Least Bell’s Vireo Survey Report (2023)
Whitewood Residential Development
Murrieta, Riverside County, California
Prepared for: Prepared by:
Sancerra
2618 San Miguel Dr., Suite 1223
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Attn: Adam Smith
[email protected]
WRA, Inc.
3033 Fifth Ave., Suite 315
San Diego, CA 92103
Attn: Michael Nieto
[email protected]
Revised May 2024 WRA#31314
Whitewood Residential Development
Least Bell’s Vireo Survey Report (2023) | Revised May 2024 i
Contents
1.0 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................... 2
1.1 Study Location and Existing Conditions ...................................................................... 2
1.2 Least Bell’s Vireo .......................................................................................................... 2
2.0 METHODS .................................................................................................................................. 3
3.0 SURVEY RESULTS AND CONDITIONS ....................................................................................... 3
3.1 Least Bell’s Vireo Surveys ............................................................................................ 4
3.2 Other Bird Species of Special Concern ........................................................................ 4
4.0 REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................. 5
List of Tables
Table 1: Summary of Least Bell’s Vireo Survey Days and Conditions Error! Bookmark not defined.
List of Appendices
APPENDIX A. .....................................................................................................................FIGURES Figure 1. Study Area Location
Figure 2. Aerial Photograph of Study Area
Figure 3. Natural Communities and Land Cover within the Study Area APPENDIX B. .................................... BIRD SPECIES OBSERVED IN AND AROUND THE STUDY AREA List of Preparers
Michael Nieto Principal in Charge
Patricia Jaramillo Biologist
Matthew Schliebe Biologist
List of Acronyms
CDFW California Department of Fish and Wildlife LBV Least Bell’s Vireo
USFWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
WRCMSHCP Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan
Whitewood Residential Development
Least Bell’s Vireo Survey Report (2023) | Revised May 2024 2 1.0 INTRODUCTION
This report presents the results of focused least Bell’s vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus; LBV ) presence/absence surveys conducted at the 17. 26-acre Whitewood Residential Development Project (Study Area) in the City of Murietta, Riverside County, California. The Project is located within the Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (WRC MSHCP) planning area. The WRCMSHCP is a regional multi -jurisdictional habitat conservation program that addresses multiple species’ habitat needs in western Riverside County. According to WRCMSHCP Section 6.1.2 guidelines, surveys for riparian birds are to be conducted as part of the environmental review process, if suitable habitat is present. Suitable potential habitat for LBV was identified in the Project Area during an initial site reconnaissance conducted on November 8, 2021.
Subsequently, focused surveys were conducted during the breeding season in order to comply with WRCMSHCP Section 6.1.2 requirements. The purpose of this report is to document the results of the LBV assessment and focused surveys.
1.1 Study Location and Existing Conditions
The Project site consists of approximately 17.26 acres in the northeastern portion of the City of Murrieta. From a regional perspective, the Project site is located 0.26 mile west of the French Valley area of unincorporated Riverside County. Interstate 215 (I-215) is located 0.6 mile west of the Project site. Specifically, the Project site is located east of Whitewood Road, north of Clinton Keith Road. The Project site encompasses Assessor’s Parcel Numbers (APNs) 392-330-003, -007, -020, and -021(Figure 1 and Figure 2). The Study Area occurs within the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 7.5’ series Murrieta Quadrangle, Township 6 South, Range 3 West, Section 35. The Study Area is not located within an WRCMSHCP Area Plan Subunit, Criteria Area, or Criteria Cell.
The Study Area consists of bare ground, developed areas, and chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum) chaparral over most of the southern and eastern sections of the Study Area (Figure 3). Chamise chaparral stands are bisected by past disturbance (potentially from fuels reduction efforts) and many of these areas have recolonized with a combination of coastal sage scrub shrubs such as California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) and deerweed (Acmispon glaber), and non-native and native annual species such as short-pod mustard (Hirschfeldia incana) and paniculate tarweed (Deinandra paniculata). Two tributaries to Warm Springs Creek (itself a tributary to Murrieta Creek) flow through the Study Area. One flows from the west before meeting the second and exiting the property to the north. The second tributary flows from the southwest boundary of the Study Area and flows to the northeast. The first tributary supports riparian vegetation including coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia) woodland and southern willow (Salix sp.) scrub. The second tributary supports a small patch of mulefat (Baccharis salicifolia) scrub near the Study Area boundary but otherwise flows through the existing chamise chaparral and ruderal vegetation and does not support fringing riparian vegetation.
