Managing Wildlife Populations
Greater sage-grouse and Columbian sharp-tailed grouse: It’s officially grouse survey season! Biologists are monitoring known leks across Douglas County to get population estimates of both greater sage-grouse and Columbian sharp-tailed grouse, both of which are classified as endangered by the state of Washington. Douglas County has by far the highest abundance of greater sage-grouse in the state of Washington; however, the population is small and has experienced a steep decline over the past several decades.
Additionally, biologists and other Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) staff members and agency partners are conducting an intensive search for previously unknown leks by driving county roads and stopping every half mile to get out and listen for the vocalizations grouse often make while displaying. With this year’s increase in survey effort, biologists hope to find more lek sites for both species and locate leks that were displaced by the Pearl Hill Fire. For more information on greater sage-grouse and Columbian sharp-tailed grouse in Washington, visit the WDFW website.
Sage Grouse Lek Counts: The Biodiversity Team has been conducting annual lek counts to monitor sage grouse populations in Douglas County. This year, they have been monitoring the Pine Canyon lek and the Dutch Henry lek, which have both been active. Lek counts will continue through spring, along with search efforts to find new leks in the area.
Washington Ground Squirrels: Biologists from across central/eastern Washington gathered for a training day about how to trap and process Washington ground squirrels. Throughout this spring, biologists will be trapping Washington ground squirrels to collect buccal swabs (AKA a swipe on the inside of the cheek) to collect DNA samples that will be sent to the University of Idaho as part of a genetic study. Washington ground squirrels are designated as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need by WDFW, and a state candidate for listing.
Mountain Goats: Biologist Jeffreys and Wildlife Conflict Specialist Bridges spent a day aerially surveying the north shore of Lake Chelan and the Stehekin Area for mountain goats as part of ongoing efforts to learn more about the distribution, abundance, recruitment, and trends of mountain goat populations in the Lake Chelan Basin. Survey weather was ideal, with no wind and with partly cloudy skies becoming completely clear as the day progressed. Surveyors observed 62 goats between Lone Fir Creek and Boulder Creek, which represents the highest count for the north shore herd in over a decade!
This compares to last year’s count of 40 goats on the north shore, which in turn was higher than all counts between 2017 and 2023 (Range = 17-30). Biologists hope to see numbers continue to rise in the coming years.
Salamander Sightings: Evening work for northern leopard frogs has resulted in three incidental observations for tiger salamanders. Tiger salamanders are rarely seen as they are most active at night, but spring rains and warm evenings facilitate movement. Incidental observations like these are important for keeping updated records for species of concern.
Northern Leopard Frog Surveys: The Biodiversity Team have been performing breeding surveys for northern leopard frogs. These surveys are important as they help inform WDFW where these state-endangered frogs are not only occupying, but breeding. This spring, northern leopard frogs have been observed successfully overwintering for the first time at a reintroduction site and calling in ponds that were found to have these frogs for the first time in over 20 years.
