The Belding’s Savannah Sparrow is a state and federally protected non-migratory sparrow found only in coastal salt marshes between Goleta and northern Baja California. Its heavier, darker streaking and smaller beak distinguishes it from the Savannah Sparrow, which can be found all over the country and is much larger in population. 

Their habitats typically occur within 100 meters of permanent water sources, such as tidal creeks and lagoons. The landscape of their habitats are dominated by pickleweed and significant coverings of other grasses including saltwort, shoregrass, and saltgrass with heights ranging from 19 to 42 centimeters. Bird densities tend to be higher in cases where there are more plant species and less bare ground. Though pickleweed and saltgrass are tolerant of drought, high salinity, and conditions relating to poor tidal circulation, long periods of inundation during summer months can eliminate pickleweed stands altogether  (Powell). They nest close to the ground and are therefore susceptible to high water levels caused by impounding water and high tides (Powell).

 

The Belding’s Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis beldingi), unlike the more general Savannah Sparrow, is endemic to the Southern and Baja California coast, only occurring in coastal salt marshes between Goleta (Santa Barbara County), California and Bahia de San Quintin, Baja California, Mexico (Powell). According to Rees, “they live, eat, mate, nest and die in pretty much the same neighborhood,” and do not migrate between different marshes within its species range.

This particular species of the Savannah sparrow has historically taken refuge within the same range it occupies today, but the extent of its available habitat has substantially diminished in size. They like to live among pickleweed (Salicornia pacifica) in salt marshes, but coastal development and irregular tidal circulation have only left bits and pieces of this habitat left, with only 5-10% of the original marshlands remaining. The Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve in Playa del Rey is the last remaining coastal wetland in Los Angeles County, which has served as a consistent home to a small group of these birds (Rees). In the San Diego Bay, only 10-15% of the pre-settlement wetland area remains (Powell).

They were first placed on California’s endangered species list in 1974, after a report showed that the available territories for them to live and the number of breeding pairs were very low, at a little over 1000 for each category. Since then, these numbers have been on the rise but the future is not certain for these sparrows in the long run.

The Damage:

Since the Belding’s Savannah Sparrow is endemic to the salt marshes of  Southern and Baja California coast, the species does not have an alternative habitat. However, these salt marshes have been degraded greatly, and “urban sprawl has fragmented this habitat.” According to Zembel and Hoffman, 75% of coastal wetlands have been lost to urban development, and the marshes that do remain are susceptible to human disturbance due to an increase in people living on the edges. Furthermore, recreational activities such as fishing, birding, hiking and biking are becoming more prevalent which is negatively impacting the breeding behavior of this species. Humans have an indirect influence on the species as well.  Two primary factors that have contributed to the habitat’s degradation are the reduction of tidal flushing – the replacement of salt water in the marshes – and an influx of freshwater runoff from urban areas. The combined effects of these two factors leads to an imbalance in the habitat’s salt concentration. As a result, invasive plants are able to thrive and attract birds to perilous areas that prone to flooding.

The Solution:

The Belding Savannah sparrow lives exclusively in the coastal salt-marshes of southern California. (Zembal and Hoffman, 4), but at least 75% of the area’s former coastal wetlands have been destroyed and the remaining 25% continues to be degraded ( (Zembal and Hoffman, 3). The habitat degradation of wetlands has resulted in a decrease in Belding Savannah sparrow populations, as, according to the California Department of Fish and Game, in  2010, there were 24% more wetlands with smaller Belding Savannah sparrow populations than in 2006 (Zembal and Hoffman, 8). These Belding’s in these wetlands are especially threatened by, “the maintenance or enhancement of tidal flushing, and the control of sediment, people their pets, and exotic predators,” but rigorous efforts to secure, restore, and manage the coastal wetlands have resulted in a generally positive population trend, so it is most critically important that these efforts continue in the same manner (Zembal and Hoffman, 8). For example, Belding’s appear to be doing exceptionally well at the wetlands at Point Mugu, Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Bolsa Chica, Upper Newport Bay, Sweetwater Marsh NWR, and Tijuana Slough NWR, due to both the existence of these areas, and the extent and quality of the efforts to manage them (Zembal and Hoffman, 7).

Additionally, the Belding Savannah sparrow is threatened by habitat fragmentation caused by the destruction of coastal wetlands, often in urban development (Powell and Collier, 508). However, the number of Belding Savannah sparrow’s in an area can increase with an increased habitat size, particularly those larger than 10 ha (Powell and Collier, 511), making the maintenance and expansion of these areas of potential habitat conducive to Belding Savannah sparrow population growth. As Powell and Collier say, it is essential to invest in “restoration plans […] that include the preservation and enhancement of both large and small salt marsh ecosystems” (512).

It is not enough to simply speak of what must be done to ensure the survival of the Belding’s Savannah Sparrow in broad terms, to guarantee their existence it is pivotal to recognize and outline real steps that can be taken.

Here are ours:

(1) Efforts must be made to restore Belding’s lost habitat. The infrequently inundated upper zone of high marsh habitat should be focused upon and planned for disproportionately in marsh restoration plans to help compensate for some of the historic loses, require the least grading of all the marsh zones, and provide areas for marsh vegetation to spread when sea level rises.

(2) Managers should consider cutting small tidal creeks through the upper marsh to establish better drainage and tidal access to aid the survival of the Belding’s sparrow. Cutting small tidal creeks would also be beneficial through extreme high marsh, isolated upper marsh, and salt pan in several wetlands including Upper Newport Bay, the Santa Margarita River, and Agua Hedionda in providing additional tidal access, habitat vigor, and foraging opportunities for Belding’s.

(3) The wildlife agencies should focus on engaging people and communities to help in coordinating a range-wide strategy for the management of the Belding’s and other related programs.

(4) Funding should be allocated in a timely manner to prevent stalling of projects and strategies that aim to safeguard the savannah sparrow e.g. “Weeding” which can be implemented by people and communities with appropriate funds. Moreover, timely strategy implementation can reduce negative impact of other incidents. For example, invasion by the Algerian sea-lavender significantly reduced the amount of former nesting habitat at Agua Hedionda, whereas early action would have reduced the affect. To counter this problem, Department of Fish and Game South Coast Region staff are currently coordinating with the Pesticide Investigation Unit for Algerian sea-lavender extermination through herbicide use.

(5) Lastly, tidal exchange must be maintained to prevent wetlands from being compromised due to closure of ocean inlets and to help them continue as Belding’s habitat. To achieve this, managers and responsible agencies must establish systems, the required standing permits, and funding for the emergency work needed to re-open lagoons as needed and at times which will accommodate Belding’s breeding.

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