Journey North Gray Whale Spring 2009

FINAL Gray Whale Migration Update: May 13, 2009

Today's Report Includes:

Whale Watching: The Home Stretch >>

In the Field: Where Are the Calves? >>

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

Climate Studies: Weathering Change? >>

Tracking the Migration: Using Daily Data ≥≥

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

Links: This Week's Gray Whale Resources ≥≥

What are those marks on this gray whale? Find out! >>
Photo Adrienne Deliso

Whale Watching: The Home Stretch

Here's the news! >>
After you land on a post's intro page, click on the NEWS button for latest news.

This week: news and comments from sites 6, 7, 8.

Most whales — even some moms and babies — have reached Alaska, about 5,000 miles north of the baby whales' birthplace. On May 8 one cow/calf pair was sighted by Kate Wynne and Bree Witteveen of the University of Alaska Fairbanks as they flew an aerial whale survey in Alaska, counting 49 whales in a half hour of flying. They're almost home!

Meanwhile, all gray whale cow/calf pairs pass Pt. Piedras Blancas, California, as they head north. So where are they? "Maybe they are just late," commented biologist Wayne Perryman, who called this a VERY slow year. He saw only 5 cow/calf pairs last week. "We are up to 76 pairs for the year, which puts us firmly in third place for the lowest count over the 16 years of this effort." The Pt. Piedras Blancas team will stay on site until May 29, and then pack up to go home.

In the Field: Where Are the Calves?

Neither of the two California point-count sites saw the expected big push of cow/calf pairs over the past two weeks. Both sites had some poor weather conditions on several days: fog, wind, and — in Santa Barbara — days of smoke from a raging *wildfire.

In 26 seasons of counting gray whales, this is the second-lowest count for northbound gray whales for ACS/LA. For northbound calves, nine seasons have had lower counts, and 16 seasons have had higher counts.

With five days left to Count, Gray Whales Count tallied 38 calves. In 2008 they finished with 59 calves; in 2007 with 52 calves; and in 2006 with 119.

*On May 5 Michael H. Smith said: "The huge wind that knocked us off Counter Point at 1:20 is driving the fire at many houses . . ." Our thoughts are certainly with this entire community as they recover from the fire.

Photo: Michael H. Smith
Gray Whales Count
A clowning calf at Coal Oil Point, CA: "This calf was fun," wrote Michael H. Smith on May 1. "It was the most calf-like we have seen this year and it was all over the place, up-and-down, over-and-under. Both the cow and calf were at the surface a lot in their slow travel past us."

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

Lesson: Cows and Calves and Ice, Oh My! >>

Biologist Wayne Perryman studies the possible connection between arctic ice cover and whale calf production. When he saw interesting fluctuations in numbers of calves born each year, he knew it was a RESULT. This week Mr. Perryman said, "Ice was heavy last season in Alaska due to a very cold winter. The calf numbers we are seeing this spring are consistent with what we think we understand about the position of ice relative to the feeding grounds when pregnant females swim north."

Scientists look for correlations between variables. Today we team up with Mr. Perryman to learn more about his research about calf production and sea ice. It is especially exciting after Mr. Perryman's comment to Journey North this week: "I think that this [the arctic ice] may have a stronger effect than we had anticipated." >>

Looking for Correlations >>

Climate Studies: Weathering Change?

Lesson: Weathering Change? >>

The gray whales can only swim farther north as the melting sea ice permits. Because the whales wait until after the ice is gone, people look at changes in the Bering Sea ice maps to help them know when the gray whales will return. Gray whales usually don't swim as far as Point Hope, Alaska until July!

Current ice maps from the National Snow and Ice Data Center show a slow start to the spring melt season. Cool conditions over the Bering Sea lasted through mid-April, slowing ice loss. How will this affect the whales' journey north? How will it affect the whales' summer feeding? See what scientists say about gray whales and climate change. There are many questions and few answers.

Related Lesson: Gray Whales and Changing Sea Ice >>

Gray whales don't reach the end of their route until after the ice is gone. How far can the whales go today before ice stops them?

Current Ice Map >>

Tracking the Migration: Using Daily Data

Current Gray Whale Migration Data >>

This two-week reporting period brings us almost to the final tallies for the season at Gray Whales Count (they will count until May 17) and ACS/Los Angeles (counting until May 15). Use the handout with the daily whale counts to examine the near-final results of the 2009 counts at our two California counting posts.

Important Numbers
Most of the estimated 20,000 gray whales migrate past California. Northbound whales, particularly cow/calf pairs, tend to hug the coastline. The record number for ACS/LA is 222 calves counted in 1996-97. In spring 2008, ACS/LA counted 63 northbound calves (9.9% of northbound migrants). In spring 2007, they counted 58 northbound calves (5.7% of northbound migrants).

BONUS QUESTION: Why is percentage of calves a more important clue to reproductive success than total number of calves?

Questions About This Week's Data >>

Graphing gray whale data through the whole season at one or both California posts? Add the latest data. >>

Year-end Evaluation: Please Share Your Thoughts

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

With your help, we can we document Journey North's reach, impact and value. We need comments like yours to keep the program going and growing.

Thank you! >>

Year-end Evaluation

This Week's Gray Whale Resources

Take Action: Help for Ocean Habitat >>

Photo Study: What are those marks on this gray whale? >>
Current Arctic Ice Map: >>
Lesson: Cows and Calves and Ice, Oh My! >>
Lesson: Gray Whales: Weathering Change? >>
Lesson: Gray Whales and Changing Sea Ice >>
Explore: Beast Feast >>
Gray Whale Conservation News: Issues That Affect Gray Whales >>
Media Link to Explore: World on the Move: British Broadcasting Company (BBC) Tracks Gray Whales in Spring 2008 >> (Hear interviews With Michael H. Smith of "Gray Whales Count.")
Track and Study Arctic Ice: National Snow and Ice Data Center Links >>

Whale food (krill) in a jar!
How much does an adult whale eat during a 5- or 6-month eating frenzy on the Arctic feeding grounds? >>

More Gray Whale Lessons and Teaching Ideas!

This is the FINAL Gray Whale Migration Update for 2009. The whales are off to a 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!