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APPENDIX C 

Terrestrial Wildlife 

Species Accounts 

A Biological Evaluation and biological examination process was conducted for Proposed, Endangered, 

Threatened, or Sensitive (PETS), Management Indicator Species, and other special or rare and uncommon 

terrestrial wildlife species, and neotropical birds for this designation process. 

The purpose of this evaluation was to determine and document the possible effects that the proposed 

activity and alternatives would have on these species. Background and effects mechanisms are included 

in the body of the EIS, as documented by issue in Chapter III. In order to minimize the length and detail 

within the body of the EIS, terrestrial wildlife species accounts are included in this Appendix to the EIS. 

Species accounts provide biological background (food, shelter, reproduction), habitat requirements, listing 

status, presence on the Rogue River Siskiyou National Forest, known threats to persistence and other 

information associated with these species. This Appendix includes four categories of species as follows: 

 Threatened species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) 

 Sensitive species listed by Forest Service Region 6 

 Management Indicator Species (for Rogue River and Siskiyou NFs) 

 Neo-tropical migratory landbirds 

ESA THREATENED SPECIES 

NORTHERN SPOTTED OWL - (Strix occidentalis caurina) 

Status: Federal – Threatened; State of Oregon - Threatened 

The northern spotted owl was listed as a Threatened species by FWS on 26 June 1990 (USDI FWS 1990). 

Critical habitat for the northern spotted owl was designated on 1 January 1992 (USDI FWS 1992a). 

Information on the ecology of the northern spotted owl is contained within, Endangered and Threatened 

wildlife and plants: determination of threatened status for the northern spotted owl: final rule (USDI Fish 

and Wildlife Service, 1990), Endangered and Threatened wildlife and Plants; Determination of Critical 

Habitat for the Northern Spotted Owl; Final rule (USDI Fish and Wildlife Service 1992 and 2008), 

Scientific evaluation of the status of the northern spotted owl and the draft Spotted Owl Recovery Plan 

(Courtney et al. 2004and 2008), and Status and Trends in Demography of Northern Spotted Owls 

(Anthony et al. 2004). 

A detailed account of the taxonomy, ecology, and reproductive characteristics of the spotted owl is found 

in the Inter-Agency Scientific Committee (ISC) Report (Thomas et al. 1990). 
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Demographic analysis completed in 1999 indicates that the northern spotted owl population (range wide) 

is declining by approximately 4 percent per year, although reproducing age females appear to not exhibit 

a negative trend (Forsman and Anthony 1999, Franklin et al. 1999). The NWFP was expected to limit the 

extent of this trend by protecting all spotted owl sites within LSRs and by providing spotted owl dispersal 

habitat through the matrix and AMA. 

Conservation of the species was also to be provided by allowing currently unsuitable habitat to develop 

within the LSRs. Active management designed to advance forest conditions in LSRs includes density 

management, precommercial thinning, and fertilization. As habitat develops within the LSRs, spotted 

owl populations are expected to stabilize across its range. The range expansion of barred owl into spotted 

owl territories is a complicating factor. The ultimate outcome of barred owl/spotted owl interactions is 

uncertain. Outside the LSR system, spotted owl sites known as of January 1994 have been designated as 

Known Spotted Owl Activity Centers and are also managed as LSR. 

A report summarizing the meta-analysis of demography of the spotted owls throughout its range was 

released in September of 2004 (Anthony et al. 2004). The report showed a decline of approximately 3.7 

percent across the range of the owl and showed significant declines of populations in some areas, in 

particular Washington State and northern Oregon. Only four study areas within the range of the spotted 

owl did not show evidence of spotted owl declines. In southern Oregon, three study areas did not show 

declines and appeared to have relatively stable or increasing populations based on the 95 percent 

confidence intervals. More recently Anthony (2006) found that the spotted owl population in the south 

Cascades demographic study area continues to be stationary. 

Specific to the South Cascades demographic study area, There has been one USFS/OSU demographic 

study area located on the High Cascades Ranger district and small portion of the Fremont-Winema 

National Forest in the South Cascades that has been monitoring spotted owls on the RD for over twenty 

years. This project was initiaited in 1990 and is part of the long-term Northern Spotted Owl Effectiveness 

Monitoring Program for the Northwest Forest Plan (Lint et al. 1999). At the beginning of this effort 

approximately 89 sites were visited every year; this effort has now increased to 170 sites. 

In 2005, an annual report of spotted owl surveys conducted in the South Cascades demography study area 

was released (Anthony 2005). During that year, 162 spotted owl locations in both Matrix and LSR land 

allocations were surveyed to protocol, and spotted owls occupied 65 percent of the sites visited. The 

report showed that in the Matrix allocation, the percentage of occupied sites increased in 2005 (63 

percent) compared to 2004 (55 percent). Between 2004 and 2005, the percentage of occupied sites in the 

LSRs increased from 53 to 66 percent and the percentage of sites occupied by owl pairs increased (44 to 

53 percent). 

According to the 2007 an annual report (Anthony et al, 2007) , approximately 200 spotted owl locations 

in both Matrix and LSRs land allocations were surveyed to protocol, and spotted owls occupied 55 

percent of the sites visited. 

In 2008, approximately 122 spotted owl locations in both Matrix and LSRs land allocations were 

surveyed to protocol, and spotted owls occupied 45 percent of the sites visited (Anthony et al, 2008). 

In 2009, approximately 169 spotted owl locations in both Matrix and LSRs land allocations were 

surveyed to protocol, and spotted owls occupied only 44 percent of the sites visited (Anthony et al, 2009). 

Spotted owls were detected at 79 of the 170 sites visited in 2010 (46 %). There were 89 sites with 

continuous survey effort between 1992 and 2010, and banded spotted owls were detected at 41% of these 

sites in 2010 (= 56.6%, SE = 2.44, n = 19 years) down from a detection rate at all sites surveyed in 1992 

of over 90 percent at the beginning of the study (Dugger et al 2010). 
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Spotted owls were detected at 7 Wilderness, 51 LSR, and 21 Matrix sites in 2010. The percentage of sites 

where spotted owls were detected (either single or paired) in Wilderness was 39% in 2010. In the LSRs, 

the percentage of sites where owls were detected was 52%. Owls were detected on 40% of Matrix owl 

territories. Overall, the mean percentage of sites with owls detected and the mean percentage of sites with 

pairs was very similar for the three land management categories (Dugger et al 2010). 

 

The number of spotted owl pairs detected in 2010 at the five LSRs was similar to most previous years. 

There were 14 owl pairs located in the Rogue-Umpqua Divide LSR. There were 12 pairs located in the 

Middle Fork LSR in 2009. In the Dead Indian LSR, 12 pairs were found in 2010, three more than in 

2009. A pair of spotted owls was located separately at the Sevenmile Creek and the Clover Creek LSRs 

in 2010 (Dugger et al 2010). 

The Northwest Forest Plan anticipated that the LSRs would provide a network of suitable habitat 

distributed across the range of old forest associated species sufficient to endure stochastic events resulting 

in localized species extirpation (USDA and USDI 1994). The large LSRs within the study area were 

designed to meet those objectives of the Northwest Forest Plan and be able to support 15-20 spotted owl 

pairs. In 1994 all LSRs on the Rogue River National Forest portion of the study had at least 15 owl pairs 

occupying those LSRs, 2010 no LSRs within the study area boundary or on that portion of the Forest met 

that objective of 15-20 spotted owl pairs per LSR. 

The annual percentage of barred owl detections at the 170 historic spotted owl territories on the study has 

increased from a low of 4.1% to a high of 28.2% in 2010. Cumulatively, barred owls have been detected 

at 63% of the spotted owl territories during at least one breeding season over the course of this study. The 

proportion of historic spotted owl territories where barred owls were located in 2010 increased by 

approximately 7% over 2009 for both the annual and cumulative totals, so many of the sites where barred 

owls were detected in 2010 had no previously documented barred owl activity. 

Overall, annual survival appears to be declining in the southern Oregon Cascades study area, and this 

decline accelerated between 2003 and 2008. Fecundity also declined across the study area and seemed to 

be related to the increased detections of barred owls. However even given the annual realized rate of 

population change (lambda) exhibited large annual fluctuations, confidence limits broadly overlapped 

zero, which supports the conclusion that this population was stable (Dugger et al 2010). 

While the Siskiyou Mountains Ranger District is not located within a demographic study area, there are 

recent surveys for some of the historic locations, primarily in the Mt Ashland LSR. From 2004 through 

2009, protocol surveys have taken place in the LSR and have detected 8 spotted owl pair sites. This is 

down over 40 percent from a high of 14 pairs and one resident single detected from 1990 through 1995. 

On the Applegate portion of the District, there were some surveys conducted in 2009 on a subset of owl 

locations that had been previously surveyed continuously from 1990 through 1995 (n=29). Spotted owls 

were detected at eleven (40%) of those sites surveyed; barred owls were detected at 2 sites. 

Overall across the Forest spotted owl detections at known sites have declined apprxoimately 50 percent 

from 1994. If one assumes that these sites are no longer occupied, the spotted owl population would be 

about 100 pairs or resident singles, a population similar to the 1990 estimate in the Forest LRMP. There 

are still approximately 153 spotted owl core areas identified on the Forest as well as 154,000 acres of 

suitable habitat. 

The Service also conducted a status review in 2004 of the spotted owl across its range, in a document 

known as the Sustainable Ecosystem Institute Report, or SEI, which summarized the biology, ecology, 

habitat associations and trends, as well as current and potential threats to the species (Courtney et al. 

2004). 
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The three major operational threats they identified were timber harvest, large-scale stand replacement 

wildfire, and barred owls. Other potential threats included effects associated with West Nile Virus, and 

Sudden Oak Death. 

Courtney et al. (2004) found that habitat loss, the primary reason for listing of the spotted owl, had 

declined significantly across the range. However, there was also some concern as to the potential lag 

effects to spotted owl populations from past timber harvest. The greatest amount of habitat loss due to 

timber harvest had occurred in the Oregon Klamath and west Cascade provinces. 

In a review of the draft spotted owl recovery plan (DRP), Courtney et al. (2008) opined that the threat 

from wildfire was underestimated in the DRP for the dry forest provinces, and is inadequately addressed. 

They said that this threat is likely to increase given both current forest conditions, and future climatic 

change. The Courtney Team also discussed what they thought was an underestimate of the threat of 

habitat loss from fire and the harvest or ‘salvage’ of large and very large trees. The DRP threat 

assessment assumed that there would be no major loss of habitat currently conserved under the Northwest 

Forest Plan (NWFP). 

The Courtney Team also recommended reducing surface fuels, increase the height to live crowns, 

decrease crown densities, and to favor large fire tolerant trees in dry forest types such as southern and 

eastern Oregon and Washington. Specific to SW Oregon Klamath Province, they recommended that all 

large and old trees, either living or dead, are important wherever they occur, and suggested landscape 

designs that promote the increased abundance of large trees of fire tolerant species using ecologically 

sound landscape design criteria. Courtney et al. (2008) also suggested that existing plantations are one 

major source of risk of high severity fires and that the fire tolerance of existing plantations can be 

increased by manipulating species composition, reducing density, promoting spatial heterogeneity in 

forest structure (avoiding large areas of homogeneous plantations), treating surface fuels, and favoring the 

development of large, fire tolerant trees. 

They suggested that this could be accomplished through large scale thinning operations (that include 

treatment of activity fuels and increasing spatial variability) in plantations outside of owl habitat (where 

plantations are generally concentrated), or using a larger regional landscape strategy that prioritizes the 

risk of high severity fire outside of owl habitat. They also recommended that the establishment of new 

plantations should not be favored, but rather activities in dry forest settings that improve overall fire 

tolerance of the landscape and decrease the likelihood that a few large fires will destroy a significant 

number of owl territories. The subsequent final Recovery Plan includes these recommendations in large 

part for SW Oregon forests (FWS 2011) 

There have been recent large fires in SW Oregon, in particular the Biscuit and the Timbered Rock fires, 

which reduced spotted owl NRF habitat within the Klamath province. There is uncertainty as to how 

spotted owls respond to fire in southwest Oregon and research was conducted in the Timbered Rock Fire 

area in an attempt to answer that question. 

Of the 15 spotted owl pairs affected by the Timbered Rock Fire, initially, 11 of those pairs continued to 

occupy their historic activity centers immediately after the fire even though their habitat was subjected to 

varying degrees of fire severity. However, a severe decline of owl pairs from the fire area was seen from 

2004 to 2006. Survival and productivity also decreased greatly in birds from within the fire area (Clark 

2007). Barred owls have increased in southwest Oregon but not to the extent of other areas within the 

range of the spotted owl (Courtney et al 2003, Anthony et al. 2004, 2005, and 2006, Dugger 2010). In the 

South Cascades demographic study area, there has been an increase of barred owls and they occupy up to 

20 percent of historic or known spotted owl sites within that study area. However, there are far less 

barred owls known for southwest Oregon than other areas in the northern portion of the range and the 

spotted owl survival is stable in that study area as well as in the Klamath demographic study area 

(Anthony et al. 2004). 
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The other new threats of Sudden Oak Death (SOD) and West Nile virus are thought to be potential 

stressors to the northern spotted owl population. Sudden Oak Death or Phytopthora canker disease kills 

or injures many species of trees and shrubs, and may affect habitat components important to spotted owls 

and their prey. However, SOD is only known for the coastal region of NW California and SW Oregon. 

West Nile virus infects birds, although as of April, 2005, no wild spotted owl infections have been 

documented; West Nile virus has been detected in Jackson County. It is unknown when and to what 

extent this threat may become a risk for the spotted owl. 

The new information provided above and summarized by Courtney et al. (2004 and 2008) and the final 

Spotted Owl Recovery Plan (USDI Fish and Wildlife Service 2011) does not alter analysis or change the 

effects determinations for any of the Designation Alternatives. The concerns for spotted owls related to a 

population decline and the increase in barred owls are less in southwest Oregon than in other areas within 

the range of the spotted owl because the population in South Cascades is stable and the barred owl 

population is not as robust as in the northern portions of the range of the spotted owl (Courtney et al. 

2004, 2008, Anthony 2005 and 2006, Dugger 2010). 

Zabel et al. (2003) identified habitat models for northern spotted owls in the Klamath Province of 

northern California which correctly classified owl-occupied sites with >85% accuracy. Within Douglasfir habitats below 6,000 ft. elevation in the Eastern Klamath Ecological zone, these sites were classified as 

>17” average diameter and >60% CC. Zabel et al. (2003) concluded that their model performed best at 

the 200 hectare radius (0.5 mi). 

The primary prey of northern spotted owls are dusky-footed woodrats (Neotoma fuscipes) and northern 

flying squirrels (Glaucomy sabrinus). Both woodrats and Northern flying squirrels are generally 

associated with older forests. Zabel et al. (1995) verified a trend of negative, linear relationship between 

home range size during the breeding season and the proportion of woodrats in the diet of northern spotted 

owls. The proportion of northern flying squirrels in the diet was positively correlated with home range 

size. 

Critical Habitat for the northern spotted owl was designated in Federal Register 57 and includes the 

primary constituent elements that support nesting, roosting, foraging, and dispersal. Designated Critical 

Habitat also includes forest land that is currently unsuitable, but has the capability of becoming suitable 

NRF habitat in the future (FR57 (10):1796-1837). 

