biota of the Ballona Region, Los Angeles County

[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]

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0 1981 COUNTY NATURAL
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MUSEUM FAJUNDATiON'

THE BIOTA OF THE BALLONA REGION, LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

Edited by

RALPH W. SCHREIBER

October 1981

This publication was prepared with financial assistance from the
United States Office of Coastal Zone Management, National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, under the provisions of the Federal Coastal
Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended, and from the California Coastal
Commission under the provisions of the Coastal Act of 1976.

CAUFORNIA
(:C)ASTAL CCNAMISSION

THE BIOTA OF THE BALLONA REGION, LOS ANGELES COUNTY

INDEX page

Introduction and Summary I-1 to 17.

The Vegetation Bo-1 to 29.

The Insects and related Terrestrial Arthropods E-1 to 89.

The Marine Mollusks Mo-l to 9.

Estuarine Fish Communities F-1 to 31.

The Mammals M-1 to 57.

The Herpetofauna H-1 to 80.
The Birds Bi-1 to 88

THE BIOTA OF THE BALLONA REGION, LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA:

A SUMMARY OF THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM STUDY.

Ralph W. Schreiber

INTRODUCTION

Coastal wetlands and estuaries are rapidly disappearing in the United

States, and especially so in Southern California. Therefore, the value of

such areas as habitat for wildlife and as open space for human aesthetics

increases yearly.

The Ballona region near Marina del Rey contains one of the few remaining

sizable marshlandsin Los Angeles County. Prior to European colonization,

this region was an ecologically diverse habitat; now it is greatly reduced

and degraded by gradual urbanization. The construction of the Ballona Creek

flood control channel in 1932 was the single most important factor reducing

the wetlands areas. Construction of the Small Craft Harbor (Marina del Rey)

in 1960-1962 also contributed to reduction of these marshes, and displaced

considerable land used for agricultural purposes. Although some data exist

on wildlife habitat use of the Ballona region (summarized by Jones and Stokes,

1981), the study reported here more fully documents the flora and fauna of

the region than did previous studies. This work also provides the Department

of Regional Planning of Los Angeles County with the data on which to base

portions of the Marina del Rey Local Coastal Plan.

This final report incorporates comments made by staff members of the

California Coastal Commission, California Department of Fish and Game, and

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the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Services section.

METHODS AND RATIONALE

In discussing the Ballona region, we find it convenient to divide the

region into four units as indicated on figure 1: Units 1, 2 and 3 and the

Agricultural Lands. In describing our results, comments are directed to

those specific units. The outlines and major features of those units are

presented in the following section, Site Description.

Under contract to the California Coastal Commission, the initial bird

surveys of the Ballona region began in February, 1979. Early data clearly

indicated the need for a more extensive biological study of the region and

in July, 1980, the Natural History Museum Foundation began a one-year study

under contract to the Department of Regional Planning of Los Angeles County,

as approved by the California Coastal Commission. The studies reported

here were carried out by the staff, assistants and collaborators of the

Life Sciences Division of the Los Angeles County Natural History Museum:

Plants: Robert J. Gustafson

Mollusks: Martin G. Ramirez and Dr. James H. McLean

Insects: Christopher 0. Nagano, Dr. Charles L. Hogue, Roy R. Snelling

and'Julian P. Donahue

Fishes: Dr. Camm C. Swift and Gretchen D. Frantz

Reptiles and Amphibians: Marc P. Hayes and Craig Guyer

Mammals: Drs. Richard D. Friesen and Donald R. Patten, and W. Kelly

Thomas

Birds: Drs. Charles F. Dock and Ralph W. Schreiber

The methodology for each discipline is described in each section report

which summarize our findings. These individual studies were aimed at

determining what species were present; their numbers, distribution, and biology.

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We interpret those data collectively here to advise the Department of

Regional Planning on the biotic interactions present on the property, to

determine the extent of wetlands present and to advise on the extent of the

surrounding habitats and what their interactions with the wetlands are. Our

goal is to preserve a sufficient space with ecologically diverse habitats

for long-term stability of the functional ecosystem.

SITE DESCRIPTION

The region that we studied is owned by Summa Corporation of Las Vegas,

Nevada, and is bordered on the north by Fiji Way; on the east by Lincoln

Boulevard; on the south by the bluffs, the Southern California Gas Company

facilities, Culver Boulevard, and the horse stables and houses; and on the

west by the dwelling units of Playa del Rey. The following are brief,

introductory descriptions of the units used in this study. Details are

contained in each section report, and especially the Botany description.

UNIT 1: Bounded on the west by a series of apartment complexes, on the

north by a footpath paralleling the south bank of Ballona Creek Channel, on

the east by agricultural Fields, and on the south by a horse corrai, and an

embankment paralleling Culver Boulevard. Lower elevations support fairly

homogeneous stands of pickleweed, while higher portions support mixed pickle-

weed and herbaceous vegetation. A large expanse of saltflat lies in the

east-central portion of the unit, and an extensive mudflat lies adjacent to

much of the northern boundary. When the flap gates are open, both habitats

are flooded at high tide. Ditched saltwater canals are connected to the

"'lood gates and connect throughout the unit and under Culver Boulevard into

Unit 2. The western border of the unit is marked by a remnant dune system

with a small, temporary pond within its willow stand. Elevated Southern

California Gas Company access roads extend into the flats from the

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southeastern border of the unit.

UNIT 2: Beunded to the west by the confluence of Culver Boulevard and

adjacent residential areas, to the north by Culver Boulevard, to the east

by a Southern California Gas Company access road and to the south by the gas

company facility and residential property with bluffs further to the south. Most

of the study unit is covered by annual herbs, grasses and scattered pickleweed. The

unit is crossed from west to east by two tidal canals bordered by narrow, essentially

solid stands of pickleweed. A stand of eucalyptus trees and pampas grass

borders the east edge of a sandy, alluvial fan openinq out from a small

ravine now paved as Cabora Street along the southern boundary. A small

freshwater stream runs through the eucalyptus grove, receiving much of its

input from street runoff. The western edge of this alluvial fan as well as

much of the unit is covered by iceplant. A narrow area of exposed ground

parallels Culver Boulevard along much of the northern boundary. This exposed

ground, in a slight depression, fills with water after rains and high tides,

forming temporary pools.

UNIT 3: Bounded to the west by residential structures and Fiji Way,

to the north by Fiji Way, to the east by Lincoln Boulevard, and to the south

by a road adjacent to Ballona Creek Channel. The central portion of the

study unit is saltflats. These are surrounded by pickleweed and mixed

pickleweed and annual vegetation. The northwestern portion of Unit 3 also

supports mixed pickleweed and herbaceous vegetation. Higher elevations

support grasses and scattered shrubs. A coyote brush-pampas grass shrubland

dominates large portions of the east, west and north-central portions of this

unit. Minimum elevations are 12 feet above mean hich tide in this region,

maximum is 16 feet. A'drainage channel parallels Fiji Way along the north-

eastern boundary. The south-central and southeastern border of this unit

roof WAT

UNIT 3

-----------

AGRICULTURAL
LAND
AGRICULTURAL LAND

111014"s Otte
UNIT I

AGRICULTURAL LAND
U N 11,2

- It.

Figure 1. The Ballona Creek Region, south of Marina del Rey, Los Angeles
County, California, showing study units used in the Natural
History Museum study.

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coPsists of coarse elevated fill dominated by large laurel-sumac. An access
road lines the southern edge of the unit. This road connects with a complex

of short, elevated access roads to gas company wells on the western edae

of this unit. Unit 3 is entirely dredge spoil.

AGRICULTURAL LANDS: The Agricultural Lands (=Fields) are bounded to

the west by the Southern California Gas Company access roads, to the north

by the Ballona Creek Channel, to the east by Lincoln Boulevard, and to the

south by the gas company facility and 150-foot bluffs. The fields are

bisected by Jefferson Boulevard and the eastern portion of Culver Boulevard.

Most of the area consists of periodically plowed and cultivated fields with

scattered patches of grasses and herbs. In the western portion just south

of Jefferson Boulevard, the Jefferson storm drain connects to a canal of

Unit 2 under the gas company road. The western and eastern portion of the

southeast section of fields is slightly lower in elevation and fills with

storm water runoff during rainy periods. The southern border of the unit is

a steep, sandy bluff dominated by large stands of castorbean and California

sage. Sandy alluvial fans form at the terminus of two ravines on the south

border. One ravine, at the southeast corner of the unit, contains Lincoin

Boulevard. The other, in the south-central bluff area just east of the gas

Company facility, is eroded by the runoff from Hastings Avenue. A partly

channelized freshwater drainage (Centinela Creek) flows through the southern

portion of this unit from east of Lincoln Boulevard. Another freshwater

habitat is a bulrush-dominated patch on the east edge of the Hastings Avenue

ravine, which is fed by a seep at the base of the bluffs. Cabora Street is

located midway up the bluff.

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The California Coastal Act of 1976 defines wetland in Section 30121 of

the Public Resources Code as follows:

"'Wetland' means land within the coastal zone which may be covered

periodically or permanently with shallow water and include saltwater

marshes, freshwater marshes, open or closed brackish water marshes,

swamps, mudflats, and fens."

To provide guidance in the practical application of this definition,

the California Coastal Commission adopted Statewide Interpretative Guidelines

for Wetland and Other Wet Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Areas

("Guidelines") as a decision of the Commission on February 4, 1981.

According to the Guidelines, the Commission will make an independent con-

clusion using all relevant information available for a specific site,

determining whether it will be considered wetland under the Coastal Act.

Appendix D of the Guidelines, "Technical Criteria for Identifying and Mapping

Wetlands and Other Wet Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Areas" ("Criteria")

provides further guidance. The Criteria indicate that the U.S. Fish &

Wildlife Service hierarchical system of wetland classification will be used

11as a guide".

We have applied these Guidelines, Criteria and the Coastal Act to the

data base gathered for this site to reach our conclusions of what specific

areas should be defined as wetlands, and what areas should be defined in

other descriptive terms for planning purposes in the Local Coastal Plan.

This region is a biologically diverse area with many habitat communities,

and the property must be considered acre by acre. Biologists must use

several characteristics for designations of any habitat and must look for

and find functional interactions between components of habitat.
Based on our data and their evaluation, we have concluded that the portions

of the property which should be determined to be wetlands are the lower

DkEDGE SPOIL

WETLANDS

DUNE

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DITCHES

FRESH WATER

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Fiq
pt'a 2. The preselit status of the uMts Of the Ballona region,

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elevations in Units I and 2 (Figure 2) considering the following factors:

1. the variety, high quality, and quantity of the saltwater marsh

plant indicator species present.

2. the diversity of the animal Populations present;

a, the presence of fishes and marine mollusks which cannot exist

out of water,

b, the presence of aquatic insects, waterfowl, shorebirds, and the

endangered Savannah Sparrows,

c, the presence of mammals and reptiles/amphibians.

3. the presence of tidal influence.

4. the diversity, interactions,and productivity of the organisms

present, and

5. the indications and prognosis that a viable, self-sufficient

ecosystem is present and has a high probability of long-term

continued existence with reasonable amounts of protection

and management.

Based on our data and their evaluation, we have concluded that the portions

of the property which should not be determined to be wetlands are the dredged

spoil area north of the flood control channel and most of the agricultural

lands considering the following factors:

1. the historical aspects and obvious ecological old field succession

that has occurred on the dredged spoils.

2. the lack of diversity and productivity in populations of plants

and animals found there, and

3. the obvious lack of tidal influence.

We believe that Unit 3, or even portions thereof, should not be

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designated wetlands because in a biological sense the definition lacks

heuristic (predictive) value. Unit 3 should not be classified a saltwater

marsh, a freshwater marsh, a brackishwater marsh, a swamp, mudflat, or fen.

Early in the 20th century, this unit may have been marsh but the available aerial photo-

graphs clearly indicate that by the 1950's it had been converted to agricultural

land. During construction of Marina del Rey in 1960-1962, the dredged spoils were

placed on this unit and the agricultural use was destroyed. The marine bottom

material was conducive to Salicornia growth in the central, lower portions

of the dredged material. However, a series of historical aerial photographs

since 1962 clearly indicate this community is deteriorating and breaking up

into small pockets. Our subjective impression over the past two years of work

on the Unit also indicates qualitative deterioration and comparison with

the obivously healthy veqetation on Unit 1 clearly shows the Poor quality

of the hydrOPhilic plants on this dredged material. The present mean minimum

elevation of 12 feet above mean hich tide Precludes long-term. wetlands

interactions as a functional community. Our entomological data confirm the

absence of insects and other arthropods which require wet conditions and

thus the lack of a true "wetlands" in this unit. These data indicate this

unit is rapidly undergoing old field successional stages. In the Unit 3 dredged

spoil area, the presence of Salicornia today is not a Siqnificant indicator

of wetlands but merely indicates the remnants of the conditions created by

bay bottom dredging. We believe this unit is properly simply called dredged spoil.

-With the presence of functional wetlands in Units 1 and 2, we believe that

efforts should be placed on management and restoration of those areas rather

than expending efforts on a community that was artificially constructed and

will never serve as a wetlands habittat-,.

The California Coastal Act defines environmentally sensitive area in

Section 30107.5 as follows:

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"'Environmentally sensitive area' means any area in which

p I ant or anima I I i fe or thei r habi tats are ei ther rare or

especially valuable because of their special nature or role in

an ecosystem and which could be easily disturbed or degraded

by human activities and developments."

As noted in the "Guidelines," the Coastal Commission will make an independent

determination based on all avail-able data of whether aspecific site is to

be designated as an environmentally sensitive area. We believe that the

following recommendations will assist in defining the specifics of this

property in relation to such designations and in determining consistency

with Section 30240 of the Coastal Act, which contains standards for siting

development both within and adjacent to environmentally sensitive areas.

1. Preserve adequate large diverse space. Wetlands are not isolated,

independently functioning systems and are dependent on associated watersheds

and upland transi.tion areas. Additionally, since ecological stability is

related to habitat diversity and sufficient space, we believe that mainte-

n-ance of a large contiguous area is the only alternative that meets the criteria

of preserving the maximum number of species and a viable wetlands system

within this region. Preserving small portions of various areas that are

not connected by open, native habitat will not provide the stability needed

in this region for long-term maintenance of the marsh. Units 1 and 2 are

the center of the area to be protected. The portions of land needed to

buffer and protect the wetlands and provide the ecological diversity

necessary for stability in this region are: the bluffs and slopes to the

south of Units I and 2 and extending to the east beyond Lincoln Boulevard;

the dunes to the west of Unit I (see 5_below); the slightly higher portions

of land immediately surrounding the wetlands; and the occasionally wet

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agricultural lands immediately to the east of Unit 2 which grade onto the slopes_
and along the-Centinela Creek-drainage-ditch- These areas might or might not be
designated as ecologically sensitive habitat or buffer but they clearly fit the

ecosystem concept and thus should not be separated from the wetlands. The dunes

and slopes will provide buffer to the wetlands on the south and west and the

Ballona Creek flood control channel on the north provides adequate buffer there.

To the east we believe the construction of a nature center north of Culver

Boulevard will buffer Unit 1. A road along the present gas company access road

and construction of a tidal-influenced, freshwater lake with its mud flats area

immediately east of that road would provide adequate buffer to Unit 2. Mainte-

nance of open space with proper fencing along the north side of Centinela Creek

after its relocation will provide'protection to the north side of the bluffs.

With protection of this total region incorporating the following recommendations

we believe that both the spirit and letter of the Coastal Act laws are met in

regards to habitat protection. Outside of these areas, any reasonable

construction, under 60 feet, will probably not affect the wildlife within such a

protected zone.

7 Increase saltwater flow and enhance littoral zone. 7he littoral zone

is the area subject to tidal influence. Pickl-eweed (Salicornia spp.) is

characteritically the dominant plant.of the upper littoral zone along the

southern California coast. Increasing the amount of +tidal water entering the

system would increase the productivity of the Salicornia, and the addition of

the water onto Unit 2 would increase the density and health of these plants

while causing the weedy higher-elevation plants there to decrease. With added

water into Unit 1, the Salicornia would increase the area on which it grows

and thus provide important additional habitat for Belding's Savannah Sparrows,

one of the endangered species present an the wetlands.

As discussed below, breeding populations of Belding's Sparrows are

limited to pickleweed. Expansion of stands of that plant could potentially

increase the size of the Ballona population of the sparrow. This could be

an important factor in the long-term survival of the species. Enhancing

pickleweed quality and extent and its associated insect fauna would be

beneficial to the total ecosystem stability. Increasing tidal flow with

resultant stands of salt grass would also allow the Wandering Skipper, a

rare insect, to increase the size of its current population. Pickleweed

is also essential as primary foraging habitat for the Alligator Lizard.

Increasing the extent of the littoral zone would be accomplished by

(1) installing tidal flow systems to allow unrestricted water movement from

the Ballona Creek channel into the wetlands; (2) breaching the berms along

the channels within the wetlands; (3) installing additional culverts under

Culver Boulevard; and (4) by creating several additional channels. These

steps should be carried out in Units 1 and 2. Wide culverts, including norm-

ally dry areas suitable for passage of terrestrial animals are essential to

allow the organisms present to increase their populations and allow easy

movement over the property. Increasing tidal flow would also provide the

input of nutrients and flushing action necessary to support larger inverte-

brate and fish populations in Units 1 and 2.

While increased saltwater flow is generally desirable, flooding in some

areas should be restricted so as to produce drier, higher habitats required

for egg-laying and refuge sites by the herpetofauna and other animals. To

this end, we suggest that the access roads to the gas company wells in the

central area be modified to provide more gradual slopes and be planted with

native vegetation; similar modification of the channel berms would also

enhance their value to wildlife.

3. Preservation of mudflats. Mudflats provide exceedingly important

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habitat for many organisms, most spectacularly the wintering water and

shorebirds in the Ballona region. Many herbivorous-detrital-eating mollusks

move about on the surface of the mudflats, and many invertebrates (i.e.,

polychaetes and insects) provide a source of food below the surface. The

flats are also habitat for the Mudflat Tiger Beetle, which is greatly reduced
from its original range in the United States. Many species of estuarine
fliei and beetles breed or develop in the mud. Preservation and enhancement of

the flats are important to the stability of the ecosystem. The mudflats most

important to the birds occur in Unit 1. In addition, the fields on the

western portion of the agricultural lands are occasionally flooded during winter

rains and at those times provide an important foraging area for the wintering

shorebirds. The rainy period coincides with the presence of large numbers of

wintering and migrant shorebirds in southern California. There is substantial

movement of birds between Unit 1 and these occasionally flooded agricultural

fields. It seems advisable to preserve an open flyway between these two

regions. It is probable that an even more favorable situation could be created

by providing for,regular (or even permanent) flooding of this area. This

-lion to allow tidal flow and freshwater intru-
wouid require grading and construcL. I

sion. Any construction in the area should be undertaken in the dry season to

avoid disturbanceto the bird populations.

4. Limit access by humans and-human artifacts. The Ballona wetlands

show obvious degradation due to traffic by vehicles, domestic animals and

humans on foot. The negative effects of such intrusion are particularly

obvious in Units I and 2, where the disturbance to the natural functioning

of the system cannot be overemphasized. Unit 1 is frequently used by horse-

back riders, presumably emanating from the stables immediately adjacent to

the marsh on Culver Boulevard. Horse and other traffic severely damage

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the existing vegetation and definitely inhibit growth of new plants by

compacting the soil and crushing subterranean animal forms. Food and

cover for animals are removed, and invertebrate and vertebrate life killed.

Human-intrusion also disturbs the activity cycles of all animals,

especially the birds. Dogs and cats cause serious disturbance and

actually kill wildlife.

Off-road vehicular- (ORV) caused mortality to animals and plants is

a major problem in this region. Such traffic has increased during the two

years of our study, and the effects of ORV's are potentially even more

serious than those of horses or dogs, because of the deeper disturbances

and much larger area they are able to cover.

We suggest that the wetlands in Unit 1 and 2; the buffer areas,

especially the dunes; and the remainder of the management-support area should

be restricted to allow only human-foot traffic.for scientific and education

purposes under strictly controlled conditions (see below #10 for nature

center recommendation). All vehicular traffic and domestic animals must be

entirely excluded.

5. Preservation and enhancement of dune habitat. Like marsh and

estuarine systems, coastal dunes are becoming increasingly more rare in

California. The west end of Unit 1 is-an important dune habitat. The

highest number of insect species restricted to the sea coast are found

there. This area is inhabitated by the California Legless Lizard (Anniella

pulchra), which can only survive in areas of loose sand. We found this

lizard only on the dune and the sandy alluvial fan near the southwest

corner of the Ballona region, but we suspect it is also present on the large

alluvial fan near the southeast corner of the region. Maintenance and

protection of these areas is strongly recommended, and as noted we suggest

1-14

that access by humans should also be prohibited in the dunes and alluvial

areas.

6. Provision for freshwater habitat. Fresh water is an important

component of this region and a balance between salt water and fresh water is

essential to the environmental health of the wetlands. At present, the

freshwater input to the region is primarily from the highly polluted

Jefferson storm drain, Centinela creek drainage ditch, and runoff along

with eros-ion from the bluffs on the south side of the property. This fresh

water is important for the maintenance of the Salicornia in the wetlands

during the winter rainy season, as it provides dilution of the salt water

to the brackish conditions that define a saltmarsh. The drainage ditches

support freshwater aquatic plants, freshwater fishes and are breeding sites

for amphibians. The Pacific Tree Frog and Western Toad are dependent on

the freshwater sites. Mosquito fish (Gambusia affinis) were introduced in

the freshwater system and have become an important food source for birds and

are also an important predator on mosquito (Culicidae) larvae.

Although drainage ditches are important as a freshwater source and

habitat on this property, they have not been designed for this purpose. We

suggest that they be rebuilt, and possibly moved, so that they can provide

an enhanced and functional freshwater system within the larger region.

Reclaimed water from sewage treatment could also be effectively used for

enhancement of the wetlands by either constant input or occasional flow over

Units 1 and 2.

7. Exclude dumping of solid waste and dissolved chemical pollutants.

Much of the property is badly littered with trash. While this material may

provide some habitat for organisms, it is unnatural and detracts from the

overall aesthetic value of the property. Dumping and accidental littering

should cease and the existing refuse should be removed.

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Pollution of the aquatic portions of the region by hydrocarbon

pesticides, heavy metals and other chemicals is a potential source of
is further degradation of the wetlands. The Mullet fishes captured during this

study showed a high frequency of ended fins and other abnormalities

associated with high pollution levels. An adequate means must be found

to minimize the present pollution sources and to minimize undesirable

contaminates such as pesticides, fertilizers, and heavy metals-from

entering the system.

8. Construction of tern breeding site and bird roosting-loafing area.

Unrestricted tidal flow, as recommended above for augmentation and enhancement

of the saltmarsh habitat, conflicts with the goal of maintaining a viable

Least Tern colony in the region. Normal tidal action will flood the

saltflats of Unit 1, where Least Terns nest when it is dry. The variety

of breeding sites currently in use by Least Terns in California indicates

that they will use a wide range of dry surfaces with a substrate appropriate

for nest excavation. It should be feasible to elevate the breeding colony

area above the high-tide level, thus avoiding periodic flooding. This

could be accomplished by filling in the tern colony area with soil graded

from the surrounding area during the early fall. This "island" should be

topped by sand substrate which would be more favorable for nest construction

than the existing saltflat. Any such efforts should, of course, be planned

in consultation with the California Least Tern Recovery Team and timed to

avoid conflict with tern breeding. This raised area would provide a

permanent roosting-loafing site for shorebirds and waterbirds and would

enhance the bird use of the region.

9. Increase the number of native trees, shrubs and low-growing vegetation

compatible with moisture levels of the fauna. Trees and shrubs are limited

1-16

in the Ballona property and much of the area is dominated by introduced
species of plants such as eucalyptus'and iceplant (Carpobrotus edulis).

These non-native plants are detrimental to a functional ecosystem; few

animals feed on them, and the iceplant is crowding out native plants that

are used by local organisms. The lack of trees and shrubs limits the

foraging habitat; number of refuges and roosting-loafing sites; and prey

items available for the resident and migrant vertebrates on the property.

Our insect and reptile-amphibian data especially indicate that those species

are most abundant in the native shrub vegetation that is available.

Additional native trees and shrubs should be planted around the margins

of the wetlands, and this could be accomplished easily in areas such as

surrounding berms and the access roads to the gas company wells. The

iceplant should be eliminated, because it will eventually crowd out many

of the native plant species. The dunes can be expanded by bringing in more

sand to the south end of the system. Shrubs such as Laurel-Sumac (Rhus

laurina),, California Sage (Artemisia californicum), California Buckwheat

(Eriogonum californicum) and lupine (Lupinus chamissonis) planted in sandy

sites would greatly enhance the region as a diverse wildlife habitat.

10. Construction of nature center, observations sites and nature trails.

A nature center should be constructed on the property, and provisions made

for adequate funding of a full-time staff of naturalists and custodians to

@arry out natural history educational programs and maintenance and ranger

service in the region. Access points to the marsh should be provided to

allow appropriate recreational and scientific use of the region. Such

activities as nature study by school groups, bird watching and photography,

and walking in a green-protective zone would not conflict with

conservation goals if properly planned and should be incorporated into the

1-17

development plans for the property. Elevated walkways could be provided

which allowed observations of the wetlands and dune-riparian habitats without

undue physical intrusion. A model system exists in the Florida Everglades

and Corkscrew Swamp, where a series of walkways extend into various habitat

types with sufficient buffer to preclude disturbing native wildlife.

Periodic rest points provide interpretive information on the biology,

geology and climatology of the region. Such a nature center would have the

obvious benefit of increasing public awareness of the importance of wetlands

and other native habitats and serve as a model for other such preserves

in California.

I THE VEGETATION OF BALLONA

Robert J. Gustafson

THE VEGETATION OF BALLONA

page

Introduction and methodology I
Wetlands definitions 2
Vegetation types 4
Estuarine habitats 4
Pickleweed saltmarsh 4
Mudflats and saltflats 5
Freshwater habitats 6
Willow community 6
Freshwater marsh 6
Terrestrial habitats 7
Coastal dune 7
Coastal scrub 7
Transitional pickleweed and salt pan 8
Coyote brush and pampas grass 8
Agricultural areas and weedy fields 8
on plant species at Ballona 9
Unit 1 10
Unit 2 12
Unit 3 14
Plant species list 17
Literature cited 28
Figures 30

B0_1

The Vegetation of Ballona

Robert J. Gustafson

INTRODUCTION AND METHODOLOGY

The vegetation of the Ballona wetlands has been carefully mapped and

discussed in previous reports (Envicom, Army Corps of Engineers, and UCLA).

Apart from the plant species list prepared by Envicorn and a partial list

by Judith Clark for the UCLA report, an actual plant inventory had not

been thoroughly undertaken with voucher specimens deposited into a credited

institution. The present investigator is a taxonomist, not an ecologist,

and it has been his primary purpose to collate a list of plant species over

a one-year period beginning in July 1980 through August 1981. About 75

1-o 100 hours were spent walking over the study units on approximately 15

separate field trips. All the plants collected are deposited in the

herbarium of the Natural History Museum, Los Angeles County. In addition,

each herbarium sheet has a map of the study areas with an indication of the

proximate locality where the plant was collected. No rare and endangered

species were recorded from the sites, but some plants not previously

found in Southern California either as escapes or adventives were

discovered. In cases of uncertainty in identification, plants were sent

to Tom Fuller and Doug Barbe at the Department of Food & Agricul!..ure,

Sacramento, who specialize in introduced weeds. No mapping or transects

were undertaken by this investigator, although distribution of plant

Bo-2

species in the various parcels was carefully noted.

WETLAMDS DEFINITIONS

The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service defines wetlands as follows:

"...land where the water table is at, near or above the land surface long

enough to promote the formation of hydric soils or to support the growth of

hydrophytes. In certain types of wetlands, vegetation is lacking and soils

are poorly developed or absent as a result of freouent and drastic fluctuations

of surface-water levels, wave action, water flow, turbidity or high concentration

of salts or other substances in the water or substrate. Such wetlands can be

recognized by the presence of surface water or saturated substrate at some

time during each year and their location within adjacent to vegetated wetlands

or deep-water habitats."

Three parcels of land (designated as Units 1, 2 & 3, see maps) were

carefully surveyed by the museum team for over a one-year period. As a

result, the breakdown of wetlands within each of these parcels is defined

as fol.lows. Unit 1: approximately 72 acres bounded by the Ballona Channel

on the west, Culver Boulevard on the east, the dune community on the south

and the Gas Co. entrance on the north. Unit 2: west of the Gas Co. road,

approximately 55 acres bounded by the bluffs to the south, Culver Boulevard

to the west; east of the Gas Co. road on property which is bounded by the

bluffs on the south, Jefferson Boulevard on the north and Lincoln Boulevard

on the east area freshwater marsh 2-3 acres in size 'Just east of the Gas Co.

facility, and a riparian community about 4 feet on each side of the Centinela

Creek drainage ditch along its entire length. In the western part of the

occasionally-flooded agricultural area degraded Salicornia is found. Unit 3

is the dredge spoils from the construction of the Marina in 1961-62. This

139-acre parcel contains approximately 62 acres of dry pickleweed (transitional)

Bo-3

habitat. The presence of Salicornia has been used as an indicator of

wetlands., but the existence of Salicornia, by itself, does not indicate

conclusively that this area is a wetland biologically. Salicornia,on this

site is poor in quality, especially by comparison to that found in Units 1

and 2 which are subject to tidal flow. The pickleweed community of the spoils

area is more or less confined to the central, lower portions of the fill which

contain the salt pans. Whether or not hydric soils are present here seems to

be a debatable point: the Shapiro report for the Corps maintaining there are,

while the Fruit Growers Laboratory, Inc., findings indicate the exact opposite.

Only further analyses.will resolve the issue. Other factors that may play a

pArt in the presence of Salicornia on this site are its hydrophytic as well

as halophytic nature, the presence of sea water intrusion and capillary action

which could provide sufficient moisture to maintain the community, or a percbed

water table. It would appear that the successional scrub community that is

forming on the higher portions of the spoils is slowly advancing, probably because

the winter rainfall has been leaching out the salts and washing them into

the central depressions over the past 20 years. 'That the Salicornia

persists is certainly an indication of its halophytic nature, although it

has never been proved to be an obligate halophyte. Salt flats may be an

important aspect of a salt marsh ecosystem, but this is not the case

here because the spoils do not contain a salt marsh habitat, and there

is no tidal influx. However, the land has value as open space and the

opportunity to watch the development of an upland scrub community.

OCCASIONALLY FLOODED ARGICULTURAL AREA

In addition to the wetlands areas, there are 15 to 20 acres of occasionally

flooded agricultural lands locat ed east of the Gas Co. road in Unit 2 (see map).

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VEGETATION TYPES

Three designated areas have been extensively surveyed over a one-year

period and the results have been plotted on three maos (see Figures Bo-1-3

respectively). Because the boundaries between the plant communities are,

or have been subject to topography, urban disturbance or soil type, one does

not necessarily find a nice gradational pattern between them. The maps

(legend adapted from Envicom report) indicate the major grouping of plants

within each of the study areas. These maps correspond closely to the overall

findings of the Shapiro report.

Estuarine Habitats

1. Pickleweed Saltmarsh (Fig. 4)

Pickleweed (Salicornia) is the dominant plant of this community. Two

species occur at Ballona with S. virginica being the most abundant and found

in all three units. S. subterminalis is locally common only in Unit 1.

Salicornia is the most widespread halophyte in California saltmarshes. It

forms a low-growing, dense stand south of the Ballona Channel in Unit 1,

while in Unit 1 i' most Prevalent wes-1- of the Gas Co. road. Eas@ of the

road in the Agricultural area, Salicornia is present in limited areas where

winter ponding occurs. Agricultural practices in previous years have resulted

in the area being disced durinq the early summer months. The plants on the

dredge spoils of Unit 3 are centrally located bordering the salt pans.

Within the pickleweed marsh proper are areas that are or have been

invaded by aggressive weedy species. Iceplant (Carpobrotus edulis) has

invaded the marsh in the southern part of Units I & 2 where it forms an

almost impenetrable ground cover. Saltgrass (Distichlis spicata) is common

in these transitional areas, especially in the southwestern section of Unit 1

where the marsh abuts against the sand dune community. It is frequent in

Unit 2 throughout the pi'ckleweed community and also is present in some upland

areas, especially highly disturbed situations.

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Sicklegrass (Parapholis incurva), an introduced European species naturalized

in California saltmarshes, is relatively common in the central section of

Unit 1 (also in the eastern half of Unit 2), especially along the drying

edges of the pickleweed community. Other aggressive weeds such as

Melilotus, Conyza, Rumex, Beta, Picris and Atriplex can also be found here.

Introduced weedy species comprise approx. 15% of the total plant cover

of the pickleweed communities and are most abundant on the berms or along

paths through the marsh.

Since the Ballona saltmarsh lacks a low and middle marsh flora, the

pickleweed occurrence is topographically lower than in other Southern

California saltmarshes which have been subject to less disturbance. Many

saltmarsh species are not found.at Ballona.due perhaps to the restricted

water-flow between the marsh proper and the channel. Although the pickleweed

marsh at Ballona is considered a high marsh, several species (Monanthochloe

littoralis, Uimanium californicum, etc.) usually characteristic of this

situation are absent. Before the advent of the flood control channel

during the 1930's, it is possible that a natural barrier could have

developed periodically which restricted the flow of water to the marsh.

As it now stands, several factors such as stagnation, salinity, temperature

fluctuations, etc., have kept the marsh at a low-level species density.

2. Mudflats and Saltflats, (Fig. 5)

The vegetation of these areas is practically non-existent except for

the presence of green algae which become abundant during the spring-summer

months. Since these areas are slightly lower than the pickleweed

communities, the salt crusts associated with them undoubtedly have a

strong influence in limiting the vegetation. A thin layer of water often

persists on these flats depending on the rainfall from the previous winter-

spring months.

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Freshwater Habitats

1. Willow Community (Fig. 6)

A unique community of willows (Salix lasiolepis, S. laevigata),

Populus fremontii, Juncus, Carex and Eleocharis occurs in the southwestern

section of Unit 1, just west of the sand dune community and immediately

south of the Distichlis-Salicornia marsh, a curious association and

juxtaposition of plant communities not known elsewhere in the county.

Around the periphery of this community are several plants of an introduced

Australian shrub, Myoporum laetum, which appears to be naturalizing.

Another type of willow community occurs in Unit 2 along the base of

the bluffs above or south of Centinela Creek. Here the willows, Salix

lasiolepis, grow in close association with castorbean, Ricinus communis,

forming rather dense stands. The water is supplied to this area largely

from urban runoff.

2. Freshwater Marsh (Fig. 7)

Along the drainage ditch of Centinela Creek, west of Lincoln Blvd., a

freshwater habitat prevails for most of its Ifenath to the Gas r1o. facilit'y.

Here the water becomes increasingly brackish with Salicornia prevailing

along the ditch. In addition to introduced weeds like Paspalum, Polygonum,

Chenopodium, etc., which comprise about 15% of the freshwater marsh flora,

there are several native aquatics (Scirpus robustus, S. californicus, S.

olneyi, Eleocharis, Sagittaria., Typha, etc.). Ruppia maritima, a submerged

aquatic, is relatively common in the more western part of the creek. A

large stand of Scirpus olneyi occurs close to the Gas Co. facility about

10 yards south of the ditch proper. Typha latifolia, Urtica holosericea,

Eleocharis, Cyperus and Salix are also to be found here.

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Terrestrial Habitats

1. Coastal Dune (Fig. 8)

Three areas of coastal dune community are found on the study sites.

The most extensiveis along the southwest boundary of Unit 1 where the

dominants include Lupinus chamissonis, Erysimum suffrutescens, Camissonia

cheiranthifolia, Phacelia ramosissima and Abronia umbellata. Parts of this

area are being invaded by Carpobrotus. A small slip of land near the

southeastern corner of Unit 3 also supports a coastal dune vegetation

with Croton californicus, Camissonia cheiranthifolia and Eriogonum

parvifolium as the most conspicuous elements. Invading this community are

Erodium botrys, Bromus rubens and Chrysanthemum coronarium. This

community probably arose subsequent to the building of the flood control

channel during the 1930's or it could be a vestige of what was once a

more extensive system. Remnants of a coastal dune community occur on the

bluffs above Centinela Creek in Unit 2, now largely colonized by Salix

and Ricinus.

2. Coastal Scrub (Figs. 9a & b)

The scrub commuity is- present along the bluffs in the southern part

of Unit 2 with Haplopappus species, Corethrogyne filaginifolia, Elymus

condensatus, Galium angustifolium and Lotus scoparius as examples of typical

plants found here. A successional coastal scrub community appears to be

developing on the dredge spoils of Unit 3 characterized by the presence

of Rhus laurina, Rhus integrifolia, Artemisia californica, Gnaphalium

microcephalum and Ricinis communis. Many weedy annuals are also present,

but Chrysanthemum coronarium becomes dominant in the late spring months.

This community occupies less than 20% of Unit 3 and occurs along the

southern boundary of the site just north of the channel.

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3. Transitional pickleweed and Salt Pan (Fig. 10)

During the construction of Marina del Rey in the early 1960's, the

dredged earth was dumped into Unit 3 considerably altering the composition

of the previous vegetation. The central section -is salt pans and flats

surrounded by Salicornia. Because the pans and flats are lower than the

surrounding areas, rainwater is leaching out the salts in elevated

portions of the spoils and concentrating them into this central depression.

This dry pickleweed habitat is for the most part monotypic, but Frankenia,

Gasoul and Polypogon are sometimes associated with it; Salicornia covers

approx. 62 acres of the site.

3. Coyote Brush and Pampas Grass (Fig. 11)

On the higher elevations in the eastern part of Unit 3, a brushy

scrub comprised of Baccharis pilularis ssp. consanguinea and Cortaderia

atacamensis has become established. Neither of the plants mix to form a

single plant community. Baccharis is also dominant in the northwestern

section. Smaller herbaceous perennials are also found associated with

them, such as Gnaphalium chilense, Malephora crocea, Carpobrotus edulis,

Sida leprosa, Centaurea repens and Verbascum virgatum.

4. Agricultural Areas and Weedy Fields (Fig. 12)

Because of the extensive urban activity and filling and diking of

the Ballona wetlands, several areas have become colonized by mostly

introduced species, largely weedy in nature, wind-pollinated and annual in

growth form. Several grasses (Avena, Hordeum, Bromus, Festuca, Paspalum,

etc..), mustards (Brassica and Raphanus), composites (Chrysanthemum,

Picris) form the basis of this category. Many members of the Chenopodiaceae

are also associated with these fields (Bassia, Salsola and.Chenopodium).

80-9

A few ornamentals (such as Phoenix, Eucalyptus. Ceratonia, Acacia) occur

scattered throughout the parcels. Some were undoubtedly planted at some

time in the past while others are probably adventives.

COMMENTS ON PLANT SPECIES AT BALLONA

There were a total of 235 plant species recorded from the primary

study sites representing 50 plant families. Of these 235 species, 130

are introduced or naturalized, and 105 indigenous to California. Because

of the continued disturbance at Ballona over the years, the weedy

components cover approx. 40% of the total land under investigation.

Approx. 15% of this figure can be attributed to the spread of Carpobrotus

alone which if unchecked will continue to encroach not only on the salt

marsh community but in the uplandhabitats where it is becoming established

as well. The dredge spoils, Unit 3, contain a high percentage of

introduced weeds (by volume), although a coastal scrub community comprised

of primarily native shrubs has established itself. Even though this unit

is comparatively new vegetatively speaking, at least 50% of the plant cover

represents indigenous species (including the 62 acres of Salicornia).

The weedy cover includes primarily annual grasses, composites, mustards

and patches of iceplant (Carpobrotus and Melephora).

Unit I is covered by approx. 70% of native plants (mostly Salicornia,

Frankenia, Distichlis and Atrjej.2x). The weedy elements are confined to

disturbed areas, berms, bridal paths; at least 15% of this parcel is

covered by iceplant. Unit 2 west of the Gas Co. road is largely

Salicornia, although weedier than in Unit 1, and covers about 65% of the

property. The rest is largely iceplant and eucalyptus. East of the Gas

Co. facility the land has largely been given over to agriculture and

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less than 20% of the parcel contains native plants (including the

occasionally flooded areas where Sal4icornia and Cressa are growing),

By comparison-the Point Mugu salt marsh which was surveyed in 1977

contained 222 species of which 101 were introduced or naturalized. Since

the Mugu lagoon contains one of the best preserved salt marshes in

Southern California, the weedy elements in this instance contribute little

in overall plant cover. Such is not the case of Ballona.

Unit 1

Lycium ferocissimum (Fig. 13, erroneously identified as L. halmifolium in

some previous reports) is one of the great curiosities at Ball6na in Unit 1.

This South African saltmarsh shrub (identified by Fuller) consists of

perhaps a half dozen plants, some of them apparently quite old. Whether

it was planted deliberately or appeared as an adventive from cultivation

at'some time in the past is not known. The plant does not seem to be

currently in cultivation in Southern California, which makes its appearance

in the marsh even more surprising. Although it is said to form dense

thickets -in its native habitat, the plants at Ballona do not appear to

be spreading. During the rainy season the shrubs were covered by a dense

flush of new leaves but by mid-summer they appeared to be half-dead.

Several cultivated plants are present here, which include Agave

attenuata, Crassula*argentea, Schinus molle, Ceratonia siliqua and

Chasmanthe aethiopica. Ordinarily, the Schinus and the Ceratonia are

trees but in the marsh they appear as 5tunted shrubs. Myoporum laetum,

which is reasonably common along the southwestern boundary of the site,
appears to-be naturalizing and thriving near the borders of the salt marsh.
Suaeda californica has been reported from nearly every list of plants

at Ballona no matter how incomplete. Interestingly enough, this saltmarsh

80-11

native is sparingly represented at Ballona and is by no means common,

confined primarily to the berm below the channel. Bassia 'hyssopifolia,

one of the most abundant weeds, closely resembles Suaeda in its juvenile

stages. This plant has either been overlooked or misidentified by past

reviewers. In the same vicinity are located shrubs of Malacothamnus

fasciculatus and Eriogonum fasciculatum, usually associated with a

coastal sage scrub or chaparral community. A small population of hemlock,

Conium maculatum, grows in a depression near the base of the berm. Close

by milk thistle, Silybum marianum, and Bassia are the dominant weeds.

Jaumea carnosa, a common saltmarsh composite prevalent in other California

marshes, is represented by only a few centrally located populations,

mostly along the sloughs. Monanthochloe littoralis and Juncus acutus,

reported by Lhe Army Corps of Engineers as occurring at Ballona,

were not found by this investigator. Potentilla egedei and

Limonium californicum might be anticipated but were not found.

Of the five Atriplex species present on the site, only A. patula

ssp. hastata is abundant, becoming a subdominant in the -Salicornia
marsh. Only a few specimens of A. californica a@e centrally located. Of

the five Lupinus species, four are present in Unit 1. The annuals, L.

truncatus and L. bicolor microphyllus, are fairly abundant in the early

spring in the southern part of this site growing among the Carpobrotus or

on disturbed grassy areas. L. succulentus was found sparingly along

Culver Blvd. L. chamissonis, a silvery shrub to 3', is common in the sand

dune area where it is a dominant along with Phacelia, Erysimum and

Abronia. The willow woodland west of the sand dune area contains a variable

population of Salix lasiolepis and some S. laevigata as well. Eleocharis

macrostachya, Carex praegracilis and Juncus balticus, vegetatively similar,

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grow in close proximity to one another beneath the willows. One tree of

Populus fremontii is associated with this habitat. In the Clark report

from UCLA, Adermstoma fasciculatum was reported from the sand dune

community. I believe this was mistakenly identified for Haplopappus

ericoides, which it somewhat resembles. Three species of Camissonia

occur on the sand dunes, C. cheiranthifolia, a perennial, is the most

abundant along with two annual species, C. micrantha and C. bistorta.

Because of the bridle paths throughout this area, at least three different

mushroom genera were collected during the rainy season: Volvariella,

Agaricus and Collybia. The best preserved Salicornia.salt marsh occurs

throughout Unit 1 with S. virginica more abundant than its counterpart

S. subterminalis. The two species are quite distinct and easily to tell

apart even when growing in proximity to one another. frankenia

grandifolia and AtrjEj2x patula hastata are subdominants. Distichlis

is frequent and common along sloughs and transition areas within the marsh.

St. Augustine grass, Stenotaphrum secundatum, is becoming naturalized along

some of the sloughs, especially in the western section of the site.

Spergularia macrotheca is rather 'uncommon and confined more or less to

the central area while Spergularia marina and Gasoul nodiflorum are

abundant throughout. Gasoul crystallinum has been reported from Unit 1,

but it did not turn up during this survey.

Unit 2

Unit 2 is divided into two sectors by the Gas Company road, the

smaller, western section contains viable Salicornia saltmarsh, although

generally weedier than that west of Culver Blvd. Weedy annuals have

invaded the marsh along berms on the higher, drier, less saline areas.

Only S. virginica is found here and not S. subterminalis, which is locally

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common throughout Unit 1. The planted Eucalyptus grove consists of two or

three species which are apparently naturalizing. A single specimen of

Albizia distachya was found in this grove, an interesting find, since

the plant is not common in cultivation. Tetragonia tetragonioides was

also collected here, although it might possibly occur in other parts of the

study area, since it is weedy in nature and naturMizes easily in salt

marshes. A large population of' Anemopsis californica (Fig. 14) is found

just south of the Eucalyptus grove growing intermixed with Carpobrotus.

East of the Gas Co. road the land has larqely been given over to agricultural

use. During the rainy season, occasional flooding occurs throughout the '

western part of this section (in addition, some ponding occurs near Lincoln
Blvd.) with Cotula coronopifolia, Lythrum hyssopifolia and Spergularia marina
becoming dominants (Figs. 15 2A 16). Some Salicornia, Cressa truxillensis,
Atriplex patula hastata and Sida leDrosa and JLincus bUfonius are also prevalent.
The freshwater marsh just east of the Gas Co. plant is largely dominated by Scirpus

olneyi, which reaches 6' or more in height. Cyperus alternifolius, Cyperus

eragrostis, Typha latifolia, Urtica holosericea, Polygonum lanthifolium,

Juncus balticus, Eleocharis macrostachya and Salix laisiolepis-are also to

be found here. The drainage ditch of the old Centinela Creek becomes

increasingly brackish as one travels west from Lincoln Blvd. Ruppia

maritima, a submerged aquatic, is relatively common along the creek in

somewhat brackish water, while Sagittaria calycina, a partially submerged

aquatic, is frequent in the more eastern part of the ditch. Along the

banks of this ditch occur several weedy and some native plants. Grasses

such as.Agrostis stolonifera, Leptochloa uninervia and Echinochloa

crus-galli, associated with wet places, are present, the latter two

common during the summer months. Native plants like Heliotropium

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curassay icum, Scirpus californicus, Scirpus robustus, Aster exilis,

Typha domingensis, etc., are frequent along the ditch. In the

southeastern section of Unit 2 just west of Lincoln Blvd. are several

Canary Island palms, Phoenix canariensis. Near the palms, a dense stand

of willows persists intermixed with Oenthera hookeri grisea and Conium

maculatum. The size and vigor of the willow community would seem to

indicate the presence of subsurface water. Gnaphalium, Digitaria,

Amaranthus and Ricinus are the more common weedy elements. Several acres

of wheat, Triticum vulgare, were planted in the agricultural areas in

the spring. During the summer this land has been largely given over to

lima bean culture (Phaseolus.limensis). Sporadic plants of watermelon,

Citrullus lanatus, were found throughout the agricultural fields in-

dicating that perhaps this has been grown as a crop plant at some time

in the past.

Unit 3

The dredge spoils of Unit 3 present a curious amalgam of plant species

occupying a variety of habitats. The fill ranges from 10-16' above inean

high tide. The most interesting assemblage of native plants in this area

occur along the small strip of sand dune toward the southeast corner

of the property. Two plants of Lupinus excubitus hallii are found here

.and associated with Croton californicus, Camissonia cheiranthifolia and a

few plants of Eriogonum parvifolium. Weeds such as Erodium botrys, @-

cicutarium, Chrysanthemum coronarium, Bromus, rubens, etc., are abundant

during the spring months on these dunes. Wandmullein, Verbascum virqatum,

is relatively common along the southern boundary of the property, some

plants often more than 5' tall. However, one does not find it elsewhere.

A few cultivated plants also appear just north of the channel, like

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Ceratonia siliqua, Acacia decurrens and Washingtonia sp., probably as

adventives. Other cultivated plants (Narcissus tazetta, Iris pseudacorus,

Gazania longiscapa) are scattered about the site but by no means common.

Cichorium intybus is found to be locally abundant only in the extreme

west part of Unit 3, while Centaurea repens is localized toward the

southeastern end. Hemizonia ramosissima and Gnaphalium chilense are

common in disturbed areas throughout. A single plant of Ribes malvaceum

was found. Since it grows fairly close to a small population of Rhus

laurina and R. integrifolia which.are colonizing the site, it seems to

indicate perhaps an early successional stage of coastal scrub or chaparral.

Lotus scoparius, Artemisia californica and Gnaphalium microcephalum are

other native plants closely associated with the above-mentioned shrubs.

A pernicious thistle, Cirsium vulqare, seems to be confined to a few

acres below the coyote brush scrub, but as more salts are leached from

the soil, it can be expected to increase its range. Although Carpobrotus

edulis is not as prevalent as in other sites at Ballona, it nonetheless

is present and rapidly spreading. Another iceplant, Malephora crocea,

with orange-red petals above, violet-magenta beneath, has probably been

misdetermined as.Carpobrotus aeguilaterus in past reports. A large

colony of this plant, up to 10' in diameter, is found in close proximity

to the Carpobrotus. Its blue-green glaucous foliage and red flowers make

it easily identifiable. A few small coloni:es of this same plant also occur

in Unit 1. The Carpobrotus complex at Ballona seems to be a mixture-of

good edulis (yellow flowers) and edulis x aeguilaterus (purple flowers).

Both color forms grow together (Ferren, UC Santa Barbara). Many plants

such as Picris echioides, Melilotus indica, Raphanus sativa, Brassica

geniculata, Lactuca serriola, Stephanomeria virgata and Rumex crispus

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occupy a wide variety of habitats and as such are the most abundant

dicots at Ballona. The weedy grasses, Bromus rubens, B. diandrus, Hordeum

leporinum, Paspalum dilatatum, Festuca myuros, F. megalura and Bromus

mollis constitute the greatest percentage of monocots. Sorghum halepense

tends to be more concentrated in the agricultural areas, especially at

the edge of plowed fields or along roadsides. Along the drainage ditch

immediately south of Fiji Way, Salicornia.virginica occurs along with

several weeds.

So-17

PLANT SPECIES LIST

CODE DESIGNATION

I - Introduced plants,-not indigenous to California.

N - Plants indigenous to California.

SM - Plants found growing in the salt marsh proper.

FM - Plants found growing in freshwater marsh situations.

CD - Plants found growing on coastal dunes.

WF - Plants found in weedy situations, agricultural land, along berms or

elevated areas in the salt marsh, along roadsides bordering the

area, open fields, etc. (This category refers to Units 1 and

2 only.)

DS - Plants found in the dredge spoils area north of the Channel only

(Unit 3).

B - Plants found growing near the base of the bluffs along the southern

boundaries of Unit 2 (the bluffs proper were not surveyed for

this report).

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AGAVACEAE I N SM. FM CO WF DS B

Agave attenuata X X

AIZOACEAE

Aptenia cordifoLia X X
Carpobrotus eduZis X X X X X
Carpobrotus eduliax aequiZaterus X X X X X
Delosperma cf . litoraZe X X
GasouZ nodifZomm X X X
Matephora crocea X X X
Tetragonia tetragonioides X X

ALISMACEAE

Sagittaz-@a caZycipia X X

AMARANTHACEAE

Amaranthus albus X X X
Amaranthus californicus X X
Amaranthus deflexua X X

AMARYLLIDACEAE

lVarc--asus tazetta X

ANACARDIACEAE

Rhus integrifoLia X X
Rhus Zaux-i na X X X
Schinus moLLe X X

APIACEAE

Apiwn graveoZens X X
Apiz,m ZeptophyLZwn X X
Coniwn macuZatwn X X X
FoenicuLwn vuZgare X X X X X

ARECACEAE

Phoenix canariensis X X
waahingtonia sp. X X

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I N SM FM CD WF DS B
ASTERACEAE

Ambrosia acanthicar-pa x x x x
Ambrosia chami3sonis x x x
Ambrosia p@siZostachya x x x x
Artemisia californica x x
Artemisia dougZasiana x x x x
Artemisia dracuncuLus x x
Aster exili3 x x
Baccharis gZutinosa x x x
Baccharis piZuZaz-i3 Ssp. conzanguinea x x x
Centaurea meZiten3is x x x x
Centaurea repens x x
Chaenactia gZabriuscuZa var. tenuifoZia x x
ChondrelZa juncea x x
Chrysanthemzm coronarium x x x
CichZoriz,m intybus x x
Cirsium vuZgare x x
Conyza bonariensis x x x x
Conyza canaden3i3 x x x
Conyza couZteri x x x
Corethrogyne fitaginifoZia var. virgata x x x
CotuZa austraZis x x
Catula coronopifoLia x x x x x
Gazania scaposa x x
GnaphaZiz,m beneoZens x x
GnaphaZium bicoZor x x
GnaphaLium caLifornicum x x
Gnaphalium chiZen3e x x x x
GhaphaZium microcephatzm x x x
GnaphaZium rcmosissimm x x x
Cz-,,ndeZia robusta x X
HavZaDaDvus ex-,coides x x
Hedyp-no-ss cretica x x x
HeLianthus annus Ssp. Zenticularis x x x
Hemizonia rawosi3sima x x x
Heterotheca grandifZora x x x x x
Jazmea carnosa x x
Lacruca serrioLa x x x x
MaZacothrix saxatiZis var. tenuifoLia x x x x
Matricaria matricarioides x x x
Osteospezmz,m fruticoszm x x
Picris echioides x x x x
Senecio vuLgaris x x x
SiLybum marianum x x
SoZidago occidentaLis x x
Sonchus asper x x x
Sonchus oLeraceus x x x
SteDhanomeria ex@gua x x x x
Stephanomeria virgata x x x x
Xanthium spinosum x x
Xanthiz,m strzmarizm var. canadense x x x

Bo- 20

I N SM FM CD WF Ds B
BORAGINACEAE

Cryptantha intermedia x x
HeZiotropiwn curassavicwn var. ocuZatzo x x x x x

BRASSICACEAE

Brassica geniculata x x x x
Brassica cf. hirta x x
Brassica nigra x x x
Brassica rapa SSP. syZvestris x x -X
CakiZe maritima x x
Coronopus didymus x x
Erysimum suffrutescens x x
Lepidiwn virginiczo var. pubescens x x
Lobularia maritima x x
Raphanus sativus x x x x x x
Si3ymbri= irio x x x x

CARYOPHYLLACEAE

PoZycarpon tetraphyZZum x x
SiZene gaZZica x x
Spergula arvensis x x
SperguLaria macrotheca x x
SperguZaria marina x x x x

CHENOPODIACEAE

1'rip Zex caLifornica x x
Atriplex lentiformis ssp. breweri x x
AtripZex patuZa SSP. hastata x x x
AtripZex rosea x x x
AtripZex semibaccata x x x x
Atriplex trianquZaris x x
Bassia hyssopifoZia x x x x
Beta vulgaris x x x x
Chenopodiz,m aZbzm x x
Chenopodium cmbrosioides x x
Chenopodium bertandiem' var. 3inatum x x
Chenopodizim muraZe x x x
SaLicornia subterminaLis x x
SaZicornia virginica x x x
SaZsoZa iber4, ca x x x
Suacda caZifornica x x
Suaeda depressa var. erecta x x

Bo-21

I N SM FM CD WF DS B
CONVOLVULACEAE

CaLystegia macrostegia var. cycLostegia x x
ConvoLvuZus arvensis x x x
Cressa trux-iZZensis Ssp vaZlicoZa x x x x
Cuscuta caZifornica x x
Cuscuta carnpestris x x

CRASSULACEAE

CrassuZa argentea x x
CrassuZa erecta x x x x

CUCURBITACEAE

Citrullus Zanatus x x
Cucurbita foetidissima x x x

CYPERACEAE

Carex praegraciLis x x
Cyperus alternifoZius x x
Cyperus eragrostis X. x
Cyperus escuZentus x x
EZaocharis macrostachua x x
EZeocharis montevidensis x x
Scirpus californicus x x
Scirpus oZneyi x x
Scii-pus robus,,@-us x x

EUPHORBIACEAE

Craton caLifornious x x x
Euphorbia aZbomarginata x x
Euphorbia peplus x x
Euphorbia polycarpa x x
-17'uphorbia serpens x x x
Euphorbia supina x x
Ricinus cowtunis x x x x x

FABACEAE

AZb-.,'zia distachya x x
Acacia decurrens var. deaLbata x x
Ceratonia siZiqua x x x
Lotus purshianus x x
Lotus scopa.2--ius x x x x x
Lotus strigosus x x

Bo-22

I N SM FM CD WF DS B
FABACEAE (contd.)

Lupinus bicoLor ssp. microphyLLus x x
Lupinus chanissonis x x
Lupirus excubitus ssp. haZZii x x x
Lupinus succulentus x x
r 'r
,ups.us truncattus x x
Medicago polymorpha x x x x
MeZiZotus atbus x x x x x
MeliZotus indicus x x x
Phaseolus Zimensis x x

FRANKENIACEAE

Frankenia grandifoZia x x x

GERANIACEAE

Ercdiz,m botrys x x x
Erodi= cicutariwn x x x x x

HYDROPHYLLACEAE

Pkzcelia rainosissima var. austrolitoraLis x x

IRIDACEAE

C@!asmanthe aethiovica x x x
i it
-D-63 pseudacorus aZba" x x

JUNCACEAE

Juncus baLtious x x
runcus bufonius
x x x

LAMIACEAE

Marrubiwn vuLgare x x x

LYTHRACEAE

Lythrtm hyssopifoZia x x x

Bo-23

I N SM FM CD WF DS B
MALVACEAE

MaLacothamnus fasciculatus var. ? x x
MaLva nicaeensis x x x
MaLva parvifZora x x x
Sida leprosa var. hederacea x x x

MYRTACEAE

Eucalyptus camaldulensis x x
Eucalyptus tereticornis x x
Eucalyptus viminalis x x

MYOPORACEAE

Myoporzm Zaetzen x x x x

NYCTAGINACEAE

Abronia umbeZZata x x

OLEACEAE

Fraxinus veZutina x x

ONAGRACEAE

Cczmi-qsonia bistorta x x x
Cwnissonia cheiranthifolia SSD- x x x
suffruteseens
Canissonia micrantha x x x
Oenothera hookeri Ssp. grisea x x x

OXALIDACEAE

Oxalis pes-caprae x x x

PLANTAGINACEAE

Plantago ZanceoZata x x x
Ptantago major x x x

POACEAE

Agrostis stoZonifera SSP. major x x
Arundo donax x x

Bo-2 4

I N SM FM CO WF DS B
Pn,A,Cic-*AE (cont-d-

.J@;era !,:z-tua x x x x
x x x x
x x
x x x
x x x x x
3.-amus w il 7- --le no v x x
Cortade--ia ataavrensis x x x
Cynodion dactuZon x x x x x x
sanguinaZ-,,@s x x x
f, s t -.-'c-h47is sricata x x
Echs*?:oc..Ti(-,Oa --rusgaZli'i x x
s uc@a mega x x x
i@2s"C@tja Mi U ul" 0 S x x x
@@'O yt,@e ZC-,7 x x x x
"oriel.
x x
unine,"i'S'a x x
'Sp. x x x x
',,7r e j 7 C x x
x x
x x
x x

x
?I -tlC ,.Z 3 r e 7j?,L S -@j x x x x

x x
x x

x x
x x
x x x x

x
a0a, x x
x x
x x x x
x x
x x x x

x x

Bo-2 5

I N SM FM CO WF DS B
RUBIACEAE

GaZiwn angustifoZi= X X

RUPPIACEAE

Ruppia maritima X x

SALICACEAE

Populus fremontii X X
SaZix laevigata X x
SaLix Zasiolepis x X X. X

SAURURACEAE

Anemopsis californica x x

SAXIFRAGACEAE

Ribes maZvacezm x X

SCROPHULARIACEAE

Verbascien virgatwn x x

SOLANACEAE

Datura meteLoides X X X x
Lycizin ferocissirn= x X
Lycopersio= escuZentzm x x
Nicotiana gZauca X X X
SoZanwn douglasii x X X X.
SoZanwn nigrwn complex x x
SoZanwn sarrachoides x

TYPHACEAE

Typha damingensis x x
Typha Lar;ifo Zia x X

URTICACEAE

Urtica hoZosericea x X
Urtica urens x X x

Bo-26

I N SM FM CD WF DS B

VERBENACEAE

Verbena Zasiostachys X X X

ZYGOPHYLLACEAE

Tribulus terrestris X X

So-27

Plants previously recorded as occurring at Ballona by the Envicom report
41 for Summa but not collected during the LACM survey of the study sites during
the 1980-81 season are listed below. Since the Envicom report covered a much

larger area than the three study sites undertaken by the museum, it is quite

possible that several of these plants occur on parts of the property not

within the purview of this report. Unfortunately no plant material was kept

as voucher specimens by the Envicom people.

Avena barbata (undoubtedly present on the study sites)

Carpobrotus aeguilaterus (believed to be a misdetermined for Malephora crocea)

Chenopodium rubrum

Cyperus rotundus

Gasoul crystallinum

Gnaphalium luteo-album

Haplopappus squarrosus.(present on the bluffs, but not in Units 1, 2 or 3)

Haplopappus venetus (present on the bluffs, but not in Units 1, 2 or 3)

Hoffmanseggia densiflora

Lippia nodiflora

Lotus corniculatus

Lycium halmifolium (a misdetermination for L. ferocissimum)

Salix hindsiana

Sesuvium verrucosum

Plants collected at Ballona prior to 1905 (old herbarium records) no

longer occuring on the site.

Amsinckia spectabilis

Chenopodium macrospermum v. farinosum

Cuscuta salina

Lasthenia glabrata v. coulteri

Bo-2 8

LITERATURE CITED

Clark, J. (Dir.). 1979. Ballona Wetlands Study. UCLA Urban Planning Program.

June 1979...

. 1979b. Ballona Wetlands Study: Final Report. Submitted for

Public Heari-ng Record on Countywide Comprehensive Plan. June 16, 1979.

Envicom Corporation. 1979. Ecological Investigation for Playa Vista Master

Plan. In Supplemental Information Playa Master Plan presented to the

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. Summa Corporation.

Fischer, M. L. (Dir.). 1981. Statewide Interpretive Guideline for Wetlands

and Other Wet Environmentally Sesntive Habitat Areas. Adopted by the

California Coastal Commission. February 4, 1981.

Henrickson, J. 1976. "Ecology of Southern California Coastal Salt Marshes."

In Plant Communities of Southern California, June Latting, Editor,

Special Publication #2, California Native Plant Society.

Hitchcock, A. S. 1971. Manual of the Grasses of the United States, Volumes I

and II, 2nd edition, revised by Agnes Chase. Dover Publications, Inc.,

New York, 1051 pp.

Macdonald, K. B. 1977. "Coastal Salt Marsh," Chapter 8. In Terrestrial

Vegetation of California, M. G. Barbour & J. Major (eds.), John Wiley

& Sons, New York.

Mason, H. L. 1957. A Flora of the Marshes of California. University of

California Press, 878 pp.

Munz, P. A., in collaboration with D. D. Keck. 1973. A California Flora

and Supplement. University of California Press, 1681 pp. + 224 pp.

