Category Archives: Facility work

Sept. 17, 2025 – Sea lions, Whales, and Vultures- Oh My!

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What a great first day alone at the station in terms of wildlife! Since sunrise there were constant whale blows in all directions, probably half a dozen humpbacks at any given time. Later in the afternoon I was treated to a spectacular show by a young humpback whale who began breaching on the East side of the island and then didn’t stop as it breached its way North for nearly an hour. One of the whale watch guides counted 24 breaches in a row… go little guy go! I found the sea lion with the flasher in its mouth again and decided to make a report to DFO and the Marine Mammal Rescue Centre. Typically they need at least 2 entangled animals with consistant sightings to warrant a rescue attempt, so I’ll be keeping my eye out. I also spotted the Cali with the transmitter tag (likely the one Ian saw previously) along with some branded and flipper tagged sea lions. With all the mammals stealing the light, I nearly forgot about the birds. Interestingly, I encountered a Turkey Vulture scavenging among the sea lions and managed to take its photo in flight (below).

Wildlife Highlights:

  • Humpback whales 6-10; juvenile breaching
  • Turkey vulture
  • Branded and tagged sea lions

Facility work:

  • Minimal fence repairs, just a few lines touching the ground that I tightened up
  • Took my first water sample measurement at peak flood
  • Plans to continue work on the water maker and continue my site briefings were foiled as the wind picked up. Greg & Richard decided to come out tomorrow instead.
  • Took the day to familiarize myself with the SOPs and where things are at the station.

Weather:

  • Sky: Mostly clear skies
  • Wind: W 8-10kts in AM, down to SSW 3-6kts by afternoon
  • Sea state: Calm, small ripples <0.5m swell
  • Air temp: High 12C; Low 10C

Vessels:

Lots of vessel activity in and around Race Rocks. Peak whale watching around 12 and 3pm or so where there were up to 10 vessels nearby.

Sept. 16, 2025 – First Day Onsite was a Delight

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I arrived onsite around 1pm with Greg & Richard for my first shift as a new Eco Guardian. Bella greeted us at the jetty along with many hauled out sea lions. It was a quick orientation through the sites and tasks, then getting settled in while testing was being done on the water maker. Once finished up for the day and left alone on the island I decided to take my dinner up the lighthouse tower to enjoy my first sunset at Race Rocks. What a delight to finally be here!

Wildlife

The sea lions are in full force, and so are the whales. Blows all around the island, but a few humpbacks tucked in close to the North-east end and towards North Rocks.

Facility work

  • Facilities and site orientation
  • Testing and work on the water maker by Greg and Richard – still not in working order
  • Re-filled water in batteries
  • Took water sample at jetty
  • Switched out empty propane on main house for full tank
  • Moved into the Main House

Weather Sunny and calm in the afternoon

Vessels Call from Seascape on radio for a quick hello. Some whale watching vessels in the afternoon.

Summary of Sea lion brands and entanglements and Shift Change

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Reflection: Race Rocks grows on you. It encourages wonder and awe. You are constantly stopping to catch a glimpse of whales, check out a new scent on the wind, a new sound from amongst hundreds or to stand mesmerized by the moment. It is a complex physical operation, keep going by amazingly dedicated staff. It is a living, breathing treasure.

Facility Work: Fence repair as required, cleaning of solar panels, sea and temperature measurements in the morning now. Plans in place to fix desalinator.

Vessels: Pedder Explorer for pickup.

Photos:

Eight branded California sea lions were observed from September 01 to 15, 2025 at Race Rocks.

Three sea lions, one Steller and two California, were noted with current or healed neck injuries.

A bit of rain, a lot of Wind

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Weather: New weather system moved in over night, giving rise, for the first time since arriving two weeks ago to rain. Gale force winds from the west began in the early morning, with gusts over 45 knots. The day cleared and with an ebbing tide whitecaps formed, again for the first time since arriving.

Wildlife: Observed the highest concentration of California and Steller sea lions on the north shore of Great race since arriving.

Facility Work: Fence work, especially on jetty. California sea lions have developed an affinity for the wharf area, and the fence is the worst for wear because of it. Inventory of fuels and water on island.

Vessels: 10 whale watching vessels in the morning. Very few in the afternoon with high winds.

