Although I’m sad to be reaching the end of my stay at Race Rocks, today was exciting as I had my very good friend arrive to join me for my last couple days. I was also happy to have some help to do the animal census on this gorgeous sunny day. Perhaps because of the great weather and calm waters, there seemed to be a lower count of animals as they were out foraging.

Animal Census Saturday, March 22, 2026:

Mammals:

• Steller sea lion: 26
• California sea lion: 17
• Harbour seal: 135
• Northern Elephant seal: 2 (Baby and adult female)

Birds:

• Glaucus-winged gull: 278
• Herring gull: 3
• Brandt’s Cormorant: 106
• Pelagic Cormorant: 89
• Double-crested cormorant: 21
• Black oystercatcher: 6
• Harlequin duck: 12
• Black turnstone: 7
• Canadian goose: 10
• Surfbirds: 5
• Bald Eagle: 3 (2 Juveniles)
• Savannah’s Sparrow: 1

Again the pigeon guillemots evaded me on census day…but I saw more than a dozen by the jetty the day before. We also came across a Steller sea lion with a massive growth hanging out of it’s eye – while it seemed to otherwise be in good condition I did report this animal as it’s one to keep an eye on.

Facility work

• Animal census
• Batteries top-up
• Seawater sample
• Washed solar panels
• Washed outside windows

Weather

• Wind: 5-15kts NNW
• Mostly sunny
• Air temp: 7C
• Sea state: calm

Vessels: 1 canoe/rower who circumnavigated the island, 1 kayaker, 1 eco-tourism