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raptors for nesting or by bats. There are large expanses of mature and overmature <br />oak/mountain shrub habitat. This habitat type makes up the preponderance of habitat <br />within the project area. Aspen is the second most common habitat type within the project <br />area with a few large stands at higher elevations and a number of transition stringers <br />found throughout the area. Riparian habitat is found in all the drainages with perennial <br />sources of water in the project area. <br />In the project area there are already a number of roads and drill sites that have been <br />constructed over the years. Some of these roads and sites were surveyed for habitat <br />condition, wildlife and plants in previous years and data from those projects were used in <br />helping to design the study for this project. In addition, data from those projects also <br />gave an indication of wildlife activity and preferred habitat in those specific areas. This <br />project has expanded on that information and data collected on habitat and wildlife <br />during other surveys conducted in the North Fork Valley. <br />METHODS <br />Emphasis was placed on compiling data on TESS, MIS and nesting raptors that are <br />known to or may occur in the area. Data was compiled on locations and habitat type <br />where any of these species were observed. <br />Transects through all suitable raptor nesting habitat were conducted. Areas such as <br />oakbrush dominated expanses were not surveyed, as raptors are not known to nest in this <br />habitat type. All mature aspen, spruce-fir and cottonwoods were checked for current <br />nesting or evidence of past nesting. GPS fixes for all nest sites, both active and inactive <br />were recorded and habitat type where located were recorded. Nest locations are shown on <br />Figure 1. Surveys were conducted in mature aspen stands prior to the trees becoming <br />fully leafed out. By conducting surveys in early to mid-May both early and late nesting <br />birds would be located. Surveys in spruce fir stands were conducted later in the season. <br />This is done because nests are hard to locate in conifer stands and by waiting till mid- <br />June eggs have hatched, young are on the nest and adults are more defensive and will call <br />out if the observer comes near the nest site. In addition to physically checking all stands <br />of trees, recordings for species known to use these habitat types were played in an effort <br />to elicit a response from any raptors that might have a nest in the area. <br />Any sandstone outcrops were checked for evidence of raptor nesting. Opportunistic <br />observations of outcrops were done throughout the period that field work was conducted. <br />' To compile data on habitat condition and neotropical breeding bird activity, presence/ <br />absence surveys were conducted in each habitat type. In addition to the breeding bird <br />transects, opportunistic observations of birds were recorded while conducting nesting <br />raptor surveys. While conducting transects, data were kept on habitat condition and other <br />species of wildlife observed. <br />In late June and early July surveys for listed species of plants were conducted in the <br />project area. At this time nearly all species are in flower making it easier to locate and