KIRK'IN NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE KIRWIN, KANSAS

NARRATIVE REPORT JANUARY 1 - DECEMBER 31, 1970

NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ROUTING SLIP

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Operations Planning

KIRWIN NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Kirwin, Kansas

NARRATIVE REPORT January 1 - December 31, 1978

NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM Fish and Wildlife Service

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. GENERAL Page

A. Introduction 1 B. Climatic and Habitat Conditions 1 C. Land Acquisition 4 D. System Status 4

II. CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE

A. Construction 5 B. Maintenance 6 C. Wildfires 8

III. HABITAT MANAGEMENT

A. Croplands 8 B. Grasslands. 9 C. Wetlands. 9 D. Forestlands 10 E. Other Habitat 10 F. Wilderness and Special Areas 10 G. Easements for Waterfowl Management 10

IV, WILDLIFE

A. Endangered or Threatened Species 10 B. Migratory Birds 11 C. Mammals and Non-Migratory Birds 15

V. INTERPRETATION & RECREATION

A. Information and Interpretation 17 B. Recreation 17 C. Enforcement 19

VI. OTHER ITEMS

A. Field Investigations ..... 19 B. Cooperative Programs 20 C. Items of Interest 22 D. Safety 22 E. Ecological Monitoring 23

PERSONNEL

Keith S. Hansen, Refuge Manager, GS 11/7, PET, EOD 06/26/68.

Theodore M. Stans, Refuge Manager, GS 7/1, PET, EOD 04/24/78. Transferred from Cabeza Prieta NWR, Arizona.

Doris E. Hagman, Administrative Clerk (Typing), GS 5/7, PET, EOD 05/22/61

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

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

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

ihphi Submitted BY Date Area Office J Date

Refuge / Regional Office Date

—

I. GENERAL

A. Introduction

The refuge is an overlay on the Bureau of Reclamation 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 approximately 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 Bureau of Reclamation has control at all other times, and the fisheries management is carried out by the State of Kansas.

Irrigation releases and no inflow continued the pattern of the past seven years on the lake elevation. At the present, we are just above the dead storage elevation, and the lowest level for this time of the year since the lake filled, approximately 28 feet below conservation level.

B. Climatic and Habitat Conditions

Moisture was good throughout the year with only March and October very much below normal. Precipitation for the year was 0.34 inch above normal, but as has been the case for the past two year, we received no heavy summer thunderstorms and all moisture received was excellent for plant growth, but produced no run-off to help our dropping lake level. Snowfall was the heaviest since 1961, and the fourth heaviest since the refuge has been established. We received 27 inches of snow, all but 1.25 inches during the late winter and early spring period. January gave us 4 inches of snow, February a whopping 17.5 inches in two major storms which closed all roads for two days each time, and then 4.25 inches in early March which again closed all roads. The 1.25 inches of snow in the fall was received on December 30, so we had no snow cover at all the last three months of the year. We did have two periods of freezing rain which made travel almost impossible. The first was November 21 & 22, when almost 1/4 inch of ice covered everything and then a lighter glaze on December 2 & 3, The November ice storm caused major damage and power failure west of us, but we escaped with no damage locally. We had an unusual storm November 27, when it rained all day and most of the night giving us 1.12 inches of moisture. Usually this late in the year it would have been snow or freezing rain.

100° --

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-4- 6"

-I- 5"

4" ^

-- 3"

2"

-- 1"

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MY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT MOV BET

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We began the year with record cold temperatures. From the first of January through March 9, there were only 23 days when the temperature got above the freezing mark. There were 37 days of lows in single digit figures and 12 days of these were below zero. This was one of the longest cold spells on record, com­parable to the winters of 1886-87, 1904-05, and 1935-36. Following this period there was no gradual warming but an overnight change, March 9 had a reading of 34° and the 10th had a high of 62°. There was a new record of 92° on April 1. There were only two days with freezing temperatures in April, but the last one was on the 21st and caused major damage to fruit trees and other tender plants. May was cool with all readings below 80 until the 26th. June on the other hand was warmer than normal with a new record high of 106° on the 15th. July was unusual in the sharp day to day temperature extremes, such as 107° one day to 85° the next, 100° to 86° and so on. This occurred several times during the month. The rest of the year had normal temperatures. The first freeze of the year occurred October 4, but we did not get a good killing frost until November 19, giving us a growing season of 212 days between killing frosts.

Winds were stronger than normal throughout the summer period. We received strong, gusty winds with the snow in both February and March which caused drifting problems, but otherwise the first three months were near normal. From April through October, winds were generally stronger than normal with blowing dust off the exposed mud flats rather common. August 16 was particularly bad in that for most of the day one could not see much over 200 yards for the thick dust in the air.

Water conditions on the refuge and in the surrounding area were poor throughout the year. We started the year with the lake elevation at 1,703.91, just over 26 feet below the conservation level of 1,729.25. The high point was 1,706.70 the end of May and the low point was 1,696.11 on August 14. We closed the year with the lake elevation at 1,701.10. Prospects are somewhat bleak as far as getting water into the lake due to the work done by the SCS and changes in farming practices on the watershed. We just do not get the run-off anymore that we did even ten years ago. Some people say "don't worry it will fill again as it originally did", but I have my doubts that the lake will ever again reach the conservation level.

Perhaps a brief history of the lake would be helpful. The dam was completed in 1955 and by the spring of 1957 was full to the conser­vation elevation due to heavy spring rains and excellent run-off.

