6-8 gray whales in San Ignacio Lagoon
The early migration has reached at least one of the Baja birthing/mating lagoons. Our colleagues in Laguna San Ignacio report sighting between 6-8 whales today.
Good article about the surprising southbound gray whale numbers
Almost 200 gray whales have been counted by the LA-area volunteers since December 1. Surely a record will be set for these early “birds” on their way to Baja California.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/dec/29/early-whale-migration-spurs-excitement/
Record month for gray whales!
It’s turning out to be a record southbound migration already. Volunteers have counted 85 whales passing by the LA area since December 1.
December 14 and the grays are coming
This is the report from the ACS census team in LA:
As of 14-DEC 2011
Southbound Today —————- 7
Northbound Today —————- 0
Total Whales Today ————– 7
Southbound Calves Today ——— 0
Northbound Calves Today ——— 0
Season to Date (since 1 Dec 2011)
Southbound ——————— 19
Northbound ———————- 2
Total ————————– 21
Calves South ——————– 0
Calves North ——————– 0
Message from the observers: Great day for gray whales: three pairs plus a single whale! We saw flukes on three of the four sightings; one whale lifted its head up on each of its deep dives. Most of the sightings came within a half mile; one pair passed just above the kelp line. We saw several fin whales, two of which were lunge-feeding. We also spotted common dolphin, bottlenose dolphin and Pacific white-sided dolphin. The sun set into the haze with a tiny green flash.
Southbound census starts and a few grays are spotted already!
This is a great way to track the migrating gray whales throughout the season. It is a SHORE-based census in Los Angeles area.
