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Wildlife Program Week of March 6 – March 12, 2017
WOLF ACTIVITIES
Region 1 Wolf Activities
Wolf Internal Group Meeting: Several department staff members provided updates on
different documents for the Wolf Advisory Group and upcoming meeting. Information on a
Wolf-Livestock Management Protocol, depredation investigations, data sharing, and human
safety were some of the topics covered.
REGION 1
GOAL 1: CONSERVE AND PROTECT NATIVE FISH AND WILDLIFE
Colville National Forest Annual Meeting Update: The wildlife conflict specialist provided a
summary of 2016 and an outlook for 2017 on wolf conflict on the Colville National Forest.
Winter/spring planning associated with wolf-livestock interactions was also discussed with the
biologists.
Pend Oreille County Town Hall Meeting: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Bennet,
Regional Director Pozzanghera, and WDFW Officer Erickson were invited to a town hall
meeting put on by the Pend Oreille County Commissioners to discuss wildlife concerns
in Ione. Most of the evening was spent sharing concerns of cougar activity in north Pend
Oreille County.
GOAL 2: PROVIDE SUSTAINABLE FISHING, HUNTING AND OTHER
WILDLIFE-RELATED RECREATIONAL AND COMMERICAL EXPERIENCES
Elk Captures: Wildlife Biologist Annemarie Prince, Elk Specialist Brock Hoenes,
Ungulate Researcher Melia Devivo, and Wildlife Veterinarian Kristin Mansfield finished
up the second round of aerial elk captures in northeast Washington as part of the
predator-prey project. In addition to the capture crew, aerially elk “spotting” was
conducted by Wildlife Biologists Dana Base, Trent Roussin, Jared Oyster, and Deer
Specialist Sara Hansen. In total, 34 elk were radio-collared in the 2017 effort, with a
focus on Game Management Units (GMUs) 117 and 121. Future elk captures are
planned next winter to bolster the sample size.
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Wildlife Veterinarian Kristin Mansfield, Elk Specialist Brock Hoenes, and Ungulate
Researcher Melia Devivo process elk
Youth Turkey Hunting Opportunities: Natural Resource Technician Wade submitted multiple
youth season turkey hunting opportunities into the Hunt by Reservation webpage. Wade also
contacted Private Lands administrative personnel to get these hunt opportunities approved and
uploaded to the public hunt opportunities webpage.
Several elk mostly hidden in mixed woodland in
GMU 117 A cow elk freshly outfitted
with a GPS radio-collar
subsequent to capture
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GOAL 3: PROMOTE A HEALTHY ECONOMY, PROTECT COMMUNITY
CHARACTER, MAINTAIN AN OVERALL HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE, AND
DELIVER HIGH-QUALITY CUSTOMER SERVICE
Steptoe Butte State Park: Supervisor McCanna and Private Lands Biologist Gaston attended a
public meeting held by Washington State Parks in Colfax to discuss planning steps for Steptoe
Butte. The non-crop portion encompassing over 400 acres on the south side of Steptoe Butte was
sold from a private individual to Steptoe Butte Prairie Reserve LLC. This property has been
enrolled in a WDFW hunting access program for over 15 years and is currently enrolled in the
Hunt by Reservation program. The new owners are looking to possibly donate this land to the
state park, but would like hunting to continue. McCanna and Gaston met with the new owners to
set up a meeting for them to sign a hunting access contract, as they feel very strongly about
keeping this land open to the public. McCanna also discussed the current hunting calendar with
State Parks personnel and the new owners.
REGION 2
GOAL 1: CONSERVE AND PROTECT NATIVE FISH AND WILDIFE
Wildlife Management
Pygmy Rabbit Winter Burrow Surveys: Coordinator Gallie, Biologist Zinke, and Technician
Hastings continued burrow surveys after one of the last gasps of winter and fresh tracking snow.
The goal was to re-sample some burrows that surveyors recorded as cottontail or as pygmy
rabbit, but where no samples were collected due to low activity. We confirmed most of the
original designations, but three burrows that either no sample was taken or listed as cottontail
were confirmed pygmy and samples were taken. Approaching about 95% of survey areas
completed, we have found 150 active burrow systems thus far (90 found last year). Additionally,
we searched a Department of Natural Resources (DNR) owned CRP field to the north of the
Sagebrush Flats Wildlife Area that never had occupancy before. We were rewarded by finding
two active burrows in close proximity, which now represent the most northern documentation
(1.6 km from the nearest know burrow) of pygmy rabbits since the project began in 2011. We
only completed about a third of the field and will assess snow conditions for completing the
remainder.
Private Lands/Access
Habitat Plot Mentoring: Biologist Stonehouse toured habitat plots with Manager Cotton and
Technician Steele to see what was growing, how plots looked, and to get a feel for what kind of
work is done in these areas. Although it was still too early in the season to determine how
successful herbicide treatments were from fall 2016, perennial grass seedlings were found.
