1988-04-11_PERMIT FILE - C1981008A (29)

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least one-half of the stops in the spring were the ring-necked pheasant, violet-green swallow, American robin, European starling, red-winged blackbird, and western meadowlark. Other frequently detected species (detected on 30 percent or more of the station stops) included the common snipe, mourning dove, northern rough-winged swallow, yellow warbler, Brewer's blackbird, and northern oriole. During the fall road count, the common raven, European starling, and white-crowned sparrow were detected on one-half or more of the station stops. Those detected on at least 30 percent of the stops in the fall included the red-tailed hawk, yellow-rumped warbler, red-winged blackbird, and Brewer's blackbird. Fifteen species of raptors were recorded on or near the Nucla East study area (Tables 5 and 7). Of these, only the red-tailed hawk was found nesting (site identified on Exhibit 11-3) in the area. American kestrels were present during the breeding season and probably nest in the area. The presence of prairie dog colonies and the observation of a single burrowing owl on 19 August 1987 (site identified on Exhibit 11-3) suggest this owl may breed in the area. Observational records (Table 7) indicate that raptor utilization of the study area during the breeding season is limited, but increases during post-breeding periods (fall and winter). An adult peregrine falcon was seen on 15 September 1987 (site identified on Exhibit 11-3). Northern harriers, red-tailed hawks, and rough-legged hawks were common wintering species through the Nucla area. An adult and immature bald eagle were observed resting in a tree near Calamity Draw on 12 January 1988. Two adult bald eagles were seen perched in a tree about two miles south of Nucla on 13 January 1988. However, no significant winter raptor feeding and/or roosting areas were identified. Three upland game bird species were recorded in the study area: the ring-necked pheasant, common snipe, and mourning dove. Crowing rooster pheasants were recorded on 77 percent of the station stops on the spring road count (see Table 6). Pheasants were observed throughout the study area in all habitats where dense vegetative cover was present. Pheasants were also seen in irrigated pastures and haylands. Mourning doves were present throughout the study area. Doves were recorded on 30 percent of the station stops in the spring. Heavy utilization of the trees around farmsteads and orchards as perching sites was noted during the spring census period as reflected in the density estimates of 160 individuals/100 ac (see Table 8). These doves appeared concentrated in this particular area because of adjacent fallow cropland which provided a food source. Common snipe were recorded on 33 percent of the station stops on the spring road count. Snipe were found nesting in swale areas dominated by Carex sp. and Scirpus sp. Observational records indicate that snipe are the only bird species nesting in these situations. 11-2-29 Revised 04/11/88