Elf Owl [ds14]

File Geodatabase Feature Class

Open this dataset in BIOS

Tags
biota, distribution, Elf Owl, Micrathene whitneyi, breeding, nesting, range, environment, Colorado River, Imperial County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, California


Summary

The database was designed to document all known elf owl observations and to provide a record of the historical range and numbers of this species in California. The database was designed to provide biologists and managers with a quick reference as to where elf owls might occur in California and be aware of their current status. It also was designed to be used with a companion data set, on previous elf owl survey locations, by ornithologists and researchers to find and monitor the elf owls by using this database as a tool for locating previous elf owl observations and suitable habitat.

Description

This dataset contains a database of all known positive observations of elf owls in California. This dataset is a companion to Elf Owl Surveys which portrays the survey routes used in Department surveys in 1988-89 and 1998-99. This companion dataset includes known negative observations, not only of sites known to have had elf owls, but of other areas of potentially suitable elf owl habitat. The earliest observation record here dates from 1903 and the most recent from 2000. This database includes 78 records, a few of which may cover a short period of time (no more than a couple of months). These elf owl observations records come mostly from the California side of the Colorado River, from very close to the Nevada border south almost to the border with Mexico. Observations also have come from spring-like areas in the Sonoran Desert area west of Blythe and as far west as Joshua Tree National Monument. This area includes the eastern parts of San Bernardino, Riverside, and Imperial counties. The dataset exists as a flat-file Access data table. Each record contains the legal and UTM location of the observation, date and observer, number of owls found and if young were known to be present, and the source and/or affiliation of the observer.

Credits

Recognition that the dataset was compiled and provided by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Any observations made of this species be forwarded to: California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB), Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Use limitations

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.

Extent

West -115.856440 East -114.099967
North 35.045217 South 32.774769

Scale Range
Maximum (zoomed in) 1:5,000
Minimum (zoomed out) 1:150,000,000

ArcGIS Metadata

Topics and Keywords

Themes or categories of the resource environment, biota, inlandWaters


* Content type Downloadable Data
Export to FGDC CSDGM XML format as Resource Description No

Place keywords Imperial County, San Bernardino County, California, Colorado River, Riverside County

Theme keywords distribution, Elf Owl, breeding, nesting, range, Micrathene whitneyi, biota, environment

Thesaurus
Title ISO 19115 Topic Category


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Citation

Title Elf Owl [ds14]
Publication date 2003-09-0100:00:00
Indeterminate time unknown


Presentation formats digital map
FGDC geospatial presentation format vector digital data


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Citation Contacts

Responsible party
Organization's name California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Wildlife and Habitat Data Analysis Branch
Individual's name Gordon Gould
Contact's role originator


Responsible party
Individual's name Shannon Skalos
Organization's name California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW)
Contact's position Avian Specialist
Contact's role point of contact


Contact information


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Resource Details

Dataset languages English(UNITED STATES)
Dataset character set utf8 - 8 bit UCS Transfer Format


Status completed
Spatial representation type vector


Supplemental information
Observations were not uniformly collected over the years. Early observers usually searched tree cavities and/or camped in suitable habitat and listened for owls. As tape recorders developed and it became easier for ornithologists and birders to imitate bird calls, taped elf owl calls were used, first at random, and more recently in more structured surveys to locate elf owls. Because of the clumping of suitable elf owl habitat, it often was necessary to make multiple surveys of some larger habitat areas to determine the actual number of owl pairs. Early observations were mostly made and recorded by ornithologists. In the late 1950's, 1960's and 1970's many observations were found and reported by highly experienced birders. Major surveys in 1978-79 and 1987 were conducted by ornithologists under contract to the Department of Fish and Game. The few observations made over the last 15 years have come from birders, ornithologists, and agency biologists. Initial compilation of observation were made in 1978-79 by Steven Cardiff under contract to the Department of Fish and Game. His list of observations were updated in 1987 by Mary Halterman, also a contractee. The list of observations was again updated in 1999 by Pamela Ryan, and most recently for this effort by Gordon Gould, both Department employees. The point coordinates (UTMs) used in this data set came from points associated with maps and descriptions provided by observers and determined from USGS quad maps in NAD27 using "Terrain Navigator" software. Many descriptions did not allow precise location of each observation. Where this was the case, an estimated accuracy (field ACC_CLASS) was assigned based on on-site knowledge of the surveyed areas. Some of location descriptions used in literature were far from precise, but were often the same as previous descriptions and grossly matched a more precise description. In these cases and because of the limited distribution of the owl, it was assumed these were all the same site. Elf owl calls are not typical owl calls; it was assumed that observers could identify this species in the field by call. Known caveats. Because this owl has not brought a great deal of public attention in California, this listing of observations probably does not represent all observations made in California an reported. Some of the observation locations, even with the buffer noted in the ACC_CLASS field, may not accurately represent the location of the observation due to the dynamics of riparian and desert wash habitat in southeastern California over time.
* Processing environment Microsoft Windows 10 Version 10.0 (Build 19045) ; Esri ArcGIS 12.9.4.32739


