May Covering the following HMUs Toothaker Yakima Bend Richland Bend Hood Park Riparia John Henley Nisqually John Alpowa Creek Chief Timothy

Transcription

1 Herpetofauna of the Lower Snake River Habitat Management Units Results from the 2009 Field Season A Report to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Walla Walla District Ona S. V. Alminas, Avery A. Cook, and Andrew Engilis Jr. Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology May 2010 Covering the following HMUs Toothaker Yakima Bend Richland Bend Hood Park Riparia John Henley Nisqually John Alpowa Creek Chief Timothy Plus Incidental Observations on 17 other HMUs Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 1

2 Herpetofauna of the Lower Snake River Habitat Management Units Results from the 2009 Field Season A Report to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Walla Walla District May 2010 Covering the following HMUs Toothaker Yakima Bend Richland Bend Hood Park Riparia John Henley Nisqually John Alpowa Creek Chief Timothy Plus Incidental Observations on 17 other HMUs By Ona S. V. Alminas, Avery A. Cook, and Andrew Engilis Jr. Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology Suggested citation. Alminas, O.S.V., A. A. Cook, and A. Engilis, Jr Herpetofauna of the Lower Snake River Habitat Management Units: Results from the 2009 Field Season. A Report to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Walla Walla District. Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology, Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology.. Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 2

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements Introduction Methods Nomenclature & Species Lists Survey Methods Visual Encounter Surveys (VES) Nocturnal VES and road searches Anuran call survey/ eyeshine spotlighting Dipnet/ water surveys Guzzler dipnet survey Funnel trapping Skin molt / Reptile Determinations Incidental detections and specimens Amphibian chytrid fungus testing General Results Survey results Amphibian chytrid fungus testing Discussion Previous studies Survey method efficiency Gallinaceous guzzler use by Long-toed Salamanders Toad (Bufo sp.) distribution along the lower Snake River Lack of lizards Other species not detected Amphibian chytrid fungus Tricities-Managed HMUs Toothacre HMU Methods summary Habitats Results Yakima Delta HMU Methods Habitats Results Richland Bend HMU Methods summary Habitats Results Hood Park Methods summary Habitats Results Summary of 2008 and 2009 surveys Management Recommendations Clarkston-Managed HMUs Riparia HMU Methods summary Habitats Results John Henley HMU Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 3

4 Methods summary Habitats Results Nisqually John Canyon HMU Methods summary Habitats Results Alpowa Creek HMU Methods summary Habitats Results Chief Timothy HMU Methods summary Habitats Results Other Clarkston-managed HMUs Lower Monumental pool Little Goose pool Lower Granite Pool Literature Cited Appendix A. Species list for Walla Walla District HMUs (lower Snake River) Appendix B. Snake molt identifications, Appendix C. Species detection table for Toothacre HMU, 2009 surveys Appendix D. Species detection table for Yakima Delta HMU, 2009 surveys Appendix E. Species detection table for Richland Bend HMU, 2009 surveys Appendix F. Species detection table for Hood Park HMU, 2009 surveys Appendix G. Species detection table for Riparia HMU, 2009 surveys Appendix H. Species detection table for John Henley HMU, 2009 surveys Appendix I. Species detection table for Nisqually John Canyon HMU, 2009 surveys Appendix J. Species detection table for Alpowa Creek HMU, 2009 surveys Appendix K. Species detection table for Chief Timothy HMU, 2009 surveys Appendix L. Species Accounts Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 4

5 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We would first and foremost like to thank the field assistant of the Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology (MWFB) Edith P. Jovel whose long hours in the field contributed tremendously this project. Also from the MWFB, Mana Hattori, Irene E. Engilis, Jeffery Prentice, Angela Hsiung, and Melanie Truan contributed records of incidental herp sightings from previous small mammal trapping efforts. The assistance of Robert Thomson and Levi Gray with the Shaffer Lab (UC Davis, Dept. of Evolution and Ecology) was invaluable to this project. Robert provided support with taxonomy recommendations and genetic analyses of tadpole tail clips. Both Robert and Levi provided feedback on survey methods, species identification, and confirmed identification of snakeskin molts we collected in the field. Michael Guilfoyle of the Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) arranged for the research to be coordinated through the Walla Wall District office, obtained our Washington state scientific collecting permit and assisted in the field. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wildlife Biologist Mark Halupczok of the Walla Walla District arranged field site access and assisted with logistics for truck and boat transportation to remote sites. Pete Ober and Mark Plummer, Fisheries Biologists with the Walla Walla District also assisted with vehicle and boat transportation to remote sites. Mike Butler and Mark Graves assisted with logistics and field transportation from the USACE Clarkston Field Office. We would also like to thank the workers from De Ruwe Habitat Management for taking the time to share their experiences with herpetofauna at the HMUs, and Carlos Alvarado, who assisted with materials, supplies and methods for this project. Lori Salzer of Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) was gracious enough to provide historical records for species status species in our study area. Gretchen Padgett-Flohr of the University of Illinois Carbondale, Steve Wagner of Central Washington University, Jason Lowe of the Bureau of Land Management and Dede Olson of the USDA Forest Service provided information regarding amphibian chytridiomycosis in Washington state. The UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, One Health Program was instrumental in assisting in the field to sample and analyze anurans for chytrid fungus. Specifically we wish to thank Cheryl Scott (onehealth Program Director), and veterinary extern students who assisted in the field, Ryan Sadler, Sarah Smolley and Francois Bates. Photo credits: All photos were taken by Ona Alminas and Andrew Engilis, Jr. Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 5

6 1.0 INTRODUCTION The Columbia River and Snake River watersheds remain some of the most altered in western North America. With over 20 major dams, massive land conversion for agriculture and recreation, and a rapidly growing human population, wildlife refuges and managed lands provide some of the only protected remaining habitats. In association with the dams, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) manages a network of Habitat Management Units (HMUs) that are distributed along most of the shoreline of the Snake and Columbia rivers. Traditionally these HMUs have been managed for recreation including hunting, fishing and off-road vehicles. In the past two decades USACE biologists recognized that the HMUs also support a vast array of wildlife and vegetation, and so began to question the future management of the HMUs and the biodiversity they support. There was a need for natural resource baseline data for making species and habitat management decisions on USACE lands. The USACE began to develop strategies to inventory and investigate natural resources and management for multiple species. These directives are organized into three basic levels of effort: land use classifications and rapid assessment of diversity (Level 1), multi-species detailed inventories (Level 2), adaptive management investigations (Level 3) (USACE 1996). In 2005 the USACE and the Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology at the University of California, Davis (MWFB) entered into a cooperative agreement to initiate Level 1 vertebrate inventories of small mammal diversity and abundance relative to Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) in the Walla Walla District, eastern Washington (Guilfoyle 2006). From this survey start, our efforts and collaboration have evolved into a general Level 2 biodiversity inventory of terrestrial vertebrates within the District, including reptiles and amphibians (herpetofauna). The scope of this effort was to inventory amphibians and reptiles at Walla Walla district HMUs along the lower Snake River in southeastern Washington. Within this scope, the main goals were to examine species richness at each HMU, discuss habitat use, and as a result of our research, fill in the gaps in distribution for several species along the Lower Snake River canyon and the Columbia/Snake River confluence. The herpetofaunal surveys began in 2008 on HMUs in and around the Tri-Cities region of the Walla Walla District, spanning 55 river miles up the Snake River from Burbank to Lyon s Ferry (Walla Walla and Franklin counties) (Table 1). With the completion of 2009 surveys (year 2), the efforts covered a 130 mile length of the Snake River (Tri-Cities, Washington to Lewiston, Idaho) and portions of the Columbia River from Umatilla, Oregon to Richland, Washington (Figure 1). This is the final report of the 2008 and 2009 field season findings. Understanding the diversity and distribution of the region s herpetofauna is a critical step in understanding the ecological condition of the HMUs under investigations. Owing to their comparatively sedentary nature, amphibians and reptiles are susceptible to local habitat changes and environmental conditions. Therefore their presence and absence can serve as accurate indicators on ecosystem health, food-webs, environmental contaminants, impacts of invasive species, and other anthropogenic forces influencing the landscape (Lawler et al. 2003). MWFB Biologist sampling for amphibians at Toothaker (left) and John Henley HMUs. Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 6

7 Figure 1. Overview of Snake River pools and associated USACE lands surveyed in 2008 (black ovals) and areas surveyed in 2009 (dotted ovals). Image: METHODS The study area is located in southeastern Washington state along a stretch of the Lower Snake River near the confluence with the Columbia River just south of Finley, Washington upstream 130 miles along the Snake River to Lewiston, Idaho (Figure 1). This stretch of the Snake River borders seven Counties (Table 1). Surveys were conducted in USACE lands bordering five river pools formed between the McNary Dam in northeastern Oregon on the Columbia River to upstream the Snake River by Ice Harbor, Lower Monumental, Little Goose and Lower Granite Dams. The McNary pool encompasses the Columbia River and confluence with the Snake River upstream to the Ice Harbor Dam; the stretch of river between the Ice Harbor and Lower Monumental Dams forms the Ice Harbor pool; the stretch of river between Lower Monumental Dam to the Little Goose Dam forms the Lower Monumental Pool; the stretch of river between the Little Goose and Lower Granite dams comprises the Little Goose pool, and the river between Lower Granite dam and Clarkson forms the Lower Granite pool (Figure 1). In 2008, we inventoried HMUs managed along the Columbia/ Snake River confluence in the McNary pool upstream to HMUs managed in the Lower Monumental pool. In 2009 we inventoried HMUs managed along the Snake River within the McNary, Lower Monumental and Lower Granite pools (Figure 2). Additional surveys were conducted at HMUs in the Lower Monumental, Little Goose and Lower Granite pools to determine use of gallinaceous guzzlers by Longtoed Salamanders (Ambystoma macrodactylum) in these areas (refer to Sections 2.2.5, 6.6). Two-letter site codes were developed to abbreviate each HMU name for GPS and other detection descriptions (Table 1). Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 7

8 Figure 2. Lower Snake River HMUs surveyed by MWFB efforts in 2008 and Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 8

9 Table 1. Tricities and Clarkston-managed HMUs surveyed for herpetofaunal in Tricities HMUs Clarkston HMUs HMU County Acreage Pool HMU County Acreage Pool Yakima Delta (YD) Benton 800 McNary Nisqually John Canyon (NJ) Whitman 3,509 Lower Granite Toothacre (TO) Benton 347 McNary Riparia (RA) Whitman 52 Lower Monumental Hood Park (HP) Walla Walla 60 McNary John Henley (JH) Whitman 868 Lower Monumental Richland Bend (RB) Franklin 10 McNary Alpowa Creek (AL) Asotin 81 Lower Granite Chief Timothy (CT) Asotin 77 Lower Granite 2.1 NOMENCLATURE & SPECIES LISTS As with some vertebrate groups, the taxonomy and systematics of North American herpetofauna is in a state of flux. For example, the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles (SSAR) proposed major name changes to 48 of the 100 described genera of North American anurans in the peer-reviewed Amphibian Tree of Life (Frost et al. 2006, R.C. Thomson, pers. comm.). Data derived from modern molecular techniques are fast becoming the standard in exploring questions regarding speciation, and the more researchers publish molecular (genetic) data of herpetofaunal species, the more questions arise regarding species and sub-species level placements within known North American herpetofaunal systematics. As a result, many of these publications in herp phylogenetics have attempted to resolve taxonomic questions by offering final revisions in placement within a clade, but instead have created scientific and common name instability and taxonomic confusion (R. C. Thomson, pers. comm.). We built a species list of potential amphibians and reptiles for the study area from peer-reviewed publications, literature and local agencies. The taxonomy presented for this report follows Stebbins (2003) with updates to scientific and common names that have been broadly accepted in the literature. A total of 24 species (2 salamanders, 7 frogs, 1 turtle, 5 lizards and 9 snakes) were identified to potentially occur along the entire study area. This species list, along with alternate and proposed names, can be found in Appendix A. Table 2. Potential Washington state special status herpetofaunal species for the study area Common Name Scientific Name Listing Status Columbia Spotted Frog Rana luteiventris State Candidate for listing Northern Leopard Frog Rana pipiens State Endangered, Federal Species of Concern Western Toad Bufo boreas State Candidate for Listing, Federal Species of Concern Sagebrush Lizard Sceloporous graciosus State Candidate for Listing, Federal Species of Concern Striped Whipsnake Masticophis taeniatus State Candidate for listing Source: WDFW (2009) 2.2 SURVEY METHODS While a combination of several survey methods will result in the most number of species detected, budgetary, time and personnel constraints limited the number of methods that could be implemented. Each of these methods (drift fence arrays, pitfall and funnel trapping) is biased in the species they detect and limited in terms of applicability in different habitats (Corn & Bury, 1990). For this reason, eight survey methods were used to determine herpetofaunal species diversity within the study area, and were conducted from March through September 2008 and 2009 (Table 1). For all of these methods (with the exception of incidental detections), time spent searching, dipnetting, listening was recorded to obtain a measurement of effort (animals detected per unit time). For timed surveys, relative abundance Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 9

10 was calculated as the number individuals detected per hour surveyed. For funnel trapping, relative abundance was calculated as number of individuals captured per 100 trap-nights (TN). All detection locations were recorded with a Garmin Vista HCX handheld GPS unit, in the form of each two-lettered site code (Table 1) followed by the four-letter species code (listed in Appendix A) and the numbered occurrence of that species. For example, YDPSRE3 signifies the third detection of Pseudacris regilla (Pacific Treefrog) for Yakima Delta HMU. Herps captured were photographed when possible, in order to document animals captured to provide the USACE with a representative photo record of herp species detected on corps lands. The use of coverboards, a method implemented in surveys of HMUs in Franklin and Walla Walla Counties in 2008 was discontinued for 2009 surveys owing to low productivity in results. Instead, aquatic and terrestrial funnel trapping was implemented to target aquatic and terrestrial herpetofaunal species (Section 2.2.7). Some surveys required entry or contact with water bodies to survey for aquatic herps (including wetlands, creeks, and inlets; see Sections ). Owing to the potential risk for contamination of field gear by the amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), measures were taken to disinfect all water-surveying equipment with QUAT 128 (quaternary disinfectant, 1:60 dilution) or 10% bleach solution before moving to a different HMU or site (Fellers 2008). Voucher specimens were collected for obtaining a representative of each species and when positive identification cannot be reached in the field, under Washington State Scientific Collection Permit # Visual Encounter Surveys (VES) Visual encounter surveying (VES) is a standard and non-invasive method for inventorying herps. This method is useful for determining the presence or absence of herptile species at a site and is a technique best employed when several study areas need to be surveyed in a short time (Corn and Bury 1990). VES allows researchers to cover a larger general area with different habitats and examine objects that are most likely to reveal animals (Manley et al. 2006, Corn & Bury 1990). We used VES as our primary method for inventorying herps on all HMUs. Because herptile activity is contingent with the weather, researchers attempted to coordinate site visits with rainy weather for amphibians and warm weather for reptiles. Our methods entailed two or three researchers walking through a habitat type, parting vegetation with lumber or snake hooks, overturning debris, rocks, and logs to look for herps, not spending more than 10 minutes at any one object and making sure to return the cover items to their original positions (following Corn & Bury, 1990) (Figure 3). These surveys were conducted multiple times each visit by one to three MWFB researchers. VES were not time or area constrained, but time spent searching within a habitat type in the form of researcher hours was recorded so effort could be calculated. Researchers attempted to capture each individual seen to correctly identify to species (with the exception of Northern Pacific Rattlesnakes, Crotalus oreganus oreganus, which were positively identified without capture). When an animal was captured, processing (handling) time of that animal did not factor in to the total search time (Corn & Bury 1990). Animals captured were processed with photo documentation and measurement (snout-vent and total length); air temperature, habitat and other MWFB biologists conducting VES. Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 10