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Irrigated shrub strip plantings – Photo by
Kourtney Stonehouse Irrigated shrub strip planting in the
background (rocky mountain juniper), with
fall 2016 herbicide treated field in the
foreground with residual Russian thistle – Photo by Kourtney Stonehouse
State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE): Private Lands Biologist Braaten worked on
adjusting Mid Contract Management (MCM) waiver issues. State FSA wasn’t comfortable with
the COC waiver or WDFW’s request for a waiver of that many acres. State FSA felt a waiver
this large should go to a National FSA committee to get approval, which could take considerable
time and has a track record of no approvals. For the sake of progress, WDFW employees Kuttle,
Braaten, and Comstock met to discuss options to MCM issues. The results were to develop a new
letter that specified suggested practices and language to protect new habitat. The letter was sent
to the Douglas County FSA. WDFW is working on getting, at minimum, a state waiver on leave
area acreage on the 2010 SAFE fields which total approximately 1500 acres. Private Lands
Biologist Braaten also shared MCM letters with Private Lands Biologist Baarstad to be used for
Lincoln County SAFE MCM. Private Lands Biologist Braaten will be meeting with landowners
this spring/summer to discuss Mid Contract Management.
GOAL 2: PROVIDE SUSTAINABLE FISHING, HUNTING AND OTHER WILDLIFE-
RELATED RECREATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL EXPERIENCES
Private Lands/Access
Wild Turkey Hunting Clinic: Private
Lands Biologist Braaten assisted Chuck
Ray in Hunter Education with a wild
turkey hunting clinic.
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GOAL 3: PROMOTE A HEALTHY ECONOMY, PROTECT COMMUNITY CHARACTER,
MAINTAIN AN OVERALL HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE, AND DELIVER HIGH-QUALITY
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Wildlife Areas
Beebe Springs Unit: Manager Fox participated in the preconstruction meeting with Michael De
La Cruz (CAMP), Kevin Faulk and Kevin Monroe (Yakima Shop), and Dr. Stan Gough (EWU
Archaeological and Historic Services) to finalize the construction schedule, review the
requirements for archeological monitoring, and go over the scope of the project. Installation of
the first trail wayfinding sign will begin at 7:30 a.m. on March 28, followed by seven more trail
signs, five interpretive signs, five
kiosk panels, and 12 stainless steel
fish and bird art pieces on the
kiosks. Finally, the silt fence
remains from last year’s
construction of Frank’s Pond will
be removed. By April 7, the crew
will be done and all of the planned
construction at Beebe Springs will
be done.
Welcome panel to be installed at
Beebe Springs
REGION 3
GOAL 1: CONSERVE AND PROTECT NATIVE FISH AND WILDIFE
Wildlife Areas
L.T. Murray Wildlife Area: Natural Resource
Technician Leuck made room in the Watt barn
for a new shipment of hay.
All the hay that is left in the Watt Barn
Winter Feeding Update: Elk numbers jumped
up this week with a count at Watt yielding 718
head, with 90 bulls, and 600 estimated in
Robinson. Heavy snow hit the area early in the
week, possibly pushing more elk into the feed
sites. The elk are in seasonally good condition,
with just a few limpers in each lot. There was one calf mortality this week in Watt, bringing the
total mortalities up to seven for the year (five calves, one bull, and one cow). The weather next
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week continues to warm up, with highs in the lower 50s and lows in the lower 30s. There are 81
bales of hay left in the Watt barn and, if feeding continues as is, there is enough hay to last until
Saturday, March 18. We are expecting a shipment of hay to keep us going sometime into next
week.
Oak Creek Wildlife Area: Oak Creek staff members, with help from Sunnyside staff members
and volunteers, continued with winter feeding operations at all feed sites. Elk numbers remain at
high levels at all feed sites, although elk are starting to leave the feed sites to graze on the open
southern aspects. Approximately 200 elk in Cowiche have been observed grazing north of
Cowiche Mill Road. On March 13, only four elk were observed at the Junction feed site and no
hay was put out. At the Nile feed site, numbers were below average a couple of days presumably
due to human activity.
Bighorn Rams Found Dead: Manager Mackey received a message from a hiker that 10 bighorn
rams were found dead on Cleman Mountain. Manager Mackey, LEO Caton, LEO Meyers, and
District Biologist Bernatowicz investigated and recovered eight mature ram heads. The cause of
death is presumed to be winter
starvation. Samples were taken by
District Biologist Bernatowicz and sent
off for testing. This makes a total of 15
confirmed ram mortalities this year in
the Cleman population.
One of eight deceased rams recovered
on Cleman Mountain
Elk eating at Robinson Elk posing nicely for a picture in Robinson
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Another ram mortality on Cleman Mountain
Peak Elk Counts for Week
Headquarters – 1208
Junction – 215
Nile – 381
Sheep – 160
Cowiche – 1650
Winter Weather: Temperatures continue to be cool
during the week, with highs around 50 and lows
dropping to just below freezing. Temperatures this
coming week will see highs in the 50s and lows at or
just above freezing. Hillsides are continuing to open up
in some locations, especially with increased rainfall, but
access to forage remains poor. Elk are in seasonally fair
condition and bulls have started shedding antlers.
Winter Feeding at Mellotte Feed Site: The site had 926 animals. Feeding continues with no
letup yet. Elk continue to be in seasonally fair condition. Another one of the spotted calves died
on the feed site, bringing the known total up to 15 (one cow, one bull, and 13 calves). With the
warmer weather, the elk seem to be getting spring itch to get on the move.