Primary constituent elements of spotted owl critical habitat are those physical and biological attributes 

that are essential to species conservation. In addition, the Act stipulates that the areas containing these 

elements may require special management consideration or protection. Such physical and biological 

features, as stated in 50 DFR 4.2.4.1.2 includes, but are not limited to the following: 

 -Space for individual and population growth, and for normal behavior; 

 -Food, water, or other nutritional or physiological requirements; 

 -Cover or shelter; 

 -Sites for breeding, reproduction, rearing of offspring; and 

-Habitats that are protected from disturbance or are representatives of the historic geographical 

and ecological distribution of the species. 

For spotted owls, features that support nesting and roosting habitat typically include a moderate to high 

canopy (60-90 percent), a multi-storied multi-species canopy with large overstory trees (>30 inch 

diameter), a high incidence of larger trees with various deformities, including mistletoe, large snags, large 

accumulations of fallen trees and wood on the ground and flying space (Thomas et al. 1990). 
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MARBLED MURRELET (Brachyramphus marmoratus) 

Status: Federal - Threatened; State of Oregon – Threatened 

The marbled murrelet is a small seabird found from Alaska to California. The marbled murrelet spends 

most of its life at sea but typically nests in trees (Paton and Ralph 1990, Csuti et al. 1997, USDI FWS 

1997, Marshall 1998). Nests are almost exclusively located in mature or old-growth conifer trees with 

large moss-covered branches (Hamer and Nelson 1995). 

In the Pacific Northwest, murrelets have been found as far inland as 53 miles (USDI FWS 1997). 

Dillingham et al. (1995) examining murrelet survey data for the Rogue River-Siskiyou N.F., found that no 

murrelets were detected more than 32 miles from the ocean, although surveys had been conducted up to 

47 miles inland. South of the divide between the Rogue and Coquille Rivers, the farthest inland murrelets 

had been detected was 17 miles. 

FWS listed the marbled murrelet as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 1992 (USDI FWS 

1992b). The primary reasons postulated for the decline in marbled murrelet numbers included a loss of 

nesting habitat and poor reproductive success (USDI FWS 1997). 

Predation via corvids and or rodents is also considered a threat to reproductive success. Critical habitat 

for marbled murrelets was designated in 1996 and corresponded primarily to areas designated as 

Late-Successional Reserve in the Northwest Forest Plan (USDA and USDI BLM 1994). 

The 2006 status review reconfirmed the murrelet’s status as a threatened species and summarized the 

terrestrial habitat. Throughout the forested portion of their range, marbled murrelet habitat use is 

positively associated with the presence and abundance of mature and old growth forests, large core areas 

of old growth, low amounts of edge and fragmentation, proximity to the marine environment, and 

increasing forest age and height (McShane et al. 2004, 4-39; Hamer and Nelson 1995b, 72-75). In all 

cases, marbled murrelets focus on the presence of platforms used for nesting. Platform presence is more 

important than the size of the nest tree, and tree size alone is not a good indicator of the abundance of 

platforms (Evans Mack et al. 2003, 3). The presence of platforms is the most important characteristic of 

marbled murrelet nesting habitat (McShane et al. 2004, 4-45–4-51, 4-53, 4-55, 4-56, 4-59; Nelson 1997, 

6). Individual tree attributes that provide platforms suitable for nesting include large or forked branches, 

deformities caused by broken tops or mistletoe infection, or other structures large enough to provide a 

platform for a nesting adult murrelet (Hamer and Nelson 1995b, 79). 

Platforms are defined as limbs 4 inches (10 centimeters) in diameter or more and 33 feet (10 meters) or 

more above ground (Burger 2002, 41-42; McShane et al. 2004, 4-31). Tree diameter and height have 

been positively correlated with platform size and the abundance of platforms, but the relationship may 

change depending on the variety of tree species and forest types marbled murrelets use for nesting (Huff 

et al. 2006, 12). Overall, nest trees in Washington, Oregon, and northern California have been greater 

than 19 inches (48 centimeters) dbh and greater than 98 feet (30 meters) tall (Hamer and Nelson 1995b, 

81). Other important attributes of the platform are vertical and horizontal cover and substrate. Known 

nest sites have platforms that are generally protected by branches above (vertical cover) or to the side 

(horizontal cover) (Huff et al. 2006, 14). Marbled murrelets appear to select limbs and platforms that 

provide protection from predation (Luginbuhl et al 2001, 558; Marzluff et al. 2000, 1135) and inclement 

weather (Huff et al. 2006, 14). Substrate, such as moss, duff, or needles, on the nest limb is important for 

protecting the egg and preventing it from falling (Huff et al. 2006, 13). 

Range-wide habitat loss is by far the greatest terrestrial threat to murrelets. Timber harvest has reduced 

the amount of old growth forest habitat within western Oregon and Washington by more than 80 percent 

and it is likely disproportionate harvesting has occurred within the range of the murrelet compared with 

forests further inland. 
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The NWFP establishes all murrelet occupied stands on Federal lands as LSRs, which greatly restricts the 

habitat modification activities that can occur. In 1996, the Service designated murrelet critical habitat, 

which largely overlaps mapped LSRs within the murrelet range on Federal lands. 

There is potential for disturbance to breeding murrelets from activities in adjacent non-murrelet habitat. 

The majority of information on disturbance to nesting marbled murrelets has been from anecdotal 

observations and inferred from studies on other seabird species (Long and Ralph 1997). Professional 

opinions vary on the subject but it is the Service’s positions to approach the issue cautiously until such 

data exist to support a less restrictive approach to disturbance issues. 

The sensitivity of an individual to disturbance is likely related to the baseline level of disturbance the bird 

is accustomed to, the level and proximity of disturbance (Hamer and Nelson 1998), and the timing of the 

disturbance within the nesting cycle and daily activity periods. Many bird species, including murrelets, 

can habituate to relatively high levels of disturbance over time (Long and Ralph, 1997; Hamer and Nelson 

1998). However, for murrelets, the adverse effects of disturbance may also lead to nest abandonment by 

adults, reduced nest attentiveness (leading to increased vulnerability of predation), aborted feeding visits, 

premature fledging, and avoidance of otherwise suitable habitat (Hamer and Nelson 1998). 

The 2009 5 year review (USFWS 2009), continued to document threats listed above. Additional new 

information regarding the condition of the marine environment in the 3-state area includes harmful algal 

blooms, dead zones, prey availability and quality, and the potential exacerbation of these conditions from 

climate change (USFWS 2009, page 34). This new information suggests there is an increase in the level 

of threats in the marine environment (USFWS 2009, page 46). Three new threats were identified, derelict 

fishing gear, energy development and production, and exposure to elevated underwater sound levels 

(USFWS 2009, page 67). 

The Service also believes climate change is likely to further exacerbate some existing threats such as the 

projected potential for increased habitat loss from drought related fire, mortality, insects and disease, and 

increases in extreme flooding, landslides and windthrow events in the short-term (10 to 30 years). 

However, while it appears likely that the murrelet will be adversely affected, we lack adequate 

information to quantify the magnitude of effects to the species from the climate change projections 

described above (USFWS 2009, page 34). 

The species’ recovery plan refers to the NWFP as the backbone of the murrelet recovery effort (USFWS 

1997). However, the plan strategically builds off the NWFP and considers non-Federal lands’ recovery 

role. The NWFP contributes to murrelet recovery and conservation by providing large blocks of 

protected habitat in LSR land allocations within murrelet conservation zones along the Washington, 

Oregon, and California coasts. Furthermore, murrelet habitat is protected on Federal land under the 

NWFP. No new timber sales are planned in forested stands known to be occupied by murrelets regardless 

of whether these stands occur in LSRs, AMAs, or Matrix areas (USDA and USDI 1994b). Protocol 

surveys (Evans et al. 2003) are required in suitable habitat to determine occupancy prior to actions that 

result in habitat loss. In addition, the LSR system not only protects currently suitable murrelet habitat, 

but also develops future habitat in larger blocks. 

An account of the taxonomy, ecology, and reproductive characteristics of the marbled murrelet can be 

found in the 1988 species status review (Marshall 1988), the final rule designating the species as 

threatened (USDI FWS 1992b), the final rule designating critical habitat for the species (USDI FWS 

1996), Ecology and Conservation of the Marbled Murrelet (Ralph et al. 1995), Recovery Plan for the 

Marbled Murrelet (USDI FWS 1997), and the Service’s BO for Alternative 9 (USDI FWS 1994) of the 

Final Environmental Impact Statement on Management of Habitat for Late-Successional and Old-Growth 

Forest Related Species Within the Range of the Northern Spotted Owl (USDA and USDI 1994a). 
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In 1995, it was estimated 1,077 occupied murrelet sites occurred within Washington, Oregon, and 

California. Suitable habitat for the murrelet was estimated at 2,561,500 acres of Federal lands in the listed 

range of this species (Ralph et al. 1995). Murrelet habitat is protected on Federal land under the NWFP. 

The estimated rate of annual decline for 2000 to 2008 was 2.4 percent, which is equivalent to an average 

decline of about 488 (standard error = 241) birds per year (Falxa 2009). The estimated rate of decline 

from year 2001 to 2008 was greater, averaging 4.3 percent or 867 (standard error = 129) birds per year 

(Falxa 2009). Additional at-sea monitoring will be needed to test for population declines at the scale of 

individual conservation zones, and to evaluate whether the declines observed to date continue into the 

future. Oregon has an estimated 8,696 murrelets with 95 percent confidence intervals of 5,680 to 12,405 

birds (CCR 2010, page 4). 

A report in 2010 showed that the population estimate for Zone 3 (North Bend Oregon to Mendicino Ca.) 

was of 7,223 birds, 11% higher than the mean over all years but not significantly different (FWS 2011). 

The loss of significant amounts of suitable, unoccupied murrelet habitat may hamper efforts to stabilize 

and recover this species. The Federal listing of the murrelet as Threatened was primarily based on the 

loss of late-successional forest and the subsequent reduction in the number of nest sites available to 

murrelets (USDA and USDI 1994a). This loss of habitat may also explain gaps in their inland 

distribution. 

Marbled Murrelet Critical Habitat 

Critical habitat for marbled murrelets was designated in May 1996 (61 FR 102:26256-26320). The 

Service has designated approximately 3.9 million acres of land as critical habitat, of which 78 percent 

(3.0 million acres) is located on Federal lands within the area covered by the NWFP boundary. 

Within the Action Area, 421,000 acres have been designated as marbled murrelet critical habitat (Figure 

3). Of this total, 150,000 acres are suitable marbled murrelet habitat; 66,726 acres of suitable habitat are 

located within the known range (Area A) mostly within LSRs and CHUs. Approximately 1,639 acres of 

suitable habitat in the known range was removed in the 2002 Biscuit Fire. 

The Service considers two components of marbled murrelet habitat to be biologically essential: (1) 

terrestrial nesting habitat and associated forest stands and (2) marine foraging habitat used during the 

breeding season. Within areas essential for successful marbled murrelet nesting, the Service has focused 

on the following primary constituent elements: (1) individual trees with potential nesting platforms and 

(2) forested areas within 0.5 miles (0.8 kilometers) of individual trees with potential nesting platforms, 

and with a canopy height of at least one-half the site potential tree height. Within the boundaries of 

designated critical habitat, only those areas that contain one or more primary constituent element are, by 

definition, critical habitat. 

Reductions or removal of marbled murrelet habitat and critical habitat on the RRSNF has been minimal 

since 2003. To date, no suitable habitat has been removed and no suitable habitat within critical habitat 

has been removed due to management activities since the marbled murrelet was listed. Wildfires have 

reduced 37,089 acres of suitable habitat on a combined baseline of Rogue River-Siskiyou National 

Forest/Medford BLM (320,707 acres) since 1994 (USDA and USDI 2006). 
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FS SENSITIVE 

AMERICAN PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus anatum)

Peregrine falcons are most typically associated with cliffs that serve as nesting and perching sites. Nest 

site criteria include ledges, potholes, and small caves that are inaccessible to mammalian predators and 

provide protection from precipitation as well as heat and cold. Nest sites are almost always located near 

water. Proximity to foraging areas providing an adequate prey base is also important (Johnsgard 1990). 

Peregrine falcons nest along seacoasts, marshes, lakes, and even in some cities but peregrine falcons are 

not commonly associated with interior forests (Csuti et al. 1997). Peregrine falcons feed almost 

exclusively on birds. 

The American peregrine falcon was first identified as an Endangered species in 1970 under the 

Endangered Species Conservation Act of 1969 (USDI FWS 1999). The American peregrine falcon was 

subsequently listed as Endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (USDI FWS 1999). By 

1999, populations of peregrine falcons in the United States had recovered sufficiently that the FWS 

removed the American peregrine falcon from the federal list of endangered and threatened wildlife (USDI 

FWS 1999a). The American peregrine falcon remains on the Regional Forester’s Sensitive animal list for 

the Pacific Northwest Region of the Forest Service. Peregrine falcon habitat on the Rogue River - 

Siskiyou N.F. is managed in accordance with Standard and Guidelines 4-5 of the Land and Resource 

Management Plan for the Siskiyou National Forest (USDA 1989). On the Rogue River-Siskiyou N.F., 

major rivers provide the best habitat for bald eagles. 

Cliffs with suitable ledges provide nesting habitat for peregrine falcons. Peregrine habitat on the Forest is 

managed in accordance with the Regional Forester's letter of July 19, 1999 (USDA 1999b). On 25 

August 1999, the USDI Fish and Wildlife Service removed (delisted) the American peregrine falcon 

throughout its range as a threatened species from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife, 

thereby removing all protections provided by the Act. A strategy for the 5-year monitoring plan that 

follows the delisting has been developed and in being implemented (FWS 2003). 

NORTHERN BALD EAGLE (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

Most bald eagles nest within 0.6 to 1.2 miles of aquatic foraging areas, which is typically a lake, 

reservoir, large river, or coastal estuary (Anthony et al. 1982, Stalmaster 1987, Anthony and Isaacs 1989, 

Johnsgard 1990, Garrett et al. 1993). Nest trees are usually the dominant trees in the stand, often much 

larger than the surrounding trees (Anthony et al. 1982, Stalmaster 1987). The nest trees provide adequate 

support for the large nests, an open flight path to the nest, and a view of the surrounding terrain 

(Stalmaster 1987). Although bald eagles usually nest near water, they will search areas away from water 

to find suitable structure for their nest (Anthony et al. 1982, Stalmaster 1987). Young stands are avoided, 

but eagles do desire large openings in the canopy provided by lakes, rivers, and meadows (Stalmaster 

1987). 

Roosting and perching habitat is also important. Roost trees are often the largest trees in the stand 

(Anthony et al. 1982). When selecting roost trees, eagles choose trees providing greater shelter versus 

trees close to food (Stalmaster 1987). On the other hand, trees used for perching are usually near water 

and food (Stalmaster 1987). Perches are used for resting, hunting, and eating (Stalmaster 1987). The 

species of tree is less important than the location and form of the tree (Stalmaster 1987). 

Bald eagles require an abundant supply of food because of their large size (Stalmaster 1987, Johnsgard 

1990). Bald eagles feed on fish, waterfowl, small mammals, and carrion (Stalmaster 1987, Johnsgard 

1990). The specific diet may vary by season and location (Stalmaster 1987). 
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Bald eagles were listed as Endangered in Oregon and elsewhere by the FWS in 1967 (USDI FWS 1967). 

In 1995, bald eagles were down listed to threatened status (USDI FWS 1995). In 1999, FWS proposed 

delisting the bald eagle because of significant gains in populations across the United States due to habitat 

protection and a reduction of persistent organochlorine pesticides (e.g., DDT) in the environment, which 

had caused significant reproductive problems for bald eagles and other raptors (USDI FWS 1999b). 

