Turdus migratorius: American Robin–The Race Rocks Taxonomy

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Surprisingly we see very few Robins at Race Rocks, probably because it is not an area conducive to nesting, being devoid of trees. Robins do stay year round on Vancouver Island although these ones probably came through from the Olympic Peninsula.

Domain: Eukarya
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Aves
Order: Passerifomis
Suborder: Passeri
Superfamily: Muscicapoidea
Family: Muscicapidae
Subfamily: Turdinae
Genus: Turdus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Species: migratorius
Subspecies: propinquus
Common Name: American Robin
Other Members of the Class Aves at Race Rocks.

taxonomyiconReturn to the Race Rocks Taxonomy
and Image File
pearsonlogo2_f2The Race Rocks taxonomy is a collaborative venture originally started with the Biology and Environmental Systems students of Lester Pearson College UWC. It now also has contributions added by Faculty, Staff, Volunteers and Observers on the remote control webcams.

 

Puget Sound Partnership-Pearson College Participates

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On February 8-11th, 2009, Ryan Murphy, Race Rocks Ecoguardian and resident marine scientist, attended with students Adam Harding and Radu Macovei, the Puget Sound, Georgia Basin Ecosystem Conference in Seattle– Our thanks to Conference Co-Chair Chris Townsend for inviting Lester Pearson College to participate. The following is an excerpt from the conference website.See the Proceedings of the Conference: http://depts.washington.edu/uwconf/psgb/proceedings/table_of_contents.html

“The biennial Puget Sound Georgia Basin Ecosystem Conference is the largest, most comprehensive scientific research and policy conference in the Salish Sea region. The 2009 conference, hosted by the Puget Sound Partnership and Environment Canada, built upon the experience of previous conferences by connecting scientific research and management techniques to priorities for meaningful action. The 2009 conference theme was The Future of the Salish Sea: A Call to Action. Since 2003, the conference has moved from chronicling science research to exploring the science/policy interface. The 2009 conference theme captured this progression from sound science to informed action. Conference participants had the opportunity to apply shared knowledge by developing priorities and a commitment to post-conference engagement.
Conference sub-themes included:
Air Quality & Climate Change
Ecosystem Management Strategies and Techniques
Habitat, Land Use, and Species
Marine & Freshwater Resources “

Adam Harding presented The Pearson College-EnCana-Clean Current Tidal Power Demonstration Project at Race Rocks

Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/designer_psp/collections/72157613549032493/
Videos:
http://www.psp.wa.gov/videos/mediaplayer/video_library_psgb.php
Publications:
http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2009/2/10/145023/460http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2009/2/6/16054/64735

 

adam

A video from the Puget Sound Partnership Conference with Adam Harding presenting the Call to Action in the Day 3 Closing Session. Click to start.
For the complete set of video of the plenary sessions see this link:
http://www.psp.wa.gov/videos/mediaplayer/video_library_psgb.php

 

 

Adam Harding’s Presentation at Puget Sound Georgia Basin Ecosystem Conference, 2009

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ADAM HARDING, LESTER B PEARSON COLLEGE OF THE PACIFIC/RACE ROCKS ECOLOGICAL RESERVE TIDAL ENERGY SESSION: PROCEEDINGS

The Pearson College-EnCana-Clean Current Tidal Power Demonstration Project at Race Rocks

Introduction

“Lester B. Pearson United World College of the Pacific is a unique two year pre-university school for two hundred students selected from around the world based solely on their personal merit, potential and demonstrated commitment to engage actively in creating a better world. All students attend on a full scholarship and live together while studying the International Baccalaureate program and pursuing explicitly the mission of the United World Colleges to make education a ‘force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future’” (Pearson College 2009).

While at the College, students have the unique opportunity to help manage Race Rocks Ecological Reserve, located 15 minutes south of the college by boat, or 22 kilometres (10 nautical miles) southwest of Victoria. Race Rocks contains an amazing diversity of life – terrestrial, avian and marine, benthic and pelagic. The set of islands also have great historical, cultural and anthropological significance. The lighthouse was constructed in 1860 to help mariners navigate the treacherous waters of the Juan de Fuca Strait, and for centuries, First Nations people have used the islands as a rich marine resource. 2000 year old burial cairns on Great Race Rock stand as a testament to this.

Currently, Race Rocks is managed on a 30 year lease from BC Parks by Pearson College. Students and faculty at Pearson College play crucial role, from conservation efforts to research and development, to storing decades long records and raising funding for the Reserve. The College also employs a full time Eco-Guardian who maintains a human presence on the Reserve.

The traditional energy system

Electricity at Race Rocks is, and always has been, and important resource needed for the complex computer system with integrated weather data and remote controlled cameras allowing for all to view the island with no ecological footprint. It is also needed to support the full time Eco-Guardian who maintains a human presence on the Reserve.

Electricity at Race Rocks has traditionally been generated by two fixed, 15kW diesel generators. However, when Pearson College took over management in 1997, operating costs were passed onto the College. These costs were originally CAD $11 000 a year; however, this soon rose to CAD $20 000/year.

Environmental impacts were also great: at about 50 000L/year marine grade diesel combustion, the system contributed 133.5 tonnes/year of CO2 to the atmosphere. This figure does not include the emissions associated with extraction, refinement and transportation. Also, the possibility of an equipment failure during transport, pumping of fuel oil across the island or combustion in the generators could have a significant ecological impact if fuel ever escaped from the system.

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ADAM HARDING, LESTER B PEARSON COLLEGE OF THE PACIFIC/RACE ROCKS ECOLOGICAL RESERVE TIDAL ENERGY SESSION: PROCEEDINGS

Generator noise was also a concern—the impacts of noise on communicative behaviour on animals and birds are not fully known, although it can be speculated that there may be an impact on predator response capability and mating/nesting behaviour. Furthermore, the diesel tanks, although adhering to environmental standards, are vulnerable in an earthquake, and severe weather and tidal currents common to the area would make containment of a spill impossible.

