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Gray Whale Migration Update: March 6, 2002

Today's Report Includes:

Gray Whale Migration Route
(Click on face of map)

Latest Migration News: Right on Schedule
The northward migration is picking up! Since our last report, the first northbound gray whale was sighted at Puget Sound and farther north in Tofino and Ucluelet, British Columbia! John Calambokidis, Research Biologist at Cascadia Research in Olympia, Washington said, "Typically, we get our first sightings of the regular northern Puget Sound returning animals in late February or early March of each year, so this appears to be on schedule."

From Tofino, Jamie of Jamie's Whaling Station tour company also says, "The migration is right on time again this year! The herring are spawning up in Hesquiat Harbour so we expect the usual gang of Grays in there soon, munching on Herring spawn as they do each year." Jamie's whale watching tour company opened for their 20th year on February 14 to glorious spring weather. "Despite the local Crab fishermen seeing Gray Whales at Long Beach throughout the winter and early spring, our first sighting didn't come until February 20th: one lone whale spotted off Long Beach. Things were pretty bleak again until Feb. 23 when several Grays were seen heading north off Leonard Light, just outside Tofino. A couple of Grays were spotted February 27, and since March 2 we have been spotting the Grays in groups of two to three fairly regularly. We have also had a few Killer Whale sightings already this season. We look forward to sharing our sightings with you all again this season."

The progress northward makes us wonder how you'll answer:

Challenge Question #5:
"When do you predict the first gray whale will be sighted in the Gulf of Alaska, near Kodiak?"

(To respond to this question, please follow the instructions below.)

Highlights Along the California Coast

Photo Mike & Winston

How about this news! On March 1 the total whale count (433 south and 80 north) for the ACS Census at Point Vincent, CA passed 500, reported Mike and Winston. "Only 7 more southbound needed to pass last season's totals!"

From Channel Islands Marine Sanctuary, volunteers share their fascinating sightings log with Journey North. You'll see not only their sightings of gray whales, but other sea mammals, and some surprising information. Here's an example: "Generally, the gray whales migrated north in pairs or alone. The one instance (February 17, 2002) when it was not clear if the whales were travelling north, the pair was accompanied by a pod of about 100 common dolphins." Enjoy more here:

Sightings Log from NOAA's Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary

"We have watched rather fast moving, shallow swimming northbound gray whales, 1 to 3 at a time, this past week," reports Captain Heidi Tiura of Sanctuary Cruises on Monterey Bay and the central coast of California. "But on Sunday, we came across two leisurely southbound grays, one of which had a markedly white head and face just like a whale that we came to know up at Neah Bay, Washington while fighting the Makah Indian gray whale hunt in 1998. That site fidelity of "resident" whales sometimes ebbs as the whale matures sexually, and it joins the migration again. So perhaps this was our White Face. All we know is the pair often surfaced about the same time, very close together, while cruising south at 4.3 knots (almost 5 mph) for quite a while. We ghosted along and were treated to many fantastic sightings.

Turnaround! Discussion of Challenge Question #4
Last time the numbers of southbound whales were dwindling. We asked: "What date do you predict for this season's turnaround date, when whales northbound will exceed whales southbound?"

This week it's official: ACS volunteers Mike and Winston confirmed that we're into the crossover or turnaround phase of migration. Mike said, "During this period of time there are whales traveling both south and north, so we really have to be on our toes at the census." The newest migration data (see the table at the link below) shows that northbound whales first exceeded southbound whales on February 19, and that the pattern is now consistent. Go, whales!

A Peek at Peaks
Last year's turnaround (2001) was 3 March, the latest crossover in the ACS project's 18 (now 19) years of full season reporting. According to project director Alisa Schulman-Janiger, the 2000 turnaround date was February 14, and in previous seasons it has varied from about 9 February to 21 February. Some seasons have a gap period, with few whales seen going in either direction. Other seasons the north and south migrations overlap.

Storms, wind and fog can affect the migrations each way and the ability to count whales, but scientists (including YOU!) can usually see trends. For example, the peak count of northbound whales without calves has varied from the last week in February to the third week in March. The cow/calf migration usually peaks about 6 weeks later. Are you ready for a challenge? Use the data we give you in this season's reports (see URLs listed below, and also consider data in future reports) to answer:

Challenge Question #6:
"Using ACS Census data, what date was the peak southbound migration for this season? What date do you predict for the peak northbound migration? What date do you predict for the cow/calf peak?"

(To respond to this question, please follow instructions below.)

Swimming in Order
Mike and Winston shared some other important migration and whale facts:
  • The gray whale we see still traveling south are juveniles of both sexes. They won't reach breeding age until they are about 8.
  • The northbound whales we start seeing first are usually single mature females (possibly pregnant). Next we begin to see mature males, followed by immature males and females. Last, we see the mothers with their new calves.

