COWICHAN LAKE LAMPREY Lampetra macrostoma

Description Freshwater lamprey. Almost cylindrical in form, blue-black to dark brown with lighter underparts. Funnel and tongue with many sharp H. Mcdermott teeth; eyes small and located high on Cowichan Lake lamprey head. One small caudal and one low Habitat anal fin. Inhabits two oligotrophic freshwater Length: 680 mm lakes: one 34 km long with a mean The larval lamprey stage probably depth of 51 m and a maximum depth lasts six years. Larvae metamorphose of 150 m, the other 7 km long with a into young adults from July to surface area of approximately 59 ha. October; spawning occurs the Spawning has been observed from following year. May to August at the mouth of several creeks, where the adults Distribution aggregate in shallow, gravel-bottomed Found only in Cowichan and areas. It may also occur in deeper Mesachie lakes on . waters.

28 BULL TROUT Salvelinus confluentus Description Freshwater fish, 20-40 cm in length, occasionally larger. Body long and slim with enlarged head and jaws.

Olive-green to bluish-grey back, white M. Bahr belly; light yellow, orange, red or pink Bull trout spots on its silvery sides. Upper jaw is long, extending past eye. Spawning Habitat adult males may have shades of red Bull trout are found in cool, clear on belly. mountain streams, typically with an Similar species: Dolly varden is almost abundance of cobbles, stones and identical; however, bull trout is more coarse woody debris. High elevation of an interior species than the dolly lakes are also utilized throughout the varden. The bull trout also has a year. They require large, deep pools in larger, broader head and a somewhat streams or lakes for over-wintering. flattened appearance when viewed For spawning, bull trout use smaller, from the head to the tail. The dolly slow-moving streams or rivers with a varden has black spots on its dorsal mix of habitats, ranging from deep fin, its upper jaw is somewhat shorter pools to shallow pools with gravel (usually not extending past the eye) and cobbles. Juveniles inhabit these and its nose is less pointed than the areas too. bull trout. Elevations: 0 to >1500 m

Distribution The bull trout is an interior species. They reach the coast only in the Fraser and Squamish river systems. A. Inselberg Bull trout habitat

29 NOOKSACK DACE Rhinichthys sp. Description Small (<10.5 cm) streamlined fish, with a sub-terminal mouth (the snout overhangs the mouth), sometimes a S. Inglis Nooksack dace black stripe in front of the eyes, small scales, pale marking at the back and front of dorsal fin when viewed from Distribution above, and forked tail. Olive-grey on Very restricted distribution in the rounded back; silvery-white on belly; lower Fraser Valley, in four small dull brassy stripe along sides. Lower streams in the Abbotsford, Aldergrove sides often splashed with dusky and Clearbrook areas, within the speckles. Sexes alike, but males tend Nooksack River drainage system. to have longer and darker pectoral fins. Juveniles: Very conspicuous black line Habitat on sides, from snout to base of tail. Small lowland creeks (<6 m wide) flowing through farmlands and Similar species: Close examination is acreages, housing projects and gravel required to distinguish the nooksack extraction mines. Adults inhabit dace from the longnose dace. The riffles and fast glides with loose nooksack dace has approximately gravel, where they feed on nymphs 54 scales along the lateral line and of caddishflies and mayflies, dytiscid 24 around the caudal peduncle, beetle larvae and adult riffle beetles. compared to 67 and 31, respectively, Juveniles prefer slow flowing water for the longnose dace. and pools with mud or sand bottoms, Salish sucker has a more rounded shaded by grasses and emergent snout and papillae on its lips, and is vegetation, where they feed on larger than the nooksack dace. chironomid pupae and ostracods. Spawning in April-May. Elevations: 50-75 m

30 SALISH SUCKER Catostomus sp. Description nment Elongated, cylindral, torpedo-shaped r fish with a toothless mouth on the underside of the head, slightly back B.C. Gove from the tip of nose, and fleshy lips Salish sucker covered with papillae, designed for sucking up food from the stream Distribution bottom. Found only in a few small streams Length: up to 24 cm in the heavily settled lower Fraser Valley, in the vicinity of Langley Similar species: The Salish sucker is and Aldergrove. most likely a derivative form of the longnose sucker, which is found across North America. Both species Habitat reside in waterbodies that are about Headwater reaches with slightly 45 km apart. In the Salish sucker, cooler water in summer and slightly scales are larger, the head deeper and higher average gradients than lower snout shorter than in the longnose areas. Spawns at riffles with fine sucker. There is, however, overlap in gravel bottoms, with either cover or all counts and measurements. The instream vegetation. Adults prefer nooksack dace is smaller, and has a deeper waters than juveniles. less rounded snout without papillae Elevations: 16-110 m on lips. Structural stages: 5, 6, 7

31 CULTUS PYGMY SCULPIN Cottus sp. Description Large-headed, heavy-bodied small fish (<50 mm long) with brown to grey back and white belly.

