Very Active Few Days – Both Transient & Resident Orca, Humpbacks, Dolphins and Porpoise
Very active few days with both Southern Resident Orca, Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales, Humpback Whales, Pacific White Sided Dolphins and both Dall’s and Harbour Porpoise showing up. Transient Bigg’s were seen in close proximity to both Dolphins and Humpbacks in Discovery Passage. Wonder if the Dolphins used the larger Humpbacks as shields…interesting.
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/
Stop by and say hello at the Spot Prawn Festival at Powell River’s Westview Harbour on Saturday, June 7th. We will have an information table and raffle tickets will be available.
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
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Discovery Marine Safaris – Whale Watching for Two
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Stubbs Island Whale Watching – Whale Watching for Two
RAFFLE #2:
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Adventure Quest Tours (Kayak Tour for Two)
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Eagle Eye Adventures (Whale Watching for Two)
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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!
All of us at Wild Ocean Whale Society (WOWs)
Every sighting report is valuable!
Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?
TRANSIENT BIGG’S KILLER WHALES
Big Spy Hop
June 2, 2014
Jos Kryjnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
June 3:
12:50 pm: Large pod of Orcas heading east, 3 kilometres northeast of Cape Lazo. I didn’t see them, but heard that there were maybe 8 to 10 Orca.
Peter Harris, Comox
June 3:
1:18 pm: T137’s are heading north off Darcy Island near the San Juans. We are with them now.
Josh McInnes
June 2:
12:30 pm: Jos has Orca near Mary Point, Cortez Island, now. Relaying…Sounds like yesterday’s gang.
4:25 pm T87 and T90’s are Westbound (Southwest) by Mystery Reef, Savary Island.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
June 2:
1:36 pm: Killer Whales at the west end of Copeland Islands off Lund and moving south. Leaving the scene.
Geord, Discovery Marine Safaris.
June 2:
2:57 pm: 4 Orca just by Lund – the same group as this morning.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures.
June 2:
4:36 pm Leaving the Orca, T87/T90’s off Mystery Reef, heading towards Grant’s Reef, off Savary Island.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
June 2:
Day: 2 Orca looked like a mom and calf out in front of the Saltery Bay ferry terminal Northbound.
Lucas Anaka
June 2:
Day: Orca around the Sechelt Inlet area. Second hand report with no other details forwarded to us by;
Michael Stewart, Powell River
June 1:
8:00 am: Orcas at Cortez Bay, Cortez Island, heading north towards Lewis Channel.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching.
June 1:
10:31 am: Breaching Orca by Kinghorn Island, between Cortez and Mink islands.
(via radio)
Breaching Orca Desolation Sound
June 2, 2014
Jos Kryjnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
June 1
12:04 pmI have Orca, T86 and T87 for sure, they are heading towards Homfray Channel, near Foster Point in Desolation Sound.
12:44 pm: I have to leave now, the Orca are in Waddington Channel moving towards Pryce Channel.
1:00 pm: They are now between Shirley Point and Dunham Point on the East Redonda Island side.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures.
June 1:
1:15 pm: With Orca, still at Dunham Point, Desolation Sound. They’re still breaching and active.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours.
June 1:
2:07 pm: The Orca have come back out of Waddington Channel and are now headed north east up into Homfray Channel by Horace Head, Desolation Sound.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours.
John, Discovery Marine Safaris.
June 1:
3:40 pm: Left the 4 Orca northbound at Booker Point in Homfray Channel, Desolation Sound.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
June 1:
5:14 pm: Transients southbound in Lambert Channel, by Denman/Hornby Islands.
(from Radio)
June 1:
8:48 pm: 6-8 Orca just south of the Cape Mudge Lighthouse, heading north.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching.
May 31:
7:30 am Killer Whales off Twin Islands, just above Lund, heading towards Baker Pass, between Hernando and Cortez Islands.
Geord Dunstan, Discovery Marine Safaris
May 31:
11:10 am: 5 – 6 Orca, one big fin, between Mitlenatch and Marina Island, heading towards Marina Island. Make that one male, two females and one calf.
Brad, Painter’s Lodge.
Transient Bigg’s Orca
June 1, 2014
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
May 31:
11:50 am: I have the T002cs heading straight for the red can buoy by Baker Passage, between Cortez and Hernando Islands.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
May 31:
3:11 pm: Leaving 4 Orca at Mary Point, Cortez Island, heading east.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours.
May 31:
7:00 pm: Around 7 Orca all Northbound by Cape Mudge Village and there’s at least one Humpback there too!
Really interesting, Pacific White Sided Dolphins and Humpback Whales on the Vancouver Island side and Transient Bigg’s Orca in the middle of the passage.
8:38 pm Leaving the Transient Bigg’s Orca gang, T049A’s and T077’s, heading north in Discovery Passage still. Just coming up to April Point.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
SOUTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
May 31 (rec’d June 1):
1 pm J Pod came in from the west overnight Friday/Saturday so we were delighted to catch up with the trailers, the J22 family group, the "Cookie group" around 1pm Saturday afternoon. The rest of J Pod were well spread apart but were heading north toward Turn Point, Stuart Island, San Juans. We watched this family group travelling together along the shoreline of San Juan Island, with a little foraging at times. Great to see them back in town, so to speak. Will they find enough Chinook salmon to stick around. That is the question we all ask!
