Clay-DeWitt Line 3 & Clay-Teall Line 10 Rebuild & Reconductor Project

Appendix S

RTE Species and Survey Plan Table S-1: RTE Species Summary Table

The following table identifies RTE species that have been reported in the vicinity of the Project and protection measures that will be used during construction.

RTE Species Federal / State Listing Protection Measures Indiana Bat Endangered / Endangered No clearing of trees from April 1 to September 30 Northern Long Eared Bat Threatened / Threatened No clearing of trees from April 1 to September 30 Sedge Not Listed / Threatened Conduct survey prior to starting work on Segments 1, 2, 3, 6 (western end) and 7 if work is to be conducted between 4/23 and 8/15. See Appendix S for survey plan. Bog Turtle Threatened / Endangered Worker awareness Eastern Massasauga Threatened / Endangered Worker awareness American Hart’s-tongue Fern Threatened / Threatened Worker awareness Eastern Praire Fringed Orchid Threatened / Endangered Worker awareness Small Whorled Pogonia Threatened / Endangered Worker awareness Short’s Sedge Not Listed / Endangered Worker awareness Swamp Smartweed Not Listed / Endangered Worker awareness

Appendix S

Survey Plan for Sedge Wren ( platensis)

Clay-DeWitt Line 3 & Clay-Teall Line 10 Rebuild & Reconductor Project Onondaga County, New York

PREPARED FOR: National Grid Environmental Services 300 Erie Boulevard West Syracuse, New York 13202

PREPARED BY: ESS Group, Inc. 10 Hemingway Drive, 2nd Floor East Providence, Rhode Island 02915

ESS Project No. N484-001

November 2017 www.essgroup.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION PAGE

1.0 INTRODUCTION ...... 1 1.1 Sedge Wren Habitat Preferences ...... 1 1.2 Sensitive Wildlife Areas ...... 2 2.0 TARGET SPECIES SURVEY ...... 2 2.1 Methodology ...... 2 2.2 Coordination ...... 3 2.3 Reporting ...... 3 3.0 DISCOVERY OF TARGET SPECIES ...... 3 3.1 Discovery during Pre-Construction Survey ...... 4 3.2 Discovery during Project Activities ...... 4 3.3 Notification and Protective Measures ...... 4 4.0 CONTACT LIST ...... 5

TABLES

Table S-1 Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Species Summary Table

FIGURES

Figure 1 Flow of Procedures for Observation of Sedge Wren Figure 2 Proposed Sedge Wren Survey Areas Figure 3 Proposed Sedge Wren Survey Station Locations

APPENDICES

Appendix A Sedge Wren Fact Sheet Appendix B Field Survey Data Sheet

© 2017 ESS Group, Inc. – This document or any part may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, microfilming, and recording without the express written consent of ESS Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

1.0 INTRODUCTION ESS Group, Inc. (ESS) has prepared this Survey Plan for Sedge Wren (Cistothorus platensis) (the Plan) on behalf of Niagara Mohawk Corporation, doing business as National Grid (“National Grid”) for the construction of the Clay-DeWitt Line 3 & Clay-Teall Line 10 Rebuild & Reconductor Project (the Project) in Onondaga County, New York. An Article VII Application (Case No.15-T-0305) was filed with the New York State Public Service Commission for the Project in May 2015 and a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need (CEC&PN) was issued in xxxxxx 2017.

ESS consulted with federal and state agencies during both the preparation the Article VII Application (the Application) and the development of the Environmental Management and Construction Plan (EM&CP) in order to gather information regarding state or federally listed rare, threatened, or endangered (RTE) species in the Project Area. Agency consultation during the preparation of the Application resulted in the identification of two species and one plant species that could occur in the Project Area during construction: sedge wren (Cistothorus platensis), Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis), and Short’s sedge (Carex shortiana). In addition, suitable habitat for northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) may be present within the project area.

To avoid impacts to the two bat species, National Grid has consulted with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), completed a desktop habitat assessment, and committed to complying with the recommended tree clearing time of year restriction. These measures are expected to avoid impacts to these species while they are potentially present in the Project Area.

