Electro-fishing

Recalling his first fishing trip to Silver Creek, Jack Hemingway wrote "I suspected there was something going on that I simply didn't understand"--a sentiment familiar to many anglers.

Spring creeks like Silver Creek are complex ecosystems. Even a careful observer can only hope to catch an incomplete glimpse of what's really happening.

That's why monitoring and research are such an important part of the Silver Creek conservation program. Spring creeks are not well studied. But at Silver Creek, a substantial monitoring program supplies biologists with a more complete picture.

From birds to vegetation, from water temperatures to flow rates, monitoring programs regularly assess the state of the creek.Beginning in 1997, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has monitored fish populations in Silver Creek every three years.

This year, USGS biologists, with assistance from the Idaho Department of Fish & Game and Conservancy interns and volunteers, are electro-shocking sections of the creek to conduct their survey. Electro-shocking sends an electric current through the water which stuns any nearby fish. Volunteers net the fish, which are then delivered to live wells.

Fish species are recorded, and each fish is then weighed and measured, before being carefully released back to the stream. Anglers and conservationists are always very interested to know the ratio of rainbow trout to brown trout. There has been some evidence that brown trout, a Eurasian species, have slowly been taking over as the dominant species.

During Monday's electro-shocking, biologists were surprised at the large number of healthy rainbow trout. But it's far too early to guess what the monitoring studies will find.Trout aren't the only focus of this study; biologists also record the presence of dace, sculpin and the other small fish species that often escape notice. USGS biologists are also recording large invertebrates as part of the monitoring survey.

These smaller species are an integral part of the Silver Creek ecosystem--and serve as indicators as far as water quality and the overall health of the creek.

The electro-shocking will continue through July. In early autumn, the Conservancy will receive the results of this year's monitoring. We'll post the information here, so check back for the most current information on Silver Creek's fish.

Camas Bloom

Nature Conservancy volunteer Ken Miracle sent these photos from his recent outing to the Camas Prairie and Centennial Marsh, located along Highway 20 near Fairfield.

The camas are in full bloom now, cloaking wet meadows in light blue. These beautiful meadows were also appreciated by the Lewis and Clark expedition in 1804; Meriwether Lewis described said one such meadow “resembles lakes of fine clear water.”

But the camas was more than a pretty flower for Lewis and Clark. They learned from American Indian tribes why camas bulbs were an important staple.

The bulbs were roasted in earthen ovens, and dried into cakes that could be eaten throughout the winter. Some tribes even cultivated camas. You can still ocassionally sample camas today, often at events like Camas Lily Days in Fairfield. A great place to check out the camas bloom is the Centennial Marsh, an area The Nature Conservancy helped protect that is today a wildlife management area owned by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

The Centennial Marsh is also a fantastic place for birding, especially during moist years. The marsh and surrounding areas contain large numbers of nesting waterfowl, shorebirds, sandhill cranes and raptors.

Ken Miracle photographed the avocet (above) and northern shoveler (below) last weekend.

The flowers are peaking, so check out the Camas Prairie this weekend for a "birds and blooms" outing.

Silver Creek Fishing Report, June 14

Submitted by Dayna Gross, Silver Creek Preserve manager

This spring weather has really given us a run for our money at Silver Creek. The usual pale morning dun (PMD) hatches are happening--- but throughout the day and seemingly at random. I saw an enormous PMD hatch (size 16-18) on upper Silver Creek (upstream of the visitor center) around five o’clock last night.

Other reports have the hatch happening around 10:30 or 11:00 am.

Baetis (size 20-22) appear throughout the day.

The word at the visitor center is that the brown drakes started last night. There was a thick hatch at the Picabo bridge about 10:30 p.m. and there were a few sparse flies near point of rocks.

I met up with the US Geologic Survey today, who just happened to be doing macroinvertebrate surveys at the the Idaho Department of Fish and Game's willows access and they said the creek was loaded with brown drakes.

I suppose that may be considered inside information, but when it comes to the brown drakes—take what you can get. Tonight may be the night!!

Waiting for Brown Drake, 2010

The brown drake hatch on Silver Creek is simply spectacular: It's the one time of the year when the fishing does not require micro-thin leaders, tiny flies and perfect casting. It's a great natural spectacle, with the large mayflies bringing so many trout to the surface it looks as if the water is boiling.

But the hatch is also notoriously hard to predict.

The past two years, I found myself at Silver Creek during the first week of June. Both times, I held high hopes of once again experiencing the brown drake hatch. And both years, I missed it.

As of today, the drakes haven't started yet. Maybe tonight? Or next week? It wouldn't hurt to check. Admittedly, you're likely to spend your evening not fishing, but waiting for brown drake. Still, there are worse ways to spend an evening.

Conservation Easement Protects Grizzly Habitat, Rural Economy

The above photo of grizzly bears was taken by Idaho Department of Fish and Game via a "camera trap," just south of the Canada border.

