KARL E, NUNDT NATIONAL WILD~IFE REFUGE

Lake AnC.es~

Calendar Year 1978 KARL E. MUNDT NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Lake Andes~ South Dakota

ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT Calendar Year 19?8

NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR PERSONNEL For Staff Photo see Lake Andes NWR Narrative Permanent

1. Gary R. Zahm~ GS 11 ...... Refuge Manager 2. Alan K. Trout~ GS 9 ... Transferred 3/12 ...... Ass't. Refuge Manager 3. John C. Decker~ GS ? .. . EOD 5/21 ...... Ass~t. Refuge Manager 4. Ejner Frandsen~ WG 8 ... 39 Hour ...... Maintenance Worker 5. Derald V. Florey~ WG ? ...... •..... Tractor Operator 6. Lynn A. Nymeyer~ GS S ... Transferred 10/22 .. Refuge Manager Trainee 7. Teresa C. Statler~ GS 4 ....•...... Clerk-Typist Subject To Furlough 4/2/78 - 12/2/78

8. John L. Eldridge~ GS 4 ...... Biological Aid 9. John Fuchs~ Jr.~ GS 4 ...... •....•... Biological Aid 10. Leon E. Kirchhevel~ GS 4 ...... Biological Aid 11. Eugene J. Slaba~ GS 4 ...... •...... • Biological Aid Tenporary

12. Joe P. Hinricher~ GS 3 ..... 6/4- 9/30 ...... Biological Aid 13. Kimberly K. Soukup~ CETA Enrollee ..... 6/12- 8/10 ...... Clerk

Review and Approvals

L Area Office Date

Refuge Regional Office Date KARL E. MUNDT NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE BOYD COUN TY. NE BRA SKA U NITED STATES U N ITED STA TES D EPA RTMENT O F THE INTERIOR GII EGOIIY COllNTY . SOUTJI DAKOTA FI SH A ND WI L D LIFE S ERVICE g S0 3 2 '3D'' R.65 \V 98°30' ~- - \1·'I \... _.:..

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" I LEGEND I I ~ - I REFUGE BOUNDARY h r I I I I \ I I I I I I I R.ll W. R.lO W. R.lO W. 8.65 w. COMPILED IN S URV E Y S A ND M A PS SIXTH PIIINCIPAL MEIIIDIAN, NEDIIA SKA ;c' IO V'2• MEA N FROM SURVE Y S B Y THE B .LM. A N D FIFTII I'III NCIPAL MEIIIDIAN. SOUTH DAKOTA _p DECLINATIO N G E OLOGICAL S URV E Y . 2640 528 0 792 0 1 Ol560 FEET 0 1Q64 0 O.l5 1 .!5 2 KILOMETERS f 6R NEB., DENVER, COLORADO MARC H , 1976 P-~~-=-=====--- 834-079 ~~ S.DAK. 910 -W3 .·~ TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. GENERAL

A. Introduction...... 1 B. C"limatic and Habitat Conditions...... 1 1 . Weather...... • ...... 1 2. Habitat Conditions...... 2 C. Land Acquisition...... 3 1. Fee Title...... 3 2. Easements...... 3 D. System Status...... 3 1. Objectives...... 3 2. Funding...... 4

II. CfJNSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE

A. Construction...... 4 B. Maintenance...... • ...... 6 C. Wildfire...... 6

III. HABITAT MANAGEMENT

A. Crop lands ...... ·...... ? B. Grass lands...... 8 C. Wetlands...... 10 D. Forestlands...... 10 E. Other Habitat...... 18 F. Wilderness...... 18 G. WaterfoUJl Easement...... 18

IV. WILDLIFE

A. Endangered and Threatened Species ...... 18 B. Migratory Birds...... 2 0 1. Waterfowl...... 20 2 . Marsh and Waterbirds ...... 21 3. Shorebirds~ Gulls~ Terns & Allied Species ...... 21 4. Raptors...... 21 5. Other Migratory Birds...... 21 C. Mammals and Non-Migratory Birds and Others ...... 21 1. Game Mammals...... 21 2. Other Mammals...... 21 3. Resident Birds ...... :...... 22 4. Other Animal Life...... 23 V. INTERPRETATION AND RECREATION

A. Information and Interpretation ...... 23 1. On-Refuge...... 2 3 2. Off-Refuge...... 23 B. Recreation...... 23 1. Wildlife Oriented...... 23 2. Non-Wildlife Oriented ...... ,...... 23 C. Enforcement...... 24

VI. OTHER ITEMS

A. Field Investigations...... 24 B. Cooperative Programs...... 24 C. Items of Interest...... 24 D. Safety...... 24 1

I. General A. Introduction The Karl E. Mu:ndt National Wildlife Refuge was purchased in 19?4 by the National Wildlife Federation> utilizing $250>000 collected by the Seven-Eleven Food Stores (a division of the Southland Corporation) via their "save an eagle'' campaign. Administration of the refuge was turned over to the Fish and Wildlife Service on December 19> 19?4> in a ceremony at the National Wildlife Federation headquarters. The refuge consists of two tracts of fee title land> totaling ?80 acres> which were purchased from John and Mabel Cassidy. Although the 580 "North Unit" lies entirely within South Dakota> 20 acres of the 200 acre ~1South Unit" are in Nebraska. The ±305 acres_of habitat protected via a perpetual easement> lies between the north and south properties. The easement> sold by Will Jonas> states that the landowners ". . . will cooperate in the maintenance of the aforesaid lands as a roosting and nesting grounds for eagles by not changing exist­ ing timber> grasses> structures> or appurtenances . . . " The actual intent of the easement was to preserve the large cottonwood trees which currently provide eagle roosting habi­ tat.

