Birds
Mammals
Birds
Birds
Ecological Notes : After much effort to detour the Canada geese from nesting, I came home today to this Easter gift on my door step!
I have been Goosed!
Birds
Mammals
Vessel traffic: Tug in tow East bound Race pass.
Weather Events: Wind went from 5 knots west to 40 knots in 20 minutes.
Weather– Current: http://www.victoriaweather.ca/current.php?id=72
Weather–Past: http://www.victoriaweather.ca/station.php?id=72
Ecological Notes: More Gulls less Cormorants this count.
Birds
Mammals
Vessel traffic: 2 SAR vessels
Weather Events: SE to West winds 20-30 knots lots of squalls .
Weather– Current: http://www.victoriaweather.ca/current.php?id=72
Weather–Past: http://www.victoriaweather.ca/station.php?id=72
Ecological Notes:
Mammals
Vessel traffic: 1 Eco tour boat
Weather Events: Wind went from 5 knots west to 40 knots in 1 hour.
Weather– Current: http://www.victoriaweather.ca/current.php?id=72
Weather–Past: http://www.victoriaweather.ca/station.php?id=72
Census March 7 2021
Stelller Sea lion 22
Harbour seals 40
California sea lion 22
Elephant seal adult male 1
Elephant seal female 1
Elephant seal pup 4
Eagles 8
black turnstones 8
Killdeer 0
Gulls 44
Cormorants 138
Pigeon guillemot 18
Black oystercatchers 6
Canada geese 6
Sea otter 1
Orca 2
The island is busy with activity. Spring is seeing a rise in the bird population. California sea lions are back after the snow has melted. Here is the census:
Mammals
Birds
Weather: Lighter winds with some sun. 50knots winds on January 26th. Frosty mornings on the 22-26th.
Visitors/Traffic: Some tanker traffic and 2 whale watching boats.
Ecological Notes:
Bernard drumming to defend his harem. The newest male is on the right trying to sneak around the Race Rocks Crossroads unsuccessfully.
Baby Elephant Seals get fat. REEEEEAL fat. So fat that they can’t really navigate some obstacles. https://youtu.be/tm0SC5lDBQw
We had a new female Elephant Seal show up on January 21st, bringing our total moms to 5 for 2021. We have four pups with only one weaned so far, but the other two fattest pups are expected to be weaned next week. The new female looks pregnant and is exhibiting the same behavior the other moms did before giving birth: lots of ‘chirping’ and wandering around trying out all the comfy spots. The new female also shuffled the other mothers: before the two oldest mothers would aggregate and keep the third mother away. Now the newest female has assumed the ‘shunned’ position while the three mothers are aggregating with their pups and little conflict.
We finally clued in that there have been 3 males hanging out around the island: the dominant male (Bernard), a male who became submissive after battle, and a third male who’s quite a bit smaller and clearly submissive. This third male has a bit of damage around his left eye, kinda like a classic Disney villian with a scar on it’s eye. He’s been coming up the ramp trying to sneak around Bernard, but would retreat after an impressive bout of drumming.
Our newest male (Jafar) trying to find a place to hide on the Island without the Beachmaster noticing.
Bernard not having any of these males advances on his harem. He really has a second level he can take his drumming to show his dominance. If you heard his super low drumming, better skedaddle, as he’s had enough of you.
Census:
Gulls: 118
Cormorants: 281
Eagles: 9
California Sea Lions: 160
Steller Sea Lions: 119
Elephant Seals: 9
Harbour Seals: 14
Turnstones: 7
The newest pup: Snuggles. Born January 16th 2021.
The whole gang hanging out together in the front yard.
Our newest arrival: Joelene! She’s quickly assimiliated into the Race Rocks pod. She arrived on January 21st, so we would expect her pup sometime around the 28th.
That amazing phase where the pups start to rival their mothers bulk. 14 days in and looking healthy little guy!