Winter Weather: South-facing slopes are continuing to open up at the lower to mid-elevations,
but there is no green-up yet. High temperatures during the week varied from the 40s to the upper
50s, with six inches of snow Sunday night and into Monday and another two inches on Tuesday.
Temperatures at night were in the 20s to low 30s. The forecast for the coming week is for several
systems to move through, bringing rain and temperatures in the 50s. Lows are expected to range
from the upper 20s to upper 30s. Flood warnings have been issued for the valley.
Sunnyside Wildlife Area: Natural Resource Technician Medina and Assistant Manager Sak
helped with elk feeding when needed at the Oak Creek Wildlife Area.
Owls: Assistant Manager
Kaelber observed a pair of
horned owls nesting at the
Windmill Ranch Unit. Spring is
in the air as large numbers of
ducks and geese are returning to
the wildlife area.
Snow geese at the Windmill
Ranch Unit
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Wildlife Management
Washington Ground Squirrels: District Wildlife Biologist Fidorra conducted surveys for
Washington ground squirrels as part of the statewide survey effort. Squirrels were detected at
two of three sites. Fidorra participated in the survey conference call to discuss protocols and
strategy now that deep snow has delayed the survey in many locations. Fidorra used the new
Survey123 ground squirrel data form to collect and enter survey data online and found it very
useful and intuitive. Fidorra also coordinated with USFWS personnel who will be assisting with
WDFW squirrel surveys on their properties.
Sage Grouse: District Wildlife Biologist Fidorra and Listing and Recovery Section Manager
Anderson discussed and finalized an agenda for the upcoming Washington sage grouse technical
team meeting.
Burrowing Owls: District Wildlife Biologist Fidorra coordinated maintenance checks with
volunteers who visited and improved artificial borrowing owl burrows for the upcoming season.
Fidorra also checked some sites and owls were already present at several locations.
Sagebrush Songbird Surveys: District Wildlife Biologist Fidorra provided data collection and
entry training to the Audubon volunteers who are conducting the annual sagebrush songbird
survey this spring. Fidorra met Audubon volunteers on Saturday to conduct the training at their
planning meeting.
Deer and Elk Survey Data: District Wildlife Biologist Fidorra prepared and provided deer and
elk survey data to Section Manager Nelson in preparation for the commission meeting.
Bighorn Sheep Mortality: Biologist Bernatowicz responded to a report of 10 adult rams dead in
one small area of Cleman Mountain with Manager Mackey and Officers Caton and Myers. The
animals had been dead a while, but two animals were still intact. Femurs were examined on the
other skeletons. It appeared all animals had died of starvation. Samples were taken to test for the
bacteria Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae. Lab results were negative. Eight heads were collected
and two were already gone. A few of the fresh skulls were cut open to examine for sinus tumors
White fronted geese in corn stubble at the
Windmill Ranch Unit Female great horned owl on a nest at the
Windmill Ranch Unit
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and were negative. To date, 15 rams are known to have died. It is very unusual that the rams
have not been visiting the feed site since early January.
Elk Harvest Data: Biologist Bernatowicz reviewed draft estimates for general season elk
harvest. The estimates were within the historic range, but not entirely logical. True-spike harvest
increased in the Colockum herd by 20 percent despite the 26 percent decrease in March 2016
calves that would have produced the available spike-bulls. The draft general season harvest in
the Yakima herd was down 22 percent and 48 percent for bulls and antlerless.
GOAL 2: PROVIDE SUSTAINABLE FISHING, HUNTING AND OTHER WILDLIFE-
RELATED RECREATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL EXPERIENCES
Wildlife Areas
Wenas Wildlife Area: Manager Confer Morris attended the green dot meeting organized by
DNR to give the public a chance to review and comment on green dot maps prior to printing.
Manager Confer Morris provided a copy of the DNR Green Dot agreement to Captain Weaver
for his review and comments. She also sent photos and information to Officer Myers on the
vehicle that had been stuck on the Sheep Company shooting area.
L.T. Murray Wildlife Area: Manager Babik attended a public meeting to review the
Cooperative Green Dot Management System maps. Babik fielded questions from the public
regarding road management in Green Gate.
Wildlife Management
Turkey Seasons: Private Lands Biologist Stutzman met with PSE staff members and Sgt. Grant
in Vantage to discuss using the reservation for the turkey season, review the 2016 hunting
season, and discuss changes for 2017.
One of the emaciated rams Rams heads collected off Cleman Mountain
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Feel Free to Hunt and Fish Property: Private Lands Biologist Stutzman visited a property
owned by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in the Yakima Canyon that has been in Feel Free to
Hunt and is being considered for Feel Free to Fish. The property doesn’t provide much hunting
value and has some parking and safety concerns.
GOAL 3: PROMOTE A HEALTHY ECONOMY, PROTECT COMMUNITY CHARACTER,
MAINTAIN AN OVERALL HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE, AND DELIVER HIGH-QUALITY
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Wildlife Areas
L.T. Murray Wildlife Area: Manager Babik and Assistant Manager Winegeart met with
Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) Project Manager Demorest to discuss interpretive content for a
kiosk to be constructed in Taneum as an Eagle Scout project.
