Biological Monitoring and Technical Report for Riparian Sanctuary Phase II

Transcription

1 Biological Monitoring and Technical Report for Riparian Sanctuary Phase II Glenn and Butte County, California February 7, 2011 Prepared for: The California Department of Fish and Game 580 Vallombrosa Avenue Phone: (530) Chico, CA Fax: (530)

2 Table of Contents Introduction... 1 Methods... 1 Results... 2 Bank Swallow Survey... 2 Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo Survey... 5 Vegetation Survey... 8 Gravel Bar Survey Elderberry Monitoring Discussion References List of Tables Table 1. Bank swallow colony size and river mile, , Riparian Sanctuary, Butte County, California....3 List of Figures Figure 1. Current suitable bank swallow habitat, Riparian Sanctuary, Butte County, California..4 Figure 2. Potential bank swallow habitat (right side of photo), northern end of project area where old rip rap has washed away...5 Figure Yellow-billed cuckoo monitoring locations, Riparian Sanctuary, Butte County, California...6 Figure Yellow-billed cuckoo monitoring locations, Riparian Sanctuary, Butte County, California...7 Figure 4. Blessed milkthistle (Silybum marianum) colonizing the northern end of the project area, Figure vegetation map, overlayed with the 2004 vegetation map, Riparian Sanctuary, Butte County, California....9 Figure 6. Gravel bar elevations, Riparian Sanctuary, Butte County, California Figure 7. Elderberry locations, Riparian Sanctuary, Butte County, California...12 Appendix I: Data from Biological Monitoring Page i

3 Introduction This final report covers surveys conducted by and CSU Chico Geographic Information Center (GIC) during the biological monitoring seasons. The purpose of this report is to summarize the project s field data collection activities. Surveys were conducted in to determine the use of the site by listed species (bank swallow (Riparia riparia), western yellow-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus occidentalis) and valley elderberry longhorn beetle (Desmocerus californicus dimorphus), as well as a vegetation survey to determine changes in vegetation patterns, and a gravel bar survey to determine topographic changes in the gravel bar on the northern end of the site which could potentially influence the efficiency of the fish screens and irrigation pumps located on the opposite bank. Breeding season bird use was also monitored in 2008 and 2009, though that data was covered in a separate report from the sub-contractor that conducted the surveys (PRBO 2009). The vegetation, gravel bar, and breeding bird surveys were also conducted during Phase I of the project to provide baseline conditions to which Phase II data will be compared. After consultation with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, it was determined that an upstream parcel, owned by the Sacramento/San Joaquin Drainage District, should be included in the biological surveys. The reason for this is that the revetment on this upstream parcel is proposed for removal in one of the project alternatives. Additional biological monitoring, therefore, was needed for the preparation of environmental compliance documents. Methods Bank Swallow Survey: The bank was surveyed for the length of the project area by a qualified ornithological expert. Data was collected on the presence/absence of active bank swallow colonies and the presence/absence of potential habitat for this species. The entire project area was surveyed by foot during the height of the bank swallow breeding season in In addition, the Department of Fish and Game along with the US Fish and Wildlife Service conducted annual bank swallow surveys to determine the Sacramento River population for this species. Those data are presented here for the project area. Yellow-billed Cuckoo Survey: Potential yellow-billed cuckoo (YBCU) habitat was surveyed at seven points on the Riparian Sanctuary unit and neighboring habitat using an established protocol (Laymon 1998, Halterman and Johnson 2002) in At each point, the area was surveyed for 1 minute for YBCU. This was followed by the Page 1

