Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales with Calf, Dolphins and Porpoise

First it’s quiet then it’s very busy with Orca. They have been doing the typical Transient Bigg’s disappearing trick. Excitement over a possible brand new calf today! See report below. Photos have been promised, but have not arrived, so unconfirmed at time of posting. Will update calf status in next report. The rest of the report includes Orca, more Orca, Pacific White Sided Dolphins and some Harbour Porpoise. The SuperPod seems to have split up into smaller groups again. They are unpredictable, but keep looking, and report your sighting.

Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?

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

Every sighting report is valuable!

12 pm Doing one of my scans of the water, I spotted between 8 to 10 Orca just off Rebecca Rocks in front of Powell River. I saw that there were 3 large male dorsals as they milled about. As the ferry headed to Comox approached, the Orca headed out towards center Strait, and once the ferry passed, they angled back towards Texada’s Coho Point. By 1:40 pm or so, they were around by Limekiln Bay and I could see them occasionally zig zag out and back.

2:45 pm Found the Orca – at least 9 of them just around the next point South of Limekiln Bay. They would split into a couple of groups then regroup. T063 and two other large males were there. At 3:20 pm just off the gravel pit, there was the tiniest calf being supported and helped to the surface by a couple of whales! It looked like around 4 feet long – really tiny! Photos to follow (photos did not arrive by time of posting). Left them at 3:57 pm still very slowly working their way South.

7:30 pm Can’t guarantee, but looks like the Orca blows and splashes headed towards Vancouver Island, Northbound. With sun glare, I didn’t see dorsals, and with no other reports, not certain.

I wasn’t out today, but I heard there were two T’s later today near Race Rocks. (Victoria) Not sure who, but sounded like a possibility of T 21 and T20…perhaps someone will confirm and ID. Another lovely day on the west coast. We down here, have been waiting for that big superpod of T’s from your area, to arrive, but ZIP the past two days…where oh where did they disappear to? It is amazing how they vanish. I look forward to the return of the SR’s … (Southern Resident Orca)

8 am 3 or 4 Orca headed quickly towards Saltrey Bay. Seen from Earl’s Cove – Saltery Bay ferry.

2:24 pm A large group of Orca between Mitlenatch and Hernando Islands almost to Savary’s Indian Point including T063.

3:30 pm The Orca had stalled close to the south-west end of Savary, spending some time socializing. They were still very slowly working their way South. I left them half way between Savary and Grant’s Reef.

4:25 pm Found 5 Orca just on the other side of Harwood heading North-West towards Savary’s Duck Bay. They were sharing some food, but the kill was either made quietly underwater or had already been made prior to locating them. They turned and headed towards Grant’s Reef. They picked up the pace, so left them continuing towards Vancouver Island around 5:30 pm. Never saw the others. My camera was at home, so only the cell phone to take a photo, but neighbour Steve Grover came out with his camera – no photos submitted for report.

May 2: (rec’d late)

Today in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, we had three Transient Bigg’s Orca, Capt Hook T40, T97 and T93, three big Bulls.

Time not noted, but in morning: 200 Pacific White Sided Dolphins up by Fawn Bluffs in Bute Inlet.

5:20 pm While watching the Orca heading towards Grant’s Reef, two little Harbour Porpoise quickly and quietly came up for a couple breaths and headed the opposite direction towards Lund. On the way back towards Vivian Rocks, there was another Harbour Porpoise appearing briefly and also heading towards Lund.

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