Transient Bigg’s, Northern Residents, Humpbacks, Dolphins and Porpoise – Another Long Report – Lots of Photos
Another long report of Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales back in our area, Northern Resident Orca back into our inside waters in numbers, Humpback Whales joining us through Sea Fair in Powell River and moving North-West. Pacific White Sided Dolphins spending time harassing the Resident Orca and avoiding the Transient Bigg’s and a few Dall’s Porpoise. The winners of our two huge raffles were posted in the previous, Special Report and once this Sightings report is done, will be updated on our main web site.
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 Killer Whales
July 27, 2014
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
July 31:
9:23 am Radio report of possibly 6 Orca Southbound by Chatham Point.
Bradden Kiley, Painters Lodge.
July 31:
9:25 am Orca at Chatham Point.
10:23 am Killer Whales at Cinque Islands, just below Chatham Point. They’re Southbound. A couple of Pacific White Sided Dolphins went flying by us and the whales.
Geord Dunstan, Discovery Marine Safaris
July 31:
12 pm Transient Bigg’s Orca pod T018’s and T19B still Southbound in Discovery Passage 2 nautical miles West of Brown’s Bay. They’re travelling and resting – no hunting so far.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
July 30:
1:33 pm: There is a report of Orca at the mouth of Bute Inlet from a friend. No numbers or direction given.
3:00 pm: Orca in Bute Inlet.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
July 30:
2:30 pm., 3 Orca, three adult and one baby were headed north, past Blind Bay and west of Hardy Island near the entrance to Jervis Inlet.
Becky and Kerry Williams-Freeman.
July 30:
3:10 pm: Aaron Nagler is with 6 or so Orca heading north into Bute Inlet at Armor Point.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
July 30:
4:18 pm: 3 small fins and a calf north bound at about 8 knots, in Bute Inlet. Travelling fast and straight.
Aaron Nagler, Sonora Lodge.
July 29:
12:14 pm: Three Orca westing off the Kelsey Bay dock. Making 7 knots.
2:57 pm: 5 Orca at St. Vincent Bight slowly westing between breaches, spy hops and tail flaps.
John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris.
July 29:
6:59 pm: 7 Orca angling west towards Vancouver island from Grant’s Reef/ Vivian Island, including one big male and some smaller ones. They’re breaching and on the move.
John Treen, Savary Island.
July 29:
7:57 pm Photo came in to me of breaching Orca by Harwood Island, with the Powell River mill showing in background. (We are trying to obtain permission to post this gorgeous photo, but have not been able to reach the owner yet – SM)
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
T124D with her calf
Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales Vivian Isl.
July 28, 2014
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours
July 28:
8:35 am: Sounds like there were Orca southbound from Kanish Bay, Quadra island, at 7:15 pm last night. Got this from Matt at Painter’s Lodge.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
July 28:
9:45 am: 5-6 Orca between Savary Island and Dinner Rock, milling.
10:45 am: Orca are now by the Mystery Reef buoy.
11:00 am: Orca are right on Mystery Reef, 3 miles SE of Savary Island heading towards Harwood / Vivian Island.
John Treen, Savary Island.
July 28:
11:20 am approx. We found 4 – 5 Orca including one calf off Vivian Island. They cut between the rocks and manoeuvred to create a wave in attempts to wash off a seal or two off the shore for their lunch. They made a couple of passes and if they got one or two, it was not obvious.
12:35 pm: Orca are now by Rebecca Rock, Texada Island. Doing longer dives and quite undecided as to whether to head towards the Powell River mill or Grief Point.
4:00 pm: Leigh has left the scene and Fabian has Orca southbound mid channel angling off Myrtle Rocks, Albion Point.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC.
July 28:
5:00 pm: Orca by Blind Bay, Hardy Island, at the entrance to Jervis Inlet. (Either the Orca off Myrtle Rocks picked up the pace, or this is another group of Transient Bigg’s – SM)
(from radio)
July 27:
8:43 am: Report of Orca heading north this morning in front of Cape Mudge, Quadra Island.
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching.
July 27:
10:29 am: 30 plus Orca at Camp Point, Johnstone Strait easting.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching.
July 27:
10:35 am: Large group of Orca easting at Camp Point.
2:30 pm: Left the Bigg’s at Chatham Point, at the junction of Discovery Passage and Johnstone Strait.
