Re-Assessment of Known Occurrences and Additional Surveys for Rare Species at Camp Grayling Maneuver Training Center
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Re-assessment of Known Occurrences and Additional Surveys for Rare Species at Camp Grayling Maneuver Training Center Prepared by: Phyllis J. Higman David L. Cuthrell Michael Monfils Michigan Natural Features Inventory P.O. Box 30444 Lansing, MI 48909-7944 For: Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Camp Grayling, Michigan 49739 Report Number 2005-07 April 8, 2005 Cover Photos: Near Howe’s Lake, Kalkaska County, Michigan, June 2004. Lower left: Hill’s Thistle (Cirsium hillii) Crawford County, MI., September 2004. Lower right: Dusted skipper (Atrytonopsis hianna) adult near Howe’s Lake, Kalkaska County, MI., June 2004. All photos by David L. Cuthrell, MNFI. Recommended Citation: Higman, P.J., D.L. Cuthrell, and M. Monfils. 2005. Re-assessment of Known Occurrences and Additional Surveys for Rare Species at Camp Grayling Maneuver Training Center. Report number MNFI 2005-07. Report to Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Camp Grayling, MI. 49739. 16 pp + appendices. Copyright 2005 MSU Board of Trustees Executive Summary Surveys were conducted in 2004 at the Four occurrences of Red-shouldered Camp Graying Maneuver Training Center to Hawk and one occurrence each of Common re-assess the status of previously docu- Loon and American Bittern were found in mented rare plant and animal occurrences 2004, all species that had not been previ- and to search for additional occurrences of ously documented at the Camp. In addition, these or other rare species. Twenty-one two Kirtland’s Warbler occurrences were re- plant species, ten birds, and three insects confirmed and updated. Seven occurrences were targeted for survey in twelve natural of the dusted skipper, also a species new to community types. the Camp, were discovered. One secretive All but three previously known occur- locust site was newly documented, and one rences of Hill’s thistle, rough fescue, and previously known locust occurrences was Alleghany plum were re-confirmed during expanded significantly in extent. the 1995 surveys, and numerous new clus- Implementation of a large-scale pine ters of these species were documented. barrens restoration plan, using a carefully Houghton’s goldenrod, prairie dropseed, designed prescribed fire protocol will bene- Vasey’s rush, Clinton’s bulrush and New fit at least three rare plant, one bird, and two England violet were found flourishing in the insect species. Protection and management large northern wet-mesic prairie wetland of the northern wet-mesic prairie complex complex identified in 1992-93. A second will benefit at least six rare plants and two small occurrence of Houghton’s goldenrod rare insects. Monitoring the results of man- along the north side of M-93 was destroyed agement activities for these two significant by an ORV trail; however additional colo- landscape areas will also provide valuable nies were located nearby. The single iso- information to the scientific community and lated co-occurrence of Houghton’s golden- inform future management decisions. rod and prairie dropseed found in 1993 in Surveys should be conducted periodi- some dirt mounds along a Portage Creek cally for the rare plant species not re- tributary, was not re-discovered, nor were discovered in 2004, to assess their status and occurrences of Canada rice grass, prairie mitigate potential threats. It is recom- moonwort, whorled pogonia, or northern mended that this be done annually for the appressed clubmoss. It is quite likely, how- fleshy stitchwort occurrence which is one of ever, that these latter species still persist at only two known in the state. Additional the Camp near their original location or in surveys are also recommended for American similar habitat near-by. No additional listed Bittern, Prairie Warbler, Black-backed War- plant species were discovered in 2004. bler, Common Loon, several rare grassland songbirds, and blazing star borer moth. Surveys for rare species - i Surveys for rare species - ii Table of Contents Executive Summary ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ i Table of Contents -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------iii Introduction ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1 Study Area -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1 Methods --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2 Field Preparation ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2 Survey Strategy and Techniques ----------------------------------------------------------------------4 Rare Plant Species------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4 Rare Bird Species ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4 Rare Insect Species-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------4 Data Management ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4 Results and Discussion---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5 Rare Plant Species ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5 Pine Barrens ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6 Rough fescue ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6 Hill’s thistle -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6 Alleghany plum ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------6 Canada rice grass ------------------------------------------------------------------------------7 Poor Conifer Swamp --------------------------------------------------------------------------------7 Northern appressed clubmoss -----------------------------------------------------------------7 Dry-mesic northern forest --------------------------------------------------------------------------7 Whorled pogonia -------------------------------------------------------------------------------7 Northern wet-mesic prairie -------------------------------------------------------------------------8 Houghton’s goldenrod -------------------------------------------------------------------------8 Prairie dropseed --------------------------------------------------------------------------------9 Vasey’s rush--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------9 Clinton’s bulrush -------------------------------------------------------------------------------9 New England violet -----------------------------------------------------------------------------9 Emergent Marsh ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10 Fleshy stitchwort ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 10 Artificially Disturbed Sites ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 10 Prairie moonwort ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10 Rare Bird Species -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10 Pine Barrens ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 Kirtland’s Warbler --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 Prairie Warbler ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 Large Open Grasslands --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 Grassland songbirds ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 Dry-mesic Northern Forest ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 Red-shouldered Hawk ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 12 Mesic Northern Forest----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 Northern Goshawk --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 Red-shouldered Hawk ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 12 Dry Northern Forest ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13 Black-backed Woodpecker ------------------------------------------------------------------ 13 Red-shouldered Hawk ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 13 Northern Wet Meadow --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13 American Bittern ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 13 Surveys for rare species - iii Lakes ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 13 Common Loon --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13 Rare Insect Species ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 13 Pine Barrens/Dry Sand Prairie ------------------------------------------------------------------- 14 Dusted skipper -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14 Blazing star borer moth ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 14 Secretive locust -------------------------------------------------------------------------------