3/28 White-crowned sparrow, orca calf rescue, barred owl shoot, high marine heat, harbor pilots

 

White-crowned sparrow
[Wolfgang Wander/Wikipedia]

White-crowned sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys
White-crowned Sparrows appear each winter over much of North America to grace our gardens and favorite trails (they live in parts of the West year-round). The smart black-and-white head, pale beak, and crisp gray breast combine for a dashing look – and make it one of the surest sparrow identifications in North America.

Today's top story in Salish Current: Reliable ferry service, tourism and the question of balance

Orca calf rescue team considers changing tactics to save stranded B.C. whale: DFO
A rescue team working to coax a stranded killer whale calf from a lagoon off northern Vancouver Island is prepared to change tactics to save its life, including the possibility of lifting the orca out to the open ocean, says a Fisheries Department marine mammal co-ordinator. Paul Cottrell said Wednesday that all contingencies will be considered over the coming days after efforts by a team of experts and First Nations members failed to get the two-year-old to leave the remote lagoon through a narrow passage during high tide. (Canadian Press)

Animal advocacy, wildlife groups oppose plan to shoot barred owls
A coalition of animal and wildlife advocacy groups submitted a letter to Interior Secretary Deb Haaland on Monday to oppose a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plan that would start a yearslong effort to shoot nonnative barred owls in the range of the northern spotted owl in Washington, Oregon and Northern California. Sage Alexander reports. (Times Standard)

Scientists Are Sweating Over Freakishly High Marine Heat
While some experts believe global temperature anomalies adhere to climate crisis predictions, others are alarmed by the speed of change. Jonathan Watts and Tural Ahmedzade report. (Hakai Magazine/The Guardian)

Baltimore bridge crash puts new focus on role of ship pilots
The tragedy has put focus on the people who pilot ships in ports, a job that is little known outside the maritime industry but is extremely important. anessa Misciagna reports.(ABC News)

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Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  613 AM PDT Thu Mar 28 2024    
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT    
TODAY  SE wind 15 to 25 kt. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. SW swell 9 ft  at 12 seconds.  
TONIGHT  SE wind 10 to 20 kt. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. SW swell  11 ft at 12 seconds.

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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. It is included as a daily feature in the Salish Current newsletter. Click here to subscribe. Questions? Email mikesato772 (@) gmail.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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