Monthly Archives: September 2025

Sept.22, 2025 – Returning to the Island

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I was giddy to get back to Race Rocks after the weekend away. Greg had warned that the sea lions would be wreaking havoc on the jetty, and that they were along with a fnece breach by the energy building. After some shooing and tightening up of the fence, Greg, Richard, and I got the place in good order once again.

Wildlife Notes

Still many humpbacks on every side of the island (appx 6 close by). Active lunge feeding happening around the North Rocks.

Facility work

No major facility work needed to be done, but we did note that the Fog horn has been acting out of sorts lately. It has been going off even during sunny days with no fog, perhaps the sensor is too sensitive. I will be keeping track and Greg will be in touch with the Coast Guard regarding this.

  • Fence repairs and tightening
  • Solar panels
  • Water Sampled

Weather:

  • Sky: Mostly clear
  • Wind: 10kts SSW
  • Sea state: calm
  • Air temp: 15C

 

Sept. 19, 2025 – Animal Census Day

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Luckily for me it was a clear morning for the day of my first animal census. With coffee and binos in hand I headed up to the top of the lighthouse tower and began the count of every seal, sea lion, whale, and bird in sight… needless to say it took me much longer than expected! The sun was quickly heating up the tower and by the time I was finished counting the hundreds of sea lions, beads of sweat were dripping down my brow. Despite the heat, it was plenty worth the effort as I spotted some interesting animals – most notably, a Northern Fur seal! This little fellow was hiding in amongst the Cali’s and Stellers on the East corner of the island, not making many friends as it was crawling overtop the sea lion’s bodies and getting consistently yelled and snapped at.

Animal Census Report:

* Note the animal census was time limited to the morning only. Due to bright sun & shadows, cormorants were not distinguished by species.

Mammals:

  • Steller sea lion: 371
  • California sea lion: 906
  • Harbour seal: 89
  • Northern Fur seal: 1
  • Humpback Whales: 6

Birds:

  • Glaucus-winged Gull: 201
  • California Gull: 1
  • Western Gull: 6
  • Cormorant Spp: 701
  • Black Turnstones: 8
  • Surfbird: 14
  • Savanah’s Sparrow: 1
  • Western Sandpiper: 1

Facility work:

It was a busy day trying to fit in all my tasks on top of the animal census, as I was leaving the island for the weekend. Thankfully Richard was patient with me trying to get packed to go last minute.

  • Electric fence repairs – corner post on jetty snapped and got replaced.
  • Cleaned solar panels
  • Water sampled – just in time!
  • Batteries filled (early as I would be away on Saturday)
  • Animal census
  • Compost and tidying of house

Weather:

  • Sky: Mainly clear and sunny
  • Wind: 5-10kts
  • Sea state: calm
  • Air temp: 23C

I was sad to be leaving for any time at all, given the excitement of the animal census. Thankfully, Bella and the students were incoming to keep an eye on the place in my absence. I’ll be back to it Monday morning!

 

Sept. 18, 2025 – Water refills, Sea lion sillies, and Shorebirds

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A bit of a foggy morning, but nevertheless magical morning on Race Rocks. During my morning perimeter walk I found a few posts of the fence knocked over and the sea lions brazenly taking over the jetty. I need to work on my scare tactics it seems. Greg and Richard arrived again this morning with hopes to fix the water maker. Unfortunately, the desalinator still needs new parts so we pulled out the hoses to fill the storage reservoir from the skiff. The guys went and grabbed another tank full to fill so I’ll have plenty to use while the water maker issues get fixed.

Wildlife Notes

  • 3 actively feeding humpback in Race Passage, sea lions also mobbing around the whales picking up the leftovers
  • Observed the sea lion with flasher in mouth in the same spot again
  • A California sea lion had previous entanglement, with partial rope still embedding in the neck
  • A couple little shorebirds swooped in, and with the help from Merlin I identified them as a Western Sandpiper and a Sanderling

Facility Work

  • Electric fence repairs
  • Cleaned solar panels
  • Took daily water sample
  • Assisted with re-fills of water tank via fire hose with Richard and Greg
  • Swept and mopped basement floor of main house

Weather:

  • Sky: Foggy in the morning, gone around 11am. Sunshine with distant haze from fog to the south and some smoke from prescribed burnings to the NW. Fog came in again heavy and quick at 4:30PM, virtually no visibility until it cleared at 6pm.
  • Wind: W 8-10kts in AM, down to SSW 3-6kts by afternoon
  • Sea state: Calm, small ripples <0.5m swell
  • Air temp: High 12C; Low 10C

Sept. 17, 2025 – Sea lions, Whales, and Vultures- Oh My!

