Primary objectives of this study were to develop a better understanding of 

 the distribution, habitat requirements, and population status of the boreal owl 

 in southwestern Montana. This project is the first of four years, designed to 

 gather sufficient baseline data on boreal owls. These data will subsequently 

 be used in population monitoring, viability assessment, and forest planning. 

 This report is a summary of the efforts during I989 to document the occurrence 

 of boreal owls in southwestern Montana on portions of the Beaverhead and 

 Bitterroot National Forests. 



STUDY AREA 



The study area consists of portions of Beaverhead, Deerlodge, Silverbow, 

 and Ravalli Counties along the Continental Divide (Fig. 1) . Elevations in the 

 area range from about 4,500 ft to 8,500 ft with a variety of forest cover 

 tj^es , aspects, and slopes. Lower elevation sites on the west slope of the 

 Continental Divide in Ravalli County are dominated by ponderosa pine ( Pinus 

 ponderosa ) and Douglas fir ( Pseudotsuga menziesii ) . Subalpine fir (Abies 

 lasiocarpa ) and lodgepole pine occur at higher elevations along the Divide. 

 Engelmann spruce is found in cool moist sites, primarily along creeks and 

 draws in the subalpine zone throughout the area. 



Douglas fir stands also occur along dry foothills in the eastern portion 

 of the study area, east of the Continental Divide, while lodgepole/subalpine 

 fir dominate the higher elevation sites. The remainder of the study area is 

 primarily lodgepole/subalpine fir cover types with spruce/subalpine fir 

 occurring in wet areas, draws, and around wet meadow complexes. Aspen ( Populus 

 tremuloides ) and willow ( Salix spp.) are present in isolated patches throughout 

 the area as riparian or paloustrian species 



