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March 22, 2019Mr. Julian MeislerSonoma Land TrustSanta Rosa, CASubject: Annual Report — Summary of Avian Survey Findings For Initial Four Surveys (Among Eight) For Year Two Point Count Survey At The Sears Point Restoration Area (SPRA site) (2018-2019)Introduction:As a consulting Avian Biologist & Certified Wildlife Biologist Asc., I provide comments below relating to four avian surveys that have occurred from December, 2018 through March 14, 2019, the third year of the surveys at the SPRA site. Four additional surveys will occur: two in April, 2019 and two in August, 2019. Significantly, and as a result, a complete data set of three year’s surveys — eight per year (two per season) equals 24 total surveys as of August, 2019 — will be shared with the California Avian Data Center (CADC), meaning the SPRA site’s data will allow wildlife managers throughout the West Coast to assess the SPRA’s avian richness and abundance as they formulate their own sites’ management, conservation, and, in some cases, restoration plans. Survey Schedule:Note the entire eight survey schedule for 2018-2019 appears in the Methodology For Surveys section, below, and a summary of avian observations for each individual survey among the four conducted to date appear as attachments. Likewise, an overall summary table for all four surveys is attached. The final four upcoming surveys for year number two in April, 2018 and August, 2018 are intended to correspond to the “spring” and “summer” season, and, thus, will complete the ongoing, annual cycle of eight surveys (i.e., two surveys per season equals eight per year as the intended protocol method). Survey Design And Volunteer Bird Monitoring Effort:As background in relation to the survey design method for conducting surveys, note that monitors counted shorebird, duck, raptor, and rail species within a 0.1-mile survey for 10 minutes at each point count station among 12 in total (see Appendix 3). More details related to the survey method and data collection are in the attached file that serves as a “Volunteer Manual” (see Appendix 1). Songbird order members were not included as species to document in the surveys as part of the survey protocol.Weather conditions for all surveys were noted on each individual survey data form that lists the results of all 12-point count station observations (see Appendix 2). Surveys provided collective totals of avian richness and abundance based on multiple bird monitor groups contributing their observations. More specific, for each bird monitor group, a lead/experienced bird monitor coordinated a group’s point count station method by ensuring his/her group complied with the protocol method.Survey Results:Assessment of the survey results appears below as general and specific comments relating to the presence/absence avifauna diversity and their abundance. In particular, note how the assessment of results highlights how different avian guild members utilized the SPRA site, in addition to interpretation of these results.Bird monitor groups identified shorebird, duck, gull/tern, and rail family members, as well as raptor order members. Beyond the attached results that correspond with the four surveys, other files attached to this report include the survey method protocol; a blank data form; and a map/figure of the site that visually shows all of the 12 point count stations.Methodology For SurveysPrior the beginning of the surveys, a protocol method was established (see Appendix 1). It was taught in the field to the volunteer avian survey monitors after being introduced with a November, 2018 educational, classroom training slide show session. This session in the classroom and field survey prepared new monitors for the upcoming 2018-19 survey season and, in addition, added new information to returning monitors so they could add to their knowledge as effective field observers (in terms of correctly identifying avian species). For the 12-point count stations that monitors visited as small groups (varying from two to seven in each group) during each survey (see figure/map attachment), a lead avian survey volunteer monitor coordinated the activities of a group. The leader was granted this role because I deemed him or her to possess high level bird identification experience and, thus, able to ensure accurate avian identification for the entire group conducting a survey supported by other less experienced monitors who assisted the leader with avian identification. For each group conducting a survey, a monitor was designated to complete the data form as the “recorder” of avian sightings based on the verbal instruction of the leader and other monitors. During surveys, all monitors employed binoculars and a spotting scope. A blank data form is present in Appendix 2. The survey date schedule for 2018-2019 appears below and includes a four-hour time allowance for each survey that was scheduled to coincide with moderate low and high tides at the SPRA site (via ), meaning a low tide survey time was deemed to occur below a reading of two feet and a high tide