11 details of the detection were recorded. Once identified, the animal was released at the capture point, and its location marked with by GPS unit. The locations of animals seen or heard and positively identified without capture were also marked in this manner for future comparisons Nocturnal VES and road searches Some of the target species in our study area are best found on warm nights (particularly snakes), along roads or in rocky habitat (Washington Herp Atlas, 2005). During warm, rainy weather, Great Basin Spadefoot (Spea intermontana) and Woodhouse s Toad (Bufo woodhousii) can be found along dirt and paved roads as they emerge from their burrows. Each HMU with appropriate breeding habitat within or near the site will be searched at night. Likewise, in periods of hot weather, dirt and paved roads were searched for snakes. Some of the potential reptile species in our study area were best found on warm nights along roads, shrub-steppe, leaf-littered damp areas or in rocky habitat, specifically Night Snake (Hypsiglena chlorophaea), Ring-neck Snake (Diadophis punctatus) and Rubber Boa (Charina bottae). During warm, rainy weather anurans such as Great Basin Spadefoot (Spea intermontana) and Woodhouse s Toad (Bufo woodhousii) can be found along dirt and paved roads as they emerge from their burrows (Washington Herp Atlas, 2005). We conducted nocturnal surveys during rainy and/or warm periods to record these movements, in evenings near and after sundown. Nocturnal VES followed the same methods to search for and record species as diurnal VES and were conducted on warm nights in habitats specific for crepuscular and nocturnal species. Nocturnal searches were typically conducted between 19:00 and 24:00 hours, depending on humidity and temperature, using Maglite S2D015 flashlights and/ or an EagleTac P100A2 LED Flashlight for spotlighting. Additionally, night-time road searches on dirt and/or paved roads within each HMU were conducted either on foot or by cruising in a pickup truck, documenting time spent searching. Locations of detected animals were marked with GPS unit Anuran call survey/ eyeshine spotlighting Anuran call surveys during the late spring and summer were conducted to inventory frog and toad species (anurans). Each HMU was visited at least one night during monthly survey periods from May through July to listen for broadcasting anurans. Sites with standing water (ponds, ditches, inlet edges) were visited; calling species and best estimated number were recorded. Prior to initiating surveys, MWFB researchers trained in frog calls using those published by Davidson (1995). We modified a chorus scoring system used by Kinkead (2006) that assigns an index ranking categorizing the number of frogs singing. A ranking of 1 signifies that individual frogs can be counted, with space between calls. A 2 signifies there is an overlap in calls but the observer is still able to distinguish between individuals. Finally, a 3 designates a full chorus of constantly overlapping calls where the observer can no longer discern between individuals. During quiet nights with low activity, customized Davidson (1995) calls were broadcasted over a portable speaker system to try to elicit a response, listening 5 minutes between broadcasts for a response. Anuran detections elicited in this manner were noted on datasheets. During most anuran call surveys, MWFB researchers used a Maglite S2D015 flashlight and/ or an EagleTac P100A2 LED Flashlight at eye level to spotlight for eyeshine with 10 x 42 binoculars along shorelines of ponds, wetlands and inlets, particularly in areas where low or no anuran calling occurred. Areas that yielded eyeshine detections (if early in the season) were visited at later dates to conduct anuran call surveys to confirm the identity of anurans. Animals detected by eyeshine were counted towards the survey if positive identification of the species could be made. For ponds or other bodies surveyed multiple times during a season, estimated numbers of calling frogs with the highest number from one survey was used in calculations of abundances. Locations of detected animals were marked with GPS unit. Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 11

12 2.2.4 Dipnet/ water surveys We surveyed standing water and/or inlet areas at each HMU for amphibian eggs and larvae in early spring (Figure 4). River inlets with suitable habitat and ponds within sites were surveyed at least once whereas shorelines with steep inclines or no emergent vegetation were not surveyed due to unlikelihood of these habitats supporting amphibians (USFWS 1991). For large bodies of water, one to two MWFB researchers donned waders to wade through water, visually inspecting the surface water for frog egg masses and using long-handled dipnets. Nets used were 3/16 inch mesh, and were 16 by 16 by 12 inches in size. Smaller bodies of water (creeks, small ponds) were sampled using smaller nets with mesh size ranging 3/16 inch to 1/32 of an inch. Sweeps were conducted in a random fashion, but served to sample the entire wadable area, dipping in areas where aquatic vegetation was reduced. Dipnet surveys were contained within the area of the water body, and time spent searching in the form of researcher hours was recorded so effort could be calculated. When an amphibian was netted, processing (handling) time of that animal did not factor in to the total search time (Corn & Bury 1990). Animals captured were processed with photo documentation and measurement (total length); air temperature, water temperature (at 6 inches below the surface) and other details of the detection were recorded. Tadpole locations within a body of water were not marked at point of detection; rather, the general location was marked with by GPS unit to document the portion of the water body where they were found. Left: MWFB biologist dip netting with waders. Right: MWFB biologist using small nets to capture tadpoles Guzzler dipnet survey We expanded the Guzzler survey protocol to several HMUs in the Little Goose and Lower Granite pools in 2009 after the initial discovery of amphibian eggs in gallinaceous guzzlers at 55-Mile in April All guzzlers at all sites were sampled in subsequent visits (Figure 5). Guzzlers were visited during the day to mark their locations with a GPS unit, using the two-lettered site codes listed in Table 1 followed by WT (signifying watering trough ) and the numbered encounter of that guzzler. For instance, BFWT3 signifies the third guzzler encountered and surveyed at Big Flat HMU. Also during daytime visits, general habitat surrounding the guzzler, as well as presence of eggs or sign of amphibians was noted. Guzzlers were then visited at night for optimal viewing using a Maglite S2D015 flashlight and/ or an EagleTac P100A2 LED Flashlight for recording nocturnal activity. Visual estimates of numbers of eggs and larvae were recorded rather than physical counting to prevent disruption to the amphibians at these stages. The maximum number of eggs or larvae between the first and subsequent visits (if any) were tallied to produce a minimum number estimate in each guzzler. Captured amphibians at older larval stages were processed with photo documentation and measurement (total length); air temperature, water temperature (at 6 inches below the surface), and other details of the detection were also recorded. ) Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 12

13 2.2.6 Funnel trapping MWFB researchers examining guzzlers for breeding amphibians. Funnel traps were used to attempt to capture both aquatic and terrestrial herpetofaunal species between June and August Traps used were double-end, with a funnel opening ranging in diameter between 1 inch and 1.5 inches. Mesh was 0.25 inches, and traps measured 7.5 inches diameter at the narrowest point, 9 inches at the widest point and were 16 inches long when set-up. Funnel traps were baited with approx. 1 teaspoon full of tuna (either tuna in oil or tuna in water) or sardines in mesh fabric and was suspended inside the trap with a Zip-tie. Captured animals were photographed, measured for total length (snout-vent length for frogs), location marked with a GPS unit and then released at the point of capture. Traps were placed in two different ways: aquatically and terrestrially. Aquatic funnel traps Funnel traps (photo right) were submerged two-thirds in water (with the funnel entrance completely submerged) to allow breathing room for captured animals. Traps were typically set along wetland or edges of water bodies under vegetation to provide shade to captured animals as well as serving as an anchor to tie the traps to. Traps were spaced along shorelines of water bodies greater than half an acre at approximately 50 to 100 feet apart (between 1 and 10 traps per acre water), though in small water bodies less than half an acre (i.e. wetlands) the density of placement was greater (traps placed every 5-10 feet, up to 75 traps per acre). The time traps were set was recorded and effort was calculated and number of minutes open. Traps were checked within 24 hours of setting, and were typically set early in the day and checked the following morning to allow for diurnally as well as nocturnally active species to find and investigate the traps. All traps were disinfected with a QUAT 128 (quaternary disinfectant, 1:60 dilution) or 10% bleach solution before moving to a different HMU or site. Terrestrial funnel traps Traps were baited in the same way as aquatic traps and set singly on the ground along microhabitat corridors (between parted grasses, along grass-shrub edges, along but out of the water s edge, etc.). A space in the ground was scuffed or dug out until the funnel entrance hole was flush with the ground to facilitate entry into the trap. The time traps were set was recorded and effort was calculated as number of hours open. Traps were checked within 24 hours of setting, and were typically set early in the day and checked the following morning to allow for diurnally as well as nocturnally active species to find and investigate the traps. Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 13

14 2.2.7 Skin molt / Reptile Determinations When molted snake skins were found, we noted general habitat and marked each snakeskin molt with a GPS unit (Figure 6). The skin was then collected and stored in plastic bags for later identification by researchers with the Shaffer Lab at the. Only skins that were complete enough for positive identification were used in analyses. Snake skins were collected, marked by GPS and bagged for later identification Incidental detections and specimens Locations of any reptiles or amphibians detected incidentally were marked with a Garmin Vista HCX handheld GPS unit and described in the same way as those found during a VES. Specimens were collected where needed to help confirm determinations of tadpoles, young animals or hard to id herps. The mammal crews worked closely to help record observations of all herps detected while in the field. We also salvaged herptiles found dead. These specimens were vouchered and deposited into the Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology. Incidental observations included this Pacific Rattler released from a Sherman Small Mammal Trap. 2.3 AMPHIBIAN CHYTRID FUNGUS TESTING In June 2009, the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine Calvin Schwab One Health Program contributed field hours and funds for the testing of Lower Snake River HMU amphibians for the amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). Veterinary student externs and MWFB researchers collected swab samples from amphibians captured at HMUs in the McNary, Lower Monumental and Lower Granite pools. Methods for capture included dipnet/ water surveys, guzzler dipnet surveys and funnel trapping. Out of Tricities-managed HMUs in the McNary pool, samples were collected from Toothacre, Yakima Delta and Hood Park on June 12, 13 and 14, Samples were collected from Clarkson-managed HMUs in the Lower Monumental and Lower Granite pool on June 15, 16 and from Tucannon, Riparia, Nisqually John Canyon and Alpowa HMUs. Field sampling (swab collection) was performed following the protocols of Brem et al. (2007) and Livo (2004). Disinfection procedures for all aquatic contact or survey activity at all HMUs followed Fellers (2008) protocol, as described in Section 2.2. Skin swabs and tissue samples (tail clips from salamanders and mouthparts from tadpoles) were collected and stored in 70% Ethanol for later analysis by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) methods at the Pisces Molecular (Boulder, Colorado). The PCR assay is extremely sensitive, allowing for the detection of chytrid fungus presence in a sample with as little as one zoospore (Livo 2004, Brem Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 14

15 et al. 2007). Owing to this sensitivity, precautions were taken to prevent cross-contamination through the changing of gloves and sterilization of tools in between animals. Samples were batched (Table 5) within species and localities (Brem et al. 2007). 3.0 GENERAL RESULTS 3.1 SURVEY RESULTS From April through August 2009, we spent hours conducting a total of 398 surveys and completed 449 funnel trap-nights (TN) on nine HMUs along the Lower Snake River (Table 3). Details of effort for Tricities and Clarkson-managed HMUs are presented in Sections 5.0 and 6.0, respectively. We confirmed 14 species of reptiles and amphibians among all nine HMUs (6 amphibian and 8 reptile), with an average species richness of 5.4 species per site. A total of 2,511 animals were captured or detected during this inventory (from all survey methods combined), including 2,396 amphibians (333 salamanders, 2,063 frogs) and 116 reptiles (3 turtles, 4 lizards, 109 snakes) (Table 4). These totals include all captured or observed adult amphibians and reptiles as well as frog tadpoles and salamander larvae, serving only as a sample of the actual number of herptiles present. More species were detected by the Visual Encounter Survey (VES) method than any other method (9 species, combined diurnal and nocturnal searches), followed by funnel trapping and incidental detections next (8 species each) (Table 4). While only one species was detected, guzzler dipnet surveying was an effective method for determining presence of Long-toed Salamanders at certain HMUs (Tables 4 and 7). Table 3. Summary of effort and results by method, all sites combined Sampling method Duration (effort) Number of detections Individual detection rate Species richness Visual encounter surveys (n=134) hr / minutes 7 Nocturnal VES and road searches (n=79) hr 24 1/ minutes 5 Anuran call surveys (n=100) hr /2.53 minutes 5 Dipnet surveys (n=45) hr 493 1/4.82 minutes 6 Guzzler dipnet surveys (n=41) (36 guzzlers surveyed) hr % surveyed showed presence 1 Aquatic funnel trapping 289 TN % trap captures 5 Terrestrial funnel trapping 160 TN 3 1.3% trap captures 3 Snakeskin/ reptile determinations Incidental detections denotes individuals heard or seen during VES. 2 Relative abundance = No. individuals detected/ hour surveyed 3 Relative abundance = No. individuals captured/ 100 trap-nights Of the projected 24 species for our study area (Appendix A), we detected 14 species (Tables 4, 6). The sites with the most number of species detected was Nisqually John Canyon and John Henley HMUs (8 species) and the HMUs with the fewest number of species found were Chief Timothy and Richland Bend HMUs (1 and 2 species, respectively). The most abundant herptile, amphibian and anuran species detected was the American Bullfrog, which was detected by 5 methods (Table 4). The most abundant reptile and snake was the Northern Pacific Rattlesnake, whose presence was detected by six survey methods. Long-toed Salamanders were found breeding in 9 of 36 guzzlers surveyed in Lower Monumental, Little Goose and Lower Granite pools (Table 6). Great Basin Spadefoot was heard calling at Yakima Delta and Toothacre HMUs in the McNary pool and at John Henley in the Lower Monumental pool. A total of 4 Western Toads were observed at two sites, one at Willow Bar Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 15

16 HMU in the Little Goose pool and three at Nisqually John Canyon in the Lower Granite pool. Woodhouse s Toads were most common at Toothacre HMU in the McNary pool. Pacific Treefrogs were the second most abundant amphibian, and showed the greatest numbers at Yakima Delta HMU in the McNary pool, Tucannon HMU in the Little Goose pool and Alpowa HMU in Lower Granite pool (Sections 5.0 and 6.0). Two Painted Turtles were observed in April at Yakima Delta HMU in the McNary pool (Section 5.0) and another at a pond in the Lower Granite pool (Section 6.0). Western Skinks (Plestiodon skiltonianus) were observed at John Henley in the Lower Monumental Pool and 2 sites in the Lower Granite pool (Section 6.0). Sixteen detections of Western Yellow-bellied Racer (Coluber constrictor mormon) were recorded by 4 survey methods, including four detections by positive snakeskin determinations (Appendix B). Twenty-three Gopher Snake detections (Pituophis catenifer) occurred by four survey methods at five HMUs. Two Common Garter Snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis fitchi) were observed during survey months, one at Yakima Delta HMU and one at John Henley HMU. Six of nine detections of Terrestrial Garter Snake (Thamnophis elegans vagrans) occurred at six HMUs, with six detections by funnel trap capture. The most widely distributed species was the Bullfrog, which was detected at 8 of the 9 HMUs by our surveys in The least widely distributed species was the Northern Desert Night Snake (Hypsiglena chlorophaea), of which one individual was found by Nocturnal VES at John Henley HMU (Section 6.0). No state sensitive species were detected during the 2009 inventory period. Table 4. Number of confirmed species identifications by survey method, Species VES Nocturnal VES Anuran call Dipnet Guzzler dipnet Funnel trapping Snakeskin/ reptile determination Incidental totals Long-toed Salamander Great Basin Spadefoot Western Toad Woodhouse's Toad Pacific Treefrog American Bullfrog , ,331 Painted Turtle 3 3 Western Skink Western Yellow-bellied Racer Gopher Snake Common Garter Snake Terrestrial Garter Snake Thamnophis sp. 1 1 Night Snake 1 1 Northern Pacific Rattlesnake Detection totals , ,511 Confirmed species by survey method Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 16

17 3.2 AMPHIBIAN CHYTRID FUNGUS TESTING During June 2009, MWFB researchers and UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine student externs swabbed a total of 53 animals from 7 HMUs from Tricities to Clarkston. Swabs from individuals captured or trapped at the same site or same water body were pooled for testing purposes, for a total of 19 pooled samples (and thus 19 data points). Four species were sampled for testing: Bullfrog (n=36 individual, 11 pooled samples), Pacific Treefrog (n=9, 5 pooled samples), Long-toed Salamander (n=5, 3 pooled samples) and Western Toad (n=2, 1 pooled sample). The results of testing of samples at the Pisces Molecular Laboratory (Boulder, Colorado) found that of 4 species at 7 different HMUs, only beak (mouthpart) samples collected from dead Bullfrog tadpoles turned up positive in two different ponds (approx and 1 acre sizes) at just one of the sites (Toothacre HMU). The beaks of 2 combined samples of 3 Bullfrog tadpoles each tested positive for the fungus (Table 5). Table 5. Results of amphibian chytrid fungus testing at Lower Snake River HMUs, 2009 HMU (site) Species Lifestage No. sampled sample date Northing Easting Test result Hood Park Bullfrog juvenile frog 1 6/12/ Negative Hood Park Bullfrog juvenile or adult frog 9 6/12/ Negative Yakima Delta Bullfrog adult frog 1 6/13/ Negative Yakima Delta Bullfrog tadpole 3 6/13/ Negative Toothacre Bullfrog tadpole, found dead 3 6/11, 6/13/ Positive Toothacre Bullfrog juvenile or adult frog 7 6/13/ Negative Toothacre Bullfrog tadpole, found dead 3 6/13/ Positive Toothacre Bullfrog metamorph 2 6/14/ Negative Tucannon Pacific Treefrog metamorph 2 6/16/ Negative Tucannon Long-toed Salamander larva 4 6/16/ Negative John Henley Pacific Treefrog adult frog 2 6/15/ Negative John Henley Long-toed Salamander larva or neotene 1 6/16/ Negative Nisqually John Bullfrog adult frog 6 6/14/ Negative Nisqually John Western Toad adult frog 2 6/14/ Negative Alpowa Pacific Treefrog adult frog 5 6/14/ Negative Alpowa Bullfrog adult frog 1 6/14/ Negative Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 17

