Managing Wildlife Populations

Grouse Surveys: Biologist Murphie conducted sooty grouse survey work along four routes in District 15. Biologists Novack and Cent, along with Technician Martinez, established transect lines and completed surveys for sooty grouse in District 17.

Taylor’s Checkerspot Surveys: Biologist Murphie participated in activities related to Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly surveys in District 16.

Western Pond Turtle: Biologist Murphie conducted work related to western pond turtle recovery at the site he manages in District 15.

Deer and Elk: Biologist Murphie participated in fawn and calf collaring activities related to research being conducted by the Makah Tribe in District 16.

Marbled Murrelet: Biologist Murphie participated in marbled murrelet capture activities related to research being conducted by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Marine Bird Research Section related to marbled murrelet diet.

Bats: Biologist Murphie participated in bat capture activities in the Hamma Hamma area as part of a white-nose syndrome surveillance effort.

Snowy Plovers: Biologist Cent led efforts to conduct the range-wide breeding survey for western snowy plovers. Biologist Novack assisted, along with Wildlife Area Technicians Martinez and Magliaro, and an assortment of Diversity Division staff members, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biologist Ritchie, Shoalwater Biologist Sundstrom, and EcoStudies Technician Marty. All sites were surveyed, and the overall numbers seemed robust compared to last year.

Biologist Cent continues to assist with plover nest searches and chick banding. A pair of chicks were captured and banded at Copalis Spit. These are the first plovers banded in Washington in many years.

Streaked Horned Lark: Biologist Cent surveyed the Shelton Airport for streaked horned larks. Only one bird was seen.

Band-Tailed Pigeon: Biologist Novack, along with Section Manager Spragens and Biologist Behling, conducted captures of band-tailed pigeons in the Kala Point neighborhood near Port Townsend. A dozen birds were captured and banded. Five of those birds were fitted with Ornitela brand transmitters that will allow the agency to track their movements and help identify new mineral sites. Thanks to various members of the neighborhood housing association for allowing access to their properties.

Image

Photo by WDFW

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Wildlife Area Maintenance: Technician Norris maintained vegetation around the parking areas at the Dungeness and Chimacum units of the North Olympic Wildlife Area.

South Puget Sound Spring Work Party: The Clover Park Rotary Club hosted their biannual work party at the South Puget Sound Unit in Lakewood. They had over 50 volunteers out to help pull weeds, plant native plants, and clean up trash. 

Image

Photo by WDFW

Protection Island Restoration: Technician Norris and Wildlife Area Manager Laushman visited the Zella Schultz Unit on Protection Island. They treated invasive mustards and thistle.

Image

Photo by WDFW

Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) Grant: Biologist Novack presented an RCO-Riparian Grant application to RCO tech reviews. The committee provided some feedback on how to improve the application.

Providing Education and Outreach

General Wildlife Inquiries: Biologist Murphie responded to inquiries received by phone or email related to hunting seasons and pamphlets, bats, and river otters. 

Theler Wetlands: Wildlife Area Manager Laushman met with staff members from the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group (HCSEG) and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Communications and Public Engagement (CAPE) Program to discuss the next steps with the Theler Exhibit Hall recently acquired by WDFW at the Union River Wildlife Area in Belfair. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and HCSEG are working together to get the exhibit hall ready for public use again and are also working on estuary restoration and trail restoration work at the unit. 

Image

Photo by WDFW

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Diversity Grant: Biologist Novack and Cent reviewed applications for funding by the Diversity Division and submitted their evaluation scores.

Diversity Technician Hiring: The process is continuing to hire diversity technicians that will work in Region 6.

Managing Wildlife Populations

Goose Surveys: Biologist Cent and Novack conducted their bi-monthly surveys of dusky Canada geese across Grays Harbor and Pacific counties.

Olympic Peninsula Technical Elk Meeting: District 17 Biologists Novack and Cent attended a coordination meeting with tribal and non-tribal representatives regarding elk management and monitoring on the Olympic Peninsula.

Marbled Murrelets: Biologist Tirhi assisted with the murrelet captures on four separate occasions and was involved in the capture of 3 of the 5 total marbled murrelets captured for the research project (and one ancient murrelet). Marbled murrelets are a state and federally listed species. This study was designed to capture marbled murrelets for prey diet research and is funded by the U.S. Navy. 

Image

Photo by WDFW

Image

Photo by WDFW

Oregon Spotted Frog: The frog season is off to a slow but steady start across south Puget Sound. Biologist Tirhi has spent several days conducting early season surveys including at the Salmon Creek breeding site where the first ten egg masses were recorded. Tirhi has also spent time mapping out wetlands across four focal areas of Thurston County and researching land ownership and access permission in order to conduct the 2024 surveys. 

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Protection Island Restoration: Wildlife Area Manager Laushman and Technicians Morgan and Norris visited the Zella Schultz Unit on Protection Island for ongoing restoration work. They seeded native species and applied herbicide to germinating invasive species on the island. 