The refuge is located 1~ miles downriver from Dam. Daily water releases for hydro-electric power production create open water> plus a food supply (fish) for wintering eagles. The presence of mature cottonwoods> directly adjacent to the river> provide the necessary complement of diurnal eagle perch sites.

B. Climatic and Habitat Conditions 1. Weather

A snowstorm every weekend seemed to typify the January - February months> followed by an abnormally wet> cold Spring which delayed farming and tree planting activities. Heavy June and July rainstorms> plus the hot> humid weather> combined to produce excellent growing conditions for the refuge grass and croplands. Fall weather was

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beautiful~ including 10 days of Indian Summer following the first frost; however rainfall was below average. Year's end found approximately 10 inches of snow on the ground.

Total annual precipitation (Pickstown) - 21.80" High - 39°C Low - -29°C Lake Francis Case freeze-up - 12/26/78

2. Habitat Conditions

Excellent subsoil moisture plus periodic rainfall pro­ duced outstanding growth on nearly all types of natural wildlife food and cover. Annual weeds such as wild hemp~ Russian thistle~ and Kocia produced exceptionally fine seed crops~ benefiting resident game and non-game birds prior to the winter snowfall. Dense yellow sweetclover stands appeared almost like magic~ especially throughout the native grasslands. The clover's associated insect life and tall~ dense cover provided a haven for turkey~ pheasant~ and bobwhite broods.

Habitat management in action - tree planting~ DNC cover strip ~ and food plot. 6/78 GRZ C. Land Acquisition

1. Fee Title An environmental assessment covering the proposed Jonas and Kirwan acquisitions hlas prepared~ hohlever no realty contacts had been made by the close of the year.

Bill Knauer~ regional office environmentalist~ hlas given a shohl-me tour of the refuge and proposed acquisition~ therefore assisting him in the environmental assessment preparation. 2. Easements The annual survey of the existing stand of riparian hlood­ land on the Jonas easement shohled no signs of tree removal other than deadfalls along the hloodland access-trails. Under terms stated in the perpetual easement~ no timber may be harvested from this:: valuable roosting area. D. System Status

1. Objectives The primary refuge objective- is to provide and perpetuate a riparian hloodland ecosystem for a large flock of hlinter­ ing bald eagles. Secondary objectives concern the manage­ ment of habitat to create maximum diversity and to increase prey species for the hlintering eagle population. The primary objective hlill he met through timber stand maintenance (nehl plantings and selective cutting of estab­ lished~· too-dense hloodland); streamhank erosion monitoring and stabilization; and resource protection from poaching and public trespass. Secondary objectives hlill be met through shelterhelt plant­ ings and maintenance; brush pile development; planting of hlildlife food plots; controlled grazing and haying; DNC establishment; minor pond development; and fencing and posting. 4

2. Funding Manpower and funds necessary to operate the Karl E. Mundt NWR are derived from the personnel pool and annual appro­ priations allotted to the Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge. Due to the recent (March 19?8) listing of the as an endangered species~ all future operation and main­ tenance funding should come from the 1400 and 1220 sub­ activities. Although FY?9 funding has aiready been al­ lotted (no 1400 or 1220 funds available)~ the need for 1400 funding was outlined in the FY80 program scheduling excercise; O&M activities for FY?9~ as in previous years~ will be coded to the 1210 subactivity. Does it really matter to the critters from which pot the money flows? II. Construction and Maintenance A. Construction

A tubular well and associated pump jack/pressure tank~ present at the MUndt residence at time of initial purchase~ produced only a bare minimum of 5 gpm. Following depletion of the ?0 gallon storage tank~ the available water flow of 5 gpm was not sufficient to simultaneously flush the toilet and draw a glass of water. A proposal was made to obtain BLHP construction funds to replace the antiquated system with funding made available for FY?B. A tubular well~ complete with gravel packing~ 5 h.p. submersible pump and new water storage facilities was designed by a Rapid City A&E firm~ redesigned by Denver engineering and submitted as a joint bid with the OWens Bay artesian well (see Lake Andes NWR narrative). The successful bidder was Huron Drilling Com­ pany.

The drilling of a test hole was begun on 11/30~ with the 240 foot depth reached on 12/1. The lack of water bearing strata necessary for a successful tubular well prompted the issuance of a change order to drill (at the same site) an artesian well.

