Monthly Archives: April 2002

watching the gage it was over 62 knts.

Posted on by
Sunday, April 14, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 10.7 ºC »» Min. 3.9 ºC »» Reset 7.5 ºC »» Rain 23.6 mm
MARINE LIFE: 1 immature Bald Eagle and just 2 pair of geese. Just after midnight the wind roared through here sounding like a freight train,I’m surprised any of the birds are still around! I don’t know what the official top wind speed was but while I was watching the gage it was over 62 knts. we don’t usually have such high winds in april but never take weather for granted.1 of the Elephant seals was hauled out in east bay. He must have moved over from Middle Rock during the night when the sea got up as he was there at first light and stayed all day.I always feel sorry for the birds when the weather is so windy and wet.
HUMAN INTERACTION: 2 tour boats through the MPA today, a wild, wet trip!
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:12 PM
Good Morning
WEATHER: Sky Cloudy »» Vis 12 Miles »» Wind South West 30 Knots »» Sea 5 Foot Moderate
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:40 AM

Sealions were hauled out all day

Posted on by
Saturday, April 13, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 14.0 ºC »» Min. 7.0 ºC »» Reset 10.1 ºC »» 7.2 mm
MARINE LIFE: 1 immature Bald Eagle which spent most of the day on the ridge of the southeast rocks.4 pair of geese.6 large Northern Sealions were hauled out all day on the western slope of the southeast rocks and did not seem to mind the odd swell breaking over them.
HUMAN INTERACTION: 5 tour boats and 1 dive boat ‘Michelle Diana’
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:09 PM
Good Morning
WEATHER: Sky Cloudy »» Vis 15 Miles »» Wind West 25 G 30 »» Sea 4 – 5 Foot Moderate
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:43 AM

When the threats didn’t work the aggressor geese chased the others snapping at their tail feathers.

Posted on by
Friday, April 12, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 11.9 ºC »» Min. 8.0 ºC »» Reset 9.3 ºC »» Rail 2.0 mm
MARINE LIFE: 3 Bald Eagles -1 mature. Started out the day with 2 pair of geese, near noon another 2 pair arrived. They spent most of the afternoon spread out around the island,then about 15:30 they all congregated near the shore of the little bay on the east side of Gr. Race.We think the pair that has been here the longest were the aggressors in trying to drive off all the other geese.The newcomers took to the water but were soon back to be chased off again ,this show went on for over an hour much honking,hissing and neck waving. When the threats didn’t work the aggressor geese chased the others snapping at their tail feathers until they took flight.The gulls, not the least wary of the big birds, chimed in with much squawking. Finally the geese had enough and spread out over the island, the victors took to the pond by the back door. As much as we are enjoying the geese I don’t think the island can support the food needs of 8 geese.
HUMAN INTERACTION: 1 pleasure craft though the reserve today.Just before noon, 2nd Nature in with Garry and biology students -webcast-intertidal.2nd Nature back about 15:00 for under water webcast.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:18 PM
Good Morning
WEATHER: Sky Overcast »» Vis 15 Miles »» Wind Calm »» Sea Rippled »» Occasional Ligt Rain Shower
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:32 AM

2nd Nature was out with Garry and students to do a live web cast with the divers.

Posted on by
Thursday, April 11, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 10.9 ºC »» Min. 6.7 ºC »» Reset 9.0 ºC »» Rain 0.4 mm
MARINE LIFE: 5 Bald Eagles – 2 mature. Still 3 pair of geese, a lot of ‘honking’ and a few displays of aggression, mostly neck waving and hissing. Things quieted down as the pairs went off to other areas of Gr. Race.The gulls continue to spend most of the day in and around nesting areas but leave at nightfall, many spending the night on the chopper pad.
HUMAN INTERACTION: 3 Pleasure craft through the MPA. This afternoon 2nd Nature was out with Garry and students to do a live web cast with the divers.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:40 PM
Good Morning
WEATHER: Sky Overcast »» Vis 15 Miles »» Wind Nort East 11 Know »» Sea Rippled »» Occasional Brake
posted by Carol or Mike S at 7:08 AM

The Oyster Catchers have started mating

Posted on by
Wednesday, April 10, 2002
Good Evening
WEATHER: Max 11ºC »» Min 7.1ºC »»Reset 8.9ºC»» Rain 1.0 mm
MARINE LIFE: No Eagles today. We now have 3 pair of geese. 3 pair of Harlequin Ducks spent the afternoon in the east bay. The Oyster Catchers have started mating and so we will watch out for eggs.
HUMAN INTERACTION: 4 ecotour boats today. The 2nd Nature made 3 trips with fuel this morning and the station boat made a trip to Pedder Bay and back this afternoon.
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posted by Carol or Mike S at 7:23 PM
Good Morning
WEATHER: Sky Overcast »» Vis 15 Miles »» Wind West 3 Knots »» Sea Rippled
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:31 AM

