Monthly Archives: April 2002

gulls are getting territorial and aggressive towards the eagles

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Saturday, April 27, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 12.1 ºC »» Min. 5.9 ºC »» Reset 10.1 ºC »» Rain 0.8 mm
MARINE LIFE: 3 mature and 2 juvenile bald eagles today which were kept moving by the gulls and Oyster Catchers.Now that nesting season is getting closer the gulls are getting territorial and aggressive towards the eagles.One of the mature eagles landed by the chopper pad and was immediately the target of 20 or so gulls and a pair of very daring Oyster Catchers.The big bird ducked and snapped it’s beak as the smaller birds dove at it time and time again,finally the eagle flew off to West Race followed by 10 or so gulls which circled the eagle a couple of times then returned to Gr. Race and things settled down until another eagles flew overhead.No other eagles landed as they were headed off as soon as they flew near.
HUMAN INTERACTION: we had 29 ecotour boats and 5 pleasure craft through the reserve today. There was a small pod of Orcas reported in the area of Albert Head and William Head and although it is too far to see the whales one could not miss the myriad of boats which accompanied, followed, pursued these whales for hours.The great, gleaming white cruise ship we could see docked in Victoria no doubt carried many tourists who enjoyed a ‘whale watching tour,evidently this was the first of 21 visits by the liner- the season is just beginning but I am not ready for it.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:03 PM
Good Morning
WEATHER: Sky Part Cloudy »» Vis. 15 Miles »» Wind North West 3 Knots »» Sea Rippled
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:07 AM

7 pairs of Black Oyster Catchers

Posted on by
Sunday, April 21, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 11.1 ºC »» in. 7.3 ºC »» Reset 8.7 ºC
MARINE LIFE: 2 mature bald eagles today that spent most of the time on the southeast rocks making several flights around Gr. Race at twilight.Still 3 geese. Observed 7 pairs of Black Oyster Catchers spending considerable time in and around nesting areas but no eggs found as of yet.
HUMAN INTERACTION: 3 Ecotour boats and 5 pleasure craft through the reserve. 1 boat with divers off West Race and just off the north shore of Gr. Race. The weather deteriorated in the afternoon with the wind increasing to 30 knts. from the west,so far it has been a cool windy spring.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:09 PM
Good Morning
WEATHER:Sky Cloudy »»Vis. 15 Miles »» Wind West 19 Knots »» Sea 2 – 3 Foot Chop
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:45 AM

(eagle) eating the catch of the day (salmon).

Posted on by
Saturday, April 20, 2002
Good evening from Chris and Jane.
We arrived this morning at 11:45 am and took over for Mike and Carol today. As we approached Race Rocks, we both commented on the flag being at half mast. Even on this small island, as on parliament hill and across the country, the symbol of loss was displayed for the four soldiers and their families. Our thoughts were with them.WEATHER: Winds were at 10-15 knots, seas were rippled. Visibility was 10 miles. Clear skies.

MARINE LIFE: 3 bald eagles, two jeuveniles were seen on the south tip of Great Race. One adult on the cliff by the helipad. An adult was seen later in the day at the southern tip of great race, eating the catch of the day (salmon). Three Canada Geese were seen… two were a pair and located on the north eastern area of the island. The other was near the lighthouse. Some of the seagulls are starting to practice and display nesting behaviours. It looks like pairs are starting to form and courtship rituals are taking place. Two pairs of oyster catchers were seen. One on the north eastern side of the island and the other on the docks.

HUMAN INTERACTION: Six boats were fishing off of Rosedale Reef this morning. These were later seen further to the west of Rosedale Reef in the afternoon. They were checked on by a vessel from Fisheries and Oceans early in the afternoon. In the midafternoon, we observed one disabled vessel being towed back to Pedder Bay. One ecotour boat visited the area today and a few fishing vessels stopped on their way in and out to have a visit with the sea lions.