Image

Photo by WDFW

South Puget Sound Weed Control: Technician Morgan continued mowing of Scotch broom on the northern hillsides at the South Puget Sound Unit in Lakewood and cleared thick areas of Scotch broom near the Lakewood Hatchery. Wildlife Area Manager Laushman treated patches of spurge laurel and poison hemlock. 

Image

Photo by WDFW

Image

Photo by WDFW

Region 6 Office Wetlands Restoration: Biologists Novack and Cent, along with wildlife area technicians and customer service staff members, planted willow stakes in the wetland area behind the regional office in Montesano. The wetlands are overrun with exotic reed-canary grass and yellow-eyed iris which prevents natural succession. Protective wiring was installed around the planted willows to prevent deer and beaver damage during initial establishment.

Image

Photo by WDFW

Prairie Species and Oregon Spotted Frog land protection: Biologist Tirhi spent considerable time working with Land Protection Lead Frediani on creating a GIS mapping tool to prioritize land acquisition and conservation priorities for Thurston County. Tirhi and Frediani met individually with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, Thurston County, and Washington Water Trust to showcase the tool and discuss partnerships for implementation. This partnership will continue and will use various funding sources to acquire or otherwise protect lands for these priority species. 

Providing Education and Outreach

Puyallup Sportsman Show: Biologist Tirhi covered one shift at the annual sportsmen show held at the Puyallup fairgrounds. 

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Capital Project Proposal: Biologist Novack, working in conjunction with Wildlife Area Manager Bechtold and Kronland, submitted a proposal for removing derelict structures on the Chehalis and Davis Creek units concurrent with constructing an ADA accessible observation platform at Davis Creek.

Tracked All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV): Biologists Butler and Tirhi spent several hours cleaning out a donated space at one of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife fish hatcheries for the storage of the district’s tracked ATV used for winter surveys and monitoring. The desire was to move the machine from the open into an enclosed area to prevent rust. District 11 is grateful to the Hatchery Program for allowing the use of the space. 

Image

Photo by WDFW

Managing Wildlife Populations

Marbled Murrelet Captures: Biologist Murphie assisted the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife marine bird research team with their at-sea murrelet capture efforts. Samples collected at capture will provide information on the diet of these small sea birds. For this effort, the team was working near Port Townsend and Smith Island.

To catch these birds, capture teams drive small, rigid-hull, inflatable boats around at night using spotlights to find marbled or ancient murrelets. Once found, the boat maneuvers close enough to the marbled murrelet so that a crew member can catch them with a salmon-landing net. Biologist Murphie reported the team caught two ancient and three marbled murrelets on the nights he participated. Additional efforts continue.

Image

Photo by WDFW

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Forest Health Planning: Wildlife Area Manager Laushman visited the Tarboo Unit of the North Olympic Wildlife Area with Forest Specialists Tveten and Nequette and a student researcher from Green River College to plan upcoming survey work for forest health improvements in the unit.

Image

Photo by WDFW

Nisqually Fence: Technician Norris added to the fence line along an eroding shore at the Nisqually Unit to improve public safety in the area.

South Puget Sound Cleanup: Members of the Clover Park Rotary Club and local Eagle Scouts helped clean up brush piles at the South Puget Sound Unit in Lakewood, consolidating them into an area where they can more readily decompose. This will allow space for prairie restoration.

Image

Photo by WDFW

Image

Photo by WDFW

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Safety Stand-up: Biologist Murphie participated in several activities associated with the agency-wide safety stand-up effort.

Managing Wildlife Populations

Deer and Chronic Wasting Disease: At the request of Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Veterinarian Haman, Biologist Tirhi met with a hunter who harvested a deer in Colorado that tested positive for chronic wasting disease. Following protocol, Tirhi collected and disposed of the meat and educated the hunter about decontamination requirements.

Western Pond Turtle: Biologists Butler and Tirhi represented Region 6 at the annual Northwestern Pond Turtle Partners Annual Meeting which was attended by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Region 6, Region 5, and Olympia headquarters staff members, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Woodland Park Zoo, Oregon Zoo, PAWS, Sustainability in Prisons Project, and our citizen scientists. This is the annual opportunity for Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and its partners to discuss and plan the past and upcoming turtle seasons and all things related to turtle recovery.

Oregon Spotted Frog Working Group: Biologists Butler and Tirhi represented District 11 at the annual Washington working group meeting hosted at U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service headquarters. The meeting was well attended by federal, state, county, and non-government organizations, including academia and citizen science partners. This meeting is our annual opportunity to review, discuss, and plan all things related to spotted frog recovery in Washington. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is grateful for the excellent partnerships protecting this most amazing and precious frog (Rana pretiosa, meaning "precious frog").

Image

Photo by WDFW

Oregon Spotted Frog Hydrology Monitoring: Biologist Tirhi completed the weekly hydrology monitoring at our Salmon Creek frog breeding site. This monitoring provides information on the success of the frog restoration work, including the control of invasive reed canary grass. Fall and winter rains have returned and are filling the wetlands and should provide adequate levels for successful spotted frog breeding. Temperatures suggest that the frog season may start earlier this year.