The hole was reamed out to 8 ?/8u~ 203 feet of 5u diameter steel surface casing was installed and cemented with 26 sacks of cement. After a week-long waiting period~ drilling began again~ with the artesian flow (est. 500-600 gpm) hit at_the 620-25 foot level. The weU was finished off with 3u PVe 5 casing~ with the bottom 40 feet perforated with 3/8 " haZes . Final hookup included shut- off valves~ hookup to an existing storage tank and domestic water Zines thus giving a constant pressure of 38 psi~ with aZZ excess flow (maximum 65 gpm) diverted through a plastic pipeline.

We now have the capabilities~ due to this free- flowing dis­ charge~ to create a constant open water (@ 65°F) source for resident wildlife utilizing the north unit. A dam across an existing guZZy~ fed by discharge water passing through an underground pipeline ~ wiZZ be constructed during April or May~ 1979~ thus impounding a t - acre pond adjacent to a cottonwood- American eZm woodland.

Artesian flow prior to casing installation. 12/14/78 GRZ 6

B. Maintenance

The following maintenance/rehabilitation work was performed on refuge facilities: spring check (prior to grazing season) of all boundary and interior fences; construction of four new wire gates on roads and trails within grazing units; refuge quarters rehabilitation (new floor decking and tile in utility room~ new kitchen counter tops and sink~ new storm windows on west and north walls ~ ext er ior paint job); repair of spillway on upper wildlife pond (south unit); plus reposting of the r iver 's edge on the south unit.

John Eldridge utilizes ATC 90 for fence check. 4/?8 GRZ

Following the establishment of a regional policy concerning the abolishment of personal livestock on refuge lands ~ the barn at the Karl Mundt NWR immediately became excess property. This future maintenance headache was put up for local bid~ with Don Olsen ( Fairfax~ SD ) being the successful bidder. Final property removal was accomplished in November. A native grass seeding will eventually cover the scar.

C. Wildfire - Nothing to Report ? III. Habitat Ma:nagement A. Cropla:nds

The presence of food plots~ distributed throughout the refuge's north unit~ assures a stable food source for resident game a:nd wintering waterfowl populations.; therefore fulfi·Uing refuge objectives pertaining to the maintenance of eagle prey species within the area. Table I portrays refuge farming (by cooperative farming agreement) for 19?8.

Table I: Refuge food plot distribution~19?8. GOV'T. TOTAL CROP FIE LV SHARE ACRES A(Nlf) Milo 25% ?- A(Slf) Oats 0 ? 1 (Elf) Sorghum 100% ?· 4(E) Corn 50% 10 4(W) Oats 0 10 2 Corn 50% 13

Refuge personnel drilled small plots of a game bird mixture ~n Fields 8~ 9~ 10 a:nd at the residence area.

Yields~ due to excellent growing conditions~ were good~ however our second straight summer of grasshopper infestation did cause a loss in yield on portions of the milo and game bird plots. The g~asshoppers certainly fed ma:ny a young pheasa:nt a:nd turkey~ plus resident song birds during the summer~ so their presence wasn't all that bad.

During Ja:nuary and February~ wilalife of all species~ including 2500 Ca:nada geese~ 3000 mallards~ ?5 pheasants~ 15 turkeys~ 15 bobwhite~ and 60-?0 white-tail deer completely wiped out the corn and milo crop produced during 19??. Some supplemental feeding of resident species was necessary prior to the Spring thaw.

At the close of the year~ large flocks of mallards (20~000 during 12/8 - 12/10) had clea:ned out the milo produced in 19?8~ however the sta:nding corn crop remained untouched by migratory waterfowl. 8

Canada geese drop into refuge food plot. 2/78 GRZ

B. Grass lands An on-going habitat improvement program utilizing spring grazing~ six month rotational grazing~ periodic alfalfa field haying and DNC strip mowing~ is necessary to reju­ venate the wildlife cover present on refuge uplands. Years of over - stocking~ ill- timed grazing and haying prior to refuge purchase~ have led to blue grass and brome invasion of the native grasslands~ plus over- use of bottomland alfalfa fields . Table II summarizes 1978 grazing and haying practices.

Table II: Grazing and haying practices authorized under Special Use Permit issued to Jim Kirwan. GRAZING UNIT ACRES DATES STOCKING OR FIELD RATE RATE G-II (South) 57 5/1 - 6/20 35 AUM's $ 5.02/AUM G-III(South) 70 6/21- 8/10 30 AUM 's $ 5. 02/AUM G-3 (North) 65 5/1 - 6/1 65 AUM 's $ 5. 02/AUM 7 4 7/15- 8/1 N/A $10.00/ac. 9 18 7/15- 8/1 N/A $10.00/ac. 9

A Fall range survey of native grasslands found excellent stands of warm season plants~ especially in Unit G- 3 on the north unit. Regrowth~ following the late- July haying~ of bottomland alfalfa fields restored both height and vigor to plants which had lain idle since 1974.

