Journey North Gray Whale Spring 2008

FINAL Gray Whale Migration Update: May 14, 2008

Today's Report Includes:

Whale Watching: News from Observation Posts ≥≥

Journal: What's Up With the Arctic Sea Ice? ≥≥

Field Report: How Far Can They Go? ≥≥

Tracking the Migration: Using Weekly Data ≥≥

Year-end Evaluation: Please Share Your Thoughts ≥≥

Links: This Week's Gray Whale Resources ≥≥

Photo Michael H. Smith

Have whale watchers seen Patch heading north?

Whale Watching: News From Observation Posts

In a real-life survival story, a few gray whales may still be in Mexico's lagoons while have reached the Bering Sea (#19)and their summer feasting grounds. Waiting to count the last moms and babies passing California is biologist Wayne Perryman at Pt. Piedras Blancas, CA (#8). He says, "Migration is stretching a bit later than usual, and as yet has not indicated that it wants to slow down." With 35 c/c pairs last week, he's counted 150 calves so far. That's up from 2007's full season count of 117! How are predictions panning out?

By May 9, one week before their census ends, ACS-LA (#6) saw more cow/calf pairs than last season, and more cow/calf pairs than 10 of the last 24 seasons. As Gray Whales Count in the Santa Barbara Channel (#7) ended their season on May 11, Michael H. Smith reported a record total of 647 whales, but not a good year (so far) for calves past their counting station. "We do hope more are coming and that they will be noted farther north by Wayne Perryman and the Piedras Blancas group."

We wish the whales safe passage, and send out cheers and thanks to all the volunteers who brought us news and numbers during the whales' 2008 journey north!

Read the news! >>

Journal: What's Up With the Arctic Sea Ice?

Explore: Gray Whales and Changing Sea Ice: What Scientists Think >>

Mr. Perryman mentions sea ice in connection with his predictions for this year's calf count. All the scientists pay attention to the sea ice. How does arctic sea ice change over years and decades? To find out, scientists must collect long-term data. By doing this, they have discovered some alarming changes. What does this animated map (click) tell you about changes in sea ice coverage?

Write your ideas about today's question before and after you explore the lesson:

List at least three ways you think sea ice changes — and related ones — could affect gray whales and other marine animals. What questions do you have about sea ice and gray whales?

Write responses in your Gray Whale Journal. >>

Click here for a satellite-based animation showing long-term changes in year-round sea ice.

Field Report: How Far Can They Go?

More: Dr. Rugh's full report >>

We asked Dr. David Rugh of the National Marine Mammal Lab to size up this spring's migration and how far the whales have traveled — not an easy question to answer! "The sea ice was farther south this year than in some recent years," he said. "However, the ice is thinner than in the past, which means it can break up easily and melt quickly. This might not hold the whales back very much if there are a lot of open areas between ice floes.

"On this date, May 12, there may be a few whales that have already gone through the Bering Strait. Soon, if not already, some gray whales will migrate as far north at Point Barrow, and a few brave souls will make it all the way to the Beaufort Sea, perhaps as far east as Canada. Others will cross the Chukchi Sea going to the northwest into the Siberian Sea."

This week, how far can the whales go before ice stops them? What makes the whales spread out more and more as they reach the Arctic? Where do they end up? Find comments in Dr. Rugh's full report, here. >>

Tracking the Migration: Using Weekly Data

Current Gray Whale Migration Data >>

Use the handout with the daily whale counts to examine the final results of the 2008 counts at our two California counting stations.

Graphing gray whale data through the whole season? Add the latest data. >>

Questions About This Week's Data >>

Year-end Evaluation: Please Share Your Thoughts! >>

Will you take a few minutes to complete our Year-end Evaluation?

Only with your help can we document Journey North's reach, impact and value. The information you provide is critical for planning new initiatives and for improving Journey North. Thank you!

Year-end Evaluation >>

This Week's Gray Whale Resources

Gray Whale Conservation News: Issues That Affect Gray Whales >>
Draw a Gray Whale: Whale Art (with printable drawing clues) >>
Media Link: The Gray Whale Obstacle Course (PBS TV) >>
Discover: Photogrammetry: A Way to Study Whales >>
Explore: Beast Feast >>
Dig Deeper: Orcas and Gray Whales: Feeding and Survival >>
Take Action: Help for Ocean Habitat >> How Can You Help Whales? >>
Track Arctic Ice: National Snow and Ice Data Center >>
Look Back: Sightings of Cow/Calf Pairs 1994-2005 >>

Whale food (krill) in a jar!
How much does a whale eat? >>

This is the FINAL Gray Whale Migration Update for 2008. The whales are off to a summer of feeding and fattening before the monumental migration starts all over again. Thank you for cheering them on their journey north. Best wishes to YOU for a fun-filled summer!