HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemorandums - Ecological - 09/10/2025
Technical Memo
PO Box 272150
Fort Collins, CO 80527
To: City of Fort Collins, Planning, Development, and Transportation, Environmental Department
From: Cedar Creek Associates, Inc.
Date: September 10th, 2025
Subject: Harmony Lakes - Ecological Characterization Study
This Ecological Characterization Study (ECS) Memo is submitted to address City of Fort Collins
Land Use Code (Section 3.4.1) requirements to ensure new developments limit/mitigate their
impact on wildlife and wildlife habitat, and that they minimize environmental impacts. The Project
Site is approximately 19.20 acres, comprised of parcels 8603000011 and 8603000010, and is situated
south of Harmony Road (Highway 38 west of Interstate Highway 25) (Figure 1). Ecological
characteristics were evaluated on August 13, 2025, by Cedar Creek’s Ecologist, Mr. Hunter
Koperweis.
A data review was conducted to gather information and aid in the evaluation of potential natural
biological resources within the property. The data review entailed an evaluation of online resources
and publications to determine the presence or potential occurrence of important natural and
biological resources. This data review includes:
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Federally Listed and Proposed Endangered,
Threatened, and Candidate Species and Critical Habitat as identified by the USFWS
Information, Planning, and Conservation System (IPaC) Official Species List and Critical
Habitat Mapper.
• Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) and Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA)
protected species as identified on the IPAC Trust Resources Report.
• Colorado's Conservation Data Explorer (CODEX).
• Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Threatened and Endangered Species List.
• City’s Natural Areas Species of Concern list (Restoration Plan 2016-2025, 2016).
• The City’s Land Use Code (Article 3, Section 3.4.1).
• The City’s Natural Habitat and Features Inventory Map (2000).
• The Colorado Wetland Inventory (CWI).
• USFWS National Wetlands Inventory (NWI); and
• US Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Web Soil Survey.
The following provides a summary of information required by Fort Collins Land Use Code under
3.4.1 (D) (1) items (a) through (k).
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ECOLOGICAL STUDY CHARACTERIZATION CHECKLIST
(a & j – General Ecological Function and Wildlife Use) The majority of the project area has
been disturbed for the operations of the plant nursery. However, there are upland herbaceous
communities on the eastern portion of the property. Within this area, there was an established
prairie dog colony of approximately 2.78 acres. It is important to note the project's proximity to the
Arapahoe Natural Area and the Poudre River corridor. Arapahoe Natural Area sits just north of the
project site on the northern side of Harmony Road. The Poudre River is about ½ mile to the east
of the project area.
A grove of landscaping trees is located around the home/office site on the northwest corner of the
project area, which could support migratory bird nesting, but none were observed during the site
visit.
Along the south edge of the property, there is a former irrigation pond (for the plant nursery
operations, which likely sustained the cottonwoods and curly dock observed in the area. The
cottonwoods could support migratory bird nesting, but none were observed during the site visit.
The project area borders two significant aquatic features: a 3.76-acre unnamed pond to the
southeast of the project area, and a 42.39-acre unnamed lake to the southwest of the project area.
Both bodies of water contained mature trees, and various bird species were observed on-site. One
species of note is a Swansons Hawk that was seen diving close to the edge of the lake to the
southwest during the site visit. Additionally, American Robins, a Great Blue Heron, and American
Goldfinches were observed near the lake as well. Since mature trees surround these bodies of
water, it is essential to recognize that these trees are crucial for the birds mentioned, as well as
migratory and other local bird species. Both bodies of water supported a variety of wetland
vegetation.
The attached photos provide representative views of the Project Site.
Overall, wildlife, particularly avian species, are likely to be present in the Project Area due to the
presence of two large water bodies. The project's proximity to adjacent and nearby undeveloped
lands and numerous bodies of water, streams, and rivers offers many benefits to wildlife.
(b & f—Wetland and Water Delineation) Both unnamed bodies of water are the primary aquatic
features within 500 feet of the project site (Figure 2) and are displayed on the National Wetlands
Inventory and City of Fort Collins Natural Features Mapping. Both bodies of water are essential for
local and migratory avian species, offering essential resting and mating habitats.
(c—Prominent Views) No prominent views exist within the project area.
(d – Native Vegetation Summary) As noted under sections (a & j), the project area does not
support an extensive population of native vegetation. However, some individuals were seen
throughout the project area. The upland and dry drainage areas are characterized by upland
grassland species, including common sunflower (Helianthus annuus), horseweed (Erigeron
canadensis), eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides), rubber rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa),
rough cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium), showy milkweed (Asclepias speciosa), western
tansymustard (Descurainia pinnata), and various annual weeds. Along the boundary of both bodies
of water, cattails (Typha sp.), willow (Salix sp.), eastern cottonwood, elms (Ulmus sp.), and various
sedges (Eleocharis sp.) and rushes (Carex sp.) predominate.
