Category Archives: Mammal Notes

August 23 Weekly Census

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First things first! Time to check out the solar panels, while at the same time, keeping track of what animals and birds are being seen. Census is usually conducted on Friday, but since I didn’t arrive until mid-afternoon, I opted to do it today.

The solar panels were in better shape than I expected given the look of the Science Building windows. I remembered all of the valves that needed to be opened to provide water on the generator building roof, so a single trip up the ladder was all that was needed. Once those were taken care of, it was off to tackle the Science Building. There are some great new tools available for reaching the second story windows, but they are quite unwieldy, especially for someone who is just a little over 5 feet tall! As I feared, the gull artwork was baked on, so although there was improvement, the windows were not fully clean when I was done.

Next, a trip up the tower to count marine mammals and gulls. I found a key outside the door as I entered. The fob looked somewhat familiar, but I couldn’t quite place it. I thought one of the guests might have dropped it yesterday, so left it at the bottom of the stairs. A hundred steps up, I remembered why it looked familiar–it was the key to the hatch to the outside of the light. Down 100 steps and back up 100 steps. A double workout for today!

While at the top, I called my friends at Rocky Point Bird Observatory just the other side of Bentinck Island and arranged a neighbourly wave. There is a gap in Bentinck that provides a great view of Race Rocks from the other side.

Census complete, I headed back to ground level. Hmmm..Where are my glasses? You got it–back up at the light! Another trip to the top!  Although I had done a count of gulls from the top, I decided to count the young birds again. They are difficult to see from the light. At ground level, I found about three times as many as I had counted from the birds’ eye view.

The sea lions had dumped most of the posts and their concrete blocks off the jetty again. I managed to get them back up before the tide rolled in and repaired the fence–again. I have to say, I felt that I’d put in a full-day’s labour before noon!

Weekly Census
Observed today because of arrival too late on Friday for a fair census

Mammals:

  • Steller sea lion: 327 (including entangled female detected yesterday)
  • California sea lion: 142
  • Harbour seal: 64

Birds:

  • Canada Goose: 7
  • Black Oystercatcher: 5
  • Pigeon Guillemot: 34
  • Ruddy Turnstone: 1
  • Black Turnstone: 15
  • Brandt’s Cormorant 2
  • Pelagic Cormorant 30
  • Western Gull 2
  • California Gull 270
  • Glaucous-winged Gull 1042 (including about 300 young)
  • Brown Pelican

Facility work:

  • Clean the solar panels
  • Cleaned windows on the north and west side of Science Building
  • Returned posts and concrete blocks to the jetty and repaired the fence
  • Topped up batteries

Weather:

  • Sky: sunny and clear all day
  • Wind: variable 0 – 18 knots
  • Sea: rippled
  • Air temperature: low 15 °C, high 26 °C
  • Seawater temperature at max flood: 11.6 °C

Photos from today:

Entangled Sea Lion still being seen near the jetty.

Mom and pup Harbour Seal exuding cuteness

Jetty stripped almost clean of all the fencing posts

Young Glaucous-winged Gull in the early morning sunlight

One of several private vessels seen near the rocks today.

Looks familiar!

 

August 22

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One more time!  I’m back on Race Rocks for a short shift of just a few days. The last time I was relief ecoguardian was in 2023, and while much remains the same, there have been some changes, too. Nick left the house in great shape. What a nice welcome back!

I got my first trip on the new Pearson College boat. She’s a beauty! With lots of interior seating, I’m sure the students and visitors will appreciate the comfort of future journeys. We came across with several guests including Alex Fletcher, a former long-term ecoguardian on the Rocks.

After a quick look around, tasks began right away with the scheduled water temperature and salinity tests that are taken from the end of the jetty. No problem with the sea lions today as the boat was tied up and keeping them at bay.

One of the major chores for the ecoguardian is keeping the solar panels and building windows clean. Strong west winds this week resulted in the pelting of the Science Building. I know where I’ll be spending some time tomorrow!

As the Pedder Explorer departed, Greg yelled back to me about an entangled sea lion. A female Steller’s had the tell-tale signs of something wrapped around her neck. A close inspection of the photos showed a packing band which must have been on her for years given how far it has cut into her neck. The incident was reported to DFO. If she stays around, they may make an attempt to rescue her and remove the band.

