We had a beautiful morning with sunshine and a bit of a breeze. Unfortunately the students had to leave early as the weather was going to prevent a pickup on the usual Sunday. So I said my goodbyes and helped get them ready for their departure.

We were surprised to see that (what I assume to be) mamma Elephant seal was back! She was at the top of the boat ramp, but baby was nowhere to be seen… however I heard some little screams I was sure were hers. It took me awhile to figure out exactly where her cries were coming from, until she poked her head out from underneath the sidewalk by the Tank shed. While baby was tucked and cozy out of the wind under the concrete, mamma spent most of the day rolling around the shallows of the boat ramp bellowing from time to time.

It’s the end of the week, and my favorite day on the island – animal census day! Probably the most remarkable part of this job is living amongst all this amazing wildlife. I thoroughly enjoy every minute of observing the animals that call this place home.

Animal Census Saturday, March 7, 2026:

Mammals:

• Steller sea lion: 36
• California sea lion: 18
• Harbour seal: 67
• Elephant seal: 2

Birds:

• Glaucus-winged gull: 130
• Herring gull: 8
• California gull: 2
• Pelagic cormorant: 123
• Brandt’s cormorant: 5
• Double-crested cormorant: 2
• Black oystercatcher: 6
• Harlequin duck: 18
• Black turnstone: 6
• Canadian goose: 6
• Surfbirds: 22
• Pigeon Guillemots: 4
• White-winged scoter: 2

Not observed today, but seen recently were 3 juvenile bald eagles and a Turkey vulture. Still no whale sightings.

Facility work

• Battery top up
• Filled Generator with diesel
• Checked on student house
• Collected firewood
• Animal census

Weather

• Wind: NNW 8kts, max gust 25kts
• Sunshine in the AM, periods of light rain in the PM
• Air temp: 10.6
• Sea temp: 8.6
• Sea state: calm, <1m swell