(e – Non-native Vegetation Summary) The site is comprised primarily of non-native
vegetation, as described in the section above. Noxious weeds observed on site include scotch cotton
thistle (Onopordum acanthium), Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), field bindweed (Convolvulus
arvensis), and Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia). Annual weeds observed in the project area
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were annual rabbit’s footgrass (Polypogon monspeliensis), burningbush (Bassia scoparia), common
ragweed (Ambrosia atemisiifolia), curly dock (Rumex crispus), lambsquarters (Chenopodium
album), and prickly russian thistle (Salsola tragus)
(g – Sensitive Species Habitat) There are no sensitive species habitats located in the Project
Area or Study Area. The attached CODEX report indicates that documented occurrences of protected
species have occurred within 1 mile of the Project Area.
(h – Special Habitat Features) The City of Fort Collins Natural Features mapping identifies
riparian forest and riparian mixed forest associated with the lakes in the study area (Figure 2) During
the site visit, an active Osprey nest was observed within 500 feet of the project boundary on top of
the adjacent gas station’s price sign. In addition, a second inactive raptor nest was observed atop
the cell tower that is situated on the northern central portion of the project. As mentioned in sections
A and J, prairie dog activity was observed on-site. The colony was observed on the eastern side of
the project area and was approximately 2.78 acres (Figure 3).
(i – Wildlife Movement Corridors) The adjacent bodies of water and undeveloped lands to the
south of the project area provide a corridor for wildlife to move between habitat features.
(k – Timing Issues) Due to the mature trees enveloping both bodies of water, migratory bird
species must be considered when preparing to break ground. Additionally, with a potentially active
raptor nest (osprey in 2025) within 500 feet of the project area, precautions must be taken. The
Migratory Bird Treaty Act protects nesting migratory birds, and pre-clearance surveys ahead of
planned ground-disturbing activities during the nesting season would ensure compliance with the
act. The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Recommended Buffer Zones and Seasonal Restrictions for
Colorado Raptors (2020) state that no permitted, authorized, or human encroachment activities
shall occur within ¼ mile (1320 feet, 400 meters) radius of active nests from March 15 through
August 15. Some osprey populations have habituated and are tolerant of human activity in the
immediate vicinity of their nests.
(l—Proposed Mitigation)
• In accordance with Section 3.4 of the land use code, both lakes in proximity to the project
shall receive a 100-foot buffer to serve as a Natural Habitat Buffer Zone (Figure 3).
• The intensity of night lighting from portions of the proposed development near both bodies
of water should be shielded or directed to minimize the intrusion of artificial nighttime light
into these areas.
• A Prairie Dog Management Plan will need to be prepared to develop a plan for where the
colony was observed.
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This photo shows the disturbed plant nursery upland area.
This photo shows the central upland area with little vegetation.
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This photo shows the eastern upland area that is within the prairie dog footprint.
This photo was taken in the northern upland area.
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This photo shows the vegetation community near the eastern upland area.
This photo was taken in the upland area near the dry pond area.
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This photo shows the vegetation community surrounding the southwestern lake.
This photo shows the vegetation community surrounding the southeastern pond.
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This photo reveals the presence of prairie dog colonies.
This photo shows the active Osprey nest.
Page 1 of 15
IPaC resource list
This report is an automatically generated list of species and other resources such as critical
habitat (collectively referred to as trust resources) under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's
(USFWS) jurisdiction that are known or expected to be on or near the project area referenced
below. The list may also include trust resources that occur outside of the project area, but that
could potentially be directly or indirectly affected by activities in the project area. However,
determining the likelihood and extent of effects a project may have on trust resources typically
requires gathering additional site-specific (e.g., vegetation/species surveys) and project-specific
(e.g., magnitude and timing of proposed activities) information.
Below is a summary of the project information you provided and contact information for the
USFWS office(s) with jurisdiction in the defined project area. Please read the introduction to each
section that follows (Endangered Species, Migratory Birds, USFWS Facilities, and NWI Wetlands)
for additional information applicable to the trust resources addressed in that section.
Location
Larimer County, Colorado
Local office
Colorado Ecological Services Field Office
(303) 236-4773
(303) 236-4005
MAILING ADDRESS
Denver Federal Center
U.S. Fish & Wildlife ServiceIPaC
P.O. Box 25486
Denver, CO 80225-0486
PHYSICAL ADDRESS
1 Denver Federal Center
Bldg 53 Room Fw100}
Denver, CO 80225-0001
Endangered species
This resource list is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an analysis of
project level impacts.
The primary information used to generate this list is the known or expected range of each species.
Additional areas of influence (AOI) for species are also considered. An AOI includes areas outside
of the species range if the species could be indirectly affected by activities in that area (e.g.,
placing a dam upstream of a fish population even if that fish does not occur at the dam site, may
indirectly impact the species by reducing or eliminating water flow downstream). Because species
can move, and site conditions can change, the species on this list are not guaranteed to be found
on or near the project area. To fully determine any potential effects to species, additional site-
specific and project-specific information is often required.
Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act requires Federal agencies to "request of the Secretary
information whether any species which is listed or proposed to be listed may be present in the
area of such proposed action" for any project that is conducted, permitted, funded, or licensed by
any Federal agency. A letter from the local office and a species list which fulfills this requirement
can only be obtained by requesting an official species list from either the Regulatory Review
section in IPaC (see directions below) or from the local field office directly.
