appendix b final 2008 biological surveys of los angeles and long ...

9.0 Birds
9.0 BIRDS
9.1 INTRODUCTION
Southern California’s coastal areas, including its shorelines, estuaries, bays, and harbors,
provide several types of habitat for large numbers of waterfowl, shorebirds, wading birds, and
birds that forage from the air. The open water and other habitats within the Ports of Long Beach
and Los Angeles (Ports) provide opportunities for nesting, foraging, and resting by a diversity of
bird species, including three species listed as endangered by the California and/or Federal
Endangered Species Acts: California Brown Pelican, California Least Tern, and Peregrine
Falcon. The Ports have conducted several previous studies of the avifauna over the past thirty
years to document bird use of Port habitats; the current study represents a continuation of those
efforts.
9.2 METHODOLOGY
9.2.1 Field Surveys
Methods used in the current study were
similar to those of the 2000 baseline study
(MEC 2002), including the same 31 survey
zones (Figure 9.2-1). The survey zones
generally correspond to those established
during the 1983–1984 (MBC 1984) and
1986–1987 (MEC 1988) studies. Survey
zones number from 1–15 and 19–34; the
gap in the numbering sequence (16–18)
reflects minor modifications to eliminate
overlaps among studies and changes in
harbor development, including the Pier 400
landfill and Pier J expansion (MEC 2002).
Saturation surveys were completed from a
boat in all survey zones. Bird counts were
conducted with binoculars by one observer and recorded by another observer who assisted with
observations. Boat travel within survey zones was conducted in a manner that minimized
flushing of birds to avoid double counts or observer-induced changes in bird behavior or habitat
use.
A total of 20 surveys were conducted twice monthly from December 14 through March 22 and
from August 14 through November 23, and once monthly from April 10 through July 26. For
months with two surveys, they are designated as survey “A” and “B” in the report text and
graphics. Surveys were more frequent during the fall and winter months to more thoroughly
document the increase in avian activity that typically occurs in southern California during postbreeding
dispersal, migration, and over-wintering; previous surveys (MBC 1984, MEC 1988,
MEC 2002) also used this survey frequency. Each survey was conducted under suitable
environmental conditions over a two- to three-day period, beginning early in the morning and
ending in the late morning or early afternoon. Surveys were discontinued for the day if high
winds, fog-limited visibility, rain, or other factors were deemed to be unsuitable for accurate and
effective data collection.
Data recorded for each observation included species identity, numbers of individuals, habitat in
which the birds occurred, and bird activity. Habitats were designated as anchor line, bridge,
2008 Biological Surveys of Los Angeles and Long Beach Harbors 9–1
April 2010