ACS/LA GRAY WHALE CENSUS AND BEHAVIOR PROJECT: 2010-2011
Census Project Director/Coordinator: Alisa Schulman-Janiger
Email: janiger@cox.net
For more information about daily sightings, visit: www.acs-la.org

Gray whale counts – including calves – rose substantially, despite a huge mid-migration sightings gap during the 2010/2011 ACS/LA Gray Whale Census and Behavior Project.  This is the 31st year (28th consecutive season) that the American Cetacean Society's Los Angeles Chapter has sponsored a gray whale census project from the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Our cliffside post is on the patio of the Point Vicente Interpretive Center (PVIC), 125 feet above kelp beds and rocky shoreline, with a seafloor that drops off abruptly nearshore. Trained volunteers collect data on gray whales and other cetaceans (identifications, counts, and behaviors).  All participants use binoculars; several use spotting scopes to confirm and detail sightings.  Weather data (visibility and sea conditions) is recorded at least twice hourly.

COVERAGE: Our census station operated for 1943 hours over the 166 days between 1 December 2010 and 15 May 2011 (averaging nearly 12 hours/day). 70 volunteers contributed 7979 effort hours. The eleven core volunteers that donated over 200 hours each, totaling over 43% of our effort hours (and the number of volunteered days) include: Joyce Daniels (165), Natalie Massey (96), Carol Fritts (95), Bob Jensen (80), Tony Carrillo (70), Libby Helms (68), Steve Gardner (64), Kathleen Russo (59), Christy Varni (53), Cynthia Woo (41), and Gordon Gates (29). Nineteen additional volunteers donated at least 100 hours each.

GRAY WHALE COUNTS ROSE: We spotted 447 southbound and 710 northbound gray whales (312 southbound and a record low of 521 northbound gray whales last season). Whale counts have fluctuated hugely over 27 previous seasons: southbound numbers varied from 301-1291, and northbound counts varied from 521-3412.  Although most of the estimated 20,000 gray whales migrate past California, we spot only a small proportion. Gray whales – especially adults – off Palos Verdes tend to travel further offshore, notably during the southbound migration. Northbound whales – particularly cow/calf pairs – tend to hug the coastline.  These trends, combined with extended springtime observation hours, produce higher northbound counts. Shifting migratory corridors and weather conditions result in annually fluctuating shore-based counts. The number of whales that complete the migration varies, and feeding ground conditions (especially ice coverage) affect migratory timing and corridors. Poor visibility drastically affects counts; this season we had fewer foggy days: 27 (36 last season).              

ACS/LA GRAY WHALE CENSUS AND BEHAVIOR PROJECT: 2010-2011 We saw 38 gray whales on 7 January, our peak southbound date (previous peak counts ranged from 15-98). We spotted 123 southbound whales during the peak southbound week of 5 January -11 January (68 last season). The southbound migration came earlier later than usual, while the northbound started later: this combination created a HUGE gap period during which we saw very few whales. The official turn-around date (when daily northbound whales exceed southbound whales) was on 17 February. We spotted 13 northbound whales during the “southbound migration”, and 31 southbound whales during the “northbound migration”. Our peak northbound count was 64 on 21 March; previous peaks ranged from (last year’s record low*) 20-152. This was the highest northbound count since March 1998 (81). We recorded 164 gray whales during the peak northbound week of 21 March - 27 March (81*: record low last season).

