherd and SA Sarappo 2002 Collision mortality of local and migrant birds at a large-scale wind power development on Buffalo Ridge Minnesota Wildlife Society Bulletin 30879-887
Johnson GD WP Erickson MD Strickland MF Shepherd and DA Shepherd 2000 Avian Monitoring Studies at the Buffalo Ridge Wind Resource Area Minnesota Results of a 4-Year Study Final report prepared for Northern States Power Company Minneapolis Minnesota by Western EcoSystems Technology Inc (WEST) Cheyenne Wyoming September 22 2000 212 pp httpwwwwest-inccom
Kerns J and P Kerlinger 2004 A study of bird and bat collision fatalities at the Mountaineer Wind Energy Center Tucker County West Virginia Annual report for 2003 Technical report prepared by Curry and Kerlinger LLC for FPL Energy and Mountaineer Wind Energy Center Technical Review Committee
Leddy KL KF Higgins and DE Naugle 1999 Effects of wind turbines on upland nesting birds in CRP grasslands Wilson Bulletin 111100-104
Manville AM II 2004 Prairie grouse leks and wind turbines US Fish and Wildlife Service justification for a 5-mile buffer from leks additional grassland songbird recommendations Division of Migratory Bird Management USFWS Arlington VA peer-reviewed briefing paper
Martin GR 2011 Understanding bird collisions with man-made objects a sensory ecology approach Ibis 153(2)239-254
Morkill AE and SH Anderson 1991 Effectiveness of marking powerlines to reduce sandhill crane collisions Wildlife Society Bulletin 19 442-449
Murphy RK SM McPherron GD Wright and KL Serbousek 2009 Effectiveness of avian collision averters in preventing migratory bird fatality from powerline strikes in the central Platte River Nebraska 2008-2009 Final Report
Nagy L B Gibson K L Kosciuch J Jones and J Taylor 2011 Whooping and Sandhill Crane Behavior at an Operating Wind Farm Poster presented at American Wind Energy Association Annual Meeting Pasadena CA
Orloff S and A Flannery 1992 Wind turbine effects on avian activity habitat use and mortality in Altamont Pass and Solano County Wind Resource Areas 1989-1991 Final
17 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
report prepared by Biosystems Analysis Inc for Alameda Contra Costa and Solano Counties and the California Energy Commission
Pearce-Higgins JW L Stephen A Douse and RHW Langston 2012 Greater impacts of wind farms on bird populations during construction than subsequent operation results of a multi-site and multi-species analysis Journal of Applied Ecology 49 386-394
Pickwell B 1931 The prairie horned lark St Louis Academy of Sciences Transactions 271shy153
Pitman JC CA Hagen RJ Robel TM Loughin and RD Applegate 2005 Location and success of lesser prairie-chicken nests in relation to vegetation and human disturbance Journal of Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Pruett CL MA Patten and DH Wolfe 2009 Avoidance Behavior by Prairie Grouse Implications for Development of Wind Energy Conservation Biology 231253-1259
Sauer J R J E Hines J E Fallon K L Pardieck D J Ziolkowski Jr and W A Link 2011 The North American Breeding Bird Survey Results and Analysis 1966 - 2010 Version 12072011 USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center Laurel MD
Shaffer JA and DH Johnson 2009 Displacement effects of wind developments on grassland birds in the northern Great Plains NWCC Wind Wildlife Conference [Presentation] October 2008 Milwaukee WI Prepared for NWCC by SS Schwartz and Published 2009 Available online at httpswwwnationalwindorgassetsresearch_meetingsResearch_Meeting_VII_Shaffer pdf
Strickland MD EB Arnett WP Erickson DH Johnson GD Johnson ML Morrison JA Shaffer and W Warren-Hicks 2011 Comprehensive Guide to Studying Wind EnergyWildlife Interactions Prepared for the National Wind Coordinating Collaborative Washington DC httpwwwnationalwindorgassetspublicationsComprehensive_Guide_to_Studying_Wi nd_Energy_Wildlife_Interactions_2011_Updatedpdf Accessed November 2011
Strickland D and ML Morrison 2008 A summary of avianwind facility interactions in the US Federal Guidelines Committee for Wind Siting Guidelines February 26 2008 Washington DC
Tetra Tech 2012 Database of publicly available post-construction fatality rates and records of bird and bat fatality at North American wind projects Unpublished report
Tetra Tech 2011 Native Prairie Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Burleigh County North Dakota Submitted to Wilton IV Wind Energy Center October 2011
Thelander CG KS Smallwood and L Rugge 2003 Bird Risk Behaviors and Fatalities at the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area Period of Performance March 1998-December 2000
Thompson WL 2002 Towards reliable bird surveys accounting for individuals present but not detected Auk 11918-25
TRC Environmental Corporation 2008 Post-Construction Avian and Bat Fatality Monitoring and Grassland Bird Displacement Surveys at the Judith Gap Wind Energy Project
18 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Wheatland County Montana Prepared for Judith Gap Energy LLC Chicago Illinois TRC Environmental Corporation Laramie Wyoming TRC Project 51883-01 (112416) January 2008 httpwwwnewwestnetpdfsAvianBatFatalityMonitoringpdf
USFWS (United States Fish and Wildlife Service) 2012 US Fish and Wildlife Service Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines Available from httpwwwfwsgovwindenergydocsWEG_finalpdf
USFWS 2011a Flyways Retrieved from httpflywaysusflywaysinfo Accessed June 25 2012
USFWS 2011b ESA Basics More Than 30 Years of Conserving Endangered Species Retrieved from httpwwwfwsgovendangeredesa-librarypdfESA_basicspdf
USFWS 2011c Draft Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance Released January 2011
USFWS 2009 Eagle Permits Take Necessary to Protect Interests in Particular Localities Final Rules 50 CFR Parts 13 and 22
WEST (Western EcoSystems Technology Inc) 2011 Presentation at the Northwest Wind Energy and Wildlife Workshop June 7-8 2011 Portland Oregon
Wenck Associates Inc (Wenck) 2012 Wilton IV spring sharp-tailed grouse lek survey Report submitted to Tetra Tech EC Inc May 2012
Whitfield DP and M Madders 2006 Flight height in the hen harrier Circus cyaneus and its incorporation in wind turbine collision risk modeling Natural Research Information Note 2 Natural Research Ltd Banchory UK
People who contributed to the writing of this report
Jim Kowalsky July 17 2012
Report Author Date
Jennifer Taylor July 19 2012
Peer Review 1 Date
Chris Farmer August 3 2012
Peer Review 2 Date
Anne-Marie Griger August 9 2012
Deputy Project Manager Date
Robert Friedel July 13 2012
GIS Date
19 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
FIGURES
20 August 2012
B
Knife River
James River
Random Creek
Pipestem Creek
Heart River Long Lake Creek
Rocky Run
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Little Heart River
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PC 01
PC 02
PC 03
PC 04
PC 05 PC 06
PC 07
064
014
057
064
021 007
029
155000 O 0 1 2 3 4 505 Miles
PGI
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e xt E
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TETR A TECH EC INC
Figure 6Raptor mean use by point
count location (Spring 2012)
Rapto r s p e r 2 0 m in u te s 00 1- 01 6 01 7 - 0 32 03 3 - 0 48
04 9 - 0 64
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
A Pro po sed tu rbin e (9 -21 -20 11 )Lo ca l Ro a d
Mean use value PC Point count number
Burleigh County ND
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
Last modified 7-10-2012
NEXTENERGY RESOURCES
240th Ave Ne 240th Ave Ne
240th Ave Ne
266th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
279Th Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE
292Nd Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
52Nd
St N
E
197T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
66Th
St N
E
188Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
106T
h St N
E
253Rd Ave NE
292Nd Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
132N
d St N
E
26Th
St N
E
266Th Ave NE
253Rd Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
93Rd
St N
E
145T
h St N
E 14
5Th S
t NE
132N
d St N
E
41St
St NE
210T
h St N
E
119T
h St N
E
106T
h St N
E
171S
t St N
E 17
1St S
t NE
188Th Ave NE
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE 227Th Ave NE
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
201St Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
Figure 7 Raptor nest and lek location
map (Spring 2012)NEXTENERGY
RESOURCES
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
5 Burleigh County ND
Last modified 7-10-2012 A A
A A
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
AAA A A A A A
A A
Pro po sed tu rbi(9 -21 -20 11 )
n e A A
A A
Lo ca l Ro a d Sh arp -tailed
le k A4
A AA gro use
Raptor nest s pecies Re d-taile d h a wk
1
A
A
A A
Sw ain so n s h a wk 3 A
Ina ctive ra ptor A
9 A
A
A A AA
A A 7 28
A A A A
A A A A
A A AA AA
AAA AA
A A A
A A
A A A A
A
PGI
S _P R
O J E C
T S N
e xt E
r a Wi
lto n _
IVM
X D s A
vi an2
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pr in g
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ap s N
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W ilto
n 4 _ A
vi a n S
u r ve y
_ F ig u
r e7_ R
apL e
k_ 17
i11i_2
0120
710 m
xd -
Last
S av e
d 723
2 0 1 2
6
66T h
St N
E
O 165000 NAD 1983 UTM 14 0 05 1 2 3 4 5 Miles
TETR A TECH EC INC
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
TABLES
21 August 2012
Table 1 Spring 2012 point count survey dates at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Date(s)Survey number
1 316 2 321 3 326 4 44 5 410 6 420 7 427 8 53 9 512 10 519 11 526 12 62 13 69 14 615
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Songbirds
unidentified sparrow 652 7 665 (000-1339) 41 313 121 red-winged blackbird 548 52 559 (036-1082) 378 263 102 horned lark 173 83 177 (136-218) 612 83 32 American crow 159 22 162 (027-297) 204 76 30 common grackle 91 33 093 (035-151) 245 44 17 western meadowlark 80 62 082 (065-099) 480 38 15 European starling 80 1 082 (000-216) 10 38 15 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 082 (029-135) 82 38 15 barn swallow 44 21 045 (028-062) 204 21 08 bobolink 36 28 037 (022-052) 194 17 07 American goldfinch 26 23 027 (018-036) 214 12 05 vesper sparrow 23 21 023 (013-033) 184 11 04 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 019 (010-028) 143 09 04 American robin 19 19 019 (011-027) 143 09 04 house sparrow 15 5 015 (000-030) 51 07 03 American tree sparrow 8 2 008 (000-018) 20 04 01 song sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 savannah sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 dickcissel 5 4 005 (000-010) 31 02 01 western kingbird 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 01 01 pine siskin 3 1 003 (000-008) 10 01 01 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 eastern kingbird 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 yellow warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 unidentified warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 house wren 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 Group Total 2083 430 2126 (1259-2993) 949 387
Waterfowl
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations
Canada goose 1408 24 1437 (435-2439) 133 874 262 snow goose 184 2 188 (000-490) 20 114 34 mallard 12 6 012 (004-020) 61 07 02 northern pintail 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 blue-winged teal 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 American wigeon 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 redhead 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 01 00 Group Total 1611 36 1644 (561-2727) 184 300
CranesRails sandhill crane 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 1000 201 Group Total 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 201
GullsTerns Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 283 (013-553) 31 986 52 ring-billed gull 4 3 004 (000-008) 31 14 01 Group Total 281 7 287 (017-557) 61 52
Gamebirds ring-necked pheasant 148 134 151 (128-174) 745 967 28 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 20 01 gray partridge 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 13 00 Group Total 153 138 156 (132-180) 755 28
PigeonsDoves rock pigeon 40 6 041 (009-073) 61 513 07 mourning dove 38 25 039 (019-059) 184 487 07 Group Total 78 31 080 (041-119) 224 15
Waterbirds killdeer 28 22 029 (017-041) 214 538 05 upland sandpiper 8 8 008 (003-013) 71 154 01 common snipe 8 8 008 (002-014) 61 154 01 Wilsons snipe 4 4 004 (000-008) 31 77 01 American coot 4 1 004 (000-011) 10 77 01 Group Total 52 43 053 (037-069) 357 10
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Raptors
red-tailed hawk 16 12 016 (008-024) 122 444 03 northern harrier 16 14 016 (009-023) 143 444 03 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 peregrine falcon 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 great horned owl 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 American kestrel 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 Group Total 36 30 037 (025-049) 276 07
Woodpeckers northern flicker 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 1000 00 Group Total 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 00 Grand Total 5376 735 5486 (3771-7200)
1 A ranking of 1 indicates highest mean use
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Canada goose 1408 24 210 80 523 140 210 135 110 sandhill crane 1080 18 94 18 621 15 187 145 0 unidentified sparrow 652 7 0 0 0 0 330 210 112 red-winged blackbird 548 52 0 84 49 386 14 11 4 Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 107 0 100 70 0 0 0 snow goose 184 2 0 180 4 0 0 0 0 horned lark 173 83 23 24 17 12 19 32 46 American crow 159 22 6 4 13 11 1 123 1 ring-necked pheasant 148 134 21 14 21 18 25 22 27 common grackle 91 33 6 35 7 2 8 33 0 western meadowlark 80 62 8 10 17 3 11 19 12 European starling 80 1 0 0 0 80 0 0 0 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 0 63 17 0 0 0 0 barn swallow 44 21 3 12 6 10 7 1 5 rock pigeon 40 6 0 14 0 0 0 23 3 mourning dove 38 25 4 17 1 1 1 11 3 bobolink 36 28 10 0 14 8 0 0 4 killdeer 28 22 3 3 4 5 10 0 3 American goldfinch 26 23 4 9 3 3 4 2 1 vesper sparrow 23 21 1 7 1 2 9 1 2 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 2 4 2 0 6 4 1 American robin 19 19 1 13 0 1 3 0 1 red-tailed hawk 16 12 4 0 4 5 0 1 2 northern harrier 16 14 3 1 4 4 2 0 2 house sparrow 15 5 2 13 0 0 0 0 0 mallard 12 6 0 0 6 6 0 0 0 upland sandpiper 8 8 0 0 1 0 3 2 2 common snipe 8 8 0 2 6 0 0 0 0 American tree sparrow 8 2 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 song sparrow 5 5 1 1 1 0 2 0 0 savannah sparrow 5 5 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 dickcissel 5 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 Wilsons snipe 4 4 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 ring-billed gull 4 3 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 American coot 4 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 western kingbird 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 pine siskin 3 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 northern pintail 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
northern flicker 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 gray partridge 2 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 eastern kingbird 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 blue-winged teal 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 American wigeon 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 yellow warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 unidentified warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 redhead 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 peregrine falcon 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 house wren 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 great horned owl 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 American kestrel 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Grand Total 5376 735 526 620 1452 794 859 776 349
Table 4 Summary of avian flight heights1 in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)2 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Birds
Number Percentage
Non-raptors
Raptors
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
1656 372
2023 455
767 173
3 91
13 394
17 515 1 Includes only flying birds with flight height data2These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
Canada goose 654 (435 - 2439) 1437 997 537 457 06 unidentified sparrow 632 (000 - 1339) 665 1000 00 951 49 sandhill crane 368 (083 - 2121) 1102 999 665 335 00 Franklinrsquos gull 283 (013 - 553) 283 1000 00 1000 00 European starling 082 (000 - 216) 082 1000 00 1000 00 American crow 024 (027 - 297) 162 943 00 160 840 red-tailed hawk 013 (008 - 024) 016 938 133 867 00 brown-headed cowbird 008 (029 - 135) 082 125 00 800 200 red-winged blackbird 005 (036 - 1082) 559 261 00 35 965 Wilsons snipe 002 (000 - 008) 004 500 00 1000 00 blue-winged teal 002 (000 - 005) 002 1000 00 1000 00 mallard 002 (004 - 020) 012 500 00 333 667 ring-billed gull 001 (000 - 008) 004 1000 00 250 750 yellow warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 yellow-headed blackbird 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 western meadowlark 000 (065 - 099) 082 338 00 00 1000 western kingbird 000 (000 - 007) 003 1000 00 00 1000 vesper sparrow 000 (013 - 033) 023 130 00 00 1000 upland sandpiper 000 (003 - 013) 008 250 00 00 1000 unidentified warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 Swainsonrsquos hawk 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 sharp-tailed grouse 000 (000 - 007) 003 667 00 00 1000 song sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 snow goose 000 (000 - 490) 188 1000 1000 00 00 savannah sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 rock pigeon 000 (009 - 073) 041 825 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
ring-necked pheasant 000 (128 - 174) 151 07 00 00 1000 redhead 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 pine siskin 000 (000 - 008) 003 1000 00 00 1000 peregrine falcon 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 1000 00 00 northern pintail 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 northern harrier 000 (009 - 023) 016 1000 00 00 1000 northern flicker 000 (000 - 004) 002 500 00 00 1000 mourning dove 000 (019 - 059) 039 684 00 00 1000 killdeer 000 (017 - 041) 029 607 00 00 1000 house wren 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 house sparrow 000 (000 - 030) 015 67 00 00 1000 horned lark 000 (136 - 218) 177 740 00 00 1000 grasshopper sparrow 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 gray partridge 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 great horned owl 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 eastern kingbird 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 dickcissel 000 (000 - 010) 005 00 00 00 00 common snipe 000 (002 - 014) 008 00 00 00 00 common grackle 000 (035 - 151) 093 945 00 00 1000 clay-colored sparrow 000 (010 - 028) 019 158 00 00 1000 bobolink 000 (022 - 052) 037 917 00 00 1000 barn swallow 000 (028 - 062) 045 1000 00 00 1000 American tree sparrow 000 (000 - 018) 008 1000 00 00 1000 American wigeon 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 American robin 000 (011 - 027) 019 421 00 00 1000 American kestrel 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
American goldfinch 000 027 (018 - 036) 923 00 00 1000American coot 000 004 (000 - 011) 00 00 00 001These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 6 Incidental observations of birds during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species
American crow American kestrel American robin Canada goose great horned owl golden eagle gray partridge lesser scaup mallard merlin northern harrier rock pigeon red-tailed hawk red-winged blackbird sandhill crane sharp-tailed grouse wild turkey
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
APPENDICES
22 August 2012
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number of Birds1
Number of
Observations Species
Percentage of Flights
N NE E SE S SW W NW Variable
Canada goose 1398 21 867 00 00 00 02 00 17 114 00
sandhill crane 1079 17 878 52 00 00 00 00 00 70 00
unidentified sparrow 565 5 00 00 00 788 212 00 00 00 00
Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
snow goose 184 2 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
European starling 80 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
American crow 69 11 768 58 58 00 14 43 00 14 43
red-winged blackbird 15 6 533 00 00 200 267 00 00 00 00
red-tailed hawk 14 10 500 143 00 71 00 71 00 71 143
rock pigeon 11 2 00 00 00 00 273 727 00 00 00
northern harrier 9 8 111 00 00 333 00 222 00 111 222
mourning dove 9 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
common grackle 9 6 111 00 00 111 00 222 556 00 00
brown-headed cowbird 8 1 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
horned lark 6 3 833 00 00 167 00 00 00 00 00
ring-billed gull 4 3 250 00 00 00 00 750 00 00 00
Wilsons snipe 2 2 500 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 500
vesper sparrow 2 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
mallard 2 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
blue-winged teal 2 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
peregrine falcon 1 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
killdeer 1 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
Grand Total 3747 108 722 17 04 121 36 05 30 64 02 1 Includes only flying birds with flight directions
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Nest Number Species Substrate
Nest ConditionStatusDates
Surveyed Nest
Height (m) 2012 - 1 452012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good
5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 4 592012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good 5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 5 5192012 Swainsonrsquos hawk Active Siberian Elm 7 Good
NA means not applicable
Wenck Associates Inc 301 1
st St NE Suite 202
Mandan ND 58554
Phone 701-751-3370 Email jaskimwenckcom
May 7 2012
Tracey M Dubuque PE Senior Project Manager
Tetra Tech EC
160 Federal Street Third Floor
Boston MA 02110
Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Dear Tracey
Introduction
Male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) congregate at historicalcommunal leks in the spring
to compete for breeding opportunities Both sexes return to their natal breeding grounds yearly for their
entire life Leks are typically found in areas with low-growing vegetation on a hill knoll or other point of
high visibility Fidelity to these locations is extremely high for sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse
require nesting habitat within close proximity the lek comprised of dense or residual vegetative cover to
conceal and protect their nest from predators (Vodehnal and Haufler 2007)
Disturbance of nesting prairie grouse may occur from the construction of the turbine andor access road
construction noise and physical movement of equipment Loss of habitat and fragmentation related to
energy exploration may affect local prairie grouse populations by decreasing the area of habitat available
for nesting and brood-rearing and by increasing predation (Pittman et al 2005) Therefore federal and
state wildlife agencies are concerned about the placement of turbines in areas with known prairie grouse
populations Turbine setbacks from leks and minimizing grouse habitat disturbance may reduce the direct
and indirect effects of energy development on grouse
Methods
Sharp-tailed grouse surveys were completed from April 10th to May 1
st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise
to two hours after sunrise within the one-mile analysis area (Figure 1) Peak attendance by females on leks
typically occurs from April 15 to 25 but these dates vary by up to a week depending on weather conditions
(Schroeder and Robb 1993) Peak attendance potentially occurred earlier this year due to the early spring
A habitat assessment analysis was conducted prior to the field survey to determine suitable lekkingnesting
habitat within the analysis area (Figure 2) Listening stops were made within a one-mile analysis area
surrounding the proposed project area to identify lek locations (Figure 3) Sharp-tailed grouse males may
be heard at a distance of up to 050 mile Listening stops were not conducted if winds exceeded 10 miles
per hour (mph) or during precipitation events After a lek was located the birds were observed and the
number of males and females were counted Lek locations were documented using Global Positioning
System (GPS) Given the sensitive nature of this species and the fact that females may be nesting near the
lek disturbance to breeding prairie grouse was kept to a minimum
Results
Nine (9) sharp-tailed grouse leks were located during the surveys conducted from April 10th to May 1
st
2012 (Figure 4) Date time sex number of birds present wind conditions air temperature and GPS
coordinates were recorded once a lek was located (Tables 1 and 2) Two of the leks observed were
located outside of the analysis area Due to Lek 1rsquos close proximity to Lek 4 Lek 1 shouldbe classified
as a satellite lek No visual confirmation of Lek 6 was made due to access and topography
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
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Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
The survey protocol used in this study is designed to collect data on all bird species and to
provide results that are comparable with other studies at wind farms rather than to target specific
taxa The benefit of using this protocol is that it estimates avian use throughout the day and
captures activity by a variety of bird species During the breeding season and to a lesser extent
in the fall and winter songbirds are most active in the morning and can be difficult to detect
during the afternoon In contrast raptors become active as the sunlight heats the air and creates
thermals which many individuals use for soaring (Ballam 1984) Thus raptors are more readily
detected several hours after sunrise Therefore this protocol is appropriate for characterizing the
entire bird community using the Project It should be noted however that this survey protocol
can only detect nocturnal migrants should they be local breeders within the Project area or if they
utilize the Project as stopover habitat
Tetra Tech chose 20-minute survey periods because they provide adequate time to detect both
raptors and non-raptors However time periods of 20 minutes may lead to double-counting of
songbirds (ie counting the same individual more than once) because individuals may appear
and disappear from view For example if a horned lark is detected perched on a fence then
disappears from view and 6 minutes later a horned lark is seen flying these birds are recorded
as separate observations because it is not possible to distinguish individuals Double-counting of
birds is not problematic for this type of survey because the objective is to document use in terms
of number of birds noted per 20-minute survey not number of distinct individual birds
Detectability varies among species and potentially not all individuals within the 800-m radius
were counted This variation in detectability results in an overestimate of mean use for
conspicuous species and an underestimate of mean use for reclusive species (Thompson 2002)
Birds not easily identifiable such as those seen under low light conditions or small birds seen at
a distance were identified to the lowest taxonomic level possible Hence unidentified birds are
included in the results
212 Raptor Nest Surveys
The purpose of raptor nest surveys is to estimate the number of active and inactive raptor nests in
the Project area A biologist conducted the raptor nest survey across the Project area before trees
began to leaf out to increase visibility of raptor nests Where possible biologists also surveyed
an approximately 1-mile radius buffer around the Project area Once a nest was located the
biologist returned during the raptor breeding season to collect data on species location and
activity status Nests were classified as active if they had presence of an adult or young active
territory defense by an individual or the presence of feathers egg shells or droppings underneath
the nest otherwise they were classified as inactive In addition biologists determined the nest
condition and substrate Biologists visited nests a minimum of two times once to determine the
location of the nest and once to determine if the nest was active This second check also allowed
4 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
biologists to detect late-nesting species such as Swainsonrsquos hawks Raptor nest surveys provide
an estimate of the number and species of raptors that use stick nests in the area Ground-nesting
raptor species such as northern harriers were not surveyed
213 Lek Location Surveys
The USFWS along with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department (NDGFD) have expressed
concern regarding residential sharp-tailed grouse as a species of habitat fragmentation concern as
outlined in the USFWS published Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines (USFWS 2012a) A
biologist from Wenck Associates Inc (Wenck) conducted grouse lek surveys to identify areas of
use by breeding prairie grouse within the Project and surrounding area Surveys were completed
from April 10th to May 1st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise to two hours after sunrise within the
one-mile of the Project A detailed report on the methods and results are presented in a separate
report in Appendix 3
214 Incidental Observations
Incidental observations included observations that occurred 1) during travel between points 2)
before or after the official 20-min survey period 3) outside of the 800-m radius circular plot and
4) during raptor nest and grouse lek surveys Biologists recorded these observations on separate
data sheets and these data were not used in the formal analysis however a summary of
incidental birds is presented to provide additional information about species found in the local
area
215 Listed Species Information
The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA) prohibits the take of any bald or golden
eagle alive or dead including any part nest or egg ldquoTakerdquo is defined as ldquopursue shoot shoot
at poison wound kill capture trap collect molest or disturbrdquo a bald or golden eagle ldquoDisturbrdquo
means to agitate or bother an eagle to a degree that causes or is likely to cause 1) injury to an
eagle 2) a decrease in its productivity by substantially interfering with normal breeding
feeding or sheltering behavior or 3) nest abandonment by substantially interfering with normal
breeding feeding or sheltering behavior Applications for incidental take under BGEPA for
golden eagles are currently being considered by USFWS west of 100 degrees west longitude
which includes this Project (USFWS 2009)
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) as administered by the USFWS mandates protection of
species federally listed as threatened or endangered and their associated habitats The ESA
makes it unlawful to ldquotakerdquo a listed species Take is defined as ldquoto harass harm pursue hunt
shoot wound kill trap capture or collect or attempt to engage in any such conductrdquo (USFWS
2011b) A list of endangered threatened and candidate species for Burleigh County can be found
at httpecosfwsgovtess_publiccountySearchspeciesByCountyReportactionfips=38015
5 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
The State of North Dakota does not have a state endangered or threatened species list Only those
species listed by the ESA are considered threatened or endangered in North Dakota However the
NDGFD have identified 100 Species of Conservation Priority within North Dakota These
species are ranked in three priority levels based on such factors as known status funding
availability and presence of breeding habitat within North Dakota (Hagen et al 2005) The
definitions of each rank are listed below
Level I A species having a high level of conservation priority because of declining status either in North Dakota or across their range or a high rate of occurrence in North Dakota constituting the core of the speciesrsquo breeding range but are at-risk range wide and non-State Wildlife Grants funding is not readily available to them
Level II Species having a moderate level of conservation priority or a high level of conservation priority but a substantial amount of non-State Wildlife Grant funding is available to them
Level III North Dakotarsquos species having a moderate level of conservation priority but are believed to be peripheral or do not breed in North Dakota
Species that are listed under the 100 Species of Conservation Priority are not afforded any formal
protection by the state or require special take permits Additional information on North Dakota
Species of Conservation Priority can be found at httpwwwgfndgovconservation-nongameshy
wildlifespecies-conservation-priority
216 Data Quality AssuranceQuality Control
Tetra Tech implemented quality assurance and quality control measures during all stages of data
collection analysis and report preparation To ensure legibility and completeness of data sheets
each biologist reviewed all data sheets providing clarification as needed before data entry into a
FileMaker Protrade relational database for data storage and analysis Prior to analysis an
independent reviewer conducted a 100-percent quality review of the data entries Any questions
that arose at this time were directed toward and answered by the field biologist
22 ANALYSIS
221 Species Groupings
Tetra Tech considered two primary groups of interest raptors and non-raptors Tetra Tech
defined raptors as vultures hawks eagles falcons and owls All other species groups are
defined as non-raptors
6 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
222 Avian Use
Tetra Tech derived avian use (mean use) of the Project by calculating the average number of
birds observed per 20-min survey at each point To evaluate the diversity and composition of
avian species using the Project area Tetra Tech summarized the number of individuals (birds20
min) and species Tetra Tech also calculated a measure of variability (90 percent confidence
intervals) for all mean use values In addition the number of observations is also presented
where an observation can be either an individual bird or a discrete flock of birds This
information helps evaluate whether high mean use is driven by a single event (eg a large flock
of birds moving through the Project area on migration) Because individual birds are not
uniquely marked and identified actual population size or abundance cannot be determined One
individual may be counted multiple times during a survey period or across survey periods
Although mean use of a given species does not equate to abundance it does provide an index
that is likely proportional to abundance and activity within the Project
223 Flight Behavior
Tetra Tech evaluated flight behavior by calculating the proportion of flying birds observed
below within or above the height of the anticipated turbine rotor swept area (RSA) Wilton IV
plans to develop the Project using General Electric 16 Megawatt (MW) turbines These turbines
have a hub height of 80 meters and rotor diameter of 100 meters With these specifications the
estimated RSA was between 30 and 130 m above ground Tetra Tech considered a bird to have
flown within the height range of the anticipated RSA if any of its recorded heights fell within the
upper or lower limits of the anticipated RSA
224 Encounter Rate
To estimate the rate at which a species flew at the height of the anticipated RSA Tetra Tech
applied the following equation to every species observed in the Project area
Encounter Rate = APfPt
A is the mean number of birds20 min for a given species Pf is the proportion of all activity
observations for a given species that were flying and Pt is the proportion flying observations that
were within the height range of a turbine RSA for a given species The encounter rate provides
information on the rate at which a species may move at a height that is consistent with the RSA
of the proposed turbines This information is an important component in evaluating risk of
collisions however this number alone does not indicate project-related impact to a species
Species with a high encounter rate are at a higher risk of collision than species with a low
encounter rate but it does not mean that turbine-related fatalities are certain Other factors such
as turbine location or a speciesrsquo ability to detect turbine blades flight maneuverability and
7 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
habitat selection also influence fatality (Orloff and Flannery 1992 Drewitt and Langston 2008
Martin 2011) Encounter values are sensitive to large flocks of birds flying within the RSA
height that is a species will have a high encounter rate even if only seen once in the RSA in a
large flying flock
225 Fatality Risk
The highly regional nature of avian mean use across North America and the scarce data on avian
fatalities at wind farms in many parts of the continent combined with other risk influences such
as individual species behavior and weather contribute to uncertainty in predicting fatality rates
(Arnett et al 2007 Strickland et al 2011) A recent meta-analysis suggests that pre-construction
studies provide poor indicators of post-construction fatality (Ferrer et al 2012) WEST (2011)
suggests that the most accurate predictors of fatality at a wind project are records of species-
specific fatalities detected at nearby wind projects As a result of uncertainty in predicting
fatality rates Tetra Tech did not attempt to derive fatality estimates from mean use data but will
highlight those species or groups with high use values that may experience Project-related
fatalities or whose regional population could be impacted by development Additionally Tetra
Tech will highlight species with high frequencies of observation high encounter rates and those
with records of turbine-related fatality at other wind projects as these variables may also indicate
potential collision risk at the Project
30 RESULTS
31 AVIAN USE AND FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE
Biologists surveyed 3476 acres of the Project area during point count surveys covering 22
percent of the Project arearsquos total area (15752 acres) The 7 point count locations were surveyed
14 times resulting in 98 total 20-min surveys A total of 5376 birds from 52 species and 653
that could not be identified to species (all unidentified sparrows) were recorded within the
Project area during the fixed-point count surveys (Table 2) Overall mean bird use for the Wilton
IV Wind Energy Center was 5486 birds20 min and ranged from 0 to 603 birds20 min
Overall mean use by non-raptors was 5449 birds20 min Songbirds Waterfowl and
CranesRails comprised 387 300 and 201 percent of all species observed respectively and
were distributed throughout the Project area Among species groups mean use was highest for
songbirds (2126 birds20 min Table 2) and songbirds were observed in 949 percent of all
surveys The non-raptor species with the highest mean use came from four different species
groups Songbirds Waterfowl CranesRails and GullsTerns and included the Canada goose
(1437 birds20 min observed in 133 percent of all surveys) sandhill crane (1102 birds20 min
observed in 122 percent of all surveys) unidentified sparrow (665 birds20 min 41 percent of
all surveys) red-winged blackbird (559 birds20 min observed in 378 percent of all surveys)
8 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
and Franklinrsquos gull (283 birds20 min observed in 31 percent of all surveys Table 2) Other
species with a high frequency of detection during the surveys but with a low mean use included
ring-necked pheasant (151 birds20 min observed in 745 percent of all surveys) horned lark
(177 birds20 min 612 percent of all surveys) and western meadowlark (082 birds20 min
480 percent of all surveys Table 2) Each other non-raptor species had a mean use of less than
190 birds20 min or was detected in less than 48 percent of all surveys Other non-raptor species
groups observed during the surveys included Gamebirds PigeonsDoves Waterbirds and
Woodpeckers (Table 2)
Non-raptor mean use was highest on March 16 (24743 birds20 min) April 20 (19914 birds20
min) and March 26 (12571 birds20 min Figure 3) Observations on March 16 were comprised
of mostly Canada geese (1138 individuals observed in 17 flocks ranging in size from 20 to 140
individuals 77 of all observations) The primary contributors to the high mean use on April 20
were unidentified sparrows (645 individuals observed in 6 distinct flocks and ranging from 25 to
250 individuals) red-winged blackbird (392 individuals) and Franklinrsquos gull (277 individuals)
On March 26 the primary contributor to the high mean use was the sandhill crane (772
individuals distributed between 8 flocks ranging from 15 to 275 individuals) Mean use for nonshy
raptors was highest at point count location 3 (10314 birds20 min Figure 4) Species
contributing to the high mean use at this point included sandhill crane (621 individuals) Canada
goose (523 individuals) and Franklinrsquos gull (100 individuals Table 3) The habitat at point 3
consists of row crops (wheat) and short-grass prairie possibly enrolled in the Conservation
Reserve Program (CRP) The habitat at this point is not unique within the Project area However
most of the birds observed at point 3 were flying through the Project area in flocks of 15 to 275
individuals and not stopping in the immediate vicinity of the Project
Raptors are a group of special interest because of their propensity to fly at heights similar to a
turbine RSA Overall mean use for raptors was 037 birds20 min (Table 2) raptors were not
among the most frequently observed species groups during the spring surveys The raptor species
with the highest mean use was the red-tailed hawk (016 birds20 min observed in 122 percent
of all surveys) and northern harrier (016 birds20 min observed in 143 percent of all surveys)
Other raptor species detected included the Swainsonrsquos hawk and peregrine falcon great-horned
owl and American kestrel each with mean use value of 001 birds20 min with each observed in
10 percent of all surveys (Table 2)
Mean use by raptors was highest on March 26 (129 birds20 min) and May 3 (100 birds20 min
Figure 5) Observations on March 26 included red-tailed hawk (5 individuals) northern harrier
(3 individuals) and American kestrel (1 individual) Observations on May 26 included 4 red-
tailed hawks 2 northern harriers and 1 peregrine falcon Mean use for raptors was less than 058
birds20 min for all other survey dates Mean use for raptors was highest at point count locations
4 1 and 3 (064 064 and 057 birds20 min respectively Figure 6) Species contributing to the
9 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
mean use at these points were mostly red-tailed hawks and northern harriers (Table 3) In
addition to red-tailed hawks and northern harriers point count location 1 had one American
kestrel and one Peregrine falcon Raptor mean use was equal to or less than 029 birds20 min at
all other points Point count locations 4 1 and 3 each encompass short-grass prairie and
agricultural (mostly wheat) fields both of which provide foraging opportunities for raptors
These features are not unique to these point count locations or within the Project area
32 FLIGHT HEIGHT AND ENCOUNTER RATE
During spring avian use surveys biologists collected behavioral data for 986 percent of all birds
observed during point count surveys of which 834 percent were observed flying The biologist
collected flight height data for 999 percent and flight direction for 835 percent of those
observations (ie most individuals were observed making directional flights) Of non-raptor
species observed flying 372 percent flew above the height of the anticipated RSA 455 percent
flew at the height of the anticipated RSA and 173 percent flew below the height of the
anticipated RSA (Table 4) Of raptor species observed flying 91 percent flew above the height
of the anticipated RSA 394 percent flew at the height of the anticipated RSA and 515 percent
flew above the height of the anticipated RSA Data on flight direction are located in Appendix 1
Most birds observed making direct flight over the Project were moving in a northerly direction
(803 percent of all direct flights) In combination with the timing of flights (Figure 3) these data
suggest that much of the non-raptor use observed at the Project area is due to migratory
movements
Canada goose had the highest encounter rate (654 birds flying at RSA height20 min Table 5)
followed by unidentified sparrow (632 birds flying at RSA height20 min) sandhill crane (368
birds flying at RSA height20 min) and Franklinrsquos gull (283 birds flying at RSA height20 min)
Each other species had an encounter rate below 083 birds flying at RSA height20 min
33 RAPTOR NEST SURVEYS
Raptor nests detected within the Project area or 1-mile buffer included 2 red-tailed hawks 2 unknown nests and 1 Swainsonrsquos hawk (Figure 7) The red-tailed hawk nests were found on April 5 and May 9 with each remaining active during the survey period The Swainsonrsquos hawk nest was detected on May 19th within the 1-mile buffer around the Project area The two unknown nests were found on April 15 and April 25 Both unknown nests appeared to never be active during the survey period
34 LEK SURVEYS
During grouse lek surveys conducted within the Project area and a surrounding 1-mile buffer
from April 10th to May 1st a total of 9 sharp-tailed grouse leks were found within the Project area
and 1-mile buffer (Figure 7 WENK 2012) Four of the leks were within the Project area (Figure
7) Each lek had a minimum of 4 individuals (includes males and females) observed with the
10 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
maximum number of grouse observed at one lek being 21 individuals (lek 8) A full report on the
grouse lek surveys is presented in Appendix 3
35 INCIDENTAL OBSERVATIONS
The biologist documented 17 species as incidental observations (Table 6) Of these species 4
(golden eagle lesser scaup merlin wild turkey) were not detected during spring point count
surveys
36 LISTED SPECIES
No federal threatened or endangered species were observed during avian point count raptor or
lek surveys or as an incidental observation One adult golden eagle was observed incidentally
near survey point 7 on March 26th in flight within the anticipated RSA The golden eagle is
protected by the BGEPA (Section 215)
Four Level I (Franklinrsquos gull Swainsonrsquos hawk upland sandpiper and grasshopper sparrow)
seven Level II (bobolink dickcissel redhead sharp-tailed grouse northern harrier golden eagle
and northern pintail) and one Level III (peregrine falcon) state-listed Species of Conservation
Priority were observed during point counts raptor nest lek surveys or as incidental observations
within the Project Area
40 DISCUSSION
The avian community detected within the Project area during spring surveys was characterized
by species associated with typical mid-western agricultural lands and short-grass prairie
vegetation The majority of the Project area and vicinity has been developed for agricultural use
specifically crops such as wheat sunflower and corn with additional developed lands devoted to
pastureland for cattle Within disturbed habitats such as these the greatest potential impact of
wind facilities to avian species is risk of collisions with turbines Mean avian fatality rates
estimated from wind facilities in the Midwest (NE WI MN and IA) range from 044 to 1183
birdsturbineyear (049 ndash 717 birdsMWyear Tetra Tech 2012) Project-related bird fatalities
are expected to fall within this range
In areas mostly dominated by native short-grass prairie additional loss of habitat from
developing these areas may impact resident and migratory avian species The presence of native
grassland habitats within the Project area suggests that additional disturbance and habitat loss
caused by construction and operation of the Project may cause birds to avoid the Project area
and may alter the current use of habitat by bird species within the Project area (Tetra Tech 2011)
The greatest potential for habitat loss would be for sharp-tailed grouse Current research suggests
that certain grouse species may avoid anthropogenic structures (USFWS 2012a Hagen et al
11 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
2011) however long-term data sets are still needed to best assess wind energy impacts (Johnson
et al 2012)
41 NON-RAPTOR USE AND COLLISION RISK
The Canada goose sandhill crane red-winged blackbird and Franklinrsquos gull were species with
the highest mean use within the Project area and were among the species most frequently
detected Additionally unidentified sparrows which probably represent a group of similar
species had high mean use Three of these species Canada goose Franklinrsquos gull and sandhill
crane are migratory with most individuals moving through the region (and the Project area) to
breeding grounds further north as indicated by their flight direction and large flock size Three
species had a high frequency of detection but a low mean use at the Project ring-necked
pheasant horned lark and western meadowlark These eight species are local residential and
migratory species commonly associated with the open pastureland short-grass prairie and row-
crop agriculture habitats found throughout the Project area These species are widely distributed
across the country and can be expected to occur where suitable habitat is present
The red-winged blackbird horned lark western meadowlark and ring-necked pheasant are
commonly found as turbine-related fatalities (more than 20 records of post-construction fatality
from 27 studies Tetra Tech 2012 Johnson et al 2000 Howe et al 2002 Derby et al 2007 TRC
Environmental 2008 Gruver et al 2009 BHE Environmental 2010 Jain et al 2011 Grodsky
and Drake 2011) particularly horned larks which exhibit breeding flight displays that may bring
them into the height of the RSA (Johnson and Erickson 2011) Thus risk of turbine-related
fatalities exists for each of these species at the Project However Project-related fatalities of red-
winged blackbird horned lark western meadowlark and ring-necked pheasant should they
occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts because collision fatalities appears to have
little effect North American landbird populations (Arnold and Zink 2011)
Species with high mean use but that are considered to have low risk for fatalities include sandhill
crane Franklinrsquos gull and Canada goose Although flying at the height of the RSA represents a
collision risk sandhill cranes have been documented altering flight direction in response to
turbines at wind facility in South Dakota (Nagy et al 2011) and multiple studies have
documented sandhill cranes gradually climbing as they approach marked power lines (Morkill
and Anderson 1991 Murphy et al 2009) The avoidance behavior observed at other studies and
lack of documented turbine-related fatalities of the sandhill crane suggests a low risk of Project-
related fatality for this species While no studies have documented avoidance behavior by
Franklinrsquos gulls similar to sandhill cranes the lack of documented fatalities at wind facilities
with publicly available data within the breeding range and migratory pathway of Franklinrsquos gulls
indicate a low risk of fatalities to occur at the Project (20 studies Tetra Tech 2012)
12 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Additionally Canada goose has a low number of fatality observations (less than 6 records of
post-construction fatalities from 27 studies Tetra Tech 2012)
The remaining non-raptor species detected during spring surveys have low risk for turbine
collisions at the Project due to a combination of relatively low mean-use rates infrequent flight
within the height of the RSA andor few or no records of fatalities at other wind facilities with
publically available results of fatality data
42 RAPTOR USE AND COLLISION RISK
High raptor use (greater than 20 birds20 min) has been associated with high raptor fatality at
wind farms (Strickland et al 2011) Conversely raptor fatality appears to be low when raptor use
is low (less than 10 birds20 min Strickland et al 2011) which is the case for raptor use at the
Project A factor contributing to the low raptor use of the Project area may be the number of
active raptor nests detected during nests surveys Because raptor activity is typically higher near
active nests than areas without active nests and raptors may have increased potential for
collision as they repeatedly fly within the Project area during nesting activities
Red-tailed hawks and northern harriers were the raptor species with the highest mean use and
were also among the most frequently detected raptor species at the Project Both species are
commonly associated with agricultural and grassland habitats which provide opportunities for
foraging an activity associated with susceptibility to turbine-collisions (Thelander et al 2003)
In a recent study of raptor response to wind farms northern harriers were identified as having a
low risk flight behavior for collisions whereas red-tailed hawks were observed engaging in high-
risk flight behaviors at operational wind facilities (Garvin et al 2011) Risks of collision for
northern harriers are believed to be low because the majority of foraging flights occur below
typical RSA heights (Whitfield and Madders 2006) Thus risk of turbine-related fatalities at the
Project is expected to be low given the low level of use As a result Project-related fatalities of
northern harrier should they occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts because
northern harriers are common nationwide (Sauer et al 2011) Results from post-construction
fatality monitoring studies indicate that red-tailed hawks are frequently found as turbine-related
fatalities (228 records of red-tailed hawk from 27 studies - Tetra Tech 2012 Jain 2005 Grodsky
and Drake 2011 Johnson and Erickson 2011) However Garvin et al (2011) documented that
red-tailed hawks despite high-risk flight behavior also demonstrated collision avoidance
behavior (Garvin et al 2011) Thus risk of turbine-related fatalities at the Project exists for red-
tailed hawks but turbine-related fatalities would be expected to be low given the low level of use
and low number of nests detected within the Project area and 1-mile buffer Project-related
fatalities of red-tailed hawk should they occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts
because red-tailed hawks are common nationwide (Sauer et al 2011)
13 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Two other raptor species detected during spring surveys (Swainsonrsquos hawk and American
kestrel) have been recorded as fatalities at other wind facilities (Derby 2007 Gritski et al 2008
Johnson and Erickson 2011) Peregrine falcon and great-horned owl have not been recorded as
fatalities observed at wind farms with publicly available fatality data All are likely have low risk
for turbine collisions at the Project due to the relatively very low mean-use rates
43 LISTED SPECIES
No federal listed threatened or endangered species were detected incidentally during avian point
count raptor or lek surveys One adult golden eagle was detected as an incidental observation
The golden eagle is protected under the BGEPA Although applications for incidental take
permits are available none have been issued to date Projects that are applying for permits have
are those with a perceived high risk of eagle fatality or have an additional permitting requirement
based on land ownership Consultation with the USFWS would provide further information on
local interpretation of the Draft Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance (USFWS 2011c)
No state listed designated species with regulatory implications were detected during surveys
However all native migratory avian species are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of
1918
44 CONCLUSIONS
Results of the 2012 spring avian surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center suggest an overall
low impact of the Project on the local avian community The high mean-use rate at the Project by
non-raptors is primarily driven by a few common residents and migratory species not commonly
reported as fatalities at wind energy facilities with results from post-construction fatality
monitoring Raptor use was relatively low for each raptor species detected Although there is
potential for turbine-related fatalities of Canada goose sandhill crane horned lark western
meadowlark red-winged blackbird red-tailed hawk and Franklinrsquos gull at the Project fatalities
are not expected to have population-level impacts If avian fatality rates are similar to other wind
facilities within the region we would expect them to fall between 044 ndash 1183 birdsturbineyear
(049 ndash 717 birdsMWyear) Additionally the potential for turbine-related fatalities exists for
nocturnal migrant species not identifiable by the methods of this study
No federally listed threatened or endangered species were detected incidentally during avian
point count raptor or lek surveys One adult golden eagle was detected as an incidental
observation The golden eagle is protected under the BGEPA A total of 9 sharp-tailed grouse
leks were located within the Project area and 1-mile buffer Four of the leks are within the
Project area indicating a moderate use of the Project area by the species No state listed
designated species with regulatory implications were detected during surveys However all
native migratory avian species are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918
14 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
50 REFERENCES
Arnold TW and RM Zink 2011 Collision mortality has no discernible effect on population trends of North American Birds PLoS ONE 6 e24708 doi101371journalpone0024708
Arnett EB DB Inkley DH Johnson RP Larkin S Manes AM Manville JR Mason ML Morrison MD Strickland and R Thresher 2007 Impacts of wind energy facilities on wildlife and wildlife habitat Wildlife Society Technical Review 07-2 The Wildlife Society Bethesda MA
Ballam JM 1984 The use of soaring by the red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) Auk 3519shy524
Beveridge L J 2005 The Migratory Bird Treaty Act and wind development North American Wind Power September36-38
BHE Environmental Inc 2010 Post-Construction Bird and Bat Mortality Study Cedar Ridge Wind Farm Fond Du Lac County Wisconsin Interim Report prepared for Wisconsin Power and Light Madison Wisconsin Prepared by BHE Environmental Inc Cincinnati Ohio February 2010
Bryce SA JM Omernik DA Pater M Ulmer J Schaar J Freeouf R Johnson P Kuck and SH Azevedo 1996 Ecoregions of North Dakota and South Dakota (color poster with map descriptive text summary tables and photographs) Reston Virginia US Geological Survey (map scale 11500000)
Devereux CL MJH Denny and MJ Whittingham 2008 Minimal effects of wind turbines on the distribution of wintering farmland birds Journal of Applied Ecology 451689shy1694
Drewitt AL and RHW Langston 2008 Collision effects of wind-power generators and other obstacles on birds Pages 233-266 in R S Ostfeld and W H Schlesinger editors Year in Ecology and Conservation Biology 2008 Blackwell Publishing Oxford
Drewitt AL and RHW Langston 2006 Assessing the impacts of wind farms on birds Ibis 14829-42
Derby C A Dahl W Erickson K Bay and J Hoban 2007 Post-Construction Monitoring Report for Avian and Bat Mortality at the NPPD Ainsworth Wind Farm Prepared for Nebraska Public Power District Columbus NE 24 pgs
Erickson WP GD Johnson and DP Young Jr 2005 A summary and comparison of bird mortality from anthropogenic causes with an emphasis on collisions USDA Forest Service Gen Tech Rep PSW-GTR-191
Erickson WP GD Johnson MD Strickland DP Young Jr KJ Sernka and R E Good 2001 Avian collisions with wind turbines a summary of existing studies and comparisons to other sources of avian collision mortality in the United States National Wind Coordinating Committee Washington DC Accessed at httpwwwnationalwindorgassetsarchiveAvian_Collisions_with_Wind_Turbines_shy_A_Summary_of_Existing_Studies_and_Comparisons_to_Other_Sources_of_Avian_Col lision_Mortality_in_the_United_States__2001_pdf
15 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Faanes CA and RE Stewart 1982 Revised checklist of North Dakota birds Version 16JUL97 The Prairie Naturalist 14(3)81-92 Jamestown ND Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Online Available online at httpwwwnpwrcusgsgovresourcebirdschndbirdindexhtm Accessed July 2012
Ferrer M M de Lucas GFE Janss E Casado AR Muntildeoz MJ Bechard and CP Calabuig 2012 Weak relationship between risk assessment studies and recorded mortality in wind farms Journal of Applied Ecology 49(1) 38-46 Available online at httponlinelibrarywileycomdoi101111j1365-2664201102054xpdf
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Gritski B S Downes K Kronner 2008 White Creek Wind I Wildlife Monitoring Annual Summary Winter 2007-2008 through Fall 2008 Prepared for White Creek Wind I LLC Roosevelt WA 25 pgs
Grodsky SM and D Drake 2011 Assessing Bird and Bat Mortality at the Forward Energy Center Final Report Public Service Commission (PSC) of Wisconsin PSC REF152052 Prepared for Forward Energy LLC Prepared by Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison Wisconsin August 2011
Gruver J M Sonnenburg K Bay and W Erickson 2009 Post-Construction Bat and Bird Fatality Study at the Blue Sky Green Field Wind Energy Center Fond Du Lac County Wisconsin July 21 - October 31 2008 and March 15 - June 4 2009 Unpublished report prepared by Western EcoSystems Technology Inc (WEST) Cheyenne Wyoming December 17 2009
Hagen CA JC Pitman TM Loughin BK Sandercock and RJ Robel 2011 Impacts of anthropogenic features on lesser prairie-chicken habitat use Studies in Avian Biology 39 63-75
Hagen SK PT Isakson and SR Dyke 2005 North Dakota Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy North Dakota Game and Fish Department Bismarck ND
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Jain AA RR Koford AW Hancockand GG Zenner 2011 Bat Mortality and Activity at a Northern Iowa Wind Resource Area Am Mid Natur 165 185-200
Jain A P Kerlinger R Curry and L Slobodnik 2007 Annual report for the Maple Ridge wind power project post-construction bird and bat fatality studymdash2006 Prepared by Curry and Kerlinger LLC for PPM Energy Horizon Energy and Technical Advisory Committee for the Maple Ridge Project
Jain AA 2005 Bird and Bat Behavior and Mortality at a Northern Iowa Windfarm Thesis submitted to Iowa State University Ames IA 113 pgs
16 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Johnson GD C LeBeau R Neilsen T Rintz and J Eddy 2012 Greater Sage-Grouse Habitat Use and Population Demographics at the Simpson Ridge Wind Resource Area Carbon County Wyoming Final Report prepared for EBP Renewables Houston Texas
Johnson GD and WP Erickson 2011 Avian Bat and Habitat Cumulative Impacts Associated with Wind Energy Development in the Columbia Plateau Ecoregion of Eastern Washington and Oregon Prepared by West Inc for Klickitat County Washington
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Johnson GD WP Erickson MD Strickland MF Shepherd DA Shepherd and SA Sarappo 2002 Collision mortality of local and migrant birds at a large-scale wind power development on Buffalo Ridge Minnesota Wildlife Society Bulletin 30879-887
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17 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
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2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
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People who contributed to the writing of this report
Jim Kowalsky July 17 2012
Report Author Date
Jennifer Taylor July 19 2012
Peer Review 1 Date
Chris Farmer August 3 2012
Peer Review 2 Date
Anne-Marie Griger August 9 2012
Deputy Project Manager Date
Robert Friedel July 13 2012
GIS Date
19 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
FIGURES
20 August 2012
B
Knife River
James River
Random Creek
Pipestem Creek
Heart River Long Lake Creek
Rocky Run
Otter Creek
Turtle Cr eek
West Branch Apple Creek
Little Heart River
Big Muddy Creek
Ea st Br an ch Ap pl e C re ek
Apple
Creek
Painte Woods Creek
Sweetbrier Creek
Square Butte Creek
B
LakeAudubon Figure 1Lake NettieLakeSakakawea ty MapVicini
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Lake NEXTENERGYPetUV7
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Wilton IVMcLeanWind Energy Center
Burleigh County ND
Las modified 7-10-2012
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Figure 2 Point
(Spr t location mapcoun
ing 2012)NEXTENERGY
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Wilton IVWind Energy Center
AA
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Last modified 7-10-2012A AA
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Figure 3 Non-raptor mean use by survey date in Spring at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center M
ean
Use
(bir
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0 m
in)
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2500
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316 321 326 44 410 420 427 53 512 519 526 62 69 615
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266Th Ave NE
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PC 02
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TETR A TECH EC INC
Figure 4Non-raptor mean use by point count location (Spring 2012)
Non-r aptor s p e r 20 m in u te s 00 1 - 25 0 0 25 01 - 5 0 00 50 01 - 7 5 00
75 01 - 1 0 00 0
10 00 1 - 1 25 00
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
A Pro po sed tu rbin e (9 -21 -20 11 )Lo ca l Ro a d
Mean use value PC Point count number
Burleigh County ND
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
Last modified 7-10-2012
NEXTENERGY RESOURCES
Figure 5 Raptor mean use by survey date in Spring 2012 at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Mea
n U
se (b
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min
)
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120
100
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060
040
020
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Survey Date
316 321 326 44 410 420 427 53 512 519 526 62 69 615
NAD 1983 UTM 14
240th Ave Ne240th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
253Rd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
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227Th Ave NE
80Th
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214Th Ave NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE 279Th Ave NE
119T
h St N
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292Nd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
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145T
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PC 03
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Figure 6Raptor mean use by point
count location (Spring 2012)
Rapto r s p e r 2 0 m in u te s 00 1- 01 6 01 7 - 0 32 03 3 - 0 48
04 9 - 0 64
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
A Pro po sed tu rbin e (9 -21 -20 11 )Lo ca l Ro a d
Mean use value PC Point count number
Burleigh County ND
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
Last modified 7-10-2012
NEXTENERGY RESOURCES
240th Ave Ne 240th Ave Ne
240th Ave Ne
266th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
279Th Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
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St NE
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52Nd
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St N
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227Th Ave NE 227Th Ave NE
86Th
St N
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St N
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Figure 7 Raptor nest and lek location
map (Spring 2012)NEXTENERGY
RESOURCES
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
5 Burleigh County ND
Last modified 7-10-2012 A A
A A
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
AAA A A A A A
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2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
TABLES
21 August 2012
Table 1 Spring 2012 point count survey dates at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Date(s)Survey number
1 316 2 321 3 326 4 44 5 410 6 420 7 427 8 53 9 512 10 519 11 526 12 62 13 69 14 615
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Songbirds
unidentified sparrow 652 7 665 (000-1339) 41 313 121 red-winged blackbird 548 52 559 (036-1082) 378 263 102 horned lark 173 83 177 (136-218) 612 83 32 American crow 159 22 162 (027-297) 204 76 30 common grackle 91 33 093 (035-151) 245 44 17 western meadowlark 80 62 082 (065-099) 480 38 15 European starling 80 1 082 (000-216) 10 38 15 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 082 (029-135) 82 38 15 barn swallow 44 21 045 (028-062) 204 21 08 bobolink 36 28 037 (022-052) 194 17 07 American goldfinch 26 23 027 (018-036) 214 12 05 vesper sparrow 23 21 023 (013-033) 184 11 04 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 019 (010-028) 143 09 04 American robin 19 19 019 (011-027) 143 09 04 house sparrow 15 5 015 (000-030) 51 07 03 American tree sparrow 8 2 008 (000-018) 20 04 01 song sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 savannah sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 dickcissel 5 4 005 (000-010) 31 02 01 western kingbird 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 01 01 pine siskin 3 1 003 (000-008) 10 01 01 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 eastern kingbird 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 yellow warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 unidentified warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 house wren 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 Group Total 2083 430 2126 (1259-2993) 949 387
Waterfowl
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations
Canada goose 1408 24 1437 (435-2439) 133 874 262 snow goose 184 2 188 (000-490) 20 114 34 mallard 12 6 012 (004-020) 61 07 02 northern pintail 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 blue-winged teal 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 American wigeon 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 redhead 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 01 00 Group Total 1611 36 1644 (561-2727) 184 300
CranesRails sandhill crane 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 1000 201 Group Total 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 201
GullsTerns Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 283 (013-553) 31 986 52 ring-billed gull 4 3 004 (000-008) 31 14 01 Group Total 281 7 287 (017-557) 61 52
Gamebirds ring-necked pheasant 148 134 151 (128-174) 745 967 28 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 20 01 gray partridge 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 13 00 Group Total 153 138 156 (132-180) 755 28
PigeonsDoves rock pigeon 40 6 041 (009-073) 61 513 07 mourning dove 38 25 039 (019-059) 184 487 07 Group Total 78 31 080 (041-119) 224 15
Waterbirds killdeer 28 22 029 (017-041) 214 538 05 upland sandpiper 8 8 008 (003-013) 71 154 01 common snipe 8 8 008 (002-014) 61 154 01 Wilsons snipe 4 4 004 (000-008) 31 77 01 American coot 4 1 004 (000-011) 10 77 01 Group Total 52 43 053 (037-069) 357 10
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Raptors
red-tailed hawk 16 12 016 (008-024) 122 444 03 northern harrier 16 14 016 (009-023) 143 444 03 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 peregrine falcon 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 great horned owl 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 American kestrel 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 Group Total 36 30 037 (025-049) 276 07
Woodpeckers northern flicker 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 1000 00 Group Total 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 00 Grand Total 5376 735 5486 (3771-7200)
1 A ranking of 1 indicates highest mean use
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Canada goose 1408 24 210 80 523 140 210 135 110 sandhill crane 1080 18 94 18 621 15 187 145 0 unidentified sparrow 652 7 0 0 0 0 330 210 112 red-winged blackbird 548 52 0 84 49 386 14 11 4 Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 107 0 100 70 0 0 0 snow goose 184 2 0 180 4 0 0 0 0 horned lark 173 83 23 24 17 12 19 32 46 American crow 159 22 6 4 13 11 1 123 1 ring-necked pheasant 148 134 21 14 21 18 25 22 27 common grackle 91 33 6 35 7 2 8 33 0 western meadowlark 80 62 8 10 17 3 11 19 12 European starling 80 1 0 0 0 80 0 0 0 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 0 63 17 0 0 0 0 barn swallow 44 21 3 12 6 10 7 1 5 rock pigeon 40 6 0 14 0 0 0 23 3 mourning dove 38 25 4 17 1 1 1 11 3 bobolink 36 28 10 0 14 8 0 0 4 killdeer 28 22 3 3 4 5 10 0 3 American goldfinch 26 23 4 9 3 3 4 2 1 vesper sparrow 23 21 1 7 1 2 9 1 2 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 2 4 2 0 6 4 1 American robin 19 19 1 13 0 1 3 0 1 red-tailed hawk 16 12 4 0 4 5 0 1 2 northern harrier 16 14 3 1 4 4 2 0 2 house sparrow 15 5 2 13 0 0 0 0 0 mallard 12 6 0 0 6 6 0 0 0 upland sandpiper 8 8 0 0 1 0 3 2 2 common snipe 8 8 0 2 6 0 0 0 0 American tree sparrow 8 2 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 song sparrow 5 5 1 1 1 0 2 0 0 savannah sparrow 5 5 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 dickcissel 5 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 Wilsons snipe 4 4 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 ring-billed gull 4 3 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 American coot 4 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 western kingbird 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 pine siskin 3 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 northern pintail 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
northern flicker 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 gray partridge 2 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 eastern kingbird 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 blue-winged teal 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 American wigeon 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 yellow warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 unidentified warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 redhead 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 peregrine falcon 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 house wren 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 great horned owl 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 American kestrel 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Grand Total 5376 735 526 620 1452 794 859 776 349
Table 4 Summary of avian flight heights1 in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)2 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Birds
Number Percentage
Non-raptors
Raptors
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
1656 372
2023 455
767 173
3 91
13 394
17 515 1 Includes only flying birds with flight height data2These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
Canada goose 654 (435 - 2439) 1437 997 537 457 06 unidentified sparrow 632 (000 - 1339) 665 1000 00 951 49 sandhill crane 368 (083 - 2121) 1102 999 665 335 00 Franklinrsquos gull 283 (013 - 553) 283 1000 00 1000 00 European starling 082 (000 - 216) 082 1000 00 1000 00 American crow 024 (027 - 297) 162 943 00 160 840 red-tailed hawk 013 (008 - 024) 016 938 133 867 00 brown-headed cowbird 008 (029 - 135) 082 125 00 800 200 red-winged blackbird 005 (036 - 1082) 559 261 00 35 965 Wilsons snipe 002 (000 - 008) 004 500 00 1000 00 blue-winged teal 002 (000 - 005) 002 1000 00 1000 00 mallard 002 (004 - 020) 012 500 00 333 667 ring-billed gull 001 (000 - 008) 004 1000 00 250 750 yellow warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 yellow-headed blackbird 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 western meadowlark 000 (065 - 099) 082 338 00 00 1000 western kingbird 000 (000 - 007) 003 1000 00 00 1000 vesper sparrow 000 (013 - 033) 023 130 00 00 1000 upland sandpiper 000 (003 - 013) 008 250 00 00 1000 unidentified warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 Swainsonrsquos hawk 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 sharp-tailed grouse 000 (000 - 007) 003 667 00 00 1000 song sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 snow goose 000 (000 - 490) 188 1000 1000 00 00 savannah sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 rock pigeon 000 (009 - 073) 041 825 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
ring-necked pheasant 000 (128 - 174) 151 07 00 00 1000 redhead 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 pine siskin 000 (000 - 008) 003 1000 00 00 1000 peregrine falcon 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 1000 00 00 northern pintail 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 northern harrier 000 (009 - 023) 016 1000 00 00 1000 northern flicker 000 (000 - 004) 002 500 00 00 1000 mourning dove 000 (019 - 059) 039 684 00 00 1000 killdeer 000 (017 - 041) 029 607 00 00 1000 house wren 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 house sparrow 000 (000 - 030) 015 67 00 00 1000 horned lark 000 (136 - 218) 177 740 00 00 1000 grasshopper sparrow 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 gray partridge 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 great horned owl 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 eastern kingbird 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 dickcissel 000 (000 - 010) 005 00 00 00 00 common snipe 000 (002 - 014) 008 00 00 00 00 common grackle 000 (035 - 151) 093 945 00 00 1000 clay-colored sparrow 000 (010 - 028) 019 158 00 00 1000 bobolink 000 (022 - 052) 037 917 00 00 1000 barn swallow 000 (028 - 062) 045 1000 00 00 1000 American tree sparrow 000 (000 - 018) 008 1000 00 00 1000 American wigeon 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 American robin 000 (011 - 027) 019 421 00 00 1000 American kestrel 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
American goldfinch 000 027 (018 - 036) 923 00 00 1000American coot 000 004 (000 - 011) 00 00 00 001These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 6 Incidental observations of birds during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species
American crow American kestrel American robin Canada goose great horned owl golden eagle gray partridge lesser scaup mallard merlin northern harrier rock pigeon red-tailed hawk red-winged blackbird sandhill crane sharp-tailed grouse wild turkey
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
APPENDICES
22 August 2012
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number of Birds1
Number of
Observations Species
Percentage of Flights
N NE E SE S SW W NW Variable
Canada goose 1398 21 867 00 00 00 02 00 17 114 00
sandhill crane 1079 17 878 52 00 00 00 00 00 70 00
unidentified sparrow 565 5 00 00 00 788 212 00 00 00 00
Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
snow goose 184 2 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
European starling 80 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
American crow 69 11 768 58 58 00 14 43 00 14 43
red-winged blackbird 15 6 533 00 00 200 267 00 00 00 00
red-tailed hawk 14 10 500 143 00 71 00 71 00 71 143
rock pigeon 11 2 00 00 00 00 273 727 00 00 00
northern harrier 9 8 111 00 00 333 00 222 00 111 222
mourning dove 9 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
common grackle 9 6 111 00 00 111 00 222 556 00 00
brown-headed cowbird 8 1 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
horned lark 6 3 833 00 00 167 00 00 00 00 00
ring-billed gull 4 3 250 00 00 00 00 750 00 00 00
Wilsons snipe 2 2 500 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 500
vesper sparrow 2 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
mallard 2 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
blue-winged teal 2 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
peregrine falcon 1 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
killdeer 1 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
Grand Total 3747 108 722 17 04 121 36 05 30 64 02 1 Includes only flying birds with flight directions
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Nest Number Species Substrate
Nest ConditionStatusDates
Surveyed Nest
Height (m) 2012 - 1 452012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good
5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 4 592012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good 5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 5 5192012 Swainsonrsquos hawk Active Siberian Elm 7 Good
NA means not applicable
Wenck Associates Inc 301 1
st St NE Suite 202
Mandan ND 58554
Phone 701-751-3370 Email jaskimwenckcom
May 7 2012
Tracey M Dubuque PE Senior Project Manager
Tetra Tech EC
160 Federal Street Third Floor
Boston MA 02110
Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Dear Tracey
Introduction
Male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) congregate at historicalcommunal leks in the spring
to compete for breeding opportunities Both sexes return to their natal breeding grounds yearly for their
entire life Leks are typically found in areas with low-growing vegetation on a hill knoll or other point of
high visibility Fidelity to these locations is extremely high for sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse
require nesting habitat within close proximity the lek comprised of dense or residual vegetative cover to
conceal and protect their nest from predators (Vodehnal and Haufler 2007)
Disturbance of nesting prairie grouse may occur from the construction of the turbine andor access road
construction noise and physical movement of equipment Loss of habitat and fragmentation related to
energy exploration may affect local prairie grouse populations by decreasing the area of habitat available
for nesting and brood-rearing and by increasing predation (Pittman et al 2005) Therefore federal and
state wildlife agencies are concerned about the placement of turbines in areas with known prairie grouse
populations Turbine setbacks from leks and minimizing grouse habitat disturbance may reduce the direct
and indirect effects of energy development on grouse
Methods
Sharp-tailed grouse surveys were completed from April 10th to May 1
st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise
to two hours after sunrise within the one-mile analysis area (Figure 1) Peak attendance by females on leks
typically occurs from April 15 to 25 but these dates vary by up to a week depending on weather conditions
(Schroeder and Robb 1993) Peak attendance potentially occurred earlier this year due to the early spring
A habitat assessment analysis was conducted prior to the field survey to determine suitable lekkingnesting
habitat within the analysis area (Figure 2) Listening stops were made within a one-mile analysis area
surrounding the proposed project area to identify lek locations (Figure 3) Sharp-tailed grouse males may
be heard at a distance of up to 050 mile Listening stops were not conducted if winds exceeded 10 miles
per hour (mph) or during precipitation events After a lek was located the birds were observed and the
number of males and females were counted Lek locations were documented using Global Positioning
System (GPS) Given the sensitive nature of this species and the fact that females may be nesting near the
lek disturbance to breeding prairie grouse was kept to a minimum
Results
Nine (9) sharp-tailed grouse leks were located during the surveys conducted from April 10th to May 1
st
2012 (Figure 4) Date time sex number of birds present wind conditions air temperature and GPS
coordinates were recorded once a lek was located (Tables 1 and 2) Two of the leks observed were
located outside of the analysis area Due to Lek 1rsquos close proximity to Lek 4 Lek 1 shouldbe classified
as a satellite lek No visual confirmation of Lek 6 was made due to access and topography
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
biologists to detect late-nesting species such as Swainsonrsquos hawks Raptor nest surveys provide
an estimate of the number and species of raptors that use stick nests in the area Ground-nesting
raptor species such as northern harriers were not surveyed
213 Lek Location Surveys
The USFWS along with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department (NDGFD) have expressed
concern regarding residential sharp-tailed grouse as a species of habitat fragmentation concern as
outlined in the USFWS published Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines (USFWS 2012a) A
biologist from Wenck Associates Inc (Wenck) conducted grouse lek surveys to identify areas of
use by breeding prairie grouse within the Project and surrounding area Surveys were completed
from April 10th to May 1st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise to two hours after sunrise within the
one-mile of the Project A detailed report on the methods and results are presented in a separate
report in Appendix 3
214 Incidental Observations
Incidental observations included observations that occurred 1) during travel between points 2)
before or after the official 20-min survey period 3) outside of the 800-m radius circular plot and
4) during raptor nest and grouse lek surveys Biologists recorded these observations on separate
data sheets and these data were not used in the formal analysis however a summary of
incidental birds is presented to provide additional information about species found in the local
area
215 Listed Species Information
The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA) prohibits the take of any bald or golden
eagle alive or dead including any part nest or egg ldquoTakerdquo is defined as ldquopursue shoot shoot
at poison wound kill capture trap collect molest or disturbrdquo a bald or golden eagle ldquoDisturbrdquo
means to agitate or bother an eagle to a degree that causes or is likely to cause 1) injury to an
eagle 2) a decrease in its productivity by substantially interfering with normal breeding
feeding or sheltering behavior or 3) nest abandonment by substantially interfering with normal
breeding feeding or sheltering behavior Applications for incidental take under BGEPA for
golden eagles are currently being considered by USFWS west of 100 degrees west longitude
which includes this Project (USFWS 2009)
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) as administered by the USFWS mandates protection of
species federally listed as threatened or endangered and their associated habitats The ESA
makes it unlawful to ldquotakerdquo a listed species Take is defined as ldquoto harass harm pursue hunt
shoot wound kill trap capture or collect or attempt to engage in any such conductrdquo (USFWS
2011b) A list of endangered threatened and candidate species for Burleigh County can be found
at httpecosfwsgovtess_publiccountySearchspeciesByCountyReportactionfips=38015
5 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
The State of North Dakota does not have a state endangered or threatened species list Only those
species listed by the ESA are considered threatened or endangered in North Dakota However the
NDGFD have identified 100 Species of Conservation Priority within North Dakota These
species are ranked in three priority levels based on such factors as known status funding
availability and presence of breeding habitat within North Dakota (Hagen et al 2005) The
definitions of each rank are listed below
Level I A species having a high level of conservation priority because of declining status either in North Dakota or across their range or a high rate of occurrence in North Dakota constituting the core of the speciesrsquo breeding range but are at-risk range wide and non-State Wildlife Grants funding is not readily available to them
Level II Species having a moderate level of conservation priority or a high level of conservation priority but a substantial amount of non-State Wildlife Grant funding is available to them
Level III North Dakotarsquos species having a moderate level of conservation priority but are believed to be peripheral or do not breed in North Dakota
Species that are listed under the 100 Species of Conservation Priority are not afforded any formal
protection by the state or require special take permits Additional information on North Dakota
Species of Conservation Priority can be found at httpwwwgfndgovconservation-nongameshy
wildlifespecies-conservation-priority
216 Data Quality AssuranceQuality Control
Tetra Tech implemented quality assurance and quality control measures during all stages of data
collection analysis and report preparation To ensure legibility and completeness of data sheets
each biologist reviewed all data sheets providing clarification as needed before data entry into a
FileMaker Protrade relational database for data storage and analysis Prior to analysis an
independent reviewer conducted a 100-percent quality review of the data entries Any questions
that arose at this time were directed toward and answered by the field biologist
22 ANALYSIS
221 Species Groupings
Tetra Tech considered two primary groups of interest raptors and non-raptors Tetra Tech
defined raptors as vultures hawks eagles falcons and owls All other species groups are
defined as non-raptors
6 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
222 Avian Use
Tetra Tech derived avian use (mean use) of the Project by calculating the average number of
birds observed per 20-min survey at each point To evaluate the diversity and composition of
avian species using the Project area Tetra Tech summarized the number of individuals (birds20
min) and species Tetra Tech also calculated a measure of variability (90 percent confidence
intervals) for all mean use values In addition the number of observations is also presented
where an observation can be either an individual bird or a discrete flock of birds This
information helps evaluate whether high mean use is driven by a single event (eg a large flock
of birds moving through the Project area on migration) Because individual birds are not
uniquely marked and identified actual population size or abundance cannot be determined One
individual may be counted multiple times during a survey period or across survey periods
Although mean use of a given species does not equate to abundance it does provide an index
that is likely proportional to abundance and activity within the Project
223 Flight Behavior
Tetra Tech evaluated flight behavior by calculating the proportion of flying birds observed
below within or above the height of the anticipated turbine rotor swept area (RSA) Wilton IV
plans to develop the Project using General Electric 16 Megawatt (MW) turbines These turbines
have a hub height of 80 meters and rotor diameter of 100 meters With these specifications the
estimated RSA was between 30 and 130 m above ground Tetra Tech considered a bird to have
flown within the height range of the anticipated RSA if any of its recorded heights fell within the
upper or lower limits of the anticipated RSA
224 Encounter Rate
To estimate the rate at which a species flew at the height of the anticipated RSA Tetra Tech
applied the following equation to every species observed in the Project area
Encounter Rate = APfPt
A is the mean number of birds20 min for a given species Pf is the proportion of all activity
observations for a given species that were flying and Pt is the proportion flying observations that
were within the height range of a turbine RSA for a given species The encounter rate provides
information on the rate at which a species may move at a height that is consistent with the RSA
of the proposed turbines This information is an important component in evaluating risk of
collisions however this number alone does not indicate project-related impact to a species
Species with a high encounter rate are at a higher risk of collision than species with a low
encounter rate but it does not mean that turbine-related fatalities are certain Other factors such
as turbine location or a speciesrsquo ability to detect turbine blades flight maneuverability and
7 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
habitat selection also influence fatality (Orloff and Flannery 1992 Drewitt and Langston 2008
Martin 2011) Encounter values are sensitive to large flocks of birds flying within the RSA
height that is a species will have a high encounter rate even if only seen once in the RSA in a
large flying flock
225 Fatality Risk
The highly regional nature of avian mean use across North America and the scarce data on avian
fatalities at wind farms in many parts of the continent combined with other risk influences such
as individual species behavior and weather contribute to uncertainty in predicting fatality rates
(Arnett et al 2007 Strickland et al 2011) A recent meta-analysis suggests that pre-construction
studies provide poor indicators of post-construction fatality (Ferrer et al 2012) WEST (2011)
suggests that the most accurate predictors of fatality at a wind project are records of species-
specific fatalities detected at nearby wind projects As a result of uncertainty in predicting
fatality rates Tetra Tech did not attempt to derive fatality estimates from mean use data but will
highlight those species or groups with high use values that may experience Project-related
fatalities or whose regional population could be impacted by development Additionally Tetra
Tech will highlight species with high frequencies of observation high encounter rates and those
with records of turbine-related fatality at other wind projects as these variables may also indicate
potential collision risk at the Project
30 RESULTS
31 AVIAN USE AND FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE
Biologists surveyed 3476 acres of the Project area during point count surveys covering 22
percent of the Project arearsquos total area (15752 acres) The 7 point count locations were surveyed
14 times resulting in 98 total 20-min surveys A total of 5376 birds from 52 species and 653
that could not be identified to species (all unidentified sparrows) were recorded within the
Project area during the fixed-point count surveys (Table 2) Overall mean bird use for the Wilton
IV Wind Energy Center was 5486 birds20 min and ranged from 0 to 603 birds20 min
Overall mean use by non-raptors was 5449 birds20 min Songbirds Waterfowl and
CranesRails comprised 387 300 and 201 percent of all species observed respectively and
were distributed throughout the Project area Among species groups mean use was highest for
songbirds (2126 birds20 min Table 2) and songbirds were observed in 949 percent of all
surveys The non-raptor species with the highest mean use came from four different species
groups Songbirds Waterfowl CranesRails and GullsTerns and included the Canada goose
(1437 birds20 min observed in 133 percent of all surveys) sandhill crane (1102 birds20 min
observed in 122 percent of all surveys) unidentified sparrow (665 birds20 min 41 percent of
all surveys) red-winged blackbird (559 birds20 min observed in 378 percent of all surveys)
8 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
and Franklinrsquos gull (283 birds20 min observed in 31 percent of all surveys Table 2) Other
species with a high frequency of detection during the surveys but with a low mean use included
ring-necked pheasant (151 birds20 min observed in 745 percent of all surveys) horned lark
(177 birds20 min 612 percent of all surveys) and western meadowlark (082 birds20 min
480 percent of all surveys Table 2) Each other non-raptor species had a mean use of less than
190 birds20 min or was detected in less than 48 percent of all surveys Other non-raptor species
groups observed during the surveys included Gamebirds PigeonsDoves Waterbirds and
Woodpeckers (Table 2)
Non-raptor mean use was highest on March 16 (24743 birds20 min) April 20 (19914 birds20
min) and March 26 (12571 birds20 min Figure 3) Observations on March 16 were comprised
of mostly Canada geese (1138 individuals observed in 17 flocks ranging in size from 20 to 140
individuals 77 of all observations) The primary contributors to the high mean use on April 20
were unidentified sparrows (645 individuals observed in 6 distinct flocks and ranging from 25 to
250 individuals) red-winged blackbird (392 individuals) and Franklinrsquos gull (277 individuals)
On March 26 the primary contributor to the high mean use was the sandhill crane (772
individuals distributed between 8 flocks ranging from 15 to 275 individuals) Mean use for nonshy
raptors was highest at point count location 3 (10314 birds20 min Figure 4) Species
contributing to the high mean use at this point included sandhill crane (621 individuals) Canada
goose (523 individuals) and Franklinrsquos gull (100 individuals Table 3) The habitat at point 3
consists of row crops (wheat) and short-grass prairie possibly enrolled in the Conservation
Reserve Program (CRP) The habitat at this point is not unique within the Project area However
most of the birds observed at point 3 were flying through the Project area in flocks of 15 to 275
individuals and not stopping in the immediate vicinity of the Project
Raptors are a group of special interest because of their propensity to fly at heights similar to a
turbine RSA Overall mean use for raptors was 037 birds20 min (Table 2) raptors were not
among the most frequently observed species groups during the spring surveys The raptor species
with the highest mean use was the red-tailed hawk (016 birds20 min observed in 122 percent
of all surveys) and northern harrier (016 birds20 min observed in 143 percent of all surveys)
Other raptor species detected included the Swainsonrsquos hawk and peregrine falcon great-horned
owl and American kestrel each with mean use value of 001 birds20 min with each observed in
10 percent of all surveys (Table 2)
Mean use by raptors was highest on March 26 (129 birds20 min) and May 3 (100 birds20 min
Figure 5) Observations on March 26 included red-tailed hawk (5 individuals) northern harrier
(3 individuals) and American kestrel (1 individual) Observations on May 26 included 4 red-
tailed hawks 2 northern harriers and 1 peregrine falcon Mean use for raptors was less than 058
birds20 min for all other survey dates Mean use for raptors was highest at point count locations
4 1 and 3 (064 064 and 057 birds20 min respectively Figure 6) Species contributing to the
9 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
mean use at these points were mostly red-tailed hawks and northern harriers (Table 3) In
addition to red-tailed hawks and northern harriers point count location 1 had one American
kestrel and one Peregrine falcon Raptor mean use was equal to or less than 029 birds20 min at
all other points Point count locations 4 1 and 3 each encompass short-grass prairie and
agricultural (mostly wheat) fields both of which provide foraging opportunities for raptors
These features are not unique to these point count locations or within the Project area
32 FLIGHT HEIGHT AND ENCOUNTER RATE
During spring avian use surveys biologists collected behavioral data for 986 percent of all birds
observed during point count surveys of which 834 percent were observed flying The biologist
collected flight height data for 999 percent and flight direction for 835 percent of those
observations (ie most individuals were observed making directional flights) Of non-raptor
species observed flying 372 percent flew above the height of the anticipated RSA 455 percent
flew at the height of the anticipated RSA and 173 percent flew below the height of the
anticipated RSA (Table 4) Of raptor species observed flying 91 percent flew above the height
of the anticipated RSA 394 percent flew at the height of the anticipated RSA and 515 percent
flew above the height of the anticipated RSA Data on flight direction are located in Appendix 1
Most birds observed making direct flight over the Project were moving in a northerly direction
(803 percent of all direct flights) In combination with the timing of flights (Figure 3) these data
suggest that much of the non-raptor use observed at the Project area is due to migratory
movements
Canada goose had the highest encounter rate (654 birds flying at RSA height20 min Table 5)
followed by unidentified sparrow (632 birds flying at RSA height20 min) sandhill crane (368
birds flying at RSA height20 min) and Franklinrsquos gull (283 birds flying at RSA height20 min)
Each other species had an encounter rate below 083 birds flying at RSA height20 min
33 RAPTOR NEST SURVEYS
Raptor nests detected within the Project area or 1-mile buffer included 2 red-tailed hawks 2 unknown nests and 1 Swainsonrsquos hawk (Figure 7) The red-tailed hawk nests were found on April 5 and May 9 with each remaining active during the survey period The Swainsonrsquos hawk nest was detected on May 19th within the 1-mile buffer around the Project area The two unknown nests were found on April 15 and April 25 Both unknown nests appeared to never be active during the survey period
34 LEK SURVEYS
During grouse lek surveys conducted within the Project area and a surrounding 1-mile buffer
from April 10th to May 1st a total of 9 sharp-tailed grouse leks were found within the Project area
and 1-mile buffer (Figure 7 WENK 2012) Four of the leks were within the Project area (Figure
7) Each lek had a minimum of 4 individuals (includes males and females) observed with the
10 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
maximum number of grouse observed at one lek being 21 individuals (lek 8) A full report on the
grouse lek surveys is presented in Appendix 3
35 INCIDENTAL OBSERVATIONS
The biologist documented 17 species as incidental observations (Table 6) Of these species 4
(golden eagle lesser scaup merlin wild turkey) were not detected during spring point count
surveys
36 LISTED SPECIES
No federal threatened or endangered species were observed during avian point count raptor or
lek surveys or as an incidental observation One adult golden eagle was observed incidentally
near survey point 7 on March 26th in flight within the anticipated RSA The golden eagle is
protected by the BGEPA (Section 215)
Four Level I (Franklinrsquos gull Swainsonrsquos hawk upland sandpiper and grasshopper sparrow)
seven Level II (bobolink dickcissel redhead sharp-tailed grouse northern harrier golden eagle
and northern pintail) and one Level III (peregrine falcon) state-listed Species of Conservation
Priority were observed during point counts raptor nest lek surveys or as incidental observations
within the Project Area
40 DISCUSSION
The avian community detected within the Project area during spring surveys was characterized
by species associated with typical mid-western agricultural lands and short-grass prairie
vegetation The majority of the Project area and vicinity has been developed for agricultural use
specifically crops such as wheat sunflower and corn with additional developed lands devoted to
pastureland for cattle Within disturbed habitats such as these the greatest potential impact of
wind facilities to avian species is risk of collisions with turbines Mean avian fatality rates
estimated from wind facilities in the Midwest (NE WI MN and IA) range from 044 to 1183
birdsturbineyear (049 ndash 717 birdsMWyear Tetra Tech 2012) Project-related bird fatalities
are expected to fall within this range
In areas mostly dominated by native short-grass prairie additional loss of habitat from
developing these areas may impact resident and migratory avian species The presence of native
grassland habitats within the Project area suggests that additional disturbance and habitat loss
caused by construction and operation of the Project may cause birds to avoid the Project area
and may alter the current use of habitat by bird species within the Project area (Tetra Tech 2011)
The greatest potential for habitat loss would be for sharp-tailed grouse Current research suggests
that certain grouse species may avoid anthropogenic structures (USFWS 2012a Hagen et al
11 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
2011) however long-term data sets are still needed to best assess wind energy impacts (Johnson
et al 2012)
41 NON-RAPTOR USE AND COLLISION RISK
The Canada goose sandhill crane red-winged blackbird and Franklinrsquos gull were species with
the highest mean use within the Project area and were among the species most frequently
detected Additionally unidentified sparrows which probably represent a group of similar
species had high mean use Three of these species Canada goose Franklinrsquos gull and sandhill
crane are migratory with most individuals moving through the region (and the Project area) to
breeding grounds further north as indicated by their flight direction and large flock size Three
species had a high frequency of detection but a low mean use at the Project ring-necked
pheasant horned lark and western meadowlark These eight species are local residential and
migratory species commonly associated with the open pastureland short-grass prairie and row-
crop agriculture habitats found throughout the Project area These species are widely distributed
across the country and can be expected to occur where suitable habitat is present
The red-winged blackbird horned lark western meadowlark and ring-necked pheasant are
commonly found as turbine-related fatalities (more than 20 records of post-construction fatality
from 27 studies Tetra Tech 2012 Johnson et al 2000 Howe et al 2002 Derby et al 2007 TRC
Environmental 2008 Gruver et al 2009 BHE Environmental 2010 Jain et al 2011 Grodsky
and Drake 2011) particularly horned larks which exhibit breeding flight displays that may bring
them into the height of the RSA (Johnson and Erickson 2011) Thus risk of turbine-related
fatalities exists for each of these species at the Project However Project-related fatalities of red-
winged blackbird horned lark western meadowlark and ring-necked pheasant should they
occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts because collision fatalities appears to have
little effect North American landbird populations (Arnold and Zink 2011)
Species with high mean use but that are considered to have low risk for fatalities include sandhill
crane Franklinrsquos gull and Canada goose Although flying at the height of the RSA represents a
collision risk sandhill cranes have been documented altering flight direction in response to
turbines at wind facility in South Dakota (Nagy et al 2011) and multiple studies have
documented sandhill cranes gradually climbing as they approach marked power lines (Morkill
and Anderson 1991 Murphy et al 2009) The avoidance behavior observed at other studies and
lack of documented turbine-related fatalities of the sandhill crane suggests a low risk of Project-
related fatality for this species While no studies have documented avoidance behavior by
Franklinrsquos gulls similar to sandhill cranes the lack of documented fatalities at wind facilities
with publicly available data within the breeding range and migratory pathway of Franklinrsquos gulls
indicate a low risk of fatalities to occur at the Project (20 studies Tetra Tech 2012)
12 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Additionally Canada goose has a low number of fatality observations (less than 6 records of
post-construction fatalities from 27 studies Tetra Tech 2012)
The remaining non-raptor species detected during spring surveys have low risk for turbine
collisions at the Project due to a combination of relatively low mean-use rates infrequent flight
within the height of the RSA andor few or no records of fatalities at other wind facilities with
publically available results of fatality data
42 RAPTOR USE AND COLLISION RISK
High raptor use (greater than 20 birds20 min) has been associated with high raptor fatality at
wind farms (Strickland et al 2011) Conversely raptor fatality appears to be low when raptor use
is low (less than 10 birds20 min Strickland et al 2011) which is the case for raptor use at the
Project A factor contributing to the low raptor use of the Project area may be the number of
active raptor nests detected during nests surveys Because raptor activity is typically higher near
active nests than areas without active nests and raptors may have increased potential for
collision as they repeatedly fly within the Project area during nesting activities
Red-tailed hawks and northern harriers were the raptor species with the highest mean use and
were also among the most frequently detected raptor species at the Project Both species are
commonly associated with agricultural and grassland habitats which provide opportunities for
foraging an activity associated with susceptibility to turbine-collisions (Thelander et al 2003)
In a recent study of raptor response to wind farms northern harriers were identified as having a
low risk flight behavior for collisions whereas red-tailed hawks were observed engaging in high-
risk flight behaviors at operational wind facilities (Garvin et al 2011) Risks of collision for
northern harriers are believed to be low because the majority of foraging flights occur below
typical RSA heights (Whitfield and Madders 2006) Thus risk of turbine-related fatalities at the
Project is expected to be low given the low level of use As a result Project-related fatalities of
northern harrier should they occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts because
northern harriers are common nationwide (Sauer et al 2011) Results from post-construction
fatality monitoring studies indicate that red-tailed hawks are frequently found as turbine-related
fatalities (228 records of red-tailed hawk from 27 studies - Tetra Tech 2012 Jain 2005 Grodsky
and Drake 2011 Johnson and Erickson 2011) However Garvin et al (2011) documented that
red-tailed hawks despite high-risk flight behavior also demonstrated collision avoidance
behavior (Garvin et al 2011) Thus risk of turbine-related fatalities at the Project exists for red-
tailed hawks but turbine-related fatalities would be expected to be low given the low level of use
and low number of nests detected within the Project area and 1-mile buffer Project-related
fatalities of red-tailed hawk should they occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts
because red-tailed hawks are common nationwide (Sauer et al 2011)
13 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Two other raptor species detected during spring surveys (Swainsonrsquos hawk and American
kestrel) have been recorded as fatalities at other wind facilities (Derby 2007 Gritski et al 2008
Johnson and Erickson 2011) Peregrine falcon and great-horned owl have not been recorded as
fatalities observed at wind farms with publicly available fatality data All are likely have low risk
for turbine collisions at the Project due to the relatively very low mean-use rates
43 LISTED SPECIES
No federal listed threatened or endangered species were detected incidentally during avian point
count raptor or lek surveys One adult golden eagle was detected as an incidental observation
The golden eagle is protected under the BGEPA Although applications for incidental take
permits are available none have been issued to date Projects that are applying for permits have
are those with a perceived high risk of eagle fatality or have an additional permitting requirement
based on land ownership Consultation with the USFWS would provide further information on
local interpretation of the Draft Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance (USFWS 2011c)
No state listed designated species with regulatory implications were detected during surveys
However all native migratory avian species are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of
1918
44 CONCLUSIONS
Results of the 2012 spring avian surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center suggest an overall
low impact of the Project on the local avian community The high mean-use rate at the Project by
non-raptors is primarily driven by a few common residents and migratory species not commonly
reported as fatalities at wind energy facilities with results from post-construction fatality
monitoring Raptor use was relatively low for each raptor species detected Although there is
potential for turbine-related fatalities of Canada goose sandhill crane horned lark western
meadowlark red-winged blackbird red-tailed hawk and Franklinrsquos gull at the Project fatalities
are not expected to have population-level impacts If avian fatality rates are similar to other wind
facilities within the region we would expect them to fall between 044 ndash 1183 birdsturbineyear
(049 ndash 717 birdsMWyear) Additionally the potential for turbine-related fatalities exists for
nocturnal migrant species not identifiable by the methods of this study
No federally listed threatened or endangered species were detected incidentally during avian
point count raptor or lek surveys One adult golden eagle was detected as an incidental
observation The golden eagle is protected under the BGEPA A total of 9 sharp-tailed grouse
leks were located within the Project area and 1-mile buffer Four of the leks are within the
Project area indicating a moderate use of the Project area by the species No state listed
designated species with regulatory implications were detected during surveys However all
native migratory avian species are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918
14 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
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Ballam JM 1984 The use of soaring by the red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) Auk 3519shy524
Beveridge L J 2005 The Migratory Bird Treaty Act and wind development North American Wind Power September36-38
BHE Environmental Inc 2010 Post-Construction Bird and Bat Mortality Study Cedar Ridge Wind Farm Fond Du Lac County Wisconsin Interim Report prepared for Wisconsin Power and Light Madison Wisconsin Prepared by BHE Environmental Inc Cincinnati Ohio February 2010
Bryce SA JM Omernik DA Pater M Ulmer J Schaar J Freeouf R Johnson P Kuck and SH Azevedo 1996 Ecoregions of North Dakota and South Dakota (color poster with map descriptive text summary tables and photographs) Reston Virginia US Geological Survey (map scale 11500000)
Devereux CL MJH Denny and MJ Whittingham 2008 Minimal effects of wind turbines on the distribution of wintering farmland birds Journal of Applied Ecology 451689shy1694
Drewitt AL and RHW Langston 2008 Collision effects of wind-power generators and other obstacles on birds Pages 233-266 in R S Ostfeld and W H Schlesinger editors Year in Ecology and Conservation Biology 2008 Blackwell Publishing Oxford
Drewitt AL and RHW Langston 2006 Assessing the impacts of wind farms on birds Ibis 14829-42
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Erickson WP GD Johnson and DP Young Jr 2005 A summary and comparison of bird mortality from anthropogenic causes with an emphasis on collisions USDA Forest Service Gen Tech Rep PSW-GTR-191
Erickson WP GD Johnson MD Strickland DP Young Jr KJ Sernka and R E Good 2001 Avian collisions with wind turbines a summary of existing studies and comparisons to other sources of avian collision mortality in the United States National Wind Coordinating Committee Washington DC Accessed at httpwwwnationalwindorgassetsarchiveAvian_Collisions_with_Wind_Turbines_shy_A_Summary_of_Existing_Studies_and_Comparisons_to_Other_Sources_of_Avian_Col lision_Mortality_in_the_United_States__2001_pdf
15 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
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Garvin J C Jennelle C S Drake D and Grodsky S M (2011) Response of raptors to a windfarm Journal of Applied Ecology 48 199ndash209
Gritski B S Downes K Kronner 2008 White Creek Wind I Wildlife Monitoring Annual Summary Winter 2007-2008 through Fall 2008 Prepared for White Creek Wind I LLC Roosevelt WA 25 pgs
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Gruver J M Sonnenburg K Bay and W Erickson 2009 Post-Construction Bat and Bird Fatality Study at the Blue Sky Green Field Wind Energy Center Fond Du Lac County Wisconsin July 21 - October 31 2008 and March 15 - June 4 2009 Unpublished report prepared by Western EcoSystems Technology Inc (WEST) Cheyenne Wyoming December 17 2009
Hagen CA JC Pitman TM Loughin BK Sandercock and RJ Robel 2011 Impacts of anthropogenic features on lesser prairie-chicken habitat use Studies in Avian Biology 39 63-75
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2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Johnson GD C LeBeau R Neilsen T Rintz and J Eddy 2012 Greater Sage-Grouse Habitat Use and Population Demographics at the Simpson Ridge Wind Resource Area Carbon County Wyoming Final Report prepared for EBP Renewables Houston Texas
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Johnson DH MJ Holloran JW Connelly SE Hanser CL Amundson and ST Knick 2011 Influences of Environmental and Anthropogenic Features on Greater Sage-grouse Populations 1997-2007 Pages 407-450 in ST Knick and JW Connelly Greater Sage-Grouse ecology and conservation of a landscape species and its habitat Studies in Avian Biology 38 University of California Press Berkeley CA
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USFWS 2011c Draft Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance Released January 2011
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WEST (Western EcoSystems Technology Inc) 2011 Presentation at the Northwest Wind Energy and Wildlife Workshop June 7-8 2011 Portland Oregon
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People who contributed to the writing of this report
Jim Kowalsky July 17 2012
Report Author Date
Jennifer Taylor July 19 2012
Peer Review 1 Date
Chris Farmer August 3 2012
Peer Review 2 Date
Anne-Marie Griger August 9 2012
Deputy Project Manager Date
Robert Friedel July 13 2012
GIS Date
19 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
FIGURES
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Figure 2 Point
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Wilton IVWind Energy Center
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NEXTENERGY RESOURCES
Figure 5 Raptor mean use by survey date in Spring 2012 at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
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Figure 6Raptor mean use by point
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Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
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Figure 7 Raptor nest and lek location
map (Spring 2012)NEXTENERGY
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Wilton IVWind Energy Center
5 Burleigh County ND
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2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
TABLES
21 August 2012
Table 1 Spring 2012 point count survey dates at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Date(s)Survey number
1 316 2 321 3 326 4 44 5 410 6 420 7 427 8 53 9 512 10 519 11 526 12 62 13 69 14 615
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Songbirds
unidentified sparrow 652 7 665 (000-1339) 41 313 121 red-winged blackbird 548 52 559 (036-1082) 378 263 102 horned lark 173 83 177 (136-218) 612 83 32 American crow 159 22 162 (027-297) 204 76 30 common grackle 91 33 093 (035-151) 245 44 17 western meadowlark 80 62 082 (065-099) 480 38 15 European starling 80 1 082 (000-216) 10 38 15 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 082 (029-135) 82 38 15 barn swallow 44 21 045 (028-062) 204 21 08 bobolink 36 28 037 (022-052) 194 17 07 American goldfinch 26 23 027 (018-036) 214 12 05 vesper sparrow 23 21 023 (013-033) 184 11 04 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 019 (010-028) 143 09 04 American robin 19 19 019 (011-027) 143 09 04 house sparrow 15 5 015 (000-030) 51 07 03 American tree sparrow 8 2 008 (000-018) 20 04 01 song sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 savannah sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 dickcissel 5 4 005 (000-010) 31 02 01 western kingbird 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 01 01 pine siskin 3 1 003 (000-008) 10 01 01 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 eastern kingbird 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 yellow warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 unidentified warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 house wren 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 Group Total 2083 430 2126 (1259-2993) 949 387
Waterfowl
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations
Canada goose 1408 24 1437 (435-2439) 133 874 262 snow goose 184 2 188 (000-490) 20 114 34 mallard 12 6 012 (004-020) 61 07 02 northern pintail 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 blue-winged teal 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 American wigeon 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 redhead 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 01 00 Group Total 1611 36 1644 (561-2727) 184 300
CranesRails sandhill crane 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 1000 201 Group Total 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 201
GullsTerns Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 283 (013-553) 31 986 52 ring-billed gull 4 3 004 (000-008) 31 14 01 Group Total 281 7 287 (017-557) 61 52
Gamebirds ring-necked pheasant 148 134 151 (128-174) 745 967 28 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 20 01 gray partridge 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 13 00 Group Total 153 138 156 (132-180) 755 28
PigeonsDoves rock pigeon 40 6 041 (009-073) 61 513 07 mourning dove 38 25 039 (019-059) 184 487 07 Group Total 78 31 080 (041-119) 224 15
Waterbirds killdeer 28 22 029 (017-041) 214 538 05 upland sandpiper 8 8 008 (003-013) 71 154 01 common snipe 8 8 008 (002-014) 61 154 01 Wilsons snipe 4 4 004 (000-008) 31 77 01 American coot 4 1 004 (000-011) 10 77 01 Group Total 52 43 053 (037-069) 357 10
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Raptors
red-tailed hawk 16 12 016 (008-024) 122 444 03 northern harrier 16 14 016 (009-023) 143 444 03 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 peregrine falcon 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 great horned owl 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 American kestrel 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 Group Total 36 30 037 (025-049) 276 07
Woodpeckers northern flicker 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 1000 00 Group Total 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 00 Grand Total 5376 735 5486 (3771-7200)
1 A ranking of 1 indicates highest mean use
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Canada goose 1408 24 210 80 523 140 210 135 110 sandhill crane 1080 18 94 18 621 15 187 145 0 unidentified sparrow 652 7 0 0 0 0 330 210 112 red-winged blackbird 548 52 0 84 49 386 14 11 4 Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 107 0 100 70 0 0 0 snow goose 184 2 0 180 4 0 0 0 0 horned lark 173 83 23 24 17 12 19 32 46 American crow 159 22 6 4 13 11 1 123 1 ring-necked pheasant 148 134 21 14 21 18 25 22 27 common grackle 91 33 6 35 7 2 8 33 0 western meadowlark 80 62 8 10 17 3 11 19 12 European starling 80 1 0 0 0 80 0 0 0 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 0 63 17 0 0 0 0 barn swallow 44 21 3 12 6 10 7 1 5 rock pigeon 40 6 0 14 0 0 0 23 3 mourning dove 38 25 4 17 1 1 1 11 3 bobolink 36 28 10 0 14 8 0 0 4 killdeer 28 22 3 3 4 5 10 0 3 American goldfinch 26 23 4 9 3 3 4 2 1 vesper sparrow 23 21 1 7 1 2 9 1 2 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 2 4 2 0 6 4 1 American robin 19 19 1 13 0 1 3 0 1 red-tailed hawk 16 12 4 0 4 5 0 1 2 northern harrier 16 14 3 1 4 4 2 0 2 house sparrow 15 5 2 13 0 0 0 0 0 mallard 12 6 0 0 6 6 0 0 0 upland sandpiper 8 8 0 0 1 0 3 2 2 common snipe 8 8 0 2 6 0 0 0 0 American tree sparrow 8 2 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 song sparrow 5 5 1 1 1 0 2 0 0 savannah sparrow 5 5 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 dickcissel 5 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 Wilsons snipe 4 4 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 ring-billed gull 4 3 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 American coot 4 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 western kingbird 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 pine siskin 3 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 northern pintail 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
northern flicker 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 gray partridge 2 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 eastern kingbird 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 blue-winged teal 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 American wigeon 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 yellow warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 unidentified warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 redhead 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 peregrine falcon 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 house wren 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 great horned owl 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 American kestrel 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Grand Total 5376 735 526 620 1452 794 859 776 349
Table 4 Summary of avian flight heights1 in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)2 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Birds
Number Percentage
Non-raptors
Raptors
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
1656 372
2023 455
767 173
3 91
13 394
17 515 1 Includes only flying birds with flight height data2These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
Canada goose 654 (435 - 2439) 1437 997 537 457 06 unidentified sparrow 632 (000 - 1339) 665 1000 00 951 49 sandhill crane 368 (083 - 2121) 1102 999 665 335 00 Franklinrsquos gull 283 (013 - 553) 283 1000 00 1000 00 European starling 082 (000 - 216) 082 1000 00 1000 00 American crow 024 (027 - 297) 162 943 00 160 840 red-tailed hawk 013 (008 - 024) 016 938 133 867 00 brown-headed cowbird 008 (029 - 135) 082 125 00 800 200 red-winged blackbird 005 (036 - 1082) 559 261 00 35 965 Wilsons snipe 002 (000 - 008) 004 500 00 1000 00 blue-winged teal 002 (000 - 005) 002 1000 00 1000 00 mallard 002 (004 - 020) 012 500 00 333 667 ring-billed gull 001 (000 - 008) 004 1000 00 250 750 yellow warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 yellow-headed blackbird 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 western meadowlark 000 (065 - 099) 082 338 00 00 1000 western kingbird 000 (000 - 007) 003 1000 00 00 1000 vesper sparrow 000 (013 - 033) 023 130 00 00 1000 upland sandpiper 000 (003 - 013) 008 250 00 00 1000 unidentified warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 Swainsonrsquos hawk 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 sharp-tailed grouse 000 (000 - 007) 003 667 00 00 1000 song sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 snow goose 000 (000 - 490) 188 1000 1000 00 00 savannah sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 rock pigeon 000 (009 - 073) 041 825 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