For project evaluations that require USFWS concurrence/review, please return to the IPaC
website and request an official species list by doing the following:
1. Draw the project location and click CONTINUE.
2. Click DEFINE PROJECT.
3. Log in (if directed to do so).
4. Provide a name and description for your project.
5. Click REQUEST SPECIES LIST.
Listed species and their critical habitats are managed by the Ecological Services Program of the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the fisheries division of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA Fisheries ).
Species and critical habitats under the sole responsibility of NOAA Fisheries are not shown on
this list. Please contact NOAA Fisheries for species under their jurisdiction.
1. Species listed under the Endangered Species Act are threatened or endangered; IPaC also
shows species that are candidates, or proposed, for listing. See the listing status page for
more information. IPaC only shows species that are regulated by USFWS (see FAQ).
2. NOAA Fisheries, also known as the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), is an office of
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration within the Department of Commerce.
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The following species are potentially affected by activities in this location:
Mammals
Birds
Fishes
NAME STATUS
Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse Zapus hudsonius preblei
Wherever found
There is final critical habitat for this species. Your location does not
overlap the critical habitat.
https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/4090
Threatened
NAME STATUS
Eastern Black Rail Laterallus jamaicensis ssp. jamaicensis
Wherever found
No critical habitat has been designated for this species.
https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/10477
Threatened
Piping Plover Charadrius melodus
This species only needs to be considered if the following condition
applies:
Project includes water-related activities and/or use in the N.
Platte, S. Platte, and Laramie River Basins which may affect
listed species in Nebraska.
There is final critical habitat for this species. Your location does not
overlap the critical habitat.
https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/6039
Threatened
Whooping Crane Grus americana
There is final critical habitat for this species. Your location does not
overlap the critical habitat.
https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/758
Endangered
NAME STATUS
Insects
Flowering Plants
Pallid Sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus
Wherever found
This species only needs to be considered if the following condition
applies:
Water use or contamination may adversely affect the species.
Within the Platte River basin, depletions may adversely affect
the species. These affects must be considered even outside
occupied range. See local FWS office for more information.
No critical habitat has been designated for this species.
https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/7162
Endangered
NAME STATUS
Monarch Butterfly Danaus plexippus
Wherever found
There is proposed critical habitat for this species. Your location
does not overlap the critical habitat.
https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/9743
Proposed Threatened
Suckley's Cuckoo Bumble Bee Bombus suckleyi
No critical habitat has been designated for this species.
https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/10885
Proposed Endangered
NAME STATUS
Ute Ladies'-tresses Spiranthes diluvialis
Wherever found
No critical habitat has been designated for this species.
https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/2159
Threatened
Western Prairie Fringed Orchid Platanthera praeclara
Wherever found
No critical habitat has been designated for this species.
https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/1669
Threatened
Critical habitats
Potential effects to critical habitat(s) in this location must be analyzed along with the
endangered species themselves.
There are no critical habitats at this location.
You are still required to determine if your project(s) may have effects on all
above listed species.
Bald & Golden Eagles
There are Bald Eagles and/or Golden Eagles in your project area.
Measures for Proactively Minimizing Eagle Impacts
For information on how to best avoid and minimize disturbance to nesting bald eagles, please
review the National Bald Eagle Management Guidelines. You may employ the timing and activity-
specific distance recommendations in this document when designing your project/activity to avoid
and minimize eagle impacts. For bald eagle information specific to Alaska, please refer to Bald
Eagle Nesting and Sensitivity to Human Activity.
Bald and Golden Eagles are protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the
Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) . Any person or organization who plans or conducts activities
that may result in impacts to Bald or Golden Eagles, or their habitats, should follow appropriate
regulations and consider implementing appropriate avoidance and minimization measures, as
described in the various links on this page.
Additional information can be found using the following links:
Eagle Management https://www.fws.gov/program/eagle-management
Measures for avoiding and minimizing impacts to birds
https://www.fws.gov/library/collections/avoiding-and-minimizing-incidental-take-migratory-birds
Nationwide avoidance and minimization measures for birds
https://www.fws.gov/sites/default/files/documents/nationwide-standard-conservation-
measures.pdf
Supplemental Information for Migratory Birds and Eagles in IPaC
https://www.fws.gov/media/supplemental-information-migratory-birds-and-bald-and-golden-
eagles-may-occur-project-action
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The FWS does not currently have guidelines for avoiding and minimizing disturbance to nesting
Golden Eagles. For site-specific recommendations regarding nesting Golden Eagles, please
consult with the appropriate Regional Migratory Bird Office or Ecological Services Field Office.
If disturbance or take of eagles cannot be avoided, an incidental take permit may be available to
authorize any take that results from, but is not the purpose of, an otherwise lawful activity. For
assistance making this determination for Bald Eagles, visit the Do I Need A Permit Tool. For
assistance making this determination for golden eagles, please consult with the appropriate
Regional Migratory Bird Office or Ecological Services Field Office.
Ensure Your Eagle List is Accurate and Complete
If your project area is in a poorly surveyed area in IPaC, your list may not be complete and you
may need to rely on other resources to determine what species may be present (e.g. your local
FWS field office, state surveys, your own surveys). Please review the Supplemental Information
on Migratory Birds and Eagles, to help you properly interpret the report for your specified location,
including determining if there is sufficient data to ensure your list is accurate.
