10/23 Redhead, ghost net cleanup, Skagit Island Unit, BC Ferries, coral reef ecosystems, seagrass, democracy watch, week in review.

Redhead [Bryan Calk]

 

Redhead Aythya americana
With a gleaming cinnamon head setting off a body marked in black and business gray, adult male Redheads light up the open water of lakes and coastlines. These sociable ducks molt, migrate, and winter in sometimes-huge flocks, particularly along the Gulf Coast, where winter numbers can reach the thousands. Summers find them nesting in reedy ponds of the Great Plains and West. Female and young Redheads are uniform brown, with the same black-tipped, blue-gray bill as the male. (All About Birds) 

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Samish Crest fires raise concerns about prevention in urban-adjacent woods

‘Gratifying and humbling’: First Nation leads ghost net cleanup from Interior B.C. rivers
For two decades, TLKemchEEN has facilitated the annual cleanup of the Fraser and Thompson rivers to support salmon and other aquatic life. Santana Dreaver reports. (The Narwhal) 

State temporarily reopens Skagit Wildlife Area's Island Unit
The unit, located near Conway, is accessible only by boat. Fish and Wildlife began restoration of 270 acres of estuary at the unit in July, and expected to keep it closed through fall 2028. The department and its contractor have paused construction for the winter. The unit reopened Saturday and will remain open through March. Emma Fletcher-Frazer reports. (Skagit Valley Herald) 

Unions Call on Next Government to Build Ferries in BC
After a year of political discontent over BC Ferries’ decision to hire a Chinese state-owned shipyard to build four new vessels, the three front-runners in the B.C. election have all committed to supporting ferry-building in this province. Isaac Pham Nay reports. (The Tyee)

Almost all coral reef ecosystems face risk of collapse in 50 years, study warns
An assessment of the world's coral reef ecosystems has found that almost all face a high risk of collapse in the next 50 years mostly due to warming oceans and heat waves. Michael Casey reports.(Associated Press) 

The Curious Connection Between Bacteria, Seagrass, and Carbon
New research shows that seagrass depends on the bacteria around it—and that the antibiotics entering our oceans could disrupt that relationship. Scarlett Buckley reports. (bioGraphic) 

Democracy Watch

• Judge blocks Homeland Security from conducting election-related sweeps in 9 states (Washington State Standard) 

Salish Sea News Week in Review 10/23/26: Mole Day, Stillaguamish Tribe restoration, Tranquil Cr restoration, invasive beetle, bear baiting, humpback killed, SRKW population, sunken tires removal. 

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Here's your weekend tug weather— 

West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  138 AM PDT Fri Oct 23 2026    
TODAY  NW wind 5 to 10 kt, becoming E late this morning and  early afternoon, backing to NW late. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail:  W 6 ft at 10 seconds.  
TONIGHT  W wind around 5 kt, backing to S around 5 kt after  midnight. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 10 seconds.  
SAT  SE wind 5 to 10 kt, rising to 10 to 15 kt in the  afternoon. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 10 seconds. A  chance of rain in the afternoon.  
SAT NIGHT  SE wind 15 to 20 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: E  7 ft at 8 seconds. Rain.  
SUN  SE wind 15 to 20 kt, easing to 10 to 15 kt in the  afternoon. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: E 6 ft at 9 seconds.  Rain.

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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato.  To subscribe? Questions? Email msato(at)salish-current.org. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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