Whales Spyhopping
Cover Image:
Bigg’s basking in the sunlight off of Grief Point
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Whales may spyhop, a behaviour where the whale will swim to the surface vertically and raise their head out of the water to allow them to see (or “spy”) on the surrounding. Our cover image shows an Orca that appears to be spyhopping during a sunset. Grey whales, Humpback whales, and Orca are among the Cetaceans that spyhop.
Our report includes sightings of Transient Orca, Northern Resident Orca, Humpback whales, Pacific White-Sided dolphins, and a few sightings of both porpoise species. Two sea otters were also observed off of Mitlenatch Island, swimming among seals. On August 23, one pod of Transient Orca was near Comox late in the morning and over the day, these Orca travelled north passing Campbell River and ending up off of No Name Creek in Discovery Passage. These Orca travelled approximately 70-km in less that 10 hours and indicates how far they can go when searching for prey.
Boaters, please use caution on the water. 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 whales/dolphins. 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.
Note that the release of our regular publications will be interrupted over the next few weeks. Your reports of Cetacean sightings will be processed still, but at a slower rate, due to the changes of the availability of our volunteers. We will be working hard to catch up.
We acknowledge that our sightings map and archive map are not fully functional at this time, and we are working to resolve the issue.
WOWs works throught the year, so please continue to keep your eyes open, and report your sightings to us.
Ivan Ng, Wild Ocean Whale Society
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.
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: 2019-035
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Mon Aug 19 2019
17:05 • Biggs Orca at Brew Bay, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
18:09 • est. 2-3 Biggs Orca doing circles, across from Black (Albion) Point closer to Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
Nina Falls, Powell River, BC
18:43 • est. 7-8 Biggs Orca doing circles, heading north in front of the quarry below Van Anda, Texada Island, Malaspina Strait. Large pod. Circled for half an hour. Very close together and one massive dorsal.
Bill Taylor, Powell River, BC
19:40 • Biggs Orca heading north just north of Grief Point, Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Bigg’s just north of Grief Point
Mon, 19 Aug 2019 – 5 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Bigg’s just north of Grief Point
Mon, 19 Aug 2019 – 5 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
19:58 • est. 6 Biggs Orca heading north off the Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait. At least two males. ▫ Observed from Shore
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
21:00 • 5 Biggs Orca hunting sealions, off Jimmy Judd Island, Dent Rapids. Two big males were observed. Report from a sporty at Big Bay. Last night between 9pm and 10pm. ▫ Second Hand
Shea Majbroda, Campbell River Whale Watching
Tue Aug 20 2019
09:40 • Biggs Orca at Mary Point heading into Lewis Channel, Malaspina Strait.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:56 • Biggs Orca milling; playing, off Kinghorn Island, Desolation Sound. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Andrew Rice, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:00 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s,T101s◦ at Kinghorn Island heading into Desolation Sound.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
11:36 • Biggs Orca doing circles, north side of Kinghorn Island, Lewis Channel.
Shea Majbroda, Campbell River Whale Watching
12:17 • Biggs Orca between Martin Islands and Roscoe Bay, Desolation Sound. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jason Fitzgerald, Eagle Eye Adventures
16:00 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s,T101s◦ at the very end of Pendrell Sound. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
Wed Aug 21 2019
07:25 • Biggs Orca, Lewis Channel. Information from a tugboat.
Radio, overheard or call out
07:26 • Biggs Orca milling, Lewis Channel. ▫ Second Hand
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:05 • 3 Biggs Orca heading south by Refuge Cove, West Redonda Island, Lewis Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
11:43 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s,T101s◦ heading east off Martin Islands along the shore of West Redonda Island, Desolation Sound.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
11:44 • est. 4-6 Biggs Orca spread out, between Kinghorn Island and Mink Island, Desolation Sound.