CALF COUNTS ROSE: Calf counts rose as we marked our 6th highest northbound calf count. We spotted 26 newborn southbound calves (5.8% of southbound migrants) from 7 January-12 February.  (Last season we saw 17 newborn calves: 5.4% of the southbound migrants). This is our 7th highest newborn calf percentage; the record occurred during the 1997-98 season (106 calves – 8.6% of southbound migrants). Previous southbound calf counts ranged from 3-60 (0.5%-8.9% of southbound migrants).  We counted 110 northbound calves (15.5% of northbound migrants) from 6 March - 14 May, peaking with 9 calves on both 29 April and 6 May – a very high daily count for us. This is our second-highest northbound calf percentage; cows and calves comprised 31% of the northbound. (Last season we counted 41 northbound calves: 7.9% of northbound migrants). Besides the record of 222 calves (1996-97), previous calf counts have ranged from 11-196 (0.9%-18.5% of northbound migrants). The northbound migration – for both single whales and cow/calf pairs – started and ended much later than usual; we counted 4 cow/calf pairs as late as 14 May, so we likely missed some cow/calf pairs after our census ended on 15 May (which is very rare). There were possible sightings of 2 additional northbound calves. Experienced observers help spot calves, especially southbound, since many cows keep low profiles. 

BEHAVIORS AND HUMAN INTERACTIONS: We saw gray whales mill, roll, lunge, breach, spyhop (especially calves), bubble blast, mate, and nurse calves. Several calves played in the kelp, rolled on their moms, or rode on their moms’ backs. We also saw some pods separate or merge. On six days we witnessed near-collisions as boats closely approached gray whales; two other private boats actively harassed whales. These whales clearly reacted: a few changed direction and headed offshore, while a few others disappeared. One curious cow/calf pair briefly approached a diver in the kelp bed, who then tried to approach the departing whales. We saw two injured northbound cows that each displayed a large cut in the knuckles of her back. Another northbound cow was very deformed, with a large (4 foot) round protuberance on her back. Observer Joyce Daniels took photos of this whale; now researchers are on the lookout for resightings.

HIGHER COUNTS: Our higher gray whale counts (including a huge jump in northbound calves) reflect trends reported by other coastal census stations such as that run by NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service), who conducts the official gray whale census. They estimated the gray whale population at 29,758 in 1998 (a 35 year high), 18,178 in 2002 (following a major mortality event), and 20,110 in 2007. Key indicators of a healthy population are higher adult and calf counts; these factored into the NMFS’s decision to recommend the removal of gray whales from the endangered species list in 1994. Fluctuations in wild populations, the number of whales that complete the migration, weather conditions, and observer experience affect whale counts. Feeding ground conditions affect migratory timing and paths. The gray whale population dropped with a major mortality event (1999 and 2000), followed by three seasons of low calf production. Over the past several years, Arctic warming has led to a northward shift in distribution of gray whale prey (mud-dwelling shrimp-like amphipods): they thrive in cooler water, feeding on algae that fall from ice sheets. Gray whales also shifted northward (following prey distribution); strandings decreased and calf production increased. However, this can delay migration: they might ignore the initial migration cue (shortened daylight hours) so that they can rebuild blubber that allows them to fast during migration and on Baja nursery grounds, and provides energy to withstand disease, storms, and killer whale attacks. Gray whale census spotters were heartened by the increased calf counts, which reversed the trend of lower counts over the last several years. As reported on the “Journey North” website, Wayne Perryman (NMFS gray whale census scientist and ice specialist) hypothesized that early gray whale sightings on their summer feeding grounds indicate that next season looks even better for our gray whales: we hope so!

OTHER SPECIES SIGHTED: This season we spotted 12 other marine mammal species.  Comparing this season (to last season), we saw common dolphin on 150 days (150), bottlenose dolphin on 136 days (145), Risso’s dolphin on 37 days (15-17), fin whales on at least 35 days (131), Pacific white-sided dolphin on 31 days (64-70), blue whales on at least 12 days (20), minke whales on 7-12 days (7-15), humpback whales on 5-7 days (23-24), unidentified whales on 16 days – most likely fin whales (31), California sea lions on 154 days (139), harbor seals on 85 days (31), our first sighting of an extremely rare Steller (northern) sea lion on 6 May. We also spotted 10-12 killer whales on 12 January, and possibly earlier (9 January). A few nearby gray whales – including a cow/calf pair - exhibited avoidance behavior, indicating that these were likely transient (mammal-eating) killer whales. They could have included CA49 and her offspring; these whales were spotted off Hermosa Pier by the Voyager whalewatching trip on 29 January; she was also spotted off our census last year. (You can contribute to our California Killer Whale Project by sending photos and sighting data to: janiger@cox.net; I will try to match images to our catalog, and notify you with the results). Previous species sighted include sperm whale, false killer whale, pilot whale, northern right whale dolphin, beaked whales, Dall’s porpoise, elephant seals, and sea otters. Gray whales interacted with other marine mammals including sea lions, bottlenose dolphin, and common dolphin.  We occasionally recorded groupings composed of mixed dolphin species and sea lions. An osprey and peregrine falcon were spotted on two and five days respectively; these are species recovering from DDT contamination.

