Whales Are Around
Cover Image:
A killer whale breaching
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Happy New Year! Welcome to the first sighting issue of the New Year. During the past three weeks over the Holidays, we received just over 70 sighting reports so there are Cetaceans out there! The week before Christmas, some Northern Resident Orca (fish-eating) made there way south and were observed for a few hours off Gambier Island in Howe Sound. On New Year’s Day, Northern Resident Orca were again seen further south than normal appearing off Quadra Island and upper Georgia Strait. Some Transient Orca were observed, and many other Orca sightings remained grouped as unidentified, meaning they could have been Transients or Residents.
Humpback whales are still in the area, with some performing usual behaviours such as breaching and pectoral slaps. There have been sightings of Pacific White-Sided dolphins but the pods of dolphins are rather small and no where near the size we see during the summer when the pods could include hundreds of members. Dall’s porpoises were observed for a few days in Toba Inlet and on other days in Nodales Channel. Harbour porpoises were also spotted close to the marina in Mill Bay in Saanich Inlet at the end of December.
Our magazine section has been revised – articles and whale news will be placed in one of the following categories: (1) Regional & National; (2) Special Sightings; and (3) Research & Conservation. We hope the magazine section will continue to be informative and enjoyable with current articles about whales and dolphins.
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. If you come across some Orca and you are uncertain if they are Southern Resident Orca, it is best to still maintain your distance of 400-m. 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.
Ivan Ng, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Society News & Events
Annual General Meeting:
Our AGM is scheduled for January 18, 2020 starting at 10 am at our offices in Powell River, BC. Anyone wishing further details or to attend, please contact us.
FREE Presentation January 29, 2020:
Learn about Marine Mammal Rescue and Response and what you can do to help. Join us at the Evergreen Theatre in Powell River, BC from 7pm to 9pm. Doors open at 6:30.
Coming Soon:
Our New Archive Dataset Interface is in the works, but we don't want to hold up any ongoing research. To access 21,000+ sightings in our database to November issue #2019-049 in a downloadable csv file for use in a spreadsheet, please Click Here. to fill in your request.
Donation Receipts:
Your tax deductible donation receipts will be sent out by email or mail shortly after the end of December.
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 continue live streaming from our Powell River camera.
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
Review our current Volunteer Job Postings
Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP – ISSUE: 2020-001
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Sat Dec 21 2019
11:10 • 1 Biggs Orca between Harwood Island and Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait. Massive Orca fin observed.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Mon Dec 23 2019
07:44 • est. 2-3 Biggs Orca heading north, Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage. Following the ebb.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Tue Dec 24 2019
14:00 • est. 2 Biggs Orca foraging, heading south in front of Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
CC, Powell River, BC
16:00 • 4 Biggs Orca heading north at Vansittart Point, West Thurlow Island, Johnstone Strait. Observed all small fins close to shore.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Fri Dec 27 2019
12:15 • 9 Biggs Orca ◦T018s◦ mid channel off Quadra Island Scallop Farm south of Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel. All small fins observed.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Killer Whales near Hole In The Wall, BC
Mon, 30 Dec 2019 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Killer Whales near Hole In The Wall, BC
Mon, 30 Dec 2019 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient killer whale – T002C2, Tumbo – cutting through the water
Sat, 21 Dec 2019 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient killer whale – T002C2, Tumbo – cutting through the water
Sat, 21 Dec 2019 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
NORTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Wed Dec 18 2019
09:03 • est. 5-7 NRKW Orca heading west off Hope Point, Gambier Island, Collingwood Channel. One bull was observed.
11:30 • NRKW Orca ◦A42s◦ milling, off West Bay, Gambier Island, Collingwood Channel.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
Wed Jan 01 2020
13:00 • NRKW Orca vocalizing, in the area around Quadra Island Scallop Farm south of Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
15:00 • NRKW Orca ◦A23s,A42s◦ heading south at Cape Mudge, Quadra Island, Georgia Strait. Information from Jenny Rietz. ▫ Second Hand
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
15:15 • NRKW Orca ◦A23s,A42s◦ taking long dives, heading south-east near Baker Passage. Travelling slowly and maybe another pod with this group. ▫ Second Hand
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Sat Dec 21 2019
–:– • est. 4 Orca between Tsawwassen and Duke Point, Georgia Strait. Sighting approximately between 12:30 to 1pm. ▫ From Ferry
KA, Sacramento, California
12:30 • 5 Orca heading south past Quathiaski Cove, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. ▫ Second Hand
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Thu Dec 26 2019
10:02 • Orca at Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait. Information from a neighbour. ▫ Second Hand
10:53 • est. 4+ Orca between Harwood Island Spit and Savary Island, Malaspina Strait. One big fin observed.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Sat Dec 28 2019
12:23 • 1 Orca doing circles, about a third of the way between Harwood Island Bluffs and Willingdon Beach, Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
Wed Jan 01 2020
04:20 • est. 4-5 Orca frolicking, heading north-east close to the shore of Hornby Island, Lambert Channel. ▫ Observed from Shore
