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<br />Soil Investigations for Data Collection in the Delta <br />Initial Study/Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration 74 <br />mulefat (Baccharis salicifolius) and other mesic species (Goldwasser 1981; Gray <br />and Greaves 1981; Franzreb 1989). Oak woodland with a willow riparian <br />understory is also used in some areas (Gray and Greaves, 1981), and individuals <br />sometimes enter adjacent chaparral, coastal sage scrub, or desert scrub habitats <br />to forage (Kus et al 2010). Foraging occurs most frequently in willows (Salata <br />1983; USFWS 1998a) but occurs on a wide range of riparian species and even <br />some nonriparian plants that may host relatively large proportions of large prey <br />(USFWS 1998a). Least Bell’s Vireos are insectivorous and prey on a wide variety <br />of insects, including bugs, beetles, grasshoppers, moths, and especially <br />caterpillars (Chapin 1925; Bent 1950). Breeding occurs between April and <br />August, with peak egg laying in May to early June (CDFW 1990h). <br />Least Bell’s Vireo has a moderate potential to occur within the Study Area due to <br />the presence of suitable nesting habitat in the Study Area, and recent <br />observations of the species in the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area and Bradford Island <br />during breeding season. Implementation of Mitigation Measures MM AES-1, MM <br />BIO-1 and MM BIO-8 would reduce potential impacts to Least Bell’s Vireo to: <br />Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated. <br /> <br />Yellow-Headed Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) <br />Yellow-Headed Blackbird is a California species of special concern. Yellow- <br />Headed Blackbird is a large blackbird with large head and long conical bill; males <br />have a bright yellow head and breast and glossy black body and females are <br />brown with dull yellow head and breast. The species’ range includes western and <br />central North America; in California it is found in northeastern California, Central <br />Valley, Imperial Valley, and Colorado River Valley (Jaramillo 2008). Yellow- <br />Headed Blackbird breeding habitat includes freshwater emergent wetlands, while <br />associated foraging habitat includes irrigated pastures and alfalfa fields (Twedt <br />and Crawford 1995, Jamarillo 2008). The species forages primarily for seeds and <br />some insects; during breeding season insects are the primary prey (Jaramillo <br />2008). Nests are constructed in tall emergent vegetation in open areas over <br />relatively deep water (Orians and Willson 1964). Breeding occurs from mid-April <br />through late July (Twedt and Crawford 1995). <br />Yellow-Headed Blackbird has a moderate potential to occur within the Study <br />Area due to the presence of suitable foraging habitat and minimal suitable <br />nesting habitat in the Study Area. Implementation of Mitigation Measures MM <br />BIO-1 and MM BIO-8 would reduce potential impacts to Yellow-Headed Blackbird <br />to: Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated. <br /> <br />Antioch Dunes anthicid beetle (Anthicus antiochensis) <br />Antioch Dunes anthicid beetle has a NatureServe ranking of G1S1 and is <br />included on CDFW’s Special Animals List but is not listed under FESA or CESA. <br />This species is a 4.7-5.4 mm long terrestrial beetle that resembles an ant in <br />appearance. It is endemic to California, and it has been detected at Antioch