Fins: Small pelvic, long anal, two soft L. Raptis dorsal and large fan-like pectoral with The Cultus pygmy sculpin is a dwarf form of small prickles. Adult fins are barred. the coastrange sculpin (above) that may in fact Young fish lack pigmentation on fins. be a separate species. Blotches: One orange band on the first dorsal of spawning males; one to Distribution three saddle-like dark blotches Endemic to the deep waters of Cultus beneath the second dorsal of Lake, in the watershed of both sexes. southwestern B.C. Length: Up to 50 mm Habitat Similar species: The Cultus pygmy Deeper waters of Cultus Lake, which sculpin is a limnetic form derived is a low elevation montane lake. from the coastrange sculpin, a widespread species that occurs in the fast-flowing streams that drain into Cultus Lake. The Cultus pygmy sculpin is smaller, with large pores on the head.

32 LIMNETIC AND BENTHIC STICKLEBACKS Gasterosteus spp. Four species pairs (limnetic and benthic) of sticklebacks are identified

in B.C.; the Hadley Lake stickleback cPhail species pair is extinct. The remaining M D. three species pairs are identified J. primarily by the watersheds or lakes Vananda Creek sticklebacks they are found in: •Vananda Creek limnetic and significantly fewer gill rakers than benthic sticklebacks limnetic species. •Paxton Lake limnetic and benthic sticklebacks Similar species: All of these • Enos Lake limnetic and sticklebacks look quite similar and benthic sticklebacks are identified primarily by their resident waterbody. Genetic analysis Description is usually required to identify the Sticklebacks are small fish, similar proper species outside of their in size to a minnow. They average original habitat. There are no other 45 mm in length, but some benthic similar fish found in these lakes. sticklebacks can reach up to 90 mm Distribution in length. Typical colouring is silvery, Vananda Creek sticklebacks are only greenish or black; males develop found in Spectacle, Emily and Priest noticeable red throats and bellies lakes on Texada Island. The Paxton during the mating season. They have sticklebacks are only found in Paxton armoured plates along their sides and Lake on Texada Island. The Enos spines along their back and belly that sticklebacks are restricted to Enos Lake can be locked in place or retracted on Vancouver Island. against the body. Limnetic sticklebacks are adapted to Habitat feeding on plankton at the surface of Limnetic sticklebacks are usually the water, resulting in a slender body located near the surface of the lakes, and a relatively narrow mouth with although they disperse to deeper waters numerous gill rakers. They are also during the winter. Benthic sticklebacks more heavily armoured than benthic spend most of their life cycle near the species. bottom of lakes. Spawning occurs in Benthic sticklebacks are adapted to shallow, somewhat vegetated areas near feeding along lake bottoms and have lake edges for both limnetic and wider bodies and broad mouths with benthic sticklebacks.

33 34 Amphibians and Reptiles

English Scientific Forest Biogeoclimatic Name Name District Unit

Coastal giant Dicamptodon Chilliwack CWH: dm, ds1, salamander tenebrosus ms1, vm2, xm1

Coastal tailed frog Ascaphus Campbell River CWH: dm, ds1, ds2, truei (mainland) ms1, ms2, vh1, Chilliwack vh2, vm1, vm2, North Island wm, ws1, ws2, (mainland) xm1; Squamish ESSF: mw, mwp IDFww; Sunshine Coast MH: mm1, mm2, mmp1, mmp2

Red-legged frog Rana aurora Campbell River CWH, CDF Chilliwack North Island South Island Squamish Sunshine Coast

Oregon spotted Rana pretiosa Campbell River CWH, CDF frog Chilliwack North Island South Island Squamish Sunshine Coast