3

For the next thirteen years, irrigation releases would lower the lake from 5-8 feet per year, and spring run-off would bring it back to conservation elevation. Beginning in 1971 and to the present, each year the irrigation releases lowered the lake in the summer and each spring we received very little run-off to replenish the lost water. As a result the surface acres have gone down hill rather dramatically. The only major inflow since 1971 occurred in 1975, when Bow Creek flooded and raised the lake elevation about 12 feet. Traditionally the North Fork of the Solomon provided the bulk of the water, but since 1971 this stream has not put any water worth mentioning into the lake and with the exception of 1975, Bow Creek has not been a whole lot better. Looking at the last seven years, we have had below normal rainfall only two years, but we have not received any heavy summer or spring rains to produce any run-off. The com­bination of no run-off and irrigation releases are killing us to a certain degree as a waterfowl refuge. Without substantial inflow this spring, there will be no irrigation releases this coming year. The irrigation district and farmers who use the water are also in a bind as they have a contract with the Bureau of Reclamation which requires them to pay for the water even if there is none to receive. We are only one of several lakes in Western Kansas, Western Nebraska, and Eastern Colorado in the same fix. The Bureau of Reclamation is into the third year of a five-year study to try and determine what can be done to salvage these lakes. At the present time, the top priority on these lakes is irrigation and it would appear unless irrigation is halted, there is little chance of the lakes returning to anywhere near normal levels of a few years ago. Loss of the irrigation water will also mean a new way of farming for many people and many thousands of acres of land. Water has always been and still continues to be the most pressing problem of the West.

The irrigation season this year was the shortest on record, with farmers receiving only 1/3 of their normal water. The irrigation canal was opened this year on July 1, almost three weeks later than normal and did not run a full ditch all month, with the first 10 days running only 1/3 full. Even so the lake dropped better than six feet during the month. The irrigation canal was closed on August 14.

Stock ponds around the refuge and all check dams on the refuge were dry throughout the year. As a result farmers had to haul water to many pastures all year. Even some of the major ponds which had never been dry since they were built over twenty years ago were dry or nearly so by the end of the year.

1740 -•

LAKE ELEVATION IN FEET HIGH & LOW POINTS FOR THE YEAR

1730

1720

1710 - -

\ / \ / \ /

- ^ /

Conservation Elevation

1700

1697 Inactive Storage Elevation

1690 Sfe' 5^ 58 59 60 fa\ 62 63 4 65 6 6 67 6,8 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78

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All farm crops fared well during the year as moisture was quite timely and seemed to be received just when needed. There was some milo that was planted late, some in our food plots, and some on the the steeper ground that was below normal in production due to drought conditions in late summer, but overall it was a good crop year. Agricultural crops were more than enough to take care of our wildlife needs. There will be some milo strips left by our Coop farmers which will not be utilized unless we receive well above normal duck use on the spring migration.

Grasslands were in good shape, except for about a month in June when the above normal temperatures began to dry them out and turn them brown. They recovered well, however, and native hay was of excellent quality. Good cover was available for upland birds and small mammals as grasslands and herbaceous plants made good growth late in the year. Native fruit bearing shrubs and trees produced no fruit or berries due to the frost.

Brush invasion continues to be a problem as the lake recedes ex­posing additional mudflat areas. Brush begins to show up the second year the areas are exposed and by the end of the third year is almost too big to be handled by conventional farm type equipment Many of the silted areas remain too wet for equipment for 4-5 years which allows the brush to get away from us. Refuge personnel did some mechanical control of brush during the year and we issued four permits on a coop basis to plant alfalfa on approximately 350 acres of former lake bottom to check the brush invasion. We have approxi mately 2,500 ::acres'that was once open water or mudf lat areas that are now into tree and brush growth.

C. Land Acquisition

Not applicable.

D. System Status

1. Objectives

Many refuge objectives are in need of revision, particularly those dealing with recreational uses. We have been holding off doing too much work on these hoping that we will get the new instructions on revising objectives so as soon as we get them done we will not have to start over with a new set of guidelines and standards.

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2. Funding

Basic O&M funding has been adequate during the past five years to carry out our programs. The past two years have been excellent as compared to previous refuge funding years.

Fiscal Year Funds By Activities

1110 1210 1220 1240 1400 Rehab

1979 $300 $103,000(1) 0 $30,000 $1,000 $ 8,000

1978 $400 $ 95,000(3) $1,000 $26,000(4) $1,000 0

1977 $500 $ 80,000 $1,000 $18,500 $ 500 $20,000 1976 0 $80,000 $1,000 $18,500 0 0

1975 0 $81,000 0 $19,000 0 0

0 0

$12,000 0

$ 2,500

(1) $9,000 Cyclic Maintenance (2) $13,000 Cyclic Maintenance (3) $15,000 BLHP (4) $10,000 Cyclic Maintenance

Manpower has changed slightly as far as position titles are concerned but numbers of employees have not changed considerably. Staffing is adequate to carry out our present refuge program. All employees are full time except the tractor operator position which is a part-time, 36~hour per week appointment.

STAFFING PATTERN

1978 1977 1976 1975 1974

Refuge Manager, GS-11 X X X X X Refuge Manager, GS-7 X X Refuge Manager, GS-5 X X General Clerk, GS-5 XXX Clerk Typist, GS-4 X X Foreman III, WS-9 XX X Auto Mechanic, WG-10 X X X X X Eng. Equip. Oper, WG-10 X X Maint. Worker, WG-7 X X X X X Tractor Operator, WG-7 XXX

II. CONSTRUCTION & MAINTENANCE

A. Construction

None accomplished.

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B. Maintenance

The interior wall of both the mechanic's shop in building No. 30 and the carpentry shop in building No. 2 were insulated and then covered with 1/4 inch plywood in an effort to reduce heat loss to the adjoining unheated storage stall.

Rain gutter and downspouts were added across the front of building No. 30 in an effort to reduce water standing in front of the over­head doors of this building. The building was originally con­structed at ground level and over the years the headquarters area has been built up by the addition of gravel until now the building is the lowest spot and drainage is hard to achieve.

The exterior of all headquarters buildings, with the exception of the quarters, was repainted during the year. The masonry portion of these buildings were repainted only two years ago, but the paint was peeling badly so with the assistance of both the YCC crews and YACC crews all the buildings were scraped down to the bare blocks and then repainted using a water base powder "Wel-qote" masonry paint. While we were at it we repainted the trim also, so we hope that our buildings are in good shape for several years.

We purchased a new 560 gallon underground gasoline tank and installed it near our old tank. The old tank had deteriorated to a point we could not replace the vent pipe. We left the old tank in the ground and are using it to collect used oil from our vehicle oil changes.

