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Sensitive Species Habitat Information and Potential Impacts <br /> Bald Eagle <br /> The bald eagle (Holiaeetus leucocephalus) is found only in North America (CPW, n.d.). <br /> Populations declined in the early-mid 20th century due to impacts from pesticides (mainly <br /> DDT), disturbance and loss of trees for nesting habitat. The eagle was consequently placed <br /> on the Endangered Species List. However,with the ban on the pesticide DDT and protection <br /> of nesting habitat, the eagles have substantially recovered,with Endangered status reduced <br /> to Threatened in 1995 and with further recovery was de-listed nationally.The bald eagle <br /> was removed from the Colorado list of threatened and endangered species in 2009. Bald <br /> eagles can be found throughout much of Colorado during both summer and winter and can <br /> be observed near reservoirs and major rivers such as the South Platte. Eagles will roost and <br /> nest in large cottonwood trees, roosting communally in the winter for warmth. Bald eagles <br /> have a varied diet,with nests often found near water in tall trees, building nests that can be <br /> 7 to 8 feet across.The bald eagle should not be negatively affected by the project, especially <br /> if large trees in the area can be protected from construction activities. <br /> Northern Harrier <br /> The Northern harrier (Circus cyaneus) resides in a variety of habitats in Colorado year- <br /> round, including short-grass prairies and marshes. Like many raptors, Northern harrier <br /> populations declined due to habitat loss and widespread use of the pesticide DDT. These <br /> birds of prey can be found roosting in tall grasses with dense vegetation as seen on this <br /> site. Northern harriers require at least a one square kilometer tract in order to breed, <br /> preferring areas with greater than 40 percent ground coverage. More specifically nests are <br /> commonly found hidden in wetland vegetation,where cover is taller than 2 feet (CNHP, <br /> 2004). The Project should have minimal to no impact on suitable nesting sites due the <br /> location and scale of construction activities. Due to the scope of The Project, potential <br /> adverse effects should not impact overall populations of Northern harriers. <br /> Swainson's Hawk <br /> Swainson's hawk (Buteo swainsoni) is found throughout Colorado in open areas, usually <br /> native short and tall grass prairies,and agricultural lands. Since the 1980s,Swainson's <br /> hawk populations declined in many parts of its range due to removal of riparian habitat, <br /> and lack of nest site availability (Bechard, 2010).The raptors'home range varies between <br /> about 170 to 21,550 acres depending on the amount of forage and water available. Nests <br /> will frequently be found in a lone tree or post in these grasslands,but they can also be <br /> found along riparian areas among a cluster of trees within their home range.The nests are <br /> found in a variety of tree species including cottonwood (Populus spp.),willows (Salix spp.), <br /> sycamores (Platanus spp.), and walnut Uuglans spp.) These hawks are a migratory bird <br /> species, listed on the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, traveling from North America to breed in <br /> the summer to South America for wintering(Woodbridge, 1998). This raptor has a high <br /> tolerance for human disturbance and can be found in areas with high human activity, <br /> although there can be nest abandonment if there is high-intensity disturbance or <br /> ALOTERRA Wildlife Technical Memo: Raindance Reservoir 7 <br />