The Pearson College – EnCana-Clean Current Tidal Power Demonstration

Project at Race Rocks

In 2001, A feasibility study conducted by master’s program candidate Taco Niet through the Institute of Integrated Energy Systems at the University of Victoria identified that “sufficient renewable resources (tidal, wind and solar) were available to develop an integrated energy system that was capable of providing a reliable power supply to Race Rocks” and that, “tidal energy would have the least environmental impact due to the size of the system required and would provide the most reliable power source with the least amount of required storage” (Niet and McLean 2001).

In 2005, EnCana Corporation sponsored Clean Current Power Systems Incorporation of Vancouver to build, install, operate and monitor a 65kW free-stream tidal generator in 13 metres of water at Race Rocks. Thus, the Pearson College-EnCana-Clean Current Tidal Power Demonstration Project at Race Rocks was born. From January to September 2006, drilling, piling installation and cable laying for the turbine took place in the water surrounding the Reserve. Then, on September 27, 2006 the turbine was delivered and finally installed at Race Rocks. For the first time, the islands fell silent as the generators ceased operation.

In January 2007, 38 solar panels delivering 6.5kW of electricity in total were installed on the roof of the Integrated Energy Center. They were funded by a grant from the BC Ministry of Mines and Energy.

In April 2007, the turbine removed from the water for upgrades. The generators began operation again. Then, on October 17, 2008, the turbine was reinstalled at Race Rocks. Upgrades included stainless steel bearings, a new lubricating system with environmentally friendly lubricants, a new electrical wire protection system, better blade configuration, reinforced augmenter duct and ring, and reinforced central struts.

This new deployment will enable a further test of the seaworthiness of the turbine. Perfecting the structure and its operation in difficult ocean conditions is the goal of the experimental phase of the project. However, although the turbine is mounted in the water, it is not currently generating electricity. Upgrades are being completed in the land-based system of the project (the starter motor is being replaced). It is hoped that operations should begin soon. The idea will be to start slowly by running the turbine for a few hours each day, then slowly increasing the amount of time it is run for until it is fully operational.

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ADAM HARDING, LESTER B PEARSON COLLEGE OF THE PACIFIC/RACE ROCKS ECOLOGICAL RESERVE TIDAL ENERGY SESSION: PROCEEDINGS

Environmental impacts of the tidal energy program

A report by Archipelago Marine Research Ltd. (AMR) in 2006 identified environmental impacts of the tidal turbine project before construction, during construction and after construction. During construction, AMR notes that “Overall results from these observations suggested that there was very little impact on the wildlife within the Reserve” (Archipelago Marine Research 2006).

After construction (data collected 45 days after drilling), AMR notes that there were some ongoing impacts from dredging that extend 20 metres along the cable route and west along the direction of tidal flow. Also present are some exposed areas of bedrock and clay. Organisms had begun to inhabit the submarine cable exterior. Some evidence is present that the cable anchor block had dislodged giant acorn barnacles, although the impact was very limited and localised. There was no impact to vegetation or other sensitive invertebrate species (Archipelago Marine Research 2006).

It is not fully known at this time what impact the turbine itself has on the organisms, especially cetaceans and pinnipeds. However, Glen Darou, president and CEO of Clean Current Power Systems Inc., and other experts note that the effect is negligible, as “The only things that can swim in fast moving currents are things that can”; that is, they will be able to manoeuvre around it (Dove 2008). At a spin of roughly 60 rpm with no suction, there is little threat to organisms. It is hoped to install a camera on the turbine someday to monitor how animals react to it and the low hum it produces.

The future

Glen Darou, president and CEO of Clean Current Power Systems Inc., notes that “We believe it is highly exportable technology, with strong potential to succeed in international settings” (Skilling 2005). And more recently, “A 200-tonne turbine is being developed for the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia…Some European countries are starting to take interest” (Dove 2008). Clean Current is also working on turbines for shallow tidal areas or rivers that would be able to fit on a flatbed truck and could be plugged in on land.

However, Race Rocks won’t be Clean Current’s laboratory forever. Eventually Pearson College and BC Parks will be responsible for the turbine.

In the meantime, the Race Rocks Tidal Energy Generator has been an immense success. At Race Rocks, we are now able to generate electricity from a renewable source, negating the huge traditional energy system concerns. And for the students of Pearson College, the turbine is a huge learning experience; with students from 100 countries around the world, the turbine serves as a unique demonstration of the potential for alternative energy. Highly committed citizens of the world, Pearson students will take their experiences with the tidal turbine to their home countries when they leave Canada. Hopefully, some will put these ideas into action, developing alternative energy sources in their own countries.

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ADAM HARDING, LESTER B PEARSON COLLEGE OF THE PACIFIC/RACE ROCKS ECOLOGICAL RESERVE TIDAL ENERGY SESSION: PROCEEDINGS

Bibliography

Dove, Amy. “Harnessing power from the ocean.” Goldstream News Gazette, October 22, 2008.
“Lester B. Pearson United World College of the Pacific.” Lester B. Pearson United World College of the

Pacific. http://www.pearsoncollege.ca (accessed 5 March 2009).

Niet, T, McLean, G. “Race Rocks Sustainable Energy Development.” Paper presented at 11th Canadian Hydrographic Conference, Victoria, British Columbia, June 2001.

Skilling, David. EnCana partners to enable Pearson College-EnCana-Clean Current Tidal Power Demonstration Project at Race Rocks, BC. Press release by Lester B. Pearson College, Victoria, British Columbia, February 25, 2005.

“Summary Report on Environmental Monitoring Related to the Pearson College-EnCana-Clean Current Tidal Power Demonstration Project at Race Rocks Ecological Reserve.” Final report by Archipelago Marine Research, Victoria, British Columbia, December 2006.

