Monthly Archives: June 2021

Census

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*Note, extreme heat, followed by very high winds most likely has affected this survey

 

  • Bald eagle juvenile 2
  • Gulls, Glaucous and Western,  Adult 78
  • Gulls, chicks …. many, but unable to count without being disruptive
  • Pigeon Guillemots 18
  • Oyster catcher 13
  • Canadian goose 11 – including “goslings” as they look about the same from the tower

Mammals

  • Northern Elephant Seal Male 1
  • Northern Elephant Seal 6 month old pup 1
  • Harbour seal 162
  • Harbour Seal pup 4
  • Steller Sealion 1
  • Sea Otter 1

Pigeon Guillemot

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Ecological Notes:

  • Large Male Elephant Seal is still spending most of his time in the water by the ramp
  • The young Female Elephant Seal pup that left the reserve last week of April had returned for daily haulouts in the ramp area. She is very plump, indicating she has been feeding well, but has lots of little sores and scars. She was very ragged when she left in April as well, but you can see healed scars from them, with new ones around them. Also look like maybe an out of regular season molt.

  • Have noticed many more Pigeon Guillemots return to shore and entering dens with fish!

Gunnel for dinner

  • Nature being what it is, I did find a few Gull chicks that did not make it with the extreme heat.

Visitors:

  • Pearson College instructors and family left Sunday evening.

Facility Work:

  • Hot weather limited outside work to early morning and late evening. Mostly stuck with basics – cleaning windows, cleaning solar panels, check battery fluid levels and such.

Noted Vessel Traffic:

  • Several Ecotourism vessels and private vessels sightseeing.

 Noted Infractions:

  • Private Vessel fishing in the reserve. They did not respond to my hails on the VHF. I mentioned checking regulations on Rockfish Conservation Areas. Another private vessel went over to them and mentioned it to them ( I think). as they altered course to leave in a straight line outbound.

Weather Events:

  • Hot and clear most of the day, slight haze in the evening. Winds from East/Southeast during the day, 10-15 Knots.

 

** All wildlife photos taken at the furthest distance possible, and may be cropped to improve detail! **

 

Weather – Current:

http://www.victoriaweather.ca/current.php?id=72

 

Weather – Past:

http://www.victoriaweather.ca/station.php?

Hot Days

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Ecological Notes:

  • The Male Elephant Seal has been spending most of his time in the water near the pier. Its a great way to balance the warmth of the sun and the cooling of the water.

In and out of the shallows all day

  • Definitely a Cetacean day in and around the reserve! Over 8 Humpback whales between Race and Victoria, and then 15 Biggs (Transient) Orca approached from the east. 10 or so entered the reserve and conducted at least 3 separate successful hunts!
  • Most Gulls seem to be dealing well with the heat, but did find a couple chicks, and 2 goslings that didn’t make it through the day unfortunately.

Visitors:

  • 2 Pearson College Instructors were visiting with family.

Noted Vessel Traffic:

  • Several Ecotourism vessels, all waiting as/per the guidelines until there were no whales present in the reserve before entering
  • 2 Paddle boarders, in the main channel, then in the rocks to the north.
  • Several Private vessels passing through, and sightseeing

 Noted Infractions:

  • Paddle boarders at first were doing well, maybe a bit close to the elephant seal at the pier, but they were just out of the current, getting a little break (spoke with them, they misjudged the current levels). But when the Orca entered the reserve, the paddlers went directly to them, getting very close, even during the hunts. They made every effort to follow the Orca even well out of the reserve
  • C-Tow Vessel blasted through center channel, was intercepted by an ecotourism vessel, and told to slow down before I could get the camera out.
  • 3 private vessels entering and exiting the reserve at full speed.

Full speed almost right to the pier ….. eventually slowed as we were waving to them

  • 5 different private fishing vessels fishing in the reserve today. 2 of which were “educated” directly by ecotourism operators.
  • I attempted to contact others by radio, planning to suggest they brush up on the rules in a Rockfish Conservation Area. In each case, they did not respond, but quickly raised lines and left …. suggesting they knew where they were.

Weather Events:

  • Very hot and clear all day. Mostly southerly winds of 5 knots during the day, switching to westerly winds of 15 – 20 knots in the evening.

