Figure 1. Locations of camera stations on the White House Farm Foundation and EMJ Farm properties from Dec. 18, 2017 through Mar. 29, 2018.

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1 Virginia Tech Eastern Spotted Skunk Research Project White House Farm Foundation Luray, VA Final Report May 29, 2018 Principal Investigators: Emily D. Thorne, (Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA) W. Mark Ford (U.S. Geological Survey, Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit and Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA) This project began in December 2017 with Virginia Tech and the U.S. Geological Survey Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit following the establishment of camera surveys in selected areas of the White House Farm Foundation and EMJ Farm properties in Luray, VA. Camera sites were established at three locations on the WHFF property and one location on the EMJ property. Cameras traps were deployed from December 18, 2017 through March 29, 2018 (Figure 1). Camera trap stations consisted of one Bushnell Trophy Cam remote sensing camera attached to a tree < 0.5 meters above ground level. Raw chicken enclosed in a suet cage was wired to a second tree approximately 2 to 3 meters in front of the camera. Cameras were checked approximately every two weeks to replace SD cards, refresh bait, and to ensure proper function of the camera. Camera stations were located in a wooded area within 25 meters of a water source (camera 1: pond, cameras 2-4: Shenandoah River) but also in close proximity to open grassy fields to ensure maximum exposer to species using all nearby habitat types. Though camera trap stations were designed to attract the focal species of this survey, eastern spotted skunks (Spilogale putorius), a large biodiversity of mesocarnivore, herbivore, and avian species was detected (Table 1). The most common carnivore species detected were raccoon (Procyon lotor), striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), and Virginia opossum (Didelphis viginiana). These species, along with white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginanus), frequently occurred at all four cameras. Coyote (Canis lupis), Domestic cat (Felis cattus), and American mink (Neovison vison) were the least common carnivores detected. A surprising number and variety of avian species were captured on camera, most of which were actively investigating or consuming the bait, the most common being barn owl (Tyto alba) and blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata). In several instances more than one species was detected together. Species pairs included raccoon-striped skunk, raccoon-opossum, striped skunk-opossum, and blue jay-northern flicker. Despite our extended effort, no spotted skunks were detected at any of the four cameras. Spotted skunk sightings have been reported in nearby areas including the George Washington National Forest and the Shenandoah Nation Park. We suspect the lack of spotted skunk

2 detections in the surveyed area may be attributed to the location of the camera stations in relation to the Shenandoah River. It is possible that the river creates a natural barrier to dispersal which would prevent spotted skunks from expanding their movements from nearby forested areas into the Shenandoah Valley. An expanded survey covering more area on either side of the Shenandoah River would provide insight into the potential effects of natural barriers on spotted skunk movement patterns. Figure 1. Locations of camera stations on the White House Farm Foundation and EMJ Farm properties from Dec. 18, 2017 through Mar. 29, 2018.

3 Table 1. Species detected at four baited camera stations on WHHF and EMJ properties from Dec. 18, 2017 through Mar. 29, Species detected Camera 1 Camera 2 Camera 3 Camera 4 Carnivores Raccoon Striped skunk Red fox Virginia opossum Coyote American mink Domestic cat Herbivores White-tailed deer Eastern cottontail Gray squirrel Rodent spp. Avian Blue jay Tufted titmouse Owl* Carolina wren Cardinal American robin Northern flicker Mourning dove *Owl species not able to be identified with certainty due to poor photo quality; either a barred owl or barn owl. We would like to thank the White House Farm Foundation for providing us the opportunity to survey this property. Additionally, we would like to thank Chris Anderson for her assistance with the initiation of this study.

4 Photos from the Eastern Spotted Skunk Survey on WHFF and EMJ Farm Two raccoons Two striped skunks

5 Cam Raccoon and striped skunk Eastern cottontail

6 Coyote White-tailed deer

7 Red fox Virginia opossum

8 Domestic cat Blue jay and northern flicker

9 American Mink Owl (species uncertain, either barred or barn owl)