September 26, 2011 David Rocha OC Dana Point Harbor 24650 Dana Point Harbor Drive Dana Point, California 92629 Bakersfield 661.334.2755 Fresno 559.497.0310 Irvine 714.508.4100 Subject: Nest Survey Report for Dana Point Harbor (Areas 1-16), City of Dana Point, Orange County, California Palm Springs 760.322.8847 Sacramento 916.383.0944 Dear Mr. Rocha: This letter report addresses the findings of the biological survey focusing on identification of trees used for nesting within the past 5 years in the areas 1 through 16 of Dana Point Harbor, hereinafter referred to as survey area, as requested by OC Dana Point Harbor. San Bernardino 909.884.2255 San Ramon 925.830.2733 Project Site Location Dana Point Harbor is regionally located south of Pacific Coast Highway (State Route 1), northwest of the San Diego County line and southeast of State Route 133 (Exhibit 1). The Harbor can be found on the Dana Point, California, United States Geological Survey (USGS) 7.5-minute, topographic map, Sections 22 and 23, Township 8 South, Range 8 West (Exhibit 2). Specifically, the survey area is located south of the intersection of Street of the Golden Lantern and Dana Point Harbor Drive within Dana Point Harbor (Exhibit 3). Methodology The nest survey was conducted on August 31, 2011, September 1, 6, 7, and 8, 2011, by MBA biologists Diana Lloyd and Tommy Molioo. All woody trees and palm trees with nests or that exhibited evidence of nesting were mapped and documented. Criteria used in determining whether a tree has been used for nesting, roosting, and breeding in the past 5 years consisted of observing nest material, birds building nests, birds incubating eggs or birds feeding young. Corvids, raptors, and herons make large, sturdy nests that remain on the tree even after nesting is complete. These types of birds re-use the previous year s nest, making it easy to tell if a tree is used for nesting even after all nesting activity has ceased. Results No active nesting was observed during the survey. Of the 721 trees surveyed, 26 had nests in them. These nests appear to have been used for several years. Table 1 below lists the nesting tree species and corresponding number and the Harbor Area in which the tree is found. Trees with single nests were largely found within eucalyptus trees planted in Areas 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8 and 15. These single nests are likely used by either crows or raptors. Trees with multiple nests were found in Area 8, and 16. These multiple nest trees are likely used by shorebirds (e.g. herons, egrets) which nest together in heronries. Due to the time of year, and lack of nesting activity, it was impossible to tell what species of bird used which nest. ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES PLANNING NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT www.brandman.com
David Rocha OC Dana Point Harbor September 26, 2011 Page 2 Table 1: Summary of Nesting Tree Species and Numbers by Corresponding Harbor Area Tree Number Area Tree Species Nest Site Observations 194 2 Eucalyptus cladocalyx 1 nest observed in tree. Possibly a crow or raptor nest. 197 2 Eucalyptus cladocalyx 1 nest observed in tree. Possibly a crow or raptor nest. 443 3 Eucalyptus cladocalyx 2 nests observed in tree. Possibly a crow or raptor nest. 480 3 Eucalyptus cladocalyx 1 nest observed in tree. Possibly a crow or raptor nest. 531 7 Platanus racemosa 1 nest observed in tree. Possibly a crow or raptor nest. 546 8 Eucalyptus cladocalyx 1 nest observed in tree. Possibly a crow or raptor nest. 562 8 Eucalyptus cladocalyx 2 nests observed in tree. Possibly a heronry. 