Manitoba Conservation Data Centre Surveys and Stewardship Activities, 2012

Manitoba Conservation Data Centre Colin Murray Report No. 2013-01

Manitoba Conservation Data Centre Box 24, 200 Saulteaux Crescent Winnipeg, Manitoba R3J 3W3 www.manitoba.ca/conservation/cdc

Please cite as:

Murray, C. 2013. Manitoba Conservation Data Centre Surveys and Stewardship Activities, 2012. Report No. 2013-01. Manitoba Conservation Data Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba. 30 pp.

Images:

Unless otherwise noted, all images are ©Manitoba Conservation Data Centre. Cover image: Sunset in the Spirit Sands in Spruce Woods Provincial Park with an activated night time moth trap in the foreground. Inset is a Gold-edged Gem (Schinia avemensis) on its host plant Prairie Sunflower (Helianthus petiolaris) photographed at Spruce Woods.

Manitoba Conservation Data Centre Surveys and Stewardship Activities, 2012

By Colin Murray

Manitoba Conservation Data Centre Wildlife Branch Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship

Winnipeg, Manitoba

Acknowledgements

Numerous individuals worked with and supported the Manitoba Conservation Data Centre in 2012. Thanks to Chris Friesen and Nicole Firlotte from the Data Centre for their thorough support during the field season and also for Chris conducting some Small White Lady’s-slipper surveys in the Interlake early in the season while I was off chasing toads. Thanks to my field assistant Maha Ghazel for making the work easier on me and more fun. Thank you also to Ember Carlin from the Invasive Species Council of Manitoba and to Kayla Funk for helping out for a few days in the field. Thank you to the staff at Spruce Woods Provincial Park, particularly Cam Cathcart and the other staff at the maintenance yard, for allowing us to use their ATV’s to get ourselves and some heavy batteries closer to our sites. Thank you to Christie Borkowsky for inviting us out to the Manitoba Tall Grass Prairie Preserve for a day of surveying. Dr. Richard Westwood at the University of Winnipeg continues to assist with the identification of Lepidoptera specimens which is much appreciated. Thanks to Kathy Murray and all the others at the Lauder field house for the fun and camaraderie, and to Pat Rakowski for providing the accommodations.

Special thanks to all the landowners who granted permission to access their land for rare species surveys.

I’m grateful to all those who contributed data and expertise on rare species, in particular Christian Artuso and Bird Studies Canada, Doug Collicutt, Nicola Koper, Diana Robson, Pamela Rutherford, and Richard Staniforth.

I’m very thankful for our many colleagues within Manitoba Conservation who provided the support, encouragement and expertise necessary for the work reported herein. In particular I thank Nicole Firlotte, Jim Duncan, Bill Watkins, Ken De Smet, Jessica Elliott, Peggy Westhorpe, and Janet Moore.

Organizational partners for this work included the Critical Wildlife Habitat Program, Environment Canada (through the Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk), Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation, Nature Conservancy of Canada, NatureServe and NatureServe Canada, and Parks Canada Agency.

Table of Contents

Introduction to the Manitoba Conservation Data Centre ...... 1 2012 Surveys and Stewardship Activities ...... 2 Small White Lady’s-slipper (Cypripedium candidum) ...... 6 Western Silvery Aster (Symphyotrichum sericeum) ...... 9 Agalinis Species (Agalinis spp.) ...... 11 Western Ironweed (Vernonia fasciculata) ...... 14 Sandhill Plants ...... 15 Prairie Skink (Plestiodon septentrionalis) ...... 19 Great Plains Toad (Anaxyrus cognatus) ...... 21 Prairie Butterflies ...... 24 Sandhill Moths ...... 25 Literature Cited ...... 28

Introduction to the Manitoba Conservation Data Centre

The Manitoba Conservation Data Centre (MBCDC), established in 1994, is housed in the Wildlife Branch and is part of the NatureServe network. Acting as a warehouse of information on Manitoba’s biodiversity, it has developed lists of species and plant communities found in Manitoba and assigned each a conservation status rank based on how rare it is in Manitoba (see below for more information on ranks). The MBCDC then collects detailed information on where the rare elements have been observed. Much of this information is collected in the field by staff biologists or partners of the MBCDC. These locations are mapped in a geographic information system (GIS) and the data entered into a database. The MBCDC uses a scientifically and empirically defined methodology and rigorous standards common to all Conservation Data Centre’s (CDC) throughout the NatureServe network.

The MBCDC has sought ways to go beyond these core tasks to maximize the use of its information for effective, proactive conservation activities such as habitat securement, protection, and management. Many of these activities are the result of partnerships the MBCDC has formed with conservation organizations, industry, and landowners.

In addition to assisting with government initiatives to protect rare species and communities (e.g. The Protected Areas Initiative), element location information is provided to conservation organizations such as Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation and Nature Conservancy of Canada, who then use this data to prioritize and target locations for habitat securement and protection. The MBCDC also provides data to industry partners who wish to incorporate rare species information into the early stages of planning and siting developments. In addition, rare species location and management information is made available to landowners and managers so these habitats can be appropriately managed. Information is also shared with federal partners such as Parks Canada and the Canadian Wildlife Service.

