Transient Orca were observed on a number of days. The Transient group T002C pod were roaming around quite a bit as they were in Discovery Passage last Wednesday, then in the Desolation Sound & Okeover Inlet area on Friday, and finally in Bute Inlet on Sunday. Thats all lot of mileage in a few days! Another Transient group identified as the T060 pod passed through Discovery Passage and made its way westward in Johnstone Strait.
A couple of Minke whales were reported near the Port McNeill area as well as Humpback whales and the two porpoise species. Humpback whales continue to remain around the south end of Quadra Island, and up into Sutil Channel as well as Calm Channel. Pacific White-sided dolphins were observed in their usual locations in Nodales Channel and Johnstone Strait. We have received a number of sightings of Harbour porpoises in various locations in the inland waters. Keep sending in your sightings!
Ivan Ng, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Humpback Whale fluking under smokey skies near Mitlenatch Island
Viktor Davare, Courtenay, BC
Society News & Events
Real Time Monitoring Station Update: We’re LIVE!
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ISSUE SIGHTINGS MAP 2017-033
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Sun Sep 10 2017
17:02 • Biggs Orca south of Fawn Bluff heading out of Bute Inlet. ▫ Leaving the Scene
16:16 • Biggs Orca ?T002Cs? passing Downie Range, Bute Inlet. ▫ Leaving the Scene
16:00 • Biggs Orca off Fawn Bluff heading into Bute Inlet. ▫ Leaving the Scene
14:45 • Biggs Orca at Quathiaski Cove, Discovery Passage. ▫ Second Hand
13:57 • Biggs Orca ?T002Cs? spread out, between the north end of Stuart Island and Fawn Bluff, Bute Inlet.
13:56 • 1 Biggs Orca off Stuart Island, Bute Inlet. ▫ Second Hand
Fri Sep 08 2017
16:51 • Biggs Orca ?T002Cs? just coming out of Okeover Inlet.
Radio, overheard or call out
13:15 • Biggs Orca at Selina Point heading into Okeover Inlet. ▫ Leaving the Scene
12:18 • Biggs Orca ?T002Cs? heading into Okeover Inlet.
11:40 • Biggs Orca ?T002Cs? in Galley Bay, Desolation Sound.
Thu Sep 07 2017
12:55 • Biggs Orca ?T060s? heading north near Nichols Bay on Hardwicke Island, Johnstone Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
10:50 • Biggs Orca ?T060s? off Vansittart Point on West Thurlow Island, Johnstone Strait.
10:44 • Biggs Orca ?T060s? heading west a mile back from Vansittart Point on West Thurlow Island.
10:43 • Biggs Orca ?T060s? heading west towards Vansittart Point on West Thurlow Island.
09:32 • 5 Biggs Orca ?T060s? heading west by Chatham Point, Discovery Passage. Heading into Johnstone Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
07:30 • Biggs Orca ?T060s? heading north passing Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
Wed Sep 06 2017
18:20 • Biggs Orca ?T002Cs? travelling, at Wilby Shoals pointing towards Marina Island, Georgia Strait.
18:02 • Biggs Orca ?T002Cs? moving slowly, heading south off Cape Mudge Lighthouse, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
16:05 • Biggs Orca ?T002Cs? travelling, heading north by Maude Island, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
14:43 • Biggs Orca ?T002Cs? bucking tide, at Race Point, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
14:00 • 4 Biggs Orca ?T002Cs? heading north past Copper Bluffs, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
13:30 • 1 Biggs Orca ?T002C2 Tumbo? heading south past Quathiaski Cove, Discovery Passage.
12:54 • Biggs Orca ?T002Cs? along log boom in Gowlland Harbour.
12:24 • Biggs Orca ?T002Cs? at Steep Island, Discovery Passage. North-east corner of the island, close to the beach.
11:47 • Biggs Orca ?T002Cs? coming up to Copper Bluffs close to Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
10:50 • Biggs Orca ?T002Cs? out from Cape Mudge Lighthouse closer to Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
10:35 • Biggs Orca ?T002Cs? heading north at Shelter Point, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
10:30 • 5 Biggs Orca hunting, heading north between Beaver Point and Diver Bay, Swanson Channel. First observed off Beaver Point, Salt Spring Island – working shore line. Traveled north a 0.5-km eastward to the east side of North Prevost Island (Diver Bay), observed from our cruiser for approximately 1 hr. ▫ On Scene
Ray And Sue Andrews, North Saanich, BC
09:48 • Biggs Orca ?T002Cs? between Shelter Point and Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
09:31 • Biggs Orca between Mitlenatch Island and Salmon Point, Georgia Strait.
