2010-0925 CVW Blandings Turtle Report_2010

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1 Riveredge Associates

Investigation and Evaluation of Potential Blanding’s Turtle Nesting Habitat

and Results of Blanding’s Turtle Nesting Activity Surveys at the

Cape Vincent Wind Farm Project

Draft Report Prepared for:

Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc. 2003 Central Avenue

Cheyenne, Wyoming 82001

Prepared by:

Riveredge Associates, LLC58 Old River Road

Massena, New York 13662

September 25, 2010

Riveredge Associates (Riveredge) is pleased to submit this report summarizing the purpose,

background, methods, results and recommendations of a Blanding’s turtle ( Emydoidea

blandingii) potential nesting habitat and nesting activity survey investigation conducted on the

site of the proposed Cape Vincent Wind Farm, Town of Cape Vincent, Jefferson County, New

York, in June 2010 (Figure 1). Riveredge Associates was contracted by Western EcoSystems

Technology, Inc. (WEST) to complete work reported herein as part of pre-construction wildlife

surveys conducted for the project.

PURPOSE

Riveredge performed site visits to the Study area to identify and evaluate areas within the Cape

Vincent Wind Farm Project’s zone of potential impact as potentially suitable Blanding’s turtle

nesting habitat. In areas with potential nesting habitat, Riveredge performed surveys for

Blanding’s turtle nesting activity, following the protocol developed by the New York State

Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) (Ross 2009).



Riveredge Associates2

The primary purpose of Riveredge’s investigation were to 1) identify potential Blanding’s turtle

nesting habitats in areas surrounding wetlands with the potential to support Blanding’s turtles by

examining the soil substrate, vegetative characteristics, and other habitat parameters required for

Blanding’s turtle nesting, and 2) perform daily surveys for nesting Blanding’s turtles in areas

identified above.

STUDY AREA

The study area for the proposed Cape Vincent Wind Farm Project is located within the Town of

Cape Vincent, Jefferson County, New York (Figure 1). The study area is situated in the Eastern

Ontario Plain ecozone (Will et al., 1982). The Eastern Ontario Plain ecozone consists of nearly

level plains ranging in elevation from 76 to 152 m (250 to 500 feet) and averaging 91 m (300

feet). The bedrock consists of Trenton limestone. The soils are of medium productivity and are

primarily glacial lake sediments belong to either the Chaumont-Galoo-Wilpoint-Guffin series

(moderately deep to shallow, clay or loam soils) or the Kingsbury-Covington-Livingston series

(very deep, poorly drained clay soils) (USDA 1989). Annual snowfall is 152 to 203 cm (60 to 80

inches), and the growing season is 150 to 165 days. Agriculture is the predominant land use of

the Eastern Ontario ecozone. Due to the moderating climatological effects of Lake Ontario, this

zone is favorable to dairy farming and hay crops. All water bodies (Kent’s Creek, Fox Creek,

Shaver Creek, and several large wetlands) within the study area flow generally southwest and

drain into Lake Ontario.



3 Riveredge A

Figure 1. Location of the Cape Vincent Wind Farm. Turbine locations illustrated as proposed May 27, 2



4 Riveredge Associates

BACKGROUND

The Blanding’s turtle is listed by the NYSDEC as Threatened in New York State (NYSDEC

1999). The Blanding’s turtle is documented to occur in the region of the Study area (Petokas and

Alexander 1981, Gibbs et al. 2007, New York Natural Heritage Program database), but detailed

survey information within the immediate vicinity is limited.

Existing records for the area include a known breeding population of Blanding’s turtles in a large

shrub/scrub, emergent wetland complex above the causeway at Wilson Bay (A. Breisch,

NYSDEC, personal communication; Johnson and Crockett 2009). In addition, several other

sightings have been made in the area in recent years. Two Blanding’s turtles were observed on

County Route 9 where it crosses Kent’s Creek in 2005 and 2007. A juvenile Blanding’s turtle

was observed on County Route 4 (Rosiere Road) approximately 1.5 km north of County Route 8

in 2007. Finally, a breeding Blanding’s turtle population, discovered in 2008, is known to exist

northeast of Cemetery Road near the northeastern edge of the Study area (Johnson and Crockett

2009). These records stem from the field work of Glenn Johnson (Johnson and Crockett 2009)

and were submitted for inclusion in the database of the New York Natural Heritage Program

(NYNHP). The Blanding’s turtle records of Johnson are more current and inclusive than the

database of NYNHP.

Primary wetland habitats occupied by Blanding’s turtle usually include productive, eutrophic

inland and deep freshwater wetlands (Ernst et al. 1994), especially shrub swamps with alder,

willow, cattail, and sedges, as well as emergent wetlands with shallow water composed of reeds,

grasses, and cattail (Peipgras and Lang 2000), with a soft but firm organic bottom and abundant

aquatic vegetation (Kofron and Schreiber 1985, Ernst et al. 1994). Specifically, Blanding’s

turtles use areas with the following characteristics (Kiviat 1997):

1) both shallow (30 cm) and deep (120 cm) pools connected by channels;

2) open or absent tree canopy;

3) tree species often along the wetland perimeter;




4) a dense cover of shrubs, particularly willow (Salix spp.) and buttonbush (Cephalanthus

occidentalis), with components of forbs and graminoids dispersed as hummocks and

tussocks throughout the wetland; and,

5) coarse and fine organic debris.

In addition, high quality Blanding’s turtle habitat consists of a “habitat complex” that provides

all of the wetland and upland habitat types used during springtime, breeding, nesting, summer,

and hibernation activities in close proximity to one another (Kiviat 1993). Springtime foraging

and basking habitat, consisting of deep, fluctuating pools, represents crucial habitat for

Blanding’s turtles (Kiviat 1993).

Blanding’s turtles nest in open upland areas and are known to utilize human-disturbed areas such

as plowed fields, road side berms, active agricultural row crop fields, and sand and gravel pits for

nesting (Linck et al. 1989, Johnson and Crockett 2006). Natural nesting sites have been

observed in grasslands characterized by sandy loam or sandy soils (Ross and Anderson 1990)

and areas with sparse herbaceous vegetation interspersed with bare mineral soil (Kiviat et al.

2000). In the vicinity of the Cape Vincent Wind Project, Blanding’s turtles are known to nest in

piles of topsoil and along dirt roads (G. Johnson, unpublished data).

Blanding’s turtles may move more than 1.0 km from wetland habitats to upland habitats for

nesting. The distance of potential nest sites from water varies from 2.0 m to greater than 1.0 km

(Congdon et al. 1983), and nest observations in areas adjacent to wetlands where they are not

considered residents have been recorded (Congdon et al. 1983, Ross and Anderson 1990). The

nesting season in northern New York occurs primarily during the month of June (Johnson and

Crockett 2006, G. Johnson, unpublished data). Both sexes of Blanding’s turtles occasionally

make significant overland movements outside of the nesting season, often staying in retreats in

forested uplands or vernal pools (Joyal et al. 2001, Johnson and Crockett 2006).




METHODS

Prior to the field investigation, Dr. Glenn Johnson, Professor of Biology at SUNY Potsdam and

Riveredge Senior Ecologist, reviewed available maps and aerial photography to identify areas of

potentially suitable Blanding’s turtle nesting habitat. National Wetland Inventory (NWI) and

State wetlands identified as consisting completely or partially of shrub/scrub vegetation were

noted.

Nesting activity surveys for Blanding’s turtles were conducted in suitable areas such as

grasslands characterized by sandy loam or sandy soils, areas with sparse herbaceous vegetation

interspersed with bare mineral soil and human-disturbed areas such as plowed fields, cornfields,

road side berms and shoulders, active agricultural lands and gravel pits. All field surveys for

Blanding’s turtles and their habitats were conducted in accordance with protocols designed by

NYSEC (e.g. Ross 2009).

Nesting activity surveys were conducted by direct observations from 1800-0000 hours (6 PM

to midnight) daily each day from 7 June through 27 June 2010 when air temperatures were >

10o

C (50oF). Observers walked potential nesting areas using binoculars, headlamps, and

spotlights fitted with red filters. Care was taken to avoid disturbing nesting turtles.

Surveys focused on locating 1) nesting female turtles, 2) evidence of digging, 3) turtle tracks,

and 4) nests destroyed by predators. Searches focused on habitat edges between potentially

occupied wetlands and potentially suitable nesting areas. All turtles and turtle nests were noted

and recorded, regardless of species. A WAAS-enabled global positioning system (GPS) was

used to record the location of all turtles or turtle nests encountered.

General weather conditions (% cloud cover, temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, etc.)

and precipitation were recorded at the beginning of each survey and after any significant

change in weather conditions occurred. If the air temperature fell below 10o

C (50o

F) surveys

were concluded for that night.




