KIRWIN NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Kirwin, Kansas

NARRATIVE REPORT January 1 -- December 31, 1979

NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM Fish and Wildlife Service

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

KIRWin NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUOE Kirv/in, Kansas

NARRATIVE REPORT January 1 - December 31, 1979

NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM Fish and Wildlife Service

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

PERSONNEL

1. Keith S, Hansen, Refuge Manager, OS 11/7, PFT, EOD 06/26/68.

2. Theodore H. Stans, Refuge Manager, GS 7/2, PPT EOD 04/24/78.

3. Doris E. Hagroan, Administrative Clerk(Typing), GS 5/B, PFT, EOD 05/22/61.

4. Howard L. Stephens, Automotive Mechanic, WG 10/5, PFT, EOD 02/28/55.

5. Warren J. Stockman, Maintenance Worker, WG 7/5, PFT, EOD 11/09/59.

6. Eldon W. Sirschky, Tractor Operator, WG 7/3, PPT, EOD 04/12/76.

7. Scott E. Ross, Work Leader, GS 5/1700-Hour, PPT, EOD 07/16/79. Terminated 09/21/79.

Submitted By

Refuge

PA

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. GENERAL Page

A. Introduction 1 B. Cliraatic and Habitat Conditions 1 C. Land Acquisition 3 D. System Status 3

11• CONSTRUCTION MID MAINTENANCE

A. Construction 5 B. Maintenance 5 C. Wildfires 6

111• HABITAT MANAGEMENT

A. Croplands 7 B. Grasslands 8 C. Wetlands 8 D. Forestlands 8 E. Other Habitat 9 F. Wilderness and Special Areas ..... 9 G. Easements for Waterfowl Management 9

IV- WILDLIFE

A. Endangered or Threatened Species 9 B. Migratory Birds 10 C. Mammals and Non-Migratory Birds ......... 14

V• INTERPRETATION & RECREATION

A. Information and Interpretation 16 B. Recreation 17 C. Enforcement 18

VI• OTHER ITEMS

A. Field Investigation 18 B. Cooperative Programs 18 C. Items of Interest 22 D. Safety 22 E. Ecological Monitoring 22

I. GOIEHAL

A. Introduction

The refuge is an overlay on the Water and Power Resources Service irrigation and flood control reservoir located in North-central Kansas and was established in 1954. The reservoir is fed by the North Fork of the Solomon River and by Bow Creek. The watershed of these two water sources extends into Western Kansas and covers anproximately 800,000 acres. There are no permanently flowing streams in this area, the only flow is in a wet year or following a major storm. We have only secondary use to manage the area for wildlife and recreation and as such have no control over water levels or fishery management. The Kirwin Irrigation District controls water releases from the conservation elevation to dead storage elevation, the Water and Power Resources Service has control at all other times, and the fisheries management is carried out by the State of Kansas.

B. Climatic and Habitat Conditions

In summary the last year was a good year in all respects, except for putting water into the lake. Moisture was well above normal with no severe storms of any type and was generally well spaced throughout the growing season. The year was cooler than normal overall with only three days of 100° or over readings, but with the exception of the first six weeks of the year, we had no real cold weather. Crops and upland plants were in excellent condition with most farm crops in the area producing record yields.

Moisture was excellent throughout most of the year with only the month of September receiving substantially below normal rainfall. The months of March, July, and October were well above normal. We ended the year with 29.42 inches of moisture, about 6.5 inches above the normal of 22.09 inches. The only dry spell was from late September through most of October when we went 41 days without any moisture, July had 13 days with measureable moisture which delayed the wheat harvest in this area of the state better than two weeks. Snow cover was lighter than normal with a total of IB.5 inches falling during the year. Better than half of this was fairly wet snow in March and did not stay too long. we received 10 inches during the month. The late fall and early winter period was also snow free as the only snowfall was 3 inches which fell during the night and early morning hours of December 28 and 29. This snowfall was also wet as temperatures were mild with rain preceding the snow.

z.

We began the year with extremely cold weather which hung with us until about February 20, when we finally got a break. January was the coldest in 16 years with ten days of below zero readings which is unusual for our area. June, July, and August were much cooler than normal. June had only seven days with 90° or above temperatures. July had two highs of only 66° and 68°r and only ten days of 90° or above. August followed suit with two highs of 61° and twelve days above 90°. Each of these three months had only one day with 100° or above. The last three months of the year were warmer than normal. October was about f 6° warmer on the average while December v/as one of the warmest on record with a new record high of 71° set on the 19th, breaking the 1917 reading of 66°. There were several nights during December when the temperature never dropped to the freezing mark.

Our last killing frost of the spring period was on May 11, about three weeks later than normal and the first killing frost of the fall occurred on November 11. This gave us 1B4 days growing season. This is near the normal growing season in days, but everything was just three weeks later than normal.

Wind movement during the year was less than normal and there were only a few days during the year when we experienced blowing dust and we had no snow drifting. The wind chill factor during January and February was generally not too much different from the temperature so we were fortunate in that respect.

Water conditions in the lake remained poor throughout the year. The normal conservation elevation is 1,729.3 feet and we began the year at 1,701.04 feet, reached a high of 1,708.27 by the end of June, and closed the year at 1,702.10. Three months. May, July, and August produced good inflow into the lake with August raising the lake level over four inches, July better than three inches, and Hay about two and a half inches. If there is a bright spot, we ended the year about a foot higher than we began. The first time this has happened since 1969. The spring breakup of ice occured during March 12-16, and the lake was not ice covered again until December IS. Waterfowl openings were main­tained in the area from Gray's Park to Railroad Flats, with about three onenings over the old river channel.

