Recent Sightings

https://www.marinemammalcenter.org/science-conservation/conservation/cetacean-conservation/stranding-necropsy/whale-stranding-press-materials

We did not observe any whales today at various locations from Gualala, to Saunders Reef, to the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula.

Shari Goforth, however, did photograph a possible blue whale or finback whale this morning which she first saw off Gualala Point and then off Ollies straight which is just south of Anchor Bay and north of downtown Gualala. Very exciting!!

Orcas were also seen in our area in recent days. Christopher Dewees reported seeing two,large male orcas just south of Salt Point near Ocean Cove on Friday, June 20th at about 7:30 pm. One of the males had a large V-shaped chunk on the back side of its dorsal fin. The two orcas were observed feeding and circling around for about 30 minutes. Chris also saw breaching humpbacks offshore on that windy night.
What thrilling sights to see and we thank Chris very much for sending us this important report. Much appreciated.

Next, John Batchelor, reported and photographed two orcas off Gualala on Sunday evening, June 22! Scott sent his photographs to several orca specialists and Dr. Josh McInness identified them as transient orcas within the inner coast sub-population, individuals T-125-A and T-128. These orcas were last seen off the coast of Oregon on June 13th. This is also a thrilling observation and great work by John to photograph them. Thank you very much, John.

At PAL:

🔸 62 harbor seals

🔸 1 great blue heron

🔸 large groups of brown pelicans diving into the ocean to feed

♦️ The team conducting this years survey of migrating gray whales has determined that the current population size is 12,900.

♦️ This is the lowest number since the early 1970’s and lower than the reduced population size following the Unusual Mortality Event from 2019 – 2023.

♦️ The estimated calf count is 85, the lowest since records began in 1994.

♦️ Scientists suggest that the whales may be encountering unprecedented conditions in their Arctic feeding areas (Bering, Chukchi, Beaufort Seas) forcing the population to adjust to new conditions the whales have not experienced before.

Total southbound grays seen: 391

Total northbound grays seen: 350

November – 0 southbound

December – 8 southbound

January – 354 southbound

February – 28 southbound
15 northbound

March – 1 southbound
256 northbound – includes 1 mother/calf pair

April – 75 northbound – includes 4 mother/calf pairs

May – 4 northbound

90% of southbound grays were seen in January.

73% of northbound grays were seen in March.

This season’s totals are our lowest counts in the 12 seasons we have been conducting this survey.

If you have not already done so, we urged you to submit a comment regarding offshore oil and gas drilling. Much gratitude to all those who have done so.

Drill Maybe Drill?