Humpback Whales All Around!
Cover Image:
Humpback Whale
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
During the past week, many Humpbacks whales were observed in upper Georgia Strait and various inland waterways. Over two-thirds of the sightings reported to us were of Humpback whales. Some of the Humpbacks were seen foraging and some were seen just milling around. At least one mother and calf pair were seen in the area. A number of pods of Transient Orca were observed too. One pod of Transients were hunting and another pod was diplaying various behaviours at the surface such as rolling and circling. A few sightings of Pacific White-Sided dolphins and Dall’s porpoises rounds our report.
The Federal Government (DFO) issued the following statement about watching Orca in the wild: “Vessels must stay at least 400 m away from all killer whales in southern British Columbia coastal waters between Campbell River and Ucluelet, including Barkley and Howe Sound. This is in effect year-round until May 31, 2023. If killer whales approach any vessel, boaters should place their engine in neutral and wait for the animals to pass.”
For all other areas of B.C. outside of the area indicated above, a minimum distance of 200-m must be maintained when viewing Orca. When viewing other species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises, a minimum distance of 100-m must be kept.
WOWs works throughout 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
Presentations:
Saturday, June 25, 2022 1 pm at the Taku Resort and Marina on Quadra Island WOWs presents World of Whales…it's all about the food multimedia presentation. We hope to see you there in person.
Events Scheduled:
Friday, July 1, 2022 3 pm – 10:30 pm at Willingdon Beach, Powell River, BC Canada Day Celebrations complete with live entertainment and a fireworks finale. Stop by our booth for a chat.
Saturday, July 16, 2022 8 am – 4 pm at Lynn Valley Park, North Vancouver, BC Lynn Valley Days. Visit our booth.
Saturday, July 16, 2022 8 am – 4 pm at Lynn Valley Park, North Vancouver, BC Lynn Valley Days. Visit our booth.
Instagram and Twitter: Instagram at Wildoceanwhalesociety and Twitter at WhalesDolphins
For Research:
For research access to 30,000+ sightings in our database in a downloadable csv file for use in a spreadsheet, please Click Here. to fill in your request.
WOWs Website:
We are pleased to announce that our revamped website is up and running. Take a look and let us know what you think.
Real Time Monitoring Station Live Update
Our Live Web Camera YouTube Channel streams from Powell River 24/7 with views towards Texada – Vancouver Island – Savary and up towards Cortez. Hope you've been seeing some of the whales.
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? Updates on current availabilities and revised links will be posted here in the new year.
Review our previous Volunteer Job Postings Job Postings are slowly being revamped and not yet on our web sites.
Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP – ISSUE: 2022-012
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Fri Jun 10 2022
07:00 • Biggs Orca heading north past We Wai Kai Village near Cape Mudge, Discovery Passage. ▫ Second Hand
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:25 • est. 3 Biggs Orca playing, heading north off Coode Peninsula, Okeover Inlet. A large Orca (dorsal fin) with two smaller finned Orcas. Lighter grey stripe behind dorsal fin on large Orca and medium sized Orca. Observed rolling, diving, and circling. ▫ Observed from Shore
TU, Okeover Inlet, BC
Sat Jun 11 2022
15:20 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading west between the north end of Hornby Island and the mine on Texada Island, Georgia Strait.
Simon Piddock, Ocean EcoVentures Parksville
Sun Jun 12 2022
08:59 • Biggs Orca near Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
09:27 • Biggs Orca southeast of Spoil Grounds south of Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:12 • 4 Biggs Orca heading south, west side of Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait. Three small fins and one large fin.
10:51 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ near Sentry Shoal. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Lorill Vining, Campbell River Whale Watching
12:47 • Biggs Orca moving slowly, heading south off Comox (Little River) Ferry Terminal, Georgia Strait.
13:50 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ heading south, south of Cape Lazo near Comox, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:00 • 7 Biggs Orca milling, just south of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Quinn Kuschel-Ross, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:30 • Biggs Orca ◦T100s◦ just south of Mitlenatch Island.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Tue Jun 14 2022
10:45 • Biggs Orca in Okisollo Channel.
11:24 • Biggs Orca at Barnes Bay, Sonora Island, Okisollo Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
11:45 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ hunting, Okis Islands, Okisollo Channel.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
13:00 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ heading west near Haro Island, Okisollo Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:00 • Biggs Orca heading west off Venture Point, Sonora Island, Okisollo Channel.
Zoe Hasenfratz, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:30 • Biggs Orca heading north at Woods Bay, Okisollo Channel.
Quinn Kuschel-Ross, Campbell River Whale Watching
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Thu, 9 Jun 2022 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Thu, 9 Jun 2022 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
HUMPBACK WHALES
Thu Jun 09 2022
06:25 • Humpback Whales near Chatham Point, Discovery Passage.
