North PorX of Callahan creek - Three Rivers District (KNF) 



On May 23 we observed three harlequins, one pair and one 

 lone male, approximately 5 miles up the North Fork of Callahan 

 Creek. Stream side shrubbery had burst bud but not yet leafed 

 out and scattered patches of old snow could be found under areas 

 of thick canopied trees. Callahan Creek appeared to be near peak 

 runoff. Exposed gravel bars, debris piles, side channels with 

 calm waters and signs of beaver activity were all in close 

 proximity of the ducks. Unnoticed, we observed the ducks 

 feeding, loafing on gravel bars and rocks, riding the rapids, and 

 interacting. The paired male defended a territory around the 

 female as the lone male attempted advances. 



On July 23 we observed a female and 3 juveniles 

 approximately 3 miles downstream from our spring observation. 

 Assuming the female to the individual we saw during May, we 

 speculate that nesting occurred in the vicinity of the spring 

 sighting. Ten days later, August 4, we located 2 juveniles 1 

 mile further do%mstream. We are assuming these two ducks to be 

 part of the brood seen before, though it is possible these are 

 additional ducks of the same brood or are from a different brood 

 altogether. Our sighting of the two lone juveniles on August 4 

 may indicate that the female probably had begun her migration 

 back to the Pacific coast. 



The North Fork of Callahan Creek is characterized by 

 numerous small, bed rock canyons, exposed gravel bars, and high 

 energy runoffs. Stream side vegetation is primarily forested 



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