3/2 Lark, Wild Olympics, SISȻENEM, no discharge, elusive waterbirds, Protection Is, Port of Vancouver cargo, black-browed babbler

 

Horned Lark [Suzanne Labbe]

Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris
Horned Larks are small birds that live in large, empty fields—and they’re roughly the same color and size as a clod of dirt. To find them, look for the barest ground around and scan the ground carefully, watching for movement or for the birds to turn their black-and-yellow faces toward you. Also watch the air above open country for flocks of smaller birds flying in dense aggregations (sometimes numbering well into the hundreds, particularly in winter). From late winter into summer, listen for the high-pitched, thin, tinkling song, often given in flight display over suitable open habitats. (All About Birds)

U.S. House passes Wild Olympics bill with public-lands package
Now it’s up to the U.S. Senate. Congressman Derek Kilmer’s Wild Olympics Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act has passed the House as part of a package that includes seven other bills. Protecting America’s Wilderness and Public Lands Act package was approved by a vote of 227-200 on Friday, with eight Republicans and all but one Democratic lawmaker supporting it. Leah Leach reports. (Peninsula Daily News)

‘Like going back in time’: W̱SÁNEĆ people to regain rightful ownership of abundant remote island
Abundant with meadows of colourful flowers and other pristine wildlife, a remote Salish Sea island is being returned to its rightful owners — the W̱SÁNEĆ people. The Land Conservancy of British Columbia (TLC) recently purchased SISȻENEM, a four-hectare island off the eastern side of Sidney Island, from a private owner for $1.55 million. On Friday, the charitable land trust signed an agreement with the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council (WLC) to transfer title and to commit to shared management of the site, also known as Halibut Island. (Yahoo News)

No Discharge Zone continues to protect Puget Sound
EPA has completed their economic analysis of the No Discharge Zone and [concluded that] the cost of preventing vessels from dumping sewage in Puget Sound is well worth the benefits we gain in protecting and restoring Puget Sound. [Washington Department of Ecology blog]

Elusive Waterbirds
Reader Don Norman writes: "If readers are interested in helping survey for Elusive Waterbirds, the Puget Sound Bird Observatory is gearing up for its 5th year of the Wetland Secretive Bird Monitoring, which includes Virginia (and Sora) Rails, as well as Green Herons, American Bittern and other wetland birds. Survey sites are from Whatcom to Thurston Counties and volunteers are needed!  YOu can contact PSBO at https://www.pugetsoundbirds.org/contact This is a great project that is helping determine the population status of these elusive birds that are poorly surveyed by the regular methods of monitoring."

How Washington’s Protection Island Became a Haven for Wildlife — And One Man
The small island was supposed to be a vacation destination. Now it’s a refuge for birds, seals, and Marty Bluewater. Michelle Harris reports. (Atlas Obscura)

Port of Vancouver breaks records for grain, potash and containers despite COVID-19
The Port of Vancouver reported stellar trade numbers on Monday, with record shipments of grain, potash and containers — despite the global pandemic. The 2020 port figures showed a record in grain shipments for the fifth year in a row with 35.1 million tonnes handled — which is a 24 per cent jump over 2019. Overall, cargo was steady at 145.4 million tonnes. David Carrigg reports. (Vancouver Sun) The Cargo Statistics Report YTD Dec. 2020 vs Dec. 2019 shows petroleum products increased 18.3%, with crude petroleum increasing 84.1%. (Port of Vancouver)

This Bird Wasn’t Seen for 170 Years. Then It Appeared in an Indonesian Forest. h
What might be Asia’s longest-missing bird just came out of hiding. For the first time in 170 years, researchers reported last week that a black-browed babbler has been found in Indonesia. The discovery of the muted black, gray and chestnut-brown bird solves what an authoritative birding guide describes as “one of the great enigmas of Indonesian ornithology.” Rachel Nuwer reports. (NY Times)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  608 AM PST Tue Mar 2 2021   
TODAY  SW wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell  9 ft at 14 seconds. 
TONIGHT  S wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell  8 ft at 13 seconds.

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