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Matthews, S.B. 1989.
Norman Wells Pipeline Project raptor monitoring program, 1980 to 1988.
46 pp.
ABSTRACT
The
Norman Wells Raptor monitoring Program was initiated in 1983 to
determine the effects of construction and operation of the Norman Wells
pipeline on nesting peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus anatum) and
other birds of prey.
From 1983 to 1988, annual raptor surveys were carried out in
"experimental" raptor nesting areas along the pipeline route
and in a control area northwest of Norman Wells.
Each year, an occupancy survey was flown in June and a
productivity survey followed in July.
Information was obtained on nest occupancy, productivity and
nesting phenology for all raptor species observed.
Company compliance with raptor protection measures was documented
and their effectiveness was evaluated.
Arrival
dates for peregrine falcons were found to be two weeks earlier than has
been previously reported.
The pipeline areas supported a yearly average of 3.5 (n=8)
breeding pairs of peregrine falcons compared to 8.8 (n=5) in the control
areas.
Peregrine production reached an estimated maximum of 10 young in
1988 in the pipeline areas and 25 in the same year in the control areas.
Production of golden eagle young along the pipeline route reached
a maximum of 6 in 1987 and 4 in 1988 in the control areas.
Nest failure by peregrine falcons and golden eagles was not
common in either of the study areas.
Except for one year, 1984, the annual number of peregrine
territories occupied was higher in the experimental pipeline areas than
in the control areas.
Annual mean brood size for peregrine falcons over a six year
period was 2.1 for both the pipeline and control areas.
The data suggest that construction and operation of the Norman
Wells pipeline has had little or no effect on nest occupancy or
reproductive success of raptors nesting along the Norman Wells pipeline
route.
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