Cariboo Woodlands Tolko Industries Ltd. Species at Risk Handbook 925 2 nd Ave. N. Williams Lake, B.C V2G 4P7 Phone (250) 305-3600 Fax (250) 305-3690 cariboowoodlands@tolko.com www.tolko.com Last Update: February 2017
Current Species At Risk List Animals: American Badger dens or tunnels American White Pelican no reporting Assiniboine Skipper nest sites Barn Swallow nest sites Black Swift nest sites Bobolink nest sites Burrowing Owl ground burrows Bull Trout no reporting Caribou (northern and southern mountain populations) no reporting Caribou Rams Horn Snail any sighting Evening Grosbeak Familiar Bluet Damselfly any sighting Flammulated Owl nest sites Gopher Snake (deserticola subspecies) any sighting Great Basin Spadefoot Toad any sighting Grizzly Bear dens Lewis s Woodpecker nest sites Long-billed Curlew nest sites Plants any sighting: Alkaline Wing-nerved Moss Nugget Moss Rusty Cord-moss Whitebark Pine 2017 UPDATES: No species additions for 2017 No species removals for 2017 Update changed species rankings Magnum Mantleslug any sighting Northern Myotis roosting sites North American Racer any sighting Olive-sided Flycatcher nest sites Painted Turtle any sighting Peregrine Falcon nest sites Prairie Falcon nest sites Rusty Blackbird nest sites Short-eared Owl nest sites Spotted Bat roosting sites Swainson s Hawk nest sites Upland Sandpiper nest sites Western Grebe nest sites Western Screech Owl (macfarlanei subspecies) nest sites Western Toad any sighting White Sturgeon no reporting Wolverine dens or tunnels Yellow-breasted Chat nest sites Plant Communities any sighting: Hybrid White Spruce / Ostrich Fern: SBSmh/08 Douglas-fir / Common Juniper / Clad Lichens: IDFxm/03 Western Redcedar / Deveil s Club: CWHds1/07 Western Redcedar Douglas-fir / Vine Maple: CWHds1/05 Western Hemlock Douglas-fir / Electrified Cat s-tail Moss Dry Submaritime 1: CWHds1/0 Notes:
Notes: Policy & Legislation Species at Risk and associated management is applicable to plants, plant communities, birds, invertebrates, mammals and fish. The legal requirements to manage for species at risk are established in both Federal and Provincial legislation. The designation of species at risk is based on the ranking given to them by: Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada a.k.a. COSEWIC B.C. Conservation Data Center Controls to manage species at risk include: Forest Stewardship Plan results and strategies Assessments by qualified professionals SFM Plans Professional Reliance (non-legal species designations) Federal Legislation: Species at Risk Act (SARA): The purpose of SARA is to protect wildlife species at risk in Canada Within the Act, COSEWIC was established. They are responsible for identifying and assessing species considered to be at risk. It is up to the provincial government to legally protect species designated by COSEWIC; listing by COSEWIC has no legal consequence; it is meant to draw official attention to species at risk. SARA Schedule 1 - List of Wildlife Species at Risk. Provincial Legislation: Wildlife Act and Associated Regulations: Enables the Lieutenant Governor to designate species as endangered or threatened which increases penalties for harming species. Section 6 of Act grants authority to designate species as endangered or threatened. Schedule D of Regulation has list of Threatened species none applicable to Cariboo Woodlands. Schedule E has a list of Endangered Species American White Pelican, Burrowing Owl Government Actions Regulation (GAR): Under GAR may identify species of wildlife as species at risk, regionally important wildlife, and ungulate species for which an ungulate winter range is required. Enables the minister to establish General Wildlife Measures to be applied to a specified area (Wildlife Habitat Areas, Wildlife Habitat Features) and Ungulate Winter Range. Wildlife Habitat areas and associated General Wildlife Measures designated for Prairie Falcon, American White Pelican, Grizzly Bear, Western and Eastern Caribou, Badger, Great Blue Heron and Great Basin Spadefoot Toad. Ungulate Winter Range approved for Mule Deer throughout operating areas. Wildlife habitat features could include significant mineral lick, wallow or nest (Bald Eagle, Osprey, Great Blue Heron or category of species at risk limited to birds). Currently no approved Wildlife Habitat Features.
