7.12.3 Other Mammals
Specific nocturnal spotlight surveys for lagomorphs will be completed on two consecutive nights
within the study area in fall 2012. Lagomorph survey data will improve the existing knowledge of
lagomorph species occurrence and serve as an index of prey population within the area.
Lagomorph species counts and habitat types will be recorded and all information gathered will
be presented in the Wildlife Baseline Report. Information for small game harvests from the
WGFD Small and Upland Game Annual Harvest Reports will also be presented.
7.12.4 Raptors
Historic records indicate red-tailed hawks (
Buteo jamaicensis
), and golden eagles (
Aquila
chrysaetos
) have nested in the permit area or surrounding wildlife survey area. Both of those
species were documented nesting during surveys for raptor nests during spring 2012. Four
other raptor species were recorded within the wildlife survey area during the baseline period,
including the bald eagle (
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
), northern harrier (Circus cyaneus),
American kestrel
(Falco sparverius
), and rough-legged hawk (
Buteo lagopus
).
All previously documented nests were monitored by contracted biologists to determine their
nesting status (active/inactive) and condition for the year. Active nests were monitored during
the breeding season to document nest success and productivity. The Wildlife Baseline Report
will include a discussion of raptor use of the area, a topographic map depicting all nest sites
within the study area, and the nesting history of each nest site, when available.
All raptor sightings were and will continue to be documented within the survey area throughout
the entire baseline study period. Seasonal raptor use of the survey area will be determined by
reviewing existing data, and compiling results from specific surveys and incidental observations.
Information detailing all raptor sightings within the survey area during baseline studies will be
provided in the Wildlife Baseline Report.
7.12.5 Other Migratory and Breeding Birds
General Avian Diversity.
Point-count transect surveys that follow the Rocky Mountain Bird
Observatory protocols (Hanni et al., 2009) were conducted in spring 2012. Some of the other
avian species detected during those surveys include the upland sandpiper (
Bartramia
longicauda
), Brewer’s sparrow (
Spizella breweri
), Vesper sparrow (
Pooecetes gramineus
),
grasshopper sparrow (
Ammodramus savannarum
), eastern kingbird (
Tyrannus tyrannus
),
western meadowlark (
Sturnella neglecta
), mourning dove (
Zenaida macroura
), Say’s phoebe
(
Sayornis saya
), lark bunting (
Calamospiza melanocorys
), red-winged blackbird (
Agelaius
phoeniceus
), and horned lark (
Eremophila alpestris
). All survey results will describe avian
species richness and relative abundance within each major habitat type in the survey area. All
results from the point-count surveys will be included in the Wildlife Baseline Report.
Waterfowl.
Four surveys (two during migration [May and early June] and two during the
brooding period [late June and July]) were conducted at six wetland pond sites within the wildlife
survey area in spring/summer 2012. Over 725 individuals, comprised of 16 waterfowl species
and seven shorebird species, were recorded of the course of all four surveys. All waterfowl
survey results will describe avian species richness and relative abundance across the two
seasons (migration and brood rearing). All results from the point-count surveys will be included
in the Wildlife Baseline Report.
Mountain Plovers.
Areas of suitable mountain plover habitat in or within 0.25 mile of the permit
area were searched in accordance with the FWS Mountain Plover Survey Guidelines. Those
areas were searched from a vehicle (staying on established roads and trails within the project
area) during three visits, spaced approximately 14 days apart between May 1 and June 15.
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