I was paddling the loop on the Mercer Slough in Bellevue yesterday
with my son and we encountered numerous large dead fish. I'm pretty
sure they were carp, 20 inches long and quite big around. In one spot
there were a full dozen fish within a six foot radius. Aside from
that we probably saw another 8 individuals. The stench disuaded us
from moving in for a positive ID. The Slough is pretty weed-choked
and I suspect oxygen depletion had something to do with the deaths,
but that's a wild guess. Anybody know what caused this? Are the
appropriate authorities likely to be aware of it, or should they be notified?

We saw very few birds hanging out in or near the water. Some
mallards, wood ducks, gadwalls (I think), one great blue heron, one
or two kingfishers. Also seen was a steller's jay, swallows or swifts
(too far to ID), and flicker. Also a handful of turtles (all
red-eared sliders, I believe -- perhaps one western pond turtle) and
one bullfrog.

Marc Hoffman
Kirkland, WA
http://www.dartfrogmedia.com
mailto:tweeters at dartfrogmedia.com