2007 Annual Monitoring Report (pdf 16MB) - Bolsa Chica Lowlands ...
2007 Annual Monitoring Report (pdf 16MB) - Bolsa Chica Lowlands ... 2007 Annual Monitoring Report (pdf 16MB) - Bolsa Chica Lowlands ...
Bolsa Chica Lowlands Restoration Monitoring2007 Annual ReportAvian Usage of the Survey AreaAssessing the avian usage of Bolsa Chica is complicated due to the frequent movements of the shorebirdsand waterfowl between areas such as the Seasonal Ponds and Full Tidal Basin within and between days.However a general overview of the use of these areas can be provided.Seasonal PondsThe 50-hectare seasonal ponds were utilized by 2,245 and 1,119 individual birds, representing 47 and40 species, during the October and December counts, respectively. The most abundant guilds in theseasonal ponds were shorebirds and dabbling ducks, indicating the importance of the shallow water inthe inundated salt panne for foraging and the exposed salt panne for resting. The seasonal ponds alsosupport considerable expanses of pickleweed that is occupied by Belding’s Savannah sparrows withaffinity to the habitat beginning in the late winter months. Zone 11 is the largest single zone, with themost diverse habitats, and supports the largest number and diversity of birds within the SeasonalPonds.Full Tidal BasinThe 158-hectare FTB is the largest, and was the most highly utilized, portion of the site. A total of2,344 individuals (43 species) during the October count and 4,714 individuals (51 species) during theDecember count were observed in this area. The most abundant guild in the FTB was shorebirds (72%in October and 83% in December). These birds foraged predominantly on the intertidal mudflats alongthe eastern shore of the basin (cordgrass bench) and around Rabbit Island. The inlet of the basin aswell as the open waters further into the basin were used in December by wintering ducks such as surfscoter, northern pintail, and bufflehead. The open water was also highly utilized by aerial fishforagers, particularly terns, during the October survey.Future Full Tidal BasinA total of 1,246 individual birds (55 species) used the 104-hectare FFTB during the October count and1,273 individuals (51 species) used the area during the December. The most abundant guilds in theFFTB were shorebirds and upland birds in October and shorebirds, upland birds, and dabblingducks/geese in December. These zones are dry and highly disturbed in many cases, with lower qualityhabitat and non-native vegetation common throughout this area. The ponded water within Zones 38,63, and 30 was utilized by shorebirds and dabbling ducks. American coots (Fulica americana) are alsovery abundant in this region.Muted Tidal BasinThe 77-hectare MTB was the least utilized of all the survey areas. The basin had 538 individuals (34species) during the October count and 546 individuals (35 species) in December. Upland speciesaccounted for 79% and 65% of these birds, respectively. The most abundant upland species in bothsurveys were white-crowned sparrow, house finch, and Savannah sparrow. All other guilds wererepresented in small numbers with the exception of coots and rails, which did not occur in the mutedtidal basin on either survey.Muted Pocket MarshThe 14 hectare Muted Pocket Marsh is primarily shallow open water and mudflat and therefore highlyutilized by shorebirds, dabbling ducks, and diving ducks/grebes/cormorants. The Muted PocketMarsh had a total of 883 individuals (35 species) during the October count and 1,681 individuals (47Merkel & Associates, Inc. 45
Bolsa Chica Lowlands Restoration Monitoring2007 Annual Reportspecies) during the December count. The increase in December is largely due to the increase in thenumber of dabbling and diving ducks utilizing the site, along with a large increase in dowitchers (106in October, 631 in December).Avian Distribution and Abundance by Habitat TypeInundated salt panne was the most utilized habitat type (35% of all birds) during the October 2007survey (Figure 1-9). This is primarily due to shorebird usage, accounting for 68% of all shorebirdsduring the October survey. This changed in the December survey with an increased use of mudflats(33% of all birds) and open water (29%) above inundated salt panne (13%). The increased use of openwater was related to the arrival of diving and dabbling ducks by December.50004000October-07December-07Number of Individuals3000200010000SaltMarshDisturbed FreshwaterSalt M arsh MarshWillo w/RiparianSaltPanneInundatedSalt PanneNestSiteOpenWaterRiprap M udflat SandShoalNon-nativeVegetationUrban/DisturbedFigure 1-9. Avian abundance by habitat for October and December 2007.The acreage of these habitats varies greatly (Table 1-1). When standardized by the available area ofeach habitat, bird densities were greatest in October in the willow/riparian (87 birds/ha), non-nativevegetation (53 birds/ha), all salt panne (35 birds/ha), disturbed salt marsh (33 birds/ha), and mudflat(35 birds/ha). In December bird densities were greatest on mudflat (101 birds/ha), freshwater marsh(56 birds/ha), non-native vegetation (52 birds/ha), and willow/riparian (44 birds/ha).Merkel & Associates, Inc. 46
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<strong>Bolsa</strong> <strong>Chica</strong> <strong>Lowlands</strong> Restoration <strong>Monitoring</strong><strong>2007</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong>species) during the December count. The increase in December is largely due to the increase in thenumber of dabbling and diving ducks utilizing the site, along with a large increase in dowitchers (106in October, 631 in December).Avian Distribution and Abundance by Habitat TypeInundated salt panne was the most utilized habitat type (35% of all birds) during the October <strong>2007</strong>survey (Figure 1-9). This is primarily due to shorebird usage, accounting for 68% of all shorebirdsduring the October survey. This changed in the December survey with an increased use of mudflats(33% of all birds) and open water (29%) above inundated salt panne (13%). The increased use of openwater was related to the arrival of diving and dabbling ducks by December.50004000October-07December-07Number of Individuals3000200010000SaltMarshDisturbed FreshwaterSalt M arsh MarshWillo w/RiparianSaltPanneInundatedSalt PanneNestSiteOpenWaterRiprap M udflat SandShoalNon-nativeVegetationUrban/DisturbedFigure 1-9. Avian abundance by habitat for October and December <strong>2007</strong>.The acreage of these habitats varies greatly (Table 1-1). When standardized by the available area ofeach habitat, bird densities were greatest in October in the willow/riparian (87 birds/ha), non-nativevegetation (53 birds/ha), all salt panne (35 birds/ha), disturbed salt marsh (33 birds/ha), and mudflat(35 birds/ha). In December bird densities were greatest on mudflat (101 birds/ha), freshwater marsh(56 birds/ha), non-native vegetation (52 birds/ha), and willow/riparian (44 birds/ha).Merkel & Associates, Inc. 46
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