APPENDIX H Small Mammal and Bat Surveys
Survey of Small Mammals and Bats at the Phases I and II of the West Cape Wind Park Prepared for: Ventus Energy Inc. Prepared by: Dr. Marina Silva Department of Biology University of Prince Edward Island 550 University Avenue Charlottetown, PE Canada C1A 4P3 Tel.: (902) 566-0602; Fax (902) 566-0740 Email: msilva@upei.ca September 2006
1.0 Non-volant Mammals We conducted small mammal trapping sessions in the project area from June 1 to June 30, 2006. Transect lines randomly established within the project area were used for this study. Sherman trap stations (1 trap per station) were separated by approximately 15 m. Traps were baited with a mixture of sunflower seeds and peanut butter. Traps were checked twice daily. Although night temperatures were a little cold during the early part of June, we were able to capture 156 small mammals in approximately 18 days of trapping (Table 1). Table 1. Total captures of small mammals in the project site during trapping sessions occurring between June 1 and 30, 2006. SRanks denote provincial status from ACCDC 2004. ACCDC rankings are: (S1) extremely rare; (S2) rare; (S3) uncommon; (S4) usually widespread; and (S5) demonstrably widespread. Species Name Common Name Captures SRank Blarina brevicauda Short-tailed shrew 18 S5 Clethrionomys gapperi Red-backed vole 20 S5 Glaucomys sabrinus Meadow vole 4 S4,S5 Microtus pennsylvanicus Deer mouse 39 S5 Sorex cinereus Common shrew 12 S5 Tamias striatus Eastern chipmunk 39 S5 Tamiasciurus hudsonicus American red squirrel 14 S5 Zapus hudsonicus Meadow jumping mouse 20 S5 Although these were the only species captured during trapping sessions, we also observed several raccoons (Procyon lotor), skunks (Mephitis mephitis), and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes).
2.0 Bats A field exploration conducted in March 2006 revealed the presence of 11 abandoned human dwellings in the project area that could potentially be used as hibernation-habitat or roosting areas by bats. Buildings often provide stable roosting habitat with ideal temperatures and protection from predators for maternity, day, and night roosting, and for hibernation. It should be noted that one of these abandoned houses was removed from the area during mid-summer 2006. Although none of the 10 potential roosting sites is located in close proximity of any of the 55 proposed turbines for the West Cape Wind Farm, we still decided to visit them to verify for the presence of bats or bat droppings. These sites were visited during daytime between June 6 and 9, and again between June 19 and 21. The sites were again visited between August 18 and 30, 2006. This time, the visits took place at dawn. No presence of bats was detected during these surveys. It should be noted that most of these abandoned houses were locked, so we were unable to check within the houses for the presence of bats or bat droppings. Although the surveys failed to show the presence of bats within the project area, consultations (anecdotal information) with local people clearly indicate that bats occurring within the project area. These consultations let us to believe that at least one bat species (possibly little brown bat; Myotis lucifugus) occurs or forages in the study area. Based on recent studies conducted on Prince Edward Island National Park, it is also possible that the Northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) occurs within the project. Many North American bat species live in forests and depend on living trees or snags for roosting sites (Barbour and Davis 1969; Humphrey et al. 1977; Kunz 1982; Vonhof and Barclay 1996). Therefore, it is possible that bats use tree hollows as roosting areas within the project site. It should also be noted that the project site encompasses agricultural areas, forested areas with some old trees, and numerous source of water (e.g., streams and marshes). These are all habitats preferred by bats for foraging and breeding. Therefore, it is recommended to ensure that bat fatalities are monitored properly during the post-construction follow-up monitoring program.
3.0 Literature Cited Barbour, R. W.; Davis, W. H. 1969. Bats of America. Lexington, KY: University Press of Kentucky. 186 p. Humphrey, S. R.; Richter, A. R.; Cope, J. B. 1977. Summer habitat and ecology of the endangered Indiana bat, Myotis sodalis. Journal of Mammalogy 58: 334-346. Kunz, T. H. 1982. Ecology of Plenum Press. 425 p. Vonhof, M. J.; Barclay, R. M. R. 1996. Roost-site selection and roosting ecology of forest-dwelling bats in southern British Columbia. Canadian Journal of Zoology 74: 1797-1805.