-. 1974. A Flora of Southern California. University of California

Press, 1086 pp.

Pierce, 0. 1981. Final Wetlands Maps; Los Cerritoq, Ballona. U. S. Fish

& Wildlife Service.

Bo-29

Rader, C. 1980. A Restoration Proposal for Ballona Wetlands. UCLA Urban

Planning Program. -

Shapiro & Associates, Inc. 1980. Ballona Creek Wetlands Boundary Study:

Final. U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District.

UNIT 1

LEGEND

ESTUARINE HABITATS

P Pickleweed and marsh

PW Pickleweed and marsh, weedy

MF Mudflats and Channels

SF Saltflats

FRESHWATER HABITATS

W Willow woodland

I Willow thicket with introduced species

m Freshwater ditch

TERRESTRIAL HABITATS

Mature Communities

D Coastal Dune

C Coastal scrub

Successional Communities

C Coastal scrub, disturbed

Alluvial coastal scrub

Coyote brush scrub

P Transitional pickleweed

Weedy bluff

I Weedy field

Salt pan (non-natural)

Introduced Communities and Cultural Areas

Pampas grass

Eucalyptus

I Iceplant

a Agriculture

m Structures (including limited landscaping)

b Barren

Bo-Figure 1

Unit 1 and Agricultural Lands -
Vegetation map with pickleweed community
indicated by shading
(redrawn from Envicom)

AGRICULTURAL LAND

UNIT 2

LEGEND

ESTUARINE HABITATS

F Pickleweed saltmarsh

PW Pickleweed saltmarsh, weedy

MF Mudflats and Channels

SF Saltflats

FRESHWATER HABITATS

W Willow woodland

Willow thicket with introduced species

Freshwater ditch or area

TERRESTRIAL HABITATS

Mature Communities

D Coastal Dune

C Coastal scrub

Successional Communities

C Coastal scrub, disturbed

Alluvial coastal scrub

Coyote brush scrub

P Transitional pickleweed

Weedy bluff

Weedy field

Salt pan (non-natural)

Introduced Communities and Cultural Areas

Pampas grass

Eucalyptus

I Iceplant

a Agriculture

Structures (Including limited landscaping)

b Barren

Bo-Figure 2

Unit 2 and Agricultural Lands -
Vegetation map with pickleweed community
indicated by shading
(redrawn from Envicom)

UNIT 3
LEGEND

ESTUARINE HABITATS

P Pickleweed saltmarsh

PW Pickleweed saltmarsh, weedy

MF Mudflats and Channels

SF Saltflats

FRESHWATER HABITATS

W Willow woodland

Willow thicket with introduced species

m Freshwater ditch or area

TERRESTRIAL HABITATS

Mature Communities

D Coastal Dune

C Coastal scrub

Successional Communities

c Coastal scrub, disturbed

Alluvial coastal scrub

Coyote brush scrub

p Transitional pickleweed

g Weedy bluff

f Weedy field

sp Salt pan (non-natural)

Introduced Communities and Cultural Areas

Pampas grass

Eucalyptus

i Iceplant

a Agriculture

m Structures (including limited landscaping)

b Barren

Bo - Figure 3

Unit 3 - Dredge spoils vegetation map with
dry pickleweed habitat indicated
by small p (redrawn from Envicom)

Fig. 4 & 5 on next page

As.

1.6, T
@f7

_'AF

Fig. 6 & 3 Unit 1, looking west. Coastal Dune in fore-
ground, willow community in rear.

116-

R
W

'100. b@'

Fig. 7 Unit 2, looking south. Freshwater marsh.

WAM

4 ,A
,7
Air'!
,6,

N tx
Ik

Fig. Unit 1, lookiag west. Pickleweed Saltmarsh-

..A

;-VZo

Wish=

............... .. ......I
Tw

Au
Fig. 5 Unit 1, looking east. SaItflats & Mudflats

.4@-

74. IN

Fig. 9a Unit 2, looking northwest. Coastal scrub, base of
bluffs, with Salix & Ricinus predominating.

N? "M
`-77' -

P, 'i-Q v S
MA Ar,
i.r

Al.
R, Mz
WM . . . . . .r

WO,

i'w@ Ll
.7
2 T-

61
r`M

Fig. 9b Unit 3, looking northwest. Scrub community.

-0 j-

' 7C-

41. -Ar
47,

-QP'

Fig. 10 Unit 3, looking north. Dry pickleweed habitat in rear,
scrub community in foreground.

-Mi
040

40P
ar

Y. Wz7z--'

'J"'z

4L
* t
M
R@@u

Fig. Unit 3, "ooking ;@est. Coyote 3ush scrub intermixed
with Pampas Grass.

iff
vt ES
-Wp
ez
v
@- R;@@-NR
4L.

4
7-
.j
54
0@

vv`
'A
A N.-

Al 1 1,
-7 r,-S
-.t j7,-.-,-

a-6-m- I%
Fig. 12 Unit 2,'looking northwest. Agricultural land (Cen-
tinella Creek drainage ditch in foreground).

7@4 "Ik. 4A

S,
_v;N
.;-jo
Pt
61,
k4-
Ir
jjj

2n 0
n,
g-
77
Pq

'Ro*
I" WIR
A
N
7@@# -77*-@-ie

.40'.
@Axnlq@

Fig. 13 Unit 1, looking west. Lycium ferocissimum.

7
ORE,
i, M
'14

7-7,

6
_66

Pow
@'@ _1P

T>
Z 4

eN
W-1
7@1

F4g. 14 - Unit- 2, western section, looking east toward bluffs.
Anemopsis californica & Carpobrotus edulis

ZAN

-.4k

W-

-'. A.

4
IN
Ile-Ili
Alt

A
e_7
ip.
Ail-

4
A@
;x
161%
1A.- jW" w I'M xv
iL .7 1-
SO

qr'.
x

Fig. _15- Un t 2 occasional1v -fflocded agricultural area with
Co@uia'corononifolia.

J- , @-Cfdi'04.;w ;@I@- V,

-2

-Met"
-4111-

Fig. 16 Unit 2, eastern section, looking east. Occasionally
flooded agricultural land.

Photography by David Minor

THE INSECTS AND RELATED TERRESTRIAL ARTHROPODS OF BALLONA

Christopher D. Nagano, Charles L. Hogue, Roy R. Snelling

and Julian P. Donahue

THE INSECTS AND RELATED TERRESTRIAL ARTHROPODS OF BALLONA

page

Introduction and literature survey 1
Materials and methods 4
Entomological perspective of the Ballona Creek Region 6
Unit 1 6

Unit 2 8

Unit 3 9
Agricultural lands 11
Ballona Creek Channel 12
Species list 13
Taxa of special significance 16
Introduced species 19
Endangered and threatened species 20
Problems and conclusions 21
Acknowledgments 24
Literature cited and general references
Appendix I (the species found and biological data) 33
Appendix 2 (micro-wasos) 87
Appendix 3 (letter from Mosquito Abatement District) 88

E-1

The Insects and Related Terrestrial Arthropods of Ballona

Christopher D. Nagano, Charles L. Hogue, Roy R. Snelling
and Julian P. Donahue

INTRODUCTION AND LITERATURE SURVEY

The present study of the ecological condition of Ballona Creek Region
("BCR") is unusual in that it includes insects. For convenience, we use

the term insect to refer to arachnids and other groups of terrestrial arthro-

pods as well as true insects (Class Insecta). Although these animals are

an important ecological component of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems,

they are seldom considered in environmental impact reports, even though

insects are near the base of most food chains and interact with almost all

life forms in natural land communities. They are essential food sources

i:or birds ana other vertebrates; they control vegetation and popuiazion

numbers of other animals, including rodents and injurious insect species;

and most importantly, they pollinate flowering plants, thus insuring their

reproduction (Orsak, 1978). However, insects receive little attention by

urban planners and natural resource managers because of their small size,

the extreme difficulty in identifying most species and the incorrect assump-

tion that they are biologically and ecologically insignificant.

Some insects are adapted for living only in close proximity to the

ocean. They may require saline or sandy conditions or may feed on salt-

loving plants (halophytes). Although often observed in large numbers in

E-2

suitable habitats, such as salt marshes and coastal sand dunes, they are

extremely sensitive to contact with man. The last fifty years has seen

a tremendous urban expansion along the California coast, with a concomitant

decline of all coastal wildlife, including insects, but very little is known

of the specific causes and effects of their loss. Moore and Legner (1972,

1974) and Nagano (1981) have described insect habitat destruction and the

need,for further study of coastal entomology.

Increased awareness of the destruction of coastal environments has

inspired new interest and publication of knowledge about insects living

in salt marshes, sand dunes and other marine littoral habitats. The majority

of literature on coastal insects has dealt with localities in parts of the

world other than California (Gustafson and Lane, 1968; Gustafson, Lane and

Lee, 1973), especially eastern North'America (Arndt, 1914; Metcalf and Osborn,

1920; Saunders, 1966; Smalley, 1960; Brown, 1940; Davis and Gray, 1969),

specific taxa of insects (Cheng, 1976; Doyen, 1976; Nagano, in press; Brown,

1948; Moore, 1956, 1964; Moore and Legner, 1973) or on coastline habitats

other than salt marshes (Benedetti, 1973; Craig, 1970; Evans, 1968; Kompfner,

1,'17d; Saunders , 1928).

The intertidal insects of California are treated comprehensively only

in identification guides by Evans (1980) and Doyen, Schlinger and Daly (1975).

The first of these works dealt primarily with species that inhabit open

beaches, and the latter only with the central California coast.
Lane (1969) made the first study of the insects of a California salt

marsh on a locality in east San Francisco Bay.- He used a variety of collecting

methods and found flies and true bugs to be the most abundant. Later, Cameron
(1972, 1976) investigated the trophic levels and effects of tides in a salt
marsh in San Pablo Bay. The butterflies of Suisun Marsh in Solano County

E-3

were surveyed by Shapiro (1974, 1976), who found 43 species. However, it

is important to note that Suisun Marsh is approximately 440,000 acres in

size, versus the approximately 100 acres of BCR and is surrounded by rela-

tively undisturbed hills of oak woodland and annual grassland.

The beetles (Minnesang, 1980) and flies (Assis de Moraes, 1977) that

inhabit Anaheim Bay have also been surveyed. This is a salt marsh located

within the Sea] Beach Naval Weapons Station, some forty miles south of Ballona

Wetlands. Minnesang (1980) found 114 species of beetles, and Assis de Moraes

(1977) collected 97 species of flies. Anaheim Bay is a larger salt marsh

habitat than BCR.

As with BCR, sand dunes are often associated with salt marshes. Powell

(1981) described the condition of coastal sand dunes in California. Although

the sand dunes at the west end of Unit I were not mentioned, this site has

a number of insect species peculiar to the sea coast. He and Nagano (1981)

note that this habitat type are among the most rapidly disappearing in the

state. Powell and Doyen, of the University of California (Berkeley), have

surveyed some of the coastal sand dune systems, especially for beetles and

moths (results reported by Powell, 1981). Pierce (Pierce and Pool, 1938)

collected on the El Segundo Sand Dunes, a formerly extensive sand dune system

extending from the Los Angeles International Airport south to the Palos

Verdes Peninsula. However, it is difficult to compare the insects of BCR

and the material collected by Pierce, because he concentrated on beetles

and largely neglected other taxa, such as bees and wasps. In fact, there

has never been a complete survey of the overall insect fauna of a pristine

coastal locality in southern California. Unfortunately, the few remaining

estuaries, sand dunes and beaches have been so altered by man that it may

no longer be possible to determine the nature of the original insect fauna.

E-4

As is typical with most environmental impact reports, the one previous

study on BCR includes practically no data on insects. The report by Envicom

(1979) notes only that the Wandering Skipper (Panoquina errans), an insect

considered for Threatened Species status, inhabits the site and that insects

and other invertebrates are utilized as food by various species of vertebrates.

Our report could have easily been much larger; however, we have covered

the most important aspects of the insect life of BCR for this study. It

is obvious that BCR is an oasis for a diverse population of insects and

a very@important source of information about the insects of the Los Angeles

Basin and.the southern California coastline.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The authors made a fully documented collection of.insect specimens

and associated data of BCRwhich form the basis for this investigation. A

voUcher collection of insects is necessary because of the impossibility

of identifying most of the species in the field and the need for later

verification.

Speciaiized and comprehensive collecting methods were employed "o -insure

maximum diversity; these included direct capture with aerial, sweep and

aquatic nets; trapping with baited pitfall, malaise, yellow pan and ultra-

violet light traps; soil sifting to collect subsurface taxa; and Berlese

funnel sampling.

The aerial net is used to collect flying and other rapidly moving insects.

Sweep nets were used by brushing the net back and forth on shrubbery and

other vegetation to capture the insect inhabitants. Aquatic nets were used

to dip up insects in streams and ponds.

Baited pitfall traps consist of wide-mouthed jars which are buried

in the soil until the opening is flush with the surface of the ground.

E-5

Fluids, such as anti-freeze or soapy water, are placed at the bottom of

the container. Peanut butter or rotting meat is sometimes used as bait

and attractant. The insects fall into the jar where they drown and are pre-

served in the fluid. These traps could not be used to their full effective-

ness in BCR due to theft and vandalism.

Malaise traps are tent-like devices used to capture flying insects.

The traps are placed for long periods in a natural flyway, such as a stream

bank or on paths through wooded areas. Large and random samples of insects

thus are trapped. However, it could not be used as much as desired, again

because of vandalism.

Many nocturnal insects are attracted to ultraviolet light, where they

can be easily captured. This method uses a 15-watt blacklight suspended

over a funnel leading to a bucket containing cyanide, a killing agent. Insect-s

are attracted to the light, fall through to the bucket, where they are over-

come by the poison fumes and killed. The ultraviolet light traps were used

effectively in several places during the sampling of BCR.

A metal screen was used to shift dirt or sand in order to find sub-

terranean insects. Many of the unique taxa from the sand dunes of Unit

I were captured with this method.

The Berlese funnel consists of a 40-watt light bulb suspended over

a leaf litter sample in a large metal funnel. The heat from the lamp drives

the insects down until they fall into a jar of alcohol placed under the

spout of the funnel. With this method, many types of minute or secretive

insects otherwise overlooked can be captured.

Insect specimens were killed and preserved as appropriate in alcohol

or on pins. Each specimen was labelled and given a code number. The latter

keys it to ecological data recorded on a data form (Fig. 1) designed for

E-5.1

Fi gure 1

Every collection (record) has an individual number (1) keying it to four

kinds of data (which can be transferred to any number of IBM cards): ecology,

host information, insect identification and insect information. Data for

each of these is recorded thusly:

Ecology (card): (7) spatial Unit at BCR in which the collection was

made; (8-10) macrohabitat, with letter abbreviations as specified by Clark,

1979; (11-16) date; (17-20) time period of capture; (21-40) initials of

collectors; (41-50) two-digit habitat codes (01 = plant host, 02 = animal

host, 03 stagnant water, 04 = freshwater, 05 = salt (sea) water, 07 = brackish

water, 08 in soil, 09 = horse dung, 10 = carrion, 11 = dead plant, 12 =

under object on ground, 13 = attracted to light, 14 UV light trap, 15 =
J

Malaise trap, 16 = pan trap, 17 = pitfall trap, 18 bait trap, 19 = in air,

20 = on top of ground, 9.1 = sitting on plant or other object, 22 = in animal

sign, 23 = Berlese funnel). (51) photograph taken (Y = yes, 14 = no).

The Host Tnformation (Card) section is used if the insect was collected

on plant or animal host. This card has zhe same record number (1-5)) as the
Ecology Card. Other data as follows (7-16) family;*(17-26) genus; (27-46)

species; (47-66) subspecies of the host is recorded; whether the hosts was

collected is noted (Y = yes, N = no); and (68-71) the museum catalog number

if the host was collected.

Each specimen collected is recorded in the section called Insect Identi-

fication (Card). (7-11) family of the organism (first five letters only);

(12-31) genus; (32-51) species; subspecies; (172) and a space for a voucher

code (s = sighted only; c = collected and preserved; I = seen by person other

than the biologists conducting the survey; R = captured and released).

T
The insect Tnformation (Card) has the same record number (1-5) as the

E-5.2

,Ecology Card. This card accompanies each Insect Identification Card and pro vides
data on each species. (6) It has a card number; (7-16) a two-digit activity!code

(18 = flying, 19 = crawling, 20 = resting, 21 = found dead, 22 = feeding,

23 = no observations, 24 = mating, 25 = feeding); (17) whether a photograph

was taken (Y = yes, N = no); a single-digit (18) abundance code (1 = single,@
2 = few, 3 = numerous, 4 = very numerous, 5 = swarming); if it was collected@ as

an egg (19), nymph (20), larva (21), pupa (22) or adult (23); and a note

section of 50 spaces for any additional information.

E-5.3

FIGURE 1

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Ballona Wetlands Survey 1980-1981
ENTOMOLOGY FIELD NOTES
CALIFORNIA: Los Angeles County, Ballona Wetlands

Ecology Card

Record # 1)
Card # 6) 1
Unit # 7)
Macrohab.8)
Date 11)
Time 17)
Collect.21)
27)
33)
39)
Habitat 41)
43)
45)
47)
49)
Photo 51)

Insect Identification Card
Record # 1)
Card # 6)
Family 7)
Genus 12)
17)
22)
27)
Species 32)
37)
42)
47)
Subspec.52)
57)
62)
67)
Voucher 72)

Host Information Card
Record # 1)
Card # 6)
Family 7)
12)
Genus 17)
22)
Species 27)
32)
37)
42)
Subspec.47)
52)
57)
62)
Specimen67)
Cat. # 68)

Insect Information Card
Record #1)
Card # 6)
Activity7)
9)
11)
13)
15)
Photo 17)
Abundan18)
Egg 19)
Nymph 20)
Larva 21)
Pupa 22)
Adult 23)
Notes 27-72)

E-6

rapid conversion to a computer-based filing system.
Specimens were identified in the laboratory or sent to specialists.

They were anaiyzed for their ecological significance to BCR. Approximately

10,000 specimens representing 475species were collected. It is important

to note that the identification of many specimens is pending further exam-

ination by specialists. 300 hours in the field and over 2000 hours in the

laboratory were sp&nt by the senior author on this study.

ENTOMOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE OF THE BALLONA CREEK REGION

Ballona Creek Region contains one of the few remaining coastal salt

marshes left in southern California and thus is an important site for insects

specialized for this habitat. It serves as a refuaium for insects because

of the relatively undisturbed habitats and availability of native vegetation

for insects that have been extirpated from other such places on our portion

of the California coastline. Because of their relative minuteness, insects
*an survive in small areas as long as the habitat is not greatly disturbed
by urban.development, recreation, pesticide or other destructive human use.

BCR was divided into arbitrary spaced geographical units called "Units"

for accuracy and ease of reference in the discussions following. See the

introduction of this report by Ralph Schreiber for a detailed description

of these areas.

UNIT 1

Unit I not only holds the greatest diversity of insects, but also the

most significant species in terms of rarity or restricted occurrence to

the coastline of southern California. A number of such species were collected

on the sand dunes located at the extreme west end of Unit 1.

The sand dunes deserve special attention, because, despite their

E-7

relatively small size, they have the most species of any single habitat

type at BCR. Insects that are rare or restricted to the coastline are found

here: Subterranean Sand Dune Beetle (Coelus ciliatus); Dorothy's Sand Dune

Weevil (Trigonoscuta dorothea dorothea); Belkin's Horse Fly (Apatolestes

belkini); Seashore Robber Fly (Cophura clausa); wingless wasps (Brachycistis

species); sand dune cockroaches (Arenivaga species); Panther Fly (Neomydas

pantherinus); and several genera of rare bees and wasps (see Species List).

Noteworthy among these is the Yellow-faced Bee (Hylaeus punctatus) known

elsehwere only from Europe. This Js the first time this bee has been found

in North America.

The willow strand adjoining the sand dunes supports a number of native

insect inhabitants. A species that is widespread in southern California but

uncommon is Morse's Shield Back Katydid (Neduba morsei). The willow ,qood

is used as a food source by the Locust Clearwing Moth (Paranthene robinae)

and Western Drywood Termites (Incisitermes minor). Other common and wide-

spread insects feed on the willow leaves, such as the leaf beetles (Eji@h

brachus species and Psyllobora Viqinmaculata) and various leaf- and stem-

mining species (see Species List). The leaf litter under the willow -ees

provides cover for many species of ground-dwelling insects, such as spring-

tails (Collembola), bark lice (Psocoptera), beetles, silverfish (Thysanura)

and mites.

The pickleweed portions of Unit I support many insects that are only

lound in regions with wet saline soils, such as coastal salt marshes and
estuaries. The largest populaton of the Wandering Skipper (Panoguina errans)

at Ballona is found here. Other pickleweed inhabitants include the Brine

Fly (Ephydra riparia); long-iegged flies (Dolichopodidae); midges (Chironom-
idae); Pale Shore Bug (Sadula pallipes); ground beetles (Tachys and -Bembid4on);

E-8

and rove beetles (Staphylinidae). The Frail Springtail (Onychirus debilis)
& nown elsewhere from France and Alaska was collected in the Salt Grass
(Dis'll-ichlis spicata).

The salt marsh flies, ground beetles, rove beetles (especially the

genus Bledius) and a population of the Mudflat Tiger Beetle (Cicindela tri-

fasciata sigmoidea) inhabit the mud and salt flats of Unit 1. All of these

insects spend a portion of their lives burrowing in the saline mud.

Horse stables are located in the southwestern corner of Unit 1. It

is important to recognize the great damage to the ecosystem inflicted by

the horses and the abundant pest flies (Calliphoridae and Muscidae) whose

11arvae develop in horse droppings. These flies may be involved in mechanicai

disease transmission and are known nuisances.

The weedy portions of Unit 1 support numerous species of insects. These

are widespread and common types adapted for existence in fallow fields and
0 cant lots. Introduced insects, such as the Cabbage Butterfly (Pieris
rapae) and the Argentine Ant (Iridomyrmex humilis) are the most conspicuous.

Several species of aquatic insects are found in the numerous fresh

and brackish waters of Unit I. The most abundant species is the Salt Marsh

Water Boatman (Trichocorixia reticulata) which is probably a significant

food source for shorebirds and fishes (Nagano, 1981).

The large number of species of insects inhabiting Unit I can be attri-

buted to the numerous species of native plants which provide food and the

varied habitats available.

UNIT 2

There are three basic insect habitats in Unit 2: pickleweed, weedy

fields and eucalyptus grove. Many of the insects are the same as Unit I
0 cept that the diversity and abundance is lower.

E-9

The salt marsh vegetation (pickleweed and saltgrass) supports a large

population of the Wandering Skipper (Panoguina errans). Numerous individuals

and mating pairs were observed throughout this habitat. Brine Flies (Ephydra
ria@@), the Pale Shore Bug (Sadula pallipes), the Mudflat Tiger Beetle
(Cicindela trifasciata sigmoidea) and the ground and rove beetles observed

in the pickleweed of Unit 1 were also found here. Although Unit 2 has a

smaller amount of pickleweed and saltgrass than Unit 1, it still supports

viable and healthy populations of salt marsh insects.

The brackish water is inhabited by aquatic insects such as the Salt

Marsh Water Boatman (Trichocorixia reticulata) and small water scavenger

beetles (Tropisternus species).

The weedy field portion is inhabited by common and widespread insects

that feed, breed and develop here. Although common, these insects are an

important part of the BCR ecosystem that provide food for vertebrates and
perTorm other essential roles. 0

The extensive stand of eucalyptus and other introduced plants on the

South s-1de of Unit (2 is inhabited by a few insects that are common and wide-

spread in western North America. These include overwintering Monarch Butterflies

(Danaus plexippus), Mourning Cloak Butterflies (Nymphalis antiopa), Argentine

Ants (IridomyrTnex humilis) and Black Widow Spiders (Lactrodectus mactans

hesperus). The depauperate insect fauna can be attributed to the lack of

an abundance of native plants at this site.. It is a historical fact that

few, if any, Australian insects were introduced originally with eucalyptus,

and few native North American species have adapted to it as a food host.

Essential oils also give the foliage a natural resistance to insect feeding.

UNIT 3

The insect life found in Unit 3 is representative of the coastal strand

E-10

and the greater Los Angeles Basin rather than exclusively coastal

wetlands. Although it does not have as great a diversity of species as

Unit-1, it does have larqe populations of a few native insect species.

Many of these are now very rare or extinct from the coastal regions OT

Los Angeles County due to habitat destruction and urban growth.

The majority of the vegetation of Unit 3 is pickleweed, scrubland

(weedy or fallow field) or transtitional between the two. The many

weedy and introduced plants support few species of insects; none were

observed on the Pampas Grass (Cortaderia atacamensis). Adult Rabbit

Bot Flies (Cuterebra lepivora) were seen and collected in the scrub-

land; this is an endoparasite of the rabbit populations at BCR.

A nest site of approximately 300 Common Sand Wasps (,Bembi--

americana comata) was found in the northeastern corber of the pickleweed

portion. These wasps are important predators of flies. A nest site of

the Solitary Bee (Diadasia consociata) is located in the middle of the

pickleweed. These bees are important pollinators of many of the native

plants in Unit 3.

It is important to note that insects that require permanent sources

of saline water or mud are not found in the pickleweed portion of Unit 3.
These water-dependeni species, which do occur in both Units I and 2, are

the Wandering Skipper (Panoquina errans), Long-legged flies (Dolichopo-

didae), the Mudflat Tiger Beetle (Cicindela trifasciata sigmoidea), and

the Pale Shore Bug (Saldula pallipes). The absence from Unit 3 of these

water-dependent species maybe due to the-unreliable and unpredictable

presence of water, which appears to be ephemeral and occasional in

occurrence.

E-Ii

A semideveloped sand dune is found in the southeastern corner of

Unit 3 where some dune vegetation occurs. No sand dune insects were seen

or coliect-ed, and it is unlikely -I.-hat. any inhabit this site. 1"he many

rocks in the soil and the fact that the sand has been artificially placed

(Schreiber, pers. comm.) may explain their absence.

Unit 3 is used by many people to ride their off-road vehicles (ORV).

This is expecially evident in the pickleweed portions where the soil has

been severely scarred. For details of the damage to the insect popula-

tions by ORVs, seen the Problems and Conclusions Section of this paper.

The only portion of Unit 3 where true moisture dependent insects

occur is in the drain ditch on the northeastern corner. Here there are

low density populations of the Wandering Skipper (Panoquina errans), the

Mudflat Tiger Beetle (Cicindela trifasciata sigmoidea), Brine Fly

(Ephydra riparia), long-legged flies (Dolichopodidae) and the Pale Shore

Bug (Saldula pallipes).

The value of Unit 3 to native insects lies in the large amount of

,)c)en sQace and vegetation whiCh Drovides food, cover and nest4nq @-:tes.

Very few sites of similar size and ecological diversity are left along the

coastline of Los Angeles County.

AGRICULTURAL 'LANDS

The Agricultural Lands consist of various gabitats, such as the

base of the bluffs, Centinela Creek, cultivated fields and grove of

introduced vegetation ("the junkyard") located north of Culver Blvd. The

majority of the Agricultural Lands supports few species of insects.

E- 12

The cultivated fields are used for the production of crops and

are plowed or are covered by a few weedy species of plants. The marjority

of insects found within the agricultural fields are transient or "pest"

species. The Gray Hairstreak Butterfly (Strymon melinus pudica) probably

feeds on leguminous plants cultivated on the site.

The weedy portions bordering the agricultural fields also support

a depauperate insect fauna, consisting of widespread and common species.

Bumblebees (Bombus species) and other native bees were frequently ob-

served feeding on flowers.

Centinela Creek Drainage Ditch which runds through the south side

o-I" the Agricultural Lands is another imporzant insect habitat at' BCR. The

water supports squatic insects and also terrestrial species that feed on

emergent portions of hydrophytic plants. The Wandering Skipper (Panoquina

errans) and the Mudflat Tiger Beetle (Cicindela trifasciata sigmoidea),

Pale Shore Bug (Sadula pal]jRts), Brine Fly (Ephydra riparia) and ground and

E-12 a

rove beetles (Carabidae and Staphylinidae) are found in the ditch from the

gas plant east as far as saline water occurs. The population densities of

these insects are lower than those in Units 1, 2 or ".

The vegetation at the base of the bluffs supports an insect fauna typical

of weedy fields and the Coastal Sage Scrub community. No unusual or especially

rare insects were observed or collected.

The "junkyard" located north of Culver Blvd. has low insect diversity.

Several extremely large colonies of the Argentine Ant (Iridomyrmex humilis)

were found under the numerous boards, mattresses and other debris, but no

rare or unusual species were discovered here.

The fields next to the gas plant road are filled with rain water during

the winter and spring months. Numerous species of insects use the temporary

plant lifle that develops Ihen as food, cover and breeding source. Aquatic

insects inhabit the water and serve as food for shorebirds.

BALLONA CREEK CHANNEL

The Ballona Creek Channel has very few species of permanent insect in-

nabitants because of tne rocky substrate which prevents most ground -burrow in a

forms from becoming established, the high spring and winter flood waters which

eliminate all but the hardiest species and the lack of diverse vegetation

food sources.

Three species of tiger beetles populate the Ballona Creek Channel. Two,

the Red Belly Tiger Beetle (Cicindela haemorrhagica haemorrhagica) and the

Oregon Tiger Beetle (C. oreaona oregona), are widespread in western North

America. The third, the Mudflat Tiger Beetle (C. trifasciata siamoidea),

which is also found in Units 1, 2, 3 and a portion of the Agricultural Lands,

has been extirpated from most of its range in the United States. Nagano (in

press) postulates that the Ballona Creek Channel population of the last species

E- 13

susceptible to human disturbance and is in danger of being eliminated.

gle nest each of the Honey Bee (Apis melliferall and the California

Ant (Pogonomynnex californicus) were discovered on the north bank

nnel. The Honey Bee nest is located in an old storm pipe, dnd the

Ant colony is found on the ground in a sandy area. Due to the rela-

numbers of Honey Bees observed at BCR, it is highly probable that

@.e only colony in the area. This feral insect, through not native,

t in the pollination of the local flowering plants. Commercial

ever, have been placed in the agricultural area (as of 1 July 1981).

ous algae-feeding flies of an undetermined family were observed

@ks within the intertidal zone. The Hairy Shore Bug (Sadula comatula)

beneath debris in the same area. No insects were seen or collected

seawater in the channel.

from these insects, most of the species observed in the channel

g on the few weedy plants or are transients. Al-t-hough.this 'is the

ity where some of these insects are found at BCR, they are not diverse

qhen comoarpd to other units.

SPECIES LIST

impossible to reduce all of the biological data known for the species

t BCR into a simple graphic presentation; this is true by reason

3's complexity and the multiple stages in the life cycles of insects.

s List is a very general summary of the salient and most important

BCR's insect fauna. Biological and ecological data are presented

nsect species observed or collected at BCR. Bibliographic sources

when possible, for data that are unusual or poorly known. The

is an explanation of each category:

E- 14

1-5. Unit of occurrence: the unit at which the species was found.

Macrohabitat--where the species was seen, collected or known to inhabit:

6. Introduced community: primarily non-native plants, such as the'

eucalyptus grove in Unit 2.

7. Agricultural: cultivated lands, such as in the Agricultural Unit.

8. Weedy field: mixture of native and non-native plants, such as the

portions lacking pickleweed of Unit 3.

9. Salt pan: small areas in the pickleweed that do not support plant

life due to extremely high salt levels.

10. Transitional pickleweed: portions that contain both weedy field

and pickleweed.

11. Sand dune: coastal sand dune.

12. Fresh water: primarily freshwater plants.

13. Willow: portions with Salix species.

14. Saltflat: extensive flat dry areas of the saltmarsh covered with

a crust of salt.

15. Muaflat: inuddy non-vegetative por7lons ov --.1he saltmarsii Ner 'jy

seawater during tides.

16. Pickleweed: portions with Salicornia and associated vegetation.

Occurrence--the resident status of the species:

17. Resident: permanent.

18. Transient: a temporary inhabitant (non-migratory).

19. Migrant: a temporary, migratory inhabitant.

20. Unkncwn: resident status is unknown.

Season of Occurrence--time of the year when the species is active as adult:

21. Spring: February to May.

E- 15

22. Summer: June to August.

23. Fall: September to October.

24. 'Winter: November to january.

Abundance--the approximated population size of the species:

25. Very common: extremely abundant.

26. Common: abundant.

27. Occasional: sparse.

28. Rare: only a few individuals seen or collected.

Autecology--ecological niche of the species (most conspicuous stage, usually

adult):

29. Herbivore: feeds on plant matter.

30. Carnivore: feeds on animal matter.

31. Omnivore: feeds on both plant and animal matter.

32. Parasite: feeding on a living organism without immediately causing

its death.

Synecoloay--ecolocical interactions .@iith other species.(especlally -@rophic

role):

33. Mammal prey: eaten by mammals.

34. Bird prey: eaten by birds.

35. Reptile prey: eaten by reptiles.

36. Amphibian prey: eaten by amphibians.

37. Fish prey: eaten by fish.

38. Other prey: eaten by animals not listed above.

39. Pest species: insect is known to annoy or cause damage f.'o man or

his possessions.

40. Other information.

See Appendix 1 for the list of species from BCR-

E- 16

TAXA OF SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE

Some of the insects that have been collected at BCR are outstanding for

one reason or other: few collection records exist, they have been or are

being proposed for Endangered or Threatened Species status, they have very

restricted or reduced ranges, or they represent important populations for

the study of biogeography and insect evolution.

1. Belkin's Horse Fly (Apatolestes belkini; Diptera: Tabanidae): A

single adult was collected on the sand dunes of Unit 1. Only a half-dozen

specimens are known to science. It has been found on coastal sand dunes from

Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico to Playa Del Rey, California. At the present

time, nothing is known of the biology or ecology of this species, but judging

from its closest relatives, it is not a blood feeder. It probably requires

the sand dunes for larval development.

2. Mudflat Tiger Beetle (Cicindela trifasciata sigmoidea; Coleoptera:

Ciciridelidae): This tiger beetle was collected along the Ballona Creek Channel,

the salt and mudflats of Unit 1, the muddy portions of the pickleweed next

.o @"jlver Slvd. in Unit 2, the Centinela Creek drainaoe east, of the gas plant

in the Agricultural Lands and in the slough of Unit 3. Originally it was

probably an inhabitant of the Venice Salt Marsh but was exterminated from

all! but 3CR after the nearby Marina del Rey was constructed. Nagano (in press)

documented the range reduction of this beetle. It is restricted to coastal

areas where it inhabits tidal regions or estuaries. It is now found in only

seven of the .11 localities it was known originally to inhabit in the United

States.

Sand r"une Tiaer Beetle (Cicindela hirticoliis aravida; Coleoptera:

CZ 4
lcindelidae): Specimens now in the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard

University, were collected at Playa Del Rey in 19906. It occurs only on clean,

E- 17

light-colored sand at the mouths of estuaries or barrier beaches (Nagano,

in press). Nagano has examined old topographic miaps of BCR and has determined

that the only suitable habitat was at the mouth of Ballona Creek. Tiger

beetles are very important in marine littoral ecosystems and have been greatly

reduced in range in southern California (Nagano, in press). C. hirticollis

gravida is now found at only four of 24 localities it was known to have in-

habited in southern California (Nagano, in press). This species apparently

is extinct from BCR.

4. Wandering Skipper (Panoguina errans; Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae):

Large populations of this skipper are found in the saltmarsh portions of Units

I and 2. Samller populations are found in the slough on the northeast corner

of Unit 3 and along the Centinela Creek drainage which runs along the bluffs

in the Agricultural Unit. It is found in close association with the larval

foodplant, Salt Grass (Distichlis spicata), which grows amongst pickleweed.

For reasons unknown, the Wandering Skipper can develop only on Salt Grass

'that is wet by sea water or in soil that is very moist. This insect is rapidly

''Isappearing 1@rom its range because of the continuous destruction of its coastal

habitats. It was one of 24 species of California butterflies considered by

the federal government for Threatened or Endangered Species status (Donahue,

1975). Nagano is currently studying the present distribution and size of

its few remaining populations.

5. Wingless Wasp (Brachycistis species; Hymenoptera: Tiphiidae): Females

of this wasp were collected in pitfall traps and males in ultraviolet light

traps in the sand dunes of Unit 1. The females in this genus are wingless,

very rarely seen and almost unknown from coastal areas. The males possess

wings and are attracted to ultraviolet lights at night. Nothing is known

of the biology of these animals; the males and the flightless females are so

E- 18

structurally different that they undoubtedly lead distinct lives.

6. Sun spider (Eremobates new species; Arachnida: Solpugida)': These

animals were collected in pitfall traps located on the sand dunes of Unit

1. The species collected is new to science and is to be named by a specialist.

It is distributed elsewhere in California and is NOT ENDEMIC to BCR. This

species is nocturnal and predaceous on other invertebrates.

7. Dorothy's Sand Dune Weevil (Trigonoscuta dorothea; Coleoptera: Cur-

culionidae): This beetle is common beneath native plants in the sand dunes

of Unit 1. It is found only on coastal sand dunes from Point Dume south to

Orange County (Pierce, 1975). Because of its extremely local occurrence in

a fragile disappearing habitat, it might become a candidate for Threatened

status.

8. Yellow-faced Bee (Hylaeus punctatus; Hymenoptera: Colletidae):

This bee is known only from western Europe and BCR. It might have been acci-
tntally -introduced into the wetlands by human agency or it could be a native

insect, posing an interesting problem for biogeographers. Numerous specimens

were co III ected on (6he sand -junes and near 'the wi i I ow grove i n Uni t I.

9. Sweat Bee (Lasioglossum species; Hymenoptera: Halictidae): This

bee genus is in need.of revision, and it is impossible to ascertain if the eight

unidentified species of Lasioglosswn are new to science or merely unrecog-

nizable with current knowledge.

10. Frail Springtail (Onchiurus debilis; Collembola: Onychiuridae):

One of the most interesting and'difficult to explain distributions of any

Insect known, this springtaill is found in France, Alaska and 3CR (Bellinger,

pers. comm.). A single specimen was collected in a Berlese funnel using leaf

lit.ter from the saltmarsh of of Unit 1. There are three possible ways Onchyrius

Akbilis could have arrived at Ballona Wetlands: via human transportation, as

E-19

a stowaway aboard an airplane or boat; via natural means of transportation,

on ocean drift or in sail on the feet of migratory birds; or it may have been

a resident of the west coast of North America for hundreds of millions of

years, since before continental drift had separated the continents.

INTRODUCED SPECIES

The impact of terrestrial arthropods known to be introduced in natural

ecosystems is not fully understood. A common problem when species newly enter

a region is a population explosion and intensive competition with the native

wildlife. Well -known examples are the Norwegian Rat (Rattus norwegicus) and

the Starling (Sturnus vulgaris). Such problems are especially acute in iso-

lated areas, such as nature preserves or islands. Several adventive insects

4
were discovered during this study and their -effects assessed as far as possible.

Common Dysiderid Spider (Dysdera crocata) is a spider originally native

to Europe that specializes on sowbugs for food. It is common throughout BCR,

and the impact. on native spiders is unknown.

The most abundant insect at BCR is the Argentine Ant (Iridomyrmex humilis)

which arrived in Louisiana in 1890 from South America. From the southeastern

United States, this species spread to the warmer parts of California where

it is now a ubiquitous household pest. It is not unusual to collect 10,000+

individuals in single baited pitfall trap at BCR. The relatively low numbers

of native ant species (2) is probably due to the highly aggressive and compe-

titive nature of the Argentine Ant. This ant is displacing native ant species

in other areas of southern California as well, such as in the Santa Monica

Mountains and on Santa Catalina Island. Further studies on the ecology and

biology of this economically important animal are critically needed to determine

its effect on native ant species.

E-20

introduced into eastern North America in the nineteenth century, the

bbage Butterfly (Pieris rapae) has since spread across the continent to

the Pacific Coast. It i-s one of the most common butterflies at BCR. The

impact of Pieris rapae on the native butterfly fauna is probably neutral,

since the larvae feed on weedy wild mustard (Brassica) and radish (Rhaphanus).

The Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) was introduced to California in the middle

of the nineteenth century. It is now found nearly everywhere in the state.

Snelling has observed that hives have been recently placed on the Agricultural

Lands and the Honey Bee population has dramatically increased. This may lead

to the serious problem of the native bees and the Honey Bees competing for

a limited number of flowers.

It is not known when the Yellow-faced Bee (Hylaeus punctatus) was intro-

duced to BCR or if it is a native insect. Further studies are needed to deter-

mine the ecology and the effect this insect has on the resident bee fauna.
0 Hylaeus bisinatus is a close relative of the above bee that was collected
at BCR. K. b4sinatus was introduced to North America in the late nineteenth

century and has since spread to most of the United States. The effect on

native bees is negligible.

The earwigs (Forficula auricularia and Euborellia annulipes) are species

introduced into North America from the Old World. They are well established

and common at BCR. The effect of these omnivorous insects on the native fauna

is unknown, but they may prey intensively on ground beetle larvae (Carabidae).

ENDANGERED AND THREATENED SPECIES

No species of insects now known to be under state or federal protection

haVE been detected at BCR. Despite intensive searching for both, we found

neither the El Segundo Blue Butterfly (Euphilotes battoides allyni), an En-
is ngered Species known only from the El Segundo Sand Dunes, nor the Palos

E-21

Verdes Blue Butter-Fly (Glaucopsyche lygdamus palosverdesensis), a rare sub-

species found only on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

The Globose Dune Beetle (Coelus globosus) was proposed for consideration

as Threatened by the Xerces Society (Anon., 1979) but has not been given that

official status to date. It occurs in-the foredunes bordering nearby Dock-

weiler State Beach, but there are no records of the'species from BCR.

PROBLEMS AND CONCLUSIONS

1. BCR is one of the few localities in Los Angeles County with large

populations of coastal insects. BCR is a refugium for many species of insects

that were once widespread but are now largely extirpated from the coast.

Insects are a.critical component of the marine littoral and wetlands ecosystem.

They are the primary converters of plant matter to protein and thus provide

food for many vertebrates, such as birds, mammals and reptiles.

2. BCR retains populations of insects whose loss of range elsewhere

has been or is being documented: Mudflat Tiger Beetle (Cicindela trifasciata

sigmoidea) and Wandering Skipper (Panoguina errans).

3. BCR is important for entomogeographical reasons, i.e. explanation

of the presence of a bee and a springtail known elsewhere only from Europe

and Alaska in the case of the springtail.

4. Horseback riding throughout Unit I is very destructive. Intensive

animal, human and off-road vehicle traffic is highly detrimental to native

animals and plant life (Nagano, 1980, 1981, in press; Powell, 1981; Weaver

and Dale, 1978). These activities cause compaction of the soil, crushing

subterranean insects and destroying vegetation, removing food and cover.

Machines, animals and people step on or drive over and kill insects that are

on the surface of the soil. Nagano (1980) noted the numbers of tiger beetles

at Border Field State Park in San Diego County was significantly lower in areas

E-22

that had large numbers of horseback riders and horses than in areas that were
Oot so used. In the same report, he also noted the importance of restrict-ing

human visitors to established trails on the coastal sand dunes of McGrat@i

State Beach in Ventura County in order to minimize the damage to the flora

and fauna. Horses in Unit 1 cause the greatest amount of environmental

destruction because their numbers are proportionately greater than human and

ORV traffic. It has been noted th-roughout the field work of this study that

the horseback riders tend to disregard established trails and prefer traveling

through ecologically sensitive portions.such as the sand dunes, mudflats and

pickleweed. The rich insect life of these habitats will be eliminated if

the horses are allowed to continue their unrestricted ravages.

5. The greatest number of insect species restricted to the sea coast

4-
are found at the sand dunes at the west end of Unit 1. This site is subjec,

to traffic by large numbers of humans, equines and occasional ORV's. It is
Oighly probable that the ins .ect fauna of the sand dunes will become extinct

if this disturbance continues.

6. Another serious problem is the rapid spread of the introduced ice-

plant (Carprobotus edulis) in Units 1, 2 and 3. No insects have been observed

feeding on the leaves and relatively few species visit the flowers. Bees

of the genera Agapostemon and Bombus feed on the pollen and nectar, but it

should be noted that these insects are "general" feeders and will use flowers

of most any plant. Some spider species use the iceplant as a site for their

webs, but they use almost any low-lying plant or other structure for this

purpose. Iceplant is spreading rapidly and will soon crowd out a number of

native plant species which are intensively used by insects.

7. Pesticides are a well-known threat to insect populations, especially
Op ose species sensitive to other deleterious disturbances to their environment.

E-23

If these harmful chemicals enter BCR from any adjoining urban development,

then many of the native insects could be eradicated. It will be unlikely

that the exterminated species will reestablish themselves because of the lack

of any proximate salt mar'shesor estuaries that can provide a source of new

immigrants.

8. The amount of sea water is of indirect, though critical, importance

to many insects at BCR. Several species of salt marsh flies (Dolichopodidae,

Ephydra riparia, Chironomidae) can only develop in moist or wet saline mud.

The adults may require high humidity.for their well being and for successful

mating.

The larvae of the Wandering Skipper (Panoquina errans) Can only live

on Salt Grass (Distichlis spicata) that is wet by sea water or in soil that

is very moist. The larvae of the Mudflat Tiger Beetle (Cicindela trifasciata

sigmoidea) are only found in mud or sand at or just above the mean high-tide

mark. It is interesting to note that during high tides these burrows are

covered by water. Wilson (1974) noted that some riparian species of tiger

beetles in the northeastern United States survive being covered by high river

waters.

Beetles of the ground beetle genus Bembidion and rove beetles, especially

the genus Bledius, are inhabitants of the mud and salt flats of BCR. Both

of these families are predaceous on flies and their larvae. Bledius feed

on simple algae (Minnesang, 1980).
Pale Shore Bugs (Sadula pallipes) are common inhabitants of the pickleweed,

mud and salt flats. These insects are always found near saline water at Ballona

Wetlands. Shore bugs are important predators of flies and other invertebrates.

If the tidal flow is increased, it is highly likely that populations

of the salt marsh insects will increase.

E-24

9. Continued monitoring of the insect life of BCR is essential. We

are still finding species unrecorded from the locality and Los Angeles County

on each field trip. We have identified 475 species to date and estimate that

as many as 1200 species actually may inhabit BCR.

10. The entomological character of the BCR indicates that it is basically

a natural coastal salt marsh and associated sand dune. This conclusion was

reached by the presence of insect indicator species of marine coastal habitats,

for the marsh--the Wandering Skipper (Panoquina errans), Brine Fly (Ephydra

riparia) and Mudflat Tiger Beetle (Cicindela trifasciata sigmoidea); for the

dune--Dorothy's Sand Dune Weevil (Trigonoscuta dorothea) and Belkin's Horse

Fly (Apatolestes belkini).

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Many people have assisted with this study, without which it could not

have been completed. James Hogue, Laure Kanouse, Claire Chapelle and Betty

Birdsall conducted field and laboratory work. Camm Swift and Gretchen Frantz

collected aquatic insects during their ichthyological survey. Marc Hayes

captured specimens during his herpetological studies. Scott Miller provided

information on collecting specialized collecting methods, such as pitfall

and yellow pan traps. David Minnesang gave us a copy of his beetle study

of Anaheim Bay and information about salt marsh collecting techniques. Janice

Lee organized the bibliography and helped with typing.

The following specialists identified specimens: Peter Bellinger,

California State University at Northridge (Collembola); Ron Leuschner, Man-

hattan Beach, California (moths); Jim Liebhner, University of California at

Berkeley (Agonum); Don Starks, Downey, California (Chrysomelidae); Art Evans,

California State University at Long Beach (Scarabaeidae); Eric Fi.sher, Univer-
sity of California at Riverside (Asilidae); Harry Anderson, Huntington Beach,

E-25

California (micro-Hymenoptera); Raymond Gill, California Department of Food

and Agriculture (Homoptera); Martin Muma, Silver City, New Mexico (Solpugida);

Rowland Shelley, North Carolina State Museum of Natural History (Diploda); and

Blaine Hebert, Los Angeles, California (Arachnida). Carol Madle typed the

Species List.

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E-26

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E-33

Appendix I

Appendix 1 is the list of species that were found at BCR. For an

explanation of the number categories see pages E-13 to E-15.

Crustacea
Isopoda
Oniscidae
Armidillidium vulgare (Latr.)

Porcellio laevis Koch

Arachnida
Spirobolida
Parajulidae
Parajulidae species

Arachnida
Solpugida
Erematobidae
Eremobates new species

Arandeida
Ctenizidae
Apostichus species

Oecobiidae
Oecobis species

Dysderidae
Dysdera crocata Koch

Oonopidae
Scaphiella hespera Cham.

Gnaphosidae
Zelotes species

29. decaying plant material and young plants

38. prey of Dysdera crocata

29. decaying plant material and young plants

38. prey of Dysdera crocata

17. not endemic

40. build web-like burrows which ambush prey (Kaston, 1978:68-72)

40. probably lives under stones (Kaston 1978:75)

17. introduced from Europe (Thompson 1979:26)

30. preys on sowbugs (Thompson 1979:26)

40. probably lives in web-lined tube nest from which leaves to hunt insects
(Kaston 1978:200)

Pholcidae
Psilochorus species

Clubionidae
Chiricanthum species

Phrurotimpus species

Anyphaenidae
Anyphaena species

Teudis species

Salticidae
Salticidae species

40. web spinner (Kaston 1978:96)

40. tube nests in rolled up leaves on ground (Kaston 1978:210)
sometimes bites humans (Thompson 1979:29)

40. ambush prey, no web (Kaston 1978:240)

Agelnidae
Agelenidae species

Lycosidae
(2-3 undetermined species)

Oxyopidae
Peucetia viridans (Hentz)

Theridiidae
Dipoena species

Lactrodectus mactans herperus
Cham. and Ivy

Mimetidae
Mimetus species

Araneidae
Eustala species

Tetragathidae
Tetragatha species

Zoridae
Lutica maculata Marx

40. hunt prey on ground (Kaston 1978:181)

30. hunts prey on vegetation, no web (Thompson 1978:28)

30. other spiders (Kaston 1978:175)

40. orb web (Kaston 1978:162)

40. hang in vegetation during daytime (Kaston 1978:224)

Linyphiidae
Linyphiidae species

Micryphantidae
Micryphantidae species

Dictynidae
Dictyna species

Insecta
Collembola
Onychiuridae
Onychiurus debilis (Moniez)

Isotomidae
Cryptopyous thermophilus (Axelson)

Proisotoma schoetti (Dalla Torre)

Isotomaurus species

Archisotoma interstitialis
Delamare

Isotoma maritima Tullberg

40. web spinner (Kaston 1978:116)

40. web spinner (Kaston 1978:78-79)

17. species known elsewhere only from France and Alaska
(P. Bellinger, pers. coem.)

40. genus known only from marine intertidal (Christiansen and Bellinger 1980:608)

Sminthuridae
Sohaerida pumilis (Krausbauer)

Entomobryidae
Pseudosinella octopunctata
Borner

Entomobrya guthriei Mills

Entomobrya multifasciata
(Tullberg)

Entomobrya Juveniles #1

Entomobrya Juveniles #2

Entomobrya Juveniles #3

Entomobrya Juveniles #4

Entomobrya Juveniles #5

Hypogastruridae
Xenylla wilsoni Gama

Hypogastrura essa Christ & Bell.

Hypogastrura denticulata
(Bagnall)

Diplura
Campodeidae
Campodea folsomi?

Thysanura
Lepismatidae
Allacrotelsa spinulata (Packard)

Microcoryphia
Minertellidae
Machillinus species

Odonata
Aeschinidae
Anax junius (Drury)

Aeschna species

Libellulidae
Pantala hymenea (Say)

29. fungal spores?

12. immatures in fresh water

18. immatures in mountain streams

12. immatures in fresh water

~q0-~ CIA (~~ ~~~ to ~~ ~~ ~M C~ .--I ~\~ ~m ~.~ to ~~~ ~~~ ~C~3~1
~\~ ~~~ I-~ ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~ ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~\~ ~~ I
j ~~ ~"J

12. imma~tures in fresh water
~2qLa ~8qE~0qtla ~8qL~q@~q-~qV~e~6qK~q-en-~qs ~6qV~qab.)

16. observed ~qo~qvi~qpositing in tidal channel (Centinela Creek?
~-~qum ~q@or ~qq~qptum (Hagen) I
Tar~net~v

Coenar~qgrionidae 12. imatures in fresh water
_sp ec i es

12. immatures in fresh water
En~qalla~qg~0qma species

Orthoptera
Acrididae
Timerot~qropis rebe~ql~qlis (Saussure)
~0qT,

Chin~iarocephala californica
~6qT~8qf~8qf~q-runne~qF~qT-

-~qM~2qi~8qL~ano~8qm~i species?
Tettigo~qniidae 140. strid~ulates, arboreal.
Scudderia furcata Brunner
D~8qi~28qA
40. ground dweller
~qNedub morsei C~q4udell

~~ ~~~~ ~~ ,I, ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~0 -A ~\~ ~M ~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~ CO ~C~Y~)
C~,~J ~c~q ~-~'~r ~L~r~, CC) ~0~1 ~4 ~-~1 -~4 -~4 ~-~1 -~4 -A ~C~Q ~C~\~J (\I CA \~J ~C\~J ~C\~J ~C~\~J ~^~,~1 ~qC\J

Gry I I acrid id~a~e 31. subterranean root feeder
Stenopel~qo~iatu~qs fuscus Haldeman

C~qeuthophilu~s californicus 40. subterranean, usually occupies gopher holes
Scudder

40. ground dwelling
Pristoceuthophilus species
~-~~;~-~-~4qF~4qT~q-i ~0q"~8qT~q"~q"J
--A ~4qA~72qf

40. stridulates; arboreal
Gryllidae
Oecanthus ~6qa~8qL~qq~qtntinus Saussure

40. stridulates; ground dweller
Gryllu assi~qmilis (Fabr.)

Mogoplistidae 40. ground dweller
Hoplosp~qhyru b~qoreale Scudder

40. females wingless; males winged. Both borrow in sand (Po
P~qo~qlyphagidae
Are~qniva~qq species
~8qE~0qM ~4q@~q!~q!~q@~8qLL~4qZ~2qO~4qM~8qL~qI~20qI
Dermaptera
40. ground dweller; always under objects
Labidurid~ae
Euborella (Lucas)-

40. ground dweller; always under objects
Forficulidae
F~qorfic~i~8qd a Linne
_~qi~qL~t~qL~ql~6qa~qr~qla

~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~W) ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~M ~~ ~~ to ~~~~~ ~W ~0~%
~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~ 0~ ~~@ ~~~ -4 ~~~ ~ ~ ~~~ -~ ~~~ -~ C~~ (~~ C~~ C~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ C~~ ~~ ~C~I~J
~ ~- ~4~qF~qO~qT~qT~~1
~q0=~1~1 I 1 ~2p~p~ 1
I~s~optera 29. collected in de~od willow branch
Kal oten~ni ti dae
_~0qI~=~qn~qS~4q@~q1~.~qs~,~qt~=e~=~qr~0qg~qoes ~4qpinor~. ~4qWagen)
~q-~-~4qK~q-~q- ~0qF~6qI~6qA I- 1 -1 ~1~q1
~qEmbi~,optera 17. introduced (Powell & Hogue 1979~:~6q79~-80)
01 ~qigotomi da~e 29. scav~e~i~-~ig~ar on dead plant material
~2qf~2ql~4qul~o~qem~qbia solieri (Rambur) 40. lives i~n web mats, under objects on ground
~0qS~q; ~q-~.~-~8qF~2qr~2qT~qi IQ

Pscopter~a
several uni~qde~j~itified species
~-~0qT ~qi-~qI-~4qT

Thysanopter~a
several unidentified species
~0qK~qE ~- ~q-L ~- T~4qE I
Hemipter~a 31. microorganisms
Corixidae
I~1p~2p~p~1p~h r~qet~2qkulat~qa 40. saltwater indicator species of salt marshes
~2q@ ~2q=~8qO~8q@~qf~8qj

~qSaldidae
Sadula ~qp~a~qll~qi~qpes (Fa~qbr.)
~q-'T

Sad~u~qla c~o~matu~ql~x (Parshley)

~qi Miridde
14 irAde ~speLi~e~S 1
~qI~-~8qT ~-~,~8qF .... ~q-~6qO~0qX
I ~8qL~8qL

Mirid~ae species 2

~C~@ ~~"~ ~) ~'~Z ~L~ ~(~) r~% C~ ~) C~ -~4 C\~ ~M ~I~-~ L~O ~L~O ~r~- CO ~qC~q1
~r~-~1 ~C~1~4 ~(~1~) ~.~,~r ~L~C~) ~@~C C~O ~0~" ~1~-~1 -~4 r~-~4 -~' C~%~J ~C~%~J C\~J ~(\~i C\~J (\I ~@~,~J ~qW~qC\~q1

mir~qi~.~qd~qae species 3
~8q4 ~qi ~0qi~q(~'

Miridae species 4

~qL~qy~qgus species I

~i~; ~8qj~qy~0qj~q2s species 2
~2qO~6qT~6qT=~q1~- ~6qEFI~6qF~0qI~4qE~0qD~-~6q3~q-~1 L~qI~0qR ~- ~q-~qJ~q-~!

Lygus species 3

L
~qygus species 4

~qL~qy~6qEs species 5

Lopidea marginat Uhler
~qV~4qJ~2q@ ~qI-~0qL~2qc~8qc~0qi

Closterocori~qs a~qmoenus (Prov.)

~:~~ ~\~ ~~n ~~~ 10 ~~ ~~ ~~ ~M ~C~ -~ ~~~ ~M ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~qM
~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~\~ ~\~ ~~ CA (NJ (\I ~\~ ~1~-~1~1
~@~qt~qD- ~~F~qT ~qA-~q1.~1
30. oth~~ insects
Reduviida~
~4qj~4qt~qI~ql~q!s t~et~qr~dc~dnthus stal
~.~6q=~_~6q0 ~8qO~4qT~q-~6q3
30. other insects

Peduviidae species
~j ~80q4~6q1
~0qM I 1 ~-~~q1 ~qj ~2qLf ~2qL~6qL
~iPentatomidae 29. plant sap
40. arboreal
~0q@~4qnta pa~qllidovirens (Stal)

Cydnidae 40. su~qbt~e~qw~i~-~inean
Micr~op~qoru~qs Uhler

-At
40. subt~e~i~-~,ranean
Rhytidopor~t~i~s compactus (Uhler)

--- -------
Neuroptera
Hemerobiidae 30. larvae, mites and aphids
~qflemek-obj~us ~qE~4qi~4qL~qj~qj~qj~qE~2qn Banks
I~, ~q_~qI~r -~0qD~, ~2q4.
30. larvae, other insects
Chrysopidae 31. adults (honeydew, pollen, sometimes other insects)
a ca~rn~ea Steph.
~qE~qt~qr~qvs~q@~8qL

40. Larva~& in sandpits (prey traps)---
IM~qyrmel eonti dae
Brach~qyn~qe~qmurus ferox (Walker)
~8qM~4qi~qi~4qA~2qL I ~2q=~4q0 ~_~_~32q0
40. larvae in sand pits (prey traps)
~I.~8qP~6qwr~qme~qleon~ a~i~%izo~qnicus Banks

~~ -~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ CIO CA ~~~ ~~~~ ~\~ ~M ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~:~) C
~r~"~J ~C~O ~@~4~- ~1~4~) ~0) ~q-~4 -~4 ~0~4 ~C\J ~C~I~J ~C\~J CA ~P~Q ~q" ~C\~j ~C\~qj ~qC~q,

Co~qleoptera 30. larvae in burrows in mud
Cicindel~~qida~e
~q[~qj~-~qC~6qh~qde~ql~qA ~qg~qi~2qv~2qao~g~0qna Oregona
~qf
30. larvae in burrows in mud
~qCicinde a hae~morrha~qq~qica
haemorrha~qgica LeCo te

17. Restricted to estuaries a~nd bays on southern Californi
~8qLicindel~6qa trifasciata Reduced to 7 localities, threatened? (Nagano, in pre
-~qs~qi~qqmoidea
LeCont~e
------- - ------

17. Harvard Museum record, extinct BCR. Reduced to 4 loca
~qC~qici~qndel h~qirticoll~qis ~qgravida south~i~z~e~n California.
LeConte

~L~4qe
Carabidae 35. Anniell~a pulchra (M Hayes, pers. comm.)
Pterostichus californicus 40. ~qgrou~qn~0qd~q-dw~6qa~qle~-r~-
(Dejean)
~6qU-~1~q1~q-~qI~6qf -~6qL~6qA.-~qIL~4qT~"~qI -Lot.,
30. caterpillars
40. strongly odiferous
Calosoma se~milaeve LeConte
~2q4~,~q1~6q7~0q@~-=~2qD
29. adults, arboreal
30. larvae
~qA~6qma~qca cal~qifornica (De~qjean) 40. large ~i~iu~mbers collected i~qn pickleweed at night, Area 3
AILS ~q[~4qi ~q-~q-~24qf
40. ground dweller
Calathus ~qc~qu~qf~qj~6qL~6qQ~qj~qj~qj~q� rufi~qcollis
Dejean

40. occurs near water; ground dweller
A~qg~qonu~ii ~qC~6qk~2qL~2qf~2qf~qg_~r_~q@~8qL~qj_ct~j~qm ~qDe~qjean

~~~~ u~~ to r~~ c~ ~~ ~~ - C~ ~M ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~O ~M
~\~ ~
~~~ ~M ~~~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~ -~ ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~~W
~2p~p~2p~1p~ Re ~qI~q=~f~q& I I I
40. ground dweller
~4qf~4qt~qo~8qn~'~2qt-~qsrenistriatu~0qm LeConte?
-.-I-
40. ground dweller
~4qA~qo~qnu~0qa ~0qm~acul icolle Dejean
~4qi ~4qR ~qF~2q*~2qM~q- ~- ~6qF~. ~qf~-~8qI ~4q=~8q*~0qD~q-~~2qG ~'~4qT~qT ~0q=~2q0 7
30. adult, dead and dying insects
40. occurs near water; ground dweller
~qD~e~qmbidi~qon n~ea ~qouadrulum LeCont~e
~qE~8q7~8q71 -~_~4q3
40. ground dweller

~qTach~qys c~ora~x LeConte
. ........

