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The LEO Network is a worldwide network of observers and experts that share their observations of environmental change.
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Observations

Orcas spotted in Penn Cove for the first time in over five decades
The Orca Conservancy said the sightings made history. Some whale watchers hope it will again raise awareness of the need to protect them.
Oak Harbor, Washington, United States

Orcas revive 'dead salmon hat' trend from the 1980s
Researchers in Washington reported observing orcas in Puget Sound balancing salmon on their heads, a behavior not seen in decades.
Puget Sound, Washington, United States
Vancouver Sun

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Found in Seals on Marrowstone Island in Puget Sound
Three adult harbor seals in Puget Sound have tested positive for the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 strain, marking the first incidence of HPAI in marine mammals on the West Coast, and officials are urging beachgoers to avoid contact with wildlife.
Marrowstone, Washington, United States
NOAA

Dead fish washing up on shores of Lake Washington
The Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife said the fish are yellow perch, which are common in the lake.
Hunts Point, Washington, United States
KIRO 7 News Seattle

Gumboot Chiton Cryptochiton stelleri Die-off
We saw over 100 on a 1/2 mile stretch of beach. I am wondering if the chiton die-off is related to the stormy conditions or something else?
Coupeville, Washington, United States

Rare beluga whale sighting in Puget Sound stirs excitement — and concern
It would be an obscure sighting of the species. The closest beluga population, which lives at least 1,400 miles away in Alaska’s Cook Inlet, is endangered and covered under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
Seattle, Washington, United States
Cross Cut

Low oxygen levels along Pacific Northwest coast a ‘silent’ climate change crisis
If upwelling starts a month earlier than usual, the amount of oxygen, already low, has to last until the fall when storms promote mixing which adds oxygen back into the system. As of late September this year, upwelling is still occurring and low levels of oxygen are still persisting.
Seattle, Washington, United States
The Seattle Times

'It was a special day': Transient orcas set sightings record as population thrives on B.C. coast
Nearly 30 transient orcas were spotted in the Salish Sea around British Columbia and Washington state over the Labor Day weekend, a positive sign for the species, according to local whale watchers and researchers.
Winslow, Washington, United States
Vancouver Island

Seattle already set a record high temperature Sunday; Monday’s forecast is ‘unheard of’
For the first time in Seattle’s history, temperatures spiked above 100 degrees two days in a row, with residents scrambling to find relief — and flocking to beaches, parks and...
Seattle, Washington, United States
The Seattle Times

Zebra mussels on Marimo moss balls are causing an emergency in WA
Moss balls imported from Ukraine to pet shops in the United States have been found to house the invasive Zebra mussel. Once in bodies of water, this mussel reproduces rapidly and wreaks havoc on ecosystems.
Crosscut

8 homes on Hood Canal evacuated due to landslide on Kitsap County cliff
Residents in Seclusion Cove were evacuated Monday night due to a landslide. As residents were warned of the threat, Poulsbo Fire said trees were heard cracking.
Poulsbo, Washington, United States

Lake Washington sockeye hit record low, another signature Seattle fish at brink of extinction
Some 22,950 sockeye were counted at Ballard’s Hiram Chittenden Locks in 2020, but only about 3,000 made it to the mouth of the Cedar. Another 40 to 50% of those fish typically die on the spawning grounds before they can reproduce.A vortex of climate change, urbanization and predators endangers a beloved species.
Seattle Times

Landslide threat increasing as powerful storm expected by weekend
DES MOINES, Wash. - Drier weather on Wednesday helped to lessen the landslide threat across Western Washington, but another system will be moving in later in the week, increasing the threat by Friday.
Des Moines, Washington, United States
Q13 FOX News

Heavy rain, snow increase threat of mudslides in Western Washington
All the rain and snow falling in Western Washington bumps up the risk for mudslides and avalanches.
Des Moines, Washington, United States
The Columbian

Tornado touches down near Port Orchard, rips roofs off homes
The tornado touched down and damaged homes on the Kitsap Peninsula. No injuries were discovered in a primary search, according to the Washington State Patrol.
Port Orchard, Washington, United States
The Seattle Times

