February 6-19, 2002

Contact: Madonna Luers, (509) 456-4073

Bird counting is one of many outdoor activities, from antler hunting to fishing, that can stave off the winter blues at this point in the season.

If you've never thought of birdwatching as fun, you've never participated in the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), sponsored by the National Audubon Society and Cornell University's Lab of Ornithology. The fifth-annual GBBC is Feb. 15 –18, and if you've got a competitive bone in your body, you'll want to get in on the action.

All you need is a little basic knowledge of bird identification (or a family member or friend who does) and access to the Internet to record your count. You simply count birds by species on one or all four of the count days in your backyard or at a local park, natural area or wildlife refuge. At the end of each day of counting, you submit your list at www.birdsource.com/gbbc, where you can also find more detailed information about the process and can watch the numbers roll in across the continent.

The GBBC is a great family activity, with grandparents sharing bird identification skills with youngsters, and youngsters sharing computer skills with older generations. This year the GBBC website even includes a little something for Harry Potter fans – a special section on mysterious owls, several species of which were spotted in Washington during last year's count.

Last year Washington ranked number eight of all states and provinces in the number of species reported in the GBBC with 152. (Texas was number one with 227 and California was number two with 197.) Although Washington bird counters were from all over the state, the areas where the most species were seen were Seattle, Port Angeles, Olympia, Tacoma, and Sequim. Washington's most commonly seen birds, by number of reports filed in last year's GBBC, include the dark-eyed junco, black-capped chickadee, house finch, robin, crow, northern flicker, pine siskin, and steller's jay. By sheer numbers, the top birds also include the snow goose (40,371 spotted last year during the count!) and European starling (18,349).

Actually, as GBBC guidelines suggest, "there are no winning numbers" in bird counting. Low or no numbers of bird species reported are often more important than big numbers, in terms of the purpose of the annual count – learning more about North American bird populations to help conserve them. The timing of the count is designed to help answer questions about how snow and cold influence bird populations, where winter finches and other species that move in cyclical patterns are spending time, and late winter movements by many songbird and waterfowl species. It's also timed to combine with data collected during the annual Christmas Bird Counts and winter bird feeding counts, like Cornell's Project FeederWatch and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's (WDFW) own project (www.wdfw\.wa\.gov/wlm/diversty/birdsurv/birdsurv), to create a comprehensive picture of winter bird patterns.

Finding the simple treasures of shed deer or elk antlers brightens up a casual winter hike in the woods at this time of year.

Although the antler hunting "season" is unofficially under way because most bucks and some bulls have shed them by now, WDFW biologists recommend delaying serious antler hunting to later in the spring to avoid inadvertently harassing animals on winter range.

Collecting naturally shed antlers of deer and elk is legal, but there are some ethical considerations to keep in mind and even a few places that have restrictions or are off-limits. Easiest antler hunting is of course where deer or elk concentrate in the winter. But if a concentration of antler hunters descends on that area before wintering animals have moved off, the disturbance can threaten herd survival at the harshest time of year.

For example, on WDFW's Methow Wildlife Area in Okanogan County, WDFW wildlife biologist Scott Fitkin suggests visitors avoid cross-country travel and just use open roads or the Pipestone and Aspen Lake trails until the first of April. That would minimize disturbance to mule deer during late winter and the critical early spring green-up time, when animals are under the greatest stress, he explains.

Other WDFW biologists report elk harassment at WDFW's Mt. St. Helens Wildlife Area and in the Blue Mountains of southeast Washington by antler hunters, and they recommend planning those treasure hunts later in the spring.

Antler pick-up has become so popular at WDFW's Oak Creek Wildlife Area in Yakima County, where thousands of elk are winter-fed each year to keep them off private property, that access is restricted to protect the animals. The area around Oak Creek's headquarters off Hwy.12, as well as the Lower Bethel Ridge and Cowiche units of the wildlife area where late winter and early spring use by elk is critical, are closed through April.

Other public lands across the state may have similar rules, so antler hunters should do their homework before going afield. By long-standing policy, shed antlers or anything else naturally found in national parks cannot be removed.

Whenever and wherever shed antlers are sought, a carcass of a winter-killed deer or elk might also be discovered. Remember that only naturally shed antlers are legal to collect, and no part of dead wildlife found can be taken.