Conservation Status Ranks

The rarity of each species (and plant community) is assessed and assigned a conservation status rank at three geographic scales. The MBCDC works at the provincial (or subnational) level to assign each species an S rank. Through the work of the NatureServe network, species have also been assigned N (national) and G (global) ranks. These ranks range from 1 through 5, or very rare through abundant, respectively. Additional information about conservation status ranks is available on the MBCDC website (www.manitoba.ca/conservation/cdc/consranks) or from NatureServe (www.natureserve.org/explorer/ranking).

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2012 Surveys and Stewardship Activities

The focus of MBCDC field surveys and stewardship activities in 2012 was on species in the mixed-grass prairie and sandhill areas of south western Manitoba, though some work was also done in the southern Interlake and south eastern Manitoba. The species of primary interest (target species) were:

 Rare mixed-grass/tall-grass prairie plants – Small White Lady’s-slipper (Cypripedium candidum), Western Silvery Aster (Symphyotrichum sericeum), Rough Agalinis (Agalinis aspera), and Gattinger’s Agalinis (A. gattingeri).

 Rare sandhill plants – Hairy Prairie-clover (Dalea villosa), Western Spiderwort (Tradescantia occidentalis), and Smooth Goosefoot (Chenopodium subglabrum)

 Rare sandhill moths – White Flower Moth (Schinia bimatris), Gold-edged Gem (Schinia avemensis), Pale Yellow Dune Moth (Copablepharon grandis), and Dusky Dune Moth (Copablepharon longipenne)

 Rare prairie butterflies – Dakota Skipper (Hesperia dacotae), Ottoe Skipper (Hesperia ottoe), and Uncas Skipper (Hesperia uncas)

 Prairie Skink (Plestiodon septentrionalis)

 Great Plains Toad (Anaxyrus cognatus)

 Western Ironweed (Vernonia fasciculata)

Sites were selected based on: 1) habitat suitability, 2) proximity to previously documented occurrences of the target species, and 3) location of other species known to ``associate” with the target species.

1. Habitat suitability was assessed informally by examining geospatial data (e.g. satellite imagery, aerial photography, soil type, elevation) and comparing these to the known requirements of the target species.

2. Previously documented occurrences of the target species were consulted using the MBCDC’s biodiversity geospatial database.

3. Other rare species have been known to associate with the target species within the same geographic area (Friesen 2011). For example: C. candidum is known to associate with Agalinis spp. The MBCDC’s biodiversity geospatial database was used to determine where these associated species occur and these locations were then selected for surveying during the target species growing season.

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Specific survey methods and results for each species or species group are described below in the relevant section(s).

In 2012, survey activities by the MBCDC were directed to a significant degree by the funding received through Environment Canada’s Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk (HSP). In 2012, this program targeted species listed under the federal Species At Risk Act (SARA) and/or assessed by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), with particular interest in the mixed-grass and tall-grass prairie areas of southern Manitoba. Additional funding was received from Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC), through an agreement with NatureServe Canada, to survey several prairie and sandhill sites in southwestern Manitoba. Species listed under Manitoba’s Endangered Species Act (ESA) were also targeted.

Nearly 750 new occurrences of at-risk species were documented using data collected by and submitted to the MBCDC (Table 1).

Table 1. Summary of rare and uncommon species occurrences documented using data collected by or submitted to the MBCDC for 2012. New Conservation Occurrences Scientific Name Common Name Status Documented Plants Agalinis aspera Rough Purple False-foxglove S1S2 1 Agalinis tenuifolia Narrow-leaved Gerardia S2S3 1 Agrimonia gryposepala Common Agrimony S1S2 3 Chelone glabra Turtlehead S2S3 1 Cyperus schweinitzii Schweinitz's Flatsedge S2 1 Cypripedium arietinum Ram's Head Lady's-slipper S2S3 1 Festuca hallii Plains Rough Fescue S3 1 Fraxinus nigra Black Ash S3 4 Isoetes lacustris Quillwort S2 4 Linum sulcatum Grooved Yellow Flax S3 2 Lysimachia quadriflora Whorled Loosestrife S2 1 Oenothera perennis Sundrops S1S2 1 Parnassia palustris var. parviflora Small Grass-of-parnassus S1 1 Pellaea gastonyi Gastony's Cliffbrake S1 3 Pellaea glabella ssp. occidentalis Cliff-brake S2 6 Rhynchospora alba White Beakrush S3? 1 Selaginella densa Prairie Spike-moss S3 1 Solidago riddellii Riddell's Goldenrod S2 3 Teucrium canadense American Germander S3S4 1 Verbena urticifolia White Vervain S1 1