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You may also access this in the PDF: 1E_Adam Harding

Also available :taken from the website: http://depts.washington.edu/uwconf/psgb/proceedings/papers/p5_hardi.pdf

Barry MacDonald visits Race Rocks

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barryandairchimeBarry MacDonald, President of the Nova Scotia Lighthouse Preservation Society went out to Race Rocks with Garry today. Barry has been instrumental in getting the Lighthouse Heritage Protection Bill  through parliament and working for the protection of the Atlantic Coast Lighthouses: http://www.racerocks.com/racerock/history/heritagetower.htm#Anchor-Pat-11481 .  In this picture, he tells us about how the Air Chime Fog horns were once used across North America, but are now all discontinued.The one he is examining was removed for the installation of solar panels and has since been replaced, preserving the look of the four air chimes on the energy building.
http://www.racerocks.com/racerock/history/foghorn/foghorn.htm

 

Elephant seals born on Middle Rocks at Race Rocks,2009

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Subject: Possible baby Elly on Middle Rock Also:
Although the Elephant Seal haulout on middle rock is over 500 metres away, from the remote camera5 we have been watching the other females still out there in the last few days… and now finally today ……..
Feb 3 10:02 AM. e-mail Exchange:

From Pam: Morning Garry…..have just been watching the middle rock with Slash and the two females.
I believe there MAY be a baby with them.  I’m attaching  a couple of blurry shots because I could not get a really clear view.  However, if you look to the left of Slash you will see a small dark shape.  In one pic it looks as though it has its mouth open, showing the red inside and in the other shot it had moved.   What do you think?   Could it be that the “injured” ES came up on to the rock to give birth?

Pam 12:22 PM – I’ve been watching for about 20 mins and am pretty sure there is an infant there, suckling from the ES with the scars.

Garry-12:28 PM-Pam I think you’re right.  and there’s a patch of blood on the top of the rock as well.. I have predicted there will be three babies from these three females as all look to be at the same level of maturity.
 
Pam-12:51 PM- Just came back up here to the computer.  Three eagles were fighting over something – most likely the placenta.  I noticed the red patch of possibly blood too.  Attached three more pics I took earlier.  Two of them show the pup feeding and the other (again very blurry) showing its head just popping up in silhouette.
Ryan – 1:08 PM- Yes, from Pam’s photo I’d definitely say that there is another baby out there.  I’ll see if I can get any closer photos later today. Ryan 2:39 PM-Lots of eagles out there for sure, certainly showing more interest over there than when the pup was born here.But Pam’s pics definitely show a new live pup out there, so that makes 2 at least!
In the picture above, an eagle is eating near the elephant seals for a few hours in the afternoon. So we think that there is at least one and maybe two more pups on the Middle Island.. More tomorow..
(click on this image to enlarge)e-mail From: Ryan
Subject: a clear shot on a clear day
Date: February 4, 2009 9:38:36 AM PST (CA)
Beautiful day out here, got this clear shot of the pup between both females.  Hard to say which is the mom, I think both have milk on their muzzles, so….?Ryan
At 4:00 PM of Feb 4. The new pup was doing well here seen on he left. Up to 5 eagles were also close by eating the afterbirth or perhaps another dead pup.. The following are from remote cam5.
And eventually by the end of the day on Feb 4, elephant seal pup 2 was on fine display and the scavenger ravens and bald eagles were still hanging around. Ryan was able to zoom in with his telephoto from Great Race Rocks to get these great shots.
In the next few days, the eagles were eating away at something and the young one shown above had disappeared. It is unfortunate they tried to have pups on this Middle island since there is just not very much room.  It is also possible that easterly winds washed the young off the Middle rocks as they are so exposed. So Ninene ended up as the only surviving pup this year, We believe that three pups were born in all at Race Rocks this year. This is the first record for any births this far north as far as we can determine.See the pups born on Middle Rocks in 2010

See the Elephant seal index Gallery and Taxonomy

First Elephant Seal born at Race Rocks: January, 2009

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First baby Elephant seal

First baby Elephant seal born on Race Rocks

suckle2

jan30mombabe Ninene nursing on mother elephant seal Bertha.
allthree

Misery, probably not the father, Bertha and Ninene in the first days

Ryan has observed a lot of aggression on the part of the young male which had previously been named Misery by Mike Slater.
babyandmom

Initially a healthy female baby and mother.

The baby was born beside the helicopter pad, and has spent the first day there, trying to nurse. The interference by the aggressive male has made this difficult.

January 30, 2009: This is what we believe is the first elephant seal pup to be born at Race Rocks. It arrived last night or early this morning. See the daily log also for updates. Ryan and Adam have dubbed the pup NINENE, after the WSANEC (Saanich people) moon that it was born under, meaning, child or offspring

 

Adam Harding took this video at close range from the top of the helipad.The second one was taken on the morning of February 1 from inside of the Marine Centre on Great Race Rocks

In the weeks that followed, Nine went through a  In the month following the birth, the pup Ninene, which Ryan observed was a female , went through an incredible amount of trauma while being attacked viciously by the young male Misery. Here we document the process. It is not a pleasant site and at the time of writing, it is still not certain whether this pup will survive. After 4 weeks, weaning took place and the mother left permanently. On the California pupping beaches, the pups normally stay on the pupping grounds often guarded by a male for 5 to 8 weeks longer, without feeding. Then they get hungry and go to the water to feed on their own in shallow protected water . If Ninene makes it that far it will be quite exceptional. Caution: may not be suitable for children.

bruisepup bite
Bruises showing on the pup. Male grasping the pup

Elephant Seal Male Aggression Videos

The trauma of her first four weeks when she was nursing were minor compared to what happened when her mother left and she was weaned. The young male we have called “Misery” turned on Ninene and beat up on her severely, so much that we considered she was very close to death. Ultimately she was saved by Slash, our old elephant seal, possibly her father, who took on the young male. The following images are not the worst of what we had to watch while this drama unfolded.
​

   
This photo was taken on March 3, a few days later the mother had left the island leaving Ninene alone to be weaned. Ninene had moved to the other side
of the engine room. 		She was looking fairly good, with
evident weight gain from 4 weeks of nursing.
(photos by Garry Fletcher)

Misery on the lawn

After the female left, Misery was relentless in his attacks on Ninene. His throat red with Ninene’s blood the next morning.