Fishing is always a good option for beating the winter blahs and there are more opportunities than you might think at this time of year. Selective fishing for spring chinook salmon begins Feb. 6 on the Deep, Cowlitz, Kalama, and Lewis rivers in southwest Washington. Winter blackmouth (chinook salmon) fishing begins Feb. 16 throughout Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca marine areas. Be sure to check the fishing rule pamphlet for information on closed waters and other regulations. Winter-only trout fishing on several eastern Washington lakes and Lake Roosevelt kokanee fishing continue to be productive.

For more details on fishing, wildlife watching, and other outdoor recreation see the regional reports below.

North Puget Sound:

• Fishing: Winter blackmouth fishing begins Feb. 16 in northern Puget Sound and Strait of Juan de Fuca marine areas. There is a one-fish daily limit, blackmouth must be 22 inches or larger, and fish under 22 inches must be safely released immediately. "The current hotspot for blackmouth is wherever the bait is at the moment," said Curt Kraemer, WDFW fisheries biologist. "That's always been the key to getting into blackmouth - you have to find the bait first." Kraemer said the usual blackmouth spots should once again produce fish this year, depending of course on the presence of baitfish. That means places like Possession Point, the Midchannel Bank between Port Townsend and Whidbey Island, Jefferson Head south of Kingston, and areas throughout the San Juan Islands. There are several ways to hook a blackmouth, which tend to feed deep and can often be found in 90 to 120 feet of water. Mooching is done with bait, such as herring, and a sinker. Drop the gear down deep, even to near the bottom, then slowly work the bait up a little way before dropping it back down. Jigging is done with heavy metal jigs that are free dropped to the bottom, then hopped up and down by quickly snapping the rod up several feet and letting the lure flutter back to the bottom. Some anglers also troll with bait or lures, such as Hot Spot flashers and Coyote Spoons. Hatchery steelhead are still providing some fishing opportunity in northern Puget Sound streams, but the peak of the hatchery fish run has probably passed already, Kraemer said. Wild steelhead must be released in most Puget Sound river systems, including the Skagit, Stillaguamish, and Snohomish river systems, and are easily identified by their intact adipose fin.

• Wildlife viewing: There are still big birds worth seeing in northern Puget Sound, including huge flocks of snow geese, which congregate in brilliant white masses numbering in the thousands in the stubble fields of Whatcom and Skagit counties. There are also many conspicuous trumpeter swans scattered throughout the region. Birds of prey fans have plenty to see in the area as well, with healthy numbers of bald eagles still to be found along some rivers, plus hawks and falcons scattered throughout the lowlands. One way to improve your home's outdoor wildlife is to head indoors to the 2002 Northwest Flower and Garden Show, Feb. 6-10, at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle. Exhibitors and landscape experts will provide all kinds of information on how to improve the wildlife habitat of just about any backyard, especially for the many varieties of birds native to our region.

Olympic Peninsula/South Sound:

• Fishing: The winter blackmouth season opens Feb. 16, providing a new round of fishing opportunities from Sekiu to Budd Inlet in southern Puget Sound. There is a one-fish limit, and any blackmouth under 22 inches must be released. Or, if you've set your sights on steelhead, fishing is picking up on several rivers on the north coast of the Olympic Peninsula. Bill Freymond, acting regional fisheries manager for WDFW in Montesano, said 53 anglers reported catching 42 steelhead – all but six of them wild fish – on the Sol Duc River during the last three days of January. "The Sol Duc is probably the best producer right now," Freymond said, but added that the Bogachiel, Calawah and Hoh also offer great fishing opportunities when the water isn't too high. "Those rivers have been dropping up and down like a yo-yo, so watch the weather report if you're planning a trip," he said. Several rivers, particularly the Hoh, have special rules, so make sure to check the fishing pamphlet before you go. Clam diggers, on the other hand, should stay tuned for the final word on the razor clam season, tentatively scheduled Feb. 27 through March 2 at Long Beach, Copalis, Mocrocks and Kalaloch beaches. As usual, the four-day opening is contingent on the results of marine toxin tests, conducted several days before digging is scheduled to begin. The results will be posted on WDFW's website and included in the message on the agency's toll-free Shellfish Hotline (866-880-5431). Digging is scheduled from noon until 11:59 p.m. each day.

