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MIGRATORY BIRDS <br />• Based upon bird studies conducted in similar Iocal habitats <br />(Thompson and Strauch 1987), avifauna densities on the project <br />area should be highest in riparian habitats, lower in mountain <br />shrub habitats, and lowest in the various agricultural/grassland <br />habitats. Bird values are generally low on the project area <br />because approximately 90 percent of the area is composed of <br />agricultural habitats. Raptors are discussed separately below. <br />A list of bird species which may be found on Rabbit Mountain, <br />adjacent to the project area, is in Appendix B. <br />GAME BIRDS <br />Upland game birds on the project area are limited to ring-necked <br />pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) and mourning doves (Zenaida <br />macroura). Pheasants arere resid is which benefit. from the nat-ive <br />and cultivated grain crops on and adjacent to the project area. <br />Winter cover is probably adequate along the irrigation canals <br />and hedgerows around small fields in the southern project area, <br />but may be locally limiting in larger hayed and harvested <br />agricultural portions of the central and northern project area. <br />Doves are breeders which utilize wild and cultivated small grain <br />crops before migrating out of the area in August and September. <br />Overall blue grouse distribution, as identified by CDOw 1041 <br />• mapping, does not enter the Dowe Flats hydrologic basin. Grouse <br />have not been recorded closer than 1 mile northwest of the project <br />area on Indian Mountain and they have not been reported on Rabbit <br />Mountain (Boulder County 1984). The eastern limits of turkey <br />distribution (1041 mapping) are approximately 2.5 miles west <br />of Lyons. <br />tVaterfowl and waterbird use of the project area is almost <br />non-existent because of the lack of aquatic habitats. CROW <br />1041 mapping does, however, identify a number of lakes and ponds <br />in the surrounding area (10 mile radius) which are production <br />areas for ducks and geese, and which serve as stopover areas <br />during spring and fall migration. Grain residues in Dowe Flats <br />may be used by wintering geese, although this has not been reported. <br />RAPTORS <br />Perhaps the most unique wildlife use of Dowe Flats is the number <br />and species of raptors which seasonally inhabit the basin preying <br />on small mammals and, especially, the extensive prairie dog <br />communities. Boulder County (1984) lists 15 species of raptors <br />that may seasonally inhabit adjacent Rabbit Mountain (Appendix <br />B). in addition to these species, sharp-shinned hawks (Accipiter <br />striatus), Cooper's hawks (A. cooperii), and bald eagles(Haliaeetus <br />. 5 <br />