This photo was taken on a property, Boundary Creek, owned by Forest Capital Partners, a private forest management company. Bears and other wildlife use this property to move from the Selkirk to the Cabinet-Yaak mountains.

The Nature Conservancy very excited to announce that this property will be protected--for bears and for the rural community--by a conservation easement. The forest will continue to be logged, with conservation measures in place to ensure the bears are not disturbed when they're in the area.

This property is a spectacular place, a place where the wild things still roam, and where the rural economy is still sustained by the forest. This conservation easement ensures it stays that way.

Learn more about the conservation easement.

June 2, 2010: Silver Creek Fishing Report

New this year, Idaho Nature Notes will feature regular Silver Creek fishing reports by our preserve manager Dayna Gross. Check our blog before heading out on your next trip.

This is opening week at Silver Creek Preserve!

We have had some spring weather which makes fishing challenging because of the wind, rain, overcast skies, and generally poor visibility.

It has been quite cold, but many spring hatches happen with warming temperatures throughout the day. This week we have seen a light pale morning dun hatch around 10:30 a.m. or later (size 14 and 18), when it starts to warm up.

With overcast skies, you can count on baetis, also known as blue-winged olives (size 22 or so) throughout the day. There is a super small tan midge all day long and pheasant tail nymphs are also bringing in fish.

Stories of large rainbows and browns caught on woolly buggers (brown and black) are making their way upstream from the Purdy’s RR Ranch. On the preserve, woolly buggers are also sure to generate some action and are a good back up if it appears there is no hatch activity.

Angler traffic has been steady on the preserve but quiets down around 4 pm. Word is out that brown drakes will be coming in 2-5 days…! But you know how that goes...

--Dayna Gross

Opener

There may have still been a chill in the air on Saturday, but at Silver Creek, it was still a nice day for fishing, and an even nicer day for a barbecue.

A large crowd hung around the visitor center, enjoying hot dogs and hamburgers, telling fish stories and learning a bit more about the Silver Creek enhancement plan. After the quiet spring days, it's always nice to have so many friendly faces back on the preserve.

Did you miss the opening day barbecue? Don't worry: There's still plenty of opportunity to have fun at Silver Creek this summer.

Free natural history walks are offered every Saturday, all summer long, from 9:30-11:00.

The visitor center is open daily from 8:30- 1:30 through October 31. Stop by and say hi!

We always welcome volunteers, for the day or week or hour. Please call 208-788-7910 for the latest opportunities. This year we especially need volunteers in June for fish monitoring.

To keep informed of the latest happenings on the preserve, become a Friend of Silver Creek by donating to our conservaiton work. You'll receive an annual sticker, patch, and a deal on a special “Friends” hat. We will host a thank-you fall barbeque for all Friends -- stay tuned for the date. Donate today.

Opening Day Festivities

This Saturday is the opening day of fishing season at Silver Creek.

Enjoy some fishing and celebrate with our staff and volunteers with an opening day barbecue, beginning at 12:30 pm at the visitor center.

It's free.

Staff will be sharing information on the Silver Creek enhancement plan, an effort to improve fish and wildlife habitat over the entire watershed.

We hope to see you on the preserve!

And check Idaho Nature Notes frequently this summer. New this year, we'll be posting regular fishing reports, with information on the hatches and what's working best on the creek.

Tanagers and Orioles

It's a great time of year to see two of Idaho's most colorful birds: the Western tanager and Bullock's oriole.

These beautiful species are quite common, if you know where to look.

The Western tanager (above) prefers forested habitat, although you may also see them in brushy habitat along streams. This species is found farther north than most tanagers, which are most associated with tropical environments. I find them to be one of the most striking birds, particulary when they have bright red facial markings.

Interestingly, according to the Cornell Lab or Ornithology, the tanagers don't manufacture this red pigment. Instead, they acquire it from their diet--from insects that ingest it from plants.

The Bullock's oriole (below) thrives amongst streamside vegetation. For instance, look for them in the willows at Silver Creek Preserve. The Idaho Birding Blog has some excellent information (and photos) on orioles around Boise, where they're also quite common.

Both of these colorful birds eat insects and fruits. You can attract them to your backyard by hanging or impaling old apples near your bird feeder. If orioles or tanagers are around, they'll find the fruit.
Photos: Western tanager by nature's pic's licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license. Bullock's Oriole by Kevin Cole licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.

Volunteer Opportunities

Would you like to help protect some of Idaho's most special places? Here are some upcoming volunteer opportunities that may be of interest.

At Silver Creek Preserve this summer, staff and partners will monitor fish, insects and habitat. We need volunteers to help especially with the fish shocking, collecting and recording.

The shocking will take place on June 15 and 16; we need four or five volunteers. The week of June 21 and 28, we will help the Idaho Department of Fish and Game with their mark and recapture study—so we will be shocking at night. Please call the Silver Creek Office at 208-788-7910 if you are interested in helping.

Silver Creek has an active volunteer program. Check our volunteer page for the latest information, or call the office if you would like to bring a group to help.