593 8 Eucalyptus cladocalyx 1 nest observed in tree. Possibly a crow or raptor nest. 608 8 Eucalyptus cladocalyx 1 nest observed in tree. Possibly a crow or raptor nest. 752 15 Eucalyptus cladocalyx 1 nest observed in tree. Possibly a crow or raptor nest. 781 16 Eucalyptus cladocalyx 5 nests observed in tree, appears to be a heronry. 782 16 Eucalyptus cladocalyx 2 nests, appears to be a heronry. 783 16 Eucalyptus cladocalyx 1 nest, appears to be part of adjacent heronry. 784 16 Eucalyptus cladocalyx 7 nests observed in tree, appears to be a heronry. 785 16 Eucalyptus cladocalyx 5 nests observed in tree, appears to be a heronry. 786 16 Eucalyptus cladocalyx 6 nests observed in tree, appears to be a heronry. 787 16 Eucalyptus cladocalyx 790 16 Eucalyptus cladocalyx 1 nest observed in tree, appears to be part of adjacent heronry. 1 nest observed in tree, appears to be part of adjacent a heronry. 791 16 Eucalyptus cladocalyx 18 nests observed in tree, appears to be a heronry. 792 16 Eucalyptus cladocalyx 1 nest observed in tree, appears to be a heronry. 793 16 Eucalyptus cladocalyx 2 nests observed in tree, appears to be a heronry. 794 16 Eucalyptus cladocalyx 7 nests observed in tree, appears to be a heronry. 797 16 Eucalyptus cladocalyx 800 16 Eucalyptus cladocalyx 1 nest observed in tree, appears to be part of adjacent a heronry. 1 nest observed in tree, appears to be part of adjacent a heronry. 803 16 Eucalyptus cladocalyx 2 nests observed in tree, appears to be a heronry. 818 16 Eucalyptus cladocalyx 1 nest observed in tree, appears to be part of adjacent a heronry. Bird activity was low to moderate during the survey, and nocturnal herons were observed roosting in several trees as noted in Table 1. The avian species observed include the following: American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) Anna's hummingbird (Calypte anna)
David Rocha OC Dana Point Harbor September 26, 2011 Page 3 Barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) Black-crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) Black phoebe (Sayornis nigricans) Brewer s blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus) Bushtit (Psaltriparus minimus) Cooper s hawk (Accipiter cooperii) Forster s tern (Sterna forsteri) Great egret (Ardea alba) Green-backed heron (Butorides virescens) Heerman s gull (Larus heermanni) House sparrow (Passer domesticus) Mourning dove (Zenaida macroura) Northern mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) Nuttall s woodpecker (Picoides nuttallii) Red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) Rock dove (Columba livia) Western gull (Larus occidentalis) If you have any questions regarding this letter or the findings, please call me at 714.508.4100. Sincerely, Diana Lloyd Project Manager/Biologist 220 Commerce, Suite 200 Irvine, CA 92602 Enclosures: Exhibit 1 Regional Location Map Exhibit 2 Local Vicinity map, Topographic Base Exhibit 3 Local Vicinity map, Aerial Base Exhibit 4 Tree Location Index Map, and Detailed Maps 4a-4d Appendix A Representative Photographs H:\Client (PN-JN)\0121\01210080\Nesting\01210080 Final Nesting Bird Survey.doc
Garden Grove 15 22 55 Santa Ana 261 Fountain Valley 241 405 Costa Mesa Irvine Lake Forest Cleveland NF Newport Beach Project Site 133 5 Laguna Hills 74 Text 73 Orange County 1 Laguna Niguel San Juan Capistrano Dana Point Harbor Dana Point San Clemente Riverside County San Diego County 5 P a c i f i c O c e a n Source: Census 2000 Data, The CaSIL, MBA GIS 2011. 01210080 11/2011 1_regional.mxd 5 2.5 0 5 Miles Exhibit 1 Regional Location Map
