Wind: W 1-26 knots Sea State: calm in morning, rippled in afternoon Visibility: 10-15 NM Sky: clear Temperature: 13-16 °C Atmospheric CO2: 411.60 ppm (recorded by NOAA at Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii)
Many eco tourism boats passed through the ecological reserve, observing the sea lions and harbour seals.
Here are some sights from around the island today:
A young gull carrying a single feather.
A sea kayaker out for a morning paddle from Pedder Bay.
Gull chicks
A california sea lion branded U958 has been seen here previously on April 20, 2017.
The entangled califonia sea lion spotted a couple days ago is still in the ecological reserve. Here, it is seen through the scope, hauled out on the South Islands.
Wind: W at the beginning and end of day, NE mid morning to early afternoon, 4-18 knots Sea State: calm Visibility: 0-10 NM Sky: fog in morning, clear in the middle of the day, overcast in afternoon, rain in evening Temperature: 12-17 °C Atmospheric CO2: 412.15 ppm (recorded by NOAA at Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii)
There was a lot marine mammal activity today. At 11:00, two pods of Bigg’s transient killer whales were in the ecological reserve. One pod appeared to have about six whales. The other pod appeared to have three. Both pods spent a lot of time around the South Islands. A nearby whale watching boat captain mentioned on the VHF radio that the orcas were two families most likely having some social time. They were probably having a good meal too. I didn’t see any hunting happening on the surface. Transients eat marine mammals like seals. I did see a lot of harbour seals not taking any chances, huddled together on nearby rocks and around the east bay beach, looking towards the areas where the orcas were swimming. The transients stayed around until at least 3:30.
See the photos below for views of the orcas and other sights from today:
Three transients in the south channel with many harbour seals on the rocks, probably trying not to become the next meal for the orcas. The large dorsal fin has a distinctive notch on the back side, which could help identify it. DFO has a 127 page document photos identification for the Bigg’s (Transient) Killer Whales from BC, Northern Washington and Southeastern Alaska. I flipped through the photos, but could definitively identify the orca.
Four transients
A family of four transient orcas surface south of the South Rocks.
A large harbour seal looks on to the action in Middle Channel.
Orca
Orca
Orca
Two orcas surface in near the bull kelp
A brave or foolish male steller sea lion swims toward an orcas.
The fluke of an orca
An orca takes a breath beside South Rock close to gulls, an oystercatcher and harbour seals.
An orca surfaces near some scared looking harbour seals on the South Rocks.
View from the jetty of sea lions on the rocks and an orca behind them.
A california sea lion on the boat ramp that appears to have glaucoma in its left eye.
Three different species hauled out together on the south side of the island: steller sea lions, california sea lions and harbour seals.
An overlooked gull snack that was left on the path. It appears to be a juvenile herring.
While I was eating lunch in the house, I saw a different kind of marine mammals, a group of seven sea kayakers approaching from the west. The kayakers paddled around the ecological reserve and headed north.
Oystercatchers making noise
The steller sea lion with the flasher is still hauled out on Middle Rock with the flasher attached. Behind is another steller, who was spotted recently with a suspected shark bite on its side.
The steller with a suspected shark bite wound made a brief appearance on the jetty this afternoon.
Two gull chicks look on as I stack winter firewood under the back porch.
Wind: yesterday 5-15 knots from N to NE, today 6-36 knots from E to W
Sea State: yesterday rippled, today rippled in the morning and up to 1 m chop beginning late morning
Visibility: yesterday and today between 5-15 NM
Sky: yesterday overcast, today rain in morning and sunny in afternoon
Temperature: yesterday 7-9 °C, today 8-12 °C
Atmospheric CO2: 414.67 ppm (recorded by NOAA at Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii)
The blasting at nearby Bentinck Island wrapped up this morning, after three days and about 25 blasts. The sea lions left the jetty completely this morning after a few loud blasts. It sounded louder this morning because the northerly wind, coming from the direction of Bentinck Island.
Since the power issues began last week, the Environment Canada weather station at the top of the tower has not been reporting the hourly weather conditions for Race Rocks Lightstation. Replacement communication equipment is being sent out, so hopefully the weather will be recorded again within the next few days.
