Tag Archives: Steller Sea lion

A Whale of a Day

Posted on by

The sunsets here at Race Rocks are amazing, but the sunrises are pretty spectacular as well. This morning the roving mass of California Gulls were hanging out among the kelp on the southeast side of the island. Hundreds of gulls all looking for breakfast!  The krill is still around, at least early in the day, but you can tell that it’s moving around because the flock of birds will be here one minute and gone the next.

Sunrise at Race Rocks with Mt Baker in the background

While I’m not seeing a lot of bird diversity during my stay here, I have been given the chance to study the behaviours of the gulls. With all the krill in the area, there is no shortage of food, and the young Glaucous-winged Gulls know that.  Depending on their age and whether or not there are siblings, the adults may regurgitate directly into the chick’s mouth, or onto the ground so the young can fight over it.

Single chick gets special delivery of food

Triplets fighting for the goodies the adult brought from the sea.

One of the most interesting behaviours I’ve seen has been that of a young gull that has figured out that even though it can’t fly, it can swim!  For three days now, I’ve seen this single chick in the channel to the east of the island. I suspect that it accidentally ended up in the water one day and survived to tell the tale. It certainly is more mobile than the other youngsters on the island.

Meandering along like this is normal

Completely able to come ashore when it wants to

And speaking of flying, it’s incredibly amusing to watch the antics of the youngsters trying to make their wings work.

Today I saw the first Orcas of my visit here. The marine radio is a constant companion, and while most of the chatter is about where the best fishing is, tonight a call came in about Orcas just off Bentinck Island. A pod of 5 put on an incredible show for the whale-watching boats and private vessels.  They moved from Bentinck to the mouth of Pedder Bay and continued the action for more than half an hour.

Surprise! The pod surrounded this small boat.

Earlier in the day, Daniel Donnecke was at Rocky Point and spotted Humpback Whales to the east of Race Rocks. I managed to get on them thanks to his sighting. Two whale species day!

Ecological Notes:

Mammals

2 Humpback Whale

5 Orca

2 Harbour Porpoise

1 male Elephant Seal (went to the water early today–around 10 am–and spent the whole day there. Still on the ramp at dark)

California Sea Lion

Steller’s Sea Lion

Good contrast between male Steller’s in the rear and male California in front of him

Harbour Seal

Mom and nursing pup

Birds

5 Canada Geese

1 Killdeer

8 Black Oystercatcher

14 Black Turnstone

This Black Turnstone hasn’t yet moulted all of its breeding plumage. Note the white speckles on the chest and pale eyebrow.

This one is a little closer to the birds we typically see here in the winter.

3 Surfbird

6 Common Murre

60 Pigeon Guillemot

3 Heermann’s Gull

700 California Gull

Little white specks of a massive flock of (mostly) California Gulls

600 Glaucous-winged Gull

3 Pelagic Cormorant

5 Double-crested Cormorant

Double-crested Cormorants with Pelagic Cormorant and Pigeon Guillemots

1 Brown-headed Cowbird

Facility Work: Cleaned solar panels and continued fly-busting in the houses

Vessel Traffic: Late start for the eco-tourism vessels. Saw very few before 11, then they were steady the rest of the day until dusk. Very large container vessel heading west.

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

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

First Fog and Census

Posted on by

Fog rolled in on Monday night, activating the signal from the beacon. It’s a piercing set of three tones every minute, and a sound that I am very familiar with from hearing it often while at Rocky Point. I had been warned to bring earplugs, which I did, but I didn’t need them.

Fog roll

I was actually welcoming the fog for several reasons. Recent Eco-guardian Joan Rosenberg shared a tip about cleaning the solar panels when they were still wet with fog. Great idea! That made things go much quicker. There were also some things I really needed to get to on the computer, but when the weather is good, I want to be out looking around. The panels got cleaned, but the fog cleared fairly early, so things that should be done are still waiting.

The fog clearing definitely made my planned census today possible. Here is my report:

Census

Mammals

Humpback Whale: 1

Elephant Seal: 1 male

Returning from his daily swim.

Harbour Seal: 191 including several pups

Steller’s Sea Lion: 27

Steller’s and California Sea Lions

California Sea Lion 23

California Sea Lions

Birds

Black Oystercatcher: 8

Killdeer: 2

Black Turnstone: 21

Surfbird: 1

Rhinoceros Auklet: 5

Common Murre: 1

Heermann’s Gull: 1

California Gull: 700 (mostly early morning, although some lingered through the day)

Glaucous winged Gull: 655 (by clicker–highest count for me so far)

Pelagic Cormorant: 5

Double-crested Cormorant: 4

Bald Eagle: 1

Song Sparrow: 1

Brown-headed Cowbird: 1

Unidentified passerine: 1 (right as the sun set, the bird flew in east of the lighthouse, but I couldn’t relocate it. I’ll be checking the area in the morning!

