2007-07-30_PERMIT FILE - C1981008A (14)

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Resident wintering passerines were censured along the same transects for three consecutive days during early January, 1980 in all of the vegetation types censured for breeding birds. Due to the weather conditions and to the low passerine diversity at this time of year, a flush census technique was used. The numbers of all birds flushed, perched or flying over the 0.5 km paced strip transact were recorded by species and habitat type. Strip transacts were run throughout the daylight hours. Qualitative surveys of areas not subjected to strip census were conducted in June duri.t7g mid-day and late afternoon to oa~ile a carq~lete list of birds occupying the study site. Strip censuses often do not account for all species and since the breeding bird strip-census was on3.y conducted during early morning hours, time was left at mid-day and late afternoon for qualitative avian surveys. Raptors. All raptors and their nest sites protected by the Migratory Bird 7Y-eaty Act (certain hawks), The Eagle Protection Act (golden and bald eagles) and tlm proposed Federal Coal Managanent Program Criteria (Criteria #15 deals .- with falcons and eagles) were identified for the study area during. all field imrestiga tions (see Results, page 37). Also, potential raptor nesting sites were identified and mapped during ground activities. All potential nest sites identified duriru3 these surveys ware subjected to intensive ground studies during the height of the 1979 reproductive season m determine whether they wire occupied by nest;++g pairs of peregrine falmns, bald or golden eagles, prairie falcons or other protected raptors. The skyline watch was e~loyed to survey all potential nesting areas. Zt is virtually certain that nesting adult raptors will leave their nest site to forage at least once and often several times a aay during the time they have young on the nest. Any buds nesting in the area are easily seen this time of the year during skyline watches of 4-b hours in length at strategic locations. Each actual or potential nest site identified was visited subsequent to the skyline watch to determine its status (i.e., active or inactive). The occupants of active nest sites were observed with a spotting scope from a distance to determine their species and numbers. For active and inactive nest sites, location, habitat type. nest substrate aru3 i~eight off of grourul were recorded. The species and numbers of all raptors sighted ~` _7- • JUM 1 1 1480 (Revised August 2006) Attachment 2.04.10-10-14