2004-05-19_REVISION - M1979205 (2)

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i Colorado River floodplain. Numerous deer tracks and game trails were observed crossing through riparian habitat along the edge of the river indicating that these areas may provide important travel corridors for local deer. The floodpiain provides important mule deer winter habitat and a good source of food and cover for local year-round resident deer. The floodplain also provides winter range for elk. Raptors A database search of the CROW Wildlife Resource Information Service indicates that i3 species of raptors (birds of prey) potentially occur in the vicinity of the Mamm~ Creek Project Site. These include bald eagle, golden eagle (Aquila chryseatos), Swainson's hawk (Buteo swainsoni), red-tailed hawk (B.jamaicensis), rough-legged hawk (B.lagopus), northern harrier (Circus cyaneus), merlin (Falco columarius), American kestrel (F.sparverius), Cooper's hawk (Accipiter cooperii), Sharp-shinned hawk (A.striatus), Northern goshawk (A.gentilis), great-homed owl (Bubo virginianus) and long-eared owi (Asio otus). Many of these species are infrequent spring and fall migrants that occasionally pass through the Colorado River Valley. American Kestrel and Cooper's hawk were the only raptor species observed during the site rewnnaissance visit. A search of the project site conducted in September, 1999 did not locate any potential or recently active raptor nests on the project site, however, dense riparian areas and tall mature cottonwood trees provides potential nesting habitat for cooper's hawks, sharp-skinned hawk and red-tailed hawks. The Colorado Department of Wildlife has provided data on potential nesting sites for avian species including eagles. These potential nesting sites have been shown on Exhibits C-1 and C-2 and labeled eagle nests. Game Birds and Waterfowl Upland game birds potentially occurring on the Mamm Creek Project Site include ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), mourning dove (Zenida macroura) and turkey (Meleagris gallopavo). Mourning dove and turkey were observed on the project site during a site reconnaissance visit. Both these species prefers mountain brush and riparian habitats with a high degree of vegetation diversity and available water. Brood production of doves is correlated with spring precipitation and dependent on the availability of seeds and accessible water. No ocher upland game species is expected to occur on the project site. The Colorado River and its associated floodplain and wetland areas provide habitat for breeding and migrant waterfowl. Waterfowl likely to occur on the Mamm Creek Project Site includes; Canada geese (Branca canadensis), common and red breasted mergansers (Merges merganser, M. senator), gadwall (Anas strepera), American widgeon (Aamericana), mallard (Aplatyranchos), green-winged teal (A.crecca), blue-winged teal (A.discors), cinnamon teal (A.cyanoptera), northem shoveler (a,clypeata), pintail (A.acuta), redhead (Aytha americans), canvasback (A.valinsineria), lesser scaup (A.marila), Common goldeneye (Bucephala clangula), Barrow's goldeneye (B.islandica), bufflehead (B.albeola) and ruddy ducks (Oxyura dominica).