Category Archives: Ecoguardians Log

Foggy day for an Animal Census

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The first foggy day in a couple weeks today!

With 6 new solar panels installed along with replacements to wiring that had corroded with the salty air this week, it seems the fog is barely affected our power supply which is amazing!

A couple DND blasts at Noon through the fog made even fewer animals around the reserve today.

 

Birds

  • Harlequin duck                                  5
  • Bald eagle adult                                2 
  • Glaucous winged Gulls                  527   
  • Cormorants                                      31
  • Pigeon Guillemots                             176
  • Oyster catcher                                    10
    • Oyster catcher eggs                   7   (3 in two nests and 1 in a third)
  • Savannah Sparrow                              1
  • Canada Goose                                     14
  • Barn Swallow                                       1
  • Crow                                                     3

Mammals

  • Steller sea lion                             10
  • Harbour seal                                 63
  • California sea lion                        17
  • Elephant seal sub adult male      2
  • Elephant seal adult female          2
  • Elephant seal pups                      3

 

Visitors:

  • Race Rocks Challenge participants
  • 3 contractors installing and maintaining solar panels
  • 44 Marine Science students visited to write their exam
  • 4 Pearson College Second year students came for a visit before the school year ends.

Facility Work: 

  • Fixed Compost
  • Taped off Oyster Catcher nests and made map 
  • Cleaned house
  • Filled water in batteries
  • Emptied and cleaned composting toilet
  • Cleaned windows and solar panels
  • Mopped basement
  • Organized and cleaned tool drawers
  • Fixed and rebuilt sections of Electric fence
  • Cleaned lighthouse

 

** 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?

Animal Census with a couple quick Terns

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Birds

  • Harlequin duck                                  5
  • Bald eagle adult                                2 
  • Bald eagle juvenile                           1
  • Ruddy Turnstone                              1
  • Glaucous winged Gulls                     685 
  • Cormorants                                        72
  • Pigeon Guillemots                             327
  • Oyster catcher                                    10
  • Savannah Sparrow                              6
  • Canada Goose                                     14
  • Raven                                                   2
  • Caspian Tern                                       2
  • Barn Swallow                                       2

Mammals

  • Steller sea lion                             16
  • Harbour seal                                 79
  • California sea lion                        32
  • Elephant seal sub adult male      2
  • Elephant seal adult female          3
  • Elephant seal pups                      3

Visitors:

  • Mollie – future Ecoguardian 

Facility Work: 

  • Chopped and stacked remaining fire wood
  • Deep Cleaning of Kitchen and sorting through house hold items
  • 3 coats Stained Kitchen table
  • Sharpened Axe
  • Mounted 2 large Elephant Seal winter coat sheds for future visitors and students to touch and see. 
  • Set up Hose system from Science house up to solar panels so we no longer have to haul a 5 gallon bucket up a ladder
  • Cleaned solar panels
  • Addled Canada Goose Eggs and mapped out nests
  • Cleaned windows

 

** 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?

Peregrine Falcon During Animal Census

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It was a very quick moment but a peregrine falcon flew by, low along the rocks of the east shore and swooped across the north by the crane and jetty. I lost sight of it quick and was unable to snap a photo, but I was a beautiful moment to witness.

Adult Bald Eagles were catching fish today and fighting over them in the sky.

Juvenile Bald Eagle sitting on the old crane.

Adult Bald Eagle perched atop our northern camera.

Adult Bald Eagle with a fresh catch.

 

Birds

  • Harlequin duck                                  4
  • Bald eagle adult                                2 
  • Bald eagle juvenile                           2
  • Turnstones                                        1
  • Glaucous winged Gulls                  527     
  • Cormorants                                        36
  • Pigeon Guillemots                             167
  • Oyster catcher                                    8
  • Fox Sparrow                                         8
  • Canada Goose                                     16
  • Raven                                                   1
  • Peregrine Falcon                                     1

 

Mammals

  • Steller sea lion                             35
  • Harbour seal                                 73
  • California sea lion                        38
  • Elephant seal sub adult male      2
  • Elephant seal adult female          2
  • Elephant seal pups                      2

 

Coast Guard Zodiac going through Middle channel.

Visitors:

  • Sarah, a women who is also a marine biologist, battling cancer who will loose her sight came out to see the elephant seals before she does. 

Facility Work: 

  • Chopped drift wood
  • Cleaning and organizing house and tools 

 

** 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?

Mist Maiden, Whimbrel and Gratitude

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This morning the wind was less than 10 knots and it was a beautiful time to be outside compared with the howling winds the last couple of days. It is from the west and increasing as the day goes on.

