West Seattle, Washington
09 Thursday
The report and photos were sent by Lynn Shimamoto of Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network:
Seal Sitters is happy to announce that three seal pups rescued from West Seattle beaches have been successfully returned to the wild.
Back in August, Zach Ward happened to see Seal Sitters responding to “Cascade” at Alki across from Starbucks, and he took this photo of the emaciated newborn. Cascade still had an umbilical stump and was estimated to be 2-3 days old. Knowing the pup would die without immediate help, Seal Sitters captured Cascade for treatment at SR3’s marine wildlife hospital in Des Moines.
(Photo of Cascade by Zach Ward)
Seal Sitters took two more pups to rehab because of unsafe conditions. “Piccolo,” another very young pup prematurely separated from her mother, was picked up at Lincoln Park. “Sprinter” kept hauling out at busy spots from Alki to Seacrest where she was harassed by a dog. On Tuesday, all three were deemed healthy enough to go back in the wild. SR3 released the trio at a secluded beach on Vashon Island, along with a fourth pup nicknamed “Maury.”
(Photo by Lynn Shimamoto – Cascade at top, Piccolo at bottom, Sprinter and Maury not pictured)
Seal Sitters is thrilled that these pups were nursed back to health and given another chance at life.
If you see a marine mammal on a local beach, or one offshore that appears to be in distress, please call Seal Sitters MMSN at 206-905-SEAL (206-905-7325).
MONDAY NIGHT: Thanks to Jacquelyn Crumpler for sending the video! Jacquelyn wrote, “Look what I found trying to figure out the dam by Dragonfly Park! This seemed to be the only one, but I only watched for 5 or so minutes.” A short guide to Longfellow Creek salmon-watching (including a map) is here; this creek has been less hospitable to salmon survival than Fauntleroy Creek because of factors including toxic urban runoff.
ADDED TUESDAY: John McIntyre also sends word of a salmon sighting and suggests the footbridge at Yancy Street (east of 28th) as a viewing spot.
(Photo and video by Palmer Richardson)
So far this salmon-watching season, volunteers have seen two spawners – on separate occasions – in Fauntleroy Creek. So they’ve decided to host an “open creek” for the community on Saturday afternoon (when the weather should be MUCH calmer than today). Here’s the invitation, sent by Judy Pickens:
Volunteers with the Fauntleroy Watershed Council will host an all-ages open creek on Saturday noon-3 pm in lower Fauntleroy Creek. Stroll on over to the fish ladder viewpoint at SW Director and upper Fauntleroy Way SW and come down the nearby long driveway at 4539 SW Director Place to the creek level. Tuck a mask in your pocket and come prepared to check out the habitat, get your questions answered, and maybe see a coho spawner on what is forecast to be a beautiful fall afternoon. Children should bring a parent.
No guarantee you’ll see a fish, but here’s what to look for:
Two Bald Eagles are flying free again after a scary snarl in a West Seattle back yard. WSB reader Robin thought just one eagle was entangled in the bushes when she emailed us wondering if local naturalist/urban-wildlife first responder Kersti Muul might know what to do. Robin had already called the state Fish and Wildlife Department and said they didn’t have much to offer. We connected her with Kersti, who tells the story from there (and sent the photos):
When I arrived on scene, I realized that there were actually two eagles. Not only were they really entangled in vegetation, but also were locked onto each other’s legs.
I first pruned the morning glory and blackberry off of the wings. Then waited for assistance.
Brett Rogers, a Seattle Animal Control officer, came to assist me. We netted the one on top, which seemed to be bigger (perhaps a female) And then I proceeded to prune heavily on the rhododendron. Once the whole area around them was clear, I figured they would start paying attention more to us than each other, and that’s exactly what happened. Once freed up from the vegetation, The wings started flapping and the wheels started turning.
They let each other go. The bigger one on top flew off immediately, landed on the deck for a second and then took off. The smaller one hopped and flew out, got entangled in another vine but quickly got out and landed on a fence post. He stretched his wings momentarily, And then flew off. About 5 minutes later, I could hear one calling.
Neither one was Bey. This wasn’t her territory anyway, but good to know!
(That’s a reference to this eagle rescue last February.)
Just three days after our first coyote-sighting report in a long time, we received another one today, from Ann: “I wanted to let you know that my husband was up late last night and spotted a coyote in our yard around midnight. We live in the Fauntlee Hills neighborhood. He did not get a photo but we are not far from the sighting last week.” We’ve long published coyote sightings not as warnings, but as FYIs that we share our peninsula with them – learn about coexisting with coyotes here.
