1. Griffith Park Raptor Nest Monitoring Training Workshop
Dan Cooper
Courtney Aiken
Andy Spyrka
February 11th & 25th, 2017
Photo: DeeDee McGann

2. Workshop Outline Introduction Monitoring Methodology
Natural history of raptors in Los Angeles
Monitoring Methodology
Goals of Griffith Park nest monitoring program
Overview of Nest Monitoring Program
Collecting and submitting data
Best Monitoring Practices
Field Monitoring Practice
Crystal Springs Road/Old Merry-Go-Round area
Pony Rides

3. Why Study Raptors? Top predators
Control prey populations
Natural exterminators & clean up crew (vultures)
Important environmental indicator species
Human disturbance
Environmental toxins (rodenticides/insecticides)
Climate
Eco-tourism & bird watching activities

4. Natural history - breeding raptors in Los Angeles Area
7 Raptor Species that Nest in Griffith Park
4 Diurnal Nesters
3 Nocturnal Nesters
Plus several regularly wintering raptors, and influx of same-species migrants

5. Diurnal and Nocturnal Regular Breeders/Nesters of Griffith Park
Hawks, Eagles, Kites, Falcons
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Cooper’s Hawk
American Kestrel
Peregrine Falcon (from Downtown/Glendale)
Turkey Vulture?
Owls
Great Horned Owl
Barn Owl
Western Screech Owl

6. Regular Wintering and/or Transient Raptors
Hawks and Falcons
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Merlin
Osprey
Swainson’s Hawk
Northern Harrier (rare)
Prairie Falcon (rare)
Bald/Golden Eagle (rare)
Owls
Burrowing Owl (rare)
Northern Saw-whet Owl (rare)
Long-eared Owl (rare)

7. Swainson’s Hawk migration

8. Extirpated Breeders from Los Angeles Area
Swainson's Hawk
California Condor
Prairie Falcon
Long-eared Owl
Burrowing Owl

9. Recently Returned Breeders
Peregrine Falcon
Bald Eagle
Osprey

10. Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis Year-round 16 subspecies
Many different molts and varieties
Very territorial especially during breeding season (starts January)
Mates stay paired throughout the year
Several nests from previous year may be visited and repaired before they finally choose
Nest in all woodland/urban habitats
Common: nests have unobstructed access & good view of surrounding environment
Recent sightings: Griffith Observatory and west of the merry-go-round, Roosevelt golf course

11. Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus
Year-round resident
Uncommon breeder
Feeds on small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians
Nest building may occur as early as November
Reuse same nest for many years

12. Cooper’s Hawk Accipiter cooperii
Medium-sized hawk
Long tail with 3-4 broad blackish bands
Urban dwelling
Preys on small birds, mammals, and reptiles
Nests in riparian & oak woodland
Also ornamental trees – pine, eucalyptus & elm
Year-round resident
Secretive and inconspicuous especially in breeding season
Recent sightings: Lake Hollywood Park, along the LA River

13. Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus
Year round resident
Large owl with ear-tufts & yellow eyes
Prefers open, broken woodlands and parks
Nocturnal hunter, but can hunt in daylight as well
Diet is 90% mammals
Can nest in old nests of other species such as hawks, crows, ravens, etc.
Most nests are only used 1 season
Recently identified: Bronson caves & Hollywood Lake (CBC by Dan Cooper & Kathi Ellsworth/Lance Benner)
Can also nest in cavities in trees and snags, cliffs, deserted buildings, artificial platforms, ledges, pipes, and can lay eggs on ground
Do not do much construction or maintenance of nests
Often a tree nest deteriorates to almost nothing during a season’s use
1-4 eggs
All brooding by females

14. Barn Owl Tyto alba Widely distributed throughout U.S.
Favors lower elevations/flat areas
Cavity nester/tolerant of disturbance
Generally monogamous
Feeds on small mammals
Nocturnal but can hunt
in low-light conditions

15. Raptor Breeding Behaviors
Typically Mate for Life
Most species only 1 clutch
Breed mostly in Spring-Summer
Begins as early as fall
Continues to at least late summer
Nest Substrates
Trees
Structures (towers, etc.)
Cliffs
Ground

16. Nesting Success Factors
Habitat
Prey Availability
Weather dependent
Seclusion
Natural Selection
Poisons
Disease

17. Red-tailed Hawks
Typically Large, Broad and Flat Nest – Saucer or Large Cup Shape
Nest mostly in Willows, Oaks, Eucalyptus, Sycamores, Cliffs, and Power Towers. Will Also Use Large Bushes and Power Poles
Nest Usually Placed on a Somewhat Horizontal Branch

18. Typical Placement of Red-tailed Hawk Nest on Somewhat Horizontal Limbs

19. Typical Saucer shape (Red-tailed Hawk Nest)

20. Red-shouldered Hawk Medium Cup or Saucer Shaped Nest
Typically Nests in Sycamores, Willows, Oaks, Eucalyptus and other Non-Natives, and Palms
Frequently Placed on a Somewhat Horizontal Branches

21. Red-shouldered Hawk

23. (Less typical, almost cone-shaped)
Red-shouldered Hawk
(Less typical, almost cone-shaped)