40. ground dweller
Anisodact~qy~ql~t~is c~qalifornicus

L
40. ground d~i~4e~ql~qler
B~qE~2qLd~4qj~q@ellus species

40. grou~r~,~,~qA dweller
Steno~qi~4qu~ql~l~u~qs species

40. ground dweller
~8q!~qPri~qitus latic~oll~qis LeConte

30. aquatic invertebrates and small vertebrates
~qDytiscid~a~qe 40. aquatic freshwater
I Rhant~i~ts ~-~2qm~i~0qg
~q@ic~qllis (Say)

~~~ ~~ ~\~-J~@ ~~'~2~1 ~-~~~% ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~
~C~"~i ~'~@~T ~L~C~I ~1 ~-~4 ~C~'~4 ~C~'~j ~C~-~4 ~C~1~4 ~C\~i ",I ~C\~j ~qN~! -,\I

29. adult, algae (A~nabaenea; Clathrocystis)
I Hydrophilidae 30. larvae
Tropister~nus species 40. fresh ~d~qr~id brackish water

J~.
29~. adult, algae ~q(~q@~4qR~qjrogyra, ~q@~2q@ot~8q@~qja)
30. larvae
E~qnochrus species 40. fresh a~nd brackish water
~1~1~0q* ~40q0
~q1~6q0
A~q-
11. c~qollecte at Venice anal
Histeridae 30. fly larvae (Arnett 1960:372)
lucidulus LeConte

30. fly larvae (Arnett 1960:372)
~6qLs~8qm~qi~qn~.~qu.s~. ~qi~0q@~0q2~e n s~.~. Ee i c h s on
~4qT~6qj ~0q*~0qL~0qc~0qi
30. dead a~ni~o~ial, record on dead Lampropeltis getulus

Xerosaprinus lubricus LeConte
.. ........
~6qj~..
~.~1 ~iL
130. dead animal, record on dead La~qmpropeltis getu~qlus
Xerosaprinus species

~J~.

Miscellaneous unidentified
s p~qec ~qi es.
Do-

Staphylinidae
~qBledius stre~nu~s Casey
~8qL~8q6~2q0~q:~0q1~q-

I P~qaed~erus? species

~~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~, ~~~~ ~~ 1- ~0 ~~ ~~ ~\~ ~M ~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~, ~C~:~)
~~~ ~" ~~~ (\I ~~_~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~
~qA-~i~i ~~qL~~

~8qL~4qV~qI~I~qI~I~qI~q.~8qW~q-~qI~qt~qt~"~Is species I

Philonthus species 2
I I ~6qj~-

~0qJ~.~q1~qg~8qf~8qt~nt us species 3

~4qkledius species
~4q4~q1~6qT~0qI~6qE

Ptinidae
Ptinidae species I
L ~qi ~6q# ~0q1~6q0~0q1~q, 1

Ptinidae species 2
~0qV
~0qF~2qE~0qL -~0q4~1~8qP
29. adult, decaying vegetation. larvae?
Sca ra ba e i da e 40. under Lupinus (Venice Canal)
A~qphodiu fuc~qosus (Schmidt)
~8qw ~2qU~2qa~4qt
29, 40. horse droppings?
Aphodius lividius (Olivier)
-I ~qI~-~0qV
~I-~qA I 1 ~0q0 ~6qW-~q-

A~qph u~2q@ ru~qg~qatu~qs (Schmidt)

:--I ~\~ ~~ ~~~~ L~) ~~ r~ ~O ~~ C~ ~~ ~~ ~C~ (~D ~~~ C~ ~~~M
~C~'~j ~qM ~-~'~T ~C~O ~C~J~1 ~q-~1 -1 ~1~-~4 ~C~\~j ~C~@~j ~C\~j ~C\~: ~C\~j ~C\~j ~C~\~j

40, adult, ~qLup~qinus
~qP~4q2~0q1~q2~.t~8q@h~qce ~q@a~ql~qpaj is Horn
~184q0
~4qT ~q1~*~-~q"]~' F-~"~'~-~'~q7~'~qj~'-~qj~-~8qr~6qj~qW~q_
~;180q6~q1~0q7
-~8qA~-~4q1- ~_~_ ~q-
29. larvae, stem borer; adult, flower feeder
Bupreshidae
~qgodera ~qla~q!~q!~8qyrinthica Fall
Ac~qm~a

Elateridae
Elat~er leco~nte~qi (Horn)

(Esch.)
~i~_~8qL~q.~n~qcha~q.stus_ci~0qa~qyre e~qnn~6qb
~q_~6qT~2q7

Melanotus l~ongulus longulus
e~q@~qq

Melanotus species
. ........ .. .......
30. Car~q@~q_~qi~ofi, record on dead La~qmpropeltis ~qgetulus
Dermestidae
Der~qmeste~s Species
~-~q[ ....... ..
29. adult, f~8qGe-r~'s-~qo~qf ~0q&~_~q@~_~qP~0q7~q0botus edulis
Anthrenus 1 ~e~qp ~qidu~qs ~qc~qonspersus
(Cas y)

29. adult on Lupinus
Anthrenus ver~qbasci (Linne)

~j ~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ -~ ~" ~m ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~0 ~~m ~C
-4 ~~~~ L~ ~ ~ ~-~ ~~ ~4-~ ~~ ~\~ ~~~ ~\~ ~\~ ~~~ ~~~ ~N ~\~ ~\~ ~" ~C~y

40. adult~~2p~kl~~i~e~ek litter
~ostr~ichida~e
Bostrichidae species
~6qT~_ ~0q2~0q3~0qi~ql ~0qY~.~0qT~.~4qr
C~qle~qj~-idae
~2qf~2qU~2ql~2qh~(~2qmba~2qo~0qu~s ~q@~qubf~qaa~qsc~qlatus
(~qLe~qC~qo~nt~e~2qf=_~q_
=of 7~16q5
Melyrida~e 30. other insects
~qm~qq~j~qt~,~4q%~0qLne ~qI~jus LeCont~E
L
40. adults, flowers of Chrysanthemum coronarium
~q!~~I~qr~0qL~2q0_~(~1~qchr~2qas_ ~qgi~.~.
~0qm~qr~qi~qnus Casey
~0qO~08qL

Trichochr~us ~8qA2~.~8q@~2qal ~qi~2q@s (~LeConte)
J~0q#
30. other ~s~oft~@~qbodied insects (especially aphids)
Cocci~nellida~e
Coccinella c~alifornica Mann.

30. other ~s~o~qft-bodied insects (especially aphids)

~2qL~t~'~8qq~qv~6qf~6qf~q2~0q=~.~.~,~. Guerin
_NJ

Ex~qocho~mus fa~sci~atus Casey
A
30. other soft-bodied insects (especially aphids)

Olla a~6qWo~minali~s (Say)
~B

~~~~ ~~~ ~~ L~) ~~D ~-- ~O ~~ C) ~Y~ ~~ ~~~ L~ ~~~w ~C
~O~j ~U~) ~"~r ~i.~:~-~, 1-, ~0~3 ~0~) -~1
~C~"~i ~C\~j

30. mealy bugs,

Crv~qi~)tolae~qm~qus ~qmontrouzieri Muls.
~q_J ~qj L ~q1~2q1~,~q1~2q1 ~qI~2qiE
30. other soft-bodied insects (especially aphids)

~qr-hil~qo~qc~qoru~qs ~qj~qQe~qL~qU~q5 Muls.

40. willow
Ps~qyl~qlobora vi~qqintimaculata (Say~qA

Co~qlydiidae
Anchomma costatum LeConte
~4qT~-~0qF
40. adult, ground dwelling; larvae, subterranean
Tenebrionidae
~qE~qI~q-~qe~2qa~d~qe~qs ~6q=~2qd.~U~qs distan~q5
~_~_~0qFa sde~-~q1~-1~0q7.~~~-
~qi~8qi ~2qD ~.~1 =~6qc L
40. adult, ground dweller
Amphidora ~0qnj~q@~0qgropilosa LeConte

40. adult, ground dweller
Crat id us ~qosculans Le Conte

~T
~q_L~qL~00qA~6qA
life ~1~4q6~0q7
~1
38. Therevid fly larvae
40. restricted to sand dunes, sand dune indicator species;
~qf~qoelus cili~atus Esch. see D~qoy~qen (1976)
f ~8q1~,
~-~.~q1~q-~0q0 ~0qW ~4qd
~qjJ~0qD~q-~1-~q1~q-~0qT~-~q1~-1 ~4qT= -[=--I
adult, ground dweller
~8q@~q0~-
~6q@ ~0q@tena b~qla~,~ida (Mel.)

~~~ ~~ 0~ ED -I ~J ~~~ '~ ~O ~~~~ ~~ C~ ~~1
~~ ~~~ ~
~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ CA ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~ ~~j

~i 40. adu~l~L, ground dweller

Co~qnionti~qs species
A Al~q.
~q1 40. adult, ground dweller

Epantius obsc~urus (LeConte)

17. intr~od~t~iced
Oede~meridae
~qL~qla~q@_~q@~qr~qqes me'lanura (Linne) 40. larvae in moist decaying wood, including driftwood

40. adult i~qo flowers
~i Mord~ellidae
I Mordella s~qt~i~ecie~s

29. larvae ~wood~qbor~er
Cerambyeidae
~q1~q2-~q@h~t fa~sci~atus L~eConte

Chry~somelid~ae 29~. larvae root feeder
Dia~qbrotica ~w~i~id~qecimpunctata
~ ~ct~qata (Fa~-~qb~q-r~-~.T
~164q@
~qO~0qT

Altic~,a cari~n~qata Ger~mar

40. adult ~c~i~t~, willows
Cr~qy~qpt~uce~qphalus castaneus LeCont~qj

Mpta~8qL~q@~6q@ ~qi~q@~8qj~.~qifor~qnicu Crotch

~~~ L~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~) CD ~@~ ~\~ ~~~ ~~ L~ ~-~ r~ ~~ ~~)
~O~D ~0~'~) ~1~-~1 ~I~-~t ~I~i ~1~-~4 .-1 ~-~4 -1 ~(\~J ~C~@~I ~C~,~j C~,~J ~C~'~4 ~L~qN ~(~\~j ~E~N~I ~@~1~4 ~C~qJ ~qr
~I-~qA

~0qh~2qg~qj~6qE~qh~qro~q!~qf~6q@ species
I-
40. ~2qW~2q&I t ~o~v~@~) Mal va

Stenopodiu flavidjus Horn

~0qL~qr~0qy~qSepha~0qLa ~q@~io~qr~q@sa (LeConte)

-A-

~'~0qT~6q0~4q0#~q1~0q1~20q7

Alticinae species

40. adult on willow
Pachybrachus species
~8q0 lei
Lurcu~ql~qio~qnida~e 40. restricted to coastal sand dunes$ sand dune indicator sp
Tri~qgonoscuta dorothea dorothea (Pierce 1975:38-41)
Pierce
~0qT~.~q1~-~4qA~qi ~0q4~4q1~q"
17. ntrod~t~ic~ed from Brazil
29. larvae, tuberous roots
i Listoder~e~qs o~qb~ql~qi~qg~i~j~qus (Klug)
~T
ED ~0qC~, ~-~.~8qT~qf~-~-~" ~8qE
A

Sitona ca~qlif~or~n~qica Fahraeus

~ ~~~ ~M ~~~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ 00 ~~~ ~~~ ~@~ ~\~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ to ~~~ ~~ ~(~7~)
~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~.~~ ~ ~0 ~~~ ~~ -~ ~-~ -4 -~ -~ ~~~ C\~ ~\~ ~~~ ~\~ ~\~ ~~ ~~ C~~ ~O~J

40, adult o~n ~qI~MpJ~qL~qus
~q@~qP~6qb~qn ~6qp~qI~2qn~qG~8qlI~8qa Le~qCo~qnte
~8q4 ~8qy~0qr~4qT~qT~q:~6qF~-~

~qi~qL~qI~6qL ~qk~_~I~1p~2p~2p~1p~1p~~qf~q:~qi~,~,~q9~qr~qj~qA~4qM~6qA~qq~qj~qSh~.
~4qE~4qL ~q4~6q4 ~'~6qE~qf I

~qq~4qLa~qris (~q7) species
~2qK~8qI~-~qI ~4qL~4qL ~-~4q1 ~q1~8q=~1

~qL~qC~6qd~qIn~i~qt~qEo o t~8qa~ii~s ?
~q)~-~q@~qpecies

34, Burrowing owl pellet (collection number 00766)

Curculionid~ae species

Lepid~optera
Pyralidae
~2qL~4q4~q:~0qt~qS~q-~qi~8qj~qjh~0qLj~qIt~a r~,~ev~ersalis (Guenee)
~6qC~q-~qI ~6q=~2qO~qi ~2qf~2qt~-~-=

~qq i~n~p~qq~4qt~4q@ens (Harvey)
~qLoxoste_

~q1~q2~8q0~q1~1~8q0-~l~f~li~t~l~q@ 2~q!~q@-~qe~ql~ql-~'~J~qs (Howarth)

~8qL~qi~2qp~qa~8qg~2qa~q!~qjis fe~l~1p~p~ (Packar
~.stre~qll

~0~4 ~0~-~) ~CO ~qM r~ ~~ ~~ ~~ -~ C~~ ~~~ L ~-~ ~~~ CO a
--I ~C~I~q ~C~\~qj ~q0

~qFter~qo~qphoridae
~q;~7 ~0q&~0qL_stis ~8qM~e~q@~qfi~.~2qa~0qa B~. & L.
Off
~4qk
~2qT~qf ~q1~6q4

Oecop~qt~iorid~qae
Mart~2q0ilda ~qgraci~qii (Walsh.)
~q1~1 ~0qf I~.
~-~'-~6qL~qj~2qo A- ~~q!~-~8qj~q- ~16qm
29. larvae wood borer in ~qf~qg~8qp~qy~qlus and Salix
Sessildae
~0qjH. Edwards)
~qF

~qIe~4q@ Enge. ?
~-~2q=t~,~0q=~ql '_a
~2qT~8qL ~-~0qE~6qL~2qF~I~8qS~-~q1~1 LIT I~0qA~6qI~6qO
~8qW
~0qL ILL 1 ~q3~1~.

Geometridae
Merochlora faseolaria Gn.

~4ql~6qa~0q" ~qj~0qa~6qo~6qj~.~qL~2q@ m~qultilineata
Pack.
I ~q-~qT~q-~8qF
Arctiidae 29. larva, variety weedy species
-E~qst~qj~,~q3~q0~q@~q@~qne ~2qi~q@~2q@e~qa~. (~qDru
[A ~qj
~qf

Noctuidae
~qH~qem~qer~qonl~anis species

29. larva, various unrelated plants

~qj~8q&~qj~6qa~2q4~qj~2qD~2qb~0qL~4qU G. & R.

-I- ~~~ ~~ r- ~~~ ~M C~ ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~w, to ~~ ~~ ~0~'~%
~~ (\I ~~~ ~C\~!
~~ ~ ~ ~~~ ~ ~\~ ~~~2p~ ~ - r
~_~_~j~qi~29 ~jarvc~ ~~iariety of plants
i ~8q&~q1~4q0 ~qE~qi~6qR~qba ~q!~q@a ~6q@~qJf~qo~r~q@~4qnica (Speyer)
~q1~4q4~6q@ I
~qI~q-A

~qr~4qj_
I_ ~qI~_~qj~0q#~_~q_ ~-J~q-~q1-~6qj~8qo I *I

~8qZ~8qu~6ql~0qm~qro~0qt~ql~ql~qd~0qa

~(-~2q&~2qU~qr~qa ~8qL~qf~8qa~qr~2ql~!~qj~2q"~i Grt.
.~4qf~4qt~8qL~c~L
~(~q6 ~2q4~: ~qi~.

Perizoma ~q@~q~q@~6qL~o~qd~qj~8qA~6qU Gn~,

Cae~nu~qr~.~q@~6qL~q,~q2 ~-~2qM~q-~d~8qLa~r~q-~qJa W~qlk~,
~2q0~qi
An_
29~, larva ~qStephanomar~qja
40, adult, diurnal
~0q@~ql~qni ~q.~;~qca~qj~6qL~e~_~qL~2qLna_ sm.

29. larva, var~qi ~'ety of plants

r~yden~s Marv.

~~ ~~~, ~~M ~~ ~-~ ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~-~ ~~- ~~~ ~~q1 ~C
C~, ~j ~C~O ~0~) ~-~-~1 ~C~I~J ~C~,~\~) ~q" ~"\~j ~C~\~j ~C~j ~C\~j
~qf ~4qO~0qE~0qTT~-~q1~2q4 ~8qD
~q1 29~, larva, wide variety of plants
Sphin~qgid~ae
~qi ~qI~q!~2qOes ~4qL~0qp~qLea~qta (~qFabr,~q)

~qPapi~ql ~qio~qn~qida~e 29, larva, ~qf~oen~qicu~qlu~m vul~qgar~e
~8qWili ~0qI~4qt~4qL~qicaon zelica~qo~qn Lucas

17, introduced
~qPieridae 1 29. larva, cruciferous plants (probably Brassica at BCR)
~1p~~~2qU~qi~,~q@-~6qq~qu~s~8qu (Linne) ~. I

29~, larva, crucifer~qou~qs plants (probably Brassica at BCR)
ft~qg~qr~qj~q5 ~-~8qU~8q=~qd~qi~0qu Boisd. & LeCont~ql~e
~6q0~8q4 ~-~-~-~- T- -~8qT- ~8qe~0qv ~q-
Of ic
~.~4q1
29. larva, leguminous plants
Col. ias eurvt~qhe~r~i~)e eurytheme
Boil's
-A
~8qC ~6qK~-
I-A-
larva,~'C~assi~qa
Phoebis ~qi~qg~4qn~0qM~4qU marcellina

T
r29~, larva, Asclep~qias
D~anaidae
Dana~i~js
-~qlex~qi~2qp ~2q"~t~j (Li~qnne)

29~, larva, A~qsclepiace~qae (Colorado Desert)
Danaus ~@g_~qj~qj~qj
_ppu~s stri~qgosus
a~q-te~q-s~2qT

1 29. larva, various plants (probably Malva and Lupinus at BCR
N~qympha~qlid~qae
~qLy~8qf~8ql~qj~qh~qj~@~q2~ card~i~ji (Linne)

r~) ~~ ~~ r~ C~ ~~ (~ ~~~ C~~ ~Y) ~~ ~ ~ ~~ r~ ~O ~~ ~qC~)
~~ ~ ~~ 'A' ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~\~ :\I ~~ ~~~~ ~\~ ~\~ ~\~ ~" ~C~O
~q* ~F~~qO~!
I arva ~Gn~phal iu~ and ~@~p~@~qk~l~!~alis
_~q@~i~qj_~2qy~qj_~qi~2qU~qj~qj~-~qIe~i~0qLs~.~qt~qj (Drury)
~.~q1~2q0~q1 ~2qE~- ~q1~2q4 ~qf ~4q7~- ~qf I ~4qf~8qr~4q-~q-
29. larva, ~qka~qlva ~qParviflora

~8qC
~qa~qf~ql~qL~qj~qj~0qg~q2~qL~0qj~qj~.~qA. Field

29. larva, ~qSa~qlix, Populus, Ulni~t~is

~8q&~4qMha I Is tio~qpa (Linne)
~q@~int_io~qL~)~q@ an

~4q1~q8. introd~t~ic~qed
29. larva, Passiflora (adults probably stray from nearby house
A~qq~qraulis vani~qll~ae incarnata

29. larva, ~qfr~qj~0qq
_~qqonu~m
Lycaenidae
~4~6qA~0qUde~qn~qqia ~i~nor~wo vir~qgu~qlti (Behr)
~8qLA~I~0qP
129. larva, variety of plants
~q@40. probable wain breeding site bean fields
St~r~qym~on me~qlin~us ~qpudica (H. Edwards)

29. 1 a rva , L~o~qlus sc~q@~qpa~f~qL~qj~q@~8qus and ~0q@~4q@~qOn~u~f~f~l
Ca~ql~qlo~qj~q1~qh~qyr~s ~qd~t~i~qL~o~e to ruin d~umetorum
~4q7Boisd.)

j29~. larva, As~iraga~qlus and Lotus
a ~qW~.~2qW -~i~j I 1~0 ~n
(West. & H~ew~ql t
~qi~qL
29. larva, ~qLutus sc~op~a~r~qi~u~qs
~.~,~qq~qL~) ~qi~6qa I ~i e I ~q)~2qLd~q!~0qL~i~qL~iu s~australis
Grinnell

~~~~, ~~~.! r~ ~~,~ in ~~ ~~ ~o ~m ~~ ~-~-~ ~\~ cy~ ~~ L~ ~~ ~~@ co ~m ~C~q-~)
~C\~j ~q" ~C~@~j ~C\~I ~N~j ~C\~1
~-~,~J~- ~L~r~) C~O ~qM ~C\~j ~C\~j ~qr~qe~q)

29, larva, ~qP~qj~qq~q@~,~qb~4q@a~qq~j Med~qica~qg~qo~, and Astragulus
~2qLeptotes marina ~q(~eakirt)

29. larva, C~q@~qt~qq~8qp~8qpod~0qLum and Atriplex
40. probable indicator species of saline soils
Brephidiu~i exi~qlis exilis (Boisd.)
~qt~~q!~,~-~q!~, ~4qO~'~0ql~8qi~4qM~0q*~0q)
~8q@~- - ~qf~q- L
29~. larva, ~qDistichlis spicata
Hesperid~qae 40. salt marsh indica or species
~qE~4qA~2qM~q~qina erra~qns (Skinner)
I.- ~~.~.~@~2p~p~p~1768;3880;40;16q-~~.~.~~.~-~~.~.~.~~-~@~-~2p~p~p~p~p~p~p~p~p~~p~2p~p~ ~qi ~b~, -
~8qL~2qi ~4qL~0qC ~qL~2qC~4q@~qI~8q@ ~j ~q1~.
29. larva, Bermuda Grass

Hy~qlep~qhil phyl~qeus (Drury)
I ~4qL L~q'
29. larva, Lotus
E~qr~qy~qn~qnis f~u~r~qieralis
til-
Diptera ~0qi~ql~2q:~0qk~q[~8q@ ~2qL~2qI ~-~8q1~-~-~qJ~q- I~-~0qE~.
T~qipulidae
~qf~qtirr~qa~q[~qI~n~nt vc h~qa ~o~r~cid ntalis
e~2qX ~qr-
~qf~qb
~4qi ~2qn~2qi~2q@ ~q-~0qL~qJ~q-~qJ~-~- _T ~ql~4qi~8qi~qT~q.-
30. females bite humans
Culicidae 40. larva, brackish water; salt marsh indicator species
Aedes s~qquami~qge Co~qq.
7~1-

30. females occasionally bite humans
40. larva, ground pools, brackish water; associated with A. s
C~quliseta j~qn~qqj~q:~0qj~qjta. (Williston)
~.~.~.~.~~.~.~ ....
~6qK -~6qU~2qf
~2qL~6qD
~6qE~.~6qC~.
40, ~ql~qorv~qo aquatic
Chir~qo~qn~omidae
chi
ron~qomidae species 1

~~~ ~ kC) I- C~ ~M C~ ~-~ ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ 00 ~qM
~~~ ~\~ ~\J (NJ ~ ~ ~C\~j
~\~ ~\~ ~~~ CIA~
~-~4 ~~~i~
~qW ~i -~~1p~ ... ...
1 40. 1 a rv ~~~ a qua t i c

Ch~qir~on~o~mid~ae species 2
~2qL ~4qC ~q1~0q4~q1
~-~-~j -.-LAW I
~v
40. lar a aquatic

Chir~ono~qmid~ae species 3

Bibionidae ~qi 29. larva decaying organic matter in soil
~4qf~4qf~qb~qio ~qd~qj~qj~q?~qj~qj~)~qg
~qj~j~q!~ql~qi~-~qa ~qa~.~q1~qb~qi~qpennis
Say

a
~0qW ~qf rv aquatic
~qStra ti ~qomy i dae
~qr~q@ ~4qU~4qL Me I

~qj
29. adult probably nectivor~o~us
~qi 40. larva probably subterranean sand dunes
Tabanidae

Therevidae
~8q4~q1~q1-~qa~2q@~qj~qi~qt~4qW~:~q4 ~qJ~8qA~q@~6q@Adams?

Therev ~qne~qb~u~qlosa Krober?

~q1 30. larva u~qf Co~qelus ciliatus
Ther~evidae species 1
L~.~q]

Ther~evidae species 2

~~ ~~) ~~ L~ ~~,~ ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~C~ -~ ~~-) ~-~~ ~~~ ~~ 1-~@ ~0 ~M
(NJ ~qU) ~I~z~t ~i ~C) ~.~-~D (~0 ~qM -~4 C\~J C~J C~I4 CA (~J ~C\~I C\~J ~V~A (~'~1~1 CA

130. larva probably predaceous on other insects
Mydaidae ~qj4~q0. larva probably subterranean
~8qf~8qteom~qi~qd s _~q1~6qM~4qA~qR~qY~-~qS (Gerst.)
_~2qj_ ~qka ~i~ql
L~'~6qU~-
40. probably restricted to sand dunes
Asilidae
~6qW ~qi I ~qc ~q0 ~qx
~qI~.A...~.~. ~q[j~8qi ~d~:
40. probably restricted to sand dunes; coastal species
iCo~qphur cla~qusa Coquil.

brevisculus Loew
L~0q4 ~-~0q11~-~q1 ~6qd~6qf= ALI
30. adults, commonly honeybees
~q'~0qM~qd~4qUo~qi~q)hor f~qA~qU~8q" ~4qf~qm~i~qt~f~qi~r~g~8qA~P~5
~qi
i Acroceridae 32. larva, internal parasite burrowing spiders
Turb~qQ~qr~)seb~*
I ~qU~q�
(Osten S
a~qc~qk~qe~qn
~~q-~2qD-L ~6qM ~q-~2qD
32. larva, other insects
~.Bombyliidae
~q-~'~qj~q(~qj~qj~0qj~qa species?
-A--- ~6qL~'~4qGLL~-L~qI ~q-~8q4~q-~2qL~-~4qL~. ~6qL
32. larva, other insects

~qatrat (Coquil.)

~6qA2. larva, other insects

~2qL~0qU~-~8qU ~8qU~6qL~6qar-a~qli~qs (Say)

~q0~~ ~" ~" ~M -A- ~~ ~~D ~~ ~~ ~M ~~ ~~ ~\J ~M ~~~~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~O
~~~ ~~ C~ 0~ -~ -4 ~ -~ ~\~ ~~ ~\~ ~~

32, ~la~qi~,v~qo~, caterpillars

~6qk~0qu~6qs~6qd~8qI~qa~6qn~qi~qf~qir~qa~qz species

~qD
~-~-~8qE Oct

~q@~qOste~n Sacken)?
~6qC-L~J~.~-~8qL~. .-A

~4qle ~i~ql~qh~qh~q!~0qix species?
~2qa~qi~-~qd~-a~2qm
~q;~q4~q; L~0qA ~q.~2q1
LA ~-~.-~2qL
~q-~qj2~. ~qla~qv~-~-~va, wild bee larva

~qb~qn~0qm~qL~qY-~4qM~qA~qL~qs~ species?

Dolichopodida~qe
D~olic h~opodidae species

H~qy~qd~qj~q:~0qU_~q1~4qLor~u~q� species?

40. larva a q~U a t i c
Syrphidae
Eristalis ~6qU~o~qj~i~8qW Williston

17. introduced
Erista~~ql~is te~qf~ql~q@x (Linne) 40. larva aquatic

40. larva aquatic

~q@~q!~q@~q!~I~e~l~j~qs ~q(~qS~qc~o~qp~qo~ql~qi~q)
~'7-

~~ ~\~ ~~ -~.~ ~~~ ~~) ~- ~~ ~~ C) -~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~C~ to ~~~ ~~) C~)~j
-A ~t~'~%~J ~(~n ~I~j~, ~L~n I-, ~C~O ~C~h ~q-~4 -1 ~q-~1 ~C\~j ~C\~j ~q" ~C\~j ~C\~j~q" ~C\~j ~C\~j ~C~"~J ~C\~qj ~qi

~qtarac~qi~q!~6qLs (Fallen)
~8qT~-~4qT

~q@~q@~qjaev~a pyra~st~qri (Li~nne)

species

Copestylum ~wexicana ~qf~qlacQuart

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~. ......

~qP~-~0q=~6qA~qQ~qs~qi~qQ~qj-~2qu ~8qA~8qA~qy~0q"t (Fab.)
~4qK L

S~qphaerophoria species
F~0qF ~0qAl

~qI~8qf~0qo-~qgodes volucris Sacken
~'~1-~2q7~q1~6q7~q-~q1~q4~q0~-~q1

~q!Syrphini species

Otitid~qae
~qi~6qb_elieria occidentalis Coquil.

~~~ ~ I ~~~~ ~ ~ ~~~ ~n ~~~~ I~~ ~~) ~C

Tephritidae
~qf~qutre.ta ~2qk~n~qq~us~qt~q@ Banks
Ito:

~q1~qL~0qU~q2~,~qt~iea ~0qia_~q1~q:~6qLf~ornic~a Mall.?
~6q0~4q4
~qj~2qo~q@
18. probably from sea beach
Coelopidae 29. larva, moist decomposing ~qVe I p
C~oe~ql~~q2~6qLa ~qyand~t~iz~ei Cresson
~0qi~V~, T-
~0qM~4qL~0qL

Sepsidae
Sepsidae species

~!4~q6.~'~-~'~-~qIa~*rva~, d~evelo'ps~*~'~~*~qin saline water; indicator o~0qY~- ~-s-a~-~q1-f n~" e~"~- s~q'o~q'
Ephydrida~e
~q@~qp~4q@~4qd~q@a ~q1~q@~8qWri~a ~macellaria Eq
~qqe~2qO

Ephydridae species
~'~4q0~0q4~;
~i~132. larva, Cottony Cushion Scale
C~ryptochaetida~e
Crypt~ochaetu~q!~i~l ~iceryae
~ql~8qo~: ~q4~q0~i
~@18. probably from sea beach
Anthomyi i dae 29. larva, ~qmu~qist dec~G~qw~qp~os~qi~qnq kelp
Fuce~qllia ~6qR~qI~6qL~8qf~8qf~qica Mall.

Muscid~ae
BUM do~m~estic~a Linne

~@arcopha~qqid~d~e
~Blae~qs~qoxi~qo~ql~ql~qa pli~qthpy~qq~q@ (Wied.)

larva, other insects
Jachinidae
~r~c~qh~qgtp j~qa~qet~qAljj~q@~qt~qj~q�~_(~qR-ob.-~qD~.es.~.)

~-~qQyli~qndr~o~myi~a nana (Townsend)
~6qA~qP~4qL ~'~_~q_~6q1

~:~qE~8qg~ql~6qAteria species
A~2qfL~8ql~. L
~q1- ~0q*L ~6qL~8qA~q!~qi~q-~4qL I ~qj ~2p~1p~p~~. ~2qL~q'
132. larva, internal rabbits (Meyer and Bock, 1980:489-493)
~!Cuterebridae
~~L~q-~u~qt~q-e~rebra lepivor Coquil.

~!Sipha~noptera
~Pulicida~qe 32. adult, external rabbits
H~o~qpl~o~qp~s~qyl~qlu~s ~qglaciali
E~qw~ql ~qn~qg
-A&
Record Hubbard 1947:200, not collected
~!~qDo~qlichopsyllidae 132. adult, external Microtus
MaIaraeus teIchi~num Roths.

~ymenoptera
~6qr~q3

Tenthredinidae
h~qy Iloco l~qoa~speci es

~~ ~~ ~~n ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~C~ -~ ~~ ~M ~~~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~M ~M C~ ~@~4
~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~M ~qW-~.~~ ~~~ ~~ ~@ -~ ~~ -~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~qM
~q*~qL~qi~-L~qU ~qF ~-~1 ~ ELI ~qF~qY
29~ willow leaf gall maker
~qLu~0qm species
~6q*~2qL~6qI~q-~2qL~0qE~4q= ~8qF
Br~qa~qc~qbn~qid~qae 32~, caterpillars
A~qp~qante~qle ~qne~qor ~qPie~qgat~qh~qy~qm~qi R~qtley
~0q6 ~q@~2qU~2qTA~4qT~4qT
32. Ex gelechi~oid moth larva in willow leaf gall (collection no.

2
E~8q=~-~0qD~8q#~8qL~2q0L~qI~0qkL~'~4qFT-~qI ~4q4~q1 ~IF~2qFF~6qT~6q7~4q6~q-~q1~-~8q=~8q@~0qi

~2q@teles species 3
-A ~-~q-~0qU~q-~6q0~q1

~qA~qr~4q"~-~qQ~qD species I
~8q#~2qELA

Bracon species 2
~q-~q-~l~4qa~q, ~4qJ~q-~q1 ~-~.~q1

Chelonus species 1
T

~qS~h~qglonus species 2

~B~qg~2qR~as species

~-~ ~~~ ~~~ IT L~ ~~ ~~ CO 0~ ~~D ~-~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~.~ 1', 0~ ~M ~~)
~-~i ~r~-~I --I ~C\~J ~C~I~J ~C\~J ~OJ ~(~\~j ~V~A ~C~N~J ~C\~J ~C\J ~C~l~-~I ~P~q! ~qC

Ichneumonidae
Anomalon species 1
-A ~q0~2q0 1
1.. ~-~q1 ~6qF~0qa

Anomaj~qon species 2

Ca~qlli~qphialte~qs notandus, (Cress.)

~qT . ......... .

~Campople species
OEM .-A ~0q=~qf~l-~6qW~qi ~6qL~. ~I~ _~-~- I Ila~q-

~c~o~qc~c~qY~qg~o~"~l~qi~m~0qU~s ~qhes~ql~q2eru Town. ?

Co~mpoctonus species

Diplazon laetatorius Fab.

Exochu ~ni~qgripalpus su~qbobscurus
Townes
~qf I~q.

~f~a~6q" species

~q* ~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~M ~~ -I ~\~ ~~ ~~~ 1~ ~~ ~~ CC) 0~ ~C~-~.~)
~) ~~ I- ~~ ~U~ ~ ~~~ -~ ~-~ -1 -~ 'A ~~ ~-~ ~-~ (\I ~\~ C~~~ k~~ ~~ ~\~ ~\~ ~~~~ ~~~~
~qr~qj~@~q@ ~- ~J-~P~a~~qT~~qF ~
~qF- T~qI~qL-
~1p~2p~~2p~ ~J~qA~qJ ~-~ ~f

~6q2ta species

32~. Syrp~qhid flies
~2qj~6q2~6qM~qg~qj~r~q@~6qRus decoratus (Cress.)

~6qh~qg~8qM~ql~r~qopu ~maculitrons (Cress.)

~qi H~qyposoter species 1

Hyposoter species 2

~qI~-~M ~0qJ~.~-

~qH~qy~qpos~qoter species 3
LA -~~qA~4qf~qi~

Ichneumoninae species 1

~qIchneumonin~qae species 2
-~2qL~q'
~-~-~8qT~2qI~6qC~8qI~2qA~6qL~qI ~2qEA~4qM~~6qT~q: ~8qL~0qA~qI~8qT~-~qf ~0qW ~6qj~l~'~.~'~8q:~8qD~q-~0ql

~q@~2qf~2qt~qj~2qMo~qplex species

~~-~ -~i ~~'~ ~m ~~@~ ~~ ~"~~ 1-- ~~ ~m ~~~ ~-~4 ~j ~m ~@~ ~L~n ~L~ r~@ ~C~L~3 ~) ~L~qD
~C~'.~1 ~o~l -~z~r ~L~n ~i~-~, ~C~o ~qM ~C\~j ~C\~J ~C~\~J ~C~\~j ~C~"~A ~C~,~j ~C~l ~C~q"~q) ~qC~q,
~8qP ~6q1~4q1 ~q_~_FT~_ I
- - ----------

Lissonota species
I Ali ~qI~.~2p~p~2p~p~2p~p~1p~~6qE~2qr
_~8qj~q: ~6qL

Netelia species
A.- ~qL~0qA~-A~-~q1~-~- ~-~ql~2qa~-~6qr~qI~8qA~4qL. ~q-L

Pristomerus s~qpinato (Fab.)

Pteroco~0qn~ou~qs species 1

Pterocormu species 2

IPte ~)~qcormus species 3
~q_~2qF ~q_~q1~4~8q0~2q6~2qT T
~0q7~1~- ~- ~q_~0qL~0q*~ql~0qt I =

0 ~I~B~U~q5 species 4
~4qE~-~0qE~ql '_'I ~qf _~_ ~4qC A

~~~q5cambus species I

~~~qScamb~us species 2

~~ ~qO~~~~ '~ ~~ ~~~ ~, ~~ ~m C~ -~ ~~ ~m ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~ 0~ ~~ C~,
~-~ ~~~ (~ ~~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~ ~-~ -~ ~~ -~ .--1 ~~~ -~ ~-~ ~~~ -~ ~~~ ~~ ~\~ C44 ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~Y~)
L~qL ~qL~qOL

~8q&~0qAM~0qL~t~0qa species 3

~qS ambus species 5
~6qF~-~36qI

bus species 6
Flit

~qSca~qmb~u brevicornis (Grav.)
~0qf ~0qE ~0qF~6qA ~4qE
CC) ~-~-~6qf~qj~'

T~qe~2qme~ql~quch species I

~emelucha species 2

Tr~qomatobi~a ~ov~qivora (Boh.)

ALL.-

~qy (Holm.)
~qi~qi r i a b i I i s

~q@~qo Ile ~qX
Xanthoca~6qn species 1

~~ ~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~,~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ -I~" ~~~ ~~ ~~~~ ~~@~ ~~~ cc) ~~~ ~C~:~)
-~-~i ~o~j ~(~n ~z~j- ~L~o ~c~o ~o~) -~i -~1 -~4 ~(~N~i ~c~,~4 ~i ~j ~c\~j ~C\~j ~q" ~C\~j ~C\~j ~C\~j ~C~j
T

Xanthocam~qpo~ql~qg~qA species 2
TIC ~qV~.1-1~2q0~2q1 ~-~6qT~-
..I., J~8qC ~q0

Xanthocamp~ol~qex species 3

Mymaridae
Mymaridae species

Encyrtidae
Encyrtidae species
~qT~q-

Pteromalidae
Pter~qomalidae species

~q46
~2qFT ~0q7~4q&
-L~4qV

~1 Eurytomidae
Eurytomidae species
~6qR=~6qI~6qT

Eurytom species

Chalcidae
Brach~qympri~a species
~6qL~- L L
~2qL

S~qpil~qocha~qlc~qis species I

Chrysis fuscipes Brulle

Hedychridium species

Tiphiidae 32. beetle larvae
Brachycistis agama (Dalla Torre)

Brachycistis species 40. females wingless, ground dweller

Mutillidae 40. females wingless, probably ground dweller
Sphaeropthalma species

Scoliidae 32. scarab beetle larva
Campsomeris tolteca (Sauss.)

Formicidae 29. seeds
Pogonomyrmex california 40. ground nests
(Buckley)

~C~D -~I ~C~I~J (~n ~1~:~3~- ~L~O ~&.~C) r~, 0~0 ON ~C) C~I~) ~1~qW ~L~f~) ~Q~0 ~1~1, 0~0 (~3~N
o 1 ~(~1~) .-,1- ~L~n ~'~Z~' ~'~@~O ~a~l ~-~4 ~C~%~J ~(\~J ~C~\~J ~C~I~J ~C\J ~C\~J ~C~\~J ~(~'~-~J ~C~1~J ~C~%~J ~qP~q1

17. introd~t~iced
40. ground nest, usually under objects
~qfrid~omyr~i~ne~x hu~n~qdlis (Mayr)
-LA ~q1 ~qk~4q0.1~..~..~_~_~.~6qO~8qP~.~6q=~6qf~_~-~0qT~_~q_ ~qJ~2qX~0qX

Leptothorax ~qandrei Emery
~%A-
30. caterpillars
Vespidae 40. hanging paper umbrella nests
P~qolistes aurife Sauss.
~6qA-~8qA~4qL
~ 17. introduced
~
~~2qE~qQ~q]~4qjstes apach~e Sauss. 40. hanging paper umbrella nests in trees
~2qW~8qF~qI ~2qT~28qi
--- ~4
~14 u ground nests
~qY~8qg~2qV~qq~6qLa Pens~qylvanica (Sauss.)
WE ~q_~qT~_ ~q1~,~8q6~q1~, ~q1~q-~0qJ~'~2qA~4qW~2qF~6qE~8qL~8qE~8qD~8qi~4qf ~_~@~ql
~qJumenidae .40. nests i~qn old Mud Dauber (Sceliphron) nests
~A~qn~ri~,~-~,t~qocerus t~quberculice~qp
I I
sutterianus (Sauss., ~i
~2qD~q-~8qL~2qE L I
~2qi~ql- ~qf ~_~0qj~_~q_=~q1 L ~8q6
40. nests in twigs, makes mud cells on rocks
~~A~qnci~qStocerus~. s~qp~qi~ql~8qq~qgaster Cam

~A~qncisto erus species

30. sp ders
~IPo~qmpilidae 40. nests in sand
~1p~s~qvon ~qg~q2~qf~qlter~qmi~6qnus posteru

30. spiders
Anoplius imbellis Banks 40. nests in ground near water

30. spiders
Anoplius relativus (Fox)

30. spiders (Epeira)
Episyron quinquenotatus hurdi
Evans

30. spiders (Lycosa)
Pompilus solonus (Banks)

30. social parasite of other Pompilidae
Evagetes species

30. social parasite Episyon, Anoplius
Evagetes padrinus (Vier.) 40. found in sandy places

30. probably preys on jumping spiders
Aporinellus taeniatus Kohl 40. nests in sand

Aporinellus apicatus Banks

Sphecidae 30. spiders
Sceliphron caementarium (Drury) 40. builds mud nests

30. flies
Bembix americana comata Parker 40. nests in dry compact sand

30. other insects
Lindenius tecuya Pate 40. nests in sandy to gravelly soil near water

30. flies
Oxybelus uniglumis (Linne) 40. nests in sand

Tachysphex alpestris Rohw.

Tachysphex species 1

Tachysphex species 2

Tachysphex species 3

Tachysphex species 4

Tachysphex species 5

Tachysphex species 6

Tachysphex species 7

Mimesa species 1

Mimesa species 2

30. flies
Steniolia duplicata Prov. 40. nests in sandy soil

Miscophus species 1

Miscophus species 2

Miscophus species 3

Miscophus species 4

30. other Hymenoptera
Philanthus pacificus Cresson 40. nests in sandy soil

30. other insects
Solierella albipes (Ashmead)

30. crickets and katydids
Sphex ichneumoneus (Linne) 40. ground nests in hard packed sand or soil

Liris aequalis (Fox)

30. crickets
Liris argentata (P. de Beauv.)

30. grasshoppers
Tachytes distinctus F. Sm.

30. grasshoppers
Prionyx thomae Cam.

30. grasshoppers
Prionyx parkeri Boh.

30. caterpillars
Ammophila azteca Cam.

30. Caterpillars (Macrurocampa marthesia)
Ammophila cleopatra Menke

Ammophila species

30. Ceuthophilus and Pristoceuthophilus at BCR (probable)
Larropsis tenuicornis (F. Sm.)

30. aphids and leafhoppers
Diodontus species

30. hemiptera
Astata nevadica Cresson

30. hemiptera, stinkbugs
Astata nubeula Cress.

30. dead arthropods
Microbembix californica Bohart

30. hemiptera
Dryudella caerulea (Cress.)

40. nests in abandoned Sceliphron nests
Megachilidae
Osmia clarescens Ckll.

Megachile perihirta Ckll.

17. introduced
Megachile concinna F. Sm.

Anthidium palliventre Cress.

Melittidae
Hesperapis ilicifoliae (Ckll.)

20. known elsewhere only from Europe
Colletidae
Hylaeus punctatus (Brulle)

17. introduced
Hylaeus bisinuatus Foerster

Colletes hyalinus gaudialis Ck11.

Colletes fulgidus Swenk

Colletes slevini Ckll.

Halictidae
Halictus ligatus Say

Halictus rubicundus (Christ)

Halictus farinosus Smith

Halictus tripatitus Ckll.

Agapostemon texanus Cress.

40. females indistinguishable from females of Agapostemon texanus
Agapostemon angelicus Ckll?

Lasioglossum payonotum (Ckll.)

Lasioglossum species 1

Lasioglossum species 2

Lasioglossum species 3

Lasioglossum species 4

Lasioglossum species 5

Lasioglossum species 6

Lasioglossum species 7

Lasioglossum species 8

Lasioglossum tegulariforme
(Crwfd.)

Lasioglossum Kincaidii (Ck11.)

Lasioglossum sisymbrii (Ck11.)

Lasioglossum incompletum (Crfd.)

Sphecodes species 1

Sphecodes species 2

Andrenidae
Andrena candida F. Smith

Andrena prunorum Ck11.

Nomadopsis hesperia hesperia
(Sw. and Ck11.)

Anthophoridae 29. Larva, pollen
Xylocopa varipuncta Patton 40. nests in dead wood

29. Usurpator of Agapostemo nests
Hypochrotaenia formula (Vier.)

Anthophora californica Cress.

Anthophora curta Prov.

Anthophora flavocincta (Huard)

Anthophora urbana Cress.

29. Usurpator of Anthophora (Micranthophora) nests
Zacasmia maculata (Cress.)

Diadasia consociata Timberlake

Diadasia lutzi Ckll.

29. Usurpator of Colletes nests
Epeolus minimus (Robt.)

Melissodes lupina Cress.

Melissodes tepida timberlakei
Ck11.

Melissodes pallidisgnata Ckll.

Melissodes species

Ceratina acantha Prov.

Ceratina arizonensis Ckll.

29. Usurpator of Anthophora nests
Xeromelecta californica (Cress.)

Apiae 17. introduced
Apis mellifera Linne 40. Common Honey Bee

40. nests in ground
Bombus crotchii Cress.

40. Nests in ground
Bombus californicus F. Sm.

40. nests in ground
Bombus edwardsii Cress.

Bombus sonorus Say 40. nests in ground

40. nests in ground
Bombus vosnesenskii Rad.

qFT6qA 4q=,-

E-86

Species List: addendum

The following species of Homoptera have recently been identified;
however, no further information is available at this time.

Family Cicadellidae: Amphigonallia severini DeLong
Aceratagallia longula Van Duzee
Prariana sidana (.Ball)
Euscelidius variegatus Kirshbaum
Graphocephala atropunctata (Signoret)
Friscanus friscanus (Ball)

Family Membracidae: Spissistilus festinus (.Say)

Family Flatidae: Mistharnophantia sonorana Kirkaldy

Family Achilidae: Orgerius triquestris Doering and Darb.

Family Delphaci-dae: Pissonotus delicatus Van Duzee

Family Psylliidae: Psylla curta Tuthill
Craspedolepta pulchella (Crawford)
Trioza minuta Crawford
Trioza maura Forster

E-87

Appendix-2

The identifications of the following micro-wasps (Hymenoptera) were

received too late to have been included in the entomological analysis of BCR.

Species Season collected Unit Habitat

Ceraphron species A spring 1 sand dune/willow

Platygaster species A spring 1 sand dunes/willow

Diapriinae new genus spring 1 sand dunes

Tetrastichus species spring 1 sand dunes-

Tachinaephagus zelandicus summer/spring 2/3 weedy field/pickle-
weed
,Gonatocerus species spring 1 sand dunes

Ageniaspis species ? spring 1 sand dunes

Eupteromalus species spring 1 sand dunes

Torymus species spring 1 sand dunes

Paraholaspis species spring 1 sand dunes

Eurytoma species spring I sand dunes

Alloxysta species spring I sand dunes

Pachyneuron spec ies spring 1 sand dunes

Eridontomerus species spring 1 sand dunes

Ablaxia species spring 1 sand dunes

Mesopolobus species spring 1 sand dunes

Habrocytus species spring 1 sand dunes

Notoglyptus species? (pe*iolate) spring 1 sand dunes

Mesopolobus species (sessile) spring 1 sand dunes

Hormius species no further details

Ephedrus new species (parasite of aphids) no further details

new species (parasite of leafmining muscid fly) no further details

E-88

Appendix 3

Appendix 3 is a letter from the Los Angeles County Mosquito Abatement District

in answer to a request for information about possi.ble mosquito problems at BCR.

LOS ANGELES COUNTY WEST MOSQUITO ABATEMENT DISTRICT
101 W JEFFERSON BOULEVARD, CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA 90230 - Phone 827-3448

August 26, 1981

Preas. Christopher D. Nagano
Research Asso.
Entomology Section
L.A. County Museum
900 Exposition Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90007

Dear Mr. Nagano:

This is in response to your request relative
to mosquito breeding which may occur or have
occurred in the Ballona WEt-Lands.

There are areas included in the map that have
had mosquito breeding at various times. When
breeding does occur, appropriate control
measures are taken.

Any future development of the area must
provide for good water management, provide
access for inspections and for appropriate
control.

Hoping this will be of assistance to you.

Very truly yours,

Norman F. Hauret
Manager

THE MARINE MOLLUSKS OF BALLONA

Martin G. Ramirez

INTRODUCTION

The marine mollusks of Ballona were surveyed during 1980-81 in order to

compare the mollusks with those of similar, but undisturbed salt marsh faunas

in southern California.

METHODS

During July, 1980, 1 made a preliminary survey of the molluscan fauna,

making random collections of dead shells along the tidal channels. This enabled

a general assessment of the mollusks present. For the quantitative sampling,

seven stations (Figure 1) were established. All stations were fully exposed

at low tide. Monthly samples were taken from each of these stations over a

ten month period from August, 1980, through May, 1981. Samples were taken

from the center of the channel at each station using a core tube 33 cm in

circumference x 18 cm in height, volume 1,559 cc.

Core samples were wet-seived in the field with a 1.0 cm sieve box and

transported in Plastic bags to the laboratory for further seiving of the mud.

The mollusks recovered were transferred to shallow pans for examination and

identification. Living mollusks and dead mollusk shells were recovered in

this way. The epifaunal species that live abundantly on the mud surfaces at

or slightly below the high water line (Melampus olivaceus, Assiminea californica,

and Cerithidea californica) were recovered as dead shells. Other species, all

of which live epifaunally on the mud surfaces exposed at low tide, or burrow

infaunally in the mud, were recovered primarily as dead shells, although living

examples of all species were verified. A voucher collection representing each

species has been deposited in the LACMNH permanent collection.

Mo-2

RESULTS

Scientific and common names of the marine species found in this study are
listed in Table 1, which also gives the stations from which each species was

collected. Additional references to the species at the Ballona from other

survey reports are also given in Table 1. All species are characteristic salt

marsh forms, as described and illustrated in McLean (1978) and Abbott (1974).

Thirteen bivalve species were collected in the present study, three of which

(Chione californiensis, Laevicardium substriatum, and Tresus nuttalli) were

found only as dead valves during the preliminary survey. Two additional bivalves,

Ostrea,lurida Carpenter, 1864, and Spisula sp., were reported from Ballona by
Reish (1980). Of the 13 species collected in this study, seven were not found

by Reish (1980). Six gastropod species were found in the present study, only

one of which was reported by Reish (1980).

Table 2 shows the total number of specimens of each species collected from

each* station over the ten month period from August, 1980, to May, 1981, and

also the total number of specimens of each species from all stations combined

over the ten month period. Of the 16 species appearing in the quantitative

saMDies, station 4 was the most diverse, having 14 spec4les. Differences in

diversity between the stations are not significant; all the abundant and

relatively common species (Macoma nasuta, Protothaca staminea, Tagelus

californianus, Act-eocina inculta, Assiminea californica, Ceri-iL-.hidea californica,

and Melampus olivaceus) were present at each station. The higher count of species

at some stations is a result of the occurrence of species that are sporadic and

represented by very few numbers. These sporadic species are Cryptomya californica,

Leptopecten latiauratus, Mytilus edulis, Saxidomus nutt-alli, Tellina carpenteri.,

Zirfaea pilsbryi, Bulla gouldiana, and Haminoea virescens.

Table ') shows the sampling results of each species by month, also giving

the total number collected, which matches the same tally in Table 2. Although

Mo-3

the monthly results show some fluctuation, with a trend toward greater abundance

of most species during the fall months, these results, which are based primarily

upon dead shells, are not significant.
In addition, dead shell of three fresh water species /5yraulus parvus (Say,
1816); Helisoma sp.; and Physa virgata Gould, 1855T were collected along the

Centinela Creek drainage ditch. Such species occur away from salt marshes in

fresh water, though their shells commonly wash into the marshes (McLean, personal

communication).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite its relatively small area, the Ballona salt marsh supports a

varied aggregation of invertebrate animals, of which the mollusks are an

important component. The Ballona salt marsh is comparable in the diversity

and abundance of its molluscan fauna to the two salt marsh localities in

southern California--Mugu Lagoon, Ventura County, and Mission Bay, San Diego

County (MacDonald 1969a, 1969b). Essentially the same species are present in

all three salt marshes.

LITERATURE CITED

ABBOTT, R. T. 1974. American Seashells, 2nd editi.on. Van Nostrand Reinhold,

N. Y., 663 pp.

BAKUS, GERALD R. 1975. Playa Del Rey: Marine Biology. Tetra Tech Inc.

TC 498-02.

CLARK, JOHN. 1979. Options for Ballona: Problems of conserving a Los Angeles

urban wetland. Los Angeles, UCLA Urban Planning Program.

MACDONALD, KEITH B. 1969a. Molluscan faunas of Pacific Coast salt marshes and

tidal creeks. The Veliger, 11: 399-405.

MACDONALD, KEITH B. 1969b. Quantitative studies of salt marsh faunas from the

North American Pacific Coast. Ecological Monographs, 39: 33-60.

Mo-4

MCLEAN, JAMES H. 1978. Marine Shells of Southern California. Natural History

Museum of Los Angeles County, Science Series 24, revised edition, 104 pp.

METZ, E. 1978. Revised draft working paper Ballona Creek wetlands. Los Angeles-

Orange County Regional Coastal Wetlands Workshop, California Coastal

Commission.

REISH, DONALD J. 1980. The marine biological life of Playa Vista, California.

Los Alamitos, CA, Reisch Marine Studies. Prepared for Summa Corp., Las

Vegas, Nevada.

WAV

.......... . .........

stwo

I's

0.
A

It --- -----

as
If

Figure 1. Marine mollusk collecting stations, 1980-1981.

Mo-6

TABLE I

Marine Mollusks of Ballona Collected 1980-81

Name Stations Additional References

CLASS PELECYPODA (BIVALVES)

Chione californiensis (Broderip, 1835) P*
California Chione

Cryptomya californiaca (Conrad, 1837) 4 Reish, 1980
California Glass Mya

Laevicardium substriatum (Con rad, 1837) P
Egg Cockle

Leptopecten latiauratus (Conrad, 1837) 4
Wide-eared Scallop

Macoma nasuta (Conrad, 1837) 1-7 Reish, 1980
Sent-Nose Clam

Mytilus edulis Linnaeus, 1758 1-2,4-5 Metz, 1978
Bay Mussel Reish, 1980

Protothaca staminea (.Conrad, 1837) 1-7 Metz, 1978
Littleneck Clam Reish, 1980

Saxidomus nuttallii Conrad, 1837 4
. Washington Clam

Taaelus californianus (Conrad, 1837) 1-7 Bakus, 1975
Cal ifornia Jacknife Clam

Tagelus subteres (,Conrad, 1837) 1-5 Reish, 1980
Purplish Jacknife Clam

Tellina carpenteri Dall 4
Carpenter's Tellin

Tresus nuttalli (Conrad, 1837) P
. Gaper Clam

Zirfaea pilsbryiLowe, 1931 4 Reish, 1980
Rough Piddock

CLASS GASTROPODA-(MARINE SNAILS)

Acteocina inculta (Gould, 1855) 1-2,4-7
Small Acteocina

Assiminea californica (Tryon, 1865) 1-7
California Assiminea

Mo-8
TABLE 2
Wotal numbers of each species by station over the ten month period, August,

1980, to May, 1981. Also showing the total number of specimens of each species

from all seven stations combined, and the number of species collected at each

station.

Stations 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Total

Pelecypoda

Cryptomya californica 5 5

Leptopecten latiauratus 4 4

Macoma nasuta 12 8 27 39 28 29 13 156

Mytilus edulis 1 2 15 12 30

Protothaca staminea 2 8 20 193 50 22 3 298

Saxidomus nuttallii 1 1

Tagelus californianus 6 16 16 13 8 5 8 72

Tagelus subteres 11 29 9 11 1 61

Tellina carpenteri 1 1

Zirfaea pilsbryi 3 3

Gastropoda

Acteocina inculta 13 3 14 1 1 1 32

.Assiminea californica 324 70 1 17 71 77 14 574

Bulla gouldiana 1 2 3

Cer ithidea californica 578 1109 529 1630 303 Ill 433 4693

Haminoea virescens 1 1

Melampus olivaceus 40 35 3 64 16 64 58 279

Species/station 10 9 8 14 10 7 7

Mo-9

TABLE 3

Numbers of each species from all stations by month. Also showing the total number

of specimens for the ten month period from August, 1980, to May, 1981.

AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY TOTAL

Pelecypoda

Cryptomya californica 4 1 5

Leptopecten latiauratus 1 2 1 4

Macoma nasuta 23 15 18 22 11 12 15 15 12 13 156

Mytilus edulis 5 4 7 5 1 2 3 3 30

Protothaca staminea 39 36 46 45 21 31 30 50 8 12 298

Saxidomus nuttallii 1 1

Tagelus californianus 9 15 16 8 2 9 1 5 4 3 72

Tagelus subteres 8 5 4 5 2 14 7 6 5 5 61

Tell ina carpenteri 1 1

Zirfaea pilsbryi 1 1 1 3

Gastropoda

Acteocina incluta 2 12 6 4 6 1 1 32

Assiminea californica 75 69 35 42 1.12 177 23 21 24 46 574

Bulla gouldiana 2 1 3

Cerithidea californica 352 473 651 765 499 415 361 463 473 241 4693

Haminoea virescens 1 1

Melampus olivaceus 14 25 43 16 39 29 39 37 28 9 279

ESTUARINE FISH COMMUNITIES OF BALLONA

Camm C. Swift and Gretchen D. Frantz
0

ESTUARINE FISH COMMUNITIES OF BALLONA

page

Introduction 1
Methods and materials I
Description of the area 4
Fish species accounts 6
Discussion 13
Acknowledgments 19
Literature cited 19

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1. Ballona Creek showing the collecting
station. 24
Figure 2. Surface salinity and temperatures. 25
Figure 3. Topographic map of Ballona 1896. 26
r'4gure 4. Diversity and percent similarity, Units I and 2. 26a

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1. Description and regular collection stations. 27
Table 2. Fishes taken in seine hauls by month. 29
Table 3. Fishes taken in plankton hauls by month. 31

F-1

Estuarine Fish Comunities of Ballona

Camm C. Swift and Gretchen 0. Frantz

INTRODUCTION

Ballona Marsh is a highly modified remnant marsh on the western edge

of the Los Angeles Basin bordering on Santa Monica Bay. Most of the original

marsh has been channelized and developed into marinas and condominiums. Ballona

Creek is enclosed in a concrete-lined channel and 140 hectares remain

separated from the creek by two sets of tide gates (Fig. 1). Although the

fish faunas of several coastal estuarine areas of southern California are

well studied (Allen and Horn, 1975; Lane and Hill, 1977; Horn, 1981) and some

work has been done on Ballona Marsh (Reish, 1980) and the nearby Marina del

Rey Harbor (Soule and Oguri, 1977, 1980), the fish community of the marsh
was poorly known. Only in Lane and Hil I's (1977) study on Anaheim Bay were

small upper slough habitats regularly sampled, the only kind of habitat present

in Ballona. Lane and Hill did not calculate diversity indices, nor

did tkhey discuss the upper marsh as a distinct unit. Thus, this is the first

detailed study of an upper marsh fish community in southern California, and

provides interesting comparisons with other local marshes and with estuarine

areas in other parts of the world. A baseline of information is also provided

for assessing future changes in the fish fauna.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

We sampled fourteen stations monthly, from July 1980 through June-1981,

among the tribu_ , channels of the marsh (Fig. 1): three (Nos. 3, 4, 7)

with a large seine, 5 x 1.8 m, with 3.2 mm mesh, and the remaining ten (1-2,

5-6, 8-13) with a 1.8 x 1.2 mm, 6.3 mm mesh seine. We collected plankton

F-2

th a one-meter diameter plankton net with 0.505 mm mesh. Each seine station

consisted of two haul's along the center of the channel at relatively low tides

(-0.1 to +0.5 m), when the net swept all or most of the channel. Numerous,

relatively short, repetitive sampling drags such as these increases sampling

effectiveness, and the level of replicability can be predicted (Livingston,

1976). Stations 3 and 7 were deep holes, in contrast to the typically shallow

sloughs of the 11 remaining localities as well as most of the marsh. Collections

in Unit 1 fell within 2 hours of low tide. Since Unit 2 was only affected

at high tides, collections were always during constant low-tide levels of

a few hours' duration.

Fishes were counted, standard length was measured and most fish were

released to prevent decimation of the populations. Occasionally, aliquots

were taken of large samples, and numbers and biomass were partially estimated,

particularly with large samples of postlarval gobies (Gobiidae) in spring.
eccasionalrepresentative samples were preserved in 5% formalin.

At the low tides, about 3,730 square meters of water surface existed,

and our samoies covered 9.5% of this (355.12 sq. m) (Table 1). From July

through December, we did not collect station 13, or it was dry and 9% of the

area was sampled. Dates of collections appear on Table 2. Salinity and

temperature were taken from the surface usually before collecting, occasionally

after. Salinities were determined by refractometer. A study of top and

bottom salinities during a tidal cycle on 15 August 1980 showed these to
be identical at low tide in the marsh. Dimensions and bottom type remained

stable through the study, and variation in aquatic vegetation is also noted

(Table 1). Plankton samples were taken in the main channel (vicinity of

Station 4) on incoming tide 2-3 hours after low tide. We estimated the volume

strained when the opening of the net was not completely submerged. On 115

F-3

August 1980, we set a series of eight minnow traps (baited with frozen squid

and anchovy) during the incoming and high tide: four in the channel at Stations

2
L, 3, 4 and 7, and four on the Salicornia flats in the high intertidal north

of Station 7, north of Station 5, and east and west of Station 2. The traps

on the flats were submerged only for 1 to 2 hours of highest tide, and the

one east of Station 2 was only 3/5 inundated.

Diversity (H') was calculated with the method of Shannon-Weaver (1963):

s
H' = -ZPi log Pi
ial

where Pi is the proportion of individual fish (or their biomass) in the ith

species. We used natural logarithms in our calculations. The measure of

the difference between samples used was the percentage similarity index of

Whittaker and Fairbanks (1958).

PS = 100(I.0-0.5Z[Pia-Pib])

where Pia is the proportion of individuals (biomass) in the ith species of

sample a and Pib for sample b. We used these measures to compare our samples

by area and season and also to compare them with other southern California

estuaries. Livingston (1966) has shown a high degree of correlation among

the several most common measures of diversity including H, when applied

to collections of estuarine fishes.

Common and scientific names follow Robins et al. (1980) and are listed

on Table 2 for Station collections and Table 3 for larval (plankton)

collections. Diversity calculations are based on the regular seine stations

(Table 1) only, and both larvae and incidental juveniles and adults are listed

for the plankton samples (Table 2). Other collections appear in text dis-

cussion but not in the tables.

F-4

DESCRIPTION OF THE AREA

The area studied consists of two Units (Fig. 1) -traversed by

tidal channels or slouqhs of about 1.5 ha of surface water

at mean tide levels. The area is part of the Marina del

Rey Harbor-Ballona Channel estuarine area, which together have about 200 ha

of surface water. The channels are mostly quite straight, and the two largest

pass through culverts under Culver Boulevard and empty into Ballona Creek

channel through larger culverts with tide gates. Channels in Unit 1 fluctuated

with the tide, but the channels in Unit 2, being about one meter higher,

fluctuated only during the upper 1/4 to 1/3 of the high tide. During the

remainder of the tide cycle, little or no fluctuation occurred in Unit 2.

During minus tides, water in Ballona Creek Channel falls below the levels

in Unit 1, and 30 minutes to 1.5 hours of static low tide occur in the marsh

(i.e. Stations 3 and 4) depending on the height of the tide. Broad areas
Of shallow flats adjacent to channels mostly drained at low tide. A few

hypersaline pools on the west edge of Unit I were fishless during this study.

Seasonal fluctuation in low-tide salinity and temperature occur (Fig. 21).
Salinities were generally high (15-34 0/oo) and were full strength only occa-

sionally at the entrance to Ballona Channel (Stations I and 3) and were fresh

only at the uppermost Stations (9, 11, 12, 13). At Station 3, above the

tide gates, the salinity would usually be in the high twenties at low tides.

As the tide started to come in, fresh water that extended down Ballona Flood

Control Chanel would push in on top of the saline water. As the tide rose,

the fresh water would be pushed farther up Ballona Channel and the surface

water at Station 3 got progressively saltier until high tide, when full-

strength seawater existed from top to bottom. As the tide went out, surface

sa7inity would initially decline faster than the bottom. By low tide, mixing

F-5

of the outflowing water equalized top and bottom salinities to similar values.