Rare & Endangered Species Listings The Conservation Data Center (CDC) in the Ministry of Environment assigns the provincial rank, which is based on status in B.C. The CDC sorts species into similar risk groups commonly known as red, blue and yellow. Ranking is a process of assigning a risk of species extinction or extirpation. In B.C. three lists are created: Red Lists includes species that have been legally designated as endangered or threatened under the Wildlife Act. Listings that are extirpated, endangered or threatened in B.C. Blue Lists include species not immediately threatened but of concern because of characteristics that make them sensitive to human activities or natural events. Listings of special concern (formerly vulnerable) in B.C. Yellow Lists includes uncommon, common, declining and increasing species. Tolko Cariboo Region Species at Risk Scope Addressed through SFMP and FSP include: Animals: Classified by COSEWIC as extirpated, endangered, threatened, or special concern that are either red or blue listed provincially, or Red-listed by the BC Conservation Data Center that are not listed through COSEWIC. Plants: Classified by COSEWIC as endangered or threatened. Plant Communities: Terrestrial-forested plant communities, listed provincially through the provincial identified wildlife management strategy Notes:
Species Listing by Forest District: Animal Reporting 35 Species: FOREST District 100 Mile House Central Cariboo Chilcotin Quesnel American Badger Barn Swallow Black Swift Bobolink Burrowing Owl Bull Trout Caribou Rams Horn Snail Familiar Bluet Damselfly Flammulated Owl Gopher Snake Great Basin Spadefoot Toad Grizzly Bear Lewis Woodpecker Long-billed Curlew Magnum Mantleslug North American Racer Olive-sided Flycatcher Western Painted Turtle Peregrine Falcon Prairie Falcon Rusty Blackbird Short-eared Owl Spotted Bat Swainson s Hawk Western Screech Owl Western Grebe Western Toad Wolverine Yellow-breasted Chat Whitebark Pine Douglasfir/Common Juniper/Clad Lichens American Badger Barn Swallow Black Swift Bobolink Burrowing Owl Bull Trout Flammulated Owl Gopher Snake Great Basin Spadefoot Toad Grizzly Bear Lewis Woodpecker Long-billed Curlew Magnum Mantleslug North American Racer Northern Myotis Olive-sided Flycatcher Western Painted Turtle Peregrine Falcon Prairie Falcon Rusty Blackbird Short-eared Owl Spotted Bat Swainson s Hawk Upland Sandpiper Western Grebe Western Toad Wolverine Yellow-breasted Chat Alkaline Wing- Nerved Moss Whitebark Pine Hybrid White Spruce/Ostrich Fern Douglasfir/Common Juniper/Clad Lichens American Badger Barn Swallow Black Swift Burrowing Owl Bull Trout Flammulated Owl Gopher Snake Grizzly Bear Lewis Woodpecker Long-billed Curlew North American Racer Olive-sided Flycatcher Peregrine Falcon Prairie Falcon Rusty Blackbird Short-eared Owl Spotted Bat Swainson s Hawk Upland Sandpiper Western Grebe Western Toad Wolverine Nugget Moss Rusty Cord Moss Whitebark Pine Douglasfir/Common Juniper/Clad Lichens Western Redcedar/Devil s Club Western Redcedar Douglas-fir/Vine Maple Western Hemlock Douglasfir/Electrified Cat stail Miss/Dry Submaritime American Badger Assiniboine Skipper Barn Swallow Bobolink Bull Trout Grizzly Bear Long-billed Curlew Olive-sided Flycatcher Peregrine Falcon Rusty Blackbird Upland Sandpiper Western Grebe Western Toad Wolverine Hybrid White Spruce/Ostrich Fern Douglasfir/Common Juniper/Clad Lichens
American Badger Species at Risk Reporting of Occurrence for Tolko Cariboo Woodlands: Species at Risk Occurrence or Wildlife Feature: Species at risk (April, 2016): BC List Status: Red COSEWIC Status: Endangered General Description: A heavy-bodied, short-legged mammal with long fore claws, long fur (longest on the sides), and a short bushy tail; upperparts are yellowish gray to reddish brown, with a white middorsal stripe extending from the snout to the neck or shoulders in the north and usually to the rump in the south; black patches are present on the face and cheeks; underparts are buffy, except for the whitish chin, throat, and mid-ventral region; feet are dark brown to black; head and body length 42-72 cm, tail length 10-15.5 cm, mass 4-12 kg Provincial Ecology Description: Badgers in British Columbia are found in many biogeoclimatic zones - from hot, dry grassland valley bottom to alpine tundra. However, preferences seem to be for grasslands/fields or open-canopied forest., DQU Animals: American badger dens or tunnels American white pelican no reporting requirement Assiniboine skipper nest sites Barn swallow nest sites Black swift nest sites Bobolink nest sites Burrowing owl ground burrows Bull Trout no reporting requirement Caribou (southern and northern mountain population) any sighting Caribou rams horn snail any sighting Familiar bluet damselfly any sighting Flammulated owl nest sites Gopher snake (deserticola subspecies) any sighting Great basin spadefoot toad any sighting Grizzly bear dens Lewis s Woodpecker nest sites Long-billed curlew nest sites Magnum mantleslug any sighting North American racer any sighting Northern myotis roosting sites Olive-sided flycatcher nest sites Painted turtle (Intermountain-Rocky Mountain Population) any sighting Peregrine falcon (anatum subspecies) nest sites Prairie falcon nest sites Rusty blackbird nest sites Short-eared owl nest sites Spotted bat roosting sites Swainson s hawk nest sites Upland sandpiper nest sites Western grebe nest sites Western toad any sighting Western screech owl (macfarlanei subspecies) nest sites White sturgeon (Middle Fraser River population) no reporting requirement Wolverine (luscus subspecies) dens or tunnels Yellow-brested chat nest sites Assiniboine Skipper BC List Status: Red COSEWIC Status: Not Listed General Description: Antennae relatively long. Wing fringes white or pale. Upperside with tawny areas reduced giving dark appearance. On underside of hindwing chevron of small separate white or yellowish spots, often grouped. Spots sometimes absent. Provincial Ecology Description: Frequents grassland/shrub and grassland habitats with occasional use of mixwood and deciduous forests. This species is known to occur in young aspen forests, on old roads where sapling are growing. Forest District: DQU Plants: any sighting Alkaline Wing-nerved Moss Nugget Moss Plant Communities: any sighting Hybrid White Spruce / Ostrich Fern: SBSmh/08 Douglas-fir / Common Juniper / clad lichens: IDFxm/03 Western Redcedar / Devil s Club: CWHds1/07 Rusty Cord-moss Whitebark Pine Western Redcedar Douglas-fir / Vine Maple: CWHds1/05 Western Hemlock Douglas-fir / Electrified Cat s-tail Moss / Dry Submaritime 1: CWHds1/01 Example wildlife features (Wildlife Act): Sandhill Crane nests, active Raptor nests, Heron colony, other active nest sites etc. Date found/identified: Found/Identified by: Location of Feature: (UTM coordinates, Lat & Long, or map attached) Management of occurrence or feature (optional, will be covered in site plan): Date entered (GIS): Entered by (GIS): Forward form to Area Supervisor (Planning) for filing once complete.
