Maybe there is hope

I heard a rumor the other day that a western pond turtle had been spotted near where we are living (I'm withholding exact location information as this is a sensitive species and you never know who's reading these blogs). This is great news for George and I! The western pond turtle is one of only two native turtle species found in Oregon. Range maps show no turtles what-so-ever in this section of northwest Oregon even though historically the western pond turtle may have been here. It seems that the species is declining all across it's range so the possibility that it may be in the area is very exciting. Of course, there's always the concern that the turtle spotted was incorrectly identified and was one of those exotic red ear sliders escaped from somebody's fish tank. George and I will need to investigate....