Sea Birds and Cetaceans!
Cover Image:
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
The presence of many sea birds (e.g. seagulls) may indicate that are either whales or dolphins in the area too. The sea birds may be looking for opportunities to snatch fish near the surface of the water as the whales or dolphins herd fish upward in groups for their own meals. Whales and dolphins work cooperatively when foraging and birds can see from the sky the prey that they are targetting. One needs to be patient when watching and following sea birds in order to see and locate either whales or dolphins.
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
Data For Research:
For research access to 31,000+ sightings in our database in a downloadable csv file for use in a spreadsheet, please Click Here. to fill in your request.
Websites:
Whales and Dolphins BC is our educational website where these reports are also published and our Wild Ocean Whale site is our Society website.
Instagram and Twitter: Instagram at Wildoceanwhalesociety and Twitter at WhalesDolphins
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: 2022-032
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Thu Oct 20 2022
08:00 • 4 Biggs Orca heading north past Quathiaski Cove, Discovery Passage. ▫ Second Hand
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:00 • Biggs Orca on the Quadra side of Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
Fri Oct 21 2022
14:00 • est. 4-5 Biggs Orca Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
15:00 • Biggs Orca Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait. ▫ Second Hand
16:41 • Biggs Orca ◦T049As, T018s, T019s◦ heading north, Race Point, Discovery Passage. T049As were missing the two males.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
17:20 • Biggs Orca ◦T049As, T018s, T019s◦ heading north in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
17:22 • Biggs Orca heading north off Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sun Oct 23 2022
17:55 • est. 3-4 Biggs Orca milling, around Robbers Knob in Port Neville, Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales seen on tour before October 19th, 2022
Wed, 19 Oct 2022 – 9 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales seen on tour before October 19th, 2022
Wed, 19 Oct 2022 – 9 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
HUMPBACK WHALES
Wed Oct 19 2022
11:51 • est. 1-2 Humpback Whales off Shelter Point angling towards Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
12:23 • 2 Humpback Whales taking long dives, heading east, south of Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy on Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:45 • Humpback Whales between Pinnacles and Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait. Singing heard faintly on hydrophone.
Jude Abrams, Otter Be Good Productions
16:02 • Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ foraging, outside of Deepwater Bay, Discovery Passage.
16:02 • Humpback Whales ◦BCX◦ taking long dives, 45 Point, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. Doing 14 minute dives in big circles. Too far for ID photos, but large all black tail.
16:22 • Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ tail lobs, Deepwater Bay, Discovery Passage. He exploded out of the water in huge breaches just as we started to leave. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale, KC
Wed, 19 Oct 2022 – 6 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale, KC
Wed, 19 Oct 2022 – 6 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Thu Oct 20 2022
11:30 • 1 Humpback Whales a mile off the We Wai Kai Village, Cape Mudge, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
12:00 • Humpback Whales mid channel Current Passage, Johnstone Strait.
Eliot Richter, Blind Channel Resort
16:33 • est. 1+ Humpback Whales working back and forth across from Myrtle Point close to Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Sun Oct 23 2022
11:30 • 2 Humpback Whales off Pringle Rock, Desolation Sound.
Graham Evans, Stowaway Adventures
12:24 • 3 Humpback Whales heading south mid-strait Sutil Channel. Not fluking.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
18:20 • Humpback Whales at Earl Ledge, Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Wed Oct 26 2022
12:55 • 2 Humpback Whales milling, between Mitlenatch Island and Hernando Island, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:20 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south by Van Anda, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Brenda Currie, Powell River, BC
15:30 • 10 Humpback Whales over Sinclair Bank near Northeast Point, Malaspina Strait.
Reuben Buerge, Wild Waterways Adventures
Thu Oct 27 2022
16:17 • 1 Humpback Whales between Rebecca Rocks and Blubber Bay, Malaspina Strait. Surfaced a few times then we lost sight as ferry headed to Powell River. ▫ From Ferry
Myrt Brewster, Powell River, BC
Fri Oct 28 2022
12:00 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ out from Rebecca Spit, Sutil Channel. KC and friend.
Radio, overheard or call out
12:42 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north past Quadra Island Scallop Farm south of Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel.
Jen Smalley, Wild Waterways Adventures
13:20 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ heading north at Rebecca Spit, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
16:27 • est. 2+ Humpback Whales doing circles, off Raven Bay, Texada Island, Malaspina Strait. Foraging.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
17:01 • 3 Humpback Whales heading south off Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
Mon Oct 31 2022
09:44 • est. 1+ Humpback Whales off Coho (Kiddie) Point at the NW tip of Texada Island, Malaspina Strait. There’s a feeding frienzy around the same area.