Image

Photo by WDFW

Marbled Murrelet: Biologist Tirhi assisted Olympia headquarters staff members with one evening session of murrelet captures on various parts on the Puget Sound. Although they did not capture any murrelets on this outing, one was seen towards the end of the survey but flushed before being caught. Tirhi and Butler will be assisting again in February.

Sea Duck, Marine Bird Surveys: Biologist Murphie participated in the annual Puget Sound Ecosystem Monitoring Program winter marine bird and mammal survey effort, as a primary observer. These surveys have been conducted since 1992 and sample the inland marine waters of Washington. Biologist Murphie has participated in this effort since 1995. Observers identify and count all birds and marine mammals seen within a fifty-meter strip on either side of the survey aircraft. The current survey track line extends about 4,000 miles. The survey effort was completed on Jan. 30.

Grouse Wing and Tail Collection Barrels: Biologist Murphie placed grouse wing collection barrels at two locations in District 15 prior to the grouse season opener in September. They were located at Simpson Mill 5 near Matlock and at the George Adams Hatchery north of Shelton during the entirety of the grouse hunting season and 24 samples were collected. Both barrels were removed after the season ended.

Goose Surveys: Biologists Cent and Novack conducted their bi-monthly dusky Canada goose surveys across Grays Harbor and Pacific counties.

Swan Surveys: Biologist Cent conducted another tundra and trumpeter swan count since, the first survey resulted in a low count total of 52 swans. Sometimes the swans are simply in a location that we are unaware of or do not have visual access. The second count resulted in 104 swans.

Plover Survey: Biologist Cent and Diversity Biologist Anholt surveyed multiple coastal sites for wintering snowy plovers in coordination with surveys across Oregon and California. A total of 38 wintering plovers were recorded at Midway and along the beach north of Ocean Shores. At least four banded plovers were seen. They hope that additional birds will be seen by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services at Leadbetter and the Shoalwater Tribe at Graveyard/Empire spit.

Auklet Reports: Biologist Cent responded to a report of dead auklets along the beach in Ocean Shores. One carcass was retrieved for disease testing.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Grays Harbor Access Areas Clean up: Access staff members continue to deal with dumping at Grays Harbor Access Areas, specifically: Morley-Humptulips River, Longs Swamp-Wishkah River, and Fuller Bridge-Chehalis River. Pictured below are just a few of the recent illegal dump sites that have occurred on Department of Fish and Wildlife properties in recent weeks.

Image

Photo by WDFW

Image

Photo by WDFW

Image

Photo by WDFW

Image

Photo by WDFW

Reynvaan Bar-Humptulips River: Access staff members with the assistance of the neighboring timber company’s logging equipment and behind the scenes work by Region 6 Enforcement officers were finally able to remove and dispose of an abandoned travel trailer that was forcefully dragged through a jeep trail until it was hung up in between trees in a wooded area of the site and came to rest on the property boundary. The additional help was definitely needed to accomplish this task. The loader was able to dismantle and load the travel trailer in two dump trailers for removal.

Image

Photo by WDFW

Image

Photo by WDFW

Image

Photo by WDFW

Image

Photo by WDFW

Lake Tahuya Access Area, Mason County: Access staff members made concrete forms and placed removable bollards at the recently developed Lake Tahuya site. The bollards are located atop of the access trail, the trail and access were designed for hand launching only. The bollards were placed to ensure vehicles do not attempt to access the water. However, they are locking and removable when needed for planting fish or facility maintenance.

Image

Photo by WDFW

Image

Photo by WDFW

Treponeme-associated Hoof Disease Permit Hunters: Biologist Novack has checked the hooves from various Master Hunter permittees and issued renewal letters for those submitting abnormal hooves. The renewal letters allow the Master Hunter to use their unused general season tag to try and harvest a second treponeme-associated hoof disease (TAHD) infected elk.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Elk River Wetland Planting: District Biologist Novack, Assistant District Biologist Cent and Wildlife Area Manager Bechtold assisted Wildlife Area Technicians Magliaro and Martinez to complete a 2-acre wetland planting project in the Elk River Unit of the Olympic-Willapa Hills Wildlife Area. The project took about two months to complete in total. The project entailed the installation of roughly 200 large willow and cottonwood cuttings, as well as constructing and installing protective cages to prevent damage from beaver, nutria, elk, etc. This project is part of a larger habitat enhancement project at the Elk River Unit, funded by the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office, with upland, wetland, and riparian aspects.

Image

Photo by WDFW

South Puget Sound Management: Technician Morgan and Wildlife Area Manager Laushman continued weed management activities at the South Puget Sound Wildlife Area in Lakewood, specifically mowing Scotch broom to open up native populations of lupine and pulling patches of spurge laurel.