1.2 Least Bell’s Vireo
This subspecies of Bell’s vireo is a neotropical migrant and summer resident in California and northern Baja California, wintering in southern Baja California (Brown 1993). LBV was once common in lowland riparian habitats throughout California but declined precipitously during the twentieth century (USFWS 1998). By the time of federal listing in 1986, an estimated 300 pairs were restricted to southern California, primarily San Diego County (USFWS 1998). The population
Whitewood Residential Development
Least Bell’s Vireo Survey Report (2023) | Revised May 2024 3 has increased since, with the number of nesting territories in the state in 2006 estimated to be approximately ten times greater than in 1986 (USFWS 2006). However, the distribution of LBV at that time remained almost entirely within southern California (USFWS 2006).
LBV breeding habitat consists of riparian vegetation, usually in an early successional state (i.e., between five and ten years old), and near water (USFWS 1998). Such habitat is preferred because it provides both dense cover in the lower shrub layer for nest concealment, and a stratified canopy structure favorable to insect abundance and thus LBV foraging (USFWS 1998).
Riparian habitat types used for breeding include those dominated by willows, cottonwood (Populus sp.), and/or oaks (Quercus sp.), with a dense understory of species such as willows, mulefat, California wild rose (Rosa californica), poison oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum), and mugwort (Artemisia douglasiana) (USFWS 1998). Nests are typically placed within three feet of the ground. LBV may attempt multiple broods during the breeding season from mid-March to late September, although one brood is typical (Brown 1993). Habitats such as chaparral and coastal sage scrub adjacent to riparian areas are used for foraging and even nesting, and thus provide another potentially important habitat component (Kus and Miner 1989). Along with habitat destruction, brood parasitism by the brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater) is widely considered a major contributor to the decline of LBV, and a continuing challenge to its recovery.
2.0 METHODS
Focused surveys were conducted in accordance with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s “Least Bell’s Vireo Survey Guidelines” dated January 19, 2001. The protocol requires eight surveys conducted between April 10 and July 31 under normal circumstances, with a minimum of 10 days between surveys in order to maximize the detection of late and early arrivals, females, non-vocal birds, and nesting pairs. Owing to project timing, the full suite of eight (8) surveys will not be able to fit within the remaining survey window. Surveys were conducted between dawn and 11:00 a.m. Six protocol-level presence/absence surveys for LBV were conducted by WRA biologist Matthew Schliebe and Patricia Jaramillo on the days outlined in Table 1.
An initial habitat assessment for LBV was conducted on November 8, 2021. Vegetation communities in the Study Area were identified and assessed for suitability for LBV. Of the vegetation communities listed in Section 1.1, both riparian vegetation communities identified within the Study Area (i.e., coast live oak woodland and southern willow scrub) provide potential habitat for LBV. LBV surveys were conducted by walking slowly through and adjacent to the identified potential habitat and stopping and listening for LBV vocalizations at regular intervals along the identified potential habitat. All bird species observed during the survey were documented and are presented in Appendix B.
