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~.~ to the north of the site. The 1975 estimate for spa-?- tailed grouse density in the study site region was 0.88 •_ birds per square mile (Colorado Division of Wildlife, 1976). ~~~.~ 2.5.5 Charadiifo naes (Shorebirds) Small populations of killdeer, a shorebird conic: inhabits ooen fields and pastures, may occur rear the study 'site in Hayden and Dowden Gulches. However, killdeer are not likely to be in the mountain shrub vegetatior. of the study site. Several killdeer were observed alorq Dry _ Creek, approximately five miles from the site in habitat similar to that along both F_ayden and Dowden Gulches. 2.5.6 Columbiform_s (Pigeons and Doves) ~_ Zn years of-good acorn production band-tailed pigeons are common in the vicinity of the study site (Fector, 1976). The range of one of three population conceatratior_s of band- •• tails in Routt County is located r_orth of the study site in the headwater drainages of Waterinc Trough Gulch. The prevalance of oaks on the study site provides excellen` ~_ forage fpr band-tails. However, late frost ir_ 1976 destroyed the acorn crop and no pigeons were seen durinc the faunal sum-vat's. Estimated density of band-tails on the s~udy site '•• is 18 birds per square mile, which is considered ccod to ~ excellent population density for this species (Colorado Division of Wildlife, 1976). They are classified as a aar..e ~l bird in Colorado, legally hunted during a restricted bag `'' limit, set season in the fall (see Figure 2.S). Mourning doves are a ubiquitous species, found ~:. throughout Colorado and several doves were seen in the vicinity of the 'study site. The majority of mournirc doves in the vicinity of the study site are migratorial, utilizing the study site during spring and sus~er. Doves are game birds in Colorado with a short hunting seascn in the fall. No harvest records for the study site are ~-~,_ available. ' ~'. 2.5.7 Strigiformes (Owls) `_ - _ - Both screech owls and great horned owls are yes=- round residents in the FTilliams Fork Mountains. Great horned awls were seen on several occasions on or near .he ~'- study site, izidicating their rel3.tive abunda.^.ce. The Colorado Division of t•7ildlife (1976) indicates that only the cottonwood groves along the 'lampa River provide treat ~= horned owl nesting habitat. Their prevalence in the general ~- -53-