NARRAHVK REPORT ROUTING SUP

REFUGE SWAN LAKE H31ICD May - August 1962

CHIEF® S OFPTCS5 Mr0 Gillett . JTCj

mWUFE MAMGEICTTt Mr0 J&nko

HESOUHGE MANAGEMENT t Dro Iferley

OPERATIONS x Mr« Hickok

HJBUG USEs

AD MINI STRATI VK SERTIOESi Miss Baum

Hro Goiaman

I^o Stiles

Mr© Stoll'berg

Ifro Regan

MPo Monson

Mr© X»umb

C O N T E N T S Page

I. General A. Weather Conditions 1 B. Habitat Conditions 1

1. Water 1 2. Food and Cover 1

II. Wildlife A. Migratory Birds 2 B. Upland Game Birds 3 C. Big Game Animals 3 D. Fur Animals, Predators, Rodents, and

Other Mammals 3 E. Hawks, Eagles, Owls, Crows, Ravens,

and Magpies F. Other Birds G. Fish l\. H. Reptiles I. Disease 1;

III. Refuge Development and Maintenance A. Physical Development i; B. Plantings U C. Collections and Receipts ^ D. Control of Vegetation E. Planned Burning F. Fires

IV. Resource Management A. Grazing ^ B. Haying C. Fur Harvest D. Timber Removal E. Commercial Fishing F. Other Uses ^

V. Field investigation or Applied Research A. Progress Report ^ B. C.

D. E.

VI. Public Relations A. Recreational Uses 6 B. Refuge Visitors 6 C. Refuge Participation 6 D. Hunting -E. Violations

VII. Other Items A. Items of Interest B. Photo graphs C. Signature

Narrative Report Swan Lake National "Wildlife Refuge

May - August, 1962

PERMANENT PERSONNEL

Refuge Manager

Refuge Clerk

Wildlife Aid

Operator General

TEMPORARY AND INDEFINITE EMPLOYEES

Leo M# Kirsch

Marvin F. Lentz

William H* Thornsberry

Benny N0 Howerton ••••

Floyd A. Holland

Roy T# Warren ••

Ervin Windsor ••

Maintenanc eman

Maintenanceraan

Maintenanceman

Narrative Report Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge

May - August, 1962

I. GENERAL

A. Weather Conditions.

Precipitation Max. Min. This Month Normal Temp. Temp.

May-

June

July-

August

Total:

6.93 U.52 91 U7

3.1U U.87 91 50

6.83 3.92 96 51

2.79 3.67 99 50

19.69 16.96 Extremes 99 k7

The weather data tabulated above were collected at the official weather station on the Fountain Grove Wildlife Area located about eight miles from Swan Lake*

B* Habitat Conditions

1* Water

No major flood occured during the period* The normal summer draw-downs of the Swan Lake and South Lake pools was accomplished on schedule* Some difficulty was encountered in keeping the Swan Lake pool from re-flooding during heavy rain periods in July arid August and some moist soil plants were drowned out because of these rains*

2* Food and Cover

The following table compares food conditions during 1962 to the seven preceding years averages*

Bushels of Grain Acres of

Moist Soil Foods Browse 7 Year Averages 19# - 1961

1962 20,800 2^U00

1,370 2*920

1,000 1*200«-

Includes 1*85> acres of Ladino Clover.

-1-

Moist soil food production in the form of wild millet, chufa, smartweeds, spike rush, panic grasses, carex, and primrose appear to be less abundant than during 1961• A comparison of moist soil food conditions between I960 and 1962 will appear in the Section on Field Investigations and Applied Researcho No comparisons may be made between 1961 and 1962 because floods prevented us from running vegetative transects during 1961•

Corn and Milo crops are not good this year. Hail, too much rain during short periods, insects, raccoons, and dry weather all combined to hinder production. There will be more grain available for wildlife only because more acres of such crops were left for this purpose during 1962.

Browse acreages increased over the seven year average but clover stands • are thin and will not yield as much browse as can usually be expected.

In summary, food conditions are generally better than the past seven years average but are not so good as during 1959« When the fact that annual goose use has increased from 6,000,000 use days during 1959 to almost 9,000,000 use days in 1961 is considered the slight increase in food production Iq/ses its significance.

