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yon-juniper woodland on the eastern portion of t-.e mine boundary. This individ- <br />ual was observed foraging for insects in a rocky outcropping. Gne yellow <br />warbler was observed in the grove of ixees northeast of the farmhouse on <br />the study area. Yellow warblers are cormnnly found in thickets and orchards. <br />Raptorial Birds. The study area is used as hunting habitat for at least five <br />different raptor species: red-tailed hawk, Arerican kestrel, Cooper's hawk, <br />rough-legged hawk, and marsh hawk. Location of all sightings of these species <br />are provided in Appendix A, Map 11-2. The occurrence and seasonal use of the <br />study area and potential important habitat (i.e., nesting) is discussed below <br />for each of the raptor species observed on the study area. <br />Red-tailed hawk. The Nucla study area occurs on the border between the summer <br />and winter range of the red-tailed hawk (Robbins et al. 1966). However, this <br />raptor was not observed during winter field studies at Nucla. Four obser/a- <br />tions did occur near the study area during uhe period May -September, 1979. <br />Observations included one pair of red-tailed hawks hunting the spoil piles <br />• approximately ;mile south of the mine headquarters and one red-tailed hawk <br />approxit~tely one mile west of the study area in September, 1979. <br />Fed-tailed hawk nests wire not located on tr:e Nucla study area during 1979. <br />However, one female red-tailed hawk was observed on a stick nest in a cotton- <br />wood gmve located approximately one Wile east of the mine headquarters in i/ay, <br />1979. The number of young in the nest was not determined. <br />Red-tailed hawks cmmnnly nest on sheer cliff faces or in trees located in <br />agricultural areas. Potential nesting habitat in the Nucla study area e:{ists <br />in the trees along the riparian habitat and in the wind break northeast of <br />the farmihouse. Potential nesting opportunities are greater off-sits:; sand- <br />stone cliffs and outcroppings and pinyon-juniper woodlands occur east of the <br />mine peanut boundry. <br />Cooper's hawk. The Nucla study area occurs within year-round range of the <br />Cooper's hawk. Only one Cooper's hawk was observed near the study area; <br />. this individual was sighted approximately ;; m41e south of the mine headquarters <br />-37- <br /> <br />