Bradden Kiley, Painters Lodge.
July 27:
12:15 pm: We have the T090’s, 101’s, 102, plus one female and one calf, no ID on them yet, sorry (learned later T124D and calf – SM), easting, one mile east of Vansitart Point, on the south shore of West Thurlow Island.
1:04 pm: Bigg’s Orca at Palmer Bay.
5:17 pm: Bigg’s stopped for a couple of seal kills by Nixon Island in Kanish Bay – now they are on the move again and heading for Discovery Passage.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales
July 27, 2014
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
July 27:
5:30 pm: Transient Bigg’s in Kanish Bay, Quadra Island.
John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris.
July 27:
6:00 pm: Left Orca approaching 45 Point southbound angling to mid channel, then they turned back towards Kanish Bay.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
July 26:
4:15 pm: T46B’s easting, almost at the Broken Islands.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures.
NORTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
July 30:
3:00 pm: 25 Orca in Blackney Passage, top of Johnstone Strait.(we understand that these were Northern Resident Orca – SM)
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures.
July 30:
6:15 pm 3 Orca heading West at the East end of the Michael Bigg’s Ecological Reserve, Johnstone Strait. (we believe are part of the Northern Resident Orca pods that had been in the reserve – SM)
John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris
July 29:
5:12 pm: Two Orca – believe they are Kaikash and Plumper – transiting Blackney Passage slowly heading in the direction of Robson Bight. Tenacious 3 leaving them for the evening.
John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris.
July 26:
8:44 am: One big dorsal spotted near Chatham Point.
(from radio)
July 26:
1:46 pm: I have a lone male at Port Neville, westbound. Trying to get an ID photo shot but definitely one of the two brothers A37 and A46 known as the A36’s.
Here are a few pictures of who I am pretty sure is A-37. He was very slow, breathing shallow, not much of a blow and was coming up a little sideways. His bro was nowhere in the area at the time I was with him, but Jos found A-46 on the other side of the strait on the way home,so I guess they are still traveling together.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours.
July 26:
4:05 pm A46 is on his own westbound by Adam River, Johnstone Strait at 8.2 knots.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
July 26:
6:14 pm: So both the A36 brothers appear to be accounted for. (One of them, A37, seemed so lethargic that has us worried that he’s not well – SM.)
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
July 25:
9:55 am: Sounds as though there are Orca coming out of Blind Channel, also Pacific White Sided Dolphins off Okisollo Channel.
(from radio)
July 25:
10:00 am: The A36 brothers are at the Walken Islands, just in Johnstone Strait by Nodales Channel, easting.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching.
July 25:
12:00 pm: The A36’s are easting into Nodales Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
A36 Brothers – 3 photos
July 25, 2014
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
July 24:
8:50 am: Report from a pleasure craft of Orca at Bear Bay.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin.
July 24:
9:00 am: One bull Orca southbound between Rock Point and Chatham Point.(overheard on radio from "Thumper.")
Aaron Nagler, Sonora Lodge.
July 24:
11:59 am: The A36’s are easting in the Davis Point area, at the entrance to Thurston Bay in Nodales Channel.
4:20 pm The A36 boys were being harassed by 10 PWS Dolphins earlier.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
July 24:
3:58 pm: A36’s now easting from Davis Point, 15 Pacific White Sided Dolphins are with them.
Fabien Minfray, Eagle Eye Adventures.
July 23:
8:00 am: Lone bull Orca reported at the south mouth of Frederick Arm, west of Gomer Island. Presume that the A36’s are there. Pacific Yellowfin is on the way, will probably be on the scene by 9:00 am.
Aaron Nagler, Sonora Lodge.
July 23:
9:00 am: With lone male Orca at entrance to Frederick Arm.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin.
July 23:
10:39 am: Plumper (A37) and Kaikash (A46) are at Gomer Island, entrance to Frederick Arm.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching.
July 23:
12:02 pm: The brothers (A37 and A46) are in Nodales Channel westing near Sonora Point.
Bradden Kiley, Painters Lodge.
July 23:
1:00 pm: The Orca brothers are now easting at DavisPoint, Nodales Channel.
Jen Furst, Campbell River Whale Watching.
July 23:
1:35 pm: A37 is now on the Thurlow Island side and A46 is near the fish farm on Sonora Island side, both still heading east.
