Thanks to everyone on the island and the transport team for a wonderful welcome back. It’s been a year, and my brain is spinning with things I think I should remember and new things to learn. I will be posting many bird sightings to the Race Rocks hotspot (Race Rocks, Capital District, BC, CA – eBird Hotspot) on eBird during my stay here. I really like Nick’s succinct summaries and will be following his format for the most part. I will also be updating a personal blog with many more words and photos here: http://nightingaleadventures.blogspot.com/
Ecological Notes:
The large elephant seal remained onshore on Aug 4, but headed to the ramp and nearby waters much to the joy of whale watching boats on Aug 5. There is at least one young elephant seal still in the area as well, and it made its way almost to the lighthouse on Aug 5.
Steller and California sea lion numbers are growing with several groups of Californias now being seen around the island. Next week’s census should be considerably different than last week’s.
Brown Pelicans continue to be seen with a group of 10 heading west in late afternoon Aug 5.
California Gulls are clustering on the south part of the island. I’m expecting these numbers to increase over the next weeks.
Three Heermann’s Gulls were with California Gulls on Aug 4.
A flock of about 15 Barn Swallows headed south over the west side of the island mid-morning on Aug 5.
One humpback whale was seen in the company of whale watching vessels south of the island on the morning of Aug 5.
Weather:
Yesterday (Aug 4)
- Sky: Overcast in the morning, clearing in the afternoon
- Wind: W 16-25 kts
- Temperature: Low 13 oC, High 16 oC
Today (Aug 5)
- Sky: Clear, except for fog that rolled in for about two hours in the morning
- Wind: Variable from ESE 3 to W 21 kts
- Temperature: Low 11 oC, High 20 oC
Visitors:
Volunteers Abi and Jeremias continue. Garry Fletcher arrived with Greg and Ann for the Ecoguardian changeover on Aug 4.
Facility Work:
Solar panels cleaned; electric fence checked and repaired as required.
Vessel Traffic:
Many Canadian and American ecotour boats have been nearby and heading through the waters of the ecological reserve.
Here are photo highlights from the past two days. Click on the photos for larger views and captions.
Changing of the eco-guard. Nick leaving, Ann arriving.
Glaucous-winged Gulls are ferocious protectors of their young.
California Gulls amassing at the southwest corner of Great Race
Sharing a meal- Glaucous-winged Gulls
During breeding season, the mouth lining and feet of the Pigeon Guillemot become bright red.
Pigeon Guillemots in flight.
Not birds–flies! The quantity of organic matter on the island attracts a lot of them.
Surfbirds
Black Oystercatcher family
One of 15 migrating Barn Swallows over Race Rocks on Aug 5.
Do you really want to fight a sea lion for a meal?