Raptor Nest Survey Summary Report

Lot 5 UBC South Campus

January 6, 2020

Submitted to:

Polygon Homes Ltd.

Raptor Nest Survey Summary Report

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Project Background Diamond Head Consulting Ltd. (DHC) was retained to conduct a raptor nest survey for the proposed development of Lot 5 into a parkade at the University of British Columbia (UBC) South Campus. The development requires the removal of all trees from an existing natural area. As part of this project, on‐ site tree planting is planned upon completion of the parkade. A nest survey is required prior to construction activity to ensure compliance with the federal Migratory Convention Act [1994] and attendant Migratory Birds Regulation [1994] that protects migratory birds, their eggs, and nests. Also, Section 34(a), (b), and (c) of the provincial Wildlife Act [1996 chap 488] prohibits the taking of birds, eggs, and nests. Nests of eagle, peregrine falcon, gyrfalcon, osprey, heron, and burrowing owl are specifically protected whether or not they are active.

1.2 Site Description The project site is a second growth forested area south of W 16th Ave and east of SW Marine Dr, on the corner of Berton Ave and Binning Rd within the UBC South Campus (Figure 1). The nest survey was conducted within the project site and in the forested area immediately adjacent to the north and east.

Figure 1 – Project location, UBC South Campus Lot 5, Vancouver, B.C.

3559 Commercial Street, Vancouver B.C. V5N 4E8 | T 604‐733‐4886 1 Raptor Nest Survey Summary Report

The project site and adjacent natural areas are a native second growth forest stand mainly consisting of Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata), Western Hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), and Bigleaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum).

1.3 Nesting Surveys Nesting surveys are intended to provide visual or audio confirmation of the presence of breeding pairs of raptors and their nests. Daytime visual nest surveys are completed to identify conspicuous raptors that build large nests in open and display hunting behavior that includes soaring flight and perching in the open. Breeding periods for raptors in the South Coast are listed in Table 1. The breeding period for raptors includes the courtship and nest initiation stage and the time when eggs and young are present at the nest. The courtship and nest initiation stages occur a minimum of one month prior to egg laying. During this period, raptors are extremely sensitive to disturbance leading to site abandonment. Due to different habitat requirements, not all raptors listed in Table 1 would inhabit the project area.

Table 1 ‐ Breeding Periods for Raptor Species on the South Coast1 Common Name Breeding Period Turkey Vulture March 10 – August 31 Osprey March 21 – September 5 Bald Eagle January 5 – August 31 March 1 – August 31 Northern Harrier March 15 – August 7 Sharp‐shinned Hawk April 30 – August 15 Cooper’s Hawk April 1 – August 31 Northern Goshawk March 7 – August 21 Red‐tailed Hawk January 26 – August 10 American Kestrel March 5 – August 27 Merlin March 17 – August 12 Peregrine Falcon February 28 – July 20 Prairie Falcon February 28 – August 4 Barn Owl Year Round Western Screech Owl February 17 – August 25 Great Horned Owl January 10 – September 6 Northern Hawk Owl March 21 – August 8 Northern Pygmy‐Owl March 15 – August 27 Spotted Owl February 18 – July 27 Barred Owl February 21 – August 14 Long‐eared Owl February 11 – August 1 Short‐eared Owl February 28 – September 15 Northern Saw‐whet Owl February 1 – August 14

1 Best management practices for raptor conservation during urban and rural land development in BC (MOE BMP Series)

3559 Commercial Street, Vancouver B.C. V5N 4E8 | T 604‐733‐4886 2 Raptor Nest Survey Summary Report

2.0 Methods

A visual nest survey was conducted on January 6th, 2020. The survey was conducted in accordance with the guidelines established in “Inventory Methods for Raptors, Standards for Components of British Columbia’s No. 11” (2001) and “Inventory Methods for Forest and Grassland Songbirds, Standards for Components of British Columbia’s Biodiversity No. 15” (1999)(MSRM Environment Inventory Branch for the Terrestrial Task Force, Resources Inventory Committee). Lot 5 and an assessment area of 60 to 80 m from the subject property into the adjacent forests was surveyed. The survey focused in particular on raptors such as Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), Red‐Tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), and other raptors that build large nests and display observable hunting behavior. The survey area was traversed on foot and all visual and vocal signs of raptor activity were recorded.

3.0 Observations and Results

3.1 Nesting Survey Results No active raptor nests were detected in the project area, or in the adjacent forest stands (Figure 2). At the time of survey, there were no visual or vocal signs of raptors or their nests in the assessment area.

Figure 2 – Raptor nest survey assessment area.

3559 Commercial Street, Vancouver B.C. V5N 4E8 | T 604‐733‐4886 3 Raptor Nest Survey Summary Report

Representative views of the forest stand in Lot 5 (top left), the forest to the north (top right), and the forest to the east (bottom). No nests were found in any of the 3 assessed areas.

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4.0 Conclusions and Recommendations

No active or inactive nests were detected during this survey. However, new nests may be built during the breeding season. The survey was conducted before the active breeding period for many raptor species. As per the BC Ministry of Environment’s Develop with Care 2014: Environmental Guidelines for Urban and Rural Land Development in British Columbia (2014), nesting season in Metro Vancouver occurs between March 1 and August 30, though some raptors begin as early as January. Tree removal during the breeding period may affect nests and nesting behaviour of some birds. Trees should be removed prior to the March nesting season to minimize impact on migratory nesting. If trees are not removed within 2 weeks of this survey, a follow‐up survey will be required to ensure no new nests have been built.

While no raptors or raptor nests were detected during the survey, the area is actively used by raptors for hunting. Nesting, perching, and roosting sites are important raptor and key features that should be protected in urban areas. These include dominant mature trees. While tree retention is not possible with the planned construction activity, tree planting should occur on site upon completion to mitigate the impacts of the loss of the existing trees.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or require clarification on anything contained in this memorandum.

DIAMOND HEAD CONSULTING LTD.

Cassandra Cummings Alison Kwan Biologist & Planner Biologist M.Sc. Bio, M.Sc. Plan, R.P.Bio BIT, B.Sc. Biology Contact Information

Phone: 604‐733‐4886 Fax: 604‐733‐4879 Email: [email protected]; [email protected] Website: www.diamondheadconsulting.com

Insurance Information

WCB: # 657906 AQ (003) General Liability: Northbridge General Insurance Corporation ‐ Policy #CBC1935506, $5,000,000 Errors & Omissions: Lloyds Underwriters – Policy #1010615D, $1,000,000

3559 Commercial Street, Vancouver B.C. V5N 4E8 | T 604‐733‐4886 5