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We had camera checks at Bear Springs Far, Clear Lake, and Government Camp West, plus our intrepid trackers went snow camping near Timberline. Check out what they found, plus hear about a couple upcoming events! The overnight tracking trip (as well as all the snow in the city!) has us thinking about what we need to do to stay warm - and gets us thinking of all the different ways the animals in our region are specialized to deal with this winter weather. Tracking Trip Updates The snow tracking survey trip this week did an overnight trip to the Timberline area. They followed a marten trail, then in the evening some of them were amibitious enough to build snow shelters to help stay warm. The shelter below looks quite cozy! 
  This marten was traveling with a very unusual gait, but if you look closely, you can see 5 toes on all four feet. Wildlife Camera Findings Coyotes' ability to capitalize on any available resources might be one of their greatest adaptations that serves them through winter. Rodents? Great! Deer? Sounds good! Nuts and berries? Love it!
Bobcats (and lynx, too) are unusual in the feline family because of their short tails. Perhaps due to their preference to hunt in dense, woody areas, a long tail was no longer necessary in their quick-pivoting, brushy chases - similar to the Coopers Hawk, which has shorter, rounded wings for hunting among the tree branches.    Round two of the weasel escapades! This camera station is undoubtedly this weasel's favorite place to pass the time. The last camera set was a tale of weasel-vs-woodrat, while this set found a competitor-less weasel luxuriously enjoying its surroundings. (Check out the full sets for weeks of this weasel bounding and jumping through the days) Weasels are extremely inefficient at conserving heat due to their high-surface-area body shape. To counteract this, they have an extremely high metabolism that keeps them on the move and searching for food. When they're lucky, the catch prey that had a nice, warm den for them to commandeer!
Snowshoe hares have adapted in many ways we are all familiar with, like their extremely large, furry hind feet that keep them up on top of the snow. Additionally, snowshoe hares typically turn white at the beginning of winter. In some areas, however, this change does not occur due to the lack of reliable and consistent snowfall. This is a good thing for these creatures, as their bright white fur would be a dead give-away on a brown, snowless day. 
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Tracking Trip Updates A group visited Froglake Snopark over the weekend and observed coyote, squirrel, hare tracks. Coyote feeding habits differ in the winter as opposed to the more plentiful times of spring and summer, and we can expect to see them not only along the trails of their favorite prey animals, but also scavenging more often and doing their best to conserve their energy. Wildlife Camera Findings This Meadows marten left us picture-perfect tracks. Here we can observe the angled two-print pattern and we even see the hints of what could be the five toes and claw marks.   At the same camera, we got an excellent view of a coyote's meadnering tracks.    This Bear Springs Near coyote is displaying a habit most of us wish our dogs at home could resist! Scent-rolling, wallowing, or scent-bathing are all names for the act of rolling in something most of us would turn our noses up at. However, for these predators and our pups at home, this habit offers a convenient way to disguise their own scent. Not only is there the potential for them to hide their own scent from their prey, but it would also hide their scent from any predators coming after THEM! This is especially true for the smaller predators who practice this ritual.
Lastly, Alpine got picked over by two ravens, but they were kind enough to wait until only a few days before the camera check to steal all the bait!  More tracking and camera trips coming up, be sure to sign up and we will see you soon!
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The tracks below display a typical canine side trot (the gait that your dog commonly does when it is pulling on the leash). This trail pattern, along with the oval shape of the tracks, tell us it is definitely a canine. The crew identified the tracks below as being from a coyote, but these can sometimes be difficult to confidently identify. Is at a coyote? Or perhaps a fox? Maybe a domestic dog?
There is a lot of overlap in the size of the tracks themselves. However, fox are smaller animals than coyotes and will therefore have a smaller stride. Fox also have furry feet, so it is rare to find a clear track. Also, the track itself is wider, so if negative space is definable, coyote tracks will display and X, while fox will typically display a negative space closer to an H.
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Two groups visited Little John this week, and both found signs of weasels. The narrow, focused trail shown below is indicative of a weasel in a hurry! As mentioned in a previous email, weasel tracks can often be identified by the meandering, curious, erratic paths they create as they investigate their surroundings.
Weasels typically hunt under the snow, seeking out mice and other small rodents. It is possible that it is the females that are hunting underground, while males stay above ground. This could be attributed to their size difference, as it would be easier for the smaller females to fit into the narrow burrows beneath the snow.