Observers recorded the date, time, turtle species encountered, GPS coordinates of each

individual (all turtle species) and any nests encountered (intact or depredated), and turtle

behavior. No Blanding’s turtle was handled for any reason until after it moved out of a potential

nesting area. After it has moved out of a potential nesting area, turtles were examined to

determine sex and whether or not a female Blanding’s turtle was gravid.

Surveys were designed to determine if suitable habitat was occupied by Blanding’s turtles.

Habitat would be considered occupied when a turtle was encountered.

Dr. Johnson previously performed a Blanding’s turtle habitat investigation over the period 7 – 9

November 2007, in and around portions of the study area, and all wetlands identified during that

survey were visited to determine if suitable nesting habitat was available. That field work was

not part of pre-construction surveys for this Project.




FIELD INVESTIGATION AND RESULTS

Potential Blanding’s Turtle Nesting Habitat Investigation

On 3 June 2010, Dr. Johnson arrived at the Study area. After a period of orientation and review

of property access, Dr. Johnson visited all wetlands and surrounding potential nesting habitat on

the Study area where access was granted by property owners over the period 3 - 4 June 2010.

Wetlands and potential nesting habitat were characterized as potentially supporting Blanding’s

turtles if suitable habitat conditions were present (as outlined above).

Based upon the field investigation, four (4) sites in the Study area associated with potential

Blanding’s turtle habitat were determined to possess potential nesting habitat features and were

selected for Nesting Activity Surveys. The relative position of these four sites in the Study area

is depicted in Figure 2.




Figure 2. Locations of Blanding’s turtle nesting survey sites on the Cape Vincent Wind Farm.

Turbine locations illustrated as proposed May 27, 2010.




Sites 1 and 2

Site 1 (Figure 3) consisted of 1) the road shoulder and berms associated with Wilson Road, 2) a

field planted in corn bounded by an abandoned railroad grade, Wilson Road and a wooded

swamp bordering Kent’s Creek, 3) a portion of a cornfield adjacent to Wilson Road north of the

abandoned railroad grade, and 4) the roadway and bare substrate around the Cape Vincent

Transfer Station. The Transfer Station was not accessed directly, but was surveyed from Wilson

Road with binoculars. The surveyable area of Site 1 was approximately 23.3 acres. Photographs

of the site are included below (Photos 1, 2, 3, and 4).

Site 2 (Figure 4) consisted of the shoulder and roadside berms of Hell Street, and portions of a

cornfield adjacent to Hell Street. The surveyable area of Site 2 was approximately 6.9 acres.

Photographs of the site are included below (Photos 5, 6, and 7).

Potential Blanding’s turtle habitat associated with both Site 1 and Site 2 is a large forested

wetland complex located southwest of Wilson Road. This wetland is primarily a seasonally-

saturated palustrine forested wetland composed mostly of deciduous trees dominated by

American elm (Ulmus americana), ash (Fraxinus spp.), and maples ( Acer rubrum and A.

saccharinum). It drains eastward into Kent’s Creek near Hell Street. Within this wetland, an

extensive emergent marsh and shrub/scrub swamp is found near the intersection of Wilson Road

and the Study area boundary. This area has some marginal potential to support Blanding’s

turtles, although little surface water was observed at the time of the survey. Additional potential

Blanding’s turtle habitat is located along the riparian margins of Kent’s Creek and a small (less

than 0.25 acre) shrub/scrub wetland dominated by buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)

located along the railroad grade just west of Kent’s Creek. At the time of the survey, no surface

water was present, however, it likely floods each spring from overflow from the adjacent Kent’s

Creek. Buttonbush is an indicator species for Blanding’s turtle in some parts of its range (Kiviat

1993). This wetland is likely too small to support a population of Blanding’s turtles, however

Kent’s Creek may serve as a movement corridor for this species and it may be occasionally

occupied. Other open habitat areas within the Study area that are adjacent to or near these




wetlands were judged unsuitable as Blanding’s turtle nesting habitat primarily because they were

largely agricultural fields in active hay production and the substrate was not exposed to the sun.




Figure 3. Survey Site 1.








Photographs of Site 1

Photo 1. View across large agricultural field at Site 1 bordered by Wilson Road in background.

Photo 2. Close view of substrate in the field described in Photo 1, Site 1.




