Mammals:

• Steller sea lion: 3
• California sea lion:  35
• harbour seal: 86
• elephant seal: 4 females

Birds:

• gulls:  234
• cormorant:  38
• bald eagle:  1
• black oystercatcher: 14
• Canada goose: 6
• harlequin duck: 13
• barn swallow: 2

Wildlife seen this week inside the reserve but not observed today include: one additional female elephant seal.

Wildlife notes

The four year-old post molt female was last seen on May 28th and has returned to the sea. Of the four remaining elephant seals, the two-year old has lost the most weight and will likely be the next to leave, followed by L334.

The 3 year-old (L334 on the left) and two year-old elephant seals. L334 had just come up from a wetting on the boat ramp and took a rest beside the two year-old.

The cranky two year-old unimpressed by the closeness.

The youngest and oldest females spent the past two days by the energy building. Judging by the poo smear on the tower walkway, one of them even spent some time at the tower base, which isn’t an easy uphill trip for an elephant seal.

The mature female and the one year-old on the pathway to the energy building.

Facility work

• cleaned solar panels
• general cleaning

Vessels

• Ecotourism: 3
• Private: 2 kayakers

Weather

Clear skies. Westerlies 21 to 30 knots. Daytime temperatures 9 to 12 degrees.