Cover conditions for resident game have shown some improvement this period. This is especially true of native grassland areas where the stands have become much heavier.

A. Migratory Birds

, jAt the beginning of May almost all of the spring waterfowl movement had past Swan Lake. A few wood ducks, mallards, and blue wing teal remained on the refuge during the period and a few broods of ducks were observed. The usual flock of sick and crippled Canada geese spent the summer loafing on the refuge.

The beginning of fall migration was late. The first blue wings were not observed until August 25th, pintails followed on the 28th and green wing teal on the 31st.

Waterfowl use for the year ending August 31, 1962 was higher than during the two preceding years. Goose and duck use days for the past three years are shown below:

II WILDLIFE

August 31, I960 August 31, 1961 August 31, 1962

Year Ending Goose Use Days 5,900,000 8,300,000 8,900,000

5,600,000 U, 00,000 14,600,000

Duck Use Days

-2-

The large increase in goose use since I960 is primarily due to increase in the wintering populations at Swan Lake.

B. Waterbirds

The usual fall build up of white pelicans started on August lUth and by the end of the month about 300 were using the refuge pools.

Great blue herons and American egrets were commonly seen throughout the summer, and an occasional snowy egret or green heron was also seen.

C. Shorebirds

Water conditions were apparently just right to attract shorebirds in large numbers during August. There were perhaps well over 1,000 such birds on Swan Lake August 31. Those identified included dowichers, Wilson^ plover, yellow legs, sanderlings, black bellied plover^ numerous sandpipers, and sora rails.

D. Doves

Doves did not appear in heavy concentrations on the refuge this August, but large numbers could be found north of the refuge in feed lots and cut corn fields.

E. Upland Game Birds

Bob white have apparently had a very successful year. Many coveys have been seen on the refuge and its perimeter and neighboring farmers are reporting more birds than during any recent year.

The pheasants released by State personnel north of the refuge this year have produced some young. No birds have been seen on the refuge but some have been reported within two miles of the boundary.

No observation of pinnated grouse has been varified however farmers have reported sighting such birds during the period.

F. Big Game Animals

Fe»al dogs were active chasing deer both on and off the refuge early in the period. The fawn crop on the refuge appears to be smaller than that of last year. This could be a misconseption caused by changes in cover conditions between the years.

D. Fur Animals, Predators, Rodents and Other Mammals

Raccoons caused damage by digging up newly planted corn again this year. Some corn was replanted because of such damage. These animals also made heavy inroads into fields when the corn was in the milk and roasting ear stages.

-3-

E« Hawksj Eagles^ Owls5 Crovs, Ravens3 and Magpies

No eagles were noted near the nest they constructed last period# Great horned owls, crows# redtailed hawks and Cooper's hawks were all common on the refuge during the period.

G. Fish

A rough fish seining season was opened between July 2 and 13. A total of 88 seining parties made up of Quk seiners took part# The catch was 17,507 pounds of buffalo, carp and drum. The largest fish caught was a carp weighing 20.7 pounds.

The 1962 catch compares quite well with the catches of 23,500 pounds in I960 and 18,500 during 1961. This is especially true when the fact that seining was permitted for two months during I960 and for one month during 1961.

Pole and line fishing was fair during the entire summer and ended with about two weeks of excellent fishing Just prior to the close of the period.

Ill REFUGE DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE

A. Physical Development

No major development project was in progress during the period. Farming and routine maintenance were the major items of endeavor.

B« Plantings

2. Trees and Shrubs

Two small pecan trees moved to Secondary Headquarters by Thornsberry appear to have survived the transplant.

3. Upland Herbaceous Plants

Areas planted to Ladino clover this spring have not produced good stands. Dry weather during April and early May apparently caused poor germination of seed and survival of plants.

Native grass plantings have continued to thrive. Big blue stem# Indian grass# and switch grass all appear to be easy to start in this region. Stands

Indian grass have been obtained by simply scattering seed in existing grassland areas during the fall of the year.

Cnltivated Crops

Following is a tabulation of cultivated crops planted or growing on the refuge this periods

Next page -

-h~

Planted By

Milo and

Corn Soybeans Wheat Ladino Clover

Refuge Personnel i|l6 - 250 306 Permittees: (Private) U63 192 20 80 (State) - - 1*1*5 99

Totals 879 192 715 W

Row crops account for 1,071 of the 2,271 acres in some type of crop. Ladino Glover total U85 acres and wheat 715 acres. All of the soybeans will be harvested by permittees as will portions of the corn.

