APPENDIX G Rare Plant Survey Report

proposed wind turbine array,

with notes on breeding birds

Habitat and plants of Dwarf Rattlesnake-Plantain (Goodyera repens - S2, may be at risk on Prince Edward Island), near proposed site of turbine 7

Conducted by AC CDC Botanist Sean Blaney

for PEI Energy Corporation, June 11, 2006

METHODS

Vascular Plant Inventory

The author, guided by Carl Brothers, completed a preliminary site assessment by covering the proposed turbine sites and access road on May 8, 2006 in a single pass, working from west (Elmira Road) to east. I pre-programmed turbine sites into a GPS unit before the June visit and completed the full vascular plant inventory on June 5 and 6, 2006 by covering the turbine sites and access roads both ways (east to west and west to east) on each day. The turbine corridor was thus covered five times. The May visit followed the turbine and road corridor rather strictly, but during the June visit I deliberately took slightly different paths within natural habitats on each pass through the corridor so that more ground was covered. I compiled full vascular plant lists during the May and June visits, with estimates of species’ relative abundance as follows: rare – seen in small numbers in 3 or fewer locations; uncommon – seen in small numbers in approximately 4 to 8 locations, potentially in larger numbers at one or two of the locations; fairly common – seen in small numbers in approximately 8 to 15 locations, potentially in larger numbers at several of the locations; common – seen at more than 15 (estimated) locations. These categories are not intended to be represent precise descriptions of abundance but do provide some measure of relative abundance.

For plant species tracked by the Atlantic Canada Conservation Data Centre (those ranked S1, S2, S3 or S3S4 in Prince Edward Island for which all locations are databased), I recorded GPS locations along with habitat descriptions and more precise estimates of local abundance. In most cases I also collected voucher specimens at one location per rare species to permanently document occurrences. These specimens will be deposited at the E.C. Smith Herbarium at Acadia University and the Agriculture Canada herbarium in Ottawa.

Breeding Bird Inventory

Although not officially part of the work I was hired to complete, I did record birds seen incidentally during fieldwork on the May and June visits, noting breeding evidence using the codes in use for the Maritimes Breeding Bird Atlas (http://www.mba- aom.ca/english/mbbaguide.pdf).

Results

I. Site Coverage Figure 1 maps the tracks covered by during the June 5-6, 2006 site visit. Tracks were recorded by GPS set to record position approximately every 15 seconds while moving. GPS satellite reception frequently faded in and out while I was in the forested sections of the site, and periods where the GPS could not locate itself are marked on the map as straight lines between the previous and succeeding locations.

No site inventory is ever entirely complete, but after five passes through the turbine and road corridor, I am confident that this site is comparatively well covered for vascular plants, despite the slightly earlier than ideal survey dates.

Figure 1. Map of site coverage on June 5-6, 2006 visit. The blue line is the track recorded by GPS and includes some straight lines automatically filled in when satellite coverage was insufficient to provide a location. Pink dots are the proposed turbine locations, except for the westernmost one which represents the beginning of the access road.

3 II. Vascular Plants Table 1 lists the 216 vascular plant taxa (166 native or potentially native, 50 exotic) identified during 2006 fieldwork, with estimates of their abundance and their provincial status under both the S-rank system used continent-wide by all conservation data centres and the National General Status ranks, which have been developed by each province and territory. Both sets of ranks for Prince Edward Island developed through the consensus of the P.E.I. Flora Ranking Committee, composed of Sean Blaney of the AC CDC, Kate MacQuarrie, formerly of the Island Nature Trust, now with PEI Environment, Forestry and Aquaculture, and Rosemary Curley of PEI Department of Environment, Forestry and Aquaculture, with input from other island botanists. The ranks reflect the best understanding of plant status at the time of ranking, but are subject to revision as new information becomes available.

Definitions of provincial (subnational) ranks (S-ranks): S1 Extremely rare throughout its range in the province (typically 5 or fewer occurrences or very few remaining individuals). May be especially vulnerable to extirpation. S2 Rare throughout its range in the province (usually 6 to 20 occurrences or few remaining individuals). May be vulnerable to extirpation due to rarity or other factors. S3 Uncommon throughout its range in the province (usually 21 to 100 occurrences), or found only in a restricted range, even if abundant in at some locations. S4 Usually widespread, fairly common throughout its range in the province (usually 100+ occurrences), and apparently secure, but the element is of long-term concern. S5 Demonstrably widespread, abundant, and secure throughout its range in the province, and essentially ineradicable under present conditions (100+ occurrences). S#S# Numeric range rank: A range between two consecutive numeric ranks. Denotes range of uncertainty about the exact rarity of the Element (e.g., S1S2). SR Reported: For New Brunswick, an SR rank indicates that the species is definitively known to occur in the province, it is considered a native species, and it is not considered rare. Once these species are given numeric ranks, they will typically be ranked S4 or S5. SE Exotic: An exotic species established in the province (e.g., Purple Loosestrife or Coltsfoot); may be native in nearby regions. ? Is used as a qualifier indicating uncertainty: for numeric ranks, denotes inexactness, e.g., SE? denotes uncertainty of exotic status. (The ? qualifies the character immediately preceding it in the SRANK).

