2012-01-06_PERMIT FILE - C1982057A (2)

Home Browse Search

• Beaver (Castor canadensi s) and muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) were sighted in marshy areas along Watering Trough Cu lch and beaver sign (cuttings, dams, and dens) was observed in many of the upper drainages of Hubberson Gulch. Yellow-bellied marmots (Marmots flaviventris) were quite commonly observed near sandstone outcrops within the study area, especially along the proposed access road route. Lagomorph species observed on the study area were the snowshoe hate (Lepus americanus), white-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus townsendii), and Nuttall's cottontail (Sylvilagus nuttallii). The white-tailed jackrabbit and snowshoe hate were observed infrequently on the permit area while Nuttall's cottontail was commonly sighted within the sagebrush and mixed brush habitat types. Snowshoe hares are more typically associated with coniferous forest habitat located south of the current Seneca II-W permit area. Mammalian predators which may be found on the Seneca II-W property include the coyote (Canis latrans), red fox (Vulpes fulva), raccoon (Procyon lotor), weasels (Mustela sp.), badger (Taxidea taxus), striped skunk (Mephitus mephitus), and bobcat (Lynx rufus). • Animals, or signs of activity of coyote, raccoon, badger, striped skunk, and bobcat, were observed on the study area. Long-tailed weasel (Mustela frena ta), and ermine (Mustela ermines) were not observed but are likely to occur in the area. Raptors. A total of ten raptor species were observed on the study area during on-site field studies. Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), marsh hawk (Circus cyaneus), goshawk (Acci piter gentilis), sharp-shinned hawk (Acci piter striatus), American kestrel (Falco spa rverius) and great horned owl (Bubo virgi ni anus) represent year-round residents for the area while turkey vulture (Ca thartes aura), Swain- son's hawk (Buteo swainsoni), and Cooper's hawk (Accipiter cooperi i) are found in the area only during the summer months. All species observed are potential nesters for the general area. In addition, prairie falcons (Falco mexi canus) and screech owls (Otus asia) are likely breeders for the area. Rough-legged hawks (Buteo lagopus) may winter in the general vicinity of the study area, but this species is more typically associated with open grassland habitat. These bird species and other avian species likely to occur in the Seneca II-W area are listed within Table 11-9. . A search for raptor nests during May of 1982 documented the existence of 15 nests within the vicinity of the Seneca II-W permit area. Ninty-three (43) percent of these nests were 19