Spotted Owl Observations [ds704]

This dataset is a new and improved version of the original Spotted Owl Territories [ds97] dataset. The original dataset represented spotted owl territories as activity center bservation points with thousands of additional owl observations available in a separate table but not spatially enabled. In this new dataset, the additional owl observations (both positive and negative sightings) have been spatially enabled as points and are now displayed along with the activity center points. See the attribute "TYPEOBS" for a determination of whether an observation is positive (POS), negative (NEG) or an activity center (AC). Many of the observation locations were approximated by plotting them to a grid of the Public Land Survey System (PLSS) based on PLSS references in their record descriptions.

This dataset combines information on the location and status of Northern Spotted Owls, California Spotted Owls in the Sierra Nevada, and California Spotted Owls in southern California. Almost all records have been gathered since the early 1970s. Some observations from early 20th century literature also are included. The vast majority of data were collected in the field by biologists and technicians mainly working for US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, consultants, National Park Service, industrial timber companies, universities conducting surveys and doing research, and the local birding community. Most observations were obtained using standard survey protocols ("Protocol for surveying proposed management activities that may impact northern spotted owls." US Fish and Wildlife Service. 2011). The protocols are available at https:// www.wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Survey-Protocols

What is an activity center? "Activity Center: Spotted owls have been characterized as central-place foragers, where individuals forage over a wide area and subsequently return to a nest or roost location that is often centrally-located within the home range (Rosenberg and McKelvey 1999). Activity centers are location or point within the core use area that represent this central location. Nest sites are typically used to identify activity centers, or in cases where nests have not been identified, breeding season roost sites or areas of concentrated nighttime detections may be used to identify activity centers." U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2011. Revised Recovery Plan for the Northern Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis caurina). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Portland, Oregon. xvi + 258 pp. A copy of the Revised Recovery Plan and other related materials can be found at: https:/ /www.fws.gov/ore g onfwo/Species/Data/NorthernSpottedOwl/main.asp . The database only maps one activity center per site; however, multiple activity centers may exist on the landscape.

An additional dataset (Spotted Owl Observations Spider Diagram [ds705]) is available that shows lines representing relationships between activity centers and observations in this dataset. The spider diagram dataset is meant to accompany this observations dataset to assist with site visualizations and dataset review efforts.

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW:

• Data is not deleted if it is determined that a site is unoccupied, abandoned, or invalid. Abandoned and invalid sites are retained in the database but their status changed to indicate they no longer require protections. Occupancy is an annual status that is not tracked by the database due to variations in data availability and survey effort across the state.

• Coordinates listed in the dataset use the NAD83 datum.

• Many site locations in this dataset were approximated using a grid of the Public Land Survey System (PLSS, also known as the Meridian, Township, Range, and Section, or MTRS system). The PLSS grid originated from 1:100,000-scale US Geological Survey topographic maps and also included additional protracted/extrapolated linework within Spanish land grants and other areas not covered by the PLSS process. At the time of data processing, this PLSS grid represents the most complete statewide grid available for California. However, the linework from this grid does not always exactly follow the PLSS linework used on other sources such as 1:24,000-scale US Geological Survey topographic maps, which may have been used for site reporting. New mapping and compilations of PLSS linework are occurring in many areas in California but may not be available statewide. As more improved and complete statewide PLSS data become available, it may be possible to better approximate some site locations in this dataset.

Disclaimer: The State makes no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, reliability, or adequacy of these data and expressly disclaims liability for errors and omissions in these data. No warranty of any kind, implied, expressed, or statutory, including but not limited to the warranties of non-infringement of third party rights, title, merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from computer virus, is given with respect to these data.

This dataset is made available with the understanding that it shall be used exclusively by the person who requested the dataset. Do not redistribute this dataset. Use is to be made on an as-needed basis, where there is a need to know the owl's status in a particular area for its protection and management. Use of the database also may be made by researchers, planners, and government agencies for large-scale research, management, planning, and regulatory purposes. Users should contact recent data contributors prior to authoring scientific literature with the intent to publish. When this dataset is used, please use the recommended format under Citation.