ring-necked pheasant 000 (128 - 174) 151 07 00 00 1000 redhead 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 pine siskin 000 (000 - 008) 003 1000 00 00 1000 peregrine falcon 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 1000 00 00 northern pintail 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 northern harrier 000 (009 - 023) 016 1000 00 00 1000 northern flicker 000 (000 - 004) 002 500 00 00 1000 mourning dove 000 (019 - 059) 039 684 00 00 1000 killdeer 000 (017 - 041) 029 607 00 00 1000 house wren 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 house sparrow 000 (000 - 030) 015 67 00 00 1000 horned lark 000 (136 - 218) 177 740 00 00 1000 grasshopper sparrow 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 gray partridge 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 great horned owl 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 eastern kingbird 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 dickcissel 000 (000 - 010) 005 00 00 00 00 common snipe 000 (002 - 014) 008 00 00 00 00 common grackle 000 (035 - 151) 093 945 00 00 1000 clay-colored sparrow 000 (010 - 028) 019 158 00 00 1000 bobolink 000 (022 - 052) 037 917 00 00 1000 barn swallow 000 (028 - 062) 045 1000 00 00 1000 American tree sparrow 000 (000 - 018) 008 1000 00 00 1000 American wigeon 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 American robin 000 (011 - 027) 019 421 00 00 1000 American kestrel 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
American goldfinch 000 027 (018 - 036) 923 00 00 1000American coot 000 004 (000 - 011) 00 00 00 001These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 6 Incidental observations of birds during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species
American crow American kestrel American robin Canada goose great horned owl golden eagle gray partridge lesser scaup mallard merlin northern harrier rock pigeon red-tailed hawk red-winged blackbird sandhill crane sharp-tailed grouse wild turkey
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
APPENDICES
22 August 2012
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number of Birds1
Number of
Observations Species
Percentage of Flights
N NE E SE S SW W NW Variable
Canada goose 1398 21 867 00 00 00 02 00 17 114 00
sandhill crane 1079 17 878 52 00 00 00 00 00 70 00
unidentified sparrow 565 5 00 00 00 788 212 00 00 00 00
Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
snow goose 184 2 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
European starling 80 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
American crow 69 11 768 58 58 00 14 43 00 14 43
red-winged blackbird 15 6 533 00 00 200 267 00 00 00 00
red-tailed hawk 14 10 500 143 00 71 00 71 00 71 143
rock pigeon 11 2 00 00 00 00 273 727 00 00 00
northern harrier 9 8 111 00 00 333 00 222 00 111 222
mourning dove 9 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
common grackle 9 6 111 00 00 111 00 222 556 00 00
brown-headed cowbird 8 1 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
horned lark 6 3 833 00 00 167 00 00 00 00 00
ring-billed gull 4 3 250 00 00 00 00 750 00 00 00
Wilsons snipe 2 2 500 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 500
vesper sparrow 2 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
mallard 2 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
blue-winged teal 2 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
peregrine falcon 1 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
killdeer 1 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
Grand Total 3747 108 722 17 04 121 36 05 30 64 02 1 Includes only flying birds with flight directions
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Nest Number Species Substrate
Nest ConditionStatusDates
Surveyed Nest
Height (m) 2012 - 1 452012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good
5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 4 592012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good 5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 5 5192012 Swainsonrsquos hawk Active Siberian Elm 7 Good
NA means not applicable
Wenck Associates Inc 301 1
st St NE Suite 202
Mandan ND 58554
Phone 701-751-3370 Email jaskimwenckcom
May 7 2012
Tracey M Dubuque PE Senior Project Manager
Tetra Tech EC
160 Federal Street Third Floor
Boston MA 02110
Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Dear Tracey
Introduction
Male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) congregate at historicalcommunal leks in the spring
to compete for breeding opportunities Both sexes return to their natal breeding grounds yearly for their
entire life Leks are typically found in areas with low-growing vegetation on a hill knoll or other point of
high visibility Fidelity to these locations is extremely high for sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse
require nesting habitat within close proximity the lek comprised of dense or residual vegetative cover to
conceal and protect their nest from predators (Vodehnal and Haufler 2007)
Disturbance of nesting prairie grouse may occur from the construction of the turbine andor access road
construction noise and physical movement of equipment Loss of habitat and fragmentation related to
energy exploration may affect local prairie grouse populations by decreasing the area of habitat available
for nesting and brood-rearing and by increasing predation (Pittman et al 2005) Therefore federal and
state wildlife agencies are concerned about the placement of turbines in areas with known prairie grouse
populations Turbine setbacks from leks and minimizing grouse habitat disturbance may reduce the direct
and indirect effects of energy development on grouse
Methods
Sharp-tailed grouse surveys were completed from April 10th to May 1
st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise
to two hours after sunrise within the one-mile analysis area (Figure 1) Peak attendance by females on leks
typically occurs from April 15 to 25 but these dates vary by up to a week depending on weather conditions
(Schroeder and Robb 1993) Peak attendance potentially occurred earlier this year due to the early spring
A habitat assessment analysis was conducted prior to the field survey to determine suitable lekkingnesting
habitat within the analysis area (Figure 2) Listening stops were made within a one-mile analysis area
surrounding the proposed project area to identify lek locations (Figure 3) Sharp-tailed grouse males may
be heard at a distance of up to 050 mile Listening stops were not conducted if winds exceeded 10 miles
per hour (mph) or during precipitation events After a lek was located the birds were observed and the
number of males and females were counted Lek locations were documented using Global Positioning
System (GPS) Given the sensitive nature of this species and the fact that females may be nesting near the
lek disturbance to breeding prairie grouse was kept to a minimum
Results
Nine (9) sharp-tailed grouse leks were located during the surveys conducted from April 10th to May 1
st
2012 (Figure 4) Date time sex number of birds present wind conditions air temperature and GPS
coordinates were recorded once a lek was located (Tables 1 and 2) Two of the leks observed were
located outside of the analysis area Due to Lek 1rsquos close proximity to Lek 4 Lek 1 shouldbe classified
as a satellite lek No visual confirmation of Lek 6 was made due to access and topography
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
The State of North Dakota does not have a state endangered or threatened species list Only those
species listed by the ESA are considered threatened or endangered in North Dakota However the
NDGFD have identified 100 Species of Conservation Priority within North Dakota These
species are ranked in three priority levels based on such factors as known status funding
availability and presence of breeding habitat within North Dakota (Hagen et al 2005) The
definitions of each rank are listed below
Level I A species having a high level of conservation priority because of declining status either in North Dakota or across their range or a high rate of occurrence in North Dakota constituting the core of the speciesrsquo breeding range but are at-risk range wide and non-State Wildlife Grants funding is not readily available to them
Level II Species having a moderate level of conservation priority or a high level of conservation priority but a substantial amount of non-State Wildlife Grant funding is available to them
Level III North Dakotarsquos species having a moderate level of conservation priority but are believed to be peripheral or do not breed in North Dakota
Species that are listed under the 100 Species of Conservation Priority are not afforded any formal
protection by the state or require special take permits Additional information on North Dakota
Species of Conservation Priority can be found at httpwwwgfndgovconservation-nongameshy
wildlifespecies-conservation-priority
216 Data Quality AssuranceQuality Control
Tetra Tech implemented quality assurance and quality control measures during all stages of data
collection analysis and report preparation To ensure legibility and completeness of data sheets
each biologist reviewed all data sheets providing clarification as needed before data entry into a
FileMaker Protrade relational database for data storage and analysis Prior to analysis an
independent reviewer conducted a 100-percent quality review of the data entries Any questions
that arose at this time were directed toward and answered by the field biologist
22 ANALYSIS
221 Species Groupings
Tetra Tech considered two primary groups of interest raptors and non-raptors Tetra Tech
defined raptors as vultures hawks eagles falcons and owls All other species groups are
defined as non-raptors
6 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
222 Avian Use
Tetra Tech derived avian use (mean use) of the Project by calculating the average number of
birds observed per 20-min survey at each point To evaluate the diversity and composition of
avian species using the Project area Tetra Tech summarized the number of individuals (birds20
min) and species Tetra Tech also calculated a measure of variability (90 percent confidence
intervals) for all mean use values In addition the number of observations is also presented
where an observation can be either an individual bird or a discrete flock of birds This
information helps evaluate whether high mean use is driven by a single event (eg a large flock
of birds moving through the Project area on migration) Because individual birds are not
uniquely marked and identified actual population size or abundance cannot be determined One
individual may be counted multiple times during a survey period or across survey periods
Although mean use of a given species does not equate to abundance it does provide an index
that is likely proportional to abundance and activity within the Project
223 Flight Behavior
Tetra Tech evaluated flight behavior by calculating the proportion of flying birds observed
below within or above the height of the anticipated turbine rotor swept area (RSA) Wilton IV
plans to develop the Project using General Electric 16 Megawatt (MW) turbines These turbines
have a hub height of 80 meters and rotor diameter of 100 meters With these specifications the
estimated RSA was between 30 and 130 m above ground Tetra Tech considered a bird to have
flown within the height range of the anticipated RSA if any of its recorded heights fell within the
upper or lower limits of the anticipated RSA
224 Encounter Rate
To estimate the rate at which a species flew at the height of the anticipated RSA Tetra Tech
applied the following equation to every species observed in the Project area
Encounter Rate = APfPt
A is the mean number of birds20 min for a given species Pf is the proportion of all activity
observations for a given species that were flying and Pt is the proportion flying observations that
were within the height range of a turbine RSA for a given species The encounter rate provides
information on the rate at which a species may move at a height that is consistent with the RSA
of the proposed turbines This information is an important component in evaluating risk of
collisions however this number alone does not indicate project-related impact to a species
Species with a high encounter rate are at a higher risk of collision than species with a low
encounter rate but it does not mean that turbine-related fatalities are certain Other factors such
as turbine location or a speciesrsquo ability to detect turbine blades flight maneuverability and
7 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
habitat selection also influence fatality (Orloff and Flannery 1992 Drewitt and Langston 2008
Martin 2011) Encounter values are sensitive to large flocks of birds flying within the RSA
height that is a species will have a high encounter rate even if only seen once in the RSA in a
large flying flock
225 Fatality Risk
The highly regional nature of avian mean use across North America and the scarce data on avian
fatalities at wind farms in many parts of the continent combined with other risk influences such
as individual species behavior and weather contribute to uncertainty in predicting fatality rates
(Arnett et al 2007 Strickland et al 2011) A recent meta-analysis suggests that pre-construction
studies provide poor indicators of post-construction fatality (Ferrer et al 2012) WEST (2011)
suggests that the most accurate predictors of fatality at a wind project are records of species-
specific fatalities detected at nearby wind projects As a result of uncertainty in predicting
fatality rates Tetra Tech did not attempt to derive fatality estimates from mean use data but will
highlight those species or groups with high use values that may experience Project-related
fatalities or whose regional population could be impacted by development Additionally Tetra
Tech will highlight species with high frequencies of observation high encounter rates and those
with records of turbine-related fatality at other wind projects as these variables may also indicate
potential collision risk at the Project
30 RESULTS
31 AVIAN USE AND FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE
Biologists surveyed 3476 acres of the Project area during point count surveys covering 22
percent of the Project arearsquos total area (15752 acres) The 7 point count locations were surveyed
14 times resulting in 98 total 20-min surveys A total of 5376 birds from 52 species and 653
that could not be identified to species (all unidentified sparrows) were recorded within the
Project area during the fixed-point count surveys (Table 2) Overall mean bird use for the Wilton
IV Wind Energy Center was 5486 birds20 min and ranged from 0 to 603 birds20 min
Overall mean use by non-raptors was 5449 birds20 min Songbirds Waterfowl and
CranesRails comprised 387 300 and 201 percent of all species observed respectively and
were distributed throughout the Project area Among species groups mean use was highest for
songbirds (2126 birds20 min Table 2) and songbirds were observed in 949 percent of all
surveys The non-raptor species with the highest mean use came from four different species
groups Songbirds Waterfowl CranesRails and GullsTerns and included the Canada goose
(1437 birds20 min observed in 133 percent of all surveys) sandhill crane (1102 birds20 min
observed in 122 percent of all surveys) unidentified sparrow (665 birds20 min 41 percent of
all surveys) red-winged blackbird (559 birds20 min observed in 378 percent of all surveys)
8 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
and Franklinrsquos gull (283 birds20 min observed in 31 percent of all surveys Table 2) Other
species with a high frequency of detection during the surveys but with a low mean use included
ring-necked pheasant (151 birds20 min observed in 745 percent of all surveys) horned lark
(177 birds20 min 612 percent of all surveys) and western meadowlark (082 birds20 min
480 percent of all surveys Table 2) Each other non-raptor species had a mean use of less than
190 birds20 min or was detected in less than 48 percent of all surveys Other non-raptor species
groups observed during the surveys included Gamebirds PigeonsDoves Waterbirds and
Woodpeckers (Table 2)
Non-raptor mean use was highest on March 16 (24743 birds20 min) April 20 (19914 birds20
min) and March 26 (12571 birds20 min Figure 3) Observations on March 16 were comprised
of mostly Canada geese (1138 individuals observed in 17 flocks ranging in size from 20 to 140
individuals 77 of all observations) The primary contributors to the high mean use on April 20
were unidentified sparrows (645 individuals observed in 6 distinct flocks and ranging from 25 to
250 individuals) red-winged blackbird (392 individuals) and Franklinrsquos gull (277 individuals)
On March 26 the primary contributor to the high mean use was the sandhill crane (772
individuals distributed between 8 flocks ranging from 15 to 275 individuals) Mean use for nonshy
raptors was highest at point count location 3 (10314 birds20 min Figure 4) Species
contributing to the high mean use at this point included sandhill crane (621 individuals) Canada
goose (523 individuals) and Franklinrsquos gull (100 individuals Table 3) The habitat at point 3
consists of row crops (wheat) and short-grass prairie possibly enrolled in the Conservation
Reserve Program (CRP) The habitat at this point is not unique within the Project area However
most of the birds observed at point 3 were flying through the Project area in flocks of 15 to 275
individuals and not stopping in the immediate vicinity of the Project
Raptors are a group of special interest because of their propensity to fly at heights similar to a
turbine RSA Overall mean use for raptors was 037 birds20 min (Table 2) raptors were not
among the most frequently observed species groups during the spring surveys The raptor species
with the highest mean use was the red-tailed hawk (016 birds20 min observed in 122 percent
of all surveys) and northern harrier (016 birds20 min observed in 143 percent of all surveys)
Other raptor species detected included the Swainsonrsquos hawk and peregrine falcon great-horned
owl and American kestrel each with mean use value of 001 birds20 min with each observed in
10 percent of all surveys (Table 2)
Mean use by raptors was highest on March 26 (129 birds20 min) and May 3 (100 birds20 min
Figure 5) Observations on March 26 included red-tailed hawk (5 individuals) northern harrier
(3 individuals) and American kestrel (1 individual) Observations on May 26 included 4 red-
tailed hawks 2 northern harriers and 1 peregrine falcon Mean use for raptors was less than 058
birds20 min for all other survey dates Mean use for raptors was highest at point count locations
4 1 and 3 (064 064 and 057 birds20 min respectively Figure 6) Species contributing to the
9 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
mean use at these points were mostly red-tailed hawks and northern harriers (Table 3) In
addition to red-tailed hawks and northern harriers point count location 1 had one American
kestrel and one Peregrine falcon Raptor mean use was equal to or less than 029 birds20 min at
all other points Point count locations 4 1 and 3 each encompass short-grass prairie and
agricultural (mostly wheat) fields both of which provide foraging opportunities for raptors
These features are not unique to these point count locations or within the Project area
32 FLIGHT HEIGHT AND ENCOUNTER RATE
During spring avian use surveys biologists collected behavioral data for 986 percent of all birds
observed during point count surveys of which 834 percent were observed flying The biologist
collected flight height data for 999 percent and flight direction for 835 percent of those
observations (ie most individuals were observed making directional flights) Of non-raptor
species observed flying 372 percent flew above the height of the anticipated RSA 455 percent
flew at the height of the anticipated RSA and 173 percent flew below the height of the
anticipated RSA (Table 4) Of raptor species observed flying 91 percent flew above the height
of the anticipated RSA 394 percent flew at the height of the anticipated RSA and 515 percent
flew above the height of the anticipated RSA Data on flight direction are located in Appendix 1
Most birds observed making direct flight over the Project were moving in a northerly direction
(803 percent of all direct flights) In combination with the timing of flights (Figure 3) these data
suggest that much of the non-raptor use observed at the Project area is due to migratory
movements
Canada goose had the highest encounter rate (654 birds flying at RSA height20 min Table 5)
followed by unidentified sparrow (632 birds flying at RSA height20 min) sandhill crane (368
birds flying at RSA height20 min) and Franklinrsquos gull (283 birds flying at RSA height20 min)
Each other species had an encounter rate below 083 birds flying at RSA height20 min
33 RAPTOR NEST SURVEYS
Raptor nests detected within the Project area or 1-mile buffer included 2 red-tailed hawks 2 unknown nests and 1 Swainsonrsquos hawk (Figure 7) The red-tailed hawk nests were found on April 5 and May 9 with each remaining active during the survey period The Swainsonrsquos hawk nest was detected on May 19th within the 1-mile buffer around the Project area The two unknown nests were found on April 15 and April 25 Both unknown nests appeared to never be active during the survey period
34 LEK SURVEYS
During grouse lek surveys conducted within the Project area and a surrounding 1-mile buffer
from April 10th to May 1st a total of 9 sharp-tailed grouse leks were found within the Project area
and 1-mile buffer (Figure 7 WENK 2012) Four of the leks were within the Project area (Figure
7) Each lek had a minimum of 4 individuals (includes males and females) observed with the
10 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
maximum number of grouse observed at one lek being 21 individuals (lek 8) A full report on the
grouse lek surveys is presented in Appendix 3
35 INCIDENTAL OBSERVATIONS
The biologist documented 17 species as incidental observations (Table 6) Of these species 4
(golden eagle lesser scaup merlin wild turkey) were not detected during spring point count
surveys
36 LISTED SPECIES
No federal threatened or endangered species were observed during avian point count raptor or
lek surveys or as an incidental observation One adult golden eagle was observed incidentally
near survey point 7 on March 26th in flight within the anticipated RSA The golden eagle is
protected by the BGEPA (Section 215)
Four Level I (Franklinrsquos gull Swainsonrsquos hawk upland sandpiper and grasshopper sparrow)
seven Level II (bobolink dickcissel redhead sharp-tailed grouse northern harrier golden eagle
and northern pintail) and one Level III (peregrine falcon) state-listed Species of Conservation
Priority were observed during point counts raptor nest lek surveys or as incidental observations
within the Project Area
40 DISCUSSION
The avian community detected within the Project area during spring surveys was characterized
by species associated with typical mid-western agricultural lands and short-grass prairie
vegetation The majority of the Project area and vicinity has been developed for agricultural use
specifically crops such as wheat sunflower and corn with additional developed lands devoted to
pastureland for cattle Within disturbed habitats such as these the greatest potential impact of
wind facilities to avian species is risk of collisions with turbines Mean avian fatality rates
estimated from wind facilities in the Midwest (NE WI MN and IA) range from 044 to 1183
birdsturbineyear (049 ndash 717 birdsMWyear Tetra Tech 2012) Project-related bird fatalities
are expected to fall within this range
In areas mostly dominated by native short-grass prairie additional loss of habitat from
developing these areas may impact resident and migratory avian species The presence of native
grassland habitats within the Project area suggests that additional disturbance and habitat loss
caused by construction and operation of the Project may cause birds to avoid the Project area
and may alter the current use of habitat by bird species within the Project area (Tetra Tech 2011)
The greatest potential for habitat loss would be for sharp-tailed grouse Current research suggests
that certain grouse species may avoid anthropogenic structures (USFWS 2012a Hagen et al
11 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
2011) however long-term data sets are still needed to best assess wind energy impacts (Johnson
et al 2012)
41 NON-RAPTOR USE AND COLLISION RISK
The Canada goose sandhill crane red-winged blackbird and Franklinrsquos gull were species with
the highest mean use within the Project area and were among the species most frequently
detected Additionally unidentified sparrows which probably represent a group of similar
species had high mean use Three of these species Canada goose Franklinrsquos gull and sandhill
crane are migratory with most individuals moving through the region (and the Project area) to
breeding grounds further north as indicated by their flight direction and large flock size Three
species had a high frequency of detection but a low mean use at the Project ring-necked
pheasant horned lark and western meadowlark These eight species are local residential and
migratory species commonly associated with the open pastureland short-grass prairie and row-
crop agriculture habitats found throughout the Project area These species are widely distributed
across the country and can be expected to occur where suitable habitat is present
The red-winged blackbird horned lark western meadowlark and ring-necked pheasant are
commonly found as turbine-related fatalities (more than 20 records of post-construction fatality
from 27 studies Tetra Tech 2012 Johnson et al 2000 Howe et al 2002 Derby et al 2007 TRC
Environmental 2008 Gruver et al 2009 BHE Environmental 2010 Jain et al 2011 Grodsky
and Drake 2011) particularly horned larks which exhibit breeding flight displays that may bring
them into the height of the RSA (Johnson and Erickson 2011) Thus risk of turbine-related
fatalities exists for each of these species at the Project However Project-related fatalities of red-
winged blackbird horned lark western meadowlark and ring-necked pheasant should they
occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts because collision fatalities appears to have
little effect North American landbird populations (Arnold and Zink 2011)
Species with high mean use but that are considered to have low risk for fatalities include sandhill
crane Franklinrsquos gull and Canada goose Although flying at the height of the RSA represents a
collision risk sandhill cranes have been documented altering flight direction in response to
turbines at wind facility in South Dakota (Nagy et al 2011) and multiple studies have
documented sandhill cranes gradually climbing as they approach marked power lines (Morkill
and Anderson 1991 Murphy et al 2009) The avoidance behavior observed at other studies and
lack of documented turbine-related fatalities of the sandhill crane suggests a low risk of Project-
related fatality for this species While no studies have documented avoidance behavior by
Franklinrsquos gulls similar to sandhill cranes the lack of documented fatalities at wind facilities
with publicly available data within the breeding range and migratory pathway of Franklinrsquos gulls
indicate a low risk of fatalities to occur at the Project (20 studies Tetra Tech 2012)
12 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Additionally Canada goose has a low number of fatality observations (less than 6 records of
post-construction fatalities from 27 studies Tetra Tech 2012)
The remaining non-raptor species detected during spring surveys have low risk for turbine
collisions at the Project due to a combination of relatively low mean-use rates infrequent flight
within the height of the RSA andor few or no records of fatalities at other wind facilities with
publically available results of fatality data
42 RAPTOR USE AND COLLISION RISK
High raptor use (greater than 20 birds20 min) has been associated with high raptor fatality at
wind farms (Strickland et al 2011) Conversely raptor fatality appears to be low when raptor use
is low (less than 10 birds20 min Strickland et al 2011) which is the case for raptor use at the
Project A factor contributing to the low raptor use of the Project area may be the number of
active raptor nests detected during nests surveys Because raptor activity is typically higher near
active nests than areas without active nests and raptors may have increased potential for
collision as they repeatedly fly within the Project area during nesting activities
Red-tailed hawks and northern harriers were the raptor species with the highest mean use and
were also among the most frequently detected raptor species at the Project Both species are
commonly associated with agricultural and grassland habitats which provide opportunities for
foraging an activity associated with susceptibility to turbine-collisions (Thelander et al 2003)
In a recent study of raptor response to wind farms northern harriers were identified as having a
low risk flight behavior for collisions whereas red-tailed hawks were observed engaging in high-
risk flight behaviors at operational wind facilities (Garvin et al 2011) Risks of collision for
northern harriers are believed to be low because the majority of foraging flights occur below
typical RSA heights (Whitfield and Madders 2006) Thus risk of turbine-related fatalities at the
Project is expected to be low given the low level of use As a result Project-related fatalities of
northern harrier should they occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts because
northern harriers are common nationwide (Sauer et al 2011) Results from post-construction
fatality monitoring studies indicate that red-tailed hawks are frequently found as turbine-related
fatalities (228 records of red-tailed hawk from 27 studies - Tetra Tech 2012 Jain 2005 Grodsky
and Drake 2011 Johnson and Erickson 2011) However Garvin et al (2011) documented that
red-tailed hawks despite high-risk flight behavior also demonstrated collision avoidance
behavior (Garvin et al 2011) Thus risk of turbine-related fatalities at the Project exists for red-
tailed hawks but turbine-related fatalities would be expected to be low given the low level of use
and low number of nests detected within the Project area and 1-mile buffer Project-related
fatalities of red-tailed hawk should they occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts
because red-tailed hawks are common nationwide (Sauer et al 2011)
13 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Two other raptor species detected during spring surveys (Swainsonrsquos hawk and American
kestrel) have been recorded as fatalities at other wind facilities (Derby 2007 Gritski et al 2008
Johnson and Erickson 2011) Peregrine falcon and great-horned owl have not been recorded as
fatalities observed at wind farms with publicly available fatality data All are likely have low risk
for turbine collisions at the Project due to the relatively very low mean-use rates
43 LISTED SPECIES
No federal listed threatened or endangered species were detected incidentally during avian point
count raptor or lek surveys One adult golden eagle was detected as an incidental observation
The golden eagle is protected under the BGEPA Although applications for incidental take
permits are available none have been issued to date Projects that are applying for permits have
are those with a perceived high risk of eagle fatality or have an additional permitting requirement
based on land ownership Consultation with the USFWS would provide further information on
local interpretation of the Draft Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance (USFWS 2011c)
No state listed designated species with regulatory implications were detected during surveys
However all native migratory avian species are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of
1918
44 CONCLUSIONS
Results of the 2012 spring avian surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center suggest an overall
low impact of the Project on the local avian community The high mean-use rate at the Project by
non-raptors is primarily driven by a few common residents and migratory species not commonly
reported as fatalities at wind energy facilities with results from post-construction fatality
monitoring Raptor use was relatively low for each raptor species detected Although there is
potential for turbine-related fatalities of Canada goose sandhill crane horned lark western
meadowlark red-winged blackbird red-tailed hawk and Franklinrsquos gull at the Project fatalities
are not expected to have population-level impacts If avian fatality rates are similar to other wind
facilities within the region we would expect them to fall between 044 ndash 1183 birdsturbineyear
(049 ndash 717 birdsMWyear) Additionally the potential for turbine-related fatalities exists for
nocturnal migrant species not identifiable by the methods of this study
No federally listed threatened or endangered species were detected incidentally during avian
point count raptor or lek surveys One adult golden eagle was detected as an incidental
observation The golden eagle is protected under the BGEPA A total of 9 sharp-tailed grouse
leks were located within the Project area and 1-mile buffer Four of the leks are within the
Project area indicating a moderate use of the Project area by the species No state listed
designated species with regulatory implications were detected during surveys However all
native migratory avian species are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918
14 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
50 REFERENCES
Arnold TW and RM Zink 2011 Collision mortality has no discernible effect on population trends of North American Birds PLoS ONE 6 e24708 doi101371journalpone0024708
Arnett EB DB Inkley DH Johnson RP Larkin S Manes AM Manville JR Mason ML Morrison MD Strickland and R Thresher 2007 Impacts of wind energy facilities on wildlife and wildlife habitat Wildlife Society Technical Review 07-2 The Wildlife Society Bethesda MA
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2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
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Jain AA 2005 Bird and Bat Behavior and Mortality at a Northern Iowa Windfarm Thesis submitted to Iowa State University Ames IA 113 pgs
16 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
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People who contributed to the writing of this report
Jim Kowalsky July 17 2012
Report Author Date
Jennifer Taylor July 19 2012
Peer Review 1 Date
Chris Farmer August 3 2012
Peer Review 2 Date
Anne-Marie Griger August 9 2012
Deputy Project Manager Date
Robert Friedel July 13 2012
GIS Date
19 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
FIGURES
20 August 2012
B
Knife River
James River
Random Creek
Pipestem Creek
Heart River Long Lake Creek
Rocky Run
Otter Creek
Turtle Cr eek
West Branch Apple Creek
Little Heart River
Big Muddy Creek
Ea st Br an ch Ap pl e C re ek
Apple
Creek
Painte Woods Creek
Sweetbrier Creek
Square Butte Creek
B
LakeAudubon Figure 1Lake NettieLakeSakakawea ty MapVicini
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Lake NEXTENERGYPetUV7
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V41 RESOURCES
Wilton IVMcLeanWind Energy Center
Burleigh County ND
Las modified 7-10-2012
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Figure 2 Point
(Spr t location mapcoun
ing 2012)NEXTENERGY
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Wilton IVWind Energy Center
AA
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Last modified 7-10-2012A AA
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Figure 3 Non-raptor mean use by survey date in Spring at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center M
ean
Use
(bir
ds2
0 m
in)
3000
2500
2000
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Survey Date
316 321 326 44 410 420 427 53 512 519 526 62 69 615
NAD 1983 UTM 14
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80Th
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266Th Ave NE
CR 18
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119T
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PC 02
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Figure 4Non-raptor mean use by point count location (Spring 2012)
Non-r aptor s p e r 20 m in u te s 00 1 - 25 0 0 25 01 - 5 0 00 50 01 - 7 5 00
75 01 - 1 0 00 0
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Mean use value PC Point count number
Burleigh County ND
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
Last modified 7-10-2012
NEXTENERGY RESOURCES
Figure 5 Raptor mean use by survey date in Spring 2012 at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Mea
n U
se (b
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min
)
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120
100
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060
040
020
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Survey Date
316 321 326 44 410 420 427 53 512 519 526 62 69 615
NAD 1983 UTM 14
240th Ave Ne240th Ave Ne
158th
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e
253Rd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
227Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE 279Th Ave NE
119T
h St N
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266Th Ave NE
CR 18
04
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119T
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145T
h St N
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PC 03
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Figure 6Raptor mean use by point
count location (Spring 2012)
Rapto r s p e r 2 0 m in u te s 00 1- 01 6 01 7 - 0 32 03 3 - 0 48
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Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
A Pro po sed tu rbin e (9 -21 -20 11 )Lo ca l Ro a d
Mean use value PC Point count number
Burleigh County ND
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
Last modified 7-10-2012
NEXTENERGY RESOURCES
240th Ave Ne 240th Ave Ne
240th Ave Ne
266th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
279Th Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
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292Nd Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
52Nd
St N
E
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214Th Ave NE
66Th
St N
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80Th
St N
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h St N
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227Th Ave NE 227Th Ave NE
86Th
St N
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St N
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Figure 7 Raptor nest and lek location
map (Spring 2012)NEXTENERGY
RESOURCES
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
5 Burleigh County ND
Last modified 7-10-2012 A A
A A
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
AAA A A A A A
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2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
TABLES
21 August 2012
Table 1 Spring 2012 point count survey dates at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Date(s)Survey number
1 316 2 321 3 326 4 44 5 410 6 420 7 427 8 53 9 512 10 519 11 526 12 62 13 69 14 615
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Songbirds
unidentified sparrow 652 7 665 (000-1339) 41 313 121 red-winged blackbird 548 52 559 (036-1082) 378 263 102 horned lark 173 83 177 (136-218) 612 83 32 American crow 159 22 162 (027-297) 204 76 30 common grackle 91 33 093 (035-151) 245 44 17 western meadowlark 80 62 082 (065-099) 480 38 15 European starling 80 1 082 (000-216) 10 38 15 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 082 (029-135) 82 38 15 barn swallow 44 21 045 (028-062) 204 21 08 bobolink 36 28 037 (022-052) 194 17 07 American goldfinch 26 23 027 (018-036) 214 12 05 vesper sparrow 23 21 023 (013-033) 184 11 04 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 019 (010-028) 143 09 04 American robin 19 19 019 (011-027) 143 09 04 house sparrow 15 5 015 (000-030) 51 07 03 American tree sparrow 8 2 008 (000-018) 20 04 01 song sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 savannah sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 dickcissel 5 4 005 (000-010) 31 02 01 western kingbird 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 01 01 pine siskin 3 1 003 (000-008) 10 01 01 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 eastern kingbird 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 yellow warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 unidentified warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 house wren 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 Group Total 2083 430 2126 (1259-2993) 949 387
Waterfowl
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations
Canada goose 1408 24 1437 (435-2439) 133 874 262 snow goose 184 2 188 (000-490) 20 114 34 mallard 12 6 012 (004-020) 61 07 02 northern pintail 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 blue-winged teal 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 American wigeon 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 redhead 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 01 00 Group Total 1611 36 1644 (561-2727) 184 300
CranesRails sandhill crane 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 1000 201 Group Total 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 201
GullsTerns Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 283 (013-553) 31 986 52 ring-billed gull 4 3 004 (000-008) 31 14 01 Group Total 281 7 287 (017-557) 61 52
Gamebirds ring-necked pheasant 148 134 151 (128-174) 745 967 28 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 20 01 gray partridge 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 13 00 Group Total 153 138 156 (132-180) 755 28
PigeonsDoves rock pigeon 40 6 041 (009-073) 61 513 07 mourning dove 38 25 039 (019-059) 184 487 07 Group Total 78 31 080 (041-119) 224 15
Waterbirds killdeer 28 22 029 (017-041) 214 538 05 upland sandpiper 8 8 008 (003-013) 71 154 01 common snipe 8 8 008 (002-014) 61 154 01 Wilsons snipe 4 4 004 (000-008) 31 77 01 American coot 4 1 004 (000-011) 10 77 01 Group Total 52 43 053 (037-069) 357 10
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Raptors
red-tailed hawk 16 12 016 (008-024) 122 444 03 northern harrier 16 14 016 (009-023) 143 444 03 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 peregrine falcon 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 great horned owl 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 American kestrel 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 Group Total 36 30 037 (025-049) 276 07
Woodpeckers northern flicker 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 1000 00 Group Total 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 00 Grand Total 5376 735 5486 (3771-7200)
1 A ranking of 1 indicates highest mean use
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Canada goose 1408 24 210 80 523 140 210 135 110 sandhill crane 1080 18 94 18 621 15 187 145 0 unidentified sparrow 652 7 0 0 0 0 330 210 112 red-winged blackbird 548 52 0 84 49 386 14 11 4 Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 107 0 100 70 0 0 0 snow goose 184 2 0 180 4 0 0 0 0 horned lark 173 83 23 24 17 12 19 32 46 American crow 159 22 6 4 13 11 1 123 1 ring-necked pheasant 148 134 21 14 21 18 25 22 27 common grackle 91 33 6 35 7 2 8 33 0 western meadowlark 80 62 8 10 17 3 11 19 12 European starling 80 1 0 0 0 80 0 0 0 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 0 63 17 0 0 0 0 barn swallow 44 21 3 12 6 10 7 1 5 rock pigeon 40 6 0 14 0 0 0 23 3 mourning dove 38 25 4 17 1 1 1 11 3 bobolink 36 28 10 0 14 8 0 0 4 killdeer 28 22 3 3 4 5 10 0 3 American goldfinch 26 23 4 9 3 3 4 2 1 vesper sparrow 23 21 1 7 1 2 9 1 2 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 2 4 2 0 6 4 1 American robin 19 19 1 13 0 1 3 0 1 red-tailed hawk 16 12 4 0 4 5 0 1 2 northern harrier 16 14 3 1 4 4 2 0 2 house sparrow 15 5 2 13 0 0 0 0 0 mallard 12 6 0 0 6 6 0 0 0 upland sandpiper 8 8 0 0 1 0 3 2 2 common snipe 8 8 0 2 6 0 0 0 0 American tree sparrow 8 2 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 song sparrow 5 5 1 1 1 0 2 0 0 savannah sparrow 5 5 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 dickcissel 5 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 Wilsons snipe 4 4 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 ring-billed gull 4 3 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 American coot 4 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 western kingbird 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 pine siskin 3 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 northern pintail 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
northern flicker 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 gray partridge 2 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 eastern kingbird 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 blue-winged teal 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 American wigeon 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 yellow warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 unidentified warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 redhead 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 peregrine falcon 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 house wren 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 great horned owl 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 American kestrel 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Grand Total 5376 735 526 620 1452 794 859 776 349
Table 4 Summary of avian flight heights1 in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)2 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Birds
Number Percentage
Non-raptors
Raptors
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
1656 372
2023 455
767 173
3 91
13 394
17 515 1 Includes only flying birds with flight height data2These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
Canada goose 654 (435 - 2439) 1437 997 537 457 06 unidentified sparrow 632 (000 - 1339) 665 1000 00 951 49 sandhill crane 368 (083 - 2121) 1102 999 665 335 00 Franklinrsquos gull 283 (013 - 553) 283 1000 00 1000 00 European starling 082 (000 - 216) 082 1000 00 1000 00 American crow 024 (027 - 297) 162 943 00 160 840 red-tailed hawk 013 (008 - 024) 016 938 133 867 00 brown-headed cowbird 008 (029 - 135) 082 125 00 800 200 red-winged blackbird 005 (036 - 1082) 559 261 00 35 965 Wilsons snipe 002 (000 - 008) 004 500 00 1000 00 blue-winged teal 002 (000 - 005) 002 1000 00 1000 00 mallard 002 (004 - 020) 012 500 00 333 667 ring-billed gull 001 (000 - 008) 004 1000 00 250 750 yellow warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 yellow-headed blackbird 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 western meadowlark 000 (065 - 099) 082 338 00 00 1000 western kingbird 000 (000 - 007) 003 1000 00 00 1000 vesper sparrow 000 (013 - 033) 023 130 00 00 1000 upland sandpiper 000 (003 - 013) 008 250 00 00 1000 unidentified warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 Swainsonrsquos hawk 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 sharp-tailed grouse 000 (000 - 007) 003 667 00 00 1000 song sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 snow goose 000 (000 - 490) 188 1000 1000 00 00 savannah sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 rock pigeon 000 (009 - 073) 041 825 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
ring-necked pheasant 000 (128 - 174) 151 07 00 00 1000 redhead 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 pine siskin 000 (000 - 008) 003 1000 00 00 1000 peregrine falcon 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 1000 00 00 northern pintail 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 northern harrier 000 (009 - 023) 016 1000 00 00 1000 northern flicker 000 (000 - 004) 002 500 00 00 1000 mourning dove 000 (019 - 059) 039 684 00 00 1000 killdeer 000 (017 - 041) 029 607 00 00 1000 house wren 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 house sparrow 000 (000 - 030) 015 67 00 00 1000 horned lark 000 (136 - 218) 177 740 00 00 1000 grasshopper sparrow 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 gray partridge 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 great horned owl 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 eastern kingbird 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 dickcissel 000 (000 - 010) 005 00 00 00 00 common snipe 000 (002 - 014) 008 00 00 00 00 common grackle 000 (035 - 151) 093 945 00 00 1000 clay-colored sparrow 000 (010 - 028) 019 158 00 00 1000 bobolink 000 (022 - 052) 037 917 00 00 1000 barn swallow 000 (028 - 062) 045 1000 00 00 1000 American tree sparrow 000 (000 - 018) 008 1000 00 00 1000 American wigeon 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 American robin 000 (011 - 027) 019 421 00 00 1000 American kestrel 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
American goldfinch 000 027 (018 - 036) 923 00 00 1000American coot 000 004 (000 - 011) 00 00 00 001These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 6 Incidental observations of birds during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species
American crow American kestrel American robin Canada goose great horned owl golden eagle gray partridge lesser scaup mallard merlin northern harrier rock pigeon red-tailed hawk red-winged blackbird sandhill crane sharp-tailed grouse wild turkey
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
APPENDICES
22 August 2012
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number of Birds1
Number of
Observations Species
Percentage of Flights
N NE E SE S SW W NW Variable
Canada goose 1398 21 867 00 00 00 02 00 17 114 00
sandhill crane 1079 17 878 52 00 00 00 00 00 70 00
unidentified sparrow 565 5 00 00 00 788 212 00 00 00 00
Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
snow goose 184 2 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
European starling 80 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
American crow 69 11 768 58 58 00 14 43 00 14 43
red-winged blackbird 15 6 533 00 00 200 267 00 00 00 00
red-tailed hawk 14 10 500 143 00 71 00 71 00 71 143
rock pigeon 11 2 00 00 00 00 273 727 00 00 00
northern harrier 9 8 111 00 00 333 00 222 00 111 222
mourning dove 9 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
common grackle 9 6 111 00 00 111 00 222 556 00 00
brown-headed cowbird 8 1 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
horned lark 6 3 833 00 00 167 00 00 00 00 00
ring-billed gull 4 3 250 00 00 00 00 750 00 00 00
Wilsons snipe 2 2 500 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 500
vesper sparrow 2 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
mallard 2 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
blue-winged teal 2 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
peregrine falcon 1 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
killdeer 1 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
Grand Total 3747 108 722 17 04 121 36 05 30 64 02 1 Includes only flying birds with flight directions
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Nest Number Species Substrate
Nest ConditionStatusDates
Surveyed Nest
Height (m) 2012 - 1 452012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good
5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 4 592012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good 5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 5 5192012 Swainsonrsquos hawk Active Siberian Elm 7 Good
NA means not applicable
Wenck Associates Inc 301 1
st St NE Suite 202
Mandan ND 58554
Phone 701-751-3370 Email jaskimwenckcom
May 7 2012
Tracey M Dubuque PE Senior Project Manager
Tetra Tech EC
160 Federal Street Third Floor
Boston MA 02110
Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Dear Tracey
Introduction
Male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) congregate at historicalcommunal leks in the spring
to compete for breeding opportunities Both sexes return to their natal breeding grounds yearly for their
entire life Leks are typically found in areas with low-growing vegetation on a hill knoll or other point of
high visibility Fidelity to these locations is extremely high for sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse
require nesting habitat within close proximity the lek comprised of dense or residual vegetative cover to
conceal and protect their nest from predators (Vodehnal and Haufler 2007)
Disturbance of nesting prairie grouse may occur from the construction of the turbine andor access road
construction noise and physical movement of equipment Loss of habitat and fragmentation related to
energy exploration may affect local prairie grouse populations by decreasing the area of habitat available
for nesting and brood-rearing and by increasing predation (Pittman et al 2005) Therefore federal and
state wildlife agencies are concerned about the placement of turbines in areas with known prairie grouse
populations Turbine setbacks from leks and minimizing grouse habitat disturbance may reduce the direct
and indirect effects of energy development on grouse
Methods
Sharp-tailed grouse surveys were completed from April 10th to May 1
st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise
to two hours after sunrise within the one-mile analysis area (Figure 1) Peak attendance by females on leks
typically occurs from April 15 to 25 but these dates vary by up to a week depending on weather conditions
(Schroeder and Robb 1993) Peak attendance potentially occurred earlier this year due to the early spring
A habitat assessment analysis was conducted prior to the field survey to determine suitable lekkingnesting
habitat within the analysis area (Figure 2) Listening stops were made within a one-mile analysis area
surrounding the proposed project area to identify lek locations (Figure 3) Sharp-tailed grouse males may
be heard at a distance of up to 050 mile Listening stops were not conducted if winds exceeded 10 miles
per hour (mph) or during precipitation events After a lek was located the birds were observed and the
number of males and females were counted Lek locations were documented using Global Positioning
System (GPS) Given the sensitive nature of this species and the fact that females may be nesting near the
lek disturbance to breeding prairie grouse was kept to a minimum
Results
Nine (9) sharp-tailed grouse leks were located during the surveys conducted from April 10th to May 1
st
2012 (Figure 4) Date time sex number of birds present wind conditions air temperature and GPS
coordinates were recorded once a lek was located (Tables 1 and 2) Two of the leks observed were
located outside of the analysis area Due to Lek 1rsquos close proximity to Lek 4 Lek 1 shouldbe classified
as a satellite lek No visual confirmation of Lek 6 was made due to access and topography
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
222 Avian Use
Tetra Tech derived avian use (mean use) of the Project by calculating the average number of
birds observed per 20-min survey at each point To evaluate the diversity and composition of
avian species using the Project area Tetra Tech summarized the number of individuals (birds20
min) and species Tetra Tech also calculated a measure of variability (90 percent confidence
intervals) for all mean use values In addition the number of observations is also presented
where an observation can be either an individual bird or a discrete flock of birds This
information helps evaluate whether high mean use is driven by a single event (eg a large flock
of birds moving through the Project area on migration) Because individual birds are not
uniquely marked and identified actual population size or abundance cannot be determined One
individual may be counted multiple times during a survey period or across survey periods
Although mean use of a given species does not equate to abundance it does provide an index
that is likely proportional to abundance and activity within the Project
223 Flight Behavior
Tetra Tech evaluated flight behavior by calculating the proportion of flying birds observed
below within or above the height of the anticipated turbine rotor swept area (RSA) Wilton IV
plans to develop the Project using General Electric 16 Megawatt (MW) turbines These turbines
have a hub height of 80 meters and rotor diameter of 100 meters With these specifications the
estimated RSA was between 30 and 130 m above ground Tetra Tech considered a bird to have
flown within the height range of the anticipated RSA if any of its recorded heights fell within the
upper or lower limits of the anticipated RSA
224 Encounter Rate
To estimate the rate at which a species flew at the height of the anticipated RSA Tetra Tech
applied the following equation to every species observed in the Project area
Encounter Rate = APfPt
A is the mean number of birds20 min for a given species Pf is the proportion of all activity
observations for a given species that were flying and Pt is the proportion flying observations that
were within the height range of a turbine RSA for a given species The encounter rate provides
information on the rate at which a species may move at a height that is consistent with the RSA
of the proposed turbines This information is an important component in evaluating risk of
collisions however this number alone does not indicate project-related impact to a species
Species with a high encounter rate are at a higher risk of collision than species with a low
encounter rate but it does not mean that turbine-related fatalities are certain Other factors such
as turbine location or a speciesrsquo ability to detect turbine blades flight maneuverability and
7 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
habitat selection also influence fatality (Orloff and Flannery 1992 Drewitt and Langston 2008
Martin 2011) Encounter values are sensitive to large flocks of birds flying within the RSA
height that is a species will have a high encounter rate even if only seen once in the RSA in a
large flying flock
225 Fatality Risk
The highly regional nature of avian mean use across North America and the scarce data on avian
fatalities at wind farms in many parts of the continent combined with other risk influences such
as individual species behavior and weather contribute to uncertainty in predicting fatality rates
(Arnett et al 2007 Strickland et al 2011) A recent meta-analysis suggests that pre-construction
studies provide poor indicators of post-construction fatality (Ferrer et al 2012) WEST (2011)
suggests that the most accurate predictors of fatality at a wind project are records of species-
specific fatalities detected at nearby wind projects As a result of uncertainty in predicting
fatality rates Tetra Tech did not attempt to derive fatality estimates from mean use data but will
highlight those species or groups with high use values that may experience Project-related
fatalities or whose regional population could be impacted by development Additionally Tetra
Tech will highlight species with high frequencies of observation high encounter rates and those
with records of turbine-related fatality at other wind projects as these variables may also indicate
potential collision risk at the Project
30 RESULTS
31 AVIAN USE AND FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE
Biologists surveyed 3476 acres of the Project area during point count surveys covering 22
percent of the Project arearsquos total area (15752 acres) The 7 point count locations were surveyed
14 times resulting in 98 total 20-min surveys A total of 5376 birds from 52 species and 653
that could not be identified to species (all unidentified sparrows) were recorded within the
Project area during the fixed-point count surveys (Table 2) Overall mean bird use for the Wilton
IV Wind Energy Center was 5486 birds20 min and ranged from 0 to 603 birds20 min
Overall mean use by non-raptors was 5449 birds20 min Songbirds Waterfowl and
CranesRails comprised 387 300 and 201 percent of all species observed respectively and
were distributed throughout the Project area Among species groups mean use was highest for
songbirds (2126 birds20 min Table 2) and songbirds were observed in 949 percent of all
surveys The non-raptor species with the highest mean use came from four different species
groups Songbirds Waterfowl CranesRails and GullsTerns and included the Canada goose
(1437 birds20 min observed in 133 percent of all surveys) sandhill crane (1102 birds20 min
observed in 122 percent of all surveys) unidentified sparrow (665 birds20 min 41 percent of
all surveys) red-winged blackbird (559 birds20 min observed in 378 percent of all surveys)
8 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
and Franklinrsquos gull (283 birds20 min observed in 31 percent of all surveys Table 2) Other
species with a high frequency of detection during the surveys but with a low mean use included
ring-necked pheasant (151 birds20 min observed in 745 percent of all surveys) horned lark
(177 birds20 min 612 percent of all surveys) and western meadowlark (082 birds20 min
480 percent of all surveys Table 2) Each other non-raptor species had a mean use of less than
190 birds20 min or was detected in less than 48 percent of all surveys Other non-raptor species
groups observed during the surveys included Gamebirds PigeonsDoves Waterbirds and
Woodpeckers (Table 2)
Non-raptor mean use was highest on March 16 (24743 birds20 min) April 20 (19914 birds20
min) and March 26 (12571 birds20 min Figure 3) Observations on March 16 were comprised
of mostly Canada geese (1138 individuals observed in 17 flocks ranging in size from 20 to 140
individuals 77 of all observations) The primary contributors to the high mean use on April 20
were unidentified sparrows (645 individuals observed in 6 distinct flocks and ranging from 25 to
250 individuals) red-winged blackbird (392 individuals) and Franklinrsquos gull (277 individuals)
On March 26 the primary contributor to the high mean use was the sandhill crane (772
individuals distributed between 8 flocks ranging from 15 to 275 individuals) Mean use for nonshy
raptors was highest at point count location 3 (10314 birds20 min Figure 4) Species
contributing to the high mean use at this point included sandhill crane (621 individuals) Canada
goose (523 individuals) and Franklinrsquos gull (100 individuals Table 3) The habitat at point 3
consists of row crops (wheat) and short-grass prairie possibly enrolled in the Conservation
Reserve Program (CRP) The habitat at this point is not unique within the Project area However
most of the birds observed at point 3 were flying through the Project area in flocks of 15 to 275
individuals and not stopping in the immediate vicinity of the Project
Raptors are a group of special interest because of their propensity to fly at heights similar to a
turbine RSA Overall mean use for raptors was 037 birds20 min (Table 2) raptors were not
among the most frequently observed species groups during the spring surveys The raptor species
with the highest mean use was the red-tailed hawk (016 birds20 min observed in 122 percent
of all surveys) and northern harrier (016 birds20 min observed in 143 percent of all surveys)
Other raptor species detected included the Swainsonrsquos hawk and peregrine falcon great-horned
owl and American kestrel each with mean use value of 001 birds20 min with each observed in
10 percent of all surveys (Table 2)
Mean use by raptors was highest on March 26 (129 birds20 min) and May 3 (100 birds20 min
Figure 5) Observations on March 26 included red-tailed hawk (5 individuals) northern harrier
(3 individuals) and American kestrel (1 individual) Observations on May 26 included 4 red-
tailed hawks 2 northern harriers and 1 peregrine falcon Mean use for raptors was less than 058
birds20 min for all other survey dates Mean use for raptors was highest at point count locations
4 1 and 3 (064 064 and 057 birds20 min respectively Figure 6) Species contributing to the
9 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
mean use at these points were mostly red-tailed hawks and northern harriers (Table 3) In
addition to red-tailed hawks and northern harriers point count location 1 had one American
kestrel and one Peregrine falcon Raptor mean use was equal to or less than 029 birds20 min at
all other points Point count locations 4 1 and 3 each encompass short-grass prairie and
agricultural (mostly wheat) fields both of which provide foraging opportunities for raptors
These features are not unique to these point count locations or within the Project area
32 FLIGHT HEIGHT AND ENCOUNTER RATE
During spring avian use surveys biologists collected behavioral data for 986 percent of all birds
observed during point count surveys of which 834 percent were observed flying The biologist
collected flight height data for 999 percent and flight direction for 835 percent of those
observations (ie most individuals were observed making directional flights) Of non-raptor
species observed flying 372 percent flew above the height of the anticipated RSA 455 percent
flew at the height of the anticipated RSA and 173 percent flew below the height of the
anticipated RSA (Table 4) Of raptor species observed flying 91 percent flew above the height
of the anticipated RSA 394 percent flew at the height of the anticipated RSA and 515 percent
flew above the height of the anticipated RSA Data on flight direction are located in Appendix 1
Most birds observed making direct flight over the Project were moving in a northerly direction
(803 percent of all direct flights) In combination with the timing of flights (Figure 3) these data
suggest that much of the non-raptor use observed at the Project area is due to migratory
movements
Canada goose had the highest encounter rate (654 birds flying at RSA height20 min Table 5)
followed by unidentified sparrow (632 birds flying at RSA height20 min) sandhill crane (368
birds flying at RSA height20 min) and Franklinrsquos gull (283 birds flying at RSA height20 min)
Each other species had an encounter rate below 083 birds flying at RSA height20 min
33 RAPTOR NEST SURVEYS
Raptor nests detected within the Project area or 1-mile buffer included 2 red-tailed hawks 2 unknown nests and 1 Swainsonrsquos hawk (Figure 7) The red-tailed hawk nests were found on April 5 and May 9 with each remaining active during the survey period The Swainsonrsquos hawk nest was detected on May 19th within the 1-mile buffer around the Project area The two unknown nests were found on April 15 and April 25 Both unknown nests appeared to never be active during the survey period
34 LEK SURVEYS
During grouse lek surveys conducted within the Project area and a surrounding 1-mile buffer
from April 10th to May 1st a total of 9 sharp-tailed grouse leks were found within the Project area
and 1-mile buffer (Figure 7 WENK 2012) Four of the leks were within the Project area (Figure
7) Each lek had a minimum of 4 individuals (includes males and females) observed with the
10 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
maximum number of grouse observed at one lek being 21 individuals (lek 8) A full report on the
grouse lek surveys is presented in Appendix 3
35 INCIDENTAL OBSERVATIONS
The biologist documented 17 species as incidental observations (Table 6) Of these species 4
(golden eagle lesser scaup merlin wild turkey) were not detected during spring point count
surveys
36 LISTED SPECIES
No federal threatened or endangered species were observed during avian point count raptor or
lek surveys or as an incidental observation One adult golden eagle was observed incidentally
near survey point 7 on March 26th in flight within the anticipated RSA The golden eagle is
protected by the BGEPA (Section 215)
Four Level I (Franklinrsquos gull Swainsonrsquos hawk upland sandpiper and grasshopper sparrow)
seven Level II (bobolink dickcissel redhead sharp-tailed grouse northern harrier golden eagle
and northern pintail) and one Level III (peregrine falcon) state-listed Species of Conservation
Priority were observed during point counts raptor nest lek surveys or as incidental observations
within the Project Area
40 DISCUSSION
The avian community detected within the Project area during spring surveys was characterized
by species associated with typical mid-western agricultural lands and short-grass prairie
vegetation The majority of the Project area and vicinity has been developed for agricultural use
specifically crops such as wheat sunflower and corn with additional developed lands devoted to
pastureland for cattle Within disturbed habitats such as these the greatest potential impact of
wind facilities to avian species is risk of collisions with turbines Mean avian fatality rates
estimated from wind facilities in the Midwest (NE WI MN and IA) range from 044 to 1183
birdsturbineyear (049 ndash 717 birdsMWyear Tetra Tech 2012) Project-related bird fatalities
are expected to fall within this range
In areas mostly dominated by native short-grass prairie additional loss of habitat from
developing these areas may impact resident and migratory avian species The presence of native
grassland habitats within the Project area suggests that additional disturbance and habitat loss
caused by construction and operation of the Project may cause birds to avoid the Project area
and may alter the current use of habitat by bird species within the Project area (Tetra Tech 2011)
The greatest potential for habitat loss would be for sharp-tailed grouse Current research suggests
that certain grouse species may avoid anthropogenic structures (USFWS 2012a Hagen et al
11 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
2011) however long-term data sets are still needed to best assess wind energy impacts (Johnson
et al 2012)
41 NON-RAPTOR USE AND COLLISION RISK
The Canada goose sandhill crane red-winged blackbird and Franklinrsquos gull were species with
the highest mean use within the Project area and were among the species most frequently
detected Additionally unidentified sparrows which probably represent a group of similar
species had high mean use Three of these species Canada goose Franklinrsquos gull and sandhill
crane are migratory with most individuals moving through the region (and the Project area) to
breeding grounds further north as indicated by their flight direction and large flock size Three
species had a high frequency of detection but a low mean use at the Project ring-necked
pheasant horned lark and western meadowlark These eight species are local residential and
migratory species commonly associated with the open pastureland short-grass prairie and row-
crop agriculture habitats found throughout the Project area These species are widely distributed
across the country and can be expected to occur where suitable habitat is present
The red-winged blackbird horned lark western meadowlark and ring-necked pheasant are
commonly found as turbine-related fatalities (more than 20 records of post-construction fatality
from 27 studies Tetra Tech 2012 Johnson et al 2000 Howe et al 2002 Derby et al 2007 TRC
Environmental 2008 Gruver et al 2009 BHE Environmental 2010 Jain et al 2011 Grodsky
and Drake 2011) particularly horned larks which exhibit breeding flight displays that may bring
them into the height of the RSA (Johnson and Erickson 2011) Thus risk of turbine-related
fatalities exists for each of these species at the Project However Project-related fatalities of red-
winged blackbird horned lark western meadowlark and ring-necked pheasant should they
occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts because collision fatalities appears to have
little effect North American landbird populations (Arnold and Zink 2011)
Species with high mean use but that are considered to have low risk for fatalities include sandhill
crane Franklinrsquos gull and Canada goose Although flying at the height of the RSA represents a
collision risk sandhill cranes have been documented altering flight direction in response to
turbines at wind facility in South Dakota (Nagy et al 2011) and multiple studies have
documented sandhill cranes gradually climbing as they approach marked power lines (Morkill
and Anderson 1991 Murphy et al 2009) The avoidance behavior observed at other studies and
lack of documented turbine-related fatalities of the sandhill crane suggests a low risk of Project-
related fatality for this species While no studies have documented avoidance behavior by
Franklinrsquos gulls similar to sandhill cranes the lack of documented fatalities at wind facilities
with publicly available data within the breeding range and migratory pathway of Franklinrsquos gulls
indicate a low risk of fatalities to occur at the Project (20 studies Tetra Tech 2012)
12 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Additionally Canada goose has a low number of fatality observations (less than 6 records of
post-construction fatalities from 27 studies Tetra Tech 2012)
The remaining non-raptor species detected during spring surveys have low risk for turbine
collisions at the Project due to a combination of relatively low mean-use rates infrequent flight
within the height of the RSA andor few or no records of fatalities at other wind facilities with
publically available results of fatality data
42 RAPTOR USE AND COLLISION RISK
High raptor use (greater than 20 birds20 min) has been associated with high raptor fatality at
wind farms (Strickland et al 2011) Conversely raptor fatality appears to be low when raptor use
is low (less than 10 birds20 min Strickland et al 2011) which is the case for raptor use at the
Project A factor contributing to the low raptor use of the Project area may be the number of
active raptor nests detected during nests surveys Because raptor activity is typically higher near
active nests than areas without active nests and raptors may have increased potential for
collision as they repeatedly fly within the Project area during nesting activities
Red-tailed hawks and northern harriers were the raptor species with the highest mean use and
were also among the most frequently detected raptor species at the Project Both species are
commonly associated with agricultural and grassland habitats which provide opportunities for
foraging an activity associated with susceptibility to turbine-collisions (Thelander et al 2003)
In a recent study of raptor response to wind farms northern harriers were identified as having a
low risk flight behavior for collisions whereas red-tailed hawks were observed engaging in high-
risk flight behaviors at operational wind facilities (Garvin et al 2011) Risks of collision for
northern harriers are believed to be low because the majority of foraging flights occur below
typical RSA heights (Whitfield and Madders 2006) Thus risk of turbine-related fatalities at the
Project is expected to be low given the low level of use As a result Project-related fatalities of
northern harrier should they occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts because
northern harriers are common nationwide (Sauer et al 2011) Results from post-construction
fatality monitoring studies indicate that red-tailed hawks are frequently found as turbine-related
fatalities (228 records of red-tailed hawk from 27 studies - Tetra Tech 2012 Jain 2005 Grodsky
and Drake 2011 Johnson and Erickson 2011) However Garvin et al (2011) documented that
red-tailed hawks despite high-risk flight behavior also demonstrated collision avoidance
behavior (Garvin et al 2011) Thus risk of turbine-related fatalities at the Project exists for red-
tailed hawks but turbine-related fatalities would be expected to be low given the low level of use
and low number of nests detected within the Project area and 1-mile buffer Project-related
fatalities of red-tailed hawk should they occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts
because red-tailed hawks are common nationwide (Sauer et al 2011)
13 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Two other raptor species detected during spring surveys (Swainsonrsquos hawk and American
kestrel) have been recorded as fatalities at other wind facilities (Derby 2007 Gritski et al 2008
Johnson and Erickson 2011) Peregrine falcon and great-horned owl have not been recorded as
fatalities observed at wind farms with publicly available fatality data All are likely have low risk
for turbine collisions at the Project due to the relatively very low mean-use rates
43 LISTED SPECIES
No federal listed threatened or endangered species were detected incidentally during avian point
count raptor or lek surveys One adult golden eagle was detected as an incidental observation
The golden eagle is protected under the BGEPA Although applications for incidental take
permits are available none have been issued to date Projects that are applying for permits have
are those with a perceived high risk of eagle fatality or have an additional permitting requirement
based on land ownership Consultation with the USFWS would provide further information on
local interpretation of the Draft Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance (USFWS 2011c)
No state listed designated species with regulatory implications were detected during surveys
However all native migratory avian species are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of
1918
44 CONCLUSIONS
Results of the 2012 spring avian surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center suggest an overall
low impact of the Project on the local avian community The high mean-use rate at the Project by
non-raptors is primarily driven by a few common residents and migratory species not commonly
reported as fatalities at wind energy facilities with results from post-construction fatality
monitoring Raptor use was relatively low for each raptor species detected Although there is
potential for turbine-related fatalities of Canada goose sandhill crane horned lark western
meadowlark red-winged blackbird red-tailed hawk and Franklinrsquos gull at the Project fatalities
are not expected to have population-level impacts If avian fatality rates are similar to other wind
facilities within the region we would expect them to fall between 044 ndash 1183 birdsturbineyear
(049 ndash 717 birdsMWyear) Additionally the potential for turbine-related fatalities exists for
nocturnal migrant species not identifiable by the methods of this study
No federally listed threatened or endangered species were detected incidentally during avian
point count raptor or lek surveys One adult golden eagle was detected as an incidental
observation The golden eagle is protected under the BGEPA A total of 9 sharp-tailed grouse
leks were located within the Project area and 1-mile buffer Four of the leks are within the
Project area indicating a moderate use of the Project area by the species No state listed
designated species with regulatory implications were detected during surveys However all
native migratory avian species are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918
14 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
50 REFERENCES
Arnold TW and RM Zink 2011 Collision mortality has no discernible effect on population trends of North American Birds PLoS ONE 6 e24708 doi101371journalpone0024708
Arnett EB DB Inkley DH Johnson RP Larkin S Manes AM Manville JR Mason ML Morrison MD Strickland and R Thresher 2007 Impacts of wind energy facilities on wildlife and wildlife habitat Wildlife Society Technical Review 07-2 The Wildlife Society Bethesda MA
Ballam JM 1984 The use of soaring by the red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) Auk 3519shy524
Beveridge L J 2005 The Migratory Bird Treaty Act and wind development North American Wind Power September36-38
BHE Environmental Inc 2010 Post-Construction Bird and Bat Mortality Study Cedar Ridge Wind Farm Fond Du Lac County Wisconsin Interim Report prepared for Wisconsin Power and Light Madison Wisconsin Prepared by BHE Environmental Inc Cincinnati Ohio February 2010
Bryce SA JM Omernik DA Pater M Ulmer J Schaar J Freeouf R Johnson P Kuck and SH Azevedo 1996 Ecoregions of North Dakota and South Dakota (color poster with map descriptive text summary tables and photographs) Reston Virginia US Geological Survey (map scale 11500000)
Devereux CL MJH Denny and MJ Whittingham 2008 Minimal effects of wind turbines on the distribution of wintering farmland birds Journal of Applied Ecology 451689shy1694
Drewitt AL and RHW Langston 2008 Collision effects of wind-power generators and other obstacles on birds Pages 233-266 in R S Ostfeld and W H Schlesinger editors Year in Ecology and Conservation Biology 2008 Blackwell Publishing Oxford
Drewitt AL and RHW Langston 2006 Assessing the impacts of wind farms on birds Ibis 14829-42
Derby C A Dahl W Erickson K Bay and J Hoban 2007 Post-Construction Monitoring Report for Avian and Bat Mortality at the NPPD Ainsworth Wind Farm Prepared for Nebraska Public Power District Columbus NE 24 pgs
Erickson WP GD Johnson and DP Young Jr 2005 A summary and comparison of bird mortality from anthropogenic causes with an emphasis on collisions USDA Forest Service Gen Tech Rep PSW-GTR-191
Erickson WP GD Johnson MD Strickland DP Young Jr KJ Sernka and R E Good 2001 Avian collisions with wind turbines a summary of existing studies and comparisons to other sources of avian collision mortality in the United States National Wind Coordinating Committee Washington DC Accessed at httpwwwnationalwindorgassetsarchiveAvian_Collisions_with_Wind_Turbines_shy_A_Summary_of_Existing_Studies_and_Comparisons_to_Other_Sources_of_Avian_Col lision_Mortality_in_the_United_States__2001_pdf
15 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Faanes CA and RE Stewart 1982 Revised checklist of North Dakota birds Version 16JUL97 The Prairie Naturalist 14(3)81-92 Jamestown ND Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Online Available online at httpwwwnpwrcusgsgovresourcebirdschndbirdindexhtm Accessed July 2012
Ferrer M M de Lucas GFE Janss E Casado AR Muntildeoz MJ Bechard and CP Calabuig 2012 Weak relationship between risk assessment studies and recorded mortality in wind farms Journal of Applied Ecology 49(1) 38-46 Available online at httponlinelibrarywileycomdoi101111j1365-2664201102054xpdf
Garvin J C Jennelle C S Drake D and Grodsky S M (2011) Response of raptors to a windfarm Journal of Applied Ecology 48 199ndash209
Gritski B S Downes K Kronner 2008 White Creek Wind I Wildlife Monitoring Annual Summary Winter 2007-2008 through Fall 2008 Prepared for White Creek Wind I LLC Roosevelt WA 25 pgs
Grodsky SM and D Drake 2011 Assessing Bird and Bat Mortality at the Forward Energy Center Final Report Public Service Commission (PSC) of Wisconsin PSC REF152052 Prepared for Forward Energy LLC Prepared by Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison Wisconsin August 2011
Gruver J M Sonnenburg K Bay and W Erickson 2009 Post-Construction Bat and Bird Fatality Study at the Blue Sky Green Field Wind Energy Center Fond Du Lac County Wisconsin July 21 - October 31 2008 and March 15 - June 4 2009 Unpublished report prepared by Western EcoSystems Technology Inc (WEST) Cheyenne Wyoming December 17 2009
Hagen CA JC Pitman TM Loughin BK Sandercock and RJ Robel 2011 Impacts of anthropogenic features on lesser prairie-chicken habitat use Studies in Avian Biology 39 63-75
Hagen SK PT Isakson and SR Dyke 2005 North Dakota Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy North Dakota Game and Fish Department Bismarck ND
Howe RW W Evans and AT Wolf 2002 Effects of Wind Turbines on Birds and Bats in Northeastern Wisconsin Prepared by University of Wisconsin-Green Bay for Wisconsin Public Service Corporation and Madison Gas and Electric Company Madison Wisconsin November 21 2002 104 pp
Jain AA RR Koford AW Hancockand GG Zenner 2011 Bat Mortality and Activity at a Northern Iowa Wind Resource Area Am Mid Natur 165 185-200
Jain A P Kerlinger R Curry and L Slobodnik 2007 Annual report for the Maple Ridge wind power project post-construction bird and bat fatality studymdash2006 Prepared by Curry and Kerlinger LLC for PPM Energy Horizon Energy and Technical Advisory Committee for the Maple Ridge Project
Jain AA 2005 Bird and Bat Behavior and Mortality at a Northern Iowa Windfarm Thesis submitted to Iowa State University Ames IA 113 pgs
16 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Johnson GD C LeBeau R Neilsen T Rintz and J Eddy 2012 Greater Sage-Grouse Habitat Use and Population Demographics at the Simpson Ridge Wind Resource Area Carbon County Wyoming Final Report prepared for EBP Renewables Houston Texas
Johnson GD and WP Erickson 2011 Avian Bat and Habitat Cumulative Impacts Associated with Wind Energy Development in the Columbia Plateau Ecoregion of Eastern Washington and Oregon Prepared by West Inc for Klickitat County Washington
Johnson DH MJ Holloran JW Connelly SE Hanser CL Amundson and ST Knick 2011 Influences of Environmental and Anthropogenic Features on Greater Sage-grouse Populations 1997-2007 Pages 407-450 in ST Knick and JW Connelly Greater Sage-Grouse ecology and conservation of a landscape species and its habitat Studies in Avian Biology 38 University of California Press Berkeley CA
Johnson GD WP Erickson MD Strickland MF Shepherd DA Shepherd and SA Sarappo 2002 Collision mortality of local and migrant birds at a large-scale wind power development on Buffalo Ridge Minnesota Wildlife Society Bulletin 30879-887
Johnson GD WP Erickson MD Strickland MF Shepherd and DA Shepherd 2000 Avian Monitoring Studies at the Buffalo Ridge Wind Resource Area Minnesota Results of a 4-Year Study Final report prepared for Northern States Power Company Minneapolis Minnesota by Western EcoSystems Technology Inc (WEST) Cheyenne Wyoming September 22 2000 212 pp httpwwwwest-inccom
Kerns J and P Kerlinger 2004 A study of bird and bat collision fatalities at the Mountaineer Wind Energy Center Tucker County West Virginia Annual report for 2003 Technical report prepared by Curry and Kerlinger LLC for FPL Energy and Mountaineer Wind Energy Center Technical Review Committee
Leddy KL KF Higgins and DE Naugle 1999 Effects of wind turbines on upland nesting birds in CRP grasslands Wilson Bulletin 111100-104
Manville AM II 2004 Prairie grouse leks and wind turbines US Fish and Wildlife Service justification for a 5-mile buffer from leks additional grassland songbird recommendations Division of Migratory Bird Management USFWS Arlington VA peer-reviewed briefing paper
Martin GR 2011 Understanding bird collisions with man-made objects a sensory ecology approach Ibis 153(2)239-254
Morkill AE and SH Anderson 1991 Effectiveness of marking powerlines to reduce sandhill crane collisions Wildlife Society Bulletin 19 442-449
Murphy RK SM McPherron GD Wright and KL Serbousek 2009 Effectiveness of avian collision averters in preventing migratory bird fatality from powerline strikes in the central Platte River Nebraska 2008-2009 Final Report
Nagy L B Gibson K L Kosciuch J Jones and J Taylor 2011 Whooping and Sandhill Crane Behavior at an Operating Wind Farm Poster presented at American Wind Energy Association Annual Meeting Pasadena CA
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17 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
report prepared by Biosystems Analysis Inc for Alameda Contra Costa and Solano Counties and the California Energy Commission
Pearce-Higgins JW L Stephen A Douse and RHW Langston 2012 Greater impacts of wind farms on bird populations during construction than subsequent operation results of a multi-site and multi-species analysis Journal of Applied Ecology 49 386-394
Pickwell B 1931 The prairie horned lark St Louis Academy of Sciences Transactions 271shy153
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Pruett CL MA Patten and DH Wolfe 2009 Avoidance Behavior by Prairie Grouse Implications for Development of Wind Energy Conservation Biology 231253-1259
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Tetra Tech 2011 Native Prairie Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Burleigh County North Dakota Submitted to Wilton IV Wind Energy Center October 2011
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Thompson WL 2002 Towards reliable bird surveys accounting for individuals present but not detected Auk 11918-25
TRC Environmental Corporation 2008 Post-Construction Avian and Bat Fatality Monitoring and Grassland Bird Displacement Surveys at the Judith Gap Wind Energy Project
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Wheatland County Montana Prepared for Judith Gap Energy LLC Chicago Illinois TRC Environmental Corporation Laramie Wyoming TRC Project 51883-01 (112416) January 2008 httpwwwnewwestnetpdfsAvianBatFatalityMonitoringpdf
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USFWS 2011a Flyways Retrieved from httpflywaysusflywaysinfo Accessed June 25 2012
USFWS 2011b ESA Basics More Than 30 Years of Conserving Endangered Species Retrieved from httpwwwfwsgovendangeredesa-librarypdfESA_basicspdf
USFWS 2011c Draft Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance Released January 2011
USFWS 2009 Eagle Permits Take Necessary to Protect Interests in Particular Localities Final Rules 50 CFR Parts 13 and 22
WEST (Western EcoSystems Technology Inc) 2011 Presentation at the Northwest Wind Energy and Wildlife Workshop June 7-8 2011 Portland Oregon
Wenck Associates Inc (Wenck) 2012 Wilton IV spring sharp-tailed grouse lek survey Report submitted to Tetra Tech EC Inc May 2012
Whitfield DP and M Madders 2006 Flight height in the hen harrier Circus cyaneus and its incorporation in wind turbine collision risk modeling Natural Research Information Note 2 Natural Research Ltd Banchory UK
People who contributed to the writing of this report
Jim Kowalsky July 17 2012
Report Author Date
Jennifer Taylor July 19 2012
Peer Review 1 Date
Chris Farmer August 3 2012
Peer Review 2 Date
Anne-Marie Griger August 9 2012
Deputy Project Manager Date
Robert Friedel July 13 2012
GIS Date
19 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
FIGURES
20 August 2012
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TETR A TECH EC INC
Figure 4Non-raptor mean use by point count location (Spring 2012)
Non-r aptor s p e r 20 m in u te s 00 1 - 25 0 0 25 01 - 5 0 00 50 01 - 7 5 00
75 01 - 1 0 00 0
10 00 1 - 1 25 00
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
A Pro po sed tu rbin e (9 -21 -20 11 )Lo ca l Ro a d
Mean use value PC Point count number
Burleigh County ND
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
Last modified 7-10-2012
NEXTENERGY RESOURCES
Figure 5 Raptor mean use by survey date in Spring 2012 at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Mea
n U
se (b
irds
20
min
)
140
120
100
080
060
040
020
000
Survey Date
316 321 326 44 410 420 427 53 512 519 526 62 69 615
NAD 1983 UTM 14
240th Ave Ne240th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
253Rd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
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227Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE 279Th Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
145T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
145T
h St N
E
66Th
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t St N
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St N
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St NE
66Th
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St N
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106T
h St N
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t St N
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214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
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St N
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St N
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h St N
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St N
E
PC 01
PC 02
PC 03
PC 04
PC 05 PC 06
PC 07
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057
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TETR A TECH EC INC
Figure 6Raptor mean use by point
count location (Spring 2012)
Rapto r s p e r 2 0 m in u te s 00 1- 01 6 01 7 - 0 32 03 3 - 0 48
04 9 - 0 64
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
A Pro po sed tu rbin e (9 -21 -20 11 )Lo ca l Ro a d
Mean use value PC Point count number
Burleigh County ND
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
Last modified 7-10-2012
NEXTENERGY RESOURCES
240th Ave Ne 240th Ave Ne
240th Ave Ne
266th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
279Th Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE
292Nd Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
52Nd
St N
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197T
h St N
E
52Nd
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66Th
St N
E
188Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
106T
h St N
E
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292Nd Ave NE
93Rd
St N
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132N
d St N
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St N
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266Th Ave NE
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04
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h St N
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E 14
5Th S
t NE
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St NE
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h St N
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119T
h St N
E
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h St N
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t St N
E 17
1St S
t NE
188Th Ave NE
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE 227Th Ave NE
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
201St Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
Figure 7 Raptor nest and lek location
map (Spring 2012)NEXTENERGY
RESOURCES
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
5 Burleigh County ND
Last modified 7-10-2012 A A
A A
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
AAA A A A A A
A A
Pro po sed tu rbi(9 -21 -20 11 )
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le k A4
A AA gro use
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1
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9 A
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A A 7 28
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O 165000 NAD 1983 UTM 14 0 05 1 2 3 4 5 Miles
TETR A TECH EC INC
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
TABLES
21 August 2012
Table 1 Spring 2012 point count survey dates at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Date(s)Survey number
1 316 2 321 3 326 4 44 5 410 6 420 7 427 8 53 9 512 10 519 11 526 12 62 13 69 14 615
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Songbirds
unidentified sparrow 652 7 665 (000-1339) 41 313 121 red-winged blackbird 548 52 559 (036-1082) 378 263 102 horned lark 173 83 177 (136-218) 612 83 32 American crow 159 22 162 (027-297) 204 76 30 common grackle 91 33 093 (035-151) 245 44 17 western meadowlark 80 62 082 (065-099) 480 38 15 European starling 80 1 082 (000-216) 10 38 15 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 082 (029-135) 82 38 15 barn swallow 44 21 045 (028-062) 204 21 08 bobolink 36 28 037 (022-052) 194 17 07 American goldfinch 26 23 027 (018-036) 214 12 05 vesper sparrow 23 21 023 (013-033) 184 11 04 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 019 (010-028) 143 09 04 American robin 19 19 019 (011-027) 143 09 04 house sparrow 15 5 015 (000-030) 51 07 03 American tree sparrow 8 2 008 (000-018) 20 04 01 song sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 savannah sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 dickcissel 5 4 005 (000-010) 31 02 01 western kingbird 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 01 01 pine siskin 3 1 003 (000-008) 10 01 01 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 eastern kingbird 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 yellow warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 unidentified warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 house wren 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 Group Total 2083 430 2126 (1259-2993) 949 387
Waterfowl
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations
Canada goose 1408 24 1437 (435-2439) 133 874 262 snow goose 184 2 188 (000-490) 20 114 34 mallard 12 6 012 (004-020) 61 07 02 northern pintail 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 blue-winged teal 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 American wigeon 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 redhead 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 01 00 Group Total 1611 36 1644 (561-2727) 184 300
CranesRails sandhill crane 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 1000 201 Group Total 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 201
GullsTerns Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 283 (013-553) 31 986 52 ring-billed gull 4 3 004 (000-008) 31 14 01 Group Total 281 7 287 (017-557) 61 52
Gamebirds ring-necked pheasant 148 134 151 (128-174) 745 967 28 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 20 01 gray partridge 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 13 00 Group Total 153 138 156 (132-180) 755 28
PigeonsDoves rock pigeon 40 6 041 (009-073) 61 513 07 mourning dove 38 25 039 (019-059) 184 487 07 Group Total 78 31 080 (041-119) 224 15
Waterbirds killdeer 28 22 029 (017-041) 214 538 05 upland sandpiper 8 8 008 (003-013) 71 154 01 common snipe 8 8 008 (002-014) 61 154 01 Wilsons snipe 4 4 004 (000-008) 31 77 01 American coot 4 1 004 (000-011) 10 77 01 Group Total 52 43 053 (037-069) 357 10
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Raptors
red-tailed hawk 16 12 016 (008-024) 122 444 03 northern harrier 16 14 016 (009-023) 143 444 03 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 peregrine falcon 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 great horned owl 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 American kestrel 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 Group Total 36 30 037 (025-049) 276 07
Woodpeckers northern flicker 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 1000 00 Group Total 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 00 Grand Total 5376 735 5486 (3771-7200)
1 A ranking of 1 indicates highest mean use
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Canada goose 1408 24 210 80 523 140 210 135 110 sandhill crane 1080 18 94 18 621 15 187 145 0 unidentified sparrow 652 7 0 0 0 0 330 210 112 red-winged blackbird 548 52 0 84 49 386 14 11 4 Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 107 0 100 70 0 0 0 snow goose 184 2 0 180 4 0 0 0 0 horned lark 173 83 23 24 17 12 19 32 46 American crow 159 22 6 4 13 11 1 123 1 ring-necked pheasant 148 134 21 14 21 18 25 22 27 common grackle 91 33 6 35 7 2 8 33 0 western meadowlark 80 62 8 10 17 3 11 19 12 European starling 80 1 0 0 0 80 0 0 0 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 0 63 17 0 0 0 0 barn swallow 44 21 3 12 6 10 7 1 5 rock pigeon 40 6 0 14 0 0 0 23 3 mourning dove 38 25 4 17 1 1 1 11 3 bobolink 36 28 10 0 14 8 0 0 4 killdeer 28 22 3 3 4 5 10 0 3 American goldfinch 26 23 4 9 3 3 4 2 1 vesper sparrow 23 21 1 7 1 2 9 1 2 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 2 4 2 0 6 4 1 American robin 19 19 1 13 0 1 3 0 1 red-tailed hawk 16 12 4 0 4 5 0 1 2 northern harrier 16 14 3 1 4 4 2 0 2 house sparrow 15 5 2 13 0 0 0 0 0 mallard 12 6 0 0 6 6 0 0 0 upland sandpiper 8 8 0 0 1 0 3 2 2 common snipe 8 8 0 2 6 0 0 0 0 American tree sparrow 8 2 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 song sparrow 5 5 1 1 1 0 2 0 0 savannah sparrow 5 5 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 dickcissel 5 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 Wilsons snipe 4 4 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 ring-billed gull 4 3 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 American coot 4 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 western kingbird 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 pine siskin 3 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 northern pintail 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
northern flicker 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 gray partridge 2 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 eastern kingbird 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 blue-winged teal 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 American wigeon 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 yellow warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 unidentified warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 redhead 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 peregrine falcon 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 house wren 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 great horned owl 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 American kestrel 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Grand Total 5376 735 526 620 1452 794 859 776 349
Table 4 Summary of avian flight heights1 in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)2 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Birds
Number Percentage
Non-raptors
Raptors
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
1656 372
2023 455
767 173
3 91
13 394
17 515 1 Includes only flying birds with flight height data2These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
Canada goose 654 (435 - 2439) 1437 997 537 457 06 unidentified sparrow 632 (000 - 1339) 665 1000 00 951 49 sandhill crane 368 (083 - 2121) 1102 999 665 335 00 Franklinrsquos gull 283 (013 - 553) 283 1000 00 1000 00 European starling 082 (000 - 216) 082 1000 00 1000 00 American crow 024 (027 - 297) 162 943 00 160 840 red-tailed hawk 013 (008 - 024) 016 938 133 867 00 brown-headed cowbird 008 (029 - 135) 082 125 00 800 200 red-winged blackbird 005 (036 - 1082) 559 261 00 35 965 Wilsons snipe 002 (000 - 008) 004 500 00 1000 00 blue-winged teal 002 (000 - 005) 002 1000 00 1000 00 mallard 002 (004 - 020) 012 500 00 333 667 ring-billed gull 001 (000 - 008) 004 1000 00 250 750 yellow warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 yellow-headed blackbird 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 western meadowlark 000 (065 - 099) 082 338 00 00 1000 western kingbird 000 (000 - 007) 003 1000 00 00 1000 vesper sparrow 000 (013 - 033) 023 130 00 00 1000 upland sandpiper 000 (003 - 013) 008 250 00 00 1000 unidentified warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 Swainsonrsquos hawk 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 sharp-tailed grouse 000 (000 - 007) 003 667 00 00 1000 song sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 snow goose 000 (000 - 490) 188 1000 1000 00 00 savannah sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 rock pigeon 000 (009 - 073) 041 825 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
ring-necked pheasant 000 (128 - 174) 151 07 00 00 1000 redhead 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 pine siskin 000 (000 - 008) 003 1000 00 00 1000 peregrine falcon 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 1000 00 00 northern pintail 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 northern harrier 000 (009 - 023) 016 1000 00 00 1000 northern flicker 000 (000 - 004) 002 500 00 00 1000 mourning dove 000 (019 - 059) 039 684 00 00 1000 killdeer 000 (017 - 041) 029 607 00 00 1000 house wren 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 house sparrow 000 (000 - 030) 015 67 00 00 1000 horned lark 000 (136 - 218) 177 740 00 00 1000 grasshopper sparrow 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 gray partridge 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 great horned owl 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 eastern kingbird 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 dickcissel 000 (000 - 010) 005 00 00 00 00 common snipe 000 (002 - 014) 008 00 00 00 00 common grackle 000 (035 - 151) 093 945 00 00 1000 clay-colored sparrow 000 (010 - 028) 019 158 00 00 1000 bobolink 000 (022 - 052) 037 917 00 00 1000 barn swallow 000 (028 - 062) 045 1000 00 00 1000 American tree sparrow 000 (000 - 018) 008 1000 00 00 1000 American wigeon 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 American robin 000 (011 - 027) 019 421 00 00 1000 American kestrel 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
American goldfinch 000 027 (018 - 036) 923 00 00 1000American coot 000 004 (000 - 011) 00 00 00 001These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 6 Incidental observations of birds during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species
American crow American kestrel American robin Canada goose great horned owl golden eagle gray partridge lesser scaup mallard merlin northern harrier rock pigeon red-tailed hawk red-winged blackbird sandhill crane sharp-tailed grouse wild turkey
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
APPENDICES
22 August 2012
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number of Birds1
Number of
Observations Species
Percentage of Flights
N NE E SE S SW W NW Variable
Canada goose 1398 21 867 00 00 00 02 00 17 114 00
sandhill crane 1079 17 878 52 00 00 00 00 00 70 00
unidentified sparrow 565 5 00 00 00 788 212 00 00 00 00
Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
snow goose 184 2 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
European starling 80 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
American crow 69 11 768 58 58 00 14 43 00 14 43
red-winged blackbird 15 6 533 00 00 200 267 00 00 00 00
red-tailed hawk 14 10 500 143 00 71 00 71 00 71 143
rock pigeon 11 2 00 00 00 00 273 727 00 00 00
northern harrier 9 8 111 00 00 333 00 222 00 111 222
mourning dove 9 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
common grackle 9 6 111 00 00 111 00 222 556 00 00
brown-headed cowbird 8 1 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
horned lark 6 3 833 00 00 167 00 00 00 00 00
ring-billed gull 4 3 250 00 00 00 00 750 00 00 00
Wilsons snipe 2 2 500 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 500
vesper sparrow 2 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
mallard 2 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
blue-winged teal 2 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
peregrine falcon 1 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
killdeer 1 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
Grand Total 3747 108 722 17 04 121 36 05 30 64 02 1 Includes only flying birds with flight directions
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Nest Number Species Substrate
Nest ConditionStatusDates
Surveyed Nest
Height (m) 2012 - 1 452012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good
5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 4 592012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good 5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 5 5192012 Swainsonrsquos hawk Active Siberian Elm 7 Good
NA means not applicable
Wenck Associates Inc 301 1
st St NE Suite 202
Mandan ND 58554
Phone 701-751-3370 Email jaskimwenckcom
May 7 2012
Tracey M Dubuque PE Senior Project Manager
Tetra Tech EC
160 Federal Street Third Floor
Boston MA 02110
Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Dear Tracey
Introduction
Male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) congregate at historicalcommunal leks in the spring
to compete for breeding opportunities Both sexes return to their natal breeding grounds yearly for their
entire life Leks are typically found in areas with low-growing vegetation on a hill knoll or other point of
high visibility Fidelity to these locations is extremely high for sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse
require nesting habitat within close proximity the lek comprised of dense or residual vegetative cover to
conceal and protect their nest from predators (Vodehnal and Haufler 2007)
Disturbance of nesting prairie grouse may occur from the construction of the turbine andor access road
construction noise and physical movement of equipment Loss of habitat and fragmentation related to
energy exploration may affect local prairie grouse populations by decreasing the area of habitat available
for nesting and brood-rearing and by increasing predation (Pittman et al 2005) Therefore federal and
state wildlife agencies are concerned about the placement of turbines in areas with known prairie grouse
populations Turbine setbacks from leks and minimizing grouse habitat disturbance may reduce the direct
and indirect effects of energy development on grouse
Methods
Sharp-tailed grouse surveys were completed from April 10th to May 1
st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise
to two hours after sunrise within the one-mile analysis area (Figure 1) Peak attendance by females on leks
typically occurs from April 15 to 25 but these dates vary by up to a week depending on weather conditions
(Schroeder and Robb 1993) Peak attendance potentially occurred earlier this year due to the early spring
A habitat assessment analysis was conducted prior to the field survey to determine suitable lekkingnesting
habitat within the analysis area (Figure 2) Listening stops were made within a one-mile analysis area
surrounding the proposed project area to identify lek locations (Figure 3) Sharp-tailed grouse males may
be heard at a distance of up to 050 mile Listening stops were not conducted if winds exceeded 10 miles
per hour (mph) or during precipitation events After a lek was located the birds were observed and the
number of males and females were counted Lek locations were documented using Global Positioning
System (GPS) Given the sensitive nature of this species and the fact that females may be nesting near the
lek disturbance to breeding prairie grouse was kept to a minimum
Results
Nine (9) sharp-tailed grouse leks were located during the surveys conducted from April 10th to May 1
st
2012 (Figure 4) Date time sex number of birds present wind conditions air temperature and GPS
coordinates were recorded once a lek was located (Tables 1 and 2) Two of the leks observed were
located outside of the analysis area Due to Lek 1rsquos close proximity to Lek 4 Lek 1 shouldbe classified
as a satellite lek No visual confirmation of Lek 6 was made due to access and topography
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
habitat selection also influence fatality (Orloff and Flannery 1992 Drewitt and Langston 2008
Martin 2011) Encounter values are sensitive to large flocks of birds flying within the RSA
height that is a species will have a high encounter rate even if only seen once in the RSA in a
large flying flock
225 Fatality Risk
The highly regional nature of avian mean use across North America and the scarce data on avian
fatalities at wind farms in many parts of the continent combined with other risk influences such
as individual species behavior and weather contribute to uncertainty in predicting fatality rates
(Arnett et al 2007 Strickland et al 2011) A recent meta-analysis suggests that pre-construction
studies provide poor indicators of post-construction fatality (Ferrer et al 2012) WEST (2011)
suggests that the most accurate predictors of fatality at a wind project are records of species-
specific fatalities detected at nearby wind projects As a result of uncertainty in predicting
fatality rates Tetra Tech did not attempt to derive fatality estimates from mean use data but will
highlight those species or groups with high use values that may experience Project-related
fatalities or whose regional population could be impacted by development Additionally Tetra
Tech will highlight species with high frequencies of observation high encounter rates and those
with records of turbine-related fatality at other wind projects as these variables may also indicate
potential collision risk at the Project
30 RESULTS
31 AVIAN USE AND FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE
Biologists surveyed 3476 acres of the Project area during point count surveys covering 22
percent of the Project arearsquos total area (15752 acres) The 7 point count locations were surveyed
14 times resulting in 98 total 20-min surveys A total of 5376 birds from 52 species and 653
that could not be identified to species (all unidentified sparrows) were recorded within the
Project area during the fixed-point count surveys (Table 2) Overall mean bird use for the Wilton
IV Wind Energy Center was 5486 birds20 min and ranged from 0 to 603 birds20 min
Overall mean use by non-raptors was 5449 birds20 min Songbirds Waterfowl and
CranesRails comprised 387 300 and 201 percent of all species observed respectively and
were distributed throughout the Project area Among species groups mean use was highest for
songbirds (2126 birds20 min Table 2) and songbirds were observed in 949 percent of all
surveys The non-raptor species with the highest mean use came from four different species
groups Songbirds Waterfowl CranesRails and GullsTerns and included the Canada goose
(1437 birds20 min observed in 133 percent of all surveys) sandhill crane (1102 birds20 min
observed in 122 percent of all surveys) unidentified sparrow (665 birds20 min 41 percent of
all surveys) red-winged blackbird (559 birds20 min observed in 378 percent of all surveys)
8 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
and Franklinrsquos gull (283 birds20 min observed in 31 percent of all surveys Table 2) Other
species with a high frequency of detection during the surveys but with a low mean use included
ring-necked pheasant (151 birds20 min observed in 745 percent of all surveys) horned lark
(177 birds20 min 612 percent of all surveys) and western meadowlark (082 birds20 min
480 percent of all surveys Table 2) Each other non-raptor species had a mean use of less than
190 birds20 min or was detected in less than 48 percent of all surveys Other non-raptor species
groups observed during the surveys included Gamebirds PigeonsDoves Waterbirds and
Woodpeckers (Table 2)
Non-raptor mean use was highest on March 16 (24743 birds20 min) April 20 (19914 birds20
min) and March 26 (12571 birds20 min Figure 3) Observations on March 16 were comprised
of mostly Canada geese (1138 individuals observed in 17 flocks ranging in size from 20 to 140
individuals 77 of all observations) The primary contributors to the high mean use on April 20
were unidentified sparrows (645 individuals observed in 6 distinct flocks and ranging from 25 to
250 individuals) red-winged blackbird (392 individuals) and Franklinrsquos gull (277 individuals)
On March 26 the primary contributor to the high mean use was the sandhill crane (772
individuals distributed between 8 flocks ranging from 15 to 275 individuals) Mean use for nonshy
raptors was highest at point count location 3 (10314 birds20 min Figure 4) Species
contributing to the high mean use at this point included sandhill crane (621 individuals) Canada
goose (523 individuals) and Franklinrsquos gull (100 individuals Table 3) The habitat at point 3
consists of row crops (wheat) and short-grass prairie possibly enrolled in the Conservation
Reserve Program (CRP) The habitat at this point is not unique within the Project area However
most of the birds observed at point 3 were flying through the Project area in flocks of 15 to 275
individuals and not stopping in the immediate vicinity of the Project
Raptors are a group of special interest because of their propensity to fly at heights similar to a
turbine RSA Overall mean use for raptors was 037 birds20 min (Table 2) raptors were not
among the most frequently observed species groups during the spring surveys The raptor species
with the highest mean use was the red-tailed hawk (016 birds20 min observed in 122 percent
of all surveys) and northern harrier (016 birds20 min observed in 143 percent of all surveys)
Other raptor species detected included the Swainsonrsquos hawk and peregrine falcon great-horned
owl and American kestrel each with mean use value of 001 birds20 min with each observed in
10 percent of all surveys (Table 2)
Mean use by raptors was highest on March 26 (129 birds20 min) and May 3 (100 birds20 min
Figure 5) Observations on March 26 included red-tailed hawk (5 individuals) northern harrier
(3 individuals) and American kestrel (1 individual) Observations on May 26 included 4 red-
tailed hawks 2 northern harriers and 1 peregrine falcon Mean use for raptors was less than 058
birds20 min for all other survey dates Mean use for raptors was highest at point count locations
4 1 and 3 (064 064 and 057 birds20 min respectively Figure 6) Species contributing to the
9 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
mean use at these points were mostly red-tailed hawks and northern harriers (Table 3) In
addition to red-tailed hawks and northern harriers point count location 1 had one American
kestrel and one Peregrine falcon Raptor mean use was equal to or less than 029 birds20 min at
all other points Point count locations 4 1 and 3 each encompass short-grass prairie and
agricultural (mostly wheat) fields both of which provide foraging opportunities for raptors
These features are not unique to these point count locations or within the Project area
32 FLIGHT HEIGHT AND ENCOUNTER RATE
During spring avian use surveys biologists collected behavioral data for 986 percent of all birds
observed during point count surveys of which 834 percent were observed flying The biologist
collected flight height data for 999 percent and flight direction for 835 percent of those
observations (ie most individuals were observed making directional flights) Of non-raptor
species observed flying 372 percent flew above the height of the anticipated RSA 455 percent
flew at the height of the anticipated RSA and 173 percent flew below the height of the
anticipated RSA (Table 4) Of raptor species observed flying 91 percent flew above the height
of the anticipated RSA 394 percent flew at the height of the anticipated RSA and 515 percent
flew above the height of the anticipated RSA Data on flight direction are located in Appendix 1
Most birds observed making direct flight over the Project were moving in a northerly direction
(803 percent of all direct flights) In combination with the timing of flights (Figure 3) these data
suggest that much of the non-raptor use observed at the Project area is due to migratory
movements
Canada goose had the highest encounter rate (654 birds flying at RSA height20 min Table 5)
followed by unidentified sparrow (632 birds flying at RSA height20 min) sandhill crane (368
birds flying at RSA height20 min) and Franklinrsquos gull (283 birds flying at RSA height20 min)
Each other species had an encounter rate below 083 birds flying at RSA height20 min
33 RAPTOR NEST SURVEYS
Raptor nests detected within the Project area or 1-mile buffer included 2 red-tailed hawks 2 unknown nests and 1 Swainsonrsquos hawk (Figure 7) The red-tailed hawk nests were found on April 5 and May 9 with each remaining active during the survey period The Swainsonrsquos hawk nest was detected on May 19th within the 1-mile buffer around the Project area The two unknown nests were found on April 15 and April 25 Both unknown nests appeared to never be active during the survey period
34 LEK SURVEYS
During grouse lek surveys conducted within the Project area and a surrounding 1-mile buffer
from April 10th to May 1st a total of 9 sharp-tailed grouse leks were found within the Project area
and 1-mile buffer (Figure 7 WENK 2012) Four of the leks were within the Project area (Figure
7) Each lek had a minimum of 4 individuals (includes males and females) observed with the
10 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
maximum number of grouse observed at one lek being 21 individuals (lek 8) A full report on the
grouse lek surveys is presented in Appendix 3
35 INCIDENTAL OBSERVATIONS
The biologist documented 17 species as incidental observations (Table 6) Of these species 4
(golden eagle lesser scaup merlin wild turkey) were not detected during spring point count
surveys
36 LISTED SPECIES
No federal threatened or endangered species were observed during avian point count raptor or
lek surveys or as an incidental observation One adult golden eagle was observed incidentally
near survey point 7 on March 26th in flight within the anticipated RSA The golden eagle is
protected by the BGEPA (Section 215)
Four Level I (Franklinrsquos gull Swainsonrsquos hawk upland sandpiper and grasshopper sparrow)
seven Level II (bobolink dickcissel redhead sharp-tailed grouse northern harrier golden eagle
and northern pintail) and one Level III (peregrine falcon) state-listed Species of Conservation
Priority were observed during point counts raptor nest lek surveys or as incidental observations
within the Project Area
40 DISCUSSION
The avian community detected within the Project area during spring surveys was characterized
by species associated with typical mid-western agricultural lands and short-grass prairie
vegetation The majority of the Project area and vicinity has been developed for agricultural use
specifically crops such as wheat sunflower and corn with additional developed lands devoted to
pastureland for cattle Within disturbed habitats such as these the greatest potential impact of
wind facilities to avian species is risk of collisions with turbines Mean avian fatality rates
estimated from wind facilities in the Midwest (NE WI MN and IA) range from 044 to 1183
birdsturbineyear (049 ndash 717 birdsMWyear Tetra Tech 2012) Project-related bird fatalities
are expected to fall within this range
In areas mostly dominated by native short-grass prairie additional loss of habitat from
developing these areas may impact resident and migratory avian species The presence of native
grassland habitats within the Project area suggests that additional disturbance and habitat loss
caused by construction and operation of the Project may cause birds to avoid the Project area
and may alter the current use of habitat by bird species within the Project area (Tetra Tech 2011)
The greatest potential for habitat loss would be for sharp-tailed grouse Current research suggests
that certain grouse species may avoid anthropogenic structures (USFWS 2012a Hagen et al
11 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
2011) however long-term data sets are still needed to best assess wind energy impacts (Johnson
et al 2012)
41 NON-RAPTOR USE AND COLLISION RISK
The Canada goose sandhill crane red-winged blackbird and Franklinrsquos gull were species with
the highest mean use within the Project area and were among the species most frequently
detected Additionally unidentified sparrows which probably represent a group of similar
species had high mean use Three of these species Canada goose Franklinrsquos gull and sandhill
crane are migratory with most individuals moving through the region (and the Project area) to
breeding grounds further north as indicated by their flight direction and large flock size Three
species had a high frequency of detection but a low mean use at the Project ring-necked
pheasant horned lark and western meadowlark These eight species are local residential and
migratory species commonly associated with the open pastureland short-grass prairie and row-
crop agriculture habitats found throughout the Project area These species are widely distributed
across the country and can be expected to occur where suitable habitat is present
The red-winged blackbird horned lark western meadowlark and ring-necked pheasant are
commonly found as turbine-related fatalities (more than 20 records of post-construction fatality
from 27 studies Tetra Tech 2012 Johnson et al 2000 Howe et al 2002 Derby et al 2007 TRC
Environmental 2008 Gruver et al 2009 BHE Environmental 2010 Jain et al 2011 Grodsky
and Drake 2011) particularly horned larks which exhibit breeding flight displays that may bring
them into the height of the RSA (Johnson and Erickson 2011) Thus risk of turbine-related
fatalities exists for each of these species at the Project However Project-related fatalities of red-
winged blackbird horned lark western meadowlark and ring-necked pheasant should they
occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts because collision fatalities appears to have
little effect North American landbird populations (Arnold and Zink 2011)
Species with high mean use but that are considered to have low risk for fatalities include sandhill
crane Franklinrsquos gull and Canada goose Although flying at the height of the RSA represents a
collision risk sandhill cranes have been documented altering flight direction in response to
turbines at wind facility in South Dakota (Nagy et al 2011) and multiple studies have
documented sandhill cranes gradually climbing as they approach marked power lines (Morkill
and Anderson 1991 Murphy et al 2009) The avoidance behavior observed at other studies and
lack of documented turbine-related fatalities of the sandhill crane suggests a low risk of Project-
related fatality for this species While no studies have documented avoidance behavior by
Franklinrsquos gulls similar to sandhill cranes the lack of documented fatalities at wind facilities
with publicly available data within the breeding range and migratory pathway of Franklinrsquos gulls
indicate a low risk of fatalities to occur at the Project (20 studies Tetra Tech 2012)
12 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Additionally Canada goose has a low number of fatality observations (less than 6 records of
post-construction fatalities from 27 studies Tetra Tech 2012)
The remaining non-raptor species detected during spring surveys have low risk for turbine
collisions at the Project due to a combination of relatively low mean-use rates infrequent flight
within the height of the RSA andor few or no records of fatalities at other wind facilities with
publically available results of fatality data
42 RAPTOR USE AND COLLISION RISK
High raptor use (greater than 20 birds20 min) has been associated with high raptor fatality at
wind farms (Strickland et al 2011) Conversely raptor fatality appears to be low when raptor use
is low (less than 10 birds20 min Strickland et al 2011) which is the case for raptor use at the
Project A factor contributing to the low raptor use of the Project area may be the number of
active raptor nests detected during nests surveys Because raptor activity is typically higher near
active nests than areas without active nests and raptors may have increased potential for
collision as they repeatedly fly within the Project area during nesting activities
Red-tailed hawks and northern harriers were the raptor species with the highest mean use and
were also among the most frequently detected raptor species at the Project Both species are
commonly associated with agricultural and grassland habitats which provide opportunities for
foraging an activity associated with susceptibility to turbine-collisions (Thelander et al 2003)
