5/13 Paper birch, chinook run, peregrine falcons, Bear Divide, First Nation land, BC drought, Whatcom Co housing

Paper Birch

 

Paper Birch Betula papyrifera
Paper Birch gets its name from the way the bark on older trees will peel in thin, white, papery sheets.  It is also sometimes called Canoe Birch or White Birch. Paper Birch is widely distributed throughout the northern regions of North America from Alaska to Newfoundland. West of the Cascades, Paper Birch is mostly found north of the Skagit in Washington State, but may also occur in the southern Puget Sound region. (Native Plants of the PNW)

Today's top story in Salish Current: San Juan and Skagit county council candidates file for August primary

Low Chinook runs endanger prime fishing rivers in Snohomish County
Even in pristine salmon habitat like the Sultan, Chinook numbers are down. Warm water and extreme weather are potential factors. Ta'Leah Van Sistine reports. (Everett Herald)

Peregrine falcons laced with banned chemicals, Canadian scientists find
The fastest animal on the planet, peregrine falcons can't seem to escape contamination from banned toxic flame retardants, a new study has found. Stefan Labbé reports. (Times Colonist)

On this unassuming trail near LA, bird watchers see something spectacular
Bear Divide is unique because it's like a passageway through the wall of the San Gabriels. Birds are funneled through, says Kelly Reckling, a PhD student at UCLA who studies bird migration, and fly low enough for researchers to identify, catch and study the species as they pass. On a really good day, Reckling says, you can see up to 20,000 birds zooming by as they travel north for the summer. Kai McNamee reports. (NPR)

B.C. returns land on Island to Lyackson First Nation
Lyackson Nation and Cowichan Tribes are holding the land in partnership until there is a plan to divide the land between the two. Michael John Lo reports. (Times Colonist)

Space program captures images of B.C.'s dry riverbeds as drought continues
Images from Canadian mission show narrow waterways reflecting lack of rain, snow. Andrew Kurjata reports.(CBC)

With state policy stuck, a county charts its own path to allow more rural housing
State lawmakers heard from Whatcom County leaders about efforts there to allow more backyard cottages and other accessory dwelling units. Laura Demkovich reports. (Washington State Standard)

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Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  239 AM PDT Mon May 13 2024    
TODAY  W wind 10 to 20 kt. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 2 to  5 ft at 11 seconds building to 4 to 6 ft at 10 seconds in the  afternoon.  
TONIGHT  W wind 10 to 20 kt becoming SW to 10 kt after  midnight. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft subsiding to 1 ft or less after  midnight. W swell 6 ft at 10 seconds.

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