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II <br /> their nest sites . American kestrels forage in open habitats, <br /> including fields and grasslands close to urban areas . Two possible <br /> American kestrel nest sites were found on the proposed project site <br /> in valley oak snags (see aerial photo and Appendix A) . The proposed <br /> project site provides suitable nesting and foraging habitat for this <br /> species . <br /> The black-shouldered kite is a fully protected species in <br /> California. Kites are dependent on riparian habitat for nest sites . <br /> The black-shouldered kite usually places its nest in a treetop. The <br /> nest is camouflaged from below, but open from above (Ehrlich et al . , <br /> 1988) . This typical nest placement can make it extremely difficult <br /> to locate . One black-shouldered kite was observed foraging on the <br /> proposed project site (see aerial photo and Appendix A) . Although <br /> no nests were confirmed, the riparian forest along the river in the <br /> southwestern portion of the proposed project site provides suitable <br /> nesting habitat . The oak savannah and grassland provides <br /> ' appropriate foraging habitat for this species . <br /> Two observations of great horned owl occurred during this <br /> survey (see aerial photo and Appendix A) . Many pellets and prey <br /> remains were also discovered. The great horned owl is a very common <br /> species througout California and has no special status within the <br /> state . Great horned owls generally nest in abandoned crow or hawk <br /> nests . The owls prefer to nest and roost in dense woodlands or <br /> forest and forage in adjacent open habitats such as grassland or <br /> savannah. The proposed project site fulfills the great horned owl' s <br /> nesting and foraging habitat requirements . Although no nests were <br />