Ecological Notes:

• A large pod of humpbacks has been around Race Rocks for at least the past few days, with many visible to the south. Today, I saw a few blows and dorsal fins near north of Turbine Rocks (north of the main island), then near West Rocks. Unfortunately, I did not get any photos.
• I keep seeing a fast moving barn swallow and fox sparrow fluttering low around the island. I only see one at a time, so it is possible there are more of each species. Similar to the humpbacks, the little birds don’t stop in one place long enough for a photo opportunity.
• See the photo gallery below for more ecological happenings from the past two days.

Weather:

• Yesterday (July 17):
  • Sky: Cloudy, heavy rain showers after sunset and overnight
  • Wind: W 14-25 kts
  • Sea: rippled, then up to 2′ chop in evening
  • Temperature Low 12^oC, High 16^oC
• Today (July 18):
  • Sky: Partly Cloudy
  • Wind: W 12-30 kts
  • Sea: rippled, then 1′ chop in afternoon
  • Temperature Low 13^oC, High 15^oC

Visitors:

• No visitors

Facility Work:

• Scrubbed and squeegeed solar panels, routine tidying and checking infrastructure around the island.

 DND Events:

• Between 10:20 and 13:20 today, there were three detonations on the nearby DND (Department of National Defence) training area on Bentinck Island, about 2km or 1NM from Great Race Rocks. The sudden explosions sent many birds into the air, as well as seals and sea lions into the water.

Vessel Traffic:

• Many Canadian and American ecotour boats have been nearby and heading through the waters of the ecological reserve.

Here are photo highlights from the past two days. Click on the photos for larger views and captions.