Central Valley Floodplain Forest Bird Survey: 2012 Progress Report Michelle Gilbert, Nathaniel E. Seavy, Tom Gardali, and Catherine Hickey PRBO Conservation Science 3820 Cypress Drive #11 Petaluma, CA 94954 PRBO Contribution #1925 INTRODUCTION et al. 2007), indicate the need for continued monitoring across larger spatial scales in the Central Valley. California’s Central Valley: Rivers and Birds Rivers and their floodplains are the basis of highly productive riparian ecosystems, harboring the most diverse bird communities in the arid and semiarid regions of the western United States (Knopf et al. 1988, Dobkin 1994). Loss of riparian ecosystems may be the most important cause of population declines among landbird species in western North America (DeSante and George 1994), including the decline and extirpation of many riparian species once common in the Central Valley (RHJV 2004, CVJV 2006). Riparian areas comprise less than 0.5% of California’s total land area, yet support ecosystem integrity and function across landscapes; they have been identified as the most important habitat for the protection and conservation of landbirds in California (Manley and Davidson 1993, RHJV 2004). Why Monitor Riparian Birds in the Central Valley? Birds provide an excellent means to track larger changes in riparian systems; they occupy a diverse range of niches, are relatively easy to monitor, and because they respond to changes in the environment over multiple spatial scales, birds are ideal study organisms for monitoring and evaluating ecosystem restoration and management (Carignan and Villard 2002). Landbird monitoring has played an important role in bird conservation planning in California and has informed riparian restoration guidelines within and outside of California’s Central Valley. Riparianassociated landbirds are a priority target group identified by the Riparian Habitat Joint Venture and California Partners in Flight (RHJV 2004), by the Central Valley Joint Venture (CVJV 2006) and by the Migratory Bird Conservation Partnership (camigratorybirds.org). Status and Trends of Riparian Landbirds in the Central Valley In the past 150 years, more than 98% of riparian vegetation in the Central Valley has been lost or severely degraded (Smith 1977, Katibah 1984). During this time, floodplains have been disconnected from the river and riparian forests have been lost to urban areas and other land-uses. This loss and alteration of riparian vegetation has resulted in major changes to the bird community, with many species experiencing population declines, range restrictions, or extirpation. Populations of several California Bird Species of Special Concern are now rare or declining in the Central Valley (RHJV 2004, Shuford and Gardali 2008). While project-level monitoring can provide a measure of the contribution that a restoration project makes, regional-scale monitoring is needed to provide information about Valley-wide progress towards these regional conservation targets. The Central Valley Floodplain Forest Bird Survey explicitly addresses a top priority of the CVJV, as identified in its 2010 Monitoring and Evaluation Plan, generating data needed to use bird populations to measure the long-term effectiveness of investments in riparian ecosystem protection and restoration. MONITORING OBJECTIVES More optimistically, project-scale monitoring of riparian restoration projects in the Central Valley has shown that restored floodplain forest is rapidly colonized by riparian birds, and after as few as 10 years can provide habitat for a suite of birds similar to those that occur in mature floodplain forest (Gardali et al. 2006). Additionally, several breeding attempts by at least one pair of the endangered Least Bell’s Vireo occurred in 2005-2007 on the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge in restored riparian (Howell et al. 2010). At the same time, the failure of some species (e.g., Lazuli Bunting, Passerina amoena) to respond to restoration (Gardali et al. 2006), evidence of large-scale declines in other species (RHJV 2004), and the concerns that some restored sites may be population sinks (Small We designed this survey with the following objectives: Legacy sites 1) Establish long-term monitoring at Central Valley riparian legacy (historically surveyed) sites to build upon our knowledge of how birds respond to riparian restoration. 