ger e d Sp Endan ecies

Cl eveland Na t i o na l Forest Riddle: What do three birds, a toad, and two have in common?

he wild shrub- and tree-covered mountains of southern are remnants of a land- scape that at one time covered most of . With the settling of missions, Tto wns, cities, and suburbs, populated areas now surround the mountains. Natural areas for plants and have become smaller and smaller and, in some cases, have disappeared. As a result, twenty-one species are federally listed as threatened or endangered. This insert to the Cleveland National Forest Visitor Guide spotlights six animals whose numbers have declined: the southwestern willow flycatcher, the arroyo toad, the least Bell’s vireo, the California gnatcatcher, the Laguna Mountains , and the quino checkerspot .

Extinction is Forever Three of the listed species described here depend on riparian When the existence of a certain habitats (streams or rivers). With plant or is in peril, the water in short supply in southern species is officially listed by the fed- California, riparian protection is a eral government as endangered or political as well as a biological threatened, or proposed for listing problem. Changing the water flow under the Act. in any stream can cause a radical Endangered species are in immedi- change to the habitat of the toad, ate danger of becoming extinct; vireo, and flycatcher. Riparian pro- threatened species are in danger of tection is also a recreation problem becoming endangered if not protect- — people love to play in streams. ed. Proposed species are species With so few riparian areas, a little whose status is likely declining and damage by humans can cause a lot may warrant listing as threatened of problems for the wildlife. or endangered. Under the federal For some listed species, “critical law, any activity that can harm, habitat” has been designated by Coastal scrub is another impor- kill, or harass the listed species is the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. tant habitat to the California gnat- prohibited. Critical habitat refers to specific catcher. This plant community has areas that are essential to the con- been broken up by home, business, Habitats Need Special servation of federally listed species, and road construction, and Protection and that may require special man- changed by human-caused wild- fires. The goal of land managers and agement. Nationwide, critical habi- employees of the Cleveland tat has been designated for only Lastly, two of the listed species National Forest is to protect and about 10% of the listed species. migrate to Central and South improve the habitats of plants and Within the Cleveland National America every winter. The Bell’s animals, while allowing for other Forest, critical habitat has been des- vireo and willow flycatcher spend forest uses, when possible. Efforts ignated for the California red- almost one half of the year in other include removing exotic species legged frog, the arroyo toad, the countries. Cooperation from those which compete with native ones, California gnatcatcher, the quino countries to preserve their habitat re-routing trails and roads to avoid checkerspot butterfly and the is essential. certain habitats, closing areas (sea- Munz’s onion. sonally or permanently), maintain- ing healthy water flows in streams, and educating forest visitors. Answer: Disappearing homes. 1 e A Meet th ni mals

