Wildlife Report - 5-31-11

Deer Herd?  What constitutes a herd of deer?  It was reported that two bucks, three does, and two fawns was too much for one gardener to have in her yard and she tried to make enough noise to scare them away.  They reported looked at her and slowly walked across the road stopping oncoming traffic.  Gardeners we have talked to are seeming less patient as the number of deer in the area increases.  But maybe we should consider the number of deer in an area as an indication of where the great gardens are?  We will be checking next month to see if those interesting in hosting a garden tour are still interested, assuming the deer have left them something to show.

Coyotes?  There have always been coyotes in the area, but some who live next to the Preserve, say the coyotes are getting more aggressive around their residents and pets.  We would like to post some pictures of local coyotes so if you have any you would share please forward them.

Baby Ducks.  We had reports of two baby mallard ducks along the waterfront and we saw two baby mallards in the Illahee North detention pond (see attached photo).  Years ago we watched a mother duck try to get her ducklings from the waterfront to the pond and they didn't make it.  

Canada Geese Families.  We have watched three families of Canada geese come and go (see attached photos).  Once the goslings get bigger the seagulls seem to leave them alone.  The first photo is of a single goose that is raising two young ones by herself and is usually seen with the family in the second photo.

Killdeer Nest.  We have been led away from Killdeer nests several times this spring and finally we have discovered a nest.  Actually it isn't much of a nest at all and it appears the eggs were laid on the beach sand and broken shells.  The attached photos show the eggs in the nest, the Killdeer on the nest, and the Killdeer doing its broken wing dance to draw us away from the nest.  

Bird Tour.  There was a bird tour in the Illahee Preserve early on Memorial Day morning.  These tours are held regularly and quickly fill up.  They are led by a Master Birder and past president of Seattle Audubon. If this is something that interests you, please let us know and we will pass the information on so you can be notified of the next tour.  The photos were posted on Facebook and the link is:  http://tinyurl.com/3f4z9ys

Lazuli Bunting Report in Last Update.  This is a follow-up of the Lazuli Bunting sighting that was reported in our last Update.  Joan Carson does a bird report in the Kitsap Sun each week and noted several sightings of these amazingly beautiful birds and also responded to the Illahee resident who reported the sighting with the following email:

It sounds like you were one of the lucky Friday the 13th birdwatchers! Seems like a wave of Lazuli Buntings hit Kitsap County that day. I had reports from west of Keyport and Bainbridge Island. Considering where you are, that's a wide area. A very small number of these birds migrate through our area in the spring, but they don't seem to show up every year. Certain conditions influence them somehow and I suppose it is the wind. Anyway, you were lucky and I'm still waiting - one of these years I hope.

Wildlife Pictures?  We would love to pass on any wildlife photos or stories you have.  We normally pass them on anonymously unless give specific authorization to use your name.

Jim Aho

Various Items - 10/6/10

Illahee Preserve Incident.  We received a copy of an email this evening (10-6-10) that someone walking in the Preserve about 6:15 pm when an "individual came around a corner wearing a hooded sweater with a very shady appearance, and had a gun in his hand and was attempting to hide it behind his back".  The lady said she and her dog turned and ran back to the parking lot.  It left them quite shaken.  The email was sent to the sheriff and the Parks Department.  That is all we know, but will keep everyone informed if we hear more.

Illahee Preserve Dedication.  We saw the Illahee Preserve dedication plaque that is to be placed on the big rock in the Almira parking lot.  The dedication is to take place when some of the persons responsible for the purchase of the Preserve can all be there, but definitely sometime in 2010.  We expect that someone will soon be working grinding down on flat area on the rock for the plaque.  We will let you know when the dedication is scheduled.

Illahee Store Cleanup?  We had a number of people inquire about what was happing with the cleanup in front of the Illahee Store (which is at the corner of Ocean View Blvd and Illahee Road and just across the street from the Illahee Community Dock).  We also noticed that the area had been cleaned up and took the attached photo.  If anyone knows what is happening, please let us know.

Wildlife Updates?  No unique items to report, but just the continued reporting of the animals we live with everyday.  

Deer.  Some have had the group of five deer, two does and three young ones, regularly visiting.  They even ate a bunch of miniature pumpkins off some door steps.  Attached is a picture of a peach tree they seem to be especially fond of.

