(Photo by Joan Lopez)

One week from tonight, you have the chance to learn about the ECHO (Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation) Program with The Whale Trail, which explains that this is “a Vancouver Fraser Port Authority-led initiative aimed at better understanding and managing the impact of shipping activities on at-risk whales throughout the Salish Sea.” The presentation is at 7 pm next Thursday, June 22nd, at the Dakota Place Building (California/Dakota). From the announcement:

Krista Trounce, the ECHO Program Project Manager, will present how the ECHO Program is working with national and international collaborators to develop mitigation measures that will lead to a quantifiable reduction in potential threats to whales as a result of shipping activities.

Learn about the projects the ECHO Program has completed and is currently working on: Strait of Georgia Underwater Listening Station to measure vessel noise levels, regional monitoring of ambient noise in the Salish Sea, a Mariner’s Guide to Whales in the Pacific Northwest, large whale strike risk assessment, a trial slowdown of commercial vessels, and others. Hear how the ECHO Program and our collaborators are educating mariners, industry partners and the public about the impacts of underwater noise on marine mammals.

Krista will speak to the ECHO Program long term goals, and how the Salish Sea will benefit from their research and initiatives. Buy tickets now at bpt.me/2974083 to reserve your seat. And hurry! This will likely sell out.

This talk is the third of four Celebrate Springer events, commemorating the 15th anniversary of the successful rescue, rehabilitation and release of Springer (A73) the orphaned orca, and the transboundary partnerships that made it possible.

Today, you don’t have to wait for a whale sighting off West Seattle shores to learn about the “Whales In Your Neighborhood” – just go check in with The Whale Trail and friends at Constellation Park before 2 pm, as previewed on our calendar. It’s part of Orca Awareness Month – next local event, a cleanup at Alki one week from today and a Whale Trail-presented talk on vessel traffic’s effect on whales – info’s all here.

ORIGINAL REPORT, 9:40 PM TUESDAY: Thanks to Lura for the video recorded tonight along Beach Drive SW, south of Me-Kwa-Mooks. Those are two young river otters, first spotted, she told us, under a car – as you can see in the video, they emerged from beneath one car, and loped along to a spot beneath another one. While river otters are often seen swimming in Puget Sound off West Seattle shores, their dens are on land, so you might suddenly see one crossing your path (as shown in our 2012 photo from Duwamish Head) or crossing a road … be careful!

P.S. Want to know more about river otters? Take a deep dive with this state Department of Fish and Wildlife infopage.

ADDED WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON: Didn’t realize until a message from Cassie that today is World Otter Day!

(2002 photo of Springer, by Mark Sears)

An amazing story that unfolded just west of here 15 years ago, with many West Seattleites involved, will be retold and celebrated starting this Saturday. Donna Sandstrom of WS-based The Whale Trail shares the explanation and invitation:

“Celebrate Springer!” marks the 15th anniversary of the dramatic rescue in the waters off of Vashon Island of the orphaned orca Springer (A-73) and the heroic efforts by Washington and British Columbia teams working together to return her safely to her home 300 miles north in Johnstone Strait at the north end of Vancouver Island.

Today, Springer is still healthy and in 2013 had her first calf, Spirit. They are most often seen on the north central British Columbia coast and occasionally return to Johnstone Strait in summer.

The 2002 Springer rescue team will reconvene at 1 PM on Saturday, May 20, at the Vashon Theater to tell “Springer’s Story,” first-hand accounts of how Springer was identified, rescued and rehabilitated.

“Celebrate Springer!” will also feature a dance performance by Le La La Dancers, who were present at Springer’s release, and followed at 5 PM by The Whale Trail sign dedication at the Point Robinson Lighthouse Park.

Sponsors for the Vashon Theater event are Jody Peetz and Pete Schroeder, Marine Mammal Veterinarian. Tickets are available in advance from Vashon Theater tickets (go here).

The Point Robinson location has been identified by The Whale Trail as one of the best places to watch whales from shore. The new sign was funded by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife and customized for the Point Robinson site with the assistance of Vashon resident Rebecca Benson, Point Robinson historian Bruce Haulman and Vashon Park staff Eric Wyatt.

