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• <br />f • <br />habitats on the ,aucla study area. Four birds were observed and many wore heard <br />in the alfalfa field and upland sagebrush habitat types during 1979 -1980 <br />wildlife studies. Population estimates for this species are not available; <br />however, the ring - necked pheasant is very common in the area (personal' <br />communication, March 1980, Rich Sherman, DOW). Ring- necked pheasants nest <br />indense, grassy areas along ditches and adjacent to grain fields. Limited <br />nesting habitat exists in the study area in the form of grassy areas along <br />the irrigation ditches and adjacent to the alfalfa field. However, ring - <br />necked pheasant nests were not encountered on the study area. <br />Mourning dove. Only one mourning dove was observed in the study area. This <br />individual was sighted flying over the juniper habitat during the breeding <br />passerine transects in June, 1979. <br />.mourning doves are simmer and fall residents of the study area. Population <br />estimates of mourning doves in the area are not available; however, mourning <br />doves are not as con .,n as ring- necked pheasants (personal communication, <br />March 1980, Rich Sherman, DOW). Mourning doves nest in a variety of situa- <br />tions including trees, shrubs and on the ground. No mourning dove nests <br />were observed on the site; however, potential nesting habitat occurs through- <br />out the study area. <br />Waterfowl. Three small water bodies and a marshy area are present in the study <br />area (Map 11 -2, Appendix A) and represent potential waterfowl habitat. 'lam <br />of the water bodies are intermittent; the third was used to store water for <br />irrigation. Although waterfowl were not observed on the study area during fall <br />migration, it is possible that the permanent water boy and marshy area could <br />be used as and feeding stops during migration. The study area occurs on <br />the far western edge on the Central Flyway (Linduska 1964). Possible migrants . <br />through the study area (during migration) include: pintail,. mallard, baldpate, <br />gadwall, green- winged teal and cinnamon teal. Of the four potential waterfowl <br />areas on the study site only one, the marshy area, represents potential <br />nesting habitat because of the available perennial water and associated <br />aquatic vegetation (e.g., Typhus sp. and Juncus spp.); however, this area <br />-39- <br />JUN f a t980 <br />