SW, Powell River, BC
11:40 • 4+ Humpback Whales heading south, Roberts Creek, Georgia Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
14:39 • 2 Humpback Whales between Rebecca Rocks and Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
14:40 • 2 Humpback Whales close to the Texada shore across from Grief Point, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
16:11 • 2 Humpback Whales tight to the shoreline just below Van Anda, Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Tue Nov 01 2022
11:25 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south south of Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
11:25 • 2 Humpback Whales Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
11:52 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south-west 1-NM southeast of the Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
12:30 • 1 Humpback Whales milling, half-mile northwest of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
14:13 • 3 Humpback Whales milling, half-mile southwest of Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:59 • 4 Humpback Whales spread out, off Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait. Doing large circuits.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Wed Nov 02 2022
08:05 • Humpback Whales off Broken Islands, Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales seen on tour before October 19th, 2022
Wed, 19 Oct 2022 – 8 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales seen on tour before October 19th, 2022
Wed, 19 Oct 2022 – 8 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales seen on tour
Mon, 24 Oct 2022 – 2 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales seen on tour
Mon, 24 Oct 2022 – 2 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
MINKE WHALES
Mon Oct 31 2022
14:37 • 1 Minke Whales moving quickly, heading south between Westview and the Texada Island cell tower, Malaspina Strait.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Wed Oct 19 2022
10:00 • est. 24 PWS Dolphins foraging, over Stradiotti Reef on Savary Island, Malaspina Strait.
Jude Abrams, Otter Be Good Productions
11:29 • 4 PWS Dolphins milling, off Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
12:15 • est. 24 PWS Dolphins heading south, southeast of Pinnacles, Georgia Strait. Foraged over Stradioti, Savary Island, for over 2 hours.
13:15 • est. 50+ PWS Dolphins heading north-west back over Pinnacles. In a long line.
Jude Abrams, Otter Be Good Productions
14:20 • est. 30 PWS Dolphins milling, at Maud Island in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins in Georgia Strait
Wed, 19 Oct 2022 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins in Georgia Strait
Wed, 19 Oct 2022 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Thu Oct 20 2022
11:30 • est. 30 PWS Dolphins a mile off the We Wai Kai Village, Cape Mudge, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins in Discovery Passage
Thu, 20 Oct 2022 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins in Discovery Passage
Thu, 20 Oct 2022 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Wed Oct 26 2022
13:20 • PWS Dolphins heading south by Van Anda, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Brenda Currie, Powell River, BC
Fri Oct 28 2022
08:30 • PWS Dolphins heading south off Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait. Large group.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
12:00 • 20 PWS Dolphins just above Dogfish Bay at the southeast end of Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
12:42 • est. 20 PWS Dolphins in Sutil Channel.
Jen Smalley, Wild Waterways Adventures
12:50 • est. 25 PWS Dolphins east of Quadra Island Scallop Farm south of Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
17:25 • PWS Dolphins heading south off Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait. Large group travelling close to humpbacks.
SW, Powell River, BC
Mon Oct 31 2022
16:49 • PWS Dolphins leaping, heading south off Grief Point south of the Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
DALLS PORPOISE
Wed Oct 19 2022
12:00 • 8 Dalls Porpoise milling, southwest of Spoil Grounds, south of Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Dalls Porpoise
Dalls Porpoise in Georgia Strait
Wed, 19 Oct 2022 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Dalls Porpoise
Dalls Porpoise in Georgia Strait
Wed, 19 Oct 2022 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
HARBOUR PORPOISE
Wed Oct 19 2022
10:00 • 2 Harbour Porpoise foraging, over Stradiotti Reef on Savary Island, Malaspina Strait.
13:45 • est. 6 Harbour Porpoise foraging, over Pinnacles south of Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait.
Jude Abrams, Otter Be Good Productions
OF SPECIAL NOTE
Tue Oct 25 2022
–:– • 1 Other Species Cormorant Island, Pearse Passage. Hoodwinker Sunfish or Mola close to shore. Info from Jared’s FB page. Very unusual to see them in BC waters.
Jared Towers, DFO
Archive Explorer
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The Magazine
REGIONAL & NATIONAL
Chek News
Conservation groups are concerned with a report that recommends downgrading the protected status of Pacific fin whales and what it could mean for the species.
Currently, Pacific fin whales are classified as "threatened" because there are estimated to be fewer than 1,000 mature whales in Canadian waters….
read on
SPECIAL SIGHTINGS
LiveScience
A southern right whale (Eubalaena australis) in Australia has been spotted with a very unusual companion in tow: a juvenile humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae). Experts suspect this may be an extremely rare example of interspecies adoption, in which the adult right whale has taken on a surrogate mother role for the unrelated youngster….
read on
read on
RESEARCH & CONSERVATION
SFGATE
A new study from Stanford has revealed the staggering and concerning amount of microplastics whales eat every day. The biggest animals on Earth are forced to consume up to 10,000 of the tiniest man-made pollutants on a daily basis, a number far higher than previously thought, scientists found….
read on
read on