Cetacean Sightings: Transient Bigg’s & Resident Orca, Humpback Whales, Dolphins and Porpoise
Many Transient Bigg’s Orca reports; T87 and T60’s are staying in the central part Georgia Strait appearing to circumnavigate a number of islands. Southern Residents have been hanging around the San Juan Islands, their favourite spots. A few Humpback Whales have been transiting our areas with a few even going in the ‘wrong’ direction. ‘KC’ and ‘Arial’ who had been in our area for some time have now continued NW while a couple of others have been spotted. Pacific White Sided Dolphins appeared in large numbers, but have separated into smaller groups. And bringing up the rear of our Cetacean Sightings report are the Porpoise, both Dall’s and Harbour. We seem to get few reports on them, even though they are such an important part of the chain. They may not be as visible as a huge black dorsal of an Orca or the big blow or tail flukes of a Humpback Whale, but, believe it or not, they are very important.
We are happy to have some of our regular Summer reporters back in the area to help keep eyes on the water. A reminder to please keep yourselves, and the whales, safe on the water, and please report your sightings.
Susan MacKay & Lynne Cracknell, Whalesand Dolphins BC
Fundraising 2014:Our main web site is updated and tickets for our Two Huge Raffles are available for sale on line. Please check out the details link:https://whalesanddolphinsbc.com/win-at-sea-fair-2014/More information is at the bottom of the report or click on the link above.
Every sighting report is valuable!
Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?
TRANSIENT BIGG’S KILLER WHALES
Transient Bigg’s Orca off Powell River
June 5, 2014
Susan MacKay, SG Images
A reminder that photos tend to be cropped and we are drifting with motor off when in the vicinity of any whales. We stop at quite a distance off and do not position ourselves to force an encounter like this. This whale just decided to come over to us from closer to shore, and go under the boat.
June 11:
8:51 am: One male and two female Orcas with calves foraging on the East side of Rebecca Spit about 200 feet offshore.
Dana and Colin Perkins, Quadra Island.
June 11:
10:00 am: Report of Orca at Francisco Point, south end of Quadra Island, close to the beach.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
June 11:
10:10 am: Orca off Francisco Point, going to investigate.
10:20 am: There are 4 Orca, 3 females, I male.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching.
June 11:
10:30 am: Report from the fishing vessel "Marinet." Orca in the shallows off Francisco Point. Jumping and splashing around, possibly hunting.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
June 11:
10: 40 am: They are T87 and T90’s for sure.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures.
June 11:
11:29 am: The 4 Orca are at Quathiaski Cove northbound. Leaving the scene, but Tenacious 3 is with them.
Fabian, Eagle Eye Adventures
Transient Bigg’s Orca off Powell River
June 5, 2014
Susan MacKay, SG Images
June 11:
12:39 pm The 4 Orca are southbound half a mile off Cape Mudge Lighthouse. Leaving the area now.
John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris.
June 11:
2:26 pm: Leaving Orca just south of Salmon Point (just below Campbell River) southbound two miles off Vancouver Island.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
June 10:
1-1:30 pm 4 Orca including a mom and calf were foraging between Mary Point and Cortez Bay, Cortez Island. We watched to see if we could see them, but they just disappeared. Since we were headed to Cortez Bay, they may have popped up around the other side of Mary Point.
Bill Kennedy, Campbell River
June 10:
4:30 pm: We are now at Bliss Landing and spotted 3 – 4 Orcas right off Bliss at about 4:30 pm today. They were milling about for at least 15 minutes. Just coming up to breath then down again.
John Bowles, Bliss Landing.
June 9:
5:00 pm: Guide Tommy Thompson reports 4 Orca leaving Toba Inlet.
Aaron Nagler, Sonora Lodge.
June 8:
9:09 am: Orca (x5) were eastbound through Arran Rapids, near Bute Inlet, at around 21:00 yesterday, June 7th according to a guide report.
I was just told by our dock staff that 4 – 5 Killer Whales went south past Sonora docks at 6:15.
Aaron Nagler, Sonora Lodge.
June 8:
1:10 pm: Orca at Baker Pass near Ragged (Copeland) Islands, closer to Major Rock (off Lund). One big, one small is all he saw. This is from my brother Clay on tug boat, he said they were headed North East towards the Desolation Sound area.
