General wildlife measures

These measures must be applied within a WHA approved for the species. As a general rule, the breeding season extends from April through August. However, breeding times vary by location. MELP should be consulted for site-specific breeding times. Access Do not develop any permanent access structures as defined in the Operational Planning Regulations. Avoid road construction and use during the breeding season unless the district manager and regional fish and wildlife manager are satisfied there is no other practicable option and the variance is approved by the district manager and regional fish and wildlife manager. Range Plan grazing to ensure that the structural integrity of stands of emergent vegetation is maintained and nests are protected from trampling. Fencing may be required. Do not mow hay meadows until after August 15 to prevent mortality of young. Recreation Limit recreational access during the breeding period by deactivating or gating roads. Do not establish recreational facilities. Silviculture Retain at least 40% of the dominant and co-dominant trees within 50 m of the wetland or lake edge. Retain as much of the understorey trees, shrubs and herbaceous vegetation as is practicable. Do not harvest during the breeding season unless the district manager and regional fish and wildlife manager are satisfied there is no other practicable option and the variance is approved by the district manager and regional fish and wildlife manager. Do not salvage during the breeding season unless variance is approved by the district manager and regional fish and wildlife manager.

Management considerations (not mandatory)

For wetlands >5 ha, riparian management zones should be managed to the best management practices prescribed in the Riparian Management Area Guidebook.

Areas used by cranes for staging prior to migration are sensitive to disturbance.

On lakes, do not use power boats during the breeding season.

Cross references

American bittern

Western grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis)

WHA planning objectives

Maintain the structural integrity of nesting marshes.

Wildlife habitat area

Establish WHAs at currently occupied and historical high capability breeding sites. Historical sites are those where the species was once known to breed, but at which there has been no verified breeding in the last 20 years. The WHA should include the entire colony and the area between the colony and the near shoreline, and 50 m around this entire area.

GWM management objectives

Ensure that the structural integrity of emergent vegetation is retained in and around nesting areas to provide cover and nesting habitat.

Maintain adequate cover around nesting wetlands.

Minimize access during the breeding season to prevent disturbance.

General wildlife measures

These measures must be applied within a WHA approved for the species. As a general rule, the breeding season extends from April through August. However, breeding times vary by location. MELP should be consulted for site-specific breeding times. Access Do not develop any permanent access structures as defined in the Operational Planning Regulations. Avoid road construction and use during the breeding season unless the district manager and regional fish and wildlife manager are satisfied there is no other practicable option and the variance is approved by the district manager and regional fish and wildlife manager. Range Plan grazing to ensure that the structural integrity of stands of emergent vegetation is maintained and nests are protected from trampling. Fencing may be required. Recreation Limit recreational access during the breeding period by deactivating or gating roads. Silviculture Retain at least 40% of the dominant and co-dominant trees within 50 m of the wetland or lake edge. Retain as many of the understorey trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants as is practicable. Do not harvest during the breeding season unless the district manager and regional fish and wildlife manager are satisfied there is no other practicable option and the variance is approved by the district manager and regional fish and wildlife manager. Do not salvage during the breeding season unless variance is approved by the district manager and regional fish and wildlife manager.

Management considerations (not mandatory)

Sewage and agricultural or industrial run-off into nesting wetlands can cause damage to emergent vegetation and decrease prey availability. Fluctuating water levels can reduce breeding success.

On lakes, do not use power boats during the breeding season.

Cross references

American bittern

Trumpeter swan (Cygnus buccinator)

WHA planning objectives

Avoid disturbance of breeding areas.

Wildlife habitat area

Establish WHAs at nest sites in wetlands or lakes where there is potential for disturbance. The WHA includes a core area and a 300 m buffer. The core area includes the entire nesting wetland or lake (up to a maximum of 80 ha) and extends 200 m from the edge of the wetland.

GWM management objectives

Ensure that the structural integrity of emergent vegetation is retained in and around nesting areas to provide cover and nesting habitat.