Suitable habitat for Short’s sedge may exist within and in the vicinity of the Project Area. According to the New York Natural Heritage Program (NYNHP), this species is associated with forested and shallow emergent marsh ecological communities (NYNHP 2017). Within the Project Area, these ecological communities occur along Segments 1, 2, 3, 6 (western portion only), and 7. The use of timber mats during construction in wetland areas, implementation of erosion and sedimentation controls, and other construction best management practices (BMPs) are expected to help minimize impacts to this species where it may occur within the Project Area.

When feasible, construction activities in areas that may provide habitat for sedge wren will be scheduled to occur outside of the seasonal restriction for sedge wren, which based on correspondence with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) begins on April 23 and ends on August 15. This survey plan has been developed to avoid impacts to sedge wren in the event that construction activities take place during this seasonal restriction in areas that may provide habitat for sedge wren. The Plan describes the survey procedures that will be used prior to undertaking construction activities and the steps and measures that will be taken if sedge wren are identified during the pre-construction surveys or incidentally while construction is underway.

1.1 Sedge Wren Habitat Preferences As described in the attached species fact sheets (Appendix A), sedge are a short-distance migratory species which breeds in the north-central United States and parts of south-central Canada. The species occurs in these areas only during the breeding season, and in the fall migrates to its wintering grounds in the southeastern United States and northeastern Mexico. In New York, sedge wrens are primarily found in northern and western portions of the state, where they nest in wet meadows, fields, and marshes dominated by sedges and grasses. Sedge wrens are highly sensitive to alterations to water levels and vegetation structure in breeding habitats, and therefore exhibit low site fidelity to nesting sites.

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Survey Plan for Sedge Wren (Cistothorus platensis) November 2017

New York Natural Heritage Program (NYNHP) Ecological Communities associated with sedge wren that are most likely to occur in or near the Project Area include successional old field, shallow emergent marsh, rich sloping fen, and medium fen. Other Ecological Communities associated with this species are boreal heath barrens, dwarf shrub bog, Great Lakes dunes, and inland salt marsh.

1.2 Sensitive Wildlife Areas As discussed in Section 1.0, National Grid will attempt to schedule construction activities in areas that may provide suitable habitat for sedge wren to occur outside of the seasonal restriction period for this species. In the event that it is not possible to schedule construction activities in this manner, National Grid will conduct species-specific surveys of those portions of the Project Area prior to the start of any construction activity in those areas. The portions of the ROW that will be surveyed for sedge wren prior to the start of construction have been determined through coordination with NYSDEC, and include Segments 1, 2, 3, 6 (western portion only), and 7 (Figure 2). Correspondence with the New York Natural Heritage Program (NYNHP) indicates that sedge wren has been documented at the Airline Enterprises Airport, which is located near the intersection of Segments 1 and 7.

2.0 TARGET SPECIES SURVEY 2.1 Methodology Sedge wren survey methodologies have been developed based on correspondence with NYSDEC and are based on the Project Applicant Survey Protocol for State-listed Breeding Grassland Bird Species. Point count surveys will be used to determine the presence or absence of sedge wren in the Project ROW. Each survey point will be located in suitable grassland habitat and will have a radius of 100 meters. The minimum distance between the centers of survey points will be 250 meters. A minimum of one survey point per 25 acres will be established within the Project ROW. When travelling between survey points, a meander survey will be conducted to search for sedge wren in appropriate habitats.

As discussed in Section 2.1, sedge wren surveys will be conducted along Segments 1, 2, 3, 6 (western portion only), and 7 based on correspondence with NYSDEC (Figure 2). The approximate locations of sedge wren survey points are provided in Figure 3. Based on the survey point spacing criteria described above, a total of 43 survey points are proposed within the applicable portion of the Project Area, including 12 points along Segment 1, three points along Segment 2, 10 points along Segment 3, five points along Segment 6, and 13 points along Segment 7 (Figure 3).

Surveys will be conducted in the morning, beginning 30 minutes before sunrise (if feasible) and ending no later than 10:30 am. Surveys will not be conducted during inclement weather, including precipitation, fog, or strong winds (greater than 10 to 12 mph). A minimum of seven days must pass prior to conducting a subsequent survey of a given area.

