Farallon Fanatic
Wildlife Updates from the Farallon National Wildlife Refuge and the
Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary
February 2008
March 2008
October 2007
June 2007
March 2007
Farallon Fanatic
Vol XXIII, October 2007
USFWS Photo
Weather: Fall weather started to take effect in the October days on the islands. Over half of the month saw overcast days with light winds coming from the Northwest bringing several days of rain totaling 1.39 inches. The average temperature was 59º Fahrenheit (15.2º C), with the warmest day being 75.2º F (24ºC) and the coldest being 51.8ºF (11ºC).
Wildlife Updates :
Common Murre: Sightings of Common Murres increased throughout the month, most notably juveniles and winter plumaged birds. Thousands gathered around the island during the rainy periods. Unfortunately, one Murre was found dead after getting oil on its body from the oil spill.
Pinnipeds (seals, sea lions, and elephant seals): Northern Fur Seal numbers were up, almost double from what they were in October of 2006. The highest numbers counted were 174 on October 11 th with 62 pups counted on October 18th!
Whales:Whales and Dolphins were sighted throughout the month. Humpbacks were seen regularly, while Blue Whale, Minke Whale, and Gray Whale sightings were also recorded. Additionally, dolphins were active around the island, 80 Risso’s Dolphins were seen on October 13 th. Pacific White-sided Dolphins, Northern Right Whale Dolphins, and Dall’s Porpoises were also spotted.
Sharks: This is an active time for sharks, and 24 attacks were recorded!
Bats: Since bat surveys have begun, 2 Hoary bats and 1 free-tailed bat have been seen.
Cool News from the Islands: Biologists were busy banding birds and were able to band 274 individual birds from 39 different species! One species was the Sand Hill Crane, a San Francisco County record!
Help the wildlife of the Farallones! Here’s what you can do this month: Did you know most wrapping paper is not recyclable? This holiday season try alternative forms of wrapping paper like newspaper or recyclable paper bags!
Farallon Fanatic
Vol XXi, June 2007
Weather: June was another windy month! There was 0.05 inches of precipitation. The mean (average) day time high temperature for the month was 13.61°C or 56.5°F and the mean sea temperature was 11.04°C or 51.872°F , lower than usual.
Wildlife Updates :
Common Murre: Common murres chicks hatched throughout June! The murres have been seen eating mostly anchovies, but are sometimes seen eating other prey like juvenile rockfish, smelt, and salmon. The first chicks were seen to have fledged June 26.
Pinnipeds (seals, sea lions, elephant seals): While there has been a slight decrease in the number of California sea lions, and elephant seals, there has been an increasing number of Steller’s sea lions, harbor seals, and fur seals on the island! Most of the animals seen were immatures, or teenagers. However, unfortunately, nine California seal lions were seen swimming around the island ring-necked.
Whales:While whale watching trips observed many humpback whales throughout June, whale observations from the island in June were pretty thin. Our resident gray whale was observed sporadically until it abruptly disappeared early in the month. Also, humpback whales were seen early in the month too!
Cool News from the Islands :The large numbers of Brandt’s cormorants have taken care of any remaining Farallon weed for their nests. In fact, our breeding population estimate of 20,788 breeding Brandt’s cormorants is the highest in thirty years!
Help the wildlife of the Farallons! Here’s what you can do this month: Did you know? 99% of glass can be reused to make more glass, so next time you are about to throw something away, see if you can recycle it by looking for the symbol at the bottom of the packaging!
Farallon Fanatic
Vol XVIII, March 2007
Weather:The temperature this month was warm and sunny overall with the mean (average) high air temperature of 12.4°C or 54.3°F and a sea surface temperature of 10.95°C or 55.3°F
Brandt's Cormorants, USFWS Photo
Wildlife Updates:
Common Murre: Sporadically throughout this month the common murres have been returning to their breeding colonies around the island.
Pinnipeds (seals, sea lions, elephant seals): In general the seals and the sea lions are leaving the island. All adult Northern Elephant Seal males have left the island, no fur seals were seen, and the California Sea Lions were very sparse. However, the scientist did release 13 immature fur seals onto the island, which had been in rehab at the Marine Mammal Center.
