Managing Wildlife Populations
Lynx Surveys: Biologists Fitkin and Heinlen conducted 30-day checks of remote cameras deployed for lynx as part of the Cascades Carnivore Monitoring Project. Early returns include detections of the target critter, unusual photos, and photos of other species of interest. Cameras will be retrieved in another month or so.
Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN): Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and Western Washington University intern Steinshouer spent a day in the field with Biologist Heinlen learning more about what a WDFW Biologist does. Intern Steinshouer was a fast learner and quickly spotted a western bumble bee (Bombus occidentalis) foraging on Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus). The western bumble bee is one of three SGCN bumble bee species WDFW documents when observed.
Pygmy Rabbits: Biologist Morris helped the pygmy rabbit crew with trapping in one of the semi-wild breeding enclosures. They were lucky and excited to catch 24 rabbits. Due to the number of rabbits and the hot dry temperatures, many of the rabbits were in poor body condition. Biologists in charge of the pygmy rabbit recovery project will decide what needs to be done to try and help as many rabbits as possible to survive the summer.
After a long wave of high temperatures, the pygmy rabbit recovery team was able to conduct another round of trapping. Trapping took place both inside and outside of a temporary breeding enclosure within Beezley Hills. A total of over 30 individual pygmy rabbits were captured, seen, or detected with the large PIT-tag scanner.
The main enclosure in the area was expected to contain around 12-15 individuals. However, the team successfully captured 24 pygmy rabbits including several unmarked kits born earlier this year and two adult rabbits that had not been captured prior to 2022.
Due to the success of the breeding enclosure, the next step will be to select young rabbits with the best overall body condition to be relocated a short distance to a second breeding enclosure. This will allow for more space and foraging among the rabbits until lead biologists determine which rabbits will be kept in breeding enclosures or which will be released into the wild in the future.
Northern Leopard Frog Releases: Technician Force assisted with the soft release of captive-reared northern leopard froglets on the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge. These frogs were raised from egg masses by two different zoos to boost their chances of survival. After spending a week in soft release pens to further protect them from predation, the froglets will be released into a pond where extensive bullfrog management has taken place. This will hopefully establish a new breeding population of this state endangered species within their native range.
Pygmy Rabbit Captures: Biologists Turnock and Gallie, and Technicians Hara and Force assisted with pygmy rabbit captures in the Beezley Hills area. These captures yielded 27 wild and semi-captive rabbits, who were then vaccinated for rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus as part of a trial to test the efficacy of two different vaccines for this disease. These captures also provided an opportunity to evaluate breeding success and body condition of rabbits within the enclosure. The Beezley Hills enclosure currently has approximately 30 rabbits, and most are juveniles from this year’s breeding efforts. With a high number of rabbits in the enclosure and drought season at its peak, the rabbits have been receiving fresh greens to supplement their diet.
Providing Recreation Opportunities
Private Lands Hunting Opportunities System: Biologist Cook participated in demonstrating the current methods for managing Private Lands Hunting Opportunities to a team of contractors running a feasibility study for creating a replacement program. Cook helped show the system from the private lands biologist, hunter, and landowner perspective and discussed its current limitations. Cook further participated in several feedback sessions where private lands biologists, section managers, and WDFW IT staff members discussed the future requirements and needs of a replacement system.
Potential Waterfowl Habitat and Access Properties: Biologist Cook and Technician Blanchard marked the agriculture fields with corn growing currently to create a plan for outreach to landowners to provide field hunting opportunities for geese and possibly ducks. The number of sites will depend on the remaining funding from a VPA-HIP (Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program) grant that WDFW previous was awarded.
Providing Conflict Prevention and Education
Depredation Investigation: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Heilhecker, along with enforcement officers, investigated an injured calf within the Sullivan Creek pack territory. It was confirmed the injury was caused by a wolf. U.S. Fish and Wildlife (USFWS) was notified of the determination. A WDFW contracted range rider continues to work in the area.
Conserving Natural Landscapes
Habitat Project: Biologist Morris and Technician Blanchard mowed weeds on a habitat improvement project on private lands in Grant County. The area has been sprayed in the past, and there is very little cheatgrass. However, the Russian thistle and annual kochia had grown quite large. Mid to late-summer mowing generally works well to control these weeds. Since there wasn’t much cheatgrass, the kochia and Russian thistle are still green. Fire danger was lower than it normally would be at this time, making it possible to mow. Morris and Blanchard kept a water tank on-site and were able to safely mow the weeds.
Providing Education and Outreach
2024 WAFWA Grouse Workshop (Wenatchee, Washington): Private Lands Biologist Braaten gave a tour stop presentation on the importance of private landowner relationships and the design of the State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement Conservation Reserve Program Farm Bill program. Braaten discussed the realities of conservation to landowners in Douglas County. Braaten also brought along the new Private Lands Program tree/shrub planter to show tour participants the kind of equipment WDFW uses in habitat restoration projects. The field trip portion of workshop was a big hit, providing a great opportunity to connect and share knowledge with partners.
WAFWA grouse workshop: Biologist Turnock, Technicians Hara, and Force attended the biennial Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ Sage and Sharp-tailed Grouse workshop in Wenatchee. This conference included attendees from a variety of western states who are all working on grouse research and management. Talks included topics such as habitat use, translocations, genetics, raven management, and renewable energy. Overall, the conference emphasized the numerous threats faced by sage and sharp-tailed grouse, but also showcased the research efforts vital to the conservation of these species.
Other
EV: During August, Biologist Morris is testing out an all-electric pickup truck. Morris’ experience driving the electric vehicle (EV) will help WDFW determine how electric vehicles fit the business needs of the agency and private lands biologists.