At each survey point, the observer will conduct a five-minute visual and auditory survey for target species following a 1 to 2 minute initial period of silence. All bird species detected visually or aurally within the 100-meter radius circle will be recorded. detected beyond the 100-meter radius circle or during meander surveys when transiting between survey points will be recorded separately.

The following data will be recorded for each survey event: date, name(s) of observer(s), location of survey within Project ROW (i.e., segment numbers or structure span), overall survey start and end times, air temperature, wind speed, and cloud cover. At each survey point, the observer will record the survey point number, start and end times of the five-minute survey, species name and counts for all bird species

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Survey Plan for Sedge Wren (Cistothorus platensis) November 2017

detected, species behavior information, and general habitat data. Data will be recording using a standard field data sheet (Appendix B).

If a target species is sighted, site- and species-specific observation data will be collected as soon as possible after the sighting. Data will include the date, time, general weather conditions, habitat the species was noted in, physical characteristics of the animal(s) observed, and a description of species activity, direction of movement, and any site-specific features utilized by the species. Where possible, a handheld GPS will be used to record the location of target species and the location will be noted on field maps. Otherwise, an estimated location will be recorded on field maps and noted as such. When a species is noted in a habitat, as opposed to flying over, general data will be collected to describe the habitat. In vegetated habitats, data will include height class, species composition, structure, coverage estimates for vegetation layers (i.e., herb, shrub, sapling, tree), and evidence of past management activities or disturbance. Photographs will be taken of the general habitat, and of the target species when possible.

2.2 Coordination Surveyors will coordinate closely with National Grid’s Environmental Monitor (EM) regarding the timing and duration of each survey event and will notify the NYSDEC Region 7 Wildlife Manager and the NYSDEC Division of Environmental Permits, Central Office within five business days prior to each survey. In the event that the survey results in no observations of sedge wren, the NYSDEC Region 7 Wildlife Manager and the NYSDEC Division of Environmental Permits, Central Office will be notified of this result within five business days of the completion of the survey. In the event that the survey results in one or more observations of sedge wren, the NYSDEC Region 7 Wildlife Manager and the NYSDEC Division of Environmental Permits, Central Office will be notified in accordance with the notification procedures provided in Section 3.0.

2.3 Reporting Following the completion of each survey, the surveyor will prepare a brief written summary of the survey event, including a description of the areas along the Project ROW included in the survey, a general characterization of the habitat of those areas, weather conditions at the time of the survey, a map depicting the locations of observation points, photographs, and the results of the survey. This written summary will be provided to National Grid within 24 hours of the completion of the survey and to NYSDEC within 48 hours.

3.0 DISCOVERY OF TARGET SPECIES In the event of the discovery of a sedge wren in the Project ROW during the target species surveys or incidentally while constructing the Project, the following steps will be taken to ensure avoidance of the resource until NYSDEC staff are able to assess the area and provide detailed recommendations. Figure 1 identifies the flow of notifications and coordination that will take place upon observation of a target species.

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Survey Plan for Sedge Wren (Cistothorus platensis) November 2017

Figure 1. Flow of Procedures for Observations of Sedge Wren

3.1 Discovery during Pre-Construction Survey In the event that a target species is identified by a qualified biologist during pre-construction surveys, the biologist will inform the EM of the presence of a target species within the survey area. If the species is within 500 feet of an active construction area and the activity poses a direct threat to the species, the EM may exercise stop work authority as described in the Project’s Environmental Management and Construction Plan (EM&CP) if necessary to protect the individual(s) from immediate harm. If the qualified biologist cannot immediately reach the EM and there is a direct threat to a target species, the qualified biologist will request that work be stopped until the EM can be reached.

3.2 Discovery during Project Activities In the event that a target species is identified by another observer during Project activities, the observer will notify the EM of the presence of a target species within the survey area. If the species is within 500 feet of an active construction area and the activity poses a direct threat to the species, the EM may exercise stop work authority as described in the Project’s EM&CP if necessary to protect the individual(s) from immediate harm. The observer will contact the EM assigned to the construction segment to notify them of the sighting and location as soon as possible. Where possible, a handheld GPS will be used to record the location of the target species and the location will be noted on field maps. Otherwise, an estimated location will be recorded on field maps and noted as such.