The irrigation season was the second shortest on record with the canal being open 57 days. This is ten days longer than a year ago. At the beginning of the irrigation season the farmers were only promised a third of an acre foot of water, however, with the inflow received in July and August they received slightly more than this amount.

Hiqh Temp,

- • — Ave. Temp,

- - - Low Temp.

100°

80

CO

D E-i

60

40

/

/ /

/

20 /

JAN FEB MAR APR ^lAY JUN

T) ?d F1 O M od > H o 2

3.

Stock ponds and check dams on the refuge and in the surrounding area varied during the year. Most were dry at the beginning and depending upon their watersheds and locations, soiae received water early in varying amounts while others remained dry until late in the summer. None are in good shape, but most had a little water at the close of the year, they are in the best shape they have been in the past 4-5 years.

Croplands on the refuge and in the surrounding area responded to weather conditions and excellent production was realised. About all crops produced bumper yields and food supplies on the refuge were in ample supply to meet our wildlife needs.

With the well spaced moisture, grasslands and herbaceous plants produced good growth throughout the year and provided excellent cover and food for those wildlife species which utilise this type habitat. Moat fruit bearing trees and shrubs were hit in bloom by the iate frost and production from these was sparse throughout the year.

For the first time in ten years, additional mudflat areas were not exposed to brush invasion due to dropping lake levels. This does not mean, however, that we do not have vast areas of the lake bottom which are being taken over by brush which have been exposed over the years. This brush invasion will continue to cause us problems for many years to come.

C. Land Acquisition

Hot Applicable.

I). System Status

1. Objectives

The refuge was near its wildlife objectives during the year, but below most public use objectives. As with most areas, many of our objectives perhaps need revision. We do feel, however, that our major objectives are not too bad and as a result no revisions were undertaken during the year. We are scheduled for Master Planning in Fiscal Year 1981, and at this time undoubtedly some changes will be made in our objectives. Kirwin had one specific Annual Work Plan Advice which we did not achieve as we did not meet our banding quota of 500 Canada geese. We did achieve all the General Advices pertaining to our operation. The program at Kirwin is one principally of maintenance with no major development planned for future years.

4.

2. Funding

Perhaps we are one of the lucky few, but our O&M funding for the past couple of years has been adequate to meet our needs and we have been able to stay abreast of our maintenance needs. We do have some work that needs to be done to upgrade some facilities, but we are making progress and not losing ground at least.

Fiscal Year Funds by Activities

19S0 1979 1978 1977 1976

1110

$500 $300 $400 $500 0

1210

$114,000^1 $111,000{3' $ 95,000(55 $ 80,000 $ 80,000

1220

0 0

1240

$25,000*2) $30,000

$1,000 $26,000(6) $1,000 $18,500 $1,000 $13,500

1400

0 $1,000 $1,000 $ 500

0

Rehab

0 0 0

$20,000 0

Pol.Abate

0 0 0

$12,000 0

(%} $5,000 Cyclic Maintenance (2) $10,000 Cyclic Maintenance •; (3) $9,000 Cyclic Maintenance (4) $13,000 Cyclic Maintenance (5) $15,000 BUT? (6) $10,000 Cyclic Maintenance

rlanpower has not changed over the past few years but titles have been changed. Staffing is adequate to meet our program needs. All employees are full time except the tractor operator position which is a part-time, 36 hour-per-week appointment-

STAFF I PATTERN

1979

Refuge Manager, GS-1I Refuge Manager, GS-7 Refuge Manager, CS-S Admin. Clerk, GS-5 Cierk-Typist, GS~4 Foreman III, WS-9 Auto Mechanic, WG-10 Eng. Equip. Oper, W3-10 Maintenance Worker, WG-7 Tractor Operator, WG-7

1977

X

X X

1976

X

1975

X X

5.

II- CONSTRUCTION S MAINTENANCE

A. Construction

None Accomplished.

B. Maintenance

A total of 2.6 miles of refuge road was widened from 14' to 21* in Units 8, 9, & 10 using BLHP funds. Five culverts were replaced and two lengthened. Early in October refuge personnel started hauling rock to resurface the widened portion of road. To date 2,400 yards of rock have been Miauled on this section of road, 1.3 miles still needs rock in order to complete the project.

Refuge roads in Unit 10 were given a fresh coat of gravel. After a long hard winter the roads were badly rutted and washed. Approximately 1,400 yards of rock was hauled and spread over 1.5 miles of roadbed. All other roads were either graded and/or patched to prevent further deterioration.

All the rock was ripped and taken from borrow areas on the refuge. The rock is soft and is not of the best quality, but the cost of good hard rock plus the transportation is prohibitive.

We replaced the industrial type windows in Quarters #1 with energy saving thermo-pane. An added traat is now a candle will actually stay lit in the house when the wind is blowing outside. The house was also painted inside and out. YCC had scraped the exterior during the early summer months.

A concrete pad was poured in front of maintenance building #30. The 24' x 26' pad will do a lot to improve drainage In that part of the shop area.

A new 560-gallon underground fuel storage tank., and pump were installed to meet our unleaded fuel needs.