This Saturday, Thousand Springs State Park hosts a work day.Thousand Springs State Park staff and volunteers will dust off winter at Ritter Island: work will entail dusting off artifacts in the historic barns and preparing Ritter Island to open for the summer. Opening is slated for May 29.

Work begins at 10 am. Dress to work and bring rags and cleaning supplies. To get there (from the west): Take the second Wendell exit, turn left to 1500 and then follow the signs to Ritter Island.

If you have questions – please contact Debbie Dane of South Idaho Tourism or Dave Landrum, Manager of Thousand Springs State Park.

Leapin' Lizards

With southern Idaho finally experiencing warmer temperatures, lizards have become quite visible. You might catch a glimpse of one scurrying across a trail, or sunning itself on a rock.

Ten lizard species live in Idaho. With the exception of the northern alligator lizard--which prefers cool, moist forests--all thrive in arid, sagebrush-covered habitat.

You'll most commonly encounter the Western fence lizard (pictured above), with a mottled brown back and blue belly. They can be seen on rocky slopes, around abandoned buildings, and yes, on fence posts.

Their propensity to sun themselves render them vulnerable to predators like raptors, which is why they've evolved lightning-fast reflexes--a trait familiar to anyone who has tried to catch one.

At this time of year, males fiercely defend their territory (a whopping .01 acre). Soon females will lay a brood of ten eggs.

Fence lizards also possess a nice quality that benefits humanity: They reduce Lyme disease. When ticks feed on lizards, a protein in the lizard's blood kills the bacteria that cause the disease. In areas with large lizard populations, less people are infected with Lyme disease.

But do lizards face an uncertain future? A recent study, published in the journal Science, suggests many lizard species may be seriously threatened by climate change.

The study in Mexico found that when faced with a warming climate, lizards spend less time hunting and more time in the shade. This weakens their condition and leads to a population reduction.

The scientists who authored the article also wrote an editorial, in which they state "extinctions are not only in the future, but are happening now." Hopefully studies like this inspire conservationists to take action--for lizards and other species that are an important part of Idaho.

Floating Silver Creek

The Sun Valley Families blog features a nice post on another activity to enjoy at The Nature Conservancy's Silver Creek Preserve this spring: kayaking.

Silver Creek is a great place to explore by canoe or kayak. For an angler, it can be an illuminating (and humbling) experience: Schools of fish dart under the canoe; big trout lurk in the shadows.

You'll surely see waterfowl, herons, marsh wrens and many other birds. If you're lucky, you may see a mink or a moose.

If you're planning to float the creek, now is a great time to do it, because the stream is not yet open to fishing (the season opener is May 29).

You can still float the creek during fishing season, but please respect anglers: Stay quiet, don't splash the water and float behind anglers when you pass. Also, be sure to sign in at the visitor center.

We hope to see you on the preserve, and enjoy your float!

Photo by Giuseppe Saitta.

Idaho's Top Five Migrations

It's spring, and that means the animals of the world are in motion again — flying, swimming, running and crawling to their summer homes and breeding grounds.

Idaho has some of the most dramatic wildlife migrations on the continent.

To celebrate, here's our list of our state's top five "must see" migrations. How many have you seen?

Geese in the Long Grass

For wildlife, restoring an area to native plants is like creating a Field of Dreams: "build it, and they will come."

That's certainly been the case at the 45 Ranch, located deep in the Owyhee Canyonlands.

Two years ago, co-owners Charles Conn and Dennis Fitzpatrick worked with The Nature Conservancy and other partners to restore wetlands and native plants to the ranch.

The restoration project allowed the Owyhee river, which flows through the property. to behave more like a wild river--including moving from its channel and periodically flooding.

The owners replaced an irrigated field with native plants like Great Basin wild rye. Already wildlife like sage grouse and bighorn sheep use this area.

Perhaps surprisingly, geese like the long grass, too. It provides perfect cover for nesting. Look closely in the photo above: you can see a nest tucked into the base of the wild rye.

In the years to come, it will be interesting to see what other wildlife nests, hides, feeds, hunts or rests in this restored oasis in the desert

Silver Creek Birding Report

Blog reader Robert Mortensen has a great trip report for Silver Creek Preserve on his Idaho Birding Blog.

He visited en route to Carey (as part of a successful trip to see the hooded crane), and found many interesting species. Birding has become increasingly popular at the preserve, and spring is an excellent time to visit.

I'm glad this blog is encouraging folks to visit the preserve. If you have written trip reports or blog posts about our preserves, please send them and I'd be happy to link. (And if you're looking for trip ideas, check out our Idaho public access guide).

By the way, the Idaho Birding Blog is an excellent resource, with birder interviews, book reviews, trip reports, great photographs and more.

Boat Inspection Stations Open

The above photo is of a rope encrusted with quagga mussels, a non-native species that is spreading across the country.

These invasive mussels coat everything from boats to power turbines. They destroy wildlife habitat and cost millions to control.