Facility Work: Solar panels and windows cleaned. Greg came by with a load of diesel. Arriving California Sea Lions prompted check and minor fixes to the fencing.  We also topped up all of the batteries with distilled water.

Battery bank. 24 needing juice!

Vessel Traffic: Ecotourism was big today with as many as five vessels in the reserve at once. Estimate more than 20 came through today. No private vessels noted.

Another beautiful sunset!

Sunset

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

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

Elephant Seal Bubbles

Posted on by

This was my first full day at Race Rocks and it started with a fog check at 5 am. One of the volunteers from nearby Rocky Point Bird Observatory was interested in doing a simultaneous comparative seawatch from Beechey Head and Race Rocks to determine if the birds leaving Beechey also passed Race, and if so, how long it took.  The weather was clear, and the challenge was on!  But there was a glitch.  Nothing was passing Race Rocks, as there was a sea full of krill and to the west. I climbed the tower to do my watch, and found about 600 California Gulls already in the reserve picking at the krill near the water’s surface. The few alcids that made it here during the one hour watch (from 6:30-7:30) quickly set down rather than flying through. Most (if not all) of the birds Daniel counted at Beechey Head were not counted here.  We’ll try again.

Regurgitated krill

On a more entertaining note, the Elephant Seal went for a stroll today, all the way to the dock. I looked out the window at about 12:30, and there he wasn’t.  I ran out to see if he was really gone. Whew! Not yet!

He was working his way to the dock.

And eventually got to the water’s edge where he proceeded to stick his face in the water and blow bubbles. How exciting!! If you’d like to see some videos of this event, click here. (By the way, I am using a 600mm lens and keeping my distance!)

I was thrilled!  I thought it meant that he was on his way and could start eating again. Several wildlife watching vessels came by and were delighted to see him.  But apparently, this is a daily sojourn for him. Sure enough, as Greg Dickinson predicted, he returned to his resting spot after his trip to the beach!  Looks like he’s not done yet.

Ecological Notes:

1 Humpback Whale

Distant Humpback

1 Elephant Seal

6+ California Sea Lion

15+ Steller Sea Lion

80+ Harbour Seal

1 Feral Pigeon (Rock Pigeon) flew over while I was washing windows

1 Anna’s Hummingbird

2 Killdeer

6 Black Oystercatcher

It’s difficult to hide with a bright orange bill.

25 Black Turnstone

5 Least Sandpiper

18 Common Murre

80 Pigeon Guillemot

4 Rhinoceros Auklet

600 California Gull (feeding on krill at first light)

200 Glaucous-winged Gull

1 Heermann’s Gull

3 Pelagic Cormorant

4 Double-crested Cormorant

Facility Work: Washed all the windows and solar panels

Vessel Traffic: Eco-tourism boats all day, sometimes as many as 3 in the reserve at once. Estimate about 20 vessels. Only saw one private fishing boat in the reserve.

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

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

Final Day

Posted on by

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?

Desalinator and Ramp

Posted on by

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?

Beautiful Gull Eyes

Posted on by

Ecological Notes:

  • 1 Male Elephant Seal, and 1 young Female elephant Seal on the island.
  • A very young Male Steller Sealion has been making a regular stop to haul out to the area next to the pier. Although it has no distinguishing marks, I think this is the small one that was here earlier in the spring with the rest of the males. Sometimes, the younger (and oldest) ones are the last to leave and the first to return, suggesting they might not actually do the full migration to the breeding areas.
  • When I took this photograph (long lens and then a tight crop), I wasn’t sure if this bird was ok. A little online research showed me this is how they look when the molt around the eyes. A close examination shows some of the bumps are showing the emergence of pin feathers. Many Gulls molt around the time of nesting, most likely as this is a good food abundance time for them.

    The “eyes” have it……

Facility Work:

  • Although Solar panels are cleaned on a regular basis, these lower ones get particularly dirty! The rocks just off from these is a major roosting area for gulls not on nests. Every time an eagle flies by, they get all flustered, and “dump” on takeoff …. just upwind of the panels.
  • Prepping the first set of stairs for preservative treatment. Cleaner, brush scrub, and then pressure wash

Noted Vessel Traffic:

  • A few Ecotour vessels, and a couple private vessels checking out the reserve today. Good behavior all round!

Weather Events:

  • Westerly winds, 15 – 20 knots all day, raising in the early evening to 30 knots. mostly calm seas, until the wind rose and brought with it 1 meter chop. On and off fog in the morning, gave way to mostly clear skies, with only a slight haze in the distance.

