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On Friday, “06880” proudly posted a photo by Pulitzer Prize-winner (and Staples High School graduate) Lynsey Addario. Showing misery in South Sudan, it was one of the New York Times’ top photos of 2021.
Yesterday, another of her images — from a different continent — was featured. By another prestigious publication
National Geographic gave star treatment — and a lengthy explanation — to this shot.
Lynsey sure gets around. And she continues to make her hometown proud. (Hat tip: Chuck Greenlee)
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Santa was not the only notable visitor to Westport yesterday.
This bobcat wandered around Whitney Street, off Roseville Road. He tried to blend in with the surroundings — but James Brown captured this image.
(Photo/James Brown)
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The bobcat (and Santa) were not the only visitors to Westport yesterday, either.
But they were alive.
On a Christmas walk at Compo Beach, Merri Mueller noticed dozens of large — and dead — fish washed up on shore.
When these happen in a place like Sherwood Mill Pond, it’s usually oxygen-related.
But what about these? if you know what caused this fish kill, click “Comments” below.
(Photo/Merri Mueller)
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Friday’s surprise snowfall was just what this rare snowy owl needed. Today’s “Westport … Naturally” star was chilling on a Compo Beach jetty.
(Photo/Marion Kelly)
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And finally … Happy Boxing Day!
And happy Kwanza
Down here in Florida when we have Fishkill it’s usually because of red tide which is a form of algae that seems to kill the fish. It causes upper respiratory annoyances such as coughing and scratchy throat.
I lived in Westport for 31 years so I keep in touch with what’s going on through 06880.
Mary Beth, Where in Florida are you, if you don’t mind me asking
Looks like a bunker (Menhaden). Sometimes they get up into water with low oxygen levels and die. Usually it happens in late summer.
Dan — On the Friday before Thanksgiving, our beloved dog, Beckham, was killed by an animal in front of our door at around 5:30 in the evening. His death was instant, with two puncture wounds to the heart. I will spare your readers about the sadness and grief after having him part of our family for the last 10 years. But when Animal Control arrived, they suspected the animal could either be a coyote or bobcat. It was dark, and when we heard Beckham’s yelp and opened the door, the animal’s footsteps could be heard running away. We couldn’t see what the animal looked like. It’s very hard to share this story, but I thought it might be helpful for people to know, particularly if they let their dogs out in the evening.
Henry thank you for sharing this information. I am so sorry for your loss. It is just so heartbreaking. We have sighted both coyotes and bobcats in our neighborhood on multiple occasions. All the neighbors on our street try to alert each other when we see them so we can bring our dogs inside. Thanks for the warning. Sometimes I forget they are out there and you’ve reminded me to be more careful with my little guy Edgar.
Sue — Thank you so much for your kind words.
The fish may have suffered “winter kill” due to low temperatures and low food supply.
I think that the water is too cold for an hypoxic event. And we don’t get red tide here…yet, thank goodness.This fish looks bitten so may have been seals which do winter in the area or an after death seagull attack.
Thanks, Rindy. As Merri noted, there were dozens of fish like this.
I figured…if they were all bitten, maybe seals or gulls. I’ve alerted Dick Harris and he will go check, hoping that the fish are still there…
The bunker population in local waters has increased significantly in the past few years. The increased number of bunker and temps staying warmer longer the die off ( lack of food, exposure etc) has been happening in larger numbers.
I often walk at Compo and have seen seagulls diving and coming up with bunker which they bring to the shore and consume. There may be other predators but at least some are the gulls.
I especially welcome the words of Rindy Higgins on the dead fish. Rindy is on our Shellfish Commission and is truly committed to the environment, especially as to water. Her reference to Dick Harris highlights another super person in Westport who does so much for our sensitive environment. Thanks, Rindy and Dick.
Don Bergmann
Thanks, Don, for the compliment! When Dick Harris went to see the fish, little was left so it was hard to tell. He does not think the kill has to do with water temps or low oxygen…he thinks, like I do, that it might be seals!
I wonder what Lou Tabory would have to say. I’ve never seen him comment here.
https://www.thefisherman.com/atlantic-menhaden-die-offs/
“While DEEP continues to investigate these events, staff believe the cause of the fish kills observed over the past month have been due to more Menhaden overwintering in the Sound this year, possibly due to a missed migration cue, leading them to succumb to the cold water temperatures and a lack of nourishment.”
Seals will eat the entire fish, not take little bites and waste the majority. I think you’re seeing bunker that died and got nibbled on by crabs and gulls.
John, good get with the article. Very plausible it was cold shock.
Dick Harris just told me that he has looked into the dead fish and said he hasn’t heard about unusually large numbers of bunker in the sound nor about sudden cold temps causing cold shock. He also hasn’t heard of other fish kills in the area.