Northern Resident Orca, Humpback Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises
Northern Resident Orca all over the lower BC coast! Humpback Whales by Campbell River as well as those in the upper Johnstone Strait and lower Queen Charlotte Strait. Pacific White Sided Dolphins and Dall’s Porpoises round out the sightings today.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC
Northern Resident Orca
August 17:
7:30 am Northern Resident Orca were spread out in Johnstone Strait from the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve along the Hanson Island shoreline.
Vessel Kermode
8 am I started to pick up the occasional Orca vocal on my hydrophone, which meant the Orca were getting closer to the Pearse Islands, across from Beaver Cove, but I saw no blows. It sounded like the I’s.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC
9:30 am Orca reported by Chatham Point Lightstation, where Johnstone Strait starts, just above Campbell River (no direction, numbers or ID’s).
10 am More Orca were headed into Nodales Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys
9:30 am The A30 Matriline of Orca had made their way up along Johnstone Strait and were actively foraging in Beaver Cove.
Wayne on Lukwa, Stubbs Island Whale Watching
1 pm Northern Residents including some of the I15’s and I 16’s were Westbound slowly by Lizard Point, Malcolm Island.
Bill MacKay, MacKay Whale Watching
3 pm A12 and the two A36 brothers were headed West up Johnstone Strait by Eve River.
Roger on the Gizmo
5:20 pm Around 20 Northern Resident Orca including the A11’s and others were Westing quickly just above Campbell River by Ripple Point.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys
8:30 pm A12 and the ‘boys’ have just made it up to the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve. SM
Humpback Whales
August 17:
8:15 am One Humpback Whale was seen heading North through Seymour Narrows in front of Campbell River.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys
Throughout the day: in upper Johnstone Strait, lower Queen Charlotte Strait approximately 6 to 8 Humpback Whales were feeding, doing tail lobs and the occasional breach. The whales included ‘Freckles’, ‘Ripple’ and her calf, ‘Chunky’ and others.
Susan MacKay
Large Humpback Whale Weynton Pass
August 15, 2011
photo: Susan MacKay, SG Images
Pacific White Sided Dolphins and Dall’s Porpoises
August 17:
8:15 am a number of Pacific White Sided Dolphins were seen foraging by Greensy Bay, across from Chatham Point Lightstation.
2 pm Around 20 Dolphins headed South through Seymour Narrows by Campbell River.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys
8 am a number of Dall’s Porpoises were zipping and foraging around the Stephenson Islets, Weynton Pass.
Throughout the day: Various reports of Dall’s in small groups by Stubbs Island and Weynton Pass.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC
Late Report – Possibly Transient Orca
August 15:
Afternoon sometime: at least one large male Orca was close in to Vivian Rocks, in front of Powell River. It’s dorsal had a distinct lean to it.
Cam & Laureen R. On the Y-Knot
