Tag Archives: elephant seal

Month End, and Bye for now!

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Thanks for another fun term out here at Race rocks, Will be back in the fall!

Ecological Notes:

  • 2 adult female Elephant Seals
  • The Female that had the pup here this season is particularly vocal and bossy!

(video coming)

  • 2 Elephant Seal pups, 1 might be a small yearling
  • With the warmer weather, all the Elephant Seals enjoy their daily dip in the water.

(video coming)

  • As usual, the Geese are very protective of their nests

  • But the “baby” Elephant seal seems to take great pleasure in harassing the gees at their nests

  • Orca only observed passing the reserve once in the last week (but from other reports, they may have passed by unnoticed or early in the morning)

Visitors:

  • 1 volunteer came out to help Richard with projects

  • 2 sets of students came out for orientation and tasks assignments, they also enjoyed some mini presentations from the Eco-Guardian
  • Richard  came to work on his projects when the students were here

Facility Work:

  • Battery electrolyte levels
  • Fuel Transfers
  • Full general house clean
  • Tidy student house after visitors
  • Ongoing solar panel cleaning, and battery electrolyte top ups

  • Valve replacement and servicing on the salt water pump to fill the cistern
  • Filling the cistern, and then flushing the pump with fresh water
  • Some desalinator runs, successful running on just solar as well 
  • All month end reports and filing

DND events:

  • Some blasts on Friday, no noted disturbance

Noted Vessel Traffic:

  • As most Whale sightings were east of Victoria, only a occasional Eco-Tourism vessel visits
  • Some Private boats

 Noted Infractions:

  • none

Weather Events:

  • Sunday, April 26:
    • Sky: Mostly clear overhead, with a few clouds rolling through in the afternoon …. north and south of the reserve had more clouds, and low lying mist/fog to the west and south
    • Wind: W 5-10kts until noon, then rising to 30kts by midnight
    • Sea: rippled most of the day
    • Temperature Low 8.2oC, High 13.3oC
  • Monday, April 27:
    • 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 12oC, High 20oC
  • Tuesday, April 28:
    • 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 12oC, High 20oC
  • Wednesday, April 29:
    • Sky: Mostly clear overhead, with a few clouds rolling through in the afternoon 
    • Wind: W variable to 8kts, shifting to S mid day, then rising to W 18kts late afternoon
    • Sea: rippled 
    • Temperature Low 8.3oC, High 14.2oC
  • Thursday, April 30:
    • Sky: Mostly clear overhead, with a few clouds rolling through in the afternoon 
    • Wind: Rising through the day to 25kts, variable directions all day
    • Sea: rippled most of the day
    • Temperature Low 8.6oC, High 15.6oC
  • Friday, May 1:
    • Sky: Foggy until late-afternoon, mixed sun and clouds afterwards
    • Wind: W 15-25 kts, rising slightly in the evening
    • Sea:  light chop turning to 2 ft chop and whitecaps late in the day 
    • Temperature Low 8.6oC, High 15.6oC, cool windchill though (while cleaning solar panels on the roof!)

 

 

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

 

Weather – Current:

https://tempestwx.com/station/190757/

 

Weather – Past:

https://tempestwx.com/history/190757

More Elephant Seals!

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Ecological Notes:

  • 2  Adult female Elephant Seals
  • 2 young ones…. 1 is this years pup born here… the other is a bit bigger,  it seems pretty big to be a new pup, but a bit small to be a yearling….. we will see when the moult starts

The 2 newest ones

  • Gulls and Oyster Catchers still paired off, no noted nest building yet
  • Orca and a Humpback passed the reserve, without entering
  • Although most have given up, found a new Canadian Goose nest…. easy to miss them when they use an old site, and cover it well when they’re not there!

Visitors:

  • Greg And Richard for fuel and grocery delivery
  • Guests of Pearson College came to the Rock to stay in the Student Building
  • Greg also brought the future Eco-Guardians for a quick overview of the site.

