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yon-juniper woodland on the eastern portion of t.e mine boundary. This individ- <br /> ual was observed foraging for insects in a rocky outcropping. One yellow <br /> warbler was observed in the grove of trees northeast of the farmhouse on <br /> the study area. Yellow warblers are commnly found in thickets and orchards. <br /> Raptorial Birds. The study area is used as hunting habitat for at least five <br /> different raptor species: red-tailed hawk, American kestrel, Cooper's hawk, <br /> rough-legged hawk, and marsh hawk. Location of all sightings of these species <br /> are provided in Appendix A, Map 11-2. The occurrence and seasonal use of the <br /> study area and potential important habitat (i.e. , nesting) is discussed below <br /> for each of the raptor species observed on the study area. <br /> Red-tailed hvlwk. The Nucla study area occurs on the border between the surn_r <br /> and winter range of the red-tailed hawk (Robbins et al. 1966) . However, this <br /> raptor was not Observed during winter field studies at Nucla. Four observa- <br /> tions did occur near the study area during the period May - September, 1979. <br /> Observations included one pair of red-tailed hawks hunting the spoil piles <br /> approximately ; mile south of the mine headquarters and one red-tailed hawk <br /> approximately one mile west of the study area in September, 1979. <br /> Red-tailed hawk nests were not located on the Nucla study area during 1979. <br /> However, one female red-tailed hawk was observed on a stick nest in a cotton- <br /> wood grove located approximately one mile east of the nine headquarters in May, <br /> 1979. The number of young in the nest was not determined. <br /> Red-tailed hawks commnly nest on sheEr cliff faces or in trees located in <br /> agricultural areas. Potential nesting habitat in the Nucla study area exists <br /> in the trees along the riparian habitat and in the wind break northeast of <br /> the fan-4hquse. Potential nesting opportunities are greater off-site; sand- <br /> stone cliffs Land outcroppings and pinyon-juniper woodlands occur east of the <br /> mine permit brr)undry. <br /> Cooper's hawk. The Nucla study area occurs within year-round range of the <br /> Cooper's hawk. Only one Cooper's hawk was observed near the study area; <br /> this individual was sighted approximately , mile south of the mine headquarters <br /> -37- <br /> JUN i i t980 <br />