Mesa Office, 7200 E. University, Mesa, Arizona 85207 (480) 981-9400

29 July 2002

Scott Richardson

US FWS Ecological Services

110 S. Church Ave., Suite 3450, Box 52

Tucson, AZ 85701

Re: AGFD Region VI CFPO Surveys for Spring 2002

Dear Scott:

I hope that you are enjoying your new position.

Enclosed are data for Cactus Ferruginous Pygmy Owl (CFPO) surveys
conducted by AGFD Region VI personnel during spring 2002. I have also
included data from two Cave Creek sites, where cooperators from Spur
Cross Conservation Area conducted surveys. In total, we conducted
surveys at 13 sites this year. Again this year, we did not confirm any
CFPOs in Region VI. This was our third year of fairly extensive survey
effort, with surveys at 15 sites in 2001 and 16 sites in 2000. We also
conducted a few surveys in 1997-1999, largely following up on reported
detections of CFPOs, none of which were confirmed and all of which I
suspect were something other than CFPOs. Most such reports were easily
attributed to elf or burrowing owls, but the several we investigated
were credible enough to warrant further investigation (knowledgeable
individuals who heard, but never saw, what sounded like a CFPO). I have
not received any such credible incidental reports in 2001 or 2002.

Given our lack of success, and the fact that the last documented record
of a CFPO in Region VI was the 1971 record at Blue Point cottonwoods
near the confluence of the Salt and Verde Rivers, we intend to
de-emphasize CFPO surveys next year unless circumstances change. During
some of our surveys we have noted limited mobbing behavior (mostly from
migratory species), and we have had a couple responses over the past
several years (one this year) that we initially thought could have been
a CFPO, but follow-up never confirmed a CFPO. Although we have plenty of
potential habitat, and a CFPO could certainly show up locally again,
based on repeatedly negative survey results by AGFD, Tonto NF, private
consultants, and others, and the lack of any confirmed report in over 30
years, it really does seem that CFPOs are currently not making it this
far north in Arizona.

A summary of the sites we surveyed in 2002 is provided below, and data
sheets and survey area maps are enclosed. We surveyed according to the
current Large Area Search (Research) Survey Protocol. Most sites were
surveyed three times this year; exceptions were the Granite Mountain
site that was surveyed twice, the Morgan City Wash and Roosevelt Lake
sites that were each surveyed once. A copy of a memo regarding the
Roosevelt survey is also enclosed (Craig Woods of Tonto NF had suggested
that CFPO surveys might be appropriate prior to vegetation clearance at
this site, but I do not think such surveys are needed and Mike Wrigley
verbally concurred just prior to his leaving the FWS CFPO species lead
position). Data sheets from the "Gila River: Dripping Springs to
Winkelman" surveys are not available since the surveyor was called to
military active duty in Uzbekistan prior to submitting the forms. This
was the third year of surveys at that site so I have enclosed a survey
form from last year and map showing the site. I have also enclosed
copies of my 1999-2001 reports to Mike Wrigley so that you have a more
complete picture of our survey effort over the past several years. Much
of our effort in 2000 and 2001 was in the Apache Junction to Queen
Valley area (much of which is designated Critical Habitat), but this
year we reduced our effort in that area.

[Apache Junction area]{.underline}:

> **Usery Pass -- unnamed wash on north side**, surveyed by Dave Carson.
>
> No CFPOs were detected during surveys on 21 March, 5 April, and 14
> June. This was the first year of surveys at this particular site, but
> many of our surveys over the past two years have been conducted in
> nearby areas that are designated as Critical Habitat for CFPOs. Tonto
> NF has also contracted surveys in nearby areas.

[Winkelman area]{.underline}:

> **Gila River from Dripping Springs to Winkelman**, surveyed by Natalie
> Robb.
>
> No CFPOs were detected. Given its location in apparently suitable
> habitat at the southern edge of Region VI, this would seem among the
> more likely places we would have detected CFPOs but we have not in
> three years of surveys. I assisted Natalie with her first survey on 19
> February of this year, she did two follow-up surveys between then and
> May, but the survey forms are not available because she was
> unexpectedly called up for a year of military duty. The location
> surveyed is as listed and shown on the enclosed survey form and map
> from 2001.

