Babies Surge North! April 18, 2016

The babies are heading north in larger numbers and the final phase of the migration is well underway. Although high winds cut time on duty from 60 hours to 39, Wayne Perryman's team at Pt. Piedras Blancas, CA (35.66N, -121.28W) sighted 22 cow/calf pairs last week. "Our total of 29 calves by April 15th is right in line with what we have recorded the previous four seasons, which have all resulted in high calf estimates (over 1000) by the end of the respective surveys," reports Mr. Perryman. A bit further north, Gray Whales Count (34.40N, -119.69W) near Santa Barbara, CA has tallied 51 calves to date, with six the daily highest count, on April 17. Good news also comes from The Gray Whale Census and Behavior Project at Palos Verdes Peninsula near Los Angeles, CA (33.74N, -118.41W): The chart shows them running well above average and ahead of last year, with over 400 more northbound whales so far. Watch daily data, and also check our map for other sighting reports up the coast as they plow north to Alaska.

Gray Whales Count