Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 13.7 ºC »» Min. 8.9 ºC »» Reset 10.2 ºC »» Rain 0.4 mm
MARINE LIFE: Today there are hundreds of gulls on Gr. Race and hundreds more on all the other rocks and perched on the kelp. Did see a few fish balls but mostly the gulls are just sitting on shore. The majority are juveniles. The 6 geese are here again -think they must have spent the night.
HUMAN INTERACTION: Garry was over this morning in Hyaku to work on the computer for camera #2 which has been ‘acting up’ the last few days. There were 5 Ecotour boats and 3 pleasurecraft in the reserve today.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:01 PM
Tag Archives: gulls
Orca sighted
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 14.1 ºC »» Min. 8.5 ºC »» Reset 11.8 ºC
MARINE LIFE: There are thousands of sea birds busy feeding in the many fish balls, a few inside the MPA but most of the action in about 1/2 to 1 mile past the boundaries. Many of the birds come into the reserve to rest ashore and in the kelp so there is a constant flow of birds back and forth. A small group of Orca were sighted southeast of Gr. Race travelling westsouthwest.1 Canada goose came ashore up over the rocks by the winch house causing a stampeed of sea lions. The gulls and other birds move among the sea lions all the time but for some reason, the goose rising up out of the water waving it’s neck and moving towards them was somewhat of a threat.The goose seems to have an injured left wing and moved into a protected area among some large boulders and except to pop it’s heard up every once in a while for a look around has stayed put all day. Cannot get close to the goose to assess it’s condition as any movement would disturb the 60 or so sea lions hauled out all along the shore.
HUMAN INTERACTION: There were 11 Eco tour boats and 7 pleasure craft through the reserve today.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:25 PM
TEMPERATURE: Max. 14.1 ºC »» Min. 8.5 ºC »» Reset 11.8 ºC
MARINE LIFE: There are thousands of sea birds busy feeding in the many fish balls, a few inside the MPA but most of the action in about 1/2 to 1 mile past the boundaries. Many of the birds come into the reserve to rest ashore and in the kelp so there is a constant flow of birds back and forth. A small group of Orca were sighted southeast of Gr. Race travelling westsouthwest.1 Canada goose came ashore up over the rocks by the winch house causing a stampeed of sea lions. The gulls and other birds move among the sea lions all the time but for some reason, the goose rising up out of the water waving it’s neck and moving towards them was somewhat of a threat.The goose seems to have an injured left wing and moved into a protected area among some large boulders and except to pop it’s heard up every once in a while for a look around has stayed put all day. Cannot get close to the goose to assess it’s condition as any movement would disturb the 60 or so sea lions hauled out all along the shore.
HUMAN INTERACTION: There were 11 Eco tour boats and 7 pleasure craft through the reserve today.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:25 PM
Good Morning
WEATHER: Sky Clear »» Vis. 15 Miles »» Wind East 11 Knots »» Sea Rippled
posted by Carol or Mike S at 7:07 AM
WEATHER: Sky Clear »» Vis. 15 Miles »» Wind East 11 Knots »» Sea Rippled
posted by Carol or Mike S at 7:07 AM
Rosedale Light misplaced!
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 13.7 ºC »» Min. 7.1 ºC »» Reset 10.3 ºC
MARINE LIFE: A perfect day for the thousands of sea birds feeding in the many fish balls, most of the action was some distance outside the reserve but many of the cormorants and gulls landed to rest in the kelp and along the shore. Birds coming and going all day, the fishing seemed good for the sea lions as well, saw several 8-10 lb salmon caught just off the end of the dock.
HUMAN INTERACTION: There were 22 Ecotour boats and 7 pleasurecraft in the reserve today. One pleasure craft – open aluminum Girgor, approx. 4metres long 14K 33165 4 persons onboard were fishing in the reserve between Gr. Race and North Rocks.Reported this infraction to Fisheries. Near noon noticed a tug towing a log barge very close to the Rosedale light buoy, shortly after could not see the buoy and recieved several calls on the marine radio from sports fishers that they also noticed the buoy missing. Sometime later ‘found’ the buoy about 1 mile southwest of it’s designated position. Called Coast Guard and hopefully they will soon reposition the buoy.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:37 PM
TEMPERATURE: Max. 13.7 ºC »» Min. 7.1 ºC »» Reset 10.3 ºC
MARINE LIFE: A perfect day for the thousands of sea birds feeding in the many fish balls, most of the action was some distance outside the reserve but many of the cormorants and gulls landed to rest in the kelp and along the shore. Birds coming and going all day, the fishing seemed good for the sea lions as well, saw several 8-10 lb salmon caught just off the end of the dock.
