Wildlife & Miscellaneous - 10-26-09

Turtles. We received the following photos with the note below:

Turtle found by my grand daughter in Illahee Creek about 1/4 mile upstream from the culvert. Is this a western painted turtle? Native or someones lost pet? Of course the turtle was returned to where it was found, but made for interesting discussion.

Young Spike. The young deer are maturing as shown in the attached photo and accompanying note below:

This little spike was in our yard on Fir Dr last Sunday. He sampled everything in our yard and wandered off after about an hour.

Port of Illahee Commissioner Position. We just heard that Don Deitch has resigned his Port of Illahee Commissioner position due to health issues, and that the Port is looking to fill the position at their November 12th meeting. Anyone interested in being a candidate for completing Don's term until the next Port Commissioner election in 2011 needs to get their information to the Port ASAP. The Port point of contact is Dennis Sheeran. Dennis can be contacted by email docsmsret@msn.com or phone 692-6971.

Bear Questions? There are a number of people who are wondering if the large black bear that has been seen in the greater Central Kitsap area, and evidently passed through the heart of the Illahee Preserve, will possibly end up staying in the Preserve, since it is a rather large un-inhabited forested area. We think it would be good to know if the bear has been sighted leaving the area, or if it may still be in the area. Let us know if you have any further information that we can pass on.

The Same Bear? One person is wondering if this is the same bear that was reported early last week. See the note they sent to us:

On Oct 19, midday, a bear was sighted crossing Central Valley Parkway, somewhere around Fairview Jr High. All the students were apprised of the situation. I feel sorry for the bear who encountered the jr high students! (LOL) but we used it as a teachable moment and encouraged them to ALWAYS WALK HOME WITH A FRIEND. You can never been too careful!

Another Sighting. Just after writing the above paragraph we received the following information:

Bear at Fraizer's Fairfield Orchards - Chris Fraizer owns the yellow house farm (once owned by Al Kurkoski) on Sylvan Way just west of Illahee State Park. Today he told me he had a big black bear in his yard eating the fruit on his apple trees. He called animal control and they said if he wanted to get rid of the bear then he should get the apples off his trees. Animal control wouldn't come and do anything.

Illahee Community Meeting on November 14th. We have been asked to remind residents that the annual Illahee Community Club meeting is scheduled for 1:30 pm on Saturday, November 14th at the Kitsap Library on Sylvan Way.

Jim Aho

Wildlife Update - 9/9/09

Predator Gets Cat?  Attached is an email we received the other day.  If this cat escaped and you have seen it, please respond to this email.

 

On Friday night, at midnight I was coming home and when I opened the door my cat, Fiona, scooted out passed me.  She is a 10 lb. brown/black Maine Coon cat with long hair, of course and a black stripe down her back.  Fiona is new to going outside and had not ever been outside until a couple of months ago, when I would let her and her sister out during the day when I was at home, so she does not know about the dangers of the outdoors and especially at night since she does not go out at night.  I fear that she is gone for good, but I hope that she is out there just scared and that I will get her back.

The incident is as follows:  I live a couple of doors up from the old store across from the Illahee Dock, for sake of location.  I have a completely fenced yard and Fiona was in the backyard.  I tried to get her about every 30 minutes from midnight until the incident and she would come close and talk to me, but would not come in, and she has the aloof personality that cats are known for and she wanted to stay out longer.  At 2:30 Saturday morning I went out and called her and she once again came to the corner of the house and spoke to me, but would not come in.  I went back inside and sat down and then I heard the noise like she was in a fight with one of the neighborhood feral cats, I got up immediately and went outside and there was nothing to see.  She made the fighting noise for no longer than 10-15 seconds without growling like in a cat fight.  I took a flashlight and search the property, calling her name the whole time right after this happened.  Saturday, I searched the property at least a half a dozen more times calling her name and there was no response.  She was so happy with her new house and yard.

