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Given the potential for wind energy development and high biodiversity in the Southern Blue Ridge Ecoregion, it is not surprising that a number of groups have taken an active interest in understand- ing the impacts of turbines in western North Caro- lina. Over 200 avian species breed or regularly occur as migrants or winter residents in the Southern Blue Ridge (Lee et al. 1985, Hunter et al. 1999). The NC WAP has identified 46 avian species in this region as SGCN, 16 of which have state listing status (Special Concern, Significantly Rare, Threatened, or Endangered, Table 4 -6). In addition, the Southern Blue Ridge Ecoregion supports 12 endemic species, including subspecies such as Southern winter wren ( Troglodytes troglodytes pullus ) and Appalachian ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus monticola; Lee and Browning in prep. in Smalling 2003). Many of these are restricted to higher elevation areas that may be potential wind sites (Smalling 2003). Of particular concern in this region is the large number of neotropical migrants that pass through the area on the their way to, or back from, breed- ing grounds. Raptors in particular are known to use the Appalachian corridor for migration (Small- ing 2003) and can be disproportionately affected by wind turbines, particularly if they are sited along ridge lines. Along migration corridors, raptors will often fly directly above the ridges and tend to hug the ridges in flight as wind speed increases (Van Fleet and Small 2010). Specific raptors of concern for North Carolina in this region include Cooper's hawk (Accipiter cooperii), sharp- shinned hawk (Accipiter striatus), Northern saw -whet owl (Aegolius acadicus), peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), and American kestrel (Falco sparverius). However, raptor species )Afind Power Poi rrti 11 ancl MaxiOum Ranking Biodiversity Areas in terry Forth, Carolina p � �6N1� 1,1 imp , W I� �,., ti �, .... -r �I� w III" �dooadd ��/ i VIII �11 � Ea L41trd � �ilk, Wmo R k '* NORM �i / / /r' 5 Im li /1, �� ✓ »� 4" ' i /r� o si O%i 1 av� i i wue or r�, 1 d r 1 41 %/arm PIP, P l y � J LAV a w,wrWw: ::wwaz; ifRfm INIM PANOUktV d ili k" he P4*41;f Roor uNiVe Enjorrip t rkxvn4y rrCn�^ w c wdr Prepared kJr U '� K'� S IN , Nu al ,r�� Nµ. JA,pq lw➢ 7 ��N lid ' PA, WI w ar rWf w dl KAA Afii*0 i* *1f lain %C11mw Hath 1111'MrWh n tlSTIRIMmy NVIddb'ma9 twiiuim "'Modmmww a mim "'m9m.nc 0"NAa walawal i w: � ` ��oymi UTP�7wn�m��00,0m"m�A&,dir ,dmwnnwa�,�w�mr i 4�ww�mre�wmmw@N'w it aY2010v RK1,Pmr@+ 7Mww74mM D,xmwonim"kwoF'��:mvw �NAU1 WTa '"ma>,rra,q: *Vuw uuwwmhrna:.rumw^Ph IX:m: ird� W'w�WrA Figure 4 -9. Map illustrating areas of significant wind potential and co- occurrence with areas of high biodiver- isity value in western North Carolina.