2006-06-02_PERMIT FILE - C1980007A (4)

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West Elk Mine BIrdS The birds of the West Elk Mine study area are typical for the habitats in western Colorado. Distribution and abundance of songbirds, upland gamebirds, waterfowl, shorebirds, and raptors varies mazkedly from season to season. Observations of individual bird species are described based on seasonal surveys undertaken during 1976. The winter avifauna consists of relatively few species distributed as both flocked aggregations and as separate individuals. In all, 23 species were observed. As for songbirds, only American robins (Turdus migratorius) and dazk-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis) were present in substantial densities. Although recorded in low densities, the northern flicker (Colaptes auratus), western scrub jay (Aphelocoma californica), black-billed magpie (Pica pica), and Townsend's solitaire (Myadestes townsendi), were all observed during the winter surveys. The black-capped chickadee (Parus atricapillus) was found to be the most abundant species in any single habitat (Exhibit 35). The swamp sparrow (Melospiza georgiana) requires comment because of its uncommon occurrence in the state. A pair was observed in an open meadow just south of the Bear Mine. Neither bird was observed singing, and they were not seen in the azea on subsequent visits, possibly indicting their passage through the azea. Swamp sparrows are considered uncommon migrants and winter residents of eastern counties of Colorado. During spring surveys, 70 species were observed, 50 of which were songbirds. The most abundant and widespread species were the blue-gray gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea), yellow warbler (Dendroica petechia), and green-tailed towhee (Pipilo chlorurus) as shown in Exhibit 35. The most ubiquitous breeding birds on the study azea were the following seven species: Broad- tailed hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus), black-billed magpie, American robin, blue-gray gnatcatcher, yellow warbler, green-tailed towhee, and spotted towhee (Pipilo maculatus). The species found at the highest total densities were the black-capped chickadee (Parus atricapillus), house wren (Troglodytes aedon), blue-gray gnatcatcher, wazbling vireo (Vireo gilvus), orange- crowned warbler (Vermivora celata), yellow warbler, MacGillivray's warbler (Oporornis tolmiei), green-tailed towhee, and spotted towhee (Exhibit 35). Four species are present on both the list of ubiquitous species and the list of most abundant species: blue-gray gnatcatcher, yellow wazbler, green-tailed towhee, and spotted towhee. Waterfowl and Shorebirds Waterfowl and shorebirds aze very spazse along the North Fork of the Gunnison River. Only the dipper (Cinclus mexicanus), mallard (Anas plaryrhynchos), common merganser (Mergus merganser), and spotted sandpiper (Actitis macularia) were observed. LJ 2.04-173 Revised November 2004 PRIO