have probably declined in Washington and Oregon since the mid- 

 70's (K. Dzinbal in Wallen and Groves 1989). Due to the low 

 number of harlequin ducks found on this survey combined with the 

 relatively low productivity of harlequin ducks and limited number 

 of streams I found harlequins on, I recommend that the Harlequin 

 duck remain as a Forest Service Sensitive Species. 



I found harlequins in the Flathead National Forest occupy 

 the same nesting habitat found in Glacier and Grand Teton 

 National Parks - relatively undisturbed, low gradient, mountain 

 streams with a healthy riparian component. I feel that these 

 components are not the limiting factor in harlequin duck 

 distribution as I did not find harlequins on many streams I 

 surveyed that fit these parameters. Stream productivity and 

 stability are other components that need to be investigated 

 further. Habitat measurements should follow the guidelines in 

 Wallen and Groves (1989) to provide measurement consistency and 

 more thorough measurements of specific observation sites. 

 Marking and banding are recommended to expand knowledge of 

 harlequin duck breeding biology and confirm what extent mate 

 fidelity and nest site philopatry hold true for western Montana 

 outside of Kuchel's (1977) study area in Glacier National Park. 



I recommend that surveys be continued on the Flathead 

 National Forest to document streams that harlequins use during 

 the breeding season although I feel that more emphasis should be 

 placed on documenting habitat use by harlequins on streams where 

 they are already known to breed. Additional people should also 



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