Image

Photo by WDFW

Theler Wetlands: The Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group’s Washington Conservation Corps crew removed invasive plants around the Theler Wetlands at the Union River Wildlife Area. These included large swaths of blackberry and hanging sedge around the Theler Community Center buildings.

Image

Photo by WDFW

McNeil Plantings: The Nisqually Tribe’s planting crew helped wildlife area and Habitat Program staff members replant the Milewa Estuary restoration area on McNeil Island. The estuary was restored in 2022 and new native shrub species were provided by partners at the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service to help restore the disturbed banks. 

Image

Photo by WDFW

Joint Base Lewis-McChord Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan. Biologist Tirhi spent considerable time reviewing and providing edits to the draft integrated natural resource management plan (INRMP). The INRMP guides natural resource management across the Department of Defense Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) Installation. JBLM contains the majority of remnant south Puget Sound prairie, a habitat that is critical to the recovery of several federally and state listed prairie species including Mazama pocket gopher, streaked horned lark, Oregon vesper sparrow, and Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly. Other priority species also rely on this area, in particular native prairie butterflies. For this reason, the INRMP plays a critical role.  

Providing Education and Outreach

Puyallup Sportsmen’s Show: Biologist Novack and Butler staffed the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife booth at the Puyallup Sportsmen’s show on Jan. 31 and interacted with a large number of hunters. Public inquiries ranged from questions about where to apply for special permits to, what is going to happen with grizzly bears.

Falconry Opportunities: Wildlife Area Manager Laushman met with a local falconer to discuss wildlife areas suitable for hunting with his red-tailed hawk, Ruby.

Image

Photo by WDFW

General Wildlife Inquiries: Biologist Murphie responded to inquiries received by phone or email related to duck hunting, osprey nest removal, river otters, and bird watching.

Managing Wildlife Populations

Sea duck, Marine Bird Surveys: Biologist Murphie participated in the annual Puget Sound Ecosystem Monitoring Program winter marine bird and mammal survey effort, as a primary observer. These surveys have been conducted since 1992 and sample the inland marine waters of Washington. Biologist Murphie has participated in this effort since 1995. Observers identify and count all birds and marine mammals seen within a fifty-meter strip on either side of the survey aircraft. The current survey track line extends about 4,000 miles. So far, the crew has completed about 65% of the effort. The figure below shows the track lines covered so far (blue lines) and the track lines remaining (red lines), as of Jan. 4. 

Image

Photo by WDFW

Grouse Wing and Tail Collection Barrels: Biologist Murphie placed grouse wing collection barrels at two locations in District 15 prior to the grouse season opener in September. They are located at Simpson Mill 5 near Matlock and at the George Adams Hatchery north of Shelton. Twenty-four samples have been collected this season, but none in recent weeks.

Goose Surveys: Biologist Cent and Novack conducted their bi-monthly surveys of dusky Canada goose across Grays Harbor and Pacific counties.

Swan Surveys: Biologist Cent conducted District 17’s annual tundra and trumpeter swan count, where she counted a total of 52 swans. This count is low, and Biologist Cent plans to survey a second time to confirm these numbers. Sometimes the swans are simply in a location that we are unaware of or do not have access to.

Brant Survey: Biologist Novack and Cent, along with Waterfowl Section Manager Spragens, conducted the annual survey of Brant at Willapa Bay. Just shy of 3,000 Brant were seen, which is well in line with prior years. Brant have been surveyed on an annual basis at Willapa Bay since 1959.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Treponeme-associated Hoof Disease Permit Hunters: Biologist Novack has checked the hooves from various Master Hunter permittees and issued renewal letters for those submitting abnormal hooves. The renewal letters allow the Master Hunter to use their unused general season tag to try and harvest a 2^nd treponeme-associated hoof disease infected elk.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Morse Creek Cleanup: Wildlife Area Manager Laushman and Officer Lasko cleaned up an illegal campsite and debris located in the Morse Creek Unit.

Protection Island Visit: Technician Norris and Wildlife Area Manager Laushman visited the Zella Schultz Unit on Protection Island to assess recent work on invasive species and transplanted dune grasses.

Image

Photo by WDFW

Scatter Creek Wildlife Area: Biologist Kronland, Scatter Creek Wildlife Area staff members, Washington Conservation Corps crews, and Ecostudies partners have been able to treat non-native vegetation and seed and plant plugs on all five units burned this summer on the West Rocky and Scatter Creek units of the wildlife area, setting-us up for a fantastic spring show of prairie blooms.

We have also been able to take advantage of fantastic fire effects from the previous burn season and sow additional seed into units burned in 2022. The efforts have gone far in enhancing habitat for federally listed Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly, Mazama pocket gopher, and all the other critters and plants that call the prairie and oak lands of the Scatter Creek Wildlife Area home, which we guess now includes bluegill.