Ninene the next day in critical condition.

After the second night after the female left, Misery returned to the island with three large sets of puncture wounds.

He laid low for a few days on the lawn below the flagpole.

Presumably the wounds were from the only other male around, Slash. When he returned to the island Misery soon left for good

Ninene retreats to the rocks on the south west corner of the island.

March — shortly after the beating, Ninene was coated in dried blood

Recuperation took place out on the south west shore, well away from the centre of the island.

March 5. Ninene is spending her time with her serious injuries out on the South west corner

March 5, 2009. Its hard to imagine how she can recover from these injuries

By the tidepools on the south west corner

March 9, Her condition is improving.

Injuries near the base of Nine’s tail from Misery’s rough treatment.

March 5 2009, Slash has driven off Misery and is now lounging on the lawn

March 5, Slash has taken over the place on the lawn where Misery was located

Battle scars on Slash. While on the island with Ninene, he never paid any attention to her.

The bottom of Slash! We have a feeling that Slash was the father of Ninene, as he is the only one we have seen breeding there over the past few years.

cluster behind her deep neck wound was a large boil, possibly from infection or a parasite, that burst after a few days

In the last week of March, she made her first trip down to the docks and then went back across the island to stay a few days near the tower.

March 25, 2009 the scar on her back is gradually returning to normal.

down on the boat ramp. She is spending more time in the water now as she tests out the environment, having to learn everything on her own.

rmninenemar30final

On April 2, 2009, Ryan sent the following e-mail: “I haven’t seen the elephant seal pup for a couple of days, and I suspect she got into the water on the east side of the island the night of March 30. If she’s seen again I’m sure her neck scar will be a good identifier.

ninenefinal-1

A total of 8 weeks had passed since her birth, and 4 weeks since weening. She had a rough start but hopefully will now be able to survive in her own.”

in the USA

Ninene in the USA


The photos above weer taken by Garry Fletcher, Ryan Murphy and Raisa Mirza

On April 7 we were forwarded an e-mail from Dyanna Lambourn, a Marine Mammal Research Biologist, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife in Lakewood, WA with this picture by Duane Benedict of the Port Angeles Police Department of a Northern Elephant Seal pup that showed up in Port Angeles on April 2nd. She indicates “I suspect it is probably the pup from Race Rocks… I went to the Race Rocks website and it appears that “NINENE” left around that same time. The pup is hauled out in downtown Port Angeles and the plan is to relocate her to the tip of Edis Hook on US Coast Guard Property today. Hopefully the pup will also be tagged.”

Link:Ninene turns up in down-town Port Angeles in the next few weeks.

Ninene turns up in down-town Port Angeles in the next few weeks.

 

 

The article “Beached elephant seal moved to Ediz Hook“also appeared today in the Penninsula Daily News

 

 

 

 

 

Link:She is tagged with red tags and then released back at the waterfront

She is tagged with red tags and then released back at the waterfront

 

 Seal pup likely “Canadian born” now she’s missing in the Penninsula Daily News, Port Angeles.

Link: The last we see of Ninene with the red tags is on Taylor Beach. Scars healing on her neck. And then on April 15, 2009, she returns to our shores. The last we see of Ninene with the red tags is on Taylor Beach.

 

 

 

 

 

Winter for Slash:2008

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A wintery day at Race Rocks and Ryan takes a few pictures of Slash

See other pictures Ryan Murphy has taken at Race Rocks

 

See the file on Slash

See the Elephant seal Index File

 

Seawater Salinity and Temperature November 2008

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Daily Seawater Temperature and Density Record Shore Station

Observer Lester B. Pearson College of the Pacific,
Month NOVEMBER 2008,Time Zone P.S.T

 Date:
November:		 temp °C °tempC Jar Temp °C Hydro- meter No. Observer Reduced *Corrected *Salinity
1 11:57 9.6 9.4 10,802 1.0242 1.0233 1
2 11:17 9.6 9.5 10,802 1.0242 1.0233 1
3 10:50 9.6 9.5 10,802 1.0241 1.0232 1
4 10:41 9.7 9.5 10,802 1.024 1.0231 1
5 10:42 9.6 9.4 10,802 1.024 1.0231 1
6 10:48 9.8 9.5 10,802 1.0237 1.0228 1
7 10:44 9.8 9.4 10,802 1.0236 1.0227 1
8 19:31 9.8 9.4 10,802 1.024 1.0231 1
9 10:34 9.7 9.5 10,802 1.0242 1.0233 1
10 10:48 9.8 9.5 10,802 1.024 1.0231 1
11 11:05 9.7 9.5 10,802 1.024 1.0231 1
12 4:19 9.7 9.4 10,802 1.0241 1.0232 1
13 5:24 9.6 9.4 10,802 1.0241 1.0232 1
14 6:22 9.5 9.3 10,802 1.0239 1.023 1
15 7:18 9.2 9 10,802 1.0242 1.0232 1
16 8:13 9.4 9.2 10,802 1.0242 1.0232 1
17 8:49 9.5 9.1 10,802 1.0244 1.0234 1
18 9:21 9.2 9.1 10,802 1.0243 1.0233 1
19 9:47 9.1 8.9 10,802 1.0241 1.0231 1
20 9:58 9.2 9 10,802 1.0241 1.0231 1
21 9:44 9.1 8.9 10,802 1.0242 1.0232 1
22 9:50 9.1 8.9 10,802 1.0241 1.0231 1
23 10:07 9.2 8.9 10,802 1.0239 1.0229 1
24 3:23 8.9 8.7 10,802 1.0239 1.0229 1
25 4:18 8.8 8.7 10,802 1.0239 1.0229 1
26 5:11 8.7 8.6 10,802 1.0238 1.0228 1
27 10:23 9.1 8.9 10,802 1.024 1.023 1
28 10:41 9.2 9 10,802 1.0239 1.023 1
29 11:01 9.2 9 10,802 1.024 1.023 1
30 11:16 9.3 9.1 10,802 1.0239 1.0229 1
Mean