We don't want them in Idaho. That's why boat inspection stations are so important in making sure our state stays "mussel free." The following press release from the Idaho Department of Agriculture provides the latest on boat inspection stations. In short, if you are boating this summer in Idaho, expect to be inspected.

The Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) announced Monday that mandatory watercraft inspection stations will begin opening in Idaho on Tuesday, April 27.

The first stations to open in the state will be near the intersection of Hwy. 51 and Hwy. 78 near Bruneau and on Hwy. 95 near Marsing. A station at U.S. 93, just north of the Nevada state line, will open on Saturday, May 1. Additional stations will be opening statewide throughout the boating season. The stations will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m., seven days a week.

Boaters should expect inspections! The purpose of these stations is to inspect watercraft coming from outside of Idaho. Watercraft inspectors will be looking for high-risk boats that have been in quagga mussel- and zebra mussel-impacted states. Boats will be inspected for any attached mussels and/or standing water. Owners also will be asked where they have boated in the previous 30 days. It is important that boaters arrive in Idaho with a clean, drained and dry watercraft.

Idaho’s inspection program underscores the importance of preventing these mussels from becoming established in Idaho,” said Agriculture Director Celia Gould. “If introduced, these mussels could impact Idaho’s waterbodies and recreation and likely impose a heavy maintenance burden on irrigated agriculture, power generation and water suppliers.”

ISDA urges all boaters to take the following steps to prevent the introduction of the mussels to Idaho:

--Inspect all exposed surfaces - small mussels feel like sandpaper to the touch.

--Wash the hull thoroughly, preferably with hot water.

--Remove all plant and animal material.

--Drain all water and dry all areas.

--Drain and dry the lower outboard unit.

--Clean and dry all live wells.

--Empty and dry any buckets.

--Dispose of all bait in the trash.

--Wait five days and keep watercraft dry between launches into different fresh waters.

For more information contact Amy Ferriter at 208-332-8686 or email at amy.ferriter@agri.idaho.gov

Rare Bird Alert: Hooded Crane Spotted Near Carey

Avid birders: If you're looking for a weekend outing in Idaho, you may want to head to Carey to add a new bird to your life list.

Last week, a group of Blaine County birders including regular Silver Creek volunteers Poo Wright-Pulliam and Jean Seymour spotted a hooded crane--native to Siberia and Japan--at the Carey Lake Wildlife Management Area.

There are only a handful of records of the species being sighted in North America.

Sandhill cranes nest in southcentral Idaho and are quite easy to see at this time of year. The hooded crane appears to be living with the sandhills.

I am sure many birders will be around Carey this weekend. It's a beautiful time of year in southcentral Idaho. Even if you don't see the crane, there is excellent birding at Silver Creek and on the Camas Prairie.

Read the full story in the Idaho Mountain Express.

Photo by Kathleen Cameron.

Collaborative Conservation

Collaborative conservation--working together with communities, agencies, businesses, landowners, sportsmen, farmers, loggers and individuals like you--has been a fundamental principle of The Nature Conservancy's work for nearly 60 years.

Robyn Miller, our Inland Northwest conservation manager, literally lives and breathes collaborative conservation, most recently in her work with the Clearwater Basin Collaborative.

The Clearwater Basin Collaborative (CBC) is a coalition of conservationists, recreationists, the Nez Perce Tribe and representatives from the forest products industry, working together to forge solutions including a comprehensive legislative package to address forest health, rural economies and recreational interests.

Yesterday, Robyn testified about the importance of collaboratives like the CBC to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.

She did an excellent job conveying the importance of private working lands and working together to protect Idaho's special places.

Watch her testimony. Her remarks begin at time stamp 53:00.

Pikas in a Warming World

On a mountain hike this summer, you might see a little fur-ball darting amongst rocky slopes. Chances are, it's a pika--a relative of rabbits and hares, with short legs and rounded ears. There are thirty species around the world, all associated with high mountain habitats. For many hikers, they're a favorite animal, one of those critters that makes you smile when you see them.

They've also become one of the Idaho animals most associated with climate change.

Pikas, after all, thrive in cool, rocky mountain climates. As lower elevations warm, pikas are cut off from reaching new habitat areas; essentially, they become stranded on habitat "islands."

When species are confined to small areas, they become much more threatened by lack of genetic variation, disease, fire, predators and other factors.

Is the pika doomed as the world warms?

Earlier this year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service declined to list the American pika under the Endangered Species Act. It noted that, while some pika populations may disappear at lower elevations, climate change would not pose a risk to long-term survival of the species.

The agency's report also suggested that pikas may be able to adapt to warmer conditions.

Is that possible for an animal so tied to cool temperatures.

Interestingly, a population of pikas at Craters of the Moon National Monument suggests that perhaps pikas can adapt. Unlike many pika habitats, Craters is often hot and dry.

There, pikas become inactive during the heat of the day, seeking shelter in lava tubes and crevasses. They breed and thrive in the expansive monument.

This population still raises more questions than answers. How long did it take for pikas to adapt to the lava fields? Can they find similar shade on a mountain top? Will warmer mountain habitats become home to predators that more effectively hunt pikas?

