Memo. Kevin Maddoux, Felsburg Holt & Ullevig. Jane Hann, Colorado Department of Transportation Kurt Kellogg, Felsburg Holt & Ullevig

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1 Memo To: cc: From: Kevin Maddoux, Felsburg Holt & Ullevig Jane Hann, Colorado Department of Transportation Kurt Kellogg, Felsburg Holt & Ullevig Keith Hidalgo, Felsburg Holt & Ullevig Date: July 9, 2007 (updated September 20, 2007) Subject: SH 58/Cabela Drive Interchange Field Survey This memorandum is a summary of field survey activities performed by Keith Hidalgo, an environmental scientist with Felsburg Holt & Ullevig (FHU), on June 28, June 29, and September 20, 2007 for the State Highway 58 (SH 58)/Cabela Drive Interchange. The purpose of this field survey was to survey migratory bird nesting trees, trees greater than 2 inches diameter at breast height (dbh), shrub area coverage, and irrigation ditch location in the area of the proposed SH 58/Cabela Drive Interchange. (see Figure 1). METHODOLOGY Tree Data Collection Data pre-processing was done to create files/database for data collection based on Trimble s GeoXM handheld unit (referred to as the unit). The unit has sub-3 feet (ft) to 5 ft accuracy for collecting data in the field based on Global Positioning Systems (GPS). The unit was used to collect GPS via satellite telemetry, locations of individual and stands of trees. Staff collected data near the staked survey of the road and the trail as well as focusing on the design displayed on the unit. Staff did not collect additional data outside of the current (June 27, 2007) proposed interchange design. Due to difficulty of capturing every tree stem that met the 2 inch dbh requirement, points were taken where stands of trees existed near any design features. Staff then used April 2006 aerial imagery with resolution of 1 ft per pixel to delineate additional areas of high tree density. Within these areas tree stands are displayed that were collected via the unit (see Figure 1). When stands of trees were collected, staff collected a point at each stand. For that stand of trees, staff counted the number of trees within a 10 foot radius, noted it within the database and then walked to the next stand of trees for the next count. Data collection occurred on Thursday June 28, Friday June 29, and Thursday September 20, Where tree species were known, the tree species were noted in the database. Where there was an unknown tree species, that point was marked with an unknown. Also collected with the unit was the count of the number of trees within each clump. Over the three days of field surveying, staff collected points that represented individual trees as well as stands of trees. The database for these points included information on tree location, tree species, number of trees, shrub information, and other possible data of interest. 1

2 Bird Nest Trees While collecting data points for trees, staff searched individual trees and stands of trees for presence of nesting birds. This was done by visual observation and by song cues from migratory birds in the area. It is possible that not all nests were identified based on density of vegetation in the project area. Due to how late in the season the survey was done (end of June and September) the majority of the migratory birds in the survey area have young that were already fledged. However staff did follow actively calling birds in search of their nests. When a nest was found, it was marked by using the unit and a picture was taken of the nest, and if possible the bird species was identified. All nests found were observed to be of older nesting material and staff believed these nests to be inactive. However there were many species observed to be calling and potentially be in mating behavior. A total of 19 nest tree points were collected on the unit. Refer to bird species seen in Appendix A for species that are possibly still actively nesting or are potentially producing a second clutch of eggs. Past Experience/Qualifications of FHU Staff: Keith Hidalgo with FHU conducted the field survey at the project site for nesting migratory birds. Mr Hidalgo has a B.S. in Wildlife Biology from CSU (2001) with past work experience including: Field Surveying for SH 2/104 th Ave for raptor nesting, migratory bird nesting, burrowing owl nests and cliff swallow nesting under a bridge culvert. (2005 to 2006) Field Surveying for 144 th Ave/I-25 raptor nests/burrowing owls. (2006) Surveying for migratory grassland birds with the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory (2002). Breeding-bird surveys, and surveying for the Endangered Southwestern Willow Flycatcher with the Bureau of Reclamation in New Mexico (1999). Shrub Area Cover Shrub areas were identified in the field and delineated by walking around the shrub area with the unit as well as collecting some shrubs individually. Visual observations note that the majority of the site is weedy except for areas near water which contained willow species. (see Figure 1). Ditch Locations Staff also used the unit to locate additional irrigation ditches, culverts, diversion gates, and stormwater ditches during the survey. (see Figure 1). Post-Processing Data Data was downloaded from the unit and quality checked for any errors and additional information was added into the database where possible. Data was also cleaned up and corrected based on 2006 DRAPP 1 ft resolution aerial imagery. This data can be made available in the following digital formats: PDF, JPG, Shapefile, DWG, DXF, DGN. Please submit any requests to FHU. Also refer to Appendix B for additional photos and information taken during the field survey. 2

