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Southwest Washington Wildlife Reports
Brian Calkins, Acting Wildlife Program Manager

Log at Domestic Spring Pond

Moving Rootwad to Pierce Lake

July 31, 2006

Wildlife Diversity Division:

Western Pond Turtles: Basking log placement was accomplished at Pierce National Wildlife Refuge this past week. Twelve logs and two stumps have been added to Pierce Lake, and four logs were added along the shoreline of Domestic Spring Pond. The logs and equipment were provided by the USFS, and placement was supervised by WDFW biologist Sue Van Leuven.

The logs were oriented perpendicular to the shoreline, sloping down to the water. This creates a ramp like structure that turtles can easily climb up on regardless of water level. Root wads were also used and were anchored in place. The log in the photo taken at Domestic Spring Pond hosted a basking turtle within hours of the time it was placed.

Student volunteers from Carson high school will come to Pierce NWR during the week of July 31 to fasten logs together for additional basking rafts.

Game Division:

Mountain Goat Surveys: WDFW personnel for District 9 & 10 along with Mt Goat Research Scientist Rice completed the surveys for Mt Goats in Region V. Dr Rice is directing a research study on goats in the Cascades and his work will enable WDFW to better track goat numbers. A model that estimates the " Sightablity" of goats in varying habiatats will improve tha accurracy of our counts in the future. This week the counts were as follows: Smith Creek 31 goats were observed with a kid:adult ratio of 29:100. In the Goat Rocks, 265 goats were observed and an estimate of kid number is 42:100 adults, some data is yet to be analyzed. The survey for the Tatoosh GMU is being conducted by the National Park Service as part of a cooperative project. Surveys are conducted with a turbine helicopter that allows a good view of the animals while moving quickly to avoid prolonged disturbance.