Recent Sightings

Excellent visibility today at the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula allowed us to observe:

* 23 southbound gray whales – 6 groups of 2 and 11 singles; one was a sub-adult swimming only 500 yards offshore; many whales fluked and backs were often visible

* 51 harbor seals

* 1 Northern harrier

* 1 red-tailed hawk

* 2 American kestrels

* 1 gopher

 GRAY WHALES SEEN TO DATE = 108 southbound

While hiking along the  bluff trail at the Sea Ranch, 1 southbound gray whale was seen.

Yesterday’s challenging conditions continued today. Winds were blowing 13 mph and gusting to 21 mph. Many whitecaps on the ocean.

At the Point ArenaLighthouse peninsula we observed:

 * 6 southbound gray whales, 2 whales started as singles but eventually, the whale behind caught up to the whale in front and they proceeded swimming south together; the other 4 whales were solo

* 29 harbor seals

 * 1 red-tailed hawk

 * 2 American kestrels

 * 2 black oystercatchers

 GRAY WHALES TO DATE = 85 southbound

Conditions today were windy, with wind speeds at 16 mph with 29 mph gusts and the ocean was covered with whitecaps. Conditions were challenging .  The blows of whales were batted down quickly.

At the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula we observed:

 * 9 southbound gray whales, 1 group of 2 whales traveling together and 7 traveling solo

 * 44 harbor seals

 * 2 American kestrels

 * 1 Great blue heron

* 2 black oystercatchers

GRAY WHALES SEEN TO DATE = 78 southbound

Today we had more wind and haze compared to the previous two days but visibility was still good.

At the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula we observed:

 * 6 southbound gray whales – 2 groups of 2 and 2 singles

 * 71 harbor seals

 * 2 great blue herons

 * 2 Ferruginous hawks

 * 3 American kestrels

GRAY WHALES SEEN TO DATE:   69 southbound

 Another day of near ideal conditions at the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula allowed us to observe:

 * 17 southbound gray whales – 1 group of 4 which spread out into four individuals as they moved along southbound through our observation area;  2 groups of 2; 9 traveling solo; two whales did a full breach!

 * 49 harbor seals

 * 1 great blue heron

 * 1 Ferruginous hawk

 * 2 red-tailed hawks

 * 3 American kestrels

 * 4 killdeer

 * 3 black oystercatchers

GRAY WHALES SEEN TO DATE: 63 southbound