It is difficult to know. Probably the most important lesson here is the need for large, intact habitats. In large protected areas, species have room to adapt and move. In small patches, species often disappear. As the world warms, now more than ever we need protected, connected natural areas--for pikas and for so many other wildlife species. --Matt Miller

Photo by Justin Johnsen under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.

Camas Prairie

The Camas Prairie--the flat area located around Fairfield, east of Mountain Home--is wet, marshy and full of standing water this spring.

That means excellent birding opportunities. Cinammon teal, canvasbacks, scaup and many other waterfowl species can be seen in many of the wetland areas. Long-billed curlews, sandhill cranes and avocets are also easily seen.

Elk, pronghorn, coyotes, badgers and Columbia ground squirrels can often be found in drier areas.

While much of the abundant bird life can be seen from Highway 20--which crosses the area--Idaho Department of Fish and Game's Centennial Marsh is an excellent place to see larger flocks of shorebirds and waterfowl.

In a few weeks, when more snow melts, the area will be covered in wildflowers, a beautiful spring sight.

It's a nice road trip and is easily combined with a visit to The Nature Conservancy's Silver Creek Preserve.

Photo by Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

Silver Creek in Spring

Colleague Rob Crowley, associate director of philanthropy for the Conservancy, took these photos on a trip last week to Silver Creek Preserve.

Spring is a beautiful time to visit the preserve. Snow still highlights the surrounding mountains, and you'll hear a raucous chorus of marsh wrens, yell0w-headed blackbirds and sandhill cranes. Mule deer, elk and even moose are visible in the fields. Large flocks of waterfowl rest in the wetlands.

While fishing season is still over a month away, you can still hike, canoe, bird, photograph or just enjoy the peaceful surroundings. Silver Creek is open every day of the year, but you must sign in at the visitor center before visiting. There's no admission charge, but please consider donating to enable The Nature Conservancy to continue to protect places like Silver Creek.

Live Bird Cams

Live bird cams--where you can watch a nesting bird right from your computer--have become very popular. They allow many folks to see the "secret life" of the birds around them, and follow along with the daily drama that happens in bird nests.

Want to check some out? Here are three nesting birds to follow this spring:

Boise Peregrine Cam - The recovery of peregrine falcons is one of conservation's most remarkable success stories. Many cities, including Boise, now have nesting peregrines in their downtowns. I can look out my window and see the birds on a nearby building. You can too. The Peregrine Fund's web cam gives you a view into their nest. The adult birds are there now, but no eggs have been laid yet.

Deer Flat Refuge Osprey Cam - The Friends of Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge--located near Nampa, Idaho--offer a view at an osprey nest this year. Ospreys are always fun to watch, especially when they bring large fish back to the nest.

Channel Islands Bald Eagle Cam - One of the most popular bird cams is on The Nature Conservancy's active conservation project on Santa Cruz Island off the California coast. The Conservancy's web site offers regular news updates on the eagles, and you can also check out commentary on the Conservancy blog Cool Green Science.

Baby eagle photo by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

April: Idaho Nature Calendar

Dubois Grouse Days - April 16 & 17 (Dubois). Grouse Days, in its 8th year, offers a great chance to see strutting sage grouse, one of Idaho's incredible natural spectacles. Dubois, located in eastern Idaho, is near some of the best sage grouse populations in the west. The event includes tours to see grouse on their leks (strutting grounds), including a visit to The Nature Conservancy's Crooked Creek Preserve (pictured above). Support a local community, enjoy educational presentations and see plenty of grouse.

Silver Creek enhancement plan public meetings - April 22 and 24 (Picabo Store) and April 26 (Nature Conservancy's Hailey Office). There's still time to provide your input for the Silver Creek enhancement plan, a comprehensive effort to improve fish and wildlife habitat in the Silver Creek watershed. The first meetings have been held, gathering thoughts from landowners, anglers, guides, birders and others regarding where habitat projects can have the most effect. Silver Creek has been a conservation success due to community involvement. With your help, we can make the creek even better.

Ignite Boise 4 - 6:30 pm April 22 (Egyptian Theater, Boise). Five minutes, twenty slides. What would you say? That's the premise of Ignite Boise, which has participants present with the added challenge of an automated timer. This installment is on Earth Day, with plenty of environmental-themed topics. Join an enthusiastic crowd for Boise's best ideas. (While it's officially sold out, you can always get a seat by showing up at 6:30 pm the night of the event. It's free).

Crooked Creek Preserve photo by Bob Griffith.

Cold Weather and Invasive Species

What's the most effective way to control invasive species? In Florida at least, the answer might be "cold weather."

As reported in the Seattle Times, a cold snap that brought temperatures in the 3o's and 40's had profound impacts on South Florida's non-native fauna: Thousands of non-native fish went belly up, iguanas dropped out of trees and the much-feared pythons were found dead.

(Unfortunately, the frigid temperatures also killed as many as five percent of the native manatees in Florida as well).