Two eco tour boats were in the reserve over the past two days. The only visitors to the island were Greg and Alex, a Year 39 Pearson student, who came by yesterday to drop off jerry cans of gas for the back up generator. Alex was reminiscing about visiting Race Rocks and SCUBA diving as a student.
See the photos below for sights from the past two days:
A juvenile bald eagle perches on the vent of the old diesel tank.
A male elephant seal naps on the boat ramp after returning from a swim.
Surfbirds and black turnstones hang out on the beach near the northeast side of the island.
Harlequin ducks swimming along the shore
California sea lions sleeping in the afternoon sun
Wind: yesterday 0-15 knots from E to S, today 0-10 knots from E to N
Sea State: yesterday and today rippled
Visibility: yesterday and today between 10-15 NM
Sky: yesterday cloudy with periods of rain and sun, clear overnight, today cloudy with periods of sun
Temperature: both days 7-10 °C
Atmospheric CO2: 414.08 ppm (recorded by NOAA at Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii)
The five day old elephant seal pup died overnight. It was in rough shape yesterday, possibly from attacks by other elephant seals. In the morning yesterday, it had fresh blood on its face and the alpha male was lying on the pup. Ravens and black turnstones have been pecking at the seals face occasionally for the past day.
The first elephant seal pup, which is fending for itself now as a weaner, was lying on its back today and I could tell it was a male. See the photo below. I am not sure the sex of the other pups, as I haven’t had a good look at their abdomens.
There were four visitors to the island yesterday. Jeff brought out Greg, Alex and Ric to work on the power issues. They hooked up a backup generator to help power the island and top up the batteries. In the afternoon, Greg brought a diesel delivery. Now, the island has a full supply of fuel for when the main generator gets fixed within the next few days. In the past few days, there has a been some power generated by solar energy, which has helped keep the batteries charged. Thanks to some IT help from Dan at the college, now there is internet for the weather systems and monitoring the power.
Four eco tour boats were in the reserve over the past two days.
Results of weekly megafauna and bird census done on Saturday afternoon:
10 elephant seals (3 pups, 3 adult females, 4 adult males)
355 california sea lions
111 steller sea lions
6 harbour seals
36 bald eagles (29 adults, 7 juvenile)
2 ravens
312 pelagic cormorants
62 double-crested cormorants
51 brandt’s cormorants
972 gulls (the majority are thayer’s gulls)
2 canada geese
61 black oystercatchers
1 whimbrel
7 harlequin ducks
41 surfbirds
47 black turnstones
1 snow bunting
1 fox sparrow
One of the adult male elephant seals has been resting here near the high rock point of the island for the past several days.
The alpha male elephant seal is lying on the fourth pup.
The body of the fourth elephant seal pup being pecked at by a raven, as seen through the spotting scope from the top of the tower.
A small gourd is the most unusual thing that has washed ashore recently.
The first born pup is a male. It was lying on its back, which gave me a chance to look at its abdomen. About two-thirds the way from its head to its tail flippers it has four features that form a diamond shape: a navel indentation, two nipples and a penile opening.
The ship Sun Rise was seen heading west, a few kilometres south of Race Rocks. Last Saturday, it delivered the two newest hybrid electric BC Ferries to Victoria.
Wind: yesterday 5-33 knots SE to N, today 8-20 knots NNE
Sea State: yesterday up to 2 m swell, today rippled
Visibility: 10-15 NM
Sky: both days mixture of sun and clouds
Temperature: yesterday 5 to 8 °C, today 7 to 8 °C
Atmospheric CO2: 413.39 ppm (recorded by NOAA at Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii)
For the past two mornings, there were many bald eagles in the ecological reserve. Today, 34 were seen perched on the West Rocks. Many more were catching fish and perched around the other islands. There appeared to be a lot of fish in the water, based on the swarms of gulls, cormorants and the feasting bald eagles.
This afternoon, two whale watching boats toured around the islands after watching the orcas in J pod, which were a few kilometres to the east and south of Race Rocks. Two other eco tour boats were seen in the ecological reserve over the past two days.
See the photos below for some sights from the past two days:
34 bald eagles gather on West Rock
A song sparrow perches on the bushes in the centre of the island.
