3/30 Wilson's warbler, herring spawn, crypto mining, frog song, Seattle sewer, BC mining

Wilson's warbler
[Brad Imhoff/All About Birds]

Wilson's warbler Cardellina pusilla
Wilson's warbler is a small New World warbler. It is greenish above and yellow below, with rounded wings and a long, slim tail. The male has a black crown patch; depending on the subspecies, that mark is reduced or absent in the female. (Wikipedia)

Herring spawn off northern Vancouver Island dazzles residents and animals alike
Just off the coast of northern Vancouver Island, the ocean waters have turned a vibrant shade of turquoise as herring spawn in an area where they've never been recorded before. Port McNeill resident Jackie Hildering, who works with the Marine Education and Research Society, says the spawn has given her and her neighbours a "front-row seat to the importance of herring." Courtney Dickson reports. (CBC)  See also: B.C. photos capture fantastic images of herring spawning (Times Colonist)

Where the PNW — and the rest of the U.S. — stands on crypto mining
As cryptocurrency mining draws increased scrutiny on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., some state legislatures are considering proposals to restrict the industry over growing concerns about its energy use. Other states, though, are advancing bills to protect cryptocurrency miners from such crackdowns, citing the economic potential of hosting mining operations.  Alex Brown reports. (Stateline/Crosscut)

It’s ‘Ribbit, ribbit’ season in Washington. Just what are those frogs trying to say?
It’s spring — when a young frog’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love. OK, we can’t say for sure if frogs have the same emotions as humans, but the chorus of croaks coming from the swampier areas of Pierce and Thurston counties are definitely mating calls. So says Max Lambert, an aquatic habitat research scientist with the state Department of Natural Resources. Craig Sailor reports. (Tacoma News Tribune)

Work underway to ensure wastewater treatment plant can function even during 'disruptive events'
King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks' Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) has begun the next step of a process to ensure backup power at its West Point Treatment Plant in Magnolia near Seattle.  This week trucks are delivering and crews are pouring more than 1,600 tons of concrete as the agency builds a structure to house a massive battery that will provide power reliability for the plant, preventing wastewater and stormwater from being discharged into Puget Sound during disruptive events. Erica Zucco reports. (KING)

Biden and Trudeau agree to address mining pollution in B.C.’s Elk Valley — and it’s a big deal
Pollution from some of Canada’s largest coal mines has been getting worse for decades and is now spilling over into the U.S. As the two heads of state turn their attention to the growing conundrum of selenium in B.C.’s southeast corner, here’s what you need to know. Ainslie Cruickshank reports. (The Narwhal)

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Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  220 AM PDT Thu Mar 30 2023   
TODAY  SW wind to 10 kt becoming 5 to 15 kt in the afternoon.  Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 4 ft at 8 seconds. A slight  chance of showers. 
TONIGHT  SW wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 1 to 2 ft. W swell 4 ft  at 8 seconds. A chance of showers in the evening then showers  likely after midnight.

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