Be a citizen scientist during spring whale watching season The Illahee Apartments Photos by Heather Douglas ABOVE: Mother and daughter Lisa Clark and Malasia Clark, traveling from Alabama, survey the ocean for migrating whales. BELOW: Chapman Point in Cannon Beach is a popular place to spot migrating whales in the spring. Spring migration headed for the North Coast BY HEATHER DOUGLAS Downtown Astoria’s Most Respected Apartment Complex Since 1969. 1046 Grand Avenue Astoria, OR 97103 503-325-2280 4 // COASTWEEKEND.COM Adult gray whales swim one of the lon- gest mammalian marathons each year. As adults, these whales can grow up to 50 feet long and weigh in at more than 40 tons. Starting later this month, whale watchers will gather hoping to catch a glimpse as these whales make their way through migration corridors from Mexico to the Arctic. Around 25,000 gray whales will swim past the Ore- gon Coast from late March until June. Making the journey Whales migrate for two primary reasons: See Page 5