Weasels typically hunt under the snow, seeking out mice and other small rodents. It is possible that it is the females that are hunting underground, while males stay above ground. This could be attributed to their size difference, as it would be easier for the smaller females to fit into the narrow burrows beneath the snow.
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Wildlife Camera Findings
This group of 3 coyotes was lured in to our ODFW Lands camera, but wasted no time in organizing themselves to search out some real prey for themselves. Although we are used to seeing coyotes in almost every habitat we can think of, the open grasslands are where they originally thrived, sustaining themselves on the small rodents found in abundance in that landscape.
They've come a long way in the past few hundred years, diversifying their habitat, diet, and social structures, but seeing this small group working their way through the grass is a happy sight to see, and reminiscent of these coyotes' origins.
They've come a long way in the past few hundred years, diversifying their habitat, diet, and social structures, but seeing this small group working their way through the grass is a happy sight to see, and reminiscent of these coyotes' origins.
It's hard not to assume this jolly looking deer was enjoying the (relatively) warm weather!
Don't be fooled by the sunny, grassy backdrop of these photos though, these visitors are still pushing through the cold! This solitary elk only appeared once on camera, amongst night after night of deer.
This deer passing by McCubbins #2 was not enjoying the luxury of warmer weather like above, but it is still highly capable of thriving in the cold. Deer can capitalize on many food sources still readily available in winter, even including lichen and fungi
This Government Camp West bobcat might have been lured in by the scent of an easy meal. Unlike the lynx, bobcats' smaller feet cause them to sink into deep snow, making hunting more of a challenge.
This individual probably moved on in search of one of their more typical meals for this time of year, which could include snowshoe hair, mice, voles, and even deer.
This individual probably moved on in search of one of their more typical meals for this time of year, which could include snowshoe hair, mice, voles, and even deer.
 | Every once in a while we will get an unexpected visitor at a camera, and that was especially true this week! Check out GoogleDocs to see the full sets from each camera. Best, Cascadia Wild |
Hello Cascadia Wild Winter Volunteers,
Another great week of camera trips! Volunteers visited McCubbins #1 and #2, Government Camp East, Hazel Hollow #1 and #2, and Little Zig Zag.
Another great week of camera trips! Volunteers visited McCubbins #1 and #2, Government Camp East, Hazel Hollow #1 and #2, and Little Zig Zag.
Wildlife Camera Findings
A group of 6 deer passing by McCubbins #2
One of many bobcat sightings at McCubbins #2
A coyote in the distance at Hazel Hollow #2
A marten circles the bait at Little Zig Zag
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Little Zig Zag was frequented by a red fox over the past few weeks. This is another interesting example of these animals using high elevation forest areas regularly.
Winter is in full swing and we love seeing all of the beautiful photos and tracking trip updates each week. Check out GoogleDocs to see all of the full sets from each camera.
Best,
Cascadia Wild
Best,
Cascadia Wild
Wildlife Camera Findings
A marten spent some time at Glade immediately after set-up.
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We have seen a lot of bobcats on multiple cameras lately. This is unsurprising, considering the countless squirrel and hare photos we receive each week!
This individual at Yellowjacket East hung around for a while, leaving the camera and returning only a half hour later. The last shot of the bobcat leaving the area shows great detail of its tail and hind feet!
This individual at Yellowjacket East hung around for a while, leaving the camera and returning only a half hour later. The last shot of the bobcat leaving the area shows great detail of its tail and hind feet!
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McCubbins #2 was also visited by a bobcat multiple times.
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Deer and coyote at McCubbins #2 (not to mention all the squirrels!)
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And finally, again at McCubbins #2...
That's a first! While it's true that the camera is near a water source, this is the first time we have ever seen a RIVER OTTER on our cameras before! Here are the full photos for scale:
As you can see, this otter was out and about at nine in the morning, which corresponds with their likelihood to be more active during the day in the winter (and more active at night in the summer.) Although otters spend the majority of their time in the water, they will travel considerable distances when relocating from one body of water to another.
We are thrilled to have added another species to our list of animals! Every week we learn more about Mt. Hood wildlife. Also, don't forget to check out GoogleDocs to see all of the full sets from each camera.
Best,
Cascadia Wild
Lots of fun stuff going on over the past week! Tracking Trips went out over the weekend and we have photos from our cameras at Hazel Hollow, Little Zig Zag, Clear Lake, Alpine, and Yellowjacket East and West. Stay warm out there!