Wildlife Management
Fruit Operations: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand patrolled multiple tree fruit and wine grape
operations in southern Benton County. Warmer spring temperatures this past week has new
grape plant growth beginning to show. Several nonlethal strategies are being implemented to
reduce deer activity in these areas.
Elk Fencing: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand traveled to the Tampico area of Yakima County
to assist landowners with elk exclusionary fencing repair and protect haystacks that are currently
being raided. New fence designs were discussed to handle current pressure from elk.
Elk Conflict: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand received and handled a complaint from a
landowner in the Tampico area concerning elk destroying haystacks and electrified fencing to
their horse facility. Nonlethal corrective measures were discussed and a site visit was scheduled.
Deer Damage: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand received a call from a wheat producer in the
Kahlotus area wanting to submit a formal damage complaint for deer damage. All required
procedures were discussed and contact information was provided to initiate a claim.
Propane Cannons: Conflict Specialist Wetzel obtained two propane cannons for use in Thorp
and Kittitas and also delivered several others for possible repair.
Elk Removal: Conflict Specialist Wetzel and USDA removed elk at night this week. One elk
was removed and elk responded by leaving the area for the longest period since early
fall. Numbers are still over 80 elk.
Fladry Fence: Elk fladry fence was removed from a Cle Elum location where elk had torn it
down. The landowner was unhappy that elk stayed at his livestock feeding operation all
winter. Changes the landowner suggested will be used next year to try to alter winter elk
behavior at his location.
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Elk Fence Repair: The double fladry electric elk fence was repaired this week by Conflict
Specialist Wetzel in preparation of elk movements in the area. The fence protects a new seeding
field and more fencing will be placed this week in an effort to keep moving elk out of the
field. Volunteers and propane cannons will be placed at the location during this critical time
when the field is soft and potentially vulnerable to elk and deer damage.
GOAL 4: BUILD AN EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT ORGANIZATION BY
SUPPORTING OUR WORKFORCE, IMPROVING BUSINESS PROCESSES, AND
INVESTING IN TECHNOLOGY
Wildlife Areas
Wenas Wildlife Area: Manager Confer Morris and Assistant Manager Taylor met to discuss
staffing and equipment needs for the Fiscal Year 2018 BPA contract and for the Fiscal Year
2018 – Fiscal Year 2027 Categorical Review budget. Manager Confer Morris finalized the BPA
Fiscal Year 2018 – Fiscal Year 2027 Categorical Review budget and provided it to Vegetation
Ecologist Merg.
Feed Truck Repairs: Kenworth has started repairs on the feed truck to replace a front bearing
that went out. Parts have been taking longer to get in due to it being an aftermarket front end.
They expect to have the work done by the early part of the coming week. So far the backup feed
truck, our old 1973 Ford, is hanging in there.
L.T. Murray Wildlife Area: Assistant Manager Winegeart met with Kittitas County Weed
Coordinator Marc Eyler to discuss past and future weed tracking on and near the L.T. Murray
Wildlife Area. Eyler was able to upload relevant shape files to Winegeart’s Terrain Navigator
Pro as an overlay. Winegeart is looking into getting an online GIS account to make sharing files
with the county and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) easier.
Sunnyside Wildlife Area: Assistant Manager Sak, along with Lands Agent Hendrix, met with
two landowners and an appraiser to look at three properties for sale. Two of the properties are
near Ponds 4 and 5 of the I-82 Ponds Unit. The third property is along the river next to the
Headquarters Unit. All three properties would give us continuous ownership on both units.
REGION 4
GOAL 1: CONSERVE AND PROTECT NATIVE FISH AND WILDLIFE
Wildlife Management
White-nose Syndrome Monitoring, Bat Health, and Bat Conservation: District 12 met with
landowners for high elevation work this late winter/spring, and also participated in internal
discussions regarding bat management and collaborative efforts. Time was spent examining
equipment needs and purchasing was processed as time allowed.
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District 12 examined areas where there is a
desire to survey further this spring due to
fall activity noted – Photo by Biologist Anderson,
WDFW
Please report bat roosts and sick or dead bats
here (PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD OF
THIS WEBSITE AND NEED TO REPORT
ROOSTS, DEAD OR SICK BATS IN WA):
http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/health/wns
Take Authorization: District 12 continues to
provide consultation and suggested planning
efforts, mainly to municipal entities, regarding state wildlife take consideration needs. District
12 is reviewing and issuing nest destruction take permits, mainly for osprey, as they come in.
Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN): District 13 followed up with planning for
SGCN species survey activities identified in the recent biennial work planning process. Staff
members utilized resources provided by GIS personnel to train on several new electronic survey
form applications, geo-referenced PDF field maps, and new GIS layers in the agency
GeoDatabases. Access
surveys were performed to
evaluate field survey access
in light of the heavy
snowpack.
Surveying low elevation
talus slopes for American
pika is one of the many
Species of Greatest
Conservation Need
activities planned in
District 13 this field season
Seattle City Light Wildlife Research Grants Program: Biologist Yarborough reviewed grants
for the Seattle City Light Wildlife Research Grants Program. The mission of the Seattle City
Light Wildlife Research Program is to support research on wildlife resources and wildlife
habitats existing in the U.S. portion of the North Cascades ecosystem, emphasizing the Skagit
watershed project area.
