Laserfiche WebLink
• <br /> <br />The next best potential face seems to exist at sector i7 if it is fully <br />excavated and if perpendicular facets are formed near the top. If the faces can <br />be enlarged, they should offer potential for occupancy by raptors. <br />With regard to actual nest sites, 3 ledges should be excavated near the top of <br />sector i3 immediately below or on the perpendicular face. The uppermost pothole <br />should be placed from 6 to 8 feet below the top. At least one pothole should be <br />constructed for prairie falcons and the others should be for hawks and eagles, <br />The potholes should be at least 2 feet deep (3 feet would be optimal) and the <br />length can vary from 3 to 6 feet. The height of the pothole will vary according <br />to the species, prairie falcons prefer ceilings about 16 to 20 inches above the <br />floor of the cavity, but since the low ceiling precludes larger raptors such as <br />red-tailed hawks and golden eagles from utilizing the site, their potholes <br />should be about 3 feet high, Sand should be spread on the floor of alt the <br />potholes.. with special attention to the prairie falcon site since they prefer a <br />sandy substrate on which to lay their eggs. The eagles and hawks construct <br />nests of sticks and twigs. so an artificial nest should be constructed on the <br />' floor of each pothole to attract them. A sand substrate should be provided in <br />the hawk/eagle potholes in the case .that prairie falcons find them to their <br />liking and take up residence, <br />The prime period for nest site selection occurs during courtship in February for <br />eagles and March for prairie falcons. Golden eagles will deposit their eggs in <br />late March and prairie falcons will lay their eggs early in April,. They are <br />most vulnerable d4ri_ng courtship and are likely to abandon the site if <br />disturbed, The overall extent of the mine is such that it is unlikely the <br />raptors will inhabit one portion of the mine while operations take place in <br />another part. If it is desirable to encourage occupancy by raptors before the <br />mining operations are completed, the activity at the mine should be scheduled to <br />start in mid to late June and cease by early February. Should a pair of raptors <br />move in while the mine is still operating, the point will have been proven that <br />nesting habitat has been created and the site should be reoccupied in the <br />future. <br />I do not believe it would be effective to attempt to release nestlings at the <br />site in the hopes they wilt return as adults and breed. Other raptors nesting <br />in the vicinity are likely to attract them, Sufficient numbers of wild raptors <br />occur in the area so .the site should be colonized naturally, if it is deemed <br />suitable by the birds. _._.__ <br />With regard to present reclamation efforts. 'the work in sections it and i2 <br />should continue. As stated previously, it would be beneficial to make the <br />surface below sections i3, i4 and maybe i7 as flat as possible to increase <br />cliff height. The overburden in front of the face could be pushed further to <br />the east and sculpted to create mounds and valleys with different aspects to <br />enhance small mammal and bird abundance. <br />The above suggestions are offered on the basis that they are experimental in <br />nature. I cannot guarantee that raptors will be appreciative of the efforts and <br />settle at the mine site, Finally, any wildlife enhancement or reclamation <br />efforts should be coordinated with the appropriate District Wildlife Manager. <br />Prepared By Gerald R. Craig 2/14/85 <br />cc R. Tully <br />J. Sarason <br />