Shell- leaf penstemon~ one of the earliest wildflowers to appear across r efuge grass- lands. 5/78 GRZ

Several excursions through an 8-acre DNC seeding (Field l~West) found almost no signs of wildlife usage in the rank~ nearly monotypic stand of tall wheatgrass. To promote animal move­ ment~ plus create diversity in plant height~ approximately 10

one-third of the cover was strip-mowed (meandering strips) using the refuge tractor and rotary mower. The remaining two-thirds will be mowed during early August in subsequent years. A mid-September survey found deer and rabbit move­ ment along the mowed strips~ plus several instances of turkey or pheasant scratchings were observed.

The native grass seeding (seeded 11/77) in field G-1 re­ ceived a shot of 2~4-D during May to reduce the broadleaf competition. A Fall survey found good survival and growth rates on all seeded species. As this cover matures~ its importance to resident wildlife (nesting and winter cover) will be outstanding. C. Wetlands Abundant runoff- kept water levels on the south unit's wildlife ponds at optimum conditions~ providing a permanent water source for resident wildlife. An intermittent spring on the north unit produced sufficient water for several broods of turkey and pheasants until the flow ceased in mid-July. Impounded waters from the new artesian well shoula help stabilize wildlife populations in this area. D. Forestlands

Above-average snowpack plus abundant spring and summer rain­ fall throughout the upper drainage combined to produce record river flows and subsequent downstream discharge rates from the major storage reservoirs. Records of down­ stream discharge rates from the indicate a high degree of streambank erosion whenever the discharge exceeds 20~000 cfs. During 1978~ especially from mid-June through November~ the discharge rate roared along in the 48~000 to 51~000 cfs category. Needless-to-say~ streambank erosion (especially on the exposed banks of the south unit) occurred at a very unacceptable rate.

Measurements from the 10 permanent streambank monitoring sta~ tions were taken in August. As expected> losses were high> ranging from 24' to .5' along the 6~000 feet of riverbank. Station 8 had been completely washed away~ with station 6 lacking only 2' before falling into the river. Both stations were re-established. '~ 11

The following information was prepared by Larry Kallemeyn (Division of Ecological SerVices-Pierre~ using information derived from annual measurements taken from the permanent monitoring stations.

Erosion Losses - Karl MUndt Refuge November 3 0_, 1974 - August 21_, 1978

Land (ft.) Lost to Erosion Total Distance 11/30/76 1/17/76 11/22/76 11/28/77 11/30/74 Between to to to to to Post Posts 1/17/76 11/22/76 11/28/77 8/21/78 8/21/78 #1 5.0 2.0 0 1.5 8.5 #2 600 0 3.0 0 1.0 4.0 #3 600 0 7.0 5.0 1.5 13.5 #4 600 +2.0 7.0 +1.0 4.0 8.0 #5 600 14.0 2.0 1.0 0.5 17.5 Total 2400 17.0 21.0 5.0 8.5 51.5 Average 3.4 4.2 1.0 1:7 10.3 Acres lost 0.19 0.23 0.06 0.09 0.57 Acres lost/ mile/year 0.42 0.51 0.13 0.20 0.31

* * * * * Total Distance 11/30/76 1/16/76 11/19/76 11/28/77 11/30/76 Between to to to to to Post Posts 1/16/76 11/19/76 11/28/77 8/21/78 8/21/78 #6 13.0 0 0 24.0 37.0 #7 900 5.0 0 0 1.0 6.0 #8 900 13.5 0 0 15.5 29.0 #9 900 6.0 1.5* 3.0~ 3.0 15.0 #10 900 4.0 3.0 3.0 6.0 16.0 Total 3600 41.5 4.5 6.0 49.5 103.0 Average 8.3 . 9 1.2 9.9 20.6 Acres lost 0.69 0.08 0.10 0.82 1.70 Acres lost/ mile/year 1.04 0.12 0.15 1.23 0.64

*I substituted the values from post 8-1 since no measurements were taken at post 9 in these years.

North and South 2ro2erties combined

.57 acres+ 1.70 acres~ 2.27 acres~ .57 acres/year on 6000' of river 4 years 4 years --~ 5280'/mile ;:' 6000' = .88 .57 acres/year x 0.88 =.50 acres/mile/year 12

Erosion Losses (continued)

Comparisons

A. Vanden Berge 's Report for loss estimates below Gavins Point (1) Agricultural 6.31 acres/mile/year (2) Cottonwood-dogwood 5.52 acres/mile/year (3) Willow-cottonwood 5.40 acres/mile/year (4) Sand dune 9.18 acres/mile/year B. Corps of Engineers for losses between Fort Randall and the mouth of the Niobrara River (1) 1952-19?5 1.29 acres/mile/year (2) Estimate after 1975 0.83 acres/mile/year

C. Karen Steenhof's thesis

(1) Principle roost area~= 12.35 acres (2) Average erosion rate'= . 5? acres/year (3) 1 7 2 = 21.6? years= projected life expectance of the roost area

