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Sage Creek Mine February 2009 <br />• suitable nesting tree substrates within the Sage Creek Mine survey area are not abundant in all <br />areas. Woodlands (aspen and pine) are relatively sparse but present in the N '/z Section 13 and <br />14. Otherwise, limited trees of moderate height exist as scattered, lone box elders and <br />cottonwoods occurring along Grassy Creek in the northwest portion of the survey area, and as a <br />small, isolated grove of cottonwoods south of Fish Creek near the proposed route for the conveyor <br />system. Although rock outcrops and cliff faces are abundant in the area and serve as adequate <br />nesting substrate for this species, many of those features are currently occupied with active golden <br />eagle nests. <br />Swainson's hawks are associated with open grasslands and rolling plains, and typically nest in <br />shorter tree /shrub substrates (Johnsgard 1990). In 2008, one Swainson's hawk nest was <br />documented at the top of a large trunk amidst the small cluster of Gambel oak scattered <br />throughout the open grasslands between Fish Creek and Foidel Creek. Although the nest was <br />active with one adult brooding small young in the nest, the number of young could not be <br />determined due to the limited view through the foliage and the age (i.e., size) of the chicks. Open <br />valleys and foothills with sparse or isolated trees exist in the southern and northwestern extremes <br />• of the survey area, and provide suitable nesting habitats for Swainson's hawks. <br />Although in many instances turkey vultures are not considered a raptor species, one active vulture <br />nest was recorded during baseline surveys in 2008 and is included here only to report completely <br />on all possible nesting raptors in the area. A large rock cavern (approximately 10 to 12 feet wide <br />and 6 feet deep), occupied by two adults and four fledglings, was identified along the north cliff <br />face at the head of the remote drainage in NW ' / 4 Section 14 during the June 2008 surveys. The <br />amount of mutes (i.e., whitewash) at the site clearly indicated heavy recent use although no <br />abundant nesting material (as typical with turkey vultures) was present at the site. Turkey vultures <br />are a common species in the Sage Creek Mine survey area, and the abundance of cliff cavities <br />and a sparse pine snags provide some nesting opportunities for the species. <br />Additional raptor species documented in the Sage Creek Mine survey area during 2008 baseline <br />surveys included: the Cooper's hawk (Accipiter cooperii), northern harrier (Circus cyaneus), and <br />bald eagle. One adult Cooper's hawk was seen flying and hunting in SW NE Section 13 <br />T5N:R87W on multiple occasions, but no nests could be found in the area. Lone female northern <br />harriers were observed hunting along the bottomlands and adjacent grasslands associated with <br />• Fish Creek. Based on these observations and the available habitats, it is possible and likely that <br />22 <br />