Author: tmercer

Today was dry and sunny but windy.  Whitecaps covered the ocean but visibility was excellent. NO WHALES SEEN AT THE POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA OR AT SAUNDERS REEF        AT PAL:  * 73 harbor seals  * 1 great blue heron  * 1 American kestrel  * 2 black oystercatchers  * 1 Northern harrier

With rain and fog finally gone for most of the day, we had good visibility at the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula where we did see one southbound gray whale!! We also counted 45 harbor seals.   

Observations from the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula and from Saunders Reef:  No whales seen at either site.      AT PAL: * 59 harbor seals * 1 Northern Harrier * 1 red-tailed hawk * 2 American kestrels

On this winter solstice day, the ocean was roaring with 10 – 12 foot waves and lots of spray as the waves crashed onto the rocky shore.  At the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula we observed:  * 1 whale, species undetermined  * no harbor seals as the surf completely covered their haul out sites  * 1…

It was cloudy and windy today and the ocean had a significant amount of crashing whitecaps with spray. Observations from the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula: * NO WHALES SEEN * 20 harbor seals * 2 great blue herons * 1 red-tailed hawk * 3 American kestrels  

Observations from the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula and from Saunders Reef:  NO WHALES OR HARBOR SEALS SEEN AT EITHER SITE. AT PAL:  *1 great blue heron  * 1 red-tailed hawk  * 3 American kestrels     * 2 black oystercatchers

Today we headed south to observe at Gerstle Cove which is part of Salt Point State Park. * no whales seen    * no harbor seals seen as it was high tide and heavy surf covered the haul out site   * 4 black oystercatchers   * 4 black turnstones   * 1 red-tailed hawk…

Thick fog blew in today reducing visibility to zero for most of the day. Waves were 8-10 feet. AT PAL: * no whales or harbor seals seen * 1 red-tailed hawk * 1 great blue heron * 4 American kestrels  * 2 black oystercatchers  

Observations from the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula: * 2 humpbacks, one approximately 5 miles out, one  about 2 miles out * 89 harbor seals * 2 red-tailed hawks * 1 Great blue heron * 2 black oystercatchers * 3 American kestrels No whales seen at Saunders Reef.      

After three days of heavy rain, wind, and extremely rough ocean conditions, we were able to observe today at both the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula and Saunders Reef. No whales were seen at either site. At PAL: * 69 harbor seals * 2 Great blue herons * 3 American kestrels * 1 bobcat sitting in…

At the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula, we observed a foraging gray whale less than 500 yards from shore for approximately 90 minutes. He or she stayed primarily in the same area for this time and then  began to swim southward while remaining that close to shore. Also seen at PAL: * 89 harbor seals *…

Observations from the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula:  * No whales seen  * 71 harbor seals  * 1 red-tailed hawk  * 2 black oystercatchers  * 2 American kestrels  Observations from Saunders Reef:  * 2 humpbacks