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• undisturbed timber for successful nesting (Ca11,1978). No Cooper's hawk <br />nests were located on or near the study area during the 1979 field <br />activities. Potential nesting habitat in aspen and conifer stands exists <br />approximately 2 miles north of the study area. <br />A total of two prairie falcon sightings occurred on the Seneca II study <br />area during the 1979 field activities. Hoch sightings occurred on the <br />southeast edge of the study area during the su[~mer months. Prairie falwns <br />prefer open country, although some have been found in wooded areas <br />(Robbins et aL,1966). These falcons most canronly utilize cliffs which <br />Overlook at least some treeless wuntry as their nesting sites (Ca11,1978). <br />No prairie falcon nests were observed on or near the Seneca II study azea <br />during 1979. However, it is possible that prairie falcons are nesting <br />on one of the more prominent cliffs to the north and west of the study area. <br />One great horned owl was observa3 on the Seneca II study area during June, <br />• 1979. This owl was flushed in the mixed brush vegetation type. Great <br />horned gals are widely distributed in the western United States and will <br />utilize abandoned nests in trees as well as cavities on both cliffs and <br />trees (Ca11,1978). Although no great horned owl nests were located in <br />the vicinity of the study area in 1979, potential nesting habitat does <br />occur throughout the study area. Great horned owl density in the vicinity <br />of the study area was reported by DGW (1978) as .04/sq mi. <br />One bald eagle was reported flying Over the study area in October, 1978 <br />(Texas Instrumants,1978). However, this endangered avian species was not <br />observed on or neaz the study azea during the 1979 field activities. No <br />bald eagle nests are known to exist in the vicinity of the Seneca II <br />mine. The closest known active bald eagle nesting azea is located near <br />Baggs, Wyaning, app~-r+Y~~tely 60 miles north of the study azea. Bald <br />eagles require a lazge expanse of water neaz their nests, since success- <br />ful nesting requires a dependable and readily available food supply <br />generally consisting of fish (Spencer, 1976). Potential bald eagle nest <br />. habitat does not exist on the Seneca II study area. <br />-47- <br />