Hi folks,

Those of us with a soft spot in our hearts for Harlequin Ducks might find this article interesting. I don't know if the birding community has any way to encourage Parks Canada (or the highway people) to do their utmost for these unique waterfowl.

Jon. Anderson
Olympia, Washington
festuca at olywa.net

Harlequin ducks feared at risk in highway project

Cathy Ellis
For The Calgary Herald
Wednesday, November 12, 2003

Harlequin ducks are seen as indicators of healthy aquatic systems, biologists say.

Parks Canada is being pushed to protect vulnerable harlequin ducks, not just grizzly bears and wolves, during twinning of the Trans-Canada Highway through Banff National Park.

Researchers are worried that construction of the highway, which parallels the Bow River, could harm the migratory sea ducks unless care is taken to protect them.

A five-year study concluded the river and its tributaries are considered an internationally significant breeding and staging area for harlequin ducks, which fly inland from the West Coast.

The study recommends avoiding construction from May until the end of September in areas that have a high density of the birds.

It also says building bridges or arched culverts would be vital to allow the birds, particularly flightless ducks, to move between the Bow and its tributaries.

Harlequin duck researcher Cyndi Smith said the small ducks, which favour areas of low human disturbance and clean water, are considered an indicator of healthy, pristine environments.

"The harlequin is sort of the bird equivalent to the grizzly bear. Harlequin ducks are seen as a good indicator species of healthy aquatic systems," said Smith, a Parks Canada conservation biologist.

"The cost of not doing the right thing is something we don't know, but we have to look to the future. It may be difficult to do, but it's a long stretch of road and I think they should be able to work around that."

North America boasts populations of harlequin ducks on the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.

The Pacific population spends most of the year along coastal areas in British Columbia and Washington State, migrating only long enough to breed along turbulent mountain streams each spring.

It is the only duck in North America to do so.

The Bow River between Castle Junction and Lake Louise has the highest known density of harlequin ducks in a breeding area in western North America.

In Alberta, the small, colourful sea ducks are considered sensitive, meaning the species may require special attention to prevent it from becoming at risk.

The adult population along the Bow appears stable, although declining productivity was flagged as a concern. Smith's 1995-99 research was done in preparation for eventual twinning of the Trans-Canada between Castle Mountain and Lake Louise.

Last month, the federal government announced it would spend $50 million to twin that dangerous stretch, which has claimed 24 lives and injured 119 people in the past five years.

Construction is set to begin in 2005 following an environmental assessment, which will consider recommendations to protect wildlife.

Terry McGuire, Parks Canada's highway services director, said many studies will be considered, including those on harlequin ducks, vegetation, amphibians and wildlife crossings.

"They will all be taken into consideration, but recognizing there are economic limitations with that," he said.

Smith's research concluded that the amount of use by ducks on the Bow River varied significantly, although Moraine Creek, Lake Louise rapids and the TCH Islands were clearly popular spots.

Moraine Creek near Lake Louise has been identified as particularly important, given it has more known active and inactive nests than any other stream in that region.

The study also found that 13 of the 15 active nests were found on tributaries of the Bow River, all of which were crossed by a highway or railway using bridges or culverts.

"Over the long-term, you need to maintain connectivity of those breeding streams so that those streams are still viable for birds to move up and down," said Smith.

Cathy Ellis is a reporter for the Rocky Mountain Outlook
? Copyright 2003 Calgary Herald