C. Collections and Receipts

1. Seed or other Propagules

A total of 1,380 bushels of seed wheat were hauled from Squaw Creek, Kirwin and DeSota Refuges during the period. Much of this was used as seed during the period. The remainder will either be fed or kept for seeding next year.

IV RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

Nothing to report.

V FIELD INVESTIGATIONS OR APPLIED RESEARCH

A. Progress Report

Vegetative transects were mn in the Swan and Silver Lake pools during 1959, I960 and 1962 and in the Soufeh Pool during I960 and 1962. Some sign­ificant changes have been noted during the period of study.

In the Swan Lake pool the most striking change has been the vast decline millet with a corresponding increase in spike rush, carex and water

primrose. Chufa has been an important member of the plant association each year as have the annual panic grasses. Plant density increased this year largely due to the fact that both spike rush and carex which are small plants have increased.

The decrease in millet is believed to have been caused by reflooding during periods of heavy rainfall which killed newly germinated millet plants.

The Silver Lake pool is used as a reservoir to supply water for the Swan and South La&es pools. For this reason drawdowns are not made at the same time each year. During 1959 rice cut grass, spike rush, and wild millet dominated in this area; in 19o0 chufa. wild millet, and spike rush were dom­inant; and during 1962 Carex. knot weed, and rice cut grass were dominant. Plant density was higher during 1962 probably because of the increase among small plants such as Carex.

Vegetative transects in the south lake found the area dominated by

-5

spike rush^ chufaj and smartweeds in I960. In 1962 wild millet^ panic grasses, and rice cut grass were the dominants. Density was down during 1962 probably because large plants dominated the area.

VI PUBLIC RELATIONS

A. Recreational Uses

Fishermen, picnicers and sightseers were the major refuge users. It is estimated that approximately 9,000 fishermen and a like number of sightseers and picnicers used the refuge.

B. Refuge Visitors

Name

Dick Vaught Ted Shanks Bill Crawford Dick Vaught Dick Vaught George Breakhage Ted Shanks Dick Vaught Carl Gruener Dick Vaught Merrill Hammond Harold Wood Dick Vaught Roger Nass Einar Kaastad Dick Vaught Ed Bosak Don Simpson Harris White Roger Nass

Address

Columbia, Missouri Jefferson City, Mo. Columbia, Missouri Columbia, Missouri Columbia, Missouri Puxico,:Missouri Jefferson City, Mo. Columbia, Missouri Jefferson City, Mo. Columbia, Missouri Upham, North Dakota Chillicothe, Mo. Columbia, Missouri Columbia, Missouri

ai r* ska

Purpose of Visit Date

Goose Paper 5/7-10/62 Goose Paper 5/8/62 Goose Paper 5/8/62 Goose Paper S/ll;-17/62 Goose Paper 5/29-6/1/62 Visit 5/28-29/62 Goose Paper 5/30/62 Goose Paper 6/12/62 Law Enforcement 6/15/62 Goose Paper 6/19-22/62 Visit 6/21/62 Robbery 7/5/62 Goose Paper 1/12-11/62 Trapping 1/12-11/62 Bring Wheat 8/7/62 Goose Paper 8A5-17/62 Surplus Property 8/31/62 Visit 9A/62 Law Enforcement Numerous

Trap Geese 9/5/62

uoiumbia, ivassouri Blair, Nebraska Columbia, Missouri Port Clinton, Ohio Minot, North Dakota Salisbury, Missouri Columbia, Missouri

C. Refuge Participation

Gave short talk to visiting group/ from Grand Pass, Missouri on June 2U.

F. Safety

Held monthly safety meeting at which safety films were shown to staff.

Corrected unsafe condition on banding site trail by removing trees from

blind comer.

VII OTHER ITEMS

B. Photographs

The photographs on the following pages were made by Marvin Lentz the

refuge clerk.

