At the end of September, 10 hearty wildlife trackers braved wind and many inches of rain to have their skills evaluated and certified by Mark Elbroch and myself along the Columbia River and in the Oregon Coast range. Here are a few highlights from the evaluation.
Garth Oldman inspects the work of a black bear who bit and ripped the bark off of this western red cedar tree. Such activity is typical scent marking behavior of bears. Oregon Coast Range.
The distinctive circular opening and fine toothmarks of a deer mouse feeding on Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana) acorns. Found in a space under a fallen log along the Columbia River, downstream from Portland Oregon.
The scapula and humerus of a male sea lion found on Deer Island in the Columbia River. Male sea lions swim up the Columbia River to feed on salmon where they converge at fish passages below the first dam on the river.
The unusual track pattern of a coyote missing one of its front feet. Note the circular imprint of the leg without the foot just to the left of a plant. The tracks of a raccoon can be found to the left of the coyote.
Despite very challenging field conditions due to the weather, eight Level III certificates were awarded during this evaluation and one Level I certificate. For a complete list of certified wildlife trackers in North America click here.
