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shift in wintering elk distributions during those years from the eastern portions of the expanded • <br />survey area to the central and western portions. <br />The 2005 survey was unusual in that 51% of the elk observed in the Seneca II-W area <br />were in sagebrush-grassland habitat and only 35% were in mountain brush habitat (Appendix I). <br />The remaining 14% were associated with grassland habitat (37 individuals) and aspen (13 <br />individuals). In contrast, the majority of elk observed in the expanded survey area were in <br />mountain brush habitat, and most elk observed in the Seneca II-W area from 1994 through 2004 <br />were associated with mountain brush: In 2005, the number of elk sighted in mountain brush was <br />less than half the number recorded in the previous year, despite a greater total number of elk <br />observed in the Seneca R-W area. <br />During the survey, most elk herds were observed within the northern portion of the <br />Seneca'II-W area. The southern portion of the Seneca II-W survey azea occurs within the higher <br />elevations (7,500 to 8,500 feet ASL) of the Williams Fork Mountains. Mountain bnish habitats <br />in the northern part of the survey area, where more elk are usua-ly observed, are generally less <br />than 7,500 feet ASL. As mountain brush occurs throughout the survey area, it is possible that elk • <br />prefer the northern area simply because of the lower elevations. In 2005, many elk were <br />observed outside of mountain brush in nearby grassland and sagebrush-grassland habitats in the <br />same portion of the Seneca II-W.area. <br />Other animals recorded in the Seneca II-W area included 13 herds of mule deer (96 <br />animals), two coyotes, one American crow, and four golden eagles. The majority (78%) of mule <br />deer observed within the Seneca II-W survey area were in mountain brush habitat, with lesser <br />numbers in sagebrush-grassland and natural grassland. <br />UPLAND GAME BIRDS <br />Although grouse have been observed just south of the Seneca II-W haul road in NW'/< <br />SE'/< Section 22, TSN, R88W since 1998, it was not until females were positively identified on <br />the site in 2002 that it was officially considered a lek (Table I). Topography and vegetation at <br />the site in previous years prevented remote observation of it, thus generally restricting observers <br />to flush counts. In 2004 and 2005, display activity was centralized approximately 25 feet east of • <br />the known lek site. The Seneca II-W ]ek was again active in 2005. On 24 April, seven males <br />2005 Seneca II-W Mine Wildlife Monitoring Page 8 <br />