Revised Final Environmental Study Report (24 MB) - Gold Canyon ...

Gold Canyon Resources Inc.
Springpole Gold Project
Road Alternatives Assessment
Additional breeding bird surveys were carried out in May and June 2012. During these surveys
a total of 37 point count stations were surveyed once in May and repeated in June. Point count
surveys followed the same protocol as the 2011 surveys (Cadman et al. 2007). Point count
surveys do not take into account secretive marsh birds, crepuscular and early-nesting species.
Specific surveys to target these breeding species were completed in 2012, as recommended by
EC and described below. Two Northern Ontario nocturnal owl surveys were completed
according to Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas (OBBA) protocol in April 2012. The survey method
involves playing a standardized recording and listening for Owl callback. The recording that was
used consisted of Northern Boreal Owl calls and Barred Owl calls – each with designated play
times and listening times. The total for each recording and listening session was 6 minutes.
Protocol suggests that surveys are completed in April as this time of year is when Owls are
most territorial and most likely to respond to calls.
Four Marsh Monitoring sites were visited on at 2 occasions in 2012; once in May, and a second
time in June to target the more secretive species associated with wetland habitats. Marsh
monitoring points were selected in key habitat areas, located along edges of open water marsh
wetlands in the study area. Surveys were conducted after 18:00 and completed before sunset.
The call playback method was used as per the protocol from Bird Studies Canada which
recommends 5 minutes of silent listening upon arriving at the marsh site followed by 5 minutes
of call playback. Marsh birds on the playback tape were Least Bittern (Ixobrychus exilis), Sora
(Porzana carolina), Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola), American Coot (Fulica americana) and Piedbilled
Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps). After the calls were played a second 5 minute period of
silent listening was employed. Standardized field data sheets were used to record observed
species, wetland features and weather conditions.
Twenty waterfowl surveys were completed at 20 sites across the study area in May of 2012.
Shorelines and bays on larger lakes were scanned by boat paying extra attention to marsh
areas. Several smaller lakes and ponds were hiked into and any waterfowl, nests and incidental
species were recorded. Species, number and social structure were recorded. A second visit to
each waterfowl survey site was performed in June 2012 to note broods. A total of 76 species
were detected over the various surveys.
Twenty-six bird species were noted as probable breeders based on the 2012 surveys. These
species were classified as probable breeders based on active nest discovery, adults carrying
food, or two occurrences at a given point count location in both May and June. Species richness
was the highest in point count stations that were in close proximity to a mix of habitats;
specifically wetland areas and forests with dense understory. The 10 species encountered most
frequently during point count surveys in descending order were; White-throated Sparrow
(Zonotrichia albicollis), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula), Magnolia Warbler
(Setophaga magnolia), Nashville Warbler (Oreothlypis ruficapilla), Hermit Thrush (Catharus
guttatus), Winter Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes), Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus), Redbreasted
Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis), Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) and Redeyed
Vireo (Vireo olivaceus).