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SIGNATURE PAGE

Regional Refuge Supervisor

Submitted by:

(Signature) Leo M. Kirsch

Date: September 25>> 1962 Refuge Manager

Title

Approved, Regional Office:

Date:

Seiners waiting for permits <>

Upper - Lentz twins with limits of Swan Lake Channel Cat*

Left - Nice limit of Channels from Silver Lake*

*rl

3-1750 Form NR-1 (Rev. March 1953)

W A T E R F O W L

REFUGE Swan Lake MONTHS OF /fey TO Mguat 19 62

- ^ t_ W e e k s o f r e p o r t i n g p e r i o d

(1) >5/1-5 85/6-12 >5/13-19 85/20-26 85/27- 2 86/3-9 86/lO-l6 >6/17-23 >6/24-30 >7A-7 Specie a ; X : 2 i 3 8 U i 5 » 6 i 7 s 8 i 9 ; 10

Swans: Whistling Trumpeter

Geese: Canada Cackling Brant White-fronted Snow Blue Other

Ducks; Mallard Black Gadwall Baldpate Pintail Green-winged teal Blue-winged teal Cinnamon teal Shoveler Wood Redhead Ring-necked Canvasback Scaup Goldeneye Bufflehead Ruddy Other

Coot:

250

30

20

70

40

250

20

20

30

30

250

30

10

30

250

30

10

30

250

30

20

70

250

30

20

70

250

30

20

30

250

30

20

30

250

30

20

30

Int. Dup. Sec., n_

3 -1750®-

Cont. NR-1 (Bev. March 19 3) W A T E R F O W L

(Continuation Sheet)

REFUGE Xak*. MONTHS OF TO ingimt 19

(1) Species

m W e e k s o f r e p o r t i n g p e r i o d

7/^u; ggg ggg: x:

T U) « Hi) ! Estimated : Production : waterfowl : Broods s Estimated

use i seen : total Swans: Whistling Trumpeter

Geese; Canada Cackling Brant White-fronted Snow Blue Other

Ducks: Mallard Black Gadwall Baldpate Pintail Green-winged teal Blue-winged teal Cinnamon teal Shoveler Wood Redhead Ring-necked Canvasback Scaup Goldeneye Bufflehead Ruddy-Other

Coot:

250

30

20

250

30

20

250

30

20

250

30

20

250

30

20

(over)

250

30

20

250

120

250

30

50 20 150

32f250

3*590

410

Swans

G ese

Ducks

Coots

^—

Total Days Use

32,250

6,240

—rsy m Peak Number : Total Production SUMMARY

250

400

Principal feeding areas

60?

-OB- ML

Principal nesting areas

Reported by Leo Kirsmh

INSTRUCTIONS (See Sees. 7531 through 753U, Wildlife Refuges Field Manual)

(1) Species:

( 2 )

(3)

(li) Production:

Weeks of Reporting Period:

Estimated Waterfowl Days Use:

(5) Total Days Use:

(6) Peak Number:

(7) Total Production:

In addition to the birds listed on form, other species occurring on refuge during the reporting period should be added in appropriate spaces. Special attention should be given to those species of local and national significance.

Estimated average refuge populations.

Average weekly populations x number of days present for each species.

Estimated number of young produced based on observations and actual counts on representative breeding areas. Brood counts should be made on two or more areas aggregating 10^ of the breeding habitat. Estimates having no basis in fact should be omitted.

A summary of data recorded under (3). /

Maximum number of waterfowl present on refuge during any census of reporting period.

A summary of data recorded under (U).

Interior Duplicating Section, Washington, D, C, 779^ 1953

3-1750 UNITED STATES Form NR-UB DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR (December 1956) Fish and Wildlife Service

WATERFOWL UTILIZATION OF REFUGE HABITAT

Refuge ^NhM! Latai For 12-mont.h period ending August 31; 19ij|

Reported by 1** Title lUiftlgt UllWir

(1) (2) ! (3) (W (5) Area or Unit Habitat Breeding Designation Type Acreage * Use-days Population Production

»

1 Crops 700 » Ducks 385*900 9 O Swan Lake Upland • Geese . 2,800,000 0 fl_

Marsh 300 _ - Swans Q q £

Water 66b «• Coots 20^106 0 ~ n

Total IjapO _ » Total 3^15S3Q0 Q o

H Crops 67D - 2ucks 369*000 1Q JQ Sllvep Lake Upland XjOOO • Geese . jU/TX.oOO Q Q