In a recent study of raptor response to wind farms northern harriers were identified as having a
low risk flight behavior for collisions whereas red-tailed hawks were observed engaging in high-
risk flight behaviors at operational wind facilities (Garvin et al 2011) Risks of collision for
northern harriers are believed to be low because the majority of foraging flights occur below
typical RSA heights (Whitfield and Madders 2006) Thus risk of turbine-related fatalities at the
Project is expected to be low given the low level of use As a result Project-related fatalities of
northern harrier should they occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts because
northern harriers are common nationwide (Sauer et al 2011) Results from post-construction
fatality monitoring studies indicate that red-tailed hawks are frequently found as turbine-related
fatalities (228 records of red-tailed hawk from 27 studies - Tetra Tech 2012 Jain 2005 Grodsky
and Drake 2011 Johnson and Erickson 2011) However Garvin et al (2011) documented that
red-tailed hawks despite high-risk flight behavior also demonstrated collision avoidance
behavior (Garvin et al 2011) Thus risk of turbine-related fatalities at the Project exists for red-
tailed hawks but turbine-related fatalities would be expected to be low given the low level of use
and low number of nests detected within the Project area and 1-mile buffer Project-related
fatalities of red-tailed hawk should they occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts
because red-tailed hawks are common nationwide (Sauer et al 2011)
13 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Two other raptor species detected during spring surveys (Swainsonrsquos hawk and American
kestrel) have been recorded as fatalities at other wind facilities (Derby 2007 Gritski et al 2008
Johnson and Erickson 2011) Peregrine falcon and great-horned owl have not been recorded as
fatalities observed at wind farms with publicly available fatality data All are likely have low risk
for turbine collisions at the Project due to the relatively very low mean-use rates
43 LISTED SPECIES
No federal listed threatened or endangered species were detected incidentally during avian point
count raptor or lek surveys One adult golden eagle was detected as an incidental observation
The golden eagle is protected under the BGEPA Although applications for incidental take
permits are available none have been issued to date Projects that are applying for permits have
are those with a perceived high risk of eagle fatality or have an additional permitting requirement
based on land ownership Consultation with the USFWS would provide further information on
local interpretation of the Draft Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance (USFWS 2011c)
No state listed designated species with regulatory implications were detected during surveys
However all native migratory avian species are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of
1918
44 CONCLUSIONS
Results of the 2012 spring avian surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center suggest an overall
low impact of the Project on the local avian community The high mean-use rate at the Project by
non-raptors is primarily driven by a few common residents and migratory species not commonly
reported as fatalities at wind energy facilities with results from post-construction fatality
monitoring Raptor use was relatively low for each raptor species detected Although there is
potential for turbine-related fatalities of Canada goose sandhill crane horned lark western
meadowlark red-winged blackbird red-tailed hawk and Franklinrsquos gull at the Project fatalities
are not expected to have population-level impacts If avian fatality rates are similar to other wind
facilities within the region we would expect them to fall between 044 ndash 1183 birdsturbineyear
(049 ndash 717 birdsMWyear) Additionally the potential for turbine-related fatalities exists for
nocturnal migrant species not identifiable by the methods of this study
No federally listed threatened or endangered species were detected incidentally during avian
point count raptor or lek surveys One adult golden eagle was detected as an incidental
observation The golden eagle is protected under the BGEPA A total of 9 sharp-tailed grouse
leks were located within the Project area and 1-mile buffer Four of the leks are within the
Project area indicating a moderate use of the Project area by the species No state listed
designated species with regulatory implications were detected during surveys However all
native migratory avian species are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918
14 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
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Ballam JM 1984 The use of soaring by the red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) Auk 3519shy524
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Bryce SA JM Omernik DA Pater M Ulmer J Schaar J Freeouf R Johnson P Kuck and SH Azevedo 1996 Ecoregions of North Dakota and South Dakota (color poster with map descriptive text summary tables and photographs) Reston Virginia US Geological Survey (map scale 11500000)
Devereux CL MJH Denny and MJ Whittingham 2008 Minimal effects of wind turbines on the distribution of wintering farmland birds Journal of Applied Ecology 451689shy1694
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Derby C A Dahl W Erickson K Bay and J Hoban 2007 Post-Construction Monitoring Report for Avian and Bat Mortality at the NPPD Ainsworth Wind Farm Prepared for Nebraska Public Power District Columbus NE 24 pgs
Erickson WP GD Johnson and DP Young Jr 2005 A summary and comparison of bird mortality from anthropogenic causes with an emphasis on collisions USDA Forest Service Gen Tech Rep PSW-GTR-191
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15 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
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16 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Johnson GD C LeBeau R Neilsen T Rintz and J Eddy 2012 Greater Sage-Grouse Habitat Use and Population Demographics at the Simpson Ridge Wind Resource Area Carbon County Wyoming Final Report prepared for EBP Renewables Houston Texas
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Martin GR 2011 Understanding bird collisions with man-made objects a sensory ecology approach Ibis 153(2)239-254
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17 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
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2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
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People who contributed to the writing of this report
Jim Kowalsky July 17 2012
Report Author Date
Jennifer Taylor July 19 2012
Peer Review 1 Date
Chris Farmer August 3 2012
Peer Review 2 Date
Anne-Marie Griger August 9 2012
Deputy Project Manager Date
Robert Friedel July 13 2012
GIS Date
19 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
FIGURES
20 August 2012
B
Knife River
James River
Random Creek
Pipestem Creek
Heart River Long Lake Creek
Rocky Run
Otter Creek
Turtle Cr eek
West Branch Apple Creek
Little Heart River
Big Muddy Creek
Ea st Br an ch Ap pl e C re ek
Apple
Creek
Painte Woods Creek
Sweetbrier Creek
Square Butte Creek
B
LakeAudubon Figure 1Lake NettieLakeSakakawea ty MapVicini
Turtle BlueLake Lakeerson
Lake NEXTENERGYPetUV7
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V41 RESOURCES
Wilton IVMcLeanWind Energy Center
Burleigh County ND
Las modified 7-10-2012
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Urban area WillowOBrienLongLake lkaliA14 HelenTwi Interstate Highway
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Figure 2 Point
(Spr t location mapcoun
ing 2012)NEXTENERGY
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Wilton IVWind Energy Center
AA
A A
Burleigh County ND
Last modified 7-10-2012A AA
AA AA A A A
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Figure 3 Non-raptor mean use by survey date in Spring at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center M
ean
Use
(bir
ds2
0 m
in)
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
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Survey Date
316 321 326 44 410 420 427 53 512 519 526 62 69 615
NAD 1983 UTM 14
240th Ave Ne240th Ave Ne
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184T
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80Th
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214Th Ave NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE 279Th Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
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145T
h St N
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41St
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145T
h St N
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66Th
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171S
t St N
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52Nd
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41St
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66Th
St N
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80Th
St N
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93Rd
St N
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292Nd Ave NE
106T
h St N
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171S
t St N
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214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
93Rd
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86Th
St N
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184T
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PC 01
PC 02
PC 03
PC 04
PC 05 PC 06
PC 07
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TETR A TECH EC INC
Figure 4Non-raptor mean use by point count location (Spring 2012)
Non-r aptor s p e r 20 m in u te s 00 1 - 25 0 0 25 01 - 5 0 00 50 01 - 7 5 00
75 01 - 1 0 00 0
10 00 1 - 1 25 00
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
A Pro po sed tu rbin e (9 -21 -20 11 )Lo ca l Ro a d
Mean use value PC Point count number
Burleigh County ND
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
Last modified 7-10-2012
NEXTENERGY RESOURCES
Figure 5 Raptor mean use by survey date in Spring 2012 at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Mea
n U
se (b
irds
20
min
)
140
120
100
080
060
040
020
000
Survey Date
316 321 326 44 410 420 427 53 512 519 526 62 69 615
NAD 1983 UTM 14
240th Ave Ne240th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
253Rd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
227Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE 279Th Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
145T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
145T
h St N
E
66Th
St N
E
171S
t St N
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132N
d St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
41St
St NE
66Th
St N
E
80Th
St N
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93Rd
St N
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292Nd Ave NE
106T
h St N
E
171S
t St N
E
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
93Rd
St N
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86Th
St N
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184T
h St N
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52Nd
St N
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PC 01
PC 02
PC 03
PC 04
PC 05 PC 06
PC 07
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TETR A TECH EC INC
Figure 6Raptor mean use by point
count location (Spring 2012)
Rapto r s p e r 2 0 m in u te s 00 1- 01 6 01 7 - 0 32 03 3 - 0 48
04 9 - 0 64
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
A Pro po sed tu rbin e (9 -21 -20 11 )Lo ca l Ro a d
Mean use value PC Point count number
Burleigh County ND
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
Last modified 7-10-2012
NEXTENERGY RESOURCES
240th Ave Ne 240th Ave Ne
240th Ave Ne
266th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
279Th Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE
292Nd Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
52Nd
St N
E
197T
h St N
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52Nd
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
66Th
St N
E
188Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
106T
h St N
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253Rd Ave NE
292Nd Ave NE
93Rd
St N
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132N
d St N
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26Th
St N
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266Th Ave NE
253Rd Ave NE
CR 18
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119T
h St N
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93Rd
St N
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145T
h St N
E 14
5Th S
t NE
132N
d St N
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41St
St NE
210T
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106T
h St N
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t St N
E 17
1St S
t NE
188Th Ave NE
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE 227Th Ave NE
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
201St Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
Figure 7 Raptor nest and lek location
map (Spring 2012)NEXTENERGY
RESOURCES
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
5 Burleigh County ND
Last modified 7-10-2012 A A
A A
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
AAA A A A A A
A A
Pro po sed tu rbi(9 -21 -20 11 )
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2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
TABLES
21 August 2012
Table 1 Spring 2012 point count survey dates at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Date(s)Survey number
1 316 2 321 3 326 4 44 5 410 6 420 7 427 8 53 9 512 10 519 11 526 12 62 13 69 14 615
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Songbirds
unidentified sparrow 652 7 665 (000-1339) 41 313 121 red-winged blackbird 548 52 559 (036-1082) 378 263 102 horned lark 173 83 177 (136-218) 612 83 32 American crow 159 22 162 (027-297) 204 76 30 common grackle 91 33 093 (035-151) 245 44 17 western meadowlark 80 62 082 (065-099) 480 38 15 European starling 80 1 082 (000-216) 10 38 15 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 082 (029-135) 82 38 15 barn swallow 44 21 045 (028-062) 204 21 08 bobolink 36 28 037 (022-052) 194 17 07 American goldfinch 26 23 027 (018-036) 214 12 05 vesper sparrow 23 21 023 (013-033) 184 11 04 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 019 (010-028) 143 09 04 American robin 19 19 019 (011-027) 143 09 04 house sparrow 15 5 015 (000-030) 51 07 03 American tree sparrow 8 2 008 (000-018) 20 04 01 song sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 savannah sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 dickcissel 5 4 005 (000-010) 31 02 01 western kingbird 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 01 01 pine siskin 3 1 003 (000-008) 10 01 01 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 eastern kingbird 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 yellow warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 unidentified warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 house wren 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 Group Total 2083 430 2126 (1259-2993) 949 387
Waterfowl
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations
Canada goose 1408 24 1437 (435-2439) 133 874 262 snow goose 184 2 188 (000-490) 20 114 34 mallard 12 6 012 (004-020) 61 07 02 northern pintail 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 blue-winged teal 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 American wigeon 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 redhead 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 01 00 Group Total 1611 36 1644 (561-2727) 184 300
CranesRails sandhill crane 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 1000 201 Group Total 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 201
GullsTerns Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 283 (013-553) 31 986 52 ring-billed gull 4 3 004 (000-008) 31 14 01 Group Total 281 7 287 (017-557) 61 52
Gamebirds ring-necked pheasant 148 134 151 (128-174) 745 967 28 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 20 01 gray partridge 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 13 00 Group Total 153 138 156 (132-180) 755 28
PigeonsDoves rock pigeon 40 6 041 (009-073) 61 513 07 mourning dove 38 25 039 (019-059) 184 487 07 Group Total 78 31 080 (041-119) 224 15
Waterbirds killdeer 28 22 029 (017-041) 214 538 05 upland sandpiper 8 8 008 (003-013) 71 154 01 common snipe 8 8 008 (002-014) 61 154 01 Wilsons snipe 4 4 004 (000-008) 31 77 01 American coot 4 1 004 (000-011) 10 77 01 Group Total 52 43 053 (037-069) 357 10
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Raptors
red-tailed hawk 16 12 016 (008-024) 122 444 03 northern harrier 16 14 016 (009-023) 143 444 03 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 peregrine falcon 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 great horned owl 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 American kestrel 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 Group Total 36 30 037 (025-049) 276 07
Woodpeckers northern flicker 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 1000 00 Group Total 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 00 Grand Total 5376 735 5486 (3771-7200)
1 A ranking of 1 indicates highest mean use
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Canada goose 1408 24 210 80 523 140 210 135 110 sandhill crane 1080 18 94 18 621 15 187 145 0 unidentified sparrow 652 7 0 0 0 0 330 210 112 red-winged blackbird 548 52 0 84 49 386 14 11 4 Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 107 0 100 70 0 0 0 snow goose 184 2 0 180 4 0 0 0 0 horned lark 173 83 23 24 17 12 19 32 46 American crow 159 22 6 4 13 11 1 123 1 ring-necked pheasant 148 134 21 14 21 18 25 22 27 common grackle 91 33 6 35 7 2 8 33 0 western meadowlark 80 62 8 10 17 3 11 19 12 European starling 80 1 0 0 0 80 0 0 0 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 0 63 17 0 0 0 0 barn swallow 44 21 3 12 6 10 7 1 5 rock pigeon 40 6 0 14 0 0 0 23 3 mourning dove 38 25 4 17 1 1 1 11 3 bobolink 36 28 10 0 14 8 0 0 4 killdeer 28 22 3 3 4 5 10 0 3 American goldfinch 26 23 4 9 3 3 4 2 1 vesper sparrow 23 21 1 7 1 2 9 1 2 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 2 4 2 0 6 4 1 American robin 19 19 1 13 0 1 3 0 1 red-tailed hawk 16 12 4 0 4 5 0 1 2 northern harrier 16 14 3 1 4 4 2 0 2 house sparrow 15 5 2 13 0 0 0 0 0 mallard 12 6 0 0 6 6 0 0 0 upland sandpiper 8 8 0 0 1 0 3 2 2 common snipe 8 8 0 2 6 0 0 0 0 American tree sparrow 8 2 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 song sparrow 5 5 1 1 1 0 2 0 0 savannah sparrow 5 5 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 dickcissel 5 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 Wilsons snipe 4 4 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 ring-billed gull 4 3 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 American coot 4 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 western kingbird 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 pine siskin 3 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 northern pintail 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
northern flicker 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 gray partridge 2 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 eastern kingbird 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 blue-winged teal 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 American wigeon 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 yellow warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 unidentified warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 redhead 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 peregrine falcon 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 house wren 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 great horned owl 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 American kestrel 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Grand Total 5376 735 526 620 1452 794 859 776 349
Table 4 Summary of avian flight heights1 in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)2 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Birds
Number Percentage
Non-raptors
Raptors
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
1656 372
2023 455
767 173
3 91
13 394
17 515 1 Includes only flying birds with flight height data2These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
Canada goose 654 (435 - 2439) 1437 997 537 457 06 unidentified sparrow 632 (000 - 1339) 665 1000 00 951 49 sandhill crane 368 (083 - 2121) 1102 999 665 335 00 Franklinrsquos gull 283 (013 - 553) 283 1000 00 1000 00 European starling 082 (000 - 216) 082 1000 00 1000 00 American crow 024 (027 - 297) 162 943 00 160 840 red-tailed hawk 013 (008 - 024) 016 938 133 867 00 brown-headed cowbird 008 (029 - 135) 082 125 00 800 200 red-winged blackbird 005 (036 - 1082) 559 261 00 35 965 Wilsons snipe 002 (000 - 008) 004 500 00 1000 00 blue-winged teal 002 (000 - 005) 002 1000 00 1000 00 mallard 002 (004 - 020) 012 500 00 333 667 ring-billed gull 001 (000 - 008) 004 1000 00 250 750 yellow warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 yellow-headed blackbird 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 western meadowlark 000 (065 - 099) 082 338 00 00 1000 western kingbird 000 (000 - 007) 003 1000 00 00 1000 vesper sparrow 000 (013 - 033) 023 130 00 00 1000 upland sandpiper 000 (003 - 013) 008 250 00 00 1000 unidentified warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 Swainsonrsquos hawk 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 sharp-tailed grouse 000 (000 - 007) 003 667 00 00 1000 song sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 snow goose 000 (000 - 490) 188 1000 1000 00 00 savannah sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 rock pigeon 000 (009 - 073) 041 825 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
ring-necked pheasant 000 (128 - 174) 151 07 00 00 1000 redhead 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 pine siskin 000 (000 - 008) 003 1000 00 00 1000 peregrine falcon 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 1000 00 00 northern pintail 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 northern harrier 000 (009 - 023) 016 1000 00 00 1000 northern flicker 000 (000 - 004) 002 500 00 00 1000 mourning dove 000 (019 - 059) 039 684 00 00 1000 killdeer 000 (017 - 041) 029 607 00 00 1000 house wren 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 house sparrow 000 (000 - 030) 015 67 00 00 1000 horned lark 000 (136 - 218) 177 740 00 00 1000 grasshopper sparrow 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 gray partridge 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 great horned owl 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 eastern kingbird 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 dickcissel 000 (000 - 010) 005 00 00 00 00 common snipe 000 (002 - 014) 008 00 00 00 00 common grackle 000 (035 - 151) 093 945 00 00 1000 clay-colored sparrow 000 (010 - 028) 019 158 00 00 1000 bobolink 000 (022 - 052) 037 917 00 00 1000 barn swallow 000 (028 - 062) 045 1000 00 00 1000 American tree sparrow 000 (000 - 018) 008 1000 00 00 1000 American wigeon 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 American robin 000 (011 - 027) 019 421 00 00 1000 American kestrel 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
American goldfinch 000 027 (018 - 036) 923 00 00 1000American coot 000 004 (000 - 011) 00 00 00 001These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 6 Incidental observations of birds during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species
American crow American kestrel American robin Canada goose great horned owl golden eagle gray partridge lesser scaup mallard merlin northern harrier rock pigeon red-tailed hawk red-winged blackbird sandhill crane sharp-tailed grouse wild turkey
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
APPENDICES
22 August 2012
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number of Birds1
Number of
Observations Species
Percentage of Flights
N NE E SE S SW W NW Variable
Canada goose 1398 21 867 00 00 00 02 00 17 114 00
sandhill crane 1079 17 878 52 00 00 00 00 00 70 00
unidentified sparrow 565 5 00 00 00 788 212 00 00 00 00
Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
snow goose 184 2 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
European starling 80 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
American crow 69 11 768 58 58 00 14 43 00 14 43
red-winged blackbird 15 6 533 00 00 200 267 00 00 00 00
red-tailed hawk 14 10 500 143 00 71 00 71 00 71 143
rock pigeon 11 2 00 00 00 00 273 727 00 00 00
northern harrier 9 8 111 00 00 333 00 222 00 111 222
mourning dove 9 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
common grackle 9 6 111 00 00 111 00 222 556 00 00
brown-headed cowbird 8 1 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
horned lark 6 3 833 00 00 167 00 00 00 00 00
ring-billed gull 4 3 250 00 00 00 00 750 00 00 00
Wilsons snipe 2 2 500 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 500
vesper sparrow 2 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
mallard 2 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
blue-winged teal 2 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
peregrine falcon 1 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
killdeer 1 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
Grand Total 3747 108 722 17 04 121 36 05 30 64 02 1 Includes only flying birds with flight directions
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Nest Number Species Substrate
Nest ConditionStatusDates
Surveyed Nest
Height (m) 2012 - 1 452012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good
5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 4 592012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good 5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 5 5192012 Swainsonrsquos hawk Active Siberian Elm 7 Good
NA means not applicable
Wenck Associates Inc 301 1
st St NE Suite 202
Mandan ND 58554
Phone 701-751-3370 Email jaskimwenckcom
May 7 2012
Tracey M Dubuque PE Senior Project Manager
Tetra Tech EC
160 Federal Street Third Floor
Boston MA 02110
Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Dear Tracey
Introduction
Male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) congregate at historicalcommunal leks in the spring
to compete for breeding opportunities Both sexes return to their natal breeding grounds yearly for their
entire life Leks are typically found in areas with low-growing vegetation on a hill knoll or other point of
high visibility Fidelity to these locations is extremely high for sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse
require nesting habitat within close proximity the lek comprised of dense or residual vegetative cover to
conceal and protect their nest from predators (Vodehnal and Haufler 2007)
Disturbance of nesting prairie grouse may occur from the construction of the turbine andor access road
construction noise and physical movement of equipment Loss of habitat and fragmentation related to
energy exploration may affect local prairie grouse populations by decreasing the area of habitat available
for nesting and brood-rearing and by increasing predation (Pittman et al 2005) Therefore federal and
state wildlife agencies are concerned about the placement of turbines in areas with known prairie grouse
populations Turbine setbacks from leks and minimizing grouse habitat disturbance may reduce the direct
and indirect effects of energy development on grouse
Methods
Sharp-tailed grouse surveys were completed from April 10th to May 1
st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise
to two hours after sunrise within the one-mile analysis area (Figure 1) Peak attendance by females on leks
typically occurs from April 15 to 25 but these dates vary by up to a week depending on weather conditions
(Schroeder and Robb 1993) Peak attendance potentially occurred earlier this year due to the early spring
A habitat assessment analysis was conducted prior to the field survey to determine suitable lekkingnesting
habitat within the analysis area (Figure 2) Listening stops were made within a one-mile analysis area
surrounding the proposed project area to identify lek locations (Figure 3) Sharp-tailed grouse males may
be heard at a distance of up to 050 mile Listening stops were not conducted if winds exceeded 10 miles
per hour (mph) or during precipitation events After a lek was located the birds were observed and the
number of males and females were counted Lek locations were documented using Global Positioning
System (GPS) Given the sensitive nature of this species and the fact that females may be nesting near the
lek disturbance to breeding prairie grouse was kept to a minimum
Results
Nine (9) sharp-tailed grouse leks were located during the surveys conducted from April 10th to May 1
st
2012 (Figure 4) Date time sex number of birds present wind conditions air temperature and GPS
coordinates were recorded once a lek was located (Tables 1 and 2) Two of the leks observed were
located outside of the analysis area Due to Lek 1rsquos close proximity to Lek 4 Lek 1 shouldbe classified
as a satellite lek No visual confirmation of Lek 6 was made due to access and topography
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
and Franklinrsquos gull (283 birds20 min observed in 31 percent of all surveys Table 2) Other
species with a high frequency of detection during the surveys but with a low mean use included
ring-necked pheasant (151 birds20 min observed in 745 percent of all surveys) horned lark
(177 birds20 min 612 percent of all surveys) and western meadowlark (082 birds20 min
480 percent of all surveys Table 2) Each other non-raptor species had a mean use of less than
190 birds20 min or was detected in less than 48 percent of all surveys Other non-raptor species
groups observed during the surveys included Gamebirds PigeonsDoves Waterbirds and
Woodpeckers (Table 2)
Non-raptor mean use was highest on March 16 (24743 birds20 min) April 20 (19914 birds20
min) and March 26 (12571 birds20 min Figure 3) Observations on March 16 were comprised
of mostly Canada geese (1138 individuals observed in 17 flocks ranging in size from 20 to 140
individuals 77 of all observations) The primary contributors to the high mean use on April 20
were unidentified sparrows (645 individuals observed in 6 distinct flocks and ranging from 25 to
250 individuals) red-winged blackbird (392 individuals) and Franklinrsquos gull (277 individuals)
On March 26 the primary contributor to the high mean use was the sandhill crane (772
individuals distributed between 8 flocks ranging from 15 to 275 individuals) Mean use for nonshy
raptors was highest at point count location 3 (10314 birds20 min Figure 4) Species
contributing to the high mean use at this point included sandhill crane (621 individuals) Canada
goose (523 individuals) and Franklinrsquos gull (100 individuals Table 3) The habitat at point 3
consists of row crops (wheat) and short-grass prairie possibly enrolled in the Conservation
Reserve Program (CRP) The habitat at this point is not unique within the Project area However
most of the birds observed at point 3 were flying through the Project area in flocks of 15 to 275
individuals and not stopping in the immediate vicinity of the Project
Raptors are a group of special interest because of their propensity to fly at heights similar to a
turbine RSA Overall mean use for raptors was 037 birds20 min (Table 2) raptors were not
among the most frequently observed species groups during the spring surveys The raptor species
with the highest mean use was the red-tailed hawk (016 birds20 min observed in 122 percent
of all surveys) and northern harrier (016 birds20 min observed in 143 percent of all surveys)
Other raptor species detected included the Swainsonrsquos hawk and peregrine falcon great-horned
owl and American kestrel each with mean use value of 001 birds20 min with each observed in
10 percent of all surveys (Table 2)
Mean use by raptors was highest on March 26 (129 birds20 min) and May 3 (100 birds20 min
Figure 5) Observations on March 26 included red-tailed hawk (5 individuals) northern harrier
(3 individuals) and American kestrel (1 individual) Observations on May 26 included 4 red-
tailed hawks 2 northern harriers and 1 peregrine falcon Mean use for raptors was less than 058
birds20 min for all other survey dates Mean use for raptors was highest at point count locations
4 1 and 3 (064 064 and 057 birds20 min respectively Figure 6) Species contributing to the
9 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
mean use at these points were mostly red-tailed hawks and northern harriers (Table 3) In
addition to red-tailed hawks and northern harriers point count location 1 had one American
kestrel and one Peregrine falcon Raptor mean use was equal to or less than 029 birds20 min at
all other points Point count locations 4 1 and 3 each encompass short-grass prairie and
agricultural (mostly wheat) fields both of which provide foraging opportunities for raptors
These features are not unique to these point count locations or within the Project area
32 FLIGHT HEIGHT AND ENCOUNTER RATE
During spring avian use surveys biologists collected behavioral data for 986 percent of all birds
observed during point count surveys of which 834 percent were observed flying The biologist
collected flight height data for 999 percent and flight direction for 835 percent of those
observations (ie most individuals were observed making directional flights) Of non-raptor
species observed flying 372 percent flew above the height of the anticipated RSA 455 percent
flew at the height of the anticipated RSA and 173 percent flew below the height of the
anticipated RSA (Table 4) Of raptor species observed flying 91 percent flew above the height
of the anticipated RSA 394 percent flew at the height of the anticipated RSA and 515 percent
flew above the height of the anticipated RSA Data on flight direction are located in Appendix 1
Most birds observed making direct flight over the Project were moving in a northerly direction
(803 percent of all direct flights) In combination with the timing of flights (Figure 3) these data
suggest that much of the non-raptor use observed at the Project area is due to migratory
movements
Canada goose had the highest encounter rate (654 birds flying at RSA height20 min Table 5)
followed by unidentified sparrow (632 birds flying at RSA height20 min) sandhill crane (368
birds flying at RSA height20 min) and Franklinrsquos gull (283 birds flying at RSA height20 min)
Each other species had an encounter rate below 083 birds flying at RSA height20 min
33 RAPTOR NEST SURVEYS
Raptor nests detected within the Project area or 1-mile buffer included 2 red-tailed hawks 2 unknown nests and 1 Swainsonrsquos hawk (Figure 7) The red-tailed hawk nests were found on April 5 and May 9 with each remaining active during the survey period The Swainsonrsquos hawk nest was detected on May 19th within the 1-mile buffer around the Project area The two unknown nests were found on April 15 and April 25 Both unknown nests appeared to never be active during the survey period
34 LEK SURVEYS
During grouse lek surveys conducted within the Project area and a surrounding 1-mile buffer
from April 10th to May 1st a total of 9 sharp-tailed grouse leks were found within the Project area
and 1-mile buffer (Figure 7 WENK 2012) Four of the leks were within the Project area (Figure
7) Each lek had a minimum of 4 individuals (includes males and females) observed with the
10 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
maximum number of grouse observed at one lek being 21 individuals (lek 8) A full report on the
grouse lek surveys is presented in Appendix 3
35 INCIDENTAL OBSERVATIONS
The biologist documented 17 species as incidental observations (Table 6) Of these species 4
(golden eagle lesser scaup merlin wild turkey) were not detected during spring point count
surveys
36 LISTED SPECIES
No federal threatened or endangered species were observed during avian point count raptor or
lek surveys or as an incidental observation One adult golden eagle was observed incidentally
near survey point 7 on March 26th in flight within the anticipated RSA The golden eagle is
protected by the BGEPA (Section 215)
Four Level I (Franklinrsquos gull Swainsonrsquos hawk upland sandpiper and grasshopper sparrow)
seven Level II (bobolink dickcissel redhead sharp-tailed grouse northern harrier golden eagle
and northern pintail) and one Level III (peregrine falcon) state-listed Species of Conservation
Priority were observed during point counts raptor nest lek surveys or as incidental observations
within the Project Area
40 DISCUSSION
The avian community detected within the Project area during spring surveys was characterized
by species associated with typical mid-western agricultural lands and short-grass prairie
vegetation The majority of the Project area and vicinity has been developed for agricultural use
specifically crops such as wheat sunflower and corn with additional developed lands devoted to
pastureland for cattle Within disturbed habitats such as these the greatest potential impact of
wind facilities to avian species is risk of collisions with turbines Mean avian fatality rates
estimated from wind facilities in the Midwest (NE WI MN and IA) range from 044 to 1183
birdsturbineyear (049 ndash 717 birdsMWyear Tetra Tech 2012) Project-related bird fatalities
are expected to fall within this range
In areas mostly dominated by native short-grass prairie additional loss of habitat from
developing these areas may impact resident and migratory avian species The presence of native
grassland habitats within the Project area suggests that additional disturbance and habitat loss
caused by construction and operation of the Project may cause birds to avoid the Project area
and may alter the current use of habitat by bird species within the Project area (Tetra Tech 2011)
The greatest potential for habitat loss would be for sharp-tailed grouse Current research suggests
that certain grouse species may avoid anthropogenic structures (USFWS 2012a Hagen et al
11 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
2011) however long-term data sets are still needed to best assess wind energy impacts (Johnson
et al 2012)
41 NON-RAPTOR USE AND COLLISION RISK
The Canada goose sandhill crane red-winged blackbird and Franklinrsquos gull were species with
the highest mean use within the Project area and were among the species most frequently
detected Additionally unidentified sparrows which probably represent a group of similar
species had high mean use Three of these species Canada goose Franklinrsquos gull and sandhill
crane are migratory with most individuals moving through the region (and the Project area) to
breeding grounds further north as indicated by their flight direction and large flock size Three
species had a high frequency of detection but a low mean use at the Project ring-necked
pheasant horned lark and western meadowlark These eight species are local residential and
migratory species commonly associated with the open pastureland short-grass prairie and row-
crop agriculture habitats found throughout the Project area These species are widely distributed
across the country and can be expected to occur where suitable habitat is present
The red-winged blackbird horned lark western meadowlark and ring-necked pheasant are
commonly found as turbine-related fatalities (more than 20 records of post-construction fatality
from 27 studies Tetra Tech 2012 Johnson et al 2000 Howe et al 2002 Derby et al 2007 TRC
Environmental 2008 Gruver et al 2009 BHE Environmental 2010 Jain et al 2011 Grodsky
and Drake 2011) particularly horned larks which exhibit breeding flight displays that may bring
them into the height of the RSA (Johnson and Erickson 2011) Thus risk of turbine-related
fatalities exists for each of these species at the Project However Project-related fatalities of red-
winged blackbird horned lark western meadowlark and ring-necked pheasant should they
occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts because collision fatalities appears to have
little effect North American landbird populations (Arnold and Zink 2011)
Species with high mean use but that are considered to have low risk for fatalities include sandhill
crane Franklinrsquos gull and Canada goose Although flying at the height of the RSA represents a
collision risk sandhill cranes have been documented altering flight direction in response to
turbines at wind facility in South Dakota (Nagy et al 2011) and multiple studies have
documented sandhill cranes gradually climbing as they approach marked power lines (Morkill
and Anderson 1991 Murphy et al 2009) The avoidance behavior observed at other studies and
lack of documented turbine-related fatalities of the sandhill crane suggests a low risk of Project-
related fatality for this species While no studies have documented avoidance behavior by
Franklinrsquos gulls similar to sandhill cranes the lack of documented fatalities at wind facilities
with publicly available data within the breeding range and migratory pathway of Franklinrsquos gulls
indicate a low risk of fatalities to occur at the Project (20 studies Tetra Tech 2012)
12 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Additionally Canada goose has a low number of fatality observations (less than 6 records of
post-construction fatalities from 27 studies Tetra Tech 2012)
The remaining non-raptor species detected during spring surveys have low risk for turbine
collisions at the Project due to a combination of relatively low mean-use rates infrequent flight
within the height of the RSA andor few or no records of fatalities at other wind facilities with
publically available results of fatality data
42 RAPTOR USE AND COLLISION RISK
High raptor use (greater than 20 birds20 min) has been associated with high raptor fatality at
wind farms (Strickland et al 2011) Conversely raptor fatality appears to be low when raptor use
is low (less than 10 birds20 min Strickland et al 2011) which is the case for raptor use at the
Project A factor contributing to the low raptor use of the Project area may be the number of
active raptor nests detected during nests surveys Because raptor activity is typically higher near
active nests than areas without active nests and raptors may have increased potential for
collision as they repeatedly fly within the Project area during nesting activities
Red-tailed hawks and northern harriers were the raptor species with the highest mean use and
were also among the most frequently detected raptor species at the Project Both species are
commonly associated with agricultural and grassland habitats which provide opportunities for
foraging an activity associated with susceptibility to turbine-collisions (Thelander et al 2003)
In a recent study of raptor response to wind farms northern harriers were identified as having a
low risk flight behavior for collisions whereas red-tailed hawks were observed engaging in high-
risk flight behaviors at operational wind facilities (Garvin et al 2011) Risks of collision for
northern harriers are believed to be low because the majority of foraging flights occur below
typical RSA heights (Whitfield and Madders 2006) Thus risk of turbine-related fatalities at the
Project is expected to be low given the low level of use As a result Project-related fatalities of
northern harrier should they occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts because
northern harriers are common nationwide (Sauer et al 2011) Results from post-construction
fatality monitoring studies indicate that red-tailed hawks are frequently found as turbine-related
fatalities (228 records of red-tailed hawk from 27 studies - Tetra Tech 2012 Jain 2005 Grodsky
and Drake 2011 Johnson and Erickson 2011) However Garvin et al (2011) documented that
red-tailed hawks despite high-risk flight behavior also demonstrated collision avoidance
behavior (Garvin et al 2011) Thus risk of turbine-related fatalities at the Project exists for red-
tailed hawks but turbine-related fatalities would be expected to be low given the low level of use
and low number of nests detected within the Project area and 1-mile buffer Project-related
fatalities of red-tailed hawk should they occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts
because red-tailed hawks are common nationwide (Sauer et al 2011)
13 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Two other raptor species detected during spring surveys (Swainsonrsquos hawk and American
kestrel) have been recorded as fatalities at other wind facilities (Derby 2007 Gritski et al 2008
Johnson and Erickson 2011) Peregrine falcon and great-horned owl have not been recorded as
fatalities observed at wind farms with publicly available fatality data All are likely have low risk
for turbine collisions at the Project due to the relatively very low mean-use rates
43 LISTED SPECIES
No federal listed threatened or endangered species were detected incidentally during avian point
count raptor or lek surveys One adult golden eagle was detected as an incidental observation
The golden eagle is protected under the BGEPA Although applications for incidental take
permits are available none have been issued to date Projects that are applying for permits have
are those with a perceived high risk of eagle fatality or have an additional permitting requirement
based on land ownership Consultation with the USFWS would provide further information on
local interpretation of the Draft Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance (USFWS 2011c)
No state listed designated species with regulatory implications were detected during surveys
However all native migratory avian species are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of
1918
44 CONCLUSIONS
Results of the 2012 spring avian surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center suggest an overall
low impact of the Project on the local avian community The high mean-use rate at the Project by
non-raptors is primarily driven by a few common residents and migratory species not commonly
reported as fatalities at wind energy facilities with results from post-construction fatality
monitoring Raptor use was relatively low for each raptor species detected Although there is
potential for turbine-related fatalities of Canada goose sandhill crane horned lark western
meadowlark red-winged blackbird red-tailed hawk and Franklinrsquos gull at the Project fatalities
are not expected to have population-level impacts If avian fatality rates are similar to other wind
facilities within the region we would expect them to fall between 044 ndash 1183 birdsturbineyear
(049 ndash 717 birdsMWyear) Additionally the potential for turbine-related fatalities exists for
nocturnal migrant species not identifiable by the methods of this study
No federally listed threatened or endangered species were detected incidentally during avian
point count raptor or lek surveys One adult golden eagle was detected as an incidental
observation The golden eagle is protected under the BGEPA A total of 9 sharp-tailed grouse
leks were located within the Project area and 1-mile buffer Four of the leks are within the
Project area indicating a moderate use of the Project area by the species No state listed
designated species with regulatory implications were detected during surveys However all
native migratory avian species are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918
14 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
50 REFERENCES
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Arnett EB DB Inkley DH Johnson RP Larkin S Manes AM Manville JR Mason ML Morrison MD Strickland and R Thresher 2007 Impacts of wind energy facilities on wildlife and wildlife habitat Wildlife Society Technical Review 07-2 The Wildlife Society Bethesda MA
Ballam JM 1984 The use of soaring by the red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) Auk 3519shy524
Beveridge L J 2005 The Migratory Bird Treaty Act and wind development North American Wind Power September36-38
BHE Environmental Inc 2010 Post-Construction Bird and Bat Mortality Study Cedar Ridge Wind Farm Fond Du Lac County Wisconsin Interim Report prepared for Wisconsin Power and Light Madison Wisconsin Prepared by BHE Environmental Inc Cincinnati Ohio February 2010
Bryce SA JM Omernik DA Pater M Ulmer J Schaar J Freeouf R Johnson P Kuck and SH Azevedo 1996 Ecoregions of North Dakota and South Dakota (color poster with map descriptive text summary tables and photographs) Reston Virginia US Geological Survey (map scale 11500000)
Devereux CL MJH Denny and MJ Whittingham 2008 Minimal effects of wind turbines on the distribution of wintering farmland birds Journal of Applied Ecology 451689shy1694
Drewitt AL and RHW Langston 2008 Collision effects of wind-power generators and other obstacles on birds Pages 233-266 in R S Ostfeld and W H Schlesinger editors Year in Ecology and Conservation Biology 2008 Blackwell Publishing Oxford
Drewitt AL and RHW Langston 2006 Assessing the impacts of wind farms on birds Ibis 14829-42
Derby C A Dahl W Erickson K Bay and J Hoban 2007 Post-Construction Monitoring Report for Avian and Bat Mortality at the NPPD Ainsworth Wind Farm Prepared for Nebraska Public Power District Columbus NE 24 pgs
Erickson WP GD Johnson and DP Young Jr 2005 A summary and comparison of bird mortality from anthropogenic causes with an emphasis on collisions USDA Forest Service Gen Tech Rep PSW-GTR-191
Erickson WP GD Johnson MD Strickland DP Young Jr KJ Sernka and R E Good 2001 Avian collisions with wind turbines a summary of existing studies and comparisons to other sources of avian collision mortality in the United States National Wind Coordinating Committee Washington DC Accessed at httpwwwnationalwindorgassetsarchiveAvian_Collisions_with_Wind_Turbines_shy_A_Summary_of_Existing_Studies_and_Comparisons_to_Other_Sources_of_Avian_Col lision_Mortality_in_the_United_States__2001_pdf
15 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Faanes CA and RE Stewart 1982 Revised checklist of North Dakota birds Version 16JUL97 The Prairie Naturalist 14(3)81-92 Jamestown ND Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Online Available online at httpwwwnpwrcusgsgovresourcebirdschndbirdindexhtm Accessed July 2012
Ferrer M M de Lucas GFE Janss E Casado AR Muntildeoz MJ Bechard and CP Calabuig 2012 Weak relationship between risk assessment studies and recorded mortality in wind farms Journal of Applied Ecology 49(1) 38-46 Available online at httponlinelibrarywileycomdoi101111j1365-2664201102054xpdf
Garvin J C Jennelle C S Drake D and Grodsky S M (2011) Response of raptors to a windfarm Journal of Applied Ecology 48 199ndash209
Gritski B S Downes K Kronner 2008 White Creek Wind I Wildlife Monitoring Annual Summary Winter 2007-2008 through Fall 2008 Prepared for White Creek Wind I LLC Roosevelt WA 25 pgs
Grodsky SM and D Drake 2011 Assessing Bird and Bat Mortality at the Forward Energy Center Final Report Public Service Commission (PSC) of Wisconsin PSC REF152052 Prepared for Forward Energy LLC Prepared by Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison Wisconsin August 2011
Gruver J M Sonnenburg K Bay and W Erickson 2009 Post-Construction Bat and Bird Fatality Study at the Blue Sky Green Field Wind Energy Center Fond Du Lac County Wisconsin July 21 - October 31 2008 and March 15 - June 4 2009 Unpublished report prepared by Western EcoSystems Technology Inc (WEST) Cheyenne Wyoming December 17 2009
Hagen CA JC Pitman TM Loughin BK Sandercock and RJ Robel 2011 Impacts of anthropogenic features on lesser prairie-chicken habitat use Studies in Avian Biology 39 63-75
Hagen SK PT Isakson and SR Dyke 2005 North Dakota Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy North Dakota Game and Fish Department Bismarck ND
Howe RW W Evans and AT Wolf 2002 Effects of Wind Turbines on Birds and Bats in Northeastern Wisconsin Prepared by University of Wisconsin-Green Bay for Wisconsin Public Service Corporation and Madison Gas and Electric Company Madison Wisconsin November 21 2002 104 pp
Jain AA RR Koford AW Hancockand GG Zenner 2011 Bat Mortality and Activity at a Northern Iowa Wind Resource Area Am Mid Natur 165 185-200
Jain A P Kerlinger R Curry and L Slobodnik 2007 Annual report for the Maple Ridge wind power project post-construction bird and bat fatality studymdash2006 Prepared by Curry and Kerlinger LLC for PPM Energy Horizon Energy and Technical Advisory Committee for the Maple Ridge Project
Jain AA 2005 Bird and Bat Behavior and Mortality at a Northern Iowa Windfarm Thesis submitted to Iowa State University Ames IA 113 pgs
16 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Johnson GD C LeBeau R Neilsen T Rintz and J Eddy 2012 Greater Sage-Grouse Habitat Use and Population Demographics at the Simpson Ridge Wind Resource Area Carbon County Wyoming Final Report prepared for EBP Renewables Houston Texas
Johnson GD and WP Erickson 2011 Avian Bat and Habitat Cumulative Impacts Associated with Wind Energy Development in the Columbia Plateau Ecoregion of Eastern Washington and Oregon Prepared by West Inc for Klickitat County Washington
Johnson DH MJ Holloran JW Connelly SE Hanser CL Amundson and ST Knick 2011 Influences of Environmental and Anthropogenic Features on Greater Sage-grouse Populations 1997-2007 Pages 407-450 in ST Knick and JW Connelly Greater Sage-Grouse ecology and conservation of a landscape species and its habitat Studies in Avian Biology 38 University of California Press Berkeley CA
Johnson GD WP Erickson MD Strickland MF Shepherd DA Shepherd and SA Sarappo 2002 Collision mortality of local and migrant birds at a large-scale wind power development on Buffalo Ridge Minnesota Wildlife Society Bulletin 30879-887
Johnson GD WP Erickson MD Strickland MF Shepherd and DA Shepherd 2000 Avian Monitoring Studies at the Buffalo Ridge Wind Resource Area Minnesota Results of a 4-Year Study Final report prepared for Northern States Power Company Minneapolis Minnesota by Western EcoSystems Technology Inc (WEST) Cheyenne Wyoming September 22 2000 212 pp httpwwwwest-inccom
Kerns J and P Kerlinger 2004 A study of bird and bat collision fatalities at the Mountaineer Wind Energy Center Tucker County West Virginia Annual report for 2003 Technical report prepared by Curry and Kerlinger LLC for FPL Energy and Mountaineer Wind Energy Center Technical Review Committee
Leddy KL KF Higgins and DE Naugle 1999 Effects of wind turbines on upland nesting birds in CRP grasslands Wilson Bulletin 111100-104
Manville AM II 2004 Prairie grouse leks and wind turbines US Fish and Wildlife Service justification for a 5-mile buffer from leks additional grassland songbird recommendations Division of Migratory Bird Management USFWS Arlington VA peer-reviewed briefing paper
Martin GR 2011 Understanding bird collisions with man-made objects a sensory ecology approach Ibis 153(2)239-254
Morkill AE and SH Anderson 1991 Effectiveness of marking powerlines to reduce sandhill crane collisions Wildlife Society Bulletin 19 442-449
Murphy RK SM McPherron GD Wright and KL Serbousek 2009 Effectiveness of avian collision averters in preventing migratory bird fatality from powerline strikes in the central Platte River Nebraska 2008-2009 Final Report
Nagy L B Gibson K L Kosciuch J Jones and J Taylor 2011 Whooping and Sandhill Crane Behavior at an Operating Wind Farm Poster presented at American Wind Energy Association Annual Meeting Pasadena CA
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17 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
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Pearce-Higgins JW L Stephen A Douse and RHW Langston 2012 Greater impacts of wind farms on bird populations during construction than subsequent operation results of a multi-site and multi-species analysis Journal of Applied Ecology 49 386-394
Pickwell B 1931 The prairie horned lark St Louis Academy of Sciences Transactions 271shy153
Pitman JC CA Hagen RJ Robel TM Loughin and RD Applegate 2005 Location and success of lesser prairie-chicken nests in relation to vegetation and human disturbance Journal of Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Pruett CL MA Patten and DH Wolfe 2009 Avoidance Behavior by Prairie Grouse Implications for Development of Wind Energy Conservation Biology 231253-1259
Sauer J R J E Hines J E Fallon K L Pardieck D J Ziolkowski Jr and W A Link 2011 The North American Breeding Bird Survey Results and Analysis 1966 - 2010 Version 12072011 USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center Laurel MD
Shaffer JA and DH Johnson 2009 Displacement effects of wind developments on grassland birds in the northern Great Plains NWCC Wind Wildlife Conference [Presentation] October 2008 Milwaukee WI Prepared for NWCC by SS Schwartz and Published 2009 Available online at httpswwwnationalwindorgassetsresearch_meetingsResearch_Meeting_VII_Shaffer pdf
Strickland MD EB Arnett WP Erickson DH Johnson GD Johnson ML Morrison JA Shaffer and W Warren-Hicks 2011 Comprehensive Guide to Studying Wind EnergyWildlife Interactions Prepared for the National Wind Coordinating Collaborative Washington DC httpwwwnationalwindorgassetspublicationsComprehensive_Guide_to_Studying_Wi nd_Energy_Wildlife_Interactions_2011_Updatedpdf Accessed November 2011
Strickland D and ML Morrison 2008 A summary of avianwind facility interactions in the US Federal Guidelines Committee for Wind Siting Guidelines February 26 2008 Washington DC
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Tetra Tech 2011 Native Prairie Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Burleigh County North Dakota Submitted to Wilton IV Wind Energy Center October 2011
Thelander CG KS Smallwood and L Rugge 2003 Bird Risk Behaviors and Fatalities at the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area Period of Performance March 1998-December 2000
Thompson WL 2002 Towards reliable bird surveys accounting for individuals present but not detected Auk 11918-25
TRC Environmental Corporation 2008 Post-Construction Avian and Bat Fatality Monitoring and Grassland Bird Displacement Surveys at the Judith Gap Wind Energy Project
18 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Wheatland County Montana Prepared for Judith Gap Energy LLC Chicago Illinois TRC Environmental Corporation Laramie Wyoming TRC Project 51883-01 (112416) January 2008 httpwwwnewwestnetpdfsAvianBatFatalityMonitoringpdf
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USFWS 2011a Flyways Retrieved from httpflywaysusflywaysinfo Accessed June 25 2012
USFWS 2011b ESA Basics More Than 30 Years of Conserving Endangered Species Retrieved from httpwwwfwsgovendangeredesa-librarypdfESA_basicspdf
USFWS 2011c Draft Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance Released January 2011
USFWS 2009 Eagle Permits Take Necessary to Protect Interests in Particular Localities Final Rules 50 CFR Parts 13 and 22
WEST (Western EcoSystems Technology Inc) 2011 Presentation at the Northwest Wind Energy and Wildlife Workshop June 7-8 2011 Portland Oregon
Wenck Associates Inc (Wenck) 2012 Wilton IV spring sharp-tailed grouse lek survey Report submitted to Tetra Tech EC Inc May 2012
Whitfield DP and M Madders 2006 Flight height in the hen harrier Circus cyaneus and its incorporation in wind turbine collision risk modeling Natural Research Information Note 2 Natural Research Ltd Banchory UK
People who contributed to the writing of this report
Jim Kowalsky July 17 2012
Report Author Date
Jennifer Taylor July 19 2012
Peer Review 1 Date
Chris Farmer August 3 2012
Peer Review 2 Date
Anne-Marie Griger August 9 2012
Deputy Project Manager Date
Robert Friedel July 13 2012
GIS Date
19 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
FIGURES
20 August 2012
B
Knife River
James River
Random Creek
Pipestem Creek
Heart River Long Lake Creek
Rocky Run
Otter Creek
Turtle Cr eek
West Branch Apple Creek
Little Heart River
Big Muddy Creek
Ea st Br an ch Ap pl e C re ek
Apple
Creek
Painte Woods Creek
Sweetbrier Creek
Square Butte Creek
B
LakeAudubon Figure 1Lake NettieLakeSakakawea ty MapVicini
Turtle BlueLake Lakeerson
Lake NEXTENERGYPetUV7
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V41 RESOURCES
Wilton IVMcLeanWind Energy Center
Burleigh County ND
Las modified 7-10-2012
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Lake Lake Bond
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Urban area WillowOBrienLongLake lkaliA14 HelenTwi Interstate Highway
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RiversDeerOliver
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Alkaline IsabelLakeUV810 McKenzie
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Long Lake George
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urvey
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TETRA TECH ECINC
240th Ave Ne 240th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
253Rd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
227Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE 279Th Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
145T
h St N
E
41St
St NE 14
5Th S
t NE
66Th
St N
E
171S
t St N
E
132N
d St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
41St
St NE
66Th
St N
E
80Th
St N
E
93Rd
St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
106T
h St N
E
171S
t St N
E
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
Figure 2 Point
(Spr t location mapcoun
ing 2012)NEXTENERGY
RESOURCES
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
AA
A A
Burleigh County ND
Last modified 7-10-2012A AA
AA AA A A A
Avian survey poinan survey poin
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723
2012
O 155000 NAD 1983 UTM 14 0 05 1 2 3 4 5 Miles
TETRA TECH ECINC
Figure 3 Non-raptor mean use by survey date in Spring at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center M
ean
Use
(bir
ds2
0 m
in)
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
00
Survey Date
316 321 326 44 410 420 427 53 512 519 526 62 69 615
NAD 1983 UTM 14
240th Ave Ne240th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
253Rd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
227Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE 279Th Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
145T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
145T
h St N
E
66Th
St N
E
171S
t St N
E
132N
d St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
41St
St NE
66Th
St N
E
80Th
St N
E
93Rd
St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
106T
h St N
E
171S
t St N
E
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
PC 01
PC 02
PC 03
PC 04
PC 05 PC 06
PC 07
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TETR A TECH EC INC
Figure 4Non-raptor mean use by point count location (Spring 2012)
Non-r aptor s p e r 20 m in u te s 00 1 - 25 0 0 25 01 - 5 0 00 50 01 - 7 5 00
75 01 - 1 0 00 0
10 00 1 - 1 25 00
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
A Pro po sed tu rbin e (9 -21 -20 11 )Lo ca l Ro a d
Mean use value PC Point count number
Burleigh County ND
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
Last modified 7-10-2012
NEXTENERGY RESOURCES
Figure 5 Raptor mean use by survey date in Spring 2012 at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Mea
n U
se (b
irds
20
min
)
140
120
100
080
060
040
020
000
Survey Date
316 321 326 44 410 420 427 53 512 519 526 62 69 615
NAD 1983 UTM 14
240th Ave Ne240th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
253Rd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
227Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE 279Th Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
145T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
145T
h St N
E
66Th
St N
E
171S
t St N
E
132N
d St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
41St
St NE
66Th
St N
E
80Th
St N
E
93Rd
St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
106T
h St N
E
171S
t St N
E
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
PC 01
PC 02
PC 03
PC 04
PC 05 PC 06
PC 07
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155000 O 0 1 2 3 4 505 Miles
PGI
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10 m
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Last
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TETR A TECH EC INC
Figure 6Raptor mean use by point
count location (Spring 2012)
Rapto r s p e r 2 0 m in u te s 00 1- 01 6 01 7 - 0 32 03 3 - 0 48
04 9 - 0 64
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
A Pro po sed tu rbin e (9 -21 -20 11 )Lo ca l Ro a d
Mean use value PC Point count number
Burleigh County ND
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
Last modified 7-10-2012
NEXTENERGY RESOURCES
240th Ave Ne 240th Ave Ne
240th Ave Ne
266th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
279Th Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE
292Nd Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
52Nd
St N
E
197T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
66Th
St N
E
188Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
106T
h St N
E
253Rd Ave NE
292Nd Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
132N
d St N
E
26Th
St N
E
266Th Ave NE
253Rd Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
93Rd
St N
E
145T
h St N
E 14
5Th S
t NE
132N
d St N
E
41St
St NE
210T
h St N
E
119T
h St N
E
106T
h St N
E
171S
t St N
E 17
1St S
t NE
188Th Ave NE
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE 227Th Ave NE
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
201St Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
Figure 7 Raptor nest and lek location
map (Spring 2012)NEXTENERGY
RESOURCES
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
5 Burleigh County ND
Last modified 7-10-2012 A A
A A
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
AAA A A A A A
A A
Pro po sed tu rbi(9 -21 -20 11 )
n e A A
A A
Lo ca l Ro a d Sh arp -tailed
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A AA gro use
Raptor nest s pecies Re d-taile d h a wk
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TETR A TECH EC INC
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
TABLES
21 August 2012
Table 1 Spring 2012 point count survey dates at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Date(s)Survey number
1 316 2 321 3 326 4 44 5 410 6 420 7 427 8 53 9 512 10 519 11 526 12 62 13 69 14 615
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Songbirds
unidentified sparrow 652 7 665 (000-1339) 41 313 121 red-winged blackbird 548 52 559 (036-1082) 378 263 102 horned lark 173 83 177 (136-218) 612 83 32 American crow 159 22 162 (027-297) 204 76 30 common grackle 91 33 093 (035-151) 245 44 17 western meadowlark 80 62 082 (065-099) 480 38 15 European starling 80 1 082 (000-216) 10 38 15 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 082 (029-135) 82 38 15 barn swallow 44 21 045 (028-062) 204 21 08 bobolink 36 28 037 (022-052) 194 17 07 American goldfinch 26 23 027 (018-036) 214 12 05 vesper sparrow 23 21 023 (013-033) 184 11 04 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 019 (010-028) 143 09 04 American robin 19 19 019 (011-027) 143 09 04 house sparrow 15 5 015 (000-030) 51 07 03 American tree sparrow 8 2 008 (000-018) 20 04 01 song sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 savannah sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 dickcissel 5 4 005 (000-010) 31 02 01 western kingbird 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 01 01 pine siskin 3 1 003 (000-008) 10 01 01 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 eastern kingbird 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 yellow warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 unidentified warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 house wren 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 Group Total 2083 430 2126 (1259-2993) 949 387
Waterfowl
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations
Canada goose 1408 24 1437 (435-2439) 133 874 262 snow goose 184 2 188 (000-490) 20 114 34 mallard 12 6 012 (004-020) 61 07 02 northern pintail 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 blue-winged teal 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 American wigeon 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 redhead 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 01 00 Group Total 1611 36 1644 (561-2727) 184 300
CranesRails sandhill crane 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 1000 201 Group Total 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 201
GullsTerns Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 283 (013-553) 31 986 52 ring-billed gull 4 3 004 (000-008) 31 14 01 Group Total 281 7 287 (017-557) 61 52
Gamebirds ring-necked pheasant 148 134 151 (128-174) 745 967 28 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 20 01 gray partridge 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 13 00 Group Total 153 138 156 (132-180) 755 28
PigeonsDoves rock pigeon 40 6 041 (009-073) 61 513 07 mourning dove 38 25 039 (019-059) 184 487 07 Group Total 78 31 080 (041-119) 224 15
Waterbirds killdeer 28 22 029 (017-041) 214 538 05 upland sandpiper 8 8 008 (003-013) 71 154 01 common snipe 8 8 008 (002-014) 61 154 01 Wilsons snipe 4 4 004 (000-008) 31 77 01 American coot 4 1 004 (000-011) 10 77 01 Group Total 52 43 053 (037-069) 357 10
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Raptors
red-tailed hawk 16 12 016 (008-024) 122 444 03 northern harrier 16 14 016 (009-023) 143 444 03 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 peregrine falcon 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 great horned owl 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 American kestrel 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 Group Total 36 30 037 (025-049) 276 07
Woodpeckers northern flicker 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 1000 00 Group Total 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 00 Grand Total 5376 735 5486 (3771-7200)
1 A ranking of 1 indicates highest mean use
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Canada goose 1408 24 210 80 523 140 210 135 110 sandhill crane 1080 18 94 18 621 15 187 145 0 unidentified sparrow 652 7 0 0 0 0 330 210 112 red-winged blackbird 548 52 0 84 49 386 14 11 4 Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 107 0 100 70 0 0 0 snow goose 184 2 0 180 4 0 0 0 0 horned lark 173 83 23 24 17 12 19 32 46 American crow 159 22 6 4 13 11 1 123 1 ring-necked pheasant 148 134 21 14 21 18 25 22 27 common grackle 91 33 6 35 7 2 8 33 0 western meadowlark 80 62 8 10 17 3 11 19 12 European starling 80 1 0 0 0 80 0 0 0 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 0 63 17 0 0 0 0 barn swallow 44 21 3 12 6 10 7 1 5 rock pigeon 40 6 0 14 0 0 0 23 3 mourning dove 38 25 4 17 1 1 1 11 3 bobolink 36 28 10 0 14 8 0 0 4 killdeer 28 22 3 3 4 5 10 0 3 American goldfinch 26 23 4 9 3 3 4 2 1 vesper sparrow 23 21 1 7 1 2 9 1 2 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 2 4 2 0 6 4 1 American robin 19 19 1 13 0 1 3 0 1 red-tailed hawk 16 12 4 0 4 5 0 1 2 northern harrier 16 14 3 1 4 4 2 0 2 house sparrow 15 5 2 13 0 0 0 0 0 mallard 12 6 0 0 6 6 0 0 0 upland sandpiper 8 8 0 0 1 0 3 2 2 common snipe 8 8 0 2 6 0 0 0 0 American tree sparrow 8 2 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 song sparrow 5 5 1 1 1 0 2 0 0 savannah sparrow 5 5 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 dickcissel 5 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 Wilsons snipe 4 4 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 ring-billed gull 4 3 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 American coot 4 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 western kingbird 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 pine siskin 3 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 northern pintail 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
northern flicker 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 gray partridge 2 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 eastern kingbird 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 blue-winged teal 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 American wigeon 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 yellow warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 unidentified warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 redhead 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 peregrine falcon 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 house wren 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 great horned owl 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 American kestrel 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Grand Total 5376 735 526 620 1452 794 859 776 349
Table 4 Summary of avian flight heights1 in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)2 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Birds
Number Percentage
Non-raptors
Raptors
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
1656 372
2023 455
767 173
3 91
13 394
17 515 1 Includes only flying birds with flight height data2These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
Canada goose 654 (435 - 2439) 1437 997 537 457 06 unidentified sparrow 632 (000 - 1339) 665 1000 00 951 49 sandhill crane 368 (083 - 2121) 1102 999 665 335 00 Franklinrsquos gull 283 (013 - 553) 283 1000 00 1000 00 European starling 082 (000 - 216) 082 1000 00 1000 00 American crow 024 (027 - 297) 162 943 00 160 840 red-tailed hawk 013 (008 - 024) 016 938 133 867 00 brown-headed cowbird 008 (029 - 135) 082 125 00 800 200 red-winged blackbird 005 (036 - 1082) 559 261 00 35 965 Wilsons snipe 002 (000 - 008) 004 500 00 1000 00 blue-winged teal 002 (000 - 005) 002 1000 00 1000 00 mallard 002 (004 - 020) 012 500 00 333 667 ring-billed gull 001 (000 - 008) 004 1000 00 250 750 yellow warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 yellow-headed blackbird 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 western meadowlark 000 (065 - 099) 082 338 00 00 1000 western kingbird 000 (000 - 007) 003 1000 00 00 1000 vesper sparrow 000 (013 - 033) 023 130 00 00 1000 upland sandpiper 000 (003 - 013) 008 250 00 00 1000 unidentified warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 Swainsonrsquos hawk 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 sharp-tailed grouse 000 (000 - 007) 003 667 00 00 1000 song sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 snow goose 000 (000 - 490) 188 1000 1000 00 00 savannah sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 rock pigeon 000 (009 - 073) 041 825 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
ring-necked pheasant 000 (128 - 174) 151 07 00 00 1000 redhead 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 pine siskin 000 (000 - 008) 003 1000 00 00 1000 peregrine falcon 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 1000 00 00 northern pintail 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 northern harrier 000 (009 - 023) 016 1000 00 00 1000 northern flicker 000 (000 - 004) 002 500 00 00 1000 mourning dove 000 (019 - 059) 039 684 00 00 1000 killdeer 000 (017 - 041) 029 607 00 00 1000 house wren 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 house sparrow 000 (000 - 030) 015 67 00 00 1000 horned lark 000 (136 - 218) 177 740 00 00 1000 grasshopper sparrow 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 gray partridge 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 great horned owl 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 eastern kingbird 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 dickcissel 000 (000 - 010) 005 00 00 00 00 common snipe 000 (002 - 014) 008 00 00 00 00 common grackle 000 (035 - 151) 093 945 00 00 1000 clay-colored sparrow 000 (010 - 028) 019 158 00 00 1000 bobolink 000 (022 - 052) 037 917 00 00 1000 barn swallow 000 (028 - 062) 045 1000 00 00 1000 American tree sparrow 000 (000 - 018) 008 1000 00 00 1000 American wigeon 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 American robin 000 (011 - 027) 019 421 00 00 1000 American kestrel 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
American goldfinch 000 027 (018 - 036) 923 00 00 1000American coot 000 004 (000 - 011) 00 00 00 001These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 6 Incidental observations of birds during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species
American crow American kestrel American robin Canada goose great horned owl golden eagle gray partridge lesser scaup mallard merlin northern harrier rock pigeon red-tailed hawk red-winged blackbird sandhill crane sharp-tailed grouse wild turkey
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
APPENDICES
22 August 2012
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number of Birds1
Number of
Observations Species
Percentage of Flights
N NE E SE S SW W NW Variable
Canada goose 1398 21 867 00 00 00 02 00 17 114 00
sandhill crane 1079 17 878 52 00 00 00 00 00 70 00
unidentified sparrow 565 5 00 00 00 788 212 00 00 00 00
Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
snow goose 184 2 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
European starling 80 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
American crow 69 11 768 58 58 00 14 43 00 14 43
red-winged blackbird 15 6 533 00 00 200 267 00 00 00 00
red-tailed hawk 14 10 500 143 00 71 00 71 00 71 143
rock pigeon 11 2 00 00 00 00 273 727 00 00 00
northern harrier 9 8 111 00 00 333 00 222 00 111 222
mourning dove 9 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
common grackle 9 6 111 00 00 111 00 222 556 00 00
brown-headed cowbird 8 1 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
horned lark 6 3 833 00 00 167 00 00 00 00 00
ring-billed gull 4 3 250 00 00 00 00 750 00 00 00
Wilsons snipe 2 2 500 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 500
vesper sparrow 2 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
mallard 2 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
blue-winged teal 2 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
peregrine falcon 1 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
killdeer 1 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
Grand Total 3747 108 722 17 04 121 36 05 30 64 02 1 Includes only flying birds with flight directions
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Nest Number Species Substrate
Nest ConditionStatusDates
Surveyed Nest
Height (m) 2012 - 1 452012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good
5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 4 592012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good 5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 5 5192012 Swainsonrsquos hawk Active Siberian Elm 7 Good
NA means not applicable
Wenck Associates Inc 301 1
st St NE Suite 202
Mandan ND 58554
Phone 701-751-3370 Email jaskimwenckcom
May 7 2012
Tracey M Dubuque PE Senior Project Manager
Tetra Tech EC
160 Federal Street Third Floor
Boston MA 02110
Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Dear Tracey
Introduction
Male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) congregate at historicalcommunal leks in the spring
to compete for breeding opportunities Both sexes return to their natal breeding grounds yearly for their
entire life Leks are typically found in areas with low-growing vegetation on a hill knoll or other point of
high visibility Fidelity to these locations is extremely high for sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse
require nesting habitat within close proximity the lek comprised of dense or residual vegetative cover to
conceal and protect their nest from predators (Vodehnal and Haufler 2007)
Disturbance of nesting prairie grouse may occur from the construction of the turbine andor access road
construction noise and physical movement of equipment Loss of habitat and fragmentation related to
energy exploration may affect local prairie grouse populations by decreasing the area of habitat available
for nesting and brood-rearing and by increasing predation (Pittman et al 2005) Therefore federal and
state wildlife agencies are concerned about the placement of turbines in areas with known prairie grouse
populations Turbine setbacks from leks and minimizing grouse habitat disturbance may reduce the direct
and indirect effects of energy development on grouse
Methods
Sharp-tailed grouse surveys were completed from April 10th to May 1
st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise
to two hours after sunrise within the one-mile analysis area (Figure 1) Peak attendance by females on leks
typically occurs from April 15 to 25 but these dates vary by up to a week depending on weather conditions
(Schroeder and Robb 1993) Peak attendance potentially occurred earlier this year due to the early spring
A habitat assessment analysis was conducted prior to the field survey to determine suitable lekkingnesting
habitat within the analysis area (Figure 2) Listening stops were made within a one-mile analysis area
surrounding the proposed project area to identify lek locations (Figure 3) Sharp-tailed grouse males may
be heard at a distance of up to 050 mile Listening stops were not conducted if winds exceeded 10 miles
per hour (mph) or during precipitation events After a lek was located the birds were observed and the
number of males and females were counted Lek locations were documented using Global Positioning
System (GPS) Given the sensitive nature of this species and the fact that females may be nesting near the
lek disturbance to breeding prairie grouse was kept to a minimum
Results
Nine (9) sharp-tailed grouse leks were located during the surveys conducted from April 10th to May 1
st
2012 (Figure 4) Date time sex number of birds present wind conditions air temperature and GPS
coordinates were recorded once a lek was located (Tables 1 and 2) Two of the leks observed were
located outside of the analysis area Due to Lek 1rsquos close proximity to Lek 4 Lek 1 shouldbe classified
as a satellite lek No visual confirmation of Lek 6 was made due to access and topography
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
mean use at these points were mostly red-tailed hawks and northern harriers (Table 3) In
addition to red-tailed hawks and northern harriers point count location 1 had one American
kestrel and one Peregrine falcon Raptor mean use was equal to or less than 029 birds20 min at
all other points Point count locations 4 1 and 3 each encompass short-grass prairie and
agricultural (mostly wheat) fields both of which provide foraging opportunities for raptors
These features are not unique to these point count locations or within the Project area
32 FLIGHT HEIGHT AND ENCOUNTER RATE
During spring avian use surveys biologists collected behavioral data for 986 percent of all birds
observed during point count surveys of which 834 percent were observed flying The biologist
collected flight height data for 999 percent and flight direction for 835 percent of those
observations (ie most individuals were observed making directional flights) Of non-raptor
species observed flying 372 percent flew above the height of the anticipated RSA 455 percent
flew at the height of the anticipated RSA and 173 percent flew below the height of the
anticipated RSA (Table 4) Of raptor species observed flying 91 percent flew above the height
of the anticipated RSA 394 percent flew at the height of the anticipated RSA and 515 percent
flew above the height of the anticipated RSA Data on flight direction are located in Appendix 1
Most birds observed making direct flight over the Project were moving in a northerly direction
(803 percent of all direct flights) In combination with the timing of flights (Figure 3) these data
suggest that much of the non-raptor use observed at the Project area is due to migratory
movements
Canada goose had the highest encounter rate (654 birds flying at RSA height20 min Table 5)
followed by unidentified sparrow (632 birds flying at RSA height20 min) sandhill crane (368
birds flying at RSA height20 min) and Franklinrsquos gull (283 birds flying at RSA height20 min)
Each other species had an encounter rate below 083 birds flying at RSA height20 min
33 RAPTOR NEST SURVEYS
Raptor nests detected within the Project area or 1-mile buffer included 2 red-tailed hawks 2 unknown nests and 1 Swainsonrsquos hawk (Figure 7) The red-tailed hawk nests were found on April 5 and May 9 with each remaining active during the survey period The Swainsonrsquos hawk nest was detected on May 19th within the 1-mile buffer around the Project area The two unknown nests were found on April 15 and April 25 Both unknown nests appeared to never be active during the survey period
34 LEK SURVEYS
During grouse lek surveys conducted within the Project area and a surrounding 1-mile buffer
from April 10th to May 1st a total of 9 sharp-tailed grouse leks were found within the Project area
and 1-mile buffer (Figure 7 WENK 2012) Four of the leks were within the Project area (Figure
7) Each lek had a minimum of 4 individuals (includes males and females) observed with the
10 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
maximum number of grouse observed at one lek being 21 individuals (lek 8) A full report on the
grouse lek surveys is presented in Appendix 3
35 INCIDENTAL OBSERVATIONS
The biologist documented 17 species as incidental observations (Table 6) Of these species 4
(golden eagle lesser scaup merlin wild turkey) were not detected during spring point count
surveys
36 LISTED SPECIES
No federal threatened or endangered species were observed during avian point count raptor or
lek surveys or as an incidental observation One adult golden eagle was observed incidentally
near survey point 7 on March 26th in flight within the anticipated RSA The golden eagle is
protected by the BGEPA (Section 215)
Four Level I (Franklinrsquos gull Swainsonrsquos hawk upland sandpiper and grasshopper sparrow)
seven Level II (bobolink dickcissel redhead sharp-tailed grouse northern harrier golden eagle
and northern pintail) and one Level III (peregrine falcon) state-listed Species of Conservation
Priority were observed during point counts raptor nest lek surveys or as incidental observations
within the Project Area
40 DISCUSSION
The avian community detected within the Project area during spring surveys was characterized
by species associated with typical mid-western agricultural lands and short-grass prairie
vegetation The majority of the Project area and vicinity has been developed for agricultural use
specifically crops such as wheat sunflower and corn with additional developed lands devoted to
pastureland for cattle Within disturbed habitats such as these the greatest potential impact of
wind facilities to avian species is risk of collisions with turbines Mean avian fatality rates
estimated from wind facilities in the Midwest (NE WI MN and IA) range from 044 to 1183
birdsturbineyear (049 ndash 717 birdsMWyear Tetra Tech 2012) Project-related bird fatalities
are expected to fall within this range
In areas mostly dominated by native short-grass prairie additional loss of habitat from
developing these areas may impact resident and migratory avian species The presence of native
grassland habitats within the Project area suggests that additional disturbance and habitat loss
caused by construction and operation of the Project may cause birds to avoid the Project area
and may alter the current use of habitat by bird species within the Project area (Tetra Tech 2011)
The greatest potential for habitat loss would be for sharp-tailed grouse Current research suggests
that certain grouse species may avoid anthropogenic structures (USFWS 2012a Hagen et al
11 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
2011) however long-term data sets are still needed to best assess wind energy impacts (Johnson
et al 2012)
41 NON-RAPTOR USE AND COLLISION RISK
The Canada goose sandhill crane red-winged blackbird and Franklinrsquos gull were species with
the highest mean use within the Project area and were among the species most frequently
detected Additionally unidentified sparrows which probably represent a group of similar
species had high mean use Three of these species Canada goose Franklinrsquos gull and sandhill
crane are migratory with most individuals moving through the region (and the Project area) to
breeding grounds further north as indicated by their flight direction and large flock size Three
species had a high frequency of detection but a low mean use at the Project ring-necked
pheasant horned lark and western meadowlark These eight species are local residential and
migratory species commonly associated with the open pastureland short-grass prairie and row-
crop agriculture habitats found throughout the Project area These species are widely distributed
across the country and can be expected to occur where suitable habitat is present
The red-winged blackbird horned lark western meadowlark and ring-necked pheasant are
commonly found as turbine-related fatalities (more than 20 records of post-construction fatality
from 27 studies Tetra Tech 2012 Johnson et al 2000 Howe et al 2002 Derby et al 2007 TRC
Environmental 2008 Gruver et al 2009 BHE Environmental 2010 Jain et al 2011 Grodsky
and Drake 2011) particularly horned larks which exhibit breeding flight displays that may bring
them into the height of the RSA (Johnson and Erickson 2011) Thus risk of turbine-related
fatalities exists for each of these species at the Project However Project-related fatalities of red-
winged blackbird horned lark western meadowlark and ring-necked pheasant should they
occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts because collision fatalities appears to have
little effect North American landbird populations (Arnold and Zink 2011)
Species with high mean use but that are considered to have low risk for fatalities include sandhill
crane Franklinrsquos gull and Canada goose Although flying at the height of the RSA represents a
collision risk sandhill cranes have been documented altering flight direction in response to
turbines at wind facility in South Dakota (Nagy et al 2011) and multiple studies have
documented sandhill cranes gradually climbing as they approach marked power lines (Morkill
and Anderson 1991 Murphy et al 2009) The avoidance behavior observed at other studies and
lack of documented turbine-related fatalities of the sandhill crane suggests a low risk of Project-
related fatality for this species While no studies have documented avoidance behavior by
Franklinrsquos gulls similar to sandhill cranes the lack of documented fatalities at wind facilities
with publicly available data within the breeding range and migratory pathway of Franklinrsquos gulls
indicate a low risk of fatalities to occur at the Project (20 studies Tetra Tech 2012)
12 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Additionally Canada goose has a low number of fatality observations (less than 6 records of
post-construction fatalities from 27 studies Tetra Tech 2012)
The remaining non-raptor species detected during spring surveys have low risk for turbine
collisions at the Project due to a combination of relatively low mean-use rates infrequent flight
within the height of the RSA andor few or no records of fatalities at other wind facilities with
publically available results of fatality data
42 RAPTOR USE AND COLLISION RISK
High raptor use (greater than 20 birds20 min) has been associated with high raptor fatality at
wind farms (Strickland et al 2011) Conversely raptor fatality appears to be low when raptor use
is low (less than 10 birds20 min Strickland et al 2011) which is the case for raptor use at the
Project A factor contributing to the low raptor use of the Project area may be the number of
active raptor nests detected during nests surveys Because raptor activity is typically higher near
active nests than areas without active nests and raptors may have increased potential for
collision as they repeatedly fly within the Project area during nesting activities
Red-tailed hawks and northern harriers were the raptor species with the highest mean use and
were also among the most frequently detected raptor species at the Project Both species are
commonly associated with agricultural and grassland habitats which provide opportunities for
foraging an activity associated with susceptibility to turbine-collisions (Thelander et al 2003)
In a recent study of raptor response to wind farms northern harriers were identified as having a
low risk flight behavior for collisions whereas red-tailed hawks were observed engaging in high-
risk flight behaviors at operational wind facilities (Garvin et al 2011) Risks of collision for
northern harriers are believed to be low because the majority of foraging flights occur below
typical RSA heights (Whitfield and Madders 2006) Thus risk of turbine-related fatalities at the
Project is expected to be low given the low level of use As a result Project-related fatalities of
northern harrier should they occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts because
northern harriers are common nationwide (Sauer et al 2011) Results from post-construction
fatality monitoring studies indicate that red-tailed hawks are frequently found as turbine-related
fatalities (228 records of red-tailed hawk from 27 studies - Tetra Tech 2012 Jain 2005 Grodsky
and Drake 2011 Johnson and Erickson 2011) However Garvin et al (2011) documented that
red-tailed hawks despite high-risk flight behavior also demonstrated collision avoidance
behavior (Garvin et al 2011) Thus risk of turbine-related fatalities at the Project exists for red-
tailed hawks but turbine-related fatalities would be expected to be low given the low level of use
and low number of nests detected within the Project area and 1-mile buffer Project-related
fatalities of red-tailed hawk should they occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts
because red-tailed hawks are common nationwide (Sauer et al 2011)
13 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Two other raptor species detected during spring surveys (Swainsonrsquos hawk and American
kestrel) have been recorded as fatalities at other wind facilities (Derby 2007 Gritski et al 2008
Johnson and Erickson 2011) Peregrine falcon and great-horned owl have not been recorded as
fatalities observed at wind farms with publicly available fatality data All are likely have low risk
for turbine collisions at the Project due to the relatively very low mean-use rates
43 LISTED SPECIES
No federal listed threatened or endangered species were detected incidentally during avian point
count raptor or lek surveys One adult golden eagle was detected as an incidental observation
The golden eagle is protected under the BGEPA Although applications for incidental take
permits are available none have been issued to date Projects that are applying for permits have
are those with a perceived high risk of eagle fatality or have an additional permitting requirement
based on land ownership Consultation with the USFWS would provide further information on
local interpretation of the Draft Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance (USFWS 2011c)
No state listed designated species with regulatory implications were detected during surveys
However all native migratory avian species are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of
1918
44 CONCLUSIONS
Results of the 2012 spring avian surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center suggest an overall
low impact of the Project on the local avian community The high mean-use rate at the Project by
non-raptors is primarily driven by a few common residents and migratory species not commonly
reported as fatalities at wind energy facilities with results from post-construction fatality
monitoring Raptor use was relatively low for each raptor species detected Although there is
potential for turbine-related fatalities of Canada goose sandhill crane horned lark western
meadowlark red-winged blackbird red-tailed hawk and Franklinrsquos gull at the Project fatalities
are not expected to have population-level impacts If avian fatality rates are similar to other wind
facilities within the region we would expect them to fall between 044 ndash 1183 birdsturbineyear
(049 ndash 717 birdsMWyear) Additionally the potential for turbine-related fatalities exists for
nocturnal migrant species not identifiable by the methods of this study
No federally listed threatened or endangered species were detected incidentally during avian
point count raptor or lek surveys One adult golden eagle was detected as an incidental
observation The golden eagle is protected under the BGEPA A total of 9 sharp-tailed grouse
leks were located within the Project area and 1-mile buffer Four of the leks are within the
Project area indicating a moderate use of the Project area by the species No state listed
designated species with regulatory implications were detected during surveys However all
native migratory avian species are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918
14 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
50 REFERENCES
Arnold TW and RM Zink 2011 Collision mortality has no discernible effect on population trends of North American Birds PLoS ONE 6 e24708 doi101371journalpone0024708
Arnett EB DB Inkley DH Johnson RP Larkin S Manes AM Manville JR Mason ML Morrison MD Strickland and R Thresher 2007 Impacts of wind energy facilities on wildlife and wildlife habitat Wildlife Society Technical Review 07-2 The Wildlife Society Bethesda MA
Ballam JM 1984 The use of soaring by the red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) Auk 3519shy524
Beveridge L J 2005 The Migratory Bird Treaty Act and wind development North American Wind Power September36-38
BHE Environmental Inc 2010 Post-Construction Bird and Bat Mortality Study Cedar Ridge Wind Farm Fond Du Lac County Wisconsin Interim Report prepared for Wisconsin Power and Light Madison Wisconsin Prepared by BHE Environmental Inc Cincinnati Ohio February 2010
Bryce SA JM Omernik DA Pater M Ulmer J Schaar J Freeouf R Johnson P Kuck and SH Azevedo 1996 Ecoregions of North Dakota and South Dakota (color poster with map descriptive text summary tables and photographs) Reston Virginia US Geological Survey (map scale 11500000)
Devereux CL MJH Denny and MJ Whittingham 2008 Minimal effects of wind turbines on the distribution of wintering farmland birds Journal of Applied Ecology 451689shy1694
Drewitt AL and RHW Langston 2008 Collision effects of wind-power generators and other obstacles on birds Pages 233-266 in R S Ostfeld and W H Schlesinger editors Year in Ecology and Conservation Biology 2008 Blackwell Publishing Oxford
Drewitt AL and RHW Langston 2006 Assessing the impacts of wind farms on birds Ibis 14829-42
Derby C A Dahl W Erickson K Bay and J Hoban 2007 Post-Construction Monitoring Report for Avian and Bat Mortality at the NPPD Ainsworth Wind Farm Prepared for Nebraska Public Power District Columbus NE 24 pgs
Erickson WP GD Johnson and DP Young Jr 2005 A summary and comparison of bird mortality from anthropogenic causes with an emphasis on collisions USDA Forest Service Gen Tech Rep PSW-GTR-191
Erickson WP GD Johnson MD Strickland DP Young Jr KJ Sernka and R E Good 2001 Avian collisions with wind turbines a summary of existing studies and comparisons to other sources of avian collision mortality in the United States National Wind Coordinating Committee Washington DC Accessed at httpwwwnationalwindorgassetsarchiveAvian_Collisions_with_Wind_Turbines_shy_A_Summary_of_Existing_Studies_and_Comparisons_to_Other_Sources_of_Avian_Col lision_Mortality_in_the_United_States__2001_pdf
15 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Faanes CA and RE Stewart 1982 Revised checklist of North Dakota birds Version 16JUL97 The Prairie Naturalist 14(3)81-92 Jamestown ND Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Online Available online at httpwwwnpwrcusgsgovresourcebirdschndbirdindexhtm Accessed July 2012
Ferrer M M de Lucas GFE Janss E Casado AR Muntildeoz MJ Bechard and CP Calabuig 2012 Weak relationship between risk assessment studies and recorded mortality in wind farms Journal of Applied Ecology 49(1) 38-46 Available online at httponlinelibrarywileycomdoi101111j1365-2664201102054xpdf
Garvin J C Jennelle C S Drake D and Grodsky S M (2011) Response of raptors to a windfarm Journal of Applied Ecology 48 199ndash209
Gritski B S Downes K Kronner 2008 White Creek Wind I Wildlife Monitoring Annual Summary Winter 2007-2008 through Fall 2008 Prepared for White Creek Wind I LLC Roosevelt WA 25 pgs
Grodsky SM and D Drake 2011 Assessing Bird and Bat Mortality at the Forward Energy Center Final Report Public Service Commission (PSC) of Wisconsin PSC REF152052 Prepared for Forward Energy LLC Prepared by Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison Wisconsin August 2011
Gruver J M Sonnenburg K Bay and W Erickson 2009 Post-Construction Bat and Bird Fatality Study at the Blue Sky Green Field Wind Energy Center Fond Du Lac County Wisconsin July 21 - October 31 2008 and March 15 - June 4 2009 Unpublished report prepared by Western EcoSystems Technology Inc (WEST) Cheyenne Wyoming December 17 2009
Hagen CA JC Pitman TM Loughin BK Sandercock and RJ Robel 2011 Impacts of anthropogenic features on lesser prairie-chicken habitat use Studies in Avian Biology 39 63-75
Hagen SK PT Isakson and SR Dyke 2005 North Dakota Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy North Dakota Game and Fish Department Bismarck ND
Howe RW W Evans and AT Wolf 2002 Effects of Wind Turbines on Birds and Bats in Northeastern Wisconsin Prepared by University of Wisconsin-Green Bay for Wisconsin Public Service Corporation and Madison Gas and Electric Company Madison Wisconsin November 21 2002 104 pp
Jain AA RR Koford AW Hancockand GG Zenner 2011 Bat Mortality and Activity at a Northern Iowa Wind Resource Area Am Mid Natur 165 185-200
Jain A P Kerlinger R Curry and L Slobodnik 2007 Annual report for the Maple Ridge wind power project post-construction bird and bat fatality studymdash2006 Prepared by Curry and Kerlinger LLC for PPM Energy Horizon Energy and Technical Advisory Committee for the Maple Ridge Project
Jain AA 2005 Bird and Bat Behavior and Mortality at a Northern Iowa Windfarm Thesis submitted to Iowa State University Ames IA 113 pgs
16 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Johnson GD C LeBeau R Neilsen T Rintz and J Eddy 2012 Greater Sage-Grouse Habitat Use and Population Demographics at the Simpson Ridge Wind Resource Area Carbon County Wyoming Final Report prepared for EBP Renewables Houston Texas
Johnson GD and WP Erickson 2011 Avian Bat and Habitat Cumulative Impacts Associated with Wind Energy Development in the Columbia Plateau Ecoregion of Eastern Washington and Oregon Prepared by West Inc for Klickitat County Washington
Johnson DH MJ Holloran JW Connelly SE Hanser CL Amundson and ST Knick 2011 Influences of Environmental and Anthropogenic Features on Greater Sage-grouse Populations 1997-2007 Pages 407-450 in ST Knick and JW Connelly Greater Sage-Grouse ecology and conservation of a landscape species and its habitat Studies in Avian Biology 38 University of California Press Berkeley CA
Johnson GD WP Erickson MD Strickland MF Shepherd DA Shepherd and SA Sarappo 2002 Collision mortality of local and migrant birds at a large-scale wind power development on Buffalo Ridge Minnesota Wildlife Society Bulletin 30879-887
Johnson GD WP Erickson MD Strickland MF Shepherd and DA Shepherd 2000 Avian Monitoring Studies at the Buffalo Ridge Wind Resource Area Minnesota Results of a 4-Year Study Final report prepared for Northern States Power Company Minneapolis Minnesota by Western EcoSystems Technology Inc (WEST) Cheyenne Wyoming September 22 2000 212 pp httpwwwwest-inccom
Kerns J and P Kerlinger 2004 A study of bird and bat collision fatalities at the Mountaineer Wind Energy Center Tucker County West Virginia Annual report for 2003 Technical report prepared by Curry and Kerlinger LLC for FPL Energy and Mountaineer Wind Energy Center Technical Review Committee
Leddy KL KF Higgins and DE Naugle 1999 Effects of wind turbines on upland nesting birds in CRP grasslands Wilson Bulletin 111100-104
Manville AM II 2004 Prairie grouse leks and wind turbines US Fish and Wildlife Service justification for a 5-mile buffer from leks additional grassland songbird recommendations Division of Migratory Bird Management USFWS Arlington VA peer-reviewed briefing paper
Martin GR 2011 Understanding bird collisions with man-made objects a sensory ecology approach Ibis 153(2)239-254
Morkill AE and SH Anderson 1991 Effectiveness of marking powerlines to reduce sandhill crane collisions Wildlife Society Bulletin 19 442-449
Murphy RK SM McPherron GD Wright and KL Serbousek 2009 Effectiveness of avian collision averters in preventing migratory bird fatality from powerline strikes in the central Platte River Nebraska 2008-2009 Final Report
Nagy L B Gibson K L Kosciuch J Jones and J Taylor 2011 Whooping and Sandhill Crane Behavior at an Operating Wind Farm Poster presented at American Wind Energy Association Annual Meeting Pasadena CA
Orloff S and A Flannery 1992 Wind turbine effects on avian activity habitat use and mortality in Altamont Pass and Solano County Wind Resource Areas 1989-1991 Final
17 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
report prepared by Biosystems Analysis Inc for Alameda Contra Costa and Solano Counties and the California Energy Commission
Pearce-Higgins JW L Stephen A Douse and RHW Langston 2012 Greater impacts of wind farms on bird populations during construction than subsequent operation results of a multi-site and multi-species analysis Journal of Applied Ecology 49 386-394
Pickwell B 1931 The prairie horned lark St Louis Academy of Sciences Transactions 271shy153
Pitman JC CA Hagen RJ Robel TM Loughin and RD Applegate 2005 Location and success of lesser prairie-chicken nests in relation to vegetation and human disturbance Journal of Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Pruett CL MA Patten and DH Wolfe 2009 Avoidance Behavior by Prairie Grouse Implications for Development of Wind Energy Conservation Biology 231253-1259
Sauer J R J E Hines J E Fallon K L Pardieck D J Ziolkowski Jr and W A Link 2011 The North American Breeding Bird Survey Results and Analysis 1966 - 2010 Version 12072011 USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center Laurel MD
Shaffer JA and DH Johnson 2009 Displacement effects of wind developments on grassland birds in the northern Great Plains NWCC Wind Wildlife Conference [Presentation] October 2008 Milwaukee WI Prepared for NWCC by SS Schwartz and Published 2009 Available online at httpswwwnationalwindorgassetsresearch_meetingsResearch_Meeting_VII_Shaffer pdf
Strickland MD EB Arnett WP Erickson DH Johnson GD Johnson ML Morrison JA Shaffer and W Warren-Hicks 2011 Comprehensive Guide to Studying Wind EnergyWildlife Interactions Prepared for the National Wind Coordinating Collaborative Washington DC httpwwwnationalwindorgassetspublicationsComprehensive_Guide_to_Studying_Wi nd_Energy_Wildlife_Interactions_2011_Updatedpdf Accessed November 2011
Strickland D and ML Morrison 2008 A summary of avianwind facility interactions in the US Federal Guidelines Committee for Wind Siting Guidelines February 26 2008 Washington DC
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Tetra Tech 2011 Native Prairie Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Burleigh County North Dakota Submitted to Wilton IV Wind Energy Center October 2011
Thelander CG KS Smallwood and L Rugge 2003 Bird Risk Behaviors and Fatalities at the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area Period of Performance March 1998-December 2000
Thompson WL 2002 Towards reliable bird surveys accounting for individuals present but not detected Auk 11918-25
TRC Environmental Corporation 2008 Post-Construction Avian and Bat Fatality Monitoring and Grassland Bird Displacement Surveys at the Judith Gap Wind Energy Project
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2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Wheatland County Montana Prepared for Judith Gap Energy LLC Chicago Illinois TRC Environmental Corporation Laramie Wyoming TRC Project 51883-01 (112416) January 2008 httpwwwnewwestnetpdfsAvianBatFatalityMonitoringpdf
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USFWS 2011a Flyways Retrieved from httpflywaysusflywaysinfo Accessed June 25 2012
USFWS 2011b ESA Basics More Than 30 Years of Conserving Endangered Species Retrieved from httpwwwfwsgovendangeredesa-librarypdfESA_basicspdf
USFWS 2011c Draft Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance Released January 2011
USFWS 2009 Eagle Permits Take Necessary to Protect Interests in Particular Localities Final Rules 50 CFR Parts 13 and 22
WEST (Western EcoSystems Technology Inc) 2011 Presentation at the Northwest Wind Energy and Wildlife Workshop June 7-8 2011 Portland Oregon
Wenck Associates Inc (Wenck) 2012 Wilton IV spring sharp-tailed grouse lek survey Report submitted to Tetra Tech EC Inc May 2012
Whitfield DP and M Madders 2006 Flight height in the hen harrier Circus cyaneus and its incorporation in wind turbine collision risk modeling Natural Research Information Note 2 Natural Research Ltd Banchory UK
People who contributed to the writing of this report
Jim Kowalsky July 17 2012
Report Author Date
Jennifer Taylor July 19 2012
Peer Review 1 Date
Chris Farmer August 3 2012
Peer Review 2 Date
Anne-Marie Griger August 9 2012
Deputy Project Manager Date
Robert Friedel July 13 2012
GIS Date
19 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
FIGURES
20 August 2012
B
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James River
Random Creek
Pipestem Creek
Heart River Long Lake Creek
Rocky Run
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Little Heart River
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TETR A TECH EC INC
Figure 6Raptor mean use by point
count location (Spring 2012)
Rapto r s p e r 2 0 m in u te s 00 1- 01 6 01 7 - 0 32 03 3 - 0 48
04 9 - 0 64
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
A Pro po sed tu rbin e (9 -21 -20 11 )Lo ca l Ro a d
Mean use value PC Point count number
Burleigh County ND
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
Last modified 7-10-2012
NEXTENERGY RESOURCES
240th Ave Ne 240th Ave Ne
240th Ave Ne
266th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
279Th Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE
292Nd Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
52Nd
St N
E
197T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
66Th
St N
E
188Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
106T
h St N
E
253Rd Ave NE
292Nd Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
132N
d St N
E
26Th
St N
E
266Th Ave NE
253Rd Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
93Rd
St N
E
145T
h St N
E 14
5Th S
t NE
132N
d St N
E
41St
St NE
210T
h St N
E
119T
h St N
E
106T
h St N
E
171S
t St N
E 17
1St S
t NE
188Th Ave NE
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE 227Th Ave NE
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
201St Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
Figure 7 Raptor nest and lek location
map (Spring 2012)NEXTENERGY
RESOURCES
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
5 Burleigh County ND
Last modified 7-10-2012 A A
A A
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
AAA A A A A A
A A
Pro po sed tu rbi(9 -21 -20 11 )
n e A A
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A AA gro use
Raptor nest s pecies Re d-taile d h a wk
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S av e
d 723
2 0 1 2
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66T h
St N
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O 165000 NAD 1983 UTM 14 0 05 1 2 3 4 5 Miles
TETR A TECH EC INC
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
TABLES
21 August 2012
Table 1 Spring 2012 point count survey dates at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Date(s)Survey number
1 316 2 321 3 326 4 44 5 410 6 420 7 427 8 53 9 512 10 519 11 526 12 62 13 69 14 615
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Songbirds
unidentified sparrow 652 7 665 (000-1339) 41 313 121 red-winged blackbird 548 52 559 (036-1082) 378 263 102 horned lark 173 83 177 (136-218) 612 83 32 American crow 159 22 162 (027-297) 204 76 30 common grackle 91 33 093 (035-151) 245 44 17 western meadowlark 80 62 082 (065-099) 480 38 15 European starling 80 1 082 (000-216) 10 38 15 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 082 (029-135) 82 38 15 barn swallow 44 21 045 (028-062) 204 21 08 bobolink 36 28 037 (022-052) 194 17 07 American goldfinch 26 23 027 (018-036) 214 12 05 vesper sparrow 23 21 023 (013-033) 184 11 04 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 019 (010-028) 143 09 04 American robin 19 19 019 (011-027) 143 09 04 house sparrow 15 5 015 (000-030) 51 07 03 American tree sparrow 8 2 008 (000-018) 20 04 01 song sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 savannah sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 dickcissel 5 4 005 (000-010) 31 02 01 western kingbird 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 01 01 pine siskin 3 1 003 (000-008) 10 01 01 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 eastern kingbird 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 yellow warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 unidentified warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 house wren 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 Group Total 2083 430 2126 (1259-2993) 949 387
Waterfowl
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations
Canada goose 1408 24 1437 (435-2439) 133 874 262 snow goose 184 2 188 (000-490) 20 114 34 mallard 12 6 012 (004-020) 61 07 02 northern pintail 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 blue-winged teal 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 American wigeon 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 redhead 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 01 00 Group Total 1611 36 1644 (561-2727) 184 300
CranesRails sandhill crane 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 1000 201 Group Total 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 201
GullsTerns Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 283 (013-553) 31 986 52 ring-billed gull 4 3 004 (000-008) 31 14 01 Group Total 281 7 287 (017-557) 61 52
Gamebirds ring-necked pheasant 148 134 151 (128-174) 745 967 28 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 20 01 gray partridge 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 13 00 Group Total 153 138 156 (132-180) 755 28
PigeonsDoves rock pigeon 40 6 041 (009-073) 61 513 07 mourning dove 38 25 039 (019-059) 184 487 07 Group Total 78 31 080 (041-119) 224 15
Waterbirds killdeer 28 22 029 (017-041) 214 538 05 upland sandpiper 8 8 008 (003-013) 71 154 01 common snipe 8 8 008 (002-014) 61 154 01 Wilsons snipe 4 4 004 (000-008) 31 77 01 American coot 4 1 004 (000-011) 10 77 01 Group Total 52 43 053 (037-069) 357 10
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Raptors
red-tailed hawk 16 12 016 (008-024) 122 444 03 northern harrier 16 14 016 (009-023) 143 444 03 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 peregrine falcon 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 great horned owl 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 American kestrel 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 Group Total 36 30 037 (025-049) 276 07
Woodpeckers northern flicker 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 1000 00 Group Total 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 00 Grand Total 5376 735 5486 (3771-7200)
1 A ranking of 1 indicates highest mean use
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Canada goose 1408 24 210 80 523 140 210 135 110 sandhill crane 1080 18 94 18 621 15 187 145 0 unidentified sparrow 652 7 0 0 0 0 330 210 112 red-winged blackbird 548 52 0 84 49 386 14 11 4 Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 107 0 100 70 0 0 0 snow goose 184 2 0 180 4 0 0 0 0 horned lark 173 83 23 24 17 12 19 32 46 American crow 159 22 6 4 13 11 1 123 1 ring-necked pheasant 148 134 21 14 21 18 25 22 27 common grackle 91 33 6 35 7 2 8 33 0 western meadowlark 80 62 8 10 17 3 11 19 12 European starling 80 1 0 0 0 80 0 0 0 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 0 63 17 0 0 0 0 barn swallow 44 21 3 12 6 10 7 1 5 rock pigeon 40 6 0 14 0 0 0 23 3 mourning dove 38 25 4 17 1 1 1 11 3 bobolink 36 28 10 0 14 8 0 0 4 killdeer 28 22 3 3 4 5 10 0 3 American goldfinch 26 23 4 9 3 3 4 2 1 vesper sparrow 23 21 1 7 1 2 9 1 2 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 2 4 2 0 6 4 1 American robin 19 19 1 13 0 1 3 0 1 red-tailed hawk 16 12 4 0 4 5 0 1 2 northern harrier 16 14 3 1 4 4 2 0 2 house sparrow 15 5 2 13 0 0 0 0 0 mallard 12 6 0 0 6 6 0 0 0 upland sandpiper 8 8 0 0 1 0 3 2 2 common snipe 8 8 0 2 6 0 0 0 0 American tree sparrow 8 2 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 song sparrow 5 5 1 1 1 0 2 0 0 savannah sparrow 5 5 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 dickcissel 5 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 Wilsons snipe 4 4 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 ring-billed gull 4 3 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 American coot 4 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 western kingbird 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 pine siskin 3 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 northern pintail 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
northern flicker 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 gray partridge 2 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 eastern kingbird 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 blue-winged teal 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 American wigeon 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 yellow warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 unidentified warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 redhead 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 peregrine falcon 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 house wren 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 great horned owl 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 American kestrel 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Grand Total 5376 735 526 620 1452 794 859 776 349
Table 4 Summary of avian flight heights1 in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)2 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Birds
Number Percentage
Non-raptors
Raptors
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
1656 372
2023 455
767 173
3 91
13 394
17 515 1 Includes only flying birds with flight height data2These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
Canada goose 654 (435 - 2439) 1437 997 537 457 06 unidentified sparrow 632 (000 - 1339) 665 1000 00 951 49 sandhill crane 368 (083 - 2121) 1102 999 665 335 00 Franklinrsquos gull 283 (013 - 553) 283 1000 00 1000 00 European starling 082 (000 - 216) 082 1000 00 1000 00 American crow 024 (027 - 297) 162 943 00 160 840 red-tailed hawk 013 (008 - 024) 016 938 133 867 00 brown-headed cowbird 008 (029 - 135) 082 125 00 800 200 red-winged blackbird 005 (036 - 1082) 559 261 00 35 965 Wilsons snipe 002 (000 - 008) 004 500 00 1000 00 blue-winged teal 002 (000 - 005) 002 1000 00 1000 00 mallard 002 (004 - 020) 012 500 00 333 667 ring-billed gull 001 (000 - 008) 004 1000 00 250 750 yellow warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 yellow-headed blackbird 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 western meadowlark 000 (065 - 099) 082 338 00 00 1000 western kingbird 000 (000 - 007) 003 1000 00 00 1000 vesper sparrow 000 (013 - 033) 023 130 00 00 1000 upland sandpiper 000 (003 - 013) 008 250 00 00 1000 unidentified warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 Swainsonrsquos hawk 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 sharp-tailed grouse 000 (000 - 007) 003 667 00 00 1000 song sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 snow goose 000 (000 - 490) 188 1000 1000 00 00 savannah sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 rock pigeon 000 (009 - 073) 041 825 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
ring-necked pheasant 000 (128 - 174) 151 07 00 00 1000 redhead 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 pine siskin 000 (000 - 008) 003 1000 00 00 1000 peregrine falcon 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 1000 00 00 northern pintail 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 northern harrier 000 (009 - 023) 016 1000 00 00 1000 northern flicker 000 (000 - 004) 002 500 00 00 1000 mourning dove 000 (019 - 059) 039 684 00 00 1000 killdeer 000 (017 - 041) 029 607 00 00 1000 house wren 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 house sparrow 000 (000 - 030) 015 67 00 00 1000 horned lark 000 (136 - 218) 177 740 00 00 1000 grasshopper sparrow 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 gray partridge 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 great horned owl 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 eastern kingbird 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 dickcissel 000 (000 - 010) 005 00 00 00 00 common snipe 000 (002 - 014) 008 00 00 00 00 common grackle 000 (035 - 151) 093 945 00 00 1000 clay-colored sparrow 000 (010 - 028) 019 158 00 00 1000 bobolink 000 (022 - 052) 037 917 00 00 1000 barn swallow 000 (028 - 062) 045 1000 00 00 1000 American tree sparrow 000 (000 - 018) 008 1000 00 00 1000 American wigeon 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 American robin 000 (011 - 027) 019 421 00 00 1000 American kestrel 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
American goldfinch 000 027 (018 - 036) 923 00 00 1000American coot 000 004 (000 - 011) 00 00 00 001These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 6 Incidental observations of birds during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species
American crow American kestrel American robin Canada goose great horned owl golden eagle gray partridge lesser scaup mallard merlin northern harrier rock pigeon red-tailed hawk red-winged blackbird sandhill crane sharp-tailed grouse wild turkey
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
APPENDICES
22 August 2012
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number of Birds1
Number of
Observations Species
Percentage of Flights
N NE E SE S SW W NW Variable
Canada goose 1398 21 867 00 00 00 02 00 17 114 00
sandhill crane 1079 17 878 52 00 00 00 00 00 70 00
unidentified sparrow 565 5 00 00 00 788 212 00 00 00 00
Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
snow goose 184 2 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
European starling 80 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
American crow 69 11 768 58 58 00 14 43 00 14 43
red-winged blackbird 15 6 533 00 00 200 267 00 00 00 00
red-tailed hawk 14 10 500 143 00 71 00 71 00 71 143
rock pigeon 11 2 00 00 00 00 273 727 00 00 00
northern harrier 9 8 111 00 00 333 00 222 00 111 222
mourning dove 9 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
common grackle 9 6 111 00 00 111 00 222 556 00 00
brown-headed cowbird 8 1 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
horned lark 6 3 833 00 00 167 00 00 00 00 00
ring-billed gull 4 3 250 00 00 00 00 750 00 00 00
Wilsons snipe 2 2 500 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 500
vesper sparrow 2 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
mallard 2 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
blue-winged teal 2 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
peregrine falcon 1 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
killdeer 1 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
Grand Total 3747 108 722 17 04 121 36 05 30 64 02 1 Includes only flying birds with flight directions
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Nest Number Species Substrate
Nest ConditionStatusDates
Surveyed Nest
Height (m) 2012 - 1 452012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good
5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 4 592012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good 5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 5 5192012 Swainsonrsquos hawk Active Siberian Elm 7 Good
NA means not applicable
Wenck Associates Inc 301 1
st St NE Suite 202
Mandan ND 58554
Phone 701-751-3370 Email jaskimwenckcom
May 7 2012
Tracey M Dubuque PE Senior Project Manager
Tetra Tech EC
160 Federal Street Third Floor
Boston MA 02110
Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Dear Tracey
Introduction
Male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) congregate at historicalcommunal leks in the spring
to compete for breeding opportunities Both sexes return to their natal breeding grounds yearly for their
entire life Leks are typically found in areas with low-growing vegetation on a hill knoll or other point of
high visibility Fidelity to these locations is extremely high for sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse
require nesting habitat within close proximity the lek comprised of dense or residual vegetative cover to
conceal and protect their nest from predators (Vodehnal and Haufler 2007)
Disturbance of nesting prairie grouse may occur from the construction of the turbine andor access road
construction noise and physical movement of equipment Loss of habitat and fragmentation related to
energy exploration may affect local prairie grouse populations by decreasing the area of habitat available
for nesting and brood-rearing and by increasing predation (Pittman et al 2005) Therefore federal and
state wildlife agencies are concerned about the placement of turbines in areas with known prairie grouse
populations Turbine setbacks from leks and minimizing grouse habitat disturbance may reduce the direct
and indirect effects of energy development on grouse
Methods
Sharp-tailed grouse surveys were completed from April 10th to May 1
st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise
to two hours after sunrise within the one-mile analysis area (Figure 1) Peak attendance by females on leks
typically occurs from April 15 to 25 but these dates vary by up to a week depending on weather conditions
(Schroeder and Robb 1993) Peak attendance potentially occurred earlier this year due to the early spring
A habitat assessment analysis was conducted prior to the field survey to determine suitable lekkingnesting
habitat within the analysis area (Figure 2) Listening stops were made within a one-mile analysis area
surrounding the proposed project area to identify lek locations (Figure 3) Sharp-tailed grouse males may
be heard at a distance of up to 050 mile Listening stops were not conducted if winds exceeded 10 miles
per hour (mph) or during precipitation events After a lek was located the birds were observed and the
number of males and females were counted Lek locations were documented using Global Positioning
System (GPS) Given the sensitive nature of this species and the fact that females may be nesting near the