All of the boundary fence was checked and repairs made where needed. Approximately 3/4 mile of boundary fence was removed in Unit 22 by the YACC crew. This fence was in fairly heavy brush and in an area where we do not have a problem with cattle trespass. The fence was down due to last spring's snow in most places anyway and since it was not needed, we removed it rather than rebuild it.

The public use areas were maintained throughout the year as needed. Trash pickup fell almost to nothing after the July 4th weekend. Following that period only Gray's Park, Cottonwood Grove, and Crappie Point were kept mowed. The YACC and YCC crews trimmed and pruned the trees throughout the public use area. Ten new metal charcoal grills were installed to replace the deteriorated low concrete grills which were installed when the refuge was first established. Four boxes were constructed and installed to hold our traffic counters up off the ground and to discourage vandalism to the counters.

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Refuge roads were graded at least twice during the year and some of the heavier used roads were gone over a third time. The entrance road to the concession and scout area was patched using a total of 162 cubic yards of rock. In addition, a 24" culvert was installed and the road raised at the northeast corner of the scout area. The rock used for this patching was hauled from south of the Kiln Area. Approximately 3/4 mile of public use road from Knob Hill to Sandy Beach and from Railroad Flats east about 3/8 mile was rerocked using 688 cubic yards of rock. Rock for this project was hauled from an area where the lake had dropped south of Cottonwood Grove Area. Good rock for use on roads is getting difficult to find, we have plenty of the softer yellow colored rock but the harder white colored rock has about been used up over the years, at least in areas where we can get at it without scalping half the refuge.

The windmill between Units 4 and 5 used for wildlife watering is operational again after being out of service for almost a year. The head on this mill was replaced and the tower shortened and reset.

An old home site in Unit 7 which had been exposed by the low lake levels and farmed around now for several years was cleaned up by burying the concrete foundations and hauling out some of the other junk and tree roots.

The YACC crew removed over a hundred of the goose nesting structures which were scattered throughout the west end of the refuge. Many of these have been high and dry for three to four years and brush had grown around and through them, making removal a major project.

Approximately fifty young plum bushes were dug up and replanted along the nature trail to improve the trail's value for wildlife, to fill in some openings, and to provide a little more diversity in plant composition. Survival rate of this planting was only about 50%.

The John Deere 3020 tractor received a complete engine overhaul to reduce oil consumption. The front end loader had the brakes reworked and the transmission gone through. We also built a new cab for the loader to make it easier to get into and at the same time installed a heater for the comfort of the driver.

In our continuing effort to assist Cedar Bluff NFH with major equipment repairs, we completely overhauled the transmission of their motor grader and at the same time made minor repairs to other portions of this piece of equipment.

8

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 early summer period when the bulk of our public use occurred and during the late summer months when conditions were more critical, no electrical storms occurred so we made it through the year with no fires on the refuge.

III. HABITAT MANAGEMENT

A. Croplands

We have 1,535 acres of bonafide upland cropland on the refuge, this past year 2,322 acres were under some type of cultivation. The extra land is farmed to control brush on the lake bottom during extended periods of low water. The total acreage farmed on a cooperative basis is 1,834 acres and 488 acres, are farmed by refuge staff.

CROPS AND ACREAGES ARE AS FOLLOWS

Refuge Co-op

Corn 145 75 Summerfallow 0 404 Milo 24 307 Wheat 319 273 Alfalfa 0 725 Cover Crop 0 50

The refuge wheat crop was about average again this year. There was 273 acres harvested with an average yield of 26 bu/acre. The refuge share of 1/4 was either delivered to refuge bin or to the elevator and sold. In late summer we transferred 590 bushels to Swan Lake Refuge, Missouri.

From the 1977 crop year, 80-30 bu. of wheat was sold for $180.27 and from the 1978 crop year, 586-10 bu. brought $1,554.73.

Row crops did not do as well as the wheat. Part of the corn crop was a total loss. Rain at the wrong time and the early onset of extremely hot weather were both factors in the partial corn crop failure. The milo crop, if harvested instead of cut for ensilage

9,

or left standing as the refuge's 1/3 share, would have made 50 bu/acre. Close to 2/3 of the row crops on the refuge were treated with 2,4-D for weed control.

The mud flat area cleared this year as a brush control project produced mixed results when planted with cover crops prior to alfalfa seeding. Where oats were planted, hot June weather made a total failure and where cane was planted it made 20 tons/acre. The co-op farmer pays only a token fee and receives 100% of the crop for farming the lake bottom (mud flats). In turn the refuge takes no responsibility for crop loss should the lake raise and flood his crops. The farmers initial investment is high. He must clear the brush and prepare the land for crops. Some of the brush will stand 8 to 14 feet high. The second year the mud flat was farmed the lake came up and flooded one half of the cooperator's alfalfa crop.

The food plots for upland game and non-game were planted by refuge staff and cooperative farmers as part of an on-going agreement with the Kansas Fish and Game. The agreement states that the Fish and Game will plant and maintain small tree plots and shelter belts and the refuge will in turn plant food for upland game birds. The plots (49 acres in all) produced a fair stand of food for wildlife.

B. Grassland

The grasslands remained in good shape most of the year. Hot weather in June caused some drying of the grasses, but overall the grassland remained healthy. 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 $10.00 to $31.50/T. A total of 317.65 tons were cut and brought $5,996.99.

Musk thistle, a noxious weed by State law, was cut or dug by hand in an effort to keep it from spreading in the grasslands.

C. Wetlands

During 1978, about 150 acres of brush was cleared from mud flats by use of the "Rome" plow borrowed from Kansas Fish and Game. Twenty acres at Gray's Park was put back to native grass, while the other 130 acres will be put to alfalfa by co-op farmers.

10

D. Forestlands

Nothing to report.

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 Bluestem Grama Prairie. This area was designated as the Solomon River Grasslands Natural Area in 1968, since that time little use has been made of the area.

G. Easements for Waterfowl Management

Nothing to report.