Resources Barn Swallow Resources for identification and management of species at risk within the Cariboo Region include the following: Digital Websites: o BC Conservation Data Center: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/atrisk/toolintro.html o NatureServe Explorer: http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/servlet/nat ureserve?init=species o E-Fauna BC: http://www.geog.ubc.ca/biodiversity/efauna/ o Cross-Linked Information Resources: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/clir/ BC List Status: Blue COSEWIC Status: Threatened General Description: Adult male has steel blue upperparts and a rufous forehead, chin and throat separated from white underparts by a broad dark blue breast band. Outer tail feathers elongated. Female similar to male but tail streamers are shorter Provincial Ecology Description: Open situations, less frequently in partly open habitats, frequently near water. Nests in barns or other buildings, under bridges, in caves or cliff crevices, usually on vertical surface close to ceiling. Commonly reuses old nests. Usually returns to same nesting area in successive years; yearlings often return to within 30 km or closer to natal site., DQU Tolko Supervisor Qualified Professional Bobolink BC List Status: Blue COSEWIC Status: Threatened General Description: A 18-cm-long bird with a stout, relatively short, pointed bill and sharply pointed tail feathers; breeding male is black below, with a buff to whitish hind-neck, white scapulars, and white rump; breeding female is buffy with dark streaks on the back, rump, sides, and head; juvenile resembles breeding female but lacks streaks below. Provincial Ecology Description: This species generally selects habitat with moderate to tall vegetation, moderate to dense vegetation, and moderately deep litter, lacking oody vegetation. It is found in native and tame grasslands, haylands, lightly to moderately grazed pastures, no-till cropland, small-grain fields, old fields, wet meadows, and planted cover fields. Commonly it occurs in areas with high percent grass cover and moderate percent forb cover. Forest District: DMH, DCC, DQU
Black Swift BC List Status: Blue COSEWIC Status: Endangered General Description: The Black Swift is noticeably larger and bulkier than other swift species in British Columbia, and is the only one that is entirely blackish (other species have either paler brown or white on the throat and breast). As a result, this species is relatively unmistakable within B.C. It nests exclusively on steep canyon walls and rock cliffs, usually near or behind waterfalls or adjacent to a seepage area that keeps microclimatic conditions humid and cool Provincial Ecology Description: Breeds almost entirely on small ledges or in shallow crevices in steep rock faces and canyons, usually near or behind waterfalls. Foraging flocks range widely, however, and occur over all types of habitats (forests, towns, lakes, rivers, alpine meadows, mountain peaks). During clear weather, foraging individuals occur at very high altitudes and are not associated with any terrestrial or freshwater habitats. Burrowing Owl Reporting: Confirm sighting as needed. Document location of species and/or feature by taking a GPS point or noting the location on a map. Notify Tolko Supervisor responsible for work being completed. Complete SAR Occurrence Reporting Form. Develop Management Strategy. BC List Status: Red COSEWIC Status: Endangered General Description: A small, ground-dwelling owl with long legs, white chin stripe, round head, and stubby tail; adults are boldly spotted and barred with brown and white; juveniles are buffy below; average length 24 cm. Document sighting by taking a photo or writing a detailed description. Provincial Ecology Description: Suitable habitat is extremely limited; the preferred type of grassland accounts for less than 1% of British Columbia's total land area.
