Raptor Nest Activity Assessment Form 2010

HISTORY OF NEST USE
NEST DISTURBANCE
WHAT WAS SEEN
Unknown
This nest is considered based on search history for this area to have been constructed
between the 8 th of July 2009 and the 27 th of July 2009. The entire nest structure consists
of relatively fresh brown sticks and while the nest tree is not considered the most stable
tree in this area it appears that this nest may be a replacement nest for the deteriorating
status of nest 1236.
Since 2003 a total of seven nests have been located in this gully system. It is considered
to be the most unusual territory within the District as there has been no disturbance in
this area as a result of forest harvesting activity which is traditionally thought to be the
prompt for such prolific nest development. The inspection of nests in Butler Creek gully
system on the 27 th of July 2010 as detailed within this report found a highly variable
report of the condition of nests in this area. This area has been proposed to both the FPA
and DIPIWE as an area worth consideration for further study as it appears that
something quite interesting is occurring with regard to patterns of use in this area.
Nest was found to be in very good condition. The entire nest structure consists of
relatively fresh brown sticks. Fresh bark and brown leaves were evident on the nest
surface. The nest however was not lined at the time of inspection. The condition of this
nest combined with the confirmed loss of nest 1237 and 1810 and the ongoing evidence
of deterioration in the condition of nests 1236 and 1114 should mean that this nest while
currently not displaying strong signs of expected use during the 2010 breeding season
should be managed as indeterminate status and therefore active until such time as a
further activity check can confirm the status of this nest.
The required reserve for this newly located nest occurs entirely almost entirely within
the reserve design previously in place for Nests 1810, 1237, 1114 and 1236. There will
be a requirement however to extend the minimum reserve design slightly to capture the
required minimum reserve. In addition a revision of this reserve is proposed to better
capture shelter in this area and provide a better operational boundary for this area.
There has been no recent activity within 500 meters or 1.0 kilometer line of sight of this
newly located nest. Forest operations at SH087A are the most recent in this area with
forest harvesting activity completed on the 24 th of June 2008. Forest activity however
for this area was managed in accordance with breeding season restrictions for the
previously known nests in this area. The FPP for this area specified a Section boundary
for the management of known nests that is no different than that which would be
required for this newly located nest.
The District has yet to complete PI typing for this area and the associated confirmation
of the location of the harvest boundary in this area. It is possible that the extension for
the existing reserve in this area to capture this newly located nest may need to include a
small part of SH087B that underwent partial harvesting in 2008.
Very good condition nest. The entire nest structure consists of relatively fresh brown
sticks. Fresh bark and brown leaves were evident on the nest surface. The nest however
was not lined at the time of inspection. The condition of this nest combined with the
confirmed loss of nest 1237 and 1810 and the ongoing evidence of deterioration in the
condition of nests 1236 and 1114 should mean that this nest while currently not
displaying strong signs of expected use during the 2010 breeding season should be
managed as indeterminate status and therefore active until such time as a further activity
check can confirm the status of this nest.
No birds were observed during the inspection conducted on this day
NEST NUMBER AND
NAME
Raptor Nest Activity Form SH087A Nest Complex Page 12 of 14