Mesophyllum sp.: epiphtic coralline algae–Race Rocks Taxonomy

mesophyllumbad

Mesophyllum sp.Photo by Ryan Murphy

mesophyllum

Ryan Murphy photographer pointing to the the round epiphyte

Classification:
Phylum: Rhodophyta
Class: Rhodophyceae
Order: Cryptonemiales
Family: Corallinaceae
Mesophyllum sp.

Description: This plant is erect, up to 2 cm. wide. Its colour is dark pink to purple. Shape is circular. It exists as a flattened growth epiphytic on many geniculate rhodophytes such as Bossiella sp.
Habitat: On geniculate rhodophytes in tide pools.
Pacific Coast Distribution: Alaska to California.
Other Rhodophytes or Red Algae at Race Rocks

taxonomyiconReturn to the Race Rocks Taxonomy and Image File
pearsonlogo2_f2The Race Rocks taxonomy is a collaborative venture originally started with the Biology and Environmental Systems students of Lester Pearson College UWC. It now also has contributions added by Faculty, Staff, Volunteers and Observers on the remote control webcams. —Ryan Murphy

 

Banded Cormorant data:

DSC_6938 banded cormorant

Double-Crested Cormorant photo by Ecoguardian Alex Fletcher

 Note on banded cormorant:
The bird (KC0) was banded as an adult at a breeding colony on East Sand Island in the Columbia River estuary (near Astoria, OR) in May 2013 by the group, Bird Research Northwest (http://www.birdresearchnw.org). They  banded the bird as part of their study on movement and demography of the species. (There is a large DCCO colony there and some  think authorities  are trying to destroy it as the corms are eating all the fish that are trying to get up the river. See
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/11/141118-shooting-cormorants-columbia-river-salmon-endangered-species-environment/)

On Dec . 30, 2014 the following details were sent to us after we reported it to the
The North American Bird Banding Program

Banding Data returned after reporting:
Band Number :1128-01387 KC0
Species: Double-Crested Cormorant
Age of Bird : Hatched in 2011 or earlier
Banded : 05/31/2013 Sex Unknown
Location:  East Sand Island, 2.4 KM West-Southwest of Chinook, WA, Clatsop county , Oregon USA (Coordinates: LAT: 46.25833; LON: -123.975 )
Bander Dr. Daniel D. Roby Oregon Cooperative  WRU Oregon State  University 104 Nasgh Hall Corvallis  OR 97331 3803
Encounter Data
Location 2 mi SSE of Rocky Point, British Columbia, Canada
Encountered 12/13/2014
Desc: Race  Rocks Ecological Reserve

————————————————————————————

Info from : BandReports@usgs.gov

The North American Bird Banding Program
Bird banding is important for studying the movement, survival and behavior of birds. About 60 million birds representing hundreds of species have been banded in North America since 1904. About 4 million bands have been recovered and reported.

Data from banded birds are used in monitoring populations, setting hunting regulations, restoring endangered species, studying effects of environmental contaminants, and addressing such issues as Avian Influenza, bird hazards at airports, and crop depredations. Results from banding studies support national and international bird conservation programs such as Partners in Flight, the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, and Wetlands for the Americas. The North American Bird Banding Program is under the general direction of the U.S. Geological Survey and the Canadian Wildlife Service. Cooperators include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mexico’s National Commission for the Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity and Secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources; other federal, state and provincial conservation agencies; universities; amateur ornithologists; bird observatories; nature centers; nongovernmental organizations such as Ducks Unlimited and the National Audubon Society; environmental consulting firms and other private sector businesses. However, the most important partner in this cooperative venture is you, the person who voluntarily reported a recovered band. Thank you for your help.

U.S. Geological Survey
Canadian Wildlife Service
Please Report Bands at www.reportband.gov or call 1-800-327-BAND

Direct reporting form we used can be found  at:
https://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/BBL/bblretrv/

 

Megaceryle alcyon: Belted Kingfisher– The Race Rocks Taxonomy

This is our first record of the Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) at Race Rocks. It came today from the Ecoguardian,  Alex Fletcher.  We see these birds frequently in Pedder Bay and along the Coastline of Taylor Beach, but so far we have not had a record from Race Rocks.

kingfisher

Belted Kingfisher _ Megaceryle alcyon on the winch cable: photo by Alex Fletcher, Dec 10, 2014

 

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Subclass: Neornithes
Infraclass: Neognathae
Superorder: Neoaves
Order: Coraciiformes
Suborder: Alcedini
Family: Cerylidae
Genus: Megaceryle
Species: M. alcyon
Megaceryle alcyon (Linnaeus, 1758)

Usually kingfishers are common around the shores of Pedder bay and Taylor Beach. They are rarely sighted at Race Rocks

Other Members of the Class Aves at Race Rocks 
taxonomyiconReturn to the Race Rocks Taxonomy and Image File
pearsonlogo2_f2The Race Rocks taxonomy is a collaborative venture originally started with the Biology and Environmental Systems students of Lester Pearson College UWC. It now also has contributions added by Faculty, Staff, Volunteers and Observers on the remote control webcams. Alex Fletcher (PC)

 

Lagenorhynchus obliquidens: Pacific White-sided Dolphin–The Race Rocks taxonomy

10614312_10152440678352194_8515761111297904797_nThis image is from the website of the 5 Star Whale-watching Company.

