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

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• Continued flying transects (completed 13 transects for a total of 29)
• Finished transects and flew back to Kenora
• Stayed overnight in Kenora
January 17, 2013:
• Drove back to Thunder Bay on the morning of the 17 th .
RESULTS:
A total of 29 transects were flown resulting in approximately 900 km 2 being
surveyed over the course of three days. No caribou were sighted over the course
of the survey, however, 128 moose were seen. Only 1 moose was recorded as
“unknown age and sex”. All other moose were successfully aged and sexed.
Two sets of caribou tracks were observed, but they were approximately 2 days old.
One other possible set of caribou tracks were seen, however, due to their age,
positive identification was not possible.
Other tracks and animals that were observed included wolverine tracks, otters and
otter tracks, rabbit tracks, marten tracks, fox tracks, lynx tracks and an unknown
owl. All sightings were documented with waypoints with the exception of the fox
and rabbit tracks. It is worth noting that no wolves or wolf tracks were seen during
the survey.
A total of 22 stick nests were observed and marked with a GPS coordinate. Nests
were classified as either: a) osprey, b) eagle, or c) hawk/raven. Pictures were taken
of some of the more impressive nests.
Summary: In general, moose densities were much higher than expected and were
primarily concentrated to the southwestern portion of the area surveyed. This area
had a very high proportion of the young regenerating burns that were
approximately 5-15 years old, and therefore provided very good winter moose
browsing areas. There were some areas that can be considered “good” caribou
habitat, but it wasn’t optimal (i.e. open and sparse jack pine/black spruce with
lichen), it was primarily dense black spruce with little to no deciduous component.
This type of habitat also makes it very hard to see caribou. The conditions for the
survey were good (i.e. recent snow, good visibility) and despite the very cold
temperatures (-40 with the windchill on the 16 th ) animals were visible and moving
around.