West Mojave Plan FEIR/S - Desert Managers Group

Population Status in the Planning Area: The Vermilion Flycatcher breeds in manylocations in the Mojave Desert, almost all of which are well above 500 ft. elevation. Forexample, this species breeds regularly (up to 3 pairs) in Morongo Valley (San BernardinoCounty), at both Covington Park and the northern edge of the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve.Additional areas within the West Mojave where the Vermilion Flycatcher has recently nested areYucca Valley, San Bernardino County (up to 3 pairs from 1991 through 1999); Jess Ranch inApple Valley, San Bernardino County (1 pair in 1995 and 1997); Fort Irwin, San BernardinoCounty (1 pair in 1996); Ridgecrest, Kern County (1 pair in 1992 and 1994); China Lake, KernCounty (1 pair in 1994); Antelope Valley northwest of Lancaster, Los Angeles County (1 pair in1998); and Leona Valley, Los Angeles County (1 pair in 1994). In 2000, six birds (2 pairs and 2adult males) were found along a 1mile stretch of the Mojave River bounded by alfalfa fieldssouth of Helendale.Regulatory Status: California Species of Special Concern.Threats Affecting the Vermillion Flycatcher: The primary threat to the VermilionFlycatcher is habitat loss and nest parasitism by the Brown-headed Cowbird.3.3.6.14 Western Snowy PloverLife History. The Western snowy plover nests in the West Mojave on certain playas andwetland areas. Most appear to depart for the winter, but migrants and wintering birds are knownfrom a few localities. They favor playas, seasonal wetlands, and sewage treatment ponds orponds managed for wintering waterfowl.Population Status in the Planning Area: Western snowy plover appears to nest withregularity on Edwards AFB at Piute Ponds. Other reported nest locations are Harper Dry Lake,Koehn Lake, China Lake, Rosamond Lake, Dale Lake, and the evaporation ponds at the Edisonfacility in Daggett, although the birds may not use these sites every year. A survey of nestingsites for this species at Searles Lake in 2001 recorded 14 broods of chicks and 2 nests were found(LaBerteaux, 2001). No plovers were detected at Koehn Lake in spring 2001 (Cunningham,2001). No plovers or habitat were detected at Superior Dry Lakeor at East and West CroneseLakes (Wehjte, 2001). Six plovers (five males, one female) were seen at Harper Dry Lake onMay 30, 2001, but none were seen on July 6. One pair was judged to be breeding at Harper DryLake. At least two pairs were reported to nest at Harper Dry Lake in 2003 and 2004. The birdmay use all of these sites in winter.Regulatory Status: California Species of Special Concern.Threats Affecting the Western Snowy Plover: Nests are vulnerable to humandisturbance, including vehicle traffic and pets. Insufficient water supply to permanent andseasonal wetlands is a problem in many areas, including Harper Dry Lake. Rising water levelsthat inundate nests is a problem at managed ponds and during exceptional wet years at naturalplayas. They are very susceptible to predators, including ravens, coyotes, foxes and feral dogsand cats.Chapter 3 3-180