Tweeters,
The WDFW just issued this info on the Oregon Vesper Sparrow. Please review the
periodic status review and send in your comments regarding this prairie species as indicated below. Thank you!

May all your birds be identified,
Denis

Denis DeSilvis
Chair, WDFW Wildlife Diversity Advisory Council
The Wildlife Diversity Advisory Council advises the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife on keeping common species common and recovering threatened, endangered, or sensitive species. The council also recommends approaches for developing and maintaining the social, political, and financial support necessary to conserve wildlife species diversity in Washington.

royhome at outlook.com
Roy, WA
________________________________
From: WDFW Public Affairs <do.not.reply at dfw.wa.gov>
Sent: Wednesday, May 20, 2020 15:16
To: Denis DeSilvis
Subject: WDFW News Release: Oregon Vesper Sparrow recommended for listing as endangered in Washington


WDFW NEWS RELEASE
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
1111 Washington St. SE, Olympia, WA 98501
http://wdfw.wa.gov/<https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwdfw.wa.gov%2F&data=02%7C01%7C%7C04c81fe3e1544f4b27ff08d7fd0b64dc%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637256097681915057&sdata=Ak%2FR8FhLMNcRVfofh%2Bm3Rih0OuUtPVwWqvuGs0mE5sE%3D&reserved=0>

May 20, 2020
Contacts: Taylor Cotten, (360) 902-2505
Jason Wettstein, (360) 704-0258

Oregon Vesper Sparrow recommended for listing as endangered in Washington;
WDFW seeking public comments on species' status report

OLYMPIA -; With a declining population and an estimate of just 300 left in the state, the Oregon Vesper Sparrow is struggling to maintain its foothold in Washington and the Pacific Northwest coast.

Decline in native prairie and savannah habitat and reduction of genetic diversity in remaining populationspose serious challenges to the continued viability of the species.

Today, WDFW wildlife managers are working with partners like Joint Base Lewis McChord, American Bird Conservancy and the Center for Natural Lands Management to oversee a strategy of prairie protection, banding, and monitoring to bring these birds back.

Large-scale loss of native prairie habitat likely played a major role in the decades-long decline of the population, which breeds in western Washington, western Oregon, and extreme northwestern California. The birds are present in the state from April to September.

Washington's population of about 300 individuals is found primarily at sites in Thurston and Pierce counties with a smattering more-;numbering only in the dozens-;estimated for both San Juan Island and islands in the lower Columbia River.

The birds once occupied breeding locations dispersed widely from southwestern British Columbia and the San Juan Islands through the southern Puget lowlands.

WDFW staff members are tentatively scheduled to report on the listing recommendation with the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission at its meeting on October 2. The commission is a citizen panel appointed by the governor to set policy for WDFW. For meeting dates and times, check the commission webpage at https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/commission <https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwdfw.wa.gov%2Fabout%2Fcommission&data=02%7C01%7C%7C04c81fe3e1544f4b27ff08d7fd0b64dc%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637256097681925051&sdata=MXJfAP5DLV3R%2FzFBL4jhcTGRL6o36dVRTr1d9ufIvXs%3D&reserved=0> .

The status report on the Oregon Vesper Sparrow listing recommendation is available on WDFW's publications website <https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwdfw.wa.gov%2Fpublications%2F02147&data=02%7C01%7C%7C04c81fe3e1544f4b27ff08d7fd0b64dc%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637256097681935048&sdata=gKfxaRHpCGzRIGwpQaMSfL1BzJ8BUv6GPT3SpyC3i5s%3D&reserved=0> , and the agency is welcoming review and comment on its findings.

The public can provide comment on the status report through August 17, 2020. Submit written comments on the report document via email to TandEpubliccom at dfw.wa.gov <mailto:TandEpubliccom at dfw.wa.gov> or by mail to Taylor Cotten, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, P.O. Box 43141, Olympia, WA 98504-3200.

In addition to Washington's state endangered status recommendation, the Oregon Vesper Sparrow is currently scheduled for review for listing under the Federal Endangered Species Act.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is the state agency tasked with preserving, protecting, and perpetuating fish, wildlife, and ecosystems, while providing sustainable fishing, hunting, and other recreation opportunities.

Forty-five species of fish and wildlife are listed for protection as state endangered, threatened or sensitive species in Washington today.

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