Lovely Weather + Plenty To Observe

Posted on Tuesday,May 5, 2020 by Mara & Kai

Weather:

Visibility
Sky clear, a few fluffy clouds
Wind 5-10 knots SW
Sea state: calm

Marine Traffic/Visitors:

Yesterday we saw the HMCS Calgary and HMCS Regina (both Halifax-Class frigate vessels). They passed by in the early evening.
One or two fishing vessels hanging around the border of the reserve

Ecological:

Today we found three newly established goose nests. So far they each have 2-3 eggs.
The young seal pup has officially flown the coop! We haven’t seen her in a few days.
There are quite a few seagull nests beginning to take form. They are becoming more defensive of their established areas and make quite a ruckus when we walk through.

: We finally caught a photograph of the wandering tattlers that we have been observing!

: Sea lions on outcropping rocks

: Trash gathered around the island: Litter that birds have accidentally ingested, plastics that wash ashore, and old construction materials.

: Goose nest with plastic tape fragments, styrofoam, and other trash collected from the intertidal and other animal activity.

: A new goose nest near the house: One of these things is not like the other!

: This little one is beginning her moult.

: The flag is back: We lowered it during the high winds to prevent plastic material shedding.

: This smoke has been rising since this morning near Port Angeles

: This jumping spider paid us a visit yesterday

: Featherduster tube worm “tubes” at low tide

: The seagull takeover is on the horizon

: Gumboot Chiton spotted in the intertidal

: HMCS Regina

: HMCS Calgary

: We have been seeing this boat every few days.

: Olympic Mountains over the power building

: Pigeon Guillemots perching

: The elephants seals took advantage of the good weather to get a good soak.

: Sometimes they disagree on who should go first…

: Coming back up the hill is a big job…

: …

: ….sometimes a very big job…

: …

: …Sometimes you just have to take it easy!

Sun, Census, Sea Lions!

Posted on Sunday,May 3, 2020 by Mara & Kai

Weather:

Visibility 15+ NM
Sky partly cloudy
Wind 5-10 knots N (yesterday was very windy, 35+ knots)
Sea state: calm

Marine Traffic/Visitors:

This morning we observed 3 kayakers in the reserve when we heard the hullaballoo of sea lions rushing into the water. They stayed for roughly 20 minutes before crossing back towards Pedder Bay.
A few fishing vessels outside of the reserve
One large commercial fishing vessel from Vancouver passed by quite close to the reserve yesterday evening
Today we saw the large “Cable Innovator” crossing towards Port Angeles. This article state that it’s the largest of its kind (2017)!

Ecological:

Yesterday we spotted the beginnings of the first seagull nest of the season. They have begun to hover overhead when we leave the house and have become much less afraid of us.
The sea lions have started to venture further onto the island. They wiggle under the fence on the jetty now to make space for more. The stinky days are on the horizon.
The last remaining pup is not present in the reserve today. We are wondering if she has finally left her birthplace to explore!
We spotted two wandering tattlers today. We suspect this is what we saw earlier in the week, and not a willet.

Census:

2 Adult Bald Eagles
120 Seagulls
63 Harbour Seals
23 Sea Lions
16 Canadian Geese
8 Adult Oystercatchers
9 Elephant Seals
2 Wandering Tattlers

: We occasionally see a sea lion or elephant seal penis. We’re not sure why.

: Example of erosion caused by geese on Race Rocks

: Incredible clarity over Victoria this week. We wonder if this is partially due to reduced pollution emissions.

: A view of the many scientific instruments on top of the lighthouse, including internet antennae and weather instruments.

: The young seal pup near the generator building.

: Port Angeles on a clear day.

: Olympic Mountain Range over Port Angeles

: Coastal Defence Vessel HMCS Brandon

: Commercial fishing vessel at the mouth of Pedder Bay

: Kayakers heading back to Pedder Bay this morning

Field trip for VNHS

Posted on Saturday,September 27, 2014 by Garry Fletcher

Members of the Victoria Natural History Society accompanied ER warden Garry Fletcher on a field trip to Race Rocks this morning. Most of the members were avid birdwatchers so this time of year was ideal to view some of the many species that stopover at Race Rocks in their fall migration. See the census records submitted by Daniel Donnecke

Some of the birds seen on the trip”

: A short-billed dowitcher and a Black Turnstone

: 4 white fronted geese are still in the areaa

: Brandt’s cormorants on middle rock

: A flock of American pipits were feeding in the area where the vegetation was flattened by the sealions

Also on a trip on a ecotourism vessel, Liam Singh took this image of this wandering tattler which we had missed.

One branded california sealion was hauled out near the docks. The number was not clear.

Animal Census May 2-9/12

Posted on Wednesday,May 9, 2012 by Mike Robinson

Species and Number

Continue reading →

Random Encounters

Posted on Monday,May 7, 2012 by Mike Robinson

A number of infrequent avian visitors have been popping by for a visit, or more likely a rest on their northward migrations. Two days ago a Greater White-fronted goose (Anser albifrons) spent the night, and the next night a Black Brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) had replaced it. The black brand stayed two days and fed vigorously the whole time. I just discovered how rare these birds are with only 115,000 in the world.

I have noticed several pairs of Wandering Tattlers (Tringa incana) in the least few days