Five
fish, 1 amphibian, 9 reptile, 159 bird,
and 37 mammal species have been
documented to occur on the INL in
southeastern Idaho. An additional 9
fish, 5 amphibian, 5 reptile, 13 bird,
and 14 mammal species were listed as
possibly occurring, because portions of
their range overlap the INL area, or
they have been reported within 30 km of
the site. However, no verified
observations of these species have been
reported on the INL.
Fifty-six species of vertebrates are
year-long residents of the INL, whereas
154 species were observed during
specific seasonal periods or during
migration.
Endangered or Threatened
Wildlife
The bald
eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
was delisted in 2007, but is still
protected under the Bald and Golden
Eagle Protection Act . This species often
winters in the Little Lost River Valley
just north of the site, and several have
been known to winter on the INL. The
American peregrine falcon (delisted, but
being monitored) has been observed
infrequently on the northern portion of
the INL.
Species of Concern
Several
species of wildlife observed on the INL
are of special concern to the
Idaho Department of Fish and Game. This
status is designated for species whose
populations are threatened due to
habitat loss, range restrictions, or low
population numbers. Species of special
concern that occur on the INL are the
bobcat (Lynx rufus), peregrine
falcon, ferruginous hawk (Buteo
regalis), and prairie falcon (Falco
mexicanus).
A list of species of special concern
also has been prepared by the U. S.
Bureau of Land Management. The osprey (Pandion
haliaetus), gyrfalcon (Falco
rusticolus), merlin (Falco
columbarius), white-faced ibis (Plegadis
chihi), long-billed curlew (Numenius
americanus), and burrowing owl (Athene
cunicularia) are not on the Federal
or Idaho lists, but are included in the
BLM report and all occur on the INL.
INL Game Animals
The INL
is used by 34 species of game animals.
However, 22 of these species
are waterfowl, and the value of the site
to waterfowl depends on water flow in
the Big Lost River. During periods of
high water flow, the site may contain
over 800 ha of wetlands. The Big
Lost River spreading areas and Big Lost
River sinks, located in the southern and
west central portion of the site
respectively, are major wetlands on the
INL. These areas often contain water
during spring and fall and provide
habitat for migratory waterfowl,
shorebirds, and other wildlife species.
Further, all INL facility ponds are used
by migratory waterfowl and shorebirds,
as well as resident species. Wildlife
use of the ponds at the Test Reator Area
has been well documented.
The most common resident game animals on
the site are the pronghorn (Antilocapra
americana), mourning dove (Zenaida
macroura), and sage grouse (Centrocercus
urophasianus). Forty percent of the
Idaho pronghorn population, as well as
some pronghorn from Montana, may winter
on the INL. Further 67 active sage
grouse leks have been identified on the
INL.
Thus, the
site provides critical winter range for
pronghorn, and winter and breeding
habitat for
sage grouse.
Raptors and Songbirds
The INL
also provides important breeding and
nesting habitat for many species of
raptors and songbirds.
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