2) Assess bird use of restoration sites as a measure of restoration success by (1) comparing abundance trends on remnant and revegetated sites and (2) determining annual rate of change in bird abundance in relation to age of revegetation. 1 System (MGRS) standards (grids courtesy of University of Florida GeoPlan Center; www.geoplan.ufl.edu). A 100-m resolution grid was most suitable, as it approximates territory sizes (~1 ha) of some breeding riparian landbirds, and since linear riparian habitats or small patches could be missed if larger grids were used (Roberts et al. 2011). We then identified grid cells within our 2-km buffer zone which were comprised of at least 60% riparian vegetation. Our final sampling frame consisted of roughly 11,500 grid cells (11,500 hectares) representing locations with enough riparian vegetation to support breeding riparian landbirds. Regional sites 3) Within areas of riparian vegetation, estimate regional densities for as many species of riparian breeding landbirds as possible. 4) Track regional changes in Central Valley riparian landbird populations in a manner that accounts for changes in both bird density and total amount of available habitat over time. SAMPLING DESIGN FOR CENTRAL VALLEY RIPARIAN LEGACY (FIXED-SITE) SURVEYS PRBO Conservation Science has been conducting riparian bird surveys in the Central Valley for nearly 20 years. During this time, we have surveyed at more than 800 locations as part of larger efforts to quantify the bird response to riparian restoration and to compare bird abundance at remnant and restored riparian areas. For our fixed locations, we selected 21 legacy sites on 2 National Wildlife Refuge complexes (Sacramento River NWR complex, and San Luis NWR complex, which includes the San Joaquin River NWR) for a total 232 point count locations. These sites were selected from previous long-term studies conducted by PRBO in Central Valley remnant and restored riparian vegetation (Table 1) that were recommended sites for continued landbird monitoring (Gardali et al. 2006, Nur et al. 2006, Wood et al. 2006). Selecting Regional Survey Locations From this sampling frame, we randomly selected 120 regional survey locations using a generalized random-tessellation stratified (GRTS) sampling design (Stevens and Olsen 2003, 2004). For our initial year of sampling, we chose a total of 120 sampling locations, with 60 sampling locations along each of the Sacramento and San Joaquin river zones. Selected locations were a mixture of public and private lands. In addition, 100 “oversample” locations were created, to TABLE 1. CVFFBS Legacy sites in California’s Central Valley. Site SAMPLING DESIGN FOR CENTRAL VALLEY REGIONAL (RANDOM) SURVEYS Sacramento NWR Complex Codora Flynn Kopta Slough La Baranca Ohm Rio Vista Phelan Island/Stony Creek Sul Norte San Joaquin River NWR Caswell State Park Christman Island Faith Ranch Hagemann's Field 20 Hagemann’s Peninsula Hagemann's Field 8 & 9 Hospital Creek Rose Arambel San Luis NWR North San Joaquin Middle San Joaquin South San Joaquin TOTAL Delineating Our Sampling Frame We focused on riparian areas of California’s Central Valley (Fig. 1) within a 2-km buffer along the main stem of the Sacramento River from Red Bluff to Colusa (roughly 100 river miles), and along the main stem of the San Joaquin River from Friant Dam to the confluence with the Stanislaus River (roughly 200 river miles). In the agriculture-dominated Central Valley, a 2km buffer on either side of the rivers captures most of the floodplain of each river and the majority of extant riparian vegetation. Within this defined area, we constrained our sampling frame to areas with sufficient riparian vegetation to support riparian breeding birds, using Central Valley Riparian Mapping Project landcover data (Geographic Information Center 2012). The 2011 medium-scale vegetation layer was overlaid with a 100 x 100-m grid developed from Military Grid Reference 2 Number of points Remnant Restored 6 11 3 15 13 2 16 8 4 12 15 19 - 16 10 7 11 5 8 7 9 3 - 10 10 12 155 77 current riparian vegetation within our sampling frame (2-km buffer around mainstems; see Methods section). use as replacements for any random sites dropped (e.g., due to access restrictions or vegetation misclassifications). All regional point count locations were separated by at least 200 meters. Effects of Restoration Age Some of the legacy sites will be useful for tracking population or community