and warbling vireo and solitary vireo, which migrate through the area in the spring and fall. The least Bell’s vireo nest hangs in a fork of a small tree or shrub branch usually only 2-3 feet off the ground. Vireos prefer to build nests in willow thickets along streams with an overstory of cottonwoods, but will nest in a variety of shrubs, including exotic species. After rais­ ing one or two broods, the vireos migrate to the southern tip of (), where they spend the winter. Very little is known about their winter habits. Numbers of this vireo declined drastically during the mid-1900s. Once common from Baja to Northern California, a survey in 1985 counted only 275 nesting In the riparian neighborhood… pairs, mostly in County. In 1986, the bird was listed as Arroyo Toad these signs may be in dry endangered. Two main causes for Bufo californicus streambeds. Toads, unlike frogs, this decline have been identified: a don’t need water all year, and decline in the streamside habitat, This rare amphibian is about many of the streams where the due to water use by farms and three inches long, and has a light toads live dry up in fall and winter. homes; and the behavior of cow- olive green or gray back with dark When you are exploring streams, birds, which interfere with the spots and a white belly. It spends its vireo’s reproduction. entire life in and around intermit- please stay on existing trails and tent streams, or arroyos. On spring avoid walking through the shallow The brown-headed cowbird lays nights (usually March-June) the water stream bottoms. If you are eggs in the vireo’s nest and pecks males sing a musical trill. The lucky enough to see one of these holes in or discards the vireo eggs. female lays her eggs in sandy, shal- toads—please observe it from a dis- The vireo does not recognize the low areas of streams. The adults tance and leave it to enjoy its spe- alien eggs, and raises the cowbirds feed on ants, crickets, and other cial home. as its own. The young cowbirds are small that live along the bigger and take the food from the banks. In the fall and winter, the Least Bell’s Vireo young vireos that do manage to adults burrow into the ground and Vireo bellii pusillus hatch. The result is more cowbirds and fewer vireos. wait for the spring rains to become The least Bell’s vireo is one of active again. four recognized subspecies of Bell’s Vireo habitat is closely monitored At one time, these toads were vireo. Thearian male and female look by national forest biologists. common throughout southern alike, with olive gray on their Grazing is not allowed in the breed­ California. Today, theyRip are known to crown and back, and slightly dark- ing areas, and restoration of ripari- survive in only 22 major drainages. er shade on their wings and tail. an habitat is ongoing. One area There are many threats to the toad’s The two wingbars are difficult to that was successfully restored is the survival. The shallow streams—and see, but the dark eye encircled with portion of Pine Creek near the Pine the toads themselves because of a faint white ring is more notice­ Creek trailhead, west of Pine Valley their shallow burrows—are easily able. Other vireos you may see on the Descanso Ranger District. In harmed by people walking through include Hutton’s vireo, which lives 1990, this area was a muddy them, vehicle traffic, or overgrazing in oak woodlands, stream with no plants growing by livestock. The construction of along the channel. After the area dams and mining activity changes was fenced, willow cuttings were the water flow and can destroy toad planted. Now, the stream is habitat. Exotic fish and bullfrogs clear, and there is a thicket of (introduced, non-native species) eat tall willow saplings along the the arroyo toad tadpoles. Introduced banks. plants, such as tamarisk, also All of these efforts to protect change the stream habitat. the vireo are paying off. Vireo Some areas of the Cleveland numbers are on the increase— National Forest are closed seasonal- a survey in 2001 counted ly to protect toad habitat. Upper 1,500 breeding pairs. San Juan Campground, Dripping Creating and protecting nest- Springs Campground, Indian Flats ing habitat will continue to Campground, and Boulder Oaks be the most important thing Campground are closed between we can do to keep these March 1 and May 30. Watch for songbirds in the world. signs explaining closures. Some of 2 Southwestern Willow sided flycatcher, which nests in The southwestern willow flycatch­ Flycatcher coniferous forests at higher eleva- er was listed as endangered in Empidonax traillii extimus tions. 1995, when less than 1000 breed- The female willow flycatcher ing pairs were counted in their The willow flycatcher is another builds its cup-like nest in the fork of range (5 southwestern states). little gray bird, a little bigger than a bush or small tree, in thickets of Fewer than 200 breeding pairs were the vireo, but with very different willows, cottonwoods, or alders known in California. It is too soon behavior. Flycatchers catch insects along streams or wet areas. to tell whether conservation meas­ while in flight, an activity easily RipThroughout the summer they feed ures are having an effect but, seen by anyone who takes time to above andarian adjacent to the thick again, the main focus is on increas­ watch. While perched on a branch riparian bushes. As early as August, ing the amount of habitat avail- or a telephone wire, this bird flips willow flycatchers start migrating to able for nesting. its tail up and down while watch­ Mexico and Central America, ing for flying insects. Then they usually flying at night. They swoop down, catch their meal, and spend 8-9 months on their win­ return to their perch to eat it. tering grounds, not returning The southwestern willow flycatch­ until the following May. er is one of three recognized sub­ Like the least Bell’s vireo, the species of the willow flycatcher in primary cause for the decline of the western United States. This bird numbers of this bird is loss of has a grayish-green back and riparian habitat, especially at wings, whitish throat, light gray lower elevations near cities and olive breast, and pale yellow belly; suburbs. Other threats include the male and female look similar. livestock grazing or recreational The song is a “fitz-bew,” and the activity near streams, pesticides call is a repeated “whit.” Other and some cowbird parasitism. species of flycatchers in the Cleve­ Another major factor may be land National Forest include the loss of habitat in their wintering Western flycatcher, found along grounds in other countries. most forest streams, and the olive- In the coastal shrub community… The gnatcatcher is another little gray bird, but with some distinctive markings. Both male and female have a two toned plumage, dark blue-gray on the upper portion and grayish white on the lower. The tail is black with white outer tail feathers. During breeding season, the male has a black cap. This bird was originally classified as a subspecies of the black-tailed gnatcatch­ er, but in 1989 it was clas­ sified as its own species, based on its behavior, ecol­ ogy, and DNA analysis. The California gnatcatcher is a coastal species, occur­ ring on the west side of the mountains of southern California, while the black- tailed gnatcatcher is a Coastal California scrub, which includes low-growing desert species found on the inland Gnatcatcher plants such as California sagebrush, side of the mountains. Another way Polioptila californica californica California buckwheat, laurel sumac, a birdwatcher can distinguish the cacti, and various shrubs. The nest is California from the black-tailed is The coastal California gnatcatcher usually built in a shrub about 3 feet by its call. The former has a cat-like was first proposed as endangered in off the ground. Gnatcatchers also fly call; the latter has a harsh, wren-like 1991, but its status became listed as to nearby plant communities, such call. threatened in 1993. At that time it as riparian,Co grassland, and chapar­ On private lands, the main threat was estimated that there were ral, to look for food. to gnatcatchers is development. In 2,000– 3,000 nesting pairs in the a The gnatcatchers search through the Cleveland National Forest, United States. This bird is often in s the branches of shrubs, looking for human-causedt fires have decreased the news because much of its a beetles, wasps, bugs, flies, grasshop- the numbers of gnatcatchers in the remaining habitat is some of the l Shpers, and spiders. They don’t seem to San Diego River area. Several wild­ most expensive privately-owned real seek out water, and most of the year fires here in the early 1990s reduced estate in the United States! can bestrub be seen within the few acres the amount of habitat, and areas The gnatcatcher’s primary habitat of their territories. that burned twice have become non­ is coastal (less than 2,500 feet) sage native grasslands.