Three new vehicles were received, a 4x2 Dodge pickup, 4x4 Dodge power wagon, and an International stake dump truck. We made rear window guards for both pickups and purchased tool boxes for both. The Dodge power wagon was fitted with a winch taken from the vehicle it replaced. The Plymouth Sedan received a complete engine overhaul early in the year.

6.

The International stake dmap had lift problems from day one, after looking at the cost in mandays to run the truck to Nebraska for warranty work, we decided to fix the hoist. One nan day was spent shortening the cylinder shaft and re­installing the cylinder. Since the truck came equipped with construction sides wa later purchased 4-foot grain sides.

Four pneumatic traffic counters were replaced with the new inductive loop type. Initially the inductive loop type takes more work to install but less overall time is spent on main­tenance. The traffic counter was put in a wooden box to protect it from the elements. The one draw back is a shorter battery life. Where we have these new traffic counters installed, we have had no vandalism. It seamed before the rubber hoses received more abuse and vandalism than any other fixture on the refuge.

The lake has been falling steadily since 1971, and is currently only four feet above dead storage. From 1974-76, the water stabilized around the entire lake and created a heavy row of brush further out in the lake bottom. From 1977 to the present date the water loss has continued. Our brush cutting activities are more of a holding action fet the present time. Approximately 400 acres of brush was cut in 1979. Some areas must be mowed yearly, others every second year. At present we have about all the areas cut we can maintain. See Part III for other forms of brush control.

All boundary fence was checked and repairs made where needed. Approximately 1/4 mile of interior fence was removed in Unit 1. See YACC accomplishments for more boundary fence repair.

For the past two years the windmill between Units 4 and 5 has worked only fitfully. It seemed the windmill was down more than it was working. We finally replaced the head, fan, cylinder, and pump rod. We should have an adequate supply of water for the wildlife in that area of the refuge in the years to come.

C. Wildfires

Our Cooperative Agreements with the Phillips County Rural Fire Department and the Kirwin Rural Fire Unit remains in effect and these units will respond to any fires which occur on the refuge. Fire conditions were not extreme during the suzmaer period and no severe electrical storms occurred so we made it through the year with no fires on the refuge.

7

III. HABITAT MANAGEMEMT

A. Croplands

We have 1,754 acres of bonafide upland cropland on the refuge. This past year 2,289 acres were udder some type of cultivation. The extra land is farmed to control brush on the lake bottom during the extended periods of low water. The total acreage famed on a cooperative basis is 1,825 and 474 acres are farmed by force account.

CROPS AND ACREAGES ARE AS FOLLOWS

Refuge Coop

Corn 150 25 Summerfallow 0 270 Milo 0 299 Wheat 300 433 Food plots 24 24 Alfalfa(lake bottom) 0 535 Alfalfa(upland) 0 239

Total 474 1,025

The refuge wheat crop was well above average this year. There was 433 acres planted and 271 acres harvested (162 acres flooded out by late spring rains) with an average yield of 36.6 bu/acre. The refuge share of 1/4 was either delivered to the refuge bin or sold at the elevator, A total of 1,796.50 bushels of wheat was sold for $6,847.19.

Row crops fared better than previous years. The rains came at the right time and hot windy weather did not develop until most of the crops were made. The corn crop, both force account and coop did better than last year with an average yield of 35-40 bu/acre. The milo if harvested instead of cut for ensilage or left standing as the refuge's 1/3 share would have made 60-75 bu/acre. Close to 2/3 of the row crops on the refuge were treated with 2,4-D amine for weed control.

The mudflats cleared 4 years ago as a brush control project pro­duced excellent results for both alfalfa hay and forage sorghums planted as a cover crop or a weed control crop prior to alfalfa planting. Fall alfalfa plantings were successful. Forage sorghums when cut and baled yielded 30 tons/acre. The Coop farmer pays only a token fee for this bottom land because he is responsible for breaking out the land. The brush will stand between 8-14* in height, thus the Coonerator's initial cost is high. In the second year of this program the flats flooded and the Cooperator had to not only replant but clean all the debris from the land.

8.

The benefits to the refuge are two-fold. First is brush control. Cooperative farming offers us a means of controlling brush at nominal cost. Secondly and more important is waterfowl use. It was not uncommon to see 10-15,000 birds feeding in these fields week after week. Waterfowl use is about triple what we had antici­pated .

The food plots for upland game and non-game were planted by refuge staff and a cooperative farmer as part of an on-going agreement with the Kansas Fish and Game Commission. The agreement states that the State will plant and maintain shelter belts on the refuge and Kirwin HWR will plant and maintain food plots. The food plots containing 48 acres were planted to sunflowers, cane and milo. The plots produced a good stand of food.

B. Grasslands

The grasslands remained in excellent shape all year. Haying was completed under our grassland management plan with permittees being selected by a bid system. Approximately 600 acres of the 1,200 acres were available for harvest. The bids ranged from $12.00 to $20.59/ton and a total of 309.25 tons were cut and netted $4,786.32. Receipts from native haying activities were slightly lower than last year for two reasons. First the bids were lower and second, one permittee was unable to harvest the hay until well after the cutting dead line. We thought it better not to have the permittee cut late and leave the cover for the wildlife.

Musk thistle, a noxious weed by State law was cut and dug by hand in an effort to keep it from spreading in the grasslands. It was also sprayed in the rosette stage early in the fall. Bindweed, another noxious weed, seemed to take over this year. With the help of YACC, bindweed was sprayed with Tordon. About 25 taandays were spent spraying and we hardly put a dent in it.