Recorded by Race Rocks Marine Protected Area Guardian, Mike Slater.. Lester B Pearson

Mike and Carol Slater: Ecoguardians 1997-2008

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MIKE AND CAROL SLATER-
The last lightkeepers of Race Rocks 1990-1997, and the first Ecoguardians at Race Rocks Ecological Reserve,1997-2008

Mike Slater passed away on February 12, 2017.

In 1990 the head keeper Mike Slater and his wife Carol came to the station. Carol in particular held strong views about the need to live in harmony with the nature that truly surrounds Race Rocks. The Slaters worked hard to protect the reserve and assist researchers. These volunteer activities fall far outside their regular lightstation duties. During the early 1990’s the ominous signs of the first radical change at Race Rocks became apparent as the Coast Guard experimented with automated equipment to operate the station. In the spring of 1994 the first announcements about de-staffing of lightstations on the British Columbia Coast were made. The decision was surprising and unpopular. rranderIn September, 1995, the Minister of Fisheries, Brian Tobin and the MP for Victoria, David Anderson paid a visit to the island and are shown here talking with Mike and Carol Slater and Pearson College faculty and students. Most surprising, a few months later was the announcement that Race Rocks was on the list of the seven stations to be de-staffed in the first round of budget cuts. Race Rocks was to be closed on March 1st 1997. Mike and Carol watched as the last of the automated equipment was installed and a maintenance crew measured the windows of their house for shutters. They might as well have measured the keepers for a box too as the end of a way of life would be coming to Race Rocks.
TEMPORARY REPRIEVE, 1997:
For the time being Race Rocks and its keepers won a reprieve. In an emergency two year agreement Pearson College undertook to operate the facility in cooperation with the Coast Guard, as an education centre. A private donor agreed to cover the salary costs for the Slaters who were invited to stay on at Race Rocks by Pearson College. The College continued negotiations with the Provincial Government, the actual owners of the land, to operate the facility on a long term basis. Twenty  years later, Lester B. Pearson College is still managing the island on a long term lease from BC Parks. We are determined to make the island self-sufficient. So with that in mind, the Race Rocks endowment fund has been set up for operating racerocks.

lastkeeper

Mike and Carol Slater 2008

 

 

This powerpoint presentation touches on some of the aspects of their life in the last few years at Race Rocks.

Elephant Seal Occurrence at Race Rocks. ( Index)

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Elephant Seal Occurrence  at Race Rocks.See the Dec 02- Dec 03 period of the study of the LGL report of 2003:5.1.4 Northern Elephant SealNorthern elephant seals were the least abundant pinniped throughout the study. Maximum daily counts ranged from 0 in the late autumn to 22 in the spring (Figure 9). There were no consistent patterns in the difference between census counts in the morning and in the afternoon. The maximum differences between any pair of daily surveys (n=49 pairs) were +12 and -5 animals and the median daily difference was 0. Sex and age class data were not recorded for all animals, so only general conclusions can be made. Based on size and general appearance, adult females and sub-adult males were the most abundant. A few adult males were observed, but no pups were sighted. The peak in abundance during spring 2003 corresponds to the time of year when adult females and juveniles haul out to moult their fur (Stewart and Huber 1993).Also see the graph of distribution for the  Dec 02- Dec 03 period of the study of  the LGL report of 2003:
The information below has been extracted from records ,videos and photographs  by Pearson College personnel in the Daily Log (not continuous) 2001-2008, and the monthly photo albums of Pam Birley, Sept 2001 to November 2008.It is not a complete observational record, but it does give evidence through several years of the times of the year that this species are present at Race Rocks. Records concentrate mainly on what elephant seals were visible on Great Race Rocks.Some specific dates recorded :Winter , 1997: Throughout the winter of 1997, two female elephant seals stayed just south of the tower on Great Race Rock. In February, these four females and at times three others hauled out on the middle island, north of Great Race Rock. In 2001, two and sometimes three large males were on the island along with three or four females. They occupied this position on the middle island through the summer and into the fall of 2001 and did the same in 2002 and 2003.June 2001 video of female e at docks

http://www.racerocks.com/racerock/archives/videlseal2a.htm

Nov1 2001: The two juvenile elephant seals that were hauled out in the little bay with a group of about 20 harbour seals, swam out into the large kelp bed along the east side of Gr. Race just before 14:00 and had not returned before dark.Have not seen the large bull elephant seal that spends a good portion of the year stretched out atop West Rock.

Nov. 2 2001. The 4 Northern Elephant Seals regularly hauling out in various areas of Gr. Race spent several hours on the boat ramp enjoying the sun.

2 Elephant Seals that have been hauled out all day. The Harbour seals are hauling out as the tide ebbs and unless disturbed will stay ‘high and dry’ until the tide comes in again.

Dec 15 2001: –Today is the first day we have seen the large male elephant seal back on middle rock

Dec 16th 2001: As we watched for the whales to come back a 3-4 metre bull Elephant Seal drifted by and came into the small east bay.I did get some video as he floated around with just his head and unmistakable nose above the surface.He stayed in the bay only 12-15 minutes,arched his back,flared his great nostrils,dove into a wave and was gone! We often hear the elephant Seals vocalizing at night, it sounds like a calf bellowing in a tin can, but not lately, and from the sound of the roaring 45+ knt. not tonight either!