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New Conservation Occurrences Scientific Name Common Name Status Documented Veronicastrum virginicum Culver's-root S1 3 Woodsia glabella Smooth Woodsia S2 2 Total Plants 43 Animals Ambystoma tigrinum tigrinum Eastern Tiger Salamander S2 1 Ammodramus savannarum Grasshopper Sparrow S2B 4 Anthus spragueii Sprague's Pipit S2B 4 Ardea herodias Great Blue Heron S4S5B 1 Asio flammeus Short-eared Owl S2S3B 2 Calcarius lapponicus Lapland Longspur S3B 1 Calcarius ornatus Chestnut-collared Longspur S1S2B 1 Calcarius pictus Smith's Longspur S3B 2 Caprimulgus vociferus Whip-poor-will S3B 31 Chaetura pelagica Chimney Swift S2B 3 Charadrius melodus Piping Plover S1B 2 Chelydra serpentina serpentina Common Snapping Turtle S3 20 Chordeiles minor Common Nighthawk S3B 38 Condylura cristata Star-nosed Mole S3 3 Contopus cooperi Olive-sided Flycatcher S3S4B 94 Contopus sordidulus Western Wood-pewee S3B 1 Coturnicops noveboracensis Yellow Rail S3S4B 21 Cygnus buccinator Trumpeter Swan S1S2B 1 Danaus plexippus Monarch S5 1 Dendroica pinus Pine Warbler S2B 1 Dolichonyx oryzivorus Bobolink S4B 124 Eumeces septentrionalis Northern Prairie Skink S1 7 Euphagus carolinus Rusty Blackbird S3S4B 37 Euphydryas phaeton Baltimore Checkerspot S1 2 Gull Colony SNR 12 Hesperia ottoe Ottoe Skipper S1 2 Heterodon nasicus Western Hognose Snake S1S2 2 Hirundo rustica Barn Swallow S4B 4 Ixobrychus exilis Least Bittern S2S3B 2 Lithobates clamitans Green Frog S1S2 1 Lithobates pipiens Northern Leopard Frog S4 109 Lithobates septentrionalis Mink Frog S3 6 Melanerpes erythrocephalus Red-headed Woodpecker S2B 57 Nycticorax nycticorax Black-crowned Night-heron S3S4B 1 Orconectes immunis Calico Crayfish SNR 2

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New Conservation Occurrences Scientific Name Common Name Status Documented Parula americana Northern Parula S3B 2 Pelecanus erythrorhynchos American White Pelican S3S4B 1 Phalacrocorax auritus Double-crested Cormorant S5B 2 Podiceps auritus Horned Grebe S3B 19 Snake Hibernaculum SNR 8 Spea bombifrons Plains Spadefoot Toad S2S3 4 Stercorarius longicaudus Long-tailed Jaeger SNA 1 Sterna caspia Caspian Tern S3S4B 4 Strix nebulosa Great Gray Owl S4B 5 Tern Colony SNR 9 Thamnophis radix haydenii Western Plains Garter Snake S4 3 Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis Red-sided Garter Snake S4 2 Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis Eastern Garter Snake S3S4 2 Vermivora chrysoptera Golden-winged Warbler S3B 21 Wilsonia canadensis Canada Warbler S4B 22 Total Animals 705 TOTAL 748

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Small White Lady’s-slipper (Cypripedium candidum)

NatureServe: G4 N2 S2 ESA: Endangered SARA: Endangered COSEWIC: Endangered

Status and Threats The Canadian range of Small white lady’s-slipper (SWLS; Figure 1) is confined to Manitoba and Ontario, with a historical occurrence in Saskatchewan. It is considered rare in Manitoba with only 19 extant occurrences known provincially (Figure 1 and 2). The three main regions in Manitoba that support this species are the south Interlake around Woodlands and St. Laurent, south of Winnipeg from Kleefeld to the United States border with a concentration near Tolstoi, and the area between Brandon and Wawanesa. Most occurrences have less than 200 stems, while the few larger occurrences each have

several thousand.

Much of the habitat that was likely inhabited by this species has been converted to cropland or other land uses since European settlement. While some areas that currently support SWLS are threatened with conversion to other land uses, most occurrences are on land with

marginal agricultural or other value. Many occurrences in Manitoba are threatened by shrub encroachment and thatch accumulation. These impede the growth and reproduction of this species which requires sparse vegetation. Road maintenance and weed management activities threaten those occurrences in roadside ditches. Figure 1. Top: Photo of Small White Lady’s- 2012 Activities slipper. Middle: Provincial Generally, SWLS tended to have fewer flowering stems and plants distribution. Bottom: this year. This may have been due to cooler, wetter weather, and International distribution. frost damage during the flowering season, despite warmer temperatures earlier in the spring. Also due to the cooler growing season, an accentuated difference was observed where more flowering stems and plants were observed in sites with low vs. high thatch and grass buildup than observed in previous years.

A total of 45 sites were surveyed by MBCDC staff in 2012. See Table 2 for geographic break down. No new occurrences were found in 2012. However, two new sites were discovered, extending two known occurrences located in the South Interlake and the Brandon – Wawanesa areas respectively.

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Table 2. General location of SWLS survey sites and results. Sites Sites with Stem Numbers / Areal Extent Location Area Total Newly Known to Increase Decrease Discovered occur Brandon to 15 1 5 2 3 Wawanesa Oak Lake to Lauder 4 0 1 0 1 South Interlake 21 1 3 2 1 Tolstoi area 5 0 5 0 5 Total 45 2 14 4 10

Fifteen sites were surveyed in the Brandon to Wawanesa area. Nine new sites were surveyed in a 7x7 section (7x7 mile) area along road allowances south east of Brandon. Sites were selected based on topographic criteria similar to known sites in the area: low lying areas, minor streams, areas with poor drainage as indicated by aerial photography. One site gave a positive result. Of the five known sites visited in the area, two showed an increase in stem count and/or areal extent when compared to previous years where three showed a decrease.

