Today's Report Includes:

• Whale Watching: News from Observation Posts >>

• Journal: What's It Like to Be a Whale? >>

• Scientists at Work: Why is the Calf Count So Low? >>

• Tracking the Migration: Using Weekly Data ≥≥

• Links: This Week's Gray Whale Resources ≥≥

In the April 13 entry at post #7, Michael H. Smith writes At 1:00, a young single was making its way north by us at a good pace. It covered two miles in just over twenty minutes. Perhaps the whale was "pushed" by the sound of jet-skis and various sportfishing boats that were out in the warm weather and churning up the calm seas."

• How many miles per hour was the young whale swimming? Why do YOU think it was moving "at a good pace?"

Guide/naturalist Adrienne in Mexico's San Ignacio Lagoon (#2), tells us that babies are getting bigger, stronger, and more rambunctious. One baby came to the boat and let everyone pet her. "Then she proceeded to spin our boat very quickly round and round! Some of the guests were frightened by her strength and how fast we were spinning! She was having a lot of fun doing this. Suddenly Mom came and it was as if she scolded baby and took her away."

• Imagine a conversation between mother and baby after this event. In your story, who says what?

On April 21, Gray Whales Count tallied 24 calves so far. "It is more than last year at this time, but last year was a disaster. In 2007, we counted less than half as many calves as the year before." Michael H. Smith, Gray Whales Count

"It's been a slow year so far, with only 25 calves through April 18 . . . I don't expect a banner year, but was hoping for a better year than last." Wayne Perryman, NOAA's Southwest Science Center/Pt. Piedras Blancas Census

Why are fewer gray whales born in some years than in others? What factors might trigger a low number of gray whale births?

When Mr. Perryman saw interesting fluctuations in numbers of calves born each year, he knew it was a RESULT. Scientists look for correlations between variables. Today we team up with Mr. Perryman to learn more about his research.

Experts had hoped to see more calves by now. Use these questions and the handout with the daily whale counts at our two California point-count stations to see the story in the data:

• Which whales are Californians seeing?
• Do the latest numbers show any pulses (surges in numbers), or any lulls (slow-down in numbers) at California's Coal Oil Point? >> At Los Angeles? >>
• Why is it valuable to record zeros in the migration data? What does that information tell you?
• Graphing gray whale data through the whole season? Add the latest data. >>

• Gray Whale Conservation News: Problems in the Food Chain? >>
• Climate Studies: Gray Whales: Weathering Change? >>
• Migration Celebration! Whale Fest Kodiak, April 18-30 >>
• Media Link: World on the Move: British Broadcasting Company (BBC) Tracks Gray Whales >> (Hear interviews With Michael H. Smith of Gray Whales Count, our Observation Post in California's Channel Islands!)
• Discover: Photogrammetry: A Way to Study Whales >>
• Explore: Cows and Calves and Ice, Oh My! Looking for Correlations >>

The Next Gray Whale Migration Update Will Be Posted on May 7, 2008.

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