2009-2010 Annual Report - Alabama Department of Conservation ...

Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division
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laughing gulls. Working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
dredge disposal activities were coordinated so as not to affect
nesting birds. Additionally, six routes of the Breeding Bird
Survey were conducted as a contribution to the continentalwide
monitoring of neotropical and other resident nesting
bird species. Assistance was again provided to the Coastal Bird
Conservation program in efforts to document breeding pairs
of Wilson and snowy plovers and American oystercatchers. In
addition to planned surveys, added surveys were undertaken
to begin the assessment of possible damage resulting from the
BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Surveys for
secretive marsh birds were performed on five set routes along
coastal marshes of south Mobile County. Surveys were part of a
region-wide Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) plan.
Also, surveys as part of another NRDA work plan were initiated
to assess the rate of oiling on non-breeding shorebirds along
coastal Alabama.
Several wildlife biologists have and continue to participate
on various NRDA committees and/or working groups. Various
species, animal group, or habitat plans have been developed or
are in the planning stage.
Twenty-four Alabama caves were surveyed and/or searched for
T/E bat species. Biologists also continued a general survey of
Alabama bats at selected sites. Nongame Program personnel
served on the Alabama Bat Working Group committee and
assisted with the completion of the Alabama White-nose
Syndrome Management Plan. Twenty caves were selected for
surveys for the presence of white-nose syndrome in hibernating
bats. Nongame personnel participated in the surveys.
Wildlife biologists participated in two National Audubon Society
Christmas Bird Counts, Dauphin Island and Mobile-Tensaw
Delta, coordinating and compiling the Mobile-Tensaw Delta
Count.
The Division received $357,799 in federal funds for projects
on fish and wildlife species eligible for funding under Section
6 of the Endangered Species Act. Those funds were shared
by the Wildlife and Fisheries Sections with approximately
one-half the total allocated to projects administered by the
Wildlife Section. Population and status surveys for the gray
bat, red-cockaded woodpecker, manatee and Alabama redbellied
turtle are examples of projects made possible by those
funds. Implementation of a Safe Harbor Plan for red-cockaded
woodpeckers continued for the state of Alabama through
Section 6 funding.
Captive breeding and re-introduction of the indigo snake began
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in 2007 through a State Wildlife Grant project in cooperation
with Auburn University and other state, federal, and private
organizations. Our nongame wildlife biologists play an integral
role in this project. 2010 was the first year of this multi-year
project in which juvenile indigo snakes were released into
the wild on the Conecuh National Forest. In support of the
release of captive indigo snakes at the Conecuh National Forest
informative signage was drafted and submitted for production.
Signs will alert the public to the presence of indigo snakes and
encourage tolerance of the species.
Since removal of the bald eagle from the Threatened and
Endangered Species List in 2007, every known Alabama bald
eagle nest was not monitored for productivity and survivorship.
Biologists continued to record any newly discovered or reported
eagle nests and biologists also monitored the number of bald
eagles overwintering in Alabama as part of the nationwide
2010 Mid-Winter Bald Eagle Survey. The number of bald eagles
wintering in Alabama remains stable.
One thousand two hundred twenty-five man-days were
devoted to providing technical assistance to private landowners,
corporations, hunting clubs and government agencies.
Biologists made on-site inspections, reviewed plans and
provided recommendations for effective wildlife management.
The Cooperative Deer Management Assistance Program
included 143 landowners and hunting clubs covering more than
356,158 acres.
The alligator harvest area expanded and the tagging program
was modified in southeastern Alabama but remained the same
in the southwestern area. The hunts went well in both areas. The
program is being evaluated for possible expansion next year.
Several staff developed a nuisance wildlife manual. The manual
will aid staff members when dealing with calls regarding
nuisance wildlife as well as dealing directly with the animals.
Providing landowners and land managers technical assistance
to help them implement strategies to improve wildlife habitat
on their lands continued to grow in importance. An innovative
partnership continued with the Natural Resources Conservation
Service (NRCS) to help private landowners obtain better wildlife
management advice and to better deliver farm bill programs
to landowners. Under a cost share agreement, WFF Wildlife
Biologists worked out of NRCS offices and worked with NRCS
personnel to deliver the programs. Three WFF Wildlife Biologists
currently work in this partnership program. Biologist met with
landowners statewide and developed conservation plans and
contracts. Biologists participated in numerous workshops, tours,
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ALDCNR 09-10 Annual Report