Ecological Notes:
- 2 Juvenile female Elephant Seals coming and going daily, Haven’t see the full adult female in a few days…… Last couple days she was here, she spent a lot of time bellowing from a high point on the rock, maybe she heard other animals in the distance(?)
- The Northern Fur Seal was hauled out on the most north west rock in the reserve (reported to me by an Eco-Tourism vessel)… but is now on the rocks next to the crane shed (just east of the jetty)
- Sunday, the Fur Seal spent most of the afternoon rolling and grooming in the water off the end of the jetty
- Many of the Sea lions spent the afternoon rafting and thermo-regulating in the water
- It seems each day I find new blooms
Visitors:
- 2 technicians from Environment Canada came twice, to service all relevant equipment and attempt to get the display unit in the Eco-Guardian residence up and running – returned a couple days later to reset the system
Facility Work:
- reset the wind indicator/ reporting system up in the tower via phone instructions from EC
- replaced the rest of the fencing on the jetty
- Moved drums to prepare for diesel delivery
- Weekly battery maintenance, including electrolyte top ups
DND events:
- Several radio broadcasts simulating emergency situations….. the first couple were a little concerning, as they didn’t announce the simulations before hand!
Noted Vessel Traffic:
- Several Eco-tourism vessels
- A submarine travelled south of the reserve on the surface, un-escorted though.
- Kayak group, I monitored while they were in and out of the various currents. The group leaders were very good, and responded well when ever anyone got caught in a bad current.
Noted Infractions:
- None. I’ve let vessels know the Sea lions around the jetty area seem to be extra touchy, and vessels all responded appropriately. There are lots of really small ones and females in the groupings.
Weather Events:
- Wednesday, April 09:
- Sky: High overcast with sunny periods
- Wind: Variable calm – 5 kts
- Sea: rippled to 2′ chop
- Temperature Low 9oC, High 11oC
- Thursday, April 10:
- Sky: Low overcast, shifting to low fog to the south and west mid afternoon, scattered rain showers, followed by sunny breaks
- Wind:E 5-10kts shifting to W 15-25kts mid day
- Sea: morning chop 1ft, flattening as the wind shifted to W, then rising to 3-4 ft swells and chop on top
- Temperature Low 9oC, High 12oC
- Friday April 11:
- Sky: Although cloudy on both shorelines, the area above Race Rocks and the strait was mostly clear and sunny all day
- Wind: W 20-25 kts
- Sea: 2-3 ft chop and swell
- Temperature Low 9oC, High 9.5oC
- Saturday April 12:
- Sky: Heavy clouds to the north and south, but mostly clear and sunny overhead
- Wind: W 20-35kts
- Sea: light chop turning to high waves by evening
- Temperature Low 7.5oC, High 10oC
- Sunday April 13:
- Sky: light haze, but overall sunny
- Wind: W 5kts shifting to E by mid morning
- Sea: flat calm plus current
- Temperature Low 7oC, High 11oC
** Any 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: