Gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) migrate north through Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary from calving grounds in Baja California, Mexico to Alaskan feeding grounds (Mid-February through May).
Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaengliae) feed in rich, upwelled waters of Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary (May through August).
 Blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus), fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus), and sei whales (Balaenoptera borealis) arrive in the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary to feed on krill from the nutrient rich, upwelled water (late-May through September).
Pacific harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) pupping season on San Miguel Island (February through May).
Brant geese (Branta bernicla) stop to rest and feed in the Channel Islands region on their annual migration between Mexico and Alaska (March through May).
Endangered Least Terns (Sterna antillarum browni) can be seen in the Channel Islands Region (May through August).
Pink-Footed Shearwaters (Puffinus creatopus) and Sooty Shearwaters (Puffinus griseus) visit the Santa Barbara Channel from the southern hemisphere (May through October).
Ashy Storm-Petrels (Oceanodroma homochroa) and Black Storm-Petrels (Oceanodroma melania) visit the Santa Barbara Channel (mid-May to mid-October).
Red-Necked Phalaropes (Phalaropus lobatus) can be seen in the Santa Barbara Channel in the spring (April and May) and fall (August through October).
California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) pupping and breeding season (May through July).
Xantus's murrelets (Synthiboramphus hypoleucus) breed and nest on the Channel Islands (March through July).
Peak spawning season for Grunion (Leuresthes tenuis) on southern California beaches. Grunion leave the water at night to spawn on the beach in the spring and summer months two to six nights after the full and new moons. Spawning begins after high tide and continues for several hours (late March through early June).
Common Murres begin nesting at Tatoosh Island, the last active nest colony site on the Washington Coast, Olympic Coast Sanctuary.
Humpback and blue whales start to arrive at Cordell Bank and the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuaries to feed on abundant krill and small schooling fish.
From June through August many species of jellies appear and drift in the nutrient rich waters in the Cordell Bank Marine Sanctuary. Black footed Albatross are most abundant in sanctuary waters. Sooty Shearwaters blanket the food rich waters of the California Coast by the millions through September as they continue on their circumnavigation of the Pacific ending up in Chile to nest.
|
indicates a link leaves the site. Please view our