Western Hemlock Douglas-fir/Electrified Cat s-tail Moss/Dry Submaritime Bull Trout BC List Status: Red COSEWIC Status: Not Listed General Description: This ecological community occurs on middle slopes with a very poor to medium nutrient regime and somewhat dry to fresh soil moisture (relative within the subzone). This forest has a canopy of western hemlock, Douglas-fir, and a lesser component of western redcedar. The shrub layer is somewhat sparse with low cover of falsebox, red huckleberry, black huckleberry and baldhip rose. The diverse herb layer is dominated by twinflower, queen's cup, and prince's pine. Other common herbs are rattlesnake-plantain, pink wintergreen, one-sided wintergreen, sword fern, and bracken fern. The moss layer is dominated by step moss, pipecleaner moss, electrified cat's-tail moss, and red-stemmed feathermoss. Provincial Ecology Description: CWHds1/01 General Description: Resident adults are 15-30 cm in length whereas migratory adults commonly exceed 60 cm. Provincial Ecology Description: Bottom of deep pools in cold rivers and large tributary streams, often in moderate to fast currents with temperatures of 45-50 F; also large coldwater lakes and reservoirs. Conditions that favor the persistence of populations include stable channel, relatively stable stream flow, low levels of fine substrate sediments, high stream channel complexity with various cover types, temperatures not exceeding about 15 C, and the presence of suitable corridors for movement between suitable winter and summer habitats and for genetic exchange among populations., DQU Forest District: DCH Caribou Rams Horn Snail BC List Status: Red COSEWIC Status: Not Listed General Description: Freshwater air-breathing snails which all have left-coiling, shells. Provincial Ecology Description: Inhabits lakes and open water. Only known to occur in Lac La Hache but has not been seen in many years. Forest District: DMH
Familiar Bluet Damselfly Western Redcedar/Devil s Club BC List Status: Red COSEWIC Status: Not Listed General Description: Small damselflies that normally perch with wings closed above the abdomen. Most males are blue marked with black, but the main colour may be green, yellow, orange, red or purple. Females often have two colour forms per species, one similar to the male (usually blue). Provincial Ecology Description: Lakes, ponds, wetlands and marshes with open water. Recorded once in B.C. from an old record from Bridge Lake in the Cariboo. Forest District: DMH BC List Status: Blue COSEWIC Status: Not Listed General Description: This ecological community occurs at low elevations on lower or level slope positions. Sites are subhygric to hygric (relative within the subzone) and nutrient conditions are rich to very rich. This forested association is dominated by western redcedar and western hemlock, Douglas-fir, and Sitka spruce. Devil's club) dominates the sparse shrub layer. The herb layer is dominated by queen's cup, lady fern, spiny wood fern, rosy twistedstalk, and oak fern. Step moss), electrified cat's tail moss, coastal leafy moss, and lanky moss are common mosses. Provincial Ecology Description: CWHds1/07 Forest District: DCH Flammulated Owl Western Redcedar Douglas-fir/Vine Maple General Description: A small (55-60 grams) secondary cavity-nesting forest owl that breeds in dry, old Douglas-fir/ponderosa pine forest in British Columbia. It stands about 15 to 17 cm tall and is overall grayish/rusty in colour with distinct dark flame-like feather variegation above dark eyes and incomplete brownish-grey facial disk. Identification of Flammulated Owl is done more often by sound; the one or two note low-pitched hoot is a distinctive "boop" or "beboop". Provincial Ecology Description: Flammulated Owls consistently select habitat that combines open forest stands with large trees and snags for nesting and foraging, nearby clusters of thick understory vegetation for roosting and calling, and adjacent grassland openings that provide optimum edge habitat for foraging. BC List Status: Blue COSEWIC Status: Not Listed General Description: These forests occur at low elevations, on lower or level slope positions, on colluvial fans and aprons, on fluvial/colluvial fans and upper fluvial terraces, and sometimes on morainal deposits. Soils are moderately well drained but sometimes exhibit seepage or fluctuating water tables, and are sandy or loamy, frequently with lots of coarse fragments. This forest community has a canopy of western redcedar and Douglas-fir. Western hemlock is usually present, but with low cover. The shrub layer is usually sparse except for regeneration of redcedar and western hemlock, but vine maple is locally frequent and often abundant in the south. Provincial Ecology Description: CWHds1/05 Forest District: DCH
Hybrid White Spruce/Ostrich Fern Gopher Snake (deserticola subspecies) BC List Status: Red COSEWIC Status: Not Listed General Description: Occurs primarily on medium to fine-textured fluvial soils at the toe of slopes and on floodplains of streams and rivers, such as the Fraser and the Quesnel. Due to seepage water inputs, soils are moist and nutrient regimes are rich. Stands are mostly small but very productive (DeLong 2003). The mature forest canopy is dominated by large, often widelyspaced hybrid white spruce but also includes subalpine fir and cottonwood. The understory includes many tall shrubs, such as mountain alder, and a nearly complete cover of forbs, including ostrich fern, stinging nettle, and enchanter's nightshade. The abundance of ostrich fern and the presence of stinging nettle typifies the mature vegetation. Provincial Ecology Description: SBSmh/08 District: DCC and DQU BC List Status: Blue COSEWIC Status: Threatened General Description: Gopher Snakes are the largest snake in BC. They have muscular bodies and a similar dorsal pattern to that of a rattlesnake, except the blotches are rectangular in shape. The heads are relatively narrow, they pupils are round, and the tail comes to a point. A dark line crosses the head in front of the eyes, with a dark band from the eye to the angle of the jaw and a dark vertical spot below the eye. The young look similar to the