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

9.0 Birds
9.4.2.6
9.4.2.7
9.4.2.8
9.4.2.9
Western Snowy Plover
No Western Snowy Plovers were observed within the Ports during the 2007–2008 surveys.
This species is occasionally observed during migration at the California Least Tern nesting site
on Pier 400 (Keane Biological Consulting 2007). A few individuals also have been observed at
Point Fermin and Cabrillo Beach outside the breakwater (Ryan et al. 2009).
Black Oystercatcher
Similar to the 2000–2001 surveys (MEC 2002), a nesting colony of Black Oystercatchers was
observed on riprap along the entire length of the outer breakwaters within the both Ports (Zones
15, 12, 9, 3, 2) (Appendix H-2). Black Oystercatchers were also sometimes observed at other
outer harbor locations in flight or on riprap (Zones 7, 8, 10, 19, 21). The species has been
present within the Ports since at least 1973 (HEP 1979). Black Oystercatchers were the most
common large shorebird observed in 2007–2008 (0.6% of all birds) (Table 9.4-1). Individuals
were observed on all survey dates, with the highest number during July and August 2008
(Figure 9.4-1c), likely reflecting the presence of fledged chicks. Lower numbers of individuals
were observed from October through December, but individuals remained concentrated along
the breakwater. Black Oystercatchers typically nest along rocky shores and islands along the
Pacific coast of North America (Pacific Wildlife Foundation 2009) and the nesting colony within
the Ports is considered unusual.
Caspian Tern
Caspian Terns began nesting at Pier 400 in the Los Angeles Harbor in 1997 (Keane Biological
Consulting 2005). This species continued to nest annually at or near the designated California
Least Tern nesting site on Pier 400 (west area of Zone 8) until 2005 (Table 9.4-3), when they
left the area due to a nocturnal predator (Keane Biological Consulting 2005). They nested once
again in the Los Angeles Harbor in 2008 (Table 9.4-3), but did so on Pier 300 near Berth 305
(between Zones 6 and 7). The highest numbers of Caspian Terns were observed during May
through August 2008 when they were nesting on Pier 300, although relatively high numbers also
were counted in March (Figure 9.4-1d). Caspian Terns foraged most frequently in Zones 6 & 7,
close to where they were nesting on Pier 305 (Table H-22).
Elegant Tern
The Elegant Tern was one of the most numerous bird species overall (7% of total birds), the
second most numerous aerial fish forager, and the most numerous of the observed tern species
(Table 9.4-1). Elegant Terns are a colonially nesting species with a relatively restricted
distribution; 90 percent of their total population breeds at five southern California sites (MEC
2002). This species nested on Pier 400 in the Los Angeles Harbor between 1998 and 2005 and
at Pier 300 in 2008 (Table 9.4-3). Numerous observations during 2007–2008 surveys of
Elegant Tern flights over the breakwaters suggest they forage primarily outside the harbor,
although they occasionally were observed foraging within the Ports. Elegant Terns are unusual
in coastal southern California in the winter (C. Collins, pers. comm.), and 2007–2008 surveys
reflected this, with no Elegant Terns observed during the December, January, February, or early
March surveys (Figure 9.4-1e). Historical records of occurrence during those months may
represent misidentified Royal Terns. High numbers of Elegant Terns roosted on the Ports’
breakwaters with newly fledged young from June to early August (riprap; Figure 9.4-1e).
Observations suggest that young Elegant Terns learn to forage with their parents in waters near
the riprap. Similar to Caspian terns, Elegant Terns foraged most frequently in Zones 6 & 7,
close to where they were nesting on Pier 305 (Table H-22).
9–6 2008 Biological Surveys of Los Angeles and Long Beach Harbors
April 2010