Sharp-tailed snake Contia tenuis South Island IDF

35 CHARACTERISTICS OF AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES

Facial stripe

Tympanum (eardrum) Dorsolateral fold

Thumb Tail-like extension

External gills Spots/marks

Sharp spine/scute

36 gr in mature to old- found primarily ov boulders, forhiding(logs, structures c andneotenes are foundin Larvae H R Distribution co brownnoticeable light poisonglands c w which isusuallysmaller salamander, more common northwestern adults could beconfused the with Similar species: Similar species: up to 35cm. ex to Larvae: re Adults can on thebackand/orhead. mottling goldorgrey tan, usually with brown dark to grey darkish smooth, is Skin shaped headandfleshy legs. Ne thantheadultforms. underbellies Ad Description Dicamptodon tenebrosus COASTAL GIANTSALAMANDER old montane streams with suitable old montanestreams with and ostal groves alongthesides, Annual Schedule estricted toestricted theChilliwack River Valley. a e a p a u u u e c o Dec Nov Oct Sep Aug Jul Jun May Apr Mar Feb Jan t nfr rw,prominent brown, ith uniform abitat c oa egh fup to 30-35cm. ach total lengthsof

ow te ncentrated behindeach eye. rag) Terrestrial adultsare erhangs). omtlsdral,andlighter no mottlesdorsally, otenes: ults: r a il,reaching lengthsof nal gills, th forests adjacent to streams, tu oywt ie wedge- stout wide, body with ≤ 0c og aegls few have gills, 20 cmlong, uniformly coloureduniformly with Larvae andyoung Larvae As but are alsofoundinyounger forests. Elevations: w Ad T ith substantialcover forhiding. adpoles (2-6yrs).

ult coastal giant salamander ult coastalgiant Courtship. w t ave adultsprefer habitat ith larvae, -10m usually<1360m 0-2160 m, Larval coastal giant salamander coastalgiant Larval Ne No otene coastal giant salamander coastalgiant otene rt hw estern salamander estern (following year). Eggs laid 37

R. Haycock R. Haycock K. Mallory D. Knopp COASTAL TAILED FROG Ascaphus truei Description Adults and juveniles: Brown, tan, greyish-green to black; lighter coloured frogs may have irregular dark spots on back. Light-coloured bar or triangle between the eyes and snout is common. Large head without tympanum; vertical pupil. Long legs. Outermost toes on Dulisse

hind feet are flattened and wide. J. Males have a tail-like extension used Tailed frog adult for internal fertilization. Do not have ability to vocalize. Length: 2.2-5.1 cm Tadpoles:Brownish-grey to reddish- Dulisse

brown or black. Laterally compressed J. tail, white spot at tip, is unique to coastal Tailed frog tadpole tailed frog. Wide, flat head with a streams. Streams are permanent and sucker-like mouth facing downwards; remain cool throughout the year, as 2-3 rows of teeth on the top and 8-12 coastal tailed frogs are especially prone rows on the bottom,allowing tadpoles to desiccation. Streams are generally to anchor themselves to rocks (or even <15 m in width and forested on both human flesh!) in fast flowing water. sides. Frogs winter under substrates at Similar species: No other tailed frogs or near the stream surface, where there found in the range of the coastal is no winter ice. Adults rarely travel tailed frog. far from streambanks, but have been found under logs or other suitable Distribution cover in directly adjacent mature to Mainland and islands on the mid old-growth forests, especially after and northern coast. substantial rainfall or on cloudy, Habitat humid days. Found in and around cold, clear Elevations: 0-2140 m (unsilted), fast-moving mountain Structural stages: 6, 7

Annual Schedule Courtship.

Eggs laid (following year). Tadpoles (2-4 yrs). Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

38 RED-LEGGED FROG Rana aurora Description Adults: Smooth skin, partially webbed feet and long hind legs. Skin on the back is brown, grey or red. Two light brown folds of skin run along back, starting from behind each eye. J. Hobbs Underside is a translucent red, Red-legged frog especially along the hind legs, that Distribution deepens in intensity as the frog ages. Southwestern part of the province, Sides have a mottled colouration including Vancouver Island and Gulf pattern; larger in the groin areas, Islands. Occur on the B.C. mainland smaller toward front legs. Dark- west of the Coast Mountains in the coloured mask borders gold-coloured Fraser Valley and adjacent to the eyes; oriented to the sides. . Recently confirmed Length: male 7 cm; female ≤10 cm as having been introduced to the Queen Charlotte Islands. Tadpoles: Tan to brown with gold specks throughout their body. Bodies Habitat look short because of long tail at least Often found in and around shallow as long as length of body. Tail has a ponds, lake margins, slow-flowing dorsal fin with light spots on it. streams, marshes, bogs or fens, with Mouth with four teeth rows on the abundant surrounding vegetation. bottom and three on the top. Reach Tend to avoid open water, inadequate 2-7 cm before they metamorphose. shade or shelter. Adults also found at great distances from water sources, Similar species: Most easily confused especially moist forests with good with the Oregon spotted frog; ranges cover that keeps them damp and cool. only overlap in very restricted areas May be attracted to open canopy within the lower mainland. Eyes face ponds (e.g., where riparian vegetation up instead of to the sides; back feet has been removed), potentially have more complete webbing. Have resulting in creation of sink habitats. mottled brown skin tones on the Elevations: 0-920 m underside of the hind legs. Structural stages: all

