Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 8.0 ºC »» Min. 4.9 ºC »» Reset 7.1 ºC
MARINE LIFE: Still large numbers of sea birds but the fish balls are fewer and less frequent. Did see a Harbour seal catch a fairly large salmon along the dock on the west side. The activity attracted a hundred or more gulls,some we lucky and flew off with nice pink chunks of fish. The seal made short work of the salmon then hauled out on one of the flat rocks to rest and digest it’s meal.The number of Sea lions hauled out is down dramatically although the conditions are very good, lots of food and calm weather. The one major problem is the effect of the blasting.These animals were getting used to the boat and people traffic but are now very stressed and spook very easily. So much for referring to this MPA as a wildlife refuge where the animals can expect to hunt, feed, communicate, socialize, rest etc. without disturbanceand interference.
HUMAN INTERACTION: There were 6 Ecotour boats and 4 pleasurecraft. The station boat made a trip to Pedder Bay and back
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:34 PM
Tag Archives: sealion
DND blasting today
-2002-10-24′, ’23:34:55′, ‘MARINE LIFE: -Reported by Garry Fletcher) I had the opportunity to be at Race Rocks twice today. On first arriving at 11:45 AM it was obvious that the DND had been conducting their explosions on Bentick island. We have gotten used to the sealions building up their numbers over the past few weeks. The main island to the East of the House , and the whole northeast front have been covered with animals throughout the daytime. The major concentration however has been on the middle island, which if you have been checking on camera 1 these days has been covered with a mass of bodies. By 11:45 today most of these areas were bare.. only a few brave individuals had crawled back up on the rocks we will see tomorrow how many have returned, but if it follows the patterns of other years, their numbers will start to taper off if the harassment continues. This year the DND has decided to check out our allegations of harassment of these marine mammals. A contract has been let to the consultants of LGL to survey the effect of disturbances, so they have had observers in the tower on the two occasions of blasting this fall. Today the result was obvious. The irony does not escape one that this is an ecological reserve, an MPA and even that does not protect marine mammals in Canada.. For a video of the effect of a blast on the behaviours of the birds and mammals at Race Rocks, go to one I recorded on October 7 – its in the marine mammals archive at: http://www.racerocks.com/racerock/archives/viddndblast.htm‘,
‘Garry’, ’22:45:01 ,
LGL does contract for DND on Blasting
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 7.9 ºC »» Min. 5.0 ºC »» Reset 6.7 ºC »» Rain 0.8 mm
MARINE LIFE: The California Sea Lion with the injured hind flippers is still hauled out on the dock and keeps to it’s self. The poor animal is most likely in pain- looks quite thin, probably not able to manouever too well to catch it’s food.
HUMAN INTERACTION: 6 Ecotour boats, LGL observers boat. The Second Nature made two trips, one about noon With Garry and his class then again with Garry, Scott and Don to work on Camera # 2 system.
MARINE LIFE: (Reported by Garry Fletcher) I had the opportunity to be at Race Rocks twice today. On first arriving at 11:45 AM it was obvious that the DND had been conducting their explosions on Bentick island. We have gotten used to the sealions building up their numbers over the past few weeks. The main island to the East of the House , and the whole northeast front have been covered with animals throughout the daytime. The major concentration however has been on the middle island, which if you have been checking on camera 1 these days has been covered with a mass of bodies. By 11:45 today most of these areas were bare.. only a few brave individuals had crawled back up on the rocks we will see tomorrow how many have returned, but if it follows the patterns of other years, their numbers will start to taper off if the harassment continues. This year the DND has decided to check out our allegations of harassment of these endangered species — yes that is the category the Northern Sea Lions now occupy in Canada. A contract has been let to the consultants of LGL to survey the effect of disturbances, so they have had observers in the tower on the two occasions of blasting this fall. Today the result was obvious. The irony does not escape one that this is an ecological reserve, an MPA and even that does not protect endangered species in Canada.. For a video of the effect of a blast on the behaviours of the birds and mammals at Race Rocks, go to one I recorded on October 7 – its in the marine mammals archive at: http://www.racerocks.com/racerock/archives/viddndblast.htm
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:12 PM
Injured Northern Sealion
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 12.7 ºC »» Min. 7.7 ºC »» Reset 9.9 ºC »» Rain 0.4 mm
MARINE LIFE: There is a Northern Sea Lion on the middle rock with a large raw looking wound on it’s back. Have not seen the goose that appeared to have a damaged wing, must have flown back to the mainland. Only a 3 degree drop in the temperature but the air is damp and feels much more like fall. The Sea lions are very quiet today, not as many birds today either. Did hear at least 2 Black Oyster Catchers vocalizing several times around 2 a.m. last night, I wonder what they are up to in the dark.
HUMAN INTERACTION:There were 8 Ecotour boats and 5 pleasurecraft through today.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:16 PM
Boats and Planes disturb the marine life.