Whatcom County Amphibian Monitoring Program Oregon Spotted Frog Project: Biologist
DeBruyn attended and helped facilitate a training day for volunteers being oriented to field work
coming up in Whatcom County to survey for Oregon spotted frogs.
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Spotted frog with eggs
Swan Mortality and Morbidity Project: The public swan reporting hotline has picked
up in the amount of calls with the migration
north and the swan flocking together.
Biologist Zimmerman made it to the majority
of all the roost sites in Whatcom, Skagit, and
N. Snohomish counties with minor
occurrences of sick or dead birds. Two
trumpeter swans that were rehabilitated after
testing positive with lead poisoning were
released back into the wild at the Lake Terrell
Unit. Additional samples were taken from 11 birds.
Wildlife Areas
Lake Terrell Dam Water Flow: Natural Resource Technician Deyo checked the Lake Terrell
Dam and made sure there were no blockages of the water flow from beavers. Lake Terrell is
completely full, so the dam overflow valve needs to be wide open to allow the most water to
flow out of Terrell Creek to prevent flooding.
GOAL 2: PROVIDE SUSTAINABLE FISHING, HUNTING AND OTHER WILDLIFE-
RELATED RECREATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL EXPERIENCES
Wildlife Management
Three-year Package Kick-off: District 12 re-examined harvest needs and proposals and is
moving forward in a stepwise fashion to submit with internal and external co-management
consultation.
GMU 450: District 13 evaluated access and general habitat types in GMU 450 for big game
surveys. The heavy snowpack will likely lead to a later start date for surveys.
Snoqualmie Wildlife Area Draft Plan: District 13 worked on a short write-up on Wilson’s
snipe surveys that were conducted on portions of the wildlife area in 2012. The technician
provided a report of findings at the end of the project, but that report needs much editing and
interpretation. District 13 began the re-write, selecting relevant information for the plan.
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Bat Maternity Roost Site Evaluation: District 13 and 14 biologists toured the
inside of a local grange hall that houses a
large maternity roost to evaluate its
suitability for substrate sampling for the PD
fungus that causes white-nose
syndrome. We learned of the site late last
summer. Exit surveys at that time
indicated use by little brown bats, a species
that is highly susceptible to white-nose
syndrome. The grange caretaker said large
numbers of bats have used the grange for
many years and we will return earlier in the
season to get more accurate counts and
species identification. However, the site is not suitable for substrate sampling because of
constraints related to accessing the attic where bats are congregating.
Wildlife Areas
Snoqualmie Wildlife Area Bird Dog Training Area Expansion: Snoqualmie Wildlife Area
Manager Brian Boehm responded to communications from hunters, individual dog trainers, and
wildlife watching user groups about concerns they have about the bird dog training area
expansion proposal.
Skagit Wildlife Area: Fish and Wildlife Biologist Meis and Natural Resource Technician
Cosgrove monitored drainage and waterfowl use on the Island and Samish units. More boards
were removed at the Samish Unit to further draw down water in certain ditches and fields.
Cosgrove and Meis removed the remaining boards from both Seattle Pond and Barnfield water
control structures on the tidegates on the Island Unit and opened a screw gate that drains
Lorenzen Field. Ducks are continuing to feed at both units, and there are about 40 swans feeding
on areas of yellow nutsedge and corn on the Island Unit.
Lake Terrell and Intalco Unit Water Controls: Natural Resource Technician Deyo checked
all the water controls on the Lake Terrell and Intalco units. He cleaned debris that beavers had
piled up on the protective fence screens, making sure there was good water flow.
Lake Terrell Island Area Closure: Manager Kessler and Natural Resource Technician Deyo
installed the island area closure signs to protect nesting waterfowl. The island area of Lake
Terrell is closed to the public from March 1 to July 1 to prevent disturbance to the waterfowl
nesting on them.
15
Lake Terrell Island Area closure signs
to protect nesting waterfowl
Building Materials Recovery and
Recycling: Manager Kessler and Natural
Resource Technicians Deyo and Otto
worked with Whatcom County Parks to
recover and recycle building materials
where an old storage barn was
demolished at Hovander Park. They
loaded up four truckloads of plywood,
wood posts, fencing materials, and
dimensional lumber and brought it to the
wildlife area headquarters at Lake
Terrell. They cleaned up and rearranged
the wood storage area and deposited all the new material. These materials will be used on the
wildlife area and for private lands for upcoming projects.
Private Lands/Access Management
Waterfowl Quality Hunt Program: The majority of the units are completed with equipment
and supplies prepared for offseason storage. Several units are still inaccessible due to very wet
conditions. Natural Resource Technician Otto organized and stored a variety of signage
associated with the Private Lands Access Program. Otto implemented and monitored field
drainage at sites where the Private Lands Access Program has partnered with landowners to
increase sheet water levels in fields.