We are going to be returning back to Pearson College Campus at 20:00 hr after another great day on the rock!
Until next time,
Chris and Jane
posted by Chris Blondeau at 6:55 PM

Good Morning
WEATHER: Sky Cloudy »» Vis. 15 Miles »» Wind 13 South West »» Sea 1 – 2 Foot Chop
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:39 AM

pigeon guillemots took to the water with the first blast and did not return

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Friday, April 19, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 12.3 ºC »» Min. 6.1 ºC »» Reset 9.0 ºC
MARINE LIFE:2 mature bald eagles again today, one arrived after 14:00. Still 3 geese, the one, is definitely an un-welcomed interloper as far as the pair are concerned. There have been several noisey,feather ruffling encounters but no injuries and the ‘loner’ is very persistent!
HUMAN INTERACTION: 5 pleasure craft and 2 ecotour boats today. 2nd Nature – student class about 2 hours. Another day of D.N.D. blasting and again most affected were the birds.The pigeon Guillemots took to the water with the first blast and did not return for the rest of the day.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:04 PM
Good Morning
WEATHER: Sky Cloudy »» Vis 12 Miles »» Wind West 17Knots »» Sea 2 – 3 Foot Chop
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:30 AM

ammunition detonations at the D.N.D. site

Posted on by
Thursday, April 18, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 11.5 ºC »» Min. 5.7 ºC »» Reset 8.5 ºC »» No Rain :o)
MARINE LIFE: 2 mature bald eagles today, which spent the day flying between North and Southeast Rocks. Constantly on the alert because of the eagles, the birds were further upset by the ammunition detonations at the D.N.D. site.There were 4 sets of 3 blasts, with 2 minutes between each blast.Although there are not many sealions hauled out at this time of the year they were disturbed to the extent that 6 went into the water. The birds take flight with each blast. The more energy they expend, the more food they require and they are coming into breeding season now, putting a greater demand on the birds energy requirements.There were 3 geese today,1 pair and a loner that follows the pair around the island, wonder what happened to the 4th goose?
HUMAN INTERACTION: 2nd Nature in twice, station boat 2 return trips to Pedder Bay. 2nd Nature went out to pleasure craft to advise fishers of the ‘no fishing’ guidelines in the reserve.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:33 PM
Good Morning
WEATHER: Sky Clear »» Vis. 15 Miles »» Wind West 3 Knots »» Sea Rippled
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:59 AM

Coast Guard helicopter landed one person to do some repairs in the tower

Posted on by
Wednesday, April 17, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 13.0 º C »» Min. 4.9 ºC »» Reset 10.0 ºC »» Rain o.4 mm
MARINE LIFE: 1 immature bald eagle arrived at first light but flew off toward Whirl Bay just after 10:00.A little after 14:00, 1 mature Eagle flew overhead,landed on the most easterly point of the southeast rocks and is still there, no doubt near sunset it will make it’s ’rounds’ of Gr. Race and get the gulls agitated.The Harbour seals are gradually being floated off their haul-out spots as the tide rises.Most of them have been hauled out all day,and with dry fur, look like sun bleached logs scattered about the islands.Today was one of those spring days that you hate to see the sun go down,even with a colourful sunset!
HUMAN INTERACTION: 2 pleasure craft and 2 ecotour boats today. At 08:30 The Coast Guard helicopter landed one person to do some repairs in the tower ( fixing the rubber seal around the fog detector) The chopper returned 11:30 or so to return worker to Victoria Base. The 2nd Nature was in this morning with teachers and students for Bio. class.Finally, a nice day for an outdoor class.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:29 PM
Good Morning
WEATHER: Sky Cloudy »» Vis 15 Miles »» Wind South West 5 Knots »» Sea Rippled
posted by Carol or Mike S at 7:00 AM

chasing the eagle first en masse

Posted on by
Tuesday, April 16, 2002
Good Evening
WEATHER: Max. 9.1 ºC »» Min. 4.9 ºC »» Reset 6.1 ºC »» Rain 4.4 mm
MARINE LIFE: 1 mature bald eagle, 2 pair geese. The eagle spent most of the day on the southeast rocks then near sunset flew over to the high point on the northwest ridge of Gr. Race.Every 15 minutes or so the eagle circled Gr. Race. The gulls and Oyster catchers all took to the air noisily, chasing the eagle first en masse, then breaking off into smaller groups of 7-8 gulls. The eagle returned to the ridge,but the gulls took 5 minutes or so to settle back down then all was quiet again for about 10 minutes until the eagle took flight again.This activity went on until it was almost dark and the eagle headed off towards Bentinck Island.The gulls have quite a number of distinctive calls that are associated with everything from courting to reacting to danger. It does not take long to recognize these various calls.
HUMAN INTERACTION: 4 ecotour boats and 1 pleasure craft through the reserve today.posted by Carol or Mike S at 7:07 PM
Good Morning
WEATHER: Sky Overcast »» Vis. 12 Miles »» Light Rain »» Wind North 11 Knots »» Sea 2 Foot Chop »» Low West Swell
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:35 AM

