3/27 Chickadee, kelp forests, Chinook ban, island farming, beekeeping, Snake R dams, pink snow, BC ferries, Monarch butterflies

Black-capped chickadee [All About Birds]

Black-capped chickadee Poecile atricapillus
A bird almost universally considered “cute” thanks to its oversized round head, tiny body, and curiosity about everything, including humans. The chickadee’s black cap and bib; white cheeks; gray back, wings, and tail; and whitish underside with buffy sides are distinctive. Its habit of investigating people and everything else in its home territory, and quickness to discover bird feeders, make it one of the first birds most people learn. (All About Birds)

The race to understand how kelp forests dampen ocean noise — before it’s too late
As kelp forests decline, scientists worry sensitive sea creatures are losing a sanctuary from sonic overload.  Ainslie Cruickshank reports. (The Narwhal)

Much of West Coast faces ban to fish salmon amid low stocks
Ocean salmon fishing season is set to be prohibited this year off California and much of Oregon for the second time in 15 years after adult fall-run Chinook, often known as king salmon, returned to California's rivers in near record-low numbers in 2022. (Associated Press)

Back to the land in the islands — Part 1: Locally growing
Can there be more than tourism in the San Juan Islands? Kathryn Wheeler writes. (Salish Current)

Island beekeepers stung by fear of imported bees
Early reports suggest Vancouver Island bees will continue to have a high mortality rate, says provincial apiculturist Paul van Westendorp. Louise Dickson reports. (Times Colonist)

WA bills unveiled to save Snake River dams
Washington U.S. Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Dan Newhouse introduced legislation Thursday to protect the four lower Snake River dams. The move comes a few days after President Joe Biden said he is committed to working with Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, and Washington Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, both Democrats, to save Columbia and Snake river salmon. Biden did not say he supports dam breaching and of the politicians he mentioned, only Simpson has publicly backed the idea. Eric Barker reports. (Lewiston Tribune)

Pink snow is alive in the mountains and it’s causing climate change
It’s not a trick of the light and you are not going crazy, pink snow does exist. In the spring and summer months, snow in Whatcom County’s mountains can turn pink. The color comes from an algae that can be found in alpine regions across the globe, and is more common than people think, said Robin Kodner, associate professor of environmental science at Western Washington University. Pink snow is more than interesting, it can be dangerous for the climate. Jack Belcher reports. (Bellingham Herald)

B.C. Ferries cancelled 19 sailings over past week, majority due to lack of crew
B.C. Ferries said in a statement to CBC News that the cancelled sailings were a tiny percentage of all scheduled trips for the week. It said it completed 4570 sailings during the eight-day period. "As a percentage B.C. Ferries delivered on 99.6 per cent  of scheduled sailings," it said. "Crew challenges impacted about 0.37 per cent of sailings and mechanical impacted about 0.04 per cent of sailings." On social media, however, travellers caught by the cancelled trips vented their frustrations. (CBC)

Monarch butterflies lose sanctuary in Mexico as climate changes
...Monarch butterflies are considered one of the world’s oldest and most resilient species. Their life cycles depend on optimal conditions: temperatures between 55 and the low 70s when they migrate, an abundance of milkweed when they mate, and some rain during the winters. But climate change has scrambled the consistent weather patterns they rely on, and more butterflies are dying. Naomi Schanen reports. (Washington Post)

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Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  243 AM PDT Mon Mar 27 2023   
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH  TUESDAY EVENING   
TODAY  E wind 5 to 15 kt becoming 10 to 20 kt in the afternoon.  Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. NW swell 3 ft at 8 seconds. 
TONIGHT  E wind 15 to 20 kt becoming 15 to 25 kt after  midnight. Wind waves 2 to 3 ft building to 3 to 5 ft after  midnight. NW swell 3 ft at 7 seconds.

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