5:53 pm: The 4 Orca, T087 and T090’s are northbound at Grouse Island off the Campbell River Marina.
6:00 pm: They are the T090’s for sure. They have turned abruptly south to buck the tide. Now they are at Grouse Island southbound.
7:19 pm: The Orca had a nice rest and took it easy for a while – kind of sleepy. They are still southbound coming up to Cape Mudge Village. We are bugging out soon.
Nick and Janeen Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
Transient Bigg’s Orca off Powell River
June 5, 2014
Susan MacKay, SG Images
June 8:
3:54 pm: 4 Orca at the green can buoy off Cape Mudge heading toward Marina Island now. Reported by a fisherman.
4:22 pm: The Orca have turned south of the red can buoy and are looking at the Vancouver Island side.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching.
June 8:
4:51 pm: Transient Orca T87 and family are half a mile off the red can buoy near Cape Mudge northbound, – 4 – 5 Orca.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
June 8:
9:20 pm: Orca right at the 50thparallel marker in Campbell River tight to shore. Must’ve taken something. Seagulls flying around. Seals are all in between the rocks hiding. Orca, (4 of them) still slowly Southbound. Breaching and spy hopping. Lots of people watching from shore.
Elvis, Eagle Eye Adventures.
June 7:
9:00 am: Report of Orca between Hollyhock and Twin Islands, above Lund, heading towards Cortez Bay.
John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris.
June 7:
8: 24 pm: Report of Orcas just passing Sonora Resort, northbound. One big fin, and at least 3 Orca.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
June 6:
11:50 am: Just heard a radio transmission, very broken up. Possible Orca by Cape Cockburn, Nelson Island, just down from Stillwater/Saltery Bay.Couldn’t make out how many or direction, if any.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC.
June 6:
8:15 pm: 4 Orcas swimming north up Stuart Channel. Moved past Round Island on the east side and then disappeared toward Dodds Narrow, 8:15 pm – 8:35 pm. Lots of leaps and tail slapping. One large, three smaller.
Janette Dyck ( via email)
June 5:
10: 30 am: Report of 4 – 5 Orca westing in Cordero Channel.
(Heard on radio)
June 5:
1:00 pm: Orca heading into Loughborough Inlet.
(Heard on Radio.)
June 5:
5:15 pm: I saw a big tail which sure looked like a Humpback Whale to me. But all I see now are 3 – 4 Orca!
By 5:40 pm we were out of the harbour and came across some playful Orca with breaching, tail lobs and clearly sharing some food. It was good to see the caution used by a couple of other boaters in both the way they approached and departed. They even shut down to drift while watching at a safe distance. Their shutting off motors helped with listening on the hydrophone (underwater listening device). The whales were very chatty, even over the sounds of other boats and ferries.
7:00 pm: Leaving Orca by Myrtle Rocks south bound angling towards Texada, There were a total of around 10 of them. Noticed only one big male towards Myrtle Rocks and at one point, Judy Brant, one of our Wild Ocean Whale (WOWs) Directors, who had hopped on board with me, felt pretty sure she saw a Humpback fluke in the distance, probably to get away from the Transient Bigg’s Orca.
9:30 pm: Spotted 3+ Orca sized blows Southbound between Atrevida Reef, just North of Powell River, and Mystery Reef on Savary Island. There’s been some splashing, but can’t tell for sure how many.
10:00 pm: 4 Blows maybe 5 or more Orca are definitely Southbound towards Powell River. Guess they’re following the others. Getting almost too dark to really see them clearly.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC.
Transient Bigg’s Orca off Powell River
June 5, 2014
Susan MacKay, SG Images
June 5:
5:15 pm: At least 2 or 3 Orca off Westview, Powell River heading South.
Peter Harvey, Powell River.
June 5:
5:39 pm: 3 – 4 more Orca south of Powell River, off Myrtle Rocks southbound.
Jim Southern, Powell River.
6:08 pm: About 4 or more Orca are playing out in front of our place right now…I see you on the water now with them.
Shirley Randall, Powell River.
June 5:
6:40 pm: We are just sitting on our deck and watching some Orca. They’re coming out of the water and breaching!
Liz Douglas, Powell River.