18 USACE Lower Snake River HMUS Herpetofaunal surveys, 2008 Interim Report Table 6. Checklist of reptiles and amphibians detected at HMUs surveyed in 2009, all methods combined. Tricties-managed HMUs Clarkston-managed HMUs Species Detections Toothacre Yakima Richland Hood Park Riparia John Nisqually Alpowa Chief Other a (2009) Delta Bend Henley John Cyn Creek Timothy Long-toed Salamander Great Basin Spadefoot Western Toad Woodhouse's Toad Pacific Treefrog American Bullfrog Painted Turtle Western Skink Western Yellowbellied Racer Gopher Snake Common Garter Snake Terrestrial Garter Snake Thamnophis sp Night Snake Northern Pacific Rattlesnake Species confirmed a Please refer to Section 6.6 detailing detections at other Clarkston-managed HMUs. Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 18

19 Species richness Herpetofauna of the Lower Snake River HMUs Final Report 2009 season 4.0 DISCUSSION 4.1 PREVIOUS STUDIES The 2009 surveys of Lower Snake River HMUs built on those conducted in 2008 by the MWFB in the Tricities area (Franklin and Walla Walla Counties) (Alminas et al. 2009). Overall effort in 2009 was slightly less (by 31 hours) and the survey period was one month shorter in 2009 (4 months rather than 5 in 2008). The 2009 surveys resulted in detections of 4 additional species at Clarkston-managed HMUs between Lower Monumental and Lower Granite pools not observed at HMUs surveyed in the Tricities area in 2008 (Great Basin Spadefoot, Western Toad, Common Garter Snake and Night Snake). However, Rubber Boa (Charina bottae), a species detected through the positive identification of a snakeskin molt at 55-Mile HMU in the Lower Monumental pool in 2008, was not observed during 2009 surveys. Asherin and Claar (1976) found 9 species of reptiles and amphibians along the northeastern portion of the McNary pool (Segment 8: Woodhouse s Toad, Bullfrog, Painted Turtle, Sagebrush Lizard, Common side-blotched Lizard, Western Yellow-bellied Racer, Gopher Snake, Terrestrial Garter Snake, Northern Pacific Rattlesnake), 4 species of reptiles and amphibians at sites surveyed within the Ice Harbor Pool (Segment 7: Woodhouse s Toad, Western Yellow-bellied Racer, Northern Pacific Rattlesnake and Great Basin Gopher Snake), and detected 9 species within the Lower Monumental and Little Goose pools (Segment 6: Pacific Treefrog, Bullfrog, Columbia Spotted Frog, Great Basin Spadefoot, Western Yellow-bellied Racer, Northern Pacific Rattlesnake, Gopher Snake, Wandering Garter Snake and Valley Garter Snake) McNary Ice Harbor Lower Monumental Little Goose Lower Granite Asherin & Claar (1976) Loper & Lohman (1998) UC Davis (2008) UC Davis (2009) Figure 3. Comparison of species richness by pool from previous surveys, Figure 3 depicts the number of species found in each pool by previous and current inventories. All 9 species depicted in the Lower Monumental pool in Figure 3 are representative of Segment 6 (which merged findings from Lower Monumental and Little Goose pools together) described by Asherin and Claar (1976). Our survey efforts in the Ice Harbor pool exceeded the species richness found by previous research. Loper and Lohman (1998) did not conduct any surveys for herptiles in the McNary pool, whereas Asherin and Claar (1976) had found 9 species at five sites (described above). Our surveys at a single site in the McNary pool (Villard Ponds) in 2008 yielded detections of 6 species, and additional surveys in the McNary pool at 4 other HMUs added confirmation of 4 species, for a total of 10 species known from our surveys in the McNary Pool. Two species in the McNary pool (Sagebrush Lizard and Common Side-blotched Lizard) not found by our surveys were found at sites near the Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 19

20 confluence of the Snake and Columbia Rivers (Asherin and Claar 1976). It was unclear however where these detections occurred. The Sagebrush and Common Side-blotched Lizards were found by the researchers to occupy big sage (Artemisia tridentata) and rubber rabbit brush (Ericameria nauseosa) habitats, which from the five sites described by the researchers narrow to Finley-Hover Park (adjacent to the current Toothacre HMU) and/or Hat Rock State Park (Asherin and Claar 1976) (Section 4.3). The greatest number of species detected by our surveys were at Nisqually John Canyon and John Henley HMUs (8 species) followed by Yakima Delta HMU (7 species) (Table 6). Chief Timothy HMU in the Lower Granite pool and Richland Bend in the McNary pool showed the lowest species richness (1 and 2 species, respectively). Surveys were conducted at Chief Timothy in 2009 to augment those done by Loper & Lohman (1998), who detected Bullfrog, Common Garter Snake, Terrestrial Garter Snake and Painted Turtle within this HMU. While MWFB researchers spent 3.5 hours searching for turtles in the main pond at Chief Timothy during spring and summer 2009; none were seen. The Great Basin Spadefoot was not detected at any HMU surveyed in 2008, but was found and photographed on private land adjacent to Hollebeke HMU (Alminas et al. 2009). This species is wellknown from the Snake/ Columbia River confluence and upstream the Snake River, as it is primarily a shrub-steppe specialist, spending most of its adult life buried underground. Adult Great Basin Spadefoots return to water only to breed, often using slow-moving springs, seasonal pools, irrigation ditches to lay 10 to 40 eggs (WA Herp Atlas, 2005). This species appears to tolerate some habitat alteration, as it is able to breed in agricultural lands with a source of standing irrigation water. We observed this species calling at Toothacre, Yakima Delta HMUs (McNary pool) and John Henley HMU (Lower Monumental pool) (Sections 5.0 and 6.0). The Night Snake is a crepuscular and nocturnal snake present Great Basin Spadefoot photographed near Hollebeke HMU whose distribution in Washington state falls primarily within the Columbia Basin (Stebbins 2003). Due to its nocturnal and secretive behavior, this snake can be hard to detect, and prior to research between 2003 and 2005, only a few records existed in Washington. Between 2003 and 2005, road cruising along state routes and other roads by Weaver (2008) yielded 121 detections of Night Snake in 8 counties, with one first county record (Douglas). Historical record of Night Snake from the McNary National Wildlife Refuge prior to 1984 is the one closest to our study area of Tricities-managed HMUs, and falls within a 5 mile radius of Villard Ponds HMU (WA Herp Atlas 2005). Our surveys in 2008 at Tricities-managed HMUs in the McNary, Ice Harbor and Lower Monumental pools did not detect this species. Night Snake has been detected upstream the Columbia River at Tucannon HMU by drift fence/trapping methods in upland habitat (Loper & Lohman 1998). Our nocturnal VES yielded a single observation of this species at John Henley HMU (photo left) in 2009, possibly the first record of this species for Whitman County (Section 6.0). The animal was collected and vouchered at the MWFB. The Common Garter Snake is the most widely distributed and one of the most common snakes in the state of Washington (WA Herp Atlas, 2005). The subspecies in eastern Washington is the Valley Garter Snake. Like most garter snakes, Common Garter Snakes are typically found in or near aquatic habitats such as ponds, wetlands, springs, creeks and rivers, but will also utilize terrestrial habitats, particularly in the spring and fall when emerging or dispersing to hibernacula sites (WA Herp Atlas 2005). While we did not detect this species at any HMU in the McNary pool during 2008 surveys, this species has been detected upstream the Snake River at Deadman Creek, Chief Timothy and Alpowa Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 20

21 HMUs (Loper & Lohman 1998). This species is likely more common than our surveys found them to be, probably occurring throughout USACE-managed HMUs along the lower Snake River. 4.2 SURVEY METHOD EFFICIENCY Unlike mammals and birds, whose presence is often conspicuous, reptiles and amphibians are considered secretive in nature due to the difficulty in detecting their presence from chance encounters. Single survey techniques can uncover the mammal and avian diversity within a study area; with reptiles and amphibians, a variety of survey methods and techniques are required to detect species occupying both aquatic and terrestrial habitats (Corn & Bury 1990, Ryan et al. 2002). Survey methods employed for a herpetofaunal study will depend on the study objectives and goals. Studies to inventory and determine herpetofaunal species richness typically implement only a few, well-known number of sampling techniques, such as drift fence arrays with pitfall and/or funnel traps, Visual encounter surveys (VES) and coverboards. These methods are considered to be primary techniques for herpetofaunal surveying based on prevalence in literature (Hutchens and DePerno 2009). Secondary techniques known from literature include standardized road searches, poly-vinyl chloride piping grids, line transects and auditory surveys. Tertiary techniques include documentation of species observed opportunistically, non-standardized road searches and the use of aquatic traps, often regarded as nonstandardized approaches (Hutchens and DePerno 2009). The use of primary techniques only may result in underestimated species richness, depending on the geographic location, habitat and species distribution (Hutchens and DePerno 2009). Utilization of secondary and tertiary techniques add to species richness estimates, particularly when used in conjunction with primary techniques. For inventorying purposes, a variety of methods, combined with site visits during favorable weather conditions are necessary to document as many species as possible at a site. Owing to the nature of our short-term, seasonal surveys at HMUs along the Lower Snake River, the use of drift fence arrays was not feasible, and we focused on implementing more secondary and tertiary survey techniques to attempt to detect more species in less time. We utilized eight survey techniques in 2008 and 2009, and switched from the use of coverboards in 2008 to funnel traps in Only six of the 14 species detected by surveys in 2009 in the Tricites and Clarkston-managed HMUs were found by the use of a primary technique (VES); the use of this single technique would ve thus resulted in a species richness underestimated by 57%. Hutchens and DePerno (2009) classified species detected by only one or two survey techniques as unique species, which were found to augment total species richness by 38-85%. Of the 14 species detected by surveys in 2009 in the Tricites and Clarkston-managed HMUs, 43% were considered unique species; of these, 5 (83%) were detected by secondary, tertiary or unconventional techniques. Thus, the results from surveys in 2008 and 2009 show that certain methods vary in their success of detecting species, even those within the same taxonomic group. Visual Encounter Surveying (VES) is a standard and non-invasive method which allows researchers the flexibility to search a variety of habitats. In general, the flexible nature of VES makes them difficult to replicate in future efforts, and analyses based on this method will often not provide sufficient quantitative data on population size and structure or life history traits (Mitchell 2004). Rather, the data from the VES method is more qualitative, making it an appropriate method for inventory work (as with our objective, documenting occurrence of amphibian and reptiles within a study area). Our VES were not area or time constrained, rather an opportunistic search of habitats known to support certain species. During our surveys on HMUs, 7 out of 14 species were detected by VES (Table 4). Nocturnal VES method resulted in the detection of 5 of 14 species (Table 4). Northern Pacific Rattlesnake was the most commonly observed species by this survey method, but was also detected by other methods. The finding of a Night Snake by this survey method at John Henley HMU further emphasizes the importance of inclusion of secondary and tertiary survey techniques in an inventorytype study design. Anuran call surveys proved to be an effective method for inventorying anuran diversity and numbers at HMUs (Table 3). Four species were detected, with Great Basin Spadefoot as the only Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 21

22 anuran observed by this method alone (unique species). Pacific Treefrog, Woodhouse s Toad, and American Bullfrogs were also observed by this survey technique. A total of researcher hours were spent surveying bodies of water with dipnets in 2009, with surveyor hours spent to target Northern Leopard Frog tadpoles or juveniles at HMUs within or adjacent to historical known locations in the McNary pool (Table 3, Section 4.5). While no species was found by this method alone, it did result in the detection of American Bullfrog, Woodhouse s Toad, Pacific Treefrog as well as Long-toed Salamander and Western Toad in native wetland and riparian habitats at select Clarkston-managed HMUs (Section 6.0). From the time Long-toed Salamanders were first detected breeding in gallinaceous guzzlers at 55-Mile HMU in April 2008, we subsequently surveyed guzzlers in Ice Harbor pool and in 2009, Lower Monumental, Little Goose and Lower Granite pools (Table 7). No other amphibian species was found to use these guzzlers for breeding. The method of collecting snakeskin molts and turtle shells proved to be a effective one in 2008 of the 30 snake molts and turtle carapace collected, 23 were identifiable to species (Table 4, Appendix B). Snakeskin molt collection began in June 2008 when MWFB researchers first started to see them and through the summer with 77% of the molts being encountered in September 2008, presumably after snakes had bred and were preparing for hibernation. In 2009, only 9 were found at Clarkston-managed HMUs between June and August (none at Tricities HMUs in the McNary pool), when the survey season ended, perhaps out of the ideal time period for collection of snakeskin molts. Three additional molts were found incidentally during small mammal trapping efforts in September 2009 at Clarkston-managed HMUs. Positive identification of the snake molts was made by Robert Thomson and Levi Gray at the Shaffer Lab (Dept. of Evolution and Ecology, UC Davis). This method yielded the detection of 3 species. Rubber boa at 55- Mile HMU in the Lower Monumental pool in 2008 represents a unique species found by this survey method. The artificial cover objects (coverboards) implemented at 6 HMUs in 2008 were found to be the least successful for species detection after nocturnal VES (3 species were found to use them, all which were also detected by other methods) (Alminas et al. 2009). While coverboards are a primary technique for surveying for herptiles, it is a technique best suited for frequent and repeated researcher visits. In 2009, funnel traps were used instead of coverboards to augment surveys. Funnel traps were effective in catching anurans and garter snakes (Table 4). Terrestrial and Common Garter snakes, while widespread and locally common elsewhere in their ranges appear to be present in low numbers along the lower Snake River HMUs. Six Terrestrial Garter Snakes were captured at 5 HMUs in funnel traps; 4 of these detections only occurred through funnel trapping. 4.3 GALLINACEOUS GUZZLER USE BY LONG-TOED SALAMANDERS One of the more interesting finds from this project was the use of guzzlers by Long-toed Salamanders. In 2008, we discovered populations at Skookum HMU. After this discovery, we initiated a search of 19 guzzlers down river of Skookum including 55-Mile, Hollebeke, Lost Island and Big Flat HMUs in Ice Harbor and western Lower Monumental pools. None were found downriver of Skookum. In 2009, we developed a sampling protocol to assess the use of guzzler s along the Snake River from Skookum HMU, east of the Idaho Border. In 2009, we sampled an additional 36 gallinaceous guzzlers at HMUs in eastern Lower Monumental upstream through Little Goose and Lower Granite pools, for a total of 56 guzzlers surveyed along the lower Snake River HMUs. We detected Long-toed Salamanders on nine HMUs spanning the Lower Snake River (Table 7, Figure 5). During the 2009 season we also detected salamanders in natural wetlands and All life stages of Long-toed Salamanders were found in guzzlers. Photos above are of egg, larvae, and adults all sampled from HMU guzzlers. Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 22

