Two new visitors, Carl and Brady Hughes came to Race Rocks on Friday. They will be put into service helping clean solar panels, windows and decks. Carl will also assist with bird reports and attempt to record night-flying migrants passing over the island.

Ecological Notes:

• Increasing numbers of California Gulls around the island. This smaller gull doesn’t tend to intermingle with the nesting Glaucous-winged Gulls very much.
• Passerines seen in the last two days were Brown-headed Cowbird and Barn Swallow.  Readers are reminded that Race Rocks is an eBird hotspot and more detailed updates on bird sightings can be found at Race Rocks, Capital District, BC, CA – eBird Hotspot
• Two Ruddy Turnstones continue to be seen.
• Sea lion numbers continue to climb. A branded Steller’s sea lion (183R) was seen on the north rocks near the jetty.  Information is being sought and updates will be provided.
• Whale action picked up on Saturday, Aug 13 with multiple sightings of humpbacks and Orca.
• Low tides continue to expose the intertidal areas in the early morning.
• Only one young elephant seal was seen on Aug 12 and none on Aug 13. The alpha male continues on the island, often resting near the researcher residence.
• See photos below for more ecological sightings.

Weather:

• Yesterday (Friday, August 12):
  • Sky: Overcast, with a few sunny periods
  • Wind: W 13-33 kts
  • Sea: up to 3′ chop
  • Temperature Low 11 ^oC, High 19 ^oC
• Today (Saturday, August 13):
  • Sky: Cloudy most of the day
  • Wind: Variable calm-24 kts
  • Sea: calm to light chop
  • Temperature Low 13 ^oC, High 17 ^oC

Facility Work:

• Solar panels cleaned daily. Windows washed. Two loads of water pumped from the Second Nature to the holding tank. Desalinator pump expected in the next week. Deck at the ecoguardian house partially scrubbed.
• Compost renewal project continues.

Vessel Traffic:

• Many Canadian ecotour boats have been nearby and heading through the waters of the ecological reserve. Cruise ship traffic is increasing.

Here are photo highlights from the past two days. Click on the photos for larger views and captions.

Second winter Heermann’s Gull

Great Blue Heron

Great Blue Heron with California Gulls

Very large mussels (with boot for comparison)

Velvety Red Sponge

Purple sea urchins, leatherback chiton, lined chiton, see anemone exposed at low tide

killdeer

Elephant seal on the move

California sea lions

Gulls can have vicious disputes even in the water

Young gull swimming in East Bay

Surfbird

Black Turnstone

Ruddy Turnstone

Branded Steller’s Sea Lion 183R