4 broadcasting of the YBCU kwolp calls for seven seconds using a portable compact disc player, and then the observers (2) surveyed the area for 1 minute. This process was repeated for a total of 5 minutes at each point. The survey method collects presence/absence data, with re-surveys occurring if presence is determined. The re-surveys attempt to document the territorial boundaries for each verified male cuckoo. Biologists surveyed for YBCU again in The protocol was altered for the 2010 survey, which was conducted in association with the California Department of Fish and Game s State-wide survey. Leading up to this State wide effort the first large scale cuckoo survey in over 10 years species experts devised a new protocol for the survey. This protocol was adopted for the 2010 Riparian Sanctuary survey. The basic protocol remained the same, but the distance between survey points was altered. Instead of seven survey points, the new protocol called for 32 points on Riparian Sanctuary. The upstream parcel resulted in an additional 11 points. Vegetation Survey: Biologists used historical vegetation maps and walked the entire site locating patches of native vegetation in A GPS unit was then used to create a polygon around all native/non-native vegetation clumps. The clumps were at least ¼ of an acre with greater than 25% native cover. Notes were taken on cover and species present. Cover was estimated as relative percent cover. Photos of representative vegetation clusters were taken with an emphasis on the most common vegetation found in that patch. Gravel Bar Survey: GIC conducted several transects across the gravel bar in order to gather elevation data. The data points were mapped and compared with historical data. Elderberry Monitoring: Biologists surveyed the site identifying elderberry shrubs. Each shrub was labeled with a tree tag. The label included project initials, plant number, and date (example: which would be 2008 shrub 1, would be 2010 shrub 1). Each shrub was also geo-referenced. Data were collected on stem numbers and size categories, presence/absence of valley elderberry longhorn beetle exit holes, shrub height, shrub canopy width, and surrounding vegetation. Results Bank Swallow Survey The project area and surrounding areas have been surveyed annually by USFWS and DFG since 1986 (no surveys were conducted in 1994, 1995, or 2006, however). In the 19 surveys prior to 2008, bank swallow colonies were noted in 12 of those years (63%) on the Riparian Sanctuary, with an average colony size of 288 active burrows. The site was more active prior to From colonies were noted in 9 of 12 years (75%) with an average colony size of 329 burrows. From colonies were detected in 3 of 7 years (43%) with an average colony size of 167 burrows. Page 2

5 In 2008 and 2009, zero active burrows were observed. In 2010 a colony with 64 active burrows utilized the site. A map was created of potential habitat based on soil profile, bank slope, and historical evidence of breeding (Figure 1). An example of bank swallow habitat is presented in Figure 2. There is no potential bank swallow habitat on the upstream parcel, though the removal of revetment is likely to create over 2,000 linear feet of habitat. Table 1. Bank swallow colony size and river mile, , Riparian Sanctuary, Butte County, California. River Mile Year Total Active Burrows Not Surveyed Not Surveyed Page 3

6 Figure 1. Current suitable bank swallow habitat, Riparian Sanctuary, Butte County, California. Page 4

7 Figure 2. Potential bank swallow habitat (right side of photo), northern end of project area where old rip rap has washed away. Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo Survey Seven points were surveyed for western yellow-billed cuckoos (YBCU) in Each point was surveyed on three occasions: June 20, June 30 and July 18, The species was not detected at any of the survey points. Thirty-two points were surveyed in 2010, along with eleven additional points on the upstream parcel. Four surveys were conducted on June 24, July 9, July 23, and August 11, The species was not detected at any of the survey points. Page 5

8 Figure Yellow-billed cuckoo monitoring locations, Riparian Sanctuary, Butte County, California. Page 6

9 Figure Yellow-billed cuckoo monitoring locations, Riparian Sanctuary, Butte County, California. Page 7

10 Vegetation Survey Native vegetation within the project area was mapped in Since the first mapping project in 2004, little change has occurred on site, demonstrating the need for active restoration practices (Figure 5). There has been a significant decrease in mugwort cover on the northern end of the unit, coupled with a slight increase in mugwort and California blackberry cover on the southern end of the project. The pepperweed area from 2004 and the northern mugwort area from 2004 have both been colonized by blessed milkthistle (Figure 4). Figure 4. Blessed milkthistle (Silybum marianum) colonizing the northern end of the project area, Note elderberry shrubs in upper right hand corner of picture. Page 8

11 Figure vegetation map, overlayed with the 2004 vegetation map, Riparian Sanctuary, Butte County, California. Page 9

12 Gravel Bar Survey Monitoring of the gravel bar opposite the PCGID-PID pumping plant was initiated in There is concern that significant changes in the footprint of the gravel bar could cause changes in the river currents that would adversely affect the operation of the pumping plant fish screens. To date, the gravel bar has remained relatively stable, with small areas of deposition on the downstream end (Figure 6). Elderberry Monitoring 85 elderberry (Sambucus mexicanus) shrubs were monitored in 2008 (Figure 7). Data were collected on the number and size of stems, diameter of largest stem, canopy width, surrounding vegetation, presence/absence of valley elderberry longhorn beetle (VELB) exit holes, and shrub location. Potential exit holes were located in 50% of the monitored shrubs. The term potential is used in this report as it is not always possible to conclusively determine that an exit hole was created by the desired species, though VELB holes are fairly distinctive due to a number of factors which separate them from other wood boring species. An average of 1.67 exit holes were found per occupied shrub which is consistent with the published range of found in another study (Talley 2005). The average elderberry was 4.78 meters tall (range 2m-9m) with a canopy width (longest measurement) of 5.31 meters (range 1m-10m). The average diameter of the largest stem was 28.3 centimeters (range 5 cm-76 cm). 93% of the shrubs had one stem greater than 12 centimeters in diameter. After consultation with USFWS it was determined that the elderberry survey area should be larger to account for potential impacts from project design. An additional 34 elderberry shrubs were monitored in The shrubs monitored in 2010 averaged 5.0 meters in height (range 3m-7m) with a canopy width (longest measurement) of 5.62 meters (range 3m-10m). The average diameter of the largest stem was 21.6 centimeters (range 5 cm-48 cm). 82% of the shrubs had one stem greater than 12 centimeters in diameter. Potential exit holes were noted in 24% of the monitored shrubs, with an average of 1.89 holes per occupied shrub. Page 10

