METHODS 



Field techniques and analytical methods for this fourth year of monitoring 

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

 1978). A brief summary of methods employed for individual study segments 

 follows: 



GENERAL AERIAL AND GROUND SURVEYS 



With the exception of November and December 1981, monthly aerial surveys 

 were made of the Mine Study Area from March 1981 through January 1982. Ground 

 surveys were conducted in all months except November and December 1981 and 

 March 1982. 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). 



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 young 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 was run in May and June 

 of 1981, using methods outlined in the baseline study. A new route, the 

 Waller Route (DNRC 1981:56), was established and run in June and July 1981. 

 The Dreyer Ranch route was also run in July 1981. 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 these routes. The 

 average sample abundance of each indicator species, as well as various 

 community parameters, were plotted to graphically portray the nature and 

 magnitude of year-to-year fluctuations. 



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