The one known Oak Lake site showed a decrease in areal extent and stem count. Three other new Oak Lake sites produced negative results.

In the south Interlake area 21 sites were surveyed. Eighteen sites were new and produced one positive result. Of the three known sites visited, two showed an increase in stem numbers /areal extent where one showed a decrease.

The Interlake trail site was surveyed again this year. Monitoring is ongoing following the entirety of this site being burned in spring of 2011 and shrub removal by MBCDC and other provincial staff in fall of 2010. Stem counts were higher this year than in 2011 and also pre- disturbance count for 2010. Monitoring of this site will continue in order to assess the effectiveness of these management activities.

Five sites were surveyed in the Tolstoi area and all showed a decrease.

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Figure 2. Map of Small White Lady’s-slipper occurrences in Manitoba.

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Western Silvery Aster (Symphyotrichum sericeum)

NatureServe: G5 N2 S2 ESA: Threatened SARA: Threatened COSEWIC: Threatened

Status and Threats Western Silvery Aster (Figure 3) tends to grow in dry prairie meadows with relatively sparse vegetation on coarse well drained calcareous soils. The international range (Figure 3) of Western Silvery Aster (WSA) extends from Texas to southern Manitoba and only becomes rare at the northern and eastern extent of its range (COSEWIC 1988, COCEWIC 1999, COSEWIC 2012a, Naturserve 2013a). In Canada it is

known to occur in smaller populations in southern Ontario and south eastern Manitoba. In Manitoba (Figure 3) this species is considered rare. There are only three local populations (Figure 4): In the Gardenton/ Vita area; near Richer; and the largest population located in and around Birds Hill Provincial Park. Threats include gravel extraction, and ditch and road maintenance. (COSEWIC 1988, COCEWIC 1999, COSEWIC 2012a).

2012 Activities

A survey was conducted targeting isolated abandoned gravel pits and meadow areas in north Birds Hill Provincial Park (Figure 4) along back

trails. Western Silvery Aster was not found. Most gravel pits were Figure 3. Top: Western Silvery Aster. Middle: relatively clear of vegetation and some contained the invasive Populus Provincial distribution. alba. Some of the meadows appeared to have a good native plant Bottom: International assemblage. distribution.

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Figure 4. Map of Western Silvery Aster Occurrences in Manitoba.

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Agalinis Species (Agalinis spp.)

Gattinger’s Agalinis (Agalinis gattinger) NatureServe: G4 N1 S1 ESA: Endangered SARA: Endangered COSEWIC: Endangered Rough Purple-foxglove (Agalinis aspera) NatureServe: G5 N1 S1 ESA: Endangered SARA: Endangered COSEWIC: Endangered Narrow-leaved Gerardia (Agalinis tenuifolia) NatureServe: G5 NNR S2 ESA: Not Ranked SARA: Not Ranked COSEWIC: Not Ranked

Status and Threats The three Agalinis species tend to grow on sparsely vegetated dry prairie meadows on well drained gravelly calcareous soils (Pennell 1928, Friesen and Murray 2010).

In North America, Gattinger’s Agalinis (Figure 5) occurs most frequently in the south-central United States in Missouri and Arkansas and its range extends south to Texas, northwest to Nebraska, east to Kentucky and into Canada in southwestern Ontario and southeastern Manitoba (COSEWIC 2012b, Natureserve 2013b, Pennell 1928). In Manitoba it is considered very rare being known at five locations (Figure 6), all in the south Interlake between Lake Manitoba and Shoal Lakes around St. Laurent and St. Ambrose (MBCDC 2013).

Rough Purple-foxglove’s (Figure 5) range in North America extends from Texas north into Manitoba being most concentrated in Iowa and Nebraska (COSEWIC 2006, Natureserve 2013c, Pennell 1928). In Manitoba, Rough Purple-foxglove is found near Poplar Point, south of Lake Manitoba, to the east to Birds Hill Provincial Park and north through the Interlake to Lundar (Figure 7). It is also known to occur in the area between Brandon and Wawanesa (MBCDC 2013).

In North America, Narrow-leaved Gerardia (Figure 5) is more common than the two other Agalinis species and tends to grow on more variable soils. In Manitoba it is considered rare but has not been listed. It can often be misidentified as its more rare cousins (MBCDC 2013).

Threats to the Agalinis species include gravel extraction, road and ditch maintenance, and habitat loss (COSEWIC 2012b, COSEWIC 2006).

Agalinis numbers seemed lower this year perhaps due to the survey missing the peak flowering period. Germination and flowering may also have been reduced or shortened due to the hot and dry late summer season.

