Yesterday we saw a humpback whale pass through the straight roughly 1 NM away. Notably, this is only the second time that we have spotted a whale from Race Rocks without tourism vessels following close behind.
Not seen today in our census, there have been many black turnstones in the reserve this week (at least 10 at once).
Early this week we spotted what looked like a non-breeding adult willet. It seems as if it would be unusual to see one here so we are unsure if this is the correct ID. Without a photo it’s hard to be sure!
Sea state: white caps, fast moving water, waves and swells up to 1 m
Visitors/Boats:
There have been no visitors to the island and no boats within the reserve
Ecological:
There is a new goose nest with one egg so far established in the middle of the island where the footpaths intersect
The young pup has seemed particularly inactive recently, and we have not seen her in the water for some time. Nick mentioned to us when he visited that she seems to have gained weight so we are not overly concerned. She spends most of her time near the jetty behind her favorite fence post.
The goose with an injured leg continues to limp around the island, but seems to be making do and there are no signs of deteriorating condition.
The eagle activity has been steady, aside from today with these strong winds
The seagulls are beginning to pull the grass and collect other debris for nesting, but no established nests so far.
Maintenance:
The generator is still out of commission, but we have been taking in a substantial amount of solar energy. Combined with the smaller generator contributing, our batteries have remained healthy. We are conserving water heavily until the new part arrives, as the desalination process requires a sizable amount of electricity.
Felted sea lion fur
Goose down clinging to rocks
Abandoned goose nest behind fuel shed
E103, “Erica” enjoying the sprinkle from a punctured fire hose
Visibility 10 NM this morning, 15+ NM this afternoon
Sky overcast in morning but clear this afternoon
Wind 20-30 knots NW-NE
Sea state: white caps (.25m), fast moving ripples
Visitors/Boats:
Greg and Nick on Monday
Greg and Nick on Tuesday
Greg and a technician for generator maintenance on Wednesday
Greg and Nick this afternoon (Thursday)Â
Aside from this there have been very few vessels aside from commercial/shipping traffic. Today a couple of sailboats passed by despite the astounding wind gusts (all a fair distance away).
Ecological:
There have been 4 eagles in the reserve daily on average, both juvenile and adult. They typically perch on Rosedale Rock to our SE, but we have been spotting them on the webcam tower, crane, and diesel tank near the power building. The juvenile eagles seem to be more interested in Great Race Rock, while the adults tend to stick to the outcroppings. Occasionally they swoop over the reserve, prompting the seagulls to rise into the air to avoid becoming lunch!
The geese continue to protect their nests but no new eggs have been observed.
The elephant seals have settled to complete their moult, all in various stages. The remaining pup is still here, and spends most of its time on the jetty away from the others.
There is a sea lion with a significant head/neck wound that we have been seeing daily. It looks like it has been tagged by the Vancouver Aquarium, so we are wondering if it has been disentangled and tagged at the same time.
Yesterday we spotted a killdeer, a type of plover. We’ve never seen one here before!
Repairs/Maintenance:
We filled the underground cistern with sea water to be desalinated (pumped using the fire pump and fire hoses).
To maximize our solar intake we have been keeping the solar panels as clean as possible (when they are covered in bird waste they create much less power).Â
Two kayakers in the reserve yesterday- very respectful of the wildlife, well done folks!
One pleasure craft yesterday that drifted around the reserve for quite a while (at least an hour)
A few “drifting through” pleasure crafts/off shift whale watching boats sprinkled over the past two days
We spotted the HMCS Regina heading into Pedder Bay
Ecological:
We found another goose nest yesterday underneath the back steps of the main residence containing 8 eggs. We noticed that the nest near the desalination structure has been looted by seagulls and abandoned.
The seagulls continue to arrive and establish their nesting spots. There are roughly 50% more gulls this week.
Two juvenile gulls spent yesterday in the reserve. We didn’t observe them catching or eating anything.
