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During our site investigation we encountered a number of avian species within the Big <br />Thompson River ripazian corridor. Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus), western meadowlark <br />(Sturnella neglecta), red-shafted flicker (Colaptes auratus), red-headed woodpecker <br />(Melanerpes erythrocephalus), western kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis), mourning dove <br />(Zenaida macroura), great blue heron (Ardea herodias), red-tail hawk (Buteo <br />jamaicensis), and a great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) were all seen flying or soaring <br />over the ripazian corridor or upland fields. A blue jay {Cyanocitta cristata) was chasing <br />a merlin (Falco columbarius) neaz the Swale/ditch complex that traverses the southeast <br />comer of the site. An American robin (Turdus migratorius) was seen perched in a willow <br />tree. Cliff swallows (Petrocheltdon pyrrhonota) and house sparrows (Passer domesticus) <br />were seen occupying jug-shaped mud nests along a sandstone bluff face north of the Big <br />Thompson River. <br />Several black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) colonies were identified adjacent <br />to the unnamed ditch that traverses the center of the property. Coyote (Canis lalrans) <br />scat was identified near one of the prairie dog colonies. An American badger (Taxidea <br />taxus) burrow was identified neaz a prairie dog colony north of the water treatment plant. <br />A muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) was observed in the Big Thompson River. <br />Seasonal Use <br />With the exception of bats, the mammals species encountered during the site inspection <br />or that potentially occur on-site aze expected to be yeaz-round residents of users of the <br />site. The caznivote and ungulate species aze not restricted to this site and tend to have <br />relatively large home ranges (up to several square miles). The majority of rodent and <br />insectivore species can be expected to reside on-site throughout the yeaz, though many <br />may hibernate during the cold months. Avian species may beyeaz-round, temporary <br />migrants, or summer residents of the site. Yeaz-round residents would include the <br />waterfowl, raptors, 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 yeaz- <br />round residents. <br />Threatened and Endangered Species and Critical Habilat <br />Potential habitat for any identified species of special concern was evaluated. In <br />particulaz, potential habitat for the Preble's meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius <br />preblei), Ute ladies'-tresses orchid (Spiranthes diluvialis), and bald eagle (Haliaeetus <br />leucocephalus) was evaluated based on results of a database seazch of the general area by <br />the Colorado Natural Heritage Program. <br />Potential habitat exists for the Preble's meadow jumping mouse within the cottonwood <br />ripazian corridor along the banks ofthe Big Thompson Rivet As potential habitat exists <br />on the site, a trapping survey for the mouse would normally be required. Savage and <br />Savage trapped a Preble's meadow jumping mouse approximately one-quarter mile west <br />ofthe Bernhazdt resource site along the Big Thompson River this yeaz (2002). Given the <br />