Legend Survey Area Dana Point Harbor Source: NGS USA Topographic Maps, Dana Point, CA (1975) 7.5' DRG. 01210080 11/2011 2_local_topo.mxd 2,000 1,000 0 2,000 Feet Exhibit 2 Local Vicinity Map Topographic Base
Sellva Rd Gollden Lanttern Stt La Cres tta Dr iisp o Stt De ll Ob 1 Dana Po iin tt Harbor Dr Pacific Ocean Legend Survey Area Dana Point Harbor Harbor Areas Source: NAIP Orange County, CA (2009). 01210080 11/2011 3_local_aerial.mxd 1,000 500 0 1,000 Feet Exhibit 3 Local Vicinity Map Aerial Base
12 13 8 11 15 Exhibit 4a 1 3 4 10 2 Exhibit 4b Exhibit 4d 9 7 Exhibit 4c 5 6 16 Legend Survey Area Dana Point Harbor Harbor Areas Nest No Nest Source: ESRI World Imagery. 01210080 11/2011 4_nest_index.mxd 250 125 0 250 Feet Exhibit 4 Tree Location Index
665 666 11 667 669671671 674675675 668 670 672 590 591 600 601 603 604 602 606 605 607 608 610 611 587 589 586 588 584585585 583 580 592 593 594 595 599 598 597 596 575 574 573 572 571 8 10 664 662663663 661 660 643 642 639 638 640 641 582 581 579 578 577 576 566 565 8 564 570 569 563 568 559 562 560 561 567 555 557 558 9 644 659 657 658 654 653 652 656 655 646 645 650 649 647 648 651 Legend Survey Area Harbor Areas Nest No Nest Source: ESRI World Imagery. 01210080 11/2011 4a_nest_inset.mxd 100 50 0 100 Feet Exhibit 4a Inset Tree Map
11 667 669671671 674675675 668 670 672 606 605 607 608 609 676 677 626 680 678 681 679 627 628629629 631 630 632 241 242 240 238 237 354 353 352 236 239 234 351 350 349 230 213 569 568 567 610 611 612 8 615 616 618 617 613 614 620 622 621 619 623 554 553 552 551 624 625 634 635 636 637 632 633 246 247 248 243 244 355 245 361 360 359 358 357 356 1 223 222 221 225 224 227 226 228 88 89 109 110 111 90 91 216 217 218 86 87 107 108 563 559 562 560 561 555 557 556 558 547 551 550 549 548 546 545 544 541 539 540 543 542 538 537 536 7 252 254 527 528 526 256 257258258 535 534 533 532 531 530 529 511 525 524 509510510 508 506507507 505 504 503 502 501 262 512513513 514 515 517 518 516 519 520 522 523 260 364 365 363 521 362 220 219 366 271 367 273 272 277 278 279 280 274 275 496 92 495 95 2 368369369 6 100 499 500 Legend Survey Area Harbor Areas Nest No Nest Source: ESRI World Imagery. 01210080 11/2011 4b_nest_inset.mxd 100 50 0 100 Feet Exhibit 4b Inset Tree Map
392 392 394 394 398 398 391 391 429 429 371 371 75 75 375 375 72 72 405 405 406 406 407 407 373 373 148 148 109 109 185 185 183 183 400 400 2 2 13 69 2 3 6 12 8 48 49 48 49 47 47 46 46 45 45 44 44 43 43 42 42 41 41 40 40 33 33 32 32 31 31 26 25 26 25 24 24 23 23 22 22 17 17 14 14 13 1213 12 11 11 92 92 91 91 90 90 89 89 88 88 87 87 85 85 84 84 83 83 82 82 81 81 80 80 79 79 78 78 77 77 76 76 74 74 73 73 71 71 68 68 67 67 66 66 65 65 62 62 61 61 60 60 59 59 58 58 55 55 54 54 53 53 52 52 51 51 50 50 39 39 86 86 95 95 134 134 116 116 147 147 135 135 160 160 223 223 222 222 221 221 220 220 219 219 278 278 272 272 271 271 273 273 274 274 275 275 277 277 279 279 280 280 348 348 347 347 346 346 345 345 344 344 343 343 342 342 341 341 340 340 338 338 339 339 337 337 332 332 331 331 330 330 329 329 328 328 327 327 326 326 324 324 323 323 322 322 230 230 228 228 224 224 227 227 225 225 226 226 141 141 218 218 217 217 216 216 213 213 212 212 210 210 207 207 204 204 202 202 201 201 200 200 198 198 199 199 197 197 196 196 194 194 192 192 190 190 189 189 187 187 186 186 184 184 182 182 176 176 174 174 172 172 168 168 162 162 161 161 159 159 156 156 153 153 152 152 151 151 149 149 146 146 145 145 144 144 140 140 136 136 133 133 132 132 131 131 130 130 129 129 128 128 127 127 126 126 123 123 121 121 120 120 119 119 118 118 115 115 114 113 114 113 112 112 111 111 110 110 108 108 107 107 106 106 105 105 104 104 103 103 102 102 101 101 100 100 415 415 399 399 367 367 813 813 812 812 811 811 810 810 