Sunshine Coast Orca Sightings

Transient Orca (Bigg’s Killer Whales) are popping up everywhere, even in English Bay. The 6 Orca in English Bay, Vancouver on July 2^nd were identified as the T49’s. All over the inside waters of the Georgia Strait, there are reports of Transient Orca from English Bay, Sechelt, Powell River, Campbell River and all the channels and inlets. WOW! The Humpback Whales continue to be in the Campbell River area and the Pacific White Sided Dolphins are in and out of the various channels. There are also a couple of reports of the smallest cetaceans, Dall’s and Harbour Porpoises.

A reminder to all: Please do not assume that I have already heard of a sightings report. See below – I only heard after the fact so could not confirm who we may have had here. It’s better to receive twenty reports of the same sighting than none at all….They are here, so keep your eyes open, and report please!

11:48 am Orca South of Whaletown, Cortez Island headed North. T20 and T21 plus another.

1:20 pm Killer Whales at Carrington Bay, Cortez Island headed for Penn Islands, Hoskyns Channel. At 1520 hrs T100’s, T101’s and T102 grouped up and started to head SE up Pryce Channel for Toba Inlet. (above from text messages – SM)

Hello all, Nice tour today! Just out for a short one and we went out to a report of KW’s around the Penn Islands. We arrived on scene @ approx 1330 hrs to find the T100’s and T101/102 gangs spread out. These are part of what I am now calling our “Usual Suspects” as they have been around our area in part with other gangs all spring. We followed as they slowly made their way N/E up Deer Passage and left them at the entrance to Pryce Channel. We left the scene @ 1450 hrs.

1:49 pm Orca frolicking just at the foot of Nootka Street, Westview, Powell River. They’ve been there for quite a while. Just wanted to make sure you knew.

At 2:25 pm,Tuesday, July 3, 2012 I spotted a small group of Orcas inside the Trail Islands (Sechelt) traveling towards Pender Harbour. I could see only three fins to be sure. One very large, one medium and one small. I am wondering if this might be the group that was in English Bay? (Possibly, unfortunately, without photos to identify them, it’s difficult to say – SM) They moved along very moderately, I was thrilled to have seen them. I’ve been watching the water in front of our house very intently, waiting for this. It’s always a thrill.

5:45 pm 4 Orca 3 larger and one very small out in front here. (Powell River) But you probably already knew. They’ve been in front for most of the day and heard that they were here yesterday too.

10:17 am 2+ Orca between Harwood and Westview ferry terminal in Powell River. They headed South.

8:30 am A Humpback is swimming North by Brown’s Bay – hard and shallow. 10:47 am Humpback is by Chatham Point Westing – Jack with it. There’s another Humpback at the red can buoy heading to the green can buoy. (Texts can be very abbreviated, and I believe Scotty meant the buoys off of Cape Mudge – SM)

4:58 pm Sounds like 2 Humpback Whales in Deepwater Bay, Discovery Pass. I’m on my way to find them. Also, 4 – 5 PWS Dolphins by Jimmy Judd Island, Yuculta Rapids. There’s a very small newborn calf. Believe the Humpbackswere KC and ?Nick?. Got them by Separation Head and left them at 1800 hrs Southbound into Plumper Bay. (from text messages – SM)

On our way home we found these two Humpbacks in Deepwater Bay on the Quadra Island shoreline of Discovery Passage. On scene @1740 and away @ 1810hrs. They slowly worked their way around Separation Head light and into Plumper Bay. I recognize the one as “KC” if i am not mistaken but don’t recognize the other. I’m sure you can clear that up for us Jackie! Cheers! (Jackie Hildering confirmed ‘Crescent’ BCX1258)

10 am A Humpback Whale just breached off the Cape Mudge Lighthouse! After a few tail slaps, it headed North into Discovery Pass. 10:51 It’s now at the Discovery Pier. There’s 2 groups of Harbour Porpoise too. 11:19 am There’s now 2 Humpbacks together and they just changed direction to head South, for now. They’re near Quathiaski Cove, Quadra Island. They stayed in that same area – feeding maybe. 1 pm They’re still here, between Quathiaski Cove and the Village no direction. Saw one more tail slap, but no more breaches. 1:39 pm They’re quickly heading South now towards the Cape Mudge Lighthouse. 2:32 pm Humpbacks changed direction again at Cape Mudge and are now heading back North. I’m now watching from home rather than car. It was awesome! I’m so happy to have spent all this time with them 🙂 That breach seen from our condo was so neat… too far away to see the whale (naked eye), but the splash was impressive!!!

1:40 pm Humpback off Cape Mudge lighthouse. Then late in the afternoon, on the return to harbour from our tour, we found the Humpback again just off Grouse Island, between the Cape Mudge Village and Quathiaski Cove. Only found one of the two, Northbound.

4:58 pm Sounds like 2 Humpback Whales in Deepwater Bay. I’m on my way to find them. Also, 4 – 5 PWS Dolphins by Jimmy Judd Island, Yuculta Rapids. There’s a very small newborn calf.

9:57 am 20 PWS Dolphins Eastbound by Bute Inlet.

11:12 am PWS Dolphins no numbers by Eagles Cove heading North.

2:45 pm About 100 + PWS Dolphins Southbound by Deepwater Bay, Discovery Pass. On the return trip, found them again and left them at 4:30 pm at Seymour Narrows.

5:28 pm PWS Dolphins about 100 of them all spread out between Brown’s Bay and Separation Head,Discovery Pass. They’re just milling about. Also, at 6:55 pm found some more PWS Dolphins by Granite Point heading North.

8:15 am 6 Dall’s Porpoise in front of Campbell River Harbour.

10:51 am (from Humpback Report) There’s 2 groups of Harbour Porpoise too.