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What a great first day alone at the station in terms of wildlife! Since sunrise there were constant whale blows in all directions, probably half a dozen humpbacks at any given time. Later in the afternoon I was treated to a spectacular show by a young humpback whale who began breaching on the East side of the island and then didn’t stop as it breached its way North for nearly an hour. One of the whale watch guides counted 24 breaches in a row… go little guy go! I found the sea lion with the flasher in its mouth again and decided to make a report to DFO and the Marine Mammal Rescue Centre. Typically they need at least 2 entangled animals with consistant sightings to warrant a rescue attempt, so I’ll be keeping my eye out. I also spotted the Cali with the transmitter tag (likely the one Ian saw previously) along with some branded and flipper tagged sea lions. With all the mammals stealing the light, I nearly forgot about the birds. Interestingly, I encountered a Turkey Vulture scavenging among the sea lions and managed to take its photo in flight (below).

Wildlife Highlights:

  • Humpback whales 6-10; juvenile breaching
  • Turkey vulture
  • Branded and tagged sea lions

Facility work:

  • Minimal fence repairs, just a few lines touching the ground that I tightened up
  • Took my first water sample measurement at peak flood
  • Plans to continue work on the water maker and continue my site briefings were foiled as the wind picked up. Greg & Richard decided to come out tomorrow instead.
  • Took the day to familiarize myself with the SOPs and where things are at the station.

Weather:

  • Sky: Mostly clear skies
  • Wind: W 8-10kts in AM, down to SSW 3-6kts by afternoon
  • Sea state: Calm, small ripples <0.5m swell
  • Air temp: High 12C; Low 10C

Vessels:

Lots of vessel activity in and around Race Rocks. Peak whale watching around 12 and 3pm or so where there were up to 10 vessels nearby.

Sept. 16, 2025 – First Day Onsite was a Delight

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I arrived onsite around 1pm with Greg & Richard for my first shift as a new Eco Guardian. Bella greeted us at the jetty along with many hauled out sea lions. It was a quick orientation through the sites and tasks, then getting settled in while testing was being done on the water maker. Once finished up for the day and left alone on the island I decided to take my dinner up the lighthouse tower to enjoy my first sunset at Race Rocks. What a delight to finally be here!

Wildlife

The sea lions are in full force, and so are the whales. Blows all around the island, but a few humpbacks tucked in close to the North-east end and towards North Rocks.

Facility work

  • Facilities and site orientation
  • Testing and work on the water maker by Greg and Richard – still not in working order
  • Re-filled water in batteries
  • Took water sample at jetty
  • Switched out empty propane on main house for full tank
  • Moved into the Main House

Weather Sunny and calm in the afternoon

Vessels Call from Seascape on radio for a quick hello. Some whale watching vessels in the afternoon.

Summary of Sea lion brands and entanglements and Shift Change

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Reflection: Race Rocks grows on you. It encourages wonder and awe. You are constantly stopping to catch a glimpse of whales, check out a new scent on the wind, a new sound from amongst hundreds or to stand mesmerized by the moment. It is a complex physical operation, keep going by amazingly dedicated staff. It is a living, breathing treasure.

Facility Work: Fence repair as required, cleaning of solar panels, sea and temperature measurements in the morning now. Plans in place to fix desalinator.

Vessels: Pedder Explorer for pickup.

Photos:

Eight branded California sea lions were observed from September 01 to 15, 2025 at Race Rocks.

Three sea lions, one Steller and two California, were noted with current or healed neck injuries.

A bit of rain, a lot of Wind

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Weather: New weather system moved in over night, giving rise, for the first time since arriving two weeks ago to rain. Gale force winds from the west began in the early morning, with gusts over 45 knots. The day cleared and with an ebbing tide whitecaps formed, again for the first time since arriving.

Wildlife: Observed the highest concentration of California and Steller sea lions on the north shore of Great race since arriving.

Facility Work: Fence work, especially on jetty. California sea lions have developed an affinity for the wharf area, and the fence is the worst for wear because of it. Inventory of fuels and water on island.

Vessels: 10 whale watching vessels in the morning. Very few in the afternoon with high winds.

Panorama view from the lighthouse looking east.

 

Census day

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Wildlife: Conducted wildlife census, counted from the lighthouse last week, counting from viewpoints on the ground and photos from the tower for cross check.

Amazing day for whales. Observed eight blows in less than two minutes south of Bentinck island.

Entangled Steller sea lion seen again on Middle Island.

Facility work: Fueled generator, cleaned solar panels, fence maintenance, temp and salinity measurements

California sea lion with transmitter/flipper tag

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Wildlife: California sea lion with transmitter and flipper tag at jetty.

Weather: Clear in the morning, fog occasional visitor in the afternoon.

Facility work: Checked various fluid levels, routine maintenance on Honda backup generator, diesel generator topped up, storage batteries topped up with distilled water, fence inspected and repaired, solar panels cleaned, sea temperature and salinity taken.

Visitors: Biology class from LBPC for overnight stay.

Vessels: Nine tour boats noted. Our closest neighbors are the variety of ships that pass to the south on their way to other parts of the world. Some carry thousands of people, others carry cargo that could cause huge change to this fragile ecosystem… life on the edge.