Often people ask me why I come to Race Rocks and this morning was a great reminder. As I cleaned the solar panels there was a soft west wind, the sun was in and out of the clouds as it rose in the east. Two California sealions were catching fish and shaking them as they surfaced. An eagle flew over and picked up a fish only to be chased ashore by two glaucous wing gulls. There are moments here when one is called to be present. There are many moments of frustration ( the electric fence is down again) and occasional fear (the wind, the geese) and boredom but then there are moments when one just doesn’t want to be anywhere else. And how often that does that happen in one’s life?

Visitors:

  • Pearson College had about 6 divers in Race Channel today but did not come ashore.
  • Just after noon now and 10 ecotourism boats have passed by

Observations:

  • Mist Maiden (Romanzoffia tracyi) is blooming!
  • I took a picture of the chiton shells and will post below. When walking around there are so many things that are taken for granted. Like the hundreds (thousands) of chiton shells. I suppose they are a stable food source. Has it always fed these birds? Did there used to be more fish skeletons? Sometimes it is good to record the obvious.

Work:

  • Cleaned the solar panels this morning
  • continued wheelbarrowing wood to house
  • cleaned out the wood stove
  • cleaning the house for Jill’s return
This female may be recognizable if this new puncture wound, upper right abdomen, leaves a scar

This female may be recognizable if this new puncture wound, upper right abdomen, leaves a scar

 

The beginning of nesting season

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I am here for four days to give Jillian Brown a chance to attend to her family. It is a special time for me because it is my birthday and the fourth time that I have been here on April 30 but only my second time in the capacity of eco-guardian. This is my third day here and I have updated the SOP to include the up to date log sign in details (Thank you Garry).

The weather is currently 15 knots west but over the past day has been as high as 30 knots, SW and NW. The sky was clear for 2 days and there was enough energy provided from the solar panels to take care of electrical needs.

Below is a picture of a tagged glaucous wing gull that I saw the May 22,2022 (see log entry that date)  in the exact same place. Although this may not surprise you it made me feel like the animals here are familiar. It does seem like the geese nesting by the fuel shed are the same aggressive geese as last year and the ones under the keeper’s house stairs the same mellower geese but I just never had proof. This gave me a feeling of community.

There are 6 elephant seals here, females and immatures, including the tagged yearling. I haven’t seen this year’s pup for 24 hours so perhaps all the newborns are now gone.

Visitors

Yesterday (April 29) I was surprised when 6 kayaks pulled up the jetty. They were from Pearson College and had been given permission to land. Of course the sea lions stampeded on their arrival. Luckily not many kayakers do come this way as the sea lions usually get right in the water even though motor boats come much closer without scaring them. Perhaps they should turn some music on LOUD as they approach?

There were only 2 or 3 ecotourism boats over Friday and Saturday but today there have been 8 in every size, perhaps tied to the massive cruise ship recently docked in Victoria?

Maintenance:

  • I am working on the wood pile, chopping and stacking in the house.
  • Swept the lamp room and continued sweeping the light house stairs.
  • Filled the batteries with distilled water.
  • This is month end so sent the salinity and temp chart to Sebastien Donnet.
  • Also have almost completed the month end report but need to review a few details with Greg.
  • Sent the info of tagged bird info to appropriate source.

 

 

 

 

 

Animal Census

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Birds

  • Harlequin duck                                  4
  • Bald eagle adult                                2
  • Bald eagle juvenile                           1
  • Turnstones                                        6
  • Killdeer                                               2
  • Glaucous winged Gulls                  597     
  • Cormorants                                        74
  • Pigeon Guillemots                             195
  • Oyster catcher                                    11
  • Canadian goose                                 11
  • Surf Birds                                             3
  • Savannah Sparrow                             1
  • Fox Sparrow                                         11
  • Canada Goose                                     11

 

Mammals

  • Steller sea lion                             6        – Seem to have disappeared today
  • Harbour seal                                 68
  • California sea lion                        47
  • Elephant seal sub adult male      2
  • Elephant seal adult female          3
  • Elephant seal pups(2F 1M)          3

Visitors:

  • 14 Pearson College student  and Laura visit the western tide pools

Facility Work:

  • Fire wood chopping 
  • Cleaning and organizing house and tools 

** 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?

Farewell and Adieu

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Finishing up nearly 6 months here at Race Rocks. I have had an amazing time, especially being here for the winter snow storm, and the birth of 3 Elephant Seal pups! Visiting students, media students, colleagues and friends have broken up the long periods and only added to my enjoyment. I look forwards to returning next fall.

