Lake Mead National Recreation Area Monitoring and Evaluation of Sensitive Wildlife: Quarterly Progress Report, Period Ending March 31, 2007

• Main Author: Rees, Margaret N.
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: Digital Scholarship@UNLV 2007
• Subjects: Desert Ecology; Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; Environmental Indicators and Impact Assessment; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental Sciences; Life Sciences; Physical Sciences and Mathematics; Southern Lake; Blue Point; Black Canyon; peregrine falcon; golden eagle
• Online Access: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/pli_lake_mead_wildlife/6; https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1005&context=pli_lake_mead_wildlife

Project 1. Relict Leopard Frog Monitoring, Management, and Research Spring-time diurnal surveys for relict leopard frogs were conducted at all sites. Relict leopard frog annual translocation effort was initiated. Currently, 2,153 tadpoles are being reared at the Hill Top and Willow Beach Fish Hatchery facilities. Quagga mussels found at the hatchery might not be as problematic for this program as originally thought. Current prophylactic protocols for disease treatment in tadpoles and frogs are being evaluated for their ability to kill quagga mussel larvae. Coordination and monitoring was provided to EPMT crews conducting tamarisk control at relict leopard frog sites in Black Canyon. Coordination and assistance was provided to UNLV research efforts on habitat improvements for relict leopard frogs at Blue Point and Rogers Springs. Project 2. Bald Eagle Winter Monitoring and Evaluation Bald eagle count was completed using new protocols developed last quarter. Totals were: 87 bald eagles (30 adults and 57 immature), one immature golden eagle, and four unidentified eagles. A draft annual report was written, submitted to NPS, and is currently under NPS review. Project 3. Peregrine Falcon Monitoring and Evaluation Peregrine falcon spring monitoring activities began early. A total of 30 passive surveys were completed; all known territories have been visited. Eight exploratory surveys were also conducted. One new territory along the shores of southern Lake Mojave was identified. Project 4. Assessment of Six Covered and Three Evaluation Bird Species Research status meeting was held; thrasher study focus will shift from field surveys to generating habitat variable data for preliminary analysis and modeling. Project 5. Desert Tortoise Monitoring and Management Population surveys for desert tortoises are not likely to be conducted this spring, discussions on project status to follow this quarter. Desert tortoise and desert tortoise habitat compliance monitoring was continued. Project 6. Shorebird Monitoring on Lakes Mead and ...