Managing Wildlife Populations
Annual Band-tailed Pigeon Surveys: This month, Biologists Wickhem, Bergh, Holman, and Stephens conducted their respective band-tailed pigeon surveys in Region 5 between July 10 and July 20. Additionally, Holman teamed with Region 6 Biologist Novack to survey a site in the estuary of the Chehalis that can only be accessed by boat. Nesting birds congregate at natural mineral springs throughout the summer to consume supplemental minerals, primarily sodium and calcium. The same mineral sites are surveyed each year by WDFW biologists across Western Washington and the results are combined with similar efforts in British Columbia, Oregon, and California to monitor the population at the flyway level. Survey results affect the season and bag-limits for band-tailed pigeons each year.
At the site in Clark County, Wickhem counted 119 pigeons which is relatively low for that site. After the survey, Wickhem checked the mineral spring which appeared to be low on water, likely thanks to the regions dry spring and hot early summer.
At the site in Skamania County, Bergh counted 286 pigeons which is about average.
At one of the Cowlitz County sites, Stephens counted 289 which is down from high counts in recent years but settling back into historic averages for that location.
At the other Cowlitz County site, Holman counted 93 which is lower than surveys of prior years, but continued forest growth makes seeing the birds and accurately counting them at this location a real challenge.
At the Lewis County site, Stephens counted 249 which is nearly identical to the 2022 survey.
At the Gray’s Harbor site, Holman and Novack counted 179, setting the baseline for this location.
Bat Colony Emergence Counts: Biologist Wickhem conducted a bat colony emergence count at a site in Clark County with the help of Volunteers Flick, Hadley, Robinson, and Petrick. The colony is located on private property where the landowner has installed several bat boxes over the last 20+ years. Each observer counted “one-poles-worth” of bat boxes and houses and counted 978 total bats exiting the structures between 9:02 p.m. and 9:40 p.m. The individual structures contained 237, 227, 105, 190 and 215 exiting bats, respectively. After the bats finished exiting, the team members were able to peek inside a few of the boxes to see several bat pups that are not yet old enough to fly. The female bats will leave the bat houses to feed and return to nurse their pups until they are able to fly and catch their own food. The property has a healthy population of mosquitos, so there should be plenty of food for all 978 bats and their young for many months to come. Thank you to the volunteers for their expert counting and to the landowners for creating excellent bat roosting habitat and for continuing to let us work on their property!
Biologists Stephens and Holman conducted concurrent emergence counts at two sites in Lewis County. Volunteer Salzer along with Customer Service Specialists Rainwaters and Kean joined in the effort as well. The Lewis County sites are both located on private property and the bats occupy various outbuildings. At one location, Stephens, Rainwaters, and Kean observed approximately 500 bats while Holman and Salzer got just over 100 at the other site. Additionally, Holman and Salzer were able to enter one of the buildings after the count and observe between 75 and 100 pups within the rafters. The two sites represent the only known locations of breeding by long-legged myotis. Thanks to the surveyors and the landowners who are collectively helping manage Washington’s bat populations.
Bat Captures and White Nose Syndrome Vaccination Study: Biologist Wickhem, Bat Species Lead Tobin, Technician Leipold, and Volunteers Flick and Hadley joined volunteers and biologists from the US Geological Survey, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and Bats Northwest to capture bats on private property as part of a study to test a new vaccine for white-nose syndrome (WNS). WNS is a devastating disease caused by a fungus (Pseudogymnoascus destructans or Pd) that causes bats to repeatedly wake up during winter hibernation (which burns a lot of calories), and usually leads to death. WNS has led to massive bat die-offs in the midwest and eastern United States and either the disease or the Pd fungus have been detected within ten counties in Washington as of July 2023. More information on the vaccine study can be found here: https://www.usgs.gov/centers/nwhc/science/white-nose-syndrome-vaccine-update-and-research-host-protection-mechanisms?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=national-wildlife-health-center-newsletter--summer-2023--&utm_term=Title
In this capture effort, bats were collected from funnel traps that were attached to the openings of occupied bat boxes. Once removed from the trap, a hair sample was collected and the bats were weighed, measured, sexed, aged, given a wing health score, a wing band, a PIT tag, either the vaccine or control (placebo) dose orally, and then released. The team also captured several bats that have been caught, marked, and treated in previous years. Since this effort took place at a maternity colony, most of the bats captured were lactating females. The crew did not catch any new pups (baby bats), meaning they are not able to fly on their own yet, and remain in the boxes at night. The capture team worked into the wee hours of the night and the next morning to finish processing over 100 bats. WNS has not been detected within this colony or anywhere nearby yet, but the group still abided by strict decontamination protocols that help prevent the human-spread of the fungus. Also, everyone that directly handled bats was up to date on their rabies vaccination. Thanks to our partners for an excellent trapping effort and the landowners for allowing us to work on their property and for assisting with set-up and take-down of our equipment!