Bald eagle habitat on the Rogue River-Siskiyou N.F. is protected and managed in accordance with the 

Pacific Bald Eagle Recovery Plan (USDI FWS 1986), and Standards and Guidelines 4-3 and 4-4 of the 

Siskiyou National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (USDA 1989). As part of the recovery 

plan, key nesting habitat areas have been identified on the Rogue River-Siskiyou N.F. along the Rogue, 

Illinois, and Sixes Rivers (USDI FWS 1986). 

Information on the ecology of the northern bald eagle is contained within the Draft site-specific 

management plan for the Emigrant Lake bald eagle nest site (Popp and Isaacs 1995), the Working 

Implementation Plan for Bald Eagle Recovery in Oregon and Washington (OR-WA Interagency Wildlife 

Committee 1989) and within the Pacific Bald Eagle Recovery Plan (USDI Fish and Wildlife Service 

1986). 

Bald eagles are fairly tolerant of human activity, but high level noise or disturbance can dissuade them 

from important breeding area or winter roost sites, particularly during the early nesting season. Individual 

pairs have widely variable responses to disturbance. Seasonal and distance protection are generally 

effective in reducing adverse impacts of human disturbance activity to bald eagles. Habitat protection is 

generally effective if large trees that support nesting and roosting are maintained within the nesting or 

wintering stand and any disruptive activity is scheduled outside of sensitive periods (USDA Forest 

Service; USDI FWS 2003). 

HARLEQUIN DUCK (Histrionicus histrionicus)

An east-west migrant, the Harlequin duck winters on the coast as far south as central California, and nests 

on inland rivers as far east as Montana. Breeding occurs primarily on the rivers in northern Oregon, with 

occasional records from the Umpqua drainage. In 2007 a female with young was photographed on the 

Powers RD (J. Lowe 2007, pers. com.). The harlequin duck has been documented on National Forests in 

both states (COL, CRG, DES, GIP, MBS, MTH, OKW, OLY, RRS, SIU, UMP, WAW, WIL) and four 

BLM districts in Oregon (CB, EU, RO, SA). 

When engaged in behavioral interactions, the Harlequin Duck gives a distinctive mouse-like squeak that 

is loud enough to carry over the roar of fast-moving white water. The high pitched piping of these ducks 

is the reason these birds are also called "sea mice" or "squeakers." (Cornell 2003, Street 1999). The 

female also makes a coarse "ek-ek-ek" sound (Cornell 2003). Males do not reach their full breeding 

plumage until their third year, and have distinctive juvenile (1st year) and subadult (2nd year) plumages; 

molting males look similar to females when in full eclipse plumage (Cooper and Wright 1998). Males 

have white scapulars, a black tail and coverts. 

The harlequin duck is a bird of turbulent waters, breeding on fast-flowing streams and wintering along 

rocky coastlines in the surf (Cornell 2003). These small ducks are expert swimmers. They ride rapids, 

diving and probing among the bottom stones of swift rivers and streams (Street 1999). They are often 

seen in compact flocks during the non-breeding season. Females and paired males show strong affinity to 

their wintering sites (Cooke et al. 2000, Robertson et al. 2000). 

The harlequin is a short-distance migrant that moves to breeding streams from Pacific coastal areas 

(Cooper and Wright, 1998). Harlequin ducks migrate northward and inland in spring, arriving at their 

breeding areas in the intermountain western U.S. late-April through mid-May, with males departing for 

west coast molting areas soon after females begin incubating (Spahr et al. 1991). Breeding females move 

to the coast later depending on breeding success and whether or not females abandon young. 
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Non-breeding females also remain on rivers through the incubation period. Successful females and 

juveniles arrive on the coast in mid to late September. Some coastal breeding populations are probably 

non-migratory (Cooper and Wright, 1998). Young accompany their mothers to coastal molting or 

wintering areas in the late summer (Regehr et al. 2001). 

This species has a holarctic range. Breeding occurs in Eurasia and two disjunct regions in North America 

(Natureserve 2007). The North American Pacific population breeds from western Alaska (see Johnson 

and Herter 1989 for details), northern Yukon, northern British Columbia, and southern Alberta south to 

Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, and east of the Continental Divide in Montana (perhaps historically in 

California and Colorado) (Natureserve 2007). In the western portion of the United States, Cassirer et al. 

(1996) estimated 72 pair breed in Oregon. 

Harlequin ducks breed in mountain streams and rivers. In western North America, most breeding sites are 

on relatively rapid streams of moderate size, typically surrounded by undisturbed forest. They winter in 

rough coastal waters, especially along rocky shores or reefs; summering non-breeders and immatures also 

occur in this habitat (Cassirer et al. 1993, Cornell 1993, Wiggins 2005). 

Activities such as logging, road-building, and mining may act to increase sedimentation along breeding 

streams that may affect its food source. These activities also increase disturbance to nesting birds, and 

facilitate easier human access to remote breeding sites. 

LEWIS’ WOODPECKER (Menalerpes lewis) 

Lewis’ woodpeckers are migratory in southwestern Oregon, with sporadically large populations in the 

winter and scattered breeding pairs in the summer reported. They were formerly common breeders in 

summer in Jackson and Josephine Counties but in the last 10 years they have not been documented (N. 

Barrett 2008, pers. com.) and there are few recent breeding records (Janes et al. 2002). This species is 

closely tied to the ponderosa pine/oak savannah habitats of eastern and southwest Oregon. 

Nests are often in the large Ponderosa Pine snags or mature oaks while the birds forage on insects and 

acorn meat. In winter they store acorn meat in crevices in trees and power poles. Because this 

woodpecker does not usually excavate its own cavity, they have a close tie to older snags within the forest 

that are likely to contain cavities and have crevices for food storage. 

The population of Lewis’ woodpeckers has fallen dramatically across Oregon as pine – oak woodlands 

are lost. A contributing factor in the decline has been the spread of the European Starling, which 

aggressively out-competes this species for available cavities. Habitat loss is due to a wide variety of 

concerns that include urbanization of valley floors, fire suppression and encroachment of conifer forests, 

timber harvest of pine components in the oak forests, etc. 

WHITE-HEADED WOODPECKER (Picoides albolarvatus)

White-headed woodpeckers have been confirmed breeding on Mount Ashland, Dead Indian Plateau, and 

along the California border into Josephine County. Primarily a Ponderosa Pine habitat breeder on the 

East side of the Cascades, they locally breed in the Shasta fir zone in Jackson County and in mixed 

conifer forest. This species is not migratory and can be found on the forest year round (Janes et al. 2002). 

Thinned stands with large remnant trees are suitable habitat, as well as old growth forests. 

On the Rogue River–Siskiyou National Forest any dry, open forest stand with large trees may serve as 

suitable foraging breeding habitat for the species, though breeding is probably limited to Ponderosa pine 

and true fir stands. 
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Known breeding sites on the forest include the meadow complexes on the south side of Mt. Ashland and a 

Shasta Fir shelterwood (appx. 6 trees/ac.) east of Howard Prairie. One Mt. Ashland nest was in a 5 foot 

tall stump within a campground. 

NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH (Seiurus noveboracensis)

This small brown warbler is suspected to breed in Lane County near Salt Creek Falls (Gilligan et al 1994) 

and possibly on the Idaho border in Union and Wallowa Counties (Contraras 2003). No nests have been 

found due to difficulty to locate them in dense riparian thickets, but presence of birds for decades at the 

same site and singing territorial males indicates probably breeding. 

On the Rogue River–Siskiyou National Forest there is a single record of a bird captured during fall 

migration at the Skeeter Swamp MAPS station. There are 3 additional records for the species in Jackson 

County during breeding season (Janes et al. 2002). As the forest has suitable breeding habitat for the 

species and no effort has been made to survey for this species, it is assumed to potentially breed here. 

Breeding habitat consists of dense willows 5-8 feet in height. The surrounding forests can be lodgepole, 

Douglas fir, and/or spruce. Breeding starts in early June at the known sites but could be slightly earlier 

here due to the earlier season. 

Conservation: Any management activity that would impact mature willow riparian habitat has the 

potential for impacting this species. This would include road or bridge building, grazing or beaver 

introduction as examples. Surveying for this species during breeding season is relatively easy as the bird 

has a loud and distinctive call and often sings from an exposed perch. 

CALIFORNIA WOLVERINE (Gulo gulo luteus)

Marshall (1989) described wolverine habitat in Oregon as similar to what was described by Hornocker 

and Hash (1981) in Montana. In Montana, wolverines selected alpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa) forests over 

ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and spruce (Picea sp.), but 

showed some preference for lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) and western larch (Larix occidentalis). 

Wolverines tended to work large areas of scattered conifers but also pockets, rocky, and ecotonal areas. 

Young, dense conifer stands were used least. Wolverines were rarely located in burned-over or wet areas, 

and crossed but did not linger in clear-cuts (Hornocker and Hash 1981). 

Status of the wolverine in Oregon remains unknown. There are very few verifiable records for the State 

(Verts and Carraway 1998), none of which come from Jackson or Josephine Counties. Numerous 

carnivore surveys and a considerable amount of carnivore research have been conducted in southern 

Oregon and northern California in the past decade. 

These include, but are not limited to, over 150 baited camera stations on the High Cascades district of the 

RRSNF, numerous baited stations on the Diamond Lake R.D. of the Umpqua N.F., and surveys in the 

Ashland Watershed by agency biologists and private individuals in cooperation with the BLM, Southern 

Oregon University, and Forest Service. Radio-telemetry studies have been conducted on marten in 

northwestern California and on the Winema National Forest, and radio-telemetry studies have been 

conducted on fisher in northwestern California and the southern Oregon Cascades. All of these efforts 

have used carrion as bait; none have detected wolverine. 

In addition, the Winema, Umpqua, and Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forests have been conducting 

helicopter surveys in the Sky Lakes and Thielsen Wilderness areas for the past 3 years, which provide the 

highest quality wolverine denning habitat in southern Oregon based on known den sites (Magoun and 

Copeland 1998) and a wolverine den habitat model (Hart et al. 1997). Wolverine dens or tracks have not 

been detected with this effort. 
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Since virtually all studies of wolverines have shown their dependence on carrion as forage, and 

wolverines are known to den at high elevation at or above timberline, it appears highly unlikely that 

wolverines are resident in southern Oregon and northern California at the present time. 

Wolverines are known to make long distance movements and disperse across large areas. A wolverine 

was photographed in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California in February, 2008. Additional 

photographs and genetic samples were collected in March, 2008. Analysis of the genetic samples 

identified the individual as originating from the Rocky Mountains. Dispersing individuals from 

neighboring states have the ability to enter SW Oregon, therefore, there is potential for wolverines to be 

located in SW Oregon in the future.

PACIFIC FISHER (Martes pennanti)

The Pacific fisher was petitioned for listing by the Center for Biological Diversity and several other 

environmental organizations in November 2000. After a 12-month review, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service found Pacific fisher to be a distinct population segment (DPS) and gave a “warranted but 

precluded” decision to the petition, designating the West Coast DPS a Federal Candidate species (USDI 

Fish and Wildlife Service 2004). Other rankings include: U.S.D.A Forest Service, Region 6 – Sensitive, 

Region 5 - Sensitive; U.S.D.I. Bureau of Land Management, Oregon – Sensitive, California - Sensitive; 

Oregon State Sensitive – Critical species, California State – Species of Special Concern; The Natural 

Heritage Program ranks this species as Globally demonstrably widespread (G5), Oregon State (S2) 

imperiled because of rarity or other factors, and ORNHIC List 2 (Lofroth et al. 2010). 

According to reviews, the fisher occurs from southern Yukon and southwestern Northwest Territories 

southeast through British Columbia and possibly extreme southeastern Alaska, Alberta, Saskatchewan, 

Manitoba, Ontario, southern Quebec, and New Brunswick to Nova Scotia. Its distribution extends south 

through several forested areas of the northeastern United States including Maine, New Hampshire, 

Vermont, northern New York, Pennsylvania, western Massachusetts, the upper peninsula of Michigan, 

and northern Wisconsin and Minnesota. There is also a population in West Virginia. In the western 

United States, fisher populations are known to occur in western Montana, the Idaho panhandle, the 

southern Sierra Nevada of California, the Klamath and Siskiyou mountains of northwestern California 

and extreme southwestern Oregon, and the southern Cascade Range of southwestern Oregon. The fisher 

may be extirpated from Washington (Lofroth et al. 2010). However, there has been a recent fisher 

reintroduction effort in the Olympic Peninsula in 2007 and 2008 (Lofroth et al. 2010). 

The geographic distribution of fishers in the Pacific Coast states has been greatly reduced in extent from 

pre-settlement conditions. Prior to extensive European settlement, the fisher occupied most coniferous 

forest habitats in Washington, Oregon, and California (Lofroth et al. 2010). Persistence of fishers in 

Washington is questionable. Lewis and Stinson (1998) reported that the fisher is very rare in 

Washington. Extensive surveys by the Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Forest 

Service have failed to locate a fisher population, or confirm the presence of a fisher in areas where recent 

reports are concentrated (Lewis and Stinson 1998). Fishers have recently been reintroduced on the 

Olympic Peninsula. One telemetry study and several surveys conducted by various agencies and 

individuals have documented fishers in the southern Oregon Cascades and Siskiyou Mountains (Lofroth 

et al. 2010). The presence of fishers in California is well-documented (Lofroth et al. 2010). 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has determined that fishers in the Cascade Range and all areas west, 

to the coast in Oregon and Washington; and in California, the North Coast from Mendocino County north 

to Oregon, east across the Klamath Mountains, across the southern Cascade Range and south through the 

Sierra Nevada as the West Coast Distinct Population Segment (USDI Fish and Wildlife Service 2004). 
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Currently, there are two documented populations in southern Oregon which appear to be genetically 

isolated from each other (Aubry et al. 2004). This is considered to be due to the presence of potentially 

strong ecological and anthropogenic barriers including the white oak savanna habitat of the Rogue Valley 

and Interstate 5. 

Based on DNA analyses, individuals in the southern Oregon Cascades appear to be descendents of 

animals re-introduced from British Columbia and Minnesota during the late 1970s and early 1980s by the 

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (Drew et al. 2003). Animals in the eastern Siskiyou Mountains 

of Oregon are genetically related to individuals in the northwestern California population, which is 

indigenous (Lofroth et al. 2010). 

Two recent surveys that have incorporated hair snaring and subsequent DNA analysis as a component 

have identified fishers near the Ashland Watershed as members of the indigenous population (Aubry et al. 

2005, Farber and Criss 2005). 

A local population area is defined as those individuals residing within the entire Mt. Ashland LateSuccessional Reserve (LSR), and on Federal lands within 5 km of the LSR boundary, except on the 

eastern edge, where Interstate 5 defines the edge of the fisher local population area due to its potential to 

act as a barrier to movement and dispersal (see also cumulative effects). This buffer is derived from 

reported dispersal distances for female fishers in California and Oregon in the scientific literature and 

personal communications with researchers which have conducted fisher studies in southern Oregon and 

northern California. 

The total population is defined as all individuals residing in the Klamath-Siskiyou and California Coast 

Regions. Fishers in these 2 areas have been shown to be closely related through genetic analyses (Wisely 

et al. 2004). Fishers in the southern Oregon Cascade Range are introduced and not considered to be part 

of the total population. Estimates of fisher population size are based on 1) the cumulative mean home 

range size of female fishers (10 km2

) reported in 7 studies in northern California, and 2) generally, fisher 

home range sizes increase in size from south to north (Lofroth et al. 2010). Female dispersal distances 

were analyzed because dispersal distances for juvenile male fishers are widely variable, are likely 

influenced by intra-specific competition with resident males, and males in some populations have been 

shown to have non-breeding season home ranges separate from the general population (Aubry and Raley 

2006). 

