Tracking Trip To Little John Sno Park

Today's tracking trip took us to the East side of Mt. Hood, Little John Sno Park. 
The group got a chance to compare Douglas Squirrel tracks to Gray Squirrel tracks on the trip, as well as got a valuable data point on Gray Squirrels' presence in that area. 

Gray squirrels are found in conifer forests as well on the east side of the cascades, but are pirmarily associated with oak woodlands. Biologists still don't have a good understanding of the extent to which they utilize conifers, or the population size in those areas. 

The Little John group also found plenty of signs of Douglas Squirrel activity, including this hole made by a squirrel going down to the base of a small evergreen with scat deposited near the edge.
 

There were two successful tracking trips this weekend. What a great start to the tracking season. I hope you all can join us on trips this winter!