After the surge

Posted on by

Ecological Notes:

  •  the sea lions have taken the jetty over…… most posts damaged by them and the weather. It will require a rebuild after this storm front
  • Storm surge, combined with high tides have resulted in the jetty being totally awash with both water and logs
  • Sea Lions have scattered around the rest of the island, moving around based on wind and swell direction
  • Many birds left the reserve during the surge and took a day or 2 to return
  • Sill a couple Humpbacks viewable from the reserve

Facility Work:

  • as usual, repair fencing after last storm surge
  • Fuel transfers

Noted Vessel Traffic:

  • Only a couple Eco-tourism vessels noted

 Feature Event:

  •  Good news/bad news …. the storm surge and high tides removed all the debris from the ramp and jetty area, but also removed the good firewood logs that were there as well!

Weather Events:

  • Friday, December 13:
    • Sky: Overcast with light rain showers
    • Wind: S SE 10-15kts rising to ESE in the evening
    • Sea: Swell to 3 ft
    • Temperature Low 4oC, High 8oC
  • Saturday, December 14:
    • Sky: Overcast with low lying haze to the south,  light rain in the morning, becoming heavy squalls by afternoon
    • Wind: Gusting ESE to 35kts early in the morning, dropping to S 5kts by noon
    • Sea:  2 ft swells creating surge and wash from the NE
    • Temperature Low 3oC, High 8oC
  • Sunday, December 15:
    • Sky: mostly clear with occasional cloud
    • Wind: NNE to ENE 5-10kts, rising to 20kts late evening
    • Sea:  low swell lots of standing waves in the reserve
    • Temperature Low 4oC, High 10oC

 

 

** All wildlife photos taken at the furthest distance possible, and may be cropped to improve detail! **

 

Weather – Current:

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

 

Weather – Past:

http://www.victoriaweather.ca/station.php?

unplanned break

Posted on by

I took ill last week, and left the reserve for 4 days. The generator system was set to auto, and the island was visited once to do a fuel drop off and top up the generator tank.

 

Ecological Notes:

  • Although i reported little disturbance during the DND blasting, the last day was larger blasts on the southern most point, the by the next day, virtually all the Steller Seas Lions that have been hauling out on the north side of the main rock (next to the pier) have moved to the southern side of the main rock
  • Lots of juvenile and adult Bald Eagles visit each morning, actively chasing birds, while still scanning the sea for fish

Facility Work:

  • While eco-guardian was away, the generator was run on Auto. It manages the batteries differently that way, and we will analyze the results.
  • Fuel delivery to the island, transfer and topping up of the gen tank

DND events:

  • some blasting early in the cycle

Noted Vessel Traffic:

  • Ecotourism and private vessels

Weather Events:

  • Friday, December 06:
    • Sky: Overcast with light showers in the evening
    • Wind: N 10-15 kts, veering to NE by afternoon
    • Sea: rippled to 2′ chop
    • Temperature Low 3oC, High 8oC
  • Saturday, December 07:
    • Sky: Overcast with heavy rain squalls in the morning, giving way so clear periods in the afternoon
    • Wind: low S early morning, veering to W 25-30 kts during the day
    • Sea:  chop turning to light waves by afternoon
    • Temperature Low 3oC, High 7oC
  • Sunday, December 08:
    • Sky: Foggy until mid-afternoon, clear and sunny to overcast
    • Wind: W/WSW 16-37 kts
    • Sea:  light chop turning to high waves by evening
    • Temperature Low 4oC, High 9oC

 

 

Weather – Current:

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

 

Weather – Past:

http://www.victoriaweather.ca/station.php?

