Scott,

The Pacific Giant Salamander occurrence is pretty significant, especially in
a pond since they are normally in medium to high gradient streams. There are
very few records from near sea level but, interestingly, those that exist
are in the area you are talking about (as well as Willapa Bay). Most
populations are in the foothills and mountains where steeper gradient
streams are found. Maybe you lived near some small creeks in steep-sided
ravines? The ones you found were terrestrial forms, I presume?

Kelly McAllister


----- Original Message -----
From: "Scott Atkinson" <scottratkinson at hotmail.com>
To: <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, August 15, 2006 12:53 PM
Subject: [Tweeters] Subject: Re: Seattle vertebrates


> Tweeters:
>
> Don't know if present-day Shoreline fits the bill of within Seattle, and
> I'm a bit past the last ten year limit, but here goes. I grew up in Lake
> Forest Park and had occasion to make special efforts to find reptiles and
> amphibians, while also fishing a number of the lesser-known creeks across
> what is now called Shoreline, during the 1970s. For Allyn Weak's list, I
> found all but W. Rough-skinned Newt (although locally abundant in some
> lakes not far away) and W. Red-backed Salamander. Ensatina was the most
> common salamander then, pretty regular in rotting firewood piles (a
> preferred site) or under various debris in the forest. I remember finding
> Northwestern Salamander (Ambystoma gracile) at several sites in early
> spring. Once I was digging out the sediment buildup in one of the ponds
> we had at 18944 40th Place, and ended up accidentally injuring one of two
> huge (10"-12" long) Pacific Giant Salamanders (Dicamptodon ensatus)
> apparently accessing the muck via subterranean burrows. We nursed the one
> back to health before releasing.
>
> I found it difficult to find N. Alligator Lizards, but do recall that
> there were a couple sites near Shoreline CC and St. Luke's School. I
> never saw W. Fence Swift in the area, only recalling them from the s. end
> of the Toandos Peninsula near Quilcene. Among the mammalia, the only
> notable species I recall from Lake Forest Park was a N. Flying Squirrel
> that the cat brought in one evening; after release it scaled a tree and
> glided off.
>
> Scott Atkinson
> Lake Stevens
> mail to: scottratkinson at hotmail.com
>
>
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