survey time as above five feet. In addition, each survey date was chosen to coincide with moderate low and moderate high tide schedules, given the SPRA’s survey protocol simulates the avian survey method conducted by nearby US Fish and Wildlife Service biologists for their avian surveys. Autumn Surveys:#1: 12/14/18, 10 am – 2 pm (Moderate low tide)#2: 12/17/18, 10 am – 2 pm (Moderate high tide)Winter Surveys:#3: 3/7/19, 10 AM – 2 pm (Moderate high tide)#4: 3/14/19, 10 am – 2 pm (Moderate high tide)Spring Surveys:#5: 4/19/19, 10 am – 2 pm (Moderate low tide)#6: 4/26/19, 10 am – 2 pm (Moderate high tide)Summer Surveys:#7: 8/22/19, 10 am – 2 pm (Moderate high tide)#8: 8/26/19, 10 am – 2 pm (Moderate low tide)Results Of SurveysResults of each survey (#1 through #4) appear in the columns within the attached Appendix A. The final four surveys — two in April, 2019 and two in August, 2019 — will be added to the Appendix A survey results. Summary Of Ongoing Trends, Based On Survey Results From 2016 ThroughAvian Survey #1 Through #4 In The Current 3rd Season Of SurveysBased on all of the survey results since they began in 2016, several trends are evident and continue to be evident inclusive of the most recent 2018 and 2019 surveys at the SPRA site:Avian presence occurs in the following habitat types at the SPRA site: a) Wetland (WET); b) Tidal Mudflat (MUD); c) Upland Levee (LEV); d) Beach (BEA); e) Rocky Shoreline (ROCK); f) Open Water (OPEN); and g) Marsh Panne (MAR).Avian guilds most commonly represented with the greatest abundance during the initial four surveys for 2018-2019:Duck Family MembersDiving duck guild species: Similar to the two initial year’s survey results from fall, 2016 – summer, 2018, Canvasback was again one of the most common, abundant avian diving duck species observed during the intial four surveys of 2018-19.In fact, this non-breeding/”over-wintering” visitor to the SPRA site was the most abundant duck species observed for the initial four surveys, with the following impressive totals for each of the four surveys, respectively: 1,393, 214, 498, and 154. Runnerup diving duck guild members by abundance: Bufflehead (129 seen during initial four surveys); Ruddy Duck (a diving duck, but more technically considered a stiff-tailed duck member) (415 observed during the initial four surveys); and Greater Scaup (335 seen during the initial four surveys). Among these three species, only the Ruddy Duck nests within the SPRA site and/or in wetland parcels adjacent to it. As a Sonoma County nester (within which the SPRA site occurs), it is provided ideal foraging habitat based on the site’s open water at high tide and, in addition, its presence is likely to remain at good numbers year-round with current and future nesting habitat accommodated via the creation of the “islands” as part of the site’s restoration design.Thus, in total, the SPRA site serves as vital “over-wintering” shelter and foraging habitat for Canvasback, Bufflehead, Ruddy Duck, and Greater Scaup. In this sense, it’s important to mention that annual San Francisco Bay-wide studies (* = see web link, below) conducted by California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) biologists indicate the North Bay hosts healthy “over-wintering” populations of the four aforementioned diving duck species. In turn, the addition of the SPRA site is a noteworthy addition of vital refugium habitat for the four duck species noted above.Other diving duck species present in fewer numbers upon the SPRA site (per the initial four surveys in 2018-19): Common Goldeneye (21 were seen during the December 7, 2018 survey), with Lesser Scaup, and Ring-necked Duck also likely to again be documented upon the SPRA site, ala past year’s observations of these two diving duck species. (* = See the following 2018 study: )b) Puddle/Dabbling duck guild species: During the initial 2018-2019 surveys, the most commonly observed species members of this guild were Green-winged Teal (267, all during survey #4 on March 14, 2019), American Wigeon (a total of 66 among three of the four surveys), Northern Pintail (45 seen during two of the four surveys). Another common dabbling duck in the North Bay region — Mallard — was present as only five individuals during the initial four surveys. Curiously, the low number of Mallard is opposed to its more abundant, nearly-ubiquitous population status as the most common nesting duck species elsewhere in the North Bay and throughout the region. Gadwall, another common dabbling duck in the area, has been absent during the current year #3’s surveys, though it was seen during the initial year’s surveys in 2016 and 2017. Gadwall, likewise, nests abundantly in the area, but it’s a mystery as to why it was absent during year #2’s surveys and, again, in the surveys conducted during 2018 and 2019.Shorebird Family MembersAmong approximately 19 species of shorebird family members typically seen annually in the San Francisco Bay Area, 10 were seen at the SPRA site during the four 2018 and 2019 surveys. This number matches the total number of shorebird family members observed