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Mexico) with intermediate stops at Our ay NWR (Utah) and Monte Vista NWR <br />• (Colorado). Foster whooping cranes have been observed at these, and other <br />locations along this route. The region lies in a direct line between Ouray <br />and Monte Vista NWRs. <br />The only report of whooping cranes came from the Crawford area in the <br />fall of 1975. This bird was with its adopted family of sandhill cranes; it <br />apparently originated from whooping crane eggs placed in a sandhill crane <br />nest in Idaho. Whooping cranes are only rare spring and fall migrants <br />through the region. <br />The peregrine falcon is still known to nest in the region, although <br />the present numbers and distribution of this bird are greatly diminishing. <br />Two main habitat components are required to support a breeding pair of <br />• peregrines: (1) a nesting cliff 200 to 400 feet high, with ledges or <br />potholes to serve as a nest site and (2) extensive hunting habitat. It <br />is not uncommon for hunting areas to extend 10 miles from aeries. Small <br />to medium-sized birds, such as blackbirds, doves, robins, finches, jays, <br />meadowlarks, and pigeons are common prey in Colorado. Since greatest con- <br />centrations of these birds often occur in riparian or aquatic habitat <br />types, these areas are considered extremely important to peregrines. The <br />DOW has classified a number of areas within the region as essential habi- <br />tats. None of which are on or adjacent to the permit area. These areas <br />are a combination of active, inactive, and potential sites which must be <br />maintained to assure sufficient sites for reoccupation if recovery efforts <br />are to be successful. <br />• <br />2.04-61 <br />