Facility work:

  • Reset the electric fencing on the jetty. Despite Nick’s efforts, the sea lions had knocked several posts off the jetty.
  • Inspected the fence line around the perimeter. Again, the sea lions are not respecting the barrier.

Weather:

  • Beautiful and clear on arrival at approximately 2 pm.
  • Wind: Variable 2-13 knots
  • Sea: rippled
  • Air temperature: low 14 °C, high 25 °C
  • Seawater temperature at max flood: 10.7 °C

 

Elephant Seals and Northern Fur Seal

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Ecological Notes:

  • 2 Juvenile female Elephant Seals coming and going daily, Haven’t see the full adult female in a few days…… Last couple days she was here, she spent a lot of time bellowing from a high point on the rock, maybe she heard other animals in the distance(?)

  • The Northern Fur Seal was hauled out on the most north west rock in the reserve (reported to me by an Eco-Tourism vessel)… but is now on the rocks next to the crane shed (just east of the jetty)
  • Sunday, the Fur Seal spent most of the afternoon rolling and grooming in the water off the end of the jetty

  • Many of the Sea lions spent the afternoon rafting and thermo-regulating in the water

  • It seems each day I find new blooms

Visitors:

  • 2 technicians from Environment Canada  came twice, to service all relevant equipment and attempt to get the display unit in the Eco-Guardian residence up and running – returned a couple days later to reset the system

Facility Work:

  • reset the wind indicator/ reporting system up in the tower via phone instructions from EC
  • replaced the rest of the fencing on the jetty

  • Moved drums to prepare for diesel delivery
  • Weekly battery maintenance, including electrolyte top ups

DND events:

  • Several radio broadcasts simulating emergency situations….. the first couple were a little concerning, as they didn’t announce the simulations before hand!

Noted Vessel Traffic:

  • Several Eco-tourism  vessels
  • A submarine travelled south of the reserve on the surface, un-escorted though.

  • Kayak group, I monitored while they were in and out of the various currents. The group leaders were very good, and responded well when ever anyone got caught in a bad current.

 Noted Infractions:

  • None. I’ve let vessels know the Sea lions around the jetty area seem to be extra touchy, and vessels all responded appropriately. There are lots of really small ones and females in the groupings.

Weather Events:

  • Wednesday, April 09:
    • Sky: High overcast with sunny periods
    • Wind: Variable calm – 5 kts
    • Sea: rippled to 2′ chop
    • Temperature Low 9oC, High 11oC
  • Thursday, April 10:
    • Sky: Low overcast, shifting to low fog to the south and west mid afternoon, scattered rain showers, followed by sunny breaks
    • Wind:E 5-10kts shifting to W 15-25kts mid day
    • Sea:  morning chop 1ft, flattening as the wind shifted to W, then rising to 3-4 ft swells and chop on top
    • Temperature Low 9oC, High 12oC
  • Friday April 11:
    • Sky: Although cloudy on both shorelines, the area above Race Rocks and the strait was mostly clear and sunny all day
    • Wind: W 20-25 kts
    • Sea:  2-3 ft chop and swell
    • Temperature Low 9oC, High 9.5oC
  • Saturday April 12:
    • Sky: Heavy clouds to the north and south, but mostly clear and sunny overhead
    • Wind: W 20-35kts
    • Sea:  light chop turning to high waves by evening
    • Temperature Low 7.5oC, High 10oC
  • Sunday April 13:
    • Sky: light haze,  but overall sunny
    • Wind: W 5kts shifting to E by mid morning
    • Sea:  flat calm plus current
    • Temperature Low 7oC, High 11oC

 

 

** Any 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?

More signs of spring and a surprise visit!

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Ecological Notes:

  • 3 female Elephant Seals, 1 adult and 2 juveniles, still coming and going, no full haul out
  • A surprise visit from a Northern Fur Seal!