 ** All wildlife photos taken at the furthest distance possible, and may be cropped to improve detail! **

Weather – Current:

http://www.victoriaweather.ca/current.php?id=72

Weather – Past:

http://www.victoriaweather.ca/station.php?

Gull Chick

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Ecological Notes:

  • The really large Male Elephant Seal is still here, and very relaxed. He barely looks up, and didn’t even flinch when we were moving equipment around.

  • A young pup (probably this winter) arrived briefly today. It went up the ramp past us, without noticing us. When it got most of the way up the hill to the grass, it finally turned back and saw us (it was probably 40 meters from us by this time). We suspect it was not one of the ones born here, (or around any people) as once it saw us, it turned around and quickly went back past us into the water!

Hi …… Bye!

  •  First Gull chick hatched! Full disclosure, there are nests everywhere that I don’t see all the time! This is the nest where I saw the first egg, and have a good vantage point from a distance to get photos though.

As noted below, long lens and cropped ! Nice peak at the the newly hatched chick.

Visitors:

  • The Waterfront Coordinator brought over 2 contractors today.

Facility Work:

  • Service and restart of the Desalinator. Problems with the pump used to fill the cistern will lead to us finishing this project tomorrow.

  • Full service and refit of the woodstove and chimney system.

DND events:

  • Lots of foreshore blasts today. They did pause when I notified their Marine Mammal Observers that there were Orca heading their way from the east off the Metchosin waterfront.

Noted Vessel Traffic:

  • 3 Ecotourism boats, and several private vessels transited the reserve, observing all proper procedures.

Weather Events:

  • Slightly shifting winds, primarily westerly, with some midday shifts to south-westerly. 20 – 25 knots with increase to 30-35 knots late evening. Mostly calm, with increase in chop late afternoon. Clear sunny skies.

 

** All wildlife photos taken at the furthest distance possible, and may be cropped to improve detail! **

 

Weather – Current:

http://www.victoriaweather.ca/current.php?id=72

 

Weather – Past:

http://www.victoriaweather.ca/station.php?

Census

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  • Bald eagle adult 2
  • Bald eagle juvenile 3
  • Gulls, Glaucous and Western,  Adult 120
  • Gulls, chicks …. many, but unable to count without being disruptive
  • Cormorants 9
  • Pigeon Guillemots 64
  • Oyster catcher 23
  • Canadian goose 12
  • Canada Goose “Goslings” 7
  • Surf Birds 7

 

Mammals

  • Northern Elephant Seal Male 1
  • Northern Elephant Seal 6 month old pup 1
  • Harbour seal 162
  • Harbour Seal pup 7
  • California sea lion 2
  • Sea Otter 1

Sunny Days

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Ecological Notes:

  • 1 Male Elephant Seal, spent most of this hot sunny day in the water around the boat ramp. I conferred with the Waterfront Coordinator, and this is not one of the two males who was here this winter, but has been out here before.

Taking it cool

Visitors:

  • The Waterfront Coordinator came out today, to deliver 2 loads of fresh water, and helped work on the water system.

Facility Work:

  • Drained, cleaned and rinsed the freshwater tank. then refilled with fresh water brought over by boat.
  • Cleaning and prepping the wooden stairs at the student house for new preservative.

Noted Vessel Traffic:

  • Several commercial and private vessels in the reserve today, sightseeing, and diving.

 Noted Infractions:

  • 2 private vessels went through the main channel at high speed.

Weather Events:

  • Westerly winds overnight shifted to primarily southerly winds at about 10 knots for the day. Calm seas and warm sunny skies.Winds returned to westerly in the evening.

 

** All wildlife photos taken at the furthest distance possible, and may be cropped to improve detail! **

 

Weather – Current:

http://www.victoriaweather.ca/current.php?id=72

 

Weather – Past:

http://www.victoriaweather.ca/station.php?

Elephant Seal

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Ecological Notes:

  • A large Male Elephant Seal came to the Island today, laid by the path in the sun for a while, and then went and settled in in the shade of the student house. I gave him plenty of room!

Soaking up some sun

 

Visitors:

  • Yesterday. the Waterfront Coordinator delivered diesel fuel and repair parts.

