Species and Number
Tag Archives: surfbird
Animal Census Apr 18, 2012
Stellar Sea Lion – 20
Elephant Seal – 12
Harbour Seal – 200
Glaucous-winged Gull – 200
Brandt’s Cormorant – 250
Pelagic Cormorant – 10
Black Turnstones – 30 w/ 2 juveniles
Surfbirds – 10
Raven – 4
Crow – 1
Dunlin – 2
Sparrows – 6
Pigeon Guillemots – 150
Harlequin Ducks – 100
Canada Goose – 20
Bald Eagle (adult) – 4 (juvenile) 8
Black Oyster-catcher – 40
34 people have visited in the least 2 weeks
Bird and Mammal Count
At least 8 orcas passed by Race Rocks Sunday morning
For Sunday March 25:
Black Oyster Catcher (Haematopus bachmani): 7 pairs
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis): 3
Surfbirds (Aphriza virgata): 100+
Cormorants (Phalacrocorax penicilatu, P. pelagicus, and/or P.auritas): 200+
Gulls (mostly Larus glaucescens): 230+
Pigeon Guillemots (Cepphus columba): 30+
Harlequin Ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus): 5
Harbour Seals (Phoca vitulina) : 30+ S islands
Northern Sea Lions (Eumetopisa jubatus): 14 S islands, 1 Middle Rocks
Elephant Seals (Mirounga angustirostris): 3 Middle Rocks, 1 Great Race
Orcas (Orcinus orca): 8 in the morning going E between S Islands and Rosedale Reef Buoy
Stormy, Misery gone, Surfbirds
Early Monday morning there were strong winds SE and again this morning, over 40 knots. Yesterday there was periods of snowfall blowing in from the West. Pressure falling, more wind expected tonight.
Misery left the main island on Friday evening, I have not seen or heard any sign of him since. I suspect he might be gone for the season.
Surfbirds
Since the stormy weather Monday I have not seen either of the moulting female elephant seals. Since Misery left Squall has been more active. She has been moving around the island more and doing tail biting exercises. She is attracted to puddles and has gone down to the crane deck a few times and seems curious about the ocean. I have still not seen her approach the water though.
On Sunday there was a large flock (+150) of Surfbirds (Aphriza virgata) and maybe a few Black Turnstones (Arenaria melanocephala) in the East bay.
On Tuesday one eco tour vessel entered the reserve.
Have been working on a new compost containing system lately, have poured 6 concrete footings/anchors over the past few days. On Monday did maintenance on the fire pump.
Aphriza virgata: Surfbird–The Race Rocks Taxonomy
Inset of the photo below showing the surfbirds as winter visitors in January, 2009.
 The surfbirds above seen in January 2009 on Race Rocks, are the larger of the two species shown here. The smaller birds are Rock Sandpipers. Photo by Barry Herring |
 Surbirds in flight. Photo by Ryan Murphy |
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- Surfbird in breeding plumage Photo by Mike Robinson, April 2013
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- Surfbird eating sea lettuce Photo by Mike Robinson, April 2013
Below, in this photo by Barry Herring we can contrast the back coloration in flight of the Surfbird. on the left and the Black Turnstone on the right.
Return to the Race Rocks taxonomy Index
| This file is provided as part of a collaborative effort by the students, faculty, s staff and volunteers of Lester B. Pearson College | Dec. 2002 | Claude Bajada (PC Yr 29) Malta |
Students end project week
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 9.1 ºC »» Min. 7.3 ºC »» Reset 8.5 ºC »» Rain 1.9 mm
MARINE LIFE:Still seeing fish balls but they are small and not as frequent as in the past weeks. Daily visitors are the usual gulls, Starlings,Crows,Black Turnstones, Surf Birds, Cormorants,Sparrows, Harlequin Ducks,a group of about 30 Black Oyster Catchers and the geese-usually 6 but every couple of days the 7th joins the group for at least part of the day. The Sealion population is still fairly low for this time of year as many of them have left the area since the last series of blasting on Bentinck Island.
