2008 Annual Monitoring Report (pdf 10.9MB) - Bolsa Chica ...

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Western Snowy Plover Nesting at Bolsa Chica, 2008 December, 2008 (Rynchops niger), but after an absence of plover nests for 10 years, at least 1 and probably 2 plover pairs nested on NTI in 2008. One nest was confirmed and subsequently abandoned due to conflict between the plovers and elegant terns (Thalasseus elegans). Snowy plovers at North Tern Island are being kept from their nest by a large flock of elegant terns. The nest pictured was subsequently abandoned with 3 eggs in the nest. NS1 is a large linear nesting area between Inner Bolsa Bay and the Full Tidal Basin that was built during the creation of the Full Tidal Basin. The surface is dredge spoil that forms a flat surface that extends from the West Levee Rd. towards the basin. The shoreline of the nest site is now under full tidal influence. In 2008, vegetation lightly covered much of the site, including beach evening primrose (Camissonia cheiranthifolia), beach sand-verbena (Abronia umbellata var. umbellate), saltgrass (Distichlis spicata), alkali heath (Frankenia salina), pickleweed, coastal deerweed (Lotus scoparius), five-hook bassia (Bassia hyssopifolia) and 3 types of common iceplant (Mesembryanthemum sp.). Efforts were made during the winter and spring to remove much of the iceplant but it still persisted in patches throughout the site. The area along the northeastern shoreline lacks vegetation or debris that is normally found in a tidal area. Pickleweed is slowly spreading on this shoreline. NS2 and NS3 are also newly created sites that are within Cell 42 and Cell 14, respectively. NS3 is within the Seasonal Ponds and NS2 is located in the Muted Tidal Basin. These sites were built up with fill and covered with sand. Winds have blown the sand from the surface of NS3, and rainfall has eroded NS2. There is very little live vegetation on either nest site. Foraging areas for snowy plover chicks are not readily available on these nest sites; therefore, they must leave the site immediately upon hatching to find foraging areas in the adjacent cells or at the foot of the raised nesting site. Merkel & Associates, Inc. 5
Western Snowy Plover Nesting at Bolsa Chica, 2008 December, 2008 Photo by B. Peterson Photo by B. Peterson Nest Site 1 (NS1) nesting area (left) and shoreline (right) in October 2008 after the breeding season. Public access is not allowed on any of the western snowy plover nesting sites. The human presence in the study area is mostly related to the operation of the oil field, consisting of large and small oil service vehicles and small work crews along the roads and well pads. STUDY METHODS Beginning late-March, Peter Knapp (the primary surveyor), assisted by Wally Ross, Kelly O’Reilly (California Department of Fish & Game (CDFG)), and Bonnie Peterson (Merkel & Associates) surveyed for nesting western snowy plovers a minimum of twice a week, but most often on a daily basis. Data collected during this study included the gender of the incubating adult, length of incubation (days), number of eggs in the clutch, condition of the nest (e.g. signs of disturbance), and the fate of each nest (hatched, predated, or abandoned). Observations were also recorded of western snowy plover distribution, throughout the study area, not just those birds associated with nests. The large majority of suitable western snowy plover nesting habitat in the Seasonal Ponds was visible from the road network. Usually between 7 am and noon, the observer(s) would slowly drive in a motor vehicle along the roads that subdivide this area. Frequent stops were made to examine specific areas adjacent to the road with binoculars or spotting scope without exiting the vehicle. In this manner, it was possible to discover most nests within a few days of eggs having been laid. Most of the time, a nest was evident when an adult was incubating. Other times the adult was foraging or preening near the nest and soon returned to it. The observer would occasionally exit the vehicle in order to inspect an area not visible from the road or to verify the presence of eggs or chicks in a nest. Close examination of nests was usually conducted only once or twice per nest. STI was surveyed by vehicle from the West Levee Road and on foot as part of the least tern surveys. NTI is used primarily by nesting elegant terns and black skimmers and was surveyed from the West Levee Road. NS1, NS2, and NS3 are sectioned by markers which form the basis for data recording. NS1 is sectioned south to north from A though CC. NS1 was surveyed by vehicle, in the same manner as the Seasonal Ponds, either from the West Levee Road or the eastern slope of NS1. Due to nesting patterns of least terns, black skimmers, and other terns, vehicle surveys were suspended mid-May. Merkel & Associates, Inc. 6
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22 Temperature 20 Temperature (C) 1
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PM 50 66 47 Full Tidal Basin Future
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2008 Annual Monitoring Report (pdf 10.9MB) - Bolsa Chica ...

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