Census:
92 Harbour Seals
87 Sea lions
11 elephant seals
8 pelagic cormorants
1 double crested cormorant
1 bald eagle (adult)
14 Canada geese
140 seagulls
3 black turnstones
2 black oystercatchers
1 black brant goose
The HMCS Regina
A cormorant taking flight
A young seal waits for mom to return (1/6)
2/6
3/6
4/6
5/6
6/6
An oyster catcher searching for snacks at low tide
A branded sea lion
The elephant seals have been soaking up the sunshine
A young eagle
Two kayakers making their way through race passage from Pedder Bay
We are happy to be back on Race Rocks surrounded by the animals again. A big thanks to Nick for leaving things in excellent shape!
Weather:
Visibility: 10+ NM (Victoria Clear)
Wind: 10-15 knots NW
Water calm
Sky overcast
Visitors/Boats:
No visitors to the island since we arrived on Wednesday
One whale watching vessel yesterday with three people on board
Three jet skis passed through on Thursday evening
Ecological:
There are 10 elephant seals resting outside of the house this morning
One is the last remaining pup, as pointed out by Nick
The map of Goose nests that Nick left for us remains accurate, but there are many new eggs.
The seagulls are beginning to arrive and fight over nesting spots. We have observed them beginning to pull up tufts of grass and lay them down for nesting.
Yesterday evening we noticed an entangled sea lion from the jetty. It appears to have a plastic packing strap wrapped around its neck, similar to the one that we saw last year.
There are two mature eagles that have been periodically swooping over the reserve, causing quite a stir.
There are at least two pairs of oyster catchers preparing to nest. Yesterday we saw the pair which nested near the guest house last year defending the same rocky area.
Wind: yesterday variable 2-28 knots, today W 7-38 knots Sea State: yesterday calm, today rippled in morning and up to 1 m chop in evening Visibility: both days 15 NM Sky: both days clear Temperature: yesterday 7-13 °C, today 8-11 °C Atmospheric CO2: 415.81 ppm (recorded by NOAA at Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii)
Today is my last full day on the island before the shift changeover. Tomorrow morning, Mara and Kai will arrive to take over as Ecoguardians. They were here last year from May to September.
I spent the past two days finishing up some tasks around the island and cleaning. I also took time to walk around the island and get a look at all of the incredible species, land and shoreline that make up this ecological reserve.
There were no boats in the ecological reserve.
See the photos below for some views from around the island.
The combination of clear water and low tide make it easy to see lots of colourful seaweeds, surfgrass, urchins and other intertidal species.
Two swallows were fluttering around the island yesterday. This one landed on the a cable on the winch long enough for me to take a photo.
At first I thought it was barn swallows, but then with the help of a field guide realized it’s a violet-green swallow.
The sun peering over the horizon at 6:20 this morning.
The lighthouse just after sunrise this morning. The moon, in its third quarter, can be seen to the south.
A thayer’s gull with a Canada goose egg in its beak.
Can you spot the juvenile elephant seal in the middle of the photo, amongst the group of california sea lions?
A beautiful sunset on the edge, where the land meets the sea meets the sky.
The following resight histories were provided by Dr. Patrick Robinson, Director of Año Nuevo Reserve in California. The five elephant seals listed are presently at Race Rocks.
Animal:Â 48288, tags:Â GD019R-iu-So,GD018L-ol-So
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Season 2017
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
OrigTag
Age
AnimalID
ResightID
Date
Area
Tags Read
Comment
TagComm
MarkComm
Age
Sex
Mlt
Observer
GD019
0
48288
297540
2017-02-01
AP
Â
Â
Â
Â
P
UK
Â
C. Casey
GD019
0
48288
298632
2017-02-09
BBS
Â
Â
Â
Â
W
Â
Â
B. McDonald
GD019
0
48288
298988
2017-02-11
BBS
Â
Â
Â
Â
W
M
Â
P. Morris
GD019
0
48288
299787
2017-02-15
BBSU
Â
Â
Â
Â
W
M
Â
P. Morris
GD019
0
48288
301742
2017-02-23
BBS
GD019R-iu-So,GD018L-ol-So
THIS IS THE SECOND 30C, THE FIRST ONE WAS WEIGHED AT NP
W
M
5
C. Nasr
Season 2019
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
OrigTag
Age
AnimalID
ResightID
Date
Area
Tags Read
Comment
TagComm
MarkComm
Age
Sex
Mlt
Observer
GD019
1
48288
330944
2018-04-19
Race Rocks, B.C. Canada
GD018
Observed by Laas ParnellÂ
Â
juv
Â
Â
other
GD019
2
48288
330943
2019-04-09
Race Rocks, B.C. Canada
GD018
Observed by Laas Parnell
Â
juv
Â
Â
other
Season 2020
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
OrigTag
Age
AnimalID
ResightID
Date
Area
Tags Read
Comment
TagComm
MarkComm
Age
Sex
Mlt
Observer
GD019
3
48288
335337
2019-12-14
Race Rocks, B.C. Canada
GD018
Observed by Laas ParnellÂ
Â
juv
Â
Â
other
GD019
3
48288
335420
2019-12-29
Race Rocks, B.C. Canada
GD019R,GD018L-ol-So
reported by Nick Townley (eco-guardian)Â
juv
Â
Â
other
GD019
3
48288
347129
2020-04-01
Race Rocks, B.C. Canada
GD018L-ol-So,GD019R-i
Observed by Race Rocks ecoguardian Nick Townley and confirmed with photo. Seal is in great body condition but fur/skin is in poor condition.
