July 27, 2022
Adam Smith
Sancerra
2618 San Miguel Dr, Suite 1223
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Subject: Burrowing Owl Habitat Assessment Report for Whitewood I (West), Murrieta, Riverside County, California
Dear Mr. Smith:
This letter report provides the results of a burrowing owl habitat assessment conducted on April 29, 2022, in Murrieta, Riverside County, California, northeast of the intersection of Whitewood Road and Clinton Keith Road (Study Area; Figure 1; APN: 392-330-003, 392-330-007, 392-330-021, and 330-330-020). The Study Area consists of approximately 17.59-acres and includes rural residential single -family homes , disturbed open space likely maintained as fire breaks, and native habitats . Burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia) are a California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Species of Special Concern , and because portions of the Study Area fall with in the Western Riverside Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP) Burrowing Owl Survey Area (Figure 2), any potential development within the Study Area require s compliance with the MSHCP through one or both of the following studies: 1) a burrowing owl habitat assessment, and , 2) if suitable habitat exists within a project site, burrowing owl protocol surveys to determine presence or absence.
Background
Burrowing owls generally inhabit flat, open areas with sparse or nonexistent tree or shrub canopies.
Typical habitat is annual or perennial grassland, although human-modified areas such as agricultural land and airports are also used. While capable of creating their own burrows, burrowing owls in the west rely on burrowing mammals to provide the burrows that are characteristically used for shelter and nesting. In California, burrow ing owls are often found in close association with California ground squirrels (Otospermophilus beecheyi). Anthropogenic substrates such as debris piles or pipes may also be occupied in place of burrows. In southern California, burrowing owls are non -migratory with the population increasing in the fall as birds from northern regions arrive for overwintering. The nesting period in southern California is roughly from March through July.
Methods
Survey methodology followed guidelines described in the MSHCP Burrowing Owl Survey Instructions1 and in CDFW Staff Report on Burrowing Owl Mitigation 2. On April 29, 2022, a site visit was conducted to
1 Western Riverside County Regional Conservation Authority. 2006. Burrowing Owl Survey Instructions for the Western Riverside Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan Area. March 29, 2006. 2 California Department of Fish and Wildlife . 2012. Staff Report o n Burrowing Owl Mitigation. Unpublished report.
Sacramento, California, USA.
determine the Study Area’s general suitability for burrowing owl , to locate burrows (or other suitable substrates), a nd to search for burrowing owls or burrowing owl sign. Owl sign consists of feathers, regurgitated pellets, and/or whitewash and is typically found near the entrances to occupied burrows.
Burrowing owl foraging perches also often show these characteristics as well. The entirety of the Study Area was accessible and surveyed during the site visit as well as surrounding areas visible from the Study Area.
Results
The Study Area consists of four parcels of roughly equal size (APNs 392-330-003, 392-330-007, 392-330- 021, 392-330-020) totaling approximately 17.59 acres. The center of the Study Area ha s been improved with single family homes and associated dirt access roads. Area to the east of the single -family homes include chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum) chaparral bisected by ruderal vegetation. The two western parcels include chemise chaparral, coastal sage scrub, and willow ( Salix sp.) riparian woodland. The riparian woodland is associated with a stream that flows through the northwestern parcel from a culvert along the western boundary before leaving the Study Area to the north . A small tributary to this stream also flows to the northeast from a culvert near the intersection of Clinton Keith Road and Whitewood Road.
No burrowing owls, burrowing owl sign, or potential burrows were observed within the Study Area, and the Study Area does not provide suitable habitat for this species. Most vegetated portions of the Study Area support vegetation that is too tall and too dense (e.g., chamise chaparral and willow woodland) to be suitable for burrowing owls. Flatter, open areas with more scattered perennial vegetation do exist on site, but those areas generally did not have friable soils and appear to be at least semi- regularly mowed as defensible space. While some California ground squirrels were observed during the assessment, activity was low across the Study Area. Some ground squirrel burrows were observed but were currently inhabited by ground squirrels and no whitewash, feathers, or other sign of burrowing owl were observed during the assessment.
Because the assessment found that the habitat within the Study Area is unsuitable for burrowing owls, no further surveys are required by the MSHCP. Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Matthew Schliebe
Wildlife Biologist, WRA, Inc.
[email protected]
Attachments
Figure 1. Regional Location
Figure 2. Project Area in Relation to MSHCP Burrowing Owl Survey Area Path: L:\Acad 2000 Files\31000\31314\GIS\ArcMap\31314Base.aprx Project Area
View Extent
0 10.5
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Sources: National Geographic, WRA | Prepared By: njander, 12/13/2021 Figure 1. Regional Location
Whitewood Residential Development Project
Riverside County, California
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Breda A
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Whitewood
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Cli nto n K eith Rd
Cli nton Ke it h R d
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hite ood
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Arendt Ln
Arendt Ln
Clinto n Keith Rd
Clinton Kei th Rd
Path: L:\Acad 2000 Files\31000\31314\GIS\ArcMap\31314Base.aprx 0 10050
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eet
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Sources: USDA NAIP Imagery 2020, Western Riverside Co Regional Conservation Authority, WRA | Prepared By: njander, 12/13/2021 Figure 2. Project Area in Relation to MSHCP Burrowing Owl Survey Area
Whitewood Residential Development Project
Riverside County, California
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Project Area (17.59 ac.)
MSHCP Burrowing Owl Survey Area