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• the stops in the spring were the ring-necked pheasant, violet-green swallow, American robin, <br />European starling, red-winged blackbird, and western meadowlark. Other frequently detected <br />species (detected on 30 percent or more of the station stops) included the common snipe, <br />mourning dove, northern rough-winged swallow, yellow warbler, Brewer's blackbird, and northern <br />oriole. During the fall road count, the common raven, European starling, and white-crowned <br />sparrow were detected on one-half or more of the station stops. Those detected on at least 30 <br />percent of the stops in the fall included the red-tailed hawk, yellow-rumped warbler, red-winged <br />blackbird, and Brewer's blackbird. <br />Fifteen species of raptors were recorded on or nearthe New Horizon 2 study area (Tables 2.04.11- <br />5 and 2.04.11-7). Of these, only the red-tailed hawk was found nesting (site identified on Map <br />2.04.11-1) in the area. American kestrels were present during the breeding season and probably <br />nest in the area. The presence of prairie dog colonies and the observation of a single burrowing <br />owl on 19 August 1987 (site identified on Map 2.04.11-1) suggest this owl may breed in the area. <br />Observational records (Table 2.04.11-7) indicate that raptor utilization of the study area during the <br />breeding season is limited, but increases during post-breeding periods (fall and winter). An adult <br />peregrine falcon was seen on 15 September 1987 (site identified on Map 2.04.11-1 ). Northern <br />harriers, red-tailed hawks, and rough-legged hawks were common wintering species through the <br />• Nucla area. An adult and immature bald eagle were observed resting in a tree near Calamity Draw <br />on 12 January 1988. Two adult bald eagles were seen perched in a tree about two miles south of <br />Nucla on 13 January 1988. However, no significant winter raptor feeding and/or roosting areas <br />were identified. <br />Three upland game bird species were recorded in the study area: the ring-necked pheasant, <br />common snipe, and mourning dove. Crowing rooster pheasants were recorded on 77 percent of <br />the station stops on the spring road count (see Table 2.04.11-6). Pheasants were observed <br />throughout the study area in all habitats where dense vegetative cover was present. Pheasants <br />were also seen in irrigated pastures and haylands. Mourning doves were present throughout the <br />study area. Doves were recorded on 30 percent of the station stops in the spring. Heavy utilization <br />of the trees around farmsteads and orchards as perching sites was noted during the Spring census <br />• <br />(Revised March 2006) 2.04.11-26 <br />