Calculations

= length of river bank (a) x avg. ft. lost to erosion Acres lost 43_,560 ft.2

Example: .-cc 2400 T X 3. 4 --= 8160 ft. 2 = .19 acres = 43_,560 ft.2 = 43_, 560 ft. 2

(a) 2400' for posts 1-5 and 3600' for posts 6~10 Acres/mile= acres lost x 5280'/mile (a) length of riverbank

Example:= =. 5280'/mile 19 acres x 2400 .19 acres x 2.2/mile .42 acres/mile 13

John Decker @ Station 6. In August 1975~ this post was 31 1 from the river's edge. River discharge @ 50~000 cfs. 9/5/78 GRZ

The solution to the on-going erosion problem is complicated~ replete with agricultural~ political~ recreation~ and energy interests versus wildlife benefits. There has also been a definite lack of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service support for streambank stabilization programs~ due mainly to private destruction of riparian vegetation following federally (Corps of Engineers) financed stabilization. Why stablize the river banks~ only to have the habitat destroyed for a few more acres of corn. Fortunately~ easements protecting the trees can be purchased~ therefore solving this problem.

The official listing of the bald eagle as an endangered species~ especially the requirements of Section 7~ which orders protec­ tion of critical habitat on federal lands~ has prompted an im­ mediate change of heart by Regional and Area Office personnel concerning stabilization on the Karl Mundt NWR. Could it be that some derrieres are showing~ especially when one considers the annual rate of habitat loss on the refuge since 1975? 14

The bald eagle will never aga~n perch in that specific cottonwood. The tree now floats in the Missouri River. 10/28/78 GRZ

Following a June station inspection~ Chuck Sowards (assistant area manager~ R&W-RE) and the refuge manager discussed the possibilities of attaching some type of cable to fallen or soon- to- fall trees~ thus using the fallen trees as a possible breakwater to the erosion- causing wave action. In theory~ the fallen tree~ secured by cables~ would swing parallel to the shoreline~ slowing wave action and perhaps allowing the even­ tual growth of rooted~ shoreline vegetation.

Granted ~ this project would be no more than a stop- gap method; however the wheels turning federally funded bank stabilization projects move slow (even with national conservation groups chasing you) and it was felt that the interim project was worth a try. 15

Prior to initiation of the project~ 10~000 feet of 3/16" cable (?~500 lb. break strength) plus 450 cable clamps were ordered and several access trails to the river's edge were established on the south unit with the Bobcat loader plus John Deere tractor and?' gyromower utilizing natural woodland openings.

Large cottonwoods~ located 50- ?5' back from the river's edge~ were selected for "dead men"; protective tire casings were placed around the tree's base; and a series of individual cables~ containing sufficient slack~ were attached to river­ side trees. Smaller trees and brush were individually looped on a common cable. The cables did lay flat~ causing a mini­ mum of danger to resident wildlife; however their presence certainly cannot be construed as a 'natural" addition to the environment. There is also nothing which says the cables are a permanent fixture~ in fact they will be removed when some type of permanent bank stabilization is constructed.

Cables radiate from a central "anchor" tree. Note protective tire casing. 11/?8 GRZ Several inspection trips were made into the south unit prior to heavy snowfall. At least five medium-sized cottonwoods containing the restrictive cables had fallen into the river. 16

In all cases sufficient slack had been left so that no potential wildlife hazard existed due to the presence of a '~owstring - tight" cable~ six inches above the ground.

Restrictive aircraft cable holds fallen cottonwood. 11/78 GRZ

Additional cabling~ plus the placement of rafts (contructed of deadfalls or products of timer stand improvement) along the bank to supplement the cabled trees~ is tentatively p lanned for 1979. Funds~ manpower~ further study of the 1978 cabling~ plus progress toward permanent stabilization will be limiting factors in any expanded programs.

It's discouraging to have to use stop-gap methods on such a critical area (BLHP construction proposals have been so far ignored)~ however it is also discouraging and disappointing to sit back and only photographically record the destruction of nonreplaceable habitat. The 10-20 year collection of photos sure as hell won't help the resource! Another depressing situation developed during early December on Corps of Engineers property lying directly north of the refuge. The refuge received a tip from a CE employee concern­ ing the destruction of eagle roosting trees by the Corps main­ tenance staff within a 32-acre woodland. A subsequent check found 27 mature American elms (dead~ although the eagles don't care) lying around the woodland's perimeter. The fallen trees~ contained within an area which has been registered as a national landmark (for wintering bald eagles)~ had positi vely been used on several occasions by roosting eagles. 17

The resulting outcry from private individuals and conservation groups (who somehow had just happened to hear of this situation) reached directly to the District Engineer at Omaha. Although his reaction to the problem was almost immediate> another 25 trees were cut (under the guise of providing firewood to a private individual) before the cease and desist order reached the Fort Randall project engineer.