Link to one of the Elephant Seal births video here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmDLPNDahyU&t=1s

Some photos taken from the blog:

Animal Census

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Birds

  • Harlequin duck                                  7
  • Bald eagle adult                                2
  • Bald eagle juvenile                           5
  • Turnstones                                        11
  • Killdeer                                               2
  • Gulls                                                   64     
  • Cormorants                                        42
  • Pigeon Guillemots                             73
  • Oyster catcher                                     8
  • Canadian goose                                 10
  • Surf Birds                                             6

 

Mammals

  • Steller sea lion                             23
  • Harbour seal                                 47
  • California sea lion                        18
  • Elephant seal sub adult male      3
  • Elephant seal adult female          3
  • Elephant seal pups(2F 1M)          3

Visitors

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Ecological Notes:

  • 2 Adult Female Elephant Seals (Believed to be moms from this season)
  • 3 Elephant Seal pups from this season
  • 1 very near mature Male Elephant Seal
  • 2 – 2to3 year old(?) Male Elephant Seals, one of which is not used to humans and was very vocal when anyone was near the ramp, then eventually moved to the sea lion haulout by the crane
  • The tagged Elephant Seal yearling from the previous post has left the reserve

Visitors:

  • 1 Alumni of Pearson College visiting and volunteering until Friday this week
  • 2 colleagues (and friends) of the Eco-Guardian also visited for 3 days

  • Seafront Coordinator brought extra help to remove and old Composting unit, empty propane tanks, items for recycling and disposal. Also delivered a spare gas engine to replace the one on the fire pump (used to pump sea water into the cistern)

Facility Work:

  • Cleaning and pressure washing of all sidewalks
  • Floor cleaning and washing of outbuildings
  • Deep cleaning of the Eco-Guardian house, including all window sills, screens, fridge, stove, and inside cabinets
  • Changed filters in the desalinator unit, gave us more consistent pump and pressure readings

  • Replaced engine on the firepump
  • Collected lots of recyclables from the tank shed
  • While bucking up firewood for splitting, introduced the Alumni guest/volunteer the basics of chainsaw maintenance and handling

Thanks to the guests for all their help!

DND events:

  • Ongoing, near daily, detonations

Noted Vessel Traffic:

  • A dramatic increase in Eco-Tourism vessels, all following park guidelines.
  • Many private vessels also doing wildlife viewing
  • A group of 2 kayakers, and also 2 outrigger canoes visited as well.

 Noted Infractions:

  • 3 vessels fishing in the Rockfish Conservation area, 2 were politely reminded by me over the VHF radio and pulled up lines without responding when they saw my camera. 1 was spoken to by an ecotourism Captain when they didn’t respond or react to my calls.
  • Was a bad week for private vessels in the reserve area at higher speed, some slowed down when they saw my hand signals, at least 2 were again encouraged by Eco-tourism vessels

 

** 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?

Hawk and tag

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Ecological Notes:

  • 1 Female Elephant Seal in the center of the island, looks like one of this years moms
  • 1 near mature Male Elephant Seal
  • 1 tagged yearling Elephant Seal male, tagged in California at the age of 23 days on 2022-02-19 …. reported to appropriate resource

Near adult male on left, tagged yearling male on the right

  • 3 Elephant Seal pups from this season on the boat ramp
  • A first for me here at Race Rocks …. noticed the panicking gulls were making a slightly different noise, and sure enough, instead of Eagles it was a Red Tailed hawk!

Visitors:

  • A Pearson College alumni (and past Eco-Guardian) is visiting Race Rocks for a couple weeks, for a visit and to offer time to volunteer on projects.

Facility Work and tasks:

  • Month end paperwork and reporting, including Seawater data
  • Monthly equalization charge and weekly battery fluids top up

DND events:

  • Ongoing detonations
  • Noted that when they do multiple blasts in close succession, there is a greater reaction from the Sea Lions and birds.

Noted Vessel Traffic:

  • Eco-Tourism vessels
  • 2 Kayakers,  that gave all wildlife a very good buffer, in the reserve at slack tide * note: they didn’t drop the fishing lure while they were in the reserve *

  • 3 private vessels visiting the reserve

 Noted Infractions:

  • 1 Private vessel did a highspeed bank turn and exited at full speed from well within the reserve…. Yes, this photo was taken after they left the reserve, and they had slowed a lot when they saw me come out with the camera

Weather Events:

  • Sunday, April 02:
    • Sky: Full range from high overcast, to clear with clouds to the south and north, to high overcast and mixed clouds
    • Wind: Variable calm-10 kts peaked to W 3 20 kts mid afternoon
    • Sea: lightly rippled
    • Temperature Low 4oC, High 8oC
  • Monday April 03, :
    • Sky:Mostly Clear to overcast
    • Wind: low WSW rising to W 30kts lat in the afternoon
    • Sea:  light chop turning to larger swells by evening
    • Temperature Low 4oC, High 7oC

 

 

** 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?