Light northeasterly winds brought some morning showers and kept it cool until late morning. The light northeasterly continued in the afternoon but solar radiation levels went up to a high of over 800 watts per m2 bringing up air temperature to a high of over 13oC. The barometer was fairly steady until noon and then started to fall very gradually. The marine forecast has a strong wind warning in effect overnight diminishing to a 20 knot westerly by early afternoon tomorrow. As I write this in the early evening the north-northeasterly is freshening to over 20 knots.
Three whale watching vessels were observed in the Ecological Reserve today… Sports fishing vessels were observed fishing nearby but not in the ER.
More measurements and individual moult progression, observations were made on the Northern Elephant Seals on Great Race today.
A very cooperative “pose” for length measurements. Note the little tail up in the air between the rear flippers.
Traffic jam on the elephant seal measuring device.
Pigeon Guillemots and Glaucous-winged Gulls were observed mating today, so nesting sites will soon be imperative.
Pigeon Guillemots are getting prepared for nesting.
Six Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) landed on the light-tower and then paid a short low elevation visit to Great Race Island today. This is possibly a new record.
A brief visit was made by six Red-winged Blackbirds.
Savannah Sparrows may be nesting somewhere nearby: I am still looking for their nests.
At least ten Savannah Sparrows are seen daily now.
There were no new visitors today and maintenance chores were routine.