Certainly, the cold did not kill all the invasive critters, and over time, populations could become more adapted to cold weather. However, hopefull this puts to rest some of the wilder and more sensational predictions; watch some cable programs, and it has sounded as if pythons would soon be eating children in Central Park.

More importantly, the invasive species die-off raises interesting questions for conservationists. For instance, when are invasive species merely a localized threat? (Certainly continued efforts will be needed to locate pythons in South Florida, but we don't have to worry about them in Idaho).

When will natural factors quickly control populations, reducing the need for costly control measures? What species won't have much effect at all?

Will feral hogs in Idaho remain confined to the Bruneau Valley, or will they spread throughout the state? What invasive species pose the biggest threats to our state?

In a global society, new introductions of plants and animals are inevitable. Currently, many conservationists assume all non-native species are bad. But that is neither strategic nor cost effective. Hopefully, research can help determine where control efforts can have the most effect, and best protect native species and their habitats.

Thanks to writer Steve Bodio's blog for the tip on this story.

Photo: Python and alligator in South Florida, by the National Park Service.

Where Have All The Naturalists Gone?

Do old-fashioned naturalists still have a place in the conservation movement? Does field knowledge still matter as we solve increasingly complex environmental problems?

I suspect many readers of this blog are amateur and professional naturalists--birders, wildlife watchers, observant sportsmen, field biologists, wildlife photographers and those with similar interests.

I think some in the conservation movement have been a bit too quick to dismiss naturalists' contributions in protecting wildlife and wild places, for nature and people. And I believe field skills still matter. Read my blog at The Nature Conservancy's Cool Green Science to read more, and add your own opinions. --Matt Miller

Prairie chicken photo by Bob Griffith.

Counting Silver Creek

I get a lot of questions about what goes on at the Preserve in the winter months.

We do a lot of monitoring at Silver Creek in order to track and ensure that the habitat is remaining healthy and viable. In a nutshell, we spend a lot of time counting things throughout the year and when the weather gets bad, we analyze the things we have counted. We watch the water quality and quantity, track bird and fish numbers, monitor upland vegetation and willow communities, and much more. We also monitor visitation- where do the people come from, how many are there, and what are they doing. Counting things. Analyzing them. What does it mean when visitation has increased? When trout numbers are down? Bird numbers up? More vegetation? Less weeds? These are the things I think about in the winter.

This summer (June), with the help of Idaho Department of Fish and Game and the U.S. Geological Survey, we will be monitoring trout populations. It is a really exciting time on the Preserve. The fish monitoring only happens every three years and, yes, we need volunteers. We usually shock (in order to measure and weigh them) the fish at night, and then the next morning I kayak the creek to make sure there were no fish fatalities. It is a great way to spend time and easily the most exciting monitoring that we do.

Sometimes, in the winter when I am thinking about the exciting things to come in the spring and summer like the fish population surveys, I like to try and make connections in our data analysis where there may not be connections (I do this in my free time, at work, my focus is more serious).

For instance, you would think monitoring people and monitoring fish would be completely different. But it seems to me that there are some of the same challenges and there are definite parallels. You would think it would be simple to count people and to count fish. Amazingly, counting things is not so easy.

For instance, to count visitors, we ask that people sign in (Please do it. Since the Silver Creek Preserve is private property, it gives visitors a ‘trespass permit’ for the day). Some people treat signing in at the visitor center as a very important ritual. They park their car, amble up the walk, look around, talk to the volunteers, sign in slowly (often in all capital letters), and meander back to their cars while they get ready for their visit. Others screech to a halt in the parking area, run up the walkway, scratch their name on the sign in sheet, and then peal out in the parking lot on the way to their fishing spot. As far as the trout, the same behavior occurs. Some of them just meander into our nets. Others hear us coming from a mile away and are long gone by the time we reach them. You can see their wake in the moonlight… much like the night fishermen who never sign in. In the summer, the trout are everywhere. In the winter, they disappear. In the summer we get about 80% of visitors signing in, and in the winter we get about 80% not signing in.

So, as the summer and spring season are upon us and more people are visiting the Preserve, my advice to you--- please don’t be a bad fish. Sign in.
-Dayna Smith

Cinammon Teal

After spending the winter in the Caribbean or South America, cinammon teal are back in Idaho.

A small but colorful duck, migratory cinammon teal nest almost exclusively in the western United States. They are quite common in shallow wetlands around Idaho, and are easy to see on the Camas Prairie and at Silver Creek Preserve.

The Malheur National Wildlife Refuge and wetlands around the Great Salt Lake are also important habitat.

You will almost never see a cinammon teal in the autumn here. They rest in the Salt Lake area before heading south.

So now is the time to observe this small but colorful duck. Spring is a great time to visit Silver Creek--birds of many species are very active, and many waterfowl are starting to set up nesting sites. The preserve is open all year, so we hope to see you there this year!

Photos by Tom Grey.

Join Our Silver Creek Public Meetings

Tomorrow--Thursday, March 25--will begin a series of public meetings to gather public input on the Silver Creek enhancement plan.

