Wildlife Specialist report

and Miller, 1997, Hamann et al, 1999). To analyze effects to this species from the
proposed action and each alternative of the Travel Management Project on the GNF
analysis will focus on two factors:
1) To analyze the potential for harvest effects of motorized activities to Peregrine
Falcons we will measure changes in miles of road within Peregrine Falcon Management
Areas, as these miles pertain to the existing condition and the change proposed in each
alternative.
2) To analyze potential disturbance effects we will use a disturbance zone of 2200 meters
(median distance described above) from know nest within Peregrine Falcon Management
Areas as it pertains to the existing condition and the change proposed in each alternative.
Bald Eagle (Regionally Sensitive Species Representative of Lake Habitat, and
Protected Under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act of 1962) - No Bald Eagles
are currently known to nest on the GNF. This species commonly roosts communally,
especially in winter (NatureServe Explorer 2009). Most eagles that breed in Canada and
the northern U.S. move south for winter. Bald Eagles migrate widely over most of North
America (NatureServe Explorer 2009). They winter along oceans or in areas where
carrion is present (Birds of North America Online 2009). They are nearly always found
near water, along rivers, lakes, or the sea coast and coastal marshes, reservoirs, and large
lakes (Birds of North America Online 2009). Mid-winter surveys conducted annually by
the Department (NMDGF) showed that the number of bald eagles wintering in New
Mexico steadily increased during the preceding 15 years, from an annual average of 220
birds in the early 1980's to 450 by the mid 1990's (Bison M 2009). Only two pairs of bald
eagles currently nested in the state (at the time of publication) (Bison M 2009). In New
Mexico on the Gila National Forest Bald Eagles congregate during the winter at Snow
Lake and Lake Roberts. The independent biological consulting agency Geo-Marine was
contracted to survey the Gila National Forest (GNF) for Bald Eagles in the winter season
of 2008-2009. Results of the GNF survey indicate that 2-4 Bald Eagles wintered around
Lake Roberts, and 26 wintered around the Snow Lake area (Preliminary Survey Report
Data from Geo-Marine 2009, and personal communication with Robin Ives, Field
Biologist for Geo-Marine Inc.). The National Bald Eagle Management Guidelines
(USF&W, 2007) offer recommendations for avoiding disturbance at foraging areas and
communal roost sites, though no distances are discussed in this document for communal
roost site disturbance. Richardson and Miller (1997) show vehicle disturbance distances
from 9-990 meters though no mention of non-breeding, roosting eagles is discussed.
Given the literatures lack of discussion on this temporal period of communal roosting,
and the USFWS recommendations it is likely that at the locations on the GNF where Bald
Eagles communally roost during the winter months, (Lake Roberts, Snow Lake, and
Quemado Lake) a roads buffer of 500 meters from known roost sites should provide
adequate conditions to keep vehicles from disturbing eagles at these locations. The
USFWS (2007) recommendations also state that eagles are unlikely to be disturbed by
routine use of roads, homes, and other facilities where such use pre-dates the eagles’
successful nesting activity in a given area. Therefore, in most cases ongoing existing uses
may proceed with the same intensity with little risk of disturbing bald eagles (USFWS,
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