For guidance on when to schedule activities or implement avoidance and minimization measures
to reduce impacts to bald or golden eagles on your list, see the "Probability of Presence
Summary" below to see when these bald or golden eagles are most likely to be present and
breeding in your project area.
Review the FAQs
The FAQs below provide important additional information and resources.
BREEDING SEASON
Probability of Presence Summary
The graphs below provide our best understanding of when birds of concern are most likely to be
present in your project area. This information can be used to tailor and schedule your project
activities to avoid or minimize impacts to birds. Please make sure you read "Supplemental
NAME
Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus
This is not a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) in this area, but
warrants attention because of the Eagle Act or for potential
susceptibilities in offshore areas from certain types of development
or activities.
https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/1626
Breeds Oct 15 to Jul 31
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos
This is not a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) in this area, but
warrants attention because of the Eagle Act or for potential
susceptibilities in offshore areas from certain types of development
or activities.
https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/1680
Breeds Dec 1 to Aug 31
Information on Migratory Birds and Eagles", specifically the FAQ section titled "Proper
Interpretation and Use of Your Migratory Bird Report" before using or attempting to interpret this
report.
Probability of Presence ()
Each green bar represents the bird's relative probability of presence in the 10km grid cell(s) your
project overlaps during a particular week of the year. (A year is represented as 12 4-week
months.) A taller bar indicates a higher probability of species presence. The survey effort (see
below) can be used to establish a level of confidence in the presence score. One can have higher
confidence in the presence score if the corresponding survey effort is also high.
How is the probability of presence score calculated? The calculation is done in three steps:
1. The probability of presence for each week is calculated as the number of survey events in the
week where the species was detected divided by the total number of survey events for that
week. For example, if in week 12 there were 20 survey events and the Spotted Towhee was
found in 5 of them, the probability of presence of the Spotted Towhee in week 12 is 0.25.
2. To properly present the pattern of presence across the year, the relative probability of
presence is calculated. This is the probability of presence divided by the maximum probability
of presence across all weeks. For example, imagine the probability of presence in week 20 for
the Spotted Towhee is 0.05, and that the probability of presence at week 12 (0.25) is the
maximum of any week of the year. The relative probability of presence on week 12 is 0.25/0.25
= 1; at week 20 it is 0.05/0.25 = 0.2.
3. The relative probability of presence calculated in the previous step undergoes a statistical
conversion so that all possible values fall between 0 and 10, inclusive. This is the probability of
presence score.
To see a bar's probability of presence score, simply hover your mouse cursor over the bar.
Breeding Season ()
Yellow bars denote a very liberal estimate of the time-frame inside which the bird breeds across its
entire range. If there are no yellow bars shown for a bird, it does not breed in your project area.
Survey Effort ()
Vertical black lines superimposed on probability of presence bars indicate the number of surveys
performed for that species in the 10km grid cell(s) your project area overlaps. The number of
surveys is expressed as a range, for example, 33 to 64 surveys.
To see a bar's survey effort range, simply hover your mouse cursor over the bar.
No Data ()
A week is marked as having no data if there were no survey events for that week.
Survey Timeframe
Surveys from only the last 10 years are used in order to ensure delivery of currently relevant
information. The exception to this is areas off the Atlantic coast, where bird returns are based on
all years of available data, since data in these areas is currently much more sparse.
no data survey effort breeding season probability of presence
SPECIES JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Bald Eagle
Non-BCC
Vulnerable
Golden Eagle
Non-BCC
Vulnerable
Bald & Golden Eagles FAQs
What does IPaC use to generate the potential presence of bald and golden eagles in my specified
location?
The potential for eagle presence is derived from data provided by the Avian Knowledge Network (AKN). The AKN
data is based on a growing collection of survey, banding, and citizen science datasets and is queried and filtered
to return a list of those birds reported as occurring in the 10km grid cell(s) which your project intersects, and that
have been identified as warranting special attention because they are an eagle (Bald and Golden Eagle
Protection Act requirements may apply).
Proper interpretation and use of your eagle report
On the graphs provided, please look carefully at the survey effort (indicated by the black vertical line) and for the
existence of the "no data" indicator (a red horizontal line). A high survey effort is the key component. If the survey
effort is high, then the probability of presence score can be viewed as more dependable. In contrast, a low
survey effort line or no data line (red horizontal) means a lack of data and, therefore, a lack of certainty about
presence of the species. This list is not perfect; it is simply a starting point for identifying what birds have the
potential to be in your project area, when they might be there, and if they might be breeding (which means nests
might be present). The list and associated information help you know what to look for to confirm presence and
helps guide you in knowing when to implement avoidance and minimization measures to eliminate or reduce
potential impacts from your project activities or get the appropriate permits should presence be confirmed.
How do I know if eagles are breeding, wintering, or migrating in my area?
To see what part of a particular bird's range your project area falls within (i.e. breeding, wintering, migrating, or
resident), you may query your location using the RAIL Tool and view the range maps provided for birds in your
area at the bottom of the profiles provided for each bird in your results. If an eagle on your IPaC migratory bird
species list has a breeding season associated with it (indicated by yellow vertical bars on the phenology graph in
your “IPaC PROBABILITY OF PRESENCE SUMMARY” at the top of your results list), there may be nests
present at some point within the timeframe specified. If "Breeds elsewhere" is indicated, then the bird likely does
not breed in your project area.
