Kayakers approach so quietly they can startle the wildlife-

Thursday, July 18, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 16.1 C  10.7 C  Reset 14.3 C
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:15 PM
Good Morning
WEATHER: Sky Overcast  Vis. 15 Miles Wind South West 10 Knots  Sea Rippled
posted by Carol or Mike S at 5:03 AM
Wednesday, July 17, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 16.0 C  Min. 11.0 C Reset 12.1 C  Rain tr
MARINE LIFE: Was nice for a change not to have the wind today,don’t mind the clouds, certainly good weather for the chicks- not too hot.The food supply seems to be holding out see lots of nice fresh fish being brought back by the gulls and everywhere you look Pigeon Guillemots returning with blennies. Some of the gulls are going quite a distance at times judging by the clam shells rolling off the roof ! They drop the clams onto roof and the sidewalks to break them open,quite noisey and very messy.
HUMAN INTERACTION: The Hyaku was in this morning,Ryan brought some mail and supplies from the college Ryan brought a group through the reserve in 2nd Nature in the afternoon but did not come ashore. This morning there were a couple of kayakers through and unfortunately they ignored the guidelines with respect to staying the proper distance from shore. This time of the year it is particularly important to follow the guidelines so as not to interfere with feeding birds and harbour seals with pups and those about to give birth.The noise from power boats at least give fair warning but kayakers approach so quietly they can startle the wildlife-please remember maintain at least 100 metres from any marine animal or bird and back off at the first sign of disturbance or agitation.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:35 PM
Good Mornng
WEATHER: Sky Cloudy  Vis 15 Miles  Wind West South West 15 Knots Sea 1 Foot Chop
posted by Carol or Mike S at 5:01 AM

A pod of 6 to 8 Orcas moved towards Victoria

Sunday, June 09, 2002 Good Evening

TEMPERATURE: A beautiful day, Max. 14.2C  Min. 9C  11.5C
MARINE LIFE: Today’s animal pace was quite busy. Some of the Gulls are still collecting for their nests, while others are already incubating 2 or 3 eggs. The goslings are becoming very independent, frequenting the waters with their parents and exploring the little mysteries of Race Rocks. Some fly-overs by the resident Bald Eagle this morning, however it didn’t stay very long. A pod of 6 to 8 Orcas moved towards Victoria late this afternoon, one pair had a calf with them. The Sea Lion that has frequented the docks for the last couple of days did not return today, perhaps a sign of improving health.
HUMAN IMPACT: A total of 12 ecotourism vessels in and around the reserve today. Three fishing vessels on the reserves boarder for several hours. A group of canoes and kayaks paddled around the island today, unfortunately disregarding the 100m restrictions about approaching the seals. The group’s close proximity scared the seals into the water. We often have problems with kayakers. They think they are being so environmentally responsible but in this reserve they scare more marine mammals into the water than many other user groups. At approximately 10am a Victoria Coast Guard Auxillary boat, ( rigid hull inflatable, similar to the whale watchers vessels, sped straight through the reserve at excessive speed. They came within 20m. of the divers off the docks, the two groups of divers complaining of wake, despite a dive flag being in place and the no wake policy within the MPA.
posted by at 8:52 PM
Good Morning:
WEATHER: Sky Clear  Vis. 8 miles Wind 8 Knots from West Sea 1 Foot Chop
posted by at 5:43 AM

Managed to plant green onions and carrots

Sunday, May 19, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 12.2 C  Min. 7.0 C Reset 11.0 C  Rain 0.2 mm
MARINE LIFE: 2 mature Bald Eagles today.The Eagles did not make many attempts to come over Gr. Race today until early evening, could be because we were outside most of the time working in the garden.Managed to plant green onions and carrots with a little help from a budding 3 yr.olds green thumb! The showers are helpful but could do without the incessant wind! Enjoyed watching 3 crows trying to take a bath in a puddle no bigger than a tea cup,for some reason they don’t visit the pond as do the gulls,sparrows,geese and starlings.
HUMAN INTERACTION: There were 8 pleasure craft and 5 ecotour boats and 2 kayakers through the reserve today.Station boat to Pedder Bay.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 7:58 PM
Good Morning
WEATHER: Sky Part Cloudy  Vis 15 Miles  Wind Calm  Sea Rippled
posted by Carol or Mike S at 5:33 AM