HUMAN INTERACTION: There were 22 Ecotour boats and 7 pleasurecraft in the reserve today. One pleasure craft – open aluminum Girgor, approx. 4metres long 14K 33165 4 persons onboard were fishing in the reserve between Gr. Race and North Rocks.Reported this infraction to Fisheries. Near noon noticed a tug towing a log barge very close to the Rosedale light buoy, shortly after could not see the buoy and recieved several calls on the marine radio from sports fishers that they also noticed the buoy missing. Sometime later ‘found’ the buoy about 1 mile southwest of it’s designated position. Called Coast Guard and hopefully they will soon reposition the buoy.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:37 PM
Good Morning
WEATHER: Sky Clear »» Vis. 15 Miles »» Wind East 7 Knots »» Sea Rippled
posted by Carol or Mike S at 7:22 AM
WEATHER: Sky Clear »» Vis. 15 Miles »» Wind East 7 Knots »» Sea Rippled
posted by Carol or Mike S at 7:22 AM
Black Oystercatchers hatch
Friday, May 24, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 13.9 C Min. 7.0 C Reset 11.0 C
MARINE LIFE: 1 mature Bald Eagle today which spent most of the time on North Rocks but did manage to circle over-head just before dark,the gulls and oyster catchers took flight as usual and drove the big bird out to sea. The eagle continued towards Bentinck island the ‘triumphant’ gulls returned to the usual noisy reception of the other birds.I can’t say things really quieted down as like the past few nights the birds are quite active. At times it sounds like we have neighbours living in the attic,noisy neighbours with heavy boots! Such small birds but they can make quite a racket especially when a bunch of them land at one time when all else is quiet! We have Oyster Catcher chicks! I saw one but know there are others. As I walked around to check out the nests the adult birds went into a frenzy of warning ‘chirps’ so I knew it wasn’t just eggs they were protecting. Did a boat tour this afternoon,counted 14 California Sealions, 6 Northern Sealions and 5 Elephant Seals hauled out on Middle Rock, also 5 California Sealions hauled out on the south slope of the SE rocks. A couple of Elephant seals are off the north shore of Gr. Race tonight, can hear them snorting so must be just off the dock.
HUMAN INTERACTION: 5 Ecotour boats, 2 pleasure craft. Station boat to Pedder Bay and back-had to get the flat tire on the truck repaired-was a great day to be on the water. Hope the wind picks up a little for the Swiftsure tomorrow -can’t believe I said that after all the complaining I’ve done over the last while about the wind! But really what is a sailing race without wind!
posted by Carol or Mike S at 7:19 PM
TEMPERATURE: Max. 13.9 C Min. 7.0 C Reset 11.0 C
MARINE LIFE: 1 mature Bald Eagle today which spent most of the time on North Rocks but did manage to circle over-head just before dark,the gulls and oyster catchers took flight as usual and drove the big bird out to sea. The eagle continued towards Bentinck island the ‘triumphant’ gulls returned to the usual noisy reception of the other birds.I can’t say things really quieted down as like the past few nights the birds are quite active. At times it sounds like we have neighbours living in the attic,noisy neighbours with heavy boots! Such small birds but they can make quite a racket especially when a bunch of them land at one time when all else is quiet! We have Oyster Catcher chicks! I saw one but know there are others. As I walked around to check out the nests the adult birds went into a frenzy of warning ‘chirps’ so I knew it wasn’t just eggs they were protecting. Did a boat tour this afternoon,counted 14 California Sealions, 6 Northern Sealions and 5 Elephant Seals hauled out on Middle Rock, also 5 California Sealions hauled out on the south slope of the SE rocks. A couple of Elephant seals are off the north shore of Gr. Race tonight, can hear them snorting so must be just off the dock.