adults. Provincial Ecology Description: Gopher Snakes are inhabitants of the grasslands and surrounding dry forests of the southern interior of BC. They are adept at travelling in earthen rodent burrows, climbing trees, and are capable swimmers. However, Gopher Snakes use burrows more than any other BC snake. Douglas-fir/Common Juniper/Clad Lichens Great Basin Spadefoot Toad BC List Status: Red COSEWIC Status: Not Listed General Description: This ecological community occurs on very dry, level to gently sloping sites with sandy coarse glaciofluvial soils, including flat terraces and high inactive flood plains. Douglas fir is the expected climax tree species for this community and is the principal species of the tree regeneration layer. However, the pioneer species, lodgepole pine, is common and typically dominates the forest canopy on these dry rapidly drained sites. The undergrowth is dominated by kinnikinnick, common juniper, and lichens such as Cladonia spp. and Peltigera spp. Grasses such as bluebunch wheatgrass and spreading needlegrass are not abundant, but are always present. Abundant lodgepole pine and kinnikinnick and relatively little grass cover distinguishes occurrences of this ecological community. Provincial Ecology Description: IDFxm/03 Forest District: DQU, DCC, DCH, DMH BC List Status: Blue COSEWIC Status: Threatened General Description: The Great Basin Spadefoot is a primarily nocturnal, secretive, distinctive small toad that is grey, brown or olive green in colour. It has large golden yellow or 'brassy' eyes with vertical pupils that are set on the side of the head. This species has 'two indistinct and irregular bands bordering the back, and has small tuberacles or reddish-brown spots covering the back' This species has a distinctive 'sharp-edged dark ridge ( spade )' on the inner side of the hind feet which allows individuals to dig or burrow into loose soil for shelter. Provincial Ecology Description: Mainly sagebrush flats, semi-desert shrublands, pinyon-juniper woodland. Digs its own burrow in loose soil or uses those of small mammals. Breeds in temporary or permanent water, including rain pools, pools in intermittent streams, and flooded areas along streams. Eggs are attached to vegetation in water or placed on bottom of pool. In the South Cariboo, all recent records have been found on Crown lands that are under grazing licenses (COSEWIC 2007b). Forest District: DMH, DCC
Grizzly Bear General Description: Color ranges from pale yellowish to dark brown; usually white tips on the hairs, especially on the back, resulting in a frosted or grizzled effect; facial profile concave; claws on front feet of adults about 4 inches long and curved; noticeable hump above shoulders; head and body of adults about 6-8 feet, height at shoulders 3-4.5 feet. Plant Community Reporting 5 Species: Provincial Ecology Description: Now found mostly in arctic tundra, alpine tundra, and subalpine mountain forests. Once found in a wide variety of habitats including: open prairie, brushlands, riparian woodlands, and semidesert scrub. Ranges widely at the landscape level. Most populations require huge areas of suitable habitat. Common only where food is abundant and concentrated (e.g., salmon runs, caribou calving grounds). Typically digs own hibernation den, usually on steep northern slope where snow accumulates., DQU Western Screech Owl (macfarlanei subspecies) BC List Status: Red COSEWIC Status: Threatened General Description: The Western Screech-Owl is a small owl (150 250 g) with noticeable feather tufts on the corners of its head. Generally cryptically coloured; breast and belly are pale with dark streaks, back is brownish-grey (interior) with fine dark streaks. Plumage at base is grey in colour. Western Screech-Owls nest in tree cavities with nests ranging from 1.2 to 12.2 m above ground; all nests reported were in trees in decay classes 2 6. Provincial Ecology Description: Breeding territories are closely associated with riparian habitats, particularly those dominated by black cottonwood, trembling aspen, and water birch (though coniferous trees are also used). Nesting and roosting sites are in tree cavities, usually those made by Northern Flickers or Pileated Woodpeckers. Home range sizes can be very small in optimal habitat, but a reasonable estimate for home range size in British Columbia would be about 2.5 10 ha. Forest District: DMH
Rusty Cord-Moss Lewis s Woodpecker BC List Status: Blue COSEWIC Status: Endangered General Description: Plants annual or short-lived perennial, (2) 3-5 (7) mm tall, erect, pale green to yellow green, growing individually or forming small sods, often hidden among other mosses. Subterranean portion of stems with thick rhizoids. Leaves 1.5-2.4 mm long, averaging 1 mm wide, ovate or occasionally somewhat obovate, acuminate to acute, the tip needle-like (subulate), erect-spreading when moist and slightly contorted when dry, crowded at summit of the stem. Provincial Ecology Description: In BC, is restricted to seasonally damp, alkaline, usually silt or clay-rich soil at the edges of open ponds, lakes, and sloughs, and on seepage slopes in relatively dry environments. It grows among litter and vascular plants. They are relatively common along river valleys and adjacent lowlands in a relatively large area south and west of Williams Lake, but are also fairly common in relatively narrow bands in the drier portions of the Fraser, Thompson, Nicola, Similkameen, and Okanagan Valleys. Forest District: DCH Whitebark Pine BC List Status: Blue COSEWIC Status: Threatened General Description: The entire upperparts, including the wings and tail, and wholly black with a greenish gloss. The underparts are largely pinkish or rose-red, contrasting sharply with the blackish undertail coverts and lower belly and the pale whitish-grey upper breast; the grey of the breast continues around the sides of the neck to the nape, forming a complete pale collar. The forehead, ear coverts, lores, chin, and upper throat are dark red, separated from the pale grey collar by black. The iris is dark, the straight bill is blackish, and the legs and feet are blackish or dark grey Provincial Ecology Description: The