IV. WILDLIFE

A. Endangered or Threatened Species

No Whooping Cranes used the refuge this year. The nearest recorded sighting was on Harlan Reservoir where two birds spent the night on the fall migration. In a proposed rule making document, Kirwin was proposed as critical habitat for the Whooping Crane along with many other areas. Comments were made on this proposal and the current status is unknown. Whooping Crane habitat at Kirwin is not as good now as it was when the lake was full, due to reduced open shallow areas of water and brush invasion of these areas.

The Peregrine Falcon continues to be an occasional winter user of the refuge. A total of 113 use days were recorded, which is about normal for the past several years. Normally no more than one bird is on the area.

Bald Eagle numbers were the fewest in the past 6-7 years. A peak of 4 birds was recorded during the spring period and a peak of 5 during the fall period, amounting to only 362 use days for the year. It was really unusual this fall as eagles were on the area slightly earlier than normal and then when we should have been reaching our peak numbers the first part of December, we lost what birds we had and during the month of December had no eagles.

We received what sounded like a good sighting of a Black-footed Feret in early July, when a farmer and his teen-age son reported seeing this animal at close range in an area between two prairie dog towns in the southwest corner of Phillips County. Refuge personnel and personnel from Kansas Fish and Game discussed this sighting with the farmer and he is sure that the animal was a feret, but extensive searching of the area and the two dog towns for the remainder of the summer failed to turn up any signs of feret activity in this area.

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Migratory Birds

1. Waterfowl

Total waterfowl use days for the year was up about 5% from a year ago, but still one of the lowest use day figures in the past ten years- The fall flight figures for certain species were good and it was the fall figures that held our use up as we were almost completely bypassed by the spring migration of waterfowl.

Total goose use days were 2,754,000 this year as compared to 1,849,000 a year ago, a 33% increase. Our refuge objective based on the 1965-69 average is 1,300,000 with our peak years being the 1969 through 1975 period with about 3,500,000 use days average for these years.

Canada goose use days were 2,687,000 of the total, an increase of 36% over last year's figure. Use for this species was pretty well divided between the spring and fall migration periods. Our peak spring population was 25,000 geese the second week in March and our fall peak was 24,500 near the end of December. The big difference in use days over last year was the spring period which was up almost 300% this year.

White-fronted goose use was the lowest in history with only 61,600 use days recorded this year as compared to 123,000 a year ago. The peak population was 2,025 recorded on the first week of November. This is really unusual, as normally we stop large numbers of white-fronts in the spring, but few in the fall. We have had well over 20,000 for a spring peak in the past. This is the third year out of the last four that white-front use has been extremely low and it appears that we are getting more each year during the fall migrations than in the past, but experiencing a huge deficit in numbers during the spring period.

Snow/blue geese continued the trend of the past five years of increased useage by this species. Use days this year totaled 5,200, a 49% increase over our record high of a year ago. While most of this use normally occurs during the fall period, we did record 1,800 use days during the spring period. Our peak population was 60 birds in late November. The white color phase appears to be much more common than the blue phase, this year the ratio was about 5 to 1.

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Total duck use days were the second smallest in the history of the refuge, totaling only 1,316,000. Only 1955, the first year the refuge was established, had fewer use days. With the exception of the mallard, there were almost no use days recorded for most species during the spring migration. Peak numbers were only 7,500 and this occurred in mid-January well before the migration started. The fall migration was not a whole lot better for the dabbling species, but was up from a year ago on the diving species.

Dabbling duck use normally accounts for around 85% of our total duck use, this year 86%, and mallards normally 80% of our total dabbler use. This year, however, mallards accounted for 87% of total dabbler use. Mallards recorded 980,000 use days and peaked at 22,700 birds. All other species were really down in numbers and use days as compared below;

Dabbling Duck Use Days

Species .1978 1977

Mallard 980,000 1,285,000 Gadwall 10,500 21,900 Pintail 24,700 244,000 Green-winged Teal 61,000 122,000 Blue-winged Teal 12,800 27,000 Wigeon 33,300 115,500 Shoveler 5,200 31,000

Total dabbler use days were down 39% from a year ago and the peak number was down to 24,700 from 29,000.

Diving duck species were a bright spot in the otherwise dismal duck use picture. This group showed a 34% increase from a year ago and could be considered about normal for all species. Most diving species were fairly common from mid-October into the second week of November. The Canvasback and Ruddy were the only species not up to par. Redheads accounted for 54,500 use days and Scaup 73,900 use days of the total 147,000 diver use days. Canvasback have never been numerous at Kirwin, but the fall migration of Ruddys in the past has been pretty significant this year, however, we peaked at 305 birds.

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 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78

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Common Merganser use continued its skid of the past few years and reached an all time low of only 28,000 use days and a peak of only 1,050 birds. This represents a decrease in use days of 58% from last year. About five years ago this species had peak numbers of from 18,000-20,000 birds and use day figures of about 285,000. It would appear that the low water levels have adversely affected this species more than any other using the refuge.

Coot use followed the same pattern as the dabbling ducks, one of the lowest in refuge history. Coot were never common during the year and recorded only 32,350 use days, 96% of these during the spring period. Our peak spring number was 1,740 and our fall peak was 1,000.

Waterfowl production continued its downward trend of the past 5-6 years. We held the fewest number of birds through the summer ever recorded, approximately 80 geese and 50 ducks. All nesting was done on the ground on the mudflat areas that are exposed. We estimated 42 goslings reached flight stage and 30 young mallards.

Banding success as usual was very poor. Only two shots were made of the net and a total of 159 geese were banded from our quota of 500. With the open weather and ample food available we can not entice the birds to the baited area.

Marsh & Water Birds

Total use days for this group was down 29% from a year ago with 81,600 use days recorded. Use by this group has been declining for several years. All species except the Great Blue Heron were down this year in both peak numbers and use days. Grebes, with the exception of a few Pied-billed Grebes, were almost non­existent. Pelican use at 31,500 use days was down 33%, and Sandhill Crane use was down 45% with 23,500 use days. Cormorant use was down throughout the year, but was particularly notice­able during the fall migration period when we peaked at only 160 birds. The dead tree row had just a few inches of water under it when the Cormorants and Herons began nesting, but by the mid­point of the incubation period it was dry under the trees. Cormorant nesting success was better than that of the Great Blue Heron with 60 young Cormorants raised and only 40 Herons.

