Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales, Humpback Whales, Pacific White Sided Dolphins and Dall’s Porpoise
Happy Mother’s Day! Transient Bigg’s Orca have been popping up all over the place and in numbers too. They appear to have all taken to doing long dives and manage to sneak around. Humpback Whales are working their way up to their summer feeding grounds with a sudden influx of sightings in our inside waters. One Humpback Whale of note is ‘KC’ or Kelp Creature who was struck by a boat last year. The dorsal wound is substantial, and fortunately, does not appear to have hindered spinal movement. It’s a relief. Pacific White Sided Dolphins and Dall’s Porpoise have been spotted a few times, but not as often as we’d expect considering the feed in these waters.
A reminder to please be cautious on the water and keep your distance. Be aware of, and eyes open for all Cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoise). As always, we look forward to receiving your sightings reports.
Fundraising Draw: We will be drawing Four whale watching tours at the Powell River Sea Fair this year. The tours are being donated to help cover costs and support our society’s continued efforts. We have received commitments by: Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours, Discovery Marine Safaris, Eagle Eye Adventures and Stubbs Island Whale Watching.We will post more details in the next report.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC
Call 1-877-323-9776or Email your report.
Every sighting report is valuable!
Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?
Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales
Transient Bigg’s Orca
May 10, 2014
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
May 10:
11:03 am About 10 Orca Northbound by Cape Mudge lighthouse. Radio.
11:10 am They are about half mile South off Cape Mudge lighthouse.
12:30 pm Left at least 5 Orca at the red can buoy Southbound (yes, they turned). Looks like they’re headed for Mitlenatch Island.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
May 10:
12:30 pm Transient Bigg’s T101’s and T102 are 1.5 miles off Francisco Point, Quadra Island heading into Sutil Channel. Lazy whales just rolling along. T101A is off on his own with the rest all grouped up for the most part. Just lazy swimming. They’re angling towards Marina Island.
2:10 pm left T101’s and T102 Southbound at Marina Reef, Cortez Island.
Also, spoke with Ron on the Aurora Explorer at 1:45 pm and they had 3 Killer Whales inside the reef by Gorge Harbour, Cortez Island on a possible seal kill. Sounds like they may have just grouped up on the way out of the pass.
Try to get you nice shot of T102 passing the reef with seals and 2 eagles flying off in background for the report.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
May 10:
3:09 pm Orca grouped for a 10 minute intermezzo, then split up again. 3 females went toward Marina Island shoreline while other group headed towards Rebecca Spit, then they joined up again.
3:32 pm Leaving the Orca now all angling towards Rebecca Spit.
5:33 pm Another group of 4 Killer Whales inbound to Okisollo Channel.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
May 9:
12:58 pm 3 plus Orca Westbound down Jervis Inlet, but still just above Hotham Sound. Seen from the Earl’s Cove to Saltery Bay ferry. Could have sworn I saw more blows, but too far to confirm more.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC
May 9:
Evening: We had 12 Bigg’s Orca off Nanaimo Northbound. They were almost to Winchelsea Island. It was the T65A’s, T86A’s and T100’s.
Simon Piddock, Ocean Eco Adventures
Transient Bigg’s Orca
May 10, 2014
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
May 8:
9:26 am 3 Orca reported by Rob off Saltery Bay heading up the inlet just prior to ferry arriving at dock.
9:59 am 3 Orca, two females and one sprouter (juvenile growing into his big dorsal) almost to Captain Island from the Saltery Bay to Earl’s Cove ferry.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC
May 8:
9:59 am 3-4 Orca Northbound off the Sonora Island Resort dock now.
10:10 am 3 Orca just turned South at the Sonora dock.
Aaron Nagler, Sonora Resort
May 8:
no time given: Was with 4 Orca in Okisollo Channel from Bute Inlet side all the way to Okisollo side. They hit the tide rip and turned around. I left them mid-Hole in the Wall Eastbound towards Bute Inlet. There was 1 big male, 2 females and a calf.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
May 7:
12 pm At least 20 Orca reportedly Northbound at Dogfish Bay now. That’s just North of Francisco Point (Cape Mudge) on the Heriot Bay side of Quadra Island. Probably the big group from Nanaimo the other day.
1 pm Sounds like the Orca are now by Rebecca Spit, Quadra Island now.
5:30 pm Leaving the Orca Northbound between Penn Islands and Cortez Island; T087, T124’s, T101’s and T102.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
May 7:
1:52 pm 20 or so Orca back and forth between Viner Point, Reid Island and Marina Island on a kill.
3:11 pm Leaving the 20 Orca between Subtle and Hill Islands and Viner Point. Had 3 seal kills.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
May 6:
7:30 am 8 Orca Southbound by Raza Island (just above Desolation Sound) headed for Subtle Island. From fishing guide.
Aaron Nagler, Sonora Resort
May 6:
6 pm 4 Orca Northbound by Steep Island, Discovery Passage including one large male, from a friend.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
May 5: (rec’d on 7th)
no time given: Left 16 Transient Bigg’s Orca were Northbound off Nanaimo in the evening. You should have some KW’s up your way today.