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4 Appendix A SPECIES TYPE NUMBER SEEN SEX BEHAVIOR American Widgeon Bird 7 males/females Calling/Feeding/Flight American Goldfinch Bird 3 males Calling American Robin Bird 4 unknown Flight Belted Kingfisher Bird 1 unknown Calling/Feeding/Flight Black-billed Magpie Bird 3+ unknown Calling/Feeding/Flight Black-capped Chicadee Bird 4 or 5 males/females Calling Brown-headed Cowbird Bird 2 1 male/1 female Calling Bullocks Oriole Bird 2 male Flight Common Grackle Bird 3 male Calling Downy Woodpecker Bird 2 1 male/1 female Feeding European Starlings Bird >10 males/females Calling House Finch Bird >6 males/females Calling House Sparrow Bird >6 males/females Calling Mallard Ducks Bird 3 males/females Flight Mourning Dove Bird >5 unknown Calling/Feeding/Flight Red-wing Black Bird Bird >8 males/females Calling/Feeding/Flight Song Sparrow Bird 2 or 3 males Calling Spotted Towhee Bird 2 or 3 males Calling Yellow Warbler Bird 1 male Calling/Feeding/Flight Yellow-breasted Chat Bird 2 males Calling/Feeding/Flight Cottonwood Tree Many Russian Olive Tree Many Tamarisk (Salt Cedar) Tree 1 Unknown 1 Tree Many Unknown 2 Tree Many Unknown 3 Tree Many Willow Shrub Many 4

5 Appendix B PHOTO LOG Picture of access road dropping in elevation on Coors site, coyote den in the trees to the right Russian olive and elm trees were present within surveyed area. 5

6 Densely packed trees along the proposed trail alignment. Many trees will need to be removed to construct the trail. The current design centerline is staked and survey was done based on GPS data and surveyed alignment. Holding pond on west side of alignment. 6

7 Potential nest from earlier in the year. Robin or other song-bird nest. Male song-sparrow observed singing, mating call. A pair of downy woodpeckers at the site feeding. 7

8 Coyote den along access road. 2 adult coyotes and 1 coyote pup observed here and along the pockmarked embankment going north-south on the east side of the design. Possible magpie or squirrel nest that is possibly active. Magpies seen near the site, not known if they were juveniles or adults. Another den entrance into the embankment on the east side of the design. 8

9 Another possible magpie or squirrel nest. Picture displaying an elm tree. Several rabbits were observed at the site. 9

10 Unknown Tree Species Maple trees within the site. Old nest located during field survey. 10

11 Pipe outlet for Juchem Ditch (?). Very high flow when conducting field surveys. Large nest, possibly magpie. No visible nesting activity though. Stake for proposed trail alongside irrigation ditch. 11

12 Concrete culvert inlet for high flowing Juchem Ditch (?) Dense tree cover near proposed trail. Older nest, possibly made by an American Robin. No nest activity. 12

13 Mallard hen swimming in Clear Creek. Additional survey south of railroad adjacent to clear creek. Heavily vegetated in willow. Additional survey south of railroad, picture displays dense willow along Clear Creek. 13