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3. Shorebirds, Gulls, and Terns

Use by this group was also down this year as compared to last year and well below that of several years ago. Only 78,000 use days were recorded, a decrease of 53% from a year ago. The only species present in near normal numbers were the Ring-bill Gull which peaked at 1,000 birds and recorded almost half the use days with 30,600. Franklin Gull use was way down from last year with birds low in numbers and staying only a few days. All small shorebirds were in short supply throughout the year with many species that are normally seen, not seen or recorded at all. Kill-deer was the only member of this group to produce young and it is estimated that only 20 of these were raised. One species that normally accounts for a lot of use days is the Wilson's Phalarope, but this year was only recorded on the refuge once. Tern use fit the same pattern, with sighting of the Black Tern and Least Tern well below normal and the Common. Tern somewhat below normal. It appeared through much of the year, we had excellent habitat conditions for shore-birds with shallow or receding water levels, but for some reason just never had the birds.

4. Raptors

Raptors use was almost identical to that of a year ago but down from what was considered normal 4-5 years ago by 20%. Golden Eagle use days were just slightly under that of last year. The bulk of the use also occurred during the early part of the year. During the fall period Eagles were sighted about 3 weeks earlier than normal and then when we should have been building in numbers we lost the few birds we had, and for the last month of the year recorded no Eagle use. Broadwinged hawk use was up slightly with only the Red-tail being present in any numbers, other species were recorded only occasionally. Kestrel use was down about 20% from a year ago with peak numbers of 17, less than 50% of last year's figure. Great Horned Owl use was down about 30% from last year, this is the third year in a row that this species has declined. Both the Red-tail Hawk and Great Horned Owl nest on the area, but production was well below normal with 4 hawks and 8 owls produced. There were no unusual sightings made during the year.

15

5. Other Migratory Birds

Mourning Dove use was down on the refuge and in the surrounding area. We recorded a peak population of only 150 birds and just under 14,000 use days. We had very few birds for the nesting season, but production was good and it is estimated that about 300 young were produced, but as soon as they were on the wing they left the area. There was just no fall build up of doves at all through this area, very unusual. Crow numbers were below those of a year ago with a peak of 1,700 birds, somewhat near normal for the past 4-5 years but well below the use we received prior to that period. Magpie is a resident species with a normal population of about 20 for most of the year, increasing for a few weeks following production, but soon back to our normal figure of around 20. One new bird species was added to the refuge bird list with the con­firmed sighting of Black-headed Grosbeak. This species was reported by birders on the Nature Trail during July and was confirmed by the Manager.

Mammals and Non-Migratory Birds

1. Game Mammals

White-tailed Deer numbers have leveled off after several years of rapid growth. It is estimated that we had a peak of 1,000 animals during the wintertime when food is avail­able on the refuge in the corn and milo crops. Our summer population is probably about 60% of our winter population. Mule Deer numbers have remained constant over the years at around 15 animals.

Squirrel and Cottontail numbers remain rather low, these two species have been down in numbers for about three years now. It is estimated that our peak number of Cottontail was .1,200 animals and the Fox Squirrel population was set at 225.

2. Other Mammals

Coyote numbers remain good on the refuge and appear to be holding their own despite the high prices a good fur will bring. Hunting pressure off the refuge has been rather heavy on coyotes for the past couple years. It is estimated

16

that our population is around 100 animals. Other fur bearing animals are at low numbers. Raccoon and Beaver continue to ecrease, following the trend started about five years ago. Seldom do you see "coon" signs anymore and many of the beaver dams are no longer being used. Our Prairie Dog Town continued its expansion to the east and south. This town covers just over 100 acres and while the population does not appear to be increasing to any great extent^ the area of heavy use has been moving the last 3-4 years. Movement on to the south another couple hundred yards will be onto private land and this edge may have to be knocked back by some control in the near future.

Resident Birds

Bobwhite Quail numbers were about normal with a peak population of around 1,400 birds. It is estimated that we produced around 850 young. We are on the northern and western edge of the range of this species.

Pheasant enjoyed another excellent year with the refuge having the third highest breeding population in the past eleven years. Spring crow counts and observations indicated: (1) a breeding population of 1,125 birds; (2) a sex ratio of 1:1.5; (3) 3,100 young produced to flight stage; (4) a peak population of 5,700 birds; and (5) around 3,950 birds present at the beginning of the hunting season.

Prairie Chicken appears to be increasing slightly or at least holding their own. This species is seen occasionally on the refuge and is quite common to the southeast of the refuge. This species was not seen on the refuge for a period of about 10 years, but was observed several times last year.

Rio Grande Turkey still remains a question mark as refuge personnel have had no confirmed sighting on the refuge for about 2h years. There are turkeys on the Solomon both east and west of the refuge area a few miles and also a flock on Bow Creek about 15 miles from the refuge. Archery deer hunters report hearing them on the refuge in the Bow Creek Arm. The State is planning to transplant up to 75 birds about 4 miles west of the refuge on the Solomon River early in 1979 if trapping efforts in the southwest part of the state are successful.

17

4. Other Wildlife

The State of Kansas has the responsibility for management of the fishery resource, but it is of interest to note that while fishing was down overall, the catch of Crappie and Black Bass was good again this year. This is the second year after a long absence that these species were fairly common in the creel-

A. Information and Interpretation

1. On-Refuge

In all areas of the Interpretation and Recreation program there was a total visitation decrease of 27,228 from the previous year. Use of the woodland nature trail was up only slightly. Low water levels in the lake can account for such a drop in public use. With water levels down .there is less fishing, boating, bird watching, picnicking and camping. Also because of low water levels there was no use of the auto tour route usually used by the public to view our waterfowl.