24. Cooper’s Hawk Typically Cup Shape
Nest in Willows, Oaks, Eucalyptus and other Non-Natives, Rarely Sycamores
Frequently (but not always) Placed in Vertical Limbs

25. Cooper’s Hawk Chicks, Note Small
Branches, of Differing Diameter

26. Active Cooper’s Hawk Nests
Have Lots of Down Feathers Attached

27. COHA
Cooper’s Hawks Typically Prefer
a Well-Leafed-Out Tree

28. Typical Crow – Funnel or Cone Shape

29. Bathroom Break?

30. History of Griffith Park Wildlife Monitoring Program
Before 2007: Local resident sightings
Early 2007: Baseline data collected on wildlife in general
May 2007: Griffith Park Fire
2007 – 2008: Pre/Post fire surveys by Cooper Ecological
2008: Griffith Park Wildlife Management Plan
: Opportunistic/contract surveys (multi-species)
2017: Inaugural Griffith Park Raptor Survey

31. Long-term Raptor Monitoring Program Goals
Develop baseline inventory and species list for Griffith Park
Encourage and facilitate research of wildlife in Griffith Park
Minimize human-wildlife conflict while still encouraging recreational activities in the park
Use the information gathered to inform park staff about management of raptor species
Collaborate on building a larger dataset for nest success in the county to establish adequate sample size given regional scale of threats
#1 Determine “normal range” of population fluctuations to identify levels below which management action is triggered
The intent is to help provide a baseline for approximate “normal” breeding success within the Wildlands, to be used to help design management strategies to minimize direct, indirect and cumulative effects caused by disturbances inherent to multiple land use practices.
#2(e.g. fire, human access levels, rodenticide) AND ADAPTIVELY MANAGE ACCORDINGLY (E.G. SIGNS & ACCESS CLOSURES)
#3 to determine relationship need variation in the threat
#4 provides more detailed information on a shorter timescale
Photo: DeeDee McGann

33. Wilson & Harding Golf Courses
LA Zoo area
Forest Lawn
Wilson & Harding Golf Courses
Inner Griffith Park
Royce’s Canyon
Old Zoo Area
Bronson/Brush
Griffith Observatory
Aberdeen Canyon
Lake Hollywood
Fern Dell

35. Raptor Monitoring Methodology
Surveys conducted on foot using binoculars & spotting scopes
Active nests are monitored regularly to document egg laying, incubation, hatching and fledging

37. Overview of Monitoring Process
Volunteers are assigned nest(s) to monitor
Volunteers monitor nest a minimum of 4 times from March through June (every 3-4 weeks)
Collect data on supplied data form
Submit data to Raptor Survey Team within 1 week of visit
In the next week or 2, Scott and I will assign nests to each volunteer.
I will then create “Programs” for each volunteer that reflect the area each you are monitoring.
Timing of monitoring in conjunction with egg laying, incubation, hatchling care, and fledging

38. GP Raptor Monitoring Protocol
Materials
Map & directions to nest location (provided)
Monitoring datasheet (provided)
Binoculars
Spotting scope (if necessary)
Clip board, sharpie, pens/pencils
Radio
Parks & Rec contact info (for emergencies)
Standard outdoor gear/provisions (water, hat, sunscreen, sturdy shoes, cell phone, long sleeves/pants, snacks)
GPS unit (preferred, but optional)
REFER GROUP TO PROTOCOL!!!

39. GPS Phone Apps Collector for ARCGIS by ESRI
iPhone & Android compatible

40. GP Raptor Monitoring Protocol
Access Notification
Griffith Park is a public park – “Enter at your Own Risk”
Do not need to alert us of your intent to monitor BUT…
Let someone else you know where you are going and when you expect to return (friend, spouse, etc.). Remember the movie 127 hours?
Follow park rules
Monitor between sunrise & sunset

41. GP Raptor Monitoring Protocol
Minimizing Disturbance/Impacts
Remember, you are also creating a disturbance by observing these birds
Minimize time spent at the nest—just enough to determine nesting status.
Leave or back off if you flush a raptor from it’s nest or if you think you are disturbing either the adults or chicks.
If a new nest is observed, do not approach a nest closer than about 75 ft. and inform the program coordinator about the discovery.
The use of audio playback to induce a visual observation or vocalization is prohibited.
Participants should not linger at nest site unnecessarily or use this program as an opportunity to pursue other interests like wildlife photography.

42. GP Raptor Monitoring Protocol
Minimizing Disturbance/Impacts
Avoid, when feasible, attracting the attention of others to the nest location
Stay on existing trails as much as possible
If nest monitoring necessitate off-trail access:
the monitor should pair up with another volunteer
don’t leave a visible social trail from the authorized trail (e.g. take different routes back and forth each time)
You can bring a non-raptor survey participant with you. Participants should serve as assistants and not distractions for leads.
Avoid conversation if surveying with another individual to maximize your ability to see and hear signs of raptor activity or nests

43. Send Data Send data within a week of your monitoring efforts
Scan your data sheet OR
Enter data into excel and send that to us

44. Questions? We will assign you a new nest to monitor, hopefully nearby.
What if my nest fails soon after I start monitoring?
Can a person be assigned to multiple nests, especially if near by?