Dec 15 2002:

Another 15 California Sea Lions lined the dock. Middle rock was quite populated with another 200 or so Sea Lions mostly Northern, and one very large Elephant Seal.

Jan3, 2002:It is so quiet with the light wind that we have heard Elephant Seals vocalizing tonight.

Jan 7 2002: The bull Elephant Seal is still hauling out on the rocks below the engine room and for a few hours, usually in the morning, floats leisurely along the shore, upright with his head and snout just above the surface. With the fairly light winds we are able to hear his distinctive ‘bellow’ mostly at night.

Mar 12 2002: The largest bull elephant seal and the juvenile spent the day on the grass in front of the house, the large bull did make one trip to the ramp and back but the juvenile was quite still except for the occasional stretch and yawn.

April1, 2002:

he two elephant seals have inched their way up the ramp to within 8 inches of the boat house door and show no signs of leaving.

April 11, 2002: We now have 4 Elephant Seals on Gr. Race, two bulls, 1 fair sized female and the small juvenile from the ‘incident’ yesterday. The 2 bulls and the juvenile are stretched out on the grass between the winch house and our front porch. The juvenile seems non the worse for violent encounter yesterday but has stayed close to the house. In the 13 years that we have been here we have often had elephant seals haul out on the boat ramp and even as far as the grass around the houses but they were always the smaller juveniles up to 2 metres.

June25, 2002: One of the large Elephant Seals spent several hours floating with his head just above the water near the east tip of Middle Rock.

Aug 2, 2002: The elephant seal hauled out on the boat ramp early this morning for a couple of hours then returned to the area near Middle Rock.The east bay was a favourite today with about 15 harbour seals and their pups. The mothers and pups that frequent the dock area did not show up until around noon, I think they avoid the elephant seals especially with the pups still quite small.

Dec 4 2002: Juvenile Elephant Seal has hauled out on the boat ramp and as usual with these mammals is not bothered by our presence

Jan 2 2003: A large elephant seal came ashore this morning on the boat ramp but did not stay long as the swells were tossing 5-10 lb. rocks almost to the door of the boat house, a dangerous place to stretch out for a nap. The Elephant Seal has been spending part of the night near the dock the past week and vocalizing quite a bit. There is a Northern Sea Lion hauled out about 3 metres from the front porch, he looks a little thin and has several small wounds on his head,he spent the whole day there, hardly moving at all.

Jam 3 2003: Today the swells were not so big and the huge Elephant Seal spent most of the day floating about by the dock, he hauled out on the ramp for about 4 hours and is now back in the water snorting and bellowing. The Northern Sea Lion hauled out by the porch has not moved very much all day.

Jan4 2003: The elephant seal spends a lot of the day floating about close to shore and periodically hauls out on the boat ramp for an hour or so.

Jan 8, 2003: The Elephant Seal spent some time leisurely floating in the east bay and along the south shore below the engine room but did not haul out on Gr. Race.

Jan 9, 2003: 1 small Elephant Seal is hauled out halfway down the western slope of the largest of the southeast rocks. Also there is a rather thin looking Northern Sea Lion that could be the one with the head wounds that spent several days hauled out by himself near the house, just too far away to get a good look.

Jan 10, 2003: The Juvenile Elephant Seal and the lone Northern Sea Lion are still hauled out on the west slope of the south east rocks.

Jan 13, 2003: The juvenile elephant and the skinny looking Northern Sea Lion have left the haul out on the slope of the southeast rocks. There is a wide range in size in the Northern Sealion population hauled out just now -quite a few in fact in the 300/500 lbs., about 1/4 seem to be the really mature fellows some as big as 2000lbs. Usually there are mostly males but some of the smaller animals look very much like the females which appear more cylindrical in shape and colour more uniformly brown.Very easy to tell the Northern Sea Lions even at night by their growling which they seem to do a lot of as they tend to feed at night.The California Sea Lions sound like a pack of large dogs. Mostly what we hear these nights are the Northern Sea Lions and the snorting, bellowing Elephant Seals.

Jan 14, 2003: The large Elephant Seal floated along the south shore of Gr. Race until near noon then hauled out on the rocks just below the fog horn tower where he remained the rest of the day.

Jan 16, 2003: The large Elephant Seal continues to spend the night and early morning floating around Gr. Race then hauling out for the rest of the day, lately on the south side below the engine room.

Jan 18, 2003: The Elephant Seal floated leisurely in the dock area all morning and in fact we had to wait around for nearly half an hour for him to move away so we could launch the boat for a quick trip to Pedder Bay

Jan 19 2003: We have a very disturbing and sad situation here with one of the Elephant Seals. In the late morning an elephant seal hauled out by the boat house, it was immediately apparent that this poor animal has had a run in with a boat prop. There are several deep gashes in the fore head just above his eyes. One eye is very bloodshot and the other eye seems to be getting red. There are other wounds or slashes from the head down to below the front flippers. The wounds are curved slices like a series of long parallel ‘slashes on both sides.The deepest gashes are on the head and right side cheek area. We checked on him all during the day, just before dark he moved into the water. The other much larger elephant seal is still around and happy to say he has no marks on him. He has hung around by the dock all afternoon and at times quite loud. I do wonder if there is any communication between these two great creatures. They are really quite placid most of the time and we can get as close as a foot if we approach from the front. Hopefully the one fellow’s wounds are not fatal. People must take extra care moving boats through the area to avoid hitting seals and sealions and causing what must be very painful injuries. See http://www.racerocks.com/racerock/archives/vidinjureseal.htm for a video of the elephant seal.

Jan 22 , 2003: The big Elephant Seal spends a good deal of the day in the dock area vocalizing often enough to let us know he’s still here,when he really bellows he is loud enough we can hear him over the roar of the wind and the sea!

