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GOLDEN EAGLE NEST MONITORING <br />On 21 and 22 April, known golden eagle nests on or within one mile of the permit area <br />were checked for activity. A biologist observed the nests through a spotting scope from a vehicle <br />parked at a vantage point. Nests were watched until their status (active, inactive, alternate, etc.) <br />could be determined. <br />SANDHILL CRANE ACTIVITY <br />Surveys for sandhill crane use areas were conducted over four days from 20 through 23 <br />April. On those days, a biologist searched habitats most likely to attract cranes, such drainages <br />and meadows. <br />RESULTS AND DISCUSSION <br />BIG GAME <br />The sky was partly cloudy during the 30 January aerial survey. Although no snow had <br />fallen in the days immediately preceeding the survey, the area was covered with a uniform blanket <br />of snow. Snow depth was approximately one-three feet over the entire area. Because the snow <br />cover was so extensive, visibility was rated as excellent during the survey. <br />Expanded Survey Area <br />A complete listing of all observations made during the aerial survey is given in Appendix <br />I. All sightings are also plotted on Exhibit 1. A total of 676 elk (7.6 animals/miz) were seen <br />during the survey. Of the 95 elk sightings made, slightly more that half consisted of individuals <br />or groups of less than five animals. Herds of six to ten elk made up about a quarter of the <br />sightings. The remaining observations were of herds of more than ten elk; the largest herd <br />observed consisted of 36 animals. Average herd size was 7.1 animals. <br />Elk were widely distributed over the entire survey area on 30 January, but were notably <br />absent from the north-central part of the area, and along the extreme northwest and southeast <br />edges of the area (Exhibit 1). Those parts of the survey area are covered by agricultural fields <br />and flat grasslands that often are covered by deep snow. Only one herd was seen on the Seneca <br />permit area; no herds were seen on the Seneca II-W permit area; and five were on Yoast. <br />1997 Seneca II Mine Wildlife Monitoring Page 3 <br />