Whales:The Gray Whales are now observed heading north, high count of 11 on March 4 th. The Risso’s Dolphins were also spotted around the island, about 70 in total.
Cool News from the Islands :
It is courting season for the sea birds, male Brandt’s Cormorants are beginning to show-off, displaying themselves to attract the females, while Cassin’s Auklets are singing away!
Help the wildlife of the Farallones! Here’s what you can do this month:
Earth Day is coming up…when taking a walk on the beach or around your neighborhood, fill a bag with litter, so it can go in the trash and not to the ocean!!
*Information collected by scientists from PRBO Conservation Science*
Farallon Fanatic
Volume XXIV, February 2008
Cormorants/ USFWS Photo
Weather: Early Spring weather has reached the Farallon Islands. After significant rains in January, only two, weak storms fell on the South Farallon this month delivering a total of 1.63 inches of rain. The average temperature approached 53º Fahrenheit (11.36º C).
W ildlife Updates:
Breeding Birds: The Common Murre was the most plentiful bird on the South Farallon Islands this month; the average monthly population was estimated at upwards of 100,000 individuals. Additionally, breeding behaviors exhibited by Cassin’s Auklet, Pelagic Cormorants, Western Gulls, and Rhinoceros Auklets were apparent.
Pinnipeds (seals, sea lions, and elephant seals): The breeding season of the Northern Elephant Seal has passed. The number of Elephant Seals remaining on land decreased as the month went on. The California Sea Lion was the most plentiful species this month; on the 7th over 800 individuals were observed.
Whales: Throughout the month 61 Grey Whales were observed passing by the islands. Signs of spring abound; the first Grey Whales heading north were seen on February 25th.
What’s Growing:
Native Plants: Stork’s Bills (Erodium), Sandspurry (Spergularia), and Goldfields (Lasthenia) are all in bloom.
Non-native Plants: Plant-pullers removed Cheeseweed (Malva), Spinach, and Tree Mallow (Lavatera) from the island in continued efforts to eradicate these species from this refuge.
Cool News from the Islands: Biologists observed 35 bird species in the area this month.
Here’s what you can do this month: Spring has arrived and thus the time for you to plant your home garden. Gardening with native plants is both low-maintenance, as the plants are adapted to survive in naturally occurring conditions and cost effective, as the perennials will take care of next years planting for you.
*Information collected by scientists from PRBO Conservation Science*
Farallon Fanatic
Volume XXV, March 2008
Tufted Puffins/USFWS Photo
Weather: It was a windy March on the Farallon Islands. The South Farallon received at total of 0.39 inches of rain signaling the end of the rainy season. The average temperature remained around 53º Fahrenheit (11.68º C).
Wildlife Updates:
Breeding Birds: The first puffin of the year was seen flying on March 31st! Brandt’s Cormorants were not attending the breeding colonies on the island as of late March; last year the Cormorants were attending the colonies in large numbers by the end of March. Common murres have been attending the breeding colonies throughout March. Pre-breeding behaviors of Cassin’s Auklet and the Rhinoceros Auklet have been observed; these behaviors include burrow digging and nest prospecting. Western Gulls and the Black Oystercatchers have begun their breeding.
Pinnipeds (seals, sea lions, and elephant seals): California sea lion population on the island averaged 268 animals throughout the month; this number is lower than previous years. It was a tough month for the California sea lions as four were observed ring-necked. Some Northern Elephant Seals are returning to the island to molt; the final weaner of the season was observed on March 8th.
Whales: Grey whales were sighted often throughout March. On average 1-2 whales were observed each day; however on March 7th, 9 whales were observed.
Cool News from the Islands: With Spring comes breeding season...the first eggs belonging to Cassin’s Auklets were observed this month.
Here’s what you can do this month: Help the ring-necked California sea lion by cleaning up an area of coastline you live near. Picking up trash near the coast can significantly decrease the number of ring-necked sea lions!
Check out www.prbo.org and www.losfarallones.blogspot.com for more info!
*Information collected by scientists from PRBO Conservation Science*