Marie O’Shaugnessy, Orca-Magic
Breach by either J 42 who is 7 now or her mom J 16 Slick
June 1, 2014
Marie O’Shaugnessy, Orca-Magic
June 1 (rec’d June 2):
Yesterday, June 1, was lovely once again, with the J Pod whales that we encountered. Initially we had J2 "Granny" the 103 yr. approx aged matriarch of J Pod, foraging alone along the shoreline of San Juan Island. Soon after several noisy tail slaps of hers a few more members of the pod showed up. Onyx, L87 wasn’t far away. He likes to be near by Granny these days, since Spieden, J8, passed away last year. He has been swimming with J pod ever since Aug 2010. Prior to that he swam with a couple of older K Pod females after his own mother died. An interesting whale. The attached breach appears to be one of the J16 family group, most likely J42, Echo, the 7 yr old female, with an open saddle patch, who just happens to be one of my adopted Orca. J 41, Eclipse, is my other adopted Southern resident Orca. And today is another wonderful day to go seek the whales.
Marie O’Shaugnessy, Orca-Magic
SRKW J2 ‘Granny’
June 1, 2014
Marie O’Shaugnessy, Orca-Magic
HUMPBACK WHALES
June 3:
11:00 am: Humpback whale at the north end of We Wai Kai Village (Cape Mudge), southbound.
11:28 am: Left Humpback Whale still southbound, just south of the Cape Mudge village.
5:08 pm: Left Humpback northbound at the Village.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
June 3:
11:16 am: ‘KC’ (Humpback whale aka Kelp Creature) is northbound off Quathiaski Cove, Quadra Island.
12:30 pm: Just leaving the Humpback in the same spot off the south end of the Cape Mudge Village.
Geord Dunstan, Discovery Marine Safaris.
June 3:
3:04 pm: Humpback still at Cape Mudge Village, pointed south.
3:39 pm: Humpback now passing Cape Mudge Lighthouse heading south. I’m leaving the scene in 5 minutes.
Leif Nordman,Campbell River Whale Watching.
Humpback (believe it’s ‘Arial’- SM)
June 2, 2014
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
June 2:
7:30 am: On 2ndStreet in Campbell River, on my way to the office – saw 2 Humpback blows mid Strait right between Cape Mudge and the Village.
9:15 am: Humpback breaching at Whiskey Point.
5:29 pm: Humpback Whale off red can buoy by Cape Mudge.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours.
June 2:
8:40 am: Two or more Humpbacks at green can buoy off Cape Mudge early this morning.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching.
June 2:
10:00 am: 2 Humpback Whales, ‘KC’ (Kelp Creature) and friend are slowly working their way over to the Village on the Quadra Island side.
1:47 pm: Leaving Humpbacks south end of We Wai Kai village, (Cape Mudge) southbound.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
June 2:
12:40 pm: Humpbacks off Cape Mudge Village. Leaving the scene now.
Geord, Discovery Marine Safaris.
June 2:
1:12 pm: Humpback Whales at Village (Cape Mudge) southbound.
Leif Nordman,Campbell River Whale Watching.
June 2:
2:57 pm: Two Humpbacks west of the "hump" south end of Quadra island going back and forth probably feeding.
5:32 pm: I think they may be the same Humpbacks that hung around here last year. I saw them yesterday morning and another one. A friend saw some blows at 8:00 am this morning near Quathiaski Cove but didn’t have binocs so wasn’t sure if it was them or not. I’ll keep my eyes open and let you know if I see them again.
7:33 pm: They’re out there now but we’re right in front of tugboat DC Catherwood and have disappeared, hopefully they will surface soon.
8:05 pm: They’re doing some tail flukes but have disappeared again.
Jeanne Ralston, Campbell River
Humpback ‘KC’ and possibly ‘Arial’
June 2, 2014
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
June 2:
5:29 pm:
Humpbacks off the red can buoy by Cape Mudge, Quadra Island.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours.
June 1:
9:00 am: Two Humpbacks off Cape Mudge Lighthouse.
9:30 am: One Humpback off Cape Mudge. All slowly southbound.
Jeanne Ralston, Campbell River
June 1:
2:00 pm: Report of a couple of Humpbacks by Campbell River.
(Radio)
June 1:
3:03 pm: Humpback at Steep island, Discovery Passage.
Brad, Painter’s Lodge.
June 1:
4:25 pm: Three Humpbacks between the red can buoy off Cape Mudge and Willow Point. Two are southbound and one is heading north.
This was the only fluke shot I managed to get of one of the 3 Humpbacks that were between the red can and shelter point at about 4:30 pm this afternoon. This one was traveling with another, and then there was a lone one a little farther away. I wanna say K.C. but haven’t compared it with the pic I got of him the other day yet, this one might have a little more white on his tail. (yes, ‘KC’ – SM)
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours.
