Many pods of Pacific White-Sided dolphins were observed, a number of them being in Nodales Channel and around Frederick Arm. These dolphins are the most abundant dolphin here in B.C. waters evidenced by pods each containing hundreds of members and they can be seen quite frequently in many locations. They are usually very active at the surface, porpoising and often leaping out of the water. In addition, Pacific White-Sided dolphins may be seen bow-riding in front of boats, keeping pace with boats easily.
Similar to the past few weeks, many Humpback whales are in various channels and inland waterways. On a few occasions, Humpbacks were seen slapping their pectoral fins (flippers) onto the surface of the water. Humpbacks may slap their pectorals as a way to play or to communicate with other whales. Their pectoral fins can be up to 4 meters long and among the Cetaceans, Humpbacks have the longest fins proportionally when compared to the length of the whale. Transient Orca were also observed roaming around, notably near Powell River and near Cowichan Bay. Some news regarding the Northern Resident and Southern Resident Orca were published by media this past week – read about the Resident Orca in our Magazine section.
Boaters, please use caution on the water. There are Cetaceans out there. Effective June 1st, Federal laws require boats to remain at least 400-m away when viewing Orca and for other Cetaceans, laws require boats to remain at least 100-m from the animals. Remember N.E.W.S. when you see a whale, meaning put your boat in NEUTRAL, ENJOY the view, WAIT till the whales are at a fair distance, and then SLOWLY leave the scene.
WOWs works throught the year, so please continue to keep your eyes open, and report your sightings to us.
Society News & Events
Whales and Dolphins BC Website:
Teaching Resources: We continue to update lessons, activities and resources on our website. Teachers can download information as needed for classes.
Real Time Monitoring Station Live Update
Our Cetacean Web Camera
YouTube Channel is live. We appreciate your patience with the intermittent bouncy images from the Beach Gardens Marina camera. Our backup live stream mounted in Powell River appears when the Beach Gardens camera is down.
Thank You to our Volunteers and Contributors!
Our team of online Volunteers continue to do a great job in making sure all your sightings reports are mapped and published regularly. Would you like to join us?
Review our current
Volunteer Job Postings
Not listed in our job postings is our immediate need for IT support. Please contact Susan@…org for details.
Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP – ISSUE: 2019-022
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Thu Jul 04 2019
11:10 • est. 3+ Biggs Orca north of Myrtle Creek, Malaspina Strait.
At least 3 adult males. ▫ Second Hand
11:30 • est. 5-6 Biggs Orca heading south between Myrtle Creek and Texada Island, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Second Hand
12:15 • est. 8 Biggs Orca
foraging, heading north-west at Cherry Point, Saanich Inlet.
Whales are heading into Cowichan Bay. Whale watching boats are following very closely. ▫ Observed from Shore
Brenda Fransen, Cobble Hill, BC
12:17 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ heading south, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Fri Jul 05 2019
10:10 • Biggs Orca heading north from Black (Albion) Point toward Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Small pod.
Bill Taylor, Powell River, BC
11:00 • est. 2 Biggs Orca
moving slowly, heading north mid channel off Grief Point, Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
One male, one smaller Orca. ▫ Observed from Shore
Jason Didcott, Powell River, BC
11:11 • Biggs Orca in front of Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
On scene.
11:22 • 2 Biggs Orca heading north-west toward Vivian Island from Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Males.
11:48 • 1 Biggs Orca by Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
11:50 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s,T102◦ between Rebecca Rocks, Cyrus Rocks and Blubber Bay, Malaspina Strait.
12:57 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ heading north 2.8 nautical miles abeam Vivian Island, Georgia Strait.
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Transient Orca – the T101s – travelling north by Vivian Island
Fri, 5 Jul 2019 – 4 items
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Transient Orca – the T101s – travelling north by Vivian Island
Fri, 5 Jul 2019 – 4 items
Sat Jul 06 2019
14:23 • Biggs Orca heading north-east on the Powell River side of the channel just to the north of Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Transient Orca – the T37as – pass by Powell River
Sat, 6 Jul 2019 – 4 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Transient Orca – the T37as – pass by Powell River
Sat, 6 Jul 2019 – 4 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River
14:27 • est. 2-3 Biggs Orca close to Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
14:27 • 2 Biggs Orca closer to Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
Couple of big males.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Transient Orca in Howe Sound hunting seals near Protection Island. Identified as T124C (Cooper), T124A2 (Elkugu), T124A2A (Agafia) and T24A2B
Sat, 6 Jul 2019 – 3 items
Cheyenne Brewster, Vancouver Island Whale Watch
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Transient Orca in Howe Sound hunting seals near Protection Island. Identified as T124C (Cooper), T124A2 (Elkugu), T124A2A (Agafia) and T24A2B
Sat, 6 Jul 2019 – 3 items
Cheyenne Brewster, Vancouver Island Whale Watch
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Transient Orca travelling northbound up Trincomali Channel through the Southern Gulf Islands. Identified as T46s (T46D and T46E), T86A1, T124As, T124C (Cooper), and T037As
Fri, 5 Jul 2019 – 5 items
Val Watson, Vancouver Island Whale Watch
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Transient Orca travelling northbound up Trincomali Channel through the Southern Gulf Islands. Identified as T46s (T46D and T46E), T86A1, T124As, T124C (Cooper), and T037As
Fri, 5 Jul 2019 – 5 items
Val Watson, Vancouver Island Whale Watch
HUMPBACK WHALES
Thu Jul 04 2019
07:25 • 2 Humpback Whales west of Kelsey Bay, Johnstone Strait.