23 streams on several HMUs. We found all life stages of salamanders in the guzzlers indicating breeding at all HMUs detected. We can find no documentation of the use of guzzlers by salamanders in Washington prior to this study. Habitat associations for guzzlers within approximately 20 meters of the guzzlers are described in Figure 4 and a map of long-toed salamander distribution based findings from 2008 and 2009 surveys is displayed in Figure 5. Salamanders seem to preferentially seek guzzlers in irrigated areas (usually dominated by Russian Olive as a canopy tree and an understory of dense grasses). Grasslands in general are also widely used (Figure 4). Use of guzzlers on a single HMU was not uniform. For example at Skookum, 50% of the guzzlers were used, those being in irrigated patches. Of the six guzzlers sampled at Swift Bar, only one was used. We believe that the guzzler units have afforded the dispersal of Long-toed Salamanders along the Snake River. This species has gone virtually undetected along the lower Snake River prior to these studies Table 7. Summary of gallinaceous guzzler surveys, No. guzzlers HMU in HMU surveyed detected No. AMMA dates surveyed AMMA detected Ice Harbor pool Big Flat /13/ Lost Island /15/ Hollebeke /17, 6/29/ Lower Monumental pool Skookum /16/ Mile /15/ Lyon's Ferry /7/ Tucannon /16/ John Henley /6, 5/15/ Little Goose pool Ridpath /23/ Dry Gulch /5/ New York Bar /23/ Swift Bar /23/ Illia Dunes /8/ Lower Granite pool Transmission Line /13/ Kelly Bar /13/ Nisqually John Canyon /11/ Hell's Gate /25/ AMMA = Long-toed Salamander 3% 20% 20% 3% 5% 49% Grass, blackberry edge Grassland slope Irrigated Russian Olive/ grass patch Locust sp. grassland Shrub-steppe Sand dune 47% 7% 13% 7% 13% 13% Bunchgrass Grass, blackberry edge Grassland slope adjacent to riparian Grass-filled depression; moist Irrigated Russian Olive/ grass patch Shrub-steppe Figure 4. Habitat associations within 20 meters of gallinaeous guzzlers surveyed in 2008 and Left: Habitat associations of guzzlers where no Long-toed Salamanders were found (n=40); Right: Habitat associations of guzzlers where Long-ted Salamanders were detected (n=15). Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 23

24 Figure 5. Long-toed Salamander detections, Lower Snake River Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 24

25 4.4 TOAD (BUFO SP.) DISTRIBUTION ALONG THE LOWER SNAKE RIVER The Western Toad occurs widely in the Pacific states as well as portions of Montana, Idaho, Nevada and other areas of the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains (Stebbins 2003). The Boreal Toad is the subspecies in Washington state, which occurs in most of the state excluding the Columbia Basin (Washington Herp Atlas, 2005). The distribution of Woodhouse s Toad in Washington is limited to the lower Snake River and the vicinity of the Columbia River at its confluence with the Snake. Asherin and Claar (1976) describe the Western Toad as occurring commonly only along the middle Snake River, particularly in Hell s Canyon. They do note that Western Toads did not seem to overlap in range with Woodhouse s Toads (Asherin and Claar, 1976). Examination of distributional records for the state of Washington indicate this isn t so; Woodhouses s Toads are known to occur from records pre-dating 1984 as far upstream as bordering southeastern Whitman County (north of Garfield) along the lower Snake River (Washington Herp Atlas, 2005). Recent records for Woodhouse s Toad exist from the confluence of the Snake and Columbia Rivers, as well as upstream in southern Grant County and downstream bordering Benton and Klickitat Counties to the south with Oregon (Washington Herp Atlas, 2005). Conversely, Western Toads are known from records radiating from the Blue Mountains as far west as northwestern Columbia County (Washington Herp Atlas, 2005). Detections of toads in 2008 and 2009 are mapped with those described by Loper and Lohman (1998) in Figure 6. We found Western Toads in areas previously recorded, however we confirmed the presence of Woodhouse s Toad at locations which may been previously unrecorded (Figure 6). It should be noted that a road killed, desiccated specimen of Bufo sp. was collected on June 2, 2009 along Wawawai Road in Whitman County, located at Easting, Northing (zone 11 N) approximately 0.85 miles south of the bottom of Nisqually John Canyon. Owing to its degraded and desiccated condition was not fully identifiable but may be a specimen of Woodhouse s Toad from this stretch of Snake River in the Lower Granite pool. Further surveys should be conducted within slow-moving and fishless water bodies along the potential zone of overlap in these species occurrence, which likely occurs between the upstream end of the Lower Monumental pool through the Lower Granite pool. 4.5 LACK OF LIZARDS Out of the possible 4 species of lizard for the study area, we found only one species, the Western Skink during 2008 and 2009 surveys. An individual skink was observed at 55-Mile HMU in July During 2009 surveys, two were observed at John Henley HMU in the Lower Monumental pool and one at Nisqually John Canyon. A skink was also observed incidentally during small mammal trapping efforts at Nisqually John Canyon HMU in August Three other species distributions show records for the Snake/ Columbia River confluence: Common Side-blotched lizard (Uta stansburiana), Sagebrush Lizard (Sceloporous graciosus), and Pigmy Shorthorned Lizard (Phrynosoma douglasii). These species are known to occupy open shrub-steppe and sandy habitat comprised of rubber rabbit brush and big sagebrush, much of which has been developed for agriculture or urban use in areas surrounding Tri-Cities and is heavily degraded at most HMUs. Records for Common Side-blotched Lizard from the Snake/ Columbia confluence date prior to 1984; recent records are reported further upstream the Columbia River from north Benton and south Grant counties (WA Herp Atlas, 2005). This species relies on shrub-steppe, sandy or rocky areas, with shrubs for evading predators and extreme temperatures (WA Herp Atlas, 2005; Stebbins 2003). Historical accounts for Sagebrush Lizard show a similar distribution, with records prior to 1984 in the Snake/ Columbia Rivers confluence and more recent records in Juniper Dunes Wilderness Area (Franklin Co.), north Benton and south Grant counties (WA Herp Atlas, 2005). The Sagebrush Lizard is seemingly more of a habitat specialist, with the most recent records for the state of Washington linked with sand dunes or other sandy habitats (WA Herp Atlas 2005). The third potential lizard species is the Pigmy Short-horned lizard, whose distribution Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 25

26 Figure 6. Toad (Bufo sp.) distribution at HMUSs of the lower Snake River study area Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 26

27 (because of its habits) is similar to that of the Sagebrush lizard. Both Sagebrush and Pigmy Short-horned lizards were detected during visits to Juniper Dunes Wilderness in April 2006 and May 2008 to check the season of emergence and identification for known populations of these two species. A fourth potential species, the Western Fence Lizard (Sceloporous occidentalis) shows a distribution in Washington in the Cascades and Puget Sound regions, with records from the Blue Mountains and other extralimital records in the Columbia Basin. Asherin and Claar (1976) described this species as suspected for the entire Lower Snake River, with known detections upstream the Snake River from Clarkston in the reach between its confluence with the Clearwater and Salmon Rivers (described as Segment 4, Asherin and Claar [1976]). We did not find this species on any HMU surveyed between 2008 and Out of the HMUs surveyed in 2008, 55-Mile and Hollebeke HMUs supported potential habitat for the Sagebrush, Common Side-blotched and Pygmy Short-horned lizard species. We extensively surveyed an acre-sized patch of open sand dunes at 55-Mile for lizards; none were found. This negative finding is unsurprising due to the small size of appropriate habitat combined with the fact that the closest distributional record for either of the three species is Juniper Dunes Wilderness (Pigmy Short-horned Lizard and Sagebrush Lizard) (WA Herp Atlas, 2005). At Hollebeke HMU, we specifically surveyed within 11 acres of big sagebrush and sandy habitat to detect these lizard species and did not find a single one. A possible explanation for Hollebeke s lack of lizards may lie in the fact that much of the big sagebrush habitat had dense groundcover of cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), and this groundcover hinders lizard movements, who prefer open ground for tracking prey and evading predators (WA Herp Atlas 2005; Green et al. 2001). Out of the 9 HMUs surveyed in 2008, those occurring within historical range and supported potential habitat for these species were Toothacre and Yakima Delta HMUs. MWFB researchers spent approximately 13.2 hours in spring and summer 2009 conducting diurnal and evening VES at Toothacre HMU targeting lizards, and were conducted at varying times of day to maximize lizard detections. Surveys were conducted in habitats described by Asherin and Claar (1976) in sagebrush, shrub steppe, bunchgrass habitats with and without sandy bare areas in the northern and southern portions of Toothacre HMU, adjacent to areas known to harbor lizards according to Asherin and Claar (1976). Likewise, MWFB researchers conducted 17.4 hours of VES in spring and summer 2009 at Yakima Delta HMU in big sagebrush and other shrub-steppe habitats to target lizards. No lizards were found by any search method at these HMU. They may still exist in the HMU and surrounding areas in small patches in suitable, undisturbed habitat in this part of their former range. 4.6 OTHER SPECIES NOT DETECTED Sagebrush Lizard (2008) and Horned Lizard (2006) found at the Juniper Dunes Wilderness Area by MWFB biologists. Neither were found on HMUs during the study. Due to their ectothermic abilities, weather and climate dictate the movements and life history of amphibians and reptiles significantly more than for birds and mammals. A complete inventory of amphibians and reptiles can be a challenge for short-term surveys due to a number of climatic conditions, such as lower than average rainfall, extreme temperatures or flooding (Mitchell 2004). Therefore, our site visits of 1 to 12 days per month between April through August 2009 may have missed certain weather patterns crucial to the detection of certain species. Nonetheless, the inventory effort of this project is significant, exceeding in survey methodology and scope of previous efforts, and fulfills the purpose of establishing baseline data for the lower Snake River HMUs from Benton County in the west upstream to Whitman and Asotin Counties in the east. Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 27

28 Tiger Salamander Though Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) shows distributional records at the Snake and Columbia River confluence predating 1984 (Washington Herp Atlas 2005). A total of 20.3 surveyor hours were spent dipnetting in ponds, wetlands and other water bodies at Toothacre, Yakima Delta and Hood Park HMUs in spring and summer We did not detect this species at these HMUs nor at Villard Ponds (surveyed in 2008), which lie in the vicinity of two 1962 records from Burbank (WA Herp Atlas, 2005; L. Salzer, pers. comm.). Columbia Spotted Frog Historical records for Columbia Spotted Frog (Rana luteiventris) show presence approximately 15 miles upstream of Tucannon HMU, in the vicinity of the Tucannon River (approx 1000 elevation) (WA Herp Atlas 2005; WA Gap Analysis). While species accounts did not specify where the Columbia Spotted Frog was found, Asherin & Claar (1976) did describe the detection in willow habitat, which from the described survey transects narrows the finding down to Meadow Creek, Riparia or Tucannon River (Asherin & Claar 1976). The seasonally flooded impoundment off the Tucannon River along the HMU road within Tucannon HMU surveyed by dipnet/aquatic surveys in June 2009 did not yield detections of this species. The Lower Snake River may have provided seasonal flows and ponded habitats for this species historically prior to dam construction. Northern Leopard Frog Similar to Tiger Salamander, we did not detect at any HMU the state endangered Northern Leopard Frog (Rana pipiens), whose historical records fall within the Tri-Cities and the Snake/ Columbia River confluence and upstream the Columbia River (Benton county) (WA Herp Atlas, 2005). A single record from 1941 falls right within Yakima Delta HMU, indicating their historical presence within our study area (L. Salzer, pers. comm.). We conducted hours of anuran call/ eyeshine surveys at Yakima Delta HMU in spring in summer 2009 to target Northern Leopard Frog in this historical location. None were heard during our surveys; in the southeastern corner of the HMU, large numbers of Pacific Treefrogs and Bullfrogs dominated the nighttime chorus). An additional hours of anuran call/ eyeshine surveys were conducted at Toothacre, Hood Park and Richland Bend HMUs to listen for the Northern Leopard Frog, with no detections of this species. In spring and summer 2008, we spent 17.9 hours in listening for calling anurans at Villard Ponds HMU, a site adjacent to historical Northern Leopard Frog records; none were detected. Thus surveyor hours of anuran call/ eyeshine surveys were conducted between April and August 2008 and 2009 at HMUs surrounding the confluence of the Snake and Columbia areas at sites previously known to support Northern Leopard Frogs. These negative findings build on those compiled by McAllister et al. (1999); surveys conducted west of Kennewick in April 1992, near Burbank in 1996 and south of the confluence of the Walla Walla and Columbia Rivers in September 1994 failed to detect Northern Leopard Frogs in these historical known locations. Ring-neck snake Due to its secretive nature, records for Ring-necked Snake (Diadophis punctatus) in Washington are scarce. They seem to prefer moist habitats, and in other states can be found under rotting logs, stones, stumps and other debris within forested or other woodland habitats (particularly in late winter and early spring). Their distribution in the Columbia Basin is limited to a handful of pre-1984 records in southeastern Whitman County, drainages south of Pullman and surrounding the Snake River Basin, and Hell s Canyon (WA Herp Atlas 2005). A record from 1975 from the McNary National Wildlife Refuge (Walla Walla Co.) falls within approximately 5 miles from Villard Ponds HMU (WA Herp Atlas, 2005). Nisqually John Canyon appeared to be the HMU most likely to support this species. As such, approximately diurnal, evening and nocturnal VES surveyor hours were spent at Nisqually John Canyon HMU searching for this and other species in riparian, brushy edge and other habitats; none were detected during the course of the survey season. Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 28

29 Striped Whipsnake The Striped Whipsnake (Masticophis taeniatus) utilizes a variety of habitats including sagebrush and shrublands, grasslands, canyons, piñon-juniper and pine woodlands and occasionally seasonal or permanent creeks or streams (Stebbins 2003). Records of Striped Whipsnake in the Columbia basin are not numerous, with detections from intact shrub-steppe habitat with some cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) groundcover (WA Herp Atlas, 2005). The closest records of this species are from upstream along the Snake River, in the eastern middle portion of Benton County, with more records from southeastern Grant County near the Columbia River (WA Herp Atlas 2005). While our study area is somewhat beyond the range depicted by historical records, we conducted approximately surveyor hours of diurnal and nocturnal VES surveys at Tricities-managed HMUs in 2009 (Yakima Delta, Toothacre, Hood Park and Richland Bend); none were detected by our efforts. Red-eared slider A species not listed in Appendix A but one which is always a possibility is the Red-eared Slider (Trachemys scripta), an aquatic turtle species popular in the pet trade. It is native to the Midwest and southern U.S. but populations of this species have sprung up all over western states due to release from captivity into the wild. In Washington state, populations of Red-eared Sliders are known from Puget Sound and surrounding waterways to the east; Sliders are also reported from the lower Columbia River at the south end of Klickitat county (WA Herp Atlas, 2005). More undocumented populations of this species undoubtedly exist in Washington state. None were observed by our surveys at Tricities and Clarkston-managed HMUs in 2009, however, their presence should not be precluded. 4.7 AMPHIBIAN CHYTRID FUNGUS The chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) (Bd) is the only known chytrid fungus to have jumped to vertebrate hosts. Bd causes the disease chytridiomycosis in anurans (frogs) and caudates (salamanders); it is responsible for declines and extinctions of some species on every amphibianinhabited continent (Skerratt et al. 2008). The fungus spreads through waterways, amphibian-toamphibian contact, and other mechanisms not yet understood. Bd is especially virulent at temperatures between 17º and 25º C (63º to 77º F) (Skerratt et al. 2008). The mechanism that causes mortality in amphibians is not yet fully understood but is believed to hinder respiratory functions through the skin and alter blood solute concentrations (Brem et al. 2007). In tadpoles, Bd affects the keratin in the mouthparts and in adults, the fungus imbeds itself in layers of the skin. With this in mind, MWFB researchers took precautions to disinfect all equipment with a disinfectant or10% bleach solution before moving to another site (Section 2.2). In Washington, Bd has been confirmed along the Columbia River, and in Kittitas, Klickitat, Grant, Spokane and Yakima counties in a variety of amphibian species (G. Pagdett-Flohr, D. Olson, J. Lowe, pers. comm.). Information regarding Bd prevalence from our study area along the Snake/ Columbia River confluence and lower Snake River is lacking (D. Olson, pers. comm.). It is especially important to educate the public about this disease because the Columbia and Snake River confluence (general locations of high human traffic - Villard Ponds, Richland Bend, Yakima Delta, Hood Park HMUs) have historically supported the state endangered Northern Leopard Frog. The historical records for Northern Leopard Frog (Rana pipiens) fall within the Tri-Cities and the Snake/ Columbia River confluence and upstream the Columbia River (Benton county) (WA Herp Atlas, 2005). Confirming the presence of the chytrid fungus in Bullfrogs in two ponds at Toothacre HMU (Ponds 2 and 4, see Figure 7) within the historical range of Northern Leopard Frog at the Snake/ Columbia River confluence could provide one explanation for its decline in this area (Table 5, Section 3.2). However, swabs from one juvenile and one metamorph from one of the positive ponds tested negative. These two ponds are flanked on the western side by an active railroad, and on the east may have nexus (perhaps seasonally) to the Lower Snake River. Interestingly enough, Bullfrogs from the ponds on the opposite side of the railroad tracks tested negative for the fungus (there is connectivity under the railroad via a culvert, but the water flows west to east towards the Snake River). The tadpoles which tested negative were found dead in these ponds. The furthermost south pond was Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 29