C. Wetlands

During 1979, 400 acres of brush was cut on the lake bottom or the edge of the conservation pool to control brush.

D. Forestlands

Nothing to report.

9.

E. Other Habitat

Nothing to report.

F. Wilderness and Special Areas

The Research Natural Area on the refuge has 120 acres. The primary type is K-69 Bluesten Grama. Prairie. This area was designated as the Solomon River Grasslands Natural Area in 1958, since that time little use has been made of the area.

G. Easements for Waterfowl Management

Nothing to ropott.

IV- WILDLIFE

A. Endangered or Threatened Species

There was no use of the refuge by Whooping Cranes this past year, nor were there any reported sightings of this species in the immediate area. The prop&sed rule making document to designate Kirwin as critical habitat for the Whooping Crane apparently died in the Congressional hassle over changes to the Endangered Species Act early in the year. It is our feeling that Kirwin should not be so designated.

The Peregrine Falcon is a winter user of the refuge with birds appearing in mid to late October and remaining on the area until near the end of February. We had a peak of two birds during both the fall and spring period for 104 us© days which is about normal.

Eagle numbers using the area continue to drop, following the pattern starting about 4 years ago. Bald eagles peaked at five individuals the 1st of March, while we only recorded a peak of four on December 3, for a total use day figure of 213. This is about 150 fewer use days than last year and the lowest figure in ten years. Perhaps, part of this is due to the reduced duck use of the refuge and hence less cr^ppfced ducks during the season, but crippled goose numbers have not changed that much over the years and are still available in fair numbers. Glen Elder Reservoir, which is now holding many of the ducks which previously used Kirwin, has not shown that much of an eagle use day increase, so it would appear that fewer eagles are in our general area than in preceding years.

10.

B. Migratory Birds

1. Waterfowl

Total waterfowl use days was down 50% from last year and is the lowest figure since 1956. As has been the trend for the past four years, the spring migration again moved on by us and stopped at the Platte. Spring use days for all species except Canada geese were almost non-existent.

Total goose use days were down 858,000, or 31% from a year ago, totalling only 1,896,000. This is the second lowest figure in ten years, only slightly above the 1977 figure. We are still above our objective of 1,300,000 which was based on the 1965-69 average. Our peak goose use occurred through the 1969-75 period when our average use day figure was 3,500,000.

Canada goose use days accounted for 1,787,000 of the total use days, but was down 34% from a year ago and second lowest figure in the past ten years. Use by this species was pretty well divided between the spring and fall period. Our spring peak was 19,200 the first week of February and our fall peak was 22,000 the third week of November.

White-fronted goose use was up 45,500 use days or 42% from last year, but still is the third lowest use day figure in refuge history exceeded only by 1976 and 1978. This species over the past four years has changed its use pattern at Kirwin from one of primarily spring use to one of fall use. Even though our peak number of 4,000 occurred on February 22, versus our fall peak of 3,060 on November 1, 67% of our use days were recorded during the fall period. Good numbers of white-fronts were present throughout most of the hunting season and the greatest number of this species ever killed at Kirwin were taken with 34 being recorded in the hunter's bag.

Snow/blue geese showed the first drop in the last six years as use was down 60% from a year ago. A peak population of 60 birds was observed the last week of December and 107,000 use days were recorded during the year, all but 540 of these during the fall period. The white color phase has always been the most common at Kirwin (generally about 5:1), but this year it was even more pronounced as the ratio was about 10 of the white phhse for every blue.

II.

Total duck use days were the fourth lowest in refuge history, exceeded only by 1955, 1956, and 1978, however, we were up 13% from last year. With the exception of the mallard very few use days were recorded during the spring period. Peak numbers were 10,500 during the first week of February and 25,800 the first week of December.

DAbbling duck us© normally accounts for 85% of our total duck use, however, this year it was 96% with mallards accounting for 85% of this. We had 20% more use during the fall than we did the spring period. Listed bftlow are some of our common dabbling species with use days for the past three years:

DABBLING DUCK USE DAYS

Species 1979 1978 1977

Mallard 1,236,000 980,000 1,285,000 Gadwall 18,500 40,500 21,900 Pintail 23,100 24,700 244,000 Green-winged Teal 70,600 ' 61,000 122,000 Blue-winged Teal 20,000 12,800 27,000 Wigeon 20,700 33,300 115,500 Shoveler 7,000 5,200 31,000

As can be seen from the table there are several species which were low in use days. The pintail is a species which normally records about 80% of its use days during the spring period and it has been hard hit the last two years with little in the way of a spring migration stopping at Kirwin, Probably the same aan be said of the shoveler, but perhaps to a lesser degree are we dependent on the spring migration than the pintail to build up our use days for this species. Green-winged Teal and Wigeon just have not used Kirwin the past few years in the same numbers they did when the lake had more water in it.

Diving duck species were a bright spot a year ago, not so this year as use day figures were down 64% for one of the lowest use day figures on record. All species were down with few birds seen any time during the year, however, what little use we did have occurred during the last week of October when we got a small showing of most species. It had been expected that diving duck species would suffer more from the lake being low than would the dabblers and it appeared that this year would perhaps tend to prove this.

8,400

7,800

7,200

6,600

6,000

5,400

4,800

4,200

3,600

3,000

2,400

1,800

1,200

DUCK USE DAYS (figures in Thousands)

55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 • > t , * « » ' « • . . i « 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79

Common Mergansers perhaps typifies more dramatically than any species a reduced use pattern. Use by this species was down 51% from last year to an all time low of only 14,500 use days and a peak population of 450 birds. Just five years ago, this species had a recorded peak of 14,000 and 355,200 use days.