SA1
M
Â
other
GD019
3
48288
347638
2020-04-12
Race Rocks, B.C. Canada
GD018,GD019
Observed by Nick Townley (Race Rocks Ecoguardian)Â
juv
Â
0
other
Â
Â
Â
Â
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Â
Â
Â
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Â
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Â
Animal:Â 49134, tags:Â GE103R-ou,GE135R-il-si
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Season 2018
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
OrigTag
Age
AnimalID
ResightID
Date
Area
Tags Read
Comment
TagComm
MarkComm
Age
Sex
Mlt
Observer
GE103
0
49134
313030
2018-02-05
NP0N
Â
With G7644, Card # 548, but not her original pup. It was raised jointly by G9454 and G7644 after G7644 lost her own pup.
P
Â
Â
P. Morris
GE103
0
49134
313518
2018-02-06
NP0N
Â
Is with female 9454 but female 7644 is squabbling with her trying to reach the pup. This is a separate pup from the one marked 76 on LSh.
Also has 2 blotches on top of its shoulders,
P
Â
Â
P. Morris
GE103
0
49134
314153
2018-02-09
NP1
Â
nursing from female 9454 but 7644 was near
P
Â
Â
P. Robinson
GE103
0
49134
314987
2018-02-13
NP0
Â
With Female G7644, Card # 548. It remains to be seen if this is the same pup that is marked 644 L and blotches on top of its shoulder.
6 is backwards, mark almost on ventral side
P
Â
Â
T. Keates
GE103
0
49134
315582
2018-02-15
NP0
Â
looks like it could be with either G7466 or G9454
P
Â
Â
R. Holser
GE103
0
49134
316021
2018-02-17
NPG0
Â
This is FOR SURE the pup of 9454 and not 7644. The pup of 7644 is 76. This is one of my study pups that has been adopted by 7644.
W
Â
Â
J. Linossier
GE103
0
49134
316052
2018-02-19
NP
GE103R-ou
One of Juliette Linossier’s study animals
W
Â
Â
C. Casey
GE103
0
49134
316341
2018-02-20
NP0S
Â
Â
Â
also 644 L
W
F
Â
P. Morris
GE103
0
49134
316497
2018-02-22
NP
GE103L-ou-So
Â
also has 476? on belly
W
Â
Â
T. Keates
GE103
0
49134
316665
2018-02-23
NP
GE103R-ou-Si
Â
Â
Noticed marks on L and R, but could not read them.
