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<br />(Zenaida macroura), red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus), and great blue herons <br />(Arden herodias). The majority of birds were feeding and loafing at the time of our <br />investigation. <br />' Ablack-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) colony is present along the northeast <br />edge of the site. During our investigation rabbits were spotted taking cover in the prairie <br />dog holes. <br />' Seasonal Use <br />With the exception of bats, the mammals species encountered during the site inspection <br />or that potentially occur on-site are expected to be year-round residents or users of the <br />site. The carnivore and ungulate species are not restricted to this site and tend to have <br />' relatively (azge home ranges (up to several square miles). The majority of rodent and <br />insectivore species can be expected to reside on-site throughout the year, though many <br />may hibernate during the cold months. Avian species may be year-round, temporary <br />' migrants, or summer residents of the site. Year-round residents would include the <br />waterfowl, raptor, gallinaceous birds, pigeons, owls, and woodpeckers. The majority of <br />the shorebirds and passerines would use the site during the spring, summer, and fall for <br />feeding or resting during migration. Amphibian and reptile species of the site are year- <br />round residents. <br />' Threatened and Endangered Species and Critical Habitat <br />Critical potential habitat for the Preble's meadow jumping mouse (Zapus Irudsonius <br />' preb/ei), and Ute ladies'-tresses orchid (Spiranthes diluvialis) has ah-eady been addressed. <br />It was determined that development of the site should not adversely affect Zapus <br />hudsonius preblei or Spiranthes diluvialis (see attached USFWS correspondence). <br />Based on our on-site investigation, two clumps of cottonwood trees were identified on the <br />site. The first clump of approximately 50 trees is located on the northeast corner of the <br />' site and the second clump of approximately 15 cottonwood trees is located in the <br />northwest corner of the site. Approximately one-third of the small clump of cottonwood <br />trees is senescent. During our site investigation of the small clump we observed <br />' primarily mature cottonwood trees with little or no recruitment. This being the case, <br />there will come a time when the mature cottonwood trees are gone and the overstory <br />structure of the tree clumps will be lost. In order to keep important wildlife habitat on the <br />' site, it is recommended that the large clump of trees remain on the site while the small <br />clump, that consists of some senescent trees, be removed. Mitigation for removal of the <br />small tree clump could, in the long term, be of great benefit in maintaining the wildlife <br />habitat on the site. Planting cottonwoods of varying ages throughout the site as part of <br />the concurrent reclamation would provide replacement trees for the mature and senescent <br />cottonwoods, and enhance the existing habitat through development of an age stratified <br />vegetation community. <br />1 <br /> <br />