Special-Status Species Survey Calendar
Click on a species to learn more information on survey periods and protected species, and to schedule your survey.
Crotch's bumble bee (Bombus crotchii)
California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense)
California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii)
Burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia)
Southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus)
Coastal California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica)
Crotch's bumble bee
California tiger salamander
California red-legged frog
Burrowing owl
Southwestern willow flycatcher
Coastal California gnatcatcher
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Special-Status Species Survey Calendar
Plants
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Conservation Status | Habitat Requirements/ Description | California Region | Survey Months |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego ambrosia | Ambrosia pumila | 1B.1 FE | Perennial, rhizomatous herb found in chaparral, coastal scrub, valley and foothill grassland, and vernal pool communities.Grows in sandy loam or clay soil; sometimes alkaline. In valleys; persists where disturbance has been superficial. Sometimes on margins or near vernal pools. Elevation: 20-415 m. | Riverside County, San Diego County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Munz's onion | Allium munzii | 1B.1 FE ST MSHCP | Perennial, bulbiferous herb found in clay and mesic soils in chaparral, cismontane woodland, coastal scrub, pinyon and juniper woodland, and valley and foothill grassland. Grows in heavy clay soils. Elevation: 375-1040 m. | Riverside County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Presidio manzanita | Arctostaphylos montana ssp. ravenii | 1B.1 FE SE | Chaparral, coastal prairie, coastal scrub. Open, rocky serpentine slopes. Elevation: 20-215 m. | San Francisco County, San Mateo County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Pallid manzanita | Arctostaphylos pallida | 1B.1 FT SE | Broadleafed upland forest, closed-cone coniferous forest, chaparral, cismontane woodland, coastal scrub. Grows on uplifted marine terraces on siliceous shale or thin chert. May require fire. Elevation: 180-460 m. | Contra Costa County, Alameda County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Marsh sandwort | Arenaria paludicola | 1B.1 FE SE | Marshes and swamps. Growing up through dense mats of Typha, Juncus, Scirpus, etc. in freshwater marsh. Sandy soil. Elevation: 3-170 m. | San Francisco County, Santa Cruz County, San Bernardino County, San Luis Obispo County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Braunton's milk-vetch | Astragalus brauntonii | 1B.1 FE | Chaparral, coastal scrub, valley and foothill grassland. Recent burns or disturbed areas; usually on sandstone with carbonate layers. Soil specialist; requires shallow soils to defeat pocket gophers and open areas, preferably on hilltops, saddles or bowls between hills. Elevation: 3-640 m. | Los Angeles County, Orange County, Ventura County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Horn's milk-vetch | Astragalus hornii var. hornii | 1B.1 | Meadows and seeps, playas, and wetlands. Lake margins, alkaline sites. Elevation: 75-350 m. | Kern County, Kings County, Los Angeles County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Lane Mountain milk-vetch | Astragalus jaegerianus | FE 1B.1 | Occurs in Creosote Bush Scrub, Joshua Tree Woodland within the Lane Mountain area. Elevation: 900-1,200 m. | San Bernardino County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Coachella Valley milk-vetch | Astragalus lentifinosus var. coachellae | 1B.2 FE | Annual herb found in desert dunes, Sonoran desert scrub, and Coachella Valley. Associated with sandy soils, flats, washes, outwash fans, sometimes on dunes. Elevation: 35-695 m. | Riverside County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Alkali milk-vetch | Astragalus tener | 1B.2 | Occurs in valley and foothill grassland, vernal pools. Grows in adobe clay and alkaline soils. Elevation: 1-60 m. | Butte County, Glenn County, Yuba County, Sutter County, Yolo County, Colusa County, Solano County, Napa County, Contra Costa County, San Joaquin County, Alameda County, Santa Clara County, Stanislaus County, Merced County, Monterey County, Los Angeles County, San Diego County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Triple-ribbed milk-vetch | Astragalus tricarinatus | 1B.2 FE | Joshua tree woodland, desert wash, Sonoran desert scrub. Hot, rocky slopes in canyons and along edge of boulder-strewn desert washes, with Larrea and Encelia. Elevation: 455-1585 m. | Riverside County, San Bernardino County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Nevin's barberry | Berberis nevinii | 1B.1 FE SE MSHCP | Perennial, evergreen shrub found on steep, north-facing slopes or in low-grade sandy washes in coastal scrub, chaparral, cismontane woodland, and riparian scrub communities. On steep, north-facing slopes or in low grade sandy washes. Elevation: 90-1590 m. | Los Angeles County, San Bernardino County, Riverside County, San Diego County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Thread-leaved brodiaea | Brodiaea filifolia | FT SE 1B.1 MSHCP | Occurs in chaparral openings, cismontane woodland, coastal scrub, playas, valley and foothill grassland, vernal pools, and often grows in clay soils. Elevation: 25-1,120 m. | Los Angeles County, San Bernardino County, Riverside County, Orange County, San Diego