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• The flood plain communities provide excellent wintering habitat for the northern <br />bald eagle, which probably relies heavily on carrion and wounded waterfowl for a <br />food supply. <br />Hawks and owls show little variation throughout the year, with a high of about 19 <br />percent relative abundance in September and a low of about 6 percent in May. <br />Three species within this grouping, the marsh hawk, sparrow hawk, and the re- <br />tailed hawk are the most frequently observed. <br />The bobwhite quail and ringneck pheasant are present in the irrigated portions of <br />the South Platte River Valley year-round, with populations peaking during the <br />summer. These species reach a relative abundance of about 14 percent during the <br />summer, decreasing to a low of about 2 percent during the spring. <br />The pigeon and dove group is represented within the area by two species, the <br />rock dove and the mourning dove. The mourning dove is an important seasonal <br />species accounting for increases of doves noted during the summer months. The <br />rock dove is present throughout the year. <br />The jays, magpies, and crows are represented by the blackbilled magpie, blue jay, <br />and common crow. The magpie and blue jay are present throughout the year, <br />with the magpie being most common. The crow is not a common species within <br />• the area. <br />The woodpecker group is represented within the area by the downy woodpecker <br />and re-shafter flicker. These species aze present year-round, with the flicker being <br />the more abundant species. <br />The blackbird and oriole group is most commonly represented by the <br />meadowlark. Large populations of this species account for a high relative <br />abundance of this group within tfie area. <br />Transient populations of seagulls have been observed in the mine site area. <br />B. Endangered and Threatened Species <br />During the original permitting of the Keenesburg Strip Mine in 1980-81, Coors <br />Energy Company consulted the official list of threatened and endangered species <br />(January 4, 1974 Federal Register, Volume 39, No. 3). Section 7 of the <br />Endangered Species Act (Public Law 93-205) requires all federal agencies to <br />ensure their actions do not jeopardize the continued existence of threatened or <br />endangered species by destruction or modification of habitat that has been <br />determined to be critical to these species. Of the species listed at that time, two <br />• potentially occurred in the project area; the American peregrine falcon (Falco <br />peregrin+rs ai+ahrm), and the black-footed ferret (Ms.srela nig>•ipes). Neither of <br />95 <br />