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Home My WebLink About3184; CANNON ROAD WEST; LEAST BELL'S VIREO SURVEYS OF CANNON ROAD REACH 1; 1990-10-23. . RE .OA1 Regional Environmental Consultants S October 23, 1990 Ms.'Kathy Smith P'& D Technologies 401 West A Street. Suite 2500 San Diego, CA 92101 Reference: Least Bell's Vireo Surveys of Cannon Road Reach 1 (RCON Number 2206B). Dear Ms. Smith: The purpose of this Letter is to clarify the results of the least Bell's virco '(Vlreo bdllii pu.sffius) surveys conducted within the proposed right of way of the future alignment of Cannon Road in the City of Carlsbad (Figures I and 2) pursuant to our telephone conversation on October 18, 1990. 'I conducted field investigations along the proposed road alignment across the canyon on April 26, May 15, and June 11; 1990, between 6:30 and 11:30 a.m.' each thy. Because I am involved in rangewide virco studies, I unoflicially visited the site on three additional days (May 5 and 12. and June 20, 1990) in an attempt to confirm the band* combination of the virco observed. S A banded male lust' Bell's virco was 'observed during the first survey, conducted on April 26, 1990: an error in the original letter stated the virco was seen on May 26. A band on the viroo's leg identified it as a bird banded on the San' Luis Rey River in 1989. On that day, the virco appeared to be setting up a breeding territory but was not observed on any of the five subsequent surveys at that location. 'The bird apparently never found a mate and did not appear to breed on-site. ' The surveys conducted in 1990, six site visits during' the virco breeding season, wcrc comprehensive enough to determine that thismale vizeo did not attract a mate and did not breed at this location. Other surveys for vircos have been conducted in Macario 'Cunyon (also known as Agua Hedionda Creek). One vireo was observed approximately one mile upstream from the proposed Cannon Road crossing in 1986 (SANDAC1' 1989). RCQN conducted biological surveys in conjunction with the proposed Cannon Road in December, 1987. and March, 1988 (Attachment 1), and recommended surveys for least- Bell's virco during the breeding season'. R.ECON did not obscrvc least Bell's vireos tit this location in 1988.(Auachmcnt 2). If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Sinccrçly, ' eff M. Newman Ecologist JMN:db Attachments ' Reference Cited SANDAG 1989 Final Draft San Diego River Habitat Conservation Plan, Prepared for' the San Diego Association of Governments as pan of the Cornprehcnsive Species Management Plan for the Least Bell's Vireo by 'RECON. September 1989. 1276 Morena Boulevard e San Diego, CA 92116-3815 • (619) 275.3732 • FAX (619) 253619 5099 East Grant Road, Suite 301A • Tucson. AZ 85712 '(602)325-9977 , ' 3050 Chicago Avenue .Riverside. CA 92507 - (7*4) 784.9460 , r ORANGE COUNTY . . flrERSiOECOuN1Y -- - sin O. Palo Warner Springs _PROJECT LOCATION / . . Borego ilia Oceanside Carlsbad d Src Welts scondido Ocotillo •. - . . Julian 0 £citas fRanco . Ramona M S I 6ernado . . Del it .r_. Poway . S 4 I . . : .ramar • /41 Lakeside ti. Jolla • Santee Alpine tl'\• 5 5 ey Pacific e,ach .E Cjon S f Li Me's, .''N. i Sg).rg Valley Grove ey L ___ Po,nt Lama SanOego"LemOn .1scuZmba - S • C Pwla v.5ta FIGURE 1. THE LOCATION OF THE PROPOSED. PROJECT RELATIVE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO. S S . R-2206B 7/90 5 : • . lo?a - , f / - LI j I• _ I -:'; - 'S s • 'sOt v" * '5' - -. .'.:i- it ' •s• !!,..t .- - •. ... .• —- - - / Evarts Point %% 1 ..•, 7 \c -1/17 TEMPORARY I PERMANENT PUMP STATION PUMP STATION SEWER LINE / BRID. GE \\'ç CANNON ROAD ALIGNMENT / Parr 5' 5',II 'S \ .. •. I :' -.•.• . ' -. 'S I :•- '-. I -. It •..\ . 