Latest Sightings

A publication of Wild Ocean Whale Society (WOWs)

The Winner is….

Short post – with the link to the video clip of the draw. Congratulations to Graham Blake of Denman Island! Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

J-Pod Sightings? Countdown – 2 Days left to Enter

After the excitement of having the Southern Resident J-pod make an appearance, (see previous report) there were a couple of sightings of possibly the same pod of Killer Whales. Although the recent reports are unconfirmed as J-pod, they have not been spotted elsewhere, so the reports are listed under Southern Resident Orca. Keep your eyes…
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Orca from J-pod, Transients, and Dolphins

Southern Resident Orca made a surprise appearance. Some other Orca, assumed to be Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales as well as a few Pacific White Sided Dolphins also in the report below. The Gray Whales are getting closer and have been seen at the bottom of Vancouver Island. I personally thought I spotted a couple of…
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Bigg’s Killer Whales, Herring and Links in the News

With the herring spawn started, it was only a matter of time before we started to see some Cetaceans close by. Great ‘spawn’ report below. Lots of chatter on the radio about it too. The Orca, some unidentified, finally did make their presence known. Also a couple of links in the news. 10 days left…
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Couple of Orca Sightings – Countdown to the Draw

Reports: There are a couple below, but it sounds like a few Northern Resident Orca are at the top of Johnstone Strait, including that new calf, and the Southern Residents are truly South. The sightings reports below are therefore assumed to be Transient or Bigg’s, Killer Whales. Personally, I’ve seen what I could have sworn,…
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Northern Resident Orca and Pacific White Sided Dolphins

Northern Resident Killer Whales make an appearance around the Savary Island / Lund area and some Pacific White Sided Dolphins are starting to show up. The herring should be starting to run pretty soon, so expect a bit more activity. Also a couple of Links in the News below. Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC…
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Orca, Minke or Humpback and A8’s Update

Some unidentified Orca reports and a possible Minke (or Humpback) sighting as well as an update on the A8’s with the new calf. Some other Transients (Bigg’s) Orca including T02C’s were reportedly at the top of Johnstone Strait too. Delayed report due to too much going on – apologies to all – my reason for…
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Few Orca Reports, News Links and Volunteers

Sightings reports are few and far between everywhere, but there are a couple of Orca reports below as well as a Links in the News. A few specific requests for Volunteers farther down. Keep your eyes open, there are whales and dolphins out there, between the whitecaps somewhere. Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC Resident…
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Orca Photos and Links in the News

It’s been very quiet for sightings in this central stretch of Georgia Strait. There are whales in the South, just across the US border, and there were reports that some Northern Resident Killer Whales were just at the top of Johnstone Strait. The I31’s may have coaxed the A8’s with the new calf to leave…
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Orca Sightings, Fog and Links in the News

Fog limited any viewing of the ocean let alone any whales or dolphins most of this past week. There are a couple of Orca sightings reports and a few more photos received late of the Northern Resident Pod known as the A8’s and A42’s December calf off Harwood Island. A few links in the news…
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Transient (Bigg’s) Killer Whales plus A8 Calf Photo

Transient (Bigg’s) Orca by Powell River, Thormanby and Sechelt. Other reports indicate that there may have been more Transient (Bigg’s) Killer Whales down by Cowichan today. Wonder where the Northern Resident A8 pod with their new calf went to. Another photo of the A8’s with their new calf as well as photos from today. There…
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Orca Sightings, News Links, Photos

Northern Resident Orca with calf still around Powell River to Stuart Island, while Transient (Bigg’s) Killer whales are spotted by Nanaimo. Bit of fog is making scanning waters a bit difficult, but for those walking beaches in the fog, stop to listen, you might be surprised by hearing a blow. A few links in the…
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Orca News and Sightings

Orca and Dolphins. Possible sighting of the A8’s with the new calf still close to Powell River – Cortez Island area with some other Orca making an appearing / disappearing act, like Transient (Bigg’s) tend to do. Without identification, the reports are again under the generic Killer Whales list. A few Pacific White Sided Dolphins…
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Multiple Pods of Orca in Upper Georgia Strait

There appear to be multiple pods of Killer Whales in the area. The differences in the reports coming in are difficult to sort out as to who is who and where. More Orca reports, both Transient (Bigg’s) and Northern Resident sightings, even with some Dolphins. Spectacular photos taken in Lambert Channel, off Chrome Island Lightstation,…
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NRKW New Baby Orca Photos and More

What an exciting start to 2013! At least two new Orca calves. Report of one for the Transient (Bigg’s) T036’s and one for the Northern Resident A8’s. Seeing such a tiny calf is always exciting, and being able to photograph them is even better. See the A8’s Baby photos below. The orange tinge is typical…
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Orca, Dolphins and Porpoise – Last Report for 2012!