lek disturbance to breeding prairie grouse was kept to a minimum
Results
Nine (9) sharp-tailed grouse leks were located during the surveys conducted from April 10th to May 1
st
2012 (Figure 4) Date time sex number of birds present wind conditions air temperature and GPS
coordinates were recorded once a lek was located (Tables 1 and 2) Two of the leks observed were
located outside of the analysis area Due to Lek 1rsquos close proximity to Lek 4 Lek 1 shouldbe classified
as a satellite lek No visual confirmation of Lek 6 was made due to access and topography
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
maximum number of grouse observed at one lek being 21 individuals (lek 8) A full report on the
grouse lek surveys is presented in Appendix 3
35 INCIDENTAL OBSERVATIONS
The biologist documented 17 species as incidental observations (Table 6) Of these species 4
(golden eagle lesser scaup merlin wild turkey) were not detected during spring point count
surveys
36 LISTED SPECIES
No federal threatened or endangered species were observed during avian point count raptor or
lek surveys or as an incidental observation One adult golden eagle was observed incidentally
near survey point 7 on March 26th in flight within the anticipated RSA The golden eagle is
protected by the BGEPA (Section 215)
Four Level I (Franklinrsquos gull Swainsonrsquos hawk upland sandpiper and grasshopper sparrow)
seven Level II (bobolink dickcissel redhead sharp-tailed grouse northern harrier golden eagle
and northern pintail) and one Level III (peregrine falcon) state-listed Species of Conservation
Priority were observed during point counts raptor nest lek surveys or as incidental observations
within the Project Area
40 DISCUSSION
The avian community detected within the Project area during spring surveys was characterized
by species associated with typical mid-western agricultural lands and short-grass prairie
vegetation The majority of the Project area and vicinity has been developed for agricultural use
specifically crops such as wheat sunflower and corn with additional developed lands devoted to
pastureland for cattle Within disturbed habitats such as these the greatest potential impact of
wind facilities to avian species is risk of collisions with turbines Mean avian fatality rates
estimated from wind facilities in the Midwest (NE WI MN and IA) range from 044 to 1183
birdsturbineyear (049 ndash 717 birdsMWyear Tetra Tech 2012) Project-related bird fatalities
are expected to fall within this range
In areas mostly dominated by native short-grass prairie additional loss of habitat from
developing these areas may impact resident and migratory avian species The presence of native
grassland habitats within the Project area suggests that additional disturbance and habitat loss
caused by construction and operation of the Project may cause birds to avoid the Project area
and may alter the current use of habitat by bird species within the Project area (Tetra Tech 2011)
The greatest potential for habitat loss would be for sharp-tailed grouse Current research suggests
that certain grouse species may avoid anthropogenic structures (USFWS 2012a Hagen et al
11 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
2011) however long-term data sets are still needed to best assess wind energy impacts (Johnson
et al 2012)
41 NON-RAPTOR USE AND COLLISION RISK
The Canada goose sandhill crane red-winged blackbird and Franklinrsquos gull were species with
the highest mean use within the Project area and were among the species most frequently
detected Additionally unidentified sparrows which probably represent a group of similar
species had high mean use Three of these species Canada goose Franklinrsquos gull and sandhill
crane are migratory with most individuals moving through the region (and the Project area) to
breeding grounds further north as indicated by their flight direction and large flock size Three
species had a high frequency of detection but a low mean use at the Project ring-necked
pheasant horned lark and western meadowlark These eight species are local residential and
migratory species commonly associated with the open pastureland short-grass prairie and row-
crop agriculture habitats found throughout the Project area These species are widely distributed
across the country and can be expected to occur where suitable habitat is present
The red-winged blackbird horned lark western meadowlark and ring-necked pheasant are
commonly found as turbine-related fatalities (more than 20 records of post-construction fatality
from 27 studies Tetra Tech 2012 Johnson et al 2000 Howe et al 2002 Derby et al 2007 TRC
Environmental 2008 Gruver et al 2009 BHE Environmental 2010 Jain et al 2011 Grodsky
and Drake 2011) particularly horned larks which exhibit breeding flight displays that may bring
them into the height of the RSA (Johnson and Erickson 2011) Thus risk of turbine-related
fatalities exists for each of these species at the Project However Project-related fatalities of red-
winged blackbird horned lark western meadowlark and ring-necked pheasant should they
occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts because collision fatalities appears to have
little effect North American landbird populations (Arnold and Zink 2011)
Species with high mean use but that are considered to have low risk for fatalities include sandhill
crane Franklinrsquos gull and Canada goose Although flying at the height of the RSA represents a
collision risk sandhill cranes have been documented altering flight direction in response to
turbines at wind facility in South Dakota (Nagy et al 2011) and multiple studies have
documented sandhill cranes gradually climbing as they approach marked power lines (Morkill
and Anderson 1991 Murphy et al 2009) The avoidance behavior observed at other studies and
lack of documented turbine-related fatalities of the sandhill crane suggests a low risk of Project-
related fatality for this species While no studies have documented avoidance behavior by
Franklinrsquos gulls similar to sandhill cranes the lack of documented fatalities at wind facilities
with publicly available data within the breeding range and migratory pathway of Franklinrsquos gulls
indicate a low risk of fatalities to occur at the Project (20 studies Tetra Tech 2012)
12 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Additionally Canada goose has a low number of fatality observations (less than 6 records of
post-construction fatalities from 27 studies Tetra Tech 2012)
The remaining non-raptor species detected during spring surveys have low risk for turbine
collisions at the Project due to a combination of relatively low mean-use rates infrequent flight
within the height of the RSA andor few or no records of fatalities at other wind facilities with
publically available results of fatality data
42 RAPTOR USE AND COLLISION RISK
High raptor use (greater than 20 birds20 min) has been associated with high raptor fatality at
wind farms (Strickland et al 2011) Conversely raptor fatality appears to be low when raptor use
is low (less than 10 birds20 min Strickland et al 2011) which is the case for raptor use at the
Project A factor contributing to the low raptor use of the Project area may be the number of
active raptor nests detected during nests surveys Because raptor activity is typically higher near
active nests than areas without active nests and raptors may have increased potential for
collision as they repeatedly fly within the Project area during nesting activities
Red-tailed hawks and northern harriers were the raptor species with the highest mean use and
were also among the most frequently detected raptor species at the Project Both species are
commonly associated with agricultural and grassland habitats which provide opportunities for
foraging an activity associated with susceptibility to turbine-collisions (Thelander et al 2003)
In a recent study of raptor response to wind farms northern harriers were identified as having a
low risk flight behavior for collisions whereas red-tailed hawks were observed engaging in high-
risk flight behaviors at operational wind facilities (Garvin et al 2011) Risks of collision for
northern harriers are believed to be low because the majority of foraging flights occur below
typical RSA heights (Whitfield and Madders 2006) Thus risk of turbine-related fatalities at the
Project is expected to be low given the low level of use As a result Project-related fatalities of
northern harrier should they occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts because
northern harriers are common nationwide (Sauer et al 2011) Results from post-construction
fatality monitoring studies indicate that red-tailed hawks are frequently found as turbine-related
fatalities (228 records of red-tailed hawk from 27 studies - Tetra Tech 2012 Jain 2005 Grodsky
and Drake 2011 Johnson and Erickson 2011) However Garvin et al (2011) documented that
red-tailed hawks despite high-risk flight behavior also demonstrated collision avoidance
behavior (Garvin et al 2011) Thus risk of turbine-related fatalities at the Project exists for red-
tailed hawks but turbine-related fatalities would be expected to be low given the low level of use
and low number of nests detected within the Project area and 1-mile buffer Project-related
fatalities of red-tailed hawk should they occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts
because red-tailed hawks are common nationwide (Sauer et al 2011)
13 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Two other raptor species detected during spring surveys (Swainsonrsquos hawk and American
kestrel) have been recorded as fatalities at other wind facilities (Derby 2007 Gritski et al 2008
Johnson and Erickson 2011) Peregrine falcon and great-horned owl have not been recorded as
fatalities observed at wind farms with publicly available fatality data All are likely have low risk
for turbine collisions at the Project due to the relatively very low mean-use rates
43 LISTED SPECIES
No federal listed threatened or endangered species were detected incidentally during avian point
count raptor or lek surveys One adult golden eagle was detected as an incidental observation
The golden eagle is protected under the BGEPA Although applications for incidental take
permits are available none have been issued to date Projects that are applying for permits have
are those with a perceived high risk of eagle fatality or have an additional permitting requirement
based on land ownership Consultation with the USFWS would provide further information on
local interpretation of the Draft Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance (USFWS 2011c)
No state listed designated species with regulatory implications were detected during surveys
However all native migratory avian species are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of
1918
44 CONCLUSIONS
Results of the 2012 spring avian surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center suggest an overall
low impact of the Project on the local avian community The high mean-use rate at the Project by
non-raptors is primarily driven by a few common residents and migratory species not commonly
reported as fatalities at wind energy facilities with results from post-construction fatality
monitoring Raptor use was relatively low for each raptor species detected Although there is
potential for turbine-related fatalities of Canada goose sandhill crane horned lark western
meadowlark red-winged blackbird red-tailed hawk and Franklinrsquos gull at the Project fatalities
are not expected to have population-level impacts If avian fatality rates are similar to other wind
facilities within the region we would expect them to fall between 044 ndash 1183 birdsturbineyear
(049 ndash 717 birdsMWyear) Additionally the potential for turbine-related fatalities exists for
nocturnal migrant species not identifiable by the methods of this study
No federally listed threatened or endangered species were detected incidentally during avian
point count raptor or lek surveys One adult golden eagle was detected as an incidental
observation The golden eagle is protected under the BGEPA A total of 9 sharp-tailed grouse
leks were located within the Project area and 1-mile buffer Four of the leks are within the
Project area indicating a moderate use of the Project area by the species No state listed
designated species with regulatory implications were detected during surveys However all
native migratory avian species are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918
14 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
50 REFERENCES
Arnold TW and RM Zink 2011 Collision mortality has no discernible effect on population trends of North American Birds PLoS ONE 6 e24708 doi101371journalpone0024708
Arnett EB DB Inkley DH Johnson RP Larkin S Manes AM Manville JR Mason ML Morrison MD Strickland and R Thresher 2007 Impacts of wind energy facilities on wildlife and wildlife habitat Wildlife Society Technical Review 07-2 The Wildlife Society Bethesda MA
Ballam JM 1984 The use of soaring by the red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) Auk 3519shy524
Beveridge L J 2005 The Migratory Bird Treaty Act and wind development North American Wind Power September36-38
BHE Environmental Inc 2010 Post-Construction Bird and Bat Mortality Study Cedar Ridge Wind Farm Fond Du Lac County Wisconsin Interim Report prepared for Wisconsin Power and Light Madison Wisconsin Prepared by BHE Environmental Inc Cincinnati Ohio February 2010
Bryce SA JM Omernik DA Pater M Ulmer J Schaar J Freeouf R Johnson P Kuck and SH Azevedo 1996 Ecoregions of North Dakota and South Dakota (color poster with map descriptive text summary tables and photographs) Reston Virginia US Geological Survey (map scale 11500000)
Devereux CL MJH Denny and MJ Whittingham 2008 Minimal effects of wind turbines on the distribution of wintering farmland birds Journal of Applied Ecology 451689shy1694
Drewitt AL and RHW Langston 2008 Collision effects of wind-power generators and other obstacles on birds Pages 233-266 in R S Ostfeld and W H Schlesinger editors Year in Ecology and Conservation Biology 2008 Blackwell Publishing Oxford
Drewitt AL and RHW Langston 2006 Assessing the impacts of wind farms on birds Ibis 14829-42
Derby C A Dahl W Erickson K Bay and J Hoban 2007 Post-Construction Monitoring Report for Avian and Bat Mortality at the NPPD Ainsworth Wind Farm Prepared for Nebraska Public Power District Columbus NE 24 pgs
Erickson WP GD Johnson and DP Young Jr 2005 A summary and comparison of bird mortality from anthropogenic causes with an emphasis on collisions USDA Forest Service Gen Tech Rep PSW-GTR-191
Erickson WP GD Johnson MD Strickland DP Young Jr KJ Sernka and R E Good 2001 Avian collisions with wind turbines a summary of existing studies and comparisons to other sources of avian collision mortality in the United States National Wind Coordinating Committee Washington DC Accessed at httpwwwnationalwindorgassetsarchiveAvian_Collisions_with_Wind_Turbines_shy_A_Summary_of_Existing_Studies_and_Comparisons_to_Other_Sources_of_Avian_Col lision_Mortality_in_the_United_States__2001_pdf
15 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Faanes CA and RE Stewart 1982 Revised checklist of North Dakota birds Version 16JUL97 The Prairie Naturalist 14(3)81-92 Jamestown ND Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Online Available online at httpwwwnpwrcusgsgovresourcebirdschndbirdindexhtm Accessed July 2012
Ferrer M M de Lucas GFE Janss E Casado AR Muntildeoz MJ Bechard and CP Calabuig 2012 Weak relationship between risk assessment studies and recorded mortality in wind farms Journal of Applied Ecology 49(1) 38-46 Available online at httponlinelibrarywileycomdoi101111j1365-2664201102054xpdf
Garvin J C Jennelle C S Drake D and Grodsky S M (2011) Response of raptors to a windfarm Journal of Applied Ecology 48 199ndash209
Gritski B S Downes K Kronner 2008 White Creek Wind I Wildlife Monitoring Annual Summary Winter 2007-2008 through Fall 2008 Prepared for White Creek Wind I LLC Roosevelt WA 25 pgs
Grodsky SM and D Drake 2011 Assessing Bird and Bat Mortality at the Forward Energy Center Final Report Public Service Commission (PSC) of Wisconsin PSC REF152052 Prepared for Forward Energy LLC Prepared by Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison Wisconsin August 2011
Gruver J M Sonnenburg K Bay and W Erickson 2009 Post-Construction Bat and Bird Fatality Study at the Blue Sky Green Field Wind Energy Center Fond Du Lac County Wisconsin July 21 - October 31 2008 and March 15 - June 4 2009 Unpublished report prepared by Western EcoSystems Technology Inc (WEST) Cheyenne Wyoming December 17 2009
Hagen CA JC Pitman TM Loughin BK Sandercock and RJ Robel 2011 Impacts of anthropogenic features on lesser prairie-chicken habitat use Studies in Avian Biology 39 63-75
Hagen SK PT Isakson and SR Dyke 2005 North Dakota Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy North Dakota Game and Fish Department Bismarck ND
Howe RW W Evans and AT Wolf 2002 Effects of Wind Turbines on Birds and Bats in Northeastern Wisconsin Prepared by University of Wisconsin-Green Bay for Wisconsin Public Service Corporation and Madison Gas and Electric Company Madison Wisconsin November 21 2002 104 pp
Jain AA RR Koford AW Hancockand GG Zenner 2011 Bat Mortality and Activity at a Northern Iowa Wind Resource Area Am Mid Natur 165 185-200
Jain A P Kerlinger R Curry and L Slobodnik 2007 Annual report for the Maple Ridge wind power project post-construction bird and bat fatality studymdash2006 Prepared by Curry and Kerlinger LLC for PPM Energy Horizon Energy and Technical Advisory Committee for the Maple Ridge Project
Jain AA 2005 Bird and Bat Behavior and Mortality at a Northern Iowa Windfarm Thesis submitted to Iowa State University Ames IA 113 pgs
16 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Johnson GD C LeBeau R Neilsen T Rintz and J Eddy 2012 Greater Sage-Grouse Habitat Use and Population Demographics at the Simpson Ridge Wind Resource Area Carbon County Wyoming Final Report prepared for EBP Renewables Houston Texas
Johnson GD and WP Erickson 2011 Avian Bat and Habitat Cumulative Impacts Associated with Wind Energy Development in the Columbia Plateau Ecoregion of Eastern Washington and Oregon Prepared by West Inc for Klickitat County Washington
Johnson DH MJ Holloran JW Connelly SE Hanser CL Amundson and ST Knick 2011 Influences of Environmental and Anthropogenic Features on Greater Sage-grouse Populations 1997-2007 Pages 407-450 in ST Knick and JW Connelly Greater Sage-Grouse ecology and conservation of a landscape species and its habitat Studies in Avian Biology 38 University of California Press Berkeley CA
Johnson GD WP Erickson MD Strickland MF Shepherd DA Shepherd and SA Sarappo 2002 Collision mortality of local and migrant birds at a large-scale wind power development on Buffalo Ridge Minnesota Wildlife Society Bulletin 30879-887
Johnson GD WP Erickson MD Strickland MF Shepherd and DA Shepherd 2000 Avian Monitoring Studies at the Buffalo Ridge Wind Resource Area Minnesota Results of a 4-Year Study Final report prepared for Northern States Power Company Minneapolis Minnesota by Western EcoSystems Technology Inc (WEST) Cheyenne Wyoming September 22 2000 212 pp httpwwwwest-inccom
Kerns J and P Kerlinger 2004 A study of bird and bat collision fatalities at the Mountaineer Wind Energy Center Tucker County West Virginia Annual report for 2003 Technical report prepared by Curry and Kerlinger LLC for FPL Energy and Mountaineer Wind Energy Center Technical Review Committee
Leddy KL KF Higgins and DE Naugle 1999 Effects of wind turbines on upland nesting birds in CRP grasslands Wilson Bulletin 111100-104
Manville AM II 2004 Prairie grouse leks and wind turbines US Fish and Wildlife Service justification for a 5-mile buffer from leks additional grassland songbird recommendations Division of Migratory Bird Management USFWS Arlington VA peer-reviewed briefing paper
Martin GR 2011 Understanding bird collisions with man-made objects a sensory ecology approach Ibis 153(2)239-254
Morkill AE and SH Anderson 1991 Effectiveness of marking powerlines to reduce sandhill crane collisions Wildlife Society Bulletin 19 442-449
Murphy RK SM McPherron GD Wright and KL Serbousek 2009 Effectiveness of avian collision averters in preventing migratory bird fatality from powerline strikes in the central Platte River Nebraska 2008-2009 Final Report
Nagy L B Gibson K L Kosciuch J Jones and J Taylor 2011 Whooping and Sandhill Crane Behavior at an Operating Wind Farm Poster presented at American Wind Energy Association Annual Meeting Pasadena CA
Orloff S and A Flannery 1992 Wind turbine effects on avian activity habitat use and mortality in Altamont Pass and Solano County Wind Resource Areas 1989-1991 Final
17 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
report prepared by Biosystems Analysis Inc for Alameda Contra Costa and Solano Counties and the California Energy Commission
Pearce-Higgins JW L Stephen A Douse and RHW Langston 2012 Greater impacts of wind farms on bird populations during construction than subsequent operation results of a multi-site and multi-species analysis Journal of Applied Ecology 49 386-394
Pickwell B 1931 The prairie horned lark St Louis Academy of Sciences Transactions 271shy153
Pitman JC CA Hagen RJ Robel TM Loughin and RD Applegate 2005 Location and success of lesser prairie-chicken nests in relation to vegetation and human disturbance Journal of Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Pruett CL MA Patten and DH Wolfe 2009 Avoidance Behavior by Prairie Grouse Implications for Development of Wind Energy Conservation Biology 231253-1259
Sauer J R J E Hines J E Fallon K L Pardieck D J Ziolkowski Jr and W A Link 2011 The North American Breeding Bird Survey Results and Analysis 1966 - 2010 Version 12072011 USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center Laurel MD
Shaffer JA and DH Johnson 2009 Displacement effects of wind developments on grassland birds in the northern Great Plains NWCC Wind Wildlife Conference [Presentation] October 2008 Milwaukee WI Prepared for NWCC by SS Schwartz and Published 2009 Available online at httpswwwnationalwindorgassetsresearch_meetingsResearch_Meeting_VII_Shaffer pdf
Strickland MD EB Arnett WP Erickson DH Johnson GD Johnson ML Morrison JA Shaffer and W Warren-Hicks 2011 Comprehensive Guide to Studying Wind EnergyWildlife Interactions Prepared for the National Wind Coordinating Collaborative Washington DC httpwwwnationalwindorgassetspublicationsComprehensive_Guide_to_Studying_Wi nd_Energy_Wildlife_Interactions_2011_Updatedpdf Accessed November 2011
Strickland D and ML Morrison 2008 A summary of avianwind facility interactions in the US Federal Guidelines Committee for Wind Siting Guidelines February 26 2008 Washington DC
Tetra Tech 2012 Database of publicly available post-construction fatality rates and records of bird and bat fatality at North American wind projects Unpublished report
Tetra Tech 2011 Native Prairie Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Burleigh County North Dakota Submitted to Wilton IV Wind Energy Center October 2011
Thelander CG KS Smallwood and L Rugge 2003 Bird Risk Behaviors and Fatalities at the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area Period of Performance March 1998-December 2000
Thompson WL 2002 Towards reliable bird surveys accounting for individuals present but not detected Auk 11918-25
TRC Environmental Corporation 2008 Post-Construction Avian and Bat Fatality Monitoring and Grassland Bird Displacement Surveys at the Judith Gap Wind Energy Project
18 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Wheatland County Montana Prepared for Judith Gap Energy LLC Chicago Illinois TRC Environmental Corporation Laramie Wyoming TRC Project 51883-01 (112416) January 2008 httpwwwnewwestnetpdfsAvianBatFatalityMonitoringpdf
USFWS (United States Fish and Wildlife Service) 2012 US Fish and Wildlife Service Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines Available from httpwwwfwsgovwindenergydocsWEG_finalpdf
USFWS 2011a Flyways Retrieved from httpflywaysusflywaysinfo Accessed June 25 2012
USFWS 2011b ESA Basics More Than 30 Years of Conserving Endangered Species Retrieved from httpwwwfwsgovendangeredesa-librarypdfESA_basicspdf
USFWS 2011c Draft Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance Released January 2011
USFWS 2009 Eagle Permits Take Necessary to Protect Interests in Particular Localities Final Rules 50 CFR Parts 13 and 22
WEST (Western EcoSystems Technology Inc) 2011 Presentation at the Northwest Wind Energy and Wildlife Workshop June 7-8 2011 Portland Oregon
Wenck Associates Inc (Wenck) 2012 Wilton IV spring sharp-tailed grouse lek survey Report submitted to Tetra Tech EC Inc May 2012
Whitfield DP and M Madders 2006 Flight height in the hen harrier Circus cyaneus and its incorporation in wind turbine collision risk modeling Natural Research Information Note 2 Natural Research Ltd Banchory UK
People who contributed to the writing of this report
Jim Kowalsky July 17 2012
Report Author Date
Jennifer Taylor July 19 2012
Peer Review 1 Date
Chris Farmer August 3 2012
Peer Review 2 Date
Anne-Marie Griger August 9 2012
Deputy Project Manager Date
Robert Friedel July 13 2012
GIS Date
19 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
FIGURES
20 August 2012
B
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James River
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Pipestem Creek
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201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE 279Th Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
145T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
145T
h St N
E
66Th
St N
E
171S
t St N
E
132N
d St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
41St
St NE
66Th
St N
E
80Th
St N
E
93Rd
St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
106T
h St N
E
171S
t St N
E
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
PC 01
PC 02
PC 03
PC 04
PC 05 PC 06
PC 07
064
014
057
064
021 007
029
155000 O 0 1 2 3 4 505 Miles
PGI
S _P R
O J E C
T S N
e xt E
r a Wi
lto n _
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X D s A
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Last
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TETR A TECH EC INC
Figure 6Raptor mean use by point
count location (Spring 2012)
Rapto r s p e r 2 0 m in u te s 00 1- 01 6 01 7 - 0 32 03 3 - 0 48
04 9 - 0 64
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
A Pro po sed tu rbin e (9 -21 -20 11 )Lo ca l Ro a d
Mean use value PC Point count number
Burleigh County ND
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
Last modified 7-10-2012
NEXTENERGY RESOURCES
240th Ave Ne 240th Ave Ne
240th Ave Ne
266th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
279Th Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE
292Nd Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
52Nd
St N
E
197T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
66Th
St N
E
188Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
106T
h St N
E
253Rd Ave NE
292Nd Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
132N
d St N
E
26Th
St N
E
266Th Ave NE
253Rd Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
93Rd
St N
E
145T
h St N
E 14
5Th S
t NE
132N
d St N
E
41St
St NE
210T
h St N
E
119T
h St N
E
106T
h St N
E
171S
t St N
E 17
1St S
t NE
188Th Ave NE
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE 227Th Ave NE
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
201St Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
Figure 7 Raptor nest and lek location
map (Spring 2012)NEXTENERGY
RESOURCES
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
5 Burleigh County ND
Last modified 7-10-2012 A A
A A
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
AAA A A A A A
A A
Pro po sed tu rbi(9 -21 -20 11 )
n e A A
A A
Lo ca l Ro a d Sh arp -tailed
le k A4
A AA gro use
Raptor nest s pecies Re d-taile d h a wk
1
A
A
A A
Sw ain so n s h a wk 3 A
Ina ctive ra ptor A
9 A
A
A A AA
A A 7 28
A A A A
A A A A
A A AA AA
AAA AA
A A A
A A
A A A A
A
PGI
S _P R
O J E C
T S N
e xt E
r a Wi
lto n _
IVM
X D s A
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W ilto
n 4 _ A
vi a n S
u r ve y
_ F ig u
r e7_ R
apL e
k_ 17
i11i_2
0120
710 m
xd -
Last
S av e
d 723
2 0 1 2
6
66T h
St N
E
O 165000 NAD 1983 UTM 14 0 05 1 2 3 4 5 Miles
TETR A TECH EC INC
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
TABLES
21 August 2012
Table 1 Spring 2012 point count survey dates at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Date(s)Survey number
1 316 2 321 3 326 4 44 5 410 6 420 7 427 8 53 9 512 10 519 11 526 12 62 13 69 14 615
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Songbirds
unidentified sparrow 652 7 665 (000-1339) 41 313 121 red-winged blackbird 548 52 559 (036-1082) 378 263 102 horned lark 173 83 177 (136-218) 612 83 32 American crow 159 22 162 (027-297) 204 76 30 common grackle 91 33 093 (035-151) 245 44 17 western meadowlark 80 62 082 (065-099) 480 38 15 European starling 80 1 082 (000-216) 10 38 15 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 082 (029-135) 82 38 15 barn swallow 44 21 045 (028-062) 204 21 08 bobolink 36 28 037 (022-052) 194 17 07 American goldfinch 26 23 027 (018-036) 214 12 05 vesper sparrow 23 21 023 (013-033) 184 11 04 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 019 (010-028) 143 09 04 American robin 19 19 019 (011-027) 143 09 04 house sparrow 15 5 015 (000-030) 51 07 03 American tree sparrow 8 2 008 (000-018) 20 04 01 song sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 savannah sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 dickcissel 5 4 005 (000-010) 31 02 01 western kingbird 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 01 01 pine siskin 3 1 003 (000-008) 10 01 01 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 eastern kingbird 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 yellow warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 unidentified warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 house wren 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 Group Total 2083 430 2126 (1259-2993) 949 387
Waterfowl
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations
Canada goose 1408 24 1437 (435-2439) 133 874 262 snow goose 184 2 188 (000-490) 20 114 34 mallard 12 6 012 (004-020) 61 07 02 northern pintail 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 blue-winged teal 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 American wigeon 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 redhead 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 01 00 Group Total 1611 36 1644 (561-2727) 184 300
CranesRails sandhill crane 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 1000 201 Group Total 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 201
GullsTerns Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 283 (013-553) 31 986 52 ring-billed gull 4 3 004 (000-008) 31 14 01 Group Total 281 7 287 (017-557) 61 52
Gamebirds ring-necked pheasant 148 134 151 (128-174) 745 967 28 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 20 01 gray partridge 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 13 00 Group Total 153 138 156 (132-180) 755 28
PigeonsDoves rock pigeon 40 6 041 (009-073) 61 513 07 mourning dove 38 25 039 (019-059) 184 487 07 Group Total 78 31 080 (041-119) 224 15
Waterbirds killdeer 28 22 029 (017-041) 214 538 05 upland sandpiper 8 8 008 (003-013) 71 154 01 common snipe 8 8 008 (002-014) 61 154 01 Wilsons snipe 4 4 004 (000-008) 31 77 01 American coot 4 1 004 (000-011) 10 77 01 Group Total 52 43 053 (037-069) 357 10
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Raptors
red-tailed hawk 16 12 016 (008-024) 122 444 03 northern harrier 16 14 016 (009-023) 143 444 03 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 peregrine falcon 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 great horned owl 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 American kestrel 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 Group Total 36 30 037 (025-049) 276 07
Woodpeckers northern flicker 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 1000 00 Group Total 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 00 Grand Total 5376 735 5486 (3771-7200)
1 A ranking of 1 indicates highest mean use
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Canada goose 1408 24 210 80 523 140 210 135 110 sandhill crane 1080 18 94 18 621 15 187 145 0 unidentified sparrow 652 7 0 0 0 0 330 210 112 red-winged blackbird 548 52 0 84 49 386 14 11 4 Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 107 0 100 70 0 0 0 snow goose 184 2 0 180 4 0 0 0 0 horned lark 173 83 23 24 17 12 19 32 46 American crow 159 22 6 4 13 11 1 123 1 ring-necked pheasant 148 134 21 14 21 18 25 22 27 common grackle 91 33 6 35 7 2 8 33 0 western meadowlark 80 62 8 10 17 3 11 19 12 European starling 80 1 0 0 0 80 0 0 0 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 0 63 17 0 0 0 0 barn swallow 44 21 3 12 6 10 7 1 5 rock pigeon 40 6 0 14 0 0 0 23 3 mourning dove 38 25 4 17 1 1 1 11 3 bobolink 36 28 10 0 14 8 0 0 4 killdeer 28 22 3 3 4 5 10 0 3 American goldfinch 26 23 4 9 3 3 4 2 1 vesper sparrow 23 21 1 7 1 2 9 1 2 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 2 4 2 0 6 4 1 American robin 19 19 1 13 0 1 3 0 1 red-tailed hawk 16 12 4 0 4 5 0 1 2 northern harrier 16 14 3 1 4 4 2 0 2 house sparrow 15 5 2 13 0 0 0 0 0 mallard 12 6 0 0 6 6 0 0 0 upland sandpiper 8 8 0 0 1 0 3 2 2 common snipe 8 8 0 2 6 0 0 0 0 American tree sparrow 8 2 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 song sparrow 5 5 1 1 1 0 2 0 0 savannah sparrow 5 5 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 dickcissel 5 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 Wilsons snipe 4 4 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 ring-billed gull 4 3 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 American coot 4 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 western kingbird 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 pine siskin 3 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 northern pintail 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
northern flicker 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 gray partridge 2 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 eastern kingbird 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 blue-winged teal 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 American wigeon 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 yellow warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 unidentified warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 redhead 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 peregrine falcon 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 house wren 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 great horned owl 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 American kestrel 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Grand Total 5376 735 526 620 1452 794 859 776 349
Table 4 Summary of avian flight heights1 in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)2 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Birds
Number Percentage
Non-raptors
Raptors
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
1656 372
2023 455
767 173
3 91
13 394
17 515 1 Includes only flying birds with flight height data2These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
Canada goose 654 (435 - 2439) 1437 997 537 457 06 unidentified sparrow 632 (000 - 1339) 665 1000 00 951 49 sandhill crane 368 (083 - 2121) 1102 999 665 335 00 Franklinrsquos gull 283 (013 - 553) 283 1000 00 1000 00 European starling 082 (000 - 216) 082 1000 00 1000 00 American crow 024 (027 - 297) 162 943 00 160 840 red-tailed hawk 013 (008 - 024) 016 938 133 867 00 brown-headed cowbird 008 (029 - 135) 082 125 00 800 200 red-winged blackbird 005 (036 - 1082) 559 261 00 35 965 Wilsons snipe 002 (000 - 008) 004 500 00 1000 00 blue-winged teal 002 (000 - 005) 002 1000 00 1000 00 mallard 002 (004 - 020) 012 500 00 333 667 ring-billed gull 001 (000 - 008) 004 1000 00 250 750 yellow warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 yellow-headed blackbird 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 western meadowlark 000 (065 - 099) 082 338 00 00 1000 western kingbird 000 (000 - 007) 003 1000 00 00 1000 vesper sparrow 000 (013 - 033) 023 130 00 00 1000 upland sandpiper 000 (003 - 013) 008 250 00 00 1000 unidentified warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 Swainsonrsquos hawk 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 sharp-tailed grouse 000 (000 - 007) 003 667 00 00 1000 song sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 snow goose 000 (000 - 490) 188 1000 1000 00 00 savannah sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 rock pigeon 000 (009 - 073) 041 825 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
ring-necked pheasant 000 (128 - 174) 151 07 00 00 1000 redhead 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 pine siskin 000 (000 - 008) 003 1000 00 00 1000 peregrine falcon 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 1000 00 00 northern pintail 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 northern harrier 000 (009 - 023) 016 1000 00 00 1000 northern flicker 000 (000 - 004) 002 500 00 00 1000 mourning dove 000 (019 - 059) 039 684 00 00 1000 killdeer 000 (017 - 041) 029 607 00 00 1000 house wren 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 house sparrow 000 (000 - 030) 015 67 00 00 1000 horned lark 000 (136 - 218) 177 740 00 00 1000 grasshopper sparrow 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 gray partridge 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 great horned owl 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 eastern kingbird 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 dickcissel 000 (000 - 010) 005 00 00 00 00 common snipe 000 (002 - 014) 008 00 00 00 00 common grackle 000 (035 - 151) 093 945 00 00 1000 clay-colored sparrow 000 (010 - 028) 019 158 00 00 1000 bobolink 000 (022 - 052) 037 917 00 00 1000 barn swallow 000 (028 - 062) 045 1000 00 00 1000 American tree sparrow 000 (000 - 018) 008 1000 00 00 1000 American wigeon 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 American robin 000 (011 - 027) 019 421 00 00 1000 American kestrel 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
American goldfinch 000 027 (018 - 036) 923 00 00 1000American coot 000 004 (000 - 011) 00 00 00 001These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 6 Incidental observations of birds during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species
American crow American kestrel American robin Canada goose great horned owl golden eagle gray partridge lesser scaup mallard merlin northern harrier rock pigeon red-tailed hawk red-winged blackbird sandhill crane sharp-tailed grouse wild turkey
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
APPENDICES
22 August 2012
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number of Birds1
Number of
Observations Species
Percentage of Flights
N NE E SE S SW W NW Variable
Canada goose 1398 21 867 00 00 00 02 00 17 114 00
sandhill crane 1079 17 878 52 00 00 00 00 00 70 00
unidentified sparrow 565 5 00 00 00 788 212 00 00 00 00
Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
snow goose 184 2 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
European starling 80 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
American crow 69 11 768 58 58 00 14 43 00 14 43
red-winged blackbird 15 6 533 00 00 200 267 00 00 00 00
red-tailed hawk 14 10 500 143 00 71 00 71 00 71 143
rock pigeon 11 2 00 00 00 00 273 727 00 00 00
northern harrier 9 8 111 00 00 333 00 222 00 111 222
mourning dove 9 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
common grackle 9 6 111 00 00 111 00 222 556 00 00
brown-headed cowbird 8 1 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
horned lark 6 3 833 00 00 167 00 00 00 00 00
ring-billed gull 4 3 250 00 00 00 00 750 00 00 00
Wilsons snipe 2 2 500 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 500
vesper sparrow 2 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
mallard 2 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
blue-winged teal 2 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
peregrine falcon 1 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
killdeer 1 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
Grand Total 3747 108 722 17 04 121 36 05 30 64 02 1 Includes only flying birds with flight directions
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Nest Number Species Substrate
Nest ConditionStatusDates
Surveyed Nest
Height (m) 2012 - 1 452012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good
5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 4 592012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good 5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 5 5192012 Swainsonrsquos hawk Active Siberian Elm 7 Good
NA means not applicable
Wenck Associates Inc 301 1
st St NE Suite 202
Mandan ND 58554
Phone 701-751-3370 Email jaskimwenckcom
May 7 2012
Tracey M Dubuque PE Senior Project Manager
Tetra Tech EC
160 Federal Street Third Floor
Boston MA 02110
Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Dear Tracey
Introduction
Male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) congregate at historicalcommunal leks in the spring
to compete for breeding opportunities Both sexes return to their natal breeding grounds yearly for their
entire life Leks are typically found in areas with low-growing vegetation on a hill knoll or other point of
high visibility Fidelity to these locations is extremely high for sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse
require nesting habitat within close proximity the lek comprised of dense or residual vegetative cover to
conceal and protect their nest from predators (Vodehnal and Haufler 2007)
Disturbance of nesting prairie grouse may occur from the construction of the turbine andor access road
construction noise and physical movement of equipment Loss of habitat and fragmentation related to
energy exploration may affect local prairie grouse populations by decreasing the area of habitat available
for nesting and brood-rearing and by increasing predation (Pittman et al 2005) Therefore federal and
state wildlife agencies are concerned about the placement of turbines in areas with known prairie grouse
populations Turbine setbacks from leks and minimizing grouse habitat disturbance may reduce the direct
and indirect effects of energy development on grouse
Methods
Sharp-tailed grouse surveys were completed from April 10th to May 1
st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise
to two hours after sunrise within the one-mile analysis area (Figure 1) Peak attendance by females on leks
typically occurs from April 15 to 25 but these dates vary by up to a week depending on weather conditions
(Schroeder and Robb 1993) Peak attendance potentially occurred earlier this year due to the early spring
A habitat assessment analysis was conducted prior to the field survey to determine suitable lekkingnesting
habitat within the analysis area (Figure 2) Listening stops were made within a one-mile analysis area
surrounding the proposed project area to identify lek locations (Figure 3) Sharp-tailed grouse males may
be heard at a distance of up to 050 mile Listening stops were not conducted if winds exceeded 10 miles
per hour (mph) or during precipitation events After a lek was located the birds were observed and the
number of males and females were counted Lek locations were documented using Global Positioning
System (GPS) Given the sensitive nature of this species and the fact that females may be nesting near the
lek disturbance to breeding prairie grouse was kept to a minimum
Results
Nine (9) sharp-tailed grouse leks were located during the surveys conducted from April 10th to May 1
st
2012 (Figure 4) Date time sex number of birds present wind conditions air temperature and GPS
coordinates were recorded once a lek was located (Tables 1 and 2) Two of the leks observed were
located outside of the analysis area Due to Lek 1rsquos close proximity to Lek 4 Lek 1 shouldbe classified
as a satellite lek No visual confirmation of Lek 6 was made due to access and topography
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
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Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
2011) however long-term data sets are still needed to best assess wind energy impacts (Johnson
et al 2012)
41 NON-RAPTOR USE AND COLLISION RISK
The Canada goose sandhill crane red-winged blackbird and Franklinrsquos gull were species with
the highest mean use within the Project area and were among the species most frequently
detected Additionally unidentified sparrows which probably represent a group of similar
species had high mean use Three of these species Canada goose Franklinrsquos gull and sandhill
crane are migratory with most individuals moving through the region (and the Project area) to
breeding grounds further north as indicated by their flight direction and large flock size Three
species had a high frequency of detection but a low mean use at the Project ring-necked
pheasant horned lark and western meadowlark These eight species are local residential and
migratory species commonly associated with the open pastureland short-grass prairie and row-
crop agriculture habitats found throughout the Project area These species are widely distributed
across the country and can be expected to occur where suitable habitat is present
The red-winged blackbird horned lark western meadowlark and ring-necked pheasant are
commonly found as turbine-related fatalities (more than 20 records of post-construction fatality
from 27 studies Tetra Tech 2012 Johnson et al 2000 Howe et al 2002 Derby et al 2007 TRC
Environmental 2008 Gruver et al 2009 BHE Environmental 2010 Jain et al 2011 Grodsky
and Drake 2011) particularly horned larks which exhibit breeding flight displays that may bring
them into the height of the RSA (Johnson and Erickson 2011) Thus risk of turbine-related
fatalities exists for each of these species at the Project However Project-related fatalities of red-
winged blackbird horned lark western meadowlark and ring-necked pheasant should they
occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts because collision fatalities appears to have
little effect North American landbird populations (Arnold and Zink 2011)
Species with high mean use but that are considered to have low risk for fatalities include sandhill
crane Franklinrsquos gull and Canada goose Although flying at the height of the RSA represents a
collision risk sandhill cranes have been documented altering flight direction in response to
turbines at wind facility in South Dakota (Nagy et al 2011) and multiple studies have
documented sandhill cranes gradually climbing as they approach marked power lines (Morkill
and Anderson 1991 Murphy et al 2009) The avoidance behavior observed at other studies and
lack of documented turbine-related fatalities of the sandhill crane suggests a low risk of Project-
related fatality for this species While no studies have documented avoidance behavior by
Franklinrsquos gulls similar to sandhill cranes the lack of documented fatalities at wind facilities
with publicly available data within the breeding range and migratory pathway of Franklinrsquos gulls
indicate a low risk of fatalities to occur at the Project (20 studies Tetra Tech 2012)
12 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Additionally Canada goose has a low number of fatality observations (less than 6 records of
post-construction fatalities from 27 studies Tetra Tech 2012)
The remaining non-raptor species detected during spring surveys have low risk for turbine
collisions at the Project due to a combination of relatively low mean-use rates infrequent flight
within the height of the RSA andor few or no records of fatalities at other wind facilities with
publically available results of fatality data
42 RAPTOR USE AND COLLISION RISK
High raptor use (greater than 20 birds20 min) has been associated with high raptor fatality at
wind farms (Strickland et al 2011) Conversely raptor fatality appears to be low when raptor use
is low (less than 10 birds20 min Strickland et al 2011) which is the case for raptor use at the
Project A factor contributing to the low raptor use of the Project area may be the number of
active raptor nests detected during nests surveys Because raptor activity is typically higher near
active nests than areas without active nests and raptors may have increased potential for
collision as they repeatedly fly within the Project area during nesting activities
Red-tailed hawks and northern harriers were the raptor species with the highest mean use and
were also among the most frequently detected raptor species at the Project Both species are
commonly associated with agricultural and grassland habitats which provide opportunities for
foraging an activity associated with susceptibility to turbine-collisions (Thelander et al 2003)
In a recent study of raptor response to wind farms northern harriers were identified as having a
low risk flight behavior for collisions whereas red-tailed hawks were observed engaging in high-
risk flight behaviors at operational wind facilities (Garvin et al 2011) Risks of collision for
northern harriers are believed to be low because the majority of foraging flights occur below
typical RSA heights (Whitfield and Madders 2006) Thus risk of turbine-related fatalities at the
Project is expected to be low given the low level of use As a result Project-related fatalities of
northern harrier should they occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts because
northern harriers are common nationwide (Sauer et al 2011) Results from post-construction
fatality monitoring studies indicate that red-tailed hawks are frequently found as turbine-related
fatalities (228 records of red-tailed hawk from 27 studies - Tetra Tech 2012 Jain 2005 Grodsky
and Drake 2011 Johnson and Erickson 2011) However Garvin et al (2011) documented that
red-tailed hawks despite high-risk flight behavior also demonstrated collision avoidance
behavior (Garvin et al 2011) Thus risk of turbine-related fatalities at the Project exists for red-
tailed hawks but turbine-related fatalities would be expected to be low given the low level of use
and low number of nests detected within the Project area and 1-mile buffer Project-related
fatalities of red-tailed hawk should they occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts
because red-tailed hawks are common nationwide (Sauer et al 2011)
13 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Two other raptor species detected during spring surveys (Swainsonrsquos hawk and American
kestrel) have been recorded as fatalities at other wind facilities (Derby 2007 Gritski et al 2008
Johnson and Erickson 2011) Peregrine falcon and great-horned owl have not been recorded as
fatalities observed at wind farms with publicly available fatality data All are likely have low risk
for turbine collisions at the Project due to the relatively very low mean-use rates
43 LISTED SPECIES
No federal listed threatened or endangered species were detected incidentally during avian point
count raptor or lek surveys One adult golden eagle was detected as an incidental observation
The golden eagle is protected under the BGEPA Although applications for incidental take
permits are available none have been issued to date Projects that are applying for permits have
are those with a perceived high risk of eagle fatality or have an additional permitting requirement
based on land ownership Consultation with the USFWS would provide further information on
local interpretation of the Draft Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance (USFWS 2011c)
No state listed designated species with regulatory implications were detected during surveys
However all native migratory avian species are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of
1918
44 CONCLUSIONS
Results of the 2012 spring avian surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center suggest an overall
low impact of the Project on the local avian community The high mean-use rate at the Project by
non-raptors is primarily driven by a few common residents and migratory species not commonly
reported as fatalities at wind energy facilities with results from post-construction fatality
monitoring Raptor use was relatively low for each raptor species detected Although there is
potential for turbine-related fatalities of Canada goose sandhill crane horned lark western
meadowlark red-winged blackbird red-tailed hawk and Franklinrsquos gull at the Project fatalities
are not expected to have population-level impacts If avian fatality rates are similar to other wind
facilities within the region we would expect them to fall between 044 ndash 1183 birdsturbineyear
(049 ndash 717 birdsMWyear) Additionally the potential for turbine-related fatalities exists for
nocturnal migrant species not identifiable by the methods of this study
No federally listed threatened or endangered species were detected incidentally during avian
point count raptor or lek surveys One adult golden eagle was detected as an incidental
observation The golden eagle is protected under the BGEPA A total of 9 sharp-tailed grouse
leks were located within the Project area and 1-mile buffer Four of the leks are within the
Project area indicating a moderate use of the Project area by the species No state listed
designated species with regulatory implications were detected during surveys However all
native migratory avian species are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918
14 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
50 REFERENCES
Arnold TW and RM Zink 2011 Collision mortality has no discernible effect on population trends of North American Birds PLoS ONE 6 e24708 doi101371journalpone0024708
Arnett EB DB Inkley DH Johnson RP Larkin S Manes AM Manville JR Mason ML Morrison MD Strickland and R Thresher 2007 Impacts of wind energy facilities on wildlife and wildlife habitat Wildlife Society Technical Review 07-2 The Wildlife Society Bethesda MA
Ballam JM 1984 The use of soaring by the red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) Auk 3519shy524
Beveridge L J 2005 The Migratory Bird Treaty Act and wind development North American Wind Power September36-38
BHE Environmental Inc 2010 Post-Construction Bird and Bat Mortality Study Cedar Ridge Wind Farm Fond Du Lac County Wisconsin Interim Report prepared for Wisconsin Power and Light Madison Wisconsin Prepared by BHE Environmental Inc Cincinnati Ohio February 2010
Bryce SA JM Omernik DA Pater M Ulmer J Schaar J Freeouf R Johnson P Kuck and SH Azevedo 1996 Ecoregions of North Dakota and South Dakota (color poster with map descriptive text summary tables and photographs) Reston Virginia US Geological Survey (map scale 11500000)
Devereux CL MJH Denny and MJ Whittingham 2008 Minimal effects of wind turbines on the distribution of wintering farmland birds Journal of Applied Ecology 451689shy1694
Drewitt AL and RHW Langston 2008 Collision effects of wind-power generators and other obstacles on birds Pages 233-266 in R S Ostfeld and W H Schlesinger editors Year in Ecology and Conservation Biology 2008 Blackwell Publishing Oxford
Drewitt AL and RHW Langston 2006 Assessing the impacts of wind farms on birds Ibis 14829-42
Derby C A Dahl W Erickson K Bay and J Hoban 2007 Post-Construction Monitoring Report for Avian and Bat Mortality at the NPPD Ainsworth Wind Farm Prepared for Nebraska Public Power District Columbus NE 24 pgs
Erickson WP GD Johnson and DP Young Jr 2005 A summary and comparison of bird mortality from anthropogenic causes with an emphasis on collisions USDA Forest Service Gen Tech Rep PSW-GTR-191
Erickson WP GD Johnson MD Strickland DP Young Jr KJ Sernka and R E Good 2001 Avian collisions with wind turbines a summary of existing studies and comparisons to other sources of avian collision mortality in the United States National Wind Coordinating Committee Washington DC Accessed at httpwwwnationalwindorgassetsarchiveAvian_Collisions_with_Wind_Turbines_shy_A_Summary_of_Existing_Studies_and_Comparisons_to_Other_Sources_of_Avian_Col lision_Mortality_in_the_United_States__2001_pdf
15 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Faanes CA and RE Stewart 1982 Revised checklist of North Dakota birds Version 16JUL97 The Prairie Naturalist 14(3)81-92 Jamestown ND Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Online Available online at httpwwwnpwrcusgsgovresourcebirdschndbirdindexhtm Accessed July 2012
Ferrer M M de Lucas GFE Janss E Casado AR Muntildeoz MJ Bechard and CP Calabuig 2012 Weak relationship between risk assessment studies and recorded mortality in wind farms Journal of Applied Ecology 49(1) 38-46 Available online at httponlinelibrarywileycomdoi101111j1365-2664201102054xpdf
Garvin J C Jennelle C S Drake D and Grodsky S M (2011) Response of raptors to a windfarm Journal of Applied Ecology 48 199ndash209
Gritski B S Downes K Kronner 2008 White Creek Wind I Wildlife Monitoring Annual Summary Winter 2007-2008 through Fall 2008 Prepared for White Creek Wind I LLC Roosevelt WA 25 pgs
Grodsky SM and D Drake 2011 Assessing Bird and Bat Mortality at the Forward Energy Center Final Report Public Service Commission (PSC) of Wisconsin PSC REF152052 Prepared for Forward Energy LLC Prepared by Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison Wisconsin August 2011
Gruver J M Sonnenburg K Bay and W Erickson 2009 Post-Construction Bat and Bird Fatality Study at the Blue Sky Green Field Wind Energy Center Fond Du Lac County Wisconsin July 21 - October 31 2008 and March 15 - June 4 2009 Unpublished report prepared by Western EcoSystems Technology Inc (WEST) Cheyenne Wyoming December 17 2009
Hagen CA JC Pitman TM Loughin BK Sandercock and RJ Robel 2011 Impacts of anthropogenic features on lesser prairie-chicken habitat use Studies in Avian Biology 39 63-75
Hagen SK PT Isakson and SR Dyke 2005 North Dakota Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy North Dakota Game and Fish Department Bismarck ND
Howe RW W Evans and AT Wolf 2002 Effects of Wind Turbines on Birds and Bats in Northeastern Wisconsin Prepared by University of Wisconsin-Green Bay for Wisconsin Public Service Corporation and Madison Gas and Electric Company Madison Wisconsin November 21 2002 104 pp
Jain AA RR Koford AW Hancockand GG Zenner 2011 Bat Mortality and Activity at a Northern Iowa Wind Resource Area Am Mid Natur 165 185-200
Jain A P Kerlinger R Curry and L Slobodnik 2007 Annual report for the Maple Ridge wind power project post-construction bird and bat fatality studymdash2006 Prepared by Curry and Kerlinger LLC for PPM Energy Horizon Energy and Technical Advisory Committee for the Maple Ridge Project
Jain AA 2005 Bird and Bat Behavior and Mortality at a Northern Iowa Windfarm Thesis submitted to Iowa State University Ames IA 113 pgs
16 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Johnson GD C LeBeau R Neilsen T Rintz and J Eddy 2012 Greater Sage-Grouse Habitat Use and Population Demographics at the Simpson Ridge Wind Resource Area Carbon County Wyoming Final Report prepared for EBP Renewables Houston Texas
Johnson GD and WP Erickson 2011 Avian Bat and Habitat Cumulative Impacts Associated with Wind Energy Development in the Columbia Plateau Ecoregion of Eastern Washington and Oregon Prepared by West Inc for Klickitat County Washington
Johnson DH MJ Holloran JW Connelly SE Hanser CL Amundson and ST Knick 2011 Influences of Environmental and Anthropogenic Features on Greater Sage-grouse Populations 1997-2007 Pages 407-450 in ST Knick and JW Connelly Greater Sage-Grouse ecology and conservation of a landscape species and its habitat Studies in Avian Biology 38 University of California Press Berkeley CA
Johnson GD WP Erickson MD Strickland MF Shepherd DA Shepherd and SA Sarappo 2002 Collision mortality of local and migrant birds at a large-scale wind power development on Buffalo Ridge Minnesota Wildlife Society Bulletin 30879-887
Johnson GD WP Erickson MD Strickland MF Shepherd and DA Shepherd 2000 Avian Monitoring Studies at the Buffalo Ridge Wind Resource Area Minnesota Results of a 4-Year Study Final report prepared for Northern States Power Company Minneapolis Minnesota by Western EcoSystems Technology Inc (WEST) Cheyenne Wyoming September 22 2000 212 pp httpwwwwest-inccom
Kerns J and P Kerlinger 2004 A study of bird and bat collision fatalities at the Mountaineer Wind Energy Center Tucker County West Virginia Annual report for 2003 Technical report prepared by Curry and Kerlinger LLC for FPL Energy and Mountaineer Wind Energy Center Technical Review Committee
Leddy KL KF Higgins and DE Naugle 1999 Effects of wind turbines on upland nesting birds in CRP grasslands Wilson Bulletin 111100-104
Manville AM II 2004 Prairie grouse leks and wind turbines US Fish and Wildlife Service justification for a 5-mile buffer from leks additional grassland songbird recommendations Division of Migratory Bird Management USFWS Arlington VA peer-reviewed briefing paper
Martin GR 2011 Understanding bird collisions with man-made objects a sensory ecology approach Ibis 153(2)239-254
Morkill AE and SH Anderson 1991 Effectiveness of marking powerlines to reduce sandhill crane collisions Wildlife Society Bulletin 19 442-449
Murphy RK SM McPherron GD Wright and KL Serbousek 2009 Effectiveness of avian collision averters in preventing migratory bird fatality from powerline strikes in the central Platte River Nebraska 2008-2009 Final Report
Nagy L B Gibson K L Kosciuch J Jones and J Taylor 2011 Whooping and Sandhill Crane Behavior at an Operating Wind Farm Poster presented at American Wind Energy Association Annual Meeting Pasadena CA
Orloff S and A Flannery 1992 Wind turbine effects on avian activity habitat use and mortality in Altamont Pass and Solano County Wind Resource Areas 1989-1991 Final
17 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
report prepared by Biosystems Analysis Inc for Alameda Contra Costa and Solano Counties and the California Energy Commission
Pearce-Higgins JW L Stephen A Douse and RHW Langston 2012 Greater impacts of wind farms on bird populations during construction than subsequent operation results of a multi-site and multi-species analysis Journal of Applied Ecology 49 386-394
Pickwell B 1931 The prairie horned lark St Louis Academy of Sciences Transactions 271shy153
Pitman JC CA Hagen RJ Robel TM Loughin and RD Applegate 2005 Location and success of lesser prairie-chicken nests in relation to vegetation and human disturbance Journal of Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Pruett CL MA Patten and DH Wolfe 2009 Avoidance Behavior by Prairie Grouse Implications for Development of Wind Energy Conservation Biology 231253-1259
Sauer J R J E Hines J E Fallon K L Pardieck D J Ziolkowski Jr and W A Link 2011 The North American Breeding Bird Survey Results and Analysis 1966 - 2010 Version 12072011 USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center Laurel MD
Shaffer JA and DH Johnson 2009 Displacement effects of wind developments on grassland birds in the northern Great Plains NWCC Wind Wildlife Conference [Presentation] October 2008 Milwaukee WI Prepared for NWCC by SS Schwartz and Published 2009 Available online at httpswwwnationalwindorgassetsresearch_meetingsResearch_Meeting_VII_Shaffer pdf
Strickland MD EB Arnett WP Erickson DH Johnson GD Johnson ML Morrison JA Shaffer and W Warren-Hicks 2011 Comprehensive Guide to Studying Wind EnergyWildlife Interactions Prepared for the National Wind Coordinating Collaborative Washington DC httpwwwnationalwindorgassetspublicationsComprehensive_Guide_to_Studying_Wi nd_Energy_Wildlife_Interactions_2011_Updatedpdf Accessed November 2011
Strickland D and ML Morrison 2008 A summary of avianwind facility interactions in the US Federal Guidelines Committee for Wind Siting Guidelines February 26 2008 Washington DC
Tetra Tech 2012 Database of publicly available post-construction fatality rates and records of bird and bat fatality at North American wind projects Unpublished report
Tetra Tech 2011 Native Prairie Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Burleigh County North Dakota Submitted to Wilton IV Wind Energy Center October 2011
Thelander CG KS Smallwood and L Rugge 2003 Bird Risk Behaviors and Fatalities at the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area Period of Performance March 1998-December 2000
Thompson WL 2002 Towards reliable bird surveys accounting for individuals present but not detected Auk 11918-25
TRC Environmental Corporation 2008 Post-Construction Avian and Bat Fatality Monitoring and Grassland Bird Displacement Surveys at the Judith Gap Wind Energy Project
18 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Wheatland County Montana Prepared for Judith Gap Energy LLC Chicago Illinois TRC Environmental Corporation Laramie Wyoming TRC Project 51883-01 (112416) January 2008 httpwwwnewwestnetpdfsAvianBatFatalityMonitoringpdf
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USFWS 2011a Flyways Retrieved from httpflywaysusflywaysinfo Accessed June 25 2012
USFWS 2011b ESA Basics More Than 30 Years of Conserving Endangered Species Retrieved from httpwwwfwsgovendangeredesa-librarypdfESA_basicspdf
USFWS 2011c Draft Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance Released January 2011
USFWS 2009 Eagle Permits Take Necessary to Protect Interests in Particular Localities Final Rules 50 CFR Parts 13 and 22
WEST (Western EcoSystems Technology Inc) 2011 Presentation at the Northwest Wind Energy and Wildlife Workshop June 7-8 2011 Portland Oregon
Wenck Associates Inc (Wenck) 2012 Wilton IV spring sharp-tailed grouse lek survey Report submitted to Tetra Tech EC Inc May 2012
Whitfield DP and M Madders 2006 Flight height in the hen harrier Circus cyaneus and its incorporation in wind turbine collision risk modeling Natural Research Information Note 2 Natural Research Ltd Banchory UK
People who contributed to the writing of this report
Jim Kowalsky July 17 2012
Report Author Date
Jennifer Taylor July 19 2012
Peer Review 1 Date
Chris Farmer August 3 2012
Peer Review 2 Date
Anne-Marie Griger August 9 2012
Deputy Project Manager Date
Robert Friedel July 13 2012
GIS Date
19 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
FIGURES
20 August 2012
B
Knife River
James River
Random Creek
Pipestem Creek
Heart River Long Lake Creek
Rocky Run
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Little Heart River
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h St N
E
66Th
St N
E
171S
t St N
E
132N
d St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
41St
St NE
66Th
St N
E
80Th
St N
E
93Rd
St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
106T
h St N
E
171S
t St N
E
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
PC 01
PC 02
PC 03
PC 04
PC 05 PC 06
PC 07
064
014
057
064
021 007
029
155000 O 0 1 2 3 4 505 Miles
PGI
S _P R
O J E C
T S N
e xt E
r a Wi
lto n _
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X D s A
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Last
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TETR A TECH EC INC
Figure 6Raptor mean use by point
count location (Spring 2012)
Rapto r s p e r 2 0 m in u te s 00 1- 01 6 01 7 - 0 32 03 3 - 0 48
04 9 - 0 64
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
A Pro po sed tu rbin e (9 -21 -20 11 )Lo ca l Ro a d
Mean use value PC Point count number
Burleigh County ND
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
Last modified 7-10-2012
NEXTENERGY RESOURCES
240th Ave Ne 240th Ave Ne
240th Ave Ne
266th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
279Th Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE
292Nd Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
52Nd
St N
E
197T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
66Th
St N
E
188Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
106T
h St N
E
253Rd Ave NE
292Nd Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
132N
d St N
E
26Th
St N
E
266Th Ave NE
253Rd Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
93Rd
St N
E
145T
h St N
E 14
5Th S
t NE
132N
d St N
E
41St
St NE
210T
h St N
E
119T
h St N
E
106T
h St N
E
171S
t St N
E 17
1St S
t NE
188Th Ave NE
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE 227Th Ave NE
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
201St Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
Figure 7 Raptor nest and lek location
map (Spring 2012)NEXTENERGY
RESOURCES
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
5 Burleigh County ND
Last modified 7-10-2012 A A
A A
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
AAA A A A A A
A A
Pro po sed tu rbi(9 -21 -20 11 )
n e A A
A A
Lo ca l Ro a d Sh arp -tailed
le k A4
A AA gro use
Raptor nest s pecies Re d-taile d h a wk
1
A
A
A A
Sw ain so n s h a wk 3 A
Ina ctive ra ptor A
9 A
A
A A AA
A A 7 28
A A A A
A A A A
A A AA AA
AAA AA
A A A
A A
A A A A
A
PGI
S _P R
O J E C
T S N
e xt E
r a Wi
lto n _
IVM
X D s A
vi an2
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pr in g
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ap s N
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W ilto
n 4 _ A
vi a n S
u r ve y
_ F ig u
r e7_ R
apL e
k_ 17
i11i_2
0120
710 m
xd -
Last
S av e
d 723
2 0 1 2
6
66T h
St N
E
O 165000 NAD 1983 UTM 14 0 05 1 2 3 4 5 Miles
TETR A TECH EC INC
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
TABLES
21 August 2012
Table 1 Spring 2012 point count survey dates at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Date(s)Survey number
1 316 2 321 3 326 4 44 5 410 6 420 7 427 8 53 9 512 10 519 11 526 12 62 13 69 14 615
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Songbirds
unidentified sparrow 652 7 665 (000-1339) 41 313 121 red-winged blackbird 548 52 559 (036-1082) 378 263 102 horned lark 173 83 177 (136-218) 612 83 32 American crow 159 22 162 (027-297) 204 76 30 common grackle 91 33 093 (035-151) 245 44 17 western meadowlark 80 62 082 (065-099) 480 38 15 European starling 80 1 082 (000-216) 10 38 15 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 082 (029-135) 82 38 15 barn swallow 44 21 045 (028-062) 204 21 08 bobolink 36 28 037 (022-052) 194 17 07 American goldfinch 26 23 027 (018-036) 214 12 05 vesper sparrow 23 21 023 (013-033) 184 11 04 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 019 (010-028) 143 09 04 American robin 19 19 019 (011-027) 143 09 04 house sparrow 15 5 015 (000-030) 51 07 03 American tree sparrow 8 2 008 (000-018) 20 04 01 song sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 savannah sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 dickcissel 5 4 005 (000-010) 31 02 01 western kingbird 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 01 01 pine siskin 3 1 003 (000-008) 10 01 01 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 eastern kingbird 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 yellow warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 unidentified warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 house wren 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 Group Total 2083 430 2126 (1259-2993) 949 387
Waterfowl
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations
Canada goose 1408 24 1437 (435-2439) 133 874 262 snow goose 184 2 188 (000-490) 20 114 34 mallard 12 6 012 (004-020) 61 07 02 northern pintail 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 blue-winged teal 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 American wigeon 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 redhead 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 01 00 Group Total 1611 36 1644 (561-2727) 184 300
CranesRails sandhill crane 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 1000 201 Group Total 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 201
GullsTerns Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 283 (013-553) 31 986 52 ring-billed gull 4 3 004 (000-008) 31 14 01 Group Total 281 7 287 (017-557) 61 52
Gamebirds ring-necked pheasant 148 134 151 (128-174) 745 967 28 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 20 01 gray partridge 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 13 00 Group Total 153 138 156 (132-180) 755 28
PigeonsDoves rock pigeon 40 6 041 (009-073) 61 513 07 mourning dove 38 25 039 (019-059) 184 487 07 Group Total 78 31 080 (041-119) 224 15
Waterbirds killdeer 28 22 029 (017-041) 214 538 05 upland sandpiper 8 8 008 (003-013) 71 154 01 common snipe 8 8 008 (002-014) 61 154 01 Wilsons snipe 4 4 004 (000-008) 31 77 01 American coot 4 1 004 (000-011) 10 77 01 Group Total 52 43 053 (037-069) 357 10
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Raptors
red-tailed hawk 16 12 016 (008-024) 122 444 03 northern harrier 16 14 016 (009-023) 143 444 03 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 peregrine falcon 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 great horned owl 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 American kestrel 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 Group Total 36 30 037 (025-049) 276 07
Woodpeckers northern flicker 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 1000 00 Group Total 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 00 Grand Total 5376 735 5486 (3771-7200)
1 A ranking of 1 indicates highest mean use
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Canada goose 1408 24 210 80 523 140 210 135 110 sandhill crane 1080 18 94 18 621 15 187 145 0 unidentified sparrow 652 7 0 0 0 0 330 210 112 red-winged blackbird 548 52 0 84 49 386 14 11 4 Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 107 0 100 70 0 0 0 snow goose 184 2 0 180 4 0 0 0 0 horned lark 173 83 23 24 17 12 19 32 46 American crow 159 22 6 4 13 11 1 123 1 ring-necked pheasant 148 134 21 14 21 18 25 22 27 common grackle 91 33 6 35 7 2 8 33 0 western meadowlark 80 62 8 10 17 3 11 19 12 European starling 80 1 0 0 0 80 0 0 0 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 0 63 17 0 0 0 0 barn swallow 44 21 3 12 6 10 7 1 5 rock pigeon 40 6 0 14 0 0 0 23 3 mourning dove 38 25 4 17 1 1 1 11 3 bobolink 36 28 10 0 14 8 0 0 4 killdeer 28 22 3 3 4 5 10 0 3 American goldfinch 26 23 4 9 3 3 4 2 1 vesper sparrow 23 21 1 7 1 2 9 1 2 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 2 4 2 0 6 4 1 American robin 19 19 1 13 0 1 3 0 1 red-tailed hawk 16 12 4 0 4 5 0 1 2 northern harrier 16 14 3 1 4 4 2 0 2 house sparrow 15 5 2 13 0 0 0 0 0 mallard 12 6 0 0 6 6 0 0 0 upland sandpiper 8 8 0 0 1 0 3 2 2 common snipe 8 8 0 2 6 0 0 0 0 American tree sparrow 8 2 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 song sparrow 5 5 1 1 1 0 2 0 0 savannah sparrow 5 5 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 dickcissel 5 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 Wilsons snipe 4 4 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 ring-billed gull 4 3 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 American coot 4 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 western kingbird 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 pine siskin 3 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 northern pintail 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
northern flicker 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 gray partridge 2 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 eastern kingbird 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 blue-winged teal 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 American wigeon 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 yellow warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 unidentified warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 redhead 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 peregrine falcon 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 house wren 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 great horned owl 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 American kestrel 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Grand Total 5376 735 526 620 1452 794 859 776 349
Table 4 Summary of avian flight heights1 in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)2 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Birds
Number Percentage
Non-raptors
Raptors
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
1656 372
2023 455
767 173
3 91
13 394
17 515 1 Includes only flying birds with flight height data2These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
Canada goose 654 (435 - 2439) 1437 997 537 457 06 unidentified sparrow 632 (000 - 1339) 665 1000 00 951 49 sandhill crane 368 (083 - 2121) 1102 999 665 335 00 Franklinrsquos gull 283 (013 - 553) 283 1000 00 1000 00 European starling 082 (000 - 216) 082 1000 00 1000 00 American crow 024 (027 - 297) 162 943 00 160 840 red-tailed hawk 013 (008 - 024) 016 938 133 867 00 brown-headed cowbird 008 (029 - 135) 082 125 00 800 200 red-winged blackbird 005 (036 - 1082) 559 261 00 35 965 Wilsons snipe 002 (000 - 008) 004 500 00 1000 00 blue-winged teal 002 (000 - 005) 002 1000 00 1000 00 mallard 002 (004 - 020) 012 500 00 333 667 ring-billed gull 001 (000 - 008) 004 1000 00 250 750 yellow warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 yellow-headed blackbird 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 western meadowlark 000 (065 - 099) 082 338 00 00 1000 western kingbird 000 (000 - 007) 003 1000 00 00 1000 vesper sparrow 000 (013 - 033) 023 130 00 00 1000 upland sandpiper 000 (003 - 013) 008 250 00 00 1000 unidentified warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 Swainsonrsquos hawk 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 sharp-tailed grouse 000 (000 - 007) 003 667 00 00 1000 song sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 snow goose 000 (000 - 490) 188 1000 1000 00 00 savannah sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 rock pigeon 000 (009 - 073) 041 825 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
ring-necked pheasant 000 (128 - 174) 151 07 00 00 1000 redhead 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 pine siskin 000 (000 - 008) 003 1000 00 00 1000 peregrine falcon 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 1000 00 00 northern pintail 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 northern harrier 000 (009 - 023) 016 1000 00 00 1000 northern flicker 000 (000 - 004) 002 500 00 00 1000 mourning dove 000 (019 - 059) 039 684 00 00 1000 killdeer 000 (017 - 041) 029 607 00 00 1000 house wren 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 house sparrow 000 (000 - 030) 015 67 00 00 1000 horned lark 000 (136 - 218) 177 740 00 00 1000 grasshopper sparrow 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 gray partridge 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 great horned owl 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 eastern kingbird 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 dickcissel 000 (000 - 010) 005 00 00 00 00 common snipe 000 (002 - 014) 008 00 00 00 00 common grackle 000 (035 - 151) 093 945 00 00 1000 clay-colored sparrow 000 (010 - 028) 019 158 00 00 1000 bobolink 000 (022 - 052) 037 917 00 00 1000 barn swallow 000 (028 - 062) 045 1000 00 00 1000 American tree sparrow 000 (000 - 018) 008 1000 00 00 1000 American wigeon 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 American robin 000 (011 - 027) 019 421 00 00 1000 American kestrel 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
American goldfinch 000 027 (018 - 036) 923 00 00 1000American coot 000 004 (000 - 011) 00 00 00 001These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 6 Incidental observations of birds during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species
American crow American kestrel American robin Canada goose great horned owl golden eagle gray partridge lesser scaup mallard merlin northern harrier rock pigeon red-tailed hawk red-winged blackbird sandhill crane sharp-tailed grouse wild turkey
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
APPENDICES
22 August 2012
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number of Birds1
Number of
Observations Species
Percentage of Flights
N NE E SE S SW W NW Variable
Canada goose 1398 21 867 00 00 00 02 00 17 114 00
sandhill crane 1079 17 878 52 00 00 00 00 00 70 00
unidentified sparrow 565 5 00 00 00 788 212 00 00 00 00
Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
snow goose 184 2 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
European starling 80 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
American crow 69 11 768 58 58 00 14 43 00 14 43
red-winged blackbird 15 6 533 00 00 200 267 00 00 00 00
red-tailed hawk 14 10 500 143 00 71 00 71 00 71 143
rock pigeon 11 2 00 00 00 00 273 727 00 00 00
northern harrier 9 8 111 00 00 333 00 222 00 111 222
mourning dove 9 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
common grackle 9 6 111 00 00 111 00 222 556 00 00
brown-headed cowbird 8 1 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
horned lark 6 3 833 00 00 167 00 00 00 00 00
ring-billed gull 4 3 250 00 00 00 00 750 00 00 00
Wilsons snipe 2 2 500 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 500
vesper sparrow 2 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
mallard 2 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
blue-winged teal 2 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
peregrine falcon 1 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
killdeer 1 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
Grand Total 3747 108 722 17 04 121 36 05 30 64 02 1 Includes only flying birds with flight directions
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Nest Number Species Substrate
Nest ConditionStatusDates
Surveyed Nest
Height (m) 2012 - 1 452012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good
5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 4 592012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good 5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 5 5192012 Swainsonrsquos hawk Active Siberian Elm 7 Good
NA means not applicable
Wenck Associates Inc 301 1
st St NE Suite 202
Mandan ND 58554
Phone 701-751-3370 Email jaskimwenckcom
May 7 2012
Tracey M Dubuque PE Senior Project Manager
Tetra Tech EC
160 Federal Street Third Floor
Boston MA 02110
Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Dear Tracey
Introduction
Male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) congregate at historicalcommunal leks in the spring
to compete for breeding opportunities Both sexes return to their natal breeding grounds yearly for their
entire life Leks are typically found in areas with low-growing vegetation on a hill knoll or other point of
high visibility Fidelity to these locations is extremely high for sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse
require nesting habitat within close proximity the lek comprised of dense or residual vegetative cover to
conceal and protect their nest from predators (Vodehnal and Haufler 2007)
Disturbance of nesting prairie grouse may occur from the construction of the turbine andor access road
construction noise and physical movement of equipment Loss of habitat and fragmentation related to
energy exploration may affect local prairie grouse populations by decreasing the area of habitat available
for nesting and brood-rearing and by increasing predation (Pittman et al 2005) Therefore federal and
state wildlife agencies are concerned about the placement of turbines in areas with known prairie grouse
populations Turbine setbacks from leks and minimizing grouse habitat disturbance may reduce the direct
and indirect effects of energy development on grouse
Methods
Sharp-tailed grouse surveys were completed from April 10th to May 1
st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise
to two hours after sunrise within the one-mile analysis area (Figure 1) Peak attendance by females on leks
typically occurs from April 15 to 25 but these dates vary by up to a week depending on weather conditions
(Schroeder and Robb 1993) Peak attendance potentially occurred earlier this year due to the early spring
A habitat assessment analysis was conducted prior to the field survey to determine suitable lekkingnesting
habitat within the analysis area (Figure 2) Listening stops were made within a one-mile analysis area
surrounding the proposed project area to identify lek locations (Figure 3) Sharp-tailed grouse males may
be heard at a distance of up to 050 mile Listening stops were not conducted if winds exceeded 10 miles
per hour (mph) or during precipitation events After a lek was located the birds were observed and the
number of males and females were counted Lek locations were documented using Global Positioning
System (GPS) Given the sensitive nature of this species and the fact that females may be nesting near the
lek disturbance to breeding prairie grouse was kept to a minimum
Results
Nine (9) sharp-tailed grouse leks were located during the surveys conducted from April 10th to May 1
st
2012 (Figure 4) Date time sex number of birds present wind conditions air temperature and GPS
coordinates were recorded once a lek was located (Tables 1 and 2) Two of the leks observed were
located outside of the analysis area Due to Lek 1rsquos close proximity to Lek 4 Lek 1 shouldbe classified
as a satellite lek No visual confirmation of Lek 6 was made due to access and topography
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
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Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Additionally Canada goose has a low number of fatality observations (less than 6 records of
post-construction fatalities from 27 studies Tetra Tech 2012)
The remaining non-raptor species detected during spring surveys have low risk for turbine
collisions at the Project due to a combination of relatively low mean-use rates infrequent flight
within the height of the RSA andor few or no records of fatalities at other wind facilities with
publically available results of fatality data
42 RAPTOR USE AND COLLISION RISK
High raptor use (greater than 20 birds20 min) has been associated with high raptor fatality at
wind farms (Strickland et al 2011) Conversely raptor fatality appears to be low when raptor use
is low (less than 10 birds20 min Strickland et al 2011) which is the case for raptor use at the
Project A factor contributing to the low raptor use of the Project area may be the number of
active raptor nests detected during nests surveys Because raptor activity is typically higher near
active nests than areas without active nests and raptors may have increased potential for
collision as they repeatedly fly within the Project area during nesting activities
Red-tailed hawks and northern harriers were the raptor species with the highest mean use and
were also among the most frequently detected raptor species at the Project Both species are
commonly associated with agricultural and grassland habitats which provide opportunities for
foraging an activity associated with susceptibility to turbine-collisions (Thelander et al 2003)
In a recent study of raptor response to wind farms northern harriers were identified as having a
low risk flight behavior for collisions whereas red-tailed hawks were observed engaging in high-
risk flight behaviors at operational wind facilities (Garvin et al 2011) Risks of collision for
northern harriers are believed to be low because the majority of foraging flights occur below
typical RSA heights (Whitfield and Madders 2006) Thus risk of turbine-related fatalities at the
Project is expected to be low given the low level of use As a result Project-related fatalities of
northern harrier should they occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts because
northern harriers are common nationwide (Sauer et al 2011) Results from post-construction
fatality monitoring studies indicate that red-tailed hawks are frequently found as turbine-related
fatalities (228 records of red-tailed hawk from 27 studies - Tetra Tech 2012 Jain 2005 Grodsky
and Drake 2011 Johnson and Erickson 2011) However Garvin et al (2011) documented that
red-tailed hawks despite high-risk flight behavior also demonstrated collision avoidance
behavior (Garvin et al 2011) Thus risk of turbine-related fatalities at the Project exists for red-
tailed hawks but turbine-related fatalities would be expected to be low given the low level of use
and low number of nests detected within the Project area and 1-mile buffer Project-related
fatalities of red-tailed hawk should they occur are unlikely to have population-level impacts
because red-tailed hawks are common nationwide (Sauer et al 2011)
13 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Two other raptor species detected during spring surveys (Swainsonrsquos hawk and American
kestrel) have been recorded as fatalities at other wind facilities (Derby 2007 Gritski et al 2008
Johnson and Erickson 2011) Peregrine falcon and great-horned owl have not been recorded as
fatalities observed at wind farms with publicly available fatality data All are likely have low risk
for turbine collisions at the Project due to the relatively very low mean-use rates
43 LISTED SPECIES
No federal listed threatened or endangered species were detected incidentally during avian point
count raptor or lek surveys One adult golden eagle was detected as an incidental observation
The golden eagle is protected under the BGEPA Although applications for incidental take
permits are available none have been issued to date Projects that are applying for permits have
are those with a perceived high risk of eagle fatality or have an additional permitting requirement
based on land ownership Consultation with the USFWS would provide further information on
local interpretation of the Draft Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance (USFWS 2011c)
No state listed designated species with regulatory implications were detected during surveys
However all native migratory avian species are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of
1918
44 CONCLUSIONS
Results of the 2012 spring avian surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center suggest an overall
low impact of the Project on the local avian community The high mean-use rate at the Project by
non-raptors is primarily driven by a few common residents and migratory species not commonly
reported as fatalities at wind energy facilities with results from post-construction fatality
monitoring Raptor use was relatively low for each raptor species detected Although there is
potential for turbine-related fatalities of Canada goose sandhill crane horned lark western
meadowlark red-winged blackbird red-tailed hawk and Franklinrsquos gull at the Project fatalities
are not expected to have population-level impacts If avian fatality rates are similar to other wind
facilities within the region we would expect them to fall between 044 ndash 1183 birdsturbineyear
(049 ndash 717 birdsMWyear) Additionally the potential for turbine-related fatalities exists for
nocturnal migrant species not identifiable by the methods of this study
No federally listed threatened or endangered species were detected incidentally during avian
point count raptor or lek surveys One adult golden eagle was detected as an incidental
observation The golden eagle is protected under the BGEPA A total of 9 sharp-tailed grouse
leks were located within the Project area and 1-mile buffer Four of the leks are within the
Project area indicating a moderate use of the Project area by the species No state listed
designated species with regulatory implications were detected during surveys However all
native migratory avian species are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918
14 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
50 REFERENCES
Arnold TW and RM Zink 2011 Collision mortality has no discernible effect on population trends of North American Birds PLoS ONE 6 e24708 doi101371journalpone0024708
Arnett EB DB Inkley DH Johnson RP Larkin S Manes AM Manville JR Mason ML Morrison MD Strickland and R Thresher 2007 Impacts of wind energy facilities on wildlife and wildlife habitat Wildlife Society Technical Review 07-2 The Wildlife Society Bethesda MA
Ballam JM 1984 The use of soaring by the red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) Auk 3519shy524
Beveridge L J 2005 The Migratory Bird Treaty Act and wind development North American Wind Power September36-38
BHE Environmental Inc 2010 Post-Construction Bird and Bat Mortality Study Cedar Ridge Wind Farm Fond Du Lac County Wisconsin Interim Report prepared for Wisconsin Power and Light Madison Wisconsin Prepared by BHE Environmental Inc Cincinnati Ohio February 2010
Bryce SA JM Omernik DA Pater M Ulmer J Schaar J Freeouf R Johnson P Kuck and SH Azevedo 1996 Ecoregions of North Dakota and South Dakota (color poster with map descriptive text summary tables and photographs) Reston Virginia US Geological Survey (map scale 11500000)
Devereux CL MJH Denny and MJ Whittingham 2008 Minimal effects of wind turbines on the distribution of wintering farmland birds Journal of Applied Ecology 451689shy1694
Drewitt AL and RHW Langston 2008 Collision effects of wind-power generators and other obstacles on birds Pages 233-266 in R S Ostfeld and W H Schlesinger editors Year in Ecology and Conservation Biology 2008 Blackwell Publishing Oxford
Drewitt AL and RHW Langston 2006 Assessing the impacts of wind farms on birds Ibis 14829-42
Derby C A Dahl W Erickson K Bay and J Hoban 2007 Post-Construction Monitoring Report for Avian and Bat Mortality at the NPPD Ainsworth Wind Farm Prepared for Nebraska Public Power District Columbus NE 24 pgs
Erickson WP GD Johnson and DP Young Jr 2005 A summary and comparison of bird mortality from anthropogenic causes with an emphasis on collisions USDA Forest Service Gen Tech Rep PSW-GTR-191
Erickson WP GD Johnson MD Strickland DP Young Jr KJ Sernka and R E Good 2001 Avian collisions with wind turbines a summary of existing studies and comparisons to other sources of avian collision mortality in the United States National Wind Coordinating Committee Washington DC Accessed at httpwwwnationalwindorgassetsarchiveAvian_Collisions_with_Wind_Turbines_shy_A_Summary_of_Existing_Studies_and_Comparisons_to_Other_Sources_of_Avian_Col lision_Mortality_in_the_United_States__2001_pdf
15 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Faanes CA and RE Stewart 1982 Revised checklist of North Dakota birds Version 16JUL97 The Prairie Naturalist 14(3)81-92 Jamestown ND Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Online Available online at httpwwwnpwrcusgsgovresourcebirdschndbirdindexhtm Accessed July 2012
Ferrer M M de Lucas GFE Janss E Casado AR Muntildeoz MJ Bechard and CP Calabuig 2012 Weak relationship between risk assessment studies and recorded mortality in wind farms Journal of Applied Ecology 49(1) 38-46 Available online at httponlinelibrarywileycomdoi101111j1365-2664201102054xpdf
Garvin J C Jennelle C S Drake D and Grodsky S M (2011) Response of raptors to a windfarm Journal of Applied Ecology 48 199ndash209
Gritski B S Downes K Kronner 2008 White Creek Wind I Wildlife Monitoring Annual Summary Winter 2007-2008 through Fall 2008 Prepared for White Creek Wind I LLC Roosevelt WA 25 pgs
Grodsky SM and D Drake 2011 Assessing Bird and Bat Mortality at the Forward Energy Center Final Report Public Service Commission (PSC) of Wisconsin PSC REF152052 Prepared for Forward Energy LLC Prepared by Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison Wisconsin August 2011
Gruver J M Sonnenburg K Bay and W Erickson 2009 Post-Construction Bat and Bird Fatality Study at the Blue Sky Green Field Wind Energy Center Fond Du Lac County Wisconsin July 21 - October 31 2008 and March 15 - June 4 2009 Unpublished report prepared by Western EcoSystems Technology Inc (WEST) Cheyenne Wyoming December 17 2009
Hagen CA JC Pitman TM Loughin BK Sandercock and RJ Robel 2011 Impacts of anthropogenic features on lesser prairie-chicken habitat use Studies in Avian Biology 39 63-75
Hagen SK PT Isakson and SR Dyke 2005 North Dakota Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy North Dakota Game and Fish Department Bismarck ND
Howe RW W Evans and AT Wolf 2002 Effects of Wind Turbines on Birds and Bats in Northeastern Wisconsin Prepared by University of Wisconsin-Green Bay for Wisconsin Public Service Corporation and Madison Gas and Electric Company Madison Wisconsin November 21 2002 104 pp
Jain AA RR Koford AW Hancockand GG Zenner 2011 Bat Mortality and Activity at a Northern Iowa Wind Resource Area Am Mid Natur 165 185-200
Jain A P Kerlinger R Curry and L Slobodnik 2007 Annual report for the Maple Ridge wind power project post-construction bird and bat fatality studymdash2006 Prepared by Curry and Kerlinger LLC for PPM Energy Horizon Energy and Technical Advisory Committee for the Maple Ridge Project
Jain AA 2005 Bird and Bat Behavior and Mortality at a Northern Iowa Windfarm Thesis submitted to Iowa State University Ames IA 113 pgs
16 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Johnson GD C LeBeau R Neilsen T Rintz and J Eddy 2012 Greater Sage-Grouse Habitat Use and Population Demographics at the Simpson Ridge Wind Resource Area Carbon County Wyoming Final Report prepared for EBP Renewables Houston Texas
Johnson GD and WP Erickson 2011 Avian Bat and Habitat Cumulative Impacts Associated with Wind Energy Development in the Columbia Plateau Ecoregion of Eastern Washington and Oregon Prepared by West Inc for Klickitat County Washington
Johnson DH MJ Holloran JW Connelly SE Hanser CL Amundson and ST Knick 2011 Influences of Environmental and Anthropogenic Features on Greater Sage-grouse Populations 1997-2007 Pages 407-450 in ST Knick and JW Connelly Greater Sage-Grouse ecology and conservation of a landscape species and its habitat Studies in Avian Biology 38 University of California Press Berkeley CA
Johnson GD WP Erickson MD Strickland MF Shepherd DA Shepherd and SA Sarappo 2002 Collision mortality of local and migrant birds at a large-scale wind power development on Buffalo Ridge Minnesota Wildlife Society Bulletin 30879-887
Johnson GD WP Erickson MD Strickland MF Shepherd and DA Shepherd 2000 Avian Monitoring Studies at the Buffalo Ridge Wind Resource Area Minnesota Results of a 4-Year Study Final report prepared for Northern States Power Company Minneapolis Minnesota by Western EcoSystems Technology Inc (WEST) Cheyenne Wyoming September 22 2000 212 pp httpwwwwest-inccom
Kerns J and P Kerlinger 2004 A study of bird and bat collision fatalities at the Mountaineer Wind Energy Center Tucker County West Virginia Annual report for 2003 Technical report prepared by Curry and Kerlinger LLC for FPL Energy and Mountaineer Wind Energy Center Technical Review Committee
Leddy KL KF Higgins and DE Naugle 1999 Effects of wind turbines on upland nesting birds in CRP grasslands Wilson Bulletin 111100-104
Manville AM II 2004 Prairie grouse leks and wind turbines US Fish and Wildlife Service justification for a 5-mile buffer from leks additional grassland songbird recommendations Division of Migratory Bird Management USFWS Arlington VA peer-reviewed briefing paper
Martin GR 2011 Understanding bird collisions with man-made objects a sensory ecology approach Ibis 153(2)239-254
Morkill AE and SH Anderson 1991 Effectiveness of marking powerlines to reduce sandhill crane collisions Wildlife Society Bulletin 19 442-449
Murphy RK SM McPherron GD Wright and KL Serbousek 2009 Effectiveness of avian collision averters in preventing migratory bird fatality from powerline strikes in the central Platte River Nebraska 2008-2009 Final Report
Nagy L B Gibson K L Kosciuch J Jones and J Taylor 2011 Whooping and Sandhill Crane Behavior at an Operating Wind Farm Poster presented at American Wind Energy Association Annual Meeting Pasadena CA
Orloff S and A Flannery 1992 Wind turbine effects on avian activity habitat use and mortality in Altamont Pass and Solano County Wind Resource Areas 1989-1991 Final
17 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
report prepared by Biosystems Analysis Inc for Alameda Contra Costa and Solano Counties and the California Energy Commission
Pearce-Higgins JW L Stephen A Douse and RHW Langston 2012 Greater impacts of wind farms on bird populations during construction than subsequent operation results of a multi-site and multi-species analysis Journal of Applied Ecology 49 386-394
Pickwell B 1931 The prairie horned lark St Louis Academy of Sciences Transactions 271shy153
Pitman JC CA Hagen RJ Robel TM Loughin and RD Applegate 2005 Location and success of lesser prairie-chicken nests in relation to vegetation and human disturbance Journal of Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Pruett CL MA Patten and DH Wolfe 2009 Avoidance Behavior by Prairie Grouse Implications for Development of Wind Energy Conservation Biology 231253-1259
Sauer J R J E Hines J E Fallon K L Pardieck D J Ziolkowski Jr and W A Link 2011 The North American Breeding Bird Survey Results and Analysis 1966 - 2010 Version 12072011 USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center Laurel MD
Shaffer JA and DH Johnson 2009 Displacement effects of wind developments on grassland birds in the northern Great Plains NWCC Wind Wildlife Conference [Presentation] October 2008 Milwaukee WI Prepared for NWCC by SS Schwartz and Published 2009 Available online at httpswwwnationalwindorgassetsresearch_meetingsResearch_Meeting_VII_Shaffer pdf
Strickland MD EB Arnett WP Erickson DH Johnson GD Johnson ML Morrison JA Shaffer and W Warren-Hicks 2011 Comprehensive Guide to Studying Wind EnergyWildlife Interactions Prepared for the National Wind Coordinating Collaborative Washington DC httpwwwnationalwindorgassetspublicationsComprehensive_Guide_to_Studying_Wi nd_Energy_Wildlife_Interactions_2011_Updatedpdf Accessed November 2011
Strickland D and ML Morrison 2008 A summary of avianwind facility interactions in the US Federal Guidelines Committee for Wind Siting Guidelines February 26 2008 Washington DC
Tetra Tech 2012 Database of publicly available post-construction fatality rates and records of bird and bat fatality at North American wind projects Unpublished report
Tetra Tech 2011 Native Prairie Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Burleigh County North Dakota Submitted to Wilton IV Wind Energy Center October 2011
Thelander CG KS Smallwood and L Rugge 2003 Bird Risk Behaviors and Fatalities at the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area Period of Performance March 1998-December 2000
Thompson WL 2002 Towards reliable bird surveys accounting for individuals present but not detected Auk 11918-25
TRC Environmental Corporation 2008 Post-Construction Avian and Bat Fatality Monitoring and Grassland Bird Displacement Surveys at the Judith Gap Wind Energy Project
18 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Wheatland County Montana Prepared for Judith Gap Energy LLC Chicago Illinois TRC Environmental Corporation Laramie Wyoming TRC Project 51883-01 (112416) January 2008 httpwwwnewwestnetpdfsAvianBatFatalityMonitoringpdf
USFWS (United States Fish and Wildlife Service) 2012 US Fish and Wildlife Service Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines Available from httpwwwfwsgovwindenergydocsWEG_finalpdf
USFWS 2011a Flyways Retrieved from httpflywaysusflywaysinfo Accessed June 25 2012
USFWS 2011b ESA Basics More Than 30 Years of Conserving Endangered Species Retrieved from httpwwwfwsgovendangeredesa-librarypdfESA_basicspdf
USFWS 2011c Draft Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance Released January 2011
USFWS 2009 Eagle Permits Take Necessary to Protect Interests in Particular Localities Final Rules 50 CFR Parts 13 and 22
WEST (Western EcoSystems Technology Inc) 2011 Presentation at the Northwest Wind Energy and Wildlife Workshop June 7-8 2011 Portland Oregon
Wenck Associates Inc (Wenck) 2012 Wilton IV spring sharp-tailed grouse lek survey Report submitted to Tetra Tech EC Inc May 2012
Whitfield DP and M Madders 2006 Flight height in the hen harrier Circus cyaneus and its incorporation in wind turbine collision risk modeling Natural Research Information Note 2 Natural Research Ltd Banchory UK
People who contributed to the writing of this report
Jim Kowalsky July 17 2012
Report Author Date
Jennifer Taylor July 19 2012
Peer Review 1 Date
Chris Farmer August 3 2012
Peer Review 2 Date
Anne-Marie Griger August 9 2012
Deputy Project Manager Date
Robert Friedel July 13 2012
GIS Date
19 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
FIGURES
20 August 2012
B
Knife River
James River
Random Creek
Pipestem Creek
Heart River Long Lake Creek
Rocky Run
Otter Creek
Turtle Cr eek
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Little Heart River
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Figure 3 Non-raptor mean use by survey date in Spring at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center M
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Figure 4Non-raptor mean use by point count location (Spring 2012)
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Figure 5 Raptor mean use by survey date in Spring 2012 at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
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Figure 6Raptor mean use by point
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Rapto r s p e r 2 0 m in u te s 00 1- 01 6 01 7 - 0 32 03 3 - 0 48
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Wilton IVWind Energy Center
Last modified 7-10-2012
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E
93Rd
St N
E
145T
h St N
E 14
5Th S
t NE
132N
d St N
E
41St
St NE
210T
h St N
E
119T
h St N
E
106T
h St N
E
171S
t St N
E 17
1St S
t NE
188Th Ave NE
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE 227Th Ave NE
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
201St Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
Figure 7 Raptor nest and lek location
map (Spring 2012)NEXTENERGY
RESOURCES
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
5 Burleigh County ND
Last modified 7-10-2012 A A
A A
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
AAA A A A A A
A A
Pro po sed tu rbi(9 -21 -20 11 )
n e A A
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Lo ca l Ro a d Sh arp -tailed
le k A4
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Raptor nest s pecies Re d-taile d h a wk
1
A
A
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Sw ain so n s h a wk 3 A
Ina ctive ra ptor A
9 A
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A A AA
A A 7 28
A A A A
A A A A
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A A A
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A A A A
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PGI
S _P R
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e xt E
r a Wi
lto n _
IVM
X D s A
vi an2
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pr in g
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n 4 _ A
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Last
S av e
d 723
2 0 1 2
6
66T h
St N
E
O 165000 NAD 1983 UTM 14 0 05 1 2 3 4 5 Miles
TETR A TECH EC INC
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
TABLES
21 August 2012
Table 1 Spring 2012 point count survey dates at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Date(s)Survey number
1 316 2 321 3 326 4 44 5 410 6 420 7 427 8 53 9 512 10 519 11 526 12 62 13 69 14 615
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Songbirds
unidentified sparrow 652 7 665 (000-1339) 41 313 121 red-winged blackbird 548 52 559 (036-1082) 378 263 102 horned lark 173 83 177 (136-218) 612 83 32 American crow 159 22 162 (027-297) 204 76 30 common grackle 91 33 093 (035-151) 245 44 17 western meadowlark 80 62 082 (065-099) 480 38 15 European starling 80 1 082 (000-216) 10 38 15 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 082 (029-135) 82 38 15 barn swallow 44 21 045 (028-062) 204 21 08 bobolink 36 28 037 (022-052) 194 17 07 American goldfinch 26 23 027 (018-036) 214 12 05 vesper sparrow 23 21 023 (013-033) 184 11 04 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 019 (010-028) 143 09 04 American robin 19 19 019 (011-027) 143 09 04 house sparrow 15 5 015 (000-030) 51 07 03 American tree sparrow 8 2 008 (000-018) 20 04 01 song sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 savannah sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 dickcissel 5 4 005 (000-010) 31 02 01 western kingbird 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 01 01 pine siskin 3 1 003 (000-008) 10 01 01 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 eastern kingbird 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 yellow warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 unidentified warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 house wren 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 Group Total 2083 430 2126 (1259-2993) 949 387
Waterfowl
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations
Canada goose 1408 24 1437 (435-2439) 133 874 262 snow goose 184 2 188 (000-490) 20 114 34 mallard 12 6 012 (004-020) 61 07 02 northern pintail 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 blue-winged teal 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 American wigeon 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 redhead 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 01 00 Group Total 1611 36 1644 (561-2727) 184 300
CranesRails sandhill crane 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 1000 201 Group Total 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 201
GullsTerns Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 283 (013-553) 31 986 52 ring-billed gull 4 3 004 (000-008) 31 14 01 Group Total 281 7 287 (017-557) 61 52
Gamebirds ring-necked pheasant 148 134 151 (128-174) 745 967 28 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 20 01 gray partridge 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 13 00 Group Total 153 138 156 (132-180) 755 28
PigeonsDoves rock pigeon 40 6 041 (009-073) 61 513 07 mourning dove 38 25 039 (019-059) 184 487 07 Group Total 78 31 080 (041-119) 224 15
Waterbirds killdeer 28 22 029 (017-041) 214 538 05 upland sandpiper 8 8 008 (003-013) 71 154 01 common snipe 8 8 008 (002-014) 61 154 01 Wilsons snipe 4 4 004 (000-008) 31 77 01 American coot 4 1 004 (000-011) 10 77 01 Group Total 52 43 053 (037-069) 357 10
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Raptors
red-tailed hawk 16 12 016 (008-024) 122 444 03 northern harrier 16 14 016 (009-023) 143 444 03 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 peregrine falcon 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 great horned owl 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 American kestrel 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 Group Total 36 30 037 (025-049) 276 07
Woodpeckers northern flicker 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 1000 00 Group Total 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 00 Grand Total 5376 735 5486 (3771-7200)
1 A ranking of 1 indicates highest mean use
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Canada goose 1408 24 210 80 523 140 210 135 110 sandhill crane 1080 18 94 18 621 15 187 145 0 unidentified sparrow 652 7 0 0 0 0 330 210 112 red-winged blackbird 548 52 0 84 49 386 14 11 4 Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 107 0 100 70 0 0 0 snow goose 184 2 0 180 4 0 0 0 0 horned lark 173 83 23 24 17 12 19 32 46 American crow 159 22 6 4 13 11 1 123 1 ring-necked pheasant 148 134 21 14 21 18 25 22 27 common grackle 91 33 6 35 7 2 8 33 0 western meadowlark 80 62 8 10 17 3 11 19 12 European starling 80 1 0 0 0 80 0 0 0 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 0 63 17 0 0 0 0 barn swallow 44 21 3 12 6 10 7 1 5 rock pigeon 40 6 0 14 0 0 0 23 3 mourning dove 38 25 4 17 1 1 1 11 3 bobolink 36 28 10 0 14 8 0 0 4 killdeer 28 22 3 3 4 5 10 0 3 American goldfinch 26 23 4 9 3 3 4 2 1 vesper sparrow 23 21 1 7 1 2 9 1 2 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 2 4 2 0 6 4 1 American robin 19 19 1 13 0 1 3 0 1 red-tailed hawk 16 12 4 0 4 5 0 1 2 northern harrier 16 14 3 1 4 4 2 0 2 house sparrow 15 5 2 13 0 0 0 0 0 mallard 12 6 0 0 6 6 0 0 0 upland sandpiper 8 8 0 0 1 0 3 2 2 common snipe 8 8 0 2 6 0 0 0 0 American tree sparrow 8 2 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 song sparrow 5 5 1 1 1 0 2 0 0 savannah sparrow 5 5 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 dickcissel 5 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 Wilsons snipe 4 4 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 ring-billed gull 4 3 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 American coot 4 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 western kingbird 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 pine siskin 3 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 northern pintail 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
northern flicker 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 gray partridge 2 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 eastern kingbird 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 blue-winged teal 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 American wigeon 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 yellow warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 unidentified warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 redhead 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 peregrine falcon 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 house wren 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 great horned owl 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 American kestrel 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Grand Total 5376 735 526 620 1452 794 859 776 349
Table 4 Summary of avian flight heights1 in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)2 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Birds
Number Percentage
Non-raptors
Raptors
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
1656 372
2023 455
767 173
3 91
13 394
17 515 1 Includes only flying birds with flight height data2These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
Canada goose 654 (435 - 2439) 1437 997 537 457 06 unidentified sparrow 632 (000 - 1339) 665 1000 00 951 49 sandhill crane 368 (083 - 2121) 1102 999 665 335 00 Franklinrsquos gull 283 (013 - 553) 283 1000 00 1000 00 European starling 082 (000 - 216) 082 1000 00 1000 00 American crow 024 (027 - 297) 162 943 00 160 840 red-tailed hawk 013 (008 - 024) 016 938 133 867 00 brown-headed cowbird 008 (029 - 135) 082 125 00 800 200 red-winged blackbird 005 (036 - 1082) 559 261 00 35 965 Wilsons snipe 002 (000 - 008) 004 500 00 1000 00 blue-winged teal 002 (000 - 005) 002 1000 00 1000 00 mallard 002 (004 - 020) 012 500 00 333 667 ring-billed gull 001 (000 - 008) 004 1000 00 250 750 yellow warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 yellow-headed blackbird 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 western meadowlark 000 (065 - 099) 082 338 00 00 1000 western kingbird 000 (000 - 007) 003 1000 00 00 1000 vesper sparrow 000 (013 - 033) 023 130 00 00 1000 upland sandpiper 000 (003 - 013) 008 250 00 00 1000 unidentified warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 Swainsonrsquos hawk 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 sharp-tailed grouse 000 (000 - 007) 003 667 00 00 1000 song sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 snow goose 000 (000 - 490) 188 1000 1000 00 00 savannah sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 rock pigeon 000 (009 - 073) 041 825 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
ring-necked pheasant 000 (128 - 174) 151 07 00 00 1000 redhead 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 pine siskin 000 (000 - 008) 003 1000 00 00 1000 peregrine falcon 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 1000 00 00 northern pintail 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 northern harrier 000 (009 - 023) 016 1000 00 00 1000 northern flicker 000 (000 - 004) 002 500 00 00 1000 mourning dove 000 (019 - 059) 039 684 00 00 1000 killdeer 000 (017 - 041) 029 607 00 00 1000 house wren 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 house sparrow 000 (000 - 030) 015 67 00 00 1000 horned lark 000 (136 - 218) 177 740 00 00 1000 grasshopper sparrow 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 gray partridge 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 great horned owl 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 eastern kingbird 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 dickcissel 000 (000 - 010) 005 00 00 00 00 common snipe 000 (002 - 014) 008 00 00 00 00 common grackle 000 (035 - 151) 093 945 00 00 1000 clay-colored sparrow 000 (010 - 028) 019 158 00 00 1000 bobolink 000 (022 - 052) 037 917 00 00 1000 barn swallow 000 (028 - 062) 045 1000 00 00 1000 American tree sparrow 000 (000 - 018) 008 1000 00 00 1000 American wigeon 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 American robin 000 (011 - 027) 019 421 00 00 1000 American kestrel 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
American goldfinch 000 027 (018 - 036) 923 00 00 1000American coot 000 004 (000 - 011) 00 00 00 001These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 6 Incidental observations of birds during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species
American crow American kestrel American robin Canada goose great horned owl golden eagle gray partridge lesser scaup mallard merlin northern harrier rock pigeon red-tailed hawk red-winged blackbird sandhill crane sharp-tailed grouse wild turkey
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
APPENDICES
22 August 2012
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number of Birds1
Number of
Observations Species
Percentage of Flights
N NE E SE S SW W NW Variable
Canada goose 1398 21 867 00 00 00 02 00 17 114 00
sandhill crane 1079 17 878 52 00 00 00 00 00 70 00
unidentified sparrow 565 5 00 00 00 788 212 00 00 00 00
Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
snow goose 184 2 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
European starling 80 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
American crow 69 11 768 58 58 00 14 43 00 14 43
red-winged blackbird 15 6 533 00 00 200 267 00 00 00 00
red-tailed hawk 14 10 500 143 00 71 00 71 00 71 143
rock pigeon 11 2 00 00 00 00 273 727 00 00 00
northern harrier 9 8 111 00 00 333 00 222 00 111 222
mourning dove 9 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
common grackle 9 6 111 00 00 111 00 222 556 00 00
brown-headed cowbird 8 1 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
horned lark 6 3 833 00 00 167 00 00 00 00 00
ring-billed gull 4 3 250 00 00 00 00 750 00 00 00
Wilsons snipe 2 2 500 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 500
vesper sparrow 2 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
mallard 2 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
blue-winged teal 2 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
peregrine falcon 1 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
killdeer 1 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
Grand Total 3747 108 722 17 04 121 36 05 30 64 02 1 Includes only flying birds with flight directions
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Nest Number Species Substrate
Nest ConditionStatusDates
Surveyed Nest
Height (m) 2012 - 1 452012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good
5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 4 592012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good 5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 5 5192012 Swainsonrsquos hawk Active Siberian Elm 7 Good
NA means not applicable
Wenck Associates Inc 301 1
st St NE Suite 202
Mandan ND 58554
Phone 701-751-3370 Email jaskimwenckcom
May 7 2012
Tracey M Dubuque PE Senior Project Manager
Tetra Tech EC
160 Federal Street Third Floor
Boston MA 02110
Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Dear Tracey
Introduction
Male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) congregate at historicalcommunal leks in the spring
to compete for breeding opportunities Both sexes return to their natal breeding grounds yearly for their
entire life Leks are typically found in areas with low-growing vegetation on a hill knoll or other point of
high visibility Fidelity to these locations is extremely high for sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse
require nesting habitat within close proximity the lek comprised of dense or residual vegetative cover to
conceal and protect their nest from predators (Vodehnal and Haufler 2007)
Disturbance of nesting prairie grouse may occur from the construction of the turbine andor access road
construction noise and physical movement of equipment Loss of habitat and fragmentation related to
energy exploration may affect local prairie grouse populations by decreasing the area of habitat available
for nesting and brood-rearing and by increasing predation (Pittman et al 2005) Therefore federal and
state wildlife agencies are concerned about the placement of turbines in areas with known prairie grouse
populations Turbine setbacks from leks and minimizing grouse habitat disturbance may reduce the direct
and indirect effects of energy development on grouse
Methods
Sharp-tailed grouse surveys were completed from April 10th to May 1
st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise
to two hours after sunrise within the one-mile analysis area (Figure 1) Peak attendance by females on leks
typically occurs from April 15 to 25 but these dates vary by up to a week depending on weather conditions
(Schroeder and Robb 1993) Peak attendance potentially occurred earlier this year due to the early spring
A habitat assessment analysis was conducted prior to the field survey to determine suitable lekkingnesting
habitat within the analysis area (Figure 2) Listening stops were made within a one-mile analysis area
surrounding the proposed project area to identify lek locations (Figure 3) Sharp-tailed grouse males may
be heard at a distance of up to 050 mile Listening stops were not conducted if winds exceeded 10 miles
per hour (mph) or during precipitation events After a lek was located the birds were observed and the
number of males and females were counted Lek locations were documented using Global Positioning
System (GPS) Given the sensitive nature of this species and the fact that females may be nesting near the
lek disturbance to breeding prairie grouse was kept to a minimum
Results
Nine (9) sharp-tailed grouse leks were located during the surveys conducted from April 10th to May 1
st
2012 (Figure 4) Date time sex number of birds present wind conditions air temperature and GPS
coordinates were recorded once a lek was located (Tables 1 and 2) Two of the leks observed were
located outside of the analysis area Due to Lek 1rsquos close proximity to Lek 4 Lek 1 shouldbe classified
as a satellite lek No visual confirmation of Lek 6 was made due to access and topography
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Two other raptor species detected during spring surveys (Swainsonrsquos hawk and American
kestrel) have been recorded as fatalities at other wind facilities (Derby 2007 Gritski et al 2008
Johnson and Erickson 2011) Peregrine falcon and great-horned owl have not been recorded as
fatalities observed at wind farms with publicly available fatality data All are likely have low risk
for turbine collisions at the Project due to the relatively very low mean-use rates
43 LISTED SPECIES
No federal listed threatened or endangered species were detected incidentally during avian point
count raptor or lek surveys One adult golden eagle was detected as an incidental observation
The golden eagle is protected under the BGEPA Although applications for incidental take
permits are available none have been issued to date Projects that are applying for permits have
are those with a perceived high risk of eagle fatality or have an additional permitting requirement
based on land ownership Consultation with the USFWS would provide further information on
local interpretation of the Draft Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance (USFWS 2011c)
No state listed designated species with regulatory implications were detected during surveys
However all native migratory avian species are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of
1918
44 CONCLUSIONS
Results of the 2012 spring avian surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center suggest an overall
low impact of the Project on the local avian community The high mean-use rate at the Project by
non-raptors is primarily driven by a few common residents and migratory species not commonly
reported as fatalities at wind energy facilities with results from post-construction fatality
monitoring Raptor use was relatively low for each raptor species detected Although there is
potential for turbine-related fatalities of Canada goose sandhill crane horned lark western
meadowlark red-winged blackbird red-tailed hawk and Franklinrsquos gull at the Project fatalities
are not expected to have population-level impacts If avian fatality rates are similar to other wind
facilities within the region we would expect them to fall between 044 ndash 1183 birdsturbineyear
(049 ndash 717 birdsMWyear) Additionally the potential for turbine-related fatalities exists for
nocturnal migrant species not identifiable by the methods of this study
No federally listed threatened or endangered species were detected incidentally during avian
point count raptor or lek surveys One adult golden eagle was detected as an incidental
observation The golden eagle is protected under the BGEPA A total of 9 sharp-tailed grouse
leks were located within the Project area and 1-mile buffer Four of the leks are within the
Project area indicating a moderate use of the Project area by the species No state listed
designated species with regulatory implications were detected during surveys However all
native migratory avian species are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918
14 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
50 REFERENCES
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Arnett EB DB Inkley DH Johnson RP Larkin S Manes AM Manville JR Mason ML Morrison MD Strickland and R Thresher 2007 Impacts of wind energy facilities on wildlife and wildlife habitat Wildlife Society Technical Review 07-2 The Wildlife Society Bethesda MA
Ballam JM 1984 The use of soaring by the red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) Auk 3519shy524
Beveridge L J 2005 The Migratory Bird Treaty Act and wind development North American Wind Power September36-38
BHE Environmental Inc 2010 Post-Construction Bird and Bat Mortality Study Cedar Ridge Wind Farm Fond Du Lac County Wisconsin Interim Report prepared for Wisconsin Power and Light Madison Wisconsin Prepared by BHE Environmental Inc Cincinnati Ohio February 2010
Bryce SA JM Omernik DA Pater M Ulmer J Schaar J Freeouf R Johnson P Kuck and SH Azevedo 1996 Ecoregions of North Dakota and South Dakota (color poster with map descriptive text summary tables and photographs) Reston Virginia US Geological Survey (map scale 11500000)
Devereux CL MJH Denny and MJ Whittingham 2008 Minimal effects of wind turbines on the distribution of wintering farmland birds Journal of Applied Ecology 451689shy1694
