Topic: Wildlife

Action needed to ensure the survival of Southern Resident Orca

Written on August 1, 2018 at 5:45 am, by

In the SJ Update mailbag, we have this letter to you written by Christopher Wilson of San Juan Island… I quote Ken Balcomb’s blog found at www.whaleresearch.com/blog. I am writing out of a deep concern for the continued survival of the Southern resident orca pods that have lived much the year for millennia around the San  Continue Reading

First We Mourn; Then We Take Action

Written on July 31, 2018 at 5:55 am, by

Safe Shippers and Friends of the San Juans share this with you… Our beloved and endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKWs) suffered another loss this week. The world heard the news of J35’s deceased calf and sent back words of alarm and sympathy to us here in the Salish Sea. We mourn together – Let’s  Continue Reading

Another Newborn Orca Dies

Written on July 27, 2018 at 9:33 am, by

Regrettably, approximately 75% of newborns in the recent two decades following designation of the Southern Resident killer whale (orca) population as “Endangered” have not survived, and 100% of the pregnancies in the past three years have failed to produce viable offspring. The following is some sad news from the Center for Whale Research… We are  Continue Reading

Wanna Sing a Song for Quiet?

Written on July 18, 2018 at 5:49 am, by

Check out this email that came into the SJ Update mailbag… Dear San Juan Update, We are making a music video about noise pollution on the Salish Sea and are seeking community vocalists on the Salish Sea to take part ($500 and expenses for selected singers). If you might be interested, please see the flyer  Continue Reading

Eagle and Crows

Written on July 17, 2018 at 5:50 am, by

Kevin Holmes shares this photo of an eagle apparently not bothered by all the crows trying to antagonize him. Great photo – Thanks Kevin!

Tribal Leader Appointed to State Salmon Recovery Funding Board

Written on July 16, 2018 at 5:46 am, by

OLYMPIA – Governor Jay Inslee has appointed Jeromy Sullivan, chair of the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe, to the Salmon Recovery Funding Board, a state board that awards grants for projects to help return salmon from the brink of extinction. Sullivan has extensive experience in conservation and salmon recovery issues. He has served on the Hood  Continue Reading

SJCT Summer Film Series

Written on July 15, 2018 at 5:51 am, by

Larry Soll invites you to the next film at San Juan Community Theatre next Tuesday… Fellow Film Buffs, Coming up on Tuesday July 17th at 7:30 pm, Blackfish Documentary, Drama PG-13  84 minutes Many of us have experienced the excitement and awe of watching 8,000-pound orcas, or “killer whales,” soar out of the water and  Continue Reading

Pupping Season for Harbor Seals

Written on July 13, 2018 at 5:48 am, by

This story is shared with you from the Whale Museum… It’s July, which means harbor seal pupping season is underway in the San Juan Islands and much of the Salish Sea! Keep an eye out for pups on beaches and around harbors. Recently, San Juan County Marine Mammal Stranding Network interns responded to the pup  Continue Reading

Cute Wild Kids

Written on July 12, 2018 at 5:51 am, by

Wolf Hollow shares this with you… There is no doubt about it, baby wild mammals are cute, and bring out the nurturing instinct in people, who then feel the need to get closer to them and feed and “care” for them. Why is that a problem? It’s all to do with what they learn when  Continue Reading

New Orca ID App

Written on July 12, 2018 at 5:49 am, by

Want to Identify an individual whale? You’re in luck, there’s now an app for that! Hundreds of thousands of people come to the Pacific Northwest every year to take in our natural beauty, and with hopes of seeing our most popular marine life resident: Orcas (killer whales). The Center for Whale Research (CWR) has been  Continue Reading

Discover Deadman: An Intertidal Walk

Written on July 10, 2018 at 5:30 am, by

On Saturday, July 14 from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm San Juan County Land Bank invites you to an intertidal walk at Deadman Bay Preserve… There’s more to the West Side of San Juan Island than orcas! Dr. Erika Iyengar, of Muhlenberg College and long-time researcher at the Friday Harbor Laboratories, returns to lead her  Continue Reading

Buzz by Thor Hanson

Written on July 3, 2018 at 5:49 am, by

San Juan Islander Thor Hanson has written another lively, informative, and entertaining new book—BUZZ—which is to be released on Tuesday, July 10 with great fanfare at an official launch party hosted by Griffin Bay Bookstore at Brickworks on July 10, 7:00 pm. If you’ve been anxiously awaiting another wonderful book from our favorite biologist, this  Continue Reading

Registration open for 2018 Pod Nods at The Whale Museum

Written on June 27, 2018 at 5:43 am, by

  Pod Nod overnight marine adventures return this summer to The Whale Museum! These popular “pajama party” sleepovers are geared for children ages 6 to 11 and will be held on the following Fridays: July 13 August 10 August 24 Pod Nods are led by Museum Educators with assistance from other adult professionals. Youth participants  Continue Reading

Orca Sing 2018

Written on June 16, 2018 at 5:51 am, by

Orca Sing is an annual event where people gather for an evening of music at Lime Kiln Point State Park to honor the Southern Resident orcas.  This year’s event is the 19th annual and will take place on Saturday, June 23, beginning at 7 p.m. This year, Fred West and Seattle’s City Cantabile Choir will  Continue Reading

J’s and L’s are Back

Written on June 11, 2018 at 8:10 pm, by

Captain Hobbes Buchanan of San Juan Island Whale & Wildlife Tours writes to let you know some of the southern residents are back… Hey San Juan Update, So on Saturday we had over 40 transient orca killer whales in our area, and most of them went by the entrance to Friday Harbor – a big  Continue Reading

Swallow Nests

Written on June 8, 2018 at 5:50 am, by

  Swallows are wonderful to watch and they eat huge numbers of flying insects, including mosquitoes and other biting insects, so we all benefit from having them around. But they also like to build their nests under the eaves of houses, which can result in splotches of white swallow poop on our decks or patio  Continue Reading