Text

Const & Preoperational Terrestrial Ecological Monitoring Program, Annual Rept 1978-79
	ML20010B740
Person / Time
Site:	Byron
Issue date:	04/30/1979
From:	; ESPEY, HUSTON & ASSOCIATES, INC.
To:	;
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	7967, NUDOCS 8108170489
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Engineering & Environmental Consultants I

AUSTIN HOUSTON

DALLAS

ODESSA ALBUQUERQUE

CHICAGO + OKLAHOMA CITY J,3 neusaraassa.

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Engineering & Environ, ment lCES 3010 S. LAMAR

AtJSTIN TE a

Document No. 7967 onsultants EH&A Job No. 0127 (512) 444 3151 XAS 78704 I

CONSTRUCTION AND PR TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGICEOPERATIONAL PROGRAM - BYRON STAL MONITORING ATION 1978-197S ANNUAL REP

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ORT Submitted to:

Mr Commonw. J. P. McCluskey Chicago,ffice Box 767ealth Edison Company Post O Illinois 60690 April 1979

e ESPEY, HUSTON & ASSOCIATES, INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS f

Section Py List of Figures iv List of Tables v

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1.0 INTRODUCTION

1-1 2.0 EXECUTIVE

SUMMARY

2-1 3.0 SAMPLING SITES AND SCHEDULES 3-1 4.0 FAUNAL SURVEYS 4-1 4.1 FORBES-GROSS BIRD CENSUS 4-1 4.1.1 METHODS 4-1 4.1.2 Species Composition 4-3 4.1.2.1 Year 4 Results 4-3 4.1 2.2 Comparison with Previous Years 4-5 4.1.3 Species Richness and Diversity 4-6 4.1.3.1 Year 4 Results 4 -7 l

4.1.3.2 Comparison with Previous Years 4-7 4.1.4 Abundance 4-8 4.1.4.1 Year 4 Results 4-8 4.1.4.2 Comparison with Previous Years 4-8 4.2 WILDLIFE ROAD-CRUISE TRANSECT 4-9 4.2.1 Methods 4-9 4.2.2 Species Composition 4-10 l

4.2.2.1 Year 4 Reeults 4-10 4.2.2.2 Comparison with Year 3 4-10 4.2.3 Species Richness and Abundance 4-11 4.2.3.1 Year 4 Results 4-11 4.2.3.2 Comparison with Year 3 4-11 l

4.3 IMPORTANT SPECIES 4-12 4.3.1 Upland Game Animals 4-12 I

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TABLE OF CONTENTS (Concluded)

Section Pm 4.3.1.1 Year 4 Results 4-12 4.3.1.Z Comparison with Previous Years 4-14 4.3.2 Raptors and Waterfowl 4-14 4.3.2.1 Year 4 Results 4-14 4.3.2.2 Comparison with Previous Years 4-15 4.3.3 Threatened or Endarsered Species 4-15 5.0 FOLIAR SURVEY 5-1 5.1 METHODS 5-1 5.2 RESULTS 5-2 6.0 BIRD SALVAGE SURVEY 6-1 6.1 METHODS 6-1 l

6.2 RESULTS 6-1

7.0 CONCLUSION

S-IMPACT ASSESSMENT 7-1 8.0 LITERATURf, CITED 8-1

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I LIST OF FIGURES I

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I 3-1 Faunal Survey Transects 3-2 4-1 Comparison of Similarities of Avifaunal Communities Sur-4-16 veyed on the Byron Site - Year 4 vs. Previous Years 4-2 Seasonal Comparisons of Bird Communities on the Byron 4-17 Site - Year 4 I

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LIST OF TABLES I

Table Page 4-1 Birds Which May Occur on the Byron Site or Adjacent Areas 4-18 4-2 Mammals Which May Occur on the Byron Site and Adjacent 4-32 Areas 4-3 Density Estimates from the Forbes-Gross Bird Census on the 4-35 l

Byron Site - Spring 1978 4-4 Density Estimates from the Forbes-Gross Bird Census on the 4-38 Byron Site-S immer 1978 E

4-5 Density Estimates from Forbes-Gross Bird Census on the Byron 4-41 E

l Site-Fall 1978 4-6 Density Estimates from the Forbes-Gross Bird Census on the 4-44 Byron Site-Winter 1979 4-7 Comparison of Bird Abundance (Birds Per 100 Acres) on the 4-45 l

Byron Site and in Northern Blinois 4-8 Descriptions of Stations Along the 20-Mile Byron General 4-46 Wildlife Transect 4-9 Mean % Frequency and Abundance of Species Observed 4-47 Along the 20-Mile Byron General Wildlife Transect -

Spring 1978 4-10 Mean % Frequency and Abundance of Species Observed 4-50 Along the 20-Mile Byron General Wildlife Transect -

Summer 1978 4-11 Mean % Frequency and Abundance of Species Observed 4-52 Along the 20-Mile Byron General Wildlife Transect -

Fall 1978 l

4-12 Mean % Frequency and Abundance of Species Observed 4-54 Along the 20-Mile Byron General Wildlife Transect -

Winter 1979 4-13 Mean Numbers of Species and Individuals Observed at East 4-55 l

Station Along the Byron General Wildlife Transect -

E Spring 1978 g

4-14 Mean Numbers of Species and Individuals Observed at Each 4-56 Station Along the Byron General Wildlife Transect -

Summer 1978 I

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LIST OF TABLES (Concluded) i Table M

4-15 Mean Numbers of Species and Individuals Observed at Each 4-57 Station Along the Byron General Wildlife Transect -

i, Fall 1978 4-16 Mean Numbers of Species and Individuals Observed at Each 4-58 i

Station Along the Byron General Wildlife Transect -

Winter 1979 4-17 Summary of Species Richness and Abundance Along Wildlife 4-59 l

Road-Cruise Transect jg 4-18 Results of Auditory Census of Game Birds in the Vicinity of 4-60 jg the Byron Site - Spring and Summer 1978 i

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1.0 INTRODUCTION

l This report presents the results of Year 4 of a five-year terrestrial ecological monitoring program for the Byron Generating Station currently under construction in Ogle County, Blinois. The study began in April 1975 and is scheduled to continue with quarterly sampling and reporting through April 1980.

l The general objectives of the monitoring survey are to augment baseline information collected prior to initiation of the monitoring survey, monitor local wildlife communities, and monitor foliar conditions in the vicinity of the power plant.

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lI 2.0 EXECUTIVE

SUMMARY

i The fourth year of a five-year terrestrial ecological monitoring survey for the Byron Generating Station was conducted during the period May 1978 through February 1979. The objectives of this survey are to augment information on nature.1 plant and animal communities in the vicinity of the plant site; to determine if construction activities are affecting local biological communities; and to gather data which will allow evaluation of the impact of operatirnal natural-draft cooling towers. Techniques utilized include a Forbes-Gross walking bird census, a driving road-cruise survey for wildlif e, a foliar survey, and a bird collision survey.

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.adred and four species of birds (songbirds, raptors, wading and

. core birds; and 12 species of mammals were recorded in the vicinity of the plant site during the Year 4 survey. Greatest diversity and density of both mammals and birds were observed in wooded habitats, which, on the 1,000-ac site, are concen-I trated to the north and west of the power plant.

Comparisons of Year 4 results with those of Years 1-3 show considerable similarity in overall species composition and seasonal pacterns of species diversity, richness and abundance on the 1,000-ac site and in surrounding areas. Estimates of bird abund,'nce hase declined during the course of the monitoring survey.

For example, the Year 4 summer estimate of bird density on the 1,000-ac site was about half that of Years 1 and 2.

This decline is consistent with a recent trend of declining winter bird populations in Ogle County as reflected in published Christmas Counts.

I Along the road-cruise survey route, no significant relationship was evident between the distance of a station from the plant und the number of species or individual birds observed. Both numbers of species and individuals observed along the road-cruise transect were slightly higher in Year 4 than in Year 3.

Overall species composition along the line in Year 4 was very similar to that of Year 3.

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g Upland game species in the vicinity of the plant have :emained stable through Year 4, with two notable exceptions. The Ring-necked Pheasant has shown a gradual decline in abundance over the past three years while the Bobwhite has undergone a more severe decline in the past two years. These declines, especially that of the Bobuhite, are hkely the result of winter mortality associated with severe temperature and heavy precipitation.

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The foliar survey resulted in the documentation of several instances of apparent salt-related foliar abnormalities in the vicinity of the power plant.

Hickory trees in the disturbed forest stand immediately west of the plant continued to show symptoms of salt injury noted during the Year 3 survey. Wceded vegetation along the pipeline corridor showed symptoms of root destruction resulting from construction activities.

I No dead or injured birds were recovered at the bases of buildings and l

other structures under construction, such as the containment vessels, turbine building, and cooling towers, and the operational meteorological tower during the i

spring or fall bird salvage surveys.

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1 3.0 SAMPLING SITES AND SCHEDULES I

The Forbes-Gross and road-cruise wildlife survey transects sampled in Year 4 were the same as those utilized in previous years. Locations of these transects are depicted in Fig. 3-1.

I Sampling dates for Year 4 (spring 1978-winter 1979) was as follows:

spring, 8-11 May; summer, 10-13 July; fall, 18-21 Septernber; winter, 20-23 I

February.

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I 4.0 FAUNAL SURVEYS I

The 5-year faunal monitoring program involves both literature and field sampling of birds and mammals (excluding small mammals) on the. Byron site and adjoining areas. Field oampling is accomplished, as of the beginning of Year 3, primarily by two techniques - a Forbes-Gross walking survey and a driving wildlife I

road-cruise survey. The Forbes-Gross census provides absolute density estimates for local birds from which yearly comparisons of species composition, abundance, and I

diversity can be made.

The driving wildlife su:vey provides trend or index information on birds and mammals and all ws yea ly compari os ns of overall wildlife o

r populaticns in the vicinity of the plant and will allow future comparisons of wildlife populations before and af ter plant startup at various distances and directions from the plant.

The following sections describe the methodologies and results of the two survey techniques during Year 4 and compce these results (where appropriate) with those of Years 1-3. In addition to the two abovementioned survey methods, general I

records have been kept of all species iaentified on or near the site during opportunistic observations. General species lists, updated to reflect those species I

noted during Year 4 of the survey, are presented in Tables 4-1 (birJe and 4-2 l

(mammals).

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4.1 FORBES-GROSS BIRD CENSUS 4.1.1 Methods lI Bird populations on the site and in surrounding areas were quantitatively sampled using the Forbes-Gross walking strip census method (Graber and Graber, i

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1963). For this technique, two observers walking in parallel lines count birds in an l

imaginary strip along their path. All birds, whether perched or flying, observed within the strip (approximately 150 f t (45 m) wide in nonwooded areas and 120 ft 4-1

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(37 m) wide in wooded areas) up to about 300 f t (90 m) ahead of the observers are recorded.

(Raptors and waterfowl are not tallied since thic technique is not 0 appropriate for these birds.)

Rate of travel is approximately 45 min per mile (30 min /km), but varies depending on the number of birds counted, the time necessary to verify difficult identifications, and in wooded habitats the density of the vegetation. Time of travel through wooded habitats is typically greater than i

that through pastures and fields due to greater difficulty of identifying birds in

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heavy cover and the ex.ra time needed to visually search a three-dimensional habitat. In order to minimize the biasing effect of the vocal activity of territorial l

males in the spring and summer, only birds actually observed within the strip are tallied.

Birds detected by call but not obses f ed in the strip are not recorded.

Census counts are not ccnducted during rain.

l Forbes-Gross transects were chosen to sample major habitat types on the cite. During each survey period, approximately 8 mi (13 km) of transects were walked yielding total areas sampled in excess of 60 ac (24 ha) for both wooded and nonwooded habitats. Data presented by Graber and Graber (1963) suggest that this is a more than adequate sample size.

The data for each survey period was summarized by general habitat type l

(forest, brush and wood margins, pasture and oldfield, and cropland) and estimates of I

density and relative frequency of each species calculated. Approximate acreages of I

each habitat type on the 1,000-ac (405-ha) site were then used to obtain estimates of bird density for the site.

I 4.1.2 Species Composition I

4.1.2.1 Year 4 Results l

The results of the Forbes-Gross survey for Year 4 are presented in t

Tables 4-3 through 4-6.

Weather conditions were generally favorable with mild temperatures, partly cloudy to overcast skies, and light to moderate winds through I

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i out most of the surveys. Air temperatures during the summer survey were very mild (generally less than 90 F). Conditions durmg the winter (February 1979) survey were similar to those of the 1978 winter survey. Air temperatures (generally lower 20's to lower 30's F) were less severe than those of the winter of 1978, but the snow accumulation was greater (2% - 3 f t on level surfaces).

Results of the Forbes-Gross census are discussed below by general I

habitat type.

Birds seen during the spring or iall but not in the summer were considered exclusively as migrants, even if reported in the scientific literature as summer residents in the vicinity of Byron, Blinois.