Pheasant Hunting Opportunities: Private Lands Biologist Wingard toured Whidbey Island this
week and met with partner landowners to discuss potential changes and improvements to
recreational opportunities on the island. It is very early in the year, so the responses centered on,
“let’s wait and see”. Private Lands Supervisory Biologist Caldwell met with District Biologist
Yarborough to discuss and organize a potential list of contacts for private land pheasant hunting
opportunities in Skagit County. Supervisor Caldwell will be contacting people next week to
discuss matters.
San Juan Island Wildlife Viewing Coordination: Private Lands Supervisory Biologist
Caldwell coordinated with San Juan Audubon and San Juan County Land Bank personnel about
setting up a meeting to discuss future collaborative projects and ideas.
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GOAL 3: PROMOTE A HEALTHY ECONOMY, PROTECT COMMUNITY CHARACTER,
MAINTAIN AN OVERALL HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE, AND DELIVER HIGH-QUALITY
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Wildlife Management
Osprey Nest Removal Permits: District 13 consulted with one entity in need of permission to
work on a tower that contains an osprey nest. The tower was actually in District 12, but staff
members were unavailable and the request was time-sensitive. Therefore, District 13
responded. This kind of situation highlights the need for one point of contact regarding osprey
nests, to better serve the public.
ALEA Grant Review: District 13 reviewed and scored six ALEA grant applications. We
expect about 90 applications total. Grants are reviewed as time permits on a weekly basis to
avoid having to score them all at once at the end of the review period and to provide the most
thoughtful review of each application possible.
Wings Over Water: Biologist DeBruyn manned a viewing station at the annual bird watching
festival emphasizing marine birds on the waterfront of Blaine and Drayton Harbors. Attendance
was good in spite of typical lousy weather. Many intrepid bird watchers braved gale force winds
and rain to view the excellent assortment of loons, grebes, scoters, and sea ducks present along
the waterfront.
Red-throated loon at “Wings Over Water” in Drayton Harbor
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Barrow’s goldeneye and horned grebes on a rainy day in Blaine
Ungulate Conflict Management: Wildlife Conflict Supervisor Caldwell contacted several
different landowners about deer-related conflict matters in urban areas. All individuals were
provided information on how to mitigate future conflicts. Supervisor Caldwell coordinated with
the Skagit County Gardner’s Society about an upcoming public meeting to discuss black-tailed
deer, other wildlife, and how gardeners can mitigate conflict with these species in Skagit County.
Biologist Smith responded with Officer Apple to a report of an injured deer in a residential
neighborhood. The buck had apparently been struck by vehicles on multiple occasions over the
past days/weeks. Injuries sustained by the buck were deemed too severe and the animal was
euthanized. The carcass will be used in research activities. Smith and Officer Apple also
responded to a report of multiple elk being struck by vehicles along I-90. Two small bulls had
been hit and were lying within 50 meters of the freeway. One was found D.O.A. and the second
was euthanized. Both animals were claimed by citizens under the salvage rule. The monthly
meeting of the Upper Snoqualmie Valley Elk Management Group was attended. Their annual
elk survey, trapping efforts, and elk/vehicle collisions were discussed. Smith also coordinated
placement of a South Sound Master Hunter permit holder on an agricultural property sustaining
damage to grass crops. Smith set up a couple projects in Cervis for Master Hunter volunteers to
be able to enter hours they participate on wildlife-related projects in King County. Smith
continued to maintain cameras monitoring elk activity near Enumclaw and Maple Valley.
Beaver Conflict Management: Wildlife Conflict Supervisor Caldwell responded to a resident in
the Arlington area about a possible beaver relocation. Biologist Caldwell informed the resident
of what options were available. The resident was happy to hear back from someone regarding her
wishes to not apply lethal removal strategies. After a good discussion, the resident was provided
information on how she could possibly live with the beaver, beaver-proof her property, and
possibly not have to remove the animal.
Wildlife Areas
Snoqualmie Wildlife Area Management Plan Update Process: Snoqualmie Wildlife Area
Manager Brian Boehm coordinated with planning team members to advance the progress on the
Wildlife Area Management Plan update process. Manager Boehm set up a meeting with the dog
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training sub-group to discuss the maintenance plan for the designated bird dog training area at
Cherry Valley. Manager Boehm also provided input to the upcoming presentation to the
Commission on dog training concerns on the Snoqualmie Wildlife Area.
Fir Island Farm: Biologist Meis performed snow geese/swan surveys for Fir Island Farms and
Fir Island, and a waterfowl/shorebird survey at the Fir Island Farms Unit this week. Manager
Rotton assisted Environmental Planner Friebel with the operation of the Fir Island Farm Pump
station.
Johnson DeBay’s Slough Reserve: Natural Resource Technician Cosgrove continued
monitoring waterfowl use in the Nookachamps Creek and Johnson/DeBay's Slough unit areas.
Cosgrove entered recent data onto a spreadsheet.
Skagit Headquarters: Biologist Meis and Natural Resource Technician Cosgrove, with the
assistance of Weed Crew Biologist Daniel Zimmerman, repositioned and attached sheer logs
together and around pilings at the new pump station on the Wiley Slough Headquarters
Unit. Natural Resource Technician Cosgrove added up acres of planted, manipulated, and
mowed areas on the Island Unit for the years 2013-2016 to be included in the wildlife area
management plan update. Cosgrove cleaned three wood duck boxes at the Headquarters Unit and
prepared them for nesting season. Manager Rotton monitored and operated the Wiley Slough
pump station. Rotton coordinated with local contractors for the repair of a pump and the
cleaning of the pump vault. The pump is scheduled to be reinstalled next week.