2. Off-Refuge

Requests for programs by church, civic, and youth groups were about normal. The refuge assisted the Hansen Scout Camp by presenting four 1-hour classes on Wildlife Conser­vation and related biological subjects to Scouts earning nature orientated badges. The refuge constructed a float for the Old Settler's Day Parade in Kirwin that was viewed by about 2,500 people. Three news releases were issued to the local papers and one to the local radio station.

Contacts were made to all local school districts offering our services for Career Day classes and urging counselors to be aware of requirements for employment in nature related fields. A refuge staff member attended 2 Career Days in 2 different school districts.

B. Recreation

1. Wildlife Oriented

Total public use visits were down about 20% from last year.

18

Wildlife activities accounted for 96% of the total visits to the refuge. Fishing was the most popular activity accounting for 48,741 visits (51%). Most of these occurred during the spring walleye run that lasted about 6 weeks (4 weeks of heavy fishing, 2 weeks of light fishing). This is about half the normal length. The average size walleye was about 4 lbs. with a 10-lb fish not being uncommon. Late summer channel cat fishing that usually accounts for a good deal of the fishing use was almost nonexistent. Low water level can account for this decrease. Catfish fishing in mid-August should have been excellent when we got some inflow, but the fishermen still didn't show. A State Fishery Biologist held workshops on night fishing for walleye and white bass. There were about ten people who showed up for those workshops and a greater night fishing success was noted among those fishermen.

On refuge waterfowl hunting was very poor the first half of the season with only 25 birds being taken. The second half was a little better with 85 birds taken by hunters. The refuge had a total of 600 hunting visits (400 of these were repeat visits) and 130 geese taken. There was one mallard drake shot late in the season.

The pheasant population was in excellent shape for the opening of the season and remained so after the close of the season. A combination of poor weather and average hunters (skill) favored the pheasant. Only 170 birds were taken with a total hunter visits of 670. Fifty-five quail were taken by 120 hunters.

Archery deer hunting is one of the fastest growing sports in the area. A few deer were taken adjacent to the refuge but none taken on the public hunting area. Last year 3 deer were killed on the refuge by archery hunters.

Wildlife observation was down sharply, by 13,000 visits-Even so this activity accounted for 30% of the total visits to the refuge.

Non-Wildlife Oriented

Non-wildlife orientated activities were down 25% from the previous year. There was only one spot to launch boats and that was a poor one, so the water skiers and boaters found other lakes in the area to spend their time. Extremely hot weather discouraged all but the most dedicated campers.

2U0

220

200

180

160

1U0

120

100

80

60

40

20

KIRWIN PUBLIC USE DAYS (Figures in Thousands)

19

3. Concession

The Concession, with the exception of the semi-permanent trailer court, did not open this year. The cove where the Concession is located went dry about July 4. It will take above average inflow to put enough water in the lake to make the cove even marginal for fishing or boating. It is our guess the Concessionaire will be looking for a way out from under his Contract. If this happens we can anticipate pressure from the trailer owners to keep something going as a service operation. It appears we made a mistake in not closing the operation down three years ago when the opportunity presented itself. We may face that decision again soon.

C. Enforcement

This is one area we feel we have no problems. Ninety percent of our public use is local or repeat. This was the second year of the new hunting area so most of the hunters were familiar with the posted areas. The last 2 weekends of the goose season the State of Kansas brought in 4 extra Game Protectors to work the entire area, they wrote no citations. Refuge personnel wrote no citations (violation notices) during the year. The refuge suffered no cases of vandalism or any serious cases of off-road vehicle operation.

The State Game Protector wrote several citations for over possession of fish during the Walleye run.

VI. OTHER ITEMS

Field Investigation

Archeological Survey: With the low water levei the refuge personnel and Co-op farmers were cutting brush with plans to put more land under cultivation. Because the proposed farming might have damaged some unidentified archeological sites, the survey was requested. The Archeological Survey was designed to locate archeological remains in or adjacent to the proposed farming sites. Later the survey was expanded to cover possible construction sites and expanded again on information supplied by a local informant.

BEARS—Family Ursidae Black bear, Ursus americanus RACCOONS—Family Procyonidae Raccoon, Procyon lotor WEASELS AND RELATIVES—Family Mustelidae Long-tailed weasel, Mustela frenata Mink, Mustela vison Least weasel, Mustela nivalis Badger, Taxidea taxus Eastern spotted skunk, Spilogale putorius Striped skunk, Mephitis mephitis CATS—Family Felidae Bobcat, Felis rufus

EVEN-TOED UNGULATES-Order Artiodactyla DEER AND RELATIVES—Family Cervidae Mule deer, Odocoileus hemionus White-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus

NOTES

u c R C PR C

White-footed mouse, Peromyscus leucopus C Riparian woodland Northern grasshopper mouse, Onychomys leucogaster U Prairie Hispid cotton rat, Sigmodon hispidus u Riparian grassland Eastern wood rat, Neotoma floridana c Widespread Prairie vole, Microtus ochrogaster c Riparian grassland Muskrat, Ondatra zibethicus c Tributaries and along shores PORCUPINES—Family Erethizontidae American porcupine, Erethizon dorsatum p Might occur in riparian woodland

CARNIVORES—Order Carnivora DOGS AND RELATIVES—Family Canidae Coyote, Canis latrans c Widespread Red fox, Vulpes vulpes PR Riparian woodland Gray fox, Urocyon cinereoargenteus P Might occur in riparian woodland

; |

Might wander into region

Widespread, riparian woodland

Widespread Riparian woodland, tributaries Widespread Prairie Widespread Widespread

Widespread, rugged terrain

Prairie Widespread, riparian woodland

NOTES

CHECKLIST OF MAMMALS

Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge

Kirwin, Kansas

Compiled by:

G. Karl Launchbaugh

and Jerry R. Choate

Museum of the High Plains

Fort Hays State University

Hays, Kansas 67601

This checklist identifies the names, status, and preferred habitats of the native mammals of Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge. It does not include introduced species (such as house mice and barn rats), domesticated species (such as cattle and house pets), and species that form­erly occurred in the region but have since been extirpated (such as wolves and bison). Ac­cordingly, the list includes only those animals which presently comprise the native mamma­lian fauna of the Refuge.

