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Home My WebLink AboutCDP 07-22; EL CAMINO REAL ROAD WIDENING; FOCUSED LEAST BELL'S VIREO SURVEY REPORT;; 2007-01-12DUDEI< January 12, 2007 Recovery Permit Coordinator U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 6010 Hidden Valley Road Carlsbad, CA 92009 . ..;. <~~, :~i: ,:$-~ ~ ;:;J t~· :1 .~ /i: <:_; ~ -~t .• (:j I \') l rv/ •.:,) I ·~; I ii / I ·' '·,,/ 4926-08 Subject: Focused Least Bell's Vireo Survey Report, El Camino Real Road Widening Project, City of Carlsbad, California Dear Recovery Permit Coordinator: This report documents the results of eight protocol-level presence/absence surveys for the state- and federally-listed endangered least Bell's Vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus; vireo). These focused surveys were conducted for the approximately 28.8-acre El Camino Real Road Widening project by Dudek in 2006. The surveys were conducted in all areas of suitable habitat. Approximately 1.67 acres of southern willow scrub, including disturbed forms, is present within the 28.8-acre study area. Least Bell's vtreo is closely associated with riparian habitats, especially densely-vegetated willow scrub and riparian forest vegetation. This species is threatened primarily by loss, degradation, and fragmentation of riparian habitats. They also are impacted by brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater) nest parasitism. LOCATION AND EXISTING CONDITIONS The approximately 28.8-acre El Camino Real Road Widening Project is located in the northeastern part of the City of Carlsbad, California (Figure 1). The project area extends from Chestnut Avenue, at an elevation of approximately 300 feet above mean sea level (AMSL) in the north, to Tamarack Avenue, at approximately 70 feet AMSL in the southeast. The existing El Camino Real was originally constructed in a small canyon between northwest-southeast trending hills. The site is located on the U.S. Geological Service (USGS) 7.5 minute San Luis Rey quadrangle map in projected sections 4, 5 and 9; Township 12 South, Range 3 West (Figure 2). An intermittent blue line stream was mapped in the project area, running parallel and east of El Camino Real and dissipating into the valley extending southward toward Agua Hedionda Creek. The project site lies within the Habitat Management Plan for Natural Communities in the City of Carlsbad (HMP) plan area. The southwestern portion of the project area is within the Coastal Zone and subject to applicable provisions of the HMP, which includes conservation measures required by the California Coastal Commission. To: Recovery Permit Coordinator Subject: Focused Least Bell's Vireo Surveys, El Camino Real Road Widening Project, City of Carlsbad, California Two soil types dominate the project area: Gaviota fine sandy loam, 30 to 50 percent slopes in the northern half of the area, and Salinas clay loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes in the southeast. The periphery of the project area (i.e., the tops of the slopes) contains, from north to southeast, small inclusions of Marina loamy coarse sand, 2 to 9 percent slopes; Carlsbad gravelly loamy sand, 15 to 30 percent slopes; and Las Flores loamy fine sand, 15 to 30 percent slopes, eroded (Bowman 1973). These latter three soil types are considered to provide substrates for sensitive plant taxa associated with southern maritime chaparral. VEGETATION COMMUNITIES Five vegetation types and four other