Tag Archives: elephant seal

Arrived at Race Rocks

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Eco guardian switchover. Thank you Sierra for welcoming me. As the boat pulled away leaving me alone with hundreds of seagulls and their chicks, oyster catchers and pigeon guillemots I was drawn to the other mammals on the island. Hard to be lonely with this guy around! Watching the sunset from the lighthouse I was entertained by the seal pups still trying to nurse from their moms. A river otter ran along the jetty. Tomorrow morning I will check to see if it discovered the Oyster Catcher eggs surrounded by a circle of broken shells. The wind is howling from the west. Huge whitecaps. I was very glad the stairs down from the lighthouse had a railing!

Final Day

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Personal Note:

  • Even though my time here was short and sweet, I will cherish the life long memories created during my time here on the island. I hope to continue my role as eco-guardian here in the future! 

Starry Night at Race.

 

Ecological Notes:

  • 1 female Northern Elephant Seal.
  • 1 male Northern Elephant Seal. 
  • 8 Steller Sea Lions spread out on Middle Rock and South Island.
  • 2 River Otters made their way up towards the house and successfully caught a Gull chick. After making their catch, they quickly ran to hide under a wooden platform.

Facility Work:

  • Cleaned the main house in preparation for the new eco-guardian! 

Noted Vessel Traffic:

  • 7 Ecotourism vessels and 3 pleasure vessels sightseeing in the reserve.

Feature Event: 

  • My partner, Zenon, proposed to me at the top of the lighthouse (I said “yes!”) 

Zenon (left) and Sierra (right) engaged!

** 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:

http://www.victoriaweather.ca/station.php?

Wildlife Observation

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Ecological Notes:

  • 1 female Northern Elephant Seal.
  • 1 male Northern Elephant Seal. 
  • Many Ruddy Turnstones, Black Turnstones, Surfbirds and Western Sand Pipers observed on the east side of the island. 
  • There are many Gull chicks running around the island! The adult Gulls are very protective and will dive down towards me as I walk the path to the main-house. 

Gull Chicks

 

Facility Work:

  • Power washing is satisfying. I finished power washing the south facing side of the student house . 

Noted Vessel Traffic:

  • 4 Ecotourism vessels and 2 pleasure vessels sightseeing in the reserve.

** 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:

http://www.victoriaweather.ca/station.php?

 

Morning Fog

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Ecological Notes:

  • 1 female Northern Elephant Seal.
  • 1 male Northern Elephant Seal. 
  • The female Elephant Seal spent the early morning in the shallows. By late afternoon, she made her way back onto the island.
  • The male Elephant Seal has been spending most of his time nestled against the student house.

Facility Work:

  • Power washing continues. I sprayed down the west side of the main house (as high as I could safely reach).

DND events:

  • none

Noted Vessel Traffic:

  • 5 Ecotourism vessels and 2 pleasure vessels.

Weather Events:

  • Fog in the early morning; cleared by early afternoon. 
  • Westerly wind, averaging 20 knots all 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:

http://www.victoriaweather.ca/station.php?

 

New Eco-guardian

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Ecological Notes:
• 1 female Elephant Seal.
• 1 male Elephant Seal.

Facility Work:
• Power washed stairs of main front house and applied preservative to the wood.
• Cleaned solar panels.

 

Noted Vessel Traffic:
• Several ecotourism vessels and 4 pleasure vessels.

Noted Infractions:
• Two speeding pleasure vessels in the reserve.

Feature Event:
• Bigg’s killer whales entered the reserve yesterday early afternoon and again at sunset!

• Thank you Derek for helping me with the transition as Ecoguardian.

Weather – Current:
http://www.victoriaweather.ca/current.php?id=72

Weather – Past:
http://www.victoriaweather.ca/station.php?

Time for fencing

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Personal Note:

  • On my last day here at the Race Rocks Ecological Reserve, I’m very thankful for the opportunity and experience provided to me. My normal employment calls me back, but I hope to return to continue experiencing the reserve in a different season!

Ecological Notes:

  • 1 Male Elephant Seal and one Female Elephant seal in the grass area up by the power building

    Enjoying the sun

  • Although I’m sure there are more, I caught a quick glimpse of some Pigeon Guillemot chicks as they scurried back into their rock den.

Facility Work:

  • Existing electrical fence routes redone and repaired. The north field had all the fencing replaced, and a couple new gates added. A new section will be added to the south (lighthouse side) when supplies are available. As the sealions start to return, fencing plays an important roll in protecting the plant life, and structures and equipment on the island. There is also a huge safety factor for the Ecoguardians when moving around accomplishing their daily tasks.
  • Although not a pleasant topic, removed 2 old Sealion carcasses  from high above the waterline. The warmer weather really increased the smell, but the wind and heat (and bugs)  really help them to break down to an almost manageable weight for dragging. Respectably returned to the ocean.

DND events:

  • 6 to 10 detonations over Monday and Tuesday, all sealions moved from the middle rocks to the southern rocks.