Seals.  There are often a few seals on the raft shown in the attached picture, but beginning now until spring, the raft fills with seals that can be seen nearly every morning.

Coyotes.  Attached is a coyote report we received this morning.

 Last evening about 10:30 PM the coyotes that apparently have a den on the Keller Lots next to me were howling and yipping for several minutes. Earlier this week they woke me up very early in the morning. I've spotted one crossing my field during the day on occasion.

Petition Response.  We are still waiting to get an update of the status of the Petition response, so in the meantime what we know is that the Illahee Community Club (ICC) appears to be way short of the getting the 500 and has ended up with somewhere between 100 and 200 responses.  Of the responses that have come in so far the number of favorable response has been over 90% for, with those against being primarily opposed to any tax increase.

ICC Board Meeting.  We also heard that the ICC Board met at the end of September and voted to approach the Port of Illahee to see if the two groups could work together to find an interested land trust to purchase the Timbers Edge property.  Evidently there are land trusts out there with money to purchase properties for a variety of reasons, and it is up to groups like the ICC and Port to make the case for the purchase.

Jim Aho

Wildlife & Miscellaneous - 8/21/10

Salmon Jumping.  It is that time of year when we should be salmon jumping as they pass through Illahee waters, and we have a report that at least one was seen jumping north of the Illahee community dock.

Shoreline Presentation on Monday.  Don't forget to attend the Illahee community meeting on Monday at the Sylvan Way library at 6:15 pm where there will be two county persons giving a presentation on the ongoing Shoreline Master Program (SMP) update.  We have over 3 miles of shoreline and many have views of the water, or appreciate the shoreline areas, and they all should have a say as to what they want in a shoreline program. This is the best time to have your voices heard, while the county and Task Force are taking input.

Public Access at Community Dock.  We had several responses about the public access steps at the Illahee Community Dock.  Some were unaware that there were steps to get down to the beach, and others were unaware that the steps belong to the Port of Illahee and that the Port of Illahee had the steps put in a number of years ago.  Public Access will also be one of the items discussed at the SMP briefing on Monday.

Sharpe-shinned Hawk.  We received a picture of a sharp-shinned hawk the other day, which is attached.  This one is at the waterfront, which seemed rather unusual.

Coyote Reports.  We have had several reports about coyotes, and in some areas residents are warned to keep their cats inside.  The following report shows that they may be expanding their territory.

Tues. night at dusk in the vincinity of the Rue Villa mailboxes an animal made a quick crossing of the Illahee road from the water side to the uphill side. It was smaller than a young deer but larger than most dogs in the area, light in color and fast. My initial impression was that of a coyote. There have been some mauling and killing of racoons in the area recently. I have never seen a coyote in the Illahee area. 

Dead Deer.  We have been asked not to show pictures of dead deer on these Updates, but we need to report that at least one doe and one fawn have been hit by cars and killed in the area.  Some were wondering if the two twin fawns they saw without their mother, could have been the offspring of the doe that got hit.  Two neighbors buried it.  

The other report of the dead fawn is a sad one as the mother stayed in the brush near the fawn until it was picked up by the county road crew, and then the mother was seen going up and down the area, seemingly looking for it.  We need to let residents know that the county will pick up dead deer along the road if you call them.  Please let us know also so we can try to keep track of what is happening.

Illahee Preserve Work Party Report.  There was another massive work party at the Illahee Preserve this past Wednesday.  Our estimate was about 50, though not all signed in, so we don't have a totally accurate count.  We have found out one of the secrets to the Rotary's work party successes, which is also having water and food.  There were at least 5 Illahee residents who showed up.  And it was notable that there were 20 wheel borrows in use to move the wood chips.  We will try to attach two photos, one showing a log being moved to line the path of the rain garden, and the other being a group photo, but after a number had already left.  Below is the East Bremerton Rotary report of the work party:

The East Bremerton Rotary conducted another very productive work party at Illahee Forest Preserve on Wednesday, August 18th.  The focus was beautification of the Almira parking lot, as well as adding wood chips to the trail system.  36 people helped out including Marines from Bangor, members of Washington Youth Academy, and 13 East Bremerton Rotarians.  Thanks to grillmaster Andy Graham of McClouds Restaurant for bringing & tending the BBQ and thanks to Costco (JeanMarie Harmon) for providing the food.  Attached is a photo excluding the Washington Youth Academy who needed to leave before the photo was taken.  Andy Graham is the one in the back doing a Y-M-C-A spell out.

