Transient Orca, Dall’s Porpoise and more Transients (Bigg’s)

Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales, Dall’s Porpoise, and more Transients in this report. They’re making more appearances. Keep your eyes open, and call it in!

Due to lack of time, some updated information and answers to some questions people have raised about branding and branded sea lions will have to wait till the next report.

Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?

Call 1-877-323-9776or Emailyour report.

Every sighting report is valuable!

8 pm I’m seeing 4 Orca tight to Harwood shore. There could be more, but I’ve only seen 4 for sure.

2 pm 9 Orca out between Harwood and the Powell River mill. I just happened to look in the right direction, and there they were. Of course I immediately grabbed gear and headed out into this perfect weather! Even from home I could tell they were T’s on a kill from behaviour. After long dives and a few splashes I spotted the first of at least two sea lions they took down. They were back and forth from mid channel towards Harwood, then back towards the mill, almost to Willingdon Beach and back to mid channel out from the mill. I drifted and watched them head away, then back towards me. Suddenly I realized that at least three of them had disappeared entirely during one of the long dives. It was too noisy with boat traffic to hear much, but they appeared to be quiet until some of the others arrived back with the other sea lion. Then they became vocal and I could hear a few distant calls as well as some close ones. They fed again and I left them where I found them at around 6 pm. From home I could see the sun reflecting off their blows a bit closer to Harwood Island. Identifications will follow once confirmed through the photos.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

2:30 pm A call came in to report the Orca, but she quickly realized it was me she could see with them. Thanks for the report!

Between about 3:00 and 4:40 today, we just saw four Orca feeding outside Degnan Bay at Gabriola pass. Photo

3:13 pm 4 Orca just South of Mitlenatch Island Northbound. There’s 3 small fins and a calf. When I talked to you there where 4 orcas, they split up in two groups of two after about 30 minutes, and where cruising about 7 knots zig zag pattern.

Two headed for Mitlenatch and strait for the rock filled with stellars, and then they turned. We lost them for a while and then the poped up towards Rebecca spit. Then we left them near the green can when they where still cruising at that speed.

Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures

3:30 pm Second hand report of some Orca Northbound by Little River around.

1:15 pm Had 4 Dall’s Porpoise in front of Steep Island in Discovery Pass this trip.

10 am 3 or 4 porpoise (from description, I assume Dall’s – SM) headed around the corner out of our view (SW side of Savary) heading North towards Hernando or Mitlenatch Island.

Around 12 pm saw around 10 Dall’s Porpoise hugging the Sevilla Island (by Lund) shore instead of their usual mid channel.

Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise? Call 1-877-323-9776 or Emailyour report. Every sighting report is valuable!