06:55 • Humpback Whales in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Fri Jun 10 2022
09:34 • 2 Humpback Whales off Shelter Point south of Campbell River, Georgia Strait.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:55 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCX Raza◦ off Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. Advised to not view from vessels as they are very erratic and inquisitive.
Damien Dawson, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:06 • 1 Humpback Whales southwest of Mitlenatch Island.
11:35 • 2 Humpback Whales just south of Mitlenatch Island.
12:01 • est. 1+ Humpback Whales off the Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:17 • Humpback Whales at Little Bear Bay, Johnstone Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
15:35 • Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ milling, just north of Little Bear Bay.
Quinn Kuschel-Ross, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sat Jun 11 2022
06:55 • Humpback Whales off Earl Ledge, Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
10:30 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ milling, off Howe Island, Nodales Channel.
Quinn Kuschel-Ross, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:36 • 1 Humpback Whales on the north side of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Stan Novotny, Stan Novotny Productions
11:19 • Humpback Whales in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
11:26 • Humpback Whales in Waddington Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
15:42 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ heading west off Bear Point, Johnstone Strait.
Stuart Clark, Stan Novotny Productions
Sun Jun 12 2022
09:27 • Humpback Whales close to Hernando Island, Georgia Strait.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:40 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCX Raza◦ north of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. Possibly Raza and a friend.
09:52 • Humpback Whales ◦BCY Callahan◦ near Mitlenatch Island. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Lorill Vining, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:21 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north, east of Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:41 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south between Sentry Shoal and Manson Passage, Georgia Strait.
Jessica Parker, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:19 • 2 Humpback Whales between Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy and Marina Reef, Georgia Strait.
Jen Smalley, Wild Waterways Adventures
11:40 • 2 Humpback Whales between Sentry Shoal and Hernando Island, Georgia Strait.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
12:00 • 2 Humpback Whales near Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait. Quite active on arrival but became quieter.
Lorill Vining, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:18 • 2 Humpback Whales just north of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Quinn Kuschel-Ross, Campbell River Whale Watching
Mon Jun 13 2022
09:31 • Humpback Whales by Maud Island in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
09:51 • Humpback Whales heading north off Maud Island in Seymour Narrows. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:12 • 1 Humpback Whales just south of Eagles Cove, Discovery Passage.
Quinn Kuschel-Ross, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:11 • Humpback Whales off Cape Mudge, Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
14:11 • Humpback Whales between Rebecca Spit and Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
14:29 • 2 Humpback Whales milling, between Mitlenatch Island and Baker Passage, Georgia Strait.
Jessica Parker, Campbell River Whale Watching
Tue Jun 14 2022
14:54 • 1 Humpback Whales off Marina Island shack, Sutil Channel.
Jen Smalley, Wild Waterways Adventures
15:30 • Humpback Whales Marina Island shack. Juvenile.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
15:48 • 1 Humpback Whales between the shore and the Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Quinn Kuschel-Ross, Campbell River Whale Watching
16:00 • 2 Humpback Whales Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait.
16:30 • Humpback Whales foraging, Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
17:00 • Humpback Whales ◦BCY Potamus◦ foraging, Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Wed Jun 15 2022
07:00 • Humpback Whales heading north, Quathiaski Cove, Discovery Passage.
07:00 • Humpback Whales heading south, Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
08:30 • Humpback Whales at Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
09:11 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north 1.5-nm off Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.
Jessica Parker, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:05 • Humpback Whales Chained Islands, Kanish Bay.
11:15 • 2 Humpback Whales, Whiterock Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
12:05 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north at April Point, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. ▫ Second Hand
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:08 • Humpback Whales milling in Okisollo Channel. Near the west entrance to Hole in the Wall (Channel).
Lorill Vining, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:30 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north in Hole in the Wall.
Quinn Kuschel-Ross, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:34 • Humpback Whales Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.
13:35 • Humpback Whales, Hole in the Wall.
14:20 • 4 Humpback Whales out from Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
14:55 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south just off Separation Head, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Quinn Kuschel-Ross, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:55 • 2 Humpback Whales Spoil Grounds south of Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait. Mom and calf.
Radio, overheard or call out
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales
Thu, 9 Jun 2022 – 9 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales
Thu, 9 Jun 2022 – 9 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Thu Jun 09 2022
12:15 • PWS Dolphins Jimmy Judd Island, Yuculta Rapids.
Radio, overheard or call out
Fri Jun 10 2022
14:30 • est. 15 PWS Dolphins at Tallac Bay, Cordero Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
DALLS PORPOISE
Fri Jun 10 2022
11:51 • 8 Dalls Porpoise milling, at No Name Creek, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Mon Jun 13 2022
14:17 • est. 6 Dalls Porpoise off the Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
Wed Jun 15 2022
15:40 • Dalls Porpoise, Okisollo Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
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