Lewis s Woodpecker breeds primarily in open forested areas at low elevations where an abundance of large snags provides suitable nesting sites and an open, grassy understory supports high populations of flying insects. It tends to avoid closed forests, even if there are suitable snags available. In British Columbia, the primary habitat types used by this species include open Ponderosa Pine and Douglas-fir forests, riparian cottonwood stands, and regenerating burns. The densest populations in B.C. are currently associated with riparian cottonwood stands in the southern interior. Long-billed Curlew BC List Status: Blue COSEWIC Status: Endangered General Description: It is found on mesic to dry slopes in the subalpine to alpine zones, and is considered a keystone species. Whitebark pine is in the white pine group, with 5 bluish, stiff needles per bundle that are clustered towards the ends of the branches. Bark is smooth and chalky-white on younger trees. This species has a variable shape and may be a small dwarfed tree or shrubby and sprawling (Douglas et al. 1998). Freshly cut wood is sweet scented. Provincial Ecology Description: Within montane forests and on thin, rocky, cold soils at or near timberline. 1300 3700m. In moist mountain ranges, whitebark pine is most abundant on warm, dry exposures; but in semiarid ranges, it becomes prevalent on cool exposures and moist sites. At high elevations, krummholz whitebark pine communities merge into alpine vegetation. At midelevation, whitebark pine communities merge into mixed-conifer forests. Most whitebark pine stands grow on weakly developed (immature) soils. General Description: The Long-billed Curlew is a large, long-legged shorebird found primarily in grassland habitats during the breeding season. It has mottled, light brown plumage, a buffcoloured breast, and cinnamon underwing linings. The bill is long and curves downwards, reaching a length of up to 195 mm in females and 140 mm in males. Provincial Ecology Description: Prairies and grassy meadows, generally near water. Nests in dry prairies and moist meadows. Nests on ground usually in flat area with short grass, sometimes on more irregular terrain, often near rock or other conspicuous object. Breeding areas are fairly disjunct and include areas from Lillooet north to Quesnel (Chubb Lake), and the Chilcotin west to Alexis Creek., DQU
Magnum Mantleslug Alkaline Wing-Nerved Moss General Description: It is a large slug up to 80 mm in length. Its most distinctive feature is a large mantle, which covers most of the back. The body is tan-brown with uneven black spotting; there is an irregular dark stripe on each side of the mantle. Provincial Ecology Description: Habitat preferences are cool, moist coniferous forests under moist logs, pieces of bark, in depressions in moist earth and within talus in cool, moist coniferous forests. Forest District: DMH, DCC BC List Status: Blue COSEWIC Status: Threatened General Description: Plants 2-3 mm tall, erect, perennial, forming small clumps or sometimes turfs, light green to yellow-green. Rhizoids with small subterranean bulbils. Leaves about 1 mm long, concave, ovate-lanceolate to ovate, usually somewhat twisted above, with 2-3 small flaps. Provincial Ecology Description: In BC, is restricted to seasonally damp, alkaline, usually silt or clay-rich soil at the edges of open ponds, lakes, and sloughs, and on seepage slopes in relatively dry environments. It grows among litter and vascular plants. They are relatively common along river valleys and adjacent lowlands in a relatively large area south and west of Williams Lake, but are also fairly common in relatively narrow bands in the drier portions of the Fraser, Thompson, Nicola, Similkameen, and Okanagan Valleys. Forest District: DCC North American Racer Nugget Moss BC List Status: Red COSEWIC Status: Endangered BC List Status: Blue COSEWIC Status: Threatened General Description: Upper surface of adults varies from black to plain brown or olive, with a spattering of white, yellowish, buff, or pale blue; upper scales smooth (unkeeled); belly black to plain yellow or cream; eyes large; anal scale divided; nostril bordered by two separate scales; usually 15 dorsal scale rows just anterior to the vent; lower preocular scale (lowermost scale in front of the eye) wedged between upper lip scales. Provincial Ecology Description: Racers inhabit most of the grassland and shrub-steppe ecoysystems of the Southern Interior of the Province. Although they can be found in forested landscapes, they seem to have a preference for open habitats where their good vision can most benefit them seeking prey and their speed is unencumbered by abundant debris, especially avoiding predators. They also have a high tolerance for warm temperatures and typically avoid shade. Despite their reliance on ground travel, they are also good climbers and will seek prey in shrubs or use the branches for cover and basking perches. General Description: The nugget moss is a tiny, less than 2 mm tall, inconspicuous plant that grows as individuals or in small, scattered patches on mineral soil (Figure 1). It is sometimes hidden under litter or among other mosses. Its leaves are usually light yellow to golden when dry and yellow-green when wet, and they wrap around each other as they grow, protecting the maturing sporophyte (structure that produces spores). Its leaf margins are strongly recurved. The midribs of the leaves extend from the leaf apices as smooth and often orange hair-points. The upper surface of each midrib and parts of the adjacent leaf surface are ornamented with distinctive bottle-shaped cells Provincial Ecology Description: Nugget moss is a tiny moss that grows as individual plants or in small patches on mineral soil and is restricted to habitats on or near silt-rich post-glacial lacustrine banks in semi-arid steppe environments in south-central British Columbia. As with many arid-land moss species, its growth cycle begins in late autumn after the first fall rains and, when temperature allows, grows through winter and into spring and early summer. Forest District: DCH
