Author Archives: Derek Sterling

Winter setting in ….

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Ecoguardian Notes:

  • (lack of photos due to no reliable  internet, and running this through a phone hotspot) Will try to add photos later!

Ecological Notes:

  • noted 2 Sea lions with raw injuries, trying to monitor them as they heal

Visitors:

  • 4
  • Greg, Marine and Seafront Operations Coordinator, and Cedric – grocery and fuel delivery, and help with some maintenance
  • 2 Techs form Environment Canada, to work on the weather electronics on the tower….. some success, but found more work than they anticipated

Facility Work:

  • Diesel delivery – 570L
  • We had wind speed (but no direction) on the monitor in the house, but now have wind direction, (but no speed!)

DND events:

  • A few blasts, scheduled to continue until Nov 13. Humpback Whales south, and west of reserve, none noted to the north.

Weather Events:

  • Yesterday (Tuesday November 08)
    • Sky: Mostly clear with some clouds moving past
    • Wind: NE 15-20 kts
    • Sea: Waves to 1 metre
    • Temperature Low 2oC, High 4oC
  • Today (Wednesday November 09):
    • Sky:Mostly high overcast, mixed cloud and clear overnight
    • Wind: N/NE 10-15 kts
    • Sea: 1/2 meter chop
    • Temperature Low  4oC, High  8oC

 

** All wildlife photos taken at the furthest distance possible, and may be cropped to improve detail! **

 

Weather – Current:

http://www.victoriaweather.ca/current.php?id=72

 

Weather – Past:

http://www.victoriaweather.ca/station.php?

Storm after Storm

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Ecoguardian  Notes:

  • (lack of photos due to no reliable  internet, and running this through a phone hotspot) Will try to add photos later!

Ecological Notes:

  • Many Sea Lions returned to the main island after the main storm, mostly on the east side of the island (although that may change as we now have strong NE winds)
  • Noted a few injuries to Sea Lions, from minor head and body wounds, to one that looked like it had a badly damaged pec fin

Facility Work:

  • Started fence repairs Sunday, only to have most of what was done blown/knocked down by Monday! 3Dprinting some more quick connectors for the wire tape
  • Internet troubleshooting is ongoing, biggest direct effect is lack of Opticsre system to closely monitor the battery levels
  • Topped up battery levels, and did Equalization charge

Noted Vessel Traffic:

  • 2 highly skilled kayakers paddling around the reserve and “surfing” in the standing waves in the main channel. (I always do a quick assessment through the binoculars when I see an paddlers approaching the reserve.)
  • Just a few Ecotour vessels through the reserve on Sunday while the conditions permitted tours

Weather Events:

  • Yesterday (Sunday, November 06):
    • Sky: High cloud, occasional sunny breaks
    • Wind: Variable 5 – 10kts
    • Sea: rippled to 2′ chop
    • Temperature Low 5oC, High 8oC
  • Today (Monday,  November 07):
    • Sky: Mid level overcast, water level view to the Olympic Peninsula
    • Wind:N/NE 25-30kts, gust to 35kts
    • Sea: 1 meter+ waves and chop
    • Temperature Low  2oC, High  5oC … wind chill -2

 

** All wildlife photos taken at the furthest distance possible, and may be cropped to improve detail! **

 

Weather – Current:

http://www.victoriaweather.ca/current.php?id=72

 

Weather – Past:

http://www.victoriaweather.ca/station.php?

Back to the Rock, and prepared for the Storm

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A warm welcome back!

Ecoguardian  Notes:

  • Derek is happy to return to fill the role as Ecoguardian here at Race Rocks, after spending the summer and fall season exploring the Salish Sea as an Ecotourism guide. A special thanks to Jill for leaving the reserve and facilities is such tip top shape!
  • (lack of photos due to no reliable  internet, and running this through a phone hotspot)

Ecological Notes:

  • Dramatic mid week reduction of Sea Lions
  • Working to convince the Sea Lions to not use the ramp area, as pregnant Elephant Seals could be returning in the next month

Visitors:

  • During the Ecoguardian exchange and transfer, Greg delivered firewood and supplies
  • Greg brought out the IT manager to work on the internet and router system.

