Recent Sightings

No whales seen at either observation site, Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula and Saunders Reef.

At PAL:

 * 9 harbor seals

 * 2 American kestrels

 * 1 red-tailed hawk *

The number of gray whale calves migrating with their mothers along the California Coast this year was one of the lowest on record. The population is still regaining ground after an Unusual Mortality Event that resulted in a sharp decline in overall population numbers.

While the eastern North Pacific gray whale population that migrates annually along the West Coast has rebounded in overall abundance, the production of calves has remained low. A team from NOAA Fisheries’ Southwest Fisheries Science Center found that this year’s count was close to the record low reported in 2022 (see graph) with an estimated number of 221 (95%CI = 161 – 295) mother-calf pairs.

At Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula:

 * no whales seen

 * 80 harbor seals

 * 1 red-tailed hawk

 * 1 American kestrel

At Saunders Reef:

 * 6 humpbacks, one breached twice

After morning rain, mist, and fog disappeared, we had excellent visibility at both observation sites.

Observations from Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula:

* 3 humpback whales, about 4 miles out

* 76 harbor seals

* 2 American kestrels

At Saunders Reef:

 * 5 humpback whales, about 5 miles out

 * 1 red-tailed hawk

No whales seen at Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula or at Saunders Reef.

AT PAL:

 * 67 harbor seals

 * 1 American kestrel

 * 1 red-tailed hawk