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Current Report |
| Report Archives |
Southwest Washington
Wildlife Reports
June
30, 2008
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| Large oaks found on the Klickitat Wildlife Area. | |
Region
5 Wildlife Areas
Klickitat Wildlife Area: Range Transects: Wildlife Area Manager VanLeuven
and retired WA Manager Morrison located old range transect markers that were
established in 1952. The original iron stakes at all 5 sites were located and
recorded using GPS. Very large oak trees by Klickitat County standards were
observed at one of the transect locations. Many thanks to retired Manager Morrison
for his assistance, which was crucial in finding these old transects for future
collection of a new set of range data.
Hazard Tree Removal: Manager VanLeuven checked on the progress of the hazard tree removal project at the Canyon Creek Loop Campground. Trees and snags were identified for retention due to good nest habitat and cut trees that had fungal fruiting bodies on the trunk were left to decay onsite. Other trees identified for removal are being removed using a rubber-tracked log loader; this will cause less soil disturbance than other kinds of equipment and offers better control in moving logs around trees and other features that should not be damaged. Limbs have been stacked for disposal by chipping later in the summer. All work has been conducted in a way that avoids injuring green trees and large shrubs. The crew worked carefully around an active kestrel nest. Snags that could possibly hit the nest tree were cut down in sections, to minimize the risk to the nest tree. The crew was excited to report that the kestrel nestling fledged on Wednesday, and it successfully returned to the nest cavity after a couple short flights. Logs are stacked neatly along the access road for removal as soon as the log loader arrives.
Game
Management Division
Landowner Access:
Biologist Anderson met with Biologist Hand from Region 3 to discuss landowner
contracts in Klickitat County. Biologist Hand has a history of working with
many of these people and provided valuable insight into CRP and hunter access
issues. In addition, Hand did a site visit and provided recommendations regarding
an ongoing elk damage issue in the Trout Lake Valley. We thank Region 3 for
providing Hand’s time for a day assisting Biologist Anderson.
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| There are many aspects of golf course management that provide habitat suitable for turtles (i.e., ponds, sand, short grass, etc.). |
Wildlife
Diversity Division
Western Pond Turtles: We now have 22 western pond turtles nests located
in Klickitat County ponds this year. Nesting is slowing down some but we still
anticipate a few double clutches for females that have already nested early
in the year. We are currently working with both the Oregon and Woodland Park
Zoos for release of 2007 turtles later in July. Biologist Anderson was contacted
by Skamania Lodge golf course to assist them with their Audubon "green"
certification". This program encourages golf courses to do water quality
programs as well as wildlife projects to improve golf course "habitat".
Skamania Lodge has two beautiful ponds that currently have a good population
of western painted turtles. We discussed the potential of releasing western
pond turtles in the future and the Lodge is very interested in the concept.
There are many aspects of golf course management that provide habitat suitable
for turtles (i.e., ponds, sand, short grass, etc.). WDFW would only consider
this concept after we met population and habitat goals at existing sites in
the Columbia River Gorge.
Wildlife Areas Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) Development: Regional wildlife biologists met with HCP coordinator Dobler to discuss species-specific presence/absence on local wildlife areas. The Shillapoo and St. Helens wildlife areas, including all satellite units to each of the areas, were examined. Suitable habitat for species of conservation concern, including Federal and State listed species, is found on the majority of the wildlife area units.
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