Tue Sep 05 2017
19:15 • est. 5 Biggs Orca moving quickly, heading south off Qualicum Beach, Georgia Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Mary Salter, Qualicum Beach, BC
Fri Sep 01 2017
14:00 • Biggs Orca ?T002Cs? heading west off Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait.
NORTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Wed Sep 06 2017
10:00 • est. 3-8 NRKW Orca ?A25s,A35s? moving slowly, heading west north of Robson Bight, Johnstone Strait. Two pods of NRKWs, moving mid-strait and then closer to the VI shoreline, heading towards Beaver Cove from Robson Bight. They eventually ended up at the entrance to Telegraph Cove, where they spread out to rest. ▫ On Scene
Lynne Cracknell, Cedar, BC
Tue Sep 05 2017
13:21 • est. 20 NRKW Orca off Lizard Point, Malcolm Island, Queen Charlotte Strait.
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Fri Sep 01 2017
14:15 • Orca heading west off Copper Bluffs, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
Sun Sep 10 2017
17:00 • 1 Humpback Whales south of Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel. Small whale.
15:02 • Humpback Whales north of Quathiaski Cove, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
13:32 • 1 Humpback Whales in Big Bay, Stuart Island, Yuculta Rapids.
13:18 • Humpback Whales off Jimmy Judd Island, Dent Rapids. Humbacks sighted with sea lions.
11:52 • 4 Humpback Whales off Quadra Island Scallop Farm below Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel.
11:00 • 1 Humpback Whales off Kellsey Point, Stuart Island, Yuculta Rapids.
10:28 • 4 Humpback Whales heading north off Quadra Island Scallop Farm below Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel.
09:58 • 4 Humpback Whales off Quadra Island Scallop Farm below Heriot Bay.
09:58 • 3 Humpback Whales off Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Jordan McLean,
09:38 • 2 Humpback Whales west of Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
09:38 • 3 Humpback Whales off Quadra Island Scallop Farm below Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel.
08:42 • 2 Humpback Whales at Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
Sat Sep 09 2017
16:14 • 1 Humpback Whales fluking, at Spilsbury Point, Hernando Island, Baker Passage.
09:39 • 3 Humpback Whales south of Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait.
09:39 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south off Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
Fri Sep 08 2017
17:26 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south at 5 knots near Toba Mountain, Calm Channel.
17:24 • 1 Humpback Whales off Francisco Point, Georgia Strait.
17:12 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south toward Wilby Shoals between red can marker and Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
17:05 • 1 Humpback Whales doing circles, Seymour Narrows tight to the shore of Vancouver Island, Discovery Passage. Tight circles in the back eddy.
17:05 • 2 Humpback Whales north of Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
16:59 • 2 Humpback Whales between Hernando Island and Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
16:53 • 3 Humpback Whales at Centre Islet, Sutil Channel.
16:52 • 2 Humpback Whales between red can marker at Cortez Reef and red can marker at Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.
16:10 • 1 Humpback Whales off Double Island, Pryce Channel.
15:50 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south toward Cape Mudge, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
15:45 • Humpback Whales travelling, heading north-west north of Johnstone Bluff, Bute Inlet.
15:30 • 1 Humpback Whales passing Henrietta Point, Stuart Island heading into Bute Inlet.
15:00 • 2 Humpback Whales 1/2 mile south of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. Big ones.
14:39 • Humpback Whales just off the red can marker at Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.
13:05 • Humpback Whales tight to the shore of Maurelle Island near east entrance to Hole in the Wall.
12:24 • 2 Humpback Whales ?BCX0565 Nick; BCZ0004 Stripe? heading west just passed Chatham Point, Discovery Passage.
12:17 • 3 Humpback Whales approaching Copper Bluffs, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
11:05 • Humpback Whales heading north near Center Rendezvous Islands, Drew Passage.
10:36 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south at Yellow Island, Discovery Passage.
10:08 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north just past Browns Bay, Discovery Passage. Possibly up to 5 Humpback whales in total in Discovery Passage.
10:02 • 2 Humpback Whales just north of Race Point, Discovery Passage.
09:42 • 3 Humpback Whales just south of Cape Mudge, Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
09:38 • 2 Humpback Whales by Open Bay above Breton Islands, Sutil Channel.
09:05 • 2 Humpback Whales between Mitlenatch Island and Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait.
