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Marigolds saved from the weed eater
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Weather and Sea Conditions
North wind, 15 to 20 knots replaced the overnight southeaster and brought cool moist air and overcast skies for the morning today. In the afternoon light winds were variable and turned to light west by early evening. The barometer spent the day crawling out of the hole it was in and by 18:30 was around 1008 hPa. The sky cleared and brightened by evening. A strong wind warning is in effect. The marine forecast for central Juan de Fuca Strait calls for west wind to increase to west 20 to 30 knots early this evening and then drop to west 10 to 15 by early Friday morning. It is expected to be cloudy tomorrow with a 30 percent chance of showers or drizzle and a predicted UV index of 3, or moderate. Sea conditions were calm today once the overnight storm and morning wind chop settled down. As evening starts the wind is moving and the chop is starting again.
Vessel Observations
Three whale-watching operators were observed working in the protected area today and more passed close by through Race Passage heading out to the west and back. One sports fishing vessel was observed transiting the reserve today.
General and Ecological Observations
One Steller Sea Lion 319Y, branded on her left side, was observed hauling out on South Rocks today. She was marked as a young weaner at Rogue Reef in the very southern part of Oregon in 2013, so she is almost 3 years old.
The old male River Otter has taken to napping under the back staircase of the main house in the mornings now and one of the positive things about this new habit, is that it keeps the geese who were interested in nesting there away from the stairs.
This is the end of my shift, my last blast on the blog-horn and it is a little bittersweet to be leaving just as elephant seal show-time starts and spring develops more fully. I leave tomorrow and want to wish the best to this wonderful Ecological Reserve, which was started by students and faculty at Pearson College. Those folks were brave enough to fight for this place, they had the fortitude and vision to found Race Rocks as a protected area. In BC, Ecological Reserve status is the highest level of protection given, by BC Parks. Fisheries and Oceans Canada protects the water area, as a Rockfish Conservation Area, so jurisdictionally that covers the sea bottom, islets (BC Parks) and the water (Fisheries and Oceans), and makes Race Rocks a de facto marine protected area (no caps).
Of course this is also a special Indigenous place with an intersection of cultures and a complex history of use and ownership by different families, groups and Nations. This is a unique, socio-ecological place to celebrate and protect. From its human history to its natural history, lets make sure that Race Rocks remains a marine protected area and is able to provide ecological education and research opportunities for future generations of British Columbians, as well as Pearson College.
Today was animal census day and the results are posted below.
2016- 14-Apr
River Otter 2
Sea Otter 1
Northern Elephant Seal 11
4Harbour Seal 170
Northern Sea Lion (Steller’s) 72
California Sea Lion 99
Canada Goose 22
Brandt (flying through) 350
Harlequin Duck 8
Surf Scoter 6
Common Merganser 1
Brandt’s Cormorant 2
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Pelagic Cormorant 14
Cormorant (not ID’d to species) 5
Bald Eagle (juvenile) 8
Bald Eagle (adult) 4
Killdeer 0
Black Oystercatcher12
Black Turnstone 54
Surfbird 5
Rock Sandpiper 2
Glaucous-winged Gull 560
Common Murres fly through 9
Rhinoceros Auklets flying 6
Pigeon Guillemot188
Northwestern Crow 2
Savannah Sparrow 2
Barn Swallows4
Chores and Visitors
Today was cleanup day in preparation for departure tomorrow. Other chores were routine and there were no visitors.
All the best goes out to Riley, Eco-guardian for the next six weeks.
Weather and Sea Conditions
Light southeast winds kept the skies grey today but clouds were high and there was no noticeable precipitation at sea level. A new dusting of snow, high on the Olympic Mountains informed the chill in the air. By evening, winds had backed to northeast 10 to 15 knots. The barometric pressure dropped steadily starting after midnight last night and at 18:30 was around 1001 hPa and still falling. The marine forecast for central Juan de Fuca Strait calls for a repeat of this morning southeast 10 – 20 knots increasing to westerly 15 to 25 Thursday afternoon. It will be cloudy with a 60 percent chance of showers in the early morning followed by a mix of sun and cloud. Sea conditions were fairly calm with a light inshore chop, rougher out in the strait and in collision with current generated turbulence.
Vessel Observations
Three whale-watching operators were observed working in the protected area this morning and one was observed in the evening. One sports fishing vessels was observed transiting the reserve today.
Ecological and General Observations
Afternoon low tides reveal Race Rocks’ high diversity and productivity of seaweeds and marine invertebrates. Many of the birds depend on the table being set when the tide is out and for millennia, the indigenous people who used the area did the same. The rock cairn burials here are a daily reminder of the human significance of the site going above and beyond the history of the lighthouse.
Back to birds, Black Oystercatcher totally depend on the riches of the intertidal. The Black Turnstones here are the only ones I have ever seen foraging in the garden but otherwise they and the Surfbirds are intertidal feeders as well.
