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West Elk Mine <br />Upland Gamebirds <br />The only gamebirds observed in the area were mourning doves (Zenaida macroura) and blue <br />grouse (Dendragapus obscurus). Both of these species were present in relatively low numbers. <br />RRaptors <br />The study area supports a varied population of raptors, principally tree-nesting species such as <br />Cooper's hawk (Accipiter cooperii), sharp-shinned hawk (Accipiter striatus}, red-tailed hawk <br />(Buteo jamaicensis), and great horned owl (Bubo virginianus). Prairie falcons (Falco <br />mexicanus), acliff-nesting raptor, are poorly represented on the site, although several azeas <br />with adequate cliffs are present. Map 49 presents information on raptor territory and nesting <br />sites. <br />Winter raptor populations are sparse but a few golden eagles, red-tailed hawks, prairie falcons, <br />and accipiters use the azea. These aze either permanent residents or winter visitors. The nesting <br />raptor population is both varied and abundant. Small mammal abundance in the area was high <br />during surveys and the abundance of a staple food supply undoubtedly was attractive to avian <br />predators. The most common species included Cooper's hawks, red-tailed hawks, and pygmy <br />owls. Up to about 20 bald eagles winter in the North Fork valley each year, and some of these <br />occasionally use the permit area. CDOW has mapped bald eagle winter range in the north and <br />east parts of the permit area, and bald eagle winter concentration area along the North Fork <br />• Gunnison River in the permit area. No bald eagle nests or communal roost sites are known in or <br />near the permit area. <br />Of all observations, the most frequently seen raptors were red-tailed hawk and golden eagles <br />sighted along the south-facing slope just north of the North Fork of the Gunnison River. <br />During the 1976 spring survey of nesting raptors, eight species of raptors were identified in the <br />study azea. Of these, five were documented to be nesting in the area. <br />The red-tailed hawk and Cooper's hawk were the most abundant raptors observed on the study <br />area. Four Cooper's hawk and five red-tailed hawk territories or nests were discovered. Nest <br />locations of these two species were well dispersed throughout the study azea. Cooper's hawk <br />nests were found in aspen and Gambel oak trees, and red-tailed hawk nests were located in living <br />and dead Douglas fir trees and on rock cliffs. <br />A golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) nest was located on asouth-facing cliff ledge near the <br />confluence of the Dry Fork and the East Fork of Minnesota Creek. Sharp-shinned hawks <br />(Accipiter striatus) and pygmy owls (Glaucidium gnoma) were both nesting on the study area, <br />but since both are secretive species which do not readily betray the location of their nest site, <br />only one nest of each species was found. The pygmy owl was located in an aspen tree, and the <br />sharp-shinned hawk's nest was located in a Douglas fir tree. Pygmy owls were observed along <br />drainages of the southern section of the study azea, and sharp-shinned hawks were seen along the <br />drainages of Sullivan Creek and the East Fork of Minnesota Creek. <br />2.04-/74 RevisedNwember 2004 PR/0 <br />