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A total of 24 sites were surveyed for the Agalinis species. Seven in Birds Hill Provincial Park, and 18 in the Interlake. The seven new sites in Birds Hill were in abandoned gravel pits and small meadow areas in the north of the park. No Agalinis was found. Of the 18 sites visited in the Interlake, four had known occurrences. Of these four, no plants were observed at two, and the other two had relatively reduced Figure 5. From top: numbers compared to previous years. Of the 14 newly surveyed sites, Gattinger’s, Rough, and Rough Agalinis was observed at one site and was associated with Small Narrow-leaved Agalinis. White Lady’s-slipper. Middle: Provincial distribution. Bottom: International distribution of Rough Agalinis.

Figure 6. Map of Gattinger`s Agalinis Occurrences in Manitoba.

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Figure 7. Map of Rough Agalinis Occurrences in Manitoba.

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Western Ironweed (Vernonia fasciculata)

NatureServe: G5 N1 S1 ESA: no status SARA: no status COSEWIC: no status

Status and Threats The known Canadian range of Western Ironweed (Figure 8) is presently confined to a small area in south eastern Manitoba; it is likely extirpated from Saskatchewan (Enns 2012). As only two extant occurrences are known, one west of Morris and one along the Rat River, it is considered very rare in Manitoba. The Morris occurrence consists of approximately 60 stems in roadside ditches. The Rat River occurrence is large and consists of many thousands of stems along the river from St. Pierre Jolys to the Red River.

Given the limited range (both historical and present) of Western Ironweed in Manitoba, the distribution of this species has probably always been limited. However, much of the habitat that was likely inhabited by this species has been converted to cropland or other land uses since European settlement. Because this species occurs on field margins near the Rat River, cultivation and herbicide use threaten plants in some areas. It is unclear how water level regulation via water level control structures might affect Ironweed populations along the Rat River. Occurrences in roadside ditches are susceptible to road maintenance and weed management activities.

2012 Activities Figure 8. Top: Photo of Low water levels in mid-August prevented a survey along the Rat Western Ironweed. River this year. A total of eight sites were surveyed in 2012. Six new Middle: Provincial sites located at stream crossings were surveyed and produced distribution. Bottom: International distribution. negative results. Of the two known sites one showed lower stem counts and aerial extent than last year, while the other known site was unchanged.

Future surveys should continue to focus on water ways in the Rat River watershed. The Red River watershed south of the Rat River should also be surveyed.

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Sandhill Plants Introduction

A total of 27 sites were surveyed by MBCDC staff in 2012 for sandhill species, with a focus on areas around Oak Lake, Stockton, Spruce Woods Provincial Park, Lauder, and St. Claude.

Hairy Prairie-clover (Dalea villosa) NatureServe: G5 N2N3 S2S3 ESA: Threatened SARA: Threatened COSEWIC: Special Concern

The Canadian range of Hairy Prairie-clover (HPC; Figure 9) is confined to sandhill complexes in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (Smith 1998, COSEWIC 2011). Sandhills in Manitoba that support this species include those near Portage, Carberry, and Lauder (Figure 10).

Of the 27 sites surveyed for HPC, 19 were new and produced six positive results (Table 3).

Four new sites were surveyed in the Oak Lake area and produced negative results. Four sites were surveyed in Stockton area. Two sites were known and appeared similar to previous years. The two other sites were new and were negative. Five known sites were surveyed in the Spruce Woods area and increased the number of plants, areal extent, and spatial accuracy of the occurrences. Eight sites were surveyed in Lauder and, of the seven new sites, six produced new records. In the St. Claude area, six sites were surveyed and produced negative results.

Table 3. General location of HPC survey sites and results Sites Sites with Stem Numbers / Areal Extent Location Total Newly Known Increase Decrease Figure 9. Top: Photo of Hairy-prairie Clover. Area Discovered to Middle: Provincial Occur distribution. Bottom: Oak Lake 4 0 0 0 0 International distribution. Stockton 4 0 2 0 0 Spruce 5 0 5 5 0 Woods Lauder 8 6 1 0 0 St. Claude 6 0 0 0 0 Total 27 6 8 5 0

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Figure 10. Map of Hairy Prairie-clover occurrences in Manitoba.

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Western Spiderwort (Tradescantia occidentalis) NatureServe: G5 N1 S1 ESA: Threatened SARA: Threatened COSEWIC: Threatened

In Canada, Western Spiderwort (Figure 11) occurs in sandhills in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba (Smith 2002). Only two occurrences of this species are known in Manitoba – one near Lauder and one near Routledge.

All sandhill sites were surveyed for Western Spiderwort but all turned up negative results (Figure 12). One known site that was surveyed for

other species, had Western Spiderwort but the survey was limited and not comparable to other years.

Threats include overgrazing and trampling from cattle. Although Spiderwort seems tolerant to some grazing and cattle movement and it may be beneficial by reducing other threats of competing species and sandhill stabilization. A newly identified threat is sand extraction. Sandhill habitat adjacent to known occurrence have been disturbed or severely damaged by sand quarrying.

Figure 11. Top: Photo of Western Spiderwort. Middle: Provincial distribution. Bottom: International distribution.

Figure 12. Map of Western Spiderwort occurrences in Manitoba.

