Type: report

Article abstract: Southern California supports both coastal and desert populations of the Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus). In coastal regions, Cactus Wrens are year round residents of coastal sage scrub plant communities that contain cholla and/or prickly‐pear cactus tall enough (>1 m) to support and protect nests. Mature stands of cactus are patchily distributed within coastal sage scrub leading to a naturally patchy distribution of Cactus Wren in coastal southern California. Despite this uneven distribution, Cactus Wrens were historically widespread and abundant. In the last few decades, coastal populations have shown dramatic declines and are of great conservation concern (Sauer et al. 1999; Proudfoot et al. 2000; Solek and Szijj 2004; Mitrovich and Hamilton 2007). This report presents the preliminary results of studies conducted in 2012 investigating Cactus Wren genetics and parasite load, foraging ecology, and banded bird resighting surveys, to follow‐up on the 2009 to 2011 Cactus Wren reproduction, dispersal and survival study, in Orange County’s Central and Coastal Natural Community Conservation Plan/Habitat Conservation Plan (NCCP/HCP).