Regular readers of the blog will be aware of our weekly animal census, usually taking place towards the end of the week or over the weekend. As the Pearson students had already been counting different species on their boat trip they were keen to join, and I decided to bring it forward a bit – with great results. Thank you everyone for your help!
Census in action
Pedder Explorer arrived at 9am to pick up Christie and the students and take them back to campus, and I found myself alone on the island (insofar as humans are concerned…) for the first time since my arrival.
Animal Census Thursday, March 26, 2026:
Mammals:
- Steller sea lion: 71
- California sea lion: 13
- Harbour seal: 57
- Northern Elephant seal: 2 (Baby and adult female)
Birds:
- Glaucus-winged gull: 343
- Herring gull: 12
- Brandt’s Cormorant: 292
- Pelagic Cormorant: 118
- Double-crested cormorant: 18
- Black oystercatcher: 40
- Harlequin duck: 6
- Ruddy turnstone: 4
- Canadian goose: 10
- Surfbirds: 12
- Bald Eagle: 1 adult, 1 juvenile
- Pigeon guillemots: 43
The pigeon guillemots (my favourite bird!) had evaded Karyssa on previous census days, so I went out early in the morning to count them.
But what kind of cormorant is it?
Facility work
- Animal census
- Fence repairs
- Seawater sample (last one with Pearson students)
- Solar panel cleaning
Weather
- Wind: 5-10kts SW to W
- Mostly sunny
- Air temp: 10C
- Sea state: calm
Vessels: 6 eco-tourism, Pedder Explorer (to pick up students)