reviewers. Reviewers consistently found it most difficult to positively identify tracks
that team leaders identified as coyotes in the field. Tracks identified as coyote
accounted for 19 out of 21 data points unverified by reviewers. Some breeds of
domestic dogs leave tracks very similar to those of coyotes. While team leaders in the
field can sometimes use contextual clues and/or clues collected from a long stretch of
trail to make their diagnosis, distinguishing coyote tracks from those made by
domestic dogs gets tricky, particularly when based solely on photographs of a single
paw print or a few sets of prints from a trail. Attempts to have team leaders submit
additional photographs and written documentation have helped but not eliminated
this issue. These data may include mistakes in field identification. Many of these data
points reflect challenging field conditions and the need to discern between species
whose tracks and signs are difficult to distinguish in the field even under good
conditions. Conversely, the fact that the majority of them were deemed "likely correct"
by validators (the rest were classified as "indiscernible based on photo"), along with the
fact that no clear errors have been documented, suggests that it is unlikely there are a
high percentage of errors in this part of the sample.
Remote Cameras
This season provided further evidence that maintaining a winter remote camera
monitoring program can provide valuable data on presence and movement of key focal
wildlife. It also allows us unique opportunities not afforded in our larger spring‐fall
season. During the winter months, interstate project construction is on hiatus and we
are able to install remote cameras directly in the wildlife underpasses associated with
the I‐90 Snoqualmie Pass East Project. In more remote habitats, we are able to use the
scarcity of resources and our ability to clearly see tracks on snow to improve our
documentation of species such as wolverine, lynx, and wolves. Results from our remote
camera sites documented the first image of a small mammal swimming under one of
the new Gold Creek wildlife underpasses, built on our knowledge of wolverine presence
in the Highway 2 corridor of the Cascades, and documented a range of more common
species throughout our coverage area.
20
CWMP 2012-2013 Winter Field Season Report
