The resident Orca whales have visited Vashon shores twice this week, circling the island today in a “superpod” composed of members of J,K, and L pods together. They ping-ponged between the south end of the island and the Narrows for a bit finally swimming north up Colvos passage. These whales were likely following chum salmon returning to the creeks. Thanks to Kelly Keenan for the above photo!
Rich Siegrist found the carcass of a six-gill shark washed up on the beach just north of Cove this week. These stealthy sharks are the 3rd largest predatory sharks in the world and can be traced back in time to before the age of dinosaurs. To learn more visit Seattle Aquarium’s six-gill shark research page.
Both coho and chum salmon continue to run in Vashon creeks. Vashon Salmonwatchers have spotted fish in Judd, Shinglemill, and Fisher creeks so far this year. For regular salmon updates, photos, and videos visit our Salmonwatcher page.
Ed Swan’s bird notes include an interesting tidbit about the recently seen White-breasted Nuthatch–a bird in search of the Puget Sound’s disappearing prairie habitat:
“Bird expert Steven Mlodinov determined that Rich Siegrist’s White-breasted Nuthatch is a Slender-billed sub species bird. This is the now rare in Western Washington subspecies that formerly utilized the dry oak/Douglas-fir “prairie” habitat in Pierce and Thurston Counties. As this habitat disappeared, so has this sub-species. A different sub species is common east of the Cascades.”
Salmonwatcher’s have been adding to the bird sightings lately. Kelly Keenan, Bianca Perla, and Peter Cummings have all reported seeing an American dipper regularly using the downstream 1/3 of Judd Creek. American dippers are rare on the island in recent times. In addition, Kathryn True reported a black turnstone at Shinglemill as she was watching her salmon reach.
The fall is always exciting here!