We have seen these dolphins in the waters off Race Rocks, but have yet to get a picture of them on location in the Ecological reserve.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Subclass: Eutheria
Order: Cetacea
Suborder: Odontoceti
Family: Delphinidae
Genus: Lagenorhynchus
Species: L. obliquidens

Other Members of the Class Mammalia at Race Rock

taxonomyiconReturn to the Race Rocks Taxonomy and Image File
pearsonlogo2_f2The Race Rocks taxonomy is a collaborative venture originally started with the Biology and Environmental Systems students of Lester Pearson College UWC. It now also has contributions added by Faculty, Staff, Volunteers and Observers on the remote control webcams. Garry Fletcher, 2014

 

Melanitta perspicillata: Surf Scoter–Race Rocks Taxonomy

ntscotersit

Surf scoter,  Melanitta perspicillata at Race Rocks photo by Nick Townley

ntscoterfly

Surf scoter, Melanitta perspicillata in flight

surfscoterSurf Scoters are often sighted off the shores of Taylor beach in the fall (see http://metchosinmarine.ca/gf/?p=3080 ) but only show up at Race Rocks occasionally .. see the Christmas Bird Count records: The first photographic record we have was taken in November, 2014 by Ecoguardian Nick Townley.

RMfeb42009surfscoterPM

This photo was taken by Ecoguardian Ryan Murphy in 2009 but was probably in outer Pedder Bay where they are frequently found.

 

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Subfamily: Merginae
Genus: Melanitta
Species: M. perspicillata

Surf Scoter range

Winter and Summer range of surf scoter: from seaduck ventures page

An excellent reference on the surf scoter with an image of the range can be found on the seaduck ventures page

 

 

 

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taxonomyicon Return to the Race Rocks Taxonomy and Image File
pearsonlogo2_f2The Race Rocks taxonomy is a collaborative venture originally started with the Biology and Environmental Systems students of Lester Pearson College UWC. It now also has contributions added by Faculty, Staff, Volunteers and Observers on the remote control webcams. Dec 2014, Nick Townley

 

Charadrius vociferus: Killdeer–The Race Rocks Taxonomy

rm07910killdeer

Killdeer Charadrius vociferus photo by Ryan Murphy, 2010.

ASkilldeer

Killdeer Charadrius vociferus photo by Anne Stewart, Oct 2014

Link to other posts on this website about Killdeers

Domain Eukarya
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Sub-Phylum Vertebrata
Class Aves
Order Charadriiformes
Family Charadriidae
Subfamily Charadriinae
Genus Charadrius
Species vociferus
Common Name: Killdeer

Other Members of the Class Aves at Race Rocks.

taxonomyiconReturn to the Race Rocks Taxonomy
and Image File
pearsonlogo2_f2The Race Rocks taxonomy is a collaborative venture originally started with the Biology and Environmental Systems students of Lester Pearson College UWC. It now also has contributions added by Faculty, Staff, Volunteers and Observers on the remote control webcams.

 2014, Garry Fletcher

 


Underwater Cam2 sealions .

Today Pam Birley from the UK sent these images she captured from Camera 2 at Race Rocks . This shpws what rewards one can get by having patience ! Click for full size.

 See other pictures taken remotely by Pam Birley

Anthus rubescens: (American Pipit ) –The Race Rocks Taxonomy

raisasept292010amerpipit

Raisa Mirza in the fall of 2010 took this image of an American Pipit at Race Rocks.

Raisasept222010americanpipit

Raisa Mirza in the fall of 2010 took this image of an American Pipit at Race Rocks.

8 individuals of this  species were recorded on the  VNHS Field Trip, Sept 27 2014.

DanielleD-Amerpipet

Photo of American Pipit by Daniel;e Donecke on the VNHS FIeld Trip, Sept 2014

 

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Motacillidae
Genus: Anthus
Species: A. rubescens

Other Members of the Class Aves at Race Rocks.

taxonomyiconReturn to the Race Rocks Taxonomy
and Image File
pearsonlogo2_f2The Race Rocks taxonomy is a collaborative venture originally started with the Biology and Environmental Systems students of Lester Pearson College UWC. It now also has contributions added by Faculty, Staff, Volunteers and Observers on the remote control webcams.

Oct 30, 2012 –Garry Fletcher