3/29 Swainson's thrush, 'Lolita,' Birds Connect Seattle, river otters, herring spawn, jet fuel center, 'hydrogen hub'

Swainson's thrush [Greg Lavaty/BirdWeb]

Swainson's thrush Catharus ustulatus
There are three species of spot-breasted thrushes found in Washington- the Swainson's Thrush, the Veery, and the Hermit Thrush. The Swainson's Thrush occupies forested habitat at low to mid-elevations, overlapping with the Veery below and the Hermit Thrush above. Although it is found mostly in dense hardwood and mixed forests, young conifer forests, and forest openings, the Swainson's Thrush does not require as dense an understory as does the Veery. They are attracted to salmonberry stands as nesting sites. (BirdWeb)

Miami Seaquarium, owner of NFL’s Colts tease announcement about last Puget Sound orca in captivity
The Miami Seaquarium set a news conference for Thursday to announce an initiative among the aquarium’s parent company, the owner of the Indianapolis Colts and a Florida nonprofit to “return beloved orca, Lolita,” to her home waters. It’s unclear if federal agencies have signed off on the proposal, or if the announcement is a promise to finally release the last surviving Puget Sound orca in captivity. Isabella Brreda reports. (Seattle Times)

Amid controversy, Seattle Audubon changes its name
The birding and conservation advocacy group formerly known as Seattle Audubon has renamed itself as Birds Connect Seattle. Like the National Audubon Society, the 107-year-old independent local chapter had taken its name from wildlife painter John James Audubon, revered for helping people appreciate the birds around us. But in recent years, more people have learned the organization’s namesake was also an enslaver and vocal racist who, the National Audubon Society says, “did despicable things even by the standards of his day.” Hannah Weinberger reports. (Crosscut)

Don’t Read Too Much into River Otters’ Return
Everyone knows about the canary in the coal mine. Well, river otters ain’t that. Carin Leong reports. (Hakai Magazine) 

Herring spawn brings wildlife show to Port McNeill
Department of Fisheries and Oceans has no record of a spawn occurring in the location since it began keeping records in 1950, but the ‘Namgis First Nation’s history shows one in the area decades ago. Roxanne Egan-Elliott reports. (Times Colonist)

Paine Field unveils plan for new, more eco-friendly jet fuel center
A new research and development center focused on sustainable aviation fuel will be established at Paine Field by 2027. The center will collect sustainable aviation fuel samples from around the world and then test them for safety, performance and chemical similarity to conventional jet fuel. The facility, a joint venture between Snohomish County and Washington State University, will also be equipped to help manufacturers scale up SAF for commercial-scale production. Janice Podsada reports. (Everett Herald)

B.C. government to help turn Prince George into 'hydrogen hub'
The provincial government is hoping that turning the city into a hydrogen hub for central B.C. will help achieve its climate goals. Jack Moulton reports. (Prince George Post)

Have you read the Salish Current?
Independent, fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties. Free to read, free from ads. Catch the Current here.

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  224 AM PDT Wed Mar 29 2023   TODAY  E wind to 10 kt becoming SE in the afternoon. Wind waves  1 ft or less. SW swell 3 ft at 10 seconds. 
TONIGHT  W wind to 10 kt. Wind waves 1 ft or less. W swell 3 ft  at 9 seconds.

--
"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. To subscribe, send your name and email to mikesato772 (@) gmail.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told