30 stagnant and appeared anoxic. Further studies regarding amphibian chytridiomycosis in the lower Snake River region are needed to better understand the spread and rate of infection in this area. MWFB Field Crew at Work Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 30

31 5.0 TRICITIES-MANAGED HMUs From April through August 2009, we spent hours conducting a total of 166 surveys and 215 funnel trap-nights or trap-days. We confirmed 11 species of reptiles and amphibians between the four Tricities-managed HMUs (4 amphibian and 7 reptile), with an average species richness of 4.5 species per site. A total of 1,495 animals were captured or detected during this inventory (from all survey methods combined), including 1,479 amphibians (0 salamanders, all frogs) and 16 reptiles (2 turtles, 0 lizards, 14 snakes). These totals include all captured or observed adult amphibians and reptiles as well as frog tadpoles. While the VES method yielded the greatest species richness in detections, the majority of detections occurred through anuran call/ eyeshine surveys, mainly owing to the dense populations of American Bullfrogs at the four HMUs surveyed (Table 9). Anuran call/ eyeshine surveys yielded detections of 5 species (including a rattlesnake at Toothacre HMU) as well as the most productive detection rate of all methods (Table 9). Aquatic funnel trapping proved to be successful, yielded detections of 4 species, while terrestrial funnel trapping did not yield any captures (Table 9). No snakeskin molts were collected from Tricities HMUs in Of the projected 21 species for the Tricites study area (confluence of Snake and Columbia Rivers), we detected 11 species (Table 6). The site with the most number of species detected Yakima Delta HMU (7 species) and the fewest were found at Richland Bend HMU (2 species). The most abundant herptile species and amphibian was the American Bullfrog, which were found at all HMUs surveyed in the Tricities area (McNary pool). The most abundant reptile and snake was the Western Terrestrial Garter Snake, whose presence was detected at 3 HMUs through five detections (Table 6). Abundances of snakes in general were low; only 16 were observed during the survey season. Pacific Treefrogs were the second most common amphibian, though only detected at Yakima Delta HMU (Table 6). Great Basin Spadefoot was detected for the first time in the McNary pool by our survey efforts, in low numbers at Yakima Delta and slightly higher numbers at Toothacre HMUs (Table 6). Two Painted Turtles were observed at Yakima Delta at the start of the survey season. No skinks or lizard species were observed at any HMU in the Tricities region during the 2009 or 2008 survey season. The most widely distributed species was the American Bullfrog, which was detected at all 4 HMUs and the Western Terrestrial Garter Snake, which was found at 3 HMUs. No state sensitive species were detected during the 2009 inventory period. Table 8. Summary of effort and results by method, Tricities sites. Sampling method Duration (hours) Number of detections Individual detection rate RA Species richness Visual encounter surveys (n=59) hr / minutes Nocturnal VES and road searches (n=26) hr 11 1/ minutes Anuran call surveys (n=64) hr 865 1/2.07 minutes Dipnet surveys (n=17) hr 106 1/11.49 minutes % trap Aquatic funnel trapping 168 TN 61 captures Terrestrial funnel trapping 47 TN 0 0% trap captures Incidental detections denotes individuals heard or seen during VES. 2 Relative abundance = No. individuals detected/ hour surveyed 3 Relative abundance = No. individuals captured/ 100 trap-nights Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 31

32 5.1 TOOTHACRE HMU Methods summary Surveys at Toothacre HMU focused on targeting species known from the vicinity by historical distribution habitats with potential to harbor these species. These included Tiger Salamander, Northern Leopard Frog, Sagebrush Lizard, Common Side-blotched Lizard and Pygmy Short-horned Lizard. Survey effort totals were as follows: anuran call/eyeshine surveys (8.27 hours), dipnet/ aquatic sessions (15.80 hours), hours of nocturnal and diurnal VES (combined) and a pooled 155 funnel trap nights and days. Between two and 5 days per month from April through August were spent conducting surveys at Toothacre HMU in 2009 (Table 9). Table 9. Dates of Toothacre HMU herpetofaunal surveys, 2009 Month Date Survey types April 29, 30 Anuran call/ eyeshine; Dipnet/ aquatic surveys May 12, 18, 20, 21 Incidental; Anuran call/ eyeshine; VES; Dipnet/ aquatic June 12, 13 Funnel trapping, VES, Anuran call/ eyeshine, Dipnet/ aquatic July 22, 23, 24 Funnel trapping, VES, Anuran call/ eyeshine, Dipnet/ aquatic August 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 Funnel trapping, VES, Anuran call/ eyeshine Habitats General habitats of Toothacre HMU include sandy areas with native bunchgrasses (particularly in the northwestern corner of the HMU), open shoreline/ emergent vegetation, Russian Olive woodland with annual grass understory, intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium) and other native and nonnative bunchgrasses, pond/ wetland habitat, and basalt rock ground outcrops in open grassland habitat. Ponds in Toothacre HMU were labeled for ease of reference (Figure 7). Results A total of 6 confirmed species were found within Toothacre HMU during 2009 surveys (Table 6, Appendix C). Interestingly, no Pacific Treefrogs were detected at Toothacre HMU during 2009 surveys, while they were very common in areas at Yakima Delta HMU (Section 5.2) and were observed at Villard Ponds in Toothacre HMU was the only HMU surveyed in 2009 which did not yield detections of any garter snakes, despite repeated funnel trapping (both aquatically and terrestrially), a method which proved to be effective at Hood Park and Richland Bend HMUs. They likely inhabit Toothacre HMU but were not observed during our surveys. Species detections are mapped in Figure 7. GREAT BASIN SPADEFOOT On 12 June 2009 during an anuran call/ eyeshine survey from the railroad tracks overlooking Pond 3, MWFB researchers detected Great Basin Spadefoots calling at a far distance from the far western end of the pond. The number of individuals calling were difficult to count, as there was no overlap in calls of the chorus, but were estimated at 15 individuals. Subsequent listening on the west side of the pond yielded no auditory observation of Spadefoots. Spadefoots were confirmed, however, just out of the HMU calling from a wet grass field and also from a cattle pond on private land (Figure 7). Three individuals were heard at this location. A total of 18 individuals were detected at or in the vicinity of Toothacre HMU during 2009 surveys. Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 32

33 WOODHOUSE S TOAD Woodhouse s toads were first heard calling from the large inlet area in the north end of the HMU from the water diversion structure where the canal enters the HMU (Pond 5, Figure 7). Six were heard calling in this location on 18 May A toad was dipnetted along this same water body on 20 May On 12 June 2009, a small group of approximately 15 toad tadpoles was found during a dipnet survey in Pond 3 on the west side of the railroad tracks in the middle of the HMU. Later that night, one Woodhouse s toad was heard calling from this same pond, as well as from the canal at the north end of the HMU (Pond 6, Figure 7). On August 10, 2009 a single toadlet was captured in an aquatic funnel trap in Pond 3. A total of 31 individuals were detected at or in the vicinity of Toothacre HMU during 2009 surveys, and were found along shoreline of river inlet (Pond 5), wetland and canal (Pond 6) habitat. AMERICAN BULLFROG Bullfrogs were first observed on April 29, 2009 during an anuran call/ eyeshine survey, when the eyeshine of approximately 20 bullfrogs was observed in Pond 4, though none were calling yet (Figure 7). Bullfrogs were first heard chorusing on May 18, 2009 at Pond 2 on the eastern side of the railroad tracks. During a dipnet/aquatic survey on June 12, 2009, a large egg mass was found in Pond 3, laid in a large sheet approximately 16 square feet in size (Figure 7). This species was ubiquitous throughout the water bodies at Toothacre HMU along pond, canal, shoreline of inlet and wetland edges, with at least 396 counted during 2009 surveys (plus many more). WESTERN YELLOW-BELLIED RACER A single detection of Racer occurred on May 12, 2009 by incidental observation of a road killed individual on Meals Road and surrounded by Russian olive/ grassland habitat. GREAT BASIN GOPHER SNAKE A single detection of Gopher Snake occurred on July 22, 2009 during a nocturnal VES (road cruise) along Preit Road headed from the HMU boundary towards other habitats. Surrounding habitat of the detection was Russian olive/ grassland. NORTHERN PACIFIC RATTLESNAKE Rattlesnakes eluded MWFB researchers during the 2009 survey season at Toothacre HMU until July 22, 2009, when four rattlesnakes were observed during evening hours. Three detections occurred during nocturnal VES and one was encountered along the railroad tracks during an anuran call/ eyeshine survey. Two rattlesnakes were observed within shrub-steppe habitat (with scattered rabbitbrush and annual grasses) while a third was encountered within the rock quarry, all within the southern portion of the HMU (Figure 7). Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 33

34 Figure 7. Toothacre HMU herp species detections, 2009 Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 34

35 5.2 YAKIMA DELTA HMU Methods Surveys at Yakima Delta HMU focused on targeting species known from the vicinity by historical distribution habitats with potential to harbor these species. These included Northern Leopard Frog, Tiger Salamander, Sagebrush Lizard, Common Side-blotched Lizard and Pigmy Short-horned Lizard. Survey effort totals were as follows: anuran call/eyeshine surveys (10.55 hours), dipnet/ aquatic sessions (1.16 hours), hours of nocturnal and diurnal VES (combined) and 15 aquatic funnel trap nights and days. Between one and 6 days per month from April through August were spent conducting surveys at Toothacre HMU in 2009 (Table 10). Additional anuran call/ eyeshine surveys were conducted along the inlet areas of the Yakima River at the Chamna Preserve, located on the north shore of the Yakima River across from the main HMU. Table 10. Dates of Yakima Delta HMU herpetofaunal surveys, 2009 Month date Survey types April 27, 28, 29, 30 VES, Anuran call/eyeshine May 1, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 VES, Anuran call/eyeshine June 13, 14 Funnel trapping, VES, Anuran call/eyeshine, Dipnet/ aquatic July 23 VES, Anuran call/eyeshine August 10, 11 VES, Anuran call/eyeshine Habitats General habitats of Yakima Delta HMU include sandy areas with big sagebrush, particularly in the middle portions of the HMU), open shoreline of the Yakima River with native riparian, Russian Olive woodland with annual grass understory interspersed with native riparian tree species, and pond/ wetland emergent habitat resulting from channelized flow from the Columbia and Yakima Rivers. Ponds in Yakima Delta HMU were labeled for ease of reference (Figure 8). Results A total of 7 species were found within the Yakima Delta HMU during 2009 surveys (Appendix D). Woodhouse s Toad was not observed at this HMU during 2009 surveys. Western Yellow-bellied Racer was also not detected, but likely occurs in the HMU. Northern Pacific Rattlesnake was another species not observed at this HMU, despite hours of VES in a variety of habitat types. Species detections are mapped in Figure 8. GREAT BASIN SPADEFOOT A Spadefoot was heard calling from Pond 3 (Figure 8) on May 20, 2009 during an anuran call/ eyeshine survey. Two more were detected at Pond 4 calling during a subsequent survey (Figure 8). Funnel trap and dipnetting efforts in these two ponds on subsequent visits did not yield additional detections of Spadefoots. PACIFIC TREEFROG Pacific Treefrogs were first heard calling in full chorus from Ponds 1 and 5 on April 30, 2009 (Figure 8). At least 100 treefrogs were heard chorusing from the cattail-lined Pond 1. At Pond 2 on the east side of the railroad tracks, at least 50 were heard chorusing during a subsequent survey. Similar numbers were observed chorusing from Pond 4 on May 1, A single Treefrog was heard calling from the concrete berm of the settling pond (Pond 3, Figure 8) on May 22, This species was common in most water bodies along wetland and pond edges (with a canopy of Russian olive at Pond Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 35

36 4) with at least 237 counted during 2009 surveys. This species was also observed calling from a inlet off the Yakima River at the Chamna Preserve on April 28, when four individuals were heard calling during a diurnal VES. At least 42 were heard chorusing during an anuran call/ eyeshine survey May 21, 2009 (Figure 8). AMERICAN BULLFROG Bullfrogs were first observed during anuran call/ eyeshine survey on May 1, 2009 through the detection of eyeshine of a large male on the concrete berm of the settling pond (Pond 3, Figure 8). Bullfrogs were first heard calling on June 14, 2009 from Pond 1, however presence of bullfrogs in this pond were realized during full onset of chorusing on July 23, 2009 when 20 were heard calling from this pond. On August 10, 2009, the eyeshine of approximately 230 young bullfrogs was observed in Pond 5 from the elevated railroad track (Figure 8). On August 11, 2009, single bullfrogs were heard calling at Pond 4 and along the southern shore of the Yakima River (Figure 8). This species was present in most water bodies and very common in others along wetland and pond edges (with a canopy of Russian olive at Pond 4) with at least 312 counted during 2009 surveys. PAINTED TURTLE Two turtles were observed incidentally in Pond 1 on April 27, 2009 (photo right). One was observed basking on a floating tire within tule reeds and cattail of wetland habitat, and a second turtle was observed close by basking on raised vegetation. GREAT BASIN GOPHER SNAKE An incidental detection of Gopher Snake occurred on June 13, 2009 crossing the gravel road within the HMU just north of Columbia Park Drive. Surrounding habitat of the detection was Russian olive/ grassland. COMMON GARTER SNAKE During a diurnal VES on August 10, 2009, a predated Common Garter Snake was found along the edge of the Yakima River along a grassy bar in riparian habitat. TERRESTRIAL GARTER SNAKE A single individual was observed on 14 June 2009, incidentally crossing the gravel road outside the parking lot below the highway 182 bridge. It was captured moving out from a rockpile at the base of the highway truss (photo right). Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 36

37 Figure 8. Yakima Delta HMU herp species detections, 2009 Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 37

38 5.3 RICHLAND BEND HMU Methods summary Surveys at Richland Bend HMU focused on targeting species known from the vicinity by historical distribution in habitats with potential to harbor these species. These included Tiger Salamander and Northern Leopard Frog. Survey effort totals were as follows: anuran call/eyeshine surveys (4.50 hours), hours of nocturnal and diurnal VES (combined) and a pooled 28 funnel trap nights and days. No dipnet/ aquatic sessions were conducted at this HMU, though hours were spent in the ponds at the southern end of the HMU setting and checking funnel traps. Between one and four days per month from May through August were spent conducting surveys at Richland Bend HMU in 2009 (Table 11). Table 11. Dates of Richland Bend HMU herpetofaunal surveys, 2009 Month Date Survey types May 1, 20, 22 Anuran call/ eyeshine June 11 Anuran call/ eyeshine July 20, 21, 22, 24 Funnel trapping, VES, Anuran call/ eyeshine August 12, 13 VES, Anuran call/ eyeshine Habitats General habitats of Richland Bend HMU consist mainly of native riparian vegetation in black cottonwood (Populus balsamifera) and non-native poplar forest along the Columbia River. Fluctuating water levels in the McNary pool have created a wetland fringe of tule and cattail. Along the southern edge of the HMU, fluctuating water levels (combined with efforts from beavers) have created a wetland area where these aquatic plants flourish. In the northern part of the HMU, disturbed grassland and remnant orchards are surrounded by riparian forest. Results A total of 2 confirmed species were found within Richland Bend HMU during 2009 surveys (Table 6, Appendix E). This is relatively low diversity, despite survey effort exceeding 15 hours. Other species likely present (though not detected) include Great Basin Gopher Snake, Western Yellow-bellied Racer, Common Garter Snake and possibly Northern Pacific Rattlesnake. Species detections are mapped in Figure 9. AMERICAN BULLFROG Bullfrogs were first heard calling at the southern HMU wetland pond areas on July 20, 2009, when 15 were seen or heard calling from this area during an anuran call/ eyeshine survey. Subsequent funnel aquatic trapping in these ponds yielded multiple captures of bullfrogs, though no other species was captured. Bullfrogs were heard calling through August, when at least 20 were heard chorusing. TERRESTRIAL GARTER SNAKE A single individual was captured by funnel trap on July 20, 2009 in the southern HMU wetland pond areas (right photo). Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 38