Because the local population being analyzed is at the northern extreme of the California population, it is 

expected female fisher home ranges to vary from 10-20 km2

 in size, and male home ranges to vary from 

25-45 km2

 in size. The local population area is defined as 653 km2. This equals approximately 33-65 

female home ranges and 15-26 male home ranges. Assuming the habitat is fully occupied by both male 

and female fishers, there is no overlap of territories within sexes, and there is complete overlap between 

sexes, the local population estimate is 48-91 resident fishers. This is likely a liberal estimate of 

population size because generally, not all suitable habitat within an extant population’s range is occupied. 

Carlos Carroll estimated the entire northern California-southwestern Oregon (total) fisher population as 

1,000-2,000 individuals (Center for Biological Diversity 2000). 

Fishers exhibit intrasexual territoriality, where individuals defend a home range against members of the 

same sex, but there is considerable overlap between sexes. These territories are maintained year-round 

except at times during the breeding season when males may trespass on each other’s territories while they 

search for receptive females (Powell 1993). 
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In Oregon, the breeding season begins in early February when adult males became more active and start 

to make longer distance movements. Males sometimes moved well beyond their non-breeding season 

home ranges, presumably to find reproductive females (Aubry et al. 2004). Mating occurs shortly after 

parturition, although the fertilized eggs do not implant for approximately 10 months. Active pregnancy 

typically begins in February and lasts until March or early April, when fishers give birth to an average of 

2 to 3 kits (Lofroth et al. 2010). In southwestern Oregon, adult females gave birth to kits from about 17 

March to 5 April, and the natal denning period lasted until late-May or the beginning of June (Aubry and 

Raley 2006). 

The size of fisher home ranges varies both regionally and by habitat condition, although male home 

ranges are generally larger than those of females. Home range size for fishers is likely related to the 

availability of resources, including abundance and diversity of prey and suitable habitats for den and rest 

sites. Male home range sizes may also be influenced by the availability of females. Mean home range 

sizes of males in the southern Cascades of Oregon was 147 km2 during the breeding season and 62 km2

during the non-breeding season compared to female home ranges of 25 km2

 (Lofroth et al. 2010). Male 

home ranges near the north coast of California averaged 58 km2

 compared to 15 km2 for females (Lofroth 

et al. 2010). 

Seasonal movements are generally related to the breeding period for males. In southwest Oregon, male 

home ranges were twice as large during the breeding season compared to the non-breeding season (Aubry 

and Raley 2006). One adult male who resided on the east slope of the Cascade Range during the nonbreeding season traveled approximately 30 km across the Cascade crest to the west slope during 3 

successive breeding seasons (Aubry et al. 2004). Aubry and Raley (2006) used fixed-wing aircraft to 

monitor two adult males during the breeding season and reported that a 3 year old male occupied a 226 

km2

 area, and a 6 year old male occupied a 100 km2 area. The younger male made excursions far to the 

south of his non-breeding season home range, and the older male moved primarily within his nonbreeding home range with some excursions beyond his usual activity area. During the denning season, 

females on the Hoopa Reservation used an average of 3.1 dens/season and moved kits a cumulative 

average distance of 871 m with a range of 85-2,228 m. Dens were located an average of 414 m apart. 

Despite the distance between den structures, dens used each year were located within a small, 

concentrated area of each females home range (Mathews 2006). In southwestern Oregon, when females 

moved their kits from the natal den, subsequent use of maternal dens was variable. Females that only had 

1 kit were relatively mobile and few maternal dens were found. In contrast, when females had ≥2 kits, 

maternal dens were found regularly and at least some of the dens were used for >2 weeks (Lofroth et al 

2010). 

At 2-3 months of age, juveniles begin foraging for themselves, though they remain on their mother’s 

home range until they disperse at 6-12 months of age (Powell 1993). Riparian corridors (Heinemeyer and 

Jones 1994) and forested saddles between major drainages (Buck 1983) may provide important dispersal 

habitat or landscape linkages for fishers. 

Reported dispersal distances for fishers vary. In a study in Maine, dispersal distances ranged from 4 to 19 

km, and there was no significant difference in dispersal distances between males and females (Arthur et 

al. 1993). The authors believed that these dispersal distances were short compared to the size of an adult 

home range, and probably resulted from the study population being trapped, creating many unoccupied 

home ranges. However, these dispersal distances are not greatly different from those reported in Oregon 

and California. In the southern Oregon Cascades, Aubry and Raley (2006) documented 7 juvenile 

dispersals (4 females, 3 males). By approximately the end of May, most 1-year-old fishers had settled 

into the area where they eventually established a home range. Males dispersed an average of 29 km, 

mean dispersal distance of females was 6 km. Two of the 4 females did not disperse from their natal 

areas; these females appeared to establish home ranges adjacent to and slightly overlapping their mother’s 

home range (Aubry and Raley 2006). 
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On the Hoopa Reservation in northern California, 1 female dispersed 1-2 km from her natal den and set 

up a home range. Another female moved up to 10 km from her natal den and was apparently moving 

towards her mother’s home range when she died. One male dispersed 3-4 km from his natal den and set 

up a home range. There has been high turnover in female fishers in recent years on the Hoopa 

Reservation, suggesting that there are a high percentage of vacant home ranges that could be occupied by 

dispersing individuals (M. Higley 2007, pers. comm.). 

Powell (1993) reported that the primary prey of fishers throughout most of their range is snowshoe hares 

(Lepus americanus) and porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum). Although the fisher is reported to be a 

specialist in late-seral, mixed conifer-hardwood forests, recent analysis of the diet of fishers in the 

southern Sierra Nevada portray an opportunistic predator with a diverse diet. Zielinski et al. (1999) 

characterized fisher diets by analyzing 201 fisher scats and found that mammals were the most frequent 

food item. Reptiles (20.4%) and insects (55.7%) were also major components in the diet (Zielinski et al. 

1999). In southwest Oregon Aubry and Raley (2006) analyzed 303 scats from 11 female and 84 scats 

from 8 male fishers. Food items from 5 major taxa groups were identified; Mammalia (female 85%, male 

76%), Aves (female 28%, male 27%), Reptilia (females 7%, males 5%), Insecta females (25%, males 

27%), and Planta (females 14%, males 13%). Their results suggested that female fishers were capturing 

smaller-bodied prey more frequently than larger-bodied prey, and males were capturing larger-bodied 

prey more frequently. Aubry and Raley (2006) also found evidence that males, but not females were 

preying upon porcupines. These findings suggest that fishers, at least in the western states, are a 

generalist predator. 

The fisher is one of the most habitat-specialized mammals in western North America (Buskirk and Powell 

1994). Specialization appears to be tied primarily to denning and resting habitats. The varied diet of 

fishers suggests they may forage in a variety of habitats. 

Fishers use landscapes at different spatial scales for different behaviors and activities (Powell 1994, Weir 

and Harestad 2003). For example, fishers may establish their home ranges at the landscape scale, forage 

at the patch scale, and select habitat for resting or denning at the patch scale as well as at a finer scale of 

habitat characteristics of elements within a patch (Powell 1994, Powell and Zielinski 1994, Weir and 

Harestad 2003). 

Several studies have shown that fishers appear to be highly selective of resting structures (Lofroth et al. 

2010. In California, Zielinski et al. (2004) found that resting structures were in the largest diameter trees 

available. Average dbh for live conifers was 117 cm for live conifers, 120 cm dbh for conifer snags, and 

69 cm dbh for hardwoods. On the Hoopa Valley, and Shasta-Trinity study areas, Yeager (2005) 

determined that rest trees used by fisher had a significantly larger dbh than the average dbh of the four 

largest trees on the rest site plots. In the Hoopa Valley, the rest tree was one of the four largest trees on 

91 percent of the rest site plots measured, and was the single, largest tree on 46 percent of the rest site 

plots. In southwest Oregon, Aubry and Raley (2006) reported that the average diameter of live trees used 

by females for resting was slightly greater than those used by males: 88 cm dbh versus 64 cm dbh. 

In California, Zielinski et al. (2004) found that fishers select rest sites with significantly higher canopy 

closure immediately adjacent to the rest site (93.4 %) when compared to random sites (88.8%). Yeager 

(2005) reported that on the Hoopa Valley study area, 86.8 % of all rest sites had more than 50% canopy 

cover and 59.7% had greater than 75% canopy cover. At Shasta-Trinity 97.6% of all rest sites had more 

than 50 % canopy cover and 87.5% had greater than 75% canopy cover. In SW Oregon fishers selected 

rest sites with canopy closure greater than 80% (Aubry and Raley 2006). 
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In the southern Oregon Cascades, Aubry and Raley (2006) located and typed 641 different resting 

structures. Fourteen percent of the rest structures were reused by the same animal on more than 1 

occasion, and 3 %were used by another radio-collared fisher at some time during the study. Both male 

and female fishers primarily used live trees for resting. Use of logs and cull piles by females and males 

was similar. Females used a greater proportion of snags for resting than males. Both male and female 

fishers used mistletoe brooms in live trees more than any other micro-site (females 31%, males 21%). 

Mistletoe brooms in live trees were suspected rest sites for an additional 44% of live trees used by 

females, and 33%of live trees used by males. Rodent nests were used in 24% of the trees used by male 

fishers. 

Cavities in both conifers and hardwoods are used by fishers for resting. However, to create suitable rest 

cavities, trees must be old enough to have suffered the type of stresses that create infection courts for 

heartrot fungi, and large enough to form cavities large enough to be used by fishers (Lofroth et al. 2010). 

Large trees also provide platform-type resting structures such as mistletoe brooms, clumped branches that 

support rodent nests, or rust brooms that can support the weight of fishers. Once these large trees die and 

fall, they become the type of log that fishers have been known to use as rest sites. Removal of understory 

and mid-story canopies around large structures may also reduce the effectiveness of the structure as a 

secure rest site because they contribute to the microclimate of the site. Under- and mid-story canopies 

probably also provide some protection for female and juvenile fishers from predation or harassment by 

large raptors and mobbing by corvids because sight distance is reduced in dense, multi-storied stands. 

As with resting structures, both conifers and hardwoods provide habitat for fisher dens. Yeager (2005) 

categorized 18 fisher dens in the Hoopa and Shasta-Trinity study sites. Sixteen were located in 

hardwoods, and 2 in conifers. Of these 18 dens, all but 3 were located in live trees. On both study areas, 

black oaks were used in 50% of all dens categorized. Other species used were tanoak, white oak, canyon 

live oak, chinquapin, Douglas-fir, and ponderosa pine. In southwestern Oregon, Aubry and Raley (2006) 

located 13 natal and 18 maternal dens. For natal dens, fishers used both live trees and snags with 

openings that accessed hollows created by heartwood decay. The most commonly used tree species were 

incense cedar, true fir, and western white pine. Douglas-fir, incense cedar and true firs were used as 

maternal dens. Structures used for maternal dens were more variable than those used for natal dens, and 

included cavities in the bole or butt of large live trees and snags, and large hollow logs (Aubry and Raley 

2006). Natal den trees need to be large enough to accommodate a cavity capable of containing an adult 

female fisher and multiple kits (Aubry and Raley 2006). In the southern Cascades of Oregon, the average 

dbh and height of live trees used for natal dens was 92 cm and 40 m respectively. The average dbh and 

height of snags used for natal dens was 89 cm and 26 m respectively (Aubry and Raley 2006). 

Based on their diverse diet, fishers appear to be a generalist predator that is opportunistic in its foraging 

strategies (Lofroth et al. 2010 Lofroth et al. 2010). There is some indication of seasonal variation in the 

fisher’s diet (Zielinski et al. 1999) which is likely linked to seasonal abundance of prey and forage 

species. While fishers require structures provided by older aged or residual stands for denning and 

resting, they appear to use a broad array of stand conditions for foraging. 

Weir and Harestad (2003) found that fishers exhibited selectivity for stands and patches with high 

volumes of coarse woody material (CWM) and specific closures of high and low shrub layers. However, 

they hypothesize that an overly complex forest floor may affect the hunting success of fishers by reducing 

the likelihood of capturing prey. Fishers avoided stands with >80% closure of the low shrub layer. Jones 

and Garton (1994) found that fishers did not use non-forested sites while resting or hunting, but did use 

pole-sapling forests for hunting significantly more than for resting. The inclusion of berries in the fisher’s 

diet suggests that they do forage, at least occasionally or seasonally, in forest gaps or along edges of 

forested stands where many fruit-bearing shrubs and forbs are found. 
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PACIFIC PALLID BAT (Antrozous pallidus)

Pallid bats are known to occur throughout SW Oregon and NW California. Suitable roost habitat types 

include buildings, bridges, rock outcrops, and large decadent snags. Pallid bats have been captured from 

several sites on the RRSNF, including some locations in the Applegate area. They have also been 

captured at a site just south of Pilot Rock at 4,500 feet in elevation, southeast of the Analysis Area (Dave 

Clayton pers. obs.). Pallid bats are known to roost under loose bark of large snags and within rock 

crevices (D. Clayton, pers. obs.). 

TOWNSEND’S BIG-EARED BAT (Corynorhinus townsendii)

Townsend’s big-eared bats occur in a wide variety of habitats, its distribution tends to be geomorphically 

determined and is strongly correlated with the availability of caves or cave-like roosting habitat (e.g., old 

mines). The species may also use hollow trees for roosting. Suitable roosts sites and hibernacula fall 

within a specific range of temperature and moisture conditions. Moths make up the majority of the diet 

for C. townsendii. 

PACIFIC FRINGE-TAILED MYOTIS (Myotis thysanodes)

Verts and Carraway (1998) considered M. thysanodes a cave-dwelling bat, even though most of the 

specimens they examined were from buildings. In SW Oregon, they are considered a snag obligate 

rooster (Cross 1997). It appears to be adapted to living in areas with diverse vegetative substrate. 

NORTHWESTERN POND TURTLE (Actinemys marmorata marmorata)

Northwestern pond turtles are capable of living in a wide variety of aquatic habitats. The northwestern 

pond turtle inhabits marshes, ponds, lakes, reservoirs, sloughs, and slow moving portions of creeks and 

rivers (Nussbaum et al. 1983). Pond turtles may also be found in abandoned gravel pits, stock ponds, and 

sewage treatment plants (Holland 1994). In the Rogue River drainage, records of pond turtle sightings are 

almost equally divided amongst rivers, larger-order streams, and small ponds (Holland 1994). 

The size of habitats used by northwestern pond turtles is quite variable from place to place. Turtles have 

been observed using small ephemeral ponds only a few square meters in size (Holland 1994). On the 

other hand, turtles are also known to live in Upper Klamath Lake which covers an area of several dozen 

square kilometers. In areas where water is present only part of the year, turtles aestivate in the mud in the 

watercourse or in upland areas during late summer or early spring (Holland 1994). Pond turtles seem to 

prefer areas that possess some type of refugia such as undercut banks, submerged vegetation, rocks, logs, 

or mud (Nussbaum et al. 1983, Holland 1994). Areas containing basking sites for thermoregulation such 

as rocks, logs, or emergent vegetation are also preferred (Nussbaum et al. 1983, Holland 1994). Partially 

submerged logs, vegetation mats, mud banks, rocks, and tree branches provide areas for sunning 

(Nussbaum et. al. 1983, Stebbins 1985). 