Maintain adequate cover around nesting wetlands.

Minimize access during sensitive breeding times to prevent disturbance (April through July 31).

General wildlife measures

These measures must be applied within a WHA approved for the species. The breeding season is generally from April through September. However, breeding times vary by location. MELP should be consulted for site-specific breeding times. Access Do not develop roads or trails within the core area. Avoid road construction and use in the buffer during the breeding season unless the district manager and regional fish and wildlife manager are satisfied there is no other practicable option and the variance is approved by the district manager and regional fish and wildlife manager. Recreation Limit recreational access during the breeding season by deactivating or gating roads. Do not establish recreational facilities. Silviculture Do not harvest or salvage within core area. Do not harvest buffer during the breeding season unless the district manager and regional fish and wildlife manager are satisfied there is no other practicable option and variance is approved by the district manager and regional fish and wildlife manager. Do not salvage during the breeding season unless variance is approved by the district manager and regional fish and wildlife manager.

Management considerations (not mandatory)

Any disruptive activity on a nesting lake, including boating, can cause nest abandonment.

In order to ensure the integrity of the WHA is maintained, note location of possible road locations prior to establishing WHA boundaries.

Avoid drilling or gas exploration within the WHA during the breeding season.

On lakes, do not use power boats during the breeding season.

Cross references

Sandhill crane, American bittern

Long-billed curlew (Numenius americanus)

WHA planning objectives

Maintain breeding areas throughout their range.

Wildlife habitat area

WHAs should be applied over breeding areas as defined by MELP. The WHA should include openings of low profile vegetation (<30 cm) for curlew nesting. Openings should have a radius of at least 125 m and preferably >250 m.

GWM management objectives

Provide low profile vegetation (less than 30 cm) for nesting.

Minimize disturbance to nesting curlews.

Maintain native bunchgrass.

General wildlife measures

These measures must be applied within a WHA approved for the species. Access Do not construct roads unless the district manager and regional fish and wildlife manager are satisfied there is no other practicable option and the variance is approved by the district manager and regional fish and wildlife manager. Limit road use during the breeding season (March 15-July 15). Range Areas can be grazed to a level that produces low profile vegetation (less than 30 cm) very early in the spring (before April 15) or in summer and fall (after June 15). However, fall grazing is the preferable strategy, thereby avoiding the range damage that may result from turning cattle out too early. Do not seed with crested wheatgrass. Where such areas already occur, they should be managed by grazing to maintain low profile vegetation. Do not use fire in nesting areas. Recreation Do not establish recreational trails. Restoration and enhancement Manage the forest grassland fringe to minimize or reverse forest encroachment using slashing or other suitable methods.

Management considerations (not mandatory

Forest encroachment resulting from fire suppression is decreasing available habitat and should be monitored.

Where appropriate, and the habitat capability is high, revegetate crested wheatgrass to native bunchgrass.

Landscape unit planning considerations (not mandatory)

A mosaic of grassland conditions is required to maintain curlews within a landscape unit.

Cross references

Grasshopper sparrow, sage thrasher

Ferruginous hawk (Buteo regalis)
Prairie falcon (Falco mexicanus)
Turkey vulture (Cathartes aura)

During the 1998 review of the Wildlife Branch red and blue lists, the turkey vulture was down-listed to the yellow list (not at risk). Further analysis indicates they do not qualify for regionally important status. Therefore, the turkey vulture has not been designated as Identified Wildlife.

WHA planning objectives

Reduce disturbance near nest sites.

Maintain foraging habitat within the immediate vicinity of nests.

Reduce likelihood of secondary impacts from insecticide use.

Wildlife habitat area

Establish WHAs at nest sites. The WHA should include a 150 m radius no activity core area centred on the nest and an 850 m buffer area.

GWM management objectives

Protect nesting areas from disturbance and habitat alteration.

Maintain foraging habitat within the immediate vicinity of nests.