MEXICAN SPOTTED OWL SURVEYS

In Arizona, the Mexican spotted owl (Strix occidentalis lucida) (MSO) is distributed widely in association with forest and steep canyon habitat (Ganey and Balda 1989, Willey 1998a). The owl was listed as a "threatened species" in 1993 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) (United States Department of Interior (USDOI) 1995), and was placed on the Arizona Game and Fish Department s Identification, Inventory, Acquisition, Protection, and Management (IIPAM) list of sensitive species needing further study. The owl is declining in core sections of its range in Arizona (Seamans et al. 1999), and the decline may be associated with habitat loss and fragmentation (Franklin et al. 1990). The purpose of this Agreement is to conduct presence/absence protocol surveys for the MSO at and adjacent to the Naval Observatory Flagstaff Station (Station). Data will be provided in a written report summarizing all results. The initial surveys will occur in 2014 (Base Year) with future option periods to conduct surveys in 2015 and 2017. The purpose of this Agreement is to provide for MSO surveys at the Station. In order to accomplish this objective, the Cooperator shall conduct presence/absence surveys for MSOs at the MSO calling stations censused in 2006. The Cooperator shall follow the same survey methodology and calling routes as described in Johnson et al. (2007). All surveys will be designed and conducted in accordance with the current approved USFWS MSO protocol (USFWS 2003). The Cooperator shall document the age, sex, and activity (calling, foraging, roosting, etc.) of all MSOs or any other owl species detected during surveys. The Cooperator shall possess a current federal endangered species permit from the USFWS authorizing the Cooperator to conduct MSO surveys. Initial MSO surveys will occur in 2014 (Base Year) with future option periods to conduct surveys in 2015 and 2017.