2017-10-05_PERMIT FILE - M2017049 (36)

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Ar BIO-Logic inc Natural Resource Consultants along an access road that follows the unnamed intermittent stream that flows through Deadman Gulch. The biologist hiked to call stations north and south of Little Turkey Creek. Stations located along access roads were accessed by vehicle. Surveys were conducted on April 14 and 25,May 19, and June 6, 2016 by Jim Le Fevre,following the same methods as in 2015. Weather was generally favorable throughout the survey period, although short periods of wind and light rain occurred during the first visit, delaying calling at some stations. Typical conditions during most of the survey periods were light to variable winds,no rain,and temperatures 40 to 55°F by the end of the survey night. 2017 Survey Call station locations used in 2017 were the same points established in 2016. Surveys were conducted on May 15 and 30, June 12,and July 6, 2017 by Jim Le Fevre. Weather was generally favorable throughout the survey period, although short periods of wind and light rain occurred during the first visit, delaying calling at some stations. Typical conditions during most of the survey periods were light to variable winds, no rain, and temperatures 48°F to 60°F by the end of the survey night. RESULTS No MSO were detected during the 2015,2016, or 2017 surveys. Data sheets were filled out according to survey protocol instructions and are included in Appendix B. Others owls detected during the surveys included flammulated,Northern pygmy and long-eared owl. DISCUSSION MSO in south-central Colorado are exceedingly rare and of high conservation concern. Less than 10 nesting pairs are known in the state,with most pairs in the mountain areas north and southwest of the Hitch Rack Quarry project area,within about 50 miles. A Protected Activity Center(PAC)for MSO exists starting 1.6 miles north of the project area, on private lands and public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service. The PAC was established based on a breeding pair of MSO found there during the 1990s; subsequent surveys of the PAC area since then have not detected any MSO(FWS unpublished data). Mixed conifer and ponderosa pine/Gambel oak forests in the survey area comprise suitable habitat for MSO, particularly foraging habitat while nesting habitat is limited by the lack of suitable cliffs or very tall, old trees. The habitat in the project area is more or less contiguous with a broader expanse of potentially suitable habitat that extends west up the Little Turkey Creek drainage and north to the PAC described above. To our knowledge, 2015 was the first time the Ranch was systematically surveyed for MSO. The 2015- 2017 surveys were conducted under favorable weather and listening conditions and within the time periods and other methods specified by the MSO survey protocol. We believe that we achieved complete - -- ----------- -- -- 5