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Taiga flycatcher
Birders flock to Vancouver beach to see rare bird native to Russia
Dozens of birders descended on Vancouver’s Sunset Beach Park to catch a
rare glimpse of a bird that avian enthusiasts say has never been
recorded in Canada before. The taiga flycatcher was captured in a
picture by a birder just metres away from his home. (CBC)
Today's top story in Salish Current: A year of environmental upheaval, adaptation and action
Northwest just finished warmest fall on record
Across the Northwest, a record warm fall and lack of snowpack
going into the winter is putting more drought pressure on Oregon, Idaho,
Washington and western Montana. Despite record rain in western
Washington recently, and earlier this year in central and southern
Oregon, the showers are filling up already overdrawn reservoirs in many
areas, scientists said earlier this month at an online drought and
climate outlook meeting hosted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration. Alex Baumhardt reports. (Columbia Insight/Oregon Capital Chronicle)
Canadian and US regulations are at odds in the Salish Sea, and whales are caught in the middle
The Salish Sea is one ecosystem but Canada and the US are playing
by different rules when it comes to protecting endangered southern
resident killer whales and at-risk humpbacks. An inconsistent patchwork
of protection measures on either side of the border means the two whale
species are increasingly vulnerable to ship strike, vessel disturbance,
pollution, underwater noise and diminishing food sources, said Chloe
Robinson, director of whales for Ocean Wise. Rochelle Baker reports. (National Observer)
Tumwater to purchase 300 acres for conservation with help of local foundation
The City of Tumwater announced on Dec. 22 that it received a $1 million
donation from the Angela J. Bowen Conservancy Foundation to go toward
purchasing 300 acres and to protect threatened and endangered species.
The property in question is known as the Tickner Farm, which is located
on Littlerock Road Southwest next to Black Hills High School. The city
estimates the total investment would be between $15 million and $20
million. Ty Vinson reports. (Olympian)
9.0 quake in BC would kill thousands and cost $128 billion, report foresees
A British Columbia government report foresees more than 3,400 fatalities
and more than 10,000 injuries if an earthquake with a magnitude of 9.0
strikes off Vancouver Island. The scenario of such a "megathrust" quake
also describes costs of $128 billion, the destruction of 18,000
buildings and extensive damage to 10,000. Wolfgang Depner reports. (National Observer)
What does $2.4 million water rights purchase mean for Thurston County’s growth?
Thurston County has secured a $2.4 million grant to purchase about
800-acre feet of water rights from the TransAlta Water Bank, the holder
of water rights for the Skookumchuck and Chehalis rivers. One acre-foot
is equivalent to 325,851 gallons of water, which is how much water two
to three average households use. Ty Vinson reports. (Olympian)
Democracy Watch
- Trump says he’s ended eight wars. His numbers are off (AP)
- In Washington orchards, immigration crackdown sows fear and uncertaint (Washington State Standard)
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West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 300 PM PST Mon Dec 29 2025
TUE SE wind around 10 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft at 13 seconds.
TUE NIGHT E wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft at 12 seconds.
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