Three months ago, reporting on a researcher’s quest to find out what happened to all the coyotes, we noted we hadn’t received a sighting report in a long time. Today – that changed! The photos are from Ted, who saw the coyote near 37th/97th in north Arbor Heights, noting, “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen one around here.”
Learn about coexisting with coyotes here.
Welcome to one of our periodic while-the-football-game’s-on galleries of West Seattle bird photos shared by WSB readers! First photo is from Jamie Kinney, who reports the Bald Eagles are back, and saw this one in the Me-Kwa-Mooks vicinity. Next, one of the ducks you can see year-round, as photographed by Machel Spence:
Marc Milrod noticed three cormorants drying their wings in unison off Constellation Park:
Two species of shorebirds photographed by Mark Wangerin – Black Turnstones:
And Sanderlings:
Linda Rackner caught the eye of a Crow at Lincoln Park while a Great Blue Heron took off in the background:
Another crow photo – Jerry Simmons saw one pursuing an Osprey:
And Michelle Laughlin was visited by a Cooper’s Hawk:
Big thanks to everyone who sent photos! westseattleblog@gmail.com is where to send yours – birds and more – or, if it’s breaking news, please text our hotline, 206-293-6302.
(WSB photos)
“Welcome.”
“Thank you.”
“You can do it.”
Those are a few of the messages written on small pieces of driftwood and placed on the bank of Fauntleroy Creek this afternoon during the annual gathering celebrating salmon spawners’ imminent return.
Co-host Judy Pickens of the Fauntleroy Watershed Council said her message was “the power of hope … This is always a hopeful time of year on Fauntleroy Creek.” The hope is that volunteer creek-watchers will see coho soon. Dennis Hinton, also on the Fauntleroy Watershed Council, said there’s reason for hope:
He told the more than 30 people in attendance that a potential spawner had been seen near the creek’s mouth on Saturday, a four-to-five-pound female. A high tide of at least 11 feet is needed to get fish into the creek, and many upcoming days will oblige. Last year, two spawners showed up; the record was 2012, with volunteers counting 274.
The centerpiece of today’s celebration, as always, was music, led by Jamie Shilling (above), with attendees young and not-as-young joining in singing and percussion – with instruments from drums to tambourines to plant pots. Some songs are annual favorites, including “Habitat,” to the tune of the 1959 song “Lollipop“:
Shilling also led a new song, singing: “We are the voice of the earth, and we are rising up, rising up …” With those lyrics, participants pointed their message-bearing driftwood sticks skyward;
What happens from here is up to the fish, and the creek:
If spawners are present on a weekend, Pickens promises, the Fauntleroy Watershed Council will host an “open creek” – and we’ll announce it here on WSB.
David Hutchinson of Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network sent the photo, explaining that it shows ‘a young harbor seal pup recently responded to by Seal Sitters and transported to SR3 with potential respiratory issues.” This was one of “14 different live harbor seal pups including 2 today” to which Seal Sitters has responded since July 1st; in all, they’ve responded to 47 calls about live and dead marine mammals, sometimes with multiple responses for one animal “that may haul out at different locations or on different dates.” To report a marine mammal to SSMMSN, call 206-905-SEAL. (And keep your distance – photos like these are taken from a distance with long lenses,)
(WSB photo, 2019)
Volunteers are watching Fauntleroy Creek for signs of returning spawners. Another tradition this time of year: Drumming to welcome the coho home. In case you haven’t already seen it in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, here’s the announcement from creek steward Judy Pickens:
Bring your mask and a drum of any kind to this annual all-ages event hosted by the Fauntleroy Watershed Council. We’ll keep our distance as we drum and sing to call coho spawners into Fauntleroy Creek. 4539 SW Director Place (near upper SW Director and Fauntleroy Way SW , across from the ferry terminal); drumming will guide you into the circle. Heavy rain cancels.
Here’s our recent report on what else the Watershed Council does – and how you can help.
P.S. As noted in comments, we left out the important part – when. 4 pm Sunday, October 10th.
Thanks to Lynn Shimamoto of Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network for the photos and report:
This happened around 1 pm at Don Armeni. Seal Sitters was tending to a harbor seal pup at the boat ramp when a truck from the Seattle Aquarium pulled up. Liz Boggs and Chris Van Damme invited us to watch the release of an octopus. The 28-pound male octopus nicknamed “Licorice” had been residing at the aquarium, but now it’s hoped he will find a mate and live out his days in Elliott Bay.
Two months ago, “Licorice” – a Giant Pacific Octopus – played a role in the Seattle Kraken pro-hockey team’s expansion draft.
