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West Elk Mine <br />Birds <br />The birds of the West Elk Mine study area are typical for the habitats in western Colorado. <br />Distribution and abundance of songbirds, upland gamebirds, waterfowl, shorebirds, and raptors <br />varies markedly from season to season. Observations of individual bird species are described <br />based on seasonal surveys undertaken during 1476. <br />The winter avifauna consists of relatively few species distributed as both flocked aggregations <br />and as sepazate individuals. In all, 23 species were observed. As for songbirds, only American <br />robins (Turdus migratorius) and dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis) were present in substantial <br />densities. Although recorded in low densities, the northern flicker (Colaptes aerates), western <br />scrub jay (Aphelocoma californica), black-billed magpie (Pica pica), and Townsend's solitaire <br />(Myadestes townsendi), were all observed during the winter surveys. The black-capped <br />chickadee (Parus atricapillus) was found to be the most abundant species in any single habitat <br />(Exhibit 35). <br />The swamp sparrow (Melospiza georgiana) requires comment because of its uncommon <br />occurrence in the state. A pair was observed in an open meadow just south of the Bear Mine. <br />Neither bird was observed singing, and they were not seen in the azea on subsequent visits, <br />possibly indicting their passage through the area. Swamp sparrows aze considered uncommon <br />migrants and winter residents of eastern counties of Colorado. <br />During spring surveys, 70 species were observed, 50 of which were songbirds. The most <br />abundant and widespread species were the blue-gray gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea), yellow <br />wazbler (Dendroica petechia), and green-tailed towhee (Pipilo ch[orurus) as shown in Exhibit <br />35. <br />The most ubiquitous breeding birds on the study area were the following seven species: Broad- <br />tailed hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus), black-billed magpie, American robin, blue-gray <br />gnatcatcher, yellow wazbler, green-tailed towhee, and spotted towhee (Pipilo maculates). The <br />species found at the highest total densities were the black-capped chickadee (Parus atricapillus), <br />house wren (Troglodytes aedon), blue-gray gnatcatcher, warbling vireo (Vireo gilvus), orange- <br />crowned wazbler (Yermivora celata), yellow warbler, MacGillivray's wazbler (Oporornis <br />tolmiei), green-tailed towhee, and spotted towhee (Exhibit 35). Four species are present on both <br />the list of ubiquitous species and the list of most abundant species: blue-gray gnatcatcher, yellow <br />warbler, green-tailed towhee, and spotted towhee. <br />Waterfowl and Shorebirds <br />Waterfowl and shorebirds are very sparse along the North Fork of the Gunnison River. Only the <br />dipper (Cinclus mexicanus), mallard (Anas , platyrhynchos), common merganser (Merges <br />merganser), and spotted sandpiper (Actitis macularia) were observed. <br /> <br />2.04-773 Revised November 1004 PRIO <br />