HUMAN INTERACTION: 5 Ecotour boats, 2 pleasure craft. Station boat to Pedder Bay and back-had to get the flat tire on the truck repaired-was a great day to be on the water. Hope the wind picks up a little for the Swiftsure tomorrow -can’t believe I said that after all the complaining I’ve done over the last while about the wind! But really what is a sailing race without wind!
posted by Carol or Mike S at 7:19 PM
–with the tail of the fish in it’s talons and the fish head bouncing off the water surface
Tuesday, April 30, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 16.5 ºC »» Min. 5.7 ºC »» Reset 10.3 ºC »» Hi – Low and Totals For April »» Hi 16.5 ºC day 30 »» Low 3.1 ºC day 08 »» Total Rain 61.7 mm »» No snow
MARINE LIFE: 3 bald eagles( 1 juvenile ) With the very low tide this morning it was a seafood buffet for the birds and otters.Watched two determined gulls try to drag a large fish carcass that looked like a ling cod, out of water on to the rocks.They worked at this for over 20 minutes to no avail. Suddenly out of the fog the young eagle landed 2-3 metres away from the gulls which moved out of the way. The big bird had little trouble getting the fish carcass up on the rocks where it had a better hold then spent about 15 minutes feeding, all the while the gulls were getting more brazen, moving closer to maybe take back the fish.Not about to share, the eagle took off towards the southeast rocks with the tail of the fish in it’s talons and the fish head bouncing off the water surface several times before it was completely airborne. When the eagle had it’s fill the gulls and crows moved in to scrounge what they could.
HUMAN INTERACTION: 2 Ecotour boats and 3 Pleasure craft through the reserve today.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:18 PM
TEMPERATURE: Max. 16.5 ºC »» Min. 5.7 ºC »» Reset 10.3 ºC »» Hi – Low and Totals For April »» Hi 16.5 ºC day 30 »» Low 3.1 ºC day 08 »» Total Rain 61.7 mm »» No snow
MARINE LIFE: 3 bald eagles( 1 juvenile ) With the very low tide this morning it was a seafood buffet for the birds and otters.Watched two determined gulls try to drag a large fish carcass that looked like a ling cod, out of water on to the rocks.They worked at this for over 20 minutes to no avail. Suddenly out of the fog the young eagle landed 2-3 metres away from the gulls which moved out of the way. The big bird had little trouble getting the fish carcass up on the rocks where it had a better hold then spent about 15 minutes feeding, all the while the gulls were getting more brazen, moving closer to maybe take back the fish.Not about to share, the eagle took off towards the southeast rocks with the tail of the fish in it’s talons and the fish head bouncing off the water surface several times before it was completely airborne. When the eagle had it’s fill the gulls and crows moved in to scrounge what they could.
HUMAN INTERACTION: 2 Ecotour boats and 3 Pleasure craft through the reserve today.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:18 PM
Feeding at Sea
Wednesday, January 09, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 9.1C Min 6.2C Reset 7.1C Rain 0.6 mm
MARINE LIFE: Another day with thousands of birds feeding mostly in the tide line south and east of Gr. Race. In the late afternoon there were smaller areas of feeding at the western tip of North rocks and the south side of the Southeast Rks. There were 17 Bald Eagles( 5 mature ) today and saw them fly by many times with fish about 20cms. long. There were many skirmishes between gulls trying to take fish from each other.The most amazing ‘fish grabs’ were 2 incidents were gulls actually flew up behind an eagle and snatched a fish right out of it’s talons.The gulls are really quite aggressive birds, they are always trying to drive away the eagles by diving at them as they sit on the rocks or just fly by the area.
