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Administrative Draft Environmental Impact Report Gill Medical Center Project Burrowing Owl The burrowing owl is not listed pursuant to either the federal or California ESAs; however, it is designated as a BCC by the USFWS, an SSC by the CDFW, and is a SJMSCP covered species. Burrowing owls inhabit dry open rolling hills, grasslands, desert floors, and open bare ground with gullies and arroyos. They can also inhabit developed areas such as golf courses, cemeteries, roadsides within cities, airports, vacant lots in residential areas, school campuses, and fairgrounds (Poulin et al. 2020). This species typically uses burrows created by fossorial mammals, most notably the California ground squirrel, but may also use man-made structures such as concrete culverts or pipes; concrete, asphalt, or wood debris piles; or openings beneath concrete or asphalt pavement (CDFG 2012). The breeding season typically occurs between February 1 and August 31 (CDFG 2012). No burrowing owls or sign of presence were observed during the initial site assessment in May 2020, but there are ground squirrel burrows scattered along the irrigation ditch adjacent upland, including within the vineyard, that represent potential habitat for burrowing owls. Loggerhead Shrike The loggerhead shrike is not listed pursuant to either the federal or California ESAs; but is considered a BCC by the USFWS, an SSC by the CDFW, and is a SJMSCP covered species. Loggerhead shrikes nest throughout California except the northwestern corner, montane forests, and high deserts (Small 1994). Loggerhead shrikes nest in small trees and shrubs in open country with short vegetation such as pastures, old orchards, mowed roadsides, cemeteries, golf courses, agricultural fields, riparian areas, and open woodlands (Yosef 2020). The nesting season extends from March through July. Small trees and shrubs in the ruderal areas onsite and adjacent to the site represent potentially suitable nesting habitat for this species. Yellow-Billed Magpie The yellow-billed magpie is not listed pursuant to either the federal or California ESAs but is considered a USFWS BCC. This endemic species is a yearlong resident of the Central Valley and Coast Ranges from San Francisco Bay to Santa Barbara County. Yellow-billed magpies build large, bulky nests in trees in a variety of open woodland habitats, typically near grassland, pastures or cropland. Nest building begins in late- January to mid-February, which may take up to six to eight weeks to complete, with eggs laid during April-May, and fledging during May-June (Koenig and Reynolds 2020).The young leave the nest at about 30 days after hatching (Koenig and Reynolds 2020). Yellow-billed magpies are highly susceptible to West Nile Virus, which may have been the cause of death to thousands of magpies during 2004-2006 (Koenig and Reynolds 2020).The trees located within the ruderal areas onsite and bordering the Study Area represent potential nesting habitat for this species. Migratory Bird Treaty Act Protected Birds While not considered special status as previously defined, the Study Area supports potential nesting habitat for other, more common, bird species that are protected under the MBTA and the Fish and Game Code of California.These could include common species such as northern mockingbird and house finch, among others. Trees, shrubs, and annual grassland onsite and immediately adjacent the site represents potential nesting habitat for protected birds. Biological Resources 4.6-23 October 2021