Coot use was similar to that of the mallard in that use days were about evenly divided between the spring and fall use periods and use day figures were almost identical to last year. We had a peak spring population of 800 and a peak fall population of 1,100 with 35,500 use days recorded. While this species was near last years' figures, they are near the all time record low for the refuge in use day figures.

Waterfowl nesting on the area appears to be almost a thing of the past. While we did hold a few more geese on the refuge this past summer than a year ago, production was about the same. Summer populations of geese were 120 and ducks 60 birds. No nesting structures were used successfully to produce btoods even though many were moved from their former locations nearer to the water by YACC personnel. We estimate 47, goslings were reared to flight stage and 10 young mallards. Most nesting occurred on the south side of the old river channel from Gray1s Park east to Railroad Flats.

Once again our banding quota of 500 geese was not achieved. We atere able to make only two shots with our nets and banded a total of 127 Canada geese.

Marsh & Water Birds

While this group of species showed the first increase in five years we are well below the use we received when the lake was up. Use days by this group totalled 146,000, a 56% increase from a year ago. This increaseiis the result of two species the Sandhill Crane and Double-crested Cormorant which were up 45% and 77% respectively, from last year. Cranes showed 52,500 use days with 88% of this during the fall period and peaked at 3,250 birds in late October. Cormorants accounted for 47,300 use days, most of which occurred in late summer, with our peak population being 1,050 in eariy September. Great Blue Heron and White Pelican use was about the same as last year with 14,500 Heron use days and 31,800 Pelican use days. Once again. Grebes were extremely scarce during the year, with only the Pied-billed and Western sighted in small numbers. Cormorant

13.

and Great Blue Heron nesting resulted in the smallest reproductive effort of these species since they have been using the dead trees south of headquarters. With the lower water level this tree row is now high and dry. There were only 35 young Cormorants and 14 Herons produced this past Surmer,. this is a 50% reduction from last year for the Cormorants and a 75% reduction for Herons.

3• Shorebirds, Gulls, and Terns

xhis group of species recorded the fewest use days of any year since the refuge has been fully operational. Only two species, the Franklin's Gull and Klliaeer showed an increase from last

Total u3® ''ays for the group was only 69,000 with 60* of this recorded by Sulls and KilXdeer, Small shorebirds were oown in the number of species recorded as weil as in numbers. Tern were noticeable by their absence with no Black Tern recordec at all. The Black Tern is norraallv one of our most

CrwerrnS1thrOUgh the SUTOer ,a0'lth8- The anl ̂ st

oSLr of this dUri!KJ 0ne Week ia au^st- ^e only

«hich enjoyed a successf2 renroluctivf produced, one of the best showings In r/oZ ylll ̂

^Ptora

Raptor use has remained about the f^v now, but is down about 30% from wh«f- pa3t three Years years ago. All COnsidered ̂ r«al 6-7 recorded, altho the Swainson'. ̂ , C<:®mon to the were over theepast 5-6 years has ^as ,only once and refuge. Golden HAgles neaked d^c:reased its use of the only 175 use oLT^eln LT J ^ and recorded

move onto the refuge the first part 38 t***' ** had e^les

but they only sta^d fo^ a^ut ^

year we had no Eagles using the refuge Bv fL *l * ** the raptor on the area is the Red j u' . ® 'aost cwmon corded only 1,150 use T30 " except about four months through t^ middlf of th00®10" aU

peaked at 16 birds and showed 1 oon f of the semper, they recorded during the year ̂ thl ~ U3e dayS- The only round resident with an average f WhiCh is a vear

Reproduction of raotors aooeared^e ahout 20 birds. but perhaps nests have beeroo^! L f"" Previous years, in the lake bottom ̂ d ̂ LHot f^ ̂f0 th0 hearVier

duetion was two young Red-tails an^ 5° them. Known pro-young Red tails and four Great Horned Owls.

14.

5• Other Migratory Birds

Mourning Dove use was up about 21% from a year ago, but still below figures of 6-7 years ago. We had a peak population of 600 opening week of the hunting season and recorded 17,800 use days. Dove were common through the nesting season and production was estimated at 550 young, but as in the past couple of years as soon as the young were on the wing it appeared that they left the area. Turkey Vultures were present in larger numbers than a year ago, but about normal from past records. We had a peak population of 70 birds and an average of around 35 through most of the summer. Crows with a peak of 3,600 in mid-October and 110,600 use days were the highest figures in the past four years, but about 60% below our figures of ten years ago. Magpie is a resident species with a normal population of around 25 birds. There is a slight increase following nesting and again through the winter months, but there has been no long term increase over the past ten years. The only other unusual sighting in this group was that of an immature Scissor-tailed Flycatcher which was seen at the headquarters area on September 14, this species is listed as rare on our refuge bird list and had not been seen in the past twelve years.

C. Mammals and Non-Migratory Birds

1. Game Mammals

White-tailed Deer numbers have remained rather constant now for the last two years after a period of rapid increase as the lake began to drop. It is estimated that we had a peak population of 1,200 in mid-Decembor. Our summer population is around 60% of that figure. We estimate that about 420 young were produced with practically all sightings being twins. Mule Deer numbers remained at about 15 animals and have shown little increase over the years. Production for this species was estimated at five young.