Interpreting the Probability of Presence Graphs
Each green bar represents the bird's relative probability of presence in the 10km grid cell(s) your project overlaps
during a particular week of the year. A taller bar indicates a higher probability of species presence. The survey
effort can be used to establish a level of confidence in the presence score.
How is the probability of presence score calculated? The calculation is done in three steps:
The probability of presence for each week is calculated as the number of survey events in the week where the
species was detected divided by the total number of survey events for that week. For example, if in week 12
there were 20 survey events and the Spotted Towhee was found in 5 of them, the probability of presence of the
Spotted Towhee in week 12 is 0.25.
To properly present the pattern of presence across the year, the relative probability of presence is calculated.
This is the probability of presence divided by the maximum probability of presence across all weeks. For
example, imagine the probability of presence in week 20 for the Spotted Towhee is 0.05, and that the probability
of presence at week 12 (0.25) is the maximum of any week of the year. The relative probability of presence on
week 12 is 0.25/0.25 = 1; at week 20 it is 0.05/0.25 = 0.2.
The relative probability of presence calculated in the previous step undergoes a statistical conversion so that all
possible values fall between 0 and 10, inclusive. This is the probability of presence score.
Breeding Season ()
Yellow bars denote a very liberal estimate of the time-frame inside which the bird breeds across its entire range.
If there are no yellow bars shown for a bird, it does not breed in your project area.
Survey Effort ()
Vertical black lines superimposed on probability of presence bars indicate the number of surveys performed for
that species in the 10km grid cell(s) your project area overlaps.
No Data ()
A week is marked as having no data if there were no survey events for that week.
Survey Timeframe
Surveys from only the last 10 years are used in order to ensure delivery of currently relevant information. The
exception to this is areas off the Atlantic coast, where bird returns are based on all years of available data, since
data in these areas is currently much more sparse.
Migratory birds
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) prohibits the take (including killing, capturing, selling,
trading, and transport) of protected migratory bird species without prior authorization by the
Department of Interior U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service).
1. The Migratory Birds Treaty Act of 1918.
2. The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act of 1940.
Additional information can be found using the following links:
Eagle Management https://www.fws.gov/program/eagle-management
Measures for avoiding and minimizing impacts to birds
https://www.fws.gov/library/collections/avoiding-and-minimizing-incidental-take-migratory-birds
Nationwide avoidance and minimization measures for birds
Supplemental Information for Migratory Birds and Eagles in IPaC
https://www.fws.gov/media/supplemental-information-migratory-birds-and-bald-and-golden-
eagles-may-occur-project-action
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Measures for Proactively Minimizing Migratory Bird Impacts
Your IPaC Migratory Bird list showcases birds of concern, including Birds of Conservation
Concern (BCC), in your project location. This is not a comprehensive list of all birds found in your
project area. However, you can help proactively minimize significant impacts to all birds at your
project location by implementing the measures in the Nationwide avoidance and minimization
measures for birds document, and any other project-specific avoidance and minimization
measures suggested at the link Measures for avoiding and minimizing impacts to birds for the
birds of concern on your list below.
Ensure Your Migratory Bird List is Accurate and Complete
If your project area is in a poorly surveyed area, your list may not be complete and you may need
to rely on other resources to determine what species may be present (e.g. your local FWS field
office, state surveys, your own surveys). Please review the Supplemental Information on Migratory
Birds and Eagles document, to help you properly interpret the report for your specified location,
including determining if there is sufficient data to ensure your list is accurate.
For guidance on when to schedule activities or implement avoidance and minimization measures
to reduce impacts to migratory birds on your list, see the "Probability of Presence Summary"
below to see when these birds are most likely to be present and breeding in your project area.
Review the FAQs
The FAQs below provide important additional information and resources.
BREEDING SEASONNAME
Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus
This is not a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) in this area, but
warrants attention because of the Eagle Act or for potential
susceptibilities in offshore areas from certain types of development
or activities.
https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/1626
Breeds Oct 15 to Jul 31
Broad-tailed Hummingbird Selasphorus platycercus
This is a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) throughout its range
in the continental USA and Alaska.
Breeds May 25 to Aug 21
Chestnut-collared Longspur Calcarius ornatus
This is a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) throughout its range
in the continental USA and Alaska.
Breeds May 1 to Aug 10
Chimney Swift Chaetura pelagica
This is a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) throughout its range
in the continental USA and Alaska.
Breeds Mar 15 to Aug 25
Clark's Grebe Aechmophorus clarkii
This is a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) throughout its range
in the continental USA and Alaska.