OREGON SPOTTED FROG (Rana pretiosa)

The Oregon spotted frog was recently split into two separate species, with the closest species retaining the 

original common and scientific name (USGS 2005). The Oregon spotted frog ranges into southern 

Oregon along the east side of the Cascades (Jones et al. 2005, Corkran and Thoms 1996). This places the 

Forest outside the range of the spotted frog. 

This species was once common on the west side of the Cascades but has disappeared from former habitats 

that have been altered or infiltrated by bullfrogs (Rana catesbiana). High lakes in the Cascades are 

considered potential habitat west of the Cascade crest (Nussbaum et al. 1983). Lakes and ponds are their 

preferred habitat, and they can even lay their egg masses in shallow, flooded wetlands. 
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On the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, the High Cascades Ranger District has the most likely 

potential habitat based on proximity to the current range. Surveys were conducted on the Cascades RD in 

2006, no spotted frogs were found. 

FOOTHILL YELLOW-LEGGED FROG (Rana boylii)

The foothill yellow-legged frog lives in or near streams with rocky or gravel substrates (Nussbaum 

et al. 1983, Cockran and Thoms 1996). Streams with sandy or muddy bottoms are occasionally 

used as are moist, rocky outcrops (Nussbaum et al. 1983). Adults commonly live amongst sedge 

clumps at the edges of deep pools, amongst cobbles on the bottom of pools, or in bedrock at the 

edge of the main stream channel (Cockran and Thoms 1996). Eggs are deposited during late 

spring or early summer in clusters attached to rocks on the bottom or edges of streams (Nussbaum 

et al 1983, Cockran and Thoms 1996). Tadpoles live in pools for three to four months before 

metamorphosing into adults (Nussbaum et al. 1983, Cockran and Thoms 1996). 

There are several known sites on the Forest in the Applegate, Illinois, Elk Creek, and lower Rogue 

River and Coquille watersheds. 

SISKIYOU MOUNTAINS SALAMANDER (Plethodon stormi)

The Siskiyou Mountains salamander (PLST) is closely associated with rocky environments (talus, rock 

crevices, etc., and in periods of very wet weather, individuals may be found under surface debris, but 

will always be near sheltering rocks (Nussbaun et al 1983). Talus occurring on well-forested north 

slopes supports the highest populations of this species. Ollivier et al. (2001) found that the species was 

closely associated with late-successional forest and high canopy closures. In the dry summer season 

they retreat into the substrate (Olson et al. 2007). The Siskiyou Mountains salamander is only found in 

an approximately 150,000 ha area of northwestern California and southwestern Oregon. It occurs 

primarily in northern Siskiyou County, California, southern Jackson County, Oregon, and extreme 

southeast Josephine County, Oregon. It has been found from 488 to 1830 m (1,488-6,000 ft) elevation; 

recent surveys have found new locations and extended the range. 

The US Fish and Wildlife Service has received a petition to list the Siskiyou Mountains 

salamander as Threatened or Endangered. A Conservation Strategy (Olson et al. 2007) has been 

developed that describes the management actions necessary to manage the Siskiyou Mountains 

salamander to maintain well-distributed populations across the known range and to avoid a 

trend towards listing as described in USFS Sensitive Species direction (FSM 2672.1, FSM 

2670.22, FSM 2670.45, FSM 2621.2).

The Conservation Strategy (Olson et al. 2007) would be applied in the Applegate Watershed on federal 

lands administered by Forest Service, Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, Siskiyou Mountains Ranger 

District, and the Bureau of Land Management, Medford District, Ashland and Grants Pass Resource 

Areas. Using habitat associations’ research, a high potential habitat map has been developed for this 

species in the northern portion of its range, the Applegate Valley 4th field watershed (PLST CS 2007).

CALIFORNIA SLENDER SALAMANDER (Batrachoseps attenuatus)

In Oregon, the California slender salamander is only found along the southern Oregon coast 

(Cockran and Thoms 1996). This species is confined to humid, relatively low elevation coastal 

forests (Nussbaum et al. 1983, Cockran and Thoms 1996). California slender salamanders are 

most abundant in the redwood belt of northern California (Nussbaum et al. 1983, Cockran and 

Thoms 1996). During wet weather, individuals can be found on the forest floor under surface 

debris (Nussbaum et al. 1983, Cockran and Thoms 1996). During dry weather, individuals retreat 

to burrows in the ground or under or in partially-decayed logs (Nussbaum et al. 1983, Cockran and 

Thoms 1996). The range and habitat type for this species is located entirely on the Gold Beach 

RD within the Chetco river watershed. 
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BLACK SALAMANDER (Aneides flavipunctatus)

The black salamander ranges from a limited distribution in southern Oregon into Santa Cruz and Santa 

Clara Counties, California. In Oregon, the few records available indicate a small range in extreme 

southern Jackson and southeastern Josephine Counties (Leonard et al. 1993). Black salamanders are 

found in coniferous forests, mixed deciduous-coniferous forests, and open hillsides from sea level up to at 

least 1,700 meters in elevation (Nussbaum et al. 1983). Black salamanders are most likely to be found in 

the moist crevices of decaying logs or stumps, within moist to wet talus slopes, or under surface objects 

during wet weather (Leonard et al. 1993). 

Three specimens residing in the Southern Oregon College Reptile and Amphibian collection were 

tentatively identified as black salamander by Dr. Stephen Cross. These specimens were taken in May 

1971 from a mine shaft along the eastern border of the Asland RNA (Cross 1973). Six individuals (1 

adult male, 2 adult females, 1 subadult, and 2 juveniles) were located by Forest Service and FWS 

biologists conducting herpetological surveys for the AFR project in April 2004. The adults and sub-adult 

were located under a large boulder and the juveniles were found under debris associated with a large 

downed log. All of the individuals were found within a 10 meter radius within a dry, fairly open site. 

SISKIYOU SHORT-HORNED GRASSHOPPER (Chloealtis aspasma)

Distribution of this specie is in two general areas, one from southern Oregon, near the California border 

and the other in Benton County. The type locality is in the Siskiyou Mountains of Jackson County, 

Oregon (T41S R1E Sec13) where specimens were collected on a ridge between 5,000 and 5,800 feet 

elevation in a treeless summit bald covered with an almost impenetrable brushy scrub through which were 

scattered grassy areas (Rehn and Hebard 1919). 

This species occurs in grassland/herbaceous habitats. It appears to be associated with elderberry plants. 

Females may lay their eggs in the pith of blue elderberry plants, Sambucus caerulea Raf. (Foster 1974). 

This plant is native from Alberta, Canada to Mexico. It grows in gravelly, rather dry soils on stream 

banks, margins of fields, woodlands. Blue elderberry is a deciduous plant with handsome showy clusters 

of white flowers, and the attractive dark blue berries. 

Females lay eggs in the pith of elderberry stems in the summer (Foster 1974). The eggs hatch the 

following year. Juvenile stages forage in open meadows near the ground. Juveniles look similar to the 

adults except the wings are much shorter and the individuals are smaller. 

CORONIS FRITILARY (Speyeria coronis coronis)

A relatively large (~3in.) butterfly that occurs in lower Rogue & Illinois River valleys of Jackson and 

Josephine counties. It is expected in Coos, Curry and Douglas counties. This species is locally 

distributed in the Siskiyous. 

The Coronis fritillary inhabits lower elevation canyons and grasslands as well as mid-montane meadows 

and forest margins and openings (Pyle 2002). Caterpillars spend winter in first instar before feeding (Pyle 

2002). In spring larvae feed mostly on Viola hallii, found in rocky serpentine habitats. Adults seem to 

move uphill shortly after emerging, probably in search of nectar (Warren 2005). Adult’s nectar on bull 

thistle, other composites, and chokecherry (Pyle 2002). Females, at least, apparently return to basin 

habitats later in the season to deposit eggs. The single annual brood flies from mid-May to midSeptember. 

MARDON SKIPPER (Polites mardon)

Mardon skippers use a variety of early successional meadow habitats which appear to vary by region 

(Kerwin 2007). Populations in southern Oregon occupy small (less than 0.25 to 4 ha (0.5 to 10 ac)), highelevation (1,372 to 1,555 m (4,500 to 5,100 ft)) grassy meadows within mixed conifer forests.
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Seven or eight locations were known from the Cascade Mountains in Southwest Oregon, most bordering 

the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, with populations ranging from a few to approximately 200 

individuals (Kerwin 2007). In 2005, searches and surveys of populations on BLM and Forest Service 

lands in southern Oregon discovered several new sites. There are now a total of 23 known sites in 

southern Oregon. One site is on the RRSNF and is approximately 8 km north of the nearest site on BLM 

lands. Another locality is a complex of sites on both BLM and Forest Service lands north of Dead Indian 

Memorial Road. Several more sites were located adjacent to known sites on BLM lands. One day counts 

at sites ranged from one butterfly to over 70 butterflies (Kerwin 007). 

Surveys for various alpine butterflies were conducted from May thru August 1996 along the Siskiyou 

Crest, including the Mt. Ashland area (Nice and VanBuskirk 1996). Mardon skippers were not detected 

along the Siskiyou Crest with this effort. 

INSULAR BLUE BUTTERFLY (Plebejus saepiolus littoralis)

This butterfly is a subspecies of the common Greenish Blue that occurs across much of Oregon. Pyle 

(2002) states that the colony found on the coast of Curry and Coos Counties is this subspecies. It is 

unclear from the wording if this is the only location of that subspecies. The blues, as a whole, are 

difficult for even the experts to identify, so separating one subspecies from another of the Greenish Blue 

makes field surveys extremely difficult. 

Habitat described here is for the Greenish Blue species, as a whole. It is unknown of P.s. littoralis has 

unique preferences. This species prefers “lush wet meadows” (Pyle 2002). They nectar and lay eggs on 

various clovers and the caterpillars feed on the clover. 

The greatest threat to this species at the Forest level is the isolation of the small Coastal population. If it 

does occur on Forest Service lands local populations should be managed to maintain wet meadows 

through tree removal, and clover seeding. No surveys have been carried out for this species on the Rogue 

River-Siskiyou National Forest. 

HOARY ELFIN (Callophrys polios maritima)

This gray-brown butterfly occurs in isolated pockets in Oregon and Washington that are separated from 

the widespread population in British Columbia. On the Rogue River-Siskiyou, range maps show a single 

small population on the coast of Curry County near Pistol River, that probably does not reach Forest 

Service lands (Pyle 2002). Globally the species is found from coast to coast and from Alaska to New 

Mexico. Hoary elfins prefer open, exposed rocky habitats (coastal bluffs, mountains, heaths, etc.). Pyle 

indicates a tie to kinnikinnick where they overwinter in the chrysalis stage. 

The greatest threat to this species at the Forest level is the extreme isolation of the small Pistol River 

population. If it does occur on Forest Service lands local populations should be managed to maintain a 

healthy Kinnikinnick population. No surveys have been carried out for this species on the Rogue 

River/Siskiyou National Forest. 

JOHNSON’S HAIRSTREAK (Callophrys johnsoni)

This small brown butterfly occurs in isolated pockets in the western mountains of California up into 

British Columbia. On the RRSNF, range maps indicate a population in the coastal mountains of Coos, 

Curry and Josephine counties. A second population is in northern Jackson County around Crater Lake 

National Park. 

This butterfly is an old growth obligate and spends much of its time in the tops of mature conifer forests, 

making survey efforts extremely difficult. They do nectar on some plants, like Oregon grape and males 

come into damp earth sites, such as seeps and springs. Caterpillars feed on Pine dwarf mistletoe 

(Arceuthobium campylopodum) which grows on pines and others conifers. 
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It is also known to use coastal hemlock mistletoe. Timber harvest of mature forests may be a potential 

threat to this species. Other threats include spraying BT for tussock moth and other pests. 

FRANKLIN’S BUMBLEBEE (Bombus franklini)

Franklin’s Bumble Bee is a typical primitively eusocial bumble bee. Females are generalist foragers for 

pollen, especially from lupine (Lupinus) and California poppy (Eschscholzia), and for nectar, especially 

from horsemint (Agastache) and mountain penny-royal (Monardella). They may collect both pollen and 

nectar from vetch (Vicia) and rob nectar from it (P. Schroeder personal communication). Its nesting 

biology is unknown, but it probably nests in abandoned rodent burrows as is typical for other members of 

the subgenus Bombus. Its flight season is from mid-May to the end of September (Thorp et al. 1983). 

Franklin’s Bumble Bee has the most limited geographic distribution of any bumble bee in North America 

and possibly the World (Williams 1998). It is known only from southern Oregon and northern California 

between the Coast and Sierra-Cascade Ranges. Stephen (1957) recorded it from the Umpqua and Rogue 

River Valleys of Oregon. Thorp et al. (1983) also recorded it from northern California and suggested its 

restriction to the Klamath Mountain region of southern Oregon and northern California. Its entire 

distribution, including recent range extensions (Thorp unpublished), can be covered by an oval of about 

190 miles north to south and 70 miles east to west between 122o

 to 124o west longitude and 40o 58’ to 43o

30’ north latitude. 

It is known from Douglas, Jackson, and Josephine counties in Oregon and Siskiyou and Trinity counties 

in California. Elevations of localities where it has been found range from 540 feet (162 m) in the north to 

above 7800 feet (2340 m) in the south of its historic range. There is a known site located on the south 

side on Mt. Ashland. Recent surveys by Dr. Thorpe have failed to detect any individuals at any historical 

sites except for one lone individual located at the Mt. Ashland site in 2006. 

Threats include exotic diseases introduced via trafficking in commercial bumble bee queens and nests for 

greenhouse pollination of tomatoes (Thorp 2003, Thorp et al. 2003), habitat loss due to destruction, 

degradation, conversion; and pesticides and pollution. 

SISKIYOU HESPERIAN (Vespericola sierranus)

The Siskiyou hesperian can be found in riparian and other perennially moist habitats, in deep leaf litter 

and under debris and rocks. It has been collected from lower portions of slopes, but not in areas subject to 

regular flooding. It may occur along running water, such as small-order streams, or around permanent 

ponds and springs. Vegetation at sites includes Rorippa and skunk cabbage. 

PRISTINE SPRINGSNAIL (Vespericola sierranus)

Small, 2-3 mm height Elongate, pupilliform, white, translucent shell, Last whorl disjunct, reflected lip all 

around aperture. This genus has been recorded from California, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. This is 

a species of small springs and seeps and adjacent headwater streams. Currently only a single species 

known. This species is not known from the Rogue River Basin. 

CRATER LAKE TIGHTCOIL (Pristiloma arcticum crateris)

Members of this subspecies are in the subfamily Zonitinae, subgenus Pristiloma. They are very minute, 

solitary snails, up to 2.75 mm in diameter as adults, and best viewed under a dissecting microscope. The 

shell is depressed-globular in shape, has no umbillicus (imperforate) and has 5 1/2 tightly coiled whorls. 

The periphery of the shell is symmetrically rounded, with no angular shoulder. The live shell is pink or 

buff in color, smooth and very glossy. 
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The subspecies P. a. crateris differs from P. arcticum species in several ways. The periphery or shoulder 

of P.a. crateris is more symmetrically rounded, it is pinker in color than the normal golden or tawny shell 

color, it slightly less tightly whorled (5 1/2 whorls in 2.75 mm diameter for PRARC vs. 5-1/2 - 6 whorls 

in 2 mm for PRAR) the lip is thickened and reflected where it meets the base and the aperture is crescentshaped when viewed from below, and flatter on the base. Several similar species are found in the Pacific 

Northwest, of which P. lansingi is the most closely related. 

