Assabet River NWR Final CCP - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Assabet River NWR Final CCP - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Assabet River NWR Final CCP - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- 34 - Beaver activity at Assabet River NWR: Photo by Marijke Holtrop Chapter 3: Refuge and Resource Descriptions Species concentrated within the early successional open-land areas include northern short-tailed shrews (Blarina brevicauda), meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus), and meadow jumping mice (Zapus hudsonius). Forested lands are likely to support such species as eastern gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis), red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus), whitefooted mice (Peromyscus leucopus), southern red-backed voles (Clethrionomys gapperi), porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) and fisher (Martes pennanti). Other species that occupy a variety of habitat types include whitetailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), coyote (Canis latrans), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), raccoon (Procyon lotor), eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus), woodchuck (Marmota monax), eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus), striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis), several species of moles and bats. Other species present include flying squirrels (Glaucomys volens), bobcat (Lynx rufus), beaver (Castor canadensis), moose (Alces alces) and mink (Mustela vison). In December, 2002, The Friends of the Assabet River NWR received a grant from Sudbury Foundation for training 17 team members with researcher Sue Morse of Keeping Track VT. The Assabet Keeping Track (AKT) received training in identifying track and sign of nine focal species and in establishing and running a baseline wildlife monitoring program on the Assabet River NWR. The focal species of the AKT program are black bear (Ursus americanus), bobcat (Lynx rufus), fisher, mink, red and grey fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), moose, river otter (Lutra canadensis) and porcupine. Keeping Track VT's protocol was followed by starting with a thorough reconnaissance of the refuge resulting in four established transects for the collection of data. Data collection is follows specific guidelines and includes photographing tracks and signs when they are found. Each transect is approximately 60' wide and 2 miles long. The AKT team walks each transect four times a year corresponding to the various seasons of the year, with the first transect taking place in the spring of 2004. AKT provides data to the Service and Keeping Track VT where data from all Keeping Track teams is collected and analyzed. AKT has documented the presence of bobcat, fisher, mink, otter and red fox on the refuge with sightings of bear and moose in the area. AKT maintains a website (www.pbase.com/akt) with photos of monitoring activities. Assabet River NWR
Painted Turtle: Photo by David Flint Reptiles and Amphibians Chapter 3: Refuge and Resource Descriptions Comprehensive surveys of amphibians and reptiles have not yet been completed at the refuge. However, the refuge staff initiated an annual callcount survey for anuran species (frogs and toads) in 2000. The survey is part of a standardized study being conducted on several refuges in the Service’s northeast region. The survey is planned to continue to detect population changes. Aneptek (1991) inventoried amphibians and reptiles within the habitats surrounding the former Taylor Drop Zone during June and July of that year. Three reptilian and seven amphibian species were recorded during their surveys. In addition, Meyer and Montemerlo (1995) surveyed the portion of the refuge south of Hudson Road for amphibian and reptilian species in June and July of that year. A complete listing of species recorded to date is included in Appendix D. One state-listed amphibian, the blue spotted salamander (Ambystoma laterale), and three state-listed reptilian species, one of which is state threatened, have been reported from the refuge to date. Table 3-6 identifies these state-listed species. Table 3-6: State-listed Amphibians and Reptiles at Assabet River NWR Scientific Name Common Name Status 1 Ambystoma laterale Blue Spotted Salamander SC Clemmys guttata Spotted Turtle SC Terrapene carolina Eastern Box Turtle SC Emys blandingii Blanding’s Turtle ST 1 SE – state-listed endangered, ST – state-listed threatened, SC – statelisted species of special concern, WL – state watch list Fisheries The aquatic resources at Assabet River NWR include the Assabet River, Taylor Brook, Puffer