Year two of the three-year timbering project at State Game Land 314 in northwestern Erie County is leaving the Pennsylvania Game Commission-owned property unrecognizable in many places.
That was the plan all along.
The ongoing lumbering and habitat management project at State Game Lands 314 in western Erie County is about to resume.
UPDATE June 25: As of June 24, work had not commenced.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Shayne A. Hoachlander said the project on 800 acres is intended to improve habitat for American woodcock, blue-winged warblers and other shrub-associated birds. About 300 acres were completed in 2011.
“Although the target is shrub associated birds, deer and turkeys stand to benefit greatly,” said Hoachlander, a land management group supervisor. “This project will stimulate a lot of browse production within reach of deer and also stimulate soft mast production and cover.”
In other Northwest Region game lands news:
LMGS Jeffery T. Kendall said there are multiple projects going on with habitat management in Lawrence and Butler counties. “Most obvious to the hunter will be large blocks, some more than 30 acres, of dead vegetation,” he said. “These areas have had herbicide applied to kill the invasive species of shrubs. Large areas of multiflora rose, autumn olive and honeysuckle have been treated in an attempt to get back the native species of shrubs and trees. These invasive species take over areas and crowd out the native plants that are good for wildlife and the habitat. Hunters will go to these SGLs this fall and hopefully be pleasantly surprised at all the hard work and money that has been spent to control these invasive species on many areas on the SGLs.”
LMGS Mario L. Piccirilli reports his Food and Cover Corps crews has been maintaining road and culverts , stocking spring breeder pheasants and maintaining equipment. “The Food and Cover Corps crews also have been operating the upland vegetation cutter which controls invasives and promotes shrub release on SGLs,” he said. “Other projects include spreading lime and fertilizer over food plots on SGLs in preparation of planting season.”
Clarion/Jefferson Counties LMGS George J. Miller reports that 37.32 acres of warm-season grasses will be established, 70.14 acres of native and beneficial shrubs will be planted, and 21.48 acres of non-commercial timber will be cut through the cooperation of seven private landowner enrolled in the agency’s Hunter Access Program who took advantage of the VPA/Hip (Volunteer Public Access/Habitat Improvement Program).
Miller reports that several volunteer projects have recently taken place on Clarion County gamelands to promote beneficial habitat and to clean up the environment. “The Clarion University Bios Club recently pick up roadside litter along Bigley Road on SGL 72, and constructed and placed 21 new bluebird boxes on this same SGL,” he said. “The Allegheny Northwoods Chapter of the RGS planted over 1,400 beneficial trees and shrubs on SGL 330 in an area recently designated to be managed as shrub habitat. The pines in this mix were planted to provide thermal-winter cover, and will be topped periodically to assure they remain low to the ground. By completing this practice, they will remain most beneficial to wildlife in the critical winter months.”
Presque Isle State Park, Erie Bluffs State Park, Little Elk Creek forest and Roderick Wildlife Reserve will get protection from invasive species and restoration and enhancement of wetlands and upland habitat through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
Ducks Unlimited and other partners will work on 392 acres at the four locations within the Lake Erie watershed.
“This project is representative of the tremendous opportunity to restore wildlife habitat, water quality, and quality of life in the Lake Erie watershed,” said Kurt Anderson, DU regional biologist. “Specifically, this project will engage a variety of partnerships to restore and enhance diverse areas of shoreline, emergent wetlands, sand barrens and sand plains, forested habitats, and will reduce the threat from aquatic and terrestrial invasive species.”
Sustain Our Great Lakes provided $632,603 in funding, and the Atlantic Coast Joint Venture awarded $101,858.
“This area is a real gem,” said U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-3rd Dist. “Controlling invasive species improves habitat for wildlife, and it benefits the community by maintaining local game fish such as walleye and yellow perch. It’s a major recreational hub and generates a lot of economic activity.”
Work on the project is expected to begin this summer.
Ever since the eagle nest at Presque Isle State Park went to shambles, it’s been rare to see an American bald eagle in or near the city of Erie proper.
The fine weekend weather made for a nice excuse to check on the status of the heron rookery and eagle nest site in western Erie County and a first chance to see State Game Lands 314 — aka Roderick Wildlife Preserve — shake off its winter garb.
If you’re planning a similar trip to the preserve, be aware that Childs Road is closed at its east and west ends. The bridge on the east side is out, and debris piles obstruct traffic there and at the western boundary.
