2/6 Ruby-crowned kinglet, snowpack, oil transparency bill, Skagit mine, Electron Hydro, BC housing rules, birds in decline, Black enviros, sea lion racket

 

Ruby-Crowned Kinglet [Gregg Thompson]

The Ruby-crowned Kinglet Tunes Up
The Ruby-crowned Kinglet is one of the smallest songbirds on the continent, weighing in at just a little more than half a chickadee. Mostly green and hard to spot, it hovers in mid-air as it catches tiny insects. In early spring, the kinglet's rollicking song echoes from the forest edge. (BirdNote, April 10, 2023)

Editor's note: We were sad to learn from BirdNote that biologist and photographer Gregg Thompson passed away. Gregg's photos and Birdnote stories with those photos have graced many a News and Weather posting. We will honor Gregg with a week of his photos and BirdNote stories. A donation to BirdNote  would be an appropriate gesture to recognize Gregg for his art and spirit.

Today's top story in Salish Current: 50 years after Boldt Decision: new and lingering challenges to salmon recovery

WA’s snowpack languishes with little hope for the months ahead
Snowpack across the entire state sits below normal levels, in some places less than half what an average winter might bring. “It’s worse than I expected,” state climatologist Nick Bond said. Conrad Swanson reports. (Seattle Times)

Out of gas: Inslee’s oil transparency bill stalls in Legislature
The bill was a top climate priority for the governor this session but critics questioned the cost and whether the state could keep sensitive corporate data safe from hackers. Jerry Cornfield reports. (Washington State Standard)

Former Skagit County hearing examiner grants permit for gravel mine
A former Skagit County hearing examiner threatened with jail for failing to issue a decision on a proposed gravel mine granted the permit Thursday. The document filed by Andrew Reeves is only three pages long, with much of it reiterating his issues with the county and the court’s threat of jail. In the decision, Reeves granted “whatever the Applicant was seeking throughout the permit process” and denies “all tangential issues and appeals that have stood in the Applicant’s way.” Emma Fletcher-Frazer reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)

Energy company is back in court for endangering fish on the Puyallup River
Electron Hydro and its CEO last year agreed to pay more than a million dollars in fines for their illegal use of artificial turf in the Puyallup River four years ago. On Tuesday, Electron Hydro’s owners will be back in court – this time in a suit brought by the Puyallup Tribe under the Endangered Species Act. Bellamy Pailthorp reports. (KNKX)

New housing rules in B.C. trigger fears of ‘catastrophic’ loss of urban trees
B.C.’s NDP government says new legislation aims to address the housing crisis. Critics say the ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach removes local autonomy and threatens urban forests, including Greater Victoria’s endangered Garry oak ecosystem. Sarah Cox reports. (The Narwhal)

North American birds are in decline, but you can help
Bird populations in North America are in steep decline. A new study points to window collisions, cats, and habitat loss—and what you can do to help. Margaret Ashburn writes. (Futurity)

‘She’s out here trailblazing’: these 10 Black environmentalists are building community
Black Canadian scientists, researchers and environmental advocates discuss the importance of mentors, protégés and friends in their fields. Serena Austin reports. (The Narwhal)

Sea lions gather and make a racket off Greater Victoria
“They’re farting, belching, roaring and growling … it’s quite the scene.”  Darron Kloster reports. (Times Colonist)

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Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  227 AM PST Tue Feb 6 2024    
TODAY  SE wind to 10 kt. Wind waves 1 ft or less. W swell 7 ft  at 14 seconds.  
TONIGHT  SW wind to 10 kt. Wind waves 1 ft or less. W swell  8 ft at 16 seconds. A chance of rain after midnight.

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