Elusive Transient Bigg’s Orca, Humpback Whales, Dolphins, Porpoise and Links in the News
The Transient Bigg’s Orca are keeping a very low profile lately, but the word is that the Northern Resident Killer Whales known as the A5’s finally showed up around the Blackfish Sound area after having been seen a while ago much farther up the coast. The Humpback Whales are showing up with a couple travelling back and forth through Johnstone Strait. Pacific White Sided Dolphins are staying in smaller groups of 25 being the most common number, but occasionally up to 50 or 60 in numbers. A few Dall’s Porpoise make brief appearances as do the little Harbour Porpoise. We are truly wondering where some of these Cetaceans are travelling. Please remember to call or email your sightings in to us. We will post some more information on the Orca with the damaged dorsal in the next update. We have been working hard to prepare for Powell River Sea Fair July 25, 26 & 27 and hope to see you there. Our Fundraising information is farther below. Have you bought your Raffle tickets yet?
Susan MacKay & Lynne Cracknell, Whales and Dolphins BC
Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?
Every sighting report is valuable!
TRANSIENT BIGG’S KILLER WHALES
Transient Bigg’s Orca (above three photos)
July 11, 2014
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours
July 13-16 there was only one report of Unidentified Orca sightings – the Transient Bigg’s appear to have disappeared since it is quite likely that the sightings was of Southern Resident Orca in the Sooke area.
July 12:
9:15 pm Some Orca just popped up in front of Powell River heading South about mid-channel. They looked like they came from the top of Texada. Couldn’t tell how many but one large one breached! They were obscured by a tree for a bit and never saw them afterwards. Neighbours from three houses were all looking, so lots of eyes, but no-one saw them again.
Jim Bradley, Powell River
July 11:
10:45 am: Orca out at the top end of Turn Island, off the south end of East Thurlow, mid strait, westing. There are a small group of Pacific White Sided Dolphins out in front of them.
10:50 am: 6 Orca westbound at Turn Island. Could be that there are just 5 animals.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching.
July 11:
11:35 am: Orca by Ripple Point, near Turn Island. Not sure who they are yet.
12:05 pm: Leaving the scene now. The Orca are at Bear Point, still in Johnstone Strait, moving north at 6 knots.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
July 11:
1:23 pm: Killer whales just east of Camp Point, south of Kelsey Bay, now.
Geord Dunstan, Discovery Marine Safaris.
UNIDENTIFIED ORCA
July 16:
11 amWe had the pleasure of sighting a small pod (1 M, 4FM) of Orca’s while fishing at Beecher Bay, in the Sooke area, around 11 this morning! No wonder there weren’t any Salmon. LOL
from an unsigned email with a return address to "Dad"
Transient Bigg’s Orca (above two photos)
July 11, 2014
Jen Furst, Campbell River Whale Watching.
HUMPBACK WHALES
July 15:
2:30 pm: Lots of Humpback activity at Bold Head, in Blackfish Sound, at the top of Johnstone Strait.
Jen Furst, Campbell River Whale Watching.
July 15:
7:10 pm: A guy on my dock told me he saw a Humpback Whale near Miracle Beach, just South of Campbell River, a couple of hours ago. I was just there an hour ago and didn’t see anything.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours.
Humpback Whale
July 12, 2014
Jen Furst, Campbell River Whale Watching.
July 14:
2:00 pm: Two Humpbacks at Cracroft Point, at Blackney Pass, top end of Johnstone Strait.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching.
July 13:
2:40 pm: Two Humpbacks (K.C. And Guardian) in Blackney Passage, in between Hanson and Parson Islands.
Roger, "Lukwa" Stubbs Island Whale Watching,Telegraph Cove.
July 12:
11:02 am: Humpback at York Island, Johnstone Strait, southbound.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching.
July 12:
12:24 pm: With the Humpback at Hickey Point, north of Kelsey Bay, Westbound.
12:40 pm: Just found a second Humpback at Hickey Point.
12:50 pm: The second Humpback is Eastbound and is "KC".
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures.
(From photos submitted to us, Susan MacKay identified the second whale as "Stripe".)
Humpback Whale “Stripe”
July 12, 2014
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures.
July 12:
1:11 pm: Leaving the Humpback at St. Vincent’s Bight, westing,
Jen Furst, Campbell River Whale Watching.
July 11:
10:30 am: Humpback out from Vivian Island moving towards Comox.
(from radio)
July 11:
10:55 am: Humpback Whale just off Vivian Island, moving slowly southbound. Resting mostly, for about an hour so far.