Bat Acoustic Monitoring: Biologists Stephens, Wickhem, and Holman conducted acoustic monitoring for bats at four sites in Region 5. This effort was part of the North American Bat Monitoring Program, a multi-national, multi-agency coordinated effort across North America. This collaborative bat monitoring program is made up of an extensive community of partners across the continent who use standardized protocols to gather data that allows assessment of population status and trends, informs responses to stressors, and sustains viable populations. For more information on the North American Bat Monitoring Program: North American Bat Monitoring Program | United States | Canada | NABat (nabatmonitoring.org)
To monitor the bats, an acoustic detector is left overnight at each site and records the echolocation signatures of each bat species within proximity to the detector. Thanks to Sierra Pacific Industries who allowed WDFW access to their lands for the purpose of conducting this work. Also, thanks to Sierra Pacific Wildlife Biologist Tweedy for helping with access, navigation, and deploying the equipment.
Providing Conflict Prevention and Education
District 9:
“Cougar” Sighting: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen received a report of a cougar sighting along a popular trail in Vancouver. The reporting party sent photos of the animal to Jacobsen, who confirmed that the photos were of a domestic house cat. The size, coloration, and striped tail were very indicative of a house cat. The reporting party was not convinced and believed the cat to be a very large specimen.
Deer Damage to Christmas Trees: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen was contacted by a landowner who had been incurring damage to his Christmas tree farm from a handful of bucks over the past couple of years. Jacobsen and Conflict Technician Kolenberg met with the landowner and inspected the damage. A hazing plan was developed and Conflict Technician Kolenberg assisted with paintball hazing efforts over multiple days.
Bear Complaint: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen fielded a complaint about a black bear near a residence after the homeowner caught the bear on their doorbell camera. Jacobsen provided advice on securing any attractants around the residence.
Bear in Blueberry Farm: A blueberry producer with a U-Pick blueberry farm contacted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen regarding a bear that had been coming into his blueberry farm. The landowner was concerned about the safety of the berry pickers. This could be the same bear that visited the farm multiple times last year that WDFW was unsuccessful in trapping. Jacobsen requested that the landowner contact him promptly if the bear was observed again.
Bear in Garbage: A Klickitat County resident contacted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen regarding a bear that had been accessing their garbage storage. The landowner kept their garbage in a semi-open shed until garbage day, then moved the garbage out to the curb every week. Unfortunately, a bear caught on to this routine and started visiting the shed. Some lightweight metal reinforcements that the landowners added to the shed did not slow the bear down. Jacobsen responded to the residence and quickly erected an electric fence around the storage shed for the landowners.
Sick/Injured Deer 1: A landowner contacted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen regarding a sick deer in his yard. Based on the description of the deer and the fact that the deer was still mobile, Jacobsen and the landowner agreed to let the deer be to see if it could recover. The deer died the following day. Jacobsen assisted the landowner with the disposal of the carcass using his new headache-mounted winch. Further inspection of the deceased doe indicated that it died as a result of trauma incurred during fawning.
Sick/Injured Deer 2: A Goldendale landowner contacted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen regarding a deceased buck in her yard. Officer Bolton had been contacted about the same deer the day before when he was a few blocks down the road and still mobile. The landowner was elderly and unable to dispose of the deer, so Jacobsen and Officer Nelson assisted in loading up and disposing of the deer.
Sick/Injured Deer 3: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen received a report of a deer with an injury to its front foot. The reporting party believed something was stuck on it, affecting the deer’s ability to walk. After inspecting the photos, Jacobsen confirmed that a foreign object was indeed wedged down on one of the deer’s hooves. Jacobsen will work with the reporting party to capture and assist the deer in the future, if possible.
Sick/Injured Deer 4: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen received a report of a sick deer in a residential yard that likely needed to be euthanized. When Jacobsen arrived, the deer was already deceased. Interestingly, the deer had an abscess on its front leg that, according to the landowner, had been there and growing steadily for the past ten years. Jacobsen disposed of the carcass.