3.3 Notification and Protective Measures Once National Grid’s EM is notified of an observation, the EM will coordinate with the observer to ensure the location of the sighting is known and documented (i.e., GPS and or field map). The EM will then

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Survey Plan for Sedge Wren (Cistothorus platensis) November 2017

coordinate with National Grid’s Construction Inspector and the appropriate NYSDEC Regional Biologist and DPS staff to notify them of the sighting and to ensure immediate RTE protection measures on the ROW in the vicinity of observation, as necessary. RTE protection measures on the ROW will include the following:

• All construction work or ground-disturbing activities will be immediately halted within a 500-foot radius of the species location until the NYSDEC Regional Biologist is notified, protective measures are implemented, and a proceed work order is given by National Grid’s EM.

• A 500-foot area around the species location will be cordoned off using safety fence or bright vinyl flagging. This distance will be refined if necessary based on species-specific recommendations from NYSDEC staff.

• On-and off-road 4-wheeled vehicle traffic may continue access on the ROW or marshaling yard, but will be restricted within 250 feet of the species location.

• Any activity causing obvious distress to the target species, regardless of the distance from the species, will be discontinued until NYSDEC Regional Biologists and DPS staff can be consulted and a proceed work order is given by National Grid’s EM.

National Grid’s EM will implement the chain-of-notification to the appropriate NYSDEC Regional Biologist and DPS staff. Coordination will take place between National Grid’s EM, the NYSDEC Regional Biologist, and the DPS staff to determine if any additional measures must be taken to avoid and minimize impacts to the species and their associated habitat(s). The EM will work with the Construction Manager to ensure that necessary protection measures are fully implemented. The EM will ensure that all crews working on the ROW are made aware of species locations (i.e., sensitive wildlife areas), species identification, and any associated construction restrictions by clearly marking restricted areas in the field, and through tailgate meetings and training sessions.

Any documents or information that identifies the location or habitat of any known RTE species shall be labeled CONFIDENTIAL and access shall be restricted to only those persons who need to know the information. National Grid will provide appropriate training to employees and contractors as to the confidential nature of RTE information.

4.0 CONTACT LIST

Contact Affiliation Cell Phone Office Phone Email

Contact list to be completed prior to pre-construction meeting

5

Tables

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Appendix S Clay-DeWitt Line 3 & Clay-Teall Line 10 Rebuild & Reconductor Project Seasonal Construction Limitations for Federal and State-listed Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Species September 27, 2017

Species/ Activity/ Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Location Sedge Wren (state)

Survey active nesting1 X X X X X Segments 1, 2, 3, 6 (western portion only), and 72 Indiana Bat (Federal & state) X X X X X X X X Tree clearing prohibited All Segments Northern Long-eared Bat (Federal & state) X X Tree clearing prohibited All Segments Notes: Survey procedures for sedge wren are descripted in Appendix S, "Survey Plan for Sedge Wren (Cistothorus platensis )", of the EM&CP.

X = Construction Limitations are stated in the Certificate Conditions and the survey and action plan.

Other species throughout the Project Area will be treated in accordance with the Certificate Conditions.

1 Active nesting period is April 23 to August 15. 2 See Appendix S, Figure 2

Figures

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Segment 2 °!

Segment 1

Segment 3

Segment 7 Path:J:\N484-001 Ngrid Clay_Teall 115kV EM&CP\04 Graphics\GIS\MXD\EM&CP\N484_EMCP_Appendix SFigure 2.mxd DrawingDate: 2017/10/24 Legend Proposed Sedge Wren Survey Areas Project Route Segment 6 0 3,000 6,000 Feet (western end only) © 2017ESS Group, Inc.

