Gray Whale Migration Update: April 23 1997

Greetings from the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary

"More than 600 gray whales were seen between February 16 and April 7th on the Condor Whale Watch vessel. The Whale Corps naturalists had an interesting resighting of a very distinctive looking whale with a big white spot on the left side of its first knuckle. The animal was seen just outside the Santa Barbara breakwater last year and observed in the same location this year exactly 367 days later. The animal was photographed both times and a positive photo id made. It really makes me wonder if it is just a coincidence or if these animals have very carefully synchronized internal clocks.

"We have had lots of whale sightings the past few weeks. Check out our new Marine Mammal sightings database to see a map of the Santa Barbara channel with recent sightings information:

"As you can see from the sightings information below, we are well into the mother/calf migration season in Santa Barbara. The data below are reported from the Rachel G. Whale watching vessel. After analyzing it carefully, can you answer this question?

Will Hagan, Macalester College

Challenge Question # 3
"Based on the average speed gray whales migrate past Santa Barbara, California, how long will it take a gray whale to reach the feeding grounds in the Aleutian Islands?"

To respond to this Challenge Question please follow the instructions at the end of this report.

"Until next week, this is Laura Gorodezky signing off."

Laura Gorodezky, Education Coordinator
Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary
Santa Barbara, California

Analyzing Gray Whale Migration Data
The data below were collected on the whale watch vessel "Rachel G. Whale" between March 10th and April 21st. At first glance, you may not see anything but numbers. But the more you look at the data, patterns will begin to emerge. Remember, you are looking at "raw data". This term is used to describe data that have not yet been analyzed or interpreted. When raw data are arranged into charts and tables they are usually easier to understand.

What can you conclude about gray whale migration past Santa Barbara, California during this time period?

• Link to Gray Whale Migration Data (Caution: Large File)
• Link to Note to Teachers

Imagine This:
Laura Gorodezky just called. She has offered a job to the students in your class who can analyze the data collected this season aboard the whale watching vessel in Santa Barbara, California. The phone in the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary office is constantly ringing and people are calling to ask questions such as these:

• How many mother/calf pairs have been sighted?
• Last spring, the 1st pair was seen on 2/10/96. How does this year's first sighting compare?
• When is the best time to go whale-watching in Santa Barabara between March 10th and April 21st?
• Are we sure to see a gray whale any time we go out?
• How fast do the whales migrate? What is their average speed ?
• And the most challenging question of all:

Challenge Question # 3:
"Based on the average speed gray whales migrate past Santa Barbara, California, how long will it take a gray whale to reach their feeding grounds in the Aleutian Islands?"

How to Respond to Journey North Gray Whale Challenge Question # 3

1. Address an e-mail message to: jn-challenge-gwhale@learner.org
2. In the Subject Line of your message write: Challenge Question # 3
3. In the body of the message, give your answer the question above.

Don't Forget!
Please include the name of your school and your location so we can credit you properly for your answers.

The Next Gray Whale Migration Update Will be Posted on April 30, 1997.