A Humpback whale breaching often will catch you off-guard. On a recent trip, I was able to see on seperate occasions Humpback whales breaching and it occurred unexpectedly. It was nonetheless exhiliarating to see and amazing to witness the size of the whales and how much of their bodies can be out of the water. If you are able to take pictures of the whale while its breaching, you can examine the photos and see details about the whales. For example, you may be able to see if the whale has his eye open or closed, which side does the whale land on, and marks on its body. If you want to identify the whale, then a picture of the underside of the fluke(tail) is needed – the colour pattern and the contour of the trailing edge of the fluke are unique and different for every whale (similar to fingerprints in man), and is used to identify each Humpback.
Of note is a small group of 3 Grey whales that appeared near Gibsons on the Sunshine Coast on September 1st but no other information was received about where they went. Also, a few Sea Otters have made appearances around Mitlenatch Island and the south end of Sutil Channel.
Boaters, please use caution on the water. Federal laws require boats to remain at least 400-m away when viewing Southern Resident 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.
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.
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Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP – ISSUE: 2019-038
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Sun Sep 01 2019
15:20 • Biggs Orca heading south at Refuge Cove on West Redonda Island, Lewis Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
17:15 • Biggs Orca in Waddington Channel.
19:56 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ heading north at Shirley Point on East Redonda Island, Waddington Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Mon Sep 02 2019
09:45 • est. 4 Biggs Orca
travelling, heading west mid way between Black (Albion) Point and Myrtle Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
I observed 1 male & 1 female before they moved out of sight. My next-door-neighbour saw 3 close together & 1 a little further from shore. ▫ Observed from Shore
Liz Kennedy, Powell River, BC
09:59 • 7+ Biggs Orca heading north by Myrtle Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
10:20 • 4 Biggs Orca heading north off Myrtle Rocks.
Wendy Heathcote, Powell River, BC
10:49 • Biggs Orca at Grief Point, Malaspina Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transcient Biggs Orca travelling from Grief Point to Dinner Rock
Mon, 2 Sep 2019 – 8 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transcient Biggs Orca travelling from Grief Point to Dinner Rock
Mon, 2 Sep 2019 – 8 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
11:11 • 2 Biggs Orca passing Powell River Ferry Terminal, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Dixie DeAngelo, Powell River, BC
11:30 • 2 Biggs Orca
moving quickly, heading north just south of Powell River Mill (Pulp & Paper), Malaspina Strait.
Two together, very large dorsal fins. ▫ Observed from Shore
NC, Powell River, BC
11:30 • Biggs Orca heading north off Powell River Mill (Pulp & Paper).
11:59 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ heading north off Sliammon, Malaspina Strait.
Doing 5 knots along the shore.
13:09 • Biggs Orca at Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
13:26 • 4 Biggs Orca
moving quickly, from Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy to Salmon Point, Georgia Strait.
Reported by a fisherman. ▫ Second Hand
14:00 • Biggs Orca heading north off Lund, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transcient Biggs Orca passing by Lund before travelling north along Savary Island
Mon, 2 Sep 2019 – 4 items
Ivan Ng, North Vancouver, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transcient Biggs Orca passing by Lund before travelling north along Savary Island
Mon, 2 Sep 2019 – 4 items
Ivan Ng, North Vancouver, BC
14:47 • est. 4 Biggs Orca half way between Savary Island and Major Rock Islet, Malaspina Strait.
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Orca between Savary Island and Major Rock Islet
Mon, 2 Sep 2019 – 1 items
Ivan Ng, North Vancouver, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Orca between Savary Island and Major Rock Islet
Mon, 2 Sep 2019 – 1 items
Ivan Ng, North Vancouver, BC
15:15 • Biggs Orca, Hoskyn Channel.
15:26 • Biggs Orca heading north, on the north side of Major Rock Islet pointed at Copeland Islands, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
15:56 • Biggs Orca ◦T010s◦ heading north at Wesley Island along the shore of Maurelle Island, Okisollo Channel.
18:50 • Biggs Orca heading south off Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait.
Tue Sep 03 2019
09:26 • 1 Biggs Orca between the Cape Mudge Village and the Cape Mudge Lighthouse, Discovery Passage.
Male.