A total of 34 species of native mammals have been documented as occurring on the Refuge at the present time. The status of these species is described as common (C), uncommon (U), or rare (R). "Common" species are so abundant in their preferred habitats that they can be found therein with little difficulty. "Uncommon" species are less abundant or widespread in their preferred habitats than are "common" species, and the one "rare" species has only recently dispersed into the region and is represented by very few individuals. Three locally common (LC) species are abundant in their preferred habitat in cer­tain areas but rare or absent in others.

Seven additional species of mammals occur in the immediate region and probably (PR) occur on the Refuge, although their presence thereon has not been confirmed. Finally, nine species possibly (P) will be found on the Refuge although they are not presently known from the immediate region. The habitats on the refuge where these probable or possible inhabitats might be found are indicated.

Information on status and preferred habitats in this checklist pertains only to Kirwin Na­tional Wildlife Refuge and not the entire range of a particular species. As such, the checklist is intended as a field guide for use by visitors to the Refuge and by residents and educators in the immediate vicinity of the Refuge. It is hoped that the checklist will stimulate interest in the local mammals and add to the pleasure of visiting Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge.

This publication was prepared in conjunction with research on the mammals of Kansas by faculty and students of the Museum of the High Plains and the Department of Biological Sciences, Fort Hays State University. Information regarding unusual mammals on the Refuge should be directed to the address at the bottom of the first page or to the Refuge Manager.

SPECIES STATUS HABITAT

MARSUPIALS—Order Marsupialia OPOSSUMS—Family Didelphidae Virginia opossum, Didelphis virginiana C Riparian woodland

INSECTIVORES—Order Insectivora SHREWS—Family Soricidae Short-tailed shrew, Blarina carolinensis Least shrew, Cryptotis parva MOLES—Family Talpidae Eastern mole, Scalopus aquaticus

U Riparian grassland U Riparian grassland, prairie

U Riparian woodland

BATS—Order Chiroptera INSECTIVOROUS BATS-Family Vespertilionidae Keen's bat, Myotis keenii PR Migrates across region Small-footed bat, Myotis leibii P Might roost in rock outcrops Silver-haired bat, Lasionycteris noctivagans PR Migrates across region Big brown bat, Eptesicus fuscus U Roosts in human habitation Red bat, Lasiurus borealis PR Roosts in trees Hoary bat, Lasiurus cinereus PR Roosts in trees Evening bat, Nycticeius humeralis P Might migrate across region FREE-TAILED BATS—Family Molossidae Brasilian free-tailed bat, Tadarida brasiliensis PR Migrates across region

EDENTATES—Order Edentata ARMADILLOS—Family Dasypodidae 9-banded armadillo, Dasypus novemcinctus P Pioneers wander in region

LAGOMORPHS—Order Lagomorpha HARES AND RABBITS—Family Leporidae Eastern cottontail, Sylvilagus floridanus C Riparian woodland, brush Desert cottontail, Sylvilagus audubonii P Might occur on upland prairie Black-tailed jackrabbit, Lepus californicus C Prairie

RODENTS—Order Rodentia SQUIRRELS—Family Sciuridae Franklin's ground squirrel, Sperrtiophilus franklinii LC Riparian grassland, brush 13-lined ground squirrel, Spermophilus tridecemlineatus C Prairie Prairie dog, Cynomys ludovicianus LC Prairie Fox squirrel, Sciurus niger C Riparian woodland, windrows POCKET GOPHERS-Family Geomyidae Plains pocket gopher, Geomys bursarius C Prairie, riparian grassland POCKET MICE—Family Heteromyidae Plains pocket mouse, Perognathus flavescens P Might occur sparcely on prairie Silky pocket mouse, Perognathus flavus P Might occur sparcely on prairie Hispid pocket mouse, Perognathus hispidus U Widespread Ord's kangaroo rat, Dipodomys ordii C Widespread in sandy soils BEAVER—Family Castoridae American beaver, Castor canadensis LC Wooded tributaries NEW WORLD RATS AND MICE-Family Cricetidae Plains harvest mouse, Reithrodontomys montanus U Prairie Western harvest mouse, Reithrodonomys megalotis c Widespread Deer mouse, Peromyscus maniculatus c Everywhere but woodland

20

Eleven sites were mapped and two showed some promise. The recommendation of the survey team was that the two promising sites be put into cultivation. They felt that farming activity would not damage the sites and would protect them from brush encroachment. The two historical sites were subsequently planted to alfalfa.

Mammal Study; The study by a graduate student from Hays University for his Master's Thesis on the "Mammals of Phillips County" was completed and the refuge received a supply of the updated check­list for use with school groups, scouts, and others interested in Mammals. (copy attached)

Cooperative Programs

The YCC Resident Camp at Hays University Campus, Hays, Kansas, and sponsored by Bureau of Reclamation had 22 boys and 23 girls enrolled and nine work leaders. Five enrollees and a work leader began work on the refuge on June 6, 1978. There were three weeks that two and sometimes three groups working on projects on the refuge. They completed the summer's work on July 28, 1978. The following is a summary of the projects:

Range Vegetation Control: 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.

Sign Base Construction: Constructed a native rock, single pillar base for 4,x8' sign located at the Cemetery entrance to the refuge. They poured footing and base core of concrete, installed holder for sign and laid native stone around core.

Trail Maintenance and Improvement: Maintenance and improvement of existing woodland nature trail (approximately 1.5 miles). All dead wood immediately along the nature trail was removed. Low hanging branches were trimmed, trail was rerocked, bird waterer was cleaned and refilled, bird feeding stations, wren houses, squirrel boxes, dove nests, visitor register, etc. were given a coat of redwood paint, and weeds along the trail were sprayed with 2,4-D.

Fencing Project; Removal of existing boundary fence in Unit 21 near Catfish Cove (included removing and rolling up wire and pull posts). This project was not completed.