• Wildlife viewing: Residents of Port Angeles were startled by an eerie sight when hundreds of jellyfish – moon jellyfish, to be precise – beached themselves on the shores of the inner harbor of Ediz Hook early this month. Alan Rammer, WDFW marine conservation and education specialist, said the clear, saucer like creatures were most likely washed ashore by abnormal currents and a high tide. "Moon jellyfish do swarm during their spawning season and can be transferred by currents," Rammer said. He'll also tell you that jellyfish aren't actually fish at all; rather, they are marine invertebrates, relatives of sea anemones and corals. Known to have existed 650 million years ago, jellyfish are about 95 percent water, 3 to 4 percent salts and 1 to 2 percent protein. They have no brain or internal organs, but they do have a simple nervous system that helps to propel them through the water. Of the 200 kinds of jellyfish throughout the world, the transparent moon jellyfish is the most common in northwest marine waters. So if you can't make it out to Ediz Hook, look around on a saltwater beach closer to home and you might spot one or more of these prehistoric creatures that pre-dated the dinosaurs. But watch out: Even the relatively benign moon jellyfish can sting you with toxins that can itch for hours.

Southwest Washington:

• Fishing: Anglers are biding their time, scouting their spots and readying boats and gear in anticipation of the second-largest returning Columbia River spring chinook run on record. With 418,500 fish expected to head up the river this year, there's lots of selective fishing opportunity in store. The sport fishery on marked, hatchery spring chinook gets underway Feb. 6 on the Deep, Cowlitz, Kalama and Lewis rivers, although the fish are only beginning to come in, says Joe Hymer, Region 5 Fish Biologist. A spring chinook showed up last week in the Bonneville Dam fish trap and there have been some unconfirmed reports of a few spring chinook caught in the mainstem Columbia below the I-5 Bridge which is already open to selective fishing. Hatchery chinook fishing is scheduled to begin March 16 on the mainstem river from the I-5 bridge upstream to Bonneville Dam and from The Dalles Dam to McNary Dam. Anglers should check in on WDFW's regional fishing hotline (360) 696-6211 for the latest rule changes. For those not content to wait for an outing, smelt are still to be found in the Cowlitz River, and have made their way into the Lewis River. "It's still worth a trip, but it takes some effort," says Hymer of the smelt dipping prospects. Because the Lewis River is so clear, he suggests early morning or just after dark as the best time to try. Smelt fishing on all Washington Columbia River tributaries remain open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.,Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, with a daily limit of 10 pounds. And once the smelt are in hand, they can be put to use as sturgeon bait. The sturgeon fishery remains active downstream from Bonneville Dam. Last weekend, checks showed one legal fish harvested per three boats on the mainstem river between Portland and Longview and one keeper per three boat rods in Bonneville Pool, but the best success was to be had in the Gorge, where results were one fish per boat. A mix of bright and dark steelhead remain in various Columbia tributaries, including the Cowlitz and Kalama rivers. Meanwhile a number of area lakes have recently been stocked with trout or steelhead– Battleground Lake received 174 winter steelhead in the 10 pound range, while 46 were planted last week in Icehouse Lake near Bridge of the Gods and some 260 steelhead have been stocked to date in Kress Lake near Kalama. For trout fanciers, Fort Borst Pond near Centralia– a family fishing water open to youth 15 and under and licensed adults accompanying them– recently was stocked with 3,000 catchable-size rainbows. Kress Lake recently got 89 rainbows in the four-pound range and 2,000 half-pound fish. Klineline Pond near Hazel Dell also received 89 four-pound rainbow trout, Silver Lake near Castle Rock was planted with 4,000 half-pound rainbows and Horseshoe Lake near Woodland received 2,000 half-pounders.

• Wildlife viewing: A wide array of wintering birds remain visible in the region– at Shillapoo Wildlife Area large numbers songbirds and waterfowl are on hand. Species that can be sighted now include Canada geese, tundra swans, great egrets, sandhill cranes, bald eagles and great blue herons, reports Brian Calkins, wildlife area manager. Meanwhile at Mount St. Helens Wildlife Area, an average of 300 elk a day are on hand, visible from observation points along State Route 504.

