Recent Sightings

After five days of inclement weather (rain, fog, wind, flooding) we finally returned to the cliffs today at the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula. On this cool, sunny, slightly windy day we observed:

* 4 southbound gray whales – one group of two and two singles; blows were wide and bushy, staying close to the surface and blown down quickly, backs and heads were visible

TOTAL GRAY WHALES SEEN TO DATE = 366 southbound

While observing and counting the harbor seals at their large haul out site, I noticed an unusual bird foraging on the rocks.   I believe it was a leucistic black oystercatcher! Leucism is a condition characterized by reduced pigmentation in animals. Unlike albinism, it is caused by a reduction in all types of skin pigment, not just melanin.

* 80 harbor seal

* 1 great blue heron

* 1 red- tailed hawk often being harassed by two ravens

* 3 American kestrel

* 1 Ferruginous hawk

* 5 meadowlarks

Cloudy and windy conditions today made seeing blows challenging. Thankfully, later in the day it became partially sunny and visibility improved. Bushy blows remained at the surface of the ocean and were quickly swept away by the wind. Nonetheless, backs and flukes were often visible.

Observations at the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula:

* 10 southbound gray whales – 3 groups of two and four singles, most of these whales were swimming southbound with urgency

TOTAL GRAY WHALES SEEN TO DATE = 362 southbound

* 52 harbor seals
* 1 great blue heron in flight
* 2 red-tailed hawks soaring high, upon descent they were harassed by two ravens
* 1 Ferruginous hawk
* 3 American kestrels
* 6 meadowlarks

Cloudy conditions persisted through the day creating the dreaded monochrome effect which makes it difficult to distinguish between ocean, sky, and blows. However, the ocean was very calm and that made it possible to observe whale backs, heads, and flukes.

Observations from the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula:

* 11 southbound gray whales – one group of three, one group of two – these two groups joined together for a short while and five blows were visible at once,
Six singles – three of the singles breached, two breached four times and one breached once

GRAY WHALES SEEN TO DATE = 352 southbound

* 4-5 sea lions swimming north
* 51 harbor seals
* 1 Ferruginous hawk
* 3 American kestrels

Cloudy conditions today and for part of the time, the ocean, sky, and blows were all the same color. Thankfully, the sun re-emerged and visibility improved.

This morning I spotted a blow very close to shore at the Gualala Point Regional Park beach. We quickly notified Shari Goforth-Eby who was able to photograph this foraging whale. She discovered this whale was in fact Panther, the same two year old whale seen there on Thursday, January 23rd with 11 scars and a deep laceration most likely caused by a boat propeller. Interesting that this young whale is still foraging in the same area. We will continue to look for and monitor his presence and behaviors.

Observations from the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula:

* 9 southbound gray whales – one group of three, two groups of two, and two singles

TOTAL GRAY WHALES SEEN TO DATE = 341 southbound

* 41 harbor seals
* 1 white-tailed kite
* 2 great blue herons
* 2 American kestrels
* 1 Ferruginous hawk
* 1 Northern harrier
* 3 black oystercatchers

Excellent conditions today with great visibility and distinction between the sky and the ocean.

Observations from the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula:

* 15 southbound gray whales – one group of four, one group of three, two groups of two, four singles

Total whales seen to date = 332 southbound

* 39 harbor seals
* 1 great blue heron
* 2 black oystercatchers
* 2 American kestrels