I • __./' . / ' ,-

Mature elm trees> once used as eagle roosting habitat> felled by Corps of Engineers at Pickstown. 12/78 GRZ

An environmental planner from Omaha> the local wildlife con­ servation officer> the CE project engineer> and Zahm met on December 19 concerning the Corps ' future tree cutting policies. During the course of this meeting> the implications of Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act were thoroughly discussed as were possible public closings of critical eagle habitat areas. A subsequent l etter by the District Engineer has directed the local project engineer to consult with the U.S. Fish and Wild­ life Service before any future tree cutting is initiated. Score one for the eagles! Tree planting on the north unit continued as 4>000 cottonwoods were replanted during April in Field 8. The planting was done so that periodic cross-cultivation could be performed to restrict we ed competition. Approximately 60% of the trees survived their first year. 18

Six acres of food-producing trees and shrubs were estalished in Field A. This planting completes the development of Field A which now indludes four separate wildlife shelterbelts run­ ning parallel and perpendicular to permanent strips of wild­ life food and nesting cover. Refuge personnel disced the heavy weed growth in the Field 6 cottonwood planting~ then drilled winter wheat between rows. Besides having fed rabbits and deer during the Fall~ the mature wheat stand wiU help to hold down weed growth plus provide late-July feed to resident game populations. E. Other Habitat - Nothing to Report F. Wilderness - Nothing to Report G. Waterfowl Easement - Nothing to Report IV. Wildlife A. Endangered and Threatened Species

In February~ the bald eagle was finally afforded the endangered species status. This listing will have drastic impacts upon the future of the species~ especially when one applies Section ? of the Endangered Species Act to the many South Dakota miles of critical eagle habitat now owned and mismanaged by the Corps of Engineers. Although extensive BLHP construction projects during the peak eagle use period kept refuge personnel extremely busy~ periodic eagle counts were made. It was felt~ due to the fluctuations in young/adult ratios~ that a good migration of eagles came through the area~ however the above average river discharge played havoc with the concentration of dead fish below Ft. Ran­ dall Dam. With the scattering of the dead fish along and across the 'wide Missouri" for at least 3-4 miles downstream~ a defi­ nite lack of eagles and the usual merganser flocks was noted. A summary of the periodic eagle eensus data is contained within Table III on page 19. Eagles were also counted by state conservation officers during the weekly Missouri River waterfowl flights. This count~ which should have been initiated years ago~ will perhaps verify the belief that there has been; in relation to the short-stopping of waterfowl flocks near Pierre~ a general northward movement of the state 1 s eagle population. A post-hunting season survey ~. of a 4-mile stretch of Missouri River adjacent to the commer­ • cial goose hunting clubs found 800-1000 dead or crippled Canada 19 geese . A sizeable eagle population was also present in the area~ and why not~ our nation's symbol is basically a pan- handler looking for the easiest possible meal.

Table III: Wintering Eagle Census Data~ 1978. BALD GOLDEN DATE ADULT IMM. ADULT IMM . TOTAL 01/03/78 89 16 0 0 105 01/11/78 16 5 0 0 21 01/30/78 12 4 1 0 17 11/07/78 0 3 1 0 4 11/12/78 2 6 1 1 10 11/24/78 36 42 0 0 78 12/12/78 41 21 0 0 62 12/28/78 108 20 1 0 129

Karl Mundt NWR ' s star performer. 12/77 GRZ 20

Eagles in the area continue to be killed from unnatural causes. During February~ an adult golden (too weak to fly) was captured on the refuge. One foot~ encased in a ball of ice~ dangled helplessly on a broken stub~ the result of being caught and then released from a trap. The eagle's foot was amputated; the bird then received antibiotics and supplemental food for several days; then was released into the wild.

An adult bald eagle~ seen flying around the refuge on 2/3/78 trailing a #4 double-spring trap~ was not so lucky. The bird was flushed from a bait site~ but still had strength to fly into a large tree. The area was checked for several days~ however the eagle was not seen again until Zahm found the car­ cass on 3/28 in a grove of young cottonwoods. The eagle was caught in the trap by only one talon. Several other reports of eagles flying around with dangling traps were received during the winter.

An adult golden~ found strangled in a fox snare near Lake Andes~ was brought to the office by the local conservation officer. We wonder how many other eagles met the same fate via snares and sight baits~ yet were not reported. After one places these lifeless eagle carcasses into bags and then deposits them into a freezer already containing electro­ cuted eagles~ illegally shot eagles~ and just plain dead eagles~ you begin to wonder just what in the hell the world is coming to. It will never stop until people once again develop a sense of ethical values in regards to the continental wildlife pop­ ulations. B. Migratory Birds 1. Waterfowl

Peak populations of 2500 Canada geese and 3000 mallards completely devoured standing rows of milo and corn during late January and early February. The refuge grain was the last available food supply for this wintering flock which would have incurred major starvation losses during the severe -winter conditions had the food been nonexistant. The presence of this waterfowl population along the Missouri is not the result of a refuge cropping program~ as the -<' waterfowl are mai~ly attracted to the open river below Ft. Randall./ These birds do however~ add to the total refuge objectives~ as their presence provides an alternate prey source to the wintering eagles. 21

