3.4 Biological Resources
are found in these waters and may, occasionally, use the beach (Department of the Navy 1997a, 1997b).
Commondolphins (Delphinus delphis) and bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) occur inthe surfzone
and in offshore waters. Pacific white-sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens) and Risso's dolphins
(Grampus griseus) also are known to occur seasonally in southern waters of the Bight.
California gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) migrate through the study area. The southbound migration
through the Bight begins in December and lasts through February; the northbound migration is February
through May. Gray whales migrate up to 125 miles offshore along three pathways through the Bight. The
project area lies within the nearshore migration path, which extends from the shoreline to approximately
12 miles offshore.
Terrestrial
Several of the receiver sites are located near urban development and/or have bluffs. Common mammal
species with the potential to occur in the vicinity of receiver sites in the project area include gophers
(Thomomys bottae sanctidiegi), mice (e.g., Mus musculus), black rats (Rattus rattus), Norway rats
(Rattus norvegicus), opossum (Didelphis virginiana), rabbits (Sylvilagus spp.), California ground
squirrel (Spermophilus beecheyi nudipes), raccoon (Procyon lotor psora), and striped skunks (Mephitis
mephitis holzneri). None of these species are listed as threatened or endangered by the federal or state
government.
Birds
The southern California coastline is a diverse habitat for migrant and resident birds. The proposed beach
sites and nearshore waters provide a variety of areas for seabirds to roost and forage. Sandy/cobblestone
upper tidal beaches are utilized by gulls and shorebirds as roosts (resting-places). However, cobblestone
areas in the intertidal are not typical feeding areas for shorebirds. Probing shorebirds will forage upon
invertebrates inthe damp, sandymiddle and lower tidal zones. Kelp and surfgrass that have washed ashore
are good foraging areas for gulls, shorebirds, and even some passerines, as they harbor and are fed upon
by invertebrates. Other areas of rocky/reef substrates provide tide pools filled with marine animals for
foraging gulls and shorebirds. The nearshore ocean accommodates birds such as gulls, pelicans, terns, and
cormorants, which prey upon the schooling fish and other marine organisms below.
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