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Excel sheet with yearly data for Belding's Savannah Sparrow.

Thirty-four marshes were surveyed during the period of 5 March-28 June 1991 for the territorial Belding's Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis beldingi), which is currently a state-endangered and federal category two candidate subspecies. ("Category two" species lack sufficient information to support a federal listing proposal as endangered or threatened). Populations were found in 27 of those marshes from Goleta Slough south to Tijuana Marsh on the Mexican border of southern California. The total for the state was at least 1,844 pairs. Populations varied from 1 to 303 pairs. This statewide estimate is 18.9% less than the 2,274 pairs reported in 1986 (Zembal et al. 1987); however, the largest population at Mugu Lagoon was not completely counted in 1991. If the population at Mugu is assumed to be unchanged from 1986 then the statewide estimate is 9.8% less than in 1986. Major needs for this subspecies still include acquiring and restoring upper marsh habitat, providing tidal flushing, protecting marshes from disturbance and degradation, and researching demography, possible intermarsh movement, and the influence of exotic predatory species.

Thirty-two coastal salt marshes were surveyed for state-endangered Belding?s Savannah sparrows (Passerculus sandwichensis beldingi), 16 March ? 5 June 2006. Belding?s Savannah Sparrows exhibiting breeding behavior were detected in 29 of these wetlands from Goleta Slough in Santa Barbara County on the north to Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge on the Mexican border. A minimum total of 3,135 pairs was detected. This is the highest state total reported since periodic counts began in 1973 and is 8.2% higher than the next highest count, reported in 2001. Point Mugu alone accounted numerically for this difference; after doubling in size by 2001, it increased another 28.8% by 2006, comprising 33.2% of the state total. The major need of this little endangered songbird remains habitat restoration, security, and management. At least 75% of southern California?s former coastal wetlands have been lost and the remainder suffers ongoing degradation. The long-term fate of a few of the occupied wetlands is still uncertain and most are affected by trespass and the side effects of so many millions of people living on their edges and in their watersheds. Counteracting these problems by rebuilding a larger habitat base, with better security, and increased management would greatly benefit a significant suite of species with which the Belding?s Savannah sparrow shares its habitat.

Thirty-two coastal salt marshes were surveyed for state-endangered Belding?s Savannah sparrows (Passerculus sandwichensis beldingi), 18 March ? 30 May 2001. Belding?s Savannah Sparrows exhibiting breeding behavior were detected in 30 of these wetlands from Goleta Slough in Santa Barbara County on the north to Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge on the Mexican border. A minimum total of 2,902 pairs was detected. This is the highest state total reported since periodic counts began in 1973 and is 23.5% higher than the next highest count, reported in 1996. Point Mugu alone accounted numerically for this difference, wherein twice as many Belding?s were recorded in 2001 than previously. The major need of this little endangered songbird remains habitat restoration, security, and management. At least 75% of southern California?s former coastal wetlands have been lost and the remainder suffers ongoing degradation. The long-term fate of a few of the occupied wetlands is still uncertain and most are affected by trespass and the side effects of so many millions of people living on their edges and in their watersheds. Counteracting these problems by rebuilding a larger habitat base, with better security, and increased management would greatly benefit a significant suite of species with which the Belding?s Savannah sparrow shares its habitat.