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Bamberg Ecological <br />May 2010 Observations <br />Soil moisture from rain and snowfall was at or above normal for the winter 2008 to spring <br />2009 and again for the winter 2009 to spring 2010 seasons. This good amount and well <br />timed precipitation has resulted in decent soil moisture during the entirety of this revege- <br />tation effort to date, allowing for satisfactory early germination and growth across the <br />site. <br />Continued growth of native plants from 2009 (see Photo 1) and germination of new <br />plants from 2010 (see Photo 2) was observed on the seeded portions of the Mesita Hill <br />mine site during the May 2010 visit. As during the November 2009 survey, three domi- <br />nate species from the seed mix were observed. These were western wheatgrass <br />(Pascopyrum smithii), four-wing saltbush (Atriplex canescens; see Photo 1) and green <br />rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus). Also present were buckwheat (Eriogonum <br />deflexum), Blazing Star (Mentzelia laevicaulis; see Photo 2), broom snakeweed (Gutier- <br />rezia sarothrae), and Indian ricegrass (Achnatherum hymenoides). The dominant inva- <br />sive species was Russian thistle (Sa/sola tragus), this was especially true during the fall <br />2009 survey. The thistle cover appeared significantly lower during the May 2010 survey; <br />however, this may be due to the thistle being still in seedling stage. <br />The contrast in the areas that received stockpiled topsoil and the areas that were run-of- <br />mine rock on the surface were less apparent during the May 2010 survey than the No- <br />vember 2009 survey. In the backfilled, central flat portion of the mine the density of pe- <br />rennial plants generally appeared lower than previously because many seedlings had <br />not survived. However, plant cover was higher since last year's seedlings that survived <br />were larger (see Photo 3). The stockpiled topsoil areas had an increase in density of <br />native, perennial plants over last fall (see Photo 4). Two areas had the highest native <br />plant cover on the mine site: the slopes and north to northeast surrounding landscape of <br />the main pit (see Photo 5) and the hill on the southern most portion of the disturbance <br />areas (west of the entrance road; see Photo 6). <br />Wildlife is remarkably abundant on this site. A small antelope herd of 4-5 individuals <br />crossed the central flat portion during my visit. There was also present jackrabbit, pas- <br />serine birds, and insects, and rodent burrows, coyote and a great horned owl had been <br />2622 Valentia St. * Denver, Colorado 80238 * (303) 933-7291 2