Swainson’s hawk

Buteo swainsoni

Habitat: Woodlands, grasslands, scrub, agricultural land

Antelope Valley (Los Angeles and Kern counties)

Conduct surveys within 5 miles radius

At minimum, complete 2 survey periods before project initiation; complete Periods 2, 3, and 4 before environmental review

Survey potential nesting trees within a 5-mile radius for presence of nests

  • Period 1: (optional; pre-arrival) Jan–Mar 31; all day; 1 pass
  • Period 2: (arrival/nest building) Apr 1–Apr 30; all day; 3 passes
  • Period 3: (as needed for monitoring known nest sites; egg laying/incubation) May 1–May 30; daylight hours
  • Period 4: (fledgling) Jun 1–Jul 15; sunrise to 1200 and 1600 to sunset; 3 passes
Central Valley

Conduct surveys within a half-mile radius

At minimum, complete 2 survey periods before project initiation. Periods 2, 3, and 5 always recommended

  • Period 1: (recommended/optional) Jan–Mar 20; all day; 1 pass
  • Period 2: (arrival/courtship/territorial) Mar 21–Apr 5; sunrise–10:00/16:00–sunset; 3 passes
  • Period 3: (nest building/copulation/territorial/courtship) Apr 5–Apr 20; sunrise–12:00 and 16:30–sunset; 3 passes
  • Period 4: (only for monitoring known nest sites) Apr 21–Jun 10
  • Period 5: (post-fledgling) Jun 11–Jul 30; sunrise–12:00 and 16:00–sunset; 3 passes