County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Southern tarplant | Centromadia parryi ssp. australis | 1B.1 | Marshes and swamps (margins), valley and foothill grassland, vernal pools. Often in disturbed sites near the coast at marsh edges; also in alkaline soils sometimes with saltgrass. Sometimes on vernal pool margins. Elevation: 0-975 m. | Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Diego County, Santa Barbara County, Ventura County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Smooth tarplant | Centromadia pungens ssp. laevis | 1B.1 | Occurs in chenopod scrub, meadows and seeps, playas, riparian woodland, valley and foothill grassland. Grows in alkali soils. Elevation: 0-640 m. | Los Angeles County, San Bernardino County, Riverside County, Orange County, San Diego County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Salt Marsh Bird's-beak | Chloropyron maritimum ssp. maritimum | 1B.2 FE SE | Annual, hemiparasitic herb found in coastal dunes, marsh and swamp, salt marsh, and wetlands communities. occurs with Distichlis, Salicornia, Frankenia, etc. Elevation: 0-30 m. | Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Diego County, Ventura County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| San Fernando Valley spineflower | Chorizanthe parryi var. fernandina | 1B.1 CE | Occurs in coastal scrub (sandy), valley and foothill grassland. Elevation: 150-1,220 m. | Los Angeles County, Orange County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Robust spineflower | Chorizanthe robusta var. robusta | 1B.1 FE | Cismontane woodland, coastal dunes, coastal scrub, chaparral. Sandy terraces and bluffs or in loose sand. Elevation: 5-245 m. | Santa Cruz County, Monterey County, Santa Clara County, San Mateo County, San Francisco County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Slender-horned spineflower | Dodecahema leptoceras | 1B.1 FE SE | Chaparral, cismontane woodland, coastal scrub (alluvial fan sage scrub). Flood deposited terraces and washes; associates include Encelia, Dalea, Lepidospartum, etc. Grows in sandy soils. Elevation: 200-765 m. | Los Angeles County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Santa Ana River woolystar | Eriastrum densifolium ssp. Sanctorum | 1B.1 FE SE | Dicot perennial herb found in chaparral and coastal scrub habitat. Prefers sandy soils on river floodplains or terraced fluvial deposits. Occurs in the Santa Ana River and Cajon Wash. Elevation: 180-705 m. | Riverside County, San Bernardino County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Barstow woolly sunflower | Eriophyllum mohavense | 1B.2 | Occurs in chenopod scrub, Mojavean desert scrub, playas (Shadscale Scrub, Creosote Bush Scrub, Alkali Sink). Elevation: 500-960 m. | Kern County, San Bernardino County, Los Angeles County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| San Diego button-celery | Eryngium aristulatum var. parishii | 1B.1 FE SE | Annual/perennial herb found in mesic soils in coastal scrub, valley and foothill grassland, and vernal pools.Found in San Diego mesa hardpan and claypan vernal pools and southern interior basalt flow vernal pools; usually surrounded by scrub. Elevation: 15-880 m. | Riverside County, San Diego County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Marin western flax | Hesperolinon congestum | 1B.1 FT ST | Chaparral, valley and foothill grassland. In serpentine barrens and in serpentine grassland and chaparral. Elevation: 60-400 m. | Marin County, San Francisco County, San Mateo County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Santa Cruz tarplant | Holocarpha macradenia | 1B.1 FT SE | Coastal prairie, coastal scrub, valley and foothill grassland. Light, sandy soil or sandy clay; often with nonnatives. Elevation: 10-275 m. | Santa Cruz County, Alameda County, Marin County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Contra Costa goldfields | Lasthenia conjugens | 1B.1 FE | Occurs usually in wetlands, occasionally in non wetlands, vernal-pools, freshwater wetlands, valley grassland, and wetland-riparian. Elevation: 0-470 m. | Mendocino County, Marin County, Sonoma County, Napa County, Solano County, Contra Costa County, Alameda County, Santa Clara County, Monterey County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| White-rayed pentachaeta | Pentachaeta bellidiflora | 1B.1 FE SE | Annual herb found in valley and foothill grassland, cismontane woodland. Occurs on open dry rocky slopes and grassy areas, often on soils derived from serpentine bedrock. Elevation: 35-620 m. | Marin County, San Francisco County, San Mateo County, Santa Cruz County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| San Joaquin adobe sunburst | Pseudobahia peirsonii | 1B.1 FT SE | Grasslands and in the transition zone between grasslands and blue oak woodland or gently sloping areas between low hills. Grows in heavy clay soils. Elevation: 115-795 m. | Fresno County, Tulare County, Kern County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Keck's checkerbloom | Sidalcea keckii | 1B.1 FE | Cismontane woodland, valley and foothill grassland. Grassy slopes in blue oak woodland. On serpentine-derived, clay soils, at least sometimes. Elevation: 75-650 m. | Glenn County, Colusa County, Lake County, Napa County, Yolo County, Solano County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| California seablite | Suaeda californica | 1B.1 FE | Perennial evergreen shrub found in margins of coastal salt marshes and swamps. Elevation: 0-15 m. | Contra Costa County, San Francisco County, San Mateo