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California Department of Fish and Game as a threatened species in <br /> California, primarily due to loss of nesting and foraging habitat . <br /> Currently, the almost complete dependence on certain crops such as <br /> alfalfa for foraging habitat renders Swainson' s hawk populations in <br /> California particularly vulnerable . Three possible nest sites were <br /> discovered during the survey, although none were confirmed. The <br /> first pair of Swainson' s hawks located on the site (see number 1 on <br /> aerial photo and Appendix A) were perched together in the same tree <br /> with a nest which appeared to be abandoned, indicating probable nest <br /> failure . The mature cottonwoods and oak trees along the river as <br /> well as in the grasslands on the proposed project site provide ideal <br /> nesting habitat for the Swainson' s hawk. Grassland and oak savannah <br /> found on the project site and agricultural fields immediately north <br /> of the project site are suitable foraging habitat for this hawk . <br /> There are currently six nesting territories within three miles of <br /> the proposed project site. Within two miles west of the project <br /> site there are two nesting territories along the Mokelumne River <br /> (Estep, personal communication) . Along Dry Creek there are four <br /> nesting territories within one to three miles north of the proposed <br /> project site (Estep, personal communication) . The Dry Creek and <br /> Mokelumne River drainages are extremely valuable foraging and <br /> nesting habitat for the Swainson' s hawk. The proposed project site <br /> is included within this area, which has been identified as one of <br /> four critical habitat zones for Swainson' s hawks in San Joaquin <br /> County (Estep, personal communication) . <br /> Red-tailed hawks are common in California and have no special <br /> status in the state. Three red-tailed hawk nesting territories were <br />