Survey of mammals along the Beaver Rim Road right-of-way, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Myers, Philip; Svendsen, Gerald

Mammal populations were sampled in the right-of-way of the proposed Beaver Basin Rim Road at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, MI to determine if threatened, endangered, or special concern species were present and if they would be affected by the road. Efforts were concentrated on small mammals (rodents, bats, and shrews), in part because of a recent study of large mammals in the Lakeshore by T.V. Daues. Seven habitats (maple/beech, birch forest, mixed hardwoods/conifers, pine forest, pond/marsh edge, beaver basin, and old field/swamp) were identified. Sherman live traps, Museum Special snap traps, Victor rat traps, and pitfall traps were used over a 2-week period in late September and accounted for 2,500 trap nights. Trapping effort varied among habitats. Direct observations of animals, tracks, and scat were also used to identify species. Trap success was greatest in the birch forest. Of the 572 animals trapped none were endangered, threatened, or of special concern in the State of Michigan. Fourteen species of small mammals were captured, which included 9 species of rodents, 4 species of shrews, and 1 species of carnivore. Also included is a discussion of the potential for the presence of certain mammals not trapped in this study and/or their likelihood of having inhabited the area in the past. Placement of the road as it pertains to mammals is addressed. A copy of field notes is included.

Survey of mammals along the Beaver Rim Road right-of-way, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

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