Private Lands/Access Management
Waterfowl Quality Hunt Program Analysis: Private Lands Biologist Wingard organized and
entered data collected this waterfowl season at Waterfowl Quality Hunt unit sites. This
information was gathered by Region 4 Private Lands staff members, five volunteers, and
waterfowl hunters who filled out harvest report and hunter satisfaction cards at the sites. The
analysis of this data will allow Private Lands personnel to determine use and success at each of
our sites. This information provides Private Lands personnel a clearer picture of which sites are
productive, and how different management styles lead to differences in hunt quality.
GOAL 4: SUPPORTING OUR WORKFORCE, IMPROVING BUSINESS PROCESSES,
AND INVESTING IN TECHNOLOGY
Wildlife Management
Field Season Preparations: District 13 prepared for upcoming field activities with equipment
research and purchase, vessel maintenance, and rabies vaccine procurement.
REGION 5
No report submitted this week.
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REGION 6
GOAL 1: CONSERVE AND PROTECT NATIVE FISH AND WILDIFE
Wildlife Management
Taylor’s Checkerspot Butterfly Comments for Safe Harbor Agreement: Biologist Ament
spent time on March 7 reviewing a draft Safe Harbor Agreement that was prepared by a
consultant for a landowner in District 16. The landowner has a known population of Taylor’s
checkerspot butterflies on their large property. The agreement is with USFWS. The goal is to
conserve and protect the butterflies while offering assurances to the landowner that no additional
management activities are required and that Section 9 of the ESA will not apply to the incidental
take of the butterflies on the property. Biologist Ament felt the document was lacking content in
many areas. The document needed supplemental information about existing habitat conditions
and should address future habitat improvement needs. She was disappointed to see that WDFW
was not mentioned in serving any role with future Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly monitoring or
management at this unique site. She summarized all her comments and provided them as
requested by the deadline to Dave Hays.
Trumpeter Swan Monitoring – Volunteer Report from March 8: “Kendra and I had a busy
morning looking for all the swans we could find since it maybe will be our last survey when most
of them are around. They did not disappoint. I went down Schmuck/Pt Williams to check out the
field off Graysmarsh and Holland because I had seen a large group of swans there on Monday at
8:15am. No swans were there yesterday but there were groups on both sides of Schmuck and in
the Graysmarsh fields (where the buildings are but mostly out of sight because of the tree-break.
Kendra and I decided to count on Schmuck Road first. Anyway, at around 9am we counted 158
(23 juveniles) swans all on the east side of the road in the rolling fields. It is hard to get a good
count when there are so many and, of course, they are moving and sleeping among the rolling
mounds. We saw 4 more (2 juveniles) off Pt Williams Rd in the Graysmarsh property as I
described above. We went on to the airport in Carlsborg, saw 12 swans (4 juveniles) at the far
corner of the plowed field east and south of the runway near the trail. Looking back there were
also an adult pair behind us in the green grass right in front of the runways crossing each other.
There was an adult pair in the lower part of Lamar right near the cow barn. Off Anderson, in the
carrot field next to the road we counted only 15 (3 juveniles); perhaps the large group last week
had eaten all the good stuff. Went down Towne Rd and while there were no swans on the west
side of the road by the dairy, we saw another adult pair on the east side of the road. Finally, we
went over the bridge on Woodcock to Ward and saw another 29 swans (11 juveniles) in the
second field over. Our total for the day was 223 with 43 juveniles.”
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Location Adults Juveniles Total
PWSR 137 25 162
Airport 10 4 14
Lamar 2 0 2
CFCF 11 3 14
Towne 2 0 2
Ward 18 11 29
Total 180 43 223
Great Dungeness Swan Count: On March 3, a group of local volunteers conducted the Great
Dungeness Swan Count (GDSC), appropriately named by Bob Phreaner. They wanted to see if
using a different survey method may prove useful. Monitoring is currently conducted one day a
week. The survey team drives around to check all known possible swan locations. It is well
documented that the swan groups do move locations during the day. The GDSC was proposed to
have several observers all counting at the same time during the day.
Summary Report (provided by Bob Boekelheide): “Right about the stroke of 12 noon, Dee Renee
Ericks counted swans at Port Williams/Schmuck Rd, Laura Davis counted the Clapp Farm, Enid
Phreaner counted Lamar/Game Farm area, and I counted Delta Farm, Ward & Woodcock, and
the ODT/Carlsborg airport. We likely missed some swans along the way. Ideally we should have
had two or three more counters covering some other areas. For example, swans have been
hanging out at Medsker and Holland Rds, which we missed last Friday. But our general
impression is that the swans have started to decrease in numbers. Could they have gobbled up
all the available carrots at the Clapp Farm? They seemed to be more scattered, as you’ve likely
noticed. The format seems to work well. Maybe this is a method to use in future years if swans
continue to increase and it becomes too time-consuming for one group in one car to count all the
areas in one day.”