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Smooth Goosefoot (Chenopodium subglabrum) NatureServe: G3G4 N2 S1 ESA: no status SARA: Threatened COSEWIC: Threatened

Smooth Goosefoot (Figure 13) is currently known from only three sites in Manitoba – Routledge, Oak Lake, and Spruce Woods Provincial Park. Additional sites can be found in Alberta and Saskatchewan (COSEWIC 2006).

In 2012 Smooth Goosefoot was found in only one known site in Spruce Woods Provincial Park totaling five plants in flower (Figure 14).

Smooth Goosefoot may not occur at the other surveyed sites or may not have germinated this year due to local site conditions. The plant is also rather inconspicuous and so could have been overlooked.

Figure 13. Top: Photo of Smooth Goosefoot. Middle: Provincial distribution. Bottom: International distribution. (Photo © J. Rumancik, Nature Saskatchewan).

Figure 14. Map of Smooth Goosefoot occurrences in Manitoba.

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Prairie Skink (Plestiodon septentrionalis)

NatureServe: G5 N2 S1 ESA: no status SARA: Endangered COSEWIC: Endangered

Status and Threats The Canadian range of the Prairie Skink is confined to several parts of southwestern Manitoba (Figure 11). The largest population occurs in and around the Carberry Sandhills. A much smaller population occurs in the Lauder Sandhills. The Canadian population is somewhat disjunct from the rest of the species’ range – the nearest occurrence is over 100km away in the United States.

The primary threat to this species is habitat loss. The main factors contributing to this loss of habitat are: cultivation of mixed-grass prairie, aspen encroachment resulting from fire suppression, and invasion of mixed-grass prairie by exotic species like Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia esula). Habitat loss can result in the fragmentation and isolation of populations.

2012 Activities Skinks are most easily found under cover in prairie areas (Rutherford 2012, Krause Danielson 2009, Nature North 2013), so a total of 124 pieces of plywood (each 1 foot by 2 feet) were placed on the ground on five properties (Figure 12). Skinks were found at two sites, one of which, in Spruce Woods Provincial Park, was new (Table 4). One Figure 11. Top: Photo of uncommon species, Smooth Green Snake (Liochlorophis vernalis; Prairie Skink. Middle: Provincial distribution. S3S4), was occasionally found under the boards. Bottom: International distribution. Table 4. 2012 MBCDC skink board locations. Location No. of Boards Skinks Observed Spruce Woods 32 Yes Stockton 8 No Lauder WMA 52 Yes Lauder 1 16 No Lauder 2 16 No

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Figure 12. Map of Skink board locations in Manitoba for 2012. Pre-existing boards in the Lauder WMA (n=16) and at Stockton (n=28) were incorporated into CDC surveys.

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Great Plains Toad (Anaxyrus cognatus)

NatureServe: G5 N3 S2 ESA: Threatened SARA: Special Concern COSEWIC: Special Concern

Status and Threats The North American range of Great Plains Toads (GPT; Figure 13) includes much of the prairie in central portion of the continent, extending into the southern regions of the prairie provinces where it is considered rare to uncommon (COSEWIC 2010; NatureServe 2012). In Manitoba, the range of this species is confined to the extreme southwest corner of the province.

Threats to this species include habitat loss and fragmentation, agricultural herbicide and pesticide use, and road mortality. Habitat loss and fragmentation are due primarily to cultivation, road construction, and oil and gas related developments.

2012 Activities Generally, GPT detection was very poor this year with only one toad incidentally detected on a property during a vegetation survey. Known locations, that have been active in the previous two years were also surveyed but produced negative results. Other field researchers working in the area also noted a lack of GPT this year. Figure 13. Top: Photo of Great Plains Toad. Middle: The weather during the survey period, and through the GPT usual Provincial distribution. breeding period, was noticeably cool and not humid. This would Bottom: International distribution. greatly reduce breeding effort and movement and many may have remained in their burrows.

Toad surveys were conducted on six nights on May 28, 29, and 30 and June 19, 20, 21. Surveys typically commenced around 22:00h and ended between 24:00h and 2:00h, depending on weather conditions. Survey nights that were cool and/or windy typically ended sooner than those that were warm and/or calm as detection rates were low. Surveys were divided into two types - audio and visual - which can be done at the same time.

Audio surveys were modified from Johnson et al. 1996. They involved a systematic listening stop every two miles at a mile road intersection. The engine was turned off and the occupants got out of the vehicle and listened for two minutes. The quarter section(s) from which the calls originated was determined and noted. The distance between stops was shortened to one mile when calls were heard at a two mile stop or when toads were observed on the road. Sometimes stops were initiated at the location the toads were observed on the road. Notes were made regarding suitability of weather to surveying and any audio interference (dogs, wind). Both negative and positive data was recorded.

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Visual surveys involved tallying the number of GPT observed every mile section road. Vehicle speed was reduced to about 60km/h when a GPT was first observed. Notes were made on the suitability of weather to surveying. Both negative and positive data was recorded.