Definitions of National General Status Ranks (from Wild Species: the General Status Program in Canada, Lisa Twolan and Simon Nadeau, 2004, Canadian Wildlife Service, Ottawa)

• Extirpated: species that have disappeared from (or are no longer present in) a given geographic area but which occur in other areas • Extinct: species that are extirpated worldwide (i.e., they no longer exist anywhere) • At Risk: species for which a formal detailed risk assessment (COSEWIC assessment or provincial or territorial equivalent) has been completed, and which have been determined to be at risk of extirpation or extinction (i.e., Endangered) or are likely to become at risk of extirpation or extinction if limiting factors are not reversed (i.e., Threatened) • May Be At Risk: species that may be at risk of extirpation or extinction and are, therefore, candidates for a detailed risk assessment by COSEWIC or the provincial or territorial equivalent • Sensitive: species that are believed to not be at risk of extirpation or extinction but which may require special attention or protection to prevent them from becoming at risk • Secure: species that are believed to not belong in the categories At Risk, May Be At Risk, Extirpated, Extinct, Accidental, or Exotic. This category includes some species that show a declining trend in numbers in Canada but which remain relatively widespread or abundant. In such instances, the decline will be highlighted by an asterisk and an associated comment. • Undetermined: species for which insufficient data, information, or knowledge is available with which to reliably evaluate their general status • Not Assessed: species that are known or believed to be present in the geographic area in Canada to which the general status rank applies but which have not yet been assessed • Exotic: species that have been moved beyond their natural range as a result of human activity. In the Wild Species 2005 report, exotic species have been purposefully excluded from all other categories. • Accidental: species occurring infrequently and unpredictably outside their usual range

Table 1. Vascular plants recorded in the study area, with abundance estimates and provincial status ranks. Site Status codes and provincial S-ranks are defined above. Taxonomy follows Kartesz (1999) – Synthesis of the North American Flora, CD-ROM. Species / Family Site PE S- PE General Species / Family Name Common Name Status rank Status Rank Comments LYCOPODIACEAE Clubmoss Family Huperzia lucidula Shining Fir-Clubmoss r S4 secure Lycopodium annotinum Stiff Clubmoss r S5 secure Lycopodium dendroideum Treelike Clubmoss r S4? secure ID probable only EQUISETACEAE Horsetails Family Equisetum arvense Field Horsetail u S5 secure Equisetum sylvaticum Woodland Horsetail f S5 secure OSMUNDACEAE Flowering-Fern Family Osmunda cinnamomea Cinnamon Fern f S5 secure Osmunda claytoniana Interrupted Fern f S5 secure DENNSTAEDTIACEAE Hay-Scented Fern Family Dennstaedtia punctilobula Eastern Hay-Scented Fern c S5 secure Pteridium aquilinum var. latiusculum Bracken Fern c S5 secure THELYPTERIDACEAE Marsh-Fern Family Phegopteris connectilis Northern Beech Fern c S5 secure Thelypteris noveboracensis New York Fern c S5 secure Thelypteris palustris var. pubescens Marsh Fern r S5 secure DRYOPTERIDACEAE Wood-Fern Family Athyrium filix-femina ssp. angustum Lady Fern f S5 secure Dryopteris campyloptera Mountain Wood-Fern c S4? secure Dryopteris carthusiana Spinulose Shield Fern r S4S5 secure Dryopteris cristata Crested Shield-Fern r S5 secure Dryopteris cristata x Dryopteris sp. Crested Shield-Fern hybrid r HYB unranked Dryopteris intermedia Evergreen Woodfern c S5 secure Gymnocarpium dryopteris Northern Oak Fern c S5 secure Matteuccia struthiopteris Ostrich Fern r S5 secure Onoclea sensibilis Sensitive Fern u S5 secure Polystichum acrostichoides Christmas Fern r S3 secure TAXACEAE Yew Family Taxus canadensis Canadian Yew u S5 secure PINACEAE Pine Family Abies balsamea Balsam Fir c S5 secure Larix laricina American Larch r S5 secure Picea glauca White Spruce c S5 secure Picea mariana Black Spruce u S5 secure Picea rubens Red Spruce u S5 secure CUPRESSACEAE Cypress Family Juniperus communis var. depressa Ground Juniper r S3 secure RANUNCULACEAE Buttercup Family Actaea rubra Red Baneberry r S5 secure Caltha palustris Marsh Marigold r S5 secure Coptis trifolia Goldthread f S5 secure

