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Welcome to WildBytes, the e-letter distributed by the Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP) on behalf of its Program Partners the B.C. Ministry of Environment, BC Hydro and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
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Firewood or Wildlife Tree?
If you’re gathering firewood this fall, avoid cutting down trees that might be home to one of more than 90 different species. So-called “wildlife trees” are used by cavity nesters such as Woodpeckers or Owls. Osprey and Great Blue Herons may also perch atop dead trees. So, before you start your chainsaw, take a close look at the dead tree or snag and make sure it’s not a wildlife tree.

Learn more at www.wildlifetree.org
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Kokanee Spawners Deposit 50+ Million Eggs  
This fall, kokanee spawners deposited more than 50 million eggs in the Meadow Creek (40+ million) and Hill Creek (10+ million) Spawning Channels located on Kootenay Lake and on the upper Arrow Lakes Reservoir respectively. The goal of both channels, which are managed jointly by the Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program and B.C. Ministry of Environment, is to build healthy kokanee populations by replacing spawning habitat flooded or blocked by dam construction. Fisheries biologists are pleased with the number


of healthy adult spawners and the forecast is promising for the fry that will emerge from the gravel next spring. Egg- to-fry survival rates in spawning channels typically exceed those in a “natural” environment which is usually less than 15%. In spring 2007, the egg-to-fry survival at the Hill Creek Spawning Channel was more than 50%. Find out more about 2007 spawners and egg-to-fry survival rates.
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    Volunteers “Double” the Fish Habitat  
 
Volunteers from the Deer Park Recreation Society and the West Kootenay Fly Fishing Club recently cleared a log jam on Deer Creek near Castlegar. This allowed kokanee spawners to migrate upstream and access another 940 metres of habitat. This work doubled the available habitat in the creek which was used in 2007 by about 7,000 spawning kokanee. This work, as well with upstream habitat restoration work completed previously, was funded by the FWCP.
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    Making Room for Native Vegetation  
    With funding from the FWCP, the Friends of the Lardeau River, cut down burdock and thistle on the Duncan-Lardeau Flats Wildlife Area at the north end of Kootenay Lake. Cutting these invasive weeds before they flower will reduce their spread and that should help restore native vegetation on these conservation properties. More native vegetation means more and better forage for a host of wildlife species from ungulates to waterfowl.
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 Osprey “Chick Flicks” Online
The Osprey webcam has been taken down for the season but you can still view the best of the “chick flicks” at www. fwcp.ca. Download the videos and see the Osprey chicks just a few days old and feeding on fish. The Osprey nest and webcam were located in the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area.

Photo: Kootenay Wireless
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    Eurasian Water Milfoil  
    With funding from FortisBC, the FWCP recently hosted a workshop to help increase awareness about Eurasian water milfoil. This invasive weed is starting to show up in local waterways. Dense mats of Eurasian water milfoil shade out native aquatic plants and interfere with recreational activities such as fishing, swimming and boating. In ponds and small lakes Eurasian water milfoil can alter the water quality and kill fish by reducing the amount of oxygen in the water.
    Upcoming Information Sessions
Conservation Properties & Biodiversity		  
 
Conserving and managing land for wildlife values is one of the best ways to protect sensitive habitats. Find out more about the conservation properties in the Duncan - Lardeau area at the north end of Kootenay Lake and how they support biodiversity. A free public information session is scheduled for November 2007.
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    Please watch for advertisements in the Pennywise or email us and we will notify you with the date and time. Photo: T. Hill
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    Reptiles of the Southern Interior  
    Wildsight/EKES Creston Valley Branch is hosting "Reptiles of the Southern Interior," an info session by Wildlife Biologist Jakob Dulisse who has done extensive research on local reptiles on behalf of the Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program. Joining Jakob will be Lindsay Coulter from the David Suzuki Foundation who will be presenting on protecting B.C.'s biodiversity.

Date: Nov 13, 2007
Time: 7.00 p.m.
Place: Creston’s Rotocrest Hall next to the Rec. Centre
More info: Call Tanna, 428-5246 or email ecobaseball@shaw.ca

  
    Latest Fish & Wildlife Reports  
    The FWCP is constantly updating our free database of fish and wildlife reports. If you’re looking for information about local fish and wildlife check out our online reports. The newest reports are on everything from ungulates, riparian habitats, Northern Leopard Frog recovery, ecosystem restoration, Great Blue Herons and Bald Eagles.

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Conserving & enhancing fish & wildlife
affected by the construction
of BC Hydro dams in the
Columbia Basin since 1995