After reading the order in which northward migration takes place, how will you answer this challenge question?

Challenge Question #7:
"In what order do you think southward migration takes place? Explain your reasoning."

(To respond to this question, please follow instructions below.)

Spring Training
Meanwhile, whales in the lagoons continue to enchant and entertain visiting whale watchers. Tour guide Keith "Baja" Jones, says "Hola amigos y amigas" and gives us some numbers from Lagune Ojo de Liebre: "The official Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve census dated Febrero 6, 2002 states there are 361 mothers, 361 babies and 117 solo whales for a total of 839 whales estimated in the lagoon. Two weeks later (February 19) the census increased to a total of 1,100 animals."

What are those whales doing? The mothers and babies stay in the lagoons several weeks longer than the other whales. Now they are busy with spring training. Naturalist Tom Lewis shares his observations in Laguna San Ignacio. Read why others and calves swim in a predictable pattern against a tidal current that can be very strong:

Then come back and answer our next Challenge Question:

Challenge Question #8:
"If 1 knot is 1 nautical mile per hour and a nautical mile is 1.15 statute miles, how fast is the tidal current in San Ignacio?"

(To respond to this question, please follow the instructions below.)

Classroom to Classroom: Alaska-to-Mexico Exchange
gwhale_nlgmex4

Is it REALLY salt?

Journey North's Jane Duden visited Laguna Ojo de Liebre to see the whales and to introduce two schools from both ends of the whale migration trail. The schools exchanged letters and gifts to help them learn about each other and the whales that share their environment part of each year. In past reports, you met the classes and saw photos of the Mexican students opening the gifts and items sent from Alaska. This week you can see what the Mexican students sent back to Alaska. What do you think is most interesting? See the photos here:

Watch Out for the Splash! Questions and Whale Watching

Click here for video--watch out for the splash!

What is a whale "footprint" and what does it tell you? What are two facts about the barnacles on gray whales? About how many weeks do whales swim to get from the Arctic to the lagoons of Mexico? What is the name of the area in Mexico set aside to protect endangered plants and animals? What is the world's longest and narrowest peninsula? You'll know the answers to these questions when you join Jane on a day of whale watching in Laguna Ojo de Liebre. Before you go to her photo page, do two things:
1. Click on the link under this photo for a video. Look and listen, and be careful so you don't get splashed!
2. Take time to list what you think would be good rules for whale watchers to obey while in the lagoon. Then click here to join the fun:

Two Letters from Mexican Students
Last time we shared letters from Jacqueline and Imelda, sixth graders from Amado Nervo School (near the whales at Laguna Ojo de Liebre). This week we have translated letters from Sinahi and Hugo. How are their lives similar to and different from yours?

"Hi! My name is Sinahi Contreras Felix and I will tell you about Guerrero Negro and about the whales. Guerrero Negro is very small, it is very windy and dusty, the climate is cold and dry and it doesn't rain much. Whales come once a year to give birth to their calves. We also have the biggest salt factory in the world."

"Hi. My name is Hugo Hasiel Smith Felix. I want to tell you that in my community there are many types and varieties of birds, as well as marine species like dolphins, seals and whales that come here to have their babies in the Ojo de Liebre Lagoon, the San Ignacio Lagoon and Magdalena Bay. Here in Guerrero Negro it is windy and sometimes it is hot. There are seven schools and a factory that produces salt called Exportadora de Sal, S.A. which sells and transports salt to different parts of the world. I hope that when you come to Guerrero Negro you like it and you feel like coming back."

Muchas Gracias, Shari and Sirena!
gwhale_Mexico015

Shari and Sirena Bondy

Journey North would like to thank Sirena Bondy and her mother Shari for being our "guides" during our visit to Amado Nervo School. Shari is a Canadian living and teaching in Mexico. Her daughter Sirena was born in Mexico, and speaks Spanish and English. They worked hard to help make sure our classroom visit could take place, and to put together many special gifts for the students at Nelson Lagoon School in Alaska.

TIP: The ACS Web site lets you keep up with the daily gray whale census counts from the ACS/LA Gray Whale census, located on Palos Verde Peninsula (33.44N,-118.24W). Great for graphing!

How to Respond to Today's Challenge Questions:

IMPORTANT: Answer only ONE question in each e-mail message.

1. Address an e-mail message to: jn-challenge-gwhale@learner.org
2. In the Subject Line of your message write: Challenge Question #5 (OR #6 OR #7 OR #8).
3. In the body of EACH message, give your answer to ONE of the questions above.

The Next Gray Whale Migration Update Will Be Posted on March 20, 2002.

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