08:54 • Humpback Whales top end of Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
09:00 • est. 10-12 Humpback Whales between Rebecca Spit and Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
09:15 • est. 1-2 Humpback Whales near Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
09:40 • 1 Humpback Whales off Dogfish Bay at the southeast end of Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
09:50 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north abeam Painters Lodge near Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
Waving pecs.
10:03 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north abeam Menzies Bay Pulp Mill just above Campbell River, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
10:21 • 3 Humpback Whales at the south end of Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
10:21 • 4 Humpback Whales near Breton Islands, Sutil Channel.
10:21 • 2 Humpback Whales heading toward Hyacinthe Bay, Sutil Channel.
10:22 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north abeam Breton Islands, Sutil Channel.
10:22 • 1 Humpback Whales
resting, south of Breton Islands.
10:22 • est. 1-2 Humpback Whales in Open Bay, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
10:29 • Humpback Whales near Blubber Bay on Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC
10:30 • 2 Humpback Whales
doing circles, south of Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
10:50 • Humpback Whales heading into Raza Passage.
10:52 • 2 Humpback Whales heading toward Marina Reef, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
10:52 • 3 Humpback Whales aiming towards Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
11:04 • 3 Humpback Whales in Raza Passage.
1 mid channel on the Calm channel border. 2 tight to Raza shore near Raza point.
11:25 • Humpback Whales
breaching, off Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
11:27 • 3 Humpback Whales at the north end of Lewis Channel.
Active whales and 1 calf in group.
11:50 • 3 Humpback Whales in Raza Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
12:29 • 2 Humpback Whales by the Spoil Grounds, Georgia Strait.
13:16 • 3 Humpback Whales heading south-west at Francisco Point on Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
13:32 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south-east off Viner Point heading towards Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
13:58 • Humpback Whales
breaching middle of Sutil Channel.
14:24 • 3 Humpback Whales
moving slowly, heading north, south end of Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
Humpback Whales
Humpacks heading north near Penn Island
Thu, 4 Jul 2019 – 3 items
Humpback Whales
Humpacks heading north near Penn Island
Thu, 4 Jul 2019 – 3 items
14:53 • Humpback Whales in Sutil Channel.
Active. ▫ Leaving the Scene
15:02 • est. 3-4 Humpback Whales between Quadra Island Scallop Farm and Rebecca Spit, Sutil Channel.
15:58 • 1 Humpback Whales west of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
16:05 • 2 Humpback Whales
doing circles, south of Breton Islands, Sutil Channel.
16:21 • est. 2-4 Humpback Whales off Quadra Island Scallop Farm south of Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel.
16:25 • 3 Humpback Whales
breaching, in Redonda Bay, Deer Passage.
16:35 • 3 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0057 Niagara◦ in Sutil Channel.
Pec slapping.
16:38 • 3 Humpback Whales between Rebecca Spit and Breton Islands, Sutil Channel.
16:38 • 2 Humpback Whales off Breton Islands, Sutil Channel.
16:40 • Humpback Whales in Coulter Bay on Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
16:55 • 2 Humpback Whales at Francisco Point on Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
17:19 • 6 Humpback Whales at top of Lewis Channel.
17:36 • 3 Humpback Whales between Coulter Island and Penn Islands, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Fri Jul 05 2019
08:24 • Humpback Whales by Blubber Bay, Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
09:30 • 3 Humpback Whales heading west near the power lines on Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
09:30 • Humpback Whales around Plunger Passage, Sutil Channel.
Lots more blows.
10:00 • 2 Humpback Whales off Marina Island shack heading for Francisco Point, Sutil Channel.
10:15 • 6 Humpback Whales in front of Whaletown, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
10:20 • Humpback Whales in Raza Passage.
10:45 • 2 Humpback Whales
moving quickly, heading north past Quathiaski Cove, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. ▫ Second Hand
10:54 • 2 Humpback Whales north end of Penn Islands pointed at Read Island, Sutil Channel.