That’s a River Otter on the beach at Lincoln Park; Linda Rackner sent us the photo earlier this month. Another reader email brings the sad reminder that you have to watch for these creatures inland as well as on the beach or in the water: Mary and Mike emailed earlier this week to report, “On returning from a walk at Lincoln Park, we saw a car heading north swerve and an otter wiggling out the other side. We stopped, called Seal Sitters, and they said Animal Control was the proper entity to call. So they were called. We presume the otter was dead as it no longer moved. A parking patrol made sure Animal Control was coming. Maybe we need an Otter Crossing Sign for Fauntleroy. Sad to see an otter killed, and there was a cat immediately interested.” They say this happened just south of the south entrance to the south Lincoln Park parking lot. Otters cross roads to get to inland dens – they’ve been seen well away from the water.
Early-morning runners, beware. Here’s what happened to Bill, and he’s not the first:
I was attacked by an owl this morning on my run in North Admiral around 5:50am. This happened at the intersection of SW Atlantic St and Sunset Ave SW [map] and the owl followed me for several blocks diving at me trying to attack. It took my hat and scratched up the back of my head. I was able to prevent further injury by walking away backwards, yelling and waving my arms. My research says this can happen around this time of year. Runners in this area should be aware!
The state Fish and Wildlife Department fact sheet about owls notes, “Most aggressive behavior from owls (barred owls and great horned owls are the most often reported) is motivated by defense of their territory or young, or their search for handouts.” (Around here, it’s usually Barred Owls.)
Thanks to everyone who’s sent photos, we have another gallery of West Seattle bird sightings, always fun on a football afternoon. The top photo is by Kersti Muul, who explains it’s a Virginia Rail:
A rare treat to see in West Seattle. Was called by the Port to assess an injured bird and was stunned to find that it was a rail. I’ve never seen one here, and they are rare to see anyway, easier to hear. Very secretive, marsh-dwelling birds. This one had taken up residence behind the bathrooms at Jack Block Park. Stunning bird, and great camouflage.
Down in The Arroyos, Mark MacDonald photographed a Killdeer:
Next photo is from Robin Sinner, who says this Surfbird is “back from the tundra”:
Meantime, this Rufous Hummingbird will soon depart, according to Mark Wangerin:
Mark also sent this photo of an American Goldfinch:
Two views of California Scrub-Jays – first, from Susan Hayes-McQueen:
And from Jerry Simmons:
Finally, a photo taken from a Fauntleroy-bound ferry by middle-schooler Eva, who saw a Great Blue Heron sharing space with a seal:
(Just a reminder if you haven’t clicked – all the bird species names are linked to their pages on the Seattle Audubon BirdWeb, which includes photos and audio files of the birds’ calls.)
Thanks to Kersti Muul for the photos. What looked to someone like a seal pup at a distance off Duwamish Head earlier this week …
… turned out instead to be a bottomfish called a cabezon:
Despite her extensive wildlife involvement, Kersti says she’s never seen one of those before.
They’re not rare or endangered, though. This state Fish and Wildlife Department fact sheet says, “Cabezon is the largest of the sculpin species found in Washington waters.” They can grow to over three feet long.
5:13 PM: The Southern Resident Killer Whales’ first local appearance of (almost) fall could be happening shortly! Members of J-Pod have been heading south in Puget Sound all day, and Donna Sandstrom of The Whale Trail just called to say that if they continue southbound, they should be in view from West Seattle around 5:30 pm or so. Thanks also to Kersti Muul for updates on their southward journey. Both have mentioned that West Seattle researcher Mark Sears headed out to see them earlier today; Donna says Mark has seen J56, the 2-year-old whale reported to be ailing, and his early word was that she looked OK – that’s of course pending a closer assessment of her condition. Anyway, assuming the orcas keep heading this way, let us know if you see them!
5:23 PM: Don’t rush down to the shore – update from Donna, they’re milling off West Point, on the north edge of Elliott Bay.
6:38 PM: We are at the west end of the Alki promenade and are seeing one in the distance to the NW.
7:04 PM: Still seeing a few blows in that same general area.
Nice day to go to the beach – but if you do, heed this reminder from David Hutchinson of Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network:
West Seattle is entering its busiest 2-3 months for vulnerable harbor-seal pups using our local beaches. We ask that everyone please be alert and report any marine mammals you come across to the Seal Sitters’ Hotline at 206-905-7325. The young harbor seal pup in the photo was chased into the water yesterday by an off-leash dog. Remember, dogs are not permitted on Seattle Parks’ beaches, either off or on a leash. This pup appears to have some respiratory issues, which is common for many pups during the fall months. It is critical that these animals are able to rest undisturbed.