Remember: The pictures that you bring back from the wildlife cameras will be posted to Google Drive for you to look at. (the Flickr page will no longer be used.)
Remember: The pictures that you bring back from the wildlife cameras will be posted to Google Drive for you to look at. (the Flickr page will no longer be used.)
Tracking Trips
It sure has been beautiful for the latest tracking trips! There have been some nice tracks found on the camera trips too, like the perfect squirrel track below.
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Looks snowy and beautiful at the Crosstown Trail at Government Camp!
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Voles/Mice, Squirrel, and Snowshoe Hare all left tracks for us to find.
Wildlife Camera Findings
Lots of bobcats and marten have been seen lately! Additionally, lots of elk, deer, and multiple types of birds. Check out the full sets on googledocs.
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A bobcat leaves a clear track in the snow at Alpine.
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A marten at Little Zig Zag
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Lots of birds
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It looks like we're not the only ones watching this elk!
THANK YOU to all of our supporters!
  | Cascadia Wild relies on donors like you to keep the equipment maintained and the data in order! An anonymous supporter will make an additional donation for every gift or membership of $50 or more received in December, and will double it if we reach our goal! Please make a year end gift or become a member today. Help us reach our goal and keep these programs going in 2019! |
 | As snow continues to build up, so do our chances of finding rare signs! Can you identify a wolverine track? Look for these identifying track features: Track • Typical mustelid structure, with 5 toes on all feet • Front: 4-7.5 inches long x 4-5 inches wide • Hind: 3.5-4 inches long x 4-5 inches wide • Thickly furred feet often cause tracks to look indistinct Trail pattern Wolverines leave a very unusual trail pattern with lines of footprints at an angle to the direction of travel. How do they move to leave such a pattern? Watch this illuminating video to see them in motion. (Thanks, Jen, for sharing this!) Check it out so you'll have a mental image to call up when observing tracks in the field. Their unique loping gait leaves a distinctive trail pattern we know you'll be able to identify if and when the opportunity presents itself! |
Wildlife Camera Findings
We're off to an incredible start! Already a Sierra Nevada red fox has visited the camera at Meadows. Here are the highlights, below. Watch our social media pages for more pictures, and check out the full sets on googledocs. We think they're especially fun this week!
We're off to an incredible start! Already a Sierra Nevada red fox has visited the camera at Meadows. Here are the highlights, below. Watch our social media pages for more pictures, and check out the full sets on googledocs. We think they're especially fun this week!
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An investigative fox at Meadows
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A coyote made regular circles around the bait at Meadows, a buck visits Hazel Hollow #2
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A buck intently watches a nearby doe...and the chase is on!
 | About the updates The pictures that you bring back from the wildlife cameras will be posted to Google Drive for you to look at. (For those of you who helped out last summer, the Flickr page will no longer be used.) In addition, we will be sending you a weekly email with the highlights from both the cameras and the tracking surveys. You can also check out other photos on our facebook and instagram pages. |
The summer season has come to an end. Thanks to all your help, we were able to get new information on 3 different target species, as well many other carnivores.
Here's what we found.
Wolves
A wolf pack is now confirmed to be on the Warm Springs Reservation. They also utilize parts of the Mt Hood National Forest, as seen in the photo below. Now that the pack is established, the questions become: will they be able to survive in the area long term and where will they disperse to next? We now need to keep on eye on the rest of the forest and see where they show up next!
A wolf pack is now confirmed to be on the Warm Springs Reservation. They also utilize parts of the Mt Hood National Forest, as seen in the photo below. Now that the pack is established, the questions become: will they be able to survive in the area long term and where will they disperse to next? We now need to keep on eye on the rest of the forest and see where they show up next!
Sierra Nevada Red Fox
Two cameras got Sierra Nevada red fox detections this summer, Lambertson Butte and Meadows West. The photo from Lambertson Butte went unnoticed until recently - the fox passed quickly and only left this one blurry photo. But that is enough!
Two cameras got Sierra Nevada red fox detections this summer, Lambertson Butte and Meadows West. The photo from Lambertson Butte went unnoticed until recently - the fox passed quickly and only left this one blurry photo. But that is enough!
The Meadows West camera detected two different individuals when it was up last winter, based on their coat color. The pictures this summer could be one of the same individuals.