Brush. Stands of low-growing shrubby vegetation, wooded roadsides, and edges are here considered as " brush" habitat. Common resident breeding birds as reflected by both spring and summer surveys include the Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis), Redwinged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus), Common Grackle (Quis-calus quiscala), Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata), American Robin (Turdus migrutor-

,ius), Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus), Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma

E rufrum), M urning Dove (Zenaida macroura), and song sparrow (Meiospiza meicaia).

5 Winter residents included the Common Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos), Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), and Black-capped Chickadee (Parus bicolor).

Common migrants were the Yellow-rumped Warbler (Dendroica dominica), White-throated sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis), Palm Warbler (Dendroica palmarum), and Magnolia Warbler (Dendroica magnolia).

Forest. Common summer residents of forested habitats on and around the Byron site were the Common Grackle, Blue Jay, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Cardinal, Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus), Mourning Dove, and Black-capped Chickadee. Most abundant winter residents were the Common Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Cardinal, and Downy Woodpecker (Picoides I

pubescens). Migrant species most commonly observed in forest habitats were the Yellow-rumpml Warbler, White-throated Sparrow, and Bay-breasted Warbler (Dendroica castanca).

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Grasslands.

All non-wooded areas not planted in row crops (e.g.,

oldfields, hay meadows) are included in this general category. Breeding residents of such open habitats included the Redwinged Blackbird, Dickcissel (Spiza americana),

Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus), Eastern Meadowlark (Sternella magna), Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater), and Mourning Dove. The Bobolink was unex-pectedly absent from the site during the summer survey, possibly having nested early and vacated the area. The only winter resident observed in grassland habitat was the Common Crow. The only migrant species observed in this habitat was the Vesper Sparrow (Povecetes gramineus).

I Cropland. Cropland along the survey transects was planted entirely in corn, as opposed to the situation in former years where some percentage of the transect acreage was planted in soybeans. Breeding residents were dominated by the Redwinged Blackbird, Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus), and Mourning Dove. As in the grassland habitat, the only winter resident observed was the Common Crow and the only migrant was the Vesper Sparrow.

'lotal Site. On the 1,000-ac site, the most abundant breeding birds were the Redwinged Blackbird, Dickcissel, Gray Catbird, Eastern Meadowlark, Common Grackle, Rock Dove (Columbia livia), Bobolink, Brown-headed Cowbird, Mourning Dove, and Blue Jay. These species all occurred alcng the Forbes-Gross survey 5

j transects in the spring and/or summer at a relative frequency greater than 3%

Together, they accounted for 54% and 60% of the spring and summer avifaunas, respec tively. The winter avifauna was dcminated by the Common Crow, Cardinal, and Black-capped Chickadee, which comprised 88% of all 'uirds seen.

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migrants observed during the spring and/or fall surveys at relative frequencies greater than 1% included the Yellow-rumped Warbler, White-throated Sparrow, Palm Warbler, Magnolia,,

er, Bay-breasted Warbler, and Vesper Sparrow.

4.1.2.2 Comparison with Previous Years Table 4-1 indicates the overall similarity of the avifaunas surveyed during the first four years of the monitoring program. Species composition can be I

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quantitatively compared by generating indices of community similarity (CC) using the following formula:

I CC =

, where A+B A = total number of species in Year A, B = total number of species in Year B, and c = total turnber of species common to both years.

This index varies between 1.0 (complete similarity) and 0 (no similarity).

The CC for all species observed during Years 4 and 1 is 0.762; that far Years 4 and 2 is 0.755; that for Years 4 and 3 is 0.780. These CC's demonstrate relatively high similarities between the species compositions of Year 4 and previous survey years.

The lack of a consistent trend in comparability of bird communities over the course of the monitoring study is evidence that the development of the power plant site is i

l having no measurable impact on the species composition of local bird communities.

I If development of the site had produced a rapid initial change in avifaunal 3

composition, the CC value of the Years 1-4 comparison should ba quite dissimilar, while that of Years 2-4 and 3-4 should be much more similar. If development of the site were producing a gradual change, CC values should increase as Year 4 is compared with Years 1, 2, and 3. That neither pattern is evident suggests that the species composition of bird communities in the vicinity of the plant site is not being affected by construction activities.

Further comparisons can be made using the seasonal Forbes-Gross survey results (Fig. 4-1). The greatest similarities between years are generally reflected in 4

the summer data while the least similarities appear in winter comparisons. The similarity of summer data probably results from the homogeneous conditions and I

static avifaunas encountered during summer surveys.

I Spring and fall conditions are much more variable and the avifaunas may change daily depending on Iccal and regional meteorological conditions affecting l

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migratory movements. Thus the differences in CC values in spring and summer are not unexpected. The differences in winter bird communitie probably reflect the significant differences in local vieather conditions over the four years of winter surveys. The winters of Year 2 and especially Year 1 were relatively mild, while the winters of Years 3 and 4 were relatively severe both in terms of temperature and quantity of snowfall. Thus, the species composition of Year 4 shows a higher similarity to that of Year 3 than to the other two years of the survey.

4.1.3 Species Richness and Diversity Communities may be compared in terms of the number of species present (species richness) and species diversity, which reflects not only the number of species present but also the distribution of abundance among those species. The estimates obtained with Forbes-Gross census were used to generate species diversity values for the various habitata sampled and for the site as a whole.

Species divarsity was calculated using the Shannon-Weiner function:

S H=

(P ) (InP ), where g

g H = index of species diversity (information content of sample),

S = number of species, and P = proportion of total sample belonging to ith species.

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Species richness and diversity for each survey season and the 1,000-ac Mte as a whole are graphically displayed (along with density, discussed in Section 4.1.4) for Year 4. Wooded habitats (brush and forest) had higher species richness and diversity values than nonwooded habitats during all survey seasons. Wooded habitats typically display higher species diversity due to greater diversity of niches available in the vertical component of wooded habitats. Grasslands typicahy showed higher diversity and richness than cropland.

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Species diversity in brush and forest habitats, and on the site as a whole, was sirn.lar from the spring through the fall with a slight decline (not aparent in the forest habitat) in the summer. Both parameters showed marked declines in the winter. Greater species richness in the spring and fall is due primarily to the influx of transient migrants.

Grassland and cropland habitats showed peaks in richness and diversity in the spring followed by gradual declines, except for a fall peak in grassland diversity, culminating in extremely low values in the winter.

4.1.3.2 Comparison with Previous Years The seasonal and spatial patterns of species diversity and richness in Year 4 are similar to those of Years 1-3.

Wooded nabitats consistently support a richer, more diverse avifauna than non-wooded habitats.

Warm season (spring, summer, and fall) values are higher than those of winter, of ten with spring and fall peaks reflecting the presence of migrants.

Year 4, like Year 3, did not sbow the pattern seen in Years 1 and 2 of an increase in diversity and richness in croplands in winter. This is likely due to the severe winters of Years 3 and 4 and the presence of complete snow cover (up to 3 I

feet deep in Year 4) which severely restricted the availability of waste grain. The presence of waste grain was an obvious attractant for birds seen in winter croplands i

in Years 1 and 2.

In Year 4, as in previous years, grassland communities exhibited

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greater species diversity and richness than cropland communities in the summer and fall, while the two habitats were very similar with regard to these parameters in the winter and spring. The increased attractiveness of cropland in winter and spring is probably due to the presence of waste grain.

The absolute values of species diversity and richness 'aave varied over

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varied around 3.0 during the warm seasons. Likewise, species richness has remained generally stable over the course of the study.

I 4.1.4 A bundance I

4.1.4.1 Year 4 Results Bird density estimates for Year 4 are graphically summarized in Fig. 4-2.

Brush habitats exhibited the highest densities, followed by forests and cpen habitats. Within the open-habitat category, grassland density estimates were higher in the summer and vinter, while cropland density estimates were higher in spring E

and fall. Densities generally declined from peak values in the spring to minimum 5

t values in the winter with, except for the grassland habitat, a second peak in the fall.

The spring and fall peaks undoubtedly reflect influxes of migrants.

l 4.1.4.2 Comparison with Previous Years Seasonal patterns of bird at ndance over the first four years of the monitoring study have consistantly shown warm season marama declining to winter minim a.

Although specific seasonal patterns have var:.ed considerably among habitats, the seasonal pattern of abundance over the total site has been essentially

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the same each year. Highest density occurs in the spring and summer; usually the spring estimate is slightly higher than that of the summer. These peak values are followed by a gradual decline through the fall to a winter minimum.

Overall bird abundance on and in the vicinity of the 1,000-ac plant site appears to have declined over the course of the monitoring study. This trend, which was discussed in last year's annual report, has continued into Year 4.

While the spring density estimates for Years 3 and 4 were similar, the summer estimate for Year 4 was about 25% less than that of Year 3 and about 50% less that of Years 1 and 2.

Winter density estimates have exhibited a similar trend.

The winter I

estimate for Year 4 was slightly less than that of Year 3, but less than half (47%)

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that of Year 2 and only 20% of that of Year 1. This trend in declining overall bird abundance over the past few years is consistent with published Christmas bird count data for Rockford (Johnson, 1976, 1977, 1978) and Ogle County (Stu:thers, 1975-76, 1976-77, 1977-78).

Rockford Christmas counts for Year 3 of the Byron study showed bird abundance to be only about 10% of that of Year 1 and 15% of that of Year 2.

Ogle County Christmas counts for Year 3 showed bird abundance to be about 70% of that of Year 2 and 50% of that of Year 1.

(Christmas count data I

corresponding to Year 4 of the Byron study is not. et published.)

I Table 4-7 presents a comparison of Byron bird density data with data from northern Blinois collected by Graber and Graber (1963) in 1957 and 1958. Even though the Byron density estimates have declined over the four years of the monitoring study, Year 4 estimates of summer densities are still within the range of estimates reported by the Grabers.

Winter density estimates for all habitat categories are lower for the Byron site in Year 4 than for northern Illinois.

However, except '.or the cropland category, this is also the case for the first three years of the survey. As in previous years, Year 4 estimates of bird abundance in forest habitats on the Byron site was greater than those reported by the Grabers for The reason for this is not apparent, but may be partly due to the northern Illinois.

considerable amount of " edge" habitat on the site produced by the mosaic of open I

and wooded areas, especially to the north and west of the plant site.

4.2 WILDIlFE ROAD-CRUISE TRANSECT 4.2.1 Methods In the spring of 1977, the 13-mi (21-km) auditory game bird transect surveyed during Years 1 and 2 of the program was expanded into a 20-mi (32-km) general wildlife transect driven morning and evening for 3 days. The morning count I

begins about 0.5 hour5.787037e-5 days 0.00139 hours 8.267196e-6 weeks 1.9025e-6 months af ter sunrise; the evening count ends about 0.5 hour5.787037e-5 days 0.00139 hours 8.267196e-6 weeks 1.9025e-6 months before sunset. All birds seen or heard at each station (located at 1-mi (1.6-km) intervals I

along the transect) are recorded, with the exception of flocking blackbirds, I

4-9 I

e ESPEY. HUSTON & ASSOCIATES, INC.

starlings, or crows obviously en route to or from a roosting site. In addition, all game birds and mammals seen both at and between stations are recorded. Game birds are treated in this manner to maintain continuity with game bird surveys in previous years. All mammals seen are recorded to provide maximum data on this group, which is, in general, much less frequently represented than are birds.

The distance of each station from the plant site and its habitats are summarized in Table 4-8.

4.2.2 Species Composition 4.2.2.1 Year 4 Results Tables 4-9 through 4-12 present the species observed and their abun-dance and frequency during each seasonal survey. As would be expected, dominant birds were highly conspicuous species (e.g., Common Crow, Redwinged Blackbird),

species favoring roadside or edge situations (e.g., Song Sparrow), and man-associated species (e.g.e Starling (Sturnus vulgaris), Rock Dove, House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)). Seasonal changes in species composition generally mirrored those found in the Forbes-Gross survey. Raptorial birds were commonly observed in the spring, fall, and winter, undoubtedly reflecting the presence of transient migrants, visitors, and overwintering individuals. Mammals observed were those commonly seen along roadsides in northwestern Blinois.

4.2. 2.2 Comparison with Year 3 The species present along the road-cruise survey and their relative frequencies and abundances were quite similar in Years 3 and 4. Similarity indices (CC, defined in Section 4.1.2.2) for the four survey seasons were: spring-0.734, summer-0.843, fall-0.750, winter-0.829 These indices were calculated from comparison of all species (birds and mammals) observed along the survey transect.

I

e ESPEY, HUSTON & ASSOCf ATES, INC.

The dominant species of songbirds observed were very similar in the two years under comparison. During the spring surveys the six most frequently observed species were the same. During the summer, the seven most frequently observed species were the same, with the four most frequent occurring in the same order.

During the fall, the seven most frequently observed species were the same. In the winter the five most frequent were the same. Thus, neither the overall species composition, nor the composition of the dominant avifauna chang,ed appreciably during the two years in which the road-cruise wildlife survey has bee.n employed.

l l

4.2.3 Species Richness and Abundance 4.7.3.1 Year 4 Results Tables 4-13 through 4-16 present the snean number of species and individuals observed at each station during each seasonal survey. This data was analyzed statistically to determine if a significant relationship existed between either number of species or number of individuals and distance from the plant or

)

diversity (number) of different habitat types present.

