Grave Creelc - Fortine District (KNF) 



On June 17 we observed 2 adult females together 

 approximately 15 miles up Grave Creek, near the same location of 

 the 1989 sightings. After careful observation we concluded that 

 the females were not maintaining a nest site and did not have 

 broods in the vicinity. Additional surveys conducted by us and 

 by the USES throughout the summer did not result in any more 

 sightings. 



Streamside cover, beaver activity, and side channels are 

 common, providing nesting and brood rearing habitat. Mature sub- 

 alpine fir/spruce stands with shrub understories border the 

 stream where we observed the ducks. 



Our observation of 2 adult females during usual incubation 

 or hatching time suggests to us the ducks were either non- 

 breeders (1 year olds or mateless) , or breeding females that 

 suffered nest loss. An especially rainey spring and a late 

 spring (June 12) snow storm resulting in > 4" snow accumulation 

 may be factors contributing to possible nest failure. Other 

 considerations, such as recreation use or stream degradation, 

 need further investigation to determine their possible impact on 

 breeding harlequins in Grave Creek. 



While adult harlequins have been sighted on several 

 occasions, no records exist for observations of juveniles on 

 Grave Creek. Further investigations are necessary to determine 

 if nesting is occurring and if so, if repeated nest loss is 

 happening. 



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