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WEST BAY
WATERBIRD HABITAT ASSESSMENT
BACKGROUND
In the spring of 2000, Olympia Advance Planning began a planning process which resulted in the comprehensive plan and zoning code amendments for West Bay Drive. During that process, a number of habitat questions were raised which resulted in the Olympia City Council authorizing staff to scope out a habitat assessment for West Bay. Staff received input from a team of seven technical experts which helped to generate a range of budgets (high to low) and complementary scopes of work for a West Bay habitat assessment.
On June 12, 2001 the City Council authorized Olympia Advance Planning to prepare a "Limited Snapshot" for West Bay. The scope of work was limited to two tasks. The first task was to collect and catalog all the available habitat information for West Bay, much of which was generated for the 4th Avenue Bridge construction. Notebooks of this West Bay data were prepared with copies available at both Advance Planning and the Community Planning and Development Department.
The West Bay technical team indicated that waterbird and blue heron populations were a concern within this area, and they suggested an early investigation was warranted. So the second task of the "Limited Snapshot" was to collect new data about the waterbird and blue heron populations along West Bay.
ANALYSIS
Several consultants were contacted regarding this task and the City contracted with the firm of R.W. Morse Company to undertake the shorebird study. The project involved bi-weekly field surveys of the West Bay shoreline. This "U" shaped survey area extended south of Reliable Steel, to the Capitol Lake dam, then up the Port Peninsula to the Port Terminal. The geography of the survey area was limited to properties where shoreline access could be obtained.
The survey began in mid-October 2001 and extended to mid-June 2002 and accounted for 56 total surveys. Keith Brady was responsible for collecting the field data and was familiar with the West Bay area through the Christmas Bird Count with the Audubon Society. Bob Morse was the project manager and principal report author. He has also authored several books about bird watching in the Northwest. Their observations, findings, and conclusions are contained in the report titled the West Bay Habitat Assessment Final Report (2002), available for download at the bottom of this page.
A summary of the report conclusions are as follows:
- The 4th Avenue Bridge construction work is having a limited effect on the waterbirds that are now using West Bay. Great Blue Heron have moved their roosting location but they may return to their traditional roosting location along the hillside after the construction work is completed.
- A total of 39 species of waterbirds and 6 species of raptors were recorded during the survey period. The west side shoreline is the most utilized location for feeding and resting waterbirds. This is followed by the cove (south of Reliable Steel) and the Port lagoon.
- The diversity and number of species of waterbirds in West Bay has declined dramatically over the last 15 years. Five (5) species have had stable numbers during this period and seven (7) species have actually increased in numbers. Twelve (12) species have decreased in numbers and another six (6) species are no longer seen in the study area. So, the number of species on the decline is over twice that of those on the increase.
- It would be helpful to better understand what is causing these declines. We know that some waterbird species have had a general population decline. The answer to the question of "causes" is not addressed in this assessment, but may be associated with changes to the food web, climate, or water quality.
- The use of the west shoreline of West Bay from the 5th Avenue Bridge north to Reliable Steel still attracts waterbirds, some of which nest along the shoreline. This habitat is unique in downtown Olympia. If the shoreline is developed or changed so that there is more human presence in this area, then it is likely that the use of West Bay by waterbirds will decline further, unless steps are taken to minimize the impact on waterbirds.
- It is suggested that a waterbird and raptor species survey be conducted for most of the area of West Bay from Reliable Steel north to Dunlop Towing since this is the area that is likely to be developed in the future.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Project Manager: Steven W. Morrison, Senior Planner
Olympia Advance Planning
(360) 956-7575
Contractor: Bob Morse, Owner
R.W. Morse Company
(360) 943-8600
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