Recent Sightings

♦️ The team conducting this years survey of migrating gray whales has determined that the current population size is 12,900.

♦️ This is the lowest number since the early 1970’s and lower than the reduced population size following the Unusual Mortality Event from 2019 – 2023.

♦️ The estimated calf count is 85, the lowest since records began in 1994.

♦️ Scientists suggest that the whales may be encountering unprecedented conditions in their Arctic feeding areas (Bering, Chukchi, Beaufort Seas) forcing the population to adjust to new conditions the whales have not experienced before.

Total southbound grays seen: 391

Total northbound grays seen: 350

November – 0 southbound

December – 8 southbound

January – 354 southbound

February – 28 southbound
15 northbound

March – 1 southbound
256 northbound – includes 1 mother/calf pair

April – 75 northbound – includes 4 mother/calf pairs

May – 4 northbound

90% of southbound grays were seen in January.

73% of northbound grays were seen in March.

This season’s totals are our lowest counts in the 12 seasons we have been conducting this survey.

If you have not already done so, we urged you to submit a comment regarding offshore oil and gas drilling. Much gratitude to all those who have done so.

Drill Maybe Drill?

Today was quite windy, 16 mph with gusts up to 29 mph from the north northwest. This created many whitecaps on the ocean making it very challenging to see whale blows.

At the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula, we observed:

💠 1 blow – unable to identify the type of whale

💠 83 harbor seals

💠 1 great blue heron

💠 1 osprey

💠 5 brown pelicans flying south

REMINDER: PLEASE COMMENT ON OFFSHORE DRILLING FOR GAS AND OIL AT
savemycoast.org
COMMENT PERIOD CLOSES ON JUNE 16th!