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a literature search, the peregrine falcon, northern bald eagle and black - footed <br />ferret could occur on the study area; therefore ground surveys were conducted <br />to determine whether potential nesting, roosting or hunting habitat existed on <br />the study area for these species (see Results, page 48). The methodology for <br />these ground searches are described in detail below. <br />The importance of the study area to bald eagles was ascertained by determining <br />the presence and extent of all areas of open water with nearby tall trees.. <br />Large expanses of open water and nearby tall trees are required for success- <br />ful nesting of bald eagles (Snow 1973) . Likewise, open water supporting <br />waterfowl throughout the winter season can serve as a food source for bald <br />eagles during winter. Wintering bald eagles also feed extensively on carrion. <br />Preferred nesting habitat of peregrine falcons generally consists of cliffs <br />that are quite high, often overlook water, and allow an extensive view of the <br />surrounding countryside (Hickey 1942). The area within a 5-mile radius of <br />the study area was surveyed to identify potential peregrine nesting habitat. <br />Potential black-footed ferret habitat in the form of prairie dog towns does <br />exist on the study area. The techniques outlined by Henderson at al. (1974) <br />were implanted to identify possible black - footed ferret activity at the <br />project site. The initial ground observation of a prairie dog colony took <br />place from a vehicle since prairie dogs are more wary of a person on foot <br />(Henderson et al. 1974). Each colony was rarefully observed through 8x35mt: <br />binoculars for ferrets and to note prairie dog behavior. Their behavior could <br />be an indicator of a ferret's presence in the colony (Henderson at al, 1974). <br />For example, if a ferret is at the entrance of a burrow, the prairie dogs will <br />sit at their burrow looking in the ferret's direction. Prairie dogs will move <br />excitedly towards a ferret that is above ground. If a ferret goes down a <br />burrow, the prairie dogs will attempt to cover the entrance (Henderson et aI. <br />1947). However, Clark (1978) suggested that prairie dog behavior is of.-minimal <br />value in locating ferrets, since this excited behavior is also seen in towns <br />which are frequented by hunters. If the initial observation from a vehicle <br />did not yield the possible presence of a ferret, the town was se Arched for <br />-12-- <br />JUN I 1 1880 <br />