Amphibian Monitoring 2013

We started another season of monitoring for amphibians at two wetland mitigation areas in the county. We started in mid-February and have discovered some exciting things. Unfortunately I am unable to get decent photos of what we're finding. We are continuing to monitor the 156th Lund's Gulch site and have added the Ash Way site. The site on 180th was not a mitigation area and is on private property so we can no longer monitor it. The County construction on the road project is complete.

The Ash Way site has had a diversity of amphibians- northern red-legged frog, long-toed salamander, and northwestern salamander egg masses. This is a pond engulfed by doghair alder and willows; some planted, some volunteers. There is a small stream that feeds into the wetland pond and continues on, eventually emptying into Swamp Creek. We've observed tadpoles feeding at a submerged log and stick. We surmise that they are feeding on algae. We have found only 2 northwestern salamander egg masses since beginning this year. The pond is primarily red-legged frog territory with long-toed salamanders a close second. Today was red legged frog tadpoles, a larval salamander, and a northwestern salamander egg mass. The northwestern is a late egg layer so we should get to see their juveniles next month.

The Lund's Gulch site has been quite rewarding for us. Last year we only found rough-skinned newt egg masses and 1 larval newt. This year we have found diversity! We have found lots of long-toed salamander egg masses and today 3 juveniles. We also found a tadpole last month but have found no frog egg masses. We believe this is a pacific chorus tree frog and we must have missed an egg mass. The frogs primarily live in wetlands nearby in the adjacent forested areas. The vegetation has matured and there are several large western hemlock limbs with branches attached, including needles providing many more places to place an egg mass. Many egg masses were also laid on the layers of leaves in the bottom of the shallow pond. The unfortunate piece of this site is the large development going in adjacent to our little mitigation area. It was very difficult to listen to the devastation going on nearby as every stick of vegetation, including the large alders were knocked down with no thought for the nesting birds in them, the coyotes that live in the area, and the need for uplands to shelter the amphibians living in the wetlands all around.

Wildflowers and Whales

Different views of Arrowleaf balsamroot

 Day trip to Leavenworth and a quick side trip to Wenatchee was a treat for the eyes. The hills of arrowleaf balsamroot were at their peak with yellow blooms brightening the background of a blue blue sky. This was my first road trip of the year and my first trip in the new truck. I even spent some time in 4-wheel drive up a steep rutted road. That was fun! Vintage AC DC, Rolling Stones, and Bon Jovi helped pass the time- not my typical musical choice but helpful when trying to wake up. I spent the day up Olalla Canyon, Nahaha Canyon, Ski Hill, Camas Creek Natural Area Preserve, Mountain Home Road, and Canyon 2 in Wenatchee. That last destination was about the latest Washington wolf sighting; I wanted to see where they were (too close to residential areas!). No blue camas at the preserve or anywhere. I wasn't feeling in tip-top shape, plus it was pretty warm so I didn't get out much. Only saw a family of yellow-bellied marmots and heard a few birds. The wildflowers were my focus and they didn't disappoint!

 

 

Gray whales with Island adventures.

A couple of weekends ago I spent 3 hours out in Port Gardner Bay on an Island Adventures cruise. I wanted to experience the whales up close. The weather started out cool with a light rain. As soon as we headed out into the bay it became partly sunny and warmer. I experienced the wonder of these gentle giants close up; such amazing water-borne mammals cavorting in water as deep as they are long. Spy hopping to observe us? Critters that scrape the bottom mud to filter out small invertebrates through their baleen to fill that huge belly. They usually slide along the right side of their body and often eventually lose the sight in that eye. I can't swim and I'm not much for being on the water. Pushing my comfort zone is pretty rewarding, though. Later this summer or fall I plan to take their cruise out of Anacortes to check out orcas, minkes, and maybe even a humpback. The closer the better!

 

In order below: California sea lion, gray whale back, spouting, spouting, rostrum (basically nostrils), more sea lions, two different whales spyhopping.