A Natural Areas Inventory of the - Kansas Natural Heritage Inventory ...

Field surveys for animals were initiated on 12 March 2002 and completed 11 November 2003.
Techniques followed those described by Freeman et al. (1997) and consisted of taxon-specific
methods for certain species listed in Table 3.1 and general surveys for amphibians, reptiles,
mammals, and birds (Appendix B). Methods differing from those presented in Freeman et al.
(1997) are provided below.
Southern flying squirrel
Surveys for southern flying squirrels (Glaucomys volans (Linnaeus)) were conducted by placing
artificial nest boxes on trees in oak-hickory forest and in floodplain forest as described in
Freeman et al. (1997). A total of 12 boxes was placed on trees at three sites (Figure 3.1), four
boxes per site, on 5 December 2002. Boxes were checked on 14 April 2002 and 10 November
2003 for squirrels and spoor.
American burying beetle
Site Selection. Guidelines for selection of survey sites were based upon experience over the past
several years in Kansas, combined with information obtained from studies done in other parts of
the range of the American burying beetle (Nicrophorus americanus Olivier). Primary selection
criteria were as follows:
1. Relatively remote, undisturbed areas were chosen. Agricultural land and areas with bright
lights were avoided.
2. Seven of eight traplines were located on upland sites to ensure adequate dispersal of the bait’s
odor plume because many molecules generated by the decaying process are heavier than
air and may travel downhill when there is no appreciable wind. Upland sites also contain
more areas of loess and loamy soil, which is associated with populations of the species in
southeast Kansas (Guarisco 1997). One trapline was placed on the side of the levee near
the air field mainly for comparison.
3. Prairie remnants, fields, and mixed woodlands were surveyed since the species has been found
in these habitat types.
Survey Sites. On 2 September, four traplines were placed at locations 1-4 (Figure 3.2):
Location 1: Boy Scout Camp. A trapline was placed in an open area in mixed woodland
at this site because of the exceptional soil (friable, loamy loess).
Location 2: Detention Barracks (DB) Farm area. A trapline was placed on a hill with
open fields and forest just west of the DB Farm.
Location 3: Dump Area. A trapline was placed along a low ridge at the top of a disturbed
field covered with rank vegetation. This is an elevated site with a view of the railroad
tracks and floodplain.
Location 4: DB Road. A trapline was placed on both sides of the road leading to the DB.
It is surrounded by undisturbed forest with original understory vegetation. On the
immediate west side of the road is a large loess hill.
These traplines were checked early each morning on 3–6 September and removed on 6
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