Recent Sightings

At the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula, it was hazy and there were big waves, approximately 10-12 feet, and swells. Blows were batted down quickly.

We observed:

* 3 northbound gray whales – one single and one set of two

* 1 gray whale forager

TOTAL GRAY WHALES SEEN TO DATE (since November 1, 2024) =

🔆 18 northbound

🔆 390 southbound

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* 15 harbor seals

* 1 great blue heron

* 2 American kestrel

* 2 black oystercatchers

Observations today were made from Gerstle Cove which is part of Salt Point State Park in northern Sonoma County. We had good visibility as the fog remained quite a distance offshore throughout our observation time. The waves and swells were huge, about 14-15 feet, and created tremendous amounts of spray upon crashing into the rocks.

Harbor seals were unable to utilize their haul out sites, even at low tide.

* 11 northbound gray whales – three sets of two and five traveling solo, many lifted their flukes

* 1 gray whale foraging

GRAY WHALES SEEN TO DATE = (since November 1, 2024)

🔆 390 southbound

🔆 15 northbound

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* 2 sea lions swimming north

* 3 American kestrels

* 1 adult bald eagle being chased by a gull

The ocean was calm today and visibility was fair to good. Some offshore haziness.

At the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula, we observed:

* 1 gray whale forging very close to the rocks

NO MIGRATORS SEEN

GRAY WHALES SEEN TO DATE: (since November 1, 2024)

🔆 390 southbound

🔆 4 northbound

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* 51 harbor seals

* 1 red-tailed hawk

* 1 great blue heron

* 2 American kestrels

Better ocean and atmospheric conditions today compared to yesterday. Waves at 8-12 feet, some spray and haziness.

At the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula we observed:

* 3 southbound gray whales – first two traveling together and the third one was solo

TOTAL GRAY WHALES SEEN TO DATE (since November 1, 2024)

🔆 390 southbound
🔆 4 northbound

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* 64 harbor seals

* 2 red-tailed hawks, one being harassed by a kestrel

* 3 American kestrels

* 1 meadowlark

* 1 white-tailed kite

Today there were 16-18 foot waves crashing and creating huge amounts of spray. This haziness led to poor visibility throughout our observation time. Wind at 14 mph.

At the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula:

* NO WHALES SEEN

TOTAL GRAY WHALES SEEN TO DATE (since November 1, 2024)

🔆 387 southbound
🔆 4 northbound

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* 31 harbor seals

* 1 black oystercatcher

* 6 meadowlarks

* 2 American kestrels

* 1 Northern harrier

* 1 immature bald eagle