Clear skies

Posted on by

Ecological Notes:

  • The Elephant Seals, the expecting female and the young female, left the ramp area and haven’t returned …. hoping they’re just off having a good feed and not looking at another haul out spot.
  • In the past, most of the Steller Sea Lions have moved to the outer rocks, leaving the main rock to the California Sea Lions… but this season there are many more Stellers remaining on the main rock, even some have ventured onto the pier

Visitors:

  • Parcel and supply delivery by the waterfront team

Facility Work:

  • got some of the deck algae sprayed down during the nicer weather…. until the sprayers broke!

  • Finally got some good logs in, shortened at the holding area, and moved up to the bucking area
  • Weekly Battery maintenance
  • Monthly Equalization charge to the Batteries
  • Month end reports and posting
  • The waterfront team brought out, and prepped a new door for the battery room, appears to now also need a new door frame

DND events:

  • regular blasting, a few times a day for the last week, no noted reaction from the wildlife.

Noted Vessel Traffic:

  • In addition to a few eco-tourism vessels, there have been a few private vessels visiting the reserve, all with good behaviour

 

Weather Events:

The last week has been primarily N NE winds, leading to mostly clear skies and dry weather. Seas have had light chop, slight fog daily on the shoreline away from the reserve.

  • Thursday, December 05:
    • Sky: High overcast, fog on the southern strait
    • Wind: NE winds 10-15 kts
    • Sea:  light chop
    • Temperature Low 4oC, High 8oC

 

 

** All wildlife photos taken at the furthest distance possible, and may be cropped to improve detail! **

 

Weather – Current:

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

 

Weather – Past:

http://www.victoriaweather.ca/station.php?

Holiday “break”

Posted on by

Ecological Notes:

  • Although the winds and storms haven’t been as high as in the past, most of the smaller birds seem to have left the island
  • As is common, the Steller Sea lions tend to always move to the most lee side of the island in the bad weather

Facility Work:

  • Bucked all available logs, ready for splitting

  • Tried to salvage some really good logs, but lost them in the swells before the tide dropped low enough to anchor them

  • Due to the past issues with batteries, mopped down the battery room twice …. once with a baking soda solution, then again with soap and water

  • Replaced batteries in the student building smoke detectors

Noted Vessel Traffic:

  • Still the occasional Eco-tourism vessel

Weather Events:

  • Sunday, December 22:
    • Sky: Brief period of fog in the morning, then clear
    • Wind: Variable calm, rising to E 25 kts
    • Sea: rippled to 2′ chop
    • Temperature Low 6oC, High 9oC
  • Monday, December 23:

    • Sky: Overcast
    • Wind: NNE 5kts in the morning, rising to 40kts gradually over the day
    • Sea:  Waves and swells to 6 feet
    • Temperature Low 7oC, High 9oC
  • Tuesday, December 24:
    • Sky: Clear overhead in the morning, low cloud and mist in the distance… medium overcast by afternoon with sunny patches
    • Wind: W 25kts in the morning, evenly dropping through the day to 15-20kts
    • Sea:  2-3 foot chop, smoothed over by afternoon
    • Temperature Low 7oC, High 10oC

 

 

** Any wildlife photos taken at the furthest distance possible, and may be cropped to improve detail! **

 

Weather – Current:

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

 

Weather – Past:

http://www.victoriaweather.ca/station.php?

November 2024 DAILY SEA SURFACE TEMPERATURE AND SALINITY OBSERVATIONS

Posted on by
Station: RACE ROCKS
Observer: Derek Month: November
YSI ID: 15 Year: 2024
YSI YSI
Temp Sal
Day Time ºC ppt
1 14:30 9.7 32.7
2 15:00 9.7 32.9
3 15:30 9.9 33.2
4
5 16:00 9.7 32.9
6 17:00 9.9 33.4
: 7 17:00 9.5 33.1
8 9:30 9.4 33.1
9 9:00 9.5 32.9
10 8:30 9.7 32.7
11 9:30 9.2 32.8
12 10:20 9.5 32.8
13 11:00 9.5 32.7
14 12:00 9.7 33.1
15
16 13:30 9.3 32.7
17 14:00 9.1 33.1
18 14:45 9.3 32.9
19
20
21 17:45 9.3 33.2
22 18:00 9.5 32.7
23 8:30 9.5 32.9
24 9:00 9.3 32.9
25 9:30 9.3 33.2
26 10:30 9.1 33.0
27 11:00 9.3 32.9
28 11:30 9.3 33.0
29 12:15 9.1 0.7
30 13:00 9.1 32.9