Stratification also occurred on incoming and high tide at Stations 1, 2,
3, 5, 6 and 7, with the surface salinity 3 0/oo (Station 1) to 9 0/oo (Station

2) lower at the surface than at the bottom. High salinities were maintained

in the warm months in Unit I by evaporation on shallow flats inundated only
at high tides. This water was often hypersaline and was recorded up to 52 0 /00

just northeast and upstream of Station 4. During the cool months, the salinity

of water on the flats was comparable to nearby channels, and increased fresh-

water inflow caused a general decrease in values. Water temperature fluctuated

in a bimodal pattern, lower in mid-summer, increasing in late summer-early

fall, decreasing again in late fall to low levels in winter. Water temperature

rose regularly into April, declined in May, and rose again in June. The

mid-summer decrease is probably due to the increased fog near the coast,

allowing the shallow marsh water to cool, and the fall increase is caused

by the lack of fog, allowing the sun to warn the water considerably. Later

in winter, cold air, increased cloud cover, and cold ocean temperature combined

@o cool the water again. The May reduction was not as strong as the previous

July, but indicates that often the highest water temperatures may occur in

spring and fall with a mid-summer depression due to fog cover. This would

only occur in upper shallow marshes where solar radiation can significantly

alter temperatures and substantial mixing with local marine waters does not

take place. Coastal ocean temperatures regularly fluctuate from winter laws

to late summer highs as do other connecting well-mixed bays, but the two

sets of culverts restrict flow in the marsh and probably enable solar effects

to predominate, as they would have in the original shallow marsh closed or

only narrowly open, to the ocean.

The culverts opening to Ballona Channel were open through fall 1980, but

F-6

those of the main channel at Station 3 were covered with plywood from late

December to June 1981. These were placed to divert a large sewage spill

down Ballona Channel, 12-18 December, and apparently protect adjacent farm

land and business from high spring tides. Intermittently the gates were

removed, or moved from the marsh side to the flood control channel side of

the culverts. Considerable water flowed around the gates, and tides rose

and fell in the marsh with little visible difference. Tides were probably

delayed slightly and did not reach the highest levels possible, but were

otherwise normal . The gates served as a partial barrier to waterflow only.

FISHES

Engraulidae

Engraulis mordax. The northern anchovy was only taken as two eggs in

March and one larva in plankton hauls in March. It is common in larger bays

and. harbors in California (Allen and Horn, 1975; Horn, 1981), but rarely

occurs in shallow, upper slough areas.

Cyprinodontidae

Fundulus parvipinnis. California killifish were the fourth most abundant

fish and were common throughout the year. Greatest abundance was in the

summer months, and there was a shift in abundance from Unit 1 to Unit 2 during

the winter. Adult tuberculated males in breeding color occurred from April

to September. The first young of the year were observed in June. California
killifish were taken or observed in water ranging from fresh to 38.4 0 /00'

well within the tolerance range of this species (Barlow, 1963). Trapping

.on 15 August 1980 took three fish in the channels and 24 on the flats during

incoming and high tides, demonstrating movement onto the flats at this time.

Fritz (1977) studied the biology of this species in Anaheim Bay.

F-7

Poeciliidae

Gambusia affinis. Mosquitofish, a non-native species, widely introduced

to control mosquitos, entered California in 1922 and were established in

the Los Angeles Basin by 1930 (Miller, 1961). They were the second most

abundant fish but were abundant only in Unit 2. Summer collections in Unit

1 (Stations 6 and 7) took occasional individuals, and mosquitofish were most

abundant at the stations with low salinities (Station 9) and in the fall.

They occurred in shallow, flat Salicornia-choked pools and channels between

the main channels of Units 1 and 2, and our data are for the main channels

only. Newly spawned young were first taken in April, and individuals 15 mm

or less were taken as late as November. We took mosquitofish in water.up
to 52.8 0/oo at Station 12 in August. Fifty to sixty dead and dying mosquito-

fish were observed 70-100 m upstream of Station 9 on 9 July 1980.

Atherinidae

Atherinops affinis. Topsmelt were the third most abundant species and

were absent during the winter (late December to February), aDDarently moving

seaward into Marina del Rey or Santa Monica Bay. They were almost entirely

confined to Unit 1, and two size classes were apparent in the fall. The first

young of the year appeared in March. Horn (1981) reviewed the information

available on life history of this species in southern California and showed

that topsmelt are commonly one of the dominant species in southern California

bays and estuari.es. They feed largely on zooplankton.
Leuresthes tenuis. Four grunion larvae were taken in the plankton hauls

in September and May. Grunion are common in southern California but rare

in bays and marshes (Walker, 1952).

Atherinopsis californiensis. Eight jacksmelt larvae were taken, five

in the December plankton haul, two in March and one in April, coinciding with

F-8

the winter spawning peak of this common coastal fish (Feder, Turner, and

Limbaugh, 1974) that is rare in coastal marshes.

Cottidae

Leptocottus armatus. Staghorn sculpin were taken in small numbers in

Unit 1 and were the seventh most abundant species. Small juveniles appeared

in winter and early spring collections, indicating a late fall and winter

spawning as documented for other southern California populations (Tasto,

1977; Horn, 1981). Usually this species invades brackish and freshwater

portions of estuaries, but we did not collect it in Unit 2. It was taken
at salinities of 15.6 O/oo to 36.0 0/oo-

Gobiidae

Acanthoqobius flavimanus. The yellowfin goby was introduced to the Pacific

-coast from Japan in the late 1950's and was first observed in southern California

n 1977 (Haaker, 1979). Both juveniles and adults were collected in the marsh

with juveniles predofninating in spring collections. Our collections are the

first southern California records north of Palos Verdes Peninsula. This goby
was taken oniy in the higher salinity of Unit 1 (at salinities of 20.4 0/00
to 36.0 O/oo) despite its propensity for brackish and freshwater elsewhere.

Populations of this species should be watched to document its spread in southern

California.

Clevelandia ios. The arrow goby was numerically the most abundant species.

Arrow gobies were present throughout the year and were most abundant from late

winter through spring when large numbers of young of the year were present.

Almost all records are for Unit I with small numbers taken at Scation 1.0 (Unit

2) in the fall. Because of their burrowing habitat, adult arrow gobies, were

probably undersampled in general. Our collections indicate a late winter

F-9

spawning time, and the young of the year dominated the collections in Unit 1

in March and April. Horn (1980) emphasized the probable great importance of

gobies in the food web of bays and marshes in transferring energy from low

trophic levels to the higher ones (i.e., shorebirds, that prey on gobies).

Quietula y-cauda. The shadow goby was taken only three times in the

spring and apparently occurs in very low numbers in the marsh. Brothers (1975)

extensively studied the biology of this species, the arrow goby and the cheek-

spot goby in the San Diego area.

Gillichthys mirabilis. Mudsuckers were mostly taken in Unit 1 and were

the fifth most abundant species. Sixteen fish were taken in Unit 2, and one

of these (March) was taken in fresh water. Young-of-the-year were common in

the spring and coincided with the spawning season documented by Weisel (1947),

Barlow (1963), Barlow and de Vlaming (1972). One series of eight traps set

during high tide on 15 August 1980 demonstrates a greater abundance of mudsucker

than our seine collections indicate. Channel traps caught 18, and traps on

the flats took 28 fish. Twelve of the channel fish were taken in the excep-

tionally deep hole at Station 7. Gillichthys, like Fundulus, moves onto the flats

at high tides. Its scarcity in our low-tide station collections indicates

that it retreats into slough-side crab burrows (Barlow, 1963), rather than

into the slough channels as do Fundulus.

Ilypnus gilberti. Three larval cheekspot gobies were taken in the plankton

in July, and two juveniles were seined in April; they are apparently very rare.

Goby A. Fifteen small larval gobies are Ilypnus gilberti or Quietula

y-cauda, three in December, one in April and eleven in June; they cannot be

distinguished further.

Goby C. Five small larval gobies taken in March are Clevelandia.Jos.,

Lethops connectens or Lepidogobius lepidus and cannot be distinguished further.

F- 10

Mugilidae.

Mugil cephalus. Striped mullet were taken only in Unit 1 and probably

represent one year class that grew successively larger (July to April) and

then left the marsh, since no mullet were collected in May and June. The
mullet collected in July ranged form 91-110 mm; SL (i = 108 mm SQ; those taken
in March ranged from 93 to 212 mm SL (R = 166 mm SQ. Mullet were taken at
salinities of 12.6 0/oo to 36.0 O/oo. Young-of-the-year are occasionally

taken in the lower portions of coastal streams in mid- and late winter (LACM

records). Many of the mullet showed fin deformities that have been associated

with high pollution levels in other areas (Sindermann, 1978). Nineteen of 41

mullet we actually measured (41%) showed eroded fins or anatomical deformities.

Out of 76 fish tallied in 3allona Marsh (some jumped over our net or other4ise

escaped), these represent 26%. Some of these fish may have been caught on

uccessive months, and deformed fish could have been more vulnerable to capture.

However, even a considerably lower (<2-3%) incidence would indicate abnormal
conditions. Sindermann (1978) documents that in brackish pond (12 0/oo), 4-5 ppm

of Crude oil caused fin erosion in most of the mullet exposed in 6-3 days.

He notes a wide variety of other pollution related effects on a variety of

fish species, and only a detailed study of Ballona Marsh would disclose the

conditions existing.

Bothidae

Paralichthys californicus. One juvenile California halibut (103 mm SL)
was collected at Station 4 in August at a salinity of 36.0 0/oo. Haaker (1977)

has extensively documented the life history of this species in Anaheim 3ay,

where juveniles (under 300 mm in length) were common inhabitants. He found

the youngest fish appeared in April and May and remained in the marsh about

F-11

one year after which they departed to deeper coastal water. This is a valuable
sport species that relies on shallow bays for nursery areas elsewhere in
southern California and would become more common in Ballona Marsh if conditions

improved.

Pleuronectidae

Hyp_@_2psetta quttulata. The diamond turbot was the most commonly caught
species of flatfish and was taken primarily at Station 5, where the greatest
amount of shelly substrate occurred. All but one fish seined were young-of-
the-year taken in November, December, March, April and May at salinities of
30.0 0/oo to 40.8 O/oo. Two diamond turbot eggs were taken in March, and two
non-metamorphosed larvae were taken in May. Diamond turbot are common bay and
estuary inhabitants (Lane, 1977) that should be more common in Ballona Marsh.

Pleuronichthys verticalis_. Nine eggs of the horny head turbot were in

the March plankton haul. This species is common in California coastal waters

but rare in upper marshes (Fitch, 1963).

Pleuronichthys ritteri. Three eggs of the spotted turbot were taken in

the Aarch plankton haul. This species is common in.California coastal water's

but is rare in upper marshes (Fitch, 1963).

Embiotocidae

Embiotoca jacksoni. A large adult black perch was taken at Station 3 in

March, obviously a straggler from the outer marina area. Black perch are

common game fish around shallow southern California reefs, jetties and kelp
beds (Feder, Turner and Limbaugh, 1974).
Cymatogaster aggregata. One young-of-the-year shiner perch,32 mm SLIwas

taken at Station 3 in April. The shiner perch is a common sport species in
bays and marshes in southern California (Odenweller, 1977) and would become

F-12

re common if conditions improved in Ballona Marsh.
0mo

Blenniidae

Hypsoblennius gentilis. The bay blenny is represented by one transforming

"ophioblennius" larvae taken in the August plankton haul. This species is

undoubtedly common on the hard substrate in protected areas just outside the
marsh, as it is in many southern California localiiies (Stephens et al., 1970).

Clinidae

Heterostichus rostratus. The giant kelp fish is represented by three

larvae taken in the March plankton haul. This species is common around shallow

reefs, jetties and kelp beds in southern California and spawns from March to

July (Feder, Turner and Limbaugh, 1974).

Clinid A. Two larvae in the December plankton haul are clinids and

represent either Gibbonsia or Neoclinus, each with three southern California

pecies. Several of these species undoubtedly occur in Marina del Rey but are

rare in upper marsh habitats (Feder et al., 1974).

Sciaenidae

Seriphus politus. The queenfish is represented by nine postlarvae taken

at Station 3 in May. It is a common schooling species in shallow coastal

marine waters (Feder, Turner and Limbaugh, 1974) and spawns April to August.

in southern California (Goldberg, 1974). Only juveniles occasionally occur in

back bays and estuaries (Klingbeil, Sandell and Wells, 1977).

Uenyonemus lineatus. One white croaker larvae was taken in April; this

is a common croaker in larger bays and along the southern California coast

(Feder et al ., 1974).

F-1 3

DISCUSSION

The Ballona marsh and tributary creek undoubtedly was once similar to

many others along coastal southern California. Its extent under unimpacted

conditions is shown on an early map of the southwestern Los Angeles Basin
(Redondo Sheet, U. S. Geological Survey, 1896 edition, based on surveys done

in 1894) (Fig. 3). Typically a broad marsh area exi sted behind a long sand

spit with only a narrow opening to the sea. This opening probably often closed

to the ocean during the summer and fall, leaving a brackish lagoon until high

winter inflows opened it again. When open, build-up of sand at the mouth

would prevent the tide in the marsh from fluctuating fully. Without full

daily flushing, the water in the marsh would stay relatively fresh and temper-

ature would fluctuate more widely as it still does in relatively pristine

coastal lagoons elsewhere in California.

Today the marsh has been heavily modified. Channelization of the

harbor and creek established and maintained full, reqular tidAl

flow to most of the area. Both this increased mixino with sea water

and reduced freshwater inflows hrnught higher salinity, which along

with temperature vary in parallel with nearby open coast'al areas.

Regular tidal cycles also maintain deeper more well-defined channels

in the actual marsh than under original conditions. The Culver

Boulevard barrier artifically maintains a low-tidal fluctation in

Unit 2 and consequently shallower channels exist there. Below

in Unit 1, almost complete tidal fluctuation occurs, channels are

much deeper, and at least two tributaries are actively eroding

headward. In Unit 2 temperatures are generally higher, reflecting

the influence of solar radiation in warmino shallow water. Unit 1

values, particularly Stations I and 3 near the

F-14

inlet of the marsh are more in parallel with the sea. Man's activities have

fortuitously created somewhat original physical conditions in Unit 2 and

highly modified conditions in Unit 1. The restricted water flow through

culverts and/or flapgate at Ballona Creek channel and through Culver Boulevard

has restricted the movement of fishes and has caused faunal differences

between the two areas.

Twenty-five species of fish were collected in the marsh (Tables 2 and

3), comprised of 13,389 juveniles and adults, 278 larvae and 439 eggs.

Fourteen eggs were identified to species, and the rest fall into about ten

categories and are not identified further. Ten species were only taken as-

eggs, larvae or postlarvae, Engraulis mordax, Atherinopsis californiensis,

Leuresthes tenuis., Hypsoblennius gentilis, Heterostichus rostratus, Seriphus

politus, Clinid A, Genyonemus lineatus, Pleuronichthys verticalis and P. ritteri.

Three were taken only once, Embiotoca jacksoni, Cymatogaster aggregata and
OParalichthys californicus, and one was taken only twice, Ilyanus gilberti.

Two are introduced species, not native to California, Gambusia affinis and

Acanthooobius flavimanus.. The remaining nine species are common 4nhabitants

of coastal bays and estuaries from Morro Bay to northern Baja California.

We did not find a large number of species that have been recorded from other

southern California bays and marshes such as Anaheim Bay (Lane and Hill, 1977),

Colorado Lagoon (Allen and Horn, 1975) and Mugu Lagoon (MacDonald, 1976 [from

Horn]), for two reasons: First, our collections represented uppermost tidal

channel habitats only, since the larger, deeper open lagoonal areas were not

present at Ballona. Second, flap gates and the shallow Ballona Creek Flood

Control Channel separate the marsh from deeper water, interruptinq the habitat

continuum from shallow marsh to deeper bay, and thus preventing species -Invasion.

F-15

Most of the additional species are not typical of deeper water or are only

occasional invaders of the shal-low marsh. Three species, Paralichthys

californica, Cymatogaster aggregata and Hypsopsetta guttulata would be more

common under natural conditions. Three species not recorded, Syngnathus
leptorhynchus (bay pipefish), Platichthys stellatus (starry flounder) and

Eucyclogobius newberryi (tidewater goby), should occur. Bay pipefish are

usually restricted to grass beds that were largely absent at Ballona. Tide-

water gobies are found in the upper, freshwater portions of coastal lagoons

and are sensitive to habitat modification. They probably occurred at Ballona

in the past but have been eliminated. Starry flounders are not as common in

.southern California as they are in cooler estuaries north of Point Conception..

Flatfishes were rare in our study in general, and some unknown factor is

causing this.

The fish community diversity H' fluctuated relatively regularly with the

season in each area, for a variety of reasons. Unit 1 had high diversities

in summer and low diversities in winter. Unit 2 had the opposite with both

areas having rouchly equal -diversities in the winter (Fig. 4). Unit 1 de-

creased in diversity in the fall because topsmelt left the area, and California

killifish and goby species became less abundant. Topsmelt left the marsh,

but some California killifish and gobies (Clevelandia and Gillichthys) moved

into Unit 2 increasing the diveristy there. The tendency for Fundulus P@Lrvi-

pinnis to invade fresher water in fall and winter has been documented elsewhere
(Miller, 1939, 1943, LACM unpublished records). In the spring, killifish and

gobies moved back out of Unit 2 causing the diversity to decline again. The

concomitant increase of these in Unit I along with 1) increasing large numbers

of young-of-the-year gobies (Quietula, Gillichthys, Acanthogobius and,

F-16

redominantly, Clevelandia) and later 2) return of Atherinops affinis, caused

the diversity here to rise again. Our H' was calculated from numbers of

specimens rather than biomass, and since the vast majority of our fish fell

between 20 and 120 mm SL and were slender or elongate fusiform in shape, the

diversity trends would not be altered significantly by using biomass.

The diversity measure, H', ranges from .55 to 1.57 in Unit 1 and .07 to

.67 in Unit 2. Haedrich (1975), Livingston (1976) and Horn (1981) discussed

the general increase of the value of this measure with lack of disturbance

to the habitat, and Horn (1981) discussed values for several southern California

lagoons. Often values up to .75 or .80 represent highly impacted, modified

estuaries, whereas values of 1.5-1.7 are calculated from data on relatively

pristine systems in southern California. Values from sampling stations in a

relatively pristine tropical estuary in the southern Gulf of Mexico ranged

Trom 0.5-2.50 (Yanez-A., Amezcua and Day, 1980), and Livingston (1976) found
Oide variation in diversity due to salinity and temperature fluctuations in

a relatively unpolluted south temperate estuary in Florida. Ballona Creek

-eceived an @@st-irnatad 4 7o 5 millilon gallons of untreated sewage from an

accidental leak on 12 December 1980. This occurred after the diversity in

Unit 2 had risen to winter levels, but before a significant decrease occurred

in Unit 1. Tf the sewage reduced -,fish populations and/or forced them from

Unit 1 into Unit 2, lower than normal diversity in Unit 1 would result.

The increase in numbers of fish-eating birds during the winter migratory

period probably also accounts for some reduction in number and diversity of

fishes in Unit 1. Horn (1981) noted that California estuarine gobies probably

are a significant food source for shorebirds, and Swift et al. (1977) noted
that cyprinodont 'ishes (Fundulus and Gambusia in this study) are often heavily

preyed upon by fish-eating birds, particularly herons and egrets. Definite
0

F-1 7

increases in the populations of such birds during the winter are documented

elsewhere (Dock and Schreiber, this study), but quantitative data on their

predation on fishes is lacking. Diversity values in the summer fall in the

range of those for other relatively unimpacted estuaries in southern

California. Fall, winter and spring values are lower, mostly because of

seasonal movements of the few dominant species (Atherinops affinis, Fundulus

parvipinnis and.Clevelandia ios) and because Ballona is an upper marsh where

the fauna is expected to be smaller and less diverse than in a larger bay

(Horn and Allen, 1976; this paper). Bird predation, the restricted openings

to the marsh and occasional pollution certainly affected the magnitude of

these fluctuations, but to an as-yet-undetermined extent, and clearly diversity

values reflect the interaction of natural and manmade influences on composition

of the fish community.

The generally low-diversity figures for Ballona are due to a combination

of location in the upper marsh, small marsh area, and impact of human

modification. Estuarine biologists long ago*noted the decrease in diversity

at the upper end of estuarine systenis (Hedgpeth, 1957) based on the numbers of
species. Diversity is usually lowest in the 5 to 8 O/oo range (Khlebovich,

1969) and increases again as one proceeds into strictly freshwater habitats.

Without comparative data on lower, middle, upper and strictly freshwater

portions of comparable estuaries, we cannot separate these three factors.

Data presented by Horn and Allen (1976) predict that the Ballona marsh, with

an area of only about 1.5 hectares of water surface at mean tide (Units 1 and

2), should have a fish fauna of only a few species. The smallest estuaries

studied by them, Los Pensaquitos Lagoon (22 ha) and Tijuana Estuary (59 ha)

had 22 and 29 species, respectively. Obviously the Ballona marsh fauna is

only a small part of the larger Marina del Rey-Ballona Creek estuarine area,

F- 18

and its large species list is due to association with this larger area. These

areas combined have about 200 ha of water surface at mean tide, close to

Alamitos Bay (166 ha) and Elkhorn Slough (216 ha) that have 43 and 69 species,
respectively. Forty-four species (not including two non-natives) have been
reported from Marina del Rey estuarine areas (Soule and Oguri, 1980; this study)

and about 50 would be expected from an estuary of this size. In Unit 1,

summer diversity values are within the range of relatively unmodified estuaries

elsewhere. In Unit 2 the human encroachment is greatest, and the low diversity

values reflect this effect. One of the two dominant fish in Unit 2 (Gambusia

affinis) is not native, and removal of it would lower the values even more.

Our data indicate a relatively normal fish fauna in Unit 1, and a highly im-

pacted and depauperate one in Unit 2. Removal or amelioration of the barrier

between them (Culver Boulevard) would result in Unit 2 converging towards the

condition found in Unit 1. If the barrier between Unit 1 and Ballona Creek
loere also removed, a salt marsh would be established that would resemble those
now present in upper Newport Bay, Anaheim Bay and Mugu Lagoon, and the number

@)f specles, biomass and diversity of fishes would all increase.

Ballona Marsh would not return to its original condition, which was a

large, mostly fresh and brackish, marsh open to the ocean only seasonally.

Such localities remaining today in southern California have only a few fish

species, usually Fundulus parvipinnis, Eucyclogobjus newberryi and Gastero-

steus aculeatus, and occasionally Atherinops affinis, Cymatogaster aggregata,

Hypsopsetta guttulata, Leptocottus armatus and a few other species. They also

have very low diversity as is predicted from the typically low salinity of

this habitat. A fish species unique to the brackish and freshwater lagoon

habitat (Eucyclogobius newberryi) was probably eliminated in the middle of

F-19

this century, and several other species of organisms typical of this habitat

remain under altered conditions.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Partial support for this study was provided by the Los Angeles County

Department of Regional Planning and the California Coastal Commission. We

gratefully acknowledge the assistance in field collecting rendered by Steven

Caddell, Stephen Hufford, Christopher Nagano, James Hogue and Claude B.

Crabtree. Gerald E. McGowen identified many of our eggs and larvae, and we

greatly appreciate this help. Figures were rendered by Mary Butler and

Caryl Maloof, and several versions of the manuscript were typed by Terri Togiai

and Lymonica Beasley.

LITERATURE CITED

Allen, L. G., and M. H. Horn. 1975. Abundance, diversity, and seasonality

of fishes in Colorado Lagoon, Alamitos Bay, California. Estuarine and

Coastal Marine Science 3(3):371-380.

Darlow, 'a. W. 1963. Species struct-ure of the gobiid fish, Gillichthys

mirabilis, from coastal sloughs of the eastern Pacific. Pacific Science

17(l):47-72.

Barlow, G. W., and V. L. de Vlaming. 1972. Ovarian cycling in longjaw gobies,

Gillichthys mirabilis, from the Salton Sea. California Fish and Game

58(l) :50-57.

Brothers, E. B. 1975. The comparative ecology and behavior of three

sympatric California gobies. PhD Dissertation, University of California,

San Diego, 370 pp.
Dock, C. F., and R. W. Schreiber. 1981. The birds of Ballona. Manuscript.

F- 20

der, H. M., C. H. Turner, and C. Limbaugh. 1974. Observations on fishes

associated with kelp beds in southern California. California Department

of Fish and Game, Fish Bulletin 160.

Fitch, J. E. 1963. A review of the fishes of the genus Pleuronichthys.

Los Angeles County Museum Contributions in Science No. 76, 33 pp.

Fritz, E. S. 1977. The life history of the California killifish Fundulus

parvipinnis Girard, in Anaheim Bay, California, pp. 91-106. In E. D.

Lane and C. W. Hill (Editors), The Marine Resources of Anaheim Bay,

California Department of Fish and Game, Fish Bulletin 165.

Goldberg, S. 1974. Seasonal spawning cycles of the sciaenid fishes Genyo

nemus lineatus and Seriphus politus. Fishery Bulletin 74(4):983-984.

Haaker, P. L. 1977. The biology of the California halibut, Paralichthys

californicus (Ayres) in Anaheim Bay, pp. 137-151. In E. D. Lane and

C. W. Hill (Editors), The Marine Resources of Anaheim Bay, California

Department of Fish and Game, Fish Bulletin 165.

. 1979. Two Asiatic gobiid fishes, Tridentiger trigonocephalus- and

Acanthogobius flavimanus, in southern California. Bulletin of the

Southern California Academy of Sciences 78(l):56-61.

Haedrich, R. L. 1975. Diversity and overlap as measures of environmental

quality. Water Research 9(11):945.

Haedrich, R. L., and S. 0. Haedrich. 1974. A seasonal survey of the fishes

in the Mystic River, a polluted estuary in downtown Boston, Massachusetts.

Estuarine and Coastal Marine Science 2(l):59-73.

Hedgepeth, J. W. 1957. Chapter 23, Estuaries and Lagoons. II. Biological

Aspects, pp. 693-729. In Hedgepeth (Editor), Treatise on Marine Ecology

and Paleoecology, Vol. 1, Ecology. Geological Society of America,

Memoir 67.

F- 21

Horn, M. H. 1980. Diversity and ecological roles of noncommercial fishes in

California marine habitats. California Cooperative Oceanic Fishery

Investigations Reports, vol. 21, 37-47.

. 1981. Diet and seasonal variation in abundance and diversity of

shallow water fish populations in Morro Bay, California. Fishery

Bulletin 78(3):759-770.

Horn, M. H., and L. G. Allen. 1976. Numbers of species and faunal resemblance

of marine fishes in California bays and estuaries. Bulletin of the

Southern California Academy of Sciences 75(2):159-170.

_. 1978. A distributional study of California coastal marine fishes.
Journal of Biogeography 5(l):23-42.

Khlebovich, V. V. 1969. Aspects of animal evolution related to critical

salinity and internal state. Marine Biology 2:338-345.

Klingbeil, R. A., R. D. Sandell, and A. W. Wells. 1977. An annotated check-

list of the elasmobranchs and teleosts of Anaheim Bay, pp. 79-90. In

E. D. Lane and C. W. Hill (Editors), The Marine Resources of Anaheim

3ay, California -Department of Fish and Game, Fish Bulletin 165.

Lane, E. D. 1977. Quantitative aspects of the life history of the diamond

turbot, Hypsopsetta guttulata (Girard), in Anaheim Bay, pp. 153-173.

In E. D. Lane and C. W. Hill (Editors), The Marine Resources of Anaheim

Bay, California Deaprtment of Fish and Game, Fish Bulletin 165.

Lane, E. D., and C. W. Hill (Editors). 1977. The marine resources of Anaheim

Bay, California Departmetn of Fish and Game, Fish Bulletin 165. 195 pp.

Livingston, R. J. 1976. Diurnal and seasonal fluctuations of organisms in

a north Florida estuary. Estuarine and Coastal Marine Science 4:

373-400.

F-22

MacDonald, C. K. 1977. Notes on the family Gobiidae from Anaheim Bay, pp.

117-121. In E. D. Lane and C. W. Hill (Editors), The Marine Resources

of Anaheim Bay, California Department of Fish and Game, Fish Bulletin 165.

Miller, R. R. 1939. Occurrence of the cyprinodont fish Fundulus parvipinnis

in fresh water in San Juan Creek, southern California. Copeia, 1939,

No. 3, 168.

_. 1943. Further data on freshwater populations of the Pacific

killifish, Fundulus parvipinnis. Copeia, 1943, No. 1, 51-52.

1961. Man and the changing fish fauna of the American Southwest.

Papers of the Michigan Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Letters 46:365-404.

Odenweller, D. B. 1977. The life history of the shiner surfperch Cymato

gaster aggr6gata Gibbons, in Anaheim Bay, California, pp. 107-115.

In.E. D. Lane and C. W. Hill (Editors), The Marine Resources of Anaheim
Bay, California Department of Fish and Game, Fish Bulletin 165.
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Report prepared for Summa Corporation, 23 p. Mimeo.

Robins, C. R., R. M. Bailey, C. E. Bond, J. R. Brooker, E. A. Lachner, R. N.

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fishes from the United States and Canada. American Fisheries Society

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Shannon,.C. E., and W. Weaver. 1963. The mathematical theory of communication.

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Soule, D. F., and-M. Oguri. 1977. Ichthyology, pp. 83-87. In D. F. Soule

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F-23

California. Office of Sea Grant Programs, University of Southern

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. 1980. Fish fauna, pp. III El-III E15. In 0. F. Soule and M.

Oguri (Editors), The Marine Environment of Marina del Rey, California.

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California, Los Angeles.

Stephens, J. S., R. K. Johnson, G. S. Key, and J. E. McCosker. 1970. The

comparative ecology of three sympatric species of blennies of the genus

Hypsoblennius Gill (Teleostomi, Blenniidae). Ecological Monographs 40

(2):213-233.

Tasto, R. N. 1977. Aspects of the biology of Pacific staghorn sculpin,

Leptocottus.armatus Girard, in Anaheim Bay, pp. 123-135. In E. D. Lane

and C. W. Hill (Editors), The Marine Resources of Anaheim Bay, California

Department of Fish and Game, Fish Bulletin 165.

Walker, B. W. 1952. A guide to the grunion. California Fish and Game 38

(3):409-420.

Weisel, G. F. 1947. Breeding behavior and early development of the mudsucker,

a gobiid fish of California. Copeia, 1947:77-85.

Whittaker, R. H., and C. W. Fairbanks. 1958. A study of plankton copepod

communities in the Columbia Basin, southeastern Washington. Ecology

39(l):46-65.

CKEEK
IIALLONA

19frievoll stop'-

01
4

to It

I. Ballona Creek Marsh showing the collecting Stations de scribed in -n
the text. I

so -

0 .0 1

35
IL

15
t

<
20-
LOT

Is -

io -

.U 2 SL- L

CIE
AL
V 20--

In Is

APRU MAI T--L.
JULV AUG UPI OCT 77-@@ IC A. 11. ARCH

19bo 1981

Figure 2. Surface salinity and temperatures recorded in Ballona channels
during this study. Numbers lie opposite values for that particular
station. The ends of the vertical lines represent the range of Ln
values, the strong horizontal line the mean, the black columns et.111,11
two standard errors (in either side of the mean, and the open coltmins
equal one standard iation from the mean.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INT9RIOR
'@t, 11 '30' U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
Wou
Nv NX, NN I
N N
@111X IS) -411@@

B A.
N\

V A,

X\
b
ONI

\A\
Itinil,
'A'

Figure 3. Topographic Map of Ballona Marsh, Redondo Sheet, U. S. G
Survey, 1896 edition, based on surveys done in 1894.

-36

TOTAL DIVERSITY .43-
IUNITS I AND 2

0 -------0 DIVLHSITYUNII I

IS S-MILARITV -30
Ic FWEIIN UNITS
1AND I

OIVLHZ;IIYUNI1 2
43-

-24

ir
1A

O.d-

0.4-

I AUG S SEPT I Oct I NOV laic I JAN I fie I MAR I APR IMAY 1 AINI END

Figure 4. Diversity (W) of Units I and 2 and the percent similarity (PS)
between the two units.

F-27

TABLE 1. Description and regular collection stations

Area or
Deepest Estimated Volume
Sta- Depth Average Macroscopic Sampled
tion (an) Width (m) Bottom Vegetation (sq. ml Remarks

1 10-40 0.75-2.1 Soft mud None 13.12 Just inside
scattered small tide
shell. tidegates

2 2-30 0.75-1.0 Soft mud, None 19.5 Small slough.
scattered
shell.

3 80-140 5-6 Mostly firm None 101.25 Just inside
and with large tide-
shell, mud gates.
at edges.

4 40-70 4-5 Soft sand, None 93.75 Below junction
mud at of three
edges. sloughs.

5 4-35 0.6-1.0 Mud covered None 12.75 Just below
with shell 0.5 m high
hash in high falls
channel. over mudbank.

6 20-40 0.8-1.2 Soft mud None 3.375 Below culvert
with rocks under Culver
and shell, Blvd.
live
mussels.

7 60-80 3-4 Soft to None 26.25
firm sand
with shell,
glass and
rocks.

8 20-30 1.2-2.0 Soft mud. Much green 12.0
algae & Ruppia in
warm months.

9 30-45 2-3 Soft mud. Much Scir- 7.875 Below culvert
pus robus- on road.
tus, algae.

10 4-20 1.0-1.5 Soft mud. Ruppia mari- 12.75 ---
tima and
green algae
in warm
months.
is

F-28
Table 1 (continued)

Area or
Deepest Estimated Volume
Depth Average Macroscopic Sampled
Sta. Acm) Width N Bottom Vegetation (sq. m) Remarks

11 10-20 0.4-0.6 Soft mud. Green algae 15.0
in warn
months.

12 25-40 0.5-1.2 Firm sandy Green algae 18.75 Agricultural,
mud. in warm lacking shore
months. vegetation.

13 20-30 1.0-1.5 Soft mud. Green algae, 18.75 Agricultural
Potamogeton not collecte@
pectinatus July, August,
in warm dry September,
months. October,
November.

Plank-
ton 1.0-1.5 6-7 Over firm None 73.7 cu., Some hauls
to soft meters net not
sand. completely
submerged,
see text.

0 .0 0
Table 2 (continued).'

13 12
May June
1 2 1 2 Total I Total 2 Total Common Name

66 35 75 4 1230 796 2026 California Killifish
11 131 14 168 143 3333 3476 Mosquito fish
361 143 2842 2 2844 Topsmelt
- - 58 0 53 Striped Mullet
7 2 88 0 88 Pacific staghorn sculpin
2 0 2 Cheekspot goby
20 0 20 Shadow goby
316 89 4253 89 4342 Arrow goby
73 5 24 3 313 16 329 Longjaw mudsucker
48 20 180 0 180 Yellowfin goby
- 1 0 1 California halibut
3 12 0 12 Diamond turbot
1 0 1 Black perch
1 0 1 Shiner perch
- 9 0 9 Queen fish

894 171 367 175 9153 4236 13389

Tabl e 3. Fishes taken in.plankton hauls in Bal~l~~~ Mar~s'h, July 1980 to June, 1981.

Asterisks mark larger (postlarval or larger) fishes taken incidentally with larval forms.
and Go~qby C are defined in text.

Tota
J~t~jl__~0qA~qq~qq__Se~qp Oct Nov Dec Feb March April May June Larv

Engraulis mordax
~qF~No~-rthern ancho y) ~q1
Fundulus parv~qi~2qk~qi~4qL~i~4qLnis
~qTCalifornia killif~-~q1~4~"~qsh) 1* *3~q(6) 2* ~q1
Atherinops affinis 15 1*~q(2.5) 123 1*
122* 1* 7* -4(~q8) 5 1 (2.5) ~6qP 80 22
Leuresthes tenuis
(California grunion) ~q1 3
Ather~qinop~qs~qi~qs ~californiensis
~qT~iacksme~qlt~q) 5 2 ~.1 (2~.5)
~!~q@psopsetta guttu~ql~qata
(Diamond turbot~8qF~q- 2
Leptocottus armatus
~qRacif~qic Stag orn sculpin) ~q1
H~y~p~s~qob~qlen~nius ~qgen~qt~qi~q: is
~~qTB~-ay~q-b~q-~qle~qn~-~qn~2q7y _~qt~q@_ ~q1
~I~leterostichus rostr~atus
~qF~Gi-~8qan~qf~-~q-ke~qlpfi~-~qs~q-~qh~qJ~q- 2
Clinid A (see text) 2
~1~qY~qRnus gilberti (checkspot go~qby) 3
Clevelandia ios (arrow goby) 3* 18* 22* *~q2~q(4) 175* 424* 85* 61*
~q9~@ ~q@et~ula y-cauda (shadow go~qby)
Gillichthys mirabilis 2 2*(50) 74*
(Long jaw mudsucker) 2* 5* 1 (2.5) 2 2*
Go~by A (see text) 3 1 (2.5) ~q1~q1 ~2q1
Unident. Go~qby I
(yolk sac
larva)
Goby C (see text) 5
~qg~g~qR~yor~qjemus ~qIJ~i~ql~eat~us (White croaker) 1 (2.5)
~q.~0q0 ~0q0

THE MAMMALS OF BALLONA

Richard Dean Friesen, William Kelley Thomas, and Donald R. Patten

THE MAMMALS OF BALLONA

page

Introduction

Ecological description of the study site 2

Hist6ric utilization of the ballona region 3

Methods of study 5

General summary of results 7

Species accounts 9

Discussion 33

Mark-recapture studies 33

Species abundances between units 34

Physiological adaptations 36

Movement patterns 37

Trophic relationships 38

Mitigations and recommendations 39

Acknowledgments 43

Literature cited 43

Figures 48-50

Tables 51-57

THE MAMMALS OF BALLONA

LIST OF FIGURES page

Figure 1. Study region, indicating units and subunits
used in mammal discussions. 48
Figure 2. USGS Redondo quad map from 1896 showing
tidelands in the Ballona regions. 49
Figure 3. Locatons of traplines used to study mammal
popul ati ons. 50

LIST OF TABLES

lable 1. Summary oil 1980-81 trapping data. 51
Tatle 2. Trapline descriptions. 52
Table 3. Mammals of the Ballona region. 53
lable 4. Comparative abundance of captured species in
each unit. 55
Table S. Summary of recapture data for Reithrodontomys
meaalotis and Mus musculus. 56
Table 6. Trapping results from wet and dry habitats. 57

THE MAMMALS OF BALLONA

Richard Dean Friesen, William Kelley Thomas and Donald R. Patten

INTRODUCTION

Salt marshes represent a unique biological community.. They

are subject to periodic tidal inundations, and, as a result, the

habitat is very moist, the soils strongly haline and the biota

are adapted to periodic submergence. In salt marshes of southern

California, standing fresh water is often scarce, but freshwater

dew is generally available in significant amounts (Coulombe, 1970).

Some mammalian species, which are especially adapted to life in

salt marshes, have evolved the ability to drink salt water. For

most mammals, however, salt marshes represent "physiological

deserts" in which water is plentiful, but largely unusable because

of its high mineral content (Greene and Fertig, 1972).

This paper reports the status of mammal populations in the

Ballona Creek region of Los Angeles County, California, the

boundaries of which are shown in figure 1. This area contains

highly altered to less disturbed plant communities associated

with the southern remnants of the Playa del Rey salt marsh. The

account which follows (a) summarizes our knowledge of current and

historic mammalian populations which reside in, or have utilized,

the Ballona Wetlands and its surrounding maritime uplands and

(b) reports data from a year-long field study we conducted in

various habitats of the region.

This marshy area, inundated by backwaters from the Santa

M-2

Monica Bay, is one of the last coastal salt marshes remaining in

southern California. It lies in one of the two gaps through which

the course of the Los Angeles River normally passes (Woodford et

al., 1954) and in which 849 or more hectares (2,100 acres) of

mudflat, shallow and lagoon habitat are historically known (early

1800's, Clark, 1979). The extent and sizes of such marshes along

the coast of California have been reduced from Pliocene and

Pleistocene times (Coulombe, 1970), but apparently the associated

vegetation of these wetlands remained somewhat unchanged,

particularly during the latter 25,000 years or so (Axelrod, 1958;

Fisler, 1965).

Boundaries for our field studies, which include only about

one-quarter of the original historic wetlands, were drawn with the

Del Rey Bluffs to the south, Marina del Rey to the north, the Playa

Del Rey dunes to the west and Lincoln Boulevard to the east. 8 u t

to consider historic use of the Playa by mammals, distribution of

mammalian' species in maritime upland habitats adJacent to the

wetlands, such as the Del Rey Hills and the inland Los Angeles

Basin, were considered.

ECOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY SITE

Historically, these emergent wetlands incorporated several

plant communities which now are diminished to varying degrees.
Discussion of these plant habitats are found in Gustafson (1981

this volume). Six broad categories of habitat use by mammals are

considered here as shown in figure 1. (a) The mudflats habitat

with emergent Salicornia (much of Unit 1), (b) dry areas with
Salicornia (almost all of Unit 3), (c) the upland habitat adjacent

to the Salicornia (throughout all units), (d) the upland dune

M-3

systems (in Unit 1 and Subunit B of Unit 2), (e) the surrounding
bluffs and other fringe areas (adjacen*t to Unit 2) and (f) the

freshwater riparian areas (within Subunit A of Unit 2 along the

bluff) .

HISTORIC UTILIZATION OF THE BALLONA REGION

The Los Angeles Daily Star, 9 April 1871, described La Ballona

as a sea-shore retreat where "surf, and still-water swimming, baths,

sailing, boating fishing and hunting-cannot be surpassed by any

other on the Pacific Coast." Early maps of southern California

(circa 1896 to 1926) and real estate brochures of La Ballona

(Palisades del Rey) show the Ballona Wetlands as an extensive

area, including the present wetlands area plus those areas where

Marina del Rey, Venice and the Hughes Airport have now been

developed. The coast of southern California consisted of a long

stretch of sand dunes, creating lagoons and freshwater lakes by

damming water which flowed down canyon streams from the interior

(Holder, 1,911). A large, shallow lagoon, perhaps Z4 kilometers
(15 miles) long is shown on some maps (1923 U.S.G.S. Venice
quadrangle). This lagoon may have been open to the sea only

during rainy seasons when fresh water flooded the marshland. Most

of the year, the Ballona Wetlands may have been somewhat of a

brackish or freshwater marshland and was unlikely to have been an

important habitat for most marine mammals, although occasional

sea otters (Enhydra lutris) or pinnipeds may have moved into the
edges of the marsh. Northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus.),
California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), harbor seals

M-4

(Phoca vitulina) and northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustir.-
ostris) are currently known to occasionally come ashore for short

periods or stand along the beaches adjacent to the wetlands.

Several species of cetaceans also stand on these beaches with

varying degrees of frequency.
Clark (1979) reviewed the history of land uses of Ballona

Tidelands. Originally, Gabrielino Indians called these tidelands

(loosely) a "place full of water." In 1868, following the Treaty

of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848), 848.3 hectares (2,120.8 acres) of

the Ballona Tidelands were classified and mapped as "tide overflowed

land," or 4th-class land, by Los Angeles County Surveyor, George

Hansen. In the late 1800's, a harbor and town (Port Ballona) were

planned for Ballona, but the plans were abandoned as the land boom

subsided.

The U.S.G.S. 1896 Redondo quad outlines the tidelands as

extending north and west of present-day Lincoln Boulevard (Fic. 2)

with an ocean inlet below the Del Rey Bluffs. Clark (1.97/0.), furt-her

notes good vegetation cover over extensive sand dunes before 1920.

Ballona Creek, though somewhat linear, possessed heavily vegetated

banks. The well-developed sand dunes lay between the beach front

and a channel which connected Ballona tidelands to areas in Veni.ce.

By 1934, Ballona Creek had been straightened and channelized

to the east of Lincoln Boulevard where it drained some 312 square

kilometers (120 square miles) of the Los Angeles Basin. The

runoff water from this upland expanse was released into the

wetlands seaward of Lincoln Boulevard, evidently annually covering

much of the marshland with fresh water. In 1938, the Army Corps

M-5

of Engineers dredged and channelized Ballona Cre ek all the way to

the sea. The natural inlet at the Port Ballona site was blocked

by sediments within two years (Clark, 1979).

Additional roads and levees were built in the wetlands to

accommodate oildrilling pads in the 1930's, 1940's, and 1950's.

Beginning in'the 1940's, land near Lincoln Boulevard has been

cultivated. By 1961, the construction of Marina del Rey on the

northern side of Ballona Creek caused major changes. Much of the

fill from dredging operations now covers Unit 3 to a depth of 4- 5 meters.

In the 110 years since La Ballona seashore was described as

"unsurpassed by any other.on the Pacific Coast," mammalian fauna

of the marshland, like that of most areas in southern California

(Gustkey, 1980), has been altered from one "teaming with native

wildlife" to a depauperate one, consisting of a few altered,

native populations and populations of introduced species.

METHODS OF STUDY

To assess both past and present mammal compositions in the

Ballona region, data from previous trapping studies and published

accounts of field studies were consulted. Speciments and records

of specimens were examined at the Natural History Museum of Los

Angeles County (LACM), the San Diego Museum of Natural History

(SDNHM), the Dickey Collection (UCLA) and the private collection

of Robert G. Hannum, Northridge, California (RGH). The mammal

collections of California State University, Long Beach, and Santa

M-6

Barbara Museum of Natural History did not possess any specimens

from the Ballona region or Playa Del Rey. Specimens collected

during this study are catalogued at the LACM, or under field

numbers (RDF) to be catalog ued at the LACM.

Two thousand and five traps were set between July 1980 and

May 1981 as shown in figure 3 and Table 1. Traplines were placed

to sample each habitat on the study site. Descriptions of each

trapline are given in Table 2. One thousand eight hundred and

forty Sherman live traps and 165 Museum Specials were set. The

Museum Specials, which are generally more sensitive than the

Sherman live traps, were set in areas from which museum specimens

of the Ornate Shrew (Sorex ornatus) previously had been taken.

We hunted for evidence of any use of the region by all species

of mammals. Incidental observations of mammal tracks, scats,

pickups or other signs also were recorded in our field books.

Anecdotal observations by other scientists and by local residents,

sina tivities such as falconry, were
ano were u I tne pro.perty for ac

also noted. Transients living on the property generally avoided

us and would not divulge their familiarity with the property.

Initial attempts to determine population densities using

standard mark and recapture procedures were limited when our

traplines and activities were being disturbed by resident human

transients and by other recreational users. Some of our traps

were stolen and many were set off or moved. Traplines had to be

set nearly at dark and picked up at first light to increase their

security. Usually, one of us slept near one of the traplines to
protect the traps. is

M-7

GENERAL SUMMARY OF RESULTS

Currently, nineteen species of mammals are known to reside

or forage in the Ballona Wetlands (sensu stricta). Six of these

are introduced species. Twenty additional species possibly

utilize or are known and suspected to have occurred or foraged in

the region, including adjacent maritime uplands. Table 3 lists

these mammals, indicating what we believe is their present status.

This fauna includes 1 marsupial, 2 insectivores, 8 bats, 3

lagomorphs, 13 rodents, 11 carnivores and 1 artiodactyl. Many

of these species appear to be extirpated from the Ballona region.

About 32 species, or their close relatives, have been within or

in the vicinity of the Ballona region since Pleistocene times

(1-3 million years ago)(Miller, 1971; Dice, 1925; Hall, 1936).

Mammals were included in Table 3 if they are thought to have

occurred, or they presently occur, in the area of Ballona region

in particular. For many species, direct evidence of their use of

Ballona is available; others no longer use the region, but by

direct evidence can be assumed to have done so. For example,

Gustkey (1980) quotes a 1770's description of the nearby San Gabriel

Valley as having an abundance of deer, antelope, foxes, squirrels,

rabbits, grizzly bears, wolves and wildcats in addition to other

vertebrates. Many of these species which reside or roost in the

Los Angeles Basin adjacent to the Ballona region, doubtlessly

moved out of their upland habitats to forage in the wetlands. But

-a] urbanization has now isolated coastal marshes, effectively
coast

precluding most larger mammals from them.

Based on accounts in Burt and Grossenheider (1964) and Ingles

M-8

(1965), Envicom (1981, Appendix 4) reported 21 possible species of

mammals from the Playa Vista study site (Playa Vista Master Plan

includes property not within the boundaries of our study). Of

these, seven species were reported to have been observed, including

Spermophilus beecheyi, individuals of which we did not sight within

our study boundaries. The California ground squirrel possibly may

be found east of Culver Bo-ulevard, accounting for this difference

between our and Envicom's reports.

Envicom reported Peromyscus maniculatus as "common to uncom-

mon." We did not find this species, nor was it found by Soholt

and Jollie in 1969 (unpublished student project report prepared*

for Patten). Envicom also reported the two species of Rattus to

be "common." We found them to be uncommon everywhere, although

they are probably more common near the Hughes Airport property.

Only four species of rodents were captured in the Sherman

live traps (Table 1). The overall success of trapping was: in
Unit 1, 10.5 percent (95 animals per 900 traps) , fn Unit 2, 5.0

percent (37 animals per 740 traps) and in Unit 3, 3.3 percent (12

animals per 365 traps). The relative abundance of the four species

in the units indicates that, in several cases, only a few animals

were actually captured, limiting the use of these figures to

making rough estimates of abundances (Table 4).
Envicom (1981, Appendix 4, Tables E-1, E-2) reported

live-trapping data collected during the months of September,

October and March (year?) from various habitats in the 3allona

Wetlands and surrounding areas. Mus musculus was captured in

M-9

low to moderate levels in all areas (weedy field, some pickleweek;

weedy pickleweed/weedy field; pampas grass/coyote bush scrub/weedy

field; weedy field/transitional pickleweed; plowed field; coastal
scrub, weedy bluff). Reithrodontomys megalotis.was captured only

in the first two areas listed above, both essentially "weedy fields

with pickleweed." No other species were taken except for a young

Lepus. Out of 494 available traps set during the Envicom study,

there were 76 incidences of traps being entered, but not set off,
as evidenced by scats in the trap. (The "triggers" may not have

been adjusted for very small mammals.) The success of the Envicom

trapping was, therefore, about 27 percent. Our data indicate that

Reithrodontomys.populations are several times higher during the

fall when Envicom data were collected than they are during the

winter when most of our data were collected. Our overall success

approximates that reported in Envicom's study if only comparable

months are considered.

SPECIES ACCOUNTS

The following species accounts summarize our knowledge of

mammals found in the Ballona region. Taxa are included in the

accounts if specimens are known from Playa del Rey or from nearby

areas, such as Palo Verde Hills, Santa Monica or Palms and are

thought to range into the Ballona region, sensu lato, or to have

done so previously. The natural history of many of these species
remains incomplete. Systematic accounts follow Jones et al. (1979).

General natural histories for many of these mammals are based on
accounts given in Stephens (1906), Ingles (1965) and others as

M- 10

cited. Pleistocene fossil records are taken from Miller (1971),

Hall (1936) and Dice (1925).

Each account reports (1) if a taxon is endemic or otherwise

unique to coastal marshes; (2) the number of specimens we trapped,

observed, picked up and where, or the basis for including the

species in the accounts if we did not take or see any specimens;

(3) the distribution, both current and historic, in the region

(by unit), and if there exists a Pleistocene fossil record for the

species in strata near Ballona; (4) a statement about relative

abundance, rarity or presence-absence of the species and (5)

specimens examin'ed by us. If no specimens were available to us

from Playa del Rey and ,-ie suspected that the species may be part

of this fauna, we attempted to find specimens from nearby areas.

In some cases, such specimens do not exist.

Order Marsupialia

Onl y one species of native marsupial is known to occur in

North America.

Virginia Oppossum, Didelphis virginiana virginiana Kerr 1792

On several occasions, footprints of this species were found

in the mud at the bottom of the surge channel in Unit 2. Two

crushed skulls of this species were found at the base of the bluffs

in Unit 2. Two specimens were found dead on roads (DOR). One

specimen was found dead on Culver Boulevard between Units 1 and

2 (Fig. 1). Another DOR specimen was found at Lincoln Boulevard

where it crosses Ballona Creek. This specimen was not kept

because it had deteriorated and the skull had been destroyed by

M-9

low to modera e levels in all areas (weedy field, some pickleweek;
1@
weedy pickleweed.1weedy field; pampas grass/coyot-e Kush scrub/weedy
field; weedy fiel\-q/transitional pickleweed; plowe field; coastal
scrub, weedy bluff)... Reithrodontomys megalotis w s captured only

in the first two area-$ listed above, both essen ially "weedy fields

with pickleweed." No 6@ther species were take except for a young
Lepus. Out of 494 availa\6le traps set durin the Envicom study,

there were 76 incidences traps being ent red, but not set off,
0
as evidenced by scats in the\ \t-rap. (The " riggers" may not have
been adjusted for very small m'Ammals.) e success of the Envicom

trapping was, therefore, about 217 perce t. Our data indicate that
Reithrodontomys populations are severa times higher during the

fall when Envicom data were collect(e,d than they are during the

winter when most of our data were co ected. Our overall success
approximates that reported in Envi om's\ %study if only comparable
months are considered.

SPECIES ACCOUNTS
The following species acc unts summari@e our knowledge of

mammals found in the Ballona egion. Taxa are, included in the
accounts if specimens are k own from Playa del\Rey or from nearby

areas, such as Palo Verde ills, Santa Monica or Palms and are

thought to range into th Ballona region, sensu I to, or to have

done so previously. Th natural history of many o these species
remains incomplete. \eT
stematic accounts follow Jon s et al. (1979).

General natural hist ries for many of these mammals are based on
accounts given in S ephens (1906), Ingles (1965) and others as
o , @Pal
to

M-

vehicles.

This omnivorous mammal apparently was introduced into southern

California circa 1871 from native southeastern United States

populations (Los Angeles Daily Star, 2 June 1871). The Oppossum

now is generally well established in low areas on the Pacific slope

of California, and likely forages in all habitats of the Ballona

region.

We believe this species to be a common resident in all areas

of the region.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: 1 from Playa Del Rey, 1.7 miles S, 0.9

.miles E Venice City Hall (12 April 1981) RDF.

Order Insectivora

There are two native insectivores known to occur in the

Ballona Wetlands area.

Ornate Shrew, Sorex ornat-us californicus von Bloeker 1932

This taxon is subspecifically endemic to coastal wetlands

in clouthern California. The type is from Playa Del Rey, Los Angeles

County.

During our study, one specimen was collected by Marc Hayes in

a pitfall trap set for small amphibians and reptiles.

Sorex cf. S. ornatus occurs in Rancho La Brea fossils and in

deposits near Costa Mesa (Miller, 1971). This species occurs from
Point Mugu to Nigger Slough (Hall, 1981) and is known to have

occurred historically in small numbers throughout the Ballona

region. Although we took only one specimen, this species probably

still occurs in small numbers throughout the area.

M- 12

These insectivores feed on adult insects and their larvae and
*pupae. Those at Ballona may also feed on the numerous amphi . pods

found throughout the wet areas. Other species of Sorex are known

to feed on insects, arachnids, snails and earthworms, all of which

occur where Sorex ornatus forages in the Ballona area (Ingles,

1965). Sorex vagrans, common to salt marshes in the San Francisco

bay area, swims readily at and below the surface of water. It

builds its nests on the ground in higher areas.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: 1 from 2 miles E Playa Del Rey (20

January 1924) UCLA; I male from Del Rey (20 September 1925) SDNHM;

I from Playa Del Rey (18 December 1933) RHG; I from Playa Del Rey

marsh (20 November 1968) LACM; 1 from Ballona region near Playa

Del Rey (8 December 1980) RDF.

Broad-footed Mole, Scapanus latimanus occultus Grinnel and Swarth 1912

The nearest museum specimen is from Santa Monica. Fossil

specimens are known from Pleistocene deposits near Costa Mesa

@Miller, 1971).

This subterranean species occupies soft soils throughout

California and mast likely occurs on, or peripherally to, Ballona.

These animals are active year round and likely eat earthworms and

insects. Owls, snakes, skunks and weasels are likely predators

of this nocturnal species.

Although no specimens, or signs of this species, were noted

during this study, this mole is expected to occur in low numbers

inside the study area.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: None.

M-13

Order Chiroptera
Since the early 1900's, bat populations once inhabiting all" is

areas of the Los Angeles basin have been reduced through the
elimination of insect populations (through use of insecticides)

and by disturbance of bat roosting sites. Bats are now rarely

seen throughout the basin except in areas near mountains, as in

Pasadena. No bats were sighted or taken during this study, but,

doubtlessly, once were numerous around the Ballona region. Species

are included here for which voucher specimens are known from nearby

areas. There are eight species of bats known to have occurred in

the area.

California Leaf-nosed Bat, Macrotus californicus californicus Baird 1858

No specimens of this bat were sighted or taken during the

study, but a specimen taken from Palo Verde suggests this species

may forage, or may have foraged, in the Ballona region. Owls and
snakes are primary enemies of bats (Ingles, 1965).

This species is distributed throughout the southern one-fourth

of Cal ifornia.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: 1 female from Palo Verde (no date) LACM.

California Myotis, Myotis californicus californicus (Audubon and

Bachman) 1842

This species occurs throughout California except in the highest
life zones. Stephens (1906) reported this as a common bat in the

vallies of California.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: I male from Los Angeles (3 October 1938)

LACM.

Big Brown Bat, Eptesicus fuscus bernardinus Rhoads 1902

M-14

*t Although most common in pine forests, this bat is found
hroughout various California habitats.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: 3 females from Santa Monica (7 April 1921)

SDNHM; 1 female from Santa Monica Mountains, Griffith Park Zoo

(9 September 1944) LACM; 5 females, I male from Los Angeles (30

June 1936) LACM.

Red Bat, Lasiurus borealis teliotus (H. Allen) 1891

This migrating bat spends winters along the Pacific coast,

moving inland during the summer where it occurs throughout

California.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: I from Los Angeles (25 October 1938) LACM.

Hoary Bat, Lasiurus cinereus cinerus (Palisot de Beauvois) 1796

This bat roosts in trees, spending the winter on the Pacific

coastal slope, south from San Francisco. It moves inland and

orthward in late spring.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: 2 females from Los Angeles (30 November

i936, 11j: September 1942) LACM; 1 female from Palms (16 November

1939) LACM; 1 female from Santa Monica Mountains (21 November

1940) LACM.

Pallid Bat, Antrozous pallidus pacificus Merriam 1897

This species is represented in fossil beds near Costa Mesa

(Miller, 1971). It is known to feed upon Jerusalem crickets and

is abundant throughout much of California, except for the higher

altitudes.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: 2 females from Palms (27 July 1925, 21

May 1-932) LACN; 1 f.emale from University of Southern California

campus (24 May 1971) LACM.
0

M_ 15

Brazilian Free-tailed Bat, Tadarida brasiliensis mexicana 40
(Saussure) 1860

In California, this species is found chiefly in the Sonoran

life zones.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: 3 females, 4 males from Culver City (2-3
August 1928) SDNHM; 3 males, 7 females from Palms (30 August 1932,
11 March and 19 July 1933) LACM; 1 male from Palms (5 August 1928)

SDNHM; 2 males from Santa Monica (7 August 1928) SDNHM.

Western Mastiff Bat, Eumops perotis californicus (Merriam) 1890

This is an uncommon bat, known only from southern California

in 1906 (Stephens, 1906), occurring in arid and semiarid lowlands.

Specimens have been taken near Ballona in Santa Monica and Palms.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: 3 males 1@'rom Santa Monica (1 January and

7 April 1921) SDNHM; 2 females from Palms (2 October 1925) SDNHM;

I female from Palms (22 December 19215) LACM.

Order Lagomorph

Three sPecies of lagomorphs are known to occur in the Ballona

Creek area. One, the Brush Rabbit (Sylvilagus bachma ni cinerescens),

may not be found on the study site but is known to have occurred

historically in adjacent maritime habitats. Envicom (1981) reported

sighting this species.
Brush Rabbit, SZlvilagus bachmani cinerescens; (J. A. Allen) 1890
No definite sightings of this species were made during this

study, although the Brush Rabbit has occurred historically in the

area. Envicom (1981) personnel reported observing at least one

individual of this species during their field studies.

Pleistocene fossils of this species are known from deposits

M-16

at Rancho La Brea, Costeau Pit near El Toro and a site near

Costa Mesa (Miller, 1971). This species is generally associated

with chaparral, coastal sage scrub, or very thick brush, where it

feeds or forbs and grasses. Some areas of the Ballona region

contain suitable vegetation for this species.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: 1 from Santa Monica Mountains, Franklin

Canyon (26 January 1917) LACM; 2 from Santa Monica (2, 4 November

1917) UCLA; 2 females from Palms (22, 25 September 1926) SDNHM;

I from Culver City (26 December 1926) LACM.

Desert Cottontail, Sylvilagus audubonii sactidiegi (Miller) 1899

Cottontails were sighted in all units but were most numerous

in Units I and 3. No cottontails were seen in Subunit A of Unit

2, although these rabbits probably range throughout the region at

various times. Cottontails were flushed from thick stands of

Salicornia in Unit 1, even at times when the bases of the Salicornia

plants were covered with-an inch of water from high tides.

Pleistocene fossils of this species are known from Rancho

La Brea, Costeau Pit near El Toro, and of Sylvilagus cf. S.

audubonii from deposits near Newport Bay and LaMirada (Miller,
1971). This Pacific slope form differs from the desert form

(S. a. arizonae). The form found at Ballona is generally associated

wi th thickets in grassy lands and is the common rabbit of lowland

California. Most or all Sylvilagus on the Ballona property are of

this species. It eats grasses,.shoots and other kinds of

vegetation.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: 1 male from Palms (22 September 1926)

SDNHM.

M- 17

Black-tailed Jack Rabbit, Lepus cajifornicus bennetti Gray 1843

Remains of lagomorphs were found throughout the study area,

although Jack Rabbits were seen in only the drier areas. This

hare is found in almost every ecological community of California

(except in higher mountains). Jack Rabbits are present in all

three units of the study area, although populations are most dense

in Unit 3.

These hares eat many species of plants and are eaten by

predators such as hawks, owls and gopher snakes.

Fossils of this species are found in Pleistocene deposits at

Rancho La Brea, and Lepus cf. L. californicus fossils in deposits

near El Toro, Orange County (Miller, 1971).

On several occasions when we stayed in Unit 3 all night (to

protect our traps), hunters came in a 4x4 pick-up truck with

hand-held spotlights and 22-caliber rifles, shooting rabbits from

9 PM to midnight. When questioned, these hunters claimed they

frequently came to Unit 3 on Saturday ni.ghts to drink beer and

shooz rabbits.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: 1 from Del Rey (2 January 1934) LACM.

Order Rodentia

Ten species of rodents are known to occur in the Ballona

area.

California Ground Squirrel, Spermophilus beecheyi beecheyi

(Richardson) 1829

No individuals of this diurnal species were actually sighted

during our study, although there appear to be burrows of this
species in Subunit 0 of unit 2. Envicom (1981, Appendix 4)

reported observations of abundant individuals of this species,

M-ig

but evidently outside our study boundaries. A non-professional

source (falconer) who has been using this property for about 18

years, reported seeing ground squirrels east of Lincoln Boulevard

about five years a.go for the first time.

This species is represented in Pleistocene fossil beds from

Rancho La Brea, Costeau Pit near El Toro and San Pedro (Miller,

1971). Fossil beds near Newport Bay also possesses a closely

related form, Spermophilus cf. S. beecheyl.

This ground squirrel is widespread throughout California,

and frequently resides in maritime areas adjacent to the coast.