5 . . .. .5 S. - I I d t' fa s L 0 2000 . . feel 10. — --- - FIGURE 2. PROJECT LOCATION ON U.S.G.S. 7.5 MINUTE TO P O G R A P H I C M A P S , S A N L U I S R E V AND ENCINITAS QUADRANGLES A-22068 7190 RECON Regional Environmental Consultants RECEIVED July 23, 1990 JUL 23 199 Mr. Richard H. Allen, Jr. City of Carlsbad MUNICIPAL PROJECTS 2075 Las Palmas Drive DIVISION Carlsbad, CA 92009-4859 Reference: Least Bell's Vireo Surveys of Canon Road Reach 1 (RECON Number 2206B) Dear Mr. Allen: This letter reports the results of three biological surveys to determine presence of least Bell's vireo (Vireo belli pusillus) within the proposed right of way of the future alignment of Canon Road in the City of Carlsbad (Figures 1 and 2). Though the survey was directed at a search for the vireo, other species encountered were recorded and I have included those sightings in this report. The proposed road alignment crosses Macario Canyon in the City of Carlsbad, San Diego County (see Figures 1 and 2). The elevations on-site vary from 10 feet to 100 feet above mean sea level. Disturbances on-site include trails and roads, agriculture, pesticide spraying, and migrant worker paths and campsites within the riparian habitat. Agua Hedionth Lagoon lies downstream of the site, and agricultural land is upstream of the site. Disturbed patches of Diegan coastal sage scrub habitat exist along the west edge of the drainage. Methods I conducted field investigations along the proposed road alignment across the canyon on April 26, May 15, and June 11, 1990, between 6:30 and 11:30 a.m. each day. Weather varied from overcast to clear skies, and temperatures from 55 degrees to 85 . degrees Fahrenheit. The survey entailed walking slowly along the drainage and recording any. wildlife species seen or heard in the vicinity. Locations of least Bell's vir- eos observed were mapped on a 1 inch = 1,000 foot topographic map. One male vireo was observed within the project site on only one of the three surveys. Background The least Bell's vireo (Vireo bellii pusillar) is a state and federal endangered species. Its historical breeding range extended from northwestern Baja California, Mexico to interior northern California, as far north as Red Bluff in Tehama County (Franzreb 1987). Least Bell's vireo are found today in two locations in the Salinas River Valley, one locality in the Amargosa River and several populations in Santa Barbara, Riverside, and San Diego Counties (California Department of Fish and Game [CDFG] 1989). Least Bell's vir- eos are found in riparian habitats dominated by willow trees. They are a migratory bird arriving on their breeding grounds in mid-March and remaining until September or October. The preferred nesting habitat for the vireo consists of a mature canopy of cottonwoods and willows with a fairly dense shrub understory, often consisting of mulefat. Habitat depletion (95 percent lost), nest parasitism by brown-headed cowbirds and nest predation have led to the decline of least Bell's vireos (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service [USFWS] 1988). 1276 Morena Boulevard • San Diego, CA 92110-3815 • (619) 275-3732 • FAX (619) 275-3619 5099 East Grant Road, Suite 301A • Tucson, AZ 85712 • (602) 325-9977 3050 Chicago Avenue • Riverside, CA 92507 • (714) 784.9460 ORANGE COUNTY RIVERSIDE COUNTY - -- San On Falibrook Cf Pala 4 _ Warner Springs lI PROJECT LOCATION Brrego - Nsid. ta\ Oceanside Carlsbad San Marcos scondido Ocotillo Wells 0 1 Julian \ Encinitas I o /.Rancho Ramona 1 Bernardo I I— OelMar f Poway cc IMiramar \ ui J Lakeside • La Jolla / .Santee uJ Alpine Pine Valley racific Beach__________ _______________ f a . EI Cajon La Mesa..P.., LSpring Valley Point Loma San Diego/Lemon G rove Ciado National City hula Vista T ja &~l a VL - E -E 0 FIGURE 1. THE LOCATION OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT RELATIVE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO. • RECØN R-2206B 7/90 cl it wi 0.1 XI /' Evans Ppint TEMPORARY I PERMANENT 0 •pW —' PUMP STATION PUMP StATION A. g a) LINE 6 \ ; \\\ CANNON ROAD S 2 ALIGNMENT N ji "S ' •- - f__i - 1 Tank \\SS I N ' r c- --'-- -- f \ \\N -- L. - _-' "1 - ' s * A C U A 0 2000 d feet • s"\ a •----- COI- ------<'---- / 5' • • .5' S " C'. •.. • • •- - ' •••- __________________________ - FIGURE 2. PROJECT LOCATION ON U.S.G.S. 7.5 MINUTE TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS, SAN LUIS REY AND ENCINITAS QUADRANGLES R-220,613 7/90 Mr. Richard H. Allen, Jr. -2- July 23, 1990 Results The habitat along the drainage ranges from narrow (less than 50 feet wide) stretches of degraded riparian vegetation in the eastern region of the stream to well developed stands of willows and mulefat near the mouth of the lagoon. The structure of the habitat 'is appropriate for vireos over much of the area sur- veyed. The upstream region currently appears less