Clay-DeWitt Line 3 & Clay-Teall Line 10 Proposed Sedge Wren Rebuild and Reconductor Project Survey Areas Onondaga County, New York

1 inch = 6,000 feet Figure 2

Source: 1) Routing, National Grid/ESS Path: J:\N484-001 Ngrid Clay_Teall 115kV EM&CP\04 Graphics\GIS\MXD\EM&CP\N484_EMCP_Appendix S Figure 3.mxd Drawing Date: 10/24/2017 © 2017 ESS Group, Inc. °!

0 375 750 1,500 Feet

Clay-DeWitt Line 3 & Clay-Teall Line 10 Proposed Sedge Wren Survey Legend Rebuild and Reconductor Project Station Locations Onondaga County, New York Sedge Wren Survey Station (n=43) 1 inch = 750 feet Survey Station 100-m Buffer Figure 3 Project Area Source: 1) Routing, National Grid/ESS Sheet 1 of 8 Path: J:\N484-001 Ngrid Clay_Teall 115kV EM&CP\04 Graphics\GIS\MXD\EM&CP\N484_EMCP_Appendix S Figure 3.mxd Drawing Date: 10/24/2017 © 2017 ESS Group, Inc. °!

0 375 750 1,500 Feet

Clay-DeWitt Line 3 & Clay-Teall Line 10 Proposed Sedge Wren Survey Legend Rebuild and Reconductor Project Station Locations Onondaga County, New York Sedge Wren Survey Station (n=43) 1 inch = 750 feet Survey Station 100-m Buffer Figure 3 Project Area Source: 1) Routing, National Grid/ESS Sheet 2 of 8 Path: J:\N484-001 Ngrid Clay_Teall 115kV EM&CP\04 Graphics\GIS\MXD\EM&CP\N484_EMCP_Appendix S Figure 3.mxd Drawing Date: 10/24/2017 © 2017 ESS Group, Inc. °!

0 375 750 1,500 Feet

Clay-DeWitt Line 3 & Clay-Teall Line 10 Proposed Sedge Wren Survey Legend Rebuild and Reconductor Project Station Locations Onondaga County, New York Sedge Wren Survey Station (n=43) 1 inch = 750 feet Survey Station 100-m Buffer Figure 3 Project Area Source: 1) Routing, National Grid/ESS Sheet 3 of 8 Path: J:\N484-001 Ngrid Clay_Teall 115kV EM&CP\04 Graphics\GIS\MXD\EM&CP\N484_EMCP_Appendix S Figure 3.mxd Drawing Date: 10/24/2017 © 2017 ESS Group, Inc. °!

0 375 750 1,500 Feet

Clay-DeWitt Line 3 & Clay-Teall Line 10 Proposed Sedge Wren Survey Legend Rebuild and Reconductor Project Station Locations Onondaga County, New York Sedge Wren Survey Station (n=43) 1 inch = 750 feet Survey Station 100-m Buffer Figure 3 Project Area Source: 1) Routing, National Grid/ESS Sheet 4 of 8 Path: J:\N484-001 Ngrid Clay_Teall 115kV EM&CP\04 Graphics\GIS\MXD\EM&CP\N484_EMCP_Appendix S Figure 3.mxd Drawing Date: 10/24/2017 © 2017 ESS Group, Inc. °!

0 375 750 1,500 Feet

Clay-DeWitt Line 3 & Clay-Teall Line 10 Proposed Sedge Wren Survey Legend Rebuild and Reconductor Project Station Locations Onondaga County, New York Sedge Wren Survey Station (n=43) 1 inch = 750 feet Survey Station 100-m Buffer Figure 3 Project Area Source: 1) Routing, National Grid/ESS Sheet 5 of 8 Path: J:\N484-001 Ngrid Clay_Teall 115kV EM&CP\04 Graphics\GIS\MXD\EM&CP\N484_EMCP_Appendix S Figure 3.mxd Drawing Date: 10/24/2017 © 2017 ESS Group, Inc. °!