Seemingly random flash flood events have been inundating the mima mounds on some of our post-prescribed fire restoration sites, leaving behind piles of fresh water pan fish and the lingering question of where they came from. So, find your bobbers, get some red worms, and come out to Scatter Creek to catch yourself a mess of prairie bluegill! But be quick, because the surface water doesn’t flow for long and you may need to rake them up instead.

Image

Photo by WDFW

Image

Photo by WDFW

Providing Education and Outreach

General Wildlife Inquiries: Biologist Murphie responded to inquiries received by phone and email related to elk, deer, and duck hunting, grouse hunting, an osprey nest removal request, a sick Canada goose, fencing, and eastern gray squirrel.

 

Other

Snow Creek Site Visit: Wildlife Area Manager Laushman and Technician Stoneburner attended a group field tour led by the North Olympic Salmon Coalition and Jefferson Land Trust to learn about a recent restoration project on Snow Creek just upstream of the Discovery Bay Unit. The project increased stream complexity and reduced erosion and sediment loads in the creek, which will improve salmon habitat throughout the system.

Image

Photo by WDFW

Managing Wildlife Populations

Streaked Horned Lark Working Group: Biologists Tirhi and Butler represented Region 6 at the annual working group meeting hosted by the Portland Airport. The agenda included presentations on research results including habitat enhancement and lark reintroduction, updates to the federal listings and federal recovery plans, updates from both Oregon and Washington wildlife departments regarding ongoing and planned lark work, an overview of the survey results from Oregon and Washington 2022-2023 (including on airfields), data management needs, and more.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife thanks Portland Airport for being such an excellent host and partner on lark recovery.

Mima Creek Unit, Oregon Spotted Frog and Waterfowl Grant Funding: In November, Biologist Tirhi gave a grant request presentation to the Aquatic Species Restoration Plan (ASRP) Regional Implementation Team review board. The grant presentation was for Phase 2 of the Mima Creek Unit of the Scatter Creek Wildlife Area Oregon spotted frog/fisheries project. Phase 2 requests $122,427 towards design completion, permitting, and cultural review for the construction of two ponds, hydrologic connector to deep water Mima Creek tributary, manual gate pond water control installation, and the installation of several beaver dam analogs into Mima Creek. After receiving a unanimous thumbs up by the review board, Tirhi completed and submitted the next step of the grant request.

Biologists Tirhi and Novak met with Ducks Unlimited staff members to discuss the early stages of project implementation after being notified that the $1.3M Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife and Ducks Unlimited (DU) North American Wetland Conservation Act (NAWCA) grant was awarded. Mima Creek will receive $310,000 from the NAWCA grant to enhanced wetlands for waterfowl and other species.

Image

Photo by WDFW

Western Pond Turtle: Biologists Butler and Tirhi represented Region 6 at the annual internal pond turtle planning meeting which was also attended by Region 5 and headquarters staff members. This is the annual opportunity for those Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists responsible for management of the eight pond turtle recovery sites to discuss and plan the past and upcoming turtle seasons and turtle recovery. The team presented their 2023 survey results and data collection including radio tagged breeding females and nesting results. They also discussed and planned research needs including disease response (USD), husbandry, and grant opportunities. This annual internal meeting is always followed at a future date with the larger partnership that includes Woodland Park Zoo, Oregon Zoo, PAWS, Sustainability in Prisons Project, and others.

Barred Owl and Common Loon: Biologist Tirhi represented District 11 by attending the internal discussion on barred owl removal project Barred Owl Management | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (fws.gov) and the internal planning discussion for common loon surveys and needs.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Chimacum Unit Gate: Capital Asset Management Program (CAMP) staff members installed a gate at the Chimacum Unit in the North Olympic Wildlife Area to help allow emergency vehicles and vegetation maintenance equipment into the unit.

Image

Photo by WDFW

Johns River Kiosk Repair: Assistant Manager Gallegos, Technicians Magliaro and Martinez, and staff members at the Olympic-Willapa Hills Wildlife Area recently refurbished the kiosk at the Johns River Unit and water access area. Infrastructure such as wooden kiosks weather quickly in coastal areas and are often subject to deterioration of the lumber, moss and mold growth, loss of shingles, in addition to normal wear and tear.

Image

Photo by WDFW

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Interstate 5 (I-5) Connectivity Project: Biologist Tirhi represents Region 6 on the technical team for this project. She participated in the Connectivity Technical Team field trip to visit and discuss the various I-5 crossing locations that have been proposed. The team saw wildlife camera data from cameras positioned at the proposed locations showing big wildlife (bears, cougar) and small wildlife (bobcat, coyote, birds) attempting to cross or interested in crossing the interstate. Tirhi was surprised by how close the wildlife got to I-5 before deciding not to cross.

Image

Photo by WDFW

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Personnel Development Plan: Biologist Tirhi met with Biologist Butler to complete her annual evaluation and expectations review for 2023-2024. This was a time to review the excellent work Biologist Butler provides to the agency and highlight expected work for this next season. The wildlife of District 11 is better off due to the hard work of biologists like Biologist Butler.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Kitsap Lake, Kitsap County: The water access team removed a hazard tree at Kitsap Lake. This tree was broken roughly 30 feet up and was leaning over the back of the restroom towards the parking area. The access team was able to attach a cable to a truck and shake the lower portion of the tree subsequently forcing the upper part to fall in a controlled manner.

