West Mojave Plan FEIR/S - Desert Managers Group

3.3.6 Birds3.3.6.1 Bendire’s ThrasherLife History: This species breeds in desert areas containing cactus, Mojave yuccas, andJoshua trees.Population Status in the Planning Area: The primary distrubution of Bendire’sbreeding habitat in the WMPA extends as a discontinuous band in suitable habitat from JoshuaTree National Park to near Victorville. The most extensive documented populations are in JTNP.The planning area comprises a small portion of the total range, which extends east to the eastMojave and Arizona. The historical range in the West Mojave was considerably larger than atpresent, and the occupied habitat in 1986 consisted of six disjunct populations: 1) Yucca Valley;2) Kelso Valley; 3) Coolgardie Mesa; 4) Joshua Tree National Park; 5) SE Apple Valley; and 6)N. Lucerne Valley.Surveys conducted in 2001 failed to detect Bendire’s thrasher at most of these locationsor at a control site in the east Mojave. Only Coolgardie Mesa and Joshua Tree National Park hadnesting birds. The thrashers have been seen in abundance in the east Mojave in 2004.Regulatory Status: California Species of Special Concern.Threats Affecting the Bendire’s Thrasher: Identified threats include habitatdestruction through rural and urban development, off-road vehicle activity during the nestingseason, and removal of yuccas and cholla cacti. Grazing has shown both positive and negativeeffects on this species. Fragmentation of the small remaining populations is a serious long-termthreat.3.3.6.2 Brown-crested FlycatcherLife History: This neotropical migrant occurs in riparian woodland or forest dominatedby cottonwoods and willows, usually in a climax stage. The presence of woodpeckers or othercavity-excavating species is important. No data exist on the minimum area of riparian habitatrequired by brown-crested flycatchers.Population Status in the Planning Area: In the western Mojave Desert, this specieshas nested at the following localities: the Mojave River at Victorville (1-3 pairs annually),Cushenbury Springs (one pair in 1991), and Morongo Valley (1-2 pairs annually). It wasreported from Indian Wells Canyon June 18, 2001. Fifteen birds were seen in the Mojave Riverbetween Victorville and Helendale in 2000.Regulatory Status: California Species of Special Concern.Chapter 3 3-173