Although both species richness and abundance showed positive increases with increasing habitat diversity, neither relatier. ship was statistically significant at the 5% level.

4.2.3.2 Comparison with Year 3 Total average numbers of species and individuals recorded at each station on the road-cruise line are summarized by season in Table 4-17.

This comparison indicates that th

species richness and abundance of avifauna along the road-croise census line was quite similar in Years 3 and 4. Although the differences were generally small, both parameters had slightly higher values in Year 4.

I 4.3 IMPORTANT SPECIES The status of "important species" on the site as determined by the two survey methods discussed above and general observations on and around the site are discusaed above.

4-11

e ESPEY, HUSTON & ASSOCIATES, thC.

4.3 1 Upland Game Animals Common upland game species found on the Byron site are the Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), Gray Partridge (Perdix perdix), Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus), Mourning Dove, white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), fox squirrel (Sciurus niger), and eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus).

4.3.1.1 Year 4 Results Year 4 data pertaining to the above-mentioned species are discussed below. Spring and summer auditory data on game birds obtained on the wildlife road-cruise < ensus are presented in Table 4-18 to allow comparison with data in previous annual reports.

Mourning Dove density estimates derived from Forbes-Gross census data l

indicate greater abundance of this species in spring (8.5 birds /100 ac) than in summer (5.6/100 ac).

However, the road-cruise survey (Table 4-17) suggested greater abundances in the summer than the fall in terms of both calling birds and birds visually observed. Forbes-Gross estimates of fall abundance (2.7/100 ac) was less than that of either the spring or summer. The fall road-cruise survey likewise showed a decline in numbers of doves observed.

Ring-necked Pheasant abundance in the summer and fall was estimated l

at 4.3 and 2.1 birds /100 ac, respectively, using Forbes-Gross censu.* data; no pheasants were observed along the transect line, in the spring or winter. Table 4-17 indicates little difference in spring and summer auditory indices although spring values are somewhat higher. The results of the road-cruise presented in Table 4-9 l

through 4-11 suggest greatest abundance in the spring ' based on both frequency and abundance) and lowest in the fall (no pheasants were seen during the winter survey).

Bobwhite were not seen along the Forbes-Gross transects during Year 4.

Bobwhite were most abundant along the road-cruise survey transect in the summer.

4-12 I

e ESPEY, HUSTOM & ASSOCIATES, I!4C.

None were encountered during the fall or winter surveys, and only a single individual

-was seen during late af ternoon in the spring. Thus, Bobwhite density in the area in 1978 appeared to be rather low.

Gray Partridge were observed along the Forbes-Gross transects (crop-land) only in the spring survey; a density estimate of 2.5/100 ac was obtained.

Partridge were observed on the road-cruise survey during all seasons, but were most frequent and abundant in the summer. During the summer survey, this species was observed twice less than 1 mi west of the plant site; one of these was an encounter I

with a covey of about 13 Ir.dividuals during the summer survey.

White-tailed deer are not monitored directly; however, evidence of their activity was commonly encountered in all survey seasons.

Notable among this evidence were tracks to the west of the plant along the chain-link fence and the flushing of an individual along the Forbes-Gross transect in the disturbed woods immediately west of the site.

These two observations, along with frequen'.ly encountered tracks and pellet groups in the above mentioned wooded stand, suggest that dee commonly utilize this habitat. During the winter survey, deer trails frequently coincided with Forbes-Gross transects through wooded areas north, east, and west of the plant site.

Fresh tracks and pellet groups were commonly I

encountered.

Fox squirrels and eastern cottontails were frequently obse ved on and around the site. Both species were most commonly seen along the wildlife road-cruise transects in the summer.

l 4.3.1.2 Comparison with Previous Years The population levels of most game species appear to have remained relatively stable through Year 4.

However, two species have apparently decreased in abundance. The spring auditory index (maximum number of calling males per mile) for Ring-necked Pheasants continued a gradual decline from the Year 1 high of 4-13 i

r

~

e ESPEY, HUSTON a ASSOCIATES, INC.

1.7 to the Year 4 value of 0.7. The road-cruise survey data do not show consistent evidence of a decline in pheasant density between Years 3 and 4; Year 3 frequency and abundance were higher in the spring, but lower in summer. Fall data were quite sin 2ilar for these two years. Bobwhite abundance on and around the site decreased markedly in Year 4.

The auditory index iropped to 0 in the spring and 0.3 in the Both values are quite low compared to those of past years. The scarcity summer.

of Bobwhites on the site during Year 4 is also reflected by the paucity of observations on both the Forbes-Gross survey and the wildlife road-cruise survey.

A general decline in pheasant populations in Illinois has been recently noted (Dlinois Natural History Survey,1978). Bobwhite populations in Blinois have been shown to be adversely affected by severe winters (i.e., heavy snow and low temperatures) (Edwards, 1972).

Considering that the Byron site lies near the northern extent of the range of the Bobwhite, significant fluctuations in abundance correlated with weather conditions would not be unexpected. Thus the apparent gradual decline in Ring-necked Pheasant abundance and the abrupt decline in Year 4 of Bobwhite abundance on and around the Byron site seems most likely due to recent severe winter weather.

4.3.2 Raptors and Waterfowl 4.3.2.1 Year 4 Results Raptorial birds, waterfowl, and shore or wading birds observed on the j

site are indicated primarily in Tables 4-9 through 4-12. The most common species, occurring during spring, summer, and fall, was the Killdeer.

C mmon raptors observed during all seasons were the Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) and American Kestrei (Falco sparverius), although neither of these species was seen on for:nal census transects in the summer. The Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus) was a common winter resident.

I 4-14

i fe ESPEY, HUSTON & ASSOCIATES, INC.

~

4.3.2.2 Comparison with Previous Years The species observed and their relative frequencies have varied some-what over the course of the first four years of the Byron survey. However, the frequency and abundance of common resident species Las remained relatively constant. The Killdeer, Red-tailed Hawk, and American Kestrel continue to occur commonly in the area. In fact, the latter two species appeared to be more cornmon I

(based on the road-cruise census) in Year 4 than in Year 3.

The two above mentioned raptors were frequently seen near the plant site. Red-tabs (and other hawks) frequently perched in trees within 0.25 mi or less of the plant site.

4.3. '.

Threatened or Endangered Species No federally protected threatened or endangered species as defined by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (1978) were observed on the site or in the surrounding areas.

Two birds listed by the Elinois Department of Conservation (1978) were observed on the site during the Year 4 surveys. The endangered Marsh Hawk (Circus cyaneus) was seen on the wildlife road-cruise transect during the fall survey; this individual was assumed to be a migrant.

The threatened Veery (Catharus fuscescens) was observed in the spring on the Forbes-Gross survey in heavy understory in a wooded area. Its estimated density, based on a single observation, was 0.2 individuals /100 ac.

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SPRING SUMMER FA LL WINTER Fig. 4-1 Comparison of Si::iilarities of Avifaunal Co::n:iunities Surveyed on the Byron Site - Year 4 vs. Previous Years 1

4-16

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4-17 l

l

TABLE 4-1 I

BIRDS WilICil MAY OCCUR ON Tile BYRON SITE OR ADJACENT AREAS 3

Year Observed 2

Common Name Latin flame Status Usual liabitat 1 2 3 4 5 Common Loon Gavia immer M

lakes, rivers Red-throated Loon Gavia stellata M

lakes, rivers Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena M

ponds, lakes llorned Grebe Podiceps auritus M

lakes, ponds Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps M,SR shallow water White Pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos M lakes Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus M

lakes, rivers Great Blue lieron Ardea herodias M,SR streams, ponds, marshes X X Gieat Egret Casmerodius albus SV streams, ponds, marshes k

Snowy Egret Egretta thula SV marshes, ponds Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis M SV pastures Little Blue lieron Florida caerulea SV lakes, streams, nonds X

Green lieron Butorides virescens M,SR ponds, wooded streams X

X Black-crowned Night lieron Nycticorax nycticorax M SR swamps, marshes Yellow-crowned Night lieron Nyctanassa violacea M.SR swar.ps, marshes American Bittern B_otarus lentiginosus M SR marshes X

o Least Bittern Ixobrychus exilis SR marshes Whistling Swan Olor columbianus M

shallow water Canada Goose BrantacanadensA M,WR fields X

X White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons M

fields Snow Goose Chen caerulescens M

fields

~

l

~

l FMM m

m-M m-m M

M m-M M

m M

M M

TABLE 4-1 (Cont'd) 3 2

Year Observed Conmon Name Latin flame Status Usual liabitat 1 2 3 4 5 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos M.SR,WR ponds, marshes X X X

Black Duck Anas rubripes M,SR WR ponds Gadwall Anas strepera M

lakes, ponds Pintail Anas acuta M,SR le es, ponds Green-winged Teal Anas crecca M

ponds, lakes Blue-winged Teal Anas discors M SR ponds, marshes X

American Wigeon Anas americana M

ponds, fields Shoveler Anas clypeata M SR ponds, marshes Wood Duck Aix sponsa M SR wooded lakes, streams X X X X y

Redhead Aythya americana M

ponds, lakes Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris M

woodland ponds Canvasback Aythya valisineria M

ponds, lakes X

Greater Scaup Aythya marila M,WR ponds, lakes Lesser Scaup Aytha affinis M,WR ponds, lakes X

Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula M,WR wooded lakes, rivers X X Barrow's Goldeneye Bucephala islandica M,WR lakes, rivers Bufflehead Bucephala albeola M,SR wooded lakes, rivers Oldsquaw Slangula hyemalis M,WR lakes White-winged Scoter Melanitta deglandi WR lakes Ruddy Duck 0xyura jamaicensis M,WR lakes, rivers llooded Merganser Lophodytes cucullatus M,WR wooded lakes, streams Common Merganser Mergus merganser M,WR lakes

TABLE 4-1 (Cont'd) 3 2

Year Observed Common Name Latin Name Status Usual liabitat 1 2 3 4 5

Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator M,WR lakes Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura SR fields, roadsides X

Black Vulture Coragyps atratus SV fields, roadsides Goshawk Accipiter gentilis WR woods Sharp-shinned llawk Accipiter striatus M,SR open woods, wood margins X X Cooper's llawk Accipitercooperd M.SR open woods, wood margins X X Red-tailed llawk Buteo a ticensis M.R woods, open country X X X X Red-shouldered flawk Buteo lineatus M.R woods X

Broad-winged flawk Buteo platypterus M SR woods X X X X i

Swainson's llawk Buteo swainsoni M.SR open country Rough-legged flawk Buteo lagopus M,WR open country X X Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos M.V open country Bald Eagle llaliaeetus leucocephalus M

lakes, rivers Marsh llawk Circus cyaneus M SR grassland, marshes X

Osprey Pandion haliaetus M

lakes, rivers Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus M

woods Herlin Falco colurAarius M

open country American Kestrel Falco sparverius R

open country X X X X Bobwhite Colinus virginianus R

brush, fallow fields X X X X Gray Partridge Perdix perdix R

farmland X X X X Ring-necked Pheasant Phasianus colchius R

open woods, farmland X X X X Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis M

prairies, fields a

m gra m

M M

M

~ ~ '

M M

M TABLE 4-1 (Cont'd) 3 Year Observed 2

Common Name Latin Name Status Usual Habitat 1 2 3 4 5 King Rail Rallus elegans M.SR marshes Virginia Rail Rallus limicola M,SR marshes Sora Porzaaa carolina M SR marshes X

Yellow Rail Coturnicops noveboracensis M,SR marshes, meadows Black Rail Laterallus jamaicensis M.SR marshes Common Gallinule Gallinula chloropus M.SR marshes, lakes American Coot Fulica americana M,SR lakes, rivers X

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula M

beaches, mudflats Killdeer Charadrius vociferus M,SR fields, mudflats X X X X J3 American Golden Plover Pluvialus dominica M

fields, mudflats X

Black-bellied Plover Squatarola squatarola M

marshes, mudflats Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres M

beaches American Woodcock Piilohela minor M,SR moist woods, thickets X X X X Common Snipe Capella gallinago M.SR marshes, rivers X

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus M

marshes, prairies, shores Upland Sandpiper Bartramia longicauda M.SR grassland Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia M SR lakes, streams Willet Catoptrophorus semipalmatus M

lakes Solitary Sandpiper Tringa solitaria M.SR lakes, streams Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleucus M

marshes

TABLE 4-1 (Cont'd) 3 Year Observed 2

Coninon Name Latin Name Status Usual liabitat 1 2 3 4 5 Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes M

marshes Knot Calidris canutus M

shores, mudflats Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos M

marshes, wet fields White-rumped Sandpiper Calidris fuscicollis M

shores Baird's Sandpiper Calidris bairdii M

marshes, shores Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla M

river shorer, Dunlin Calidris alpina M

shores Semipalmated Sandpiper Calidris pusillus M

shores Western Sandpiper Calidris mauri M

mudflats i'

Sanderling Calidris alba M

sandy shores g"

Short-billed Dowitcher Limnodronus griseus M

shores Stilt Sandpiper Micropalama himantopus M

marshes, mudflats Buff-breasted Sandpiper Tryngites subruficollis M

short-grass areas Marbled Godwit Limosa fedoa M

prairies, pastures lludsonian Godwit Limosa haemastica M

marshes, shores, meadows Red Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius M

open water Wilson's Phalarope Steganopus tricolor M.SR ponds Northern Phalarcpe Lobip g lobatus M

open water Parasitic Jaeger Stercorarius parasiticus M

open water Glaucous Gul?

