Ornithologist Report - Smith_Cupertino_NBS_Report_15May2022_v215 May 2022
Steven Smith
10221 Hilcrest Road
Cupertino, CA 95014
Results of nesting bird survey at 10221 Hilcrest Road, Cupertino, California 95014
This letter report summarizes the results of the nesting bird survey conducted on
14 May 2022 of the Blue Atlas Cedar tree (Cedrus atlantica `Glauca').
Introduction
The City of Cupertino issued Mr. Smith a Tree Removal Permit (TR-2022-010) on 12
April 2022 for the removal of a Blue Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica `Glauca'). The permit
was issued based on a tree evaluation and report by Arborist Roberto Guzman. He
determined the 75-foot Blue Atlas Cedar is a potential hazard to the homeowners and
the house. Because the tree is a hazard tree, Guzman recommended that it be removed
immediately. The City permit requires a nesting bird survey to be completed if tree
pruning or removal takes place between 1 February and 31 August. The permit requires
a survey must be performed within fourteen (14) days prior to the beginning of tree work
to determine if active nest(s) containing viable eggs or young are present adjacent to
the construction area.
Methods
Inger Marie Laursen, Wildlife Biologist, conducted the nesting bird survey on 14 May
2022 to determine if birds were actively breeding within the study area. The Study Area
was determined to be the Blue Atlas Cedar, other trees, vegetation and possible nesting
structures within 75-feet of the Blue Atlas Cedar. Trees within 300 feet were also
assessed for raptors, where visible and accessible.
Ms. Laursen surveyed between 06:40 to 10:10 on 14 May 2022. The weather provided
for favorable conditions for observation. The air temperature ranged between 59.4°F-
71.1 °F (15.2°C—21.7°C) with clear skies and wind speed up to 3 mph (4.8 m/s).
Five (5) points were selected from which to observe for bird activity and ingress to and
egress from all vegetation within the Study Area. The observational points provided for
360' view of the tree. Observations were made for 30 minutes from each point for
foraging and breeding behavior including courtship and territorial displays, collecting
and carrying food or nesting material, or feeding young by passerines/raptors. Ms.
Laursen listened for vocalizations and scanned the vegetation including taller trees and
structures, where visible with 10x42 binoculars. Hilcrest Road was walked slowly while
scanning the sky and trees for raptors and nest structures where visible and where
public access was available. All bird species observed or heard vocalizing were
recorded in a field notebook.
Results
No active nests with eggs or young were observed within the Study Area. See the
attached table for a list of detections of bird species and their behaviors.
Outside of the tree work area, a pair of Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) were
observed building a nest in the orange tree located in the front courtyard of the house,
The pair was observed numerous times returning with nesting material. The nest was in
the early stages of being built. The literature states that in the beginning of the nesting
season mockingbirds can take more than two weeks to finish a nest. In addition, the
male may construct up to three nests for the first brood before eggs are laid in any nest.
Pairs may build up to six to eight nests in a breeding season yet not all may be used for
breeding.
Conclusion
According to the owner Steven Smith the tree removal is scheduled for 23 May 2022.
This is nine (9) days after the nesting bird survey. Should tree removal not start within
fourteen (14) days of the last survey on 14 May 2022, or if there is pause in the
construction activities, a new nesting bird survey will be required per condition 5.b. in
the City of Cupertino permit TR-2022-010.
References:
Farnsworth, G., G. A. Londono, J. U. Martin, K. C. Derrickson, and R. Breitwisch (2020).
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (A. F.
Poole, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi-
org.oca.ucsc.edu/10.2173/bow.normoc.01
Please contact Ms. Laursen with any questions or comments.
This nesting bird letter report was prepared on 15 May 2022 by:
Inger Marie Laursen
Wildlife Biologist, M.Sc.
831.334.9287
iml@jaredphoto.com
Table 1. Avian species detected during 14 May, 2022 bird survey:
10221 Hilcrest Road, Cupertino, California.
Common Name
Scientific Name
Detection/
Behavior
observed
14 May 2022
Acorn Woodpecker
Melanerpes formicivorus
O
American Crow
Corvus brachyrhynchos
O/H/P/FL
Anna's Hummingbird
Calypte anna
O/H
Band -tailed Pigeon
Patagioenas fasciata
O/FL
Bewick's Wren
Thryomanes bewickii
O/H
Bushtit
Psaltriparus minimus
H
California Scrub -Jay
Aphelocoma californica
O/H
Chestnut -backed Chickadee
Poecile rufescens
H
Dark -eyed Junco
Junco hyemalis
H
Eurasian Collared -Dove*
Streptopelia decaocto
O/FL
House Sparrow*
Passer domesticus
H
Lesser Goldfinch
Spinus psaltria
O/H
Mourning Dove
Zenaida macroura
O/H/FL
Northern Mockingbird
Mimus polyglottos
O/H/P/B'
Purple Finch
Haemorhous purpureus
H
Violet -green Swallow
Tachycineta thalassina
O/H
O = Observed
H = Heard vocalize
B = Breeding bird behavior
F= Foraging
FL = Fly -over
* non-native species
nest building
Other species detected: Eastern Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger)*