Breeds Jun 1 to Aug 31
Ferruginous Hawk Buteo regalis
This is a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) only in particular Bird
Conservation Regions (BCRs) in the continental USA
https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/6038
Breeds Mar 15 to Aug 15
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos
This is not a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) in this area, but
warrants attention because of the Eagle Act or for potential
susceptibilities in offshore areas from certain types of development
or activities.
https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/1680
Breeds Dec 1 to Aug 31
Grasshopper Sparrow Ammodramus savannarum perpallidus
This is a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) only in particular Bird
Conservation Regions (BCRs) in the continental USA
https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/8329
Breeds Jun 1 to Aug 20
Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes
This is a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) throughout its range
in the continental USA and Alaska.
https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/9679
Breeds elsewhere
Long-billed Curlew Numenius americanus
This is a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) only in particular Bird
Conservation Regions (BCRs) in the continental USA
https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/5511
Breeds Apr 1 to Jul 31
Mountain Plover Charadrius montanus
This is a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) throughout its range
in the continental USA and Alaska.
https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/3638
Breeds Apr 15 to Aug 15
Northern Harrier Circus hudsonius
This is a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) only in particular Bird
Conservation Regions (BCRs) in the continental USA
https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/8350
Breeds Apr 1 to Sep 15
Probability of Presence Summary
The graphs below provide our best understanding of when birds of concern are most likely to be
present in your project area. This information can be used to tailor and schedule your project
activities to avoid or minimize impacts to birds. Please make sure you read "Supplemental
Information on Migratory Birds and Eagles", specifically the FAQ section titled "Proper
Interpretation and Use of Your Migratory Bird Report" before using or attempting to interpret this
report.
Probability of Presence ()
Each green bar represents the bird's relative probability of presence in the 10km grid cell(s) your
project overlaps during a particular week of the year. (A year is represented as 12 4-week
months.) A taller bar indicates a higher probability of species presence. The survey effort (see
below) can be used to establish a level of confidence in the presence score. One can have higher
confidence in the presence score if the corresponding survey effort is also high.
How is the probability of presence score calculated? The calculation is done in three steps:
1. The probability of presence for each week is calculated as the number of survey events in the
week where the species was detected divided by the total number of survey events for that
week. For example, if in week 12 there were 20 survey events and the Spotted Towhee was
found in 5 of them, the probability of presence of the Spotted Towhee in week 12 is 0.25.
2. To properly present the pattern of presence across the year, the relative probability of
presence is calculated. This is the probability of presence divided by the maximum probability
of presence across all weeks. For example, imagine the probability of presence in week 20 for
the Spotted Towhee is 0.05, and that the probability of presence at week 12 (0.25) is the
maximum of any week of the year. The relative probability of presence on week 12 is 0.25/0.25
= 1; at week 20 it is 0.05/0.25 = 0.2.
Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos
This is a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) throughout its range
in the continental USA and Alaska.
Breeds elsewhere
Red-headed Woodpecker Melanerpes erythrocephalus
This is a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) throughout its range
in the continental USA and Alaska.
Breeds May 10 to Sep 10
Thick-billed Longspur Rhynchophanes mccownii
This is a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) throughout its range
in the continental USA and Alaska.
Breeds May 1 to Aug 15
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus hudsonicus
This is a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) only in particular Bird
Conservation Regions (BCRs) in the continental USA
Breeds elsewhere
no data survey effort breeding season probability of presence
3. The relative probability of presence calculated in the previous step undergoes a statistical
conversion so that all possible values fall between 0 and 10, inclusive. This is the probability of
presence score.
To see a bar's probability of presence score, simply hover your mouse cursor over the bar.
Breeding Season ()
Yellow bars denote a very liberal estimate of the time-frame inside which the bird breeds across its
entire range. If there are no yellow bars shown for a bird, it does not breed in your project area.
Survey Effort ()
Vertical black lines superimposed on probability of presence bars indicate the number of surveys
performed for that species in the 10km grid cell(s) your project area overlaps. The number of
surveys is expressed as a range, for example, 33 to 64 surveys.
To see a bar's survey effort range, simply hover your mouse cursor over the bar.
No Data ()
A week is marked as having no data if there were no survey events for that week.
Survey Timeframe
Surveys from only the last 10 years are used in order to ensure delivery of currently relevant
information. The exception to this is areas off the Atlantic coast, where bird returns are based on
all years of available data, since data in these areas is currently much more sparse.
SPECIES JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Bald Eagle
Non-BCC
Vulnerable
Broad-tailed
Hummingbird
BCC Rangewide
(CON)
Chestnut-
collared
Longspur
BCC Rangewide
(CON)
Chimney Swift
BCC Rangewide
(CON)
Clark's Grebe
BCC Rangewide
(CON)
Ferruginous
Hawk
BCC - BCR
Golden Eagle
Non-BCC
Vulnerable
Grasshopper
Sparrow
BCC - BCR
Lesser
Yellowlegs
BCC Rangewide
(CON)
Long-billed
Curlew
BCC - BCR
Mountain Plover
BCC Rangewide
(CON)
Northern Harrier
BCC - BCR
SPECIES JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Pectoral
Sandpiper
BCC Rangewide
(CON)
Red-headed
Woodpecker
BCC Rangewide
(CON)
Thick-billed
Longspur
BCC Rangewide
(CON)
Whimbrel
BCC - BCR
Migratory Bird FAQs
Tell me more about avoidance and minimization measures I can implement to avoid or minimize impacts
to migratory birds.
