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Creek drainages aze a combination of BLM and private land. All remaining portions of <br />the project area aze on USFS lands. <br />Within the project area there are five different vegetation types, as well as other habitat <br />such as cliffs, suitable for raptor nesting. Within the project area there aze already a <br />number of roads and drill sites that have been constructed over the years. These roads <br />and sites were surveyed in previous years and data from those projects were used in <br />helping to design the study for this project. In addition, data from those projects also <br />gave an indication of wildlife activity and preferred habitat in those specific areas. This <br />project has expanded on that information and data collected on habitat and wildlife <br />activity in the North Fork Valley. <br />METHODS <br />Emphasis was placed on compiling data on TESS and MIS that are known to or may <br />occur in the area. Data was compiled on locations and habitat type where any of these <br />species were observed. <br />Transects through all suitable raptor nesting habitat were conducted. Areas such as <br />oakbrush dominated expanses were not surveyed, as raptors are not known to nest in this <br />habitat type. All mature aspen, Douglas-fir, Spruce-fir and cottonwoods in riparian azeas <br />were checked for current nesting or evidence of past nesting. GPS fixes for all nest sites, <br />both active and inactive, and habitat type where located were recorded. Nest locations are <br />shown on Figure I . Surveys were conducted in mature aspen stands prior to the trees <br />becoming fully leafed out. By conducting surveys in early to mid-May both early and <br />late nesting birds would be located. Surveys in Douglas fir and spruce fir stands were <br />conducted later in the season. This is done because nests are hard to locate in conifer <br />stands and by waiting till mid-June eggs have hatched, young are on the nest and adults <br />are more defensive and will call out if the observer comes near the nest site. In addition <br />to physically checking all stands of trees, recordings for species known to use these <br />habitat types were played in an effort to elicit a response from any raptors that might have <br />a nest in the azea. <br />All cliffs in all drainages and along the North Fork of the Gunnison River were checked <br />for evidence of raptor nesting. Surveys of cliffs were made during field work throughout <br />the period, when field studies were conducted. In addition, intensive checks were made <br />of all cliffs in the study area in late June. At this time, active nests with young would be <br />easier to locate, as there would be whitewash on the cliff faces. <br />To compile data on habitat and neo-tropical breeding bird activity, transects were <br />conducted in each habitat type. Transects were run in each major vegetation type a <br />minimum of three times. In addition to the breeding bird tansects, opportunistic <br />observations of birds were recorded while conducting raptor surveys. While conducting <br />tansects, data were kept on habitat condition and other species of wildlife observed. <br />4 <br />