High Island Rare Species and Invasive Plant Survey
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High Island Rare Species and Invasive Plant Survey Prepared by: Phyllis J. Higman, Michael R. Penskar, Yu Man Lee, Mike A. Sanders, and Rebecca L. Rogers Michigan Natural Features Inventory P.O. Box 30444 Lansing, MI 48909-7944 For: The Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians August 1, 2012 Report Number 2012-03 Suggested Citation: Higman, P. J., M.R. Penskar, Y. Lee, M.A. Sanders, D.L. Cuthrell, and R.L. Rogers. 2012. High Island Rare Species and Invasive Plant Survey. Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Report Number 2012-03. Lansing, MI. 29 pp. plus 3 appendices. Cover photos: top left, fascicled broomrape (Photo by Bill Parsons), top right, Lake Huron tansy (Photo by Michael R. Penskar); lower left, Pitcher’s thistle (Photo by Bill Parsons); and lower right, Lake Huron Locust (Photo by Bill Parsons). Copyright 2012 Michigan State University Board of Trustees. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, or family status. Executive Summary High Island is one of two islands within the Surveys for the dune cut-worm were also Beaver Island Archipelago which are part of limited by weather conditions and no speci- the 1855 Little Traverse Bay Bands of mens of this species were collected during Odawa (LTBB) Reservation. This project two nights of trapping. This species was last created a partnership between the Michigan observed on the island in 1935. The Lake Natural Features Inventory (MNFI) and Huron locust, last reported in 1966, was LTBB to assess the current status of the found in abundance in the western dune natural features on the island and educate complex and in foredunes at three other lo- one another about these and other important cations. These observations comprise a sin- island features. Early and late season sur- gle, large element occurrence for this spe- veys were conducted for 19 rare plants, cies. No suitable habitat was found for seven avian species, three invertebrates, and Hine’s emerald dragonfly. five priority invasive plants. Target species Invasive species were not overwhelming on were selected based upon their known or the Island, presenting an opportunity for ef- reported occurrence in the northern Lake fective rapid response and on-going early Michigan area or the presence of suitable detection monitoring. They were notably habitat as determined through aerial photo absent in the western dune complex, how- interpretation. ever, a single occurrence of bittersweet was Occurrences of state and federal threatened mapped in the main blowout. Identification Pitcher’s thistle, state threatened fascicled to the species level was not possible at the broomrape and Lake Huron tansy were relo- time of survey in 2011 and spring surveys cated and their status and spatial extent up- when the leaves are unfolding or later during dated. The last reported surveys for these the flowering or fruiting stage are recom- species were from 30, 53, and 25 years ago, mended. If identified as the highly invasive respectively. The Pitcher’s thistle occur- Oriental bittersweet, intensive surveys in the rence is one of the largest and highest qual- vicinity of this occurrence are warranted to ity populations in Michigan. The Lake delineate the entire extent of the infestation. Huron tansy, restricted to Midwest Great Immediate control measures are urgently Lakes shores, is one of 128 occurrences in recommended if this is determined to be Michigan, and the western disjunct species, Oriental bittersweet. fascicled broomrape, is one of only 20 oc- Significant patches of spotted knapweed and currences known in the state. bouncing bet, were found in the foredunes Weather conditions prevented passage to the on the east side of the island extending up island during the optimal survey window for towards the northeastern sand spit. Medium piping plover, bald eagle, merlin, osprey, and small patches of invasive phragmites, Caspian tern, common tern, and northern cat-tail, and reed canary grass, were found goshawk, and none of these species were on the northwest and eastern coastal wetland documented nesting on the island during in areas and are likely to occur in the remain- 2011. However, a pair of bald eagles was ing coastal wetlands. Monitoring and treat- observed flying near Lake Maria during ment of invasive phragmites has already reconnaissance surveys in 2010 and a pair of begun and should be expanded to include merlins were observed flying south of the other coastal invasive species such as inva- eastern landing point in August, 2011. sive cat-tail and reed canary grass. High Island Survey, 2011; Page i Dedicated surveys of trails and other dis- mains a high quality, relatively undisturbed turbed areas, as well as representative vege- ecosystem, and could still harbor this spe- tation types are encouraged so that priori- cies. tized rapid response efforts can be imple- Surveys of the remaining shoreline are rec- mented effectively throughout the Island. ommended to determine the full extent of Particular attention should be paid to pro- the rare species documented to date, par- tecting high value sites, containing source ticularly pitcher’s thistle, Lake Huron tansy populations and disrupting dispersal path- and Lake Huron locust. These coastal areas, ways. as well as the V-shaped bluff in the southern In spite of limited survey time on the High end of the island may provide habitat for Island, significant rare species data were rare snails which could be targeted in future captured that affirm the Island’s ecological surveys. Early season surveys for shore importance. These data, however, likely birds and raptors are also warranted and under-represent the natural features on the should be expanded to include neotropical island and further surveys are recommended migrants and marsh-dependent species. for all target species. Of particular interest Surveys to delineate and assess the status of are the dense areas of boreal forest at the the natural communities on the island are southern end of the island which merit also encouraged as they provide habitat for spring surveys for rare orchids and the V- rare and vulnerable species. A systematic shaped bluff in the southern region of the threat analysis for these communities would island which merits surveys for seeps that be highly beneficial. Maintaining the health might harbor rare ferns or fern allies. and integrity of these ecosystems will allow The diminutive dunewort should be targeted the diversity of native species, both common in the western dune complex and attempts and rare, to thrive on the island. should be made to relocate stitchwort, last These findings provide important data for documented there in 1986. Trapping for the consideration when identifying conservation dune cutworm in these dunes is also a high targets for High Island and devising man- priority since surveys were limited in 2011. agement strategies for their protection. While this species was last documented 23 years ago, the western dune complex re- High Island Survey, 2011; Page ii Table of Contents Executive Summary ......................................................................................................................... i Introduction ......................................................................................................................................1 Organization of Report ....................................................................................................................1 Study Area, Access and Timing of Surveys ................................................................................... 1 Aerial Photo Interpretation ............................................................................................................. 3 Selection of Survey Targets ............................................................................................................ 3 Rare Plant Inventories ..................................................................................................................... 5 Methods..................................................................................................................................... 5 Results ....................................................................................................................................... 6 Discussion ................................................................................................................................. 9 Rare Animal Inventories ............................................................................................................... 10 Methods................................................................................................................................... 10 Avian Surveys .....................................................................................................................11 Invertebrate Surveys ..........................................................................................................12 Results ......................................................................................................................................15 Avian Surveys .....................................................................................................................15 Invertebrate Surveys ..........................................................................................................15 Discussion