Category Archives: weather notes

Westmont School, for the 10:00 AM live webcast

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Tuesday, June 11, 2002

Good Evening:
TEMPERATURE Max 15.C  Min 9.2C Reset 9.2C
MARINE LIFE: A fairly quiet day on the island, perhaps due to the heavy fog which came several times. Two Bald Eagle visits this morning, however none this afternoon. A very low tide revealed some sun bleaching on the surf grass in the low intertidal. The Goslings are quite large now, perhaps double their size of last week. It is a shame to note that we saw no Sea lions today, they have not been present since the DND blasting a few days ago.
HUMAN IMPACT: 7-8 ecotourism vessels today, despite the fog. Second Nature emerged from the fog to dock with Garry and another group of 4 school children from Westmont School, again for the 10:00 AM live webcast. Garry noted that he had never seen the fog as heavy as this morning. Within a half hour it lifted. Zodiac was taken out twice in the afternoon. The divers went in around the docks at 18:30.
posted by at 11:17 PM
Good Morning:
WEATHER: Sky Overcast  Vis. 8 miles  Wind 20 – 25 Knots from West  Sea 2-3 Foot Chop
posted by at 4:33 AM

A Turkey Vulture was flying about in the strong winds,

Posted on by
Thursday, June 06, 2002
TEMPERATURE: Max. 12.0 C  Min. 11.0 C  Reset 11.0
MARINE LIFE: Early this morning one Bald Eagle flew around the Gulls nests, spending around 10 minutes looking for prey, despite the constant harassment by the Gulls. The eagle flew of to the west, and was out of site. Perhaps an hour later two Bald Eagles were spotted hunting together, they brought down a Glaucous-winged Gull and one eagle was seen carrying a Gull wing away. There was also other interesting bird action mid-morning. A Turkey Vulture was flying about in the strong winds, attempting to find food. The winds were a challenge for the vulture, with the bird struggling in the gusts. It was particularly noteworthy that the Black Oyster Catchers made a great effort to harass the vulture. This was caught on video just before the divers entered the water and can be seen at http://www.racerocks.com/racerock/archives/vidbenmovie.htm The divers reported an abundance of sperm and eggs in the nutrient rich water off the docks.
HUMAN IMPACT: No whale watching activity within the reserve today. Indeed the strongs winds, 25-35 knots, kept most vessels away. Hyaku docked twice, bringing equipment and materials for the web-cast and conduit repairs. One major disturbance was the Defence Forces Blasting on Bentinck Island which clearly frightened the Sea lions into the water, Around 10 of the 12 Sea lions disappeared within the first two blasts, approximately 10:30am, and have not yet returned. (Note: As of June 18- they have not returned- will not be back until August now. ) .The three blasts with only a few minutes spacing sent shock waves that rattled the house and were not at all pleasant.
posted by at 9:45 PM
Good MorningWEATHER: Sky Partly Cloudy  Vis. 12miles  Wind West 25-30knots Sea 2-3 foot chop and rising posted by at 6:42 AM

Crows are harassing the Gulls

Posted on by
Friday, May 31, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 13.0 C  Min. 8.1 C  Reset 10.0
MARINE LIFE: Another beautiful day here, with quite a lot of marine activity. The Glaucous Winged Gulls are actively mating and nesting, being very defensive of their nests. Crows are harassing the Gulls, Oystercatchers and and Pigeon Guillemots, in search of an unattended nest and egg. One of the pairs of Canadian Geese on the Island are nursing their five young Goslings, despite the Goslings rapidly increasing size the Geese continue to be very protective of their youngsters. Divers spotted some large Ling Cod around the docks, along with a healthy stock of smaller fish.
HUMAN INTERACTION: A lot of fishing activity around the reserve today, around 10 to 12 vessels on the reserve border actively fishing. Problems with both vessels motoring too quickly through the reserve and fishermen disregarding the reserve limitations and fishing around West Race Rocks. Four eco-tourism vessels moved through the park today.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 7:33 PM
Good Morning
WEATHER: Sky Part Cloudy  Vis. 15 Miles  Wind West 9 Knots Sea Rippled
posted by Carol or Mike S at 5:51 AM

so cold,wet and windy—Snow Trace!

Posted on by
Monday, May 06, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 8.1 C  Min. 1.9 C  Reset 7.3 C Rain 2.0 mm  Snow Trace  Yes Snow in May what next
MARINE LIFE: 1 mature and 1 juvenile bald eagle. Felt sorry for the birds this morning – so cold,wet and windy.The weather did improve and by mid afternoon it felt much more like spring.
HUMAN INTERACTION: 1 pleasure craft, 2nd Nature through the reserve.Station boat, trip to Pedder Bay and back late afternoon.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 8:40 PM
Good Morning
WEATHER: Sky Cloudy  Vis 15 Miles  Wind South West 22 Knots  Sea 3 Foot Moderate
posted by Carol or Mike S at 5:59 AM

felt a lot colder than the thermometer readings.

Posted on by

Sunday, May 05, 2002 Good Evening

TEMPERATURE: Max 8.1 C  Min. 5.7C  Reset 7.7 C  Rain 2.2 mm
MARINE LIFE: 1 juvenile bald eagle arrived early afternoon but stayed only about an hour.The weather really was miserable, felt a lot colder than the thermometer readings.
HUMAN INTERACTION: 4 Ecotour Boats late afternoon.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:17 PM
Good Morning
WEATHER: Sky Cloudy  Vis. 15 Miles  Wind West 21 Knots  Sea 3 Foot Moderate  Ocnl RW-
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:00 AM

westerly has been pretty constant at 45-51 knts.

