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Home My WebLink AboutCT 05-12; Ocean Street Residences; Tentative Map (CT) (6)Cummings and Associates 18 June 2013 Mr. Chris Darhling c/o Shawn Monteith Zephyr Partners 11750 Sorrento Valley Road, #130 San Diego, CA 92121 Reference: APN 203-010-12-2303 and 2323 Ocean Street-Pre-construction Nesting Bird Survey (Cummings and Associates Job #1676.36A) Dear Mr. Darhling: This letter report summarizes the methodology and the findings of the pre-construction nesting bird survey over 2303 and 2323 Ocean Street, and makes recommendations to avoid a violation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). The approximately 3.3-acre parcel was surveyed for nesting birds on 10 June 2013 between 0800 to 1000 hours and between 1015 to 1145 hours. The temperature at the onset of the visit was measured at 70.5 °F. By the end of the survey, the temperature had risen to 77.5°F. Wind speeds were recorded at< 3.1 mph from the west at 0800 hours. At 1145 hours, the wind speeds were between 1.3 and 5.2 mph from the west. The sky was 50% overcast in the beginning of the survey and completely clear by the end. Methodology. The subject property contains abandoned buildings and parking structures, surrounded by landscaping. Bird species and their behaviors were observed throughout the site with the aid of binoculars. If potential nesting behavior was observed, such as carrying nesting material, carrying food, or defemling a territory, then that bird was watched further to determine ifthere was an active nest, where it was located, and its status (i.e. nest being built, eggs in nest, nestlings, fledglings). In addition, shrubs, trees and buildings were directly searched for nests. Results. Eleven bird species were noted on the subject property during the survey (see attached Table I). A total of four active nests and two inactive nests were found on-site. The two inactive nests were found in the abandoned parking structures. They appeared to be House Finch nests with bird droppings around the edge of the nests as evidence of previous nestlings. Both nests were empty. Of the four active nests, two were House Finch nests, one was a Hooded Oriole nest, and one was an American Crow nest (see attached Figure 1). The American Crow nest is situated in the top of a Palm tree that is in between the abandoned building and Ocean Street. One nestling was observed in the nest seeking food from an adult. The Hooded Oriole nest is suspended from a Palm frond near Unit 27. At least two nestlings could be heard seeking food as the adults approached. Both of the active House Finch nests on-site are being built with fibers from a Palm tree trunk. All four birds (two pair) were seen on the Palm tree trunk at the same time. The females were collecting the fibers, while the males were "supervising". Recommendations. It is our understanding that asbestos abatement activities within the abandoned buildings will be the only activity occurring within the next few weeks. There will be no demolition of buildings or clearing of vegetation until after these activities are complete. P.O. Box 1209, Ramona, CA 92065 • (619)233-5454 o' (760)440-0349 Fax:(760)440-9173 • Email: gretchen.bc@sbcglobal.net Professional Environmental Services Mr. Chris Darhling 18 June 2013 Page Two of Two Based upon the size of the American Crow nestling, I would estimate another 7 -I 0 days until it is expected to fledge. The Hooded Oriole nestlings were not seen, but sounded fairly good-sized. Based upon a fledging time of 14-16 days, and my guess that the birds are about halfWay through nestling stage, then I would estimate another 7-8 days until the Hooded Oriole nestlings are expected to fledge. Since both House Finch pairs are just beginning their nests, these birds could pose the longest delay and take up to 45 days from today to successfully fledge (although it can be quicker). Nest building for House Finch takes approximately 7 days. Egg laying begins as soon as nest is built up to 10 days after nest is built. Eggs hatch approximately 13-14 days after they are laid, and birds fledge approximately 12-14 days after that. Another pre-construction nesting bird survey will need to be conducted over the site after the completion of the asbestos abatement to check on the status of the two House Finch nests and to ensure that no new nests have been built since the last survey. In the event that the House Finch nesting is not finished prior to the completion of the abatement and onset of demolition, a buffer of30 to 50-feet should be established around the tree with the nest by a qualified biologist. This buffer distance is recommended based upon the noise and disturbance tolerances of the species, and upon previously approved nest buffer distances pertaining to the House Finch. Specifically, the U.S. Forest Service approved a buffer distance of30-feet for House Finch on the Sunrise Powerlink Transmission Project (Nesting Bird Management and Monitoring Plan for USFS, 2012). If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via email or phone. Sincerely, Gretchen Cummings Principal/Consulting Biologist [ :\1676-let-0 1-rev. wpd] Table 1 Bird Species Observed During the Pre-construction Nesting Bird Survey Over 2303 and 2323 Ocean Street in the City of Carlsbad, California Species 10 June Observatloaa 2013 Mourning Dove 2 A pair was seen overflying the property. Nesting occurs (Zenaida macroura) typically from March to July (Unitt, 2004). Anna's Hummingbird 2 An adult female was seen perched in a shrub along the (Calypte anna) western property boundary. An adult male was heard flying around the courtyard area. In San Diego County, most Anna's nest from mid-February to early June (Unitt, 2004). Willow Flycatcher 1 This bird was seen along the northern property (Empidonax traillii brewsteri) boundary. It made no vocalizations. It was clearly an Empidonax flycatcher with a weak eye ring. According to Unitt (2004), the migration of subspecies brewsteri through San Diego County peaks in early June. Cassin's Kins;bird 2 A pair of Cassin's Kingbirds were observed flycatching (Tyrannus vociferans) along the northern property boundary. One of these birds was a1so seen chasing off an Ametican Crow from within the couttyard area. The area was watched for other evidence of a nest, but none wete noted. Ametican Ctow 6 One Crow was seen as an overflight. Three Crows were (Corvus brachyrhynchos) seen within the trees in the courtyard being chased by a Cassin's Kingbird. The remaining two Crows were seen in an active nest in the top of a Palm tree on the south side of the buildings. One of the Crows in the nest was a nestling begging for food when the adult landed in the nest. Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1 One was seen as a flyby. (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) Northern Mockingbird 2 A pair were seen in a shrub on-site. They flew off-site (Mimus polyglottos) to the north and were observed building a nest in a lone Myoporum shrub off-site. European Starling 5 Seen off-site and as overflights. (Sturnus vulgaris) Hooded Oriole 4 A Hooded Oriole nest was discovered in a Palm tree (Icterus cucullatus) near Unit 27. At least two nest1ings were heard begging for food as the adults approached. Species JO June Observations 2013 House Finch 6 At least three pair were seen collecting fibers from a (Carpodacus mexicanus) Palm tree in the courtyard. One female attended by a male, was seen carrying the nesting material to a Pine tree in the courtyard near Unit 31. Another female attended by a male, was seen carrying the nesting material to a Ficus {?) tree within the courtyard. The third pair was seen flying off-site to the west. Nesting activity occurs between 19 February and 29 July (Unitt, 2004). There were two inactive nests assignable to this species in the eaves of two of the parking structures. House Sparrow 4 An adult was seen in a shrub alOng the eastern property (Passer domesticus) boundary surrounded by three fledglings begging for food. Total Species: 11 [:\1676bird-tbl. wpd] Cummings and Associates Job Number 1676.36A I 0 June 2013 Scale: l-inch = 80-feet Cummings and Associates Results of Pre-construction Nesting Bird Survey Over 2303 & 2323 Ocean Street in Carlsbad [:\ 1676-Fig-l.wpg] Figure 1 •