Species / Family Site PE S- PE General Species / Family Name Common Name Status rank Status Rank Comments Ranunculus acris Tall Butter-Cup u SE exotic Ranunculus repens Creeping Butter-Cup u SE exotic Thalictrum pubescens Tall Meadow-Rue r S5 secure MYRICACEAE Bayberry Family Morella pensylvanica Northern Bayberry f S5 secure FAGACEAE Beech Family Fagus grandifolia American Beech r S5 secure BETULACEAE Birch Family Alnus incana ssp. rugosa Speckled Alder u S5 secure Alnus viridis ssp. crispa Green Alder r S5 secure Betula alleghaniensis Yellow Birch c S5 secure Betula papyrifera Paper Birch c S5 secure CHENOPODIACEAE Goosefoot Family 166 Chenopodium album White Goosefoot r SE exotic CARYOPHYLLACEAE Pink Family Cerastium fontanum ssp. Common Mouse-Ear vulgare Chickweed f SE exotic Moehringia lateriflora Grove Sandwort u S5 secure Sagina procumbens Procumbent Pearlwort u S4SE secure Spergula arvensis Cornspurry r SE exotic Spergularia rubra Purple Sandspurry r SE exotic Stellaria graminea Little Starwort u SE exotic POLYGONACEAE Smartweed Family Polygonum cilinode Fringed Black Bindweed r S4 secure Polygonum convolvulus Black Bindweed r SE exotic Polygonum cuspidatum Japanese Knotweed r SE exotic Polygonum persicaria Lady's Thumb r SE exotic ID probable only Rumex acetosella Sheep Sorrel c SE exotic Rumex crispus Curly Dock r SE exotic Rumex obtusifolius Bitter Dock r SE exotic Rumex orbiculatus Water Dock r S5 secure VIOLACEAE Violet Family Viola arvensis Small Wild Pansy u SE exotic Viola blanda var. palustriformis Large-Leaf White Violet f S5 secure Viola cucullata Marsh Blue Violet r S5 secure Viola macloskeyi ssp. pallens Smooth White Violet r S5 secure (=V. sororia in the Viola septentrionalis Northern Blue Violet r S5 secure broad sense) SALICACEAE Willow Family Populus grandidentata Large-Tooth Aspen r S5 secure Populus tremuloides Quaking Aspen u S5 secure Salix bebbiana Bebb's Willow u S5 secure Salix discolor Pussy Willow r S5 secure Salix humilis Prairie Willow r S5 secure BRASSICACEAE Mustard Family Raphanus raphanistrum Wild Radish r SE exotic ID probable only ERICACEAE Heath Family

Species / Family Site PE S- PE General Species / Family Name Common Name Status rank Status Rank Comments Epigaea repens Trailing Arbutus r S5 secure Gaultheria hispidula Creeping Snowberry u S5 secure Gaylussacia baccata Black Huckleberry r S5 secure Kalmia angustifolia Sheep-Laurel u S5 secure Ledum groenlandicum Common Labrador Tea r S5 secure Vaccinium angustifolium Late Lowbush Blueberry c S5 secure Vaccinium macrocarpon Large Cranberry r S5 secure Vaccinium vitis-idaea ssp. minus Mountain Cranberry r S3 secure PYROLACEAE Pyrola Family Orthilia secunda One-Side Wintergreen r S5 secure Pyrola elliptica Shinleaf r S5 secure MONOTROPACEAE Indian-Pipe Family Monotropa uniflora Indian-Pipe r S5 secure PRIMULACEAE Primrose Family Lysimachia thyrsiflora Water Loosestrife r S5 secure Trientalis borealis Northern Starflower c S5 secure GROSSULARIACEAE Gooseberry Family Ribes glandulosum Skunk Currant f S5 secure Ribes hirtellum Smooth Gooseberry f S5 secure Ribes lacustre Bristly Black Currant r S5 secure SAXIFRAGACEAE Saxifrage Family Mitella nuda Naked Bishop's-Cap r S5 secure ROSACEAE Rose Family Amelanchier x intermedia Running Serviceberry u HYB unranked ID probable only Fragaria virginiana Virginia Strawberry c S5 secure Geum rivale Purple Avens r S5 secure Malus pumila Common Apple r SE exotic Photinia floribunda Purple Chokeberry r S5 secure Photinia melanocarpa Black Chokeberry r S5 secure Potentilla norvegica ssp. monspeliensis Norwegian Cinquefoil r S5 secure Prunus pensylvanica Fire Cherry c S5 secure Rosa virginiana Virginia Rose u S5 secure Rubus canadensis Smooth Blackberry r S5 secure Rubus idaeus ssp. strigosus American Red Raspberry c S5 secure Rubus pubescens Dwarf Red Raspberry f S5 secure Sorbus americana American Mountain-Ash c S5 secure Spiraea alba var. latifolia Northern Meadow-Sweet u S5 secure FABACEAE Bean Family Lotus corniculatus Birds-Foot Trefoil r SE exotic ID refers to species in the broad sense, Melilotus officinalis Yellow Sweetclover r SE exotic including M. albus Trifolium pratense Red Clover c SE exotic Trifolium repens White Clover r SE exotic Vicia cracca Tufted Vetch r SE exotic Vicia sativa Spring Vetch r SE exotic

