I'd be interested in reading any reports of sightings of Spotted Skunks -
Spilogale gracilis in western Washington and the habitat they were in.

As I go through the lists of local native organisms to figure out which
would have been present or more common in my area in the past and might be
helped by habitat restoration / enhancement and which are still frequent and
don't need help, I got to the Western Spotted Skunk. I've never spotted one
dead or alive and I don't remember getting anyone giving me reports of them
(and I get a lot of people's wildlife reports). While it occurs in western
Washington, records seem "spotty", but apparently most are for the Olympic
Peninsula, especially in old growth. It seems that contiguous wilder
habitat without many roads (and cars) crossing it and good cover of logs,
rocks, shrubs or brush are critical factors.

For those of you presently primarily focused on birds, they are reportedly a
prey species for Great Horned Owls and a predator of eggs.

This link has some of the best and most comprehensive information on the
species that I could find:
http://www.science.smith.edu/departments/Biology/VHAYSSEN/msi/pdf/674_Spilog
ale_gracilis.pdf

This study for western Washington and western Oregon has some better local
information, but a lot of overlapping info:
http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/pubs/journals/pnw_1996_carey003.pdf

Easier information for a wider audience with a good color photo:
http://www.lioncrusher.com/animal.asp?animal=218

Stewart Wechsler
Ecological Consulting
West Seattle
206 932-7225
ecostewart at quidnunc.net

-Advice on the most site-appropriate native plants
and how to enhance habitat for the maximum diversity
of plants and animals
-Educational programs, nature walks and field trips
-Botanical Surveys