Vertebrate Species in progress
Tricolored Blackbird (Agelaius tricolor) Surveys
Tricolored blackbird is a state-listed endangered species that has declined dramatically in southern California. Once abundant
and widespread in San Diego County, there are few known breeding populations remaining at marshes on Conserved Lands.
AECOM biologists surveyed for tricolored blackbirds in spring 2021 at historic and recently documented breeding habitats and at
potentially suitable habitats. Surveys were to determine if tricolored blackbirds are present during the breeding season and to estimate
population size and breeding status. AECOM biologists used a protocol developed by SDMMP to evaluate habitat quality and
threats at each suitable habitat site, even those without tricolored blackbirds. These data , and data from subsequent yearly surveys, will be provided to SDMMP to develop management recommendations for tricolored blackbird. Tricolored blackbirds will be surveyed for annually.
Project Focus
Project type: Monitoring
Target species: Tricolored blackbird
Data steward: Emily Perkins
Main implementing entity: San Diego Management and Monitoring Program
Partner: AECOM
Point of contact: Kris Preston
Project Page manager: Sarah McCutcheon
SDMMP lead: Kris Preston
Study lead: Andrew Fisher; Loren Merrill
Project Funding
San Diego Association of Governments
Project Protocol
Name: San Diego County 2021 Tricolored Blackbird Surveys: Breeding Surveys & Habitat and Threat Assessment
Description: This survey protocol outlines the methods for conducting TRBL surveys across San Diego County in April and May 2021. A team of two surveyors will collect data using two different software packages-Ful
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Tricolored Blackbird Habitat and Threat Assessment Protocol.docx
Tricolored blackbird Agelaius tricolor
Goal: Protect, enhance, and restore Tricolored blackbird occupied and historically occupied habitat to create resilient, self-sustaining populations that provide for persistence over the long-term (>100 years).
local
NFO
2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
SL
MON-IMP-IMG AGETRI-3
Management units: 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11
Beginning in 2017, annually inspect suitable nesting habitat at current and historically occupied sites (see occurrence table) to determine management needs (including need for additional water) taking care not to disturb nesting tricolored blackbirds, and use a regional IMG monitoring protocol to collect covariate data on human activities and other threats to determine management needs.
| Action | Statement | Action status | Projects |
|---|---|---|---|
| IMP-1 | Conduct regional IMG monitoring protocol surveys to determine management needs (including need for additonal water) taking care not to disturb nesting tricolored blackbirds, | available for implementation | Tricolored Blackbird (Agelaius tricolor) Surveys |
| IMP-2 | Based upon threat evaluation, determine if routine management or more intensive management is warranted. | available for implementation | |
| IMP-3 | Submit monitoring data and management recommendations to MSP web portal | available for implementation | Tricolored Blackbird (Agelaius tricolor) Surveys |
| Criteria | Deadline year |
|---|---|
| Annual IMG monitoring of Tricolored Blackbird completed | 2021 |
| Threat Name | Threat Code |
|---|---|
| Altered hydrology | ALTHYD |
| Herbivory/predation | |
| Human uses of the Preserves | HUMUSE |
| Parasitism/disease | |
| Urban development | URBDEV |
| File name | Lead Author | Year | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Tricolored Blackbird (Agelaius tricolor) Surveys Across Western San Diego County | Fisher, Andrew | 2022 | powerpoint presentation |
| Recording - March 2022 SDMMP Management and Monitoring Coordination Meeting | Fisher, Andrew; Merrill, Loren | 2022 | recording |
| Summary of 2021 SDMMP TRBL Surveys | AECOM | 2022 | report |
Project Files
| File name | Lead Author | Year | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tricolored Blackbird GIS 2022.zip | not sure | ||
| Tricolored Blackbird GIS 2021.zip | not sure |