Current Report
	Report Archives

Southwest Washington Wildlife Reports
Brian Calkins, Acting Wildlife Program Manager

August 7, 2006

Region 5 Wildlife Areas:

Vancouver Lowlands Fire: Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Hauswald noticed smoke near the Erwin O. Reiger Memorial Highway on August 3rd. Hauswald traveled to the scene, found a small fire on the roadside burning into some adjoining county park land and called for firefighters. Being familiar with the site he was able to help the firefighters find access into the field and provide landowner information. The fire was quickly supressed and was out by that afternoon and is under investigation. A few acres of grass and brush was burned including an area surrounding some commercial beehives.

Mt. St. Helens House Natural Resources Committee Tour: Acting Program Manager Calkins, District Biologist Miller, Deputy Assistant Director Pozzanghera and Legislative Liason Davis accompanied State House Natural Resources Committee Members on a tour of the Mt. St. Helens Wildlife Area on August 3rd. Calkins described the area history, and ongoing management programs and discussed some of the issues WDFW faces on the site with forage maintenence and erosion. The group discussed the draft plans for both the Wildlife Area and the Mt. St. Helens Elk herd which were recently reviewed by the public. Later in the day the group heard a presentation from Weyerhaeuser employees and had an opportunity to visit a thinning operation and replanted clearcut in the tree farm. Elk habitat issues, seedling damage and hunter access were all discussed. This was a great opportunity to discuss agency programs and local issues with the legislators and we thank them for attending the tour.

Wildlife Diversity Division:

Peregrine Falcon Monitoring: Productivity surveys have been completed for this year's statewide peregrine falcon monitoring effort. 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 several of the known historic sites and final efforts were focused on determining if occupied sites have produced young. Of seven territories currently being monitored in the Columbia River Gorge, four have young, two have failed and one is unoccupied.

Wildlife Related Education / Public Outreach:

Clark County Fair: Region 5 Staff from Wildlife, Customer Service, Northern Pikeminnow and Fisheries Management Programs all participated in development and set-up of the annual WDFW Clark County Fair booth. The Fair runs for 10 days surrounding the second week of August. Hundreds of visitors stop at the WDFW booth each year. At this year's booth, emphasis has been placed on wildlife and fish education for youths. The booth features a written / visual wildlife and fish identification quiz developed by retired Regional Wildlife Program Manager Dobler.