Larus hyperboreus WR coasts Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus M.WR coasts tierring Gull Larus argentatus M,SR lakes, rivers e, m m

M M

M

7 TABLE 4-1 (Cont'd) 3 Year Observed 2

Connon Name Latin Name Status Usual liabitat 1 2 3 4 5 Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis M,WR lakes, rivers Franklin's Gull Larus pipixcan M

prairies Bonaparte's Gull Larus philadelphia M

lakes Forster's Tern Sterna forsteri M

marshes Common Tern Sterna hirundo M,SR large lakes X

Least Tern Sterna albifrons SR sandy beaches Caspian Tern Sterna caspia M

lakes Black Tern Chlidonias niger M.SR lakes,, marshes X

Rock Dove Columba livia R

farms, cities X X X X i

Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura M,SR,WR fields, woods X X X X Yellow-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus americanus SR woods, brush X X X X Black-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus erythropthalmus M.SR woodr, brush X

Barn Owl Tyto alba R

fie' ids, marshes Screech Owl Otus asio R

towns, woodlots Great llorned Owl Bubo virginianus R

woods X

Snowy Owl Nyctea scandiaca WV open country flawk Owl Surnia ulula WR semi-open country Barred Owl Strix varia R

woods Long-eared Owl Asi.; otus M,SR woods, thickets Short-eared Owl Asio flanneus R

prairies, marshes Saw-whet Owl Aegolius acadicus R

conifers X

Chuck-will's Widow Caprimulgus carolinensis SR woods

TABLE 4-1 (Cont'd) 3 Year Observed 2

Common Name Latin Name Status Usual liabitat 1 2 3 4 5 Whip-poor-will Caprimulgus vociferus M SR woods X

L Conmon Nighthawk Chordelles minor M.SR open woods, towns X X Chimney Swift Chaetura pelagica ll,SR open sky, towns X

X X Ruby-throated flunmingbird Archilochus_ colubris 11,SR flowers Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon M SR rivers, ponds X a Conmon Flicker Colaptes auratus M SR,WR woods, farms X X X X Pileated Woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus M,SR woods Red-bellied Woodpecker Melanerpes carolinus R

woods, towns X X X X Red-headed Woodpecker Melanerpes erythrocephalus R

woods, towns X X X X h

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Sphyrapicus varius M,WR woods X X X Hairy Lhodpecker Picoides villosus R

woods X X X X Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubescens R

woods, towns X X X X Black-backed Woodpecker Picoides arcticus WV woods Eastern singbird Tyrannus tyrannus M,SR farms, roadsides X X X X Great-crested Flycatcher Myiarchus crinitus M SR woods X X X X Eastern Phoebe Sayornis phoebe M,SR streams, roadsides X

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Empidonax flaviventris M

woods Acadian Flycatcher Empidonax virescens M,SR wooded streams, woods Willow Flycatcher Empidonax traillii M.SR wooded streams, swamps Least Flycatcher Empidonax minimus M.SR woods Eastern Wood Peewee Contopus virens M,SR woods X X X X Y*-

? -

?

M

TABLE 4-1 (Cont'd) 3 2

Year Observed Common Name Latin Name Status Usual liabitat 1 2 3 4 5 Olive-sided Flycatcher Nuttallornis borealis M SR trees llorned Lark Eremophila alpestris R

fields, prairies X X X X Tree Swallow Iridoprocne bicolor M SR near water X

Bank Swallow Riparia riparia M.SR near water Rouch-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx ruficollis M SR near water X X Barn Swallow flirundo rustica M.SR open country X X X X Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonota M,SR open country Purple Martin Progne subis M,SR rural country X

X Blue Jay Cyanoccita cristata M,R woods, towns X X X X p

Common Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos R

woods, farms X X X X i Ul Black-capped Chickadee Parus atricapi!1us R

woods X X X X Tufted Titmouse Parus bicolor R

woods X X X X L

White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis R

woods X X X X Red-breasted Nuthatch Sitta canadensis M,WR woods Brown Creeper Certhia familiaris M,WR woods X

llouse Wren Troglodytes aedon M,SR woods, brush, towns X X X X Winter Wren Troglodytes troglodytes M,WR underbrush, towns Bewick's Wren Thryomanes bewickii M,SR brush, towns Carolina Wren Thryothorus ludovicianus M,SR,WR woods, underbrush, towns X X X

Long-billed Marsh Wren Cistothorus palustris M,SR marshes X

Short-billed Marsh Wren Cistothorus platensis M,SR marshes X

Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos SR brush, farms, roadsides X

l 1.

TABLE 4-1(Cont'd) 3 Year Observed 2

Conmon Name Latin Name Status Usual Habitat 1 2 3 4 5 Gray Catbird Dumtella carolinensis M.SR undergrowth, brush X X X X Brown Thrasher Toxostoma rufum M,SR,WR brush, thickets X X X X American Robin Turdus migratorius M.SR,WR farmland, woods X X X X Wood Thrusi liylocichla mustelina M.SR woods X X X X liermit Thrush Catharus guttatus M,WR woods X X X

Swainson's Thrush Catharus ustulatus M

woods X X X X Gray-cheeked Thrush Catharus minimus M

woods X

X X Veery Catharus fuscescens M SR woods X X X

Eastern Bluebird Sialia sialis M,SR,WR open country X

X X p

g Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea M,SR woods, brush X

Golden-crowned Kinglet Regulus satrapa WR woods X X Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula M,WR woods X X X X Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta M

fields, marshes X

Bohemian Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus WR semi-open country Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum M SR,WR semi-open country X X X Northern Shrike Lanius excubitor WR open country X

X Loggerhead Shrike Lanius ludovicianus M.SR open country Starling Sturnus vulgaris R

fields, towns X X X X White-eyed Vireo Vireo griseus M,SR thickets, brush X

X X Bell's Vireo Vireo belli M SR thickets X

Yellow-tbroated Vireo Vireo flavifrons M,SR woods Solitary Vireo Vireo solitarius M,SR woods X

W me m

W M

M W

M M

M W-M M

M W

GM M

M M

TABLE 4-1 (Cont'd) 3 Year Observed 2

Common Name Latin Name Status Usual liabitat

_1 2 3 _4 5

Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus M,SR woods X X X

Philadelphia Vireo Vireo philadelphicus M

woods X X X Warbling Vireo Vireo gilvus M,SR woods X X X X Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia M.SR woods, undergrowth X

X X Prothonotary Warbler Protonotaria citrea M,SR wooded swamps Swainson's Warbler Limnothlypis swainsonii M

swarps, stream bottoms Worm-eating Warbler l!elmitheros vermivorus SR

woods, adergrowth l

Golden-winged Warbler Vermivora chrysoptera M

brush, woods X

Blue-winged Warbler Vermivora pinus M SR brush, margins Tennessee Warbler Vermivora peregrina M

woods, brush X X X Orange-crowned Warbler Vermivora celata M

brush, woods X X X Nashville Warbler Vermivora ruficapilla M,SR margins, thickets X X X X l

Northern Parula Parula americana M

woods X

Yellow Warbler..

Dendroica petechia A.SR shrubs, streams X

Magnolia Warbler Dendroica magnolia M

woods X X X X Cape May Warble, Dendroica tigrina M

woods, conifers X

Black-throated Blu-Warbler lendroica caerulescens M

conifers 4

l Yellow-rumped Warbler Dendroica coronata M

brush, trees X X X

Black-throated Green Warbler Dendroica virens M

woods, conifers X

X X l

Cerulean Warbler Dendroica cerules M,SR river forests

TABLE 4-1 (Cont'd) 3 Year Observed 2

Common Name Latin Name Status Usual liabitat 1 2 3 4 5 Blackburnian Warbler Dendroica fusca M

woods Yellow-throated Warbler

_Dendroica dominica M

open woods Chestnut-sided Warbler Dendroica pensylvanica M SR orush X X X

Bay-brested Warbler Dendroici. castanea M

woods X

X Blackpoll Warbler Dendroica striata M

trees X

X Pine Warbler Dendroica pinus M

pines Prairie Warbler Dendroica discolor M.SR brush X

Palm Warbler Dendroica palmarum M

brush, weeds X

Ovenbird Seiurus aurocapillus M SR underbrush X X X Northern Waterthrush Seirus noveborancensis H

streams X X X

Louisiana Waterthrush Seiurus motacilla M SR streams Kentucky Warbler Oporornis formosus M,SR underbrush X

Connecticut Warbler 0porornis agilis M

underbrush Mourning Warbler 0porornis philadelphia M

underbrush Comon Yellowthcoat Geothlypis trichas M.SR thickets, brush X X X X i

l Yellow-breasted. Chat Icteria virens M SR brush, thickets X

j llooded Warblar Wilsonia citrina M.SR underbrush Wilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusilla M

brush, thickets X

X Canada Warbler Wilsonia canadensis M

underbrush American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla M SR woods X X X llouse Sparrow Passer domesticus R

towns, farms X X X X Bobolink Dolichonyx oryzivorus M SR fields, marshes X X X X m

m m

M M

m M

M M

M W

W W

TABLE 4-1 (Cont'd) 3 Year Observed 2

Comon Name Latin Name Status Usual liabitat 1 2 3 4 5 Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella magna M.SR.R fields, meadows X X X X l

Western Meadowlark Sturnella neglecta SR,WR fields, meadows X X X X Yellow-headed Blackbird Xanthocephalus anthocephalus M SR fields, marshes Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus M,SR.R fields, marshes X X X X Orchard Oriole Icterus spurius M.SR farms, edges X X X

Northern Oriole Icterus galbula M.SR woods, trees X X X X Rusty Blackbird Euphagus carolinus M,WR river groves Brewer's Blackbird Euphagus cyanocephalus M,SR fields, farms X X p

Common Grackle Quiscalus quiscala M,SR,WR farms, streams X X X X 4

0 Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater M,SR,WR fields, brush X X X X l

Scarlet Tanager Pirang) olivacea M.SR woods X X X X Summer Tanager Piranga rubra M SR woods X X X Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis R

wooded edges, thickets X X X X Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus M.SR woods, thickets X X X X Blue Grosbeak Guiraca caerulea M

brush, woods X

i Indigo Bunting Passerina cyanea M SR brush, edges X X X X Dickcissel Spiza americana M.SR fields, meadows X X X X I

Evening Grosbeak Hesperiphona vespertina WR trees, shrubs Purple Finch Carpodacus purpureus M,WR.SR woods X

Pine Grosbeak Pinicola enucleator WR conifers Comon Redpoll Acanthus flammea M,WR weedy fields i

4

TABLE 4-1 (Cont'd) 3 Year Obs'.rved p

Common Name Latin Name Status Usual liabitat I13 4 5 P'ne Siskin Carduelis ninus M

woods, conifers American Goldfinch Carduelis tristis R

edges X X X X Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra WR conifers White-winged Crossbill Loxia leucoptera WR conifers Rufus-sided Towhee Pipilo erythrophthalmus M SR,WR brush, edges X X X X Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis M.SR fields, prairies X X X X i

Grasshopper Sparrow Amodramus savannarum M.SR fields, prairies X X X X Henslow's Sparrow Ammodramus henslowii M SR weedy fields Sharp-tailed Sparrow Ammospiza caudacuta M

marshes

{

Leconte's Sparrow Ammospiza lecontil M

fields, marshes Vesper Sparrow Pooecetes gramineus M SR open country X X X X Lart Sparrow Chondestes gramacus M,SR open country, edges Bachman's Sparrow Aimophila aestivalis M

pines, oaks, brush pastures Dark-eyed Junco Junco hyemalis M,WR brush, edges X X X X Tree Sparrow Spizella arborea M WR brush, weedy fields X X X Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina M.SR open woods, farms X X X

Clay-colored Sparrow Spizella pallida M,WR brush, fields Field Sparrow Spizella pusilla M SR.R semi-open country X

X X Harris Sparrow Zonotrichia guerula M

open woods, brush White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys M

brush, edges X

X White-throated Sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis M.WR underbrush, thickets X X X X Fox Sparrow Passerella iliaca M,WR underbrush, thickets

/

m m

m M

M M

W W

W

M M

N M

M M

M N

H TABLE 4-1 (Concluded) d Year Observed 2

Common Name Latin Name Status Usual liabitat 1 2 3 4 5 Lincoln's Sparrow Melospiza lincolnii M SR thickets, pastures, edges X X X X Swamp Sparrow Melospiza georgiana M.SR marshes, swamps X

Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia M,SR,WR brush, edges, streams X X X X Lapland Longspur Calcarius lapponicus M

fields, prairies Smith's Longspur Calcarius pictus M

fields, prairies Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis WR fields, pastures X

4 IStatus and occurrence based on Smith and Parmalee (1955).

liabitat preference based on Robbins, et al.

i (1966) and Peterson (1963).

Nomenclature and taxonomic order based on A.0.U.

