Type: report

Article abstract: This report summarizes the results of directed surveys for the California gnatcatcher and the coastal cactus wren, and general bird surveys of the oak and willow woodlands along Felicita Creek at the Preserve, Escondido, San Diego County, California. There surveys were conducted to provide baseline assessments of the occurrence of these species at the preserve in its first year of establishment. Fourteen territories of the California gnatcatcher occur within or adjacent to the Preserve. Five cactus wren territories also occur within or adjacent to the preserve. The riparian bird species assemblage is typical of similar habitats in coastal San Diego County. The western flycatcher and Hutton's vireo are two of the common species that occur in the southern coast live oak riparian forest along Felicita Creek and may be species that occur in sufficient numbers to be considered prime candidates for monitoring the health and quality of the riparian habitats along Felicita Creek.