CC SR 20210601 07 - Peafowl Census 2021
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 06/01/2021
AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Regular Business
AGENDA TITLE:
Consideration and possible action to review the 2021 Peafowl Census Report.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
(1) Receive and file the 2021 Peafowl Census Report; and
(2) Direct Staff to continue pausing the peafowl trapping program for 2021.
FISCAL IMPACT: The costs associated with the preparation of the peafowl census for
2021, which occurred in March 2021, is included in the Fiscal Year
2020-21 budget under the Code Enforcement program for
Professional Services.
Amount Budgeted: N/A
Additional Appropriation: N/A
Account Number: N/A
ORIGINATED BY: Rudy Monroy, Code Enforcement Officer RM
REVIEWED BY: Ken Rukavina, Director of Community Development
APPROVED BY: Ara Mihranian, City Manager
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
A. 2021 Peafowl Census Report (Page A-1)
B. Public Comments (Page B-1)
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION:
On August 4, 2015, the City Council adopted the Peafowl Management Plan (PMP), a
City-initiated plan to humanely manage the peafowl population within the City. This is
achieved by reducing and maintaining the peafowl population to the levels identified in
the 2000 Peafowl Census Report (134 total birds, citywide). The PMP supports the
coexistence of peafowl within the semi–rural character of the City by:
● Encouraging public education and deterrent measures; and,
● Humanely trapping and relocating up to 150 birds per year to maintain the 2000
peafowl population.
1
On April 21, 2020, City Council voted to pause the trapping program for 2020. A census
was conducted in March 2021 for the City Council’s consideration to determine whether
the trapping program should resume in Summer 2021.
2021 Peafowl Census Report
Pursuant to the PMP, each year, the City is required to conduct a census survey to
assess the current peafowl population trends and determine whether trapping should
resume. This year’s peafowl census survey was conducted by the City’s vendor, Wildlife
Services, between March 13 and 19, 2021. The census was conducted based on two
types of observations, which include roosting peafowl in trees at sunrise, and the
second using a systematic grid pattern during the late afternoon to evening hours to
count peafowl.
Attached to this report is a detailed description of the census count (Attachment A). It
should be noted that there may be an undercount of approximately 10% due to breeding
females and limited physical access. The table below summarizes the recent census
results, tracks the annual census results since 2014, and compares the 2021 census
with the 2014 baseline.
2021 Peafowl Census Summary Table
Grandview Vista
Grande Crestridge Monaco Portuguese
Bend
Sunnyside
Ridge Total
2021 Males 1 30 2 2 28 25 88
2021 Females 1 25 3 2 26 36 93
2021 Total 2 55 5 4 54 61 181
2020 4 25 3 3 43 43 121
2019 0 40 11 4 45 36 136
2018 1 40 3 3 46 37 130
2017 0 42 9 22 40 37 150
2016 4 82 13 n/a 52 57 208
2014 Census 17 71 41 n/a 85 64 278
Difference
b/n 2014 and
2021
-15 -16 -36 n/a -31 -3 -97
%Difference
b/n 2014 and
2021
- 88% -22% -88% n/a -36% -4% -35%
Difference
b/n 2020 and
2021
-2 +30 +2 +1 +11 +18 +60
2
As depicted in the table above, there has been an overall 35% reduction in the City’s
peafowl population compared to the baseline census conducted in 2014 (a census did
not occur in 2015) pursuant to Peafowl Management Plan adoption August 4, 2015.
During the 2019 trapping program, a significant amount of feedback was received from
residents requesting the City discontinue or pause the trapping to allow the population
to stabilize. In light of the lower than usual number of birds counted in three of the
program’s neighborhoods, Grandview, Crestridge and Monaco, Staff recommends that
for the following reasons, the City continue to pause the trapping program for 2021 until
a new census is conducted in 2022:
1. Conducting the 2022 census will provide an opportunity to evaluate the
peafowl population data and adjust the long-term program to maintain the
peafowl population in the neighborhoods that have a seen a decline and then
to adjust the program citywide.
2. Feedback from the community shows support for the pause in trapping to
determine if the population has stabilized.
3. Given the need to tighten budgets in light of challenges related to the COVID -
19 health crisis, the FY 2021-22 budget can be reduced by approximately
$37,000.
If the City Council pauses the trapping program for 2021, a census will be conducted in
March 2022. The census result will be presented on Spring 2020 for City Council’s
consideration to continue trapping for 2022.
Public Comments
Staff received one public comment (Attachment B) regarding the peafowl trapping
program for 2021, in which they were supporting reinstating trapping. Staff responded to
the comment that this matter will be considered by the City Council at tonight’s meeting.
Public Notification
The public will be notified of tonight’s agenda item via a listserv message and social
media. Any public comments submitted after the transmittal of this staff report will be
provided to the City Council the night of the meeting as late correspondence.
CONCLUSION:
In recent years, the peafowl trapping, and accompanying census program have
significantly reduced the peafowl population in the City. Based on the reasons stated
above, staff recommends continuing to pause trapping for 2021.