2:40 pm: Left the boys abeam the fish farm on Sonora, slowly heading east.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours.
July 23:
4:13 pm: A36’s are foraging in Frederick Arm. A few Pacific White Sided Dolphins in the area as well.
6:33 pm: Left the 36’s easting at Sonora Point.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
EXTREMELY RARE ORCA
July 25:
8:00 am: Multiple sightings and reports of an extremely rare Orca Mother and Calf en route to the Sea Fair in Powell River! This whale was previously seen last year but the calf is new! There was a dolphin close by also.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC.
Rare Orca Mom and Calf
July 25, 2014
Susan MacKay, SG Images
UNIDENTIFIED WHALES
July 26:
7:27 pm: Have been seeing whale blows off Harwood Island from Grief Point since 7:00 p.m. No idea what species or how many. We could not tell the direction of travel as they were too far away, but it seemed that they were not moving just hanging out in one spot. (we believe this sighting is most likely the Humpback Whales – SM)
Joanne Brough, Powell River
HUMPBACK WHALES
Humpback Whale BCX0380 ‘Zed’
July 28, 2014
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours Canada
July 30:
12:26 pm: Two Humpbacks just south of Cape Mudge (Quadra island), northbound.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
July 30:
1:25 pm: Humpback in front of Campbell River, mid channel, northbound. One for sure so far.
4:33 pm: Leaving the Humpback still at Steep island mid channel, northbound.
Fabian Minfray, Eagle Eye Adventures.
July 30:
3:00 pm: Two Humpbacks in Blackney Passage, top of Johnstone Strait.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures.
July 30:
3:05 pm: Humpback Whale at April Point, northbound.
John Lapp, Discovery Marine Safaris.
July 30:
3:45 pm: Humpback by Steep island, bucking the tide northbound.
(from radio)
July 29:
9:16 am: Humpback at Viner Point, south extremity of Read Island.
(from radio)
July 29:
9:21 am: Humpback whale at Viner Point, travelling towards Burdwood Bay.
9:35 am: Off Burdwood Bay now. Just sounded. She had been resting on top for a while.
9:45 am: Humpback is now on the inside of Hill Island.
10:00 am: Humpback is on her way north to Whale Passage which separates Penn Islands from Read Island. Leaving the scene now.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin.
July 29:
12:55 pm: Humpback still by Willingdon Beach in Powell River.
Heidi Sullivan, Powell River
July 29:
5:00 pm: Humpback whale south of Penn Islands.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin.
July 29:
7:10 pm: Humpback same place, South Penn Island, Read Island side.
Jen Furst, Campbell River Whale Watching.
July 29:
7:13 pm: Humpback south of Penn Islands.
John Lapp, Discovery Marine Safaris.
July 28:
11:28 am Just spotted a Humpback Whale while looking at a number of boats by the Orca. The Humpback is Eastbound on the North side of Harwood Island heading towards the Harwood spit. It’s a Humpback for sure. We saw the blow, back and tail flukes.
John Treen, Savary Island
July 28:
2:10 pm: Humpback whale right off Powell River now.
4:00 pm: Leigh has joined me, we are waiting for the Humpback to resurface between Willingdon Beach and the Mill at Powell River. Motor off and drifting, I was texting the report and expected to hear a blow farther off. But I just about jumped out of my skiff! It surfaced right beside me, so close I felt the spray of the blow.
I believe this whale to be a female due to how skinny she appears to be. There was a report of two of them with one being much smaller earlier in the weekend while we were busy at sea fair. She is missing half of her left side tail fluke which is well healed. This whale is known officially as BCX0380. I’m not aware of any other name given to her at this time, so I’ve nicknamed her ‘Zed’ due to a perfect ‘Z’ marking on her right side tail fluke.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC.
Did You know that all Baleen Whales have two blow holes while toothed whales have only one?
Extremely thin looking with all the vertebrae sticking up
Humpback Whale BCX0380 ‘Zed’
July 28, 2014 – Three photos above
Susan MacKay, SG Images
July 28:
4:52 pm: Leaving Humpback at the Powell River mill, milling.
Fabien Minfray, Eagle Eye Adventures.
July 28:
8:15 pm: The Humpback is still in front of the Powell River Mill.
Elizabeth Tenhoeve, Powell River
July 27:
8:00 am: Single Humpback Whale at Harwood Island. Seems to be working the area between Harwood Island and Texada island.
