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<br /> <br /> <br />1 <br /> <br />1 <br /> <br /> <br />1 <br />1 <br />1 <br /> <br />1 <br /> <br />LJ <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Burrowing Owl Survey Dowe Flats Project <br />was visually surveyed twice per replication; on the way out and <br />back along each transect. Areas outside the mapped prairie dog <br />distribution that were covered included thistle stands, fence <br />lines, wetlands, and other areas with potential owl perches or prey <br />concentrations. Portions of some prairie dog towns along walking <br />transects were also opportunistically searched for whitewash, <br />castings, and other signs of burrowing owl presence, however, the <br />lack of any burrowing owl reports in the valley did not warrant <br />systematic searches of all local prairie dog towns for such sign. <br />3.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION <br />The distribution of prairie dogs mapped in the valley on May 22, <br />1993 totalled 1,220.0 acres (Map 6, back pocket). Approximately <br />944 acres of these towns were present on Southdown's proposed <br />permit area (Southdown, Inc. 1993). This prairie dog distribution <br />was the most extensive that has been documented in Dowe Flats and <br />may represent a historic extreme, based upon the absence of vacant <br />burrows adjacent to occupied areas. As of the final burrowing owl <br />survey on August 27, there was no evidence of plague (Yersinia <br />pestis) in the valley. <br />No burrowing owls or sign suggestive of this species were located <br />in Dowe Flats during the three replicated surveys. While habitat <br />for this species appears to be available, there is no evidence that <br />burrowing owls are present. This same situation occurs in other <br />historically occupied, vacant, but apparently suitable habitats <br />throughout Boulder County and throughout the owl's former <br />distribution. <br />Western Ecosystems, Inc. 1 September 1993 <br />