09:50 • est. 2 Biggs Orca
lunge feeding, heading north off Hidden Harbour, Discovery Passage. ▫ Observed from Shore
JR, Campbell River, BC
10:05 • 2 Biggs Orca heading north on the Vancouver Island side past Tyee Spit, Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
10:24 • 3 Biggs Orca
milling, between the old scallop farm and Bullock Bluff on Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
10:37 • 2 Biggs Orca on the Vancouver Island shore heading toward Race Point, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
10:45 • est. 4+ Biggs Orca between Bullock Bluff and Penn Islands, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
10:45 • 2 Biggs Orca mid channel at Race Point, Discovery Passage.
Males. ▫ Leaving the Scene
11:15 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦
milling, at the south end of Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
11:24 • Biggs Orca at the top end of the Penn Islands.
Radio, overheard or call out
11:45 • 2 Biggs Orca heading north in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
11:55 • Biggs Orca heading north at Penn Islands, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
13:00 • 2 Biggs Orca heading north, north of Browns Bay, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
13:30 • Biggs Orca still in amongst the Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
14:20 • 2 Biggs Orca
travelling, heading north at 4 knots passing Chatham Point, Johnstone Strait.
Big fins.
15:00 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦
doing circles, off east Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
After hunting.
15:38 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ crossing to Cortes Island, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
16:35 • 2 Biggs Orca ◦T049C,T065A2◦ heading north at Bear Point along the shore of Vancouver Island, Johnstone Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
16:36 • Biggs Orca heading into Carrington Bay, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
17:44 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ heading south in Plunger Passage, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Orca -T046s – with white baby orca T46B1B
Tue, 3 Sep 2019 – 2 items
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Orca -T046s – with white baby orca T46B1B
Tue, 3 Sep 2019 – 2 items
NORTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Sun Sep 01 2019
–:– • NRKW Orca ◦A30s,A42s◦ at Lizard Point, Malcolm Island, Queen Charlotte Strait.
Tue Sep 03 2019
13:20 • NRKW Orca heading east at Stimpson Reef west of Port Neville, Johnstone Strait.
13:25 • NRKW Orca heading east mid Strait below Broken Islands, Johnstone Strait.
13:51 • NRKW Orca ◦A30s◦ heading east off the Broken Islands.
A30s and more.
15:30 • NRKW Orca heading east just above Kelsey Bay along the shore of Vancouver Island, Johnstone Strait.
Big pod. ▫ Leaving the Scene
SOUTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Mon Sep 02 2019
15:40 • est. 10 SRKW Orca
spy hopping, heading north at Lighthouse Marine Park Campground, Georgia Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
MH
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Mon Sep 02 2019
15:00 • est. 3 Orca
moving slowly, heading north just east of the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal, Sidney Channel.
An adult and two smaller orcas were spotted very close to Swartz Bay ferry terminal (just east of berths 2 and 3). They seemed to be passing through or possibly foraging. I was able to take a few photos from the ferry that was still docked. This happened just after 3pm on Labour Day monday. ▫ From Ferry
JA, Vancouver, BC
Unidentified Killer Whales
Unidentified Killer Whales heading north by Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal
Mon, 2 Sep 2019 – 2 items
JA, Vancouver, BC
Unidentified Killer Whales
Unidentified Killer Whales heading north by Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal
Mon, 2 Sep 2019 – 2 items
JA, Vancouver, BC
HUMPBACK WHALES
Sun Sep 01 2019
07:15 • Humpback Whales heading south in Davis Bay on the west side of Texada Island, Georgia Strait.
Facebook post. ▫ Second Hand
07:43 • est. 1+ Humpback Whales heading north past Coulter Bay on Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
08:37 • 1 Humpback Whales heading west at Bullock Bluff pointing towards Read Island, Calm Channel.
Visibility 10nm – no rain.
09:43 • 1 Humpback Whales tight to Hill Island, on the side facing Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
09:43 • 1 Humpback Whales by Coulter Bay, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
Saw one blow in that direction.
10:10 • 3 Humpback Whales at Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
10:40 • 2 Humpback Whales right off Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
10:46 • 2 Humpback Whales
milling, south end of Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
10:49 • 2 Humpback Whales by Channel Island, Toba Inlet.
11:00 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south midway between Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy and Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Heading towards Mitlenatch.
11:00 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY Linea◦ very tight to the southwest shore of Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
Moving back and forth. ▫ Leaving the Scene
11:13 • 3 Humpback Whales by Toba Mountain, Raza Passage.
11:13 • 2 Humpback Whales
milling, around Junction Point, Cortes Island, Lewis Channel.
11:18 • Humpback Whales close to the southwest shore of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Lots of dives and tails.
