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
Another exciting week of tracking trips and camera surveys! Lots of beautiful scenery, carnivore tracks (and more!) and plenty of visitors to the cameras.
TRACKING TRIPS
A Cascadia Wild member was on an independent trip near Tilly Jane this past week and came across some very interesting tracks - BEAR! It's almost January, so finding these tracks came as a bit of a surprise. As you can see, there's no arguing with that ID!
Thank you to this individual who is adding to the knowledge of bears in our area and providing this interesting insight into when bears might go into hibernation. Typically, bears begin hibernating when the first snow begins to fall and food starts becoming scarce.
Thank you to this individual who is adding to the knowledge of bears in our area and providing this interesting insight into when bears might go into hibernation. Typically, bears begin hibernating when the first snow begins to fall and food starts becoming scarce.
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Bear (above)
Bobcat (below) near Tilly Jane
Bobcat (below) near Tilly Jane
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Devil's Half Acre came back with a mystery after their trip this weekend. Was it a squirrel? A weasel? A squeasel!?
While it is difficult to tell, it is possible that these tracks were left by a weasel. It is a jumping pattern of two prints together, with a large stride and a narrow trail width. With squirrels, one would expect to see a bit wider trail width (picture the way their hind legs come around the outside of the front legs when they hop). However, with weasels one would expect to see one foot slightly in front of the other in the pair, which is not apparent in the photo. What do you think?
The trip to White River enjoyed incredible scenery and took some breathtaking photos despite the lack of carnivore tracks left for them to find.
WILDLIFE CAMERA FINDINGS
A red fox visited the Glade camera! We unexpectedly got a photo of a fox near this location last year. Originally it was thought that the foxes mostly used the alpine-forest interface, but these photos continue to show that they are using high elevation forest areas regularly as well.
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A rabbit also visited Glade only once during the set, but spent long enough that we could get quite a few clear photos of it.
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Meadows was visited by a marten:
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A mouse and a bushy tailed woodrat take turns at the bait at Bear Springs Far...
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Until a weasel shows up and claims it for itself (perhaps with a few challenges from the mouse!) The weasel visited day and night for the duration of the set.
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Additionally at Bear Springs Far, some coyote tracks were found in the area from an individual who came very close but didn't approach the camera close enough for photos.
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THANK YOU to all of our supporters!
 | Do you enjoy these pictures, and your citizen science work in the snow? The best way to say thank you is to pay it forward with your year-end gift or membership today! 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 give by December 31. Please make a year end gift or become a member today. Help us reach our goal and keep these programs going in 2019! |
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. |