The Nature Conservancy has announced that it will work with Ecosystem Sciences, a non-profit Boise-based consulting firm, to develop a comprehensive plan to restore stretches of Silver Creek and its tributaries that need most help, and to use the restoration methods that will have the most conservation benefit.

The effort will result in habitat projects that benefit the fishery as well as many wildlife species.

Silver Creek has been a community-based conservation project since the Conservancy purchased the preserve in 1976. That's what has made it such a success.

Your input is important. Tomorrow's meetings will be at noon at the Picabo General Store and at 3:30 pm at the Conservancy's Hailey Office on 116 First Avenue North.

Other public meetings include:

April 22 – noon, Picabo Store

April 24 – noon, Picabo Store

April 26 – 5: 30 pm, The Nature Conservancy’s Hailey Office

May 29 – Opening Day. Presentations for review and input at the Silver Creek Visitor Center all day.

You can also stay informed of the enhancement plan and provide your feedback on the Silver Creek Enhancement Plan blog.

If you have questions or want more information, please contact Dayna Gross at 208-788-7910.

Photo by Kirk Keogh, first2lastlight.com

Nutritious, Delicious Native Shrubs

With the official beginning of spring, it may seem like the worst of winter is past. But for mule deer and other big game animals, March is often the cruelest month.

Having starved much of the winter, many animals are simply too stressed to make it through spring--particularly if there is little forage available. (Learn how you can reduce that stress).

A healthy sagebrush ecosystem can provide the nutritious food that deer, elk, pronghorn and bighorn sheep need to make it through the winter. A landscape still covered in shrubs can often make the difference between a thriving deer herd a non-existent one.

Sagebrush is a protein-rich, highly digestible plant. Numerous studies have shown that sagebrush often makes up a majority of a deer's winter diet.

There are 16 species of sagebrush, and they vary in palatability for mule deer. But as Dr. Carl Wambolt of Montana State University notes, even the least palatable species are valuable as forage.

Sagebrush sticks out of the snow, so deer can browse on it even in harsh winters.

A healthy sagebrush ecosystem, though, consists of more than just sagebrush. Other plants help vary a deer's diet and provide additional nutrients.

Other shrubs--like bitterbrush (pictured above), horse brush, winter fat and salt brush--are an important part of a mule deer's diet. Bureau of Land Management botanist Roger Rosentretter calls bitterbrush "deer candy" and notes that it aids in the deer's digestion to have a variety of shrubs.

"A mule deer diet of sagbrush and a little bit of bitterbrush is high-quality winter forage," he says. "The deer prefer the bitterbrush but they will do very well if you have both. They compliment each other with proteins and nutrients. It also aids deer digestion to have both."

In a healthy sagebrush ecosystem, native bunch grasses cover the area between the shrubs. Unlike non-native cheatgrass, bunch grasses stand upright all year--even during periods snow, allowing deer to access them more easily.

Non-native cheatgrass exists as a monoculture. It can be eaten by deer when it greens up in the spring, but it makes it very difficult for deer (and other wildlife) to thrive. As is almost always the case: Diversity rules. A healthy sagebrush system has so many values for wildlife. By protecting and restoring this habitat, we can ensure thriving big game herds remain a part of Idaho.--Matt Miller

Lend a Hand at Thousand Springs

Our state parks have received severe budget cuts, so volunteer help is more important than ever.

There will be an active volunteer effort at Thousand Springs State Park this spring and summer. By pitching in, you can assure that this park--consisting of five units--continues to protect beautiful springs, canyons, hiking trails, wildlife habitat and historic facilities.

The next volunteer outing will be March 27, planting trees at Billingsley Creek.

Email contact@visitsouthidaho.com if you would like to participate.

The Nature Conservancy donated the Ritter Island portion of Thousand Springs to the State of Idaho in December 2006. We also played important roles in the creation of the Box Canyon and Billingsley Creek units.

Our state parks deserve an adequately funded department. They also deserve our help. This park can continue to be a jewel in the Hagerman Valley. Please lend a hand for our parks!

Keep informed on Thousand Springs issues at the Visit South Idaho blog.

Snake River Birds of Prey

The Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area--located near Kuna, Idaho--has one of the highest densities of nesting raptors in the world, not to mention the highest density of badgers, many sagebrush bird species like Says phoebe and canyon wren, and stunning views of the Snake River.

In short: It's a great place to visit if you're a birder or naturalist.

And now is the time to catch incredible raptor interactions there.

Yesterday, I visited the conservation area with friend Ryan Andrus, a falconer, raptor enthusiast and biologist.

We hoped to see some interesting raptor behavior; we weren't disappointed. Prairie falcons (pictured above), golden eagles, ferruginous hawks, red-tailed hawks, harriers and kestrels were numerous.

At one stop, we watched as a prairie falcon snagged a ground squirrel, only to be chased by a harrier and two ravens. When the falcon dropped the dead squirrel in mid-flight, a golden eagle swooped in and calmly took it away.