Species / Family Site PE S- PE General Species / Family Name Common Name Status rank Status Rank Comments ONAGRACEAE Evening-Primrose Family Chamerion angustifolium Fireweed c S5 secure Small Enchanter's Circaea alpina Nightshade r S5 secure Epilobium ciliatum Hairy Willow-Herb r S5 secure Epilobium leptophyllum Linear-Leaved Willow-Herb r S5 secure ID probable only Oenothera parviflora Northern Evening-Primrose r S5 secure vs. O. biennis CORNACEAE Dogwood Family Cornus canadensis Dwarf Dogwood c S5 secure Cornus sericea Silky Dogwood r S5 secure AQUIFOLIACEAE Holly Family Ilex verticillata Black Holly u S5 secure Nemopanthus mucronatus Mountain Holly c S5 secure ACERACEAE Maple Family Acer rubrum Red Maple c S5 secure Acer saccharum Sugar Maple r S5 secure Acer spicatum Mountain Maple r S5 secure OXALIDACEAE Wood-Sorrel Family Oxalis stricta Upright Yellow Wood-Sorrel f S5 secure GERANIACEAE Geranium Family Geranium robertianum Herb-Robert r S3 secure BALSAMINACEAE Touch-Me-Not Family Impatiens capensis Spotted Jewel-Weed r S5 secure ARALIACEAE Sarsaparilla Family Aralia nudicaulis Wild Sarsaparilla f S5 secure LAMIACEAE Mint Family ID refers to species in the broad , including Galeopsis tetrahit Brittle-Stem Hempnettle f SE exotic G. bifida Lycopus uniflorus Northern Bugleweed r S5 secure Prunella vulgaris Self-Heal r S5 secure Scutellaria galericulata Hooded Skullcap r S5 secure Scutellaria lateriflora Mad Dog Skullcap r S5 secure PLANTAGINACEAE Plantain Family Plantago lanceolata English Plantain r SE exotic Plantago major Nipple-Seed Plantain c SE exotic SCROPHULARIACEAE Snapdragon Family Chelone glabra White Turtlehead r S5 secure Euphrasia sp. Eyebright species r Melampyrum lineare American Cow-Wheat u S5 secure Veronica arvensis Corn Speedwell r SE exotic Veronica officinalis Gypsy-Weed r SE exotic Veronica serpyllifolia ssp. serpyllifolia Thyme-Leaved Speedwell u SE exotic RUBIACEAE Bedstraw Family Galium mollugo Great Hedge Bedstraw r SE exotic Galium palustre Marsh Bedstraw r S5 secure ID probable only Galium triflorum Sweet-Scent Bedstraw u S5 secure

Species / Family Site PE S- PE General Species / Family Name Common Name Status rank Status Rank Comments CAPRIFOLIACEAE Honeysuckle Family Linnaea borealis ssp. americana Twinflower c S5 secure Lonicera canadensis American Fly-Honeysuckle u S5 secure Sambucus racemosa Red Elderberry c S5 secure Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides Wild Raisin c S5 secure Viburnum opulus var. opulus Highbush Cranberry r SE exotic ASTERACEAE Aster Family Achillea millefolium Common Yarrow u S5? secure Anaphalis margaritacea Pearly Everlasting r S5 secure Cirsium arvense Creeping Thistle r SE exotic Cirsium vulgare Bull Thistle r SE exotic Doellingeria umbellata Parasol White-Top r S5 secure Erigeron strigosus Daisy Fleabane r S5 secure Flat-Top Fragrant-Golden- Euthamia graminifolia Rod u S5 secure Gnaphalium uliginosum Low Cudweed r SE exotic Hieracium aurantiacum Orange Hawkweed u SE exotic Hieracium scabrum Rough Hawkweed r S4 secure Hieracium x flagellare Whiplash Hawkweed u SE exotic ID probable only Lactuca biennis Tall Blue Lettuce r S5 secure Leontodon autumnalis Autumn Hawkbit u SE exotic Leucanthemum vulgare Oxeye Daisy u SE exotic Matricaria discoidea Pineapple-Weed Chamomile r SE exotic Oclemena acuminata Whorled Aster c S5 secure Prenanthes altissima Tall Rattlesnake-root u S4 secure Three-Leaved Rattlesnake- Prenanthes trifoliolata root r S5 secure ID probable only Senecio jacobaea Tansy Ragwort u SE exotic Senecio jacobaea Tansy Ragwort u SE exotic Solidago flexicaulis Broad-Leaved Goldenrod r S2S3 sensitive Solidago puberula Downy Goldenrod r S5 secure Solidago rugosa Rough-Leaf Goldenrod c S5 secure Symphyotrichum White Panicled American- may be at- lanceolatum Aster r S2 risk Symphyotrichum novi-belgii New Belgium American-Aster r S5 secure Taraxacum officinale Common Dandelion c SE exotic ID refers to species in the broad sense, including T. Tripleurospermum maritima False Mayweed r SE exotic inodora JUNCACEAE Rush Family Juncus effusus Soft Rush r S5 secure Juncus tenuis Slender Rush r S5 secure Luzula acuminata Hairy Woodrush c S5 secure Luzula multiflora Common Woodrush c S5 secure CYPERACEAE Sedge Family Carex albicans var. emmonsii Emmons Sedge u S3S4 secure

