SUBJECT: Scoped Environmental Impact Statement to Evaluate Species at Risk Potential on the Avalon West Property

Transcription

1 MEMORANDUM TO: Jocelyn Peloquin, Minto Communities Inc. FROM: Alex Zeller, Project Manager, Dillon Consulting Limited DATE: July 10, 2013 FILENO: SUBJECT: Scoped Environmental Impact Statement to Evaluate Species atriskpotentialontheavalonwestproperty 1.0 Introduction This Scoped Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was conducted at the request of the City of Ottawa (the City) to confirm the presence of three Species at Risk (SAR) birds on the proposed Avalon West Phase 3 property. These species included; Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus), Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna), and Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica). All are listed as Threatened in Ontario under the Endangered Species Act (2007). Furthermore, each of their habitats is now also protected under the act. Suite Colonnade Road Ottawa Ontario Canada K2E 7J4 Telephone (613) Fax (613) PropertyIdentification The property is located in Orleans, Ontario, south of Innes Road; between Mer Bleue Road and Tenth Line Road. Figure 1, attached, illustrates the location of the property and study area relative to the surrounding area. Property Owner: Minto Communities Inc. Legal Description: Part of Lots 2 and 3, Concession 11, Township of Cumberland Property Information Number(s): , , , Methods The following standard methods were used to evaluate the presence of the three SAR birds (Bobolink, Eastern Meadowlark, and Barn Swallow) within the property. These methods included the MNR s Bobolink survey protocol (also used to identify Eastern Meadowlark), and the Breeding Bird Atlas (OBBA) Guide for participants (OBBA, 2001) used to identify the presence of Barn Swallows. Pageof DillonConsulting Limited

2 Property Memorandum 2.1 GrasslandBirds Surveys for Bobolink and Eastern Meadowlark combined point counts with area search methodology in appropriate open country habitat, following MNR Bobolink survey protocol. Ten-minute non-fixed radius point counts, spaced 250 metres apart, were used to establish baseline quantitative estimates of Bobolink and Eastern Meadowlark abundance (see Figure 1). A GPS coordinate in NAD 83 was use to documented point count locations. Area searches were conducted between point counts in open country habitat. Surveys were conducted during the breeding season on June 7th, June 20 th, and July 3rd, 2012 by qualified biologists, between dawn and 5 hours after sunrise. No poor weather precluded surveys (e.g., heavy fog, high winds, storm events, etc.). 2.2 BarnSwallows Barn Swallows, and other incidental breeding birds, were surveyed for throughout the project location and adjacent lands simultaneously with the grassland bird survey noted above (along with all other incidental bird observations). Surveys followed methods outlined in the OBBA Guide for participants (OBBA 2001). While OBBA guidelines recommend surveys be undertaken twice over the course of each breeding season to ensure that both early and late breeders were detected, surveys in this study were conducted 3 times in accordance with the MNR s Bobolink Survey protocol. The breeding bird surveys consisted of ten minute point counts. Point counts are used to establish quantitative estimates of bird abundance in major habitat types of the study area. Breeding evidence for each bird species was documented using Breeding Bird Atlas Evidence Codes. For point count locations, a GPS coordinate in NAD 83 was documented (see Figure 1). As with the Bobolink Survey, no poor weather precluded surveys (e.g., heavy fog, high winds, storm events, etc.). In addition, a nest search was conducted on any suitable structure that could provide suitable nesting habitat. 3.0 SurveyResults 3.1 Habitat Grassland Bird Habitat General observations made during the field surveys indicate that most of the property is covered by either regenerating mixed meadow or disturbed bare soil. Only small patches of graminoid meadow habitat, considered appropriate nesting habitat for Bobolink and Eastern Meadowlark, were observed. The habitat identified on the property is generally not suitable nesting habitat for Bobolink. Bobolink generally favors a reasonably large (~5ha) area consisting of tall grass prairie, graminonid meadows, or hayfields in which to nest (MNR 2013a). As with Bobolink, no suitable nesting habitat for Eastern Meadowlark was identified within the property. Eastern Meadowlark is known to be more tolerant of mixed meadows than Bobolink, and seem to prefer a greater diversity in habitat patch characteristics than Bobolink. However, they generally avoid early successional weedy meadows as identified on the property; and, like Bobolink, they generally favour large (>5ha) open grasslands over small ones (MNR 2013b). Pageof