3 In the mountain meadow community… Quino Checkerspot Butterfly Euphydryas editha quino The checkerspot is similar in size to the skipper, and has a checkered pattern of dark brown, reddish, and yellowish spots on its wings. Its fam- ily, the Nymphalidae, or brush-footed butterflies, is huge and diverse. Identification of individual species is difficult. Within its range, there are quite a few species which look simi- lar to the quino checkerspot. The quino checkerspot’s habitat is the upland sage/scrub habitat in the foothills of southwestern California and northwestern Baja California. It especially likes sunny grasslands or open areas. The caterpillars feed on the leaves of dwarf plantain, Plantago erecta, but will also use other annual plants. The caterpillars and the first adults emerge as early Laguna Mountains do not feed. In the early spring, the as mid-January, with the peak flight Skipper caterpillars begin feeding again, in March and April. The adults live ruralis lagunae and then go into the pupa, or from 4 to 8 weeks. chrysalis phase. Within weeks they The Laguna Mountains skipper is emerge as flying adults. The checkerspot habitat is also a butterfly found only in the high the favored habitat of cities, subdi- The adults do not migrate, but mountain meadows of the visions, businesses, and roads. Since stay in the same area, sipping nec- Cleveland National Forest. Of all the 1950’s, this butterfly’s numbers tar from Horkelia and other flowers. the species listed here, it has the have drastically declined, mainly as The Laguna Mountains skippers most restricted range. Small popu- Mountaina result of the direct loss of land start emerging from the pupal lations have been sighted on Mt. and breaking up of its habitat. stage in mid-April and continue to Palomar and in the Laguna Today, only eight populations of the the end of June. The males patrol Mountains. quino checkerspot are known, with all day near the ground in search at least one in Baja California. Most The skipper is a medium-sized of females. The adults only live 10- of the known populations are so butterfly (3 cm wingspan) of the 20 days. The first generation, or small that it is unlikely they can family Hesperiidae. To the casual flight, is flying from mid-April to recover from natural disturbances, observer, the wing pattern looks the end of June. A second flight such as fire and drought. similar to many otherMeadow butterfly sometimes occurs between late June species, with checkered patterns of and mid July. The butterflies feed on specific black, brown, and white. Viewed plants during their life cycle, and In San Diego County, there are close-up, skippers have a stout any change of those plants can three other closely related species of body and slightly bent club anten- affect their survival. Soil distur- skipper, all members of the genus nae. They are called skippers bance (from grazing, off-highway Pyrgus. The other skippers have a because of their powerful flight— vehicles) may allow the growth of slightly darker wing pattern and short, fast bursts of energy take non-native grasses and flowers, depend on a wider variety of plants them from flower to flower. which can crowd out the plantain for survival. and other plants the butterflies The Laguna Mountains skipper The decline in the numbers of the depend on. depends on only one plant for sur- Laguna Mountains skippers is not vival—a perennial herb that grows Of course, butterfly collection by well understood, but seems to be in the meadows between the pine people can have a drastic effect on linked to drought. The forest is pro- trees. The eggs are laid on the these small populations. Collec- tecting its host plant, Horkelia cleve- leaves or flowers of Horkelia cleve- tion of any wildlife or plant in landii. Cattle apparently love to eat landii, a member of the rose family. a national forest requires a it. People love to camp in or near The caterpillars make silk nests out permit. Most butterflies are the meadows where it grows. of the leaves, feed, and pupate on extremely difficult to identify. Fencing and other management this plant exclusively. In the late Because of the risk of collecting a practices are necessary to protect summer, the caterpillars go into a protected species by mistake, please the plant and the skipper. kind of sleep (diapause) when they leave collecting to experts only.

Cleveland National Forest

10845 Rancho Bernardo Rd., #200 858-674-2901 San Diego, CA 92127-2107 www.fs.fed.us/r5/cleveland

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