Buzz's Marine Life of Puget Sound

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

SPRING ACTION AT ALKI BEACH

It has been a busy Spring so far in Puget Sound. Many visits by Transient Orca Whales, CA Sea Lions passing through on migration south to breeding grounds in CA and Baja. Shorebirds moving north with Loons and Grebes. A first ever recorded Herring spawning in West Seattle and a Harbor Seal pup that staked out a spot on busy Alki Beach Park for more than a month. Juvenile Bald Eagles trying to figure out just how to get a meal...and not being very good at it. Gray Whales and Humpback Whales roaming the Sound....and rain, rain, rain, rain....oh..did I mention rain. Seattle has on day without rain since February 1st.
And yes...it rained today...and still is.

Herring eggs

Dunlin

Black Turnstones

Surfbirds

Common Loon with flounder

Harbor Seal "Taffy"

Horned Grebe

Western Red-backed Salamanders

Long-toed Salamander

Northern Alligator Lizard

Sanderling

Buffelhead Duck

Mt. Baker from West Seattle

Saturday, January 21, 2017

HARBOR SEAL PUPS ON WEST SEATTLE BEACHES

During the last week Seal Sitters has monitored 2 Harbor Seal pups. One "Hope" at Alki and the second " Wild Thing" at Lincoln Park. Both seals had injuries that were determined by the veterinarian to be serious enough to require attention. Both pups were captured and transported to PAWS for treatment and hopefully rehabilitation. The first pup "Hope" had multiple injuries that appeared to be puncture wounds and some were abscessed. Hope remains at PAWS and appears
to be recovering..so we wait with guarded optimism. Wild Thing was captured and transported to PAWS on 1-21-17 with an infected chest injury. Wild Thing was very active during capture and hopefully will also be on the road to recovery. Thanks to all the Seal Sitters volunteers for the many hours spent watching over the pups as well as informing the public as to the natural history of these seals and Seal Sitters mission.
Please remember that these pups need to rest about 50% of the time and need quiet on the resting beaches. No not approach any marine mammal on the beach...remain 100 yards away if possible and please keep noise levels down. All dogs should be leashed and are not allowed on Seattle Parks beaches leashed or not. Seal pups have been killed by dogs on local beaches in the past. If you see a marine mammal on local Seattle beaches please contact Seal Sitters at 206-905- SEAL. Seal Sitters responds to reports of all types of marine mammals on the beach, Seals, Sea Lions, Porpoises, Dolphins and Whales.

Images of Wild Thing and Hope