November 25th Animal Census

Posted on by

Birds

  • Harlequin duck                           4
  • Bald eagle adult                         6
  • Bald eagle juvenile                     4
  • Turnstones                                  28 *
  • Killdeer                                       3
  • Gulls                                             226
  • Cormorants                                  283
  • Oyster catcher                             12 *
  • Canadian goose                           27
  • Pacific Wren                                   2

* in addition to the “Regular” birds i saw large flocks  (up to about 70 birds each) of Oyster Catchers ….

 

Mammals

  • Steller sea lion                               289
  • Harbour seal                                       23
  • California sea lion                            263
  • Elephant seal female(pregnant)         1
  • Humpback Whales – several around the reserve, occasionally venturing inside
  • Animal Tracking and Injuries:          
    • 1 California Sea Lion identified as “Tuck” disentangled last year at Race Rocks…. still has a large open wound on the back of his neck, but quite well healed compared to the original injury

King Tides and Debris

Posted on by

Ecological Notes:

  • Expecting female Elephant Seal still hanging out primarily on the boat ramp area
  • The younger, tagged female visits occasionally, and one day came to the top of the side ramp and slept by the upper ramp deck
  • Large groups of Black Oyster catchers visiting
  • Still have 25-30 Canadian Geese here (nearly double the amount that was here last year)

Visitors:

  • Waterfront Coordinator delivered diesel fuel

Facility Work:

  • Finally getting the start of some logs coming in to collect for firewood, still no where as many as the last couple years
  • High winds, King Tides and NE and SE winds are bring lots of debris into the boat ramp area, damaging the fencing and requiring daily clean up

  • Jetty fencing repair put on hold for now
  • While not directly current work, I’ve noticed the  fuel burn on the furnace is much lower than it has ever been while I’ve been coming out here. They replaced the feed line and added a new thermostat
  • Found the rain collection barrel, this allows me to gather some extra water for use in cleaning and the pressure washer

  • Between bad weather, sometimes slippery walkway (goose poop), and a sometimes sore back, I take advantage of the best days to move fuel to the Generator building, getting as far ahead as I can

Noted Vessel Traffic:

  • still occasional Ecotourism vessels visiting the reserve

Weather Events:

  • Friday, November 22:
    • Sky: Mixed sun and cloud, clouding over with many rain squalls in the afternoon
    • Wind: NE 20-25kts veering to SE mid day peak of 30kts, then dropping to 5-10kts
    • Sea:Slight swell from the NE in the morning,
    • Temperature Low 4oC, High 8oC
  • Saturday, November 23:
    • Sky: Morning mix of cloud with clear sunny breaks, overcast by noon
    • Wind: averaging ENE to 5kts
    • Sea:  light chop turning to high waves by evening
    • Temperature Low 2 oC, High 10 oC
  • Sunday, November 24:
    • Sky: Mix of sun and cloud in the morning
    • Wind:NE 5kts
    • Sea: rippled to 1′ chop
    • Temperature Low 4oC, High 8oC

 

 

** All wildlife photos taken at the furthest distance possible, and may be cropped to improve detail! **

 

Weather – Current:

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

 

Weather – Past:

http://www.victoriaweather.ca/station.php?

BIRD LIST – Race Rocks Ecological Reserve

Posted on by

The following Bird List for Race Rocks Ecological Reserve was reorganized by Ernie Chang of Metchosin, BC. in November 2024 in order to have the correct AOU NACC order and to add observations recorded in iNaturalist. The Race Rocks species list and image gallery with all species recorded in the Ecological Reserve is the source of the Race Rocks List.