  • In addition to the more regular Black Turnstones, noted some Ruddy Turnstones today

  • The Pigeon Guillemots are showing up in larger numbers, with many frequenting the rock pile where they like to nest
  • Not that long ago, we would say ” this is an all male haul out area” ….. sources tell me this is in fact, Male, females, and yearling pups(haven’t seen nursing yet today, although I’ve photographed a few here doing that too)

  • The Black Oyster Catchers are mostly paired up as well

  • It appears that 2 of the 3 pairs of Canada Geese have given up on egg laying for the season (the gulls have been raiding the nests), but the one pair by the crane shed still has 2 eggs they are taking care of.

Facility Work:

  • swapped out an electrical switch to restore light to the room I prefer to sleep in

  • Checked and topped up the battery electrolyte levels
  • Moved and stacked some of the split firewood
  • Done before I got here, but a straight forward “why didn’t I think of that” solution to the storm rattled doors on the water tank shed

Noted Vessel Traffic:

  • Some Eco-Tourism vessels visiting the reserve.
  • 1 private vessel noted

 Noted Infractions:

  • Private vessel approached the haul out area by the crane a bit too close and straight on, startling all the animals off into the water, including the rare (to this area) Northern Fur Seal

Weather Events:

  • Sunday April 06:
    • Sky:Overcast, low clouds on the Olympic Peninsula, rain showers started in the morning, more squalls as the wind rose later in the day
    • Wind: N 5-10 kts, shifting and rising to W 25 kts by early evening
    • Sea: rippled to 2′ chop
    • Temperature Low 8oC, High 13oC
  • Monday April 07:
    • Sky: Overcast with sunny breaks, low cloud over the Olympic Peninsula, light rain in the afternoon
    • Wind:mostly N 5-10 kts, switching to west and rising to 25 kts in the afternoon before dropping back down during the evening
    • Sea:  light chop
    • Temperature Low 9oC, High 10oC
  • Tuesday April 08:
    • Sky: Overcast with sunny breaks, heavy cloud to the south, occasional showers
    • Wind: N 5-15kts, rising to 25kts, gusting to 25kts, from the West late afternoon
    • Sea:  2 ft swells from the north during the day, switching to 2-3 ft chop late afternoon
    • Temperature Low 9oC, High 11oC

Animal Census

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Birds

  • Harlequin duck                       6
  • Bald eagle adult                     4
  • Bald eagle juvenile                7
  • Black Turnstones                  34
  • Ruddy Turnstones                 8
  • Gulls                                       112
  • Cormorants                            74
  • Pigeon Guillemots                 48
  • Oyster catcher                        12
  • Canadian goose                      7

 

Mammals

  • Norther Fur Seal                      1
  • Steller sea lion                       19
  • Harbour seal                            36
  • California sea lion                   23
  • Elephant seal female             3, 1 adult, 2 juveniles 
  • Sea otter  – while not at the reserve, Ollie was reported to me as being over by william head

Back again!

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Happy to be back at my home away from home!

Ecological Notes:

  • 3 female Elephant Seals, 1 Full Adult and 2 juveniles
  • The Gulls are slowly pairing off, no full courtship displays or nest building noted yet

A few squabbles here and there

  • So far, I’ve only found 2 of the 3 previously noted active Canada Goose nests…. I think the one by the composting are has been abandoned

The gulls are quite quick to take advantage of spoiled eggs

  • The harbour seals on the southern rocks seem to be very skittish …… wondering if there have been undocumented orca hunts in the reserve, maybe at night(?)

Visitors:

  • Just the waterfront coordinator during the Eco-Guardian exchange/transfer

Facility Work:

  • fuel transfers
  • Monthly report levels checks
  • general quick facilities check on arrival, moving to scheduled routine checks

DND events:

  • Heavy Blasting one one day

Noted Vessel Traffic:

  • Some eco-tourism vessels, all following good practices and procedures
  • 1 private vessel exploring the reserve

 Noted Infractions:

  • Private vessel approached the haul out area by the crane/jetty area a little close and head on orientation, startling the sea lions, all moving and several entering the water…. I feel the nervousness of the sea lions was increased by the previous days blasting though

Weather Events:

  • Thursday, April 03:
    • Sky: sunny and clear, very occasion cloud patches
    • Wind: Mostly W, 5-10 kts in the morning, dropping to very light in the afternoon, rising to near 20kts over the afternoon/evening
    • Sea: calm seas
    • Temperature Low 8.5oC, High 10oC
  • Friday, April 04:
    • Sky: Mostly clear, with some high overcast at times
    • Wind: NE shifting to E 5-15 kts
    • Sea: calm seas
    • Temperature Low 7oC, High 11oC
  • Saturday, April 05:
    • Sky: Bright, high overcast
    • Wind: W/WSW 16-37 kts
    • Sea:  calm seas
    • Temperature Low 8oC, High 10oC

 

 

** Any 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?

GPS Tagged California Sea Lion

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I make maps for a living, so you better believe I was excited to find a sea lion with two telemetry tags pinned in its flipper-pits. I reached out to Kendra and our contacts at Oregon State and got an answer the next day!

California sea lion: branded X103

X103 is an animal they tagged (ODFW, WDFW, UCLA, and others) in Astoria, Oregon on August 29, 2024, as part of a research project looking at disease ecology and movements of California sea lions.  More information about the project can be found here: at this link  (X103 isn’t listed here yet but the 2023 cohort is)

For information on the whole research project: The Eastern Pacific Marine One Health Coalition https://marineonehealth.or

Maintenance:

Since talking with the Oregan taggers, I’ve been reaching out to our other animal reporting partners and getting updated emails and protocols. I’ll use this information to update in the SOP.

Otters, Whales, and a Fur Seal…Oh My!

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It’s the last day of 2024 and we are finishing it with a bang!

This morning I spotted an imposter among the sea lions near the jetty…a northern fur seal!

You may be wondering why thats significant, and its because this is the first northern fur seal documented on Race Rocks in 44 years! Northern fur seals are a pelagic species, meaning they live offshore and are not seen near the coast.

Occasionally they have been sighted in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the young or sick ones have stranded along the coast in previous years. However, a healthy adult male hauled out in front of the house here? Very rare! So rare that it hasn’t been seen since 1980 which I still haven’t quite wrapped my head around.

He’s been in and out of the water throughout the day, lots of grooming (they have a fur coat similar to that of a sea otter), and even nipped at a few California sea lions. I’m looking forward to seeing if he sticks around!

Speaking of sea otters, Ollie is also back! After spending the past few months  near William Head, I saw him on the South side of the island early this morning. I’m hoping to see more of him before I leave.

It appears not all of the humpbacks have gotten the memo that they should be somewhere warm, cozy, and tropical by now. I saw about 7 in total today which was a very nice surprise.

As for the rest of the animals around here its been status quo. Still no elephant seals but I’m not giving up hope yet. Doing my best to manifest one (or ten) arriving before I leave.

Happy New Year!!

Clear skies

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Ecological Notes:

  • The Elephant Seals, the expecting female and the young female, left the ramp area and haven’t returned …. hoping they’re just off having a good feed and not looking at another haul out spot.
  • In the past, most of the Steller Sea Lions have moved to the outer rocks, leaving the main rock to the California Sea Lions… but this season there are many more Stellers remaining on the main rock, even some have ventured onto the pier

Visitors:

  • Parcel and supply delivery by the waterfront team

Facility Work:

  • got some of the deck algae sprayed down during the nicer weather…. until the sprayers broke!

  • Finally got some good logs in, shortened at the holding area, and moved up to the bucking area
  • Weekly Battery maintenance
  • Monthly Equalization charge to the Batteries
  • Month end reports and posting
  • The waterfront team brought out, and prepped a new door for the battery room, appears to now also need a new door frame

DND events:

  • regular blasting, a few times a day for the last week, no noted reaction from the wildlife.

Noted Vessel Traffic:

  • In addition to a few eco-tourism vessels, there have been a few private vessels visiting the reserve, all with good behaviour

 

Weather Events:

The last week has been primarily N NE winds, leading to mostly clear skies and dry weather. Seas have had light chop, slight fog daily on the shoreline away from the reserve.

  • Thursday, December 05:
    • Sky: High overcast, fog on the southern strait
    • Wind: NE winds 10-15 kts
    • Sea:  light 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?