RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 



WILDLIFE SPECIES PARAMETERS 



Tabular Summary 



A total of 203 species of vertebrates was observed through the moni- 

 toring period (five species of amphibians, seven of reptiles, 164 of birds, 

 and 27 of mammals). Data on birds and mammals are summarized in tables 1 

 and 2. The types of data included and the abbreviations used are as des- 

 cribed on pages 41 and 56 of the WBS, with the exceptions noted. Any addi- 

 tions or changes to the data base resulting from the second year's moni- 

 toring study are printed in italics. No additions were made to the data 

 on amphibians and reptiles in the first monitoring report. 



Table 3 summarizes the cumulative numbers of species encountered in 

 the study areas during the baseline study and through the first and second 

 monitoring periods. It can be seen from this table that only four new 

 vertebrate species v/ere added to the species list as a result of the second 

 year's monitoring effort; of these, three were migratory birds, and one a 

 summer resident bird. 



Narrative Accounts for Selected 



Data in addition to that in tables 1 and 2 were obtained for certain 

 species, and are summarized in the following species accounts. In general, 

 information presented here is limited to nesting raptors, upland game birds, 

 and ungulates, and is primarily an assessment of changes occurring in the 

 Mine Study Area since the baseline study. 



Red- tailed Hawk. The nest located on the proposed mining area in 1977 

 was inactive in 1979. The nest found in 1977 in the southwestern corner of 

 che Mine Study Area produced four young in 1979, and a new nest located 

 near Stockpond MClO contained at least one young bird. 



Swainson's Hawk. Swainson's hawks were much more commonly seen in 

 1979 than during previous years. Three active nests were located in 1979, 

 one in the originally proposed mining area (with at least two young), one 

 in the northern portion of the Mine Study Area (four young), and one along 

 the Circle route (three young). Another pair is believed to have nested 

 near the Waller Ranch, although the nest could not be located. 



Fe rruginous Hawk . A pair was heard repeatedly calling overhead near 

 the location of the 1977 active nest, buc the nest was empty again in 1979. 

 A new nest was located in the northern portion of the Mine Study Area; 

 it contained three young on June 15, 1979. Another new nest, located on 

 a scoria butte within the northern addition to the Mine Study Area, con- 

 tained at least four young. 



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