By Rob Cavallaro, wildlife biologist

During spring in Teton Valley, stunning mountain views are accentuated by sounds of whistling curlews, drumming grouse, and winnowing snipe. The mountain views will likely persist, but our wild neighbors need space with water and robust vegetation to persevere. The first step to preserve a viable wildlife heritage in Teton Valley is protecting properties with important habitat. Once properties are protected, it is desirable to better characterize habitat and quantify wildlife use of them, so that stewardship can move in the right direction for landowners and wildlife.

In Spring 2001 TRLT contracted biologists from Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) in Driggs, to conduct waterfowl surveys on 10 selected properties in Teton Valley. Biologists searched for duck hens with broods at each property and determined species, age of the young ducklings, and number in the brood. Biologists also made observations on habitat use by duck hens with broods. Data from these surveys may identify important waterfowl nurseries, and allow TRLT and landowners to better protect them. In addition to collecting information on duck broods, surveyors also recorded information on habitat condition of each property.

Many of the properties surveyed are lower stream reaches (including their confluence with the Teton River) in Teton Valley. These properties have great value to waterfowl and wildlife in general for three reasons. First, existing vegetation (especially willows) on these properties provides cover for a variety of wildlife. Second, the lower stream reaches tend to have persistent surface water, even when upstream reaches are dry, due to the influence of spring-fed tributaries. This is especially critical to duck hens with broods. Third, their location and character allow connectivity to larger habitats such as the Teton River.

Two constructed ponds on protected properties were also surveyed. Ponds provide important waterfowl and wildlife habitat not available along stream reaches. These include open water, which benefit migrating waterfowl, and large marsh zones, which are attractive to nesting and brooding ducks.

The final survey report is pending, but results show most of the properties are utilized by duck broods to some degree and that Woods Creek, Spring Creek, and Foster Slough are of particular importance. These protected properties have other extraordinary wild occupants including bald eagle, long-eared owl, long-billed curlew, yellow-headed blackbird, common yellowthroat, moose, mink, beaver, chorus frog, cutthroat trout and many others.