10-2-13 Field Note

10-2-13 Field Note

October 2, 2013

Jeff Clarke's Field Note shows road rehabilitation, reed canary grass control, and aspen exclosures.

Snowy Bitterroot Mountains

This spring, Mike Henning and crew tackled the gnarled road systems that lead to the top of the mountain and to Wire Spoon Junction. They re-contoured slopes, added drainage ditches, put down gravel, and widened the roads.

A result of the road restoration project is barren slopes adjacent to the roads. Bare slopes like these are a vector for invasive weeds. This week, the crew spread seed (wheat, sainfoin, and native grasses and forbs) on the slopes and covered it with native hay to keep the weeds from colonizing.

A layer of hay on the slopes increases soil moisture, reduces erosion, and encourages germination. The hay, grown for restoration purposes, is packed with native seed as well.

The sunflower fields are packed with ripened seeds. Flocks of birds have found the bounty; however, the ungulates are a bit late to find the pockets of protein. Once they find them, they won’t last long. The sporadic blooms of roadside annual sunflowers have already been devoured by mule deer.