Credits
Recognition that the dataset was compiled and provided by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Any observations made of this species be forwarded to: California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB), Department of Fish and Wildlife.
ArcGIS item properties
* Name ds14
* Size 0.002
* Location file://\\geodata.\bios\WorkArea\BIOSOnline\Refresh\TODOData\BIOSOnlineData.gdb
* Access protocol Local Area Network

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Extents

Extent
Geographic extent
Bounding rectangle
West longitude -115.85644
East longitude -114.099967
South latitude 32.774769
North latitude 35.045217

Extent
Description
ground condition
Temporal extent
Date and time
Indeterminate date unknown

Extent
Geographic extent
Bounding rectangle
Extent type Extent used for searching
* West longitude -115.856440
* East longitude -114.099967
* North latitude 35.045217
* South latitude 32.774769
* Extent contains the resource Yes

Extent in the item's coordinate system
* West longitude 388272.609052
* East longitude 538006.158759
* South latitude -565685.354743
* North latitude -321441.633811
* Extent contains the resource Yes

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Resource Points of Contact

Point of contact
Individual's name Shannon Skalos
Organization's name California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW)
Contact's position Avian Specialist
Contact's role point of contact


Contact information


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Resource Maintenance

Resource maintenance
Update frequency not planned


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Resource Constraints

Legal constraints
Other constraints
For use by California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) staff and California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB) subscribers. Due to the sensitive status of the species in this data, CDFW policy restricts it's access.
Constraints
Limitations of use

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.


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Spatial Reference

ArcGIS coordinate system
* Type Projected
* Geographic coordinate reference GCS_North_American_1983
* Projection Custom
* Coordinate reference details
Projected coordinate system
X origin -16909700
Y origin -8597000
XY scale 10000
Z origin -100000
Z scale 10000
M origin -100000
M scale 10000
XY tolerance 0.001
Z tolerance 0.001
M tolerance 0.001
High precision true
Well-known text PROJCS["Custom",GEOGCS["GCS_North_American_1983",DATUM["D_North_American_1983",SPHEROID["GRS_1980",6378137.0,298.257222101]],PRIMEM["Greenwich",0.0],UNIT["Degree",0.0174532925199433]],PROJECTION["Albers"],PARAMETER["False_Easting",0.0],PARAMETER["False_Northing",-4000000.0],PARAMETER["Central_Meridian",-120.0],PARAMETER["Standard_Parallel_1",34.0],PARAMETER["Standard_Parallel_2",40.5],PARAMETER["Latitude_Of_Origin",0.0],UNIT["Meter",1.0]]

Reference system identifier
* Value 0


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Spatial Data Properties

Vector
* Level of topology for this dataset geometry only


Geometric objects
Feature class name ds14
* Object type point
* Object count 0

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ArcGIS Feature Class Properties
Feature class name ds14
* Feature type Simple
* Geometry type Point
* Has topology FALSE
* Feature count 0
* Spatial index TRUE
* Linear referencing FALSE

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Data Quality

Lineage

Process step
When the process occurred 2013-11-05
Description
Edited metadata by updating point of contact information.