Whitewood Residential Development
Least Bell’s Vireo Survey Report (2023) | Revised May 2024 4 Table 1. Summary of Least Bell’s Vireo Survey Days and Conditions
DATE START TIME END TIME TEMPERATURE
(°F)
WIND SPEED
(MPH) CONDITIONS
June 6, 2023 0750 1015 55-59 0-5 mph Mostly cloudy
June 16, 2023 0750 1030 62-66 0-5 mph Mostly cloudy
June 26, 2023 0750 1020 58-69 0-5 mph Sunny
July 6, 2023 0800 1030 65-74 0-5 mph Sunny
July 17, 2023 0800 1030 75-84 2-8 mph Sunny
July 27, 2023 0800 1030 80-90 0-5 mph Sunny
3.0 SURVEY RESULTS AND CONDITIONS
3.1 Least Bell’s Vireo Surveys
No LBV were detected during the six presence/absence surveys. The closest documented occurrences are between 1.5 and 4.5 miles to the south of the Survey Area along Warm Springs Creek, Santa Gertrudis Creek, an unnamed tributary to Murrieta Creek, and Murrieta Creek. The occurrences date between 1999 and 2016 (CDFW 2022). The closest LBV Critical Habitat is approximately 15 miles to the southwest along the Santa Margarita River. Habitat requirements for LBV include the presence of a dense understory within 1-2 meters of the ground for nesting and a dense, stratified canopy for foraging (USFWS 1998). Both habitat requirements are present; however, these characteristics are not consistent within the riparian habitat of the Study Area. Generally, the coast live oak woodland provides a robust canopy and an open understory, while the southern willow scrub provides a dense understory and a moderately stratified canopy.
The available habitat within the Study Area is small in relation to riparian habitat in the immediate region, such as the riparian corridors associated with Warm Springs Creek and Murrieta Creek, and especially in comparison to major riparian corridors that support LBV population centers such as the El Prado Basin and Santa Margarita River (USFWS 2006). Despite the presence of suitable habitat for LBV within the Study Area, the size of the habitat, distance of the habitat from potential source populations, and connectivity of the habitat to adjacent riparian corridors are all potential factors that may explain why LBV are absent from the Study Area.
3.2 Other Bird Species of Special Concern
All bird species detected during the LBV surveys were documented (see Appendix B). No species protected under the WRCMSHCP were observed.
Whitewood Residential Development
Least Bell’s Vireo Survey Report (2023) | Revised May 2024 5 4.0 REFERENCES
Brown, B.T. 1993. Bell's Vireo (Vireo bellii). In: Poole, A. and F. Gill, eds. The Birds of North America, No. 35. The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, and the American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C.
[CDFW] California Department of Fish and Wildlife. 2023. California Natural Diversity Database.
Biogeographic Data Branch, Vegetation Classification and Mapping Program, Sacramento, California. Available online at: https:/ /wildlife.ca.gov/Data/CNDDB/Maps-and-Data; most recently accessed: June 2023.
Kus, B.E. and K.L. Miner. 1989. Use of Non-riparian Habitats by Least Bell's Vireos. USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-110, 299-303.
[USFWS] U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1998. Draft Recovery Plan for the Least Bell's Vireo. U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, Portland, OR. 139 pp.
USFWS. 2001. Least Bell’s Vireo Survey Guidelines. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Carlsbad, CA.
January 19, 2001. 3pp.
USFWS. 2006. Least Bell's Vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus) 5-Year Review Summary and Evaluation. U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, Carlsbad, CA. September.
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Least Bell’s Vireo Survey Report (2023) | Revised May 2024 Appendix A
APPENDIX A. FIGURES
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0 10.5
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Sources: National Geographic, WRA | Prepared By: njander, 12/13/2021
Figure 1. Study Area Location
Whitewood I (West) Residential Development Riverside
County, California
±
Arendt L
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Clin ton K eith Rd
Clinton Ke ith Rd
Whitewood
Rd
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US Feet
Sources: USDA NAIP Imagery 2020, WRA | Prepared By: njander, 12/13/2021
Figure 2. Aerial Photograph of Study Area
Whitewood I (West) Residential Development Development
Riverside County, California
±
Project Area (17.59 ac.)
White
w
oo
d
Rd
Mooref ie ld St
W
hitewo
od R
d
Whitewo d Rd
Clinton Keith Rd
Rocky Glen Pl
Cli nt on Ke it h R d
Rocky Glen Pl
Arendt L
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Clinton Keith Rd
Arendt Ln
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Sources: USDA NAIP Imagery 2020, Western Riverside Co Regional Conservation Authority, WRA | Prepared By: njander, 5/14/2024
Figure 3. Vegetation Communities within Project Area
Whitewood Residential Development Project
Riverside County, California
±
Project Area (17.59 ac.)
