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

9.0 Birds
species overall (14.1% of total birds for all surveys) and (Table 9.4-1). Three other waterfowl
species — Surf Scoter (11.2%), Western Grebe (8.0%) and Double-crested Cormorant (3.5%)
— were among the ten most numerous species for the 2007–2008 surveys.
The second most abundant guild was Gulls (34.4%), with Western Gull (24.6%) the most
abundant species observed during all 2007–2008 surveys. Also relatively common were
Heermann's Gull (7.3%) and California Gull (1.2%). Aerial Fish Foragers were the third most
abundant bird guild (17.5%), with Brown Pelican (9.6%) and Elegant Tern (7.0%) among the ten
most numerous species (Table 9.4-1).
Nearly three times lower in abundance than Aerial Fish Foragers were Upland Birds (6.2%),
which was not unexpected because, aside from areas that bordered the harbors’ waters, upland
habitats of the Ports were not surveyed. The most numerous upland bird was the non-native
Rock Dove, comprising 5.1% of all birds and the majority of all Upland Birds (6.2% of total birds)
(Table 9.4-1).
The remaining bird guilds — Small Shorebirds (1.6%), Wading/Marsh Birds (1.1%), Large
Shorebirds (0.6%), and Raptors (0.9%) — comprised a relatively small percentage of all birds
observed in 2007–2008 (Table 9.4-1). Aside from a small area of mudflat in zones 1, 5, and 27,
no foraging habitat (saltmarsh, freshwater marsh, mudflat) preferred by shorebirds and
Wading/Marsh Birds occurs in the Ports. Habitats for Raptors are also limited in the Ports, and,
as top predators, Raptors are generally a less abundant guild.
9.4.2 Special-status Species
Table 9.4-2 summarizes the listing status of each of the special-status species historically
observed within the Ports. In many cases, protective status applies to specific locations such as
nesting colonies or communal roosts (rather than foraging or wintering areas). Species in the
table are organized taxonomically. Figures 9.4-1a-f show habitat use within the Ports for listed
species (Brown Pelican, Peregrine Falcon, Least Tern); the Black Oystercatcher, which nested
on the outer breakwater; and other tern species (Caspian Tern and Elegant Tern) that nested in
high numbers in the Los Angeles Harbor during the summer of 2008.
9.4.2.1 California Brown Pelican
Brown Pelicans accounted for 9.6% of the total observations during the 2007–2008 surveys
(Table 9.4-1). The majority of individuals were observed roosting (resting) along the riprap of
the outer breakwater (Figure 9.4-1a). The maximum number of Brown Pelicans was 2,886
individuals in May 2008. This likely was due to the pelicans returning to the coast from offshore
island nesting areas; low pelican numbers during most surveys from January through April
(Figure 9.4-1a) coincided with the peak breeding season. While Brown Pelicans do not nest
within the Ports (the nearest nesting colonies are on west Anacapa and Santa Barbara islands),
the Ports provide valuable roosting and feeding habitat, particularly the outer breakwater and
open water.
The Brown Pelican has consistently been one of the most abundant species within the Ports,
accounting for 9.5% of all birds during the 2000–2001 study (MEC 2002), 14% during the 1986–
1987 study (MEC 1988), and 15.1% during the 1983–1984 study of outer Long Beach Harbor
(MBC 1984). Although the percent composition of brown pelicans was lower in the most recent
baseline studies compared to those in the 1980s, this was likely due to an increase in numbers
of other species, particularly other Aerial Fish Foragers such as Elegant Terns. In contrast,
Brown Pelicans accounted for a substantially lower percentage of total bird observations during
the 1973 study (3.8%) (HEP 1980). There has been a substantial and widespread increase in
9–4 2008 Biological Surveys of Los Angeles and Long Beach Harbors
April 2010