Neil Park, Powell River
July 27:
8:43 am: Humpback breaching between Read Island and Penn Islands.
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching.
July 27:
10:53 am: One, possibly two Humpback Whales have been in front of Powell River and one of them has turned up in front of the Sea Fair in Powell River.
Steve Grover, Powell River.
July 27:
11:00 am: We saw this Humpback between Texada Island and Harwood Island.(This confirms that there were actually two Humpback whales in the area. We thought we had seen a second blow from the Sea Fair grounds at Willingdon Beach. SM)
Nancy McMahon, Powell River
Humpback Whale off Texada
July 27, 2014
Nancy McMahon, Powell River
July 27:
11:00 am: One of the two Humpbacks that were around Powell River yesterday continued north past Savary Island.
John Treen, Savary Island.
July 27:
4:00 pm: Update – the Humpback is still in front of the SeaFair in Powell River! We were fortunate to have the help of this whale raise awareness while many people who had never seen a whale before were thrilled to have it pointed out and enjoyed watching the huge blows, back and tail flukes.
10 pm Humpback Whale was still in front of the Powell River mill resting mid-strait. It was a beautiful sight with the blows being backlit in the distance. I watched till it was too dark to see.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC
July 27:
5:25 pm: We got a telephone call on our toll free line about a whale off of Willingdon Beach on Sunday 27th. Unfortunately the person did not leave their name but the call was appreciated. We were fortunate to have this Humpback whale stay out in front of our Sea Fair booth location, which allowed a number of people who hadn’t seen a whale in the wild before to enjoy seeing the blows, back and tail flukes.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
July 26:
12:24 pm: Humpback Whale known as ‘KC’ is easting at Kelsey Bay, on the Vancouver Island side.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures.
July 26:
12:30 pm – 1:15 pm: The Humpback whale ‘KC’ was travelling around between Brasseau Bay and Helmcken Island, first on the Vancouver island side and then out in the channel. Don’t know what he was doing, he turned at one point and headed straight for us, got to about 40′ away and was still coming so we moved pdq. If he had come up beneath us we would have been sunk, literally!
Angie and Paul Hibbert "Lulu II," Sayward.
July 25:
1:05 pm A fishing guide at my Marina said they saw a Humpback between Mitlenatch Island and the green can buoy about 2-3 hours ago…right in front of Baker Passage.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours.
July 24:
7:21 pm: The Humpback whale ‘KC’ is westing along the Vancouver Island shore 2 miles east of Hickey Point, Johnstone Strait. Leaving him on his own now.
John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris.
July 23:
10:15 am: Lone Humpback whale westbound along the Vancouver Island shore abeam of Yorke Island, Johnstone Strait. Leaving the scene now.
11:43 am: One Humpback resting on the surface one cable off Boat Bay, across from Robson Bight Ecological Reserve.
John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris.
July 23:
11:15 am – 12:05 pm: Large Humpback (KC) in the Fanny Island area, just up from Kelsey Bay, Vancouver Island side first, foraging and playing with kelp, diving with tail lobs. Then moved out towards mid channel . Photos to follow.
Angie and Paul Hibbert, "Lulu II." Sayward.
Humpback Whale Kelp Creature ‘KC’
In the kelp beds and Mug shot
July 23, 2014
Angie and Paul Hibbert, "Lulu II." Sayward
MINKE WHALES
July 24:
10:20 am: Minke whale foraging just off Vancouver Island shore across from Alert Bay.
Peter Cracknell, Sayward.
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
July 31:
8:29 am 12 or so Pacific White Sided Dolphins by Plumper Bay, Discovery Passage. From Brad, Painter’s Lodge boat.
9:25 am Dolphins at 45 Point, possibly two groups of them Northbound.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
July 31:
10:23 am A couple of Pacific White Sided Dolphins went flying by us and the Killer Whales at Cinque Islands, just below Chatham Point.
Geord Dunstan, Discovery Marine Safaris
July 30:
11:00 am: I hear, over the radio, that there are Dolphins in Cordero Channel somewhere up near Loughborough Inlet.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
July 30:
11:00 am: Yes, there were 15 Pacific White Sided Dolphins between Green Point and the mouth of Loughborough Inlet feeding about one hour ago.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
July 30:
11:30 am: Left the Dolphins westing at the mouth of Loughborough Inlet.