Process contact
Individual's name Sophie King
Organization's name California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Contact's role processor


Contact information


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Geoprocessing history

Process
Date 2023-04-2108:43:57
Tool location c:\program files\arcgis\pro\Resources\ArcToolbox\toolboxes\Conversion Tools.tbx\FeatureClassToFeatureClass
Command issued
Include in lineage when exporting metadata No


Process
Date 2023-04-2108:44:17
Tool location c:\program files\arcgis\pro\Resources\ArcToolbox\toolboxes\Data Management Tools.tbx\Project
Command issued
Include in lineage when exporting metadata No


Process
Date 2023-04-2108:44:44
Tool location c:\program files\arcgis\pro\Resources\ArcToolbox\toolboxes\Data Management Tools.tbx\Rename
Command issued
Include in lineage when exporting metadata No


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Distribution

Distribution format
* Name File Geodatabase Feature Class


Transfer options
* Transfer size 0.002


Online source
Location https://wildlife.ca.gov/Data/BIOS
Function performed information

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Fields

Details for object ds14
* Type Feature Class
* Row count 0
Definition
Elf Owl [ds14]


Field Shape
* Alias Shape
* Data type Geometry
* Width 0
* Precision 0
* Scale 0
Field description
Feature geometry.
Description source
ESRI
Description of values
Coordinates defining the features.


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Field ENTRYDATE
* Alias OBJECTID
* Data type OID
* Width 4
* Precision 0
* Scale 0
Field description
Date of record entry. Use format of mm/dd/yyyy
Description source
BIOS recommended data field format
* Description of values
Coordinates defining the features.


HideFieldENTRYDATE


Field SHAPE
* Alias LOCATION
* Data type String
* Width 25
* Precision 0
* Scale 0
* Field description
Feature geometry.
* Description source
ESRI
* Description of values
Coordinates defining the features.


HideFieldSHAPE


Field LOCATION
* Alias DIRECTIONS
* Data type String
* Width 100
* Precision 0
* Scale 0
Field description
Name (from USGS Quad.) of best geographic feature to represent the location of the observation.
Description source
BIOS recommended data field format
Description of values
Location.


HideFieldLOCATION


Field DIRECTIONS
* Alias TOWNSHIP
* Data type String
* Width 5
* Precision 0
* Scale 0
Field description
Text description of specific location of occurrence.
Description source
BIOS recommended data field format
HideFieldDIRECTIONS


Field TOWNSHIP
* Alias RANGE
* Data type String
* Width 5
* Precision 0
* Scale 0
Field description
Township where the center of the occurrence is most likely located.
Description source
BIOS recommended data field format
HideFieldTOWNSHIP


Field RANGE
* Alias SECTION
* Data type String
* Width 3
* Precision 0
* Scale 0
Field description
Range where the center of the occurrence is most likely located.
Description source
BIOS recommended data field format
HideFieldRANGE


Field SECTION
* Alias QTRSECTION
* Data type String
* Width 3
* Precision 0
* Scale 0
Field description
Section number
Description source
BIOS recommended data field format
HideFieldSECTION


Field QTRSECTION
* Alias SXTNTHSEC
* Data type String
* Width 3
* Precision 0
* Scale 0
Field description
Given if the half section or quarter section has been determined.
Description source
BIOS recommended data field format
HideFieldQTRSECTION


Field SXTNTHSEC
* Alias SXFOURSEC
* Data type String
* Width 3
* Precision 0
* Scale 0
Field description
Given if the half of the quarter section or the sixteenth section have been determined
Description source
BIOS recommended data field format
HideFieldSXTNTHSEC


Field SXFOURSEC
* Alias ACC_CLASS
* Data type String
* Width 2
* Precision 0
* Scale 0
Field description
Given if the half of the sixteenth section or sixtyfourth section has been determined
Description source
BIOS recommended data field format
HideFieldSXFOURSEC