Jan 23 2003: The large Elephant Seal continues to circle Gr. Race all day and all night. As for the wounded fellow (SLASH) there have not be any sightings today.

Jan 26, 2003: The Elephant Seal hauled out on the boat ramp out of the wind and spent the day,not always quietly soaking up a little sun.

Jan 29 2003: The Elephant Seal continues to divide his time between the boat ramp and the water by the dock.

Feb. 3 2003: The large male Elephant Seal is still hauling out on the boat ramp for several hours at a time then returning to the water to leisurely circle the island just off shore.He is not as vocal as he has been but do hear him snorting every half hour or so.

Feb 4 2003: The large Elephant Seal has not returned to the boat ramp but we do now have a juvenile that appears to be going through it’s ‘molt’.

Feb. 5,2003:. The young Elephant Seal seems settled in for an extended stay in front of the boat house and except for rolling from one side to the other a couple of times has not moved much.Unlike the big males this juvenile ‘growls’ if anyone approaches within 8-10 feet,we keep our distance anyway, don’t want to add stress to an already stressed animal.

Feb. 11, 2003: The molting juvenile Elephant Seal is still hauled out next to the boat house and just likes to be left alone.The Elephant Seal that was injured has returned! He has moved inland about half way across Gr. Race near the Science building. The wounds look like they are healing very well, his eyes are clear and healthy looking. The other male Elephant Seal still around but did not come ashore today.

Feb. 21, 2003:Still hear the Elephant Seals at night,sounds like they are going into the water to feed about 1 a.m. and returning a couple hours later. The one that hauls out by the boat house is the more vocal one.The smaller one roams the island but usually ends up behind the boat house,seems to like the grass.We are careful to take a flashlight at night, never know where he will be stretched out in the dark!

Feb. 12 2003: The injured Elephant Seal has moved over near the engine room, he seems to like the long grass. We haven’t heard him vocalize but the other big fellow is quite noisey. The molting juvenile Elephant Seal left sometime during the night.

Feb. 17, 2003: The Elephant Seal still spends most of the day near the end of the dock with 2 or 3 ‘haul outs’ by the boat house usually in the early morning and mid afternoon and since he often floats just below the surface boaters should take special caution in the area.

Feb. 23

Feb. 20, 2003: he 2 big Elephant Seals both spent the day hauled out,one on the boat ramp and the recovering one in the long grass between the Science centre and the boat house. We can get quite close without disturbing them but for some reason they react to people wearing red jackets.

Feb. 23,2003: The recovering Elephant Seal was very restless,spent most of they day moving around the island trying to find the best spot.He finally settled near the south end of the boat house.The other Elephant Seal spent the day in his usual spot just below the door to the boat house.

Feb. 26, 2003: The recovered Elephant Seal still spending a good part of the day roaming about then usually settles down behind the boat house. The recovered Elephant Seal still spending a good part of the day roaming about then usually settles down behind the boat house.

Feb26: 2003: The 2 Elephant Seals hauled out most of the day. The one by the boat ramp is not bothered at all with our coming and going in the boat, even the noise from the winch for the boat dolly does not bother him,he does turn his head to use his good eye to watch the boat move up the rails and we are careful to give him lots of time to back out of the way. Once the boat is put away he usually stretches back across the rails in his favourite spot!

March2, 2003: The 2 Elephant Seals still spending most of the day hauled out on Gr. Race,the one that had been injured prefers an inland spot while the other one favours the boat ramp.We hear them after midnight,they can be quite noisy going and returning from feeding.

March5,2003: The 2 Elephant Seals are still hauled out, the ‘roamer has stayed tucked in behind the boat house out of the wind.The other has become a fixture by the boat house door.

March 6, 2003: They tied their boat at the outer end of the dock, maybe a little intimidated by the Elephant Seal stretched out on the ramp,but most likely they didn’t want to disturb him. He is actually very docile especially if you approach him slowly and carefully.

March 7,2003: Both Elephant Seals still hauled out most of the day,one on the ramp and the other a bit restless today moving from place to place,ended up behind the boat house.

March 8, 2003: The Elephant Seals took to the water which at 7.4? would be warmer than the air at 0? with the blowing snow and NE wind at 30+ knts.

March 10, 2003: The 2 Elephant Seals hauled out all day in their usual spots.

March 13, 2003: he one Elephant Seal we call the roamer did not haul out today but the other big fellow moved up out of the way of the swells on the ramp and spent the whole day with his nose literally pressed against the boat house door

March 17, 2003: The larger Elephant Seal in his favoured spot but the ‘recovered’ one spent quite some time trying to plan a route to the water-he moved down to the ramp but seemed reluctant to get too close to the other which had spread himself across the tracks, so he went overland! 3/4 of the distance was fairly soft grass but the last 20 ft. was a rough and rocky descent just east of the winch house.

March 20, 2003: The Elephant Seal that seemed a permanent fixture on the ramp slipped into the water early this morning and has not returned-miss seeing and hearing.

Mar 26, 2003: Just the one Elephant Seal today in his usual spot on the boat ramp

March 27, 2003: The Elephant Seal took to the water just after 7 this morning and had not returned by dark, did not hear him at all, he may have hauled out on one of the other rocks.

April 3, 2003: Did a boat trip around West Race and the Middle rocks and counted 11 Elephant Seals hauled out.There were 3 fairly large males and the rest assorted smaller males and females.The one big fellow that has been hauled out near the boat house for the last few weeks was floating about just off the south tip of the middle rock.There were 5 Northern and 14 California Sea Lions also hauled out with the Elephant seals

April 6, 2003: There were 13 Elephant Seals,12 hauled out on Middle Rock and the one large male floating about close to the shore this afternoon.The Elephant Seals have been joined by about 20 California and 9 Northern Sea Lions

April 14, 2003: There were about 35 California and 9 Northern Sea Lions hauled out on Middle rock with the Elephant Seals.

