Bernard, the dominant male elephant seal, continues to protect the two pups by scaring off the other males from trying to mate with the pups or kill them. It is surprising and unusual behaviour for a male elephant seal but I am grateful for his protection!
The elephant seal pups enjoyed a splash in their first puddle today. They should be ready to head into the ocean sometime in the next few weeks.
Bernard was keeping an eye out for the pups today, looking up from his sleep every time one of them would cry out, which is less frequent and high pitched now too as they continue to grow. Having a father elephant seal protect it’s pups like this after the mother has left is not ordinary behaviour so this has been very interesting to watch.
Lots of Canada Geese landed on the island today, around 6-10 pairs that are very territorial with each other. I assume they’re getting ready for nesting season as that generally starts around March.
Still a decent number of cormorants, black oyster catchers and black turnstones around too.
Notes
DND blasting has started up again with several loud explosions going off each day for the past few days.
Still trying to figure out what Bernard, the dominant male elephant seal, is up to with the pups. Some days he protects them against other males and will sleep close to them throughout the day, and other days he is either just gone or will sleep away from them while other males attack them and fight over them with each other. Today he decided to defend them against a smaller but very persistent male that has been harassing them the most. Nonetheless the pups are doing well and seem unharmed.
Wind: 5-10 N/NE, picked up to 25-40 knots SW overnight
Sky: sunny and clear
Water: mostly calm, choppy at times
Boats/Visitors
Saw two ecotour boats go by
No visitors
Ecological
The pups were left alone last night and today, thankfully. Had a peaceful day of sleeping in the sun and recovering from being attacked several times over the last few days.
The male elephant seals all kept to themselves today.
Wind: 5-10 N/NE, picked up to 20-30 knots overnight
Sky: cloudy with light snowfall and fog
Water: large rolling swells throughout the day
Boats/Visitors
Didn’t notice any ecotour boats or divers around today
No visitors
Ecological
Woke up at 4:30 am to the sound of the elephant seal pups being attacked by a big male elephant seal. Pretty sure it was Bernard, their father, but hard to tell. Was surprised to find both pups seemingly unharmed and sleeping peacefully in the morning when I got up.
One of the younger, smaller males took the opportunity to try to mate with one pup while two of the bigger males were fighting, but luckily she got away from him after a few minutes of panic. Very difficult to watch I must say. These males are all fired up from the mating season and most don’t get a chance to mate, especially if they are smaller in size.
Saw about 10-20 Pigeon Guillemots chasing each other and diving into the water.
Had a nice visit from a veteran ecoguardian Guy Ouradou along with a pearson college alumni member for a quick visit to the island.
Ecological
Some time in the night the mother elephant seal left the island to feed and let her pup become independent and eventually make it’s own way to the water.
Surprisingly Bernard (father elephant seal) has still been very close and protective to the two pups that are now side by side.
Sky: cloudy in the morning then cleared up by afternoon
Water: mostly calm
Boats/Visitors
Saw a few ecotours go by today
No visitors today
Ecological
The mother elephant seal is getting noticeably thinner from feeding the pup for weeks and not having eaten anything for some time now. I suspect she will be leaving her pup soon to feed and to let the pup tone up a bit before she makes her way to the water for the first time to feed herself.
Bernard (adult male elephant seal) has been doing a great job of protecting his two pups and female from the three other males on the island.
No small boats out today, only large commercial ships
No visitors
Ecological
Most of the wildlife on and around the island layed low for the day with the high winds and rain. Didn’t see much activity and was stuck indoors for most of the day myself.
