Mammals:

• Steller sea lion:  0
• California sea lion: 8
• harbour seal: 71
• elephant seal: 1 mature female

Birds:

• gulls:  732
• cormorant: 38
• black oystercatcher: 14 (plus 2 chicks)
• pigeon guillemot: 43
• Canada goose: 2
• harlequin duck: 7
• barn swallow: 2
• brown pelican: 1
• bald eagle: 1

Wildlife seen this week inside the reserve but not observed today include: two Caspian terns and one additional female elephant seal. The one year-old hasn’t been seen all week which is a bit surprising as she was not far ahead of the large female in her molt and they spend extra time on shore after they have shed their skin and fur. The 3 year old (L334) goes for a couple days, comes back for a day, then leaves again. She has not been seen for two day. The pigeon guillemots are greatly underestimated – there are likely more than 200.

The mature female elephant seal is losing her last patches of skin and fur quickly.

June 12 2026

June 13 2026

Two harbour seals in a crevice, deciding to sleep underwater instead of on land.

Incredibly clear water today. Photo from the top of the tower during census.

Facility work

• cleaned solar panels
• started weed trimming the walkways

Vessels

The light winds and warm weather may be responsible for the very high number of private vessels today.  Two were speeding in the reserve very close to shore.  I wonder if the electronic charts indicate the speed limits in the reserve? There was even a speed boater pulling his children around on a inflatable air mattress!

• Ecotourism: 8
• Private: 10

Weather

Spectacular weather. Clear skies with warm light winds from the SE (2 to 13 knots). Daytime temperature 12 to 22 degrees. Warmest day of the summer so far.