Farallon Fanatic Newsletter
Farallon Fanatic
Wildlife Updates from the Farallon National Wildlife Refuge and the
Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary
October 2007
June 2007
March 2007
Farallon Fanatic
Vol XXIII, October 2007
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
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*
