Ebey’s Landing National Historic Reserve amphibian inventory 2002-2003

Samora, Barbara; Layes, Michael; Lofgren, Rebecca

This document details amphibian inventories conducted at Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve (EBLA) as part of a larger effort to document amphibian species presence at five North Coast and Cascades Network (NCCN) parks: Mount Rainier National Park (MORA), EBLA, Lewis and Clark National Historical Site (LEWI), Fort Vancouver National Historic Site (FOVA), and San Juan Island National Historical Park (SAJH). Four parks, EBLA, FOCL, FOVA, and SAJH, had incomplete lists based on limited or undocumented data. Our primary goal was to meet the National Park Service Inventory and Monitoring program goal to better assess the status of species listed as “expected” but not confirmed in the parks and to document, to the 90% verification level, amphibian species found in these parks. Prior to this inventory, EBLA had no verified list of amphibians or reptiles occurring in the park, however additional searches of museum specimens and state records have not been completed. Our primary goal for EBLA was to search for the presence of expected species: Ensatina (Ensatina eschscholtzii); western red-backed salamander (Plethodon vehiculum); northern red-legged frog (Rana aurora); Oregon spotted frog (Rana pretiosa); American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus); Pacific treefrog (Pseudacris regilla); western toad (Anaxyrus boreas); northwestern salamander (Ambystoma gracile); long-toed salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum); and rough-skinned newt (Taricha granulosa). Inventories of reptiles were not targeted during this project; however they were documented when encountered and are reported in this document. This report provides an updated list of amphibian species present within EBLA. We describe the methods, results of the surveys, and discuss each species detected. The results include a summary of species documented at each survey site, information on species life stage and habitat, and maps showing spatial distribution of amphibians in the park. The appendices include more details on information documented in the inventory. Nineteen aquatic and 15 terrestrial surveys were conducted in 2002 and 2003, and an additional 10 incidental observations were recorded. A total area of 75,286 m2 was searched in 4,013 minutes, over 14 days. Although much of the Reserve is agricultural or urban, we documented six amphibian and two snake species (garter snakes). One turtle was observed but could not be identified to species. The forested areas, in particular, appear to have the most suitable habitat for amphibians. We did not find the western red-backed salamander. Although this species is common throughout Washington State, a State distribution map for red-backed salamander indicates no records for Whidbey Island. We found no perennial streams within the Reserve; consequently, stream dwelling amphibians are absent. Most of the ephemeral streams are highly impacted by agricultural activities and urban development. One drainage east of the Ebey’s Landing parking area was searched, but no amphibians were detected. Species names have been verified and updated as needed based on Crother (2008). Species absence is extremely difficult to determine and it is possible that some species recorded historically or occasionally but not detected during our survey efforts may still be present in the park. Additional surveys of targeted habitats and species should be conducted.

Ebey’s Landing National Historic Reserve amphibian inventory 2002-2003

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