land covers were identified onsite. Vegetation communities present are Diegan coastal sage scrub ( coastal sage scrub), disturbed coastal sage scrub, eucalyptus woodland, ornamental, non-native annual grassland, and riparian scrub (southern willow scrub and disturbed southern willow scrub). Other land cover types present are developed lands, disturbed _lands, open channel, and concrete-lined open channel. The acreage of all vegetation types and land covers are presented in Table 1, and their locations are shown in Figures 3A-B. Acreages of unvegetated stream channel and concrete-lined channel are not included in Table 1 because their areas are included with the underlying vegetation. Only the 1.67 acres of potentially suitable riparian scrub habitat is described below. TABLE 1 Vegetation Communities and Land Covers VEGETATION COMMUNITY{LAND C0\/1:RTYPE · JURISDICTIONAL: CLASSIFICATION1 Developed NIA Dieqan Coastal Sage Scrub NIA Disturbed Coastal Sage Scrub NIA Disturbed Lands NIA Eucalyptus Woodland N/A Non-native Grassland NIA Ornamental N/A Riparian Scrub Southern Willow Scrub2 Riparian Scrub Disturbed Southern Willow Scrub2 NIA Unvegetated Stream Channel NIA Concrete-lined Channel TOTAL3 1 Holland (1986) nomenclature applies to wetlands and riparian communities. 2 Acreage is given to the hundredths place because of the greater accuracy of mapping. 3 Total does not equal sum of each line due to rounding. DUDEI< 2 ... ·. ·ll ACREAGE'}»>;_:-_. 13.2 4.4 0.9 5.9 1.4 1.3 0.8 0.80 0.87 N/A NIA ··2a.s .. 4926-08 January 2007 To: Recovery Permit Coordinator Subject: Focused Least Bell's Vireo Surveys, El Camino Real Road Widening Project, City of Carlsbad, California Riparian Scrub Riparian scrub includes both natural and semi-disturbed wetland communities found along rivers and seasonal drainages, including southern willow scrub, mule fat scrub, and baccharis/tamarisk scrub. Dominant species in riparian scrub include willows (Salix spp.), Fremont cottonwood (Populus fremontii) and mule fat (Baccharis salicifolia). The density of understory vegetation depends on the tree canopy, but it may include poison oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum), desert grape (Vitis girdiana) and western ragweed (Ambrosia psilostachya). Riparian scrub onsite consists of southern willow scrub and disturbed southern willow scrub. Arroyo willow (Salix lasiolepis) is the dominant species in southern willow scrub onsite, with a few mule fat present and usually no native understory vegetation. Non-native species, particularly pampas grass (Cortaderia sp.) and sweet fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), may be present in the understory. Areas of riparian scrub with greater than 50 percent non-native cover are mapped as disturbed southern willow scrub. METHODS The focused survey for vireo was conducted on April 13, 21, May 2, 11, 25, June 7, 20 and July 6, 2006, by Dudek biologist Kamarul Muri (TE 051250-1). A Section l0(a)(l)(A) permit is not required to conduct presence/absence surveys for vireo. The eight surveys for vireo followed the currently accepted protocol (USFWS 2001) which states that a minimum of eight survey visits should be made to all riparian areas and any other potential vireo habitats during the period from April 10 to July 31. The site visits were conducted at least 10 days apart to maximize the detection of early and late arrivals, females, non-vocal birds, and nesting pairs. Taped playback of vireo