Endangered Beldings Savannah Sparrow - Huntington Beach California

Title

Endangered Beldings Savannah Sparrow - Huntington Beach California

Artist

Ram Vasudev

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Photograph

Description

Belding's Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis beldingi) in pickleweed habitat, Huntington Beach, Orange County, California

The Belding's savannah sparrow is a California state-listed endangered species. It is one of four subspecies of savannah sparrows that is otherwise widely distributed and occur in a variety of habitat types, including grassland, high-elevation meadow, and marshes. It is unique in that it represents one of only two wetland-dependant avian species endemic to coastal salt marshes in southern California. The main factors that influence the long-term survivability of this subspecies are the health and security of its habitat. In southern California, the long-term protection of coastal salt marsh habitat is closely tied to ownership and use of the land. Threats of salt marsh habitat loss or degradation have slowed but continue. Other threats include problems associated with human trespassing, pets within the marshes, encroachment from adjacent human activities, and habitat degradation. This subspecies was listed as endangered by the State of California in 1974 due to the development, degradation, and fragmentation of coastal salt marsh habitat as numbers of Belding's savannah sparrows decreased dramatically. The population in California increased from 1,084 pairs in 1973, 1,610 pairs in 1977, 2,274 pairs in 1986, 1,844 pairs in 1991, 2,350 pairs in 1996, and 2875 pairs in 2001. However, statewide censuses of Belding's savannah sparrows reveal wide fluctuations in local population sizes, with local extinctions occurring in some years. The population at Bolsa Chica Wetlands (Huntington Beach) has been more regularly censured and the population has been fluctuating between 100 and 250 breeding pairs. (Info from: http://www.fws.gov)

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© Ram Vasudev
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May 4th, 2013

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