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Western Gray Squirrel DRAFT Washington State Recovery Plan for the Western Gray Squirrel Mary J. Linders and Derek W. Stinson Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Wildlife Program 600 Capitol Way North Olympia, Washington 98501-1091 May 2006 In 1990, the Washington Wildlife Commission adopted procedures for listing and de-listing species as endangered, threatened, or sensitive and for writing recovery and management plans for listed species (WAC 232-12-297, Appendix B). The procedures, developed by a group of citizens, interest groups, and state and federal agencies, require preparation of recovery plans for species listed as threatened or endangered. Recovery, as defined by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is the process by which the decline of an endangered or threatened species is arrested or reversed, and threats to its survival are neutralized, so that its long-term survival in nature can be ensured. This is the Draft Washington State Recovery Plan for the Western Gray Squirrel. It summarizes the historic and current distribution and abundance of western gray squirrels in Washington and describes factors affecting the population and its habitat. It prescribes strategies to recover the species, such as protecting the population and existing habitat, evaluating and restoring habitat, potential reintroduction of squirrels into vacant habitat, and initiating research and cooperative programs. Target population objectives and other criteria for reclassification are identified. As part of the State’s listing and recovery procedures, the draft recovery plan is available for a 90-day public comment period. Please submit written comments on this report by 15 August 2006 via e-mail to [email protected] , or by mail to: Endangered Species Section Manager Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife 600 Capitol Way North Olympia, WA 98501-1091 This report should be cited as: Linders, M. J., and D. W. Stinson. 2006. Draft Washington State Recovery Plan for the Western Gray Squirrel. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia, Washington. 91 pages. Cover illustration by Darrell Pruett. May 2006-DRAFT ii Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES.............................................................................................................v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ...........................................................................................................................vi EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................vii PART ONE: BACKGROUND.....................................................................................................................1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................1 TAXONOMY ...............................................................................................................................................1 DESCRIPTION.............................................................................................................................................2 Similar species .....................................................................................................................................2 GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION...........................................................................................................4 North America ..........................................................................................................................................4 Statewide map of vegetation types that may contain western gray squirrel habitat.............................4 NATURAL HISTORY .................................................................................................................................7 Reproduction ............................................................................................................................................7 Survival and Sources of Mortality............................................................................................................8 Automobiles .........................................................................................................................................8 Disease .................................................................................................................................................8 Predation ..............................................................................................................................................9 Sport harvest.........................................................................................................................................9 Behavior .................................................................................................................................................10 Activity...............................................................................................................................................10 Diet .........................................................................................................................................................10 Nesting Structures and Use.....................................................................................................................11 Ecological Relationships ........................................................................................................................11 Ecological function ............................................................................................................................11 Competition with other native species ...............................................................................................12 Competition with introduced species .................................................................................................13 POPULATION DYNAMICS .....................................................................................................................14 Population Structure ...............................................................................................................................15 Life Span ................................................................................................................................................16 Population Density .................................................................................................................................16 Home Range ...........................................................................................................................................16 Dispersal and Seasonal Movements .......................................................................................................18 HABITAT REQUIREMENTS ...................................................................................................................19 Forest Types ...........................................................................................................................................19 Stand Characteristics ..............................................................................................................................20 Nest trees ................................................................................................................................................23 Proximity to water..............................................................................................................................23 Foraging habitat and factors affecting food availability.........................................................................24 POPULATION STATUS ...........................................................................................................................25 California................................................................................................................................................25 Oregon ....................................................................................................................................................25 Washington: Past ....................................................................................................................................25 Washington: Present...............................................................................................................................27 Klickitat surveys.................................................................................................................................28 Okanogan ...........................................................................................................................................30 Puget Trough......................................................................................................................................31 HABITAT STATUS...................................................................................................................................34 May 2006-DRAFT iii Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Past and Present......................................................................................................................................34 Current Ownership and Land Use ..........................................................................................................35 Klickitat..............................................................................................................................................36
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