0 375 750 1,500 Feet

Clay-DeWitt Line 3 & Clay-Teall Line 10 Proposed Sedge Wren Survey Legend Rebuild and Reconductor Project Station Locations Onondaga County, New York Sedge Wren Survey Station (n=43) 1 inch = 750 feet Survey Station 100-m Buffer Figure 3 Project Area Source: 1) Routing, National Grid/ESS Sheet 6 of 8 Path: J:\N484-001 Ngrid Clay_Teall 115kV EM&CP\04 Graphics\GIS\MXD\EM&CP\N484_EMCP_Appendix S Figure 3.mxd Drawing Date: 10/24/2017 © 2017 ESS Group, Inc. °!

0 375 750 1,500 Feet

Clay-DeWitt Line 3 & Clay-Teall Line 10 Proposed Sedge Wren Survey Legend Rebuild and Reconductor Project Station Locations Onondaga County, New York Sedge Wren Survey Station (n=43) 1 inch = 750 feet Survey Station 100-m Buffer Figure 3 Project Area Source: 1) Routing, National Grid/ESS Sheet 7 of 8 Path: J:\N484-001 Ngrid Clay_Teall 115kV EM&CP\04 Graphics\GIS\MXD\EM&CP\N484_EMCP_Appendix S Figure 3.mxd Drawing Date: 10/24/2017 © 2017 ESS Group, Inc. °!

0 375 750 1,500 Feet

Clay-DeWitt Line 3 & Clay-Teall Line 10 Proposed Sedge Wren Survey Legend Rebuild and Reconductor Project Station Locations Onondaga County, New York Sedge Wren Survey Station (n=43) 1 inch = 750 feet Survey Station 100-m Buffer Figure 3 Project Area Source: 1) Routing, National Grid/ESS Sheet 8 of 8

Appendix A

Sedge Wren Fact Sheet

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6/12/2017 Sedge Wren Fact Sheet - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation

Sedge Wren Fact Sheet Sedge Wren Cistothorus platensis New York Status: Threatened Federal Status: Not Listed Description Formerly known as the short-billed , the sedge wren is a rare and local breeder found in wet fields and marshes. It is a small wren measuring 4 to 5 inches (10 - 12 cm) with brown upperparts, buff to white underparts and pale streaks on the back and crown. Sexes are similar and the juvenile is similar to adult except darker above. Tail is short with black barring and held upright. Distinguished from other wrens by lack of white eye stripe and its song which is a distinctive trill preceded by 2 or 3 chips. Life History Males arrive on breeding grounds before the females and establish territories that are used for courtship, nesting and foraging. Males will construct multiple nests within their territory and the female will choose one for nesting and line it with grasses, feathers and fur. The nest consists of a ball of woven grasses at a height of 10 to 90 cm above the ground

Photo by National Park Service and within close proximity to muddy ground or shallow water. Both males and females will destroy the nests of conspecifics and other species nearby by piercing the eggs with their sharp bills. The female will lay a clutch of 2 to 8 eggs which she alone will incubate for 13 to 16 days. Young hatch completely naked and blind and are cared for mostly by the female although the male may participate in some of the feeding. After 12 to 14 days the young will leave the nest but remain in the nesting area until fall migration. Distribution and Habitat As its name implies, the sedge wren breeds in wet meadows or hayfields dominated by sedges and grasses. A short distance migrant, the sedge wren winters in the southeastern United States and breeds in the north central U. S. and central Canada. The wintering range extends from coastal Virginia south to Florida and west to southern Oklahoma, Texas and eastern Mexico. The breeding range covers southern Canada and the north central United States west to eastern Montana, and east to New York. The sedge wren exhibits low site fidelity to nesting sites due to their sensitivity to changes in water level and vegetation. Status Previously listed as a species of special concern, the sedge wren is now considered a threatened species in New York State. It is a very rare and local breeder and has experienced population declines throughout its breeding range. New York records are mostly from the St. Lawrence Valley and the Lake Ontario Plain. In the northeast the sedge wren is a species of management concern. Management and Research Needs The biggest threat to sedge wren populations is the loss of breeding habitat due to the draining of wetlands. Further research is needed on the extent of movement by sedge wrens during the breeding season. http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/59556.html 1/3 6/12/2017 Sedge Wren Fact Sheet - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation Additional References Conner, P. F. 1988. Sedge Wren. Cistothorus platensis. Pages 306-307 in Andrle, R. F. and J. R. Carroll, eds. The Atlas of Breeding Birds in New York State. Cornell Univ. Press, Ithaca, NY.