Optimum grain yields in private farmlands adjacent to the Missouri held large numbers of migrating waterfowl~ with 228~215 ducks and 53~940 geese being counted on 11/14 at Lake Francis Case. The refuge milo strips received the overflow from this mass of birds as 20~000 mallards fed during 12/8-12/12. A pure albino mallard was observed amongst the feeding ducks on 12/10. A definite lack of wintering Canada geese using the Ft. Randall tailwaters was found~ with a peak of only 1200 (average 4-5000) being found during late December. Be­ cause of the low numbers standing corn has been under~ utilized (other than deer and turkey use) and additional plantings will be unnecessary in 19?9. 2. Marsh and Waterbirds - Nothing to Report

3. Shorebirds~ GuUs" Terns and AUied Species - Nothing to Report 4. Rcrptors

A red-tailed hawk successfully fledged two young from atop a 100' cottonwood on the north unit. At least one turkey vulture was produced from a nest site appropriately located in dead trees below the refuge sani­ tary landfiU. 5. Other Migratory Birds - Nothing to Report C. Mammals and Non-Migratory Birds and·Others 1. Game Mammals The refuge harbors both white-tailed and mule deer with ; the peak populations (60-80 animals) being reached during the winter months Deer populations on the south unit immediately began to utilize the newly-cut access trai-ls~ both for travel lanes and fresh browse.

2. Other Mammals

Resident mammals include occasional racoons~ oppossums~ spotted and striped skunks~ coyotes~ fox~ mink~ beaver~ red squirrel; cottontail and white-tailed jackrabbits~ plus a wide variety of small rodents and bats. 22

The bobcat used to be included in the preceding list~ how­ ever trappers working the refuge boundary caught the adult maZe and two kittens in 19 77 (and probably caught the bald eagle at their sight bait) and then the macho-men snared the adult female in December 1978. Winter observations had shown this to be the only bobcat left on both units. Our stable habitat and wildlife populations wiZZ undoubt­ abZy attract other bobcats ~ but the curious critters just can 't turn down checking out that duck wing or rabbit leg waving in the breeze and will eventually end up draped around a high- society matron's neck.

A white- tailed doe leaps across the Missouri River bottomland. 3/78 GRZ 3. Resident Birds

Based upon 1978 sightings~ peak population estimates are given for the following species: bobwhite - 45; ring­ necked pheasant - 100; sharp- tailed - 30; greater prairie chicken - 4; and Rio Grande and Merriam ' s turkey 65.

Fifteen turkeys wintered (first record) on the north unit during January and February ~ with the spring dispersal taking place during early March . Five gobblers and eight 25

hens remained on the north unit~ with the first gobbling and displaying observed on 3/29. The first turkey brood hlas observed on 5/25~ hlith 2 more broods observed during the summer. Estimated production hlas 22 poults. Turkeys hlere also common (35-40 birds) on the Jonas easement and south unit. At the close of the year~ 65 turkeys hlere utilizing the food and cover on the north unit.

4. Other Animal Life - No~hing to Report V. Interpretation and Recreation A. Information and Interpretation 1. On-Refuge

Public visitation on the refuge is prohibited at this time~ mainly due to conflicts hlith hlintering eagles and the asso­ ciated lack of 1240 funding for development of a limited type of scenic overlook and interpretive display facility.

Guided tours of the refuge hlere periodically given to the follohling: three outdoor journalists~ district soil con­ servationist (Charles Mix County)~ Corps of Engineer Pro­ ject Leader (Lake Francis Case)~ Endangered species Biol­ ogist (Pierre)~ and various Area Office staff members~ including the Area Manager and Realty Supervisor.

2. Off-Refuge

Zahm participated in a Corps of Engineers sponsored Eco-Meet~ during hlhich a slide shohl and interpretive display on the refuge hlere presented to 40 state high school and junior high school students. A slide shohl on the refuge hlas also presented to Boy Scouts attending a summer jamboree~ plus 100 1st-6th graders at Lake Andes during National Wildlife Week. B. Recreation 1. Wildlife Oriented

Due to the area's small size~ lack of accessibility~ lohl public demand (due to adjacent Corps of Engineers facili­ ties)~ and conflicts hlith primary refuge objectives~ the development of hlildlife oriented outputs are not planned. 2. Non-Wildlife Oriented - Nothing to Report ~' 24

C. Enforcement Several enforcement problems currently and probably always will exist at the refuge. Having boundaries adjacent to the Missouri River~ the nature trail trail on Corps of Engineers land~ and private ag-land (and its associated hunting) presents an excel­ lent potential for trespass and illegal hunting.

Periodic enforcement work has turned up very little sign of actual violations~ a condition for which we will not complain. VI. Other Items

A. Field Investigations

Mike Johnson~ Jamestown Research Center~ spent several days observing neck-collared giant Canada geese which had been marked in the northeastern portion of South Dakota and south­ eastern North Dakota. B. Cooperative Programs - Nothing to Report C. Items of Interest

Al Trout~ assistant refuge manager since 19?4~ transferred (March 12) to Kearney~ Nebraska.