July 22, 2003: The 2 smallish elephant seals still hauled out and staying close to each other.The big fellow continues to haul out behind the boat house for a time each day.The three do not interact, infact the 2 smaller ones do their best to move out of the big fellow’s way as he ambles along the sidewalk to ‘his’ spot.

Dec 25, 2003:  Pinniped census in the reserve: (Animals hauled out) —North Rock :0 Middle Rocks : Northern Sealions:65, California Sealions:1 —–Great Race Rocks : Northern Sealions: 8, California Sealions: 4 Harbour seals:7, Elephant seal :1(Male) West Race Rocks California Sealiion: 1 ( About one third of the animals observed were very young ) . Weather conditions: Wind West 32 , Sea 3′- Heavy Swell. Other noteworthy sightings : We estimated approximately 2500-3000 Herring Gulls on the island today.

Jan 3 2004: I see today that Mike has camera3 aimed at an elephant seal – This adult male must have moved up on the lawn behind the boathouse to get out of the northern gale today. This is probably the one who recovered from the encounter with the boat last year. ( see in the marine mammals video archive.) On camera 1 today there is a male and several females out on the middle rock . Precipitation is snow 5.5 cm

Jan 9, 2004: Over 250 Northern Sea Lions ( many juveniles) on middle rock only today- One large male elephant seal there also and one on Great Race – ( On the lawn near helipad- check on the robotic camera ) Several bald eagles on the rocks.

Jan 24 2004: Two elephant seals haul out on the lawn and provide evidence of mating behaviour. See http://www.racerocks.com/racerock/marmam/elseal/elsealmate.htm The female has a large cut around her neck indicating an old injury.

Feb 27, 2005: (PB photo).. adult male

http://www.flickr.com/photos/66339356@N00/1793151876/in/set-7215760277115 8045/

Feb. 13, 2006,( PB video) mating on middle rock http://www.racerocks.com/racerock/video_3/elsealsex1.mov

Feb,26, 2006 (PB photo)(not slash)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/66339356@N00/1793559936/in/set-72157602768459534/

April 14, 2006: Census photo taken of middle rock at least 8 elephant seals are included.

Jan 2007 :(PB photo) Two individuals, possible Slash and a female?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/66339356@N00/1793395765/in/set-72157602771188891/

Jan 14 2007: (From Census file video)At least one large male on Middle rock

May 28, 2007: A young male and female at the boat ramp (picture in PB DIARY)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/66339356@N00/1793559743/in/set-72157602768481458/

June 28, 2007: Slash on boat ramp(picture in PB DIARY)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/66339356@N00/1793618307/in/set-72157602768483920/

August 2007: (PB photo) two new elephant seals on lawn, perhaps one very young male.http://www.flickr.com/photos/66339356@N00/1793677311/in/set-72157602768487684/

December 2007: Slash returns,, (PB photo)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/66339356@N00/2144129986/in/set-72157603564537908/

December 11, 2007: Slash showed up at noon (picture in PB DIARY)

December 12, 2007:  possibly one other with Slash out on middle rock

http://www.flickr.com/photos/66339356@N00/2144129975/in/set-72157603564537908/

Jan 17,2008: PB photo” http://www.flickr.com/photos/66339356@N00/2201777700/in/set-72157603715095611/

February 26 2008:  (PB photo) Female on dock.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/66339356@N00/2297209880/in/set-72157603839644139/

February 29, 2008: female on lawn

http://www.flickr.com/photos/66339356@N00/2301780973/in/set-72157603839644139/

March 2, 2008:PB photo of a female on the lawn. http://www.flickr.com/photos/66339356@N00/2312433894/in/set-72157604021972398/

March 16,2008: PB photo of female elephant seal.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/66339356@N00/2341013333/in/set-72157604021972398/

May 4 2008: photo in census file showing at least 3 elephant seals on Middle rock.

June 3 2008 Three male elephant seals were observed on middle rock. Two California and 1 Northern sealion are all that are left on the islands.

June 10, 2008 No Sea lions were seen. Very few harbour seals are around today. Estimated 10.

Two elephant seals on middle island, old Slash and one juvenile male ( dark colored)

June 12, 2008: Erik and Garry checked out and photographed the reported entangled elephant seal on Middle Rock. File opened at http://www.racerocks.com/racerock/eco/taxalab/miroungaa/roped.htm

June 17, 2008 One elephant seal on Middle island, and Slash, our favourite old elephant seal hauled out on Great Race again this morning, but he had moved over to middle island in the afternoon. The entangled one we saw last week was not around this afternoon.

July 12, 2008 Slash moulting (PB photo)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/66339356@N00/2672749236/in/set-72157605939335337/

July 21 2008. Slash on Great Race behind boathouse.

July 23, 2008: Elephant seal changed location; now behind boat house.

Slash spent from 5:00PM to 8:00 PM in the sea, otherwise up behind boathouse. ( preset 1 on cam 1) He has 3/4 of his old hair moulted off, new light gray color beneath. The old hair was light brown.

July 24, 2008 Slash moved down again to the shade of the Workshop as it is very hot at noon.

July 25, 2008 Slash now moved up to his spot on the lawn west of the Science house. (Can be seen on camera2)

One other male elephant seal and one smaller female remain out on the Middle rock.

July 28 2008 Blasting by the DND sent the 5 newly returned sea lions into water. Slash hits the water to cruise by the dock. 18 Ecotour boats sited in channel close to sea lions (also later main dock where Slash was lying by boat house).

Aug 20. 2008: Three males, slash absent.

Sept. 23, 2008 One juvenile male elephant seal was up on the lawn by the science house.. Slash has not been around for some time now.

Oct. 27, 2008: possibly one male out on middle rock.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/66339356@N00/2965657528/in/set-72157607795979132/

For November of 2008  they have been absent. We expect them back in mid December.

Data Compiled by Garry Fletcher, Nov. 29, 2008