County, Santa Clara County, Alameda County, San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara County, Ventura County, Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Diego County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Greene's tuctoria | Tuctoria greenei | 1B.1 FE SR | Occurs in vernal pools, freshwater wetlands, valley grasslands, and riparian habitat. Elevation: 30 - 1,070 m. | Shasta County, Tehama County, Butte County, Glenn County, San Joaquin County, Stanislaus County, Merced County, Madera County, Fresno County, Tulare County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Western joshua tree | Yucca brevifolia | SC WJT Conservation Act | Occurs in arid desert regions with fine, loose, well drained, and/or gravelly soils in Mojavean desert scrub and pinyon and juniper woodland. Elevation: 163–1,773 m. | Inyo County, San Bernardino County, Kern County, Los Angeles County, Riverside County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
Crustacea
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Conservation Status | Habitat Requirements/ Description | California Region | Survey Months |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Longhorn fairy shrimp | Branchinecta longiantenna | FE | Found in areas such as marshes or swamps that are covered often intermittently with shallow water or have soil saturated with moisture (agricultural areas). Appropriate habitat is considered to be inundated when it holds greater than 3 cm of standing water 24 hours after a rain event. Found in the Sacramento Valley, San Francisco Bay Area, North Coast Ranges, Northern Sierra Valley Foothills, Cascade Range foothills, and South Coast Ranges. Central California ranges in San Joaquin Valley, Central and Southern Sierra Nevada foothills and Tehachapi Mountains. Southern California ranges in Southwestern California including South Coast, Channel Islands, Transverse and Peninsular Range. | Alameda County, Contra Costa County, Fresno County, Merced County, San Luis Obispo County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Vernal pool fairy shrimp | Branchinecta lynchi | FT | Endemic to the grasslands of the Central Valley, Central Coast mountains, and South Coast mountains. Found in astatic rain-filled pools, and other non-vegetated ephemeral pools, that last for short periods of time. Inhabits small, clear-water sandstone-depression pools and grassed swale, earth slump, or basalt-flow depression pools. | Alameda County, Butte County, Calaveras County, Contra Costa County, Fresno County, Glenn County, Los Angeles County, Madera County, Monterey County, Placer County, Riverside County, Sacramento County, San Joaquin County, San Luis Obispo County, Solano County, Stanislaus County, Tehama County, Yolo County, Yuba County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| San Diego fairy shrimp | Branchinecta sandiegonensis | FE | Endemic to San Diego and Orange County mesas. Found in vernal pools and other non-vegetated ephemeral basins that are between 2 and 12 inches in depth. | Riverside County, Orange County, San Diego County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Riverside fairy shrimp | Streptocephalus woottoni | FT | Endemic to Western Riverside, Orange, and San Diego counties in areas of tectonic swales/earth slump basins in grassland and coastal sage scrub. Inhabits seasonally astatic pools filled by winter/spring rains. Hatches in warm water later in the season. | Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside County, San Diego County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
Insects
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Conservation Status | Habitat Requirements/ Description | California Region | Survey Months |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crotch's bumble bee | Bombus crotchii | CE | Coastal California east to the Sierra-Cascade crest and south into Mexico. Found in habitats including open grasslands, shrublands, chaparral, desert margins, nests in abandoned rodent burrows. Food plant genera include Antirrhinum, Phacelia, Clarkia, Dendromecon, Eschscholzia, and Eriogonum. | Alameda County, Butte County, Calaveras County, Fresno County, Inyo County, Kern County, Los Angeles County, Mariposa County, Orange County, Riverside County, Sacramento County, San Benito County, San Bernardino County, San Diego County, San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara County, Santa Clara County, Tulare County, Ventura County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Western bumble bee | Bombus occidentalis | CE | Depend on habitats with rich floral resources throughout the nesting season. Require above and below-ground micro-sites for overwintering and nesting, including logs, stumps, and abandoned rodent and ground-nesting bird nests. | Alameda County, Contra Costa County, El Dorado County, Humboldt County, Lassen County, Marin County, Mendocino County, Monterey Count, Plumas County, San Francisco County, San Mateo County, Santa Clara County, Santa Cruz County, Shasta County, Sierra County, Siskiyou County, Solano County, Sonoma County, Trinity County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Monarch - California overwintering population | Danaus plexippus plexippus pop. 1 | FC | Occurs in temperate climates, Winter roost sites extend along the coast from northern Mendocino to Baja California, Mexico. Roosts located in wind-protected tree groves (eucalyptus, Monterey pine, cypress), with nectar and water sources nearby. Lays eggs on obligate milkweed host