Image

Photo by WDFW

Image

Photo by WDFW

Morely Access, Grays Harbor: Access staff members dealt with a slew of littering issues including dumping of tires, construction debris, and abandoned vehicles. Shown below is a full trailer of 46 car and semi-truck tires dumped at the Morely Access Area on the Humptulips River. The cost for recycling commercial size tires is significantly more than passenger vehicle tires. This one trailer load cost over $350 to recycle.

Image

Photo by WDFW

Image

Photo by WDFW

Boston Harbor, Thurston County: Access staff members removed a dead madrone tree at the Boston Harbor ramp project. The project is nearing completion and includes a new boat ramp, restrooms, and parking area. Access staff members limbed and chipped most of the debris into the nearby planting strip. They left a ten-foot section that will remain as a post for the bat boxes that will be installed later this year.

Image

Photo by WDFW

Image

Photo by WDFW

Image

Photo by WDFW

Image

Photo by WDFW

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

McNeil Island Site Visit: Biologist Laushman, Wildlife Program staff members, and Lands Division staff members visited restoration areas on McNeil Island to look at previous work done and to discuss upcoming projects.

Image

Photo by WDFW

Managing Wildlife Populations

Grouse Wing/Tail Collection Barrels: Biologist Murphie has collected 24 samples from the Mill 5 and George Adams barrels deposited by hunters since the grouse season opened on Sept. 15. Biologist Cent also continues to collect wing and tail samples collected by grouse hunters.

Sooty Grouse Survey Routes: In preparation for the next sooty grouse survey season, Biologist Murphie established survey routes in (Game Management Units) GMUs 621, 636, and 651. Biologist Cent also finalized routes for the upcoming sooty grouse surveys.

Elk Season Opener: Biologist Novack worked the modern firearm elk season opener in GMU 672. Morning weather was abysmal with high winds and hard rain. There were no harvests reported nor seen by those contacted.

Westside Deer and Elk Management: Biologists Butler and Tirhi met with other biologists, managers, and research staff members involved with managing westside deer and elk populations. This coordination meeting began with a discussion covering current management and monitoring methods for black-tailed deer and the western Washington elk herds. The meeting’s goal was to discuss current and future monitoring priorities and begin to strategize monitoring and management needs relative to cost for western Washington black-tailed deer and elk herds. Additional meetings will follow.

Dusky Canada Goose Surveys: Biologist Cent and Novack conducted dusky goose surveys. Limited numbers of dusky Canada geese were seen.

Presumed Avian Influenza in Geese: Biologist Cent visited a property near Elma and observed about 100 dead and dying cacklers. Additional reports of dead and dying cacklers were reported within a few miles of this location.

Game Management Plan and Three-Year Season Setting: Biologist Murphie has participated in several meetings and discussions related to Game Management Plan (GMU) revisions and three-year season setting work.

Mazama Pocket Gopher: Biologists Butler, Tirhi, Cent, and Rolls, other Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) staff members, and trained volunteers finished the 2023 Mazama pocket gopher survey effort this past week. The Mazama pocket gopher was listed as state threatened and the sub-species within Pierce and Thurston counties were listed as federally threatened with loss of habitat being a main driver of its decline.

This year’s survey efforts focused on measuring the abundance of gophers at known locations using a relatively new survey method. This method involved biologists collecting the locations of all fresh mounds along set transects, which a model then uses to estimate gopher abundance. The field data collected this year is awaiting analysis. Biologist Murphie also participated in a pocket gopher survey training activity.

Image

Photo by WDFW

Fisher Study: Biologists Butler and Tirhi assisted District 13 staff members deploying a fisher scent station in Snohomish County this past week. Fishers are a member of the weasel family native to Washington’s forests. Due to over-trapping and habitat loss, fisher populations declined, and the species was listed as endangered by Washington State in 1998. In response, a fisher reintroduction project was established across the Olympic Peninsula and then the Cascade Mountain Range which released 279 fishers from Canada into Washington from 2008 to 2021. This year fisher scent stations were set up across the northern Cascades to monitor the distribution of fishers. The scent stations were set up in the fall with a trail camera and left over winter in hopes of attracting a fisher.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Processing Harvested Game and Hunter Outreach: Biologist Tirhi processed six bobcats, three cougar, and one bear in early November.

Biologist Tirhi assisted eight hunters by advising them on hunting access and opportunities in District 11. Tirhi provided them with maps and hunting prospects.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Protection Island Fieldwork: Technicians Magliaro, Martinez, and Norris, Wildlife Area Manager Laushman, and Research Biologist Pearson visited the Zella Schulz Unit of the North Olympic Wildlife Area on Protection Island. They treated invasive weeds, seeded native plants, and transplanted native dune grass to previously burned areas of the island utilized by rhinoceros auklets.