Marsh 538 , Swans jp.. ft Water 1,800 _ . Coots ; 55,800 .. Q __ Q

Total 4,000 . Total 3,095,800 Ofi.— 30 ^ e »? o ^ « o t • • o t« 2 ^ » f w • r v 4 ^ • > • * <

HI Crops 828 . Ducks 2,3i7,000 10 South Lain Upland 300 , Geese 4f563*000 Q Q

Marsh 1*573' • Swans fi. O Water Jpm 300. Coots A5.600 0 n

Total 3,000 _ . Total 6,955 Z 10 30 p • o * > « ? > > * • o « t s © p * « • # ^ # p ' ^ r- t * * • •: % o % v # i r r «

W Crops _J00.._ . Ducks _ 400^100 Q 0 R1T«P BottoaaCpland 1.650 _ . Geese 35,500 o

Marsh " 20 , Swans 0 0 P Water ~ir— . Coots ~O00 A 0 Total 2,100 __ , Total ^ 440,600 Q Q

• e « f t » • « « « • • * • > i - > » « • ' » » V - s ^ 9 » - » i Crops 2,59B ¥ Ducks 611,000 20 6Q

Total Upland 37X^5 . Qeese ^,369,500 Q Marsh &#43P • Swans 99 0 : 0 " Water • IF#730 , Coots 126,800 0 Q Total 109%0 _ e Total 13,607,399 20 60

• • c « • » « r « * « ^ • • • » -Crops , Ducks Upland •* Geese Marsh . Swans " ^ ~ Water , Coots Total . Total ~

$ * P * f t « # O • & * * « * O * 9 - ^ > * * » » « * 4 " - . 4 '4 * M « * > f t A • © 1

Crops ' , Ducks Upland _____ Geese ~ Harsh o Swans Water Coots Total - Total ^

(over)

All tabulated information should be based on the best available techniques for obtaining these data® Estimates having no foundation in fact must be omitted. Refuge totals for all categories should be provided in the spaces below the last unit tabulation. Additional forms should be used if the number of units reported upon exceeds the capacity of one page. This report embraces the preceding 12-month period^ NOT the fiscal or calendar year, and is submitted annually with the May-August narrative

report.

INSTRUCTIONS

(1) Area or Unitt A geographical unit that^ because of size^, terrain characteristics5 habitat type and current or anticipated management practices^ may be considered an entity apart from other areas in the refuge census pattern. Estimated acreage of each unit should be indicated.

(2) Habitats

(3) Use-days

(U) Breeding Population;

Crops include all cultivated croplands such as cereals and green forage^ planted food patches and agricultural row crops| upland consists of all uncultivated terrain lying above the plant com­munities requiring seasonal submergence or a completely saturated soil condition a part of each year, and includes lands whose temporary flooding facilitates use of non-aquatic type foods; marsh extends from the upland community to, but not including, the water type and consists of the relatively stable marginal or shallow-growing emergent vegetation type including wet meadow and deep marsh; and the water category includes all

other water areas inundated most or all of the growing season and extends from the deeper edge of the marsh zone to strictly open-water areas, embracing such habitat as shallow playa lakes, deep lakes and reservoirs, true shrub and tree swamps, open flowing water and maritime bays, sounds and estuaries. Acreage estimates for each type should be kept as accurate as possible through reference to available maps supplemented by periodic field observations and should agree with unit acreage.

Use-days is computed by multiplying weekly water­fowl population figures by seven.

An estimate of the total breeding population of each category of birds for each area or unit.

(5) Productions Estimated total number of young raised to flight age.

Interior Duplicating Section, Washington, D. G.

1956

869*

3-1752

Form NR-2 UPUND GAME BIRDS (April 1946)

Refuse Swan Lake Months of Jfe? to Aqgugt 19 CC

* (X) Species

(2) Density

(3) Young

Produced

(4) Sex Ratio

(5) Removals

(6) Total

(7) Remarks

Common Name Cover types, total acreage of habitat

Acres per Bird N

umber

broods

obs'v'd.

Estimated

Total

Percentage Hunting

For Re­

stocking

For

Research

Estimated number using Refuge

Pertinent information not specifioally requested. List introductions here.