trends relative to restoration age or succession, by examining trends in density estimates over time relative to restoration age. Data from point count surveys at legacy sites that were prior to 2002 are omitted, as those older surveys were conducted using 50-m fixed-radius point count methods (no distance-to-observer bins), and are not suitable for distance analyses. FIELD METHODS Point Count Protocols We used point count methods (Ballard et al. 2003, Ralph et al. 1993) to survey sampling locations twice during the peak breeding season (once in May and once in June). Trained surveyors recorded the method of detection (song, visual, or call), and the estimated distance to all birds detected in a five minute period. Survey data were recorded in the field on standardized data forms. For detailed methods, see http://data.prbo.org/ cadc2/index.php?page=songbirdpoint-counts. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION In 2012, we successfully implemented the first year of this monitoring effort. Between 1 May and 30 June 2012, we surveyed each of 352 point count locations (232 legacy points, 120 regional points) twice. We observed 109 different species at the 120 regional (randomly chosen) locations. At the legacy sites in 2012, we detected a total of 79 species at survey points in the Sacramento NWR complex, and within the San Luis NWR complex, we detected 80 species in the San Joaquin River NWR and 59 species in the San Luis NWR. A complete listing of species observed at regional and legacy sites can be found in Appendices A-D. Of these species, our analyses in this progress report are on CVJV focal species. Data Archiving All raw datasheets were scanned and digitally stored on PRBO internal servers. Point count data are stored at the California Avian Data Center (CADC, www.prbo.org/cadc), and can be made available to outside researchers with an account. Point count vegetation data have been entered into database files, also stored on PRBO internal servers and available upon request. DATA ANALYSIS Ten special status species were detected during this year’s survey effort. Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia), a State Threatened species, was detected at 2 regional points in the Sacramento Valley. Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni), a State Threatened species, was detected at one restored and 13 remnant legacy points in the San Joaquin Valley, and at 2 regional points in the Sacramento Valley and 16 regional points in the San Joaquin Valley. Least Bell’s Vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus), a Federal and State Endangered species, was detected at 1 regional point in the San Joaquin Valley. Black Tern (Chlidonias niger), and Common Loon (Gavia immer), both California Bird Species of Special Concern (hereafter BSSC; Shuford and Gardali 2008), were detected at one legacy point with remnant vegetation in the Sacramento Valley. Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus; BSSC), was detected at one remnant legacy point in the San Joaquin Valley. Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus; BSSC) was detected at one restored and 2 remnant legacy points in the San Joaquin Valley, Species Density For bird species with sufficient detections, we used distance sampling (Buckland et al. 2001, Thomas et al. 2010), to analyze point count data, fitting detection function models and obtaining species-specific density estimates. We analyzed each region (Sacramento Valley, San Joaquin Valley) separately, and calculated density estimates using the regional site dataset and the legacy site dataset separately. Some of the focal species (Song Sparrow, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat) were present in sufficient numbers for analyses only in the San Joaquin Valley. Population estimates can be derived by multiplying these density estimates (birds per hectare) by the area of current available habitat as mapped by the best available GIS vegetation layers. To demonstrate, we used the Central Valley Riparian Mapping Project landcover data (GIC 2012) to calculate the amount of 3 informing restoration programs and gauging their success, as well as for improving and updating regional conservation targets. In 2012, Song Sparrow and Spotted Towhee density estimates were greater than CVJV population targets; estimated densities for the other 3 focal species were below CVJV targets. and at 5 regional points in the San Joaquin Valley. Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia; BSSC), was detected at 73 restored and 17 remnant legacy points in the San Joaquin Valley, and at 1 regional point in the Sacramento Valley and 50 regional points in the San Joaquin Valley. Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia; BSSC), was detected at 3 restored and 2 remnant legacy points in the Sacramento, at 6 restored and 13 remnant legacy points in the San Joaquin, and at 3 Sacramento Valley and 13 San Joaquin Valley regional points. The Sacramento Valley birds were likely migrants, as they were only detected in early May. Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria virens; BSSC) was detected at 4 restored and one remnant point in the Sacramento, at 3 remnant points in the San Joaquin, and at 9 Sacramento Valley and 2 San Joaquin Valley regional points. Legacy Sites: Species density We estimated densities of 5 CVJV focal species for each Valley, using the regional sites chosen in 2012 (Table 3). Two of the focal species (Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat) in the San Joaquin Valley were present in very low numbers (< 50 detections) which may affect precision of the density estimates for these species. Effects of Restoration Age Using data from 244 legacy point count sites collected between 2002 and 2012, and information about what year a particular site was enhanced or restored, we can plot trends of species densities as those sites developed. Two CVJV focal species, Spotted Towhee and Black-headed Grosbeak, had sufficient sample sizes for density estimates by restoration age (Figs. 3 and 4). For both of these species, as restoration age increases, there is an increasing trend in bird density on the restored sites. Regional Sites: Species density We estimated densities of CVJV focal species for each Valley using data from the regional sites (Table 2). Some focal species were present in sufficient numbers for analyses only in the San Joaquin Valley. These density estimates can be compared with CVJV target population densities for the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys (CVJV 2006) and other established targets, making these data directly applicable to Table 2. Estimated density (birds/hectare) and confidence limits, for Central Valley Joint Venture focal species, derived from regional point count locations visited in 2012, and target densities (from CVJV 2006). Species Black-headed Grosbeak Common Yellowthroat Song Sparrow Spotted Towhee Yellow Warbler 2012 Density (95% confidence interval) Sacramento Valley San Joaquin Valley 1.111 (0.921, 1.341) 0.313 (0.211, 0.4627) -0.311 (0.197, 0.492) -2.36 (1.8, 3.096) 2.499 (2.158, 2.893) 3.06 (2.529, 3.702) -0.192 (0.099, 0.373) CVJV Target Density Sacramento San Joaquin 1.334 0.371 0.247 0.494 0.988 1.680 1.927 1.927 0.321 0.321 Table 3. Estimated density (birds/hectare) and confidence limits, for Central Valley Joint Venture focal species, derived from legacy point count locations visited in 2012. Species Black-headed Grosbeak Common Yellowthroat* Song Sparrow Spotted Towhee Yellow Warbler* 2012 Density (95% confidence interval) Sacramento Valley San Joaquin Valley 0.807 (0.658, 0.989) 0.181 (0.119, 0.278) -0.077 (0.040, 0.151) -3.287 (2.198, 4.916) 2.235 (1.923, 2.597) 2.788 (2.411, 3.224) -0.264 (0.139, 0.501) *estimates created using fewer than 50 detections 4 Figure 3: Estimated Spotted Towhee density (birds/ha) at restored legacy sites, relative to restoration age. adaptively manage the region and ensure the long-term persistence of birds and other riparian-dependent wildlife. Incorporating landbird monitoring into nonavian focused riparian restoration projects can transform a single-species focused restoration project into a multi-species community-based effort that will maximize wildlife benefits. Additionally, if future changes to river flows and/or habitat restoration activities occur, continued avian monitoring will be desirable to quantify the effects to birds, and to provide the documentation and accountability for those providing funding for conservation actions. Potential shifts in the distribution of riparian habitats may be increasingly relevant in light of rapid environmental change. Thus, tracking available habitat in the Central Valley over time is needed to maximize the accuracy of the population estimates from point count data. If mapping efforts similar to the recent Central Valley Riparian Mapping Project continue to be updated and available, we can adjust our sampling frame with the latest information, and can combine these vegetation assessments with our species density estimates to more accurately calculate bird population changes. Figure 4: Estimated Black-headed Grosbeak density (birds/ha) at restored legacy sites, relative to restoration age. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We are especially grateful for the participation and support of several private landowners of the Sacramento Valley and San Joaquin Valley who allowed us to survey their properties. For valuable logistical assistance and survey permissions, we thank the staff of the Sacramento NWR complex, San Luis NWR complex, CA Department of Fish & Wildlife, CA Parks and Recreation, CA Department of Water Resources, US Fish and Wildlife Service, San Joaquin River Conservancy, San Joaquin River Parkway & Conservation Trust, River Partners, The Nature Conservancy, and Audubon California. Thanks to Cory Gregory, Kristin Sesser, Simon Avery, and Justin Bosler for their hard work in the field, and to Mark Dettling for coordination of Sacramento Valley survey efforts. Matthew Reiter and L. Jay Roberts provided helpful comments on survey design. Our work was funded, through the Migratory Bird Conservation Partnership, by the S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation. This is PRBO Contribution number 1925. Future Directions We will conduct a second year of surveys in summer 2013, revisiting the legacy sites, and re-randomizing our regional survey locations. Our regional survey locations are not intended as permanent sampling locations; new sites are re-selected using GRTS methods from the riparian sampling grid each year. By assessing changes in riparian landbird populations throughout the Central Valley, we can provide stakeholders with information vital to 5 Knopf, F. L., R. R. Johnson, T. Rich, F. B. Samson, and R. C. Szaro. 1988. Conservation of riparian ecosystems in the United States. Wilson Bulletin 100:272-284. LITERATURE CITED Ballard, G., G. R. Geupel, D. Barton, and D. Moody. 2003. California Partners In Flight study areas database: an interactive geographic interface to California’s landbird monitoring data: http://cain.nbii.gov/prbo/calpifmap/livemaps/. Point Reyes Bird Observatory. Manley, P and C. Davidson. 1993. A risk analysis of Neotropical migrant birds in California, US Forest Service Report, Region 5. San Francisco, CA. Nur, N., J. K. Wood, K. Lindquist, C.A. Howell, G. R. Geupel. 2006. Trends in Avian Abundance and Diversity in Restored and Remnant Riparian Habitat on the Cosumnes River, 1995 to 2005. A Report to the California Bay-Delta Authority Ecosystem Restoration Program. PRBO Conservation Science, Petaluma, CA Ballard, G., M. Herzog, M. Fitzgibbon, D. Moody, D. Jongsomjit, and D. Stralberg. 2008. The California Avian Data Center. [web application] www.prbo.org/cadc. PRBO Conservation Science, Petaluma, California. Carignan, V., and M.-A. Villard. 2002. Selecting indicator species to monitor ecological integrity: a review. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 78: 45-61. Ralph, C. J., G. R. Geupel, P. Pyle, T. E. Martin, and F. DeSante. 1993. Handbook of field methods for monitoring landbirds. USDA Forest Service Publication, PSW-GTR 144, Albany, CA. Central Valley Joint Venture [CVJV]. 2006. Central Valley Joint Venture Implementation Plan – Conserving Bird Habitat. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento, CA. Riparian Habitat Joint Venture [RJHV]. 2004. The riparian bird conservation plan: a strategy for reversing the decline of riparian associated birds in California. California Partners in Flight. http://www.prbo.org/calpif/pdfs/riparian.v-2.pdf. Chase, M. and G. R. Geupel. 2005. The use of avian focal species for conservation planning in California. Pp. 130142. In Proceedings of the Third International Partners in Flight conference, C.J. Ralph and T.D. Rich eds. USDA Forest Service. PSW-GTR-191. Roberts, L. J., R. D. Burnett, A. M. Fogg, and G. R. Geupel. 