As I say, I feel that she is gone for good, but I hope if anyone finds her they will contact me.  As you can imagine, I am devastated.  A friend of mine that works with Fish and Wildlife as a wildlife biologist for the feds says he thinks it sounds like an owl that just swooped down and got her.  I don't know, but I want others to be aware so that they don't loose their pet in the same way.

 

Illahee Creek Turtle.  We had several identification responses as to what type of turtle it was that we saw in Illahee Creek.

 

Looks like a painted turtle (Chrysemys picta)

 

That is a Painted Turtle (Chrysemys pieta).  The Western Pond Turtle is dark brown with little other coloring.  The Painted Turtle is more common in eastern WA but many have been introduced in the Puget Sound area.  Not that too unusual.

 

Owl Pictures.  We recently received some great owl pictures, but are having a hard time figuring out how to get them off an email and attaching them to this update.  We will keep trying. 

 

Have You Seen This Doe?  We have seen this doe with her two fawns, but not recently.  The two fawns have been seen on their own so some have been wondering if something happened to the doe.  If you have seen her recently, please let us know, and we will pass the information on.

 

Blotted Dead Seal.  This just floated in Wednesday morning.  A few years ago a dead sea lion floated in and decomposed on the beach.  It wasn't a pleasant sight and the odors were even worse.

 

Jim Aho

Wildlife Update and Monday Invite - 9/5/09

Blue Parrot Update.  We were hoping the lost blue parrot notice that we sent out Monday evening (8/24/09) would have resulted in some success, but the parrot did not return and no one reported seeing it. 

 

Fish in Illahee Creek.  The last four years we have been walking up Illahee Creek to do upstream water quality monitoring.  This past year, moreso than other years, we have been concerned about the low flows in the creek and not seeing fish.  However, on Tuesday, September 1, 2009, during our water quality trek up the stream, some fish were finally seen, though not nearly as many as in past years.

 

Turtle in Illahee Creek.  Also on Tuesday's trip up the creek, we saw a turtle in the stream, a first for us.  Someone said it must be a Western Pond Turtle, since they are what would normally be around the area.  We have attached a photo that may help with any identification.

 

Moles.  Lots of mole activity has been seen recently, including a baby dead mole on the pavement along Sunset.  We have attached the photo. 

 

Illahee Preserve Fair Info.  It was nice to see information on the Illahee Preserve at the Kitsap County Fair last week.  One of the most picked up items was a map of the Preserve.  Many people have gone into the Preserve, which is forested, and have gotten lost and have been requesting maps.  The architectural firm of Rice, Fergus, Miller designed the map and brochure.  Let us know if you need a copy.  Attached is a photo of the information that was available at the Fair. 

 

Monday Get-Together Invite.  Iris Friday, who lives next to the area where the Timbers Edge project is planned to go in and next to the Illahee Preserve, has invited residents to see the area and share some food.  Her email invite is below:

 

As a resident of Illahee and one of the families most affected by the Timber's Edge project,  I am once again vehemently stating my opposition to the Timber's Edge project that stands to drastically impact our day to day routine here at 4829 Charmont Lane NE.  Where, you say, is Charmont Lane NE?  Well, imagine for one moment that you and your family found yourself tucked at the end of a Cul de sac with neighbors to your south and east.  To the west, you found nothing but old growth and blackberry brambles.  imagine again, that your only exist consisted of a primitive two lane street with no sidewalks, but treacherous hills (think Dec 2007) storm.   But, first, you must exit off a single dirt road up a very treacherous hill.  And, then imagine your precious six year old daughter walking up a hill with no sidewalks which now has 200 vehicles exiting above her exit street (with no lights) on their way to work. The lots in our neighborhood far exceed those proposed by the developer and we don't have sidewalks.

 

This labor day weekend, I invite you to come and join us at 4829 Charmont Lane Ne on Sept 7th so that you can see for yourself the unrealistic plans proposed for Timber's Edge.  Please mark your calendar for Monday, September 7th at 1:00 P.M.  Please feel free to share a salad or just hang out.

 

Thanks!  Thanks for all your input to these Updates.

 

Jim Aho