Facility Work:

  • Richard sealed a crack on the desalinator bunker roof

  • Solar Panel cleaning
  • Fuel transfers

DND events:

  • Several Blasts on Wednesday and Thursday

Noted Vessel Traffic:

  • Starting to see more Eco-Tourism vessel
  • Weekends also included more private vessels coming through to observe the wildlife

  • RCMSAR  vessel did a bit of a tour through the reserve

 

 Noted Infractions:

  • none

Weather Events:

  • Wednesday, April 22:
    • Sky: haze overhead, clouds in all directions on the horizon
    • Wind: WSW 10-22kts, variable throughout the day
    • Sea: rippled to 2′ chop
    • Temperature Low 9.3oC, High 12.4oC
  • Thursday, April 23:
    • Sky: High overcast with haze on all horizons…. giving way to mostly clear late afternoon overhead
    • Wind: W/WSW 16-37 kts
    • Sea:  light chop turning to flat by afternoon
    • Temperature Low 9.0oC, High 11.8oC
  • Friday, April 24:
    • Sky: Sunny and bright, some haze on the horizon lines though
    • Wind: Variable wind, mostly NE to SE, 5-15kts
    • Sea:  light chop turning to high waves by evening
    • Temperature Low 7.6oC, High 15.9oC
  • Saturday, April 25:
    • Sky: Sunny and bright, some haze on the horizon lines 
    • Wind: Variable S SE winds 0-10 kts
    • Sea: very little chop, some slight current lines
    • Temperature Low 7.3oC, High 16.6oC
  • Great Solar generation today so far! (the “from battery” number includes everything drawn during the night too)

 

 

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

 

Weather – Current:

https://tempestwx.com/station/190757/

 

Weather – Past:

https://tempestwx.com/history/190757

Saturday Update & Census

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It’s been a busy couple of days out here!

The humpbacks have been breaching, tail lobbing, lunge feeding, and lounging in and around the reserve. You really can’t look out any window here and NOT see one.

Yesterday we had a diesel drop off, the battery room door is now new and functional, and we have a new YSI that turns on!

An oil change was also done on the generator so we are good to go!

This morning the fence didn’t need any repairs (a true miracle), and thanks to a text from my cousin who happened to be on a nearby ecotourism boat, I saw a fur seal!

A northern fur seal doing what we call “jug handling”

The Pearson students arrived this afternoon and will be staying until tomorrow morning, it’s always nice to have visitors!

Facility Work:
Topped up battery electrolytes
Diesel delivery
Topped up diesel in generator
Oil chance generator

Vessels:
Private: 5
Ecotourism: 16

Census:

Mammals:

  • Steller sea lion: 455
  • California sea lion: 902
  • Harbour seal: 105
  • Elephant seal: 1
  • Northern fur seal: 1
  • Humpbacks: 20+

Sleepy elephant seal

 

Harbour seal defending its rock!

Ouch

Birds:

  • Gulls: 520
  • Cormorants: 832
  • Canadian geese: 10
  • Oyster catcher: 1
  • Sparrows/Swallows: so many but I can’t ID them without a photo and they were flitting around too fast for me to get any!

Home Sweet Home

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I’m back for two weeks and so grateful that its during my favourite month to be at Race Rocks!

The weather today started off a little stormy and then the sun came out and never left. The water was glassy and I lost count of how many humpbacks I saw. They were in and out of the reserve all day long, it was incredible!

Tons of sea lions, and even one lone elephant seal hanging down on the rocks. She is tagged L334 and this is the third time I’ve seen her here which is super fun! It’s like I get to watch them grow up.

Not too many repairs needed on the fence today but did have a few spots were a couple California sea lions managed to sneak through.

I’m keeping a close eye out for the little sea lion we disentangled last October and hoping he shows up again!

No island visitors today but it sounds like the next week or so will be busy and fun!

Vessels:
Ecotourism: 15
Private: 1

Happy Tuesday!

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My time here is flying by (as per usual). 

It’s been a busy few days with great weather, lots of outdoor cleaning and weeding and searching as hard as I can for whales.

I’ve now seen a few humpbacks so they are slowly but surely making their way past. 

Still have the 3 female elephant seals, and the two young ones have finally finished their moult!

Ollie is doing what he does best – relaxing, and the pelicans have multiplied, there are now 4 here. I’ve never had them stick around so long before but I love that they are! 

Vessels:

  • Ecoguardian: 11

Facility Work:

  • Cleaned solar panels 
  • Topped up battery electrolytes
  • Added diesel to generator 

Visitors:

  • Greg for diesel drop off (yesterday)

Tuesday Update

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Nothing too wild to report today! 

4 student groups from Pearson came over today which is always fun, and it was the perfect day for it! Sunny and no wind. 

Everything animal wise is status quo, the elephant seals seem to take turns at the boat launch dipping in the water. There are 2 pelicans that have been here the last few days and I will never not get excited when I see them! 

