Recent Sightings

On this winter solstice day, the ocean was roaring with 10 – 12 foot waves and lots of spray as the waves crashed onto the rocky shore.  At the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula we observed:

 * 1 whale, species undetermined

 * no harbor seals as the surf completely covered their haul out sites

 * 1 Ferruginous hawk

 * 1 red-tailed hawk

 * 1 great blue heron

It was cloudy and windy today and the ocean had a significant amount of crashing whitecaps with spray.

Observations from the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula:

* NO WHALES SEEN

* 20 harbor seals

* 2 great blue herons

* 1 red-tailed hawk

* 3 American kestrels

Observations from the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula and from Saunders Reef:

 NO WHALES OR HARBOR SEALS SEEN AT EITHER SITE.

AT PAL:

 *1 great blue heron

 * 1 red-tailed hawk

 * 3 American kestrels   

 * 2 black oystercatchers

Today we headed south to observe at Gerstle Cove which is part of Salt Point State Park.

* no whales seen

   * no harbor seals seen as it was high tide and heavy surf covered the haul out site

  * 4 black oystercatchers

  * 4 black turnstones

  * 1 red-tailed hawk

  * 1 white-tailed kite

Thick fog blew in today reducing visibility to zero for most of the day. Waves were 8-10 feet.

AT PAL:

* no whales or harbor seals seen

* 1 red-tailed hawk

* 1 great blue heron

* 4 American kestrels

 * 2 black oystercatchers