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Southwest Washington Wildlife Reports
Fred Dobler, Wildlife Program Manager

April 17, 2006

Game Management Division

Mt. St. Helens Elk Winter Mortality: Acting Regional Wildlife Program Manager Calkins, Biologist Miller, Regional Customer Service Staff and Olympia Wildlife Program Staff have all responded to multiple questions and inquires from the media and the public regarding winter mortality in the elk population around Mt. St. Helens. Two news segments aired on Portland television and multiple newspaper articles have been published as well.

WDFW documents winter mortality in this area every year but it appears that this winter may have taken a larger toll than that of recent winters. A somewhat elevated rate of winter mortality is understandable given the deep and persistent snow conditions in the Cascades this year. Specifically, heavy snow began in early November and persisted through December and January. February included slightly more mild conditions but March saw the return of snowfall throughout the southern Cascades. WDFW will continue to monitor elk mortality on the St. Helens Wildlife Area.

Wildlife Area Management

Wood Duck Nest Box Installations: Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Hauswald and Scientific Technician Ridenour constructed and installed 16 wood duck nest boxes in the Shillapoo Wildlife Area. Additionally, they checked the status of 12 existing boxes. One nesting wood duck was noted during the effort.

Wildlife Diversity Division

Peregrine Falcon Monitoring: Occupancy surveys are underway for this year's statewide peregrine falcon monitoring. These surveys are part of ongoing monitoring of Peregrine Falcons by both Washington State and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Birds have been reported at most historic sites and current efforts are focused on determining if sites support a breeding pair.

Biologist Anderson reports that the peregrine falcon site on the south side of Beacon Rock State Park is currently occupied. In order to protect the integrity of the falcon eyrie, the south side of Beacon Rock was closed February 1st to technical rock climbing. Biologist Holman reports that the Cape Horn peregrine site is occupied by a pair as well.

Western Pond Turtle Management: The spring trapping season has started at Sondino Ponds and Biologist Anderson reports that we currently have 8 females equipped with transmitters. Heavy rains this late winter and spring have provided abundant water for replenishing all ponds and seasonal wetlands used by western pond turtles. Biologist Anderson also completed a quarterly report for BPA as part of their requirements for funding the project.

Wind Power: Biologist Anderson is currently assisting Habitat Program with a review of wildlife issues associated with proposed wind power development in the Columbia Hills of Klickitat County. These proposed sites are rich in wildlife diversity, especially raptors. While wind power generation facilities are usually touted as "green" or "low-impact" sources for electricity generation, they have several potentially negative impacts to wildlife. Most obvious among these are the direct mortalities associated with birds that collide with turbines. However bats are also suffer from the presence of the spinning blades. Additionally, a host of impacts to terrestrial habitats result from construction and maintenance of the infrastructure required to construct, generate, maintain and distribute electricity from these facilities.