﻿Harlequin Duck Special Studies 



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

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

 July-August. In May, emphasis was placed on determining the total harlequin duck 

 population and the number of pairs present in the project area; in July-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 four 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. Two such 

 surveys were conducted in Jenuary, six in April, three in May, and three in July. 

 Observations of bighorn sheep made during these surveys, as welL as those made in 

 conjunction with other field work, were recorded on meps and standard data sheets. 

 Observetions of deer also were recorded. In April, the Sheppard Meadows (DNRC 

 1981a] were searched for tracks or other evidence of bighorn sheep use. 



