Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Roca Honda Mine

Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences
Olive-sided flycatchers were also detected on the Rinconada Canyon BBS (USFS, 2010b). Loss
of wintering habitat is a continuing threat to this species and this species has declined seriously
throughout much of it range. Nesting occurs in open cup of twigs, rootlets, and lichens that are
placed out near tips of horizontal tree branches (Altman and Sallabanks, 2000).
While uncommon, Black-chinned hummingbirds have been observed within the permit area
and habitat includes piñon-juniper woodlands and juniper savannahs. This species breeds in lower
wooded areas of the permit area and generally vacates by early August (RHR, 2011a). Blackchinned
humming birds have also been detected on the USGS Mt. Taylor and Rinconada Canyon
BBS routes (USGS, 2010; USFS, 2010b). This species of hummingbird is one of the most
adaptable and black-chinned hummingbirds have been found often in urban areas and recently
disturbed habitat as well as pristine natural areas. Black-chinned hummingbird populations are
considered generally stable or increasing in some areas. In areas with arid conditions, the blackchinned
hummingbird depends on intact streamside habitats. On average, nesting occurs 6 to 12
feet above the ground and is often on dead, horizontal tree branches below the canopy (Baltosser
and Russell, 2000).
While uncommon, broad-tailed hummingbirds have been observed within the permit area and
habitat includes piñon-juniper woodlands. This species is a summer resident and uncommon fall
migrant. Within the permit area, this species is found nesting primarily in the highest portions of
Jesus Mesa (RHR, 2011a). Broad-tailed hummingbirds have also been detected on the USGS Mt.
Taylor and Rinconada Canyon BBS routes (USGS, 2010; USFS, 2010b). Although there are not
enough data available to determine population trends for this species, this species is considered
secure and numbers may be increasing. Nests are typically found in areas with an adequate food
supply. This species typically looks for conifer, willow, alder, or cottonwood trees and places
nests on low branches shielded by overhanging limbs or trunk deformities (NatureServe, 2012e;
Calder and Cadar, 1992).
Though rarely (less than three records), scaled quail has been observed in desert grassland
habitat of the permit area. Overall, this site is too high in elevation for this species (RHR, 2011a).
Scaled quails have not been detected on the USGS Mt. Taylor or Rinconada Canyon BBS routes
(USGS, 2010; USFS, 2010b). Scaled quail are highly social, live in large groups, are grounddwelling
birds of the southwestern desert grasslands, and this species typically runs to escape
enemies rather than flying. Scaled quails hide their nests on the ground within dense vegetation
which can include yucca plants, small bushes, potato patches, honey mesquite, packrat mounds,
dead Russian thistle, sand sagebrush, acacia, and other desert herbs and shurbs. This species’
boom-and-bust population cycles make it hard to estimate long-term trends, though populations
seem to have declined sharply in the past decades. The main threat to this species is the reduction
of food and cover that results from overgrazing (Schemnitz, 1994).
Grace’s warblers are not known to occur within the permit area and this species was not
observed during surveys. Grace’s warblers have been detected on the USGS Mt. Taylor and
Rinconada Canyon BBS routes (USGS, 2010; USFS, 2010b). This species nests in trees and is
typically found in treetops. While little information on population trends is available for this
species, Grace’s warblers are considered common (Stacier and Guzy, 2002).
Vesper sparrows are a rare migrant species within the permit area on desert grasslands. While
this area contains areas of suitable breeding habitat, the species was found to be completely
absent during the nesting season. The permit area is probably too arid for this species to breed
226 DEIS for Roca Honda Mine, Cibola National Forest