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May
Dense fog is common during May and June.
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).
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).
Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaengliae) feed in rich, upwelled
waters of Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary (May through August).
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). |
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