Wildlife Update - 12/9/08

Seedlings Dispersed in the Preserve. Approximately 20,000 Douglas fir seeds were dispersed in the Illahee Preserve recently. These seeds fall naturally from the fir trees, but can also be spread throughout an area by just spreading them about. Only a portion of them will actually take root, and an even small percentage will actually grow to any size. Jim Trainer, our local Illahee forester, tells us that approximately 50% will be eaten by birds and squirrels, and the remainder will take root. JIm also has done seedings and said it is easy to do and sent us a picture of the spreader and a bag of seeds, which we were unable to attach because it is part of a gallery. You can access Jim's photo at this link.

Preserve Trees. The Illahee Preserve does have a few big trees in it. Most of the marketable timber in the Preserve was logged in the 1930's except for a few large Western Red Cedar, a number of Western White Pine that probably weren't marketable, and and at least one large Douglas Fir in the Preserve that is over 6 feet in diameter in the northeast section.

Illahee Preserve. We often get inquiries and comments about the Illahee Preserve. People comment that they are amazed at the size, approximately 460 acres and the quality of the trails in the Preserve. A map project was completed last summer with the help of the architectural firm of Rice-Fergus-Miller. Some information about the Preserve is on the community website which is illaheecommunity.com. We will try to get some more up-to-date information about the Preserve to pass on.

Decline In Waterfowl Numbers? Some of the oldtimers and not-so-oldtimers have noticed what appears to be declines in the numbers of waterfowl in the area. That has been our observations also. Below is an email we recently received.

We came here in October of 1999 to live in the home of my grandparents. At that time the bay was full of hundres of scoters, goldeneyes and widgeons. I remember that fall being warm. As the years have progressed, we are now seeing fewer and fewer water fowl. There were so many widgens up until last year that they would wake us in the night while they fed off the shore line, now there are only a few.

Puget Sound Partnership Notes Waterfowl Declines. We recently went to a presentation by Sara Lingafelter, the local representative for the Partnership, who noted that they have documented a decline, not only in fish numbers, but also in marine waterfowl numbers. We can't remember if they provided percentages, but will try to find out.

Enjoy the Low Night-time Winter Tides. There is a local opportunity to do an evening beach walk on Thursday with Beach Naturalists who were trained this past year by Jeff Adams of the UW SeaGrant program. Attached is the email we received today (Tuesday) regarding the beach walk.

Hello All- The winter brings wonderful low night tides, and the first of three Kitsap Beach Naturalist led winter beach walks is upon us (see attached flyer). The walk is this Thursday (Dec 11) at the Lions Park boat launch in Bremerton 7:30-9:30. Thursday's walk is the lowest tide of the three (-3.3 by the end of the walk). For a map...

The weather looks to be fabulous and should allow the full moon help light our way. Bring a flashlight or headlamp, rubber boots and warm clothes to explore this fabulous and biologically diverse beach.

The beach walks are hosted by the Kitsap beach Naturalists and People for Puget Sound. Please invite your friends and family and we'll see you on the beach! JEff
             ---------------------------------------------------
Jeff Adams - jaws@u.washington.edu
Marine Water Quality Specialist
Washington Sea Grant - Kitsap
University of Washington
345 6th Street, Suite 550
Bremerton, WA 98337-1874
360-337-4619

Thanks to all who keep passing information on.

Jim Aho