Some Whales are Dolphins

A publication of Wild Ocean Whale Society (WOWs)

Some Whales are Dolphins

September 20, 2017   —   issue No. 2017-035

There has been an increase in the number of sightings of Transient Orca in our inland waters. One report indicated that a pod of Transient Orca were feeding, indicating that they had hunted, caught, and killed its prey whatever it may have been. Possible prey for Transients Orca include porpoise, dolphins, smaller baleen whales, seals, and sea lions. A relatively large pod of Pilot whales were reported in Juan de Fuca Strait and they were displaying a variety of behaviours including spy-hopping and tail-slapping. Like Orca, Pilot whales are part of the dolphin family and are the second largest dolphin in the world reaching lengths of 7 meters. They can be recognized by their black bodies, round bulbous heads, and low rounded dorsal fins that have a broad base. Pilot whales are not very common in BC waters but they do appear occasionally like this past week. Our report includes a number of sightings of Humpback whales and a few sightings of the Pacific White-Sided dolphins as well as the Dall’s porpoise and Harbour Porpoise. Enjoy them while they are still here and as the weather is relatively pleasant.

Ivan Ng, Wild Ocean Whale Society


Humpback Whale fluking in Butte Inlet

Kurt Staple, Eagle Eye Adventures


Society News & Events
Real Time Monitoring Station Update: We’re LIVE!
Connect to our first installation mounted at Beach Gardens Marina click on our YouTube Channel Live Link. Please bear with us as we work on the transmission problems causing the intermittent bouncy images. Even with the bouncy images, we still managed to have a couple of whale sightings. The hydrophone (underwater listening) installation will follow.

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Sightings Update


ISSUE SIGHTINGS MAP 2017-035

ISSUE SIGHTINGS MAP

TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES


Tue Sep 19 2017

16:40 • Biggs Orca off Refuge Cove.


15:05 • 5 Biggs Orca heading north off Mary Point, Cortes Island, Malaspina Strait.

Erik Blaney, IHos Cultural Tours


14:39 • Biggs Orca in Frances Bay. ▫ Leaving the Scene


13:44 • Biggs Orca abeam Hole in the Wall in Calm Channel.


13:30 • Biggs Orca ?T090s? between Johnstone Bluff and Hole in the Wall, Calm Channel. Sharing a meal.

Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures


11:36 • 3 Biggs Orca heading west, Baker Passage.

09:26 • 2 Biggs Orca heading north in False Passage, Waddington Channel. ▫ Second Hand

Erik Blaney, IHos Cultural Tours


09:20 • Biggs Orca heading south north of Elk Bay, Discovery Passage.

08:37 • Biggs Orca heading south off Chatham Point, Discovery Passage. ▫ Second Hand



Mon Sep 18 2017

14:45 • Biggs Orca ?T002Cs? heading south close to the shore of Marina Island, Sutil Channel. ▫ Second Hand

Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures


12:57 • Biggs Orca ?T002Cs? heading south passed Quartz Bay, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.

11:07 • Biggs Orca heading south off the Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy off Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait. Heading towards Mitlenatch at 4 knots. ▫ Leaving the Scene


09:30 • Biggs Orca ?T002Cs? by Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.

Elvis Chikite, Pacific Pro Dive


09:22 • Biggs Orca in Discovery Passage. -possibly T060s- in Discovery Passage.

Radio, overheard or call out


09:22 • Biggs Orca ?T002Cs? heading north between Hill Island and Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.


09:05 • est. 7 Biggs Orca heading south in front of Campbell River, Discovery Passage.

Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC


08:44 • Biggs Orca heading south between Quathiaski Cove and Discovery Harbour Marina, Discovery Passage.

Radio, overheard or call out



Sat Sep 16 2017

18:15 • Biggs Orca moving behind Raza Island, Pryce Channel.

Ryan Eisen, Sonora Resort


16:47 • Biggs Orca ?T002Cs? in Pryce Channel. Angled towards Waddington Channel.

16:19 • Biggs Orca ?T002Cs? at Double Island entrance to Toba Inlet, Pryce Channel.


15:13 • Biggs Orca at Elizabeth Island, Pryce Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene


13:15 • est. 2 Biggs Orca moving quickly, heading south mid channel south of Moresby Island toward Brethour Island, Prevost Passage. Traveling along surface, then deep dives as many commercial whale watching vessels arrived. ▫ On Scene

Ray And Sue Andrews, North Saanich, BC


12:51 • Biggs Orca mid channel between South Rendezvous Island and Raza Island, Calm Channel.