21

Litter Pickup & Removal: General cleanup of public use areas by picking up cans and trash along roadways.

Building Maintenance(Headquarters): Brushed and scraped peeling paint from part of the cement block buildings in preparation for painting.

Public Use Area Maintenance(tree trimming): Trimmed sucker shoots and low hanging branches from trees in refuge public use areas. This was completed and the six public use areas are much more pleasing in appearance and safer for the visiting public and refuge personnel.

Parking Area Maintenance: Cleaned weeds and grass from around guard posts marking parking areas at Concession picnic area. This improved the appearance of the area.

Recreation Shelter Maintenance; Painted 4 shelters located in the public use area.

Recreational Picnic Table Maintenance; Scraped off old paint and repainted six picnic tables.

Water Line Maintenance: Tamped and refilled sections of water line from well house to headquarters that had become partially exposed due to erosion.

Range Vegetation Control; Picked up all larger roots and sticks out of plowed field south of Gray's Park to facilitate planting of native grass.

Completed hoeing and weeding trees and shrubs planted by Kansas Fish and Game as part of their management of Upland Game Habitat and located in Units 9, 10, & 21. This will improve their rate of growth. Survival of these plantings have been fair due to weather conditions.

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

22

YACC At Kirwin Wildlife Refuge

On August 7, 1978, two work leaders Steve Flint and Scott Ross entered on duty for the YACC program, with temporary office quarters at Kirwin Refuge. Two weeks were spent on recruiting enrollees, informing the public about the program, initiating work projects, etc. On August 21, four enrollees reported for duty. The highest number of enrollees was 17 and at the end of the Calendar Year 1978, thirteen were enrolled.

During this time several projects were completed that needed to be done but the refuge lacked the manpower. Some of the major ones are: Repaint all refuge buildings (except residence); mowed recreation areas; removed old concrete grills and replaced with metal ones; fence and road repair; and maintained tree plots in upland game habitat.

C. Items of Interest

Theodore M. Stans came on board April 24, 1978, to fill the position of Assistant Refuge Manager. Ted transferred from Cabeza Prieta NWR, Arizona, and is a welcome addition to our staff. Ted, his wife Diane and lh year old daughter Kimberly, have purchased a home in Phillipsburg.

Ted Stans attended Regional Orientation for Professional Employees training at Denver May 3-5, 1978.

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

D. Safety

Safety meetings were held throughout the year and we closed the year with 40,302 accident free man-days and 322,416 man hours. We feel fortunate and proud in having completed an accident free year. Employees are always alert for potential safety hazards before doing a task and while performing their duties. We had four employees complete the Defensive Drivers Training Course, four employees completed the 8-hour First Aid Training Course, and five employees completed Cardio-pulmonary Resuscitation Training during the year. All fire equipment such as extinguishers, smoke detectors, and fire trailer were checked monthly and an annual report was sent to the Regional Safety Officer. Station Safety Plan was reviewed

23

and updated. All safety releases, memos, etc. were discussed and action taken if required. Safety protective equipment such as gloves, goggles, safety lens glasses, hard hats, etc. are furnished all employees and are used when the job requires it. A new pair of safety glasses were purchased during the year. Station Fire Plan was revised and rewritten.

Ecological Monitoring

Assistant Manager Stans participated in the Mourning Dove Nest Study done in Nebraska and Iowa to determine nestling dove mortality caused by the September opening date of the dove season. About a week was spent in trying to locate active nests just prior to the opening of the season.

"fill 't'J,

($wlificnk of Se niFiVn

Aurariei to

tilnvtn ?/. iv, /?. /OO /o Pa.-rt<,c.ij3Q,tco-K

a

And SjznyLrjr

, vw. ,v f / ^y

[ X (fyftees

Before

One of the many YCC projects completed on the refuge was a sign base.

After

I

Before

I

688 cu. yds. of rock were used to rehabilitate refuge road at the Railroad Flats Area.

After

I

yACC assisted in planting native grass in Unit 7 after our grassland drill failed to do the job.

Is

YACC helped place a culvert in one of our major roads in Unit 25.

YACC making "little rocks" out of "big ones" --larger rocks are a problem when resurfacing roads.

One stall in our Service Building was converted to a temporary office for YACC. YACC painted this building and 2 other block buildings.

BLHP Funds (FY 77) were used to renovate the office. Thermo-pane windows replaced the industrial type thus cutting energy consumption by 1/3. New furniture, carpet, and a coat of paint all make it an attractive place to work.

REmoving old farmstead foundations from an area - recently cleared of brush (lake bottom) helps our farm equipment last longer.

Concrete slab for the gas pump is being put back into place after the new tank was installed. The old tank

was left in place and is now used for oil disposal.

Water level now is 90% below conservation pool. The remaining water provides little good habitat, the banks drop off too sharply.

Geese use both sides of the old railroad right-bf-way as loafing areas. In June 1978, this was under about 4 feet of water.

During winter this cove off Crappie Point is frozen over In fall and spring, the cove will hold large numbers of birds. Six feet of water would put water well back into the brush and weeds in the background. The brush shown is extremely thick and stands 5-6* in height.

The goose nesting structure is well out into the lake bottom. The brush is mowed in wide bands every other year. A "Rome" plow would make areas like these easier to break out.

This area of the lake bottom has been dry 5 years. The taller trees in the background were never cut because of large amount of stumps. The foreground left is one year's growth. By cutting every second year, there is always plenty of cover for the upland game birds. Top right is the bank for normal conservation pool.

I

Two year's growth at the swimming beach.

_The North Fork of the Solomon River used to provide much of Kirwin's water. Changing farm practices, increased irrigation(pumping) on the watershed, excellent soil conservation measures, increased water use by the city of Phillipsburg (North Solomon is its only source), drouth or near drouth con­ditions for the past several years, and continued draw downs from Kirwin Lake by the Irrigation District have all combined to cause our low water levels.

The Solomon River is shown with its normal amount of water 2 miles above the refuge. None of this will actually make it to the lake.