Here are the two individuals from the winter:
Here are the two individuals from the winter:
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And here's the pictures from this summer:
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From the grid of cameras we had in the Meadows area, one tentative conclusion is that these fox prefer the higher elevation locations, at least during the summer.
Marten
Marten are known to live in high elevation, closed canopy forest, and their pictures from Lambertson Butte, Newton Upper, Meadows Ski Lift, Meadows West, and Meadows Buildings confirm this. But this summer we also got one unusal sighting - from Lemiti Creek! This site borders the Ollallie Lakes area, where they are known to live, but the site itself is in a young lodgepole pine forest that is still recovering from a severe burn. It has a thick regenerating layer of trees less than 10 ftt tall, but hardly any large trees at all. The camera only picked up one picture before it failed for the rest of the summer. Too bad! It would be great to know more about this individual.
Here's a marten from the camera near Mt Hood Meadows Resort:
Marten
Marten are known to live in high elevation, closed canopy forest, and their pictures from Lambertson Butte, Newton Upper, Meadows Ski Lift, Meadows West, and Meadows Buildings confirm this. But this summer we also got one unusal sighting - from Lemiti Creek! This site borders the Ollallie Lakes area, where they are known to live, but the site itself is in a young lodgepole pine forest that is still recovering from a severe burn. It has a thick regenerating layer of trees less than 10 ftt tall, but hardly any large trees at all. The camera only picked up one picture before it failed for the rest of the summer. Too bad! It would be great to know more about this individual.
Here's a marten from the camera near Mt Hood Meadows Resort:
And here's the one blurry picture from Lemiti Creek:
Final tally
Here's the final tally of what we found this summer.
Here's the final tally of what we found this summer.
The winner for the greatest number of species goes to Jackpot Meadows, and the winner for the least number of species - but still getting a target species - is tied between Lemiti Creek, Newton Upper, and Meadows Ski Lift.
Having so much information on many different species, for many years, has creeated a great opportunity to detect any changes to the wildlife community now that wolves have moved in. We look forward to continuing the study in the years to come!
Thank you all for a great season!!
Having so much information on many different species, for many years, has creeated a great opportunity to detect any changes to the wildlife community now that wolves have moved in. We look forward to continuing the study in the years to come!
Thank you all for a great season!!
Almost all of our cameras are back in from this summer, and what amazing things we found together. Thank you to all our volunteers and supporters!
Almost exactly one year ago, we sent out an email that concluded with photos of wolverines and wolves, and a hopeful wish that "one day soon we would see these two animals return to Mount Hood." HOW AMAZING that we were able to check one of these off our list this year! What we have found this season has been truly momentous and our volunteers are to thank for that.
We are finishing out the summer season with a few more beautiful shots of some of our frequent camera visitors:
Almost exactly one year ago, we sent out an email that concluded with photos of wolverines and wolves, and a hopeful wish that "one day soon we would see these two animals return to Mount Hood." HOW AMAZING that we were able to check one of these off our list this year! What we have found this season has been truly momentous and our volunteers are to thank for that.
We are finishing out the summer season with a few more beautiful shots of some of our frequent camera visitors:
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We had quite a few photogenic deer visiting Camas Prairie at the end of October.
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 pair of wolves seen visiting one of our cameras near the Warm Springs boundary.  Although the second wolf stayed mostly behind the brush, this one provided a variety of beautiful photos.
Watch our social media pages for a complete set of photos | In early January 2018, ODFW confirmed a pair of wolves traveling together in Mount Hood National Forest. In August, the pair was confirmed to have had at least two pups (confirmed by ODFW trail cams.) In JULY, Cascadia Wild captured these incredible photos! (Yes, July! We'll say we left the cameras unchecked so that we didn't steal the thunder from ODFW's announcement a month later!) In these photos you can see two similarly sized individuals investigating around our camera. This is an amazing confirmation of their presence in the forest and a valuable resource in their protection (wolves are protected under the Federal Endangered Species Act in many parts of Oregon.) We know you've already loaded up your tracking gear and started your car to go scour the area for sign, but at the moment, "the vicinity of Warm Springs Boundary" will have to suffice. (expect equally vague locations on Flikr as well.) Follow the links below and check our Instagram to compare photos. Do you think they are the same individuals? Initial Sighting Sighting with Pups |
THANK YOU to all of our volunteers for making these pictures happen!
