Managing Wildlife Populations
Annual Band-Tailed Pigeon Surveys: Biologists Stephens, Wickhem, and Holman, along with Migratory Bird Specialist Hamer, completed band-tailed pigeon surveys in Region 5 between July 10th and 20th. Additionally, Holman teamed with Region 6 Biologist Novack to survey a site in the estuary of the Chehalis River 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 Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) biologists across western Washington. The results are combined with similar efforts in British Columbia, Oregon, California, and Nevada 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, Hamer counted 142 pigeons which is a slight increase over 2023.
- At the site in Skamania County, Wickhem counted 186 pigeons, which is lower than the historic numbers at this location.
- At one of the Cowlitz County sites, Stephens counted 307 pigeons, which is nearly identical to the results from 2022 and 2023.
- At the other Cowlitz County site, Holman counted 106 pigeons, which is similar to the results of prior years. New forest management activities near this site now make conducting the survey easier.
- At the Lewis County site, Stephens counted 313 pigeons, which is a moderate increase from 2023.
- At the Gray’s Harbor site, Holman and Novack counted 212 pigeons, up slightly from the 2023 survey.
Bat Acoustic Monitoring: In July, Biologists Wickhem, Ott, and Stephens conducted acoustic monitoring for bats at six sites in Region 5. Every site is made up of four grids, with each grid containing an acoustic detector. To monitor the bats, an acoustic detector is left overnight at each grid and records the echolocation signatures of bat species who are feeding within proximity to the detector. This effort is part of the North American Bat Monitoring Program, a 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.
Bat Emergence Counts: In July, Biologist Wickhem conducted four bat emergence counts (three in Clark County and one in Skamania County) with the help of Biologist Ott and volunteers Robinson, Roe, and Weaver. Three of the locations had never been counted before and were either reported by members of the public or other staff members. Two of the locations proved to be thick with bats; a Forest Service bridge and a collection of private bat boxes supporting 788 and 888 bats, respectively. Another residential bat box contained 160 individuals. The landowner invited several friends and neighbors to join in the count. The final count at another residential property where bats were living underneath their raised home only came up with about a dozen individuals, despite finding massive piles of guano near some ideal roosting areas. In this case, the team thinks the pups were volant (able to fly on their own). This allows the colony to easily move and roost in nearby areas if desired. The bats that were still present were exiting through a different area that was not being monitored. An acoustic detector was deployed at each site during the surveys to record echolocation calls, which can be analyzed to determine which species are present. Those files will be analyzed by Statewide Bat Specialist Tobin. These surveys help biologists understand the species distribution and roosting habitats of bats in Washington.
Bat Captures and White-Nose Syndrome (WNS) Vaccination Study: Biologists Wickhem, Biologist Ott, and Volunteer Flick joined volunteer members and biologists from the U.S. Geological Survey to capture bats on private property as part of a study to test a new vaccine for white-nose syndrome. 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. Either the disease or the Pd fungus have been detected within ten counties in Washington as of July 2023.
In this capture effort, bats were collected from funnel and harp 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 capture team worked into the wee hours of the night and the next morning to finish processing more than 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 has a 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!
Providing Recreation Opportunities
Mineral Lake Access Area: Access area staff members visited Mineral Lake Access Area to find it very clean given the amount of use it normally receives. This was a pleasant surprise, especially since the site was very busy when staff members arrived.
Kalama River Access Areas: Access area staff members worked on vegetation management at multiple sites along the Kalama River. Modrow Access Area and the road to Fisherman’s Loop Access Site had many maples growing low over the road that needed to be pruned back. In addition to work at these sites, staff members worked on pruning the blackberries along the trail at Kress Lake.
Onieda Access Area Boat Ramp: Access area staff members worked at filling a sink hole on the Onieda Access Area boat ramp. Understanding that this is a temporary fix, staff members are still hopefull that it will last throughout the upcoming salmon season. This area gets an extreme amount of use during the month of August. In addition, staff members finished mowing the field and parking area at the Onieda Access Area. Staff members hope with the recent improvements at this site, that it will be respected in the upcoming August fishing season.
Providing Conflict Prevention and Education
Woodland Park Zoo Field Trip: Biologist Bergh gave a field trip at one of the Skamania County northwestern pond turtle sites to a group of students participating in a class put on by the Woodland Park Zoo. The adult students are spending a few days in the area to do some hands-on learning about conservation topics and had prepared ahead of time by visiting the HeadStart turtle program at the zoo. Biologist Bergh talked about all aspects of the pond turtle recovery and management program. The group hiked around the site to view habitat as well at the pond and painted turtles that inhabit the site.