ADDED TUESDAY NIGHT: We don’t know whether it’s the same seal, but Cindy Roberts photographed this one basking at Constellation Park today:
(Photos by Mark Wangerin)
That Harbor Porpoise got into trouble at Constellation Park south of Alki Point today. With NOAA approval, local marine-life advocates got it back into deeper water so it could swim away. We got first word of this from Kersti Muul, who was among those who helped, along with Jeff Hogan from Killer Whale Tales (below), and SR3.
Kersti says the porpoise came back in after the first assist but then after a second nudge was “heading northwest pretty much on its own.”
P.S. If you see a marine mammal in trouble or on the shore, Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network is at 206-905-SEAL (206-905-7325). Do not attempt to handle any animal yourself.
Continuing our tradition of publishing bird-photo galleries during Seahawks games when we can … the top photo by Mark McDonald is the “real seahawk,” an Osprey, with prey, over Arroyo Beach. Also in flight, a Brown Pelican – not that common around here – photographed over Alki by Jerry Simmons:
Jerry also caught those perennial rivals, a Bald Eagle and Crow, on the ground:
Mark Wangerin photographed a Pigeon Guillemot seemingly on the run:
Great Blue Herons don’t always look regal, Greg Snyder‘s photo reminds us:
And we go inland for the last two photos – Vlad Oustimovitch photographed fledgling Cooper’s Hawks with lunch:
Yard birds shared a perch in Gill Loring‘s photo – a Northern Flicker (we think) and Steller’s Jay:
Big thanks to everyone who sends photos, from birds to breaking news – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(WSB photo)
Walking on the Lincoln Park waterfront path Thursday evening, we spotted the tape and signage that Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network puts up when they’re guarding a visitor on the shore. They explained a harbor-seal pup – first one they’ve seen on a West Seattle beach this pupping season – was resting among the driftwood. We couldn’t see the pup from the path, but SSMMSN’s David Hutchinson got a long-lens photo and sent it to us early today:
(Photo by David Hutchinson)
He says it’s a “very young harbor seal pup, nicknamed ‘Xico’ by one of our new volunteers – pronounced Chico.” Reminder that if you see a marine mammal on shore – or one offshore that seems in distress – please notify SSMMSN at 206-905-SEAL.
Thanks to the Seola Beach neighbor who sent that photo of Ruckus the Northern Elephant Seal, resting on a private beach during today’s low tide. The neighbor says he was under watch so curious onlookers could be kept at a distance. As Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network has explained, he might be getting ready to molt; if you see him, keep them updated with a report to 206-905-7325 (905-SEAL).
(2016 photo by Trileigh Tucker)
Here on WSB, our wildlife coverage used to include coyote reports (archived here) – not as warnings, but to raise awareness that they share the peninsula with us. Or – shared. It’s been a long time since we’ve received a coyote report, and despite living near multiple greenbelts, we haven’t heard or seen any lately either. We’ve wondered from time to time if they’ve truly dwindled here, or whether we’re just not hearing (about) them. Then we got a note from researcher Sam Kreling, a UW Ph.D. student, who is leading a study of Seattle’s coyote population. Kreling not only noticed our lack of recent coyote reports but added, “I’ve been attempting to find coyote scat in West Seattle for my research and haven’t really had any luck over the last couple of months.” The research is a collaboration between UW and the Woodland Park Zoo, “studying Seattle’s coyote population through non-invasive methods, aimed at understanding their diet, limit conflict, and their population demographics,” because “there have only been really limited insights to Seattle’s coyotes and much is still unknown about urban carnivores in general, so this study aims to help understand urban carnivores as a whole, and Seattle’s specific population of coyotes.” They’ve been working on it for almost a year, and when complete, they hppe the study will “inform Seattle management decisions on coyotes, identify regions that may be more prone to human-coyote conflict than others, and increase the general scientific knowledge surrounding urban wildlife.” So if you have any West Seattle leads for researchers, email seattlecoyotestudy@gmail.com.
We’ve been waiting for a relatively quiet Sunday afternoon to feature non-bird wildlife photos received in recent weeks – and it’s here. Above and below, the first two photos are by Jerry Simmons, seen on the shore – a gunnel and crab.
David Hutchinson is often out watching, and photographing, sightings on- and off-shore. He shared the two photos below – a crystal jelly:
And a rabbit:
In the forest, Mark Wangerin, who often shares beautiful bird photos, spotted this raccoon:
Another raccoon was photographed by Rose De Dan of Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing, who has many animal-encounter stories to tell. She shared a few photos with us this summer too. She says this raccoon was in a cherry tree, inspecting whether the fruit was ready to eat:
Below, Rose’s photo of an opossum enjoying fresh apples:
She says the opossum is a frequent visitor, and tells a story – with video – on her website.
Thanks to everyone who shares West Seattle photos – wildlife, breaking news, more – westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302, any time!
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