 Survival in the Matrix Two priority species of of birds live in North Creek Forest, Pileated woodpeckers and Band-tail pigeons. "A Pileated Woodpecker requires at least 250 acres of forest." - Cornell Lab of Ornithology Bird Biology Handbook How do these birds survive in the 64 acres of North Creek Forest? A simple answer: there are other forest remnants close by. Together they form a "matrix" greater than 250 acres and they are close enough for "commuting" between their nesting site and food sources.  Winter 2013: The matrix around North Creek Forest is diminished. Development and Ecosystems A matrix is fragile and, like a castle of cards, can fail with only slight disturbance. An element of the greater NCF Matrix fell this winter. It is to be expected. Residential growth in close proximity to jobs, education, shopping and entertainment is smart. Walk more, drive less. Walkable communities are essential to cutting back on fossil fuel use. But what about the matrix?  Development with North Creek Forest background and UW Wetlands foreground. There are 2 developments underway across the street from the UW Bothell/Cascadia CC campus. The matrix is under stress. Coyotes have disappeared. A rabbit population has exploded. Deer and rabbits are eating peoples gardens. These may be temporary disturbances or they could be permanent. Neighbors to the forest: please report any activity you observe involving deer, rabbits and coyotes. Absent? Present? Changes? Use the comment link above this article or reply to your "Forest Update" email.  An aquatic creature most of it's life... a North Creek Forest dragonfly. The Other Problem...
Puget Sound Warm, unfiltered, polluted surface water is harming streams and Puget Sound. Watershed elements like North Creek Forest help to keep salmon habitat healthy. Our local solution is to raise enough money to purchase the remaining parcels of North Creek Forest. Values are escalating. We are writing grant applications... lots of them, and a fundraiser will help cover our costs on August 25th. Please mark your calendar "FNCF Art Sale" More info to follow. Thanks, FNCF
4 Comments
Mary Farley
7/28/2013 12:29:35 pm
I don't live next to the forrest but I have rabbits. I have never had rabbits until the last 2 years. I am convinced it is related to construction and loss of habitat.
Dan Paquette
7/30/2013 01:32:18 pm
My land butts up against the forest in the 240th S.E. block (Snohomish County). I haven't seen coyotes for at least a year. I've never seen any deer. Last night, I saw a rabbit on 26th Drive which retreated into the forest. We've had at least one rabbit for perhaps 3-4 years. We've had two sitings of California Quail on 26th Drive in the past six months -- Once a family; once a pair of adults.
Ann Aagaard
7/30/2013 03:09:35 pm
Norway Hill. Unfortunately, one of the neighbors railed against coyotes with fear mongering-- danger to children, killing family cats, and raised $ to have the coyotes shot. We have had deer problems ( garden) since the clearing for the Bentley Development destroyed their habitat, now we are over run with rabbits as well as deer.
cathy ferbrache-garrand
8/15/2013 10:07:48 am
I live by Dan, one block off the forest's edge in Snohomish. I have seen two or three rabbits in the neighbor's yards this spring and summer. I have seen pileated woodpecker once this season at my feeder. It's amazing how animals adapt to shrinking habitat. I suppose they don't have much choice. Leave a Reply. |
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