Previous surveys generally stopped at every other mile road intersection so that more area could be covered. An objective for this season was to survey at these omitted intersections and other roads not covered in previous surveys in an attempt to fill in the survey area. A total of 66 audio survey stops were performed at mile road intersections. This works out to 196 quarter sections surveyed. Some stops were surveyed more than once but are counted only once. Despite hearing Boreal Chorus Frogs at a number of stops, no GPT or other toads or frogs were detected during the survey (Figure 14). For visual surveys a total of 140 mile road segments were surveyed for a total survey distance of 225 km. No GPT were observed. (Figure 14).

Future audio surveys should be performed during the peak calling times - mid-May through June, depending on annual variation in weather conditions. Road surveys should be conducted concurrently with audio surveys as well as later in the summer (mid-August to early September) when there seems to be high rates of movement by GPT.

Future surveys should again target intersections omitted in 2011. Areas north of PR 345, east of PR 254, and around Grand-Clariere require additional surveys to determine the range extent in Manitoba.

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Figure 14. Map of Great Plains Toad quarter section and road surveys in Manitoba for 2012.

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Prairie Butterflies

Ottoe Skipper (Hesperia ottoe) NatureServe: G3G4 N1 S1 ESA: Threatened SARA: Endangered COSEWIC: Endangered

Ottoe skippers (Figure 15) are mixed-grass prairie butterflies and, in Canada, are known only from the area around Spruce Woods Provincial Park (SWPP) and CFB Shilo (Klassen et al. 1989). The species has not been observed in Manitoba since the late 1980’s (COSEWIC 2005). Recent surveys for this species did not result in new records (Westwood & Friesen 2007; Friesen & Murray 2010; Friesen & Murray Figure 15. Photo of 2011). male Ottoe Skipper specimen (©The In 2012, MBCDC staff surveyed six sites (Figure 22) near Stockton and Manitoba Museum, in SWPP near CFB Shilo from mid-June to early August 5. Most sites Winnipeg, MB, used were surveyed at least twice. Skipper specimens have been submitted with permission). to a taxonomic expert to confirm their identification.

Uncas Skipper (Hesperia uncas) NatureServe: G5 N3 S1S2 ESA: Endangered SARA: no status COSEWIC: no status

Uncas skippers (Figure 16) prefer dry prairie areas and most Manitoba records are from the SWPP and CFB Shilo area, and there are very few records since the late 1970’s (Klassen et al. 1989).

MBCDC staff surveyed 11 sites (Figure 22) from mid-June to early August with most sites being surveyed more than once. Sites were Figure 16. Photo of male Uncas Skipper specimen located near Stockton, in SWPP near CFB Shilo, and the Lauder (©The Manitoba sandhills. Skipper specimens have been submitted to a taxonomic Museum, Winnipeg, MB, expert to confirm their identification. used with permission).

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Dakota Skipper (Hesperia dacotae) NatureServe: G2 N2N3 S2 ESA: Threatened SARA: Threatened COSEWIC: Threatened

Dakota skippers (Figure 17) tend to prefer mesic prairies and are found in the south Interlake, south of Oak Lake in the southwest, and in the vicinity of the Tall Grass Prairie Preserve in the southeast (although recent surveys have not found them at this location) (COSEWIC 2003). Figure17. Photo of male Dakota Skipper Six sites were surveyed for Dakota skippers in 2012 (Figure 22), All specimen (©The were located south of Oak Lake northwest of the Lauder sandhills. Manitoba Museum, Skipper specimens have been submitted to a taxonomic expert to Winnipeg, MB, used confirm their identification. with permission).

Sandhill Moths

Gold-edged Gem (Schinia avemensis) NatureServe: G1G3 N1 S1 ESA: no status SARA: Endangered COSEWIC: Endangered

Gold-edged Gems (Figure 18) are residents of sand dunes and sand blowouts; in Manitoba, they have only been found in the active dunes of Spruce Woods Provincial Park (part of the Carberry sandhills). Sandhill areas with active and inactive dunes were surveyed for Gold- edged Gems (Figure 22). These included sites in the Lauder sandhills and other parts of the Carberry sandhills. This species is associated with Prairie Sunflowers (Helianthus petiolaris) and adults can be Figure18. Photo of Gold-edged Gem found resting on the flowers of this species (Figure 18 and inset cover (©Paul Goossen). photo) (Belair et al. 2011).

Four sites in the Oak Lake/Lauder area and five sand dune sites in Spruce Woods Provincial Park were surveyed. No Gold-edged Gems were observed at the Oak Lake/Lauder sites. Both Sunflowers and open sand were limited at these sites so habitat may have been unsuitable. Many Gold-edged Gems were observed at four of the five Spruce Woods sites in or close to Sunflower patches that were located in open sand blowouts. Most were observed resting, nectaring, or breeding on the flower heads. A systematic survey of dune blowouts containing Sunflowers produced many new observations and increased the spatial accuracy of the known locations and the extent of the occurrence.

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White Flower Moth (Schinia bimatris) NatureServe: G2G4 N1 S1 ESA: no status SARA: Endangered COSEWIC: Endangered

In Canada, White Flower Moths (Figure 19) have only been observed in the active sand dunes of the Carberry sandhills. Other portions of these sandhills, and other sandhill complexes, were surveyed by MBCDC staff in 2012 between mid-June to early August (Figure 22). In most of the surveyed areas, open sand was much more limited than at the active sand dunes.