HUMAN INTERACTION:1 Pleasure craft through the M.P.A.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:22 PM
TEMPERATURE: Max. 9.1C Min 6.2C Reset 7.1C Rain 0.6 mm
MARINE LIFE: Another day with thousands of birds feeding mostly in the tide line south and east of Gr. Race. In the late afternoon there were smaller areas of feeding at the western tip of North rocks and the south side of the Southeast Rks. There were 17 Bald Eagles( 5 mature ) today and saw them fly by many times with fish about 20cms. long. There were many skirmishes between gulls trying to take fish from each other.The most amazing ‘fish grabs’ were 2 incidents were gulls actually flew up behind an eagle and snatched a fish right out of it’s talons.The gulls are really quite aggressive birds, they are always trying to drive away the eagles by diving at them as they sit on the rocks or just fly by the area.
HUMAN INTERACTION:1 Pleasure craft through the M.P.A.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:22 PM
23 Bald Eagles
Sunday, January 06, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 9.9C Min. 7.9C Reset 9.7C Rain 10.2 mm
MARINE LIFE: Another good day for watching eagles, 23 altogether ( 5 mature ). They were spread out along the ridges of West Race, North Rocks. and The Southeast Rocks. At 9:15 one mature eagle caught a juvenile gull just over the northwest ridge above the boat house,unfortunately the gull which seemed lifeless dropped and landed in a pile of drift wood washing against the shore on the west side of the boat dock. A group of gulls hurried to the area but with the breaking waves and some fair sized logs crashing about, the gulls were unable to get at the dead bird.The weather started to worsen with winds picking up to 22-27knts. from the northeast, and by 12:50 in moderate rain showers all but 2 eagles left the area.The 2 remaining (immatures) left just before 13:30
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:10 PM
TEMPERATURE: Max. 9.9C Min. 7.9C Reset 9.7C Rain 10.2 mm
MARINE LIFE: Another good day for watching eagles, 23 altogether ( 5 mature ). They were spread out along the ridges of West Race, North Rocks. and The Southeast Rocks. At 9:15 one mature eagle caught a juvenile gull just over the northwest ridge above the boat house,unfortunately the gull which seemed lifeless dropped and landed in a pile of drift wood washing against the shore on the west side of the boat dock. A group of gulls hurried to the area but with the breaking waves and some fair sized logs crashing about, the gulls were unable to get at the dead bird.The weather started to worsen with winds picking up to 22-27knts. from the northeast, and by 12:50 in moderate rain showers all but 2 eagles left the area.The 2 remaining (immatures) left just before 13:30
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:10 PM
Feeding Frenzy at sea
Friday, January 04, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 8.5C — Min. 5.7C — Reset 7.9C — Rain 0.4mm
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:05 PM
TEMPERATURE: Max. 8.5C — Min. 5.7C — Reset 7.9C — Rain 0.4mm
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:05 PM
MARINE LIFE: From about 9:45 this morning until just after 2 pm there were thousands of sea birds feeding,a few small groups just inside the reserve around North Rocks,but mostly south and east of Gr. Race and Rosedale buoy. Guessing, but there must have been 4500-5000 Birds. Gulls,Cormorants,Common Murres and Bald Eagles were the obvious ones,unfortunately even with the telescope could not identify many other small dark plumaged birds.Once the feeding frenzy was over 6 of the 9 Bald Eagles left the area, 2 flew over to North Rocks and the 1 mature Eagle to visit today settled on the high point on the Southeast Rocks where he has stayed except for a couple of circles over several small groups of gulls. As it starts to get dark there are approx. 230 gulls,beaks into the 16 knt.North wind, along the North East ridge on Gr. Race -another 200 gulls along the Southwest shore.The Harbour seals have hauled out for the night on the ebbing tide,some singly but mostly in groups of 10-20.The Bald Eagle is still on the South East ridge.
HUMAN INTERACTION: 1 Charter Boat ( Discovery Launch )
posted by Carol or Mike S at 4:46 PM
HUMAN INTERACTION: 1 Charter Boat ( Discovery Launch )
posted by Carol or Mike S at 4:46 PM
tide line feeding
Chris out with Second Nature and seven divers. Students tested second nature emergency motor. Approximately 2500 gulls and cormorants were feeding in the tide lines. 21bald eagles including nine immature, in reserve. The bald eagles were also feeding in tide lines. One elephant seal was hauled out on the South side of great race. Approximately 250 goals are wintering on the East Ridge. These birds stay very close together and are very quiet.