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<br />and other creeks. For a list of potential wildlife species of concern found in the Planrting Area, see
<br />Table Vll-1, below.
<br />
<br />Mammals such as grey foxes, black-tail deer, striped skunks, raccoons, and opossums use arroyo
<br />channels as movement corridors; deer and badgers inhabit the hillsides; and foxes, coyotes, long-tailed
<br />weasels, moles, gophers, skunks, rabbits, squirrels, red foxes, wild pigs, rats, and mice live in both hilly
<br />and flat land. Although occasionally spotted near developed areas, mountain lions and bobcats inhabit
<br />the Planrting Area primarily along the steeper parts of the Southeast Hills and Pleasanton Ridge, and
<br />the foothilIs and mountainous areas south of the San Antortio Reservoir.' Species such as raccoons,
<br />opossums, moles, gophers, squirrels, bats, rats, and mice also live in the urban portion of the Planrting
<br />Area.
<br />
<br />Approximately 140 species of birds either forage within or inhabit the Planning Area. Of these, the
<br />bald eagle is a federal-listed threatened and State-listed endangered species while the white-tailed kite is
<br />a California Fully Protected Animal and a federal Species of Concern.2 The American bittern is a
<br />federal Species of Concern. The State Department of Fish and Game recogrtizes other special-status
<br />bird species (Species of Special Concern) in the Planrting Area including the Califomia horned lark,
<br />loggerhead shrike, golden eagle, northern hatrier, tricolored blackbird, and the burrowing owl. The
<br />State Department of Fish and Game considers raptors - hawks, eagles, owls, falcons - to be sensitive,
<br />and prohibits removal or destruction of an active raptor or migratory bird nest.
<br />
<br />Mallard duck, killdeer, spotted sandpiper, herons, egrets, and red-winged blackbirds are found in
<br />riparian and ponding areas in the PIanrting Area.' Warbling vireo, woodpeckers, blue-gray gnatcatcher,
<br />warblers, plain titmouse, yellow-billed magpie, ruby-crowned kinglet, dark-eyed junco, towhees,
<br />sparrows, and California quail live in brushy and woodland areas. Other birds in the Planrting Area
<br />include red-tail hawks, red-shouldered hawks, Cooper's hawks, sharp-shinned hawks, house finches,
<br />American robins, and European starlings.
<br />
<br />Reptiles in the Planning Area include the western pond turtle (State and federal species of concern),
<br />
<br />snakes (racers, coachwhips, gopher snakes, Gilbert's skink, common kingsnake, ringneck snake,
<br />
<br />western rattlesnake) and lizards (western fence, southern alligator, silvery legless, western whiptail).
<br />
<br />1 A Fish and Game Warden killed a mountain lion at Birch Creek Drive near Vineyard Avenue. (Glen Martin, Chronicle
<br />Staff Writer, SFGate.com, June 13. 2006.) Several people sporred a mountain lion near the Chain of Lakes, on Mohr
<br />Avenue near Martin Avenue. (Pkaranton WeeklY. Police Bulletin, November 12. 2004.)
<br />
<br />2 The California Fully Protected Animals list was the first to protect rare animals or those faced with possible extinction.
<br />The more recent California Endangered Species Act sets forth procedures to protect rare, threatened, or endangered plant or
<br />animal species, and lists most of the original "fully protected animals." Species of Special Concern are those not listed
<br />under the federal or the State endangered species acts, but warrant special consideration and protection.
<br />
<br />A federal endangered species is in danger of extinction while a threatened species may become endangered in the near
<br />future. through all or most of its range. A federal species of concern is an informal term for a species that might need
<br />conservation. but receives no legal protection.
<br />
<br />3 Riparian means located along or near a watercourse or stream.
<br />
<br />Con OS Element. cc 082906, dean
<br />
<br />Vll-2
<br />
<br />City Council 8/29/2006
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