Anderson Bay/Beach Peninsula

May 19th 2011, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Overcast skies, low clouds, mist--rain, cool breeze
Temp: 39 degrees Wind Speed: 6 mph

Animals
Birds:
Bald Eagle (Juvenile & Adult)- Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Mew gull- Larus canus
Acrtic tern- Sterna paradisaea
Pigeon guillemot- Cepphus columba
Marbled Murrelet- Brachyramphus marmoratus
Black legged kittiwake- Rissa trydactyla
Black oyster catcher- Haematopus bachmani
Surf scoter- Melanitta perspicillata
Common murre- Uri aalge
American golden plover- Pluvialis dominica
Common raven- Corvus Corax

Marine Mammals:
Harbour seal- Phoca vitulina
Sea otter- Enhydra lutris
Dalls porpoise- Phocoenoides dalli
Harbor porpoise- Phocoena phocoena

Intertidal Animals:
Sunflower sea star- Pycnopodia helianthoides
Giant green anemone- Anthopleura xanthogrammica
Purple sea urchin- Strongylocentrotus purpuratus
Tide pool sculpin- Oligocottus maculosus
Hermit crab in blue top snail shell- pagurus spp.
" " moon snail shell- pagurus spp.
Blue top snail- Calliostoma ligatum
Red flabellina- Flabellina capensis
Giant pacific chiton- Cryptochiton stelleri
Leather sea star- Dermasterias imbricata
Ochre sea star- Pisaster ochraceus

Plants
Marine:
Rock weed- Fucus vesiculosus
Giant kelp- Macrocystis pyrifera
Surf grass- Phyllospadix scouleri
Sea lettuce- Ulva lactuca

Terrestrial:
Sitka spruce- Picea sitchensis
Sitka alder- Alnus viridis
Salmon berry- Rubus spectabilis
Ostrich fern- Matteuccia struthiopteris
Redcurrant- Ribes rubrum

Amazing! This was the best field trip ever! I loved the intertidal habitat and being on the water. Experiences like this strengthen my desire and motivate me to become a marine biologist. My favorite part of the trip was Anderson Bay, I loved the immense biodiversity of the intertidal habitat.