Facility Work:

  • Attempted repairs to the Desalinator system, realizing more parts were needed.
  • Ongoing troubleshooting of the Internet and wifi system.
  • Main official Weather Station on the tower has been not in operation for a week or so, awaiting outside support for repairs
  • troubleshooting the “local” station at ground level as it lost wind direction sensor during the high wind storm Friday Nov 04.
  • Although the were in good repair earlier in the week, the electric fences now need major repairs, but waiting for the wind to die down after the stormy weekend

DND events:

  • Many detonations on Wednesday Nov 02. Prior to them, I noted 10 to 15 Humpback whales between the reserve and the detonation area. During the blasting, most, if not all, moved west to just beyond Beechy Head. They returned to the area the next day.

Noted Vessel Traffic:

  • Canadian and American EcoTour vessels visiting the reserve, including regular visits from one company doing an educational program with elementary school children.

Weather Events:

  • Sunny and warm, with relatively calm seas, on November 1st for transfer day!
  • Yesterday (Friday, November 05):
    • Sky: Thunder Clouds throughout the day, mixed with high cloud cover
    • Wind: Variable, 15-30knts during the day, rising to 50knts in the evening, gusting to 65knts
    • Sea:  2′ – 3′ chop, larger swells developing as the wind rose in the evening
    • Temperature Low 7oC, High 10oC
  • Today (Saturday, November 05):
    • Sky: Shifting between  clear skies to high overcast with heavy rains and the low pressure system rolls though. Large hail mid afternoon.
    • Wind: W/WSW 25-30 kts
    • Sea:  2-3 foot waves
    • Temperature Low  5oC, High  8o

 

** All wildlife photos taken at the furthest distance possible, and may be cropped to improve detail! **

 

Weather – Current:

http://www.victoriaweather.ca/current.php?id=72

 

Weather – Past:

http://www.victoriaweather.ca/station.php?

October 2022 Seawater Data

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DAILY SEA SURFACE TEMPERATURE AND SALINITY OBSERVATIONS
Institute of Ocean Sciences, North Saanich, B.C., V8L 4B2
Please email monthly to Peter.Chandler@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Station RACE ROCKS
Observer Jillian October
YSI ID: 27 Year: 2022
YSI YSI
Temp Sal
Day Time ºC ppt
1 18:08 10.2 32.6
2 6:55 9.9 32.7
3 8:05 9.9 32.7
4 10:12 9.9 32.8
5 11:20 10.0 32.7
6 17:00 10.5 32.0
7 13:00 10.3 32.6
8 13:45 10.0 32.8
9 14:30 10.0 33.0
10 15:00 10.2 32.8
11 16:00 10.0 32.8
12 10:00 10.0 32.8
13 16:15 10.0 32.6
14 17:20 10.1 32.4
15 18:10 10.3 32.3
16 6:30 9.9 32.6
17 7:25 9.9 32.5
18 9:57 10.2 32.2
19 15:05 10.7 31.8
20 11:30 10.5 32.0
21 14:00 10.4 32.1
22 12:40 10.3 32.2
23 13:15 10.3 32.0
24 13:45 10.1 32.2
25 14:18 9.6 32.7
26 15:00 9.6 32.6
27 16:00 9.5 32.8
28 16:10 9.5 32.9
29 16:50 9.5 32.8
30 5:30 9.4 32.9
31 6:30 9.2 33.1

September 2022 Seawater Data

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DAILY SEA SURFACE TEMPERATURE AND SALINITY OBSERVATIONS
Institute of Ocean Sciences, North Saanich, B.C., V8L 4B2
Please email monthly to Peter.Chandler@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Station RACE ROCKS
Observer Jillian September
YSI ID: 27 Year: 2022
YSI YSI
Temp Sal
Day Time ºC ppt
1 17:50 11.1 32.0
2 6:30 10.6 32.0
3 7:28 10.8 31.9
4 8:30 11.1 31.8
5 9:50 11.1 31.7
6 11:24 11.2 31.9
7 12:30 10.8 32.2
8 13:25 10.4 32.6
9 14:25 10.8 32.3
10 14:59 10.2 32.8
11 15:39 10.6 32.7
12 16:15 10.6 32.4
13 16:55 10.6 32.4
14 17:25 10.3 32.5
15 18:04 10.4 32.4
16 6:35 10.5 32.1
17 7:20 10.3 32.4
18 8:30 10.5 32.2
19 10:45 11.2 31.7
20 11:59 11.2 31.6
21 12:28 11.4 31.6
22 13:25 11.3 31.4
23 14:50 11.7 31.5
24 14:15 11.5 31.6
25 14:45 11.6 31.7
26 15:08 11.1 31.9
27 15:20 10.7 32.2
28 16:05 10.1 32.6
29 16:20 10.4 32.5
30 17:15 10.1 32.9