plant (primarily Asclepias spp.). | The population overwinters along the California coast, within 5 miles of the ocean (Alameda County, Los Angeles County, Marin County, Monterey County, Orange County, San Diego County, San Francisco County, Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo County, San Mateo County, Santa Barbara County, Sonoma County, Ventura County). | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Valley elderberry long-horn beetle | Desmocerus californicus dimorphus | FT | Occurs only in the Central Valley of California, in association with blue elderberry (Sambucus mexicana). Prefers to lay eggs in elderberries 2-8 inches in diameter; some preference shown for "stressed" elderberries. | Butte County, Colusa County, Fresno County, Glenn County, Kern County, Madera County, Placer County, Sacramento County, San Joaquin County, Shasta County, Solano County, Stanislaus County, Sutter County, Tehama County, Tulare County, Tolumne County, Yolo County, Yuba County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Quino checkerspot butterfly | Euphydryas editha quino | FE | Found in sunny openings within chaparral and coastal sage shrublands in parts of Riverside and San Diego counties. Hills and mesas near the coast. Need high densities of food plants Plantago erecta, P. insularis, and Orthocarpus purpurescens. | Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, San Diego County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Delhi Sands flower-loving fly | Rhaphiomidas terminatus abdominalis | FE | Found only in areas of the Delhi Sands formation in southwestern San Bernardino and northwestern Riverside counties. Requires fine, sandy soils, often with wholly or partly consolidated dunes and sparse vegetation. | Riverside County, San Bernadino County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
Fish
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Conservation Status | Habitat Requirements/ Description | California Region | Survey Months |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Ana sucker | Catostomus santaanae | FT SSC | Occurs in south coastal streams in the Los Angeles basin. Prefers sand-rubble-boulder bottoms, cool, clear water, and algae. South coastal streams in the Los Angeles basin. | Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Arroyo chub | Gila orcuttii | SSC | Native to streams from Malibu Creek to San Luis Rey River basin. Introduced into streams in Santa Clara, Ventura, Santa Ynez, Mojave and San Diego river basins. Slow water stream sections with mud or sand bottoms. Feeds heavily on aquatic vegetation and associated invertebrates. | Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside County, Sam Bernardino County, San Diego County, San Luis Obispo County, Ventura County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Delta smelt | Hypomesus transpacificus | FT SE | Aquatic and estuary habitats. Populations in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. | Contra Costa County, Sacramento County, San Joaquin County, Solano County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Coho salmon | Oncorhynchus kisutch pop. 4 | FE SE | Found in freshwater streams during first year and while spawning. Require beds of loose, silt-free, coarse gravel for spawning. Also need cover, cool water and sufficient dissolved oxygen. Occurs between Punta Gorda and the San Lorenzo River. | Marin County, Mendocino County, Santa Cruz County, Sonoma County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Longfin smelt | Spirinchus thaleichthys | FE ST | Longfin smelt spend their adult life in bays, estuaries, and nearshore coastal areas, and migrate into freshwater rivers to spawn. Spawning occurs primarily in freshwater, although spawning may take place in brackish water, after which most adults die. | Sacramento County, Solano County, San Joaquin County, Contra Costa County, Martin County, Alameda County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
Amphibians
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Conservation Status | Habitat Requirements/ Description | California Region | Survey Months |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California tiger salamander | Ambystoma californiense | FE ST WL | Lives in vacant or mammal-occupied burrows throughout most of the year; in grassland, savanna, or open woodland habitats. Need underground refuges, especially ground squirrel burrows, and vernal pools or other seasonal water sources for breeding. | Alameda County, Contra Costa County, Fresno County, Madera County, Merced County, Monterey County, Sacramento County, San Benito County, San Joaquin County, San Luis Obispo County, Santa Clara County, Solano County, Stanislaus County, Tulare County, and Yolo County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Santa Cruz long-toed salamander | Ambystoma macrodactylum croceum | FE SE | Found in wet meadows near sea level in a few restricted locales in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties. Occurs in wet meadows near sea level in a few restricted locales in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties. Aquatic larvae prefer shallow (<12 inches) water, using clumps of vegetation or debris for cover. Adults use mammal burrows. | Monterey County, Santa Cruz County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| California giant salamander | Dicamptodon ensatus | SSC | Known from wet coastal forests near streams and seeps from Mendocino County south to Monterey County, and east to Napa County. Aquatic