Calendar

Gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) migrate south through the Monterey Bay, Gulf of the Farallones, and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries. From December through February, the whales swim along the coastline and may be visible from shore as they head for the warm waters of Mexico's west coast lagoons for calving and mating.

January is the peak month for Northern elephant seal pup births the Monterey Bay and Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuaries. Females give birth to a single pup within a week of hauling out on the beach. Pups will be nursed for three to four weeks before weaning.

In Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary, rockfish spawning peaks this month.

Northern elephant seal (Mirounga augustirostris) pupping and breeding season on San Miguel Island Channel Islands continues through February. On Anacapa and Santa Barbara Islands, California Brown Pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus) begin nesting through the month of February. The seals also breed on Southeast Farallon Islands and at nearby Pt. Reyes National Seashore.

Hammerhead sharks and spotted rays school around the East and West Flower Garden Banks Sanctuary, through early April.

In mid January, North Atlantic right whale return to Cape Cod Bay and the southern end of the Stellwagen Bank Sanctuary to feed on early bloom of copepods.

Winter gull migration begins. Female northern right whales calve off the coast of Georgia and North Florida, Gray's Reef Sanctuary.

Alcids, such as razorbills and dovekies, overwinter at Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary.

A portion of the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale population returns to Cape Cod Bay and Stellwagen Bank region to feed on patches of copepods.

The winter months are excellent for tidepooling the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary because afternoon low tides expose marine algae andvertebrates. The low tides which began November continue though February.

Minus tides the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary permittensivetertidal algae andvertebrate surveys at S.E. Farallon Island.

The winter months are excellent the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary for tidepooling because afternoon low tides expose marine algae andvertebrates throughout the month.

During this month, gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) can be seen traveling both southbound and northbound through the Channel, Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries on their annual migration from Alaskan feeding grounds to warm calving lagoons Baja California, Mexico and back to Alaska.

Northern elephant seal (Mirounga augustirostris) pupping and breeding season on San Miguel Island throughout February.

Pacific harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) pupping season on San Miguel Island continues through May.

California Brown Pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus) begin nesting on Anacapa and Santa Barbara Islands through February.

Baitfish,cluding mullet and cigar minnows, moveto the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary from northern waters, attracting sailfish, wahoo and king mackerel to the reef tract.

Northern elephant seals the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary continue to give birth to pups and many females wean their month-old pups abruptly by returning to sea for an extended foraging trip. Before leaving shore females become receptive and are mated by one or more bulls. Copulatory activity peaks on February 14, St. Valentine's Day.

The winter months are excellent for tidepooling California because afternoon low tides expose marine algae andvertebrates (November-February.

During this month gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) can be seen traveling both southbound and northbound through the Channel Islands, Monterey Bay, Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries. The whales follow an annual migration from Alaskan feeding grounds to the warm calving grounds Baja California, Mexico before returning to Alaska.

Northern elephant seal (Mirounga augustirostris) pupping and breeding season on San Miguel Island (January and February).

Pacific harbor seal (Phoco vitulina) pupping season on San Miguel Island (January and February).

Peak elephant seal pupping and mating season, Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary.

Clam digging season commences, coinciding with harbor seal pupping, Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary.

Elephant seal pupping and haul outs at Ano Nuevo and Point Piedras Blancas beaches Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

Hammerhead sharks and spotted eagle rays continue to school at the Flower Garden Banks Marine Sanctuary.

In late February, North Atlantic right whales may use the nutrient rich waters of Gray's Reef during their winter calving period before beginning their northward migration of over 2000 miles to Stellwagen Banks and the Bay of Fundy.

Harbor seal pupping season. Peak of the northern gray whale migration. Cow-calf pairs can be seen near shore through July, Gulf of the Farallones and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuaries.

Gray whales migration begins, running through May. Northern fur seals migrate along continental shelf break returning to Alaska. Bald eagle nesting and egg laying begin through early April. Sea otter pupping through early spring. Olympic Coast Sanctuary, Washington State.

Pacific harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) pupping season on San Miguel Island, Channel Islands Sanctuary (February through May).

Scalloped hammerhead and spotted eagle ray schools peak during this month the Flower Garden Banks Sanctuary.

Late February to early March North Atlantic right whale females, their calves and juveniles begin their northward migration.

Returning migratory shorebirds visit Georgia's coastal and offshore waterscluding Gray's Reef Sanctuary to feed on the plentiful bait fish building up their energy reserves to continue their journey northward to their nesting grounds.

Upwelling season begins with persistent northwest winds pushing surface waters offshore and drawing, cold, deep, nutrient rich waters to Cordell Bank Marine Sanctuary.

Nearly on quarter-million seabirds nesting on the nearby Farallon Islands forage the Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries, March through mid-August.

During early spring, island wildflowers such as the Giant Coreopsis (Coreopsis gigantea) are full bloom (March through early April) on the Channel Islands Sanctuary.

Gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) migrate north through Channel Islands, Monterey Bay, Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries from calving grounds Baja California, Mexico to Alaskan feeding grounds (Mid-February through May).

Peak egg-laying season for California Brown Pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus) on Anacapa and Santa Barbara Islands (March and April).

Brant Geese (Branta bernicla) stop to rest and feed the Channel Islands region on their annual migration between Mexico and Alaska (March through May). Western Gulls (Larus occidentalis) begin nesting on the Channel Islands. 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 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).

Island Fox (Urocyon littoralis) pups are born early spring on the Channel Islands (March and April).

Humpback whales return to the Stellwagen Bank Sanctuary from the Caribbean,cluding the Silver Bank Humpback Whale Sanctuary the Dominican Republic. The humpbacks feed on the large numbers of sand lance that congregate on Stellwagen Bank.

Hammerhead sharks and spotted eagle rays continue to school at the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary.

Larger numbers of humpback whales begin to leave the warm waters of the Hawaiian Island Humpback Whale Sanctuary for their summer feeding grounds Alaska. Others may remain through June before making their long journey north.

Shorebird migration through Bowerman Basin NWR takes place late April and early May; hawk migration begins at Cape Flattery; sea otter pupping through early spring, Olympic Coast Sanctuary.

Gray whales and calves pass through Cordell Bank Marine Sanctuary on their migration north.

Juvenile rockfish settle from the water column onto Cordell Bank throughout April and May.

During early spring, island wildflowers such as the Giant Coreopsis (Coreopsis gigantea) are full bloom (March through early April).

Pacific harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) pupping season on San Miguel Island (February through May).

Gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) migrate north through Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary from calving grounds Baja California, Mexico to Alaskan feeding grounds (Mid-February through May).

Peak egg-laying season for California brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus) on Anacapa and Santa Barbara Islands (March and April).

Brant geese (Branta bernicla) stop to rest and feed the Channel Islands region on their annual migration between Mexico and Alaska (March through May).

Xantus's murrelets (Synthiboramphus hypoleucus) breed and nest on the Channel Islands (March through July).

Double-Crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) begin nesting on the Channel Islands.

Red-Necked phalaropes (Phalaropus lobatus) can be seen the Santa Barbara Channel the spring (April and May) and fall (August through October).

Peak spawning season for Grunion (Leuresthes tenuis) on southern California beaches. Grunion leave the water at night to spawn on the beach 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).

Island Fox (Urocyon littoralis) pups are born early spring on the Channel Islands (March and April).

Dense fog is common during May and June Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.

Gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) migrate north through Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary from calving grounds 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 the Channel Islands National Marine to feed on krill from the nutrient rich, upwelled water (late-May through September).

Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaengliae) feed 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 the Channel Islands region on their annual migration between Mexico and Alaska (March through May).

Endangered Least Terns (Sterna antillarum browni) can be seen 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 the Santa Barbara Channel 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 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).

Female loggerhead sea turtles begin coming ashore on Georgia's barrier islands to dig nests and lay approximately 120 eggs per nest. The turtles spend time at Gray's Reef foraging on crabs and sponges and jellyfish. They also rest under the sandstone ledges.

Surface swarms of krill attract feeding salmon, and seabirds within the Cordell Bank Marine Sanctuary

Peak upwelling period continuesto June Cordell Bank Marine Sanctuary.

Dense fog is common during May and June Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.

Gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) migrate north through Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary from calving grounds Baja California, Mexico to Alaskan feeding grounds (Mid-February through May).

Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaengliae) feed 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 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 the Channel Islands region on their annual migration between Mexico and Alaska (March through May).

Endangered Least Terns (Sterna antillarum browni) can be seen 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 the Santa Barbara Channel 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 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 the nutrient rich waters the Cordell Bank Marine Sanctuary. Black footed Albatross are most abundant 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 Chile to nest./p>

Humpback and blue whales are sighted at Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary through October.

Loggerhead sea turtles begin hatching from nests on Georgia's beaches; this continues through October. Loggerheads use Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary for food and as a resting site.

From June through August, many species of jellies appear and drift along the nutrient rich waters of Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary. Black footed Albatross are most abundant in sanctuary waters, while 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 Chile to nest.

In Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, witness the spectacular reproduction of several coral species — they spawn synchronously, late at night, often during the week after the full moon during August or September.

Whale sharks travel through the waters of Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary until September.

In Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, fog diminishes near midsummer. Underwater visibility increases.

Blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus), fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) and sei whales (Balaenoptera borealis) can be observed Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary feeding on krill from the nutrient rich, upwelled water (late-May through September).

Humpback whales (Megaptera novaengliae) feed in the rich, upwelled waters of Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary (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).

Endangered least terns (Sterna antillarum browni) can be seen throughout the Channel Islands region (May through August).

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).

Mass coral spawning at Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. Each year, eight nights around this month's full moon, between the hours of 8-9 p.m., several species of coral release their gametes, causing an underwater snowstorm. In 1990, recreational divers first discovered and reported on this Atlantic corals' phenomenon within the sanctuary.

In Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, witness the spectacular reproduction of several coral species — they spawn synchronously, late at night, often during the week after the full moon during August or September.

Jellies of all kinds are abundant in California coastal waters as the oceanic season begins and upwelling winds start to relax through early November at Greater Farallones, Cordell Bank and Monterey Bay national marine sanctuaries.

Humpback whales court and calve at National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa, August through October.

Blue and humpback whales return from Mexico and Central America to their summer feeding grounds at Greater Farallones, Cordell Bank and Monterey Bay national marine sanctuaries through October.

Common murre chicks have fledged and are following their dads around the sanctuary learning how to catch food at Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank national marine sanctuaries through September.

Greater Farallones sanctuary personnel monitor intertidal habitats of vertebrates and algae on the Farallon Islands.

White shark season begins at the Farallon Islands, as molting elephant seals start to concentrate at haul out sites through November at Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary.

Sportfisher folk catch halibut Tomales Bay and striped bass from coastal beaches, Gulf of the Farallones Sanctuary.

Pacific salmon start their spawning migration up the Sacramento River system. Northern Monterey Bay and Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuaries through September.

Whale sharks occasionally seen Flower Garden Banks Sanctuary during warm months of August through early October.

From June through August many species of jellies appear and drift the nutrient rich waters the Cordell Bank Marine Sanctuary. Black footed Albatross are most abundant Sanctuary waters . While 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 Chile to nest.

Calm winds and seas become more frequent near the end of summer Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.

Humpback whales (Megaptera novaengliae) feed rich, upwelled waters of Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary (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).

Endangered Least Terns (Sterna antillarum browni) can be seen the Channel Islands region (May through August).

Red-Necked Phalaropes (Phalaropus lobatus) can be seen the Santa Barbara Channel the spring (April and May) and fall (August through October).

In the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, scientists look for possible spawning of elkhorn and staghorn corals (Acropora palmata) and (A. cervicornis) and star coral spawning (Montastrea spp).

Annual coral spawning cruise the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. Each year eightnights after the full moon August between the hours of 8 -9 p.m.; several species of coral release their gametes. The event has been described as an "underwater snowstorm." Recreational divers first discovered this phenomenon within the sanctuary 1990. the Florida Keys, several coral species have a spectacular form of reproduction &endash; they spawn synchronously, late at night, often during the week after the full moon during August or September.

Peak humpback and blue whale sightings, relaxation period at Cordell Bank begins. This becomes the best time of year to visit Cordell Bank.

Blue and humpback whales return from Mexico and Central America to their summer feeding grounds the Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank and Monterey Bay Sanctuaries. Through October.

Common Murre chicks have fledged and are following their dads around the sanctuary learning how to catch food. Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank Sanctuaries. Through September.

Gulf of the Farallones sanctuary personnel perform monitoringtertidal ofvertebrates and algae on the Farallon Islands.

White shark season at the Farallon Islands as molting elephant seals start to concentrate at haul out sites. Through November. Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary.

Sportfisher folk catch halibut Tomales Bay and striped bass from coastal beaches, Gulf of the Farallones Sanctuary.

Pacific salmon start their spawning migration up the Sacramento River system. Northern Monterey Bay and Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuaries through September.

Whale sharks occasionally seen Flower Garden Banks Sanctuary during warm months of August through early October.

From June through August many species of jellies appear and drift the nutrient rich waters the Cordell Bank Marine Sanctuary. Black footed Albatross are most abundant Sanctuary waters . While 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 Chile to nest.

Calm winds and seas become more frequent near the end of summer Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.

Humpback whales (Megaptera novaengliae) feed rich, upwelled waters of Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary (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).

Endangered Least Terns (Sterna antillarum browni) can be seen the Channel Islands region (May through August).

Red-Necked Phalaropes (Phalaropus lobatus) can be seen the Santa Barbara Channel the spring (April and May) and fall (August through October).

The rising of the palolo, a marine worm that ejects its motile gametophores, occurs approximately one week after the full October moon Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary, American Samoa. Considered a delicacy, the palolo worm's egg and sperm packets are cooked and eaten.

Peak humpback and blue whale sightings, relaxation period at Cordell Bank begins. This becomes the best time of year to visit Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary.

The season's last nests of loggerhead sea turtle hatchlings make their way down Georgia's beaches to begin the journey of their lives. They swim out to the Gulf Stream where they will spend the next several years traveling the North Atlantic Gyre. When they reach the size of dinner plates, they jump off that great watery merry-go-round and headshore using Gray's Reef for food and rest throughout the rest of their lives.

The humpback whale population starts to thin out the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Massachusetts asdividual whales begin their southward migration to the calving and breeding grounds the Caribbean. Northern right whales make sporadic appearances the sanctuary and Cape Cod Bay to feed on accumulations of zooplankton.

Pods of thousands of Pacific white-sided dolphins likely to be seen cruising the Cordell Bank Sanctuary waters through the fall and winter.

Warm weather, calm winds and seas are common the early fall months the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. This is the best time of year for snorkeling, kayaking, and diving. Underwater visibility can reach 100 feet.

Jellies of all kinds are abundant California coastal waters as the oceanic season begins and upwelling winds start to relax (August through November).

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 the Santa Barbara Channel the spring (April and May) and fall (August through October).

The last month of peak Great white shark sightings the South Farallon Islands, Gulf of the Farallones.

Monitoring continues thetertidal zone at S.E. Farallon Island, Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary.

Along with juveniles, North Atlantic right whale pregnant females arrive off Georgia's and north Florida's coasts to birth their calves relatively warm waters. Right whales frequent the waters around Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary during the winter months. Aerial surveys are flown daily during this time to pinpoint the location of the whales and to make counts. Gray's Reef Sanctuary is a part of the aerial survey area.

Humpback whales are departing for the warmer waters of the Westdies, particularly around the Dominican Republic and its Silver Bank Humpback Whale Sanctuary. the Pacific Ocean, humpback whales begin arriving Hawaii for birthing and mating. (Past sightings of a singular mother/calf pod have occurred October).

Gray whale southern migration occurs the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary.

A second rise of palolo will occur November the Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary if the October rise was early the month. Palolo are an annelid polycheate worm that extrudes and releases its motile gonads at a predictable time once a year one week after the October (and sometimes November) full moon.

First of big winter storms arrive from Gulf of Alaska, large swells and turbulent conditions prevail the Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary. Lingcod spawn, males aggressively protect adhesive egg masses on shallow rocky reefs, making them extremely vulnerable during this time.

The winter months are excellent for tide pooling the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary because afternoon low tides expose marine algae andvertebrates. The low tides continue though the winter monthsto February.

Temperatures begin to cool the Channel Islands. Winter storms roar through the area.

Jellies of all kinds are abundant California coastal waters as the oceanic season begins and upwelling winds start to relax (August through November).

Look for the blows of gray whales migrating south through the Gulf of the Farallones Sanctuary and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary December and January. Pregnant females come first, swimming along the coastline and are visible from shore as they head for the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico for calving and mating.

Northern elephant seals arrive at their breeding colonies (Ano Nuevo State Reserve and Piedras Blancas beach) the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Two-ton adult bulls arrive first and fight among themselves for dominant positions; as pregnant females come on shore, they join harems of the highest-ranking bulls. Elephant seal pupping season on San Miguel Island. December and January, Channel Islands Sanctuary.

Gulf of the Farallones Sanctuary place decoys and play vocalizations to attract Common Murres to two restoration sites: Devil's Slide Rock and Point San Pedro.

Northern right whales calve off the Georgia and Northern Florida Coasts. Gray's Reef Staff will be standing by to assist New England Aquarium and Georgia Department of Natural Resources teams should they need help aerial surveys and/or strandings.

Herring begins to spawn San Francisco and Tomales Bays, Gulf of the Farallones Sanctuary

Elephant seal pupping season the Gulf of the Farallones Sanctuary, through March. Also Northern fur seals migrate and concentrate offshore, approximately one fur seal per square kilometer.

Winter water fowl migrate through, 100,000's of ducks and geese rest and feed the lagoons and estuaries the Gulf of the Farallones Sanctuary and northern portion of the Monterey Bay Sanctuary.

Hammerhead sharks and spotted eagle rays begin arriving the Flower Garden Banks Sanctuary.