Clear sky, wind 15 NMPH NE, signs of frost overnight.
This morning the sealion that has been in poor health and isolation during the past weeks was deceased on the rocks in the east bay of the island.
One ecotour vessel was in the reserve today.
-replaced corroded electrical plug on flush pump in diesel building
-cleaned panels
-cut, chopped, wood
-cleared a new storage space in the water tank shed for more fire wood storage
Wind light, overcast.
2 ecotour vessels in the reserve today
There is a sea lion on the East bay of the island that has some kind of neck injury. It is usually higher up in the rocks and isolated from other sea lions. It’s neck is swollen on one side and fur is moist/matted, some blood is visible. It has been there for several days now. Though it does go into the water occasionally it is mainly stationary.
-cleaned solar panels
-replaced burnt out florescent tube lights in boat house, work room, engine room
-measured and photographed fuel lines on generator for replacement
-cut, chopped, stacked fire wood
-sharpened tools
-ran chain saw
ER Warden’s Report by G. Fletcher.
On December 28, 2013 I was out at Race Rocks doing the Christmas Bird Count. While there I made several observations concerning the Northern and California Sea lions. There are only a few California sea lions left after the heavy influx of the fall. The number of Northerns on the South island is still fairly high ( over 100)
On the November 28 log there were still 479 Stellars and 555 Californias. This image taken in the fall, shows how much they came up near the houses where there wasn’t an electric fence to repel them:
The vegetation of the areas on both sides of the island were heavily impacted by the sea lions this fall. In the following images those areas that are now brown are normally green.
North East of Ecoguardian’s residence
South of the Marine Education House
I observed from the tower an unusual behaviour shown in the image below. It is not unusual in that the California Sea Lions are rafting. What is unusual is that Northern sea lions flank them on both sides without having their fins raised out of the water.
Be sure to click for a large image of sea lion rafting
Strong Westerlies. Sideways rain.
2 hours of foghorn this morning around 0400
Woke up to be reminded that it is always a good idea to have everything battened down out here. It was calm went I went to bed and blowing ~40kts when I woke up.
Clear skies. Light wind. Glassy seas. 9’C
DND blast: 1055, 1 medium blast
DFO has decided to extend our contract for the recreation fishing count. It starts again on December 1st, and continues until March.
The Canada Geese returned today, hopefully they don’t stay long, and I would prefer it if they stayed off my paths. I was told that the Sea lions leave this time of year, but there’s no sign of it happening yet, with over 1000 Sea lions still in the reserve. Maybe it’s because we have had such a mild Winter, with very few storms. They are mostly out on the Cobble beach on the South side of Greater Race and South Rocks. There are only a few by the jetty. The male elephant seal is still lounging on Middle Rock in easy view of Camera 5 on the West Bluff.
Animal Census
Stellar Sea lion: 479
California Sea lion: 555
Harbour seal: 47
Elephant seal: 1
Gulls: 159
Cormorants: 99
Oster Catcher: 4
Black Turnstone: 6
Eagle: 1
Raven: 1
-Started ‘Spring cleaning’ Keeper’s house for the shift change
-Prepped Science House for tomorrow’s group of students
Clear sky. Moderate W winds.
1 Tour Boat
Animal Census
153 Gulls
474 Cormorants
27 Canada Geese
2 Cackling Geese
1 White Fronted Goose
4 Turnstones
6 Oyster Catchers
1 Elephant seal
58 Harbour Seals
498 California Sea lions
345 Stellar Sea lions
Branded Stellar #8329
-prepped student house, but group cancelled
-pressure washed walkways
-cleaned and organized Boston Whaler
Strong winds all day, switching between NE and W. Scattered showers.
-prepped student house for visitors
-Erik delivered propane
-made keeper’s house floor plans
Overcast. Calm.
Erik picked up Maciek today.
Sea lions (looking really comfortable) and Cormorants
-Collected recycling and garbage from all the buildings and sent it away with Maciek.
