III. Question 3--Is the current survey protocol effective to meet the requirements of the ROD? Comment on the effectiveness of the current survey protocol and recommend any adjustments.

The ROD directs that a survey protocol be developed for great gray owls where there is a high likelihood of locating occupied nest sites before ground-disturbing activities in known or suspected range and habitat of the owl. In general, panelists were split in regards to the effectiveness of the current survey protocol to meet this direction. Some panelists commented that the current survey protocol was not effective in locating great gray owls and believed that many owls will be missed during surveys. Others felt that the protocol was sufficient for meeting the direction in the ROD, albeit current procedures may be improved on. One panelist contended that the protocol itself is sound and that aspects of the owl’s ecology, such as low nest-site tenacity (panelists disagree on whether the owl has low nest-site tenacity), is what makes surveying difficult for this particular species. The panel felt that determining the presence or occupancy of owls within an area containing the best or optimal habitat should be the primary goal or incorporated into the protocol rather than just surveying and locating nests (the current direction of the survey protocol). All the panelists commented that the protocol should be modified to include goals that were broader than surveys oriented toward ground-disturbing activities by incorporating a habitat-based, landscape approach to surveying.

Panelist’s and biologist’s comments show that known suitable habitat for the owl differs considerably from one geographic area to another. Consequently, where and when surveys should be done needs to be adjusted accordingly. Flexibility, therefore, must be built into the protocol to account for the effects of geographic variation on the owl’s life-history characteristics.

For this question, the panelist’s specific recommendations are summarized for modifying techniques of the current survey protocol without imposing significant changes to the direction of the ROD. Their recommendations are organized as follows: (1) where to find great gray owls, (2) when to survey for great gray owls, and (3) how to improve current survey techniques. Below, we describe the general recommendations and comments; more specific information is in appendix C.