Pristiloma arcticum crateris may be found sparsely distributed throughout the Oregon Cascades, at 

moderate to high elevations, over 610 meters (2000 feet). It has been found from Winema National 

Forest in southern Oregon to the Bull Run Watershed in northern Oregon. 

This species may be found in perennially moist situations in mature conifer forests and meadows among 

rushes, mosses and other surface vegetation or under rocks and woody debris within 10 m. of open water 

in wetlands, springs, seeps and streams, generally in areas which remain under snow for long periods in 

the winter. Riparian habitats in the Eastern Oregon Cascades that are suitable for this species, limited to 

the extent of permanent surface moisture, are often much less than 10 m. from open water. Essential 

habitat components include un-compacted soil, litter, logs, and other woody debris in a perennially wet 

environment. 

PACIFIC WALKER (Pomatiopsis californica)

The Pacific walker is a small semi-aquatic snail found in wet leaf litter and vegetation beside flowing or 

standing water in shaded and humid areas. There are two documented sites for this species in Oregon. 

One site is in the Lower Millicoma River sub-basin in northern Coos County. This site is approximately 

6 miles from Coos Bay District BLM land, Umpqua Field Unit. The second site is near the Pacific Coast 

in Lane County, on the Waldport Ranger District of the Siuslaw National Forest land, in the Cape Creek 

sub-watershed of the Alsea River subbasin. The historic range of this species included all of the Pacific 

Coast, from southwestern Oregon to San Mateo County, CA. The range has also been described as being 

confined to within a half-mile of the coast (USDI Bureau of Land Management, 2008). 

ROBUST WALKER (Pomatiopsis californica)

The robust walker is a small semi-aquatic snail found in high flow protection areas of perennial seeps, 

rivulets, mud banks and marsh seepages. Sites for this species have been documented in southern Curry 

and Jackson Counties, on federal land in the Chetco and Winchuck River basins in the Chetco Ranger 

District and in the Josephine Creek watershed of the Illinois River basin in the Illinois Valley Ranger 

District, of Siskiyou National Forest. The Chetco River sites are within 3 miles of Coos Bay District 

BLM land, Myrtlewood Field Unit (USDI Bureau of Land Management, 2008). 

CHACE SIDEBAND AND TRAVELING SIDEBAND (Monadenia chaceana and Monadenia fidelis 

celeuthia) The chace sideband may be found within 30 m (98 ft.) of rocky areas, talus deposits and in 

associated riparian areas in the Klamath physiographic province and adjacent portions of the southwestern Oregon Cascades. Areas of herbaceous vegetation in these rocky landscapes adjacent to forested 

habitats are preferred (Duncan et al. 2003). 

Two individual specimens of M. chaceana were located by a contractor conducting herptile surveys for 

Ashland Forest Resiliency in 2004. These individuals were positively identified by Nancy Duncan 

(Region 6 mollusk expert). Protocol surveys were conducted on approximately 1,500 acres of the 

Ashland Watershed Protection Project (AWPP) in 1999. No Survey and Manage mollusks were 

identified during that effort. The RRSNF contracted with Siskiyou Co-op Inc. to conduct protocol 

surveys within the AFR Analysis Area. Surveys were conducted in 2006 and 2007, and completed by 

November, 2007. A total of 8,731 acres were surveyed. Five M. chaceana and 19 M. fidelis celeuthia

were collected and identified within the surveyed area. 
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GREEN SIDEBAND (Monadenia fidelis beryllica)

All known sites of this terrestrial snail currently occur in Curry County, Oregon. The type locality is in a 

patch of trees and brush near the mouth of the Pistol River, Curry Co., OR. Other areas with reported 

locations for this species include Port Orford, and “between the Sixes River and Winchuck River, mostly 

in sites near the Coast or west side of southern Oregon Coast Range. This is the dominant Monadenia on 

the west side of the Coast Range from Pistol River to the Winchuck River. 

It does not appear in adjacent California where Monadenia fidelis pronotis and Monadenia fidelis 

smithiana replace this taxon. Specimens which may be M. f. beryllica have also been collected in the 

Roseburg District BLM, in the Middle Fork Coquille River watershed. (Duncan, teaching collection). 

Another taxonomic entity, Monadenia fidelis baxteriana has been described from the immediate vicinity 

of Sisters Rocks, north of Ophir, in Curry County, OR., but it has a dark brown base, and is smaller (<30 

mm). 

Habitat generally occurs in stands with deciduous trees (including alder) and brush in wet, relatively 

undisturbed forest, at low elevations; also in low coastal scrub” (http://web.or.blm.gov/Mollusks/). Habits 

include seasonal climbing of trees in riparian areas and shelter in deep forest floor litter. Site from 

Roseburg BLM was in a proposed thinning unit, in a mixed conifer/hardwood community with heavy 

accumulations of residual down wood; the oldest live Douglas fir trees were approximately 80 years of 

age. This site was not in a riparian community.

SCALE LANX (Lanx klamathensis)

Type locality is the south end of Upper Klamath Lake, Klamath County, OR. The species occurs at a few 

spring-influenced sites in the Upper Klamath Lake area including the Link River and localities in the 

Winema NF and Upper Klamath Lake National Wildlife Refuge. The species may also occur in large 

streams and rivers draining into the Klamath Basin in the High Cascades RD of the Rogue River NF, and 

in Medford and Klamath Falls BLM. The Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge, CA had historic sites that 

may no longer be extant.

HIGHCAP LANX (Lanx alta)

The highcap lanx is a limpet like snail found in large rivers and major tributaries with stable cobbleboulder substrate and high water quality. Historical locations for highcap lanx include the counties 

Josephine, Jackson, and Curry along the Rogue River, including sites within the Siskiyou National Forest. 

However, sites on the Rogue River National Forest may be extirpated (Frest and Johannes 1995). 

OREGON SHOULDERBAND (Helminthoglypta hertleini)

The shell of this species is thin and delicate, pale golden brown, with a very narrow band of a darker 

shade, bounded below by an equally narrow band of a lighter shade; whorls five, regularly increasing in 

size; surface marked with fairly coarse growth ridges, and very irregularly scattered papillae; nuclear 

whorl with faint growth lines and a finely roughened surface; aperture not expanded; peristome simple 

and scarcely reflected (except in umbilical region) and slightly thickened interiorly; umbilicus narrow, 

half covered by the reflected basal wall. Maximum diameter, 18.5 mm.; minimum diameter, 15.3 mm.; 

altitude, 12.5 mm.; diameter umbilicus, about 2 mm. 

The range is Southwestern Oregon to Siskiyou, Shasta, and Tehama counties in California. The species is 

rare and known from a total of 16 sites. The Type Locality is along Route 66 east of Ashland, Oregon. It 

is known from the Klamath Province, including Jackson County, Oregon, on BLM Medford District, and 

Siskiyou County, California, with Shasta River sites on or adjacent to BLM land and near the eastern 

border of the Klamath National Forest. The species is expected to be found as far north as Douglas 

County, Oregon. 
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Rocky areas such as talus slopes, but also suspected of being found in areas with permanent ground cover 

or moisture, including rock fissures or woody debris. Oregon shoulderband may utilize rocky talus in 

open exposed slopes. Oregon shoulderbands were found in rocky areas associated with damp grassy 

areas, oak woodlands, and shrub lands, or in conifer forests closely associated with these habitat types. 

Shoulderband survey data analysis determined that they were not late-successional or old growth habitat 

dependent. Basalt talus, under rocks and woody debris in moist forests and shrubby riparian corridors. 

Given that little information is available about the habitat needs of the species, the following statements 

can be applied: In general, land snails cannot tolerate extremely dry (xeric) conditions, have restricted 

ranges, and are slow to disperse. Consequently, they may be very vulnerable to management activities 

that increase temperature, decrease moisture, or decrease food supplies available in populated sites. 

Habitat alteration by either human or natural means (including fire, herbicide use, recreation 

development, quarry development, road construction and major maintenance), over-collecting, and 

disturbance during aestivation may constitute a major threat to this species. 

KLAMATH RIM PEBBLESNAIL (Fluminicola sp.)

This is a genus of tiny aquatic snails in the order Prosobranchia, family Hydrobiidae. Since many of these 

taxa do not currently have published scientific names, it is recommended that references to the common 

name are more reliable that the use of any particular numbering system for the scientific name. The 

numbers listed above reflect the scientific name for the taxon used in the ISMS database and other Survey 

and Manage documents. 

Range: :Klamath – middle and upper Klamath river basin including upper Klamath lake and tributaries, 

Klamath Co., OR and Siskiyou Co., CA. known sites on Winema and Rogue River National Forests, 

upper Klamath lake national wildlife refuge and Medford BLM. Keene creek - middle Klamath drainage 

(jenny creek drainage), Jackson Co., OR site on Medford BLM. Lake of the Woods – SW side of upper 

Klamath lake drainage and lost river basin, Klamath Co., OR sites near the lake of the woods, Klamath 

BLM. 

This species occurs in the Klamath River Valley, it is not expected for the Forest, no further discussion 

will occur for this species in this analysis. 

EVENING FIELD SLUG (Deroceras hesperium)

One of the least-known slugs in the western United States, the evening fieldslug once had an extensive 

range in the West but is now distributed only in northwestern Oregon, the northern Olympic Peninsula, 

and the northeast coast of Vancouver Island. Called “a truly rare species” in the 2004 Survey and 

Manage species assessment, this slug is included in both the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest 

Service’s Special Status Species Program, but it has experienced drastic declines of 50 to 75 percent.

Scattered sites have been documented for this species in several provinces in Oregon, including both sides 

of the Oregon Cascades from Hood River to the Klamath River basin in Jackson County; and from the 

Elliot State Forest north in the northern Coast Range. The majority of currently documented sites occur 

on the eastern slopes of the Oregon Cascades. The type locality was in Oswego, OR, the paratype locality 

in Hood River. The range extends through western Washington and on to Vancouver Island, B.C. Low 

to mid elevations in the western Cascade Range to the Pacific Ocean and from northwestern Oregon 

through western Washington and onto Vancouver Island, B.C. No currently extant sites are known. 

Habitat is largely unknown but, based on limited information, includes varied low vegetation, litter, and 

debris; rocks may also be used. The Evening Fieldslug is associated with perennially wet meadows in 

forested habitats; microsites include a variety of low vegetation, litter and debris; rocks may also be used 

as refugia. Little detail is known about exact habitat requirements for the species, due to the limited 

number of verified sites. 
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Within the range of the species, loss or degradation of wetland habitat leading to loss of populations at 

occupied sites is considered to be the major threat to the species. The trend in condition of the habitats at 

the sites where it has been found is uncertain. Activities that lower the water table, alter the available 

moisture, compact soils, reduce litter and/or vegetative cover, or impact potential food sources (i.e., 

spring development or diversions, livestock grazing, heavy equipment use, ORVs, and camping on 

occupied habitats) could be deleterious to the survival and productivity of this and similar species. 

Natural porous soils and litter provide cover necessary for protection against temperature and humidity 

extremes, as well as for hiding or escape from predators. 

WESTERN RIDGED MUSSEL (Gonidea angulata)

The western ridged mussel occurs in all sizes of streams within mid to low elevation watersheds, 

inhabiting mud, sand, gravel, and cobble substrates. They can tolerate moderate amounts of 

sedimentation, but are usually absent from habitats with highly unstable or very soft substrates 

(http://web.or.blm.gov/Mollusks/). Western ridged mussels have been found in the Rogue, Umpqua and 

Willamette rivers of Oregon, however, it most abundant in the large tributaries of the Snake River and 

Columbia River in Washington, Idaho, and Oregon.

MIS SPECIES ACCOUNTS 

Five forest wildlife species and one group were selected as Management Indicator Species (MIS), as 

detailed in the 1990 Rogue River Land and Resource Management Plan (USDA Forest Service 1990). 

Indicator species were intended to serve as habitat surrogates used to suggest qualitatively the condition 

of the habitat they represent. These species include: 

 Black-tailed deer 

 Roosevelt elk 

 American marten 

 Northern spotted owl 

 Pileated woodpecker and other woodpeckers 

In addition to these species, the Siskiyou NF LRMP (USDA Forest Service 1989) identified the bald 

eagle and osprey as MIS. 

MIS and habitats include bald eagle (habitat along major rivers), osprey (habitat along large rivers), 

spotted owl (old growth forest), pileated woodpecker and American marten (mature/interior forest), 

black-tailed deer and Roosevelt elk (early successional forest stages, and woodpeckers/cavity nesters 

(wildlife trees [snags]). 

Black-tailed Deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus)

Black-tailed deer are year-round residents of the Forest and rely upon several different successional stages 

of vegetation to meet their life needs. Areas with heavy canopy closure are used during all seasons. In 

summer, areas of heavy canopy closure are used to facilitate thermal regulation during periods of high 

temperatures. During winter, heavy canopy closure moderates temperatures and intercepts snowfall 

during winter storms. The reduction of snow depth under heavy canopy reduces energetic expenditure 

during movements of deer and provides areas of browse that would normally be under the snow surface. 

Areas with little or no overstory canopy cover are important for deer as forage areas. Forest gaps and 

natural openings provide optimal conditions for shrubs and forbs to grow, which deer depend on for 

forage. 

Quality deer ranges provide both forested conditions for thermal regulation and hiding/escape cover 

interspersed with open areas for optimal foraging conditions. 
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Roosevelt Elk (Cervus elephus roosevelti) 

Elk typically prefer a grass and forb diet during spring and early summer then include more browse 

species after herbaceous plants become senescent. Elk requirements for thermal cover and forage areas 

are similar to black-tailed deer. 

Deer and elk are considered MIS for early successional forest habitat stages. Some neo-tropical 

migratory bird species, as well as other vertebrate species (bear, quail, rodents, etc.) require habitat 

conditions similar to those of deer and elk. Providing for deer and elk habitat should therefore provide 

habitat and population viability for other vertebrates. Habitat elements for deer are present throughout the 

entire Forest. Current deer populations are below Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife management 

objectives, however buck to doe ratios populations are increasing in the Applegate unit (ODFW 2008). 

American Marten (Martes americana)

Hargis et al. (1999) stated that in North America, American martens are closely associated with mature 

conifer stands with complete canopy closure, and small (<100m), limited, and interspersed openings that 

are used as forage areas. However, during helicopter surveys for wolverine in Sky Lakes and Thielsen 

Wilderness areas, marten tracks are frequently seen at and near timberline and in areas of more open 

(<60%) canopy closure. In Oregon, martens are distributed in the portions of the Coast Range and 

throughout the Cascade Range. A single marten was detected near Rough and Ready Creek on the 

Illinois Valley Ranger District of the RR-SNF in 2001 (Slauson and Zielinski 2001). Martens have been 

documented on numerous occasions in areas above 4,000 ft. elevation during forest carnivore surveys on 

the High Cascades Ranger District of the RRSNF. Marten have been documented south of Highway 140 

by USFS personnel and near Howard Prairie Lake during carnivore surveys conducted by the Medford 

District BLM (J. Stephens, pers. com.). 

In the western United States in winter, most prey are captured beneath the snow surface, but squirrels may 

be caught in trees (Buskirk and Ruggiero 1994). Snags, downfall, and large woody material provide 

cover, denning sites, and access points to forage areas below the snow (subnivean habitat). 

Diet of American marten is highly diverse. Zielinski and Duncan (2004) found that in the southern Sierra 

Nevada, diets of both marten and fisher were more diverse than previously reported for North America. 

Of the major taxonomic groups, mammals were most common followed by insects and plants (mostly 

fruits). 

Northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) is discussed as part of the Threatened species section 

of this Appendix. 

Woodpeckers/Cavity Nesting Birds:

Acorn woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus). An associated and important habitat element is oak trees 

and snags. 

Black-backed woodpecker (Picoides arcticus). This species is moderately associated with the major 

Mixed Conifer-Hardwood Forest habitat however this species occurs primarily in the Cascade Mountains. 

Downy woodpecker (Picoides pubescens). This species is generally associated (feeds and breeds) with 

the Mixed forest habitat type, and occasionally present in the Grasslands type. There is not a strong 

association with a particular structural condition. It may feed and breed in the project area providing that 

deciduous trees are present for feeding, and decadent, deciduous trees are present for nesting. It may also 

nest in snags. Important habitat elements are hardwood trees, and snags. The species may feed and breed 

in project area providing that decadent trees are present. The species may nest in snags. Important 

habitat elements are decadent trees, and snags. 
Draft Supplemental EIS APPENDIX C Page C-28 

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Motorized Vehicle Use on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest 

Hairy woodpecker (Picoides villosus). This species is generally associated (feeds and breeds) with the 

Mixed forest habitat type, and occasionally present in the Grasslands type. There is not a strong 

association with a particular structural condition. 

Lewis’ woodpecker (Melanerpes lewis). This species is closely associated with the oak habitat type 

though not strongly with any structural condition. Important habitat elements are hardwood trees, and 

snags. 

Northern flicker (Colaptes auratus). This species is generally associated (feeds and breeds) with the 

Mixed forest and the Grasslands habitat types. High canopy closure is negatively associated with this 

species presence. Snags or decadent trees are essential habitat components for breeding and feeding. 

Important habitat elements are hardwood trees, and snags. This is a relatively common species across the 

forest. 

Pileated woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus). This species is generally associated (feeds and breeds) with 

the Mixed forest habitat type, and present in the Oak habitat type. This species feeds and breeds in a 

variety of structural conditions especially in a landscape mosaic of habitat types. Decadent wood and 

snags are essential habitat components. This species is present across the forest. 

Red-breasted sapsucker (Sphyrapicus ruber). This species is generally associated with Mixed forest 

and the Oak habitat types. It is not strongly associated with any structural condition. For Oregon, the 

species is considered a fairly common permanent resident from western slope of the Cascades westward. 

Important habitat elements are hardwood trees, and snags. 

White-headed woodpecker (Picoides albolarvatus). This species is generally associated (feeds and 

breeds) with the Mixed forest habitat type but require a ponderosa pine component. In the Siskiyou 

Mountains they are generally found above 5,000 feet in elevation. There is not a strong association with a 

particular structural condition. Important habitat elements are pine trees and snags. 

Williamson’s sapsucker (Sphyrapicus thyroideus). This species is moderately widespread in Oregon 

and typically found on the east side of the Cascade Mountains. Its habitat association is not with those of 

the proposed project. There is not a strong association with a particular structural condition. 

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is discussed as part of the Sensitive species section of this 

Appendix. 

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus). This species is closely associated with open water (lakes, rivers, and 

streams). It breeds in major habitat types but only when adjoining open water. Osprey are regularly 

observed along the major rivers across the forest. 

Surveys and Monitoring MIS on the RRSNF

The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest uses a variety of methods to document MIS species, their 

population trends, and their habitats. These include field reconnaissance, in-house surveys, contract 

surveys, regional surveys, and surveys conducted by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and 

private entities. 

Northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) is discussed as part of the Threatened species section 

of this Appendix. 
Draft Supplemental EIS APPENDIX C Page C-29 

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American marten 

On the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, marten are only known to occur on the High Cascades, 

Wild Rivers, Gold Beach and Powers Ranger Districts. ODFW maintains records on Oregon furbearer 

harvest and catch/unit effort. These records include information on marten in the southern Oregon 

Cascades. Catch/unit effort and total kill is widely variable since 1990, with peaks in the late 1990’s. We 

recognize no apparent trend (positive or negative) in population numbers based on this information (see 

Table 1). 

 

Table 1. Annual County Harvest Summary from ODFW – Siskiyou NF & Rogue River NF 

Forest County

Total # of 

martens 

harvested 

(1969- 

present)

Range of 

years 

harvest was 

reported

Range of 

harvested 

marten/ year

Rogue River 

NF

Douglas 167 1971-1992 2-47 /year 

Jackson 47 1973-1994 1-12 /year 

Josephine 0 0 0 

Klamath 525 1969-1995 1-66 per year 

Subtotal 739 

Siskiyou NF

Coos 10 1969-1988 1-4 /year 

Curry 11 1969-1989 1-3 /year 

Josephine 0 0 0 

Subtotal 21 

The High Cascades R.D. conducted numerous presence/absence surveys for forest carnivores throughout 

the District during the 1990’s and 2000’s. This included approximately 150 baited camera stations and 

four years of helicopter tracking surveys in an attempt to locate wolverine. In addition, a 5 year fisher 

telemetry study was conducted by Keith Aubry of Pacific Northwest Research Station. Throughout these 

efforts, marten have been found to be prevalent at elevations ≥4,000 ft. These include numerous camera 

detections near Blue Rock on the eastern edge of the Rustler planning area and multiple track detections 

near the summit of Rustler peak during helicopter and ground surveys. Because martens are found at 

high-elevation habitats along the Cascade Crest, habitat for dispersal and population connectivity is 

maintained by the designated Wilderness system along the Cascade Crest and Crater Lake National Park. 

On the Siskiyou National Forest, the Chetco & Gold Beach R.D’s. conducted line trigger camera surveys 

at three locations (1992 & 1993), remote video camera surveys at 3 locations (1996), and snow track road 

transects on 218 miles (1994, 1997, 1998 & 1999) which detected martin at 4 locations. Powers R.D. 

conducted camera bait station surveys for marten and fisher at 53 locations between 1991 and 1998 which 

detected marten at 5 locations. 

Thirty four survey sample units (track plate, camera and snow track) were conducted on the Siskiyou 

National Forest from 1989-1998 (Slauson et al, 2001); 6 of 35 sample units detected marten, but excluded 

detections by snow track survey. This resulted in a 17.1% detection rate. 

The NRIS database contains 96 records for the Forest on marten occurrence ranging from 1963 to present. 

These records include visual observations, snow track surveys, scat identification and successful trapping 

efforts. The Wild Rivers R.D. has 18 records, the Gold Beach R.D. has 60 records, and Powers R.D. has 

18 records. 

Marten seem to prefer late-mature, old-growth and serpentine habitat types (Slauson 2004). The Siskiyou 

National Forest Plan (1989) estimated mature and old-growth habitat at 443,000 acres (41%) of the 

1,092,000 acres on the Forest. Currently, there is an estimated 368,400 acres (34%), the greatest loss of 

habitat occurred during the Biscuit Fire of 2002. 
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Motorized Vehicle Use on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest 

Black-tailed deer 

Black-tailed deer are found throughout the entire Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. The Forest falls 

within portions of six wildlife management units, see Tables 2 and 3. ODFW maintains annual records 

on Oregon ungulate harvest as well as annual population survey data. 

Table 2 - Management Benchmarks for Black-tailed deer in Oregon by Wildlife Management Unit or 

Sub-unit. 

Forest 

Wildlife 

Management 

Unit (Name) 

Data 

Siskiyou Sixes 

Post season 

buck ratio 

benchmark 

(bucks per 

100 does) 

3-year 

average 

buck 

ratio 

2004-

2006 

Population 

benchmark 

Spring 

population 

benchmark 

(deer per 

mile) 

3-year average 

deer/mile 2004-

2006 

Siskiyou Powers 20 11 

 

15,000 1.5 2.3 

Siskiyou Chetco 20 10 

 

6,500 1.6 2 

Siskiyou 

/ Rogue 

River 

Applegate 

15 19 

 

15,000 1.5 -- 

Rogue 

River Dixon 20 29 

 

12,000 5.7 3.0 

Rogue 

River Rogue 25 25 33,000 3.0 3.6 

 ** Two year average (2005-2006) 

Table 3 - Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 2010 Big Game Statistics publication reported the 

following information for black-tailed deer. 

 Bucks Per 100 Does 

Forest Unit 2008 2009 2010 Prior 3 year 

Average 

Benchmark 

Siskiyou Sixes 10 20 18 16 20 

Siskiyou Powers 6 10 12 9 20 

Siskiyou Chetco 24 30 25 27 15 

Siskiyou / 

Rogue 

River 

Applegate 33 23 31 29 20 

Rogue 

River Dixon 27 23 17 22 25 

Rogue 

River Rogue 47 28 33 39 15 
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Table 4 - 2010 Black-tailed Deer Population Trends 

 Deer Per Mile 

Forest Unit 2008 2009 2010 3 year 

average 

Benchmark 

Siskiyou Sixes 2.8 2.2 3.8 2.9 1.5 

Siskiyou Powers 2 1.7 2 1.9 1.6 

Siskiyou Chetco 0.9 1.2 1.4 1.2 1.5 

Siskiyou/ 

Rogue 

River 

Applegate 4.8 6.5 3.6 5.0 5.7 

Rogue 

River Dixon 4.3 5.0 4.5 4.6 3.0 

Rogue 

River Rogue 10.2 12.1 10.4 10.9 11.5 

In the Cascades, The majority of deer migrate out of the High Cascades R.D. to escape heavy snow cover 

and are found at lower elevation habitats during the winter months; deer are not as migratory in the 

Siskiyou Mountains. ODFW conducts surveys across the Forest for black-tailed deer including on the 

High Cascades R.D and on the Siskiyou Mountains R.D. The Central Point office of ODFW conducts 

spotlight surveys on the District during the spring/summer months, and camera detection stations along 

major migration routes in the fall. ODFW maintains herd composition ratios as well as population 

estimates for deer by Wildlife Management Units (WMU’s). The Oregon Black-tailed Deer Management 

Plan identifies declines in the overall population across the State, though not necessarily in individual 

WMU’s. The overall declines are suspected to be related to quality and quantity of habitat, higher 

incidences of disease, and higher rates of predation (ODFW 2008). ODFW’s annual spring deer counts 

show no significant change in deer/mile counted since the early 1970’s. Counts range from 4 to 15 

deer/mile with peaks in the late seventies thru early nineties. From 1993 thru 2004 deer counts declined 

somewhat, but have shown a relatively steady increase thru 2009 (Oregon Department of Fish and 

Wildlife, unpublished data). 

The Siskiyou Forest Plan (1989) estimated 47% of the Forest (505,000) would be managed for timber 

production and to provide a sustainable supply of forage. Thermal cover was estimated to be 57%, hiding 

9% and forage 12% in 1987. Herd size was estimated at 28,300 and was expected to average 28,500 

animals for 5 decades. The Northwest Forest Plan amended the Siskiyou Forest Plan in 1994 and 

designated 16% of the Forest as Matrix (managed for timber production). However, Matrix is estimated 

to have 52% unmapped riparian reserves which leaves an estimated 7% (78,713 acres) of the Forest to be 

managed for timber production & provide a sustainable supply of forage. 

Biscuit Fire (2002) converted approximately 140,000 acres of formally dominated forest habitat to 

brush/sapling (pioneer) plant communities which provide forage for deer & elk. Meadow habitat on the 

Forest is estimated at 7,000 acres. 

Current deer populations on the Siskiyou N.F. are below Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 

management objectives. Populations are stable within the Biscuit Fire (2002) perimeter. Outside the 

Biscuit Fire perimeter, populations are showing a downward trend due to loss of early seral habitat and 

other factors including disease, parasites and predation (personal communication Curtis Edwards, 

Wildlife Biologist, Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, January 2010). 
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Roosevelt’s elk 

Elk are found throughout the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, except within the Applegate 

Management Area. 

On the Rogue side of the Forest, elk are found throughout the High Cascades R.D. Elk on the District 

migrate seasonally to lower elevations on the Forest and corporate timber lands during winter to avoid 

heavy snow pack during winter. However, they may still be found on portions of the Rustler planning 

area during some winters depending on severity. ODFW conducts helicopter surveys annually to count 

elk numbers and determine bull/cow and calf/cow ratios. These flights include areas over the Rogue 

River-Siskiyou National Forest. Flights are generally conducted during February and March. Counts of 

elk by ODFW are variable by year and are highly influenced by snow loads. During winters with heavy 

snow loads, elk are more concentrated and are more easily detected by helicopter. During winters with 

low snow loads, elk are more dispersed and they are more difficult to locate. Data from ODFW’s elk 

census (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, 2010b) shows annual fluctuations, but in general, show 

a steady increase in elk numbers throughout the 1980’s. Elk numbers peaked in the early 1990’s and 

remained relatively stable until the early 2000’s when they show a slight decline. 

Current elk populations on the Siskiyou N.F. are below Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 

management objectives. Populations are stable within the Biscuit Fire (2002) perimeter. Outside the 

Biscuit Fire perimeter, populations are showing a downward trend due to loss of early seral habitat and 

other factors including disease, parasites and predation (personal communication, Curtis Edwards, 

Wildlife Biologist, Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, January 2010). 

The Forest falls within portions of six wildlife management units, see Table 5. ODFW maintains annual 

records on Oregon ungulate harvest as well as annual population survey data. 

Table 5 - The 2010 ODFW Big Game Statistics for Roosevelt Elk reported the following: 

Bulls Per 100 Cows

Forest Unit 2008 2009 2010 Prior 3 year

Average

Management

Objective

Siskiyou Sixes 11 12 17 13 15

Siskiyou Powers 24 17 18 20 10

Siskiyou Chetco 16 28 0 14 15

Siskiyou/

Rogue River Applegate          ‐‐  ‐‐  ‐‐  ‐‐  ‐‐ 

Rogue River Dixon 19 12 15 15 10

Rogue River Rogue 21 16 16 18 10

Table 6 - Roosevelt Elk Population Trends – Calves per 100 Cows 

Calves Per 100 Cows

Forest Unit 2008 2009 2010 Prior 3 year

Average

Siskiyou Sixes 32 36 27 32

Siskiyou Powers 27 40 29 32

Siskiyou Chetco 37 40 ‐‐ 25

Siskiyou/

Rogue River Applegate          ‐‐  ‐‐  ‐‐  ‐‐ 

Rogue River Dixon 37 24 32 31

Rogue River Rogue 34 36 30 33
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Table 7 - 2010 Roosevelt Elk Population Trends – Elk per Mile 

     Elk Per Mile

Forest Unit Miles

Traveled

Elk

Observed

2008 2009 2010 Benchmark

Siskiyou Sixes 500 947 .39 1.6 1.9 1.0

Siskiyou Powers 650 287 .45 0.4 0.4 1.2

Siskiyou Chetco 0 242 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 1.5

Siskiyou/

Rogue

River

Applegate  ‐‐  ‐‐  ‐‐  ‐‐  ‐‐  ‐‐ 

Rogue

River Dixon  ‐‐  112 1.26 1.7  ‐‐  2.5

Rogue

River Rogue  ‐‐  730  ‐‐  ‐‐  ‐‐  2.6

Pileated Woodpecker 

Pileated woodpeckers represent the composite needs of over 160 wildlife species which utilize mature 

forest (Siskiyou Forest Plan – FEIS, III-102 Rogue River NF LRMP 1990). 

