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

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9.0 Birds<br />

the Brown Pelican population since the mid-1980s that has been linked to the ban <strong>of</strong> DDT<br />

(Burkett et al. 2007).<br />

9.4.2.2<br />

9.4.2.3<br />

9.4.2.4<br />

9.4.2.5<br />

Double-crested Cormorant<br />

The double-crested Cormorant was among the most numerous species recorded within the<br />

Ports during the 2007–<strong>2008</strong> <strong>surveys</strong>, accounting for 3.5% <strong>of</strong> all birds counted (Table 9.4-1).<br />

This species nested on transmission towers north <strong>of</strong> the Gerald Desmond Bridge in Zones 25<br />

<strong>and</strong> 26 <strong>of</strong> inner Long Beach Harbor; 89 nests were counted in Zone 26 on June 20 <strong>and</strong> 16 were<br />

counted in Zone 25 on July 26.<br />

Great Blue Heron<br />

Great Blue Herons were the most numerous Wading/Marsh Bird, <strong>and</strong> accounted for 0.8% <strong>of</strong><br />

total birds counted in 2007–<strong>2008</strong> (Table 9.4-1). During the 2000–2001 baseline study (MEC<br />

2002), Great Blue Herons were observed nesting a<strong>long</strong> with Black-crowned Night Herons within<br />

the Port <strong>of</strong> Long Beach at Gull Park on the Navy Mole, at the mouth <strong>of</strong> the Long Beach West<br />

Basin. They have continued to nest there annually; an estimated eight Great Blue Herons<br />

nested at Gull Park in 2007, with a minimum <strong>of</strong> 15 chicks fledged (MBC 2007). In <strong>2008</strong> there<br />

were seven nests, <strong>and</strong> seven to 14 young fledged (C. Pacquette, pers. comm.). Great Blue<br />

Heron nesting also was documented in several other areas <strong>of</strong> the Ports during 2007–<strong>2008</strong><br />

<strong>surveys</strong>, including Zone 2 (a maximum <strong>of</strong> 7 nests), Zone 4 (6 nests), Zone 7 (4 nests), <strong>and</strong> Zone<br />

8 (on container terminal security lights) in outer Los Angeles Harbor, <strong>and</strong> Zone 26 (14 nests) in<br />

inner Long Beach Harbor.<br />

Black-crowned Night Heron<br />

A nesting colony <strong>of</strong> Black-crowned Night Herons was observed at Gull Park at the mouth <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Long Beach West Basin during the 2000–2001 baseline study (MEC 2002). None were<br />

observed nesting at this location during the 2007–<strong>2008</strong> <strong>surveys</strong>. This species had apparently<br />

discontinued nesting in 2002 following a Navy remediation project at Gull Park in 2001; aside<br />

from one nest in 2002, no Black-crowned Night Heron nesting activities were observed during<br />

yearly <strong>surveys</strong> at Gull Park from 2002 through <strong>2008</strong> (MBC 2007, C. Pacquette, pers. comm).<br />

However, Black-crowned Night Herons were documented as nesting in <strong>2008</strong> in other nearby<br />

areas, including ficus trees adjacent to the federal building on Ferry Street (Keane Biological<br />

Consulting <strong>2008</strong>).<br />

Peregrine Falcon<br />

Although no Peregrine Falcons were observed during the 1986–1987 <strong>biological</strong> baseline<br />

<strong>surveys</strong> (MEC 1988), this species was reported to occur within the Ports as early as 1982, <strong>and</strong><br />

a single individual was documented in 1984 (ACOE 1984, MBC 1984). Nesting has been<br />

documented within the Ports since 1993 (J. Sipple, pers. comm.). Peregrine falcons have<br />

nested on the Schuyler F. Heim Bridge that separates the Ports <strong>of</strong> Long Beach <strong>and</strong> Los Angeles<br />

inner harbors. A pair <strong>of</strong> peregrine falcons has nested within the supporting structure below the<br />

Gerald Desmond Bridge <strong>of</strong>f <strong>and</strong> on for the past several years, <strong>and</strong> they have successfully<br />

fledged young each year (Jeff Sipple, pers. comm.). During the 2007–<strong>2008</strong> <strong>surveys</strong>, one or<br />

more Peregrine Falcons was observed on 11 <strong>of</strong> the 20 survey dates, with the majority either<br />

flying or roosting on bridges (Figure 9.4-1b), including one observation <strong>of</strong> nesting on June 20 at<br />

the Gerald Desmond Bridge in Zone 25 <strong>of</strong> inner Long Beach Harbor.<br />

<strong>2008</strong> Biological Surveys <strong>of</strong> Los Angeles <strong>and</strong> Long Beach Harbors 9–5<br />

April 2010

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