Posted on by
Monday, April 22, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 9.0 ºC »» Min. 6.9 ºC »» Reset 7.3 ºC
MARINE LIFE: 1 immature bald eagle landed just east at the base of the tower about 09:30, but did not stay more than 10 minutes before making it’s way over towards Bentinck Island. The wind picked up late morning and there really was not much animal activity as the westerly has been pretty constant at 45-51 knts. Most of the birds hunched down in hollows and behind clumps of grass.The 3 geese spent the day in the grass below the rock outcrop on the northeast of the island.Everything is coated with a thick layer of salt from the spray, hopefully the wind will ease off as forecasted by morning so we can clean the windows.
Needless to say there was no boat traffic today.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:16 PM
Good Morning
WEATHER: Sky Cloudy »» Vis. 15 Miles »» Wind West 25 – 30 Knots »» Sea 4 Foot Moderate – Low South Swell
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:21 AM

7 pairs of Black Oyster Catchers

Posted on by
Sunday, April 21, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 11.1 ºC »» in. 7.3 ºC »» Reset 8.7 ºC
MARINE LIFE: 2 mature bald eagles today that spent most of the time on the southeast rocks making several flights around Gr. Race at twilight.Still 3 geese. Observed 7 pairs of Black Oyster Catchers spending considerable time in and around nesting areas but no eggs found as of yet.
HUMAN INTERACTION: 3 Ecotour boats and 5 pleasure craft through the reserve. 1 boat with divers off West Race and just off the north shore of Gr. Race. The weather deteriorated in the afternoon with the wind increasing to 30 knts. from the west,so far it has been a cool windy spring.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:09 PM
Good Morning
WEATHER:Sky Cloudy »»Vis. 15 Miles »» Wind West 19 Knots »» Sea 2 – 3 Foot Chop
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:45 AM

Elephant seals spent 45 minutes or so ‘surfing’ in the cresting waves

Posted on by
Monday, April 15, 2002
TEMPERATURE: Max. 8.3 ºC »» Min. 5.0 ºC »» Reset 7.3 ºC »» Rain 1.0 mm
MARINE LIFE: No Bald Eagles today but still 2 pair geese. The weather started out promising but by 9 am there was a fair swell in front of the dock.2 of the smaller elephant seals spent 45 minutes or so ‘surfing’ in the cresting waves. They then moved over to the east bay, floated about for awhile then hauled out for the rest of the day. They have moved about 7metres up from the water so expect they will stay there over night.The sea really started to build when the wind got up to 34knts.Great thundering 4-5 metre swells all around and great salty bursts of spray, especially in the area of the Rosedale reefs and the west side of Gr.Race. Everything is covered in salt -first order of the day for tomorrow will be window washing so hope the wind lets up.
HUMAN INTERACTION: 1 pleasure craft through the reserve. The 2nd Nature came out but with the low tide and sea swell, conditions made a landing at the dock impossible.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:25 PM
Good Morning
WEATHER: Sky Overcast »» Vis. 15 Miles »» Wind Calm »» Sea Rippled
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:33 AM

watching the gage it was over 62 knts.

Posted on by
Sunday, April 14, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 10.7 ºC »» Min. 3.9 ºC »» Reset 7.5 ºC »» Rain 23.6 mm
MARINE LIFE: 1 immature Bald Eagle and just 2 pair of geese. Just after midnight the wind roared through here sounding like a freight train,I’m surprised any of the birds are still around! I don’t know what the official top wind speed was but while I was watching the gage it was over 62 knts. we don’t usually have such high winds in april but never take weather for granted.1 of the Elephant seals was hauled out in east bay. He must have moved over from Middle Rock during the night when the sea got up as he was there at first light and stayed all day.I always feel sorry for the birds when the weather is so windy and wet.
HUMAN INTERACTION: 2 tour boats through the MPA today, a wild, wet trip!
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:12 PM
Good Morning
WEATHER: Sky Cloudy »» Vis 12 Miles »» Wind South West 30 Knots »» Sea 5 Foot Moderate
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:40 AM

Early stages of Gull nest building

Posted on by
Friday, March 29, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 8.7 C  Min. 5.9 C  Reset 7.0 C Rain 0.4 mm
MARINE LIFE: 2 Bald Eagles – 1 mature -1 pair Geese. The day started out quite promising however by 13:00 the westerly picked up to 23knts and gusting 30. The small elephant seal is still nosed up to the boat house door and shows no signs of leaving. Enjoy watching the geese which find the activities of the gulls worth investigating up close- as some of the gulls wander about doing what I call ‘ the best methods of nest materials gathering practice’ the geese waddle along behind and follow the gulls right into what will soon be a danger zone -the nesting area. The gulls tolerate the geese now but once they start constructing nests they will become very territorial and will drive off any threat including another gull. Poor friendly geese!
HUMAN INTERACTION: 2 Ecotour boats and 1 small sailboat through the M.P.A. today.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:39 PM
Good Morning
WEATHER: Sky Overcast Vis. 15 Miles Wind West 11 Knots  Sea Rippled
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:26 AM