8/25 Pileated woodpecker, Cascades fire, fleeing wildfire, the Blob, paper vs. plastic straws, week in review

Pileated Woodpecker (Avibirds)

Pileated Woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus
The Pileated Woodpecker is the largest of the Washington State woodpeckers. Pileated Woodpeckers are vocal, typically making a long piping call, along with wuk-wuk or cuk-cuk calls. This species makes nesting holes in dead deciduous or coniferous trees. They create a new cavity every season. The Pleated Woodpecker diet consists mainly of carpenter ants. They also feed on other insects, including other ants, flies, woodboring beetles, caterpillars, grasshoppers, termites, and cockroaches, as well as fruits and nuts. (Avibirds)

Red flag warning in Cascades over increased fire risk, thunderstorms
The National Weather Service in Seattle issued a red flag warning Thursday for the west slopes of the Central Cascades over gusty winds, dry conditions and unstable weather that’s expected to increase existing fire risks. The warning will be in effect through 5 p.m. Friday.  Daisy Zavala Magaña reports. (Seattle Times)

What it’s like to flee a wildfire in B.C.
As someone who has long frequented burning landscapes to put out fires, I hadn’t ever feared for my safety before. That changed the day two explosive fires converged in the province’s Shuswap region. Mike Graeme reports. (The Narwhal)

Years After the Blob, the Pacific Still Doesn’t Look the Same
The 2014–2016 marine heatwave transformed the ecosystem of the northeast Pacific. Some of those changes seem here to stay. Ethan Freedman reports.(Hakai Magazine)

Study: Paper straws might not be better than plastic for environment
So-called “eco-friendly” paper drinking straws contain long-lasting and potentially toxic chemicals and may not be better for the environment than plastic versions, researchers have warned. Long-lasting “forever chemicals,” which are potentially harmful to people, wildlife and the environment, were found in 18 out of 20 brands of paper straws, Belgian researchers found. (PA Media/dpa)

Salish Sea News Week in Review 8/25/23: Dog Day, Tokitae, GenZ climage, WA forests, Cowichan R, 'Aroma of Tacoma,' E.coli, Garbage Patch, Skeena last fish, the Blob.

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Now, your weekend tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  250 AM PDT Fri Aug 25 2023   
TODAY  E wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 1 ft  at 6 seconds. Haze. 
TONIGHT  W wind to 10 kt. Wind waves 1 ft or less. W swell 2 ft  at 6 seconds. Haze. 
SAT  NW wind to 10 kt becoming E in the afternoon. Wind waves  1 ft or less. W swell 1 ft at 6 seconds. Haze. 
SAT NIGHT  NW wind to 10 kt. Wind waves 1 ft or less. W swell  1 ft at 7 seconds. 
SUN  SW wind to 10 kt becoming W 5 to 15 kt in the afternoon.  Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 1 ft at 7 seconds.

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