Black oystercatchers take flight
A bald eagle looks out by camera 5 on the high point of land
Sea lions rafting off the south end of the island
The pregnant elephant seal with the most recent mother and pup
Wind: Yesterday 5-10 knots W; Today 5-20 knots NE Sea State: up to 1 m chop Visibility: 10 NM Sky: overcast with rain this afternoon Temperature: 7 C Atmospheric CO2: 412.60 ppm (recorded by NOAA at Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii)
December 28 is the annual Christmas Bird Count, which happens in thousands of locations across North America. It has been happening for twenty-two years at Race Rocks. This morning with the northeast wind and dropping pressure, the planned visit by the local bird enthusiasts was called off. But fear not, citizen science provailed. For an hour and half this morning, I searched for birds of all feathers as I walked around the island and looked out from the top of the lighthouse. I used binoculars, a spotting scope and the zoom lens on the camera to check out the shoreline, water and the rocky islets of the ecological reserve. I was able to spot 12 species of birds, some of which were not present when I did the weekly census two days ago. Here are the results and photos of the bird count:
25 bald eagles (5 juvenile, 20 adults)
1 fox sparrow
4 canada geese
2 ravens
6 harlequin ducks
208 double-crested cormorants
59 pelagic cormorants
281 thayer’s gulls (on the rocks and in the water)
48 mew gulls (near Turbine Rock and North Rocks)
18 surfbirds
42 black turnstones
4 black oystercatchers
Photos of some of the birds seen today:
Six of the 25 eagles seen in the reserve this morning
Bald eagle on the high point of the island near camera 5
Six harlequin ducks near the southwest corner of the island
Fox sparrow in the middle of the island
Double-crested and pelagic cormorants
Three black oystercatchers on the south side of the island, near the energy building
A colony of Thayer’s gulls on southeast side of the island
Thayer’s gulls on the southwest corner of the island
18 surfbirds near the surge channel just west of the energy building
In the past two days, I have seen two entangled sea lions. Yesterday morning, I noticed a large steller sea lion with a small rope around its neck. The rope appeared to be cutting into the underside of the animal’s neck. A short while later, I noticed a california sea lion with a cut on its neck from what appears to be a plastic strap wrapped around it. The Marine Mammal Rescue Centre and Department of Fisheries and Oceans have been notified. If the sea lions remain at Race Rocks, it might be possible for a rescue to occur. Both animals were seen again today. See the entangled sea lion and marine mammal rescue tags for past occurrences that were written about in the Log. Two other california sea lions were seen that appear to have healing wounds from something that was previously wrapped around their necks. The animals don’t appear to have tags on their flippers to signify they have been rescued.
The Canadian flag was looking a bit tattered, so I replaced it today.
Just before sunset today, there were four eco tour boats in the reserve. The boats were all close to each other, which usually means something interesting is nearby. Sure enough, a pod of five or six orcas were passing westward. They travelled along the north side of the ecological reserve, just south of Bentinck Island and the Department of National Defence base.
Here are some photos from the past two days:
An entangled steller sea lion with a small rope or plastic strap around its neck. It has been on the island for at least the past two days.
The california sea lion in the middle of the photo has a plastic strap around its neck. It has been on the island for at least the past two days.
A young steller sea lion nursing
Newly raised Canadian flag
The dorsal fins of three orca seen passing through the north side of the ecological reserve. Four eco tour boats were nearby.
This afternoon we observed a vessel enter the reserve while a humpback whale was present. The whales typically maintain position in the strong currents for upwards of 30 minutes, appearing to be feeding on plankton as it’s pushed towards them.
Today a humpback whale entered the reserve to hover in the current. Within 2 minutes an eco-tourism vessel came speeding towards it from the Victoria direction. The boat entered the reserve behind the whale, and the whale turned back the way it had come to move away from it and avoid becoming trapped. The whale was deterred from remaining in the reserve as they normally would do and made swiftly towards Victoria as the boat followed it closely away from Race Rocks.
We have observed vessels conducting themselves in this way on many other occasions, but often they leave the reserve quickly when we make ourselves visible.
Whale just to the left of our jetty in the middle of race passage. They prefer this spot to hover in the strongest current.
Eco-tourism boat speeding towards it.
