Recent Sightings

Today we had no visibility due to a thick and persistent fog. At one point at the Point Arena Lighthouse, the fog cleared briefly and we did spot one gray whale traveling south!

We also observed:

* 6 harbor seals swimming around their haul out site

* 1 great blue heron

* 1 red-tailed hawk

* 2 American kestrels

GRAY WHALES SEEN TO DATE =

22 southbound

Observations from the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula:

 * 5 southbound gray whales

 *21 harbor seals

 * 2 red-tailed hawks

 * 3 American kestrels

 * 1 great blue heron

    GRAY WHALES TO DATE:   21 southbound

Observations from the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula:

 * 4 southbound gray whales, 2 traveling together, 2 traveling solo

 * 6 harbor seals swimming around the rocks at their haul out site which was covered with high surf

  * 1 kingfisher

  * 1 Ferruginous hawk

  * 1 red-tailed hawk

  * 2 American kestrels

 * 3 black oystercatchers

 *3 black turnstones

 * 1 Great blue heron

   Gray whales seen to date: 16 southbound

Today’s weather presented a true mixed bag with  ever changing conditions. We had some sun, a few squalls that produced wind, rain, and even a bit of hail. The ocean was choppy but overall visibility was good.

At the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula we observed:

* 1 southbound gray whale

* 3 harbor seals (their haul out was covered with high surf)

 * 1 Ferruginous hawk

 * 1 red-tailed hawk

* 1 peregrine falcon

* 2 American kestrels

* 1 Great blue heron

* 3 black oystercatchers

        Gray whales seen to date: 12 southbound

Observations from the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula:

* 2 southbound gray whales

* 44 harbor seals

* 2 Great blue herons

* 1 American kestrel

* 1 black turnstone

* 1 red-tailed hawk

Observations from Saunders Reef by Shari Goforth-Eby:

Jan 2, 17:04: Gray whale South off Saunders reef, approx 5 miles. 3 blows, peduncle seen, fluked. Dove.

 Gray whales to date:   11 southbound