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lark in the degraded pasture or fallow fields and the tree sparcow in unmown areas of tall, weedy vegetation <br />along the ditches. <br />Use by migrants such as waterfowl (ducks and geese), wading birds (herons), and shorebirds (plovers and <br />sandpipers) is essentially negated by the lack of suitable aquatic habitats. Gulls could use the fields in <br />spring or fall migrations. <br />Of the potential nesting raptors described in subsection (a), the red-tailed hawk and great homed owl are <br />present year-round, while the Swainson's hawk and American kestrel are migrants. The rough-legged <br />hawk is present only in winter but is unlikely to occur onsite due to the near lack of grassland habitat. <br />(c) THREATENED OR ENDANGERED SPECIES <br />The discussions below regarding threatened, endangered, or Colorado special-concern species are limited <br />to species potentially present in the site vicinity, although not in the types of habitats present onsite. <br />Threatened, Endangered, or Candidate Species <br />Preble's Meadow Jumoing Mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblerl -This federally listed threatened mammal <br />occurs along streams and ditches supporting riparian habitats in portions of the Front Range region of <br />Colorado, including the Fort Lupton vicinity. However, the site lacks suitable habitat, and this species is <br />therefore not expected to occur. <br />Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) -This federally listed threatened raptor has been proposed for <br />removal from the federal list but remains on the list at this time. Bald eagles occur in the Fort Lupton area <br />during all seasons, but primarily in winter and during migrations. The species has nested at Barr Lake in <br />recent years and is beginning to nest more broadly, including the South Platte River corridor. The potential <br />for use of the site by the bald eagle is very limited by the poor habitat quality, lack of prey, and proximity to <br />the much superior habitat along the South Platte River. <br />Burrowing Owl (Athene cunnicularia) -This small owl is state-listed as threatened in Colorado. It is closely <br />tied to prairie dog towns, where it uses abandoned burrows for nesting and roosting. The absence of <br />prairie dogs onsite (see below) essentially negates the potentia! for occurrence by this species. <br />Colorado Special-Concern Species <br />Black-tailed Prairie Dog (Cvnomvs ludovicianusl -This federal candidate and Colorado special-concern <br />species was previously proposed for listing, and USFWS concluded that listing was "warranted but <br />precluded." Abandoned prairie dog burrows are used for nesting by the burrowing owl, astate-listed <br />threatened species in Colorado (see below). No prairie dog colonies occur onsite, and the intensive <br />agricultural lands do not provide suitable habitat. <br />Swift Fox (Vulpes velox) -This carnivore occurs in the eastern plains of Colorado, where it is mostly limited <br />to shortgrass prairie. The lack of such habitat onsite and intensive agricultural use essentially negate the <br />potential for occurrence by this species. <br />Mountain Plover (Charadrius monfanus) -This federal candidate and Colorado special-concern species <br />occurs in shortgrass prairie, of which none is present onsite. Prairie dog towns sometimes attract this bird <br />but, again, no prairie dogs occur onsite. <br />Sw TKO Joint Venture, LLC. -Adams Sand and Gravel Mine -112 Reclamation Permit Amendment Page 24 <br />