Check-List of North p

American Birds (5th edition) and supplements.

2 i

M - Migrant R - Resident SR - Summer resident WR - Winter resident SV - Summer visitant WV - Winter visitant 3 Years of the monitoring program l

l I

l 1

TABl.E 4-2 l

I MAMMALS WillCil MAY OCCUR ON THE BYRON SITE AND ADJACENT AREAS 3

Year Observed 2

Conunon Name Latin Name Usual liabitat 1 2 3 4 5 Virginia opposum Didelphis marsupialis woods, farms X X X X

Eastern mole Scalopus aquaticus moist, sandy soil X X X X Masked shrew Sorex cinereus woods, weedy fields Short tailed shrew Blarina brevicauda woods, brush X

Least shrew Cryptotis parva fields, meadows Little brown myotis Myotis lucifugus fields, buildings Keen's myotis Myotis keenii buildings, caves, woods

[

Indiana myotis

_Myotis sodalis caves Silver-haired bat Lasionycteris noctivagens woods, buildings Eastern pipestrel Pipistrellus subflavus caves, buildings, woods Big brown bat Eptesicus fuscus caves, buildings, woods lloary bat Lasiurus cinereus woods Red bat Lasiurus borealis woods Raccoon Procyon lotor woods, streams X X X X

Weasel Mustela nivalis meadows, brush Long-tailed weasel Multela frenata brush, farmland Mink Mustela vison lakes, streams X

River otter Lutra canadensis lakes, streams Striped skunk Mephitis mephitis brush, edges, farms X X X X

Badger Taxidea taxus sand prairie W

W M

M M

WM M

M M

M WWH TABLE 4-2 (Cont'd) 3 Year Observed 2

Conmon Name Latin Name Usual liabitat 1 2 3 4 5 Red fox Vulpes vulpes fields, open woods X X Gray fox Urocyon cinereoargenteus woods, open brush X X X Coyote Canis latrans open country Bobcat Lynx rufus woods Woodchuck flarmota monax forest edges X X X Thirteen-linea ground Spermophilus squirrel trideceml fneatus pastures roadsides X X X X s

Franklin's ground squirrel Spennophilus franklinii brush, grassland Eastern chipmunk Tamias striatus woods-X X X X

y-Gray squirrel Sciurus carolinensis woods, streams d

Fox squirrel Sciurus niger woods:, parkland, groves X X X X

Southern flying squirrel Glaucomys volans woods Beaver Castor canadensis lakes, streams X

X X

Western harvest mouse Reithrodontomys megalotis weedy fields Deer mouse Peromyscus maniculatus prairie, weedy fields White-footed mouse Peromyscus leucopus woods, brush, edges X

Meadow vole Microtus pennsylvanicus moist meadows Prairie vole Microtus ochrogaster neadows Woodland vole Microtus pinetorum woods, fields Muskrat Ondatra zibethicus streams, ponds X X X

Norway rat Rattus norvegicus farms, towns, crops llouse mouse Mus musculus farms, towns, crops

TABLE 4-2 (Concluded) d Year Observed 2

Common Name Latin Name Usual liabitat 1 2 3 4 5 o

Meadow jumping mouse Zapus hudsoniu_s streams, ponds Eastern cottontail Sylvilagus floridanus woods, weedy fields, edges X X X X White-tailed jackrabbit Lepus townsendii open grassland White-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus woods, brush X X X X 1 Nomenclature follows Jones et al. (1973) 2 Based on lloffmeister and Mohr (1957), Burt and Grossenheider (1964) 3 Years of the monitoring program T*

TABLE 4-3 DENSITY ESTIMATES FROM Tile FORBES-GROSS BIRD CENSUS ON Tile BYRON SITE--SPRING 1978 l

3 3

Density / Relative Frequency (%)2 Overall Overall Spec ies Brush Forest Grassland Cropland Abundance Rel. Freq. (%)

Redwinged Blackbird 69/12.3 10/2.8 64/31.4 63/24.2 446 20.5 Connon Grackle 40/7.1 35/9.6 16/7.8 49/18.8 243 11.2 Rock Dove 17/3.0 9/4.4 34/13.1 134 6.2 Bobolink 36/17.6 115 5.3 i

Brown-headed Cowbird 20/3.6 10/2.8 29/11.2 104 4.8 i

Meadowlark 7/1.2 30/14.7 101 4.7 Mourning Dove 30/5.3 7/1.9 7/3.4 10/3.8 85 3.9 Yellow-rumped Warbler 36/6.4 54/14.9 78 3.6 White-throated Sparrow 36/6.4 30/8.3 61 2.8 Rose-breasted Grosbeak 33/5.9 25/6.9 54 2.5 Palm Warbler 30/5.3 27/7.4 52 2.4 Barn Swallow 20/7.7 50 2.3 I

Blue Jay 33/5.9 17/4.7 49 2.3 American Robin 17/3.0 5/1.4 10/3.8 47 2.2 Savannah Sparrow 14/6.9 43 2.0 flouse Sparrow 10/1.8 10/3.8 36 1.7 Vesper Sparrow 7/3.4 5/1.9 34 1.6 Brown Thrasher 20/3.6

' 15/4.1 32 1.5 Starling 7/1.2 5/1.4 2/1.0 5/1.9 31 1.4 Field Sparrow 23/4.1 5/1,4 29 1.3

TABLE 4-3 (Cont'd:

l 3

3 Deitsity / Relative Frequency (%)2 Overall Overall Species Brush Forest Grassland Cropland Abundance Rel. Freq. (%)

Comon Flicker 7/1.2 12/3.3 5/1.9 28 1.3 Red-headed Woodpecker 3/0.5 12/3.3 5/2.5 26 1.2 Gray Partridge 10/3.8 25 1.2 Rough-winged Swallow 3/0.5 7/3.4 25 1.2 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 20/3.6 22 1.0 Song Sparrow 7/1.2 5/2.5 22 1.0 Cardinal 7/1.2 15/4.1 18 0.8 Downy Woodpecker 7/1.2 12/3.3 16 0.7 g

h Northern Oriole 13/2.3 15 0.7 Black-capped Chickadee 7/1.2 10/2.8 14 0.6 Chimney Swift 5/1.9 13 0.6 llouse Wren 10/1.8 11 0.5 American Goldfinch 7/1.2 3/0.8 9

0.4 White-crowned Sparrow 7/1.2 3/0.8 9

0.4 Black-throated Green Warbler 7/1.2 7

0.3 Hairy Woodpecker 3/0.5 5/1.4 7

0.3 Lincoln's Sparrow 7/1.2 7

0.3 Rufous-sided Towhee 3/0.5 3/0.8 5

0.2 White-breasted Nuthatch 7/1.9 5

0.2 Comon Yellowthroat 3/0.5 4

0.2 Gray Catbird 3/0.5 4

0.2 Nashville Warbler 3/0.5 4

0.2 M

M M

~

m M

M m

m m

e m

mm m' m m

m-m m 'm ~m' ~ m TABLE 4-3 (Concluded)

I 3

3 Density / Relative Frequency (%)2 Overall Overall Species Brush Forest Grassland Cropland Abundance Rel. Freq. (%)

Northern Waterthrush 3/0.5 4

0.2 Scarlet Tanager 5/1.4 3

0.1 Tufted Titmouse 5/1.4 3

0.1 Empidonax Flycatcher 3/0.8 2

0.1 Great-crested Flycatcher 3/0.8 2

0.1 liermit Thrush 3/0.8 2

0.1 Ovenbird 3/0.8 2

0.1 Red-bellied Woodpecker 3/0.8 2

0.1 Iti Swainson's Thrush 3/0.8 2

0.1 Veery 3/0.8 2

0.1 Unidentified 3/0.5 5/1.4 2/1.0 5/1.9 27 1.2 561/99.1 353/99.9 204/100.0 260/99.7 2171 100.1 I Birds per 100 acres 2Density / Total bird density x 100 3Totals for the 1000 acre site

TABLE 4-4 DEfiSITY tJT 'iATES FROM Tile FORBES-GROSS BIRD CENSUS Oft 'illE BYRON SITE--SUMMER 1978 I

3 3

. Density / Relative frequency (%)2 Overall Overall Species Brush Forest Grassland Cropland Abundance Rel. Freq. (%)

Redwinged Blackbird 43/11.7 109/50.7 56/65.9 535 35.5 Dickcissel 3/0.8 30/14.0 5/5.9 109 7.2 Gray Catbird 53/14.4 10/3.4 66 4.4 Meadowlark i

20/9.3 64 4.3 g

Hournin9 Dove 13/3.5 17/5.8 9/10.6 56 3.7 Blue day 26/7.1 25/8.6 47 3.1 Ring-necked Pheasant 14/6.5 43 2.9 Killdeer 5/2.3 10/11.8 39 2.6 American Robin 26/7.1 12/4.1 38 2.5 Barn Swallow 7/1.9 9/4.2 36 2.4 Black-capped Chickadee 20/5.4 15/5.1 32 2.1 llouse Wren 26/7.1 3/1.0 31 2.1 Indigo Bunting 13/3.5 12/4.1 2/0.9 31 2.1 llouse Sparrow 20/5.4 10/3.4 29 1.9 Rose-breasted Grosbeak 20/5.4 10/3.4 29 1.9 Cardinal 7/1.9 30/10.3 28 1.9 Brown Thrasher 17/4.6 12/4.1 27 l.8 Conmon Flicker 3/0,.8 7/2.4

5/2.3 23 1.5 M

M M

M SSE m

M M

TABLE 4-4 (Cont'd)

I 3

3 Density / Relative Frequency (%)2 Overall Overall Species Brush Forest Grassland Cropland Abundance Rel. Freq. (%)

Coninon Grackle 13/3.5 10/3.4 22 1.5 21 1.4 10/3.4 5/2.3 Coninon Crow l

21 l.4 Re.d-headed Woodpecker 7/1.9 20/6.8 18 1.2 Song Sparrow 17/4.6 Rufus-sided Towhee 7/1.9 12/4.1 16 1.1 14 0.9 l

5/2.3 Field Sparrow Savannah Sparrow 5/5.9 13 0.9 7

2/0.9 11 0.7 8

Coninon Yellowthroat 3/0.8 9

0.6 llairy Woodpecker 3/0.8 7/2.4 7

0.5 American Woodcock 7/1.9 7

0.5 2/0.9 l

Long-billed Marsh Wren l

N9rthern Oriole 7/1.9 7

0.5 5

0.3 Downy Woodpecker 7/2.4 5

0.3 7/2.4 Great-crested Flycatcher l

Whi'p-pocr-will 7/2.4 5

0.3 4

0.3 Chipping Sparrow 3/0.8 4

0.3 Warbling Vireo 3/0.8 3

0.2 5/1.7 Brown-headed Cowbird 3

0.2 5/1.7 Eastern Wood Pewes

TABLE 4-4 (Concluded)

Density / Relative Frequency (%)2 Overall Overall I

3 3

Species Brush Forest Grassland Cropland Abundance Rel. Freq. (%)

Tufted Titmouse 5/1.7 3

0.2 Wood Thrush 5/1.7 3

0.2 Yellow-billed Cuckoo 5/1.7 3

0.2 Red-bellied Woodpecker 3/1.0 2

0.1 Scarlet Tana9er 3/1.0 2

0.1 White-breasted Nuthatch 2

0.1 3/1.0 Unidentified 15/5.1 7/3.3 32 2.1 i

367/99.5 292/99.6 215/99.9 85/100.1 1505 100.0 IBirds per 100 acres 20ensity/ Total bird density x 100 3Totals for the 1000 acre site

" ?