Annual Schedule Courtship. Eggs laid. Eggs hatch in approx 5 wks. Tadpoles metamorphose after 3-4 months. Juveniles (small frogs) emerge. Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

39 OREGON SPOTTED FROG Rana pretiosa Description Adults: Reddish-brown, tan or olive skin with irregular-shaped black spots that have indistinct borders and light centres, relatively short legs, extensive R. Haycock webbing between the toes of the hind Oregon spotted frog feet, a pointed snout, and eyes that are turned slightly upward. There is an extensive light-coloured stripe down the upper lip. Light brown to orange folds extending from behind the eyes to the middle of back. Their belly is light cream-coloured, and may have a mottled or fragmented salmon or red-orange wash. Length: Up to 6-8 cm Juveniles: Olive-green or light brown, without the belly mottling. Tadpoles: Long tail, about twice the length of the body, with a tall, colourless tail fin containing scattered flecks. The belly is white or slate in colour. Similar species: The Columbia spotted

frog differs genetically from the R. Haycock Oregon spotted frog but cannot be Oregon spotted frog ventral reliably distinguished by physical characteristics. However, the Columbia spotted frog occurs in viewed from a distance, Oregon the interior of B.C. and its range does spotted frogs have a distinct posture not overlap with that of the Oregon on land – they crouch to the ground, spotted frog. The red-legged frog rather than sitting up straight like the does not have upturned eyes; it has red-legged frogs. relatively long legs, and a mottled colouration pattern along the sides Voice that is larger in the groin area and From 4 to 50 faint, rapid, low-pitched smaller toward the front legs. When clicks, for 1-10 seconds at a time.

40 Distribution of each other. Shallow ephemeral Isolated populations in the lower pools and small floodplain wetlands Fraser Valley. associated with permanent water bodies are important habitat features. Habitat Oregon spotted frogs rarely leave the This species is more aquatic than water. The eggs and tadpoles are other frogs. Large warm-water vulnerable to freezing and desiccation. marshes with emergent vegetation, Adults overwinter underwater. sometimes with forested landscapes, Structural stages: all where they lay their egg masses communally, sometimes on top

Annual Schedule Courtship. Eggs laid. Eggs hatch as tadpoles. Tadpoles metamorphose to small frogs. Juveniles (small frogs) emerge. Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

41 SHARP-TAILED SNAKE Contia tenuis Description Small snake with smooth scales. Thickness of a pencil. It derives its common name from a thorn-like scute at the tip of the tail. Scales come nard in 15 rows around the body. B. Leo Adults: Reddish-brown, yellowish- Sharp-tailed snake brown or grey above, tending toward reddish on the tail. A conspicuous dark bar on the anterior end of each ventral scute gives a banded appearance to underside. Indistinct yellowish or reddish line on each upper side. Young: Red above, fine dark lines on side. K. Ovaska Length: 20.5-45.5 cm Snake belly in wood Similar species: Not likely to be confused with any other snake.

Distribution Gulf Islands and southeastern Vancouver Island. K. Ovaska Habitat Snake tail tip Occurs within the Coastal Douglas-fir zone where it prefers Douglas-fir- which may provide both hibernation arbutus stands and forest edges, and and egg-laying sites. Hides under logs adjacent pastures or open meadows. and other objects. Easier to find Concentrations of snakes have been following rains. Feeds on slugs. found along south-facing rocky slopes, Structural stages: all

Annual Schedule Eggs (3-5) laid. Activity peaks at the surface. Dry summer periods – Aestivaton. Cold winter periods – Hibernation. Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

42 Birds

English Scientific Forest Biogeoclimatic Name Name District Unit

Ancient murrelet Synthliboramphus Queen Charlottes CWH: wh1,vh2 antiquus

Marbled murrelet Brachyramphus Campbell River CDF, CWH, MH marmoratus North Coast Queen Charlottes South Island Squamish Sunshine Coast

Cassin’s auklet Ptychoramphus Campbell River CWH: wh1, aleuticus aleuticus North Coast vh2,vm1, vh1 North Island Queen Charlottes