13 Figure 6. Gravel bar elevations, Riparian Sanctuary, Butte County, California. Page 11

14 Figure 7. Elderberry locations, Riparian Sanctuary, Butte County, California. Page 12

15 Discussion In order to effectively gauge the potential effects of the project alternatives identified in Phase I, biological monitoring was conducted throughout Phase II. In 2008, bank swallow habitat and yellow-billed cuckoo monitoring was initiated, while gravel bar, vegetation, avian point-count surveys, and valley elderberry longhorn beetle monitoring were extended from Phase I of the project. The Interim Biological Monitoring Report ( 2008) stated that vegetation and gravel bar surveys would be extended into 2010 should flooding occur (or other stochastic events likely to change patterns). No flood flows (greater than bank-full events) have occurred in this time period. Additionally, alternatives identified in Phase I center on the prospective removal of rock upstream of the project area. The rock removal would almost certainly result in river meander, which could affect the large patch of intact habitat immediately upstream of the project area on river-right. After consultation with USFWS and PCGID-PID, it was determined that the potentially impacted area should be surveyed to gauge possible impacts on listed species (Figure 8). As stated in the Interim Report, in 2010, the area was surveyed for bank swallow habitat, yellow-billed cuckoo and valley elderberry longhorn beetle. The results of this report suggest that Riparian Sanctuary should be a high priority for riparian restoration. The creation of approximately 500 acres of riparian habitat would greatly expand the habitat for listed species which already occur on site, including VELB and bank swallow, as well as a suite of other riparian dependent species. And given that this project is upstream of the State flood control levees, natural river processes have a much greater impact on this site. Enhancing these processes would have system wide benefits. Page 13

16 Figure 8. Area Upstream of Riparian Sanctuary Surveyed in Page 14

17 References Halterman, M.D. and MJ Johnson Draft western yellow-billed cuckoo natural history summary and survey methodology. Southern Sierra Research Station, Weldon, CA. Laymon, S.A Yellow-billed Cuckoo survey and monitoring protocol for California. Available from the author, P.O. Box 1236, Weldon, California PRBO Song Bird Monitoring of the Riparian Sanctuary, Llano Seco Unit, Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge. Petaluma, California Riparian restoration feasibility study for the riparian sanctuary., Chico, CA. Schlorff, R Briefing summary: status of the bank swallow on the sacramento river: Memo presented in Chico, CA to the Bank Swallow Working Group. Talley, T.S Spatial ecology and conservation of the Valley elderberry longhorn beetle. PhD dissertation. University of California. Davis, California.

18 Appendix I. Data from 2008 and 2010 Biological Monitoring Bank Swallow Survey Survey Date: June 10, 2008 Potential habitat bank segments upstream extent downstream extent Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo Survey 2008 survey Date Points Surveyed YBCU Detections 6/20/ /30/ /18/ Survey Date Points Surveyed YBCU Detections 6/24/ /9/ /23/ /11/ Vegetation Survey Survey Date: June 2, 2008 This data was collected in areas where any dominant native specie(s) composition was over 25% and the area of that clump covered at least ¼ acre. The area was recorded with a GPS unit and the species present were noted and a species composition was estimated. Select photos were taken at example plot areas. Areas recorded are as follows:

19 Plot Type Specie(s) Present Cover (%) Mugwort 1 (MW1) Understory Mugwort 35 Stinging nettle Shrubs Coyote brush Exotics Bull thistle 20 Radish 5 Star thistle Bed straw Mustard Chamomile Bur-Chervil Bind weed Bare ground 30 Plot Type Specie(s) Present Cover (%) Mugwort 2 (MW2) Understory Mugwort 55 Verbena 5 Shrubs Coyote brush 5 Exotics Bull thistle 10 Radish 10 Star thistle Mustard 5 Bed straw Bare ground 10 Plot Type Specie(s) Present Cover (%) Mugwort 3 (MW3) Understory Mugwort 55 Creeping Wild rye 10 Shrubs Coyote brush Arroyo willow Exotics Bull thistle Radish Curly dock Sorghum Sp. Star thistle Mustard 20 Bind weed St. Johns wort Vetch Chamomile Pepperweed 5 Annual rye grass 10 Johnson grass Ripgut Vulipa bromoides Bed straw Bare ground