Photo 3. Depredated snapping turtle nest near shoulder of Wilson Road at Site 1.

Photo 4. View across fields bordering Wilson Road at the northern end of Site 1.





Photo 5. View of road (Hell Street) crossing culvert on Kent’s Creek in Site 2.

Photo 6. Depredated snapping turtle nest at edge of Hell Street at Site 2.




Photo 7. Open area and dirt roadway leading away from hell Street at Site 2.




Site 3

Site 3 (Figure 5) consisted of the linear corridor of an abandoned railroad grade between Burnt

Rock Road and County Route 4 , an adjacent horse pasture consisting of a mix of exposed

substrate and a raised earthen berm, and open areas along the intersection of the abandoned

railroad grade and Burnt Rock Road. The surveyable area of Site 3 was approximately 16.2

acres. Photographs of the site are included below (Photos 8, 9, 10, and 11).

Potential Blanding’s turtle habitat associated with Site 3 is located to the southwest of the

abandoned railroad grade approximately 0.75 km northwest of Burnt Rock Road and consists of

seasonally-saturated shrub/scrub and emergent marsh. Water flows northeast through a small(45 cm diameter) culvert under the railroad grade. This wetland has been impacted by beaver

activity creating numerous channels, however, water levels were low (greatest pool depth

approximately 30 cm) at the time of the survey. Shrubs consisted of 90% willow (Salix spp.)

species. This wetland has potential to support Blanding’s turtles, showing essential habitat

features such as shallow and deep pools and channels, shrub hummocks for overwintering,

numerous elevated basking areas, a soft organic substrate and potential nesting areas nearby.

Limitations to Blanding’s turtle occupancy include its relatively small size linked to its distance

from a known colonizing source, limited submerged and floating aquatic vegetation, and low

water levels.









Photo 8. Potential nesting habitat in horse pasture along abandoned railroad bed at Site 3.

Photo 9. View north of large field and horse pasture at Site 3.




Photo 10. View south of horse pasture and woodlot at east side of Site 3.

Photo 11. Area where painted turtle nested at south end of horse pasture at Site 3.




Site 4

Site 4 (Figure 6) consists of open areas and dirt tracks associated with a residence on the

southwest side of Cemetery Road and a large open field with some wetland features interspersed

with drier areas and exposed substrates west of the residence. The surveyable area of Site 4 was

approximately 21.2 acres. Photographs of the site are included below (Photos 12, 13, 14, 15, 16,

17, and 18).

Approximately 250 m on the opposite (northeast) side of Cemetery Road from Site 4 is a

shrub/scrub wetland known to support a population of Blanding’s turtles.









Photo 12. Disturbed substrate in field behind residence at Site 4. This area would likely beattractive to turtles for nesting.

Photo 13. Another view of field, bare substrate and debris at Site 4.




Photo 14. View of construction debris and other materials piled along a dirt track in field at Site

4. Open character would be attractive to turtles for nesting.

Photo 15. View of edge of large unused field at Site 4. Note relatively open substrate.




Photo 16. View of open field at western edge of Site 4.

Photo 17. Small open-canopy pool at field edge in Site 4. Boreal chorus frogs were observed inthis pool.




Photo 18. Area of exposed and lightly vegetated substrate in one of the field at Site 4.




Results of Blanding’s Turtle Nesting Activity Surveys

A total of 224.5 investigator-hours were logged on-site actively searching for turtles over 21

nights from 7 June to 27 June 2010. One survey (June 8) was shortened because temperature fell below the 10

oC (50

oF) lower limit to conduct surveys.

No Blanding’s turtles were observed in any of the four survey sites over the period 7 June – 27

June 2010. Additionally, no depredated nests or other sign of Blanding’s turtles were observed.

One painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) was observed nesting on 8 June and another gravid female

painted turtle was found on 13 June, both in Survey Site 3. Two depredated snapping turtle

(Chelydra serpentina) nests were found (9 and 10 June) along Wilson Road in Site 1. Ten (10)

individual snapping turtle nests were found along the edge of Hell Street on 9 June in Site 2 and

an additional two depredated snapping turtle nests were encountered on the edge of Hell Street

on 14 June at Site 2. Photos 3 and 6 depict depredated snapping turtle nests found during the

nesting activity survey. A summary of weather and daily field notes, by site, is provided in

Attachment A.

