WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2025

Conditions for observing were ideal today.  Calm seas, no wind, good distinction between sky and ocean.

At the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula we observed:

* 19 southbound gray whales! (our highest count to date!) –

 1 group of four, 3 groups of two,  9 singles (reminder, gray whale groups are temporary and will break up and re-form during the migration)

most of these whales raised their flukes before diving, their backs were often visible, one whale lifted its body and above the surface and did a belly flop and a few moments later, did a half breach

 * 63 harbor seals

 * 2 black oystercatchers

 * 1 great blue heron (in flight and hunting on the bluff)

 * 4 American kestrels

 * 2 red-tailed hawks

 * 2 Northern harriers

 * 1 Ferruginous hawk

GRAY WHALES SEEN TO DATE: 46 southbound