during the 2017-2018 survey season (season #2). For the recent 2018-2019 surveys, the most abundant shorebirds were Least Sandpiper and Dunlin, as each of these species was seen at many of the 12 point count stations. For these surveys, here’s the total individuals documented for the most common shorebird order members (in order, from the largest to fewest numbers): Least Sandpiper, 616; Black-bellied Plover, 502, Dunlin, 357, Long-billed Dowitcher, 266, Marbled Godwit (100), Willet (78) and Western Sandpiper (66). Represented in far fewer numbers were Long-billed Curlew (11 observed), Greater Yellowlegs (2 seen), and Killdeer (1). Except for the Killdeer that nests within the SPRA site, all of the other eight shorebird order members forage upon the mudflats exposed at the site during low tide cycles. In other words, the creation of new mudflat habitat at the SPRA presents previously-absent foraging resources for shorebird order members that now are present year-round (and especially as “over-wintering” visitors) at the SPRA site, with Least Sandpiper, Black-bellied Plover, Dunlin, Marbled Godwit, and Willet particularily benefitting. Stilt/Avocet Family MembersAmerican Avocet was the lone representative noted in this family during the surveys, with its most abundant presence totaling 425 individuals for survey the intial four 2018 and 2019 surveys. Black-necked Stilt was absent from all 12 stations during this year’s four surveys. However, this species is common in the region and often seen in adjoining parcels near the SPRA site. Its presence would again be expected at the SPRA site, including nesting potential (ala how this species nests throughout suitable habitat in the North Bay).Raptor Order MembersRaptor species richness and abundance was surprisingly low for the four surveys. No sightings of raptors occurred at the point count stations. by monitors: That written, in habitat outside the count area, several common raptor species were noted: American Kestrel, Red-tailed Hawk, and Sharp-shinned Hawk. The latter is uncommon in the region and is the only one of the three noted here that does not nest in habitat adjacent to the SPRA site.Nonetheless, it’s significant to mention that upland areas of the SPRA — including low tide periods — host rodent order members and snake species vulnerable to raptors foraging at the SPRA site. Likewise, at night, Great Horned Owl likely are present on the site. As a result, the SPRA site’s food web includes raptor order members and, as such, some of which likely periodically feed upon duck and shorebird individuals. For this reason, the SPRA site should be considered a healthy ecosystem supported by the presence of fauna members beyond birds, including classes of vertebrates represented by mammal, reptile, and insect members. Few to none of these food web’s vertebrate species were present on the SPRA site before it was restored to tidal marsh flow in 2014.Rail Family MembersRail family member richness and abundance was low for the initial four surveys in 2018 and 2019, with American Coot the only member of this family observed by monitors. Nonetheless, the 77 seen is an abundant total. Some of these individuals could breed nearby where they were seen, given the SPRA likely nests within the SPRA site and nearby it.Consequently, it’s possible the final four upcoming four surveys in April and August could yield observations of newborn chicks, given hatching of young typically begins by the next round of surveys in April, 2019 and any newborns would remain on the site through the final two August, 2019 surveys. Absence of other typical, common rail family members — Virginia Rail, Sora, and Common Gallinule — during the initial four surveys was not surprising. That’s because the SPRA site currently is largely devoid of emergent vegetation species (e.g., bullrush, gum plant, cordgrass, among other brackish and saltmarsh plant species) as well as pickeweed groves that provide suitable shelter, foraging, and nesting conditions for these common species. Likewise, listed species such as Ridgway’s Rail and California Black Rail were absent during the initial four surveys. They, too, require the presence of the aforementioned dense vegetation character that is currently absent at the site because of its infancy as restored habitat. Nonetheless, since 2016 when the surveys began, pioneer succession of, for example, pickleweed has been evident with spreading patches of growth evident adjacent to mudflats at several point count stations.Conclusions — The SPRA Site’s Value As Restored Habitat For Hosting Diverse Avian Species And Increasing Their Richness And Abundance In The North Bay Of San Francisco BayBased on the results of the initial four surveys for the current third year of surveys, the following conclusions update those from previously submitted reports for the SPRA site corresponding to the initial two years of surveys: The SPRA site provides important foraging (i.e., stopover/”wayside” habitat) and breeding opportunties for several shorebird and duck family member species.Given the latest CDFW waterfowl