Laserfiche WebLink
Olive-sided flycatcher: The olive-sided flycatcher breeds primarily in open mature <br />spruce-fir and Douglas-fir forests, especially on steep slopes, near cliffs and near the <br />edges of open areas including bogs, ponds, and clearings. In Colorado this bird most <br />commonly occurs at elevations of 9,000 to 10,000 feet. Nest sites are located in a tree, <br />and are usually located in conifers. They have been observed nesting in Aspen. They <br />have been observed foraging in mountain shrub habitat that is closely associated with <br />mature conifer or aspen stands during other studies in the North Fork Valley. The olive- <br />sided flycatcher was observed in the study azea, but not in the immediate project azea <br />during surveys conducted in May-June of 2005. This bird has been observed during <br />breeding bird surveys conducted since 2002 at other projects in the North Fork Valley <br />and in other azeas of the state. <br />If construction activities occur in late summer after young have fledged there would be <br />no direct loss of any birds. The fact that this shall will not have a fan will eliminate <br />potential noise effects in the future on breeding and nesting activities. <br />The Douglas fir stand and nearby older age aspen stands that could be used for nesting by <br />these birds will not be disturbed by construction activities. <br />Project activities will not impact olive-sided flycatcher reproductive behavior. Long term <br />and cumulative impacts on olive-sided flycatchers aze not expected to occur. This project <br />will not impact the viability of the species, or result in a trend of olive-sided flycatcher <br />towazds federal listing. <br />Loggerhead shrike: The loggerhead shrike is an uncommon resident during the summer <br />in desert shrub lands of the lower Gunnison and Uncompahgre river valleys. This bird is <br />distributed sparsely throughout suitable habitat during the nesting season. This bird <br />prefers open country with scattered trees and shrubs. In desert shrub lands, scattered <br />pinions and junipers usually provide the tree component, and greasewood provides the <br />shrub component. <br />Suitable habitat for the loggerhead shrike is lacking in the project azea. The lack of <br />suitable habitat miiumizes the chances of loggerhead shrike occurrence in the area. Long <br />term and cumulative impacts on loggerhead shrikes aze not expected to occur. This <br />project will not impact the viability of the species, or result in a trend of loggerhead <br />shrike towazds federal listing. <br />Purple martin: In Colorado, the only nesting locations for these birds lie west of 107 <br />degrees longitude, which roughly approximates the Plateau and Mesa region's eastern <br />boundary. These birds typically nest in small colonies of two to 10 pairs, but may <br />occasionally nest singly. Most colonies aze at elevation of 7,500 to 9,000 feet. The <br />neazest known nesting populations aze in the Muddy Creek drainage and Watson Flats <br />which are both well north of the project azea. Very specific habitat requirements limit the <br />distribution and abundance of this species. <br />These birds breed at the edges of old-growth stands of aspen adjacent to open meadows, <br />usually near open water. During breeding bird surveys in 2005 no purple martin were <br />observed in the project azea. During numerous other surveys conducted since 2002 no <br />purple martin have been observed in this azea of the North Fork Valley. <br />14 <br />