Pond, Willis Pond, Cutting Pond and several other smaller ponds. Approximately one mile of the Assabet River parallels the northwestern boundary of the refuge, although there is a strip of privately owned land between the refuge boundary and the river’s edge. Elizabeth Brook is the largest tributary of the Assabet River (Stow 1997), and flows into the Assabet on the opposite bank from the refuge. The Assabet is characterized by a warmwater fishery in the section below and above the stretch along the refuge. According to a Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife survey done in July 1997, water temperatures of the Assabet River in the towns of Maynard, Stow and Acton ranged from 25 ° to 27.2 ° C. Bottom type consisted of gravel, rubble and boulder with some silt and sand in the pools. Gamefish species captured during the State of Massachusetts 1997 survey included largemouth bass Comprehensive Conservation Plan - 35 -
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Painted Turtle: Photo by David Flint<br />
Reptiles <strong>and</strong> Amphibians<br />
Chapter 3: Refuge <strong>and</strong> Resource Descriptions<br />
Comprehensive surveys of amphibians <strong>and</strong> reptiles have not yet been<br />
completed at the refuge. However, the refuge staff initiated an annual callcount<br />
survey for anuran species (frogs <strong>and</strong> toads) in 2000. The survey is<br />
part of a st<strong>and</strong>ardized study being conducted on several refuges in the<br />
<strong>Service</strong>’s northeast region. The survey is planned to continue to detect<br />
population changes. Aneptek (1991) inventoried amphibians <strong>and</strong><br />
reptiles within the habitats surrounding the former Taylor Drop<br />
Zone during June <strong>and</strong> July of that year. Three reptilian <strong>and</strong> seven<br />
amphibian species were recorded during their surveys. In addition,<br />
Meyer <strong>and</strong> Montemerlo (1995) surveyed the portion of the refuge<br />
south of Hudson Road for amphibian <strong>and</strong> reptilian species in June<br />
<strong>and</strong> July of that year.<br />
A complete listing of species recorded to date is included in<br />
Appendix D. One state-listed amphibian, the blue spotted<br />
salam<strong>and</strong>er (Ambystoma laterale), <strong>and</strong> three state-listed reptilian<br />
species, one of which is state threatened, have been reported from<br />
the refuge to date. Table 3-6 identifies these state-listed species.<br />
Table 3-6: State-listed Amphibians <strong>and</strong> Reptiles at <strong>Assabet</strong> <strong>River</strong> <strong>NWR</strong><br />
Scientific Name Common Name Status 1<br />
Ambystoma laterale Blue Spotted Salam<strong>and</strong>er SC<br />
Clemmys guttata Spotted Turtle SC<br />
Terrapene carolina Eastern Box Turtle SC<br />
Emys bl<strong>and</strong>ingii Bl<strong>and</strong>ing’s Turtle ST<br />
1 SE – state-listed endangered, ST – state-listed threatened, SC – statelisted<br />
species of special concern, WL – state watch list<br />
<strong>Fish</strong>eries<br />
The aquatic resources at <strong>Assabet</strong> <strong>River</strong> <strong>NWR</strong> include the <strong>Assabet</strong> <strong>River</strong>,<br />
Taylor Brook, Puffer Pond, Willis Pond, Cutting Pond <strong>and</strong> several other<br />
smaller ponds. Approximately one mile of the <strong>Assabet</strong> <strong>River</strong> parallels the<br />
northwestern boundary of the refuge, although there is a strip of privately<br />
owned l<strong>and</strong> between the refuge boundary <strong>and</strong> the river’s edge. Elizabeth<br />
Brook is the largest tributary of the <strong>Assabet</strong> <strong>River</strong> (Stow 1997), <strong>and</strong> flows<br />
into the <strong>Assabet</strong> on the opposite bank from the refuge.<br />
The <strong>Assabet</strong> is characterized by a warmwater fishery in the section below<br />
<strong>and</strong> above the stretch along the refuge. According to a Massachusetts<br />
Division of <strong>Fish</strong>eries <strong>and</strong> <strong>Wildlife</strong> survey done in July 1997, water<br />
temperatures of the <strong>Assabet</strong> <strong>River</strong> in the towns of Maynard, Stow <strong>and</strong><br />
Acton ranged from 25 ° to 27.2 ° C. Bottom type consisted of gravel, rubble<br />
<strong>and</strong> boulder with some silt <strong>and</strong> s<strong>and</strong> in the pools. Gamefish species captured<br />
during the State of Massachusetts 1997 survey included largemouth bass<br />
Comprehensive Conservation Plan - 35 -
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