Race Rocks List (in AOU NACC order) iNaturalist list (link to gallery)
Order Anseriformes: geese and ducks:
Chen caerulescens (Lesser Snow goose)
Anser albifrons (Greater white-fronted Goose) Anser albifrons – 1 (Greater White-Fronted Goose)
Branta bernicla (Black Brant Goose): Branta bernicla – 1  (Black Brant)
Branta hutchinsii (Cackling Goose): Branta hutchinsii – 1 (Cackling Goose)
Branta canadensi (Canada Goose): Branta Canadensis – 18 (Canada Goose)
Anas platyrhynchos (Mallard): Anas platyrhynchos – 1 (Mallard)
Anas carolinensis (Green-winged Teal): Anas crecca carolinensis – 1 (American Green-winged Teal)
Histrionicus histrionicus  (Harlequin duck) Histrionicus histrionicus – 8 (Harlequin Duck)
Melanitta perspicillata ( surf scoter) Melanitta perspicillata – 1 (Surf Scoter)
Bucephala albeola (Bufflehead) Bucephala albeola – 1 (Bufflehead)
Mergus merganser (Common merganser) Mergus merganser – 1 (Common Merganser)
Order Podicipediformes: grebes:
Aechmophorus occidentalis (Western Grebe): Aechmophorus occidentalis – 1 (Western Grebe)
Order Columbiformes: doves:
Columba livia (Rock Dove): Columba livia domestica (Feral Pigeon)
Order Charadriiformes: other shore&seabirds
Haematopus bachmani (Black oystercatcher): Haematopus bachmani – 19 (Black Oystercatcher)
Pluvialis squatarola (Black-bellied Plover): Pluvialis squatarola – 1 (Black-bellied Plover)
Pluvialis dominica (American Golden Plover): Pluvialis dominica – 1 (American Golden-Plover)
Charadrius vociferus (Kildeer): Charadrius vociferus – 1 (Killdeer)
Numenius phaeopus (Whimbrel): Numenius phaeopus – 1 (Whimbrel)
Limosa fedoa (Marbled godwit) Limosa fedoa – 1 (Marbled Godwit)
Arenaria interpret (Ruddy turnstone): Arenaria interpres – 1 (Ruddy Turnstone)
Arenaria melanocephala (Black turnstone): Arenaria melanocephala – 19 (Black Turnstone)
Calidris canutus (Red Knot): Calidris canutus – 1 (Red Knot)
Aphriza virgata (Surfbird): Calidris virgata – 5 (Surfbird)
Calidris alba (Sanderling): Calidris alba – 2 (Sanderling)
Calidris alpina (Dunlin) Calidris alpina – 4 (Dunlin)
Calidris ptilocnemis (Rock sandpiper): Calidris ptilocnemis – 1 (Rock Sandpiper)
Calidris minutillam (Least sandpiper): Calidris minutilla – 1 (Least Sandpiper)
Calidris mauri  (Western sandpiper): Calidris mauri – 2 (Western Sandpiper)
Limnodromus griseus (Short-billed Dowitcher): Limnodromus griseus – 2 (Short-billed Dowitcher)
Actitis macularius (Spotted Sandpiper): Actitis macularius – 1 (Spotted Sandpiper)
Tringa incana (Wandering Tattler): Tringa incana – 1 (Chevalier errant)
Tringa melanoleuca (Greater Yellowlegs): Tringa melanoleuca – 1 (Greater Yellowlegs)
Phalaropus lobatus (Red-necked Phalarope): Phalaropus lobatus – 4 (Red-necked Phalarope)
Phalaropus fulicarius ( Red Phalarope): Phalaropus fulicarius – 1 (Red Phalarope)
Order Charadriiformes: Stercorarius Jaegers
