Appendix F Detailed Cover Type Tables - USDA Rural Development

Bemidji – Grand Rapids
Biological Assessment and Evaluation
within Lake and Cook counties. Logistically, this species is difficult to accurately survey because it is
difficult to trap and leaves no evidence of its presence. More research is needed to develop an accurate
picture of the range of the heather vole in Minnesota (DNR, 2009).
There are no NHIS observations of heather voles in the Study Area, although appropriate habitat may
exist.
Risk Factors
Risks to heather voles are not fully understood due to a lack of research on this species. More research
is needed to develop an accurate understanding of conservation threats. What information does exist
suggests that heather voles may be out‐competed by meadow voles, if appropriate heather vole habitat
is converted to a more grassy landscape preferred by meadow voles (DNR, 2009).
4.2.2.6 Franklin’s Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus franklinii)
The Franklin’s ground squirrel is listed as DRM Sensitive.
Species Description
The Franklin’s ground squirrel is a long‐bodied squirrel with a gray speckled coat and less bushy tail. The
head of this species is typically grayer than the rest of the body and the fur on the sides of the body
tends to be lighter in color. This species averages 12 inches in length and can weigh between 11 and 13
ounces, with the males typically weighing more than the females. The Franklin’s ground squirrel is an
omnivorous species with a seasonally flexible diet, where greens are preferred in the spring, meat
during the summer, and fruit and nuts in the late summer and fall. Breeding occurs in the spring after
females have emerged from their burrows and can take place into early June. A typical brood would
contain seven or eight young (Ostroff & Finck, 2003).
Species Habitat
This terrestrial species prefers tall grassland habitats and tends to avoid habitats that have been
subjected to overgrazing, haying or frequent fire treatments. It is often observed along a forest—prairie
or marsh edge. It is also known to frequent unmowed grasslands bordering highways and railroads
(Ostroff & Finck, 2003).
Species Distribution and Occurrences within the Study Area
This species is distributed across the upper Midwest and northern Great Plains. It can be found in
appropriate habitat areas between central Alberta, central Saskatchewan, south‐central Manitoba,
eastern North and South Dakota, eastern Nebraska, northern Kansas, northern Missouri, southeastern
Wisconsin and western Minnesota (Ostroff & Finck, 2003). In Minnesota, this species can be found
throughout the prairie region but are most common in the northwest brush lands.
No NHIS observations of this species are recorded within the Study Area, nor were observations made
during field surveys for this project. At least one observation has been recorded in the NHIS database in
southeast Hubbard County. DRM reports recent sitings of Franklin’s ground squirrels in Bena, and a
colony living in the CNF Norway Beach Campground just north of Routes 1 and 2 (Mortensen personnel
communication).
Risk Factors
Risks to Franklin’s ground squirrel include loss of appropriate grassland habitat to agricultural uses.
Tilling, overgrazing and haying can also remove the grassy cover preferred by this species.
July 2010 Species and Associated Habitat Page 4‐34