W
Â
Â
R. Cuthbertson
GE103
0
49134
316693
2018-02-23
NP
GE135R-il-si,GE103L-ou-si
Juiliette study animal. genetic sample AF00375791
database has disagreement on placement of GE103
also 476 on the right and the 6 is backwards
W
F
25
L. Johansen
Season 2019
Â
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Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
OrigTag
Age
AnimalID
ResightID
Date
Area
Tags Read
Comment
TagComm
MarkComm
Age
Sex
Mlt
Observer
GE103
0
49134
318448
2018-04-17
BBSL
GE135R,GE103L-ou-Si
Â
Â
W
Â
100
Robinson class
GE103
0
49134
318974
2018-04-17
BMB
GE103L-ou-Si,GE135R-il-Si
Cathy Debier 4x blubber biopsy
original tag location for GE103 was incorrect
W
F
100
P. Robinson
Season 2020
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
OrigTag
Age
AnimalID
ResightID
Date
Area
Tags Read
Comment
TagComm
MarkComm
Age
Sex
Mlt
Observer
GE103
2
49134
334454
2019-09-07
Race Rocks, B.C. Canada
GE103L-ou
Observed by Mara Radawetz @ Race Rocks Colony Confirmed by photograph. Seal looks healthy and in good body condition
juv
Â
Â
other
GE103
2
49134
334574
2019-10-01
Race Rocks, B.C. Canada
GE103
reported by Laas ParnellÂ
Â
juv
Â
Â
other
GE103
2
49134
334575
2019-10-11
Race Rocks, B.C. Canada
GE103
Â
Â
Â
juv
F
Â
other
GE103
2
49134
346669
2020-03-23
Race Rocks, B.C. Canada
GE103L-ou,GE135R-il
reported by Nick Townley and confirmed with photo
juv
Â
0
other
GE103
2
49134
347639
2020-04-12
Race Rocks, B.C. Canada
GE103,GE135
Observed by Nick Townley (Race Rocks Ecoguardian)Â
juv
Â
0
other
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Animal:Â 52226, tags:
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Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Season 2020
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
OrigTag
Age
AnimalID
ResightID
Date
Area
Tags Read
Comment
TagComm
MarkComm
Age
Sex
Mlt
Observer
Â
Â
52226
346670
2020-03-23
Race Rocks, B.C. Canada
PT563,PT562
reported by Nick Townley and confirmed with photo
ad
F
0
other
Season 2021
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Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
OrigTag
Age
AnimalID
ResightID
Date
Area
Tags Read
Comment
TagComm
MarkComm
Age
Sex
Mlt
Observer
Â
Â
52226
347640
2020-04-12
Race Rocks, B.C. Canada
PT562,PT563
Observed by Nick Townley (Race Rocks Ecoguardian)
ad
F
100
other
Â
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Animal:Â 50727, tags:Â GE779R-iu-so,GG512L-ol-si
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Season 2019
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
OrigTag
Age
AnimalID
ResightID
Date
Area
Tags Read
Comment
TagComm
MarkComm
Age
Sex
Mlt
Observer
GE779
0
50727
329337
2019-02-20
NP3
Â
Â
Â
Â
P
Â
Â
C. Casey
GE779
0
50727
329365
2019-02-23
NP3
Â
Â
Â
Â
W
Â
Â
M. Emard
GE779
0
50727
329392
2019-02-23
NP3
GE779R-iu-so
Â
Â
Â
W
Â
Â
P. Robinson
GE779
0
50727
329711
2019-02-24
NPG3
Â
Â
Â
Â
W
Â
Â
E Levy
Season 2020
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
OrigTag
Age
AnimalID
ResightID
Date
Area
Tags Read
Comment
TagComm
MarkComm
Age
Sex
Mlt
Observer
GE779
0
50727
330651
2019-03-12
NPD
GG512L-ol-si,GE779R-iu-so
Â
Â
W
M
99
P.Robinson
GE779
1
50727
347641
2020-04-12
Race Rocks, B.C. Canada
GG512R,GE779L
Observed by Nick Townley (Race Rocks Ecoguardian)Â
juv
Â
Â
other
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
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Â
Â
Animal:Â 48066, tags:Â GC887R-iu-So
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Season 2017
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
OrigTag
Age
AnimalID
ResightID
Date
Area
Tags Read
Comment
TagComm
MarkComm
Age
Sex
Mlt
Observer
GC887
0
48066
298641
2017-02-09
BMC
Â
Â
Â
Â
P
Â
Â
B. McDonald
GC887
0
48066
298732
2017-02-10
BMS
Â
Â
Â
Â
W
Â
Â
T. Barclay
GC887
0
48066
298955
2017-02-11
BMC
Â
Â
Â
Â
P
Â
Â
P. Morris
GC887
0
48066
299024
2017-02-12
BMS
Â
Â
Â
Â
P
Â
Â
M. Voisinet
GC887
0
48066
300206
2017-02-21
BMN
Â
Â
Â
Â
W
Â
Â
T. Russell
GC887
0
48066
300244
2017-02-21
BMC
Â
Â
Â
Â
W
Â
Â
E Levy
GC887
0
48066
300257
2017-02-21
BMC
GC887R-iu-So
Â
Â
W
Â
Â
R. Holser
GC887
0
48066
300557
2017-02-22
BMC
Â
Â
Â
Â
W
Â
Â
P. Morris
GC887
0
48066
302743
2017-03-10
BBNS
GC887R
Â
Â
Â
W
Â
Â
P. Morris
Season 2019
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
OrigTag
Age
AnimalID
ResightID
Date
Area
Tags Read
Comment
TagComm
MarkComm
Age
Sex
Mlt
Observer
GC887
2
48066
330772
2019-03-26
Race Rocks, B.C. Canada
GC887R-iu-So
Also reported present at Race Rocks in December 2017 and December 2018.
