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drifting snow around oak, serviceberry, chokecherry, and larger sage effectively limits use by <br />most species. Use of the mine plan area as a winter range by deer, elk, or sage grouse is <br />directly in response to the type of winter we have on the site. <br />A discussion of potential impacts on sage grouse is provided under Section 2.05.6(2). <br />Sharp-tailed grouse have rarely been observed south of the permit area, but have not been <br />known to nest in the area. <br />Blue grouse also utilize the area for nesting, but the population is much smaller than the sage <br />grouse population. Brood size averaged 4.8 birds in 1975. Observations during the summer of <br />1980 showed an average brood size of 3.6 birds. <br />Morning doves are occasionally observed during the summer months in the mine vicinity; <br />however, the infrequent observations indicate a fairly low population. <br />Waterfowl <br />A few species of ducks such as the Mallard and Green-winged teal are occasionally observed <br />on the stock ponds which are scattered around the mine site; however, due to lack of <br />adequate nesting cover it is unlikely that any nesting occurs. Several species of ducks, geese, <br />and shorebirds have been- observed on the Wilson Reservoir which is located at the extreme <br />northern end of the permit area adjacent to State Highway #13. Most of the waterfowl <br />observations have been made at the Wilson Reservoir and are listed in Table 11, Wildlife <br />Species That Occur Or Are Likely To Occur In The Colowyo Permit Area. <br />Non-Game Birds <br />A large variety of birds have been observed on the mine site. Most species are migrants that <br />either nest on or near the site during the summer months, or are observed as they pass <br />through the area. The relative abundance of species that could possibly occur on the <br />L <br />2.04.11-40 <br />