vocalizations was not used during the surveys. Surveys were conducted between dawn and 1100 and were not be conducted during periods of excessive or abnormal cold, heat, wind, rain, or other inclement weather. Weather conditions, time of day and season were appropriate for the detection of vireo (Table 2). DATE HOURS STAFF 4/13/06 0615-0700 Muri 4/21/06 0645-0850 Muri 5/2/06 0630-0800 Muri 5/11/06 0900-1030 Muri 5/25/06 0600-0720 Muri 6/7/06 0745-0845 Muri 6/20/06 0830-0930 Muri 7/6/06 0630-0735 Muri DUDEI( TABLE 2 Schedule of Surveys . FOCUS least Bell's vireo survey least Bell's vireo survey least Bell's vireo survey least Bell's vireo survey least Bell's vireo survey least Bell's vireo survey least Bell's vireo survey least Bell's vireo survey 3 CONDITIONS .·· 45 -54° F; 0% cloud cover; 0-1 mph wind 60 -64° F; 100% cloud cover; 0-2 mph wind 62 -64° F; 100% cloud cover; 0-1 mph wind 65-66° F; 100% cloud cover, foggy; 0-1 mph wind 57 -58° F; 0% cloud cover; 0 mph wind 67° F; 100% cloud cover, foggy; 0mph wind 69° F; 100% cloud cover; 0 mph wind 72° F; 100% cloud cover; 0-1 mph wind 4926-08 January 2007 To: Recovery Permit Coordinator Subject: Focused Least Bell's Vireo Surveys, El Camino Real Road Widening Project, City of Carlsbad, California RESULTS No vireo were observed during the survey. Twenty-three species of wildlife were observed during the surveys. A full list of wildlife species observed during the survey is provided in Appendix A. Please feel free to contact me at (760) 479-4292 with questions or if you require additional information. I certify that the information in this survey report and attached exhibits fully and accurately represent my work. Sincerely, Kamarul Muri Wildlife Biologist Dudek att: Figures 1-3 Appendix A cc: Keith Gillfillan, Bureau Veritas Eva Plazjer, City of Carlsbad Elaine Blackburn, City of Carlsbad Shawn Shamlou, Dudek DUDEI< 4 4926-08 January 2007 To: Recovery Permit Coordinator Subject: Focused Least Bell's Vireo Surveys, El Camino Real Road Widening Project, City of Carlsbad, California REFERENCES Bowman, R.H. 1973. Soil Survey, San Diego Area, California, Part 1. United States Department of the Agriculture. 104 pp. + appendices. Carlsbad, City of. 2004. Habitat Management Plan for Natural Communities in the City of Carlsbad. Final Approval, November 2004 Including Implementing Agreement and Terms and Conditions. Holland, R. F. 1986. Preliminary descriptions of the terrestrial natural communities of California. Nongame-Heritage Program, California Department of Fish and Game. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2001. Least Bell's Vireo Survey Guidelines. January 19, 2001. DUDEI< 5 4926-08 January 2007 Orange County Camp Pendleton A •-===-•=:::i Miles W O 4 8 Fallbrook San Diego Riverside County Chula Vista -~ ~-. . ,.. ___ .. • · .> USA .. -.~-;~.-_ . .,,..., - Mexico '·· ._, c- ~--""'{ -~, , r-v i ' ' ; _.J \ ,:·,_ ,. ,. ·-., ... -·. ~:. ;;.~,,. ·. \ -~:-_) ~ ) r f.;1 ·-t .. , ;' '~ ·"' ,. I ,. ' ·: .. · ... :,:· :' ~Viltcr \' ~ti<'.: ,'. " ,,\:':_': ,, ., ) ., / '. .·,'\ V '.' './ ( El Camino Real APE -Least Bell's Vireo Survey Report I FIGURE I Vicinity Map 2 BASE SOURCE: Berryman & Henigar, December 2005 /' •• / Study Area /',./ 500-Foot Buffer /-,_..