Stercorarius pomarinus – 1 (Pomarine Jaeger)
Order Charadriiformes: Alcidae
Uria aalge (Common Murre): Uria aalge – 9 (Common Murre)
Cepphus columba (Pigeon Guillemot): Cepphus columba – 36 (Pigeon Guillemot)
Brachyramphus marmoratus (Marbled Murrelet ): Brachyramphus marmoratus – 1 (Marbled Murrelet)
Synthliboramphus antiquus (Ancient Murrelet): Synthliboramphus antiquus – 1 (Ancient Murrelet)
Cerorhinca monocerata (Rhinocerous Auklet): Cerorhinca monocerata – 3 (Rhinoceros Auklet)
Order Charadriiformes: Larinae: gulls:
Xema sabini – 1 (Sabine’s Gull)
Larus philadelphia (Bonapartes gull): Chroicocephalus philadelphia – 1 (Bonaparte’s Gull)
Larus heermanni (Heermann’s Gull): Larus heermanni – 14 (Heermann’s Gull)
Larus canis (Mew gull): Larus brachyrhynchus  – 1 (Short-billed Gull)
Larus occidentalis (Western gull): Larus occidentalis – 2 (Western Gull)
Larus californicus (Califiornia Gull): Larus californicus – 6 (California Gull)
Larus argentatus – 1(EuropeanHerring Gull)
Larus glaucescens (Glaucous-winged gull): Larus glaucescens – 13 (Glaucous-winged Gull)
Larus hyperbolus (Glaucous gull): Larus hyperboreus – 1 (Glaucous Gull)
Larus thayeri (Thayer’s gull): Larus glaucoides thayeri – 3 (Thayer’s Gull)
Rissa tridactyla (Black-legged Kittiwake): Rissa tridactyla – 1 (Black-legged Kittiwake)
Larus galucesens x occidentalis  -1 (Olympic Gull)
Order Charadriiformes: terns
Hydroprogne caspia(Caspian Tern): Hydroprogne caspia – 1 (Caspian Tern)
Sterna paradisaea – 1 (Arctic Tern)
Order Gaviformes: Loons
Gavia pacifica (Pacific Loon) Gavia pacifica – 2 (Pacific Loon)
Order Procellariiformes: albatrosses,shearwaters:
Phoebastria mutabilis (Laysan Albatross):
Ardenna tenuirostris (Short-tailed Shearwater) Ardenna tenuirostris – 2 (Short-tailed Shearwater)
Order Suliformes: Phalacrocoracidae cormorants
Phalacrocorax penicilatu (Brandt’s Cormorant): Urile penicillatus – 18 (Brandt’s Cormorant)
Phalacrocorax pelagicus (Pelagic Cormorant): Urile pelagicus – 9 (Pelagic Cormorant)
Phalacrocorax auritas (Double Crested Cormorant): Nannopterum auritum – 5 (Double-crested Cormorant)
Order Pelecaniformes: Pelicans and Herons
Pelecanus occidentalis (Brown pelican): Pelecanus occidentalis – 5 (Brown Pelican)
Ardea herodia (Great Blue Heron): Ardea herodias – 1 (Great Blue Heron)
Order Cathartiformes: Vultures
Cathartes aura (Turkey Vulture):
Order Acciptriformes: hawks and eagles:
Pandion haliaetus (Osprey): Pandion haliaetus – 1 (Osprey)
Haliacetus leucocepfalus (Bald eagle): Haliaeetus leucocephalus – 34 (Bald Eagle)
Buteo jamaicensis (Red-tailed Hawk): Buteo jamaicensis calurus – 1 (Western Red-tailed Hawk)
Order Strigiformes: owls:
Bubo virginianus (Great Horned Owl): Bubo virginianus – 1 (Great Horned Owl)
Bubo scandiacus (Snowy Owl): Bubo scandiacus – 1 (Snowy Owl)