11:00 • 3 Humpback Whales ◦BCX0380 Zed / Zorro,BCX0565 Nick,BCY0057 Niagara◦
doing circles, off Whaletown, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
11:00 • est. 2-3 Humpback Whales toward Plunger Passage, Sutil Channel.
11:20 • Humpback Whales east of Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
Information from ‘Blue Sky’ . ▫ Second Hand
12:25 • 2 Humpback Whales
breaching off the fish farm in Raza Passage.
Two breaches.
12:45 • 5 Humpback Whales by Whaletown, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
12:45 • 2 Humpback Whales toward Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
13:10 • 2 Humpback Whales NW of Grant Reefs, Georgia Strait.
13:15 • 3 Humpback Whales on the ferry line south of Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel.
13:15 • 3 Humpback Whales heading south toward Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
13:15 • est. 3-4 Humpback Whales near submerged cables in Sutil Channel.
13:37 • Humpback Whales off Chatham Point, Discovery Passage.
Circling by the light.
Radio, overheard or call out
14:50 • 2 Humpback Whales off Kitty Coleman Beach Park, Georgia Strait.
14:55 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north off April Point, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
15:30 • 9 Humpback Whales
doing circles, in the area of Whaletown, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
15:30 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south abeam the cell phone tower on Quadra Island in Discovery Passage.
15:57 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south at the Cape Mudge Lighthouse on Quadra Island, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
16:08 • 8 Humpback Whales in the area of Whaletown, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Humpback Whales
Humpacks spotted breaching by the Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours Team
Fri, 5 Jul 2019 – 6 items
Humpback Whales
Humpacks spotted breaching by the Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours Team
Fri, 5 Jul 2019 – 6 items
18:26 • 4 Humpback Whales ◦BCX0380 Zed / Zorro,BCX0565 Nick,BCY Apollo,BCY0057 Niagara◦ by Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
19:02 • est. 1 Humpback Whales
moving slowly, heading south, Sayward, Johnstone Strait.
Taking 15 minute dives. ▫ Observed from Shore
Lee Hall, Scotland
19:55 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south off the Powell River Viewpoint close to Westview, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Sat Jul 06 2019
08:23 • 2 Humpback Whales half mile south of Plunger Passage, Sutil Channel.
08:23 • 4 Humpback Whales north of Centre Islet, Sutil Channel.
09:45 • 1 Humpback Whales at the bouy at Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait.
09:50 • 1 Humpback Whales off Rebecca Spit, Sutil Channel.
09:50 • est. 3-4 Humpback Whales between Rebecca Spit and Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
09:50 • Humpback Whales tight on Viner Point, Read Island, Sutil Channel.
Blows seen.
10:05 • 4 Humpback Whales
doing circles, in front of Whaletown, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
10:40 • est. 3-4 Humpback Whales mid channel between Rebecca Spit and Whaletown, Sutil Channel.
Bob Nicol, Powell River, BC
10:45 • 3 Humpback Whales at Centre Islet, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
10:45 • 4 Humpback Whales south of Viner Point heading toward Quadra Island Scallop Farm, Sutil Channel.
Deep dives.
11:00 • 2 Humpback Whales at Twin Bay, Read Island, Sutil Channel.
11:00 • 2 Humpback Whales at the north side of Evans Bay, Read Island, Sutil Channel.
11:15 • 2 Humpback Whales south of Whale Passage, Sutil Channel.
11:25 • 1 Humpback Whales just south of Rendezvous Islands, Sutil Channel.
11:37 • 4 Humpback Whales between the ferry line and the Spoil Grounds, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
12:27 • 2 Humpback Whales
breaching, under the power line in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
12:56 • est. 2-3 Humpback Whales by Shark Spit to the north of Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
Seeing blows.
12:56 • est. 2-3 Humpback Whales closer to Marina Island shack, Sutil Channel.
Seeing blows.
13:30 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
Bobbing in the ebb tide.
13:30 • 4 Humpback Whales heading south between the Quadra Island Scallop Farm and Marina Island, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
13:34 • 2 Humpback Whales close to Viner Point heading toward the Breton Islands, Sutil Channel.
13:34 • 2 Humpback Whales above Centre Islet angling toward Plunger Passage, Sutil Channel.
13:42 • 2 Humpback Whales pointing at Whaletown, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
13:42 • 2 Humpback Whales at the north side of Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
Angled towards Francisco point.
13:50 • 2 Humpback Whales in Evans Bay, Read Island, Sutil Channel.