M M

W W~

TABLE 4-5 DEllSITY ESTIMATES FROM FORBES-GROSS CEllSUS BiltD CEllSUS Oil Tile BYR0tl SITE--FALL 1978 I

3 3

' Density /llelative Frequency (%)2 Overall Overall Species Brush Forest brassland Cropland Abundance Rel. Freq. (%)

l 73/57.5 190 15.2 l

Ilouse Sparrow 3/0.6 5/7.2 44/34.6 126 10.1 Rock Dove Conmon Grackle 66/14.2 73 5.8 Gray Catbird 53/11.4 3/1.1 60 4.8 Coumon Flicker 10/2.1 17/6.3 11/15.9 59 4.7 i

1 Black-capped Chickadee 40/8.6 17/6.3 56 4.5 h

Headowlark 16/23.2 50 4.0 Savannah Sparrow 16/23.2 50 4.0 Blue day 23/4.9 25/9.3 43 3.4 Cardinal 30/6.4 7/2.6 38 3.0 Ma9nolia Warbler 23/4.9 15/5.6 36 2.9 Bay-breasted Warbler 13/2.8 22/8.2 30 2.4 Hournin9 Dove 5/7.2 5/3.9 27 2.2 flouse Wren 23/4.9 26 2.1 Red-headed Woodpecker 7/1.5 5/1.9 25 2.0 American Robin 20/4.3 22 1.8 Common Yellowthroat 20/4.3 22 1.8 Rin9-necked Pheasant 7/10.1 21 1.7 Downy Woodpecker 7/1.5 17/6.3 19 1.5 Brown Thrasher 17/3.6 18 1.4 Eastern 16od Peewee 13/2.8 3/1.1 16 1.3

TABLE 4-5 (Cont'd)

Density / Relative frequency (%)2 Overall Overall Species Brush Forest Grassland Cropland Abundance Rel. Freq. (%)

Rufus-sided Towhee 13/2.8 3/1.1 16 1.3 Field Sparrow 5.47.2 14 1.1 llorned Lark 5/3.9 13 1.0 l

.ose-breasted Grosbeak 7/1.5 7/2.6 13 1.0 1

Black-and-white Warbler 3/0.6 10/3.7 11 0.9 Ruby-crowned Kin 91ct 7/1.5 5/1.9 11 0.9 Black-throated Green Warbler 15/5.6 10 0.8 White-breasted Nuthatch 15/5.6 10 0.8

[

Enipidonax Flycatcher 7/1.5 3/1.1 9

0.7 American Redstart 3/0.6 5/1.9 7

0.7 Grasshopper Sparrow 2/2.9 7

0.7 llairy Woodpecker 3/0.6 5/l.9 7

0.7 Philadelphia Vireo 10/3.7 7

0.7 Tuf ted Titniouse 7/1.5 7

0.7 White-throated Sparrow 7/1.5 7

0.7 Wilson's Warbler 3/0.6 5/1.9 7

0.7 Great-crested Flycatcher 3/0.6 3/1.1 5

- 0. 4 Red-bellied Woodpecker 7/2.6 5

0.4 American Goldfinch 3/0.6 4

0.3 Swainson's Thrush 3/0.6 4

0.3 Wood Thrush 3/0.6 4

0.3 Yellow-billed Cuckoo 3/0.6 4

0.3 Coninon Crow 5/1.9 3

0.2 g

g g

g M

M M

N TABLE 4-5 (Concluded)

Density / Relative Frequency (%)#

Overall Overall I

3 3

Species Brush Forest Grassland Cropland Abundance Rel. Freq. (%)

Blackpoll Warbler 3/1.1 2

0.2 Chestnut-sided Warbler 3/1.1 2

0.2 Gray-cheeked Thrush 3/1.1 2

0.2 llennit Thrush 3/1.1 2

0.2 Nashville Warbler 3/l.1 2

0.2 White-eyed Vireo 3/1.1 2

0.2 Unidentifled 23/4.9 22/8.2 2/2.9 48 3.8 466/99.4 269/100.1 69/09.8 127/99.9 1252 101.2 1

l Birds per 100 acres l

2Density / Total bird density x 100 Totals for the 1000 acre site l

l TABLE 4-6 DENSITY ESTIMATES FROM Tile FORBES-GROSS BIRD CENSUS ON Tile BYRON SITE-' WINTER 1979 l

3 3

Density / Relative Frequency (%)2 Overall Overai1 Species Brush Forest Grassland Cropland Abundance Rel. Freq. (%)

Connon Crow 57/47.9 35/39.3 25/100.0 5/100.0 179 62.8 i

39 13.7 Cardinal 31/26.1 7/7.9 32 11.2 Black-capped Chickadee 18/15.1 17/19.1 15 5.3 American Goldfinch 13/10.9 5

1.8 l

Downy Woodpecker 7/7.9 i

e Connon Flicker 5/5.6 3

1.1 L

2 0.7 Dark-eyed Junco 3/3.4 e

l Ilairy Woodpecker 3/3.4 2

0.7 l

Red-bellied Woodpecker 3/3.4 2

0.7 Tufted Titmouse 3/3.4 2

0.7 3/3.4 2

0.7 White-breasted Nuthatch 2

0.7 3/3.4 Unidentified 119/100.0 89/100.2 25/100.0 5/100.0 285 100.1 IBirds per 100 acres 2 ensity/ Total bird density x 100 D

I.otals for the 1000 acre site M

m M

M M

I TABLE 4-7 I

COMPARISON OF BIRD ABUNDANCE (BIRDS PER 100 ACRES)

ON THE BYRON SITE AND IN NORTHERN ILLINDIS I

l Northern Illinois Byron Site g

1957 1958 1975 1976-1977 1978 I

Brush Sumer 793 344 732 508 572 367 Winter 1612 624 265 135 119 Forest Sumer 222 115 206 408 419 292 Winter 287 239 86 82 93 89 2

Grassland Sumer 185 253 464 596 352 215 Winter 43 46 170 41 21 25 3

Crociand Sumer 66 80 131 128 25 8E Winter 27 9

73 35 20 5

I From Graber and Graber (1963) 2 l

Northern Illinois estimates from pasture and oldfield categories 3Northern Illinois estimates from corn and soybeans categories II lI I

I I,

4-45

I TABLE 4-8 DESCRIPTIONS OF STATIONS ALONG THE 20-MILE g

BYRON GENERAL WILDLIFE TRANSECT I

Distance (miles)

qd Direction Station from Phnt Site Habitats 1

1.8 NW Woods, meadow 2

1.2 NW Woods, meadow, cropland, residence 3

9.8 W

Meadow, trees, cropland, residence 4

0.6 S

Cropland, trees, residence 5

0.3 E

Cropland, trees, ocwer plant l

6 0.9 NE Cropland, trees, residence 7

1.3 NE Cropland, meadow, residence l.

8 1.3 E

Cropland, meadow, trees 9

1.3 E

Woods, cropland 10 2.1 SE Cropland, residence 11 2.3 E

Woods, cropland, residence, meadow 12 2.2 E

Trees, cropland, meadow 13 2.5 NE Cropland g

14 1.9 NE Cropland 5

15 2.0 SE Meadow, cropland, trees, residence 16 1.4 SE Cropland, residence 17 1.6 S

Cropland, residence l

18 1.8 S

Woods, cropland 19 1.3 SW Trees, cropland; meadow 20 2.0 SW Woods, meadow, residence, cropland l'

I' I'

I I.

4-46

I TABLE 4-9 MEAN % FREQUENCY

AND ABUNDANCE OF SPECIES OBSERVED ALONG THE 20-MILE l

BYRON GENERAL WILDLIFE TRANSECT--SPRING 1978 Mean % Frequency Mean Abundance Species AM PM Overall AM PM Overall Game Birds Ring-necked Pheasant 35.0 16.7 25.9 9.7 4.0 6.9 Mourning Dove 21.7 18.3 20.0 9.0 6.0 7.5 Gray Partridge 3.3 3.3 3.3 1.3 1.0 1.2 Bobwhite 17 0.9 0.3 0.2 Songbirds Redwinged Blackbird 96.7 86.7 91.7 107.7 73.0 90.4 Comon Grackle 58.3 50.0 54.3 48.0 43.7 45.9 l

House Sparrow 46.7 56.7 51.7 42.7 49.0 45.9 Starling 55.0 48.3 51.7 33.0 24.3 28.7 g

Comon Crow 55.0 36.7 45.9 19.7 11.3 15.5 Song Sparrow 56.7 18.3 37.5 16.0 3.7 9.9 American Robin 48.3 43.3 35.8 17.0 14.3 15.7 Meadowlark 36.7 23.3 30.0 10.3 5.7 8.0 Horned Lark 30.0 21.7 25.9 12.0 10.0 11.0 I

Bluejay 30.0 20.0 25.0 12.3 8.0 10.2 Barn Swallow 20.0 26.7 23.4 5.3 9.0 7.2 Brown Thrasher 30.0 11.7 20.9 7.7 2.3 5.0 Brown-headed Cowbird 30.0 6.7 18.4 15.3 2.0 8.7 Red-headed Woodpecker 28.3 8.3 18.3 7.7 2.3 5.0 Cardinal 18.3 6.7 12.5 4.7 1.3 3.0 l

Pigeon 20.0 13.3 11.7 11.3 9.0 10.2 Flicker 5.'l 6.7 5.9 1.0 1.3 1.2 l

Field Sparrow 5.0 5.0 5.0 1.7 1.0 1.4 Downy Woodpecker 6.7 1.7 4.2 1.3 0.3 0.9 White-throated Sparrow 5.0 3.3 4.2 11.0 1.0 6.0 Chimney Swift 5.0 1.7 3.4 1.7 0.3 1.0 Comon Yellowthroat 6.7 3.4 1.3 0.7 House Wren 1.7 5.0 3.4 0.7 1.0 0.8 4-47

I TABLE 4-9 (Cont'd)

Mean % Frequency Mean Aoundance Species AM PM Overall AM PM Overall Red-bellied Woodpecker 5.0 1.7 3.4 1.0 0.3 0.7 Black-capped Chickadee 3.3 3.3 3.3 0.7 0.7 0.7 Great-crested Flycatcher 5.0 2.5 l'. 0 0.5 Hairy Woodpecker 5.0 2.5 1.3 0.7 l

Rufous-sided Towhee 3.3 1.7 2.5 0.7 0.3 0.5 Tufted Titmouse 3.3 1.7 2.5 0.7 0.3 0.5 l

American Goldfinch 3.3 1.7 0.7 0.3 Eastern Kingbird 1.7 1.7 1.7 0.3 0.3 0.3 l

Palm Warbler 3.3 1.7 1.3 0.7 Rough-winged Swallow 1.7 1.7 1.7 0.3 0.7 0.5 l

Savannah Sparrow 3.3 1.7 1.3 0.7 Chipping Sparrow 1.7 0.9 0.3 0.2 Eastern Bluebird 1.7 0.9 0.3 0.5 Gray Catbird 1.7 0.9 0.7 0.3 Indigo Bunting 1.7 0.9 0.3 0.2 g

fiorthern Oriole 1.7 0.9 0.3 0.2 m

Vesper Sparrow 1.7 0.9 0.3 0.2 Yellow-rumped Warbler 1.7 0.9 0.3 0.2 l

Unidentified 8.3 6.7 7.5 2.0 2.3 2.2 Raptors, Waterfowl, etc.

Killdeer 10.0 3.3 6.7 2.3 0.7 1.5 l

Redtail Hawk 1.7 5.0 3.4 0.7 1.0 0.8 American Kestrel 1.7 3.3 2.5 0.3 0.7 0.5 g

Sharpshinned Hawk 1.7 0.9 0.3 0.2 Water Pipit 1.7 0.9 0.3 0.2 Unidentified Duck 1.7 0.9 0.3 0.2 Mamals Ground squirrel 8.3 11.7 10.0 2.0 3.0 2.5 Fox sauirrel 3.3 1.7 1.0 0.5 i

Chipmunk 1.7 0.9 0.3 0.2 I

I 4-o

I TABLE 4-9 (Concluded)

{

Mean % Frequency Mean Abundance Species AM PM Overall AM PM Overall l

l Eastern cottontail 1.7 0.9 0.3 0.2 Raccoon 1.7 0.9 0.3 0.2

Percentage of the 20 stations at which a species occurred I

.I lI lI I

I I

lI I

'I lI lI lI 4-49

t l

TABLE 4-10 MEAN % FREQUENCY

AND ABUNDANCE OF SPECIES l-OBSERVED ALONG THE 20-MILE BYRON GENERAL WILDLIFE TRANSECT--SUMMER 1978 I

Mean % Frequency Mean Atandance Species AM PM Overall AM-9M Overall Game Birds E

l Mourning Dove 55.0 31.7 43.3 38.0 18.3 22.1 W

l Ring-necked Pheasant 16.7 18.3 17.5 3.3 4.7 4.0 Bobwhite 11.7 11.7 11.7 2.7 2.7 2.7 Gray Partridge 3.3 5.0 4.2 0.7 5.3 3.0 Songbirds l

Redwinged Blackbird 100.0 95.0 97.5 133.0 81.7 107.4 House Sparrow 73.3 75.0 74.2 109.0 133.3 121.2 American Robin 43.3 51.7 47.5 11.7 15.7 13.7 Indigo Bunting 50.0 41.7 45.9 14.0 10.3 12.2 Comon Crow 60.0 30.0 4E.0 22.0 10.0 16.0 Song Sparrow 48.3 40.0 44.2 19.7 13.3 16.5 g

Starling 40.0 33.3 36.7 42.7 27.3 35.0 W

Meadowlark 21.7 25.0 23.4 6.3 6.0 6.2 Comon Grackle 30.0 15.0 22.5 25.3 17.3 21.5 Barn Swallow 15.0 28.3 21.7 15.0 12.7 13.9 l

Rock Dove 23.3 16.7 20.0 23.0 5.3 14.2 Red-headed Woodpecker 20.0 18.3 19.2 4.3 5.3 4.8 Comon Flicker 16.7 16.7 16.7 3.3 4.7 4.0 Brown Thrasher 15.0 11.7 13.3 3.3 2.7 3.0 l

Cardinal 10.0 11.7 10.9 2.3 2.3 2.3 Dickcissel 10.0 11.7 10.9 4.3 3.0 3.7 Blue Jay 11.7 8.3 10.0 3.3 2.3 2.8 House Wren 10.0 10.0 10.0 2.0 2.3 2.2 Comon Yellowthroat 11.7 5.0 8.4 2.7 1.0 1.9 Horned Lark 11.7 5.0 8.4 6.3 2.3 4.3 l

I r

4-50

(

!I

]l TABLE 4-10 (Concluded)

Mean % Frequency Mean Abundance Species AM PM Overall AM PM Overall Downy Woodpecker 8.3 5.0 6.7 1.7 1.0 1.4 fl Gray Catbird 5.0 8.3 6.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 j

American Goldfinch 6.7 5.0 5.9 1.3 1.0 1.2 5.9 4.7 2.4 Brown-headed Cowbird 11.7 Field Sparrow 5.0 3.3 4.2 3.0 0.7 1.9 Rose-breasted Grosbea 3.3 5.0 4.2 0.7 1.0 0.9 Yellow-billed Cuckoo 3.3 5.0 4.2 1.0 1.0 1.0 g

Red-bellied Woodpecker 5.0 1.7 3.4 1.0 0.3 0.7 IE Rufus-sided Towhee 5.0 1.7 3.4 1.0 0.3 0.7 Wood Thrush 1.7 5.0 3.4 0.3 1.0 0.7 l

Eastern Kingbird 3.3 1.7 2.5 1.0 0.3 0.7 Grasshopper Sparrow 1.7 3.3 2.5 1.0 0.7 0.9 fl Hairy Woodpecker 1.7 3.3 2.5 0.3 0.7 0.5 0.5 White-breasted Nuthatch 5.0 2.5 1.0 1.7 0.7 0.4 Orchard Oriole 3.3 1.3 C.7 Rough-winged Swallow 3.3 1.7 0.2

]

Black-capped Chickadee 1.7 0.9 0.3 0.2 Chimney Swift' 1.7 0.9 0.3 0.2 E. astern Bluebird 1.7 0.9 0.3 g

0.2 Ia Eastern Wood Peewee 1.7 0.9 0.3 Northern Oriole 1.7 0.5 0.9 1.0 0.3 0.2 Tufted Titmouse 1.7 0.9 Unidentified 5.0 6.7 5.9 1.0 2.0 1.5 Raptors, Waterfowl, etc.

