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WILDLIFE RESOURCES ASSESSMENT <br />FORT LUPTON PROPERTIES, WELD COUNTY, COLORADO <br />portion of the site. As described above, prairie dogs are locally common in the study <br />area. <br />Birds <br />Many species of birds occur in the riparian and cultivated areas of the study area. <br />Birds observed during fieldwork include, western meadowlarks (Sturnella neglecta), <br />homed larks (Eremophila alpestris), rock dove (Columba Livia), redwing blackbird <br />(Agelaius phoeniceus), American robin (Turdus migratorius), black-billed magpie (Pica <br />pica), killdeer (Charadrius vociferous), mourning dove (Zenaida macroura), wood duck <br />(Aiz sponsa), and American goldfinch (Cardeulis tristis). Many of the above species <br />likely nest on the site. <br />Wildlife Corridors <br />The project site contains no wildlife migration corridors identified by the CDOW <br />(CNDIS 2004). Wildlife, particularly rodents and carnivores such as coyotes and <br />raccoons, likely travel along Big Dry Creek and the South Platte River. <br />Conclusions and Discussion <br />The project site lacks any potential breeding or critical winter habitat for any federally <br />listed threatened or endangered species. Wintering bald eagles may occasionally forage <br />on the property. No known eagle nest sites are located along the South Platte River in the <br />project area. However, known nest sites are located nearby at Barr Lake and near the <br />Town of Lochbuie. The project site contains potential habitat for several state listed <br />species including, burrowing owl, mountain plover, northern leopazd frog, common garter <br />snake and winter foraging habitat for ferruginous hawk. The project site does not contain <br />potential habitat for long-bided curlew or the swift fox. <br />The site contains over 100 acres of prairie dogs, a federal candidate and state species <br />of concern that will be severely impacted by the project. The current status of the black- <br />tailed prairie dog as a candidate species does not federally protect the species under the <br />ESA and state regulations primarily addresses relocation issues. Currently, Weld County <br />has no prairie dog regulations. <br />