Northern Myotis Plant Reporting 4 Species: BC List Status: Blue COSEWIC Status: Endangered General Description: The Northern Myotis is a medium-size species of Myotis with dark brown fur on its back. The fur on its underside is paler, varying from tawny to pale brown. The ears and flight membranes are dark brown but not black. The ears are long, extending beyond the nose when pushed forward; the tragus is long, narrow and pointed. The edge of the tail membrane is bare or has only a few, scattered hairs. Provincial Ecology Description: Generally associated with forested communities. Hibernates in caves, mines, and tunnels from late fall through early spring. Hibernators frequently roost in crevices, drill holes, and similar sites, but roosting in the open is not uncommon. Forest District: DCC Olive-sided Flycatcher BC List Status: Blue COSEWIC Status: Threatened General Description: A rather large (18-20 cm) flycatcher, large-headed, with a proportionately short tail. Plumage is brownish-olive above (browner on juveniles) with a dull white to yellowish throat, breast, and belly. The streaked or mottled chest patches are darker. Sexes are similar, but may be separable in the hand by wing chord length, 96-109 mm (females) and 103-117 mm (males). Provincial Ecology Description: Olive-sided flycatchers breed in various forest and woodland habitats: taiga, subalpine coniferous forest, mixed coniferous-deciduous forest, burned-over forest, spruce or tamarack bogs and other forested wetlands, and along the forested edges of lakes, ponds, and streams Most nesting sites contain dead standing trees, which are used as singing and feeding perches. Nests are placed most often in conifers, on horizontal limbs 2-15 meters from the ground. During the northern winter, this species occurs in a variety of forest, woodland, and open situations with scattered trees, especially where tall dead snags are present., DQU
Painted Turtle (Intermountain-Rocky Mountain Population) Wolverine (luscus subspecies) General Description: The Western Painted Turtle is named after the bright yellow stripes on its head, neck, tail and legs, and the glowing red on its plastron (shell covering the belly) and underedge of its carapace (shell covering the back). Occasionally, the carapace also has a light yellow pattern or worm-like markings. The red and yellow patterns contrast with the olive-green of the skin, and the dark colouring of the upper carapace. Provincial Ecology Description: Painted Turtles prefer the margins and shallows of lakes and ponds, ditches and sluggish streams with muddy bottoms and lots of aquatic plants. These areas provide important habitat for feeding, basking, shelter from predators, and hibernation. Painted Turtles also require nearby upland nesting areas without vegetation. Forest District: DMH, DCC General Description: A somewhat bearlike mustelid with massive limbs and long, dense, dark brown pelage, paler on the head, with two broad yellowish stripes extending from the shoulders and joining on the rump; bushy tail; relatively large feet; 650-1125 mm total length, 170-260 mm tail, 180-192 mm hind foot; mass 7-32 kg; females average about 10% less than males in linear measurements and 30% less in mass. Provincial Ecology Description: Usually in areas with snow on the ground in winter. Riparian areas may be important winter habitat. May disperse through atypical habitat. When inactive, occupies den in cave, rock crevice, under fallen tree, in thicket, or similar site. Terrestrial and may climb trees., DQU Peregrine Falcon (anatum subspecies) Yellow-breasted Chat BC List Status: Red COSEWIC Status: Special Concern General Description: A falcon with long pointed wings, a dark crown and nape, and a dark wedge extending below the eye; forehead is pale in immature, which are mainly brownish above rather than black or gray as in adults. Provincial Ecology Description: Anatum Peregrine Falcons typically nest on rock cliffs above lakes or river valleys where abundant prey is nearby. Interior populations are typically associated with wetland habitats that support a sufficient prey base., DQU BC List Status: Red COSEWIC Status: Endangered General Description: The Yellow-breasted Chat is about 18 cm in length (very large for a warbler) with a bright yellow throat and breast and white spectacles. Provincial Ecology Description: Occasional reports exist of singing males in the Thompson and Fraser River valleys, as far north as the Chilcotin River. The species is typically associated with shrubby and riparian habitats with open canopies and dense subcanopy layers. In British Columbia, this includes black cottonwood (Populus balsamifera) water birch (Betula occidentalis) stands with dense understoreys of wild rose (Rosa spp.), willow (Salix spp.), and common snowberry. Forest District: DMH, DCC
Western Grebe Prairie Falcon BC List Status: Red COSEWIC Status: Not at Risk BC List Status: Red COSEWIC Status: Special Concern General Description: Western Grebe is the largest species, measuring about 64 centimetres in length and weighing up to 1.8 kilograms. The Western Grebe is best distinguished by its long, curved neck. It is the only one of our grebes that sports strongly contrasting black and white plumage year-round. Both sexes have the same colouring, but males are slightly larger than females. The top of the head, the back of the neck and the upper parts of the body are black to slatey-grey in colour, while the throat, the front and sides of the neck, and the belly are white. Provincial Ecology Description: Marshes, lakes, and bays; in migration and winter also sheltered seacoasts, less frequently along rivers (Subtropical and Temperate zones). Nests on large inland bodies of water. Nests usually in or very close to water deep enough to allow bird to swim submerged. Nests typically are anchored to, or build up over, living vegetation., DQU General Description: A medium-sized falcon with pointed wings, a hooked bill, and conspicuous (in flight) dark patches near the body on the underside of the wings (axillaries and coverts); adults are pale brown above, whitish with heavy spotting below; head has narrow dark streak extending downward from each eye; immatures are buffy below; average length 