Field ACC_CLASS
* Alias UTMZONE
* Data type String
* Width 3
* Precision 0
* Scale 0
Field description
Represents spatial uncertainty in a relative way.
Description source
CNDDB data field definition
List of values
Value 1
Description Specific bounded area with an 80 meter radius.
Enumerated domain value definition source CNDDB data field


Value 2
Description Specific bounded area.
Enumerated domain value definition source CNDDB data field


Value 3
Description Non-specific bounded area.
Enumerated domain value definition source CNDDB data field


Value 4
Description Circular feature with a 150 meter radius (1/10 mile).
Enumerated domain value definition source CNDDB data field


Value 5
Description Circular feature with a 300 meter radius (1/5 mile).
Enumerated domain value definition source CNDDB data field


Value 6
Description Circular feature with a 600 meter radius (2/5 mile).
Enumerated domain value definition source CNDDB data field


Value 7
Description Circular feature with a 1000 meter radius (3/5 mile).
Enumerated domain value definition source CNDDB data field


Value 8
Description Circular feature with a 1300 meter radius (4/5 mile).
Enumerated domain value definition source CNDDB data field


Value 9
Description Circular feature with a 160 meter radius (1 mile).
Enumerated domain value definition source CNDDB data field


Value 10
Description Circular feature with a 8000 meter radius (5 mile).
Enumerated domain value definition source CNDDB data field


HideFieldACC_CLASS


Field UTMZONE
* Alias UTMEAST
* Data type String
* Width 8
* Precision 0
* Scale 0
Field description
UTM zone number. Either zone 10 or 11.
Description source
BIOS recommended data field format
HideFieldUTMZONE


Field UTMEAST
* Alias UTMNORTH
* Data type String
* Width 8
* Precision 0
* Scale 0
Field description
UTM easting of the observation, in meters and in NAD 27
Description source
BIOS recommended data field format
HideFieldUTMEAST


Field UTMNORTH
* Alias OBSDATE
* Data type Date
* Width 8
* Precision 0
* Scale 0
Field description
UTM northing of the observation, in meters and in NAD 27
Description source
BIOS recommended data field format
HideFieldUTMNORTH


Field OBSDATE
* Alias OBSDATECMT
* Data type String
* Width 20
* Precision 0
* Scale 0
Field description
Date that the observation was made. Use format of mm/dd/yyyy
Description source
BIOS recommended data field format
HideFieldOBSDATE


Field OBSDATECMT
* Alias PNAME
* Data type String
* Width 20
* Precision 0
* Scale 0
Field description
Comments/addition to date information
HideFieldOBSDATECMT


Field PNAME
* Alias ONAME
* Data type String
* Width 30
* Precision 0
* Scale 0
Field description
First & last names of primary observer
Description source
BIOS recommended data field format
HideFieldPNAME


Field ONAME
* Alias AFFILIATIN
* Data type String
* Width 70
* Precision 0
* Scale 0
Field description
First & last names of other observers
Description source
BIOS recommended data field format
HideFieldONAME


Field AFFILIATIN
* Alias NUMADULTS
* Data type String
* Width 5
* Precision 0
* Scale 0
Field description
Agency, group, company of primary observer
Description source
BIOS recommended data field format
HideFieldAFFILIATIN


Field NUMADULTS
* Alias NUMPAIRS
* Data type String
* Width 5
* Precision 0
* Scale 0
Field description
Number of adults counted
Description source
BIOS recommended data field format
HideFieldNUMADULTS


Field NUMPAIRS
* Alias YNGKNOWN
* Data type String
* Width 2
* Precision 0
* Scale 0
Field description
Number of pairs counted/calculated
Description source
BIOS recommended data field format
HideFieldNUMPAIRS


Field YNGKNOWN
* Alias DOCSOURCE
* Data type String
* Width 10
* Precision 0
* Scale 0
Field description
Yes = Evidence of live young were observed during this observation. N = A protocol search for young were made during this observationand no young were detected. Blank = does not fit either of above.
Description source
BIOS recommended data field format
HideFieldYNGKNOWN