Drewitt AL and RHW Langston 2008 Collision effects of wind-power generators and other obstacles on birds Pages 233-266 in R S Ostfeld and W H Schlesinger editors Year in Ecology and Conservation Biology 2008 Blackwell Publishing Oxford
Drewitt AL and RHW Langston 2006 Assessing the impacts of wind farms on birds Ibis 14829-42
Derby C A Dahl W Erickson K Bay and J Hoban 2007 Post-Construction Monitoring Report for Avian and Bat Mortality at the NPPD Ainsworth Wind Farm Prepared for Nebraska Public Power District Columbus NE 24 pgs
Erickson WP GD Johnson and DP Young Jr 2005 A summary and comparison of bird mortality from anthropogenic causes with an emphasis on collisions USDA Forest Service Gen Tech Rep PSW-GTR-191
Erickson WP GD Johnson MD Strickland DP Young Jr KJ Sernka and R E Good 2001 Avian collisions with wind turbines a summary of existing studies and comparisons to other sources of avian collision mortality in the United States National Wind Coordinating Committee Washington DC Accessed at httpwwwnationalwindorgassetsarchiveAvian_Collisions_with_Wind_Turbines_shy_A_Summary_of_Existing_Studies_and_Comparisons_to_Other_Sources_of_Avian_Col lision_Mortality_in_the_United_States__2001_pdf
15 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Faanes CA and RE Stewart 1982 Revised checklist of North Dakota birds Version 16JUL97 The Prairie Naturalist 14(3)81-92 Jamestown ND Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Online Available online at httpwwwnpwrcusgsgovresourcebirdschndbirdindexhtm Accessed July 2012
Ferrer M M de Lucas GFE Janss E Casado AR Muntildeoz MJ Bechard and CP Calabuig 2012 Weak relationship between risk assessment studies and recorded mortality in wind farms Journal of Applied Ecology 49(1) 38-46 Available online at httponlinelibrarywileycomdoi101111j1365-2664201102054xpdf
Garvin J C Jennelle C S Drake D and Grodsky S M (2011) Response of raptors to a windfarm Journal of Applied Ecology 48 199ndash209
Gritski B S Downes K Kronner 2008 White Creek Wind I Wildlife Monitoring Annual Summary Winter 2007-2008 through Fall 2008 Prepared for White Creek Wind I LLC Roosevelt WA 25 pgs
Grodsky SM and D Drake 2011 Assessing Bird and Bat Mortality at the Forward Energy Center Final Report Public Service Commission (PSC) of Wisconsin PSC REF152052 Prepared for Forward Energy LLC Prepared by Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison Wisconsin August 2011
Gruver J M Sonnenburg K Bay and W Erickson 2009 Post-Construction Bat and Bird Fatality Study at the Blue Sky Green Field Wind Energy Center Fond Du Lac County Wisconsin July 21 - October 31 2008 and March 15 - June 4 2009 Unpublished report prepared by Western EcoSystems Technology Inc (WEST) Cheyenne Wyoming December 17 2009
Hagen CA JC Pitman TM Loughin BK Sandercock and RJ Robel 2011 Impacts of anthropogenic features on lesser prairie-chicken habitat use Studies in Avian Biology 39 63-75
Hagen SK PT Isakson and SR Dyke 2005 North Dakota Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy North Dakota Game and Fish Department Bismarck ND
Howe RW W Evans and AT Wolf 2002 Effects of Wind Turbines on Birds and Bats in Northeastern Wisconsin Prepared by University of Wisconsin-Green Bay for Wisconsin Public Service Corporation and Madison Gas and Electric Company Madison Wisconsin November 21 2002 104 pp
Jain AA RR Koford AW Hancockand GG Zenner 2011 Bat Mortality and Activity at a Northern Iowa Wind Resource Area Am Mid Natur 165 185-200
Jain A P Kerlinger R Curry and L Slobodnik 2007 Annual report for the Maple Ridge wind power project post-construction bird and bat fatality studymdash2006 Prepared by Curry and Kerlinger LLC for PPM Energy Horizon Energy and Technical Advisory Committee for the Maple Ridge Project
Jain AA 2005 Bird and Bat Behavior and Mortality at a Northern Iowa Windfarm Thesis submitted to Iowa State University Ames IA 113 pgs
16 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Johnson GD C LeBeau R Neilsen T Rintz and J Eddy 2012 Greater Sage-Grouse Habitat Use and Population Demographics at the Simpson Ridge Wind Resource Area Carbon County Wyoming Final Report prepared for EBP Renewables Houston Texas
Johnson GD and WP Erickson 2011 Avian Bat and Habitat Cumulative Impacts Associated with Wind Energy Development in the Columbia Plateau Ecoregion of Eastern Washington and Oregon Prepared by West Inc for Klickitat County Washington
Johnson DH MJ Holloran JW Connelly SE Hanser CL Amundson and ST Knick 2011 Influences of Environmental and Anthropogenic Features on Greater Sage-grouse Populations 1997-2007 Pages 407-450 in ST Knick and JW Connelly Greater Sage-Grouse ecology and conservation of a landscape species and its habitat Studies in Avian Biology 38 University of California Press Berkeley CA
Johnson GD WP Erickson MD Strickland MF Shepherd DA Shepherd and SA Sarappo 2002 Collision mortality of local and migrant birds at a large-scale wind power development on Buffalo Ridge Minnesota Wildlife Society Bulletin 30879-887
Johnson GD WP Erickson MD Strickland MF Shepherd and DA Shepherd 2000 Avian Monitoring Studies at the Buffalo Ridge Wind Resource Area Minnesota Results of a 4-Year Study Final report prepared for Northern States Power Company Minneapolis Minnesota by Western EcoSystems Technology Inc (WEST) Cheyenne Wyoming September 22 2000 212 pp httpwwwwest-inccom
Kerns J and P Kerlinger 2004 A study of bird and bat collision fatalities at the Mountaineer Wind Energy Center Tucker County West Virginia Annual report for 2003 Technical report prepared by Curry and Kerlinger LLC for FPL Energy and Mountaineer Wind Energy Center Technical Review Committee
Leddy KL KF Higgins and DE Naugle 1999 Effects of wind turbines on upland nesting birds in CRP grasslands Wilson Bulletin 111100-104
Manville AM II 2004 Prairie grouse leks and wind turbines US Fish and Wildlife Service justification for a 5-mile buffer from leks additional grassland songbird recommendations Division of Migratory Bird Management USFWS Arlington VA peer-reviewed briefing paper
Martin GR 2011 Understanding bird collisions with man-made objects a sensory ecology approach Ibis 153(2)239-254
Morkill AE and SH Anderson 1991 Effectiveness of marking powerlines to reduce sandhill crane collisions Wildlife Society Bulletin 19 442-449
Murphy RK SM McPherron GD Wright and KL Serbousek 2009 Effectiveness of avian collision averters in preventing migratory bird fatality from powerline strikes in the central Platte River Nebraska 2008-2009 Final Report
Nagy L B Gibson K L Kosciuch J Jones and J Taylor 2011 Whooping and Sandhill Crane Behavior at an Operating Wind Farm Poster presented at American Wind Energy Association Annual Meeting Pasadena CA
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17 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
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Pearce-Higgins JW L Stephen A Douse and RHW Langston 2012 Greater impacts of wind farms on bird populations during construction than subsequent operation results of a multi-site and multi-species analysis Journal of Applied Ecology 49 386-394
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Pruett CL MA Patten and DH Wolfe 2009 Avoidance Behavior by Prairie Grouse Implications for Development of Wind Energy Conservation Biology 231253-1259
Sauer J R J E Hines J E Fallon K L Pardieck D J Ziolkowski Jr and W A Link 2011 The North American Breeding Bird Survey Results and Analysis 1966 - 2010 Version 12072011 USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center Laurel MD
Shaffer JA and DH Johnson 2009 Displacement effects of wind developments on grassland birds in the northern Great Plains NWCC Wind Wildlife Conference [Presentation] October 2008 Milwaukee WI Prepared for NWCC by SS Schwartz and Published 2009 Available online at httpswwwnationalwindorgassetsresearch_meetingsResearch_Meeting_VII_Shaffer pdf
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Tetra Tech 2011 Native Prairie Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Burleigh County North Dakota Submitted to Wilton IV Wind Energy Center October 2011
Thelander CG KS Smallwood and L Rugge 2003 Bird Risk Behaviors and Fatalities at the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area Period of Performance March 1998-December 2000
Thompson WL 2002 Towards reliable bird surveys accounting for individuals present but not detected Auk 11918-25
TRC Environmental Corporation 2008 Post-Construction Avian and Bat Fatality Monitoring and Grassland Bird Displacement Surveys at the Judith Gap Wind Energy Project
18 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
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USFWS 2011c Draft Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance Released January 2011
USFWS 2009 Eagle Permits Take Necessary to Protect Interests in Particular Localities Final Rules 50 CFR Parts 13 and 22
WEST (Western EcoSystems Technology Inc) 2011 Presentation at the Northwest Wind Energy and Wildlife Workshop June 7-8 2011 Portland Oregon
Wenck Associates Inc (Wenck) 2012 Wilton IV spring sharp-tailed grouse lek survey Report submitted to Tetra Tech EC Inc May 2012
Whitfield DP and M Madders 2006 Flight height in the hen harrier Circus cyaneus and its incorporation in wind turbine collision risk modeling Natural Research Information Note 2 Natural Research Ltd Banchory UK
People who contributed to the writing of this report
Jim Kowalsky July 17 2012
Report Author Date
Jennifer Taylor July 19 2012
Peer Review 1 Date
Chris Farmer August 3 2012
Peer Review 2 Date
Anne-Marie Griger August 9 2012
Deputy Project Manager Date
Robert Friedel July 13 2012
GIS Date
19 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
FIGURES
20 August 2012
B
Knife River
James River
Random Creek
Pipestem Creek
Heart River Long Lake Creek
Rocky Run
Otter Creek
Turtle Cr eek
West Branch Apple Creek
Little Heart River
Big Muddy Creek
Ea st Br an ch Ap pl e C re ek
Apple
Creek
Painte Woods Creek
Sweetbrier Creek
Square Butte Creek
B
LakeAudubon Figure 1Lake NettieLakeSakakawea ty MapVicini
Turtle BlueLake Lakeerson
Lake NEXTENERGYPetUV7
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V41 RESOURCES
Wilton IVMcLeanWind Energy Center
Burleigh County ND
Las modified 7-10-2012
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Urban area WillowOBrienLongLake lkaliA14 HelenTwi Interstate Highway
Highwayn UV3
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RiversDeerOliver
Count UV36Harri ty te reamSinkUV25
LakepondUV31 Lake Brock
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Alkaline IsabelLakeUV810 McKenzie
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Long Lake George
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240th Ave Ne 240th Ave Ne
158th
St N
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253Rd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
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227Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE 279Th Ave NE
119T
h St N
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292Nd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
145T
h St N
E
41St
St NE 14
5Th S
t NE
66Th
St N
E
171S
t St N
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132N
d St N
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52Nd
St N
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41St
St NE
66Th
St N
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80Th
St N
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93Rd
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292Nd Ave NE
106T
h St N
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171S
t St N
E
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
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52Nd
St N
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Figure 2 Point
(Spr t location mapcoun
ing 2012)NEXTENERGY
RESOURCES
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
AA
A A
Burleigh County ND
Last modified 7-10-2012A AA
AA AA A A A
Avian survey poinan survey poin
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AA PC 01 t
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O 155000 NAD 1983 UTM 14 0 05 1 2 3 4 5 Miles
TETRA TECH ECINC
Figure 3 Non-raptor mean use by survey date in Spring at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center M
ean
Use
(bir
ds2
0 m
in)
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
00
Survey Date
316 321 326 44 410 420 427 53 512 519 526 62 69 615
NAD 1983 UTM 14
240th Ave Ne240th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
253Rd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
227Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE 279Th Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
145T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
145T
h St N
E
66Th
St N
E
171S
t St N
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132N
d St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
41St
St NE
66Th
St N
E
80Th
St N
E
93Rd
St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
106T
h St N
E
171S
t St N
E
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
PC 01
PC 02
PC 03
PC 04
PC 05 PC 06
PC 07
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TETR A TECH EC INC
Figure 4Non-raptor mean use by point count location (Spring 2012)
Non-r aptor s p e r 20 m in u te s 00 1 - 25 0 0 25 01 - 5 0 00 50 01 - 7 5 00
75 01 - 1 0 00 0
10 00 1 - 1 25 00
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
A Pro po sed tu rbin e (9 -21 -20 11 )Lo ca l Ro a d
Mean use value PC Point count number
Burleigh County ND
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
Last modified 7-10-2012
NEXTENERGY RESOURCES
Figure 5 Raptor mean use by survey date in Spring 2012 at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Mea
n U
se (b
irds
20
min
)
140
120
100
080
060
040
020
000
Survey Date
316 321 326 44 410 420 427 53 512 519 526 62 69 615
NAD 1983 UTM 14
240th Ave Ne240th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
253Rd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
227Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE 279Th Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
145T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
145T
h St N
E
66Th
St N
E
171S
t St N
E
132N
d St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
41St
St NE
66Th
St N
E
80Th
St N
E
93Rd
St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
106T
h St N
E
171S
t St N
E
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
PC 01
PC 02
PC 03
PC 04
PC 05 PC 06
PC 07
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014
057
064
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PGI
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Last
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TETR A TECH EC INC
Figure 6Raptor mean use by point
count location (Spring 2012)
Rapto r s p e r 2 0 m in u te s 00 1- 01 6 01 7 - 0 32 03 3 - 0 48
04 9 - 0 64
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
A Pro po sed tu rbin e (9 -21 -20 11 )Lo ca l Ro a d
Mean use value PC Point count number
Burleigh County ND
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
Last modified 7-10-2012
NEXTENERGY RESOURCES
240th Ave Ne 240th Ave Ne
240th Ave Ne
266th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
279Th Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE
292Nd Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
52Nd
St N
E
197T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
66Th
St N
E
188Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
106T
h St N
E
253Rd Ave NE
292Nd Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
132N
d St N
E
26Th
St N
E
266Th Ave NE
253Rd Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
93Rd
St N
E
145T
h St N
E 14
5Th S
t NE
132N
d St N
E
41St
St NE
210T
h St N
E
119T
h St N
E
106T
h St N
E
171S
t St N
E 17
1St S
t NE
188Th Ave NE
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE 227Th Ave NE
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
201St Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
Figure 7 Raptor nest and lek location
map (Spring 2012)NEXTENERGY
RESOURCES
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
5 Burleigh County ND
Last modified 7-10-2012 A A
A A
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
AAA A A A A A
A A
Pro po sed tu rbi(9 -21 -20 11 )
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A A
Lo ca l Ro a d Sh arp -tailed
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A AA gro use
Raptor nest s pecies Re d-taile d h a wk
1
A
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2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
TABLES
21 August 2012
Table 1 Spring 2012 point count survey dates at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Date(s)Survey number
1 316 2 321 3 326 4 44 5 410 6 420 7 427 8 53 9 512 10 519 11 526 12 62 13 69 14 615
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Songbirds
unidentified sparrow 652 7 665 (000-1339) 41 313 121 red-winged blackbird 548 52 559 (036-1082) 378 263 102 horned lark 173 83 177 (136-218) 612 83 32 American crow 159 22 162 (027-297) 204 76 30 common grackle 91 33 093 (035-151) 245 44 17 western meadowlark 80 62 082 (065-099) 480 38 15 European starling 80 1 082 (000-216) 10 38 15 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 082 (029-135) 82 38 15 barn swallow 44 21 045 (028-062) 204 21 08 bobolink 36 28 037 (022-052) 194 17 07 American goldfinch 26 23 027 (018-036) 214 12 05 vesper sparrow 23 21 023 (013-033) 184 11 04 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 019 (010-028) 143 09 04 American robin 19 19 019 (011-027) 143 09 04 house sparrow 15 5 015 (000-030) 51 07 03 American tree sparrow 8 2 008 (000-018) 20 04 01 song sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 savannah sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 dickcissel 5 4 005 (000-010) 31 02 01 western kingbird 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 01 01 pine siskin 3 1 003 (000-008) 10 01 01 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 eastern kingbird 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 yellow warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 unidentified warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 house wren 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 Group Total 2083 430 2126 (1259-2993) 949 387
Waterfowl
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations
Canada goose 1408 24 1437 (435-2439) 133 874 262 snow goose 184 2 188 (000-490) 20 114 34 mallard 12 6 012 (004-020) 61 07 02 northern pintail 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 blue-winged teal 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 American wigeon 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 redhead 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 01 00 Group Total 1611 36 1644 (561-2727) 184 300
CranesRails sandhill crane 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 1000 201 Group Total 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 201
GullsTerns Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 283 (013-553) 31 986 52 ring-billed gull 4 3 004 (000-008) 31 14 01 Group Total 281 7 287 (017-557) 61 52
Gamebirds ring-necked pheasant 148 134 151 (128-174) 745 967 28 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 20 01 gray partridge 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 13 00 Group Total 153 138 156 (132-180) 755 28
PigeonsDoves rock pigeon 40 6 041 (009-073) 61 513 07 mourning dove 38 25 039 (019-059) 184 487 07 Group Total 78 31 080 (041-119) 224 15
Waterbirds killdeer 28 22 029 (017-041) 214 538 05 upland sandpiper 8 8 008 (003-013) 71 154 01 common snipe 8 8 008 (002-014) 61 154 01 Wilsons snipe 4 4 004 (000-008) 31 77 01 American coot 4 1 004 (000-011) 10 77 01 Group Total 52 43 053 (037-069) 357 10
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Raptors
red-tailed hawk 16 12 016 (008-024) 122 444 03 northern harrier 16 14 016 (009-023) 143 444 03 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 peregrine falcon 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 great horned owl 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 American kestrel 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 Group Total 36 30 037 (025-049) 276 07
Woodpeckers northern flicker 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 1000 00 Group Total 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 00 Grand Total 5376 735 5486 (3771-7200)
1 A ranking of 1 indicates highest mean use
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Canada goose 1408 24 210 80 523 140 210 135 110 sandhill crane 1080 18 94 18 621 15 187 145 0 unidentified sparrow 652 7 0 0 0 0 330 210 112 red-winged blackbird 548 52 0 84 49 386 14 11 4 Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 107 0 100 70 0 0 0 snow goose 184 2 0 180 4 0 0 0 0 horned lark 173 83 23 24 17 12 19 32 46 American crow 159 22 6 4 13 11 1 123 1 ring-necked pheasant 148 134 21 14 21 18 25 22 27 common grackle 91 33 6 35 7 2 8 33 0 western meadowlark 80 62 8 10 17 3 11 19 12 European starling 80 1 0 0 0 80 0 0 0 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 0 63 17 0 0 0 0 barn swallow 44 21 3 12 6 10 7 1 5 rock pigeon 40 6 0 14 0 0 0 23 3 mourning dove 38 25 4 17 1 1 1 11 3 bobolink 36 28 10 0 14 8 0 0 4 killdeer 28 22 3 3 4 5 10 0 3 American goldfinch 26 23 4 9 3 3 4 2 1 vesper sparrow 23 21 1 7 1 2 9 1 2 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 2 4 2 0 6 4 1 American robin 19 19 1 13 0 1 3 0 1 red-tailed hawk 16 12 4 0 4 5 0 1 2 northern harrier 16 14 3 1 4 4 2 0 2 house sparrow 15 5 2 13 0 0 0 0 0 mallard 12 6 0 0 6 6 0 0 0 upland sandpiper 8 8 0 0 1 0 3 2 2 common snipe 8 8 0 2 6 0 0 0 0 American tree sparrow 8 2 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 song sparrow 5 5 1 1 1 0 2 0 0 savannah sparrow 5 5 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 dickcissel 5 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 Wilsons snipe 4 4 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 ring-billed gull 4 3 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 American coot 4 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 western kingbird 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 pine siskin 3 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 northern pintail 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
northern flicker 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 gray partridge 2 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 eastern kingbird 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 blue-winged teal 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 American wigeon 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 yellow warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 unidentified warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 redhead 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 peregrine falcon 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 house wren 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 great horned owl 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 American kestrel 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Grand Total 5376 735 526 620 1452 794 859 776 349
Table 4 Summary of avian flight heights1 in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)2 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Birds
Number Percentage
Non-raptors
Raptors
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
1656 372
2023 455
767 173
3 91
13 394
17 515 1 Includes only flying birds with flight height data2These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
Canada goose 654 (435 - 2439) 1437 997 537 457 06 unidentified sparrow 632 (000 - 1339) 665 1000 00 951 49 sandhill crane 368 (083 - 2121) 1102 999 665 335 00 Franklinrsquos gull 283 (013 - 553) 283 1000 00 1000 00 European starling 082 (000 - 216) 082 1000 00 1000 00 American crow 024 (027 - 297) 162 943 00 160 840 red-tailed hawk 013 (008 - 024) 016 938 133 867 00 brown-headed cowbird 008 (029 - 135) 082 125 00 800 200 red-winged blackbird 005 (036 - 1082) 559 261 00 35 965 Wilsons snipe 002 (000 - 008) 004 500 00 1000 00 blue-winged teal 002 (000 - 005) 002 1000 00 1000 00 mallard 002 (004 - 020) 012 500 00 333 667 ring-billed gull 001 (000 - 008) 004 1000 00 250 750 yellow warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 yellow-headed blackbird 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 western meadowlark 000 (065 - 099) 082 338 00 00 1000 western kingbird 000 (000 - 007) 003 1000 00 00 1000 vesper sparrow 000 (013 - 033) 023 130 00 00 1000 upland sandpiper 000 (003 - 013) 008 250 00 00 1000 unidentified warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 Swainsonrsquos hawk 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 sharp-tailed grouse 000 (000 - 007) 003 667 00 00 1000 song sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 snow goose 000 (000 - 490) 188 1000 1000 00 00 savannah sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 rock pigeon 000 (009 - 073) 041 825 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
ring-necked pheasant 000 (128 - 174) 151 07 00 00 1000 redhead 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 pine siskin 000 (000 - 008) 003 1000 00 00 1000 peregrine falcon 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 1000 00 00 northern pintail 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 northern harrier 000 (009 - 023) 016 1000 00 00 1000 northern flicker 000 (000 - 004) 002 500 00 00 1000 mourning dove 000 (019 - 059) 039 684 00 00 1000 killdeer 000 (017 - 041) 029 607 00 00 1000 house wren 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 house sparrow 000 (000 - 030) 015 67 00 00 1000 horned lark 000 (136 - 218) 177 740 00 00 1000 grasshopper sparrow 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 gray partridge 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 great horned owl 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 eastern kingbird 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 dickcissel 000 (000 - 010) 005 00 00 00 00 common snipe 000 (002 - 014) 008 00 00 00 00 common grackle 000 (035 - 151) 093 945 00 00 1000 clay-colored sparrow 000 (010 - 028) 019 158 00 00 1000 bobolink 000 (022 - 052) 037 917 00 00 1000 barn swallow 000 (028 - 062) 045 1000 00 00 1000 American tree sparrow 000 (000 - 018) 008 1000 00 00 1000 American wigeon 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 American robin 000 (011 - 027) 019 421 00 00 1000 American kestrel 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
American goldfinch 000 027 (018 - 036) 923 00 00 1000American coot 000 004 (000 - 011) 00 00 00 001These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 6 Incidental observations of birds during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species
American crow American kestrel American robin Canada goose great horned owl golden eagle gray partridge lesser scaup mallard merlin northern harrier rock pigeon red-tailed hawk red-winged blackbird sandhill crane sharp-tailed grouse wild turkey
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
APPENDICES
22 August 2012
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number of Birds1
Number of
Observations Species
Percentage of Flights
N NE E SE S SW W NW Variable
Canada goose 1398 21 867 00 00 00 02 00 17 114 00
sandhill crane 1079 17 878 52 00 00 00 00 00 70 00
unidentified sparrow 565 5 00 00 00 788 212 00 00 00 00
Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
snow goose 184 2 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
European starling 80 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
American crow 69 11 768 58 58 00 14 43 00 14 43
red-winged blackbird 15 6 533 00 00 200 267 00 00 00 00
red-tailed hawk 14 10 500 143 00 71 00 71 00 71 143
rock pigeon 11 2 00 00 00 00 273 727 00 00 00
northern harrier 9 8 111 00 00 333 00 222 00 111 222
mourning dove 9 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
common grackle 9 6 111 00 00 111 00 222 556 00 00
brown-headed cowbird 8 1 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
horned lark 6 3 833 00 00 167 00 00 00 00 00
ring-billed gull 4 3 250 00 00 00 00 750 00 00 00
Wilsons snipe 2 2 500 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 500
vesper sparrow 2 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
mallard 2 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
blue-winged teal 2 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
peregrine falcon 1 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
killdeer 1 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
Grand Total 3747 108 722 17 04 121 36 05 30 64 02 1 Includes only flying birds with flight directions
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Nest Number Species Substrate
Nest ConditionStatusDates
Surveyed Nest
Height (m) 2012 - 1 452012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good
5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 4 592012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good 5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 5 5192012 Swainsonrsquos hawk Active Siberian Elm 7 Good
NA means not applicable
Wenck Associates Inc 301 1
st St NE Suite 202
Mandan ND 58554
Phone 701-751-3370 Email jaskimwenckcom
May 7 2012
Tracey M Dubuque PE Senior Project Manager
Tetra Tech EC
160 Federal Street Third Floor
Boston MA 02110
Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Dear Tracey
Introduction
Male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) congregate at historicalcommunal leks in the spring
to compete for breeding opportunities Both sexes return to their natal breeding grounds yearly for their
entire life Leks are typically found in areas with low-growing vegetation on a hill knoll or other point of
high visibility Fidelity to these locations is extremely high for sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse
require nesting habitat within close proximity the lek comprised of dense or residual vegetative cover to
conceal and protect their nest from predators (Vodehnal and Haufler 2007)
Disturbance of nesting prairie grouse may occur from the construction of the turbine andor access road
construction noise and physical movement of equipment Loss of habitat and fragmentation related to
energy exploration may affect local prairie grouse populations by decreasing the area of habitat available
for nesting and brood-rearing and by increasing predation (Pittman et al 2005) Therefore federal and
state wildlife agencies are concerned about the placement of turbines in areas with known prairie grouse
populations Turbine setbacks from leks and minimizing grouse habitat disturbance may reduce the direct
and indirect effects of energy development on grouse
Methods
Sharp-tailed grouse surveys were completed from April 10th to May 1
st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise
to two hours after sunrise within the one-mile analysis area (Figure 1) Peak attendance by females on leks
typically occurs from April 15 to 25 but these dates vary by up to a week depending on weather conditions
(Schroeder and Robb 1993) Peak attendance potentially occurred earlier this year due to the early spring
A habitat assessment analysis was conducted prior to the field survey to determine suitable lekkingnesting
habitat within the analysis area (Figure 2) Listening stops were made within a one-mile analysis area
surrounding the proposed project area to identify lek locations (Figure 3) Sharp-tailed grouse males may
be heard at a distance of up to 050 mile Listening stops were not conducted if winds exceeded 10 miles
per hour (mph) or during precipitation events After a lek was located the birds were observed and the
number of males and females were counted Lek locations were documented using Global Positioning
System (GPS) Given the sensitive nature of this species and the fact that females may be nesting near the
lek disturbance to breeding prairie grouse was kept to a minimum
Results
Nine (9) sharp-tailed grouse leks were located during the surveys conducted from April 10th to May 1
st
2012 (Figure 4) Date time sex number of birds present wind conditions air temperature and GPS
coordinates were recorded once a lek was located (Tables 1 and 2) Two of the leks observed were
located outside of the analysis area Due to Lek 1rsquos close proximity to Lek 4 Lek 1 shouldbe classified
as a satellite lek No visual confirmation of Lek 6 was made due to access and topography
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
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Ballam JM 1984 The use of soaring by the red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) Auk 3519shy524
Beveridge L J 2005 The Migratory Bird Treaty Act and wind development North American Wind Power September36-38
BHE Environmental Inc 2010 Post-Construction Bird and Bat Mortality Study Cedar Ridge Wind Farm Fond Du Lac County Wisconsin Interim Report prepared for Wisconsin Power and Light Madison Wisconsin Prepared by BHE Environmental Inc Cincinnati Ohio February 2010
Bryce SA JM Omernik DA Pater M Ulmer J Schaar J Freeouf R Johnson P Kuck and SH Azevedo 1996 Ecoregions of North Dakota and South Dakota (color poster with map descriptive text summary tables and photographs) Reston Virginia US Geological Survey (map scale 11500000)
Devereux CL MJH Denny and MJ Whittingham 2008 Minimal effects of wind turbines on the distribution of wintering farmland birds Journal of Applied Ecology 451689shy1694
Drewitt AL and RHW Langston 2008 Collision effects of wind-power generators and other obstacles on birds Pages 233-266 in R S Ostfeld and W H Schlesinger editors Year in Ecology and Conservation Biology 2008 Blackwell Publishing Oxford
Drewitt AL and RHW Langston 2006 Assessing the impacts of wind farms on birds Ibis 14829-42
Derby C A Dahl W Erickson K Bay and J Hoban 2007 Post-Construction Monitoring Report for Avian and Bat Mortality at the NPPD Ainsworth Wind Farm Prepared for Nebraska Public Power District Columbus NE 24 pgs
Erickson WP GD Johnson and DP Young Jr 2005 A summary and comparison of bird mortality from anthropogenic causes with an emphasis on collisions USDA Forest Service Gen Tech Rep PSW-GTR-191
Erickson WP GD Johnson MD Strickland DP Young Jr KJ Sernka and R E Good 2001 Avian collisions with wind turbines a summary of existing studies and comparisons to other sources of avian collision mortality in the United States National Wind Coordinating Committee Washington DC Accessed at httpwwwnationalwindorgassetsarchiveAvian_Collisions_with_Wind_Turbines_shy_A_Summary_of_Existing_Studies_and_Comparisons_to_Other_Sources_of_Avian_Col lision_Mortality_in_the_United_States__2001_pdf
15 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Faanes CA and RE Stewart 1982 Revised checklist of North Dakota birds Version 16JUL97 The Prairie Naturalist 14(3)81-92 Jamestown ND Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Online Available online at httpwwwnpwrcusgsgovresourcebirdschndbirdindexhtm Accessed July 2012
Ferrer M M de Lucas GFE Janss E Casado AR Muntildeoz MJ Bechard and CP Calabuig 2012 Weak relationship between risk assessment studies and recorded mortality in wind farms Journal of Applied Ecology 49(1) 38-46 Available online at httponlinelibrarywileycomdoi101111j1365-2664201102054xpdf
Garvin J C Jennelle C S Drake D and Grodsky S M (2011) Response of raptors to a windfarm Journal of Applied Ecology 48 199ndash209
Gritski B S Downes K Kronner 2008 White Creek Wind I Wildlife Monitoring Annual Summary Winter 2007-2008 through Fall 2008 Prepared for White Creek Wind I LLC Roosevelt WA 25 pgs
Grodsky SM and D Drake 2011 Assessing Bird and Bat Mortality at the Forward Energy Center Final Report Public Service Commission (PSC) of Wisconsin PSC REF152052 Prepared for Forward Energy LLC Prepared by Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison Wisconsin August 2011
Gruver J M Sonnenburg K Bay and W Erickson 2009 Post-Construction Bat and Bird Fatality Study at the Blue Sky Green Field Wind Energy Center Fond Du Lac County Wisconsin July 21 - October 31 2008 and March 15 - June 4 2009 Unpublished report prepared by Western EcoSystems Technology Inc (WEST) Cheyenne Wyoming December 17 2009
Hagen CA JC Pitman TM Loughin BK Sandercock and RJ Robel 2011 Impacts of anthropogenic features on lesser prairie-chicken habitat use Studies in Avian Biology 39 63-75
Hagen SK PT Isakson and SR Dyke 2005 North Dakota Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy North Dakota Game and Fish Department Bismarck ND
Howe RW W Evans and AT Wolf 2002 Effects of Wind Turbines on Birds and Bats in Northeastern Wisconsin Prepared by University of Wisconsin-Green Bay for Wisconsin Public Service Corporation and Madison Gas and Electric Company Madison Wisconsin November 21 2002 104 pp
Jain AA RR Koford AW Hancockand GG Zenner 2011 Bat Mortality and Activity at a Northern Iowa Wind Resource Area Am Mid Natur 165 185-200
Jain A P Kerlinger R Curry and L Slobodnik 2007 Annual report for the Maple Ridge wind power project post-construction bird and bat fatality studymdash2006 Prepared by Curry and Kerlinger LLC for PPM Energy Horizon Energy and Technical Advisory Committee for the Maple Ridge Project
Jain AA 2005 Bird and Bat Behavior and Mortality at a Northern Iowa Windfarm Thesis submitted to Iowa State University Ames IA 113 pgs
16 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Johnson GD C LeBeau R Neilsen T Rintz and J Eddy 2012 Greater Sage-Grouse Habitat Use and Population Demographics at the Simpson Ridge Wind Resource Area Carbon County Wyoming Final Report prepared for EBP Renewables Houston Texas
Johnson GD and WP Erickson 2011 Avian Bat and Habitat Cumulative Impacts Associated with Wind Energy Development in the Columbia Plateau Ecoregion of Eastern Washington and Oregon Prepared by West Inc for Klickitat County Washington
Johnson DH MJ Holloran JW Connelly SE Hanser CL Amundson and ST Knick 2011 Influences of Environmental and Anthropogenic Features on Greater Sage-grouse Populations 1997-2007 Pages 407-450 in ST Knick and JW Connelly Greater Sage-Grouse ecology and conservation of a landscape species and its habitat Studies in Avian Biology 38 University of California Press Berkeley CA
Johnson GD WP Erickson MD Strickland MF Shepherd DA Shepherd and SA Sarappo 2002 Collision mortality of local and migrant birds at a large-scale wind power development on Buffalo Ridge Minnesota Wildlife Society Bulletin 30879-887
Johnson GD WP Erickson MD Strickland MF Shepherd and DA Shepherd 2000 Avian Monitoring Studies at the Buffalo Ridge Wind Resource Area Minnesota Results of a 4-Year Study Final report prepared for Northern States Power Company Minneapolis Minnesota by Western EcoSystems Technology Inc (WEST) Cheyenne Wyoming September 22 2000 212 pp httpwwwwest-inccom
Kerns J and P Kerlinger 2004 A study of bird and bat collision fatalities at the Mountaineer Wind Energy Center Tucker County West Virginia Annual report for 2003 Technical report prepared by Curry and Kerlinger LLC for FPL Energy and Mountaineer Wind Energy Center Technical Review Committee
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Manville AM II 2004 Prairie grouse leks and wind turbines US Fish and Wildlife Service justification for a 5-mile buffer from leks additional grassland songbird recommendations Division of Migratory Bird Management USFWS Arlington VA peer-reviewed briefing paper
Martin GR 2011 Understanding bird collisions with man-made objects a sensory ecology approach Ibis 153(2)239-254
Morkill AE and SH Anderson 1991 Effectiveness of marking powerlines to reduce sandhill crane collisions Wildlife Society Bulletin 19 442-449
Murphy RK SM McPherron GD Wright and KL Serbousek 2009 Effectiveness of avian collision averters in preventing migratory bird fatality from powerline strikes in the central Platte River Nebraska 2008-2009 Final Report
Nagy L B Gibson K L Kosciuch J Jones and J Taylor 2011 Whooping and Sandhill Crane Behavior at an Operating Wind Farm Poster presented at American Wind Energy Association Annual Meeting Pasadena CA
Orloff S and A Flannery 1992 Wind turbine effects on avian activity habitat use and mortality in Altamont Pass and Solano County Wind Resource Areas 1989-1991 Final
17 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
report prepared by Biosystems Analysis Inc for Alameda Contra Costa and Solano Counties and the California Energy Commission
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Shaffer JA and DH Johnson 2009 Displacement effects of wind developments on grassland birds in the northern Great Plains NWCC Wind Wildlife Conference [Presentation] October 2008 Milwaukee WI Prepared for NWCC by SS Schwartz and Published 2009 Available online at httpswwwnationalwindorgassetsresearch_meetingsResearch_Meeting_VII_Shaffer pdf
Strickland MD EB Arnett WP Erickson DH Johnson GD Johnson ML Morrison JA Shaffer and W Warren-Hicks 2011 Comprehensive Guide to Studying Wind EnergyWildlife Interactions Prepared for the National Wind Coordinating Collaborative Washington DC httpwwwnationalwindorgassetspublicationsComprehensive_Guide_to_Studying_Wi nd_Energy_Wildlife_Interactions_2011_Updatedpdf Accessed November 2011
Strickland D and ML Morrison 2008 A summary of avianwind facility interactions in the US Federal Guidelines Committee for Wind Siting Guidelines February 26 2008 Washington DC
Tetra Tech 2012 Database of publicly available post-construction fatality rates and records of bird and bat fatality at North American wind projects Unpublished report
Tetra Tech 2011 Native Prairie Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Burleigh County North Dakota Submitted to Wilton IV Wind Energy Center October 2011
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Thompson WL 2002 Towards reliable bird surveys accounting for individuals present but not detected Auk 11918-25
TRC Environmental Corporation 2008 Post-Construction Avian and Bat Fatality Monitoring and Grassland Bird Displacement Surveys at the Judith Gap Wind Energy Project
18 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Wheatland County Montana Prepared for Judith Gap Energy LLC Chicago Illinois TRC Environmental Corporation Laramie Wyoming TRC Project 51883-01 (112416) January 2008 httpwwwnewwestnetpdfsAvianBatFatalityMonitoringpdf
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USFWS 2011c Draft Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance Released January 2011
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WEST (Western EcoSystems Technology Inc) 2011 Presentation at the Northwest Wind Energy and Wildlife Workshop June 7-8 2011 Portland Oregon
Wenck Associates Inc (Wenck) 2012 Wilton IV spring sharp-tailed grouse lek survey Report submitted to Tetra Tech EC Inc May 2012
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People who contributed to the writing of this report
Jim Kowalsky July 17 2012
Report Author Date
Jennifer Taylor July 19 2012
Peer Review 1 Date
Chris Farmer August 3 2012
Peer Review 2 Date
Anne-Marie Griger August 9 2012
Deputy Project Manager Date
Robert Friedel July 13 2012
GIS Date
19 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
FIGURES
20 August 2012
B
Knife River
James River
Random Creek
Pipestem Creek
Heart River Long Lake Creek
Rocky Run
Otter Creek
Turtle Cr eek
West Branch Apple Creek
Little Heart River
Big Muddy Creek
Ea st Br an ch Ap pl e C re ek
Apple
Creek
Painte Woods Creek
Sweetbrier Creek
Square Butte Creek
B
LakeAudubon Figure 1Lake NettieLakeSakakawea ty MapVicini
Turtle BlueLake Lakeerson
Lake NEXTENERGYPetUV7
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V41 RESOURCES
Wilton IVMcLeanWind Energy Center
Burleigh County ND
Las modified 7-10-2012
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Urban area WillowOBrienLongLake lkaliA14 HelenTwi Interstate Highway
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240th Ave Ne 240th Ave Ne
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93Rd
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Figure 2 Point
(Spr t location mapcoun
ing 2012)NEXTENERGY
RESOURCES
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
AA
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Burleigh County ND
Last modified 7-10-2012A AA
AA AA A A A
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Figure 3 Non-raptor mean use by survey date in Spring at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center M
ean
Use
(bir
ds2
0 m
in)
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
00
Survey Date
316 321 326 44 410 420 427 53 512 519 526 62 69 615
NAD 1983 UTM 14
240th Ave Ne240th Ave Ne
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253Rd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
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227Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
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214Th Ave NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE 279Th Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
145T
h St N
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41St
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145T
h St N
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66Th
St N
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171S
t St N
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132N
d St N
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52Nd
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41St
St NE
66Th
St N
E
80Th
St N
E
93Rd
St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
106T
h St N
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171S
t St N
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214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
93Rd
St N
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86Th
St N
E
184T
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PC 01
PC 02
PC 03
PC 04
PC 05 PC 06
PC 07
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TETR A TECH EC INC
Figure 4Non-raptor mean use by point count location (Spring 2012)
Non-r aptor s p e r 20 m in u te s 00 1 - 25 0 0 25 01 - 5 0 00 50 01 - 7 5 00
75 01 - 1 0 00 0
10 00 1 - 1 25 00
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
A Pro po sed tu rbin e (9 -21 -20 11 )Lo ca l Ro a d
Mean use value PC Point count number
Burleigh County ND
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
Last modified 7-10-2012
NEXTENERGY RESOURCES
Figure 5 Raptor mean use by survey date in Spring 2012 at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Mea
n U
se (b
irds
20
min
)
140
120
100
080
060
040
020
000
Survey Date
316 321 326 44 410 420 427 53 512 519 526 62 69 615
NAD 1983 UTM 14
240th Ave Ne240th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
253Rd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
227Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE 279Th Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
145T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
145T
h St N
E
66Th
St N
E
171S
t St N
E
132N
d St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
41St
St NE
66Th
St N
E
80Th
St N
E
93Rd
St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
106T
h St N
E
171S
t St N
E
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
93Rd
St N
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86Th
St N
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184T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
PC 01
PC 02
PC 03
PC 04
PC 05 PC 06
PC 07
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TETR A TECH EC INC
Figure 6Raptor mean use by point
count location (Spring 2012)
Rapto r s p e r 2 0 m in u te s 00 1- 01 6 01 7 - 0 32 03 3 - 0 48
04 9 - 0 64
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
A Pro po sed tu rbin e (9 -21 -20 11 )Lo ca l Ro a d
Mean use value PC Point count number
Burleigh County ND
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
Last modified 7-10-2012
NEXTENERGY RESOURCES
240th Ave Ne 240th Ave Ne
240th Ave Ne
266th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
279Th Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE
292Nd Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
52Nd
St N
E
197T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
66Th
St N
E
188Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
106T
h St N
E
253Rd Ave NE
292Nd Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
132N
d St N
E
26Th
St N
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266Th Ave NE
253Rd Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
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93Rd
St N
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145T
h St N
E 14
5Th S
t NE
132N
d St N
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41St
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210T
h St N
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119T
h St N
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106T
h St N
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171S
t St N
E 17
1St S
t NE
188Th Ave NE
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE 227Th Ave NE
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
201St Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
Figure 7 Raptor nest and lek location
map (Spring 2012)NEXTENERGY
RESOURCES
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
5 Burleigh County ND
Last modified 7-10-2012 A A
A A
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
AAA A A A A A
A A
Pro po sed tu rbi(9 -21 -20 11 )
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2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
TABLES
21 August 2012
Table 1 Spring 2012 point count survey dates at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Date(s)Survey number
1 316 2 321 3 326 4 44 5 410 6 420 7 427 8 53 9 512 10 519 11 526 12 62 13 69 14 615
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Songbirds
unidentified sparrow 652 7 665 (000-1339) 41 313 121 red-winged blackbird 548 52 559 (036-1082) 378 263 102 horned lark 173 83 177 (136-218) 612 83 32 American crow 159 22 162 (027-297) 204 76 30 common grackle 91 33 093 (035-151) 245 44 17 western meadowlark 80 62 082 (065-099) 480 38 15 European starling 80 1 082 (000-216) 10 38 15 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 082 (029-135) 82 38 15 barn swallow 44 21 045 (028-062) 204 21 08 bobolink 36 28 037 (022-052) 194 17 07 American goldfinch 26 23 027 (018-036) 214 12 05 vesper sparrow 23 21 023 (013-033) 184 11 04 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 019 (010-028) 143 09 04 American robin 19 19 019 (011-027) 143 09 04 house sparrow 15 5 015 (000-030) 51 07 03 American tree sparrow 8 2 008 (000-018) 20 04 01 song sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 savannah sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 dickcissel 5 4 005 (000-010) 31 02 01 western kingbird 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 01 01 pine siskin 3 1 003 (000-008) 10 01 01 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 eastern kingbird 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 yellow warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 unidentified warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 house wren 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 Group Total 2083 430 2126 (1259-2993) 949 387
Waterfowl
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations
Canada goose 1408 24 1437 (435-2439) 133 874 262 snow goose 184 2 188 (000-490) 20 114 34 mallard 12 6 012 (004-020) 61 07 02 northern pintail 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 blue-winged teal 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 American wigeon 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 redhead 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 01 00 Group Total 1611 36 1644 (561-2727) 184 300
CranesRails sandhill crane 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 1000 201 Group Total 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 201
GullsTerns Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 283 (013-553) 31 986 52 ring-billed gull 4 3 004 (000-008) 31 14 01 Group Total 281 7 287 (017-557) 61 52
Gamebirds ring-necked pheasant 148 134 151 (128-174) 745 967 28 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 20 01 gray partridge 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 13 00 Group Total 153 138 156 (132-180) 755 28
PigeonsDoves rock pigeon 40 6 041 (009-073) 61 513 07 mourning dove 38 25 039 (019-059) 184 487 07 Group Total 78 31 080 (041-119) 224 15
Waterbirds killdeer 28 22 029 (017-041) 214 538 05 upland sandpiper 8 8 008 (003-013) 71 154 01 common snipe 8 8 008 (002-014) 61 154 01 Wilsons snipe 4 4 004 (000-008) 31 77 01 American coot 4 1 004 (000-011) 10 77 01 Group Total 52 43 053 (037-069) 357 10
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Raptors
red-tailed hawk 16 12 016 (008-024) 122 444 03 northern harrier 16 14 016 (009-023) 143 444 03 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 peregrine falcon 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 great horned owl 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 American kestrel 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 Group Total 36 30 037 (025-049) 276 07
Woodpeckers northern flicker 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 1000 00 Group Total 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 00 Grand Total 5376 735 5486 (3771-7200)
1 A ranking of 1 indicates highest mean use
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Canada goose 1408 24 210 80 523 140 210 135 110 sandhill crane 1080 18 94 18 621 15 187 145 0 unidentified sparrow 652 7 0 0 0 0 330 210 112 red-winged blackbird 548 52 0 84 49 386 14 11 4 Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 107 0 100 70 0 0 0 snow goose 184 2 0 180 4 0 0 0 0 horned lark 173 83 23 24 17 12 19 32 46 American crow 159 22 6 4 13 11 1 123 1 ring-necked pheasant 148 134 21 14 21 18 25 22 27 common grackle 91 33 6 35 7 2 8 33 0 western meadowlark 80 62 8 10 17 3 11 19 12 European starling 80 1 0 0 0 80 0 0 0 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 0 63 17 0 0 0 0 barn swallow 44 21 3 12 6 10 7 1 5 rock pigeon 40 6 0 14 0 0 0 23 3 mourning dove 38 25 4 17 1 1 1 11 3 bobolink 36 28 10 0 14 8 0 0 4 killdeer 28 22 3 3 4 5 10 0 3 American goldfinch 26 23 4 9 3 3 4 2 1 vesper sparrow 23 21 1 7 1 2 9 1 2 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 2 4 2 0 6 4 1 American robin 19 19 1 13 0 1 3 0 1 red-tailed hawk 16 12 4 0 4 5 0 1 2 northern harrier 16 14 3 1 4 4 2 0 2 house sparrow 15 5 2 13 0 0 0 0 0 mallard 12 6 0 0 6 6 0 0 0 upland sandpiper 8 8 0 0 1 0 3 2 2 common snipe 8 8 0 2 6 0 0 0 0 American tree sparrow 8 2 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 song sparrow 5 5 1 1 1 0 2 0 0 savannah sparrow 5 5 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 dickcissel 5 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 Wilsons snipe 4 4 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 ring-billed gull 4 3 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 American coot 4 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 western kingbird 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 pine siskin 3 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 northern pintail 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
northern flicker 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 gray partridge 2 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 eastern kingbird 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 blue-winged teal 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 American wigeon 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 yellow warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 unidentified warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 redhead 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 peregrine falcon 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 house wren 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 great horned owl 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 American kestrel 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Grand Total 5376 735 526 620 1452 794 859 776 349
Table 4 Summary of avian flight heights1 in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)2 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Birds
Number Percentage
Non-raptors
Raptors
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
1656 372
2023 455
767 173
3 91
13 394
17 515 1 Includes only flying birds with flight height data2These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
Canada goose 654 (435 - 2439) 1437 997 537 457 06 unidentified sparrow 632 (000 - 1339) 665 1000 00 951 49 sandhill crane 368 (083 - 2121) 1102 999 665 335 00 Franklinrsquos gull 283 (013 - 553) 283 1000 00 1000 00 European starling 082 (000 - 216) 082 1000 00 1000 00 American crow 024 (027 - 297) 162 943 00 160 840 red-tailed hawk 013 (008 - 024) 016 938 133 867 00 brown-headed cowbird 008 (029 - 135) 082 125 00 800 200 red-winged blackbird 005 (036 - 1082) 559 261 00 35 965 Wilsons snipe 002 (000 - 008) 004 500 00 1000 00 blue-winged teal 002 (000 - 005) 002 1000 00 1000 00 mallard 002 (004 - 020) 012 500 00 333 667 ring-billed gull 001 (000 - 008) 004 1000 00 250 750 yellow warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 yellow-headed blackbird 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 western meadowlark 000 (065 - 099) 082 338 00 00 1000 western kingbird 000 (000 - 007) 003 1000 00 00 1000 vesper sparrow 000 (013 - 033) 023 130 00 00 1000 upland sandpiper 000 (003 - 013) 008 250 00 00 1000 unidentified warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 Swainsonrsquos hawk 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 sharp-tailed grouse 000 (000 - 007) 003 667 00 00 1000 song sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 snow goose 000 (000 - 490) 188 1000 1000 00 00 savannah sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 rock pigeon 000 (009 - 073) 041 825 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
ring-necked pheasant 000 (128 - 174) 151 07 00 00 1000 redhead 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 pine siskin 000 (000 - 008) 003 1000 00 00 1000 peregrine falcon 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 1000 00 00 northern pintail 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 northern harrier 000 (009 - 023) 016 1000 00 00 1000 northern flicker 000 (000 - 004) 002 500 00 00 1000 mourning dove 000 (019 - 059) 039 684 00 00 1000 killdeer 000 (017 - 041) 029 607 00 00 1000 house wren 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 house sparrow 000 (000 - 030) 015 67 00 00 1000 horned lark 000 (136 - 218) 177 740 00 00 1000 grasshopper sparrow 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 gray partridge 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 great horned owl 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 eastern kingbird 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 dickcissel 000 (000 - 010) 005 00 00 00 00 common snipe 000 (002 - 014) 008 00 00 00 00 common grackle 000 (035 - 151) 093 945 00 00 1000 clay-colored sparrow 000 (010 - 028) 019 158 00 00 1000 bobolink 000 (022 - 052) 037 917 00 00 1000 barn swallow 000 (028 - 062) 045 1000 00 00 1000 American tree sparrow 000 (000 - 018) 008 1000 00 00 1000 American wigeon 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 American robin 000 (011 - 027) 019 421 00 00 1000 American kestrel 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
American goldfinch 000 027 (018 - 036) 923 00 00 1000American coot 000 004 (000 - 011) 00 00 00 001These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 6 Incidental observations of birds during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species
American crow American kestrel American robin Canada goose great horned owl golden eagle gray partridge lesser scaup mallard merlin northern harrier rock pigeon red-tailed hawk red-winged blackbird sandhill crane sharp-tailed grouse wild turkey
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
APPENDICES
22 August 2012
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number of Birds1
Number of
Observations Species
Percentage of Flights
N NE E SE S SW W NW Variable
Canada goose 1398 21 867 00 00 00 02 00 17 114 00
sandhill crane 1079 17 878 52 00 00 00 00 00 70 00
unidentified sparrow 565 5 00 00 00 788 212 00 00 00 00
Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
snow goose 184 2 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
European starling 80 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
American crow 69 11 768 58 58 00 14 43 00 14 43
red-winged blackbird 15 6 533 00 00 200 267 00 00 00 00
red-tailed hawk 14 10 500 143 00 71 00 71 00 71 143
rock pigeon 11 2 00 00 00 00 273 727 00 00 00
northern harrier 9 8 111 00 00 333 00 222 00 111 222
mourning dove 9 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
common grackle 9 6 111 00 00 111 00 222 556 00 00
brown-headed cowbird 8 1 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
horned lark 6 3 833 00 00 167 00 00 00 00 00
ring-billed gull 4 3 250 00 00 00 00 750 00 00 00
Wilsons snipe 2 2 500 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 500
vesper sparrow 2 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
mallard 2 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
blue-winged teal 2 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
peregrine falcon 1 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
killdeer 1 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
Grand Total 3747 108 722 17 04 121 36 05 30 64 02 1 Includes only flying birds with flight directions
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Nest Number Species Substrate
Nest ConditionStatusDates
Surveyed Nest
Height (m) 2012 - 1 452012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good
5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 4 592012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good 5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 5 5192012 Swainsonrsquos hawk Active Siberian Elm 7 Good
NA means not applicable
Wenck Associates Inc 301 1
st St NE Suite 202
Mandan ND 58554
Phone 701-751-3370 Email jaskimwenckcom
May 7 2012
Tracey M Dubuque PE Senior Project Manager
Tetra Tech EC
160 Federal Street Third Floor
Boston MA 02110
Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Dear Tracey
Introduction
Male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) congregate at historicalcommunal leks in the spring
to compete for breeding opportunities Both sexes return to their natal breeding grounds yearly for their
entire life Leks are typically found in areas with low-growing vegetation on a hill knoll or other point of
high visibility Fidelity to these locations is extremely high for sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse
require nesting habitat within close proximity the lek comprised of dense or residual vegetative cover to
conceal and protect their nest from predators (Vodehnal and Haufler 2007)
Disturbance of nesting prairie grouse may occur from the construction of the turbine andor access road
construction noise and physical movement of equipment Loss of habitat and fragmentation related to
energy exploration may affect local prairie grouse populations by decreasing the area of habitat available
for nesting and brood-rearing and by increasing predation (Pittman et al 2005) Therefore federal and
state wildlife agencies are concerned about the placement of turbines in areas with known prairie grouse
populations Turbine setbacks from leks and minimizing grouse habitat disturbance may reduce the direct
and indirect effects of energy development on grouse
Methods
Sharp-tailed grouse surveys were completed from April 10th to May 1
st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise
to two hours after sunrise within the one-mile analysis area (Figure 1) Peak attendance by females on leks
typically occurs from April 15 to 25 but these dates vary by up to a week depending on weather conditions
(Schroeder and Robb 1993) Peak attendance potentially occurred earlier this year due to the early spring
A habitat assessment analysis was conducted prior to the field survey to determine suitable lekkingnesting
habitat within the analysis area (Figure 2) Listening stops were made within a one-mile analysis area
surrounding the proposed project area to identify lek locations (Figure 3) Sharp-tailed grouse males may
be heard at a distance of up to 050 mile Listening stops were not conducted if winds exceeded 10 miles
per hour (mph) or during precipitation events After a lek was located the birds were observed and the
number of males and females were counted Lek locations were documented using Global Positioning
System (GPS) Given the sensitive nature of this species and the fact that females may be nesting near the
lek disturbance to breeding prairie grouse was kept to a minimum
Results
Nine (9) sharp-tailed grouse leks were located during the surveys conducted from April 10th to May 1
st
2012 (Figure 4) Date time sex number of birds present wind conditions air temperature and GPS
coordinates were recorded once a lek was located (Tables 1 and 2) Two of the leks observed were
located outside of the analysis area Due to Lek 1rsquos close proximity to Lek 4 Lek 1 shouldbe classified
as a satellite lek No visual confirmation of Lek 6 was made due to access and topography
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Faanes CA and RE Stewart 1982 Revised checklist of North Dakota birds Version 16JUL97 The Prairie Naturalist 14(3)81-92 Jamestown ND Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Online Available online at httpwwwnpwrcusgsgovresourcebirdschndbirdindexhtm Accessed July 2012
Ferrer M M de Lucas GFE Janss E Casado AR Muntildeoz MJ Bechard and CP Calabuig 2012 Weak relationship between risk assessment studies and recorded mortality in wind farms Journal of Applied Ecology 49(1) 38-46 Available online at httponlinelibrarywileycomdoi101111j1365-2664201102054xpdf
Garvin J C Jennelle C S Drake D and Grodsky S M (2011) Response of raptors to a windfarm Journal of Applied Ecology 48 199ndash209
Gritski B S Downes K Kronner 2008 White Creek Wind I Wildlife Monitoring Annual Summary Winter 2007-2008 through Fall 2008 Prepared for White Creek Wind I LLC Roosevelt WA 25 pgs
Grodsky SM and D Drake 2011 Assessing Bird and Bat Mortality at the Forward Energy Center Final Report Public Service Commission (PSC) of Wisconsin PSC REF152052 Prepared for Forward Energy LLC Prepared by Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison Wisconsin August 2011
Gruver J M Sonnenburg K Bay and W Erickson 2009 Post-Construction Bat and Bird Fatality Study at the Blue Sky Green Field Wind Energy Center Fond Du Lac County Wisconsin July 21 - October 31 2008 and March 15 - June 4 2009 Unpublished report prepared by Western EcoSystems Technology Inc (WEST) Cheyenne Wyoming December 17 2009
Hagen CA JC Pitman TM Loughin BK Sandercock and RJ Robel 2011 Impacts of anthropogenic features on lesser prairie-chicken habitat use Studies in Avian Biology 39 63-75
Hagen SK PT Isakson and SR Dyke 2005 North Dakota Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy North Dakota Game and Fish Department Bismarck ND
Howe RW W Evans and AT Wolf 2002 Effects of Wind Turbines on Birds and Bats in Northeastern Wisconsin Prepared by University of Wisconsin-Green Bay for Wisconsin Public Service Corporation and Madison Gas and Electric Company Madison Wisconsin November 21 2002 104 pp
Jain AA RR Koford AW Hancockand GG Zenner 2011 Bat Mortality and Activity at a Northern Iowa Wind Resource Area Am Mid Natur 165 185-200
Jain A P Kerlinger R Curry and L Slobodnik 2007 Annual report for the Maple Ridge wind power project post-construction bird and bat fatality studymdash2006 Prepared by Curry and Kerlinger LLC for PPM Energy Horizon Energy and Technical Advisory Committee for the Maple Ridge Project
Jain AA 2005 Bird and Bat Behavior and Mortality at a Northern Iowa Windfarm Thesis submitted to Iowa State University Ames IA 113 pgs
16 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Johnson GD C LeBeau R Neilsen T Rintz and J Eddy 2012 Greater Sage-Grouse Habitat Use and Population Demographics at the Simpson Ridge Wind Resource Area Carbon County Wyoming Final Report prepared for EBP Renewables Houston Texas
Johnson GD and WP Erickson 2011 Avian Bat and Habitat Cumulative Impacts Associated with Wind Energy Development in the Columbia Plateau Ecoregion of Eastern Washington and Oregon Prepared by West Inc for Klickitat County Washington
Johnson DH MJ Holloran JW Connelly SE Hanser CL Amundson and ST Knick 2011 Influences of Environmental and Anthropogenic Features on Greater Sage-grouse Populations 1997-2007 Pages 407-450 in ST Knick and JW Connelly Greater Sage-Grouse ecology and conservation of a landscape species and its habitat Studies in Avian Biology 38 University of California Press Berkeley CA
Johnson GD WP Erickson MD Strickland MF Shepherd DA Shepherd and SA Sarappo 2002 Collision mortality of local and migrant birds at a large-scale wind power development on Buffalo Ridge Minnesota Wildlife Society Bulletin 30879-887
Johnson GD WP Erickson MD Strickland MF Shepherd and DA Shepherd 2000 Avian Monitoring Studies at the Buffalo Ridge Wind Resource Area Minnesota Results of a 4-Year Study Final report prepared for Northern States Power Company Minneapolis Minnesota by Western EcoSystems Technology Inc (WEST) Cheyenne Wyoming September 22 2000 212 pp httpwwwwest-inccom
Kerns J and P Kerlinger 2004 A study of bird and bat collision fatalities at the Mountaineer Wind Energy Center Tucker County West Virginia Annual report for 2003 Technical report prepared by Curry and Kerlinger LLC for FPL Energy and Mountaineer Wind Energy Center Technical Review Committee
Leddy KL KF Higgins and DE Naugle 1999 Effects of wind turbines on upland nesting birds in CRP grasslands Wilson Bulletin 111100-104
Manville AM II 2004 Prairie grouse leks and wind turbines US Fish and Wildlife Service justification for a 5-mile buffer from leks additional grassland songbird recommendations Division of Migratory Bird Management USFWS Arlington VA peer-reviewed briefing paper
Martin GR 2011 Understanding bird collisions with man-made objects a sensory ecology approach Ibis 153(2)239-254
Morkill AE and SH Anderson 1991 Effectiveness of marking powerlines to reduce sandhill crane collisions Wildlife Society Bulletin 19 442-449
Murphy RK SM McPherron GD Wright and KL Serbousek 2009 Effectiveness of avian collision averters in preventing migratory bird fatality from powerline strikes in the central Platte River Nebraska 2008-2009 Final Report
Nagy L B Gibson K L Kosciuch J Jones and J Taylor 2011 Whooping and Sandhill Crane Behavior at an Operating Wind Farm Poster presented at American Wind Energy Association Annual Meeting Pasadena CA
Orloff S and A Flannery 1992 Wind turbine effects on avian activity habitat use and mortality in Altamont Pass and Solano County Wind Resource Areas 1989-1991 Final
17 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
report prepared by Biosystems Analysis Inc for Alameda Contra Costa and Solano Counties and the California Energy Commission
Pearce-Higgins JW L Stephen A Douse and RHW Langston 2012 Greater impacts of wind farms on bird populations during construction than subsequent operation results of a multi-site and multi-species analysis Journal of Applied Ecology 49 386-394
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Pitman JC CA Hagen RJ Robel TM Loughin and RD Applegate 2005 Location and success of lesser prairie-chicken nests in relation to vegetation and human disturbance Journal of Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Pruett CL MA Patten and DH Wolfe 2009 Avoidance Behavior by Prairie Grouse Implications for Development of Wind Energy Conservation Biology 231253-1259
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Thelander CG KS Smallwood and L Rugge 2003 Bird Risk Behaviors and Fatalities at the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area Period of Performance March 1998-December 2000
Thompson WL 2002 Towards reliable bird surveys accounting for individuals present but not detected Auk 11918-25
TRC Environmental Corporation 2008 Post-Construction Avian and Bat Fatality Monitoring and Grassland Bird Displacement Surveys at the Judith Gap Wind Energy Project
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2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
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People who contributed to the writing of this report
Jim Kowalsky July 17 2012
Report Author Date
Jennifer Taylor July 19 2012
Peer Review 1 Date
Chris Farmer August 3 2012
Peer Review 2 Date
Anne-Marie Griger August 9 2012
Deputy Project Manager Date
Robert Friedel July 13 2012
GIS Date
19 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
FIGURES
20 August 2012
B
Knife River
James River
Random Creek
Pipestem Creek
Heart River Long Lake Creek
Rocky Run
Otter Creek
Turtle Cr eek
West Branch Apple Creek
Little Heart River
Big Muddy Creek
Ea st Br an ch Ap pl e C re ek
Apple
Creek
Painte Woods Creek
Sweetbrier Creek
Square Butte Creek
B
LakeAudubon Figure 1Lake NettieLakeSakakawea ty MapVicini
Turtle BlueLake Lakeerson
Lake NEXTENERGYPetUV7
U SherCoun
idan UV200 Wellty Counst
V41 RESOURCES
Wilton IVMcLeanWind Energy Center
Burleigh County ND
Las modified 7-10-2012
CountyMercerCounty t
U
poundcurren
neV Lake
52
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LakeLake
Lake LakeLake
Lakes
Lake Lake Bond
Lake Lake
Coungh
Coun Lake Lake B g Muddy
Ri DeadLake
o
sectbrvbar94
pound83curren
JohnsLake Silver
Lake Project area(11-15-2011)State boundarySalt
ee uullaahh PelicanSwand County boundary
Urban area WillowOBrienLongLake lkaliA14 HelenTwi Interstate Highway
Highwayn UV3
FederalUV48 Mitchell LakeLake Josephine State HighwayLake
RiversDeerOliver
Count UV36Harri ty te reamSinkUV25
LakepondUV31 Lake Brock
SlUV1806 CherryLake
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Louise
ChaseLakeKidder
ty SaltSibley AlkaliLake LakeneBurlei BuffalCl oear iMissouri ty Lakever
BuffalStonySlough
Bismarck UV10 Lake
Alkaline IsabelLakeUV810 McKenzie
SloughMorCoun
ont Lake Lakety Etta Henry Lake
Long Lake George
UV6 U Pursian CanadaV1804
LakeLake AlkalineOahe Lake
PGI
S_PR
OJEC
TSN
extE
raWi
lton_
IVM
XDsA
vian2
012S
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Rep
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apsN
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n4_A
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urvey
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Last
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d 723
2012
Projarea
ect GrandForksDutt
Slon
oughGrantCount Emmons
CounLoganCounty
N D Bismarck
y M T FargoM N
ty GooseLake
Rapid S D PierreW Y City SiFa
ouxO 1500000 NAD 1983 UTM 14 0 5 10 20 30 40 50
Miles llsI A
TETRA TECH ECINC
240th Ave Ne 240th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
253Rd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
227Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE 279Th Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
145T
h St N
E
41St
St NE 14
5Th S
t NE
66Th
St N
E
171S
t St N
E
132N
d St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
41St
St NE
66Th
St N
E
80Th
St N
E
93Rd
St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
106T
h St N
E
171S
t St N
E
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
Figure 2 Point
(Spr t location mapcoun
ing 2012)NEXTENERGY
RESOURCES
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
AA
A A
Burleigh County ND
Last modified 7-10-2012A AA
AA AA A A A
Avian survey poinan survey poin
800-m rad
AA PC 01 t
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PC 04 AviA
ius A A PC Point count number
AAA Wind energy center
(11-15-2011)Proposed turbi
A
A (9-21-2011)
PC 02 neA
A
A Local Road
A
A
PC 03
A AAAA
A A A A
A AA
APC 06 A APC 05 A A A
A A A
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1207
10m
xd -L
ast S
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723
2012
O 155000 NAD 1983 UTM 14 0 05 1 2 3 4 5 Miles
TETRA TECH ECINC
Figure 3 Non-raptor mean use by survey date in Spring at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center M
ean
Use
(bir
ds2
0 m
in)
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
00
Survey Date
316 321 326 44 410 420 427 53 512 519 526 62 69 615
NAD 1983 UTM 14
240th Ave Ne240th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
253Rd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
227Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE 279Th Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
145T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
145T
h St N
E
66Th
St N
E
171S
t St N
E
132N
d St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
41St
St NE
66Th
St N
E
80Th
St N
E
93Rd
St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
106T
h St N
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171S
t St N
E
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
PC 01
PC 02
PC 03
PC 04
PC 05 PC 06
PC 07
3693
4414
10314
5607
6114 5536
2464
155000 O 0 1 2 3 4 505 Miles
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TETR A TECH EC INC
Figure 4Non-raptor mean use by point count location (Spring 2012)
Non-r aptor s p e r 20 m in u te s 00 1 - 25 0 0 25 01 - 5 0 00 50 01 - 7 5 00
75 01 - 1 0 00 0
10 00 1 - 1 25 00
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
A Pro po sed tu rbin e (9 -21 -20 11 )Lo ca l Ro a d
Mean use value PC Point count number
Burleigh County ND
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
Last modified 7-10-2012
NEXTENERGY RESOURCES
Figure 5 Raptor mean use by survey date in Spring 2012 at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Mea
n U
se (b
irds
20
min
)
140
120
100
080
060
040
020
000
Survey Date
316 321 326 44 410 420 427 53 512 519 526 62 69 615
NAD 1983 UTM 14
240th Ave Ne240th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
253Rd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
227Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE 279Th Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
145T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
145T
h St N
E
66Th
St N
E
171S
t St N
E
132N
d St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
41St
St NE
66Th
St N
E
80Th
St N
E
93Rd
St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
106T
h St N
E
171S
t St N
E
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
PC 01
PC 02
PC 03
PC 04
PC 05 PC 06
PC 07
064
014
057
064
021 007
029
155000 O 0 1 2 3 4 505 Miles
PGI
S _P R
O J E C
T S N
e xt E
r a Wi
lto n _
IVM
X D s A
vi an2
0 12S
pr in g
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120 7
10 m
xd -
Last
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d 723
2 0 1 2
TETR A TECH EC INC
Figure 6Raptor mean use by point
count location (Spring 2012)
Rapto r s p e r 2 0 m in u te s 00 1- 01 6 01 7 - 0 32 03 3 - 0 48
04 9 - 0 64
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
A Pro po sed tu rbin e (9 -21 -20 11 )Lo ca l Ro a d
Mean use value PC Point count number
Burleigh County ND
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
Last modified 7-10-2012
NEXTENERGY RESOURCES
240th Ave Ne 240th Ave Ne
240th Ave Ne
266th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
279Th Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE
292Nd Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
52Nd
St N
E
197T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
66Th
St N
E
188Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
106T
h St N
E
253Rd Ave NE
292Nd Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
132N
d St N
E
26Th
St N
E
266Th Ave NE
253Rd Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
93Rd
St N
E
145T
h St N
E 14
5Th S
t NE
132N
d St N
E
41St
St NE
210T
h St N
E
119T
h St N
E
106T
h St N
E
171S
t St N
E 17
1St S
t NE
188Th Ave NE
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE 227Th Ave NE
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
201St Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
Figure 7 Raptor nest and lek location
map (Spring 2012)NEXTENERGY
RESOURCES
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
5 Burleigh County ND
Last modified 7-10-2012 A A
A A
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
AAA A A A A A
A A
Pro po sed tu rbi(9 -21 -20 11 )
n e A A
A A
Lo ca l Ro a d Sh arp -tailed
le k A4
A AA gro use
Raptor nest s pecies Re d-taile d h a wk
1
A
A
A A
Sw ain so n s h a wk 3 A
Ina ctive ra ptor A
9 A
A
A A AA
A A 7 28
A A A A
A A A A
A A AA AA
AAA AA
A A A
A A
A A A A
A
PGI
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lto n _
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n 4 _ A
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u r ve y
_ F ig u
r e7_ R
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k_ 17
i11i_2
0120
710 m
xd -
Last
S av e
d 723
2 0 1 2
6
66T h
St N
E
O 165000 NAD 1983 UTM 14 0 05 1 2 3 4 5 Miles
TETR A TECH EC INC
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
TABLES
21 August 2012
Table 1 Spring 2012 point count survey dates at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Date(s)Survey number
1 316 2 321 3 326 4 44 5 410 6 420 7 427 8 53 9 512 10 519 11 526 12 62 13 69 14 615
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Songbirds
unidentified sparrow 652 7 665 (000-1339) 41 313 121 red-winged blackbird 548 52 559 (036-1082) 378 263 102 horned lark 173 83 177 (136-218) 612 83 32 American crow 159 22 162 (027-297) 204 76 30 common grackle 91 33 093 (035-151) 245 44 17 western meadowlark 80 62 082 (065-099) 480 38 15 European starling 80 1 082 (000-216) 10 38 15 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 082 (029-135) 82 38 15 barn swallow 44 21 045 (028-062) 204 21 08 bobolink 36 28 037 (022-052) 194 17 07 American goldfinch 26 23 027 (018-036) 214 12 05 vesper sparrow 23 21 023 (013-033) 184 11 04 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 019 (010-028) 143 09 04 American robin 19 19 019 (011-027) 143 09 04 house sparrow 15 5 015 (000-030) 51 07 03 American tree sparrow 8 2 008 (000-018) 20 04 01 song sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 savannah sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 dickcissel 5 4 005 (000-010) 31 02 01 western kingbird 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 01 01 pine siskin 3 1 003 (000-008) 10 01 01 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 eastern kingbird 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 yellow warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 unidentified warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 house wren 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 Group Total 2083 430 2126 (1259-2993) 949 387
Waterfowl
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations
Canada goose 1408 24 1437 (435-2439) 133 874 262 snow goose 184 2 188 (000-490) 20 114 34 mallard 12 6 012 (004-020) 61 07 02 northern pintail 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 blue-winged teal 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 American wigeon 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 redhead 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 01 00 Group Total 1611 36 1644 (561-2727) 184 300
CranesRails sandhill crane 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 1000 201 Group Total 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 201
GullsTerns Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 283 (013-553) 31 986 52 ring-billed gull 4 3 004 (000-008) 31 14 01 Group Total 281 7 287 (017-557) 61 52
Gamebirds ring-necked pheasant 148 134 151 (128-174) 745 967 28 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 20 01 gray partridge 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 13 00 Group Total 153 138 156 (132-180) 755 28
PigeonsDoves rock pigeon 40 6 041 (009-073) 61 513 07 mourning dove 38 25 039 (019-059) 184 487 07 Group Total 78 31 080 (041-119) 224 15
Waterbirds killdeer 28 22 029 (017-041) 214 538 05 upland sandpiper 8 8 008 (003-013) 71 154 01 common snipe 8 8 008 (002-014) 61 154 01 Wilsons snipe 4 4 004 (000-008) 31 77 01 American coot 4 1 004 (000-011) 10 77 01 Group Total 52 43 053 (037-069) 357 10
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Raptors
red-tailed hawk 16 12 016 (008-024) 122 444 03 northern harrier 16 14 016 (009-023) 143 444 03 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 peregrine falcon 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 great horned owl 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 American kestrel 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 Group Total 36 30 037 (025-049) 276 07
Woodpeckers northern flicker 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 1000 00 Group Total 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 00 Grand Total 5376 735 5486 (3771-7200)
1 A ranking of 1 indicates highest mean use
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Canada goose 1408 24 210 80 523 140 210 135 110 sandhill crane 1080 18 94 18 621 15 187 145 0 unidentified sparrow 652 7 0 0 0 0 330 210 112 red-winged blackbird 548 52 0 84 49 386 14 11 4 Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 107 0 100 70 0 0 0 snow goose 184 2 0 180 4 0 0 0 0 horned lark 173 83 23 24 17 12 19 32 46 American crow 159 22 6 4 13 11 1 123 1 ring-necked pheasant 148 134 21 14 21 18 25 22 27 common grackle 91 33 6 35 7 2 8 33 0 western meadowlark 80 62 8 10 17 3 11 19 12 European starling 80 1 0 0 0 80 0 0 0 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 0 63 17 0 0 0 0 barn swallow 44 21 3 12 6 10 7 1 5 rock pigeon 40 6 0 14 0 0 0 23 3 mourning dove 38 25 4 17 1 1 1 11 3 bobolink 36 28 10 0 14 8 0 0 4 killdeer 28 22 3 3 4 5 10 0 3 American goldfinch 26 23 4 9 3 3 4 2 1 vesper sparrow 23 21 1 7 1 2 9 1 2 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 2 4 2 0 6 4 1 American robin 19 19 1 13 0 1 3 0 1 red-tailed hawk 16 12 4 0 4 5 0 1 2 northern harrier 16 14 3 1 4 4 2 0 2 house sparrow 15 5 2 13 0 0 0 0 0 mallard 12 6 0 0 6 6 0 0 0 upland sandpiper 8 8 0 0 1 0 3 2 2 common snipe 8 8 0 2 6 0 0 0 0 American tree sparrow 8 2 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 song sparrow 5 5 1 1 1 0 2 0 0 savannah sparrow 5 5 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 dickcissel 5 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 Wilsons snipe 4 4 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 ring-billed gull 4 3 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 American coot 4 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 western kingbird 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 pine siskin 3 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 northern pintail 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
northern flicker 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 gray partridge 2 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 eastern kingbird 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 blue-winged teal 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 American wigeon 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 yellow warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 unidentified warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 redhead 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 peregrine falcon 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 house wren 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 great horned owl 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 American kestrel 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Grand Total 5376 735 526 620 1452 794 859 776 349
Table 4 Summary of avian flight heights1 in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)2 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Birds
Number Percentage
Non-raptors
Raptors
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
1656 372
2023 455
767 173
3 91
13 394
17 515 1 Includes only flying birds with flight height data2These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
Canada goose 654 (435 - 2439) 1437 997 537 457 06 unidentified sparrow 632 (000 - 1339) 665 1000 00 951 49 sandhill crane 368 (083 - 2121) 1102 999 665 335 00 Franklinrsquos gull 283 (013 - 553) 283 1000 00 1000 00 European starling 082 (000 - 216) 082 1000 00 1000 00 American crow 024 (027 - 297) 162 943 00 160 840 red-tailed hawk 013 (008 - 024) 016 938 133 867 00 brown-headed cowbird 008 (029 - 135) 082 125 00 800 200 red-winged blackbird 005 (036 - 1082) 559 261 00 35 965 Wilsons snipe 002 (000 - 008) 004 500 00 1000 00 blue-winged teal 002 (000 - 005) 002 1000 00 1000 00 mallard 002 (004 - 020) 012 500 00 333 667 ring-billed gull 001 (000 - 008) 004 1000 00 250 750 yellow warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 yellow-headed blackbird 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 western meadowlark 000 (065 - 099) 082 338 00 00 1000 western kingbird 000 (000 - 007) 003 1000 00 00 1000 vesper sparrow 000 (013 - 033) 023 130 00 00 1000 upland sandpiper 000 (003 - 013) 008 250 00 00 1000 unidentified warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 Swainsonrsquos hawk 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 sharp-tailed grouse 000 (000 - 007) 003 667 00 00 1000 song sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 snow goose 000 (000 - 490) 188 1000 1000 00 00 savannah sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 rock pigeon 000 (009 - 073) 041 825 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
ring-necked pheasant 000 (128 - 174) 151 07 00 00 1000 redhead 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 pine siskin 000 (000 - 008) 003 1000 00 00 1000 peregrine falcon 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 1000 00 00 northern pintail 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 northern harrier 000 (009 - 023) 016 1000 00 00 1000 northern flicker 000 (000 - 004) 002 500 00 00 1000 mourning dove 000 (019 - 059) 039 684 00 00 1000 killdeer 000 (017 - 041) 029 607 00 00 1000 house wren 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 house sparrow 000 (000 - 030) 015 67 00 00 1000 horned lark 000 (136 - 218) 177 740 00 00 1000 grasshopper sparrow 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 gray partridge 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 great horned owl 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 eastern kingbird 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 dickcissel 000 (000 - 010) 005 00 00 00 00 common snipe 000 (002 - 014) 008 00 00 00 00 common grackle 000 (035 - 151) 093 945 00 00 1000 clay-colored sparrow 000 (010 - 028) 019 158 00 00 1000 bobolink 000 (022 - 052) 037 917 00 00 1000 barn swallow 000 (028 - 062) 045 1000 00 00 1000 American tree sparrow 000 (000 - 018) 008 1000 00 00 1000 American wigeon 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 American robin 000 (011 - 027) 019 421 00 00 1000 American kestrel 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
American goldfinch 000 027 (018 - 036) 923 00 00 1000American coot 000 004 (000 - 011) 00 00 00 001These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 6 Incidental observations of birds during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species
American crow American kestrel American robin Canada goose great horned owl golden eagle gray partridge lesser scaup mallard merlin northern harrier rock pigeon red-tailed hawk red-winged blackbird sandhill crane sharp-tailed grouse wild turkey
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
APPENDICES
22 August 2012
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number of Birds1
Number of
Observations Species
Percentage of Flights
N NE E SE S SW W NW Variable
Canada goose 1398 21 867 00 00 00 02 00 17 114 00
sandhill crane 1079 17 878 52 00 00 00 00 00 70 00
unidentified sparrow 565 5 00 00 00 788 212 00 00 00 00
Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
snow goose 184 2 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
European starling 80 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
American crow 69 11 768 58 58 00 14 43 00 14 43
red-winged blackbird 15 6 533 00 00 200 267 00 00 00 00
red-tailed hawk 14 10 500 143 00 71 00 71 00 71 143
rock pigeon 11 2 00 00 00 00 273 727 00 00 00
northern harrier 9 8 111 00 00 333 00 222 00 111 222
mourning dove 9 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
common grackle 9 6 111 00 00 111 00 222 556 00 00
brown-headed cowbird 8 1 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
horned lark 6 3 833 00 00 167 00 00 00 00 00
ring-billed gull 4 3 250 00 00 00 00 750 00 00 00
Wilsons snipe 2 2 500 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 500
vesper sparrow 2 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
mallard 2 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
blue-winged teal 2 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
peregrine falcon 1 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
killdeer 1 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
Grand Total 3747 108 722 17 04 121 36 05 30 64 02 1 Includes only flying birds with flight directions
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Nest Number Species Substrate
Nest ConditionStatusDates
Surveyed Nest
Height (m) 2012 - 1 452012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good
5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 4 592012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good 5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 5 5192012 Swainsonrsquos hawk Active Siberian Elm 7 Good
NA means not applicable
Wenck Associates Inc 301 1
st St NE Suite 202
Mandan ND 58554
Phone 701-751-3370 Email jaskimwenckcom
May 7 2012
Tracey M Dubuque PE Senior Project Manager
Tetra Tech EC
160 Federal Street Third Floor
Boston MA 02110
Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Dear Tracey
Introduction
Male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) congregate at historicalcommunal leks in the spring
to compete for breeding opportunities Both sexes return to their natal breeding grounds yearly for their
entire life Leks are typically found in areas with low-growing vegetation on a hill knoll or other point of
high visibility Fidelity to these locations is extremely high for sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse
require nesting habitat within close proximity the lek comprised of dense or residual vegetative cover to
conceal and protect their nest from predators (Vodehnal and Haufler 2007)
Disturbance of nesting prairie grouse may occur from the construction of the turbine andor access road
construction noise and physical movement of equipment Loss of habitat and fragmentation related to
energy exploration may affect local prairie grouse populations by decreasing the area of habitat available
for nesting and brood-rearing and by increasing predation (Pittman et al 2005) Therefore federal and
state wildlife agencies are concerned about the placement of turbines in areas with known prairie grouse
populations Turbine setbacks from leks and minimizing grouse habitat disturbance may reduce the direct
and indirect effects of energy development on grouse
Methods
Sharp-tailed grouse surveys were completed from April 10th to May 1
st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise
to two hours after sunrise within the one-mile analysis area (Figure 1) Peak attendance by females on leks
typically occurs from April 15 to 25 but these dates vary by up to a week depending on weather conditions
(Schroeder and Robb 1993) Peak attendance potentially occurred earlier this year due to the early spring
A habitat assessment analysis was conducted prior to the field survey to determine suitable lekkingnesting
habitat within the analysis area (Figure 2) Listening stops were made within a one-mile analysis area
surrounding the proposed project area to identify lek locations (Figure 3) Sharp-tailed grouse males may
be heard at a distance of up to 050 mile Listening stops were not conducted if winds exceeded 10 miles
per hour (mph) or during precipitation events After a lek was located the birds were observed and the
number of males and females were counted Lek locations were documented using Global Positioning
System (GPS) Given the sensitive nature of this species and the fact that females may be nesting near the
lek disturbance to breeding prairie grouse was kept to a minimum
Results
Nine (9) sharp-tailed grouse leks were located during the surveys conducted from April 10th to May 1
st
2012 (Figure 4) Date time sex number of birds present wind conditions air temperature and GPS
coordinates were recorded once a lek was located (Tables 1 and 2) Two of the leks observed were
located outside of the analysis area Due to Lek 1rsquos close proximity to Lek 4 Lek 1 shouldbe classified
as a satellite lek No visual confirmation of Lek 6 was made due to access and topography
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Johnson GD C LeBeau R Neilsen T Rintz and J Eddy 2012 Greater Sage-Grouse Habitat Use and Population Demographics at the Simpson Ridge Wind Resource Area Carbon County Wyoming Final Report prepared for EBP Renewables Houston Texas
Johnson GD and WP Erickson 2011 Avian Bat and Habitat Cumulative Impacts Associated with Wind Energy Development in the Columbia Plateau Ecoregion of Eastern Washington and Oregon Prepared by West Inc for Klickitat County Washington
Johnson DH MJ Holloran JW Connelly SE Hanser CL Amundson and ST Knick 2011 Influences of Environmental and Anthropogenic Features on Greater Sage-grouse Populations 1997-2007 Pages 407-450 in ST Knick and JW Connelly Greater Sage-Grouse ecology and conservation of a landscape species and its habitat Studies in Avian Biology 38 University of California Press Berkeley CA
Johnson GD WP Erickson MD Strickland MF Shepherd DA Shepherd and SA Sarappo 2002 Collision mortality of local and migrant birds at a large-scale wind power development on Buffalo Ridge Minnesota Wildlife Society Bulletin 30879-887
Johnson GD WP Erickson MD Strickland MF Shepherd and DA Shepherd 2000 Avian Monitoring Studies at the Buffalo Ridge Wind Resource Area Minnesota Results of a 4-Year Study Final report prepared for Northern States Power Company Minneapolis Minnesota by Western EcoSystems Technology Inc (WEST) Cheyenne Wyoming September 22 2000 212 pp httpwwwwest-inccom
Kerns J and P Kerlinger 2004 A study of bird and bat collision fatalities at the Mountaineer Wind Energy Center Tucker County West Virginia Annual report for 2003 Technical report prepared by Curry and Kerlinger LLC for FPL Energy and Mountaineer Wind Energy Center Technical Review Committee
Leddy KL KF Higgins and DE Naugle 1999 Effects of wind turbines on upland nesting birds in CRP grasslands Wilson Bulletin 111100-104
Manville AM II 2004 Prairie grouse leks and wind turbines US Fish and Wildlife Service justification for a 5-mile buffer from leks additional grassland songbird recommendations Division of Migratory Bird Management USFWS Arlington VA peer-reviewed briefing paper
Martin GR 2011 Understanding bird collisions with man-made objects a sensory ecology approach Ibis 153(2)239-254
Morkill AE and SH Anderson 1991 Effectiveness of marking powerlines to reduce sandhill crane collisions Wildlife Society Bulletin 19 442-449
Murphy RK SM McPherron GD Wright and KL Serbousek 2009 Effectiveness of avian collision averters in preventing migratory bird fatality from powerline strikes in the central Platte River Nebraska 2008-2009 Final Report
Nagy L B Gibson K L Kosciuch J Jones and J Taylor 2011 Whooping and Sandhill Crane Behavior at an Operating Wind Farm Poster presented at American Wind Energy Association Annual Meeting Pasadena CA
Orloff S and A Flannery 1992 Wind turbine effects on avian activity habitat use and mortality in Altamont Pass and Solano County Wind Resource Areas 1989-1991 Final
17 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
report prepared by Biosystems Analysis Inc for Alameda Contra Costa and Solano Counties and the California Energy Commission
Pearce-Higgins JW L Stephen A Douse and RHW Langston 2012 Greater impacts of wind farms on bird populations during construction than subsequent operation results of a multi-site and multi-species analysis Journal of Applied Ecology 49 386-394
Pickwell B 1931 The prairie horned lark St Louis Academy of Sciences Transactions 271shy153
Pitman JC CA Hagen RJ Robel TM Loughin and RD Applegate 2005 Location and success of lesser prairie-chicken nests in relation to vegetation and human disturbance Journal of Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Pruett CL MA Patten and DH Wolfe 2009 Avoidance Behavior by Prairie Grouse Implications for Development of Wind Energy Conservation Biology 231253-1259
Sauer J R J E Hines J E Fallon K L Pardieck D J Ziolkowski Jr and W A Link 2011 The North American Breeding Bird Survey Results and Analysis 1966 - 2010 Version 12072011 USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center Laurel MD
Shaffer JA and DH Johnson 2009 Displacement effects of wind developments on grassland birds in the northern Great Plains NWCC Wind Wildlife Conference [Presentation] October 2008 Milwaukee WI Prepared for NWCC by SS Schwartz and Published 2009 Available online at httpswwwnationalwindorgassetsresearch_meetingsResearch_Meeting_VII_Shaffer pdf
Strickland MD EB Arnett WP Erickson DH Johnson GD Johnson ML Morrison JA Shaffer and W Warren-Hicks 2011 Comprehensive Guide to Studying Wind EnergyWildlife Interactions Prepared for the National Wind Coordinating Collaborative Washington DC httpwwwnationalwindorgassetspublicationsComprehensive_Guide_to_Studying_Wi nd_Energy_Wildlife_Interactions_2011_Updatedpdf Accessed November 2011
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Thelander CG KS Smallwood and L Rugge 2003 Bird Risk Behaviors and Fatalities at the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area Period of Performance March 1998-December 2000
Thompson WL 2002 Towards reliable bird surveys accounting for individuals present but not detected Auk 11918-25
TRC Environmental Corporation 2008 Post-Construction Avian and Bat Fatality Monitoring and Grassland Bird Displacement Surveys at the Judith Gap Wind Energy Project
18 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Wheatland County Montana Prepared for Judith Gap Energy LLC Chicago Illinois TRC Environmental Corporation Laramie Wyoming TRC Project 51883-01 (112416) January 2008 httpwwwnewwestnetpdfsAvianBatFatalityMonitoringpdf
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People who contributed to the writing of this report
Jim Kowalsky July 17 2012
Report Author Date
Jennifer Taylor July 19 2012
Peer Review 1 Date
Chris Farmer August 3 2012
Peer Review 2 Date
Anne-Marie Griger August 9 2012
Deputy Project Manager Date
Robert Friedel July 13 2012
GIS Date
19 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
FIGURES
20 August 2012
B
Knife River
James River
Random Creek
Pipestem Creek
Heart River Long Lake Creek
Rocky Run
Otter Creek
Turtle Cr eek
West Branch Apple Creek
Little Heart River
Big Muddy Creek
Ea st Br an ch Ap pl e C re ek
Apple
Creek
Painte Woods Creek
Sweetbrier Creek
Square Butte Creek
B
LakeAudubon Figure 1Lake NettieLakeSakakawea ty MapVicini
Turtle BlueLake Lakeerson
Lake NEXTENERGYPetUV7
U SherCoun
idan UV200 Wellty Counst
V41 RESOURCES
Wilton IVMcLeanWind Energy Center
Burleigh County ND
Las modified 7-10-2012
CountyMercerCounty t
U
poundcurren
neV Lake
52
y
LakeLake
Lake LakeLake
Lakes
Lake Lake Bond
Lake Lake
Coungh
Coun Lake Lake B g Muddy
Ri DeadLake
o
sectbrvbar94
pound83curren
JohnsLake Silver
Lake Project area(11-15-2011)State boundarySalt
ee uullaahh PelicanSwand County boundary
Urban area WillowOBrienLongLake lkaliA14 HelenTwi Interstate Highway
Highwayn UV3
FederalUV48 Mitchell LakeLake Josephine State HighwayLake
RiversDeerOliver
Count UV36Harri ty te reamSinkUV25
LakepondUV31 Lake Brock
SlUV1806 CherryLake
oughKunkel LakeHorsehead
Louise
ChaseLakeKidder
ty SaltSibley AlkaliLake LakeneBurlei BuffalCl oear iMissouri ty Lakever
BuffalStonySlough
Bismarck UV10 Lake
Alkaline IsabelLakeUV810 McKenzie
SloughMorCoun
ont Lake Lakety Etta Henry Lake
Long Lake George
UV6 U Pursian CanadaV1804
LakeLake AlkalineOahe Lake
PGI
S_PR
OJEC
TSN
extE
raWi
lton_
IVM
XDsA
vian2
012S
pring
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ort_M
apsN
EER_
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urvey
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re1_V
icinity
_17i1
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Last
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d 723
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Projarea
ect GrandForksDutt
Slon
oughGrantCount Emmons
CounLoganCounty
N D Bismarck
y M T FargoM N
ty GooseLake
Rapid S D PierreW Y City SiFa
ouxO 1500000 NAD 1983 UTM 14 0 5 10 20 30 40 50
Miles llsI A
TETRA TECH ECINC
240th Ave Ne 240th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
253Rd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
227Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE 279Th Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
145T
h St N
E
41St
St NE 14
5Th S
t NE
66Th
St N
E
171S
t St N
E
132N
d St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
41St
St NE
66Th
St N
E
80Th
St N
E
93Rd
St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
106T
h St N
E
171S
t St N
E
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
Figure 2 Point
(Spr t location mapcoun
ing 2012)NEXTENERGY
RESOURCES
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
AA
A A
Burleigh County ND
Last modified 7-10-2012A AA
AA AA A A A
Avian survey poinan survey poin
800-m rad
AA PC 01 t
t
PC 04 AviA
ius A A PC Point count number
AAA Wind energy center
(11-15-2011)Proposed turbi
A
A (9-21-2011)
PC 02 neA
A
A Local Road
A
A
PC 03
A AAAA
A A A A
A AA
APC 06 A APC 05 A A A
A A A
A
A
A
A AAA A
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urvey
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1207
10m
xd -L
ast S
aved
723
2012
O 155000 NAD 1983 UTM 14 0 05 1 2 3 4 5 Miles
TETRA TECH ECINC
Figure 3 Non-raptor mean use by survey date in Spring at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center M
ean
Use
(bir
ds2
0 m
in)
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
00
Survey Date
316 321 326 44 410 420 427 53 512 519 526 62 69 615
NAD 1983 UTM 14
240th Ave Ne240th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
253Rd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
227Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE 279Th Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
145T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
145T
h St N
E
66Th
St N
E
171S
t St N
E
132N
d St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
41St
St NE
66Th
St N
E
80Th
St N
E
93Rd
St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
106T
h St N
E
171S
t St N
E
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
PC 01
PC 02
PC 03
PC 04
PC 05 PC 06
PC 07
3693
4414
10314
5607
6114 5536
2464
155000 O 0 1 2 3 4 505 Miles
PGI
S _P R
O J E C
T S N
e xt E
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X D s A
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0 12S
pr in g
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ed 7
2 320
12
TETR A TECH EC INC
Figure 4Non-raptor mean use by point count location (Spring 2012)
Non-r aptor s p e r 20 m in u te s 00 1 - 25 0 0 25 01 - 5 0 00 50 01 - 7 5 00
75 01 - 1 0 00 0
10 00 1 - 1 25 00
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
A Pro po sed tu rbin e (9 -21 -20 11 )Lo ca l Ro a d
Mean use value PC Point count number
Burleigh County ND
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
Last modified 7-10-2012
NEXTENERGY RESOURCES
Figure 5 Raptor mean use by survey date in Spring 2012 at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Mea
n U
se (b
irds
20
min
)
140
120
100
080
060
040
020
000
Survey Date
316 321 326 44 410 420 427 53 512 519 526 62 69 615
NAD 1983 UTM 14
240th Ave Ne240th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
253Rd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
227Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE 279Th Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
145T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
145T
h St N
E
66Th
St N
E
171S
t St N
E
132N
d St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
41St
St NE
66Th
St N
E
80Th
St N
E
93Rd
St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
106T
h St N
E
171S
t St N
E
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
PC 01
PC 02
PC 03
PC 04
PC 05 PC 06
PC 07
064
014
057
064
021 007
029
155000 O 0 1 2 3 4 505 Miles
PGI
S _P R
O J E C
T S N
e xt E
r a Wi
lto n _
IVM
X D s A
vi an2
0 12S
pr in g
R ep
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ap s N
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W ilto
n 4 _ A
vi a n S
u r ve y
_ F ig u
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apM U
_ 17i1
1i_2 0
120 7
10 m
xd -
Last
S av e
d 723
2 0 1 2
TETR A TECH EC INC
Figure 6Raptor mean use by point
count location (Spring 2012)
Rapto r s p e r 2 0 m in u te s 00 1- 01 6 01 7 - 0 32 03 3 - 0 48
04 9 - 0 64
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
A Pro po sed tu rbin e (9 -21 -20 11 )Lo ca l Ro a d
Mean use value PC Point count number
Burleigh County ND
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
Last modified 7-10-2012
NEXTENERGY RESOURCES
240th Ave Ne 240th Ave Ne
240th Ave Ne
266th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
279Th Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE
292Nd Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
52Nd
St N
E
197T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
66Th
St N
E
188Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
106T
h St N
E
253Rd Ave NE
292Nd Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
132N
d St N
E
26Th
St N
E
266Th Ave NE
253Rd Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
93Rd
St N
E
145T
h St N
E 14
5Th S
t NE
132N
d St N
E
41St
St NE
210T
h St N
E
119T
h St N
E
106T
h St N
E
171S
t St N
E 17
1St S
t NE
188Th Ave NE
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE 227Th Ave NE
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
201St Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
Figure 7 Raptor nest and lek location
map (Spring 2012)NEXTENERGY
RESOURCES
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
5 Burleigh County ND
Last modified 7-10-2012 A A
A A
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
AAA A A A A A
A A
Pro po sed tu rbi(9 -21 -20 11 )
n e A A
A A
Lo ca l Ro a d Sh arp -tailed
le k A4
A AA gro use
Raptor nest s pecies Re d-taile d h a wk
1
A
A
A A
Sw ain so n s h a wk 3 A
Ina ctive ra ptor A
9 A
A
A A AA
A A 7 28
A A A A
A A A A
A A AA AA
AAA AA
A A A
A A
A A A A
A
PGI
S _P R
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T S N
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pr in g
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ap s N
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W ilto
n 4 _ A
vi a n S
u r ve y
_ F ig u
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i11i_2
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710 m
xd -
Last
S av e
d 723
2 0 1 2
6
66T h
St N
E
O 165000 NAD 1983 UTM 14 0 05 1 2 3 4 5 Miles
TETR A TECH EC INC
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
TABLES
21 August 2012
Table 1 Spring 2012 point count survey dates at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Date(s)Survey number
1 316 2 321 3 326 4 44 5 410 6 420 7 427 8 53 9 512 10 519 11 526 12 62 13 69 14 615
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Songbirds
unidentified sparrow 652 7 665 (000-1339) 41 313 121 red-winged blackbird 548 52 559 (036-1082) 378 263 102 horned lark 173 83 177 (136-218) 612 83 32 American crow 159 22 162 (027-297) 204 76 30 common grackle 91 33 093 (035-151) 245 44 17 western meadowlark 80 62 082 (065-099) 480 38 15 European starling 80 1 082 (000-216) 10 38 15 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 082 (029-135) 82 38 15 barn swallow 44 21 045 (028-062) 204 21 08 bobolink 36 28 037 (022-052) 194 17 07 American goldfinch 26 23 027 (018-036) 214 12 05 vesper sparrow 23 21 023 (013-033) 184 11 04 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 019 (010-028) 143 09 04 American robin 19 19 019 (011-027) 143 09 04 house sparrow 15 5 015 (000-030) 51 07 03 American tree sparrow 8 2 008 (000-018) 20 04 01 song sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 savannah sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 dickcissel 5 4 005 (000-010) 31 02 01 western kingbird 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 01 01 pine siskin 3 1 003 (000-008) 10 01 01 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 eastern kingbird 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 yellow warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 unidentified warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 house wren 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 Group Total 2083 430 2126 (1259-2993) 949 387
Waterfowl
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations
Canada goose 1408 24 1437 (435-2439) 133 874 262 snow goose 184 2 188 (000-490) 20 114 34 mallard 12 6 012 (004-020) 61 07 02 northern pintail 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 blue-winged teal 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 American wigeon 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 redhead 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 01 00 Group Total 1611 36 1644 (561-2727) 184 300
CranesRails sandhill crane 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 1000 201 Group Total 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 201
GullsTerns Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 283 (013-553) 31 986 52 ring-billed gull 4 3 004 (000-008) 31 14 01 Group Total 281 7 287 (017-557) 61 52
Gamebirds ring-necked pheasant 148 134 151 (128-174) 745 967 28 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 20 01 gray partridge 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 13 00 Group Total 153 138 156 (132-180) 755 28
PigeonsDoves rock pigeon 40 6 041 (009-073) 61 513 07 mourning dove 38 25 039 (019-059) 184 487 07 Group Total 78 31 080 (041-119) 224 15
Waterbirds killdeer 28 22 029 (017-041) 214 538 05 upland sandpiper 8 8 008 (003-013) 71 154 01 common snipe 8 8 008 (002-014) 61 154 01 Wilsons snipe 4 4 004 (000-008) 31 77 01 American coot 4 1 004 (000-011) 10 77 01 Group Total 52 43 053 (037-069) 357 10
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Raptors
red-tailed hawk 16 12 016 (008-024) 122 444 03 northern harrier 16 14 016 (009-023) 143 444 03 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 peregrine falcon 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 great horned owl 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 American kestrel 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 Group Total 36 30 037 (025-049) 276 07
Woodpeckers northern flicker 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 1000 00 Group Total 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 00 Grand Total 5376 735 5486 (3771-7200)
1 A ranking of 1 indicates highest mean use
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Canada goose 1408 24 210 80 523 140 210 135 110 sandhill crane 1080 18 94 18 621 15 187 145 0 unidentified sparrow 652 7 0 0 0 0 330 210 112 red-winged blackbird 548 52 0 84 49 386 14 11 4 Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 107 0 100 70 0 0 0 snow goose 184 2 0 180 4 0 0 0 0 horned lark 173 83 23 24 17 12 19 32 46 American crow 159 22 6 4 13 11 1 123 1 ring-necked pheasant 148 134 21 14 21 18 25 22 27 common grackle 91 33 6 35 7 2 8 33 0 western meadowlark 80 62 8 10 17 3 11 19 12 European starling 80 1 0 0 0 80 0 0 0 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 0 63 17 0 0 0 0 barn swallow 44 21 3 12 6 10 7 1 5 rock pigeon 40 6 0 14 0 0 0 23 3 mourning dove 38 25 4 17 1 1 1 11 3 bobolink 36 28 10 0 14 8 0 0 4 killdeer 28 22 3 3 4 5 10 0 3 American goldfinch 26 23 4 9 3 3 4 2 1 vesper sparrow 23 21 1 7 1 2 9 1 2 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 2 4 2 0 6 4 1 American robin 19 19 1 13 0 1 3 0 1 red-tailed hawk 16 12 4 0 4 5 0 1 2 northern harrier 16 14 3 1 4 4 2 0 2 house sparrow 15 5 2 13 0 0 0 0 0 mallard 12 6 0 0 6 6 0 0 0 upland sandpiper 8 8 0 0 1 0 3 2 2 common snipe 8 8 0 2 6 0 0 0 0 American tree sparrow 8 2 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 song sparrow 5 5 1 1 1 0 2 0 0 savannah sparrow 5 5 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 dickcissel 5 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 Wilsons snipe 4 4 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 ring-billed gull 4 3 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 American coot 4 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 western kingbird 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 pine siskin 3 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 northern pintail 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
northern flicker 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 gray partridge 2 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 eastern kingbird 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 blue-winged teal 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 American wigeon 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 yellow warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 unidentified warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 redhead 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 peregrine falcon 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 house wren 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 great horned owl 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 American kestrel 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Grand Total 5376 735 526 620 1452 794 859 776 349
Table 4 Summary of avian flight heights1 in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)2 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Birds
Number Percentage
Non-raptors
Raptors
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
1656 372
2023 455
767 173
3 91
13 394
17 515 1 Includes only flying birds with flight height data2These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
Canada goose 654 (435 - 2439) 1437 997 537 457 06 unidentified sparrow 632 (000 - 1339) 665 1000 00 951 49 sandhill crane 368 (083 - 2121) 1102 999 665 335 00 Franklinrsquos gull 283 (013 - 553) 283 1000 00 1000 00 European starling 082 (000 - 216) 082 1000 00 1000 00 American crow 024 (027 - 297) 162 943 00 160 840 red-tailed hawk 013 (008 - 024) 016 938 133 867 00 brown-headed cowbird 008 (029 - 135) 082 125 00 800 200 red-winged blackbird 005 (036 - 1082) 559 261 00 35 965 Wilsons snipe 002 (000 - 008) 004 500 00 1000 00 blue-winged teal 002 (000 - 005) 002 1000 00 1000 00 mallard 002 (004 - 020) 012 500 00 333 667 ring-billed gull 001 (000 - 008) 004 1000 00 250 750 yellow warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 yellow-headed blackbird 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 western meadowlark 000 (065 - 099) 082 338 00 00 1000 western kingbird 000 (000 - 007) 003 1000 00 00 1000 vesper sparrow 000 (013 - 033) 023 130 00 00 1000 upland sandpiper 000 (003 - 013) 008 250 00 00 1000 unidentified warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 Swainsonrsquos hawk 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 sharp-tailed grouse 000 (000 - 007) 003 667 00 00 1000 song sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 snow goose 000 (000 - 490) 188 1000 1000 00 00 savannah sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 rock pigeon 000 (009 - 073) 041 825 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
ring-necked pheasant 000 (128 - 174) 151 07 00 00 1000 redhead 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 pine siskin 000 (000 - 008) 003 1000 00 00 1000 peregrine falcon 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 1000 00 00 northern pintail 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 northern harrier 000 (009 - 023) 016 1000 00 00 1000 northern flicker 000 (000 - 004) 002 500 00 00 1000 mourning dove 000 (019 - 059) 039 684 00 00 1000 killdeer 000 (017 - 041) 029 607 00 00 1000 house wren 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 house sparrow 000 (000 - 030) 015 67 00 00 1000 horned lark 000 (136 - 218) 177 740 00 00 1000 grasshopper sparrow 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 gray partridge 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 great horned owl 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 eastern kingbird 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 dickcissel 000 (000 - 010) 005 00 00 00 00 common snipe 000 (002 - 014) 008 00 00 00 00 common grackle 000 (035 - 151) 093 945 00 00 1000 clay-colored sparrow 000 (010 - 028) 019 158 00 00 1000 bobolink 000 (022 - 052) 037 917 00 00 1000 barn swallow 000 (028 - 062) 045 1000 00 00 1000 American tree sparrow 000 (000 - 018) 008 1000 00 00 1000 American wigeon 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 American robin 000 (011 - 027) 019 421 00 00 1000 American kestrel 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
American goldfinch 000 027 (018 - 036) 923 00 00 1000American coot 000 004 (000 - 011) 00 00 00 001These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 6 Incidental observations of birds during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species
American crow American kestrel American robin Canada goose great horned owl golden eagle gray partridge lesser scaup mallard merlin northern harrier rock pigeon red-tailed hawk red-winged blackbird sandhill crane sharp-tailed grouse wild turkey
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
APPENDICES
22 August 2012
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number of Birds1
Number of
Observations Species
Percentage of Flights
N NE E SE S SW W NW Variable
Canada goose 1398 21 867 00 00 00 02 00 17 114 00
sandhill crane 1079 17 878 52 00 00 00 00 00 70 00
unidentified sparrow 565 5 00 00 00 788 212 00 00 00 00
Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
snow goose 184 2 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
European starling 80 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
American crow 69 11 768 58 58 00 14 43 00 14 43
red-winged blackbird 15 6 533 00 00 200 267 00 00 00 00
red-tailed hawk 14 10 500 143 00 71 00 71 00 71 143
rock pigeon 11 2 00 00 00 00 273 727 00 00 00
northern harrier 9 8 111 00 00 333 00 222 00 111 222
mourning dove 9 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
common grackle 9 6 111 00 00 111 00 222 556 00 00
brown-headed cowbird 8 1 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
horned lark 6 3 833 00 00 167 00 00 00 00 00
ring-billed gull 4 3 250 00 00 00 00 750 00 00 00
Wilsons snipe 2 2 500 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 500
vesper sparrow 2 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
mallard 2 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
blue-winged teal 2 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
peregrine falcon 1 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
killdeer 1 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
Grand Total 3747 108 722 17 04 121 36 05 30 64 02 1 Includes only flying birds with flight directions
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Nest Number Species Substrate
Nest ConditionStatusDates
Surveyed Nest
Height (m) 2012 - 1 452012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good
5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 4 592012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good 5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 5 5192012 Swainsonrsquos hawk Active Siberian Elm 7 Good
NA means not applicable
Wenck Associates Inc 301 1
st St NE Suite 202
Mandan ND 58554
Phone 701-751-3370 Email jaskimwenckcom
May 7 2012
Tracey M Dubuque PE Senior Project Manager
Tetra Tech EC
160 Federal Street Third Floor
Boston MA 02110
Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Dear Tracey
Introduction
Male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) congregate at historicalcommunal leks in the spring
to compete for breeding opportunities Both sexes return to their natal breeding grounds yearly for their
entire life Leks are typically found in areas with low-growing vegetation on a hill knoll or other point of
high visibility Fidelity to these locations is extremely high for sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse
require nesting habitat within close proximity the lek comprised of dense or residual vegetative cover to
conceal and protect their nest from predators (Vodehnal and Haufler 2007)
Disturbance of nesting prairie grouse may occur from the construction of the turbine andor access road
construction noise and physical movement of equipment Loss of habitat and fragmentation related to
energy exploration may affect local prairie grouse populations by decreasing the area of habitat available
for nesting and brood-rearing and by increasing predation (Pittman et al 2005) Therefore federal and
state wildlife agencies are concerned about the placement of turbines in areas with known prairie grouse
populations Turbine setbacks from leks and minimizing grouse habitat disturbance may reduce the direct
and indirect effects of energy development on grouse
Methods
Sharp-tailed grouse surveys were completed from April 10th to May 1
st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise
to two hours after sunrise within the one-mile analysis area (Figure 1) Peak attendance by females on leks
typically occurs from April 15 to 25 but these dates vary by up to a week depending on weather conditions
(Schroeder and Robb 1993) Peak attendance potentially occurred earlier this year due to the early spring
A habitat assessment analysis was conducted prior to the field survey to determine suitable lekkingnesting
habitat within the analysis area (Figure 2) Listening stops were made within a one-mile analysis area
surrounding the proposed project area to identify lek locations (Figure 3) Sharp-tailed grouse males may
be heard at a distance of up to 050 mile Listening stops were not conducted if winds exceeded 10 miles
per hour (mph) or during precipitation events After a lek was located the birds were observed and the
number of males and females were counted Lek locations were documented using Global Positioning
System (GPS) Given the sensitive nature of this species and the fact that females may be nesting near the
lek disturbance to breeding prairie grouse was kept to a minimum
Results
Nine (9) sharp-tailed grouse leks were located during the surveys conducted from April 10th to May 1
st
2012 (Figure 4) Date time sex number of birds present wind conditions air temperature and GPS
coordinates were recorded once a lek was located (Tables 1 and 2) Two of the leks observed were
located outside of the analysis area Due to Lek 1rsquos close proximity to Lek 4 Lek 1 shouldbe classified
