2008-03-12_REPORT - C1982057 (2)

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• was perched in a stand of aspen just west of the permit area, while the other was observed flying over the southwestern portion of the permit area in SE SE Section 27. UPLAND GAME BIRDS The decline of Columbian sharp-tailed grouse in Colorado has been attributed to the loss and degradation of native grassland, sagebrush-grassland, and mountain brush habitats (Hoffman 2001). It has been recognized that post-mining reclamation provides suitable habitat for lek sites, nesting, and brood rearing. Mine reclaimed lands account for less than 4% of the occupied range of sharp-tailed grouse in northwestern Colorado, yet supported 16% of the active leks observed in 2007 (Yost 2007). Reclamation at Seneca II-W supports one lek (Seneca II-W 2) and one potential lek (Exhibit 1). The Seneca II-W lek is located within native sagebrush grasslands just south of the Seneca II-W haul road in NW SE Section 22, TSN, R88W. Although grouse have been observed since 1998 at the Seneca II-W site, it was not until females were positively identified on • the site in 2002 that it was officially considered a lek (Table 1). Topography and vegetation at the site in previous years prevented remote observation, and thus, generally restricted observers to flush counts. In 2004 and 2005, display activity was centralized approximately 25 feet east of the known lek site. Although male attendance has typically been low (eight or les individuals observed), in 2007, only two males were observed at the lek proper. However, seven additional males, as lone birds or in small groups, were observed displaying in the general vicinity of the lek. These birds were scattered from 50 to 300 feet from the lek to the east, north, northwest, and southwest. Weather conditions observed at that mine that day (light freezing mist and periods of heavy fog) may have contributed to the low attendance. In 2004, J&S personnel. located a new lek (Seneca II-W 2) within reclamation in NW NW Section 23, TSN, R88W. The lek is situated approximately 0.6 mile northeast of Seneca II-W lek, and may be a satellite of that original lek. In 2007, six displaying males were observed at the site. Weather conditions (fog) and vegetation precluded determination of the sex of additional birds present before they were flushed. Flushing yielded a total of 11 grouse. In April 2002, mine personnel reported seeing at least four sharp-tailed grouse displaying • in reclamation in NE NE Section 15, TSN, R88W. No grouse were observed at that location 2007 Seneca II-W Mine Wildlife Monitoring Page 9