Image

Photo by WDFW

Elk River Unit Wetland: Biologist Novack and Cent worked with Lands Division staff members to initiate restoration of a wetland portion of the Elk River Unit. Willow stakes are being planted in an area dominated by reed canary grass.

Oregon Spotted Frog: Biologist Tirhi worked with WDFW Fish and Habitat Program staff members, Aquatic Species Restoration Plan (ASRP) advisors, and Wild Fish Conservancy NW to draft the first step of an ASRP funding request for the construction of two ponds at the Mima Creek Unit, Oregon spotted frog breeding site.

The project will include a hydrologic connector in a deep water Mima Creek tributary that will have the ability to control the water level in the ponds via a manual gate. Phase 2 will also include the installation of beaver dam analogs at two locations on Mima Creek. The $126K request thru ASRP will pay for the cultural review, permitting, engineering staff members time, and overhead to enable Phase 3, and build.

Image

Photo by WDFW

Bats: Biologist Tirhi met with Western State Hospital and their construction engineering consultants to further discuss a project on the hospital campus to demolish several buildings, one of which is occupied by a maternity colony of bats. Tirhi and the team met earlier in the year for WDFW consultation.

This meeting was to discuss the possibility that the demolition may be delayed and thus overlap the breeding season when bats have returned and are already in the building (and prepare contingency plans). Unfortunately, bat colonies within structures occupied by people or in the vicinity of people do not have the same legal protections as those elsewhere. With that, Tirhi only advised how to avoid impact to the colony if the project is delayed. This included opening up the structure at the colony site to expose the bats to light and cold and thereby entice the bats to leave before they begin bearing pups.

Providing Education and Outreach

Discovery Bay Field Trip: Wildlife Area Manager Laushman and Regional Communications Specialist Mire visited a middle school field trip at the Discovery Bay Unit. North Olympic Salmon Coalition staff members and volunteers taught seventh graders about healthy stream habitat and helped students create restoration plans for upcoming tree plantings at the unit.

Image

Photo by WDFW

General Wildlife Inquiries: Biologist Murphie responded to inquiries received by phone, email, and in person related to duck hunting, elk hunting, western pond turtles, deer, pig, bobcat sealing, and osprey nest removals.

District 11 Drone Project: Biologist Tirhi was approached by a University of Washington Tacoma senior computer programming team with a request to work with District11 on a drone project within the district. Tirhi met with the WDFW Drone Lead Jansen and the computer programing teams to brainstorm potential project ideas, including pond turtle, deer, and spotted frog monitoring. There will be more information to come.

Other

Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Gate in Capital Forest: Biologist Novack found a DNR gate in Capitol Forest had been torn out, presumably during the modern firearm deer season. A note was sent to DNR enforcement staff members.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Theler Wetlands Visit: Wildlife Area Manager Laushman met with staff members from the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group at the Theler Wetlands to discuss upcoming trail and vegetation maintenance work that a Washington Conservation Crew (WCC) will do this winter.

Image

Photo by WDFW

Fallen Tree: The access team received a report of a fallen tree at Hicks Lake blocking the access road. There were several vehicles stuck behind the log which spanned from the neighboring residential property, across the Department of Fish and Wildlife access road, and into Lacey City Parks property damaging several sections of two different fences that parallel the driveway. Access staff members were close and sprung into superhero-like action. These efforts included cutting the downed fir tree, opening the roadway by pulling the logs out of the way, and freeing the trapped site users.

The access crew managed to remove the remaining debris, clearing the area for future fence repairs. They accomplished this task in such a quick fashion that they still had enough time to place gravel on the boat ramp. It was already on the schedule to occur the following morning.

Image

Photo by WDFW

Image

Photo by WDFW

Image

Photo by WDFW

Image

Photo by WDFW

Gravel Maintenance at Multiple Access Areas: The access team spread gravel at several access areas throughout the region. The access team hauled over 60,000 pounds of gravel to ten access areas. They filled gaps between ramp planks, side armoring, and potholes. In addition to the ramp maintenance, the crew also cleared storm drains, and bio swale catch basins that were clogged and not performing well.

Image

Photo by WDFW

Image

Photo by WDFW

Image

Photo by WDFW

Image

Photo by WDFW

Ross Point: Access staff members addressed issues associated with unlawful camping in Kitsap County’s Ross Point Access Area. The crew removed several hundred pounds of debris from the beach and wooded areas. They posted additional agency signs and cleared vegetation to give enforcement officers a better line of sight to monitor the property.

Image

Photo by WDFW

Image

Photo by WDFW

Other

Chainsaw Training: District Biologist McMillan, Assistant District Biologist Butler, Wildlife Area Technician Magliaro, and Wildlife Area Manager Laushman participated in a two-day chainsaw training course offered for Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife staff members to learn proper safety, maintenance, and usage techniques.

