An assessment of potential conflicts between nesting raptors and human activities in the Long Pines area of southeastern Montana : with special emphasis on uranium development : final report /

Abstract

A survey of nesting raptors was conducted during the 1977 and 1978 nesting seasons in the Long Pines area of southeastern Montana to outline potential conflicts between birds of prey and human activities, particularly uranium exploration and development. Observations were oriented toward locating nests of cliff-nesting Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) and Prairie Falcons (F alco mexicanus) , but eight other raptor species were found to be actual or probable nesting species in the area. These were the Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) , Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) , American Harrier (Circus cyaneus) , Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) , Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) , Red^tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) , American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) , and Merlin (Falco columbarius). Five additional species, the Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni) , Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis) , Burrowing Owl (Speotyto cunicularia) , Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) , and Short-eared Owl (Asio f lammeus) were observed occasionally. The latter two '. ii nests at which fledging success was determined in 1977. In 1978 production was 2.42 young per active aerie at 12 sites, and 4.14 young per successful aerie at the seven sites which fledged young. Exposure of cliff nests was apparently correlated with the predominant cliffs of the study area, and nests were apparently chosen on the basis of nest site availability rather than on preferences for specific exposures. Limited productivity information was also gathered for other species, including Cooper's Hawks, Red-tailed Hawks, Kestrels, and Merlins. The extent of past and present activities in the study area was assessed. Mining has been limited, and surface or underground mining are unlikely to occur. Livestock grazing, timber harvest, recreation, and uranium exploration or mining are or may be important activities in the study area. Suggestions for minimizing possible conflicts between these activities and nesting raptors were outlined. These included specific recommendations associated with particular activities, but also included general recommendations for disturbances near known cliff nest sites, as cliff nesting species are those which may be most affected by human activities. These recorancndations include (1) avoidance of all activities around known Golden Eagle and Prairie Falcon nests at all times, (2) initiating mining or other activities after the nesting season when possible, and (3) establishing "no-disturbance" zones around nests of most raptors during the nesting season. Each conflict between proposed activities and the requirements of nesting raptors should be considered individually.

Rocky Mountain front raptor survey, December 1982-August 1984

“…Suggested buffer zones are based upon recommendations by Becker (1982) , Suter and Joness (1981), Becker andBall (1981a, 1981b), Thurow et al (1980), Call (1979), and Allen (1979). the buffer zones may be adjusted to allow for topographic features which offer screening from disturbance, or for less tolerant individual raptors, but buffer zones should not be less than 300 m in any case.…”