Gray Whale Migration Update: Feb. 29, 2012 |
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Here they come! The number of whale sightings has increased and most are heading north. Still, the buzz now is all about the babies. Our new puzzle and article reveal why the young calves are tons of fun. Meet a whale called Varvara and find out why she's so special.
This Week's Update Includes:
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Image of the Week | ||||||||||||||
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News: Here They Come! | |||||||||||||||
The season's newest "first" northbound sightings in California have now been reported for Post #5 (San Diego on February 17), Post #7 (Santa Barbara on February 16), and Post #9 (Monterey Bay on February 8). A "first" sighting reported from the Mendocino/Sonoma Coast came on February 19, with five grays spotted. The journey north is picking up, but much of the action is still in the nurseries. "It has been a great year for the gray whales here at Laguna Ojo de Liebre," reports tour leader Keith Jones at Post #3. "Latest count showed 1,700 total gray whales inside this nursery lagoon. It's the highest count in four years!" At Laguna San Ignacio (Post #2), Chris of Baja Ecotours reports the whales "having a blast playing with us and teaching their young the ways of life." His field notes describe how the friendly whales interact with tourists in the small guide boats, and how baby Valentine's mother is now teaching her little whale to brave stronger currents. A very special gray whale named Varvara is mingling with other whales in the lagoons and creating a big stir among scientists. Find out who she is and why her journey is so unusual when you read the field notes from Posts #1 and #2. Watch for more news about Varvara this season, as many eyes are on this wayward whale. Counting the Whales Passing California When will the season's first northbound cow/calf pair be spotted? Stay tuned! Read Field Notes |
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Explore: Tons of Fun! Babies in the Nursery | |||||||||||||||
Baby gray whales need a lot of nurturing before they can venture out on their own. They're keeping the watchful mother whales very busy right now. Visit the nursery and take a closer look with our puzzle, article, and challenge page. Find them all here: |
Tons of Fun! |
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Tracking the Migration: Using Daily Data | |||||||||||||||
What changes do you notice in the daily data at these two California point-count sites? What do the data show for northbound calves? Why? This week, predict what you might see before phase one of this migration gives way to phase two: the cow/calf pairs. What questions do you have?
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The next gray whale migration update will be posted on Mar. 14, 2012. | |||||||||||||||