Image

Photo by WDFW

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Dungeness Hunting Point: Wildlife Area Manager Laushman and Biologist Ament prepared the River’s End site of the Dungeness Unit for waterfowl hunting season and refreshed safety signage at the Helen’s Pond site.

Image

Photo by WDFW

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Osprey On Cell Towers: Biologist Tirhi worked on three permit requests for osprey nest removals on cell towers in Olympia, Lake Tapps, and Vaughn. Companies can legally remove nests from cell towers outside the active nesting season, on inactive sites, or sites finished for the season using a permit issued by Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Image

Photo by WDFW

Image

Photo by WDFW

Conserving Natural Landscapes

South Puget Sound Prairies: Biologists Tirhi participated in an all-day workshop hosted by Washington State University extension (Thurston County) and held at Thurston Conservation District to discuss conservation easements for remnant prairies of South Puget Sound. Conservation easements are a tool widely used in habitat conservation whereby private lands are retained by the landowner, but certain uses of that land are bought so that those uses cannot be implemented on the site. Uses usually include removing the ability to convert the habitat to other uses like pavement, buildings, and infrastructure but might also dictate activities like grazing, farming, and water use.

The workshop was geared at introducing Northwest Rangeland Trust, a rancher-lead non-profit land trust based in northeast Oregon. This land conservancy currently owns two conservation easements in Thurston County and may be available to purchase more, particularly on working lands having remnant prairie. Significant funds will soon become available for remnant prairie land acquisition (including conservation easements) and listed prairie species enhancement through the Thurston County Habitat Conservation Plan and Department of Defense, Joint Base Lewis-McCord (JBLM) Readiness and Environmental Integration (REPI) program.

Read more about the Habitat Conservation Plan here and the JBLM REPI program here. Other local land trusts are also poised to participate in expanding their capacity and acquisitions through this funding. Trusts such as Capitol Land Trust, Community Farm Land Trust, and South of the Sound Community Farm Land Trust have a long history of successful land conservation in the South Puget Sound and do exceptional work. One thing is certain, it will take all partners working together to conserve remnant prairie and recover listed prairies species in the South Sound region.

Image

Photo by WDFW

Providing Education and Outreach

Theler Wetlands Restoration Public Meeting: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group held a public meeting at the Salmon Center in Belfair to present future restoration work at the Theler Wetlands. Plans for removal of a breached levee, restoration of the natural estuary, and a future boardwalk to connect the walking trails were presented, followed by a question and answer session. The next public meeting will be on Wednesday, Oct. 18 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the North Mason Timberland Library in Belfair.

South Puget Sound Wildlife Area Work Party: A volunteer opportunity is coming up for interested participants at the South Puget Sound Unit in Lakewood, on Oct. 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Activities will include planting native plants, pulling Scotch broom, preparing a restoration area for plantings and signage, and pruning trees. Contact Katie Laushman with any questions.

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Nisqually Indian Tribe Co-management: Biologist Tirhi arranged a collaboration meeting with Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Regions 5 and 6 Wildlife Program staff members, Nisqually Indian Tribe Wildlife Program Manager Borrego, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service partners, and WDFW Wolf Specialist Lead Maletzke to discuss and plan wildlife co-management opportunities between Nisqually Indian Tribe and WDFW. Wolf monitoring was the main emphasis.

Camp Murray Integrated Natural Resources Management Planning: Biologist Tirhi represented WDFW at the Camp Murray Integrated Natural Resources Management Planning (INRMP) workshop held at Camp Murray, Pierce County. Camp Murray is located adjacent to and is home to the Washington Army National Guard, Washington State Guard, and the Washington Air National Guard. It has been a military post since 1855. Camp Murray encompasses approximately 295 acres containing American Lake shoreline, oak woodlots, conifer forest, remnant prairie soils, Murray Creek, buildings, and infrastructure.

The Sikes Act requires most military installations within the United States to develop and implement a comprehensive plan for natural resource conservation and management (for example, fish and wildlife, forestry, land management, outdoor recreation) on the installation. The INRMP requires both federal and state representation and signatures. Tirhi reviewed the current draft INRMP and participated in the full day planning meeting. WDFW appreciates the dedication shown by the Washington Army National Guard, Washington State Guard, and the Washington Air National Guard in preserving legacy wildlife and habitats on the installation and planning for their conservation and enhancement.

Region 6 Senior Staff Visit: The Wildlife Program senior staff group visited the Nisqually Unit of the South Puget Sound Wildlife Area, which is shared with the Luhr’s Landing Water Access Area and the Nisqually Reach Nature Center. Staff members from the Nature Center gave a tour of their facilities to the group. The Nature Center is open to the public on the weekends and provides summer camp opportunities in the summer.

Image

Photo by WDFW

Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge Visit: Staff members from Regions 4 and 6 toured the boardwalk at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge to learn about engineering successes and challenges involved in tidal boardwalk trails, to inform potential boardwalk designs at WDFW wildlife areas.

Image

Photo by WDFW