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<br />Riparian Fauna
<br />
<br />The location of the Prowers County in the transition area between the Rocky Mountain
<br />and Great Plains ecoregions results in a diverse asse\llblage ofterrestrial animal species. Many
<br />zoologists consider the 100th meridian to be the general dividing line between eastern and
<br />western species, and representatives of both groups occur in Prowers County.
<br />
<br />Amphibians frequently encountered in the Arkansas River floodplain include tiger
<br />salamander, Woodhouse's toad, and Northern leopard frog. Plains spadefoot is found in areas
<br />with sandy soil. Common reptiles in the area includb omate box turtle, collared lizard, prairie
<br />lizard, Great Plains skink, Colorado checkered whiptail, Westem hognose snake, bullsnake,
<br />corn snake, Northern water snake, Plains garter snake, and prairie rattlesnake.
<br />
<br />Wetland- and riparian-dependent bird species breeding along the Arkansas River in
<br />Prowers County include Green-backed Heron, Gadwall, Green-winged Teal, Spotted
<br />Sandpiper, Belted Kingfisher, Eastern Kingbird, Marsh Wren, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-
<br />breasted Chat, Black-headed Grosbeak, Red-wingediBlackbird, and Yellow-headed Blackbird.
<br />Other commonly encountered species breeding in the general area include Turkey Vulture,
<br />American Kestrel, Swainson's and Red-tailed Hawks, Ring-necked Pheasant, Scaled Quail,
<br />Great Horned Owl, Western Kingbird, Black-billed Magpie, American Robin, Northern
<br />Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, Blue Grosbeak, Spotted Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, Sage
<br />Sparrow, and House Finch.
<br />
<br />John Martin Reservoir and the Great Plains ~eservoir system provide valuable wetland
<br />and deepwater habitats for migrating and wintering Shorebirds and waterbirds. Together, these
<br />reservoirs represent the largest concentration of surface water in the western Great Plains
<br />between the Platte River (approximately 200 miles to the north) and the ephemeral playa lakes
<br />of west Texas. Migratory shorebirds and waterbirds commonly found in the area include
<br />Snowy Egret, Great Blue Heron, Canada Goose, Snow Goose, Northern Pintail, Northern
<br />Shoveler, Blue-winged and Cinnamon Teal, Buftlehead, Ruddy Duck, American Coot, Lesser
<br />Yellowlegs, Westem Sandpiper, and Wilson's Phalarope.
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<br />The Colorado Division of Wildlife manages several areas in the county for harvestable
<br />and non-game animals. In addition to waterbirds mentioned above, the major species
<br />considered in management plans include white-tailed deer, pronghorn, Ring-necked Pheasant,
<br />Scaled Quail, Northern Bobwhite, Mourning Dove, Eastern cottontail, black-tailed jackrabbit,
<br />striped and spotted skunk, raccoon, bobcat, beaver, red fox, mink, long-tailed weasel, and
<br />muskrat.
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