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The data collected in 1997 further supports the observation that raptors were not deterred from <br />• using the cliff as a result of spalling that occurred. The prairie falcon nest located immediately <br />adjacent to a portion of the cliff that had spalled which was active in 1996 was not active in 199'7. <br />The nearby red-tail nest was active again this year. No additional spalling had occurred in the area <br />of these nests and it must be assumed the falcon nest was inactive for another reason. Thus, it <br />appears that during both years raptors readily adjusted to the loss of some historic nest sites due to <br />spalling, taking advantage of numerous other suitable nest sites located in the cliff. <br />Golden eagle nesting activity was similar to 1996. Of the six known nest sites, including those <br />having multiple nests, three were active although one was unsuccessful. The two successful nests <br />fledged one and two young respectively. In 1996 only one nest successfully fledged a single bird. <br />As previously noted, other suitable nesting habitat in the study area and the lower Middle Creek <br />area was surveyed for active nest sites. Two additional red-tailed hawk nests were located in the <br />lower Middle Creek study area -Figure I. No other active nest sites for the previously discussed <br />species were located within the study area A Cooper's Hawk nest located in Sec. 34 T 5 N., R. <br />86 W. which was observed during the May flight was monitored and produced two young. The <br />• Swainson's Hawk nest in a Cottonwood approximately 100 feet off [he county road, which <br />produced 2 young in 1996, was active again in 199'7. Three young were fledged from this nest. <br />~~ a w ~,;,~ ~~~ ~-~,~ o,,s,,~aa.-r~ <br />SUMMARY <br />Data collected in 1996 and 1997 show that raptors nesting within the area, especially those utilizing <br />the cliff in Sections 29, 30 and 31 were not affected by the spalling that occurred. It must be noted <br />that the birds utilized the cliff the first year after spalling occurred and use continued in 1996 and <br />1997. Compared to other raptor studies in northwest Colorado the number of active nests is about <br />what would be expected considering the amount of nesting and foraging habitat. It appears safe to <br />assume that use by nesting raptors in this area will continue at similar numbers in future years. <br />After three years of studies the observation can be made that nesting activity in the cliff did not <br />significantly decline following the mining activity nor was there a net loss of nest sites as a result <br />of the spalling. It is probably safe to assume that raptor nesting activity in this area, like other <br />areas throughout the west, is more affected by prey base than lack of nesting sites. <br /> <br />4 <br />