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• period as reflected in the density estimates of 160 individuals/100 ac (see Table 2.04.11-8). These <br />doves appeared concentrated in this particular area because of adjacent fallow cropland which <br />provided a food source. Common snipe were recorded on 33 percent of the station stops on the <br />spring road count. Snipe were found nesting in Swale areas dominated by Carex sp. and Scir us <br />sp. Observational records indicate that snipe are the only bird species nesting in these situations. <br />The waterfowl species of actual or potential occurrence in the New Horizon 2 study area are listed <br />in Table 2.04.11-5. Probably all the species listed from the Canada goose through the ruddy duck <br />are frequent migrants in the Nucla area (Denver Museum of Natural History 1982), although nearly <br />half were not recorded during the baseline studies. Small numbers (less than five broods of each <br />species) of the mallard, cinnamon teal, and ruddy duck were observed. The majority of the broods <br />were observed at the Nucla sewage lagoons. It appeared that several non-breeding individuals of <br />mallards and cinnamon teal summered in the study area. <br />The results of the seasonal small bird censuses forthefarmsteads/orchards, Swale, and rangeland <br />habitats are presented in Table 2.04.11-8. The Swale habitat supported the lowest <br />richness/diversity index of the three habitats during both sampling periods. Eight species were <br />recorded in the spring and 15 were recorded in the fall. The spring (and summer) breeding bird <br />• composition in areas of the Swale habitat typified by cattails and willows is dominated by yellow <br />warblers, common yellowihroats, and red-winged blackbirds which comprise 3.5 percent, 3.9 <br />percent, and 88.3 percent of the total bird density, respectively. Sparrows of several species made <br />up 36 percent of the total fall density. <br />The farmsteads/orchards habitat supported the highest bird densities during both census periods <br />and the highest richness/diversity index in the fall (Table 2.04.11-8). European starlings made up <br />45.8 percent of the total spring density and mourning doves comprised 18.7 percent. European <br />starlings, white-crowned sparrows, dark-eyed junco, and Brewer's blackbirds comprised 30.1 <br />percent, 18.3 percent, 8.2 percent, and 129.4 percent of the total fall density, respectively. <br />The rangeland habitat supported total densities comparable to the farmsteads and orchards (Table <br />2.04.11-8). This habitat supported the highest richness/diversity index in the spring as well. Spring <br />densities were dominated byblack-billed magpies (7.3 percent), European starlings (15.4 percent), <br />Brewer's blackbirds (7.3 percent), brown-headed cowbirds (6.2 percent), and pine siskins (6.2 <br /> <br />(Revised March 2006) 2.04.11-30 <br />