Bob white

Prairie ehioken

loot

07

There anuear to be more quail than laet year*

fm had an unconfirmed report of prairie chickens seen on the northeast corner of the refbge*

INSTRUCTIONS

Form NR-2 - UPLAND GAME BIRDS.*

(1) SPECIES:

(2) DENSITY J

Use correct common name.

Applies particularly to those species considered in removal programs (public hunts, etc.). Detailed data may be omitted for species occurring in limited numbers. Density to be expressed in acres per animal by cover types. This information is to be prefaced by a statement from the refuge manager as to the number of acres in each cover type found on the refuge5 once submitted, this information need not be repeated except as significant changes occur in the area of cover types. Cover types should be detailed enough to furnish the desired information but not so much as to obscure the general picture. Examples: spruce swamp, upland hardwoods, reverting agriculture land, bottomland hardwoods, short grass prairie, etc. Standard type symbols listed in VUldlife Management Series Nc. 7 should be used where possible. Figures submitted should be based on actual observations and counts on representative sample areas. Survey method used and size of sample area or areas should be indicated under Remarks.

(3) YOUNG PRODUCED: Estimated number of young produced, based upon observations and actual counts in representative breeding habitat.

U) SEX RATIO:

(5) REMOVALS:

(6) TOTAL:

(7) REMARKS:

This column applies primarily to wild turkey, pheasants, etc. Include data on other species if available.

Indicate total number in each category removed during the report period.

Estimated total number using the refuge during the report period. This may include resident birds plus those migrating into the refuge during certain seasons.

Indicate method used to determine population and area covered in survey. Also include other pertinent information not specifically requested.

* Only columns applicable to the period covered should be used.

17059

3-1751

Form NR-1A (Nov. 1945)

Refuge.... a**?**

(1) ^ Species

(2) First Seen

Common Name Number Date

I. Water and Marsh Birds:

Great blue heron Green heron Black C. N« heron Snowy egret American egret bhite pelican

Sufmaer ; Sunnier :

Summer \

U

resident resident

redident 8/14

II. Shorebirds, Gulls and

Terns:

Killdee* Greater yellcmLegs Sora rails Sandpipers Dowichers Viildon1 s plover HLack bellied plover Sanderlings Gonm n tern tilakk tern Caspean tern

Summer resident 8/31 8/15 8/15 8/31 8/31 8/31 8/31

MIGRATORY BIRDS (other than waterfowl) .

Months of..-Sr I9W«.

(3) (4) (5) (6)

Peak Numbers Last Seen Production Total

Number Total # Total Estimated

Number Date Numbe r Date Colonies Nests Young; Number

200 August 10 August 10 August 7 July 40 July 300 8/31

(over) 1

UJ

III. Doves and Pigeons:

Mourning dove

White-winged dove

IV. Predaceous Birds: Golden eagle Duck hawk Horned owl Magpie

Raven

Crow Cooper*s hawk Red tailed hawk Turkey vulture

121

Suanasr

Coma n

resident

resident

(5) 14]

Resident (Casual observEtlons lee 4 us to lei leva that our looal crow Sumrer resident Summer resident Sum er resident

(51

Reported by^.^ee-J^Jfaoh.

populatioa is up)

m

1) Species:

( 2 )

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6 ) INT.-DUP. SEC.

First Seen

INSTRUCTIONS Use the correct names as found in the A.O.U. Checklist, 1931 Edition, and list group in A.O.U.

order. Avoid general terms as "seagull", "tern", etc. In addition to the birds listed on form, other species occurring on refuge during the reporting period should be added in appro­

priate spaces. Special attention should be given to those species of local and National

significance. Groups: I. Water and Marsh Birds (Gaviiformes to Ciconiiformes and Gruiiformes) II. Shorebirds. Gulls and Terns (Charadriiformes) III. Doves and Pigeons (Columbiformes)

IV. Predaceous Birds (Falconiformes, Strigiformes and predaceous Passeriformes)

The first refuge record for the species for the season concerned.

Peak Numbers: The greatest number of the species present in a limited interval of time.

Last Seen: The last refuge record for the species during the season concerned.

Production: Estimated number of young produced based on observations and actual counts.

Total: Estimated total ^mber of the species using the r^uge during the period concerned.

, WASH., D.C. 59317