20 Plot Type Specie(s) Present Cover (%) Mugwort 4 (MW4) Understory Mugwort 30 Blue wild rye 5 Stinging nettle Milkweed Creeping wild rye 10 Shrubs Coyote brush 10 Ca. rose Trees Black walnut 5 Box elder 10 Exotics Bull thistle Radish 5 Arundo Sorghum Sp. Star thistle Mustard 25 St. Johns wort Poison hemlock Pepperweed 5 Ripgut Vulipa bormoides Bur-chervil Bare ground Plot Type Specie(s) Present Cover (%) Mixed Riparian 1 (MR1) Understory Mugwort 5 Verbena Shrubs Coyote brush 5 Ca. rose Ca. blackberry 5 Sandbar willow 25 Elderberry 10 Trees Cottonwood Exotics Bull thistle 35 Radish 10 Star thistle Mustard Bed straw Soft chess Himalayan blackberry 1 Bind weed Vetch Curly dock Chamomile Ripgut Bare ground

21 Plot Type Specie(s) Present Cover (%) Mixed Riparian 2 (MR3) Understory Mugwort Santa Barbara sedge 15 Pipevine 10 Creeping wild rye 10 Shrubs Coyote brush Ca. rose 5 Ca. blackberry 10 Ca. grape 5 Poison oak Trees Black walnut 10 Box elder Valley oak 20 Black willow Exotics Bull thistle Radish 5 Annual rye grass Ripgut 10 Bare ground Plot Type Specie(s) Present Cover (%) Mixed Riparian 3 (MR3) Understory Mugwort 35 Blue wild rye 10 Shrubs Coyote brush 5 Ca. rose Sandbar willow 5 Trees Cottonwood 5 Exotics Chamomile Annual rye grass Star thistle 10 Mustard 20 Soft Chess Ripgut Vetch 5 Bare ground Plot Type Specie(s) Present Cover (%) Elderberry Association 1 (EB1) Shrubs Ca. blackberry 15 Ca. rose 5 Elderberry 40 Exotics Annual rye grass Bull thistle 25 Wild oats 5 Soft Chess Ripgut 10 Bindweed Bare ground

22 Plot Type Specie(s) Present Cover (%) Understory Coyote Brush Association 1 (CB1) Mugwort 20 Verbena Creeping wild rye 5 Stinging nettle >5 Shrubs Coyote brush 20 Ca. blackberry Elderberry 5 Trees Box elder 5 Arroyo willow 5 Black walnut Exotics Curly dock Bindweed Himalayan blackberry 5 Star thistle Mustard 25 Sorghum Sp. Soft chess Bull thistle 5 Bare ground 5 Plot Type Specie(s) Present Cover (%) Blackberry 1 (BB1) Understory Mugwort 30 Stinging nettle 5 Shrubs Coyote brush 5 Ca. blackberry 40 Exotics Bull thistle Radish 5 Star thistle 5 Mustard 5 Horse weed Bur-Chervil Bare ground 5

23 Gravel Bar Survey Survey Date: June 2, , 2005 and 2008 elevations

24 Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle Survey Label # Stems (Quantify) * If exit holes are present with multiple diameters, quanitfy the exit holes in the following box > 1" to < 3" >3" to < 5" > 5" Diam. largest stem (in) Est. EB canopy (m) Height Width GPS Point Photo Number Surrounding Vegetation Notes * 08~ Creeping wild rye-mw-mustard 1" <1m from main; healthy 08~ Creeping wild rye-mt-be 3" away Dead stem in middle 08~ m from SB 08~ SBW-AW Down embankment 08~ SW GPS taken slightly upbank 08~ Several irregular holes 08~ Exit hole 5' 2" 08~ ~ Milk thistle 08~ Milk thistle 08~ ~ bb, annual grasses, milk thistle

25 Label # Stems (Quantify) * If exit holes are present with multiple diameters, quanitfy the exit holes in the following box > 1" to < 3" >3" to < 5" > 5" Diam. largest stem (in) Est. EB canopy (m) Height Width GPS Point Photo Number Surrounding Vegetation Notes * 08~ annual g., milk thistle 08~ annual g., milk thistle 08~ annual g., milk thistle 08~ annual g., milk thistle 08~ bb, annual g., milk thistle 08~ annual g., milk thistle 08~ annual g., milk thistle 08~ annual g., milk thistle 08~ annual g., milk thistle 08~ annual g., milk thistle 08~ annual g., milk thistle 08~ bb, annual g., milk thistle 08~ annual g., milk thistle 08~ annual g., milk thistle 08~ annual g., milk thistle 08~ annual g., milk thistle * numbering

