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BIO-Logic <br /> inc <br /> Natural Resource Consultants <br /> drainage in the northeast part of the Ranch;and four adult red-tailed hawks flying over the south half of <br /> the Ranch. <br /> No active raptor nests were found. Six unoccupied raptor nests were detected,four in the north and two <br /> in the south half of the survey area(Figure 1). The four nests in the north varied in condition and were <br /> found in Douglas fir,white fir,and narrow-leaf cottonwood trees. All likely were built by Cooper's <br /> hawks,based on habitat and the placement and structure of the nests. Two nests in the south half likely <br /> were built by red-tailed hawks and were found in plains cottonwood trees along an intermittent creek <br /> (Figure 1). A very old raptor nest was found in a tree near a pond,not mapped because it appears to have <br /> been abandoned for several years. Another inactive red-tailed hawk nest located in a dead cottonwood <br /> near the Ranch boundary along Highway 115 was in very good condition. An active red-tailed hawk nest <br /> is nearby,250-300 meters southeast across the highway and off of the Ranch in the same intermittent <br /> drainage. <br /> Large cavity nests in trees were examined wherever they were found and"scratched"(a piece of wood is <br /> run along the bark of the tree)to see if the cavity might be occupied by small owls,primarily flammulated <br /> owls. No owls were found. In one cavity,an unidentified species of bat was present. <br /> DISCUSSION <br /> Suitable nesting habitat primarily in the form of large trees is present on the Ranch for several species of <br /> raptors including red-tailed hawk,Cooper's hawk,American kestrel,great-horned owl,barn owl,and <br /> flammulated owl. A family of Cooper's hawks, including two fledglings,was found in July 2015 on the <br /> north side of the Property during other biological fieldwork. Barn owls have nested near the residence in <br /> the past,according to the landowner. Abundant cavities in a variety of tree species may provide suitable <br /> nests sites for kestrels and small owls. Rock outcrops contain marginal nesting habitat due to their small <br /> size or their lack of suitable ledges and overhangs. <br />