It’s hard to see the creek for the trees – but it’s there – that’s the view from the Fauntleroy Creek overlook across from the ferry terminal, looking down toward the water. We have two updates to share from Fauntleroy’s Judy Pickens – first, the spawners may be getting closer, and that means they need people to sign up to keep watch on the creek:

2009 SALMON WATCH INVITES VOLUNTEERS

Reports of large coho being caught off of Bellingham are encouraging that our coho may have survived warm ocean conditions to return to Puget Sound and Fauntleroy Creek. We’ll know more in a few weeks when fishers off of Colman Pool report what they’re catching.

In anticipation, we’re starting to organize the annual salmon watch, whereby volunteers tally spawners and record their condition. Watchers schedule half-hour shifts immediately after high tide. You’ll be trained during your first shift and can come as little or as much as your calendar permits. The watch will start Oct. 26 and go until Thanksgiving.

For questions or to get on the list, contact Judy Pickens at 938-4203 or judy_pickens@msn.com.

Judy also sends word of the drum event that will precede the creek watch – here’s one of our photos from last year, showing Jamie Shilling, who Judy writes will help lead again this year:

CALLING ALL DRUMMERS!

The annual drumming to call in spawners to Fauntleroy Creek will be at the fish-ladder viewpoint (SW Director and upper Fauntleroy Way SW) on Sunday, Oct. 25, at 5 PM. Jamie Shilling will lead the singing and drumming, and Randy Sleight will lend his storytelling skills. Bring any kind of drum you have or can devise and join your neighbors in this spirited event for all ages.

Here’s a map to the creek overlook. P.S. One week before Salmon Watch and drumming, it’s the Fauntleroy Fall Festival – 2-6 pm October 18th – with activities including pony rides, arts and crafts, performances, games, dunk tanks, food, on both sides of the “bend in the road” where you’ll find Fauntleroy Church, YMCA, The Hall at Fauntleroy.