WDS Annual Report
Total Page：16
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Table of Contents Message From the Director: Peregrine falcons reach record 12 pairs . 19 Sharpening Conservation’s Focus . 1 Peregrine facts . 19 Wildlife Diversity Section . 2 A “tern” for the better at Gibson Lake . 20 Osprey reproduction is up; Funding the Projects of the WDS . 3 32 birds released . 21 Indiana’s Species in Peril . 4 Sandhills and whoopers just passing through . 21 Top News for 2005 . 5 How many whoopers? . 22 Land Stewardship . 6 Barn owls at record number of sites . 23 Indiana’s Comprehensive Wildlife Strategy: . 8 Can you help a barn owl find a home? . 24 Amphibians and Reptiles Breeding Bird Atlas in Indiana . 24 Herp sampling: Nongame bird conservation inititiatives . 24 Determining what’s in Indiana . 9 The skinny on crawfish frogs Mammals and mole salamanders . 9 Changes in administrative rules and state listings . 25 North American Amphibian Monitoring Program . 10 Record number of Indiana bats counted . 25 Frog surveys: A great way to date . .11 Managing Indiana bat winter hibernacula . 26 Snapping turtles: Frankin’s ground squirrel Balancing status and regulations . .11 populations patchy . 27 Tuning-in to eastern box turtles . 11 Allegheny woodrats continue to decline . 27 NAAMP volunteer of the year . 12 Population genetics of Allegheny woodrats . 28 Hellbenders at home in the Blue River . 12 River otters removed Controlling invasive wall lizards . 12 from state-endangered status . 28 Aquatic Species Ecology of bobcats in Lake sturgeon are reproducing south-central Indiana . 30 in East Fork White River . 13 Bobcats in other parts of Indiana . 30 Lake sturgeon spawning facts . 13 Statewide freshwater mussel survey . .14 Information Resources Web resources . 32 Mussel aches: A life down under . 16 Indiana’s reptiles and amphibians . 32 Birds Biologist scientific reports. 32 Bald eagle populations still flying high . 17 Meet the WDS Staff . 33 Indiana’s bald eagle program . 17 Supporting Indiana’s Wildlife . .35 Cover photo: The conservation of eastern box turtles is a major concern in Indiana; biologists are undertaking major studies of this long-lived species. See story on page 11. (Photo: WDS staff/IDNR) Sharpening Department of Natural Resources director Conservation’s Focus Kyle Hupfer Message From the Director Division of Fish and Wildlife director In 2005, wildlife Fewer endangered species diversity conserva- Glen Salmon 2005 was a year of big successes for the tion came into badger, bobcat and river otter, all of which sharp focus were removed from the Indiana endan- Wildlife Diversity nationally and in gered species list! They still are protected Section chief Indiana. Years species in Indiana, and the Wildlife from now, we’ll Diversity Section and its partners will con- Catherine (Katie) look back on 2005 tinue to monitor them, but it is very as a turning point Gremillion-Smith encouraging to see populations of these for conservation of unique animals moving away from the Indianapolis, nongame wildlife brink. 317-232-8160 and state-endan- [email protected] gered species, when both achieved promi- • Financial and logistical support from nence like never before. partners enabled the highly successful river otter restoration program. Otters Staff specialist The catalyst for change is the were completely absent from Indiana Comprehensive Wildlife Strategy (CWS). when the project began in 1994; now Kacie Ehrenberger they have taken up residence in 63 of Indianapolis, In 2003, as a condition to receive federal Indiana’s 92 counties and are doing funds for wildlife conservation, Congress very well. 317-234-3361 required each state to develop a CWS — a [email protected] • In the 1950s, badgers were reported in report card on the status and distribution only 33 Indiana counties, but studies by of wildlife in each state. More than just WDS staff show that they expanded their Herpetologist grades, these strategies include an analy- range into at least 61 counties from 1994 sis of threats to wildlife and habitat; they to 1996, and additional evidence Zack Walker also identify actions to address these suggests they might be found in as Bloomington, threats. many as 82 counties. 812-334-1137 Congress mandated that each strategy • Bobcats were first listed as state- [email protected] facilitate future coordination of conserva- endangered in 1969, and from 1970 to tion efforts and promote partnerships by 1990, there were only seven confirmed developing the CWS with broad public reports statewide. But populations have rebounded markedly in the last 10 to 15 Aquatic biologist input. To remain eligible for federal funds years, with 84 confirmed reports in 32 under the State Wildlife Grants Program, Brant Fisher different counties (not counting 40 states and territories were required to Edinburgh, individuals that have been captured as submit an acceptable CWS to the U.S. part of an ongoing WDS study). 