At Dedication Point, we watched territorial disputes among prairie falcons.

The best way to catch the action yourself is to take Swan Falls Road from Kuna. Here are a few stops to make along the way:

Dedication Point offers excellent views of the Snake River Canyon, and is a fantastic viewing spot for prairie falcons and other raptors. The birds will often soar right by the viewing area.

Initial Point is the best spot to see badgers. The road is rough in this area so drive carefully.

Swan Falls Dam is a good place to look for ducks, pelicans, grebes and other water birds, as well as marmots in the nearby canyon.

The 485,000-acre conservation area is a great place to explore and see raptors hunting, soaring, fighting and breeding. Sit quietly and you'll be amazed by what you'll see.--Matt Miller


Photo courtesy USGS.

Want to Help Idaho State Parks? Buy an Annual Parks Pass.

Earlier this week, the Idaho Legislature's Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee voted to cut the fiscal year 2011 general funds budget for the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation by 80%.

This obviously has major implications for our state parks and their management. Many people have asked how they can help.

The Nature Conservancy continues to advocate for an adequately funded state parks department, which we believe offers so much to Idaho. We need to continue to work to ensure more adequate funding in the future.

However, our parks need your support now. One of the best ways to help this year is to buy an state parks annual pass.

Doing so will provide vital funds to continue management, maintenance and visitor services at our parks. At $35 per year, your pass will enable you to visit our parks without paying the daily fees. Whether you're climbing dunes at Bruneau, hiking along the crystal clear springs of Box Canyon (pictured above), skiing at Priest Lake or fly fishing at Harriman, the state parks pass has you covered.

If you are on Facebook, please become a fan of the Friends of Idaho Parks and Recreation.

This fan site is growing fast, and it's a great way to organize and show your support. The Friends Facebook page has all the latest news and information on the parks situation.

Our parks provide us so much. Now is the time to show your support for an adequately funded department.

Photo: Box Canyon, a unit of Thousand Springs State Park near Hagerman, by Phares Book.

Horned Larks

I saw the first horned larks of the year yesterday (along with migrating sandhill cranes and snow geese), on grassy flat areas of the Boise Foothills.

I see horned larks fairly frequently around southern Idaho. They're a bird of open ground, so they prefer areas without much cover.

Like many grassland birds, horned larks are in decline over much of their range. This is due to a variety of factor, including the dramatic loss of prairie habitat. These birds are also one of the species most likely to be killed by wind turbines.

Interestingly, I've often seen horned larks--and other grassland species like burrowing owls, long-billed curlews and Western meadowlarks--in degraded sagebrush habitat. Is it possible that these declining species are actually utilizing areas converted to non-native annual grasses?

I have not seen any studies suggesting this, but I think it would be worthy research. Oftentimes, conservation in our altered world presents many interesting dilemmas.

This is undoubtedly another instance where birders and citizen-conservationists can help researchers in tracking where horned larks are now living, and whether they are utilizing new habitats.

So keep an eye out for horned larks this spring. They're a distinctive bird and well worth searching for on your next outing.--Matt Miller

Photo by Tom Grey, of Tom Grey Bird Photos.

Canvasbacks

The canvasback is known as a duck of large ocean bays and other big water, where they congregate in large flocks. However, they nest in small wetland areas. Look closely in the coming months, and you may be lucky to see some around Idaho.

The canvasback is a large, striking duck, easily distinguished from other speces by its sloping beak profile.

It was once the famous waterfowl species of the Chesapeake Bay, but has declined significantly there due to the loss of its primary food source, wild celery. In fact, in the 1980's, the canvasback population crashed across the continent.

According to Ducks Unlimited, this was due to a loss of nesting habitat in the prairie pothole region of the Dakotas and Canada and also due to ingesting spent lead ammunition (this ammunition has since been banned for waterfowl hunting).

The bird's populations have since rebounded, but they are still heavily dependent on healthy wetland habitat, particulary in the prairies.

Idaho is not in the canvasback's main nesting range, but some do nest here.

Last year, two batches of canvasback ducklings were recorded at The Nature Conservancy's Silver Creek Preserve. You can also often find a few on the wetlands of the Camas Prairie near Fairfield, including Centennial Marsh.

Photo by Calibas on Wikimedia Commons, under a GNU Free Documentation License.

Property Acquisition Benefits Salmon, Agriculture

When the summer heats up, young kids go to the pool. Young salmon go to Kenney Creek.

The Lemhi Regional Land Trust has announced the purchase of a 520-acre ranch along Kenney Creek, a tributary of the Lemhi River important for salmon, steelhead and other native fish.

The Nature Conservancy played an important role in the project from its beginning.

The acquisition is part of a complex conservation project that will ensure that sufficient water remains in the creek to meet the needs of both fish and agriculture.

The property will be protected with a conservation easement and transferred to a local rancher, in exchange for another conservation easement that will protect additional salmon habitat.

Read more about the Kenney Creek acquisition.

Photos by Jim Foster.