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The relatively high counts at the Seneca leks in recent years are consistent with increased • <br />counts at other sharp-tailed grouse leks throughout northwestern Colorado (Colorado Division of <br />Wildlife unpublished data, obtained from R. Hoffman). Although increased lek attendance by <br />males is an indication of increasing populations, the number of leks in an area is a better measure <br />of a population's status (Cannon and Knopf 1981). The establishment of four new leks at Seneca <br />II since 1995 may indicate a positive trend within the Seneca II region. <br />Blue grouse (Dendragapus obscurus) were documented six times at sites within the mine <br />permit area, either within or at the edge of reclamation. On the morning of 23 April, one male <br />blue grouse was heard calling from aspen fir habitat in NE'/< NE'/< Section 1, TSN, R87W, and <br />one male was seen beside a fence in SE'/4 SE%4 Section 36, T6N, R87W. All other sightings <br />occurred early on the morning of 26 April in the same approximate area of the mine. One male <br />was observed displaying at the edge of a mountain brush/aspen stand in SW'/o SEYo Section 36. <br />Two females were seen crossing the road into reclamation in NEYo NE%< Section 1, and one male <br />was later observed displaying on a berm in that same area. One male was also seen displaying on <br />a berm in NW'/o NEYo Section 2. Blue grouse have been observed at or near these locations • <br />during previous years. <br />GOLDEN EAGLE NESTING <br />Eleven golden eagle nests have been documented at four different sites, all within one <br />mile of the Seneca II Mine permit boundary (Exhibit 1). Six of those nests were in a single <br />golden eagle territory (Sections 3 and 10, TSN, R87W). A second golden eagle territory (Section <br />27, T6N, R87W) included three cliff nests. At least one nest has been identified in a third <br />territory (Section 13, TSN, R87W). In April 2000, a stick nest was found on a cliff in NW'/< <br />NW'/4 Section 7, TSN, R86W. It has not been active since that time and it is not known whether <br />it is part of the Section 13 territory. <br />Two pairs of golden eagles were observed nesting during late April 2005 (Table 2). In <br />Section 3, an adult was seen feeding at least one young chick, approximately 10-15 days old. <br />Eagles have nested in this azea during eight of the past ten years. In Section 27, the nest contents <br />were not visible, but nest was assumed to contain at least one very young chick, as an adult eagle <br />was observed feeding young in the nest. Eagles have nested in Section 27 during eight of the • <br />2005 Seneca 1[ Mine Wildlife Monitoring Page 10 <br />