Laserfiche WebLink
The most important factor for brooding habitat is the availability of the <br />• appropriate foods for the chicks, Also, during the later summer months of brood <br />rearing, the availability of water becomes important. <br />Within the pre-mine vegetative community, the nesting cover component iS <br />assumed to be sagebrush as well as other elements of the mountain shrub community. <br />Within the post-mining vegetative community, seeded shrubs, transplanted <br />seedlings and transplanted mature shrubs (including a Limited number of sagebrush <br />for a natural seed source) will supply the necessary requirements for nesting cover. <br />No specific seeding of sagebrush will occur as natural reinvasion of sagebrush will <br />occur from surrounding areas, replaced topsoil and transplanted mature sagebrush <br />plants. <br />Within the literature no specific location of nests seem to be indicated other than <br />a preference for less dense and shorter shrubs which seem to indicate a need for quick <br />escape should the hen be flushed unexpectedly. The density and structures of the <br />shrub component within the post-mine community should provide the diversity of <br />cover and density suited to sagegrouse nesting. <br />Within the pre-mine vegetative community, insects and succulent vegetation <br />provide the majority of the food for the developing chicks. As these food sources <br />mature and dry, the grouse will move to areas still supporting succulent vegetation. <br />These sites include springs, seeps, drainage bottoms and water impoundments. <br />• During the late summer and fall months, the important food plants dry up on the <br />upland slopes and the grouse will tend to remain closer to available watering areas <br />where some succulent vegetation is. still available. Many of the grouse are then <br />observed in the alfalfa and irrigated meadowlands on areas around the mining area. <br /> <br />2.05-71 <br />