“Life is filled with magical moments,” said Vashon Parks executive director Elaine Ott-Rocheford. “I count myself lucky to hold a front row seat to many spectacular sights from our own beloved park system. We are thrilled about the new Whale Trail sign being posted at Point Robinson Park, as it provides a ready education about the natural marine life wonders to be viewed from the park’s shoreline. The posting of the sign represents a perfect tribute to the story of Springer, the orphaned Orca, who was rescued off the north end of Vashon Island.”

The new Whale Trail sign is one of three funded by the state Fish and Wildlife Department. Others will be dedicated in the summer at Fay Bainbridge State Park and at Point Defiance.

“WDFW provides services that link our quality of life to healthy natural resources and ecosystems,” said Deputy Chief Mike Cenci with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Police. ”It’s a privilege to be a partner in this project where the public can view and appreciate the spectacle of these Northwest icons from shore. Watch for and wave at the Fish and Wildlife Police Boat that ensures protection of the whales.”

“Springer’s story is an unqualified success – the only project of its kind in history,” said Donna Sandstrom, director of The Whale Trail and organizer of the Vashon Island event. “We hope her story inspires people to join us in working on issues facing our endangered southern resident orcas today, with the same urgency, courage and resolve.”

“Celebrate Springer!” events will continue in June and July with programs at NOAA Fisheries, Whale Trail Orca Talk, Whale Trail sign dedications, and conclude with a three-day program at Telegraph Cove, British Columbia, where Springer was released in 2002 and rejoined her Northern Resident family.

Out of the inbox this afternoon, from Lorabeth:

I wanted other WSB readers to know there is a dive-bombing crow guarding territory immediately in front of the entrance to the Admiral Branch of the Seattle Public Library.

He hit me in the head and made several more attempts as I hurried to get out of the area. I think there may be a nest in one of the trees near the front steps.

I called the library and also alerted them. Will wear a hard hat next time!

WDFW’s ‘Living With Wildlife‘ one-sheet about crows includes info about dive-bombing.

10:53 AM: A big turnout of birders got the party started early at this morning’s Urban Bird Treaty City celebration at Lincoln Park. The “treaty” covers the entire city of Seattle, but Lincoln Park was chosen for the event, which began with two guided bird walks at 10 am (that’s one group in our photo above), and is about to segue into the 11 am ceremony. The Urban Bird Treaty program is almost two decades old, and has these three goals:

*Protect, restore, and enhance urban/suburban habitats for birds.

*Reduce urban/suburban hazards to birds.

*Educate and engage urban/suburban citizens in caring about and conserving birds and their habitats.

Read more about the program here. Updates ahead, as this morning’s event continues!

12:19 PM: Just back from the park, where the celebration continued with the actual signing:

The pens were wielded by Robyn Thorson, director of the Pacific Region for the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and Jesús Aguirre, Seattle Parks and Recreation superintendent. That followed almost an hour of speeches, punctuated by an adorable performance:

Two short nature songs were presented by preschoolers from Whizz Kids Academy in Magnolia. They weren’t the only youth representatives:

15-year-old Louis Kreemer, a Roosevelt High School student, was introduced as the youngest student in the current local Master Birder class. He noted that the Urban Bird Treaty comes with some direct expectations for us all, including keeping cats indoors, architecture design that minimizes risk to birds, and some “Lights Out” nights, because of the importance of protecting birds. A political representative spoke too:

Linh Thai, from US Rep. Adam Smith‘s office, noted that “conservation is a nonpartisan issue,” and said, “If the birds and bees are gone, we’re next.”

Before the official signing, Superintendent Aguirre told what he called his “bird story”:

A few more photos and notes to come. And on the subject of what else you can do – here’s how to protect birds from colliding with your windows.

6:09 PM: Thanks for the tips – we’ve had scattered reports of orcas in the area this afternoon but right now, multiple reports that they’re visible off Blake Island, headed north. Let us know if you see them!

7:03 PM: Just got a text (206-293-6302 is our 24/7 number) from someone who saw them from the Bainbridge-Seattle ferry. So if you’re looking … they’re still out there, and there’s still enough light at this point of the evening to facilitate whale-watching!

It’s not really spring until one of our area’s wonderful wildlife photographers shares a photo of a Canada goose with at least one downy yellow gosling … this is the first one we’ve received this year. Mark Wangerin photographed them along Harbor Avenue SW – drive/ride carefully in that area, as they’ve been known to cross the road.