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fJ t Appendix 8 A rare, but consistently seen, bird on the Rio Grande Forest. Currently undocumented as a breeder, this species has been seen in Chama Basin, near Three Forks of the Conejos River, near Conejos Peak, and near Zapata Falls in the Sangre de Crist os, 50real Owl (~oliu6 funereU6) " The boreal owl is dosely associated with the spnlce-fir zone forests. Mature forests are necessary for nesting because the owls require large nesting cavities (3 inch diameter opening and 15 inch diameter tree at cavity), but the owls frequently use pole stands for hunting, They also use openings where perches are available (e.g., forest edges) especially in spring when the snow cover is present under the forest canopy but openings have melted, Because spruce-fir forests contain few cavities, forest types with abundant cavities within or adjacent to spruce-fir forests may be ideal habitat. ' A young bird was found in the Ivy Creek area on the Creede District. Sightings andlor vocalizations have been recorded in the Wolf Creek Pass area, Cumbres Pass area. and Park Creek, 5utTOWing Owl (Athene c:;unic:;ularia) The burrowing owl inhabits open grassland, prairies, and farmlands. It is a ground-dwelling bird that Is often attracted to prairie dog villages where they find and use abandoned burrow nests, They are primarily nocturnal but are often seen in daylight perched near burrows on the ground. low fence posts, or on small bushes. Their main prey base is small mammals but they are opportunistic and will feed on Insects and small birds as well. Although good for catching 'pests" in Tarm fields they have been accidently poisoned by humans trying to get rid of prairie dogs and other ground-dwelling mammals, The main threat to these owls is a loss of grassland habitat where primitive conditions still exist. No known records on the Forest. but is likely to occur on the Saguache District and in the Eagle Rock area on the Del Norte District, Fem..lginou6 Hawk (5uteo regali6) The ferruginous hawk is found in undisturbed western grasslands, arid shrublands, and badlands. It nests on trees and bushes associated with bottomlands, and on ledges, large rocks. riverbanks. and hillsides. Nest sites are often much larger than other buteos. (sometimes over 3 meters in height) and may be reused for several years. Nests are constructed of sagebrush, willow or other shrub branches and lined with shrub bark and cow dung, Nest sites are very vulnerable to human disturbance and may be abandoned during the pre-egglaying period and incubation, even if disturbed only once. Ferruginous hawks hunt primarily in open country. Their nest sites often provide a vista of appropriate hunting areas. Their diet consists of small rodents, such as, prairie dogs and ground squirrels, and less often of locusts, birds, and crickets. Agriculture and severe overgrazing altering suitable nesting and foraging areas provide the greatest threat to this species. No known records on the Forest. but is likely to occur on the Saguache District and in the Eagle Rock area on the Del Norte District. Flammulatel:l Owl (0tu6 flammeolu6) The flammulated owl is associated with the dry pine belt, foraging primarily in late successional stands of ponderosa pine that are pure or mixed with oak, pinyon pine. true fir, Douglas-fir. or aspen. B.3 {'S2514