Sandhill crane Grus canadensis Campbell River CWH, ICH Chilliwack CDFmm North Coast IDF: dk, mw North Island Queen Charlottes South Island

Great blue heron Ardea herodias Campbell River CDFmm Chilliwack CWH: dm, ms1, North Coast ms2, vh1, vh2, North Island vm1, vm2, xm Queen Charlottes ICH: dw, mk1, mk2, South Island mk3, mw2, mw3, Squamish xw Sunshine Coast IDF: dk3, dm2, mw1, mw2, unn, xh1, xh2

“Queen Charlotte” Accipiter gentilis Campbell River All except AT goshawk laingi North Coast North Island Queen Charlottes South Island Sunshine Coast

Peregrine falcon Falco peregrinus Chilliwack CWH, IDF, SBS South Island

43 Birds

English Scientific Forest Biogeoclimatic Name Name District Unit

“Vancouver Lagopus leucurus Campbell River MH Island” white- saxatilis North Island tailed ptarmigan South Island

“Vancouver Glaucidium gnoma Campbell River CDFmm Island” northern swarthi North Island CWH: vh, xm, dm, pygmy-owl South Island mm, vm MH: wh, mmp, mm

Queen Charlotte Aegolius acadicus Queen Charlottes CWH: wh1, wh2, northern saw-whet brooksi vh1 owl

Short-eared owl Asio flammeus Campbell River CDFmm Chilliwack CWH: xm1, xm2, North Island dm, vm1 South Island IDF: xh1, xw, xm, dm, dk1, mw1, mw2, dk1a, dk3, dk4, xh2, xh2a, xh1a, xm, un ICH: xw, mw2 SBS: mh, mk1. AT

Spotted owl Strix occidentalis Chilliwack CWH: vm1, vm2, Squamish dm, ds1, ms1, ms2, mm1 ESSFmw IDF: ww, dk2 MHmm1

“Queen Charlotte” Picoides villosus Queen Charlottes CWH: wh, vh hairy woodpecker picoideus MH: wh

Lewis’s Melanerpes lewis Historically on ICH:dw,mk1,mw2, woodpecker Vancouver Island mw3,xw IDF: dk1, dk2,dk3,dk4,dm, dm1, dm2, dw, mw1,mw2, un,xh1a, xh2a, xm, xw,xw2

Yellow-breasted Icteria virens Chilliwack CWHds chat

44 CHARACTERISTICS OF BIRDS

Nape Crown Dorsal

Forehead Rump Bill

Tail Abdomen

Ventral Wing Tarsus

Ear Eyebrow

Facial disk

Feather tuft over the tail

45 ANCIENT MURRELET Synthliboramphus antiquus Description A chubby seabird. Adults: Summer plumage of a black head and white eyebrow streak, grey

back, white abdomen and barred- aser white neck sides. Winter plumage D.F. Fr of a white face and neck patch and Ancient murrelet grey back. White bill. Juveniles: Whiter throat patch. Distribution Sexes: Similar. Ancient murrelets have been observed Eggs: Olive-green with darker brown in breeding plumage adjacent to lavender spots. coastal areas and offshore islands in Length: 24-26 cm Wingspan: 14 cm the Queen Charlotte Islands/Haida Weight: 200-250 g Gwaii between March and July and there has been one confirmed record Voice from Gander Island. Wintering Whistling notes in low shrill tones. aggregations occur in the marine waters around Vancouver Island Field signs including , Nests: Establishes nest colonies that , are reused yearly. Mated pairs and . excavate burrows or utilize past years’ burrows, in mossy covered ground on seaward slopes, under mature coniferous forests with little understory. Burrows are at the base of stumps and thickly rooted trees, under rotten logs or exposed bedrock nment and in natural cavities. Burrows can r reach up to, but not always, 2 m in length. B.C. Gove Ancient murrelets forage on the open ocean.

46 Habitat Ancient murrelets forage in the open Utilizes old forest to breed and remains ocean for zooplankton and small at sea the remainder of the year, schooling fish. foraging on the open ocean. Canopy Elevations: sea level to 450 m species composition includes Sitka Structural stages: 7 spruce, western hemlock and western redcedar. Nests: Usually located on slopes >30% but sometimes flat areas are used on sea islands. Canopy closure is usually >50%.

Annual Schedule – non-migratory Excavate burrow, or use a past year’s burrow.

Two eggs laid 6-10 days apart.