Jim Aho  

Miscellaneous Items - 6/18/10

Weeding & Mulching Work Party Scheduled. On Thursday we evaluated some less costly mulching material and decided to order 30 yards so we could complete the weeding and mulching of the rain garden plots at the Illahee Preserve's Almira parking lot. We have asked for the mulch to be delivered on Tuesday (6/22) so that we could schedule a work party.

Volunteers Needed. We need volunteers to help weed and mulch on Tuesday (6/22), and possibly on Wednesday (6/23). We have been asked to schedule it for a late afternoon and evening so that those who work can participate and thus the 5-7:30 pm time frame.

Cost Comparisons. While beauty bark was running at roughly $30 a yard, we could order the other mulching material for $13 a yard delivered if we ordered 30 yards. This should be enough to mulch Plot #3 and finish Plot #1 with possibly some left over, depending on how thick it is applied.

Wood Chips Delivered on Friday. After the new mulch was ordered we had a tree service deliver a batch of mostly cedar wood chips to the Preserve, which is what the East Bremerton Rotary has been looking for for trail work. As one person noted isn't this the way it always works.

Sirens In Illahee on Friday. We were in the Preserve on Friday afternoon when we heard police and emergency vehicle sirens and were sad to find out later that an Illahee resident, Bill Green, was killed in a domestic violence situation. Bill was one of the nicest and gentlest persons we have known. We have provided the link to the story that will appear in Saturday's Kitsap Sun.

Elderly Illahee Woman Jailed on Suspicion of Killing Her Husband

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2010/jun/18/possible-domestic-shooting-illahee/

Effect of Sirens in Illahee Area. We talked with an Illahee resident Friday afternoon who reported the wail of the sirens had the coyotes in her area howling, which in turn started her dogs barking. We report this as Illahee, while in an Urban Growth Area, still has open space areas and the Illahee Preserve with wildlife that make it seem quite rural at times.

Jim Aho

Responses - 3/25/10

Wildlife Update Responses.  According to your comments our Updates are appreciated, but even more so when they contain wildlife information and pictures.  We had some good responses regarding what has happened to the quail and pheasants.  See the following responses that have come in so far (in the order they were received):

Response #1.  The demise of quail and pheasant have been substantially hastened by irresponsible people who think it is their right to let domestic cats wander freely outside.  The (young) quail and pheasants are quickly killed as amusement and sport by outdoor cats.  Even the Humane Society adamantly states that domestic cats should be in-door critters.  If you want quail and pheasant to thrive, then people need to find enlightenment and deal responsibly with their cats as in-doors pets.  But cat owners don't want to hear this because their precious little Muffin should have their freedom to wander to their heart's delight (regardless of cost to wildlife) because it just wouldn't be fair to little Muffin.  It's an old and tired attitude.  The National Audubon reports domestic cats are the number one predator of native song birds, and number two is not even close. 

 

Of course coyote, fox, raccoon, etc will also kill birds, particularly the most vulnerable ground feeders such as quail and pheasant, but the losses are minimal compared to the carnage done by domestic cats. 

Response #2.  Where have all the quail gone ???  ..Eagle food and racoon dinners. 

We lost 3 quineas last week one with an eagle,  two with racoons.

Response #3.  I don't have a picture but have spotted the quail a number of times on
Illahee road southbound just past the creek. We seem to have an over
abundance of deer this year, one with a totally white leg, so our albino
deer must still be somewhere in the area.

Response #4.  Great pheasant photos!

Response #5.  Beautiful photos!!!!

Response #6.  What beautiful pictures, wow. It's such a treat to see some of our local wildlife. I had a hen and a rooster here several years ago that I enjoyed watching, but with all the dogs and cats around they moved. Thankyou for adding these along with the updates on our area and the Timbers Edge news. I appreciate all that you do.

