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Irrigation Ditches Irrigation ditches that flow through or adjacent to the site do not provide riparian habitat (i.e., similar to that along a stream). While some regional ditches support a narrow riparian of cottonwood or other trees and an understory of willows or other shrubs, the onsite ditches lack such habitat. Instead, they consist of a narrow zone of herbaceous plants (mostly non-native pasture grasses and common ruderal forts [weeds]) on banks and tops of the berms. These zones of relatively rank (i.e., unmanicured) vegetation are typically only a few feet wide-with a maximum of perhaps 20 feet-and grade abruptly to irrigated cropland or pastureland. Use of the ditches by birds is probably limited to feeding on seeds or insects by the tree-nesting species mentioned above, as well asground-nesting species such as the western meadowlark and lark sparrow. They may also provide limited cover and movement routes for another rural species, the ring-necked pheasant. The sma{I wetland adjacent to U.S. 85 in the northwestern part of the site did not support wetland species at the time of the site survey in mid-July 2004. Species potentially present there include the red-winged blackbird, common yellowthroat (a warbler), and song sparrow. However, the small size of the habitat may make it too small for nesting by any of these species. Farm Buildings In addition to the adjacent trees, farm structures also provide habitat for some birds such as the rock dove (pigeon), European starling, and house sparrow (all of which are non-native) and migrants such as the Say's phoebe, barn swallow, and cliff swallow (all of which may nest beneath eaves or in rafters). Reptiles, Amphibians, and Aquatic Species The lack of significant natural habitat and of surface water greatly limits the potential for use by these vertebrate groups. The irrigation ditches does not provide habitat for fish or aquatic life, except potentially for some aquatic insects with highly mobile adult stages, or for amphibious species such as frogs and toads. The small wetland in the northwestern area does provide {imited habitat for three common amphibians: the northern chorus frog, Woodhouse's toad, and plains spadefoot (toad). It is not know whether these species occur in the wetland, but none is considered rare. Reptiles onsite would be expected to include the western terrestrial garter snake and, potentially, the plains garter snake around the small wetland, in the small-degraded pasture area, around rural residences, and along unmown ditch margins. Snakes and lizards commonly associated with grasslands (e.g., bull snake, yellow-bellied racer) are also not likely to occur onsite due to the very small size and degraded condition of the only pasture habitat, adjacent to U.S. 85. (B) Seasonal Use of the Area Because of its location far from the base of the Front Range foothills, lack of significant native habitat (including woodlands or grasslands), and lack of aqualic habitat, the site mostly supports resident species commonly associated with agricultural and rural residential areas. Seasonal use is therefore limited to the small number of birds that nest in the scattered trees or eaves of rural residences along the eastern edge of the site or in the degraded pasture in the northwestern portion. These species are discussed above. In addition to year-round use by resident birds and nesting use by summer migrants, the site provides some habitat for winter migrants. The most abundant winter residents likely to occur onsite are the homed SW TKO Joint Venture, LLC. -Adams Sand and Gravel Mine -112 Reclamation Permit Amendment Page 23'