Species / Family Site PE S- PE General Species / Family Name Common Name Status rank Status Rank Comments Carex arctata Black Sedge c S5 secure Carex brunnescens ssp. sphaerostachya Brownish Sedge c S5 secure Carex communis Fibrous-Root Sedge f S3S4 secure Carex debilis var. rudgei White-Edge Sedge r S4S5 secure Carex deflexa Short-Stemmed Sedge r S2 sensitive Carex deweyana Short-Scale Sedge u S3S4 secure Carex disperma Softleaf Sedge r S5 secure Carex intumescens Bladder Sedge u S5 secure Carex leptalea Bristly-Stalk Sedge r S4S5 secure Carex leptonervia Finely-Nerved Sedge u S5 secure Carex novae-angliae New England Sedge c S5 secure Carex pallescens Pale Sedge r S3S4 secure Carex projecta Necklace Sedge r S5 secure Carex pseudocyperus Cyperus-Like Sedge r S5 secure Carex trisperma var. trisperma Three-Seed Sedge u S5 secure ID refers to species in the broad sense, including S. Scirpus cyperinus Cottongrass Bulrush r S5 secure atrocinctus POACEAE Grass Family Agrostis capillaris Colonial Bentgrass u SE exotic Agrostis scabra Rough Bentgrass r S5 secure Anthoxanthum odoratum Sweet Vernal Grass r SE exotic Calamagrostis canadensis Blue-Joint Reedgrass u S5 secure Cinna latifolia Slender Wood Reedgrass r S5 secure Dactylis glomerata Orchard Grass r SE exotic Danthonia spicata Poverty Oat-Grass u S5 secure Deschampsia flexuosa Crinkled Hairgrass c S5 secure Elymus repens Quackgrass c SE exotic Festuca filiformis Hair Fescue r SE exotic ID refers to species in the broad sense, including F. Festuca rubra Red Fescue r S5 secure heteromalla Glyceria striata Fowl Manna-Grass r S5 secure Phleum pratense Meadow Timothy c SE exotic Poa annua Annual Bluegrass r SE exotic Poa compressa Canada Bluegrass r SE exotic Poa pratensis Kentucky Bluegrass f S5SE secure Poa saltuensis Drooping Bluegrass c S4 secure LILIACEAE Lily Family Clintonia borealis Clinton Lily c S5 secure Maianthemum canadense Wild Lily-of-The-Valley c S5 secure Maianthemum racemosum Solomon's-Plume r S5 secure Maianthemum trifolium Three-Leaf Solomon's-Plume r S4 secure Streptopus lanceolatus Rosy Twistedstalk r S5 secure Trillium cernuum Nodding Trillium r S4 secure

Species / Family Site PE S- PE General Species / Family Name Common Name Status rank Status Rank Comments IRIDACEAE Iris Family Iris versicolor Blueflag r S5 secure ORCHIDACEAE Orchid Family Cypripedium acaule Pink Lady's-Slipper u S5 secure may be at- Goodyera repens Dwarf Rattlesnake-Plantain r S2 risk Platanthera psycodes Small Purple-Fringe Orchis r S4 secure ID probable only

III. Rare vascular plants The 12 rare plant species (those having PEI S-ranks lower than S4) that were recorded in the study area are discussed below along with comments on their status on the site, in the province and the Maritimes. Table 3 lists the precise locations where the rare species occurred.

Goodyera repens Dwarf Rattlesnake-Plantain (S2, may be at-risk) Rare on the site, found in two locations between turbines 7 and 8 in dense spruce forest with sparse vascular plant cover and the understory dominated by mosses. At one site only two plants were seen, but at the other, immediately east of turbine 7, 50-100 rosettes were present within an area of approximately 30m radius which is a relatively large occurrence for the species. This species is definitely rare on Prince Edward Island, being known from just two recent and four historic locations. It tends to be found in conifer forests which have never been cleared for agriculture and have limited history of human disturbance. It is rare in Nova Scotia (S2S3) and uncommon in New Brunswick (S4).

Symphyotrichum lanceolatum - White Panicled American-Aster (S2, may be at-risk) Rare on the site, found in small numbers at one location at the edge of a swamp between turbines 7 and 8. Although the ranks suggest that this species is quite rare on Prince Edward Island, recent AC CDC fieldwork has shown it to be much more common than was believed at the time of ranking. There are now at least 14 occurrences known on the island, and it is probably common enough that the ranks should be downgraded to S3 or S4 and secure. It is locally common in the Maritimes on the mainland.

Carex deflexa Short-Stemmed Sedge (S2, sensitive) Rare on the site, found in one location just west of turbine 9, scattered thinly in an extensive clearcut where the very similar species Carex albicans var. emmonsii was abundant. This species is not well known on Prince Edward Island. There are only four documented occurrences, but it is a difficult to identify species and it flowers and loses its fruit (which are important to identification) early in the season, making it even harder to detect. Its habitat needs (dryish, open forest and forest edge or disturbed ground) are not rare on the island and it is relatively common on the mainland, so it may be significantly more common than records currently suggest.

