available, data are presented on: habitat quality and use, distribution and 

 movements, density and abundance and productivity and population dynamics. 



In general, information presented here is limited to that relevant to 

 assessing the importance to wildlife of habitats within the study area, and does 

 not contain information on general characteristics of the species (such as life 

 history, physical characteristics, behavior, etc.) which are well -known and 

 discussed in other literature. All distribution maps prepared are on file with 

 Df^RC in Helena. 



Double-crested Coromorant . This colonial water bird is found in the study 

 area primarily in the Big Dry Arm of Fort Peck Reservoir, where four recently- 

 active rookeries are located (map 4, table 11). Two of these rookeries were shared by 

 Great Blue Herons in 1976. Flocks of up to 35 birds were seen in larger stock- 

 ponds in the mine study area (NC06 and :JC09) and along the northern end of the 

 Dreyer Ranch roadside wildlife survey route from April 14 through mid-July 1977. 

 Smaller flocks were also seen in 1977 flying over the proposed mining area, and 

 using a stockpond (MAOl) in the proposed mining area in June of 1976. However, 

 no evidence of nesting in these areas was observed, and these birds are believed 

 to be non-breeding summer visitors or feeding visitors from the Bio Dry Arm 

 rookeries. 



G reat Blue Heron . Rookeries of this species are found along Big Dry Arm 

 of Fort Peck Reservoir (map 4, table 11). However, although birds were seen 

 throughout the reconnaissance study area in spring and summer, no other rookeries 

 were located during an aerial search of riparian cottonwoods along the Missouri 

 River. A rookery on the Milk River just northwest of the study area has been 

 abandoned since 1977 (Carlson p.c). 



Red-tailed Hawk . This was the most common breeding buteo in the study 

 area. Five nests were located during this study (table 10) including one on 

 the proposed mining area and another within the mine study area. Preferred 

 nesting habitat consisted of open groves or isolated trees of cottonwood or 

 green ash surrounded by grassland and sagebrush or snowberry-rose shrubland. 



Swainson's Hawk . Swainson's Hawk appears to be less common than the red- 

 tailed hawk. No nests were found although several breeding-season observations 

 were made near the Waller Ranch. 



Ferruginous Hawk . This species was relatively rare in 1977. Two nests 

 were located near the northern boundary of the proposed mining area (table 10). 

 The nests were situated on the tops of clay-sandstone buttes (figure 3) in a 

 heavily dissected grassland-coulee and badlands complex area. One successfully 

 fledged four young in 1977; the remains of two dead young were found near the 

 other, which is believed to be an unsuccessful 1976 nest. No other indications 

 of breeding were noted for this species in the study area. 



Golden Eagle . Golden eagles were a rare but frequently seen yearlong 

 resident in the study area. They were observed most frequently in the western 

 half of the study area, especially in badland and big sagebrush scabland habitats 

 in the southwest quarter. One active golden eagle nest was located in the pro- 

 posed mining area, and fledged two young in 1977 (figure 4, table 10), and eagles 

 were frequently observed throughout the area. Two other active nests were found 



57 