39-50 cm, wingspan 89-109 cm. Provincial Ecology Description: Primarily open situations, especially in mountainous areas, steppe, plains or prairies. Typically nests in pot hole or well-sheltered ledge on rocky cliff or steep earth embankment, 10 to more than 100 meters above base. May nest in man-made excavations on otherwise unsuitable cliffs. Vertical cliffs with rock structure overhanging the site are preferred. Nests typically are placed on south-facing aspects, with overhangs offering some protection from solar radiation. May use old nest of raven, hawk, eagle, etc. Commonly changes nest site within territory in successive years. Western Toad Rusty Blackbird General Description: These warty toads are yellowish, dusky, tan, gray, or greenish on top, with dark markings ranging from a few spots to extensive mottling. Usually a light stripe extends along the middle of the back (most prominent in mature females; may be absent or inconspicuous in juveniles, which may have reddish warts). Parotoid glands (glandular swellings behind each eye) are oval. Cranial crests (hard ridges next to the eyes) are absent or indistinct. Adult females are as large as 5 inches (12.7 cm) in snoutvent length, but males rarely exceed 3.7 inches (9.5 cm). Mature males have a dark patch on the inner surface of the thumb during the breeding season. Provincial Ecology Description: They breed in shallow, littoral zones of lakes, temporary and permanent pools and wetlands, bogs and fens, and roadside ditches; tadpoles associate with benthic habitats. In addition, like many amphibian species, toads utilize riparian areas. Lotic habitats with little to no flow are suitable for toads. Small, moist depressions may be used for reydration. Toads utilize a variety of terrestrial habitats in BC, including all forest and woodland types, shrubland/chaparral, savanna, cropland/hedgerow, grassland/herbaceous cover, old fields, and suburban/orchard. Hibernacula are located in areas with loose soils and burrows. Toads have been observed using downed wood for cover in recent clearcuts. General Description: Rusty Blackbird is a medium-sized blackbird with a slender bill and medium-length tail. The bill is slightly decurved. In winter, male Rusty Blackbirds are recognized by their rusty feather edges, pale yellow eye and buffy eyebrow. Females are gray-brown; they also have rusty feather edges, pale eyes and a bold eyebrow, contrasting with darker feathers right around the eye. Breeding males are dark glossy black Provincial Ecology Description: Breeding habitat includes moist woodland (primarily coniferous), bushy bogs and fens, and wooded edges of water courses and beaver ponds. Nests are in trees or shrubs, usually in or near water, frequently in a conifer to about 6 meters above ground. During migration and winter, habitat is primarily wooded wetlands and riparian areas but also includes various open woodlands, scrub, pastures, and cultivated lands., DQU, DQU
Short-eared Owl Swainson s Hawk General Description: The back and upper wing surfaces are tawny brown to buff-colored with heavy but indistinct streaking. The ventral surfaces are much lighter, with bold, vertical brown streaking on the breast, and a pair of barely visible "ear" tufts close together at the top of the facial disk; belly is pale, lightly streaked; wings are long and have a buffy patch beyond the wrist above and a dark patch at the base of the primaries below; dark facial disk contrasts with yellow eyes; legs and feet are feathered. Mature males are bright white on the underwing, while mature females show somewhat more buff coloration. Provincial Ecology Description: Broad expanses of open land with low vegetation for nesting and foraging are required. Habitat types frequently mentioned as suitable include fresh and saltwater marshes, bogs, dunes, prairies, grassy plains, old fields, tundra, moorlands, river valleys, meadows, savanna, open woodland, and heathland. Nearby water is a requirement for nesting habitat. Roosts by day on ground, on low open perch, under low shrub, or in conifer. BC List Status: Red COSEWIC Status: Not Listed General Description: Long tail and pointed wings and flies with wings held in the shape of a V. Tail is grayish with narrow dark bands. Colour includes a light morph (most common) and a dark morph. Light morphs have dark flight feathers with dark breast bib and white patch on forehead, throat and belly Provincial Ecology Description: Migrants may roost at night on ground in very large fields. Nests typically in solitary tree, bush, or small grove; many nests on old black-billed magpie nests; sometimes on rock ledge. Readily nests in trees in shelterbelts and similar situations produced by humans. Spotted Bat Upland Sandpiper General Description: Huge pink ears (37-47 mm or 45-50 mm); blackish dorsum with a large white spot on each shoulder and on the rump, and white patches at the posterior base of each ear; total length 107-115 mm; forearm 48-51 mm; 16-20 g; greatest length of skull 18.4-19.0 mm; supraorbital region of skull sharply ridged; no median sagittal crest; 34 teeth. The newborn young lack any indication of having the adult color pattern. Provincial Ecology Description: Apparently relatively solitary but may hibernate in small clusters. In British Columbia, roosted solitarily during active season; appeared to maintain exclusive foraging areas; foraged up to 6-10 km from day roost each night. BC List Status: Red COSEWIC Status: Not Listed General Description: Breeding adults are overall scaly-brown in appearance above with a long slender neck, small rounded head, and relatively long tail. The upper neck is buff-streaked brown with sharply defined V-shaped markings becoming more barred on the lower breast and flanks. The throat and abdomen are white. The eye is large with a dark iris. The bill is short, slightly decurved and dusky at the tip. The tail feathers are barred, dark brown with outer tertials pale orange-brown basally, tipped with white. Legs and feet are yellow-grey. Provincial Ecology Description: Upland sandpipers use grassy fields of low vegetation height for feeding and brood rearing. Forest District: DCC, DCH, DQU