It feeds principally on vegetation but also on insects or other

anima1s.

Botta's Pocket Gopher, Thomomys bottae bottae (Eydoux and

Gervais) 1836

Mounds of this species are abundant throughout the Ballona

region, except where soils are regularly soaked with water. The

sand dun es in Unit IL are especially well worked by this species.

Even though Stephens (1906) reported this gopher as occurring

throughout the coast wherever vegetation grows, Robert G. Hannum

reported that populations of this species did not occur in the

Ballona Wetlands until sometime in the 1950's. Apparently, the

first movements into the marsh came along the ol.d trolley brim,

now abandoned, and finally into the levees with roads leading to

the gas wells.

This species is represented in Pleistocene fossils from beds

throughout the Los Angeles Basin (Miller, 1971). It occurs today

throughout all of California except in drier and higher areas.

Pocket gophers are important aerators of the soil through their
0

M- 19,

tunneling activities. Regurgitated pellets from a burrowing Owl
(Athene cunicularia) living on the sand dunes at the Los Angeles

International Airport contained mostly the remains of pocket

gophers. Hawks and gopher snakes are the other primary predators.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: I from vicinity Santa Monica (16 September

1917) UCLA; 1 from Palms (1 December 1925) UCLA; 1 male from

Palms (5 November 1927) SDNHM; I from Sawtelle (2 November 1925)

UCLA; I from Sawtelle (5 September 1926) SDMNH; 2 from sand

dunes, I mile NW Hyperion, Del Rey, SE La Ballona Creek (9

September 1956, 24 September 1957) RGH; I from sand dunes back
of Hyperion, SE La Ballona Creek outlet, Del Rey (29 March 1957)

RGH; 5 from sand dunes NW La Ballona Creek, Playa Del Rey (29

Apr il, 1 May, 5 May and 29 March 1970) RGH; 1 from off Culver

Blvd., I mile SWjunction of Culver and Lincoln Blvds., Playa

Del Rey (10 April 1981) RGH; I from Playa Del Rey, 1.0 miles S,

1.3 miles E Venice City Hall (12 April 1981) RDF.

Little Pocket Mouse, Perognathus lonaimembris Dacillicus Mearns 1898

This pocket mouse was described by von Bloeker (1932) as
Perognathus longimembris cantwelli (type in LACM, from Hyperion)

but was regarded as identical with Peroanathus lonaimembris

pacificus by Huey (1939).

This species is found in fine sandy soils of southern

California where seeds can be found and stored. Numerous specimens

of this subspecies were taken from the sand dunes and sandy

surrounding, flatter areas at Playa Oel Rey and El Segundo in t'he

191.0's but appear to be extirpated now. 'individuals of this

species are long lived, sometimes living for as long as eight
years (Edmonds and Fertig, 1972). We trapped for possible remnants

M-20

of this subspecies'in and around the sand dunes at the end-of the

ways of the Los Angeles International Airport. These traps were
set in areas with Buckwheat (Eriogonum) and other shrubs and forbs,

likely habitat for any survivors. Although burrows of pocket

gophers abounded, and scats and footprints of large carnivores were
found throughout the region (most probably from a gray fox known
to be living in the sand-dunes'), no Perognathus were found. In

fact, the single animal caught'in the Sherman live traps was a

Horned Lizard (Phyrnosoma cornatum). The sand dunes of Ballona

region, likewide, whow no signs of mammal activities other than

pocket gophers and large carnivores, such as domestic dogs.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: I from Hyperion (22 November 1918) LACM;

12 from Pl.aya Del Rey (1 May and 29 August 1932) LACM; 4 from
samd dunes, Vista Del Rey (4 June 1933, 5 June 1935,.25 June 1935)

4 from Del Rey (13 September, 30 June 1935) LACM; 8 from

1 mile N El Segundo (7, 8, 10, 11 June 1938) SDNHM.

California Pocket Mouse, Perognathus californicus dispar Osgood 1900

Fossils of this species, and a closely related form, are

.known from Rancho La Brea, Costeau Pit and Costa Mesa digs (Miller,
1971). Histor.ically, this mouse may have frequented coastal salt
marshes. Stephens (1906) reported this species from Los Angele$,

although it is generally associated with chaparral growth.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: None.

Agile Kangaroo Rat, Dipodomys agilis agilis Gambel 1848

No specimens of thi's species are known from Playa Del Rey,.
although Brown (1975, p.. 9-31) repo,rteid that "a few Pacific
kangaroo rats (Dipodomys agi lis) have burrows in open sandy

m- 21

places" on the property adjacent to the sand dunes of the Los

Angeles International Airport. Sandy areas around the Ballona

Wetlands look favorable for this species.

Miller (1971) reports Pleistocene fossil specimens of

Dipodomys from Costeau Pit, specimens of Dipodomys. agilis from

Rancho La Brea, and Dipodomys. of cf. 0. aqilis from the La Mesa

site. I

This species, a seed eater, is characteristic of coastal

sagebrush scrub of which there is a small stand in Unit 1. Stephens

(1906) reported this species as being "common in the coastal region

of southern California."

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: I from Sawtelle (19 October 1925) UCLA;

19 from Sawtelle (3, 4, 5 September and 17, 20, 22 October 1926,

and 18 October 1928) SDNHM.

Western Harvest Mouse, Reithrodontomys megalotis limicola von

Bloeker 1932

Playa Del Rey is the type locality for this subspecies.

Records indicate that this endemic form occurs as far north as

Point Mugu and as far south as Anaheim Bay (Hall, 1981).

Fossils of this species are known from the beds of Rancho

La Brea and Costa Mesa (Miller, 1971).

Reithrodonotomys was found to be most abundant in the wettest

areas of Unit 1 and 2. It was replaced by Mus in the drier areas.

This nocturnal mouse occurs throughout California, eating seed

and fruits, frequently using covered runs made by voles. This

s a I t-marsh subspecies, 1 imi cola, is efficiently adapted to drinking

seawater--even more so than its similarly adapted sister species,

the salt marsh harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys raviventris),

M-22

occurring only in the salt marshes around San Francisco Bay,
*California (Coulembe,.1970). Both of these species appear to

exhibit major seasonal movements of their populations, ranging

back and forth from low- to high-tide areas (Fisler, 1968).

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: 8 from Del Rey (15, 25 May 1929; 17 June

1929; 30 January 1932) LACM; 11 from along Culver Blvd., 0.8

miles SW Lincoln Blvd., Playa Del Rey (18 December 1933, 26

August 1934, 18 December 1934, 24 March 1935, 9 May 1935, 10

July 1955, 21 August 1955, 30 October 1955, 28 October 1956)

RGH; 7 from Playa Del Rey Marsh (15, 24 November 1968; 14

December 1968) LACM; 4 from Playa Del Rey Salt Marsh, 1.8 miles

S, 0.9 miles E Venice City Hall (11, 12 April 1981) RDF.

Deer Mouse, Peromyscus maniculatus gambelli (Baird) 1858

No specimens of this species were trapped on the study

area, which has apparently been replaced by Mus or displaced

because of other changes in the habitat required by deer mice.

Three Pleistocene l'ossil beds (Rancho La Brea, Costeau

Pit and Costa Mesa) have specimens of this species (Miller, 1971).

This species is one of the most widespread North American

mammals, appearing in most every terrestrial ecologic community.

This makes its absence from the Ballona region especially

surprising.

Deer mice eat seeds, fruit and insect larvae and pupae

(especially those of lepidopterans), but not food items of

Microtus (grass, bark or leaves; Ingles, 1965). All vertebrate

predators in the Ballona region would likely prey upon this

s p e C i e s .

2.1

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: 3 from Playa Del Rey, along Culver Blvd.,

0.3 miles S14 Lincoln Blvd. (21 Aug, 11 September 1955; 23 January,

no year) RGH; 1 from Redondo Beach (27 October 1968) LACM.

Southern Grasshopper Mouse, Onychomys torridus ramona Rhoads 1893

Grasshopper mice occur primarily in low, hot valleys (Hall,

1981) over most of the southern part of California. This species,

although generally found in more arid habitats, occurs in the Los

Angeles region today in small numbers and is present in the

Pleistocene fauna of Rancho La Brea (Miller, 1971; Dice, 1925).

Stephens (1906) took this grasshopper mouse from along the seashore

in southern California. About 90% of the diet of this nocturnal

mouse is animal food, 80% of which is arthropods (Ingles, 1965).

They generally prefer grasshoppers but will also eat tenebrionid

beetles and lizards.

Enemies of grasshopper mice include weasels, owls and

snakes.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: None.

Dusky-footed Woodrat, Neotoma fuscipes macrotis Thomas 1893

Although a potential resident, no individuals were found

during this study. This species is represented in Pleistocene

fossil beds from near Costa Mesa (Miller, 1971). Neotama cf.

N. fuscipes is reported from fossil digs near San Pedro.

This species occupies much of the Pacific slope of California.

Brown et al. (1975) noted stick houses made by this species near

the sand dunes of @1-he Los Angeles Tnternatilonal Airport, and

Stephens (1906) reported this species as inhabiting the seacoast

m-24

of southern California.

Predators of wood rats include owls, foxes, coyotes and

large snakes.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: 18 from Sawtelle, Los Angeles County

(23 May, 21 November, 3 December 1929; 20 March, 20 January

1930; 27 November 1927) LACM.

California Vole, Microtus californicus stephensi von Bloeker 1932

This form is endemic to coastal marshes of southern California,

occurring only from Point Mugu to Sunset Beach. The type locality

is Playa Del Rey.

Three specimens were trapped. Two of these were on Unit I

and the other in Subunit A of Unit 2, all in areas of Saltgrass

(Distichilis spicta) where runways abounded. Coulombe (1970)

suggests these circumstances imply saltgrass is used as a major

food source for Microtus.

This species, and a closely related form, is found as

Pleistocene fossils in beds 'throughout the Los Angeles Basin

and vicinity (Miller, 1971).

Scats and runs of this species indicate populations are found

on the levees around Ballona Wetlands, but most are concentrated

in Units 1 and 2. Although this salt-marsh form of Microtus is

primarily granivorous, individuals also appear to utilize some

halophytes, such as Salicornia, which are able to sustain these

voles for considerable time (Fisler, 1968). Thus, this vole

generally occurs in upland meadows and grassy places where

burrowing is possible, but also in areas subjected to daily high

tides (Fisler, 1961, 1968). This vole swims well, sometimes up

M-2.9

to 6.1 m (20 feet), and remains submerged up to 20 seconds
(Fis ler, 1961), indicating that it is well adapted for salt-marsh

living. Even at times when its home range is flooded, individuals

will stay put by swimming until the high tides subside (Fisler,

1968). Johnston (1957) reported that this vole builds its nest

on the soil surface, irrelevant of tidal height. Some populations

of Microtus vary cyclically over a three- or four-year period,

probably in conjunction with predation cycles (Ingles, 1965).
SPECIMENS EXAMINED: (type.specimen) Del Rey, Los Angel.es
County, California (3 May 1930) LACM; 1 from Playa Del Rey (24

October 1925) UCLA; 14 from along Culver Blvd., 0.8 miles SW

Lincoln Blvd., Playa Del Rey (13, 20 May 1933; 28 August 1934;

28 January, 9, 19, 24 March 1935; 8 June 1955; 15 January

1957) RGH; I from along railroad embankment, NW corner Lincoln

and Culver Blvds., (10 July 1955) RGH; 1 from Playa Del Rey, 1.7

miles S, 0.9 miles E Venice City 'Hall (11 April 1981) RDF.

Muskrat, Ondatra 74ebethicus (Sabine) 1823

Sometime after the beginning of this century, this species

was introduced into the Ballona Wetlands, evidently by escaped

individuals from fur farms. Robert G. Hannum reported seeing

them in the 1930's in the duck club that once occupied the site

of Unit 3. This flooded area was thickly populated with tules

or cattails at the time a habitat favored by muskrats. One night,

one of us (Friesen) nearly (?) captured an animal closely

resembling a muskrat on the brim around the overpass at Ballona

Creek, where it passes under Culver Boulevard. The animal, much

larger than a Rattus, moved slowly and rather awkwardly through

M-26

the weeds toward the creek. No scats of Rattus or any other

large rodent were found in the vicinity. No other evidence was

noted in our study.

One specimen-of Ondatra (species unknown) was found in the

Pleistocene fossil dig at Costeau Pit (Miller, 1971).

This species occurs in many southern California canals and

waterways into which they were introduced from the Colorado River.

They are found throughout the San Joaquin Valley wherever water

is found and are known from the brackish waters of Suisan Bay

(Macdonald, 1976).

SPECIMENTS EXAMINED: None.

Norway Rat, Rattus norvegicus norveqicus (Berkenhout) 1769

This rat was captured in each of the three units and is

probably present in low numbers through the study area.
0 Originally from China and introduced into the Pacific states
around 1850 (Stephens, 1906), this species is widely distributed

in California where it occurs around dwellings and dumps throughout

c i t i e s .

This omnivorous rat swims readily and is a good digger and

climber. It likely forages in small numbers throughout the

Ballona region. Although specimens were taken in all units, this

species is seldom seen far from buildings.

Predators of the norway rat include owls, hawks, foxes,

weasels and snakes.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: I from Playa Del Rey, 1.0 miles S, 1.3

miles E Venice City Hall (12 April 1981) RDF.

M-27

House Mouse, Mus musculus brevirostris Waterhouse 1837

We have captured this species throughout the Bollona region.

Introduced from Spain through Latin America, this species now

occurs in fields and dwellings near human habitations. It appears

to have displaced native mice in some places (Ingles, 1965)

and probably replaced Peromyscus maniculatus in the Ballona area.

This mouse is omnivorous, eating fruits, seeds and other

plant matter, but also eats insects and other animals when

available. Coulombe (1970) notes this species is able to live

in pure stands of Salicornia at Ballona. Fertig and Edmonds

(1969, 1970) documented the ability of this species to live in

areas, such as salt marshes, where fresh water is in short supply.

Cssentially, the species is adapted to aridity.

Natural predators of this species include owls, hawks,

snakes, foxes, weasels, skunks and raccoons (Ingles, 1965), all

food species originally found in the Ballona region but now reduced

in numbers.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: 19 from Playa Del Rey Marsh (9, 10, 14,

24, 25 November, 14 December 1968) LACM; 2 from Playa Del Rey

(1 November 1941, 4 December 1965) LACM; 4 from along Lincoln

Blvd., 0.8 miles SW Lincoln Blvd., Playa Del Rey (11 October

1955, 28 October 1956, 1 July 1957) RGH; 9 from Playa Del Rey

Salt Marsh, 1.8 miles S, 0.9 miles E Venice City Hall (11, 12

April 1981) RDF.

Order Carnivora

Ten species of carnivores are known to occur in the Ballona

M-29

area.

Coyote, Canis latrans ochropus Escholtz 1829

This species was not seen during the study, and most likely,

no longer occurs on this site.

Both Rancho La Brea and Costeau Pit near.Costa Mesa possess

Pleistocene fossils of this species. A closely related form

occurs in Pleistocene beds neir Buena Park (Miller, 1971). This

large carnivore occurs throughout California in nearly all

communities including maritime habitats adjacent to the coast

(Stephens, 1906). In the Ballona region, its food potentially

consists of insects, rabbits, hares, ground squirrels and voles.

Dens are usually enlarged holes of badgers or ground squirrels.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: None.

Domestic Dog, Canis familiaris Linnaeus 1758

Domestic dogs were encountered on many occasions in the
0-tudy area, both accompanied by humans and running free. This
s

carnivore Probably feeds on rabbits, mice, raccoons and birds.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: None.

Gray Fox, Urocyon cinereoargenteus californicus Mearns 1897

This species, and a closely related form, are represented

in Pleistocene fossils from Rancho La Brea and La-Mirada near

Buena Park (Miller, 1971).

Macdonald (1976) lists this species as a one-time, salt-marsh

component, ranging down to hunt and feed from adjacent maritime

and upland habitats. One fox was sighted on 15 'Saptember 1.981

by Marck Hayes in the agricultural land one-half way between

M-29t

Jefferson Boulevard and Centinela Creek. It appeared to be

stalking a morning dove. Envicom (1981) reported observing at

least one individual of this species during their field studies.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: None.

Raccoon, Procyon lotor psora Gray 1842

Tracks of this species were seen several times in the bottoms

of surge channels in Unit 2.

This mammal occurs throughout coastal California and was

reported around some of the bays along the seacoast as early as

1906 by Stephens. Dogs running loose on the Ballona property

probably limit raccoons to small numbers in the more protected

areas on the fringe of the wetlands.

Raccoons are omnivorous, eating any small mammal or other

vertebrate and many kinds of vegetable matter. These animals

spend most of their lives near water, making Ballona Wetlands an

ideal place for them. Dogs, more than humans, tend to disturb

them.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: None.

Long-tailed Weasel, Mustela frenata latirostra Hall 1936
one partial skull (most of the basal portions) of this

species was found on the study site in Unit 1.

Both Rancho La Brea and Costeau.Pit fossil.beds have specimens

of this species (Miller, 1971), which now occurs throughout much

of non-desert California and most likely is found in small numbers

in all habitats of the Ballona region.

It hunts both in daytime and nighttime, often climbing in

M-30

and out oil rock piles and scrub, looking for small mammals and

birds. It preys upon such species as Microtus. Reithrodontomys

and Thomomys_, as well as small Sylvilagus and Lepus.
SPECIMENS EXAMINED: I from Playa Del Rey (15 December 1927)

LACM; 1 from alongside Culver Blvd., 0.03 miles NE Lincoln Blvd.,

Del Rey (9 June 1957) RGH; 1 from Ballona Wetlands (10 October

1980) RDF; 8 from Culver City, Sawtelle and Palms (May and April

1928) UCLA.

Badger, Taxidea taxus jeffersonii (Harlan) 1825

No signs of this species were found on the study site, although

Pleistocene fossils are known from Rancho La Brea (Miller, 1971).

In 1906, Stephens noted that badgers were "not very common in

Ca I i forni a."

This species is now very localized throughout California.

Its numbers are being rapidly reduced by additional cultivation

and other human encroachments on their hunting grounds and by

reduction of the i r food 1 tems , such as gophers, rats, mice, voles

and groud squirrels. These food species are obtained by digging

them out of their burrows, often in the late afternoon and early

evening.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: I from Los Angeles, corner of Santa
Barbara and Hoover (14 June 1938) LACM.

Western Spotted Skunk, Spilogale gracilis.phenax Merriam 1838

No signs attributable to this species were found during the

study. Stephens (1906) reported this skunk as a common resident

in valleys of southern California.

M-3T

Pleistocene fossils of Spilogale putorius are reported in

Rancho La Brea deposits (Miller, 1971). This nocturnal species

occurs throughout communities in California, except in the deserts

and high mountains.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: None.

Striped Skunk, Mephitis mephitis holzne ri Mearns 1897

One individual of this species was discovered by Marc Hayes

in Subunit D of Unit 2 while he was looking for reptiles in a

large burrow. Othe signs of this species were not discernible

during the study, although it likely ranges throughout the region.

This skunk is present in Pleistocene fossils at Rancho La

Brea (Miller, 1971). Many striped skunks are known to live in

coastal sand dunes where they hunt on the beaches, digging out

sand c-rabs (Ingles, 1965). Numerous carnivore scats were found

on the sand dunes at El Segundo (at the end of the runways of the
Los Angeles International Airport) that contained numerous crab

parts. Some of these scats may have been from skunks, although

none were sighted by us. Brown et al. (1975) reported them as

occasional dwellers of the LAX sand dunes.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: None.

Domestic Cat, Felis catus Linnaeus 1758

No cats were encountered during our study, although Envicom
(1981) reported this species as "abundant" during their studies.

Feral cats may occur around the Hughes Airport property, an area

not included in our boundaries.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: None.

M-3?-

Bobcat, Felis rufus californicus Mearns 1897

No evidence that this species now inhabits the Ballona region

was found. It likely has been.extirpated because of human

disturbances and the limited size of the available area. Stephens

(1906) reported this cat as "common" in brushy parts of coastal

southern California.

Fossil remains of this lynx are found at Rancho La Brea

(Miller, 1971). A closely related form, Lynx cf. L. rufus,

appears in deposits-near Buena Park.

Bobcats prey upon small birds and mammals, such as pocket

gophers, ground squirrels, deer mice, voles, bush rabbits,

cottontails, hares and woodrats.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: None.

Order Artiodactyla

One species of artiodactyl is known to have occurred in

the Ballona. area.

Mule Deer, Odocoileus hemionus californica (Caton) 1876

Deer are primarily browsers on trees and shrubs and may have

ranged into the Ballona region along riparian bottoms. Although

no signs of this species were not found during our study, mule

d-eer are present throughout the Santa Monica Mountains today,

generally preferring more upland habitats.

Pleistocene fossils of this species are known from Rancho
La Brea (Miller, 1971). A closely related form has been described
from digs at Newport Bay, San Pedro and La Mirada (Miller, 1971).

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: None.

M-3i

'DISCUSSION

Our results, and those of others (Soholt and Jollie, 1969;

Fisler, 1961, 1963, 1968; Coulombe, 1970; Eilers, 1980; Greene

and Fertig, 1972; Johnson and Rudd, 1957; and others), call att-

ention to the diversity of habitats in the Ballona region.

Several aspects of this diversity, and the unique character of

salt marshes, are discussed below in light of our data. Smith

(1980) reviews some of the relationships that govern the need for

diversity or patchiness in ter.restrial environments. Potential

densities of mammalian species (and other wildlife) with "small

home ranges and requiring two or more habitat types"--the precise

case of the salt-marsh endemics, Microtus, Reithrodontomys and

Sorex--are "roughly proportional to the sum of the type of

peripheries" (p. 583). Smith also notes that "the abundance of

resident species requiring two or more cover types appear to

depend upon the degree of interspersion of numerous blocks of 'Che

smae kind" (p. 583). Most likely, the stability of salt-marsh

endemic mammalian taxa is greatly enhanced by the interspersion

of habitat types in Ballona region.

Fossil records indicate that the diversity of mammalian

species from the area around the Ballona region is a dynamic

property. Nevertheless, Macdonald (1976) points out that, presently

species diversity of Pacific coast marsh taxa (including numerous

invertebrates) appear to be low, but that densities are high--a

situation typically found in "extreme, highly fluctuating

physical environments."

MARK-RECAPTURE STUDIES

Data from part of our initial attempt to do mark-recapture

m-34

studies on the site are reported in Table S. These data are

based on trapline 8 from Unit 1 with 100 traps set each night.

Several trends are apparent in the data. Fewer animals were

captured in the colder months, evidently because the rodent

populations had dropped from earlier levels. During the colder

winter months, about half the few Reithrodontomys we caught

(Table 1) were recaptured animals (previously'toe-clipped) and

half new individuals. Mus sometimes was not trapped at all, or

only one or two individuals were recaptured. Most recaptured

individuals that were taken in December and February were animals

that had been originally marked in November. The few individuals

trapped in December and February for the first time were not

recaptured the following nights. Thus,

SPECIES ABUNDANCES BETWEEN UNITS

Comparative abundances of rodent species captured in the

three Units (Table 4) show that endemic Reithrodontomys are

dominant in Unit 1 (7 captures per 100 traps), whereas the

non-native Mus is dominant in Units 2 and 3 (2-5 captures per

100 traps). Mus, however, is found in all three Units at levels

between 2-5 captures per 100 traps set.

Native Microtus are found at -low levels in both Units 1

and 2 (one individual per 300 to 500 traps). This species

evidently co-occurs with Mus in most or all coastal marshes of

California. Lidicker (1966) reported field and laboratory

observations between these two species on Brooks Island in San

Francisco Say. The distinctly different ecologies of these two

species suggest that they may not directly compete for food

M- 35

sources and, therefore, may easily coexist. Both species are

fairly aggressive, evidently avoiding encounters. They may compete

for nesting sites, however. The larger Microtus likely would win

such competition, since this species clearly won all encounters

Lidicker observed between these two species in laboratory studies.

It is likely, nevertheless, that both species will continue to

persist in the Ballona region, especially since Mus appears to

remain established in any area it gains a foothold (Schwarz and

Schwarz, 1943).

Rattus norvegicus also is found at low levels in localized

areas of all three Units. Rattus generally does better in settled

areas where garbage, and other food sources produced by human

activity, are continually available--it does not particularly

persist in open field situations wherever buildings are available.

The low densities of this species in the marshlands is not

surprising. The marshlands, in fact, probably contHbute little

to the presence of Rattus populations in commercial buildings

and elsewhere throughout Marina del Rey.

Peromyscus maniculatus gambelli, now apparently absent or in

very low numbers in the region, once was fairly common. Most

likely, Mus musculus replaced Peromyscus. The demise of native
rodents usually occurs wherever Mus is introduced (Schwarz and
Schwarz, 1943). Specimens of Peromyscus.were collected by Robert
G. Hannum from Playa Del Rey as late as 1955 (see the species

account of Peromyscus maniculatus), but individuals were

apparently absent 14 years later by the time Soholt and Jollie

(1969) trapped the same area.

M_ 36

Our data agree with those of Soholt and Jollie (1969;
personal communication, 1981) showing significant differences in

the Abundance of rodents between drier and wetter areas of the

Ballona region as shown in Table 6. We generally caught more

Mus in higher, drier areas adjacent to the Salicornia than in

the Salicornia,itself. Specifically, trapline 3 in Unit 1, set

along a cultivated edge having both wheat and Salicornia, and

trapline 12, set on the grassy area behind the commercial build-

ings on Culver Boulevard, had more Mus than Reithrodontomys
(Table 1). In contrast, all other successful traplines set in

wetter parts of the marsh of Unit 1 had more Reithrodontomys.

In Unit 2, where our traplines were bounded by surge channels

in a more or less uniform Salicornia stand with little raised

upland (lacking berms), only Mus musculus were captured. It

appears to us, then, that in the more diverse marsh--presumably

the more natural situations or "pristine" areas of the region--the

native species, Reithrodontomys, is more abundant. We are using

the word "pristine" here in the sense that an undisturbed marsh

would naturally possess uplands (berms, banks, hillocks) along

"its edge and probably throughout the marshland, providing more

diversity than, a rather uniform area of tidally flooded Salicornia.

To native mammals, the diversity appears to be important.

PHYSIOLOGICAL ADAPTATIONS

According to Macdonald (1976), only a small number of animals

(including invertebrates) found in Pacific coast salt marshes are

restricted to these habitats. Yet, several mammalian taxa

endemic to Ballona region (Reithrodontomys megalotis limicola,

Microtus californicus stephensi and Sorex ornatus salicornicus)

M-37

are metabolically adapted to drinking seawater. Other small

mammals, not being so adapted, are generally excluded from

strict existence in marshes. Many larger species can regularly

move to areas with fresh water, such as riparian areas. Fisler
(1963) has shown that related upland subspecies of salt marsh

rodents are not adapted to drinking salt water as are the endemic

marshland forms. For example, Microtus californicus living in

uplands from San Francisco Bay are not able to subsist by drinking

seawater. The three endemic rodents of Ballona Wetlands, along

with others found in marshes in San Francisco Bay (Reithrodon-

tomys raviventris and Sorex sinuosus), utilize halophytic plants

as food, and likely have developed their unique ability to drink

seawater as a result of eating these highly salty plants. The

water available in these plants may indeed provide a major

amount of these animals' daily needs.

Such adaptations to living in salt-laden habitats, while

highly unusual, are not unique. Dipodomys microps (the Chisel-

toothed Kangaroo Rat), living in saltflats in western North

America deserts, is able to utilize leaves of halophytic

Atriplex plants by shaving off the salty surface layers with

especially adapted lower incisors. Several other species of

Dipodomys, especially D. merriami, are able to live entirely

without free water (Kenagy, 1972). It appears that these

marshland and desert species are not routinely stressed by lack

of fresh water (Greene and Fertig, 1972).

MOVEMENT PATTERNS

Movement patterns of marshland mammals also appear to be

m-38

unique. Saltmarsh Microtus populations, for instance, exhibit

movement patterns over four times longer distances than do

individuals of upland populations of the same species (Fisler,

1968). These movements are probably related to tidal influences

to which Microtus is not well adapted. Reithrodontomys, in

contrast, appears to be better adapted to tidal fluctuations,

now showing much lateral movement in the marshlands (Fisler,

1968; Johnston, 1957).

TROPHIC RELATIONSHIPS

Mammals are important elements in the trophic webs of coastal

marshes. Macdonald (1976) discusses some of these relationships.

Mammalian herbivores, and the food items they graze upon or hunt,
include Sylvilagus audubonii (leaves and shoots), Reithrodontomys
megalotis (seeds and fruits) and Peromyscus maniculatus (seeds

and fruits). Carnivorous mammals, and their prey, include Sorex
.ornatus.(insects, snails, earthworms, arachnids), Didel2his
vira-iniana (insects and other animals), Mustela frenata (small
mammals and birds), Rattus norvegicus,(garbage and carrion), Mus
muscul us (insects and other animals ) , plus the ten carnivores

listed in Table 3 (other mammals, birds, or other animals). Major

predators upon mammals include, in addition, snakes, owls,

White-tailed Kites, all of which feed on smaller mammals, and

Great Blue Herons, Marsh Hawks, and Red-tailed Hawks, all of

which prey upon larger mammals. The top carnivores once included

Lynx rufus, Urocyon cinereoargenteus, Taxus taxidea and Canis

lantrans.

M-39

MITIGATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The following recommendations were developed with the goal

of creating a viable, self-sustaining area dominated by a coastal

marsh community. Ideally, once established, this system should

require a minimal amount of active management.

Two aspects guided our recommendations. First, one of size.

Because small populations are more vulnerable to extinctions

resulting from population fluctuations, drought or disease, as

exemplified by populations studied by Lidicker (1966), we recommend

the preservation of a large area of the Ballona region to insure

large mammalian populations having the best chance for stability.

Second, one of ecological diversity and stability. A number of

studies cited by Smith (1980) have shown that areas with greater

varieties of ecological situations have more species. Thus, we

recommend the preservation of a large area of the Ballona region

to insure the largest number of mammalian species a chance for

survival. The endemic salt-marsh taxa of mammals discussed in

this paper will have decreased chances for survival u.nless a

stable, self-sustaining and diverse ecosystem can be created in

the Ballona region. The marsh, coastal dune, freshwater

riparian and dry upland habitats and their associated ecotones

provide this diversity.

Saving a large area with varied habitats is essential to

create the most stable setting for a coastal marshland mammalian

fauna. Habitats in this area would require some restoration,

including some passive measures, such as deregulating tidal

M-40

fluctuations by removing tide gates, and some active measures,

such as removing certain non-native plant species and reintrod-

ucing native taxa. For purposes of making recommendations, we

divided the Ballona region area into estuarian, coastal dune,
fresh water, as described by Envicom (1981) and maritime habitats,

which include dry upland areas bordering the marsh.

ESTUARIAN HABITATS

These habitats include pickleweed saltmarsh, mudflats,

channels and saltflats. At present, tidegates and berms deprive

the wetlands of adequate flushing. The pristine nature of the

marshland was considerably different when it included freshwater

input from Ballona and Centinela Creeks.

Reithrodontomys megalotis limicola, Sorex ornatus salicornicus

and.Microtus californicus stephensi are now present in these

habitats and would be expected to persist if the area now inundated

by tidal fluctuations were increased. Peromyscus maniculatus

gambelii, which has probably been displaced by Mus musculus, could

be reintroduced--but will not likely become reestablished. Schwarz

and Schwarz (1943.) note that once established, populations of

Mus musculus usually remain established.

Fisler (1961) has shown that individuals of Microtus almost

always include high areas not inundated by water into their home

ranges. The old trolley berm running through Unit I could be

lowered and re-established with salt grass as ideal upland for

Microtus.

We recommend that the size of the estuarian habitat be

4-41

increased and that Peromyscus maniculatus gambelii be

re-introduced.

COASTAL DUNE HABITATS

These habitats include two areas. One is Subunit B of Unit

2, but the most important is Subunit H of Unit 1, located at

the west end of the study area. These dunes have been greatly

altered by equestrian activities. Typical species of this habitat,

such as Peromyscus maniculatus, Dipodomys agilis and Perognathus

longimembris, have been reported on nearby dunes in El Segundo

(Brown et al., 1975), although our recent trapping efforts in

the El Segundo sand dunes (July 1981) produced no individuals

of these species.

Restoration of the dune areas should include the removal of

buildings, stables and all non-native vegetation (such as Castor

Beans) and the bringing in of additional sand. Native plant

species should be re-introduced and established prior to the

.re-introduction of native mammal populations taken from adjacent

coastal populations.

FRESHWATER HABITATS

Presently, these habitats are restricted to Centinela Creek

and a small area at the base of the bluffs on the south side of

Unit 2. The maintenance of a permanent fresh water source is

important to larger mammals.

M-42

MARITIME UPLANDS AND BERMS

These habitats are dispersed throughout the study area,

including the raised berms in and around the Salicornia and the

bluffs on the south border of Unit 2. The diversity provided by

these habitats is useful to at least 13 mammalian species that

tould, or do, inhabit these areas. Four of these, Mustela

frenata, Mephitus, mephitus, Procyon lotor and Didelphis virgin-

iana, are importanIC. predators which help to provide stability to

the entire ecosystem through ecologic interactions. These areas

are also useful buffers for the estuarine community.

BUFFER ZONES

A sufficient buffer is needed to protect the habitat

supporting the mammals. A zone sufficiently protective of birds

will be adequate for mammals.

PROTECTION OF BALLONA REGION

Throughout our study, we became aware of the heavy uses of

the Ballona region for activities such as horseback riding,

.hunting, fishing, motorcycle riding and dog walking. Numerous

human transients live there, and falconers exercise their birds.

We believe these disruptive uses should be stopped, and the

.normal use of the region should be limited to designated, estab-

lished trails. Because of its position and accessibility, this

rare and unique area can be a valuable educational resource for

the Los Angeles populatJon.

M-43

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We wish to acknowledge Diana McIntyre and Robin Agoes for

their help in gathering historical references and museum records

pertaining to the Ballona region. We also thank Robert G.

Hannum, Ty Garrison and Judy Astone for their assistance in

field work.

LITERATURE CITED

Axelrod, D. 1. 1958. Evolution of the madro-tertiary geoflora.

Bot. Rev. 24:434-509.

Brown, T., D. Force, and P. Castro. 1975. Fauna. Physical

Environmental Studies, Los Angeles International Airport

Series, Volume 3. Pp. 9-1 to 9-73. Los Angeles Department

of Airports and the Federal Aviation Administration.

Burt, W. H., and R. P. Grossenheider. 1964. A field guide to

the mammals: Field marks of all species found north of the

Mexican boundary. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. 284 pp.

Clark, J. 1979. Ballona wetlands study; a report prepared by

faculty and masters degree candidates, The School of

Architecture and Urban Planning. Univ. California and The

Conservation Foundation, Los Angeles and Washington, *D.C.,

(vii) + 66 + (ii) + 45 pp. June 18.

Coulombe, H. N. 1970. The role of succulent halophytes in the

water balance of salt marsh rodents. Oecologia 4:223-247

Dice, L. R. 1925. Rodents and lagomorphs of the Rancho La Brea
deposits. Carnegie Inst. Washington, Publ. 349(7)119-130,

August.

M-44

Edmonds, V. W., and D. S. Fertig. 1972. Longevity of the pocket

mouse, Perognathus longimembris. Southwest. Nat. 17(3):293-312,

October 6.

Eilers, P. 1980. Ecology of a coastal salt marsh after long-term

absence of tidal fluctuation. Bull. Soc. Cal.ifornia Acad.

Sci. 79(2):55-64.

Envicom Corporation. 1981. Ecological investigations for Playa

Vista Master Plan, dated 1979. In Summa Corp. Appendices.

Environmental Profile of the Playa Vista Master Plan Area.

Prepared by Jones and Stokes Associates, Inc. Sacramento,

California. A-ppendix 4.

Fertig, 0. S., and V. W. Edmonds. 1969. The physiology of the

house mouse. Sci. Amer. 22(4):103-110, October.

1970. Water requirements of mice. Pest Control

33(6):18, 22, 24, 28, 30-31, June.

Fisler, G. F. 1961. Behavior of salt-marsh Microtus during winter
high tides. J. Mamm. 43(l):37-43, February.

_. 1963. Effect of salt water on food and water consumption
and weight of harvest mice. Ecology 44(3):604-608, Summer.

1968. Adaptations in movement patterns of two species

of salt-marsh rodents. Bull. So. California Acad. Sci.

67(2):96-103.

Greene, J. R., and D. S. Fertig. 1972. Water sources for house

mice living in salt marshes. Physiological Zoology

45(2):125-129, April.

Gustkey, E. 1980. A time when wildlife had a different meaning.

Los Angeles Times, 12 December 1980 (Part III), pp. 1, 18.

M-45,

Hall, E. R. 1936. Mustelid mammals from the Pleistocene of

North America with systematic notes on some recent members

of the genera Mustela, Taxidea and Mephitis. Carnegie Inst.

Washington Publ. 473:41-119 + 5 pls., November 20.

. 1981. The mammals of North America. 2 Vol,umes. John

Wiley & Sons, New York. 1181 pp. + 90 pp. index.

Holder, C. F. 1911. Life in the open. Not read by us. (Cited

in Gustkey, 1980.)

Huey, L. M. 1939. The silky pocket mice of southern California

and northern Lower California, Mexico, with the description

of a new race. Trans. San Diego Soc. Nat. Hist. 9(l):47-54,

August 31.

Ingles, L. G. 1965.- Mammals of the Pacific States, California,

Oregon, and Washington. Stanford Univ. Press, Stanford,

xii + 506 pp.

Johnston, R. F. 1957. Adaptation of salt marsh mammals to high

tides. J. Mamm. 38(4):529-531, November.

Johnston, R. F., and R. L. Rudd. 1957. Breeding of the salt

marsh shrew. J. Mamm. 38(2):157-163, May.

Kenagy, G. J. 1972. Saltbush leaves: Excision of hypersaline

tissue by a kangaroo rat. Science 178:1094-1096.

Lidicker, W. Z., Jr. 1966. Ecological observations on a feral

house mouse population declining to extention. Ecol. Monogr.

36:27-50, Winter.

Macdonald, K. B. 1976. Plant and animal communities of Pacific

North America salt marshes. In V. J. Chapman (ed.), Wet

Coastal Formation. Ecosystems of the World Series. Elsevier

Scientific Publishing Co., Amsterdam.

Miller, W. E. 1971. Pleistocene vertebrates of-the Los Angeles

M-46

basin and vicinity (exclusive of Rancho La Brea). Nat.
Hist. Mus. Los Angeles Co. Sci. Bull. 10, viii + 124 pp.,

February 17.

Schwarz, E., and H. K. Schwarz. 1943. The wi ld and commensal

stocks of the house*mouse, Mus musculus Linnaeus. J. Mamm.

24(l):59-72, February 20.

Sea-shore Retreat Is Now Open. 1871. Los Angeles Daily Star,

16 June 1871. Pages 2-3.

Smith, R. L. 1980. Ecology and field biology. Chapter 20,

Community structure. Harper & Row, Publishers, New York.

Pp. 578-611.

Soholt, L. F., and K. G. Jollie. 1969. A survey of the rodent

launa of two southern California salt marshes. Unpublished

student manuscript. Office of Curator of Mammalogy, Natural

History Museum of Los Angeles County.

Stephens, F. 1906. California mammals. West Coast Publishing

Co., San Diego, California. 351 pp.

von Bloeker, J. D., Jr. 1932. A new race of Peragnathus

longimembris from southern California. Proc. Biol. Soc.

Washington 45:127-130, September 9.

Woodford, A. D., J. E. Schoellhamer, J. G. Vedder, and R. F.

Yerkes. 1954. Geology of the Los Angeles Basin. In

M-4 7

R. H. Jahns (ed.), Geology of Southern California. Bull.
9 170, California Dept. Natural Resources, Div. of Mines,
San Francisco, California.

0
I

. . . . . . . . . . .
5- -------------
UPUNII G

UNIT 3

SUBUNIT E

DALLONA

of
UNIT I
Z:
:zz
10 UNIT
2

SUOUNIT A
Cargs

WO
J SUOU IT B
IN

Figure 1. Study region, indicating Units and subunits used in Mamal discussion.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

Figure 2. USGS Redondo guad map from 1896 showing tidelands in the Ballona region.

TL 4
TL 2

....................... ......
CALLON&

Tc 10

TL I

Tt I
Tt it 41,

Figure.Y. Locations,of trap lines (TL) used to study Mammal populations.

TABLE ONE.Summary of 1980-81 traping data in Ballona region. M-51
Units and subunits are as shown in Figure One. Trapline numbes
are as shown in Figure Three.
SUB- TRAPLINE NO. OF
UNIT DATE UNIT NO. TRAPS NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS CAPTURED
Mus Reithrodontomys Microtus Rattus
musculus megalots- californicus norveg-
lCus

1 6/8/80 - 3 75 6 2 0 0
8/11/80 - 8 160 5 16 0 1
9/11/80 - 8 100 8 19 0 0
10/11/80 - 8 l00 0 5 1 0
21/12/80 - 8 125 0 9 0 0
22/12/80 - 8 125 0 2 1 0
5/2/81 - 8,10 100,25 0 4 0 0
6/2/81 - 8,10 100,25 2 5 0 0
12/4/81 - 12 25 9 4 0 0
TOTAL 900 30 62 2 1

2 5/8/80 A 1 70 5 0 0 0
6/8/80 A 1 70 2 0 0 0
27/9/80 B 5 60 1 0 0 1
28/9/80 B 5 60 3 0 0 0
29/9/80 B 5 60 0 0 0 0
8/11/80 c 7 60 6 0 0 0
9/11/80 C 7 60 4 1 0 0
10/11/80 C 7 60 2 0 0 0
13/3/81 A 11 60 0 0 0 0
14/3/81 A 11 60 0 0 0 0
11/4/81 A 11 60 7 0 0 0
12/4/81 A 11 60 2 2 1 0
TOTAL 740 32 3 1 1

3 5/8/80 E 2 60 0 1 0 0
6/8/80 F 4 30 0 0 0 0
27/9/80 E 6 60 6 0 0 0
28/9/80 E 6 60 3 0 0 0
29/9/80 E 8 60 0 0 0 0
8/11/80 E 2 30 0 0 0 0
12/4/81 E 2 65 0 0 0 2q1
TOTAL 365 9 61 0 2

M-52

TABLE TWO Trapline descriptions. Numbers refer to traplines shown in Figure Three.

Trapline
Number Description

1 Periodically flooded area of uniform Salicornia,
bordered by channels.

2 Highly rutted fill covered with strand and weedy
vegetation.

3 Wet Salicornia to previously cultivated land.

4 Dry area including Salicornia and Anise, crossing
Gas Company access Fo-ads.

5 Sandy and weedy dune remnant between hillside and
cultivated field.

6 Sandy fill from creation of Marina, covered with
strand and weedy vegetation.

7 Along surge channel remnant of Centinela Creek.

8 In and through edge between Salicornia and birm
areas.

9 Around fresh water seepage at base of bluffs.

10 Weedy sand dune area heavily used by domestic
dogs and horses.

11 includes Eucalyptus grove and adjacent Salt grass
patches in Ice plant tract.

12 Dense grassy areas not inundated by tidal waters.

M-53

TABLE THREE. MAMMALS OF THE BALLONA REGION.

SALT SAND MARI-
COMMON NAME SPECIES MARSH RIPARIAN DUNE TIME

Vi rgini a Oppossum Didelphis virginiana + F F +

Ornate Shrew Sorex ornatus + + P +

Broad-footed Mole Scapanus latimanus H P P

California Leaf-nosed Macrotus californicus SF SF HF HF
Bat

California Myotis Bat Myotis californicus PF PF PF PF
Big Brown Bat Eptescius fuscus PF PF PF PF

Red Bat Lasiurus borealis PF PF PF PF

Hoary Bat Lasiurus cinereus F F F F

Pallid Bat Antrozous pallidus PF PF F F

Brazilian Free- Tadarida brasiliensis F F F F
tailed Bat

Western Mastiff Bat Eumops verotis F F F F

Brush Rabbit Sylvilagus bachmani H? H? _? +?

Audubon Cottontail Sylvilagus audubonii. + + + +

Black-tailed Hare Lepus californicus + + + +

California Groud Spermophilus beecheyi + +
Squirrel

Botta's Pocket Gopher Thomomys bottae + + + +
Little Pocket Mouse Perognathus lonqimembris H H

California Pocket Perognathus californicus S S
Mouse
Pacific Kangaroo Rat Dipodomys. aqilis H H
Western Harvest Reithrodontomys megalotis. + + + +
Mouse

M-54

SALT SAND MARI-
COMMON NAME SPECIES MARSH REPARIAN DUNE TIME

Deer Mouse Peromyscus maniculatus S? S H H

Southern Grasshopper Onychomys torridus H H
Mouse

Dusky Footed Wood Neotoma fuscipes H H
Rat

California Meadow Microtus californicus + + +
Mouse

Muskrat Ondatra zibethicus + +

Norway Rat Rattus norvegicus + + + +

House Mouse Mus musculus + + + +

Coyote Canis latrans HF HF H H

Domestic Dog Canis familiaris + + + +

Gray Fox Urocyon cinereoargenteus F F + +

Grizzly Bear Ursaus arctos SF SF SF SF

Raccoon Procyon lotor F F F +

Long-tailed Weasel Mustela frenata + + F +

Badger Taxidea taxus SF SF SF S

Spotted Skunk Spilogale gracllis PF P P P

Striped Skunk Mephitis mephitis + + + +

Domestic Cat Felis catus F F F +

Bobcat Felis rufus SF S S S

Mule Deer Odocoileus hemionus S S

SYMBOLS:

Taxa known to occur (+) or forage (F); possibly occurring (P) or foraging (R
historically known to have occurred (H) or foraged (HF); suspected to have
.occurred (S) or foraged (SF) historically.

TABLE FOUR. Comparative abundance of captured species in each unit. Units and subunits are as shown in
Figure One.

UNIT SUBUNIT OF TRAPNIGHTS CAPTURES AS A PERCENT OF TRAPNIGHTS IN EACH UNIT

Mus Reithrodontomys Microtus Rattus
megalotus --TTf-
musculus ca ornicus norvegicus

1 900 3.3 6.9 0.2 0.1

2 A 380 4.2 0.5 0.3 0.0

2 B,C 360 4.4 0.3 0.0 0.3

3 Ej 365 2.5 0.3 0.0 0:5

Ln
L"

M-56

TABLE FIVE. Summary of recapture data for Reithrodontomys megalotis and
Mus musculus from trapline number eight as sho-wn in Figure three-

SPECIES
Reithrodontomys megalotis Mus musculus
Date No. caught No. % recaptured No. caught No. & % recaptured

8/11/80 16 - 10 - -

9/11/80 19 0 0% 9 2 25%

.10/11/80 8 3 38% 1 1 100%

21/12/80 9 3 33% 0 - -

22/12/80 2 0 0% 0

5/2/81 4 2 50% 2 1 50%

6/2/81 5 3 60% 2 2 100%

M-57

TABLE SIX Trapping results from Soholt and Jollie (1969), showing differences
between wet and dry habitats.
AREA FROM BALLONA CREEK TO SAND BETWEEN BALLONA CREEK AND
DUNES AT WEST END OF MARSH CULVER BOULEVARD
sandy and dry areas dry, high areas wet areas
not subject to flooding not subject to flooding subject to flooding

Number of
trap-
nights 176 168 188

Number of
Specimens
Captured 3 15 22

3 Mus 5 Mus 1 Sorex ornatus
musculus musculus
11 Mus
10 Reithro- musculus
dontomys
megalotis 8 Reithro-
dontomys
megalotis

2 Microtis
californicus

THE HERPETOFAUNA OF BALLONA

Marc P. Hayes and Craig Guyer

THE HERPETOFAUNA OF BALLONA

page

Introduction 1
Methods 2
Species accounts 5
Summary
Scope of the herpetofauna 39
Historical data and changes 40
Ecological characteristics of the existing fauna 46
Uniqueness of the Ballona ecosystem 48
Management recommendations 49
Literature cited 53

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1. Amphibian distribution. 59
Figure 2. Body lengths of Hyla regilla. 60
Figure 3. Frequency distribution of adult treefrogs. 61
Figure 4. Sand-dwelling lizard distribution. 62
Figure 5. Observed activity in Anniella pulchr 63
Figure 6. Alligator lizard distribution. 64
Figure 7. Observed activity in Gerrhonatus multicarinatus. 65
Figure 8. Body 'lengths of G. multicarinatus. 66
'Figure 9. Western fence lizard distribution. 67
Figure 10. Snout-vent lengths of male Sceloporus occidentalis 68
Figure 11. Body lengths of female S. occidentalis. 69
Figure 12. Seasonal activity of S. occidentalis. 69a
Figure 13. Body lengths of Uta stansburiana. 70
Figure 14. Seasonal activity of U. stansburiana. 71
Figure 15. Snake distribution. .1 72
Figure 16. Frequency distribution of two snakes. 73
Figure 17. Body lengths of Lampropeltis getulus. 74
Figure 18. Frequency distribution of L. getulus. 75
Figure 19. Body lengths of Pituophis melanoleucus. 76
Figure 20. Frequency distribution of P. melanoleucus. 77
Figure 21. Seasonal activity patterns of the ballona
herpetofauna. 78

THE HERPETOFAUNA OF BALLONA

Marc P. Hayes and Craig Guyer

INTRODUCTION

Reptiles and amphibians are vital components of many North American

ecosystems. However, because many are cryptic or secretive and because

they have little economic importance to man, these vertebrates are often

overlooked in ecosystem studies. The importance of reptiles and amphibians

was emphasized by Turner et al. (1976) who studied Uta stansburiana in a

desert ecosystem and found this lizard to be as important as mammals and

birds with respect to numbers, biomass and energetics. Other reptiles and

amphibians are equally abundant in other ecosystems and undoubtedly have

similar importance to those ecosystems as Uta does in the desert.

Our primary purpose in surveying the Ballona herpetofauna was to

provide a framework through which sound management decisions for the region

could be made. Early on, we became aware of how diffuse the basic litera-

ture on the species occurring at Ballona was. Therefore, a second purpose

was to consolidate ecological data for these animals from the scientific

literature to provide an easily accessible base for future studies. To

this point, concise species accounts were written covering the following

general topics: geographic distribution, general habitat preference,

daily and seasonal activity patterns, growth, reproduction, population

structure, food preferences, and predators. Our data summarize information

on over 500 marked animals and over 1,500 observations of marked and

H-2

unmarked animals of nine species (six reptiles and three amphibians). These

data are compared to similar data from oth-er populations. For species which

have been studied from widely separated geographic regions, we have compared

Ballona data with the closest populations or to studies of the same sub-

species. Some species were captured or sighted so infrequently that little

information is available for Ballona. In these cases, we have relied on

studies of these species in similar habitats or localities in an effort to

predict their ecology at Ballona. The topics we have chosen to cover should

also indicate the following: sensitive habitats for reptiles and amphibians,

species that are sensitive to perturbations, seasons during which each

species might be sensitive to perturbations, and how each species fits into

the Ballona ecosystem.

METHODS

Our primary sampling method was transects located in three designated

units. We attempted to cover all major vegetative types and habitats. We

sampled on three days each month from September 1980 through January 1981

and then' four days from February 1980 through July 1981. Diurnal sampling

was done with two people between 06:00 and 19:00 hours. We attempted to

.optimize the time of sampling based on our previous knowledge of the be-

havior of the species present. The duration of each sampling period

varied from three to six and one-half hours, but we attempted to standardize

distance so we sampled a roughly equivalent area each time. In addition,

we did limited nocturnal sampling during the months of February, April, and

June between 19:00 and 24:00 hours on six di.fferent days.

During a transect, we attempted to search beneath most movable sur-

face objects and to capture any animal that did not_require extensive time

to pursue. We caught most species by hand, but the swifter lizards

H-3

(Sceloporus and Uta) required noosing. We marked most captured animals for

future identification. We marked lizards except the legless lizard (Anniella)

and tree frogs by toe clipping. We marked gopher snakes with a ventral scale

clip, We did not mark Kingsnakes, instead we recorded their individually

distinctive pattern of rings. We recorded the following measurements on most

animals: 1) snout-vent length (the standard body length measurement);

2) weight (with Pesola spring scale); 3) tail length and its condition,

broken or unbroken (when appropriate); and 4) cloacal temperature (with a

Schultheis rapid-reading thermometer). We recorded the sex of each animal

whenever possible. In addition, we recorded time of day, location, and

behavior of captured individuals as well as the major vegetation type with

which they were associated. Environmental temperatures adjacent to captured

animals were recorded whenever Possible, All animal-related temperature

data are from September 1980 through March 1981. Finally, we recorded

miscellaneous observations on reproductive condition, predators, food and

other pertinent data that might contribute to a more complete knowledge of

the sampled fauna whenever possible. Many individuals escaped capture. For

these we recorded tlme of day, location and habitat used. Where possible,

we noted the age class, sex, and reproductive status (females only).

On each sampling date, we took qualitative and quantitative climatic

data. Qualitative data included an estimation of cloud cover, degree of

air pollution and wind conditions. Quantitative data included relative

humidity (taken with a sling psychrometer) and air temperature. Frequently,

we took the last two measurements several times over a sampling period, but

most often we took them twice, at the beginning and at the end of each

sampling period.

H-4

For historical records, we collected a voucher of each of the nine re-

corded species. These vouchers will be deposited in the herpetological col-

lecti-on of the Los Angeles County Natural History Museum. For the first

five months of the study, we placed a series of 17 small pitfall traps in

different habitats. Returns on these trappings were so low that we removed

these traps in late February 1981. From July to September 1980, insect pit-

falls used by the entomology team caught many lizards (Gerrhonotus,

Sceloporus and Uta). We added data from lizards caught in these traps after

August 15, 1981 to growth plots for the respective species. We supplemented

transect sampling with a regular checking of paved roads, for road kills

before and after each sampling, and with limited sightings and collections

made by Dick Friesen (mammals), Chris Nagano (insects), Ralph Schreiber

(birds) and Robert Bezy (herpetology section Los Angeles County Natural

History Museum).

.Much of the data presentation that follows are scattered plots and

frequency distributions which require no explanation. In the summary,

faunal data compared over designated units and habitats based on the

physiognomically dominant plant species were standardized for the time

spent in each area and each vegetative habitat, respectively. This was

talculated by simply taking the number of a given species observed in an

area or habitat category and dividing it by the number of hours spent in

the respective unit. This calculation gives values of relative density

with units of individuals per observation hour. Our transect organization

and the natural variation within designated Unit 1 required that we sub-

divide this area into two units to meaningfully discuss its herpetofauna.

We divided Unit I into a dune portion (D) on its southwest boundary and

a Unit 1A which comprises the remainder of this area.-

H-5

SPECIES ACCOUNTS

Class Amphibia - Amphibians

Order Urodela - Salamanders

Family Plethodontidae - Lungless Salamanders

Pacific Slender Salamander - Batrachoseps pacificus

This is the only-salamander known to occur at Ballona. Batrachoseps

pacificus, like other species in this genus, is specialized for subterranean

life. It has an attenuate, worm-like body with tiny limbs and a tail which,

when unbroken, is less than twice the body length. Batrachoseps cannot

actively burrow, and therefore, must rely on passages excavated by other

organisms or produced by agents such as root decay and soil shrinkage

(Yanev 1980). Adults exceed 40 mm in body length. This salamander is brown

to yellow in life with a distincively light-colored venter and underside

of tail. Ballona individuals have rust-orange blotching on the dorsal sur-

face of the tail and lower back on a light brown ground color. The species

ranges from the Santa Monica and San Gabriel mountains in Los Angeles county

to northwestern Baja, California (Yanev 1980). Like other Batrachoseps, it

is a secretive, sedentary species (Hendrickson 1954; Cunningham 1960;

Maiorana 1978a). Batrachoseps are observed under surface debris during

periods of sufficient moisture (Stebbins 1966). Only two individuals of

this species were observed during this study, both on Unit 3 (Figure 1).

Both were found under boards on well-drained high ground, one in association

with thick Rhus laurina leaf litter and the other in thick matted grass next

to a rodent burrow system.

We found one individual each on February 13 and March 9, 1981 on moist
substrates with shade temperatures of 12.491C and 14.50C, respectively.

H-6

Cunningham (1960) commented on the close correspondence between B. pacificus

body temperatures and substrate temperatures. He reports substrate temper-
atures on'which salamanders were found rang ing from 40C to 210C, encompassing

the two substrate temperatures on which the Ballona individuals were found.
Brattstrom (1963) reports cloacal temperatures of 19.50C and 19.60C for two

individuals emerging from a flooded hole in September.

Daily and seasonal activity is largely influenced by moisture (Cunningham

1960). Both individuals in this study were observed following winter and

early spring rains. Insufficient data exi st to show daily and seasonal

activity patterns at Ballona. However, we expect Ballona populations to

parallel what is known for other populations of this species. Fall rains

initiate seasonal activity (Cunningham 1960). Surface activity continues as

long as sufficient moisture is available. The diel pattern is typically a

nocturnal one, with salamanders emerging at dusk and showing increased acti-

vity on moist or foggy nights. When the sky is overcast, Batrachos eps become

active before darkness. Their general nocturnal habits and use of subter-

ranean or surface objects as diurnal retreats allows this species to avdid

extreme thermal conditions and dessication. The cessation of rainfall

coincides with a general decrease in activity which culminates in aestiva-

tion when surface moisture is depleted. Limited rainfall over the winter

as well as limited nocturnal sampling are the probable cause of only two

individuals of this species being encountered at Ballona.

Reproductive information on B. pacificus is sparse, and no information

is available for Ballona; however, we expect published data on reproductive

patterns at other localities to be similar. Like other salamanders in

this genus, B. pacificus lays terrestrial eggs. Jelly-encapsulated eggs

(ca. 6 mm capsular diameter) are deposited in moist S-ites underneath

H-7

surface cover (Davis 1952), and perhaps underground. The timing of egg

deposition is unclear, but it may be before the wet season. Davis (1952)

reported on the hatching of 18 eggs, first discovered on December 20, 1950

at Pasadena, which hatched between January 18 and 30, 1951. Presumably,

these were all from the same female. Stebbins (1951) describes two female

B. pacificus, obtained December 17, 1947 at Altadena, which contained 15

and 21 fully-developed eggs, apparently ready to be laid.

Like most lungless salamanders, B. pacificus has direct development.

It lacks an aquatic larval stage and the young hatch with essentially adult

morphology. Davis (1952) reported the size of newly hatched individuals as

between 17 and 20 mm total length. Cunningham (1960) did not see indivi-

duals hatch but suggested that individuals between 21 and 23 mm total

length found on January 20 and February 1, 1956 were recently hatched. By

March 1, Cunningham found young B. pacificus of 29 to 34 mm total length

(13 to 18 mm body length) presumably from the same cohort. This suggests

that early growth is rapid. Campbell (in Stebbins 1951) observed three

size classes of B. pacificus near Monrovia on March 16, 1929 which had

total lengths of 30 mm, 45 to 60 mm, and 90 to 11.20 mm, respectively. Using

Stebbins' tail proportion for adult B. pacificus and accounting for an

increase in tail length as the individual grows, a feature known to occur

in other Batrachoseps species (Stebbins 1951), Campbell's size groups

correspond to body lengths of approximately 22 mm, 28 to 35 mm, and 45 to

55 mm, respectively. Growth rates have been estimated by Hendrickson

(1954) for B. attenuatus at 5-10 mm/year for juveniles (less than 35 mm

body length) and at 0-2 mm/year for adults (greater than 35 mm body length).

If one couples these rates with Campbell's size classes for B. pacificus,

allowing for the larger size in the latter a correspondingly more rapid

H-8

growth to above 40 mm of body length, then Campbell's size groups represent

young hatched that year, juveniles after one year of growth, and individuals

two years or older (adults), respectively.- If these estimates are correct,

the 40 and 58 mm body length B. pacificus observed by us at Ballona represent

an individual just entering the adult size group and roughly two years old,

and an adult probably well in excess of two years of age. Hendrickson (1954)

estimated that the largest individuals in the B. attenuatus populations he

studied could not be less than 10 years of age. It would not surprise us if

the large 58 mm female observed at Ballona, was close to this age. Size and

age at first reproduction for B. pacificus is unknown. There is no apparent

sexual dimorphism in size or coloration (Stebbins 1951).

Knowledge of population structure for Batrachoseps is rudimentary. Both

Cunningham (1960) and Hendrickson (1954) commented on the small numbers of

salamanders observed in juvenile size classes. Both inferred higher juvenile

mortality but caution that juvenile size classes frequently use refuges other

than surface objects sampled fn both these studies. Maiorana (1977) provided

evidence of field mortality due to heat stress and/or dessication in

B. attenuatus. This may be an important source of mortality, especially for

juveniles that may be particularly susceptible because of their small size.

Nothing is known of population sex ratios.

B. Pacificus ate annelid worms, earwigs and terrestrial isopods in an
urban habitat (.Cunningham 1960). Maiorana (1978b) found B. attenuatus ate

primarily collembolans and mites in less disturbed habi-tat. Based on the

invertebrate fauna we observed, a diet of small terrestrial insects and

crustaceans is suspected,

To our knowledge, the nocturnal and generally secretive habits of
Batrachoseps preclude them being eaten by most preda-tors. The two snake
species occurring at Ballona do not eat Batrachoseps as part of their normal

H-9

diet. One of these, the Kingsnake (Lampropeltis qetulus), died after being

fed Ba-trachoseps (Cunningham 1960). Other species reported as predators on

Batrachoseps by Stebbins (1954) are not known to occur at Ballona. Potential

predators at Ballona are the western toad, Bufo boreas, and some birds, like

the Brown Towhee, Pipilo fuscus, that spend considerable time foraging in

leaf litter where Batrachoseps is likely to occur.

SPECIES ACCOUNTS

Class Amphibia - Amphibians

Order Anura - Frogs and Toads

Family Bufonidae - Toads

Western Toad - Bufo boreas

The Western Toad (Bufo boreas) is the largest amphibian found at Ballona.

Adults exceed 80 mm snout-vent length. The color of the Western Toad is

greenish to light brown with dark spots over the dorsal area and later a!

surfaces. The skin contains numerous warty protuberances which are often

tan in color. A thin mid-dorsal stripe is found from between It-.he eyes to

the vent. Short hind legs restrict their locomotion to a waddle or short

hops. B. boreas is distributed from southern Alaska south to Baja, Calif-

ornia along the coast and to central Nevada,.Utah, and Colorado at inland

localities and from the Pacific coasteast through British Columbia,

western Montana, western Wyoming, and central Colorado. A variety of habi-

tats are occupied by B. boreas from sea level to 3000 m (Stebbins 1966).

We found only two individuals at Ballona, one-an adult female found

under a rug at a trash pile on the Agricultural Lands, and the other an adult

found dead at the intersection of Culver and Jefferson Boulevards adjacent

to Unit I (Figure 1). In addition, C. Nagano (Pers. Comm.) reported toads

from the east end of Unit 3 early in 1980.

H-10

The rarity of toads at Ballona is surprising since this animal is one of

the most abundant amphibians in coastal Cal ifornia. This species typically

requires lakes, ponds, or pools of freshwater that remain for the duration of

the breeding months in spring and early summer. The only such habitats at

Ballona are the Bulrush Marsh, eastern Centinela creek and the Jefferson Drain

just east of the intersection of Culver and Jefferson Boulevards along
Jefferson on the Agricultural Lands, and the dune pond on Unit 1 (D). Since

toads are able to return to breeding sites after migrating long distances

(Tracy and Dole 1968; Gorman and Ferguson -1970), these animals could range

widely at Ballona and need not be localized around these breeding sites.

