Appendix F Detailed Cover Type Tables - USDA Rural Development

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Bemidji – Grand Rapids Biological Assessment and Evaluation small shrubs as singing perches and will also sing from the ground. Given their secretive behavior, historic changes in the status and distribution of LeConte's sparrows are poorly understood. Wetland drainage may have caused declines in some populations, but since this species also breeds in upland grasslands, their overall populations may not have been reduced to the same extent as species restricted to wetlands. Additionally, populations are known to experience considerable annual fluctuations in abundance in portions of their range, becoming most numerous during wet years (Stewart, 1975). These fluctuations tend to obscure long‐term population trends. Abundant habitat for this species exists around the Study Area. Species Distribution and Occurrences within the Study Area This sparrow nests across several northern states and south central Canada. Its range extends between northwestern Montana/Alberta to Michigan and south to Illinois. Wintering populations are found along the Gulf Coast and southern Atlantic seaboard (National Audubon Society, 2007). This species is known to occur within portions of the CNF where sedge meadows, wetlands, and sedge dominated bogs occur. Twenty‐two historic observations of LeConte’s Sparrows have been documented within the CNF. Risk Factors Risk factors include fire suppression, successional changes to fields, and alteration of hydrology within wetlands habitats. 4.2.1.3 Nelson’s Sharp‐tailed Sparrow (Ammodramus nelsoni) The Nelson’s sharp‐tailed sparrow is listed as a CNF RFSS and as DRM Sensitive. Species Description The National Audubon Society’s Watchlist – Nelson’s Sharp‐tailed Sparrow (National Audubon Society, 2007) contains the following species description: The Nelson's Sharp‐tailed Sparrow is a small perching bird, weighing about 0.6 ounces and measuring about 5 inches long, with a wingspan of 7 inches. Overall, the bird's coloration is subtly complex. The head is boldly marked with yellow‐orange, forming a triangle around each grey cheek. This bright ochre color moves down the lower face into the sides of the neck and then into the chest. From the dark eye, a thin, brown stripe cuts through the ochre to the grey nape of the neck. The crown is also grey. The sparrow's upper parts are mostly warm brown, with black and whitish streaks. Light steaks mark the sides and fade into the ochre chest. The chin and belly are whitish. The bill is short; the tail is likewise short and sharp, appearing frayed. Breeding populations on the eastern seaboard are generally duller, grayer, and larger. Species Habitat Nelson’s sharp‐tailed sparrows are a secretive species that utilize prairie habitats where cordgrass, squirreltail, whitetop, and Phragmites are common (Rising, 1996). They have also been observed in wet meadows, peatbogs, lakesides with emergent vegetation, native prairie, abandoned fields, and planted cover, although use of these habitats may vary depending upon moisture conditions. In the CNF, they occur in areas where expansive shallow sedge meadows with little open water predominate. This sparrow is a rare breeding resident of central and northwestern Minnesota (Janssen, 1987). Like many members of the Ammodramus genus, this species has a weak insect‐like song that is easily overlooked. July 2010 Species and Associated Habitat Page 4‐7
Bemidji – Grand Rapids Biological Assessment and Evaluation This sparrow also vocalizes at night (Rising, 1996). Territorial males sing persistently upon arrival on breeding grounds where they sing from the ground and grassy clumps. Species Distribution and Occurrences within the Study Area Three geographically isolated breeding populations are present in North America. One population breeds in the prairie pothole region, one along the south shore of the Hudson Bay, and one near the eastern coastline between Maine and the St. Lawrence Seaway. Wintering takes place along the Gulf Coast and the southern Atlantic seaboard (National Audubon Society, 2007). This species is known to occur within portions of the CNF and LLR where sedge meadows, wetlands, and sedge‐dominated bogs occur. Risk Factors Risk factors include fire suppression, successional changes to fields and alteration of hydrology within wetlands habitats. 4.2.1.4 Short‐eared Owl (Asio flammeus) The short‐eared owl is listed as DNR Special Concern and as DRM Sensitive. Species Description The Conservation Assessment for Short‐eared Owl (Asio flammeus) (<strong>USDA</strong> Forest Service, 2003) includes the following species description: Medium sized owl with females larger. Adult plumage: dorsally mottled brown and buff, resembles dried grasses. Ventrally, whitish to rust colored with dense vertical streaking on breast, thinning out on sides and flanks. Females generally darker dorsally owing to more brown, and ventrally owing to rust color and heavier streaking. Sexes readily distinguished during the breeding season using color, size, and behavior. Head large and round with very small tufts arising from the center of forehead, generally not seen. Face large and facial ruff round during the normal posture. Facial disk gray/white, orbits black, eyes yellow, bill black. Wings long and broad with 10 primaries and 12 secondaries. Tail medium length with 12 feathers. In ascending flight, bouncing high flapping wing‐beats. When hunting, few wing‐beats interspersed with quartering on slightly positive dihedral wings. Aerial agility a good field characteristic of this species as it is often seen foraging during the day (Holt and Leasure 1993). Morphologically similar to the Long‐eared Owl (Asio otus), but larger overall. Long‐eared Owl’s flight is more direct with wings held most often on a horizontal plane. Long‐eared Owl plumage is darker dorsally and more heavily streaked and barred ventrally. Usually separated by diel activity period (Long‐eared: nocturnal, Short‐eared: crepuscular), but latitude and season may complicated this (Holt and Leasure 1993). Species Habitat The short‐eared owl is a species that utilizes open habitats that include old fields, crop stubble, meadows, pastures, prairie, grasslands, and shrubby habitats (Johnsgard, 1988). During the breeding season these owls utilize prairies, grassy plains, and Mikkola (1983) describes breeding habitats as moorlands, marshlands, bogs, dunes, and cleared forest. A combination of substantial areas of resting and nesting cover with nearby hunting areas having an abundance of small mammals is probably a dominant factor in breeding habitat selection (Cramp, 1985). The short‐eared owl is best represented in July 2010 Species and Associated Habitat Page 4‐8
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Appendix F Detailed Cover Type Tabl
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2006). Grassland (Surrogate) Surrog
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upland coniferous forests in the Me
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Wilton Map Document: (\\mspe-gis-fi
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Habitat Present? Yes Observations w
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Appendix I Draft Avian Mitigation P
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Avian Mitigation Plan 1.0 INTRODUCT
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Avian Mitigation Plan 2.0 SITE AND
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Avian Mitigation Plan 4.0 OPERATION
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Avian Mitigation Plan Leech Lake Re
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Appendix F Detailed Cover Type Tables - USDA Rural Development

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