White-Tailed Kite Habitat Use Study (2022 – Present)
The White-Tailed Kite is a raptor that was nearly brought to extinction in the early part of the 20th century due to hunting and egg collections. It was listed as a protected species in the state of California and began making a recovery. In recent years, however, their population is starting to dwindle again- likely due to habitat loss, land use changes, and the use of rodenticide. The UCI Ecological Preserve represents one of the last active territories for this species in the county. We are combining behavioral observations with habitat modifications, rodent sampling, and gps tracking technology to study the habitat needs of this species. In order to see if vegetation height affected hunting success, we mowed dense patches of invasive black mustard (brassica nigra) in the grassland below the preserve. We are also conducting rodent surveys to see if mowing affects the movement patterns and habitat use of prey species. We hope these efforts will inform conservation efforts for this species and help it continue to thrive in Orange County.
Have you seen a white-tailed kite at the Ecological Preserve? Let us know here: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/b806a7005fdc4feabda940dce983b860?open=menu)
Wildlife Integration Network (2018 – Present)
There are a variety of animals that reside in both the Ecological Preserve and the San Joaquin Marsh, including: bobcats, coyotes, cactus wren, and racoons. Urbanization and development contributes to the fragmentation of these habitats With this project, we would like to better understand how wildlife move across these open spaces. Cameras have been placed in areas with high animal traffic such as culverts, under bridges, and natural areas throughout Irvine to identify how the animal populations navigate the fragmented landscape.
We hope our results will inform management decisions that can help to improve mobility for these animals.