larvae found in cold, clear streams, occasionally in lakes and ponds. Adults known from wet forests under rocks and logs near streams and lakes. | Lake County, Marin County, Mendocino County, Napa County, San Mateo County, Santa Clara County, Santa Cruz County, Sonoma County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| California red-legged frog | Rana draytonii | FT | Occurs in lowlands and foothills in or near permanent sources of deep water with dense, shrubby or emergent riparian vegetation. Requires 11-20 weeks of permanent water for larval development. | Alameda County, Contra Costa County, Marin County, Mendocino County, Merced County, Monterey County, Napa County, San Benito County, San Francisco County, San Joaquin County, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara County, Santa Clara County, Santa Cruz County, Solano County, Sonoma County, Ventura County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Arroyo toad | Anaxyrus californicus | FE | Occurs in washes, arroyos, sandy riverbanks, riparian areas with willows, sycamores, oaks, cottonwoods. Requires exposed sandy streamsides with stable terraces for burrowing with scattered vegetation for shelter, and areas of quiet water or pools free of predatory fishes with sandy or gravel bottoms without silt for breeding. | Orange County, Southern California | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Western spadefoot | Spea hammondii | FT SSC | Occurs primarily in grassland habitats, but can be found in valley-foothill hardwood woodlands. Vernal pools are essential for breeding and egg-laying. | Alameda County, Butte County, Calaveras County, Fresno County, Kern County, Kings County, Los Angeles County, Madera County, Merced, Monterey County, Orange County, Riverside County, Sacramento County, Sam Benito County, San Bernardino County, San Diego County, San Joaquin County, San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara County, Stanislaus County, Tehama County, Tulare County, Ventura County, Yolo County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Mountain yellow-legged frog | Rana muscosa southern | FE SE WL | Occurs in lakes, ponds, meadow streams, isolated pools, and sunny riverbanks in montane habitat at elevations between 370-3,660 m. Prefers clear, deep pools in streams that range from rocky, steep drainages to those with a gentle gradient, marshy margins, and sod banks. Occurs in the San Bernadino, San Garbriel Mountains, San Jacinto Mountains. | Amador County, Calaveras County, El Dorado County, Fresno County, Kern County, Madera County, Mariposa County, Tulare County, Tuolumne County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Foothill yellow-legged frog | Rana boylii | FT SE | Found in or near rocky streams in a variety of habitats. Unlike most other ranid frogs in California, this species is rarely encountered (even on rainy nights) far from permanent water. Northern Coast Ranges north of San Francisco Bay Estuary, Klamath Mountains, Battle Creek, Thomes Creek, and Big Chico Creek in Lassen, Shasta, Tehama, and Butte Counties. | Butte County, Colusa County, Del Norte County, Humboldt County, Glenn County, Lake County, Marin County, Mendocino County, Napa County, Shasta County, Siskiyou County, Sonoma County, Tehama County, Trinity County, Yolo County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
Reptiles
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Conservation Status | Habitat Requirements/ Description | California Region | Survey Months |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern California legless lizard | Anniella stebbinsi | SSC | Generally south of the Transverse Range, extending to northwestern Baja California. Variety of habitats; generally in moist, loose soil. They prefer soils with a high moisture content. Occurs in sandy or loose loamy soils under sparse vegetation. Disjunct populations in the Tehachapi and Piute Mountains in Kern County. Variety of habitats (i.e. broadleaved upland forest, chaparral, coastal dunes, coastal scrub); generally in moist, loose soil. They prefer soils with a high moisture content. | Kern County, Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, San Diego, Ventura County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Northern California legless lizard | Anniella pulchra | SSC | Sandy or loose loamy soils under sparse vegetation. Soil moisture is essential. They prefer soils with a high moisture content. | Contra Costa County, Fresno County, Kern County, Los Angeles County, Monterey County, San Benito County, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Southern rubber boa | Charina umbratica | ST | Desert and chaparral from the coast to the Mojave and Colorado deserts. Prefers moderate-to-dense vegetation and rocky cover. Found in habitats with a mix of brushy cover and rocky soil, such as coastal canyons and hillsides, desert canyons, washes, and mountains. | Kern County, Riverside County San Bernadino County, Tulare County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Northwestern pond turtle | Actinemys marmorata | SSC | A thoroughly aquatic turtle of ponds, marshes, rivers, streams and irrigation ditches, usually with aquatic vegetation, below 6000 ft elevation. Requires basking sites and suitable upland habitat (sandy banks or grassy open fields) up to 0.5 km from water for egg-laying. | Alameda County, Amador County, Butte County, Colusa County, Contra Costa County, El Dorado County, Fresno County, Humboldt County, Kern County, Lake County, Madera County, Marin County, Mariposa County, Mendocino County, Merced County, Napa County, Nevada County, Sacramento County, San Benito County, San Francisco County, San Joaquin County, San Mateo County, Santa Clara County, Santa Cruz California, Shasta County, Siskiyou County, Solano County, Sonoma County, Stanislaus County, Trinity County, Tulare County, Tuolumne County, Yuba County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Southwestern pond turtle | Actinemys pallida | SSC | A thoroughly aquatic turtle of ponds, marshes, rivers, streams and irrigation ditches, usually with aquatic vegetation, below 6000 ft elevation. Requires basking sites and suitable upland habitat (sandy banks or grassy open fields) up to 0.5 km from water for egg-laying. | Fresno County, Los Angeles County, Monterey County, Orange County, Riverside County, San Benito County, San Bernardino County, San Diego County, San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara County, Ventura County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Blunt-nosed leopard lizard | Gambelia sila | FE SE | Resident of sparsely vegetated alkali and desert scrub habitats, in areas of low topographic relief. Seeks cover in mammal burrows, under shrubs or structures such as fence posts; they do not excavate their own burrows. | Fresno County, Kern County, Kings County, Madera County, San Luis Obispo County, Tulare County, Ventura County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Mojave desert tortoise | Gopherus agassizii | FT ST | Inhabits arid sandy or gravelly locations along riverbanks, washes, sandy dunes, alluvial fans, canyon bottoms, desert oases, rocky hillsides, creosote flats and hillsides. Requires friable soils for burrowing or other cover sites, such as caliche caves and rock shelters. | Imperial County, Inyo County, Kern County, Los Angeles County, Riverside County, San Bernadino County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Alameda whipsnake | Masticophis lateralis euryxanthus | FT ST | Typically found in chaparral and scrub habitats but will also use adjacent grassland, oak savanna and woodland habitats. Specifically, mostly south-facing slopes and ravines, with rock outcrops, deep crevices or abundant rodent burrows, where shrubs form a vegetative mosaic with oak trees and grasses. | Alameda County, Contra Costa County, San Joaquin County, Santa Clara County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Coast horned lizard | Phrynosoma blainvillii | SSC | Inhabits open areas of sandy soil and low vegetation in valleys, foothills and semiarid mountains. Found in grasslands, coniferous forests, woodlands, and chaparral, with open areas and patches of loose soil. Often found in lowlands along sandy washes with scattered shrubs and along dirt roads. Often found near ant hills feeding on ants. | Alameda County, Contra Costa County, El Dorado County, Fresno County, Kern County, Los Angeles County, Monterey County, Orange County, San Bernardino County, Riverside County San Diego County, San Joaquin County, San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara County, Santa Clara County, Stanislaus County, Ventura County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Flat tailed horned lizard | Phrynosoma mcallii | SC | Restricted to desert washes and desert flats. Critical habitat element is fine sand, into which lizards burrow to avoid temperature extremes; requires vegetative cover and ants. | Riverside County, San Diego County, Imperial County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Giant gartersnake | Thamnophis gigas | FT ST | Prefers freshwater marsh and low gradient streams. Has adapted to drainage canals and irrigation ditches. Strongly associated with dense emergent aquatic vegetation, such as Typha and Scirpus | Butte County, Colusa County, Merced County, Sacramento County, San Joaquin County, Solano County, Sutter County, Yolo County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
Birds
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Conservation Status | Habitat Requirements/ Description | California Region | Survey Months |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tricolored blackbird | Agelaius tricolor | ST SSC MBTA | Nests in wetlands with cattails, bulrushes, and willows, also in agricultural fields, especially triticale fields. Foraging habitats include cultivated fields, feedlots associated with dairy farms, and wetlands. | Alameda County, Amador County, Butte County, Calaveras County, Colusa County, El Dorado, Contra Costa County, Santa Clara County, Santa Cruz County, Shasta County, Siskiyou County, Solano County, Stanislaus County, Sutter County, Tulare County, Amador County, Fresno County, Glenn County, Merced County, Monterey County, Sacramento County, San Benito County, San Joaquin County, Yolo County, Yuba County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Burrowing owl | Athene cunicularia | SC MBTA | Open, dry annual or perennial grasslands, deserts, and scrublands characterized by low-growing vegetation. Subterranean nester, dependent upon burrowing mammals, most notably, the California ground squirrel. | Alameda County, Butte County, Contra Costa County, Fresno County, Los Angeles County, Merced County, Monterey County, Napa County, Orange County, Placer County, Riverside County, Sacramento County, San Benito County, San Bernardino County, San Diego, San Joaquin County, San Luis Obispo County, Tulare County, Santa Clara County, Solano County, Contra Costa County, Yolo County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Swainson's