The 15 elephant seals were slower down to the water today, perhaps due to the influx of students.
One California Sea Lion spent most of the exam at the end of the jetty, unfazed by all the activity going on. Quite unusual for a sea lion!
All manner of barnacle, shell creatures, and algae plant things were examined today by the Pearson College students.
Visitors!
Approximately 30 folk from Pearson College made their way out to Race Rocks today.
This included Laura Verhegge who was running the Marine Sciences field exam, Johanna who was observing Pearson’s instruction techniques, one 2nd year student, one alumni, Chris, and 25 or so students.
The first group arrived at 8:15, the final group left at about 12:15.
Maintenance/Chores
Weed whacking.
Algicide application. Photo shows before scrubbing.
Safety observation and hosting of students during exam.
Ran the desalinator.
Boats
The Ocean River Kayak Discovery Shuttle and Haiaku each took two trips of students to and from Race Rocks.
On the return voyage the tide was very low, and the sea lions were in the way, so the shuttle boat “docked” against the rocks on the NE part of Great Race.
At least 4 eco-tours came by the reserve today.
Saw a nice red sailed sailboat to the north of the reserve.
One boat spent much of the day fishing on the edge of the reserve.
Wind: 0-5 knots W in the morning, by 14:00 it had jumped to 40+ knots.
The highest reading I saw was 48 knots, which is no longer a “strong gale” but a “storm”.
Sky: clear in the morning, dark clouds by evening.
Water: initially calm, but the wind kicked up massive waves!
Forecast: looks like more gale tomorrow.
Ecological
15 elephant seals on Great Race.
A few California Sea Lions on the jetty today.
One lone crane fly was attached to a window for the second day straight. The gale blew it away.
The same elephant seal who blocked me outside yesterday tried the same trick again! Only this time I was already inside, so I wisely used a different door.
Maintenance
Goose work.
Weed eating. Or “whacking” if you prefer.
Boats
6 eco-tours today.
1 small pleasure craft had what appeared to be a family with young children fishing in the reserve. They departed very quickly before I could identify their boat, perhaps realizing their mistake independent of me?
As I write this at 20:00 the wind has picked up to 35 knots
Sky: cloudy, now raining
Water: 4′ chop and whitecaps
Gale warning in effect until tomorrow.
Ecological
15 elephant seals on Great Race today.
Maintenance
Some goose work this morning.
Boats
Saw the HMCS Winnipeg out in the straight.
Other
Got a phone call today from Pearson College indicating that CBC All Points West was interested in interviewing me about my experience following Leicester’s Premier League win at a lighthouse on an island.
They found out about me from a comment I had on The Guardian’s live blog.
Anticipating a possible phone call from CBC Radio, I spent all afternoon near the phone, but nothing happened.
They spent much of the afternoon playing in the water near the jetty.
Maintenance
Goose work.
Added one entire 55 gallon barrel into the Tidy Tank.
Cleaned the solar panels.
Boats
One small pleasure craft came through the reserve today.
It looked like it might have been too close to the harbour seals on Turbine.
Kyle and Guy brought me two boxes of food today. Much appreciated and needed!
Other
I know this isn’t really related to the reserve, but I hope that Pam Birley, our honorary eco-guardian, is enjoying the celebrations of Leicester City’s first ever English Premier League win! Cheers to all you do for the reserve, and your city!