Strix varia (Barred Owl): Strix varia – 1 (Barred Owl)
Aegolius funereus (Boreal Owl): Aegolius funereus – 1 (Boreal Owl)
Order: Coraciiformes 
Megaceryle alcyon  ( Belted Kingfisher):
Order Falconiformes: falcons:
Falco peregrinus (Peregrine falcon):
Order Passeriformes: corvidae
Corvus caurinus (North Western Crow): Corvus brachyrhynchos caurinus – 1 (Northwestern Crow)
Corvus corax (Common Raven): Corvus corax – 1 (Common Raven)
Order Passeriformes: Alaudidae
Eremophila alpestris (Horned lark): Eremophila alpestris – 1 (Horned Lark)
Order Passeriformes: Hirundinidae
Progne subis (Purple martin):
Hirundo rustica (Barn Swallow): Hirundo rustica – 1 (Barn Swallow)
Order Passeriformes: Regulidae
Regulus satrapa (Golden-crowned kinglet): Regulus satrapa – 1 (Golden-crowned Kinglet)
Order Passeriformes: Troglodytidae
Troglodytes pacificus (Pacific wren): Troglodytes pacificus – 2 (Pacific Wren)
Order Passeriformes: Sturnidae
Sturnus vulgaris (European Starling):
Order Passeriformes: Turdidae
Turdus migratorius (American Robin): Turdus migratorius – 1 (American Robin)
Order Passeriformes: Motacilladea
Anthus rubescens (American Pipit): Anthus rubescens – 1 (American Pipit)
Order Passeriformes: Fringillidae
Spinus tritis (American Goldfinch) Spinus tristis – 1 (American Goldfinch)
Order Passeriformes: Calcaridae
Calcarius lapponicus (Lapland Longspur): Calcarius lapponicus – 1 (Lapland Longspur)
Plectrophenax nivalis (Snow Bunting): Plectrophenax nivalis – 1 (Snow Bunting)
Order Passeriformes: Passerellidae sparrows
Junco hyemalis (Oregon Junco): Junco hyemalis – 1 (Dark-eyed Junco)
Passerella iliaca (Fox Sparrow): Passerella iliaca – 1 (Fox Sparrow)
Zonotricha atricapilla (Golden-crowned sparrow): Zonotrichia atricapilla – 1 (Golden-crowned Sparrow)
Passerculus sandwichensis (Savannah sparrow): Passerculus sandwichensis – 1 (Savannah Sparrow)
Passer domesticus (House Sparrow): Passer domesticus – 1 (House Sparrow)
Melospiza melodia (Song Sparrow):
Order Passeriformes: Icteridae
Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus (Yellow-headed blackbird) Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus – 1 (Yellow-headed Blackbird)
Agelaius phoeniceus (Red-winged blackbird) Agelaius phoeniceus – 1 (Red-winged Blackbird)
Molothrus ater (Brown-headed cowbird):
Order Passeriformes: Parulidae
Dendroica coronata (Audubon’s yellow-rumped warbler): Setophaga coronata – 1 (Yellow-rumped Warbler)
Setophaga townsendi (Townsend’s warbler) Setophaga townsendi – 1 (Townsend’s Warbler)
Now if anyone wants to volunteer to do the same with the other Chordates, the  invertebrates, algae and fungi on the Race Rocks Taxonomy , examine  iNaturalist records for other Ecological Reserves, Ernie Chang  has produced this handbook: https://ecoreserves.bc.ca/2024/11/29/using-ecoreserves-of-bc-umbrella-for-birds/