The dark area (whale) in the right of this photo shows the whale’s proximity to the vessel as they entered the reserve.
Over the past few days we have been keeping an eye on eco-tourism vessels, and have been documenting their presence and their proximity to wildlife. The somewhat isolated nature of Race Rocks, minimal to no presence of regulating authority, and many other factors lead to a high risk of animals and the delicate marine environment being disturbed and potentially exploited.
While the distance of a vessel from wildlife is important, another considerable disturbance may be vibration and noise. Eco-tourism vessels fighting against the current to get the best viewing angle of resting animals easily vibrates a glass of water in our concrete foundation dwelling, over 100m from the waters edge. Another factor to consider is the volume of traffic. Items shaking in our home is normal, and we often hear boats coming before we see them. Perhaps a handful of boats conducting themselves responsibly would not be a problem, but on some days we see approximately 35+ eco-tourism boats alone. This does not include private vessels.
The below video is from July 31st, 2019 at 1413hr. It shows two zodiacs coming close to a pod of orcas within the reserve. The orcas were visible for over 15 minutes before this video was taken, and conversation on VHF channel 68 and 79 indicated that all boats in the area knew of their presence. Based on what we observed, it seemed as though the boats did not accidentally drift into place. Visible in the background is North Rock, video taken from the jetty.
We were unable to previously post it due to its size, but discovered uploading to YouTube and embedding to be a great solution.
As mentioned in the last blog post, the hauled out sea lions continue to provide an opportunity to observe how closely boats approach the wildlife. Here are three more videos of boats approaching the resting sea lions, all filmed within the last few days:
Additionally, here are some photos of miscellaneous vessels taken within the last 5 days or so:
This boat is interesting, it comes through often (see matching hull numbers) with different passengers but the same operator.
Another interesting boat coming in close for a look:
Weather:
Sky clear
Visibility 15+ miles
Wind 10 knots W
Water flat to rippled
Boats/Visitors:
No visitors over the last few days.
Ecological:
On the day the roofers were here a pod of orcas came through the reserve and I misplaced this photo, here it is now.
Census as follows:
250 sea lions
200-300 seagulls
6 Canadian geese
Ruddy Turnstones and migrating birds come and go frequently
Many whale watching vessels today. With the increasing number of sea lions hauling out on great race rock, these eco tourism boats contrast sharply (in relatively close quarters) against the wildlife looking to rest on the rocks.
The high traffic in conjunction with the sea lions provides a great opportunity to display the proximity of these vessels from the wildlife. See the videos and photos below:
Ecological:
An increasing number of sea lions hauling out on all rocks.
Young seagulls can be seen strengthening their wings, flapping and hopping 3 feet in the air. They play games with sticks and other debris, aggressively keeping the objects from their siblings looks to be practice for protecting precious food in the future.
Mentioned in a previous post, I was able to get a picture of the sea lion with the identifying gash in its side.
Sea lion with a cut (centre of photo)
Census:
350 – 400 seagulls
24 harbour seals
68 sea lions
A handful of oystercatchers and cormorants (roughly 5-10 of each)
Today we saw a group of orcas (4-6) within the ecological reserve, and noted that there was a horde of whale watching/ecotourism boats that followed. Shortly after the pod entered the reserve, we observed 12-15 boats convening in the area, forming a wall of motorized vessels on the border of the reserve. A diving boat was also present in the reserve, and had approximately 5 divers in the water at the same time.
While the ecotourism boats may have maintained an “appropriate” distance, it was undeniable that their approach from one direction as a large group negatively affected the wildlife. The diving boat had divers in the water, which inevitably means it is difficult to move away.
After only a few minutes of the boats approaching the orcas departed, heading away from the approaching boats, which gave chase.
Some of the orcas visible just off of great race rock.
Some of the whale watching boats stationed at the edge of the reserve.
They maintain “appropriate” distance by keeping just outside of the reserve.
The dive boat in the reserve, with activity in the background.
Boats in pursuit of the departing orcas.
A large vessel following the action.
Weather:
Wind: 10-15kn
Sky: Partially overcast
Visibility: 10mi
Water: Small waves not in excess of 0.5m
Boats/Visitors:
We have had no visitors over the last while, short of Greg delivering water yesterday.
