- Oct.
11, 2004
Sandhill Cranes Return to Shillapoo Wildlife Area and Surrounding Lands:
Late September and early October mark the migration of lesser sandhill
cranes through the Lower Columbia River area. Each year the cranes visit
this migration staging area to feed and replenish their energy reserves
to finish their migration to area further south. This area is considered
vital to the health of this population as it is the only major stopover
along this flyway route. Wildlife Area Manager Calkins reports seeing
between 5 to 800 cranes in the North Unit of the wildlife in conjunction
with other work on the unit. Regional Wildlife Program Manager Dobler
has reported seeing a large group of cranes at the northern end of Vancouver
Lake as well. Most often cranes are thought of as feeding exclusively
in croplands but are often also seen feeding in grazed pastures, wetlands
and mowed areas where they obtain nutrients from insects and native seeds
not available in grain crops.
-
Aug 9,
2004
Mountain Goat Surveys
In cooperation with Cliff Rice, Biologists Miller and Holman
conducted an aerial survey of mountain goats in the Goat Rocks Wilderness.
The Goat Rocks mountain goat population contained 20 kids per 100
adult goats with a total of 261 goats observed during the 2004 survey. The
kid to adult ratio is very similar to the 2003 and 2002 surveys which
revealed 22 and 21 kids per 100 adult goats respectively.
-
Aug 4,
2004
Mountain Goat Surveys
Region 5 Wildlife program staff Miller, Woodin and Holman assisted Mt Goat
Research Scientist Cliff Rice with surveys of Mt. Goat habitat in Region
5. Approximately 10-12 hours of flight time resulted in a total of over
350 goats being observed in the Tatoosh, Smith Creek and Goat Rocks hunting
units as well as numerous goats observed in other locales in the Gifford
Pinchot National Forest. In the Smith Creek Unit, the kid to adult ratio
was approximately 50:100, in the Mt Rainier National Park near the Tatoosh
unit was also near 50:100. A lower ratio was observed in Goat Rocks, although
a high number of goats were observed, 243.
-
July
7, 2004
Sandhill Crane Management
Biologist Anderson and Conboy NWR staff banded two Sandhill
Crane colts (crane juveniles from this years nesting) this past week.
These birds are currently considered a state endangered species and are
part of Washington's only breeding population of Sandhill Cranes. The
number of breeding pairs in WA has gradually increased in the past 15
years from less than 5 to approximately 20 pairs. The color bands assist
biologist with information on migration and wintering habitat use as well
as providing insight into juvenile success rate.
-
June
28, 2004
Bald Eagle Surveys:
Biologist Holman participated in a helicopter survey of Bald Eagle territories
in the Lower Columbia. The Oregon and Washington sides of the River were
investigated, along with the various islands. Eagles were found to be
occupying 34 of the 52 territories on the Washington side of the State
line. The 34 occupied territories held a total of 35 eaglets.
One additional sighting of interest was a former bald eagle
nest that was occupied by a peregrine falcon. This has rarely been documented
in the past and is likely a result of an expanding peregrine population
as they re-occupy suitable territories.
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