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks by Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait
Sun, 1 Sep 2019 – 9 items
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks by Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait
Sun, 1 Sep 2019 – 9 items
11:26 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY Linea◦
breaching, tight to southeast Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
Breached twice then back to feeding. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Humpback Whales
Humpback – BCY Linea – breaching near Hill Island, Sutil Channel
Sun, 1 Sep 2019 – 5 items
Ivan Ng, North Vancouver, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpback – BCY Linea – breaching near Hill Island, Sutil Channel
Sun, 1 Sep 2019 – 5 items
Ivan Ng, North Vancouver, BC
11:40 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCY Potamus◦ at entrance to Evans Bay below Frederic Point, Sutil Channel.
Travelled east passing the south end of Penn Islands.
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks near Evans Bay, Sutil Channel
Sun, 1 Sep 2019 – 2 items
Ivan Ng, North Vancouver, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks near Evans Bay, Sutil Channel
Sun, 1 Sep 2019 – 2 items
Ivan Ng, North Vancouver, BC
12:15 • est. 4 Humpback Whales
moving slowly, heading north-west, north of Hanson Island, Blackfish Sound. ▫ From Power or Sail Boat
Michael OConnell
12:20 • Humpback Whales ◦BCY Linea◦
resting, in front of Burdwood Bay on Read Island, Sutil Channel.
Ian Perry, Cetus StraitWatch
12:40 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south, north of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
13:50 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCX Raza◦ heading north pointing at Johnstone Bluff from Bartlett Islet, Calm Channel.
14:00 • 1 Humpback Whales off Carrington Bay, Sutil Channel.
15:10 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCX Raza◦
resting, at Johnstone Bluff, Calm Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
15:39 • 2 Humpback Whales
breaching, at Dogfish Bay at the southeast end of Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Seeing from Center Islet.
15:49 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north by Copper Bluffs on Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Carl, Scholar Hollar
15:50 • 2 Humpback Whales
breaching, between Marina Island shack and Quadra Island Scallop Farm, Sutil Channel.
16:00 • 5 Humpback Whales between Mitlenatch Island and Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait.
16:41 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCY Cirque◦ between Marina Reef and Cortez Reef, Sutil Channel.
16:51 • 1 Humpback Whales south of Toba Mountain, Calm Channel.
17:25 • Humpback Whales heading north from Whaletown to Plunger Passage, Sutil Channel.
17:25 • 2 Humpback Whales at Read Point, Read Island, Sutil Channel.
Mon Sep 02 2019
08:55 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north towards Bartlett Islet, Calm Channel.
08:55 • 2 Humpback Whales mid-channel Calm Channel.
09:04 • 2 Humpback Whales just passing Twin Islands heading towards Spilsbury Point, Baker Passage.
09:06 • 1 Humpback Whales
short dives, off the southeast point Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Close to shore.
09:10 • 2 Humpback Whales
fluking, on the Whaletown side of Plunger Passage, Sutil Channel.
09:19 • 2 Humpback Whales between Rebecca Rocks and Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
Took a dive.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
09:50 • 3 Humpback Whales off the pinnacles at Viner Point, Read Island, Sutil Channel.
09:53 • 2 Humpback Whales just south of Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel.
10:30 • 2 Humpback Whales
foraging, near Henrietta Point, Stuart Island, Bute Inlet.
Between the point and the first waterfall.
10:35 • 3 Humpback Whales heading north between Mitlenatch Island and Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait.
Travelling at 4 knots.
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks by Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait
Mon, 2 Sep 2019 – 10 items
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks by Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait
Mon, 2 Sep 2019 – 10 items
10:39 • 2 Humpback Whales between Rebecca Spit, Vivian Island, Sutil Channel.
11:28 • est. 7-8 Humpback Whales off Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
Two groups of 4.
12:23 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCX Raza◦ between Kinghorn Island and Martin Islands, Desolation Sound.
Observed Raza with one other. Not moving. ▫ Leaving the Scene
13:09 • est. 4-5 Humpback Whales between Marina Island and Viner Point, Sutil Channel.
Fin slapping.
16:00 • 3 Humpback Whales off Marina Island shack, Sutil Channel.
16:14 • 2 Humpback Whales at Read Point, Sutil Channel.
16:50 • 5 Humpback Whales off Viner Point, Read Island, Sutil Channel.
Tue Sep 03 2019
07:30 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north off Willow Point, Georgia Strait.
