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plant site. Diversity of species present in this community was considerably lower than in the Big Bottom cottonwood <br />stand. <br />Saeebtvsh Stand in the Williams Fork Mountains <br />The Williams Fork Mountain study area supports a series of distinct community types. Loco] topographic features <br />markedly effect microclimate and consequently temperature and availability of water. These factors, in [um, effect the <br />nature and abundance of the vegetation and hence, the character for the habitat for wildlife. Slopes of southern <br />exposure receive more direct solar radiation than north facing slopes. Thus, they are warmer and dryer and tend to <br />accumulate less snow in normal winters. The direction of exposure and steepness of slope affect accessibility to wind, <br />erosion, and hence, the nature of the soils. <br />The Williams Fork Mountains present a diversity of vegetation and habitat type intermediate between Big Bottom and <br />sagebrush areas. This situation is reflected in the corresponding intermediate diversity among its birds. The breeding <br />avifauna is numerically dominated by finches, sparrows, and other songbirds, which feed preferentially on the berries <br />and seeds furnished by the woody shrubs and ground cover. Sharp-tailed grouse are also abundant. Nesting of sharp- <br />tailed grouse was observed throughout the area. Canada geese and Mallards were observed feeding in wheat fields in <br />the lower portion of the Williams Fork Mountains. <br />A sizeable mule deer population was observed in the study area in the Williams Fork Mountains. The number of mule <br />deer observed was much larger than that of the Big Bottom area. The actual number of deer in this area varies <br />somewhat from year to year. This area is considered marginal winter range for elk, although a few elk were observed <br />in the area on several occasions. Use of the area by deer and elk as wintering grounds seems to depend upon the <br />severity of winter. When snow cover is deep on the northern slope, these animals migrate to the south facing slopes. <br />During milder winters, deer and elk are dispersed over the crest and entire northern portions of the Williams Fork <br />Mountains. An occasional mild winter permits the deer to utilize food sources on the northern slopes, thereby <br />allowing rejuvenation and repair of important food plants in the southern areas where deer normally winter. Use of <br />these surrounding areas when the snowpacks are light proves essential in maintaining a balance between the deer herd <br />and the plant community which supports it. Presented in Table 47, Minimum Number of Deer and Elk Fresent in <br />Four Areas Near Craig During Five Census Periods, is a list of the minimum number of deer and elk present in four <br />study areas near Craig, Colorado. <br />Small mammal populations in the Williams Fork Mountains, exhibited seasonal patterns of density and diversity <br />similar to those observed at the other study areas. The deermouse was the only small mammal observed during the <br />fall and was [he most abundant and widely distributed rodent, throughout the year. <br />Track counts in fresh snow in night spotlight census indicated extremely heavy usage of the Williams Fork Mountains <br />by white-tailed jackrabbits in the late fall and again in early spring. It appeared that the jackrabbits moved elsewhere <br />during the winter, possibly to the south-facing slopes where there is less snow. Active mounds and tunnelings of <br />northern pocket gophers were also observed in many areas on [he Williams Fork Mountains. <br />Other mammals observed in this study area included shrews, moles, coyotes, porcupines, chipmunks, and golden- <br />mantled ground squirrels. A summary of the small mamma[ species found in the Craig area is given in Table 48, <br />Species of Small Mammals Found in the Craig Area. <br />The Big Bottom study area was clearly shown to have the most diverse group of mammals and birds. <br />No rare or endangered mammals were encountered in any of the study areas. Rare or endangered bird species <br />recorded during the census period included the greater sandhill crane, the bald eagle, and the prairie falcon. <br />Permit Renewal No. 4 2.04-44 Revised 3/5/03 <br />