809 809 808 808 806 806 807 807 803 803 804 804 692 692 691 690691 689690 689 688 687 688 687 686 686 685 684 685 683684 683 682 682 500 500 499 499 498 498 497 497 496 496 495 495 494 494 493 493 492 492 491 491 490 490 489 489 488 488 442 441442 440441 440 439 439 438 438 437 437 436 436 435 435 434 434 433 433 432 432 431 431 430 430 428 428 427 427 426 426 425 425 424 424 423 423 422 422 421 421 420 420 419 419 418 418 417 417 414 414 412 412 413 413 411 411 410 410 409 409 408 408 404 404 403 403 402 402 401 401 396 396 395 395 390 390 389 389 388 388 387 387 386 386 385 385 384 384 383 383 382 382 381 381 380 380 379 379 378 378 377 377 376 376 372 372 374 374 370 370 369 368369 368 366 366 351 351 350 350 349 349 Source: ESRI World Imagery. Exhibit 4c 01210080 11/2011 4c_nest_inset.mxd Inset Tree Map 100 0 100 50 Feet Legend Survey Area Harbor Areas Nest No Nest
471 471 483 483 429 429 474 474 13 464 464 463 463 693 693 694 694 3 16 15 5 4 14 347 347 346 346 345 345 344 344 343 343 341 341 335 335 334 334 333 333 332 332 331 331 330 330 329 329 328 328 327 327 326 326 324 324 323 323 322 322 321 321 320 320 319 319 318 318 317 317 316 316 315 314 315 314 313 313 312 312 311 311 310 310 309 309 308 308 306 306 305 305 303 302 303 302 301 301 300 299300 298299 297298 297 295 295 294 294 293 292293 292 290 289290 289 288 288 287 287 286 286 285 285 284 284 282 282 283 283 281 281 712 712 805 805 818 818 817 817 814 814 819 819 816 816 815 815 813 813 812 812 811 811 810 810 809 809 808 808 806 806 807 807 803 803 804 804 802 802 801 801 800 800 799 799 798 798 797 797 796 796 795 795 794 794 793 793 792 792 791 791 790 790 789 789 788 788 787 787 786 786 785 785 784 784 783 783 781 782 781 782 780 780 779 779 778 778 777 777 776 776 775 775 774 774 773 773 772 772 771 771 770 770 769 769 768 768 767 767 766 766 765 765 764 764 763 763 762 762 761 761 760 760 759 759 758 758 757 757 756 756 755 755 754 754 753 753 752 752 751 751 750 750 749 749 748 748 747 747 746 746 745 745 744 744 743 743 742 742 741 741 740 740 739 739 738 738 737 737 736 736 735 735 734 734 733 733 732 732 731 730 731 730 729 729 728 728 727 727 726 726 725 725 724 724 723 723 722 722 721 721 720 720 719 719 718 718 717 717 716 716 715 715 714 714 713 713 711 711 710 710 709 709 708 708 707 707 706 706 705 705 704 704 703 703 702 702 701 701 700 700 699 699 698 698 697 697 696 696 695 695 692 692 691 690691 689690 689 487 487 486 486 485 485 484 484 482 482 481 481 480 480 479 479 477 477 478 478 476 476 475 475 473 473 472 472 470 470 469 469 468 468 467 467 466 466 465 465 462 462 461 461 460 460 459 459 458 458 457 457 456 456 455 455 454 454 453 453 452 452 451 451 450 449450 449 448 448 447 447 446 446 445 445 444 444 443 443 442 441442 440441 440 439 439 438 438 437 437 436 436 435 435 434 434 433 433 432 432 431 431 430 430 428 428 427 427 426 426 425 425 424 424 Source: ESRI World Imagery. Exhibit 4d 01210080 11/2011 4d_nest_inset.mxd Inset Tree Map 100 0 100 50 Feet Legend Survey Area Harbor Areas Nest No Nest
Photograph 1: Tree 531 with single crow or raptor nest. Photograph 2: Tree 531 closeup view of nest. Source: (2011). 01210080 11/2011 A_site_photos1and2.cdr Appendix A Site Photographs 1 and 2
Photograph 3: Tree 791 with heronry. This tree supports 18 nests. Photograph 4: Up close view of heronry in tree 791. Source: (2011). 01210080 11/2011 A_site_photos3and4.cdr Appendix A Site Photographs 3 and 4
Photograph 5: Tree 784 with heronry. This tree supports 7 nests. Photograph 6: Tree 752 with single crow or raptor nest. Source: (2011). 01210080 11/2011 A_site_photos5and6.cdr Appendix A Site Photographs 5 and 6