Inventory of Mammals (Excluding Bats) of George Washington Birthplace National Monument

Barry, Ronald; Dolbeare, Tressa

A survey of mammals (bats excluded) at George Washington Birthplace National Monument (GEWA) was conducted from 2002 to 2003 to document the presence of > 90% of the mammals in the park, describe their distributions and relative abundances, quantify habitat-specific species diversity, and provide recommendations for management and conservation. Surveys relied on live trapping with Sherman and Tomahawk traps for small to medium-size mammals, the use of pitfall traps to capture small shrews, direct observation of individuals and their sign (tracks, scats), and remote photography. We identified five principal habitats – grassland (fields), mixed deciduous-coniferous forest, pine plantations, logged areas (of mixed forest), and wetlands – and several less expansive habitats, and targeted locations for sampling. Twenty-one species of mammals were either captured or observed within GEWA, resulting in six new records (species) for the park. Altogether, six orders and 12 families of mammals are represented by these species. Including the new records, we documented 70% (21 of 30) of the species (excluding bats) predicted to occur and 75% (15 of 20) of those for which historical records exist. New species we recorded include the American least shrew (Cryptotis parva), southeastern shrew (Sorex longirostris), eastern harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys humulis), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), North American river otter (Lontra canadensis), and long-tailed weasel (Mustela frenata). The white-footed deermouse (Peromyscus leucopus) occupied all of the principal habitats and was the most abundant mammal in the park. Multiple individuals of two grassland specialists, the seldom captured least shrew and spottily distributed eastern harvest mouse, were captured. Also of note, river otters (or their sign) were observed in two locations, on the beach along the Potomac River and along the park’s eastern boundary at Popes Creek. Grasslands exhibited the greatest species diversity of small mammals, and logged areas exhibited the least diversity. The park supports a predictable assemblage of mammals given the diversity of habitats present. Habitat generalists, such as the white-footed deermouse, northern short-tailed shrew (Blarina brevicauda), Virginia opossum (Didielphis virginiana), raccoon (Procyon lotor), and white- tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), are widely distributed. Adequate quality and quantity of habitat exist to sustain populations of grassland specialists such as the least shrew, eastern harvest mouse, and meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus).

Inventory of Mammals (Excluding Bats) of George Washington Birthplace National Monument

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