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Parkdale Project • 5 • Reclamation Permit of rock outcrop represent potential roost and/or maternity sites for many of these species. No natural caves or old mine workings are located within the permit area, but areas of rock outcrop associated with the cliff area (see Map J, Exhibit J) and the proposed sandstone quarry site could provide suitable rock crevice roost sites for species such as western small-footed myotis, fringed myotis, long-legged myotis, and spotted bat (Colorado Division of Wildlife 1984). Rock outcrop at the proposed sandstone quarry site is the only area with potential rock crevice bat roost sites that would be disturbed by project development. This area was thoroughly seazched during the field surveys, and no crevices with evidence of bat use (accumulations of guano) were located. Waterbirds Waterbirds include waterfowl, shorebirds, and other wading birds typically associated with wetlands and bodies of surface water. Wetlands aze limited to relatively small pockets of riparian vegetation along the Tallahassee Creek channel, and the presence of surface water is limited to stream flow in Tallahassee Creek. There are no areas of pool or pond habitat, and as a result, wa[erbird use of the permit area is limited primarily to species such as killdeer and spotted sandpiper. Raptors Raptor use of the permit area is limited primarily to species associated with shrubland and pinon/juniper habitats in the foothills and lower elevation mountainous portions of the state. No raptors were observed during field surveys, but potential year-long residents and/or summer breeders include turkey vulture, northern harrier, Cooper's hawk, sharp-shinned hawk, red-tailed hawk, golden eagle, American kestrel, prairie falcon, great homed owl, and long-eared owl (Andrews and Righter 1992, Kingery 1987). Suitable nesting habitat is present on or near the permit area for most of these species, but no nest sites or evidence of nesting activity of any raptor species were located during field surveys. Nest site preferences of raptors potentially breeding in the area vary considerably. Red- tailed hawk, golden eagle, and great horned owl typically nest in relatively large trees with open crowns or on cliff ledges and areas of rock outcrop. Prairie falcon and turkey vulture also prefer to nest on cliff faces where rock cavities or ledges provide suitable nest sites. As indicated in Section 3.1, one cliff site exists within the permit area, but there was no evidence of raptor nesting activity on the cliff face. The few mature cottonwoods along Tallahassee Creek could also provide suitable nest sites for red-tailed hawk, golden eagle, and great horned owl. However, the trees were not leafed out at the time of the field surveys and there was no evidence of any stick nests large enough to be used by these species. Northern harriers nest on the ground or in ]ow shrubbery usually on slopes or in drainaees supporting dense stands of shrubs and herbaceous vegetation. Because of the extent of livestock grazing in the permit area, preferred northern harrier nesting habitat is generally lacking within the permit area.