Facility Work:

  • In preparation for the servicing of the desalinator , the large saltwater cistern was drained. As there has never been any chemicals or grey water added to the cistern, it was drained back to the ocean. Long firehose material was used to ensure no bird nests would be affected.

DND events:

  • Many inshore detonations over the last few days.

Weather Events:

  • Sunny with a few cloudy spots throughout the day, giving way to heavy fog in the evening. Westerly winds 20 – 30 knots. Slight chop all day.

 

** All wildlife photos taken at the furthest distance possible, and may be cropped to improve detail! **

 

Weather – Current:

http://www.victoriaweather.ca/current.php?id=72

 

Weather – Past:

http://www.victoriaweather.ca/station.php?

Viewing from the Tower

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Ecological Notes:

  • I gave it a couple days to be sure, but it does appear that the last 2 elephant seals have left the island. Checked the outer rocks from the top of the tower as well. It was time for them to head to open water and regain the weight they lost during their molt.

(Photo from a previous day!)

  • Only 11 sealions left as well, 8 California sealions and 3 Stellers. One remaining Steller is relatively young.

DND events:

  • Several loud blasts, but no boat sentinels or flags, so it looked like it was further inland.

Noted Vessel Traffic:

  • 2 Ecotourism vessels, following all guidelines properly.

 Feature Event:

  •  Weekly Wildlife Census is an all day event. Counting occurs early morning through to late evening, as activity changes throughout the day.
  • Low tide is a good time to count Oystercatchers and surf birds foraging in the inter-tidal zone. Right now, I’m limiting walking around the island edge due to all the various bird nesting locations.
  • The view from the top of the tower gives the best overview of the seal haulouts, surrounding rocks, and bird counts on the main island.
  • Other than Oystercatchers and Pigeon Guillemots , it’s best to count birds from the tower
  • Although not in the reserve, Biggs Orca (also known as Transient Orca) were  also observed from the tower today. Identified by a friend as the T46Bs

Weather Events:

  • Other than a short early morning fluctuation, winds were consistently from the west at 10 – 15knots all day. Cloudy with a few sunny breaks and good visibility all day.

 

** All wildlife photos taken at the furthest distance possible, and may be cropped to improve detail! **

Weather – Current:

http://www.victoriaweather.ca/current.php?id=72

Weather – Past:

http://www.victoriaweather.ca/station.php?

Census

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Birds

 

  • Bald eagle adult 3
  • Bald eagle juvenile 5
  • Turnstones 3
  • Sparrow 5
  • Gulls, Glaucous and Western  114
  • Caspian Terns 2
  • Cormorants 18
  • Pigeon Guillemots 72
  • Oyster catcher 27
  • Canadian goose 15
  • Canada Goose Goslings 7
  • Surf Birds 6

 

Mammals

  • Steller sea lion 3
  • Harbour seal 171
  • California sea lion 8
  • Sea Otter 1

Nice View

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The Elwa Valley, from Race Rocks

Ecological Notes:

  • 2 Elephant Seals still on the island
  • Every time I think there can’t be more Gull nests, there is!

They’re everywhere!

Visitors:

  • Yesterday the Waterfront Coordinator delivered some fresh groceries, parts, and tools I had ordered.

Facility Work:

  • 2 of the things my father taught me – “If something in a system has failed, you’d better check the rest” and “Do you want it done now?, or do you want it done right?” ….. what looked like a couple leaks, turned into a full strip down!
  • Completed the install and venting of the NaturesHead Composting Toilet. Although temporary, it might as well work properly.
  • Interesting note: when worked and turned properly, there is no smell! The vent and fan is just to increase airflow for the compost to work better.

Noted Vessel Traffic:

  • Several EcoTourism boats visited the reserve today, all showing proper viewing and speed protocols.

Weather Events:

  • Daily winds of 5 -13 knots ran the full circle of the compass today, but the weather stayed stable with high overcast. Very light rain briefly late in the evening. Calm seas throughout.

** All nature photos taken at the furthest distance possible, and may be cropped to improve detail! **

 

Weather – Current:

http://www.victoriaweather.ca/current.php?id=72

 

Weather – Past:

http://www.victoriaweather.ca/station.php?