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 15.7 ºC »» Min. 8.8 ºC »» Reset 12.1 ºC
MARINE LIFE: Still quite a few birds in the area feeding, counted over 130 Cormorants, most of them on North Rks. and the rocks to the southeast.The ones on North Rks. were scared several times by boats going by but the sea lions for the most part were undisturbed.One boat that comes into the reserve about once a week, a Lifetimer 14K 38596 did approach too close and 5 or 6 Sea Lions took to the water, many others were alerted and moved towards the water but as the boat moved back they settled back down.At about 11:45 an Ultralight made several passes over Gr. Race at times too low, scaring some sea lions into the water and most of the birds took flight. The aircraft was black with orange and yellow trim-C-1FQC
HUMAN INTERACTION: The observers from LGL spent the day in the tower and departed just after 17:00. There were 11 Ecotour boats, 6 pleasurecraft and the 1 research boat (Lifetimer) in the reserve today. Hyaku (Chris) over from campus to return the station boat-repairs completed.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:14 PM
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
DND Blasting Disturbs Sealions
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 10.7 ºC »» Min. 8.3 ºC »» Reset 9.7 ºC »» Rain 0.6 mm
MARINE LIFE: Another unsettled day for the wildlife with another day of blasts at DND. The fog rolled in very thick last night and until just after noon we were only able to observe the sea lions and Harbour seals along the north shore of Great Race.The first blast at about 10:12 alerted the sea lions, the second blast about 1 minute later sent 35 of the 79 sea lions hauled out prior to the blasting into the water, of the 13 Harbour seals hauled out in the dock area 2 took to the water on the first blast,9 on the 2nd blast, the birds that we could see took flight ‘en masse’ and most settled back down fairly quickly. The second series of 2 blasts was approx 1 hour later and 9 more sea lions went into the water from those hauled out along the north of Gr. Race. The sea lions were unsettled the rest of the afternoon. Most of the Northern S.Lions stayed in the water swiming about in groups of 5 to 12. The ones still hauled stayed close to the water, they were very agitated, there was a lot of noisey head butting.Most days, left undisturbed the sea lions are fairly quiet. Just around 17:00 a small group of Orca appeared along the northeast boundry of the reserve, looked to be T10 and T11 group. There were a lot of seals and sea lions in the water, several groups of Northern S.L very close to the whales but did not see any hunting action. The Orca disappeared as quickly and quietly as they had appeared. There were 9 Ecotour boats and 3 pleasurecraft in the reserve today.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:03 PM
Branded Sealions
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 11.7 ºC »» Min. 8.0 ºC »» Reset 10.3 ºC »» Rain 0.4 mm
MARINE LIFE: California Sea Lion hauled out in group of about 80 ( 11 Northern ) has a brand # 823 and a yellow front flipper tag # 925.The Sea Lions are still being disturbed by boats approaching too close especially along the east tip of North Rocks and along the north shore of Gr. Race. They are very used to us coming and going along the dock, in fact there are 3 that particularly like the last step on the dock as a haul out spot and often stay put as we come alongside in the boat.Unfortuately the mess they leave behind does not always wash away with the high tide! Four Black Oyster Catchers spent several hours along the east ridge but were very quiet and did not see any of them feeding, mostly resting on one foot with bills tucked under their wings.
HUMAN INTERACTION: There were 11 pleasurecraft, 2 dive boats ( 1 charter, 1 milatary dive club ) also the LGL crew via zodiac – preparing for monitoring the DND blasting exercises tomorrow.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:07 PM
TEMPERATURE: Max. 11.7 ºC »» Min. 8.0 ºC »» Reset 10.3 ºC »» Rain 0.4 mm
MARINE LIFE: California Sea Lion hauled out in group of about 80 ( 11 Northern ) has a brand # 823 and a yellow front flipper tag # 925.The Sea Lions are still being disturbed by boats approaching too close especially along the east tip of North Rocks and along the north shore of Gr. Race. They are very used to us coming and going along the dock, in fact there are 3 that particularly like the last step on the dock as a haul out spot and often stay put as we come alongside in the boat.Unfortuately the mess they leave behind does not always wash away with the high tide! Four Black Oyster Catchers spent several hours along the east ridge but were very quiet and did not see any of them feeding, mostly resting on one foot with bills tucked under their wings.
HUMAN INTERACTION: There were 11 pleasurecraft, 2 dive boats ( 1 charter, 1 milatary dive club ) also the LGL crew via zodiac – preparing for monitoring the DND blasting exercises tomorrow.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:07 PM
Good Morning
WEATHER: Sky Overcast »» Vis. 10 Miles »» Wind West 7 Knots »» Sea Rippled
posted by Carol or Mike S at 7:13 AM
WEATHER: Sky Overcast »» Vis. 10 Miles »» Wind West 7 Knots »» Sea Rippled
posted by Carol or Mike S at 7:13 AM
Sealions and salmon
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 12.1 ºC »» Min. 9.9 ºC »» Reset 11.5 º C »» Rain 14.9 mm
MARINE LIFE: There is still good fishing for the birds and sea lions,in the span of about 1 hour saw 8 good sized fish taken by 5 California and 3 Northern Sea lions just off the end of the dock. The Northern Sea lions seem to spend more time in the water, maybe with their greater size they feed more often. The California S.L. sleep a lot during the day but judging by the noise during the night they are quite active coming and going.This afternoon one Blue Heron sat out on the kelp for almost 2 hours then headed back towards Pedder Bay. Nice to get the rain, the birds like it even if the puddles are small.
HUMAN INTERACTION: Second Nature out with some supplies, the station boat to Pedder Bay and back with a short stop at the campus.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:05 PM
Good Morning
WEATHER: Sky Overcast »» Vis. 3/4 Mile Lt. Rain and Fog »» Wind North 10 Knots »» Sea Rippled
posted by Carol or Mike S at 7:01 AM