Cottontail numbers were up slightly at least early in the year with a peak of 3,000 in early July, but then in the latter past of the year their numbers seemed to be down considerably from that figure with less than half that number present at the end of the year. Black-tailed Jackrabbits continue to hold on with only an occasional animal seen. We estimate a peak of 10 animals with the largest concentration being near the Boy Scout Area. Fox Squirrel numbers were down again this year, this being about four years in a row that this species has shown a decline. It is estimated that our peak population was 150 individuals.

15.

2. Other MammaIs

Coyote numbers are down from lafct year's high numbers to near normal with approximately 80 animals being our peak population which is a 20% decrease from a year ago. Bobcats on the other hand have been seen regularly this past year on all portions of the refuge and are definitely at an all time high. It is estimated that our population is around 20 animals, this species was first confirmed on the refuge in the fall of 1975 and has been increasing ever since. Other fur bearing mammals remain low with a few beaver using the two water source areas, but none on the main lake area. Raccoon, Skunk, and Badger were seldom seen during the year. Our Black-tailed Prairie Dog Town showed an increase this year with the perimeter expanding in all directions. A marked increase to the west was noted this summer, this was one of the heavier areas of concentration about 8 years ago, but the town had shifted east the past few years. It is estimated the town now covers well over 100 acres in size and is within a few yards of moving onto private land. Control methods are being planned to knock the edge near private land back well into the refuge. •:

3. Resident Birds

Pheasants enjoyed another excellent year and spring crow counts and production took us into the fall season with one of our largest number of birds on record. Our spring sex ratio remains low with a 1:1,5 cock to hen ratio. Production was excellent and our peak population was estimated at 4,800 birds with about 3,300 present at the beginning of the hunting season-

Bobwhite Quail numbers were down at the beginning of the year, 15% from a year ago with a peak population of 1,2^0 recorded early in the year. Production was poor and we had fewer birds to end the year than we began with. Year end numbers are estimated at only about 700 birds. Quail numbers were really knocked back about five years ago by an ice storm and have never recovered to prior ice storm figures even though habitat appears to be as good or better now than it was then.

Prairie Chicken have re-established themselves on the refuge as they were seen in fair numbers all around the south side of the lake during the year. The first sighting in 12 years was made three years ago. These birds are on ardpff the refuge, but flocks of up to 15 birds were seen this past ;year and they are quite common just to the southeast of the refuge.

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Rio Grande Turkey have been observed on the refuge every isonth since Hay with the peak population being estimated at 10 birds. The bulk of these birds are using the Bow Creek Arm of the refuge, but birds have also bean observed on the Solomon River at the west end of the refuge. We have suspected limited use for the past two years, but have had no confirmed reports by refuge personnel until this year. The State of Kansas has made transplants during the past few years on the Solomon River both east and west of the refuge and Turkey have been on Bow Creek south of us for several years. The State of Kansas is planning additional plantings near the refuge and we look for a dramatic increase in Turkey use over the next few years.

4• Other Wildlife

The State of Kansas has the responsibility for management of the fishery resource on the lake. Fishing this year was the poorest in refuge history with few fish of any species being caught in good numbers. Walleye still remains the number one species in the creel, while Crappie and Black Bass which had shown good increases the last two years were in short supply this year.

V. IWTERPHETATIOH & RECREATIOM

Information and Interpretation

1. On REfuge

Total refuge visitation took another plunge from 97,860 visits in 197S, to 67,766 visits in 1979. Sustained low water levels at Kirwin is the major factor in decreased public use. There continues to b© a general decrease in public use, mostly In fishing and boating. The spring Walleye run used to bring droves of fishermen to Kirwin and this accounted for about 70% of the refuge visits. Walleye fishing has fallen off because of continuing low water levels and public use has followed the same trend. The lack of a suitable place to launch a boat (most boat ramps were out of the water by early July) has discouraged many boat owners in the area,

2 - Off Refuge

Requests for programs by church, civic and youth groups were about normal. The refuge assisted the Hansen Scout Camp by presenting three 1-hour classes on Wildlife Conservation to Scouts earning nature oriented badges. The refuge constructed a float for the "Old Settlers Day" parade in Kirwin that was viewed by about 2,000 people. Refuge Personnel assisted three school districts with Career DAy classes.

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Recreation

i. Wildlife Oriented

Total public use visits ware down about 30% from last year. Wildlife activities accounted for 90% of the total visits to the refuge. Fishing was by far the most popular activity accounting for 26,289 visits {down 19,000 from the previous year). Most of these occurred during the spring walleye run {more like a walk) that lasted 4 weeks. This is about 1/3 the normal length. Late summer channel cat fishing that usually accounts for a good deal of use was up from last year but still down whan compared to previous years. Low water levels can account for the overall decrease in fishing.

On refuse waterfowl hunting was almost non-existenfe^the first half of the season with only 7 geese taken during the first month of the season. The second half of the season was a little better, about 127 geese were taken, half of these were taken the last 2 weeks. Four mallards and one common merganser were also taken on the refuge. The refuge had a total of 1,535 hunting visits, 85% of these were repeats.

The peasant population was in excellent shape for the opening of the season and remained so after the close of the season. There was an abundance of food for the birds at the opening of the season and this coupled with cold rainy weather favored the birds. The total hunter take for the opening weekend was only 76 birds for 85 hunters. It seems that the birds stayed in the heavy brush all season, even dogs had a difficult time finding birds when they could be shot.

