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Lorencim Caneort Mine ~ Wifdli(e Technical Report <br />• FWS. The eastern boundary of the established range is Alamosa, Colorado, which is <br />approximately 40 miles west of the permit area. <br />Within the permit area approximately 33 acres of riparian woodland occurs. This habitat type <br />is comprised of a narrowleaf cottonwood overstory, however, no mid-story species occur. This <br />lack of mid-story species is related to the high level of grazing in these areas. Based on this and <br />the fact that the established range of the flycatcher is well west of the permit area it is not <br />anticipated that southwestern willow flycatchers would utilize the permit area. <br />Baud's Sparrow <br />Baud's Sparrow has been identified. by the FWS as a species of special concern. The Baird's <br />sparrow occupies habitats the have a dense but low vegetation cover over the soil and scattered <br />shrubs. These areas include native prairie including ungrazed or lightly grazed mixed grass <br />prairies, wet meadows, hayfields, stubble fields, and abandoned croplands. This species may occur <br />within Colorado from late April through December (Armbruster 1983). <br />The grassland component of the permit area comprises a minor component of the area (2 percent). <br />Although Baird's sparrows may occur within these aeeas, none were observed during the breeding <br />bird surveys conducted within the grassland habitats. In addition, the majority of the grassland <br />habitats has been historically grazed, decreasing the attractiveness of the area for the sparrow. <br />Therefore, while Baird's sparrows may occur within the permit azea, potential for their occurrence <br />is low. <br />Ferruginous Hawk <br />Ferruginous hawks tend to avoid extensive wooded and mountainous areas. In addition, they <br />forage in areas of little or no vegetation cover. Nests may be located in bushes, junipers, or <br />sagebrush in relatively open aeeas. Ground nests are typically located on hillsides, rocky outcrops, <br />low ledges, rockpiles, erosional remnants, low cliffs, buttes, rocky pinnacles, and river cutbanks <br />(Armbruster, 1983). <br />Based on the mountainous and wooded nature of the permit azea, it is anticipated that ferruginous <br />hawks would not utilize the permit area. Also, no ferruginous hawks were observed during the <br />field surveys. <br />Burrowing Owl <br />Burrowing owls aze typically associated with shortgrass prairies in close association with rodent <br />colonies. It is within the rodent colonies that the owl nests. <br /> <br />Wildlife.476/December I7, 1996 27 <br />