It has been almost four months since I was last here in July. Things have changed considerably. The water making system is operational and with an ample supply of water and student help, and the hard work of the waterfront staff and Ecoguardians, the buildings, walkways and decks have been scrubbed clean and the weeds are under control. The place looks fantastic!

The vegetation is green and all evidence of the summer nesting season chaos (gull nests, egg shells and chick corpses) has been blown away. The number of gulls is greatly reduced. The pigeon guillemots are absent. The cormorant population has exploded. A group of thirty plus oyster catchers were seen but they have given up on their evening fly abouts. The Canada geese are back and a lone snow goose.

East Beach is no longer covered with hundreds of turnstones and surfbirds. The beaches and rocks now belong to the sea lions and they make sure you know it. They would take over the entire island if it weren’t for the electric fence and removing them from the boat ramp when I collect the sea water data is a daily battle.

Noses in the air, refusing to move

Sea lions on East Beach

Sea lions on the west shore

With the gull population, and their rain of excrement, dramatically reduced, my summer morning ritual of cleaning the solar array has been replaced with electric fence patrol and repair. During my short stay from Nov 10 to 14, I have been occupied with fence upkeep, general cleaning, battery maintenance, getting firewood and transferring diesel.

Cutting rounds in the sunshine on Tuesday

An electric log splitter was delivered on Wednesday. I had mixed emotions, having a fondness for splitting wood but I am over it. It is an amazing new addition and sure made fast work of the splitting.

It has been a great short visit to Race Rocks. I am grateful for the opportunity to experience this incredible place at this time of year.

DND Activity

Several blasts on Nov 13 caused minor disturbance to the sea lions.

Facility work

• electric fence repair
• battery fluid levels
• cutting and splitting rounds of firewood
• diesel delivery – 530L

Vessels

Nov 10 – ecotourism: 3
Nov 11 – ecotourism: 4, private: 4
Nov 12 – ecotourism: 2
Nov 13 – ecotourism: 0

Weather

The weather has ranged from crisp sunshine to high winds with driving rain.

Nov 10 – partly cloudy, W gusting 37 knots, daytime temp 10 -11
Nov 11 – partly cloudy, veering from SW to E 10 knots, daytime temp 8 – 10
Nov 12 – cloudy, NE 6-12 knots, daytime temp 9 – 10
Nov 13 – overcast, rain, W 3-27 knots, daytime temp 9 – 11