A TOTAL OF 18 HARLEQUIN DUCKS WERE OBSERVED ON THE BOULDER RiVER 

 OVER THREE SEPARATE DAYS. THESE PROBABLY REPRESENT 15 INDIVIDUAL 



DUCKS. Harlequins were not observed on any other stream. Some 

 sightings were reported in response to the posters but these were 

 not relayed to the field investigator and have not been verified. 



Harlequin Duck Observations 



19 May (6:00pm): One pair was observed on the Boulder River 



(T6S R12E S9) 0.4 miles (odometer reading) upstream from the 

 Hilleary bridge (Figure 3) . The pair initially was seen from the 

 road and appeared to be resting in the relatively calm water near 

 the west shore, about 40 m downstream from a set of shallow 

 riffles. As we approached for a closer view the pair quickly 

 moved upstream with the female in the lead. Both ducks maintained 

 a low profile with the head held low to the water. However, both 

 reeded the assistance of their wings to negotiate the riffles. 

 Once beyond the riffles the pair relaxed but continued to move 

 upstream. They disappeared from view after about five minutes of 

 observation. Habitat: Meandering channel with smooth moderate 

 current below a small section of shallow riffles. Both banks 

 sloped gradually into the water (<45 degrees) and were forested, 

 with only a light shrub understory which grew to be moderately 

 dense (i.e. screening the river from the road) later in the 

 season. No loafing sites were available. Distance from the road 

 varied from 5 to 30 m. 



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