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Mr. R. Laird <br />February 27, 2008 <br />Page 2 of 3 <br />present, as the light was fading. Additionally, during the evening visits, workers were <br />usually not present making it possible to park .across the driveway (facing east). This <br />made it possible to view the trees without leaving the vehicle. On each visit the three <br />trees were viewed through a variable power (20X to 60X) spotting scope from the time of <br />arrival until it became so dark that it was impossible to distinguish distinct features in the <br />trees being observed. The observation point was just outside the gate to the site. This <br />location was selected because it was close enough to observe the trees but far enough <br />from the trees 'so that the observer would not disturb eagles using the trees. During most <br />of the visits it was possible to park so that the trees could be viewed by mounting the <br />spotting scope on the window of the observer's vehicle. Therefore, the observer did not <br />have to leave the vehicle and was less likely to disturb any bald eagles using the trees. <br />During the first visit workers were arriving as when the observer arrived. Therefore; it <br />was necessary to park facing north so that the entrance would not be blocked. During <br />four of the evening visits in February and March 2007 workers were still present when. <br />the observer arrived and it was necessary to park facing north until the workers left. <br />When parked facing north it the vehicle door had to be opened and the observer had to be <br />outside the vehicle to observe the potential roost trees. <br />Results <br />Figures 2 and 3 show the trees as they appeared during the study. <br />An immature bald eagle was.observed on January 14. It left the site before it turned dark <br />and did not return. A dark colored raptor that may have been an immature bald eagle was <br />observed in the trees north of the gate on March 6. It was present when the observer <br />arrived and was still present when he left. This bird had its back to the observer during <br />the entire observation session. It was not possible to observe any markings that may have <br />been present on the front of the bird. Because the bird may have been an immature bald <br />eagle, the observer returned on March 8. No bald eagles were observed on March 8. No <br />other bald eagles were observed on or near the site during the study. Red-tailed hawks <br />were observed during most of observation sessions.:Additionally, .some red-tailed hawks <br />were observed in a large tree about 0.25 mi north of the tree next to the Shellproperty. <br />This tree was off the Turnpike Mining Resource site. <br />A copy of the field notes is attached. <br />Conclusions <br />. Weiland, Inc: concludes that the trees on the Turnpike Mining Resource site that are <br />suitable for a communal winter roost site are not used for that purpose. The reasons for <br />this conclusion are: <br />• The three trees on the site large enough to be used as roost trees are not sheltered <br />from the wind. <br />• -The one bald eagle and one possible bald eagle observed during the study were <br />alone. Groups of bald eagles were not observed using the trees on the site during <br />the study. , <br />~ ~ngin~~ring <br />