Solidago flexicaulis Broad-Leaved Goldenrod (S2S3, sensitive) Rare on the site overall, but common over a linear strip 50m long at the one location where it was found, in a slightly nutrient-enriched, open yellow birch – white spruce – red maple – white birch - balsam fir stand at the edge of a swamp east of turbine 7. This

species is uncommon on PEI but is known from 15 occurrences scattered across the island, usually in floodplains. It is common in the mainland Maritimes.

Geranium robertianum Herb-Robert (S3, secure) Rare on the site, and present only in a 15m radius in a slightly nutrient-enriched, open yellow birch – white spruce – red maple – white birch - balsam fir stand at the edge of a swamp east of turbine 7. This species is uncommon on PEI but is known from 18 occurrences scattered across the island, usually in floodplains. It is uncommon in New Brunswick (S3) and Nova Scotia (S4).

Polystichum acrostichoides Christmas Fern (S3, secure) Very rare on the site, with only one large, vigourous plant noted in a slightly nutrient- enriched, open yellow birch – white spruce – red maple – white birch - balsam fir stand at the edge of a swamp east of turbine 7. This species is uncommon on PEI but is known from 15 occurrences scattered across the island, in deciduous or mixed forests with richer than average soils and lower levels of historic human disturbance. It is common in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

Vaccinium vitis-idaea ssp. minus - Mountain Cranberry (S3, secure) Very rare on the site overall, with only one location noted, in dense spruce forest between turbines 7 and 8, where it was locally common over a 5m radius. This species is uncommon on PEI, and is found almost exclusively near the coast, in cooler, exposed areas (as at North Cape and East Point where it is fairly common). It is known from 12 other PEI occurrences and is common on the Maritimes mainland.

Carex albicans var. emmonsii - Emmons Sedge (S3S4, secure) Locally very abundant in the clearcut area near turbine 9, and thinly scattered (six locations noted) in forested habitats elsewhere on the site. This species benefits from forest clearance as long as land is not converted to other uses. It is fairly common on the eastern half of Prince Edward Island in sandy soils, and is almost certainly increasing in response to forestry and blueberry field development. We now have 28 records for Prince Edward Island and I believe that the species should be downlisted to S4 or S5. The species is common in the southern half of Nova Scotia and rare in New Brunswick (S1, although several recent records suggest it has been overlooked in the past).

Carex communis Fibrous-Root Sedge (S3S4, secure) Locally common and fairly commonly scattered through forested portions of the site west of turbine 4 and less common in forests east of turbine 6. This species is now known from 19 sites on Prince Edward Island and probably should be downlisted to S4. The species is common in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

Carex deweyana Short-Scale Sedge (S3S4, secure) Thinly but widely scattered through forested portions of the site west of turbine 4 and less common in forests east of turbine 6. This species is now known from 15 sites on Prince Edward Island and probably should be downlisted to S4. The species is common in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

Carex pallescens Pale Sedge (S3S4, secure) Very rare on the site, with only one clump found at the edge of deciduous forest near turbine 2. I searched specifically for other individuals all around the margins of the hayfield at this site but did not find another plant. It is unclear why Pale Sedge, which is relatively common in moist old fields and forest edges in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia should be uncommon on the island, but this seems to be the case. Although undoubtedly overlooked to some extent there are only eight locations known. This was only the second location I have found for the species on PEI, whereas I have seen many occurrences of the three sedge species above. The S-rank of the species should perhaps be revised to S3 and the General Status rank of secure should be reviewed.

Juniperus communis var. depressa - Ground Juniper (S3S4, secure) Rare on the site with only one clump observed in old field closing in to balsam fir – white spruce plantation. The species requires open conditions and looked to be suffering as a result of the developing canopy cover. On Prince Edward Island it is known from 11 sites, all coastal and mostly along the north shore. The species is common in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. [email protected]

14 Table 2. Precise locations of rare species observations, with status on site, rarity ranks (S-rank and General Status rank) and comments. Site status, S-rank and General Status ranks explained above.

A) Species rare on site (and unlikely to be removed from PEI rare list in future) Site PE S- PE GS Way- Decimal Decimal Zone of Species Common Name Status rank rank point Latitude Longitude occurrence Comments present over a 40-50m radius around this point (excluding Dwarf Rattlesnake- may be areas cleared for turbine) with Goodyera repens Plantain r S2 at-risk 57 46.4560242 -62.0416565 50-100 rosettes Dwarf Rattlesnake- may be Goodyera repens Plantain r S2 at-risk 35 46.4568291 -62.0387917 2 plants present

Symphyotrichum White Panicled may be scattered over a ~5m radius lanceolatum American-Aster r S2 at-risk 63 46.4567833 -62.0402336 around this point Short-Stemmed thinly scattered within clearcut Carex deflexa Sedge r S2 sensitive 30 46.4589233 -62.0352936 within 25m of this site

from 46.455986, - 59 62.0406036 to zone of occurrence between Broad-Leaved to 46.4563522, these points is no more than Solidago flexicaulis Goldenrod r S2S3 sensitive 61 -62.0410538 5m wide Geranium present over a ~15m radius robertianum Herb-Robert r S3 secure 60 46.456562 -62.0410538 around this point Polystichum acrostichoides Christmas Fern r S3 secure 59 46.455986 -62.0406036 just one plant

