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the north end of the property. A prairie dog colony occupies approximately 60. acres <br />surrounding and sometimes encroaching on the site. <br />SURVEY DATES <br />The survey was conducted on the mornings of May 1, 5, 9, and 10, 2006. <br />METHODS <br />The survey included a field reconnaissance of the entire project area with concentrated surveys <br />around any mature tree pockets. The surrounding roads were used to visually observe <br />surrounding properties for sign of birds-of-prey activity. On-site trees were inspected for stick <br />nests, signs of castings (coughed-up calcium pellets) or white-wash (guano) around the perimeter <br />of the tree line, or actual sightings of individuals. <br />RESULTS <br />The following discussion presents the results of the survey for birds-of-prey within the project <br />area and those adjacent areas that may be used by raptors. <br />Nests. Several stick nests were observed within the clump of trees at the northeast corner of the <br />property adjacent to the outlot home. These nests appear to be magpie nests due to the feathers <br />found within them and at the base of the trees they occupy. The nests were also low in the trees, <br />too low to be raptor nests. Magpies were abundantly observed on-site during the field <br />reconnaissance. No raptor nests were found on-site. <br />Sign. Castings and white-wash were found underneath some perch branches of the mature plains <br />cottonwood trees found within the project area. The castings contained small manurial bones, <br />rabbit or prairie dog hair, and calcium deposits. White-wash was found in association with the <br />castings as the birds tend to perch on these branches and rest or consume prey. It is suspected <br />that this sign is attributed to red-tailed hawks and great horned owls that use the site year-round. <br />Red-tailed hawks were observed flying over the site several times where they come in search of <br />preybase. Their nest lies in a cottonwood tree approximately one-quarter mile east of the project <br />area. <br />Sightings. During the field reconnaissance, several birds-of-prey were observed within and <br />adjacent to the project area. These birds included red-tailed hawks and kestrels. These birds-of- <br />prey are very common along the front range of Colorado and live here year-round. Due to the <br />high level of activity on the site from heavy equipment operation and the persistent activities of <br />earth-moving and disturbance, and other gravel mining operations adjacent to the project area, <br />birds-of-prey use the site but. do not occupy. it on a regular basis. Raptors use it as hunting <br />range, for perch sites, for watering sites, and for resting areas. The following offers a <br />discussion of each species observed during the field reconnaissance.