3
ALTERNATIVES:
In addition to the Staff recommendations, the following alternative actions (or some
combination thereof) are available for the City Council’s consideration:
1. Identify alternatives to trapping for Staff to research, and for the City
Council to consider at a future meeting.
2. Direct Staff to reinstate peafowl trapping program for 2021 on a per
request basis in Grandview and Sunnyside Ridge neighborhoods only,
which have seen an increase in peafowl population.
4
RANCHO PALOS VERDES 2021 PEAFOWL CENSUS
Provided by Wildlife Services
This census took place between March 13 and March 19, 2021. Two types of
observations were used. The first was counting roosting peafowl in trees at
sunrise. The second was using a systematic grid pattern during the late afternoon
to evening hours.
Listed below are the total counts for each of the six neighborhoods canvased.
These numbers represent the minimum amount of peafowl inhabiting these
neighborhoods. It is possible that there could be an undercount of up to 10%.
Reasons for this would be breeding age females already nesting, therefore on the
ground in dense vegetation and peafowl occupying deep or gated lots preventing
physical access. With that being said I am very confident with the accuracy of this
count.
GRANDVIEW 2 1 male & 1 female
CRESTRIDGE 5 2 males & 3 females
PORTUGUESE BEND 54 28 males & 26 females
VISTA GRANDE 55 30 males & 25 females
SUNNYSIDE RIDGE 61 25 males & 36 females
MONACO 4 2 males & 2 females
TOTAL COUNT 181
A-1
RANCHO PALOS VERDES 2021 PEAFOWL CENSUS
Listed below are the dates, times and addresses of each individual
sighting.
GRANDVIEW
3-13 7:06 AM one male & one female 27116 Grays Lake
3-15 zero peafowl seen
Overall total one male and one female
CRESTRIDGE
3-17 5:58 PM two male 5414 Middlecrest
6:08 PM two females 28868 Crestridge
Total 2 males & 2 females
3-18 6:34 AM one male 5203 Crestview
Total 1 male
Overall total 2 males & 2 females
PORTUGUESE BEND
3-19 6:33 AM one male 4 Kumquat
A-2
6:35 AM one male 21 Limetree
6:36 AM two males & four females 7 Limetree
6:39 AM four males & two females 10 Cherry hill
6:50 AM one male 6 Sweet bay
6:53 AM one male 20 Sweet bay
6:56 AM one male & two females 28 Sweet bay
6:58 AM two males and six females 30 Sweet bay
7:00 AM one male 68 Narcissa
7:02 AM one male 80 Narcissa
7:04 AM one male 91 Narcissa
7:15 AM Three males 3 Clovertree
7:20 AM five males and five females 6 Clovertree
7:22 AM two males and one female 8 Thyme
7:23 AM one male 39 Narcissa
7:37 AM one male 11 Narcissa
7:45 AM one male 2 Peppertree
Total 28 males and 20 females
3-18-19 5:37 PM one male and one female 10 Pepper tree
5:40 PM one male and one female 3 Pomegranate
5:41 PM one male and one female 12 Cherry Hill
5:44 PM one male 14 Lime Tree
5:43 PM three males & three females 11 Limetree
A-3
5:44 PM One male 21 Limetree
5:47 PM two males 6 Sweetbay
5:48 PM two males 15 Sweetbay
5:50 PM two males and three females 26 Sweetbay
5:56 PM two males and two females 72 Narcissa
5:58 PM one male and five females 82 Narcissa
6:01 PM two males and two females 84 Narcissa
6:05 PM two males and three females 2 cinnamon
6:10 PM one male and two females 20 Clover tree
6:15 PM three males and three females 1 Thyme
6:18 PM three males and three females 2 Peppertree
6:22 PM two males 4 Kumquat
Total 26 males and 26 females
Overall total 28 males & 26 females
VISTA GRANDE
3-14 5:47 PM three males 6948 Brookford
5:51 PM one male 6928 Brookford
5:56 PM two males & one female 6902 Ambergate
5:57 PM one male 2815 Ambergate
5:58 PM one male 7047 Hedgewood
6:00 PM two males & four females 28405 Trailriders
6:01 PM one male & one female 28703 Trailriders
A-4
6:03 PM two males 28310 Trailriders
6:07 PM two males & one female 7026 Brookford
6:08 PM one male & four females 6910 Cherty
6:14 PM two males 6939 Hedgewood
6:20 PM two males & three females 6749 Ambergate
Total 20 males & 14 females
3-16 6:40 AM three males & eleven females 28310 Trailriders
6:46 AM one male 28425 Trailriders
6:47 AM two male and one female 28511 Trailriders
6:49 AM one male 28633 Trailriders
6:58 AM one male 6917 hedgewood
7:02 AM one male & one female 6903 Willowtree
7:10 AM one male 7016 Starstone
7:12 AM one male 6924 Willowtree
7:12 AM two males 6910 Willowtree
7:13 AM one male 28888 Trailriders
7:15 AM one male & one female 6948 Brookford
7:17 AM four females 6942 Brookford
7:21 AM five males & seven females 6922 Brookford
7:23 AM one male 27911 Indian Rock