-Survey Route ~ ---c::==:::::::i Feet ~ 0 125 250 ---~ --------------- z Q ~ ·-·---·-:, --1 ~ -1-z ------0 0 sws_c It: 10 LL ;,---..;=--,_,__ _______ --r-_,--_-::-_--:_--::--:::::;-;:;;:~--=::----:;::::~'"')· ·-----------! ~ .. ,. "' VEGETATION TYPES/LANDCOVERS: c::3 AGL: Annual Grassland c::3 CSS: Coastal Sage Scrub c::3 dCSS: disturbed Coastal Sage Scrub c::3 DEV: Developed c::3 DH: Disturbed Habitat c::3 EUC: Eucalyptus Woodland I / C3 NGL: Native Grassland C:3 dNGL: Disturbed Native Grassland c:::::3 ORN: Ornamental c:::::3 SWS: Southern Willow Scrub C3 SWS_C: Southern Willow Scrub (CDFG only) C3 dSWS_C: disturbed Southern Willow Scrub (CDFG only} css ---------- Jurisdictional Waters of the U.S./State -··-· Ephemeral Waters -··-· Ephemeral Waters (concrete-lined) -··-.. Intermittent waters Intermittent waters (concrete-lined) Note: Number indicates width of channel segment between marks. w It: :, (!) LL w w "' El Camino Real APE -Least Bells Vireo Survey Report 3 A ' . I FIGURE I Survey Route Map I L__ BASE SOURCE: Berryman & Henigar, December 2005 ,/,./ Study Area /1'\/ 500-Foot Buffer ., ... ...__ ... Survey Route ~ ---c::::==:::i Feet ~ 0 125 250 .A. BHCO: Brown-headed cowbird -------------------------------- ----'-'---------------- VEGETATION TYPES/LANDCOVERS: C3 AGL: Annual Grassland C3 NGL: Native Grassland C3 CSS: Coastal Sage Scrub C3 dNGL: Disturbed Native Grassland C3 dCSS: disturbed Coastal Sage Scrub C3 ORN: Ornamental C3 DEV: Developed C3 SWS: Southern Willow Scrub C3 DH: Disturbed Habitat C3 SWS_C: Southern Willow Scrub (CDFG only) C3 EUC: Eucalyptus Woodland C:3 dSWS_C: disturbed Southern Willow Scrub (CDFG only) Jurisdictional Waters of the U.S./State -··-·· Ephemeral Waters -··-·· Ephemeral Waters (concrete-lined} -··-·· Intermittent Waters Intermittent Waters (concrete-lined} Note: Number indicates width of channel segment between marks. El Camino Real APE· Least Bell's Vireo Survey Report I FIGURE I Survey Route Map 38 APPENDIX A Wildlife Species Observed Onsite VERTEBRATES BIRDS ACCIPITRIDAE -HAWKS Buteo jamaicensis -red-tailed hawk Buteo lineatus -red-shouldered hawk CHARADRIIDAE-PLOVERS Charadrius vociferus -killdeer COLUMBIDAE -PIGEONS & DOVES Zenaida macroura -mourning dove TROCHILIDAE -HUMMINGBIRDS Calypte anna -Anna's hummingbird PICIDAE -WOODPECKERS Picoides nuttallii -Nuttall's woodpecker TYRANNIDAE -TYRANT FLYCATCHERS Empidonax difficilis -Pacific-slope flycatcher Sayornis nigricans -black phoebe Tyrannus verticalis -western kingbird HIRUNDINIDAE -SW ALLOWS Petrochelidon pyrrhonota -cliff swallow CORVIDAE -JAYS & CROWS Aphelocoma californica -western scrub-jay Corvus brachyrhynchos -American crow AEGITHALIDAE -BUSHTITS Psaltriparus minimus -bushtit TIMALIIDAE -LAUGHINGTHRUSH AND WRENTIT Chamaea fasciat -wrentit DUDEK A-1 4926-08 January 2007 APPENDIX A Wildlife Species Observed Onsite MIMIDAE -THRASHERS Mimus polyglottos -northern mockingbird VIREONIDAE -VIREOS Vireo gilvus -warbling vireo P ARULIDAE -WOOD WARBLERS Dendroica coronata -yellow-rumped warbler Geothlypis trichas -common yellowthroat Wilsonia pusilla -Wilson's warbler EMBERIZIDAE -BUNTINGS & SPARROWS Melospiza melodia -song sparrow Pipilo crissalis -California towhee Pipilo maculatus -spotted towhee Zonotrichia leucophrys -white-crowned sparrow ICTERIDAE -BLACKBIRDS & ORIOLES Agelaius phoeniceus -red-winged blackbird Molothrus ater -brown-headed cowbird FRINGILLIDAE -FINCHES Carpodacus mexicanus -house finch Carduelis psaltria -lesser goldfinch Carduelis tristis -American goldfinch MAMMALS LEPORIDAE -HARES & RABBITS Sylvilagus bachmani -brush rabbit SCIURIDAE -SQUIRRELS Spermophilus beecheyi -California ground squirrel DUDEI< A-2 4926-08 January 2007