as a satellite lek No visual confirmation of Lek 6 was made due to access and topography
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
report prepared by Biosystems Analysis Inc for Alameda Contra Costa and Solano Counties and the California Energy Commission
Pearce-Higgins JW L Stephen A Douse and RHW Langston 2012 Greater impacts of wind farms on bird populations during construction than subsequent operation results of a multi-site and multi-species analysis Journal of Applied Ecology 49 386-394
Pickwell B 1931 The prairie horned lark St Louis Academy of Sciences Transactions 271shy153
Pitman JC CA Hagen RJ Robel TM Loughin and RD Applegate 2005 Location and success of lesser prairie-chicken nests in relation to vegetation and human disturbance Journal of Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Pruett CL MA Patten and DH Wolfe 2009 Avoidance Behavior by Prairie Grouse Implications for Development of Wind Energy Conservation Biology 231253-1259
Sauer J R J E Hines J E Fallon K L Pardieck D J Ziolkowski Jr and W A Link 2011 The North American Breeding Bird Survey Results and Analysis 1966 - 2010 Version 12072011 USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center Laurel MD
Shaffer JA and DH Johnson 2009 Displacement effects of wind developments on grassland birds in the northern Great Plains NWCC Wind Wildlife Conference [Presentation] October 2008 Milwaukee WI Prepared for NWCC by SS Schwartz and Published 2009 Available online at httpswwwnationalwindorgassetsresearch_meetingsResearch_Meeting_VII_Shaffer pdf
Strickland MD EB Arnett WP Erickson DH Johnson GD Johnson ML Morrison JA Shaffer and W Warren-Hicks 2011 Comprehensive Guide to Studying Wind EnergyWildlife Interactions Prepared for the National Wind Coordinating Collaborative Washington DC httpwwwnationalwindorgassetspublicationsComprehensive_Guide_to_Studying_Wi nd_Energy_Wildlife_Interactions_2011_Updatedpdf Accessed November 2011
Strickland D and ML Morrison 2008 A summary of avianwind facility interactions in the US Federal Guidelines Committee for Wind Siting Guidelines February 26 2008 Washington DC
Tetra Tech 2012 Database of publicly available post-construction fatality rates and records of bird and bat fatality at North American wind projects Unpublished report
Tetra Tech 2011 Native Prairie Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Burleigh County North Dakota Submitted to Wilton IV Wind Energy Center October 2011
Thelander CG KS Smallwood and L Rugge 2003 Bird Risk Behaviors and Fatalities at the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area Period of Performance March 1998-December 2000
Thompson WL 2002 Towards reliable bird surveys accounting for individuals present but not detected Auk 11918-25
TRC Environmental Corporation 2008 Post-Construction Avian and Bat Fatality Monitoring and Grassland Bird Displacement Surveys at the Judith Gap Wind Energy Project
18 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Wheatland County Montana Prepared for Judith Gap Energy LLC Chicago Illinois TRC Environmental Corporation Laramie Wyoming TRC Project 51883-01 (112416) January 2008 httpwwwnewwestnetpdfsAvianBatFatalityMonitoringpdf
USFWS (United States Fish and Wildlife Service) 2012 US Fish and Wildlife Service Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines Available from httpwwwfwsgovwindenergydocsWEG_finalpdf
USFWS 2011a Flyways Retrieved from httpflywaysusflywaysinfo Accessed June 25 2012
USFWS 2011b ESA Basics More Than 30 Years of Conserving Endangered Species Retrieved from httpwwwfwsgovendangeredesa-librarypdfESA_basicspdf
USFWS 2011c Draft Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance Released January 2011
USFWS 2009 Eagle Permits Take Necessary to Protect Interests in Particular Localities Final Rules 50 CFR Parts 13 and 22
WEST (Western EcoSystems Technology Inc) 2011 Presentation at the Northwest Wind Energy and Wildlife Workshop June 7-8 2011 Portland Oregon
Wenck Associates Inc (Wenck) 2012 Wilton IV spring sharp-tailed grouse lek survey Report submitted to Tetra Tech EC Inc May 2012
Whitfield DP and M Madders 2006 Flight height in the hen harrier Circus cyaneus and its incorporation in wind turbine collision risk modeling Natural Research Information Note 2 Natural Research Ltd Banchory UK
People who contributed to the writing of this report
Jim Kowalsky July 17 2012
Report Author Date
Jennifer Taylor July 19 2012
Peer Review 1 Date
Chris Farmer August 3 2012
Peer Review 2 Date
Anne-Marie Griger August 9 2012
Deputy Project Manager Date
Robert Friedel July 13 2012
GIS Date
19 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
FIGURES
20 August 2012
B
Knife River
James River
Random Creek
Pipestem Creek
Heart River Long Lake Creek
Rocky Run
Otter Creek
Turtle Cr eek
West Branch Apple Creek
Little Heart River
Big Muddy Creek
Ea st Br an ch Ap pl e C re ek
Apple
Creek
Painte Woods Creek
Sweetbrier Creek
Square Butte Creek
B
LakeAudubon Figure 1Lake NettieLakeSakakawea ty MapVicini
Turtle BlueLake Lakeerson
Lake NEXTENERGYPetUV7
U SherCoun
idan UV200 Wellty Counst
V41 RESOURCES
Wilton IVMcLeanWind Energy Center
Burleigh County ND
Las modified 7-10-2012
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Lake Lake Bond
Lake Lake
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JohnsLake Silver
Lake Project area(11-15-2011)State boundarySalt
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Urban area WillowOBrienLongLake lkaliA14 HelenTwi Interstate Highway
Highwayn UV3
FederalUV48 Mitchell LakeLake Josephine State HighwayLake
RiversDeerOliver
Count UV36Harri ty te reamSinkUV25
LakepondUV31 Lake Brock
SlUV1806 CherryLake
oughKunkel LakeHorsehead
Louise
ChaseLakeKidder
ty SaltSibley AlkaliLake LakeneBurlei BuffalCl oear iMissouri ty Lakever
BuffalStonySlough
Bismarck UV10 Lake
Alkaline IsabelLakeUV810 McKenzie
SloughMorCoun
ont Lake Lakety Etta Henry Lake
Long Lake George
UV6 U Pursian CanadaV1804
LakeLake AlkalineOahe Lake
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Projarea
ect GrandForksDutt
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Rapid S D PierreW Y City SiFa
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Miles llsI A
TETRA TECH ECINC
240th Ave Ne 240th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
253Rd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
227Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE 279Th Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
145T
h St N
E
41St
St NE 14
5Th S
t NE
66Th
St N
E
171S
t St N
E
132N
d St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
41St
St NE
66Th
St N
E
80Th
St N
E
93Rd
St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
106T
h St N
E
171S
t St N
E
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
Figure 2 Point
(Spr t location mapcoun
ing 2012)NEXTENERGY
RESOURCES
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
AA
A A
Burleigh County ND
Last modified 7-10-2012A AA
AA AA A A A
Avian survey poinan survey poin
800-m rad
AA PC 01 t
t
PC 04 AviA
ius A A PC Point count number
AAA Wind energy center
(11-15-2011)Proposed turbi
A
A (9-21-2011)
PC 02 neA
A
A Local Road
A
A
PC 03
A AAAA
A A A A
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Figure 3 Non-raptor mean use by survey date in Spring at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center M
ean
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3000
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TETR A TECH EC INC
Figure 4Non-raptor mean use by point count location (Spring 2012)
Non-r aptor s p e r 20 m in u te s 00 1 - 25 0 0 25 01 - 5 0 00 50 01 - 7 5 00
75 01 - 1 0 00 0
10 00 1 - 1 25 00
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
A Pro po sed tu rbin e (9 -21 -20 11 )Lo ca l Ro a d
Mean use value PC Point count number
Burleigh County ND
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
Last modified 7-10-2012
NEXTENERGY RESOURCES
Figure 5 Raptor mean use by survey date in Spring 2012 at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Mea
n U
se (b
irds
20
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)
140
120
100
080
060
040
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Survey Date
316 321 326 44 410 420 427 53 512 519 526 62 69 615
NAD 1983 UTM 14
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158th
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253Rd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
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80Th
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266Th Ave NE
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TETR A TECH EC INC
Figure 6Raptor mean use by point
count location (Spring 2012)
Rapto r s p e r 2 0 m in u te s 00 1- 01 6 01 7 - 0 32 03 3 - 0 48
04 9 - 0 64
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
A Pro po sed tu rbin e (9 -21 -20 11 )Lo ca l Ro a d
Mean use value PC Point count number
Burleigh County ND
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
Last modified 7-10-2012
NEXTENERGY RESOURCES
240th Ave Ne 240th Ave Ne
240th Ave Ne
266th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
279Th Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE
292Nd Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
52Nd
St N
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197T
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66Th
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80Th
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106T
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188Th Ave NE
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE 227Th Ave NE
86Th
St N
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184T
h St N
E
201St Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
Figure 7 Raptor nest and lek location
map (Spring 2012)NEXTENERGY
RESOURCES
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
5 Burleigh County ND
Last modified 7-10-2012 A A
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TETR A TECH EC INC
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
TABLES
21 August 2012
Table 1 Spring 2012 point count survey dates at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Date(s)Survey number
1 316 2 321 3 326 4 44 5 410 6 420 7 427 8 53 9 512 10 519 11 526 12 62 13 69 14 615
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Songbirds
unidentified sparrow 652 7 665 (000-1339) 41 313 121 red-winged blackbird 548 52 559 (036-1082) 378 263 102 horned lark 173 83 177 (136-218) 612 83 32 American crow 159 22 162 (027-297) 204 76 30 common grackle 91 33 093 (035-151) 245 44 17 western meadowlark 80 62 082 (065-099) 480 38 15 European starling 80 1 082 (000-216) 10 38 15 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 082 (029-135) 82 38 15 barn swallow 44 21 045 (028-062) 204 21 08 bobolink 36 28 037 (022-052) 194 17 07 American goldfinch 26 23 027 (018-036) 214 12 05 vesper sparrow 23 21 023 (013-033) 184 11 04 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 019 (010-028) 143 09 04 American robin 19 19 019 (011-027) 143 09 04 house sparrow 15 5 015 (000-030) 51 07 03 American tree sparrow 8 2 008 (000-018) 20 04 01 song sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 savannah sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 dickcissel 5 4 005 (000-010) 31 02 01 western kingbird 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 01 01 pine siskin 3 1 003 (000-008) 10 01 01 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 eastern kingbird 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 yellow warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 unidentified warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 house wren 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 Group Total 2083 430 2126 (1259-2993) 949 387
Waterfowl
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations
Canada goose 1408 24 1437 (435-2439) 133 874 262 snow goose 184 2 188 (000-490) 20 114 34 mallard 12 6 012 (004-020) 61 07 02 northern pintail 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 blue-winged teal 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 American wigeon 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 redhead 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 01 00 Group Total 1611 36 1644 (561-2727) 184 300
CranesRails sandhill crane 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 1000 201 Group Total 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 201
GullsTerns Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 283 (013-553) 31 986 52 ring-billed gull 4 3 004 (000-008) 31 14 01 Group Total 281 7 287 (017-557) 61 52
Gamebirds ring-necked pheasant 148 134 151 (128-174) 745 967 28 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 20 01 gray partridge 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 13 00 Group Total 153 138 156 (132-180) 755 28
PigeonsDoves rock pigeon 40 6 041 (009-073) 61 513 07 mourning dove 38 25 039 (019-059) 184 487 07 Group Total 78 31 080 (041-119) 224 15
Waterbirds killdeer 28 22 029 (017-041) 214 538 05 upland sandpiper 8 8 008 (003-013) 71 154 01 common snipe 8 8 008 (002-014) 61 154 01 Wilsons snipe 4 4 004 (000-008) 31 77 01 American coot 4 1 004 (000-011) 10 77 01 Group Total 52 43 053 (037-069) 357 10
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Raptors
red-tailed hawk 16 12 016 (008-024) 122 444 03 northern harrier 16 14 016 (009-023) 143 444 03 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 peregrine falcon 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 great horned owl 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 American kestrel 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 Group Total 36 30 037 (025-049) 276 07
Woodpeckers northern flicker 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 1000 00 Group Total 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 00 Grand Total 5376 735 5486 (3771-7200)
1 A ranking of 1 indicates highest mean use
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Canada goose 1408 24 210 80 523 140 210 135 110 sandhill crane 1080 18 94 18 621 15 187 145 0 unidentified sparrow 652 7 0 0 0 0 330 210 112 red-winged blackbird 548 52 0 84 49 386 14 11 4 Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 107 0 100 70 0 0 0 snow goose 184 2 0 180 4 0 0 0 0 horned lark 173 83 23 24 17 12 19 32 46 American crow 159 22 6 4 13 11 1 123 1 ring-necked pheasant 148 134 21 14 21 18 25 22 27 common grackle 91 33 6 35 7 2 8 33 0 western meadowlark 80 62 8 10 17 3 11 19 12 European starling 80 1 0 0 0 80 0 0 0 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 0 63 17 0 0 0 0 barn swallow 44 21 3 12 6 10 7 1 5 rock pigeon 40 6 0 14 0 0 0 23 3 mourning dove 38 25 4 17 1 1 1 11 3 bobolink 36 28 10 0 14 8 0 0 4 killdeer 28 22 3 3 4 5 10 0 3 American goldfinch 26 23 4 9 3 3 4 2 1 vesper sparrow 23 21 1 7 1 2 9 1 2 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 2 4 2 0 6 4 1 American robin 19 19 1 13 0 1 3 0 1 red-tailed hawk 16 12 4 0 4 5 0 1 2 northern harrier 16 14 3 1 4 4 2 0 2 house sparrow 15 5 2 13 0 0 0 0 0 mallard 12 6 0 0 6 6 0 0 0 upland sandpiper 8 8 0 0 1 0 3 2 2 common snipe 8 8 0 2 6 0 0 0 0 American tree sparrow 8 2 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 song sparrow 5 5 1 1 1 0 2 0 0 savannah sparrow 5 5 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 dickcissel 5 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 Wilsons snipe 4 4 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 ring-billed gull 4 3 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 American coot 4 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 western kingbird 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 pine siskin 3 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 northern pintail 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
northern flicker 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 gray partridge 2 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 eastern kingbird 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 blue-winged teal 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 American wigeon 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 yellow warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 unidentified warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 redhead 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 peregrine falcon 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 house wren 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 great horned owl 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 American kestrel 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Grand Total 5376 735 526 620 1452 794 859 776 349
Table 4 Summary of avian flight heights1 in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)2 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Birds
Number Percentage
Non-raptors
Raptors
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
1656 372
2023 455
767 173
3 91
13 394
17 515 1 Includes only flying birds with flight height data2These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
Canada goose 654 (435 - 2439) 1437 997 537 457 06 unidentified sparrow 632 (000 - 1339) 665 1000 00 951 49 sandhill crane 368 (083 - 2121) 1102 999 665 335 00 Franklinrsquos gull 283 (013 - 553) 283 1000 00 1000 00 European starling 082 (000 - 216) 082 1000 00 1000 00 American crow 024 (027 - 297) 162 943 00 160 840 red-tailed hawk 013 (008 - 024) 016 938 133 867 00 brown-headed cowbird 008 (029 - 135) 082 125 00 800 200 red-winged blackbird 005 (036 - 1082) 559 261 00 35 965 Wilsons snipe 002 (000 - 008) 004 500 00 1000 00 blue-winged teal 002 (000 - 005) 002 1000 00 1000 00 mallard 002 (004 - 020) 012 500 00 333 667 ring-billed gull 001 (000 - 008) 004 1000 00 250 750 yellow warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 yellow-headed blackbird 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 western meadowlark 000 (065 - 099) 082 338 00 00 1000 western kingbird 000 (000 - 007) 003 1000 00 00 1000 vesper sparrow 000 (013 - 033) 023 130 00 00 1000 upland sandpiper 000 (003 - 013) 008 250 00 00 1000 unidentified warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 Swainsonrsquos hawk 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 sharp-tailed grouse 000 (000 - 007) 003 667 00 00 1000 song sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 snow goose 000 (000 - 490) 188 1000 1000 00 00 savannah sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 rock pigeon 000 (009 - 073) 041 825 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
ring-necked pheasant 000 (128 - 174) 151 07 00 00 1000 redhead 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 pine siskin 000 (000 - 008) 003 1000 00 00 1000 peregrine falcon 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 1000 00 00 northern pintail 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 northern harrier 000 (009 - 023) 016 1000 00 00 1000 northern flicker 000 (000 - 004) 002 500 00 00 1000 mourning dove 000 (019 - 059) 039 684 00 00 1000 killdeer 000 (017 - 041) 029 607 00 00 1000 house wren 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 house sparrow 000 (000 - 030) 015 67 00 00 1000 horned lark 000 (136 - 218) 177 740 00 00 1000 grasshopper sparrow 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 gray partridge 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 great horned owl 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 eastern kingbird 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 dickcissel 000 (000 - 010) 005 00 00 00 00 common snipe 000 (002 - 014) 008 00 00 00 00 common grackle 000 (035 - 151) 093 945 00 00 1000 clay-colored sparrow 000 (010 - 028) 019 158 00 00 1000 bobolink 000 (022 - 052) 037 917 00 00 1000 barn swallow 000 (028 - 062) 045 1000 00 00 1000 American tree sparrow 000 (000 - 018) 008 1000 00 00 1000 American wigeon 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 American robin 000 (011 - 027) 019 421 00 00 1000 American kestrel 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
American goldfinch 000 027 (018 - 036) 923 00 00 1000American coot 000 004 (000 - 011) 00 00 00 001These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 6 Incidental observations of birds during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species
American crow American kestrel American robin Canada goose great horned owl golden eagle gray partridge lesser scaup mallard merlin northern harrier rock pigeon red-tailed hawk red-winged blackbird sandhill crane sharp-tailed grouse wild turkey
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
APPENDICES
22 August 2012
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number of Birds1
Number of
Observations Species
Percentage of Flights
N NE E SE S SW W NW Variable
Canada goose 1398 21 867 00 00 00 02 00 17 114 00
sandhill crane 1079 17 878 52 00 00 00 00 00 70 00
unidentified sparrow 565 5 00 00 00 788 212 00 00 00 00
Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
snow goose 184 2 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
European starling 80 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
American crow 69 11 768 58 58 00 14 43 00 14 43
red-winged blackbird 15 6 533 00 00 200 267 00 00 00 00
red-tailed hawk 14 10 500 143 00 71 00 71 00 71 143
rock pigeon 11 2 00 00 00 00 273 727 00 00 00
northern harrier 9 8 111 00 00 333 00 222 00 111 222
mourning dove 9 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
common grackle 9 6 111 00 00 111 00 222 556 00 00
brown-headed cowbird 8 1 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
horned lark 6 3 833 00 00 167 00 00 00 00 00
ring-billed gull 4 3 250 00 00 00 00 750 00 00 00
Wilsons snipe 2 2 500 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 500
vesper sparrow 2 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
mallard 2 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
blue-winged teal 2 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
peregrine falcon 1 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
killdeer 1 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
Grand Total 3747 108 722 17 04 121 36 05 30 64 02 1 Includes only flying birds with flight directions
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Nest Number Species Substrate
Nest ConditionStatusDates
Surveyed Nest
Height (m) 2012 - 1 452012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good
5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 4 592012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good 5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 5 5192012 Swainsonrsquos hawk Active Siberian Elm 7 Good
NA means not applicable
Wenck Associates Inc 301 1
st St NE Suite 202
Mandan ND 58554
Phone 701-751-3370 Email jaskimwenckcom
May 7 2012
Tracey M Dubuque PE Senior Project Manager
Tetra Tech EC
160 Federal Street Third Floor
Boston MA 02110
Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Dear Tracey
Introduction
Male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) congregate at historicalcommunal leks in the spring
to compete for breeding opportunities Both sexes return to their natal breeding grounds yearly for their
entire life Leks are typically found in areas with low-growing vegetation on a hill knoll or other point of
high visibility Fidelity to these locations is extremely high for sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse
require nesting habitat within close proximity the lek comprised of dense or residual vegetative cover to
conceal and protect their nest from predators (Vodehnal and Haufler 2007)
Disturbance of nesting prairie grouse may occur from the construction of the turbine andor access road
construction noise and physical movement of equipment Loss of habitat and fragmentation related to
energy exploration may affect local prairie grouse populations by decreasing the area of habitat available
for nesting and brood-rearing and by increasing predation (Pittman et al 2005) Therefore federal and
state wildlife agencies are concerned about the placement of turbines in areas with known prairie grouse
populations Turbine setbacks from leks and minimizing grouse habitat disturbance may reduce the direct
and indirect effects of energy development on grouse
Methods
Sharp-tailed grouse surveys were completed from April 10th to May 1
st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise
to two hours after sunrise within the one-mile analysis area (Figure 1) Peak attendance by females on leks
typically occurs from April 15 to 25 but these dates vary by up to a week depending on weather conditions
(Schroeder and Robb 1993) Peak attendance potentially occurred earlier this year due to the early spring
A habitat assessment analysis was conducted prior to the field survey to determine suitable lekkingnesting
habitat within the analysis area (Figure 2) Listening stops were made within a one-mile analysis area
surrounding the proposed project area to identify lek locations (Figure 3) Sharp-tailed grouse males may
be heard at a distance of up to 050 mile Listening stops were not conducted if winds exceeded 10 miles
per hour (mph) or during precipitation events After a lek was located the birds were observed and the
number of males and females were counted Lek locations were documented using Global Positioning
System (GPS) Given the sensitive nature of this species and the fact that females may be nesting near the
lek disturbance to breeding prairie grouse was kept to a minimum
Results
Nine (9) sharp-tailed grouse leks were located during the surveys conducted from April 10th to May 1
st
2012 (Figure 4) Date time sex number of birds present wind conditions air temperature and GPS
coordinates were recorded once a lek was located (Tables 1 and 2) Two of the leks observed were
located outside of the analysis area Due to Lek 1rsquos close proximity to Lek 4 Lek 1 shouldbe classified
as a satellite lek No visual confirmation of Lek 6 was made due to access and topography
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Wheatland County Montana Prepared for Judith Gap Energy LLC Chicago Illinois TRC Environmental Corporation Laramie Wyoming TRC Project 51883-01 (112416) January 2008 httpwwwnewwestnetpdfsAvianBatFatalityMonitoringpdf
USFWS (United States Fish and Wildlife Service) 2012 US Fish and Wildlife Service Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines Available from httpwwwfwsgovwindenergydocsWEG_finalpdf
USFWS 2011a Flyways Retrieved from httpflywaysusflywaysinfo Accessed June 25 2012
USFWS 2011b ESA Basics More Than 30 Years of Conserving Endangered Species Retrieved from httpwwwfwsgovendangeredesa-librarypdfESA_basicspdf
USFWS 2011c Draft Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance Released January 2011
USFWS 2009 Eagle Permits Take Necessary to Protect Interests in Particular Localities Final Rules 50 CFR Parts 13 and 22
WEST (Western EcoSystems Technology Inc) 2011 Presentation at the Northwest Wind Energy and Wildlife Workshop June 7-8 2011 Portland Oregon
Wenck Associates Inc (Wenck) 2012 Wilton IV spring sharp-tailed grouse lek survey Report submitted to Tetra Tech EC Inc May 2012
Whitfield DP and M Madders 2006 Flight height in the hen harrier Circus cyaneus and its incorporation in wind turbine collision risk modeling Natural Research Information Note 2 Natural Research Ltd Banchory UK
People who contributed to the writing of this report
Jim Kowalsky July 17 2012
Report Author Date
Jennifer Taylor July 19 2012
Peer Review 1 Date
Chris Farmer August 3 2012
Peer Review 2 Date
Anne-Marie Griger August 9 2012
Deputy Project Manager Date
Robert Friedel July 13 2012
GIS Date
19 August 2012
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
FIGURES
20 August 2012
B
Knife River
James River
Random Creek
Pipestem Creek
Heart River Long Lake Creek
Rocky Run
Otter Creek
Turtle Cr eek
West Branch Apple Creek
Little Heart River
Big Muddy Creek
Ea st Br an ch Ap pl e C re ek
Apple
Creek
Painte Woods Creek
Sweetbrier Creek
Square Butte Creek
B
LakeAudubon Figure 1Lake NettieLakeSakakawea ty MapVicini
Turtle BlueLake Lakeerson
Lake NEXTENERGYPetUV7
U SherCoun
idan UV200 Wellty Counst
V41 RESOURCES
Wilton IVMcLeanWind Energy Center
Burleigh County ND
Las modified 7-10-2012
CountyMercerCounty t
U
poundcurren
neV Lake
52
y
LakeLake
Lake LakeLake
Lakes
Lake Lake Bond
Lake Lake
Coungh
Coun Lake Lake B g Muddy
Ri DeadLake
o
sectbrvbar94
pound83curren
JohnsLake Silver
Lake Project area(11-15-2011)State boundarySalt
ee uullaahh PelicanSwand County boundary
Urban area WillowOBrienLongLake lkaliA14 HelenTwi Interstate Highway
Highwayn UV3
FederalUV48 Mitchell LakeLake Josephine State HighwayLake
RiversDeerOliver
Count UV36Harri ty te reamSinkUV25
LakepondUV31 Lake Brock
SlUV1806 CherryLake
oughKunkel LakeHorsehead
Louise
ChaseLakeKidder
ty SaltSibley AlkaliLake LakeneBurlei BuffalCl oear iMissouri ty Lakever
BuffalStonySlough
Bismarck UV10 Lake
Alkaline IsabelLakeUV810 McKenzie
SloughMorCoun
ont Lake Lakety Etta Henry Lake
Long Lake George
UV6 U Pursian CanadaV1804
LakeLake AlkalineOahe Lake
PGI
S_PR
OJEC
TSN
extE
raWi
lton_
IVM
XDsA
vian2
012S
pring
Rep
ort_M
apsN
EER_
Wilto
n4_A
vianS
urvey
_Figu
re1_V
icinity
_17i1
1i_20
1207
10m
xd -
Last
Save
d 723
2012
Projarea
ect GrandForksDutt
Slon
oughGrantCount Emmons
CounLoganCounty
N D Bismarck
y M T FargoM N
ty GooseLake
Rapid S D PierreW Y City SiFa
ouxO 1500000 NAD 1983 UTM 14 0 5 10 20 30 40 50
Miles llsI A
TETRA TECH ECINC
240th Ave Ne 240th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
253Rd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
227Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE 279Th Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
145T
h St N
E
41St
St NE 14
5Th S
t NE
66Th
St N
E
171S
t St N
E
132N
d St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
41St
St NE
66Th
St N
E
80Th
St N
E
93Rd
St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
106T
h St N
E
171S
t St N
E
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
Figure 2 Point
(Spr t location mapcoun
ing 2012)NEXTENERGY
RESOURCES
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
AA
A A
Burleigh County ND
Last modified 7-10-2012A AA
AA AA A A A
Avian survey poinan survey poin
800-m rad
AA PC 01 t
t
PC 04 AviA
ius A A PC Point count number
AAA Wind energy center
(11-15-2011)Proposed turbi
A
A (9-21-2011)
PC 02 neA
A
A Local Road
A
A
PC 03
A AAAA
A A A A
A AA
APC 06 A APC 05 A A A
A A A
A
A
A
A AAA A
A
A
A A
A APC 07 A
PGI
S_PR
OJEC
TSN
extE
raWi
lton_
IVM
XDsA
vian2
012S
pring
Rep
ort_M
apsN
EER_
Wilto
n4_A
vianS
urvey
_Figu
re2_P
Cloc
ation
_17i1
1i_20
1207
10m
xd -L
ast S
aved
723
2012
O 155000 NAD 1983 UTM 14 0 05 1 2 3 4 5 Miles
TETRA TECH ECINC
Figure 3 Non-raptor mean use by survey date in Spring at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center M
ean
Use
(bir
ds2
0 m
in)
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
00
Survey Date
316 321 326 44 410 420 427 53 512 519 526 62 69 615
NAD 1983 UTM 14
240th Ave Ne240th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
253Rd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
227Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE 279Th Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
145T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
145T
h St N
E
66Th
St N
E
171S
t St N
E
132N
d St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
41St
St NE
66Th
St N
E
80Th
St N
E
93Rd
St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
106T
h St N
E
171S
t St N
E
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
PC 01
PC 02
PC 03
PC 04
PC 05 PC 06
PC 07
3693
4414
10314
5607
6114 5536
2464
155000 O 0 1 2 3 4 505 Miles
PGI
S _P R
O J E C
T S N
e xt E
r a Wi
lto n _
IVM
X D s A
vi an2
0 12S
pr in g
R ep
o rt_M
ap s N
E E R _
W ilto
n 4 _ A
vi a n S
u r ve y
_ F ig u
r e4_ N
onR a
pM U _
1 7i11
i_201
207 1
0 m xd
-La s
t S av
ed 7
2 320
12
TETR A TECH EC INC
Figure 4Non-raptor mean use by point count location (Spring 2012)
Non-r aptor s p e r 20 m in u te s 00 1 - 25 0 0 25 01 - 5 0 00 50 01 - 7 5 00
75 01 - 1 0 00 0
10 00 1 - 1 25 00
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
A Pro po sed tu rbin e (9 -21 -20 11 )Lo ca l Ro a d
Mean use value PC Point count number
Burleigh County ND
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
Last modified 7-10-2012
NEXTENERGY RESOURCES
Figure 5 Raptor mean use by survey date in Spring 2012 at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Mea
n U
se (b
irds
20
min
)
140
120
100
080
060
040
020
000
Survey Date
316 321 326 44 410 420 427 53 512 519 526 62 69 615
NAD 1983 UTM 14
240th Ave Ne240th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
253Rd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
227Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE 279Th Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
145T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
145T
h St N
E
66Th
St N
E
171S
t St N
E
132N
d St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
41St
St NE
66Th
St N
E
80Th
St N
E
93Rd
St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
106T
h St N
E
171S
t St N
E
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
PC 01
PC 02
PC 03
PC 04
PC 05 PC 06
PC 07
064
014
057
064
021 007
029
155000 O 0 1 2 3 4 505 Miles
PGI
S _P R
O J E C
T S N
e xt E
r a Wi
lto n _
IVM
X D s A
vi an2
0 12S
pr in g
R ep
o rt_M
ap s N
E E R _
W ilto
n 4 _ A
vi a n S
u r ve y
_ F ig u
r e6_ R
apM U
_ 17i1
1i_2 0
120 7
10 m
xd -
Last
S av e
d 723
2 0 1 2
TETR A TECH EC INC
Figure 6Raptor mean use by point
count location (Spring 2012)
Rapto r s p e r 2 0 m in u te s 00 1- 01 6 01 7 - 0 32 03 3 - 0 48
04 9 - 0 64
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
A Pro po sed tu rbin e (9 -21 -20 11 )Lo ca l Ro a d
Mean use value PC Point count number
Burleigh County ND
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
Last modified 7-10-2012
NEXTENERGY RESOURCES
240th Ave Ne 240th Ave Ne
240th Ave Ne
266th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
279Th Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE
292Nd Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
52Nd
St N
E
197T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
66Th
St N
E
188Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
106T
h St N
E
253Rd Ave NE
292Nd Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
132N
d St N
E
26Th
St N
E
266Th Ave NE
253Rd Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
93Rd
St N
E
145T
h St N
E 14
5Th S
t NE
132N
d St N
E
41St
St NE
210T
h St N
E
119T
h St N
E
106T
h St N
E
171S
t St N
E 17
1St S
t NE
188Th Ave NE
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE 227Th Ave NE
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
201St Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
Figure 7 Raptor nest and lek location
map (Spring 2012)NEXTENERGY
RESOURCES
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
5 Burleigh County ND
Last modified 7-10-2012 A A
A A
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
AAA A A A A A
A A
Pro po sed tu rbi(9 -21 -20 11 )
n e A A
A A
Lo ca l Ro a d Sh arp -tailed
le k A4
A AA gro use
Raptor nest s pecies Re d-taile d h a wk
1
A
A
A A
Sw ain so n s h a wk 3 A
Ina ctive ra ptor A
9 A
A
A A AA
A A 7 28
A A A A
A A A A
A A AA AA
AAA AA
A A A
A A
A A A A
A
PGI
S _P R
O J E C
T S N
e xt E
r a Wi
lto n _
IVM
X D s A
vi an2
0 12S
pr in g
R ep
o rt_M
ap s N
E E R _
W ilto
n 4 _ A
vi a n S
u r ve y
_ F ig u
r e7_ R
apL e
k_ 17
i11i_2
0120
710 m
xd -
Last
S av e
d 723
2 0 1 2
6
66T h
St N
E
O 165000 NAD 1983 UTM 14 0 05 1 2 3 4 5 Miles
TETR A TECH EC INC
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
TABLES
21 August 2012
Table 1 Spring 2012 point count survey dates at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Date(s)Survey number
1 316 2 321 3 326 4 44 5 410 6 420 7 427 8 53 9 512 10 519 11 526 12 62 13 69 14 615
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Songbirds
unidentified sparrow 652 7 665 (000-1339) 41 313 121 red-winged blackbird 548 52 559 (036-1082) 378 263 102 horned lark 173 83 177 (136-218) 612 83 32 American crow 159 22 162 (027-297) 204 76 30 common grackle 91 33 093 (035-151) 245 44 17 western meadowlark 80 62 082 (065-099) 480 38 15 European starling 80 1 082 (000-216) 10 38 15 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 082 (029-135) 82 38 15 barn swallow 44 21 045 (028-062) 204 21 08 bobolink 36 28 037 (022-052) 194 17 07 American goldfinch 26 23 027 (018-036) 214 12 05 vesper sparrow 23 21 023 (013-033) 184 11 04 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 019 (010-028) 143 09 04 American robin 19 19 019 (011-027) 143 09 04 house sparrow 15 5 015 (000-030) 51 07 03 American tree sparrow 8 2 008 (000-018) 20 04 01 song sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 savannah sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 dickcissel 5 4 005 (000-010) 31 02 01 western kingbird 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 01 01 pine siskin 3 1 003 (000-008) 10 01 01 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 eastern kingbird 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 yellow warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 unidentified warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 house wren 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 Group Total 2083 430 2126 (1259-2993) 949 387
Waterfowl
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations
Canada goose 1408 24 1437 (435-2439) 133 874 262 snow goose 184 2 188 (000-490) 20 114 34 mallard 12 6 012 (004-020) 61 07 02 northern pintail 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 blue-winged teal 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 American wigeon 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 redhead 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 01 00 Group Total 1611 36 1644 (561-2727) 184 300
CranesRails sandhill crane 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 1000 201 Group Total 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 201
GullsTerns Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 283 (013-553) 31 986 52 ring-billed gull 4 3 004 (000-008) 31 14 01 Group Total 281 7 287 (017-557) 61 52
Gamebirds ring-necked pheasant 148 134 151 (128-174) 745 967 28 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 20 01 gray partridge 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 13 00 Group Total 153 138 156 (132-180) 755 28
PigeonsDoves rock pigeon 40 6 041 (009-073) 61 513 07 mourning dove 38 25 039 (019-059) 184 487 07 Group Total 78 31 080 (041-119) 224 15
Waterbirds killdeer 28 22 029 (017-041) 214 538 05 upland sandpiper 8 8 008 (003-013) 71 154 01 common snipe 8 8 008 (002-014) 61 154 01 Wilsons snipe 4 4 004 (000-008) 31 77 01 American coot 4 1 004 (000-011) 10 77 01 Group Total 52 43 053 (037-069) 357 10
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Raptors
red-tailed hawk 16 12 016 (008-024) 122 444 03 northern harrier 16 14 016 (009-023) 143 444 03 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 peregrine falcon 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 great horned owl 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 American kestrel 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 Group Total 36 30 037 (025-049) 276 07
Woodpeckers northern flicker 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 1000 00 Group Total 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 00 Grand Total 5376 735 5486 (3771-7200)
1 A ranking of 1 indicates highest mean use
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Canada goose 1408 24 210 80 523 140 210 135 110 sandhill crane 1080 18 94 18 621 15 187 145 0 unidentified sparrow 652 7 0 0 0 0 330 210 112 red-winged blackbird 548 52 0 84 49 386 14 11 4 Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 107 0 100 70 0 0 0 snow goose 184 2 0 180 4 0 0 0 0 horned lark 173 83 23 24 17 12 19 32 46 American crow 159 22 6 4 13 11 1 123 1 ring-necked pheasant 148 134 21 14 21 18 25 22 27 common grackle 91 33 6 35 7 2 8 33 0 western meadowlark 80 62 8 10 17 3 11 19 12 European starling 80 1 0 0 0 80 0 0 0 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 0 63 17 0 0 0 0 barn swallow 44 21 3 12 6 10 7 1 5 rock pigeon 40 6 0 14 0 0 0 23 3 mourning dove 38 25 4 17 1 1 1 11 3 bobolink 36 28 10 0 14 8 0 0 4 killdeer 28 22 3 3 4 5 10 0 3 American goldfinch 26 23 4 9 3 3 4 2 1 vesper sparrow 23 21 1 7 1 2 9 1 2 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 2 4 2 0 6 4 1 American robin 19 19 1 13 0 1 3 0 1 red-tailed hawk 16 12 4 0 4 5 0 1 2 northern harrier 16 14 3 1 4 4 2 0 2 house sparrow 15 5 2 13 0 0 0 0 0 mallard 12 6 0 0 6 6 0 0 0 upland sandpiper 8 8 0 0 1 0 3 2 2 common snipe 8 8 0 2 6 0 0 0 0 American tree sparrow 8 2 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 song sparrow 5 5 1 1 1 0 2 0 0 savannah sparrow 5 5 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 dickcissel 5 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 Wilsons snipe 4 4 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 ring-billed gull 4 3 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 American coot 4 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 western kingbird 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 pine siskin 3 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 northern pintail 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
northern flicker 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 gray partridge 2 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 eastern kingbird 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 blue-winged teal 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 American wigeon 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 yellow warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 unidentified warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 redhead 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 peregrine falcon 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 house wren 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 great horned owl 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 American kestrel 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Grand Total 5376 735 526 620 1452 794 859 776 349
Table 4 Summary of avian flight heights1 in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)2 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Birds
Number Percentage
Non-raptors
Raptors
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
1656 372
2023 455
767 173
3 91
13 394
17 515 1 Includes only flying birds with flight height data2These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
Canada goose 654 (435 - 2439) 1437 997 537 457 06 unidentified sparrow 632 (000 - 1339) 665 1000 00 951 49 sandhill crane 368 (083 - 2121) 1102 999 665 335 00 Franklinrsquos gull 283 (013 - 553) 283 1000 00 1000 00 European starling 082 (000 - 216) 082 1000 00 1000 00 American crow 024 (027 - 297) 162 943 00 160 840 red-tailed hawk 013 (008 - 024) 016 938 133 867 00 brown-headed cowbird 008 (029 - 135) 082 125 00 800 200 red-winged blackbird 005 (036 - 1082) 559 261 00 35 965 Wilsons snipe 002 (000 - 008) 004 500 00 1000 00 blue-winged teal 002 (000 - 005) 002 1000 00 1000 00 mallard 002 (004 - 020) 012 500 00 333 667 ring-billed gull 001 (000 - 008) 004 1000 00 250 750 yellow warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 yellow-headed blackbird 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 western meadowlark 000 (065 - 099) 082 338 00 00 1000 western kingbird 000 (000 - 007) 003 1000 00 00 1000 vesper sparrow 000 (013 - 033) 023 130 00 00 1000 upland sandpiper 000 (003 - 013) 008 250 00 00 1000 unidentified warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 Swainsonrsquos hawk 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 sharp-tailed grouse 000 (000 - 007) 003 667 00 00 1000 song sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 snow goose 000 (000 - 490) 188 1000 1000 00 00 savannah sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 rock pigeon 000 (009 - 073) 041 825 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
ring-necked pheasant 000 (128 - 174) 151 07 00 00 1000 redhead 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 pine siskin 000 (000 - 008) 003 1000 00 00 1000 peregrine falcon 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 1000 00 00 northern pintail 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 northern harrier 000 (009 - 023) 016 1000 00 00 1000 northern flicker 000 (000 - 004) 002 500 00 00 1000 mourning dove 000 (019 - 059) 039 684 00 00 1000 killdeer 000 (017 - 041) 029 607 00 00 1000 house wren 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 house sparrow 000 (000 - 030) 015 67 00 00 1000 horned lark 000 (136 - 218) 177 740 00 00 1000 grasshopper sparrow 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 gray partridge 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 great horned owl 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 eastern kingbird 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 dickcissel 000 (000 - 010) 005 00 00 00 00 common snipe 000 (002 - 014) 008 00 00 00 00 common grackle 000 (035 - 151) 093 945 00 00 1000 clay-colored sparrow 000 (010 - 028) 019 158 00 00 1000 bobolink 000 (022 - 052) 037 917 00 00 1000 barn swallow 000 (028 - 062) 045 1000 00 00 1000 American tree sparrow 000 (000 - 018) 008 1000 00 00 1000 American wigeon 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 American robin 000 (011 - 027) 019 421 00 00 1000 American kestrel 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
American goldfinch 000 027 (018 - 036) 923 00 00 1000American coot 000 004 (000 - 011) 00 00 00 001These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 6 Incidental observations of birds during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species
American crow American kestrel American robin Canada goose great horned owl golden eagle gray partridge lesser scaup mallard merlin northern harrier rock pigeon red-tailed hawk red-winged blackbird sandhill crane sharp-tailed grouse wild turkey
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
APPENDICES
22 August 2012
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number of Birds1
Number of
Observations Species
Percentage of Flights
N NE E SE S SW W NW Variable
Canada goose 1398 21 867 00 00 00 02 00 17 114 00
sandhill crane 1079 17 878 52 00 00 00 00 00 70 00
unidentified sparrow 565 5 00 00 00 788 212 00 00 00 00
Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
snow goose 184 2 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
European starling 80 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
American crow 69 11 768 58 58 00 14 43 00 14 43
red-winged blackbird 15 6 533 00 00 200 267 00 00 00 00
red-tailed hawk 14 10 500 143 00 71 00 71 00 71 143
rock pigeon 11 2 00 00 00 00 273 727 00 00 00
northern harrier 9 8 111 00 00 333 00 222 00 111 222
mourning dove 9 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
common grackle 9 6 111 00 00 111 00 222 556 00 00
brown-headed cowbird 8 1 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
horned lark 6 3 833 00 00 167 00 00 00 00 00
ring-billed gull 4 3 250 00 00 00 00 750 00 00 00
Wilsons snipe 2 2 500 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 500
vesper sparrow 2 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
mallard 2 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
blue-winged teal 2 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
peregrine falcon 1 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
killdeer 1 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
Grand Total 3747 108 722 17 04 121 36 05 30 64 02 1 Includes only flying birds with flight directions
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Nest Number Species Substrate
Nest ConditionStatusDates
Surveyed Nest
Height (m) 2012 - 1 452012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good
5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 4 592012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good 5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 5 5192012 Swainsonrsquos hawk Active Siberian Elm 7 Good
NA means not applicable
Wenck Associates Inc 301 1
st St NE Suite 202
Mandan ND 58554
Phone 701-751-3370 Email jaskimwenckcom
May 7 2012
Tracey M Dubuque PE Senior Project Manager
Tetra Tech EC
160 Federal Street Third Floor
Boston MA 02110
Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Dear Tracey
Introduction
Male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) congregate at historicalcommunal leks in the spring
to compete for breeding opportunities Both sexes return to their natal breeding grounds yearly for their
entire life Leks are typically found in areas with low-growing vegetation on a hill knoll or other point of
high visibility Fidelity to these locations is extremely high for sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse
require nesting habitat within close proximity the lek comprised of dense or residual vegetative cover to
conceal and protect their nest from predators (Vodehnal and Haufler 2007)
Disturbance of nesting prairie grouse may occur from the construction of the turbine andor access road
construction noise and physical movement of equipment Loss of habitat and fragmentation related to
energy exploration may affect local prairie grouse populations by decreasing the area of habitat available
for nesting and brood-rearing and by increasing predation (Pittman et al 2005) Therefore federal and
state wildlife agencies are concerned about the placement of turbines in areas with known prairie grouse
populations Turbine setbacks from leks and minimizing grouse habitat disturbance may reduce the direct
and indirect effects of energy development on grouse
Methods
Sharp-tailed grouse surveys were completed from April 10th to May 1
st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise
to two hours after sunrise within the one-mile analysis area (Figure 1) Peak attendance by females on leks
typically occurs from April 15 to 25 but these dates vary by up to a week depending on weather conditions
(Schroeder and Robb 1993) Peak attendance potentially occurred earlier this year due to the early spring
A habitat assessment analysis was conducted prior to the field survey to determine suitable lekkingnesting
habitat within the analysis area (Figure 2) Listening stops were made within a one-mile analysis area
surrounding the proposed project area to identify lek locations (Figure 3) Sharp-tailed grouse males may
be heard at a distance of up to 050 mile Listening stops were not conducted if winds exceeded 10 miles
per hour (mph) or during precipitation events After a lek was located the birds were observed and the
number of males and females were counted Lek locations were documented using Global Positioning
System (GPS) Given the sensitive nature of this species and the fact that females may be nesting near the
lek disturbance to breeding prairie grouse was kept to a minimum
Results
Nine (9) sharp-tailed grouse leks were located during the surveys conducted from April 10th to May 1
st
2012 (Figure 4) Date time sex number of birds present wind conditions air temperature and GPS
coordinates were recorded once a lek was located (Tables 1 and 2) Two of the leks observed were
located outside of the analysis area Due to Lek 1rsquos close proximity to Lek 4 Lek 1 shouldbe classified
as a satellite lek No visual confirmation of Lek 6 was made due to access and topography
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
FIGURES
20 August 2012
B
Knife River
James River
Random Creek
Pipestem Creek
Heart River Long Lake Creek
Rocky Run
Otter Creek
Turtle Cr eek
West Branch Apple Creek
Little Heart River
Big Muddy Creek
Ea st Br an ch Ap pl e C re ek
Apple
Creek
Painte Woods Creek
Sweetbrier Creek
Square Butte Creek
B
LakeAudubon Figure 1Lake NettieLakeSakakawea ty MapVicini
Turtle BlueLake Lakeerson
Lake NEXTENERGYPetUV7
U SherCoun
idan UV200 Wellty Counst
V41 RESOURCES
Wilton IVMcLeanWind Energy Center
Burleigh County ND
Las modified 7-10-2012
CountyMercerCounty t
U
poundcurren
neV Lake
52
y
LakeLake
Lake LakeLake
Lakes
Lake Lake Bond
Lake Lake
Coungh
Coun Lake Lake B g Muddy
Ri DeadLake
o
sectbrvbar94
pound83curren
JohnsLake Silver
Lake Project area(11-15-2011)State boundarySalt
ee uullaahh PelicanSwand County boundary
Urban area WillowOBrienLongLake lkaliA14 HelenTwi Interstate Highway
Highwayn UV3
FederalUV48 Mitchell LakeLake Josephine State HighwayLake
RiversDeerOliver
Count UV36Harri ty te reamSinkUV25
LakepondUV31 Lake Brock
SlUV1806 CherryLake
oughKunkel LakeHorsehead
Louise
ChaseLakeKidder
ty SaltSibley AlkaliLake LakeneBurlei BuffalCl oear iMissouri ty Lakever
BuffalStonySlough
Bismarck UV10 Lake
Alkaline IsabelLakeUV810 McKenzie
SloughMorCoun
ont Lake Lakety Etta Henry Lake
Long Lake George
UV6 U Pursian CanadaV1804
LakeLake AlkalineOahe Lake
PGI
S_PR
OJEC
TSN
extE
raWi
lton_
IVM
XDsA
vian2
012S
pring
Rep
ort_M
apsN
EER_
Wilto
n4_A
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urvey
_Figu
re1_V
icinity
_17i1
1i_20
1207
10m
xd -
Last
Save
d 723
2012
Projarea
ect GrandForksDutt
Slon
oughGrantCount Emmons
CounLoganCounty
N D Bismarck
y M T FargoM N
ty GooseLake
Rapid S D PierreW Y City SiFa
ouxO 1500000 NAD 1983 UTM 14 0 5 10 20 30 40 50
Miles llsI A
TETRA TECH ECINC
240th Ave Ne 240th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
253Rd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
227Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE 279Th Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
145T
h St N
E
41St
St NE 14
5Th S
t NE
66Th
St N
E
171S
t St N
E
132N
d St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
41St
St NE
66Th
St N
E
80Th
St N
E
93Rd
St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
106T
h St N
E
171S
t St N
E
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
Figure 2 Point
(Spr t location mapcoun
ing 2012)NEXTENERGY
RESOURCES
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
AA
A A
Burleigh County ND
Last modified 7-10-2012A AA
AA AA A A A
Avian survey poinan survey poin
800-m rad
AA PC 01 t
t
PC 04 AviA
ius A A PC Point count number
AAA Wind energy center
(11-15-2011)Proposed turbi
A
A (9-21-2011)
PC 02 neA
A
A Local Road
A
A
PC 03
A AAAA
A A A A
A AA
APC 06 A APC 05 A A A
A A A
A
A
A
A AAA A
A
A
A A
A APC 07 A
PGI
S_PR
OJEC
TSN
extE
raWi
lton_
IVM
XDsA
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012S
pring
Rep
ort_M
apsN
EER_
Wilto
n4_A
vianS
urvey
_Figu
re2_P
Cloc
ation
_17i1
1i_20
1207
10m
xd -L
ast S
aved
723
2012
O 155000 NAD 1983 UTM 14 0 05 1 2 3 4 5 Miles
TETRA TECH ECINC
Figure 3 Non-raptor mean use by survey date in Spring at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center M
ean
Use
(bir
ds2
0 m
in)
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
00
Survey Date
316 321 326 44 410 420 427 53 512 519 526 62 69 615
NAD 1983 UTM 14
240th Ave Ne240th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
253Rd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
227Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE 279Th Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
145T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
145T
h St N
E
66Th
St N
E
171S
t St N
E
132N
d St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
41St
St NE
66Th
St N
E
80Th
St N
E
93Rd
St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
106T
h St N
E
171S
t St N
E
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
PC 01
PC 02
PC 03
PC 04
PC 05 PC 06
PC 07
3693
4414
10314
5607
6114 5536
2464
155000 O 0 1 2 3 4 505 Miles
PGI
S _P R
O J E C
T S N
e xt E
r a Wi
lto n _
IVM
X D s A
vi an2
0 12S
pr in g
R ep
o rt_M
ap s N
E E R _
W ilto
n 4 _ A
vi a n S
u r ve y
_ F ig u
r e4_ N
onR a
pM U _
1 7i11
i_201
207 1
0 m xd
-La s
t S av
ed 7
2 320
12
TETR A TECH EC INC
Figure 4Non-raptor mean use by point count location (Spring 2012)
Non-r aptor s p e r 20 m in u te s 00 1 - 25 0 0 25 01 - 5 0 00 50 01 - 7 5 00
75 01 - 1 0 00 0
10 00 1 - 1 25 00
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
A Pro po sed tu rbin e (9 -21 -20 11 )Lo ca l Ro a d
Mean use value PC Point count number
Burleigh County ND
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
Last modified 7-10-2012
NEXTENERGY RESOURCES
Figure 5 Raptor mean use by survey date in Spring 2012 at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Mea
n U
se (b
irds
20
min
)
140
120
100
080
060
040
020
000
Survey Date
316 321 326 44 410 420 427 53 512 519 526 62 69 615
NAD 1983 UTM 14
240th Ave Ne240th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
253Rd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
227Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE 279Th Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
145T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
145T
h St N
E
66Th
St N
E
171S
t St N
E
132N
d St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
41St
St NE
66Th
St N
E
80Th
St N
E
93Rd
St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
106T
h St N
E
171S
t St N
E
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
PC 01
PC 02
PC 03
PC 04
PC 05 PC 06
PC 07
064
014
057
064
021 007
029
155000 O 0 1 2 3 4 505 Miles
PGI
S _P R
O J E C
T S N
e xt E
r a Wi
lto n _
IVM
X D s A
vi an2
0 12S
pr in g
R ep
o rt_M
ap s N
E E R _
W ilto
n 4 _ A
vi a n S
u r ve y
_ F ig u
r e6_ R
apM U
_ 17i1
1i_2 0
120 7
10 m
xd -
Last
S av e
d 723
2 0 1 2
TETR A TECH EC INC
Figure 6Raptor mean use by point
count location (Spring 2012)
Rapto r s p e r 2 0 m in u te s 00 1- 01 6 01 7 - 0 32 03 3 - 0 48
04 9 - 0 64
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
A Pro po sed tu rbin e (9 -21 -20 11 )Lo ca l Ro a d
Mean use value PC Point count number
Burleigh County ND
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
Last modified 7-10-2012
NEXTENERGY RESOURCES
240th Ave Ne 240th Ave Ne
240th Ave Ne
266th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
279Th Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE
292Nd Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
52Nd
St N
E
197T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
66Th
St N
E
188Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
106T
h St N
E
253Rd Ave NE
292Nd Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
132N
d St N
E
26Th
St N
E
266Th Ave NE
253Rd Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
93Rd
St N
E
145T
h St N
E 14
5Th S
t NE
132N
d St N
E
41St
St NE
210T
h St N
E
119T
h St N
E
106T
h St N
E
171S
t St N
E 17
1St S
t NE
188Th Ave NE
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE 227Th Ave NE
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
201St Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
Figure 7 Raptor nest and lek location
map (Spring 2012)NEXTENERGY
RESOURCES
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
5 Burleigh County ND
Last modified 7-10-2012 A A
A A
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
AAA A A A A A
A A
Pro po sed tu rbi(9 -21 -20 11 )
n e A A
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Lo ca l Ro a d Sh arp -tailed
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A AA gro use
Raptor nest s pecies Re d-taile d h a wk
1
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Ina ctive ra ptor A
9 A
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St N
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O 165000 NAD 1983 UTM 14 0 05 1 2 3 4 5 Miles
TETR A TECH EC INC
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
TABLES
21 August 2012
Table 1 Spring 2012 point count survey dates at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Date(s)Survey number
1 316 2 321 3 326 4 44 5 410 6 420 7 427 8 53 9 512 10 519 11 526 12 62 13 69 14 615
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Songbirds
unidentified sparrow 652 7 665 (000-1339) 41 313 121 red-winged blackbird 548 52 559 (036-1082) 378 263 102 horned lark 173 83 177 (136-218) 612 83 32 American crow 159 22 162 (027-297) 204 76 30 common grackle 91 33 093 (035-151) 245 44 17 western meadowlark 80 62 082 (065-099) 480 38 15 European starling 80 1 082 (000-216) 10 38 15 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 082 (029-135) 82 38 15 barn swallow 44 21 045 (028-062) 204 21 08 bobolink 36 28 037 (022-052) 194 17 07 American goldfinch 26 23 027 (018-036) 214 12 05 vesper sparrow 23 21 023 (013-033) 184 11 04 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 019 (010-028) 143 09 04 American robin 19 19 019 (011-027) 143 09 04 house sparrow 15 5 015 (000-030) 51 07 03 American tree sparrow 8 2 008 (000-018) 20 04 01 song sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 savannah sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 dickcissel 5 4 005 (000-010) 31 02 01 western kingbird 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 01 01 pine siskin 3 1 003 (000-008) 10 01 01 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 eastern kingbird 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 yellow warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 unidentified warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 house wren 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 Group Total 2083 430 2126 (1259-2993) 949 387
Waterfowl
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations
Canada goose 1408 24 1437 (435-2439) 133 874 262 snow goose 184 2 188 (000-490) 20 114 34 mallard 12 6 012 (004-020) 61 07 02 northern pintail 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 blue-winged teal 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 American wigeon 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 redhead 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 01 00 Group Total 1611 36 1644 (561-2727) 184 300
CranesRails sandhill crane 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 1000 201 Group Total 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 201
GullsTerns Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 283 (013-553) 31 986 52 ring-billed gull 4 3 004 (000-008) 31 14 01 Group Total 281 7 287 (017-557) 61 52
Gamebirds ring-necked pheasant 148 134 151 (128-174) 745 967 28 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 20 01 gray partridge 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 13 00 Group Total 153 138 156 (132-180) 755 28
PigeonsDoves rock pigeon 40 6 041 (009-073) 61 513 07 mourning dove 38 25 039 (019-059) 184 487 07 Group Total 78 31 080 (041-119) 224 15
Waterbirds killdeer 28 22 029 (017-041) 214 538 05 upland sandpiper 8 8 008 (003-013) 71 154 01 common snipe 8 8 008 (002-014) 61 154 01 Wilsons snipe 4 4 004 (000-008) 31 77 01 American coot 4 1 004 (000-011) 10 77 01 Group Total 52 43 053 (037-069) 357 10
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Raptors
red-tailed hawk 16 12 016 (008-024) 122 444 03 northern harrier 16 14 016 (009-023) 143 444 03 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 peregrine falcon 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 great horned owl 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 American kestrel 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 Group Total 36 30 037 (025-049) 276 07
Woodpeckers northern flicker 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 1000 00 Group Total 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 00 Grand Total 5376 735 5486 (3771-7200)
1 A ranking of 1 indicates highest mean use
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Canada goose 1408 24 210 80 523 140 210 135 110 sandhill crane 1080 18 94 18 621 15 187 145 0 unidentified sparrow 652 7 0 0 0 0 330 210 112 red-winged blackbird 548 52 0 84 49 386 14 11 4 Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 107 0 100 70 0 0 0 snow goose 184 2 0 180 4 0 0 0 0 horned lark 173 83 23 24 17 12 19 32 46 American crow 159 22 6 4 13 11 1 123 1 ring-necked pheasant 148 134 21 14 21 18 25 22 27 common grackle 91 33 6 35 7 2 8 33 0 western meadowlark 80 62 8 10 17 3 11 19 12 European starling 80 1 0 0 0 80 0 0 0 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 0 63 17 0 0 0 0 barn swallow 44 21 3 12 6 10 7 1 5 rock pigeon 40 6 0 14 0 0 0 23 3 mourning dove 38 25 4 17 1 1 1 11 3 bobolink 36 28 10 0 14 8 0 0 4 killdeer 28 22 3 3 4 5 10 0 3 American goldfinch 26 23 4 9 3 3 4 2 1 vesper sparrow 23 21 1 7 1 2 9 1 2 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 2 4 2 0 6 4 1 American robin 19 19 1 13 0 1 3 0 1 red-tailed hawk 16 12 4 0 4 5 0 1 2 northern harrier 16 14 3 1 4 4 2 0 2 house sparrow 15 5 2 13 0 0 0 0 0 mallard 12 6 0 0 6 6 0 0 0 upland sandpiper 8 8 0 0 1 0 3 2 2 common snipe 8 8 0 2 6 0 0 0 0 American tree sparrow 8 2 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 song sparrow 5 5 1 1 1 0 2 0 0 savannah sparrow 5 5 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 dickcissel 5 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 Wilsons snipe 4 4 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 ring-billed gull 4 3 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 American coot 4 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 western kingbird 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 pine siskin 3 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 northern pintail 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
northern flicker 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 gray partridge 2 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 eastern kingbird 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 blue-winged teal 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 American wigeon 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 yellow warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 unidentified warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 redhead 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 peregrine falcon 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 house wren 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 great horned owl 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 American kestrel 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Grand Total 5376 735 526 620 1452 794 859 776 349
Table 4 Summary of avian flight heights1 in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)2 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Birds
Number Percentage
Non-raptors
Raptors
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
1656 372
2023 455
767 173
3 91
13 394
17 515 1 Includes only flying birds with flight height data2These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
Canada goose 654 (435 - 2439) 1437 997 537 457 06 unidentified sparrow 632 (000 - 1339) 665 1000 00 951 49 sandhill crane 368 (083 - 2121) 1102 999 665 335 00 Franklinrsquos gull 283 (013 - 553) 283 1000 00 1000 00 European starling 082 (000 - 216) 082 1000 00 1000 00 American crow 024 (027 - 297) 162 943 00 160 840 red-tailed hawk 013 (008 - 024) 016 938 133 867 00 brown-headed cowbird 008 (029 - 135) 082 125 00 800 200 red-winged blackbird 005 (036 - 1082) 559 261 00 35 965 Wilsons snipe 002 (000 - 008) 004 500 00 1000 00 blue-winged teal 002 (000 - 005) 002 1000 00 1000 00 mallard 002 (004 - 020) 012 500 00 333 667 ring-billed gull 001 (000 - 008) 004 1000 00 250 750 yellow warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 yellow-headed blackbird 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 western meadowlark 000 (065 - 099) 082 338 00 00 1000 western kingbird 000 (000 - 007) 003 1000 00 00 1000 vesper sparrow 000 (013 - 033) 023 130 00 00 1000 upland sandpiper 000 (003 - 013) 008 250 00 00 1000 unidentified warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 Swainsonrsquos hawk 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 sharp-tailed grouse 000 (000 - 007) 003 667 00 00 1000 song sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 snow goose 000 (000 - 490) 188 1000 1000 00 00 savannah sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 rock pigeon 000 (009 - 073) 041 825 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
ring-necked pheasant 000 (128 - 174) 151 07 00 00 1000 redhead 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 pine siskin 000 (000 - 008) 003 1000 00 00 1000 peregrine falcon 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 1000 00 00 northern pintail 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 northern harrier 000 (009 - 023) 016 1000 00 00 1000 northern flicker 000 (000 - 004) 002 500 00 00 1000 mourning dove 000 (019 - 059) 039 684 00 00 1000 killdeer 000 (017 - 041) 029 607 00 00 1000 house wren 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 house sparrow 000 (000 - 030) 015 67 00 00 1000 horned lark 000 (136 - 218) 177 740 00 00 1000 grasshopper sparrow 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 gray partridge 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 great horned owl 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 eastern kingbird 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 dickcissel 000 (000 - 010) 005 00 00 00 00 common snipe 000 (002 - 014) 008 00 00 00 00 common grackle 000 (035 - 151) 093 945 00 00 1000 clay-colored sparrow 000 (010 - 028) 019 158 00 00 1000 bobolink 000 (022 - 052) 037 917 00 00 1000 barn swallow 000 (028 - 062) 045 1000 00 00 1000 American tree sparrow 000 (000 - 018) 008 1000 00 00 1000 American wigeon 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 American robin 000 (011 - 027) 019 421 00 00 1000 American kestrel 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
American goldfinch 000 027 (018 - 036) 923 00 00 1000American coot 000 004 (000 - 011) 00 00 00 001These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 6 Incidental observations of birds during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species
American crow American kestrel American robin Canada goose great horned owl golden eagle gray partridge lesser scaup mallard merlin northern harrier rock pigeon red-tailed hawk red-winged blackbird sandhill crane sharp-tailed grouse wild turkey
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
APPENDICES
22 August 2012
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number of Birds1
Number of
Observations Species
Percentage of Flights
N NE E SE S SW W NW Variable
Canada goose 1398 21 867 00 00 00 02 00 17 114 00
sandhill crane 1079 17 878 52 00 00 00 00 00 70 00
unidentified sparrow 565 5 00 00 00 788 212 00 00 00 00
Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
snow goose 184 2 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
European starling 80 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
American crow 69 11 768 58 58 00 14 43 00 14 43
red-winged blackbird 15 6 533 00 00 200 267 00 00 00 00
red-tailed hawk 14 10 500 143 00 71 00 71 00 71 143
rock pigeon 11 2 00 00 00 00 273 727 00 00 00
northern harrier 9 8 111 00 00 333 00 222 00 111 222
mourning dove 9 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
common grackle 9 6 111 00 00 111 00 222 556 00 00
brown-headed cowbird 8 1 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
horned lark 6 3 833 00 00 167 00 00 00 00 00
ring-billed gull 4 3 250 00 00 00 00 750 00 00 00
Wilsons snipe 2 2 500 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 500
vesper sparrow 2 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
mallard 2 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
blue-winged teal 2 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
peregrine falcon 1 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
killdeer 1 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
Grand Total 3747 108 722 17 04 121 36 05 30 64 02 1 Includes only flying birds with flight directions
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Nest Number Species Substrate
Nest ConditionStatusDates
Surveyed Nest
Height (m) 2012 - 1 452012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good
5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 4 592012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good 5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 5 5192012 Swainsonrsquos hawk Active Siberian Elm 7 Good
NA means not applicable
Wenck Associates Inc 301 1
st St NE Suite 202
Mandan ND 58554
Phone 701-751-3370 Email jaskimwenckcom
May 7 2012
Tracey M Dubuque PE Senior Project Manager
Tetra Tech EC
160 Federal Street Third Floor
Boston MA 02110
Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Dear Tracey
Introduction
Male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) congregate at historicalcommunal leks in the spring
to compete for breeding opportunities Both sexes return to their natal breeding grounds yearly for their
entire life Leks are typically found in areas with low-growing vegetation on a hill knoll or other point of
high visibility Fidelity to these locations is extremely high for sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse
require nesting habitat within close proximity the lek comprised of dense or residual vegetative cover to
conceal and protect their nest from predators (Vodehnal and Haufler 2007)
Disturbance of nesting prairie grouse may occur from the construction of the turbine andor access road
construction noise and physical movement of equipment Loss of habitat and fragmentation related to
energy exploration may affect local prairie grouse populations by decreasing the area of habitat available
for nesting and brood-rearing and by increasing predation (Pittman et al 2005) Therefore federal and
state wildlife agencies are concerned about the placement of turbines in areas with known prairie grouse
populations Turbine setbacks from leks and minimizing grouse habitat disturbance may reduce the direct
and indirect effects of energy development on grouse
Methods
Sharp-tailed grouse surveys were completed from April 10th to May 1
st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise
to two hours after sunrise within the one-mile analysis area (Figure 1) Peak attendance by females on leks
typically occurs from April 15 to 25 but these dates vary by up to a week depending on weather conditions
(Schroeder and Robb 1993) Peak attendance potentially occurred earlier this year due to the early spring
A habitat assessment analysis was conducted prior to the field survey to determine suitable lekkingnesting
habitat within the analysis area (Figure 2) Listening stops were made within a one-mile analysis area
surrounding the proposed project area to identify lek locations (Figure 3) Sharp-tailed grouse males may
be heard at a distance of up to 050 mile Listening stops were not conducted if winds exceeded 10 miles
per hour (mph) or during precipitation events After a lek was located the birds were observed and the
number of males and females were counted Lek locations were documented using Global Positioning
System (GPS) Given the sensitive nature of this species and the fact that females may be nesting near the
lek disturbance to breeding prairie grouse was kept to a minimum
Results
Nine (9) sharp-tailed grouse leks were located during the surveys conducted from April 10th to May 1
st
2012 (Figure 4) Date time sex number of birds present wind conditions air temperature and GPS
coordinates were recorded once a lek was located (Tables 1 and 2) Two of the leks observed were
located outside of the analysis area Due to Lek 1rsquos close proximity to Lek 4 Lek 1 shouldbe classified
as a satellite lek No visual confirmation of Lek 6 was made due to access and topography
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
B
Knife River
James River
Random Creek
Pipestem Creek
Heart River Long Lake Creek
Rocky Run
Otter Creek
Turtle Cr eek
West Branch Apple Creek
Little Heart River
Big Muddy Creek
Ea st Br an ch Ap pl e C re ek
Apple
Creek
Painte Woods Creek
Sweetbrier Creek
Square Butte Creek
B
LakeAudubon Figure 1Lake NettieLakeSakakawea ty MapVicini
Turtle BlueLake Lakeerson
Lake NEXTENERGYPetUV7
U SherCoun
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V41 RESOURCES
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Burleigh County ND
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Figure 2 Point
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Wilton IVWind Energy Center
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Figure 5 Raptor mean use by survey date in Spring 2012 at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
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Figure 6Raptor mean use by point
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Last modified 7-10-2012
NEXTENERGY RESOURCES
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Figure 7 Raptor nest and lek location
map (Spring 2012)NEXTENERGY
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2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
TABLES
21 August 2012
Table 1 Spring 2012 point count survey dates at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Date(s)Survey number
1 316 2 321 3 326 4 44 5 410 6 420 7 427 8 53 9 512 10 519 11 526 12 62 13 69 14 615
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Songbirds
unidentified sparrow 652 7 665 (000-1339) 41 313 121 red-winged blackbird 548 52 559 (036-1082) 378 263 102 horned lark 173 83 177 (136-218) 612 83 32 American crow 159 22 162 (027-297) 204 76 30 common grackle 91 33 093 (035-151) 245 44 17 western meadowlark 80 62 082 (065-099) 480 38 15 European starling 80 1 082 (000-216) 10 38 15 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 082 (029-135) 82 38 15 barn swallow 44 21 045 (028-062) 204 21 08 bobolink 36 28 037 (022-052) 194 17 07 American goldfinch 26 23 027 (018-036) 214 12 05 vesper sparrow 23 21 023 (013-033) 184 11 04 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 019 (010-028) 143 09 04 American robin 19 19 019 (011-027) 143 09 04 house sparrow 15 5 015 (000-030) 51 07 03 American tree sparrow 8 2 008 (000-018) 20 04 01 song sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 savannah sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 dickcissel 5 4 005 (000-010) 31 02 01 western kingbird 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 01 01 pine siskin 3 1 003 (000-008) 10 01 01 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 eastern kingbird 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 yellow warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 unidentified warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 house wren 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 Group Total 2083 430 2126 (1259-2993) 949 387
Waterfowl
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations
Canada goose 1408 24 1437 (435-2439) 133 874 262 snow goose 184 2 188 (000-490) 20 114 34 mallard 12 6 012 (004-020) 61 07 02 northern pintail 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 blue-winged teal 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 American wigeon 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 redhead 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 01 00 Group Total 1611 36 1644 (561-2727) 184 300
CranesRails sandhill crane 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 1000 201 Group Total 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 201
GullsTerns Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 283 (013-553) 31 986 52 ring-billed gull 4 3 004 (000-008) 31 14 01 Group Total 281 7 287 (017-557) 61 52
Gamebirds ring-necked pheasant 148 134 151 (128-174) 745 967 28 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 20 01 gray partridge 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 13 00 Group Total 153 138 156 (132-180) 755 28
PigeonsDoves rock pigeon 40 6 041 (009-073) 61 513 07 mourning dove 38 25 039 (019-059) 184 487 07 Group Total 78 31 080 (041-119) 224 15
Waterbirds killdeer 28 22 029 (017-041) 214 538 05 upland sandpiper 8 8 008 (003-013) 71 154 01 common snipe 8 8 008 (002-014) 61 154 01 Wilsons snipe 4 4 004 (000-008) 31 77 01 American coot 4 1 004 (000-011) 10 77 01 Group Total 52 43 053 (037-069) 357 10
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Raptors
red-tailed hawk 16 12 016 (008-024) 122 444 03 northern harrier 16 14 016 (009-023) 143 444 03 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 peregrine falcon 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 great horned owl 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 American kestrel 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 Group Total 36 30 037 (025-049) 276 07
Woodpeckers northern flicker 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 1000 00 Group Total 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 00 Grand Total 5376 735 5486 (3771-7200)
1 A ranking of 1 indicates highest mean use
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Canada goose 1408 24 210 80 523 140 210 135 110 sandhill crane 1080 18 94 18 621 15 187 145 0 unidentified sparrow 652 7 0 0 0 0 330 210 112 red-winged blackbird 548 52 0 84 49 386 14 11 4 Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 107 0 100 70 0 0 0 snow goose 184 2 0 180 4 0 0 0 0 horned lark 173 83 23 24 17 12 19 32 46 American crow 159 22 6 4 13 11 1 123 1 ring-necked pheasant 148 134 21 14 21 18 25 22 27 common grackle 91 33 6 35 7 2 8 33 0 western meadowlark 80 62 8 10 17 3 11 19 12 European starling 80 1 0 0 0 80 0 0 0 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 0 63 17 0 0 0 0 barn swallow 44 21 3 12 6 10 7 1 5 rock pigeon 40 6 0 14 0 0 0 23 3 mourning dove 38 25 4 17 1 1 1 11 3 bobolink 36 28 10 0 14 8 0 0 4 killdeer 28 22 3 3 4 5 10 0 3 American goldfinch 26 23 4 9 3 3 4 2 1 vesper sparrow 23 21 1 7 1 2 9 1 2 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 2 4 2 0 6 4 1 American robin 19 19 1 13 0 1 3 0 1 red-tailed hawk 16 12 4 0 4 5 0 1 2 northern harrier 16 14 3 1 4 4 2 0 2 house sparrow 15 5 2 13 0 0 0 0 0 mallard 12 6 0 0 6 6 0 0 0 upland sandpiper 8 8 0 0 1 0 3 2 2 common snipe 8 8 0 2 6 0 0 0 0 American tree sparrow 8 2 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 song sparrow 5 5 1 1 1 0 2 0 0 savannah sparrow 5 5 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 dickcissel 5 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 Wilsons snipe 4 4 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 ring-billed gull 4 3 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 American coot 4 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 western kingbird 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 pine siskin 3 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 northern pintail 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
northern flicker 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 gray partridge 2 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 eastern kingbird 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 blue-winged teal 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 American wigeon 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 yellow warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 unidentified warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 redhead 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 peregrine falcon 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 house wren 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 great horned owl 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 American kestrel 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Grand Total 5376 735 526 620 1452 794 859 776 349
Table 4 Summary of avian flight heights1 in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)2 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Birds
Number Percentage
Non-raptors
Raptors
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
1656 372
2023 455
767 173
3 91
13 394
17 515 1 Includes only flying birds with flight height data2These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
Canada goose 654 (435 - 2439) 1437 997 537 457 06 unidentified sparrow 632 (000 - 1339) 665 1000 00 951 49 sandhill crane 368 (083 - 2121) 1102 999 665 335 00 Franklinrsquos gull 283 (013 - 553) 283 1000 00 1000 00 European starling 082 (000 - 216) 082 1000 00 1000 00 American crow 024 (027 - 297) 162 943 00 160 840 red-tailed hawk 013 (008 - 024) 016 938 133 867 00 brown-headed cowbird 008 (029 - 135) 082 125 00 800 200 red-winged blackbird 005 (036 - 1082) 559 261 00 35 965 Wilsons snipe 002 (000 - 008) 004 500 00 1000 00 blue-winged teal 002 (000 - 005) 002 1000 00 1000 00 mallard 002 (004 - 020) 012 500 00 333 667 ring-billed gull 001 (000 - 008) 004 1000 00 250 750 yellow warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 yellow-headed blackbird 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 western meadowlark 000 (065 - 099) 082 338 00 00 1000 western kingbird 000 (000 - 007) 003 1000 00 00 1000 vesper sparrow 000 (013 - 033) 023 130 00 00 1000 upland sandpiper 000 (003 - 013) 008 250 00 00 1000 unidentified warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 Swainsonrsquos hawk 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 sharp-tailed grouse 000 (000 - 007) 003 667 00 00 1000 song sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 snow goose 000 (000 - 490) 188 1000 1000 00 00 savannah sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 rock pigeon 000 (009 - 073) 041 825 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
ring-necked pheasant 000 (128 - 174) 151 07 00 00 1000 redhead 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 pine siskin 000 (000 - 008) 003 1000 00 00 1000 peregrine falcon 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 1000 00 00 northern pintail 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 northern harrier 000 (009 - 023) 016 1000 00 00 1000 northern flicker 000 (000 - 004) 002 500 00 00 1000 mourning dove 000 (019 - 059) 039 684 00 00 1000 killdeer 000 (017 - 041) 029 607 00 00 1000 house wren 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 house sparrow 000 (000 - 030) 015 67 00 00 1000 horned lark 000 (136 - 218) 177 740 00 00 1000 grasshopper sparrow 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 gray partridge 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 great horned owl 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 eastern kingbird 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 dickcissel 000 (000 - 010) 005 00 00 00 00 common snipe 000 (002 - 014) 008 00 00 00 00 common grackle 000 (035 - 151) 093 945 00 00 1000 clay-colored sparrow 000 (010 - 028) 019 158 00 00 1000 bobolink 000 (022 - 052) 037 917 00 00 1000 barn swallow 000 (028 - 062) 045 1000 00 00 1000 American tree sparrow 000 (000 - 018) 008 1000 00 00 1000 American wigeon 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 American robin 000 (011 - 027) 019 421 00 00 1000 American kestrel 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
American goldfinch 000 027 (018 - 036) 923 00 00 1000American coot 000 004 (000 - 011) 00 00 00 001These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 6 Incidental observations of birds during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species
American crow American kestrel American robin Canada goose great horned owl golden eagle gray partridge lesser scaup mallard merlin northern harrier rock pigeon red-tailed hawk red-winged blackbird sandhill crane sharp-tailed grouse wild turkey
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
APPENDICES
22 August 2012
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number of Birds1
Number of
Observations Species
Percentage of Flights
N NE E SE S SW W NW Variable
Canada goose 1398 21 867 00 00 00 02 00 17 114 00
sandhill crane 1079 17 878 52 00 00 00 00 00 70 00
unidentified sparrow 565 5 00 00 00 788 212 00 00 00 00
Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
snow goose 184 2 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
European starling 80 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
American crow 69 11 768 58 58 00 14 43 00 14 43
red-winged blackbird 15 6 533 00 00 200 267 00 00 00 00
red-tailed hawk 14 10 500 143 00 71 00 71 00 71 143
rock pigeon 11 2 00 00 00 00 273 727 00 00 00
northern harrier 9 8 111 00 00 333 00 222 00 111 222
mourning dove 9 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
common grackle 9 6 111 00 00 111 00 222 556 00 00
brown-headed cowbird 8 1 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
horned lark 6 3 833 00 00 167 00 00 00 00 00
ring-billed gull 4 3 250 00 00 00 00 750 00 00 00
Wilsons snipe 2 2 500 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 500
vesper sparrow 2 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
mallard 2 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
blue-winged teal 2 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
peregrine falcon 1 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
killdeer 1 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
Grand Total 3747 108 722 17 04 121 36 05 30 64 02 1 Includes only flying birds with flight directions
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Nest Number Species Substrate
Nest ConditionStatusDates
Surveyed Nest
Height (m) 2012 - 1 452012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good
5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 4 592012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good 5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 5 5192012 Swainsonrsquos hawk Active Siberian Elm 7 Good
NA means not applicable
Wenck Associates Inc 301 1
st St NE Suite 202
Mandan ND 58554
Phone 701-751-3370 Email jaskimwenckcom
May 7 2012
Tracey M Dubuque PE Senior Project Manager
Tetra Tech EC
160 Federal Street Third Floor
Boston MA 02110
Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Dear Tracey
Introduction
Male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) congregate at historicalcommunal leks in the spring
to compete for breeding opportunities Both sexes return to their natal breeding grounds yearly for their
entire life Leks are typically found in areas with low-growing vegetation on a hill knoll or other point of
high visibility Fidelity to these locations is extremely high for sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse
require nesting habitat within close proximity the lek comprised of dense or residual vegetative cover to
conceal and protect their nest from predators (Vodehnal and Haufler 2007)
Disturbance of nesting prairie grouse may occur from the construction of the turbine andor access road
construction noise and physical movement of equipment Loss of habitat and fragmentation related to
energy exploration may affect local prairie grouse populations by decreasing the area of habitat available
for nesting and brood-rearing and by increasing predation (Pittman et al 2005) Therefore federal and
state wildlife agencies are concerned about the placement of turbines in areas with known prairie grouse
populations Turbine setbacks from leks and minimizing grouse habitat disturbance may reduce the direct
and indirect effects of energy development on grouse
Methods
Sharp-tailed grouse surveys were completed from April 10th to May 1
st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise
to two hours after sunrise within the one-mile analysis area (Figure 1) Peak attendance by females on leks
typically occurs from April 15 to 25 but these dates vary by up to a week depending on weather conditions
(Schroeder and Robb 1993) Peak attendance potentially occurred earlier this year due to the early spring
A habitat assessment analysis was conducted prior to the field survey to determine suitable lekkingnesting
habitat within the analysis area (Figure 2) Listening stops were made within a one-mile analysis area
surrounding the proposed project area to identify lek locations (Figure 3) Sharp-tailed grouse males may
be heard at a distance of up to 050 mile Listening stops were not conducted if winds exceeded 10 miles
per hour (mph) or during precipitation events After a lek was located the birds were observed and the
number of males and females were counted Lek locations were documented using Global Positioning
System (GPS) Given the sensitive nature of this species and the fact that females may be nesting near the
lek disturbance to breeding prairie grouse was kept to a minimum
Results
Nine (9) sharp-tailed grouse leks were located during the surveys conducted from April 10th to May 1
st
2012 (Figure 4) Date time sex number of birds present wind conditions air temperature and GPS
coordinates were recorded once a lek was located (Tables 1 and 2) Two of the leks observed were
located outside of the analysis area Due to Lek 1rsquos close proximity to Lek 4 Lek 1 shouldbe classified
as a satellite lek No visual confirmation of Lek 6 was made due to access and topography
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
240th Ave Ne 240th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
253Rd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
227Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE 279Th Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
145T
h St N
E
41St
St NE 14
5Th S
t NE
66Th
St N
E
171S
t St N
E
132N
d St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
41St
St NE
66Th
St N
E
80Th
St N
E
93Rd
St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
106T
h St N
E
171S
t St N
E
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
Figure 2 Point
(Spr t location mapcoun
ing 2012)NEXTENERGY
RESOURCES
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
AA
A A
Burleigh County ND
Last modified 7-10-2012A AA
AA AA A A A
Avian survey poinan survey poin
800-m rad
AA PC 01 t
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(11-15-2011)Proposed turbi
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PC 03
A AAAA
A A A A
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O 155000 NAD 1983 UTM 14 0 05 1 2 3 4 5 Miles
TETRA TECH ECINC
Figure 3 Non-raptor mean use by survey date in Spring at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center M
ean
Use
(bir
ds2
0 m
in)
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
00
Survey Date
316 321 326 44 410 420 427 53 512 519 526 62 69 615
NAD 1983 UTM 14
240th Ave Ne240th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
253Rd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
227Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE 279Th Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
145T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
145T
h St N
E
66Th
St N
E
171S
t St N
E
132N
d St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
41St
St NE
66Th
St N
E
80Th
St N
E
93Rd
St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
106T
h St N
E
171S
t St N
E
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
PC 01
PC 02
PC 03
PC 04
PC 05 PC 06
PC 07
3693
4414
10314
5607
6114 5536
2464
155000 O 0 1 2 3 4 505 Miles
PGI
S _P R
O J E C
T S N
e xt E
r a Wi
lto n _
IVM
X D s A
vi an2
0 12S
pr in g
R ep
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ap s N
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W ilto
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onR a
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1 7i11
i_201
207 1
0 m xd
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t S av
ed 7
2 320
12
TETR A TECH EC INC
Figure 4Non-raptor mean use by point count location (Spring 2012)
Non-r aptor s p e r 20 m in u te s 00 1 - 25 0 0 25 01 - 5 0 00 50 01 - 7 5 00
75 01 - 1 0 00 0
10 00 1 - 1 25 00
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
A Pro po sed tu rbin e (9 -21 -20 11 )Lo ca l Ro a d
Mean use value PC Point count number
Burleigh County ND
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
Last modified 7-10-2012
NEXTENERGY RESOURCES
Figure 5 Raptor mean use by survey date in Spring 2012 at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Mea
n U
se (b
irds
20
min
)
140
120
100
080
060
040
020
000
Survey Date
316 321 326 44 410 420 427 53 512 519 526 62 69 615
NAD 1983 UTM 14
240th Ave Ne240th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
253Rd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
227Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE 279Th Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
145T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
145T
h St N
E
66Th
St N
E
171S
t St N
E
132N
d St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
41St
St NE
66Th
St N
E
80Th
St N
E
93Rd
St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
106T
h St N
E
171S
t St N
E
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
PC 01
PC 02
PC 03
PC 04
PC 05 PC 06
PC 07
064
014
057
064
021 007
029
155000 O 0 1 2 3 4 505 Miles
PGI
S _P R
O J E C
T S N
e xt E
r a Wi
lto n _
IVM
X D s A
vi an2
0 12S
pr in g
R ep
o rt_M
ap s N
E E R _
W ilto
n 4 _ A
vi a n S
u r ve y
_ F ig u
r e6_ R
apM U
_ 17i1
1i_2 0
120 7
10 m
xd -
Last
S av e
d 723
2 0 1 2
TETR A TECH EC INC
Figure 6Raptor mean use by point
count location (Spring 2012)
Rapto r s p e r 2 0 m in u te s 00 1- 01 6 01 7 - 0 32 03 3 - 0 48
04 9 - 0 64
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
A Pro po sed tu rbin e (9 -21 -20 11 )Lo ca l Ro a d
Mean use value PC Point count number
Burleigh County ND
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
Last modified 7-10-2012
NEXTENERGY RESOURCES
240th Ave Ne 240th Ave Ne
240th Ave Ne
266th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
279Th Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE
292Nd Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
52Nd
St N
E
197T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
66Th
St N
E
188Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
106T
h St N
E
253Rd Ave NE
292Nd Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
132N
d St N
E
26Th
St N
E
266Th Ave NE
253Rd Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
93Rd
St N
E
145T
h St N
E 14
5Th S
t NE
132N
d St N
E
41St
St NE
210T
h St N
E
119T
h St N
E
106T
h St N
E
171S
t St N
E 17
1St S
t NE
188Th Ave NE
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE 227Th Ave NE
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
201St Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
Figure 7 Raptor nest and lek location
map (Spring 2012)NEXTENERGY
RESOURCES
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
5 Burleigh County ND
Last modified 7-10-2012 A A
A A
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
AAA A A A A A
A A
Pro po sed tu rbi(9 -21 -20 11 )
n e A A
A A
Lo ca l Ro a d Sh arp -tailed
le k A4
A AA gro use
Raptor nest s pecies Re d-taile d h a wk
1
A
A
A A
Sw ain so n s h a wk 3 A
Ina ctive ra ptor A
9 A
A
A A AA
A A 7 28
A A A A
A A A A
A A AA AA
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A A A
A A
A A A A
A
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0120
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xd -
Last
S av e
d 723
2 0 1 2
6
66T h
St N
E
O 165000 NAD 1983 UTM 14 0 05 1 2 3 4 5 Miles
TETR A TECH EC INC
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
TABLES
21 August 2012
Table 1 Spring 2012 point count survey dates at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Date(s)Survey number
1 316 2 321 3 326 4 44 5 410 6 420 7 427 8 53 9 512 10 519 11 526 12 62 13 69 14 615
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Songbirds
unidentified sparrow 652 7 665 (000-1339) 41 313 121 red-winged blackbird 548 52 559 (036-1082) 378 263 102 horned lark 173 83 177 (136-218) 612 83 32 American crow 159 22 162 (027-297) 204 76 30 common grackle 91 33 093 (035-151) 245 44 17 western meadowlark 80 62 082 (065-099) 480 38 15 European starling 80 1 082 (000-216) 10 38 15 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 082 (029-135) 82 38 15 barn swallow 44 21 045 (028-062) 204 21 08 bobolink 36 28 037 (022-052) 194 17 07 American goldfinch 26 23 027 (018-036) 214 12 05 vesper sparrow 23 21 023 (013-033) 184 11 04 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 019 (010-028) 143 09 04 American robin 19 19 019 (011-027) 143 09 04 house sparrow 15 5 015 (000-030) 51 07 03 American tree sparrow 8 2 008 (000-018) 20 04 01 song sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 savannah sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 dickcissel 5 4 005 (000-010) 31 02 01 western kingbird 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 01 01 pine siskin 3 1 003 (000-008) 10 01 01 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 eastern kingbird 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 yellow warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 unidentified warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 house wren 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 Group Total 2083 430 2126 (1259-2993) 949 387
Waterfowl
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations
Canada goose 1408 24 1437 (435-2439) 133 874 262 snow goose 184 2 188 (000-490) 20 114 34 mallard 12 6 012 (004-020) 61 07 02 northern pintail 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 blue-winged teal 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 American wigeon 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 redhead 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 01 00 Group Total 1611 36 1644 (561-2727) 184 300
CranesRails sandhill crane 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 1000 201 Group Total 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 201
GullsTerns Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 283 (013-553) 31 986 52 ring-billed gull 4 3 004 (000-008) 31 14 01 Group Total 281 7 287 (017-557) 61 52
Gamebirds ring-necked pheasant 148 134 151 (128-174) 745 967 28 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 20 01 gray partridge 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 13 00 Group Total 153 138 156 (132-180) 755 28
PigeonsDoves rock pigeon 40 6 041 (009-073) 61 513 07 mourning dove 38 25 039 (019-059) 184 487 07 Group Total 78 31 080 (041-119) 224 15
Waterbirds killdeer 28 22 029 (017-041) 214 538 05 upland sandpiper 8 8 008 (003-013) 71 154 01 common snipe 8 8 008 (002-014) 61 154 01 Wilsons snipe 4 4 004 (000-008) 31 77 01 American coot 4 1 004 (000-011) 10 77 01 Group Total 52 43 053 (037-069) 357 10
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Raptors
red-tailed hawk 16 12 016 (008-024) 122 444 03 northern harrier 16 14 016 (009-023) 143 444 03 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 peregrine falcon 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 great horned owl 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 American kestrel 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 Group Total 36 30 037 (025-049) 276 07
Woodpeckers northern flicker 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 1000 00 Group Total 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 00 Grand Total 5376 735 5486 (3771-7200)
1 A ranking of 1 indicates highest mean use
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Canada goose 1408 24 210 80 523 140 210 135 110 sandhill crane 1080 18 94 18 621 15 187 145 0 unidentified sparrow 652 7 0 0 0 0 330 210 112 red-winged blackbird 548 52 0 84 49 386 14 11 4 Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 107 0 100 70 0 0 0 snow goose 184 2 0 180 4 0 0 0 0 horned lark 173 83 23 24 17 12 19 32 46 American crow 159 22 6 4 13 11 1 123 1 ring-necked pheasant 148 134 21 14 21 18 25 22 27 common grackle 91 33 6 35 7 2 8 33 0 western meadowlark 80 62 8 10 17 3 11 19 12 European starling 80 1 0 0 0 80 0 0 0 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 0 63 17 0 0 0 0 barn swallow 44 21 3 12 6 10 7 1 5 rock pigeon 40 6 0 14 0 0 0 23 3 mourning dove 38 25 4 17 1 1 1 11 3 bobolink 36 28 10 0 14 8 0 0 4 killdeer 28 22 3 3 4 5 10 0 3 American goldfinch 26 23 4 9 3 3 4 2 1 vesper sparrow 23 21 1 7 1 2 9 1 2 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 2 4 2 0 6 4 1 American robin 19 19 1 13 0 1 3 0 1 red-tailed hawk 16 12 4 0 4 5 0 1 2 northern harrier 16 14 3 1 4 4 2 0 2 house sparrow 15 5 2 13 0 0 0 0 0 mallard 12 6 0 0 6 6 0 0 0 upland sandpiper 8 8 0 0 1 0 3 2 2 common snipe 8 8 0 2 6 0 0 0 0 American tree sparrow 8 2 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 song sparrow 5 5 1 1 1 0 2 0 0 savannah sparrow 5 5 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 dickcissel 5 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 Wilsons snipe 4 4 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 ring-billed gull 4 3 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 American coot 4 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 western kingbird 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 pine siskin 3 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 northern pintail 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
northern flicker 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 gray partridge 2 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 eastern kingbird 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 blue-winged teal 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 American wigeon 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 yellow warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 unidentified warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 redhead 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 peregrine falcon 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 house wren 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 great horned owl 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 American kestrel 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Grand Total 5376 735 526 620 1452 794 859 776 349
Table 4 Summary of avian flight heights1 in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)2 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Birds
Number Percentage
Non-raptors
Raptors
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
1656 372
2023 455
767 173
3 91
13 394
17 515 1 Includes only flying birds with flight height data2These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
Canada goose 654 (435 - 2439) 1437 997 537 457 06 unidentified sparrow 632 (000 - 1339) 665 1000 00 951 49 sandhill crane 368 (083 - 2121) 1102 999 665 335 00 Franklinrsquos gull 283 (013 - 553) 283 1000 00 1000 00 European starling 082 (000 - 216) 082 1000 00 1000 00 American crow 024 (027 - 297) 162 943 00 160 840 red-tailed hawk 013 (008 - 024) 016 938 133 867 00 brown-headed cowbird 008 (029 - 135) 082 125 00 800 200 red-winged blackbird 005 (036 - 1082) 559 261 00 35 965 Wilsons snipe 002 (000 - 008) 004 500 00 1000 00 blue-winged teal 002 (000 - 005) 002 1000 00 1000 00 mallard 002 (004 - 020) 012 500 00 333 667 ring-billed gull 001 (000 - 008) 004 1000 00 250 750 yellow warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 yellow-headed blackbird 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 western meadowlark 000 (065 - 099) 082 338 00 00 1000 western kingbird 000 (000 - 007) 003 1000 00 00 1000 vesper sparrow 000 (013 - 033) 023 130 00 00 1000 upland sandpiper 000 (003 - 013) 008 250 00 00 1000 unidentified warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 Swainsonrsquos hawk 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 sharp-tailed grouse 000 (000 - 007) 003 667 00 00 1000 song sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 snow goose 000 (000 - 490) 188 1000 1000 00 00 savannah sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 rock pigeon 000 (009 - 073) 041 825 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
ring-necked pheasant 000 (128 - 174) 151 07 00 00 1000 redhead 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 pine siskin 000 (000 - 008) 003 1000 00 00 1000 peregrine falcon 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 1000 00 00 northern pintail 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 northern harrier 000 (009 - 023) 016 1000 00 00 1000 northern flicker 000 (000 - 004) 002 500 00 00 1000 mourning dove 000 (019 - 059) 039 684 00 00 1000 killdeer 000 (017 - 041) 029 607 00 00 1000 house wren 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 house sparrow 000 (000 - 030) 015 67 00 00 1000 horned lark 000 (136 - 218) 177 740 00 00 1000 grasshopper sparrow 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 gray partridge 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 great horned owl 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 eastern kingbird 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 dickcissel 000 (000 - 010) 005 00 00 00 00 common snipe 000 (002 - 014) 008 00 00 00 00 common grackle 000 (035 - 151) 093 945 00 00 1000 clay-colored sparrow 000 (010 - 028) 019 158 00 00 1000 bobolink 000 (022 - 052) 037 917 00 00 1000 barn swallow 000 (028 - 062) 045 1000 00 00 1000 American tree sparrow 000 (000 - 018) 008 1000 00 00 1000 American wigeon 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 American robin 000 (011 - 027) 019 421 00 00 1000 American kestrel 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
American goldfinch 000 027 (018 - 036) 923 00 00 1000American coot 000 004 (000 - 011) 00 00 00 001These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 6 Incidental observations of birds during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species
American crow American kestrel American robin Canada goose great horned owl golden eagle gray partridge lesser scaup mallard merlin northern harrier rock pigeon red-tailed hawk red-winged blackbird sandhill crane sharp-tailed grouse wild turkey
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
APPENDICES
22 August 2012
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number of Birds1
Number of
Observations Species
Percentage of Flights
N NE E SE S SW W NW Variable
Canada goose 1398 21 867 00 00 00 02 00 17 114 00
sandhill crane 1079 17 878 52 00 00 00 00 00 70 00
unidentified sparrow 565 5 00 00 00 788 212 00 00 00 00
Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
snow goose 184 2 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
European starling 80 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
American crow 69 11 768 58 58 00 14 43 00 14 43
red-winged blackbird 15 6 533 00 00 200 267 00 00 00 00
red-tailed hawk 14 10 500 143 00 71 00 71 00 71 143
rock pigeon 11 2 00 00 00 00 273 727 00 00 00
northern harrier 9 8 111 00 00 333 00 222 00 111 222
mourning dove 9 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
common grackle 9 6 111 00 00 111 00 222 556 00 00
brown-headed cowbird 8 1 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
horned lark 6 3 833 00 00 167 00 00 00 00 00
ring-billed gull 4 3 250 00 00 00 00 750 00 00 00
Wilsons snipe 2 2 500 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 500
vesper sparrow 2 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
mallard 2 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
blue-winged teal 2 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
peregrine falcon 1 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
killdeer 1 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
Grand Total 3747 108 722 17 04 121 36 05 30 64 02 1 Includes only flying birds with flight directions
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Nest Number Species Substrate
Nest ConditionStatusDates
Surveyed Nest
Height (m) 2012 - 1 452012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good
5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 4 592012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good 5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 5 5192012 Swainsonrsquos hawk Active Siberian Elm 7 Good
NA means not applicable
Wenck Associates Inc 301 1
st St NE Suite 202
Mandan ND 58554
Phone 701-751-3370 Email jaskimwenckcom
May 7 2012
Tracey M Dubuque PE Senior Project Manager
Tetra Tech EC
160 Federal Street Third Floor
Boston MA 02110
Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Dear Tracey
Introduction
Male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) congregate at historicalcommunal leks in the spring
to compete for breeding opportunities Both sexes return to their natal breeding grounds yearly for their
entire life Leks are typically found in areas with low-growing vegetation on a hill knoll or other point of
high visibility Fidelity to these locations is extremely high for sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse
require nesting habitat within close proximity the lek comprised of dense or residual vegetative cover to
conceal and protect their nest from predators (Vodehnal and Haufler 2007)
Disturbance of nesting prairie grouse may occur from the construction of the turbine andor access road
construction noise and physical movement of equipment Loss of habitat and fragmentation related to
energy exploration may affect local prairie grouse populations by decreasing the area of habitat available
for nesting and brood-rearing and by increasing predation (Pittman et al 2005) Therefore federal and
state wildlife agencies are concerned about the placement of turbines in areas with known prairie grouse
populations Turbine setbacks from leks and minimizing grouse habitat disturbance may reduce the direct
and indirect effects of energy development on grouse
Methods
Sharp-tailed grouse surveys were completed from April 10th to May 1
st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise
to two hours after sunrise within the one-mile analysis area (Figure 1) Peak attendance by females on leks
typically occurs from April 15 to 25 but these dates vary by up to a week depending on weather conditions
(Schroeder and Robb 1993) Peak attendance potentially occurred earlier this year due to the early spring
A habitat assessment analysis was conducted prior to the field survey to determine suitable lekkingnesting
habitat within the analysis area (Figure 2) Listening stops were made within a one-mile analysis area
surrounding the proposed project area to identify lek locations (Figure 3) Sharp-tailed grouse males may
be heard at a distance of up to 050 mile Listening stops were not conducted if winds exceeded 10 miles
per hour (mph) or during precipitation events After a lek was located the birds were observed and the
number of males and females were counted Lek locations were documented using Global Positioning
System (GPS) Given the sensitive nature of this species and the fact that females may be nesting near the
lek disturbance to breeding prairie grouse was kept to a minimum
Results
Nine (9) sharp-tailed grouse leks were located during the surveys conducted from April 10th to May 1
st
2012 (Figure 4) Date time sex number of birds present wind conditions air temperature and GPS
coordinates were recorded once a lek was located (Tables 1 and 2) Two of the leks observed were
located outside of the analysis area Due to Lek 1rsquos close proximity to Lek 4 Lek 1 shouldbe classified
as a satellite lek No visual confirmation of Lek 6 was made due to access and topography
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Figure 3 Non-raptor mean use by survey date in Spring at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center M
ean
Use
(bir
ds2
0 m
in)
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
00
Survey Date
316 321 326 44 410 420 427 53 512 519 526 62 69 615
NAD 1983 UTM 14
240th Ave Ne240th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
253Rd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
227Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE 279Th Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
145T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
145T
h St N
E
66Th
St N
E
171S
t St N
E
132N
d St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
41St
St NE
66Th
St N
E
80Th
St N
E
93Rd
St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
106T
h St N
E
171S
t St N
E
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
PC 01
PC 02
PC 03
PC 04
PC 05 PC 06
PC 07
3693
4414
10314
5607
6114 5536
2464
155000 O 0 1 2 3 4 505 Miles
PGI
S _P R
O J E C
T S N
e xt E
r a Wi
lto n _
IVM
X D s A
vi an2
0 12S
pr in g
R ep
o rt_M
ap s N
E E R _
W ilto
n 4 _ A
vi a n S
u r ve y
_ F ig u
r e4_ N
onR a
pM U _
1 7i11
i_201
207 1
0 m xd
-La s
t S av
ed 7
2 320
12
TETR A TECH EC INC
Figure 4Non-raptor mean use by point count location (Spring 2012)
Non-r aptor s p e r 20 m in u te s 00 1 - 25 0 0 25 01 - 5 0 00 50 01 - 7 5 00
75 01 - 1 0 00 0
10 00 1 - 1 25 00
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
A Pro po sed tu rbin e (9 -21 -20 11 )Lo ca l Ro a d
Mean use value PC Point count number
Burleigh County ND
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
Last modified 7-10-2012
NEXTENERGY RESOURCES
Figure 5 Raptor mean use by survey date in Spring 2012 at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Mea
n U
se (b
irds
20
min
)
140
120
100
080
060
040
020
000
Survey Date
316 321 326 44 410 420 427 53 512 519 526 62 69 615
NAD 1983 UTM 14
240th Ave Ne240th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
253Rd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
227Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE 279Th Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
145T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
145T
h St N
E
66Th
St N
E
171S
t St N
E
132N
d St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
41St
St NE
66Th
St N
E
80Th
St N
E
93Rd
St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
106T
h St N
E
171S
t St N
E
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
PC 01
PC 02
PC 03
PC 04
PC 05 PC 06
PC 07
064
014
057
064
021 007
029
155000 O 0 1 2 3 4 505 Miles
PGI
S _P R
O J E C
T S N
e xt E
r a Wi
lto n _
IVM
X D s A
vi an2
0 12S
pr in g
R ep
o rt_M
ap s N
E E R _
W ilto
n 4 _ A
vi a n S
u r ve y
_ F ig u
r e6_ R
apM U
_ 17i1
1i_2 0
120 7
10 m
xd -
Last
S av e
d 723
2 0 1 2
TETR A TECH EC INC
Figure 6Raptor mean use by point
count location (Spring 2012)
Rapto r s p e r 2 0 m in u te s 00 1- 01 6 01 7 - 0 32 03 3 - 0 48
04 9 - 0 64
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
A Pro po sed tu rbin e (9 -21 -20 11 )Lo ca l Ro a d
Mean use value PC Point count number
Burleigh County ND
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
Last modified 7-10-2012
NEXTENERGY RESOURCES
240th Ave Ne 240th Ave Ne
240th Ave Ne
266th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
279Th Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE
292Nd Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
52Nd
St N
E
197T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
66Th
St N
E
188Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
106T
h St N
E
253Rd Ave NE
292Nd Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
132N
d St N
E
26Th
St N
E
266Th Ave NE
253Rd Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
93Rd
St N
E
145T
h St N
E 14
5Th S
t NE
132N
d St N
E
41St
St NE
210T
h St N
E
119T
h St N
E
106T
h St N
E
171S
t St N
E 17
1St S
t NE
188Th Ave NE
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE 227Th Ave NE
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
201St Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
Figure 7 Raptor nest and lek location
map (Spring 2012)NEXTENERGY
RESOURCES
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
5 Burleigh County ND
Last modified 7-10-2012 A A
A A
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
AAA A A A A A
A A
Pro po sed tu rbi(9 -21 -20 11 )
n e A A
A A
Lo ca l Ro a d Sh arp -tailed
le k A4
A AA gro use
Raptor nest s pecies Re d-taile d h a wk
1
A
A
A A
Sw ain so n s h a wk 3 A
Ina ctive ra ptor A
9 A
A
A A AA
A A 7 28
A A A A
A A A A
A A AA AA
AAA AA
A A A
A A
A A A A
A
PGI
S _P R
O J E C
T S N
e xt E
r a Wi
lto n _
IVM
X D s A
vi an2
0 12S
pr in g
R ep
o rt_M
ap s N
E E R _
W ilto
n 4 _ A
vi a n S
u r ve y
_ F ig u
r e7_ R
apL e
k_ 17
i11i_2
0120
710 m
xd -
Last
S av e
d 723
2 0 1 2
6
66T h
St N
E
O 165000 NAD 1983 UTM 14 0 05 1 2 3 4 5 Miles
TETR A TECH EC INC
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
TABLES
21 August 2012
Table 1 Spring 2012 point count survey dates at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Date(s)Survey number
1 316 2 321 3 326 4 44 5 410 6 420 7 427 8 53 9 512 10 519 11 526 12 62 13 69 14 615
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Songbirds
unidentified sparrow 652 7 665 (000-1339) 41 313 121 red-winged blackbird 548 52 559 (036-1082) 378 263 102 horned lark 173 83 177 (136-218) 612 83 32 American crow 159 22 162 (027-297) 204 76 30 common grackle 91 33 093 (035-151) 245 44 17 western meadowlark 80 62 082 (065-099) 480 38 15 European starling 80 1 082 (000-216) 10 38 15 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 082 (029-135) 82 38 15 barn swallow 44 21 045 (028-062) 204 21 08 bobolink 36 28 037 (022-052) 194 17 07 American goldfinch 26 23 027 (018-036) 214 12 05 vesper sparrow 23 21 023 (013-033) 184 11 04 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 019 (010-028) 143 09 04 American robin 19 19 019 (011-027) 143 09 04 house sparrow 15 5 015 (000-030) 51 07 03 American tree sparrow 8 2 008 (000-018) 20 04 01 song sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 savannah sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 dickcissel 5 4 005 (000-010) 31 02 01 western kingbird 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 01 01 pine siskin 3 1 003 (000-008) 10 01 01 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 eastern kingbird 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 yellow warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 unidentified warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 house wren 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 Group Total 2083 430 2126 (1259-2993) 949 387
Waterfowl
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations
Canada goose 1408 24 1437 (435-2439) 133 874 262 snow goose 184 2 188 (000-490) 20 114 34 mallard 12 6 012 (004-020) 61 07 02 northern pintail 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 blue-winged teal 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 American wigeon 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 redhead 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 01 00 Group Total 1611 36 1644 (561-2727) 184 300
CranesRails sandhill crane 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 1000 201 Group Total 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 201
GullsTerns Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 283 (013-553) 31 986 52 ring-billed gull 4 3 004 (000-008) 31 14 01 Group Total 281 7 287 (017-557) 61 52
Gamebirds ring-necked pheasant 148 134 151 (128-174) 745 967 28 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 20 01 gray partridge 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 13 00 Group Total 153 138 156 (132-180) 755 28
PigeonsDoves rock pigeon 40 6 041 (009-073) 61 513 07 mourning dove 38 25 039 (019-059) 184 487 07 Group Total 78 31 080 (041-119) 224 15
Waterbirds killdeer 28 22 029 (017-041) 214 538 05 upland sandpiper 8 8 008 (003-013) 71 154 01 common snipe 8 8 008 (002-014) 61 154 01 Wilsons snipe 4 4 004 (000-008) 31 77 01 American coot 4 1 004 (000-011) 10 77 01 Group Total 52 43 053 (037-069) 357 10
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Raptors
red-tailed hawk 16 12 016 (008-024) 122 444 03 northern harrier 16 14 016 (009-023) 143 444 03 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 peregrine falcon 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 great horned owl 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 American kestrel 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 Group Total 36 30 037 (025-049) 276 07
Woodpeckers northern flicker 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 1000 00 Group Total 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 00 Grand Total 5376 735 5486 (3771-7200)
1 A ranking of 1 indicates highest mean use
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Canada goose 1408 24 210 80 523 140 210 135 110 sandhill crane 1080 18 94 18 621 15 187 145 0 unidentified sparrow 652 7 0 0 0 0 330 210 112 red-winged blackbird 548 52 0 84 49 386 14 11 4 Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 107 0 100 70 0 0 0 snow goose 184 2 0 180 4 0 0 0 0 horned lark 173 83 23 24 17 12 19 32 46 American crow 159 22 6 4 13 11 1 123 1 ring-necked pheasant 148 134 21 14 21 18 25 22 27 common grackle 91 33 6 35 7 2 8 33 0 western meadowlark 80 62 8 10 17 3 11 19 12 European starling 80 1 0 0 0 80 0 0 0 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 0 63 17 0 0 0 0 barn swallow 44 21 3 12 6 10 7 1 5 rock pigeon 40 6 0 14 0 0 0 23 3 mourning dove 38 25 4 17 1 1 1 11 3 bobolink 36 28 10 0 14 8 0 0 4 killdeer 28 22 3 3 4 5 10 0 3 American goldfinch 26 23 4 9 3 3 4 2 1 vesper sparrow 23 21 1 7 1 2 9 1 2 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 2 4 2 0 6 4 1 American robin 19 19 1 13 0 1 3 0 1 red-tailed hawk 16 12 4 0 4 5 0 1 2 northern harrier 16 14 3 1 4 4 2 0 2 house sparrow 15 5 2 13 0 0 0 0 0 mallard 12 6 0 0 6 6 0 0 0 upland sandpiper 8 8 0 0 1 0 3 2 2 common snipe 8 8 0 2 6 0 0 0 0 American tree sparrow 8 2 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 song sparrow 5 5 1 1 1 0 2 0 0 savannah sparrow 5 5 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 dickcissel 5 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 Wilsons snipe 4 4 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 ring-billed gull 4 3 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 American coot 4 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 western kingbird 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 pine siskin 3 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 northern pintail 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
northern flicker 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 gray partridge 2 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 eastern kingbird 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 blue-winged teal 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 American wigeon 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 yellow warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 unidentified warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 redhead 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 peregrine falcon 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 house wren 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 great horned owl 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 American kestrel 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Grand Total 5376 735 526 620 1452 794 859 776 349
Table 4 Summary of avian flight heights1 in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)2 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Birds
Number Percentage
Non-raptors
Raptors
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
1656 372
2023 455
767 173
3 91
13 394
17 515 1 Includes only flying birds with flight height data2These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
