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and most raptors are common and not necessarily unique to the area. Elk use in the area is expected to be greatest during the winter months and in the spring during green-up of herbaceous species. Aerial censuring in the winter months of 1979 did not indicate the presence of elk on the permit area, but sightings were common to the east, north, and west of the permit area. More recent aerial flights have confirmed this pattern (see Tab 111. Browse utilization measurements indicated high use on only one transect (browse utilization Transect B-11, but on none of the transects was utilization excessive. Elk calving is likely to occur in area aspen stands, particularly in larger aspen stands off the permit area to the south. Elk calving was not observed on the permit area during wildlife investigations. Mule deer are expected to be more common on the permit area throughout the year. However, aerial censuring during the winter of 1979 indicated a lack of mule deer present on the permit area, but this amounted to only two different observation periods. More recent aerial censuring appears to confirm that winter use by mule deer continues to be light. Strip censuring during the summer months and observations by Peabody personnel indicate that mule deer are fairly common on the permit area during the spring, summer, and fall. Upland game birds were not common on the permit area, with only blue grouse being sighted. Sharp-tailed grouse and sage grouse were not found on the site even though their general habitats are present on the site. Raptors, on the other hand, are fairly common over the area, with golden eagles being of most interest. An active golden eagle nest is present in sandstone bluffs above Hubberson Gulch to the west of the permit area (see Exhibit 11-3, Wildlife Survey, Tab 111. As is the case with several other active nests near the Seneca II Mine, this nest will not be disturbed by mining activities. Thus, the Seneca II-W permit area provides a variety of habitat for many wildlife species common to northwestern Colorado. Studies and observations indicate that utilization of the area by big game and upland game birds is not at high levels, but this may be due in part to the availability of more desirable habitat around the permit area. Big game use appears io be as high during periods of herbaceous production as in any other time. Exhibit 10-1 illustrates the continuum of available vegetation communities and habitat types from the permit area disturbance boundary to one-half mile out from this boundary. 4