2011. Sierra Nevada National Forests Management Indicator Species Project: Final Study Plan and Sampling Protocols for Mountain Quail (Oreortyx pictus), Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus), Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca), and Yellow Warbler (Dendroica petechia). Report for Forest Service Challenge Cost-Share Agreement No. 08-CS-11052007220. PRBO Conservation Science, Petaluma, CA. Dobkin, D. S. 1994. Conservation and management of Neotropical migrant landbirds in the Northern Rockies and Great Plains. University of Idaho Press, Moscow. Gardali, T., A. L. Holmes, S. L. Small, N. Nur, G. R. Geupel, and G. H. Golet. 2006. Abundance Patterns of Landbirds in Restored and Remnant Riparian Forests on the Sacramento River, California, U.S.A. Restoration Ecology 14(3): 391-403. Shuford, W. D., and T. Gardali (editors). 2008. California Bird Species of Special Concern: A ranked assessment of species, subspecies, and distinct populations of birds of immediate conservation concern in California. Studies of Western Birds 1. Western Field Ornithologists, Camarillo, California, and California Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento. Geographical Information Center (GIC). 2012. MediumScale Central Valley Riparian Vegetation Map. Produced for the Central Valley Flood Protection Program, California Department of Water Resources. GIC, California State University, Chico. Howell, C. A., J. K. Wood, M. D. Dettling, K. Griggs, C. C. Otte, L. Lina, and T. Gardali. 2010. Least Bell’s Vireo breeding records in the Central Valley following decades of extirpation. Western North American Naturalist 70:105-113. Small, S. L., F. R. Thompson III, G. R. Geupel, and J. Faaborg. 2007. Spotted Towhee population dynamics in a riparian restoration context. The Condor 109:721-733. Smith, F. E. 1977. A survey of riparian forest flora and fauna in California. In A. Sands (ed.). Riparian forests in California: their ecology and conservation. Institute of Ecology Publications 15, University of California, Davis, CA. Katibah, E. F. 1984. A brief history of riparian forests in the Central Valley of California. In R.E. Warner and K.M. Hendrix (eds.). California riparian systems: ecology, conservation, and productive management. University of California Press, Berkeley, CA. 6 Thomas, L., S.T. Buckland, E.A. Rexstad, J. L. Laake, S. Strindberg, S. L. Hedley, J. R.B. Bishop, T. A. Marques, and K. P. Burnham. 2010. Distance software: design and analysis of distance sampling surveys for estimating population size. Journal of Applied Ecology 47:5-14. Wood, J.K., C.A. Howell, and G. R. Geupel. 2006. Songbird Monitoring on the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge: Patterns of Abundance, Reproductive Success and Short-term Responses to Restoration. 2005 Final Report. Submitted to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Figure 1: Focal sampling area, highlighted in dark blue, along the main stems of the Sacramento River (left panel) and San Joaquin River (right panel). 7 Appendix A: List of bird species detected at the randomly-selected regional survey locations in 2012. Common Name Acorn Woodpecker American Bittern American Coot American Crow American Goldfinch American Kestrel American Robin American White Pelican Anna's Hummingbird Ash-throated Flycatcher Audubon's Warbler Bank Swallow Barn Owl Barn Swallow Bell's Vireo (Least Bell’s Vireo) Belted Kingfisher Bewick's Wren Black Phoebe Black-chinned Hummingbird Black-crowned Night-Heron Black-headed Grosbeak Black-necked Stilt Blue Grosbeak Brewer's Blackbird Brown-headed Cowbird Bullock's Oriole Bushtit California Quail California Thrasher California Towhee Canada Goose Cassin's Vireo Cattle Egret Cedar Waxwing Cliff Swallow Common Peafowl Common Raven Common Yellowthroat Double-crested Cormorant Downy Woodpecker Eurasian Collared-Dove European Starling Forster's Tern Gadwall Golden-crowned Sparrow Great Blue Heron Great Egret Great Horned Owl Great-tailed Grackle Green Heron Hermit Thrush House Finch House Sparrow House Wren Hutton's Vireo Killdeer Lark Sparrow Lazuli Bunting Lesser Goldfinch Loggerhead Shrike Mallard Marsh Wren Mourning Dove Northern Flicker Northern Harrier Northern Mockingbird Northern Pintail Northern Rough-winged Swallow Nuttall's Woodpecker Oak Titmouse Orange-crowned Warbler Osprey Pacific-slope Flycatcher 8 Phainopepla Pied-billed Grebe Red-shouldered Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Red-winged Blackbird Ring-necked Pheasant Sharp-shinned Hawk Snowy Egret Song Sparrow Spotted Sandpiper Spotted Towhee Swainson's Hawk Swainson's Thrush Tree Swallow Tricolored Blackbird Turkey