population status study — titled 2018 California Waterfowl Breeding Population Survey and available at —the SPRA site is noted as one of the contributing restored habitat sites that is likely contributing to increasing duck populations in the North Bay. According to the study, population increases occurred for Mallard and Gadwall, both of which are nesters at the SPRA site that have capitalized on the SPRA’s restored habitat conditions. Although Gadwall and Mallard were not present during the surveys, they are also resident, year-round waterfowl species that breed in the region and, most likely, will begin doing so this spring in upland habitat adjacent to or within the SPRA site. Consequently, it’s plausible to state that the SPRA site is already serves as a nesting area by at least three breeding species of ducks: the Ruddy Duck, Gadwall and Mallard. Their numbers will likely increase in future years within the SPRA site as more upland habitat develops via soil deposition.Likewise, Ruddy Duck, has been a common, abundant site for monitors to notice during the most recent surveys, an observation that supports this common species will again nest at the site during the current breeding season. Related to the above discussion, note that several other recent and past waterfowl population studies have likewise stated the SPRA site is among several throughout the San Francisco Bay that offers vital resting and foraging sites for migrating, resident, and “over-wintering” shorebird family and duck family populations Consequently, it makes sense that results from the initial four surveys in 2018-2019 support these studies’ conclusions.As evidence, the large numbers noted above of duck family species and shorebird order members observed during the four 2018-2019 surveys, vouch for the site’s attractiveness as “over-wintering” sheltering and foraging habitat. Diversity and abundance of these taxa is likely to increase as soil accretion continues throughout portions of the site. Resulting upland creation (at higher tide levels) will continue to increase the presence of upland areas offering suitable nesting habitat. Concurrently, plant succession success has been noticed in 2019 as emergent vegetation species as well as pickleweed groves continue to spread throughout the site. In response to these conditions, duck family and shorebird order members will have more sheltering and foraging niches to exploit, resulting in likely increases in their richness and abundance at the site. Resident nesting species mentioned in above discussion — Mallard, Gadwall, American Coot, and Killdeer to name just four — will have more opportunities to breed successfully. Moreover, the non-native, often invasive Canada Goose, will also likely become an even more common year-round breeding resident on the site than its current presence. Mute Swan, another invasive non-native goose family member introduced region-wide, has been observed during past years’ surveys, but not during the most recent four. It remains uncertain as to whether it will eventually begin breeding at the SPRA site.Related, as upland habitat is created through soil accretion (including more mudflat expanses at low tide cycles) and subsequent plant succession advances, the SPRA site may eventually host a federally threatened plover family member — the Western Snowy Plover. This federally threatened shorebird order member is uncommon in the region, so the existence of the SPRA site is vital to eventually hosting “over-wintering” individuals of this species.Likewise, as mentioned above, large expanses of open water during high tide phases at the SPRA site have attracted several duck species. See above for discussion related to survey results related to ducks.As for other waterbird species not discussed above, heron family members — among them, Snowy and Great Egret, as well as Great-Blue Heron — have been observed during the initial three seasons of surveys. Survey totals for heron family members have been low, but, nonetheless, their presence is important because it indicates the site maintains a healthy ecosystem of multiple food chains forming diverse, interdependent food webs. Similarly, it’s significant to the note how the design of the site by managers has resulted in deep enough open water at high tide to attract “over-wintering” grebe family members such as the Western, Clark’s and Eared Grebe that monitors have seen during surveys.b) The SPRA site provides valuable, multiple habitat types for resting and foraging bird species that utilize it within the Pacific Flyway migration corridor that also serves as valuable stopover/”wayside” habitat.Given the SPRA site occurs within and adjacent to the San Francisco Bay — one of the West Coast’s most important coastal non-breeding season and migratory habitats for shorebird and duck family populations — it is important to note how the four surveys provide evidence that the SPRA site hosts several important habitat types to sustain “over-wintering” populations and breeding populations in the two aforementioned two bird taxa. These habitats include