Nationwide Avoidance & Minimization Measures for Birds describes measures that can help avoid and minimize
impacts to all birds at any location year-round. When birds may be breeding in the area, identifying the locations
of any active nests and avoiding their destruction is one of the most effective ways to minimize impacts. To see
when birds are most likely to occur and breed in your project area, view the Probability of Presence Summary.
Additional measures or permits may be advisable depending on the type of activity you are conducting and the
type of infrastructure or bird species present on your project site.
What does IPaC use to generate the list of migratory birds that potentially occur in my specified
location?
The Migratory Bird Resource List is comprised of Birds of Conservation Concern (BCC) and other species that
may warrant special attention in your project location, such as those listed under the Endangered Species Act or
the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and those species marked as “Vulnerable”. See the FAQ “What are the
levels of concern for migratory birds?” for more information on the levels of concern covered in the IPaC
migratory bird species list.
The migratory bird list generated for your project is derived from data provided by the Avian Knowledge Network
(AKN). The AKN data is based on a growing collection of survey, banding, and citizen science datasets and is
queried and filtered to return a list of those birds reported as occurring in the 10km grid cell(s) with which your
project intersects. These species have been identified as warranting special attention because they are BCC
species in that area, an eagle (Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act requirements may apply), or a species that
has a particular vulnerability to offshore activities or development.
Again, the Migratory Bird Resource list includes only a subset of birds that may occur in your project area. It is
not representative of all birds that may occur in your project area. To get a list of all birds potentially present in
your project area, and to verify survey effort when no results present, please visit the Rapid Avian Information
Locator (RAIL) Tool.
Why are subspecies showing up on my list?
Subspecies profiles are included on the list of species present in your project area because observations in the
AKN for the species are being detected. If the species are present, that means that the subspecies may also be
present. If a subspecies shows up on your list, you may need to rely on other resources to determine if that
subspecies may be present (e.g. your local FWS field office, state surveys, your own surveys).
What does IPaC use to generate the probability of presence graphs for the migratory birds potentially
occurring in my specified location?
The probability of presence graphs associated with your migratory bird list are based on data provided by the
Avian Knowledge Network (AKN). This data is derived from a growing collection of survey, banding, and citizen
science datasets.
Probability of presence data is continuously being updated as new and better information becomes available. To
learn more about how the probability of presence graphs are produced and how to interpret them, go to the
Probability of Presence Summary and then click on the "Tell me about these graphs" link.
How do I know if a bird is breeding, wintering, or migrating in my area?
To see what part of a particular bird's range your project area falls within (i.e. breeding, wintering, migrating, or
resident), you may query your location using the RAIL Tool and view the range maps provided for birds in your
area at the bottom of the profiles provided for each bird in your results. If a bird on your IPaC migratory bird
species list has a breeding season associated with it (indicated by yellow vertical bars on the phenology graph in
your “IPaC PROBABILITY OF PRESENCE SUMMARY” at the top of your results list), there may be nests
present at some point within the timeframe specified. If "Breeds elsewhere" is indicated, then the bird likely does
not breed in your project area.
What are the levels of concern for migratory birds?
Migratory birds delivered through IPaC fall into the following distinct categories of concern:
1. "BCC Rangewide" birds are Birds of Conservation Concern (BCC) that are of concern throughout their range
anywhere within the USA (including Hawaii, the Pacific Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands);
2. "BCC - BCR" birds are BCCs that are of concern only in particular Bird Conservation Regions (BCRs) in the
continental USA; and
3. "Non-BCC - Vulnerable" birds are not BCC species in your project area, but appear on your list either
because of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act requirements (for eagles) or (for non-eagles) potential
susceptibilities in offshore areas from certain types of development or activities (e.g. offshore energy
development or longline fishing).
Although it is important to avoid and minimize impacts to all birds, efforts should be made, in particular, to avoid
and minimize impacts to the birds on this list, especially BCC species. For more information on avoidance and
minimization measures you can implement to help avoid and minimize migratory bird impacts, please see the
FAQ “Tell me more about avoidance and minimization measures I can implement to avoid or minimize impacts to
migratory birds”.
Details about birds that are potentially affected by offshore projects
For additional details about the relative occurrence and abundance of both individual bird species and groups of
bird species within your project area off the Atlantic Coast, please visit the Northeast Ocean Data Portal. The
Portal also offers data and information about other taxa besides birds that may be helpful to you in your project
review. Alternately, you may download the bird model results files underlying the portal maps through the NOAA
NCCOS Integrative Statistical Modeling and Predictive Mapping of Marine Bird Distributions and Abundance on
the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf project webpage.
Proper interpretation and use of your migratory bird report
The migratory bird list generated is not a list of all birds in your project area, only a subset of birds of priority
concern. To learn more about how your list is generated and see options for identifying what other birds may be
in your project area, please see the FAQ "What does IPaC use to generate the migratory birds potentially
occurring in my specified location". Please be aware this report provides the "probability of presence" of birds
within the 10 km grid cell(s) that overlap your project; not your exact project footprint. On the graphs provided,
please look carefully at the survey effort (indicated by the black vertical line) and for the existence of the "no
data" indicator (a red horizontal line). A high survey effort is the key component. If the survey effort is high, then
the probability of presence score can be viewed as more dependable. In contrast, a low survey effort bar or no
data bar means a lack of data and, therefore, a lack of certainty about presence of the species. This list does not
represent all birds present in your project area. It is simply a starting point for identifying what birds of concern
have the potential to be in your project area, when they might be there, and if they might be breeding (which
means nests might be present). The list and associated information help you know what to look for to confirm
presence and helps guide implementation of avoidance and minimization measures to eliminate or reduce
potential impacts from your project activities, should presence be confirmed. To learn more about avoidance and
minimization measures, visit the FAQ "Tell me about avoidance and minimization measures I can implement to
avoid or minimize impacts to migratory birds".
