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Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Report Page IV.F-15 Forward Inc. Landfill 2018 Expansion Project conducted in April 2014,June 2015, and June 2017;the nest is approximately 200 feet east of the landfill boundary(WRA 2017). White-tailed Kite White-tailed kites(Elanus leucurus) is a state Fully Protected species. It inhabits grasslands, agriculture fields, oak woodlands, savanna and riparian habitats in rural and urban areas.The species typically nests in trees surrounded by open foraging habitat. Based on the CNDDB (2018), the closest documented nesting location is approximately 4 miles northwest of the project site. The species has been observed foraging over the site and could nest in suitable trees on or adjacent to the study area. Other Special-Status Species Tricolored Blackbird Tricolored blackbird (Agelaius tricolor)is a Federal Bird of Conservation Concern and a California Species of Special Concern. This species typically nests in large colonies in dense stands of cattails or tules in freshwater, emergent wetlands. Tricolored blackbird has also been observed nesting in dense stands of willows,blackberry,wild rose, and tall herbs (Zeiner et al. 1990). It is found throughout the Central Valley and along the coast south of Sonoma, and forages on grasslands, cropland, and along edges of ponds for insects, seeds, and grains. The vegetation associated with the North Branch of the South Fork of the Littlejohn's Creek provides potentially suitable nesting habitat for this species. Burrowing Owl The burrowing owl(Athene cunicularia)is a California Species of Special Concern and a federal Bird of Conservation Concern. Burrowing owls range throughout the Central Valley,the inner and outer coastal regions, portions of the San Francisco Bay Area,the southern California coast from southern California to the Mexican Border,the Imperial Valley, and in portions of the desert and high desert habitats in southeastern and northeastern California. Burrowing owls require habitat with three basic attributes: open,well-drained terrain;short, ' sparse vegetation;and underground burrows or burrow facsimiles. Throughout their range burrowing owls occupy grasslands,deserts, sagebrush scrub, agricultural areas (including pastures and untilled margins of cropland),earthen levees and berms, coastal uplands,urban vacant lots, and the margins of airports, golf courses, and roads (Haug,et al. 1993). Burrowing owls rely on burrows excavated by fossorial mammals or reptiles, including ground squirrels, badgers, skunks, foxes and coyotes. Where the number and availability of natural burrows is limited (for example,where burrows have been destroyed or ground squirrels eradicated), owls will occupy drainage culverts, cavities under piles of rubble, discarded pipe, and other tunnel like structures (Haug, et al. 1993). Breeding typically occurs March through August,with the peak in April and May (CDFG 2005). i