Appendix 3: Elgin Species at Risk – Detailed Information by Species

Detailed species-specific information on all of Elgin County’s known Species at Risk is available in the Elgin Natural Heritage Inventory Companion Resource you received with this Guide. This resource contains useful supplementary information, including search tips from species phenology and biology, species-specific data collection needs, and additional resources to help you identify and learn more about these rare species.

Here we have included details on existing species- or taxon-specific reporting programs you may wish to join or contribute to in order to enhance your participation in the Elgin Natural History Inventory. If you decide to volunteer for one of these programs, we’d love to hear about it! If you do not have internet access and would like help accessing any of the programs or materials listed here, please speak to your local Area Coordinator.

Species Specific Reporting Programs:

BIRDS

1) Bird Studies Canada Southern Bald Eagle Monitoring Project accepts reports of sightings and needs volunteers to monitor Bald Eagle nests. More information online at: http://www.bsc-eoc.org/research/speciesatrisk/baea/index.jsp?targetpg=index&lang=EN

To report a sighting or participate contact Jody Allair, 1-888-448-2473 Ext. 117, jallair@birdscanada.org

2) Bird Studies Canada Ontario Bank Swallow Project – accepts reports of colonies and roost sites, monitored by volunteers – protocols and forms available online http://www.bsc-eoc.org/research/speciesatrisk/bans/index.jsp)

To participate contact Kathy Jones,
1-888-448-2473 ext. 124
volunteer@birdscanada.org

3) BSC Barn Swallow Nest Watchers Program uses volunteers to find and intensively monitor Barn Swallow nests. Must register to participate. Go to: http://www.bsc-eoc.org/volunteer/pnw/index.jsp?targetpg=bars.

Many online resources available to help you find, monitor and collect accurate and appropriate data.

IMPORTANT: If you are interested in monitoring Barn Swallows using the BSC Project NestWatch protocol, please contact projectnestwatch@birdscanada.org to obtain a copy of the Canadian

Wildlife Service Scientific Permit from Bird Studies Canada.

4) BSC Ontario Swiftwatch Monitoring Program connects volunteers with biologists to locate, describe, and track Chimney Swift nesting and roosting habitat. BSC provides training, survey materials, support, and other resources. Information and resources http://www.bsc-eoc.org/research/speciesatrisk/chsw/index.jsp?targetpg=index&lang=EN

To participate contact 1-888-448-2473 ext. 124 or OntarioSwiftWatch@birdscanada.org

5) Wildlife Preservation Canada has been coordinating recovery efforts for the Eastern Loggerhead Shrike since 2003. Ways to get involved include:

1) Report all Loggerhead Shrike sightings, including any leg bands seen

2) Conduct volunteer field surveys as part of the Adopt-A-Site Program.

Contact Wildlife Preservation Canada for further details:

admin@wildlifepreservation.ca, 1-800-956-6608, www.wildlifepreservation.ca

6) BSC Ontario Whip-poor-will Project is currently collecting data through:

1) Casual Observation reports

2) Roadside Surveys in Known Whip-poor-will Hotspots Volunteers are needed to run roadside survey routes located across Ontario. These driving routes are surveyed 1-2 times a year during specific survey windows in May or June. Surveys must be run on calm, clear nights when a bright moon is visible.

More information, including Casual Observation reporting form, Roadside Survey protocols and data forms are available on the project webpage at: www.birdscanada.org/birdmon/wpwi

7) Great Lakes Marsh Monitoring Program (MMP) http://www.bsc-eoc.org/volunteer/glmmp/index.jsp?targetpg=glmmpbird&lang=EN

The Marsh Monitoring Program Focal Species are: (*indicates Elgin SAR)

American Bittern (AMBI)                        American Coot (AMCO)                          Black Rail (BLRA)
Common Moorhen (COMO)                 King Rail (KIRA)*                                     Least Bittern (LEBI)*
Pied-Billed Grebe (PBGR)                        Sora (SORA)                                                Virginia Rail (VIRA)

In addition, the program uses aural (hearing-based) surveys to detect the presence or absence and relative abundance of calling amphibians (frogs and toads).

