The great weather had to come to an end eventually! Despite being a dark and cloudy day we lucked out with no rain and no wind.

I had 9 extra helpers for the animal census today, the Pearson students are extra observant so this may be the most accurate count yet!

No sea otters were seen today but the two new ones have been around the past few days. Still no additional elephant seals on the main island, just our solo male! A couple of females have been hauled out on the various surrounding rocks but none of come ashore here.

March 20th Animal Census:

Birds:

Oyster catcher: 15
Harlequin duck: 12
Gulls: 261
Cormorant: 62
Pigeon guillemot: 149
Juvenile eagle: 3
Adult eagle: 4
Canadian geese: 9
Shore birds: 10
Turnstones: 28
Savannah sparrow: 1

Marine Mammals:

Steller sea lions: 17
Harbour seal: 64
Male Elephant seal: 1
Female elephant seal : 2 (north rocks)
California sea lion: 20

Injuries:
Harbour seal with facial injury

DND Activity:

• 2 blasts at 12:55 and 13:00. They did startle the harbour seals and the second blast sent a California sea lion fleeing into the water.
• 3rd blast at 14:15 no obvious disturbance noted. 
• 4th blast at 15:05 no obvious disturbance noted.
• 5th blast at 15:08 no obvious disturbance noted.

Noted Vessel Traffic:

• One ecotourism vessel
• One Coast Guard vessel
• Three RCMP vessels

 

 

Weather Events:

• Wednesday, March 20:
  • Sky: Cloudy all day
  • Wind: High of WNW 13 knots, Low of  SW 4 knots
  • Sea: Calm
  • Temperature: Low 8^oC, High  10^oC

** All wildlife photos taken at the furthest distance possible, and may be cropped to improve detail! **

 

Weather – Current:

http://www.victoriaweather.ca/current.php?id=72

Weather – Past:

http://www.victoriaweather.ca/station.php?