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Sagebrush/meadow is inhabited principally by wildlife species which prefer open grassland, although wildlife
<br />species diversity in these habitats is limited because of the isolated nature of these habitats. Other species, such as
<br />• mule deer, may use meadow habitat along the drainages as corridors linking areas of suitable shrub habitat.
<br />Principal mammalian inhabitants of meadow and sagebrush/meadow are Richardson's ground squirrel, northern
<br />pocket gopher, long - tailed vole, and while - tailed jackrabbit. Prairie falcon and northern harrier are raptor species
<br />that typically hunt meadow habitat. Sandhill crane, killdeer, red - winged blackbird, common snipe, mountain
<br />bluebird, western meadowlark, and several swallows are other species that utilize meadow habitat.
<br />Mountain Shrub - Mountain shrub. habitat is limited to the steeper slopes in the southeast portion of the permit
<br />area and along the northwestern edge of the permit area. It occupies 5.3 percent of the permit area (695 acres).
<br />Although limited in extent, the topographical, structural, and vegetational diversity of this habitat type serves to
<br />support a wide variety of wildlife species. Common shrub species in this habitat include big sagebrush, mountain
<br />snowberry (Symphoricarpos ore hilus , Gambel oak ( uercus ambellii ), antelope bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata),
<br />and serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia). This habitat provides good browse for mule deer and, to some extent, for
<br />elk. Both big game species are likely to use this habitat on a year -round basis. During winter, mule deer often
<br />congregate in mountain shrub habitat since these areas provide ample cover and browse. Winter use of mountain
<br />shrublands by mule deer is dependent on the amount of snow present. If snow cover is heavy, mule deer tend to
<br />migrate out of the area to lower elevations. Elk are less affected by snow cover and tend to remain in this habitat
<br />through the winter.
<br />Other mammals which are commonly found in mountain shrub habitat include deer mouse, least chipmunk,
<br />Nuttall's cottontail, bushy- tailed woodrat, long - tailed weasel, and striped skunk. A wide variety of breeding and
<br />migratory songbirds also utilize the mountain shrub habitat. Typical summer residents include green - tailed
<br />towhee, rufous -sided towhee, black - capped chickadee, scrub jay, American robin, and vesper sparrow. Sharp- tailed
<br />grouse and mourning cloves are two gamebird species that utilize this habitat.
<br />• Aspen - Aspen habitat is the most limited of all types in the permit area. Only a few small isolated stands occur in
<br />the southeastern and northwestern portions of the permit area. Aspen habitat occurs on 55 acres or only 0.4 percent
<br />of the permit area. This habitat is characterized by an overstory canopy of quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides).
<br />Where the overstory is dense the understory is represented primarily by a variety of forbs and grasses. In stands
<br />where the aspen canopy is less dense, shrubs such as snowberry, chokecherry (Prunus vir iniana), serviceberry, and
<br />Wood's rose (Rosa woodsii) are present.
<br />Aspen habitat provides summary forage and thermal cover for elk and mule deer. However, grazing and trampling
<br />by cattle may limit the availability of forage. During the winter, heavy snow cover in this type precludes extensive
<br />use by mule deer and elk.
<br />Other mammals which utilize aspen habitat include vagrant shrew, least chipmunk, beaver, and porcupine. Beaver
<br />and porcupine feed on the inner bark and twigs of aspen trees. The aspen stands may provide nesting habitat for
<br />raptorial species such as Cooper's hawk, red - tailed hawk, and screech owl. Other bird species which commonly
<br />nest in aspen include common flicker, house wren, American robin, orange- crowned warbler, Wilson's warbler, and
<br />black- headed grosbeak..
<br />Cropland, Reclaimed Pastureland, and Pastureland - These habitats are similar in that they have been disturbed
<br />either by cultivation or surface mining and have been replanted primarily for agricultural or grazing purposes.
<br />Together, cropland (6,612 acres), reclaimed pastureland (1,429 acres), and pastureland (839 acres) account for over
<br />68 percent of the total acreage of the permit area.
<br />Cropland vegetational cover is absent or sparse during early spring and increases during the growing season until
<br />harvest. After harvest, fields are covered with low remnant vegetation (stubble) which may be grazed or is plowed
<br />• into the soil. Principal crops in Twentymile Park are winter wheat and, occasionally, oats or barley.
<br />RN08 -05 2.04 -72 03/12/10
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