Canada goose 654 (435 - 2439) 1437 997 537 457 06 unidentified sparrow 632 (000 - 1339) 665 1000 00 951 49 sandhill crane 368 (083 - 2121) 1102 999 665 335 00 Franklinrsquos gull 283 (013 - 553) 283 1000 00 1000 00 European starling 082 (000 - 216) 082 1000 00 1000 00 American crow 024 (027 - 297) 162 943 00 160 840 red-tailed hawk 013 (008 - 024) 016 938 133 867 00 brown-headed cowbird 008 (029 - 135) 082 125 00 800 200 red-winged blackbird 005 (036 - 1082) 559 261 00 35 965 Wilsons snipe 002 (000 - 008) 004 500 00 1000 00 blue-winged teal 002 (000 - 005) 002 1000 00 1000 00 mallard 002 (004 - 020) 012 500 00 333 667 ring-billed gull 001 (000 - 008) 004 1000 00 250 750 yellow warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 yellow-headed blackbird 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 western meadowlark 000 (065 - 099) 082 338 00 00 1000 western kingbird 000 (000 - 007) 003 1000 00 00 1000 vesper sparrow 000 (013 - 033) 023 130 00 00 1000 upland sandpiper 000 (003 - 013) 008 250 00 00 1000 unidentified warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 Swainsonrsquos hawk 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 sharp-tailed grouse 000 (000 - 007) 003 667 00 00 1000 song sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 snow goose 000 (000 - 490) 188 1000 1000 00 00 savannah sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 rock pigeon 000 (009 - 073) 041 825 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
ring-necked pheasant 000 (128 - 174) 151 07 00 00 1000 redhead 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 pine siskin 000 (000 - 008) 003 1000 00 00 1000 peregrine falcon 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 1000 00 00 northern pintail 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 northern harrier 000 (009 - 023) 016 1000 00 00 1000 northern flicker 000 (000 - 004) 002 500 00 00 1000 mourning dove 000 (019 - 059) 039 684 00 00 1000 killdeer 000 (017 - 041) 029 607 00 00 1000 house wren 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 house sparrow 000 (000 - 030) 015 67 00 00 1000 horned lark 000 (136 - 218) 177 740 00 00 1000 grasshopper sparrow 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 gray partridge 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 great horned owl 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 eastern kingbird 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 dickcissel 000 (000 - 010) 005 00 00 00 00 common snipe 000 (002 - 014) 008 00 00 00 00 common grackle 000 (035 - 151) 093 945 00 00 1000 clay-colored sparrow 000 (010 - 028) 019 158 00 00 1000 bobolink 000 (022 - 052) 037 917 00 00 1000 barn swallow 000 (028 - 062) 045 1000 00 00 1000 American tree sparrow 000 (000 - 018) 008 1000 00 00 1000 American wigeon 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 American robin 000 (011 - 027) 019 421 00 00 1000 American kestrel 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
American goldfinch 000 027 (018 - 036) 923 00 00 1000American coot 000 004 (000 - 011) 00 00 00 001These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 6 Incidental observations of birds during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species
American crow American kestrel American robin Canada goose great horned owl golden eagle gray partridge lesser scaup mallard merlin northern harrier rock pigeon red-tailed hawk red-winged blackbird sandhill crane sharp-tailed grouse wild turkey
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
APPENDICES
22 August 2012
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number of Birds1
Number of
Observations Species
Percentage of Flights
N NE E SE S SW W NW Variable
Canada goose 1398 21 867 00 00 00 02 00 17 114 00
sandhill crane 1079 17 878 52 00 00 00 00 00 70 00
unidentified sparrow 565 5 00 00 00 788 212 00 00 00 00
Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
snow goose 184 2 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
European starling 80 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
American crow 69 11 768 58 58 00 14 43 00 14 43
red-winged blackbird 15 6 533 00 00 200 267 00 00 00 00
red-tailed hawk 14 10 500 143 00 71 00 71 00 71 143
rock pigeon 11 2 00 00 00 00 273 727 00 00 00
northern harrier 9 8 111 00 00 333 00 222 00 111 222
mourning dove 9 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
common grackle 9 6 111 00 00 111 00 222 556 00 00
brown-headed cowbird 8 1 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
horned lark 6 3 833 00 00 167 00 00 00 00 00
ring-billed gull 4 3 250 00 00 00 00 750 00 00 00
Wilsons snipe 2 2 500 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 500
vesper sparrow 2 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
mallard 2 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
blue-winged teal 2 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
peregrine falcon 1 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
killdeer 1 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
Grand Total 3747 108 722 17 04 121 36 05 30 64 02 1 Includes only flying birds with flight directions
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Nest Number Species Substrate
Nest ConditionStatusDates
Surveyed Nest
Height (m) 2012 - 1 452012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good
5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 4 592012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good 5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 5 5192012 Swainsonrsquos hawk Active Siberian Elm 7 Good
NA means not applicable
Wenck Associates Inc 301 1
st St NE Suite 202
Mandan ND 58554
Phone 701-751-3370 Email jaskimwenckcom
May 7 2012
Tracey M Dubuque PE Senior Project Manager
Tetra Tech EC
160 Federal Street Third Floor
Boston MA 02110
Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Dear Tracey
Introduction
Male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) congregate at historicalcommunal leks in the spring
to compete for breeding opportunities Both sexes return to their natal breeding grounds yearly for their
entire life Leks are typically found in areas with low-growing vegetation on a hill knoll or other point of
high visibility Fidelity to these locations is extremely high for sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse
require nesting habitat within close proximity the lek comprised of dense or residual vegetative cover to
conceal and protect their nest from predators (Vodehnal and Haufler 2007)
Disturbance of nesting prairie grouse may occur from the construction of the turbine andor access road
construction noise and physical movement of equipment Loss of habitat and fragmentation related to
energy exploration may affect local prairie grouse populations by decreasing the area of habitat available
for nesting and brood-rearing and by increasing predation (Pittman et al 2005) Therefore federal and
state wildlife agencies are concerned about the placement of turbines in areas with known prairie grouse
populations Turbine setbacks from leks and minimizing grouse habitat disturbance may reduce the direct
and indirect effects of energy development on grouse
Methods
Sharp-tailed grouse surveys were completed from April 10th to May 1
st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise
to two hours after sunrise within the one-mile analysis area (Figure 1) Peak attendance by females on leks
typically occurs from April 15 to 25 but these dates vary by up to a week depending on weather conditions
(Schroeder and Robb 1993) Peak attendance potentially occurred earlier this year due to the early spring
A habitat assessment analysis was conducted prior to the field survey to determine suitable lekkingnesting
habitat within the analysis area (Figure 2) Listening stops were made within a one-mile analysis area
surrounding the proposed project area to identify lek locations (Figure 3) Sharp-tailed grouse males may
be heard at a distance of up to 050 mile Listening stops were not conducted if winds exceeded 10 miles
per hour (mph) or during precipitation events After a lek was located the birds were observed and the
number of males and females were counted Lek locations were documented using Global Positioning
System (GPS) Given the sensitive nature of this species and the fact that females may be nesting near the
lek disturbance to breeding prairie grouse was kept to a minimum
Results
Nine (9) sharp-tailed grouse leks were located during the surveys conducted from April 10th to May 1
st
2012 (Figure 4) Date time sex number of birds present wind conditions air temperature and GPS
coordinates were recorded once a lek was located (Tables 1 and 2) Two of the leks observed were
located outside of the analysis area Due to Lek 1rsquos close proximity to Lek 4 Lek 1 shouldbe classified
as a satellite lek No visual confirmation of Lek 6 was made due to access and topography
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
NAD 1983 UTM 14
240th Ave Ne240th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
253Rd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
227Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE 279Th Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
145T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
145T
h St N
E
66Th
St N
E
171S
t St N
E
132N
d St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
41St
St NE
66Th
St N
E
80Th
St N
E
93Rd
St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
106T
h St N
E
171S
t St N
E
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
PC 01
PC 02
PC 03
PC 04
PC 05 PC 06
PC 07
3693
4414
10314
5607
6114 5536
2464
155000 O 0 1 2 3 4 505 Miles
PGI
S _P R
O J E C
T S N
e xt E
r a Wi
lto n _
IVM
X D s A
vi an2
0 12S
pr in g
R ep
o rt_M
ap s N
E E R _
W ilto
n 4 _ A
vi a n S
u r ve y
_ F ig u
r e4_ N
onR a
pM U _
1 7i11
i_201
207 1
0 m xd
-La s
t S av
ed 7
2 320
12
TETR A TECH EC INC
Figure 4Non-raptor mean use by point count location (Spring 2012)
Non-r aptor s p e r 20 m in u te s 00 1 - 25 0 0 25 01 - 5 0 00 50 01 - 7 5 00
75 01 - 1 0 00 0
10 00 1 - 1 25 00
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
A Pro po sed tu rbin e (9 -21 -20 11 )Lo ca l Ro a d
Mean use value PC Point count number
Burleigh County ND
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
Last modified 7-10-2012
NEXTENERGY RESOURCES
Figure 5 Raptor mean use by survey date in Spring 2012 at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Mea
n U
se (b
irds
20
min
)
140
120
100
080
060
040
020
000
Survey Date
316 321 326 44 410 420 427 53 512 519 526 62 69 615
NAD 1983 UTM 14
240th Ave Ne240th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
253Rd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
227Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE 279Th Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
145T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
145T
h St N
E
66Th
St N
E
171S
t St N
E
132N
d St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
41St
St NE
66Th
St N
E
80Th
St N
E
93Rd
St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
106T
h St N
E
171S
t St N
E
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
PC 01
PC 02
PC 03
PC 04
PC 05 PC 06
PC 07
064
014
057
064
021 007
029
155000 O 0 1 2 3 4 505 Miles
PGI
S _P R
O J E C
T S N
e xt E
r a Wi
lto n _
IVM
X D s A
vi an2
0 12S
pr in g
R ep
o rt_M
ap s N
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n 4 _ A
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TETR A TECH EC INC
Figure 6Raptor mean use by point
count location (Spring 2012)
Rapto r s p e r 2 0 m in u te s 00 1- 01 6 01 7 - 0 32 03 3 - 0 48
04 9 - 0 64
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
A Pro po sed tu rbin e (9 -21 -20 11 )Lo ca l Ro a d
Mean use value PC Point count number
Burleigh County ND
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
Last modified 7-10-2012
NEXTENERGY RESOURCES
240th Ave Ne 240th Ave Ne
240th Ave Ne
266th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
279Th Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE
292Nd Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
52Nd
St N
E
197T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
66Th
St N
E
188Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
106T
h St N
E
253Rd Ave NE
292Nd Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
132N
d St N
E
26Th
St N
E
266Th Ave NE
253Rd Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
93Rd
St N
E
145T
h St N
E 14
5Th S
t NE
132N
d St N
E
41St
St NE
210T
h St N
E
119T
h St N
E
106T
h St N
E
171S
t St N
E 17
1St S
t NE
188Th Ave NE
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE 227Th Ave NE
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
201St Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
Figure 7 Raptor nest and lek location
map (Spring 2012)NEXTENERGY
RESOURCES
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
5 Burleigh County ND
Last modified 7-10-2012 A A
A A
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
AAA A A A A A
A A
Pro po sed tu rbi(9 -21 -20 11 )
n e A A
A A
Lo ca l Ro a d Sh arp -tailed
le k A4
A AA gro use
Raptor nest s pecies Re d-taile d h a wk
1
A
A
A A
Sw ain so n s h a wk 3 A
Ina ctive ra ptor A
9 A
A
A A AA
A A 7 28
A A A A
A A A A
A A AA AA
AAA AA
A A A
A A
A A A A
A
PGI
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e xt E
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_ F ig u
r e7_ R
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0120
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Last
S av e
d 723
2 0 1 2
6
66T h
St N
E
O 165000 NAD 1983 UTM 14 0 05 1 2 3 4 5 Miles
TETR A TECH EC INC
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
TABLES
21 August 2012
Table 1 Spring 2012 point count survey dates at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Date(s)Survey number
1 316 2 321 3 326 4 44 5 410 6 420 7 427 8 53 9 512 10 519 11 526 12 62 13 69 14 615
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Songbirds
unidentified sparrow 652 7 665 (000-1339) 41 313 121 red-winged blackbird 548 52 559 (036-1082) 378 263 102 horned lark 173 83 177 (136-218) 612 83 32 American crow 159 22 162 (027-297) 204 76 30 common grackle 91 33 093 (035-151) 245 44 17 western meadowlark 80 62 082 (065-099) 480 38 15 European starling 80 1 082 (000-216) 10 38 15 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 082 (029-135) 82 38 15 barn swallow 44 21 045 (028-062) 204 21 08 bobolink 36 28 037 (022-052) 194 17 07 American goldfinch 26 23 027 (018-036) 214 12 05 vesper sparrow 23 21 023 (013-033) 184 11 04 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 019 (010-028) 143 09 04 American robin 19 19 019 (011-027) 143 09 04 house sparrow 15 5 015 (000-030) 51 07 03 American tree sparrow 8 2 008 (000-018) 20 04 01 song sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 savannah sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 dickcissel 5 4 005 (000-010) 31 02 01 western kingbird 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 01 01 pine siskin 3 1 003 (000-008) 10 01 01 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 eastern kingbird 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 yellow warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 unidentified warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 house wren 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 Group Total 2083 430 2126 (1259-2993) 949 387
Waterfowl
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations
Canada goose 1408 24 1437 (435-2439) 133 874 262 snow goose 184 2 188 (000-490) 20 114 34 mallard 12 6 012 (004-020) 61 07 02 northern pintail 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 blue-winged teal 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 American wigeon 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 redhead 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 01 00 Group Total 1611 36 1644 (561-2727) 184 300
CranesRails sandhill crane 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 1000 201 Group Total 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 201
GullsTerns Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 283 (013-553) 31 986 52 ring-billed gull 4 3 004 (000-008) 31 14 01 Group Total 281 7 287 (017-557) 61 52
Gamebirds ring-necked pheasant 148 134 151 (128-174) 745 967 28 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 20 01 gray partridge 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 13 00 Group Total 153 138 156 (132-180) 755 28
PigeonsDoves rock pigeon 40 6 041 (009-073) 61 513 07 mourning dove 38 25 039 (019-059) 184 487 07 Group Total 78 31 080 (041-119) 224 15
Waterbirds killdeer 28 22 029 (017-041) 214 538 05 upland sandpiper 8 8 008 (003-013) 71 154 01 common snipe 8 8 008 (002-014) 61 154 01 Wilsons snipe 4 4 004 (000-008) 31 77 01 American coot 4 1 004 (000-011) 10 77 01 Group Total 52 43 053 (037-069) 357 10
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Raptors
red-tailed hawk 16 12 016 (008-024) 122 444 03 northern harrier 16 14 016 (009-023) 143 444 03 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 peregrine falcon 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 great horned owl 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 American kestrel 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 Group Total 36 30 037 (025-049) 276 07
Woodpeckers northern flicker 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 1000 00 Group Total 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 00 Grand Total 5376 735 5486 (3771-7200)
1 A ranking of 1 indicates highest mean use
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Canada goose 1408 24 210 80 523 140 210 135 110 sandhill crane 1080 18 94 18 621 15 187 145 0 unidentified sparrow 652 7 0 0 0 0 330 210 112 red-winged blackbird 548 52 0 84 49 386 14 11 4 Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 107 0 100 70 0 0 0 snow goose 184 2 0 180 4 0 0 0 0 horned lark 173 83 23 24 17 12 19 32 46 American crow 159 22 6 4 13 11 1 123 1 ring-necked pheasant 148 134 21 14 21 18 25 22 27 common grackle 91 33 6 35 7 2 8 33 0 western meadowlark 80 62 8 10 17 3 11 19 12 European starling 80 1 0 0 0 80 0 0 0 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 0 63 17 0 0 0 0 barn swallow 44 21 3 12 6 10 7 1 5 rock pigeon 40 6 0 14 0 0 0 23 3 mourning dove 38 25 4 17 1 1 1 11 3 bobolink 36 28 10 0 14 8 0 0 4 killdeer 28 22 3 3 4 5 10 0 3 American goldfinch 26 23 4 9 3 3 4 2 1 vesper sparrow 23 21 1 7 1 2 9 1 2 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 2 4 2 0 6 4 1 American robin 19 19 1 13 0 1 3 0 1 red-tailed hawk 16 12 4 0 4 5 0 1 2 northern harrier 16 14 3 1 4 4 2 0 2 house sparrow 15 5 2 13 0 0 0 0 0 mallard 12 6 0 0 6 6 0 0 0 upland sandpiper 8 8 0 0 1 0 3 2 2 common snipe 8 8 0 2 6 0 0 0 0 American tree sparrow 8 2 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 song sparrow 5 5 1 1 1 0 2 0 0 savannah sparrow 5 5 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 dickcissel 5 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 Wilsons snipe 4 4 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 ring-billed gull 4 3 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 American coot 4 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 western kingbird 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 pine siskin 3 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 northern pintail 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
northern flicker 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 gray partridge 2 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 eastern kingbird 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 blue-winged teal 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 American wigeon 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 yellow warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 unidentified warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 redhead 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 peregrine falcon 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 house wren 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 great horned owl 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 American kestrel 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Grand Total 5376 735 526 620 1452 794 859 776 349
Table 4 Summary of avian flight heights1 in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)2 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Birds
Number Percentage
Non-raptors
Raptors
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
1656 372
2023 455
767 173
3 91
13 394
17 515 1 Includes only flying birds with flight height data2These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
Canada goose 654 (435 - 2439) 1437 997 537 457 06 unidentified sparrow 632 (000 - 1339) 665 1000 00 951 49 sandhill crane 368 (083 - 2121) 1102 999 665 335 00 Franklinrsquos gull 283 (013 - 553) 283 1000 00 1000 00 European starling 082 (000 - 216) 082 1000 00 1000 00 American crow 024 (027 - 297) 162 943 00 160 840 red-tailed hawk 013 (008 - 024) 016 938 133 867 00 brown-headed cowbird 008 (029 - 135) 082 125 00 800 200 red-winged blackbird 005 (036 - 1082) 559 261 00 35 965 Wilsons snipe 002 (000 - 008) 004 500 00 1000 00 blue-winged teal 002 (000 - 005) 002 1000 00 1000 00 mallard 002 (004 - 020) 012 500 00 333 667 ring-billed gull 001 (000 - 008) 004 1000 00 250 750 yellow warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 yellow-headed blackbird 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 western meadowlark 000 (065 - 099) 082 338 00 00 1000 western kingbird 000 (000 - 007) 003 1000 00 00 1000 vesper sparrow 000 (013 - 033) 023 130 00 00 1000 upland sandpiper 000 (003 - 013) 008 250 00 00 1000 unidentified warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 Swainsonrsquos hawk 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 sharp-tailed grouse 000 (000 - 007) 003 667 00 00 1000 song sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 snow goose 000 (000 - 490) 188 1000 1000 00 00 savannah sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 rock pigeon 000 (009 - 073) 041 825 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
ring-necked pheasant 000 (128 - 174) 151 07 00 00 1000 redhead 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 pine siskin 000 (000 - 008) 003 1000 00 00 1000 peregrine falcon 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 1000 00 00 northern pintail 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 northern harrier 000 (009 - 023) 016 1000 00 00 1000 northern flicker 000 (000 - 004) 002 500 00 00 1000 mourning dove 000 (019 - 059) 039 684 00 00 1000 killdeer 000 (017 - 041) 029 607 00 00 1000 house wren 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 house sparrow 000 (000 - 030) 015 67 00 00 1000 horned lark 000 (136 - 218) 177 740 00 00 1000 grasshopper sparrow 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 gray partridge 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 great horned owl 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 eastern kingbird 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 dickcissel 000 (000 - 010) 005 00 00 00 00 common snipe 000 (002 - 014) 008 00 00 00 00 common grackle 000 (035 - 151) 093 945 00 00 1000 clay-colored sparrow 000 (010 - 028) 019 158 00 00 1000 bobolink 000 (022 - 052) 037 917 00 00 1000 barn swallow 000 (028 - 062) 045 1000 00 00 1000 American tree sparrow 000 (000 - 018) 008 1000 00 00 1000 American wigeon 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 American robin 000 (011 - 027) 019 421 00 00 1000 American kestrel 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
American goldfinch 000 027 (018 - 036) 923 00 00 1000American coot 000 004 (000 - 011) 00 00 00 001These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 6 Incidental observations of birds during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species
American crow American kestrel American robin Canada goose great horned owl golden eagle gray partridge lesser scaup mallard merlin northern harrier rock pigeon red-tailed hawk red-winged blackbird sandhill crane sharp-tailed grouse wild turkey
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
APPENDICES
22 August 2012
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number of Birds1
Number of
Observations Species
Percentage of Flights
N NE E SE S SW W NW Variable
Canada goose 1398 21 867 00 00 00 02 00 17 114 00
sandhill crane 1079 17 878 52 00 00 00 00 00 70 00
unidentified sparrow 565 5 00 00 00 788 212 00 00 00 00
Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
snow goose 184 2 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
European starling 80 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
American crow 69 11 768 58 58 00 14 43 00 14 43
red-winged blackbird 15 6 533 00 00 200 267 00 00 00 00
red-tailed hawk 14 10 500 143 00 71 00 71 00 71 143
rock pigeon 11 2 00 00 00 00 273 727 00 00 00
northern harrier 9 8 111 00 00 333 00 222 00 111 222
mourning dove 9 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
common grackle 9 6 111 00 00 111 00 222 556 00 00
brown-headed cowbird 8 1 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
horned lark 6 3 833 00 00 167 00 00 00 00 00
ring-billed gull 4 3 250 00 00 00 00 750 00 00 00
Wilsons snipe 2 2 500 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 500
vesper sparrow 2 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
mallard 2 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
blue-winged teal 2 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
peregrine falcon 1 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
killdeer 1 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
Grand Total 3747 108 722 17 04 121 36 05 30 64 02 1 Includes only flying birds with flight directions
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Nest Number Species Substrate
Nest ConditionStatusDates
Surveyed Nest
Height (m) 2012 - 1 452012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good
5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 4 592012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good 5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 5 5192012 Swainsonrsquos hawk Active Siberian Elm 7 Good
NA means not applicable
Wenck Associates Inc 301 1
st St NE Suite 202
Mandan ND 58554
Phone 701-751-3370 Email jaskimwenckcom
May 7 2012
Tracey M Dubuque PE Senior Project Manager
Tetra Tech EC
160 Federal Street Third Floor
Boston MA 02110
Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Dear Tracey
Introduction
Male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) congregate at historicalcommunal leks in the spring
to compete for breeding opportunities Both sexes return to their natal breeding grounds yearly for their
entire life Leks are typically found in areas with low-growing vegetation on a hill knoll or other point of
high visibility Fidelity to these locations is extremely high for sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse
require nesting habitat within close proximity the lek comprised of dense or residual vegetative cover to
conceal and protect their nest from predators (Vodehnal and Haufler 2007)
Disturbance of nesting prairie grouse may occur from the construction of the turbine andor access road
construction noise and physical movement of equipment Loss of habitat and fragmentation related to
energy exploration may affect local prairie grouse populations by decreasing the area of habitat available
for nesting and brood-rearing and by increasing predation (Pittman et al 2005) Therefore federal and
state wildlife agencies are concerned about the placement of turbines in areas with known prairie grouse
populations Turbine setbacks from leks and minimizing grouse habitat disturbance may reduce the direct
and indirect effects of energy development on grouse
Methods
Sharp-tailed grouse surveys were completed from April 10th to May 1
st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise
to two hours after sunrise within the one-mile analysis area (Figure 1) Peak attendance by females on leks
typically occurs from April 15 to 25 but these dates vary by up to a week depending on weather conditions
(Schroeder and Robb 1993) Peak attendance potentially occurred earlier this year due to the early spring
A habitat assessment analysis was conducted prior to the field survey to determine suitable lekkingnesting
habitat within the analysis area (Figure 2) Listening stops were made within a one-mile analysis area
surrounding the proposed project area to identify lek locations (Figure 3) Sharp-tailed grouse males may
be heard at a distance of up to 050 mile Listening stops were not conducted if winds exceeded 10 miles
per hour (mph) or during precipitation events After a lek was located the birds were observed and the
number of males and females were counted Lek locations were documented using Global Positioning
System (GPS) Given the sensitive nature of this species and the fact that females may be nesting near the
lek disturbance to breeding prairie grouse was kept to a minimum
Results
Nine (9) sharp-tailed grouse leks were located during the surveys conducted from April 10th to May 1
st
2012 (Figure 4) Date time sex number of birds present wind conditions air temperature and GPS
coordinates were recorded once a lek was located (Tables 1 and 2) Two of the leks observed were
located outside of the analysis area Due to Lek 1rsquos close proximity to Lek 4 Lek 1 shouldbe classified
as a satellite lek No visual confirmation of Lek 6 was made due to access and topography
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Figure 5 Raptor mean use by survey date in Spring 2012 at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Mea
n U
se (b
irds
20
min
)
140
120
100
080
060
040
020
000
Survey Date
316 321 326 44 410 420 427 53 512 519 526 62 69 615
NAD 1983 UTM 14
240th Ave Ne240th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
253Rd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
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227Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE 279Th Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
145T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
145T
h St N
E
66Th
St N
E
171S
t St N
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132N
d St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
41St
St NE
66Th
St N
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80Th
St N
E
93Rd
St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
106T
h St N
E
171S
t St N
E
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
PC 01
PC 02
PC 03
PC 04
PC 05 PC 06
PC 07
064
014
057
064
021 007
029
155000 O 0 1 2 3 4 505 Miles
PGI
S _P R
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e xt E
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TETR A TECH EC INC
Figure 6Raptor mean use by point
count location (Spring 2012)
Rapto r s p e r 2 0 m in u te s 00 1- 01 6 01 7 - 0 32 03 3 - 0 48
04 9 - 0 64
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
A Pro po sed tu rbin e (9 -21 -20 11 )Lo ca l Ro a d
Mean use value PC Point count number
Burleigh County ND
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
Last modified 7-10-2012
NEXTENERGY RESOURCES
240th Ave Ne 240th Ave Ne
240th Ave Ne
266th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
279Th Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE
292Nd Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
52Nd
St N
E
197T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
66Th
St N
E
188Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
106T
h St N
E
253Rd Ave NE
292Nd Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
132N
d St N
E
26Th
St N
E
266Th Ave NE
253Rd Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
93Rd
St N
E
145T
h St N
E 14
5Th S
t NE
132N
d St N
E
41St
St NE
210T
h St N
E
119T
h St N
E
106T
h St N
E
171S
t St N
E 17
1St S
t NE
188Th Ave NE
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE 227Th Ave NE
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
201St Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
Figure 7 Raptor nest and lek location
map (Spring 2012)NEXTENERGY
RESOURCES
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
5 Burleigh County ND
Last modified 7-10-2012 A A
A A
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
AAA A A A A A
A A
Pro po sed tu rbi(9 -21 -20 11 )
n e A A
A A
Lo ca l Ro a d Sh arp -tailed
le k A4
A AA gro use
Raptor nest s pecies Re d-taile d h a wk
1
A
A
A A
Sw ain so n s h a wk 3 A
Ina ctive ra ptor A
9 A
A
A A AA
A A 7 28
A A A A
A A A A
A A AA AA
AAA AA
A A A
A A
A A A A
A
PGI
S _P R
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T S N
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lto n _
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X D s A
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_ F ig u
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0120
710 m
xd -
Last
S av e
d 723
2 0 1 2
6
66T h
St N
E
O 165000 NAD 1983 UTM 14 0 05 1 2 3 4 5 Miles
TETR A TECH EC INC
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
TABLES
21 August 2012
Table 1 Spring 2012 point count survey dates at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Date(s)Survey number
1 316 2 321 3 326 4 44 5 410 6 420 7 427 8 53 9 512 10 519 11 526 12 62 13 69 14 615
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Songbirds
unidentified sparrow 652 7 665 (000-1339) 41 313 121 red-winged blackbird 548 52 559 (036-1082) 378 263 102 horned lark 173 83 177 (136-218) 612 83 32 American crow 159 22 162 (027-297) 204 76 30 common grackle 91 33 093 (035-151) 245 44 17 western meadowlark 80 62 082 (065-099) 480 38 15 European starling 80 1 082 (000-216) 10 38 15 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 082 (029-135) 82 38 15 barn swallow 44 21 045 (028-062) 204 21 08 bobolink 36 28 037 (022-052) 194 17 07 American goldfinch 26 23 027 (018-036) 214 12 05 vesper sparrow 23 21 023 (013-033) 184 11 04 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 019 (010-028) 143 09 04 American robin 19 19 019 (011-027) 143 09 04 house sparrow 15 5 015 (000-030) 51 07 03 American tree sparrow 8 2 008 (000-018) 20 04 01 song sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 savannah sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 dickcissel 5 4 005 (000-010) 31 02 01 western kingbird 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 01 01 pine siskin 3 1 003 (000-008) 10 01 01 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 eastern kingbird 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 yellow warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 unidentified warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 house wren 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 Group Total 2083 430 2126 (1259-2993) 949 387
Waterfowl
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations
Canada goose 1408 24 1437 (435-2439) 133 874 262 snow goose 184 2 188 (000-490) 20 114 34 mallard 12 6 012 (004-020) 61 07 02 northern pintail 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 blue-winged teal 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 American wigeon 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 redhead 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 01 00 Group Total 1611 36 1644 (561-2727) 184 300
CranesRails sandhill crane 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 1000 201 Group Total 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 201
GullsTerns Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 283 (013-553) 31 986 52 ring-billed gull 4 3 004 (000-008) 31 14 01 Group Total 281 7 287 (017-557) 61 52
Gamebirds ring-necked pheasant 148 134 151 (128-174) 745 967 28 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 20 01 gray partridge 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 13 00 Group Total 153 138 156 (132-180) 755 28
PigeonsDoves rock pigeon 40 6 041 (009-073) 61 513 07 mourning dove 38 25 039 (019-059) 184 487 07 Group Total 78 31 080 (041-119) 224 15
Waterbirds killdeer 28 22 029 (017-041) 214 538 05 upland sandpiper 8 8 008 (003-013) 71 154 01 common snipe 8 8 008 (002-014) 61 154 01 Wilsons snipe 4 4 004 (000-008) 31 77 01 American coot 4 1 004 (000-011) 10 77 01 Group Total 52 43 053 (037-069) 357 10
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Raptors
red-tailed hawk 16 12 016 (008-024) 122 444 03 northern harrier 16 14 016 (009-023) 143 444 03 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 peregrine falcon 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 great horned owl 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 American kestrel 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 Group Total 36 30 037 (025-049) 276 07
Woodpeckers northern flicker 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 1000 00 Group Total 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 00 Grand Total 5376 735 5486 (3771-7200)
1 A ranking of 1 indicates highest mean use
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Canada goose 1408 24 210 80 523 140 210 135 110 sandhill crane 1080 18 94 18 621 15 187 145 0 unidentified sparrow 652 7 0 0 0 0 330 210 112 red-winged blackbird 548 52 0 84 49 386 14 11 4 Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 107 0 100 70 0 0 0 snow goose 184 2 0 180 4 0 0 0 0 horned lark 173 83 23 24 17 12 19 32 46 American crow 159 22 6 4 13 11 1 123 1 ring-necked pheasant 148 134 21 14 21 18 25 22 27 common grackle 91 33 6 35 7 2 8 33 0 western meadowlark 80 62 8 10 17 3 11 19 12 European starling 80 1 0 0 0 80 0 0 0 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 0 63 17 0 0 0 0 barn swallow 44 21 3 12 6 10 7 1 5 rock pigeon 40 6 0 14 0 0 0 23 3 mourning dove 38 25 4 17 1 1 1 11 3 bobolink 36 28 10 0 14 8 0 0 4 killdeer 28 22 3 3 4 5 10 0 3 American goldfinch 26 23 4 9 3 3 4 2 1 vesper sparrow 23 21 1 7 1 2 9 1 2 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 2 4 2 0 6 4 1 American robin 19 19 1 13 0 1 3 0 1 red-tailed hawk 16 12 4 0 4 5 0 1 2 northern harrier 16 14 3 1 4 4 2 0 2 house sparrow 15 5 2 13 0 0 0 0 0 mallard 12 6 0 0 6 6 0 0 0 upland sandpiper 8 8 0 0 1 0 3 2 2 common snipe 8 8 0 2 6 0 0 0 0 American tree sparrow 8 2 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 song sparrow 5 5 1 1 1 0 2 0 0 savannah sparrow 5 5 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 dickcissel 5 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 Wilsons snipe 4 4 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 ring-billed gull 4 3 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 American coot 4 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 western kingbird 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 pine siskin 3 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 northern pintail 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
northern flicker 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 gray partridge 2 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 eastern kingbird 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 blue-winged teal 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 American wigeon 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 yellow warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 unidentified warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 redhead 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 peregrine falcon 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 house wren 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 great horned owl 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 American kestrel 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Grand Total 5376 735 526 620 1452 794 859 776 349
Table 4 Summary of avian flight heights1 in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)2 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Birds
Number Percentage
Non-raptors
Raptors
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
1656 372
2023 455
767 173
3 91
13 394
17 515 1 Includes only flying birds with flight height data2These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
Canada goose 654 (435 - 2439) 1437 997 537 457 06 unidentified sparrow 632 (000 - 1339) 665 1000 00 951 49 sandhill crane 368 (083 - 2121) 1102 999 665 335 00 Franklinrsquos gull 283 (013 - 553) 283 1000 00 1000 00 European starling 082 (000 - 216) 082 1000 00 1000 00 American crow 024 (027 - 297) 162 943 00 160 840 red-tailed hawk 013 (008 - 024) 016 938 133 867 00 brown-headed cowbird 008 (029 - 135) 082 125 00 800 200 red-winged blackbird 005 (036 - 1082) 559 261 00 35 965 Wilsons snipe 002 (000 - 008) 004 500 00 1000 00 blue-winged teal 002 (000 - 005) 002 1000 00 1000 00 mallard 002 (004 - 020) 012 500 00 333 667 ring-billed gull 001 (000 - 008) 004 1000 00 250 750 yellow warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 yellow-headed blackbird 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 western meadowlark 000 (065 - 099) 082 338 00 00 1000 western kingbird 000 (000 - 007) 003 1000 00 00 1000 vesper sparrow 000 (013 - 033) 023 130 00 00 1000 upland sandpiper 000 (003 - 013) 008 250 00 00 1000 unidentified warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 Swainsonrsquos hawk 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 sharp-tailed grouse 000 (000 - 007) 003 667 00 00 1000 song sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 snow goose 000 (000 - 490) 188 1000 1000 00 00 savannah sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 rock pigeon 000 (009 - 073) 041 825 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
ring-necked pheasant 000 (128 - 174) 151 07 00 00 1000 redhead 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 pine siskin 000 (000 - 008) 003 1000 00 00 1000 peregrine falcon 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 1000 00 00 northern pintail 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 northern harrier 000 (009 - 023) 016 1000 00 00 1000 northern flicker 000 (000 - 004) 002 500 00 00 1000 mourning dove 000 (019 - 059) 039 684 00 00 1000 killdeer 000 (017 - 041) 029 607 00 00 1000 house wren 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 house sparrow 000 (000 - 030) 015 67 00 00 1000 horned lark 000 (136 - 218) 177 740 00 00 1000 grasshopper sparrow 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 gray partridge 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 great horned owl 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 eastern kingbird 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 dickcissel 000 (000 - 010) 005 00 00 00 00 common snipe 000 (002 - 014) 008 00 00 00 00 common grackle 000 (035 - 151) 093 945 00 00 1000 clay-colored sparrow 000 (010 - 028) 019 158 00 00 1000 bobolink 000 (022 - 052) 037 917 00 00 1000 barn swallow 000 (028 - 062) 045 1000 00 00 1000 American tree sparrow 000 (000 - 018) 008 1000 00 00 1000 American wigeon 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 American robin 000 (011 - 027) 019 421 00 00 1000 American kestrel 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
American goldfinch 000 027 (018 - 036) 923 00 00 1000American coot 000 004 (000 - 011) 00 00 00 001These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 6 Incidental observations of birds during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species
American crow American kestrel American robin Canada goose great horned owl golden eagle gray partridge lesser scaup mallard merlin northern harrier rock pigeon red-tailed hawk red-winged blackbird sandhill crane sharp-tailed grouse wild turkey
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
APPENDICES
22 August 2012
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number of Birds1
Number of
Observations Species
Percentage of Flights
N NE E SE S SW W NW Variable
Canada goose 1398 21 867 00 00 00 02 00 17 114 00
sandhill crane 1079 17 878 52 00 00 00 00 00 70 00
unidentified sparrow 565 5 00 00 00 788 212 00 00 00 00
Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
snow goose 184 2 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
European starling 80 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
American crow 69 11 768 58 58 00 14 43 00 14 43
red-winged blackbird 15 6 533 00 00 200 267 00 00 00 00
red-tailed hawk 14 10 500 143 00 71 00 71 00 71 143
rock pigeon 11 2 00 00 00 00 273 727 00 00 00
northern harrier 9 8 111 00 00 333 00 222 00 111 222
mourning dove 9 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
common grackle 9 6 111 00 00 111 00 222 556 00 00
brown-headed cowbird 8 1 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
horned lark 6 3 833 00 00 167 00 00 00 00 00
ring-billed gull 4 3 250 00 00 00 00 750 00 00 00
Wilsons snipe 2 2 500 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 500
vesper sparrow 2 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
mallard 2 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
blue-winged teal 2 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
peregrine falcon 1 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
killdeer 1 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
Grand Total 3747 108 722 17 04 121 36 05 30 64 02 1 Includes only flying birds with flight directions
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Nest Number Species Substrate
Nest ConditionStatusDates
Surveyed Nest
Height (m) 2012 - 1 452012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good
5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 4 592012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good 5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 5 5192012 Swainsonrsquos hawk Active Siberian Elm 7 Good
NA means not applicable
Wenck Associates Inc 301 1
st St NE Suite 202
Mandan ND 58554
Phone 701-751-3370 Email jaskimwenckcom
May 7 2012
Tracey M Dubuque PE Senior Project Manager
Tetra Tech EC
160 Federal Street Third Floor
Boston MA 02110
Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Dear Tracey
Introduction
Male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) congregate at historicalcommunal leks in the spring
to compete for breeding opportunities Both sexes return to their natal breeding grounds yearly for their
entire life Leks are typically found in areas with low-growing vegetation on a hill knoll or other point of
high visibility Fidelity to these locations is extremely high for sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse
require nesting habitat within close proximity the lek comprised of dense or residual vegetative cover to
conceal and protect their nest from predators (Vodehnal and Haufler 2007)
Disturbance of nesting prairie grouse may occur from the construction of the turbine andor access road
construction noise and physical movement of equipment Loss of habitat and fragmentation related to
energy exploration may affect local prairie grouse populations by decreasing the area of habitat available
for nesting and brood-rearing and by increasing predation (Pittman et al 2005) Therefore federal and
state wildlife agencies are concerned about the placement of turbines in areas with known prairie grouse
populations Turbine setbacks from leks and minimizing grouse habitat disturbance may reduce the direct
and indirect effects of energy development on grouse
Methods
Sharp-tailed grouse surveys were completed from April 10th to May 1
st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise
to two hours after sunrise within the one-mile analysis area (Figure 1) Peak attendance by females on leks
typically occurs from April 15 to 25 but these dates vary by up to a week depending on weather conditions
(Schroeder and Robb 1993) Peak attendance potentially occurred earlier this year due to the early spring
A habitat assessment analysis was conducted prior to the field survey to determine suitable lekkingnesting
habitat within the analysis area (Figure 2) Listening stops were made within a one-mile analysis area
surrounding the proposed project area to identify lek locations (Figure 3) Sharp-tailed grouse males may
be heard at a distance of up to 050 mile Listening stops were not conducted if winds exceeded 10 miles
per hour (mph) or during precipitation events After a lek was located the birds were observed and the
number of males and females were counted Lek locations were documented using Global Positioning
System (GPS) Given the sensitive nature of this species and the fact that females may be nesting near the
lek disturbance to breeding prairie grouse was kept to a minimum
Results
Nine (9) sharp-tailed grouse leks were located during the surveys conducted from April 10th to May 1
st
2012 (Figure 4) Date time sex number of birds present wind conditions air temperature and GPS
coordinates were recorded once a lek was located (Tables 1 and 2) Two of the leks observed were
located outside of the analysis area Due to Lek 1rsquos close proximity to Lek 4 Lek 1 shouldbe classified
as a satellite lek No visual confirmation of Lek 6 was made due to access and topography
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
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Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
NAD 1983 UTM 14
240th Ave Ne240th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
253Rd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
227Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE 279Th Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
292Nd Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
145T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
145T
h St N
E
66Th
St N
E
171S
t St N
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132N
d St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
41St
St NE
66Th
St N
E
80Th
St N
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93Rd
St N
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292Nd Ave NE
106T
h St N
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171S
t St N
E
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
PC 01
PC 02
PC 03
PC 04
PC 05 PC 06
PC 07
064
014
057
064
021 007
029
155000 O 0 1 2 3 4 505 Miles
PGI
S _P R
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TETR A TECH EC INC
Figure 6Raptor mean use by point
count location (Spring 2012)
Rapto r s p e r 2 0 m in u te s 00 1- 01 6 01 7 - 0 32 03 3 - 0 48
04 9 - 0 64
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
A Pro po sed tu rbin e (9 -21 -20 11 )Lo ca l Ro a d
Mean use value PC Point count number
Burleigh County ND
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
Last modified 7-10-2012
NEXTENERGY RESOURCES
240th Ave Ne 240th Ave Ne
240th Ave Ne
266th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
279Th Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE
292Nd Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
52Nd
St N
E
197T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
66Th
St N
E
188Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
106T
h St N
E
253Rd Ave NE
292Nd Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
132N
d St N
E
26Th
St N
E
266Th Ave NE
253Rd Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
93Rd
St N
E
145T
h St N
E 14
5Th S
t NE
132N
d St N
E
41St
St NE
210T
h St N
E
119T
h St N
E
106T
h St N
E
171S
t St N
E 17
1St S
t NE
188Th Ave NE
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE 227Th Ave NE
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
201St Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
Figure 7 Raptor nest and lek location
map (Spring 2012)NEXTENERGY
RESOURCES
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
5 Burleigh County ND
Last modified 7-10-2012 A A
A A
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
AAA A A A A A
A A
Pro po sed tu rbi(9 -21 -20 11 )
n e A A
A A
Lo ca l Ro a d Sh arp -tailed
le k A4
A AA gro use
Raptor nest s pecies Re d-taile d h a wk
1
A
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A A
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Ina ctive ra ptor A
9 A
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A A 7 28
A A A A
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A A A A
A
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Last
S av e
d 723
2 0 1 2
6
66T h
St N
E
O 165000 NAD 1983 UTM 14 0 05 1 2 3 4 5 Miles
TETR A TECH EC INC
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
TABLES
21 August 2012
Table 1 Spring 2012 point count survey dates at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Date(s)Survey number
1 316 2 321 3 326 4 44 5 410 6 420 7 427 8 53 9 512 10 519 11 526 12 62 13 69 14 615
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Songbirds
unidentified sparrow 652 7 665 (000-1339) 41 313 121 red-winged blackbird 548 52 559 (036-1082) 378 263 102 horned lark 173 83 177 (136-218) 612 83 32 American crow 159 22 162 (027-297) 204 76 30 common grackle 91 33 093 (035-151) 245 44 17 western meadowlark 80 62 082 (065-099) 480 38 15 European starling 80 1 082 (000-216) 10 38 15 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 082 (029-135) 82 38 15 barn swallow 44 21 045 (028-062) 204 21 08 bobolink 36 28 037 (022-052) 194 17 07 American goldfinch 26 23 027 (018-036) 214 12 05 vesper sparrow 23 21 023 (013-033) 184 11 04 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 019 (010-028) 143 09 04 American robin 19 19 019 (011-027) 143 09 04 house sparrow 15 5 015 (000-030) 51 07 03 American tree sparrow 8 2 008 (000-018) 20 04 01 song sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 savannah sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 dickcissel 5 4 005 (000-010) 31 02 01 western kingbird 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 01 01 pine siskin 3 1 003 (000-008) 10 01 01 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 eastern kingbird 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 yellow warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 unidentified warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 house wren 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 Group Total 2083 430 2126 (1259-2993) 949 387
Waterfowl
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations
Canada goose 1408 24 1437 (435-2439) 133 874 262 snow goose 184 2 188 (000-490) 20 114 34 mallard 12 6 012 (004-020) 61 07 02 northern pintail 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 blue-winged teal 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 American wigeon 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 redhead 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 01 00 Group Total 1611 36 1644 (561-2727) 184 300
CranesRails sandhill crane 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 1000 201 Group Total 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 201
GullsTerns Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 283 (013-553) 31 986 52 ring-billed gull 4 3 004 (000-008) 31 14 01 Group Total 281 7 287 (017-557) 61 52
Gamebirds ring-necked pheasant 148 134 151 (128-174) 745 967 28 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 20 01 gray partridge 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 13 00 Group Total 153 138 156 (132-180) 755 28
PigeonsDoves rock pigeon 40 6 041 (009-073) 61 513 07 mourning dove 38 25 039 (019-059) 184 487 07 Group Total 78 31 080 (041-119) 224 15
Waterbirds killdeer 28 22 029 (017-041) 214 538 05 upland sandpiper 8 8 008 (003-013) 71 154 01 common snipe 8 8 008 (002-014) 61 154 01 Wilsons snipe 4 4 004 (000-008) 31 77 01 American coot 4 1 004 (000-011) 10 77 01 Group Total 52 43 053 (037-069) 357 10
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Raptors
red-tailed hawk 16 12 016 (008-024) 122 444 03 northern harrier 16 14 016 (009-023) 143 444 03 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 peregrine falcon 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 great horned owl 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 American kestrel 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 Group Total 36 30 037 (025-049) 276 07
Woodpeckers northern flicker 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 1000 00 Group Total 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 00 Grand Total 5376 735 5486 (3771-7200)
1 A ranking of 1 indicates highest mean use
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Canada goose 1408 24 210 80 523 140 210 135 110 sandhill crane 1080 18 94 18 621 15 187 145 0 unidentified sparrow 652 7 0 0 0 0 330 210 112 red-winged blackbird 548 52 0 84 49 386 14 11 4 Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 107 0 100 70 0 0 0 snow goose 184 2 0 180 4 0 0 0 0 horned lark 173 83 23 24 17 12 19 32 46 American crow 159 22 6 4 13 11 1 123 1 ring-necked pheasant 148 134 21 14 21 18 25 22 27 common grackle 91 33 6 35 7 2 8 33 0 western meadowlark 80 62 8 10 17 3 11 19 12 European starling 80 1 0 0 0 80 0 0 0 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 0 63 17 0 0 0 0 barn swallow 44 21 3 12 6 10 7 1 5 rock pigeon 40 6 0 14 0 0 0 23 3 mourning dove 38 25 4 17 1 1 1 11 3 bobolink 36 28 10 0 14 8 0 0 4 killdeer 28 22 3 3 4 5 10 0 3 American goldfinch 26 23 4 9 3 3 4 2 1 vesper sparrow 23 21 1 7 1 2 9 1 2 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 2 4 2 0 6 4 1 American robin 19 19 1 13 0 1 3 0 1 red-tailed hawk 16 12 4 0 4 5 0 1 2 northern harrier 16 14 3 1 4 4 2 0 2 house sparrow 15 5 2 13 0 0 0 0 0 mallard 12 6 0 0 6 6 0 0 0 upland sandpiper 8 8 0 0 1 0 3 2 2 common snipe 8 8 0 2 6 0 0 0 0 American tree sparrow 8 2 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 song sparrow 5 5 1 1 1 0 2 0 0 savannah sparrow 5 5 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 dickcissel 5 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 Wilsons snipe 4 4 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 ring-billed gull 4 3 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 American coot 4 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 western kingbird 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 pine siskin 3 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 northern pintail 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
northern flicker 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 gray partridge 2 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 eastern kingbird 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 blue-winged teal 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 American wigeon 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 yellow warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 unidentified warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 redhead 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 peregrine falcon 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 house wren 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 great horned owl 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 American kestrel 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Grand Total 5376 735 526 620 1452 794 859 776 349
Table 4 Summary of avian flight heights1 in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)2 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Birds
Number Percentage
Non-raptors
Raptors
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
1656 372
2023 455
767 173
3 91
13 394
17 515 1 Includes only flying birds with flight height data2These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
Canada goose 654 (435 - 2439) 1437 997 537 457 06 unidentified sparrow 632 (000 - 1339) 665 1000 00 951 49 sandhill crane 368 (083 - 2121) 1102 999 665 335 00 Franklinrsquos gull 283 (013 - 553) 283 1000 00 1000 00 European starling 082 (000 - 216) 082 1000 00 1000 00 American crow 024 (027 - 297) 162 943 00 160 840 red-tailed hawk 013 (008 - 024) 016 938 133 867 00 brown-headed cowbird 008 (029 - 135) 082 125 00 800 200 red-winged blackbird 005 (036 - 1082) 559 261 00 35 965 Wilsons snipe 002 (000 - 008) 004 500 00 1000 00 blue-winged teal 002 (000 - 005) 002 1000 00 1000 00 mallard 002 (004 - 020) 012 500 00 333 667 ring-billed gull 001 (000 - 008) 004 1000 00 250 750 yellow warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 yellow-headed blackbird 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 western meadowlark 000 (065 - 099) 082 338 00 00 1000 western kingbird 000 (000 - 007) 003 1000 00 00 1000 vesper sparrow 000 (013 - 033) 023 130 00 00 1000 upland sandpiper 000 (003 - 013) 008 250 00 00 1000 unidentified warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 Swainsonrsquos hawk 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 sharp-tailed grouse 000 (000 - 007) 003 667 00 00 1000 song sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 snow goose 000 (000 - 490) 188 1000 1000 00 00 savannah sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 rock pigeon 000 (009 - 073) 041 825 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
ring-necked pheasant 000 (128 - 174) 151 07 00 00 1000 redhead 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 pine siskin 000 (000 - 008) 003 1000 00 00 1000 peregrine falcon 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 1000 00 00 northern pintail 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 northern harrier 000 (009 - 023) 016 1000 00 00 1000 northern flicker 000 (000 - 004) 002 500 00 00 1000 mourning dove 000 (019 - 059) 039 684 00 00 1000 killdeer 000 (017 - 041) 029 607 00 00 1000 house wren 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 house sparrow 000 (000 - 030) 015 67 00 00 1000 horned lark 000 (136 - 218) 177 740 00 00 1000 grasshopper sparrow 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 gray partridge 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 great horned owl 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 eastern kingbird 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 dickcissel 000 (000 - 010) 005 00 00 00 00 common snipe 000 (002 - 014) 008 00 00 00 00 common grackle 000 (035 - 151) 093 945 00 00 1000 clay-colored sparrow 000 (010 - 028) 019 158 00 00 1000 bobolink 000 (022 - 052) 037 917 00 00 1000 barn swallow 000 (028 - 062) 045 1000 00 00 1000 American tree sparrow 000 (000 - 018) 008 1000 00 00 1000 American wigeon 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 American robin 000 (011 - 027) 019 421 00 00 1000 American kestrel 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
American goldfinch 000 027 (018 - 036) 923 00 00 1000American coot 000 004 (000 - 011) 00 00 00 001These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 6 Incidental observations of birds during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species
American crow American kestrel American robin Canada goose great horned owl golden eagle gray partridge lesser scaup mallard merlin northern harrier rock pigeon red-tailed hawk red-winged blackbird sandhill crane sharp-tailed grouse wild turkey
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
APPENDICES
22 August 2012
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number of Birds1
Number of
Observations Species
Percentage of Flights
N NE E SE S SW W NW Variable
Canada goose 1398 21 867 00 00 00 02 00 17 114 00
sandhill crane 1079 17 878 52 00 00 00 00 00 70 00
unidentified sparrow 565 5 00 00 00 788 212 00 00 00 00
Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
snow goose 184 2 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
European starling 80 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
American crow 69 11 768 58 58 00 14 43 00 14 43
red-winged blackbird 15 6 533 00 00 200 267 00 00 00 00
red-tailed hawk 14 10 500 143 00 71 00 71 00 71 143
rock pigeon 11 2 00 00 00 00 273 727 00 00 00
northern harrier 9 8 111 00 00 333 00 222 00 111 222
mourning dove 9 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
common grackle 9 6 111 00 00 111 00 222 556 00 00
brown-headed cowbird 8 1 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
horned lark 6 3 833 00 00 167 00 00 00 00 00
ring-billed gull 4 3 250 00 00 00 00 750 00 00 00
Wilsons snipe 2 2 500 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 500
vesper sparrow 2 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
mallard 2 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
blue-winged teal 2 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
peregrine falcon 1 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
killdeer 1 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
Grand Total 3747 108 722 17 04 121 36 05 30 64 02 1 Includes only flying birds with flight directions
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Nest Number Species Substrate
Nest ConditionStatusDates
Surveyed Nest
Height (m) 2012 - 1 452012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good
5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 4 592012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good 5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 5 5192012 Swainsonrsquos hawk Active Siberian Elm 7 Good
NA means not applicable
Wenck Associates Inc 301 1
st St NE Suite 202
Mandan ND 58554
Phone 701-751-3370 Email jaskimwenckcom
May 7 2012
Tracey M Dubuque PE Senior Project Manager
Tetra Tech EC
160 Federal Street Third Floor
Boston MA 02110
Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Dear Tracey
Introduction
Male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) congregate at historicalcommunal leks in the spring
to compete for breeding opportunities Both sexes return to their natal breeding grounds yearly for their
entire life Leks are typically found in areas with low-growing vegetation on a hill knoll or other point of
high visibility Fidelity to these locations is extremely high for sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse
require nesting habitat within close proximity the lek comprised of dense or residual vegetative cover to
conceal and protect their nest from predators (Vodehnal and Haufler 2007)
Disturbance of nesting prairie grouse may occur from the construction of the turbine andor access road
construction noise and physical movement of equipment Loss of habitat and fragmentation related to
energy exploration may affect local prairie grouse populations by decreasing the area of habitat available
for nesting and brood-rearing and by increasing predation (Pittman et al 2005) Therefore federal and
state wildlife agencies are concerned about the placement of turbines in areas with known prairie grouse
populations Turbine setbacks from leks and minimizing grouse habitat disturbance may reduce the direct
and indirect effects of energy development on grouse
Methods
Sharp-tailed grouse surveys were completed from April 10th to May 1
st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise
to two hours after sunrise within the one-mile analysis area (Figure 1) Peak attendance by females on leks
typically occurs from April 15 to 25 but these dates vary by up to a week depending on weather conditions
(Schroeder and Robb 1993) Peak attendance potentially occurred earlier this year due to the early spring
A habitat assessment analysis was conducted prior to the field survey to determine suitable lekkingnesting
habitat within the analysis area (Figure 2) Listening stops were made within a one-mile analysis area
surrounding the proposed project area to identify lek locations (Figure 3) Sharp-tailed grouse males may
be heard at a distance of up to 050 mile Listening stops were not conducted if winds exceeded 10 miles
per hour (mph) or during precipitation events After a lek was located the birds were observed and the
number of males and females were counted Lek locations were documented using Global Positioning
System (GPS) Given the sensitive nature of this species and the fact that females may be nesting near the
lek disturbance to breeding prairie grouse was kept to a minimum
Results
Nine (9) sharp-tailed grouse leks were located during the surveys conducted from April 10th to May 1
st
2012 (Figure 4) Date time sex number of birds present wind conditions air temperature and GPS
coordinates were recorded once a lek was located (Tables 1 and 2) Two of the leks observed were
located outside of the analysis area Due to Lek 1rsquos close proximity to Lek 4 Lek 1 shouldbe classified
as a satellite lek No visual confirmation of Lek 6 was made due to access and topography
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
240th Ave Ne 240th Ave Ne
240th Ave Ne
266th Ave Ne
158th
St N
e
279Th Ave NE
266Th Ave NE
184T
h St N
E
41St
St NE
201St Ave NE
279Th Ave NE
292Nd Ave NE
227Th Ave NE
52Nd
St N
E
197T
h St N
E
52Nd
St N
E
214Th Ave NE
66Th
St N
E
188Th Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
106T
h St N
E
253Rd Ave NE
292Nd Ave NE
93Rd
St N
E
132N
d St N
E
26Th
St N
E
266Th Ave NE
253Rd Ave NE
CR 18
04
201St Ave NE
119T
h St N
E
93Rd
St N
E
145T
h St N
E 14
5Th S
t NE
132N
d St N
E
41St
St NE
210T
h St N
E
119T
h St N
E
106T
h St N
E
171S
t St N
E 17
1St S
t NE
188Th Ave NE
214Th Ave NE
227Th Ave NE 227Th Ave NE
86Th
St N
E
184T
h St N
E
201St Ave NE
80Th
St N
E
Figure 7 Raptor nest and lek location
map (Spring 2012)NEXTENERGY
RESOURCES
Wilton IVWind Energy Center
5 Burleigh County ND
Last modified 7-10-2012 A A
A A
Win d en erg y cen te r (11-1 5-2 011)
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O 165000 NAD 1983 UTM 14 0 05 1 2 3 4 5 Miles
TETR A TECH EC INC
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
TABLES
21 August 2012
Table 1 Spring 2012 point count survey dates at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Date(s)Survey number
1 316 2 321 3 326 4 44 5 410 6 420 7 427 8 53 9 512 10 519 11 526 12 62 13 69 14 615
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Songbirds
unidentified sparrow 652 7 665 (000-1339) 41 313 121 red-winged blackbird 548 52 559 (036-1082) 378 263 102 horned lark 173 83 177 (136-218) 612 83 32 American crow 159 22 162 (027-297) 204 76 30 common grackle 91 33 093 (035-151) 245 44 17 western meadowlark 80 62 082 (065-099) 480 38 15 European starling 80 1 082 (000-216) 10 38 15 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 082 (029-135) 82 38 15 barn swallow 44 21 045 (028-062) 204 21 08 bobolink 36 28 037 (022-052) 194 17 07 American goldfinch 26 23 027 (018-036) 214 12 05 vesper sparrow 23 21 023 (013-033) 184 11 04 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 019 (010-028) 143 09 04 American robin 19 19 019 (011-027) 143 09 04 house sparrow 15 5 015 (000-030) 51 07 03 American tree sparrow 8 2 008 (000-018) 20 04 01 song sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 savannah sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 dickcissel 5 4 005 (000-010) 31 02 01 western kingbird 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 01 01 pine siskin 3 1 003 (000-008) 10 01 01 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 eastern kingbird 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 yellow warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 unidentified warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 house wren 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 Group Total 2083 430 2126 (1259-2993) 949 387
Waterfowl
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations
Canada goose 1408 24 1437 (435-2439) 133 874 262 snow goose 184 2 188 (000-490) 20 114 34 mallard 12 6 012 (004-020) 61 07 02 northern pintail 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 blue-winged teal 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 American wigeon 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 redhead 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 01 00 Group Total 1611 36 1644 (561-2727) 184 300
CranesRails sandhill crane 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 1000 201 Group Total 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 201
GullsTerns Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 283 (013-553) 31 986 52 ring-billed gull 4 3 004 (000-008) 31 14 01 Group Total 281 7 287 (017-557) 61 52
Gamebirds ring-necked pheasant 148 134 151 (128-174) 745 967 28 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 20 01 gray partridge 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 13 00 Group Total 153 138 156 (132-180) 755 28
PigeonsDoves rock pigeon 40 6 041 (009-073) 61 513 07 mourning dove 38 25 039 (019-059) 184 487 07 Group Total 78 31 080 (041-119) 224 15
Waterbirds killdeer 28 22 029 (017-041) 214 538 05 upland sandpiper 8 8 008 (003-013) 71 154 01 common snipe 8 8 008 (002-014) 61 154 01 Wilsons snipe 4 4 004 (000-008) 31 77 01 American coot 4 1 004 (000-011) 10 77 01 Group Total 52 43 053 (037-069) 357 10
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Raptors
red-tailed hawk 16 12 016 (008-024) 122 444 03 northern harrier 16 14 016 (009-023) 143 444 03 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 peregrine falcon 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 great horned owl 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 American kestrel 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 Group Total 36 30 037 (025-049) 276 07
Woodpeckers northern flicker 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 1000 00 Group Total 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 00 Grand Total 5376 735 5486 (3771-7200)
1 A ranking of 1 indicates highest mean use
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Canada goose 1408 24 210 80 523 140 210 135 110 sandhill crane 1080 18 94 18 621 15 187 145 0 unidentified sparrow 652 7 0 0 0 0 330 210 112 red-winged blackbird 548 52 0 84 49 386 14 11 4 Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 107 0 100 70 0 0 0 snow goose 184 2 0 180 4 0 0 0 0 horned lark 173 83 23 24 17 12 19 32 46 American crow 159 22 6 4 13 11 1 123 1 ring-necked pheasant 148 134 21 14 21 18 25 22 27 common grackle 91 33 6 35 7 2 8 33 0 western meadowlark 80 62 8 10 17 3 11 19 12 European starling 80 1 0 0 0 80 0 0 0 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 0 63 17 0 0 0 0 barn swallow 44 21 3 12 6 10 7 1 5 rock pigeon 40 6 0 14 0 0 0 23 3 mourning dove 38 25 4 17 1 1 1 11 3 bobolink 36 28 10 0 14 8 0 0 4 killdeer 28 22 3 3 4 5 10 0 3 American goldfinch 26 23 4 9 3 3 4 2 1 vesper sparrow 23 21 1 7 1 2 9 1 2 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 2 4 2 0 6 4 1 American robin 19 19 1 13 0 1 3 0 1 red-tailed hawk 16 12 4 0 4 5 0 1 2 northern harrier 16 14 3 1 4 4 2 0 2 house sparrow 15 5 2 13 0 0 0 0 0 mallard 12 6 0 0 6 6 0 0 0 upland sandpiper 8 8 0 0 1 0 3 2 2 common snipe 8 8 0 2 6 0 0 0 0 American tree sparrow 8 2 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 song sparrow 5 5 1 1 1 0 2 0 0 savannah sparrow 5 5 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 dickcissel 5 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 Wilsons snipe 4 4 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 ring-billed gull 4 3 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 American coot 4 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 western kingbird 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 pine siskin 3 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 northern pintail 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
northern flicker 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 gray partridge 2 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 eastern kingbird 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 blue-winged teal 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 American wigeon 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 yellow warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 unidentified warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 redhead 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 peregrine falcon 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 house wren 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 great horned owl 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 American kestrel 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Grand Total 5376 735 526 620 1452 794 859 776 349
Table 4 Summary of avian flight heights1 in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)2 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Birds
Number Percentage
Non-raptors
Raptors
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
1656 372
2023 455
767 173
3 91
13 394
17 515 1 Includes only flying birds with flight height data2These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
Canada goose 654 (435 - 2439) 1437 997 537 457 06 unidentified sparrow 632 (000 - 1339) 665 1000 00 951 49 sandhill crane 368 (083 - 2121) 1102 999 665 335 00 Franklinrsquos gull 283 (013 - 553) 283 1000 00 1000 00 European starling 082 (000 - 216) 082 1000 00 1000 00 American crow 024 (027 - 297) 162 943 00 160 840 red-tailed hawk 013 (008 - 024) 016 938 133 867 00 brown-headed cowbird 008 (029 - 135) 082 125 00 800 200 red-winged blackbird 005 (036 - 1082) 559 261 00 35 965 Wilsons snipe 002 (000 - 008) 004 500 00 1000 00 blue-winged teal 002 (000 - 005) 002 1000 00 1000 00 mallard 002 (004 - 020) 012 500 00 333 667 ring-billed gull 001 (000 - 008) 004 1000 00 250 750 yellow warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 yellow-headed blackbird 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 western meadowlark 000 (065 - 099) 082 338 00 00 1000 western kingbird 000 (000 - 007) 003 1000 00 00 1000 vesper sparrow 000 (013 - 033) 023 130 00 00 1000 upland sandpiper 000 (003 - 013) 008 250 00 00 1000 unidentified warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 Swainsonrsquos hawk 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 sharp-tailed grouse 000 (000 - 007) 003 667 00 00 1000 song sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 snow goose 000 (000 - 490) 188 1000 1000 00 00 savannah sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 rock pigeon 000 (009 - 073) 041 825 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
ring-necked pheasant 000 (128 - 174) 151 07 00 00 1000 redhead 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 pine siskin 000 (000 - 008) 003 1000 00 00 1000 peregrine falcon 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 1000 00 00 northern pintail 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 northern harrier 000 (009 - 023) 016 1000 00 00 1000 northern flicker 000 (000 - 004) 002 500 00 00 1000 mourning dove 000 (019 - 059) 039 684 00 00 1000 killdeer 000 (017 - 041) 029 607 00 00 1000 house wren 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 house sparrow 000 (000 - 030) 015 67 00 00 1000 horned lark 000 (136 - 218) 177 740 00 00 1000 grasshopper sparrow 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 gray partridge 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 great horned owl 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 eastern kingbird 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 dickcissel 000 (000 - 010) 005 00 00 00 00 common snipe 000 (002 - 014) 008 00 00 00 00 common grackle 000 (035 - 151) 093 945 00 00 1000 clay-colored sparrow 000 (010 - 028) 019 158 00 00 1000 bobolink 000 (022 - 052) 037 917 00 00 1000 barn swallow 000 (028 - 062) 045 1000 00 00 1000 American tree sparrow 000 (000 - 018) 008 1000 00 00 1000 American wigeon 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 American robin 000 (011 - 027) 019 421 00 00 1000 American kestrel 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
American goldfinch 000 027 (018 - 036) 923 00 00 1000American coot 000 004 (000 - 011) 00 00 00 001These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 6 Incidental observations of birds during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species
American crow American kestrel American robin Canada goose great horned owl golden eagle gray partridge lesser scaup mallard merlin northern harrier rock pigeon red-tailed hawk red-winged blackbird sandhill crane sharp-tailed grouse wild turkey
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
APPENDICES
22 August 2012
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number of Birds1
Number of
Observations Species
Percentage of Flights
N NE E SE S SW W NW Variable
Canada goose 1398 21 867 00 00 00 02 00 17 114 00
sandhill crane 1079 17 878 52 00 00 00 00 00 70 00
unidentified sparrow 565 5 00 00 00 788 212 00 00 00 00
Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
snow goose 184 2 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
European starling 80 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
American crow 69 11 768 58 58 00 14 43 00 14 43
red-winged blackbird 15 6 533 00 00 200 267 00 00 00 00
red-tailed hawk 14 10 500 143 00 71 00 71 00 71 143
rock pigeon 11 2 00 00 00 00 273 727 00 00 00
northern harrier 9 8 111 00 00 333 00 222 00 111 222
mourning dove 9 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
common grackle 9 6 111 00 00 111 00 222 556 00 00
brown-headed cowbird 8 1 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
horned lark 6 3 833 00 00 167 00 00 00 00 00
ring-billed gull 4 3 250 00 00 00 00 750 00 00 00
Wilsons snipe 2 2 500 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 500
vesper sparrow 2 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
mallard 2 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
blue-winged teal 2 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
peregrine falcon 1 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
killdeer 1 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
Grand Total 3747 108 722 17 04 121 36 05 30 64 02 1 Includes only flying birds with flight directions
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Nest Number Species Substrate
Nest ConditionStatusDates
Surveyed Nest
Height (m) 2012 - 1 452012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good
5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 4 592012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good 5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 5 5192012 Swainsonrsquos hawk Active Siberian Elm 7 Good
NA means not applicable
Wenck Associates Inc 301 1
st St NE Suite 202
Mandan ND 58554
Phone 701-751-3370 Email jaskimwenckcom
May 7 2012
Tracey M Dubuque PE Senior Project Manager
Tetra Tech EC
160 Federal Street Third Floor
Boston MA 02110
Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Dear Tracey
Introduction
Male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) congregate at historicalcommunal leks in the spring
to compete for breeding opportunities Both sexes return to their natal breeding grounds yearly for their
entire life Leks are typically found in areas with low-growing vegetation on a hill knoll or other point of
high visibility Fidelity to these locations is extremely high for sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse
require nesting habitat within close proximity the lek comprised of dense or residual vegetative cover to
conceal and protect their nest from predators (Vodehnal and Haufler 2007)
Disturbance of nesting prairie grouse may occur from the construction of the turbine andor access road
construction noise and physical movement of equipment Loss of habitat and fragmentation related to
energy exploration may affect local prairie grouse populations by decreasing the area of habitat available
for nesting and brood-rearing and by increasing predation (Pittman et al 2005) Therefore federal and
state wildlife agencies are concerned about the placement of turbines in areas with known prairie grouse
populations Turbine setbacks from leks and minimizing grouse habitat disturbance may reduce the direct
and indirect effects of energy development on grouse
Methods
Sharp-tailed grouse surveys were completed from April 10th to May 1
st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise
to two hours after sunrise within the one-mile analysis area (Figure 1) Peak attendance by females on leks
typically occurs from April 15 to 25 but these dates vary by up to a week depending on weather conditions
(Schroeder and Robb 1993) Peak attendance potentially occurred earlier this year due to the early spring
A habitat assessment analysis was conducted prior to the field survey to determine suitable lekkingnesting
habitat within the analysis area (Figure 2) Listening stops were made within a one-mile analysis area
surrounding the proposed project area to identify lek locations (Figure 3) Sharp-tailed grouse males may
be heard at a distance of up to 050 mile Listening stops were not conducted if winds exceeded 10 miles
per hour (mph) or during precipitation events After a lek was located the birds were observed and the
number of males and females were counted Lek locations were documented using Global Positioning
System (GPS) Given the sensitive nature of this species and the fact that females may be nesting near the
lek disturbance to breeding prairie grouse was kept to a minimum
Results
Nine (9) sharp-tailed grouse leks were located during the surveys conducted from April 10th to May 1
st
2012 (Figure 4) Date time sex number of birds present wind conditions air temperature and GPS
coordinates were recorded once a lek was located (Tables 1 and 2) Two of the leks observed were
located outside of the analysis area Due to Lek 1rsquos close proximity to Lek 4 Lek 1 shouldbe classified
as a satellite lek No visual confirmation of Lek 6 was made due to access and topography
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
TABLES
21 August 2012
Table 1 Spring 2012 point count survey dates at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Date(s)Survey number
1 316 2 321 3 326 4 44 5 410 6 420 7 427 8 53 9 512 10 519 11 526 12 62 13 69 14 615
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Songbirds
unidentified sparrow 652 7 665 (000-1339) 41 313 121 red-winged blackbird 548 52 559 (036-1082) 378 263 102 horned lark 173 83 177 (136-218) 612 83 32 American crow 159 22 162 (027-297) 204 76 30 common grackle 91 33 093 (035-151) 245 44 17 western meadowlark 80 62 082 (065-099) 480 38 15 European starling 80 1 082 (000-216) 10 38 15 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 082 (029-135) 82 38 15 barn swallow 44 21 045 (028-062) 204 21 08 bobolink 36 28 037 (022-052) 194 17 07 American goldfinch 26 23 027 (018-036) 214 12 05 vesper sparrow 23 21 023 (013-033) 184 11 04 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 019 (010-028) 143 09 04 American robin 19 19 019 (011-027) 143 09 04 house sparrow 15 5 015 (000-030) 51 07 03 American tree sparrow 8 2 008 (000-018) 20 04 01 song sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 savannah sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 dickcissel 5 4 005 (000-010) 31 02 01 western kingbird 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 01 01 pine siskin 3 1 003 (000-008) 10 01 01 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 eastern kingbird 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 yellow warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 unidentified warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 house wren 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 Group Total 2083 430 2126 (1259-2993) 949 387
Waterfowl
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations
Canada goose 1408 24 1437 (435-2439) 133 874 262 snow goose 184 2 188 (000-490) 20 114 34 mallard 12 6 012 (004-020) 61 07 02 northern pintail 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 blue-winged teal 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 American wigeon 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 redhead 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 01 00 Group Total 1611 36 1644 (561-2727) 184 300
CranesRails sandhill crane 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 1000 201 Group Total 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 201
GullsTerns Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 283 (013-553) 31 986 52 ring-billed gull 4 3 004 (000-008) 31 14 01 Group Total 281 7 287 (017-557) 61 52
Gamebirds ring-necked pheasant 148 134 151 (128-174) 745 967 28 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 20 01 gray partridge 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 13 00 Group Total 153 138 156 (132-180) 755 28
PigeonsDoves rock pigeon 40 6 041 (009-073) 61 513 07 mourning dove 38 25 039 (019-059) 184 487 07 Group Total 78 31 080 (041-119) 224 15
Waterbirds killdeer 28 22 029 (017-041) 214 538 05 upland sandpiper 8 8 008 (003-013) 71 154 01 common snipe 8 8 008 (002-014) 61 154 01 Wilsons snipe 4 4 004 (000-008) 31 77 01 American coot 4 1 004 (000-011) 10 77 01 Group Total 52 43 053 (037-069) 357 10
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Raptors
red-tailed hawk 16 12 016 (008-024) 122 444 03 northern harrier 16 14 016 (009-023) 143 444 03 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 peregrine falcon 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 great horned owl 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 American kestrel 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 Group Total 36 30 037 (025-049) 276 07
Woodpeckers northern flicker 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 1000 00 Group Total 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 00 Grand Total 5376 735 5486 (3771-7200)
1 A ranking of 1 indicates highest mean use
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Canada goose 1408 24 210 80 523 140 210 135 110 sandhill crane 1080 18 94 18 621 15 187 145 0 unidentified sparrow 652 7 0 0 0 0 330 210 112 red-winged blackbird 548 52 0 84 49 386 14 11 4 Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 107 0 100 70 0 0 0 snow goose 184 2 0 180 4 0 0 0 0 horned lark 173 83 23 24 17 12 19 32 46 American crow 159 22 6 4 13 11 1 123 1 ring-necked pheasant 148 134 21 14 21 18 25 22 27 common grackle 91 33 6 35 7 2 8 33 0 western meadowlark 80 62 8 10 17 3 11 19 12 European starling 80 1 0 0 0 80 0 0 0 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 0 63 17 0 0 0 0 barn swallow 44 21 3 12 6 10 7 1 5 rock pigeon 40 6 0 14 0 0 0 23 3 mourning dove 38 25 4 17 1 1 1 11 3 bobolink 36 28 10 0 14 8 0 0 4 killdeer 28 22 3 3 4 5 10 0 3 American goldfinch 26 23 4 9 3 3 4 2 1 vesper sparrow 23 21 1 7 1 2 9 1 2 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 2 4 2 0 6 4 1 American robin 19 19 1 13 0 1 3 0 1 red-tailed hawk 16 12 4 0 4 5 0 1 2 northern harrier 16 14 3 1 4 4 2 0 2 house sparrow 15 5 2 13 0 0 0 0 0 mallard 12 6 0 0 6 6 0 0 0 upland sandpiper 8 8 0 0 1 0 3 2 2 common snipe 8 8 0 2 6 0 0 0 0 American tree sparrow 8 2 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 song sparrow 5 5 1 1 1 0 2 0 0 savannah sparrow 5 5 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 dickcissel 5 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 Wilsons snipe 4 4 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 ring-billed gull 4 3 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 American coot 4 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 western kingbird 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 pine siskin 3 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 northern pintail 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
northern flicker 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 gray partridge 2 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 eastern kingbird 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 blue-winged teal 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 American wigeon 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 yellow warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 unidentified warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 redhead 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 peregrine falcon 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 house wren 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 great horned owl 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 American kestrel 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Grand Total 5376 735 526 620 1452 794 859 776 349
Table 4 Summary of avian flight heights1 in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)2 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Birds
Number Percentage
Non-raptors
Raptors
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
1656 372
2023 455
767 173
3 91
13 394
17 515 1 Includes only flying birds with flight height data2These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
Canada goose 654 (435 - 2439) 1437 997 537 457 06 unidentified sparrow 632 (000 - 1339) 665 1000 00 951 49 sandhill crane 368 (083 - 2121) 1102 999 665 335 00 Franklinrsquos gull 283 (013 - 553) 283 1000 00 1000 00 European starling 082 (000 - 216) 082 1000 00 1000 00 American crow 024 (027 - 297) 162 943 00 160 840 red-tailed hawk 013 (008 - 024) 016 938 133 867 00 brown-headed cowbird 008 (029 - 135) 082 125 00 800 200 red-winged blackbird 005 (036 - 1082) 559 261 00 35 965 Wilsons snipe 002 (000 - 008) 004 500 00 1000 00 blue-winged teal 002 (000 - 005) 002 1000 00 1000 00 mallard 002 (004 - 020) 012 500 00 333 667 ring-billed gull 001 (000 - 008) 004 1000 00 250 750 yellow warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 yellow-headed blackbird 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 western meadowlark 000 (065 - 099) 082 338 00 00 1000 western kingbird 000 (000 - 007) 003 1000 00 00 1000 vesper sparrow 000 (013 - 033) 023 130 00 00 1000 upland sandpiper 000 (003 - 013) 008 250 00 00 1000 unidentified warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 Swainsonrsquos hawk 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 sharp-tailed grouse 000 (000 - 007) 003 667 00 00 1000 song sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 snow goose 000 (000 - 490) 188 1000 1000 00 00 savannah sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 rock pigeon 000 (009 - 073) 041 825 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
ring-necked pheasant 000 (128 - 174) 151 07 00 00 1000 redhead 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 pine siskin 000 (000 - 008) 003 1000 00 00 1000 peregrine falcon 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 1000 00 00 northern pintail 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 northern harrier 000 (009 - 023) 016 1000 00 00 1000 northern flicker 000 (000 - 004) 002 500 00 00 1000 mourning dove 000 (019 - 059) 039 684 00 00 1000 killdeer 000 (017 - 041) 029 607 00 00 1000 house wren 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 house sparrow 000 (000 - 030) 015 67 00 00 1000 horned lark 000 (136 - 218) 177 740 00 00 1000 grasshopper sparrow 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 gray partridge 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 great horned owl 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 eastern kingbird 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 dickcissel 000 (000 - 010) 005 00 00 00 00 common snipe 000 (002 - 014) 008 00 00 00 00 common grackle 000 (035 - 151) 093 945 00 00 1000 clay-colored sparrow 000 (010 - 028) 019 158 00 00 1000 bobolink 000 (022 - 052) 037 917 00 00 1000 barn swallow 000 (028 - 062) 045 1000 00 00 1000 American tree sparrow 000 (000 - 018) 008 1000 00 00 1000 American wigeon 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 American robin 000 (011 - 027) 019 421 00 00 1000 American kestrel 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
American goldfinch 000 027 (018 - 036) 923 00 00 1000American coot 000 004 (000 - 011) 00 00 00 001These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 6 Incidental observations of birds during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species
American crow American kestrel American robin Canada goose great horned owl golden eagle gray partridge lesser scaup mallard merlin northern harrier rock pigeon red-tailed hawk red-winged blackbird sandhill crane sharp-tailed grouse wild turkey
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
APPENDICES
22 August 2012
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number of Birds1
Number of
Observations Species
Percentage of Flights
N NE E SE S SW W NW Variable
Canada goose 1398 21 867 00 00 00 02 00 17 114 00
sandhill crane 1079 17 878 52 00 00 00 00 00 70 00
unidentified sparrow 565 5 00 00 00 788 212 00 00 00 00
Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
snow goose 184 2 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
European starling 80 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
American crow 69 11 768 58 58 00 14 43 00 14 43
red-winged blackbird 15 6 533 00 00 200 267 00 00 00 00
red-tailed hawk 14 10 500 143 00 71 00 71 00 71 143
rock pigeon 11 2 00 00 00 00 273 727 00 00 00
northern harrier 9 8 111 00 00 333 00 222 00 111 222
mourning dove 9 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
common grackle 9 6 111 00 00 111 00 222 556 00 00
brown-headed cowbird 8 1 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
horned lark 6 3 833 00 00 167 00 00 00 00 00
ring-billed gull 4 3 250 00 00 00 00 750 00 00 00
Wilsons snipe 2 2 500 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 500
vesper sparrow 2 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
mallard 2 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
blue-winged teal 2 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
peregrine falcon 1 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
killdeer 1 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
Grand Total 3747 108 722 17 04 121 36 05 30 64 02 1 Includes only flying birds with flight directions
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Nest Number Species Substrate
Nest ConditionStatusDates
Surveyed Nest
Height (m) 2012 - 1 452012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good
5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 4 592012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good 5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 5 5192012 Swainsonrsquos hawk Active Siberian Elm 7 Good
NA means not applicable
Wenck Associates Inc 301 1
st St NE Suite 202
Mandan ND 58554
Phone 701-751-3370 Email jaskimwenckcom
May 7 2012
Tracey M Dubuque PE Senior Project Manager
Tetra Tech EC
160 Federal Street Third Floor
Boston MA 02110
Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Dear Tracey
Introduction
Male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) congregate at historicalcommunal leks in the spring
to compete for breeding opportunities Both sexes return to their natal breeding grounds yearly for their
entire life Leks are typically found in areas with low-growing vegetation on a hill knoll or other point of
high visibility Fidelity to these locations is extremely high for sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse
require nesting habitat within close proximity the lek comprised of dense or residual vegetative cover to
conceal and protect their nest from predators (Vodehnal and Haufler 2007)
Disturbance of nesting prairie grouse may occur from the construction of the turbine andor access road
construction noise and physical movement of equipment Loss of habitat and fragmentation related to
energy exploration may affect local prairie grouse populations by decreasing the area of habitat available
for nesting and brood-rearing and by increasing predation (Pittman et al 2005) Therefore federal and
state wildlife agencies are concerned about the placement of turbines in areas with known prairie grouse
populations Turbine setbacks from leks and minimizing grouse habitat disturbance may reduce the direct
and indirect effects of energy development on grouse
Methods
Sharp-tailed grouse surveys were completed from April 10th to May 1
st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise
to two hours after sunrise within the one-mile analysis area (Figure 1) Peak attendance by females on leks
typically occurs from April 15 to 25 but these dates vary by up to a week depending on weather conditions
(Schroeder and Robb 1993) Peak attendance potentially occurred earlier this year due to the early spring
A habitat assessment analysis was conducted prior to the field survey to determine suitable lekkingnesting
habitat within the analysis area (Figure 2) Listening stops were made within a one-mile analysis area
surrounding the proposed project area to identify lek locations (Figure 3) Sharp-tailed grouse males may
be heard at a distance of up to 050 mile Listening stops were not conducted if winds exceeded 10 miles
per hour (mph) or during precipitation events After a lek was located the birds were observed and the
number of males and females were counted Lek locations were documented using Global Positioning
System (GPS) Given the sensitive nature of this species and the fact that females may be nesting near the
lek disturbance to breeding prairie grouse was kept to a minimum
Results
Nine (9) sharp-tailed grouse leks were located during the surveys conducted from April 10th to May 1
st
2012 (Figure 4) Date time sex number of birds present wind conditions air temperature and GPS
coordinates were recorded once a lek was located (Tables 1 and 2) Two of the leks observed were
located outside of the analysis area Due to Lek 1rsquos close proximity to Lek 4 Lek 1 shouldbe classified
as a satellite lek No visual confirmation of Lek 6 was made due to access and topography
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Table 1 Spring 2012 point count survey dates at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Date(s)Survey number
1 316 2 321 3 326 4 44 5 410 6 420 7 427 8 53 9 512 10 519 11 526 12 62 13 69 14 615
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Songbirds
unidentified sparrow 652 7 665 (000-1339) 41 313 121 red-winged blackbird 548 52 559 (036-1082) 378 263 102 horned lark 173 83 177 (136-218) 612 83 32 American crow 159 22 162 (027-297) 204 76 30 common grackle 91 33 093 (035-151) 245 44 17 western meadowlark 80 62 082 (065-099) 480 38 15 European starling 80 1 082 (000-216) 10 38 15 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 082 (029-135) 82 38 15 barn swallow 44 21 045 (028-062) 204 21 08 bobolink 36 28 037 (022-052) 194 17 07 American goldfinch 26 23 027 (018-036) 214 12 05 vesper sparrow 23 21 023 (013-033) 184 11 04 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 019 (010-028) 143 09 04 American robin 19 19 019 (011-027) 143 09 04 house sparrow 15 5 015 (000-030) 51 07 03 American tree sparrow 8 2 008 (000-018) 20 04 01 song sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 savannah sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 dickcissel 5 4 005 (000-010) 31 02 01 western kingbird 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 01 01 pine siskin 3 1 003 (000-008) 10 01 01 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 eastern kingbird 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 yellow warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 unidentified warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 house wren 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 Group Total 2083 430 2126 (1259-2993) 949 387
Waterfowl
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations
Canada goose 1408 24 1437 (435-2439) 133 874 262 snow goose 184 2 188 (000-490) 20 114 34 mallard 12 6 012 (004-020) 61 07 02 northern pintail 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 blue-winged teal 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 American wigeon 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 redhead 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 01 00 Group Total 1611 36 1644 (561-2727) 184 300
CranesRails sandhill crane 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 1000 201 Group Total 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 201
GullsTerns Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 283 (013-553) 31 986 52 ring-billed gull 4 3 004 (000-008) 31 14 01 Group Total 281 7 287 (017-557) 61 52
Gamebirds ring-necked pheasant 148 134 151 (128-174) 745 967 28 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 20 01 gray partridge 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 13 00 Group Total 153 138 156 (132-180) 755 28
PigeonsDoves rock pigeon 40 6 041 (009-073) 61 513 07 mourning dove 38 25 039 (019-059) 184 487 07 Group Total 78 31 080 (041-119) 224 15
Waterbirds killdeer 28 22 029 (017-041) 214 538 05 upland sandpiper 8 8 008 (003-013) 71 154 01 common snipe 8 8 008 (002-014) 61 154 01 Wilsons snipe 4 4 004 (000-008) 31 77 01 American coot 4 1 004 (000-011) 10 77 01 Group Total 52 43 053 (037-069) 357 10
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Raptors
red-tailed hawk 16 12 016 (008-024) 122 444 03 northern harrier 16 14 016 (009-023) 143 444 03 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 peregrine falcon 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 great horned owl 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 American kestrel 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 Group Total 36 30 037 (025-049) 276 07
Woodpeckers northern flicker 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 1000 00 Group Total 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 00 Grand Total 5376 735 5486 (3771-7200)
1 A ranking of 1 indicates highest mean use
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Canada goose 1408 24 210 80 523 140 210 135 110 sandhill crane 1080 18 94 18 621 15 187 145 0 unidentified sparrow 652 7 0 0 0 0 330 210 112 red-winged blackbird 548 52 0 84 49 386 14 11 4 Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 107 0 100 70 0 0 0 snow goose 184 2 0 180 4 0 0 0 0 horned lark 173 83 23 24 17 12 19 32 46 American crow 159 22 6 4 13 11 1 123 1 ring-necked pheasant 148 134 21 14 21 18 25 22 27 common grackle 91 33 6 35 7 2 8 33 0 western meadowlark 80 62 8 10 17 3 11 19 12 European starling 80 1 0 0 0 80 0 0 0 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 0 63 17 0 0 0 0 barn swallow 44 21 3 12 6 10 7 1 5 rock pigeon 40 6 0 14 0 0 0 23 3 mourning dove 38 25 4 17 1 1 1 11 3 bobolink 36 28 10 0 14 8 0 0 4 killdeer 28 22 3 3 4 5 10 0 3 American goldfinch 26 23 4 9 3 3 4 2 1 vesper sparrow 23 21 1 7 1 2 9 1 2 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 2 4 2 0 6 4 1 American robin 19 19 1 13 0 1 3 0 1 red-tailed hawk 16 12 4 0 4 5 0 1 2 northern harrier 16 14 3 1 4 4 2 0 2 house sparrow 15 5 2 13 0 0 0 0 0 mallard 12 6 0 0 6 6 0 0 0 upland sandpiper 8 8 0 0 1 0 3 2 2 common snipe 8 8 0 2 6 0 0 0 0 American tree sparrow 8 2 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 song sparrow 5 5 1 1 1 0 2 0 0 savannah sparrow 5 5 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 dickcissel 5 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 Wilsons snipe 4 4 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 ring-billed gull 4 3 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 American coot 4 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 western kingbird 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 pine siskin 3 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 northern pintail 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
northern flicker 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 gray partridge 2 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 eastern kingbird 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 blue-winged teal 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 American wigeon 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 yellow warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 unidentified warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 redhead 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 peregrine falcon 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 house wren 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 great horned owl 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 American kestrel 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Grand Total 5376 735 526 620 1452 794 859 776 349
Table 4 Summary of avian flight heights1 in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)2 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Birds
Number Percentage
Non-raptors
Raptors
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
1656 372
2023 455
767 173
3 91
13 394
17 515 1 Includes only flying birds with flight height data2These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
Canada goose 654 (435 - 2439) 1437 997 537 457 06 unidentified sparrow 632 (000 - 1339) 665 1000 00 951 49 sandhill crane 368 (083 - 2121) 1102 999 665 335 00 Franklinrsquos gull 283 (013 - 553) 283 1000 00 1000 00 European starling 082 (000 - 216) 082 1000 00 1000 00 American crow 024 (027 - 297) 162 943 00 160 840 red-tailed hawk 013 (008 - 024) 016 938 133 867 00 brown-headed cowbird 008 (029 - 135) 082 125 00 800 200 red-winged blackbird 005 (036 - 1082) 559 261 00 35 965 Wilsons snipe 002 (000 - 008) 004 500 00 1000 00 blue-winged teal 002 (000 - 005) 002 1000 00 1000 00 mallard 002 (004 - 020) 012 500 00 333 667 ring-billed gull 001 (000 - 008) 004 1000 00 250 750 yellow warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 yellow-headed blackbird 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 western meadowlark 000 (065 - 099) 082 338 00 00 1000 western kingbird 000 (000 - 007) 003 1000 00 00 1000 vesper sparrow 000 (013 - 033) 023 130 00 00 1000 upland sandpiper 000 (003 - 013) 008 250 00 00 1000 unidentified warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 Swainsonrsquos hawk 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 sharp-tailed grouse 000 (000 - 007) 003 667 00 00 1000 song sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 snow goose 000 (000 - 490) 188 1000 1000 00 00 savannah sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 rock pigeon 000 (009 - 073) 041 825 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
ring-necked pheasant 000 (128 - 174) 151 07 00 00 1000 redhead 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 pine siskin 000 (000 - 008) 003 1000 00 00 1000 peregrine falcon 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 1000 00 00 northern pintail 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 northern harrier 000 (009 - 023) 016 1000 00 00 1000 northern flicker 000 (000 - 004) 002 500 00 00 1000 mourning dove 000 (019 - 059) 039 684 00 00 1000 killdeer 000 (017 - 041) 029 607 00 00 1000 house wren 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 house sparrow 000 (000 - 030) 015 67 00 00 1000 horned lark 000 (136 - 218) 177 740 00 00 1000 grasshopper sparrow 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 gray partridge 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 great horned owl 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 eastern kingbird 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 dickcissel 000 (000 - 010) 005 00 00 00 00 common snipe 000 (002 - 014) 008 00 00 00 00 common grackle 000 (035 - 151) 093 945 00 00 1000 clay-colored sparrow 000 (010 - 028) 019 158 00 00 1000 bobolink 000 (022 - 052) 037 917 00 00 1000 barn swallow 000 (028 - 062) 045 1000 00 00 1000 American tree sparrow 000 (000 - 018) 008 1000 00 00 1000 American wigeon 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 American robin 000 (011 - 027) 019 421 00 00 1000 American kestrel 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
American goldfinch 000 027 (018 - 036) 923 00 00 1000American coot 000 004 (000 - 011) 00 00 00 001These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 6 Incidental observations of birds during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species
American crow American kestrel American robin Canada goose great horned owl golden eagle gray partridge lesser scaup mallard merlin northern harrier rock pigeon red-tailed hawk red-winged blackbird sandhill crane sharp-tailed grouse wild turkey
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
APPENDICES
22 August 2012
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number of Birds1
Number of
Observations Species
Percentage of Flights
N NE E SE S SW W NW Variable
Canada goose 1398 21 867 00 00 00 02 00 17 114 00
sandhill crane 1079 17 878 52 00 00 00 00 00 70 00
unidentified sparrow 565 5 00 00 00 788 212 00 00 00 00
Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
snow goose 184 2 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
European starling 80 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
American crow 69 11 768 58 58 00 14 43 00 14 43
red-winged blackbird 15 6 533 00 00 200 267 00 00 00 00
red-tailed hawk 14 10 500 143 00 71 00 71 00 71 143
rock pigeon 11 2 00 00 00 00 273 727 00 00 00
northern harrier 9 8 111 00 00 333 00 222 00 111 222
mourning dove 9 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
common grackle 9 6 111 00 00 111 00 222 556 00 00
brown-headed cowbird 8 1 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
horned lark 6 3 833 00 00 167 00 00 00 00 00
ring-billed gull 4 3 250 00 00 00 00 750 00 00 00
Wilsons snipe 2 2 500 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 500
vesper sparrow 2 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
mallard 2 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
blue-winged teal 2 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
peregrine falcon 1 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
killdeer 1 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
Grand Total 3747 108 722 17 04 121 36 05 30 64 02 1 Includes only flying birds with flight directions
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Nest Number Species Substrate
Nest ConditionStatusDates
Surveyed Nest
Height (m) 2012 - 1 452012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good
5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 4 592012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good 5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 5 5192012 Swainsonrsquos hawk Active Siberian Elm 7 Good
NA means not applicable
Wenck Associates Inc 301 1
st St NE Suite 202
Mandan ND 58554
Phone 701-751-3370 Email jaskimwenckcom
May 7 2012
Tracey M Dubuque PE Senior Project Manager
Tetra Tech EC
160 Federal Street Third Floor
Boston MA 02110
Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Dear Tracey
Introduction
Male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) congregate at historicalcommunal leks in the spring
to compete for breeding opportunities Both sexes return to their natal breeding grounds yearly for their
entire life Leks are typically found in areas with low-growing vegetation on a hill knoll or other point of
high visibility Fidelity to these locations is extremely high for sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse
require nesting habitat within close proximity the lek comprised of dense or residual vegetative cover to
conceal and protect their nest from predators (Vodehnal and Haufler 2007)
Disturbance of nesting prairie grouse may occur from the construction of the turbine andor access road
construction noise and physical movement of equipment Loss of habitat and fragmentation related to
energy exploration may affect local prairie grouse populations by decreasing the area of habitat available
for nesting and brood-rearing and by increasing predation (Pittman et al 2005) Therefore federal and
state wildlife agencies are concerned about the placement of turbines in areas with known prairie grouse
populations Turbine setbacks from leks and minimizing grouse habitat disturbance may reduce the direct
and indirect effects of energy development on grouse
Methods
Sharp-tailed grouse surveys were completed from April 10th to May 1
st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise
to two hours after sunrise within the one-mile analysis area (Figure 1) Peak attendance by females on leks
typically occurs from April 15 to 25 but these dates vary by up to a week depending on weather conditions
(Schroeder and Robb 1993) Peak attendance potentially occurred earlier this year due to the early spring
A habitat assessment analysis was conducted prior to the field survey to determine suitable lekkingnesting
habitat within the analysis area (Figure 2) Listening stops were made within a one-mile analysis area
surrounding the proposed project area to identify lek locations (Figure 3) Sharp-tailed grouse males may
be heard at a distance of up to 050 mile Listening stops were not conducted if winds exceeded 10 miles
per hour (mph) or during precipitation events After a lek was located the birds were observed and the
number of males and females were counted Lek locations were documented using Global Positioning
System (GPS) Given the sensitive nature of this species and the fact that females may be nesting near the
lek disturbance to breeding prairie grouse was kept to a minimum
Results
Nine (9) sharp-tailed grouse leks were located during the surveys conducted from April 10th to May 1
st
2012 (Figure 4) Date time sex number of birds present wind conditions air temperature and GPS
coordinates were recorded once a lek was located (Tables 1 and 2) Two of the leks observed were
located outside of the analysis area Due to Lek 1rsquos close proximity to Lek 4 Lek 1 shouldbe classified
as a satellite lek No visual confirmation of Lek 6 was made due to access and topography
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Songbirds
unidentified sparrow 652 7 665 (000-1339) 41 313 121 red-winged blackbird 548 52 559 (036-1082) 378 263 102 horned lark 173 83 177 (136-218) 612 83 32 American crow 159 22 162 (027-297) 204 76 30 common grackle 91 33 093 (035-151) 245 44 17 western meadowlark 80 62 082 (065-099) 480 38 15 European starling 80 1 082 (000-216) 10 38 15 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 082 (029-135) 82 38 15 barn swallow 44 21 045 (028-062) 204 21 08 bobolink 36 28 037 (022-052) 194 17 07 American goldfinch 26 23 027 (018-036) 214 12 05 vesper sparrow 23 21 023 (013-033) 184 11 04 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 019 (010-028) 143 09 04 American robin 19 19 019 (011-027) 143 09 04 house sparrow 15 5 015 (000-030) 51 07 03 American tree sparrow 8 2 008 (000-018) 20 04 01 song sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 savannah sparrow 5 5 005 (001-009) 51 02 01 dickcissel 5 4 005 (000-010) 31 02 01 western kingbird 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 01 01 pine siskin 3 1 003 (000-008) 10 01 01 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 01 00 eastern kingbird 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 yellow warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 unidentified warbler 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 house wren 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 00 00 Group Total 2083 430 2126 (1259-2993) 949 387
Waterfowl
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations
Canada goose 1408 24 1437 (435-2439) 133 874 262 snow goose 184 2 188 (000-490) 20 114 34 mallard 12 6 012 (004-020) 61 07 02 northern pintail 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 blue-winged teal 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 American wigeon 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 redhead 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 01 00 Group Total 1611 36 1644 (561-2727) 184 300
CranesRails sandhill crane 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 1000 201 Group Total 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 201
GullsTerns Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 283 (013-553) 31 986 52 ring-billed gull 4 3 004 (000-008) 31 14 01 Group Total 281 7 287 (017-557) 61 52
Gamebirds ring-necked pheasant 148 134 151 (128-174) 745 967 28 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 20 01 gray partridge 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 13 00 Group Total 153 138 156 (132-180) 755 28
PigeonsDoves rock pigeon 40 6 041 (009-073) 61 513 07 mourning dove 38 25 039 (019-059) 184 487 07 Group Total 78 31 080 (041-119) 224 15
Waterbirds killdeer 28 22 029 (017-041) 214 538 05 upland sandpiper 8 8 008 (003-013) 71 154 01 common snipe 8 8 008 (002-014) 61 154 01 Wilsons snipe 4 4 004 (000-008) 31 77 01 American coot 4 1 004 (000-011) 10 77 01 Group Total 52 43 053 (037-069) 357 10
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Raptors
red-tailed hawk 16 12 016 (008-024) 122 444 03 northern harrier 16 14 016 (009-023) 143 444 03 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 peregrine falcon 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 great horned owl 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 American kestrel 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 Group Total 36 30 037 (025-049) 276 07
Woodpeckers northern flicker 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 1000 00 Group Total 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 00 Grand Total 5376 735 5486 (3771-7200)
1 A ranking of 1 indicates highest mean use
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Canada goose 1408 24 210 80 523 140 210 135 110 sandhill crane 1080 18 94 18 621 15 187 145 0 unidentified sparrow 652 7 0 0 0 0 330 210 112 red-winged blackbird 548 52 0 84 49 386 14 11 4 Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 107 0 100 70 0 0 0 snow goose 184 2 0 180 4 0 0 0 0 horned lark 173 83 23 24 17 12 19 32 46 American crow 159 22 6 4 13 11 1 123 1 ring-necked pheasant 148 134 21 14 21 18 25 22 27 common grackle 91 33 6 35 7 2 8 33 0 western meadowlark 80 62 8 10 17 3 11 19 12 European starling 80 1 0 0 0 80 0 0 0 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 0 63 17 0 0 0 0 barn swallow 44 21 3 12 6 10 7 1 5 rock pigeon 40 6 0 14 0 0 0 23 3 mourning dove 38 25 4 17 1 1 1 11 3 bobolink 36 28 10 0 14 8 0 0 4 killdeer 28 22 3 3 4 5 10 0 3 American goldfinch 26 23 4 9 3 3 4 2 1 vesper sparrow 23 21 1 7 1 2 9 1 2 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 2 4 2 0 6 4 1 American robin 19 19 1 13 0 1 3 0 1 red-tailed hawk 16 12 4 0 4 5 0 1 2 northern harrier 16 14 3 1 4 4 2 0 2 house sparrow 15 5 2 13 0 0 0 0 0 mallard 12 6 0 0 6 6 0 0 0 upland sandpiper 8 8 0 0 1 0 3 2 2 common snipe 8 8 0 2 6 0 0 0 0 American tree sparrow 8 2 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 song sparrow 5 5 1 1 1 0 2 0 0 savannah sparrow 5 5 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 dickcissel 5 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 Wilsons snipe 4 4 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 ring-billed gull 4 3 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 American coot 4 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 western kingbird 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 pine siskin 3 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 northern pintail 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
northern flicker 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 gray partridge 2 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 eastern kingbird 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 blue-winged teal 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 American wigeon 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 yellow warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 unidentified warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 redhead 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 peregrine falcon 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 house wren 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 great horned owl 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 American kestrel 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Grand Total 5376 735 526 620 1452 794 859 776 349
Table 4 Summary of avian flight heights1 in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)2 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Birds
Number Percentage
Non-raptors
Raptors
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
1656 372
2023 455
767 173
3 91
13 394
17 515 1 Includes only flying birds with flight height data2These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
Canada goose 654 (435 - 2439) 1437 997 537 457 06 unidentified sparrow 632 (000 - 1339) 665 1000 00 951 49 sandhill crane 368 (083 - 2121) 1102 999 665 335 00 Franklinrsquos gull 283 (013 - 553) 283 1000 00 1000 00 European starling 082 (000 - 216) 082 1000 00 1000 00 American crow 024 (027 - 297) 162 943 00 160 840 red-tailed hawk 013 (008 - 024) 016 938 133 867 00 brown-headed cowbird 008 (029 - 135) 082 125 00 800 200 red-winged blackbird 005 (036 - 1082) 559 261 00 35 965 Wilsons snipe 002 (000 - 008) 004 500 00 1000 00 blue-winged teal 002 (000 - 005) 002 1000 00 1000 00 mallard 002 (004 - 020) 012 500 00 333 667 ring-billed gull 001 (000 - 008) 004 1000 00 250 750 yellow warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 yellow-headed blackbird 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 western meadowlark 000 (065 - 099) 082 338 00 00 1000 western kingbird 000 (000 - 007) 003 1000 00 00 1000 vesper sparrow 000 (013 - 033) 023 130 00 00 1000 upland sandpiper 000 (003 - 013) 008 250 00 00 1000 unidentified warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 Swainsonrsquos hawk 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 sharp-tailed grouse 000 (000 - 007) 003 667 00 00 1000 song sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 snow goose 000 (000 - 490) 188 1000 1000 00 00 savannah sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 rock pigeon 000 (009 - 073) 041 825 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
ring-necked pheasant 000 (128 - 174) 151 07 00 00 1000 redhead 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 pine siskin 000 (000 - 008) 003 1000 00 00 1000 peregrine falcon 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 1000 00 00 northern pintail 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 northern harrier 000 (009 - 023) 016 1000 00 00 1000 northern flicker 000 (000 - 004) 002 500 00 00 1000 mourning dove 000 (019 - 059) 039 684 00 00 1000 killdeer 000 (017 - 041) 029 607 00 00 1000 house wren 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 house sparrow 000 (000 - 030) 015 67 00 00 1000 horned lark 000 (136 - 218) 177 740 00 00 1000 grasshopper sparrow 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 gray partridge 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 great horned owl 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 eastern kingbird 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 dickcissel 000 (000 - 010) 005 00 00 00 00 common snipe 000 (002 - 014) 008 00 00 00 00 common grackle 000 (035 - 151) 093 945 00 00 1000 clay-colored sparrow 000 (010 - 028) 019 158 00 00 1000 bobolink 000 (022 - 052) 037 917 00 00 1000 barn swallow 000 (028 - 062) 045 1000 00 00 1000 American tree sparrow 000 (000 - 018) 008 1000 00 00 1000 American wigeon 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 American robin 000 (011 - 027) 019 421 00 00 1000 American kestrel 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
American goldfinch 000 027 (018 - 036) 923 00 00 1000American coot 000 004 (000 - 011) 00 00 00 001These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 6 Incidental observations of birds during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species
American crow American kestrel American robin Canada goose great horned owl golden eagle gray partridge lesser scaup mallard merlin northern harrier rock pigeon red-tailed hawk red-winged blackbird sandhill crane sharp-tailed grouse wild turkey
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
APPENDICES
22 August 2012
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number of Birds1
Number of
Observations Species
Percentage of Flights
N NE E SE S SW W NW Variable
Canada goose 1398 21 867 00 00 00 02 00 17 114 00
sandhill crane 1079 17 878 52 00 00 00 00 00 70 00
unidentified sparrow 565 5 00 00 00 788 212 00 00 00 00
Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
snow goose 184 2 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
European starling 80 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
American crow 69 11 768 58 58 00 14 43 00 14 43
red-winged blackbird 15 6 533 00 00 200 267 00 00 00 00
red-tailed hawk 14 10 500 143 00 71 00 71 00 71 143
