Biological Surveys & Resource Monitoring

We specialize in special status plant and animal surveys, habitat assessments, and construction monitoring. Our qualified team of permitted biologists and wetland scientists will map, model, or monitor any natural resource required to achieve environmental compliance.

With 18 USFWS 10 (a) (1) (A) Recovery Permits and experience surveying 68 additional sensitive species, a wide range of rare plants, and nesting birds, SummitWest can provide the biological surveys our clients most need. From wildlife and plant habitat assessments to riparian corridor mapping and wetland surveys, we specialize in all aspects of natural resource survey and monitoring. Through rapid analysis of our proprietary Species List Pro software and other sensitive status species databases, our team of biological desktop reviewers target surveys to the specific resource requirements of any given project site.

SummitWest biological monitors team with construction crews and supervisors to ensure environmental compliance while meeting project deadlines. Our keen attention to detail and current knowledge of species-specific resource permit requirements and mitigation measures smooths the way for our clients to tackle construction projects of all sizes and durations.

Capabilities

  • Habitat Assessments & Survey
    • Vegetation classification and community mapping
      • Plant Inventories
    • Sensitive species habitat assessments and surveys
    • Wildlife movement / corridor studies
    • GIS mapping
  • Field Wetlands monitoring
    • Vernal pool mapping and monitoring
  • Biological Field Surveys
    • Pre- and Post-construction Surveys
    • General Biological Surveys
    • Nesting Bird Surveys
      • Nest monitoring
      • Bird point count and transect surveys
    • Protocol Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive Species surveys
    • Roosting Bat Surveys
    • General Botanical and Rare Plant surveys
      • Nonnative Plant Surveys
    • Aerial (Drone) Surveys
    • Clearance Surveys
  • Special Status Species Translocation / Relocation
  • Biological Resource Construction Monitoring
    • Best Management Practice Monitoring
    • Environmental Compliance Monitoring
    • Species population monitoring
    • Remote Camera Monitoring
  • Resource Agency Coordination
    • Protocol Wildlife Survey Reports
    • Letter and Memo Reports

Special-Status Species Surveys

We hold Federal and State permits and are experienced working with the following species of concern:

(P) = Scientific Recovery Permit 10 (a)(1)(A)

BIRDS

American Kestrel
American Peregrine Falcon (P)
Bank Swallow (P)
Barn Owl (P)
Bald Eagle
Belding’s Savannah Sparrow
Black Rail (P)
Burrowing Owl
California Condor
California Gnatcatcher (P)
California Horned Lark (P)
California Least Tern (P)
Coastal Cactus Wren
Cooper’s Hawk (P)
Elf Owl
Flammulated Owl
Gilded Flicker (P)
Golden Eagle
Great Blue Heron (P)
Great Grey Owl
Great Horned Owl
Greater Sage Grouse
Least Bell’s vireo (P)
Least Tern (P)
Light-Footed Clapper Rail (P)
Light-Footed Ridgway’s Rail (P)
Marbled Murrelet
Northern Goshawk
Peregrine Falcon
Raptors (P)
Ridgeway Rail
Sharp-Shinned Hawk
Snowy Plover (P)
Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (P)
Spotted Owl
Swainson’s Hawk
Tricolored Blackbird
Western Yellow-Billed Cuckoo
Yuma Clapper Rail (P)

PLANTS

Experience With 100s Of Listed Plant Species
Kaweah Brodiaea
Munz’s Iris
Orcutt’s Brodiaea
San Gabriel Linanthus
San Gabriel Manzanita
San Joaquin Adobe Sunburst
Short Joint Beavertail
Slender Mariposa Lily
Springville Clarkia

MAMMALS

Amargosa Vole (P)
American Badger
American Marten
Bighorn Sheep (P)
Fresno Kangaroo Rat (P)
Giant Kangaroo Rat (P)
Kit Fox
Los Angeles Pocket Mouse (P)
Mohave Ground Squirrel (P)
Pacific Fisher
Pacific Pocket Mouse (P)
Red Fox
Riparian Woodrat (P)
Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse (P)
San Bernardino Kangaroo Rat (P)
San Joaquin Antelope Squirrel (P)
Sierra Marten
Stephens Kangaroo Rat (P)
Tipton Kangaroo Rat (P)
Washington Ground Squirrel (P)

AMPHIBIANS

Arroyo Toad
California Red-Legged Frog (P)
California Tiger Salamander (P)
Coast Range Newt
Foothill Yellow-Legged Frog
Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog
Spadefoot Toad
Yosemite Toad

REPTILES

Blunt-Nose Leopard Lizard
Coachella Fringe-Toed Lizard
Desert Tortoise (P)
Flat-Tailed Horned Lizard
Mojave Fringe-Toed Lizard
Northern Rubber Boa
San Bernardino Mountain Snake
Two-Stripe Garter Snake
Western Pond Turtle

FISH

Arroyo Chub
Chinook Salmon
Delta Smelt
Marine Life (Dolphins, Sea Turtles, Etc)
Santa Ana Sucker
Steelhead
Tidewater Goby (P)

INVERTEBRATES

Crotch’s Bumblebee
Delhi Fly
Hermes Copper Butterfly
Monarch Butterfly
Quino Checkerspot Butterfly (P)
Vernal Pool Fairy Shrimp (P)