salamander, was found at 8 sites Painted turtle and Columbia spotted frog were found at six and 

 five sites, respectively Western toad. Pacific tree frog, and the two garter snake species were 

 found at either one or two sites Pacific tree frog was also heard vocalizing from a cattail area on 

 Upper Thompson Lake (T27NR27WS32NESW) during both the May and June visits. Number 

 of species detected per site were as follows; one species-5 sites, two species-4 sites, three 

 species-3 sites, four species- 1 site Surveys were probably conducted a little too early to 

 determine the range of sites that might be used by western toads. No toads were detected in 

 early May, and only one calling individual was heard in early June. Future searches for toads 

 should be conducted later in June or in early July when chances of detecting this species are 

 greatest 



The species detected represented most or all of the species anticipated. Thus, species 

 richness at Thompson Chain of Lakes is probably little different from what it was early in the 

 20"" century. One amphibian species present nearby in northwestern Montana, the tailed frog 

 (Ascaphis truei), inhabits swift mountain streams and would not be expected to occur in the 

 wetland habitats surveyed The same applies to the Couer d'Alene salamander (Plethudon 

 idahuensis), which occupies fracture zones and seepages in northwestern Montana (Wilson et al. 

 1997) but whose habitat is lacking from the Thompson Chain of Lakes site. 



The only amphibian possibly present in the last 50 years that was not detected during the 

 2000 inventory is the northern leopard frog (Raua pipiens) There are historical specimen 

 records from the Noxon area (1964) over a mountain divide to the west in Sanders County, and 

 from Rogers Lake (1974) and near Marion on Bitterroot Creek (no date) in Flathead County, 

 about 25 miles to the east. However, there are no historical records from the Thompson Chain of 

 Lakes, so its former presence at this area remains speculative The species has experienced 

 extirpation from many former sites in western Montana (Werner et al. 1998). 



Ahhough a frill compliment of wetland-associated amphibian species were detected, the 

 number of individual egg masses, larvae, tadpoles, and aduhs seemed low, given the abundance 

 of seemingly suitable habitat This impression of low numbers was supponed by a conversation 

 with a long-term resident of Libby who has spent many weeks in each of the last 20 years 

 camped at the Thompson Chain of Lakes He commented that frogs and toads don't seem to be 

 anywhere near as common as they used to be, and further noted that lake levels have dropped 

 over the past two decades at many sites, as evidenced by shoreline willows now well-back from 

 current shorelines. Perhaps some change in water levels is affecting amphibian abundance. 

 Annual monitoring is recommended at this collection of wetlands. 