Incubation (both parents). Eggs hatch. Chicks fledge, with parents, 2-3 days after hatching and begin to forage on open ocean. At sea. Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

47 MARBLED MURRELET Brachyramphus marmoratus Description Adults: Chubby, robin-sized seabirds with very short neck and tail. When swimming, tail and black bill are tipped upwards. Summer plumage

(breeding season): brown back with G. van Vliet marbled light brown sides and Marbled murrelet adult winter plumage. stomach. Winter plumage: black back, Juveniles appear similar to adults in winter plumage. white sides and stomach with white wing patch and an incomplete white collar. Juveniles: Winter colouration. Habitat Forage habitat: Includes saltwater bays, Sexes: Similar. inlets, fjords and the open ocean. Food Length: 25 cm items include small schooling fish (predominantly Pacific sand lance and Voice immature Pacific herring) and large Distinct high-pitched keer, keer, keer pelagic crustaceans (euphausiids, mainly heard at dusk and dawn. mysids, amphipods). Nesting habitat: Generally old (>140 Field signs years, but >250 years more suitable) Nests: Consist of a shallow mossy coastal coniferous forests. Moist stands depression with a thick substrate with a well developed epiphytic moss of mosses and lichens, on a large, component, often adjacent to talus horizontal tree limb, usually near the slopes and natural openings, where trunk of the tree. Also known to nest trees bordering are gnarly, large limbed on cliffs, although this is very rare. and concealing the inner forest. Nest Frequently seen in pairs. One parent stands are with a closed canopy, open remains at the nest while the other understory and are generally located forages, trading incubation duties within 2 km of potential foraging at dusk and dawn. waters. Nest locations have overhead Distribution branch coverage. Murrelets are likely to be found Canopy species composition includes anywhere along the coast of B.C. yellow cedar, western hemlock, Sitka Precise nesting areas have not been spruce, Douglas-fir and western accurately mapped but likely include redcedar. most suitable old-growth forests Nest tree: dbh >55 cm; height >40 m; within 30 km of the Pacific coast. branch diameter 15-74 cm

48 Birds need ‘runway’ space for landing and departure from nest. Elevations: 0-1500 m Slopes: 55-115% Structural stages: 7 G. van Vliet Marbled murrelet adult breeding plumage

Annual Schedule – non-migratory Nest site established. Eggs laid. Incubation. Eggs hatch. Nestlings present. Chicks fledge.

Peak returns to ocean habitat.

At sea. Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

49 CASSIN’S AUKLET Ptychoramphus aleuticus aleuticus Description Adults: Stocky, rounded, small colonial seabirds with a slate-grey nment back fading to lighter grey sides and r white underparts. A tiny white dash is above each eye. Black bill with a B.C. Gove white spot at the base and blue feet. Cassin’s auklet Plumage same throughout the year. Juveniles: Pale grey with a white Distribution throat. The Cassin’s auklet breeds at 61 Sexes: Similar. known colonies on offshore islands Length: 23 cm along the western and northern coasts Wingspan: 11.0-12.9 cm of Vancouver Island, the northern mainland coast and the Queen Voice Charlotte Islands/. Whistles and croaks given at night with colony members. Habitat Colonial burrow-nests within forested Field signs and non-forested areas with grasses, Nests: In colonies and mated pairs, forbs and shrubs; in steep seaward Cassin’s auklets excavate a 1-5 m long cliffs and slopes. convoluted burrow (500 m from the Canopy species composition includes ocean, and 30-100 m from vegetation Sitka spruce, western hemlock and edge), in soft soil or sometimes using western redcedar. natural cavities in rocks. Burrows are excavated under stumps, fallen logs, large tree roots, grass tussocks, forbs, salmonberry bushes and ferns. Birds defecate at burrow entrance. Eggs are smooth, non-glossy, white and frequently nest-stained. A. Inselberg Cassin’s auklet burrow

50 Establishes nest colonies, reused yearly, on marine islands and mainland slopes with no access by mammalian predators and little chance of human disturbance. Structural stages: 2, 7

Annual Schedule – non-migratory

Pair returns to nest site.

One egg laid. Incubation (both parents).