 

** 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?

Elephant Seal “Pup”

Posted on by

Ecological Notes:

  • 6 Elephant Seals in the main grass area and at the boat ramp
  • The female “pup” was found in the bay at the east side of the island. This was where the last departing female spent a few days before departing the area. There’s a deep area there with less current, and probably a good place to feed up before departing. She did have a few scrapes and cuts that I could see, but I didn’t want to get too close and inspect any further, as it is a rock area and a lot of work if I disturbed her and she decided to move.
  • One very large Steller Sea Lion on the rock by the pier, really showing his size and dominance!

Steller Sea Lions can be 2 to 3 times the weight of California Sea Lions! (up to just over 1000 kilos or 2400 lbs.)

Being an “Eared” Seal, he can use his rotatable rear hips, to scratch the aforementioned external ear.

 

Noted Vessel Traffic:

  • 2 Ecotourism boats and 2 private boats, all with good behavior and departures.

Weather Events:

  • 15 – 20 knot westerly winds all day, increasing to 30 – 35 knots in the evening. Some haze with sunny skies. Slight swell and chop, again, increasing in the evening.

 

** All 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?

Census and Orcas.

Posted on by

Animal Census: Feb 17 2021
Gulls 68
Cormorants 738
Pigeon Guillemots 54
Eagles 12
Black Turnstones 28
Harlequin ducks 7
Steller sea lions 77
California sea lions 39
Pacific Harbour seal 62
elephant seal male 2
elephant seal female 2 pups
orca 4
Biggs orcas 7 East bound Southern Resident Lpod J, k pod west bound.

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

wind west 20 knots sky over cast and rain visibility 10 nm sea state 3 foot chop. 

February 7th census

Posted on by

Laura Verhegge celebrating her 50th birthday at Race Rocks, sharing her love of nature with students near and far.

Weather: Stormy weekend! Steady 30knots with bursts of 50knots.

Visitors/Traffic: We were visited by the Marine Biology class and Biodiversity classes last week, so cool!

Courtney Edwards regailing the Marine Biology students with tales of Lighthouse keepers past.

Ecological Notes:

Sebastion hasn’t moved since his mom left, his little flippers can’t reach the ground with that big fat belly.

We had another mom wean her pup and leave Race Rocks on February 4th 2021 (Rhi-Rhi). We’ve been hoping for the 3 pups to ‘pod-up’ but no luck yet, the newest weaned pup is still too fat to move. The students have been studying the Steller Sea Lion carcass on the NE side of Race Rocks, with 25-30 eagles feeding on the carcass early in the mornings. Some of the students spotted a new dead California Sea Lion just S of the Lighthouse, it’s a branded seal with a tag on it, no obvious sign of death.

After Jafar’s last beating he’s been giving the Beachmaster a wide berth, but still relying on the boat ramp sneaker move.

Eagles feasting on the Steller carcass.

Jafar got his nose shredded fighting the Beachmaster, but it hasn’t scared him off the island.

Census:

Gulls: 79

Cormorants: 300

Eagles: 4

California Sea Lions: 149

Steller Sea Lions: 89

Elephant Seals: 9

Harbour Seals: 6

Turnstones: 0

Killdeer: 18

 

The dead California Sea Lion.

Tag matches the brand on this dead California Sea Lion.

   

February 1st Census

Posted on by

Looking South to the Elwa as the sun sets.

Weather: Storms brought in a ton of wood over the last few days to the jetty, but thankfully the Elephant Seals have been clearing it out.

Visitors/Traffic: A few whale watching boats on weekends. We started getting students coming out January 29th, and it’s been really great to see what they are interested in and what kind of questions they have about Race Rocks!

Ecological Notes:

We just had the 5th pup born on January 28th. We were wondering if it would survive, but seems to be healthy and growing. Our second female weaned her pup (Jellybean) and after mating with the Beachmaster tried to get back in the ocean. Unfortunately for her there was another new male hanging out on the boat ramp waiting for his opportunity to mate. What unfolded was a Machiavellian game of blubbery chess, video below.

We now have 2 weaned pups cruising around Race Rocks, with the next pup looking like he’s only a few days away from being weaned as well.

The Steller rock at the South end of Race Rocks.

Census:

Gulls: 156

Cormorants: 533

Eagles: 6

California Sea Lions: 85

Steller Sea Lions: 177

Elephant Seals: 10

Harbour Seals: 22

Turnstones: 22

Oystercatchers: 13

A Bald Eagle decided he wanted a fresh meal and nailed this gull right out of the air. Turns out there isn’t much meat on those gulls.

Cheermeister starting to moult.

Elephant Seal poop.

Lighthouse views of the Elephant Seals.