Panorama view from the lighthouse looking east.

 

Census day

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Wildlife: Conducted wildlife census, counted from the lighthouse last week, counting from viewpoints on the ground and photos from the tower for cross check.

Amazing day for whales. Observed eight blows in less than two minutes south of Bentinck island.

Entangled Steller sea lion seen again on Middle Island.

Facility work: Fueled generator, cleaned solar panels, fence maintenance, temp and salinity measurements

California sea lion with transmitter/flipper tag

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Wildlife: California sea lion with transmitter and flipper tag at jetty.

Weather: Clear in the morning, fog occasional visitor in the afternoon.

Facility work: Checked various fluid levels, routine maintenance on Honda backup generator, diesel generator topped up, storage batteries topped up with distilled water, fence inspected and repaired, solar panels cleaned, sea temperature and salinity taken.

Visitors: Biology class from LBPC for overnight stay.

Vessels: Nine tour boats noted. Our closest neighbors are the variety of ships that pass to the south on their way to other parts of the world. Some carry thousands of people, others carry cargo that could cause huge change to this fragile ecosystem… life on the edge.

Videos on the Rock

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Wildlife: Beautiful day. Black Turnstones and black oystercatchers seen on west rocks of island.

Another branded seal lion (U826?) at the jetty . Afternoon spent taking videos of life at Race Rocks.

Facility work: Fence inspection and repairs, solar panel cleaning, salinity and sea temperature readings.

Visitors: LBPC biology class out in the morning with Laura V. Race Rocks Ecological Reserve to be the focus for course this year. Exciting studies ahead.

Vessels: 11 tour boats noted.

Visit from RCMSAR

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Wildlife: While out on the water on the Pedder Explorer near Rosedale Rock heard a humpback whale tail slap at least 50 times in a row. Use the descriptor ‘heard’ as fog was restricting visibility.

Two branded sea lions at the jetty, 94V and V56.

Facilities: With fog prevalence and residence being used by classes generator is running more, requiring fueling on a more regular basis. Fall is here.

Visitors: Two classes from LBPC, one in the morning and one in the afternoon with Biology teacher Laura V. and assistant Bella M.

Visit from 10 members ( 2 vessels) of the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RCMSAR) Station 37 in Sooke. Race Rocks is within their response area. It was their first time visiting Race Rocks. They docked after dark, with a running ebb tide. Very impressive skill set.

 

 

 

Flocks of gulls feeding

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Wildlife

Surface feeding by large flocks of seagulls around great Race island ,on a slack tide.

Entangled SSL on north west section of Great Race island today.

5 sparrows noted.

Weather: flat calm conditions in morning. 5 to 10 knots wind throughout the day.

Facility work: Repairing broken poles along fence line, solar panel cleaning, cleaned windows on student residence and main residence.

Visitors:

Two kayakers west of Great Race Rock and one paddleboarder circumnavigating Great Race, both at slack tide.

Vessels: Busy with tour boats around noon, 4 lined up to go through middle channel. 17 tour boats noted throughout the day.

Orcas near Middle Rock

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Wildlife

Looking out the west window at 730am, caught a glimpse of five Orcas surfacing near middle rock on an ebb tide. They were later observed on the south side of the main island. Very quiet and little time at the surface. Last observed at 830 am.

Another branded California sea lion seen in the jetty.

Life and death are always close when so many animals live in such a small area, particularly fledgling sea gulls. One with a broken leg and another with head injuries noted.

Facility work

  • One of the reoccurring themes here are the two fences, the north and south, with there own power supplies. Given the size of sea lions it is rather impressive that this thin ribbon of electric fence holds the seal lions in place at all. It is the wonder of positive punishment and intermittent reinforcement. That said, daily repairs are integral to the fence’s continuing success.
  • Solar panels cleaned and water temp and salinity taken. Today’s were 31. 8 ppt salinity and temperature of 10.8 C
  • Assisted Richard in adding diesel fuel to tanks in the two residences and the 100 litre tidy tank in the generator building, in preparation for fall weather. Furnace still only needed to take the chill away in the morning.

Weather: Overcast to foggy to sunny to foggy at 5:00pm.

Vessels: 16 tour boats, 2 private

Branded CSL X2