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• Other portions of the area feature dense weedy vegetation that is at least two feet in <br /> height, effectively precluding utilization. <br /> • The only refugia observed with any potential to support burrowing owls are a handful of <br /> plastic culverts along the margins of the survey area, and they are at best marginal for <br /> the species. All were examined directly, and no indication of burrowing owl presence <br /> was observed. <br /> Regarding the general breeding bird survey, the southern WMU FU-13 area provides potential <br /> nesting habitat for only a very limited number of species. Virtually no birds were observed <br /> there, and no breeding bird behavior or other indication of the presence of active nests was <br /> observed. <br /> Gull survey <br /> Methods <br /> The survey was conducted from the high vantage point in the southern portion of the site where <br /> no active landfill activities are currently taking place, and most previous gull surveys by WRA <br /> have been conducted (Figure 1). Nearly all of the landfill property was visible from this area, <br /> including the active face located approximately 0.5 mile to the north. Observations were made <br /> using binoculars, a spotting scope (with 60x zooming capability) as well as the naked eye. The <br /> active face and other portions of the landfill were observed continuously from 10:10 AM to 12:10 <br /> PM, with the primary goal of enumerating and identifying to species any gulls present. All <br /> wildlife species observed at the landfill during the survey were noted. <br /> Results and discussion <br /> No gulls were observed throughout the survey, neither in association with the landfill or simply <br /> flying over the site. <br /> Five to ten blackbirds (red-winged [Agelaius phoeniceus] and/or Brewer's [Euphagus <br /> cyanocephalus]) were loafing and foraging on the ground near the active face throughout the <br /> observation period. A pair of common ravens (Corvus corax) was also observed in the <br /> immediate vicinity of the active face. <br /> Swainson's hawk nesting survey <br /> Swainson's hawk is listed as Threatened under the California Endangered Species Act and is a <br /> U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Bird of Conservation Concern. This species is a summer <br /> (breeding) resident in California's Central Valley, and winters primarily in South America. <br /> Nesting occurs in trees, and sites typically used include the edge of bands of riparian <br /> vegetation, isolated patches of oak woodland, Ione trees, and also planted and natural trees <br /> associated with roads and farmyards and in adjacent urban residential areas. Foraging occurs <br /> in open areas, including grasslands, open woodlands, and agricultural lands. While breeding, <br /> adults feed primarily on rodents (and other vertebrates); large insects (e.g., grasshoppers, <br /> dragonflies) comprise most of the diet during the remainder of the year. The greater breeding <br /> season occurs from April through July. <br /> According to CDFW's Natural Diversity Database, there are several documented Swainson's <br /> hawk nesting occurrences within 2.0 miles of the landfill, the nearest being approximately 0.1 <br /> mile north of its eastern portion, and most recently used in 2002. Ebird.com also shows <br /> 3 <br />