Surveys on the Forest 

According to the Breeding Bird Survey (http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/bbs/bbs.html), approximately 57 

percent of all cavity nesting birds observed encountered on more than 14 survey routes, including 

woodpeckers of all species, across the western US have a positive population trend, including the blackbacked, pileated, and white-headed woodpeckers. 18 percent of this group has a significant negative 

trend, including some of the sapsuckers and the flicker. In Oregon State, the black-backed, sapsuckers 

spp., and downy woodpeckers all show a declining trend, while the pileated woodpeckers show a slight 

increasing trend. However due to small sample sizes 9<14 survey routes), low regional abundances, or 

imprecise data results, these trends are somewhat unclear (http://www.mbrpwrc.usgs.gov/bbs/credhm09.html). 

There are two long term Breeding Bird survey routes on the High Cascades RD that have been surveyed 

annually for the last fourteen years. The Whisky Springs route bisects the Rustler planning area and 

extends both north and south of the project area for several miles, while the Prospect route is just west of 

the project area, extending from Butte Fall up to Prospect. 

 

The Whiskey Springs route shows consistent observations of up to four species of woodpeckers, 

including pileated woodpecker (3.33/mile. Over the fourteen years of survey observation, this species 

trend has remained stable on this route. 

The Prospect route, just west and slightly lower in elevation than the Whiskey Springs route, shows 

consistent observations of up to six species of woodpeckers, including pileated woodpecker (1.17/mile). 

The pileated woodpecker’s trend has been stable on this route. 

Another long term survey route on the Forest is in the Applegate Valley. From 1992-2007, the Ruch BBS 

route shows the pileated woodpecker trends are stable or slightly increasing on that route. 

On the Siskiyou side of the Forest, on five long term breeding bird survey routes, the pileated woodpecker 

is stable on two routes, in decline on two, and there is no data for the species on one route 

(http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/bbs/bbs.html). 
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Woodpeckers 

Woodpeckers are found throughout the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. The composite snag 

needs of woodpeckers are an indicator for more than seventy five species that use cavities for nesting or 

denning. 

The Siskiyou National Forest LRMP (page IV-35) lists the following species as part of the “woodpecker 

group”: includes acorn, downy, hairy, pileated and white-headed woodpeckers, as well as northern 

flickers and red-breasted sapsuckers. 

The Rogue River National Forest LRMP lists the following species as part of the “woodpecker group”: 

downy, hairy, and northern flicker. 

According to the Breeding Bird Survey (http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/bbs/bbs.html), approximately 57 

percent of all cavity nesting birds observed encountered on more than 14 survey routes, including 

woodpeckers of all species, across the western US have a positive population trend, including the blackbacked, pileated, and white-headed woodpeckers. 18 percent of this group has a significant negative 

trend, including some of the sapsuckers and the flicker. In Oregon State, the black-backed, sapsuckers 

spp., and downy woodpeckers all show a declining trend, while the pileated woodpeckers show a slight 

increasing trend. However due to small sample sizes 9<14 survey routes), low regional abundances, or 

imprecise data results, these trends are somewhat unclear (http://www.mbrpwrc.usgs.gov/bbs/credhm09.html). 

There are two long term Breeding Bird survey routes on the High Cascades RD that have been surveyed 

annually for the last fourteen years. The Whisky Springs route bisects the Rustler planning area and 

extends both north and south of the project area for several miles, while the Prospect route is just west of 

the project area, extending from Butte Fall up to Prospect. 

 

The Whiskey Springs route shows consistent observations of up to four species of woodpeckers, 

including sapsuckers (2.67/mile), Hairy woodpeckers (2.67/mile), and flicker (5.25/mile). Over the 

fourteen years of survey observation, all four species have remained stable. White-headed woodpecker 

and black-backed woodpeckers were not detected at anytime on this route. 

 

The Prospect route, just west and slightly lower in elevation than the Whiskey Springs route, shows 

consistent observations of up to six species of woodpeckers, including sapsuckers (0.92/mile), acorn 

woodpecker (0.333/mile), downy woodpecker (0.75/mile) Hairy woodpeckers (0.58/mile), and flicker 

(7.50/mile). White-headed woodpecker and black-backed woodpeckers were not detected at anytime on 

this route. Four species show a slight negative trend (sapsucker, downy, hairy, and acorn), one species 

shows a stable trend (pileated) and the flicker is on an increasing trend. 

Another long term survey route on the Forest is in the Applegate Valley. From 1992-2007, the Ruch BBS 

route shows that hairy woodpecker, and flicker trends on this route seem to be stable while downy 

woodpeckers were only seen twice thus no trend is available for this species. 

On the Siskiyou side of the Forest, on five long term breeding bird survey routes, the hairy woodpecker is 

in decline on three routes and there is no data on the species on two routes. 

Of five long term breeding bird survey routes, the downy woodpecker is in decline on two routes and 

there is no data on the species on two routes. 

Of five long term breeding bird survey routes, the flicker is in decline on one route, stable on one route, 

and there is no data on the species on three routes. 
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Of five long term breeding bird survey routes, sapsuckers are stable or increasing on two routes, and there 

is no data on the species on three routes. 

The Biscuit Fire burned 499,965 acres on the Forest in 2001. The Siskiyou portion of the Rogue RiverSiskiyou National Forest accounts for 467,702 acres impacted by the fire. Forty-three percent of the total 

Siskiyou National Forest was burned by the Biscuit Fire. The Biscuit Fire was estimated to have created 

between 12 - 39 million snags (Biscuit Fire Recovery, FEIS Volume II-Appendix G-11). 

 

Table 8 - Amount of Areas Dominated By Dead Wood & Estimated Range of Total Numbers of Snags 

Size of Snags 

Acres with 

Dead Overstory 

% of Biscuit Fire 

Area (472,200 

acres) with Dead 

Over-story 

Total Snags: 

Low Range 

Total Snags: 

High Range 

9-21" dbh (about 

65% of trees are 

hardwoods) 

77,500 16% 11,022,000 37,203,000 

21-32" dbh 

(essentially all 

trees are conifers) 

67,000 14% 986,000 1,897,000 

>32" dbh 

(essentially all 

trees are conifers) 

23,400 5% 187,000 374,000 

>9" dbh 168,900 35% 12,195,000 39,475,000 

The Siskiyou National Forest contained an estimated 13% managed stands in 1989 and currently, there is 

an estimated 16% managed stands. Currently, 84% of the National Forest is in a natural stand condition. 

Woodpecker populations are expected to increase dramatically for 10-20 years as a result of the Biscuit 

Fire (Biscuit Fire Recovery, FEIS Volume II-Appendix E-34). 

 
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Eagle and Osprey 

Eagle and osprey are MIS species only on the Siskiyou side of the Forest. 

The Siskiyou National Forest Plan estimated 58,000 of prime bald eagle and osprey habitat (FEIS III-101-

2) of which 54,000 was safeguarded (FEIS II-195). Bald Eagle Recovery Plan 1986, pg 28, identified 

habitat as forests with large trees within 1 mile of a permanent body of water that posses a good supply of 

fish and/or waterfowl. 

Bald Eagle and Osprey primary habitat is within 1 mile of the: Rogue River; Illinois River below Eight 

Dollar Mountain; and Chetco River below the Wilderness boundary. (Personnel communication with Lee 

Webb, retired Forest Wildlife Biologist). 

The known bald eagle nest sites on the Siskiyou portion of the RRSNF have been monitored annually 

since 1982. There were two known nest sites on the lower Rogue River in 1989 when the Siskiyou Forest 

Plan was completed. One within the Wild Rogue Wilderness and another located on private land 1.5 

miles west of the Forest boundary. Currently there are three known nest sites on the lower Rogue River 

within the Forest as well as the one nest site 1.5 miles west of the Forest boundary. Productivity of these 

four nest sites average 1.03 young per year which is equal to the 5 year average for the state of Oregon. 

A minimum of 22 active Osprey nest sites were located within the Siskiyou portion of the RRSNF in 

1988. Most nests occurred along the Rogue River, with a few located on the Illinois, Coquille and Chetco 

Rivers. Ospreys were monitored annually from 1992 to 2001 on the lower Rogue River (Blossom Bar to 

the mouth). Active territories increased from 33 to 54 during this time period. Chicks produced per 

territory, where data was complete, ranged from 1.3 to 2.3 chicks per year. 

Currently, there is an estimated 40,000 acres of prime Bald eagle and osprey habitat. Ninety eight percent 

of which occurs within lands with no programmed timber harvest (i.e. “protected suitable habitat”) for 

nesting eagles and osprey. The majority of the loss in habitat can be attributed to the Biscuit Fire of 2002. 

NEO-TROPICAL MIGRATORY BIRDS/LANDBIRDS 

In 1918 the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) was passed to enforce a treaty between the United States, 

Mexico, and Canada. This law addressed the issue of poaching migratory birds - Under the M33TA, 

except as permitted by regulation, it is unlawful at anytime, by any means or in any manner, to pursue, 

export, import, transport, or carry any migratory bird. It is the position of the Federal Government that 

the prohibitions of the MBTA do not apply to land management activities of Federal agencies or their 

employees acting in their official capacities. 

In September, 2000, the USDA Forest Service Landbird Strategic Plan was released. This plan set forth 

goals and actions to assist meeting the Forest Service commitment to provide habitat for sustainable 

resident and migrant landbird populations and monitor their populations through time. An Executive 

Order (EO) 13186) was signed in 2001. Provisions within this document directed agencies to integrated 

bird conservation principles, measures, and practices into agency planning process, restore and enhance 

habitat of migratory birds as practicable, and ensure that analysis evaluates the effects of actions on 

migratory birds, especially species of concern. 

 
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Analysis is based on neo-tropical migratory birds/landbird focal species identified by Partners in Flight 

(PIF): Conservation Strategy for Landbirds in Coniferous Forest of Western Oregon and Washington. 

As per the Partners In Flight Bird Conservation Plan, ... if one provides all of the habitats to some degree 

over some landscape, then you will probably be taking care of most if not all of the landbirds in that 

habitat. The conservation emphasis is on ecosystems, habitats, and habitat conditions, not species.” 

Priority bird species for varying habitats within the fifth-field watersheds are summarized in Table 2. 

Bird conservation objectives are tied to focal species that represent habitat attributes and/or ecological 

functions of various forest age classes. For example, Vaux’s Swifts use large snags in old-growth 

systems, olive-sided flycatchers use residual canopy trees in early seral stages, and hermit warblers use 

the closed canopy in young to mature-aged forests. These habitats and their attributes, in certain 

quantities and combinations, should be maintained on landscapes in a shifting mosaic of conditions. 

Portions of the project area provide for nesting, dispersal, foraging, and cover for variety of bird species. 

Table C-1: Partners in Flight Focal Migrant Bird Species and Habitat 

Habitat Condition Habitat Attribute Bird Species 

Coniferous 

forest 

Old-growth 

/ Mature Large snags Vaux’s swift, pileated woodpecker 

Coniferous 

forest 

Old-growth 

/ Mature 

Large trees; conifer cones; 

mid-story tree layers 

Brown creeper; red crossbill; varied 

thrush 

Coniferous 

forest 

Mature / 

Young 

Varied canopy closure; 

deciduous canopy & 

understory; complex forest 

floor 

Hermit warbler; Hammond’s 

flycatcher; Pacific-slope flycatcher; 

Wilson’s warbler; winter wren 

Coniferous 

forest 

Young / 

Pole Deciduous canopy Black-throated gray warbler 

Coniferous 

forest Pole Deciduous subcanopy / understory Hutton’s vireo 

Coniferous 

forest Early-seral 

Residual canopy trees, snags, 

deciduous vegetation; nectarproducing plants 

Olive-sided flycatcher; western 

bluebird; orange-crowned warbler; 

rufous hummingbird 

Coniferous 

forest Unique Mineral springs Band-tailed pigeon 

Oak woodlands 

(including nonforested 

prairie) 

 

California quail, western screechowl, Nutall’s woodpecker, oak 

titmouse, wrentit, California 

thrasher, black-chinned sparrow 

The Klamath Bird Observatory (KBO) used standardized bird and vegetation monitoring methods (Ralph 

et al. 1993) to survey birds in the Ashland Watershed. To measure bird abundance and distribution 

during the breeding season (May-June) point counts were conducted at 136 stations within the Ashland 

Watershed between 2005-2007 (Stephens and Alexander 2005, Stephens and Alexander 2006, Stephens 

and Alexander 2008). Vegetation composition and structure were measured at each station. To measure 

abundance and distribution during the fall dispersal and migration season (September and October) KBO 

conducted 20-minute area searches at 70 stations in 2007 (Stephens and Alexander 2008). 

In 2007 KBO also began monitoring population demographics using constant effort mist netting 

techniques from May through October at an ecological monitoring station in the analysis area (Frey and 

Alexander 2008). 
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Partners in Flight focal species for Oregon coniferous forest and species of continental importance were 

detected in the Ashland Watershed during Klamath Bird Observatory's monitoring efforts from 2005 

through 2007 (Table 3). KBO has also predicted the response of these species to the proposed activities. 

The response to fuels reduction over the near and mid-term is predicted based on published literature 

(Seavy 2006, Rich et al. 2004, Marshall et al. 2003, Alexander 1999, Altman 1999) and KBO personnel’s 

expert opinion. 

OTHER RARE OR UNCOMMON SPECIES 

Flammulated owl (Otus flammeolus). This species is closely associated with the Mixed forest habitat 

type but it requires ponderosa pine in its habitat. This species is closely associated with multi-story, 

moderate-closed canopy closure structural conditions. Trees with cavities are an important habitat 

element for this species. 

Great gray owl (Strix nebulosa). The great gray owl in North America is found from Alaska south to the 

Sierra Nevadas in California, and east to Ontario and Maine. They are known to occur within the range 

of the northern spotted owl. Winter range is similar to the breeding range except for a species tendency to 

wander irregularly south in winter (Bull and Duncan 1993). 

In the Siskiyou Mountains of southern Oregon, great gray owls nest most frequently in late successional 

stands dominated by Douglas-fir located near forest edges (Fetz et al., 2004 in survey protocol), and 

predominately on north aspects. Birds tend to select nests near meadows or other openings that have 

sufficient prey, and will nest in a variety of habitat types as long as the required habitat characteristics 

exist: large diameter nest trees; forest for roosting cover, and proximity to foraging areas (survey protocol 

2004). Voles and pocket gophers comprise the majority of prey items, along with squirrels. 

Pygmy nuthatch (Sitta pygmaea). This species is associated with forest habitat types and is considered 

to require ponderosa pine as a habitat component. 

Oregon Red Tree Vole (Arborimus longicaudus). The Oregon red tree vole is a nocturnal, arboreal 

mammal specialized in feeding on needles of Douglas-fir and other coniferous trees (Maser 1998). The 

species is endemic to western Oregon (Verts 1998) primarily in coniferous forests of western Oregon 

(Csuti et al. 1997, Maser 1998). Red tree voles are most commonly found in Douglas-fir but may also be 

found inhabiting Sitka spruce and western hemlock in coastal areas. 

Red tree voles are usually associated with old-growth forests; however, they may occur in younger stands 

and may not be dependent on old growth for survival (Corn et al. 1988, Aubry et al. 1991, Corn and Bury 

1991, Gilbert and Allwine 1991). Nests are constructed of twigs and discarded resin ducts in the canopy 

of larger trees (Csuti et al. 1997, Maser 1998). Larger trees, at least 25 to 30 years old, are selected 

because they can provide the structural support for nests as well as adequate protection from inclement 

weather. In southwestern Oregon, the largest available trees are selected for nesting, even in old growth 

(Carey 1991). Abandoned nests of birds and other small mammals are also used (Maser 1998). The 

home range of the red tree vole is one or more trees (Brown 1985) and they can spend their entire lives in 

the forest canopy (Carey 1991). 

 
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