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UPLAND GAME BIRDS <br />Three sharp-tailed grouse leks were discovered in the Yoast azea during baseline studies • <br />in 1993. The Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) has designated the leks as follows: <br />Annan's 20-mile 1 (in SE% SE'/< Section 9, TSN, R87W); Annan's 20-mile 2 (in SE'/4 SE'/o <br />Section 5, TSN, R87W); and Annan's 20-mile 3 (in SE%a NW%< Section 9, TSN, R87W). In <br />earlier Yoast annual reports, Annan's lek numbers 1, 2, and 3 had been referred to as lek STG-4, <br />STG-1, and STG-3, respectively. A fourth sharp-tail lek, the Yoast Mine Road lek (SW%4 <br />Section 28, T6N, R87W), was discovered in 2000. The Trousdale lek was discovered by CDOW <br />in NE%< SE%4 Section 32, T6N, R87W, and J&S biologists found an alternate site of this lek in <br />SW'/a NEY< Section 32 in 2004. The Fifer lek (SE%< NE'/< Section 5, TSN, R87W) was <br />discovered in CRP land in 2005. J&S biologists checked the six known leks and the alternate <br />site within approximately one hour of sunrise on 26 and 29 April 2006. Biologists drove or <br />walked to a vantage point near each lek and counted all birds present. If vegetation or <br />topography prevented a complete count from a distance, the biologist walked out to the lek and <br />flushed the birds for a final count. <br />Searches for new leks on and near the permit azea were also conducted from one-half • <br />hour before to one hour after sunrise on 26 and 29 Apri12006. Biologists looked and listened for <br />displaying grouse while slowly driving through the area. Frequent stops were made at vantage <br />points to scan and listen for birds. <br />GOLDEN EAGLE NEST MONITORING <br />On 27 April 2006, known golden eagle nests on or in the immediate vicinity of the permit <br />area were checked for activity. Biologists walked to a vantage point and viewed the nests <br />through a spotting scope. Nests were observed until their status (active or inactive) could be <br />determined. <br />SANDHILL CRANES <br />In 2006, biologists seazched for sandhill cranes by walking to and driving through <br />portions of the survey area where potential nesting habitat (i.e., marshes, reservoirs, and moist <br />• <br />2006 Yoast Mine Wildlife Monitoring Page 3 <br />