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prior years were dry or partially dried-up in 2012 which could have also affected use of <br />the area for nesting by goshawks. <br />Each year the areas surveyed for nests has included all suitable nesting habitat for these <br />birds in and adjacent to the LMA. There is additional suitable habitat to the east of the <br />LMA where there are larger flat areas, ponds and wetlands and large aspen trees amongst <br />Spruce -fir areas. The remainder of the area in and around the LMA lacks suitable <br />conditions. The terrain is steep, aspens are a younger age class and dense. In addition, <br />ponds and open areas are lacking. <br />From the surveys over the last three summers it was determined that most of the LMA <br />lacks suitable goshawk nesting habitat. The fact that goshawks have been observed in the <br />upper Deep Creek during several years of surveys leads one to believe there is probably <br />nesting occurring somewhere around the foot of Mt. Gunnison. Most suitable habitat <br />where a pair might be nesting is to the northeast of the LMA around the base of Mt. <br />Gunnison. Based upon what is known about preferred habitat by these birds for nesting, <br />any additional nests will be found on the flat areas dominated by spruce-fir/aspen. The <br />nests are in large aspen, typically 18-24 inches DBH and about 50 feet up in the tree. All <br />of these aspens are as big as, or bigger than the spruce -fir around them. <br />Flammulated owl: Although none have been observed, there is suitable habitat for these <br />birds in the LMA. If found in the area they would probably be at lower elevations in <br />aspen stands. <br />Boreal owl: Although none have been observed, there is suitable habitat for these birds <br />in spruce —fir stands at higher elevations and pockets of aspen at lower elevations. <br />Because the disturbance area for exploration would be very small potential impacts <br />through loss of nest sites or foraging habitat would be minimal. <br />15 <br />