Storm Season

Posted on by

Ecological Notes:

  • 1 expecting female Elephant Seal … coming and going, still only coming as high as the ramp/ boat shed area
  • Very small female Elephant Seal , green tag number L334 visiting occasionally … very skittish and nervous, especially when the sea lions are moved off the ramp
  • In addition to a few Humpback Whales still in viewing distance, one did a rise only 5 meters off the jetty
  • Removal of dead bird carcasses (mostly gulls)

Visitors:

  • 1 supply drop off by the waterfront team
  • High tides, winds, and swells have prevented the work crews from coming out

Facility Work:

  • Fuel transfers, ensuring extra in the generator room as storms are coming again
  • Topped up battery levels
  • Daily fencing repairs. I got some new ribbon joiners that seem to be working well
  • Combination of high tides and swells has kept the jetty pretty much awash most of the daytime hours
  • Took advantage of rainy squalls to clean windows and solar panels

Noted Vessel Traffic:

  • Although they are less frequent, still some Ecotourism vessels in the park daily

Weather Events:

  • Thursday, November 14:
    • Sky: High cloud, with occasional clear periods
    • Wind: WSW 20 – 25 kts
    • Sea: Swells from the west to 1.5 metres
    • Temperature Low 8oC, High 11oC
  • Friday, November 15:
    • Sky: mostly clear, high cloud and light mist in the distance
    • Wind:  Mostly N 5 kts
    • Sea: overall flat with a slight swell…residual wrap around swell in the pier area is very high though, swamping the entire pier on each swell
    • Temperature Low 1oC (during the early morning N winds), High 8oC
  • Saturday, November 16:
    • Sky: High overcast, full visibility at water level. Light rain starting mid afternoon
    • Wind: ENE rising to 20kts in the early morning, veering to N and 10 – 20kts
    • Sea:  morning, calm with low underlying swell
    • Temperature Low 4oC, High 8oC
  • Sunday, November 17:
    • Sky: Overcast, Heavy morning rain squalls
    • Wind: Westerly night winds, peaking at 40kts… dropping to 15 – 20 kts by morning
    • Sea:  morning, calm with low underlying swell
    • Temperature Low 4oC, High 8oC

 

 

** All wildlife photos taken at the furthest distance possible, and may be cropped to improve detail! **

 

Weather – Current:

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

 

Weather – Past:

http://www.victoriaweather.ca/station.php?

Animal Census November 25 2024

Posted on by

 

RR Ecoreserve ANIMAL CENSUS .
recorded by Derek Sterling
2024-11-25 2024-12-18 2024-12-25
Elephant Seal(male)
Elephant seal (female) 1
Steller’s Sea Lion 289
California Sea Lion 263
Harbour Seal 23
Sea Otter
Orca
Humpback 3
Gray Whale
Species 1
Species 2
Species 3
Canada Geese 27
Harlequin Duck 4
Black Oystercatcher 12
Black Turnstone 28
Surfbird
Whimbrel
Killdeer 3
Dunlin
Black-bellied Plover
Ruddy Turnstone
Species 1
Species 2
Species 3
Species 4
Pigeon Guillemot
Common Murre
Rhinoceros Auklet
Species 1
Species 2
Species 3
Species 4
Glaucous Winged Gull
Western Gull
Glaucous X Western Gull Hybrid
Iceland(Thayer’s) Gull
Heerman’s Gull
California Gull
Short-billed Gull
Gull Species unknown 226
Gull Species 2
Gull Species 3
Cormorant total
Brandt’s Cormorant
Double-Crested Cormorant
Cormorant species unknown 283
Pelagic Cormorant
Pelican
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle Juvenile 4
Bald Eagle Adult 6
Peregrine Falcon
Raptor Species 1
Raptor Species 2
Raptor Species 3
Western Crow
Raven
Purple Martin
Barn Swallow
Pacific Wren
Savannah Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Species 1
Species 2
Species 3
Species 4
Other Species 1
Other Species 2
Other Species 3

 in addition to the “Regular” birds i saw large flocks  (up to about 70 birds each) of Black Oyster Catchers and Black turnstones.

  • Animal Tracking and Injuries:          
    • 1 California Sea Lion identified as “Tuck” disentangled last year at Race Rocks…. still has a large open wound on the back of his neck, but it is quite well healed compared to the original injury