Lynn Nymeyer~ refUge manager trainee~ transferred to the Attwater's Prairie Chicken NWR on October 22.

John Decker~ transferring over from the desert marshlands of the Fish Springs NWR~ assumed the assistant manager's position on May 21. John resides in the quarters on the MUndt refuge which overlooks the scenic riparian bottom­ land.

This narrative report was written by Gary Zahm~ with editing and typing done by Teresa Statler.

D. Safety Monthly safety meetings were held in conjunction with the Lake Andes Soil Conservation Service. THE SCENE Oac9mber 21 , 1978 Page 9 D

By Charlene Taylor The American Bald Eagle, our national bird, can be found in large numbers nesting near Fort Randall Dam. With Haliaeetus Leucocephalus. an average life span of 30 to 75 years, the eagle has a Hunter, bird of prey, or wingspread of si]( and a half to seven feet and feeds on fish, scavenger. Whichever you small animals and carrion. choose to call him, the American bald eagle was once so numerous upon our land­ scape that our forefathers gave h im the honor of being th e national symbol of the greatest coun try on earth. In January of this year, ac­ cording to Gary Zahm of the National Wildlife Federation, our national bird was offic ially placed on the endangered species list. "This was done," said Zahm, 1 who is in charge of the Karl E. Mundt National Wildlife Refuge near Pickstown, "not because the bald eagle's numbers are so few, but b ecause his hab itats are rapidly being destroyed." Progress, and consequently man , are steadily encroaching upon w ilderness areas where the bald eagle has established r·' ·~ nesting grounds and wintering ·~J-Q/} . meccas. As certain as the -~ ,...,, march of time, the eagle and the hawk families are being driven away from areas once exclusively their domains. Declining Species '\ \ Relative ly fe w Americans today have ever seen a bald .) ea gle outside a zoo. Some 4 have never seen them even ··' here. To be able to observe this declining species in or / around their natural habitat is a rare opportunity, and one that southeastern South ~. - ....._..·:·," Dakotans may be able to enjoy between now and mid-March - simply by driving to Fort Ran­ dall Dam. Upwards to 180 eagles have been observed and counted on the Karl E. Mundt Refuge, an area near the dam which encompasses roughly 1,085 acres of land set aside tor various species of wildlife and for the nesting of the eagle. "However, 1 ~0 is about

~ D .•. --:~,- .· ~. · ' ~ . - ~ \ '\ \ \ , \ ~ \ . \ l..Fid' ~-' ; '1 J . • \ / dL..' ' \ \ ~ . \ Art Wor1< by David Taylor average," according to Zahm. December." Mig rating mallards an d Th e refuge, which was tur­ In reply to th e c omment that Canadian geese sometime s ,;:] r :J ned over to the Fish and the young eagles look a great · h ave numbered in the Wildlife Service in December, deal like any other k ind of thousands in the bays and 1974, is located one and a hawk, Zahm pointed out that harbors of the lak e, and on half miles downstream from they do not get the white occasion, the brochure g oes the dam. Visitors, however, feathers around -their heads on , sandh ill cranes, white are not allowed on the refuge until they are two or three pelicans and whistling swans itself, because, as Zahm ex­ years old. can also be seen during plained, eagles are very in­ " In the area, also," he went migration. tolerant of outsiders and traf­ on, " you'll occasionally see a O n an y clear mornin g fic annoys th em. He himself golden falcon, or maybe even around 9 o'clock, a visitor can tries not to be on the refuge an American Osprey." almost count on seeing 30- when the eagles come in to Protected Species 40 or more eagles fish ing in roost for th e night. - The refu ge, aside from being the dam's tailrace area, or Desp ite the fac t the refuge de signated a protecte d perched in the trees along the is c losed to the public, the nesting g round fo r th e eagle, bank feeding on their prizes. A eagles can still be observed in plays host also to a number of drive up to Fort Ran dall, one great numbers near the dam. wild turkeys, various members of the first refuges in the Open waters provide fishing of the hawk family, pheasant, to be maintained most of the winter, and trees deer, c oyote and ma ny other especially for the bald eagle, on and near the riverbanks small animals. According to a would prove to be a rewarding provide p erches fo r them brochure pertaining to Lak e experience for anyone in ­ while they feed on their cat­ Francis Case, made available terested in seeing our national ches. th rough the offices of the US bird in his natural habitat. On ly "What we have here now," · Army Corps of Engineers, time will tell if the bald eagle

·~ Zahm said, "are .nostly im ­ protec ted spec ies at Fort Ran ­ will survive the on slaught of Photo by Charlene Taylor mature eag les. on e. two , dall include the prairie falcon, man's progress. an d time itself The Americ an Osprey, looking very much like an immature maybe three years old. The the western burrowing owl, may be run ning out for the eagle, has also been spotted near Fort Randall Dam on rare adu lts begin to come in after the black-footed ferret and the symbol of ou r na t ion ' s occasions. Christmas, towards the end of b lack - t a i le d p r a irie dog . stren gth.