Surprisingly little ecological data are available for B. boreas. We

predict that the following summary for toads in southern California is repre-

sentative of B. boreas at Ballona. Breeding occurs between January and July

(Hill 1948) with most occurring during the spring months of March and April

(Mullally 1952; Stebbins 1954; Tracy and Dole 1969). Adults are normally

nocturnal during this time and migrate to the breeding site from as far as

300 m (Tracy and Dole 1968). Males are the first to arrive at the breeding

site. Females have up to 16,500 eggs that are laid in long strings

(Storer 1925). Adults disappear from the breeding site three to four weeks

after breeding (Tracy and Dole 1968) and do not reappear until the next

breeding season. These adults probably enter rodent burrows or burrow in

loose soil (Mullally 1952) and remain dormant during this time.

Tadpoles metamorphose in late July at about 20 mm snout-vent length
(Lillywhite, Licht, and Chelgren 1973). These juveniles are largely diurnal
and bask to maintain their body temperatures at 260 to 270C (Brattstrom 1963;

L"Illywhite, Licht, and Chelgren 1973). This range of-temperatures insures

rapid growth and these toads reach a mean size of 32-mm by the following

H-11

April (Lillywhite, Licht, and Chelgren 1973). An additional two years are

probably required before sexual maturity is reached, but the size at repro-

ductive maturity is unknown (Stebbin5 1951; Dunlap 1959). Sexual dimorphism

is marked, some females attaining 127 mm snout-vent length, while the largest

males barely exceed 100 mm. Tadpoles and juveniles B. boreas probably incur

heavy mortality. Some breeding sites probably dry before metamorphosis can

take place. Tadpoles may be eaten by wading birds (herons and egrets) and

southern alligator lizards (Gerrhonotus multicarinatus) are also known to

feed on tadpoles (Cunningham 1956). Subadults and adults possess parotoid

glands which secrete a neurotoxin, which protects them from predation and

probably assist in increasing their survival relative to younger animals.

Tadpoles scrape algae and detritus from the bottom film of pools

(Stebbins 1951). After metamorphosis, the major prey items are beetles

(principally carabids), ants, and spiders (principally lycosids) (Schonberger

1945; Campbell 1970). During the breeding season adult females eat more

t-han adult males (Schonberger 1945).

SPECIES ACCOUMTS

Class Amphibia - Amphibians

Order Anura - Frogs and Toads

Family Hylidae - Treefrogs

Pacific Treefrog - Hyla regilla

The most abundant amphibian at Ballona is the Pacific Treefrog (Hyla

regilla), a small hylid frog with an adult size of over 32 mm snout-vent

length. This frog occurs in several different color phases and patterns.

Color varies from light green or reddish-bronze to tan with dark brown

blotches. All color phases have a black e-ye mask that runs from the nostrils

H-12

to the shoulder. H. regilla are found from southern British Columbia south

through Baja California and from the Paciftc coast east through western Montana

and rdaho and all but eastern Nevada. Within this range, H. regilla occurs

from sea level to 3300 m (Stebbins 1966).

At Ballona, we found Pacific Treefrogs wherever slow moving or standing

freshwater occurs (Figure 1). Most of our sightings are from the base of the

bluff forming the southeast boundary of the Agricultural Lands, particularly

the Scirpus freshwater marsh. These frogs are also common along eastern

Centinela creek. We heard few calling males at the Eucalyptus grove in Unit 2

where a pool formed by street runoff is found. During the winter, we heard

calling in clumps of pampas grass on Unit 3 and at other times in the cat-

tails near the Jefferson Drain culvert just east of the intersection of Culver

and Jefferson Boulevards. A final locality for Pacific Treefrogs is the dune

pond at the southwest end of Unit 1. Here, we observed tadpoles and success-

ful metamorphosis.

Size data indicate two age classes for Hyla regilla at Ballona, juveniles

and adults (Figure 2). Juvenile growth is rapid. The mean size of newly

transformed frogs at the dune pond increased at approximately 0.14 mm/day.

The smallest size at transformation was 11 mm,

The size at sexual maturity is unknown. Howeveri the adult size class

at Ballona are ty@ically greater than 30 mm snout-vent length. Jameson

(1956; 1957) noted a similar size at metamorphosis and a similar growth

pattern for frogs in Oregon. However, transformed frogs in Oregon grew about

twice as fast as those at Ballona (Jameson 1956).

The cloacal temperatures from the only four adult frogs encountered
averaged 18.OOC (15.0 to 19.2). All temperatures were of frogs found hiding

under surface objects. These are well within the ran-ges of temperatures

H-13

reported for other H. regilla populations (Cunningham and Mullally 1956;
Brattstrom 1963). Eggs are able to withstand temperatures of 30 to 350C
(Schechtman and Olson 1941) and tadpoles survive temperatures up to 34 0C

(Cunningham and Mullally 1956).

During winter months adult males were heard calling during daylight

hours, indicating that at least a portion of the population remained active

during the day. During one night in February 1981, 50-60 calling males

were located from the freshwater marsh and flooded areas in the Agricultural

Lands. We did not sample all nighttime hours so we do not know the extent

of nightly activity of adult frogs. It is likely peaks of activity occur

during the early evening and early morning hours of winter and spring months

as they do in other southern California populations (Brattstrom and Warren

19-5). Newly-transformed frogs were found during all daylight hours from

mid-April to mid-July. This group is diurnal until they approach adult

size, as was reported by Cunningham and Mullally (1956).

We do not know the extent of nocturnal activity for these Juveniles.

Calling males were not heard during the day after May 4, 1981. During three

nights in 1une 1981 we heard no choruses. Cessation of chorusing probably

occured in late May, similar to the data reported for Idaho H. regilla

(Schaub and Larsen 1978), but much earlier than the July date reported for

southern California populations (Brattstrom and Warren 1955).

We captured or heard adult H. regilla during all months except October

(Figure 3). During most of the ye ar we found few adults (September through

November and April through June). Nearly all activity was during winter

months (December through March), when breeding occured (Figure 3). This is

typical of southern California poputations (Schechtman and Olson 13.0,41,

Brattstrom and Warren 1955). We were unable to determine if males arrive

H- 14

earlier than females as they do in other populations since we did not sample

breeding sites at night (Jameson 1957, Schaub and Larsen 1978; Brattstrom and

Warren 1955).

The Ballona population is composed primarily of adults much of the summer,

fall and winter months. Large numbers of newly metamorphosed juveniles appear

in early May through June with lesser numbers appearing through September.

Egg and tadpole mortality are probably high with some areas incurring total

mortality due to dessication of the breeding site. Juveniles and adults

probably also incur heavy losses, with few individuals surviving more than

one year similar to the frogs found in Oregon (Jameson 1957).

Vie observed no matings or egg masses. We found three gravid females

between February 9 and 27, 1981 indicating clutches were laid in February or

early March. We first observed tadpoles March 20 in the dune pond. We

found other tadpoles in a temporary pool between two fields on the Agricultural

Lands on March 27, and in the bulrush marsh below the bluffs on April 16, 1981.

We observed metamorphosis in the dune pond on May 4, and in the freshwater on

May 11. The temporary pool on the Agricultural Lands dried before any tad-

poles reached metamorphosis. We caught recently metamorphosed frogs along

the bluff that forms the southeast boundary of the Agricultural Lands from

April 16 through June 1981, indicating that another breeding site exists in

this general area. Another recently metamorphosed frog was observed along

Centinela creek near the northeast boundary on September 20, 1980. This

indicates very late breeding in Centinela creek, probably when flow rate

recedes following winter rains. We have no evidence of reproduction on

Unit 3 even though we heard calling males there. We suspect most breeding

takes place early in the year when pools of water collect winter rain.
However, breeding may occur as late as June in Centin@la Creek. This is

H-15

similar to the length of breeding observed in Oregon (Jameson 1957), but is

much earlier and longer than the breeding season in Idaho (Schaub and Larsen

1978).

Since we found no eggs and found only large tadpoles, we cannot estimate

development time or clutch size and frequency for H. regilla at Ballona. In

other parts of its range, female Pacific Treefrogs contain 500 to 750 eggs

during any breeding season and lay them in several clutches of five to 60

eggs (Smith 1940).

Little is known of the feeding habits of H. reqilla and we made no attempt

to determine food of this species at Ballona. Tadpoles feed on attached and

suspended algae and detritus (Stebbins 1951). Post-metamorphic Pacific Tree-

frogs from several populations in southern California ate beetles, flies,

leafhoppers and true bugs (Brattstrom and Warren 1955). This 'is probably

typical of Ballona. We did not observe predation at Ballona. Suspected

Predators are cats, rats, opossum, egrets, herons, and white-tailed kites.

California Legless Lizard - Anniella pulchra

The California Legless Lizard (Anniella Pulch, ) is unique among Ballona

lizards in lacking limbs. Its long, slender, snake-like body is adapted for

a fossorial existence in sand and loose soil. It is longer than the Southern

Alligator Lizard in snout-vent length, but is much less robust. The lizards

are silver-grey in color with a yellowish venter. There are often a pair of

lateral and a single mid-dorsal, dark stripes from the head to the tip of

the tail. Legless lizards are found from the San Francisco Bay region south

to Baja California and from the Pacific coast to the Coast ranges in south-

western California. They are found in coastal dunes, alluvial fans, and

loose humus of oak-pine woodlands from sea-level to 1920 m (Stebbins 1966).

H-16

We captured only two legless lizards at Ballona: One January 30, 1981

on the dune along the southwest edge of Unft 1, and another May 19, 1981 under

a small board on the sandy alluvial fan on Unit 2 (Figure 4). We suspect that

these lizards also occur at the larger alluvial fan along base of the bluff,

on the Agricultural Lands. These appear to be the only suitable habitats for

legless lizards at Ballona.

In addition to the two adults mentioned above we observed tracks on the

dune on Unit 1. The occurence of their distinctive sinusoidal tracks indicate

that legless lizards at Ballona maintain low levels of activity from September

through April, followed by increasing activity in May and June (Figure 5).

This activity peak is later than the May peak reported by Stebbins (1966).

This pattern also appears to contradict the findings of Brattstrom (1965), who

reports that legless lizards burrow as deep as 1.5 m into soil to avoid high

summer temperatures.

.We have no information on reproduction at Ballona. Ovulation occurs

from May through July in this live-bearing lizard, with young born September

through November (Miller 1944). One to four (typically two) young are pro-

duced per female each year (Miller op. cit.).

The two A. pulchra we observed in January and May were 113 mm and 130 mm

snout-vent length, respectively. This corresponds to-.individuals over two

and just three years old according to the size groups of Miller (op. cit.).

Juveniles are approximately 50 mm snout-vent length at birth and by the end

of the next year reach 80 to 90 mm. During the following year, subadults

will grow to 120 mm, when they reach adult size. Thus legless lizards re-

quire three years to reach maturity (Miller op. cit.). Sexual dimorphism

favors males, the largest attaining 185 mm snout-vent length. In contrast,

the largest females attain 155 mm (Miller op. cit.).--

H-17

Legless lizards bask during morning hours by moving just under the soil

surface from under vegetation to soil exposed to the sun. During the midday

hours the animals retreat to areas under vegetation and then return to open

areas to bask during evening hours (Miller 1944; Cunningham 1959b). L. pulchra
maintain their body temperature between 20 and 280C, when possible, but have
been found with temperatures as low as 7.8 and as high as 300C (Brattstrom

1965; Bury and Balgooyen 1976; Gorman 1957). The soil must also remain moist

for this species to survive (Bury and Balgooyen 1976; Miller op. cit.). The

species is sedentary and does not wander (Miller op. cit.). Food consists

primarily of beetles (carabids), insect larvae, and spiders. Since this

animal is so secretive, it probably has few predators. Fisher (1901) reported

shrike predation on Anniella. Other suspected predators at Ballona are cats,

opossum, and American Kestrels.

Southern Alligator Lizard - Gerrhonotus multicarinatus

The Southern Alligator Lizard is the largest of the four lizard species

known to occur at Ballona. It is the most widespread lizard next to

3celoporus accidentalis, and can be rfound over all areas above Zhe ti,dal -1-lux

(Figure 6). Adults average about 120 mm in body length. When unbroken, 'the

somewhat prehensile tail is over twice the.body length. Its limbs are small,

and the head is relatively large. Diverse in color patterns, this lizard

varies from brown to yellow with various degrees of blotching or barring.

The species ranges from central Washington state to north-central Baja

California (Lais 1976). Like other alligator lizards, this is a secretive

species which is generally found in dense vegetation (Stebbins 1966).
Fifty-three body temperatures had a mean of 21.90C (range 10.4 to
30.20C). This is lower than that of BratUtrom (1965), but is similar,

except for a narrower range, to the data of-Cunningham (1966) for 150 body

H- 18

temperatures. Our data agree with Cunningham (1966) in that Gerrhonotus is

probably seldom exposed to extremely high temperatures.

Despite general agreement, thermal data on G. multicarinatus are unclear.

We believe this confusion results primarily from an inadequate knowledge of

its ecology. The primary difficulty in understanding these data is the

recognition of when lizards are active. Since our data agree with Brattstrom

(1965) in that this species does not actively bask (contra Cunningham 1966),

its source of body heat is undoubtedly warmer substrates. Further, since

all data suggest that Gerrhonotus frequently uses surface objects to modify

its body temperature, the key to understanding activity patterns is recogniz-

ing what Gerrhonotus does while under surface cover. Except for short time

periods when lizards are observed by either moving surface debris or on open

ground, we are largely ignorant of this species' activity. The impression

we gain from our data is that Gerrhonotus appears to have a broad thermal
range (roughly 20-300 C) whose mean value is considerably lower than for

basking species. It appears to raise its body temperature by contact

(thigmothermy) at low environmental temperatures, and simply moves to avoid

warmer mi croenvironments at higher temperatures. What.Gerrhonotus does

when avoiding warmer microenvironments should be investigated.

Daily and seasonal activity patterns for G. multicarinatus are also

poorly understood because of its unobservability. Our data show G. multi-

carinatus is capable of year-round activity at Ballona. Because over 95%

of our observations on Gerrhonotus were made by overturning surface objects

(see Methods section), this biases the samplingtoward this activity seg-

ment. Figure 7 does not show seasonal activity, but instead seasonal

variation in the utilization of surface objects. It-shows peak use of

surface objects during February. As noted previously-, Gerrhonotus probably

H-19

opportunistically uses these rapid-heating surface objects to elevate its

body temperature when environmental temperatures are coolest. As ambient

Uemperatures increase when summer is approached, use of such objects both

decreases and shifts to a bimodal use pattern (early morning and late after-

noon). We suspect that activity under thick vegetation occurs frequently and

that the months following February into early summer would show equivalent

activity levels, if this activity segment could be adequately sampled.

Matings of Gerrhonotus are reported from March 24 at Whittier to May 5

at Newport (Goldberg 1972). G. multicarinatus lays clutches of five to 41

(mean = 13) leathery, immaculate white eggs (burrage 1965). Egg size varies

from 13 x 8 mm to 18 x 10 mm (Fitch 1935). Shaw (1943) reports a pocket

gopher burrow as a nest site. Deposition dates vary from late May in San

Diego county to late June in Los Angeles county (Shaw 1943; Atsatt 1952).

Our data suggest an incubation period of 10 weeks with female egg deposition

taking place in June, similar to Goldberg's figure of 11 weeks (Goldberg

1972). Burrage (1965) gives in vitro evidence of multiple clutches. We

feel Burrage's gestation and incubation periods were shortened by in vitro

conditions and that third clutches in a field population are probably not

possible, with second clutches being a rare event. Clustering of our growth

data suggest that a single, synchronous clutch was laid by females during

1980 (Figure 8). At Ballona, a 30 mm individual caught by a pitfall trap

on August 24, 1980 was recently hatched, as reported body sizes of newly

hatched lizards vary from 26 to 36 mm (mean = 33 mm) (Fitch 1935; Shaw,

op. cit.; Burrage 1965). This agrees with hatchling emergence reported in

August, September and October by Goldberg @op, cot.).

Three size classes of alligator lizards can be distinguished over a

year (Figure q). Young of the year and jU-v-enile animals in their first

H-20

full year of growth (ca. 30-80 mm snout-vent length), subadults in their second

full year of growth (ca. 80-100 mm snout-vent length) and adults (over 100 mm).

Durin the fall, subadults merge with adults and become indistinguishable from

the latter. At Ballona, marked juveniles grew rapidly after January 1, 1981.

Growth rates varied from .06-.26 mm/day (mean .15 mm/day; n = 10). We have

but a single estimate for late fall-early winter growth in juveniles, which

was considerably slower (.03 mm/day). Subadults grew less rapidly than

juveniles after January I (mean = .09 mm/day, range .04-.13 mm/day for n = 5).

Adults grew even more slowly over the same period (mean =..04 mm/day, range

.00-.07 mm/day for n = 6). We have no estimates of late fall-early winter

growth for subadults and adults, but suspect the values would be equal to or

lower than those obtained for juveniles over the same period. We observed

the first recognizably gravid female on flay 4, 1981, but most gravid females

were observed from late May through early June. We observed females-which

had laid eggs in mid-late June, which agrees with previously noted late June

egg deposition dates (Atatt 1952). A 95 mm body length female was our smallest

reproductive individual. This is similar to the 92 minimum reproductive size

noted for females at Whittier (Goldberg 1972). Our data suggest that lizards

attaining an average adult size of 115 mm must be at least three years old.

Growth rates observed in this adult size range suggest individuals approach-

ing the largest size observed at Ballona may be five years old. Lais (1976)

reported a maximum size of 175 mm snout-vent length for G. multicarinatus.

If our growth rates are typical, they suggest some individuals can live to

a considerable age. We distinguished no'sexual dimorphism in size. We

could distinguish males larger than 65 mm of body length from females where

hemipenal eversion could be induced. The larger hea d breadth in males, noted

by Stebbins (1954), is suitable for distinguishing the sexes above 80 mm body

length.

H-21

The proportions in various size classes captured during any monthly

interval are relatively constant (Figure 7) until July where the disappearance

of the juvenile size category is the result of the entrance of these indivi-

duals into the subadult size class. Observed adults above 110 mm body length

always had broken tails and are the only size group in which multiple tail

breaks appear. lail breakage decreases in a regular fashion to 50% in the

juvenile size class which suggests that breakage occurs in proportion to tne

length of time an individual spends in the population. Although we believe

that predation is an important source of mortality, we cannot unequivocally

link tail break frequencies to predatory mortality, as interaction between

conspecifics may be responsible for breakage (Atsatt 1952). Females out-

number males in a ratio of 1.4:1 above the 65 mm body length where indivi-

duals could be sexed.

Diet information from the feces of two captured lizards from Ballona

shows the locustid grasshopper and wasps are eaten. Cunningham (1956)

summarizes the diet from the contents of 262 digestive tracts, 76 of which

were empty. Arthropod food dominated the diet. In order of importance,

carabid beetles, tettigoniid and locustid grasshoppers, lepidopteran larvae,

spiders and ants were the groups most often encountered. However, verte-

brate food was observed in 21 digestive.tracts. Seventeen of these were

lizards including five instances of cannibal-,ism. Two of the lizard species

reported, Sceloporus occidentalis and Uta stansburiana, occur with

Gerrhonotus at Ballona. The remainder of vertebrate food items found by

Cunningham were juvenile mammals and birds. Fitch (1935) reported preda-

tion on bird's eggs. The relatively low temperature tolerance of G. multi-
carinatus and its large size were the main factors cited by Cunningham (1956)
as allowing these relat4lvely slow-moving 1-4,zards to capture and eat swifter

H-22

lizards. This agrees well with the data of Harwood (1979) who found G. multi-

carinatus maintained a high digestive efficiency at lower temperatures when

compared to basking species.

The only record of predation on Gerrhonotus at Ballona was the finding

of a 75 mm tail fragment in the stomach of a road-killed female kingsnake.

Since it appeared recently swallowed, and since no other lizard remains were

found in the snake, it was assumed this represented an unsuccessful attempt

at predation by the snake, where it was left swallowing the tail fragment it

had seized. Other suspected predators at Ballona are cats, rats, opossum,

gopher snakes, which occasionally take lizard prey as juveniles (Fitch 1949),

burrowing owls, sparrow hawks, and shrikes.

Western Fence Lizard - Sceloporus occidentalis

The most common lizard at Ballona and throughout much of coastal Calif-

ornia is the Western Fence Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis). Adults exceed

60 mm, making this species intermediate in size between two other Ballona

lizards, the Southern Alligator Lizard (Gerrhonotus multicarinatus) and the

Side-blotched Lizard (Uta stansburiana). Sceloporus is most often seen

basking, particularly during morning hours when they are almost completely

black in color. As lizards become warmed they lighten to a grey brown color,

often with a series of paired dark bars down their backs. Adult males have

a pair of dark, metallic-blue patches on their venter and a similarly-colored

throat patch which are displayed during territorial disputes. These blue

patches are the cause of the colloquial name "blue belly". Western Fence

Lizards are found from central Washington state south through northwestern

Baja California and from the Pacific coast east through southern Idaho and
western Utah. They occur from sea level to 2700 m '(Stebbins 1966). 0

H-23

We found S. occidentalis in all areas and all major vegetation of types

at Ballona (Figure 9; Tables I and 2). They are abundant along the elevated
dirt roads of Unit 1 with a particularly dense population among the debris

at the northern edge northeast corner of the Agricultural Lands but are rare
in lush growths of pickleweed (Salicornia Ia.) and are probably absent from

all areas flooded by saltwater. S. occidentalis are found throughout Units

2 and 3, but are particularly abundant when associated with native shrubs

such as Laurel-Sumac (Rhus laurina) and California Sage (Artemisia califor-
21M) (Table 2). No restriction of habitat selection appears for Western

Fence Lizards at Ballona as reported for other populations of fence lizards

occupying the same habitat with other iguanid lizards (Marcellini and

Mackey 1970; Rose 1976; and Davis and Verbeek 1972).

Two age groups are distinguishable based on snout-vent length data for

each sex (Figures 10 and 11). Young of the year appear in early July and

grow slowly through January (mean = 0.06 mm/day for n = 7). These juveniles

almost triple their growth rate during January through June (mean = .17 mm/

day; n = 21). This group continues rapid growth until adult size is reached

by early June for fema,es and early to nid-July for males. Once adult size

is reached little or no growth occurs (mean = 0.03 mm/day; n = 25). These

data indicate that both sexes require two years to reach sexual maturity.

Adult males (mean = 70.2 mm; range 60-82 mm,, n = 113) are larger than adult

females (mean = 67.6 mm; range 60-79 mm; n = 87). The growth pattern found

at Ballona is typical of S. occidentalis in other parts of its range (Fitch

1940; Davis 1967; Rose 1976). However, lizards are larger at higher ele-

vations (Jameson and Allison 1976) and females are larger in northern

populations (Fitch 1978).

H-24

Cloacal temperature of 42 active.S. occidentalis averaged 32.50C (24.6-
36.5 0C), while 81 inactive lizards averaged 23.60C (13.0 to 34.10C). The

ranges of active and inactive lizards at Ballona are similar to those reported

by Brattstrom (1965) for other California S..occidentalis.

Western Fence Lizards were seen during all daylight hours at Ballona.

These animals were found under surface objects during early morning hours or

on cool, overcast days. Typically, lizards basked during the morning hours,

remained in the shade of vegetation during the hot mid-day hours, returning

to basking during evening hours. This behavior insures a rapid rise in body

temperatures to a constant level that is maintained throughout as much of

the day as possible.

Sceloporus occidentalis are found throughout the year at Ballona. Lowest

numbers were observed from September through December. During January through

March increasing numbers of lizards emerge, mostly individuals found inact-ive

under surface objects. A sharp increase of lizards occurs in April followed

by declining numbers through June (Figure 12). This contrasts with the

pattern of S. occidentalis at higher elevations in California and Nevada which

are inactive during winter months and show constant adult activity during

spring, summer and fall (Tanner and Hopkin 1972; Jameson and Allison 1976).

Differences exis-t in seasonal activity between.adults and juveniles, and

between males and females. We found both adults and juveniles during fall

and winter months but most observations were of juveniles. Juveniles were

abundant from February through April after which their numbers gradually de-

creased (Figure 12). This decrease is due to juveniles entering adult size.

Adults emerge in increasing numbers during April. Since juveniles do not

reach adult size until later in the year, the April increase in adults must

be due to adults that were largely inactive during-the winter. Adult males

H-25

appear earlier than adult females (Figure 12). These individuals are probably

setting up territories in preparation for the reproductive season. These

patterns are similar to other populations of S. occidentalis. Juveniles are

more active than adults during winter in Monterey and Santa Barbara counties,

California (Davis 1967; Davis and Verbeek 1972). Adult males emerge earlier

than adult females in high elevation populations in California and Nevada
(Jameson and Allison 1976; Tanner and Hopkin 1972).

During this study, several adult lizards were found dead and several

others were found severely thin and emaciated. Most of the latter were found

under surface objects during winter months. One emaciated female was dis-

covered after having dropped a clutch of eggs. These data suggest that adults

may sustain heavy mortality.

We observed the first visibly gravid female on May 5, 1981. By May 16,

most adult females were gravid. The smallest of these was 60 mm snout-vent

length. We observed the first, female to have deposited eggs on May 16, 1981.

@4e observed,aravid females throughout July. However, the percentage of gravid

females declined in July. The appearance of oviductal eggs during early May

in ]-,;--?-ards at 9allona is similar to the earliest date reported for lizards in

other lowland areas of Los Angeles county during a wet year (Goldberg 1975).

In dryer years oviductaleggs appeared by early April (Goldberg op. cit.).

The three month period @May to August) over*.which females may be gravid is

similar to that reported by Goldberg (1973) as is the size at first repro-

duction. We found no laying sites and did not attempt to determine clutch

size. We also do not have sufficient recaptures to determine number and

time between clutches. Stebbins (1954) described nests as being dug by

females in loose damp, weil-aerated soil. Since populations from nearby
areas of Los Angeles county lay multiple cl-utches (1-3 clutches /year) of

H-26

from three to 11 eggs (Goldberg 1973; 1974), it is likely that S. occidentalis

at Ballona have a similar pattern. The variability of snout-vent length of

juveniles captured from September through December indicates multiple clutches

at Ballona.

We observed young of the year on July 3, 1981. The smallest of these

measured 25 mm snout-vent length. Since the earliest known deposition of

eggs was in mid-May, a maximum incubation time at Ballona is approximately

six weeks. This is much shorter than the 13 weeks reported by Goldberg (1975)

due to earlier time of deposition (early April) and later first emergence of

hatchlings (mid-July). This may be an effect of drought conditions during

most of Goldberg's study. An incubation time similar to that at Ballona was

found by Goldberg (1974) for S. occibentalis at higher elevations. Hatchling

size at Ballona is similar to other populations from a variety of habitats

and elevations (Davis 1967; Goldberg 1973; Tanner and Hopkin 1972).

Scats of Western Fence Lizards at Ballona indicates that beetles

(carabids and coccinelids) and orthopterans (acridids and gryllids) are

common food items. These groups, along with ants, have been reported as major

diet items in other populations (Davis 1967; Tanner and Hopkin 1972). We

observed two cases of predation on S. occidentalis: A juvenile female was

eaten by a juvenile kingsnake (see Lampropeltis account) and the remains of

an adult female was impaled on a thorny bush, presumably by a Loggerhead

Shrike. Southern Alligator lizards, and juvenile gopher snakes, both of
which occur at Ballona, are known to feed on,S. occidentalis (Cunningham 1956;
Fitch 1949). Other suspected predators include,dogs, cats, rats, opossum,

American kestrels, white-tailed kites, burrowing owls, egrets and herons.

H-27

Side-blotched Lizard - Uta stansburiana

The Side-blotched Lizard (Uta stansburiana) is the smallest lizard found

at Ballona, with adults exceeding 48 mm snout-vent length. As in S. occidentalis,

the body of both sexes is greyish-brown with paired dark brown blotched down

the middle of the back. Males possess a dark ink-colored blotch on each side

near the axillae which is displayed during territorial disputes. Females may

or may not possess faint axillary blotches. The scales of the Side-blotched

lizard are smaller and less heavily keeled than those of S. occidentalis,

giving a smoother appearance. U. stansburiana occurs from south-central

Washington; eastern Oregon and southwestern Idaho south through Baja Calif-

ornia and northern Mexico, to western Colorado and through New Mexico to

western Texas, from sea level to 2700 m (Stebbins 1966).

Side-blotched lizards are found exclusively on sandy areas at Ballona

(Figure 4), common on the dune in Unit 1; and occasionally at the sandy,

alluvial fan in Unit 2, the large alluvial fan along the bluff, and the sandy

area at the extreme east corner end of the Agricultural Lands. In southern

populat4ons, Side-blotched lizards are typically sand-dwellers (Tinkle 1967),

but northern populations are primarily rock-dwellers (Nussbaum and Diller

1976).

One*age group occurs at Ballona (Figure 13). It appears that the

species is annual, individuals are born, grow, reproduce and die in the span

of a year. Young first appear in early July and continue hatching through

mid-September. They grow at a mean rate of 0.09 mm1day (0.08-0.10 mm/day;

n = 5) and reach maturity by early March. As adults, growth slows or stops

(0.00-0.02 mm/day for two adult females). A few adults may live to reproduce

a second season. This agrees with the patt ern of growth and longevity
reported for U..stansburiana for Texas (Tin-kle 1967) and Nevada (Turner

H-28

et al. 1970). Northern and higher elevation populations live longer (Nussbaum

and Diller 1976; Tinkle 1967; Tanner 1972@-. Males average 50.5 mm snout-vent

(41.0-57.5; n = 15) and females average 46.7 nun (43.0-52.5; n = 15) at Ballona.

This size dimorphism is typical for Side-blotched lizards, which is more pro-

nounced in southern populations than northern ones (Parker and Pianka 1975).
Cloacal temperatures from six active lizards averaged 32.2'C (29.8-34.6),
while eight inactive lizards averaged 21.20C (16.0-27.8). The few basking

lizards seen indicates that this sp ecies may not emerge from retreats until

preferred temperatures are reached. The range of temperatures when inactive

is similar to that reported by Brattstrom (1965). Our mean active temperatures

is lower than that reported by Brattstrom (1965) and Tinkle (1967).

We found Side-blotched Lizards throughout all daylight hours when sunny.

Activity was often restricted to areas of thick vegetation so patterns of

daily activity were difficult to discern since capture was difficult. We

encountered many individuals under surface objects both on cloudy or cold

days and during hot, cloudless days. These retreats appeared to be used to

escape both exceptionally cold and warm environmental temperatures. In Texas

and Nevada, Side-blotched Lizards typically show a bimodal activity pattern

with most activity occurring in morning and evening hours (Irwin 1965; Tanner

1972). It is likely that during warm summer months Side-blotched lizards at

Ballona have a sifnilar pattern.

Side-blotched lizards were found during all months of the year at

Ballona, but numbers were lowest September through January with increasing

numbers from February through June (Figure 14). Similar seasonal activity

was reported for lizards from Texas and New Mexico (Tinkle 1967; Alexander

and Whitford (1968). In Oregon, lizard activity ceases during winter

(Rickard 1967; Nussbaum and Diller 1976).

M-29

During fall and winter months the population, we observed juvenile and

small adult lizards (Figure 14), with approximately equal numbers of males

and females encountered. During February, the population consisted of approxi-

mately equal numbers of adults and large juveniles approaching adult size.

During the rest of the peak population months (March through June) the popu-

lation consisted primarily of adults (Figure 14). Males predominated from

February through April, whereas we found females more common from May through

June. Males emerge early and set up territories before the females appear,

similar to the pattern reported by Spoeker (1967) for lizards in the Mojave

desert.

We first observed gravid females on April 20, 1981. By early May, nearly

all adult females captured were gravid. They had bright orange to yellow

patches on their throats and occasionally in the axillary region. We

observed first female that appeared to have deposited eggs on June 1, 1981.

Gravid females were captured throughout the month of June, but none were

captured during July. The smallest female known to be gravid had 47 mm snout-

vent length. Tinkle (1967) reported an earlier appearance of oviductaleggs

in Texas Side-blotched lizards (early April). Since Tinkle's data are from

sacrificed animals and ours from live animals in the field, it is likely

that we did not recognize oviductaleggs until a much later stage of develop-

ment. Egg deposition occured in mid-to-late April in Nevada (Turner et al.

1970), a month and a half earlier than at Ballona. Clutch sizes were not

determined at Ballona. Mean clutch sizes from a variety of localities

range from three to six eggs (Parker and Pianka 1975). U. stansburiana from

southern California typically have three eggs per clutch (Goldberg 1977).

In all populations clutch size increases with increase of female body size

and decreases with time of year. Side-bloUhed lizards can lay up to five

H-30

clutches per year (Turner et al. 1970), but typically lay three per year in

Southern California (Goldberg 1977). Since hatchling sized lizards appeared

over a long period of time (Figure 13), multiple clutches are probably laid

at Ballona. The minimum adult female size found in this study is larger than

any other study. Since our capture rate for Side-blotched lizards was low,

this appears to be due to sampling error. Typically, female Side-blotched

lizards.become reproductive at about 40 mm snout-vent length in southern

populations (Parker and Pianka 1975; Spoeker 1967; Tinkle 1967; Turner et

al. 1970).

We first captured recently hatched juveniles on July 3, 1981. The smallest

of these was 23 mm. Lizards captured in insect pitfall traps indicate hatch-

lings appear as late as mid-September. Since the earliest deposition date was

early June, the minimum incubation at Ballona is approximately four weeks, less

than half as long as the incubation time of other populations of U. stansburiana

(Tinkle 1967; Goldberg 1977). The first observation oil young of the year is

similar to that reported for Mojave (Spoeker 1967), and mountain populations

in southern California (Goldberg 1977). Later appearance of hatchlings

occurred in Arizona (Parker 1974), Texas (Tinkle 1967), Nevada (Tanner 1972),

Colorado (Tinkle 1967) and Oregon (Nussbaum and Diller 1976). In general,

hatchlings appear later in northern populations and!.at higher elevations.

Size at hatching in this study was similar to that of other populations

(Goldberg 1977; Nussbaum and Diller 1976; Spoeker 1967; Tanner 1972; Tinkle

1967).

We have no data on feeding of Side-blotched lizards at Ballona. In

other studies, they were observed to feed on beetles, termites, ants, and

grasshoppers (Parker-and Pianka 1975). It is likely that Ballona lizards

feed on similar groups. No cases of predation on U_ stansburiana were

H-31

observed. Juvenile gopher snakes and common kingsnakes are known to feed on

these lizards (Fitch 1949). Other suspected predators at Sallona are dogs,

cats, rats, opossum, American kestrels, white-tailed kites, burrowing owls,

and loggerhead shrikes.

Common Kingsnake - Lampropeltis getulus

The kingsnake is one of two snake species known to occur at Ballona.

This snake is a terrestrial, non-venomous constrictor with a color pattern

of alternating light and dark rings. Adults are under one meter in body

length. This species is found across the continental United States north to

southwestern Oregon and south to the states of Zacatecas and San Luis Potosi,

Mexico (Blaney 1977). It frequents a great variety of lowland communities

(Stebbins 1966). Several authors (Fitch 1949; Hayes and Cliff 1981) have

commented on its tendency to aggregate around areas of persistent moisture.

At Ballona, kingsnakes occur over most areas above the tidal flux (Figure 15).
Four active kingsnakes we measured had a mean body temperature of 28.6 0C
(range 28-29.50 ). This value is nearly identical to that reported by

Brattstrom (1965) for 17 kingsnakes. We observed a single inactive juvenile

at 09:50 hours on February 6, 1981 under a wooden palate, presumably prior
to warming to its preferred temperature, wi-th a body temperature of 170C,

nearly identical to adjacent air and substrate temperatures of 17 and 17.6,

respectively. Brattstrom also reports the temperature of a single individual
emerging from a hole as 15.1 0C, with air and soil temperatures of 14.8 and

15.2, respectively.

The 18 records of kingsnakes at Sallona suggest juveniles emerge first

following winter hibernation, followed by adults (Figures16 and 17). There
appear to be roughly four months of inactivity (October to January) at

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Ballona in contrast to five months reported by Fitch (1945) in Madera county,

California. Snakes observed in February through April were found under surface
objects with rapid-heating capabilities @pieces of tin, boards, etc.). Peak

surface activity was recorded in May (Figure 16), when snakes were frequently

observed on open terrain. Summer months bring a decline in daytime activity,

presumably because higher temperatures force the snakes to shift to crepuscular

and nocturnal activity when temperatures are more equitable. A similar shift

to nocturnal activity was also suggested by Fitch (1949) in central California.

Lampropeltis getulus is an egg-laying snake (Stebbins 1966). Reproduc-

tive information on this species is sparse. Clutch size varies from 3 to 10

(mean = 6) (Wright and Wright 1957). Egg deposition sites have not been

described, but probably require loose, well-drained soil like that found in

rodent burrow systems. Klauber (1931) recorded egg deposition dates in

captivity for two females caught in the wild as July 19 and 30 in San Diego

county. Klauber (1939) reported an incubation time period for snakes kept

in captivity of 71 to 86 days, average of just under 11 weeks. The July egg

deposition dates of Klauber and the June to August dates of Wright and Wright

(1957), when coupled with Klauber's incubation times would produce young

hatching in September, October and November. At Ballona recently-hatched

individuals appeared in September.

The skeleton of a young juvenile Lampr peltis measured at 260 mm in

body length was found at Ballona on September 15, 1980. Klauber's minimum

juvenile sizes were 205 and 210 mm total length. It is likely that hatch-
ling individuals are slightly over 200 mm in total length (over 170 mm snout-
vent length). The only additional reproductive data from Ballona is a 703 mm

road-killed female found June 15, 1981 that contained ovarian eggs, the

largest of which was 9 x 5 mm. These eggs were clearly undeveloped, but it

appeared yolk deposition was taking place. This size is close to the minimum

we suspect required for reproduction.

H-33

Little is known of growth in Lampropeltis. Three age groups can be

distinguished at Ballona (Figure 17): young of the year and first-yea:r

juveniles (250-500 mm snout-vent length), a middle size class of second-year
juveniles (501-800 mm) and adults(801 mm and larger). Our impression is that

juvenile Lampropeltis attain body lengths of above 500 mm at the end of their

first year, and around 800 mm by the end of their second. Fitch (1949) re-

ported slow growth (estimated at 0.0-0.1 mm/day from Fitch's table) in five

adult kingsnakes. His data applied to adults well over 800 mm. Fitch has

four recaptures of individuals already at this size when initially marked

with six-year recapture intervals. This would give a minimum age of nine

years for these snakes. The largest individual recorded at Ballona was a

1020 mm male, smaller than the largest individual recorded by Fitch (1949),

also a male at 1160 mm. Size at first reproduction is unknown. Sexual

dimorphism favors males (Klauber 1943).

Of 18 kingsnakes observed at Ballona, five (27%) were juveniles less

than 500 mm long. This is higher than the 14110 (six of 43) reported by Fitch

(1949) in Madera county, California. Our impression is that young kingsnakes

have a higher survivorship than young gopher snakes. Observed mortality

was one of five (20%) in kingsnakes versus two of three (67%) in gopher

snakes. Fitch gained the same impression from his data, but could not

substantiate it conclusively. The size distribution of kingsnakes suggests

that essentially all size groups are equally observable (Figure 18). It

suggests equal representation if our sample has equal proportions of size

groups to that found in the total population. Fitch's recapture data,

noted in the discussion of growth, also suggest that adults have a high

r
syivorship and considerable longevity. Sources of mortality are road
casualties (n = 3) and unknown causes (n =-2). The two snakes listed under

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unknown causes included a 610 mm female whose dehydrated carcass was observed

near a tidal pool fringed by pickleweed and the small juvenile mentioned

under the discussion of hatchling sizes. -Both snakes were fall casualities

when fresh water is scarce. The sex ratio of observed snakes was essentially

1:1, of 15 individuals that could be sexed, 8 were males. A comparison of our

data with Fitch's suggests that the density of kingsnakes at Ballona is higher

than in Madera county, but no good density estimates for L. getulus exist.

Three records of food items for Lampropeltis exist for Ballona. A 42 mm

long female Sceloporus occidentalis was palped from a 311 mm long juvenile

Lampropeltis on February 19, 1981. On the night of June 15, two road-killed

kingsnakes were found. One, a female, contained a Gerrhonotus tail fragment

(see Gerrhonotus account) and the other, a 1020 mm male, contained the remains

of, an unidentified rodent. Diet items agree with the combined data of

Klauber (1931), Fitch (1949), and Cunningham (1959a) who reported 31 food

items eaten in a minimum of 16 predatory episodes. Reptiles were the food

items in 63% (10 of 16) of the episodes, birds or their eggs in 25/10 (4), and

mammals in the remaining 12'10 (2). Multiple food items in a single predatory

episode are the result of juveniles or eggs being taken from nests. Fitch

(1949) notes that a significant proportion of the diet may be obtained by

nest robbing. When compared to other snake species (Fitch and Shirer 1970),

Lampropeltis qetulus is a relatively mobile predator. Fitch (1949) re-

ported moves of ten kingsnakes varying from 45 to 553 m (mean = 260 m) over

intervals from four days to over six years. Mobility may be a necessity in

a foraging predatory mode where nest robbing occurs frequently. However,

Fitch emphasizes that his data suggest permanent residence areas a few hundred

meters dt most in longest diameter.

M-35

Two records of snake predation exist for Ballona. On December 22, 1980

at 11:20, a burrowing owl was flushed from vegetation on Unit 3 carrying what

appeared to be a snake. On February 6, 1980, a white-tailed kite (Elanus

leucurus) or marsh hawk (Circus cyaneus) was observed carrying a snake at the

west end of Unit 3. Neither snake was positively identified, but either of

the two Ballona snake species were the possible food item for these predators.

All three species mentioned are capable of capturing kingsnakes, particularly

younger individuals. Fitch (1949) reports red-tailed hawks, great horned

owls, and coyotes as kingsnake predators. Of these, only the first occurs

at Ballona (C. Dock, pers. comm.). Fitch emphasized the low frequency of

kingsnakes (14 occurrences) in the very large number of diet remains (7002

pellets and scats) examined over five years for the above three predators.

He suggested predation on kingsnakes was infrequent. These data agree well

with the previous suggestions on longevity. Other suspected potential

predators at Ballona include cats, dogs, opossum, sparrow hawks and man.

Gopher Snake - Pituophis melanoleucus

The gopher snake is the larger of the two snake species known to occur

at Ballona. Adults average somewhat over one meter in body length. Similar

to the kingsnake, they are slightly stouter in build, terrestrial, non-

venomous and powerful constrictors. Gopher snakes have regularly-spaced

brown blotches on a tan to ochre ground color. This species ranges across

the continental United States north to southern Alberta and Saskatchewan,

Canada and south to central Mexico (Klauber 1947). They frequent a variety

of habitats but are especially abundant in grassland and open brushland

(Stebbins 1966). Frequently the most abundant terrestrial snake in many

lowland communities (Klauber 1939; Sullivan 1981), they are the more numerous

H-36

snake species at Ballona. Gopher snakes can be found over all areas above

the tidal flux (Figure 15).

'Our data for ten active gopher snakes show a mean body temperature of
28.50C (range 22.60C-32.20C), similar to Brattstrom's (1965) mean for 17 active

gopher snakes of 26.7 (range 16.4-34.6). Our range of body temperatures of

active snakes also agrees well with Brattstrom's thermal gradient data where
snakes, given a range of temperatures from 15 to 450C, were most often found
in the 22 to 310C range.

Daily and seasonal activity patterns for adults agree well with the

thermal data. The pattern is similar to that observed for kingsnakes with

peak surface activity in May (Figure 16). This agrees well with Klauber's

(1931) seasonal data for San Diego county. However,gopher snakes appear to

use rapidly-heating surface objects less than kingsnakes, and they are

diurnally active through July, while kingsnakes have undergone a shift to

more nocturnal activity in June. Although still diurnal in June and July,

snakes shift to activity times earlier in the day, when temperatures are more

equitable.

Pituophis melanoleucus is an egg-laying species that produces clutches

of three to 18 eggs (mean = 8) (Klauber 1947). We observed gravid females

'in June at Ballona. This agrees with Klauber's (1947) June and July egg

deposition dates.' Egg-laying sites have not been described but are expected
to be similar to those postulated for kingsnakes (see Lampropeltis account).

Klauber reports an incubation period in captivity varying from 64 to 71 days

(mean = 66.5 days) and a hatchling size of 380 mm snout-vent length. At

Ballona, we observed a 370 mm road-killed juvenile on September 29, 1980.

Given a July egg deposition date, this agrees well with Klauber's estimates

of incubation time and hatchling size.

H-37

We can distinguish two size categories in gopher snakes at Ballona
(Figure 19). First-year juveniles (350-750 mm) and adults (1000 mm and up).

We recorded no individuals in the 750 to 1000 mm size interval, which probably

represents second-year juveniles (Figure 20). Fitch (1949) recorded only 7%
(19 of 257) individuals in the 600 to 900 mm size interval, which he termed

second year snakes. From the differential numbers observed in other size

categories, Fitch suggested a high mortality (over 80%) of juveniles before

their first hibernation as the-reason a low frequency of the second year class

is observed. We estimated growth rates from Fitch's size data for all size

categories. Growth for juveniles and young of the year ranges from .31 mm/day

to 1.99 mm/day (mean = .96 mm/day; n = 4). Growth during hibernation was

estimated from a single individual at less than .005 mm1day. There are no

estimates of growth during hibernation for the other size classes, but they are

probably equally low. For the second year class, growth ranqes from .151 mm/day

to .97 mm/day; n = 2). Estimates for adult growth are only for the adult males

that made the largest growth increases. Estimates range from .04 mm/day to

.13 mm/day (jnean = .11 mm/day). If growth is similar at Ballona, and the

shorter winter period should allow more time for growth, it suggests snakes at

Ballona attain the adult size range of 1000 mm midway through their second

year of growth, The largest snake recorded at Ballona was a 1585 mm male,

considerably smaller than the snake in excess of 1800 mm recorded by Fitch

(.1949). Fitch recorded two snakes recaptur ed after six year intervals which

were already adult size, which suggests these two snakes were at minimum eight

years old when recaptured. Klauber (.1943) records sexual dimorphism in size

in favor of males.

As previously noted, we gain the impression, concurring with Fitch (1949),
that juvenile mortality is high (see Lampropeltis account), At Sallona, most
(86% - 18 of 21) gopher snakes were adults-. Fitch (1949) bel-laved that adult

mortality was less than the mortality of juvenile cons.pecifics. Sex ratios

of observed snakes were not different from 1:1; of 21 snakes 11 were males.

H-38

Two records of predation by Pituophis exist for Ballona. The 370 mm

juvenile mentioned under the discussion of-hatchling size, a female, contained

an unidentified mouse in its stomach. A 560 mm juvenile female was found

basking on June 12, 1981 with a recently swallowed harvest mouse (.Reithrodon-.

tomys sp.) in its stomach. A summary of the food records from Klauber (1931;

1947), Fitch (1949), and Cunningham (1959a) show that gopher snakes ate 112

food items in 57 predatory episodes. Fitch (1949) found 39% (13 of 33) of

snakes with food were nest robbers. Similar to the kingsnake, it is a highly

mobile predator, with moves up to 778 m recorded (mean = 138 m for n = 28)

(Fitch 1949). In a telemetric study involving seven snake species, Pituophis

made the longest mean movements (142 m = mean; n = 3, Fitch and Shirer 1971).

Of 57 episodes summarized above, 45 (79%) were mammals, while 6 (10.5%) were

birds or their eggs and the remaining six were reptiles. Reptiles in the

diet were all lizards taken exclusively by juveniles except for a single

report of cannibalism. Because of its size, larger mammals up to the size of

a cottontail rabbit are occasionally taken. Juvenile rabbits, juvenile

squirrels and adult and juvenile pocket gophers are frequent diet items. A

notable feature of the gopher snake's diet is the presence of burrowing

mammals that plug their burrows with dirt. The ability of gopher snakes to

dig through the dirt, pushing defenses of pocket gophers, is an important

reason for these snakes being major predators on these rodents (Hickman 1977).

Species which occur at Ballona and have been reported as gopher snake prey
include: pocket gophers (Thomomys sp.), meadow voles (Microtus sp.), house

mice (Mus sp.), western fence lizards (Sceloporus sp.), side-blotched lizards

(Uta sp.), and quail (Lophortyx sp.).

Two instances of potential predators on snakes are reported under the

kingsnake account. Fitch (1949) reported predation on gopher snakes by

H-39

red-tailed hawks, great horned owls, coyote, gray fox, barn owls, and kingsnakes.

Gopher snakes represented 1-5% of the total prey items for the hawks, owls, and

canids. One instance of a gopher snake eaten by a kingsnake occurred in six

kingsnake food items reported. Of the reported predators, the hawk, barn owl,

and kingsnake all occur at Ballona.

SUMMARY

Scope of the herpetofauna

The reptiles and amphibians known to occur on the sampled area consist

of nine species: four lizards, two snakes, a frog, a toad, and a salamander.

Our knowledge of habitat requirements suggest this sample represents all

existing reptiles and amphibians, with the possible exceptions of the

terrestrial salamander, Ensatina eschscholtzi-, and the Hestern Spadefoot

Toad, Scaphiopus hammondi, which may have been missed due to limited rainfall.

Only one other study, that of Pluym et al. (1979) by Envicom "orporation,

has attempted a more than cursory survey of the Ballona reptile and amphibian

fauna. Unfortunately, that survey did not specify the number of hours of

field observation, species' occurrences were often statements merely

paraphrasing the field guide literature, and references were vague so

that field observations could not be distinguished from literature records.

The Envicom study reported 13 species of reptiles and amphibians, only

four of which were observed in the field. These were Bufo boreas,

Hyla regilla, Sceloporus occidentalis and Uta stansburiana. Four others

reported were never observed by us. Three of these are probably absent

from Ballona today (see historical data and changes). We caution that

although the Envicom report is valuable as an initial estimate, it does

not provide essential habitat and reproduc-tive period data for species

H-40

actually present. These data are needed for management decisions. We caution

further that, even with rigorous sampling, certain species may be missed

because of annual variability in climate.

Historical data and changes

Los Angeles County Natural History Museum (LACNHM) records suggest all

species recorded were historically present. However, the greater area which

includes the Ballona Marsh ecosystem has been considerably modified since the

turn of the century, and changes in the herpetofauna are not reflected by

confirmation that existing species were formerly present. Instead, we

distinguished two types of changes: 1) elimination of species, recognized

by comparing our data with historical records, and 2) gross movements and

changes in population size for existing species, which we inferred from a

knowledge of species' habitat requirements and differential habitat composi-

tion between historical and present-day marsh sites. Although other types

of changes are certainly possible, historical data are insufficient to allow

a more detailed comparison. Records indicate that the Ballona region once

supported a freshwater marsh system behind today's halophytic tidal marsh.

Historical records (LACNHM collections) of two reptiles, the Pacific Pond

Turtle (Clemmys marmo rata) and the Connon Garter Snake sirtalis),

suggest that habitat and food resources required by these two species existed.

Neither species invades halophytic marshes, but both are associated with

cattail-tule vegetation in warmer, slow-moving waters of drainages to the

north and south of the Ballona ecosystem (Storer 1930; Klauber 1931). Since

both are common and easily collected by comparison to most reptiles and

amphibians, it is not surprising they should appear in these records.

However, at least two other species, the California Red-IeCged Frog (Rana

H-41

aurora draytoni) and the Two-striped Garter Snake (Thamnophis couchi hammondi),

were probably associated with this freshwater marsh system. The former is

recorded as a fossil at La Brea in the Ballona drainage system (Brattstrom 1953),

while the latter is observed in similar marsh systems in San Luis Obispo county
(Dan C. Holland, pers. comm.).

In addition, the terrestrial herpetofauna is likely to have historically

included the-Red Racer (Masticophis flaqellum), which is associated with

coastal scrub vegetation (Bogert 1930). This scrub, which once covered the

lowland Los Angeles basin that includes the Ballona region (Mooney 1977),

exists in a modified form in terrestrial habitats at Ballona. The three

reptiles reported by Envicom, that we did not observe, are the Coast Horned

Lizard (Phrynosoma coronatum'), the Yellow-bellied Racer (Coluber constrictor),

and tne Pacitic RattlesnaKe (Crotalus viridis). If any of these occurred

at Ballona, they disappeared due to habitat restriction and/or removal by man.

The horned lizard needs relatively level, short grassland or open brushland

for foragirig and reproduction (Stebbins 1966). Such habitat is found only on

a small strip of dune on Unit 1. ihe brushland on Unit 3 was not present

historically. Horned lizards are particularly sensitive to human disturbance,

since their defensive behavior of remaining immobile in order to escape

detection makes them very susceptible to being crushed by offroad vehicles

as weli as collected by humans (Stebbins 1966). This species still occurs

on similar, more extensive habitat on the El Segundo dunes south of Baliona

(Richard Friesen, pers. comm.). The racer requires grassland or brushland

habitats (Stebbins 1966), both of which are limited at Ballona. Since large

contiguous areas of such habitat are required to sustain racer populations

(Fitch 1963), suitable sites at Ballona are probably too small, given the
species occurred there historically. Raftlesnakes are long-lived and show

H-42

rapid decline when impacted by human predation (Parker and Brown 1974; Galligan

and Dunson 1978). If historically present, the Pacific rattlesnake may never

have been abundant at Ballona. Since it prefers rocky sites and such sites

are absent from Ballona, human influence may have eliminated any marginal

rattlesnake population.

Other reptile and amphibian faunal changes at Ballona can be attributed

to migration and changes in population size. Most such changes probably

result from habitat modification. These appear to have been variable in

their effects, at times increasing and/or decreasing population sizes of

existing species. Several reptiles appear to have benefited from an increase

in habitat space.

Unit 3 is dredge spoil on an area historically occupied by marsh and

agricultural fields. Most reptiles and amphibians occurring there presumably

migrated from adjacent Populations. It is lignificant, however, that the
two sand-dwelling species (A. pulchra and U. stansburiana) are absent despite

the presence of a sandy pocket in the eastern corner of this Unit. The

habitat appears both suitable and extensive enough to support both species.

Since all other species found on the dredge spoil occur elsewhere in the

.study area, the absence of these two species suggests this is a recent habitat

that neither was able to colonize since suitable access corridors do not exist.

New habitat created by access roads to gas wells, most prominent on

Unit 1 but also present on Units 2 and 3, appears to have.a positive impact

on reptile populations. Without these access roads, which occupy a significant

land area above the high tidal mark, many reptiles (G. multicarinatus,

L. getulus, P. melanoleucus and S. occidentalis) would be absent from marsh

areas. Reptiles require subterranean refuges and egg deposition sites above
the region washed by tides. The access roads also _@rovide important habitat

H-43

for mammals that are fed upon by snakes and alligator lizards. The presence

of mammals is a vital link to reptile survival for yet another reason. No

Ballona reptile can burrow in dry, compacted soil. In the absence of physically-

created holes, which are few and mostly unsuited to reptile use, reptiles must

take refuge and lay eggs in burrows made by mammals. Access roads may also

provide movement corridors for amphibians restricted by saline habitats.

New habitats have been created by extensive debris found throughout the

study site, but primarily in Units 1 and 3. Utilization of different sorts

of debris varied among reptiles. Light trash (paper, etc.) has a short

longevity and poor heating capabilities; such objects were infrequently used.

In contrast, wood, metal, and cement debris are long-lasting. Many such

objects have rapid-heating capabilities and reptiles often used them to

raise their body temperatures. Both lizards and snakes used such debris

for thermoregulation and refuges. However, only larger debris was used

consistently for the latter purpose. It is difficult to separate the positive

impacts reptile populations have experienced from the combined effect of

access road construction and the addition of larger debris. We believe,

however, that the former is more important, though the latter is probably

responsible for the high densities of Sceloporus occidentalis observed in

many areas. This may secondarily influence.the densities of the primarily

saurophagous kingsnake (Lampropeltis getulus

Certain changes linked to habitat alteration have probably decreased

populations sizes. Freshwater habitat in the Ballona region has decreased.

Changes which probably eliminated turtles (Clemmys marmorata) and garter

snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) may have simultaneously reduced populations of

the "wo extant, aquatir-breeding amphibians (H. regilla and B. borpas).

M-44

Of the six freshwater sites found in the study site, the small drainage
in the eucalyptus grove on Unit 2 and the-drainage south of Jefferson

Boulevard on the Agricultural Lands, appear polluted and had no successful

amphibian reproduction; and the channelized drainage in the north corner
of Unit 3 is probably marginal habitat because of the proximity of salt

water. Successful amphibian reproduction was not observed there.

farming activities on the,Agricultural Lands also-may have a negative

impact on reptile and amphibian populations. Agricultural Lands were plowed

at least twice a year. This activity probably restricts most reptiles to the

unplowed fringes of the fields and reduces available habitat.

Exotic vegetation appears to have a negative impact. Distribution of

the herpetofauna categorized by vegetative associates suggests the native

vegetation is preferred (Table 1). Laurel Sumac (Rhus laurina), Bush Lupine

Lupinus chamissonis), Saltgrass (Distichlis California Sage (Artemisia

californicum), and Bulrush (Scirpus olneyi), all natives, have the highest

relative densities of reptiles and amphibians. Eucalyptus, an exotic, has

the lowest value. We believe that the observed difference between native

and introduced vegetation is due to the fact that exotics harbor a poor food

base (primarily insects) and are therefore less attractive to reptile and

amphibian consumers.

Certain exotics appear to have greatly reduced available habitat.

Present distribution"patterns of the two sand-dwelling species suggest that

both once had continuous distributions from the dunes fringing the beach to

the bluffs bordering the south boundary (Figure 4). Although some habitat

has been eliminated by development (the gas company facility), a substantial

portion is now covered by the exotic iceplant, Carpabrotus sp. Present-day

populations of U. stansburiana and A. pulchra occur -on portions of Units 1,

2, and the Agric ultural Lands not covered by this exotic.

H-45

The Ballona region is used by several introduced and domestic animals

which have potentially serious effects. Feral cats and rats decrease existing

reptile populations directly by predation (Iverson 1978; Honegger 1981), or

indirectly by removing food items normally taken by reptiles (George 1974).

The access roads on Unit 1 are used daily by horseback riders from the corrals
on ihe south corner of this unit. Despite signs warning them to avoid marsh

areas, the ri&rs frequently ignore the signs and cause visible damage to the

vegetation and disturb marsh soils. Vegetation damage reduces available

habitat for reptiles. Unit 3 is frequently used by local residents to run

their dogs, which often harry and kill the rabbits occurring on this unit.

Since juvenile rabbits are prey for gopher snakes, a negative impact similar

to that suggested for feral cats may be incurred.

Finally, certain human activities have or are suspected of having

negative impacts. Off-road vehicle (ORV) use has clear negative effects

(Berry 1973; Busack and Bury 1974; Bury, Luckenbach and Busack 1977). ORV's

cause vegetation destruction and produce soil compaction. Burrowing mammals

are deterred by compacted soils, and, in turn, the available habitat for

reptiles and amphibians is limited. ORV use can also eliminate individuals

directly. Field observations of several crushed reptiles and amphibians

suggest they were killed in this manner. Further, reptiles, especially

snakes, are susceptible to collection by amateurs wishing to keep them as

pets. Since snakes are frequently collected as adults, there are potential

negative consequences for the reproductive population. Two encounters with

snake collectors at Ballona suggest this activity may be an important

influence on local populations. Lastly,-groups of young boys were observed

hunting rabbits on Unit 3 on two different-occasions. We suspect the effect

of such hunting is similar to that suggested for dogs, and the combined

H-46

effect may have a negative impact on gopher snake populations.

In summary, only a portion of Ballona-'s original herpetofauna remains

today. Extant amphibian populations are probably smaller than in the past,

due to physical alteration and pollution of freshwater habitats required for

reproduction. Reptile populations have been variously affected. Some have

probably benefited from the increase in area above the tidal flux and-the

addition of debris. The sand-dwelling lizards have probably experienced declines

due to habitat encroachment by exotic vegetation. Farming activities, intro-

duced predatory mammal species and various human impacts (ORV use, horseback

riding and hunting) have or are suspected of having negative impacts on reptile

and amphibian populations.

Ecological characteristics of the existing herpetofauna

That reptiles and amphibians are an integral part of the Ballona eco-

system is shown by trophic and other relationships. All reptiles and

amphibians are higher-order consumers. Amphibians and lizards are primarily

insectivorous, whereas the two snake species prey on mammals, reptiles, and

birds. In turn, larval and adult amphibians are food for wading birds;

lizards are eaten by snakes, shrikes, and raptors; snakes provide food for

hawks, owls, and other snakes. As previously noted, amphibians and reptiles

are dependent on burrowing mammals for their subterranean refuges.,

A summary of the yearly cycles of the nine sampled species based on our

data and literature records is shown in Figure 21. The three amphibians

deposit eggs, when water is abundant in late winter and early spring. Most

juvenile frogs and toads metamorphose well before late summer and fall, when

freshwater is scarce. In contrast, most reptiles begin to breed after the

end of the wet season into mid-summer, when productivity of this ecosystem

is highest. Critical breeding periods for amphibians are January to March

H-47

and April through June for reptiles. March to July is the critical period for

aquatic larvae of amphibians.

The patterns of reproductive cycling are also important determinants of a
species' ecological sensitivity. Of the nine species, two are annual (@Ila
and Uta), one is biennial (Sceloporus) and the rest are perennial. Perennial

species take two or more years to mature and are long-lived. Such species

are sensitive to impacts that eliminate the breeding population since these

are slow to be replaced. It is noteworthy that populations of species extinct

in the Ballona ecosystem were all long-lived perennials. In contrast, annual

species mature, reproduce, and die all in the span of one year. Thus, they

are particularly sensitive to disturbances that eliminate a year's reproduction,

since there are no additional possibilities for reproduction the following year.

At Ballona, this may be particularly crucial since annual populations exist as

isolates and cannot depent on recruitment from adjacent populations in the

event of a reproductive setback.

Table I shows the relative density of species by Unit. Uta stansburiana

is most abundant on Units l(D) and 2, which contain prime sandy habitat.

Hyla regilla is most abundant on the Agricultural Lands, where the largest

concentrations of freshwater exist. Sceloporus occidentalis and Gerrhonotus

multicarinatus are found in all areas, but the former has the highest

densities on Units L(lA) and 3, while the 1atter appears most abundant on

Unit 1 (lA and D). The two snakes species occur on Units 1, 3, and the

Agricultural Lands, with Lampropeltis getulus most abundant on Unit 1 and

the Agricultural Lands, and the gopher snakes (Pituophis melanoleucus) most

abundant on Units 1 and 3. These data are unequivocal: Unit I is the most

diverse with the highest relative densities of three of the nine species

recorded.

H-48

Uniqueness of the Ballona ecosystem

The Ballona region is the only signi-ficant piece of saltmarsh remaining

in Los Angeles county, and it contains a valuable salt marsh ecosystem.

California salt marsh ecosystems have sustained reductions in area varying

from 60% to over 90% since 1880 (MacDonald 1977). Estimates in 1975 indicate

that just slightly over 36,000 hectares of this ecosystem remain in California

(MacDonald 1977), making it the rarest of any major vegetational association.

Unit I contains a viable dune habitat. Only 23% of California's 1326 km

long coast is occupied by beach and dune (Cooper 1967). Multi-recreational

use of a number of California's largest dune systems have made the remaining

less disturbed dunes one of the rarest habitats in California (Powell 1978).

Dune and alluvial fan sand habitats harbor the unique limbless lizard,

Anniella pulchra, a protected species under the California Fish and Game

Code. Elimination and modification of many dune systems and sandy wash

environments have reduced the range of this species, whose ecology is still

poorly known. Since two reptile species at Ballona are restricted due to

habitats and since the dune habitats are separated by other habitats, the

dunes appear to be the most sensitive habitat for the herpetofauna. Distur-

bance to any dune habitat may result in elimination of a reptile species

which will be unable to reestablish via migration.

