SPECIES DETECTION SURVEY PROTOCOLS SWIFT FOX SURVEYS Fish and Wildlife Branch Technical Report No. 2014-17 December 2014 i www.environment.gov.sk.ca/ SWIFT FOX SURVEY PROTOCOL First Edition 2014 PUBLISHED BY: Fish and Wildlife Branch Ministry of Environment 3211 Albert Street Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 5W6 [email protected] SUGGESTED CITATION FOR THIS MANUAL: Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment. 2014. Swift fox survey protocol. Fish and Wildlife Branch Technical Report No. 2014-17. 3211 Albert Street, Regina, Saskatchewan. 10pp. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Alberta’s Environment and Sustainable Resource Development Ministry is gratefully acknowledged for provision of their Sensitive Species Inventory Guidelines April 2013 document and permission to adapt the guidelines for Saskatchewan. The document provided a base reference and content source for personnel conducting respective species surveys in Saskatchewan. Saskatchewan Swift Fox Survey Protocol Acknowledgements: Sue McAdam has compiled much of the respective Saskatchewan species-specific survey protocol parameters and lead edits of the Saskatchewan protocol versions based on the Alberta Sensitive Species Inventory Guidelines April 2013. The Research Permit Process Renewal working group (Karyn Scalise, Sue McAdam, Ben Sawa, Andrea Benville and Ed Beveridge) has also contributed to reviews of the Saskatchewan protocol along with additional ministry-external reviewers. COVER PHOTO CREDITS: H. Armbruster CONTACT: [email protected] COPYRIGHT Brand and product names mentioned in this document are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Use of brand names does not constitute an endorsement. Except as noted, all illustrations are copyright 2014 Ministry of Environment. ii 17.0 SWIFT FOX SURVEY PROTOCOL 17.1 INTRODUCTION This survey protocol provides instruction on survey techniques and data collection for the occupancy (presence/not-detected) of swift fox (Vulpes velox). Live capture combined with telemetry and spot lighting were previously used to detect swift fox. Trapping is stressful and has caused injury to captured animals (Schauster et al. 2002). Less intrusive survey methods, such as scent post surveys combined with motion-activated cameras (Hockaday 2011) and scat/track surveys are now more commonly used in swift fox detection surveys. 17.1.1 Status and Distribution Historically, swift fox were found throughout prairie regions in southern Saskatchewan and Alberta (COSEWIC 2009). They were considered extirpated from Canada in the late 1930s following drastic range-wide declines in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Extirpation was primarily due to habitat loss, trapping and predator control. The swift fox reintroduction program was initiated in 1983, with a soft release in the Nashlyn PFRA community pasture. Later hard releases were carried out until the program ended in the mid 1990s. Swift fox have now re-established in Alberta and Saskatchewan and have expanded into northern Montana. Census results from 2006 indicate that a small but stable population of approximately 647 foxes in Canada. Also, all fox captured during the 2006 survey were unmarked, indicating that the populations are reproducing naturally (Moehrenschlager and Moehrenschlager 2006). Considering the small vulnerable swift fox populations, their ability to persist is still uncertain. For further information on the status of the swift fox in Saskatchewan, please visit the Saskatchewan Conservation Data Centre (SKCDC) website. The Saskatchewan population is concentrated south of the Cypress Hills and in the vicinity of Grasslands National Park and northwest of Val Marie (COSEWIC 2009). Swift fox have been documented undertaking significant dispersal events (Ausband and Moehrenschlager 2009). Swift fox have been confirmed in the Hudson Bay, Battleford and Dakota Dunes areas of Saskatchewan. 17.1.2 Biology Swift fox are active throughout the year and are primarily nocturnal. Swift fox are capable of reaching speeds of over 60 km/h. Speed facilitates hunting for this opportunistic predator. In Canada, breeding begins in March and gestation averages 51 days (Moehrenschlager and Moehrenschlager 2006). Pups remain in the den for the first month and are weaned at six to seven weeks. Juveniles disperse at four to five months of age, in the late summer in Canada (Moehrenschlager and Moehrenschlager 2006). Swift fox need relatively flat, native grassland habitat with low ground cover to enhance mobility and visibility. They also require the presence of burrowing animals such as badgers (Taxidea taxus) and Richardson’s ground squirrels (Urocitellus richardsonii) for dens. Swift fox will modify and use multiple dens for year-round for shelter, raising young and for escaping predators. December 2014 Fish & Wildlife Branch Swift Fox Survey Protocol Page 1 of 9 17.2 SURVEY STANDARDS The standards provide instructions on the areal extent of surveys to be conducted. They also provide information on experience, capabilities, minimum equipment needs, survey conditions, and permit requirements. 