Author: tmercer
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TUESDAY, ALRIL 15, 2025
Cloudy and gray today with some offshore fog. Conditions and visibility improved throughout the day and the ocean was calm. At the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula, we observed: π· 3 northbound gray whales – one set of two traveling together and one single π· 24 harbor seals π· 1 bobcat hunting in the pasture –…
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MONDAY, APRIL 14, 2025
On this warm, sunny day with calm seas, a thick fog rolled into our observation area at the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula reducing visibility to zero. Gradually, the fog lifted and visibilty returned to about 3 miles. The day remained gray and cloudy. β¦οΈβ¦οΈ NO WHALES SEEN AT PAL OR AT SAUNDERS REEF β¦οΈβ¦οΈ AT…
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SUNDAY, APRIL 13, 2025
At the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula, we observed: βοΈ 1 northbound gray whale βοΈ 36 harbor seals βοΈ 1 sea lion swimming south βοΈ 10 brown pelicans flying north βοΈ 1 white-tailed kite βοΈ 1 red-tailed hawk βοΈ 1 black oystercatcher AT SAUNDERS REEF, we observed βοΈ 1 northbound gray whale βοΈ 1 Canada goose…
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FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 2025
At Gerstle Cove this morning, we had dense fog for about an hour and 15 minutes. When the fog lifted, visibilty was good but we were challenged by plentiful whitecaps, spray, and northwest wind at 15 mph gusting to 24 mph. We observed:; π» 2 northbound gray whales – both singles π» 20 harbor seals…
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THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2025
Ideal ocean and weather conditions today!! Excellent visibility all the way to the horizon. At the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula, we observed: π 11 northbound gray whales – two sets of two and seven singles; one of the singles breached twice in quick succession!! π 45 harbor seals π 4 black oystercatchers π 32 brown…
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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2025
The day began with excellent visibility, sunny skies, and a light breeze. However, in the afternoon, our observation area at the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula become completely encompassed in fog for approximately one hour. The fog did lift and our visibility returned. At PAL: πΈ 3 northbound gray whales – all singles πΈ 50 harbor…
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Important LA Times article published on April 8, 2025
gray-whales-are-dying-off-the-pacific-coast-again-and-scientists-arent-sure-why This important article was written by Susanne Rust, an award-winning investigative reporter specializing in environmental issues. She has been following and reporting about the status of the gray whale population for several years. We had the great privilege of meeting Susanne in 2020.
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TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2025
Observations from the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula: β³οΈ 3 northbound gray whales – two traveling together and one single β³οΈ 48 harbor seals β³οΈ 3 sea lions swimming north β³οΈ 1 red-tailed hawk β³οΈ 35 pelicans flying north β³οΈ 2 gophers Observations from Saunders Reef: β³οΈ 2 northbound gray whales – both singles β³οΈ 7…
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MONDAY, APRIL 7, 2025
With foggy and soggy conditions throughout the day, we did not observed any whales at the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula or at Saunders Reef. However, in between rain showers, Shari Goforth did observe 5 northbound gray whales at Gualala Point Regional Park. At PAL, we observed: β³οΈ 33 harbor seals β³οΈ 1 red-tailed hawk β³οΈ…
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Saturday, March 5, 2025
We participated in our community march and rally for Democracy today.πΊπΈ After the rally, Shari Goforth reported seeing two northbound gray whales passing by Gualala Point. πΈπΈπΈπΈπΈπΈπΈπΈπΈπΈπΈπΈπΈπΈπΈπΈπΈπΈπΈπΈπΈπΈπΈπΈπΈπΈπΈ TOTAL GRAY WHALES SEEN TO DATE: (since November 1, 2024) = π·π· 289 northbound – includes 1 mother/calf β¦οΈβ¦οΈ 391 southbound πΈπΈπΈπΈπΈπΈπΈπΈπΈπΈπΈπΈπΈπΈπΈπΈπΈπΈπΈπΈπΈπΈπΈπΈπΈπΈπΈ
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FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2025
With excellent visibility and mostly calm seas at Gerstle Cove, we observed: * 8 northbound gray whales – one pair traveling together and six singles * 21 harbor seals * 1 California sea lion * 3 black oystercatchers * 5 brown pelicans flying north * 1 flock of about 75 cackling geese flying north *…
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THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2025
Windy conditions persisted today with 19 mph winds from the north northwest with 29 mph gusts. Whitecaps covered the ocean. It was sunny and clear with good visibility. At the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula we observed: * 4 northbound gray whales – all singles * 67 harbor seals * 1 sea lion swimming north *…