Herkert, J. R., Kroodsma, D. E., and J. P. Gibbs. 2001. Sedge Wren (Cistothorus platensis). In The Birds of North America, No. 582 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.

McGowan, K. J. 2008. Sedge Wren. Cistothorus platensis. Pages 426-427 in McGowan, K. J. and K. Corwin, eds. The Second Atlas of Breeding Birds in New York State. Cornell Univ. Press, Ithaca, NY.

Sedge Wren Range

http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/59556.html 2/3 6/12/2017 Sedge Wren Fact Sheet - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation

Distribution of Sedge Wren in New York from 1st and 2nd NYS Breeding Bird Atlas Records

http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/59556.html 3/3

Appendix B

Field Survey Data Sheet

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Grassland Bird Survey Point Count Data Sheet

Date: ______Observer(s): ______Focus Area #:______

Site Name: ______Patch name: ______Point #: ______

Wind Speed: 0-3 / 4-6 / 7-10 mph Cloud Cover: 0 / ≤ 25 / ≤ 50 / ≤ 75 / >75% Temperature: _____°F / °C

0-5 minutes/within 100m (record Behavior/ Species Observed Behavior codes: Species actual number if possible) Behavior Code Observed =Carrying nesting material SPECIES CODE (if observed Between Flyover N >100 m from DD=Distraction display record highest points Points Species ≤5 6 to10 >10 FL=Recently fledged young code) ON=Going into nest box

Bobolink BOBO FS=Adult carrying fecal sac FY=Adult with food for young

Eastern Meadowlark EAME (carrying food or feeding young) NE/NY=Nest with eggs/nest with

Savannah Sparrow SAVS young

Grasshopper Sparrow GRSP

Henslow’s Sparrow HESP Note: Loggerhead Shrike and Dickcissel should be noted if present. Vesper Sparrow VESP Beaufort Wind Scale

Upland Sandpiper UPSA 0-3 mph: Sedge Wren SEWR Calm/smoke rises vertically (0 mph) or Smoke drift indicates wind Northern Harrier NOHA direction/still wind vanes (1-3 mph).

American Kestrel AMKE 4-6 mph: Wind felt on face, leaves rustle, vanes Short-eared Owl SEOW begin to move.

Horned Lark HOLA 7-10 mph: Leaves & small twigs constantly Golden-winged Warbler GWWA moving, light flags extended.

Comments:

Start Time: ______End Time: ______Survey Period: ______Evening: yes / no 100 Meters

IMM 11/06/2014

SITE DESCRIPTION

Date: ______Observer: ______Focus Area #: ______Site Name: ______Patch Name: ______Point #: ____ Survey Period: ______Patch Size Category (ac): 0-5 / 5-10 / 10-20 / 20-50 / 50-100 / 100+ Actual Acreage: ______Habitat Type (check one): Warm-season grass Mixed warm/cool Wet Fallow Row Hay Meadow Crop Cool-season grass Old Field Pasture Row Crop Other (describe) Other: ______Distance from trail/road: ______Distance from Hedgerow/Woods: ______Within 25 m radius of survey point: % Grass: Dominant grass % Forb: Dominant Forb % Bare: Est. Veg. Height (average) % Woody: Litter depth Total = 100% Nearest Shrub (above veg. ht.)

Average height/density: Robel pole (if possible) N S E W Avg.

Estimated Vegetation Density Rank=ground not visible through base of stems at ground level, cannot (check one) easily push hand through the stems. Moderate=anything that falls between these two extremes. Sparse=ground easily visible through the bases of widely scattered stems.

Invasive Species present: ______Management (describe site management/land use): # of Years since last mowed/burned: ______

Sketch of field with point locations (draw here, on back or attach aerial photo):

IMM 11/06/2014 Sample Signage For Delineation of Ecologically Sensitive Areas (Approximate Size 11” x 11”)

RTE Species Check Zone

Check with Environmental Monitor before Conducting Work in this Area

National Grid