Simon Piddock, Ocean Eco Adventures
May 3:
1:15 pm 5 to 6 Orca Southbound in Discovery Passage at Granite Point from fishing guide.
Aaron Nagler, Sonora Resort
May 3:
2:49 pm Orca by the Campbell River Mill. I also see 2 large fins near Steep Island and some smaller fins mid-channel by April Point.
3:50 pm Group of 4 small fins and one calf in with them. Left them at Cape Mudge, southbound.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Bigg’s Orca
May 7, 2014
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
May 3:
2:49 pm 6 to 8 Orca by Copper Bluffs, Quadra Island side, across from Campbell River.
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
May 2:
Afternoon: Had the T065A’s headed North in Georgia Strait.
Simon Piddock, Ocean Eco Adventures
May 2:
~ 6 p.m. – Myrtle Point, Powell River, Southbound – Four Orca, with at least one baby. 150ft from shore, on the surface for 5 min. then dove down at the point and did not spot again.
Joel Nordham, Powell River
May 2:
around 5:30 pm Spotted a group of Orcas, mid channel, heading east toward Jervis Inlet…..one male, three females and a ‘big baby’…the little one was almost coming out of the water each time it surfaced, we could see the white underbelly. It managed to keep up with the bigger guys…they were going quite slow.
Laura and Bob Johnson, Donkersley Beach, Powell River
May 2:
Around 6:20 pm 3 or 4 Orca Eastbound angling towards Texada from Comox ferry just before docking.
Sylvie Paquette, Powell River
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale BCY0291 ‘KC’
Seriously damaged dorsal from boat strike
May 5, 2014
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
May 7:
6:30 am Report of a Humpback Whale off Salmon Point, south of Campbell River. No direction given.
Geord Dunstan, Discovery Marine Safaris
May 7:
10:13 am Humpback mid-channel between Painter’s Lodge and April Point Northbound.
12 pm Humpback Northbound at Race Point now.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
May 7:
4:47 pm At least one Humpback Whale, maybe more by Campbell River mill, Northbound.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
May 5:
3:15 pm Humpback Whale just above Brown’s Bay, Discovery Passage. Photos confirmed later as BCY0291 or ‘KC’ short for Kelp Creature.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
May 7:
11:36 am 20 – 30 PWS Dolphins by Kanish Bay. No direction. From Oak Bay Hurricane.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
May 6: (rec’d 7th)
12 pm 50 PWS Dolphins just North of the Orford River in Bute Inlet.
Aaron Nagler, Sonora Resort
May 6:
12:16 pm 4 PWS Dolphins by Kelsey Point, Stuart Island.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
May 5:
10:30 am Report of a dozen PWS Dolphins Southbound by Whiskey Point, from ferry worker.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
May 5:
12:15 pm Leif is with the PWS Dolphins Southbound by the Cape Mudge Village.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
May 3:
10:30 am 100 PWS Dolphins milling about by Deepwater Bay.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching relayed by:
Elvis, Eagle Eye Adventures
Dall’s Porpoise
May 6:
11:02 am a couple of Dall’s Porpoise by April Point milling.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Branded Sea Lions
May 9:
2:36 pm Steller Sea Lion on Mitlenatch: #2513 (no photo confirmation and this is an unusual number since most have a letter)
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
May 6:
time not noted: Steller Sea Lion on Mitlenatch #952R
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Branded Sea Lion #952R from Rouge Reef Oregon
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Links
Email received from Alexandra Morton, who has been fighting hard to raise awareness about the pitfalls and problems of salmon farming in our BC waters. Congratulations that the program 60 Minutes is investigating and broadcasting this! Please pass it on:
The TV program 60 Minutes is running their investigation into salmon farming in British Columbia this Sunday night, May 11, 2014. Please check local listings to find out exactly what time it will air in your region.
It was a great honour to meet Dr. Sanjay Gupta, a remarkable man.
I hope this international spotlight allows Americans to better understand the consequences of the farmed salmon sushi on their plates. The reason companies from Norway are using the BC coast to raise Norwegian salmon is inexpensive access to the American consumer.
I hope this international spotlight allows Americans to better understand the consequences of the farmed salmon sushi on their plates. The reason companies from Norway are using the BC coast to raise Norwegian salmon is inexpensive access to the American consumer.
Please watch with me on Sunday. You can view the trailer and comment on the CBS website I have provided links on my blog. Alexandra Morton http://alexandramorton.typepad.com/alexandra_morton/
Humpback Whale disentanglement in Washington State caught on camera. Looked like the gear was from crab pots set in Oregon. Long way to travel hauling the gear!
North Shore News article: This summer marks the 50th anniversary of the first capture of a live killer whale for the purpose of displaying as public spectacle. During the first week of his life in captivity Moby Doll swam continually counterclockwise in a flooded dock at the foot of Lonsdale in North Vancouver. – Full article at: http://www.nsnews.com/moby-doll-of-the-salish-sea-1.1020442
Humpback Whale BCY0291 ‘KC’ Tail Flukes
May 5, 2014
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?
Every sighting report is valuable!
We are the non-profit Wild Ocean Whale Society
