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Forward Inc. Landfill nviDraft Supplemental Eronmental Impact 2014 Expansion roje Report Page IVY-12 fields are the primary foraging areas. Swainson's hawks generallysear and several hawks may be seen foraging together following tractors or other farm equipment capturing prey escaping from farming operations. ch for prey by soaring `- The Swainson's hawk was historically regarded as one of the most numerous raptors in the state. The dramatic decline in the population of the Swainson's hawk has been attributed to the loss of native nesting and foraging habitat, and more recently to the loss of suitable nesting trees. This loss of nesting habitat within riparian areas has been accelerated by flood control practices and bank stabilization programs (CDFG undated[b]). The loss of agricultural lands to various residential and commercial developments is a serious threat to Swainson's hawks throughout California. Additional threats are habitat loss due to riverbank protection projects, conversion from agricultural crops that provide abundant foraging opportunities to crops such as vineyards and orchards which provide fewer foraging opportunities, shooting, pesticide poisoning of prey animals and hawks on wintering grounds, competition from other raptors, and human disturbance at nest sites. The non-native grasslands and disked fields within the study area could be used for foraging by Swimson's hawk, although the ongoing rodent control program limits the extent of small mammals on the landfill property. A Swainson's hawk nest site was documented in 2002 along the North Branch of the South Fork of Littlejohn's Creek near the northeast corner of the Forward Landfill property (CNDDB 2014), and the species could still nest along this creek segment. Fourteen additional nests have been documented within 3 miles of the project site (CNDDB 2014).Potential impacts to this species are evaluated later in this section(see Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures,below). White-tailed Kite White-tailed kites (Elanus leucurus) inhabit open grasslands and savannahs. They breed in a variety of habitats including grasslands,cultivated fields, oak woodlands and suburban areas where prey is abundant. The breeding season lasts from February to October, with the peak season typically lasting from May to August (CDFG 2005). Nests are typically built in trees near a water source and may occur in suburban areas with adjacent open areas with abundant prey. White-tailed kite nesting sites are designated as fully protected under of the California Fish and Game Code (CFGC)13. This species receives additional protection under the MBTA and Migratory Bird Treaty Reform Act(MBTRA). A white-tailed kite has been observed foraging over the property during biological reconnaissance surveys in 2008 (WRA 2009). This species may nest in suitable trees on properties adjacent to the study area. Potential impacts to this species are evaluated later in this section(see Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures,below). Other Special-Status Species Tricolored Blackbird Tricolored blackbird (Agelaius tricolor) 1s a This speralecies Btyp ally nests Conservation largeConcern colonies in dense California Species of Special Co P been stands of cattails or toles in freshwater,willows,blackberry,ent wild rose�andtall herbs (Zeine�et al. observed nesting in dense stands of wma, and the 1990). It is found throughout the Central Vaellle es of aonds for oasctSouth of and grains. The Sono forages on grasslands/ cropland/ and along g P 13 CFGC§3511