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<br />~. a literature search, the peregrine falcon, northern bald eagle and blacJc-footed <br />ferret could occur on the study area; therefore ground surveys were conducted <br />to detennire whether potential nesting, roosting or hunting habitat existed on <br />the study area for these species (see Pesults, page 48). The methodology for <br />these ground searches are described in detail below. <br />The in~ortance of the study azea to bald eagles was ascertained by determining <br />the presence and extent of all areas of open water with nearby tall trees.. <br />urge expanses o£ open water and nearby tall trees are required for success- <br />ful nesting of bald eagles (Sr~o~-~ 1973). Likewise, open water supporting <br />waterfowl throughout the winter season can serve as a food source for bald <br />eagles during winter. Wintering bald eagles also feed extensively on carrion. <br />Preferred nesting habitat of peregrine falcons gnnerally consists of cliffs <br />that are ~+,; to high, often over7.ook wafer, and allow an extensive view of the <br />surro>>n^ir,g_ countryside (iii._3cey 1942). The area within a 5-mile radius of <br />the study area was surveyed to identify potential peregrine nesting habitat. <br />Potential black-footed Ferret habitat in the form of prairie dog towns does <br />exist on the study area. The techniques outlined by Henderson et al. (1974) <br />were irgalanented m identify possible black-footed ferret activity at the <br />project site. The initial ground observation o£ a prairie dog colony took <br />place from a vehicle since prairie clogs are m,re wary of a person on foot <br />iHenderson et al. 1974). Each colony was carefully observed through 8x35mr: <br />binoculars for ferrets and to note prairie dog behavior. 'Their benavior could <br />be an indicator of a ferret's presence in the coloxry (Henderson et al. 1974). <br />For exa~le, if a ferret is at~the entrance of a burrow, the prairie dogs will <br />sit at their burrow looking in the ferret's direction. Prairie dogs will trove <br />excitedly towards a ferret that is a)a~ve ground. 1f a ferret goes down a <br />burrow, the prairie dogs will attempt to cover the entrance {Henderson et al. <br />1947). However, Clazk (1978) suggested that prairie dog behavior is of~minimal <br />value in locating ferrets, since this excited behavior is also seen in towns <br />wi'um are frequented by hunters. Zf the initial observation from a vehicle <br />t did not yield the possible presence of a ferret, the town was searched for <br />-12- <br />qua i i (yso <br />• (Revised July 2006) Attachment 2.04.11-1-19 <br />