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• Upland Gene Birds. Three different species of game birds have been positively identified for the study area and these are listed in Table 3. The locations of game birds observed on the Seneca II study area are provided in Appendix A, Map 2. The occurrence and distribution and critical habitat (e.g., strutting grounds) for each species observed in the Seneca II study area are discussed below. Year-round opporttuiistic sic~tings indicate that blue grouse are at least summer and fall residents of the Seneca II study area. A total of 11 blue grouse was observed on the study area during the period June 1 - October 12, 1979. All observations occurred in mixed brush or aspen vegeta- tion types generally at the higher elevation of the study area. The per- unit area population estimate for blue grouse in the vicinity of Seneca II Mine is 7.5 individuals/sg mi (DOW, 1978). Blue grouse often exhibit a habitat affinity for areas of heavy cover. Males oommnly establish "hooting territories" in areas crontaining both fairly heavy Dover for escape and open vegetation for display, such as mixed brush/ open aspen eootonal areas. Blue grouse nests are built in a variety of sit- uations. They are often constructed under logs or among roots of fallen trees in fairly open timber (Johnsgard, 1973). Qualitative surveys of blue grouse broods >n the Seneca II study area were conducted on the passerine bird transacts in mid-July. No females with broods were enrountered on transacts. However, one hen with three young was observed in mixed brush vegetation (Appendix A, Map 2) during early August, 1979. No sage grouse were observed on the study area, although sage grouse have been reported in habitats near Seneca II (DOW, 1978). A sage grouse lek survey on the Seneca II study area was conducted in April, 1979 by Jim Hicks of the Colorado DOW (personal ccnmunication, April, 1979; Ray Karo, Reclamation Supervisor at Seneca II Mine). Leks (strutting grounds) are critical areas for successful reproduction by sage grouse. Sage grouse leks were not ob- • served on or near the Seneca II study area during this or other field inves- tigations in 1979. The closest known sage grouse lek to the study area is -49- Revised 5-27-81