John Hermsen, Footprint Kayak and Hike Explorations
12:39 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s,T101s◦ angled at Galley Bay, Desolation Sound. ▫ Leaving the Scene
12:59 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s,T101s◦ heading west, Galley Bay. At 13:08, the Orca were still westbound off Zephine Head.
Shea Majbroda, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:27 • Biggs Orca heading south from Sarah Point towards Bliss Landing, Malaspina Strait. T3 with Orca. ▫ Second Hand
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
15:17 • Biggs Orca off Copeland Islands, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Tenacious 3 (Boat), Discovery Marine Safaris
19:36 • 2 Biggs Orca heading south, Powell River Mill (Pulp & Paper), Malaspina Strait.
Robyn Doucette, Powell River, BC
20:15 • est. 7 Biggs Orca hunting, heading south, Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait. Feeding on a kill. At least a coulpe of big males.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
About 7 heading south past the Powell River Viewpoint
Wed, 21 Aug 2019 – 5 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
About 7 heading south past the Powell River Viewpoint
Wed, 21 Aug 2019 – 5 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Thu Aug 22 2019
08:15 • 1 Biggs Orca heading east passing Kelsey Bay, Johnstone Strait. Big fin. ▫ Observed from Shore
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
11:30 • est. 4-5 Biggs Orca heading east, Ripple Point, Johnstone Strait. Tight to Vancouver Island.
15:05 • Biggs Orca ◦T100s◦ heading south at the fishing zone in Browns Bay, Discovery Passage. Other group mile behind. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
15:15 • Biggs Orca ◦T100s◦ heading south near No Name Creek, Discovery Passage. Moving at 5 knots. Other Orca further ahead at Browns Bay. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Shea Majbroda, Campbell River Whale Watching
16:22 • Biggs Orca off Race Point, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
16:23 • 5 Biggs Orca at Menzies Bay, Discovery Passage. Small fins.
16:44 • 3 Biggs Orca heading south from Menzies Bay. One large fin (male).
Jason Fitzgerald, Eagle Eye Adventures
16:52 • 5 Biggs Orca heading into Menzies Bay. All small fins. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
17:25 • 3 Biggs Orca heading south off Campbell River in the middle of Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jim Rogers, Campbell River Whale Watching
17:40 • est. 5-6 Biggs Orca heading south close to shore at the Elk Falls mill in Discovery Passage. VI side.
Tyler Bruce, Campbell River Whale Watching
18:50 • Biggs Orca passing Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Fri Aug 23 2019
09:49 • Biggs Orca heading south at Kitty Coleman Beach Park, Georgia Strait. Report from Comox Valley Wildlife Sightings. ▫ Second Hand
Andrew Rice, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:20 • est. 2 Biggs Orca mile and a half off Kye Bay, Comox, Georgia Strait. Observed one big fin and one small fin. Spotted travelling northeast a few minutes later.
12:26 • 5 Biggs Orca heading north about 2 miles off Kitty Coleman Beach Park, Georgia Strait. Observed 1 big fin and 4 small fins.
Shea Majbroda, Campbell River Whale Watching
NORTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Tue Aug 20 2019
11:35 • NRKW Orca moving slowly, heading west below Broken Islands, Johnstone Strait.
13:40 • NRKW Orca ◦A30s,I4s◦ heading west, west of Forward Bay, West Cracroft Island, Johnstone Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
13:52 • NRKW Orca heading west, Broken Islands, Johnstone Strait. Large pod. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
HUMPBACK WHALES
Sun Aug 18 2019
17:30 • est. 4 Humpback Whales breaching, heading south midway on the ferry between Heriot Bay Ferry Terminal and Whaletown Ferry Terminal, Sutil Channel. We saw three whales together, identified by their spouts about halfway between Quadra and Cortes Island. Then we saw a fourth 5 minutes later. Saw tail fluke. ▫ From Ferry
BO, Santa Monica, CA
Mon Aug 19 2019
16:24 • 1 Humpback Whales off Viner Point, Read Island, Sutil Channel.
16:24 • 3 Humpback Whales toward the Quadra Island Scallop Farm south of Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
17:05 • Humpback Whales near shore at Otter Cove, Johnstone Strait.
Eliot Richter, Blind Channel Resort
18:02 • Humpback Whales on the Powell River side of Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
18:42 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCZ Hourglass◦ tight to shore under Toba Mountain, Calm Channel. And friend.
18:45 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCX Black Pearl◦ mid entrance to Raza Passage. WIth calf.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
19:40 • Humpback Whales by Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
19:43 • 2 Humpback Whales a mile off the Marina Island shack, Sutil Channel.
19:43 • 2 Humpback Whales toward the south end of Marina Island, Sutil Channel. Saw blows.
19:43 • 1 Humpback Whales off Whaletown, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
Tue Aug 20 2019
06:53 • 2 Humpback Whales between Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy and Cape Mudge Lighthouse, Georgia Strait.
Dean Parsonage, 50 North Adventures
06:59 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south in front of Grief Point, Malaspina Strait. 1/4 of the way out.
Jason Didcott, Powell River, BC
07:10 • Humpback Whales puffing away along the ferry line between Subtle Islands to Rebecca Spit, Sutil Channel.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
07:45 • 2 Humpback Whales close to the boat ramp at Willow Point, Georgia Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Andrew Rice, Campbell River Whale Watching
08:15 • 2 Humpback Whales taking long dives, off the shack on Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
08:40 • 2 Humpback Whales foraging, alond the shoreline of the south Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
Jim Rogers, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:26 • 2 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading north passing Hidden Harbour, Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
Andrew Rice, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:48 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north in front of Campbell River Ferry Terminal mid Discovery Passage.
Shea Majbroda, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:52 • 2 Humpback Whales taking long dives, north of the Penn Islands heading towards Bullock Bluff, Sutil Channel.
10:29 • 2 Humpback Whales just north of Johnstone Bluff, Bute Inlet.
Peter Murray, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:35 • 3 Humpback Whales 1 mile off Rebecca Spit, Sutil Channel.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
11:10 • 2 Humpback Whales between the shack on Marina Island and Francisco Point, Sutil Channel.
Shea Majbroda, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:21 • 3 Humpback Whales ◦BCX0565 Nick,BCX1258 Crescent◦ circling, off the Quadra Island Scallop Farm south of Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:30 • 2 Humpback Whales off Raza Point, Raza Island, Calm Channel.
Bradden Kiley, Painters Lodge, Campbell River
11:45 • 1 Humpback Whales in Whale Passage, Sutil Channel.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
11:50 • 4 Humpback Whales off Church House, Calm Channel.
Bradden Kiley, Painters Lodge, Campbell River
14:03 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ doing circles, just south of Bartlett Islet, Calm Channel. With a friend. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Shea Majbroda, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:20 • 5 Humpback Whales between Bartlett Islet and Hole in the Wall, Calm Channel.
Andrew Rice, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:20 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ off Bartlett Islet, Calm Channel. With a friend.
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures
15:00 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCX Raza◦ rolling in the kelp just north of Rendezvous Islands, Calm Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Shea Majbroda, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:15 • 3 Humpback Whales 1/2 mile off Quadra Island, Sutil Channel. Near the disused submerged cable lines.
Tom Christensen, Adventure Quest Tours
15:35 • Humpback Whales in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage. ▫ Second Hand
16:10 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south, Gowlland Island below Steep Island, Discovery Passage.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
18:50 • 2 Humpback Whales breaching, off Raza Point, Calm Channel.
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
Wed Aug 21 2019
05:00 • est. 2-3 Humpback Whales playing in Blind Channel. Lots of tail lobbing, slappping, and being generally noisy for about 30 minutes.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
08:55 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north, Yuculta Rapids. Reported by a friend. ▫ Second Hand
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:40 • 1 Humpback Whales off Harwood Island Spit, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
11:22 • 3 Humpback Whales moving quickly, heading south, Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures
14:12 • 1 Humpback Whales breach, towards Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait. One breach and one tail-slap.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
14:40 • 4 Humpback Whales, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Andrew Rice, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:44 • 2 Humpback Whales at the north end of Lewis Channel.