3 Property Memorandum Barn Swallow Habitat Within Ontario, Barn Swallows generally live in close association with man-made structures. Their nesting habitat is almost exclusively on structures such as open barns, under bridges and in culverts (MNR 2013c). No such structures were identified within the property during the field surveys. It is therefore highly unlikely that any Barn Swallow nesting habitat is located within the property. Currently, the MNR does not consider feeding habitat as critical for the species. 3.2 GrasslandBirdFieldSurvey As indicated above, the MNR s Bobolink protocol was followed to survey for Bobolink and Eastern Meadowlark. Three morning surveys were conducted between early June and early July. The following table outlines the results. Table 1: Grassland Bird Survey Results Date Survey 1: June 7, 2013 Survey 2: June 20, 2013 Survey 3: July 3, 2013 Weather Overcast and Calm Sunny and Calm Overcast with Light Breeze Survey Point UTM Coordinate Easting Northing Bobolink Observations Eastern Meadowlark none none none none none none none none none none none none none none none none none none none none none none none none none none none none none none none none none none none none As indicated in the table above, No Bobolink or Eastern Meadowlarks were identified within the property. Pageof

4 Property Memorandum 3.2 BarnSwallows A survey for Barn Swallows was conducted using the OBBA guidelines noted above. All surveys were done simultaneously with the Grassland Bird survey. The following table summarizes the results of this survey. Table 2: Breeding Bird Survey Results Species Scientific Name Observations Survey 1 Survey 2 Survey 3 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica None None None American Goldfinch Spinus tristis - X X American Robin Spinus tristis X - X Black-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus erythropthalmus - - X Canada Goose Branta canadensis X - - Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia - X - Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina X X X Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas - X X Cooper Hawk Accipiter cooperii - X - Eastern Pheobe Sayornis phoebe X X - European Starling Sturnus vulgaris X X - Grasshopper Sparrow Ammodramus savannaru X X X House Wren Troglodytes aedon X X X Killdeer Charadrius vociferus X X X Mallard Duck Anas platyrhynchos - - X Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura - - X Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus - - X Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus - X X Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis X X X Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia X X X Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius - X X Veery Catharus fuscescens X X - Wild Turkey Meleagris gallopavo - - X As indicated in the table above, No Barn Swallows were identified within the property. 4.0 MitigationandImpacts No impacts on Bobolink, Eastern Meadowlark, or Barn Swallows are anticipated during any activity associated with the development of Avalon West Community. As such, no mitigation is required to protect these species from harm due to the proposed development. Pageof

5 Property Memorandum 5.0 Conclusion Based on the lack of available habitat within the property and the lack of SAR bird observations during the surveys, the proposed development should not directly impact any Bobolink, Eastern Meadowlark or Barn Swallows or their habitat. It should be noted that these results assume existing habitat is maintained in its current form. If, during future growing seasons, the habitat within the property undergoes natural succession towards a more natural grassland community, the property could provide suitable habitat for both Bobolink and Eastern Meadowlark. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns please feel free to contact me by phone at or by at azeller@dillon.ca Sincerely, Alex Zeller, M.Sc. Project Manager Encl. References MNR 2013a. Bobolink General Habitat Description, mnr_sar_ghd_est_mdwlrk_en.pdf - Accessed July 2013 MNR 2013b,Meadowlark General Habitat Description, mnr_sar_ghd_est_mdwlrk_en.pdf - Accessed July 2013 MNR 2012c, Barn Swallow General Habitat Description, mnr_sar_ghd_brn_swllw_en.pdf - Accessed July 2013 Pageof

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