Wildlife Specialist report

Findings:
Table66: Hairy woodpecker Gila National Forest management indicator species
determination by alternative
Management
Indicator Species
Alt. B
Existing Condition
Determination by Alternative
Alt. C Alt. D Alt. E Alt. F Alt. G
Hairy woodpecker *NA NA NA NA NA
Rationale for
determination
Under alternatives D, E, F, and G, the potential effects to cavity nesting birds are reduced.
Alternative C slightly increases the miles of motorized routes, but reduces the effects of
motorized cross-country travel. The potential to cause the unintentional take of individuals
exist under all action alternatives, but the population and habitat trends for the hairy
woodpecker would not be affected by any of the action alternatives.
*NA – No adverse effects to the population or habitat trends
Riparian Birds
Table67: Riparian bird species selected to be analyzed and rationale for selection
Species Analyzed Rationale For Selection
Southwestern willow flycatcher Federally “Endangered” species with designated
critical habitat, and NMPIF high-priority species
Northern gray hawk FS Sensitive Species
Western yellow-billed cuckoo FS Sensitive Species
Arizona Bell’s vireo FS Sensitive Species
Albert’s towhee¹ NMPIF high-priority species in low and middle
elevation riparian areas.
Gila woodpecker¹ FS Sensitive Species and NMPIF high-priority species
in low and middle elevation riparian areas.
Common ground dove¹ FS Sensitive Species and NMPIF high priority species
in low and middle elevation riparian areas.
Black hawk FS Sensitive Species, Gila MIS Species, and NMPIF
high-priority species in low and middle elevation
riparian areas.
Red-naped sapsucker² NMPIF high-priority species
Neotropic cormorant FS Sensitive Species
Wilson’s Phalarope NMPIF high-priority species for wetland/wet meadow
habitat
¹The low- to middle-elevation riparian analysis area for this group of focal species will be used to determine potential
effects to other New Mexico Partners in Flight high-priority species that occur in this habitat type (Elf Owl, Lucy’s
Warbler, and Summer Tanager).
²The high-elevation riparian analysis area for this focal species will be used to determine potential effects to other New
Mexico Partners in Flight high-priority species that occur in this habitat type (Black Swift, Hammond’s Flycatcher,
American Dipper, MacGillivray’s Warbler, and Painted Red Start).
As with the amphibian analysis included in this report, avian species that occupy riparian
habitat on the Gila National Forest can be affected by vehicular traffic and roads by
disturbance at a specific site, displacement or avoidance, habitat loss or fragmentation,
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