14:52 • 3 Humpback Whales off Toba Mountain, Raza Passage.
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures
15:34 • 3 Humpback Whales southeast of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Tenacious 3 (Boat), Discovery Marine Safaris
16:20 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south between Bullock Bluff and Teakerne Arm, Lewis Channel.
16:40 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCX Raza◦ off Raza Island, Calm Channel.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
16:42 • 3 Humpback Whales near the cell tower and the Quadra Island Scallop Farm south of Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel.
16:42 • 2 Humpback Whales off Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
19:37 • 2 Humpback Whales between Powell River and Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Thu Aug 22 2019
07:50 • 1 Humpback Whales half mile off the shore of Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
07:52 • Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading south third of the way from Powell River towards Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
08:06 • 2 Humpback Whales between Francisco Point and Marina Reef, Sutil Channel. Closer to Francisco side.
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
08:30 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north between Powell River and Blubber Bay mid Malaspina Strait.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
08:48 • 1 Humpback Whales half a mile southwest of Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Tenacious 3 (Boat), Discovery Marine Safaris
09:30 • 1 Humpback Whales 1-km south of Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
Quinn Kuschel-Ross, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:30 • 2 Humpback Whales half mile offshore near the Quadra Island Scallop Farm south of Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
09:40 • 1 Humpback Whales heading east, south of the Penn Islands towards Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
Jim Rogers, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:30 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCX0380 Zed / Zorro◦ heading north, north of Refuge Cove, West Redonda Island, Lewis Channel.
Andrew Rice, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:40 • 4 Humpback Whales close to the shore between Quadra Island Scallop Farm and Francisco Point, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jason Fitzgerald, Eagle Eye Adventures
11:38 • 4 Humpback Whales at Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait.
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures
11:47 • 1 Humpback Whales just south of Hill Island heading towards Twin Bay, Sutil Channel.
12:03 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCZ Hourglass◦ between mid Rendezvous Islands and Raza Island, Calm Channel.
Jason Fitzgerald, Eagle Eye Adventures
13:38 • Humpback Whales breaching, between Mitlenatch Island and Baker Passage, Georgia Strait.
Dean Parsonage, 50 North Adventures
13:45 • 1 Humpback Whales breaching, between Mitlenatch Island and Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait.
15:01 • 2 Humpback Whales 1 mile south off Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. Active whales.
Tenacious 3 (Boat), Discovery Marine Safaris
15:30 • 1 Humpback Whales on the Comox ferry line closer to Powell River, Georgia Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
John Hermsen, Footprint Kayak and Hike Explorations
15:46 • Humpback Whales ◦BCX Raza◦ foraging, off Bartlett Islet, Calm Channel.
15:55 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC,BCZ Hourglass◦ foraging, Raza Passage.
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures
Humpback Whales
Two Humpbacks foraging off of Raza Passage
Thu, 22 Aug 2019 – 7 items
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures
Humpback Whales
Two Humpbacks foraging off of Raza Passage
Thu, 22 Aug 2019 – 7 items
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures
16:29 • 1 Humpback Whales at old log just south of Calm Channel.
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures
Humpback Whales
One Humpback foraging in Calm Channell
Thu, 22 Aug 2019 – 7 items
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures
Humpback Whales
One Humpback foraging in Calm Channell
Thu, 22 Aug 2019 – 7 items
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures
19:50 • Humpback Whales heading north off Bartlett Islet, Calm Channel.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Fri Aug 23 2019
07:51 • Humpback Whales near Baker Passage, Georgia Strait. Only blows were seen.
Dean Parsonage, 50 North Adventures
08:25 • 1 Humpback Whales, Sutil Channel. Just south of the submarine cable route.
