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In 2004, ICF Jones & Stokes personnel discovered the Seneca II-West 2 lek within reclamation <br />in NW NW Section 23 T5N:R88W. The lek is situated approximately 0.6 mile northeast of <br />Seneca II-W lek and may be a satellite lek location. In 2008, five males were documented at the <br />lek, but were exhibiting limited displaying behavior. The exposed location of the lek site and the <br />high winds experienced during the survey may have contributed to a lower than normal <br />attendance on that day. However, the five males documented in 2008 are consistent with the <br />average male attendance (5.0 males) at the lek site since it was discovered in 2004. <br />In April 2002, mine personnel reported at least four sharp-tailed grouse displaying in reclamation <br />in NE NE Section 15 T5N:R88W. No grouse were observed at that location from 2002 through <br />2004, but a few individuals were heard calling from the shrubland habitats in close proximity to <br />the site in 2005. Only two males were observed at the site in 2006, and six grouse (two <br />confirmed males) flushed from the site in 2007. In 2008, one male was observed at the site, but <br />again, the exposed location of this site and the high winds experienced during the survey may <br />have contributed to a lower attendance on that day. Biologists will continue to monitor the site <br />• annually to more accurately determine its status as a lek. <br />Blue grouse (Dendragapus obscurus) are typically recorded in the Seneca II-West area each <br />spring, with most of the sightings concentrated in Sections 22 and 23. However, access to <br />Section 23 was restricted in 2008 due to extensive snow cover. As a result, no other upland <br />game birds were documented during surveys for the Seneca II-West Mine in 2008. <br />Golden Eagle Nest Monitoring <br />A group of five golden eagle nests (GOEA 9a-9e) are present on the cliff face above Hubberson <br />Gulch in Sections 16 and 21 T5N:R88W (Exhibit 1). On April 30, one adult golden eagle was <br />observed brooding at least one young at the GOEA 9d nest. That territory has been monitored <br />annually since 1996, and breeding activity has been documented every year except in 1998 and <br />1999. <br />Sandhill crane activity <br />No sandhill cranes were documented in the Seneca II-West mine area during the spring 2008 <br />. surveys. <br />2008 Seneca II-West Mine Wildlife Monitoring Page 6