Utopia: Heaven on Earth| Project 2 of 30

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By Lucy DeGrace

Utopia: an imaginary or indefinitely remote place, according to merriam-webster.com.  Synonyms: heaven, paradise.  During a recent sunny break in our rainy February it sure felt like heaven, as we strolled along the path in this grassy field-turned forested wetland, between side channels and marshes, listening to a cacophony of birds greeting the morning.

 A Skagit Land Trust property, the Utopia Conservation Area protects over 87 acres of creeks, wetlands, and forested habitat within the Skagit River floodplain.  It was acquired in 2012 and 2014 primarily to protect the salmon habitat found in Wiseman Creek/Black Slough and the Skagit River. Prior to Land Trust purchase, the land had likely been used for grazing and hay production. Plans for the property include restoration of the lowland forest and understory as seen in the numerous plantings done over the years. Management of invasive species, both plant and animal, are also a necessary part of the stewardship of Utopia.

Recently-planted evergreens amid a backdrop of mature alder and cottonwood along the slough

SFEG has been a partner in restoration at Utopia, over the years bringing hundreds of volunteers and students to the site for stewardship opportunities.  We’ve shared Earth Days, Junior Stream Stewards service field trips, and Saturday planting parties, and have developed a wonderful synergy in our partnership toward restoration.  Thousands of native plants have been planted over the years, and the varying ages of the restored areas are allowing a rich array of wildlife to make use of it.

Elk, deer, beaver, and coyote are among the mammals that frequent the area. Evidence of elk was apparent in the young trees that had been shredded by the bucks who rub the velvet from their antlers on these conveniently placed scratching posts.  Beaver presence was revealed in a severely damaged tree along the slough.

Abundant bird species and amphibians are attracted by the wetlands found on the property. The evergreen stands are great places to find owl pellets, compacted coughed-up bits of the owl’s latest meal. The Skagit Land Trust holds an annual amphibian monitoring volunteer training at this property, known for its varied and abundant frogs and salamanders.  Sadly, our visit was a few weeks too early to hear the Pacific tree frog, also known as the Pacific chorus frog.

This marsh becomes a nursery for thousands of frogs and salamanders each spring

What we did hear, when walking along Wiseman Creek/Black Slough were gregarious Steller’s jays feeding upon the berry-producing shrubs planted along the banks.  The ever-present red-winged blackbirds, American robins, and chickadees announced their presence in the dense vegetation along the water. Thickets of native willow and rose provide cover for these songbirds as they seek out insects and seeds.  Several wood duck boxes have been installed on trees along the water’s edge and are used every year.

As we prepared to depart, we were delighted by a bald eagle perched in a tree over the slough, and a few trumpeter swans softly announcing their presence as they flew overhead.  The variety and abundance of wildlife making their homes here is gratifying to see. Habitat restoration is about so much more than just salmon!

Low-impact public access is allowed, although biking, horseback riding and motorized vehicles are prohibited. At this time, fishing is allowed in season and with appropriate licenses. Learn more about this property at https://www.skagitlandtrust.org/properties/utopia.aspx

Riparian Restoration is for the Birds| Project 1 of 30

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By Lucy DeGrace

Beginning in about 2006, SFEG’s habitat restoration at Howard Miller Steelhead Park has consisted of stream channel restoration, installation of two footbridges, eradication of invasive plants, and thousands of native plants planted with the help of hundreds of volunteers.  Wandering clockwise along the loop trail (the Wetland Wildlife Trail on the park map) on a recent sunny dawn, chickadees and spotted towhees could be seen and heard busily chattering in the dense thicket of native shrubs along the Skagit River. 

Spotted towhee

Both species find insects, seeds, and berries to eat in the dense riparian corridor, and find sufficient cover from predators here.  Toward the west end of the loop trail, a sign created in 2007 draws attention to the resident bald eagles that nest nearby, and the populations that swell this time of year in response to abundant spawned-out salmon.

This day one eagle was heard, but none were seen. This late in the spawning season most eagles have by now moved downriver to the Skagit delta or Samish flats, dining on migratory waterfowl these days. 

As the meadow trails converge at a footbridge on the west end of the park, the trail moves through completely different habitat.  A footbridge built by SFEG field staff crosses a side channel which provides critical habitat for rearing juvenile salmonids including steelhead trout. 

Footbridge and side channel sign

Many people might not see this habitat as their classical idea of a salmon stream, but these calm waters provide refuge from floods, predators, and warm summer temperatures. As you can imagine, these waters are home to many birds a well. Nesting boxes for wood ducks were installed here as part of the restoration project.  Normally nesting in tree cavities, wood ducks will use nest boxes places in suitable locations if no natural cavities are available.  The nest boxes have been used every year for the past several years.  As the trail circles back toward the east, its location atop an old railway path (Skagit-Sauk Reach Trail on the park map) provides intermittent views of the side channel running parallel below. 

View of the side channel from the trail

On this walk, I saw no wood ducks, but I saw several scaup plying the waters of the side channel, diving for aquatic invertebrates and plants. 

Scaup (male)

Some of these invertebrates are also the food favored by juvenile salmonids. Across the trail the steep slope is dense with sword fern and mossy, lichen-draped mature evergreens.  

As the trail nears the park’s utility shed and the campground, there are places to reunite with the meadow trails, where this morning song sparrows were announcing their presence. These vocally gifted little guys find great cover in the understory and ample source of insects and seeds to feed on.  The raucous call of the Steller’s jay drew my attention to a party going on down the trail. The jay mingled with varied thrush and more spotted towhees and American robins in a gregarious party in and below an ancient apple tree.  As I approached to try and identify the fruit and the tree, I noticed hundreds, maybe thousands of small holes drilled into the tree trunk, as if by a drill and a steady hand.  No, these were the work of a sapsucker.  Maybe red-breasted, but no one came forward to take credit.  

The Party Tree

Thus concluded my early morning bird walk at Howard Miller. Between these birds, the bats who may (or may not) use the roost boxes we installed, the beaver evidenced along the riverbank, and the cougar that was recently sighted there, it’s apparent that riparian habitat is for everyone!

For more information about this park, and to download a trail map:

https://www.skagitcounty.net/Departments/ParksAndRecreation/parks/howardmiller.htm