WSP01414

• File Number: 8449.918
• Description: South Platte Projects
• State: CO
• Basin: South Platte
• Date: 8/1/1982
• Author: CWCB
• Title: South Platte River Basin Assessment Report
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

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Whitetail and mule deers are the most common and widely distributed large

mammals. They occupy the mountainous regions, summer at higher elevations

and, like the elk, migrate to lower elevation winter ranges. In the Plains

zone (Figure 5), mule deer are more abundant in areas covered with riparian

vegetation. Plains-dwelling mule deer are not known to migrate

(Lechleitner, 1969).

Birds

A large number of bird species utilize the available habitats within the

basin. Many occur as year-round and summer residents that breed in the

area and many occur as migrants through the basin. The following are

representative major groups of birds: raptors, upland gamebirds, waterfowl

and water-related birds, and other bird species.

Raptors, or birds of prey, include species of eagles, hawks, falcons, owls

and osprey. The endangered peregrine falcon breeds in the Colorado

mountains and has been observed as a migrant throughout the basin (Kingery

and Graul, 1978). Upland garnebirds include the mourning dove, blue grouse

and white-tailed ptarmigan. Waterfowl include geese and ducks such as the

Canada goose and the mallard. The spotted sandpiper and great blue heron

are examples of fairly common water-related birds. The white pelican

maintains a breeding population on Riverside Reservoir (Figure 11) and is

considered a threatened and endangered species. other common bird species

in the basin include the meadowlark, red-winged blackbird and American

robin.

I\.mphibians and Reptiles

No amphibians or reptiles present in Colorado are known to be endanoered or
threatened species by state or federal agencies.

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