Animal Census Day

 

Weather and Sea Conditions

The day started with a 15 – 20 knot east wind that switched to southeast and fell off, rising again late morning. Morning sea conditions were moderately calm and rippled to the east with a light chop out in the strait. The afternoon was calm, sunny and warm and the wind shifted to west in the early evening. As expected the UV was moderate at 5 and sunlight powered the solar panels. The barometric pressure continued the slow drop started Tuesday evening and reached 1010hPa by 18:30. The storm warning has been upgraded by forecasters to a gale warning and easterly winds of 10 to 20 knots are expected to drop to light late this evening then rise to westerly 15 to 25 late overnight. Westerly winds are expected increase to 30 to 40 knots near noon Friday dropping back to westerly 15 to 25 Friday evening. Friday is expected to be mainly sunny.

Vessel Observations

Two whale-watching vessels were observed working in the protected area today. They both behaved themselves, at least when I was looking. No other vessels were seen in the reserve.

Maintenance

There were no visitors today and chores were mainly routine.

Ecological

Today was census day and these are the results.

2016 06-Apr
River Otter 3
Northern Elephant Seal 13
Harbour Seal 105
Northern Sea Lion (Steller’s) 78
California Sea Lion 99
Canada Goose 11
Harlequin Duck 8
Double-crested Cormorant 6
Pelagic Cormorant 7
Bald Eagle (juvenile) 4
Bald Eagle (adult) 2
Killdeer 2
Black Oystercatcher 12
Black Turnstone 38
Surfbird 21
Rock Sandpiper 1
Dunlin 2
Glaucous-winged Gull (+ Xs in nesting area) 148
Glaucous-winged Gull (+ Xs outside n area) 100
Rhinoceros Auklets 4
Pigeon Guillemot 95
Common Raven 2
Northwestern Crow 2