wetlands (brackish and saltwater marsh); tidal mudflat; open water, and marsh panne.Discussion in the previous section is also applicable to this section. Consider how studies by the CDFW indicate significant numbers of Canvasback, Bufflehead, Ruddy Duck and Greater Scaup appear during the non-breeding season in the San Francisco Bay/Delta region within which the SPRA site occurs. As noted above, the initial three of these four species were detected in large numbers during the four most recent surveys. Canvasback and Greater Scaup are especially noteworthy sightings within the SPRA site, based on how large portions of their entire species’ populations utilize open water habitat in other portions of San Francisco Bay during the non-breeding season. (Again, see the above link: ) Over-wintering bird species present within the SPRA exemplify how it represents an oasis of suitable habitat refugium buffer zone Equally important, based on recent drought conditions that pervaded the North Bay region from approximately 2011-2016, sites such as the SPRA’s habitats provide essential refugium to sustain shorebird and duck family member populations that are forced to retreat and find available suitable foraging and breeding habitat when challenged due to the absence of moderate to deep open water open habitat during drought periods, such ~2011-2016.Beyond its role as a resting and foraging site along the Pacific Flyway corridor, as previously noted, the SPRA site contains several created raised “islands” that promise to soon serve as suitable habitat for potential colonization by breeding populations of Gadwall and Mallard that occur in the area year-round. The Cinnamon Teal is another common duck species in the region I believe will potentially soon begin nesting within the SPRA site’s upland areas, including the “islands” as they succeed botanically and become more expansive via soil deposition and colonized with rhizomatic expansion of emergent vegetation (e.g., bull rush species, cordgrass, gum plant, and pickleweed, among other pioneer plant species). In turn, as swaths of emergent vegetation expand at the SPRA site, the following additional avian species should be expected to begin nesting within the SPRA site: Pied-billed Grebe, Common Gallinule, and American Coot (with all three of these species potentially already nesting successfully adjacent to the SPRA site). Likewise, this same kind of upland habitat either within the SPRA site or bordering it will likely attract rising breeding populations of the two previously mentioned non-native goose family members: Canada Goose and Mute Swan. The confirmation of these two non-native, invasive goose family members as nesters at the SPRA site could cause several negative impacts. Consider how their presence would result in food resource competition and nesting site “carrying capacity” impediments upon aforementioned native avifauna species ability to optimally utilize the SPRA site for resting, foraging, and breeding. time, Related, these same upland “island” areas separated by water from the mainland in the SPRA, provide essential safety habitat to ensure ongoing presence of shorebird and duck family members within the SPRA, given these bird species depend on these removed “island” areas to avoid predation from mammals such as racoons, gray fox, coyote, river otter, snakes, non-native rat species, and feral cats. Equally significant, upland habitat within the SPRA site and adjacent areas provide shelter for shorebird and duck family members, thereby helping these species hide from predators. These same habitats also serve as shelter for several species of “over-wintering” and resident duck and shorebird family members (in addition to raptor order members) when extreme wind and stormy weather conditions pervade the region, including the SPRA site.c) The SPRA site’s 2018-2019 avian surveys provide important data that is shared annually with the CADC to help the Sonoma Land Trust and the wider scientific avian community understand short- and long-term avian breeding and migration patterns. After review by the Sonoma Land Trust staff, the data from the surveys will be submitted to the CADC. This database hosts several ongoing West Coast avian survey databases. Collectively, these surveys help researchers analyze avian species population levels and trends. Migration trends and insights may also be aided by adding the SPRA annual survey results. Ensuing, optional management techniques may then be considered, based on new, cumulative avian data submittals. Ultimately, as the annual surveys are added to the CADC, insights into the value of habitat preservation and restoration could be positive results noticed and implemented at the SPRA site — and, in so doing, highlight the Sonoma Land Trust’s success as the initator of restoring the SPRA site.Lastly, the representation of the SPRA site’s avian survey data shows promise as a valuable asset to the CADC and, likewise, to the local San Francisco Bay and West Coast avian scientific community. ................
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