Journey North Gray Whale Spring 2008

Gray Whale Migration Update: March 4, 2009

Today's Report Includes:

Whale Watching: News from Observation Posts >>

Observe: What Are Typical Behaviors of Migrating Whales? >>

Journal Topic: Why Head South? >>

Tracking the Migration: Using Weekly Data ≥≥
Mystery Solved: Who Is This Whale? >>

Invitation: Whale of a Day March 7 >>

Links: This Week's Gray Whale Resources ≥≥

What is this? How does it help a gray whale eat? >>

Whale Watching: News From Observation Posts

Here's the news! >>
On each post's intro page, click on the NEWS button for latest news.

The migration is picking up, and so is the excitement! First northbounders were reported at Half Moon Bay (#10) and Tofino, BC (#15). In Washington state, The Orca Network reported northbounders too. On March 2 the ACS-LA team (#6) had this season's highest gray whale counts. The highlight of the day was a pod of three whales interacting with 4-6 bottlenose dolphin for over an hour, said Census Director Alisa Schulman-Janiger. "The whales rolled — showing pectoral fins, flukes, and bellies — while the dolphin jumped over the whales' heads!" Numbers are increasing past the site of Gray Whales Count (#7), where whales counted passed the 100 mark on March 3. They are anticipating the "rush" of whales and possibly an earlier peak this year than last. Along the California coast, both a Malibu observer and Gray Whales Count wondered if they saw an early cow/calf pair but could not be certain. We'll gladly wait as the babies grow stronger in the nursery lagoons of Mexico before heading north with moms.

Observe: What Are Typical Behaviors of Migrating Whales?

Photo Quiz! What whale behaviors do you see? >>

Whale watchers notice all sorts of things. They note behaviors called breaching, milling, fluking, going stealth, and more. One day observers at the ACS-LA Census reported a gray whale "dance."

Skim the news from observers at Gray Whales Count (click here) and the ACS/LA Census (click here) for rich information.
Learn how whale watchers are trained to record observations. >>
Take our photo quiz to see what whale behaviors you can identify! >>

Be a whale watcher!

Journal Topic: Why Head South?

Two Scientists Speak: Why head south? >>

"Usually at this time, we have seen more southbound whales than northbound whales, and most of the whales are juveniles wondering: Are we there yet? It is a long swim for not much reason as far as they are concerned," said Michael Smith at Gray Whales Count (#7) near Santa Barbara, CA.

What are two reasons why a long migration could be less risky than staying in one place? Think, then link to find the thoughts of two experts. >>

Write responses in your Gray Whale Journal. >>

Photo Michael H. Smith
What are two obstacles gray whales face at the site of Gray Whales Count in California?

Tracking the Migration: Using Daily Data

Current Gray Whale Migration Data >>

Click to enlarge

Each week we share fascinating comments from whale observers and counters. Over the years they've seen that, in general, groups of whales travel in “pulses,” or surges in numbers. The pulses generally move up the coast in this order: (1) newly pregnant females, (2) males, juveniles from the previous year and non-pregnant females, (3) cow/calf pairs. What do the data show?

When did any pulses (surges in numbers) take place at Coal Oil Point? >> At Los Angeles? >>
Compare northbound migration progress past Los Angeles with progress in past years using this ACS/LA graph. >>
Graphing gray whale data through the whole season at one or both California posts? Add the latest data. >>

Questions About This Week's Data >>

Why do counts differ between our two California point-count sites? >>

Mystery Solved: Who is This Whale?

Lesson: Whale ID >>

On the Island Explorer 3, Captains Carl and Michael saw the huge blow of a Gray Whale at Camano Head, WA (48.06N, -122.36W) on Feb. 22. "This is the earliest in the year we have confirmed our regular North Puget Sound whales to be here," said the captains. One whale was Patch, a favorite regular. How could the captains know this? The whale's identity was confirmed through the photo catalog of Cascadia Research. See if you can do it! >>

Patch is a "regular" in Puget Sound. Why do you think this gray whale has that name? >>
Photo Michael H. Smith

Invitation: "Whale of a Day" March 7, 2009

Festival Details/Map >>

You're invited to "Whale of a Day" — a wonderful educational event this weekend at the site of the ACS/LA Census. Alisa Schulman-Janiger, Census Director, comments: "Although our project is always in full public viewing on the patio of the Point Vicente Interpretive Center, Saturday will be a great day to combine fantastic whale-related activities and education with opportunities to whalewatch with the experts." What could be more fun? >>

"Whale of a Day" is March 7 at Point Vicente Interpretive Center. Details/Map >>

This Week's Gray Whale Resources

Photo Study: What Is This? >>
Lesson: Adaptations that Help Gray Whales Survive >>
Scientists at Work: Gray Whale Photo ID Lesson/Quiz >>
Citizen Scientists at Work: How We Log (Record) Sightings >>
Photo Slide Show/Quiz: What Whale Behaviors Do you See? >>
Reading Strategies: Reading With Experts: Navigating Difficult Passages >>
Two Scientists Comment: Why Head South? >>
Teachers: Getting Started >>

Michael H. Smith, Project Director for Gray Whales Count, discusses why counts differ between our two California point-count sites >>

More Gray Whale Lessons and Teaching Ideas!

The Next Gray Whale Migration Update Will Be Posted on March 18, 2009.