Peak egg hatching. Fledging. Parents abandon nest as soon as chick fledges. At sea. Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

51 SANDHILL CRANE Grus canadensis

Description Adults: Tall, grey migratory birds with a red forehead and long neck that is curved when at rest. Head held straight out in front of body when in flight. Black bill. Plumage usually grey but sometimes showing rust stains from iron-rich waters where it has foraged. Juveniles: Brownish and lacking the red forehead. Feather tuft over the tail

is characteristic of cranes. D. Knopp Sexes: Similar. Sandhill crane Height: 100-120 cm Wingspan: 45 cm long, with black tip. grasses, mosses and hummock. The sandhill crane flies with both a Sandhill cranes show strong site fully extended neck and quick wing fidelity, returning yearly to the same upstrokes. wetland habitats to breed. Eggs: Usually 1-3, are olive-buff with Distribution lavender spots and are approximately Widespread distribution with known 9.5 cm x 6.1 cm. breeding grounds in the Queen Charlotte Islands/Haida Gwaii Similar species: Great blue heron and along the mainland coast. has a black eyebrow stripe, unlike the sandhill crane, which has a red patch Habitat above the eye. The heron flies with its Large isolated and undisturbed neck in a loop and the head drawn wetland habitats (>1 ha) surrounded back to the shoulders. by some form of forest cover. Emergent wetland vegetation composition Voice includes cattail, bulrushes, willows, Low, loud rolling garooo-a-a-a. hardhack, Labrador tea, sedges and Field signs grasses. Forage habitat includes all Nests: Located within wetland forms of wetland habitats, similar to habitats; concealed within emergent those used as nesting habitat but also vegetation. They consist of a mound intertidal areas, agricultural fields and (0.9-1.5 m diameter) raised 15-20 cm grasslands. Forage species include above the water, and are constructed invertebrates and plants such as with sticks, emergent sedges, reeds, grasses. The sandhill crane is also

52 N ro andsmallanimalssuch as carrion crops, toknown feedonagricultural clearcuts, although thisisnot although clearcuts, Occasionally nestsin uplands. Avoids forested surrounding areas. giv Mound utilized asbreeding habitats. are all andprairies tundra ponds, meadows, bogs, marshes, swamps, Seasonalandpermanent nests. ve we Sandhill cranes inflight Annual Schedule–migratory esting habitat: esting a e a p a u u u e c o Dec Nov Oct Sep Aug Jul Jun May Apr Mar Feb Jan dents andamphibians. getation to conceal themound tlands with abundantemergent tlands with es them an unobstructed view of view es themanunobstructed secluded freshwater

Not inB.C. B.C. Government Nesting. Eggslaid. Structur non-breeding <1510m Elevations: habitat forroosting. we are forbirds critical nestingin small habitats are usedas escapecover and areas adjacent to wetland nesting alternative. co 5-7 (escape) N nsidered asuitablehabitat s fasandhillcrane est of lns(-0h) Will alsousethis tlands (1-10ha). al stages: breeding <1220m, Escape cover: Escape with parents. hatching andforage within 1dayafter Chicks leavenest Migrating outofB.C. 1-3 (nesting), forested 53

Don McPhee GREAT BLUE HERON Ardea herodias The great blue heron is two separate subspecies in B.C.: Ardea herodias fannini (coastal) and A. h. herodias (interior). Both subspecies are similar in appearance although their nesting schedules differ slightly. Description Adults: Tall, long-legged waders with long neck in an “S” curve at rest and in flight. Long, thick yellow bill, white crown and face. Black plume extending from above eye to beyond back of

head. Black shoulder, shaggy blue- J. Hobbs grey body and wings. Great blue heron Juveniles: Brown-grey back and upperwing plumage and lacking black eyebrow. Field signs Nests: Great blue herons are known Sexes: Similar. to nest in colonies of up to 169 nests. Height: 60 cm Colonies are reused in successive years. Wingspan: 97-137 cm Small nesting colonies are more Weight: 2.1-2.5 kg common, and >50% of colonies are Eggs: 3-5 smooth, non-glossy and >11 nests. Nests are located at 4-70 m pale greenish-blue. heights in trees and consist of large stick platforms, <1 m diameter. Nests Similar species: The great blue heron are lined with twigs, bark strips, resembles the sandhill crane. Unlike coniferous boughs and rushes. Both the heron, the crane has a red patch the nest and the ground beneath are above the eye; also, it flies with a fully extended neck. messy with droppings, discarded food and occasionally dead chicks. Voice Hoarse, deep, guttural squawk sounding like ‘FRANK!’. Clucking, snapping beaks or mooing like a calf.

54 Distribution A. h. fannini is found throughout the mainland coast from southwestern B.C. to Alaska, and adjacent Vancouver Island and Queen Charlotte Islands/Haida Gwaii. A. h. herodias is the subspecies found throughout the interior southern portion of B.C.

