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Southwest Washington Wildlife Reports
Fred Dobler, Wildlife Program Manager

March 6, 2006

Region 5 Wildlife Areas

Daren Hauswald has accepted the position of Wildlife Area Assistant Manager for the Shillapoo Wildlife Area.

Assistant Manager for Shillapoo Hired– Daren Hauswald has accepted the position of Wildlife Area Assistant Manager for the Shillapoo Wildlife Area. He will begin working later this month. Daren's duties will include implementation of the wildlife area plan, biological monitoring of both plant and animal response to management changes assisting with management of public use, and future planning. Daren has held several temporary jobs with the agency in the past including a period where he worked at Shillapoo (see attached image). We look forward to having Daren join the region's wildlife management team.

Shillapoo Waterfowl Use– Scientific technician Lauren Ridenour has been working with Wildlife Area Manager Calkins to monitor Waterfowl and sandhill crane use of selected sites in the North and South Units of the wildlife area. Use of these wetlands and fields has increased dramatically over the past month. On several occasions thousands of geese and ducks have been counted on individual fields. She is also encountering large numbers of sandhill cranes on a regular basis. Viewing: In order to keep them on the wildlife area, persons wanting to see these birds and other wildlife are asked to do their viewing from the parking areas and roadside locations where a vehicle can be safely moved to the shoulder. There are several locations that combined afford views of well over half of this part of the wildlife area.

Wildlife Diversity

	Photos of a Mountain goat at Silver Star Mountain in Clark County taken by Camas residents, Don and Carol Kohl.

Watchable Wildlife: Hikers see goat at Silver Star– The front page of the Columbian reported a sighting of a Mt. goat at Silver Star Mtn in Clark Co. Biologist Holman has some nice quotes in the article. Wilson Cady also forwarded to us two photos taken by Camas residents, Don and Carol Kohler, on Feb. 26, 2006 of a Mountain Goat on Pyramid Rock on Silver Star Mountain. Thanks to all for their interest and for forwarding their reports. View whole article [PDF format]

Western Pond Turtle Management– Biologist Anderson held a meeting to brainstorm, plan and organize the Columbia River Gorge portion of the 2006 western pond turtle program. The meeting was attended by Biologists Anderson, VanLeuven, Slavens (Kate), and Holman along with volunteers Frank Slavens and Americorps worker Leah Estep. This year's effort will include population monitoring and headstarting at the Sondino Ranch site, along with population monitoring at the Bergen Road and Pierce National Wildlife Refuge sites. Additionally, this summer will feature an increased effort to locate more western pond turtles on Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge where one individual was found in 2005.