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• adult raptors will leave their nest site to forage at least once and often <br />several times a day during the time they have young on the nest. Any birds <br />nesting in the azea are readily seen this time of the year during skyline <br />watches of 4-6 hours in length at strategic locations. Each actual or <br />potential nest site identified was visited subsequent to the skyline watch <br />to detA*m~nP its status (i.e., active or inactive). The occupants of active <br />nest sites were observed with a spotting scope from a distance to derP*~*~~*~ <br />their species and numbers. All active and inactive nest sites were recorded <br />by location, habitat type, nest substrate, height off of ground, etc. <br />The species and numbers of all raptors sighted during all ground activities <br />were recorded on standard wildlife observation forms. All raptor observa- <br />tions and nest site locations were carefully mapped on wildlife distribution <br />maps. <br />Upland Ga<ne Birds. A survey to determine the presence of sage grouse leks <br />was oonducted by a c~ound reconnaissance in early April, 1979, when birds <br />• should be most active on leks in the project area. The survey was performed <br />by Jim Hicks, a DOW biologist (Steamboat Springs Office). Upland game birds <br />(i.e., sage grouse, blue grouse and sharp-tailed grouse) observed during <br />passerine transact surveys were recorded by species, number, habitat, loca- <br />tion and date. In addition, brood production surveys were conducted in <br />July, 1979 to determine the number of young birds and adults by species <br />and habitat. These surveys utilized the 1 km walking transacts established <br />for passerine breeding bird surveys. <br />Waterfowl. Qualitative surveys to determine waterfaal nesting activity <br />and nest production at project site wet areas were conducted during mid- <br />July, 1979. Wet areas were visited during early morning hours and numbers <br />of young birds and adults were recorded by species and location. Migratory <br />waterfowl and shorebird species are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty <br />Act and the greater sandhill crane is considered endangered in the state of <br />Colorado; therefore, an important objective of the waterfowl program was to <br />identify and map all areas that are critical to waterfowl survival in the <br />• study area (if any) so that all such areas can be monitored during mining <br />operations. <br />-7- <br />Revised 5-27-81 <br />