2/1 Oystercatcher, Black History Month, SJI Nat'l Monument, BC parks, fishers, Leland Cr culverts, hair ice, coast levee

Black Oystercatcher [Denis Paulson]

Black Oystercatcher Haematopus bachmani
Black Oystercatchers are usually seen in pairs or in small to medium-sized flocks, but may aggregate into larger flocks in sheltered areas. They forage mostly during low tide, moving slowly and deliberately through the rocks in search of food. When alarmed, they take flight with a loud, piercing whistling. (BirdWeb)

Black History Month
February is Black History Month, a time to learn about and reflect on the history and accomplishments of the Black and African American leaders and innovators who have helped shape our society. The 2023 theme “Black Resistance,” explores how "African Americans have resisted historic and ongoing oppression, in all forms." (KNKX)

San Juan Islands National Monument
The Bureau of Land Management's San Juan Islands National Monument Resource Management Plan (RMP) and Record of Decision (ROD) is available to review on their ePlanning site at https://go.usa.gov/xucJE, establishing their long-term management goals for the area. The San Juan Islands National Monument Advisory Committee will meet Feb. 2 at 9 a.m. PST, Zoom Link: https://blm.zoomgov.com/j/1600070259?pwd=Lyt3aGxpaHBITmF5NGNmT0x6RTlZdz09 Zoom meeting ID: 160 007 0259 Passcode: 123753

2 provincial parks in B.C. being considered as part of treaty settlement with First Nations
Two provincial parks in the southern Vancouver Island region may be returned to local First Nations as part of the modern treaty process. The Songhees and T'Sou-ke Nations are in the final negotiation stage of the B.C. Treaty Process. It will still be a few years before final treaties are signed, ratified, and implemented — though they have already been in talks for about 25 years. As part of the final negotiations, the province is considering returning Discovery Island Marine Park to the Songhees, and Sooke Mountain Park to the T'Sou-ke.  The parks would still be open to the public, but managed by the nations. thryn Marlow reports. (CBC)

First stage of fisher reintroduction comes to a close
Over the course of the past seven years, federal, state and partner agencies worked to release fishers and study them aerially as part of their reintroduction. As released fishers roam the North Cascades this winter, National Park Service officials take stock and prepare for the next steps to study their reintroduction. Emma Fletcher-Frazer reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)

Leland Creek culvert project begins Friday
Quilcene-area drivers will be inconvenienced during much of the year beginning Friday as the state Department of Transportation installs a bridge on U.S. Highway 101 and replaces two box culverts to improve fish passage in Leland Creek and two unnamed tributaries. Brian Gawley reports. (Peninsula Daily News)

‘Hair ice’ dazzles Port Renfrew hikers
[H]air ice..forms from a combination of moisture, slightly sub-zero temperatures and a specific type of fungus associated with dead wood. The intricate ice formations, also called ice wool and frost beard, look like smooth, silky hairs. The formations can also resemble cotton candy and protrude upright like chimney smoke in puffy bunches, as seen in recent photos from Washington state. It’s the Exidiopsis effusa fungus, which lives on dead wood, that produces hair ice formations in cool, moist conditions. Darron Kloster reports. (Times Colonist)

On WA’s coast, the threat of a flood is its own disaster
Reporter Hannah Weinberger tells us how a monumental levee project could ease economic turbulence in two Grays Harbor County cities. Podcast. (Crosscut)

Have you read the Salish Current?
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Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  250 AM PST Wed Feb 1 2023   
TODAY  SE wind 10 to 20 kt becoming 5 to 15 kt in the  afternoon. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 4 ft at 14 seconds  building to 6 ft at 15 seconds in the afternoon. Rain likely in  the morning then a chance of rain in the afternoon. 
TONIGHT  SE wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 1 to 2 ft. W swell 4 ft  at 15 seconds. A slight chance of rain.

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