fluctuating significantly on a daily or weekly basis, remained 

 high for most of the late spring and summer. Areas where we 

 observed loafing harlequins in 1989 and May of 1990 remained 

 under water for most of the season. It is unclear whether the 

 dynamics of the Kootenai's water level influences the use of the 

 river by harlequin ducks. 



Major road construction and reconstruction occurring along 

 adjacent Highway 2 resulted in periodic large blasts throughout 

 the spring and summer. The road construction, while possibly 

 affecting the ducks due to increased noise levels, significantly 

 reduced the human visitation of Kootenai Falls. The inability to 

 access the area also reduced the number of desired survey 

 opportunities . 



Marten Creek - Cabinet District (KNF) 



Our first observation of a harlequin on Marten Creek was on 

 May 5 when we observed a single male fly up the creek from Marten 

 Bay. Stream side shrubs were about half leafed out and water 

 flows were increasing. On May 19 we located a single male and a 

 pair within 1 mile of each other. We did not observe any other 

 harlequins on the main stem of Marten Creek until August 10 when 

 we counted 1 female with 3 juveniles. 



Marten Creek has numerous braids with a high amount of 

 beaver activity. Shrub cover, primarily consisting of willow and 

 alder species, is generally moderate to high. Brooding habitat 

 appears common. 



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