late August and early September (Kuchel 1977, Miller 1989) . 



In 1990, Carlson (1990) surveyed several streams for 

 Harlequin Ducks on the North, South and Middle forks of the 

 Flathead River, concentrating mainly on non-wilderness areas in 

 the Flathead National Forest (FNF) . This study compliments 

 Carlson's efforts and attempts to determine the status of 

 breeding Harlequin Ducks in the wilderness portion of the 

 FNF. 



While information on Harlequin Ducks remains sparse in the 

 literature, several studies have provided insights on their 

 management needs. Among the earliest and most thorough studies 

 of harlequin biology are those conducted in Iceland by Bengston 

 (1966, 1972) and Bengston and Ulfstrand (1971). Kuchel ' s (1977) 

 classic study on harlequin breeding behavior and ecology in 

 Glacier National Park provides the most complete account for the 

 species to date in the western U.S. Other surveys of breeding 

 harlequins include Miller's work on the lower Clark Fork River 

 (Miler 1988, 1989), and Carlson's (1989) surveys on the FNF. 



Other recent studies have been completed by Dzinbal (1982) , 

 who studied harlequin ecology in Prince William Sound, Alaska and 

 Wallen (1987) , who examined habitat utilization by harlequins in 

 Teton National Park, Wyoming. Several workers have completed 



