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the spring when many flowers were blooming. Near the mouth of Hubbe rson Gulch, • <br />fortis, grasses, and sedges al so provide small patches of st reamside habitat where <br />red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus), wes tern meadowlark (Sturnella ne lecta), <br />Acne ri can robin, and common snipe were observed. <br />A:;pen stands on the study area support a large number and diversity of birds despite their <br />limited areal extent. Twenty-five species of birds were observed in these habitats during <br />the spring, but only 10 species were observed during the fall survey. The most common <br />s{~ecies in the spring were house wren (Troglodytes aeden), American robin, violet green <br />svaallow (Tachycineta thalassina), gray-headed junco (Junco hyemali s), western wood <br />pewee (Contopus so ridul us), solitary vireo (Vireo solitarius), warbling vireo (Vireo ig lvus), <br />yellow-rumped warbler (Dendroica corona ta), and MacGillivra ry's warbler. House wrens <br />were by far the most abundant. Spotted sandpipers (Atli tis macularia) were also observed <br />at beaver ponds near the aspen stands. No house wrens were observed in the aspen during <br />the fall survey; instead black-billed magpie, black-capped chickadee (Parus atrica pi 11 us) <br />and green-tailed towhee were the dominant species. <br />Rock outcrops occupy a very small portion of the study area but provide habitats for a • <br />number of additional bird species. As discussed previously, golden eagles were observed <br />on the cliffs during the spring survey, as were white-th roated swifts (Aeronautes <br />szix atalis), rock wrens (Salpi nctes obsoletus), cliff swallows (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota), <br />and violet-green swallows. During the fall survey, mountain bluebirds were abundant <br />na~ar the rock outcrops. During the spring, seven species were observed in close <br />a:~sociation with rock outcrops, five of which were not observed elsewhere. <br />Tfie majority of avian species occurring on the study area are only summer residents <br />breeding on the area and migrating to distant wintering grounds. The lower number of <br />species observed during the fall census indicates that migrations of certain species had <br />commenced by late September. Most of the raptors, upland game birds, woodpeckers, <br />crows, jays, and ravens are permanent residents which might, however, undergo local <br />migration to lower elevations during winter. The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), <br />mountain chickadee (Parus ambeli), and perhaps some finches (Carpodacus sp.) and <br />weixwings (6ombycilla sp.) may occur only as winter visitants. <br />Vleiterfowl. Opportunistic sightings indicate that puddle ducks such as mallard (Anas • <br />Platyrhy nchos), green-winged teal (Anas creeca), and blue-winged teal (Anas discors) are <br />22 <br />