2012-03-07_PERMIT FILE - C2010088 ‎(19)‎

• Permit No: C2010088
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 3/7/2012
• Doc Name: Wildlife Report
• Section_Exhibit Name: Exhibit 10
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

Table 5. Raptor species that may be present in the project area
Common
Name
Scientific Name
Habitat & Breeding Records
• Nests on the ground in grassland, shrubland, agricultural
Northern
Circus cyaneus
areas, and marshes. Nests in areas with abundant cover
Harrier
(e.g., tall reeds, cattails, grasses) in grasslands and marshes.
Also known to nest in high-elevation (8,500 ft sagebrush.
American
Falco sparverius
• Nests in cavities in trees, cliffs and buildings.
Kestrel
• Occupies diverse habitats including riparian, deciduous and
Great Horned
Bubo
coniferous forests with adjacent open terrain for hunting.
Owl
virginianus
Cottonwood trees are common nesting sites in the Grand
Valley. Occurs in sandstone canyons nesting in alcoves
and rock ledges.
• Occupies mixed shrublands. Nests and roost in sites in
Long -eared
Asio otus
dense cottonwoods, willows, scrub oak, junipers and dense
Owl
forest of mixed conifers and aspens. Often nests in old
magpie nests in tamarisk thickets in the Grand Valley.
Barn Owl
Tyto alba
• Nest in structures and in holes in steep banks of washes in
the agricultural portion of the Grand Valley.
H
• Mature cottonwood trees, typically along the Colorado
Bald Eagle
leuco
uco ca phalus
River corridor within 50 yds of riverbank. Small breeding
population in Grand Valley.
Bald Eagles would be expected to occur along the Colorado River corridor, but there is marginal
perching and no nesting habitat within the project area. CDOW mapped summer foraging
habitat encompasses the habitat in the project area (NDIS 2010). The dense tamarisk vegetation
bordering Reed Wash reduces the suitability for Bald Eagles to capture fish from the drainage.
There are no mapped winter range or winter concentration areas within the project area.
However, an upland winter concentration area is located approximately 2.0 miles northwest of
the project area.
The CDOW has identified and defined the following Bald Eagle habitat features that occur in the
Grand Valley along the Colorado River corridor (NDIS web site).
• Bald Eagle Winter Range: Those areas where Bald Eagles have been observed between
November 15 and April 1.
• Bald Eagle Winter Concentration: Areas (tree, islands, etc.) within an existing winter
range where eagles concentrate between November 15 and April 1. These areas may be
associated with roost sites.
• Bald Eagle Summer Forage: Foraging areas frequented by breeding Bald Eagles from
March 15 to July 30. These areas are almost always associated with nesting pairs.
Long -eared and Great Horned Owls potentially may nest in unoccupied magpie nests in the
dense tamarisk thickets along Reed Wash. Numerous old magpie nests were observed along
Reed Wash but no active owl nests were found. Searches were conducted below the magpie
nests for possible whitewash or pellet castings; no owl sign was detected.
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