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4 Environmental Analysis 4.4 Biological Resources with the habitat requirements of this species and reduces habitat suitability (Xerces Society et al. 2018). Burrowing Owl BUOW is a CDFW Species of Special Concern. BUOWs breed and live in burrows and use coastal prairie, coastal scrub, Great Basin grassland, Great Basin scrub, Mojavean Desert scrub, Sonoran Desert scrub, and valley and foothill grassland habitats as well as agricultural areas or any open dry area with low vegetation. The Project site is in the known distributional range of the BUOW and contains potentially suitable BUOW habitat due to low-growing vegetation and abundance of small mammals. In addition, this species has been previously documented on the Project site in 2007 (CDFW 2022). A total of eight small mammal burrows and one burrow surrogate (i.e., culvert)that were potentially suitable for BUOW were found within the Project site in San Joaquin and Alameda Counties (all except one are in San Joaquin County)as shown in Figure 4.4-3. These burrows had entrance diameters greater than approximately 4 inches and were above 60 inches in depth and, therefore, were considered potentially suitable for BUOW (Tetra Tech 2022a). Although no BUOW sign was observed at the potential burrows or burrow surrogate, several burrow networks that could support BUOW were found on-site. Swainson's Hawk Swainson's hawk is a state threatened species, and the San Joaquin Valley hosts the majority of California's breeding pairs. This species nests primarily in riparian or isolated trees between March and September. Potential Swainson's hawk and raptor nesting habitat within 0.5 mile of the Project site consists of more than 10 transmission towers and numerous 8- to 10-foot-tall trees of various species in residential areas and in stands along ephemeral water features in San Joaquin and Alameda Counties (Figure 4.4-5). Although trees within the BSA are considered potential Swainson's hawk habitat, these residential areas are exposed to high levels of disturbance (e.g., vehicle traffic, dogs, human activity, noise, light pollution). Adjacent areas in the 0.5-mile buffer undergo comparably less disturbance. One inactive raptor nest was found in a transmission tower approximately 100 feet east from the Project site in San Joaquin County (Figure 4.4-5). Overall, Swainson's hawk could use the Project site as foraging habitat, but there is a low potential for this species to nest on-site since the only trees occur in residential areas. This species could nest within 0.5 mile of the Project site. White-tailed Kite The white-tailed kite is a fully protected species by CDFW. White-tailed kites forage for rodents and insects in undisturbed grasslands, meadows, farmlands, and emergent wetlands (Thompson 1975). Their nesting habitat includes dense oak, willow, or other tree stand, usually 6 to 20 meters above ground, located near an open foraging area (Dixon et al. 1957). Nesting typically occurs from March through early August, peaking from March through June. Potential white-tailed kite nesting habitat includes trees located adjacent to the Project site to the north and northwest. Numerous 8-to 10-foot-tall trees of various species in residential areas have Griffith Energy Storage Project 4.4-12 Tetra Tech/SCH 2022120675 Draft Environmental Impact Report August 2023