Warner Mountains Transect Survey -- 2006 Report

In August of 2006, biologists from San Jose State University resurveyed Warren Peak the highest and southerly most site of the 1910 “Warner Mountain Transect”. Following the same protocol as the Lassen and Yosemite Transects, this site was visited on approximately the same dates, the same trapping location, and used similar trapping methods as in 1910. According to GPS coordinates (in 2006, N41.38463 ° W120.21592° WGS 84 elev. 8905ft) the trapping locations wervery close to those trapped in 1910. For five days the SJSU team trapped in the same habitat types, meadow and white bark pine forest, as the 1910 team, inventorying the small mammals. As part of this year’s survey the team also completed vegetation analyses of the trapping locations and documented the area with photographs similar to those taken in 1910.

The resurvey of Warren Peak yielded many of the same mammals that were surveyed in 1910. However, one major difference was that there were no signs of Pika (Ochotona princeps) anywhere; even though the MVZ has records of them at this locality from the 1910 expedition and the talus slopes seemed to still provide ideal habitat. The only mammals observed using the talus slopes were chipmunks (Neotamias amoenus) and Douglas tree squirrels (Tamiasciurus douglasii). Small mammals caught in the meadows and white bark pine forest included Peromyscus maniculatus, Microtus montanus, Tamiasciurus douglasii, Zapus princes, Sorex spp., Neotamias amoenus, and Spermophilus lateralis. Spermophilus beldingi were present and photos were taken even though trapping yielded no captures. Mule deer, coyote, and signs of badger were also present in very small numbers. It is noted that badgers were present and trapped by Bryant, Stern and Taylor in 1910 and then according to NFS biologists were not present for some time and have recently begun to reappear (Mary Flores and Edith Asrow 2006 pers. comm.).