This was my first full day at Race Rocks and it started with a fog check at 5 am. One of the volunteers from nearby Rocky Point Bird Observatory was interested in doing a simultaneous comparative seawatch from Beechey Head and Race Rocks to determine if the birds leaving Beechey also passed Race, and if so, how long it took.  The weather was clear, and the challenge was on!  But there was a glitch.  Nothing was passing Race Rocks, as there was a sea full of krill and to the west. I climbed the tower to do my watch, and found about 600 California Gulls already in the reserve picking at the krill near the water’s surface. The few alcids that made it here during the one hour watch (from 6:30-7:30) quickly set down rather than flying through. Most (if not all) of the birds Daniel counted at Beechey Head were not counted here.  We’ll try again.

On a more entertaining note, the Elephant Seal went for a stroll today, all the way to the dock. I looked out the window at about 12:30, and there he wasn’t.  I ran out to see if he was really gone. Whew! Not yet!

He was working his way to the dock.

And eventually got to the water’s edge where he proceeded to stick his face in the water and blow bubbles. How exciting!! If you’d like to see some videos of this event, click here. (By the way, I am using a 600mm lens and keeping my distance!)

I was thrilled!  I thought it meant that he was on his way and could start eating again. Several wildlife watching vessels came by and were delighted to see him.  But apparently, this is a daily sojourn for him. Sure enough, as Greg Dickinson predicted, he returned to his resting spot after his trip to the beach!  Looks like he’s not done yet.

Ecological Notes:

1 Humpback Whale

1 Elephant Seal

6+ California Sea Lion

15+ Steller Sea Lion

80+ Harbour Seal

1 Feral Pigeon (Rock Pigeon) flew over while I was washing windows

1 Anna’s Hummingbird

2 Killdeer

6 Black Oystercatcher

25 Black Turnstone

5 Least Sandpiper

18 Common Murre

80 Pigeon Guillemot

4 Rhinoceros Auklet

600 California Gull (feeding on krill at first light)

200 Glaucous-winged Gull

1 Heermann’s Gull

3 Pelagic Cormorant

4 Double-crested Cormorant

Facility Work: Washed all the windows and solar panels

Vessel Traffic: Eco-tourism boats all day, sometimes as many as 3 in the reserve at once. Estimate about 20 vessels. Only saw one private fishing boat in the reserve.

 Weather – Current: http://www.victoriaweather.ca/current.php?id=72

Weather – Past: http://www.victoriaweather.ca/station.php?