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Southwest Washington
Wildlife Reports
August
25, 2008
Region
5 Wildlife Areas
Shillapoo Wildlife Area: Shillapoo Fence Repairs: Wildlife Area Assistant
Manager Hauswald and Technician Babcock have completed the repair of another
1/4 mile of boundary fence at the northwest portion of the South Unit. This
included removal and replacement of all wire, straightening almost every t-post,
rebuilding one stretch brace, and replacing a few of the wood posts along the
line. This fence is largely administrative and its primary purpose is to identify
the area boundary for the public. Another section to repair is immediately to
the south and will require almost total replacement. However, we may shift our
next fencing work to the North Unit where a fence is planned to improve pasture
management associated with a grazing lease. The rationale behind shifting sites
has to do primarily with the logistics of working at the North Unit pasture
site during the wet season and we would like to complete as much of the work
as possible before the rains begin.
Mt. St. Helens Wildlife Area: Mt. St. Helens Wildlife Area Maintenance Activities: Wildlife Area Manager Calkins replaced signage regarding the prohibition of dogs on the wildlife area, delivered one ton fertilizer for use later this fall, pulled diffuse and spotted knapweed at two locations, and made repairs to tubes placed over seedling trees planted this spring on a recent visit to the mudflow portion of the Wildlife Area. We have been conducting control work at two knapweed locations for several years. Both sites were about 1/4 acre in size when first detected. This year we have found only about 50-60 plants in an area of about 200 square feet at the diffuse knapweed site and only found 5 plants at the spotted knapweed site in only a few square feet. Both of these infestations are associated with past stream crossing construction projects on the area and the original seed was probably transported in on construction equipment.
With high elk densities here, establishing coniferous trees for erosion control purposes has been a challenge. Cottonwood and a variety of conifer seedlings had tree tubes placed on them this spring at the time of planting to protect them from elk browsing until they were established. Survival this year among trees checked so far appears to be good at this time and is estimated at about 80% or higher. An unanticipated glitch has caused us to have to spend additional time maintaining the tubes. The zip ties that came with the tubes will not hold securely to the 3/8" rebar stakes that we have to use because wood stakes snap off too easily when an animal hits them. Many of the tubes on the cottonwoods had come off of the stakes and it appears that some of the elk have learned to grasp the loose end of the zip tie with their mouth and pull the tube off the stake exposing the plant with highly palatable fresh growth. In response, we are adding a second small zip tie around the stake and original tie which appears to be working. Many of these plants will have a 4-6 foot high 12" diameter hand made wire tube placed on them later as a further measure of protection beyond that provided by the plastic tubes.
Klickitat Wildlife Area: Blackberry Control: Manager VanLeuven finalized arrangements for blackberry control at the Sondino Unit. Discussion with the contractor included choice of herbicide and adjuvant that is less hazardous in case of accidental exposure to people and their approval for use right up to the edge of water. The contractor will avoid areas near water or on non-target trees and shrubs as well as upland areas where western pond turtles may be present. This is a good time to spray for blackberries because water levels are down and most of the plants are on dry ground. Blackberries have spread quite a bit due to minimal control effort, and will not be eradicated n just one year. Some of the plants may require physical removal by a labor crew due to proximity of desirable vegetation or animal activity.
Swale Creek Unit: Write up [PDF Version] by Habitat Biologist Weiler on the new acquisition of Swale Creek to the Klickitat Wildlife Area.
Wildlife
Diversity Division
Sandhill Crane Management: Biologist Anderson met with DNR foresters
to evaluate a proposed timber sale that is located in sandhill crane habitat
in the Glenwood Valley. The primary issue is timber harvest adjacent to a large
meadow and wetland complex. Timing restrictions for timber harvest will be put
in place near the meadow habitat. Additional discussions will occur with DNR
wildlife biologists about a future habitat improvement project to increase openings
around the meadow and to improve wetland habitat conditions for breeding sandhill
cranes.
Game
Management Division
Deer Productivity Surveys: With the help of various volunteers from the
Yacolt Burn Sportsman's Club, Biologist Holman conducted a deer spotlighting
survey in Game Management Unit 568 (Washougal). One hundred thirty-three deer
were located over the course of the 4-hour survey. Productivity surveys are
conducted annually between August 15th and September 30th. Data gained from
these efforts and through the work of volunteer deer surveyors throughout the
Region will be incorporated into the Region 5 deer management effort.
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