Blows seen. ▫ Observed from Shore
08:33 • 5 Humpback Whales just south of Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
Three of them are right on shore.
08:40 • Humpback Whales heading north off Discovery Harbour Marina, Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
08:51 • 1 Humpback Whales on the Vancouver Island shore off the Campbell River Ferry Terminal, Discovery Passage. ▫ Second Hand
08:59 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north in front of the Argonaut Wharf in Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
09:12 • 3 Humpback Whales on the southwest side of Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
09:45 • 2 Humpback Whales at the old mill north of Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
09:45 • 1 Humpback Whales off Frederic Point, Read Island, Sutil Channel.
09:50 • 2 Humpback Whales heading toward Bullock Bluff tight to the shore of Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
10:15 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south between the Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
10:20 • Humpback Whales heading north near Yellow Island, Discovery Passage.
10:48 • 3 Humpback Whales mid channel south off Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
10:48 • 1 Humpback Whales in Quartz Bay, Sutil Channel.
13:00 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north, north of Browns Bay, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
14:00 • 2 Humpback Whales
resting, below Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
14:00 • Humpback Whales below Centre Islet, Sutil Channel.
14:25 • 2 Humpback Whales at Von Donop Inlet, Sutil Channel.
Just waking up.
14:50 • Humpback Whales heading south in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
15:00 • 2 Humpback Whales at Bullock Bluff, Sutil Channel.
16:00 • 2 Humpback Whales off Double Island, Toba Inlet.
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks off Double Island, Toba Inlet
Tue, 3 Sep 2019 – 3 items
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks off Double Island, Toba Inlet
Tue, 3 Sep 2019 – 3 items
16:55 • 2 Humpback Whales heading west mid channel off the beacon at Walkem Islands, Johnstone Strait.
18:48 • 2 Humpback Whales off Edith Point at the west end of East Thurlow Island, Johnstone Strait.
19:45 • Humpback Whales off Race Point, Discovery Passage.
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks – KEZ0001 ‘Jackson’, MMX0120 ‘Ocean’ – showing off their flukes
Sun, 1 Sep 2019 – 6 items
Ryan Uslu, Vancouver Island Whale Watch
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks – KEZ0001 ‘Jackson’, MMX0120 ‘Ocean’ – showing off their flukes
Sun, 1 Sep 2019 – 6 items
Ryan Uslu, Vancouver Island Whale Watch
GREY WHALES
Sun Sep 01 2019
08:30 • 3 Grey Whales
travelling, heading south-west off Keats Island and Pasley Island, Georgia Strait.
Left them alone. No other boats around at that time. ▫ From Power or Sail Boat
CR, Vancouver, BC
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Sun Sep 01 2019
14:45 • PWS Dolphins in Homfray Channel. ▫ Second Hand
15:20 • est. 150 PWS Dolphins in Homfray Channel.
Near Homfray Lodge.
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White-Sided Dolphins in Homfray Channel
Sun, 1 Sep 2019 – 1 items
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White-Sided Dolphins in Homfray Channel
Sun, 1 Sep 2019 – 1 items
Mon Sep 02 2019
10:10 • PWS Dolphins heading south towards Von Donop Inlet, Sutil Channel.
11:05 • PWS Dolphins north of Von Donop Inlet. ▫ Leaving the Scene
11:32 • PWS Dolphins
foraging, heading south, north of Von Donop Inlet.
Very close to shore. ▫ Leaving the Scene
14:30 • est. 100 PWS Dolphins
milling, half a mile north of Von Donop Inlet on the shore of Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
Tucked into a bay moving in a tight circle. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White-Sided Dolphins near the shore of Cortes Island
Mon, 2 Sep 2019 – 3 items
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White-Sided Dolphins near the shore of Cortes Island
Mon, 2 Sep 2019 – 3 items
Tue Sep 03 2019
11:24 • PWS Dolphins at the south end of Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
DALLS PORPOISE
Tue Sep 03 2019
16:45 • Dalls Porpoise off Copper Cliffs, Discovery Passage.
HARBOUR PORPOISE
Sun Sep 01 2019
17:34 • est. 4 Harbour Porpoise south of Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait.
SEA OTTERS
Mon Sep 02 2019
–:– • 2 Sea Otters by Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
09:25 • 1 Sea Otters at southeast point of Mitlenatch Island.
Oberved with seals.
12:00 • 1 Sea Otters between Cortes Island and Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
On the ferry line.
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