39 Figure 9. Richland Bend HMU herp species detections, 2009 Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 39

40 5.4 HOOD PARK Methods summary Surveys at Hood Park HMU focused on targeting species known from the vicinity by historical distribution. These included Northern Leopard Frog and Tiger Salamander. Survey effort totals were as follows: anuran call/eyeshine surveys (6.47 hours), dipnet/ aquatic sessions (3.3 hours), 4.02 hours of nocturnal and diurnal VES (combined) and 17 aquatic funnel trap nights and days. Between one and three days per month from April through August were spent conducting surveys at Hood Park HMU in 2009 (Table 12). Table 12. Dates of Hood Park HMU herpetofaunal surveys, 2009 Month date Survey types April 27 Anuran call/eyeshine May 19 Anuran call/eyeshine June 11, 13 Funnel trapping, Anuran call/eyeshine, Dipnet/ aquatic July 20, 21, 22 Funnel trapping, VES, Anuran call/eyeshine August 12 VES, Anuran call/eyeshine Habitats General habitats of Hood Park HMU include a campground consisting of 69 tent and RV spaces and paved parking and day use areas with expanses of irrigated lawn and native and ornamental tree species. A series of connected ponds and islands in the southeastern portion of the HMU recently underwent removal of Russian olive and planting of native species along shorelines. Another smaller pond, unconnected to those to the north is lined with some cattail and provides more wetland-like habitat. Other areas with Russian olive mixed with native riparian tree species persist along the edges of these ponds. South of the day use parking, a small patch of disturbed, non-native grassland exists adjacent to highway 12. Results A total of 3 confirmed species were found within Hood Park HMU during 2009 surveys (Table 6, Appendix F). No anurans were heard calling from the two large ponds on the eastern end of the HMU during anuran call/ eyeshine surveys. All frogs and toads heard were observed in the two western ponds (where the footpath to the southern most pond is located). While three Terrestrial Garter Snakes were captured in funnel traps, no Common Garter Snakes were, despite repeated aquatic funnel trapping in the ponds. No Pacific Treefrogs were observed during 2009 surveys, possibly owing to the large densities of Bullfrogs, which may exclude or predate on them. Other species likely present in habitats surrounding the ponds (though not detected) include Great Basin Gopher Snake, Western Yellow-bellied Racer, and possibly Northern Pacific Rattlesnake. Species detections are mapped in Figure 10. WOODHOUSE S TOAD Woodhouse s toads were first heard calling from the northern most pond on June 11, 2009 during an anuran all/ eyeshine survey, when a total of 5 individuals were heard calling. AMERICAN BULLFROG Bullfrogs were ubiquitous in the northern and southern ponds just west of the restored area and footpath. They were first observed during anuran call/ eyeshine surveys on April 27, 2009, when they were spotted by eyeshine, not calling or chorusing and sitting along the edges of the ponds. Nine were observed in the northern pond and 26 in the southern pond during this survey. Infrequent calls were Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 40

41 first heard from these ponds on May 19, Subsequent anuran call/ eyeshine surveys through August indicated that Bullfrog density was much higher in the southern most pond than in the northern most pond. On August 12, 2009, the northern pond yielded detections of 18 bullfrogs during an anuran call/ eyeshine survey. Survey of the southern pond yielded detections of approximately 310 bullfrogs, where many were recently metamorphosed juveniles. A possible explanation for this difference in density may be attributed to the size differences of fish species in both ponds. It was noted that in the northern pond, connected to the larger ponds to the east, the sizes of fish species present were larger than those observed in the south pond. Perhaps predation of bullfrogs and bullfrog tadpoles was more prevalent in the northern pond and not as prevalent in the southern pond, allowing for higher survival of juvenile and larval bullfrogs and leading to higher densities. TERRESTRIAL GARTER SNAKE Terrestrial Garter Snake was first detected on June 13, 2009 when two were captured in funnel traps set aquatically, one in the northern pond and one in the southern pond (photo below). A third was observed during a diurnal VES on August 12, 2009 resting in a patch of mowed grass within 6 feet of the edge of the southern pond. Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 41

42 Figure 10. Hood Park herp species detections, 2009 Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 42

43 5.5 SUMMARY OF 2008 AND 2009 SURVEYS The findings of the 2009 surveys for the Tricities-managed HMUs in the McNary pool are consistent with those from the 2008 surveys in the McNary, Ice Harbor and Lower Monumental pools. Long-toed Salamanders were not observed at any HMUs in the McNary or Ice Harbor pools, but were recorded at Skookum and 55-Mile HMUs in the Lower Monumental pool in Woodhouse s Toads were observed at 3 HMUs in the Ice Harbor Pool in 2008, and at Hood Park and Toothacre HMU during 2009 surveys. Yakima Delta in 2009 and Villard Ponds in 2008 supported the only known populations of Pacific Treefrog at HMUs in the McNary pool. American Bullfrogs were present at all sites surveyed in the McNary pool 2009 and 2008 (including Villard Ponds) and only at Big Flat in the Ice Harbor pool (2008). Painted Turtles were observed at Yakima Delta HMU in 2009 and were known from Villard Ponds from the finding of a turtle carapace in No lizards were found at any sites surveyed in 2008 and 2009 with the exception of the detection of a Western Skink at 55-Mile HMU in the Lower Monumental pool. Western Yellow-bellied Racers and Great Basin Gopher Snakes were widespread in the pools surveyed in 2008, though were seemingly less common in the McNary pool during surveys in The use of funnel traps was effective for determining presence of garter snakes in 2009, where 3 of 4 HMUs surveyed in the McNary pool showed presence and only 1 of 6 HMUs surveyed across 3 pools in 2008 yielded detection of garter snake (Thamnophis) sp. Northern Pacific Rattlesnakes were found at all HMUs surveyed in 2008 in Ice Harbor and Lower Monumental pools; surveys at 5 HMUs in the McNary pool in 2008 and 2009 yielded detection of this species only at Toothacre HMU. 5.6 MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Continue to work to eliminate Russian olive for the opportunity to restore native grassland or riparian habitat. 2. Conduct periodic surveys at historical sites for Sagebrush Lizard, Pigmy Short-horned Lizard and Common side-blotched Lizard at Toothacre HMU, particularly in areas with sandy soils. 3. Fence off the northern and southern portions of Toothacre HMU to prevent additional unrestricted off-road access to shrub-steppe areas with potential to support lizard species described above. 4. Consider posting signage at Toothacre HMU to warn fishermen or other visitors of the presence of chytrid fungus in the area to encourage disinfection of fishing or other water contact gear prior to moving to another site. 5. Consider managing hood park restoration ponds (south of campground) for frogs; perhaps combined with chemical or other treatment and drying up of the ponds seasonally, eliminate the bullfrogs there and reintroduce native leopard frogs (WA state endangered species). Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 43

44 6.0 CLARKSTON-MANAGED HMUS From April through August 2009, we spent hours conducting a total of 232 surveys and 234 funnel trap-nights or trap-days. We confirmed 12 species of reptiles and amphibians between the 5 HMUs surveyed as well as incidental detections at other HMUs (5 amphibian and 7 reptile), with an average species richness of 5.6 species per site. A total of 1,015 animals were captured or detected during this inventory (from all survey methods combined), including 915 amphibians (333 salamanders, 582 frogs) and 100 reptiles (1 turtle, 4 lizards, 95 snakes). These totals include all captured or observed adult amphibians and reptiles as well as frog tadpoles and salamander larvae. Both the Visual Encounter Survey (VES) method and funnel trapping method yielded detections of 7 species each, and incidental detections were next most productive (6 species) (Table 13). The least productive survey methods were anuran call/ eyeshine surveys and the collection and identification of snakeskin molts, which resulted in detection of 3 species each. Table 13. Summary of effort and results by method, Clarkston sites Sampling method Duration (hours) Number of detections Individual detection rate RA 2 Species richness Visual encounter surveys (n=75) hr / minutes Nocturnal VES and road searches (n=53) hr 13 1/ minutes Anuran call surveys (n=36) hr 274 1/3.99 minutes Dipnet surveys (n=28) hr 387 1/2.99 minutes Guzzler dipnet surveys(n=40) 25% surveyed 36 guzzlers surveyed) hr 149 showed presence Aquatic funnel trapping 121 TN % trap captures Terrestrial funnel trapping 113 TN 3 1.8% trap captures Snakeskin/ reptile determinations Incidental detections denotes individuals heard or seen during VES. 2 Relative abundance = No. individuals detected/ hour surveyed 3 Relative abundance = No. individuals captured/ 100 trap-nights Of the projected 24 species for the entire study area, we detected 12 species (Table 6). The site with the most number of species detected by our surveys was Nisqually John Canyon HMU (9 species) and the HMU with the fewest number of species found was Chief Timothy HMU (1 species). The most abundant herptile species detected was the Pacific Treefrog, which were found in larval and adult stages at Riparia, Nisqually John Canyon and Alpowa HMUs. However, the most widespread herpetofaunal species was the Long-toed Salamander and American Bullfrog, which were each found at 4 of the 5 HMUs surveyed (Table 6). Long-toed Salamanders were detected in 25% of the guzzlers surveyed in the Lower Monumental, Little Goose and Lower Granite pools (Section 4.3). The most abundant reptile and snake was the Northern Pacific Rattlesnake, comprising 53% of all reptile detections. A Painted Turtle was observed in the pond at the foot of Steptoe Canyon where it meets the Columbia River (Section 6.6, Photo Right). Presence of Western Skink was confirmed at John Henley, Nisqually John and Kelly Bar HMUs (Seciton 6.6). Fifteen detections of Western Yellow-bellied Racer occurred by five survey Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 44

45 methods at 9 Clarkston HMUs, with 10 detections by positive snakeskin determinations and confirmed presence. Twenty-one Gopher Snake detections occurred by three survey methods at 9 Clarkston HMUs (Section 6.6). A single detection of Night Snake occurred at John Henley HMU, by no cturnal VES. The most widely distributed reptile species were Northern Pacific Rattlesnake and the Terrestrial Garter Snake which were detected at 3 of the 5 HMUs by our surveys. No state sensitive species were detected during the 2009 inventory period. 6.1 RIPARIA HMU Methods summary Surveys at Riparia HMU served to target as many herpetofaunal species as possible, utilizing a variety of survey methods to maximize detections. Survey effort totals were as follows: Anuran call/eyeshine surveys (2.30 hours), dipnet/ aquatic sessions (1.08 hours), 1.53 hours of nocturnal and diurnal VES (combined) and a combined 57 aquatic and terrestrial funnel trap nights and days. An additional 3.93 hours of dipnet/ aquatic surveys were performed along Alkali Creek near the confluence with the Snake River and upstream along Alkali Flat HMU. Between three and four days per month from May through August were spent conducting surveys at Riparia HMU in 2009 (Table 14). Table 14. Dates of Riparia HMU herpetofaunal surveys, 2009 Month date Survey types May 6, 13, 14, 24 Anuran call/eyeshine, VES June 10, 16, 17, 19 Funnel trapping, Anuran call/eyeshine, Dipnet/ aquatic July 17, 18, 19 Funnel trapping, VES, Anuran call/eyeshine August 2, 3, 4 Funnel trapping, VES, Anuran call/eyeshine Habitats General habitats of Riparia HMU include an undeveloped campground and day use/ picnic areas with lined with native trees and Rhus sp. (sumac). Bisecting the HMU latitudinally, Alkali Creek flows to the Snake River, creating shoreline inlet habitat lined primarily with reed canary glass (Phalaris communis) and occasional tule and cattail. A relict railroad berm provides a seasonal barrier to the Snake River, capturing river water in an impounded area and creating a large pond lined with cattail and other reed species (Figure 11). Fish, however, are still present in this pond owing to the seasonal water releases from Little Goose dam through a low point of the railroad berm. Grassland and disturbed shrub-steppe abut the current raised railroad berm, whose base is lined with basalt rip-rap along its stretch through Riparia and John Henley HMUs. No gallinaceous guzzlers existed within this HMU. Results A total of 6 confirmed species were found within Riparia HMU during 2009 surveys, three amphibian and three reptile species (Table 6, Appendix G). All frogs and toad were observed in the wetland edges of the pond bordering the relict railroad berm to the north. Two of 57 nights of funnel trapping yielded two captures, one Long-toed Salamander and one Terrestrial Garter Snake. Other species likely present in habitats surrounding the pond (though not detected) include Western Yellow-bellied Racer, Western Skink and possibly Common Garter Snake. Species detections are mapped in Figure 11. Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 45

46 LONG-TOED SALAMANDER A single Long-toed Salamander was captured by aquatic funnel trapping efforts on June 16, 2009 within the western edge of the pond bordering the relict railroad berm to the north (Figure 11, photo right). This salamander was interesting because it was a paedomorph, or a salamander which hadn t metamorphosed retaining its external gills and remaining completely aquatic. This paedomorphic Long-toed Salamander was the only salamander captured at Riparia HMU during 2009 surveys. PACIFIC TREEFROG Pacific Treefrogs were first heard chorusing on May 6, 2009 along the southern shore of the pond bordering the relict railroad berm (Figure 11). They were present in rather low numbers, but throughout the season were observed calling from the north shore of the pond, which was marshy habitat as well as along the southern shore. At least 21 treefrogs were observed in this pond during the 2009 survey season. AMERICAN BULLFROG A single bullfrog was observed on July 18, 2009 during an anuran call/ eyeshine survey on the eastern end of the pond bordering the relict railroad berm (Figure 11). It was not calling, but was spotted by eyeshine and was in full view, making identification possible. Interestingly, no bullfrogs were heard at this HMU during 2009 surveys, though they could be present in small numbers. It is possible that the presence of fish limits bullfrog numbers in this water body. GREAT BASIN GOPHER SNAKE Four Gopher Snakes were observed at Riparia during the 2009 survey period. Two were observed incidentally, the first was a road kill along the campground loop road, found on June 16, 2009 and the second was observed along the cobble shoreline of the Snake River on July 17, 2009 (Figure 11). Additional detections came from the positive identification of two snakeskin molts in the Riparia campground. TERRESTRIAL GARTER SNAKE A single Terrestrial Garter Snake was captured in an aquatic funnel trap on July 17, 2009 along a small wetland on the southern side of the relict railroad berm. NORTHERN PACIFIC RATTLESNAKE Three rattlesnakes were observed in Riparia HMU during the survey season, and all were observed incidentally. Two were observed on July 17 and 19, 2009 in the campground, where one was observed near the pit toilet and the other was trapped underneath MWFB researcher s tent. A third was observed crossing the gravel road within the HMU during evening hours (Figure 11). Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 46

47 Figure 11. Riparia HMU herp species detections, 2009 Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 47

48 6.2 JOHN HENLEY HMU Methods summary Surveys at John Henley HMU served to target as many herpetofaunal species as possible, utilizing a variety of survey methods to maximize detections. Survey effort totals were as follows: anuran call/eyeshine surveys (1.22 hours), dipnet/ aquatic sessions (2.40 hours), hours of nocturnal and diurnal VES (combined) and a combined 68 aquatic and terrestrial funnel trap nights and days. Four gallinaceous guzzlers occur within this HMU and were surveyed for a total of 1.65 hours (Table 7). Between three and six days per month from May through August were spent conducting surveys at John Henley HMU in 2009 (Table 15). Table 15. Dates of John Henley HMU herpetofaunal surveys, 2009 Month date Survey types May 6, 14, 15 Anuran call/eyeshine, VES, guzzler dipnet June 9, 10, 11, 14, 17, 18 Funnel trapping, Anuran call/eyeshine, Dipnet/ aquatic, guzzler dipnet July 17, 18, 19, 20 Funnel trapping, VES, Anuran call/eyeshine August 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Funnel trapping, VES, Anuran call/eyeshine Habitats The general habitat of John Henley HMU consists of upland disturbed, grassland habitat. The northern end of the HMU encompasses canyon slopes which harbor fewer non-native grasses and more native bunchgrasses and forbs. Several restoration plots line the HMU in a linear fashion, consisting of mostly native and some non-native trees and shrubs (primarily black cottonwood, rose sp. hawthorne sp. and others). An active railroad berm bisects the HMU longitudinally, providing basalt rock rip-rap habitat for rock-dwelling species such as Northern Pacific Rattlesnake (Figure 11). Grassland and disturbed shrub-steppe abut the current raised railroad berm, and basalt rock bluffs provide additional cover for canyon-dwelling species. Two seasonal ponds in the southwestern portion of the HMU provide potential breeding habitat for amphibians (photo right, see below and Figure 11). Results A total of 8 confirmed species were found within John Henley HMU during 2009 surveys, two amphibian and six reptile species (Table 6, Appendix H). This HMU provides limited aquatic habitat for amphibians, potentially explaining the detection of only two species. Two of 68 nights of funnel trapping yielded two captures of snakes, both in terrestrially-placed traps. The tree and shrubplots in the HMU provided habitat for four species of reptiles, which were detected by VES or terrestrial funnel trap captures (see below). Another species with the potential to occur in this HMU is the Terrestrial Garter Snake, based on habitat and species distribution. Species detections are mapped in Figure 12. LONG-TOED SALAMANDER A drainage with a small, ephemeral pool was surveyed with dipnets on May 15, 2009 in the canyon hills of the eastern portion of the HMU (photo above right). Five Long-toed Salamander larvae of various stages from a few weeks to a few months old were netted in this natural pool surrounded by aquatic forbs, grasses and algae in this rocky drainage north of the active railroad berm (Figure 12). MWFB researchers returned to this pool on June 9, 2009 and it was nearly completely dry, suggesting Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 48