juv
M
Â
other
Season 2020
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
OrigTag
Age
AnimalID
ResightID
Date
Area
Tags Read
Comment
TagComm
MarkComm
Age
Sex
Mlt
Observer
GC887
3
48066
335252
2019-12-07
Race Rocks, B.C. Canada
GC887
Â
Â
Â
juv
M
Â
other
GC887
3
48066
347642
2020-04-12
Race Rocks, B.C. Canada
GC887R
Observed by Nick Townley (Race Rocks Ecoguardian)Â
Wind: yesterday W-S 0-32 knots, today W-SE 2-17 knots Sea State: both days calm Visibility: yesterday 10-15 NM, today 15 NM Sky: yesterday partly cloudy then clear from mid morning, today clear Temperature: yesterday 8-14 °C, today 7-14 °C Atmospheric CO2: 416.33 ppm (recorded by NOAA at Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii)
The lawn in front of the house got busier this morning with nine elephant seals, two more than yesterday. A tenth seal, the pup, was near the jetty. The two new arrivals have green tags on their tail flippers. One is a male tagged C887. The other is a juvenile tagged G512 on the right flipper and E779 on the right. I will update the information on age and past sightings when I hear back from the researchers. The green tags signify the elephant seals were tagged at Año Nuevo, south of San Francisco.
[UPDATED April 13: I heard back from Dr. Patrick Robinson, the researcher from Año Nuevo Reserve. The elephant seal with green tags E779 and G512 was tagged as a pup in February 2019, where he was born at Año Nuevo. This is the first time the male juvenile has been spotted outside of Año Nuevo, where he was last seen as a weaner in March, 2019. The elephant seal with the green tag C887 is a juvenile male that was born at Año Nuevo in February 2017. He has been seen at Race Rocks in the month of December in 2017, 2018 and 2019.]
There was one boat seen in the ecological reserve on each of the past two days, a pleasure boat yesterday and a sailboat today.
Census results observed this afternoon at low tide: 10 elephant seals (1 female pup, 1 female juvenile, 1 juvenile, 2 sub adult males, 5 female adults) 16 steller sea lions 91 california sea lions 1 sea otter 72 harbour seals 5 bald eagles (2 juveniles, 3 adults) 16 Canada geese 1 black brant goose 99 gulls (mostly thayer’s) 17 pelagic cormorants 4 brandt’s cormorants 5 double-crested cormorants 6 black oystercatchers 24 pigeon guillemots 7 harlequin ducks 2 surfbirds 5 black turnstones
Two eagles on Turbine Rock and a colourful sailboat passing through Race Passage.
Newly arrived juvenile elephant seal tagged G512 and E779
Green tags G512 and E779 on the juvenile elephant seal.
Newly arrived sub adult male elephant seal tagged C887
Green tag C887 on the sub adult male elephant seal
Black brant goose
Four elephant seals waiting for the water to come to them
Newly arrived juvenile seal exploring the boardwalk
A view from the top of the lighthouse this afternoon of the clear water of the east bay. A group of sea lions can be seen on the rocks.