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IL the Joaquin River, the abundant alfalfa and irrigated pasture acreage which lies between these points and the project site most likely entice this hawk to forage on the large rodent populations there rather than journey to outlying western areas where intense grazing of arid grasslands along with ground squirrel control programs result in poor foraging conditions. 4. Because one soaring hawk species, the common red-tailed hawk, was observed at the stock pond ground squirrel colony site, it is conceivable that perhaps during the migration period a Swainson's hawk may also stop here to try its foraging luck. r` D. Other Special Status Avian and Bat Species None of the ground squirrel burrow entrances inspected during the ,. walking transect exhibited signs (crop castings, droppings, etc. ) of owl use. However, one burrowing owl was observed in late afternoon in August near the stock pond site. It appeared to be ! foraging for small side-blotched lizards which where quite.:. � numerous there at that time. When it left the area it flew into the dry range land south of the site . r Only two other special status bird species, the prairie falcon and the northern harrier, were observed on the project site. Each was seen on two occasions during the August portion of the SJKF survey in the area of the small stock pond. The prairie falcon was observed making capture attempts at small passerine bird species which came to the pond edge to drink and forage on insects. The harrier was flying transects across the greater. pond area, presumably in an attempt to capture ground squirrels. Although several observations of flying bats were made during the , night searchlight surveys, none could be positively identified to species. Inspections of all apparent crevice roost sites outside, of the central quarry area failed to reveal the presence of either bats or their droppings. E. Amphibian and Reptile Daylight observations of all pond shoreline areas on the project site failed to reveal the presence of any rapid frogs or turtles. E Their absence in the large irrigation pond may be accounted for by the largemouth bass and white catfish population at this site. The lack of any shoreline cover plus the continuous disturbance of the pond bottom by wading cattle most likely accounts for the absence of the California red-legged frog and western pond turtle, FE here. Dip net sampling of this pond in early January prior to k the creek overflow period failed to reveal any adult tiger salamanders or their eggs. One species which could not be adequately surveyed for during the time span of the study was the western spadefoot toad. It spawns in creek pools and seasonal ponds in mid-spring, and the tadpoles metamorphose and retreat to underground estivation sites by early summer. It is therefore possible that this amphibian inhabits the immediate Lone Tree Creek watershed. I4