Habitat R. Vennesland Nesting habitat: Nests within 8 km A great blue heron nest colony (usually within 3 km on the coast) of wetlands and riparian foraging habitats, in undisturbed, mature mud flats with large eelgrass coniferous, deciduous or mixed meadows, estuaries, slow-moving forests. The canopy closure of the rivers, sloughs and marshy lakes. colony nesting habitat is usually Also wet and dry agricultural fields, >80% but the birds have been known kelp forests, wharves, shallow beaches to use less. Nesting habitat canopy and irrigation ditches. species composition includes red Food items:primarily fish, but also alder, black cottonwood, big leaf invertebrates and small terrestrial maple, lodgepole pine, Sitka spruce vertebrates. and Douglas-fir. Elevations: 0-1100 m but mainly near Foraging habitat (especially during sea level. breeding season): riparian areas, tidal Structural stages: 5, 6, 7

Annual Schedule - fannini: non-migratory - herodias: optional migratory

Establish territories. Construct nests.

Eggs laid. Incubation.

Eggs hatch. Remain at nest for approx. 60 days.

Chicks fledge. Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

55 “QUEEN CHARLOTTE” GOSHAWK Accipiter gentilis laingi

Description Adults: Robust diurnal forest raptors with a long narrow tail and relatively short rounded wings. Black crown with a white eyebrow streak; red eyes;

blue-grey body, pale grey belly. M. Stini Juveniles: Brown body with a dirty “Queen Charlotte” goshawk white streaked belly and yellow eyes. Sexes: Similar. Height: 51-66 cm Wingspan: 1.1 m Similar species: The Cooper’s hawk does not have a white stripe above the eye. The back is brown and the breast is rusty reddish-brown. The wings are E.T. Jones The white eyebrow streak is a short and rounded and the tail characteristic feature of the feathers have distinct bars. The goshawk. juveniles are hard to distinguish from those of the goshawk, other than by their size – Cooper’s hawks are smaller.

Voice Loud kak-kak-kak-kak-kak when nest disturbed or approached.

Field signs

Nests: Large stick nest with a 1 m E.T. Jones diameter and thickness of 0.4 m, lined Cooper’s hawk with fresh sprigs of evergreen boughs. Distribution It is located in the main fork of a Occurs on Vancouver Island, and deciduous tree, or the lowest branches smaller coastal islands between below the canopy and near the main Vancouver Island and mainland B.C. stem in a coniferous tree. Goshawks Most likely, “Queen Charlotte” build multiple (3-9) nests and goshawks also inhabit forests on the alternate amongst these nests in west side of the Coast Mountains successive years. throughout coastal mainland B.C.

56 Habitat Canopy species composition includes Hunting and nesting: Late-seral mixed almost every combination. conifer forests with open forest Dbh: >40.6 cm understory, high canopy cover, open Canopy closure: ≥ 50% forest floor, larger trees and natural edge habitats. This habitat is prime Slope: <30%, always <60% for goshawk prey items (medium- Structural stages: 6, 7 sized forest birds and small mammals), which factors highly into goshawk distribution. Dense young second growth is avoided. Habitat features: Coarse woody debris, windthrow and downed snags, stumps, large and low thick-limbed trees.

Annual Schedule - non-migratory

Adults return to breeding areas. Courtship.

Eggs (1-4) laid. Incubation.

Eggs hatch. Young remain at nest for approx. 40-60 days.

Chicks fledge.

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

57 PEREGRINE FALCON Falco peregrinus

The peregrine falcon is divided into two separate subspecies: Falco peregrinus pealei and F. p. anatum. Both subspecies are at risk.

Description Adults: Large robust slate-grey birds with a lighter-coloured chest that has fine black bars and spots. Black head with wide black “sideburns.” Fast flier with narrow tail and tapered wings. E.T. Jones Juveniles: Brown with extensive Peregrine falcon barring on the chest. Comparable to the size of a large crow. Height: 38-53 cm Wingspan: 1 m Similar species: The prairie falcon is described as a sandy-coloured peregrine falcon, although this species has a white eyebrow stripe, and the peregrine does not. E.T. Jones Voice Prairie falcon Generally a silent bird, a repeated wechew can be heard when calling between each other. A rasping kack- kack-kack-kack can usually be heard when defending the nest. However, nest heights have been found on cliffs up to 366 m high. Field signs An overhang shelters the actual nest Nests: Peregrine falcons place their which is a slight depression or scrape nests on high and inaccessible on a ledge 0.3-4.6 m deep and 0.3-2.4 m vertical cliff ledges. Nest heights vary wide. Sometimes peregrines will between 12-24 m from the base of a occupy an abandoned bird’s nest cliff and 3-9 m from the top. (bald eagle or pelagic cormorant).

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