We said good-bye (for now) to Jeremias and Abi on Monday. It was great having them on the island, helping with the chores and sharing their interest in this amazing place. I am here for another couple of weeks or so, and so have undertaken a new project to rejuvenate the large compost bins near the ecoguardian’s residence. The weather has shifted from the calm and beautiful days on the weekend to more typical wind and fog of “Fogust”.
Ecological Notes:
The elephant seals continue, much to the delight of the ecotourism boat operators who always check out the ramp for them.
Steller and California sea lion numbers are still on the rise. I’m looking forward to a good count on this week’s census.
Black Turnstones dominate the east bay, with high numbers still continuing. About 200 are on the island in the late afternoon.
Many of the young Glaucous-winged Gulls are stretching their wings, jumping into the wind in preparation for their first flights.
Harbour porpoises, including one with a youngster, were seen on August 8. No whale sightings in this report, but only one day of visibility was a factor.
Weather:
Yesterday (Monday, Aug 8)
- Sky: Clear and sunny all day
- Wind: Variable 4 to 29 kts
- Sea conditions: rippled to light chop
- Temperature: Low 13 oC, High 22 oC
Today (Tuesday, Aug 9)
- Sky: Heavy fog in the morning and late afternoon. Partially cloudy for a few hours mid-day.
- Wind: W 11 to 26 kts
- Sea conditions: unknown to 3′ seas late afternoon
- Temperature: Low 12 oC, High 16 oC
Visitors:
Volunteers Abi and Jeremias departed Monday morning.
Facility Work:
Solar panels cleaned; electric fence checked and in good condition. Battery bank checked and topped up with distilled water on Monday. Generator was run during fog on Tuesday morning to top up battery levels. Compost rejuvenation project got underway.
Vessel Traffic:
Many Canadian and American ecotour boats have been nearby and heading through the waters of the ecological reserve. More alumni from Pearson College toured the area on Tuesday. Cruise ship traffic is picking up.
Here are photo highlights from the past two days. Click on the photos for larger views and captions.
Farewell to Jeremias and Abi. Safe journeys ahead!
View from the solar panel array at sunrise
Young Glaucous-winged Gull testing its wings
California Sea Lions and their most popular poses
A (very) little bit of sunshine
Glaucous-winged Gull pair doing courtship/bonding display.
A beachload of Black Turnstones (and a few Surfbirds)
Alumni tour from Pearson College
Young elephant seals on the move
Compost project supervisor
Large root masses at the top of the old compost
The first buckets of aged compost into the hole