rock pigeon 11 2 00 00 00 00 273 727 00 00 00
northern harrier 9 8 111 00 00 333 00 222 00 111 222
mourning dove 9 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
common grackle 9 6 111 00 00 111 00 222 556 00 00
brown-headed cowbird 8 1 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
horned lark 6 3 833 00 00 167 00 00 00 00 00
ring-billed gull 4 3 250 00 00 00 00 750 00 00 00
Wilsons snipe 2 2 500 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 500
vesper sparrow 2 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
mallard 2 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
blue-winged teal 2 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
peregrine falcon 1 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
killdeer 1 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
Grand Total 3747 108 722 17 04 121 36 05 30 64 02 1 Includes only flying birds with flight directions
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Nest Number Species Substrate
Nest ConditionStatusDates
Surveyed Nest
Height (m) 2012 - 1 452012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good
5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 4 592012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good 5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 5 5192012 Swainsonrsquos hawk Active Siberian Elm 7 Good
NA means not applicable
Wenck Associates Inc 301 1
st St NE Suite 202
Mandan ND 58554
Phone 701-751-3370 Email jaskimwenckcom
May 7 2012
Tracey M Dubuque PE Senior Project Manager
Tetra Tech EC
160 Federal Street Third Floor
Boston MA 02110
Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Dear Tracey
Introduction
Male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) congregate at historicalcommunal leks in the spring
to compete for breeding opportunities Both sexes return to their natal breeding grounds yearly for their
entire life Leks are typically found in areas with low-growing vegetation on a hill knoll or other point of
high visibility Fidelity to these locations is extremely high for sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse
require nesting habitat within close proximity the lek comprised of dense or residual vegetative cover to
conceal and protect their nest from predators (Vodehnal and Haufler 2007)
Disturbance of nesting prairie grouse may occur from the construction of the turbine andor access road
construction noise and physical movement of equipment Loss of habitat and fragmentation related to
energy exploration may affect local prairie grouse populations by decreasing the area of habitat available
for nesting and brood-rearing and by increasing predation (Pittman et al 2005) Therefore federal and
state wildlife agencies are concerned about the placement of turbines in areas with known prairie grouse
populations Turbine setbacks from leks and minimizing grouse habitat disturbance may reduce the direct
and indirect effects of energy development on grouse
Methods
Sharp-tailed grouse surveys were completed from April 10th to May 1
st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise
to two hours after sunrise within the one-mile analysis area (Figure 1) Peak attendance by females on leks
typically occurs from April 15 to 25 but these dates vary by up to a week depending on weather conditions
(Schroeder and Robb 1993) Peak attendance potentially occurred earlier this year due to the early spring
A habitat assessment analysis was conducted prior to the field survey to determine suitable lekkingnesting
habitat within the analysis area (Figure 2) Listening stops were made within a one-mile analysis area
surrounding the proposed project area to identify lek locations (Figure 3) Sharp-tailed grouse males may
be heard at a distance of up to 050 mile Listening stops were not conducted if winds exceeded 10 miles
per hour (mph) or during precipitation events After a lek was located the birds were observed and the
number of males and females were counted Lek locations were documented using Global Positioning
System (GPS) Given the sensitive nature of this species and the fact that females may be nesting near the
lek disturbance to breeding prairie grouse was kept to a minimum
Results
Nine (9) sharp-tailed grouse leks were located during the surveys conducted from April 10th to May 1
st
2012 (Figure 4) Date time sex number of birds present wind conditions air temperature and GPS
coordinates were recorded once a lek was located (Tables 1 and 2) Two of the leks observed were
located outside of the analysis area Due to Lek 1rsquos close proximity to Lek 4 Lek 1 shouldbe classified
as a satellite lek No visual confirmation of Lek 6 was made due to access and topography
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations
Canada goose 1408 24 1437 (435-2439) 133 874 262 snow goose 184 2 188 (000-490) 20 114 34 mallard 12 6 012 (004-020) 61 07 02 northern pintail 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 blue-winged teal 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 American wigeon 2 1 002 (000-005) 10 01 00 redhead 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 01 00 Group Total 1611 36 1644 (561-2727) 184 300
CranesRails sandhill crane 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 1000 201 Group Total 1080 18 1102 (083-2121) 122 201
GullsTerns Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 283 (013-553) 31 986 52 ring-billed gull 4 3 004 (000-008) 31 14 01 Group Total 281 7 287 (017-557) 61 52
Gamebirds ring-necked pheasant 148 134 151 (128-174) 745 967 28 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 003 (000-007) 20 20 01 gray partridge 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 13 00 Group Total 153 138 156 (132-180) 755 28
PigeonsDoves rock pigeon 40 6 041 (009-073) 61 513 07 mourning dove 38 25 039 (019-059) 184 487 07 Group Total 78 31 080 (041-119) 224 15
Waterbirds killdeer 28 22 029 (017-041) 214 538 05 upland sandpiper 8 8 008 (003-013) 71 154 01 common snipe 8 8 008 (002-014) 61 154 01 Wilsons snipe 4 4 004 (000-008) 31 77 01 American coot 4 1 004 (000-011) 10 77 01 Group Total 52 43 053 (037-069) 357 10
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Raptors
red-tailed hawk 16 12 016 (008-024) 122 444 03 northern harrier 16 14 016 (009-023) 143 444 03 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 peregrine falcon 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 great horned owl 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 American kestrel 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 Group Total 36 30 037 (025-049) 276 07
Woodpeckers northern flicker 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 1000 00 Group Total 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 00 Grand Total 5376 735 5486 (3771-7200)
1 A ranking of 1 indicates highest mean use
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Canada goose 1408 24 210 80 523 140 210 135 110 sandhill crane 1080 18 94 18 621 15 187 145 0 unidentified sparrow 652 7 0 0 0 0 330 210 112 red-winged blackbird 548 52 0 84 49 386 14 11 4 Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 107 0 100 70 0 0 0 snow goose 184 2 0 180 4 0 0 0 0 horned lark 173 83 23 24 17 12 19 32 46 American crow 159 22 6 4 13 11 1 123 1 ring-necked pheasant 148 134 21 14 21 18 25 22 27 common grackle 91 33 6 35 7 2 8 33 0 western meadowlark 80 62 8 10 17 3 11 19 12 European starling 80 1 0 0 0 80 0 0 0 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 0 63 17 0 0 0 0 barn swallow 44 21 3 12 6 10 7 1 5 rock pigeon 40 6 0 14 0 0 0 23 3 mourning dove 38 25 4 17 1 1 1 11 3 bobolink 36 28 10 0 14 8 0 0 4 killdeer 28 22 3 3 4 5 10 0 3 American goldfinch 26 23 4 9 3 3 4 2 1 vesper sparrow 23 21 1 7 1 2 9 1 2 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 2 4 2 0 6 4 1 American robin 19 19 1 13 0 1 3 0 1 red-tailed hawk 16 12 4 0 4 5 0 1 2 northern harrier 16 14 3 1 4 4 2 0 2 house sparrow 15 5 2 13 0 0 0 0 0 mallard 12 6 0 0 6 6 0 0 0 upland sandpiper 8 8 0 0 1 0 3 2 2 common snipe 8 8 0 2 6 0 0 0 0 American tree sparrow 8 2 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 song sparrow 5 5 1 1 1 0 2 0 0 savannah sparrow 5 5 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 dickcissel 5 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 Wilsons snipe 4 4 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 ring-billed gull 4 3 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 American coot 4 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 western kingbird 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 pine siskin 3 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 northern pintail 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
northern flicker 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 gray partridge 2 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 eastern kingbird 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 blue-winged teal 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 American wigeon 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 yellow warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 unidentified warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 redhead 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 peregrine falcon 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 house wren 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 great horned owl 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 American kestrel 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Grand Total 5376 735 526 620 1452 794 859 776 349
Table 4 Summary of avian flight heights1 in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)2 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Birds
Number Percentage
Non-raptors
Raptors
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
1656 372
2023 455
767 173
3 91
13 394
17 515 1 Includes only flying birds with flight height data2These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
Canada goose 654 (435 - 2439) 1437 997 537 457 06 unidentified sparrow 632 (000 - 1339) 665 1000 00 951 49 sandhill crane 368 (083 - 2121) 1102 999 665 335 00 Franklinrsquos gull 283 (013 - 553) 283 1000 00 1000 00 European starling 082 (000 - 216) 082 1000 00 1000 00 American crow 024 (027 - 297) 162 943 00 160 840 red-tailed hawk 013 (008 - 024) 016 938 133 867 00 brown-headed cowbird 008 (029 - 135) 082 125 00 800 200 red-winged blackbird 005 (036 - 1082) 559 261 00 35 965 Wilsons snipe 002 (000 - 008) 004 500 00 1000 00 blue-winged teal 002 (000 - 005) 002 1000 00 1000 00 mallard 002 (004 - 020) 012 500 00 333 667 ring-billed gull 001 (000 - 008) 004 1000 00 250 750 yellow warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 yellow-headed blackbird 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 western meadowlark 000 (065 - 099) 082 338 00 00 1000 western kingbird 000 (000 - 007) 003 1000 00 00 1000 vesper sparrow 000 (013 - 033) 023 130 00 00 1000 upland sandpiper 000 (003 - 013) 008 250 00 00 1000 unidentified warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 Swainsonrsquos hawk 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 sharp-tailed grouse 000 (000 - 007) 003 667 00 00 1000 song sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 snow goose 000 (000 - 490) 188 1000 1000 00 00 savannah sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 rock pigeon 000 (009 - 073) 041 825 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
ring-necked pheasant 000 (128 - 174) 151 07 00 00 1000 redhead 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 pine siskin 000 (000 - 008) 003 1000 00 00 1000 peregrine falcon 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 1000 00 00 northern pintail 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 northern harrier 000 (009 - 023) 016 1000 00 00 1000 northern flicker 000 (000 - 004) 002 500 00 00 1000 mourning dove 000 (019 - 059) 039 684 00 00 1000 killdeer 000 (017 - 041) 029 607 00 00 1000 house wren 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 house sparrow 000 (000 - 030) 015 67 00 00 1000 horned lark 000 (136 - 218) 177 740 00 00 1000 grasshopper sparrow 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 gray partridge 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 great horned owl 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 eastern kingbird 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 dickcissel 000 (000 - 010) 005 00 00 00 00 common snipe 000 (002 - 014) 008 00 00 00 00 common grackle 000 (035 - 151) 093 945 00 00 1000 clay-colored sparrow 000 (010 - 028) 019 158 00 00 1000 bobolink 000 (022 - 052) 037 917 00 00 1000 barn swallow 000 (028 - 062) 045 1000 00 00 1000 American tree sparrow 000 (000 - 018) 008 1000 00 00 1000 American wigeon 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 American robin 000 (011 - 027) 019 421 00 00 1000 American kestrel 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
American goldfinch 000 027 (018 - 036) 923 00 00 1000American coot 000 004 (000 - 011) 00 00 00 001These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 6 Incidental observations of birds during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species
American crow American kestrel American robin Canada goose great horned owl golden eagle gray partridge lesser scaup mallard merlin northern harrier rock pigeon red-tailed hawk red-winged blackbird sandhill crane sharp-tailed grouse wild turkey
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
APPENDICES
22 August 2012
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number of Birds1
Number of
Observations Species
Percentage of Flights
N NE E SE S SW W NW Variable
Canada goose 1398 21 867 00 00 00 02 00 17 114 00
sandhill crane 1079 17 878 52 00 00 00 00 00 70 00
unidentified sparrow 565 5 00 00 00 788 212 00 00 00 00
Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
snow goose 184 2 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
European starling 80 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
American crow 69 11 768 58 58 00 14 43 00 14 43
red-winged blackbird 15 6 533 00 00 200 267 00 00 00 00
red-tailed hawk 14 10 500 143 00 71 00 71 00 71 143
rock pigeon 11 2 00 00 00 00 273 727 00 00 00
northern harrier 9 8 111 00 00 333 00 222 00 111 222
mourning dove 9 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
common grackle 9 6 111 00 00 111 00 222 556 00 00
brown-headed cowbird 8 1 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
horned lark 6 3 833 00 00 167 00 00 00 00 00
ring-billed gull 4 3 250 00 00 00 00 750 00 00 00
Wilsons snipe 2 2 500 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 500
vesper sparrow 2 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
mallard 2 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
blue-winged teal 2 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
peregrine falcon 1 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
killdeer 1 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
Grand Total 3747 108 722 17 04 121 36 05 30 64 02 1 Includes only flying birds with flight directions
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Nest Number Species Substrate
Nest ConditionStatusDates
Surveyed Nest
Height (m) 2012 - 1 452012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good
5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 4 592012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good 5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 5 5192012 Swainsonrsquos hawk Active Siberian Elm 7 Good
NA means not applicable
Wenck Associates Inc 301 1
st St NE Suite 202
Mandan ND 58554
Phone 701-751-3370 Email jaskimwenckcom
May 7 2012
Tracey M Dubuque PE Senior Project Manager
Tetra Tech EC
160 Federal Street Third Floor
Boston MA 02110
Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Dear Tracey
Introduction
Male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) congregate at historicalcommunal leks in the spring
to compete for breeding opportunities Both sexes return to their natal breeding grounds yearly for their
entire life Leks are typically found in areas with low-growing vegetation on a hill knoll or other point of
high visibility Fidelity to these locations is extremely high for sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse
require nesting habitat within close proximity the lek comprised of dense or residual vegetative cover to
conceal and protect their nest from predators (Vodehnal and Haufler 2007)
Disturbance of nesting prairie grouse may occur from the construction of the turbine andor access road
construction noise and physical movement of equipment Loss of habitat and fragmentation related to
energy exploration may affect local prairie grouse populations by decreasing the area of habitat available
for nesting and brood-rearing and by increasing predation (Pittman et al 2005) Therefore federal and
state wildlife agencies are concerned about the placement of turbines in areas with known prairie grouse
populations Turbine setbacks from leks and minimizing grouse habitat disturbance may reduce the direct
and indirect effects of energy development on grouse
Methods
Sharp-tailed grouse surveys were completed from April 10th to May 1
st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise
to two hours after sunrise within the one-mile analysis area (Figure 1) Peak attendance by females on leks
typically occurs from April 15 to 25 but these dates vary by up to a week depending on weather conditions
(Schroeder and Robb 1993) Peak attendance potentially occurred earlier this year due to the early spring
A habitat assessment analysis was conducted prior to the field survey to determine suitable lekkingnesting
habitat within the analysis area (Figure 2) Listening stops were made within a one-mile analysis area
surrounding the proposed project area to identify lek locations (Figure 3) Sharp-tailed grouse males may
be heard at a distance of up to 050 mile Listening stops were not conducted if winds exceeded 10 miles
per hour (mph) or during precipitation events After a lek was located the birds were observed and the
number of males and females were counted Lek locations were documented using Global Positioning
System (GPS) Given the sensitive nature of this species and the fact that females may be nesting near the
lek disturbance to breeding prairie grouse was kept to a minimum
Results
Nine (9) sharp-tailed grouse leks were located during the surveys conducted from April 10th to May 1
st
2012 (Figure 4) Date time sex number of birds present wind conditions air temperature and GPS
coordinates were recorded once a lek was located (Tables 1 and 2) Two of the leks observed were
located outside of the analysis area Due to Lek 1rsquos close proximity to Lek 4 Lek 1 shouldbe classified
as a satellite lek No visual confirmation of Lek 6 was made due to access and topography
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Table 2 Avian species by species grouping observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species Grouping Number of Birds
Overall Rank1
Percent Composition
OverallGroup
Mean Use birds per 20 min
(90 confidence interval)
Frequency of surveys detected
Number of
Observations Raptors
red-tailed hawk 16 12 016 (008-024) 122 444 03 northern harrier 16 14 016 (009-023) 143 444 03 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 peregrine falcon 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 great horned owl 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 American kestrel 1 1 001 (000-003) 10 28 00 Group Total 36 30 037 (025-049) 276 07
Woodpeckers northern flicker 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 1000 00 Group Total 2 2 002 (000-004) 20 00 Grand Total 5376 735 5486 (3771-7200)
1 A ranking of 1 indicates highest mean use
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Canada goose 1408 24 210 80 523 140 210 135 110 sandhill crane 1080 18 94 18 621 15 187 145 0 unidentified sparrow 652 7 0 0 0 0 330 210 112 red-winged blackbird 548 52 0 84 49 386 14 11 4 Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 107 0 100 70 0 0 0 snow goose 184 2 0 180 4 0 0 0 0 horned lark 173 83 23 24 17 12 19 32 46 American crow 159 22 6 4 13 11 1 123 1 ring-necked pheasant 148 134 21 14 21 18 25 22 27 common grackle 91 33 6 35 7 2 8 33 0 western meadowlark 80 62 8 10 17 3 11 19 12 European starling 80 1 0 0 0 80 0 0 0 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 0 63 17 0 0 0 0 barn swallow 44 21 3 12 6 10 7 1 5 rock pigeon 40 6 0 14 0 0 0 23 3 mourning dove 38 25 4 17 1 1 1 11 3 bobolink 36 28 10 0 14 8 0 0 4 killdeer 28 22 3 3 4 5 10 0 3 American goldfinch 26 23 4 9 3 3 4 2 1 vesper sparrow 23 21 1 7 1 2 9 1 2 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 2 4 2 0 6 4 1 American robin 19 19 1 13 0 1 3 0 1 red-tailed hawk 16 12 4 0 4 5 0 1 2 northern harrier 16 14 3 1 4 4 2 0 2 house sparrow 15 5 2 13 0 0 0 0 0 mallard 12 6 0 0 6 6 0 0 0 upland sandpiper 8 8 0 0 1 0 3 2 2 common snipe 8 8 0 2 6 0 0 0 0 American tree sparrow 8 2 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 song sparrow 5 5 1 1 1 0 2 0 0 savannah sparrow 5 5 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 dickcissel 5 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 Wilsons snipe 4 4 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 ring-billed gull 4 3 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 American coot 4 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 western kingbird 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 pine siskin 3 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 northern pintail 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
northern flicker 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 gray partridge 2 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 eastern kingbird 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 blue-winged teal 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 American wigeon 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 yellow warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 unidentified warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 redhead 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 peregrine falcon 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 house wren 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 great horned owl 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 American kestrel 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Grand Total 5376 735 526 620 1452 794 859 776 349
Table 4 Summary of avian flight heights1 in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)2 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Birds
Number Percentage
Non-raptors
Raptors
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
1656 372
2023 455
767 173
3 91
13 394
17 515 1 Includes only flying birds with flight height data2These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
Canada goose 654 (435 - 2439) 1437 997 537 457 06 unidentified sparrow 632 (000 - 1339) 665 1000 00 951 49 sandhill crane 368 (083 - 2121) 1102 999 665 335 00 Franklinrsquos gull 283 (013 - 553) 283 1000 00 1000 00 European starling 082 (000 - 216) 082 1000 00 1000 00 American crow 024 (027 - 297) 162 943 00 160 840 red-tailed hawk 013 (008 - 024) 016 938 133 867 00 brown-headed cowbird 008 (029 - 135) 082 125 00 800 200 red-winged blackbird 005 (036 - 1082) 559 261 00 35 965 Wilsons snipe 002 (000 - 008) 004 500 00 1000 00 blue-winged teal 002 (000 - 005) 002 1000 00 1000 00 mallard 002 (004 - 020) 012 500 00 333 667 ring-billed gull 001 (000 - 008) 004 1000 00 250 750 yellow warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 yellow-headed blackbird 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 western meadowlark 000 (065 - 099) 082 338 00 00 1000 western kingbird 000 (000 - 007) 003 1000 00 00 1000 vesper sparrow 000 (013 - 033) 023 130 00 00 1000 upland sandpiper 000 (003 - 013) 008 250 00 00 1000 unidentified warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 Swainsonrsquos hawk 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 sharp-tailed grouse 000 (000 - 007) 003 667 00 00 1000 song sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 snow goose 000 (000 - 490) 188 1000 1000 00 00 savannah sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 rock pigeon 000 (009 - 073) 041 825 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
ring-necked pheasant 000 (128 - 174) 151 07 00 00 1000 redhead 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 pine siskin 000 (000 - 008) 003 1000 00 00 1000 peregrine falcon 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 1000 00 00 northern pintail 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 northern harrier 000 (009 - 023) 016 1000 00 00 1000 northern flicker 000 (000 - 004) 002 500 00 00 1000 mourning dove 000 (019 - 059) 039 684 00 00 1000 killdeer 000 (017 - 041) 029 607 00 00 1000 house wren 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 house sparrow 000 (000 - 030) 015 67 00 00 1000 horned lark 000 (136 - 218) 177 740 00 00 1000 grasshopper sparrow 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 gray partridge 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 great horned owl 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 eastern kingbird 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 dickcissel 000 (000 - 010) 005 00 00 00 00 common snipe 000 (002 - 014) 008 00 00 00 00 common grackle 000 (035 - 151) 093 945 00 00 1000 clay-colored sparrow 000 (010 - 028) 019 158 00 00 1000 bobolink 000 (022 - 052) 037 917 00 00 1000 barn swallow 000 (028 - 062) 045 1000 00 00 1000 American tree sparrow 000 (000 - 018) 008 1000 00 00 1000 American wigeon 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 American robin 000 (011 - 027) 019 421 00 00 1000 American kestrel 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
American goldfinch 000 027 (018 - 036) 923 00 00 1000American coot 000 004 (000 - 011) 00 00 00 001These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 6 Incidental observations of birds during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species
American crow American kestrel American robin Canada goose great horned owl golden eagle gray partridge lesser scaup mallard merlin northern harrier rock pigeon red-tailed hawk red-winged blackbird sandhill crane sharp-tailed grouse wild turkey
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
APPENDICES
22 August 2012
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number of Birds1
Number of
Observations Species
Percentage of Flights
N NE E SE S SW W NW Variable
Canada goose 1398 21 867 00 00 00 02 00 17 114 00
sandhill crane 1079 17 878 52 00 00 00 00 00 70 00
unidentified sparrow 565 5 00 00 00 788 212 00 00 00 00
Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
snow goose 184 2 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
European starling 80 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
American crow 69 11 768 58 58 00 14 43 00 14 43
red-winged blackbird 15 6 533 00 00 200 267 00 00 00 00
red-tailed hawk 14 10 500 143 00 71 00 71 00 71 143
rock pigeon 11 2 00 00 00 00 273 727 00 00 00
northern harrier 9 8 111 00 00 333 00 222 00 111 222
mourning dove 9 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
common grackle 9 6 111 00 00 111 00 222 556 00 00
brown-headed cowbird 8 1 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
horned lark 6 3 833 00 00 167 00 00 00 00 00
ring-billed gull 4 3 250 00 00 00 00 750 00 00 00
Wilsons snipe 2 2 500 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 500
vesper sparrow 2 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
mallard 2 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
blue-winged teal 2 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
peregrine falcon 1 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
killdeer 1 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
Grand Total 3747 108 722 17 04 121 36 05 30 64 02 1 Includes only flying birds with flight directions
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Nest Number Species Substrate
Nest ConditionStatusDates
Surveyed Nest
Height (m) 2012 - 1 452012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good
5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 4 592012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good 5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 5 5192012 Swainsonrsquos hawk Active Siberian Elm 7 Good
NA means not applicable
Wenck Associates Inc 301 1
st St NE Suite 202
Mandan ND 58554
Phone 701-751-3370 Email jaskimwenckcom
May 7 2012
Tracey M Dubuque PE Senior Project Manager
Tetra Tech EC
160 Federal Street Third Floor
Boston MA 02110
Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Dear Tracey
Introduction
Male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) congregate at historicalcommunal leks in the spring
to compete for breeding opportunities Both sexes return to their natal breeding grounds yearly for their
entire life Leks are typically found in areas with low-growing vegetation on a hill knoll or other point of
high visibility Fidelity to these locations is extremely high for sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse
require nesting habitat within close proximity the lek comprised of dense or residual vegetative cover to
conceal and protect their nest from predators (Vodehnal and Haufler 2007)
Disturbance of nesting prairie grouse may occur from the construction of the turbine andor access road
construction noise and physical movement of equipment Loss of habitat and fragmentation related to
energy exploration may affect local prairie grouse populations by decreasing the area of habitat available
for nesting and brood-rearing and by increasing predation (Pittman et al 2005) Therefore federal and
state wildlife agencies are concerned about the placement of turbines in areas with known prairie grouse
populations Turbine setbacks from leks and minimizing grouse habitat disturbance may reduce the direct
and indirect effects of energy development on grouse
Methods
Sharp-tailed grouse surveys were completed from April 10th to May 1
st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise
to two hours after sunrise within the one-mile analysis area (Figure 1) Peak attendance by females on leks
typically occurs from April 15 to 25 but these dates vary by up to a week depending on weather conditions
(Schroeder and Robb 1993) Peak attendance potentially occurred earlier this year due to the early spring
A habitat assessment analysis was conducted prior to the field survey to determine suitable lekkingnesting
habitat within the analysis area (Figure 2) Listening stops were made within a one-mile analysis area
surrounding the proposed project area to identify lek locations (Figure 3) Sharp-tailed grouse males may
be heard at a distance of up to 050 mile Listening stops were not conducted if winds exceeded 10 miles
per hour (mph) or during precipitation events After a lek was located the birds were observed and the
number of males and females were counted Lek locations were documented using Global Positioning
System (GPS) Given the sensitive nature of this species and the fact that females may be nesting near the
lek disturbance to breeding prairie grouse was kept to a minimum
Results
Nine (9) sharp-tailed grouse leks were located during the surveys conducted from April 10th to May 1
st
2012 (Figure 4) Date time sex number of birds present wind conditions air temperature and GPS
coordinates were recorded once a lek was located (Tables 1 and 2) Two of the leks observed were
located outside of the analysis area Due to Lek 1rsquos close proximity to Lek 4 Lek 1 shouldbe classified
as a satellite lek No visual confirmation of Lek 6 was made due to access and topography
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Canada goose 1408 24 210 80 523 140 210 135 110 sandhill crane 1080 18 94 18 621 15 187 145 0 unidentified sparrow 652 7 0 0 0 0 330 210 112 red-winged blackbird 548 52 0 84 49 386 14 11 4 Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 107 0 100 70 0 0 0 snow goose 184 2 0 180 4 0 0 0 0 horned lark 173 83 23 24 17 12 19 32 46 American crow 159 22 6 4 13 11 1 123 1 ring-necked pheasant 148 134 21 14 21 18 25 22 27 common grackle 91 33 6 35 7 2 8 33 0 western meadowlark 80 62 8 10 17 3 11 19 12 European starling 80 1 0 0 0 80 0 0 0 brown-headed cowbird 80 9 0 63 17 0 0 0 0 barn swallow 44 21 3 12 6 10 7 1 5 rock pigeon 40 6 0 14 0 0 0 23 3 mourning dove 38 25 4 17 1 1 1 11 3 bobolink 36 28 10 0 14 8 0 0 4 killdeer 28 22 3 3 4 5 10 0 3 American goldfinch 26 23 4 9 3 3 4 2 1 vesper sparrow 23 21 1 7 1 2 9 1 2 clay-colored sparrow 19 17 2 4 2 0 6 4 1 American robin 19 19 1 13 0 1 3 0 1 red-tailed hawk 16 12 4 0 4 5 0 1 2 northern harrier 16 14 3 1 4 4 2 0 2 house sparrow 15 5 2 13 0 0 0 0 0 mallard 12 6 0 0 6 6 0 0 0 upland sandpiper 8 8 0 0 1 0 3 2 2 common snipe 8 8 0 2 6 0 0 0 0 American tree sparrow 8 2 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 song sparrow 5 5 1 1 1 0 2 0 0 savannah sparrow 5 5 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 dickcissel 5 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 Wilsons snipe 4 4 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 ring-billed gull 4 3 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 American coot 4 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 western kingbird 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 sharp-tailed grouse 3 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 pine siskin 3 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 yellow-headed blackbird 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 northern pintail 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
northern flicker 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 gray partridge 2 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 eastern kingbird 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 blue-winged teal 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 American wigeon 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 yellow warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 unidentified warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 redhead 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 peregrine falcon 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 house wren 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 great horned owl 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 American kestrel 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Grand Total 5376 735 526 620 1452 794 859 776 349
Table 4 Summary of avian flight heights1 in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)2 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Birds
Number Percentage
Non-raptors
Raptors
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
1656 372
2023 455
767 173
3 91
13 394
17 515 1 Includes only flying birds with flight height data2These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
Canada goose 654 (435 - 2439) 1437 997 537 457 06 unidentified sparrow 632 (000 - 1339) 665 1000 00 951 49 sandhill crane 368 (083 - 2121) 1102 999 665 335 00 Franklinrsquos gull 283 (013 - 553) 283 1000 00 1000 00 European starling 082 (000 - 216) 082 1000 00 1000 00 American crow 024 (027 - 297) 162 943 00 160 840 red-tailed hawk 013 (008 - 024) 016 938 133 867 00 brown-headed cowbird 008 (029 - 135) 082 125 00 800 200 red-winged blackbird 005 (036 - 1082) 559 261 00 35 965 Wilsons snipe 002 (000 - 008) 004 500 00 1000 00 blue-winged teal 002 (000 - 005) 002 1000 00 1000 00 mallard 002 (004 - 020) 012 500 00 333 667 ring-billed gull 001 (000 - 008) 004 1000 00 250 750 yellow warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 yellow-headed blackbird 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 western meadowlark 000 (065 - 099) 082 338 00 00 1000 western kingbird 000 (000 - 007) 003 1000 00 00 1000 vesper sparrow 000 (013 - 033) 023 130 00 00 1000 upland sandpiper 000 (003 - 013) 008 250 00 00 1000 unidentified warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 Swainsonrsquos hawk 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 sharp-tailed grouse 000 (000 - 007) 003 667 00 00 1000 song sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 snow goose 000 (000 - 490) 188 1000 1000 00 00 savannah sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 rock pigeon 000 (009 - 073) 041 825 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
ring-necked pheasant 000 (128 - 174) 151 07 00 00 1000 redhead 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 pine siskin 000 (000 - 008) 003 1000 00 00 1000 peregrine falcon 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 1000 00 00 northern pintail 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 northern harrier 000 (009 - 023) 016 1000 00 00 1000 northern flicker 000 (000 - 004) 002 500 00 00 1000 mourning dove 000 (019 - 059) 039 684 00 00 1000 killdeer 000 (017 - 041) 029 607 00 00 1000 house wren 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 house sparrow 000 (000 - 030) 015 67 00 00 1000 horned lark 000 (136 - 218) 177 740 00 00 1000 grasshopper sparrow 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 gray partridge 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 great horned owl 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 eastern kingbird 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 dickcissel 000 (000 - 010) 005 00 00 00 00 common snipe 000 (002 - 014) 008 00 00 00 00 common grackle 000 (035 - 151) 093 945 00 00 1000 clay-colored sparrow 000 (010 - 028) 019 158 00 00 1000 bobolink 000 (022 - 052) 037 917 00 00 1000 barn swallow 000 (028 - 062) 045 1000 00 00 1000 American tree sparrow 000 (000 - 018) 008 1000 00 00 1000 American wigeon 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 American robin 000 (011 - 027) 019 421 00 00 1000 American kestrel 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
American goldfinch 000 027 (018 - 036) 923 00 00 1000American coot 000 004 (000 - 011) 00 00 00 001These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 6 Incidental observations of birds during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species
American crow American kestrel American robin Canada goose great horned owl golden eagle gray partridge lesser scaup mallard merlin northern harrier rock pigeon red-tailed hawk red-winged blackbird sandhill crane sharp-tailed grouse wild turkey
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
APPENDICES
22 August 2012
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number of Birds1
Number of
Observations Species
Percentage of Flights
N NE E SE S SW W NW Variable
Canada goose 1398 21 867 00 00 00 02 00 17 114 00
sandhill crane 1079 17 878 52 00 00 00 00 00 70 00
unidentified sparrow 565 5 00 00 00 788 212 00 00 00 00
Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
snow goose 184 2 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
European starling 80 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
American crow 69 11 768 58 58 00 14 43 00 14 43
red-winged blackbird 15 6 533 00 00 200 267 00 00 00 00
red-tailed hawk 14 10 500 143 00 71 00 71 00 71 143
rock pigeon 11 2 00 00 00 00 273 727 00 00 00
northern harrier 9 8 111 00 00 333 00 222 00 111 222
mourning dove 9 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
common grackle 9 6 111 00 00 111 00 222 556 00 00
brown-headed cowbird 8 1 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
horned lark 6 3 833 00 00 167 00 00 00 00 00
ring-billed gull 4 3 250 00 00 00 00 750 00 00 00
Wilsons snipe 2 2 500 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 500
vesper sparrow 2 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
mallard 2 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
blue-winged teal 2 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
peregrine falcon 1 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
killdeer 1 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
Grand Total 3747 108 722 17 04 121 36 05 30 64 02 1 Includes only flying birds with flight directions
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Nest Number Species Substrate
Nest ConditionStatusDates
Surveyed Nest
Height (m) 2012 - 1 452012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good
5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 4 592012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good 5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 5 5192012 Swainsonrsquos hawk Active Siberian Elm 7 Good
NA means not applicable
Wenck Associates Inc 301 1
st St NE Suite 202
Mandan ND 58554
Phone 701-751-3370 Email jaskimwenckcom
May 7 2012
Tracey M Dubuque PE Senior Project Manager
Tetra Tech EC
160 Federal Street Third Floor
Boston MA 02110
Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Dear Tracey
Introduction
Male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) congregate at historicalcommunal leks in the spring
to compete for breeding opportunities Both sexes return to their natal breeding grounds yearly for their
entire life Leks are typically found in areas with low-growing vegetation on a hill knoll or other point of
high visibility Fidelity to these locations is extremely high for sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse
require nesting habitat within close proximity the lek comprised of dense or residual vegetative cover to
conceal and protect their nest from predators (Vodehnal and Haufler 2007)
Disturbance of nesting prairie grouse may occur from the construction of the turbine andor access road
construction noise and physical movement of equipment Loss of habitat and fragmentation related to
energy exploration may affect local prairie grouse populations by decreasing the area of habitat available
for nesting and brood-rearing and by increasing predation (Pittman et al 2005) Therefore federal and
state wildlife agencies are concerned about the placement of turbines in areas with known prairie grouse
populations Turbine setbacks from leks and minimizing grouse habitat disturbance may reduce the direct
and indirect effects of energy development on grouse
Methods
Sharp-tailed grouse surveys were completed from April 10th to May 1
st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise
to two hours after sunrise within the one-mile analysis area (Figure 1) Peak attendance by females on leks
typically occurs from April 15 to 25 but these dates vary by up to a week depending on weather conditions
(Schroeder and Robb 1993) Peak attendance potentially occurred earlier this year due to the early spring
A habitat assessment analysis was conducted prior to the field survey to determine suitable lekkingnesting
habitat within the analysis area (Figure 2) Listening stops were made within a one-mile analysis area
surrounding the proposed project area to identify lek locations (Figure 3) Sharp-tailed grouse males may
be heard at a distance of up to 050 mile Listening stops were not conducted if winds exceeded 10 miles
per hour (mph) or during precipitation events After a lek was located the birds were observed and the
number of males and females were counted Lek locations were documented using Global Positioning
System (GPS) Given the sensitive nature of this species and the fact that females may be nesting near the
lek disturbance to breeding prairie grouse was kept to a minimum
Results
Nine (9) sharp-tailed grouse leks were located during the surveys conducted from April 10th to May 1
st
2012 (Figure 4) Date time sex number of birds present wind conditions air temperature and GPS
coordinates were recorded once a lek was located (Tables 1 and 2) Two of the leks observed were
located outside of the analysis area Due to Lek 1rsquos close proximity to Lek 4 Lek 1 shouldbe classified
as a satellite lek No visual confirmation of Lek 6 was made due to access and topography
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Table 3 Avian species observed by point during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number Number Points Species of of
Birds Obs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
northern flicker 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 grasshopper sparrow 2 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 gray partridge 2 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 eastern kingbird 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 blue-winged teal 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 American wigeon 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 yellow warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 unidentified warbler 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Swainsonrsquos hawk 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 redhead 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 peregrine falcon 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 house wren 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 great horned owl 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 American kestrel 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Grand Total 5376 735 526 620 1452 794 859 776 349
Table 4 Summary of avian flight heights1 in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)2 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Birds
Number Percentage
Non-raptors
Raptors
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
1656 372
2023 455
767 173
3 91
13 394
17 515 1 Includes only flying birds with flight height data2These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
Canada goose 654 (435 - 2439) 1437 997 537 457 06 unidentified sparrow 632 (000 - 1339) 665 1000 00 951 49 sandhill crane 368 (083 - 2121) 1102 999 665 335 00 Franklinrsquos gull 283 (013 - 553) 283 1000 00 1000 00 European starling 082 (000 - 216) 082 1000 00 1000 00 American crow 024 (027 - 297) 162 943 00 160 840 red-tailed hawk 013 (008 - 024) 016 938 133 867 00 brown-headed cowbird 008 (029 - 135) 082 125 00 800 200 red-winged blackbird 005 (036 - 1082) 559 261 00 35 965 Wilsons snipe 002 (000 - 008) 004 500 00 1000 00 blue-winged teal 002 (000 - 005) 002 1000 00 1000 00 mallard 002 (004 - 020) 012 500 00 333 667 ring-billed gull 001 (000 - 008) 004 1000 00 250 750 yellow warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 yellow-headed blackbird 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 western meadowlark 000 (065 - 099) 082 338 00 00 1000 western kingbird 000 (000 - 007) 003 1000 00 00 1000 vesper sparrow 000 (013 - 033) 023 130 00 00 1000 upland sandpiper 000 (003 - 013) 008 250 00 00 1000 unidentified warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 Swainsonrsquos hawk 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 sharp-tailed grouse 000 (000 - 007) 003 667 00 00 1000 song sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 snow goose 000 (000 - 490) 188 1000 1000 00 00 savannah sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 rock pigeon 000 (009 - 073) 041 825 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
ring-necked pheasant 000 (128 - 174) 151 07 00 00 1000 redhead 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 pine siskin 000 (000 - 008) 003 1000 00 00 1000 peregrine falcon 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 1000 00 00 northern pintail 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 northern harrier 000 (009 - 023) 016 1000 00 00 1000 northern flicker 000 (000 - 004) 002 500 00 00 1000 mourning dove 000 (019 - 059) 039 684 00 00 1000 killdeer 000 (017 - 041) 029 607 00 00 1000 house wren 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 house sparrow 000 (000 - 030) 015 67 00 00 1000 horned lark 000 (136 - 218) 177 740 00 00 1000 grasshopper sparrow 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 gray partridge 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 great horned owl 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 eastern kingbird 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 dickcissel 000 (000 - 010) 005 00 00 00 00 common snipe 000 (002 - 014) 008 00 00 00 00 common grackle 000 (035 - 151) 093 945 00 00 1000 clay-colored sparrow 000 (010 - 028) 019 158 00 00 1000 bobolink 000 (022 - 052) 037 917 00 00 1000 barn swallow 000 (028 - 062) 045 1000 00 00 1000 American tree sparrow 000 (000 - 018) 008 1000 00 00 1000 American wigeon 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 American robin 000 (011 - 027) 019 421 00 00 1000 American kestrel 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
American goldfinch 000 027 (018 - 036) 923 00 00 1000American coot 000 004 (000 - 011) 00 00 00 001These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 6 Incidental observations of birds during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species
American crow American kestrel American robin Canada goose great horned owl golden eagle gray partridge lesser scaup mallard merlin northern harrier rock pigeon red-tailed hawk red-winged blackbird sandhill crane sharp-tailed grouse wild turkey
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
APPENDICES
22 August 2012
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number of Birds1
Number of
Observations Species
Percentage of Flights
N NE E SE S SW W NW Variable
Canada goose 1398 21 867 00 00 00 02 00 17 114 00
sandhill crane 1079 17 878 52 00 00 00 00 00 70 00
unidentified sparrow 565 5 00 00 00 788 212 00 00 00 00
Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
snow goose 184 2 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
European starling 80 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
American crow 69 11 768 58 58 00 14 43 00 14 43
red-winged blackbird 15 6 533 00 00 200 267 00 00 00 00
red-tailed hawk 14 10 500 143 00 71 00 71 00 71 143
rock pigeon 11 2 00 00 00 00 273 727 00 00 00
northern harrier 9 8 111 00 00 333 00 222 00 111 222
mourning dove 9 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
common grackle 9 6 111 00 00 111 00 222 556 00 00
brown-headed cowbird 8 1 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
horned lark 6 3 833 00 00 167 00 00 00 00 00
ring-billed gull 4 3 250 00 00 00 00 750 00 00 00
Wilsons snipe 2 2 500 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 500
vesper sparrow 2 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
mallard 2 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
blue-winged teal 2 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
peregrine falcon 1 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
killdeer 1 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
Grand Total 3747 108 722 17 04 121 36 05 30 64 02 1 Includes only flying birds with flight directions
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Nest Number Species Substrate
Nest ConditionStatusDates
Surveyed Nest
Height (m) 2012 - 1 452012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good
5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 4 592012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good 5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 5 5192012 Swainsonrsquos hawk Active Siberian Elm 7 Good
NA means not applicable
Wenck Associates Inc 301 1
st St NE Suite 202
Mandan ND 58554
Phone 701-751-3370 Email jaskimwenckcom
May 7 2012
Tracey M Dubuque PE Senior Project Manager
Tetra Tech EC
160 Federal Street Third Floor
Boston MA 02110
Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Dear Tracey
Introduction
Male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) congregate at historicalcommunal leks in the spring
to compete for breeding opportunities Both sexes return to their natal breeding grounds yearly for their
entire life Leks are typically found in areas with low-growing vegetation on a hill knoll or other point of
high visibility Fidelity to these locations is extremely high for sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse
require nesting habitat within close proximity the lek comprised of dense or residual vegetative cover to
conceal and protect their nest from predators (Vodehnal and Haufler 2007)
Disturbance of nesting prairie grouse may occur from the construction of the turbine andor access road
construction noise and physical movement of equipment Loss of habitat and fragmentation related to
energy exploration may affect local prairie grouse populations by decreasing the area of habitat available
for nesting and brood-rearing and by increasing predation (Pittman et al 2005) Therefore federal and
state wildlife agencies are concerned about the placement of turbines in areas with known prairie grouse
populations Turbine setbacks from leks and minimizing grouse habitat disturbance may reduce the direct
and indirect effects of energy development on grouse
Methods
Sharp-tailed grouse surveys were completed from April 10th to May 1
st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise
to two hours after sunrise within the one-mile analysis area (Figure 1) Peak attendance by females on leks
typically occurs from April 15 to 25 but these dates vary by up to a week depending on weather conditions
(Schroeder and Robb 1993) Peak attendance potentially occurred earlier this year due to the early spring
A habitat assessment analysis was conducted prior to the field survey to determine suitable lekkingnesting
habitat within the analysis area (Figure 2) Listening stops were made within a one-mile analysis area
surrounding the proposed project area to identify lek locations (Figure 3) Sharp-tailed grouse males may
be heard at a distance of up to 050 mile Listening stops were not conducted if winds exceeded 10 miles
per hour (mph) or during precipitation events After a lek was located the birds were observed and the
number of males and females were counted Lek locations were documented using Global Positioning
System (GPS) Given the sensitive nature of this species and the fact that females may be nesting near the
lek disturbance to breeding prairie grouse was kept to a minimum
Results
Nine (9) sharp-tailed grouse leks were located during the surveys conducted from April 10th to May 1
st
2012 (Figure 4) Date time sex number of birds present wind conditions air temperature and GPS
coordinates were recorded once a lek was located (Tables 1 and 2) Two of the leks observed were
located outside of the analysis area Due to Lek 1rsquos close proximity to Lek 4 Lek 1 shouldbe classified
as a satellite lek No visual confirmation of Lek 6 was made due to access and topography
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Table 4 Summary of avian flight heights1 in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)2 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Birds
Number Percentage
Non-raptors
Raptors
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
Above RSA height (gt130m)
At RSA height (30mndash130m)
Below RSA height (lt30m)
1656 372
2023 455
767 173
3 91
13 394
17 515 1 Includes only flying birds with flight height data2These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
Canada goose 654 (435 - 2439) 1437 997 537 457 06 unidentified sparrow 632 (000 - 1339) 665 1000 00 951 49 sandhill crane 368 (083 - 2121) 1102 999 665 335 00 Franklinrsquos gull 283 (013 - 553) 283 1000 00 1000 00 European starling 082 (000 - 216) 082 1000 00 1000 00 American crow 024 (027 - 297) 162 943 00 160 840 red-tailed hawk 013 (008 - 024) 016 938 133 867 00 brown-headed cowbird 008 (029 - 135) 082 125 00 800 200 red-winged blackbird 005 (036 - 1082) 559 261 00 35 965 Wilsons snipe 002 (000 - 008) 004 500 00 1000 00 blue-winged teal 002 (000 - 005) 002 1000 00 1000 00 mallard 002 (004 - 020) 012 500 00 333 667 ring-billed gull 001 (000 - 008) 004 1000 00 250 750 yellow warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 yellow-headed blackbird 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 western meadowlark 000 (065 - 099) 082 338 00 00 1000 western kingbird 000 (000 - 007) 003 1000 00 00 1000 vesper sparrow 000 (013 - 033) 023 130 00 00 1000 upland sandpiper 000 (003 - 013) 008 250 00 00 1000 unidentified warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 Swainsonrsquos hawk 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 sharp-tailed grouse 000 (000 - 007) 003 667 00 00 1000 song sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 snow goose 000 (000 - 490) 188 1000 1000 00 00 savannah sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 rock pigeon 000 (009 - 073) 041 825 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
ring-necked pheasant 000 (128 - 174) 151 07 00 00 1000 redhead 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 pine siskin 000 (000 - 008) 003 1000 00 00 1000 peregrine falcon 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 1000 00 00 northern pintail 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 northern harrier 000 (009 - 023) 016 1000 00 00 1000 northern flicker 000 (000 - 004) 002 500 00 00 1000 mourning dove 000 (019 - 059) 039 684 00 00 1000 killdeer 000 (017 - 041) 029 607 00 00 1000 house wren 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 house sparrow 000 (000 - 030) 015 67 00 00 1000 horned lark 000 (136 - 218) 177 740 00 00 1000 grasshopper sparrow 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 gray partridge 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 great horned owl 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 eastern kingbird 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 dickcissel 000 (000 - 010) 005 00 00 00 00 common snipe 000 (002 - 014) 008 00 00 00 00 common grackle 000 (035 - 151) 093 945 00 00 1000 clay-colored sparrow 000 (010 - 028) 019 158 00 00 1000 bobolink 000 (022 - 052) 037 917 00 00 1000 barn swallow 000 (028 - 062) 045 1000 00 00 1000 American tree sparrow 000 (000 - 018) 008 1000 00 00 1000 American wigeon 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 American robin 000 (011 - 027) 019 421 00 00 1000 American kestrel 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
American goldfinch 000 027 (018 - 036) 923 00 00 1000American coot 000 004 (000 - 011) 00 00 00 001These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 6 Incidental observations of birds during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species
American crow American kestrel American robin Canada goose great horned owl golden eagle gray partridge lesser scaup mallard merlin northern harrier rock pigeon red-tailed hawk red-winged blackbird sandhill crane sharp-tailed grouse wild turkey
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
APPENDICES
22 August 2012
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number of Birds1
Number of
Observations Species
Percentage of Flights
N NE E SE S SW W NW Variable
Canada goose 1398 21 867 00 00 00 02 00 17 114 00
sandhill crane 1079 17 878 52 00 00 00 00 00 70 00
unidentified sparrow 565 5 00 00 00 788 212 00 00 00 00
Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
snow goose 184 2 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
European starling 80 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
American crow 69 11 768 58 58 00 14 43 00 14 43
red-winged blackbird 15 6 533 00 00 200 267 00 00 00 00
red-tailed hawk 14 10 500 143 00 71 00 71 00 71 143
rock pigeon 11 2 00 00 00 00 273 727 00 00 00
northern harrier 9 8 111 00 00 333 00 222 00 111 222
mourning dove 9 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
common grackle 9 6 111 00 00 111 00 222 556 00 00
brown-headed cowbird 8 1 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
horned lark 6 3 833 00 00 167 00 00 00 00 00
ring-billed gull 4 3 250 00 00 00 00 750 00 00 00
Wilsons snipe 2 2 500 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 500
vesper sparrow 2 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
mallard 2 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
blue-winged teal 2 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
peregrine falcon 1 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
killdeer 1 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
Grand Total 3747 108 722 17 04 121 36 05 30 64 02 1 Includes only flying birds with flight directions
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Nest Number Species Substrate
Nest ConditionStatusDates
Surveyed Nest
Height (m) 2012 - 1 452012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good
5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 4 592012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good 5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 5 5192012 Swainsonrsquos hawk Active Siberian Elm 7 Good
NA means not applicable
Wenck Associates Inc 301 1
st St NE Suite 202
Mandan ND 58554
Phone 701-751-3370 Email jaskimwenckcom
May 7 2012
Tracey M Dubuque PE Senior Project Manager
Tetra Tech EC
160 Federal Street Third Floor
Boston MA 02110
Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Dear Tracey
Introduction
Male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) congregate at historicalcommunal leks in the spring
to compete for breeding opportunities Both sexes return to their natal breeding grounds yearly for their
entire life Leks are typically found in areas with low-growing vegetation on a hill knoll or other point of
high visibility Fidelity to these locations is extremely high for sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse
require nesting habitat within close proximity the lek comprised of dense or residual vegetative cover to
conceal and protect their nest from predators (Vodehnal and Haufler 2007)
Disturbance of nesting prairie grouse may occur from the construction of the turbine andor access road
construction noise and physical movement of equipment Loss of habitat and fragmentation related to
energy exploration may affect local prairie grouse populations by decreasing the area of habitat available
for nesting and brood-rearing and by increasing predation (Pittman et al 2005) Therefore federal and
state wildlife agencies are concerned about the placement of turbines in areas with known prairie grouse
populations Turbine setbacks from leks and minimizing grouse habitat disturbance may reduce the direct
and indirect effects of energy development on grouse
Methods
Sharp-tailed grouse surveys were completed from April 10th to May 1
st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise
to two hours after sunrise within the one-mile analysis area (Figure 1) Peak attendance by females on leks
typically occurs from April 15 to 25 but these dates vary by up to a week depending on weather conditions
(Schroeder and Robb 1993) Peak attendance potentially occurred earlier this year due to the early spring
A habitat assessment analysis was conducted prior to the field survey to determine suitable lekkingnesting
habitat within the analysis area (Figure 2) Listening stops were made within a one-mile analysis area
surrounding the proposed project area to identify lek locations (Figure 3) Sharp-tailed grouse males may
be heard at a distance of up to 050 mile Listening stops were not conducted if winds exceeded 10 miles
per hour (mph) or during precipitation events After a lek was located the birds were observed and the
number of males and females were counted Lek locations were documented using Global Positioning
System (GPS) Given the sensitive nature of this species and the fact that females may be nesting near the
lek disturbance to breeding prairie grouse was kept to a minimum
Results
Nine (9) sharp-tailed grouse leks were located during the surveys conducted from April 10th to May 1
st
2012 (Figure 4) Date time sex number of birds present wind conditions air temperature and GPS
coordinates were recorded once a lek was located (Tables 1 and 2) Two of the leks observed were
located outside of the analysis area Due to Lek 1rsquos close proximity to Lek 4 Lek 1 shouldbe classified
as a satellite lek No visual confirmation of Lek 6 was made due to access and topography
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
Canada goose 654 (435 - 2439) 1437 997 537 457 06 unidentified sparrow 632 (000 - 1339) 665 1000 00 951 49 sandhill crane 368 (083 - 2121) 1102 999 665 335 00 Franklinrsquos gull 283 (013 - 553) 283 1000 00 1000 00 European starling 082 (000 - 216) 082 1000 00 1000 00 American crow 024 (027 - 297) 162 943 00 160 840 red-tailed hawk 013 (008 - 024) 016 938 133 867 00 brown-headed cowbird 008 (029 - 135) 082 125 00 800 200 red-winged blackbird 005 (036 - 1082) 559 261 00 35 965 Wilsons snipe 002 (000 - 008) 004 500 00 1000 00 blue-winged teal 002 (000 - 005) 002 1000 00 1000 00 mallard 002 (004 - 020) 012 500 00 333 667 ring-billed gull 001 (000 - 008) 004 1000 00 250 750 yellow warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 yellow-headed blackbird 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 western meadowlark 000 (065 - 099) 082 338 00 00 1000 western kingbird 000 (000 - 007) 003 1000 00 00 1000 vesper sparrow 000 (013 - 033) 023 130 00 00 1000 upland sandpiper 000 (003 - 013) 008 250 00 00 1000 unidentified warbler 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 Swainsonrsquos hawk 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 sharp-tailed grouse 000 (000 - 007) 003 667 00 00 1000 song sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 snow goose 000 (000 - 490) 188 1000 1000 00 00 savannah sparrow 000 (001 - 009) 005 00 00 00 00 rock pigeon 000 (009 - 073) 041 825 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
ring-necked pheasant 000 (128 - 174) 151 07 00 00 1000 redhead 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 pine siskin 000 (000 - 008) 003 1000 00 00 1000 peregrine falcon 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 1000 00 00 northern pintail 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 northern harrier 000 (009 - 023) 016 1000 00 00 1000 northern flicker 000 (000 - 004) 002 500 00 00 1000 mourning dove 000 (019 - 059) 039 684 00 00 1000 killdeer 000 (017 - 041) 029 607 00 00 1000 house wren 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 house sparrow 000 (000 - 030) 015 67 00 00 1000 horned lark 000 (136 - 218) 177 740 00 00 1000 grasshopper sparrow 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 gray partridge 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 great horned owl 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 eastern kingbird 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 dickcissel 000 (000 - 010) 005 00 00 00 00 common snipe 000 (002 - 014) 008 00 00 00 00 common grackle 000 (035 - 151) 093 945 00 00 1000 clay-colored sparrow 000 (010 - 028) 019 158 00 00 1000 bobolink 000 (022 - 052) 037 917 00 00 1000 barn swallow 000 (028 - 062) 045 1000 00 00 1000 American tree sparrow 000 (000 - 018) 008 1000 00 00 1000 American wigeon 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 American robin 000 (011 - 027) 019 421 00 00 1000 American kestrel 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
American goldfinch 000 027 (018 - 036) 923 00 00 1000American coot 000 004 (000 - 011) 00 00 00 001These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 6 Incidental observations of birds during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species
American crow American kestrel American robin Canada goose great horned owl golden eagle gray partridge lesser scaup mallard merlin northern harrier rock pigeon red-tailed hawk red-winged blackbird sandhill crane sharp-tailed grouse wild turkey
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
APPENDICES
22 August 2012
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number of Birds1
Number of
Observations Species
Percentage of Flights
N NE E SE S SW W NW Variable
Canada goose 1398 21 867 00 00 00 02 00 17 114 00
sandhill crane 1079 17 878 52 00 00 00 00 00 70 00
unidentified sparrow 565 5 00 00 00 788 212 00 00 00 00
Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
snow goose 184 2 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
European starling 80 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
American crow 69 11 768 58 58 00 14 43 00 14 43
red-winged blackbird 15 6 533 00 00 200 267 00 00 00 00
red-tailed hawk 14 10 500 143 00 71 00 71 00 71 143
rock pigeon 11 2 00 00 00 00 273 727 00 00 00
northern harrier 9 8 111 00 00 333 00 222 00 111 222
mourning dove 9 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
common grackle 9 6 111 00 00 111 00 222 556 00 00
brown-headed cowbird 8 1 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
horned lark 6 3 833 00 00 167 00 00 00 00 00
ring-billed gull 4 3 250 00 00 00 00 750 00 00 00
Wilsons snipe 2 2 500 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 500
vesper sparrow 2 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
mallard 2 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
blue-winged teal 2 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
peregrine falcon 1 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
killdeer 1 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
Grand Total 3747 108 722 17 04 121 36 05 30 64 02 1 Includes only flying birds with flight directions
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Nest Number Species Substrate
Nest ConditionStatusDates
Surveyed Nest
Height (m) 2012 - 1 452012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good
5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 4 592012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good 5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 5 5192012 Swainsonrsquos hawk Active Siberian Elm 7 Good
NA means not applicable
Wenck Associates Inc 301 1
st St NE Suite 202
Mandan ND 58554
Phone 701-751-3370 Email jaskimwenckcom
May 7 2012
Tracey M Dubuque PE Senior Project Manager
Tetra Tech EC
160 Federal Street Third Floor
Boston MA 02110
Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Dear Tracey
Introduction
Male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) congregate at historicalcommunal leks in the spring
to compete for breeding opportunities Both sexes return to their natal breeding grounds yearly for their
entire life Leks are typically found in areas with low-growing vegetation on a hill knoll or other point of
high visibility Fidelity to these locations is extremely high for sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse
require nesting habitat within close proximity the lek comprised of dense or residual vegetative cover to
conceal and protect their nest from predators (Vodehnal and Haufler 2007)
Disturbance of nesting prairie grouse may occur from the construction of the turbine andor access road
construction noise and physical movement of equipment Loss of habitat and fragmentation related to
energy exploration may affect local prairie grouse populations by decreasing the area of habitat available
for nesting and brood-rearing and by increasing predation (Pittman et al 2005) Therefore federal and
state wildlife agencies are concerned about the placement of turbines in areas with known prairie grouse
populations Turbine setbacks from leks and minimizing grouse habitat disturbance may reduce the direct
and indirect effects of energy development on grouse
Methods
Sharp-tailed grouse surveys were completed from April 10th to May 1
st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise
to two hours after sunrise within the one-mile analysis area (Figure 1) Peak attendance by females on leks
typically occurs from April 15 to 25 but these dates vary by up to a week depending on weather conditions
(Schroeder and Robb 1993) Peak attendance potentially occurred earlier this year due to the early spring
A habitat assessment analysis was conducted prior to the field survey to determine suitable lekkingnesting
habitat within the analysis area (Figure 2) Listening stops were made within a one-mile analysis area
surrounding the proposed project area to identify lek locations (Figure 3) Sharp-tailed grouse males may
be heard at a distance of up to 050 mile Listening stops were not conducted if winds exceeded 10 miles
per hour (mph) or during precipitation events After a lek was located the birds were observed and the
number of males and females were counted Lek locations were documented using Global Positioning
System (GPS) Given the sensitive nature of this species and the fact that females may be nesting near the
lek disturbance to breeding prairie grouse was kept to a minimum
Results
Nine (9) sharp-tailed grouse leks were located during the surveys conducted from April 10th to May 1
st
2012 (Figure 4) Date time sex number of birds present wind conditions air temperature and GPS
coordinates were recorded once a lek was located (Tables 1 and 2) Two of the leks observed were
located outside of the analysis area Due to Lek 1rsquos close proximity to Lek 4 Lek 1 shouldbe classified
as a satellite lek No visual confirmation of Lek 6 was made due to access and topography
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
ring-necked pheasant 000 (128 - 174) 151 07 00 00 1000 redhead 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 pine siskin 000 (000 - 008) 003 1000 00 00 1000 peregrine falcon 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 1000 00 00 northern pintail 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 northern harrier 000 (009 - 023) 016 1000 00 00 1000 northern flicker 000 (000 - 004) 002 500 00 00 1000 mourning dove 000 (019 - 059) 039 684 00 00 1000 killdeer 000 (017 - 041) 029 607 00 00 1000 house wren 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 house sparrow 000 (000 - 030) 015 67 00 00 1000 horned lark 000 (136 - 218) 177 740 00 00 1000 grasshopper sparrow 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 gray partridge 000 (000 - 004) 002 00 00 00 00 great horned owl 000 (000 - 003) 001 00 00 00 00 eastern kingbird 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 dickcissel 000 (000 - 010) 005 00 00 00 00 common snipe 000 (002 - 014) 008 00 00 00 00 common grackle 000 (035 - 151) 093 945 00 00 1000 clay-colored sparrow 000 (010 - 028) 019 158 00 00 1000 bobolink 000 (022 - 052) 037 917 00 00 1000 barn swallow 000 (028 - 062) 045 1000 00 00 1000 American tree sparrow 000 (000 - 018) 008 1000 00 00 1000 American wigeon 000 (000 - 005) 002 00 00 00 00 American robin 000 (011 - 027) 019 421 00 00 1000 American kestrel 000 (000 - 003) 001 1000 00 00 1000
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
American goldfinch 000 027 (018 - 036) 923 00 00 1000American coot 000 004 (000 - 011) 00 00 00 001These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 6 Incidental observations of birds during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species
American crow American kestrel American robin Canada goose great horned owl golden eagle gray partridge lesser scaup mallard merlin northern harrier rock pigeon red-tailed hawk red-winged blackbird sandhill crane sharp-tailed grouse wild turkey
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
APPENDICES
22 August 2012
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number of Birds1
Number of
Observations Species
Percentage of Flights
N NE E SE S SW W NW Variable
Canada goose 1398 21 867 00 00 00 02 00 17 114 00
sandhill crane 1079 17 878 52 00 00 00 00 00 70 00
unidentified sparrow 565 5 00 00 00 788 212 00 00 00 00
Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
snow goose 184 2 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
European starling 80 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
American crow 69 11 768 58 58 00 14 43 00 14 43
red-winged blackbird 15 6 533 00 00 200 267 00 00 00 00
red-tailed hawk 14 10 500 143 00 71 00 71 00 71 143
rock pigeon 11 2 00 00 00 00 273 727 00 00 00
northern harrier 9 8 111 00 00 333 00 222 00 111 222
mourning dove 9 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
common grackle 9 6 111 00 00 111 00 222 556 00 00
brown-headed cowbird 8 1 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
horned lark 6 3 833 00 00 167 00 00 00 00 00
ring-billed gull 4 3 250 00 00 00 00 750 00 00 00
Wilsons snipe 2 2 500 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 500
vesper sparrow 2 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
mallard 2 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
blue-winged teal 2 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
peregrine falcon 1 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
killdeer 1 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
Grand Total 3747 108 722 17 04 121 36 05 30 64 02 1 Includes only flying birds with flight directions
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Nest Number Species Substrate
Nest ConditionStatusDates
Surveyed Nest
Height (m) 2012 - 1 452012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good
5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 4 592012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good 5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 5 5192012 Swainsonrsquos hawk Active Siberian Elm 7 Good
NA means not applicable
Wenck Associates Inc 301 1
st St NE Suite 202
Mandan ND 58554
Phone 701-751-3370 Email jaskimwenckcom
May 7 2012
Tracey M Dubuque PE Senior Project Manager
Tetra Tech EC
160 Federal Street Third Floor
Boston MA 02110
Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Dear Tracey
Introduction
Male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) congregate at historicalcommunal leks in the spring
to compete for breeding opportunities Both sexes return to their natal breeding grounds yearly for their
entire life Leks are typically found in areas with low-growing vegetation on a hill knoll or other point of
high visibility Fidelity to these locations is extremely high for sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse
require nesting habitat within close proximity the lek comprised of dense or residual vegetative cover to
conceal and protect their nest from predators (Vodehnal and Haufler 2007)
Disturbance of nesting prairie grouse may occur from the construction of the turbine andor access road
construction noise and physical movement of equipment Loss of habitat and fragmentation related to
energy exploration may affect local prairie grouse populations by decreasing the area of habitat available
for nesting and brood-rearing and by increasing predation (Pittman et al 2005) Therefore federal and
state wildlife agencies are concerned about the placement of turbines in areas with known prairie grouse
populations Turbine setbacks from leks and minimizing grouse habitat disturbance may reduce the direct
and indirect effects of energy development on grouse
Methods
Sharp-tailed grouse surveys were completed from April 10th to May 1
st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise
to two hours after sunrise within the one-mile analysis area (Figure 1) Peak attendance by females on leks
typically occurs from April 15 to 25 but these dates vary by up to a week depending on weather conditions
(Schroeder and Robb 1993) Peak attendance potentially occurred earlier this year due to the early spring
A habitat assessment analysis was conducted prior to the field survey to determine suitable lekkingnesting
habitat within the analysis area (Figure 2) Listening stops were made within a one-mile analysis area
surrounding the proposed project area to identify lek locations (Figure 3) Sharp-tailed grouse males may
be heard at a distance of up to 050 mile Listening stops were not conducted if winds exceeded 10 miles
per hour (mph) or during precipitation events After a lek was located the birds were observed and the
number of males and females were counted Lek locations were documented using Global Positioning
System (GPS) Given the sensitive nature of this species and the fact that females may be nesting near the
lek disturbance to breeding prairie grouse was kept to a minimum
Results
Nine (9) sharp-tailed grouse leks were located during the surveys conducted from April 10th to May 1
st
2012 (Figure 4) Date time sex number of birds present wind conditions air temperature and GPS
coordinates were recorded once a lek was located (Tables 1 and 2) Two of the leks observed were
located outside of the analysis area Due to Lek 1rsquos close proximity to Lek 4 Lek 1 shouldbe classified
as a satellite lek No visual confirmation of Lek 6 was made due to access and topography
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Table 5 Avian flight height characteristics in relation to the turbine rotor swept area (RSA)1 during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Encounter Mean Use Percent Percent Percent PercentSpecies Rate birds 20 min Flying Above RSA At RSA Below RSA
(90 confidence interval) Height Height Height
American goldfinch 000 027 (018 - 036) 923 00 00 1000American coot 000 004 (000 - 011) 00 00 00 001These values assume a rotor diameter of 100 (m) and a hub height of 80 (m)
Table 6 Incidental observations of birds during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species
American crow American kestrel American robin Canada goose great horned owl golden eagle gray partridge lesser scaup mallard merlin northern harrier rock pigeon red-tailed hawk red-winged blackbird sandhill crane sharp-tailed grouse wild turkey
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
APPENDICES
22 August 2012
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number of Birds1
Number of
Observations Species
Percentage of Flights
N NE E SE S SW W NW Variable
Canada goose 1398 21 867 00 00 00 02 00 17 114 00
sandhill crane 1079 17 878 52 00 00 00 00 00 70 00
unidentified sparrow 565 5 00 00 00 788 212 00 00 00 00
Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
snow goose 184 2 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
European starling 80 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
American crow 69 11 768 58 58 00 14 43 00 14 43
red-winged blackbird 15 6 533 00 00 200 267 00 00 00 00
red-tailed hawk 14 10 500 143 00 71 00 71 00 71 143
rock pigeon 11 2 00 00 00 00 273 727 00 00 00
northern harrier 9 8 111 00 00 333 00 222 00 111 222
mourning dove 9 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
common grackle 9 6 111 00 00 111 00 222 556 00 00
brown-headed cowbird 8 1 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
horned lark 6 3 833 00 00 167 00 00 00 00 00
ring-billed gull 4 3 250 00 00 00 00 750 00 00 00
Wilsons snipe 2 2 500 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 500
vesper sparrow 2 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
mallard 2 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
blue-winged teal 2 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
peregrine falcon 1 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
killdeer 1 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
Grand Total 3747 108 722 17 04 121 36 05 30 64 02 1 Includes only flying birds with flight directions
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Nest Number Species Substrate
Nest ConditionStatusDates
Surveyed Nest
Height (m) 2012 - 1 452012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good
5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 4 592012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good 5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 5 5192012 Swainsonrsquos hawk Active Siberian Elm 7 Good
NA means not applicable
Wenck Associates Inc 301 1
st St NE Suite 202
Mandan ND 58554
Phone 701-751-3370 Email jaskimwenckcom
May 7 2012
Tracey M Dubuque PE Senior Project Manager
Tetra Tech EC
160 Federal Street Third Floor
Boston MA 02110
Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Dear Tracey
Introduction
Male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) congregate at historicalcommunal leks in the spring
to compete for breeding opportunities Both sexes return to their natal breeding grounds yearly for their
entire life Leks are typically found in areas with low-growing vegetation on a hill knoll or other point of
high visibility Fidelity to these locations is extremely high for sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse
require nesting habitat within close proximity the lek comprised of dense or residual vegetative cover to
conceal and protect their nest from predators (Vodehnal and Haufler 2007)
Disturbance of nesting prairie grouse may occur from the construction of the turbine andor access road
construction noise and physical movement of equipment Loss of habitat and fragmentation related to
energy exploration may affect local prairie grouse populations by decreasing the area of habitat available
for nesting and brood-rearing and by increasing predation (Pittman et al 2005) Therefore federal and
state wildlife agencies are concerned about the placement of turbines in areas with known prairie grouse
populations Turbine setbacks from leks and minimizing grouse habitat disturbance may reduce the direct
and indirect effects of energy development on grouse
Methods
Sharp-tailed grouse surveys were completed from April 10th to May 1
st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise
to two hours after sunrise within the one-mile analysis area (Figure 1) Peak attendance by females on leks
typically occurs from April 15 to 25 but these dates vary by up to a week depending on weather conditions
(Schroeder and Robb 1993) Peak attendance potentially occurred earlier this year due to the early spring
A habitat assessment analysis was conducted prior to the field survey to determine suitable lekkingnesting
habitat within the analysis area (Figure 2) Listening stops were made within a one-mile analysis area
surrounding the proposed project area to identify lek locations (Figure 3) Sharp-tailed grouse males may
be heard at a distance of up to 050 mile Listening stops were not conducted if winds exceeded 10 miles
per hour (mph) or during precipitation events After a lek was located the birds were observed and the
number of males and females were counted Lek locations were documented using Global Positioning
System (GPS) Given the sensitive nature of this species and the fact that females may be nesting near the
lek disturbance to breeding prairie grouse was kept to a minimum
Results
Nine (9) sharp-tailed grouse leks were located during the surveys conducted from April 10th to May 1
st
2012 (Figure 4) Date time sex number of birds present wind conditions air temperature and GPS
coordinates were recorded once a lek was located (Tables 1 and 2) Two of the leks observed were
located outside of the analysis area Due to Lek 1rsquos close proximity to Lek 4 Lek 1 shouldbe classified
as a satellite lek No visual confirmation of Lek 6 was made due to access and topography
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Table 6 Incidental observations of birds during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Species
American crow American kestrel American robin Canada goose great horned owl golden eagle gray partridge lesser scaup mallard merlin northern harrier rock pigeon red-tailed hawk red-winged blackbird sandhill crane sharp-tailed grouse wild turkey
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
APPENDICES
22 August 2012
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number of Birds1
Number of
Observations Species
Percentage of Flights
N NE E SE S SW W NW Variable
Canada goose 1398 21 867 00 00 00 02 00 17 114 00
sandhill crane 1079 17 878 52 00 00 00 00 00 70 00
unidentified sparrow 565 5 00 00 00 788 212 00 00 00 00
Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
snow goose 184 2 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
European starling 80 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
American crow 69 11 768 58 58 00 14 43 00 14 43
red-winged blackbird 15 6 533 00 00 200 267 00 00 00 00
red-tailed hawk 14 10 500 143 00 71 00 71 00 71 143
rock pigeon 11 2 00 00 00 00 273 727 00 00 00
northern harrier 9 8 111 00 00 333 00 222 00 111 222
mourning dove 9 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
common grackle 9 6 111 00 00 111 00 222 556 00 00
brown-headed cowbird 8 1 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
horned lark 6 3 833 00 00 167 00 00 00 00 00
ring-billed gull 4 3 250 00 00 00 00 750 00 00 00
Wilsons snipe 2 2 500 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 500
vesper sparrow 2 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
mallard 2 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
blue-winged teal 2 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
peregrine falcon 1 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
killdeer 1 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
Grand Total 3747 108 722 17 04 121 36 05 30 64 02 1 Includes only flying birds with flight directions
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Nest Number Species Substrate
Nest ConditionStatusDates
Surveyed Nest
Height (m) 2012 - 1 452012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good
5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 4 592012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good 5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 5 5192012 Swainsonrsquos hawk Active Siberian Elm 7 Good
NA means not applicable
Wenck Associates Inc 301 1
st St NE Suite 202
Mandan ND 58554
Phone 701-751-3370 Email jaskimwenckcom
May 7 2012
Tracey M Dubuque PE Senior Project Manager
Tetra Tech EC
160 Federal Street Third Floor
Boston MA 02110
Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Dear Tracey
Introduction
Male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) congregate at historicalcommunal leks in the spring
to compete for breeding opportunities Both sexes return to their natal breeding grounds yearly for their
entire life Leks are typically found in areas with low-growing vegetation on a hill knoll or other point of
high visibility Fidelity to these locations is extremely high for sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse
require nesting habitat within close proximity the lek comprised of dense or residual vegetative cover to
conceal and protect their nest from predators (Vodehnal and Haufler 2007)
Disturbance of nesting prairie grouse may occur from the construction of the turbine andor access road
construction noise and physical movement of equipment Loss of habitat and fragmentation related to
energy exploration may affect local prairie grouse populations by decreasing the area of habitat available
for nesting and brood-rearing and by increasing predation (Pittman et al 2005) Therefore federal and
state wildlife agencies are concerned about the placement of turbines in areas with known prairie grouse
populations Turbine setbacks from leks and minimizing grouse habitat disturbance may reduce the direct
and indirect effects of energy development on grouse
Methods
Sharp-tailed grouse surveys were completed from April 10th to May 1
st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise
to two hours after sunrise within the one-mile analysis area (Figure 1) Peak attendance by females on leks
typically occurs from April 15 to 25 but these dates vary by up to a week depending on weather conditions
(Schroeder and Robb 1993) Peak attendance potentially occurred earlier this year due to the early spring
A habitat assessment analysis was conducted prior to the field survey to determine suitable lekkingnesting
habitat within the analysis area (Figure 2) Listening stops were made within a one-mile analysis area
surrounding the proposed project area to identify lek locations (Figure 3) Sharp-tailed grouse males may
be heard at a distance of up to 050 mile Listening stops were not conducted if winds exceeded 10 miles
per hour (mph) or during precipitation events After a lek was located the birds were observed and the
number of males and females were counted Lek locations were documented using Global Positioning
System (GPS) Given the sensitive nature of this species and the fact that females may be nesting near the
lek disturbance to breeding prairie grouse was kept to a minimum
Results
Nine (9) sharp-tailed grouse leks were located during the surveys conducted from April 10th to May 1
st
2012 (Figure 4) Date time sex number of birds present wind conditions air temperature and GPS
coordinates were recorded once a lek was located (Tables 1 and 2) Two of the leks observed were
located outside of the analysis area Due to Lek 1rsquos close proximity to Lek 4 Lek 1 shouldbe classified
as a satellite lek No visual confirmation of Lek 6 was made due to access and topography
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
2012 Spring Avian Survey Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
APPENDICES
22 August 2012
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number of Birds1
Number of
Observations Species
Percentage of Flights
N NE E SE S SW W NW Variable
Canada goose 1398 21 867 00 00 00 02 00 17 114 00
sandhill crane 1079 17 878 52 00 00 00 00 00 70 00
unidentified sparrow 565 5 00 00 00 788 212 00 00 00 00
Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
snow goose 184 2 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
European starling 80 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
American crow 69 11 768 58 58 00 14 43 00 14 43
red-winged blackbird 15 6 533 00 00 200 267 00 00 00 00
red-tailed hawk 14 10 500 143 00 71 00 71 00 71 143
rock pigeon 11 2 00 00 00 00 273 727 00 00 00
northern harrier 9 8 111 00 00 333 00 222 00 111 222
mourning dove 9 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
common grackle 9 6 111 00 00 111 00 222 556 00 00
brown-headed cowbird 8 1 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
horned lark 6 3 833 00 00 167 00 00 00 00 00
ring-billed gull 4 3 250 00 00 00 00 750 00 00 00
Wilsons snipe 2 2 500 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 500
vesper sparrow 2 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
mallard 2 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
blue-winged teal 2 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
peregrine falcon 1 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
killdeer 1 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
Grand Total 3747 108 722 17 04 121 36 05 30 64 02 1 Includes only flying birds with flight directions
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Nest Number Species Substrate
Nest ConditionStatusDates
Surveyed Nest
Height (m) 2012 - 1 452012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good
5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 4 592012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good 5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 5 5192012 Swainsonrsquos hawk Active Siberian Elm 7 Good
NA means not applicable
Wenck Associates Inc 301 1
st St NE Suite 202
Mandan ND 58554
Phone 701-751-3370 Email jaskimwenckcom
May 7 2012
Tracey M Dubuque PE Senior Project Manager
Tetra Tech EC
160 Federal Street Third Floor
Boston MA 02110
Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Dear Tracey
Introduction
Male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) congregate at historicalcommunal leks in the spring
to compete for breeding opportunities Both sexes return to their natal breeding grounds yearly for their
entire life Leks are typically found in areas with low-growing vegetation on a hill knoll or other point of
high visibility Fidelity to these locations is extremely high for sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse
require nesting habitat within close proximity the lek comprised of dense or residual vegetative cover to
conceal and protect their nest from predators (Vodehnal and Haufler 2007)
Disturbance of nesting prairie grouse may occur from the construction of the turbine andor access road
construction noise and physical movement of equipment Loss of habitat and fragmentation related to
energy exploration may affect local prairie grouse populations by decreasing the area of habitat available
for nesting and brood-rearing and by increasing predation (Pittman et al 2005) Therefore federal and
state wildlife agencies are concerned about the placement of turbines in areas with known prairie grouse
populations Turbine setbacks from leks and minimizing grouse habitat disturbance may reduce the direct
and indirect effects of energy development on grouse
Methods
Sharp-tailed grouse surveys were completed from April 10th to May 1
st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise
to two hours after sunrise within the one-mile analysis area (Figure 1) Peak attendance by females on leks
typically occurs from April 15 to 25 but these dates vary by up to a week depending on weather conditions
(Schroeder and Robb 1993) Peak attendance potentially occurred earlier this year due to the early spring
A habitat assessment analysis was conducted prior to the field survey to determine suitable lekkingnesting
habitat within the analysis area (Figure 2) Listening stops were made within a one-mile analysis area
surrounding the proposed project area to identify lek locations (Figure 3) Sharp-tailed grouse males may
be heard at a distance of up to 050 mile Listening stops were not conducted if winds exceeded 10 miles
per hour (mph) or during precipitation events After a lek was located the birds were observed and the
number of males and females were counted Lek locations were documented using Global Positioning
System (GPS) Given the sensitive nature of this species and the fact that females may be nesting near the
lek disturbance to breeding prairie grouse was kept to a minimum
Results
Nine (9) sharp-tailed grouse leks were located during the surveys conducted from April 10th to May 1
st
2012 (Figure 4) Date time sex number of birds present wind conditions air temperature and GPS
coordinates were recorded once a lek was located (Tables 1 and 2) Two of the leks observed were
located outside of the analysis area Due to Lek 1rsquos close proximity to Lek 4 Lek 1 shouldbe classified
as a satellite lek No visual confirmation of Lek 6 was made due to access and topography
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number of Birds1
Number of
Observations Species
Percentage of Flights
N NE E SE S SW W NW Variable
Canada goose 1398 21 867 00 00 00 02 00 17 114 00
sandhill crane 1079 17 878 52 00 00 00 00 00 70 00
unidentified sparrow 565 5 00 00 00 788 212 00 00 00 00
Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
snow goose 184 2 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
European starling 80 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
American crow 69 11 768 58 58 00 14 43 00 14 43
red-winged blackbird 15 6 533 00 00 200 267 00 00 00 00
red-tailed hawk 14 10 500 143 00 71 00 71 00 71 143
rock pigeon 11 2 00 00 00 00 273 727 00 00 00
northern harrier 9 8 111 00 00 333 00 222 00 111 222
mourning dove 9 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
common grackle 9 6 111 00 00 111 00 222 556 00 00
brown-headed cowbird 8 1 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
horned lark 6 3 833 00 00 167 00 00 00 00 00
ring-billed gull 4 3 250 00 00 00 00 750 00 00 00
Wilsons snipe 2 2 500 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 500
vesper sparrow 2 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
mallard 2 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
blue-winged teal 2 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
peregrine falcon 1 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
killdeer 1 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
Grand Total 3747 108 722 17 04 121 36 05 30 64 02 1 Includes only flying birds with flight directions
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Nest Number Species Substrate
Nest ConditionStatusDates
Surveyed Nest
Height (m) 2012 - 1 452012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good
5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 4 592012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good 5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 5 5192012 Swainsonrsquos hawk Active Siberian Elm 7 Good
NA means not applicable
Wenck Associates Inc 301 1
st St NE Suite 202
Mandan ND 58554
Phone 701-751-3370 Email jaskimwenckcom
May 7 2012
Tracey M Dubuque PE Senior Project Manager
Tetra Tech EC
160 Federal Street Third Floor
Boston MA 02110
Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Dear Tracey
Introduction
Male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) congregate at historicalcommunal leks in the spring
to compete for breeding opportunities Both sexes return to their natal breeding grounds yearly for their
entire life Leks are typically found in areas with low-growing vegetation on a hill knoll or other point of
high visibility Fidelity to these locations is extremely high for sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse
require nesting habitat within close proximity the lek comprised of dense or residual vegetative cover to
conceal and protect their nest from predators (Vodehnal and Haufler 2007)
Disturbance of nesting prairie grouse may occur from the construction of the turbine andor access road
construction noise and physical movement of equipment Loss of habitat and fragmentation related to
energy exploration may affect local prairie grouse populations by decreasing the area of habitat available
for nesting and brood-rearing and by increasing predation (Pittman et al 2005) Therefore federal and
state wildlife agencies are concerned about the placement of turbines in areas with known prairie grouse
populations Turbine setbacks from leks and minimizing grouse habitat disturbance may reduce the direct
and indirect effects of energy development on grouse
Methods
Sharp-tailed grouse surveys were completed from April 10th to May 1
st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise
to two hours after sunrise within the one-mile analysis area (Figure 1) Peak attendance by females on leks
typically occurs from April 15 to 25 but these dates vary by up to a week depending on weather conditions
(Schroeder and Robb 1993) Peak attendance potentially occurred earlier this year due to the early spring
A habitat assessment analysis was conducted prior to the field survey to determine suitable lekkingnesting
habitat within the analysis area (Figure 2) Listening stops were made within a one-mile analysis area
surrounding the proposed project area to identify lek locations (Figure 3) Sharp-tailed grouse males may
be heard at a distance of up to 050 mile Listening stops were not conducted if winds exceeded 10 miles
per hour (mph) or during precipitation events After a lek was located the birds were observed and the
number of males and females were counted Lek locations were documented using Global Positioning
System (GPS) Given the sensitive nature of this species and the fact that females may be nesting near the
lek disturbance to breeding prairie grouse was kept to a minimum
Results
Nine (9) sharp-tailed grouse leks were located during the surveys conducted from April 10th to May 1
st
2012 (Figure 4) Date time sex number of birds present wind conditions air temperature and GPS
coordinates were recorded once a lek was located (Tables 1 and 2) Two of the leks observed were
located outside of the analysis area Due to Lek 1rsquos close proximity to Lek 4 Lek 1 shouldbe classified
as a satellite lek No visual confirmation of Lek 6 was made due to access and topography
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Appendix 1 Flight directions of birds observed during Spring 2012 point count surveys at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
Number of Birds1
Number of
Observations Species
Percentage of Flights
N NE E SE S SW W NW Variable
Canada goose 1398 21 867 00 00 00 02 00 17 114 00
sandhill crane 1079 17 878 52 00 00 00 00 00 70 00
unidentified sparrow 565 5 00 00 00 788 212 00 00 00 00
Franklinrsquos gull 277 4 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
snow goose 184 2 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
European starling 80 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
American crow 69 11 768 58 58 00 14 43 00 14 43
red-winged blackbird 15 6 533 00 00 200 267 00 00 00 00
red-tailed hawk 14 10 500 143 00 71 00 71 00 71 143
rock pigeon 11 2 00 00 00 00 273 727 00 00 00
northern harrier 9 8 111 00 00 333 00 222 00 111 222
mourning dove 9 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
common grackle 9 6 111 00 00 111 00 222 556 00 00
brown-headed cowbird 8 1 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
horned lark 6 3 833 00 00 167 00 00 00 00 00
ring-billed gull 4 3 250 00 00 00 00 750 00 00 00
Wilsons snipe 2 2 500 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 500
vesper sparrow 2 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
mallard 2 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00
blue-winged teal 2 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
peregrine falcon 1 1 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00 00 00
killdeer 1 1 00 00 00 00 1000 00 00 00 00
Grand Total 3747 108 722 17 04 121 36 05 30 64 02 1 Includes only flying birds with flight directions
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Nest Number Species Substrate
Nest ConditionStatusDates
Surveyed Nest
Height (m) 2012 - 1 452012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good
5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 4 592012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good 5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 5 5192012 Swainsonrsquos hawk Active Siberian Elm 7 Good
NA means not applicable
Wenck Associates Inc 301 1
st St NE Suite 202
Mandan ND 58554
Phone 701-751-3370 Email jaskimwenckcom
May 7 2012
Tracey M Dubuque PE Senior Project Manager
Tetra Tech EC
160 Federal Street Third Floor
Boston MA 02110
Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Dear Tracey
Introduction
Male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) congregate at historicalcommunal leks in the spring
to compete for breeding opportunities Both sexes return to their natal breeding grounds yearly for their
entire life Leks are typically found in areas with low-growing vegetation on a hill knoll or other point of
high visibility Fidelity to these locations is extremely high for sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse
require nesting habitat within close proximity the lek comprised of dense or residual vegetative cover to
conceal and protect their nest from predators (Vodehnal and Haufler 2007)
Disturbance of nesting prairie grouse may occur from the construction of the turbine andor access road
construction noise and physical movement of equipment Loss of habitat and fragmentation related to
energy exploration may affect local prairie grouse populations by decreasing the area of habitat available
for nesting and brood-rearing and by increasing predation (Pittman et al 2005) Therefore federal and
state wildlife agencies are concerned about the placement of turbines in areas with known prairie grouse
populations Turbine setbacks from leks and minimizing grouse habitat disturbance may reduce the direct
and indirect effects of energy development on grouse
Methods
Sharp-tailed grouse surveys were completed from April 10th to May 1
st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise
to two hours after sunrise within the one-mile analysis area (Figure 1) Peak attendance by females on leks
typically occurs from April 15 to 25 but these dates vary by up to a week depending on weather conditions
(Schroeder and Robb 1993) Peak attendance potentially occurred earlier this year due to the early spring
A habitat assessment analysis was conducted prior to the field survey to determine suitable lekkingnesting
habitat within the analysis area (Figure 2) Listening stops were made within a one-mile analysis area
surrounding the proposed project area to identify lek locations (Figure 3) Sharp-tailed grouse males may
be heard at a distance of up to 050 mile Listening stops were not conducted if winds exceeded 10 miles
per hour (mph) or during precipitation events After a lek was located the birds were observed and the
number of males and females were counted Lek locations were documented using Global Positioning
System (GPS) Given the sensitive nature of this species and the fact that females may be nesting near the
lek disturbance to breeding prairie grouse was kept to a minimum
Results
Nine (9) sharp-tailed grouse leks were located during the surveys conducted from April 10th to May 1
st
2012 (Figure 4) Date time sex number of birds present wind conditions air temperature and GPS
coordinates were recorded once a lek was located (Tables 1 and 2) Two of the leks observed were
located outside of the analysis area Due to Lek 1rsquos close proximity to Lek 4 Lek 1 shouldbe classified
as a satellite lek No visual confirmation of Lek 6 was made due to access and topography
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Nest Number Species Substrate
Nest ConditionStatusDates
Surveyed Nest
Height (m) 2012 - 1 452012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good
5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 4 592012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good 5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 5 5192012 Swainsonrsquos hawk Active Siberian Elm 7 Good
NA means not applicable
Wenck Associates Inc 301 1
st St NE Suite 202
Mandan ND 58554
Phone 701-751-3370 Email jaskimwenckcom
May 7 2012
Tracey M Dubuque PE Senior Project Manager
Tetra Tech EC
160 Federal Street Third Floor
Boston MA 02110
Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Dear Tracey
Introduction
Male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) congregate at historicalcommunal leks in the spring
to compete for breeding opportunities Both sexes return to their natal breeding grounds yearly for their
entire life Leks are typically found in areas with low-growing vegetation on a hill knoll or other point of
high visibility Fidelity to these locations is extremely high for sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse
require nesting habitat within close proximity the lek comprised of dense or residual vegetative cover to
conceal and protect their nest from predators (Vodehnal and Haufler 2007)
Disturbance of nesting prairie grouse may occur from the construction of the turbine andor access road
construction noise and physical movement of equipment Loss of habitat and fragmentation related to
energy exploration may affect local prairie grouse populations by decreasing the area of habitat available
for nesting and brood-rearing and by increasing predation (Pittman et al 2005) Therefore federal and
state wildlife agencies are concerned about the placement of turbines in areas with known prairie grouse
populations Turbine setbacks from leks and minimizing grouse habitat disturbance may reduce the direct
and indirect effects of energy development on grouse
Methods
Sharp-tailed grouse surveys were completed from April 10th to May 1
st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise
to two hours after sunrise within the one-mile analysis area (Figure 1) Peak attendance by females on leks
typically occurs from April 15 to 25 but these dates vary by up to a week depending on weather conditions
(Schroeder and Robb 1993) Peak attendance potentially occurred earlier this year due to the early spring
A habitat assessment analysis was conducted prior to the field survey to determine suitable lekkingnesting
habitat within the analysis area (Figure 2) Listening stops were made within a one-mile analysis area
surrounding the proposed project area to identify lek locations (Figure 3) Sharp-tailed grouse males may
be heard at a distance of up to 050 mile Listening stops were not conducted if winds exceeded 10 miles
per hour (mph) or during precipitation events After a lek was located the birds were observed and the
number of males and females were counted Lek locations were documented using Global Positioning
System (GPS) Given the sensitive nature of this species and the fact that females may be nesting near the
lek disturbance to breeding prairie grouse was kept to a minimum
Results
Nine (9) sharp-tailed grouse leks were located during the surveys conducted from April 10th to May 1
st
2012 (Figure 4) Date time sex number of birds present wind conditions air temperature and GPS
coordinates were recorded once a lek was located (Tables 1 and 2) Two of the leks observed were
located outside of the analysis area Due to Lek 1rsquos close proximity to Lek 4 Lek 1 shouldbe classified
as a satellite lek No visual confirmation of Lek 6 was made due to access and topography
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Appendix 2 Active raptor nests observed at the Wilton IV Wind Energy Center Spring 2012
Nest Number Species Substrate
Nest ConditionStatusDates
Surveyed Nest
Height (m) 2012 - 1 452012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good
5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 4 592012 red-tailed hawk Active Green Ash 10 Good 5122012 red-tailed hawk Active
2012 - 5 5192012 Swainsonrsquos hawk Active Siberian Elm 7 Good
NA means not applicable
Wenck Associates Inc 301 1
st St NE Suite 202
Mandan ND 58554
Phone 701-751-3370 Email jaskimwenckcom
May 7 2012
Tracey M Dubuque PE Senior Project Manager
Tetra Tech EC
160 Federal Street Third Floor
Boston MA 02110
Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Dear Tracey
Introduction
Male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) congregate at historicalcommunal leks in the spring
to compete for breeding opportunities Both sexes return to their natal breeding grounds yearly for their
entire life Leks are typically found in areas with low-growing vegetation on a hill knoll or other point of
high visibility Fidelity to these locations is extremely high for sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse
require nesting habitat within close proximity the lek comprised of dense or residual vegetative cover to
conceal and protect their nest from predators (Vodehnal and Haufler 2007)
Disturbance of nesting prairie grouse may occur from the construction of the turbine andor access road
construction noise and physical movement of equipment Loss of habitat and fragmentation related to
energy exploration may affect local prairie grouse populations by decreasing the area of habitat available
for nesting and brood-rearing and by increasing predation (Pittman et al 2005) Therefore federal and
state wildlife agencies are concerned about the placement of turbines in areas with known prairie grouse
populations Turbine setbacks from leks and minimizing grouse habitat disturbance may reduce the direct
and indirect effects of energy development on grouse
Methods
Sharp-tailed grouse surveys were completed from April 10th to May 1
st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise
to two hours after sunrise within the one-mile analysis area (Figure 1) Peak attendance by females on leks
typically occurs from April 15 to 25 but these dates vary by up to a week depending on weather conditions
(Schroeder and Robb 1993) Peak attendance potentially occurred earlier this year due to the early spring
A habitat assessment analysis was conducted prior to the field survey to determine suitable lekkingnesting
habitat within the analysis area (Figure 2) Listening stops were made within a one-mile analysis area
surrounding the proposed project area to identify lek locations (Figure 3) Sharp-tailed grouse males may
be heard at a distance of up to 050 mile Listening stops were not conducted if winds exceeded 10 miles
per hour (mph) or during precipitation events After a lek was located the birds were observed and the
number of males and females were counted Lek locations were documented using Global Positioning
System (GPS) Given the sensitive nature of this species and the fact that females may be nesting near the
lek disturbance to breeding prairie grouse was kept to a minimum
Results
Nine (9) sharp-tailed grouse leks were located during the surveys conducted from April 10th to May 1
st
2012 (Figure 4) Date time sex number of birds present wind conditions air temperature and GPS
coordinates were recorded once a lek was located (Tables 1 and 2) Two of the leks observed were
located outside of the analysis area Due to Lek 1rsquos close proximity to Lek 4 Lek 1 shouldbe classified
as a satellite lek No visual confirmation of Lek 6 was made due to access and topography
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wenck Associates Inc 301 1
st St NE Suite 202
Mandan ND 58554
Phone 701-751-3370 Email jaskimwenckcom
May 7 2012
Tracey M Dubuque PE Senior Project Manager
Tetra Tech EC
160 Federal Street Third Floor
Boston MA 02110
Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Dear Tracey
Introduction
Male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) congregate at historicalcommunal leks in the spring
to compete for breeding opportunities Both sexes return to their natal breeding grounds yearly for their
entire life Leks are typically found in areas with low-growing vegetation on a hill knoll or other point of
high visibility Fidelity to these locations is extremely high for sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse
require nesting habitat within close proximity the lek comprised of dense or residual vegetative cover to
conceal and protect their nest from predators (Vodehnal and Haufler 2007)
Disturbance of nesting prairie grouse may occur from the construction of the turbine andor access road
construction noise and physical movement of equipment Loss of habitat and fragmentation related to
energy exploration may affect local prairie grouse populations by decreasing the area of habitat available
for nesting and brood-rearing and by increasing predation (Pittman et al 2005) Therefore federal and
state wildlife agencies are concerned about the placement of turbines in areas with known prairie grouse
populations Turbine setbacks from leks and minimizing grouse habitat disturbance may reduce the direct
and indirect effects of energy development on grouse
Methods
Sharp-tailed grouse surveys were completed from April 10th to May 1
st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise
to two hours after sunrise within the one-mile analysis area (Figure 1) Peak attendance by females on leks
typically occurs from April 15 to 25 but these dates vary by up to a week depending on weather conditions
(Schroeder and Robb 1993) Peak attendance potentially occurred earlier this year due to the early spring
A habitat assessment analysis was conducted prior to the field survey to determine suitable lekkingnesting
habitat within the analysis area (Figure 2) Listening stops were made within a one-mile analysis area
surrounding the proposed project area to identify lek locations (Figure 3) Sharp-tailed grouse males may
be heard at a distance of up to 050 mile Listening stops were not conducted if winds exceeded 10 miles
per hour (mph) or during precipitation events After a lek was located the birds were observed and the
number of males and females were counted Lek locations were documented using Global Positioning
System (GPS) Given the sensitive nature of this species and the fact that females may be nesting near the
lek disturbance to breeding prairie grouse was kept to a minimum
Results
Nine (9) sharp-tailed grouse leks were located during the surveys conducted from April 10th to May 1
st
2012 (Figure 4) Date time sex number of birds present wind conditions air temperature and GPS
coordinates were recorded once a lek was located (Tables 1 and 2) Two of the leks observed were
located outside of the analysis area Due to Lek 1rsquos close proximity to Lek 4 Lek 1 shouldbe classified
as a satellite lek No visual confirmation of Lek 6 was made due to access and topography
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wenck Associates Inc 301 1
st St NE Suite 202
Mandan ND 58554
Phone 701-751-3370 Email jaskimwenckcom
May 7 2012
Tracey M Dubuque PE Senior Project Manager
Tetra Tech EC
160 Federal Street Third Floor
Boston MA 02110
Wilton IV Spring 2012 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Dear Tracey
Introduction
Male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) congregate at historicalcommunal leks in the spring
to compete for breeding opportunities Both sexes return to their natal breeding grounds yearly for their
entire life Leks are typically found in areas with low-growing vegetation on a hill knoll or other point of
high visibility Fidelity to these locations is extremely high for sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse
require nesting habitat within close proximity the lek comprised of dense or residual vegetative cover to
conceal and protect their nest from predators (Vodehnal and Haufler 2007)
Disturbance of nesting prairie grouse may occur from the construction of the turbine andor access road
construction noise and physical movement of equipment Loss of habitat and fragmentation related to
energy exploration may affect local prairie grouse populations by decreasing the area of habitat available
for nesting and brood-rearing and by increasing predation (Pittman et al 2005) Therefore federal and
state wildlife agencies are concerned about the placement of turbines in areas with known prairie grouse
populations Turbine setbacks from leks and minimizing grouse habitat disturbance may reduce the direct
and indirect effects of energy development on grouse
Methods
Sharp-tailed grouse surveys were completed from April 10th to May 1
st 2012 from frac12 hour before sunrise
to two hours after sunrise within the one-mile analysis area (Figure 1) Peak attendance by females on leks
typically occurs from April 15 to 25 but these dates vary by up to a week depending on weather conditions
(Schroeder and Robb 1993) Peak attendance potentially occurred earlier this year due to the early spring
A habitat assessment analysis was conducted prior to the field survey to determine suitable lekkingnesting
habitat within the analysis area (Figure 2) Listening stops were made within a one-mile analysis area
surrounding the proposed project area to identify lek locations (Figure 3) Sharp-tailed grouse males may
be heard at a distance of up to 050 mile Listening stops were not conducted if winds exceeded 10 miles
per hour (mph) or during precipitation events After a lek was located the birds were observed and the
number of males and females were counted Lek locations were documented using Global Positioning
System (GPS) Given the sensitive nature of this species and the fact that females may be nesting near the
lek disturbance to breeding prairie grouse was kept to a minimum
Results
Nine (9) sharp-tailed grouse leks were located during the surveys conducted from April 10th to May 1
st
2012 (Figure 4) Date time sex number of birds present wind conditions air temperature and GPS
coordinates were recorded once a lek was located (Tables 1 and 2) Two of the leks observed were
located outside of the analysis area Due to Lek 1rsquos close proximity to Lek 4 Lek 1 shouldbe classified
as a satellite lek No visual confirmation of Lek 6 was made due to access and topography
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
References
Pittman J C C A Hagen R J Robel T M Loughin and R D Applegate 2005 Location and Success
of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nests in Relation to Vegetation and Human Disturbance Journal of
Wildlife Management 691259-1269
Schroder MA and LA Robb 1993 Greater prairie-chickens The Birds of North America online (A
Poole Ed) Ithaca Cornell Lab of Ornithology Retrieved from The Birds of North America
Online
Vodehnal WL and JB Haufler 2007 A grassland conservation plan for prairie Grouse North American
Grouse Partnership Fruita Colorado
Please contact Justin Askim at 701-751-6125 or jaskimwenckcom if you have comments or require
additional information
Sincerely WENCK ASSOCIATES INC
Justin Askim Wildlife Biologist
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
LAT LONG Y_PROJ X_PROJ
Lek 1 47088006 -100513881 5216056 385096
Lek 2 47058480 -100508264 5212767 385459
Lek 3 47077621 -100471654 5214841 388280
Lek 4 47091996 -100506199 5216488 385688
Lek 5 47117017 -100573895 5219370 380606
Lek 6 47017185 -100690744 5208461 371503
Lek 7 47061799 -100682270 5213405 372253
Lek 8 47056816 -100591784 5212707 379113
Lek 9 47069606 -100639514 5214203 375518
WGS 1984NAME
NAD 1983 UTM ZONE 14
Table 1 Wilton IV Lek Locations
NAME DATE MALES FEMALES UNKNOWN TOTAL
41012 2 1 2 5
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
41112 3 2 0 5
42312 5 4 1 10
42412 3 1 2 6
41112 2 1 5 8
42312 0 0 0 0
42412 0 0 2 2
41112 2 2 7 11
42312 6 0 9 15
42412 7 2 8 17
42312 6 3 1 10
42412 2 1 1 4
5112 4 2 3 9
41112 0 0 0 0
42312 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 0 0
41712 0 0 4 4
42012 0 0 0 0
5112 0 0 1 1
42012 13 0 0 13
42312 11 2 1 14
42412 17 2 3 22
5112 0 0 21 21
42312 2 0 1 3
42412 2 1 0 3
5112 0 0 0 0
LEK 8
LEK 9
LEK 2
LEK 3
LEK 4
LEK 5
LEK 6
LEK 7
Table 2 Wilton IV Lek Data
LEK 1
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
E NE V E VAH T88AH T881 E
E NT SH T0
21
13
12
14
11 4
266TH AVE NE
201ST AVE NE
292ND AVE NE
240TH AVE NE 66
TH ST
NE
214TH AVE NE
171S
T ST N
E
197T
H ST
NE
279TH AVE NE
106T
H ST
NE
158T
H ST
NE
227TH AVE NE
132N
D ST
NE
26TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
52ND
ST N
E 253RD AVE NE
188TH AVE NE
80TH
ST N
E
93RD
ST N
E 119T
H ST
NE
184T
H ST
NE
210T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
145T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
145T
H ST
NE
93RD
ST N
E
184T
H ST
NE
253RD AVE NE
279TH AVE NE
227TH AVE NE 227TH AVE NE
1 N
80TH
ST N
E 80
TH ST
NE
12TH
ST N
E
41ST
ST N
E
119T
H ST
NE
52ND
ST N
E
12TH
ST N
E
279TH AVE NE
26TH
STNE
12TH
ST N
E
12 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9
18 17 16 15 14 13 18 17 16 15
24 23 19 20 21 22 T142NR 80W T142NR 79W
14 13 18 17 16
23 24 19 20 21 22 20
T142NR 78W 23 24 19 T142NR 77W
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28
35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33
2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
12TH
ST N
E
11 12 7 8 9 10
1 6 5
11 12 7 8 9 10 11
4
12
T141NR 80W T141NR 79W 14 13 18 17 16 15 14
7 8 9
T141NR 78W
19 20
13 18 17 16 15 14
T141NR 77W 13 18 17 16
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20
26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 30 29
Wilton IV Project Area 0 1 2Source 2010 Aerial Photograph
Wilton IV Analysis Area Miles
Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 1mxd Roads Date 572012 Time 102342 AM User askjd0431
Tetra-Tech EC Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
MAY 2012 Wilton IV FIGURE 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
24
21
21
23
28
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 2
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 2mxd Date 572012 Time 102846 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 3
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 3mxd Date 572012 Time 103646 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Analysis Area Wilton IV Suitable Habitat
Listening Locations 41012 (DSA)41112 (DSA)41712 (DSA)42012 (DSA)42312 (DSA)42412 (DSA)41012 (JDA)42312 (JDA)42412 (JDA)
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370
Wilton IVSharp-tailed Grouse Lek Survey
MAY 2012 FIGURE 4
Source 2010 Aerial Photograph 0 1 2
Miles Path L260208 Wilton IV Point CountsmxdFigure 4mxd Date 572012 Time 105231 AM User askjd0431
Wilton IV Project Area Wilton IV Analysis Area Lek Locations
Tetra-Tech EC Engineers - ScientistsBusiness Professionalswwwwenckcom
Lek 9
Lek 7
Lek 6
Lek 8
Lek 5
Lek 3
Lek 2
Lek 4 Lek 1
Wenck 301 1st Street NE Suite 202Mandan ND 58554-3370701-751-3370