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

Page 26
1. The background database information used made no reference to species abundance, it was
consulted as standard practice for data collection efforts.
2. Two sessions of breeding bird point counts were conducted in 2012 with 37 point count
locations covering a much larger area than the 2011 surveys.
3. The locations chosen for the 2011 breeding bird surveys were appropriate for our understanding
of the Project at that time. Providing brief summaries of methodologies along with a reference is
standard practice in technical writing for these types of reports. The methodology as written in
1997 by Konze and McLaren is standard practice and has been validated by others.
4. There are many protocols for conducting breeding bird surveys. The Environment Canada
protocol mentioned by TFTO is not applicable because of the terrain. While conducting breeding
bird surveys, it is most important to cover the available habitat types in the area, which is what
was done in 2012. Detailed statistical analyses of the 2012 data was completed using the
Environment Canada protocols and methodologies.
5. Section 5.3.2 General Comment: Through discussions with the species at risk biologist for the
Red Lake area, it was determined that the study area location was outside known Whip-poorwill
range and possessed no Whip-poor-will habitat. Also, because there are no roads in the
area, it was considered a health and safety risk to conduct standard whip-poor-will surveys
because they are done at night and would have required extensive walking through the bush.
Whip-poor-will are known to set up territories within close proximity to human settlements,
particularly where areas have been cleared and gravel has been applied. Therefore, if these
birds were in the area, they would most likely occur in close proximity to the camp.
Gold Canyon Resources Inc.
Response to TFTO Submission for Springpole Access Corridor Final ESR
April 2013 Schedule 2/- 28-