Mendonoma Whale and Seal Study

This image shows the fins of several gray whales above the surface of the water

Recent Sightings

  • TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2026

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    by

    tmercer
    in

    A dream day!! Excellent visibility clear to the horizon. The ocean was as calm as a lake and there was no wind.

    We observed from Saunders Reef and saw:

    💠 8 humpback whales – one group of three, two groups of two, and one single

    We did  receive reports of humpback whales being seen all along the Mendonoma coastline from Jenner to Irish Beach. With much gratitude, we acknowledge the sightings we received from:

    💠 Kate Bloch – Gualala Point Island in the north end of the Sea Ranch

    💠 Roberta Chan – the beach at Gualal Point Regional Park

    💠 Shari Goforth – Ollie’s Straight

    💠 Diane Hichwa – the Sea Ranch

    💠 Janet and Fred McElroy – Hearn Gulch and Saunders Reef

    💠 Diane Wilson – Hearn Gulch and Saunders Reef

    💠 Doug Forsell – Bowling Ball Beach to Fish Rock

    💠 Kirsten Rhine – Anchor Bay Beach

    💠 Jeanne Jackson – Anchor Bay

    💠 Don McCormick – Irish Beach

    💠 Michael Coustier – Gualala Point Regional Park in the early evening

    All reported seeing blows, backs, flukes, flipper slapping, tail lobbing, lunging at the surface, and full breaching. A truly memorable and magical day.

    🔆 We estimate that at least 200 humpbacks were visible off our coast today!🔆

    We thank all who contributed their valuable sightings to us!

     

  • MONDAY, JULY 20, 2026

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    by

    tmercer
    in

    Although Scott and I did not see any whales this week, we did receive two reports of  humpback whales along our coast.  The first came on Tuesday evening, July 14th from Michael Reinhart who noticed several blows from his home on the south end of the Sea Ranch. For over 30 minutes, Michael observed about ten humpback whales in two groups, one closer in and one farther out. The whales were flipper slapping, lunging at the surface, and lifting their flukes.

    The next morning, Wednesday, July 15th, several very active humpback whales were seen near Cook’s Beach, also in two groups. At one point, four whales surfaced at the same time with open mouths to gulp in hundreds of gallons of ocean water containing anchovies or other small fish or possibly krill. This feeding strategy involves  the throat pleats expanding greatly and as the whale gradually closes its mouth, the excess water is forced out, keeping the fish tucked behind its baleen plates. What a fascinating feeding strategy to observe.

    Video footage of this spectacular sight was posted on the Redwood Coast Land Conservancy’s Facebook page by board member Jennifer Dumpert and was captured by a visiting friend.

  • FRIDAY, JULY 10, 2026

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    by

    tmercer
    in

    We observed today at Gerstle Cove.  We had good conditions in the morning hours as the fog remained well offshore at about five miles out.  Unfortunately, as the day progressed the wind increased , This created massive whitecaps making it very difficult to spot blows.

    🔶 NO WHALES SEEN

    🔷 12 harbor seals

    🔶 3 osprey

    🔷 145 brown pelicans flying south; 121 flying north

     

  • THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2026

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    tmercer
    in

    We had cloudy conditions today at the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula. There was a strong wind and significant whitecaps upon the ocean.

    ♒️ NO WHALES SEEN

    ♒️ 110 harbor seals

    ♒️ 29 brown pelicans

    ♒️ 3 black,oystercatchers

  • IMPORTANT: Virtual Public Meeting on Coastal Management program– incl oil drilling discussion– Richard Charter says, sign up! 8/11 or 8/12 (2026) 2p-5p Pacific

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    by

    tmercer
    in
    http://surfbreak.org
     PLEASE USE THE LINK ABOVE TO REGISTER FOR THIS VERY IMPORTANT ON-LINE MEETING 8/11 or 8/12, 2026 2:00 – 5:00 PM PACIFIC TIME
    The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will hold two virtual public meetings on Tuesday, August 11 and Wednesday, August 12 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time to solicit input on the performance evaluation of the California Coastal Management Program.
    These public meetings will add to the input obtained from the previous public meeting held in August 2024. In particular, NOAA seeks input from relevant stakeholders regarding: spaceport infrastructure, offshore oil production, pipeline maintenance, desalination projects, and undersea cables.
    Attendance at the virtual public meetings will be limited to 1,000 individuals for each event.
    Registration is required. Each registered participant will receive an Adobe Connect link for the meeting.