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<br />The greatest abundance of songbirds and other bird species was observed at this site. <br />Common mergansers, ringneck ducks, mallards, cinnamon teal, yellow warblers, red- <br />winged and Brewer's blackbirds, cowbirds, tree and bank swallows, orioles, towhees, <br />mourning doves, crows, northern flickers, downy woodpeckers, indigo buntings, house <br />sparrows, house wrens, magpies, turkey vultures, kestrels, western and eastern kingbirds <br />and robins were observed in this area. <br />Recommendations: The area south of the existing fine should be totally left alone. <br />Impacts in this area could trigger Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act consultation. <br />Although no southwest willow flycatchers were heard or observed, it is potemial habitat. <br />A portion of these wetlands is mitigation for the Highway 133 project built in the 1980's <br />by the Colorado Department of Transportation. Based on the location map, there should <br />not be any impact on this area. Cut and fill materials should be stabilized and utilized on <br />site or hauled to other project sites to prevent erosion into the wetlands south of this area. <br />Maintenance of all existing vegetation, if possible, should be retained or replaced as <br />buffers due to the close proximity of human constructed features as noted above. <br />Reclamation efforts should include control of invasive, noxious weeds in the disturbance <br />areas along the entire corridor. Weed control should occur for a minimum of five years <br />after the disturbed areas are reclaimed. <br />• During the engineering survey for the final siding alignment, it would be a good~idea to <br />have someone with biological expertise available to provide input on avoiding or <br />minimizing impacts on sensitive wildlife habitats within the corridor. There is great <br />potential for minimizing and mitigating impacts during the construction phase that is not <br />pointed out in this wildlife survey report. Much of this work can be incorporated into the <br />design and have minimal implementation costs. <br />SUMMARY <br />In summary, none of the wildlife species on the state and federal sensitive, threatened or <br />endangered lists were observed during the field surveys. Probability for occurrence <br />based on suitable habitat for any of the listed species was only found for the southwest <br />willow flycatcher. This habitat was found on the southeastern fringe of the survey radius <br />and is well buffered by vegetation and topography from the disturbance site. There is no <br />reason to believe that construction of the siding will impact this habitat. <br />• <br />