HUMAN INTERACTION: Chris in with 2nd Nature to return Rosie, Ahmad and Jeremias to Campus. Garry out in 2nd Nature with guests also 4 Ecotour boats and 2 pleasurecraft through today.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:19 PM
TEMPERATURE: Max. 9.1 ºC »» Min. 7.3 ºC »» Reset 8.5 ºC »» Rain 1.9 mm
MARINE LIFE:Still seeing fish balls but they are small and not as frequent as in the past weeks. Daily visitors are the usual gulls, Starlings,Crows,Black Turnstones, Surf Birds, Cormorants,Sparrows, Harlequin Ducks,a group of about 30 Black Oyster Catchers and the geese-usually 6 but every couple of days the 7th joins the group for at least part of the day. The Sealion population is still fairly low for this time of year as many of them have left the area since the last series of blasting on Bentinck Island.
HUMAN INTERACTION: Chris in with 2nd Nature to return Rosie, Ahmad and Jeremias to Campus. Garry out in 2nd Nature with guests also 4 Ecotour boats and 2 pleasurecraft through today.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:19 PM
Good morning
WEATHER: Sky Overcast »» Vis. 10 Miles »» Wind North 11 Knots »» Sea Choppy
Goodbye RR, thanks for our marvellous project week.posted by Race Rocks Relief at 7:48 AM
Good Evening
Temperature: Max. 9.1 ºC »» Min. 7.1 ºC »» Reset 8.0 ºC
Rainfall: 9.0mm
WEATHER: Sky Overcast »» Vis. 10 Miles »» Wind North 11 Knots »» Sea Choppy
Goodbye RR, thanks for our marvellous project week.posted by Race Rocks Relief at 7:48 AM
Good Evening
Temperature: Max. 9.1 ºC »» Min. 7.1 ºC »» Reset 8.0 ºC
Rainfall: 9.0mm
Our last evening on the island has arrived, we’ll spend it editing
the rest of our projects.
posted by Race Rocks Relief at 7:47 AM
Moon jellyfish
Good Morning
WEATHER: Sky Overcast Vis. 15 Miles Light Rain Wind West 7 Knots Sea Rippled
MARINE LIFE: The Eagles arrived early a.m. as usual 14 mature and 5 immature but as the weather deteriorated about 11:30 with the front moving in from the west with 30+ knt winds, all but 3 matures left the area. A small group of surfbirds spent most of the afternoon along the shore by the boat dock somewhat protected from the wind. The 3 Canada Geese spent another day grazing in the grass in the northeast quadrant of Gr. Race then as the winds increased tucked in behind the rocks in the east bay area. We counted 7 Moon Jellyfish( Aurelia aurita) floating amid the logs and debris in the tide wash east side of the boat dock.Most of them were 15-16 cm wide. In the sea they looked bluish -white and translucent.Unfortunately they were somewhat battered as they washed towards shore and Garry said that they were on their last legs so to speak.
WEATHER: Sky Overcast Vis. 15 Miles Light Rain Wind West 7 Knots Sea Rippled
MARINE LIFE: The Eagles arrived early a.m. as usual 14 mature and 5 immature but as the weather deteriorated about 11:30 with the front moving in from the west with 30+ knt winds, all but 3 matures left the area. A small group of surfbirds spent most of the afternoon along the shore by the boat dock somewhat protected from the wind. The 3 Canada Geese spent another day grazing in the grass in the northeast quadrant of Gr. Race then as the winds increased tucked in behind the rocks in the east bay area. We counted 7 Moon Jellyfish( Aurelia aurita) floating amid the logs and debris in the tide wash east side of the boat dock.Most of them were 15-16 cm wide. In the sea they looked bluish -white and translucent.Unfortunately they were somewhat battered as they washed towards shore and Garry said that they were on their last legs so to speak.
HUMAN INTERACTION: 2nd Nature in just after 9 a.m. with Angus,Garry and Chris for a informational staff meeting. Nice to have a visit especially this time of year even if short.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 7:29 AM
posted by Carol or Mike S at 7:29 AM