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i~ <br /> <br /> Creek drainages are a combination of BLM and private land. All remaining portions of <br /> <br />~~ the project area are on USFS lands. <br /> Within the project area there are five different vegetation types, as well as other habitat <br /> such as cliffs, suitable for raptor nesting. Within the project azea there are already a <br /> ~} number of roads and drill sites that have been constructed over the years. These roads <br /> and sites were surveyed in previous yeazs and data from those projects were used in <br /> helping to design the study for this project. In addition, data from those projects also <br /> gave an indication of wildlife activity and preferred habitat in those specific areas. This <br /> project has expanded on that information and data collected on habitat and wildlife <br />{~'; activity in the North Fork Valley. <br /> METHODS <br /> <br /> Emphasis was placed on compiling data on TESS and MIS that are known to or may <br /> occur in the area. Data was compiled on locations and habitat type where any of these <br />e species were observed. <br /> Transects through all suitable raptor nesting habitat were conducted. Areas such as <br /> oakbtvsh dominated expanses were not surveyed, as raptors are not known to nest in this <br /> _; habitat type. All mature aspen, Douglas-fir, Spruce-fir and cottonwoods in riparian areas <br /> were checked for current nesting or evidence of past nesting. GPS fixes for all nest sites, <br /> C both active and inactive, and habitat type where located were recorded. Nest locations are <br /> shown on Figure 1. Surveys were conducted in mature aspen stands prior to the trees <br /> becoming fully leafed out. By conducting surveys in eazly to mid-May both eazly and <br /> late nesting buds would be located. Surveys in Douglas fir and spruce fir stands were <br /> conducted later in the season. This is done because nests are hazd to locate in conifer <br /> stands and by waiting till mid-June eggs have hatched, young are on the nest and adults <br /> (:~ are more defensive and will call out if the observer comes near the nest site. In addition <br /> I~ to physically checking all stands of trees, recordings for species known to use these <br /> habitat types were played in an effort to elicit a response from any raptors that might have <br />' a nest in the azea. <br /> All cliffs in all drainages and along the North Fork of the Gunnison River were checked <br /> for evidence of raptor nesting. Surveys of cliffs were made during field work throughout <br /> the period, when field studies were conducted. In addition, intensive checks were made <br />_„ of all cliffs in the study azea in late June. At this time, active nests with young would be <br /> Pl„ji easier to locate, as there would be whitewash on the cliff faces. <br />,,,' To compile data on habitat and neo-tropical breeding bird activity, transects were <br />conducted in each habitat type. Transacts were run in each major vegetation type a <br />minimum of three times. In addition to the breeding bird transacts, opportunistic <br />observations of birds were recorded while conducting raptor surveys. Wltile conducting <br />~ transacts, data were kept on habitat condition and other species of wildlife observed. <br /> <br />4 <br />