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Long term and cumulative impacts on peregrine falcons are not expected to occur. This <br />project will not impact the viability of the species, or result in a trend of peregrine falcon <br />towards federal listing. <br />Northern goshawk: No northern goshawk occurrence has been formally documented in <br />the proposed project azea. Preferred habitat includes mature to over-mature coniferous <br />forest, mixed conifer aspen or aspen with a 75-80% intermediate-closed canopy, <br />moderate (15-35%) slope, and northern aspect. Goshawk nests aze normally found within <br />stands of large trees with dense canopy and open understory. Foraging activities are <br />conducted within intermediate-closed canopy, open-understory forest, and within small <br />forest openings. Northern goshawk prey upon grouse, quail, pheasant, ducks, smaller <br />hawks and owls, hare, rabbit, squirrel, woodchuck, chipmunk, mice, and shrews. <br />Goshawk home ranges aze about 6,000 acres and have been divided into three <br />components: 1) nest site core azea, 2) a post-fledging/family azea, and 3) a foraging azea. <br />Of these, the nest azea is the most habitat specific. Nest areas require about a 30-acre <br />stand of lazge old trees with a dense canopy cover. Most goshawks have two to four <br />alternate nest areas within their home range. The post fledging/faznily area and foraging <br />area can consist of a wide variety of habitat as long as prey is abundant. <br />There is no suitable goshawk nesting habitat in or neaz the project area. Goshawk <br />foraging could occur in the azea, but this is doubtful as habitat where these birds typically <br />forage is lacking. <br />Project activities will not impact goshawk reproductive behavior. Long term and <br />cumulative impacts on northern goshawks are not expected to occur. This project will <br />not impact the viability of the species, or result in a trend of Northern goshawk towards <br />federal listing. <br />Northern harrier: The northern harrier is found in both wet and dry open terrain, but is <br />most oRen found azound marshes, especially in the nesting season. Hamer nests aze <br />found on the ground in dense fields and marshes, either in shallow depressions or as a <br />platform of sticks, grass and weeds. This species is known to occur in the Gunnison <br />National Forest. Harriers have been observed during surveys conducted for other <br />projects, but none were observed in the project area in 2005 or at other nearby sites since <br />2002. <br />There aze small areas of suitable northern harrier nesting habitat in the project azea. <br />Hamer foraging occurs in the area, but is limited to small meadows, most of which will <br />not be disturbed by the proposed activities. <br />Project activities will not impact northern harrier reproductive behavior. Long term and <br />cumulative impacts on northern harriers aze not expected to occur. This project will not <br />impact the viability of the species, or result in a trend of Northern harrier towards federal <br />listing <br />Yellow-billed cuckoo: This species has been addressed in the Biological Assessment for <br />this project. <br />26 <br />