Humpback Whale known as ‘KC’
June 1, 2014
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours.
May 31:
7:45 am: Humpback Whale southbound at April Point.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching.
May 31:
8:00 am: Humpback update – it is mid channel near Steep Island – possibly with a calf.
9:31 am Humpback at Race Point Northbound.
Brad, Painter’s Lodge.
May 31:
8:15 am: There are two Humpbacks by Race Point on the Quadra Island side of Discovery Pass.
9:48 am: Leaving Humpbacks at Yellow Island, Seymour Narrows, southbound.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures.
May 31:
10:45 am: Humpbacks are still milling in the Yellow Island area of Discovery Passage.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours.
May 31:
1:18 pm: Humpback breaching by Menzies Bay, Seymour Narrows. Quite a show!
From Radio.
May 31:
3:20 pm: Two Humpbacks southbound at Cape Mudge.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
May 31:
7:08 pm: Two Humpbacks southbound by the red can buoy off Francisco Point at the bottom of Quadra island..
Fabian, Way West Water Taxi.
May 31:.
7:20 pm: Humpbacks, possibly northbound in Discovery Passage, will keep you posted
7:30 pm: Definitely one Humpback with possibly Orca By Cape Mudge Village.
7:35 pm: Around 7 Orca altogether all northbound by the village. There are Pacific White Sided Dolphins on the Vancouver Island side, Orca in the middle, and Humpbacks also on the Vancouver Island side. Interesting!
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
May 31:
9:00 pm:Humpback whale sighted south point of Quadra Island to Shelter Pt. One large Humpback with black tail, with at least one smaller Humpback alongside heading north.
See also Pacific White Sided Dolphin report below.
Lance Lapointe, Willow Point, Campbell River.(via email)
May 31:
9:45 pm: Have had 2 whales in the waters off Campbell River, south of "red can buoy" and up towards Tsakwaluten, Quadra Island for the past 3 hours or so (first noticed about 3 hours ago and are still around.) They are surfacing rarely, and I have finally seen a tail fluke. Looks like these are Humpbacks to me. Looks like one smaller and one larger.
See also Pacific White Sided Dolphin report below.
Has been a great night for sighting from shore!
Bronwen Moeller, Campbell River
Humpback Whale known as ‘KC’
May 31, 2014
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
May 31:
6:57 pm: About 20 Pacific White Sided Dolphins off Whilby Shoals towards Francisco Point, south end of Quadra island.
7:30 pm: Really interesting, Pacific White Sided Dolphins and Humpback Whales on the Vancouver Island side and Transient Bigg’s Orca in the middle of the passage.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
May 31:
7:20 pm: About half a dozen Pacific White Sided Dolphins at Shelter Point, just below Campbell River, northbound.
Fabian, Way West Water Taxi.
May 31:
7 pm Had a large group (20 – 50+) of Porpoises pass close to shore, Ocean Grove area, Campbell River at about 7 pm, first travelling south and then turning and heading back up north. Travelling on the surface primarily (squalling?)
Has been a great night for sighting from shore! See also Humpback Whale report.
Bronwen Moeller, Campbell River
(I do believe you may have seen Dolphins, based on another report we received. They have more curve in their dorsal fin and are usually the ones in larger groups, frequently leaping and what we call "fast foraging" as they chase and corral their food.
Thank you again for your report – every report is valuable and appreciated. We look forward to hearing from you again, Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC)
May 31:
8:00 pm: Large pod (25-30) Pacific White Sided Dolphin spotted at Shelter Point headed south.
Lance, Willow Point, Campbell River.
DALL’S PORPOISE, HARBOUR PORPOISE
Dall’s Porpoise
May 30, 2014
Marie O’Shaugnessy, Orca-Magic
June 3:
1:37 pm: 6 Harbour Porpoise milling near Arran Point, near Bute Inlet.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
June 2:
On May 31st2014 – Group of Dall’s bow riding and stern riding off my sailboat. 8 nautical miles East off Thrasher Rock. They were moving so fast it was impossible to tell how many ( at least 4 definitely less than 10) Stayed with us about 5 minutes. We were under sail, travelling west towards Thrasher Rock, off Nanaimo.
Greg Hamilton. (via email)
June 1:
5 pm 3 Harbour Porpoise Northbound 3 cables (a cable is one tenth of a nautical mile – SM) South of the Cape Mudge Lighthouse.
John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris
May 30:
Hi Susan Both species of Porpoise were seen today, May 30th, south of Race Rocks. I only counted 4 Dall’s and 4 Harbour Porpoise in ideal conditions. Calm conditions prevailed which were most welcome. We didn’t find any whales today but there have been many sightings of Bigg’s Transient Orca over the past few weeks. Tomorrow is a new day so hopefully more Transients!
Marie O’Shaugnessy, Orca-Magic
Harbour Porpoise
May 30, 2014
Marie O’Shaugnessy, Orca-Magic
LINKS
Here is a fascinating news story, hope you enjoy it!
Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?
Every sighting report is valuable!
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