Gulls–starting to get territorial and this precipitates many fights

Posted on by
Tuesday, April 09, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max 10.0 ºC »» Min. 6.1 ºC »» Reset 8.0 ºC »» Rain 3.6 mm
MARINE LIFE: 2 mature Bald Eagles today, the geese are still here, I am begining to wonder if they will nest here, usually by now they have moved inland.We hear the gulls morning,noon and night now.They are starting to get territorial and this precipitates many fights.As two gulls drag each other about the rest of them chime in with a lot of squawking, I can’t decide whether it’s encouragement or condemnation for such rowdy behavior,in any case it looks worse than it is and the results are usually no more than a few lost feathers. The Pigeon Guillemots continue to spent the morning ashore,taking flight en masse at the slightest hint of danger, they are very nervous birds and we take special care not to disturb them.
HUMAN INTERACTION: 6 ecotour boats and 2 pleasure craft through the MPA; 2 College boats with Garry,Chris and students for a dive – unfortunately there was a break in the interview cable so no live video.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:38 PM
Good Morning
WEATHER: Sky Overcast »» Vis. 12 Miles – Light Rain »» Wind North 7 Knots »» Sea Rippler
posted by Carol or Mike S at 7:07 AM

The eagles kept the gulls on alert most of the day

Posted on by
Monday, April 08, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 10.3 ºC »» Min. 3.1 ºC »» Reset 9.3 ºC »» Rain 0.4
MARINE LIFE: 3 Bald Eagles,2 mature. The eagles kept the gulls on alert most of the day flying back and forth over head. Usually the eagles will sit for hours at a time in one spot but today they were very active. The gulls are busy with their courtship displays -sometimes you can see them on camera 1 or check out the video clips in the archives -they are fun to watch except when they grab each other by the wing or tail for a drag along the ground.
HUMAN INTERACTION: 4 pleasure craft, 2 ecotour boats through the MPA today
posted by Carol or Mike S at 7:37 PM
Good Morning
WEATER: Sky Part Cloudy »» Vis. 15 Miles »» Wind North 7 Knots »» Sea Rippled
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:32 AM

Geese—were in no real hurry.

Aside

Sunday, April 07, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 9.0 ºC »» Min. 5.0 ºC »» Reset 8.8 ºC »» Rain 7.2 mm
MARINE LIFE:1 mature Bald eagle, 1 pair of geese! The geese met us at the dock when we returned, yet another trip re computer. It took us a while to bring the boat in as they just didn’t want to move out of the way. When I turned the boat winch motor on they decided it was time to move onto the sidewalk but they were in no real hurry.
HUMAN INTERACTION: 2 ecotour boats, 3 pleasure craft and station boat through the MPA today.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:38 PM
Good Morning
WEATHER: Sky Cloudy »» Vis. 15 Miles »» Wind West 17 Knots »» Sea 2 – 3 Foot Modeate »» Occasional Rain Shower
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:40 AM

pair of geese continue to roam

Posted on by
Saturday, April 06, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 10.1 ºC »» Min. 5.9 ºC »» Reset 7.2 ºC »» Rain 0.5 mm
MARINE LIFE: 2 Bald Eagles, 1 mature. The pair of geese continue to roam the Island, they have a great time in the pond-need some rain soon as they have splashed most of the water out! There are still 10 or so Sealions, 4 large Northern Sealions are hauled out on the south side of the southeast rocks.Without the elephant seals it is very quiet except when the gulls are stirred up by the eagles flying over the island.
HUMAN INTERACTION: 4 pleasure craft through the MPA ( on their way to the halibut grounds -derby this weekend) Station boat to Pedder Bay and back (computer died –to town to get new bits and bytes) 2nd Nature out with guests for a visit.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:22 PM
Good Morning
WEATHER: Sky Cloudy »» Vis. 10 Miles »» Wind West 19 Knots »» Sea 2 Foot Chop
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:09 AM

 

increasing bird activity

Posted on by
Thursday, April 04, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 12.1 ºC »» Min. 4.7 ºC »» Reset 10.0 ºC
MARINE LIFE: 2 BaldEaglies, 1 Mature, 1 Pair of Geese You can hear on Cameras # 1 & 3, the increasing bird activity especially the Gulls & Oyster Catchers particularly early morning and late evening.
HUMAN INTERACACTION: 09:30 Goast Guard chopper in with worker to inspect inside of tower to see how Starlings are getting inside. Chopper back at 11:30 to pick up worker for return to Victoria base. 4 Ecotour boats, 5 pleasure craft through M.P.A. Collage bout ( Chris ) to Race Rocks with supplies.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:10 PM
Good Morning
WEATHER: Sky Clear »» Vis 15 Miles »» Wind Calm »» Sea Rippled
posted by Carol or Mike S at 5:48 AM