GMSMON-17 WILLISTON RESERVOIR TRIBUTARY - BC Hydro

May 22, 2012
Report No. 1114920016-R-Rev0-2000 11
GMSMON-17 WILLISTON RESERVOIR TRIBUTARY HABITAT
REVIEW
Bird surveys were conducted using variable radius point counts for songbirds along riparian areas of test and
control streams in order to estimate diversity and abundance of songbird species assemblages before and after
treatment. If stream noise interfered with audio detection of calls, then one side was chosen and surveys were
conducted a short distance from the stream. Surveys were conducted between sunrise and 10 am; however, if
weather was overcast and activity did not notably decrease, surveys were extended beyond this time. Surveys
were conducted during suitable weather conditions, where possible, according to RIC 1999 standards.
Once a location was selected, the surveyor waited in silence for one full minute for activity to resume
(i.e., minimize the effect of the observer). This time was used to record the field UTMs, mark a waypoint, flag and
label the plot, and record weather, time, and habitat information on the field form. A north arrow was marked on
the form and any other notable features (i.e., the stream) of the site were recorded.
All observations and calls were recording during a full five minute period (using the RIC nomenclature for
recording position, movement, level of certainty, etc. on the form). All bird observations were recorded (inside or
outside of the plot) on the form relative to the observer. Observations made between three to five minutes were
also noted. A number of field guides were employed in order to verify observations and calls including the Field
Guide to the Birds of North America (National Geographic 1999) as well as Sibley Bird and iBird Pro applications
for iTouch and iPhone which provide excellent libraries of bird songs which can be referenced in the field. If a
song could not be identified quickly in the field it was recorded with a Zoon H2 handheld recording device and
then compared to available song libraries later for identification.
Where observations of red or blue listed (or otherwise known listed) passerines were noted during the field visits
to the Williston Reservoir study areas, a Ground Inspection Form (BC Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks
and BC Ministry of Forests 1998) was completed to record habitat attributes where the species was noted.
Observations were then provided to the BC Conservation Data Centre (BC CDC).
2.4 Vegetation Surveys
Vegetation surveys were conducted over the period of 8 to 12 August, 2011 at Six Mile and Lamonti tributaries,
and during the 13 to 18 August, 2011 at Factor Ross and Ole creeks. Paired permanent 15 m (slope distance)
line intersect transects were established at each of the 4 tributaries starting from where the creek flowed into the
reservoir on either side of the creek and then moving upstream approximately 150 m to establish two more
vegetation transects on either side of the bank. General characteristics recorded at the beginning of vegetation
transects included: bank characteristics (shape, slope, and stability), overall riparian cover, extent of canopy over
the channel, debris cover (CWD), and any other notable vegetation features adjacent to the creek. Transect
locations at each tributary are provided in Maps 2 to 5 of Appendix A.
Permanent line intersect transects were set up perpendicular to the stream. Starting locations were determined
to be as close as possible to where the creek entered the reservoir. Once a location was identified, a piece of
rebar was placed at the high water mark (top of bank). The location was georeferenced with a Trimble ProXH
GPS and marked with flagging tape. A measuring tape was connected to the stake and laid from the high water
mark and another piece of rebar was pounded in at the end of a 15 m transect. The end of each transect was
marked in the same manner as the start. Rebar was left in place with the ends painted so that they can be used
for future measurements. All vegetation species that intercepted the vertical plane of the transect line were
identified and measured. Forbs and bryophytes were measured at ground level, while shrubs and trees were