White Flower Moths are active during both the day and night (Westwood & Friesen 2009, Belair et al. 2011). Surveys at both times were conducted. Night surveys were done with the use of light traps. Figure19. Photo of a White Flower Moth (© No White Flower Moths were observed during daytime surveys or in C. Friesen). initial assessments of specimens collected at light traps for the eight sites surveyed in the Oak Lake/Lauder area. Of the five sites surveyed in the active sand dunes of SWPP, three had multiple observations from both day and nighttime trapping which increased the extent and spatial accuracy of the occurrence. All moth specimens collected at light traps have been submitted to a taxonomic expert to confirm their identification.

Pale Yellow Dune Moth (Copablepharon grandis) NatureServe: G4G5 N3 S1 ESA: no status SARA: Special Concern COSEWIC: Special Concern

The Canadian range of this species (Figure 20) includes several sandy, sparsely vegetated areas in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba (COSEWIC 2007a). In Manitoba, the current known range is limited to the open dune area of the Carberry sandhills.

Figure 20. Photo of Pale Nocturnal light-trap surveys were conducted from mid-June through Yellow Dune Moth (©G.G. early August at one site in Oaklake / Lauder area and four sites in the Anweiler). active sand dunes of SWPP (Figure 22). Moth specimens collected at light traps have been submitted to a taxonomic expert to confirm their identification.

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Dusky Dune Moth (Copablepharon longipenne) NatureServe: G4 N1N2 S1 ESA: no status SARA: Endangered COSEWIC: Endangered

The range of the Dusky Dune Moth (Figure 21) in Canada is similar to that of the Pale Yellow Dune Moth (COSEWIC 2007b). As with the Pale Yellow Dune Moth, the only known occurrence in Manitoba is in the open dune area of the Carberry sandhills.

Figure 21. Photo of Dusky This species is active at night, so light-trap surveys were conducted Dune Moth (©G.G. from mid-June through early August. Nocturnal light-trap surveys Anweiler). were conducted from mid-June through early August at One site in Oaklake / Lauder area and four sites in the active sand dunes of SWPP (Figure 22). All moth specimens collected at light traps have been submitted to a taxonomic expert to confirm their identification.

Figure 22. Map of Leptidoptera surveys in Manitoba for 2012. Due to map scale one dot may represent multiple survey sites where they are in close proximity. Most sites surveyed more than once.

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Literature Cited

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COSEWIC 1981. COSEWIC status report on the Small White Lady’s Slipper Cypripedium candidum in Canada. Ottawa. iii + 56 and appendix.

COSEWIC 1988. Status report on the Western Silver-Leaf Aster Virgulus sericeus in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. pp. 26.

COSEWIC 1999. Status report on the Western Silver-Leaf Aster Virgulus sericeus in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. pp. 26.

COSEWIC. 2003. COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Dakota skipper Hesperia dacotae in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. vii + 35 pp.

COSEWIC. 2005. COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Ottoe skipper Hesperia ottoe in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. vii + 35 pp.

COSEWIC. 2006. COSEWIC assessment and update status report on the smooth goosefoot Chenopodium subglabrum in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. vi + 33 pp.

COSEWIC. 2007a. COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Pale Yellow Dune Moth Copablepharon grandis in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. vii + 28 pp.

COSEWIC. 2007b. COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Dusky Dune Moth Copablepharon longipenne in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. vii + 33 pp.

COSEWIC. 2010. COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Great Plains Toad Anaxyrus cognatus in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. vi + 54 pp.

COSEWIC. 2011. COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Hairy Prairie-clover Dalea villosa in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. xi + 32 pp.

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Johnson, Douglas H. and Ronald D. Batie. 1996. Surveys of calling amphibians in North Dakota. Jamestown, ND: Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Online. http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/herps/amsurvey/index.htm (Version 16JUL97).

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Conservation Data Centre, Manitoba Conservation (2013). Query of biodiversity database for species at risk and other rare species occurrences within Manitoba. Conducted 2013 March 1.

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Rutherford, P. 2012. Personal communication. Brandon University.

Smith, B. 1998. COSEWIC status report on the hairy prairie-clover Dalea villosa var. villosa in Canada, in COSEWIC assessment and status report on the hairy prairie-clover Dalea villosa var. villosa in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. 1-22 pp.

Smith, B. 2002. Update COSEWIC status report on the western spiderwort Tradescantia occidentalis in Canada in COSEWIC assessment and update status report on the Western spiderwort Tradescantia occidentalis in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. 1-25 pp.

Westwood, A.R. and C. Friesen. 2007. Ottoe skipper (Hesperia ottoe) and White flower moth (Schinia bimatris) surveys on CFB Shilo and Spruce Woods Provincial Park, Manitoba. Final report to the Canadian Wildlife Service. University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Westwood, A.R. and C.P. Friesen. 2009. Occurrence and habitat of the endangered white flower moth, Schinia bimatris (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), in Manitoba. Canadian Entomologist 141: 80-85.

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