Response #7.  perhaps in your next update you could include this link:

http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/9/overview/Northern_Saw-whet_Owl.aspx

This is the owl that has been serenading all of us who live close to the Illahee Creek ravine for the past week or so.  He/she has been hooting continuously from dusk to dawn.  Yesterday I pushed my snooze button twice around 5:00 am until I realized it wasn't my alarm - it was the bird!!  I recorded the sound and sent it to Vic Ulsh who identified it and sent me the link.  He also said this about it:  Your serenading little friend is a northern saw-whet owl.   I am glad to have them in Illahee Forest.  They are cute little rascals.  The big bully "barred owls" who roam Illahee Forest can be predatory on the little saw-whet owls so I worry about them.  Sorry for the annoying and monotonous serenade. 

Response #8.  I think the pheasant and quail populations have decreased due to a combination of more pets (dogs and cats) roaming around in the daylight hours, and more wild animals (possums and raccoons) scouring their roosting areas at night.  Throw in a few fox and coyotes along with a few hawks and falcons and the poor birds don't have a chance.  Its a wonder we have as many as we do.

Thank You for Responding.  Thank you to all who let us know you like to receive these Updates, and thank you for those who responded to this last one.  We appreciate you comments and input!  Also, let us know your owl stories, like the one in Response #7.

Jim Aho

Miscellaneous Items - 8/18/09

Tires Dumped in Illahee Preserve.  We just got back in town to find several emails regarding some tires dumped in the Illahee Preserve. 

 

Photo.  Attached is a photo of the dumped tires.

 

A Possible Clue?  We received the following email that is possibly a clue.  Evidently the email was sent to the sheriff's office, but we don't know if any action was taken.

 

I am following up on an unfortunate incident at Illahee Preserve.  Sometime between last Tuesday evening 8/11 and Wednesday morning 8/12, somebody dumped 13 tires within the Illahee Preserve parking lot along Almira Drive.  See photo attached.  That's a lot of tires. 

 

Kitsap County Public Works is likely removing the tires today.  Disposal will be paid from funds secured thru a grant for dumping things such as tires.  Waste Management typically charges $5 to $6 per tire for disposal. 

 

 

Illahee Community Meeting on Saturday.  There is a very important Illahee Community Meeting scheduled for this coming Saturday, Aug 22, at 1:30 pm at the Library.  We know of two items that are scheduled to be on the agenda.  The first is Timbers Edge and what action to take pending the Appeal hearing that will take place on Monday evening.  The second is a 5 year long project to keep cleaning out the Illahee Creek culvert and place the material along the beach.  There should be more information on these two items at the meeting.

 

Loose Guinea Hens?  We may be a little late on this one.

 

Just in case anyone writes about seeing some strange birds  wandering the area, five of our guineas took off on Wednesday.     They are one dark gray rooster and one light gray hen, with three medium size (half grown) chicks.    They were last near the mouth of the Gilberton creek on Thursday evening.    They  like to fly high in trees when you get close to them.    They can be quite vocal...

 

Coyote Information.  We were given the following link on coyotes.  We have a number of coyotes in the area of the Illahee Preserve and elsewhere around Illahee.  Since they sometimes wander through the area, we thought this good information to pass on.  http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/crossing_paths/summer2009/cross_06.html

 

Keep the Infomation Coming.  We will try to keep up with the information you send in.

 

Jim Aho

Miscellaneous Items - 5/6/09

Back in Town.  We are back after a nice trip to several of the Hawaii islands and came back to see brown silt-laden water out in the bay from the storm surges that decimate Illahee Creek during every significant storm. 

 

Illahee Creek Culvert.  Irwin Krigsman said if the county had not cleaned out the culvert last year, Tuesday's storm would have likely clogged the culvert, flooded their property, and possibly taken out Illahee Road.  That is one of the primary reasons residents are so concerned about stormwater and its impact on the creek, not to mention its effect on salmon and riparian habitat.

 

Cumulative Effects on Culvert.  The problem is the cumulative effects from upstream developments that did not adequately evaluate the effects of stormwater on the stream, nor were they concerned with aquifer recharge - some of the issues that the community is concerned about with the Timbers Edge project.  The County approved all the previous developments, including Timbers Edge, which leaves the community with the after affects and the job of trying to restore the damage.  As one resident said, "this is getting very frustrating."