Sea lions have enemies. Now someone is shooting them in the head.
Washington Post

Another Southern Resident killer whale is losing body condition, and researchers are concerned about the pregnant females
Salish Sea
Candace Calloway Whiting

Orcas of the Pacific Northwest Are Starving and Disappearing
The population of endangered killer whales has hit a 30-year-low, numbering only 75 this year.
New York Times

Two deaths, no births for Southern Resident orcas over the past year
The biggest challenges for whales is the buildup of toxic chemicals in their bodies and the shrinking runs of Chinook salmon, their primary prey.
KING

Opioids, antibiotics found in mussels in the Puget Sound
Shellfish in the Puget Sound tested positive for the prescription opioid oxycodone, and this was not the only drug found by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Elliott Bay, Washington, United States
CNN

Endangered Orcas Are Starving. Should We Start Feeding Them?
Washington state officials have proposed a new tack to save the Pacific Northwest's critically endangered orca population. Their idea is to boost salmon
Puget Sound, Washington, United States
NW News Network

Weather extremes now surpassing the realm of natural possibilities | Watching Our Water Ways
Environmental reporter Christopher Dunagan discusses the challenges of protecting Puget Sound and all things water-related. Weather extremes now surpassing the realm of natural possibilities
Puget Sound, Washington, United States
Kitsap Sun

Up to 71″ of Snow Forecast on Mt. Rainier This Week
NOAA has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the Mt. Rainier area of Washington State for today including Crystal Mountain ski resort. The Winter Storm Warning is calling for 6-10 of snow by 5…
Crystal Mountain ski resort, WA
SnowBrains

More escaped Atlantic salmon show up off Washington, no reports from B.C. waters
Point Williams, Washington, United States
Vancouver Sun

Horned Puffin (Fratercula corniculata) - Smith Island, Puget Sound
Horned Puffin sighted near Smith Island in the Eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca, WA.
Oak Harbor, Washington, United States

Rare Eagle observed on Swinomish Reservation
La Conner, Washington, United States

Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii) spawning along west Seattle shoreline
West Seattle Beaches, Washington, United States

Transient orcas spotted off Vashon Island
Multiple groups of transient killer whales were spotted in the waters off Vashon Island Friday, according to the Vashon Hydrophone Project’s Ann Stateler (“Orca Annie”).
Vashon Island, Washington, United States
Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber

Another Puget Sound orca dies — 5th in a year
The death this week of another Puget Sound killer whale makes 2016 one of the worst in recent history for the endangered marine mammals. At least five orcas in the family group J-pod have died in the past year.
Seattle Times

Deadly fungus threatens B.C.'s bats, biologist says
After a bat was found near Seattle with deadly White Nose Syndrome, a conservation group has teamed up with cave explorers to find out if B.C.'s bats are also affected. The White Nose fungus can kill 99 or even 100 percent of a population it infects.
CBC News

White Nose Syndrome (WNS) Bats
Not in Alaska yet - Help with Surveillance Requested.
Bailey Richards, Karen Blejwas, Marian Snively

Lake Washington is at its lowest in nearly three decades
Washington State's historic drought is pushing Lakes Washington and Union below the normal annual 20-foot mark for the first time in 28 years, and officials anticipate another foot drop.
Kirkland, Washington, United States
Kirkland Reporter

Giant squid caught in West Seattle
Seacrest Boathouse Pier, West Seattle, Washington, United States
King 5 News

1st Asian giant hornet found in Snohomish County
Entomologists believe the invasive insect is an “old hornet from a previous season that wasn’t discovered until now” because it was “very dried out."
Marysville, Washington, United States

Scientists Find Worrisome Lesions on Endangered Southern Resident Orcas
The peer-reviewed research published this week in the Public Library of Science suggests that 99% of the orcas studied had photographic evidence of skin lesions. Researchers evaluated photos from nearly 20,000 orca sightings from 2004 to 2016, finding that lesions — often gray patches and gray targets on the orcas' skin — generally became more prevalent over time.
The Daily Chronicle

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