Field DOCSOURCE
* Alias KEYQUAD
* Data type String
* Width 10
* Precision 0
* Scale 0
Field description
The Data contributor's Document ID number/designation/source for the observation sheet for this observation in the contributor's files.
Description source
BIOS recommended data field format
HideFieldDOCSOURCE


Field KEYQUAD
* Alias SNAME
* Data type String
* Width 20
* Precision 0
* Scale 0
Field description
Name of the USGS 7.5 min quad on which occurrence is mapped
Description source
BIOS recommended data field format
HideFieldKEYQUAD


Field SNAME
* Alias UFOTYPE
* Data type String
* Width 35
* Precision 0
* Scale 0
Field description
Scientific name recognized at the state level
Description source
BIOS recommended data field format
HideFieldSNAME


Field UFOTYPE
* Alias UFOACT
* Data type String
* Width 15
* Precision 0
* Scale 0
Field description
Scientific name recognized at the state level
Description source
BIOS recommended data field format
List of values
Value Terrestrial Species Observations
Description General fauna-based species or species group surveys/inventories/studies.


Value Plant/Habitat Surveys
Description General flora-based species, habitat, or community surveys.


Value Habitat Inventories
Description Widespread surveys, usually based on a specific habitat type, but include the gathering of both habitat and multi-species data.


Value Monitoring
Description Species or habitat monitoring projects based on repeated observation over time where trends may be calculated.


HideFieldUFOTYPE


Field UFOACT
* Alias UFOFOCUS
* Data type String
* Width 10
* Precision 0
* Scale 0
Field description
The specific type of the activity being performed by the observer.
Description source
BIOS recommended data field format
List of values
Value Incidental Observations
Description Observations made not as a part of an organized or regular effort to gather observations.


Value Animal Surveys
Description Species-based, organized efforts to gather data on a species or species group.


Value Animal Banding, Marking, and Telemetry
Description Any study information on individual animal marking to identify or track that animal through time.


Value Plant Surveys
Description Species-base organized efforts to gather data on a species or species group.


Value Vegetation Community Surveys
Description Species group based, organized efforts to determine and document the vegetation community at one or many points.


Value Habitat Surveys
Description Uses the name of the general habitat type where a Habitat Inventory is occurring.


Value Species Monitoring
Description A species monitoring project base on repeated observations over time where trends may be calculated.


Value Habitat Monitoring
Description A habitat monitoring project based on repeated observations over time where trends may be calculated.


HideFieldUFOACT


Field UFOFOCUS
* Alias ENTEREDBY
* Data type String
* Width 13
* Precision 0
* Scale 0
Field description
The general type of activity of the animals being observed
Description source
BIOS recommended data field format
List of values
Value Breeding
Description Occurring during that time of year when most individuals of this species are where they would normally breed.


Value Wintering
Description Occurring in that time of year where most individuals are in the general area where they spend the winter.


Value Migration
Description Occurring in that time period when individuals are not where the animal observed nests or gives birth and not where they normally spend the winter.


HideFieldUFOFOCUS


Field ENTEREDBY
* Alias ENTRYDATE
* Data type Date
* Width 8
* Precision 0
* Scale 0
Field description
Name of the person entering the data (use full name)
Description source
BIOS recommended data field format
HideFieldENTEREDBY


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Metadata Details

Metadata language English(UNITED STATES)
Metadata character set utf8 - 8 bit UCS Transfer Format


Scope of the data described by the metadata dataset
Scope name * dataset


* Last update 2023-04-21


ArcGIS metadata properties
Metadata format ArcGIS1.0
Standard or profile used to edit metadata FGDC


Created in ArcGIS for the item 2023-04-2108:44:11
Last modified in ArcGIS for the item 2023-04-2108:43:55


Automatic updates
Have been performed Yes
Last update 2023-04-2108:43:55


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Metadata Contacts

Metadata contact
Individual's name Shannon Skalos
Organization's name California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW)
Contact's position Avian Specialist
Contact's role point of contact


Contact information


HideMetadata Contacts

Metadata Maintenance

Maintenance
Update frequency not planned


Other maintenance requirements
Last metadata review date: 20040330


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