26 Label # Stems (Quantify) * If exit holes are present with multiple diameters, quanitfy the exit holes in the following box > 1" to < 3" >3" to < 5" > 5" Diam. largest stem (in) Est. EB canopy (m) Height Width GPS Point Photo Number Surrounding Vegetation Notes * 08~ annual g., milk thistle 08~ annual g., milk thistle 08~ annual g., milk thistle 08~ annual g., milk thistle 08~ annual g., milk thistle 08~ annual g., milk thistle 08~ pipevine, annual g., milk thistle 08~ annual g., milk thistle 08~ annual g., milk thistle mourning dove nest 08~ annual g., milk thistle 08~ annual g., milk thistle 08~ annual g., milk thistle 08~ annual g., milk thistle 08~ annual g., milk thistle 08~ annual g., milk thistle burns on main trunk 08~ annual g., milk thistle burns

27 Label # Stems (Quantify) * If exit holes are present with multiple diameters, quanitfy the exit holes in the following box > 1" to < 3" >3" to < 5" > 5" Diam. largest stem (in) Est. EB canopy (m) Height Width GPS Point Photo Number Surrounding Vegetation Notes * 08~ annual g., milk thistle 08~46 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a annual g., milk thistle gps pt. 60m E. of actual location 08~ annual g., milk thistle House finch nest 08~ mugwort, mint, annual g., milk thistle 08~ annual g., milk thistle 08~ annual g., milk thistle 08~ annual g., milk thistle 08~ annual g., milk thistle 08~ annual g., milk thistle 08~ annual g., milk thistle 08~ annual g., milk thistle 08~ annual g., milk thistle 08~ bb, annual g., milk thistle 08~ annual g., milk thistle 08~ annual g., milk thistle 08~ annual g., milk thistle

28 Label # Stems (Quantify) * If exit holes are present with multiple diameters, quanitfy the exit holes in the following box > 1" to < 3" >3" to < 5" > 5" Diam. largest stem (in) Est. EB canopy (m) Height Width GPS Point Photo Number Surrounding Vegetation Notes * 08~ annual g., milk thistle Black headed grosbeak nest 08~ annual g., milk thistle

29 Label # Stems (Quantify) * If exit holes are present with multiple diameters, quanitfy the exit holes in the following box > 1" to < 3" Exit Holes >3" to < 5" Exit Holes > 5" Diame ter larges t stem (in) Est. EB canopy (m) Height Width GPS Point Photo Number Surrounding Vegetation Notes * wheat, milk thistle wheat, milk thistle wheat, milk thistle wheat, milk thistle several broken limbs, potential old exit holes wheat, milk thistle wheat, milk thistle, yellow star thistle milk thistle, yellow star thistle milk thistle, yellow star thistle milk thistle, yellow star thistle milk thistle, yellow star thistle milk thistle, yellow star thistle milk thistle, yellow star thistle milk thistle, yellow star thistle milk thistle

30 Label # Stems (Quantify) * If exit holes are present with multiple diameters, quanitfy the exit holes in the following box > 1" to < 3" Exit Holes >3" to < 5" Exit Holes > 5" Diame ter larges t stem (in) Est. EB canopy (m) Height Width GPS Point Photo Number Surrounding Vegetation Notes * milk thistle milk thistle milk thistle milk thistle milk thistle milk thistle milk thistle sanbar willow on slope next to river wheat wheat milk thistle, yellow star thistle coyote brush, black walnut, milk thistle, mugwort milk thistle, poison oak obvious roost tree for large mammal due to amount of scat

31 Label # Stems (Quantify) * If exit holes are present with multiple diameters, quanitfy the exit holes in the following box > 1" to < 3" Exit Holes >3" to < 5" Exit Holes > 5" Diame ter larges t stem (in) Est. EB canopy (m) Height Width GPS Point Photo Number Surrounding Vegetation Notes * poison hemlock, Himalayan blackberry poison hemlock, Himalayan blackberry poison hemlock, Himalayan blackberry wild grape, Himalayan blackberry wild grape, walnut unk unk unk unk un k unk unk unk unk 233 wild grape, Himalayan blackberry, poison oak, wild rose Unable to access due to amount of surrounding vegetation