Sadly (but planned) my dad headed back to the mainland today so its just me and the animals out here now! It was so nice having him out here. 

Today’s facility work:

  • Topped up generator with diesel 
  • Cleaned solar panels 
  • Checked and topped up batteries
  • Weed whacked the pathways 
  • Started gardening between the bricks of the old wheels

Tomorrow is supposed to be windy and rainy so preparing for an inside day. 

Back on the Rock!

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Hello again! 

I arrived back at Race Rocks and couldn’t be happier! I brought my dad again for the first few days and its been lovely so far. 

There are 3 female elephant seals, one of which is tagged L334, I reported her last year and found out she came from California. Last May they told me she was 1 year old so now she is 2! The other female is the same size as her and there is also one adult. 

Ollie the sea otter has been spending his days in the kelp behind the student house, and I’m always happy to see him. 

We’ve also had a brown pelican hanging out near the jetty which is always exciting! Poor guy spent the day being harassed by gulls though. 

 

It’s been pretty windy since we arrived and I’m already looking forward to a break from it on Monday when it slows down. I still got some work done, split wood, topped up the battery electrolytes and got myself situated. 6 ecotourism vessels in the reserve today despite the strong wind. No whales though! 

Quick updates

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Ecological Notes:

  • 2 juvenile female Elephant Seals, hauled out in the main grass area, but visiting the water once or twice a day.
  • Noted a California Sea Lion with damage to one of his pectoral fins …. bone and tendons appear to be ok. Looks like a patch of about 6X12 inches of skin removed.
  • The Northern Fur Seal was reported to me as being on his second favorite rock out here, near the NW end of the reserve
  • Sea Otter (reported as being Ollie) in the kelp to the west
  • Lots of Pigeon Guillemots spreading around the main area, pairing off with courting behaviour

Visitors:

  • 1 – Richard from the shore front team delivered Diesel and groceries

Facility Work:

  • Replace another faulty light switch in the main house
  • Transferred fuel to drums and moved most to the generator building, and added some to the furnace tank in the main house. I find it safer and easier to transfer in drums when by myself.
  • Split and transferred more firewood
  • Oil filter, oil, and fuel filter changed on Generator.
  • Batteries electrolyte levels topped up
  • Noticed drop in daily battery percentage over the last 2 weeks, found specific gravity readings were very low, trying an equalization charge
  • Main house window cleaning
  • Collected up fencing blocks left spread around after the last modifications to the fencing system

DND events:

  • More radio simulations of boater conflict ….. again, no mention before or during, causing some discussion among other boaters

Noted Vessel Traffic:

  • A solo kayaker, travel through and around the reserve on Tuesday.
  • More Eco-Tourism vessels
  • Several people fishing just outside the reserve, pulling lines and visiting the main area without fishing

Weather Events:

Mostly typical spring weather, changing direction, but lots of clear sky days with slight haze. Only a couple days of higher winds

  • Monday, April 21:
    • Sky: Slight haze, but mostly sunny all day
    • Wind:mostly W mixed 5-20kts
    • Sea: rippled to slight chop
    • Temperature Low 8oC, High 12oC
  • Tuesday, April 22:
    • Sky: Very slight haze, but mostly sunny all day
    • Wind:ESE 2-12kts changing to W 15 kts by evening
    • Sea:  flat calm
    • Temperature Low 9oC, High 13oC
  • Wednesday, April 23:
    • Sky: Very slight haze, but mostly sunny all day
    • Wind: low ESE winds, shifting to SE 10kts mid day
    • Sea: calm all day
    • Temperature Low 7oC, High 13oC

 

 

** 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?

Elephant Seals and Northern Fur Seal

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Ecological Notes:

  • 2 Juvenile female Elephant Seals coming and going daily, Haven’t see the full adult female in a few days…… Last couple days she was here, she spent a lot of time bellowing from a high point on the rock, maybe she heard other animals in the distance(?)

