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U.S. Geological Survey
Open-File Report 2008-1275
version 1.0

Avian Species Inventory at Manzanar National Historic Site, California—Final Report to the National Park Service

By Jan Hart and Charles Drost

2008

Sharp-shinned hawk (Accipiter striatus) (U.S. Geological Survey photograph by Chris O’Brien).

Abstract

We conducted a baseline inventory for avian species at Manzanar National Historic Site, Inyo County, Calif., from 2002 to 2005. Under the guidelines of the Mojave Network Biological Inventory Program, the primary objectives for this study were to (1) inventory and document the occurrence of avian species at Manzanar, with the goal of documenting at least 90 percent of the species present; (2) provide a geographic information system (GIS)-referenced list of sensitive species occurring at Manzanar that are rare, on Federal or State lists, or otherwise worthy of special consideration; and (3) enter all species data into the National Park Service NPSpecies database. Survey methods included general area searches, variable circular plot point-count censusing, nocturnal surveys, and nest searching. During 13 year-round survey sessions, we documented the occurrence of 132 bird species at Manzanar and confirmed breeding by 19 of these. Based on our findings, as well as review of the literature and searches for records of species occurrence, we estimate inventory completeness for regularly occurring bird species at Manzanar to be near 90 percent. No sensitive species on Federal or State lists were found. The distribution and relative abundance of common bird species at this site is now well enough known to begin development of a monitoring protocol for this group.

Download this report as a 43-page PDF file (of2008-1275.pdf; 1.6 MB)

Also of Interest

USGS Open-File Report 2008-1167 Mammal Inventory of the Mojave Network Parks—Death Valley and Joshua Tree National Parks, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Manzanar National Historic Site, and Mojave National Preserve

For questions about the content of this report, contact Jan Hart