To volunteer, contact:
Kathy Jones, Volunteer Coordinator, volunteer@birdscanada.org, 1-888-448-2473 ext. 124

8) Bird Studies Canada is interested in all observations of breeding and wintering Short-eared Owls in Canada, as well as locations of roost sites that have been active in the past. Visit http://www.bsc-eoc.org/research/speciesatrisk/seow/index.jsp?targetpg=index&lang=EN, or contact: Kathy Jones, Volunteer Coordinator 1-888-448-2473 ext. 124 volunteer@birdscanada.org

TURTLES

1) The Ontario Reptile and Amphibian Atlas (ORAA): http://www.ontarionature.org/protect/species/herpetofaunal_atlas.php

2) Turtle Tally (part of the Toronto Zoo’s Adopt-A-Pond Program): Report turtle sightings by entering your observations into an on-line database http://www.torontozoo.com/adoptapond/turtletally.asp

SNAKES

1) Road surveys in spring and late summer/early fall may yield observations of snakes, as they become attracted to the pavement, whose black surface heats up quickly in the sun, for basking. Documentation of roadkill hotspots is an important initiative for this group. Report results to ORAA OR the Ontario Road Ecology Group via their online submission form http://www.torontozoo.com/conservation/RoadEcologyGroup.asp?pg=sighting or by emailing Ontarioroadecologygroup@gmail.com

FROGS & TOADS

1) Ontario Reptile and Amphibian Atlas: http://www.ontarionature.org/protect/species/herpetofaunal_atlas.php

2) FrogWatch (part of the Toronto Zoo’s Adopt-A-Pond Program):

Listen for frog and toad calls in the spring and summer and report results. Level 1 FrogWatchers report sightings on a casual basis, while Level 2 involves a more routine schedule. Resources provided. http://www.torontozoo.com/adoptapond/frogwatchontario.asp

3) Backyard Frog Survey (Ontario Nature program):

Choose a survey location, complete and submit reporting cards. Resources provided. http://www.ontarionature.org/protect/species/backyard_frog_survey.php

4) Great Lakes Marsh Monitoring Program (MMP)

The program uses aural (hearing-based) surveys to detect the presence or absence and relative abundance of calling amphibians (frogs and toads).http://www.bsc-eoc.org/volunteer/glmmp/index.jsp?targetpg=glmmpbird&lang=EN

In addition, the program targets several Focal Bird Species: (*indicates Elgin SAR)

To volunteer, contact:
Kathy Jones, Volunteer Coordinator, volunteer@birdscanada.org, 1-888-448-2473 ext. 124

MAMMALS

1) The Ontario Badger Program (www.ontariobadgers.org) collects reports of roadkill, possible burrows and sightings. Even reports of stuffed badgers and childhood memories are accepted. Call the Ontario Badger hotline 1-877-715-9299 (toll-free) or email info@ontariobadgers.org

2) The public is encouraged to report unusual bat sightings anywhere in Ontario, as this can be an indication of disease. If you see abnormal bat activity, such as day-flying (especially during the winter), or have found dead or dying bats, please contact Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre toll-free at 866-673-4781. Detailed location information is essential.

TREES AND VASCULAR PLANTS

1) Butternut canker is a serious threat to butternut trees, killing trees of all ages and sizing. If you find or own a butternut, report it to the Forest Gene Conservation Association. It is important to collect information on its health to include with your report. Data form available at: http://www.fgca.net/conservation/sar/butternut.aspx

Forest Gene Conservation Association

Suite 233, 266 Charlotte St.
Peterborough, Ontario
K9J 2V4

Tel.: (705) 755-3284
Fax.: (705) 755-3292

E-mail: barb.boysen@ontario.ca

INSECTS

1) MonarchWatch offers a number of different research projects for teachers to get their students involved in conservation science, including tagging Monarchs, monitoring larval Monarchs and milkweed habitat, taking size and mass measurements of adult butterflies, and observations of flight direction. Full details at http://www.monarchwatch.org/class/studproj/index.htm

Observations of Rusty-patched Bumble Bee can be reported directly to Wildlife Preservation Canada (admin@wildlifepreservation.ca, 1-800-956-6608) or to Bumble Bee Watch www.bumblebeewatch.org - photographs extremely helpful, as bees can be difficult to identify in the field.

Species Specific Reporting Forms