Fabien Minfray, Eagle Eye Adventures.
July 29:
9:15 am: 12 Pacific White Sided Dolphins near Harding Island in Nodales Channel.
Mark Evans, Campbell River Whale Watching.
July 29:
12:10 pm: Pacific White Sided Dolphins between Denham and Sonora Islands.
Geord, Discovery Marine Safaris.
July 29:
2:55 pm: Left leaping Pacific White Sided Dolphins by Mermaid Bay in Dent Rapids.
3:35 pm: 20 Pacific White Sided Dolphins milling in Kanish Bay.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
July 29, 2014
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
July 29:
2:00 pm – 6:00 pm: 12 Pacific White Sided Dolphins surfing between the Dent Islands and Gillard Passage this afternoon.
Aaron Nagler, Sonora Lodge.
July 28:
10:00 am: Small group of Pacific White Sided Dolphins in Nodales Channel.
10:15 am: 12 Pacific White Sides at Thurlow point, eastbound.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours.
July 28:
4:00 pm: 12 Pacific White Sided Dolphins (expert surfers!) northward bound at Hall Point, Nodales Channel.
Aaron Nagler, Sonora Lodge.
July 27:
8:45 am: Half a dozen Pacific White Sided Dolphins in Seymour Narrows.
(from radio)
July 27:
12:00 pm: 6 Pacific White Sided Dolphins easting at Sonora Point.
4:50 pm: 12 Pacific White Sided Dolphins at Horn Bay, Dent Rapids area moving this way and that.
Aaron Nagler, Sonora Lodge.
July 26:
1:22 pm: 15 Pacific White Sided Dolphins at Deep Water Bay, top of Discovery Passage.
3:35 pm: Leaving the Dolphins at Plumper Point.
Fabien Minfray, Eagle Eye Adventures.
July 26:
4:46 pm: 20 Pacific White Sided Dolphins at Copper Bluffs, across from Campbell River.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
July 26:
6:27 pm: 20 Pacific White Sided Dolphins feeding in Seymour Narrows – not heading in any particular direction.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours.
July 25:
9:55 am: Sounds as though there are Pacific white Sided Dolphins off Okisollo Channel, also Orca coming out of Blind Channel.
(from radio)
July 25:
6:25 pm 12 Pacific White Sided Dolphins by Jimmy Judd Island, Gillard Pass. There are two sea lions on the rocks too.
Bradden Kiley, Painter’s Lodge.
July 24:
11:00 am: 12 Pacific White Sided Dolphins in Shoal Bay.
Bradden Kiley, Painter’s Lodge.
July 24:
3:55 pm: 15 Pacifc White Sided Dolphins at Mink Island, Cordero Channel.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching.
July 24:
3:58 pm: 15 Pacific White Sided Dolphins travelling with the NRKW’s (A36’s) easting at Davis Point.
Fabian Minfray, Eagle Eye Adventures.
July 24:
4:20 pm: 10 Pacific White Sided Dolphins harassing the Resident Orca A36’s earlier.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
July 23:
6:30 am: 35 Pacific White Sided Dolphins mid channel westing off Kelsey Bay.
John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris.
July 23:
4:13 pm: A few Pacific White Sided Dolphins in the area with Resident Killer Whales known as A36’s foraging in Frederick Arm..
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
UNIDENTIFIED DLOPHINS OR PORPOISE
July 24:
9:00 am: Either Dolphins or Porpoise at Dent Rapids, too far off to tell.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin.
DALL’S PORPOISE
Dall’s Porpoise
July 29, 2014
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
July 29:
5:00 pm 7:00 pm: 6 Dall’s Porpoise in front of Sonora Resort.
Aaron Nagler, Sonora Lodge.
LINKS
Here are a couple of videos of a very close encounter between kayakers and a South Pacific Right Whale off the Argentinean coast. This is NOT how to approach whales. These people look like they purposely got too close. That being said, it’s pretty amazing that the whale had the sense of mind not to overturn the kayak!
And here is a link to another Humpback story – this time it was the human who averted a collision!
The Vancouver Aquarium continues to defend the keeping and display of cetaceans in the face of ever increasing pressure from the public. There is still more debating and meetings being held – we will keep you posted. Here are three news reports, so far:
A sad report: Killer whale washes up on UK beach but cause of death is mystery:
Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?
Every sighting report is valuable!
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