Mammals
Although none today, Transient Orca have been seen regularly just outside the reserve
Mammals
Mammals:
Birds:
Wildlife seen this week inside the reserve but not observed today include: surfbird and killdeer.
Dunlin
Dunlins and a sanderling high up on the western rocky shore.
It is day 12 for the elephant seal pup. The pup is growing quickly and the weight loss in the nursing mother is becoming obvious.
Mother elephant seal and pup on Day 12
Facility work
It was calmer at the Jetty today with less waves and logs smashing around.
Vessels
Weather
Overcast. Periods of rain. Gentle northeasterly breeze. Daytime temperatures 9 to 10 degrees.
Mammals:
Birds:
Wildlife seen this week inside the reserve but not observed today include: killer whales, surfbirds, Canada geese, Brants, song birds. The most obvious visual differences seen since the last census is the increase in the number of cormorants and the reduction in Stellar sea lions.
Just some of the 452 cormorants on the western shore.
A much smaller group of Stellar sea lions on the South Islands than see in the photo from the Jan 15th Census
Surfbirds and black turnstones seen earlier in the week.
Wildlife notes
It has been a peaceful day here. The skies clear and waters calm. The elephant seal and her 5 day-old pup are sleeping and nursing in the sunny hollow. The pup is strong enough now to hold its head high and reach the upper teat. Two branded sea lions were photographed and reported to NOAA.
Elephant seal and her 5 day-old pup seen from above.
Facility work
Vessels
Weather
Skies mostly clear, high clouds forming in the afternoon. Winds light to gentle. Direction variable from northerly to easterly. Daytime temperatures 3 to 7 degrees.
Mammals:
Birds:
Wildlife seen this week inside the reserve but not observed today include: humpback whale. For several days this past week there have been 50+ black turnstones and up to four immature bald eagles.
168 Stellar sea lions dog piled on one of the South Islands.
Two male Harlequin ducks drying off on East Beach.
Wildlife notes
The elephant seal seem agitated this morning, moving about and calling. She settled in for the afternoon in the hollow beside the bunker.
A glorious day on Race Rocks. The elephant seal in the hollow between the bunker and the walkway on the right.
The girthy female elephant seal.
Facility work
Vessels
Weather
Skies partly cloudy, clearing midday. Moderate easterly breeze. Daytime temperature 9 degrees.
Mammals
Birds
Mammals
Birds
Mammals
Birds
Mammals
Count aided by Pearson College students
Birds
Mammals