2022 was the year of the northern migration of the species Portus biologicus (Port Biologist). Two variations of this species, Jenn and Kristin, have been found at the Port of Tacoma. Jenn can be identified by her red plumage while Kristin has brown plumage with a brightly colored cap that appears in the winter.
 
Jenn, the resident biologist at the Port of Tacoma has migrated north to the Port of Seattle and Kristin, a transient biologist, has made her way north to the Port of Tacoma from Olympia. She has also been known to research on the western slope of Colorado, Cape Cod, the Florida Keys, the Florida Everglades, and the coral reefs and sea grass beds of Bermuda.
 
When Kristin is not checking up on one of the Ports 22 habitat sites, she can be found exploring her home range which includes White Pass Ski Area. She also enjoys watching her offspring compete for a soccer ball and a football.
 
On occasion these two biologists can be seen exploring the Port of Tacoma together. 
 
Environmental Connection
Migration, or the movement from one geographic area to another, is an important adaptation observed in all major animal groups. Animals migrate for many reasons including climate, food availability, the season of the year or for mating. Moving is hard work no matter what species you are. Therefore, the benefit of migrating to a new habitat has to outweigh the benefit of the staying in the current habitat to justify the energy output. The home range of an animal is the geographic area where it spends its time. Competition for food and other resources influences how animals are distributed in a given area.