Mammals:

• Steller sea lion: 1  (June 20: 0, June 13: 0, June 7: 2, May 30: 10, May 23: 6, May 15: 21, May 8: 37)
• California sea lion: 0 (June 20: 1, June 13: 3, June 7: 12)
• Harbour seal: 258 (June 20: 32, June 13: 211, June 7, 103, May 30: 90, May 23: 50)
• Elephant seal: 1 female

Birds:

• Gulls: 587 plus 96 on west shore (June 20: 352, June 13: 603, June 7: 645, May 30: 464, May 23: 467, May 15: 391, May 8: 114)
• Pigeon guillemot: 153 (June 20: 159, June 13: 36, June 7: 82, May 30: 6, May 23: 30, May 15: 78, May 8: 153)
• Cormorants: 28
• Canada geese: 2
• Bald eagle: 2 adults, 2 immature
• Black oystercatcher: 14 adults (did not see chicks today)
• Barn swallow: 2

Wildlife observed this week but not on census day was one Harlequin duck.

Harbour seals on Seal Rocks at a zero meter tide.

A harbour seal with a blood stain on its neck.

Two immature and one adult bald eagle on the South Islands.

Wildlife notes

The gull chicks should be hatching any day now as they are getting more on edge, even in the areas that I frequently travel. Twice today I had to change my clothes as I was smeared head to toe in pungent poo. The Energy Building and Keepers house oystercatchers are still on their nests.

The Keeper’s House oystercatcher sitting on the nest.

The Energy Building oystercatcher sitting on the nest. I made the smallest of sounds from the top of the tower and it immediately raised its head. The oystercatchers are the most alert of all the birds here, warning others of approaching dangers like eagles and Ecoguardians.

Facility work

• cleaned the solar panels
• topped up battery fluids

Vessels

• Ecotourism: 10
• Private: 3

Weather

Variable moderate breeze throughout the day switching to westerly by early evening. Skies overcast. Daytime temperatures: low 12, high 14.