August 2022 Seawater Data

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DAILY SEA SURFACE TEMPERATURE AND SALINITY OBSERVATIONS
Institute of Ocean Sciences, North Saanich, B.C., V8L 4B2
Please email monthly to Peter.Chandler@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Station RACE ROCKS
Observer Nick/Ann August
YSI ID: 27 Year: 2022
YSI YSI
Temp Sal
Day Time ºC ppt
1 17:03 10.7 31.6
2 17:35 10.8 31.7
3 18:14 11.5 31.3
4 19:01 11.4 31.2
5 8:06 10.8 31.5
6 9:03 11.2 30.9
7 10:05 11.3 30.8
8 11:08 12.0 30.5
9 12:10 11.8 30.3
10 13:12 11.0 31.2
11 14:22 10.6 31.6
12 15:22 10.1 32.2
13 16:20 10.4 32.2
14 16:53 10.6 32.1
15 17:33 10.5 32.3
16 18:12 10.5 32.2
17 18:51 11.0 32.1
18 7:25 10.2 32.2
19 8:22 10.6 32.0
20 9:48 11.0 31.9
21 11:25 11.3 31.7
22 12:24 11.4 31.4
23 13:12 11.4 31.5 H=230-5=225 Metal thermometer=12.2 Glass thermometer=12.3
24 13:56 11.4 31.4
25 14:34 11.2 31.6
26 15:07 11.2 31.7
27 16:25 10.9 32.0
28 17:00 11.0 32.0
29 16:20 11.3 32.0
30 16:35 11.2 32.0
31 17:02 11.3 31.9

July 2022 Seawater Data

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DAILY SEA SURFACE TEMPERATURE AND SALINITY OBSERVATIONS
Institute of Ocean Sciences, North Saanich, B.C., V8L 4B2
Please email monthly to Peter.Chandler@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Station RACE ROCKS
Observer Nick Townley July
YSI ID: 27 Year: 2022
YSI YSI
Temp Sal
Day Time ºC ppt
1 15:15 10.1 31.5
2 16:42 9.8 31.8
3 17:18 9.9 31.6
4 18:03 9.7 32.0
5 18:49 10.3 31.7
6 19:44 10.0 31.7
7 20:58 10.2 31.6
8 9:50 10.2 31.6
9 10:40 10.1 31.7
10 11:29 10.2 31.9
11 12:19 10.4 31.6
12 13:08 9.8 32.1
13 13:57 9.5 32.5
14 14:52 9.6 32.4
15 16:09 9.4 32.4
16 17:17 9.5 32.4
17 18:08 9.5 32.3
18 18:55 10.2 31.8
19 19:39 10.7 31.7
20 20:25 10.3 31.9
21 10:18 10.2 31.8
22 10:27 10.8 31.1
23 11:44 11.0 31.2
24 12:44 11.2 30.8
25 13:34 11.2 31.0
26 14:15 11.4 30.9
27 15:01 11.2 30.7
28 15:39 11.4 30.5
29 16:13 10.9 31.1
30 16:39 11.1 30.9
31 16:51 11.0 31.1

Gulls and Oyster Catchers are nesting

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(having trouble uploading photos right now, will add photos later)

Ecological Notes:

  • 1 Young Adult Male Elephant Seal, who is very possessive of the 1 Female elephant seal also on the island
  • The yearling “pup” was very thin and wrinkly by the time he finished his molt, but appears to have left the reserve now.
  • Less than half as many as last year, but the gull have now made their nests and sitting on eggs
  • Have found 3 Oyster Catcher nests, but now they are nesting, I avoid the perimeter areas where they make the nests, so there may be more.
  • Frequent Humpback whales close to the reserve, and one actually passed withing about 5 meters of the end of the pier!
  • 4 different times, Transient orca were observed passing between the reserve and Bentinick Island

