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• species are known to occur in the Colorado River system including the <br />Yampa, White, and Green rivers. Stream habitat within the study area <br />consists of small, intermittent-perennial headwater streams 1-5 ft in <br />width, generally less than two ft deep. These streams are generally <br />characterized by unstable banks, high sediment loads, and poorly developed <br />riparian vegetation. As a result of these conditions, no suitable habitat <br />for these five fish species exists within the study area. <br />4.5 RAPTORS AND MIGRATORY BIRDS OF HIGH FEDERAL INTEREST <br />Raptors <br />Red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamicensis), turkey vultures (Cathartes aura), <br />golden eagles, and Cooper's hawks (Accipter cooperii) (listed in order of <br />abundance) were the most common raptors encountered within the study area <br />and throughout the region. Raptors which were less frequently encountered <br />within the study area were the Northern harrier (Circus cyaneus), American <br />• kestrels (Falco sparverius), great horned owl (Bubo virginianus), <br />Swainson's hawk (Buteo swainsonii), and merlin (Falco columbarius). Other <br />raptors which could potentially occur within the study area are listed in <br />Appendix A. <br />Field surveys indicated that raptor nesting was concentrated within <br />forested habitats of the study area. No cliff nests were located within <br />the potentially affected area, however several active and inactive cliff <br />nests were found above the Good Spring Creek and Wilson Creek valleys, <br />along routes of the two alternative transportation corridors. <br />Results of spring 1984 raptor surveys are summarized in Figure 4-6. Six <br />active red-tailed hawk nests were located within the study area. Five of <br />these nests occurred in mature aspen trees; one was located in a large <br />Douglas-fir tree. Each of these nests was located near the forest canopy. <br />Adult red-tailed hawks were seen on or in the immediate vicinity of each of <br />these nests during the aerial survey, and subsequently during May and June <br />• ground surveys. Fledglings were observed at one of these active nests <br />during late June. Nesting success at the other five active red-tailed hawk <br />4-26 <br />