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<br />' Centennial Materials, Inc. Plains Sharp-Tailed Grouse Study <br />t 2.0 METHODS <br />' Castle Rock Ouarry - e'-M <br />The following methods were used to conduct the four-day surveys: <br />' Area Reconnaissance -The area was traversed in an automobile to observed physical and <br />biological conditions in terms of physiography and vegetation patterns. Slopes with a <br />southeast exposure were noted since these can become candidate sites for leks, particularly <br />those slopes that are not shrubby but grassy. <br />' Ground Survey -Areas identified with a southeast exposure were later observed from a <br />distance with binoculars early in the morning to identify, Sharp-tailed Grouse, if present. <br />Later, these same areas were walked on foot to identify any grouse sign such as feathers or <br />' droppings. This routine was followed for four mornings. <br />Listening Station Survey -From May 13-16, 1995 and between 5:4~ and 8:00 a.m., a route <br />' was followed by automobile through the Castle Rock Quarry property. Prior to each early <br />morning survey, the observer listened to recorded Sharp-tailed Grouse sounds, then <br />commenced the survey. At approximately each one-third mile, the observer stopped and <br />listened with the Bionic Ear and Booster to bird sounds amplified through the parabolic <br />listening device. Listening was done for 3-4 minutes at each station. The bird songs were <br />identified and noted on a field sheet. In addition, at each listening station, the observer <br />' scanned the area with binoculars to identify any birds, and to look for Sharp-tailed Grouse. <br />Both the listening with the Bionic Ear and Booster and the scanning with the binoculars was <br />done 360° around the listening station. Al] notes were recorded on field sheets and then <br />transferred to finished tables in the office. The listening station route was plotted on the <br />Castle Rock South 7.5 minute quadrangle, and is shown as Figure 1. <br />' McClain Pit -American Geological Services, inc. <br />The following procedures were followed during the survey: <br />' • Surveying was conducted between the hours of 4:45 to 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, <br />April 4, 1993 and Tuesday, April 6, 1993, and between 5:45 to 8:00 a.m. <br />during the period of April 11 -May 15, 1993. <br />' • The survey area encompassed the McClain Pit area and aone-mile perimeter <br />(see Figure 2). <br />1 <br />' engineering-environmental Management, tuc. Z luly 12, 1995 <br />1 <br />