 

Deer Issues.  Not everyone in Illahee likes deer, or should we say they don't like what the deer do to their yards and gardens.  We have had a number of responses indicating their frustrations (see the below received response). 

 

These critters might be cute, but they are very destructive .
We live in Illahee and every since these cute fury critters have found our property, they have grazed on every living piece of vegetation that we have planted including a garden which has become none existent as they tell there buddies about the smorgasbord and dining pleasure that our neighbors and we provide.
They have take thousands of dollars worth of expensive landscaping and have grazed on it until there is nothing left but twigs and sticks left.
I wish there was something to do to get them out of this area so everyone who had invested thousands of dollars could get there wonderful landscaping back. What was once like Buchard Gardens has now become Stump Gully.
Does any one want to adopt our "Could Care Less About Your Landscaping Deer" ?
Please let these cute furry Vegetation Exterminators find greener pastures.

 

Our Deer Experience.  There was a big doe that some had named Sophia that would usually have twin fawns each year and they regularly visited our garden (she was killed by a car several years ago).  We tried special sprays, hanging extra fragrant soaps, garlic plants, and finally had to resort to extra high fences.  Last year the deer even went through the plastic mesh fencing that was getting old and had lost its strength.  We found they are especially fond of beans and we will soon be trying to protect them again from the deer.

 

Deer Solutions.  Let us know if you have some solutions that work and we will pass them on.

 

Coyote Sighting.  The following report was received recently.

 

Last Wednesday morning when returning from my morning run shortly after 6am, I saw a coyote running West on Wise Street then turned South on Sunset and made a right turn into the Illahee Forest behind the golf course.

 

ICC Non-Profit Status Approved.  We recently received word that the Illahee Community Club's IRS status was upgraded from a 501.c.4 to a 501.c.3, effective in 2008.  We understand the ICC has been working on this since they decided to reorganize in November 2007.  Some of the longtime members who were around in 1959 when the Club requested IRS status, thought the ICC was a 501.c.3 so it took a little time to get everything straightened out and the new paperwork submitted.  Thanks to all those who persisted in getting that task done.

 

State Registration.  The previous ICC state paperwork was found to be up to date.  It had been registered with the Secretary of State and Audrey Boyer had been paying the required State of Washington's yearly filing fee (thank you Audrey) which kept the club current with state officials.

 

Timbers Edge Appeal.  We aren't sure what to report on this.  We know the lawyers involved had a meeting to discuss the possibility of compromises.  We know the appeal was filed.  We have seen some recent emails initiated by the Timbers Edge engineer that the county is responding to.  The community will also need to respond.  This will certainly be a discussion item at the next ICC quarterly meeting.

 

Commissioner Appeal?  We have been asked again about what we should expect when the ICC appeal goes before the County Commissioners.  The assessment of many is that Commissioner Baurer talks as though he is concerned about the environment, but doesn't vote that way.  Commissioner Brown voted with the community on the Outfall Project, which was encouraging.  And Commissioner Garrido is an unknown at this point.  Commissioners as a whole tend to vote with the decision of County staff and the Hearing Examiner, even if those decisions are poor for the environment and go against the community.

 

ICC Quarterly Meeting.  We just talked with Barney Bernhard, the ICC president, who advised us the Illahee Community Club will be holding itsquarterly meeting at the Unitarian Fellowship Church on Monday, May 18th, at 6:30 pm.  On the meeting agenda there will be a discussion of what kind of compromises the community will agree to with the Timbers Edge project.  This should be an interesting meeting.

 

Our Assessment.  While many are hopeful there could be a settlement with the Timbers Edge group, we have not found them to be very accommodating or interested in compromise.  The bottom line with them are the small lots (mostly 3400 sq ft) which gives them the maximum number of houses, and therefore maximum profit.  Because they were "grandfathered" with the higher density (5-9 units per acre), that is what they have planned for, even though they could now go for 1-4 units per acre. 

 

County Position?  While the county has supported the development with their decision that there will not be any significant environmental impacts, a decision the community is vigorously contesting, the county has shown a willingness to work with groups working towards a settlement. 

 

Your Thoughts?  Let us know your thoughts on these matters.

 

Jim Aho