Type: report

Article abstract: 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.