Noted Vessel Traffic:

  • Several Ecotourism vessels and at least 6 private vessels sightseeing in the reserve.

 Feature Event:

  •  Lots of  cleaning and organizing in preparation for the new Ecoguardian arriving Thursday! A warm welcome to Sierra!

 

** 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:

http://www.victoriaweather.ca/station.php?

Turnstones, Surfbirds, and Pipers

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Ecological Notes:

  • 1 Big Male Elephant Seal up by the student house, juvenile Female Elephant Seal down by the Jetty
  • Seeing more Harbour Seal pups every day.
  • 1 River Otter cruising around the shoreline, most likely looking for gull chicks.
  • 2 groups of migratory birds seen the last couple days, including Ruddy Turnstones, Black Turnstones, Surfbirds and Western Sandpipers.

Facility Work:

  • Working on the next section of electric fence, as the Sealions are slowly starting to show up.

Noted Vessel Traffic:

  • 4 Ecotourism vessels and 6 private vessels sightseeing in the reserve today.

Weather Events:

  • Winds Westerly 20- 25 knots most of the day, rising to 30 knots in the evening. Clear skies with slight haze to the south. Some chop when the wind was against tide.

 

** 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:

http://www.victoriaweather.ca/station.php?

High Winds

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Ecological Notes:

  • 1 Male Elephant Seal, and 1 juvenile Female Elephant seal on land.
  • The male doesn’t take notice of where the Gull nests are (of course), so the gulls really harass him if he’s too close! I couldn’t capture a good picture showing the gulls, but this was his reaction!

“Leave me alone!”

  • Steller and California Sealions on middle rock (until DND blasting).

  • Seeing some small migratory birds now, photos and ID’s tomorrow

Facility Work:

  • Second run and close monitoring of the Desalinator, everything work as expected.

DND events:

  • 6 – 8 heavy blasts today. As noted, The sealions all left middle rock at the time of the blasts. Waiting to see if they settle on the southern rocks.

Noted Vessel Traffic:

  • Several Ecotourism vessels and 3 private vessels noted in the reserve sightseeing. All proper procedures followed.

Weather Events:

  • Westerly winds averaging 30 knots all day, rising to 40+ in the evening. Wind against tide brought 1 meter chop, while wind with tide brought chop on top of 1-2 meter swells at times. Mainly clear skies with slight haze to the west and south.

 

** 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:

http://www.victoriaweather.ca/station.php?

Desalinator and Ramp

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Ecological Notes:

  • 1 Male Elephant seal, and 1 young Female Elephant seal on the island
  • Transient Orca passed the entrance to Pedder Bay and Bentinck Island. 4 or 5 humpbacks seen well south of the reserve as well.
  • The young Steller Sealion, joined 4 Adult Steller Sealions and 1 California Sealion out on Middle Rock today. This could be the start of the early returns to the reserve.

“nah ….. you didn’t need to pump right now!”

Visitors:

  • The Waterfront Coordinator brought 2 contractors out today, 1 for completing the service on the Desalinator, and 1 to do some installs on the jetty.

Facility Work:

  • The Desalinator is up and running! We produced 800L of fresh water today as it was given a long run to test all the connections and fittings.

    Desalinator Concentrate Discharge

  • New ramp and ladder were installed on the jetty.

DND events:

  • 2 blasts early in the morning.

Noted Vessel Traffic:

  • 4 Ecotourism vessels sightseeing.

Other Event:

  • CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier vessel tending the V15 Marker.

Weather Events:

  • Westerly winds, 30-35 knots all day. Choppy seas, .5 to 1 meter height. Clear skies with slight haze forming in the evening.

 

** 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:

http://www.victoriaweather.ca/station.php?

Protective Gulls

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Ecological Notes:

  • 1 Male Elephant seal, and 1 young Female Elephant seal on the island
  • Single young Steller Sealion near the pier.
  • The more the Gull chicks stretch their legs and explore, the more protective the adult gulls get. It’s hard to work outside without a heavy hat to protect from hits, not to mention, easy to wash outerwear!

Facility Work:

  • Applying preservative to wooden stairs at the student house. Tough work with a brush, going to try a small sprayer for the next decks.

***Even though the product is listed as non-toxic, I sat until it soaked in well to prevent birds from landing on it while still wet.

Noted Vessel Traffic:

  • 9 Ecotourism vessels, 3 private vessels in the reserve sightseeing. All correct procedures followed

 Noted Infractions:

  • Only one private vessel fishing just inside the park boundary, moved outside as soon as I radioed them.

Weather Events:

  • Westerly winds all day, dropping from 25 knots to 20 knots gradually. Winds rose to 30 knots in the evening. Fog in the morning, giving way to clear skies in the afternoon. Seas relatively calm during the day, rising to  less than 1 meter chop in the evening.

 

** 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:

http://www.victoriaweather.ca/station.php?