Archery deer hunting is still a growing sport in Kansas, A total of 7 deer were taken off the public hunting area, six of these were 3-point or better (western count).

Wildlife observation was down slightly and accounted for almost half of the total visits to the refuge.

2 * Wbn-Wildlife Oriented

Hon-wildlife oriented activities were up slightly, mainly in the swimming, camping, and picnicking categories. Since there is only one spot to launch a boat (because of low water) and that one leaves much to be desired, boaters and water-skiers found other lakes in the area where they could spend their time. A mild summer seemed to encourage camping. had more group camp-outs than in previous years.

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3. Concession

The Concession consists of a restaurant and a bait shop, neither of which has been open for 2 years, and a trailer court that consists of 43 semi-permanent home sites. The owner* Mr. McCartney, came to us in late sucsaer and asked to be released from his contract. The Government obliged and pur­chased the non-moveahle real property for approximately $25,000. A public meeting was held to Inform the trailer owners of our decision to close the entire concession. As expected, a campaign was organized to purchase or run under a new permit the trailer court section of the concession. When that failed because of the 50 CFR prohibits any new permits or renewal of permits for cabin sites, the trailer owners started a letter writing campaign to their Congressional Delegation, the Secretary, the Director, and the Governor. At this writing the trailer owners are to have their trailers moved by May 1, 1980.

C. Enforcement

This is one area we feel we have no serious problems. Four citations were issued early in the season. One was issued to a man "who cane to shoot*' for Illegal taking of a sandhill crane. The other three citations were issued for unplugged guns and no license in possession. This year we had extra help from the Special Agent in Hays, Kansas, and on three weekends the local Game Protector and 2 extra Game Protectors worked the area. Ho citations were written by State personnel.

VI. OTHER ITEMS

A, Field Investigation

Nothing to report.

S. Cooperative Programs

The YCC Resident Camp located at Hays, Kansas, had 40 enrollees (20 boys and 20 girls). Personnel at the resident camp included the following: Two youth leaders for the boys and two youth leaders for the giris• four dorm staff? and B employed as field staff. Director Don K. Darnell and Associate Director Don Rose

19.

head the camp, h group consists of 5 enrollees and a work leader. All enrollees are given an opportunity to work on each area. Every Wednesday enrollees regain on campus for field trips, slid© presentations, and lectures on the environment by Hays State University faculty members and the Kansas Pish and Same officials. Terry Callendar and Mike Rush were the work leaders for the 10 ©nrollees who have been working all summer on the refuge.

There were a total of 10 projects designated for Kirwin Refuge. All but three were completed. They were: Project 51 Wildlife Habitat Improvement (Maintenance of Shelter aelts); Project 55 Range Vegetation Control (Clear field of debris to plant native grass)f Project 60 Sign Making (Post and repair refuge boundary fence). The following is a summary of the projects completed:

Range Vegetation Control(Control Musk Thistle) Project 49); Checked all grasslands for musk thistle (noxious weed). This consisted of hand digging plants that had blossomed and cut off the blossoms and destroyed them by burning. The plants in the rosette stage were dug up.

Trail Maintenance and Improvement iVjfpj&pjr : Maintenance and Improvement of existing woodland Mature Trail (approxi­mately 1.5 miles). All dead wood immediately along Mature Trail was removed and low hanging branches were either trimmed or removed. The trail was lined with logs making it easier to follow.

THrmjc Facility MAintenanoe (Parking Area Maintenance)i Cleaned weeds and grass from around guard posts marking parking areas at Concession area. This improved the

appearance.

Sign Making (Sign Base Construction) (Project 54)1 Constructed two native rock single pillar sign bases for signs. One is located at the south entrance to the refuge (coming off Bow Creek Road) and the other at the west entrance (at the county road coining off Hwy 183).

Ranee Vegetation Control (Trim Trees) (Proiect 56)s Trim sucker shoots and low hanging branches (from ground level to S' high) from trees on entrance road and from trees south of headquarters area. This makes a more pleasing appearance upon entering the headquarters area.

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Litter Reraoval and Pickup (Project 57) s General cleanup of public use areas by picking up cans and trash along roadways and lakeshore. This makes an area more attractive to recreationers who use the camp.

Facility Maintenance (Project 59): Scraped the old paint from residence and carport located at headquarters area. A new coat of naint will be applied later in the simmer.

The YCC completed a profitable summer's work by accomplishing projects essential to refuge maintenance. It is also a great learning experience. Vie are looking forward to next sunaaer * s YCC I

The Kianidn YACC non-residential satellite camp was supervised by Steve Flint and Scott Ross. The first of the year the camp moved from their temporary quarters tothe Kirwin Refuge to the Water and Power Resources Service site below the dam south 6t Kirwin. At the beginning of the year there were 17 enrollees and this number gradually decreased and at the close of the camp on September 30, 1979, there were 3 enrollees. On June 30, 1979, both supervisors were terminated. Scott Ross was hired with Fish and Wildlife funds under a 700-hour appointment to super­vise the YACC and entered on duty July 16 and terminated on September 21f 1979. The following is a summary of the projects completed during the period:

Picnic Grill Removal on Kirwin Refuge (Project 333): Four enrollees removed old concrete fireplaces and replaced them with free standing steel picnic grills. They removed a total of 23 grills and replaced S with steel grills.