Killdeer 5.0 1.7 3.4 1.0 0.3 0.7 Mamals Eastern Cottontail 13.3 6.7 10.0 3.7 1.3 2.5 Ground Squirrel 1.7 8.3 5.0 0.3 1.7 1.0 l

Fox Squirrel 3.3 0.5 1.7 1.0 0.2 Raccoon 1.7 0.9 0.3

Percentage of the 20 stations at which a species occurred 4-51

TABLE 4-11 MEAN % FREQUENCY

AND ABUNDANCE OF SPECIES OBSERVED ALONG THE 20-MILE

['

BYRON GENERAL WILDLIFE TRANSECT--FALL 1978 5

Mean % Frequency Mean Abundance Species AM PM Overall AM PM 'Overall I

Game Birds Mourning Dove 18.3 20.0 19.2 6.0 10.0 0.8 g

Ring-necked Pheasant 5.0 5.0 5.0 1.0 1.3 1.2 Gray Partridge

' 1. 7 0.9 1.3 0.7 Songbirds Starling 58.3 50.0 54.2 163.0 83.0 123.0 g,

Common Crow 65.0 40.0 52.5 32.7 16.0 24.4 Blue Jay 61.7 40.0 50.9 38.0 14.7 26.4 House S; arrow 40.0 40.0 40.0 77.7 61.0 69.4 i

Rock Do/e 28.3 16.7 22.5 27.3 8.7 18.0 gl American Goldfinch 23.3 15.0 H.2 9.3 8.0 8.7 ml Redwinged Blackbird 18.3 10.0 14.2 10.3 5.7 8.0 American Robin 18.3 8.3 13.2 8.3 1.7 5.0 Common Flicker 13.3 10.0 11.7 4.7 2.7 3.7 Connon Grackle 11.7 8.3 10.0 8.3 3.0 5.7 Downy Woodpecker 11.7 6.7 9.2 2.7 1.3 2.0 l

Gray Catbird 11.7 3.3 7.5 3.0 1.0 2.0 g

l Red-bellied Woodpecker 8.3 6.7 7.5 1.7 1.3 1.5 l

Black-capped Chicadee 8.3 5.0 6.7 2.7 1.0 1.9 l

Red-headed Woodpecker 5.0 5.0 5.0 1.0 1.3 1.2 Common Yellowthroat 6.7 3.4 1.7 0.9 Song Sparrow 1.7 3.3 2.5 0.3 1.0 0.7 Brown Thrasher 3.3 0.4 1.7 0.7 Cardinal 1.7 1.7 1.7 0.3 0.3 0.3 Carolina Wren 3.3 1.7 0.7 0.4 0.7 0.4 3.3 1.7 Meadowlark II 4-52

I TABLE 4-11 (Concluded)

I Mean % Frequency Mean Abundance Species AM PM Overall AM PM Overall White-breasted Nuthatch 3.3 1.7 0.7 0.4 Barn Swallow 1.7 0.9 0.7 0.2 Black-throated Green Warbler 1.7 0.9 1.0 0.5 l

Chipping Sparrow 1.7 0.9 1.7 0.9 Comon Nighthawk 1.7 0.9 1.3 0.7 Field Sparrow 1.7 0.9 1.7 0.9 Horned Lark 1.7 0.9 0.7 0.4 House Wren 1.7 0.9 0.3 0.2 Philadelphia Vireo 1.7 0.9 0.3 0.2 Red-eyed Vireo 1.7 0.9 1.0 0.5 lI Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1.7 0.9 0.3 0.2 Rough-winged Swallow 1.7 0.9 2.0 1.0 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 13 0.9 0.3 0.2 Tufted Titmouse 1.7 0.9 0.3 0.2 l

White-throated Sparrow 1.7 0.9 1.0 0.5 Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1.7 0.9 0.3 0.2 Unidentified 6.7 6.7 6.7 1.7 2.3 2.0 1

Raptors, Waterfowl, etc American Kestrel 8.3 10.0 9.2 1.7 2.0 1.9 Red-tailed Hawk 1.7 6.7 4.2 0.3 1.3 0.8 Killdeer 3.3 1.7 2.0 1.0 Marsh Hawk 1.7 0.9 0.3 0.2 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1.7 0.9 0.3 0.2 Mamals l$

Chicmunk 8.3 5.0 6.7 2.3 1.0 1.7

b Fox squirrel 1.7 0.9 0.3 0.2 lg Thirteen-lined ground squirrel.

1.7.

0.9 0.3 0.2 l5 1

Percentage of the 20 stations at which a species occurred-I 4-53 i

ir g.e T

e-m v--ra wg w

w-~-w

--g2e--r---1*

-w n---w

-r w

g.

+ - - - - - e.-,

w.

as

--e-

--g-

+ - - -

-w

- '-= **

1 TABLE 4-12 MEAN % FREQUENCY

AND ABUNDANCE OF SPECIES OBSERVED ALONG THE 20-MILE BYRON GENERAL WILDLIFE TRANSECT--WINTER 1979 Mean % Frequency Mean Abundance l

Species AM PM Overall AM PM Overall Game Birds Gray Partridge 1.7 0.9 i.7 0.9 Mourning Dove 1.7 0.9 0.7 0.4 Songbirds Comon Crow 76.7 38.3 57.5 95.0 188.3 141.7 House Sparrow 50.0 26.7 38.4 39.3 47.0 43.2 l

Starling 40.0 26.7 33.4 22.3 41.0 31.7 Rock Dove 25.0 10.0 17.5 27.3 25.0 26.2 I

Horned Lark 15.0 6.7 10.9 5.7 3.7 4.7 Black-capped Chickadee 10.0 3.3 6.7 2.3 0.7 1.5 l

Blue Jay 8.3 4.2 3.3 1.7 Tufted Titmouse 6.7 1.7 4.2 1.3 0.3 0.8 l

l Cardinal 6.7 3.4 2.0 1.0 Dark-eyed Junco 1.7 3.3 2.5 1.7 3.3 2.5 i

Downy Woodpecker 3.3 1.7 2.5 0.7 0.7 0.7 Common Flicker 3.3 1.7 0.7 0.4 White-breasted Nuthatch 1.7 0.9 0.3 0.2 Unidentified 3.3 6.7 1.7 0.7 2.3 1.5 Raptors, Waterfowl, etc.

Red-tail Hawk 11.7 5.0 8.4 2.3 1.0 1.7 ~

American Kestrel 5.0 3.3 4.2 1.0 0.7 0.9 Rough-legged Hawk 5.0 1.7 3.4 1.3 0.3 0.8 Unidentified Hawk 3.3 1.7 2.5 0.7 0.3 0.5 Mamals Fox Squirrel 3.3 1.7 2.5 0.7 0.3 0.5 Raccoon 1.7 0.9 0.3 0.2

Percentage of the 20 stations 'at which a species-occurred 4-54

!I TABLE 4-13 MEAN NUMBERS OF SPECIES AND INDIVIDUALS OBSERVED AT EACH STATION ALONG THE BYRON GENERAL WILDLIFE TRANSECT--SPRING 1978 tl

]

Mean No. Species Mean No. Individuals Station AM PM Overall AM

PM Overall 1

9.3 6.0 7.7 21.0 9.7 15.4 2

11.0 8.0 9.5 28.0 24.3 26.2 3

7.3 6.0 6.7 20.7 14.3 17.5 4

8.3

4. 7.

6.5 17.3 11.3 14.3 j

5 8.7 3.7 6.2 20.3 12.3 16.3 6

7.3 6.3 6.8 14.7 13.3 14.0 7

7.7 6.3 7.0 33.7 22.3 28.0 8

10.0 6.3 8.2 24.7 14.3 19.5

!I 9

10.7 6.0 8.4 20.3 11.7 16.0 i

10 6.7 6.7 6.7 19.7 17.7 18.7 11 10.3 8.0 9.2 39.7 23.7 31.7 l

12 9.7 7.3 8.5 24.7 17.7 21.2 l

13 6.3 6.3 6.3 11.3 15.7 13.5 l

14 3.7 3.3 3.5 8.0 3.7 5.9 15 8.3 7.3 7.8 23.7 23.3 23.5 16 5.7 4.0 4.G 17.0 8.7 12.9 17 7.7 4.3 6.0 28.3 17.3 22.8 l

18 9.7 5.3 7.5 18.7 11.0 14.9 l

19 8.0 4.7 6.4 13.3 7.7 10.5 20 11.7 9.3 10.5 23.0 16.0 19.5 j

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4-55

I TABLE 4-14 MEAN NUMBERS OF SPECIES AND INDIVIDUALS 3

OBSERVED AT EACH STATION 3

ALONG THE BYRON GENERAL WILDLIFE TRANSECT--SUMMER 1978 l

I I

Mean No. Species Mean No. Individuals Station AM PM Overall AM PM Overall

(

l 1

10.3 7.7 9.0 21.3 16.0 18.7 l

2 11.7 11.0 11.4 18.7 16.0 17.4 l

3 E.7 5.7 5.7 48.6 40.0 44.3 l

4 7.0 7.0 7.0 29.3 23.0 26.2 5

5.3 4.3 4.8 14.7 6.7 10.7 l

6 7.0 S.7 6.9 16.0 19.3 17.7 7

6.7 7.7 7.2 39.3 24.7 32.0 E

8 10.7 8.7 9.7 17.3 19.7 18.5 m

l l

9 12.3 9.0 10.7 58.7 27.0 42.9 10 7.3 4.7 6.0 18.3 15.7 17.0 l

11 11.7 11.3 11.5 26.7 35.7 31.3 l

12 7.3 6.0 6.7 38.0 29.7 33 9 l

13 7.0 5.3 6.2 51.3 22.7 37.0 l

14 7.3 5.3 6.3 19.7 11.7 15.7 15 8.0 80 8.0 22.0 20.3 21.2 16 5.7 4.0 4.9 21.3 8.7 15.0 i

17 7.0 4.0 5.5 22.7 15.7 19.2 1

18 8.3 6.0 7.2 13.3 8.0 10.7 g

19 7.0 6.0 6.5 21.3 27.3 24.3 e

20 9.3 10.7 30.0 17.3 19.0 18 2 l

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b TABLE 4-15 MEAN NUMBERS OF SPECIES AND INDIVIDUALS

[

OBSERVED AT EACH STATION ALONG THE BYRON GENERAL WILDLIFE TRANSECT--FALL 1978 l

l Mean No. Species Mean No. Individuals Stat!an AM PM Overall AM PM Overall 1

6.3 5. ~,

5.8 11.7 8.0 9.9 2

10.3

4. 0 7.2 13.7 9.3 11.5 I

3 4.3 3.0 3.7 61.0 17.0 39.0

=

4 4.0 3.7 3.9 27.7 21.7 24.7 5

2.3 3.0 2.7 11.0 19.0 15.0 6

3.7 3.7 3.7 10.0 8.3

.9. 2 7

3.7 3.7 3.7 30.7 16.3 23.5 8

4.7 1.3 3.0 17.7 5.3 11.5 l

9 5.3 3.7 4,5 12.0 5.0 8.5 10 3.0 3.0 3.0 10.3 11.0 10.7 11 5.3 3.3 4.3 23.7 10.0 16.9 12 5.7 5.7 5.7 47.7 28.3 38.0 13 5.3 2.0 3.7 11.3 23.3 17.3 14 1.3 1.0 1.2 7.0 2.0 4.5 15 4.3 4.0 4.2 16.3 13.7 15.0 16 3.3 2.3 2.8 24.3 5.7 15.0 17 3.3 2.0 2.7 44.3 9.3 26.8 18 5.7 3.7 4.7 12.3 12.7 12.5 19 4.3 5.3 4.8 17.3 7.7 12.5 20 9.0 5.3 7.2 19.3 12.7 16.0 4-57