hawk | Buteo swainsoni | ST MBTA | Breeds in grasslands with scattered trees, juniper-sage flats, riparian areas, savannahs, and agricultural or ranch lands with groves or lines of trees. Requires adjacent suitable foraging areas such as grasslands or alfalfa fields supporting rodent populations. | Butte County, Colusa County, Contra Costa County, Glenn County, Kern County, Kings County, Lake County, Lassen County, Los Angeles County, Fresno County, Madera County, Marin County, Mendocino County, Merced County, Monterey County, Napa County, Orange County, Placer County, Riverside County, Sacramento County, San Benito County, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara County, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz County, Shasta County, Siskiyou County, Solano County, Sonoma County, Stanislaus County, Sutter County, Tehama County, Tulare County, Yolo County, Yuba County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| San Diego (coastal) cactus wren | Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus sandiegensis | SSC MBTA | Occurs and nests in coastal sage scrub. Requires tall opuntia cactus or Yucca trees for nesting and roosting. | Orange County, San Diego County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Western snowy plover | Charadrius nivosus nivosus | FT SSC MBTA | Sandy beaches, salt pond levees and shores of large alkali lakes. Needs sandy, gravelly or friable soils for nesting. | Alameda County, Del Norte County, Inyo County, Kern County, Marin County, Monterey County, Humboldt County, San Diego County, San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara County, Santa Cruz County, San Mateo County, Orange County, Ventura County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Western yellow-billed cuckoo | Coccyzus americanus occidentalis | FT SE MBTA | Riparian forest nester, along the broad, lower flood-bottoms of larger river systems. Nests in riparian jungles of willow, often mixed with cottonwoods, with lower story of blackberry, nettles, or wild grape. | Butte County, Glenn County, Colusa County, Imperial County, Inyo County, Kern County, Riverside County, Los Angeles County, San Bernardino County, San Diego County, Sutter County, Tehama County, Ventura County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Bald eagle | Haliaeetus leucocephalus | SE MBTA | Occurs on ocean shore, lake margins, and rivers for both nesting and wintering. Most nests within 1 mile of water. Nests in large, old-growth, or dominant live tree with open branches, especially ponderosa pine. Roosts communally in winter. | Butte County, Colusa County, Del Norte County, El Dorado County, Fresno County, Glenn County, Humboldt County, Kern County, Lake County, Lassen County, Los Angeles County, Madera County, Mendocino County, Merced County, Modoc County, Napa County, Nevada County, Plumas County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, San Luis Obispo County, Santa Clara County, Shasta County, Sierra County, Siskiyou County, Stanislaus County, Trinity County, Tuolumne County, Yuba County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Southwestern willow flycatcher | Empidonax traillii extimus | FE SE MBTA | Occurs and nests in dense riparian woodlands. Long-distance migrant. | Los Angeles County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, San Diego County, Santa Barbara County, Ventura County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| California black rail | Laterallus jamaicensis coturniculus | ST MBTA | Occurs and nests in freshwater marshes, wet meadows, and shallow margins of saltwater marshes bordering larger bays. Needs water depths of about 1 inch that do not fluctuate during the year and dense vegetation for nesting habitat. | Alameda County, Butte County, Contra Costa County, Imperial County, Marin County, Nevada County, Riverside County, San Diego County, San Francisco County, San Joaquin County, San Luis Obispo County, Santa Clara County, Solano County, Yuba County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Coastal California gnatcatcher | Polioptila californica californica | FT SSC MBTA | Obligate, permanent resident of coastal sage scrub below 2500 ft in Southern California. Low, coastal sage scrub in arid washes, on mesas and slopes. Not all areas classified as coastal sage scrub are occupied. | Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, Ventura County, San Diego County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Least Bell's vireo | Vireo bellii pusillus | FE SE MBTA | A summer resident of Northern and Southern California in low riparian habitat in the vicinity of water or in dry river bottoms. Nests placed along margins of bushes or in twigs projecting into pathways, usually willows, coyote bush, mule fat, or mesquite. Occurs below 2,000 feet. | Inyo County, Kern County, Los Angeles County, Monterey County, Orange County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, San Diego County, Santa Barbara County, Tehama County, Ventura County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| California least tern | Sternula antillarum browni | FE SE MBTA | Nests along the coast from San Francisco Bay south to northern Baja California. Colonial breeder on bare or sparsely vegetated, flat substrates: sand beaches, alkali flats, land fills, or paved areas. | Alameda County, Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Diego County, Santa Barbara County, Ventura County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
Mammals
