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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.

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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.