38 CWMP 2013-2014 Winter Field Season Report
road after each transect.
Level 1 species should be trailed wherever possible. In the case of the top 5 species
(wolverine, fisher, lynx, wolf, and marten), these can be trailed even before a transect is
completed, as they are critical rare species.
Level 2 species should be trailed in the absence of Level 1 species, after completing the
outward leg of your transect and where time is available.
Level 3 species are not to be trailed until other work on the transect is complete and only
if there are no level 1 or 2 species to trail.
1) On the outward leg of your transect mark trails you will want to follow for easy
identification on your return leg, and note the trail in your field notes on a list of
trailing possibilities.
2) When your team reaches the furthest point of the transect, the team-leader should
review trailing possibilities from the outward leg and decide which are of highest
priority. If no Level 1 species are detected, your team should be sure to complete the
rest of the transects before trailing any Level 2 or 3 species.
3) On the return leg, follow chosen trails towards the highway. Record all discernable
behaviors, especially with reference to the highway. For example, how close does the
animal approach the highway? Does it attempt to cross it? Does it walk along it for
some distance? Does it make a lay close to the highway? Does it remain in cover or in
full view? See data sheet and attached notes for how to record these observations.
4) Where you start your trailing activity, start TRACKING YOUR ROUTE on your GPS
unit. When you reach the end of forward or back tracking, TURN OFF TRACKING
YOUR ROUTE while you return to the starting point of your trailing activity. Turn
Tracking back on until you reach the end of the second leg of your trailing activity at
which point you should once again end Tracking and save this route for download
later.
5) Record the path of the animal by documenting frequent GPS UTM
coordinates (obtained from your GPS) with associated commentary in notes,
where appropriate— especially for Level 1 species. This may be of particular
value if the tracks suggest an attempted highway crossing, as GPS records for
tracks found on opposite sides may help determine whether the tracks
probably belong to the same individual, which crossed successfully.
6) Trail Level 1 species as far as possible to gather as much information about the
animal as you can. For Level 2 and 3 species, the energy expended trailing should
depend on your team-leader's judgment, safety considerations, and whether both
transects have been completed.
7) If you have found a Level 1 species, call David Moskowitz (425 891 4745).