There are eleven elephant seals moulting in the garden now and their faces are really starting to peel.
Chores and Visitors
Alex is back, the roof patches were revisited and more blown shingles were retrieved from the latest blow. Other chores were routine and there were no other visitors.
Weather and Sea Conditions
Light northwest winds backed and veered bringing waves of silver and leaden clouds. Showers were visible from far away, travelling with the wind and tied across the Strait with rainbows, tops of arcs obscured in cloud. In spite of being overcast and chilly, the high was 11o C, there were brief periods of intense sunshine and the UV index was very close to 4 (moderate). Accumulated solar energy was low, about half of what we have been receiving. Just before dusk there was an intense downpour accompanied by winds over the 30 knots. It was short-lived but may foretell of what the forecaster are calling for by late morning. The barometer remained fairly steady today at ~1015 hPa but is expected to drop with the passage of a low that will bring southeast winds and showers tomorrow. Sea conditions were rough at times out in the Strait today but generally there was just a light chop inshore.
Vessel Observations
No vessels were observed in the protected area today.
Ecological and General Observations
An influx of 14 more Canada Geese kept the established geese busy on their own wild goose chase today. There were many running and aerial chases and clashes. These seem to be new animals with different behaviours than the ones who have been so doggedly determined to nest here for the last six weeks.
Many flocks of 100 to 200 Brant were observed moving through the reserve from west to east and I wonder if these are still flocks that have travelled up the coastal flyway from California and Mexico.
Harlequin Ducks are rafting up in strings of birds and moving around more than they have since I arrived nearly six weeks ago. They are usually so site-fidel that you can almost predict where they will be.
Black Turnstones continue to be the most common shorebirds on Great Race. Seeing them forage everywhere on island is a good reminder that this is essentially an inter-tidal island. Their plumage is looking new and shiny, ready for their big northern migration.
The late spring elephant seal moult is definitely in full swing now and the animals are catching up on sleep and using stored blubber to see them through the moult. Sea Lions continue to haul out on South Rocks every morning. The male Californians are also well established on Great Race in the two haul-outs near the two houses.
Work was routine today and there were no human
visitors.
Weather and Sea Conditions
West winds blew 10 – 20 knots all day, under overcast skies, with brief periods of sunshine. Barometric pressure rose, but not significantly, staying at around 1010 hPa and then it started to drop, by evening. Marine forecasts call for a continuation of west winds until Tuesday afternoon when it is supposed to back to southeast and then back more, to east by Wednesday. In the short term, chances of showers are highest on Tuesday, (60%). Sea conditions were a little gnarly today due to wind on top of currents generated by big tidal cycles, right now. Generally there was a light chop near shore and it was rough in places out in the Strait.
Vessel Observations
Six whale watching vessels were observed working in the protected area today – end of commentary. It is worth mentioning in light of my previous, daily comments on tour boat operations within the protected area, that the Pacific Whale Watching Association has industry guidelines for operating in the Race Rocks Ecological Reserve and Rockfish Conservation Area. Canada’s Laws, Regulations and Guidelines also apply. The Association also has a scientific advisory board made up of well-respected American and Canadian scientists. Most, but not all whale-watching vessels that operate at Race Rocks are members of the Association. The guidelines can be found here: http://pacificwhalewatchassociation.org/guidelines
These are the Pacific Whale Watching Association’s guidelines specific to Race Rocks :
RACE ROCKS SPECIAL OPERATING AREA
1. “Go Slow Zone” = 1/8 mile (220 yards) from any rock or landmass around Race Rocks.
2. Vessels will slow on their approach to Race Rocks such that speed at 1/8 mile (220 yards) from any rock or landmass is reduced to approx… 7 knots (minimal wake and wash, relative to the condition of the seas state at the particular time).
3. Vessels in the Go Slow Zone will remain as close to mid-channel as is practicable between the major rock outcroppings known as Great Race, North Race Rock, West Race Rock, and Helicopter Rock.
4. While in the Go Slow Zone vessels will transit the area with the current whenever conditions are suitable to do so. Drifting is encouraged relative to other boat traffic and where safe navigation is not compromised.
5. Vessels exiting the area may increase speed gradually outside the Go Slow Zone.
6. Vessels will remain 1/8 mile (220 yards) outside the Go Slow Zone whenever any whale species are present in the Race Rocks Reserve (Go Slow Zone).
Ecological and General Observations
Spring progresses. Geese and oystercatchers are laying eggs. Gulls, geese, oystercatcher and guillemots are mating. Elephant seals are moulting, starting on the face around the eyes, chin and mouth and of course sleeping. They also spend a lot of time socializing. Seaweed is growing and the plankton is full of barnacle moults, which means that they are growing too, which means there is plankton for them to eat. The grass is longer than last year but that won’t last, now that the geese are so determined.