Pleasure Boat, "Bella Vida".
July 11:
2:30 pm: Humpback Whale off Harwood Island, across from Powell River. After seeing it’s blows a number of times and tail flukes once, I am finally heading out!
6:04 pm: Saw the Humpback twice from quite a distance then could not find it again.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC.
July 11:
3 – 4:00 pm We got to see 3 or 4 Humpback Whales together, just East of Naka Creek, in Johnstone Strait above Kelsey Bay. They made a brief appearance before diving away heading East. What a treat!
Tara Bladon, Campbell River
July 10:
11:50 am: Humpback Whale in Dent Rapids, between Dent Island and Sonora Island.
5:40 pm: Two Humpback Whales southbound at Chatham Point, at the eastern extremity of Johnstone Strait.
6:20 pm: "K.C" (Kelp Creature) has turned into Nodales Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
Humpback Whale “KC” Kelp Creature enjoying a favourite rub in the kelp.
July 12, 2014
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
July 10:
12:18 pm: Two Humpbacks by Kelsey Bay, southbound.
Jen Furst, Campbell River Whale Watching.
July 10:
12:24 pm: There are two Humpbacks in Dent Rapids, a mom and a tiny calf.
1:00 pm: The Humpbacks in Dent appear to be bubble net feeding.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures.
July 10:
1:00 pm: Leaving the Humpbacks still southbound at Camp Point. (These would be the two who were spotted earlier at Kelsey Bay – LC.)
Bradden Kiley, Painters Lodge.
July 10:
1:55 pm: Leaving the smaller Humpback doing donuts between Dent Island and Sonora Island, still close to Devil’s Hole.Never did see a second whale. This (photo) was the smaller HB that we had in the Devils Hole/ Dent Rapids area doing doughnuts in the big flood current. He would push himself up the back eddy and into the wash of the current running a good 14 knots and get swept back and all of a sudden pop up way on the other side of the channel and below you by 400 mtrs. Must have liked the bubble bath. We did only see this one animal at the time, so if there were two we would need photo confirmation. We were there for 45 min and only the one animal. Was an interesting spot to watch a HB play……kept wondering if he/she was going to all of a sudden pour on the power and get through the tide. Sounded like it waited for the current to slow and then went through.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
Humpback Whale
July 10, 2014
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
July 10:
5:15 pm: Humpback northbound at the mouth of Frederick Arm.
Aaron Nagler, Sonora Lodge.
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
July 16:
11:35 am: 70 Pacific White Sided Dolphins spread out at Horn Point.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching.
July 15:
6:35 am: Pacific White Sided Dolphins at Dent Island headed to Hall Point, Nodales Channel.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin.
July 15:
9:50 am: 40 Pacific White Sided Dolphins at Davis Point, Nodales Channel, heading east.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching.
Pacific White Sided Dolphin Back Flip
July 15, 2014
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours
July 15:
1:30 pm: 50 Pacific White Sided Dolphins at Gomer Island, the entrance to Frederick Arm, feeding.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
July 14:
9:22 am: Pacific White Sided Dolphins at Frederick’s Arm.
Bradden Kiley, Painters Lodge.
July 14:
11:45 am: 20 – 30 Pacific White Sided Dolphins feeding in Denham Bay, above the Yuculta Rapids.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours.
July 14:
11:58 am: 25 Pacific White Sided Dolphins foraging in Denham Bay.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
July 14:
3:45 pm: Pacific White Sided Dolphins still in the Denham Bay area.
Fabien Minfray, Eagle Eye Adventures.
July 13:
1:30 pm 50-60 PWS Dolphins going into Frederick’s Arm.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
July 13:
2:15 pm: Pacific White Sided Dolphins travelling quickly northward, just south of Petersen Island, near Kelsey Bay.
Lynne Cracknell, Whales and Dolphins BC.
July 13:
3:47 pm: Pacific White Sided Dolphins just north of little Dent Island.
Fabien Minfray, Eagle Eye Adventures.
July 13:
7:18 pm: With Pacific White Sides at Denham Island, they are headed for Frederick Arm. There is a big – no, very big – Stellar Sea Lion hauled out at Jimmy Judd Ilsand.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin.
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
July 15, 2014
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours
July 12:
9:30 am: Pacific White Sided Dolphins just above Dent Rapids.
(from radio)
July 12:
12:25 pm: 25 Pacific White Sided Dolphins heading down into Nodales Channel, eastbound.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
July 12:
1:22 pm: 4 Pacific White Sided Dolphins at Brown’s Bay. Two Moms, two calves.