Gerry Ambury, Denman Island, BC
Fri Jan 03 2020
09:18 • Orca heading north by Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait. At least one bull observed.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
14:50 • Orca heading south, very close to shore at Little River, Comox, Georgia Strait. All small fins observed. Information from a Facebook posting. ▫ Second Hand
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sat Jan 04 2020
11:00 • est. 8-10 Orca moving slowly, heading north-west between Hornby Island and Texada Island, Georgia Strait. Much splashing. Staying near surface. May be feeding. Seen closer to Hornby than Texada. ▫ Observed from Shore
KO, Hornby Island, BC
Sun Jan 05 2020
11:10 • Orca heading north in front of Steep Island, Discovery Passage. ▫ Second Hand
Jim Rogers, Campbell River Whale Watching
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Unidentified Killer Whales
Transient killer whales travelling together
Fri, 4 Dec 2020 – 1 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Unidentified Killer Whales
Transient killer whales travelling together
Fri, 4 Dec 2020 – 1 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
HUMPBACK WHALES
Sat Dec 14 2019
09:30 • est. 2-3 Humpback Whales doing circles, heading north, north of Secret Cove, Malaspina Strait. Very close to shore, travelling slowly, with a lot of activity. Feeding and/or frolicking. Also present were sea lions, moving up the coast together and visible for 90 minutes (approx.). ▫ Observed from Shore
KS, Secret Cove, BC
Mon Dec 16 2019
08:40 • 2 Humpback Whales off Raza Point, Raza Island, Calm Channel.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Wed Dec 18 2019
09:00 • 2 Humpback Whales at Bartlett Islet, Calm Channel.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Fri Dec 20 2019
08:30 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north at Kelsey Bay, Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
08:33 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north, Sea Lion Rock, Yuculta Rapids.
Ryan Stewart, Sonora Resort
15:00 • Humpback Whales heading north in Arran Rapids.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Sat Dec 21 2019
10:33 • 2 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading south-east towards the Harwood Island Bluffs, Malaspina Strait.
11:04 • 1 Humpback Whales between Rebecca Rocks and Coho (Kiddie) Point, Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
14:00 • Humpback Whales off Henrietta Point, Stuart Island, Bute Inlet.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Sun Dec 22 2019
12:21 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south between Harwood Island and Harwood Island Bluffs, Malaspina Strait.
12:21 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south between Harwood Island Spit and Powell River Mill (Pulp & Paper), Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
Mon Dec 23 2019
10:21 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south between Rebecca Rocks and Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
16:14 • 2 Humpback Whales just by Atrevida Reef north of Powell River, Malaspina Strait. Seen pec slaps just out from Klahaine. ▫ Observed from Shore
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Tue Dec 24 2019
09:20 • 2 Humpback Whales near Howe Island, Nodales Channel.
09:30 • 1 Humpback Whales at Lee Islands, Nodales Channel.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
14:00 • est. 2 Humpback Whales taking long dives, heading south-east in front of Mystery Reef, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
CC, Powell River, BC
15:16 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south almost to Blubber Bay, Texada Island, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Wed Dec 25 2019
10:30 • 1 Humpback Whales breaching, close to the Powell River Mill (Pulp & Paper), Malaspina Strait. ▫ Second Hand
11:01 • 1 Humpback Whales not too far out from the Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
11:33 • 4 Humpback Whales heading north close into Grief Point, Malaspina Strait.
Joan Treen, Powell River and Savary Island, BC
11:51 • 2 Humpback Whales halfway between Grief Point and Grilse Point, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Fri Dec 27 2019
08:11 • 2 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading south in front of Black (Albion) Point, Malaspina Strait. The Humpbacks are displaying their fins.
Bill Taylor, Powell River, BC
12:29 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north mid channel at the north end of Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
Jerry Weldon, Campbell River
Sat Dec 28 2019
08:48 • 2 Humpback Whales breaching, heading north at Black (Albion) Point, Malaspina Strait. Humpbacks were also heard at 8pm the previous night.
Bill Taylor, Powell River, BC
08:59 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north past Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Sun Dec 29 2019
11:17 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south off Campbell River Dolphins Resort, Discovery Passage. ▫ Observed from Shore
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
12:55 • Humpback Whales breaching, at Sonora Point, Nodales Channel.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Mon Dec 30 2019
08:59 • 1 Humpback Whales between Powell River and Comox in the middle of Georgia Strait. ▫ From Ferry
Iwan Van Veen, Footprint Kayak and Hike Explorations
13:15 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north-west, Bowser, Georgia Strait. Lone Humpback whale travelling slowly up towards Baynes Sound. Observed dark grey back with short dorsal fin. ▫ Observed from Shore
DT, Bowser, BC
Tue Dec 31 2019
14:50 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCZ0297 Pulteney◦ near Twilight Rock, Knight Inlet.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
11:20 • 1 Humpback Whales between Howe Island and Chatham Point, Discovery Passage.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Wed Dec 18 2019
08:30 • est. 20 PWS Dolphins at Dickson Shoal, Chancellor Channel.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Fri Dec 20 2019
11:30 • 10 PWS Dolphins about halfway down Bute Inlet.