Trumpeter Swans counted on March 3 around the Sequim/Dungeness Valley:
Location Adults Juveniles Total
Port Williams/Schmuck Road 22 20 42
Delta Farm/Towne Road 4 0 4
3 Crabs/Roberta Pond 0 0 0
Clapp Farm/Huber Carrot Farm 23 15 38
Lamar Road 5 0 5
Duck club southwest of Game
Farm 4 1 5
Ward & Woodcock roads 55 0 55
Carlsborg/Sequim Valley Airport 7 3 10
Total 120 39 159
Percent juveniles = 24.5%
21
Oregon Spotted Frogs: Biologists Tirhi began Oregon spotted frog surveys in the Black River
watershed last week. Water levels were higher than normal for March and temperatures were
lower, making unfavorable conditions for spotted frog egg-laying (ovipositioning). Several
known breeding sites either had fewer or no eggs laid yet. For this reason, additional surveys
were postponed until the week of March 13.
Tirhi, along with several USFWS and volunteers, was able to complete the first sweep of the
Salmon Creek oviposition location with over 60 egg masses counted.
Oregon spotted frog survey sweep along
Salmon Creek, Thurston County
Oregon spotted frog egg mass located in
higher than average water levels March 2017
22
Oregon spotted frog egg masses
Taylor’s Checkerspot Captive Rearing: Cool conditions
since early December were believed to be beneficial to
diapausing Taylor’s checkerspot larvae in captivity, as
warm overnight temperatures the past two years were
believed to have been a factor in higher than normal
mortality rates at the Oregon Zoo. Up until late February,
all larvae were looking healthy at both rearing facilities,
with low levels of movement reported overwinter.
Unfortunately, high numbers of larvae then perished at the
Oregon Zoo for unexplained reasons. This is the fourth
consecutive year we have experienced unusually high
mortality just as larvae emerge from diapause (i.e.,
hibernation). Diapause survival is typically about 98
percent, and no unusual patterns have been observed at the
Mission Creek facility. Extensive pathology testing has not
provided any meaningful cues. In a last ditch effort to determine whether an unidentified
pathogen is the cause, the Oregon Zoo is performing a test of Koch’s postulates, a controlled test
to deliberately spread illness to otherwise healthy larvae. To do this, Plantago leaves will be
dipped into a liquefied concoction of the dead and dying larvae, and then fed to replicate groups
of healthy larvae. Both Oregon Zoo and Mission Creek larvae are being tested.
The Oregon Zoo is also working with a local lab in Portland (Synergistic Pesticide Lab) to test
larval specimens for Chlorothalonil (fungicide) and the 4-hydroxy metabolite it produces, which
can be several times more toxic than the pesticide itself. Back in spring 2015, a food sample
removed from bins with sick larvae was tested for 513 pesticide residues and their metabolites,
and found to contain 0.02 ppm of Chlorothalonil. However, samples from both food source
locations tested negative on all counts and we were unable to track the source of the
pesticide. Larvae need to be tested directly to determine whether they sequestered the
Chlorothalonil or its metabolite, and whether concentrations were sufficiently high or widespread
to explain the observed mortality. We are searching for any other leads that might reveal the
source of the problem.
Taylor’s Checkerspot Reintroduction: Thanks to an abundance of help from our conservation
partners, Biologists Linders and Randolph successfully released about 1860 larvae at Glacial
Heritage on Friday. We lucked out with a beautiful weather window for the release that actually
met protocol conditions, the first such opportunity in over a month. Larvae actively fed and
moved about the habitat, making themselves at home (or looking for one). We still have about
700 larvae to release at TA7S on Joint-Base Lewis McChord (JBLM). Unfortunately, the
weather has reverted to its previous soggy patterns, with no clear end in sight, although Thursday
looks like a possibility. Due to the remarkably poor weather conditions this year, larvae were
released under pint-sized, upside-down plastic, mesh berry baskets with plastic lids to provide
some protection from the elements if they choose to use them. Plant conditions have continued
to decline over the past few weeks due to the unseasonably cold temperatures.
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GOAL 2: PROVIDE SUSTAINABLE FISHING, HUNTING AND OTHER WILDLIFE-
RELATED RECREATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL EXPERIENCES
Wildlife Management
Willapa Hills Elk Surveys: Multiple staff members from Region 5, Region 6, and headquarters
conducted aerial survey flights throughout the week. A full summary will be included in a future
report. The summary below from Biologist Ament provides an account of some of the
challenges the crews face to complete this kind of work.
Biologist Ament was scheduled to assist with elk surveys in the Willapa Hills for March 8-9.
Unfortunately, there were poor weather conditions during both days, so her participation was
minimal. She was able to serve as an observer for a late morning flight from the Raymond
Airport on March 8. Several groups of elk were located and classified during this survey. The
weather deteriorated during the flight. A low cloud ceiling and moderate rain made the survey
effort too challenging, so the pilot elected to discontinue the flight. She stayed in South Bend for
the evening and met up with the survey team and helicopter at the Chehalis/Centralia Airport the
next morning. The weather conditions were again poor for flying. The team waited several hours
hoping for improvement. There was no change, so the scheduled flight was cancelled.
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