Managing Wildlife Populations
Bat Survey and Monitoring: Biologist Anderson worked with WDFW Bat Technician Leipold to maintain year-round acoustic units and survey a local man-made feature for prospect of hibernating bats. Townsend’s big-eared bats were located using the structure for hibernation. Townsend’s are a Species of Greatest Conservation Need under the Washington State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP). District 12 staff members also investigated a few sites reported in the Green River Watershed that are rumored to hold bat roosting habitat and possible bats. Follow-up investigations will be necessary given access needs at sites visited. Similarly, Biologist Licence visited a new roost site discovered by Technician Leipold in a gun battery at Fort Ebey State Park on Whidbey Island to determine species composition. A mixed colony of Myotis and Townsend’s big-eared bats were identified, and guano was collected for further identification of the Myotis species. District 13 has also been coordinating with landowners and county officials on existing sites and a potential new site in Snohomish County for White-nose Syndrome research.
WDFW Seaduck Monitoring: Multiple Region 4 biologists assisted the WDFW Waterfowl Group with boat surveys targeting harlequin duck. Recently the harlequin duck harvest was closed due to concerns and need to reevaluate wintering population status of multiple wintering seaduck species (e.g. harlequin, scoter species, etc.) in comparison to past baseline data.
Providing Recreation Opportunities
Annual Green River Unit, GMU 485, Special Hunt Meeting: District 12 staff members participated in the annual WDFW-Muckleshoot-Tacoma Water Hunt Permit meeting. Hunts were planned out and agreed upon as well as brief updates regarding population monitoring, management efforts and needs, etc. Thanks to MIT and Tacoma Water for ongoing support and collaboration in all of this.
Skagit Headquarters Spur Dike: Skagit Wildlife Area staff members worked with the Capital Asset Management Program (CAMP) to repair damage to a popular walking trail on top of a dike at the Skagit Headquarters Unit.
Cherry Valley Unit: Snoqualmie Wildlife Area staff members opened the gate to the north parking lot for the beginning of bird dog training season on the unit. Staff members also worked with a tree company to remove several poplars bordering the south parking lot that were at the end of their life span and were presenting a hazard to parked cars and users.
Providing Conflict Prevention and Education
Bridle Trails State Park Bat Use Conflict: Biologist Anderson removed a most likely temporary roosting silver-haired bat from a camping cabin at Bridle Trails State Park in Bellevue. The cabin was to be used by a family later that day and parks requested WDFW to respond so the cabin could be used as scheduled. Anderson placed the bat in an alternative roosting location in natural habitat and asked parks staff members to check on it once prior to dark and in next morning.
King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks (KCDNRP): Biologist Anderson met with representatives of KCDNRP regarding broader wildlife conflict reduction and acute issues with geese on beaches at area parks.
Conducting Business Operations and Policy
Training: Staff members with District 12 completed flight training because renewal is needed by this May.
Washington Bat Working Group Annual Meeting: District 12 attended the Washington Bat Working Group annual meeting. Much content focused on bat and white-nose syndrome monitoring. You can find more information on bats and white-nose syndrome on the WDFW website.
Point Elliot Treaty Tribes Mountain Goat Meeting: District 13, District 14, and WDFW Species Lead Moore participated in a mountain goat management meeting with eight tribal entities and a North Cascades National Park wildlife biologist. Attendees discussed many topics such as mountain goat population status across Washington, last year's survey results, 2022 harvest summaries, current and future management projects including 2023 survey funding, vendors, and personnel.