Flocks on the Rocks – Census Day

 

Flocks on the rocks

Flocks on the rocks: Thayer’s gulls and some double crested , Brandts and Pelagic Cormorants. Note orientation into the direction of the wind.

Ecological Happenings

  • Storm force winds in the morning with large swell from the North East leading to high seas and larges breakers on the rocks. Periods of (horizontal) rain with winds dropping later in the day.
  • Four elephant seals on the island now. The new arrival is much smaller than the female and thought to be a juvenile/subadult. There also seems to be a bond between the smaller Elephant seal and female. Could this be Squall, born here in 2012? Checks are being made to see if identifying features match.
  • Birds grouped together in flocks on the rocks while most of the sea lions stayed off the land.

Marine Vessels

  • Coastguard helicopter overhead.

Maintenance

  • Electrical outlet in main residence fixed.
  • Battery health test carried out with individual readings taken on each of the 96 cells.
  • Pressure washer pump stripped back down and soaked in cleaner. To be reassembled.

Census Count

Sea Lion 194
Harbour Seal 9
Elephant Seal 4
Cormorant 207
Gull 404
Oyster Catcher 42
Black Turnstone 18
Spotted during the week
Bald Eagle (Adult/Immature) 2/8
Sparrow 4
Dunlin 2
Pigeon Guillemots 8
Raven 4
Harlequin Duck 16
Canadian Geese 18

 

Seawater sample missed due to safety concenrs

Seawater sample missed due to safety concerns.

The latest arrival

The latest arrival.

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Maternal bond? Elephant Seals are not known for this

Maternal bond? Elephant Seals are not known for this.

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Scratching. Not surprising with all those Kelp flies on old wounds

Scratchy. Not surprising with all those Kelp flies on healing wounds.