  • The Northern Fur Seal was hauled out on the most north west rock in the reserve (reported to me by an Eco-Tourism vessel)… but is now on the rocks next to the crane shed (just east of the jetty)
  • Sunday, the Fur Seal spent most of the afternoon rolling and grooming in the water off the end of the jetty

  • Many of the Sea lions spent the afternoon rafting and thermo-regulating in the water

  • It seems each day I find new blooms

Visitors:

  • 2 technicians from Environment Canada  came twice, to service all relevant equipment and attempt to get the display unit in the Eco-Guardian residence up and running – returned a couple days later to reset the system

Facility Work:

  • reset the wind indicator/ reporting system up in the tower via phone instructions from EC
  • replaced the rest of the fencing on the jetty

  • Moved drums to prepare for diesel delivery
  • Weekly battery maintenance, including electrolyte top ups

DND events:

  • Several radio broadcasts simulating emergency situations….. the first couple were a little concerning, as they didn’t announce the simulations before hand!

Noted Vessel Traffic:

  • Several Eco-tourism  vessels
  • A submarine travelled south of the reserve on the surface, un-escorted though.

  • Kayak group, I monitored while they were in and out of the various currents. The group leaders were very good, and responded well when ever anyone got caught in a bad current.

 Noted Infractions:

  • None. I’ve let vessels know the Sea lions around the jetty area seem to be extra touchy, and vessels all responded appropriately. There are lots of really small ones and females in the groupings.

Weather Events:

  • Wednesday, April 09:
    • Sky: High overcast with sunny periods
    • Wind: Variable calm – 5 kts
    • Sea: rippled to 2′ chop
    • Temperature Low 9oC, High 11oC
  • Thursday, April 10:
    • Sky: Low overcast, shifting to low fog to the south and west mid afternoon, scattered rain showers, followed by sunny breaks
    • Wind:E 5-10kts shifting to W 15-25kts mid day
    • Sea:  morning chop 1ft, flattening as the wind shifted to W, then rising to 3-4 ft swells and chop on top
    • Temperature Low 9oC, High 12oC
  • Friday April 11:
    • Sky: Although cloudy on both shorelines, the area above Race Rocks and the strait was mostly clear and sunny all day
    • Wind: W 20-25 kts
    • Sea:  2-3 ft chop and swell
    • Temperature Low 9oC, High 9.5oC
  • Saturday April 12:
    • Sky: Heavy clouds to the north and south, but mostly clear and sunny overhead
    • Wind: W 20-35kts
    • Sea:  light chop turning to high waves by evening
    • Temperature Low 7.5oC, High 10oC
  • Sunday April 13:
    • Sky: light haze,  but overall sunny
    • Wind: W 5kts shifting to E by mid morning
    • Sea:  flat calm plus current
    • Temperature Low 7oC, High 11oC

 

 

** 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?

Back again!

Posted on by

Happy to be back at my home away from home!

Ecological Notes:

  • 3 female Elephant Seals, 1 Full Adult and 2 juveniles
  • The Gulls are slowly pairing off, no full courtship displays or nest building noted yet

A few squabbles here and there

  • So far, I’ve only found 2 of the 3 previously noted active Canada Goose nests…. I think the one by the composting are has been abandoned

The gulls are quite quick to take advantage of spoiled eggs

  • The harbour seals on the southern rocks seem to be very skittish …… wondering if there have been undocumented orca hunts in the reserve, maybe at night(?)

Visitors:

  • Just the waterfront coordinator during the Eco-Guardian exchange/transfer

Facility Work:

  • fuel transfers
  • Monthly report levels checks
  • general quick facilities check on arrival, moving to scheduled routine checks

DND events:

  • Heavy Blasting one one day

Noted Vessel Traffic:

  • Some eco-tourism vessels, all following good practices and procedures
  • 1 private vessel exploring the reserve

 Noted Infractions:

  • Private vessel approached the haul out area by the crane/jetty area a little close and head on orientation, startling the sea lions, all moving and several entering the water…. I feel the nervousness of the sea lions was increased by the previous days blasting though

Weather Events:

  • Thursday, April 03:
    • Sky: sunny and clear, very occasion cloud patches
    • Wind: Mostly W, 5-10 kts in the morning, dropping to very light in the afternoon, rising to near 20kts over the afternoon/evening
    • Sea: calm seas
    • Temperature Low 8.5oC, High 10oC
  • Friday, April 04:
    • Sky: Mostly clear, with some high overcast at times
    • Wind: NE shifting to E 5-15 kts
    • Sea: calm seas
    • Temperature Low 7oC, High 11oC
  • Saturday, April 05:
    • Sky: Bright, high overcast
    • Wind: W/WSW 16-37 kts
    • Sea:  calm seas
    • Temperature Low 8oC, 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?