08:45 • Humpback Whales doing circles, near north end of Quadra Island Scallop Farm south of Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:25 • 2 Humpback Whales north of Plunger Passage, Sutil Channel.
09:45 • 2 Humpback Whales north of the Penn Islands, Sutil Channel. On the Read Island side.
David Gauci, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:13 • 1 Humpback Whales northeast corner of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Shea Majbroda, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:25 • 1 Humpback Whales off Bernard Point, Maurelle Island, Calm Channel.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
10:47 • 3 Humpback Whales just south of Kitty Coleman Beach Park, Georgia Strait.
Shea Majbroda, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:55 • 1 Humpback Whales bubble netting, off Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. Feeding on the reef.
John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris
10:56 • 2 Humpback Whales at the south end of Whale Passage, Sutil Channel.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
11:16 • 1 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading north off Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait. Small whale.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
11:40 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south near Raza Point, Calm Channel.
Josh Grin, Discovery West Adventures
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Tue Aug 20 2019
17:15 • est. 100 PWS Dolphins heading south in Pryce Channel. Heading towards Waddington Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
17:45 • 12 PWS Dolphins, Okisollo Channel.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
Fri Aug 23 2019
09:11 • PWS Dolphins, Bute Inlet. A large pod coming out of the inlet. On the mainland side opposite Henrietta Point. Report from Elvis Chikite with Big Animal Encounters. ▫ Second Hand
Bill Coltart, Big Animal Encounters
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins happily swimming in Desolation Sound
Wed, 21 Aug 2019 – 1 items
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins happily swimming in Desolation Sound
Wed, 21 Aug 2019 – 1 items
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
DALLS PORPOISE
Tue Aug 20 2019
07:30 • est. 30-40 Dalls Porpoise spread out, around Hall Point on Sonora Island and into Frederick Arm, Nodales Channel. Very active.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Wed Aug 21 2019
08:15 • Dalls Porpoise in Chonat Bay, Quadra Island, Okisollo Channel.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
HARBOUR PORPOISE
Tue Aug 20 2019
14:46 • Harbour Porpoise by Refuge Cove, West Redonda Island, Lewis Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
SEA OTTERS
Fri Aug 23 2019
10:05 • 2 Sea Otters south-east corner of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. Oberved among a group of seals.
Shea Majbroda, Campbell River Whale Watching
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The Magazine
REGIONAL
CBC News
B.C. scientists are trying to get a better look at one of the South Coast’s most threatened marine mammals using thermal imaging cameras installed off Galiano Island, B.C. The cameras were installed at the Sturdies Bay terminal in June and are part of a year-long pilot project aimed at improving detection of southern resident killer whales in the heavily trafficked Salish Sea….
read on
read on
WEST COAST + NATIONAL
Hakai Magazine
Humpback whales in the North Pacific Ocean spend their summers in cool northern feeding grounds like Alaska and off the coast of Russia, and every winter, different populations migrate to distinct warm areas off Hawai“i, Mexico, the Philippines, or Japan, where they mate, breed, and raise their calves. At least, that’s what scientists thought.
Two new research papers challenge the idea that unconnected populations of humpback whales live separate lives. The new discoveries suggest that Pacific humpbacks move between these breeding grounds and that population groups-once thought to be discrete-actually mix and mingle far more than previously believed. The evidence? Their songs….
read on
INTERNATIONAL
The Guardian
Candy-striped Eilean Glas lighthouse stands picture perfect on a rocky outcrop on the eastern tip of Scalpay island in the Outer Hebrides. The path that leads here over peaty ground feels bouncy, crossing grass left luminous by recent rain, with patchwork heather and scattered lochans reflecting a cloud-scudded sky. Wild-looking shaggy sheep graze, undeterred.
My attention though, is not focused on this enchanting landscape, but on the shimmering ocean beyond: turquoise near the shore, a deeper blue-black towards the horizon. I find a spot on the rocks and sit quietly, scanning the waves again and again for signs of life….
read on