suitable as nesting habitat for the vireos, mainly because the drainage is narrow, the distribution of willows is patchy and the habitat is adjacent to agriculture fields. Wildlife species observed on-site include 1 reptile (species, 44 avian species, and 5 mammal species (Table 1). One least Bell's vireo was observed in the\ well developed stand 'of riparian forest at the north end Of the proposed alignment of Canon Road on the 26 survey (Figure 3). This was a singing, male vireo 'that appeared to be establishing a breeding territory The vireo was a first year breeding male that was individually color banded on the San Luis Rey' River in 1989. Neither this vireo nor any others were observed on either of the subsequent surveys. Although the vireo was not successful in establishing a breeding territory, the habitat on-site appears to have the characteristics necessary for breeding least Bell's vireo based on habitat structure, plant species composition, and other bird species breeding in the same habitat. Several other sensitive wildlife species that are restricted to, riparian habitat, and are declining due to loss and degradation of habitat were observed on-site (see Figure 3). These include black-shouldered kite, turkey vulture, downy woodpecker, warbling vireo, yellow-breasted chat, yellow warbler, and blue grosbeak (Table 2). Prior to implementation of the proposed project, the USFWS will need to be consulted for potential issues associated with "incidental take" of an endangered species. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Sincerely, Jeff k Newman Ecologist JMN:db References Cited California Department of Fish and Game 1989 1988 Annual Report on the Status of California's State Listed Threatened and Endangered Plants and Animals. Franzreb, Kathleen E. 1987 'Endangered Status and Strategies, for Conservation of the Least Bell's Vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus) in California. Western Birds 18(1): 43-49. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1988 Least Bell's Vireo Draft Recovery Plan. Portland, OR. TABLE 1 WILDLIFE SPECIES OBSERVED Common Name Reptiles and Amphibians Western fence lizard Mammals Raccoon Coyote California ground squirrel Woodrat Cottontail rabbit Scientific Name Habitat Status Sceloporus occidentalis Procyon lotor Canis latrans Spermophilus beecheyi Neotoma spp. Sylvilagus auduboni RW RW 0 0 RW 0 Birds Turkey vulture Black-shouldered kite Red-tailed hawk California quail Mourning dove Greater roadrunner White-throated swift Anna's hummingbird Nuttall's woodpecker Downy woodpecker Western wood pewee Pacific slope flycatcher Black phoebe Ash-throated flycatcher Cassin's kingbird Rough-winged swallow Cliff swallow Cat hartes aura Elanus caeruleus Buteojamaicensis Callipepla calfornica califOrnica Zenaida macroura marginella Geococcyx caljfornianus Aeronautes saxatalis Calypte anna Dendrocopos nuttallii Dendrocopospubescens turati Contopus sordidulus Empidonax difficilis Sayornis nigri cans semi atra Myiarchus cinerascens cinerascens Tyrannus vociferans vóciferans Stelgidopteryx ruficollis Hirundopyrrhonota rachina F RW F RW RW RW F RW RW RW RW RW RW RW RW RW RW CFP,SDSS SDSS TABLE 1 WILDLIFE SPECIES OBSERVED (continued) Common Name Scientific Name Scrub jay Aphelocoma coerulescens obscura RW Common raven Corvus corax clarionensis F Least Bell's vireo Vireo bellii pusillus RW Warbling vireo Vireo gilvus swainsonii RW Bushtit Psaltriparus minimus minimus RW Marsh wren Cistothoruspalustris FM Bewick's wren Thyromanes bewickü RW Northern mockingbird Mimus polyglOttos polyglottos RW California thrasher Toxostoma redivivum redivivum RW Wrentit Chamaeafasciata henshawi RW American goldfinch Carduelis tristis salicamans RW Lesser goldfinch Carduelis psaltria hesperophilus RW House finch Carpodacus nwxicanusfrontalis RW Orange-crowned warbler Vermivora celata RW Yellow warbler Dendroica perechia RW Common yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas RW Wilson's warbler Wilsonia pusilla RW Yellow-breasted chat Icteria virens auricollis RW Black-headed grosbeak Pheucticus melanocephalus maculatus RW Blue grosbeak Passerina caerulea salicaria RW Rufous-sided towhee Pipilo erythropthalmus megalonyx RW California towhee Pipilofuscus senicula RW Song sparrow Melospiza melodia RW White-crowned sparrow Z.onotrichia leucophrys RW Red-winged blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus RW Brown-headed cowbird Molothrus ater RW Northern oriole Icterus galbula galbula RW Habitat Status CE,FE S,SDSS SDSS S,SDSS TABLE 1 WILDLIFE SPECIES OBSERVED (continued) Habitats F = Flying overhead 0 = Open places, waste places, roadsides, burns, etc. RW = Riparian woodlands Status S = California species of special concern CFP = California fully protected CE = California endangered FE = Federal endangered SDSS = City of San Diego sensitive species - I "f BOO 70r.