2012-02-28_REVISION - M1980244 (97)

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Baseline Technical Report ARCADES Report for Soils and Biological Resources, MLE2 Project Area 4.2 Game Birds Existing baseline information indicated that the blue grouse (Dendragapus obscurus) is the only game bird species expected to occur within the survey area. Sections 2, 3, and 5 of the survey area, with their mix of dense conifer stands and aspen groves provide ideal blue grouse habitat. However, no blue grouse or sign thereof were observed in the survey area. 4.3 Raptor Nests Raptors observed in the survey area included red - tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis), prairie falcons (Falco mexicanus), and turkey vultures (Cathartes aura). These raptors were generally observed soaring or perched; however, no active nests were observed. A juvenile red - tailed hawk flushed from a ponderosa pine tree in an aspen - dominated woodland in the north - central portion of Section 6. This individual sounded off alarm calls, as to indicate its foraging or possibly nesting territory. A qualified ARCADIS biologist searched the area for a nest or signs thereof, but did not find any evidence. The area has been designated as a potential red - tailed hawk nesting territory, but cannot be confirmed due to the lack of a nest observation. A similar event (red -tail hawk flushed and sounded an alarm) occurred in an open, lodgepole pine dominated woodland in the northern portion of Section 3. Both potential red - tailed hawk nesting territories are mapped on Figure 4 -1. Other raptors that may be found in the area, and potentially nest in the area, but were not observed during 2011 field surveys include the northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), Cooper's hawk (Accipiter cooperil), sharp- shinned hawk (Accipiter striatus), Swainson's hawk (Buteo swainsom), ferruginous hawk (Buteo regalis), golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), and great horned owl (Bubo virginanus). One golden eagle was observed flying over grassland habitat outside the town of Victor during the surveys, but not within the survey area. 4.4 Other Wildlife Species Several small game and nongame species occur in the area and are typical of the high - elevation habitat present, including bird species such as the gray jay (Perisoreus canadensis), common raven (Corvus corax), black - billed magpie (Pica pica), northern flicker (Colaptes aurates), downy woodpecker (Picoides pubescens), dark -eyed junco (Junco hyemalis), mountain chickadee (Poecile gambeli), Clark's nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana), yellow - rumped warbler (Dendroica coronata), mountain bluebird (Sialia currucoides), chipping sparrow (Spizella passerina), American robin (Turdus migratorius), white- breasted nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis), CCV Baseline Soils Biology Resource Report (11- 17- 11).doc 17