Recreation Area Maintenance - Kirwin Refuge {Frojact 334 & 338)• Before peak use periods, crews would mow and trim public use areas. After a peak use period, one or two enrollees would assist in removing all trash from the areas. The entire crew would then patrol all camping areas in a general litter pickup.

Repair and Remove Refuge Fence (Project 337); Removed approximatcly 1 mile of 4-strand barb wire fence and posts as well as repairing and removing trees that obstructed approximately 2 miles of fence.

Restoration of One-room Schoolhouse and Railroad Depot in Kirwin (Project 344): Crew spent I,442 hours rehabi1itating railroad depot and one room school house for historical purposes by re™roofing, repairing, and repainting both buildings.

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Toilet Facilities - Conatruction of - Klrvin Refuge (Project 346): 242 man-hours were spent adding a rest room facility in Building #30. Crews Installed septic feystem (to code), completed wiring and plumbing under the supervision of the refuge maintenance staff. All work performed conforms to county wiring and plumbing codes.

Brush Control - Kirwin Refuge (Project 347)i 19 acres of heavy brush were controlled in areas where mechanical methods were not feasible. They worked 1,472 raan-hours.

Maintenance - Kirwin Hefuge (Project 406)s General clean-up around refuge buildings and headquarters area.

Road Repair ~ Kirwin Refuge (Project 715)s Assisted in patching potholes in 2 miles of refuge road. Also assisted in resurfacing or widening 3 more miles of road.

Painting lit Gaylord (Pcoject 736): Painted the community building for the town of Gaylord.

Clean up Ctty Park - Gaylord, Kansas (Project 737)s Painted a shelter house ^CxSO*)# trimmed trees, as well as a general clean-up of the City Park.

Maintenance Stockton Fair Grounds s Buildings (Project 733) Painted fair ground buildings by first scraping old paint and repainting. They worked 1,181 man-hours.

Maintenance in Smith Center (Project 1101): Three crew members worked with Smith County maintenance personnel for approximately one naonth painting streets and curbs, as well as painting the facilities at the water plant. Total savings to the city and county was $4,745.00.

Tree Plot Maintenance - Kirwin Refegre (Project 1102) : 574 man-hours were spent cultivating and watering 13 tree plots in the upland game management area.

Habitat Developiaent (Project 1116)s Approximately 870 man-hours were spent planting 15,000 trees in Phillips and Rooks Counties. The project was carried out in cooperation with the SCS and Kansas Pish & Game Commission.

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C. Iteiris of Interest

Ted Stans attended Supervision & Group Performance Training at Kansas City/ January 8 thru 12# 1979.

Keith S, Hansen attended Law Enforcement Training at Glynco, Georgia, from >larch 19 thru April 13, 1979.

Keith S. Hansen participatod in the ground breaking for Bertrand Visitor Center at DeSoto NWR, Iowa, on May 26, 1979.

Scott Ross assisted in the Special Dove Study in Nebraska from August 27 thru 29, 1979.

Keith S. Hansen attended Midwest Fish S Wildlife Conference at Champaign, Illinois, on December 9 thru 12, 1979.

Credits for this report are: Hansen - Sections I & IV; Stans - Sections II, III, V, & VI? and Eagman - typing and compiling much of the information contained in the report.

D. Safety

Safety meetings were held throughout the year with 42 ,£00 accident free raandays and 340,080 man hours. We did not complete the year without an accident. One pickup was damaged ($460) when the Assistant Refuge Manager bumped a road side guard post while looking for wililife. The cause of the accident was inattention.

Fire safety equipment was checked monthly and a 5-lb ABC extinguisher was put in each vehicle equipped with catalytic converters.

E. Ecological Monitoring

Scott Ross, a part-time employee, participated in the Mourning Dove Hest STudy don© in Nebraska and Iowa during the period to determine nestling dove mortality caused by the September opening date of the dove season. This time was spent trying to locate active nests just prior to the opening of the season.

Theodore Stans investigated and reported on an oil spill that happened off Service lands (on Saline River north of Hays, Kansas) in February.

Before

BLHP Road Project called just for widening. Refuge personnel will haul and spread the rock. That way we could stretch BLHP funds quite a bit further. TMS

After

Before

Fill on road between Railroad Flats and Cottonwood Grove. THS

After

It may look worse than the "before" photo but with 4-6" of rock we will have a good all weather road bed. TMS

The fill south of The Kiln was widened from 12* to 20* The old "Cat" is getting weak but it still gets the job done. TMS

The BLHP Road Project east of Cottonwood Grove required all "hands" when 36-inch culverts needed placing. KSH

Pouring new concrete slab in front of mechanic's shop. YACC equipment and personnel were used, TMS

The finished slab measures 24' x 26*. TMS

BLHP Funds purchased a 1979 4x4 Dodge Pickup and replaces the 1965 4x4 Dodge Powervagon. TMS

The nevf International Harvester diesel Stake/Duiap truck replaced two older trucks, a 1960 Ford Dump and 1958 Ford Stake. TMS

The 1979 4x2 Dodge replaced the 1964 Dodge Pickup. TMS

Haying activities in the grasslands; Bids ranged from $12-$2Q/Ton. The areas not cut the previous year were cut this year. SEE

Food plot in the Upland Game ?Ianagement Mrea. The milo and sunflowers provide excellent habitat and food for many wildlife species, SEE

•;v ̂

YCC constructed two more entrance sign"bases on the south side of the lake. TMS

There are still some good size fish left in Kirwin Lake. This walleye weighed about 9 lbs.

KSH