Campanularia sp. : Photomicrography of Dr. Anita Brinckmann-Voss-The Race Rocks Taxonomy

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Campanularia sp. (Hydrozoa, Leptothecatae, Campanulariidae) Race Rocks, low intertidal.

61_05campanularia_sp_abieti

 

Domain Eukarya
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Cnidaria
Class Hydrozoa
Order Leptothecata (=Leptomedusae)
Family Campanularidae
Genus Campanularia
Species sp.
Common Name:

This file is provided as part of a collaborative effort by Lester B. Pearson College and local scientists. Copyrighted 1999-All Images on this page are the property of: Dr. Anita Brinckmann- Voss..They can not be used or modified without her written permission.

see this link for other hydroids:  https://www.racerocks.ca/tag/hydroid/

Research paper indicating possible medicinal properties: accessed July, 2014

4-Hydroxybenzoyl Derivative from the Aqueous Extract of the Hydroid Campanularia sp.

Marine Natural Products Laboratory, Chemistry Department, Aberdeen University, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, Scotland, U.K.
J. Nat. Prod., 2005, 68 (3), pp 453–455
DOI: 10.1021/np049666n
Publication Date (Web): February 26, 2005
Copyright © 2005 American Chemical Society and American Society of Pharmacognosy

A new compound, N-(4-guanidinobutyl)-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-oxo-acetamide (1) was isolated from the aqueous extract of the hydroid Campanularia sp. Its structure was elucidated using NMR spectroscopic techniques and mass spectrometric analysis. The most stable conformation was determined using molecular modeling and the results of a NOESY experiment. Although compound 1 shows structural similarities to some highly potent histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi), e.g., suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) (2) and trichostatin A (TSA) (3), it does not inhibit the growth of ARP-1 cells at 100 μM concentration, a significant indication that it has no inhibitory activity to HDACs.

molformula

Race Rocks Update Spring 2002- Angus Matthews

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The New Landlord
Responsibility for Great Race Island has recently reverted back to the Province of British Columbia represented by BC Parks. The Coast Guard has officially turned all surplus buildings and facilities at Race Rocks over to BC Parks for use in support of education, research and the protection of the Marine Protected Area. Before transferring the assets, the Coast Guard completed extensive upgrades of the fuel systems, generators, buildings and other equipment including the large equipment hoist. The Coast Guard retains a small area of land around the historic light tower and responsibility for maintenance of the tower, operation of the light, fog signal and automated weather reporting system.

BC Parks has in turn entered into a 30 year agreement with Pearson College to designate responsibility to the College for the operation of the facilities, delivering education programs, supporting research and providing supervision for the Ecological Reserve and Marine Protected Area. We look forward to working closely with BC Parks to serve as custodians of this precious ecosystem on behalf of the people of British Columbia and Canada.

Community Support
We are fortunate to have strong support and co-operation from the many visitors to the MPA. We continue to work with the eco-tourism and scuba diving operators to ensure their operating guidelines are carefully followed while their many appreciative visitors have the opportunity to experience the remarkable diversity of Race Rocks. This kind of public education is an essential element of promoting public awareness of the value of the MPA initiative. We hope to work with the eco-tourism operators this year to encourage their customers to voluntarily contribute financial support for Race Rocks. We continue to have an excellent working relationship with the operators.

Sports fishers continue to honour their commitment to avoid fishing within the MPA boundary and we have had great cooperation from Sean and the staff at Pedder Bay Marina. DFO staff members have recently strengthened relationships with the local kayaking community as well.

We are also engaged in an effort with the Department of National Defence and DFO in an attempt to mitigate the impacts on the MPA as a consequence of DND activities at the nearby Rocky Point Base.

