t 



however, a pair was seen on the East Fork of the Blackfoot River on the Lolo NF, just east of the 

 Helena NF. 



Other Northwest Montana Areas. Pair surveys were conducted along 1 1 km of 8 

 streams during May 1995 (Appendix C). A minimum of 31 Harlequins (18 males, 13 females) 

 were seen on 6 streams (Appendix C). These included the East Fork of the North Fork Blackfoot 

 River (1 pair). North Fork Blackfoot River (4 pairs). Spotted Bear River (1 cf), Sullivan Creek (1 

 pair plus 1 ? and 1 cf). Swift Creek (2o"), and Trail Creek (6 pairs plus 2<f). No birds were seen 

 on Trout Creek (Superior) where birds are known to have bred as recently as 1 990 (see 

 DISTRIBUTION - HISTORICAL CHANGES). 



Brood surveys were conducted along 86 km of 5 streams during July - August 1995 

 (Appendix C). A minimum of 8 different Harlequin Ducks were observed on 2 streams 

 (Appendix C). These included the Spotted Bear River (2?, 1 brood of 5 young) and Sullivan 

 Creek (1 ?). Trail Creek with six pairs in the spring apparently did not produce any young (see 

 CAUSES OF MORTALITY). 



Other Southwest Montana Areas. Brood surveys were conducted along 95 km of 5 

 streams during early August 1995 (Appendix C). No Harlequin Ducks were observed on any 

 stream (Appendix C). 



Surveys by Others. Additional surveys were conducted by Glacier National Park (Ashley 

 1995), on the Boulder River by the Deerlodge National Forest (Jim Sparks pers. comm.), and the 

 Lewis and Clark National Forest (Portia Jelinek, pers. comm.). Locations of birds seen on Forest 

 Service surveys are reported in Appendix E. Reproductive parameters and movements 

 discussed later in this report include data from Ashley (1995 and pers. comm.). 



SUMMARY OF MONTANA SURVEYS 1987-95 



In Montana, 2963 km of streams have been surveyed since 1987 (Figure 1, Appendix G). 

 Many of these stream reaches have been surveyed in multiple years and during both pair and 

 brood season (Appendix G). Not all of these streams can be considered adequately surveyed. To 

 be reasonably sure birds are not present on a stream where no previous sightings have occurred, 

 at least two surveys should be conducted during the period 1-25 May. Due to lack of knowledge 

 of proper survey timing, many surveys done prior to 1992 were done during June (after males 

 have left and females are incubating) or after 10 August when many birds have left all but the 

 streams in southwest Montana. The areas most likely to have ducks present, which need primary 

 or additional surveys performed, are given in Appendix B. 



BANDING IN MONTANA: 1991-95 



During 1995 in Montana, 10 adult males, 12 adult females, and 35 juveniles were 

 captured and banded (Table 1). This brings the toal number banded since 1991 in Montana to 

 249 (39 males, 53 fmales, 157 juveniles). 