Eastern Washington:

• Fishing: Winter-only rainbow trout lakes, like Hatch Lake in Stevens County, Hog Canyon Lake in Spokane County, and Fourth of July Lake on the Lincoln-Adams county line, continue to produce limits but be careful about changing ice conditions. Lake Roosevelt kokanee (land-locked sockeye salmon) in the 19 to 22-inch range continue to be reeled in by boat anglers fishing in the top 20 feet of water. Roosevelt's big net-pen-reared rainbows are also part of the catch for both boat and shore fishers. Although fewer and fewer anglers are trying their luck, steelhead fishing is still good for diehards on the Touchet, Tucannon, and Walla Walla rivers and Mill Creek in the southeast; catch rates range from one to five hours per fish caught.

• Wildlife viewing: The popular bighorn sheep winter feeding and viewing station near Sullivan Lake in Pend Oreille County ceased operation this month due to persistent use of the area by cougars. At least one sheep attracted to the feeding station is known to have fallen prey to a cougar, reports WDFW wildlife biologist Steve Zender. But more importantly, Zender says, cougars remaining in the area pose a potential risk to the visiting public. Normally the sheep feeding would have continued through February. New snowfalls continue to make wildlife tracking fun to "see" moose, deer, elk, coyote, rabbit, and whatever else has passed your way. Road-killed deer throughout the region are attracting bald eagles, which scavenge the carcasses near roadsides. Red-winged blackbirds have been reported at some backyard bird feeding stations – a sure sign, along with the lengthening daylight, that spring is not too far ahead.

• Hunting: Blue Mountains spring black bear hunting permit applications are due March 10. A total of 105 permits are available across seven southeast units for the season that runs April 15 to May 31. Permit application is by phone (toll-free 1-877-945-3492) or Internet (http://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov.)

North Central Washington:

• Fishing: Recent mild weather has brought out more fishing activity on Potholes Reservoir where the Medicare Beach area has been producing rainbow trout for both bank fishers and trollers, some up to four pounds. Walleye remain tough to catch at Potholes. Yellow perch are being caught in 20 to 25 feet deep water in the Lind Coulee and Medicare Beach area. Nearby Soda and Long lakes are producing perch, trout, whitefish and some walleye in deep water for both bank and boat fishers. Corral and Blythe lakes have been producing three-pound trout, with at least one lunker up to six pounds.

• Wildlife viewing: The most commonly observed tracks in "The Nature of Winter" tours in Okanogan County's Methow Valley are deer, marten, snowshoe hare, cougar, red squirrel, bobcat and coyote. These free, guided ski and snowshoe winter ecology and tracking tours continue every Saturday through March 2, and all three days of the Presidents' holiday weekend (Feb 16-18). Ski tours meet at the Chicadee parking lot near Sun Mountain Lodge, and snowshoe tours meet at the Mazama Snowshoe Yurt at the Mazama trailhead. Tours start at 11 a.m. and are for anyone 8 years or older with a group size limit of 10. A Methow Valley Ski Trail Association trail pass is required and can be obtained at several locations in the valley. For more information call 509-996-4036.

South Central Washington:

• Fishing: Whitefish and trout fishing continue on parts of the Yakima River, but anglers must be mindful of the steelhead closure on the Yakima and in all its tributaries. Steelhead trout are listed as threatened in the Middle Columbia River system, which includes the Yakima River. WDFW enforcement officers recently cited anglers on the Yakima for steelhead fishing. In the Tri-Cities area, Ringold steelhead have seen little pressure recently, although the latest creel checks show fair fishing. WDFW fish biologist Rick Watson reports Ringold bank anglers averaging a steelhead for every 16.7 hours of effort and boat anglers averaging one every 7.6 hours.

• Wildlife viewing: More than a thousand elk continue to come into the Oak Creek Wildlife Area winter feeding site west of Naches; feeding time is 1:30 p.m daily and visitors are always welcome at the interpretive center run by volunteers. For other wildlife watching in the area, be aware that the Tieton River bridge is out and won't be repaired until funds are available. There is an alternative bridge about two miles upstream, but keep in mind also that the Tieton River trail and surrounding cliff areas are closed now through April 15 to protect nesting golden eagles. Ducks of many kinds are beginning to pair up and a few male red-winged blackbirds are starting to stake out territories along the Yakima River– true signs of coming spring!