The Financial Picture
We continue to rely on our many supporters to sustain the operation of Race Rocks MPA and the racerocks.com website. We greatly appreciate the support of many of you who have made donations both large and small. Every donation helps and through the web we have made new donor friends all over the world. We particularly welcome as new supporters, the Ivey Foundation, World Wildlife Fund, Georgia Strait Alliance and a new technology sponsor, Channel Storm from Israel. Apple Canada, Apple Learning Interchange and Akamai continue to be generous and helpful supporters and advisors

Regrettably we are likely to end our fiscal year on June 30, 2002 with an operating shortfall of $27,000 on our budget. Pearson College has undertaken this debt on an interim basis. We are working closely with government agencies to stabilise the financial plan for long term sustainability of the MPA.

racerocks.com
Garry and our students continue to develop extraordinary features for the MPA’s award winning website. The use of the site by students, teachers, science centres and cyber visitors from around the world has expanded considerably. Technology has proven to be an effective way to widely share Race Rocks and Canada’s Marine Protected Area strategy without negative impacts. Three of the most popular new resources on the website are the Archives, Daily Log and Race Rocks Taxonomy file features.

Video Archives
A great supplement to our live cameras (because you can be sure to find what you are looking for) is an extensive menu of special topic video clips that are being developed for the site. These are great classroom resources for teachers and on-line learning. Check them out at https://www.racerocks.ca/archived-video/

Daily Log
Our resident eco-guardians, Mike and Carol Slater have done a great job of telling the Race Rocks story on the web in the Ecoguardians log. Everything from an elephant seal invasion, to the surprise hatching of our first Canada Geese chicks a few weeks ago have been faithfully recorded. Information in the Log is also backed up by a data base that will allow us to recover data on various marine mammal and bird sightings as well as visitor and vessel traffic. Over the years this data is bound to be useful to researchers and resource managers.

Race Rocks Taxonomy File
This will be a long term project. Garry is determined that we create a truly innovative and accessable taxonomy file featuring all the species at Race Rocks and utilising the very best of what the web has to offer; video clips, photos, text and Internet links. With the guidance of Garry and our other Biology/Environmental Systems faculty members Catrin Brown and Laura Verhegge, the project is launched with 70 species files established this year. This work in progress is available on the web at
https://www.racerocks.ca/race-rocks-animals-plants/taxonomy-image-gallery/

and Next………
We look forward to an interesting summer season. Throughout June we will have a team of students as guests at Race Rocks providing regular webcasts. Check the calendar for the schedule. We hope to raise the funds required to deal with our debt and a few important upgrades on the project. we urgently need to upgrade the sewage facilities on the island by installing composting toilets to eliminate discharge into the MPA there is a remarkable enhanced remote control camera with 360 degree rotation and a much more powerful zoom capability which we hope to acquire we hope to get data from the underwater sensors (which have run well for over a year) available to you on the website

Most of all, we look forward to your continued involvement and support for Race Rocks Marine Protected Area. Thank you for your support.

Angus Matthews
Director of Administration and Special Projects
Pearson College/Race Rocks

Elephant seals spent 45 minutes or so ‘surfing’ in the cresting waves

Posted on by
Monday, April 15, 2002
TEMPERATURE: Max. 8.3 ºC »» Min. 5.0 ºC »» Reset 7.3 ºC »» Rain 1.0 mm
MARINE LIFE: No Bald Eagles today but still 2 pair geese. The weather started out promising but by 9 am there was a fair swell in front of the dock.2 of the smaller elephant seals spent 45 minutes or so ‘surfing’ in the cresting waves. They then moved over to the east bay, floated about for awhile then hauled out for the rest of the day. They have moved about 7metres up from the water so expect they will stay there over night.The sea really started to build when the wind got up to 34knts.Great thundering 4-5 metre swells all around and great salty bursts of spray, especially in the area of the Rosedale reefs and the west side of Gr.Race. Everything is covered in salt -first order of the day for tomorrow will be window washing so hope the wind lets up.
HUMAN INTERACTION: 1 pleasure craft through the reserve. The 2nd Nature came out but with the low tide and sea swell, conditions made a landing at the dock impossible.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:25 PM
Good Morning
WEATHER: Sky Overcast »» Vis. 15 Miles »» Wind Calm »» Sea Rippled
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:33 AM