Vaccinium vitis- Mountain fairly common over a ~5m idaea ssp. minus Cranberry r S3 secure 35 46.4568291 -62.0387917 radius around this point Carex pallescens Pale Sedge r S3S4 secure 19 46.4533195 -62.0608749 just one plant Juniperus communis var. depressa Ground Juniper r S3 secure 26 46.4544754 -62.0509911 just one plant

B) Species widespread on site (and likely to be removed from PEI rare list in future)

Site PE S- PE GS Way- Decimal Decimal Zone of Species Common Name Status rank rank point Latitude Longitude occurrence Comments

Carex albicans var. emmonsii Emmons Sedge u S3S4 secure 1 46.451664 -62.0721664

Carex albicans var. emmonsii Emmons Sedge u S3S4 secure 2 46.4518127 -62.0699463

from 46.4586525, abundant; occurrence is -62.035717 throughout the clearcut in this to area, much more extensive Carex albicans var. 29 to 46.458744, - than just a line between these emmonsii Emmons Sedge u S3S4 secure T9 62.033268 two points

Carex albicans var. emmonsii Emmons Sedge u S3S4 secure 41 46.4520721 -62.072979

Carex albicans var. emmonsii Emmons Sedge u S3S4 secure 53 46.4535255 -62.0610771

Carex albicans var. emmonsii Emmons Sedge u S3S4 secure 34 46.4578018 -62.0366211

Carex albicans var. emmonsii Emmons Sedge u S3S4 secure 37 46.4560547 -62.0444908 Carex communis Fibrous-Root Sedge f S3S4 secure 3 46.4518433 -62.0699272 Carex communis Fibrous-Root Sedge f S3S4 secure 5 46.4515076 -62.0694771 Carex communis Fibrous-Root Sedge f S3S4 secure 6 46.4519234 -62.0688515 Carex communis Fibrous-Root Sedge f S3S4 secure 7 46.4519196 -62.0688477 Carex communis Fibrous-Root Sedge f S3S4 secure 9 46.4526291 -62.0676155 Carex communis Fibrous-Root Sedge f S3S4 secure 10 46.4526329 -62.0676231 Carex communis Fibrous-Root Sedge f S3S4 secure 13 46.4531746 -62.065258 Carex communis Fibrous-Root Sedge f S3S4 secure 14 46.4531059 -62.0642624 Carex communis Fibrous-Root Sedge f S3S4 secure 15 46.4530602 -62.0641937 Carex communis Fibrous-Root Sedge f S3S4 secure 16 46.4532814 -62.0635986 Carex communis Fibrous-Root Sedge f S3S4 secure 21 46.4531326 -62.0564919 Carex communis Fibrous-Root Sedge f S3S4 secure 22 46.4532661 -62.0560799 Carex communis Fibrous-Root Sedge f S3S4 secure 23 46.4531708 -62.0549545

Site PE S- PE GS Way- Decimal Decimal Zone of Species Common Name Status rank rank point Latitude Longitude occurrence Comments Carex communis Fibrous-Root Sedge f S3S4 secure 29 46.4586525 -62.035717 Carex communis Fibrous-Root Sedge f S3S4 secure 33 46.458004 -62.0353813 Carex communis Fibrous-Root Sedge f S3S4 secure 41 46.4520721 -62.072979 Carex communis Fibrous-Root Sedge f S3S4 secure 43 46.4532623 -62.0692329 Carex communis Fibrous-Root Sedge f S3S4 secure 44 46.4534454 -62.0686798 Carex communis Fibrous-Root Sedge f S3S4 secure 45 46.4529648 -62.0680923 Carex communis Fibrous-Root Sedge f S3S4 secure 47 46.452858 -62.06744 Carex communis Fibrous-Root Sedge f S3S4 secure 50 46.4528008 -62.0669365 Carex deweyana Short-Scale Sedge u S3S4 secure 8 46.4524612 -62.0685692 Carex deweyana Short-Scale Sedge u S3S4 secure 9 46.4526291 -62.0676155 Carex deweyana Short-Scale Sedge u S3S4 secure 17 46.45327 -62.0635033 Carex deweyana Short-Scale Sedge u S3S4 secure 20 46.4520836 -62.0576401 Carex deweyana Short-Scale Sedge u S3S4 secure 21 46.4531326 -62.0564919 Carex deweyana Short-Scale Sedge u S3S4 secure 22 46.4532661 -62.0560799 Carex deweyana Short-Scale Sedge u S3S4 secure 32 46.4579353 -62.0336151 Carex deweyana Short-Scale Sedge u S3S4 secure 43 46.4532623 -62.0692329 Carex deweyana Short-Scale Sedge u S3S4 secure 45 46.4529648 -62.0680923 Carex deweyana Short-Scale Sedge u S3S4 secure 50 46.4528008 -62.0669365 Carex deweyana Short-Scale Sedge u S3S4 secure 51 46.4533691 -62.0646019 Carex deweyana Short-Scale Sedge u S3S4 secure 52 46.4534531 -62.0626335 Carex deweyana Short-Scale Sedge u S3S4 secure 54 46.4533234 -62.0559273 Carex deweyana Short-Scale Sedge u S3S4 secure 64 46.4589424 -62.0340347