Sick/Injured Deer 5: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen responded to a report of a fawn in a landowner’s front yard that appeared sick. Jacobsen inspected the deer and determined that the fawn was alive but was unresponsive and had labored breathing. Jacobsen euthanized the fawn.
Elk Damage to Oats: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen met with a landowner in Glenwood regarding elk damage to forage oats. Approximately 30-100 head of elk (depending on the day) visit the various oat fields daily and have caused extensive damage. Jacobsen discussed the use of drones for hazing elk with the landowner. Jacobsen also coordinated with multiple Master Hunters to provide evening, nighttime, and early morning hazing activities to help keep the elk at bay. Thank you to the Master Hunter volunteers for their time, efforts, and support!
Tree Damage: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen met with a landowner in Klickitat County who had been incurring damage to dozens of pine trees on his property from some rodent species. More investigation is necessary to determine if the damage was caused by porcupines or Western gray squirrels.
Depredation Investigation: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen responded to a report of a depredation on a domestic sheep in Clark County. The producer waited several days to report the dead sheep to WDFW, so the carcass was heavily scavenged and partially decomposed when Jacobsen arrived to investigate. After completing the investigation, Jacobsen ruled the mortality as an “unconfirmed cause of death.” Several pieces of evidence were present at the scene which suggested that the sheep died of causes other than depredation by wildlife, but this could not be confirmed.
Conserving Natural Landscapes
Treating Noxious Weeds in Remote Areas. The Mt. St. Helens Wildlife Area is comprised of 18 different units, each one hosting a unique variety of invasive and noxious weeds. Wildlife area staff members spend much of the spring, summer, and fall traveling to the different units attempting to address and treat the weeds at the various units, but some get little to no attention due to their remote locations and an inability of staff to access them, until now... A new boat was acquired by the Mt. St. Helens Wildlife Area in June 2023. This boat will be immensely valuable in gaining access to units located in the Lewis and Columbia rivers, making it feasible for staff members to start tackling the weeds problems that exist there, as well as conduct regular monitoring and surveying of these sites. Manager Hauswald and Assistant Manager Risley have already visited the Nelson Unit once this summer and treated purple loosestrife.
Technician Crane and Assistant Manager Risley got an early start and sprayed Scotch broom at the Mudflow Unit, covering approximately 200 acres by foot. The area traveled had been treated by Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) volunteers in 2022, but diligent survey of previously treated areas is necessary if the Scotch broom is to be kept suppressed. While treating the Scotch broom, this tansy ragwort was observed with several cinnabar moth caterpillars actively eating on the foliage. Tansy ragwort is another noxious weed present on the Mudflow and is particularly aggressive if left untreated. The cinnabar moth caterpillars are one of two biological control agents that are used in Washington State to control tansy ragwort. The help was much appreciated by wildlife area staff!
Providing Education and Outreach
Forest Youth Success Presentation: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen and Captain Wickersham delivered a presentation to a group of youths involved in the Forest Youth Success Program regarding working in carnivore country. Forest Youth Success is a program run through the WSU Extension in Skamania County that employs young adults (ages 14-18) to assist with infrastructure and ecosystem management objectives on the south half of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
Underwood “Bear Aware” Presentation: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen and Conflict Technician Kolenberg delivered a presentation to the community of Underwood in Skamania County regarding living with black bears. Roughly 30 people were in attendance.
Other
New Region 5 Assistant Wildlife Program Manager: We are very happy to welcome Daren Hauswald as the new Region 5 Assistant Wildlife Program Manager! Daren will be based out of the Ridgefield office and will start in his new role on Aug. 16, 2023.
Daren has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Environmental Science from Washington State University as well as completing several courses in Biology and Horticulture at Clark College. Daren has worked as the assistant manager (2006) and then the manager (2012) of the Mt. St. Helens and Shillapoo Wildlife Area Complex. His tenure at WDFW has been one of excellence as he has led his team and enhanced his wildlife areas with dedication and a very strong work ethic. Daren brings a comprehensive background to his new position and his extensive knowledge and experience will strongly benefit the Region 5 wildlife team. We look forward to partnering with Daren in his new role to provide leadership, support, and inspiration to our team. Daren enjoys the outdoors immensely whether its scaling Mt. St. Helens or spending early morning hours or late afternoons hunting and fishing. He is also a great cook and willingly shares the fruits of his harvest with his team.
