Wildlife notes

I discovered two new black oystercatcher nests this year: one in the rocks on a very high (a long walk down to the shore for a little oystercatcher) part of the island to the north of the helicopter pad and one on the east side of the jetty close to shore. There was a pair on the east side of the jetty last year but they did not exhibit any nesting or feeding behaviour.

The two new oystercatcher nests found this year are shown below. One high on the bluffs behind the Heli Pad and one close to shore on the east side of the Jetty.

I can’t say whether oystercatcher pairs return to the exact same spot each year or if they have to establish their territory anew each year, but in most cases except for the Coast Guard pair, this year’s nests are in the exact same location or only two feet away from last years nests.  What is very different this year is the timing of egg hatch.  The Keepers House pair were the first to hatch, more than two weeks earlier than last year.  In contrast the West Jetty pair had already hatched their two chicks by this time last year. Now they are starting to visit their nest but are still mating and haven’t yet laid an egg.

The oystercatcher nest map is below (click on it to expand). Note, I left the island last year before getting a visual on the Energy Building chicks to confirm number hatched.

Facility work

• cleaned solar panels
• checked batteries
• weeded around Bunker and Water Shed

Vessels

• Ecotourism: 8
• Private: 2

Weather

HOT! Clear skies and sun. Winds light and variable until evening, then westerlies 10 to 23 knots. Daytime temperatures 19 to 24 degrees. I did not need to light a fire today.