15:38 • est. 2+ Humpback Whales out from Evans Bay between Hill Island and Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
16:00 • 3 Humpback Whales south of Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
Humpback Whales
Humpback in Sutil Channel near Penn Island
Sat, 6 Jul 2019 – 1 items
David Gauci, Eagle Eye Adventures
Humpback Whales
Humpback in Sutil Channel near Penn Island
Sat, 6 Jul 2019 – 1 items
David Gauci, Eagle Eye Adventures
16:12 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCY Apollo,BCY0057 Niagara◦ working their way toward Carrington Bay, Sutil Channel.
16:12 • 3 Humpback Whales heading south on the Cortes side heading toward Carrington Bay.
16:18 • est. 3-4 Humpback Whales south of Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
16:22 • 2 Humpback Whales off McMullen Point, Discovery Passage.
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Thu Jul 04 2019
09:46 • PWS Dolphins by Grouse Island, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
11:15 • PWS Dolphins at Kelsey Bay, Johnstone Strait. ▫ Second Hand
12:00 • est. 75 PWS Dolphins
milling in Frederick Arm.
12:30 • est. 100 PWS Dolphins in Frederick Arm. ▫ Leaving the Scene
13:55 • PWS Dolphins top of Frederick Arm. ▫ Leaving the Scene
16:00 • est. 75 PWS Dolphins
milling, at Hall Point on Sonora Island, Nodales Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific white-sided dolphins milling at Hall Point, Sonara Island.
Thu, 4 Jul 2019 – 5 items
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific white-sided dolphins milling at Hall Point, Sonara Island.
Thu, 4 Jul 2019 – 5 items
16:14 • est. 100+ PWS Dolphins out front off Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
Changing direction.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Fri Jul 05 2019
07:15 • est. 100+ PWS Dolphins spread out between Thurlow Point and Owen Point, Nodales Channel.
09:00 • PWS Dolphins off Owen Point, Frederick Arm. ▫ Second Hand
10:45 • est. 30-40 PWS Dolphins
foraging, heading south-west 500 metres southwest of Melville Island, Homfray Channel.
Large portion of group were feeding. Remainder were doing some jumps or tail slaps. ▫ From Power or Sail Boat
JP, Terracentric Adventure Tours
14:05 • est. 100 PWS Dolphins
playing in Frederick Arm.
14:45 • PWS Dolphins at Chatham Point, Johnstone Strait.
Sat Jul 06 2019
08:35 • PWS Dolphins at Dickson Shoal, Chancellor Channel.
Chasing yachts.
12:10 • est. 100+ PWS Dolphins at Hall Point, Sonora Island, Nodales Channel. ▫ Second Hand
12:20 • est. 110+ PWS Dolphins heading south at Hall Point heading into Cordero Channel, Nodales Channel.
14:50 • est. 100 PWS Dolphins
milling, Frederick Arm. ▫ Leaving the Scene
15:00 • est. 100 PWS Dolphins entering Cordero Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Archive Explorer
Archive Explorer navigates 15,000+ Cetacean Sightings, images, videos and audio recordings.
*Recommended for desktop browsers and newer mobile devices
Archive Explorer
dives into the Coastal Cetacean world. View Cetacean sighting locations, photos and videos:
- All species including Orca, Humpback, Grey Whale or Dalls Porpoise
- Follow the endangered Southern Residents Orca in the Salish Sea
- Search for encounters with T002C2 Tumbo
- Witness a close-up Orca encounter video in Port Alberni harbour
- Follow the T010s Transients as they hunt and travel the inside passage
- Track “KC”, the ever popular Humphack’s movements this past August
- Locate any of 12,000 named locations on the BC and WA State coast
- Print custom sighting reports and maps (Coming Soon)
Archive Explorer
Help Page explains many advanced functions
Send your Comments and Questions to:
Archive Explorer Feedback
Sightings
Open Data includes all sightings data, photos and videos, in a table you can filter and download.
The Magazine
REGIONAL
CTV News
Some northern resident killer whales have returned to the waters off northern Vancouver Island for the first time this year.
One of those spotted was A73, a female also known as Springer. In 2002, she was successfully re-integrated into her pod after being found emaciated hundreds of miles from her family….
read on
CTV News
Observes from the Centre for Whale Research say there’s something off about two recent encounters with both the J and K-Pod families of Southern Resident killer whales in the Haro Strait: a whale from each pod was missing.
The centre says that while their July 5 and 6 days at sea with the J and K-Pods were not necessarily definitive, but the two missing whales were still noteworthy….
read on
WEST COAST + NATIONAL
CBC News
Transport Canada has announced further protective measures in the Gulf of St. Lawrence for the North Atlantic right whale. The measures, announced Monday evening, include further reducing ship speeds in the area, increasing zones in which the speed restrictions will apply, increasing aerial surveillance and funding for initiatives to enhance marine mammal response….
read on