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<br /> F, ',"Cultarnl Fields '
<br /> The Brocchini property has been used most recently for the cultivation of onions(Allium cepa). In the
<br /> F, past it has been used to grow alfalfa(Hedicago sativus),and likely other crops. At the time the survey
<br /> (September 23, 1.999)the properly consisted only of the cut stubble of the cultivated crop.
<br /> I
<br /> F Generally, areas that are systematically disked can still provide habitat for rodents,which in turn can be
<br /> used by raptors. Some raptors such as the red-tailed hawk(Buten jamaicensis),red-shouldered hawk
<br /> (Buteo lineatus), Cooper's hawk(Accipiter cooperii),northern harrier(Circus cyaneus),American kestrel
<br /> ' (Falco sparverius),merlin(Falco columbarius),white-tailed kite(Elanus leucurus), Swainson's hawk
<br /> (Buteo swainsoni),golden eagle(Aquila chrysaetos)and bald eagle(Haliaeetus leucocephalus)have the
<br /> potential to forage in these areas. Other birds associated with cultivated lands include Brewer's blackbird
<br /> (Euphagus cyanocephalus),red-winged blackbird(Agelaius phoeniceus),tricolored blackbird(Agelaius
<br /> tricolor),western meadowlarks(Sturnella neglecta),horned lark(Eremophila alpestris)and various
<br /> sparrows.
<br /> Drainages
<br /> Two drainages are located on or immediately adjacent to the study area- Little Johns Creek and an
<br /> agricultural drainage ditch(labeled Drainage A on Figure F-1).
<br /> The North Branch of the South Fork of Little Johns Creek is a perennial drainage that flows toward the
<br /> west along the boundary between the Brocchim property and the existing landfill. The creck is
<br /> constrained within a steep-sided channel from which the vegetation and accumulated sediment is
<br /> periodically removed for flood control purposes. These maintenance activities occurred within the last
<br /> two years(Nisperos,pers. comm.). The drainage conveys heavy flows up to six feet above the channel
<br /> bed during winter and spring. During the dry season,flows are less than one foot deep on average. The
<br /> source of dry season flows may be largely agricultural irrigation run-off.
<br /> Vegetation within the channel forms a continuous band of wetland and aquatic vegetation,but because of
<br /> flood control maintenance activities,trees, shrubs or riparian canopy are mostly absent. Within or
<br /> immediately adjacent to the low-flow channel,the dominant plant species observed during the September
<br /> 23, 1999 survey include water primrose(Ludwigiapeploides ssp.peploides),smartweed.(Polygonum sp.),
<br /> narrow leaved cattail(Typha angusttfolia),dallis grass(Pas
<br /> palum dilatatum),barnyard grass
<br /> (Echinochloa crus-galli),umbrella sedge(Cyperus eragrostis),rabbitsfoot grass(Polypogon
<br /> �4 monspeliensis), and Bermuda grass(Cynodon dactylon).
<br /> On the upper banks,the vegetation is a sparse cover of weedy and non-native species, including slender
<br /> oats, Italian thistle,prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola),English plantain(Plantago lanceolata),and
<br /> cocklebur(Xanthium strumarium).
<br /> This description of vegetation could be considered ruderal habitat. Ruderal habitat is that froFJ m which the
<br /> native vegetation has been completely removed by grading,cultivation,or other surface disturbances.
<br /> Species generally associated with ruderal disturbed areas include red fox(Vulpes vulpes),raccoon
<br /> - (Procyon lotor),opossum(Didelphus vlrginianus),starlings(Sturnus vulgaris), and mourning doves
<br /> F (Zenaida macroura). Many wildlife species feed on seeds or other parts of the vegetation,including
<br /> finches,goldfinches, sparrows, and a variety of rodents. insects present provide food for species such as
<br /> western meadowlark,blackbirds,loggerhead shrike(Lanus ludovicianus)and western fence lizard
<br /> F (Sceloporus occidentalis). This community can support a wide array of predators,including snakes,
<br /> various raptors,and red fox(Vulpes vulpes). Raptors likely to forage over ruderal habitat include red-
<br /> tailed hawk and barn owl (Tyto alba). Killdeer(Charadrius vocifena)could also be associated with open
<br /> GRASSETTI EWMO
<br /> NMENTAL CONSULTING
<br /> F'.
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