Brecchia pipe uranium mine bird survey data, Grand Canyon region, 2014-2015

Containment ponds at uranium mines in the Grand Canyon region have been suspected to pose an attractive nuisance to local wildlife in this arid landscape. To determine the presence of bird species at uranium mine openings, we surveyed the bird community in the area surrounding the mines repeatedly within one year and summarized species occurrence. We observed 35 species of birds directly using the uranium mine containment ponds including species of conservation concern, Pinyon Jay Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus and Brewer's Sparrow Spizella breweri.