Ryan Eisen, Sonora Resort


12:22 • Biggs Orca ?T002Cs? mid channel, pointed at Lewis Channel, between middle Rendezvous Islands and Raza Island, Calm Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene

Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures


11:14 • Biggs Orca along the shore of Maurelle Island just south of Hole in the Wall, Calm Channel.

Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures


10:41 • Biggs Orca ?T002Cs? just north of Hole in the Wall close to the shore of Sonora Island, Calm Channel.


10:17 • 6-8 Biggs Orca by Brasseau Bay, Johnstone Strait.

Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions


09:34 • Biggs Orca milling, in Mermaid Bay, Dent Island, Dent Rapids.

Ryan Eisen, Sonora Resort


09:25 • Biggs Orca by Dent Island at Engels Rock, Dent Rapids.

Radio, overheard or call out


08:34 • 5 Biggs Orca ?T002C2 Tumbo; T002Cs? heading north through Gillard Passage in front of Sonora Lodge, Yuculta Rapids.

Ryan Stewart, Sonora Resort


SPECIES SUPPLEMENT

Transient Biggs Killer Whales

Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales heading south near Cape Mudge during the summer

Sun, 6 Aug 2017 – 1 items

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours



SPECIES SUPPLEMENT

Transient Biggs Killer Whales

Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales heading south near Cape Mudge during the summer

Sun, 6 Aug 2017 – 1 items

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours

HUMPBACK WHALES


Tue Sep 19 2017

16:33 • 2 Humpback Whales north of Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.


15:51 • 2 Humpback Whales heading west off the south end of Penn Islands. ▫ Leaving the Scene

15:51 • Humpback Whales west of Center Islet, Sutil Channel. Blows were observed.


15:47 • 2 Humpback Whales ?BCZ0338 Geometry? near Penn Islands, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene


15:33 • 2 Humpback Whales doing circles, between Penn Islands and Von Donop Inlet, Sutil Channel.


15:12 • 2 Humpback Whales ?BCZ0338 Geometry? south of Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.


14:21 • 2 Humpback Whales off Coulter Island, Sutil Channel.

14:21 • 1 Humpback Whales between Penn Islands and Rendezvous Islands, Sutil Channel.


11:08 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south approaching Hole in the Wall in Calm Channel.

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours


08:00 • 2 Humpback Whales foraging, in Big Bay by Stuart Island, Yuculta Rapids.

Ryan Eisen, Sonora Resort



Mon Sep 18 2017

18:15 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south off Race Point, Discovery Passage.

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours


17:41 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south in front of Maud Island in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage. In front of land bridge in 60 feet of water.


15:30 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south abeam Eagles Cove on the other side of Discovery Passage.

Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures


15:25 • 2 Humpback Whales off Granite Point, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.

Tenacious3 (Boat), Discovery Marine Safaris


14:17 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south off Chatham Point, Discovery Passage. ▫ Radio Report

12:32 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south in Plunger Passage close to the shore of Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel.

12:01 • 2 Humpback Whales ?BCX0565 Nick: BCY0057 Niagara? heading north angled at Quadra Island Scallop Farm below Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel.


12:00 • Humpback Whales heading south in Deer Passage. Approaching Lewis Channel.


11:49 • Humpback Whales in Whale Passage, Sutil Channel.

Radio, overheard or call out


10:50 • 3 Humpback Whales off Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait. The blows were seen from a distance.


10:13 • 3-4 Humpback Whales between Francisco Point and Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.

Radio, overheard or call out


09:57 • 1 Humpback Whales between Center Islet and Hill Island, Sutil Channel. One blow was seen.


09:30 • 2 Humpback Whales by Viner Point, Read Island, Sutil Channel.

Elvis Chikite, Pacific Pro Dive


09:03 • 2 Humpback Whales off the buoy at Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.



Sat Sep 16 2017

18:43 • 1 Humpback Whales out from Quadra Island Scallop Farm pointed towards Rebecca Spit, Sutil Channel.

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours


18:42 • 2 Humpback Whales by Centre Islet, Sutil Channel. Small whales. ▫ Leaving the Scene

18:42 • 2 Humpback Whales ?BCZ0338 Geometry; BCZ Apollo? out from Plunger Passage, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene

18:42 • 2 Humpback Whales close to Whaletown, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene


18:15 • 2 Humpback Whales by Read Island, Sutil Channel.

Ryan Eisen, Sonora Resort


17:40 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north from Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.