812-526-5816 Fish and Wildlife Service by October 2005. [email protected] You can help us continue this exciting From 2003 to 2005, the DNR collaborated trend by supporting the Nongame and with more than 100 partners, including Endangered Wildlife Program (See how Avian biologist state and federal agencies, agricultural on page 35.) groups, conservation and sportsmen’s John Castrale groups, academic professionals and other More about this year’s many accomplish- Mitchell, Hoosiers, to undertake this monumental ments are in the following pages, so read 812-849-4586 effort to catalogue the state’s species and on! Our future is bright, and the path to [email protected] habitats. conserving Indiana’s valuable wildlife and habitats much more clear. Collectively we Now, we start on a new journey with our have sharpened our focus on effective Mammal biologist partners to step this broad strategy down conservation, and together we are walk- into more specific wildlife action plans. ing down a path toward a brighter future. Scott Johnson Our goal is to develop new constituents, Bloomington, expand partnerships and work together to 812-334-1137 improve the quality of life for all Hoosiers. We’ll address the needs of all fish and [email protected] wildlife species by better conserving our shared habitats. Kyle J. Hupfer DNR director 1 Wildlife Diversity Section WDS is responsible for see them in any typical outdoor endangered species. The chief and setting, including your own back- staff specialist both work in the the conservation and yard! Endangered species are ani- Indianapolis DNR offices in the management of over mal species in danger of disap- state government center. Our her- 750 species of pearing from the state, and whose petologist and mammalogist are prospects for survival or recruit- based in Bloomington, our nongame and endan- ment within the state are in imme- ornithologist is in Mitchell, and our gered wildlife. Nongame diate jeopardy. This includes all aquatics biologist is at Atterbury wildlife refers to any animal species classified as endangered Fish and Wildlife area. species that is not traditionally by the federal government that pursued through hunting, fishing occur in Indiana. or for commercial purposes. In Indiana, more than 90 percent of The WDS is part of the Division of the state’s mammals, birds, fish, Fish and Wildlife in the mussels, reptiles and amphibians Department of Natural Resources. are nongame species. Many There currently are six staff mem- nongame species are common bers in the WDS, all with statewide throughout the state — you can responsibilities for nongame and 2 Funding the Projects of the WDS Funding for Annual contributions the projects to the Indiana of the Wildlife Nongame Fund Diversity Section is generated through the Year Amount Indiana Nongame Contributed Fund. In 1982, the state legislature 1983 $133,000 established the 1984 $265,000 Nongame Fund to be used exclusive- 1985 $275,000 ly for the protec- tion, conservation, 1986 $304,108 management and 1987 $443,427 identification of nongame and 1988 $349,847 endangered species. 1989 $411,112 2004, to December 31, 2005, the Nongame Fund raised $489,610 1990 $433,247 The WDS and Nongame Fund through direct donations and the receive no allocation from state tax check-off. 1991 $394,421 revenues. Since the middle of the last century, the management of State Wildlife Grants: 1992 $413,484 Most WDS game fish and wildlife has been projects are eligible for partial fed- 1993 $384,894 supported by federal aid programs eral funding reimbursement and hunting and fishing license through State Wildlife Grants, a 1994 $396,987 revenues (approximately $7.5 mil- program administered by the U.S. lion per year). Starting in 2001, the 1995 $403,033 Fish and Wildlife Service. However, State Wildlife Grants program has these funds are available only as 1996 $362,909 provided federal aid for nongame reimbursements for expenditures. wildlife ($1 miilion per year). Once projects are approved, they 1997 $388,209 are eligible to receive 50 to 75 per- It also is the responsibility of the 1998 $391,300 cent reimbursement. Donations to WDS to seek partners, contributors the Nongame Fund allow the WDS and grants to fund its projects. 1999 $392,300 to have the initial money needed to Funding is used to provide contin- start the reimbursement cycle. 2000 $449,000 ued support for WDS projects, including land acquisition, habitat 2001 $375,000 restoration, contract research proj- ects and staff. WDS projects are 2002 $392,400 funded by the following: A big thank you! 2003 $390,561 The Wildlife Diversity Section staff thank all Tax check-off and donations: individuals and organizations who have con- 2004 $492,907 Indiana income tax check-off tributed staff, time or financially to support its allows taxpayers to give all or part efforts! We are grateful for your support of 2005 $489,610 of their state refund to nongame nongame conservation.