The Holidays limited time to provide updates, so this is a catch-up of the Orca, Dolphins and Porpoise reports received. Some photos, received recently, of Humpback Whales off the Saltery Bay ferry terminal a while back and also, just heard that there were still two Gray Whales at the top of Johnstone Strait…shouldn’t they be…
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Possible New Orca Calf

Possibly a new Orca calf…. Assumed Transient (Bigg’s) Killer Whales and a couple of Porpoise reports. Another photo of some of the Southern Resident Orca from a few days ago. And a news link to a Humpback Whale stranding – Somehow this needs commenting on – feel freeto post your comments on our Facebook page…
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Southern Resident Orca and More Orca!

Southern Resident Killer Whales made their annual December trip up around the Powell River area. Other Orca, thought to be Transient, Bigg’s Killer Whales also swung by. (Apologies for the delayed report.) Remember ALL sightings reports are important! Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC Southern Resident Killer Whales Southern Resident Orca Porpoising by Grief Point…
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Finally some Sightings – Orca and Dolphins

Just when you think there will be another minimal report, some Whales and Dolphins pop up. Today we had Transient (Bigg’s) Killer Whales, first reported off Savary / Lund this morning, and Pacific White Sided Dolphins in front of Powell River. Some very late reports also came in, but at least they were reported. A…
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Orca – Killer Whales by Powell River

Some Orca – Killer Whales sighted around Powell River. Winds and waves crashing on the rocks make it difficult to spot anything. While looking, some of the crashing waves can even look like blows. Watching for a few minutes will usually confirm if the ‘blow’ has a body and is moving. They are out there,…
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California Transient Orca Around

Sightings of California Transient Orca from the Victoria area is the only report over the last few days since the last update. We have seen California Transients by Powell River as they cruised up Georgia Strait last year. They made their way to the top of Vancouver Island and farther North. These are Transient "Bigg’s"…
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Transient Orca, Dolphins and a Humpback

Transient Orca popped up by Campbell River and disappeared while Pacific White Sided Dolphins worked their way to Powell River. A Humpback Whale sighting rounds out this short report. Sightings reports are few, but do keep looking – they are out there! Happy Thanksgiving to our US friends! We all have a lot to be…
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Breaching Humpback Whales and Orca Report

What a great sight while having morning coffee! After so few reports of any Cetaceans and stormy weather making them difficult to even spot in the white caps, seeing Humpback Whales breaching certainly set the tone for the day. And a smile on my face. As anticipated, we are getting these huge animals coming down…
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Humpback Whales, Transient Orca and Dolphins

Humpback Whales are moving South between Vancouver Island and the mainland, while Transient Orca are meandering about stopping to take the occasional sea lion. Some Pacific White Sided Dolphins were also reported off Savary Island. I have sworn I’ve seen some blows and then nothing, but since I can’t confirm, these are not reported below.…
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Rumours of Whales and Sightings of ‘Winter’ Hummingbirds

Rumours have it that there have been 2 more Humpback Whales other than ‘Maude’ around the Powell River area as well as some Pacific White Sided Dolphins between Savary Island and Lund last week. Orca reports are also sketchy and rumour has it that there were a couple, at least, of them headed down Johnstone…
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Few Cetacean Sightings include Orca and Humpback Whales

Cetacean Sightings have been few over the past few foggy and rainy days, but Transient Orca, identified as the T02C’s made an appearance and a Humpback Whale, most likely ‘Maude’, was again spotted just below Powell River. No reports on October 31 or the first day of November. Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC Win…
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Humpback Whales and Dolphins – few Transients and Dall’s

Whales and Dolphins are on the move, and being spotted, in the inside waters of Georgia Strait closer to the mainland. The noise that an earthquake creates is enormous and must be deafeningly loud to them. They would want to have something like a few islands between themselves and the origin of the noise to…
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Transient Orca, Humpback Whale and Dolphins

Transient Orca had stayed hidden for a while, but made an appearance today. A Humpback Whale and some Pacific White Sided Dolphins round out this update. Facebook: WhalesDolphinsBC or http://facebook.com/WhalesDolphinsBC       Facebook has some extra news links posted. Twitter: WhalesDolphins or http://twitter.com/WhalesDolphins       Tweets for now only when the updated Sightings Report is posted. Susan…
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Transient on the Move, Dolphins and Porpoise Sightings

Sightings Update includes a few Transient Orca spotted as well some Pacific White Sided Dolphins and Dall’s Porpoise. There was also a large blow seen off Rebecca Rocks, Powell River, but I only saw it the once, so not an official report. Keep your eyes open – they are out there. Susan MacKay, Whales and…
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Transient Orca, Dolphins, Humpbacks and Porpoise Sightings

Transient Orca, Pacific White Sided Dolphins, Humpback Whales and Dall’s Porpoise in today’s report. Managed to get radio to work, albeit poorly, in time to hear being called with some of the sightings reports below. Radio died again after three or so hours, so please continue to send emails, text messages or call with sightings…
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