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In Your Backyard... An ongoing series of articles that may be of interest to citizens of Tigard. You may be surprised by the things you find "in your backyard." It's Fishing Time 
May 2009Going Fishing? You could catch dinner right here in Tigard. Fish from a dock, a rock, or even a canoe and here's some fish you might find: Trout, like our native, non-migratory Cutthroat, thrive in anything from bog ponds to large lakes and rivers. Often confused with Rainbow trout, Cutthroats sport red, pink, or orange marks under their lower jaw. Cutthroats and Rainbows do interbreed, which results in even more colorful hybrids termed "Cut-Bow Trout". Bass, both smallmouth and largemouth, prefer clear quiet water with good hiding spots.
Sculpins are bottom feeders found in a variety of unusual shapes and sizes. All have sharp spines, and most have large teeth. These prehistoric fish can even live for several hours out of water. Not good for eating, sculpins can be used as bait fish. But handle with care, their spines are venomous and can inflict painful stings! Common Carp are close relatives to goldfish and Koi, though they are a plain brown, habitat blending color. Carp are considered "rough fish", (a slang term for species less popular to eat), because they can negatively affect food and water quality for fish like bass and trout. This because they "root around", which disturbs vegetation and muddies water. For fishing and license information, please visit the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Profile of a Bloodsucker 
April 2009Knowing your enemies is the best way to defeat them, so check out this helpful biography on mosquitoes!
Create a Wildlife Habitat March 2009 
Spring is on its way! Plan your backyard wildlife habitat today. It gives the entire family a place to observe nature close-up and rehabilitates areas changed by development. Need ideas?Crafty Snacks: Birds and squirrels will love these tasty treats.
Whimsical: Glue a teacup to a saucer, drill holes in the edge of the saucer, and hang. Natural: Chip or carve a bowl shape out of the middle of a chunk of firewood.
Squirrels February 2009 There are five species of native squirrels in the Portland Metro area, but currently two non-native species dominate the habitat—the Fox Squirrel and the Eastern Grey Squirrel. Both are cinnamon colored with a tan belly. Native Western Grey Squirrels are grey with white bellies. 
Adult squirrels needs to eat about a pound of food a week, favoring nuts, seeds,
grain, and fruit. Backyard squirrels also enjoy snacking on flower bulbs and
garden vegetables. As cute as they are, don’t feed squirrels by hand. Their eyes are on the side of their head, they can’t see what is in front of their mouth. A finger feels about the same as a shelled nut! Those big bushy tails are used for balance as they run and leap about. They use scent markers in their feet to “claim” territory that spans one to seven acres. Squirrels hide food throughout their territory in case of theft. The squirrels in our area are nest builders who use twigs and leaves and line the inside with fur, feathers, and other soft material. Once the leaves fall from the trees it is easy to spot a nest—it looks like a huge clump of leaves stuck in the branches. Fun Facts:
For more information, visit: www.audubonportland.org/backyardwildlife. Herons, Egrets, Ducks, Hawks and more... November 2008  Tigard’s Fanno Creek Trail offers exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities. Citizens report seeing wildlife that includes ducks, pond turtles, great white egrets, and more. As a wild place, the Fanno Creek greenway is a ribbon of precious habitat and open space that winds through the middle of the city. Take time to visit this urban oasis. Great Blue Herons are frequently seen fishing in the pond behind City Hall. This shy giant likes the quiet and is usually solitary. If your landscaping includes a water feature or koi pond, you may be visited by this prehistoric-looking bird in search of an easy meal. This summer the less common and smaller Green Heron was spotted behind city hall by a sharp-eyed birdwatcher. Green Herons tend to be secretive and crouch in the shadows waiting for fish.  Kingfishers dive headfirst from prominent outlooks and make a loud clattering rattle. Rufous and Anna’s Hummingbirds are regular inhabitatants along Fanno Creek. They are some of the world’s smallest birds and feed on native plants like red flowering currant as well as gnats and mosquitoes. Did you know that female hummingbirds build their nests using thistle down, lint, and carpet fibers and then “glue” it all together using spider webs? Red-tailed Hawks are common along Fanno Creek. They are usually seen perched atop a tree surveying the open space for small rodents. Flashy Great White Egrets have also been observed slowly moving with neck extended through shallow water looking for aquatic prey. Wood Ducks make their home in both tree cavities and man-made nest boxes. Their diet includes plant foods typically found in wetlands such as underground tubers, seeds and a variety of plants. Learn More! Check out your local library for even more information on wildlife that is in your backyard!! Coyotes October 2008 
At first glance, the coyote looks like a small German shepherd with a shorter, bushier tail.
Coyotes are curious but timid animals and will generally run away if challenged. Sightings of
coyotes are most common just after sunset and before sunrise. As habitat shrinks,
complaints about these highly adaptable creatures increase. The Truth of the Matter Neither Tigard nor Washington County Animal Control have programs for managing the coyote population. The Oregon State Police Fish & Wildlife Division protect and enforce wildlife laws and habitat. If you have questions or concerns about coyotes, you can contact them at osp.fwd@state.or.us or by phone at 503-378-3720. Coyotes are extremely wary, making them difficult to capture. Their sense of smell is remarkable, and their senses of sight and hearing are exceptional. Traps and poisons frequently capture and/or kill domestic animals or wildlife other than coyotes. If a coyote approaches you, wave your arms, throw stones, and shout. The idea is to convince the coyote that you are not prey, but a potential danger. Do Your Part Prevention is the best tool for minimizing conflicts with coyotes and other wildlife. We suggest the following strategies:
Download the fact sheet here. |
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