[Cave Creek and Rio Verde area]{.underline}:

> **Granite Mountain** (NW of Rio Verde), surveyed by Gentry Burton.
>
> No CFPOs were detected during surveys on 6 March or 13 June. A
> possible CFPO vocalization was reportedly heard at this site on 21
> April 2000, but 3 surveys last year and 2 this year did not result in
> any CFPOs. I assisted Gentry with his March survey.
>
> **Needle Rock Road** (north of Rio Verde), surveyed by Tom
> Hildebrandt.
>
> No CFPOs were detected during surveys on 2 April, 25 April and 18
> June. Tom noted cactus wrens, Bewick's wrens, yellow warblers, Lucy's
> warblers, and Costa's hummingbirds scolding in response to the survey
> tape. This was the second year of surveys at this site.

# Cave Creek at Spur Cross, surveyed by John Gunn.

> This area was surveyed on 7 March, 27 March, and 15 April. I assisted
> John during the first survey, and Bob Gaulden assisted with the other
> two surveys. John & Bob thought they might have heard a CFPO during
> the 27 March survey but they could not specifically determine what was
> making the sound. Follow-up did not suggest the presence of a CFPO,
> and Bob later indicated they might have been hearing a background call
> on the survey tape (this can be confusing). No mobbing behavior was
> noted at this site or at the neighboring Cave Creek on Tonto NF site.

# Cave Creek at Spur Cross, surveyed by John Gunn.

> This area was surveyed on 7 March, 27 March, and 15 April but no CFPOs
> were detected. I assisted John during the first survey, and Bob
> Gaulden assisted with the other two surveys.

[Lake Pleasant area]{.underline}:

> **Aqua Fria River below Lake Pleasant**, surveyed by Shelly Shepherd.
>
> No CFPOs were detected during a survey on 14 April. This site was also
> surveyed once in 2000 and three times in 2001.
>
> **Morgan City Wash near Pikes Peak,** west of Lake Pleasant, surveyed
> by Jim Wegge.
>
> No CFPOs were detected during surveys on 21 March, 18 April, and 8
> May. This was the second year of surveys at this site.

**New River Road SE of Lake Pleasant,** surveyed by Josh Hurst.

> No CFPOs were detected during surveys on 15 April, 8 May and 30 June.
> This was the second year of surveys at this site.

[White Tank Mountains area:]{.underline}

> **West side of White Tank Mountains** (near catchment #679), surveyed
> by Mark Stewart.
>
> No CFPOs were detected during surveys on 15 April, 29 May and 15 June.
> This was the second year of surveys at this site.

[Gila River area between Highway 85 and Gillespie Dam]{.underline}:

> **Robbins Butte Wildlife Area**, surveyed by Mark Severson.
>
> No CFPOs were detected during surveys on 26 February, 2 April and 25
> June. This was the second year of surveys at this site.
>
> **Powers Butte Wildlife Area**, surveyed by Mark Severson.

No CFPOs were detected during surveys on 6 March, 3 April and 28 June.
This was the second year of surveys at this site.

[Roosevelt Lake area]{.underline}:

> **Roosevelt Lake Goose Forage Area** (NE shore of Roosevelt), surveyed
> by Bill Burger and Tom Hildebrandt.

This area was evaluated as potential CFPO habitat and one survey route
run on 1 March. No CFPOs were detected and further survey effort was
judged not to be worthwhile based on what appeared to be generally poor
habitat for CFPOs, and the location of the area which is well outside
both the known historic distribution of CFPOs and any of the FWS survey
zones.

Sincerely,

William P. Burger

Nongame Specialist, Region VI

WPB:wpb

cc: Rod Lucas Mark Severson

Tom Hildebrandt Mark Stewart

Pat Crouch Jim Wegge

Kevin Bergersen Dave Carson

Craig McMullen Natalie Robb

Russ Haughey Shelly Shepherd

Sabra Schwartz, WM-HB Josh Hurst

Rob Magill, WM-NG Gentry Burton

Jen Masters, Tonto NF, Mesa RD

Mike Ross, Tonto NF

John Gunn, Spur Cross Conservation Area

Enclosures - Addressee Only

2002.010l