Wildlife

eagles

Bertha left the main island the night of the 16 and I have not seen her since.  She was on the island and mating with Misery for just over a week.  Zeke stayed around for the first few days and was very interested in the new arrival and activity but after being chased off by Misery a few times he left, I have not seen him in about a week.  Misery seems to still be looking for her sometimes.  He has been on the main island every day since Bertha arrived and seems to go off the island most nights.

The Pigeon Guillemots are becoming more frequent with a recent count of over 200, they stay mostly just offshore or in the intertidal zone and make their shrill calls.  A couple pairs of Black Brant Geese have also been showing up just offshore of the main rock.  Most days there are over half a dozen bald eagles in the reserve perched on the crane, the generator exhaust pipe, camera 5, on rocks, on the smaller islands, gliding in the air on the west winds, or chasing each other around.

Census, Monday Feb 18, 2013

Haliacetus leucocepfalus (Bald Eagles): 10

Branta canadensis (Canada Goose): 7

Branta bernicla (Black Brant Goose): 4

Haematopus bachmani (Black Oystercatcher):7

Gulls: 9

Cepphus columba (Pigeon Guillemot): 230

Cormorants: 20 (on W Rock)

Melospiza melodia (Song Sparrow): 2

Arenaria melanocephala (Black turnstone): 5

Phoca vitulina (Harbour Seal): 60 (on SE rocks)

Eumetopias jubatus (Northern Sea Lion): 13 (SE rocks)

Mirounga angustrirostris (Northern Elephant Seal): 1 (Misery)