At the end of the day, Pelagic Cormorants descend on Counter Point in a manner and number similar to the northbound Gray whales of the past several days. We are now above 402 for the general migration of males and females, mature and juvenile (not calves or their mothers) through the nearshore of the Santa Barbara Channel. Historically their peak is eleven to fourteen days away. What then?

In addition to lots of birds in the water, on the shore, and in the air above the Point, we sighted our pair of Harbor seals together in the waves, plus Bottlenose dolphins, which seem to be foraging a bit further offshore, perhaps because of the warmer water (where the fish have moved). Common dolphins charged around in their usual manner, if not number. We have seen group sizes much smaller than past years.

Our dozen sightings of northbound Gray whales did not include a spyhopping juvenile that appeared right in front of us and left without a trace and did not indicate where it was headed. We only saw its head going straight up.

Gray whales northbound (all) 29 | Calves 0 — 2015 Count 402 | 000

Hours 8:00