What is the difference between a rookery and a haulout?
“Rookeries” are those sites where adult males actively defend territories, pups are born, and mating takes place. This can be termed “Rookery behavior,” which is clearly evident from early May through late June. “Haulout sites” are those where sea lions rest on land (haulout), but where few or no pups are born. The distinction between rookeries and haulout sites has become blurred during recent years as some sites traditionally listed as rookeries have produced few or no pups. Conversely, noteworthy numbers of pups have been counted during recent years at some haulout sites, such as the Chiswell Islands and Jude Island. It is important to remember that the presence of pups does not define a rookery. Rookery behavior begins when adult males actively defend territories, pups are born, and mating takes place.