08:56 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north in the current at Maud Island in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
08:48 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north 300 metres off shore of Menzies Bay Pulp Mill just above Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
08:35 • 2 Humpback Whales travelling, heading north off Campbell River, Discovery Passage. Sitting on the balcony from Passageview Hotel in Campbell River. Looking towards Quadra Island and saw two Humpback spouts and arched backs came out of water several times as they travelled north towards Campbell River-Quadra ferry. A very good morning indeed. ▫ Observed from Shore
Laureen Richards, Qualicum Beach, BC
Thu Sep 07 2017
17:36 • 2 Humpback Whales 400 m off Francisco Point, Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Two Humpback Whales south of Mitlenatch Island
Thu, 7 Sep 2017 – 1 items
Viktor Davare, Courtenay, BC
SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Two Humpback Whales south of Mitlenatch Island
Thu, 7 Sep 2017 – 1 items
Viktor Davare, Courtenay, BC
17:33 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north out from Quadra Island Scallop Farm below Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel.
17:11 • 2 Humpback Whales milling, 500-m from Francisco Point towards south end of Marina Island, Georgia Strait.
16:05 • Humpback Whales out from Old Church House pointed towards Sonora Lodge, Calm Channel.
15:02 • 2 Humpback Whales breaching, at Francisco Point, Georgia Strait.
14:52 • 1 Humpback Whales mid-channel between the Shark Spit and Rebecca Spit, Sutil Channel.
14:36 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south 1-km off Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
12:59 • Humpback Whales, Raza Passage.
09:39 • 2 Humpback Whales by Quadra Island Scallop Farm below Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel.
09:39 • 1 Humpback Whales by Hole in the Wall.
Radio, overheard or call out
09:22 • 2 Humpback Whales off Francisco Point, Georgia Strait.
08:52 • 1 Humpback Whales north of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
08:20 • 2 Humpback Whales doing circles, at Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Georgia Strait. In the 300 foot water doing shallow 3 minute dives.
Wed Sep 06 2017
15:47 • 1 Humpback Whales foraging, by Church House, Calm Channel.
SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale lunge feeding near Stubbs Island
Wed, 6 Sep 2017 – 2 items
Lynne Cracknell, Cedar, BC
SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale lunge feeding near Stubbs Island
Wed, 6 Sep 2017 – 2 items
Lynne Cracknell, Cedar, BC
15:46 • 1 Humpback Whales west of Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel.
15:17 • 1 Humpback Whales travelling, heading west south-west of Mink Island, Cordero Channel.
14:12 • 1 Humpback Whales north of Hornby Island, Georgia Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC
13:43 • 1 Humpback Whales off the north side of Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
12:30 • est. 9 Humpback Whales lunge feeding, near Stubbs Island, Blackfish Sound. We saw three Humpbacks milling near the Plumper Islands, and four more circling and lunge feeding near Stubbs Island, another two or possibly more near Donegal Head shoreline. ▫ On Scene
Lynne Cracknell, Cedar, BC
09:28 • 2 Humpback Whales at Mary Point, Cortes Island, Malaspina Strait.
09:00 • est. 2 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading south-east south of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. Seen from own boat. ▫ From Power or Sail Boat
Viktor Courtenay,
Tue Sep 05 2017
18:11 • 2 Humpback Whales off Hill Island, Sutil Channel. One whale close to the shoreline and one heading towards Penn Islands.
17:10 • 2 Humpback Whales off Tibbs Point, Raza Island, Pryce Channel.
SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Two Humpback Whales lunge feeding very close to shore off of Raza Isle
Tue, 5 Sep 2017 – 8 items
SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Two Humpback Whales lunge feeding very close to shore off of Raza Isle
Tue, 5 Sep 2017 – 8 items
17:10 • 1 Humpback Whales along the shore of Raza Island heading towards Raza Passage.
17:06 • 2 Humpback Whales bubble netting, in between Twin Bay and Viner Point, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
14:58 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south approaching Plunger Passage, Sutil Channel.
14:25 • 1 Humpback Whales west of Whaletown, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
11:15 • 1 Humpback Whales half-mile south of Bartlett Islet heading for Raza Passage, Calm Channel.
11:13 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south off Bold Point, Quadra Island, Hoskyn Channel.
10:39 • 3 Humpback Whales between Hill Island and Burdwood Bay, Sutil Channel.
09:50 • 3-4 Humpback Whales bubble netting, on the east side of Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
09:28 • 3-4 Humpback Whales off Hill Island heading towards Plunger Passage, Sutil Channel. They turned and headed back towards Hill Island.
