Type: report
Article abstract: This report describes species monitoring and management efforts for the 2008 calendar year and is intended to fulfill annual reporting requirements pursuant U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Recovery Permit TE813431-4 and California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) (2005). Sweetwater Authority's biologist, Peter Famolaro, is the principal investigator for these respective federal and state authorizations. In 2008, work under these permits included surveys for least Bell's vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus) and willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii), as well as brown-headed cowbird trapping (Molothrus ater). All work was performed within the Sweetwater River watershed in southern San Diego County, California (Exhibit 1). 2008 Species Survey Report 2 In 2008, the Sweetwater Authority contracted the U.S. Geological Survey Western Ecological Research Center (USGS WERC) to assist in least Bell's vireo and willow flycatcher surveys. As such, USGS's work is also described in this annual report. All work by USGS WERC was performed pursuant to authorizations held by Barbara Kus PhD (USFWS Recovery Permit TE- 829554, CDFG 2006).
Number of pages: 38
Authors: Famolaro, Pete;
Day: 24
Month: June
Year: 2009
Purpose: Species surveys and related activities described in this report are performed primarily for project compliance purposes agreed to by the Sweetwater Authority. The projects and related sites are listed below: • Sweetwater Reservoir Habitat Management Program (HMP): USFWS Biological Opinion 1-6-93-F-42 and CDFG Memorandum of Understanding No. 2081-1994-088-5, (USFWS 1994 and 1999, CDFG 1996) – Site B • Urban Runoff Diversion System Phase II (URDS II): USFWS Biological Opinion 1-6-95- F-41 and CDFG Addendum to Memorandum of Understanding 2081-1994-088-5, (USFWS 1996a and CDFG 1997) – Site B • Loveland Reservoir Land Exchange and Recreational Fishing Easement: USFWS Informal Consultation 1-6-96-I-326 (USFWS 1996b) – Site D Through implementation of these required survey efforts, the data collected provides valuable species abundance and distribution information. It also provides natural history data for use by the federal and state wildlife regulatory agencies, as well as local agencies involved in the protection, management, and recovery of these species (e.g., Sweetwater Authority). In addition to projects referenced above, efforts are expanded to survey additional areas within Sweetwater Authority ownership (e.g. Old Orchard – Site A) and/or support species investigations off our properties when requested by a neighboring land managers (e.g. San Diego National Wildlife Refuge [SDNWR] – Site C) or otherwise obtainable while performing to other duties.
Prepared for: U.S. Fish and Widlife Service, Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office; California Department of Fish and Game;
Prepared by: Sweetwater Authority; Famolaro, Pete;
Keywords: bird surveys; cowbird trapping;
Species: Least Bell's vireo; Brown-headed Cowbird; Southwestern willow flycatcher