Tweeters,
This WDFW request below indicates the start of the information-gathering process for these species. If you have relevant information on any of them, please send that info to the email address noted or to Taylor Cotten directly via snail mail. As a note: the Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse was uplisted from "threatened" to "endangered" about 3 years ago. Yellow-billed Cuckoo is still carried on the rolls, but may be extirpated in Washington. If anyone has a valid sighting in the past few years of the cuckoo, that would be especially noteworthy to send in to Taylor.

Note that this phase of the process continues until January 2023, so any sightings or information you have on any of the species during this year would definitely be helpful.

Thanks, andd may all your birds be identified,

Denis DeSilvis
Member, WDFW Wildlife Diversity Advisory Council
avnacrs 4 birds at outlook dot com

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


WDFW begins status reviews, seeks information on 14 wildlife species

OLYMPIA - The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is seeking updated information for 14 wildlife species as part of a periodic review of species that are state-listed as endangered, threatened, or sensitive.

WDFW will accept public comments through January 2023 on the 14 species, which include three species of sea turtles, five species of whales, sea otter, pygmy rabbit, fisher, yellow-billed cuckoo, and Columbia sharp-tailed grouse. A full list of the species is available on WDFW's website<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwdfw.wa.gov%2Fspecies-habitats%2Fat-risk%2Fstatus-review&data=04%7C01%7C%7C8cfb17212c12484efa9e08d9e0695c84%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637787565391306609%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=4oYvtd3q6cVCmga08869MiV5wYhwUdZ0RBMRGSblgA8%3D&reserved=0>.

The comment period is part of a process to update status reports for each species and determine whether the species warrants its current listing designation or should be reclassified or delisted.

WDFW is specifically looking for information regarding:

* Species demographics
* Habitat conditions
* Threats and trends
* Conservation measures that have benefited the species
* New data collected since the last status review for the species

"Public input is an essential part of the periodic status review process," said Taylor Cotten, WDFW conservation assessment manager. "Your input will help us assess the current classification of these species and whether a different status should be recommended."

Following the status review, Department staff will brief the Fish and Wildlife Commission and any changes to species classification would be accomplished through public rule making process.

The public may submit written comments at via email to<mailto:TandEpubliccom at dfw.wa.gov>, or by mail to Taylor Cotten Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, P.O. Box 43200, Olympia, WA 98504-3200.

Department staff will post updated status reports to WDFW's website as they are completed. WDFW will solicit additional public comment if it proposes to change a species' status after concluding its review. Updated status reports on those species will be posted online<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwdfw.wa.gov%2Fspecies-habitats%2Fat-risk%2Fstatus-review&data=04%7C01%7C%7C8cfb17212c12484efa9e08d9e0695c84%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637787565391306609%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=4oYvtd3q6cVCmga08869MiV5wYhwUdZ0RBMRGSblgA8%3D&reserved=0> as they are completed.

The public will be invited to comment on several more endangered, threatened, or sensitive species in the coming years as WDFW conducts reviews.