Chapter 3 - Natural Resources - Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

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MCB Camp Pendleton, California ago), in the less steeply sloped areas (95% of territories at less than 150 m in elevation) of the Base, with concentrations in the northern (State Park), coastal, and southern (inland) portions of the Base (Figure 3-13) (Griffith Wildlife Biology 2008a). The gnatcatcher occurs almost exclusively in the coastal sage community, but can also be found in chaparral and riparian habitats. The Special Management Season of the gnatcatcher extends from 1 February through 31 August, which coincides with peak nesting activities occurring from mid-March through May. For detailed information on the coastal California gnatcatcher, survey information and its management on Base see Appendix F, Section F.8. 3.2.4.5. Least Bell’s Vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus) FIGURE 3-14. LEAST BELL’S VIREO (PHOTO SOURCE: STEVE MASLOWSKI, USFWS) The least Bell’s vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus) is a small, migratory bird (4 ½ to 5 inches in length) with short, rounded-wings and a short, straightbill. Plumage is mostly gray above and pale below, with a faint whiteeye ring. Vireos primarily inhabit dense, willow-dominated riparian habitats with lush understory vegetation. The Special Management Season of the least Bell’s vireo extends from 15 March through 31 August. The decline of the least Bell’s vireo is mainly from loss of riparian habitat and nest parasitism by brown-headed cowbirds. MANAGEMENT STATUS Federal Status The USFWS listed the least Bell’s vireo as an endangered species on 2 May 1986 (USFWS 1986b). On 2 February 1994, critical habitat for the LBV was designated in 6 southern California counties (USFWS 1994a). Camp Pendleton was excluded from this designation due to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the USFWS regarding management of LBVs and their habitat on Base; a draft recovery plan is available (USFWS 1998c). On 7 July 2005, the USFWS initiated a 5-year review of 58 species, which included the least Bell’s vireo, under section 4(c)(2)(B) of the ESA to ensure that the classification of the species as threatened or endangered on the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants was accurate and based on the best scientific and commercial data currently available. The least Bell’s vireo was recommended to be downlisted from endangered to threatened status at the completion of the 5-year review on 14 February 2007; however, a final ruling on this action is currently pending (CDFG 2008a). California Status The CDFG listed the least Bell’s vireo as endangered on 2 October 1980 (CDFG 2005). 3-44 Chapter 3 – Natural Resources
Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan [March 2012 - Update] Regional Status The least Bell’s vireo is a covered species in the following southern California NCCP documents: • Coachella Valley Multi-Species HCP. • Fieldstone/La Costa & City of Carlsbad. • Kern Water Bank. • Lake Mathews. • MHCP, City of Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan. • MSCP, City of Chula Vista Subarea Plan. • MSCP, City of La Mesa Subarea Plan. • MSCP, City of Poway Subarea Plan. • MSCP, City of San Diego Subarea Plan. • MSCP, County of San Diego Subarea Plan. • North Peak Development Project. • Orange County Central/Coastal NCCP/HCP. • Orange County Southern Subregion NCCP/HCP. • Rancho Bella Vista (Pacific Bay Properties). • SDG&E. • Western Riverside MSHCP. MCBCP Status Protection and management of the least Bell’s vireo and its habitat is provided for in the Estuarine and Beach Conservation Plan as an attachment to the Riparian and Estuarine/Beach BO (1-6-95-F-02) signed on 30 October 1995. The Estuarine and Beach Conservation Plan is located in Appendix B and the terms and conditions to the BO are located in Appendix L. Programmatic instructions that provide basewide proscriptions for avoidance and minimization of impacts to the species and its habitat, especially during the Special Management Season, which coincides with its breeding season, are provided in Camp Pendleton’s Base Order P3500.1M (Range and Training Regulations). Management details, survey information, etc., for the least Bell’s vireo are located in Appendix F, Section F.9. FIGURE 3-15. LEAST BELL’S VIREO LOCATIONS DISTRIBUTION Global The entire range of the least Bell’s vireo consists of the southwestern coastline of California below Santa Barbara, extending inland approximately to the edge of the Imperial Valley. The breeding range for this species encompasses greater Los Angeles and other Chapter 3 – Natural Resources 3-45
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Chapter 3 - Natural Resources - Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

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