June 5:
Today was a beautiful afternoon out west with perfect conditions. We found Orca in the Sooke area, where the Ocean Magic was able to spend time with members of L Pod that were travelling west really fast, and very spread out. This pic is of L 41, "Mega". Other members seen were L 25, "Ocean Sun" the Matriarch of L Pod, along with the L 12’s, and the L 22’s. Awesome to see a few members of L Pod even if they had decided not to stay with J Pod who had come into the Salish sea 4 days ago.
Marie O’Shaugnessy, "Ocean Magic." (via email.)
June 4:
8:50 am: Just saw some Orca between Harwood and Texada Islands. I’m on the ferry.
Glynis, Powell River
June 4:
9:40 am: Finally spotted the blows. There’s 8 – 10 orca heading up Georgia Strait. Lost them from view around Vivian island.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC.
June 4:
12:22 pm: Orca heading towards Cape Mudge – 2 so far, northbound.
12: 40 pm: 6+ Orca by Cape Mudge Village.
Sharkey.
June 4:
12:35 pm: Report from Water Taxi of Orca in Deer Passage one hour ago, heading east.
Also a report of 5 Orca at 8:00 am in Plunger Passage, heading south.
1:40 pm: 4 Orca so far, one male, possible sprouter,(juvenile) a mom and a calf in front of the Campbell River Marina.
3:35 pm: Just left the four Orca still northbound on the Vancouver Island side above Brown’s Bay.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
June 4:
12:50 pm:Around 5 Orca mid channel running not too fast – up by fishing pier now.
Elvis, Eagle Eye Adventures.
June 4:
2:51 pm: 4 Transient Bigg’s heading for Seymour Narrows. One just killed a Seal.
John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris.
June 4:
4: 30 pm: 4 – 5 Orca by Bartlett Island close to Church house.
4:40 pm:Definitely more like 7 – 8 Orca noses pointed towards Bute Inlet. This is a different group.
4:53 pm: Leaving the scene, they are still headed into Bute Inlet.
Leif Nordman,Campbell River Whale Watching.
SOUTHERN RESIDENT ORCA
Southern Resident Orca L 41,’ Mega ‘
June 5, 2014
Marie O’Shaughnessy ‘ Orca-Magic ‘
June 5:
Today was a beautiful afternoon out west with perfect conditions. We found Orca in the Sooke area, where the Ocean Magic was able to spend time with members of L Pod that were traveling west really fast, and very spread out. This pic is of L 41,’ Mega ‘. Other members seen were L 25,’ Ocean Sun ‘ the matriarch of L Pod along with the L 12s , and the L 22s. Awesome to see a few members of L Pod even if they had decided not to stay with J Pod who had come in to the Salish Sea 4 days ago.
Marie O’Shaughnessy ‘ Orca-Magic ‘
HUMPBACK WHALES
Humpback Whale Tail Flukes (possibly BCX1192)
June 10, 2014
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
June 10:
8:30 am: Two Humpbacks at April Point (near Campbell River) moving slowly southbound.
Brad, Painter’s Lodge.
June 10:
9:10 am: Two Humpbacks at Quathiaski Cove, Campbell River, southbound.
9:40 am: The 2 Humpbacks are now at We Wai Kai Village, slowly moving southbound. This is from my Father in Law.
1:00 pm: Humpbacks 2.2 nautical miles off the south end of Mittlenatch, southbound. Long dives. One looks like K.C., white on tail, but didn’t look right for dorsal – didn’t notice damage. Will check photos later.
1:30 pm: Humpbacks .6 nautical miles off west side of Sentry Shoals.
2:40 pm: Leaving Humpbacks 2.5 miles south of Sentry Shoals.
(After looking at Garry’s photos: Humpback looks like BCX1192. Don’t have a local name. Marks on flukes match up and dorsal looks right but couldn’t zoom in enough on low res dorsals to tell who the second might be. – SM)
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
June 10:
11:09 am: 2 Humpback Whales off "the hump." From Fishing Guides. (The hump is a fishing spot just off Cape Mudge, Quadra Island – SM)
Geord, Discovery Marine Safaris.
June 10:
11:55 am: Humpbacks 3 nautical miles NW of Mittlenatch heading SE. Thanks to Brad.
John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris.
June 6:
1:09 pm: The two Humpbacks known as ‘K.C’ and ‘Arial’ are up in Blackney Pass area (top of Johnstone Strait). Bummer!
