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• can be seen from the harvest statistics (Table 3.7-2), these three <br />species (especially blue grouse) provide a valuable upland game <br />bird hunting resource. As with big game, the Hogback acts as a <br />buffer of human activity and major populations of these birds exist <br />to the south and west of the proposed facilities. <br />3.7.3.3 Raptors <br />Thirteen species of raptors (Appendix 3.7-1) are listed as known <br />inhabitants of the project area. During the raptor nesting survey <br />conducted in the area of surface disturbance, three species were <br />observed. A pair of red-tailed hawks were observed every day of <br />the three site reconnaissance surveys on the northern Hogback of <br />the previously proposed disposal area. Although two abandoned <br />nests were located, no active nest site was observed. The American <br />Kestrel and Cooper's hawk were also observed hunting in the area on <br />numerous occasions but no nest sites were located. Two uniden- <br />• tifiable raptor nests were located in the previously proposed <br />disposal area which appeared to have been abandoned for at least <br />two breeding seasons. Unpublished BLM data also indicate a <br />possible golden eagle nest site in the previously proposed disposal <br />site area, however, the nest was abandoned and not confirmed to be <br />an eagle nest. The bald eagle has also been observed in the <br />vicinity of the project area but no nest sites have been observed. <br />Additional discussion of the bald eagle can be found in the <br />Threatened and Endangered Species section of this document. <br />3.7.3.4 Other Birds <br />Many songbirds were observed during the field reconnaissance in the <br />various habitat types of the project area. The list of birds in <br />Appendix 3.7-1 have potential to be observed in this area within <br />their associated habitat types. Common species observed on-site <br />include black-billed magpie, rufous-sided towhee, broadtailed <br />. hummingbird, scrub jay, violet green swallow, meadowlark, red- <br />winged blackbird, and robin. These same species were recorded as <br />NCEC - Coal Ridge #1 3-87 ABC/1145/900301 <br />