CONCLUSIONS

Blanding’s turtle habitat surveys determined that the vegetative structure, vegetative species

composition, and other habitat parameters present in and around four sites within the Study area

represented suitable nesting habitat for Blanding’s turtles.

Nightly surveys conducted during peak nesting times (6:00 PM to midnight) for 21 consecutive

nights from 7 June through 27 June 2010 recorded no Blanding’s turtles at the four sites with

suitable nesting habitat.




REFERENCES

Congdon, J.D., D.W. Tinkle, G.L. Breitenbach, and R.C. van Loren Sels. 1983. Nestingecology and hatchling success in the turtle Emydoidea blandingii. Herpetologica

39(4):417-429.

Dowling, Z., T. Hartwig, E. Kiviat, and F. Keesing. 2010. Experimental management of

nesting habitat for the Blanding's turtle (Emydoidea blandingii). Ecological

Restoration Vol. 28 (2):154-159.

Ernst, C.H., J.E. Lovich, and R.W. Barbour. 1994. Turtles of the United States and

Canada. Smithsonian Institute Press, Washington, D.C.

Gibbs, J.P., A.R. Breisch, P.K. Ducey, G. Johnson, J. Behler, and R. Bothner. 2007.

Amphibians and reptiles of New York. Identification, natural history, and

conservation. Oxford University Press, Oxford UK

Kiviat, E. 1993. Tale of two turtles: Conservation of the Blanding’s turtle and Bog

turtle. News from Hudsonia 9:1-7.

Kiviat, E. 1997. Blanding’s turtle habitat requirements and implications for conservation

in Dutchess County, New York. Proceedings: Conservation, Restoration, and

Management of Tortoises and Turtles – An International Conference. pp. 377–

382.

Kiviat, E.G., G. Stevens, R. Brauman, S. Hoeger, P.J. Petokas, and G.G. Hollands. 2000.

Restoration of wetland and upland habitat for the Blanding’s Turtle, Emydoidea

blandingii. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 3(4):650-657.

Kofron, C.P., and A.A. Schreiber. 1985. Ecology of two endangered aquatic turtles in

Missouri: Kinosteron flavescens and Emydoidea blandingii. Journal of

Herpetology 19:27-40.




Johnson, G. and T. Crockett. 2006. Distribution, population structure, habitat

relationships and nesting ecology of Blanding’s turtle ( Emydoidea blandingii)

populations in northern New York: Final Report to Biodiversity Research

Institute. 30 p.

Johnson, G. and T. Crockett. 2009. Distribution, population structure and habitat

relationships of Blanding’s turtle populations in northern New York. Final Report

AMO5122, Grant T-2-1. New York State Dept. of Environ. Cons. 144 pp.

Joyal, L.A., M. McCollough and M.L. Hunter. 2001. A landscape ecology approaches to

wetland species conservation: A case study of two species in southern Maine.

Conservation Biology 15:1755-1762.

Linck, M.H., J.A. DePari, B.O. Butler, and T.E. Graham. 1989. Nesting behavior of

Emydoidea blandingii, in Massachusetts. Journal of Herpetology 23:442-444.

Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Natural Heritage and Endangered

Species Program. 2009 (Draft). Advisory Guidelines for Creating Turtle Nesting

Habitat.

http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/nhesp/conservation/pdf/creating_turtle_nesting_

sites.pdf

New York Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). 1999. List of

Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern Fish & Wildlife Species of New

York State. Available: http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7494.html (Accessed

June 10, 2007.)

Peipgras, S.A., and J.W. Lang. 2000. Spatial ecology of Blanding’s turtle in central

Minnesota. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 3(4):589-601.

Petokas, P.J. and M.M. Aleaxander. 1981. Occurrence of the Blanding’s turtle in

northern New York. New York Fish and Game Journal 28:119-120.




Riveredge Associates. 2010. Blanding’s turtle habitat improvement project: 2009 nesting

habitat monitoring activities. Draft Final Report prepared for the New York

Power Authority, White Plains, New York. January 2010. 38 pp.

Ross, A. 2009. Nesting activity survey protocol for Blanding’s turtles ( Emydoideablandingii). Version 1: May 6, 2009, drafted by Angelena M. Ross, Region 6

Wildlife Biologist. 2 pp.

Ross, D.A., and R.K. Anderson. 1990. Habitat use, movements, and nesting of

Emydoidea blandingii in central Wisconsin. Journal of Herpetology 24:6-12.