OBSERVERS' HOURS: Experienced observers anchor all shifts. Dedicated whalewatchers (with their volunteer hours: * = new observers): Afternoon anchor Joyce Daniels, who also updated graphs (697), morning anchor Libby Helms (350), Bob Jensen (305), Carol Fritts (302), Tony Carrillo (294), Christy Varni* (287), Natalie Massey, who also summarized guest book entries (274), Kathleen Russo (272), Cynthia Woo (268), Gordon Gates (217), Steve Gardner (209), JoLinda Garnier (188), Dinah Garcia (169), Gerrie Cole (140), Ann Gardner (139), Kim Watson (134), Barbara Stone (131), Robin Riggs (121), Dee Whitehurst (121), Terry Hayes (118), Linda Denning (118), Cathy Ragland (117), Corine Sutherland (116), Tina Hoff (115), John Nieto (111), Stephanie Bryan (106), Nancy DeLong (104),  Jan Malone (104), Dee Liter (102), Cathy Landrum (102), Glenda Shirer* (98), Jean Rodgers* (97), Andrew Varenhorst* (88), Larry Howe* (86), Karin Campbell (83), Michael White (83), Amy Heintz (81), Suzan Carne (78), Lisa Margolis (73), Erlinda Cortez (70),  Dave Morse (70), Leslie Brucker (66), Liz Bernier* (66), Stephanie Brito (65), Mike Malone (65), Kris De-Roo* (65), Deborah Wulinger (59), Manuel Ramos (58), Pam Ryono (58), Pat Harpole (57), Richard Kawasaki (57), Jo Bonds (55), Ken Ragland (53), Norma Lira (52), Danny Gonzales (49), Robin Riggs – Colorado (48),  Alisa Schulman-Janiger (45),  Janet Herman (40), Bill Foster (37), Linda Jebo (37), Andy Veek (34), Jean DeGraff (32), Fran Austin - veteran from Colorado (29), Joyce Jessoe (24), Larry Desy (21), and Donna McLaughlin (20). Volunteers with 10-19 hours each included: Denise Donnegan *(16), Carol Harrison (16), Erin Wheatley *(14), and Kris Clifford (11). 

COMPUTER ENTRIES: We especially thank Dave Janiger for computer entries.

GUESTBOOK LOG:
1740 visitors signed our guest book: 1440 from USA  (43 states – primarily Ohio), 300 from 48 other countries (primarily Germany).

JOIN US! Contact Alisa Schulman-Janiger at: janiger@cox.net.  No experience is necessary: on-site training in November and December.  Highly recommended: attend the Whalewatch Training Class at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium (CMA) [(310) 548-7563; www.cabrilloaq.org], co-sponsored by CMA and ACS/LA (www.acs-la.org). On Tuesday nights, October-March, volunteers are trained to become Whalewatch boat guides and classroom lecturers.  ACS/LA offers free lectures from invited specialists the last Tuesday of each month at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, and all day whalewatching trips to Santa Catalina Island (gray whales), and to the Santa Barbara Channel (humpback whales, blue whales). Census updates: also posted on “Journey North”.

*This copyright-protected data is provided as a public service.  Please contact the project director for permission to cite in publications. *