Interpreting the Probability of Presence Graphs
Each green bar represents the bird's relative probability of presence in the 10km grid cell(s) your project overlaps
during a particular week of the year. A taller bar indicates a higher probability of species presence. The survey
effort can be used to establish a level of confidence in the presence score.
How is the probability of presence score calculated? The calculation is done in three steps:
The probability of presence for each week is calculated as the number of survey events in the week where the
species was detected divided by the total number of survey events for that week. For example, if in week 12
there were 20 survey events and the Spotted Towhee was found in 5 of them, the probability of presence of the
Spotted Towhee in week 12 is 0.25.
To properly present the pattern of presence across the year, the relative probability of presence is calculated.
This is the probability of presence divided by the maximum probability of presence across all weeks. For
example, imagine the probability of presence in week 20 for the Spotted Towhee is 0.05, and that the probability
of presence at week 12 (0.25) is the maximum of any week of the year. The relative probability of presence on
week 12 is 0.25/0.25 = 1; at week 20 it is 0.05/0.25 = 0.2.
The relative probability of presence calculated in the previous step undergoes a statistical conversion so that all
possible values fall between 0 and 10, inclusive. This is the probability of presence score.
Breeding Season ()
Yellow bars denote a very liberal estimate of the time-frame inside which the bird breeds across its entire range.
If there are no yellow bars shown for a bird, it does not breed in your project area.
Survey Effort ()
Vertical black lines superimposed on probability of presence bars indicate the number of surveys performed for
that species in the 10km grid cell(s) your project area overlaps.
No Data ()
A week is marked as having no data if there were no survey events for that week.
Survey Timeframe
Surveys from only the last 10 years are used in order to ensure delivery of currently relevant information. The
exception to this is areas off the Atlantic coast, where bird returns are based on all years of available data, since
data in these areas is currently much more sparse.
Facilities
National Wildlife Refuge lands
Any activity proposed on lands managed by the National Wildlife Refuge system must undergo a
'Compatibility Determination' conducted by the Refuge. Please contact the individual Refuges to
discuss any questions or concerns.
There are no refuge lands at this location.
Fish hatcheries
There are no fish hatcheries at this location.
Wetlands in the National Wetlands Inventory
(NWI)
Impacts to NWI wetlands and other aquatic habitats may be subject to regulation under Section
404 of the Clean Water Act, or other State/Federal statutes.
For more information please contact the Regulatory Program of the local U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers District.
Please note that the NWI data being shown may be out of date. We are currently working to
update our NWI data set. We recommend you verify these results with a site visit to determine the
actual extent of wetlands on site.
This location overlaps the following wetlands:
NOTE: This initial screening does not replace an on-site delineation to determine whether
wetlands occur. Additional information on the NWI data is provided below.
Data limitations
The Service's objective of mapping wetlands and deepwater habitats is to produce reconnaissance level
information on the location, type and size of these resources. The maps are prepared from the analysis of high
altitude imagery. Wetlands are identified based on vegetation, visible hydrology and geography. A margin of error
is inherent in the use of imagery; thus, detailed on-the-ground inspection of any particular site may result in
revision of the wetland boundaries or classification established through image analysis.
The accuracy of image interpretation depends on the quality of the imagery, the experience of the image
analysts, the amount and quality of the collateral data and the amount of ground truth verification work
conducted. Metadata should be consulted to determine the date of the source imagery used and any mapping
problems.
Wetlands or other mapped features may have changed since the date of the imagery or field work. There may be
occasional differences in polygon boundaries or classifications between the information depicted on the map and
the actual conditions on site.
Data exclusions
Certain wetland habitats are excluded from the National mapping program because of the limitations of aerial
imagery as the primary data source used to detect wetlands. These habitats include seagrasses or submerged
aquatic vegetation that are found in the intertidal and subtidal zones of estuaries and nearshore coastal waters.
FRESHWATER POND
PUBGx
A full description for each wetland code can be found at the National Wetlands Inventory website
Some deepwater reef communities (coral or tuberficid worm reefs) have also been excluded from the inventory.
These habitats, because of their depth, go undetected by aerial imagery.
Data precautions
Federal, state, and local regulatory agencies with jurisdiction over wetlands may define and describe wetlands in
a different manner than that used in this inventory. There is no attempt, in either the design or products of this
inventory, to define the limits of proprietary jurisdiction of any Federal, state, or local government or to establish
the geographical scope of the regulatory programs of government agencies. Persons intending to engage in
activities involving modifications within or adjacent to wetland areas should seek the advice of appropriate
Federal, state, or local agencies concerning specified agency regulatory programs and proprietary jurisdictions
that may affect such activities.
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