ABSTRACT 



A spring occurrence survey of 27 streams and stream confluences, 

 5 falls, and 1 lake covering 55 miles was conducted during May and 

 June of 1989. Harlequin ducks were observed at Kootenai Falls on 

 May 14 (4 males, 2 females : one bonded pair). May 28 (3 males), 

 and June 11 (1 male). Harlequin ducks were observed on Graves Creek 

 on May 19 (1 male, 1 female : bonded pair), and on June 1 (2 males, 

 2 females : two bonded pairs) . No other harlequin duck sitings were 

 made during the spring occurrence survey period. An estimated 

 potential nest start for the hen of the bonded Kootenai Falls pair 

 was between June 4 and June 1 1 . Estimate potential nest start for 

 both hens of bonded pairs on Graves Creek as between June 1 and 

 June 1 5 . 



A summer brood survey of 15 streams covering approximately 74 miles 

 was conducted during July eind August. Only one harlequin duck siting 

 was made during this period. One adult female duck was observed on 

 Graves Creek July 19. She was observed foraging for about ain hour. 

 No sign of amy offspring was observed. 



Data collected during the summer brood survey included: stream 

 measurements (width, estimated volume of stream flow, average gradient 

 of low-gradient reaches, and stream temperatures), occurrence of 

 associated species (dippers, spotted sandpipers, belted kingfishers, 

 herons, and common mergansers) which can indicate level of aquatic 

 insect - fish populations, and stream habitat characteristics . (rated 

 relative value of slow water side/overflow channels, vegetated 

 gravel bars, overhanging vegetation, log/debris jams, and beaver 

 activity for low-giadient reaches of each stream surveyed) . 



Some existing and potential limiting factors for the harlequin duck 

 on the Kootenai National Forest include: recreational fishing 

 pressure, road building and timber harvest, private landowner 

 activities, mining development, low volume of stream flow, low 

 productivity of aquatic invertebrates, lack of adequate loafing and 

 nesting sites, large fluctuations in the level of the Kootenai 

 River (Libby Dam) during the spring £ind summer, and the possible 

 direct and indirect effects the common merganser may have on 

 potential harlequin duck brood rearing habitat. 



Possible methods to increase verified harlequin duck sitings include 

 a public relations program centered around an identification poster 

 on the harlequin duck and targeted to those private landowners who 

 live along key stream reaches. Another method which might produce 

 spring occurrence verification is the use of monitoring cameras at 

 key stream confluences. 