49 that larvae may have suffered mortality prior to metamorphism. In years with above average rainfall, this pool could sustain water through the end of breeding season and provide a viable location for breeding for this species. No guzzlers were found to support longtoed salamanders, though surveys in the guzzler located at Easting, Northing (zone 11 north) yielded detection of gelatinous structures reminiscent of hatched eggs, though no salamanders were netted on May 15, A follow up survey on June 9, 2009 failed to detect long-toed salamanders in this guzzler. GREAT BASIN SPADEFOOT One of five larvae netted in the natural wetland on John Henley HMU During an anuran call/ eyeshine survey on June 10, 2009, three spadefoots were heard calling from the northern of the two ephemeral ponds at the base of the relict railroad berm in the southwestern portion of John Henley HMU (Figure 12). This species had not been heard previously during anuran call/ eyeshine surveys from Riparia HMU, the HMU adjacent to the west. WESTERN SKINK A Western Skink was observed incidentally on a rainy afternoon of May 6, 2009 in the northwestern corner of the HMU underneath a burnt fence post on a grassland slope (photo right). Additional skinks were not observed in subsequent months until August 5, 2009 when one was observed during a diurnal VES associating with a pile of fenceposts in the northeastern corner of the HMU surrounded by bunchgrass and shrub steppe habitat (Figure 12). WESTERN YELLOW-BELLIED RACER A single Racer was observed during 2009 surveys at John Henley HMU. It was captured in a funnel trap along with a Common Garter Snake, which was found the following morning dead in the trap with the Racer. This detection occurred in the western shrub-plot of the HMU, nearby the active railroad berm (Figure 12). GREAT BASIN GOPHER SNAKE Two Gopher Snakes were detected at John Henley HMU during the 2009 survey season. On June 10, 2009 a Gopher Snake was spotted moving quickly into the surrounding grassland from the western tree and shrubplot in the HMU. A second Gopher Snake was observed incidentally on June 17, 2009 while driving through the HMU in the evening, it was crossing the road in the middle of the HMU. Surrounding habitat was non-native annual grassland and forbs. COMMON GARTER SNAKE Common Garter Snakes were not observed in the HMU until one was captured along with a Western Yellow-bellied Racer in a funnel trap placed terrestrially in a restorative shrub plot on the western end of the HMU (see Figure 12 Racer detection, labeled 1 ). The Garter Snake was found dead in the funnel trap with a live Racer, though it wasn t clear how the snake had died. NORTHERN DESERT NIGHT SNAKE A Night Snake was detected during nocturnal VES on July 17, 2009 along the base of basalt rock bluffs in native bunchgrass and shrub-steppe habitat (Figure 12). It was observed on the ground amongst Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 49

50 bunchgrasses, and was identified as male by the hemipenes protruding during handling. The snake was collected and deposited in the MWFB. This Night Snake was one of 9 individual reptiles detected during nocturnal VES at John Henley HMU, and represents a new species for MWFB survey efforts. The closest known record is Tucannon HMU also in the Lower Monumental pool, approximately 5 miles downstream in Columbia County (Loper and Lohman, 1998). Preliminary examination of Snake River distributional records suggests that our detection at John Henley HMU may be the first documented record from Whitman County. NORTHERN PACIFIC RATTLESNAKE The Northern Pacific Rattlesnake was the most common reptile observed at John Henley HMU in Sixteen detections occurred over a period of four months and in a variety of habitats. Five of the 16 rattlesnakes (31%) were observed in restoration shrub or treeplots (Figure 12). Rattlesnakes were first observed June 9, 2009 through August, with the majority of detections occurring by VES (81%, either diurnal or nocturnal). Clockwise from Top left, Night Snake found on evening VES, a wet seep marked with monkey flower, an irrigated riparian plot, and the ubiquitous Pacific Rattler, all at John Henley HMU. Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 50

51 Figure 12. John Henley HMU herp species detections, 2009 Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 51

52 6.3 NISQUALLY JOHN CANYON HMU Methods summary Surveys at Nisqually John Canyon HMU served to target as many herpetofaunal species as possible, utilizing a variety of survey methods to maximize detections. Survey effort totals were as follows: anuran call/eyeshine surveys (2.47 hours), dipnet/ aquatic sessions (7.72 hours), hours of nocturnal and diurnal VES (combined) and a combined 66 aquatic and terrestrial funnel trap nights and days. Six gallinaceous guzzlers occur within this HMU; five were surveyed for a total 0.77 hours (Table 7). Between one and seven days per month from May through August were spent conducting surveys at Nisqually John Canyon HMU in 2009 (Table 16). Table 16. Dates of Nisqually John Canyon HMU herpetofaunal surveys, 2009 Month date Survey types April 26 Incidental May 4, 8, 11, 17, 27, 29 Anuran call/eyeshine, VES, Dipnet/ aquatic, Guzzler dipnet, incidental June 3, 15 VES, Dipnet/ aquatic July 14, 15, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 Funnel trapping, Anuran call/eyeshine, VES Habitats Nisqually John Canyon HMU spans from the Snake River canyon bottom at approximately 732 to approximately 2,550 feet msl at the top of the Snake River canyon. Upland hill slopes from the HMU are farmed for winter wheat, corn and other grain crops. General habitats of Nisqually John Canyon HMU include upland grassland habitat of native bunchgrasses and non-native annuals with basalt rock fields. Rabbitbrush and rigid sagebrush occur in patches within the canyon and along the tops of hills. Along the creek channel, dense stretches of alder (Alnus sp.), willow (Salix sp.), cottonwood (Populus sp.) and others comprise the creek riparian habitat. Where the stream emerges from the canyon at its confluence with the Snake River, a pond lined with blackberry and cattail existed until late winter in 2009, when heavy precipitation brought a large movement of water down the canyon stream bottom, resulting in severe erosion and wash out of creek sediments which filled in the pond in its entirety. This pond was completely silted up during spring and summer 2009 surveys, offering habitat in the form of a mud flat adjacent to north of Wawawai Road and the Snake River. Results A total of 8 confirmed species were found within Nisqually John Canyon HMU during 2009 surveys, three amphibian and five reptile species (Table 6, Appendix I). Species detections are mapped in Figure 13. Five of 66 nights of funnel trapping yielded 29 captures of amphibians and reptiles (see below). The creek riparian habitat and the former pond at the base of the canyon adjacent to the Snake River provided the greatest number of detections (Figure 13). Anuran call/ eyeshine surveys at Nisqually John Canyon HMU focused on the southern end of the riparian creek and the silted-in pond. No frogs were heard calling during these surveys, though frogs were seen (see below). Other species not detected by our surveys but have the potential to occur in this HMU include Rubber Boa, Ringneck Snake, Common Garter Snake, and perhaps even Night Snake, based on habitat and species distribution. LONG-TOED SALAMANDER While the entire stretch of creek was not surveyed, salamander eggs were found in early May 2009 in six different locations in slow-moving pools in the creek at the bottom of Nisqually John Canyon (Figure 13). Eggs were laid singly or in small clusters along the undersides of submerged rocks or Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 52

53 vegetation. Only one of five guzzlers surveyed supported long-toed salamanders located just upslope (within 25 meters) of a damp drainage (Figure 13). This guzzler was being used by cattle for drinking in summer WESTERN TOAD During the 2009 survey season, three Western Toads were observed at Nisqually John Canyon HMU. The first was observed incidentally on May 11, 2009 along the old jeep trail where a seasonal seep drains to the stream below and the foot path is lined with wooden boards help facilitate crossing to access the canyon to the north (Figure 13). Two more were observed during a nighttime dipnet/ aquatic session along the silted-in pond (mudflat area) at the base of the canyon where it meets the Snake River. Two females (one was very large, 101 millimeters snoutvent length, the other smaller, 89 mm) were observed during this night-time survey on June 15, 2009, sitting within the filled-pond mudflat where the stream trickles into the Snake River (Figure 13). None were heard calling within the HMU during anuran call/ eyeshine surveys. AMERICAN BULLFROG While no bullfrogs were heard calling during anuran call/ eyeshine surveys, nine were observed sitting out in the silted-in pond (mudflat area) at the base of stream adjacent to the Snake River during a nighttime anuran call/ eyeshine survey on May 27, Subsequent surveys in the vicinity of the mudflat found this species in this locale. During night-time dipnet/ aquatic survey geared towards capture of bullfrogs for swabbing to test for the presence of chytrid fungus, eight were captured along the silted-in pond (mudflat area) but many more were observed by eyeshine. Amphbian chytrid test results for these frogs were negative (Table 5, Section 3.2). Funnel trapping along the creek within the mudflat area and upstream along the creekbed only yielded captures of two bullfrogs in traps placed aquatically within the silted-in pond. WESTERN SKINK This species was observed incidentally along grassy slopes interspersed with rock outcrops near the top and middle of Nisqually John Canyon during small mammal trapping surveys in August VES in 2009 did not detect this species, though a lizard was observed incidentally on April 26, 2009 within a basalt rock-filled slope, approximately 700 meters upslope of the creek drainage (Figure 13). This species probably occurs in the HMU in much higher numbers than detected; VES survey conditions may not have been ideal to detect this species more frequently. WESTERN YELLOW-BELLIED RACER Two Western Yellow-bellied Racers were observed during 2009 surveys. One was observed during a dipnet/ aquatic survey on May 11, 2009 along a rocky, dry drainage on the eastern side of the canyon (Figure 13, photo right). A second was observed incidentally within the same drainage in between surveys. These detections within the same vicinity within the same hour suggest that these surveys were performed during a period of emergence or activity for this species in the HMU. Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 53

54 GREAT BASIN GOPHER SNAKE This species was observed incidentally along grassy slopes interspersed with rock outcrops near the bottom of Nisqually John Canyon during small mammal trapping surveys in August During a VES survey on a hot morning on July 15, 2009, a Gopher Snake was observed coiled up underneath a shrub near the forb-lined creek (Figure 13). This species probably occurs in the HMU in much higher numbers than detected; VES survey conditions may not have been ideal to detect this species more frequently. TERRESTRIAL GARTER SNAKE A single detection of Terrestrial Garter Snake occurred through aquatic funnel trapping within the creek within and upstream the silted-in pond (mudflat area). It was captured in a trap placed in a small pool just upstream of the silted-in pond on July 27, NORTHERN PACIFIC RATTLESNAKE Six detections of rattlesnakes occurred during the 2009 survey season at Nisqually John Canyon HMU. Three were observed incidentally on May 11 and July 28, Two were observed during VES on July 27 and 28, while a sixth was captured in a funnel trap set terrestrially on July 28. This species remains active through late summer and into fall. Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 54

55 Figure 13. Nisqually John Canyon HMU herp species detections, 2009 Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 55

56 6.4 ALPOWA CREEK HMU Methods summary Surveys at Alpowa Creek HMU in 2009 served to augment those surveys conducted by Loper and Lohman (1998) at this HMU. We utilized survey methods to target additional herpetofaunal species. Survey effort totals were as follows: anuran call/eyeshine surveys (4.57 hours), dipnet/ aquatic sessions (1.33 hours), 2.57 hours of diurnal VES and 20 aquatic funnel trap nights and days. No gallinaceous guzzlers occur within this HMU. Between two and four days per month from May through July were spent conducting surveys at Alpowa Creek HMU in 2009 (Table 17). Table 17. Dates of Alpowa Creek HMU herpetofaunal surveys, 2009 Month date Survey types May 5, 12, 17, 26 Anuran call/eyeshine, VES June 10, 15 VES, Dipnet/ aquatic July 14, 15, 16 Funnel trapping, Anuran call/eyeshine Habitats Alpowa Creek HMU is located at the confluence of Alpowa Creek and the Snake River. The primary habitat type within this HMU is riparian forest consisting of alder, willow and cottonwood overstory and an understory of blackberry, hawthorne sp. other native shrubs and tall annual grasses. A wetland area along the east of the riparian forest is regularly flooded owing to fluctuating river pool levels. Upland habitat in this HMU consists of shrub-steppe with non-native annual grasses. Alpowa Creek flows on the northwestern edge of the HMU; a side channel to the Snake River occurs on the southeastern edge of the HMU bordering Highway 12. Results A total of 4 confirmed species were found within Alpowa Creek HMU during 2009 surveys, three amphibian and one reptile species (Table 6, Appendix J). Species detections are mapped in Figure 14. The majority of detections occurred within the side channel riparian habitat in the southeastern edge of the HMU (Figure 14). We detected three species not previously documented within this HMU by Loper and Lohman (1998). Thus, our surveys in addition to those conducted by Loper and Lohman (1998) confirm a total of 7 species for Alpowa Creek HMU (see below). Other species not detected by our surveys or those conducted by Loper and Lohman (1998) which have the potential to occur in this HMU include Western Toad and Northern Pacific Rattlesnake based on habitat and species distribution. LONG-TOED SALAMANDER Salamanders were observed at Alpowa Creek HMU by our surveys in The first detection occurred on June 15, 2009, when a Long-toed Salamander larva was dipnetted during night-time dipnet/ aquatic survey in the side channel inlet to the Snake River (photo right, Figure 14). Funnel trapping efforts in this side channel yielded captures of larval salamanders (10 captures out of 20 traps set) on July 14 and 15, This species was not observed by surveys conducted by Loper and Lohman (1998), despite the use of drift fence and pitfall arrays as well as funnel trapping (associated with the drift fence). Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 56

57 PACIFIC TREEFROG Pacific Treefrogs were the most frequently observed amphibian and herptile at Alpowa Creek HMU during 2009 surveys. Treefrogs were first heard chorusing in the side channel on May 5, 2009 during an anuran/ eyeshine survey and were heard chorusing through May and into early summer. Dipnet/ aquatic surveys June 15, 2009 yielded captures of five Treefrogs which were swabbed to test for the presence of chytrid fungus in that portion of the Snake River. Amphibian chytrid test results for these frogs were negative (Table 5, Section 3.2). Aquatic funnel trapping July 14, 2009 yielded two captures of Treefrogs, one tadpole and one metamorph. This species had been observed by Loper and Lohman (1998) at Alpowa Creek HMU. AMERICAN BULLFROG A Pacific TreeFrog at Alpowa Creek American bullfrogs were not detected at Alpowa Creek HMU by any survey method until June 15, 2009 when a large female was captured during a dipnet/ aquatic survey geared towards capture of frogs for swabbing to test for the presence of chytrid fungus conducted in the side channel (Figure 14). This species was not observed by surveys conducted by Loper and Lohman (1998), despite the use of drift fence and pitfall arrays as well as funnel trapping (associated with the drift fence). Bullfrogs might be expected to occur in the side channel water way in higher numbers, however only one was detected during the survey season in WESTERN YELLOW-BELLIED RACER This species was not detected by our surveys in 2009, but was recorded within the HMU by Loper and Lohman (1998). GREAT BASIN GOPHER SNAKE This species was not detected by our surveys in 2009, but was recorded within the HMU by Loper and Lohman (1998). COMMON GARTER SNAKE This species was not detected by our surveys in 2009, but was recorded within the HMU by Loper and Lohman (1998). TERRESTRIAL GARTER SNAKE A single detection of this species occurred through the discovery of a dead (or depredated) Terrestrial Garter Snake along the side channel habitat on May 12, 2009 (Figure 14). It was found halfsubmerged in the water with pieces of flesh missing and was partially rotten. This observation confirms the presence of Terrestrial Garter Snake in Alpowa Creek HMU, where Loper and Lohman (1998) had not identified unknown Thamnophis sp. as this particular one. Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 57

