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The CNDDB and USFWS also identified the state-threatened bank Swallow (Riparia riparin). Eleven California
<br />Species of Special Concern were identified: tricolored blackbird (Agelaius tricolor% tule greater white-fronted
<br />goose (Anser albifrons gambelli), western burrowing owl (Athene cunieularia), short-eared owl (Asio flammeus),
<br />northern hairier (Circits cycmeus), yellow warbler (Dendroica petechia bfewsterl), saltmarsh common
<br />yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichds simiosa), song sparrow (Melospiza melodia samuelis, M.m. pusillula, M. m.
<br />mamillaries), white pelican (Pelecanus eryihrorhynchus), savannah sparrow (Passercidus sandwichetisis), and v
<br />black skimmer (Rhynchops niger).
<br />£
<br />Thirty-two Local Species of Concern (Goals Project focal species) were identified, some with overlapping status
<br />as threatened or endangered or a California Species of Special Concern. Those-with Local status only are: western |
<br />grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalism Clark's %vebe (Aechmophorus clarkia), northern pintail (Anas acuta), mallard ^
<br />(Anas platyrhynchos), black turnstone (Arenaria melanocephala^ canvasback (Aythya vali$ineria), red knot
<br />(Caltdfis cainitus), western sandpiper (Calidris mduri), snowy egret (Egi-etta thula), common xaoox\\m(Gallimda i
<br />chloropus), California gull (Lams califprnicus), long-billed dowitcher (Lihmodromus scolopaceus), marbled j;
<br />godwit (Limosa fedoa), surf scoter (Melanitta perspicillata), black-crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax),
<br />ruddy duck (Oxyura jamaicensis), brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalism, doublercrested cormorant 1
<br />(Phalacrocordx aiiritus), Wilson's phalarope (Phaltiropus tricolor), Caspian tern (Sterna caspia), and Forster's
<br />tern (Sterna forsteri), §
<br />East Marsh, located 600 feet northwest of the proposed turbine location, provides habitat for California clapper
<br />rails and California black rails. Clapper rails are considered non-migratory residents of San Francisco Bay salt
<br />marshes but post-breeding dispersal has been documented from August to November (Goals Project, 2000). Black
<br />rails are considered migratoiy winter residents of the south San Francisco Bay. Migration is Comftionfy believed
<br />to occur August through October, probably by juveniles. Their migration pattern in California is unclear and the
<br />extent of their winter dispersal is unknown (Goals Project, 2000). Other special-status residents of grasslands, £
<br />marshes, and salt ponds within 1.-2 miles of the project area include Alameda song sparrow, western burrowing |
<br />owl, northern harrier, and western snowy plover (CDFG, 2012). Because of .similarity of habitats to those at
<br />Roberts Landing, these species also may use or move through East Marsh and surrounding areas. •;
<br />The Risk to Birds and Bats
<br />Avians can be directly and indirectly affected by wind turbines. Direct impacts are caused by collisions with i
<br />turbine blades or tower structures* and usually resul t in death. In the case of bats, direct impacts result from
<br />barotrauma-" fatal internal organ damage caused by a drastic change in air pressure near the tips of rotating turbine
<br />blades. The risk for collision may be affected by turbine height* rotor diameter, blade rotation speed, avian |
<br />abundance, speeies-speoifie bird flight behavior* avian perception of turbines, seasonal presence, and weather ?
<br />conditions. Unfortunately, there is a shortage of information oh bird and bat behavior, migratoiy bird routes, and j:
<br />the ways in which topography, weather, time of day, and other factors affect bird and bat mortality (National :
<br />Audubon Society, 2007).
<br />Indirect impacts can range from temporaiy disturbance resulting from the noise and human presence associated
<br />with construction (which can reduce survivability by causing stress, decreased food intake* brood neglect, nest
<br />abandonment, etc.), to permanent displacement associated with operation of the new turbine/s. Some :
<br />ornithologists believe that prey species* such as greater sage-grouse and prairie chickens, are behaviorally
<br />programmed to perceive tall structures as a threat, and therefore avoid using habitats where tall structures exist
<br />(National Audubon Society, 2007). Clapper rails and black rails, also being prey species with ground-dwelling
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