Although we have no absolute density figures, the field experience of

one of us (Hayes) suggests that in Ballona the snake and alligator lizard

densities are unusually high. We believe this system presents a unique

opportunity to study these three species under unusual conditions. Den-

sities are sufficiently high that ecological data, obtainable only with

difficulty at more typical densities would be easil-y available at Ballona.

H-49

The fact that this is a disturbed system would enhance the value of such a

study, as our knowledge of the ecology of reptiles in disturbed systems is

exceedingly limited.

Management recommendations

The Ballona region is a unique, viable, albeit highly-modified ecosystem.

To regard this system as non-viable ignores the reality that populations

continue to maintain themselves within this system despite a history of varied

impacts. Because of the small size of the area and the urban position of the

ecosystem, several impacts are liable to eliminate populations of remaining

species if their effects are not reduced or removed. For Ballona to maintain

its present reptile and amphibian species composition over a long period of

time (over the next 50 to 100 years), we feel the following suggestions should

be impl emented:

1) Preserve the largest possible area

Both existing snake species require large contiguous areas in which to

maintain viable populations. HistoHcal records suggest that snake species

no longer occurring at Ballona required large areas of undisturbed habitat.

The remaining two species can survive in a disturbed habitat, but the area

size remains crucial. We predict that any parcelling of the area into smaller

units would eliminate the snake species before other species. Instead of

preserving small areas of different habitats, we suggest maintenance of the
largest possible contiguous area as the only alternative that will maximize

the number of species retained at Ballona. We further suggest that elevation
of through-traffic roads (i.e. Culver Blvd.) or the addition of wide culverts

that would allow water and animal movement, is a necessary part of the above

suaaestion. it would aid area contiquity bv allowinq free movement of
animals between Units I and 2, and would-reduce vehicle-caused mortality.
This is especially important for snakes to which this source of mortality

may be significant.

H-50

2) Increase pickleweed

Our data suggest that pickleweed is a primary foraging habitat for alli-

gator lizards, and is of secondary importance for others. Enhancement of the

quality or increasing the extent of pickleweed and its associated insect fauna

would benefit these species. Maintenance of adequate tidal flow through open

channels is vital to restore pickleweed to a healthy state. The level of

flooding should be limited so as not to reduce other drier, higher habitats

required by reptiles as egg-laying and refuge sites. Thus, we suggest that

the access road system to the gas wells in the central marsh be retained as

habitat for these species.

3) Limit access

Vehicles, domestic animals, and human activity all share responsibility

for significant mortality in reptiles and amphibians. ORV traffic probably

has the greatest impact, as it results in habitat alteration over longer

periods of time than the other factors. The utilization of the area by

domestic animals would conflict with efforts to maintain the marsh system in

a natural state. Vehicle access should be eliminated and use by domestic

animals should be excluded. Human activities (hunting and collecting) in

.conflict with maintenance of the marsh system should be disallowed. Because

of the urban position of this marsh system, adequate fencing is a prerequisite

to limiting the impacts noted above. Human foot traffic should be the only

access allowed and this should be limited to sites that will least impact

the system.

4) Dune preservation

Coastal dunes, as previously discussed, are becoming increasingly rare,

Unit 1 has a significant dune remanent inhabited by the unique limbless

lizard, Anniella pulchra. Maintenance and protection of all areas where

this species occurs at Ballona is recommended. The introduced iceplant

encroaching on dune habitat should be limited. Removal would be preferable if

it could be done in such a way as to avoid disturbance of existing populations.

Growth of native dune vegetation, such as Bush Lupine (Lupinus chamissonis),

should be encouraged.

5) Preserve freshwater habitats

Amphibian eggs must be laid in freshwater, and two of the Ballona amphi-

bians lay aquatic eggs. Freshwater habitats are limited to six small sites,

three of which are not suitable for successful amphibian breeding. The

continued existence of both species requires preservation of their breeding

sites. The eucalyptus trees on Unit 2 should be removed. They are poor

habitat (Table 1) and probably contribute to the pollution of the freshwater

site associated with them.

6) Exclude dumping

Some of the Ballona region has been used for trash disposal. Although

this has provided some habitat for reptiles and amphibians, it detracts from

the overall aesthetic value of the area. lile suggest that littering of any

kind not be permitted and that existing refuse be removed. Increasing the

number of native shrubs will compensate for any habitat losses resulting

from trash removal (see next management suggestion).

7) Increase native shrubs

Shrubs and trees are limited at Ballonaand their scarcity limits forag-

ing habitat, refuges and prey items available for reptiles and amphibians.

Reptiles and amphibians are more abundant in association with native shrubs

(Table 1). Habitat enhancement by adding more of the native shrubs,

oarticularl1v Laurel-Sumac k'Rhus laurina),'Caiffornia Sage (.Artemisla

H-52

californicum and the Bush Lupine (Lupinus chamissonis) in sandy sites would

benefit existing reptiles and amphibians.-

8) Preservation of the central marsh

Our data show that Unit 1 is the most biologically valuable area (Table 2).

We believe the best solution to retaining a manageable marsh system in view of

the previous recommendations is to preserve a contiguous piece that includes:

1) all of Units 1 and 2; 2) the bluffs; and 3) sufficient buffer around those

areas. We believe restoration of Unit 3 to viable marshland would require

great expense without certainty of success. The Agricultural Land north of

Centinela Creek drainage and west of Lincoln Boulevard has limited biological

value. We emphasize, however, that access to the protected area must be

limited.

H, 53

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H-54

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H-55

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H@57

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fill WAY
FIGURE 1 - Amphibian
Distribution

A BATRACHOSEPS PACIFICUS
a OUFO SOREAS
HYLA REGILLA

CREEK

BALLONA

JEFFSOSOM BLVD

40.

.............. ...#. .....

H-60

46- 0 MALES
0 FEMALES

A JUVENILES OR UNSEXED

DUNE POND
40- JUVENILES

35- co

0 0
a 0

E
E 30-

z 2S-
Lu

20- 4&

S 0 N 0 1 F m A M i i A S 0

TIME OF YEAR

FIGURE 2 Body lengths of Hyla regilla vs. time

H-61

10-

D
8-

LL
0
Cr. 7-

Co
2
6-
z

1 -

SEPT' OCT' NOV' C JAN FES MAR APR Y JUNE JULY AUG

FIGURE 3 - Frequency distribution of adult treefroas observed
-- at Ballona by month
DE 7 7. j-

flif WAV

FIGURE 4 - Sand-dwelling Lizard
Distribution

M ANNIELLA PULCHRA

6 UTA STANSitURIANA

-------------

BALLONA

-41

farramOos OLVA

H-63

z
4
co

20-

z 15-

U.
0

Lu 10-

SEPT OCT NOV DEC JAN FES MAR APR MAY JUNE' JULY AUG SEPT OCT

TIME OF YEAR

FIGURr 5 - Observed activity in Anniella pulchra

Fill
FIGURE 6 Alligator Lizard
Distribution

GERRHONOTUS MULTICARINATUS

-------------

- -------------------- cKEEK
BALLONA

1,\% - -------------

. . .......

H-65

ADULTS

SUBADULTS

42- JUVENILES

.39-

36-

33-

30-

27-

z
U. 24-
0

ui 21-
Ca

M
z 18-

12-

SEPT OCT NOV D C ta MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG

FIGURE 7 Observed Activity in Gerrhonotus multicarinatus
E IAM r

H-66

ISO-

MALES
140- 0 FEMALES
9 JUVENILES OR UNSEXED

130-

120- OD
0
0

110- 0
0 0 0 0 0
100-
0 0
so- 0
*0
46
so
go- 0
0
z
> 70-
I-L

0
z 60-

So-

40-

30-

20-

10-

S a N D i F M A M i A S 0

TIME OF YEAR

FIGURE 8 Body lenqths of Gerrhonotus multicarinatus vs. time
showing growth

Will WAV
FIGURE 9 - Western Pence Lizard 0 0 0
Distribution

SCELOPORUS OCCIDENTALIS -------

--------- - -

CREEK

BALLONA

19MMIGN BLVD

A-
J\

80-
C@ (11
1 r

7o-

60-

40-

30-

TIME OF YEAR
Figure 10 Snout-vent lengths (mm) of male Sceloporus occidentalis.vs. time showing
seasonal growth X

80-

70- 16

W so0 0

bu-

z
Uj

z 000
W
> 50- 1" 0.
0
0 0 00 00 0
z 0 00
0 08 1
0 0
40- 0 0

30-

TIME OF YEAR
FIGURE 11 Body lengths of female Scelop@rus occidentalis vs. time show.ing to
seasonal growth
0

H-69a,

80- ADULTS

JUVENILES
70-

60-1

50-

0
w 40-
co

30-

20-

10-

OCT 'NOV DEC JAN FEB MA-R APR MAY JUNE JULY' AUG

FIGURE 12 Seasonal Activity in Sceloporus occidentalis

H-70

70- A MALES

0 FEMALES

60-

0,&
T 50- 0 00 oa)
E 0 W
A A 000
0 0
A A 0
A
40-
z
0
AA
OA (n A
0 @111D a 0
z
30- 0 0
0 A 0
AO A

A A 0 0
A 4&0 0
A A
20-

10-

0-
SEPT OCT 140V OEC JAN FES MAR "A MAY JUNE JULY AU92 SEPT OCT

TIME OF YEAR

FIGURE 13 - Body lengths of TTta stanshuriana vs. time showing
growth

H-71

17-

16-

ADULTS
is-

JUVENILES
14-

13-

12-

11-

M
a I - -
10

z 9-

U.
0
x 8"
ui

7-
z

SEP Ov DE JANI FES I MAYIJUNE

FIGURE 14 - Seasonal Activity in Uta stansburiana
OSEPTOCT NO@VDEC M@ARAPR

FIJI WAY

FIGURE 15 - Snake Distribution

0 LAMPROPELTIS GETULUS

0 PITUOPHIS UKLANOLEUCUS

--- - -------

CREEK

BALLONA

AL -

A A@

H- 73

15-

PITUOPHIS MELANOLEUCUS
14- LAMPROPELTIS GETULLIS
13-

12-

11-

M
10-

z 9-

U-
0
Cr. 8-
LU

7-
z

NOV I DEC JAN I FEB IMARI APR I MAY I JUNE IJULYI AUG

FIGURE 16 Frequency distribution of the two snakes observed
at Ballona hy month

H- 74

0 MALES
a FEMALES
A YOUNGJUVENILES
1200-

1100-

1000- 0

E
900- 0
0

> 700-
0 0

0
z 600-
0

500-

400-

200-

100

S 0 N 0 1 F M A M i i A Is

TIME OF YEAR

FIGURE 17 Body lengths of Lampropeltis-getulus vs. time

_j 4-

Z 3-

LL
0
Cr.
w

D 2-
Z

201 301 401 DU I IOU 1 701 801 901 1001 1101 1201
300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300

SNOUT-VENT LENGTH (mm)

FIGURE 18 - Frequency distribution by 100 m size intervals for l-,anpropeltis getulus

H- 76

o MALSS
1700- FEMLIS

1600-
0

1500-

1400-

1300-
0
1200- 0 0 0
00
11100- 0

E 0
1000-

z
900-

z
> 800-

0
z 700-

600-

500-

400-

300-

200-

100-

0
S 0 N D i F M A M i i A S 0

TIME OF YEAR

FIGURE 19 Body lengths of Pituaphis melanoleucus vs. time

10-

Ca 8-
-i

D
Q 7-

Q
Z 6-

0 5-
Cr.
LU

Z
3-

301 401 501 701 601 801 901 1001 1101 1201 1301 1401 1501 1601
400 500 600 800 700 900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700

SNOUT-VENT LENGTH (min)

T
FIGURE 20 Frequency distribution by 100 mm size intervals for Pituophis mo-lanoleucus 14
-4

FI(,IJRF 21 Seasonal activity patterns
BATRACHOCEPS of the Ballona herpetofauna

EGGS HATCH -
EGGS LAID -

ADULTS ACTIVE -

BUFO SCELOPORUS

TRANSFORMEES - HATCHLINGS -
EGGS LAID - BREEDING -
ADULTS ACTIVE - ADULTS ACTIVE -

HYLA UTA

JRANSFORMEES - HATCHLINGS -
EGGS LAID - BREEDING -
ADULTS ACTIVE - ADULTS ACTIVE -

ANNIELLA LAMPROPELTIS

HATCHLINGS - HATCHLINGS -
BREEDING - BREEDING -
ADULTS ACTIVE - ADULTS ACTIVE -

GERRHONOTUS PITUOPHIS

HATCHLINGS - HATCHLINGS -
BREEDING - BREEDING -
ADULTS ACTIVE - ADULTS ACTIVE -

i F M A M i J A S 0 N D i IF m A m j i A S 0 N D

-4
00

H- 79

Table 1

Ballona herpetofauna relative abundance by unit and sample area

Unit 2, Ag Land 3 T* N**

Sample Area D 1A 2 Ag Land, 3

Batrachoseps - - .05***.Ol 2

Bufo .01 - - .02 .01 2

Hyla .03 .15 .70 .05 .19 49

Anniella .03 - .05 - - .01 2

Gerrhonotus .49 .98 .39 .16 .32 .47 123

Sceloporus 2.20 6.81 1.80 2.69 6.14 4.93 1293

Uta 1.33 - .93 .20 - .32 84

Lamprop6ltis - .08 - .12 .03 .05 14

Pituophis .12 .14 .11 29

Totals(Sample) 4 06 8.07 3.32 4.46 6.52 6.09 1598
N = i40 577 68 183 620

Totals(Unit) 6.76
N 717

*Total by species
"Number of sightings by species
***Estimates in number of individuals per sample hour
****No estimate

I U)
.9

to tp :3 $4
41 Id $40
4) 4J 4j U, CPI M
:t r. 0. 1 (n .9 rd
4) k AS a) r-I 0 4) Id r-I r4 to 14
H 0 r-I 9 (L) 44 V C4 4) (a 0 0
A@ V 124 rI (d $4 ri 0 4j k 4J rc
ci En (L) a r-i u :S r-A >4 4-) r-I r-I 4)
.ri 0 u :1 ri :1 (d (d 0 A4 4) (a 0 (d 4)
CL. IL) H 4 U U U (n

Batrachoseps .230 - .013

Bufo, - - - - - - .030

pyla .003 .021 - .180 .240 .140 .110 3.160 - .070

Anniella - - - - .090 - - - - - .010

Gerrhonotus .915 .104 1.060 - - - .138 .028 - - 1.170 .645

Sceloporus 1.450 4.610 2.880 2.920 2.840 .120 9.760 74500 2.220 2.310 - 3.160 8.330 4.620

Uta .104 1.590 .141 .367 - - - - .028 - - - .161

Lampropeltis - .052 - - .092 - .028 - 1.050 - .134

Pituophis - .050 .060 - .140 .080 - - .170 .080

Totals 2.390 5.130 5.290 10.00 3.580 .119 10.20 7.500 4.520 2.480 .108 7.370 10.00 5.770

11 estimates are in numbers of individuals per sample hour

Table 2 Ballona herpetofauna relative density estimates, by habitat based on vegetative dominants

THE BIRDS OF BALLONA

Charles F. Dock and Ralph W. Schreiber

THE BIRDS OF BALLONA

LIST OF FIGURES page

Figure 1. Transect routes used to study bird populations. 55
Figure 2. Numbers of species of birds by units and total region. 56
Figure 3. Numbers of individual birds by units and total region. 57
Figure 4. Total species of birds and shorebird species, Unit 1. 58
Figure 5. Numbers of individual birds, Unit 1. 59
Figure 6. Numbers of shorebirds, Unit 1. 60
Figure 7. Numbers of gulls and terns, Unit 1. 61
Figure 8. Numbers of Least Terns, Unit 1. 62
Figure 9. Numbers of Belding's Savannah Sparrows, Units I and 2. 63
Figure 10. Numbers of species of birds and waterbird species, Unit 2. 64
Figure 11. Numbers of individuals of all birds and waterbirds, Unit 2. 65
Figure 12. Numbers of bird species and waterbird species, Unit 3. 66
Figure 13. Numbers of individuals of all birds and waterbirds, Unit 67
Figure 14. Numbers of Belding's Savannah Sparrows, Unit 3. 68
Figure 15. Numbers of species of birds and shorebirds, Agricultural
Areas. 69
Figurc 16. Numbers of individuals of all birds and waterbirds,
Agricultural Areas. 70
Figure 17. Numbers of species of birds and shorebird species,
Ballona Lagoon. 71
Figure 18. Numbers of individual waterbirds, Ballona Lagoon. 72
Figure 19. Numbers of individuals of shorebirds and waterfowl,
Ballona Lagoon. 73

THE BIRDS OF BALLONA

LIST Or' APPENDICES page

Appendix 1. Bird species observed and study areas of
occurrence. 74
Appendix 2. 1979-1981 monthly observations, Unit 1. 77
Appendix 3. 1979-1981 monthly observations, Unit 2. 80
Appendix 4. 1979-1981 monthly observations, Unit 3. 82
Appendix 5. 1979-1981 monthly observations, Agricultural
fields. 84
Appendix 6. 1979-1980 monthly observations, Ballona Lagoon
and Venice canals. 86

THE BIRDS OF BALLONA

page

Introduction 1
Methods 2
Results and Discussion 3
Overall Region 3
Unit 1 4

Unit 2 7

Unit 3 8
Agricultural Fields 9
Ballona Lagoon 11
Remarks 12
Endangered Species 16
Avian Habitat 19

Pickleweed 20
Mixed pickleweed and herbaceous vegetation 21
Old field habitat 22
Agricultural fields 22
Trees and shrubs 23

Mudflats and saltflats 24
Open water 25
Ballona lagoon and Venice canals 25
Literature cited 28
Species Accounts 30
Some concluding thoughts 53
Figures 55
Appendices 74

THE BIRDS OF BALLONA

Charles F. Dock and Ralph W. Schreiber

INTRODUCTION

In general, bird distribution of the United States, and California in

particular, is well known (A.O.U., 1975; Robbins et al., 1966; Garrett and

Dunn, 1981). However, the details of species distribution and population

sizes along with habitat usage are poorly documented. Specific locations

such as the Ballona Creek region are essentially unknown. While some sight-

ings of birds of this region have been made over the years, no systematic

survey has been carried out prior to 1979. The study reported here provides

data on the bird populations of the Ballona region.

METHODS

We conducted weekly censuses at each study unit from the first week

of February 1979, through June 1981. Survey efforts on all areas were

not begun at exactly the same time, as some initial reconnaissance was

necessary to establish separate study sites and census routes. Work at Ballona

Lagoonwas not part of the original project and commenced later than studies

of the other areas, beginning March 1979 and extendinqthroug)i February 1980.

No formal surveys were conducted on Unit 3 or the Agricultural Fields during

late summer 1980. We thought at the time that this phase of the project

was at an end and would no longer be funded. We did make spot checks during

this interval in an effort to detect any unusual species or concentrations

Bi_2

f individuals on the region as a whol-e.

Surveys consisted of counting birds along established transect routes

(Fig. 1) on each unit, supplemented by additional non-systematic investigation

of habitats not adequately sampled by the transect method. Transect routes

were chosen to maximize coverage of the entire study site, rather than to

intensively study a particular habitat type. In some cases, the choice of

a transect route was influenced by consideration of potential damage to delicate

habitat, disturbance of nesting birds or traversibility of habitat. Wet

season counts on the Agricultural Fields were conducted from the periphery,

as these areas were essentially impassable. The relatively simple nature

of the habitat rendered this approach reasonably effective. We walked a

transect route and recorded each individual bird detected, either visually

or aurally. We recorded only birds detected in front of the observer to

avoid counting individuals more than once. The transect route was traversed
AWT
wt. a leisurely pace, with stops made only for purposes of identifying birds.

Each transect survey required approximately one hour. With few exceptions,

surveys were conducted between 0530 and 0930 PST. This time frame corresponds to

the maximum activity period of birds and during the two and a half years of our

study allowed adequate sampling of all species at all stages of the tide cycle.

Spot surveys were conducted at other times of day for comparative purposes. All

species identifications were made with the aid of 9 x 35 binoculars and/or a

lOx -50x spotting telescope.

Supplementary observations were conducted in specific-habitats of Units

1, 2 and 3, particularly during periods when migrant species that could poten-

tially be missed by the transect method might be present. These specific

habitats included the willow thicket at the west end of Unit 1, the copse

of trees on Unit 2, and the scrubland on the north side of Unit 3. Additional

were also made on the Agricultural Land during the winter rainy

Bi-3

season, when large numbers of waterbirds were present. The field was skirted

in an attempt to record all birds present on the flats and temporary ponds.

The expanse and inaccessibility of the Agricultural Fields made the complete

elucidation of total bird numbers difficult. Totals for this area should

be treated as minimum estimates (particularly for the smaller shorebirds).

Numbers recorded in the Agricultural Fields in-particular should be considered

as measures of relative seasonal abundance and not as measures of absolute

abundance.

Ballona Lagoon was censused from various points along the shoreline

that allowed complete coverage of all surface waters. The Venice canals

weresurveyed from the sidewalk surrounding the canal system.

In the following sections the terms waterbird and shorebird are frequently

used. Waterbird is used as a general term referring to any species whose

presence is influenced by the availability of aquatic or semiaquatic habitats.

Shorebird refers to members of the Order Charadriiformes that typically feed

and roost along the water's edge.

Data summarized in the figures are means of the weekly censuses for

each unit. While some detail is lost in this method of presentation, the

seasonal and annual patterns became explicit. We present the mean number

of birds per visit for each species in appendices.

Scientific names for all species are given in the Species Accounts.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

OVERALL REGION

All species recorded during this study and the units in which they were

seen are listed in Appendix 1.

Seasonal patterns in bird utilization of the various sites are shown

in figures 2 and 3. Numbers were greatest in mid-winter (January and February)

Bi -4

0 and lowest in late spring and early summer (May and June). These data reflect
the regional pattern of bird use in lowland southern California, where winter

numbers are predictably increased by an influx of species that breed at higher

altitudes or latitudes. Most species found in the region in summer are year-

round residents and breed in the general vicinity.

The most notable shifts in bird abundance occurred in Unit I and the

Agricultural Fields during mid-winter, when numbers increased drastically.

This period of peak abundance coincides with the winter rains characteristic

of coastal southern California. Usually arid habitats are temporarily wet

and were utilized by large numbers of wintering waterbirds. Numbers declined

drastically in March and April as flats dry up and most of the species begin

migration to summer breeding grounds. Another peak of abundance occurred

on Unit 1 in late summer. This increase is due to a temporary influx of
migrants (especially waterbirds) moving tfirough to wintering grounds further
eout'h. Total bird numbers on Units 2, 3 and Ballona Lagoon were relatively

stable in comparison with Unit I and the Agricultural Lands, although the

previously mentioned general pattern of seasonal change is apparent.

Seasonal variance was great at Ballona Lagoon, where many waterfowl

and shorebirds were found during the winter months, but virtually none were

present in summer. A greater proportion of the total species inhabiting

Units 2 and 3 were resident land birds. Those migrants and winter visitors

that utilize these two sites did so in comparatively small numbers. In Unit

3 particularly, the number of species showed more striking seasonal variation

than did the total number of individuals.

UNIT I

More species of birds occurred in Unit I in late fall and winter than

other seasons.(Fig. 4). The low point in species abundance occurred in

Bi-5

late spring and early summer. These seasonal differences were due primarily

to changes in the number of shorebird species, as can be seen by examining

'the lower lines of figure 4. Most shorebirds are migratory and are on the

northern breeding grounds in late spring and early summer. Most of the terres-

trial bird species recorded on Unit 1 were residents, consequently species

numbers did not fluctuate drastically with the seasons.

More species were observed in 1980 and 1981 than during the first year

of the study. While some of this variation may be attributed to the increasing

familiarity of the investigators with the complexities of the habitats, it

certainly also reflects changing environmental conditions. The number of

species present (and number of individuals) is strongly dependent upon the

eelative amounts of dry ground, standing water and moist mudflats. High

percentages of standing water favor gulls, terns, ducks and certain wading

birds, while large expanses of mudflats attract large numbers of many shorebirds.

Dry ground obviously limits utilization by any of these groups.

The pattern of changes in total numbers of individuals (Fig. 5) was

similar to that shown by species numbers, but the range of variation was

considerably greater. Total numbers of individuals increased markedly during

the rainy season in late winter and early spring. Primary differences in

abundance of total individuals are attributable to changes in shorebird abun-

dance (Fig. 6). Shorebird numbers were very high in mid-latewinter, and

dropped to essentially none in early summer. Numbers increased again in

late summer as birds began to return from breeding. Shorebird numbers appear

to be sensitive to the total amount of mudflat available, as mentioned pre-

viously. Numbers are greatest when mud/saltflats are partially flooded,

providing softened substrate for foraging, as occurs in late winter.

The seasonal pattern in numbers of gulls and terns (Fig. 7) that emerged

Bi -6

as rather complex, with at least two and possibly three peaks of abundance.

As in other waterbirds, numbers were generally lowest in late spring and

early summer, but another low point occurred in fall. Numbers increased

in late summer with an influx of migrant birds moving through the area. The

fall decrease indicates the passage of this wave of migrants, before the

bulk of wintering birds has arrived. Gulls and terns that overwinter here

increase the census figures for mid-winter. Bonaparte's Gulls and Forster's

Terns were particularly abundant at this time of year. The data suggest

a late-winter decrease followed by another increase in numbers in early-

spring. This posqibly indicates migratory movements much like those mentioned

above, with wintering birds moving out before spring migrants move through,

but these results may be illusory (see 1981). The gas company was conducting

maintenance operations on Unit I in late winter 1980. These operations inhi-

bited censusing activities, and very likely also affected the number of gulls
Ond terns present. Movement of birds out of Unit I may have contributed

to the high numbers recordedi nthe Agricultural Fields at this time. Under

normal circumstances, numbers may remain high on Unit 1 through early spring,

and then decline as migrants move northward and inland.

Belding's Savannah Sparrows and California Least Terns, both endangered

subspecies.' nested in Unit 1. Belding's Savannah Sparrows are permanent

residents of the region, while California Least Terns are a summer visitor.

Belding's Sparrows were recorded on Unit 1 in varying numbers throughout

the year. Least Terns were present for about four months , from late Apri I to

August or September, with most individuals leaving the area by late July

(Fig. 8). Numbers of Belding's Sparrows appear to decline markedly in mid-

summer, at the close of the breeding season (Fig. 9). These numbers reflect

two phenomena. Belding's Sparrows are secretive at this time of year, singing
0

Bi-7

very little and remaining concealed in the low vegetation. Also, many birds

disperse to semi-arid habitats of other sites, including Unit 2 and the Agri-

cultural Fields. Birds become easier to census in fall, and more birds were

recorded during this time period. Numbers of terns using Unit 1 appear to

be lower in 1980 than in 1979. This difference is correlated with a change

in water level on the mud/saltflats between the two years. In 1980 these

flats, which have been used for breeding in the past, were largely flooded

throughout the spring. Little or no reproduction appears to have occurred

on the tern colony in 1980. Numbers of Least Terns were initially fairly

high again in 1981, but declined following flooding of the breeding site.

Some Least Terns that have used this breeding site in the past may have moved

to the colony on the beach north of the Marina, although this is not certain

(J. Atwater, pers. comm.).

A complete list of birds censused on Unit 1 is given in Appendix 2.

UNIT 2

In Unit 2 species numbers were greatest in fall-and lowest during summer,

although the differences were rather small (Fig. 10). Changes in total species

number are primarily due to the increased incidence of waterbirds during

the fall.

Largest numbers of individuals were recorded in fall and the smallest

numbers i'n summer (Fig. 11). Unlike species numbers, the greatest differences

in numbers of individuals was attributable to changes in land bird populations,

particularly in the number of House Finches recorded. House Finch flocks

foraged over the area, after the breeding season, feeding on seeds of annual

plants both along the canals and in the drier portions of the study site.

A significant contribution to the fall increase in numbers was made by Belding's

Savannah Sparrows that dispersed into the area after the breeding season (Fig. 9).

Belding's Sparrows fed regularly in the same portions of the habitat as the

House Finches and probably also utilized the temporarily abundant seed resources.

Terrestrial birds were the dominant components of the bird fauna in Unit

2. Particularly common species included the House Finch, Mourning Dove,

Meadowlark and Song Sparrow. Song Sparrows were more abundant in this study

site than any other unit within the region, and were particularly common

in the stand of pampas grass bordering the south side of the tidal channel.

A complete list of birds censused in Unit 2 is given in Appendix 3.

UNIT 3

In Unit 3 species diversity was greatest in spring and lowest in summer,

(Fig. 12). The peak of diversity corresponded with the time when part of

the area was flooded. Lower portions of Unit 3 collected runoff from the

winter rains and remained wet through April well after the heavy rains have

ceased This area retained standing water longer than Unit 2 or the Agricul-

tural Fields, and as a consequence, was used by a larger number of waterfowl

and wading birds later in the spring during 1979 and 1980.

The peak of waterbird abundance coincided with the peak in species number

(Figs. 12 and 13). Total numbers of all birds, however, were as.high or

higher in the fall, as a notable influx of land birds on migration or, in

some cases, dispersing in from surrounding areas occurred. These were pri-

marily seed-eating species making use of the temporary abundance of weed

and grass seed available in the drier portions of the habitat. The most

abundant species on the area at this time are White-crowned Sparrows, Meadow-

larks, Mourning Doves and House Finches.

Belding's Savannah Sparrows resided on this unit (Fig. 14). They pri-

marily inhabited those portions of the study site covered by stands of pickle-
ed (Salicornia.), but also used drier areas in the non-breeding season.

Bi -9

The number of sparrows using the study site declined markedly in mid-summer.

They may regularly disperse entirely to other portions of the region as Unit

3 becomes particularly hot and dry. This point warrants further investilgation.

Numbers increased during the fall months, when seed-eating species in general

became particularly abundant.

An apparent decrease in the number of Belding's Sparrows occurred on

the site during the breeding seasons of 1980 and 1981, as compared to 1979.

This may have been a random fluctuation in numbers more or less typical of

small populations, or it may be a direct reflection of changing environmental
conditions. Our subjective observations suggest that the "quality" of the

Salicornia on Unit 3 declined during this study. This site is not subject to

tidal flux, and the only source of water is fresh-water runoff. Salicornia

is usually restricted to salt water or brackish @ater intertidal habitats.

Its presence on Unit 3 is due to residual salt in dredge spoils left from

the construction of the Marina. It appears this salt is gradually leaching

from the soil, thus negatively impacting the Salicornia. Elimination of

Salicornia would effectively eliminate the unit as a breeding site for Belding's

Sparrows, although they might continue to be present outside the nesting

season.

A complete list of birds censused on Unit 3 is given in Appendix 3.

AGRICULTURAL FIELDS

Data presented in this section are derived primarily from the region

south of Jefferson Blvd. and west of Lincoln Blvd., bounded on the west side

by the road leading to the gas company facility.

Species numbers were considerably greater from mid- to late winter than

at any other time of the year (Fig. 15). At that time of year, the area

is usually at least partially flooded with a fairly extensive temporary pond

Bi -10

formed along the western border of the study area. Another, smaller pond
0 y form approximately 100 meters west of Lincoln Blvd. in wet years. During
particularly heavy rains in January and February 1980, the entire study area

was submerged. During,most of January and February, extensive wet mud areas

surrounded the temporary pond nearest to the gas company facility. These

areas were used regularly by shorebirds for both feeding and loafing. Water-

fowl (particularly Cinnamon Teal) utilize the standing water, as do several

species of gulls. Waterfowl were concentrated on the temporary pond nearest

-the western border of the study site, while gulls used both of the ponds

as resting areas. Early in the rainy season, Bonaparte's Gulls foraged exten-

sively over the area, apparently feeding on insects trapped by the rising

waters.

Plowed portions of Agricultural Fields away from the immediate vicinity

of temporary ponds were used as foraging sites by shorebirds, as long as

the soil remained wet and easily penetrable. These sites were used most
Otensively when the extent of available foraging sites on Unit I were reduced

by high water levels.

Most of the Agricultural Area dried out rapidly after the winter rains,,

and waterbirds moved to other locations. The temporary pond near the gas

company remained for some time after the remainder of the field was dry,

and supported fairly large numbers of birds. In 1980 and 1981, this spot

continued to be used by shorebirds into April.

The seasonal pattern in numbers of individuals was the same as shown

by species numbers, but monthly differences were even more pronounced (Fig.

16). More than a hundred-fold difference in numbers was recorded between

mid-summer and certain periods during the wet season. -This difference was

due entirely to the great influx of waterbirds (Figs.-15 and 16). Among

Bi-11

shorebird species, only small numbers of Killdeer were present during most

of the year, but large numbers of several species were present in wet winters.

These differences in species and numbers are responses to environmental

change and not simply to the obvious large-scale seasonal shifts in shorebird

distribution, as can be seen by comparing 1979 with 1980 and 1981. The initial

1979 surveys were begun after the peak winter rains, when the area was rela-

tively dry, and comparatively small numbers of birds were recorded. In the

second year of the study, rains lasted somewhat longer, and the area remained

wet much later. Considerably greater numbers of birds were observed during

late February and March in this second year of study than were recorded in

the first year, a result probably more representative of the typical winter

situation as suggested by 1981 data. These data clearly illustrate the impor-

tance of and need for long-term environmental studies as basis for valid conclusions.

A complete list of birds censused on the Agricultural Lands is given

in Appendix S.

BALLONA LAGOON

Seasonal patterns in bird use of Ballona Lagoon generally mirrored those

of the Ballona Region as a whole; numbers of species reached a maximum in

mid-late winter and early spring, and minimum in summer (Fig. 17). Seasonal

differences were due primarily to changes in the waterbird population. Very

few shorebirds and virtually no migratory waterfowl were present during the

summer months (figures do not include "domestic" ducks and geese which are

resident on the canals). Throughout the summer, a few non-breeding Willets,

Marbled Godwits and Black-bellied Plovers were present. Killdeer, which

4
are resident in the region probably breed in higher elevation habitats sur-

rounding the lagoon itself. Other species of migratory shorebirds moved

into the area in fall, and many remained in the general vicinity throughout

Bi - 12

he winter. Migratory waterfowl, such as Scaup and Red-breasted Mergansers,

began moving onto the lagoon in late fall and remained through the winter.

Several species of shorebirds (i.e. loons, grebes) occasionally used the

protected waters of the lagoon for resting and feeding in winter. Virtually

all terrestrial bird species recorded during this study were residents and

were consequently observed in all seasons.

Numbers of individuals of all waterbirds largely paralleled the pattern

shown by species numbers, in that maxima occurred in fall and Winter and minima

in summer (Fig. 18). The range of values was, however, considerably greater.

This general pattern holds for both shorebirds and waterfowl (Fig. 19). Dif-

ferences between the patterns of abundance of shorebirds and waterfowl did

exist, however. Shorebirds showed peaks of abundance in late fall and late

winter-early spring, corr.esponding to periods of migratory movement, when

birds that winter elsewhere were passing through the region. While many

probably remained in the vicinity throughout the winter, many spend

mid-winter months further south. The waterfowl population peaked in mid-

winter and reamined at a maximum until early spring, suggesting that most

of these are wintering birds, and not migrants passing through the lagoon

site. The most abundant waterfowl species during the winter were scoters,

Lesser Scaup and Red-breasted Mergansers. Virtually no waterfowl were present

on the lagoon from late-April to November.

Numbers of individuals of terrestrial bird species using higher elevation

habitats around the lagoon were*not recorded.

A complete list of birds censused at Ballona Lagoon is given in Appendix

REMARKS

The species accounts presented below deal only with birds observed during

Bi-13

the course of this study. A few birds that seemingly should occur in these types o

habitat were not observed, and some of these will be discussed below. Few data are

available for this region but Dial (1978) did find 3 species (Savannah and Song

Sparrows and Western Meadowlarks) nesting in Unit 1 and noted winter bird species

there. A notable lack of published information exists for the birds of similar

marshland situations in southern California, but Kiff and Nakamura (1979)

compiled bird sighting records at Malibu Lagoon, a smaller but somewhat similar

coastal location 12 km northwest of the Ballona region. Malibu Lagoon and

the Los Cerritos wetlands are the only other sites where remnants of a Siali-

cornia marsh are found in southern Los Angeles County. The extent of' pickle-

weed habitat at Malibu is extremely limited, and Malibu Lagoon differs from
Ballona in significant ways, being situated directly on the coast and having

riparian woodland and chaparral habitats immediately adjacent. Despite these

differences, the bird species composition of the two locations is generally

similar. The important differences in bird faunas of the two locations will

be addressed below, along with additional remarks concerning the status of

some birds recorded in this study.

Malibu Lagoon appears, superficially at least, to harbor a greater diver-

sity of bird species than the Ballona region. Kiff and Nakamura (1979) report

records of 262 species, versus 129 species recorded in this study. This

is attributable in part to the occurrence of many species at Malibu that

normally occur offshore, and probably rarely if ever come far enough inland

to be recorded at Ballona. In addition, many more terrestrial birds were

recorded at Malibu due to the close proximity of large areas of riparian

and chaparral habitats. Most important, the Malibu study includes records

of birds sighted over a span of several decades by avid "bird listers," and

consequently includes a higher percentage of rare or uncommon species. These

Bi-14

*actors withstanding, certain anomalies exist between the two studies.
The Common Loon, Gavia immer, Arctic Loon, Gavia arctica, Horned Grebe,

Podiceps auritus and Hooded Merganser, Lophodytes cucullatus, are waterbird

species which have been recorded on several occasions as migrants or winter

visitors at Malibu Lagoon but were not observed at Ballona. All of these

species might reasonably be expected occasionally at Ballona Lagoon, although

its relatively protected location away from the coastline may lessen the

chance of their occurrence. The Hooded Merganser also may be unlikely to

frequent an area subject to such a high level of human activity.

Soras, Porzana carolina, are listed as fairly common migrants at Malibu

but were never seen in the present study. This small rail frequents dense

reed beds, which are scarce at Ballona, and this may account for their absence.

Their secretive nature makes it possible that their occurrence may have been

missed during this investigation.

The Glaucus-winged Gull, Larus glaucescens, Mew Gull, Larus canis and

Black-legged Kittiwake, Rissa tridactyla, are at least fairly common wintering

gull species at Malibu and occur offshore near Ballona. They apparently

do not regularly venture inland, probably accounting for their virtual absence

in this study, although their occasional occurrence should not be considered

particularly exceptional.

Common Terns, Sterna hirundo, and Royal Terns, Sterna maxima, are listed

as fairly common to common migrants in the area of Malibu Lagoon, while neither

was recorded during this study at Ballona. Their absence is rather perplexing.

The superficial similarity of Royal Terns to Caspian Terns may have led to

errors in identification at a distance, but even Caspian Terns were rather

uncommon at Ballona.

Most of the differences in occurrence of terrestrial bird species may be

Bi-17

to the upper littoral zone, dominated by dense stands of pickleweed (Salicornia

spp.). Massey (1977) found only one population in California nesting outside

of a Salicornia.marsh, that being on Beacon Island in San Diego County. Even

this site contained Salicornia, but not in typical dense homogeneous stands.

Breeding at Ballona is restricted to those portions of Units 1 and 3 obviously

dominated by pickleweed. Belding's Sparrows begin to exhibit territorial

behavior by mid- to late winter at Ballona. Relatively small territories

are defended by the breeding males. Massey (1977) found territories as small

as 225 m2, with maximum territory sizes of roughly 4,000 m'. Territory sizes

at Ballona appear quite variable but are definitely closer to the lower end

of this range. Nests are placed on the ground among the Salicornia or on

the lower branches of the plants themselves, always well concealed. The

nesting season extends roughly from early April through June. Male singing

declines through the spring, and by late June the birds are generally quiet,

inconspicuous in most of their activities and difficult to census. Counts

made early in the breeding season indicated a population on Unit 1 of approxi-
mately 21 pairs in 1979, 18 pairs in 1980, and 13 pairs in 1981. Estimates

for Unit 3 were 18 pairs in 1979, 10 pairs in 1980 and 10-13 pairs in 1981.

These estimates suggest a decline in sparrow numbers in the region. Habitat

changes on Unit 3 have been mentioned previously as a possible explanation

of these differences in sparrow numbers. If there was an actual decline

in numbers on Unit 1, it may have been related to the increase in standing

water on the area in 1980 and 1981. Increased amounts of standing water

undoubtedly reduce the number of potential nest sites, at least to some degree.

Following the breeding season, sparrows do not actively defend territories,

but may return to the general vicinity of the breeding territory to roost.

During this time of the year, Belding's Sparrows are frequently observed

foraging together in small flocks. Birds may be observed some distance from

Bi - 18

he breeding grounds in fall and winter. It is during this period that Belding's

Sparrows were regularly recorded in mixed Salicornia and semi-arid habitats

of Unit 2 and along the margins of the agricultural site. The diet of Belding's

Sparrows is quite varied, and it is probable that seeds are the most important

component of their diet in fall and winter. The ready availability of seeds

in these higher elevations is probablY an important factor in this seasonal

disoersal.

California Least Tern

The Least Tern nested only on Unit 1. Least Terns were frequently observed

in flight over other study sites but were never seen either on the ground

or actively feeding.

Historically, the Least Tern nested on the upper portions of sandy beaches

along the California coast. As this habitat has come under increasing pressure
16 rom human activities, the terns have tended to make use of alternative nesting
s.ites, such as mudflats and landfills away from the immediate coastline.

Within the study area, terns nest only on the saltfl@ts of Unit 1, although

another larger Least Tern colony exists on nearby Venice Beach.

Least Terns arrived on the study area during the first week of May in

'1979, and during the last week of April in 1980 and 1981. Once the birds

arrive on the breeding grounds, courtship and nesting commence very quickly.

Least Terns nest in shallow depressions or scrapes in the ground. Birds

may excavate their own scrapes where the substrate is soft, but at Ballona

they tend.to utilize ready-made depressions. On Unit 1 these depressions

appear to be the hardened hoofprints of horses from the adjacent riding stables.

The nesting cycle of Least Terns typically extends into early August (Bent,

1921), but at least in 1979, very few birds remained on the nesting grounds

by late July. The terns do not remain in the vicinity for any length of

Bi-19

time once breeding has concluded. No birds were seen after mid-August.

No systematic effort was made to accurately census the actual number

of breeding Least Terns,but simple counts suggest approximately 17 pairs

nested on Unit I in 1979. Breeding activities were greatly reduced in 1980

and 1981, almost certainly due to flooding of the breeding colony. It is
possible.that no successful reproduction occurred in those.years.
During the time the terns were on the breeding colony, they foraged

in open waters nearby. The principal foraging area appeared to be the Ballona

Creek Flood Control Channel, but birds were regularly observed feeding at

Ballona Lagoon and in Marina del Rey. Terns were also observed foraging

in the central channel of Unit 1. Least Terns may occasionally move offshore

to feed in the open ocean, but apparentlv prefer shallow, quiet water.

AVIAN HABITAT

Habitats may be classified in a variety of ways, depending on the object

of the classification. Most classifications are based on the composition

or structure of vegetation and/or topographic features of a region. The

following habitat classification is a hybrid of these approaches and is an

attempt to reflect differences in the environment as perceived by birds.

The following habitat types are recognized in this study:

1) pickleweed (Salicornia)

2) Mixed pickleweed and herbaceous vegetation

3) Semi-arid habitat

4) Agricultural fields

5) Trees and shrubs

6) Mud and saltflats

7) Open water

At various points in this report, subhabitats within these categories are

Bi- 20

Oentioned (e.g. undergrowth--referring to low-growing plants sheltered by
trees). It is hoped that any such terms will be self-explanatory and their

relationship to the overall system clear.

Pickleweed

The real heart of the region is the area covered by relatively homoge-

neous stands of pickleweed. This characteristic salt marsh plant contributes

substantially to the high levels of biological productivity recorded for

salt marsh and estuarine communities. Pickleweed occurs in the upper littoral

zone, areas that are subject to regular wetting by high spring tides and
are inundated by storm tides. Solid stands of Salicornia are characteristically
low in avian diversity (see Dial, 1978). The vegetation structure and salinity of

these habitats apparently make them unsuitable nesting sites for most species,
and the density of the vebetation (and perhaps other factors) limits its
0 se 'as foraging habitat. Pickleweed is, however, crucial habitat for Belding's
Savannah Sparrows, Passerculus sandwichensis beldingi, since this endangered

subspecies typically breeds only in relatively homogeneous stands of Salicornia.

This bird's decline in numbers in recent decades can be correlated directly

with the destruction of pickleweed habitat along the Pacfiic coast (Massey,

-1977).

The most extensive stand of pickleweed in the Ballona region occurs

in western Unit 1. Much of this section is virtually pure Salicornia, although

some slightly higher elevation portions of the study area support mixed Sali-

cornia and herbaceous vegetation. The eastern portion of Unit I supports

substantial amounts of pickleweed, but the habitat is broken up into relatively

small segments, separated by expanses of mudflats and saltflats. It is,

however, used regularly by Belding's Savannah Sparrows, both for foraging
18 "n nesting.

Bi-21

Relatively narrow bands of Salicornia are found along the banks of tidal

channels in Units 2 and 3. The main channel of Unit I extends on into and

through Unit 2 and is bordered by thick stands of pickleweed, but these stands

are not sufficiently extensive to support a breeding population of sparrows.

Most of this site is at a slightly higher elevation and supports mixed Salli-

cornia and herbaceous vegetation or grasses and herbs. Dense Salicornia

occurs along the channel bordering the north side of Unit 3, but this vegetation

is not sufficiently widespread to support Belding's Sparrows. Pickleweed

also occurs along the banks of Ballona Lagoon, but the slopes along the lagoon

are quite steep, and this greatly restricts the extent of Salicornia at that

site. The only reasonably large stand of Salicornia occurs at the north

end of the lagoon proper, where small islands are exposed at low tide. These

islands are apparently insufficient in size or are subject to such extensive

immersion as to preclude their use by Belding's Sparrows, as none were recorded

during this study.

The stand of pickleweed in the east-central portion of Unit 3 is worth

special note. This area is not subject to tidal flux, and the Salicornia

apparently survives only due to a unique combination of periodic inundation

following heavy rains and residual soil salinity from dredge spoils used

as landfill when the adjacent marina was constructed in the late 1950s and

early 1960s. As the area continues to dry out, we expect the Salicornia

will continue to deteriorate and no longer provide suitable habitat for the

sparrows.

Mixed Pickleweed and Herbaceous Vegetation

This habitat type occurs in areas that are covered by salt water only

at especially high tide. This habitat is characterized by pickleweed inter-

spersed with a variety of species of herbs and occasional patches of grasses.

Bi-22

his habitat generally occurs just above the pickleweed habitat and is found

in some abundance on Units 1, 2 and to a lesser extent along the Agricultural

Fields. Mixed pickleweed habitat is primarily important as foraging grounds

for a variety of granivorous species that utilize seeds produced by the

herbs and grasses. Some nesting may occur within this habitat type. Song

Sparrow territories frequently encompassed large segments of mixed pickleweed

vegetation in regions where large herbs provided singing perches. Yellow-

throats possibly occasionally nest in locations supporting large herbs.

Old field Habitat

Old field habitat is distinguished from the previous category by the

prevalence of grasses and herbs and the lack of pickleweed. Old field habitat

occurs above areas that are periodically inundated and is usually quite dry.

A variety of seed-producing plants, many of which are usually considered
* eeds," is usually found in this habitat, which supports populations of
small mammals and reptiles. Old field habitat is found on all study. areas

within the wetlands ecosystem, being most extensive on Unit 3 and least exten-

sive on Unit 1. in Unit i, old fieldhabitat is largely restricted to the

periphery, being prominent only in the transition zone between Unit 1 and

the adjacent Agricultural Field. Old field habitat is used extensively by

several of the common bird species of the region, including seed-eating forms

such as House Finches, Mourning Doves, Meadowlarks and California Quail.

Raptorial species such as the Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel and Burrowing

Owl hunt above the open old field habitat. This is the principal nesting

habitat for the Western Meadowlark, one of the most common and obvious birds

of the region.

Agricultural Fields
0 The Agricultural Fields might be considered as special cases of the

Bi-23

above habitat type, but they cover such a large proportion of the area under

consideration as to merit a separate category. Except for times immediately

following plowing, or presumably when being actively cultivated, these Agri-

cultural Fields support scattered grasses, with occasional herbs interspersed,

particularly along the margins. Sizable portions of the Agricultural Fields

between Lincoln Blvd. and the gas company facility apparently support charac-

teristic salt marsh plants such as Saltgrass and Bulrush when they are not

in active cultivation (P. Kelley & J. Schular, pers. comm.). During most

of the year, these fields are used by birds in much the same manner as pre-

viously described for semi-arid habitat, although the lack of tall vegetation

limits their use by some species (e.g. Loggerhead Shrikes, which require

lookout perches). Killdeer apparently nest in the more open agricultural

areas, while Meadowlarks nest on sites supporting a greater Coverage of grasses.

Some portions of the Agricultural Fields are inundated by runoff during the

winter rains and change rather radically in character. These areas will

be treated below.

Trees and Shrubs

Trees and shrubs are rather widely scattered over old field habitats

throughout the region. Unit 1 supports a stand of willows along its western

margin, and scattered shrubs along the central canal. Unit 2 contains a

fairly large eucalyptus copse, surrounded by a number of individual pampas

grass plants. A small stand of Baccharis also occurs near the southwestern

boundary of Unit 2. Unit 3 contains a sizable stand of Baccharis in the

northcentral portion of the study site, scattered pampas grass throughout

the semi-arid habitat and a number of large Rhus plants@along the southern

and eastern margins. Trees and shrubs are used as perch sites by a variety

of bird species, including raptors, Loggerhead Shrikes and Mockingbirds.

Bi-24

They also provide nesting sites for several species, including Song Sparrows,

Anna's Hummingbirds, House Finches, Shrikes, Mockingbirds and probably Mourning

Doves. Their primary importance in the region is probably as resting and
foraging habitai for migrating songbirds. A number of species recorded during

this study were observed only in areas supporting trees and/or shrubs, as

can be seen by an examination of the species accounts.

Mudflats and Saltflats

For the purposes of this study, mudflats are considered to be any area

generally devoid of vegetation that is periodically or regularly covered

with water, providing a moist substrate. Saltflats differ from the above

only in the notable saline nature of the soil. They are in many ways func-

tionally equivalent from the standpoint of avian utilization, although it

is probable that mudflats support a greater diversity of invertebrates and
W rovide better foraging substrate for shorebirds. In general, saltflats
are not as regularly flooded as mudflats. The saltflats of Unit I provide

the only nesting habitat for the California Least Tern within the Ballona

region, probably due in part to the fact that this spot is usually dry during

the tern breeding season. Both mudflats and saltflats are found-on the eastern

half of Unit 1. Unit.2 contains only a small segment of habitat which could

be called mudflats, along its northern boundary. Unit 3 has sizable areas

of saltflat habitat near its center. For reasons tha t are not immediately

apparent to us, this area has not been utilized by the California Least Tern.

Small patches of mudflats are exposed at low tide along Ballona Lagoon. The

most extensive mudflats at the lagoon are at the extreme north and south

ends. During the winter rains, large portions of the agricultural study

site become flooded and are used extensively by waterbirds and shorebirds.

Flats are the most important habitat type to the functioning of the

Bi- 25

wetlands bird community. A large percentage of the total number of birds

observed during this study were observed in this habitat. The mudflats and

saltflats are used extensively by gulls and terns as roosting sites and by

shorebirds for both roosting and feeding, during the winter months. Most

of these species are limited to this habitat type and would be lost to the

region if the mudflats and saltflats were eliminated.

Open Water

This habitat type is largely self descriptive. Important areas of open

water occur at Ballona Lagoon and the central channel of Unit 1. Of lesser

importance are the water channels of Units 2 and 3. During heavy rains or

after particularly high tides, these areas are augmented by large temporary

ponds on Units 1, 3 and the Agricultural Lands. Open water is used by several

species of ducks for resting and feeding, gulls and terns for feeding and

certain other waterbirds (e.g., grebes) for resting and feeding. Least Terns

which nest on Unit 1 move to open water for foraging. While much of their

activity centers around Ballona Channel, they were frequently observed feeding

at Ballona Lagoon. The larger wading birds such as herons and egrets forage

along the margins of open water areas, and kingfishers are restricted to

this habitat type for feeding. The temporary ponds which are largely devoid

of fish may be used as foraging sites by some species under certain

circumstances. Large flocks of Bonaparte's Gulls and Forster's Terns were

observed feeding at the large temporary pond on the Agricultural Site after

the first heavy winter rains, where they were apparently picking insects

off the water surface.

Ballona Lagoon and Venice Canals

Ballona Lagoon plays a dual role in the overall scheme of bird use in

Bi-26

the vicinity. It is frequently used by birds spending the bulk of their

time on other portions of the wetland, but it is also frequented by some

birds that do not otherwise occur in the region. At low tide, mudflats are

exposed along the margins of the lagoon, with particularly sizable areas

at the mouth and the northern end. During the fall and winter, these habitats

are used by varying numbers of shorebirds as feeding and resting grounds,

and by gulls as loafing areas. These are at least primarily birds that also

utilize other habitats in the surrounding wetlands. Birds were frequently

observed flying into the lagoon from across the marina channel on Unit 1.

Some of these shorebirds were probably migrants moving north or south along

the Pacific flyway. During the Least Tern breeding season, a few individual

terns were commonly seen foraging in the lagoon. Terns would fly from one

end of the lagoon to the other, periodically diving to capture fish. Some

terns were definitely from the breeding colony on Unit 1, while others may
ekkl come from the Venice Beach nesting grounds. Forster's Terns, a common

wintering species of the wetlands, also forage at the lagoon. A variety

of waterbirds that normally occur offshore use the open water of the lagoon

as a resting and/or feeding area. This group includes several species of

waterfowl, grebes and others (see Appendix 6). The lagoon supports no major

concentrations of these birds but may be important as a quiet refuge, particu-

larly during inclement weather.

The Venice canals are primarily used by "domestic" waterfowl, Domestic

Geese, Domestic Ducks and tame Kallards which frequently i.nterbreed with

the Domestic Ducks. Sizable numbers of American Coots are also found here,

particularly in the winter. These birds primarily subsist on handouts from

people living along the canals. Very few migrant and wintering birds move

northward from the lagoon into the canals. A few gulls (usually ring-billed)

Bi_27

were regularly seen along the canals, and occasional small flocks of ducks

(esp. scaup) were recorded, but other waterbirds and shorebirds were almost

totally absent. The canals are apparently too confined by the surrounding

residential area. There is no natural vegetation along the canals to provide

protection from human disturbance. There also appears to be insufficient

food to support significant numbers of wild birds. The canals lack any mud-

flats to provide invertebrate food and resting areas for shorebirds, nor

do any rocky margins exist to provide habitat for species such as :Wlets

that are frequently found in this type of area.

Any alterations of the canals should probably be undertaken for aesthetic

rather than ornithological reasons. It is unlikely that any reasonable changes

would significantly increase their use by wild birds. The Venice residents

appear to generally enjoy the domestic birds that live on the canals, and

they are likely to remain there unless actively removed. The lagoon, on

the other hand provides useful habitat for a variety of wild bird species.

It would be preferable to maintain access to the lagoon for migrant and winter-

ing species. To this end, the mouth of the lagoon should be kept free of

obstructions as much as possible, as most birds appear to enter the lagoon

from the marina channel or Unit 1. Tall buildings immediately surrounding

the mouth of the lagoon might well discourage entrance to the lagoon, just

as large structures around the entrance to the Venice canal system appear

to inhibit its use. The mudflats at either end of the lagoon should be main-

tained, and tidal flow should be largely unrestricted. This combination

would insure the maintenance of foraging and resting grounds for shorebirds,

and the survival of their invertebrate and vertebrate prey. Sufficient buffer

zones should be maintained along the banks of the lagoon. The west bank

is somewhat buffered already by the presence of Pacific Ave. An approximately

Bi-28

WqAial zone on the east bank would probably lessen the impact of further con-

struction, although it is impossible to predict with certainty. Limiting

the heights of buildings immediately adjacent to the lagoon would also be

preferable. Tall buildings along the banks would create an artificial

"canyon effect" and would be likely to discourage bird use, much as it appears

to do in the canal system. Multi-story structures in the immediate vicinity

are probably an important factor inlimiting water and shorebird use of the

Los Angeles County Bird Conservation Area, as was discussed elsewhere. The

buffer zone along the lagoon could be landscaped in such a way to improve

its aesthetic appeal and also provide some protection from human disturbance

for the birds. Plantings of shrubs along the upper banks on both sides could

achieve these desired effects. If consideration were taken as to the plant

species chosen for this sort of project, an additional benefit might be to

ttract larger numbers of migrant song birds as well as providing additional
40abitat for those resident species recorded in this study.

It is uncertain that these measures would be completely effective in.

mitigating effects of further construction but would at the very least provide

an invaluable experiment in wildlife conservation. Since data exist on the

status of birds in the area prior to construction, it should be possible

to evaluate the effects of these different conservation measures, providing

invaluable information which could be used in future planning.

LITERATURE CITED

American Ornithologists'Union. 1957. Check-list of North American Birds.

American Ornithologists' Union, Fifth Edition, Third Printing (1975),

Port City Press, Inc., Baltimore.

Davis, M. E. 1968. Nesting behavior of the Least Tern (Sterna albifrons).
Unpublished MA Thesis, Los Angeles, Univ. California, Los Angeles.

Dial, K. P. 1978. Disturbed Coastal Salt Marsh. American Birds 32: 44-45, 114-115.

Bi-29

Garrett, K., and J. Dunn. 1981. Birds of Southern California. Los Angeles

Audubon Society, Los Angeles.

Grinnell, J., H. C. Bryant, and T. I. Storer 1918. The Game Birds of

California. University of California Press, Berkeley.

Grinnell, J., and A. H. Miller.. 1944. The distribution of the birds of

California. Pacific Coast Avifauna No. 27.

Kiff, L., and K. Nakamura. 1979. The birds of Malibu Lagoon. Audubon

Imprint 4:1-13.

Least Tern Recovery Plan. 1977.

Massey, B. W. 1974. Breeding biology of the California Least Tern. Proc.

Linnaean Soc. New York 72:1-24.

. 1977. A census of the breeding population of the Belding's Savannah

Sparrow in California, 1977. State of California, The Resources Agency,

Department of Fish and Game, Unpublished Report.

Robbins, C. S., B. Bruun, and H. S. Zim. 1966. Birds of North America.

Golden Press, New York.

Willet, G. 1933. A revised list of the birds of southwestern California.

Pacific Coast Avifauna No. 21.

Bi- 30

PECIES ACCOUNTS

The status of individual species observed during this study is presented

-below. For each species, the general pattern of occurrence in southern

California is given first, followed by a brief account of its status in the

Ballona region based on observations made during the course of this

investigation.

ORDER GAVIIFORMES

FAMILY GAVIIDAE

RED-THROATED LOON Gavia stellata. Fairly common winter visitor and migrant

offshore. Less common in lagoons and inlets. Two individuals observed on

Ballona Lagoon from late January to late February 1980.

ORDER PODICIPEDIFORMES
OAMILY PODICIPEDIDAE

EARED GREBE Podiceps nigricollis. Common migrant and winter visitor on

protected coastal waters. Individuals observed at Ballona Lagoon and Unit

1 on several occasions in the winter, spring and early summer.

WESTERN GREBE Aechmophorus occidentalis. Common migrant and winter visitor

offshore and occasionally on quiet inshore waters. Several individuals

observed during winter and spring on Ballona Lagoon. Observed occasionally

during this period on canals of Unit 1.

PIED-BILLED GREBE Podilymbus podiceps. Fairly common migrant and winter

visitor to protected bodies of both fresh and salt water. Individuals may

occasionally be observed in summer. Individual birds occasionally seen at
it llona Lagoon and on the major canal of Units 1 and 2 from late summer to
early spring.

Bi- 31

ORDER PELECANIFORMES

FAMILY PELECANIDAE

BROWN PELICAN Pelecanus occidentalis. Common resident in offshore waters

but uncommonly seen inshore. Isolated individuals observed soaring above

Unit 2 on two occasions during the summer months.

FAMILY FRIGATIDAE

MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD Fregata magnificens. Occasionally observed as

stragglers along the coast in late summer. Single individuals were observed

above Unit I and Ballona Lagoon in early August 1979.

FAMILY PHALACROCORACIDAE

DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT Phalacrocorax auritus. Common offshore species

in all seasons, but less numerous in summer. Most local adults breed on

the Channel Islands. Occasional vagrants observed in the fall and winter,

resting on open water at Ballona Lagoon.

ORDER CICONIIFORMES

FAMILY ARDEIDAE

GREAT BLUE HERON Ardea herodias. Commonly observed in all seasons in coastal

marshes and along water courses. Observed regularly on Unit 1, with numbers

increasing in fall.and winter. Smaller numbers observed on Units 2 and 3

and Ballona Lagoon. Several individuals recorded in Agricultural Fields

during particularly wet periods.

GREEN HERON Butorides striatus. Common resident around shallow water con-

taining vertebrate and/or invertebrate prey. Breed in a variety of locations

Bi- 32

in southern California. Individuals commonly observed in all seasons around
*Ballona Lagoon and along water courses on Units 1, 2 and 3. A few fall and

winter records from Agricultural Fields.

GREAT EGRET Casmerodius albus. May be seen in all seasons on mudflats and

in marshes-along coast, but not a common bird in the Los Angeles area.

Observed along water channels of Units I and 2 in November and March.

SNOWY EGRET Egretta thula. Common transient and winter visitor around fresh

and salt water. Individuals regularly seen along water channels in all study

sites. Observed from late summer through early spring, with numbers greatest

in winter.

BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON Nycticorax nycticorax. Uncommon transient and winter

visitor in southern California and local resident in coastal district. Scattered

observations along water courses of Units 1 and 2.
0
ORDER ANSERIFORMES

FAMILY ANATIDAE

BRANT- Branta bernicla. Fairly common migrant and occasional winter visitor

onoffshore coastal waters. Less common inland. Single individuals observed

in December 1979 and April 1980 on mudflats of Unit 1.

DOMESTIC GOOSE Anser answer. Birds on the area probably are intentionally

released. Several birds are resident on the Venice canals.

MALLARD Anas platyrhynchos. Wild birds are common southern California

residents, with numbers increasing in winter with influx of migrants. Common

residents on Venice canals. Commonly hybridize with domestic ducks. Occa-

sional wild birds seen on all study sites in winter.

Bi-33

GADWALL Anas strepera. Fairly common winter visitor on quieter coastal

waters in southern California. Several individuals observed on Ballona Lagoon

through winter 1979, but none seen in 1980. One flock observed on Unit I

in winter 1981.

PINTAIL Anas acuta. Fairly common winter visitor in marshes and wet agri-

cultural fields of southern California, but primarily inland. Flock of 15

birds seen on flooded agricultural fields in January 1980.

GREEN-WINGED TEAL Anas crecca. Fairly common migrant and winter visitor,

especially in fresh water streams, ponds and marshes. Small flocks observed

along canals of Unit I and in agricultural fields.

BLUE-WINGED TEAL Anas discors. Uncommon winter visitor, primarily in fresh-

water habitats. A male and two females were observed on several occasions

during winter 1981 on Unit 1.

CINNAMON TEAL Anas cyanoptera. Common migrant and winter visitor in coastal

southern California, particularly in fresh water and wet agricultural fields.

Regularly observed along canals and in flooded portions of Units 1, 2, 3

and Agricultural Fields during winter months. The most commonly seen surface-

feeding duck in the Ballona region.

AMERICAN WIDGEON Anas.americana. Common migrant and winter visitor on pro-

tected fresh and saltwater situations in southern California. A few individuals

observed in winter on Unit 1 and on wet agricultural fields.

