L. WATERFCWL 



1) Introduction 



A diversity of waterfowl species utilized the Kootenai River 

 prior to impoundjnent by Littoy Dam. The majority of the ducks 

 utilizing the area were probably cavity nesters, primarily wood 

 duck, common goldeneye and Barrow's goldeneye. Cottonwood and 

 mixed deciduous/coniferous riparian areas found along the Kootenai 

 River and the major tributaries provided abundant sites for cavity 

 nesting waterfowl. Mallard and American wigeon were two upland 

 nesters found along the river and its tributaries, while the Harle- 

 quin duck was an uncommon resident found along swift moving por- 

 tions of the Kootenai River. Joslin (1978) noted the presence of 

 Harlequin ducks in the vicinity of Kootenai Falls. A variety of 

 other dabbling and diving ducks occurred in the area of concern 

 during migration (UJS. Dept. Agric. 1965b, 1966). 



A Canada goose population was found along the Kootenai River. 

 It was assumed this species nested primarily on the islands and 

 used the islands and gravel bars for feeding and loafing similar to 

 the use observed by DeSimone (1980) for the islands in the area of 

 the proposed reregulation dam. The scattered agricultural bottom- 

 lands located along the river provided additional nesting and high 

 quality brood rearing habitat for the goose population. 



2) Seasonal Habitat Preference 



Canada goose. Islands, backwater sloughs, and gravel bars 

 were probably used by the Canada goose for nesting, brooding and 

 loafing, respectively. This pattern of habitat use has been docu- 

 mented by DeSimone (1980) on the Kootenai River, and by Geis (1956) 

 on the mainstem of the Flathead River. The large number of islands, 

 primarily north of the original townsite of Rexford provided secure 

 nesting habitat as described by Ball et al. (1981) for Washington. 

 The abundant cottonwood stands along the riparian zone also pro- 

 vided suitable nest sites. In addition, the numerous sub-irrigated 

 grasslands/hay meadows, which occurred primarily upstream from the 

 original townsite of Rexford, provided abundant brood rearing habi- 

 tat similar to that noted by Ball et al. (1981). 



Ducks. The various riparian habitats, sub-irrigated grasslands/ 

 hay meadows, and island habitats within the inundated area offered 

 suitable nesting habitat for a variety of duck species. Several 

 cavity nesting species, including wood duck, Barrow's goldeneye and 

 common goldeneye, probably utilized cottonwood and coniferous snags 

 within the riparian zones. Backwater areas also provided secure 

 brood rearing habitat similar to that discussed by Bellrose (1976). 

 The mallard was probably the most common upland nester with Ameri- 

 can wigeon found in lesser numbers. Bottomland areas, riparian 

 shrublands, and backwater and beaver pond areas were probably uti- 

 lized by these species. Itie harlequin duck is known to nest along 

 swift streams and rivers in Glacier National Park (Kuchel 1977) and 



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