Managing Wildlife Populations
Mazama Pocket Gopher: Biologists Tirhi and Butler and Technicians Leipold and Troutman completed the last gopher survey for the 2024 season. The annual gopher surveys are conducted to assess both the gopher density and estimated number of gophers on any given site, for recovery purposes. The mazama pocket gopher is a federal and state listed species. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) staff members conducted surveys throughout Thurston and Mason counties this year at a subset of known gopher sites. The data collected will need to be analyzed before each site’s population estimate can be determined.
Biologists Tirhi and Butler also represented District 11 at the annual Mazama Pocket Gopher Working Group meeting attended by state, federal, county, city, NGO, and land conservancy partners. Presentations and discussions included surveys, habitat management, land acquisition and conservation easements, recovery planning and research needs.
Shelton Pocket Gopher: Biologist Murphie participated in survey activities associated with Shelton pocket gophers near Shelton.
Acoustic monitor Retrieval: Biologist Butler, along with technician Leopold, retrieved six acoustic monitors located at two Oregon spotted frog (OSF) sites. These monitors were placed at OSF sites in June with the goal of recording any bullfrogs that may be calling in the area. Bullfrogs are an invasive species and a huge threat to OSF populations as well as numerous other native wildlife species. These audio surveys provide one method to survey for the presence of bullfrogs across the landscape. The data will now need to be downloaded and analyzed to determine the presence of bullfrogs.
Oregon spotted frog: Biologist Tirhi participated in a planning meeting organized by Deptartment of Ecology and Chehalis Basin Strategy members to discuss a joint Bureau of Reclamation Watersmart Grant to benefit fish, frogs, and habitat in the Chehalis Basin/Black River. Tirhi presented to the Aquatic Species Restoration Program an overview of surveys, monitoring, habitat management, and research for spotted frogs that has taken place at the Salmon, Allen, and Mima Creek breeding sites. Tirhi also attended the Chehalis Basin Strategy quarterly meeting.
Black Bear and Cougar Management: Biologist Murphie participated in activities related to drafting the bear and cougar chapters of the new game management plan.
Dusky Canada Goose: Every year, District 17 biologists survey Grays Harbor and Pacific County twice per month from November to April to count dusky Canada geese and identify marked geese. Marked duskies are equipped with collars that have a unique alpha-numeric code (a combination of letters and numbers), allowing biologists to identify the specific bird.
The first round of surveys, which Biologists Cent and Novack completed in the first days of November, revealed low numbers of duskies. This is normal, as many have yet to show up for the winter. By the mid-November survey, the bulk of the duskies seemed to have arrived from Alaska.
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI): Earlier this month, District 17 biologists received a report of two snowy plovers on the Long Beach Peninsula that were suspect cases for HPAI. Concerned that there could be additional plovers affected by HPAI, Biologist Cent spent two days looking for sick or dead plovers at other sites where plovers frequently spend their time in the winter months. She found none. District 17 biologists and WDFW Diversity biologists plan to regularly patrol the beaches in the coming months to monitor wintering plover flocks for signs of HPAI.
Providing Recreation Opportunities
North Olympic Waterfowl Habitat Improvement: District Biologist Ament and Wildlife Area Manager Laushman met with Waterfowl Section Manager Spragens and U.S. Fish and Wildlife (USFWS) Coastal Program staff members to discuss ideas for improving waterfowl habitat and future hunt opportunities at the Dungeness and Discovery Bay Units.
Carney Lake, Kitsap County: Natural Resource Specialist Reeves and Water Access staff members contracted with a local arborist to address needs at Carney Lake. A large fir tree’s limbs were skirted several feet up to ensure adequate space to operate a crane. This coming spring, a new restroom will be installed by way of crane to replace the existing fiberglass toilet. The upgrade is designed to accommodate all users and will meet ADA standards. The CXT restroom will drastically improve the site cosmetically, requires less maintenance, has an estimated service life of more than 50 years, and will include a designated ADA parking stall.
Wye Lake, Kitsap County: The same crew and arborist from Carney Lake addressed problematic trees at Wye Lake. Several large conifers were limbed, and branches were removed from a neighboring property’s roof, gutters, and satellite dish. One unhealthy Alder, choked with ivy and heavily leaning towards the neighbor’s house, was topped down several feet, leaving roughly15 feet remaining to minimize impact of closely rooted trees. Cut limbs and branches were chipped by access staff members. A health assessment of other trees in the area was made and will be used to strategize for future projects that will benefit tree health, neighboring properties, and the overall appearance of the site.
Hunting Season Recommendations: Biologist Novack submitted his recommendations for potential changes to next year’s hunting seasons.
Providing Conflict Prevention and Education
Beaver damage response: Biologist Tirhi assisted Conflict Specialist McNiff and Hatchery Manager Aiken with relocating an adult female beaver that was blocking culverts and building dams at the water delivery system at Lakewood Hatchery. Two juveniles were trapped and relocated the week earlier followed by the continued damage and the need to trap and relocate the adult female. All three were released at a remote wetland on Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) with the cooperation of JBLM staff members.
Conserving Natural Landscapes
Bell Creek Oaks Volunteer Work Party: Wildlife Area Manager Manager Laushman helped coordinate a volunteer work party for the Garry Oak restoration project in Sequim, within the Bell Creek Unit of the North Olympic Wildlife Area. Volunteer members helped remove protective cages from Garry Oaks that had outgrown them. These trees were planted around 20 years ago in a long-term volunteer effort to restore oak habitat in Sequim.
Lakewood Turtle Pond Habitat Restoration: WDFW staff members and volunteer members spent the week of November 18 undertaking a large planting and restoration project at the Lakewood Turtle Pond habitat. Wildlife Area Manager Laushman, District Biologist Tirhi, Assistant District Biologist Butler, Assistant Wildlife Program Manager Blankenship, and Technicians Norris, Leipold and Trautmann, along with two Northwest Youth Corps (NYC) crews and local volunteers planted over 700 native shrubs and over 2,000 native flower and grass plugs in areas cleared from invasive scotch broom, reed canary grass, and blackberry. These efforts will help improve habitat for native turtles and frogs as well as local biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Providing Education and Outreach
Discovery Bay Field Trip: Wildlife Area Manager Laushman helped facilitate a Chimacum Middle School field trip to the Discovery Bay Unit of the North Olympic Wildlife Area where students learned about healthy salmon habitats and restoration actions.
Invasive Species Working Group: District Biologist Ament, Wildlife Area Manager Laushman, and Noxious Weed Coordinator Heimer attended the Olympic Invasive Working Group meeting in Blyn. Biologist Ament gave a presentation on Taylor Checkerspot work in the North Olympic region.
General Wildlife Inquiries: Biologist Murphie responded to inquiries received by phone or email related to deer and elk hunting, sick deer, Canada goose, and osprey nest removal permits.
Conducting Business Operations and Policy
Bear Management Plan: Biologist Novack submitted his comments and review of the draft black bear chapter of the new game management plan.
Other
Aircraft Safety Class Instruction: Biologist Murphie prepared and held an aircraft safety class in Port Townsend.
Wetland Management Training: Wildlife Area Managers Bechtold and Laushman attended a Wetland Management Training program hosted at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge to learn about moist-soil habitat management techniques.