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
Humpback Whale dorsals (possibly BCX1192 and ?)
June 10, 2014
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
June 5:
5:10 pm: Humpback whale at Powell River now.
5:15 pm: I saw a big tail. But all I see now are 3 – 4 Orca! (see Orca report above)
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC.
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
June 11:
2:05 pm: 10 or so Pacific White Sided Dolphin around Kanish Bay, just above Campbell River.
(from Radio)
June 11:
2:15 pm: 50 Pacific White Sided Dolphins going north mid channel approaching Eagle’s Cove, above Campbell River.
Leif Nordman,Campbell River Whale Watching.
June 11:
3:29 pm 100- 150 PWS Dolphins southbound in Deepwater Bay, Quadra Island.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
June 10:
9:01 am: Just sitting on the ferry with an elder who lives at Wai Wai Kai village who said he saw a huge group of dolphins southbound past the village on Saturday afternoon. (That would be June 7th.) He estimated 1000. I know Nick got a report that day too of 500 Dolphins south of Big Rock, but he never found them.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
June 10:
5:52 pm: 50-ish PWS Dolphins at the west end of Okisollo Channel.
Fabian, Eagle Eye Adventures
June 9:
7:06 pm: About a dozen Pacific White Sided Dolphins around the Brown’s Bay/ Seymour Narrows area.
Jen Furst, Campbell River Whale Watching.
June 8:
9: 45 am: 50 Pacific White Sided Dolphins at Granite Point, at the entrance to Kanish Bay.
Brad, Painters Lodge relayed through Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
June 7:
5:58 pm: 20 or more PWS Dolphins sighted at Maud island, south end of Seymour Narrows.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures.
June 7:
6:58 pm 1 Pacific White Sided Dolphin at Brown’s Bay.
7:17 pm 10 – 12 PWS Dolphins foraging near North Bluff. Now where are those pesky Killer Whales!
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Leaping June 11, 2014
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours
DALL’S PORPOISE, HARBOUR PORPOISE
June 8:
9:30 am: One porpoise off the red can buoy at Cape Mudge, Quadra Island.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures.
June 6:
Day: 4 Harbour Porpoise sighted foraging by Aran Rapids, near Bute Inlet.
Jen Furst, Campbell RiverWhale Watching.
June 5:
12:21 pm: 4 Harbour Porpoise foraging off Mary Point, Cortes Island.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
BRANDED SEA LIONS
June 10:
At Sentry Shoal Buoy: Sea Lion branded with number B22Y which could be 822Y, was on the buoy itself with a number of others. (I have not had a chance prior to posting, to look up the number and where this particular animal is from – SM)
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
LINKS
Massive killer whale parade off San Juan Island
Fundraising 2014:Our main web site is updated and tickets for our Two Huge Raffles are available for sale on line. Please check out the details link: https://whalesanddolphinsbc.com/win-at-sea-fair-2014/
The Spot Prawn Festival at Powell River’s Westview Harbour was on Saturday, June 7 and we met a number of our local reporters and some new ones. We sold a few tickets while providing information about the whales and dolphins in our front yard….a success. We will be selling tickets at the Powell River Town Centre Mall and a couple of places on Vancouver Island, dates/times/locations will be posted.
2 GREAT RAFFLES FOR A TOTAL OF 6 TOURS TO BE DRAWN!
RAFFLE #1:
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Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours – Whale Watching for Two
-
Discovery Marine Safaris – Whale Watching for Two
-
Stubbs Island Whale Watching – Whale Watching for Two
RAFFLE #2:
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Adventure Quest Tours (Kayak Tour for Two)
-
Eagle Eye Adventures (Whale Watching for Two)
-
Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions (Whale Watching for Two)
Tickets are 5 for $10 – Please make sure you specify what Raffle you’d like in the notes.
Both raffles will be drawn at 5 pm on July 27, 2014 at Powell River Sea Fair
Thank you all for your ongoing enthusiasm and support!
From all of us at Wild Ocean Whale Society (WOWs)
Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?
Every sighting report is valuable!
We are the non-profit Wild Ocean Whale Society
Gaming Licence for Raffle #1 is 65278 Raffle #2 is 65280 – Know your limit, play within it.