58 Figure 14. Alpowa Creek HMU herp species detections, 2009 Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 58

59 6.5 CHIEF TIMOTHY HMU Methods summary Surveys at Chief Timothy HMU in 2009 served to augment those surveys conducted by Loper and Lohman (1998) at this HMU. We utilized survey methods to target additional herpetofaunal species. Survey effort totals were as follows: anuran call/eyeshine surveys (4.22 hours), dipnet/ aquatic sessions (0.87 hours), 7.26 hours of diurnal VES and 20 aquatic funnel trap nights and days. No gallinaceous guzzlers occur within this HMU. Between one and four days per month from April through August (excluding June) were spent conducting surveys at Chief Timothy HMU in 2009 (Table 18). Table 18. Dates of Chief Timothy HMU herpetofaunal surveys, 2009 Month date Survey types April 21 Anuran call/eyeshine May 5, 12, 17, 26 Anuran call/eyeshine, VES July 14, 15, 16, 30 Funnel trapping, Anuran call/eyeshine, dipnet/ aquatic, VES, August 1 VES Habitats Chief Timothy HMU is located just upstream of the confluence of Alpowa Creek and the Snake River and approximately 4.5 miles west of the city of Clarkston. The HMU consists primarily of a shoreline strip with some upland areas between the Snake River and Highway. The primary habitat type within this HMU is mixed riparian forest consisting of cottonwood overstory with occasional Russian olive and an understory of blackberry, hawthorne sp. other shrubs and tall annual and perennial grasses. A pond, seasonally isolated from the Snake River provides aquatic habitat in the middle of the HMU and is lined with Russian olive, willows and other trees. Upland habitat in this HMU consists of degraded shrub-steppe with non-native annual grasses. Results Only one species, the American Bullfrog was detected during 2009 surveys (Table 6, Appendix K). Detection locations of American Bullfrogs are mapped in Figure 15. Despite 2.10 and 5.16 hours of diurnal and nocturnal surveys, respectively, no other reptiles or amphibians were observed at Chief Timothy HMU during 2009 surveys. Bullfrog, along with three other species not detected during 2009 surveys were previously documented within this HMU by Loper and Lohman (1998). Thus, our surveys combined with those conducted by Loper and Lohman (1998) confirm a total of 4 species for Chief Timothy HMU (see below). Other species not detected by our surveys or those conducted by Loper and Lohman (1998) which have the potential to occur at Chief Timothy HMU include Western Toad, Pacific Treefrog, Western Yellow-bellied Racer, Great Basin Gopher Snake and Northern Pacific Rattlesnake based on habitat and species distribution. AMERICAN BULLFROG The majority of detections of Bullfrogs occurred within the pond in the middle of the HMU (Figure 15). The first Bullfrog was heard calling on May 17, 2009 during an anuran call/ eyeshine survey, when a single bullfrog was heard intermittently calling from the south shore of the pond. While detection of bullfrogs by eyeshine peaked in mid July with the eyeshine of at least 21 individuals observed along the east end of the pond, none were heard calling at this time. Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 59

60 PAINTED TURTLE This species was not detected by our surveys in 2009, but was recorded within the HMU by Loper and Lohman (1998) in an area described as a pond. We surveyed the existing pond for a total of 1.76 observer hours during mid-july to target turtles basking during morning hours; none were detected by our surveys. In addition, several hours of funnel trap setting and checking did not detect this species incidentally. COMMON GARTER SNAKE This species was not detected by our surveys in 2009, but was recorded within the HMU by Loper and Lohman (1998). TERRESTRIAL GARTER SNAKE This species was not detected by our surveys in 2009, but was recorded within the HMU by Loper and Lohman (1998). Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 60

61 Figure 15. Chief Timothy HMU herp species detections, 2009 Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 61

62 6.6 OTHER CLARKSTON-MANAGED HMUS Additional surveys were conducted at other HMUs to target particular species. This section outlines the methodology, timing and results of those surveys and discusses any incidental sightings by MWFB efforts as well as results of previous research at those HMUs Lower Monumental pool LYON S FERRY HMU No formal surveys were conducted at Lyon s Ferry HMU, except for a guzzler survey to check for presence of Long-toed Salamanders. Guzzler surveys were conducted of all 5 gallinaceous guzzlers on May 7, No salamanders were detected in any guzzler in this HMU. However, two species were observed incidentally at Lyon s Ferry HMU. Two Pacific Treefrogs were heard chorusing from the small island off the archaeological levee in the southeast end of the HMU on June 9, 2009 at E, N (zone 11N). On June 16, 2009 a Racer (photo right) was detected within riparian habitat during MWFB small mammal surveys near trap node LF-1A (408149E, N zone 11N). TUCANNON HMU This HMU was not specifically surveyed for reptiles and amphibians in 2008 or However, five species were recorded incidentally or during opportunistic surveys during the MWFB three-day small mammal survey in mid-june This HMU was surveyed for reptiles and amphibians by Loper and Lohman (1998). Their efforts yielded detections of 10 species over a spring, summer and autumn sampling seasons between 1995 and A survey of the gallineacous guzzler located at E, N (zone 11N) yielded captures of 4 Long-toed Salamander larvae. These larvae were sampled and tested for the amphibian chytrid fungus; results were negative, perhaps unsurprising for an isolated body of standing water such as the guzzler (Table 5). While salamanders were detected at Tucannon HMU by Loper and Lohman (1998), the finding of salamanders in this guzzler was surprising owing to the fact that this guzzler is located atop a rocky, elevated bench covered in native bunchgrasses such as bluebunch wheatgrass and other native as well as non-native grasses. Salamanders had been detected in this HMU by drift fence and pitfall array by Loper and Lohman (1998) among riparian habitats. Aquatic funnel trapping in temporarily flooded areas along the HMU road yielded capture of a Terrestrial Garter Snake as well as captures of Pacific Treefrog tadpoles on June 17, Treefrog tadpoles were abundant in these flooded areas located at E, N (zone 11N); at least 250 were visually estimated though undoubtedly more were present. Six rattlesnakes were observed during two days of the three-day trapping session in June One rattlesnake was captured in a Sherman live trap along a temporary flooded area at E, N (zone 11N) on June 17, An additional species, the Western Yellow-bellied Racer was confirmed through the positive identification of a snakeskin molt found along shrub-steppe and grassland slope edge on June 16, ALKALI FLAT HMU No formal surveys for reptiles and amphibians were conducted at Alkali Creek HMU in However, Pacific Treefrog was heard calling during nocturnal anuran call/ eyeshine surveys north of this HMU on May 6, 2009 when five frogs were heard calling north of the HMU on private land Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 62

63 utilized for ranching cattle, at E N (zone 11N). Again on June 10, 2009, five Treefrogs were heard calling from within this same area. No Treefrogs were heard calling during nocturnal anuran call/ anuran surveys from within the HMU Little Goose pool RIDPATH HMU No formal surveys were conducted at Ridpath HMU, except for a guzzler survey to check for presence of Long-toed Salamanders. The single gallinaceous guzzler in the HMU was surveyed on April 23, 2009; no salamanders were observed. However, we detected four species at Ridpath HMU by incidental observations during site visits or small mammal trapping. A fifth species not detected by our surveys, the Great Basin Spadefoot, was recorded at this HMU by Downs et al. (1996). American Bullfrogs were heard calling from the seasonally isolated ponds created by sand deposited through wave action in the eastern end of the HMU during small mammal surveys in September Northern Pacific Rattlesnake and Western Yellow-bellied Racer were observed incidentally during a visit by Wildlife Biologist Mark Graves on April 21, Additionally, Northern Pacific Rattlesnakes were observed in high numbers incidentally during MWFB small mammal trap set-up during a blistery morning on September 19, During a period of 1.5 hours, 7 rattlesnakes were observed moving through or within the western end of the HMU. A possible explanation for the high rate of detections was found at the west shoreline of the HMU where, within a field of driftwood 4 rattlesnakes were observed underneath or in the immediate vicinity of a driftwood piece of plywood, located at (430317E, N zone 11N). This observation suggests that the woody debris provided adequate coverage for a possible hibernacula spot and the rattlesnakes were on the move toward their witnering spot. Also observed during small mammal surveys in September 2009 were two Great Basin Gopher Snakes: one was seen along bunchgrass/ riparian edge on September 19 and another was observed crossing a grassy ATV path on September 21. DRY GULCH HMU No formal surveys were conducted at Dry Gulch HMU, except for a guzzler survey to check for presence of Long-toed Salamanders (Table 7). Presence was confirmed on June 5, 2009 when 5 salamander larvae were netted from guzzler DGWT1, located at E N (zone 11 N). The guzzler is located in a depression adjacent to cattle pasture of private land, and was tall with annual grasses at the time of the survey. NEW YORK BAR HMU No formal surveys were conducted at New York Bar HMU, except for guzzler surveys to check for presence of Long-toed Salamanders (Table 7). Guzzler surveys were conducted of all 3 gallinaceous guzzlers on April 23, All three guzzlers were found to have Long-toed Salamander eggs and hatched larvae on this date. During small mammal surveys in September 2009, a Western Yellowbellied Racer was seen incidentally on September 18 near small mammal trap node NY-1C, located at (434699E, N zone 11N) along a riparian/ blackberry edge. Three Northern Pacific Rattlesnakes were observed between September 18 and 20, 2009 along rocky escarpment edges with grassland slopes. Additionally, two snakeskin molts were collected and later identified as Northern Pacific Rattlesnake. DEADMAN CREEK HMU No surveys were conducted at Deadman Creek HMU during 2008 or However, this site was surveyed for reptiles and amphibians by Loper and Lohman (1998). Five species were recorded at this Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 63

64 HMU during surveys conducted between 1995 and 1997: Long-toed Salamander, Western Toad, Pacific Treefrog, Western Yellow-bellied Racer and Common Garter Snake. WILLOW BAR HMU This HMU was not specifically surveyed for reptiles and amphibians in However, four species were recorded incidentally during the MWFB three-day small mammal survey in mid-june On June 19, 2009 a large female Western Toad was observed incidentally near small mammal trapping node WB-3A (442380N, E, zone 11N) (Figure 6). On June 20, 2009, four Great Basin Gopher Snakes were detected during trap checking. Two were observed along grass slope edges (442448N, E and N, E); one was observed near small mammal trap node WB-1A (442861E, N zone 11N) and another adjacent to wetland habitat of WB-2D (442768E, N) (Photo Right). A Western Yellowbellied Racer was detected within grassland slope habitat on June 20, 2009 at N, E. Also on June 20, a juvenile Northern Pacific Rattlesnake was detected along a grassland/ forb edge at small mammal trap node WB-1D (442789E, N). PENAWAWA HMU This HMU was not specifically surveyed for reptiles and amphibians in 2008 or However, two species were recorded incidentally or during bird surveys and three-day small mammal survey in mid- June On June 4, 2009, a Pacific Treefrog was heard chorusing during bird surveys from a small wetland west of the HMU and north of the railroad tracks. On June 23, 2009 a Northern Pacific Rattlesnake was observed incidentally during small mammal trap set-up within a ephemeral drainage lined with tall annual grasses, located at N, E (zone 11N). RICE BAR HMU This HMU was not specifically surveyed for reptiles and amphibians in 2008 or However, this site was surveyed for reptiles and amphibians by Loper and Lohman (1998). Five species were recorded at this HMU during surveys conducted between 1995 and 1997: Long-toed Salamander, Western Toad, Western Yellow-bellied Racer and Great Basin Gopher Snake (Figure 6). SWIFT BAR HMU No formal surveys for reptiles and amphibians were conducted at Swift Bar HMU, except for guzzler surveys to check for presence of Long-toed Salamanders (Table 7). All six gallinaceous guzzlers present in the HMU were surveyed on April 23, Only one guzzler yielded detections of Longtoed Salamanders, located at N, E (zone 11N). During small mammal surveys in August 2008, a snakeskin molt was collected at the west end of the HMU and was later identified as belonging to a Western Yellow-bellied Racer. During bird surveys on June 4, 2009, a Great Basin Gopher Snake was spotted basking on a patch of gravel adjacent to the railroad, located at N, E (zone 11N). ILLIA DUNES HMU No formal surveys for reptiles and amphibians were conducted at Illia Dunes HMU, except for a guzzler survey to check for presence of Long-toed salamanders. Presence was confirmed on June 8, 2009 when 2 Long-toed Salamanders were netted in guzzler IDWT1, located at E, N zone 11 N. One was a metamorphosing larva that was in the process of reabsorbing its gills, but Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 64

65 showed the green dorsal pattern characteristic of adult long-toed salamanders. The other was a larva which appeared ready to metamorphose. The guzzler is located in a grass-filled draw between two slopes, which was tall with annual grasses at the time of the survey. Another guzzler, IDWT2 (located at E, N, zone 11 N) was surveyed but no long-toed salamanders were detected. This guzzler was located between two sand dunes with some shrub and grass coverage Lower Granite Pool TRANSMISSION LINE HMU No formal surveys for reptiles and amphibians were conducted at Transmission Line HMU, except for a guzzler survey to check for presence of Long-toed salamanders. The single gallinaceous guzzler in the eastern end of the HMU was surveyed on April 23, 2009; no salamanders were observed. However, two Great Basin Gopher Snakes species were incidentally observed during small mammal trapping efforts in September Both were observed within the vicinity of the riparian shoreline of the Snake River on September 15, 2009 at small mammal trap nodes TL-1D and TL-4D (470102E, N and E, N, zone 11N). KNOXWAY CANYON HMU No formal surveys for reptiles and amphibians were conducted at Knoxway Canyon HMU, except for a dipnet/ aquatic to check the ephemeral drainage that flows into the HMU for presence of Long-toed Salamanders. A total of 0.65 hours were spent visually scanning and dipnetting the creek within the HMU and the small pooled area just south of the USACE boundary fence. No salamander eggs or salamanders were observed. During small mammal surveys in mid-september 2009, two Western Yellow-bellied Racers were incidentally observed in the HMU. One was observed on September 15, 2009 along a rocky escarpment, located at small mammal trap node KC-1C (474308E, N zone 11N); another was observed along a grassy draw on September 16, KELLY BAR HMU No formal surveys for reptiles and amphibians were conducted at Kelly Bar HMU, except for guzzler surveys to check for presence of Long-toed Salamanders (Table 7). Of the three gallinaceous guzzlers present within the HMU, presence was confirmed on May 13, 2009 when at least 22 Long-toed Salamander eggs were observed in the guzzler located at the guzzler located at N, E (zone 11N). In addition, Western Skinks were observed incidentally during small mammal surveys in August 2008 in this HMU. NISQUALLY JOHN LANDING No formal surveys for reptiles and amphibians were conducted at Nisqually John Landing, except for a anuran call/ eyeshine to check the pond for anurans adjacent to the railroad. An anuran call/ eyeshine survey was conducted on June 3, 2009 at the pond located where Wawawai Road intersects the railroad crossing at E N near Nisqually John Landing. A total of 4 American Bullfrogs were heard calling from this pond. STEPTOE CANYON No formal surveys for reptiles and amphibians were conducted at Steptoe Canyon, except for an anuran call/ eyeshine to check the pond for anurans near the intersection of Steptoe Canyon and Wawawai Roads. A anuran call/ eyeshine survey was conducted on July 14, 2009 at the pond located at the intersection of Wawawai Road and Steptoe Canyon Road. A total of 64 Bullfrogs were observed by eyeshine; 8 of which were calling in this pond, located at E, N. Additionally, a large Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 65

66 Painted Turtle was incidentally observed in summer 2008 basking along debris on the edges of this pond. ASOTIN SLOUGH This HMU was not specifically surveyed for reptiles and amphibians in 2008 or However, a Great Basin Gopher Snake (photo right) was seen incidentally during small mammal surveys within grass and shrub-steppe habitat on September 24, 2009 at E, N (zone 11N). Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 66