7:29 AM one male 28537 Blythewood
7:32 AM one male 6624 Eddinghill
A-5
7:32 AM two males 28132 Braidwood
7:40 AM one male 28253 Braidwood
7:42 AM one male 6630 Monero
7:46 AM one male 28070 Ella
7:48 AM one male 6811 Monero
7:48 AM one male 27935 Ambergate
7:48 AM one male 28202 Ambergate
Total 30 males and 25 females
OVERALL TOTAL 30 MALES & 25 FEMALES
Sunnyside Ridge
3-13 5:34 PM three males 93 Headland
5:37 PM one male and two females 75 Headland
5:38 PM three males and three females 26 Headland
5:41 PM two males & two females 28345 PVDE
5:45 PM three males & two females 2615 Sunnyside
5:50 PM three males & three females 2628 Sunnyside
5:54 PM two males & three females 28010 Stonegate
5:55 PM three males & five females 28024 Stonegate
5:55 PM two males and one female 28032 Stonegate
6:06 PM two males & five females 28056 Stonegate
6:10 PM one male 28215 PVDE
A-6
6:13 PM four females 3 Cayuse
Total 25 males and 30 females
3-14 6:27 AM one male 4 Mustang
6:41 AM two males and two females 3 Cayuse
6:47 AM four males and four females 24 Stallion
7:02 AM two males and twelve females 2615 Sunnyside
7:03 AM three males and thirteen females 2628 Sunnyside
7:12 AM two males 28012 Stonegate
7:13 AM two males & two females 28030 Stonegate
7:17 AM one male 28056 Stonegate
7:20 AM three males and one female 28056 Stonegate
7:27 AM two males and one female 93 Headland
Total 18 males and 36 females
OVERALL TOTAL 25 MALES & 36 FEMALES
Monaco
3-16 5:31 PM two males 30215 Rhone
5:39 PM two females 6634 Laurtec
Total 2 males & 2 females
3-15 6:42 AM one male 30215 Rhone
Total 1 male
Overall Total 2 males & 2 females
A-7
GRANDVIEW 2 1 male & 1 female
CRESTRIDGE 5 2 males & 3 females
PORTUGUESE BEND 54 28 males & 26 females
VISTA GRANDE 55 30 males & 25 females
SUNNYSIDE RIDGE 61 25 males & 36 females
MONACO 4 2 males & 2 females
TOTAL COUNT 181
A-8
1
Rudy Monroy
From:Ara Mihranian
Sent:Monday, May 24, 2021 6:41 PM
To:Rudy Monroy
Cc:Ken Rukavina
Subject:RE: peafowl
Excellent response!
From: Rudy Monroy <rmonroy@rpvca.gov>
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2021 12:55 PM
To: ankeraue@verizon.net
Cc: CC <CC@rpvca.gov>
Subject: RE: peafowl
Hi Mr. and Mrs. Raue,
My name is , Rudy Monroy and I currently oversee our City Peafowl Management Plan. Thank you for your
concerns in regards to the City's peafowl trapping program. I appreciate your opinion and concerns. On
Tuesday June 1, 2021, City Council will be considering a report from City Staff to consider reinstating peafowl
trapping for 2021. This recommendation is based on the results of the peafowl census that demonstrates a
decrease in population of 35% since the program began in 2015. Of course, City Council will make the final
decision on the future of the program. The following links are to the staff report as well as to information on
how to view and/or participate in the upcoming Council Meeting. In addition, your correspondence will be
included in a packet of information to the City Council. Please note that staff reports will be published Tuesday
evening May 25, 2021, for the Tuesday , June 1st City Council Meeting. For any additional questions please
feel free to contact me directly. Thank you again for your interest in the City's peafowl program and stay safe
as well.
https://www.rpvca.gov/agendas
https://www.rpvca.gov/participate
Thank you,
Rudy Monroy
Code Enforcement Officer
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
D (310) 544‐5296
rmonroy@rpvca.gov
City Hall is open to the public during regular business hours. To help prevent the spread of COVID‐19, visitors are
required to wear face coverings and adhere to physical distancing guidelines. Some employees are working on rotation
and may be working remotely. If you need to visit City Hall, please schedule an appointment in advance by calling the
appropriate department and follow all posted directions during your visit. Walk‐ups are limited to one person at a time.
Please note that our response to your inquiry could be delayed. For a list of department phone numbers, visit the Staff
Directory on the City website.
B-1
2
From: Anke Raue <ankeraue@verizon.net>
Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2021 10:47 AM
To: CC <CC@rpvca.gov>
Subject: peafowl
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes.
Last week we had 10 (!) peafowL in our garden, Corner of Rothrock and Trailriders.
Please keep up with the trapping program!
Regards,
Jorg and Anke Raue
28813 Rothrock Dr.
B-2