Mammals:

• Steller sea lion: 54 (168 Jan 15)
• California sea lion: 105 (69 Jan 15)
• Harbour seal: 43 (20 Jan 15)
• Elephant seal: 2

Birds:

• Gulls: 202 (399 Jan 15)
• Cormorant:  452 (271 Jan 15)
• Bald eagle: 2 mature, 3 immature
• Black oystercatcher: 10
• Harlequin duck: 4
• Black turnstone: 2
• Raven: 2

Wildlife seen this week inside the reserve but not observed today include: killer whales, surfbirds, Canada geese, Brants, song birds. The most obvious visual differences seen since the last census is the increase in the number of cormorants and the reduction in Stellar sea lions.

Just some of the 452 cormorants on the western shore.

A much smaller group of Stellar sea lions on the South Islands than see in the photo from the Jan 15th Census

Surfbirds and black turnstones seen earlier in the week.

Wildlife notes

It has been a peaceful day here.  The skies clear and waters calm. The elephant seal and her 5 day-old pup are sleeping and nursing in the sunny hollow.  The pup is strong enough now to hold its head high and reach the upper teat. Two branded sea lions were photographed and reported to NOAA.

Elephant seal and her 5 day-old pup seen from above.

Facility work

• stacking wood
• kindling
• general cleaning

Vessels

• Ecotourism: 0
• Private: 0

Weather

Skies mostly clear, high clouds forming in the afternoon. Winds light to gentle. Direction variable from northerly to easterly.  Daytime temperatures 3 to 7 degrees.