Visitors:

  • A College instructor and 2 researchers came for an overnight to take collect some data
  • The Desalination / water pump contractor came to help repair the systems

Facility Work:

  • Replaced the pressure pump and switches in the Desalinator system.
  • Consistent near daily cleaning of the Solar Panels
  • Repaired the frozen firepump used to fill the cistern with salt water

DND events:

  • Ongoing detonations at rocky point and Bentinick Island

Noted Vessel Traffic:

  • Very regular visits to the reserve by Ecotourism Vessels, both Canadian, and American vessels
  • Increase in private vessels also visiting the reserve.
  • Many sailing vessels passing both sides of the reserve during the Swiftsure Race.

 

 Noted Infractions:

  • All boats on best behavior. One instance of a private vessel fishing within the reserve. They were intercepted and warned by an Ecotourism vessel after not receiving (or ignoring) my radio calls.

 Feature Event:

  •  The repairs to the fire pump ended up an extended event!

    • The main pump was frozen and wouldn’t turn over, but the back up pump started easily.
    • Transferred the firehose pump fittings to the back up pump.Laid out and connected all the hose for transfer.
    • Attempted to restart the backup pump and the pull cord snapped!
    • Swapped the pull cord from the main pump and started the back up pump.
    • When the backup pump started to pump, there was a leak from the housing right at the engine mount. Did not want to dismantle that part of the pump without parts.
    • Stripped down the main pump to cleans and wire brush all the parts to get it turning over properly (which as it turns out, I should have just done in the first place!)
    • Transferred the pump fittings and pull start back to the main pump
    • Was then finally able to fill the cistern!
    • Flush the pump thoroughly with fresh water before storing!

Weather Events:

  • Full range of spring weather, no extremely high winds though.

 

** All wildlife photos taken at the furthest distance possible, and may be cropped to improve detail! **

 

Weather – Current:

http://www.victoriaweather.ca/current.php?id=72

 

Weather – Past:

http://www.victoriaweather.ca/station.php?

Census

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Birds

 

  • Bald eagle adult 2
  • Bald eagle juvenile 3
  • Turnstones 18
  • Sparrow 3
  • Gulls, Glaucous and Western  82
  • Cormorants 23
  • Pigeon Guillemots 45
  • Oyster catcher 18
  • Canadian goose 10
  • Canada Goose Goslings 4
  • Surf Birds 18

 

Mammals

  • Steller sea lion 6
  • Harbour seal 120
  • California sea lion 12
  • Sea Otter 1
  • Elephant Seal 1 Young Adult Male, 1 Female

More Spring Activities

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Ecological Notes:

  • 6  Elephant Seals, including this years pup

  • Although they have been courting for a while, starting to see the first of the gulls actually making nests

  • I thought the Canada Geese were done with nests for the season, but found this hidden nest after moving a propane tank

  • The Oyster Catchers are starting to protect there chosen nest areas, and are really vocal and aggressive to anything coming near.

  • A lifetime on the ocean for me, and the first time I saw one of these ….. A Lancet fish. He was looking physically good, but having trouble swimming and kept coming in to the shore … I got in the water and walked him out and did a fisherman’s revive for about 15 minutes, then he finally swam away …. Not sure if he’ll make it, but still worth the effort!

Facility Work:

  • Attempted to replace the pressure pump for the desalinator, but something is not right and we decided to bring in the pump professional.

DND events:

  • 3 separate days of detonations

Noted Vessel Traffic:

  • More private, and commercial ecotourism vessels visiting.

 Noted Infractions:

  • One large Ecotourism Vessel entered the reserve a little fast, but this was a vessel that is normally exemplary in their behavior, so probably a temporary oversight. Discussed it informally with a manager from the company.

Weather Events:

  • Again, quite the mix of spring weather

 

** All wildlife photos taken at the furthest distance possible, and may be cropped to improve detail! **

 

Weather – Current:

http://www.victoriaweather.ca/current.php?id=72

 

Weather – Past:

http://www.victoriaweather.ca/station.php?