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WILDLIFE RESOURCES ASSESSMENT <br />MORTON LAKES PROPERTY <br />WELD COUNTY, COLORADO <br />• colony is currently located within the proposed project area. No action is necessary <br />regarding the western burrowing owl. <br />Mountain Plover <br />Species Background <br />The mountain plover is a state species of special concern. This species nests <br />primarily in shortgrass prairie sites used historically by prairie dogs, bison, and <br />pronghorn. Typically, plovers nest in areas that maintain approximately 30 percent bare <br />ground and are often found in disturbed habitats, burned prairie, fallow agricultural <br />fields, and prairie dog colonies. This species avoids vegetation greater than 6 inches in <br />height and hillsides or steeper slopes. <br />Potential Habitat and Possible Effects <br />Vegetation attributes characteristic of potential mountain plover habitat exists in the <br />southeast portion of the project area near the west side of Big Dry Creek (Figure 2). <br />Although this area is heavily grazed and vegetation is shorter than 6 inches in height, the <br />quality of suitable habitat for mountain plover is marginal. No additional mountain <br />. plover habitat was identified during the 2008 site visit. Grassland and pasture vegetation <br />on other parts of the project area is generally greater than 6 inches in height and the area <br />contains very little of the bare ground component preferred by breeding mountain plovers <br />(Knopf 1996). Because shortgrass and grazed portions of the project area are limited in <br />size and lack many of the habitat attributes that attract mountain plover, the project <br />would not likely affect this species and no action is necessary. <br />Ferruginous Hawk <br />Species Background <br />The ferruginous hawk is the largest hawk in North America and is a state species of <br />special concern. This species inhabits open prairie and desert habitats, and is strongly <br />associated with primary prey species such as ground squirrels and jackrabbits. <br />Ferruginous hawks are relatively common winter residents in eastern Colorado, <br />particularly in association with the black-tailed prairie dog (Beane 1996). This species <br />has been known to breed in scattered locations in eastern Colorado, none of which are <br />14 FRO <br />Resources <br />Corporation