17:40 • 2 Humpback Whales ?BCZ0338 Geometry; BCZ Apollo? circled toward Plunger Passage, Sutil Channel.


16:34 • 1 Humpback Whales half-mile off the north tip of Denman Island, Georgia Strait. Very young.

Peter Hamilton, Lifeforce


16:29 • 2 Humpback Whales off the marker at Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.

Radio, overheard or call out


16:20 • 2 Humpback Whales ?BCZ0338 Geometry; BCZ Apollo? between Whaletown and Centre Islet, Sutil Channel.


16:07 • 2 Humpback Whales between the Quadra Island – Cortes Island ferry line and Centre Islet, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene

Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures


15:37 • 1 Humpback Whales between Hill Island and Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.


15:22 • 3 Humpback Whales tight to the north east side of Hornby Island, Georgia Strait.

Peter Hamilton, Lifeforce


13:26 • 2 Humpback Whales doing circles, off Francisco Point and the edge of Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene


12:51 • Humpback Whales breaching, by the shoreline of Read Island, Sutil Channel.

Ryan Eisen, Sonora Resort


11:16 • 2 Humpback Whales abeam Coulter Bay between Subtle Islands and Hill Island, Sutil Channel.


10:15 • 1 Humpback Whales heading towards Marina Island in the middle of Sutil Channel. Small one.

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours


09:27 • 2 Humpback Whales at Evans Bay pointing toward Viner Point, Sutil Channel.


09:25 • 2-3 Humpback Whales ?BCY0057 Niagara? heading into Evans Bay, Read Island, Sutil Channel.


09:10 • 1 Humpback Whales off Powell Islets, Malaspina Strait.


08:35 • 1 Humpback Whales doing circles, 800 metres west of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.



Fri Sep 15 2017

17:27 • 2 Humpback Whales between Denman Island and Texada Island, Georgia Strait.

Peter Hamilton, Lifeforce


SPECIES SUPPLEMENT

Humpback Whales

Humpback Whales off of Heriot Bay

Sun, 10 Sep 2017 – 2 items

Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures




SPECIES SUPPLEMENT

Humpback Whales

Humpback Whales off of Heriot Bay

Sun, 10 Sep 2017 – 2 items

Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures

SPECIES SUPPLEMENT

Humpback Whales

Humpback Whales off of Heriot Bay

Mon, 11 Sep 2017 – 2 items

Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures




SPECIES SUPPLEMENT

Humpback Whales

Humpback Whales off of Heriot Bay

Mon, 11 Sep 2017 – 2 items

Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures

SPECIES SUPPLEMENT

Humpback Whales

Two Humpback Whales in Bute Inlet

Fri, 15 Sep 2017 – 4 items

Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures






SPECIES SUPPLEMENT

Humpback Whales

Two Humpback Whales in Bute Inlet

Fri, 15 Sep 2017 – 4 items

Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures

PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS


Tue Sep 19 2017

11:00 • 20 PWS Dolphins resting, off Walkem Islands, Johnstone Strait.



Sat Sep 16 2017

14:20 • est. 100 PWS Dolphins heading south passing Davis Point angled into Thurston Bay, Nodales Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene

Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures


12:52 • est. 50 PWS Dolphins, Frederick Arm.


PILOT WHALES


Fri Sep 15 2017

–:– • est. 50-75 Pilot Whales moving slowly, in the western end of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. I was coming in on the MS Eurodam cruise ship from Alaska, and we began seeing them spread out as far as we could see across the strait. They were mostly just slowly travelling in smaller groups spread very far out, with some surface logging, occasionally spy hopping and tail slapping. I’ve seen many Orca whales throughout the area, but never anything like this. It was pretty amazing.

Pamela Ren,


DALLS PORPOISE


Mon Sep 18 2017

12:38 • 20 Dalls Porpoise off Horn Point, Dent Rapids.



Sat Sep 16 2017

16:58 • Dalls Porpoise playing, off Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.


HARBOUR PORPOISE


Mon Sep 18 2017

09:22 • 6-7 Harbour Porpoise in Discovery Passage. Possibly close to some Transient Orca.

Radio, overheard or call out



SUBMIT sightings
or call 1-877-323-9776 or eMail
we welcome your sighting reports, photographs, video and audio recordings. please review our media submission guidelines


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Archive Explorer takes readers into the Cetacean world of the BC Coast. Easily view all Cetacean sighting reports together with all sighting photos and videos:
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• Track the T010s Transients as they hunt and travel the inside passage
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• Goto one of 12,000 named locations on the BC and WA State coast
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The Magazine

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