Recent Sightings

Another IDEAL day for observing whales!! Ocean was calm, no wind, visibility clear to the horizon.

AT SAUNDERS FEEF:

💠 2 southbound gray whales – these were a pair swimming together about 3/4 mile offshore

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AT THE POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA:

💠 5 southbound gray whales – 3 singles and one deuce; the two together breached simultaneously about five times

💠 104 harbor seals

💠 4 black oystercatchers

💠 1 great blue heron

💠 1 American kestrel

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TOTAL GRAY WHALES SEEN TO DATE = 26 southbound

The ocean was flat calm today, there was little to no wind, it was sunny, and we had a clear view to the horizon. Conditions were absolutely ideal for spotting whales.

AT THE POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA, WE OBSERVED:

✳️ 11 southbound gray whales – one trio, two duos and four singles;

Several of the whales fluked before taking a dive, blows remained suspended in the air, heads, and backs were often clearly seen; these whales were between 1 and 2 miles offshore

✳️ 108 harbor seals

✳️ 2 American kestrels

✳️ 1 great blue heron

✳️ 6-8 killdeer

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✳️ AT HEARN GULCH, (just south of Saunders Reef), Fred and Janet McElroy observed gray whales passing by and took a video clearly showing one pair and one single

TOTAL GRAY WHALES SEEN TO DATE = 19 southbound

Today was quite windy; it was blowing 14 mph and gusting to 21 mph from the north northwest. This created whitecaps and spray. Visibility, however, was quite good.

AT THE POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA:

🔆 1 unidentified large whale; unable to see any distinguishable markings or features due to the rough ocean conditions; species undetermined

🔆 83 harbor seals

🔆 1 black oystercatcher

🔺 NO WHALES SEEN AT SAUNDERS REEF🔺

TOTAL GRAY WHALES SEEN TO DATE = 5 southbound

After a wicked storm on Tuesday night which knocked out power to several communities along the coast, today was surprisingly sunny and pleasant. The ocean was quite rough with huge swells, high surf, and whitecaps but visibility was good.

AT THE POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA:

💠 NO WHALES SEEN 💠

💠 7 harbor seals – 3 hauled out and 4 swimming at high tide

💠 14 black turnstones

💠 3 black oystercatchers

💠 1 red-tailed hawk

TOTAL GRAY WHALES SEEN TO DATE = 5 southbound

After being sidelined for three full days due to rain and fog, we had good ocean and weather conditions today for most of the day. The ocean was a bit choppy but visibility was quite good.

AT THE POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA, WE OBSERVED:

✴️ 3 humpbacks – singles about 2-3 miles offshore; taking long dives

✴️ 54 harbor seals

✴️ 3 American kestrels

✴️ 2 black oystercatchers

⚛️ NO WHALES SEEN AT SAUNDERS REEF ⚛️

✳️ 1 southbound gray whale was spotted today by Shari Goforth within 300 yards of shore at Ollie’s Straight (north of Gualala and south of Anchor Bay)

✳️ TOTAL SOUTHBOUND GRAY WHALES SEEN TO DATE = 5