NORTHERN SHOVELER Anas clypeata. Common winter visitor to freshwater and estuarine

habitats. A single male was seen on Unit I in winter 1981.

Bi-34

OR EATER SCAUP Aythya marila. Uncommon winter visitor in southern California.
Small flocks observed on Ballona Lagoon in winter.

LESSER SCAUP Aythya affinis. Common winter visitor and migrant on quiet
water. Small flocks observed regularly from December through March on Ballona

Lagoon.

BUFFLEHEAD Bucephala albeola. Regularly seen in small numbers during winter

in southern California. Single individuals observed in early December on

Unit I and March and April at Ballona Lagoon.

OLDSQUAW Clangula hyemalis. Rare winter visitor to coastal waters of southern

California. A single individual was observed on Ballona Lagoon in mid-March

1979.

WHITE-WINGED SCOTER Melanitta deqlandi. Common winter visitor in some years,
Ore to absent in others. Usually observed offshore or in larger bays and

estuaries. Small flocks observed regularly in winter and spring of 1979

on Ballona Lagoon, but absent in 1980. Single individuals seen on canals

of Unit 1 in November and December 1979.

-SURF SCOTER Melanitta perspicillata. Common migrant and winter visitor

in coastal waters, primarily offshore. Commonly observed in small flocks

from mid-November through early May on Ballona Lagoon and Marina del Rey

channel. Numbers greatest from mid- to late winter. The'most common diving

duck in the area.

RUDDY DUCK Oxyura jamaicensis. Common migrant and winter visitor along

coast and on fresh-water ponds. Small numbers observed on canals of Unit

I in February 1979.

Bi-35

RED-BREASTED MERGANSER Mergus serrator. Common migrant and winter visitor

on both coastal and inland waterways. Observed regularly from mid-November

through April on Ballona Lagoon. Single individuals were seen in March,

May and December 1980 on the canals of Unit 1.

DOMESTIC DUCK Anas platyrhynchos. Common "pets," also raised commercially.

Common residents on Venice Canals.

ORDER FALCONIFORMES

FAMILY CATHARTIDAE

TURKEY VULTURE Cathartes aura. Fairly common migrant in spring and fall.

Some individuals resident in mountains and foothills. Forages widely over

open areas. Sporadically observed soaring above Units 1 and 3 and the Agri-

cultural Fields.

FAMILY ACCIPITRIDAE

WHITE-TAILED KITE Elanus leucurus. Uncommon to locally fairly common resident.

A single individual was observed foraging on Unit 1 in mid-December 1979. Regularly

observed on all units in winter 1980-81.

SHARP-SHINNED HAWK Accipiter striatus. Uncommon migrant and winter visitor

to wooded areas. One bird observed on Unit 2 in November 1979.

COOPER'S HAWK Accipiter cooperi. Fairly common resident and migrant in

open or scattered woodland. Occasionally observed on Units 1 and 3.

RED-TAILED HAWK Buteo iamaicensis. Common resident in foothills of Los

Angeles basin. Regularly forage over open areas. Single individuals observed

irregularly throughout the year on all study units.

Bi-36

HAWK Circus cyaneus. Sporadic in occurrence in the Los Angeles basin

but usually seen in winter around marshes or fields. Observed fairly regularly

in open habitats of all study sites in winter 1980-81 but absent in other

years.

FAMILY PANDIONIDAE

OSPREY Pandion haliaetus. Uncommon migrant, primarily in the fall. Single

individuals observed soaring above Units 1, 3 and the Agricultural Fields

in February, March and August 1979.

FAMILY FALCONIDAE

AMERICAN KESTREL Falco sparverius. Common resident in open areas with natural

or man-made perch sites. Observed commonly on all units and in all seasons.

D@vlr'Q
GALLIFORMES

FAMILY PHASIANIDAE

CALIFORNIA QUAIL Lophortyx californicus. Common resident in brushlands,

agricultural edges and dense riparian woodland. Small covey observed regularly

throughout year on Unit 3. Also recorded sporadically on Units I and 2.

ORDER GRUIFORMES -

FAMILY RALLIDAE

VIRGINIA RAIL Rallus limicola.' Uncommon migrant, but some individuals probably

winter in the area. Found in both fresh- and saltwater marshes. The secretive

nature of this species makes its status difficult to determine. Single indi-

viduals flushed from emergent vegetation along canals of Unit 2 in February

1979 and 1981 and the Agricu Itural Fields in September 1979.

Bi-37

AMERICAN COOT Fulica americana. Common resident in freshwater marshes,
porA and slower-moving streams and canals. Year-round resident on Venice

canals, but numbers greatly increase in winter. Occasionally observed on

standing water in other units.

ORDER CHARADRIIFORMES

FAMILY CHARADRIIDAE

SEMI-PALMATED PLOVER Charadrius semipalmatus. Common fall and spring tran-

sient and winter visitor to coastal mudflats. Observed regularly in small

numbers from September through April, primarily on wet saltflats of Unit

1. Also observed occasionally along Ballona Lagoon and along flooded portions

of the Agricultural Area.

SNOWY PLOVER Charadrius alexandrinus. Fairly common resident of sandy sea

beaches. Much less common inland. Observed rarely on mudflats of Unit 1.

KILLDEER Charadrius vociferus. Common resident near fresh and salt water

and in wet fields and meadows. Observed regularly in all seasons on all

study units. Breed in Ballona area, at least in Agricultural Fields.

AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER Pluvialis dominica. Uncommon to rare transient and

winter visitor to tidal flats and wet agricultural fields. Single individuals

seen on wet saltflats of Unit 1 in winter 1979, 1980 and 1981.

BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER Pluvialis squatarola. Common winter visitor and migrant

on mudflats along coast. Found in large numbers (several hundred) in mid-

winter on wet saltflats of Unit 1 and on flooded Agricultural Fields. Numbers

gradually diminish through spring, then build up again from mid-July on Unit

1. Samller numbers also found on mudflats of Ballona Lagoon and flooded

portions of Unit 3.

Bi - 38

@TURNSTONE Arenaria interpres. Common migrant and winter visitor on

mudflats, beaches and rocky shores. Found fairly regularly in small numbers

on wet saltflats of Unit 1 from mid-summer through early spring. Also found

along flooded portions of agricultural fields in mid-winter.

BLACK TURNSTONE Arenaria melanocephala. Common migrant and winter visitor
on mudflats, beaches and rocky shores. Observed in small numbers on wet

saltflats of Unit I from late July through early fall. Apparently not as

common in the region as the Ruddy Turnstone.

FAMILY SCOLOPACIDAE

COMMON SNIPE Capella gallinago. Common migrant and uncommon winter visitor

in fresh- and saltwater marshes and wet grassy areas. Several individuals

observed sporadically in emergent vegetation of canals in Units 1, 2, 3 and
it e Agricultural Fields from mid-@fall to mid-spring.

LONG-BiLLED CURLEW Numenius americanus. Relatively uncommon transient and

winter visitor to mudflats, marshes and wet fields. Within study area,

observed on mudflats of Unit 1 in fall 1980.

WHIMBREL Numenjus phaeopus. Common spring and fall transient and winter

visitor to mudflats, beaches and wet fields. Observed in small numbers on

saltflats, mudflats and along canals at all sites. Some individuals seen

in all seasons except early summer. Numbers peak in fall and early winter.

SPOTTED SANDPIPER Aetitis macularia. Fairly common spring and fall transient

and winter visitor, primarily around fresh water. Individuals observed spor-

adically from September to May, primarily along water's edge at Ballona Lagoon.

Bi-39

WILLET Catoptrophorus semipalmatus. Common visitor in all seasons on mud-

flats, beaches and marshes but does not breed in region. Observed commonly

foraging and loafing along canals and on mud or saltflats of all study sites.

Numbers greatest from late summer through the winter, and least in early

summer.

GREATER YELLOWLEGS Trinqa melanoleuca. Fairly common as migrant, less common

as winter visitor at marshes, mudflats and shores of ponds. Observed irregu-

larly on mudflats and wet saltflats of all sites. Most common on Unit 1

and most abundant in late winter.

LESSER YELLOWLEGS Tringa flavipes. Uncommon migrant through general area

along marshes, mudflats and pond margins. Single individuals observed rarely

on mudflats of Units 1, 3 and the Agricultural Fields in spring and late

summer.

RED KNOT Calidris canutus. Rare fall migrant in salt marshes and mudflats.

Observed twice in late July 1980 on mudflats of Unit 1.

BAIRD'S SANDPIPER Calidris bairdi. Rare fall migrant on upland portions

of marshes and areas of scattered short grass. One individual observed on

mudflats of Unit 1 on November 1, 1979.

LEAST SANDPIPER Calidris minutilla. Common migrant and fairly common winter

visitor to marshes, mudflats and margins of ponds. Small flocks observed

sporadically in fall and winter on mudflats of Unit 1. Also observed in

late winter and spring on flooded Agricultural Fields and along Ballona Lagoon.

DUNLIN Calidris alpina. Fairly common migrant and winter visitor to mudflats

and salt marshes along coast. Small numbers observed in winter on mudflats

of Unit 1 and the Agricultural Fields.

Bi-40

0
SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER Limnodromus griseus. Fairly common migrant along

coast. Rarely seen in winter. Usually observed on mudflats and beaches

near water. Scattered flocks seen around water on all sites from late summer

through spring. Difficult to separate from the following species.

LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER Limnodromus scolopaceus. Fairly common migrant and

occasional winter visitor in marshes, on beaches and mudflats along coast.

Observed in small flocks at water margins on all sites from late summer to

early spring. Numbers peak in late winter. Particularly common on Unit

1 and the Agricultural Fields when the latter are flooded. Most dowitchers

observed in the region appear to be this species.

WESTERN SANDPIPER Calidris mauri. Common spring and fall transient and

fairly common winter visitor on mudflats or moist shores of both fresh and

salt water. Observed regularly on mudflats and wet saltflats of Unit 1 from
*ate summer through mid-spring. Numbers greatest in late fall and late winter.

Also fairly abundant on flooded areas of Agricultural Area in late winter.

Observed sporadically on all other sites.

MARBLED GODWIT Limosa fedoa. Common winter visitor and migrant.on mudflats,

beaches and marshland.along coast. Occasionally seen in wet areas further

inland. Observed regularly on mudflats and along canals from late summer

to mid-spring, with numbers peaking in late fall and late winter. Individuals

observed at all sites, but particularly abundant on Unit 1 and along Ballona

Lagoon.

SANDERLING Calidris alba. Common migrant and winter visitor along beaches

of coast. Somewhat less common on mudflats. Observed on mudflats of Unit

1 from late fall to early spring, with numbers greatest in mid-late winter.

I flocks present on flooded agricultural fields in winter.

Bi-41

FAMILY RECURVIROSTRIDAE

AMERICAN AVOCET Recurvirostra americana. Fairly common transient on mudflats

along coast. Small numbers observed sporadically on mudflats of Unit 1 in

late summer and fall, and again in early spring. Also observed on wet agri-

cultural fields.

BLACK-NECKED STILT Himantopus mexicanus. Fairly common migrant and winter

visitor on mudflats along southern California coast. Observed commonly on

wet mudflats of Unit 1 from late fall through early spring. Also seen occa-

sionally on mudflats and temporary pools of Units 2 and 3 during the same

period. Forage in standing water on agricultural fields during mid-winter.

FAMILY PHALAROPODIDAE

RED PHALAROPE Phalaropus fulicarius.. Uncommon spring and fall migrant and

occasional winter visitor to beaches and mudflats in coastal southern California.

Observed on flooded mudflats of Unit 1 in spring and summer 1980.

WILSON'S PHALAROPE Steganopus tricolor. Uncommon spring and fall migrant

on mudflats and beaches along coast. Individuals observed on mudflats of

Unit 1 and along canal of Unit 2 in spring and summer.

NORTHERN PHALAROPE Lobipes lobatus. Fairly common migrant along coast.

Largely restricted to quiet bays and lagoons, but sometimes seen far at sea.

Regularly seen in late summer and early fall 1980 on standing water of Unit

1, but absent in 1979.

FAMILY STERCORARIIDAE

POMARINE JAEGER Stercorarius pomarinus. Unusual fall transient along coast

Bi@42

n southern California. One individual observed resting on mudflats of Unit

1 in early December 1979.

FAMILY LARIDAE

GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL Larus glaucescens. Relatively uncommon winter visitor

along 'coast of southern California. Seldom seen inland. One individual

observed on Unit 1 in winter 1981.

WESTERN GULL Larus occidentalis. Common resident in coastal southern

California, but restricted to offshore islands for breeding, south of San

Luis Obispo County. Observed irregularly from early fall through spring

loafing on mudflats of Unit 1 and Ballona Lagoon. One sighting in March

on Unit 3.

CALIFORNIA GULL Larus californicus. Common spring and fall transient and
64@ visitor. May be found in virtually any open area with nearby water

but more common along coast. Observed on all but Unit 2 but most common

on Unit 1 and the flooded Agricultural Fields. Primarily observed in winter

months.

RING-BILLED GULL Larus delawarensis. Common visitor in all seasons. Numbers

diminish appreciably in summer. May be found in variety of habitats where

some moist ground is available for foraging. This species may be observed

in all seasons soaring over all study sites. Particularly utilize wet mud-

flats for loafing whenever available.

BONAPARTE'S GULL Larus philadelphia. Very common migrant and winter visitor

around protected waters and wet agricultural fields along coast. Seen in

large numbers on mudflats of Unit 1 from mid-fall to mid-spring. Observed

Bi_43

in smaller numbers on Ballona Lagoon, Unit 3 and overflying Unit 2. Very

abundant on agricultural fields when these sites are flooded in winter.

HEERMAN'S GULL Larus heermanni. Primarily late summer and fall visitor.

Some individuals present in all seasons. Restricted to coastal areas. Occa-

sional vagrants observed loafing on mudflats of Units 1, 3 and Ballona Lagoon

during fall and winter.

FORSTER'S TERN Sterna.forsteri. Common migrant and winter visitor around

bays, lagoons and other protected waters along coast. Commonly observed

in varying numbers on mudflats of Units 1, 3, Ballona Lagoon and the Agricul-

tural Fields from late summer through early spring. Most common in late

fall and winter on Unit 1 and the Agricultural Area, when these habitats

are wet. Some individuals seen even during late spring and summer.

LEAST TERN Sterna albifrons. Uncommon summer visitor, from late April to

September or October along protected portion of coast. Formerly nested on

upper beaches at a number of locations along California coast. Breeding

now limited to a small number of managed sites in southern California and

around San Francisco Bay. Least Terns nest and roost on the salt/mudflats

of Unit I from late April to August. Terns feed in the marina, Ballona Creek,

Ballona Lagoon and the large canal of Unit 1. Single individuals were observed

on several occasions in spring 1980 foraging in the waters of the Los Angeles

County Bird Conservation Area. Terns were observed in flight over all study

sites within the wetlands. Breeding appeared to be inhibited on Unit 1 in

1980 and 1931, as most of the mud/saltflats were flooded.

AELEGANT 'JE_RN Sterna elegans. Fairly common fall migrant and occasional

winter visitor along southern California coast. A few individuals observed

on mudflats of Unit I in late summer.

Bi-44

A&VrOIA TERN Sterna caspia. Common migrant along coastal southern California
W--
in both spring and fall. One to a few individuals observed in late summer

on mudflats of Unit 1 and Ballona Lagoon and flying over Units 2 and 3.

ORDER COLUMBIFORMES

FMILY COLUMBIDAE

ROCK DOVE Columba livia. Common resident in urban, suburban and agricultural

areas. Resident in urban areas surrounding Ballona region. Regularly observed

in open, grassy upland habitats in all study areas. Large flocks forage

in the agricultural fields.

MOURNING DOVE Zenaida macroura. Common resident in open woodlands, agricul-

tural areas, parks, residential areas. Numbers increase in winter. Regularly

seen througout the year in dry upland habitat everywhere in region. Roosts

trees and shrubs but forages on ground in open, grassy areas.

SPOTTED DOVE Streptopelia chinensis. Common resident in urban areas of

coastal southern California, which comprises its entire North'American range.

Introduced. Resident in urban areas surrounding the region. Regularly observed

in all seasons at Ballona Lagoon.

ORDER STRIGIFORMES

FAMILY STRIGIDAE

BURROWING OWL Athene cunicularia. Fairly common resident in dry agricultural

lands and bare open areas with soft banks or bluffs for nest burrows. Two

pairs apparently nest in banks adjacent to Ballona Creek on Unit 3. Owls

were occasionally observed on Units I and 2 and along bluffs south of the

agricultural area, where they probably nest.

Bi-45

LONG-EARED OWL Asio otus. Fairly common but widely scattered resident and

transient. Usually found in riparian or oak woodland. One or two individuals

flushed from trees along Unit 3 in fall 1980.

SHORT-EARED OWL Asio flammeus. Uncommon transient in fresh- and saltwater

marshes and agricultural lands. Formerly bred at least occasionally in basin

(Grinnell & Miller, 1944), but there apparently are not recent records. One

bird was seen on Unit 3 in February of 1979.

ORDER APODIFORMES

FAMILY APODIDAE

VAUX'S SWIFT Chaetura vauxi. Fairly common spring and fall migrant along

the southern California coastline. A single individual was observed soaring

along the main canal of Unit I in early May 1980.

FAMILY TROCHILIDAE

ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD Calypte anna. Common resident in open woodland, shrubland,

parks and residential areas with appropriate vegetation. Observed in all

seasons and in every study site within the Ballona region. Generally restricted

to drier habitats with open shrubs providing perch sites.

ORDER CORACHFORMES

FAMILY ALCEDINIDAE

BELTED KINGFISHER Megaceryle alcyon. Fairly common resident near waters

containing fish. Observed regularly near water on all study sites within

the region.

Bi-46

ROER PICIFORMES

FAMILY PICIDAE

COMMON FLICKER Colaptes auratus. Common resident in open woodlands and

parks throughout basin. Observed irregularly throughout the year in wooded

portions of the Ballona region.

ORDER PASSERIFORMES

FAMILY TYRANNIDAE

WESTERN KINGBIRD Tyrannus verticalis.. Fairly common migrant in open lowland

habitats with scattered trees. Observed sporadically in grassy upland habitats

of Units 2, 3 and the Agricultural Fields in the spring and fall.

ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER Myiarchis cinerascens. Fairly common migrant and

occasional summer resident in lowlands and foothills. Nests in mountain

A
C'15cd la I
ft rri@z
RW@@s around basin. S.ingle individuals were observed on several occasions

foraging over upland habitats of Units 1, 2, 3 and the Agricultural Fields

from iate Jbly through September. A single individual was observed in May

1980 on Unit 3.

BLACK PHOEBE Sayornis nigricans. Common permanent resident in agricultural

areas, brushlands, woodlands and suburbs near water. Require moderately

elevated perch sites. Single individuals observed along canals of Units

1, 2, 3 and the Agricultural Fields during the fall and winter.

SAY'S PHOEBE Sayornis saya. Fairly common migrant and occasional winter

visitor to open, grassy habitats such as fallow agricultural fields. Scattered

individuals observed in upland habitats of Units 1, 2, 3 and the Agricultural

Fields from late summer to early spring. Numbers greatest in fall.
0

Bi-47

WESTERN WOOD PEWEE Contopus sordidulus. Common spring and fall migrant

and transient in wooded areas, usually near water. Nests in riparian wood-

iands of nearby mountains. A single individual was observed foraging around

trees on Unit 2 in May 1979.

FAMILY HIRUNDINIDAE

VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW Tachycineta thalassina. Common spring and fall migrant

in open habitats over or near water. Nests in mountains surrounding Los

Angeles basin. Occasional flocks observed over open areas of Units 1, 2,

3 and the Agricultural Fields in late winter and early spring.

BANK SWALLOW Riparia riparia. Uncommon transient in open areas near water

in lowland southern California. A small flock was observed over Unit 3 in

September 1980.

ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW Stelgidopteryx ruficollis. Fairly common migrant and

summer resident near water. Require soft banks for nesting tunnels. Single

flock observed over Unit 1 and Agricultural Fields in early spring 1979.

BARN SWALLOW Hirundo rustica. Fairly common migrant and occasional summer

resident in open areas near water. Requires mud for nest construction. Small

numbers observed foraging over open areas of Units 1, 2, 3, Ballona Lagoon

and the Agricultural Fields from late winter through late summer.

CLIFF SWALLOW Petrochelidon pyrrhonota. Common summer resident in open

habitats near water. Require natural or man-made cliffs (concrete'bridges,

etc.) for nesting. Large flocks regularly observed over Units I and 3 from

early spring to late summer. Less commonly seen over Agricultural Fields

and Unit 2 during same time period.

Bi-48

FAMILY CORVIDAE

SCRUB JAY Aphelocoma coerulescens. Common resident in woodland, chaparral

and urban areas with trees. A common resident of wooded urban areas sur-

rounding the Ballona region. Observed Commonly around trees of Unit 2 and

in willow thicket of Unit 1.

COMMON RAVEN C orvus corax. Common resident in rocky areas of the foothills

and mountains around the Los Angeles basin. Less common within the city

than the Common Crow. Ravens were seen in April and June 1980 soaring above

Unit 1, and in June 1980 over Unit 2.

FAMILY PARIDAE

COMMON BUSHTIT Psaltriparus minimus. Common resident of chaparral and coastal

sage habitats in basin foothills. Flocks disperse widely outside breeding
0 a@n. Occasional flocks observed foraging in lower canopy of trees on
Unit 2 in fall and winter.

FAMILY TROGLODYTIDAE

LONG-BILLED MARSH WREN Cistothorus palustris. Fairly common migrant and

winter visitor around.fresh and brackish water marshes,,with tall emergent

vegetation. Probably formerly a breeding species in the Sallona region

(Grinnell & Miller, 1944). Commonly recorded around clumps of pampas grass

on Units 2 and 3 and in mixed stands of tall annuals and Salicornia on Unit

1 from mid-fall to early spring.

FAMILY MIMIDAE

MOCKINGBIRD Mimus polyglottos. Common resident in urban areas and along

edges of brushlands and woodlands. Resident in urban areas surrounding Ballona.

Bi - 49

Commonly observed in trees and shrublands of upland habitats throughout region

in every season.

FAMILY SYLVIIDAE

BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER Polioptila caerulea. Common resident and transient

in brushland and wooded chaparral. Observed in fall in trees bordering Unit 3.

RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET Regulus calendula. Common winter visitor in riparian

woodlands or brush thickets (esp. willow) near water. Recorded in mid-winter

in willow thickets of Unit 1.

FAMILY MOTACILLIDAE

WATER PIPIT Anthus spinoletta. Fairly common winter visitor in agricultural

areas, grasslands and sandy beaches. Observed in small flocks on wet, plowed

portions of agricultural fields in late winter. Several spring records from

Unit 3 in open moist habitat.

FAMILY LANIIDAE

LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE Lanius leudovicianus. Common resident in areas with look-

out perches and open areas for foraging. Resident on all study sites within

region. Forage over both wet and dry open!.habitats.

FAMILY STURNIDAE

STARLING Sturnus vulgaris. Common resident around human habitation. Regu-

larly observed in open habitats throughout region in all seasons. Large

flocks frequently forage in the agricultural fields.

Bi- 50

-FAMILY PARULIDAE

YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER Dendroica coronata. Common migrant and winter visitor;

breed at higher elevations. Regularly observed in trees, shrubs and tall

annuals throughout the region from October to early April.

COMMON YELLOWTHROAT Geothlypis trichas. Fairly common resident in wet habitats

with reeds or cattails. Seen sporadically in all seasons among tall annuals

and stands of pampas grass near canals on Units 2, 3 and the Agricultural

Fields. Most common on Unit 2.

WILSON'S WARBLER Wilsonia pusilla. Common spring and fall migrant, most

commonly in brushland (esp. willow thickets) near water. Surprisingly few

individuals were recorded during the study.

FAMILY PLOCEIDAE
Q%a7SPARROW Passer domesticus. Common resident around human habitation.

Introduced. Small flocks may be observed foraging in dry habitats around

periphery of study sites in all seasons. Nest in palms and man-made structures

all around the Ballona vicinity.

FAMILY ICTERIDAE

WESTERN MEADOWLARK Sturnella,neglecta. Common resident in grasslands, agri-

cultural areas and very open brushland habitat. Common resident of dry habitat

throughout the wetlands. May forage over wetter portions of the study areas

but return to drier marginal habitats for nesting and roosting.

YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD Xanthocephalus xanthocephalusl- Fairly unusual tran-

sient around marshes or wet agricultural fields. One to a few individuals

Bi- 51

were recorded on several occasions in April and May 1979 flying above Units

1, 2 and 3.

RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD Aaelaius Phoeniceus. Common resident in marshes, along

ponds and in wet fields with some taller reeds, grasses, etc., for nesting.

Seen in all seasons around canals and wetter habitats of Units 1, 2, 3 and

the Agricultural Fields..

BREWER'S BLACKBIRD Euphagus cyanocephalus. Common resident in parks, agri-

cultural fields, suburbs and other open areas with nearby trees. Only one

record in Ballona Lagoon in late August 1980.

FAMILY THRAUPIDAE

WESTERN TANAGER Piranga leudoviciana. Common spring and fall migrant. Breed

in higher life zones. Single individual observed in April 1979 on Unit 3.

FAMILY FRINGILLIDAE

HOUSE FINCH Carpodacus mexicanus. Common resident in open woodland and

shrubland, both inside and outside of urban areas. Flocks move around in

non-breeding season. Regularly observed in all seasons on all study sites

within the study area. Frequents trees, s,hrubs and tall annuals in drier

habitats. Numbers peak in fall.

LESSER GOLDFINCH Carduelis psaltria. Common resident in areas with scattered

trees and/or large shrubs. Transient in non-breeding season. Observed in

small numbers in willow thickets of Unit I and around margins of Unit 3.

BROWN TOWHEE Pipilo fuscus. Common resident in drier upland habitats with

a combination of dense brush cover and open areas with grasses and annuals

Bi-52

providing seeds. Apparently fairly common on hillsides above Unit 2 and
Ohe Agricultural Lands but rarely appear on study areas themselves. Recorded

only from Units 2 and 3.

SAVANNAH SPARROW Passerculus sandwichensis. Uncommon local resident and

fairly uncommon winter visitor in salt-water marshes and grassy habitats,

usually near water. All of the Savannah Sparrows in the Ballona region are

apparently resident members of the beldingi subspecies. Small breeding popu-

lations occur within Salicornia stands of Units I and 3. Sparrows were observed

along canals bordered with.Salicornia and in adjacent weedy habitats on Unit

2 and the Agricultural Fields from late summer through mid-winter but not

during the breeding season. Basically homogeneous stands of Salicornia appear

to be necessary for breeding of P. sandwichensis beldingi.

WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW Zonotrichia leucophrys. Resident within southern

lifornia area. Generally restricted to "natural" areas of variety of habitat

types for breeding. Common winter visitor in brushy habitats of all study

areas within the Ballona region. Present from early October to mid-April.

LINCOLN'S SPARROW Melospiza lincolnii. Fairly common migrant and winter

visitor, usually in wet areas or near streams with available brush cover.

Single individuals were seen in September 1980 in Unit 1 and in November

1980 on Unit 2.

LARK SPARROW Chondestes grammacus. Uncommon to fairly common breeder in most of
its winter range along coast, usually near agricultural lands with some nearby

brush cover. A single individual was observed on Unit 1 in April 1980.

SONG SPARROW Melospiza melodia. Common resident in ap propriate habitat.

Numbers increa se somewhat in fall and winter. Observed in all seasons along

Bi- 53

canals, around clumps of pampas grass and areas with tall annuals providing

singing perches. Resident in Units 1, 2, 3 and along canals in Agricultural

Fields. Attain greatest density on Unit 2.

SOME CONCLUDING THOUGHTS

A total of 129 species of birds were.recorded within the confines of our

study areas during the course of this study. While this is an impressive number,

it is not overwhelming, and as explained previously, is probably an underestimate

of the total that use the region from time to time. Most of the species total

is comprised of relatively uncommon species, which is typical of most biological

communities. A relatively few species contributed heavily to the overall numbers

of individuals recorded during our investigation.

The totals recorded here include two endangered subspecies, the California

Least Tern and Belding's Savannah Sparrow, both of which breed at Ballona.

Most of the birds observed, both in terms of species and numbers, were migrants

and wintering waterbirds. Relatively few birds.utilize this area as a breeding

ground. The reasons for this are diverse, and include various factors of

human disturbance, but primarily relate to limiated habitat diversity. Pickleweed,

perhaps the most "dominant" habitat within the region, is never diverse in terms

of birds it can support. Other habitats within the region are rather simple also,

lacking vertical complexity, and frequentl'y are of introduced plant species which
support few birds. Increasing the littoral zone and management for native plants

in areas of higher elevation might enhanse the land bird population status of

this region.

Since waterbirds make up the bulk of the total numbers of birds within the

region, those units most heavily used by waterbirds show the greatest seasonal

Bi -54

iriability in numbers. While the total birds present on those units are at
10imes impressive, more individuals actually use the region than even the high

numbers indicate: many of these birds are probably transients, indicating

that the individuals observed one week are probably not the same ones seen

previously. The Ballona area may provide a crucial "way station" in terms of

foraging and resting space for many of these transients. Preservation and

enhancement of these resting and foraging grounds is critical.

In our view, the principal management concerns for the avian populations

in the region should relate to endangered species and waterbirds. Maximum

effort should be made to preserve and enhance the habitat value of Unit I

for the sparrow and tern that nest in the area. In addition, appropriate

habitat for miarating and wintering waterbirds should not be compromised. A

secondary, yet critical, consideration involves enhancement of habitat diversity

to actually increase the number of species that are found within the region.

primarily involves increasing the diversity of native shrub and tree Plants

present surrounding the wetlands. These are the principal concerns that motivate

our specific recommendations incorporated in the overview of this study.

Bi- 5

1/51

4.1

-----------------

Figure 1. Transect routes used to study-bird populations. Solid lines
indicate regular routes, broken lines indicate alternate routes.

Bi- 56
0

TOTAL

50-

Uj 4Q.-

U.
0
49 .

_UNIT.QNE-

UNITTHREE

AGRICULTURAL LANDS

JAM IZER IMAM -6-F-A MAXIMM IAWL-XI-AUGI-19?MI-2CT AQY QEQ

Figure 2. Numbers of species of birds by units a-nd total region.

Bi- 57

0-4 TOTAL

0-0 UNIT ONE
07-0 AGRICULTURAL LAND$
b ......... a UNIT TWO

8 ------ W UNIT THREE

2000-

CA
.j

1000

cr,

500-

...... .... -160@ ..... ...... ...

AOLN PIS MAP APR WAY 1 JUftg 1 JULY AV* SE" OC?' ftDV CWC

Figure 3. Numbers of individual birds-by units and total region.

si- 58

35-

1979
0-----0 1960
30- 1981

TOTAL SPECIES

0
0

0
0
Uj
U 0
Uj
CL 20-

15- '01
z

Or
0"

5 SHOREBIRD SPECIES

JM4 FEG- MAF1 I APR MAY 1 JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT. I N

Figure 4. Total species of birds and shorebird species, Unit 1.

Bi- 59

3000- 1979

0-----0 1980

1981

.2500-

2000-

0
x
LU

-Z

1000-
C@
'0

500-

JAN F E.8 MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT

Figure 5. Numbers of individual birds, Unit 1.

Bi- 60

1979

0------ 10 1980

1981

2000-

cc
lJJ
0

1000-

JAN- Fee MAR APR MAY )UNE JULY Atla SEPT OCT NOV OEC

Figure 6. Numbers of shorebirds, Unit 1.

(889)

1979
300=-
0------0 1980
1981

250-

-200-

U.
0

LU
150-

it111
100--

50w- %
%

NOV OEC
JAN FE13 MAR. APM M`AYJUNE JULY AUG sEPT OCT

Figure 7. Numbers of gulls and terns, Unit 1.

Bi-62

35-

0 o 1979
30-
- 0 ------ 0 1980
........ 1981-

25-

20-
5
0
z

U.
0

Uj
15-

C.r
JAN gB MAR. Al?R MAY IJUN9. 4!4i@t ALJP_ SEPT@ 9CT. NQ-V- IOEC

Figure 8. Numbers of Least Terns, Unit 1.

Bi- 63

UNIT ONE UNIT TWO
30-

0-4 1979
19CO
1981

20.-

LU
15-
D
z

Ilk%

MAR APR. MA)@. JUNE JUt@_y tlWq SEPT. 9ci N

Figure 9. Numbers of Belding's Savannah Sparrows, Units I and 2.

1979.-

0-----0 1980

....... a 1981

Uj
Cj 20-
Uj
(L
93
U-

Uj
ca
TOTAL SPECIES

a
10
- cr, 10,
Cr 0

WATE R B I R 0 SPECI ES'.
5
RP

14N I F@o MAR I APR I MAY I JUNE JULY. AUG I SEPT I OCT I NOV I OEC

Figure 10. Numbers of species of birds and waterbird species, Unit 2.

Bi- 65

.150--
0 1979.
140- 0------0 1980

......... A 1981
13017

-120--

100-

TOTAL BIRDS-
z 90-

80--
LU

M 70
z

50-

40-

0
30.- 4
WATr=R B I RDS
20-

M 0-

MAY JULX 1W -55-T !4-9-V-- qkq-
44M FEEL M'@@A @APR - . 4UNE J JCL MT

Figure 11. Numbers of individuals of all birds and waterbirds, Unit 2.
0

1979

1980

1981

25-

Uj
Q. 20-
Uj

U6
0 0
0."

CLI
15-
z

la-

JAM lElk MAR APR MAY JUNE AUG SEPT NOV I DEC
4ULY - - OCT -

Figure 12. Numbers of bird species and waterbird species, Unit 3.

Bi- 67

175-

11979
0-------0 1980 Q
150-4 ........ A 1981

125-

100-
b

z
'0

Uj
75-
TOTAL BIRDS

50-

25- WATERBIRDS

%6
JAN I FES MAR I APR IMAY JUNE JULYI AUG SEPT OCT I NOV I OEC

Figure 13. Numbers of individual s of all birds and waterbirds, Unit 3.

Bi- 68

35-

30-
1979

0_____0 1980

....... A 1981

25-

20-

0
cc
LU
15.-
0

10- 0

5- -0 0

JA FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AYG SEPT -OCT NOV O-EC

Figure 14. Numbers of Belding's Savannah Sparrows, Unit 3.
-0

Bi-69

0 -0 1979

0-----0 1980
A ........ & 1981.
25-

LIJ

UJ 20-

.A
U.
0
&

T0TAL-$PEQIES
15.- 0 0
.z

""o

5.-
SHOR-ESI.RDS

4AN FES MAR APR MAY JUNE JULYI AUG SEPT. OCT NOV DEC

Figure 15. Numbers of species of birds and-shorebirds, Agricultural Areas.
0

Bi_70

1000-

TOTAL BIRDS WATERSIRDS

1979
8.00- 1A
1980
A 0------0 1981
A
-700.-

-.600-

p,
50Q -

400-

.300

M
z

LU
M 150-

.50-- C3-,

__Cr
zr

.JAN. FES MAR APR IMAY JUNE' JULY' AUG SEPT !40y- DEC

Figure 16. Numbers of individuals of all birds and waterbirds, Agricultural
Areas.

Bi- 71

0 TOTAL SPECIES

A SHOREB!RD SPECIES

1979
1980

LU
U 20-
w

Z-

10-

o
MAR APR MA)@@ 'JUNE JULY AUG SE@T AC-T
JAN FEB.

Figure 17. Numbers of species of birds and shorebird species, Ballona Lagoon.

Bi-72

1979
1980

100-

LU 75-
ca

50.-

25-

JAN. FEB. MAR -APR MAY JUNE [email protected] AQG SSPT QCT

Figure 18. Numbers of indvidual waterbirds, Ballona Lagoon.

Bi- 73

WATERBIRDS SHOREBIRDS

-0 1979
0-----0 1980

cn
-j
401
z

30-

co
2

20- 0

1.0-

0-1 4AN FEB MAR 4UNE JULY
APR MAY AUG SEPT -act. Noy DEC

Figure 19. Numbers of in dividuals of shor--ebirds and waterfowl, Ballona Lagoon.

Bi-74

APPENDIX ONE

BIRD SPECIES OBSERVED AND STUDY AREAS OF OCCURRENCE

1, 2, 3 = Units Ag = Agricultural L = Ballona Lagoon

1 2 3 Ag L 1 2 3 Ag L
Gaviaformes Bufflehead x x
Red-throated Loon x Oldsquaw x
Podicipediformes White-winged Scoter x x
Eared Grebe x x Surf Scoter x
Western Grebe x x Ruddy Duck x
Pied-billed Grebe x x x Red-breasted Merganser x x
Shoveler x
Pelecaniformes
Brown Pelican x Fa I coni f onnes
Double-crested Cormorant x x Turkey Vulture x x x
Magnificent Frigatebird x x White-tailed Kite x x x x
Sharp-shinned Hawk x
Ciconiiformes Cooper's Hawk x x
Great Blue Heron x x x x x Red-tailed Hawk x x x x
Green Heron x x x x x Marsh Hawk x x x x
Great Egret x x Osprey x x x
Snowy Egret x x x x x American Kestrel x x x x x
Black-crowned Night Heron x x
Galliformes
Anseriformes California Quail x x x
Brandt x
Domestic Goose x Gruiforme's
Mallard x x x x x Virginia Rail x x
Domestic Duck x American Coot x x x x
Gadwall x x Charadriiformes
Pintail x Semi-palmated Plover x x x
Blue-winged Teal x Killdeer x x x x x
Green-winged Teal x x American Golden Plover x
Cinnamon Teal x x x x x Black-bellied Plover x x x x
American Widgeon x x Snowy Pl-over x
Greater Scaup x Ruddy Turnstone x x
Lesser Scaup x Black Turmstone x

Bi-75

1 2 3 Ag L 1 2 3 Ag L
Common Snipe xx x x Spotted Dove x
Long-billed Curlew x Strigiformes
Whimbrel xxx x x Burrowing Owl x x x x
Spotted Sandpiper xx x Short-eared Owl x
Willet xxx x x Long-eared Owl x
Greater Yellowlegs xxx x x
Lesser Yellowlegs xx x Apodiformes
Red Knot x Vaux's Swift x
Baird's Sandpiper x Anna's Hummingbird x x x x x
Least Sandpiper xxx x Coraciifomes
UNID Sandpiper xxx Belted Kingfisher x x x x x
Dunlin x x Piciformes
Dowticher sp. xxxx x Common Flicker x x
Western Sandpiper xxxx x
Marbled Godwit xxxx x Passeriformes
Sanderling x x Western Kingbird x x x
American Avocet x x Ash-throated Flycatcher x x x x
Black-necked Stilt xx xx Black Phoebe x x x x
Red Phalarope x Say's Phoebe x x x x
Wilson's Phalarope xx Western Wood Pewee x
Northern Phalarope x Violet-green Swallow x x x x
Pomarine Jaeger x Bank Swallow x
Glaucous-winged Gull x Rough-winged Swallow x
Western Gull xx x Barn Swallow x x x x x
California Gull xxx x Cl,iff Swallow x x x x x
Ring-billed Gull xxxx x Scrub Jay x x x
Bonaparte's Gull xxxx x Common Raven x x
Heermann's Gull xx x Common Crow x x x x x
Forster's Tern xxxx x Bushtit x
Least Tern xxxx x Long-billed Marsh Wren x x x
Elegant Tern x Mockingbird x x x x
Caspian Tern xxx x Blue-gray Gnatcatcher x
Ruby-crowned Kinglet x
Columbiformes Water Pipit x x
Rock Dove xxx x x Loggerhead Shrike x x x x x
Mourning Dove xxx x x

Bi-76

1 2 3 Ag 1 1 2 3 Ag L
Starl ing x x x x x Western Tanager x
Yellow-rumped Warbler x x x x House Fi nch x x x x x
Yellowthroat x x x Lesser Goldfinch x x
Wilson's Warbler x Brown Towhee x x
House Sparrow x x x Savannah Sparrow x x x x
Western Meadowlark x x x x x Lark Sparrow x
Yellow-headed Blackbird x x x White-crowned Sparrow x x x x
Red-winged Blackbird x x x x Lincoln's Sparrow x x
Brewer's Blackbird x Song Sparrow x x x x

AFIIFI*)IX Iwo

UNII I - 1919-1981 H[)MIIII OBSLRVAIIONS OF BIRDS (MEAN NUMBERS PER VISII)

1 9 1 9 1990 L Le-I
Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep (kt NOV Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Western Grebe.
tared Grebe
Pled-billed Gfebe 2 1
orcull Pelican
Double-crested Corswrant
KAY,-ki Icent F, lgatebf.d
Great Blue Heroto 1 1 2 1 1 3 3 6 10 4 1 13 a 13, is 11 3 2
Green Heron
Great 19,et
sli'my 1,91'et 1 11 21 j 2 13
llack-crwned Night Iteron,
Brandt

Gadwa I I
Green-winged leal 2 1 2 1 10
Blue-whiged feat
Cinn'Im'n Teat 6 4 2 4 1 2 2 3 1 1
American Vidgeon
Bufflehead
White-wInged Scuter
Ruddy Duck

-4

1.6 Ob. Apv@ Ofty J- .1. 1 A,,$ $,,p N 1 0.1 0- k. Fb Via, Apw flay i- jvtj Avg S.V Oct Nov oc Jan fv6 her AW PAP jnn

sit-t-
I.h.y V.1t.:,
whit-1411.4 t
C.,P."s I"
0.4 A
r-h H-k

Awrlt.. I.S1,01
t0il-lf Quall
hvvwl ... C-0
S-I-"I-t.d pl..@ A 1 4 a 9 1 6
91114- 2 2 4 5 4 4 3 71 6 16 A, to 6 1, 13 11 111 Is If a A I a
6.1jeft Ill.- I A A
al.'k-balitd I'lov., Sit 350 29 3 105 Pic 142 ?01 at III SSO IN 192 21 16 4S 109 146 IPA@ 381 491 616 $14 9" 4ze is 11 it
S-F Fin...
O."Y 1w.si.w
111.,&
Cno- Snipe
tong-bill'd
01.6-1 76 11 24 1 1 6A A I
Reviled I A
allies 4 1 61 166 6) 43 14 is 40 901 V 1 13 1 Rig its to) All % is 11 as 40 .M I is

A 9 7 9 1 9 a 0
Feb Nor Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Ck t Nov Riot Jan feb, Nor Apr May Jim Jul Aug Sep (ki mow lipc Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
greeter Vellowlegs I I I ? I 1 3 1 1 2 1
tesser Tellowlegs I A
Red Knot 2
Sharp-telled SaMpIper
BoIrd's Sandpiper I
I-east Saftipiper 9 311 5
Du" A In I I I to2 1 1 A
Western Sandpiper A A 5 It 35 7fi 3D 68 165 66 3 a 6 J? 56 169 41 Ill 2Y 4 17
UNIO SonJpiper A 10 14 4 31 9 10 141N 510 SSS 548 M no 13 A
SanderlIng 1 2 1 2 2 41 72 6 7 S 4 1]1 1 ? 1 4 It 2
OwItchet sp. 1 2 2 1 1 3 6 14 IS 6 6 3 1 6 10 3fi PA 10? " 109 66 Fin 21 1
N4rblpd Gmlwit 1 2 2 1 1 14 5 9 12 20 6 to In 1 4 1 73 Is Is 11 11 19 12 1 5 A
h-.rlcon Avocet I A 1 11 6P 24 24 1 S
Illack-ner.k.4 Stilt 1 1 2 1 1 1 3 2 1 A 1 6 4 It 11 13 9 1 9 7 &
Red Phalsropr. 3 1
Vilson's Ph4larope 2
Northern PhGlmrope 11 is I
Powarine Jaeger
Gtaucaus-Ingied Gull
*Westorn Gull 4 3 1 1 1 1 1 50
CSII(Ornl& Gull I so 6 1 7 5 1 1 In A I A
Rlns.bllte4 Gull 4 4 4 20 25 S 9 ?a If 78 17 It A 6 1] if) aS 4% lin 77 1 4 7 1 00
Ibmaparte's Gull 4 fit 2 Is 41 in 61 6 Is I fin 639 418 lot to I
"Permn*s Gull 10 1 1
Appendix 2 (continued)

1 9 a 0
Feb Her Apr may Jun Jill Aug Sep Oct We D*c -14" Feb Har Apr PAy Jun Jul Avg Sep Ort No, wc Jon Feb ItAr Apr Pla r Jon,
Forster's fern 0 41 6 79 AIR 11 21 Is 24 Ss 75 44 fin 199 67 ?9 67 In
least tern 13 16 8 2 9 1 3 4 3 it If
Royal lern
Ilvqant Vern I I 1 2
Caspian tern I I J1 I I I I
Nork Deep 1 0 a 4. 4 6 4 0 G 4 1 6 0 6 0
thourninif Pov@ 6 3 4 a 6 1 a It 26 4 4 0 S 4 7 4 7 3 S 6 14 1 1 1 7 4 S 9
surrow1*9 No
Vau"'s Swift
White-throlitmd Swift
Anno'i Ifirwillighlrd I I I I
Wtp.d Kingf1sher I I I
Column" Flicker
Western KlnqhirA
Ath-throatm Flycatcher
Mack Phoebe
Say,q Phoebe
Violet-vvem Swallow
Ill"iqh-winged Swallow
earn Swal Iow S 3 1 1 1 7
CIIII S.Allow 1 3 2 1 S 330 3 4 1 7 1 1
Scrub Jay
Common ftvv"
Campo Crvw

1 9 1 9 9 a 0
Feb Kar Apr I%y Jim Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan frh fair Apr Mity Jun Jul Avit Sep 0,. t Now Ik-c .18. f.h & r Apr Pbly Jun
long-billed Ibirsh Wren I
Ponck fpqmrd I
Ailby-crowned Ringlet
logwrb,ad Shrike 3 4
Starting 6 4
Viellow-rumipP4 W4rblpr
Inivion V4.11owthroat
linint Sparrow 0 0 4 6 4 4 0 0 0
Mp%tprn MrAdmiarl, 9 6 1 4 4 P 4 9 11 3 4 3 1 1 4 1.1 P I n 6 4 fi 4 1
Tellow-1w.drd Plai-third
Ned-winqrd 111mr6hi,il 4 P I I I I I
Woulp firich 2 4 6 17 25 It 21 71 IIS 19 10 01 of 1 6 1] 1? 1? m a 2.1 16 11 ?1 to I 1 6 4
lecii,ir Goldfinch I
Savarinali Sparrow 4 16 ?1 11 19 In P 11 33 16 A ?I Is 13 15 it In 1 13 11 1 r a 1 11 a Is 11
lark Sparrow I
WhIti!-crownril sparrow
LIPEON'S Sparrow
S""I Sporrvw S 3 3 7 2

Appendix 2 (continued)

1,4111 Igig-igai NNIml BIRD OBSMATIONS (KEAN MMIAS PER VISIO

! "I I Is 0 i L!
Feb mar Apr may Jun Jul Pug Sep Oct how Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Avg Sep Oct Raw Dec Jan Feb %ar Apr hay Jun
Pled-billed Grebe I
Great Illue Iferon I 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 1
Green Ilemn
great Egret
Shawl Egret 1 2 1
11114ch-crowned Night Heron I
rAllard 2
Cinnamon weal 2
White-tailed lite 2 1
sharp-sklafted IlAwk
Red-tailed Hawk I
11mrsh Raw& I
American kestrel a 1 2 2 1 2 2
California Quail
Virginia gall
Akberican Coot
RIIId.r 4 3 2 1 2 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 2
Common Snipe 1 4 2 2
WhImbrel
Spotted Sandpiper I
Greater Yellolegs I

C@l

I log
~f~ob Its r Apr Kay Jun Jul ~k~u~l SOP Oil Now Doc Jon Fob ~P~u~r Apr Play Jun .1~0~1 Aug Sop Oct Now ~q0
~W~il~l~e~t
t~v~4~%~l Sandpiper
~W~,~s~l~o~r~m ~S~a~nd~i~.~fp~r~r
~O~n~w~i~t~c~h~e~l ~s~p~. ~4 ~0 ~1 ~f
~O~l~ark ~"~qO~o~d still
~U~l~l~s~on~*~% r~h~al~ar~op~p~
ging-billed Gull ~0 a ~0 a 1 ~4 ~0 ~0 ~6
~s~o~n~a~p~a~r~l~e~'~s Gull ~0 ~P
~l~a~ip~l~ar~s fern
~f~or~s~t~ers l~er~"
~t~v~a~%t lore.
~"n~o~o~r~"~I~n~g ~h~o~@~r 6 ~S, 1~2 to IS 1~2 19 9 ~1 14 ~5 1 ~0 ~3 4 ~6 IS 1~8 ~8 24 9
~B~u~r~r~m~i~n~g ~qM~1
Anna'% ~l~iu~mm~in~v~i~b~l~r~d ~2 ~7 ~2 ~1
~B~r~It~e~d kingfisher I I
Western ~K~i~n~g~b~i~r~d 2
Ash-throated flycatcher
1~1l~ac~k Phoebe ~3
Say's ~Phr~r~O~w ~2 ~2 ~1 ~1 ~2
Western Mood ~F~e~w~v~a, I
V I ot~et -green Swallow ~2
Bern ~S~"~l~l~a~w I
Cliff ~qW~a~l~l~ow ~2 3 3
Scrub ~Ja~f ~k

9-~8 0
~f~eb Isar Apr Pay Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov ~D~o~c Jan Feb ~F~l~ar Apr ~1~1~m~y Jun Jul Au~g Sep Oct ~NDv O~qec
~t~o~w~r~rn~n Pave~" I
Common Crow ~0
DOOM 2 2
t~on~g-b~il~l~e~d Marsh W~r~e~" I I
~f~t~w~i~l~n~gb~ird 2 ~1 ~1
t~o~g~q~erh~e~~ad Shr~i~k~e ~4 ~4 ~4 ~2 ~0 ~1 2 ~0 ~1 ~1 ~2 1 1 ~2 a
~i~l~arl~i~n~g
~V~e~l~l~m~~ru~mp~ed Warbler
Common ~v~e~l~l~o~.~1~hr~o~a~l
W~il~i~on~'s Warbler
~W~r~%~l~p~.~r~n H~o~a~d~n.~l~ar~k ~10 ~1~1 ~1~3 a ~4 ~5 4 ~4 a I 1 ~4 ~� ~1 ~6 ~4 ~3 3 ~7 ~1~3 ~S
~v~e I ~l~o~w~,~b~o~ad~'~d Blackbird I
~SI~qM~w~N~g~,d ~Bl~a~r~k~b~i~r~d I I I 1 ~4 ~1 ~1 ~1 ~1
~l~i~m~l~o I inch ~29 ~4 It 19 ~4~3 ~20 2~6 ~49 ~S~6 ~1.~1 is if IS ~1~2 ~2~S 20 IF ~9 1~6 ~4~3 ~2~S ~q4
~1~1~qm~.~. ~f~o~r~t~h~r~. I I
~S~O~V~O~M~41~% Sparrow ~S I I In 16 ~0 ~3 a ~6 4 ~14 ~20 1
~l~i~h~i~t~e~-~c~r~e~s~t~e~d sparrow ~9 ~? 3 ~1 ~3 ~q1
I ~I~nc~o~l~n~'s Sparrow I
~S~q" Sparrow is ~1~6 22 ~t~o ~1~1 6 ~? IS it ~1~1 ~9 ~1 13 1 ~S, ~2 ~1 ~4 ~5 1

~f~t-~p~endix 3 (continued)
~8q0 ~6q0

APPENDIX FOUR

IINII 3 - 1979-1981 HOKIIII.V 8140 OVISERVATIONS (MEAN hUMERS PER VISIT)
1 9 1 9 1 9 a 0 1 9_6_1
Feb Mar Apr Vey &a Ju I A,q Sep Oc t Now Dee Jon Feb Mar Apr May Jun I Aug Sep Oct Now Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Great Blue Heron I 1 2 1
Green Heron I I I
Snowy 19'et
Millard I
Clanaw" feel 6 2 a
Turkey Vulture I I
white-tailed tile 2
Cooper's flawk
Neil-talled Hawk
Marsh lia.k I 1 2 1
Osprey
American Ittstrel 1 4 1 1
California 0jall 2 3 3 3 4 1 6 1 3 2
1111deer a 2 6 2 1 2 5 4 4 3 1 1 1 2 2 1
Black-bellied Plover a
Common Snipe I I I
WhImbrel I
millet a 1 4 4 1 1
Geeata,Vellowlecjs I
tesser"felloult9s
Dowl tcher sp. 1 4 2
Western Sa@ndplper 11
ONTO Soodpiper
Marbled Godult I I
Illack-ftecked Stilt I
western Gull I

~9 1 ~9 9 ~0 ~0
Feb he, Apr Its ~Y Jun Jul Aug Sep ~o~c I now Dec Jon Feb ~K~ar Apr May Ain J~u I Aug Sep Oct Now Dec
~S

~C~o~l I
Coll
fern
~1~,~4~%~t It'.
~C~8~,~0~4~. ~I~t~,.
~K ~r~n~l.~q ~D~n~'~P 1 ~1 14 Is IF It ~2~1 ~4~0 ~4~9 ~7~1 ~2~1 ~1~5 Is ~9 ~1~1 ~1~4 ~S~1 ~1~6 Is I
~N~,~,~,~r~O~.~I~n~q ~t~h~.~1
I ~.~.~q~-~*~4~,~e~4 ~qN~I
~%~h~"~,~P~,~4~r~r~4 ~f~l~o~l
~A~.-~,~i~ ~f~l~o~q-~1~.~9~1~.~4~d ~2 ~1 ~1 ~1 ~1 ~1 ~2 ~1 ~3 ~2 ~1 ~3 ~2 a I 1 ~1 ~3 ~q4
~A~r~I~1~0~4 ~r~l~"~9~1~1~s~h~e~,
~I~-~q-~. I I ~I~r I ~e~r
~W~l~%~t~e~'~. ~R~1~.~4~h~i~'~d
A~s~k - I ~l~o, as I ~ed ~fl~y~i~et~c~h~e,
~Il~l~.~v,~k ~P~I~.~,~h~e
say's ~P~t~.~.~'~h~e
~V~l~o~l~e~t~-~g~,~r~e~n ~%~.~O~f ~l~o~o
~P~A~.~k ~%~8~1~1~0~.
~f~l~a~r~" %.silo. ~1 ~2 ~3 2 ~5 ~3
Cliff ~S~.~s~l~l~o~w ~S
u~b ~.~1~4 ~,
~(~q@~" ~C~,~o~. ~4 ~S ~S
l~o~n~g~-b~l~I~f~e~d ~0~q4~ts~h ~4re~n

~fl~u~l~l, ~e~y

~9 ~8 ~0
~m~a~t~t~r pop$# fob ~l~br Apr "my JUN IV I Aug Sep Ott now Dec JON F~e~b ~qf~qt~r A~pr May Jun ~&~i~t Aug Sep Oct Nov ~f~t~qc
~I~G~9~Q~P~,~h~r~&~4 Shrift 4
~S~t~a~r~l~i.~q
~W~e~l~l~n~.~-~r~q-p~e~d Warbler ~10 ~q9

~1~1~.~1~.~1~t %per,.*
~U~-~s~t~r~i~n Meadowlark ~3~4 ~19 In ~2~1 12 ~0 1~4 1) ~1~6 It ~2~6 ~3~1 It ~2~1 ~t~o 1~4 It 14 ~9 12
~V~ell~a~--~h~e~ad~ed I~l~l~o~c~kb~i~rd 2
~P~P~4~-~.~I~n~y~e~d ~O~l~oc~kb~O~r~d I 1 ~3 ~1 ~2 ~3
Western tanager ~I
~W~o~I~t ~F~l.~c~h ~0 ~0 ~2 IF 4~6 is Is It 19 19 ~1~1 1 IF 1~4 ~6 1# SIR If 29 to
lesser ~G~o~l~d~f~l~.c~h
grown ~l~o~.~h~e~r
S~o~w~s-~o~h Sparrow ~3~3 2~3 ~1~3 1 ~I~n is IF 9 ~8 IF to ~S ~S ~1~4 ~1 ~0 ~q11,
~k~h~l~t~@~-~C~f~o~q-e~d Sparrow to
~%~n~g Sparrow ~1~2 111 1 1 ~1 ~12 to
~1

Appendix 4 (contin~t~ied)

~,~0q0 ~6q0

A~p~P~t~N~D~I~X FIVE
A(~M~I~C~H~1~10RA~L ~qM~I~D~S 1979-19~8~1 ~MON~T~HIL~T BIRD OBSERVATIONS (MAN NI~qM~ERS ~P~E~R VISIT)
1 ~9 ~1 2 a ~0
Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug ~S~@~p ~O~c ~t Nov IN~!~, Jon ~F~eb Nor Apr PUY Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Great blue heron I I
green ~I~fe~ron
Snowy Egret
Mallard
P~i~n~t~a~l~l
Green-winged teal
~~i~n~n~a~.~o~a veil If 2~4 ~4~6 ~4
American ~W~& ~g~e~o~n
Turley Vulture
White~-tailed Kite
Red-tailed ~I~l~a.~k
Marsh ~l~law~k
osprey
American ~X~estr~e~l
Virginia Rail
American ~C:~o~l~,~, ~'~k
~e.~ip~a I~m~.14 over ~4 ~1 1
~~il~l~f~e~e~r ~4 ~3 ~4 ~1 ~4 2 ~2 69 31 19 ~8 ~2 34
~l~l~oc~k-~be~l~l~i~e~d Plover 1 ~1 ~1~1 lag ~2~4~1 ~19 It ~2 ~S~1~1
~~U~4~4~Y ~T~u~r~n~s~t~o~n~e I
Cowen Snipe 1 ~2 ~S ~9 ~3
~~h~i~.~b~t~e~l 2 ~1 ~1 ~3 ~2
~G~re~a~t~-~V~e~l~l~o~w~le~gs 2 2
t~e~s~se~, ~We~l~l~o~w~l~e~g~s

~F~ob ~Pl~ar Apr flay Ja a ~J~*~j I Aug ~S~e~p ~O~c~t Raw Dec Jon Fab ~I~%r Apr May Ail Aug Sop Oct Nov ~O~K
millet ~2~4 ~2~6 ~3~9 ~2 ~1 1~q3
least Sandpiper
~h~en~l~in
Western Sandpiper ~1~1 to ~2~4 ~1~q3
Marbled ~f~d~w~i~t I I I
~S~a~nd~er~l~in~g ~5 1 1 1
1~1~0~"~I~t~c~h~e~, ~s~p~. ~4 to ~1~1 1 to
~1~1~1~1~1~0 Sandpiper ~S 1 ~3 ~6 ~4 ~I~S~qS
~A~o~pr~l~(~a~n Avoc~et
~$l~a~c~k-~o~f~t ~k~ed Sill' 4
California ~C~.~1~1~1 ~3~1 ~4~1 a Is
~Al~o~g-b~i~l~led Gull ~6 ~6 ~4 4~6 60 21 ~6 ~a 9~q0
A ~op~ar~i~e~*s Gill 1~4~1 ~1~6~9 ~4 ~4~q1
~N~i~st~er~'~s ~le~@~n ~2~3 1 1
least fern
~A~w~k Dove ~0 ~0 a ~0 ~0 ~6 1 1 ~0 ~6 ~0 ~q1
~Pl~aw~n~ing Dove ~4 ~2 ~S I 1] ~20 ~21 ~z~i ~S 1 ~3 ~2 ~S S ~q4
~Burr~o~.~i~n~g Owl
A~m.~j~'s ~l~h~om~m~in~gb~ird
~N~e~lt~ed kingfisher
Western ~1~1~1~.~9~b~ird
A~,~h-t~b~,~o~st~@~l ~F~l~y-~f~thr
~1~1~3~4~1, Phoebe
Say's Phoebe
V~i~o~l~e~t-~gre~e~.~, Sw~a~l~lo~@
earn ~S~.~8~1~1~0~"
Cliff Swallow ~4
C~a~-~w~o Crow

I 1 ~0
Feb ~I~%r A~p~r Nor ~J~un all Aug Sop ~f~t t Nov Doc Jan fob Mar Apr Pay Jun ~qM Aug Sep Oct Now ~P~qP~.~qC
~w~m~l~v~@ ~P~o~p~i~t
t~o~a~g~er~h~o~-~o~d ~S~hr~i~k~e
Starling
~C~O~q@~n ~w~e~l~l~o~w~t~h~r~o~4~t
~m~o~s~t~.~t~f~t ~"~.~0~4~0~"~l~a~r~k ~4 ~4 1
~M~e~4~.~w~ln9~#~4 blackbird ~2 ~4 ~2 ~4 ~2 of
~"~O~u~i~r ~f~l~w~h ~4 ~6 1 4 1
Savannah Sparrow ~S to ~0 ~9 ~3 ~3
~Vh~1~t~r~-~cr~o~on~o~rl ~S~P~o-~o~w
~@~q.q ~%~p~a-~aw ~1 ~4 ~S

Appendix 5 (continued)

APPENDIX SIX
BALLONA LAGOON &'VENICE CANALS MONTHLY BIRD OBSERVATIONS (MEAN NUMBERS PER VISIT)

3/79 4/79 5/79 6/79 7/79 8/79 9/79 10/79 11/79 12/79 1/80 2/80 3/80 4/80
Red-throated Loon I I
Eared Grebe I 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Western Grebe 1 1 1 2 5 1
Pied-billed Grebe 1 1 2 1 1 1

Double-crested Cormorant 1
Magnificent Frigatebird 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Green Heron 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Snowy Egret 1 1 1 1 1
Domestic Goose 3 3 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 5 4 3
Mallard 149 153 168 155 160 145 143 148 150 153 127 197 155 151
Domestic Duck 53 48 46 49 55 53 50 45 48 58 44 70 48 50
Gadwall +
Cinnamon Teal 7
Greater Scaup 2
Lesser Scaup 1 5 4
Bufflehead 1 1 1 1
Oldsquaw 1
White-winged Scoter 7 2 1 1
Surf Scoter 10 4 1 2 3 13 18 18 6
Red-breasted Merganser 4 1 2 5 3 4 5 1
American Kestrel + + + + + + + + + + + +

3/79 4/79 5/79 6/79 7/79 8/79 9/79 10/79 11/79 12/79 1
American Coot 18 15 5 3 1 1 3 4 9 20
Semi -pa lmated Plover
Killdeer 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 10 16 4
Black-bellied Plover + 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 3 4
Whimbrel 2 1 1 2 1 1 1
Spotted Sandpiper
Willet 10 1 1 6 3 4 8 11 11 14 13
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Least Sandpiper
Dowitcher sp. 1 1
Western Sandpiper 3 1 4
Marbled Godwit 8 10 3 1 3 2 10 8
Western Gull 1
California Gull 1
Ring-billed Gull + + + + + + + 2 4 9
Bonaparte's Gull
Heermann's Gull 1 1
Forster's Tern 2 1 1 1 1
Least Tern 2 3 2
Caspian Tern
Rock Dove + + + + + + + + + +
Mourning Dove + + + + + + + + + +
Spotted Dove +
Anna's Hummingbird +
Belted Kingfisher 1 1 1 1 1

3/79 4/79 5/79 6/79 7/79 8/79 9/79 10/79 11/79 12/79 1/80 2/80 3/80 4/80
Barn Swallow + +
Cliff Swallow + +
Comon Crow + + + + + + + +
Mockingbird + + + + + + + + + +
Loggerhead Shrike + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Starling + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Yellow-rumped Warbler +
House Sparrow + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Western Meadowlark + + + + + + + + + + +

Brewer's Blackbird +

House Finch 4- + + + + + + + + + + + + +

H
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