Happy to be returning to the Eco-Guardian position, after a summer on and off the ocean (and my motorcycles!)
Ecological Notes:
- 3 Elephant Seals, one tagged
- Large daily fluctuation of sea lions…… lots of forage fish in the area, and I believe some are moving further into the Salish Sea, as other regular haunts were low on sea lions last week
- Did see “Ollie” the sea otter near one of the north west rocks
- Deceased Sea Lion removed from boat ramp area ….. (untrained)observation looked like an older animal, in normal shape, with no visual injuries
- Many Brandt’s Cormorants in the reserve
- 3 Humpback whales in the pass between Race Rocks and Pedder bay, several more south of race, viewable by eye and binoculars
Visitors:
- Contractors working on main house window replacement
Facility Work:
- Contractors replacing windows
- Perimeter fence maintenance
- Moving maximum fuel to generator room, keeping it up to ensure easy access during the upcoming storm season
- Opportunistically remove dead Gull carcasses from the island while performing other tasks
- Solar working well, and batteries retaining levels well overnight
DND events:
- none during this time period, but they were working there earlier in the week, and could account for lower sea lion levels mid week
Noted Vessel Traffic:
- 2 or 3 Ecotourism vessels
- 1 Ecotourism vessel with multiple visits while implementing their education program
- 2 Kayakers out and about in the reserve
Weather Events:
- Friday, November 03:
- Sky: Clear in the morning, then filling in with high overcast and some clouds, light haze on the water by mid-day
- Wind: Dropping during the night , to 5-10 kts mid morning, northerly, building to 20-25 kts mid afternoon/evening
- Sea: rippled to 2′ chop
- Temperature Low 10oC, High 13oC
- Sky: Clear in the morning, then filling in with high overcast and some clouds, light haze on the water by mid-day
** 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: