Early May Update, 2009 Grunion Runs
A Message from Karen Martin, Ph.D., Pepperdine Professor of Biology
April and May are closed season for California Grunion: No take (except for photos)!
Greetings to the Grunion Greeters!
After our ninth and final training workshop for 2009 we have almost 550 Grunion Greeters going out to rendezvous with the beach spawning silversides at midnight. Over 300 greeters filed 144 reports of runs in early May. California grunion showed up all over southern California, including strong runs as far north as Santa Barbara County.
Apparently the grunion thought the full moon was May 9, not May 8, so the runs May 10 were smaller than those May 11, and the few people that were out saw good runs May 12. I have to say that everyone has a GREAT attitude about those nights when only W-0’s and W-1’s are seen – thanks for recognizing how difficult it is to predict what will happen in the natural world.
Carol finds grunion in Carlsbad
Predators
Of course we are not the only ones waiting for the grunion. Our animal friends are just as eager to see them. The predators following the runs are often as interesting as the fish themselves. Grunion Greeters reported many birds including great blue herons and black-crowned night herons, as well as sea lions, sharks, and even a bold raccoon.
"There were about 4 grunions observed... all were eaten by the resident snowy egret." – Mary O., Santa Barbara
"The gulls were quite successful at catching a grunion supper." – John W., La Jolla
"A grebe was hunting in the shallow waters for over an hour. It caught at least one small silvery fish, but we could not identify it. A second grebe was floating in the water and diving." – Katie S., North of Pt. Conception
"A few scouts came out of the water on to the beach and were promptly eaten by the birds. We have not seen so many birds waiting for the fish, we believe that the scouts were unable to get back to the sea so the others did not run'" – Sue M., Dana Point
"Large dolphin size fish jumping horizontal to beach in deeper water" – Pearl C., Del Mar
"A few (~20) scouts arrived on shore throughout the night, but all were immediately munched by the flock of birds. Saw two females dig in, but as soon as they popped out of the sand these grunion were consumed by night herons." – Julianne S., Orange County
"Apparently the riff rock rat colony have all learned to fish. They bravely snatched the grunion and struggled back to the rocks with fish after fish. Kinda looked like a Cheetah dragging antelope!" – Jim J., San Diego
Is Glenn Lindsay shopping for grunion in Oceanside?
Poachers
May is CLOSED SEASON, no take is permitted. Thanks to those of you who stopped people from taking grunion during closed season.
"Phoned to report poachers seen. Some of them obliged our request to empty their catch back to sea." – Ron K., Coronado
"There was a family with children picking them up and playing with them. After we explained the grunion to them, they left them alone."—Quinn H., Orange County
Grunion Greeter Comments
"There were nine greeters, and two grunion.:(“ -- Mimi D., Los Angeles
"First 50 minutes, fish were few in numbers about a W-1. At about midnight fish began to run heavier in one area (between algae wrack). Fish were still running when we left the beach.” – Andres C., Los Angeles County
"Beautiful night to be on the beach -- but no fish!” – Alice N., Carlsbad
"Lots of fish in surf and males skittering on shore. Helicopter circling overhead with spotlight on beach and two paddy wagons responded to fracas at beach bar.” – Donna S., San Diego
"A great way to spend my birthday!” – Phil R., San Diego
"The only grunion we saw was in the mouth of a western gull! There were quite a few people out with flashlights and people in the water. a lot more trash on the beach than usual and unusual trash like boogie boards (3 of them, at least!). In talking to the Santa Monica Police they indicated that there was a run in another section of the beach.” – Richard Y., Santa Monica
"Partner and I only ones on the beach. Seagulls lined up on the jetty resting only, one sanderling at the water's edge and one juvenile sea lion. Very quiet” – Bonnie F., North of Pt. Conception
"Noisy group of young adults found 2 scouts on the beach, picked up one - much commotion, tossed it back.” – Celie P., north of Pt. Conception
"Grunion showed the second hour with many females and multiple partners. Heaviest part was at 12:45 AM and wouldn't finish till after 1:00. Less people made it nice and quiet.” – Chris L., Newport Beach
"Very long run, run had many small fish, fish sluggish, not a lot of spawning activity until the end of the run. Took a while for the run to get started, birds ate many of the beginning fish in the run” – Marty S., Orange County
The Grunion Dance in C
Grunion Greeters are all ages and come from all walks of life. This week's update includes a poem written by Carol A. Lindsey, an award-winning poet and Grunion Greeter in north San Diego County for several years. This poem is from her book "Morning in San Diego." We think it captures the magical experience of seeing the fish that come out of water for the sake of love.
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The Grunion Dance in C In the middle of the night, when the moon was very full, And just as waves exploded along that peaceful shore, So deep into the night when the foaming torrent came, After that they came, with more tossing of the waves, For almost two dark hours I heard the music play, by c. a. lindsay (c) 2007 |
Thanks for all you do to protect and conserve California’s unique wildlife. Be sure to sign up for the next set of runs, and thanks for reporting your observations promptly.
May the fish be with you! I’ll see you on the beach. –Karen
