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• SANDHILL CRANES <br />In 2008, biologists watched and listened for crane activity while conducting surveys for <br />other species or traveling through the area. If cranes were observed or heard, biologists searched <br />potential nesting habitat (i.e., marshes, reservoirs, and moist drainages) in the vicinity for nesting <br />activity. Documented nesting sites from previous years were also checked for activity. <br />RESULTS <br />UPLAND GAME BIRDS <br />The decline of Columbian sharp-tailed grouse in Colorado has been attributed to the loss <br />and degradation of native grassland, sagebrush-grassland, and mountain brush habitats (Hoffman <br />2001). It has been recognized that post-mining reclamation provides suitable habitat for lek sites, <br />nesting, and brood rearing. Mine reclaimed lands account for less than 4% of the occupied range <br />of sharp-tailed grouse in northwestern Colorado, yet supported 16% of the active leks observed <br />in 2007 (Yost 2007). <br />Reclamation at Seneca II boasts four leks (Exhibit 1) and one potential lek. The total <br />• number of males observed attending leks within reclamation at Seneca II increased every year <br />from 15 in 1995 to at least 78 in 2005 (Table 1). Counts were lower at every lek in 2006, but by <br />2008 all leks but Seneca 3 were at near normal levels. Although annual counts at leks can be <br />biased by factors such as weather conditions during surveys, the number of site visits, and <br />vegetative features (which can obscure observation), previous years weather events and <br />conditions are an important factor driving observed fluctuations in sharp-tailed grouse <br />populations and consequently the number of grouse at leks. In years following drought, lower <br />numbers of males per lek are generally observed, where as increased numbers of males per lek <br />generally occur following years of average to above average precipitation or when spring and <br />summer moisture falls at the optimum time to maximize reproduction and brood survival. <br />The Seneca 1 lek was active for the fourteenth consecutive year in 2008. A total of four <br />male grouse were observed near the lek when the site was visited on 28 April (Table 1). The <br />peak number of males attending the lek increased slightly each year from 1997 through 2000, and <br />then more substantially in 2001 (Table 1). Grouse numbers were lower from 2002 to 2004, but <br />0 <br />2007 Seneca 11 Mine Wildlife Monitoring Page 3