17 IV. Significance of rare plant observations relative to planned impacts on site The rare plant species of greatest significance is the Dwarf Rattlesnake-Plantain (Goodyera repens), with the western population representing what is likely the largest known occurrence on Prince Edward Island, and one of only 7 documented occurrences, at least two of which have not been seen since the 1950s. The larger population of Dwarf Rattlesnake-Plantain is also only 50m from a small concentration of somewhat rare species – Zig-Zag Goldenrod (Solidago flexicaulis), Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) and Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum), with the White Panicled American-Aster (Symphyotrichum lanceolatum) also occurring very nearby. If the roadway between turbines 7 and 8 can be moved just north or south of the wetland and spruce forest area which supports these rare species, the impacts of the project on rare vascular plant species will be minimal. The remainder of the rare species noted in this report are either very small and relatively low quality occurrences of only moderately rare plants (Vaccinium vitis-idaea ssp. minus - Mountain Cranberry, Carex pallescens - Pale Sedge, Juniperus communis - Ground Juniper) or are widespread within the area of proposed turbines and are likely to be removed from the rare list in the near future (Emmons Sedge – Carex albicans var. emmonsii, Fibrous-Root Sedge – Carex communis and Short-Scale Sedge – Carex deweyana).

V. Breeding Birds Table 1 lists the 46 bird species observed at the site and in immediately adjacent areas, along with the breeding evidence obtained on each visit and abundance estimates for the site and for Parcel A specifically. Possible breeding evidence was obtained for one rare species for Prince Edward Island – Pine Siskin (S2B), which was seen flying over the site on May 8 but not on the June visit. The single observation provides only very limited evidence of breeding, especially since it was seen only on the early May visit and not on the June visit. It is thus difficult to determine whether the site is of significance for Pine Siskin.

Table 3. Birds observed on site with breeding evidence. S-ranks are defined above, with the “B” modifier on bird S-ranks indicating that the rank refers to a breeding population. PE S- Species Breeding Evidence rank Comments Alder Flycatcher Possible - Singing male S5B American Crow Probable - Pair in suitable habitat S5B American Goldfinch Possible - Singing male S5 American Redstart Possible - Singing male S5B American Robin Probable - Pair in suitable habitat S5B American Woodcock Probable - Pair in suitable habitat S5B Observed with no evidence of Bank Swallow breeding S5B Black-and-White Warbler Possible - Singing male S5B Blackburnian Warbler Possible - Singing male S5B Black-capped Chickadee Probable - Pair in suitable habitat S5B Black-throated Green Warbler Possible - Singing male S5B

PE S- Species Breeding Evidence rank Comments Possible - Single bird in suitable Blue Jay habitat S5B Blue-headed Vireo Possible - Singing male S5B Brown Creeper Possible - Singing male S5 Common Raven Probable - Pair in suitable habitat S5B Common Yellowthroat Possible - Singing male S5B Dark-eyed Junco Possible - Singing male S5B Possible - Single bird in suitable Downy Woodpecker habitat S5 observed only on May 8 visit Eastern Wood-Pewee Possible - Singing male S5B European Starling Probable - Pair in suitable habitat SE Golden-crowned Kinglet Possible - Singing male S5B Possible - Single bird in suitable Hairy Woodpecker habitat S5B Possible - Single bird in suitable Hermit Thrush habitat S5B Magnolia Warbler Possible - Singing male S5B Possible - Single bird in suitable Merlin habitat S5B observed only on May 8 visit Mourning Warbler Possible - Singing male S5B Nashville Warbler Possible - Singing male S5B Possible - Single bird in suitable Northern Flicker habitat S5B Possible - Single bird in suitable Northern Harrier habitat S5B observed only on May 8 visit Northern Parula Possible - Singing male S5B Olive-sided Flycatcher Possible - Singing male S5B Ovenbird Possible - Singing male S5B Possible - Single bird in suitable Pine Siskin habitat S2B observed only on May 8 visit Purple Finch Probable - Displaying pair S5B Red-eyed Vireo Probable - Pair in suitable habitat S5B Ruby-crowned Kinglet Possible - Singing male S5B Ruby-throated Possible - Single bird in suitable Hummingbird habitat S5B Confirmed - Distraction display by Ruffed Grouse adult S5B Savannah Sparrow Possible - Singing male S5B Song Sparrow Possible - Singing male S5B Swainson's Thrush Possible - Singing male S5B Observed with no evidence of Tree Swallow breeding S5B White-throated Sparrow Possible - Singing male S5B Winter Wren Possible - Singing male S5B observed only on May 8 visit Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Possible - Singing male S5B Yellow-rumped Warbler Possible - Singing male S5B