For the past few weeks a former biology student whom I taught at Pearson College, Jerremy Prassl has been serving as the Ecoguardian at Race Rocks. He would be leaving on April 5 and returning to Britain where he is a professor at Oxford.

I got a ride out on Second Nature with Greg and we also took out two bird observers from the Rocky Point Bird Observatory ( RPBO) / BC Nature Gull survey, Andrew Jacobs and James Kennerley. The detailed observations and a link to the identification of the interspecific gull hybrids eBird Canada Checklist – 3 Apr 2024 – Race Rocks – 16 species (+2 other taxa) was a valuable addition to research in the Ecological Reserve. Below is a sample from Andrew’s photos on eBird of their identification of the different gulls:

 

One project that needs to be done is a more permanent placement of stakes to hold the electric fencing which keeps the sea lions from damaging the vegetation and infrastructure on the island.

In my walk around the island I noted several areas that need attention, BC parks indicated several years ago that they would be out to remove several piles of construction waste. I think this has gone on too long and these piles are very unsightly and an intrusion into the ecosystem. Perhaps a reminder will elicit some action.