I TABLE 4-16 MEAN. NUMBERS OF SPECIES AND INDIVIbuALS OBSERVED AT EACH STATION l

ALONG THE BYRON GENERAL WILDLIFE TRANSECT--WINTER 1979 Mean No. Species Mean No. Individuals Station AM PM Overall AM PM Overall I

1 2.3 1.0 1.7 8.7 2.3 5.5 2

4.3 2.7 3.5 22.3 19.0 20.7 3

3.3 2.0 2.7 9.0 19.3 14.2 l

4 2.3 2.7 2.5 16.7 141.3 79.0 5

0.7 1.0 0.9 3.0 20.3 11.7 l

6 2.0 1.3 1.7 4.3 11.7 8.0 7

2.3 1.3 1.8 6.3 15.0 10.7 g

8 3.3 2.0 2.7 10.3 24.3 17.3 9

3.3 1.0 2.2 7.0 2.3 4.7 10 2.3 0

1.7 11.3 0

5.7 g

11 4.3 2.3 2.3 12.3 12.0 12.2 12 1.7 1.3 1.5 5.0 8.3 6.7 13 3.0 0.7 1.9 5.7 4.3 5.0 14 2.3 2.0 2.2 5.3 4.7 5.0 15 4.0 2.3 3.2 12.3 5.0 8.7 i

16 1.7 1.0 1.4 4.7 8.3 6.5 17 3.0 1.7 2.4 24.3 6.0 15.2 18 2.1 1.0 1.5 7.7 37.0 22.4 l

19 2.7 1.3 2.0 6.0 2.7 4.4 20 4.0 0.7 2.4 20.3 0.7 10.5 I

<I I

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I TABLE 4-17

SUMMARY

OF SPECIES RICHNESS AND ABUNDANCE I

ALONG WILDLIFE ROAD-CRUISE TRANSECT I

Mean Number of Mean Number of Species / Station /Run Individuals / Station /Run Year 3 Year 4 Year 3 Year 4 I

Spring 6.9 7.2 14.6 18.1 Sumer 7.6 7.6 18.8 23.6 Fall 3.7 4.1 15.7 16.9 Winter 2.2 2.1 5.9 13.7

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TABLE 4-18 RESULTS OF AUDITORY CENSUS OF GAME BIRDS IN Tile VICINITY OF THE BYRON SITE--SPRING AND SUMMER 1978 Average Number of Maximum Number of Average Number Maximum Number Calling Males / Mile Calling Males / Mile Seen/ Mile Seen/ Mile Spring Bobwhite 0

0 0

0 Mourning Dove 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.6 Ring-necked Pheasant 0.3 0.7 0.1 0.3 h

Gray Partridge 0

0 0.1 0.2 Summer Bobwhite 0.1 0.3

<0.1 0.1 Mourning Dove 0.3 0.6 1.6 4.1 l

Ring-necked Pheasant 0.2 0.4 0

0 Gray Partridge 0

0

<0.1

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m M

M M

M W

W M

M M

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ESPEY, HUSTON & ASSOCIATES, INC.

lI 5.0 FOIJAR SURVEY

!I The operation of the Byron Station's evaporative cooling towers will

ntroduce a saline aerosol into the surrounding environment. The effects of cooling tower aerosols on surrounding plant communities is not well-known.

Possible adverse effects can be anticipated under conditions of high relative humidity, high salt concentrations, and large particle sizes (McCune et al.,1977). These possible adverse botanical effects are foliar necrosis and premature loss of affected foliage.

5.1 METHODS lI In order to assess the effects of the aerosol produced by the Byron Station's cooling towers, when they become operational, CECO instituted an annual foliar survey in Year 3 of the study which is designed to document baseline conditions in the vicinity of the station. This survey involves the analysis of current Z

color-infrared aerial photography of about 15 mi around the Byron Station and the l

subsequent field examination (ground truthing) by a professional plant pathologist of

g any areas which appear suspect in the photographs.

Color-infrared photography has proven to be an efficient means of rapidly surveying the project area. Dead or dying foliage is distinguishable from normal foliage on the basis of signature differences in the photography; in many l

cases, individual dead trees are discernible. Edaphic conditions such as infertile sandy or saturated soils adversely affecting vegetation are also discernible.

The 1978 foliar survey was conducted by EH&A staff and Dr. F. F.

Hendricks (Consultant to EH&A) on 24-25 August 1978, using aerial photography dated 11 July 1978. Particular attention was given to foliar injuries and disease l

resembling salt injury.

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ESPEY, HUSTON & ASSOCIATES, INC.

5.2 RESULTS J

l l

Corn plantings were somewhat later than in 1977.

However, the crop was excellent, and no diseases or salt injury was observed in the area either on the l

photographs or in the ground survey.

l Soybeans had some necrotic leaf areas, caused by fungal and bacterial pathogens. Necrosis was restricted to the older foliage and resembled salt injury.

i This necrosis was of no consequence as it comprised less than 1% of the l

l photosynthetic area of the plants. Soybeans will tolerate a loss of 25% of such leaf l

area before yields are affected.

I The wooded area along the pipeline from the river to the plant was examined. Considerable crown dieback due to root destruction occurring during construction was observed. This should continue for up to 10 years. Some trees will die, while others recover.

Additional root destruction can be expected due to erosion of soil and sedimentation of eroded soil around the bases of trees in low areas until the corridor is revegetated.

1 l

The area recorded as Forest 1 in previous reports consists of a disturbed 1

)

wooded area west of and adjacent to the Byron Station near the cement plant (IR photo 4-53). The yellowbud hickory in this stand continues tr show symptons of salt injury, i.e., large irregular-shaped necrotic areas on the foliage. The majority of the yellowbud hickories near the plant have died.

Shagbark hickory was either not affected or was affected to a much lesser degree.

Other insect and disease problems observed at this location include phyloxera, black pecan aphid, green pecan aphid, hawthrone rust and powdery mildew.

l A nearby wooded area, north of Forest I and with similar species

~

composition, was examined. It can be found in the north center portion of IR photo I

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ESPEY, HUSTON & ASSOCIATES, INC.

4-53. The same symptoms appeared on yellowbud hickory, but were less pronounced.

This area is a few hundred feet north of Forest 1 and would be subject to a lesser amount of the stress causing the condition if it emanated from the cement plante A wooded area observed in the center of a stand of trees 1.3 mi east of Byron Station (shown in m photc 5-65) was examined because of dieback observed on the photography. This is an overmature stand. Most trees had extensive heartrot, caused by fungi and dieback.

The observed injury was not due to salt or to transmission line construction.

A circular red spot was observed in the center of E photo 3-32. The area was in a corn 'teld about 0.7 mi northeast of Byron Station. The spot also appears on other photos of the same area (e.g., m photo 1-4). Nothing could be found on the ground, and no explanation for the spot is known. The spot does not resemble salt injury.

A wooded stand 2 mi east of Byron Station, in the north central portion of m photo 4-46, was examined because of apparent necrosis observed on the photo.

This stand was in the process of being logged, and damaged trees ar: counted for its necrotic appearance on the photo.

Dead areas were observed in fields in the south central portion of E photo 6-86 about 1 mi south of Byron Station. These turned out to oe low areas in the field where the crops had been drowned.

A wooded area observed in the northwest portion of m photo 6-92, about 1.6 mi southwest of Byron Station, was examined. This stand was overmature, had a lot of heartrot and dieback, and a high level of mortality. All symptorns were due to overmaturity and concomitant fungus heartrot.

I The motorcross area, 0.2 mi northwest of Byron Station (m photo 4-53) was examined.

.I Mortality and dieback were found to be present. Two conditions I

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ESPEY, HUSTON & ASSOCIATES, INC.

accounting for these symptoms were overmaturity and root destruction resulting from disturbances associated with construction and use of the motorcycle trails.

I Dead foliage was observed along a road in the north central portion of IR photo 3-33, about 0.7 mi north of Byron Station. Ground examination revealed that this was caused by application of a contact herbicide, probably paraquat, to the fence row. This caused symptoms of salt injury, both on the fence row vegetation and in nearby crop plants onto which the material had drif ted.

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ESPEY HUSTON & ASSOCIATES, INC.

6.0 BIRD SALVAGE SURVEY

I The bird salvage survey, designed to monitor bird fatalities resulting from collisions with tall structures associated with the power plant, was conducted during the spring and fall migratory periods.

6.1 METHODS During the spring and fall migration periods (April-May, August-October), Commonwealth Edison personnel conducted morning searches for dead or injured birds around the bases of tall on-site structures (e.g., containment vessels, meteorological tower, cooling towers).

Any specimens so salvaged were to be frozen and transferred to EH&A's Rockford laboratory for identification.

i.

6.2 '

RESULTS l

No dead ce injured birds were observed and reported during either the spring or fall salvage survey.

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ESPEY, HUSTON & ASSOCIATES, INC.

7.0 CONCLUSION

S-IMPACT ASSESSMENT

!I Comparison of the results of Year e of the terrestrial ecological rnonitoring survey with those of Years 1-3 indicate little measureable impact of construction of the Byron Station outside the affects of habitat preemption (primarily construction of the makeup-blowdown pipeline).

No changes in species diversity, species richness or species composition are detectible over the first four years of the survey. Seasonal patterns of diversity and richness in the habitats sampled and on the 1000-ac site as a whole have been relatively consistent from year to year. Statistical comparisons of overall species composition suggest that the construction of the powerplant has had no effect on the composition of avifaunal communities in the vicinity of the plant site.

Overall estimated density of birds on the 1000-ac site has decreased over the four years of construction monitoring. The summer density estimate (which l

presumably a an estimate of the carrying capacity for breeding birds) for Year 4 l

was about 50% less than that of Years 1 and 2. Thi:, decline in overall abundance is probably due in part to habitat preemption by expansions cf the plant site over the course of the monitoring study.

I I

Results of the road-cruise survey showed no effect of distance from the nuclear plant on either numbers of species or overall wildlife abundance at the stations sampled. Both species richness and avifauna abundance was slightly higher along the road-cruise transect in Year 4 than in Year 3, the first year that this technique was employed.

Game populations appear to have remained stable over the first four lI years of construction monitoring with two exceptions.

Ring-necked Pheasant l

abundance has gradually declined over Years 2 through 4, while Bobwhite abundance l

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ESPEY, HUSTON & ASSOCIATES, INC.

has declined markedly over the past two years. Both pheasant and quail declines are believed to be a result of severe winter weather over the past several years.

I The foliar survey resulted in the documentation of several cases suggesting salt-related foliar injuries in the vicinity of the plant as well as foliar abnormalities unrelated to salt. Hickory trees in the disturbed forest stand im-mediately west of the plant continued to show symptoms of salt injury first noted in Year 3.

Wooded vegetation along the pipeline corridor showed symptoms of root destruction resulting from pipeline construction activities.

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8.0 LITERATURE CITED Burt, W. H., and R. P. Grossenheider.

1967. A field guide to the mammals.

. Houghton Mifflin, Boston.

Edwards, W. R.

1972. Quail, land use, and weather in Blinois, 1957-70. National Bobwhite Quail Symposium Proceedings 1:174-183.

Graber, R. R., and J. W. Graber. 1963. A comparative study of bird populations in Hlinois. 1906-1909 and 1956-1958. Bl. Nat. Hist. Survey Bull. 28(3).

Hoffmeister, D. F., and C. O. Mohr. 1957. Fieldbook of Hlinois mammals. Bl. Nat.

Hist. Survey Manual 4.

Elinois Department of Conservation. 1978. Administrative Order: Elinois list of endangered and threatened vertebrate species issued in accordance with provisions of Section 337 of the Blinois Endangered Species Protection Act.

Mimeograpaed Handout.

Blinois Natural History Survey. 1978. Mail carrier pheasant census. Bl. Nat. Hist.

Survey Reports, No.182.

4 Johnson, L.

(Compiler).

1976. Audubon Christmas bird counts: Rockford, Bl.

Amer. Birds 30:435.

.19'7. Audubon Christmas birk counts: Rockford, Bl. Amer. Birds 31:689

.1978. Audubon Christmas bird counts: Rockford, Bl. Amer. Birds 32:696.

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ML20010B740

Contents

Text

1.0 INTRODUCTION

SUMMARY

7.0 CONCLUSION

1.0 INTRODUCTION

SUMMARY

SUMMARY

7.0 CONCLUSION

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ML20010B740

Text

1.0 INTRODUCTION

SUMMARY

7.0 CONCLUSION

1.0 INTRODUCTION

SUMMARY

SUMMARY

7.0 CONCLUSION

Navigation menu

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