METHODS 



Field techniques and analytical methods for this third year of monitoring 

 followed those described in the wildlife baseline study final report (DNRC 

 1978). Four biologists worked in the study area at various times during the 

 study period. A total of 86 person-days was spent conducting ground surveys in 

 and near the Mine Study Area by project biologists (Appendix A). An additional 

 11 person-days were spent carrying out aerial surveys. A brief summary of 

 methods employed for individual study segments follows. 



GENERAL AERIAL AND GROUND SURVEYS 



With the exception of August 1980 and January 1981, monthly aerial surveys 

 were made of the Mine Study Area from March 1980 through February 1981. Ground 

 surveys were conducted in all months. All observations (both ground and aerial) 

 of large mammals, upland game birds, and raptors were recorded on the type of 

 data sheets and maps used during the original baseline study (DNRC 1978) . 

 Locations of all recorded observations within the Mine Study Area were plotted 

 on maps at a scale of 1:24,000. All data (including data sheets and field maps) 

 are on file with DNRC. 



WATERFOWL SURVEY AND CENSUS 



All waterfowl observations were recorded on waterfowl data sheets similar to 

 those used in the baseline study. In addition, censuses were taken of bodies 

 of water in the Mine Study Area three or more times during the study period, 

 using methods described in the first monitoring report (DNRC 1979). A computer 

 program was developed to analyze the waterfowl data, and work on documenting the 

 program and preparing a user's guide began. 



MONITORING OF RAPTOR NESTS AND GROUSE LEKS 



Raptor nests located in the Mine Study Area were visited in May, June, and 

 July to determine if eggs or hatchings were present. Also, leks in the Mine 

 Study Area were visited in March and April to determine the number of grouse 

 present. 



ROADSIDE WILDLIFE SURVEY 



Each of the five roadside wildlife survey routes were run in May, June, and 

 July 1980, using methods outlined in the baseline study. Surveys were run on 

 dates which corresponded closely with the 1977 survey dates. A number of 

 diversity measures and other community parameters were determined for each route 

 and for the five routes combined. The average sample abundances of each 

 indicator species , as well as various community parameters, were plotted to 

 graphically portray the nature and magnitude of year-to-year fluctuations. 



SMALL MAMMAL TRAPPING 



The 12 small mammal traplines sampled in 1979 (numbers 15, 17, 18, 20, 33, 

 34, 35, 44, and 4o-49j were snap-trapped for three consecutive nights in May and 

 again for three consecutive nights in October. Methods followed those outlined 

 in the baseline studv. 



