December 7, 2006

CALIFORNIA TECHNICAL NOTE NO. CA-18

190-VI

SUBJECT: ECS – BIOLOGY- Pocket Guide to Creek Birds of California

Purpose: Transmit the publication, Pocket Guide to Creek Birds of California.

Effective Date: When Contents are Received

To better inform landowners about the native birds species found along riparian habitats along creeks in California, California Partners in Flight (CalPIF) and Point Reyes Bird Observatory have developed this guide to assist in the management of habitats these birds species depend on. Multiple partners contributed resources and input towards the production of this pocket guide. NRCS was one of the principal contributors towards this publication. The pocket guide is one of several publications produced by the Point Reyes Bird Observatory about native bird species and the habitats where they live.

The Pocket Guide to Creek Birds of California informs landowners and others who manage creeks and riparian habitat about simple actions that can be taken to benefit birds. The guide does not contain all species found in creeks and riparian habitats of California, but only 61 commonly seen species. The bird species are organized in chapters by their nesting locations as understory/ground nesters, midstory nesters, canopy nesters, cavity nesters and non-traditional nesters. The pocket guide functions as an easy to carry field guide, complete with photos and species accounts. Species accounts include the range, resident or breeder status, diet, and habitat improvement tips.

The number of pocket guides sent to NRCS California encourages a thoughtful distribution of our copies of the guide. The initial distribution of 20 copies sent to each field office is intended for landowners with conservation plans that implement practices in riparian habitats along creeks of California. Once the copies to your office have been distributed, the District Conservationist can request additional copies based on the expected requests from their clients. We are attempting to distribute these pocket guides to landowners and managers who will most benefit from their use.

DIANE B. HOLCOMB

State Resource Conservationist

ATTACHMENT: Pocket Guide to Creek Birds of California

DIST: AC (1 copy)

DC (20 Copies)

SRC (2 Copies)

PMC (1 Copy)