Mallards were first observed January 10. They were seen along the river from 

 Bobtail Creek (U) to below the falls south of Kootenai Mountain (F). Mallards 

 were seen in the same sections of river as common goldeneye (M and N); however, on 

 several occasions they were noted standing and feeding in the white water just above 

 the crest of the falls (L). A favorite loafing site of mallards was the point of 

 land east of the boundary between sections M and N. A class I-a (Gollop and Marshall 

 1954) mallard brood of six was observed on May 18 directly across from China Creek 

 (N). 



Canada geese were first observed March 7. They were seen on or flying over 

 the river from Williams Creek (N) to near Throops Lake (C). Geese were most often 

 observed while in flight although loafing geese were observed on several occasions 

 just up from Kootenai Falls at the boundary of sections M and N. Broods of three 

 and eight were reported on April 26 and May 15, respectively, upstream from Throops 

 Lake (D). 



Common mergansers were first observed March 2. They were seen on the river from 

 near the city limits of Libby to up river from Throops Lake (D). Second only to 

 harlequin ducks, common mergansers utilized the fast water of the falls for feeding 

 and security (I, J, L). Common mergansers were observed more universally along the 

 river than any other species. At least two broods (probably creches), having an 

 average brood size of 11.5, were observed between Williams Creek and China Creek 

 (N and Z--Z was substituted for for coding purposes). Common mergansers nest in 

 cavities of deciduous trees usually near water. Peak of hatch (Bellrose 1976) was 

 occurring just at termination of this survey. 



Barrow's goldeneye were first observed April 30 and were last observed May 18. 

 No more than two birds were observed on any one occasion although at least two 

 males and one female were present and used the bay area immediately above the 

 falls (M). These birds were apparently transients. Nesting habits of the Barrow's 

 goldeneye are similar to those of the common goldeneye. 



American wiqeon were observed on April 30 and once more on May 25 in the bay 

 area immediately above the falls (M). They were apparently using the area as a 

 stopover. 



Four species of raptors were observed on the study area including the red- 

 tailed hawk, bald eagle, osprey and American kestrel. The red-tailed hawk was 

 observed twice soaring high over the area; specific use of the canyon for breeding, 

 nesting or wintering was not determined. The bald eagle was classified as an 

 endangered species in February 1978. Bald eagles were observed on eight occasions 

 from January, when this survey began, to July, when it ended. Bald eagles were 

 observed at the following locations: directly over the falls (J), immediately 

 below Kootenai Falls flying over the footbridge (H), downriver from this location 

 approximately 0.8 km (Sj mile) (F), on two occasions at the lower entrance of the 

 river gorge (D), near the junction of Highways 2 and 202 (two perched in conifers 

 along the river, and one perched in a conifer near the town of Libby). 



Osprey were observed on 49 occasions along the river. Although no nests were 

 located it is believed that one pair nested up Williams Creek (area code 21 - 22), 

 another pair may have nested below the falls near the mouth of the canyon near the 

 location of an old osprey nest (25), and a third pair may have nested on or near 

 Lynx Flats (1). A pair was reportedly observed going through the motions of building 

 a nest above the highway retaining wall midway down the gorge (22), but since the 

 activity occurred in mid-June and was not completed, it is likely this pair was 

 either young birds or was engaging in an unsuccessful renesting attempt. 



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