HarLeguin Duck Special Studies 



In addition to surveys made during project area wildlife censuses, special 

 searches of the Kootenai Falls area for harlequin ducks were conducted in June and 

 August. In June, emphasis was placed on determining the total harlequin duck 

 population and the number of pairs present in the project area; in August, emphasis 

 was placed on locating broods. 



Bighorn Sheep Studies 



During the study period, several different methods were used to gather 

 information on bighorn sheep. These methods are described below. 



Bighorn sheep were observed from strategic viewpoints along U.S. Highway 2 

 during each of the five survey field trips (table 1). The cliffs north of the 

 Kootenai River within the project area and within 1 mile (upstream] of the project 

 area were surveyed with a spotting scope. The researchers followed a controlled 

 observation schedule. During each survey, the north bank of the river was searched 

 for 10 minutes from each of 10 observation points along U.S. Highway 2. Three such 

 surveys were conducted in January, six in early March, five in Late March-early 

 April, three in June, and three in August. Observations of bighorn sheep made 

 during these surveys, as well as those made in conjunction with other field work, 

 were recorded on maps and standard data sheets. Observations of deer also were 

 recorded. In April, the Sheppard Meadows (DNRC 1981a) were searched for tracks or 

 other evidence of bighorn sheep use. 



- 5 



