2014-02-24_PERMIT FILE - M2014009

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BIO -LOic occurs every year, but the high avian species diversity is notable for western Colorado and the Colorado Plateau region. The Reservoir exceeds most other Colorado sites in avian diversity, and compares favorably with the much larger wetland complexes of San Luis Valley and North Park. Regional birding guides (ABA 1996, Holt 1997) laud Fruitgrowers Reservoir for its outstanding opportunities to view large numbers of species, including many Colorado rarities. The National Audubon Society with other conservation partners has implemented the Important Bird Areas Program to identify and help protect areas of state, national, and global significance for birds and other biodiversity; Fruitgrowers Reservoir is identified as an Important Bird Area of State significance (National Audubon Society 2013). At least 75 bird species are known or likely to breed at the Reservoir or in surrounding vegetation communities influenced by the Reservoir. Breeders include 9 species of waterfowl, 4 shorebirds, 8 other waterbirds, 4 raptors, 12 nonpasserine landbirds, and 36 passerine species. During bird migration, the Reservoir provides the single most important migration stopover point in west - central Colorado for shorebirds and waterfowl. Ducks and geese begin to appear in early March, and in the peak migration period of April and May tens of thousands of shorebirds, waterfowl, gulls, terns, waders, and passerines stop over for resting and feeding (ABA 1996, Holt 1997). Most celebrated are sandhill cranes, which migrate through Colorado in spring and make an impressive stopover at Fruitgrowers Reservoir. Cranes begin to arrive in early March and peak numbers usually occur in mid - March to about April 1, depending on weather. Up to 2,400 cranes have been seen at one time. Cranes typically arrive in late afternoon, spend the evening feeding and resting in agricultural fields and wetlands near the reservoir, and leave by about 10 am the next morning. The spectacle of the cranes attracts up to several hundred birders and other interested people during the peak of the spring migration, and the Town of Eckert hosts a Crane Festival each spring to encourage visitation and responsible viewing. A few sandhill cranes may occur at the Reservoir at any season, and more and more cranes are wintering in the Gunnison Valley, though typically not near Fruitgrowers Reservoir. Many of the same species pass through again in the fall migration. Fewer cranes stop over, but the shorebird migration is particularly strong at the Reservoir, from late July through September. Waterfowl and species rare in Colorado such as loons visit through November (ABA 1996). Several avian species of conservation concern occur at the Reservoir. A breeding colony of great blue herons has been active in recent years in tall trees on the western shore. Mountain plover, snowy plover, and least tern (species of high conservation concern) occur as regular migrants. Several species of waterbirds that nest at the Reservoir have few known nesting sites in Colorado, including western grebe, Clark's grebe, and willit. Peregrine falcons commonly hunt for bird prey at the Reservoir, traveling from nesting sites elsewhere in the Gunnison valley. Prairie falcons, golden eagles, bald eagles, and terrestrial predators such as coyotes and red foxes are also commonly attracted to the Reservoir to hunt, especially during periods of peak bird migrations. Other wildlife species known or likely to occur at the Reservoir include various amphibians, reptiles and small mammals. A small resident herd of mule deer are present, mainly in the surrounding farm country, and additional mule deer winter in the area from about November through March. A few elk may be present in winter, mostly to the north of the Reservoir.