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Vantage to Pomona Heights Chapter 3 230 kV Transmission Line Project FEIS Affected Environment PAGE 3-86 2008; Paige and Ritter 1999). Suitable habitat exists throughout the Project study area and they were occasionally observed by POWER biologists during 2013 field surveys. The sage sparrow and sage thrasher are sagebrush obligate avian species that are on the sensitive species list. The Project study area is within the core breeding habitat for sage sparrows (Larsen et al. 2004). Sage sparrows are known to occur in the JBLM YTC (Duke Engineering and Services [DES] 2000) and the Project study area and are abundant in Route Segments NNR-6 and NNR-7. Suitable habitat is present throughout the Project study area. The sage thrasher is common in sagebrush and bitterbrush habitats in the Columbia Basin, but was more widespread prior to the conversion of large tracts of sagebrush habitats to agricultural lands. The Project study area is within the core breeding habitat zone for sage thrasher (Larsen et al. 2004). Sage thrashers occur in the JBLM YTC during the summer months (DES 2000), and were commonly observed along the Project study area by POWER biologists. Suitable habitat is present throughout the Project study area. Vaux's swifts (Chaetura vauxi) forage over woodlands, lakes and rivers, where flying insects are abundant. They typically nest in old growth coniferous forests. The Project study area is within the known range of the Vaux’s swift, but is probably only used during migration (BirdWeb 2008; Larsen et al. 2004). Raptors Breeding bald eagles need large trees near open water with a relatively low level of human activity. In general, bald eagles nest near coastlines, rivers, large lakes or streams that support an adequate food supply (USFWS 2007). In the winter, the Columbia River’s reservoirs and major tributaries become important bald eagle habitat. Bald eagles have been documented wintering and foraging along the Columbia River including along the Priest Rapids and Wanapum reservoirs and the Hanford Reach (JBLM YTC 2002; FERC 2006). Approximately 10 to 15 bald eagles winter along the Priest Rapids Reservoir. Two bald eagle nests have been documented within the Project study area along the Columbia River and one near the Yakima River. Burrowing owls are found in open, shrub-steppe or grassland habitats that have burrowing mammals, especially ground squirrels present (Paige and Ritter 1999). Nesting burrowing owls have been documented in the Project study area (DES 2000). Short-eared owls (Asio flammeus) are widespread but uncommon in eastern Washington. They inhabit a variety of open terrain, including shrub-steppe, grasslands, agricultural areas, marshes, wet meadows, and shorelines. Potential habitat occurs throughout the Project study area and they are likely to occur in small numbers (BirdWeb 2015). The ferruginous hawk is found in flat or rolling shrub-steppe and other arid shrublands (Paige and Ritter 1999). The Project study area is within the core breeding habitat zone for ferruginous hawks (Larsen et al. 2004). Four nests have been documented within the Project study area, all from 15 to 18 years ago. In Washington, golden eagles nest throughout much of the state and observations of golden eagles along the upper Columbia River suggest that they may remain within nesting territories throughout the winter (Larsen et al. 2004). Golden eagles are commonly associated with open areas, such as shrub-steppe, grasslands, open ponderosa pine forests and large clearcuts. They typically nest on cliff ledges and large trees (DeLong 2004). Nesting golden eagles have been documented in the Project study area. In Washington, peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) typically nest in the San Juan Islands and the Puget Sound; however, nests have been found in the dry arid climate of eastern Washington where peregrines nest on cliffs at prominent points overlooking major lakes or rivers (Hayes and Buchanan 2001). In the