Gray
Whale Migration Update: May 17, 2006
Today's Report Includes:
- Latest Gray Whale Migration Data: Going, Going, Almost Gone
- Still Watching For Whales
- Cow/Calf Migration Has Peaked: Field Notes From Wayne Perryman
- Final Field Notes from California’s Channel Islands: Terrific Finish
- Final Field Notes from ACS/Los Angeles: The Last Whale Counted
- “Gray Whale Obstacle Course” on PBS Television This Summer
- Year-End Evaluation: Please Share Your Thoughts!
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Gray
Whale Migration Route |
Latest Gray Whale Migration Data: Going, Going, Almost Gone
One look at today's data (no graphs this week) makes it clear that the
migration past California is almost finished.
Wayne
Perryman remains at Pt. Piedras Blancas to count mothers and babies bringing
up the "tail" of the migration. But this week, the counting
finished at our two California census stations. Take a look: What do
you notice about the numbers tallied since our last Update? How do they
compare with the two preious weeks?
Now let's hear our observers’ stories for this final report of the spring migration!
Still Watching For Whales
Gray whales may be almost finished passing California, but they are still plowing northward. Here’s what observers farther north tell us:
- Richmond, BC: Rick from Seabreeze Adventures reports “no whales in the Gulf of Georgia as of yet. We hope to see some soon.”
- Tofino, BC: Kati from Remote Passages Marine Excursions was thrilled to report, “Moms and calves reported every day in the last 3 days, on almost every trip. We are definitely in the main part of the mom/calf window of the northward migration. It appears that there may be more mother/calf pairs this year than last, but that is only an impression; it may also be that they are travelling in a more concentrated grouping.” You may recall that Tofino whale watchers are also waiting to see a whale called Two Dot Star. No sightings yet—but Kati says, “maybe we can get many eyes looking for him!” If you live in this area, will you help? These photos show Two Dot Star’s identifying markings:
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| Photo:
Dr. Jim Darling West Coast Whale Research Foundation / Whale Trust |
Photo:
Dr. Jim Darling West Coast Whale Research Foundation / Whale Trust |
Cow/Calf Migration Has Peaked: Field Notes From Wayne Perryman
“The gray whale migration is starting to wind down. We were having 2 to 3 pairs a day last week, with some fog cutting it down to 1 pair per day on Thursday and Friday. The count for the year hangs at 279, which isn't bad considering that we only worked 5 days a week instead of our usual 6. So, we have another good year. The calf production estimate will be very similar to last year's, and I think that all signs point to a healthy population that is probably growing at a few percentage points a year.”
Many
thanks, Wayne Perryman, for sharing
news of the cow/calf numbers with us from your observation
post on the
migration trail!
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Final Field Notes from California’s Channel Islands: Terrific Finish
Research director Michael H. Smith and his volunteers are now off duty. In 107 days of counting whales, their season total was 633 gray whales and 119 calves. Fantastic! How did the season end? Michael shares the fun:
May 13. “Today we were up against a string of three whale-less days and the end of the migration in sight. Well, we broke that string with two sightings of northbound gray whales. At 11 AM we saw a trio: mother, calf, and juvenile sidekick. The three went past the Point and enjoyed some playtime off the beaches. We had not yet calmed down when a whale fluked about a mile east of Coal Oil Point. This was a single that kept close to shore and still managed to wave its flukes two more times.”
Not quite ready to say goodbye, the volunteers hoped for one more cow/calf pair the next day (May 14). It was Mothers' Day and the final day of the census. They got their wish! The first pair appeared at 1:15 as we were trying to determine if we could see far enough to resume counting after a fog Time Out. (Since we could see the whales, I guess we could.) What a sight. We knew the migration was ending; but we hoped for another pair: here it was, and we were thrilled. Just after 3:30 we got our bonus, the last pair, the last whales for us for the year.
Michael
adds, “We have become a team, and we are very
proud of our work this year. We have, of course, enjoyed
the whales and the magnificent environment. What has
made this endeavor special is the many who participated
in the Count by showing up and doing the work.” To
all of you, Journey North sends our WHALE-SIZED THANKS!
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How
does this migration compare to last year’s? |
Final Field Notes from ACS/Los Angeles: The Last Whale
Counted
At the ACS/LA census station, May 4 was a “Great day for
whales.” It was a day of milestones, including passing
last year’s total number of whales, and passing last year’s
total number of cow/calf pairs. Wow! Here's more:
“We had a great end to the season. Our
last official gray whale was a juvenile, but it really performed
for us. Less than 1/4 mile away it breached 3 times. When it
surfaced the next time, it breached twice, and after that it breached
once.” Observers
were thrilled!
Summing up: “Our season was below average, but not bad—and
very good for cow/calf pairs in both directions.
- For the southbound, we saw more whales than 6 of the last 22 seasons and only 4 of the last 22 seasons had more cow/calf pairs.
- For the northbound, we saw more whales than 8 of the last 22 seasons and only 6 of the last 22 seasons had more northbound cow/calf pairs.
- Cow/calf pair were a little over 7% of the southbound migration. Only 3 other seasons had more than that.
- Cow/calf pairs were a little over 11% of the northbound migration, and likewise only 3 seasons had a greater percentage.
Hooray! High fives and thanks to the volunteers who brought us the news and numbers, especially Mike Hawe.
 Orcas:
Gray Whale Enemy Number One |
Photo Michael H. Smith |
This season’s lessons have been a big reminder that the gray whale’s journey is neither easy nor safe. That’s why we’re so thrilled to tell you about Jean-Michel Cousteau's film "The Gray Whale Obstacle Course" being aired on PBS television starting July 18. See a preview and details here, and mark your calendar for this not-to-be-missed spectacular:
| Year-End Evaluation: Please Share Your Thoughts! | |
| Please take a few minutes to share your suggestions and comments in our Year-End Evaluation. The information you provide is critical for planning new initiatives and for improving Journey North. Also, as a free program supported by a generous grant from Annenberg Media, we want to be able to document Journey North's reach, impact and value. THANK YOU! | |
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Journey
North |
This is the FINAL Gray Whale Migration Update for 2006. The whales are off to a good summer of feeding and fattening before the monumental migration starts all over again next fall. Thank you for cheering them on their journey north. Best wishes to YOU for a fun-filled summer!
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