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Conservation Status | Habitat Requirements/ Description | California Region | Survey Months |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pallid bat | Antrozous pallidus | SSC | Occurs in deserts, grasslands, shrublands, woodlands, and forests. Most common in open, dry habitats with rocky areas for roosting. Roosts must protect bats from high temperatures. Very sensitive to disturbance of roosting sites. | Alameda County, Butte County, Contra Costa County, El Dorado County, Fresno County, Imperial County, Inyo County, Kern County, Lassen County, Los Angeles County, Marin County, Mariposa County, Mendocino County, Merced County, Napa County, Riverside County, Plumas County, San Bernardino County, and San Diego County, San Luis Obispo County, San Mateo County, Santa Barbara County, Santa Clara County, Sonoma County, Tehama County, Tuolumne County, Ventura County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Townsend's big-eared bat | Corynorhinus townsendii | SSC | Throughout California in a wide variety of habitats. Most common in areas associated with mixed conifer forest, desert scrub, or pine forest habitat. Roosts in caves, mines, and buildings. Extremely sensitive to human disturbance. | Alameda County, Fresno County, Humboldt County, Imperial County, Inyo County, Kern County, Lake County, Los Angeles County, Marin County, Mariposa County, Mendocino County, Mono County, Monterey County, Napa County, Plumas County, Riverside County, San Benito County, San Bernardino County, San Diego County, San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara County, Santa Clara County, Shasta County, Siskiyou County, Sonoma County, Trinity County, Tulare County, Tuolumne County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Giant kangaroo rat | Dipodomys ingens | FE SE | Annual grasslands on the western side of the San Joaquin Valley, marginal habitat in alkali and chenopod scrub. Needs level terrain and sandy loam soils for burrowing. | Fresno County, San Benito County, San Luis Obispo County, Kern County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| San Bernardino kangaroo rat | Dipodomys merriami parvus | FE SE SSC MSHCP | Found in alluvial scrub/ coastal sage scrub habitats on gravelly and sandy soils adjoining river and stream terraces, and on alluvial fans; and rarely occur in dense vegetation or rocky washes. | Riverside County, San Bernadino County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Stephens' kangaroo rat | Dipodomys stephensi | FT ST MSHCP | Primarily annual and perennial grasslands, but also occurs in coastal scrub and sagebrush with sparse canopy cover. Prefers buckwheat, chamise, brome grass and filaree. Will burrow into firm soil. | Riverside County, San Diego County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Western mastiff bat | Eumops perotis californicus | SSC | Occurs in many open, semi-arid to arid habitats, including conifer and deciduous woodlands, coastal scrub, grasslands, chaparral. Roosts in crevices in cliff faces, high buildings, trees, and tunnels. | Butte County, Fresno County, Imperial County, Kern County, Los Angeles County, Mariposa County, Orange County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, San Diego County, Tulare County, Tuolumne County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Pocketed (Mexican) free-tailed bat | Nyctinomops macrotis | SSC | Occurs in pine-juniper woodlands, desert scrub, palm oasis, desert wash, and desert riparian habitats. Roosts in caves, crevices, mines, tunnels, and man-made structures. | Riverside County, San Diego County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Los Angeles pocket mouse | Perognathus longimembris brevinasus | SSC | Variety of arid areas in Southern California; pine-juniper woodlands, desert scrub, palm oasis, desert wash, desert riparian, etc. Resides in rocky areas with high cliffs. May not dig extensive burrows, hiding under weeds and dead leaves instead. | Imperial County, Los Angeles County, Riverside County, San Diego County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Salt-marsh harvest mouse | Reithrodontomys raviventris | FE FP SE | Only in the saline emergent wetlands of San Francisco Bay and its tributaries. Pickleweed is primary habitat but may occur in other marsh vegetation types and in adjacent upland areas. Does not burrow; builds loosely organized nests. Requires higher areas for flood escape. | Alameda County, Contra Costa County, Marin County, San Mateo County, Santa Clara County, Solano County, Sonoma County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| Mohave ground squirrel | Xerospermophilus mohavensis | ST | Open desert scrub, alkali scrub and Joshua tree woodland. Also feeds in annual grasslands. Restricted to Mojave Desert. Prefers sandy to gravelly soils, avoids rocky areas. Uses burrows at base of shrubs for cover. Nests are in burrows. | Inyo County, Kern County, Los Angeles County, Riverside County, San Bernadino County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
| San Joaquin kit fox | Vulpes macrotis mutica | FE ST | Annual grasslands or grassy open stages with scattered shrubby vegetation. Need loose-textured sandy soils for burrowing, and suitable prey base. | Alameda County, Contra Costa County, Fresno County, Kern County, Kings County, Merced County, Monterey County, San Benito County, San Joaquin County, San Luis Obispo, Tulare County. | J F M A M J J A S O N D |
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