12:05 • est. 10 PWS Dolphins close to Fawn Bluff, Bute Inlet.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
Sat Dec 21 2019
13:20 • est. 15-30 PWS Dolphins moving quickly, heading south-east between Tsawwassen and Duke Point, Georgia Strait. They were swimming fast mostly around the wake of the ferry. Tried capturing with my phone but was not successful. I was the first person to see them and alerted rest of passengers. ▫ From Ferry
KA, Sacramento, California
Wed Dec 25 2019
14:45 • est. 10+ PWS Dolphins foraging, close to shore at Gibsons Beach just north of Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
John Hermsen, Footprint Kayak and Hike Explorations
Sat Dec 28 2019
10:30 • PWS Dolphins at the entrance to Loughborough Inlet. A small group was observed.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
Sat Jan 04 2020
10:00 • PWS Dolphins, Ramsay Arm. Large pod was observed. ▫ Second Hand
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Tue Jan 07 2020
13:00 • PWS Dolphins heading north off Rock Bay, Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
DALLS PORPOISE
Mon Dec 16 2019
11:00 • est. 20+ Dalls Porpoise near Nor Creek, Toba Inlet.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Tue Dec 17 2019
10:00 • est. 20 Dalls Porpoise near Mitts Creek, Toba Inlet.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Wed Dec 18 2019
09:30 • est. 30 Dalls Porpoise spread out, between Brem River and the head of Toba Inlet.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Fri Dec 20 2019
09:00 • est. 20+ Dalls Porpoise near the head of Toba Inlet.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Mon Dec 23 2019
15:25 • Dalls Porpoise near Turn Island, Johnstone Strait. Huge group of playful Dalls porpoise.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Tue Dec 24 2019
09:30 • Dalls Porpoise at Lee Islands, Nodales Channel.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Sat Dec 28 2019
11:30 • est. 15-20 Dalls Porpoise moving quickly, at Hall Point, Nodales Channel.
11:50 • 5 Dalls Porpoise at Greensea Bay on the west side of Sonora Island, Discovery Passage. Porpoises trying to catch me! (Keep up with the boat!).
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
Mon Dec 30 2019
11:00 • Dalls Porpoise near Gomer Island, Nodales Channel.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Fri Jan 03 2020
13:25 • est. 6 Dalls Porpoise at Owen Point, Nodales Channel.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Sat Jan 04 2020
11:00 • est. 6 Dalls Porpoise milling and playful, off Maud Island near Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Dalls Porpoise
Dalls porpoise in Toba Inlet, BC
Mon, 16 Dec 2019 – 2 items
Wayne Wright, Campbell River, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Dalls Porpoise
Dalls porpoise in Toba Inlet, BC
Mon, 16 Dec 2019 – 2 items
Wayne Wright, Campbell River, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Dalls Porpoise
Dalls porpoise ripping through the water
Fri, 27 Dec 2019 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Dalls Porpoise
Dalls porpoise ripping through the water
Fri, 27 Dec 2019 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
HARBOUR PORPOISE
Tue Dec 24 2019
11:10 • Harbour Porpoise at Separation Head, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Mon Dec 30 2019
10:30 • est. 4-5 Harbour Porpoise moving slowly, heading east off the marina at Mill Bay, Saanich Inlet. Seen 150 feet from the dock at Mill Bay Marina. Travelling north before veering east. Group surfacing every 3-5 minutes. ▫ Observed from Shore
Ron Parsons, Mill Bay, BC
Archive Explorer
Archive Explorer navigates 21,000+ 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:
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COMING SOON: Our New Archive Dataset Interface is in the works, but we don't want to hold up any ongoing research.
To access 21,000+ sightings in our database to November issue #2019-049 in a downloadable csv file for use in a spreadsheet, please Click Here.
The Magazine
REGIONAL & NATIONAL
Vancouver Sun
Killer whales native to the waters of northern B.C. and Alaska are selectively eating millions of large, nutritious chinook salmon long before the fish make their way to the feeding grounds frequented by our dwindling southern resident killer whales, according to new research….
read on
read on
CTV News
The land-locked town of East Coulee near Drumheller is known for Hodoos and dinosaur bones.
It’s also home to Dinosaur Valley Studios, a company that specializes in creating life-like full-size replicas of prehistoric creatures.
But in October it was commissioned by the Royal British Columbia Museum to mount orca bones into a life-like pose….
read on
SPECIAL SIGHTINGS
RESEARCH & CONSERVATION
ScienceNewsforStudents
Some whales dine in the oceans’ depths. Too bad scientists can’t swim beside them. But tag-along audio recorders can snoop on the sounds these animals make. Thanks to such audio, scientists now have the best glimpse yet at how toothed whales use sonar-like clicks to sound out prey during their long dives. Toothed whales include orcas and other dolphins, sperm whales and pilot whales.
An analysis of more than 27,000 sounds from deep-diving pilot whales suggests that these whales use tiny volumes of air to produce powerful clicks. This suggests the whales’ use of those sonar-like clicks for echolocation (Ek-oh-loh-KAY-shun) takes little energy….
read on