Land Cov
er Type
Chamise Chaparral (7.25 ac.)
Coastal sage scrub (restored) (1.18 ac.)
Developed (1.24 ac.)
Disturbed/Ruderal (6.94 ac.)
Mulefat Scrub (0.04 ac.)
Stream (0.05 ac.)
Coast Live Oak Woodland (0.35 ac.)
Emergent Marsh (0.01 ac.)
Southern Willow Scrub (0.53 ac.)
Whitewood Residential Development
Least Bell’s Vireo Survey Report (2023) | Revised May 2024 Appendix B
APPENDIX B. BIRD SPECIES DOCUMENTED WITHIN THE STUDY
AREA
ORDER
FAMILY SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME
SURVEY DATE
6/6/2023
6/16/2023
6/26/2023
7/6/2023
7/17/2023
7/27/2023
Galliformes Gamebirds
Odontophoridae New world quails
Callipepla
californica
California quail x x x x
Columbiformes Pigeons and doves
Columbidae Pigeons and doves
Streptopelia
decaocto
Eurasian-collared dove x
Zenaida macroura Mourning dove x x x x x
Columba livia Rock pigeon x
Apodiformes Swifts and hummingbirds
Trochilidae Hummingbirds
Calypte anna Anna's hummingbird x x x x
Charadriiformes Shorebirds, gulls, and allies
Charadriidae Plovers
Charadrius vociferus Killdeer x x
Accipitriformes Hawks, eagles, and allies
Accipitridae Hawks, eagles, and allies
Buteo lineatus Red-shouldered hawk x
Buteo jamaicensis Red-tailed hawk x x x x
Piciformes Woodpeckers and allies
Picidae Woodpeckers
Dryobates nuttallii Nuttall's woodpecker x x x x x x
Passeriformes Perching birds
Tyrannidae Tyrant flycatchers
Myiarchus
cinerascens
Ash-throated flycatcher x
Sayornis nigricans Black phoebe x x x
Sayornis saya Say's phoebe x x
Tyrannus verticalis Western kingbird x
Corvidae Crows, jays, and allies
Aphelocoma
californica
California scrub-jay x x x x
Corvus
brachyrhynchos
American crow x x x x x x
Corvus corax Common raven x x x x
Aegithalidae Long-tailed tits and allies
ORDER
FAMILY SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME
SURVEY DATE
6/6/2023
6/16/2023
6/26/2023
7/6/2023
7/17/2023
7/27/2023
Psaltriparus
minimus
Bushtit x x x x x
Sylviidae Sylviid babblers
Chamaea fasciata Wrentit x x x
Troglodytidae Wrens
Thryomanes
bewickii
Bewick's wren x x x x x x
Mimidae Mockingbirds and thrashers
Mimus polyglottos Northern mockingbird x x
Sturnidae Starlings
Sturnus vulgaris European starling x
Fringillidae Finches and euphonias
Haemorhous
mexicanus
House finch x x x x x x
Spinus psaltria Lesser goldfinch x x x x x x
Passerellidae New World sparrows
Melospiza melodia Song sparrow x x x x x
Melozone crissalis California towhee x x x x x
Pipilo maculatus Spotted towhee x x x x x
Junco hyemalis Dark-eyed junco x
Icteridae New World blackbirds,
orioles, and allies
Icterus cucullatus Hooded oriole x x
Agelaius phoeniceus Red-winged blackbird x
Cardinalidae Cardinals and allies
Pheucticus
melanocephalus
Black-headed grosbeak x
Paridae Tits, chickadees, and titmice
Baeolophus
inornatus
Oak titmouse x x
Caprimulgiformes
Trochilidae Hummingbirds
Calypte costae Costa’s hummingbird x x
Hierarchical taxonomic order follows American Ornithological Society Checklist of North and Middle American Birds (Chesser et al., 2021)
Species in bold are covered species under the Western Riverside County MSHCP * CDFW – Watch List species