Transient (Bigg’s) Orca by Campbell River Plus Many More Sightings

Hot weather, coastal morning fog has been the scenario in upper Georgia Strait and Johnstone Strait. In Georgia Strait it’s been slower than usual for Orca till today and in Johnstone Strait, it was whales by braille, a term used in the kindest sense. The Resident Orca headed out West while the Transient (Bigg’s) Killer Whales reappeared. Humpbacks are in abundance in the upper Johnstone Strait, but not as many as this time last year, while the Pacific White Sided Dolphins have spread out, but are still seen in numbers of 100 or more. A few Dall’s and Harbour Porpoise sightings, including ones killed by Transient (Bigg’s) Orca, a few Minke Whales, and a Fin Whale Sighting round out the reports.

9:54 am A36’s suddenly popped up by Cracroft Point in the fog. They were heading up Blackfish Sound to meet up with some other Orca, probably the A11’s and maybe more.

Later in the day: All Orca had grouped up and were still headed West well past Bear Point,Malcolm Island. This was more by sound than sight due to the fog.

9 am The A36 brothers were in Nodales Channel.

1 pm Left the Orca Westbound by Howe Island.

3:15 pm Found them again on the way back, still around Howe Island foraging.

9:45 am A36’s showed up in Nodales Channel, I was on scene at approximately 9:45 at Sonora Point Westing slowly. We left them at Davis Point foraging at 10:45 am.

12:20 pm Sounds like they are at Thurston Bay heading West with the ebb now.

5:55 pm A36’s turned and went back into Nodales Channel. Just left them again by Sonora Point. Might head back after Bute Inlet to check on them.

7:15 pm Last update…the A36’s Nodales shuffle put them Westing again at Sonora Point.

10 am Orca – A36’s + ?? were Eastbound into Blackfish Sound. Yes, fog.

Another report of Orca Eastbound by Lizard Point, Malcolm Island.

11:11 am Orca Eastbound nicely towards Donagal Head, Blackfish Sound – fog is thick, but lifting.

2:30 – 5:30 pm The A36 boyswere still in the Bight, but finally started heading out and to the East.

In the meantime: the A30’s were Westbound by Round Island, just off Port Hardy.

8:25 pm The A36’s were very slowly working their way East between Naka Creek and Adam River.

8:45 am Orcas reported between the Red and Green can buoys off Cape Mudge.

9 am Another group of OrcaEastbound bucking the ebb tide by Ripple Point off Campbell River.

9:30 am T20 and T21 Northbound in front of Campbell River.

8:55 am Sounds like we’ve got Transients heading towards Cape Mudge. One big male from fishing guide.

9:32 am The other group of Transientsare Eastbound at Rock Bay, by Chatham Point.

12:23 pm T20 and T21 turned at Seymour Narrows by Walcan Seafoods plant half an hour ago.

3:26 pm The two groups of Transients now totalling 6 Orca grouped up at April Point now doing 5 knots.

4:26 pm I left the 6 Orca Southbound at Cape Mudge 15 minutes ago.

August 6:
1:21 pm 4 Orcas in Brown’s Bay, Campbell River heading for the Narrows now. They were moving rather quickly. Last I heard they were reported at Ripple Point. then to Duncan Bay. Here they were doing the three blows before a deep dive. They did stay down a long time her as well as Ripple Point/Copper point.. Hope they return south.

5:18 pm The gangs of Orca joined up and killed a Harbour Porpoise off Cape Mudge. Sent the porpoise flying!

7:45 pm We had T18/19/20/21 in town all day today. T18/19’s came from the North and joined the others. I just left them at Salmon Point, Campbell River still Southbound. T20 and T21 came from the South this morning.

5:20 pm Some Transients coming out of Barronett Pass. 4 small fins for sure.

7:53 pm Still don’t know who these 4 or 5 Transients are at the moment, but they’re between Cracroft Point and Hanson Island. They’ve taken at least one Dall’s Porpoise that they forced against the shore. One Male was identified as T19B – no really young calves in the group, but a couple year old juvenile.

2:33 pm 100+ PWS Dolphins at Hall Point, Nodales Channel.

Report that there are around 400 PWS Dolphins in Tribune Channel, just off the Broughton Archipelago. (Erin and Rob have been doing the long run up there to study and obtain photo ID shots of their dorsals. SM)

12:59 pm 200 PWS Dolphins at Ripple Point heading East.

Later: Had a good Dolphin show!

5:30 pm A report of a possible Fin Whale feeding for about an hour off the lower reefs in Pearse Passage. After heading out to help search for the whale, I had just returned to Salt Wash and received a call that Erin and Rob caught a quick grab shot to confirm it’s species close to Port McNeill around 7:20 pm. They lost it after that. It’s amazing how easily a very large animal like that can disappear so easily.

Throughout the days the Humpback Whales are usually in and around the ‘golden triangle’ between Stubbs Island, Donagal Head, Bold Head and over to the Plumper Islands. There are two regulars who venture into Weynton Pass and feed in the tide rips. These two are known as ‘Argonaught’ and ‘Black Pearl’. There are forays out of this triangle other than Weynton Pass, with at least one enjoying the tidal rips at Blackney Pass, the bottom of Blackfish Sound. The ones by Bold Head, not sure if it’s only Mom and calf, tend to head over towards the Whitecliffe Islets and there was one report from as far afield as Lizard Point, Malcolm Island. The total numbers are remaining around 6 Humbacks so far confirmed. With the fog in the mornings, some of the reports have been by hearing their blows rather than seeing the animal.

There has only been one reported sighting of a Minke Whale, that I’m aware of each of the days. Unusual since there were so many just over a week ago. One report was of a Minke headed towards Alert Bay from the Port McNeill area, another at the top of Pearse Pass and another out by Lizard Point, Malcolm Island.

There are daily sightings of groups of Dall’s Porpoise foraging in the rips of Weynton Pass, around Stubbs Island and over to the Plumpers as well as some down by Blackney Pass also in the rips. See the Transient Orca report of at least one taken off Cracroft Point, Blackney Pass. The groups that are seen vary anywhere from 3 to 10 animals at any one time.

The little Harbour Porpoise gets quite neglected in reports when there are so many other Cetacean sightings, but one specific sights report did come in – thank you! See also the Transient Orca report for another one taken off Cape Mudge, Campbell River.

August 4:

9:24 am Hi – Saw a harbour porpoise heading north in Cordova Bay.(Haro Strait) He/she was about 40 meters off shore travelling slowly. I did not see a pod, just one. Cheers,