\\ qlql al II - e • • - 4c4.., 1 ' c ( ' / 'a •'' jl : •. - - / IIIr\ 1 - ? / D - - - 2 - - - - U J\J • :] DIEGAN COASTAL SAGE SCRUB V LEAST BELLS VIREO ) (f2 • SOUTHERN WILLOW SCRUB W WARBLING VIREO , /) ,c" FRESHWATER MARSH Y YELLOW WARBLER ' )v'. , \ •:. -- "-' RECLAIMABLE COASTAL SAGE SCRUB AREAS D DOWNY WOODPECKER - 1Jl= K \1 RECLAIMABLE SOUTHERN WILLOW SCRUB C YELLOW—BREASTED '-'--'•"i - - AREAS CHAT - - EM I II RECLAIMABLE MIXED CHAPARRAL AREAS - FIGURE 3. EXISTING VEGETATION AND SENSITIVE SPECIES - -, )6B 7/90 - TABLE2 SENSITIVE WILDLIFE SPECIES OBSERVED Common Name Scientific Name Habitat Status Birds Turkey vulture Cathartes aura F Black-shouldered kite Elanus caeruleus RW CFP,SDSS T k1!i n,id!I,,c 1W ('RFF IdL BeU Warbling vireo Vireo gilvus swainsonii - - RW Yellow warbler Dendroicapetechia RW S,SDSS Yellow-breasted chat Icteria virens auricollis RW S,SDSS Blue grosbeak Passerina caerulea salicaria RW - Habitats Status F = FLying overhead S = California species of special concern RW = Riparian woodlands CFP = California fully protected CE = California endangered FE. = Federal endangered SDSS: = City of San Diego sensitive species July 27, 1988 Ms. Nancy Roitman City of Carlsbad Planning Department. 2075 Las Palmas Drive Carlsbad, CA 92009-4859 Reference: Least Bell's Vuoo Surveys at Cannon Road (RECON Number R-1739A) Dear Ms. Roilman: This report summarizes findings of bird surveys conducted by me at the site of the proposed crossing of Cannon Road at the east end of Agua Hedionda Lagoon and in Macario Canyon. Surveys were conducted on May 30. July 4, and July 17, between 6:15 a.m. and 9:30a.m. Weather conditions on May 30 included' overcast skies and an air temperature of approximately 60 degrees F. 'at dawn, clearing and warming to 70 degrees by 9:30 a.m. SkieS were clear during the survey on July 4, with an air temperature of approximately 65-70 degrees at dawn, warming to the low 70's by late morning. The survey conditions on July 17 were warmer, with clear skies and temperature in the low 70's at dawn to the low 80's by 8:00 a.m.. The surveys entailed walking slowly along the drainage, and recording the species of any birds seen or heard in the vicinity. The entire length of riparian woodland in the drainage was surveyed on all three dates. 2. Results The habitat along Macario Canyon ranges from a narrow (<50 (cci wide) strip of degraded riparian vegetation approximately 330 feet in length, to well-developed stands of willows (Salix app.) and other riparian species near the mouth of the canyon in the location of the crossing. Flowing water was not present on any, of the survey dates. Foliage height diversity, as well as species diversity, are greatest in the,downstream region in' the vicinity of the proposed crossing, giving this locality the highest 'potential to support breeding vireos, 'The upstream region currently appears less suitable as nesting 'habitat for vireos. principally because of the patchy distribution of willows along the stream course and the nalTowness of the habitat. This area appears to be recovering from a period of clearing of vegetation in conjunction with channel maintenance, cattle giazing, and/or agricultural management practices. Thirty species of birdS were observed during the surveys of Macario Canyon (Table 1). No least Bell's vireo were observed during the surveys. Although the habitat appears to have the characteristics necessary for breeding least Bell's virco based on habitat structure and species composition and bird species composition, the last observation of vireo in this creek was in 1986. If you have any questions, please call me. Sincerely. Paul S. Fromer, Jr. Certified Ecologist, E.S.A. PSF:st