3:16 pm: There are more Pacific White Sided Dolphins in Horn Bay, just above the Yuculta Rapids, at the old shack.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching.
July 12:
4:27 pm: Leaving the Pacific White Sided Dolphins at Denham Island, above Dent Rapids.
Fabien Minfray, Eagle Eye Adventures.
July 11:
10:45 am: Small group of Pacific White Sided Dolphins at the top end of Turn Island, mid Johnstone Strait, westing. There are Orca behind them, heading in the same direction.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching.
July 11:
12:40 pm: 12 or so Pacific White Sided Dolphins at Hall Point, at the entrance to Nodales Channel.
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching.
July 11:
1:24 pm: Pacific White Sided Dolphins spread out by Denham Bay, Dent Rapids.
(from Radio)
July 11:
6:15 pm: 30 plus Pacific White Sided Dolphins between Greensea and Howe Islands. Same group as yesterday, still fishing.
Bradden Kiley, Painters Lodge.
July 10:
9:15 am: Pacific White Sided Dolphins in Frederick Arm.
(from radio)
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
July 15, 2014
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours
July 10:
1:05 pm: 20 or so Pacific White Sided Dolphins just off Gomer Island angling towards Hall Point on Sonora Island. Lots of moms and calves.
1:15 pm: Just left the PWS Dolphins at Hall Point, Nodales Channel, quite spread out.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
July 10:
2:00 pm: 20 – 50 Pacific White Sided Dolphins spread out between Chatham and Howe Island, at the southern reach of Nodales Channel.
Bradden Kiley, Painters Lodge.
July 10:
2:59 pm The Dolphins are just North of Cinque Island now – mid channel.
Fabien Minfray, Eagle Eye Adventures.
July 10:
5:00 pm: Left the Dolphins milling at Howe Island. They were feeding on young salmon. Several schools were near the surface.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
DALL’S PORPOISE
July 15:
2:10 pm: One Dall’s Porpoise fishing in the shallows off Salmon Point, just South of Campbell River.
Lynne Cracknell,Whales and Dolphins BC.
July 13:
8:50 am: 3 Dall’s Porpoise at Orca Point (aka Harbott Point) at the south tip of Stuart island, at the South entrance to Yaculta Rapids.
Aaron Nagler, Sonora Lodge.
July 11:
1:19 pm: 8 Dall’s Porpoise at Owen Point.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching.
July 11:
2:00 pm: 4 Dall’s Porpoise at Hall Point.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
July 11:
3:15 pm: 1-2 Dall’s Porpoise off Harwood Island, foraging. Am out looking for the disappearing Humpback!
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC.
July 10:
2:30 pm: 3-4 Porpoise, can’t quite tell if they are Dall’s or Harbour Porpoise from here.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC.
July 10:
12:45 pm: 6 Dall’s Porpoise at the mouth of Frederick Arm.
Aaron Nagler, Sonora Lodge.
HARBOUR PORPOISE
July 15:
4:25 pm: Two Harbour Porpoise at Aran Rapids, on the Bute Inlet side.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
July 14:
3:52 pm: We have 10 or so Harbour Porpoise feeding between Shelter Point and the red can buoy off Cape Mudge.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours.
FUNDRAISING 2014
Fundraising 2014:Tickets for our Two Huge Raffles are available:
Powell RiverTown Centre Mall on Sat., July 12 & Sea Fair July 25, 26 & 27th
Campbell RiverDiscovery Marine Safaris office & at the Discovery Marina dock offices of: Eagle Eye Adventures & Aboriginal Journeys Whale & Grizzly Tours
2 GREAT RAFFLES FOR A TOTAL OF 6 TOURS TO BE DRAWN!
RAFFLE #1:
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Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours – Whale Watching for Two
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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)
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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!
From all of us at Wild Ocean Whale Society (WOWs)
LINKS
Some interesting whale news for you in this report; the Canadian Military halted an exercise to allow L pod to pass safely through their firing area, and a very unusual visitor arrived on our coastline, badly in need of help. And lastly a link about Dolphins attacks on Porpoise in the UK. Those stories below.
The next article discusses some unusual behaviour of Bottlenose Dolphins attacking Porpoise. We also have had a limited number of these attacks on juvenile Porpoise by Pacific White Sided Dolphins witnessed in BC waters. It’s uncertain as to whether it’s over exuberant play, or something of a vicious or bullying nature.
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.