USDA. 1989 (McDowell, W.E.). Soil survey of Jefferson County, New York. United

States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, in cooperation with

Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station.

Will, G.B., R.D. Stumvoll, R.F. Gotie, and E.S. Smith. 1982. The ecological zones of

northern New York. New York Fish and Game Journal, Vol. 29, Number 1, Jan.

1982. 25 pp.




ATTACHMENT A

DAILY FIELD NOTES SUMMARY




Weather data for daily Blanding’s turtle nesting surveys (June 7-27, 2010).

Date/Time

Air

Temperature0C

Water

Temperature*0C

%

Relative

Humidity

% Cloud

Cover

Wind

speed

(m/sec)

7 June / 1917 hours 19.6 19.0 59 75 0.5

8 June/ 1800 hours 17.9 27.0 58 5 1.4

9 June/ 1800 hours 13.1 15.0 90 100 0.9

10 June/ 1800 hours 19.1 21.0 8395

Light rain0.0

11 June/ 1800 hours 24.5 25.0 59 10 0.3

12 June/ 1800 hours 21.2 22.0 88 90 0.0

13 June/ 1800 hours 23.8 25.0 62 20 0.3

14 June/ 1800 hours 20.1 22.0 69 70 0.0

15 June/ 1800 hours 22.3 24.0 46 5 1.3

16 June/ 1800 hours 23.1 23.0 85 50 0.7

17 June/ 1800 hours 20.5 - 77 5 2.5

18 June/ 1800 hours 25.0 - 55 40 0.0

19 June/ 1800 hours 23.5 21.5 78 5 0.5

20 June/ 1800 hours 24.4 26.0 83 50 0.0

21 June/ 1800 hours 24.1 25.0 52 5 1.322 June/ 1800 hours 21.3 18.0 100

100

Rain0.3

23 June/ 1800 hours 24.0 16.9 80 95 0.2

24 June/ 1800 hours 25.5 28.8 74 5 0.3

25 June/ 1800 hours 22.1 24.9 80 5 1.1

26 June/ 1800 hours 16.8 19.5 93100

Light rain0.4

27 June/ 1800 hours 25.3 24.5 86 100 0.0

* Water temperature was measured in a wetland south of survey site 1




Summary of effort, staff and field observations at Survey Site 1

DatePerson

Hours

Field Team

Leader

Number of

Observers Notes/Observations

7 June 2.6 J. Flaherty 2 No turtles observed

8 June 2.0 B. Hill 2 No turtles observed

9 June 2.5 J. Flaherty 2Depredated snapping turtle nest on Wilson Rd

D. Tidhar, G. Johnson and L. Harper present

10 June 2.5 B. Hill 2 Depredated snapping turtle nest on Wilson Rd


American toads calling


American toads and boreal chorus frog calling
















Total 43.6

Hours per site indicate time actually spent searching for turtles; travel time and time spent walking from

vehicles to the survey site are not included in these values.





DatePerson

Hours

Field Team

Leader

Number of




9 June 2.5 J. Flaherty 210 depredated snapping turtle nests on

shoulder of Hell St





14 June 2.5 J. Flaherty 2 Two depredated snapping turtle nests onshoulder of Hell St














Total 48.6







DatePerson

Hours

Field Team

Leader

Number of


7 June 2.6 J. Flaherty 2Gray fox observed No turtles observed

8 June 2.0 B. Hill 2Painted turtle observed nesting (UTM

E401053,N4885681; NAD 83)

9 June 2.5 J. Flaherty 2Two painted turtle eggs found above nest

from previous day




13 June 2.0 B. Hill 2 Gravid painted turtle observed















Total 44.6

Hours per site indicate time actually spent searching for turtles; travel time and time spent walking fromvehicles to the survey site are not included in these values.




DatePerson

Hours

Field Team

Leader

Number of


7 June 2.6 J. Flaherty 2 Northern leopard frogs and American toad

tadpoles; No turtles observed


Temperature dropped to 9.4 0C by end of

survey




Gray treefrogs calling

12 June 4.5 J. Flaherty 2

No turtles observed

Gray treefrogs and American toad callingBoreal chorus frog observed


14 June 4.5 J. Flaherty 2 No turtles observed; common garter snake

observed











25 June 4.0 J. Flaherty 2 No turtles observed; common garter snake

observed



Total 87.6



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2010-0925 CVW Blandings Turtle Report_2010

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