Vulture Warbling Vireo Western Bluebird Western Kingbird Western Meadowlark Western Scrub-Jay Western Tanager Western Wood-Pewee White-breasted Nuthatch White-faced Ibis Wild Turkey Willet Willow Flycatcher Wilson's Warbler Wood Duck Wrentit Yellow Warbler Yellow-billed Magpie Yellow-breasted Chat Yellow-headed Blackbird Yellow-rumped Warbler Appendix B: Bird species detected at survey locations on the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex in 2012. Common Name Acorn Woodpecker American Crow American Goldfinch American Robin American White Pelican Anna's Hummingbird Ash-throated Flycatcher Barn Swallow Belted Kingfisher Bewick's Wren Black Phoebe Black Tern Black-chinned Hummingbird Black-headed Grosbeak Brewer's Blackbird Brown-headed Cowbird Bullock's Oriole Bushtit California Quail California Towhee Canada Goose Cedar Waxwing Cliff Swallow Common Loon Common Peafowl Common Raven Common Yellowthroat Cooper's Hawk Double-crested Cormorant Downy Woodpecker Eurasian Collared-Dove European Starling Golden-crowned Sparrow Great Blue Heron Great Horned Owl Hermit Warbler House Finch House Wren Hutton's Vireo Killdeer Lark Sparrow Lazuli Bunting Lesser Goldfinch Mallard Mourning Dove Northern Flicker Northern Mockingbird Northern Rough-winged Swallow Nuttall's Woodpecker Oak Titmouse Orange-crowned Warbler Osprey Pacific-slope Flycatcher 9 Phainopepla Pied-billed Grebe Red-shouldered Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Red-winged Blackbird Spotted Towhee Swainson's Hawk Swainson's Thrush Townsend's Warbler Tree Swallow Tricolored Blackbird Turkey Vulture Warbling Vireo Western Bluebird Western Kingbird Western Scrub-Jay Western Tanager Western Wood-Pewee White-breasted Nuthatch Wild Turkey Wilson's Warbler Wood Duck Wrentit Yellow Warbler Yellow-billed Magpie Yellow-breasted Chat Appendix C: Bird species detected at survey locations on the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge in 2012. Common Name Acorn Woodpecker American Coot American Crow American Goldfinch American Kestrel American Robin Anna's Hummingbird Ash-throated Flycatcher Audubon's Warbler Barn Owl Barn Swallow Belted Kingfisher Bewick's Wren Black Phoebe Black-chinned Hummingbird Black-crowned Night-Heron Black-headed Grosbeak Black-necked Stilt Blue Grosbeak Brewer's Blackbird Brown-headed Cowbird Bullock's Oriole Bushtit California Quail California Thrasher California Towhee Canada Goose Cedar Waxwing Cliff Swallow Common Raven Common Yellowthroat Cooper's Hawk Double-crested Cormorant Downy Woodpecker Eurasian Collared-Dove European Starling Gadwall Golden-crowned Sparrow Great Blue Heron Great Egret Great Horned Owl Great-tailed Grackle House Finch House Wren Killdeer Lazuli Bunting Lesser Goldfinch Loggerhead Shrike Mallard Marsh Wren Mourning Dove Northern Flicker Northern Harrier 10 Northern Mockingbird Northern Rough-winged Swallow Nuttall's Woodpecker Oak Titmouse Pied-billed Grebe Red-tailed Hawk Red-winged Blackbird Ring-necked Pheasant Snowy Egret Song Sparrow Spotted Towhee Swainson's Hawk Townsend's Warbler Tree Swallow Warbling Vireo Western Bluebird Western Kingbird Western Scrub-Jay Western Wood-Pewee White-breasted Nuthatch White-faced Ibis Wild Turkey Wilson's Warbler Wood Duck Wrentit Yellow Warbler Yellow-billed Magpie Appendix D: Bird species detected at survey locations on the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge in 2012 Common Name American Bittern American Crow American Goldfinch American Robin Ash-throated Flycatcher Barn Swallow Bewick's Wren Black Phoebe Black-crowned Night-Heron Black-headed Grosbeak Blue Grosbeak Brewer's Blackbird Brown-headed Cowbird Bullock's Oriole Bushtit California Quail California Towhee Cliff Swallow Common Yellowthroat Cooper's Hawk Double-crested Cormorant Downy Woodpecker European Starling Great Blue Heron Great Egret Great Horned Owl Green Heron House Finch House Sparrow House Wren Killdeer Lark Sparrow Lazuli Bunting Mallard Marsh Wren Mourning Dove Northern Flicker Northern Harrier Northern Mockingbird 11 Northern Rough-winged Swallow Nuttall's Woodpecker Pied-billed Grebe Red-tailed Hawk Red-winged Blackbird Ring-necked Pheasant Snowy Egret Song Sparrow Spotted Towhee Swainson's Hawk Tree Swallow Western Kingbird Western Meadowlark Western Scrub-Jay Western Tanager Western Wood-Pewee Wilson's Warbler Wood Duck Yellow Warbler Yellow-breasted Chat
© Copyright 2026 Paperzz