17.2.1 Survey Area Extent Surveys must be conducted in areas with SKCDC observations as well as in any areas that provide suitable habitat for the species in question. The proposed project area, plus the appropriate setback distances, must be assessed. All suitable habitat within this area must be surveyed. Setback distances identified in the Saskatchewan Activity Restriction Guidelines (Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment 2013a) are based on the species and the level of disturbance associated with the project. 17.2.2 Personnel Personnel must be able to identify swift fox, identify suitable habitat, and have a well-developed search image for swift fox. Personnel must be familiar with the survey methodology. Knowledge of specific swift fox biology and behaviour is also a desirable asset that would allow for more accurate results. Personnel must be capable of working safely in winter conditions. The need for experienced observers cannot be over-emphasized. 17.2.3 Time of Year Surveys must be conducted during winter as swift fox home ranges expand considerably in the winter therefore detection will likely increase. Furthermore they are less confined to natal dens and are more likely to investigate food odours due to a scarcity of resources. Surveys during the breeding season (February 16th- July 31st) must be avoided. Surveys must start no earlier than September 1st and be completed no later than February 15th each year. 17.2.4 Time of Day Swift fox are largely nocturnal; therefore camera traps must be set up for detection during night time hours. Stations must be in place a minimum of 1 hour prior to sunset, and visited no earlier than 1 hour after sunrise. Considering this deployment strategy, camera equipment must have suitable infrared ability for clear night-time photography as well as cold tolerance to reliably function in extreme winter weather. 17.2.5 Environmental Conditions A compendium of environmental condition standards (Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment 2013b) has been prepared to complement the survey protocols for Saskatchewan. The full range of values for the respective environmental condition (e.g., temperature, precipitation, cloud cover, noise, etc.) has been provided in the standards document with the expectation that appropriate value range(s) will be applied as per the survey protocol parameters. 17.2.5.1 Scent Post Camera Trap Survey Environmental Conditions Deployment during inclement weather may reduce activity at camera traps, therefore surveys must be extended if periods of rain, snow and/or high winds occur during the camera trap deployment. Camera traps must be periodically monitored to ensure scent lures have not been removed and that equipment is functioning properly, especially after inclement weather events. December 2014 Fish & Wildlife Branch Swift Fox Survey Protocol Page 2 of 9 17.2.5.2 Snow Track Survey Environmental Conditions Snow track surveys must be carried out between three to five days of a snow obliterating event (Squires et al. 2004). A snow obliterating event is defined as a snowfall of 1 or more centimetres or an average daily wind speed of 30 km/h or more (ABMI 2010). This time period allows more opportunity for tracks to accumulate in the area (Linnell et al. 2007) and increases detection compared to surveying soon after a snow event (Squires et al. 2004, Linnell et al. 2007). Snow must be a minimum of two to five centimeters deep and soft enough for animals to leave tracks (Halfpenny et al. 1995). Tracking surveys must also end before signs are too old to distinguish identification characteristics. Avoid surveying with freeze/thaw conditions as they may prevent tracks from being left on the surface (Halfpenny et al. 1995). Sunny conditions may also provide shadowing of tracks resulting in better detection. Periods of extreme cold (<-30°C) during track accumulation must also be avoided (Linden et. al. 1996) as animal activity may be reduced and there are safety risks to personnel. 17.2.6 Survey Effort The primary method for surveys involves the use of scent post stations and motion-activated cameras. This method can be supplemented with secondary snow tracking and spotlight surveys. Camera traps must be deployed in a 1 km grid network throughout the project area. Arrangement of the traps will depend on the nature of the survey area. Camaclang and colleagues (2010) provide estimates of latency of detection and graphs that show a cumulative proportion