Appendix 5. Notes on harlequin surveys and examination of potential northern bog 

 lemming habitat on the Helena National Forest. 



Northern Bog Lemmings. All sites surveyed for amphibians and reptiles were also 

 examined for their potential suitability as northern bog lemming {Synaptomys borealis) 

 habitat. None examined seemed suitable. Particular attention was given Indian 

 Meadows, however no extensive moss mats were found. There may be small pockets of 

 suitable habitat within this large wetland complex which were missed, as only about 4 

 hours were spent exploring the area, and the water level was very high. Summaries of 

 current knowledge of Montana distribution and habitat is available (Reichel 1996, 

 Reichel and Beckstrom 1994). 



Harlequin Ducks were surveyed on the Landers Fork of the Blackfoot River, 

 Copper Creek, and the East Fork of the North Fork Blackfoot River (Table A5.1). None 

 were found on the Helena National Forest,, however one pair was located near North Fork 

 Falls, less than a mile below HNF lands on the Lolo NF. It seems likely that ducks will 

 be found to use the East Fork of the North Fork on the HNF. It was surprising that no 

 ducks were located on the Landers Fork given the apparently good habitat and lack of 

 disturbance on that stream. I would recommend that 1-2 additional surveys during pair 

 season (1 May to 1 June) be done before a final conclusion that ducks are not currently 

 present is reached. The section above which we surveyed was not accessible; high water 

 made crossing the river impossible and cliffs on both sides of the river made walking the 

 river also impossible. It is unknown at this time if the section above is boatable and may 

 be surveyed that way. GiN'en the easy access to Copper Creek and the amount of the 

 stream surveyed, it seems doubtful that this stream currently has harlequins present; I 

 would not recommend resurveying it at this time without unless either: 1) harlequins 

 ducks are reported in the Copper Creek-Landers Fork drainage; or 2) major land 

 management activities are plamied in the drainage. Statewide Harlequin survey data is 

 currently being summarized and will be available soon (Reichel and Center, in prep.), as 

 will a Conservation Assessment and Strategy for the U.S. Rocky Mountains (Cassirer et 

 al., in review). 



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