08:35 • 2 Humpback Whales on south side of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
07:40 • 3 Humpback Whales foraging, heading north-east off Mitlenatch Island. One light grey. Young whale. ▫ Observed from Shore
Claudia Boelcke, Powell River, BC
–:– • 8-10 Humpback Whales, Blackfish Sound. By the time I crossed the Sound heading NE,there had to be 8-10 different Humpbacks. Lots of boats were viewing.
Frank Durant,
Sat Sep 02 2017
19:48 • 2 Humpback Whales near Atrevida Reef just North of Powell River, Malaspina Strait. One small whale closer to shore southbound and one large whale southbound farther out. The larger whale turned eventually and went north.
Pauline Decloedp, Powell River, BC
15:00 • 3 Humpback Whales south of Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
13:12 • 1 Humpback Whales going back and forth foraging, off Atrevida Reef just North of Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Pauline Decloedp, Powell River, BC
08:40 • 2 Humpback Whales heading east between Penn Islands and Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
07:09 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north off Atrevida Road near Atrevida Reef just North of Powell River, Malaspina Strait. Heard blows all night.
Pauline Decloedp, Powell River, BC
Fri Sep 01 2017
08:45 • 5 Humpback Whales bubble netting, near the north-side entrance to Evans Bay, Read Island, Sutil Channel.
08:45 • 2 Humpback Whales off Carrington Bay, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
Mon Aug 28 2017
–:– • 1 Humpback Whales off Klahanie Drive in Sliammon, Malaspina Strait. Maybe 200 yards offshore. There have been several Humpback whales in the past 4-5 days.
Heather Armstrong, Powell River, BC
Tue Sep 05 2017
17:30 • 1 Minke Whales moving quickly, heading west north of Pearse Islands, Cormorant Channel. Seen very briefly (twice) in Weynton Passage. ▫ On Scene
Lynne Cracknell, Cedar, BC
SIGHTING MEDIA
Minke Whales
Minke Whale in Cormorant Channel
Tue, 5 Sep 2017 – 1 items
Frank Durant,
SIGHTING MEDIA
Minke Whales
Minke Whale in Cormorant Channel
Tue, 5 Sep 2017 – 1 items
Frank Durant,
–:– • 1 Minke Whales foraging, in Cormorant Channel. Left Port McNeil this morning and saw this guy feeding about half way to the Strait. Not sure what it is? Bigger than a dolphin, about the size of a Orca…but not an Orca.
Frank Durant,
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Sun Sep 10 2017
12:30 • est. 4-6 PWS Dolphins foraging, heading south off Lennard Island south of Tofino, Clayoquot Sound. They seemed to be feeding. A group of three whale-watching boats were following the dolphins as they moved south through Cox Bay, from Lennard Island towards the point on the south side of the bay. At first we thought they were small Orcas because their dorsal fins were so pronounced, but we decided they had to be dolphins as there were no large Orcas with them. ▫ Observed from Shore
Lucinda Tooker, Lennard Island Lightstation
10:00 • PWS Dolphins in Frederick Arm. ▫ Second Hand
Sat Sep 09 2017
08:52 • 6 PWS Dolphins north of Race Point, Discovery Passage.
Tue Sep 05 2017
17:55 • PWS Dolphins in Greensea Bay, Discovery Passage.
11:21 • est. 100 PWS Dolphins heading east off Helmcken Island, Johnstone Strait. Moving at about 10 knots.
Fri Sep 01 2017
14:15 • est. 75 PWS Dolphins heading north-east from Chatham Point towards Sonora Point, Nodales Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
Mon Sep 04 2017
–:– • 8 Dalls Porpoise, Blackfish Sound. The porpoise followed us across Blackfish Sound.
Frank Durant,
Fri Sep 08 2017
17:28 • Harbour Porpoise in Gowlland Harbour. Possibly being harassed by harbour seals or cooperatively foraging with seals.
09:22 • 3 Harbour Porpoise foraging,
Thu Sep 07 2017
08:43 • 2-3 Harbour Porpoise foraging,
Tue Sep 05 2017
–:– • 2 Harbour Porpoise foraging, at the entrance to Waddington Bay, Retreat Passage. There were 2 porpoises fishing. These were on the small side, a solid darker colour but not black. It looked greyish-brown almost. They fished there for about 30 minutes.
Frank Durant,
Sat Sep 02 2017
–:– • 3 Harbour Porpoise heading south close to the shore near Myrtle Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Fri Sep 01 2017
11:20 • 1 Harbour Porpoise in Evans Bay, Read Island, Sutil Channel.
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